Still on A7X bus
Sometime later

“What’re you staring at?”

Johnny was lazing on one of the long sofas next to The Rev who was still being attentive toward Luna. The female was curled into his side with her eyes closed. Johnny was attempting not to notice but that brought his own attention upon Synyster who was just looking at him with a deep, confused expression on his face.

“What?” the vampire growled.

Johnny rolled his eyes. “I said what’re you staring at?” With The Rev right next to him he felt safe enough to push the lieutenant without risking anything.

Syn shook his head, dragging fingers through his hair. The expression on his face, though, gave a lot away. Something had gotten to him, and Johnny was curious as to what it could be. Though, obviously the vampire was in no mood to let on what was doing in his head. Even if he was giving off loads of ‘what the fuck’. Still, the Were didn’t want to push his luck. He knew he wasn’t Syn’s favourite person.

The Rev had no such qualms, though. He had been listening in and decided to chime in, in his usual perceptive manner.

“You look like you’re trying to solve some puzzle there, Brian.”

Syn glowered at the lanky male. “I’m not doing shit.”

The Rev sighed. “You might as well front, Syn. Johnny needs to know that you know.”

Johnny stiffened, sitting up his eyes darting between them. The elder male looked at him, expression serious.

“Brian knows.”

“Knows what?” Johnny started to ask, but then he halted as his mother’s words came back to him. “Shit...you mean about Shadows being my uncle?”

Syn clenched his jaw, nodding furiously. The Rev sighed. “Yeah. He knows about that.”

The Were closed his eyes then looked at the lieutenant. “Syn, I never knew...not for decades. My mother told me about it.”

“Your mother?” The vampire scrunched up his face, pushing his fedora off his face.

Johnny nodded toward the female snuggling into The Rev’s side. “Luna.”

“Ah, fuck...” Syn dragged a hand through his hair. “Guess that means I have to be nice to you now.”

“Not like Matt would let you do anything to him anyway,” The Rev pointed out.

“True. I never got that.” Syn shook his head his dark gaze looking critically at the Were. Johnny couldn’t take the intensity of his stare and so averted his eyes to the floor. The vampire went on as if it was of no consequence whether Johnny commented, or not. “I mean...I just thought he was too fucking soft where you were concerned.”

“Maybe I was.” The growl that filled the room caused their heads to turn.

Shadows filled the doorway at the back of the bus, palms braced against the flimsy frame. Johnny frowned anxiously; the Master Vampire’s expression softened as his gaze fell upon the Were. “But, it wouldn’t have changed anything if I hadn’t been. Johnny hasn’t ever done anything to warrant me putting him on the skids. And at any rate, considering he’s half vampire, I couldn’t have killed him anyway.”

Johnny rolled his eyes at that statement, but The Rev conceded with a tight nod of his head.

Syn frowned, rubbing at his pants. “So, I guess, that means it’d be even more pointless for me to try?”

Shadows shifted his weight, while inclining his head toward his lieutenant in the affirmative.

“Shit. What a joke.” Syn sighed and sank into a contemplative silence. Johnny just gave Shadows a disbelieving look. The vampire met it with a hard one of his own.

Then he turned his gaze to The Rev who was looking down at Luna’s slumbering form. “James.”

Bright blue eyes lifted to meet his, a questioning look in them. “Yeah, Matt?”

“I need you and pup to do something for me.” He turned his head back slightly, his eyes looking over his shoulder. Sherry appeared behind him, her face serious as she looked out at the other males.

The Rev cocked an eyebrow, nodding at her then looking at his leader. “Of course.”

Shadows smiled faintly at the female before returning his focus to the male, his eyes going sharp as flint. “Go to the Bouvier’s and get Jay’s ashes.”

The Rev was not easily surprised by anything, and usually was as cool as ice water, but this was one thing he hadn’t expected. “Matt...do you know what you’re about?” His voice was low, strained.

Shadows groaned, leaning into the doorframe. Sherry moved up next to him, laying a soft hand against his taut bicep, rubbing gently. He looked down at her, watching her quietly. Shifting closer she leaned into his shoulder. He smiled then sighed, answering his friend’s question without meeting his stare.

