Origin
At twelve years old, Montague had grown accustomed to the quiet despair that filled the group home where he lived. He was a ward of the State, shuffled from place to place, never truly finding a home. His nights were filled with the dreams of fantastical worlds, ones where he wasn’t just another forgotten child, but someone special, someone with a purpose. It was during one of those restless nights that he made his decision.
The group home had strict rules, but Montague had always been good at slipping through the cracks. That night, he snuck out, slipping into the dark streets of a city that cared little for a lost boy. He wandered aimlessly, the thrill of his escape fading as the reality of his situation set in. The streets were unfamiliar, the shadows long and menacing. He was lost, and fear began to creep in.
Then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw something move, something large and winged. Montague froze, heart pounding, as a massive bat swooped down from the night sky. Before he could react, it snatched him up in its talons. The city lights blurred as they soared through the air, his breath caught between fear and amazement.
The bat carried him to a sprawling luxury home nestled from the city’s grime. Montague was dropped gently onto a plush carpet, his eyes wide as he took in the opulence around him. But before he could fully process his surroundings, the bat transformed. Before him stood a woman of otherworldly beauty, her presence commanding and terrifying all at once.
Dressed in a flowing, midnight-black gown that seemed to shimmer like liquid silk, hugging her figure and trailing elegantly behind her as she moved, exuding both power and allure, this was Patrika, an Estrie; an ancient and powerful Lilitu, one of the few using Chicago as a hunting ground. Her dark eyes gleamed with hunger as she observed the boy she had brought to her lair. Montague, however, was not afraid, not anymore. She was gorgeous. A fan of vampire stories, of the legends and lore that filled his favorite books and movies, and the moment he saw her, something clicked in his mind: He knew, without a doubt, that he was standing before a creature of the night.
But instead of recoiling in fear, Montague’s excitement bubbled over. She was a girl vampire! He was excited! Running to her, telling her of her beauty and asking to be turned. Patrika raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his reaction. Most children would be terrified, screaming or crying in her presence. But here was this boy, brimming with excitement, asking to join her world. She could sense his fascination, his longing to escape his mundane existence.
Patrika is an Estrie and can’t sire other vampires. She told him, and readied to feed, but he hugged her instead and begged her to turn him. Patrika was both annoyed and amused, her fangs glinting in the low light. She had planned to feed on him, to drain his young blood and be done with it, but his eagerness was too delicious to ignore. There was something special about this boy, something she could use. Instead of feeding on him, she decided to keep him. She would mold him, teach him, and in return, he would serve her.
Over the next few years, Montague became, her most loyal servant. She taught him how to navigate the human world, how to cover her tracks, and how to protect her from those who would hunt her. By the time he turned eighteen, Montague was completely devoted to Patrika. He knew her routines, her preferences, and the extent of her powers. He became her eyes during the day, her protector when she slept, and the one person she could trust completely. He helps her hunt, but as he has gotten older he doesn’t watch her feed.
Montague had found his purpose. He might not have been turned into a vampire, but he had found something far more valuable—a place where he belonged, by the side of a powerful being who saw more in him than anyone else ever had. And for that, he would serve her until his dying breath.
Major Story Arcs
In Hexcraft Mechanics / Epitaph Bread and Salt issue one, after a minor flirtation between Montigue and a waitress at a restaurant Patrika goes back to the restaurant, in the form of a giant bat, snatches the waitress up as she walks home and dropped her. In the next issue, Epitaph: Bread and Salt issue 2 Montigue voices his displeasure, but there’s little he can do. She makes it clear she is to be his only focus. She questions keeping him around as his loyalty may be slipping. She also considers romantic involvement as it would be pleasurable and may keep him loyal.
Powers and Abilities
Though Montague possesses no supernatural abilities, he keeps himself in good physical condition through regular workouts and gets plenty of exercise working for Patrika. He’s not a trained fighter, but his agility and speed make him formidable in his own right; he can land a solid punch, sprint quickly, and vanish into hiding before most can react. While he’s well aware of the magic that surrounds Patrika’s world, he chooses not to dabble in it, preferring to rely on his own physical skills and cunning to protect her and himself.