When Sin's Deep in My Blood; You'll Be the One to Fall

Matthew materialised in the dining hall. Johnny was slumped at the long table gazing up into the vaulted ceiling humming tunelessly.

“Pup.”

He swung his head around toward Matthew, chocking his head to the side.

“Master?”

The vampire strode over to stand by him, bracing a hand against the back of the chair.

“Fed?”

Johnny nodded carefully.

“Yes.”

Matthew licked his lips slowly. Then slid around to lean against the table, facing the young Were.

“I’m sending your mother away from here. She has kin in Montreal.”

Johnny bit at his lip.

“Thankyou...”

The master vampire nodded his head slowly, smiling faintly.

“Never let it be said that I’m completely heartless, pup.”

“Never, master...”

The Were bowed his head. Matthew nodded silently then looked toward the kitchens just as Zachary walked through the door wiping his hands on a towel.

“Vengeance?”

“Shadows.” He inclined his head toward the master vampire. “What brings you here?”

Matthew hesitated before answering firmly.

“I thought I would see if Johnny wished to bid his mother farewell.”

Johnny’s eyes widened in surprise. Zachary blinked.

“You would allow that, master? But, I thought you wanted to keep them apart?”

The young vampire was surprised wondering at the master’s change of heart. The Halfling was equally shocked, confusion in his eyes. He cocked his head to the side staring at Matthew in wonder. The master vampire met his gaze, his own eyes unusually soft.

“Indeed. That is the case. That is why I am sending her away. However, I will allow them to say their goodbyes...considering they will probably never see each other again.”

He glowered at Johnny.

“I would not be so cruel. And this may help ease the parting. What say you, pup?”

This last he addressed to the young Were. Johnny bowed his head and whispered almost in disbelief.

“Thank you, master...I would be most grateful.”

Matthew pushed away from the table.

“Come on then. No time like the present.”

Johnny stood rubbing at his arms and raking his fingers through his hair messing it up. Then he shuffled his feet and glanced at the master vampire. He met his gaze then stepped close to rest a hand on his shoulder squeezing before transporting them to Luna’s chamber.

The female was standing before the body length gilt mirror that stood near the door to the bathroom. She was smoothing her hand over the clothes she had picked to wear when she travelled.

Matthew cleared his throat. Luna stared into the mirror and saw her brother standing behind her, but then her eyes widened when she recognised the other person standing next to him. She swung around abruptly bringing her hand to her mouth.

“Johnny...”

Johnny swallowed hard staring at his mother. Thoughts spun rapidly through his mind. The foremost was the fact that he would probably never see her again. That saddened him greatly. He had no idea that it also pained the master vampire. Luna of course knew this and she shot a guarded look at her older brother.

Matthew shook his head slightly, a signal to his sister not to go there.

Luna walked forward and halted in front of her son.

“Johnny...”

“Mother...”

He bit his bottom lip and tucked his chin into his chest. She hesitantly reached out a hand and touched it to his chin lifting his head up.

“Be brave, son...it’s all going to be okay...”

Luna swallowed hard, trying not to stare at the Mark on his left nostril. Johnny shook his head slowly.

“Ma...” His voice shook. “Da’s dead...”

Luna breathed out in a harsh rush.

“I know, but it will still be alright...you will be safer here than anywhere else...”

Johnny looked into her eyes and scowled.

“How did...you get caught?”

Luna hesitated casting a quick glance at Matthew before answering carefully.

“I came of my own choice...I had a feeling that you had stumbled into the manor when you had not arrived home from your wandering.”

Johnny rubbed at his eyes a hopelessness settling in his heart.

“But, Shadows says you are a prisoner here...”

His mother smiled tightly, “Indeed, however, he is willing to allow me safe passage to join our kin in Montreal.”

The Were glanced toward Matthew who was leaning against the wall, his big body tensed as if ready to snap into action at the slightest moment. He caught Johnny’s look and lifted an eyebrow.

“Yes, pup?” His deep voice gave nothing away.

Johnny swallowed hard before speaking out.

“Why are you doing this? I would’ve thought you would see my ma as a traitor to your kind?”

Matthew’s jaw tightened and he shook his head, expression harsh.

“That is none of your concern. Just be grateful I am letting her leave.”

The youngling trembled and felt a growl building in his chest. Luna sensed this and reached out to take hold of his hands squeezing them firmly.

“Be still, my son...and know that all will be well.”

Johnny met his mother’s gaze and shivered as he stared into eyes that had seen so many things, and seemed so ancient, all-knowing. Staring into them he wondered for the first time why he had thought his mother did not care about him. Why had he thought that she had been distracted by the social scene?

She obviously cared very much...obviously loved him as a mother should love her son. He shivered and tucked his chin against his chest.

“Ma...”

She wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him close tucking her red head of hair against his shoulder. Blinking rapidly she forced the tears that were threatening to form to halt, as her eyes burned slightly. Johnny squeezed her around her own waist and whispered softly to her.

“I will miss you, ma...”

“And I you, my son...”

Luna quivered and hugged him tightly before releasing her grasp and turning to stand before her mirror once more. Matthew pushed away from the wall and stepped up next to Johnny laying a hand on his shoulder.

“Go back to my chambers, pup. I must speak with your mother before she leaves.”

Johnny paused glancing toward his mother then back at the master vampire.

“She will be okay...promise me, master?” He was careful to phrase his words as a question. Matthew nodded; Johnny vanished without another word. The vampire turned to his sister.

“Luna.”

She brushed mahogany strands from her face and looked back over her shoulder at the big male. He sighed wearily and stepped closer to her.

Luna swallowed hard before swinging around and practically launching her lithe body into his arms. He automatically wound them around her waist holding her close. She buried her face against his chest and finally allowed the tears to flow, heaving sobs racking her small frame.

Matthew hesitated; he was not good at comforting others. He never had any need to do such a thing, and he was not wired to be kind anyway. Still, he had seen how others, particularly The Rev and Zachary, comforted females in their lives, and so he took a leaf from their book.

Lifting a hand he cautiously ran it over the back of her head, stroking her long hair just as he had caressed her son’s fur earlier.

He felt his sister relax into his muscled frame and so he continued to stroke. She nuzzled into his solid chest clinging tightly around his waist. Her breath was catching as she cried softly.

Matthew just held her not saying anything, allowing her some pride. Eventually she pulled away wiping at her eyes and forcing a watery smile on her lips.

“I am going to be fine, brother. You do not have to worry about me.”

The master vampire blinked. Once again his sister had dug deep into his rock hard heart and found his true emotions baring them to the world. Well, not exactly but she was doing strange things to him and it was unsettling.

He shook his head and spoke gruffly.

“I never worry about you, sister.”

Luna straightened her back, nodding slightly.

“Of course not, Matthew.” She drew a deep breath, her tone becoming more formal. “I do not expect you to, either. I worry enough for the both of us.”

Matthew smiled faintly.

“You always were an anxious one.”

His sister did not respond to that comment. She turned and went to her trunk, closing and locking it.

“Well, brother. I am ready whenever my coach arrives.”

The master vampire walked to the door glancing at her.

“I will send for you when it arrives.”

Luna curtsied to her brother then sat on the edge of the bed to wait. Matthew left the room in silence, the door clicking softly behind him.

Notes