0370: The Vampire's Daughter Book IV

“The thespian awakes,” Thomas said. “And he has his voice back. Will you not step out from the shadows?”

Everyone could sense Thomas' nervousness.

There was a long silence before Francis went inside, only to poke his head out and say, “He's not here.”

“We all heard him,” Vein said. “We all turned to see who was talking.”

“He is so much more powerful than I imagined,” Elizabeth said.

“More important, he called you a liar,” Vein said, looking at Thomas with a smile.

“I could easily kill you right now and no one could stop me,” Thomas shot back, in an effort to bully Vein.

“Could you? Do you know for certain that no one would step to my defense? Can be so sure that Sabastian won't rise up and strike you down?” Vein asked, getting into Thomas' face.

“Are you so sure he will protect you?”

“Oddly enough, I am,” Vein said.

“Trust me, he won't kill me. We have an arrangement.”

“Arrangement or not, he won't let you hurt me or Elizabeth. And you know it. So let's get beyond the posturing and talk. Sabastian stood in the sun with Night when she died,” Vein said pointing to the stain on the ground.

“He's correct, this is a serious issue,” Elizabeth said. “I've never bothered with the scriptures and the prophecies, but from what little I know of them.”

“You are both stretching the importance of this... This Sabastian. He is not the one to destroy our kind,” Thomas sputtered angrily.

“How are you so certain?” Vein asked.

“He's of your blood, he has immense powers, and the girl,” Elizabeth said.

“What of all of this? The damned prophecies have proven false so many times. Where is the messenger? Where is the sun?”

Elizabeth looked up at him, “He's in Europe.”

A scowl crossed Thomas' face as he stepped backward.

“I am the seed of your destruction. A seed you planted and nurtured. I have grown and now my blooms are baring fruit. And they will end you and perhaps all of us,” Elizabeth said calmly to Thomas, who's face went from a scowl to pure hatred.

“I will destroy you,” Thomas announced. “You and your progeny will die by my hand. I have spared you because of what you have done for me. Now, though, you have gone too far. Nothing will stop me from killing you.”

“Destiny will,” Elizabeth said calmly. “You will walk right into your own destiny. Even though you could stop it.”

Thomas said nothing as he left.

“You should get back to your own portion of the city,” Vein said.

“There is no need. Thomas will not send anyone here, he knows they will be fighting Sabastian not I.”

“Sabastian isn't here,” Francis said. “He left before you arrived.”

“But he spoke to us,” Vein said.

“I know, but unless he walked right past me without me seeing him, he's not here.”

There was a long silence before Francis asked, “What did you mean when you told Thomas he would walk into his own destiny?”

“Free will. We have free will. Sol used to talk about it on occasion. Now I am beginning to see what he meant. I don't fully understand, but I know that whatever Thomas is destined for, it will be from his own decisions that it comes.

“He will reap what he has sown.”

“How biblical of you,” Vein shot out.

Elizabeth smiled at the joke, knowing it meant that Vein was somehow more comfortable in his surroundings. “I think I'll wait for Sabastian's return, if you don't mind the extra company.”

“Your company is welcome, my Lady,” Vein said, bowing.





[The Vampire’s Daughter: An ongoing vampire story. Copyright Reuben Gregg Brewer, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. All rights reserved.]

0369: The Vampire's Daughter Book IV

“Show me where the black mark is,” Elizabeth announced after letting Francis out of her hug.

“It's outside, you were so keen on hugging the boy, and scaring him in the process, that you walked right by it,” Vein said.

“It must not be all that remarkable then,” she shot back, walking out on to the stoop where Vein had remained.

He pointed to the black mark that clearly looked like a cross with the outline of a body on it. “Wow, that's pretty remarkable, actually,” she said, walking slowly over toward it.

She bent down and looked closely at the stain on the ground. Then she dug at the edge with her finger. “It seems to go through the dirt.”

“Yes, but watch this,” Vein said, picking up a portion of the broken pot and placing it on the stain. It took a few seconds, but gradually the stain went through the pot fragment.

“My God,” Elizabeth said.

“That's not all,” Vein replied, taking the pot bit away. The stain slowly vanished.

“If I were remotely religious I would be praying to God right now,” She said, taking the broken ceramic piece and examining it. “And you said it was Night who... well, this stain is what is left of her?”

“Yes,” Vein responded.

“And it happened right in front of Sabastian and nothing happened to him?”

“That's correct,” he said seriously.

“You aren't joking at all.”

“I see nothing to joke about.”

“That's what I mean,” Elizabeth explained. “Even when times are tense you joke, but you aren't doing so now. You are concerned.”

“I can't tell when he's here or when he's not. When he is here, I don't have any idea what he's likely to do. He doesn't care that I'm here at all. Thomas is so scared of him that he's given me protection. In fact, Thomas took one look at this and he ran like a frightened child. What am I supposed to feel? I think concerned is the least intense of my possible reactions.”

“That's better, witty sarcasm,” she said with a smile that quickly faded as she looked past him at Thomas who had just walked into the inner court. She stood up. “I sensed you in the area. I was wondering when you would make your appearance.”

“Is that any way to great your sire?”

“I'm not here to play games,” she said.

“What makes you think I am playing a game? I gave you life and now you betray me in so many ways.”

“Giving me life doesn't allow you to treat me like a puppet. To abuse me at your whim, to send me to die because you are too afraid to take the risk.”

“I see it quite differently,” Thomas said.

“I gave you everything I had. My love, my life. You took what I gave and used it at your convenience, tossing me aside whenever you were done with me.”

“That is my prerogative, you are of me.”

“No. You do not control life. Particularly mine.”

Thomas laughed gently, then said, “This is a discussion for another time. Why have you asked me to join you? To look at some soot on the ground?”

Vein spoke up, saying, “You know damn well this is more than just soot.”

“Is it?”

“You wouldn't have come alone if it were just soot,” Elizabeth said, backing up Vein's words with her own.

“Who says I am alone?”

“There is no other vampire for blocks,” Sabasian's voice came from within the doorway.





[The Vampire’s Daughter: An ongoing vampire story. Copyright Reuben Gregg Brewer, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. All rights reserved.]

