Somewhere in TO

7:50 PM

The hair on the back of Johnny’s neck prickled uncomfortably. He swung his head around. He had lost Serena, unable to find her after she had vanished on him and Pierre at the bar.

He felt a surge of vicious energy twist in the atmosphere close by, his head swinging back in the opposite direction. His eyes widened just as Pierre materialised directly in his line of vision.

“Christ...” He was snarling low, eyes burning a deep, blood red. Anger gleamed in their deadly depths.

Johnny backed up absently clutching at the front of his shirt. “Pierre? What the hell?”

The vampire stalked toward the Were, body trembling in rage. “Where the fuck is Matt?”

Johnny shook his head, biting at his bottom lip. “I don’t know...why?”

Pierre growled in frustration, but gave no answer just turning on his heel and prowling along the deserted side street. The smaller male watched after him, bemused. Thoughts flew rapidly around his mind as he wondered why Pierre would be looking for the master vampire.

Pierre halted and came back staring down at the smaller male. “You want to know why?”

Johnny jumped slightly. “Jeeze, scare a wolf why don’t you?”

Pierre actually had the grace to flush pink. “Sorry.”

The Were tilted his head slightly, smiling inwardly. Well, there’s a good sign...he still has a sense of humility... “And, yeah I do want to know why you’re looking for Shads.”

Pierre stared hard at him as if gauging his sincerity. Then he sighed and sank onto his haunches. Johnny crouched down so they were on a level. He peered up into the vampire’s deep black eyes?

“Your eyes...”

“Huh?”

Johnny grabbed his head. “They’ve gone black!”

Pierre’s pupils dilated as he jerked away roughly and stalked along the street until he stopped in front of a shop window and leaned in to stare into his eyes. “Crap...” He swung around to the Were who had followed him. “What the hell does this mean, Johnny?”

Johnny swallowed hard, a thought coming to his mind, one that he didn’t want to think on. “Pierre...what did Matthew do...”

“What the fuck does that-”

“Pierre. What did he do??”

Pierre was taken aback by the forcefulness of the Were’s voice but he decided to answer. He kept his answer brief, voice clipped. “He killed Jay.”

Johnny gulped and stood abruptly glancing down the street. “I need to get you out of here, Pierre. You’re about to lose control, and you don’t want...humans to see this.”

Pierre scowled. “How do you know this?”

Johnny scanned the street making sure no one was around whilst answering. “Your eyes, Pierre.”

“Oh...” Pierre shivered, the muscles in his body tightening. “Where to then?”

Johnny shook his head, grabbed Pierre’s arm and vanished them without a sound.

* * * * *

A waning moon shone down upon the streets of Toronto. In an alleyway a huge wolf sprang up on top of a dumpster and pawed roughly at the lid; dropping its nose to the top and snuffling. It caught a scent and snarled, jumping down. Landing deftly on all four paws it trotted to the end of the alley and yipped low.

Another even larger wolf joined it and growled softly. Any luck, Patrick?

The slightly smaller wolf rumbled, the bristles at his throat twitching. Serena was here, Dad...and so was Shadows...

The alpha male snarled low. That vampire...

Pat put his head down to sniff at the scuff marks in the dirt. Then he sat back on his haunches, pointing his muzzle to the sky letting out a howl.

Then he sprang back up on the dumpster. We’ll have no luck finding Shads...but I know where Pierre will go...that is...if Johnny found him in time.

Alpha’s ears pricked up and he whipped his head around. His lips peeled back from huge white teeth.

Pat flagged his tail the fur bristling along its length. What is it?

Alpha snarled circling swiftly then he took off at a run, claws skittering against the bitumen. Pat cocked his head to the side ears twitching. Then he trotted after his father, fur bristling in anticipation.

As the elder Were wound his ways down the backstreets of Toronto into the older region of the city, the atmosphere seemed to darken. Pat shivered in his wolf’s skin, tongue lolling between his front canines as he sprinted to keep up.

The buildings on either side of the two Weres began to look dilapidated, out of date, almost ancient. The musky scent of uninhabited apartments wafted toward their keen nostrils. Pat swung his head from side to side as he dropped his nose to the ground every second or so.

