La Porchetta’s Italian Restaurant

City Mall

6:15 PM

Sherry Blackwood stood by the front counter wiping sweat from her forehead. It was early in the night, but the small cafe/restaurant was already buzzing with customers. She loved working there; the cafe had a homely feel to it. There were freestanding tables and booths, with red and white chequered tablecloths, spread out over a relatively small area.

Everyone knew everyone else; there were a lot of regulars. Of course, lots of people from out of town also came to the cafe, because it was one of the best small Italian places in the City.

“Hey, hun...table five.” The manager, Joe, tapped her lightly on the shoulder holding a couple of menus out to her.

She blinked, smiling tiredly. “Oh, sorry, Joey. I’m on to it.”

She took the menus from his hand and turned to walk to the booth that he had indicated. Feet away she froze; seated at the booth were four huge, tattooed males, and as her nostrils flared, she sensed instantly that they were not human.

Holy merciful mother, no... The four distinct scents that floated toward her were horrifically familiar. Images of a long repressed past began to flash across her mind. Then the buffest of the four males turned his head to look toward her, his own nostrils flaring faintly.

Her heart stopped beating, her breath catching in her throat as the male fixed her with a cold stare. His eyes were covered with a pair of familiar dark shades [she never could figure out why he wore those; vampires were not vulnerable to the sun, that was just a human-made myth]. He had a gauge in each of his earlobes, and the artwork that covered his powerfully muscled arms...there were more than when she had last seen him, but other than that, after 29 years he had not changed.

A name she had never thought she would ever think of again, seared through her mind. Shadows...

Sherry gulped fearfully, but forced her feet to close the distance between herself and the four vampires. She clutched the menus close to her breast as if she could shield herself from the master vampire’s icy gaze. He leaned back against the booth and just stared at her. The other three also glowered balefully at her. Three pairs of scary eyes, grey, sable and green, all raking her over.

The green-eyed one smirked cruelly, nodding to the menus. “Those for us, female?”

Sherry trembled, but surprised herself when she was able to answer with a steady voice. “Yes sir, my name is Sherry...and I will be waiting on you tonight...” She handed out the menus being careful not to brush against any of them. She swallowed hard as Shadows continued staring at her. “The specials...” She shivered then continued, “The specials today are a Salmon a La Fungi...and Scaloppini...Soup of the Day is Pumpkin...”

The green-eyed one, she remembered that his name was Zacky, chuckled. “That’s not even Italian.”

Sherry shrugged delicately. “I didn’t write the menu.”

“No, I suppose that human did.” Zacky’s lip lifted the tip of one fang showing. She averted her gaze.

“Did you say your name was Sherry?” Grey eyes narrowed at her. She met the questioning stare of the lanky vamp then turned her head away looking over to where Joe was talking to several regulars.

“Sherry?” The tall vampire repeated sharply. She looked back at him, lips pressed together. His gaze bore into hers as if stripping her bare right to the core of her being. She knew that he could tell that she was not being entirely truthful, and one never lied to a vampire, especially not to one who’d been around for a very long time.

My name’s Serena...

Shadows removed his shades hooking them at the neck of his muscle-shirt. He glanced down at his menu then back up at Sherry. Wise decision, Serena...

Sherry swallowed hard, glancing at the master vampire and catching the motion of his arm, watching the bicep flexing. “Sherry is just a nickname...”

Shadows smirked, crossing one arm over his chest, tapping at the menu. “Well, Sherry, I think I’ll have the Scaloppini.”

Zacky tossed his menu back at her. “Make that two of those.”

Brown-eyes chuckled menacingly, “Three, sweet cheeks...”

“What about you, Rev?” Shadows cocked his head toward the taller vampire. The Rev sucked at a fang locking eyes with the female. Sherry stiffened biting at her bottom lip.

He smiled faintly. “Got any venison?”

Sherry scratched her cheek nervously. Shadows shifted on the seat, the leather squeaking.

He propped an elbow against the table and pierced her with his bright hazel stare. “You can get him some venison, right, Sherry?”

They didn’t serve venison at La Porchetta’s; however, Sherry knew that wouldn’t stop her from getting it from somewhere for a customer who really wanted it. Particularly if the customer was someone like the four vampires sitting in front of her. One did not deny a vampire request. Anyway, she was Serena Volaire, vampiress, capable of anything and everything, except hiding from the master vampire, obviously.

Shadows bristled, eyes darkening when she didn’t answer quickly enough to his liking. “Serena.”

“Of course. I can get him the best cuts in town.”

“I bet you can, sweetheart.” The endearment was a threat coming from Shadows.

Sherry licked her lips, straightening her back and holding out a hand. She would not let the master vampire see her fear; regardless that he could probably smell it on her, there was still no point in making it obvious.

“If you’re done with your menus?”

The Rev and Brown-eyes passed theirs over. Zacky retrieved his from where it had landed and handed it to her properly. Shadows held onto his for a long moment, then rose out of his seat, towering over her. Sherry was forced to take a step back and crane her neck slightly to look up at him. She had almost forgotten how big the master vampire was. He stared down at her, expression grim. Then without a word, he gave her his menu and sat down again.

As she turned to walk away an ice cold tingle trickled down her spine and then she heard his voice whispering from somewhere deep inside. We will be watching you, sweetheart...you will not escape me this time.

Sherry forced her feet to remain steady as she walked into the kitchen with table five’s orders.

The cook noticed the strained look on her face and tilted his head. “Sherry, you look exhausted.”

She threw a forced smile his way, as she attached the order to the stand. “I’m fine, Andre, just need a nice long bath after I get off.”

“Wish I could join you...but I won’t finish until 2 in the morning. You know how Joe is about me staying to clean.”

