Later

Johnny ran along the top of the wall wind rushing across his fur, claws clattering against the stones. He came to a stop at the ledge and leaned over to look down into the front courtyard, watching as a large black coach drew to a stop in front of the manor. He rocked forward even more careful not to lose his footing as he craned his neck to catch a view of the front entrance.

The heavy doors swung open and a lithe figure hurried out of the entrance and toward the coach. A larger more powerful body came into view. The master vampire hoisted a large trunk in strong arms carrying it to the coach. However, Johnny only really had eyes for the smaller figure.

His mother brushed a strand of red hair from her face and glanced up toward the wall where he stood. He drew back tucking his tail down between his legs and lowering his head. Yet, he kept his gaze fixed upon her slender form. She lifted a hand slightly as if she were waving goodbye, then she turned to step into the carriage.

Johnny saw Matthew leaning against the side and speaking to his mother. Of course, from where he stood he couldn’t hear the words that passed between them. However, at the angle he was facing he could see the expression on his master’s face and it surprised him a little.

Matthew’s face was unusually soft, and, even from where he was watching, Johnny could see that the master vampire’s eyes were shining and wet.

Of course, it could have been a trick of the light except that the position of the setting sun could not account for the tenderness on the master vampire’s face.

“What are you doing, pup?”

Johnny swung his body around going into the defensive, but dropped the tense stance when he recognised The Rev leaning against the wall next to him. He whined softly.

My mother...

The tall vampire nodded slightly glancing across the wall.

“She will be alright, pup.”

Blue-grey eyes stared down at him.

“You need not fear for her. Matthew always keeps his word.”

Johnny growled and turned back to the wall. The coach was slowly moving away; the clip-clop of horses’ hooves echoing around the grounds. The master vampire stood at the entrance, a solid figure watching over his domain.

His head swivelled slightly then he glanced upward, eyes narrowing on the young Were. Johnny backed away from the edge of the wall.

The Rev lifted an eyebrow just as Matthew appeared next to them. Johnny shrank back further. The master vampire shook his head.

“It’s okay, Johnny.”

Matthew leaned back against the wall folding his arms.

“I know you just wanted to make sure she was safe.”

Johnny lowered his head unable to meet his master’s warm stare. Matthew sighed and turned away to look at The Rev.

It’ll take time for him to adjust, Matt...

I know...

The master vampire glanced down at the youngling again; then he sighed and rubbed at his face.

“Your mother...”

He trailed off knowing if he continued with his thought the truth would come out, and he could never let on to Johnny that Luna was his kin.

Shaking his head he looked out over the wall. The last rays of sunlight were stretching across the horizon as the sun dipped its face into the distance allowing the blanket of darkness to cover the land.

Breathing steadily Matthew stretched his neck and tilted his head slightly. He sensed winds of change beginning to stir.

Storm clouds were gathering on the horizon. They were ominously dark, heavy with rain. Johnny wagged his tail and moved to stand by the master vampire hesitantly nuzzling his nose against his left leg.

Matthew looked down upon the youngling and growled low, whilst reaching down with a hand and scratching behind his ears. Johnny whimpered and nuzzled more, crouching at the vampire’s feet.

Matthew smiled faintly then looked back out over the horizon allowing his mind to wander to the last words he had shared with his sister before she had boarded her carriage...

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“What the hell is in this thing, sister?”

Matthew hefted the huge trunk in his arms following Luna out the front entrance. She glanced back at him through a curtain of mahogany locks. He smiled faintly at her and hoisted the luggage into the back of the carriage. The coach driver strapped it in place as the master vampire turned to lean against the side of the carriage.

Luna paused with a hand resting on the handle of the carriage door and met his soft stare. So many thoughts warred in both their minds as they gazed at each other. Their past hung between them a heavy cloud filled with mystery, mayhem, murder, pain...so much pain.

Luna breathed in deeply biting at her bottom lip. Matthew shook his head slightly.

“Little sister...sometimes I wish we could go back to the beginning...before...”

Luna gently interrupted, “We cannot dwell upon the past, Mattie...we can only look to the future.”

The master vampire grimaced.

“You can see the future. I...I cannot see my future...”

He took a deep shuddering breath.

“Yet, you say there are terrible times to come...”

Luna stepped toward him and lifted a hand resting it against his left cheek stroking lightly.

“It is hazy, my brother, and all we can do is hope that my visions are wrong.”

Matthew laughed sadly.

“There is one thing I have learned in the centuries I have lived. You are never wrong...”

“Well, then let us hope that whatever happens you will pull through.”

The female glanced down at the ground then stepped up into the coach. Matthew looked up at her, and she swore that she could see tears glistening in his uncharacteristically gentle gaze.

“Hope...”

“Yes, Mattie. Hope.”

Matthew bowed his head then lifted it again.

“We will meet again someday...won’t we?”

Luna stared at her elder brother tears welling in her own eyes, because she knew they would meet again...but the circumstances would not be the best, and he would have sunken as deep as any soul could possibly sink.

“Luna...”

The master vampire’s tone was almost pleading. She reached a hand for his and squeezed it slowly.

“Yes, my brother...we will meet again...that I promise you.”

She paused then added, cryptically, “Though you may be walking in the valley of the shadows of darkness...the sun will shine through and sweep it all away...”

Matthew blinked incomprehendingly. Luna gave his hand one last squeeze then she slid the coach door shut and the driver whipped the horses into motion.

Matthew stood watching after it and then swung his head up and around toward the Eastern Wall...

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A heavy droplet of water splashed down on the top of Matthew’s head. He frowned and glanced upward at the sky, the dark clouds now almost black and covering the entire expanse. He rubbed at his cheek and looked down at Johnny who was still crouched at his feet.

“Inside, pup. It’s about to pour...”

Johnny yipped then swung around and trotted for the door. The master vampire followed him inside and then he transported them back to his chambers. When they appeared they both stopped noticing The Rev standing with his back to them, body tensed.

“James?”

The tall vampire turned his head to look them.

“Matthew.”

He nodded to the large male. Matthew crossed his arms.

“What are you doing here?”

“What did his mother say to you?”

Johnny cocked his head to the side, tail flagging from side to side. The master vampire grimaced shaking his head.

“She was grateful that I was willing to release her.”

The Rev stared hard at him.

What really passed between you two?

Matthew closed his eyes against the knowing stare of the assassin.

She says we will meet again...

The Rev smiled softly.

She said the same to me...

Matthew nodded then glanced toward the door. The Rev took the hint, bowed and slid out of the room. The master vampire crossed the floor to his bed and fell back against the covers stretching his arms above his head. Johnny lay down on the cashmere rug propping his head on his front paws.

What now, master?

Matthew rolled onto his side and silently appraised the Lycan for a long while, not answering, not really moving at all. He just stared at Johnny while million-and-one thoughts meandered their way along the pathways of his mind.

Eventually, his eyelids became too heavy to hold open, and they slid shut as he fell into a deep, exhausted slumber.

A while after, Johnny curled up knowing that whatever happened now, he had no choice in the matter. His life would go wherever the master vampire’s lead and he would have to take the good with the bad.

However, he had a feeling that regardless of how awful things may end up being, it would still be preferable to the end he would have endured if the master vampire had not spared his life. And for that, he was eternally grateful.

With that thought firmly entrenched in his mind, the youngling allowed his eyes to close as he too finally drifted into a peaceful rest.

Notes