Alpha eventually halted outside the front of an old apartment block. He scratched at the pavement then trotted to the front doors; they slid open silently and he darted in.

Pat paused but then hurried forward as he heard the elder Were give a startled grunt. What? What is it?

Alpha reappeared in the doorway, fur bristling. Then he ran back in and back out again, obviously distressed. Pat followed but then skidded to a halt. The first thing his eyes fell upon was the smoke puffing up into the sky. And then...

He growled ears flattening back against his head; right in the middle of the building where there should have been floor space was a massive crater. It was like as if a meteorite had crashed into the building incinerating everything in its path and leaving only the shell of the building frames around it.

Holy Hell... Pat’s paws tingled. Alpha snarled hackles rising.

The two Weres peered into the darkness; a faint glow rose from the centre of the crater, and then a weary voice spoke from close by. “It wasn’t like this when we got here.”

Pat growled low. Johnny?

Johnny walked out of the shadows and nodded down into the crater. “Pierre’s down there. He...had a lot of anger he needed to get rid of.”

Alpha rumbled in his throat, questioningly.

Johnny raked his fingers through his hair. “My master...” He paused and looked away biting at his bottom lip. Then he heaved a sigh and finished the sentence. “My master killed his brother...”

Pat trembled bile rising in his throat; he snarled and shook his head from side to side, tail stuck straight out behind him, waves of aggression rolling from him. But it was nothing compared to the fury that emanated from the glow in the crater. Obviously, Pierre was still extremely distressed by the circumstances.

Pat leaned forward over the crater sniffing at the myriad scents drifting up, catching hold of the vampire’s distinctive caramel aroma. The smoke began to clear and Pat blinked as he found himself staring at Pierre’s cross-legged yet hovering form.

Uh...how’re you doing that?

Pierre’s eyes smouldered, the dark irises circled with red. However, he didn’t answer the question. Instead he landed on the edge of the crater and stretched his back breathing out harshly. Then he walked toward the entrance of the shell of the building, shoulders rolling, muscles relaxed.

Pat growled and padded behind him, following the vampire out onto the street. Pierre stood, neck craned back slightly, red eyes staring up at the sky. Pat sat next to him tongue lolling between his canines.

Johnny walked out and stood on Pierre’s other side, arms folded. “How were you doing that?”

Pierre muttered under his breath, and then smiled faintly. “Sheer will of the mind, Johnny.”

The younger Were shook his head. “Shadows can’t even do that...”

Pierre’s eyebrows lifted at that comment. “Interesting...”

Johnny met his steely gaze and chewed at his bottom lip nervously. “Yeah...”

Alpha joined them then the end of his tail twitching. What now, Pierre?

Pierre dragged his fingers through his hair. “I assume my family want me to go home?”

Pat rumbled in his throat. Jon called. Said just that. But, the guys want you to come back to the bus...well...I told them I’d look for you...

Pierre groaned. Then sank down on his haunches. “I should go home first.”

Johnny frowned. “All the way from here to Laval?”

The vampire stared at him then snorted. “You managed.”

“I guess...so you going to go now?”

Pierre pressed his fingertips against the corners of his eyes then nodded glancing down at Pat and Alpha.

The smaller Were growled. I’ll come with...never said anything about when I was going back to the bus...

Pierre scowled. “No. Go back to the guys and tell them I had to go home, because of Jay.” Pat made to protest, but the vampire glared at him. “You don’t need to tell them the truth, hell...probably not such a good idea...just tell them my parents said I needed to come home. They’ll get that.”

Pat growled baring his teeth, hackles bristling. Pierre looked away, closing his eyes and breathing slowly readying to leave. His friend grumbled changing form as quickly as was possible clothes and all.

“Wait.” Pat groaned faintly as he adjusted his pants and then grabbed Pierre by the shoulder.

Pierre turned his head, blinking slowly. “Huh?”

“What do I tell them?”

Pierre closed his eyes again and trembled. “Just...tell them...Jay took a turn for the worse.” He clenched his jaw, grinding his teeth together. “I’ll be back before the gig tomorrow...”