0368: The Vampire's Daughter Book IV

“Do you think it wise to come so far into Thomas' territory?” Vein asked.

“No, I do not. But I don't believe he will stop me or try to harm me,” Elizabeth replied. “I will come alone, with you.”

“I have given up my coven to you, pledged my life to protect your child, and now you ask that I risk what I've given to you by sitting idly by as you walk willingly into enemy territory?”

Elizabeth walked over to Vein, who was clearly exasperated. She put her hand on his cheek and said, “Yes that is what I'm asking. And that is what you will do for me. You have given me so much and you will continue to give me more. But I don't ask for things lightly, and you know that. So when I ask, you will give. It is our silent agreement.”

“Well you've ruined the silent part, haven't you,” Vein replied, looking down and smiling. He knew she was right.

The pair left the building through a private entrance after Elizabeth had informed her private guard that she had a secret meeting to attend. Over Jillian's protests, she went only with Vein as a guard.

As they walked across what was the line dividing Thomas' territory from her own, Several of Thomas' men confronted her.

“I don't know what you think you are doing, but you had better turn back before we kill you.”

“You aren't strong enough to kill me,” she said. “Now get out of my way before I am forced to do something you will all regret.”

The three vampires looked at each other, but didn't move.

Vein chimed in, “You should listen to her and send someone off to tell Thomas. He'll know exactly where to find us.”

The guards did as Vein suggested.

Watching them scurry off, Vein said, “Ah youth.”

Shortly after that incident, they found themselves at Sabastian's home.

“Francis, so good to see you,” Elizabeth said, taking the boy in her arms. “Any news of Sol?”

“No,” the boy replied, obviously nervous about being in the vampire's embrace.



[The Vampire’s Daughter: An ongoing vampire story. Copyright Reuben Gregg Brewer, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. All rights reserved.]

0367: The Vampire's Daughter Book IV

“Madam President,” Vein said far too loudly as he bent majestically in front of Elizabeth.

Elizabeth's laugh was genuine and deep. “Oddly I've grown to enjoy your sense of humor,” she said, putting her hand out for Vein to kiss.

Taking her hand in his, Vein lavished a kiss on it and stood before her. “I am humbled by your generosity.”

Rolling her eyes, she asked, “What news have you brought me? It seems that we only saw each just days ago.”

Looking around, he asked, “May we talk alone?”

“Oh, that good!” Elizabeth responded mockingly, as she waved an arm toward her bedroom.

“No, I just want to get you alone in a room with a bed,” Vein said with a hearty laugh.

“Now that is the funniest thing you've said in months,” Elizabeth announced, following him to the room.

Once inside, Vein's demeanor changed materially. “Oh, this is serious,” Elizabeth said, sitting on the edge of her bed.

“Have you ever seen a vampire burned by the sun?”

“Of course I have. It's horrible.”

“Yes, yes it is. Have you ever seen a vampire willingly expose themselves to the sun?”

“Willingly?”

“Yes, willingly.”

“Not that I can recall,” Elizabeth replied.

“Neither had I until last night.”

“What...” She trailed off.

Vein sat next to her and took her hand, “Night is dead.”

“I can't say I find that upsetting.”

“She came to the house looking for Sabastian, begging him to speak to someone. Sabastian came out and whomever Night was looking to speak to, well, that person spoke to her through Sabastian.

“She then stayed in the sun until she was burned to death to free her soul.”

Elizabeth didn't say anything.

“The mark on the ground left by her burn was in the shape of a cross.”

Still no reply.

“Thomas came the next day, obviously aware that Night had been there the prior evening. He tried to cover the stain, but it refused to be covered. It bled through whatever was put on top of it.”

Elizabeth continued to look off blankly.

“Thomas didn't say anything before he left, but I don't believe he wants anyone to know what happened.”

“What of Sabastian?” Elizabeth asked.

Vein didn't say anything.

Elizabeth looked at Vein and far more adamantly asked, “What of my Sabastian?”

Vein looked into her eyes and replied, “He stood in the sun right next to Night as she burned. But nothing happened to him. Nothing. Nothing at all.

“It was like he was human. Or... Or divine.”

Elizabeth's eyes closed and she took Vein's hands in hers. “Thank God he's alright.”

“Thank God he's alright? He stood in the sun. He stood as another vampire burned. Nothing happened to him. Do you understand? This isn't some small feat. This is life and death. Forget that he channeled the dead for Night before she chose to off herself. He should have died, but he didn't.” Vein had gotten up and walked across the room.

“I heard your story,” Elizabeth said. “But there's little I can do about it. I'm just glad that Sabastian is unharmed. You know how powerful he is. This shouldn't surprise you as much as it seems to.”

“This isn't a display of power, it's... It was a display of divinity. You know I'm not a particularly religious fellow, but what I saw is beyond this Earth. And the cross.” Vein was clearly shaken.

“Where is Sabastian now?”

“I have no idea. I haven't been able to sense him for months. He shows up when he wants to and leaves when he wants to. I think he could walk right in front of me and I wouldn't be the wiser for it.”

“That's probably true,” Elizabeth replied.

“Is that supposed to make me feel better or worse?” Vein asked sarcastically.

“Ah, you're feeling better,” Elizabeth replied. “I'd like to see the cross for myself.”



[The Vampire’s Daughter: An ongoing vampire story. Copyright Reuben Gregg Brewer, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. All rights reserved.]

0366: The Vampire's Daughter Book IV

“I worked quite hard on that book,” a young man's voice said moving toward Sol. “I don't appreciate you throwing it violently like that.”

Sol stopped crying and looked up at the stylish young man standing in front of him. “The Keeper,” he said reflexively.

“So I am,” was the reply.

“I...”

“You don't understand why I'm here now,” the Keeper said, completing what Sol couldn't. “I am here now because you have seen what we are.”

“We are evil,” Sol spat out angrily.

“Yes we are. But we were not always evil.”

“This library,” Sol said, “it records hundreds of years of our vile past. Am I too believe that at one point in time we were different. That some great force turned us into what we are?”

“Yes,” was the simple reply.

A long pause ensued during which the Keeper walked around inspecting the books.