“No. Not really. But, I have to try.”

The Rev didn’t ask what Shadows ‘had to try’, he could already guess what that was, and even though he was uncertain of the outcome if he did, the assassin wasn’t about to question him. Easing Luna from his lap, she stirring only a little, he stood motioning to Johnny. The Were shifted into his wolf form, to make it easier to travel.

“Alright, we’ll leave now. You won’t-”

Shadows growled, “We can’t go anywhere, we still have our last gig, remember?”

The Rev grimaced. “Yeah, I forgot.” He looked down at Johnny. “Let’s go, we haven’t time to waste.”

The Were nodded; he was already beginning to fade from view. The vampire met Shadows’ pained expression. No words needed to be said though. They both nodded and The Rev vanished without a sound.

Shadows gave a heavy grunt and collapsed on the spot The Rev had vacated. His sister woke at the motion, and peered up at him. Sherry came to sit on his other side, leaning against him. He glanced at the two females cuddled next to him and felt strangely at peace. Smiling faintly, he leaned his head back allowing himself to relax for the first time in a very long life.

Closing his eyes, he murmured, “Wake me when they get back...” and with those words he let his mind shutdown.

* * * * *

The buzz of a Dyson was the first thing that registered on Johnny’s sensitive ears as he appeared outside the Bouvier residence. The Rev materialised next to him, commenting about humans and their cleaning habits. Johnny’s tail twitched in response, but he said nothing, just listening for any other sounds.

“Come on,” The Rev muttered. “We don’t have time to stand around.”

Johnny yipped in agreement, padding toward the nearest window. Jumping up, he braced his front paws against the ledge and peered through the glass. He could see Louise moving around the living room with a vacuum cleaner and duster. However, his sharp nose was searching out the distinctive scent of human ashes. The Rev joined him, his own sharp senses scanning the room.

There. He pointed toward the mantelpiece. Right in the middle was a tiny blue ceramic jar. We need to get that somehow...

Johnny whined faintly. But it wasn’t he or The Rev who voiced the solution.

That’s easy. Or don’t you know how to teleport objects...?

They swung around as one unit; Johnny’s hackles were up; The Rev’s eyes were glowing. Pat was standing behind them with his head tilted to the side.

“Holy shit, scare a vamp, why don’t you?” the vampire grumbled. Johnny growled questioningly.

What’re you doing here?

Pat frowned looking toward the window. “I had to get away from his royal mopiness...”

“Pierre,” The Rev said.

Pat nodded. “Yeah, his mood was getting me down. I had to do something.” Then he looked back at the figures before him. “I had a feeling someone might show up here. So, yeah...here I am.”

The vampire nodded slowly. “So...about the ashes...?”

Pat turned toward the window, his gaze focused on the jar. He just stared for a while, his hands cupped together in front of him. Nothing seemed to change on the other side of the glass, though. The jar remained where it was. Pat let out a soft chuckle. The Rev growled in frustration.

“What’s so funny, wolf?”

Johnny was watching Pat closely, then he yipped in realisation. Pat turned at that same moment, and opened his cupped palms, revealing the very same jar. The Rev blinked hard, glancing toward the mantelpiece inside.

“It’s a carbon copy,” Pat explained. “They won’t notice the real thing has gone. And once Shads has done what he needs to...well we can put the real deal back...or not...as the case may be.”

Becoming suspicious, The Rev snapped, “How do you know what Matthew wants with the ashes?”

Pat gave the vampire a level look. “I’m not too young to know that when a vampire wants someone’s ashes there’s only one reason for it. And it ain’t to snort it.”

His knowing glare was a little too much for The Rev to handle, and so he averted his gaze.

“Right. Of course.”

“Look,” Pat said, softly. “I know what Shads is going to try...and all I can say is I hope to God it works. Otherwise, life is not gonna go on for some of us.”

The Rev gritted his teeth, nodding hard. He could understand that sentiment. Breathing out roughly, he met the elder Were’s hard gaze. “Do us all a favour.”