Pat sighed and nodded squeezing Pierre’s shoulder. Then he nodded to Alpha and Johnny, before turning and making his way back. Alpha rumbled and nudged at Johnny’s leg.

The younger Were glanced at Pierre. “Be careful...Shadows could still be hanging around your home...”

Pierre gave a slight nod then with a low growl he vanished.

As soon as he had gone Johnny took several deep breaths and looked down at the Alpha male. “I have to get back to my band...but if Shadows...” He swallowed hard.

Alpha nudged at his legs reassuringly. I’ll be close by...

The younger Were nodded then vanished without a word, the large wolf following him with a soft yip.

Laval

Bouvier Residence

9:20 PM

Doctor Le Millereux was walking out of the Bouvier home snapping his doctor’s bag shut just as Pierre materialised directly in front of him.

The good doctor blinked, but then smiled grimly. “Pierre.”

Pierre grimaced, eyes darkening. “Doctor...”

He focused his mind to begin the process of wiping the doc’s mind but the elder male laughed, shaking his head. “Don’t mind me, Pierre...I’ve seen many things in my many years of practise.”

Pierre frowned. Dr Le Millereux chuckled softly a light glint in his eyes, and then the distinct scent of dogwafted into the air around him.

Pierre just stared then it dawned on him. “You’re a Lycan?”

“Indeed. You may not know this, but I am the doctor that told Louise and Rèal you were a vampire...”

Pierre lifted his eyebrows then smirked, but then the amusement faded as he nodded to the house. “How’s...?”

The doctor sighed setting his bag down on the ground. “The master vampire is still here, in Laval. So tread carefully.” He rubbed a hand over his face. “As to your family...they are all extremely distressed, particularly your elder brother, Jon. Due to the fact that he has no idea about the whole...vampire issue.”

Pierre nodded. “And Jay?”

Doc Le Millereux’s expression was deeply grave as he met the younger vampire’s questioning one. “There will be no bringing him back.”

Pierre’s jaw tightened as white lines of fury etched along either side of his nostrils. “And you say Shadows is still in town?”

“Oui. I can taste his scent on the wind.”

Pierre squeezed his eyes shut then opened them again. “Have the police been called?”

“No. Your parents thought it best not to involve them...that would just complicate the issue.” The doctor lifted his bag and held it close to his chest, jaw clenching a little. “You should go in.” He hesitated then added softly, “Your elder brother...you should tell him the truth.”

Pierre looked toward the front door his throat tight. He cleared it with a grunt and shook his hair from his eyes. “Jay...”

“I’ve cleaned the wound up as much as possible...Shadows...ripped-”

Pierre cut him off. “I don’t want to hear it.”

Doctor Le Millereux inclined his head in acknowledgement. “Well, I must be off. Take care, Pierre.”

Pierre shivered, dark eyes flashing. “And you, Doctor.”

The doctor headed down the front path; Pierre walked up it to the front door. He paused at the threshold then stepped into the house. As soon as he entered he could feel the collective weight of his family’s anguish and despair.

Clenching his jaw he moved along the front hallway, pausing at a large mirror that graced the wall. He glanced into it meeting his rage-filled stare. Taking several deep breaths he willed the irises of his eyes to fade back to their normal brown hue. Yet a slight tinge of red remained right around the outer rim.

Concentrating on his reflection he didn’t hear as a door opened but then a voice called out to him. “Pierre? Hun, is that you?”

He blinked, tearing his gaze away from the mirror. Louise stood there, tears glistening in her eyes.

“Mom...” His voice came out in a hoarse croak. He cleared his throat and spoke again. “Mom.”

Louise came toward him arms open; he went into them and they just hung onto each other as hard as possible. Pierre rocked slowly on his feet rubbing a hand gently over her back; she shuddered in his arms, quietly crying.

As they stood there together, Rèal poked his head out of Jay’s bedroom and motioned to his younger son. “Pierre?”

Pierre squeezed lightly once more then let her go, walking toward Jay’s room. With each step his heart became heavier, hardening into a lump of cold black steel. Halting in the doorway he stared toward his brother’s bed.