“You have read more of this library than any other in existence,” the Keeper finally said, interrupting the silence. “I am impressed. You now know more about our recent history than anyone other than myself. That is no small achievement.”

“You seem to know what I've read and what I haven't read. Have you been watching me, too?”

“Yes. I've been watching you since John Paul rejoined us.”

“What?” Sol asked incredulously.

“You heard what I said.”

“Then why didn't you step in to help?”

“That is not my role in our story. And what makes you think I didn't move some pawns around?”

“Like with Regaldo?” Sol asked.

“Like with Regaldo. My role isn't to be involved in our affairs. It is to record our affairs so that others may know them. How and when I share my stories is up to me.”

Sol was conflicted. He felt as though the Keeper was helping him, but still was unsure of how much he could be trusted. Finally he said, “Now what?”

“Your time here is not done. But you have learned what I wanted you to learn and shown that you are the one that John Paul had been waiting for. For years he said it was you, but I didn't believe him.

“You know, the funny thing is, I was kind of hoping he was wrong. That we weren't at that point in the prophecies. But it seems we are and I'll be taking you from this place in due time. But not yet.”

“Where are you going to take me?” Sol asked.

“You know the answer to that already.”

“And what needs to happen before we go?”

The Keeper looked at him, walked over to a bookshelf and turned a section of molding. The entire wall jerked quickly, as if something had been dropped on top of it. The Keeper pushed the one entire bookshelf to the side revealing a hidden room. He motioned to Sol to join him.

Sol rose and walked over to the room. Inside was a single desk with books on top. The desk was rough and crude. Sol knew instantly that Jesus had made it because it was so similar to the furniture of John Paul. The books on top were obviously made by the Keeper. They were held in place by what looked like two large rocks.

“The desk was a gift from John Paul, the books are of my hand, and the bookends,” the Keeper looked at Sol. “Are a gift from our past.”

“Who gave you these things?”

The Keeper looked at Sol with a broad smile. “They are not my gifts, they are yours.”

Sol didn't answer, he just looked at the desk.

“The books are a brief recount of the six great wars. The first two are based on stories handed down to me by the Father. The others I saw with my own eyes. I am working on the seventh book of the series. Read these and then we will talk again.

“But don't share this knowledge with anyone, don't even let them know this room exists.”

“OK,” Sol said, turning his focus from the desk to the voice. The Keeper, however, had already disappeared.



[The Vampire’s Daughter: An ongoing vampire story. Copyright Reuben Gregg Brewer, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. All rights reserved.]

0365: The Vampire's Daughter Book IV

Sol was spending his time reading. Reading and reading, with the hope that he would again meet the vampire he believed to be the Keeper. But nothing came of his efforts except an education about his kind that he never received from Elizabeth, his sire. He was glad that he hadn't learned of it, he was glad that he had lived so far outside the world of his own kind.

The stories he was reading were disgusting. Not because of the brutality, he was well aware that all of nature is brutal, but because of the complete lack of morality that drove so many of the characters in the books. It almost became intolerable to read.

After one particularly painful story about a young vampire that had taken to turning babies, Sol stopped and looked around. “How could anyone do these things?” he asked out loud, not expecting an answer.

“Do what things?” Meredith's voice asked from a far corner.

Sol shot up, startled. “I didn't know you were here,” he said.

“I'm aware of that,” she replied, walking over to him. “I've been watching you for hours. In fact, I've been watching you for hours every day. You haven't noticed at all. I was wondering when you would finally sense me in the room, but you've been too entranced in these books.”

Sol sat down and looked at the book in his hands, blood red tears began to fall from his eyes.

Meredith sat next to him and said, “Tell me, what is the book about.”

“A young vampire named Regaldo was taught from the start by an old and wise vampire. But he didn't care about the rules his sire explained to him. He made babies into vampires. Not children, babies.

“What kind of sick...” he trailed off.

“I had Thomas handle that affair. It was a very long time ago. I hadn't realized that the Keeper bothered to write the story down.”

“He wrote it down because Thomas didn't kill him, John Paul did,” was Sol's reply.

“What?”

“Thomas kept Regaldo alive in secret for years, using him to do the things no normal vampire would consider. Torture, assassination, extortion, anything. All Thomas had to provide was the occasional child for Regaldo's amusement.”

“My God.”

“A just God would not have allowed this abomination to continue,” Sol replied.

“But how did John Paul know?”

“It doesn't say specifically, but I suspect the Keeper informed him. I can't believe I'm descended from that beast. I can't believe I was friends with that animal.”

“Vampires change,” Meredith said to cool Sol's fury.

“Thomas hasn't. But you are correct, vampires do change. I have changed. You have helped me, Gan has helped me, these books... The Keeper's books, they have helped me. I see our kind in a new light.

“I was conflicted for years about what I was and what we were. Now I find I am not conflicted. We are, at our hearts, evil. What purpose we serve, I don't know. But even the best of us must perform evil acts to survive. We consort with evil, we live in evil, we have the stench of evil in all of our pores.”

“That story obviously upset you a great deal,” Meredith replied, getting up and walking to the door. “I'll leave you with your thoughts.” She was actually worried that she may have been mistaken about Sol, but knew that talking to him wasn't going to solve anything. He needed time to himself to decide his own fate.

After she had walked out of the library, Sol stood up and threw the book across the room. He fell to the floor crying about everything and nothing.



[The Vampire’s Daughter: An ongoing vampire story. Copyright Reuben Gregg Brewer, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. All rights reserved.]

0364: The Vampire's Daughter Book IV

The monk smiled as Mina assessed him, but did not look at her. “You wonder how I can ask these questions,” he said in a matter of fact tone. “I have lived for many years, but nowhere near the years you have seen. And, because of this, it seems like I am a child trying to teach an old man the ways of the world. This is not my purpose and I apologize if that is the impression I have given you.

“You have spent so long among your own kind that you have forgotten what it means to be among my kind,” he continued. “You have spent so long in your dedication to your mother that you have forgotten the power of love. Your kind does not truly understand love anymore because time is not finite. Love is precious because we only get to experience it for but a short period of time.

