Black Veil

The rain had long since transformed Ashford City into a sea of reflective streetlights and blurred neon.

In the old industrial district, it was unusually quiet at this hour. Between abandoned warehouses and dark brick facades, one building particularly stood out.

THE HIDEOUT.

Above the entrance, a simple black sign glowed: BLACK VEIL.

The front door stood ajar. Muffled rock music drifted out from inside, accompanied by the metallic clanking from the workshop.

In the tattoo studio, Jace sat half-reclined in his chair. A pen twirled between his fingers as he defaced some drawing on a piece of paper.

"Staring at that thing any longer won't make it fix itself," he called towards the workshop.

"Shut up, Jace," Ronan's voice came back.

A short, amused snort was heard.

Silas stood at a workbench, examining a motorcycle part. He seemed to barely notice the exchange.

Behind the glass door of his office, Adrian sat over some documents. A cup of black coffee stood next to his hand.

Then Jace noticed something.

His gaze wandered to the entrance.

"Um. Guys?"

Adrian slowly lifted his head.

"What?"

Jace gestured with his pen towards the door.

"We have company."

Silas looked up briefly. Ronan appeared from the workshop with an oil-stained rag in his hand.

Adrian put his documents aside and stepped out of the office.

"Can I help you?" he asked calmly.

Jace surveyed the situation with a crooked grin.

"Or did you get lost?"