Jon was kneeling at the foot of the bed his palms pressed lightly on the bedspread. However, Pierre ignored him. He only had eyes for Jay. The middle Bouvier lay with his eyes closed. Doctor Le Millereux had been as good as his word. He had cleaned the wound up well. No one would ever be able to guess that an animal had literally ripped his throat open. Jagged black thread stitched the wound closed, and surprisingly he looked at peace.

Still, seeing Jay like that now did nothing to prevent images of Shadows tearing his throat open appearing in Pierre’s mind. Did nothing to stop the cold fury that seeped through his whole body.

Jon must have sensed him at that moment because he lifted his head and looked back over his shoulder. “Bro?”

“Hey.”

“Um...you’re actually here...” He shook his head adding softly, “Did you see the doctor?”

“Yeah, just as I got here he was leaving.”

Jon swallowed hard and turned his eyes back toward Jay. “He tell you what happen?”

Pierre growled low in the back of his throat, top lip peeling up slightly.

Jon glanced back at him and blinked rapidly. “Uh...Pierre...your...”

“They’re fangs, Jon,” Pierre interrupted, voice flat and emotionless. He licked at the tip of his left fang. “Vampire.”

Jon shook his head pupils dilating. “What?”

“You heard me.” Pierre entered the room and stopped next to the bed staring down at Jay’s body.

Jon watched him cautiously then glanced toward the doorway where their parents stood arms around each other. “I don’t understand.” Jon looked back toward Pierre.

Pierre shook his head. “I’m a vampire. Not much you need to understand, Jon.”

His eldest brother stood and walked up close to him, invading his personal space. Pierre didn’t flinch, just stared back at him lifting his lips entirely away from his fangs so Jon could get a good look at them.

“Merde.” Jon trembled clutching at his hair.

After what Doctor Le Millereux had told him, and his parents, he wasn’t actually all that shocked at the revelation, just having it confirmed to him, that vampires were actually real, well...it was surprising.

Taking several deep breaths just staring at his younger brother he sorted his thoughts in his mind then he nodded to Jay’s lifeless form. “So, I guess...you know who did this?”

Pierre hissed tightly in answer, voice dripping with venom. “My dearest father...Matthew Charles Sanders...Master Vampire extraordinaire...”

Jon just blinked then looked toward Louise who had breathed in harshly upon hearing his name. “Isn’t he the front man of Avenged?”

Pierre nodded. “But, he’s also a 2000 year old vampire, who happens to be my biological father.”

Jon groaned. “So, why the hell did he...why...why Jay?”

Pierre sat on the edge of the bed and ran a thumb over his belt buckle. “He wants me. He wants to...own me.” He laughed coldly, “But, if he thinks killing Jay is the right way to go about it...then he’s just a fool.”

Jon scowled and sat next to him. “What do you mean: he wants you?”

Pierre sighed, “Long story short...I’m his son, he wants to control me.” Shaking his head he stared down at the floor. “Obviously, for some twisted reason he thinks killing Jay will drive me to him.”

“That’s a bit dense...” Jon snorted. “Why would he think that?”

Pierre laughed, “Because he’s dense?”

They both rolled their eyes. Then looked toward the doorway again. Louise and Rèal had left them alone.

Jon sighed and cast a worried look toward Pierre. “Did you come all the way from TO?”

“In the blink of an eye.”

Jon tilted his head a bemused look on his face.

Pierre chuckled. “Vampire thing.”

“Of course...” Jon chewed at his bottom lip. “Don’t you have a gig?”

Pierre shrugged. “Tomorrow. I’ll stay tonight...go back tomorrow.”

Jon nodded and clapped a hand to his younger brother’s broad shoulder. “Well, then...um...” He looked to Jay’s body. “We should...call the funeral director.”

Pierre nodded then unfolded his body from the bed. “He wanted to be cremated...you remember?”

Jon nodded. “Come on...we’ll go talk to Mom and dad.”

Pierre hesitated, glancing back at his other brother, sucking at his fangs. “Could you give me a minute?”

His brother smiled gravely. “Of course. I think we’ll be out in the kitchen.”

Pierre nodded then turned to kneel next to the bed, propping his chin on clasped hands, resting his elbows against the bedspread. Jon looked at his brother’s bent head for a moment then turned leaving him alone with his thoughts.

Notes