“You love this little girl,” he went on, finally turning to look at Mina. “And you should. She is very special. It is why you brought her this far in the first place. But, now, you wonder what to do. You brought her here to prove to your mother that she is the one you were sent to find. Yet, you know all too well that this will likely lead to the little princess' death.

“It is your love for her that is the problem. You realize that, unlike you, her time here is fleeting. You do not want to be the cause of that time ending.” He turned and looked over the garden.

Mina continued to look at him for a moment before turning away. “You are wise beyond your years,” she said.

The monk smiled, “My wisdom comes from your hand. I only tell you a version of what you once taught us.”

Mina smiled and thought back in time to when she started the monastery. She didn't remember what she taught the monks, but was pleased to have it thrown back in her face. “I don't remember having so much wisdom,” she said.

“When one lives long enough, one forgets many things. Sometimes, a little reminder is needed to open the door to the knowledge we already own.” He got up and walked out of the courtyard.

Mina stood up and walked in her bare feet on the grass in the courtyard. She recalled building it. It was The Mountain Princess Sanctuary. She selected the wood, the stone, the plants, the fish, everything. Certainly, over time, things had changed. The fish she hand selected were long dead, but similar fish now occupied their place. The same was true for the plants. She could see where the walls had been repaired with new wood, but of the same type.

So, despite the passage of time, everything was essentially the same. She liked the garden. Once she had loved it. Time had changed things, but not the things in the courtyard so much as the things within Mina.

The monk was right. She was conflicted by her sense of duty to her sire and her sense of duty to her feeling of love for Susan. At one point she believed she had no choice but to bring Susan to her sire. She trained her in some vain hope that Susan would be OK no matter what happened. This was willful ignorance to what she knew to be true. If she brought Susan to her sire, Susan would die. If she ignored the duty placed upon her by her sire, Mina knew that she would very likely die—either by her sire's hand or from Susan's fulfillment of the prophecies.

She didn't know what to do, and simply enjoyed wiggling her toes in the grass for a few moments longer.



[The Vampire’s Daughter: An ongoing vampire story. Copyright Reuben Gregg Brewer, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. All rights reserved.]

0363: The Vampire's Daughter Book IV

It was as if the Mountain Princess had been expected when they arrived. As if, for however long she had been away, the monastery had been preparing for the day of her return. So her return elicited due respect, but was clearly not shocking to the monks. What obviously put the men into a state of awe was Susan. It appeared that none had expected this and every single monk went out of his way to cater to the little girl. The interesting thing about it, however, was not they didn't expect her at all, but that they were surprised to see her so soon.

“This isn't exactly what I had expected,” Mina said during a rare moment of privacy.

“I kinda like it,” Susan said with a big grin.

Mina looked at the little girl and smiled back at her, it was one of those special moments in which Susan was truly a child. For a long time those moments were brief and far between, partly because of Mina's own actions and partly because of circumstance. Mina didn't want to bring the reality of the situation into the foreground, so she simple let her concerns slide away without mentioning them.

“Pardon me, Princess, a monk interrupted by a doorway into the garden. He was kneeling in obvious deference to his superiors.

“Yes?” Mina asked.

“I believe it is time for the little princess to have her training session. If you are done, that is.”

Susan leaned over and whispered to Mina, “I love it when they call me little princess.”

“I know you do,” Mina whispered back. Then, to the monk, she said, “I guess it is time for her training to continue. Go on,” she finished, patting Susan on the head.

“You treat this little girl like your own,” an elderly voice came from another entrance to the garden. This particular monk simply walked in without deference and sat next to Mina.

“I find more and more that I love her like she is,” Mina said.

“That is as it should be,” he replied. “You know that we have been waiting a long time for your return.”

“Yes. I'm very sorry for staying away for so long. It was a matter of duty.”

“We understand, as we knew it was our duty to wait patiently.” There was a silence as the two sat in the garden. Mina reached out with her mind, but found the monk was unreadable. Something that years of practice had allowed him, she assumed and thought nothing more of it.

Suddenly, the monk said, “You must also realize by now that we have been awaiting the little princess, too.”

“Yes, I had noted that. I wasn't aware that you knew the prophecies.”

“We know them very well, as all things are tied together, so too are your kind and our kind.”

Another silence settled as a butterfly wafted through the court.

“You must also realize that there are others who are waiting for the little princess, too.”

“Yes,” was all Mina said.

“While we here have waited generations for this day, those of your kind do not live under the same constraints of time,” the monk continued.

“As you know, I am well aware of this fact.”

Another pause passed between them, though this time it was more stilted.

Finally, the monk said, “You are conflicted between your sense of duty to your mother and your growing love for the little princess.”

Mina turned to look at the withered old monk. His skin was leathery and he had but wisps of gray hair feathered around his head. He was thin and his robes hung off of him. He clearly had wisdom in him, but what wisdom could a human have of the affairs of those who live forever?



[The Vampire’s Daughter: An ongoing vampire story. Copyright Reuben Gregg Brewer, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. All rights reserved.]

0362: The Vampire's Daughter Book IV

The next evening, Vein woke up and quickly found Francis. “Is he here?”

Francis shrugged to say he didn't know and then went back to reading his book.

Vein closed his eyes and tried to feel Sabastian's presence in the house, even though he knew it was a pointless effort. He hadn't been able to sense Sabastian for months.

“There's a stain on the stonework outside,” Francis said. “I can't get it off.”

“Where Night...” he didn't complete the sentence.

“Yeah, where that female vampire burned up.”

“That doesn't surprise me,” Vein answered. “From what I've seen before, the process creates a great deal of heat.”

“Yeah, well, I don't know about that, but you should probably take a look at it.”

“Why?” Vein asked in a serious tone.

“Look,” Francis said, standing and walking to the door. He turned on a light and opened the door for Vein.

Vein walked onto the front steps and a smirk crossed his face. “This is probably just chance, but I doubt any overly zealous fool will see it that way.” He walked out and stood in front of the stain that was clearly in the rough shape of a cross.

“Step back,” Francis said.

Vein looked at him and complied. He looked again and his eyes went wide.

“Looks just like a body hanging on a cross,” Francis said.

“My God,” was all Vein could muster.

“Yeah, that pretty much sums it up in a nut shell,” Francis announced before heading back into the house.

