Montgomery Coven

Growing up isn’t easy for anyone in London’s Hammersmith ghetto. Born there by chance or brought there by fate, the residents survive by whatever means necessary. Montgomery Coven was one such unfortunate, an heir to a life of poverty and crime. Life on the streets agreed with Monty’s temperament if not his inclination. As a child, Monty desired an affluent lifestyle for which his disposition was most certainly not suited. He grew to resent anyone who possessed the life he wanted to live but could not have. Far beyond simple envy, Monty blamed everyone around him for his station in life. His perception drove him to acts of rebellion and crime. He took those things he craved by force, usually leaving the original owner crippled or even dead. Despite a mediocre education, he quickly asserted himself over his peers with his keen intellect and sharp wit. A natural leader, Monty called all the shots for his gang of friends. Although still not satisfied, he was at least in charge of his life, until fate stepped in. His outstanding leadership qualities, along with his penchant for miscreant behavior, made him a prime candidate for indoctrination into the Sabbat. After the Embrace, Monty once again became a cog in the machine. Despite the promises of immortal freedom, he CHAPTER ONE 35 found himself at the end of a leash tighter than his childhood poverty. No longer master of his own destiny, Monty resented for the Sabbat leaders more each time they pulled his reins. While effective as a pack member, he bore his leaders no love and patiently waited the proper time to throw off their yoke. Fate again intervened to assure Monty’s freedom just as it assured his further damnation. He happened across the Methuselah Mithras, who was slaughtering a pack of werewolves but was in turn laid low by them. As Monty approached the notorious ancient’s broken form, Mithras could only stare in horror. Laughing at his luck, Monty realized he’d found the opportunity to beat his Sabbat masters at their own game by outstripping their potency tenfold. In his weakened state, Mithras could not prevent the act of diablerie, and his body died the Final Death. Yet, unbeknownst to Monty, something of Mithras survived the encounter — something that would prove far too powerful for the opportunistic neonate. The bounds of the Vaulderie shattered in an instant as Mithras’ potent vitae flowed through Monty’s veins. The combined pain and ecstasy drove Monty into a fit of rage that lasted for three nights. After the third night, he arose from the London sewers where he had found himself and gazed upon the city with a whole new outlook — an outlook that was not entirely Montgomery Coven’s. While the old Monty could think only of revenging himself on his Sabbat masters, the new Monty began to calculate the steps necessary to topple the Camarilla in London and seize power for himself. Under the sway of Mithras’ blood, Monty once again sought out his Sabbat comrades. Almost immediately, he challenged the leader — his sire, Garson — to a duel. Monty won easily, and he assumed leadership even as he consumed the last drop of Garson’s blood. The evening’s Vaulderie assured Monty of his pack’s continued loyalty as Mithras’ vitae, even diluted, overpowered the simple neonates. Monty hasn’t been himself lately. He finds his own lifestyle growing more alien by the night. He has abandoned his packmates and severed all ties with his past. His personal tastes have changed, including his preference for sharp clothing and London whores. Monty stares incredulously in the mirror at the man he no longer recognizes. He even doubts his own thoughts at times. Within Monty’s mind, hazy memories of Roman campaigns clash with those of gang fights on the streets of modern London. It is only a matter of time until Mithras again rises to prominence in the body of Monty Coven. Soon, every remnant of the young vampire’s psyche will be erased and the old prince will walk again.

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