“Yeah,” She tapped the sheet. “Three scaloppinis and one venison with garlic sauce.”

Andre just nodded. “You getting the venison?”

Sherry smiled faintly and headed out the back door into a long alleyway at the back of the cafe. As she stepped out, she felt a soft patter of rain. She glanced up at the dark clouds that had been gathering over the course of the day. They were threatening to release a downpour, but only several droplets of water made their way down from the sky.

She moved further into the alley making to begin her search for venison stored in town when she froze and turned her head catching a whiff of dog nearby. Frowning, she moved toward the scent and then suddenly jumped back as Johnny Christ materialised in front of her.

“Serena?”

“Johnny...” She held a hand to her chest, breathing hard. “What are you doing here?”

Johnny met her gaze, fear in his own. “Shadows is looking for you.”

Sherry gulped then sank to the ground on her heels pressing her hands to her face. “He’s already found me, Johnny...”

The Werewolf shuddered, “Shit. Where?”

“He’s in the restaurant...with the others.” Her voice shook. “Why is he doing this now...I didn’t think he’d ever find me...” Terror had crept into her eyes.

Johnny reached out to rest a hand on her shoulder, then dropped it staring hard at her. “He’s found your son.”

The colour drained from Sherry’s face in a rush. “No...No...merciful mother...no...no...Not Pierre...he...he couldn’t have...no...” She grasped at the Werewolf’s arms shaking him slightly. “Johnny...tell me that is not true...please...” When he just continued to look at her, she let go of him and crumpled to the ground a strangled sob forcing its way out. “No...Please...no...”

If Sherry feared for her own life, it was nothing on the fear that she had for her son’s safety. Of course, she had no fear that Shadows would harm Pierre, at least not in the sense of killing him or anything. No, what she feared for her son was much worse. The master vampire would corrupt her son, and turn him into a monster, that was what she was afraid of, and that was why she had fled Huntington Beach twenty-nine years ago. Fled to the relative safety of Montreal City, left her son on the doorstep of a loving family, changed her name and for all intents and purposes vanished from vampire society.

Johnny crouched down to her level and hesitantly stroked at her hair, the black strands dry to the touch. “I’m sorry, Serena...” He swallowed hard, “I had no choice...”

“What?” Her head came up sharply, eyes narrowing.

Johnny averted his gaze, unable to meet her accusing one. “The master insisted I track him down...I sensed his change...and reacted to it...”

Sherry bit her bottom lip hard. “You didn’t have to tell him...”

Johnny shook his head. “He would have found out anyway. Found him...granted it might have taken longer, but...”

She looked down at the ground and rubbed at her eyes. “What is he planning?”

Johnny bit his lip, “I’m not sure. But, I’d suggest you get out of here.”

Sherry frowned glancing toward the back door. “I need to get back to work.”

“No. You need to leave here.” He paused, his expression taking on a serious cast. “You have to leave; if Shadows gets his hands on you...you will never escape him again. He’ll kill you before you get the chance.”

Sherry trembled shrinking into herself. Johnny could see the terror beginning to cloak her and it made his heart ache. He had never liked the fear that came over her whenever Shadows had been around her back in the Old Days. Now, here in Montreal City, where she had obviously believed that she was safe, seeing that same age-old fear, it pained him even more.

“C’mere, old friend,” he mumbled holding open his arms. The female moved into his embrace and sniffed softly, tears trickling from her eyes down her face onto his shirt. He rubbed at the small of her back in slow circles. She shook, clinging onto him.

He rocked her close to his chest, but then set her back and lifted a hand wiping the tears from her eyes. “You really need to leave.”

“But, where should I go, Johnny?” Her voice tightened. “He will find me anyway...”

Johnny bit his lip. “I have contacts in the City who could find you a place out of town. Or even in Toronto. That’s a much larger city, even if the guys were to go there, they would not be able to find you.”

Sherry shook her head, brushing at her eyes roughly. “Shadows would track me down...”

The Werewolf looked thoughtfully at her. Then grimaced. “Did he touch you in the restaurant?”

“What? No. I was careful not to brush up against any of them. Why?”

Johnny mumbled almost to himself, “That’s better than nothing...”

“What?”

“If you didn’t have any physical contact it will make it harder for them to trace you.” Johnny stared hard at her. “You need to go home, pack the essentials and get out of town. Now.”

Sherry opened her mouth; the Were cut her off sharply. “Don’t argue with me. Go. Go now, before it’s too late.”

She shivered more tears gathering at the corners of her eyes. “Will I see you again?”

Johnny breathed out harshly. “I’ll keep in touch, Serena.”

She nodded then thought of something else. “My son...”

“Do not go near him, whatever you do...please, Serena, that’s all I ask...Shadows already has tabs on him...there will be no hope for you if you go to your son.”

Sherry lowered her head in acknowledgement then stepped back from the Werewolf.

He looked at her, sorrow in his deep brown eyes. “I’m sorry for all this, Serena.”

She bit her lip but then she frowned and looked at him. “Johnny...if Shadows finds out you helped me...”

He held up his hands. “Don’t worry about me, just go.”

“But, he might kill you...”

Johnny leaned his head back. “No...you know that he won’t.”

Sherry caught the fear in the Werewolf’s voice and knew that he was not quite confident of that, but she did not press and just shook her head slowly, backing away from him. “Fare well, old friend...”

He nodded to her, but the urgent light in his dark eyes was enough for her and she dematerialised without another word. Johnny slumped back against the cold brick wall of the alley and then vanished as well just as the rain suddenly came pouring down, lightning flashing in angry streaks across the blackened sky.

Notes