arsonist's lullaby | rose

[asher rowan burke]

all you have is your fire

and the place you need to reach

Late December 2027
Rozalina Antonina Nightshade

Revenge. A task only for the most patient of people. In a way, it was true what they said. If left sitting too long, it would fester and rot somebody from their insides. But Asher knew there was a way to walk that fine line between a resolute goal and self-destruction. He thought of revenge often but was failing to find his one true target. Revenge was a drive of unlimited fuel but dangerous without direction. Focusing on Rose’s request was simpler than sorting through his own life, plus it worked toward his goal.

Asher needed allies, but not just any allies. This world—their world was not one where friends were made for the sake of friendships. Everybody had a purpose, and everybody could give him something. Asher had traveled quite a bit. The club was in a stable place where he didn’t need to micromanage its day-to-day operations. Their social circles, where Asher knew he could find the most information, would not welcome his usual lackeys. Slowly but surely, pieces of this puzzle appeared, and Asher gathered them.

Months had passed, and the weather grew colder, but the chill up Asher’s spine lingered as the anniversary of his release grew closer. Anger flooded him at the thought. Many called Asher arrogant and selfish, even a little vain and wrathful. The last part was true. And his rage certainly flared up at the thought—how much had he been forced to sacrifice for this ‘greater good’ his father always touted. Asher had one of his trusted send a note to Rose. Some beneficial information had fallen into his hands. Perhaps she’d now have enough to enact her own revenge.

Fortunately, Asher never personally crossed paths with any of Rose’s family outside of official functions. Wary eyes hardly wandered his way. Peering down into the dueling pits, Asher rolled down his sleeve, smoothing out the wrinkles before working on the buttons near his wrist. The door opened behind him, but he didn’t turn around. His heartbeat settled down, and that sense of pride and power lingered. Occasionally some young pureblood still liked to challenge Asher, and he had to answer it, of course. Though they never seemed to learn. And if they thought he was weak, they were foolish. His wrath was nothing like before. It was deadlier now. Finally, he turned as he finished with the buttons and checked the cuff link.

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[Rozalina Antonina Nightshade]

December 2027
asher rowan burke

Rose was a terrifyingly patient person when she needed to be. When it meant getting what she wanted. Though she would have preferred a much more timely resolution to current events... Unfortunately the target of Rose's wrath had gone deep into hiding, as if able to sense Rose's desire for revenge. The woman had continually stayed in hiding, despite Rose's best efforts to draw her out. Rose had genuinely begun plotting a truly insane scheme to draw the woman out when she heard from Asher. Finally. After months of waiting the deal she'd made was bearing fruit.

As Rose arrived as the club she was, thankfully, much calmer than her last visit. The last time she'd set foot here she'd been on the warpath. Angry and and vengeful, unable to control her overwhelming rage. Nor had she had any desire to. She'd needed the rage to start setting her plan into motion. Now though she was more of a semblance of her usual self. Cold. There was still a hint of rage in her eyes though, a flickering behind the ice to remind anyone that crossed her what she was capable of. She was lead to his office and let in. There was Asher, looking over the dueling pits. A view she herself enjoyed from time to time. "Asher," she spoke simply, just his name, to announce her presence.

The door was closed behind her and Rose moved into the room and took a seat, crossing a leg over the other. "I've heard your dueling pit has risen in popularity recently. There's even whispers on the mainland starting," she mentioned casually. She knew why she was here, that he had information regarding her request. She wouldn't deny him the recent whispers she'd been hearing about his business though. As someone who made quite the living on information it was sometimes important to share what you'd gathered, especially when expecting others to do the same.

[asher rowan burke]

all you have is your fire

and the place you need to reach

Late December 2027
Rozalina Antonina Nightshade

Asher was pleased his guest did not feel the need to break down his door again. Not that he let down his guard. These pitiful challenges were nice warmup, should he need it. While his temper of late itched for a fight, he also did not want to burn the new and tentative bridge he was building. Turning fully, Asher dismissed the man who held his jacket and tie. All his men were dressed well. Asher required it. And Merlin knew he wouldn’t hear the end of it from Hazel if he let them do as they please. Pride was an essential thing to a man, regardless of rank. But in the aftermath of his display of power, he felt relatively relaxed.

”Rose.” Asher greeted in return, waiting for his guest to take a seat before he took the one across from her. ”Indeed.” Rose confirmed what he had been told. It was good to hear it from someone outside of his organization, of course. And the crowds from his view not a minute ago also confirmed the fact. ”Something to drink?” Asher waved for one of his own—brandy. The only thing he and his father had ever independently agreed upon. Before getting to business, Asher waived off his henchmen with only one of his trusted ones remaining.

”It’s a shame you hadn’t arrived earlier. Some upstarts were under the assumption that I no longer had ‘what it takes.’” Asher quoted their famous last words. And he had to admit. Getting back in the ring and breaking them until they learned their lesson had been quite fun. And the blood they left behind served as a lesson in humility to all present.

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