Vein watched him go back to the living room before turning his head back to the black mark on the ground. “Hello Thomas,” he said after a few moments. “Odd to see you travel without an escort.”

“Vein,” Thomas replied cordially. “I was informed that Night visited you last night and was curious about the discussion. I assume that this is what is left of her.”

“Fairly artistic, don't you think,” Vein answered, leery of Thomas.

“I assume that Sabastian did this to her.”

“Nope.”

“Then how did it happen?” Thomas asked.

“Self immolation. Pretty gruesome stuff, as I've heard you might be aware.”

Thomas ignored the jab and asked, quite seriously, “Does anyone else know of this?”

“Other than Sabastian and myself, I don't think so. But I don't really know.”

“I assume you'll run off and tell that whore child of mine.”

Vein smiled and said, “Probably.”

“I recommend we cover this in some way,” Thomas said.

“What are you afraid of?” Vein asked.

“Overly zealous fools, just like you.”

“I'll consider the recommendation,” Vein replied.

“It wasn't a recommendation,” Thomas said, walking over to a potted tree that Francis had added to the courtyard. He picked up the entire tree and smashed it over the stain.

At the noise, Francis came out and said, “Hey, I liked that tree.”

“Go back inside,” Vein said to him without turning to look. He complied without question or comment.

Vein looked at the mess of a tree that was on the floor and almost instantly fell to his knees to examine the pile of dirt. He noted that Thomas had begun to step back from him toward the wall separating the two courts.

Vein gingerly touched the dirt that had changed from brow to black in the exact shape of the underlying stain. The dirt was black throughout, but only where the stain was. The same was true of the tree parts and the shattered container.

Vein and Thomas exchanged a look, but neither said anything. After a few moments, Thomas left.

Vein, feeling that there was no point in trying to hide the stain, kicked the broken planter and it's contents aside. As the blackened debris left the stain, it changed back to its former color.

“I probably should have seen that coming,” he muttered to himself, realizing that whatever he was involved in was much bigger than even he had originally believed.



[The Vampire’s Daughter: An ongoing vampire story. Copyright Reuben Gregg Brewer, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. All rights reserved.]

0361: The Vampire's Daughter Book IV

With the word “no” still streaming from his lips, Vein looked up and saw that Sabastian was completely unharmed by the sun's rays. He stopped yelling, as thoughts swarmed his mind. How could Sabastian stand in the sun without any harm befalling him? Was Sabastian so powerful that even sun couldn't kill him? Vein had seen others die by the sun, it was awful to behold and one of the most gruesome punishments ever handed down. And yet the sun had no impact on Sabastian. How was it possible?

Francis looked at Vein and, interrupting Vein's racing mind, said, “I thought the sun was supposed to kill you guys.”

“It is,” Vein replied just as the sun began to touch the top of Night's head.

At first nothing happened, making Vein question all he knew, had seen and had been taught. Then, suddenly, Night began to scream. Her eyes glowing as if fire were reflecting off of them, but there was no fire in front of her. This was what Vein remembered. He closed his eyes, knowing full well what would happen next.

As suddenly as she started to scream, Night stopped. Then her head erupted in a flame that slowly crept through her entire body. It came out her fingers before taking her arms, it came out her toes before taking her legs. It was like the fire was spreading internally. Like Night was an old wooden building with a fire ripping apart the inside structure before making its appearance to the outer world.

Sabastian stood and watched in the full sunlight. Vein and Francis had retreated further into the house, but watched from the shadows with Francis holding the vampire's sleepy body up. “My God,” Francis said to Vein, “it's horrible.”

“It always is,” Vein said to him.

“Why isn't the same thing happening to Sabastian?”

“I don't know.”

As her body burned it remained charred and intact, standing before the sun. When the fire had finally burned itself out, ash began to fall and blow in a gentle breeze that had come seemingly from nowhere.

A stream of ash flowed on the wind, creating a trail that wound its way over the courtyard wall and into obscurity.

As the final grains of Night danced on the wind to nowhere Sabastian said, in his own voice, “It was your own will that freed you, my daughter.” He watched the final grains disappear over the courtyard wall and turned, his body in the full light of day. He didn't think much about it, but somehow he knew the entire time that no harm would befall him. That the sun, with its purifying rays, couldn't harm him. No, he paused briefly to look at the glowing orb in the sky, it wouldn't harm him. Sabastian admired the sun for a moment, as he hadn't gazed upon it in years. A smile only Susan would have noticed spread and faded. He walked into the house.

Without saying a word, he strode over to Francis who was struggling to hold up Vein. Sabastian bent down and took Vein into his arms, lifting his barely conscious body up.

Vein could only watch in a mixture of shock and horror. He feared that now was the time of his death. That Sabastian would do to him what had just happened to Night.

With his mind, Sabastian said comfortingly, “I will take you to your room.”

Soothed by Sabastian's words, Vein's mind relaxed. “How?” he asked in a barely audible voice.

Sabastian didn't answer.



[The Vampire’s Daughter: An ongoing vampire story. Copyright Reuben Gregg Brewer, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. All rights reserved.]

0360: The Vampire's Daughter Book IV

The minutes flowed by at a glacial pace, as Sabastian stood looking at Night. She continued plead her case to what appeared to be a completely unmoved statue of a man.

“We must get inside,” Vein said, taking hold of Sabastian's shoulder. He tried to move him, but found he couldn't. He was shocked at how hard his companion's body was. It was like he was gripping a statue, an unmovable statue.

Sabastian stepped out toward Night, who was in the middle of the second, inner most courtyard. Standing a yard from her, he tilted his head as he looked on her. He opened his mouth.

At first there were was a cacophony of voices yelling, screaming, talking. Different languages, dialects, genders and ages were all speaking at once. It wasn't loud, but it hurt the ears.

Vein and Francis covered their ears and the pain they felt was visible in their faces. Night just looked at him in awe, as though he were an oracle speaking the future.

Slowly, however, the noise began to subside as voices dropped out. There was one voice that became clearer and clearer as the minutes ticked away.

Vein could see the anticipation in Night's face. There was almost a joy in her eyes as she leaned in ever so slightly toward the voice that came from Sabastian.

