5 PM

The stench of death hung low over the main street. Puddles of blood spotted the sidewalks. Bodies littered the cobbled street and stone footpaths. Weres in both their human and wolf form lay broken in the dust. Synyster stood in front of the Town Hall, his soldiers spread out before him. He surveyed the scene with an expression of grim satisfaction.

One of his soldiers stepped forward; in fact, it was the same young soldier that had questioned the lieutenant on what he wanted done to the Werewolf community. Synyster looked upon the soldier with an expectant air.

“Yes, soldier?”

“It is done as you have instructed, sir. We have scoured the streets and none have been left alive.”

Except for the slave back at the manor... Synyster did not voice that thought and just nodded to the soldier.

“It is well done.” He scanned the company before him. “You have all done well.” He glanced toward the horizon where the sun was slowly dipping down toward the hills. “You may go feed...I must report back to the Master.”

The soldiers saluted and then broke ranks muttering amongst each other as they prepared to go on the hunt. Synyster rubbed at his jaw, sucking at his fangs before vanishing from the streets and reappearing in the main entrance hall of the Sanders’ estate.

He arrived just at the moment that Zachary and Johnny strolled into the hall, obviously exiting one of the rooms that the ex-surgeon used as a consultation chamber. Synyster noted that the Were was in his human form and had a bandage wound around his torso. The vampire tilted his head, frowning faintly.

“Vengeance. You seen the master?”

Zachary paused only just realising that the brown-eyed vampire was standing there. Johnny tensed beside him a low growl escaping his control. Synyster didn’t even bat an eyelid, keeping his stony gaze fixed on the other vamp.

“V?”

Zachary scrunched his fingers into his black hair.

“He’s in the library. Waiting for you.” He bit at his bottom lip, fangs showing. “It’s done, isn’t it?”

The Lieutenant just sneered and vanished from the entrance hall without a sound. As soon as he’d disappeared, Johnny slumped to the floor and buried his face in his hands, a dull throbbing pain spreading from the wound in his side. Zachary turned his head and looked down at him.

“Pup?”

Johnny shuddered, a terrible ache seizing inside his heart. The young vampire crouched down at his eyelevel.

“Johnny?”

He sniffled, “They’re dead...he...he killed them all...didn’t he?”

“Well, not by himself,” Zachary responded lamely. The youngling glowered up at him between his fingers.

“He ordered their deaths...so it’s basically the same.” He trembled then covered his eyes completely. “He probably watched as they died...”

Zachary had no answer to that, so as he shifted uncomfortably in his clothes he attempted to coax the young Were back onto his feet.

“Come on, we need to get you some food.”

Johnny grumbled in protest. Zachary’s green eyes narrowed.

“Shadows will be angry if I don’t make sure you feed.”

The youngling reluctantly stood. Honestly, he did not want to see the master vampire mad at any one. That was a frightening proposition. Rubbing at his face smearing tears from his eyes, he nodded to the vampire.

“Come on then...better do as we’re meant...”

With that, they made for the kitchen, the hollow sound of their footsteps echoing as they left the entrance.

* * * * *

Matthew rested a large tome across his lap flipping aimlessly through the flimsy pages. Synyster materialised before him, removing his fedora and scrunching it in his hands.

“Master.”

The master vampire lifted his head from his reading.

“Brian.” His lips drew together in a tight slash across his face. “What have you to report?”

Synyster bowed slightly.

“It is done.”

Matthew shut the leather bound volume with a thud.

“All of them are dead?”

His lieutenant inclined his head in the affirmative.

“As far as I can tell it, Shads. Not a one left.” His lip curled faintly, “Except for young Seward.”

A snarl erupted from deep inside Matthew’s chest. The other vampire held his hands up.

“Do not fret, Shads...I will leave him be. I believe my thirst for Were blood has been satiated, for now.”

The master vampire did not relax. He rose and circled his subordinate slowly, hazel eyes narrowed into dangerous slits.

“You realise my sister has an attachment to those Weres, and that the only reason I allowed you to do this was because history dictate I permit it.”

Synyster nodded. “I know. I saw, and heard. Her husband...did not suffer. Would you tell her that much?”

Matthew hesitated in his motion around the brown-eyed vampire. Then he gave a curt nod.

“That is not much consolation for her. However, I will let her know before I send her to Montreal.”

The lieutenant’s brown eyes widened.

“You’re sending her away? Why?”

Matthew growled, “That is none of your concern, Haner.”

Synyster sneered in reply, “Wouldn’t have something to do with that dog, would it?”

The master vampire bristled but just waved a dismissive hand. Synyster sighed. He knew when not to push, so he bowed gracefully and took a step back before vanishing. Matthew felt the tension drain from his body as soon as the younger vampire left the library. He found that whenever Brian was around it really set him off; he could not relax, but he could not afford to lose face with his lieutenant. The male was useful to have round.

Stretching, Matthew glanced absently around the massive library. It was packed to overflowing with ancient scrolls, leather-bound volumes and contemporary readings. His father and grandfather before that had collected the works of many a scholar and compiled them in one large room. He did not read that much but found that when he gave himself a little space a book was a good way to relax. It beat stressing over every little thing. Immersing oneself in another world or another time was an amazing elixir in itself.

Matthew rubbed at his face then transported himself to his sister’s chamber. Luna was wandering the room trailing fingertips over the light fixtures that lined the walls.

“Luna?”

The female turned her head slightly then smiled sadly when she saw her brother.

“Mattie...to what do I owe this honour?”

The master vampire looked at her, expression grave. She shivered a little and halted before him.

“Matt?”

“Brian is back.” His voice was low, toneless. Luna swallowed hard lifting a hand to her throat.

“Richard...?”

Matthew shook his head slowly.

“Brian wishes you to know that your mate did not suffer.”

Luna trembled, her slender throat visibly flexing as she swallowed once more.

“He...he’s gone...” She turned away from him and walked toward the bed. He noticed that she had a trunk open on the floor right at the end of the bed. Clothes and assorted items were neatly packed inside. He observed as she bent over the trunk and double-checked the items. Then she looked back at him.

“Mattie...”

“Yes...he has travelled to the far side...”

Luna grasped the edge of the trunk as she swayed slightly. Matthew frowned but made no move to go to her. She bowed her head a soft sob slipping from her lips. He scowled deeply rubbing his hand over his hair.

“Luna...”

“Leave me, brother...I cannot look at you right now...”

The master vampire nodded and disappeared without a sound, leaving his sister alone to mourn.

Notes