Pat nodded. “Sure.”

The vampire paused, then looked up toward the sky. “Pray. Pray for all of us. Pray for Matt...just...pray...” He noticed the Rosary that was sticking out of the Were’s pocket. At the same time, Pat’s fingertips brushed against the wooden beads.

“I never stopped...” Pat murmured. Then he held the jar out to The Rev. “Take care of this. I need to get back to the guys.” He hesitated, before adding, “Tell Shads, I’ve got his back...all the way.”

The Rev inclined his head, before he and Johnny vanished from the yard.

* * * * *

Luna’s eyes narrowed as she heard someone stumble onto the bus. Two someone’s. She frowned, but relaxed when she recognised the scents that wafted to her. Turning, she nudged her brother’s leg.

“Matthew...they’re back.”

Shadows grunted, eyes slitting open. “Huh?”

“James and Johnny...they’re here.”

The Master Vampire went from mild stupor to wide awake in a split second. His big body was practically humming as he sprang to his feet and strode toward the two figures that were approaching from the bus entrance.

“You got it?”

The Rev nodded, showing him the object he was cradling in his hands. Shadows stared down at the tiny jar, darkness passing over his face.

“Shit, that’s it? That’s...”

The Rev shrugged. “Not a lot left after you burn a human body...”

Shadows cocked an eyebrow. “I won’t ask how you know that.”

“Wise,” the elder vampire muttered. “So, what do we do now?”

“You don’t do anything. I need Zacky for this next bit.” Shadows frowned toward where the others were still sprawled. Said vampire slit open an eye as he sat up from his horizontal position.

“What do you need me for?” He still sounded groggy, and his skin hadn’t quite returned to its usual healthy pallor. However, his eyes were shrewd and direct as he looked at the master vampire.

Shadows smiled, grimly. “You’re our resident medic. I need you with me in case there are any complications after I’ve done this...thing...”

Zacky frowned, eyes narrowing; before he could ask what he meant, it dawned on him and he gave a low growl of shock.

“Yeah,” Shadows murmured, “That thing.”

“Have you ever done this before?” Zacky’s tone was reasonable, no hint of the incredulity that had been evident in his initial reaction.

“Never. But, I know I’m capable of doing this. It’s a perk of who I am.” He sighed, wearily, closing his eyes and steeling himself. Zacky, The Rev, Johnny and the two females who were sitting up watching, remained silent, giving the master vampire space to sort out the turmoil that was going through his mind.

This was not a decision one could make lightly. It would require a lot of willpower, focus and support. It could backfire and people could get hurt. Most importantly of all, it would require a sacrifice. But, it was one that Shadows was willing to lay down. Of course, he wasn’t going to mention this last point to those standing in front of him. That was his private confession to whoever would listen out there in the supernatural realm. After all if the Devil existed, God had to as well...

Sighing, he opened his eyes and met the anxious, yet resolved stares of his subordinates.

“I have to do this. I need to set things to right.” His lips pulled in a hard grin. “Trust this to be the first truly selfless thing I’ve ever done in my life.” He inhaled, nostrils flaring, the muscles across the back of his neck tensing. Then he exhaled in a rush of air, glancing at Zacky.

The younger vampire stood, stretching his arms out, the joints cracking. Then he gave Shadows a tight nod.

“Let’s do this.”

Nodding in turn, Shadows closed his eyes and vanished from their presence. Zacky shifted his gaze to the others. Johnny, still in wolf form, sat quietly, tongue lolling from his mouth. The females remained silent as well, but the support they were offering was evident on their faces.

The Rev spoke up, “Go. We will wait here...and Zacky...”

“Yeah?”

“We bumped into Pat outside the Bouviers’.”

Zacky frowned. “What did he want?”

The Rev shook his head. “Nothing, but...I made him promise to pray for us all...”

The younger vampire’s eyes flashed brilliant green. After a moment, he nodded, murmuring, “I hope that it will be enough...” Then, with determination flaring in his gaze, he faded from view, leaving the others to wait and hope for the best.

Notes