Then, suddenly, one voice rang out clearly. “Save your soul while you still can,” it said.

“Mother?” Night asked.

Vein and Francis watched, in shock. Neither had seen anything like this before in their lives.

“Little Bee,” the voice continued, “see what is before you. Repent for what you are and save your soul. He is not here to redeem you, you must do that yourself.”

“Mommy,” Night cried, falling to her knees. “I don't know how.” She was looking at the ground.

“I love you my daughter. My death can never be avenged, it is too late. I will be set free in time. But you will never be free if you do not free yourself. He is not here to save you. He is here to condemn you. You must save your soul while you still can.”

The sun began to creep over a nearby building, with the first rays still well above the courtyard. The sight, however, was enough to draw Vein from his stupor. “I'm not sure what to call this little reunion, but it must end or we'll all die without repenting our sins. And I, for one, don't wish that to happen,” he said, stepping into the doorway as the sun crept down the walls of the next building.

“How do I save my soul?” Night asked in a whimper.

“You know how,” the voice coming from Sabastian's mouth said.

She looked up at Sabastian, bloody tears in her eyes, and stood. She walked over to Sabastian and kissed him on the cheek.

Sabastian took her head in his hands and kissed her forehead.

“I love you,” Night said.

“I love you, too,” Sabastian said in a mixture of the woman's voice and his own.

Night stepped back, looked at the sun beam traveling down the wall to her side. She turned, looked at the sun coming over the building across from her and opened her arms wide.

“Oh my God,” Vein said, as he realized she fully intended self immolation. “You must get inside,” he yelled at Sabastian, who was just standing and watching her. Sabastian ignored him.

As the sun crept down it hit Sabastian first. Vein closed his eyes and shook his head. This wasn't the end he expected. It wasn't the end that made sense. How could everything Vein had risked his life for stop in this way?

His anger flowed up in him like vomit. He couldn't contain it, he had to give voice to it before it choked him to death. He screamed, “No!”



[The Vampire’s Daughter: An ongoing vampire story. Copyright Reuben Gregg Brewer, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. All rights reserved.]

0359: The Vampire's Daughter Book IV

After one of his visits to Elizabeth, Vein headed home. It was getting close to dawn, so he was rushing a little to ensure he was back before the sunrise so he didn't have to risk staying anywhere without Thomas' explicit protection. It wasn't that he doubted Thomas' order of protection, which had proven reliable on multiple occasions already, but he doubted if he could count on it when Thomas' clan members had no risk of being caught in the act of killing him.

Almost as soon as he walked in the door, someone was banging on it. He looked at Francis, who was up already cleaning the house. They both shrugged their shoulders as the banging continued.

Vein sat down and said, “I suppose you should answer the door.”

Francis looked at him and said, “Uh, no, I don't think so. In a half an hour I'll be glad to get the door. Right now, you can take care of it.”

“Oh, if you are so afraid, I'll do it,” Vein moaned, knowing full well that his companion was absolutely correct in his resolve.

Upon opening the door, Vein saw a haggard and dirty Night standing before him. She was so disoriented that she kept on hitting at the door, despite the fact that it had been opened. Vein deflected her blows with his arms several times before he took hold of her flailing hands.

“Night, what the hell is going on?” Vein asked. He knew that she had been missing since her little visit to Elizabeth's compound, and had assumed Thomas had killed her for treason.

“I want to speak to her,” she demanded, pulling her arms free.

“Who?” Vein asked honestly.

“Don't play games with me, I know she's here!”

“Night, you look terrible. Something bad has obviously happened. I'll help you...”

“I don't want your help,” she screamed, “I want to talk to her!”

“Night, please,” Vein tried to calm her by putting his arm on her shoulder, but she moved away from him.

“Tell him I want to speak to her,” she said in an angry guttural tone.

“It is almost dawn. Night you need to find someplace to rest for the day.”

“I want to speak to her! Tell Sabastian I want to speak to her!”

“I don't even know if he's here,” Vein confided in her. “And there is certainly no woman on the premises. Now calm down and come inside before the sun rises,” he said, again trying to get hold of her.

She lurched back and gave him a menacing look. “I want to speak to her right now.”

“I...” Vein started before he was interrupted by Francis.

“Uh, Vein,” Francis let out from behind. Vein turned to see the boy looking into the living room. Following his eyes, he saw Sabastian walking toward him.

“So, you are home,” Vein said mockingly.

Sabastian ignored him and walked outside onto the front step and looked at Night.

“I want to speak to her again,” she said to Sabastian. He stood motionless and just looked at her.

Vein, though caught up in the moment, was cognizant of two things. First was the quickly approaching dawn and second was that despite seeing Sabastian standing right in front of him, he couldn't sense him. It was as if he wasn't there.

“We need to get her inside before the sun rises,” Vein offered after the pause proved too long for him to endure.

Sabastian didn't respond and simply continued to look at Night.

“Please,” she begged, “please let me speak to her again. She was trying to tell me something and I didn't understand. I want to understand.”


[The Vampire’s Daughter: An ongoing vampire story. Copyright Reuben Gregg Brewer, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. All rights reserved.]

0358: The Vampire's Daughter Book IV

Some time had past before Vein saw Sabastian again. Vein occupied his time by wondering about the city. Meeting with old friends and even enemies. He was able to gather information about Thomas and easily relay the relevant news to Elizabeth.

Unfortunately, the news wasn't terribly useful. A stalemate had risen, in which Thomas did not appear powerful enough to push higher than 42nd street and Elizabeth was not powerful enough to push lower. From mere size, Elizabeth held the larger area, but it was disjointed, full of undesirable sections, and diluted quickly once above Central Park.

Worse was the effort needed to keep the new formation of the Tribunal from crumbling into chaos. Hers was a band of individuals, once marginalized by lack of size, but now material players since Thomas had decimated so many clans, usually choosing the strongest and most influential to be killed.

Elizabeth quickly learned that Thomas had followed a very direct plan in his efforts to take the city. He destroyed the leaders. Very often, once the leaders were gone, the clans either dissolved or fell into infighting. Either end worked in Thomas' favor, as both allowed him to inflict surgical strikes and wait for the clan to fall apart, leaving him to pick up the pieces.

