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[hr][b][color=crimson][h3]ISSUE #4
BROTHER[/h3][/color][hr][color=powderblue][u]Deacon's Penthouse
New York City, New York[/u][/color][/b][/center]
With a quiet sigh of contentment, I entered my study, sitting down in the plush chair that resided behind my desk. I turned around to face the window, contemplating my day so far. I had returned home after checking up on the operations of one of my clubs, the Bloodbath. The clubs were all quite repulsive places with just as repulsive clientele, but they provided me with enough funds to continue on with my plans. I would have to read up on the book I had sent my servant William to acquire earlier today... Whenever he arrived with it.

The door creaked open. I smiled. Ah, there he was now.

[b]"Mister Frost?"[/b]

At that I frowned. That wasn't William, that was Katya, one of my familiars. [color=powderblue][b]"Katya. What is it?"[/b][/color] I turned in my chair to face her.

[b]"It's about William, sir."[/b]

I leaned forward, placing my elbows against my desk and steepling my hands. [color=powderblue][b]"What about him, Katya?"[/b][/color]

[b]"He was killed, sir. Just after acquiring the book you requested. A few of our eyes say a man who looked to be a demon killed him, and took the book as well."[/b]

At that, I sighed. [color=powderblue][b]"... A pity. William was one of my best servants. Do we know where this demon went?"[/b][/color]

[b]"No, sir. They lost track of him."[/b]

I stood from my seat and turned back around to look out the window. Placing a hand against it, I responded, [color=powderblue][b]"Disappointing, but not surprising. At any rate, the knowledge within the book wasn't required for our plans, but it would have served us well to have it."[/b][/color] I turned back around to face Katya. [color=powderblue][b]"Who were the ones that lost track of him?"[/b][/color]

[b]"Eleanor, Oscar, and Zachary."[/b]

[color=powderblue][b]"Choose one and kill them in front of the other two. Let it serve as a warning that if they fail again, it will be their heads that roll."[/b][/color]

Katya hesitated, as I expected her to, but nodded in reply. [b]"Understood, sir... There is one more thing, before I go."[/b]

[color=powderblue][b]"And what would that be?"[/b][/color]

[b]"The Bloodbath was attacked not long after you left by... Blade."[/b]

I tensed up imperceptibly, then closed my eyes and shook my head with a sigh. [color=powderblue][b]"How many dead?"[/b][/color]

[b]"We're not sure."[/b]

[color=powderblue][b]"... Leave me. I must think."[/b][/color]

With that, she left me be to my thoughts. It seems this demon would be another hunter in town, as if we didn't have our hands full enough with my brother. I would need to deal with them both. And since we had some clue as to where my brother was, it would make sense for me to take him out first.

[color=powderblue][b]"I believe it's time to extend an invitation to brother dearest."[/b][/color][hr][center][color=crimson][b][u]Blade's Unnamed Shop
New York City, New York[/u][/b][/color][/center]
I entered my shop with a grin, counting out the cash from last night's job in my hands. [color=crimson][b]"290... 300 dollars! Hot damn, the amount of pizzas I can buy with this!"[/b][/color] I pocketed the cash and immediately went over to my desk. I was about to reach for my phone to order some of those pizzas when...

[b][i]*R-R-R-RRRRING!*[/i][/b]

Another job so soon? Shiet, I'm gonna be rolling in on cash in no time. This sure is the life. I picked up the phone, still grinning, and spoke: [color=crimson][b]"Yo yo yo, it's Blade."[/b][/color]

[color=powderblue][b]"Brother. It's been too long."[/b][/color]

My grin fell. My heart raced. My veins burned red.

[i]Deacon.[/i]

[color=powderblue][b]"I'd like to invite you to my home. I take it you're eager for a rematch. Come find me at the Royal Palace Hotel. Top floor penthouse."[/b][/color]

I couldn't speak. My mind was too busy remembering the blood flowing from Whistler's wounded leg, my brother's cold face as he walked away, leaving us wounded. I wouldn't let this next meeting end the same way.

[color=powderblue][b]"See you soon."[/b][/color] He hung up.

Without another word I slammed the phone back onto the receiver and went to retrieve my weapons. Deacon Frost was going to die tonight. That I was sure of.
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