Lover's Serenade.

The brown haired woman, Serenade, stood on the stage, eyes closed as she waited for the crowd to settle down. The nineteen year old looking vampire girl smiled a little and nodded to the band behind her, which started up. The lights all focused on her as she opened her mouth singing in a soft alto, her voice seeming to float on the air as if it had a body of it’s own.

Two figures stood in the shadows. One of them was waiting for her to finish her set so he could slip into the back to kill her, the other, a human witch, was too busy controlling the vampire to notice anything.

On stage, a blood red tear fell down the girl’s face.

One of the figures noticed the tear. What’s going on… if she’s the one I was sent to kill… But I’ve never seen a Vamp actually cry on stage..

***

Chance dodged the lunge of the large man. He knew he had to get into the club. Damn it… They’re setting her up. The town is setting up Serenade because of that damn witch. If the slayer’s already here, I might not be able to save her. He yelped as a claw raked across his arm, making him roll to the side.

“Sorry Chance, but we were told to keep you away from you’re little nightingale tonight. Seems Raven’s no longer got a use for her, since the town’s ours.”

“You would say that wouldn’t you Hawke. After all, you never liked Vamps in the first place. Sere’s different. You and I both know that.” He yelped when the man aimed a gun at him.

“I also know you’re no longer one of us Chance. Looks like your luck’s run out.”

Chance growled but didn’t move. Please, Serenade, if you can, get out of here… He thought waiting to see what Kevin Hawke would do.

***

The set ended. Serenade slipped from the stage, into the back room. Edward saw the dark figure slip into the back along with her. Might be the real target. God, Anita’s going to think I went nuts because I’m not going to kill a Vamp. He thought to himself.

“You didn’t work your magic on anyone.” There was the sound of a hand striking a cheek. The girl yelped stepping back. “You were supposed to work your way into the mayor.”

“I… I couldn’t. Please, Raven…” The slap came again.

Either they lied about the strength of the Vampire I’m supposed to kill, or the stranger’s stronger. Edward pulled back into the shadows hearing a door open behind him. Seeing the kid the two bodyguards carried with him he winced a little. The kid looked like he had just gone through hell.

“Chance!” The vampire batted the guards away and cradled the boy to her, growling low as she looked up at the men.

Edward drew his gun and stepped into view. “Now boys… If I were you, I’d leave the young lady here and her friend alone.” He thickened his accent, sounding like he fit in with the Southern boys.

Serenade looked at him and the look the man gave seemed to relax her slightly, though she still kept her eyes on the others.

Edward motioned for her to help her friend up and come to him. Nodding she did so.

Either she’s really trusting, or trying to act human. Though, there’s a little color to her… Has she fed, or is she really that new. Edward thought backing them up.

***

Chance groaned as he sat on the back seat of Edward’s jeep, his head in Serenade’s lap.

“I… I know I’m a vampire, but I’ve never had human blood. I’ve always had Chance here… Master gave me to him to appease the Skulk.. Chance asked for me personally before I was changed… I was sick, about to die when Master turned me.” She was speaking quietly so as to not wake him.

“So you’re a servant?”

Serenade lowered her head. “Only reason Master wished to change me when he found me was because of my voice. He.. His blood took away the illness, and made me pretty again, but.. I was Chance’s girlfriend before he was changed…” She rubbed one arm a little, another human reaction.

“I’m sorry.” Edward fought the urge to just kill the kids to protect them. It really wouldn’t be hard once they reached the swamps.

“Please… I know you were sent to kill me. Please… help us get out of the South. I want Chance to have a chance. After the Skulk kicked him out… he’s been trying to keep himself and me alive. I know I don’t have a right to ask you a favor, but… Please, he’s a good man, his only fault is that he’s a lycanthrope. “

“Serenade, please… It’s okay, I can fend for myself.”

She glanced down at him. “One on one you can. They’re starting to attack you as a group. Please, You can’t handle this on your own. I know you used to be the leader of them.. But they cast you aside. I thought that only happened if they wanted you dead. I’m amazed the local Pack hasn’t attacked you as well. After all, how many of them have something against you because of me?” She bit her lip. She felt the car slow and looked up seeing that they were pulling into a cheap motel.

“Daybreak’s in about an hour. Next one’s two hours away. I’ll get the room. Have a feeling I have to pull in a favor.” Edward sighed.

The girl’s soft green eyes lit up brightly. “You’ll help us?”

“For now, I have a feeling that you’ll be able to bring me to better prey.” He climbed out of the car letting the two know that if they left, he’d hunt them down.