Trying to explain this to clans already in the throes of self destruction was difficult, if not impossible. Often Elizabeth had to follow the path of Thomas and simply wait for the outcome. When a new leader, or multiple new leaders, emerged was when the work began. She found that she was bargaining for power over Thomas. But it wasn't a vacuum, since Thomas was bargaining with these new leaders as well.

Her nights were long and tiring. She had to juggle protecting her boarders with collecting new clans and factions for the Tribunal. But with every new entrant came additional obligations. She had to accommodate personalities and sooth enemies to keep things moving forward. It seemed that she spent all of her time in meetings.

And all the while, she had to protect the relationships that she had already established from Thomas' sway. It was tiring, long work.

To her surprise, she actually looked forward to seeing Vein. His sarcastically driven honesty made her laugh. It allowed her time to be herself and not the President of the Tribunal or the erstwhile head of the Orion clan. She actually began to share stories about her past with Sabastian that brought them both to tears from the ensuing hysterics. When they were more serious, however, these meetings also brought her valuable news about what was taking place below the 42nd street divide.

What Vein's visit didn't bring was news about Sabastian. And somewhere deep inside, this was the news she desired most to hear.

“I haven't seen him since we last met,” Vein would say just about every time he stopped by. “In fact, I'm not even sure he's in the house. I can't sense him, and that boy hasn't seen him, either.”

Elizabeth was worried about Sabastian, but she was worried about so many other things, too. There were moments when she doubted her desire to defeat Thomas. Doubted her resolve that she could even achieve such a goal. But she kept going and partly because of Vein. She knew what he had given up on her request, what risks he was taking, and that they both knew he would probably die because of it—if Sabastian's prediction proved true.

Every time Vein left, Elizabeth would give a heartfelt thank you and they would share a moment. Both realizing that they were on a path that risked destruction and both willingly walking that path together.


[The Vampire’s Daughter: An ongoing vampire story. Copyright Reuben Gregg Brewer, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. All rights reserved.]

0357: The Vampire's Daughter Book IV

“Sabastian doesn't care about your safety,” Elizabeth stated coldly, trying think through the situation.

“Thank you for pointing that out, I hadn't been aware of it,” Vein interrupted.

Elizabeth chuckled, “I'm sorry, I'm just thinking out loud.” Vein gave her a wry look that bordered on anger. “Anyway, I doubt that Sabastian went to Thomas to secure your safety. If it were Sabastian's effort, I believe it was to find the little girl of which he is so fond.”

“Safe bet,” Vein said.

“He didn't come back with the girl?”

“No girl,” Vein answered.

“If he had found out she was dead, I'm quite certain he would have killed a great many of our kind out of anger.”

“Another bet I won't take the other side of,” Vein mocked.

“And you said there was something wrong. So if Sabastian went to Thomas he gained no new information. But he was given an olive branch by Thomas.”

“My safety.”

“Yes, but I'm sure Thomas offered it to Sabastian and that boy you have with you, too.”

“You have a way of making me feel so special,” Vein retorted.

Ignoring him and continuing with her thoughts, Elizabeth said, “If it was Thomas reaching out to Sabastian, then he was simply offering the olive branch.” She looked around the room deep in thought. “What is he up to? Does he really believe he can gain Sabasitan's favor to defeat me? After all that has happened he'll never be able to gain that trust.”

“Unless he can help Sabastian find the girl,” Vein offered.

“Yes. Unless he can help Sabastian find the girl,” Elizabeth parroted. “Or, at the very least, can make Sabastian think he can help him find her.”

“That would be typical Thomas, now wouldn't it?” Vein asked rhetorically. “Use and abuse and all with a powerful helping of egotistical self interest.”

“Yes, he would attempt to use any kind of leverage he could to ensure that Sabastian wouldn't kill him. And, perhaps, force him to help defeat me.”

“While that is wholly possible, I think Thomas realizes that getting Sabastian to turn on you would be near impossible,” Vein replied.

“Would it? What if Thomas could convince him that I had the girl? Or that he could get the girl, but only if Sabastian helped him? That might be enough.”

Vein looked at Elizabeth and said, “Yes, it might be.”

“You will keep me informed of what happens?” Elizabeth requested.

“Certainly.”

“As best you can, I'd like to know where he is going and what he is doing.”

“Understood. But he doesn't consult me any more than he consulted you while living here.”

“As best you can,” she said, touching Vein's face with the palm of her hand. “And if you happen to find anything interesting out about Thomas, I'd love to hear that, too.”

“Ah, I will gladly attempt to relay information about Thomas and his merry band of followers to you,” Vein said with a bow. “But I feel I must be leaving, to get back to my ward—or am I his ward, I never can tell.” He smiled and walked to open the door.

Elizabeth put a hand on his shoulder to stop him. He didn't turn and she didn't force the issue.

“I know that I've asked a great deal of you,” Elizabeth said. “I truly appreciate what you have done and what you are doing.”

With his hand on the doorknob, Vein said, “Thank you, but, strangely, I find I am no longer doing it for you. Sabastian, though reclusive and difficult to deal with, is endearing in his own special way.”

“Yes, yes he is,” Elizabeth said, taking her hand off of Vein's shoulder and allowing him to leave.




[The Vampire’s Daughter: An ongoing vampire story. Copyright Reuben Gregg Brewer, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. All rights reserved.]

0356: The Vampire's Daughter Book IV

For several days Vein didn't see Sabastian. He didn't know if he was in the house or not, and didn't dare go to check the basement. In fact, he had taken up residence in an upstairs room to avoid the need to go into the basement.

Vein wasn't certain of anything, but he sensed that something was wrong with Sabastian. Not wrong in the usual sense for him, which Vein considered a normal state of affairs. He felt that something was seriously wrong, or at least newly wrong.

So he gave Sabastian space to figure it out.

After a few day, he decided to test the pledge of safety that Sabastian reported. Vein didn't like Thomas and didn't trust him, but the prospect of being trapped in the house without access to food or entertainment wasn't viable longer term. On leaving, he quickly met one of Thomas' Enforcers.

The Enforcer looked at Vein fiercely, but made no advance or call for support. He just stood across the street from Sabastian's home and watched with disdain.

Vein walked over to him and asked, “Do you happen to have the time?”

“Don't push your luck,” the Enforcer said coldly, “I don't have any desire to play your games.”

“No game, I just want to know the time.”

The Enforcer pushed off of the wall on which he was leaning and walked toe to toe with Vein. “I said don't push your luck.”

Not moving Vein asked, “Is this supposed to scare me?”

“Come on, do something, anything,” the vampire said to him, giving a little bit of a shove with his chest.

“And if I don't?” asked Vein, though he already knew the answer.

“I'll wait,” the Enforcer said, standing down. “Sooner or later you won't have the protection of that freak in the basement and Thomas will hunt you down like the rodent you are.”

“I wait on that day with baited breadth,” Vein said, marveling at the fact that he now had the run of Thomas' territory. He walked away, heading uptown to visit Elizabeth.

Upon arriving, he was greeted by friends and escorted into the building. Everyone was interested in how the new life with Sabastian was going. He reported that it was a blast, that Sabastian was a bundle of laughs, even though you wouldn't guess it from his gruff outer appearance. He was, of course, lying and everyone who really knew him saw the lie.

When Elizabeth saw him, she instantly sat up and looked him in the eye. He smiled and said, “We should talk.”

The pair walked into a private room and Elizabeth started out with, “How is he?”

“I don't know, I haven't seen him for days. And when I last saw him, there was something wrong. Not wrong like usual. It was something new, not necessarily worse, but just new. I've been avoiding him to give him time to figure it out.”

“You have no idea what it is?” Elizabeth asked with genuine concern.

“No idea. He seemed physically OK. It was something else.”

“Well, thank you for coming to tell me. It was a risk and I appreciate that.”

“You give me too much credit,” Vein said, slipping into sarcasm. “There was no risk whatsoever.”

Elizabeth looked at him keenly, “What do you mean by that?”

“Well, it seems that Sabastian has arranged for my safe passage in Thomas' territory.”

Elizabeth's face went cold.

“Yes, I'm not sure how he managed it, but I've tested it out. The Enforcer I met wouldn't touch me.”

“Do you think whatever led to this agreement is what is upsetting Sabastian?” Elizabeth asked, turning away, as she was afraid to hear the answer.

Vein laughed. “That was my first thought, too. But, no, I think the two are unrelated or, at most, only tangentially related. I don't know why I have safe passage, but it came from Thomas.”

Elizabeth turned back to face Vein, “That means that either Thomas has reached out to Sabastian or Sabastian has reached out to Thomas.




[The Vampire’s Daughter: An ongoing vampire story. Copyright Reuben Gregg Brewer, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. All rights reserved.]

0355: The Vampire's Daughter Book IV

Thomas stood defiantly in front of Sabastian. He said nothing, as his smirk fully expressed his feeling of triumph. After a few moments, Sabastian spoke with his mind, “I am tired of this game.”

“Oh, I dare say you are. But what end is there? Do you listen to your voices and kill me? You know I have access to more information than you. I know you aren't stupid. A bit of a recluse, too filled with compassion, but not stupid.

“You can't kill me.” Thomas walked across the room casually. “No, you have to play with me or risk loosing your precious little girl forever.”

Sabastian hadn't moved to follow Thomas' movements and had his back to the vampire. Thomas, meanwhile, was watching Sabastian. He believed he had won this battle, but Sabastian had a way of surprising him so he wanted to wait for the final blow.

“Well, I see that we are at a stalemate,” Thomas finally announced. “You are now staying in my territory. I make no claim to your home. It is yours to do with as you please so long as you don't endanger me or my position in the city.

“Your guests will have similar freedoms, even the human. I will do my best to secure information for you and you will stay out of my way. For now, we'll call that our deal.”

Sabastian turned to Thomas and with his mind lifted the vampire in the air. Thomas did not show his fear, but Sabastian could sense it clearly. “I care nothing for your war, so I will agree to your demands for now.”

Thomas replied, “I see you have begun to control the powers you have. Impressive. When last we met, you could hardly contain them. You never cease to amaze me. You are, perhaps, the only vampire of any merit that Elizabeth ever sired. Though, I have to admit, Sol is quite interesting and may give you a run for your money.”

Sabastian lowered Thomas, who said, “Thank you” as he brushed himself off with a showman's flare. “Still, I have made no demands. And I hope you don't view our relationship in this way. I want to help and simply want your help in return.”

Thomas was lying and they both knew it, but there was little Sabastian could do. He was always at the whim of another's knowledge. He would remain so now.

Sabastian nodded his head and walked toward the door. Before leaving he asked with his mind, “What of Night?”

“If she is foolish enough to come back to me, I'll kill her for this deception. I know it was you behind it and that she had little choice. But, still, she used my weakness against me. I hate that,” Thomas said simply. “If it makes you feel any better, I don't think she will come back. She knows all too well how I deal with those that displease me.”

Sabastian walked out of the room and slowly descended the stairs. All he had done since he last saw Susan was wait. He would be relegated to waiting again. He felt bad about Night, but knew there was little he could do about the situation now that he had created it. He wouldn't allow her to stay with him, though, as it was too big a risk to himself.

He walked home largely empty of any thoughts. He simply worked to contain the voices raging inside of him. As he entered his house, he saw Vein sitting on a chair reading. He stopped.

Vein casually lowered his book and said, “Well hello stranger.”

Sabastian nodded.

“You missed an interesting evening,” Vein continued. “I sat here reading and wondering what had become of you. After all, without you around, I'm pretty much risking my life while I'm in Thomas' territory. I figured it best to simply wait for you or my untimely death.

“I'm quite happy you arrived first.”

With his mind, Sabastian said, “Thomas has guaranteed your safety.”

Vein put his book down and stood up, looking at Sabastian with a keen eye. “Have you forsaken your sire and dragged me for the ride?” he asked angrily.

With his mind, Sabastian replied, “I have forsaken no one. But neither do I care about this war. I am doing what I must to find Susan.” He walked to the basement to sleep.




[The Vampire’s Daughter: An ongoing vampire story. Copyright Reuben Gregg Brewer, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. All rights reserved.]

0354: The Vampire's Daughter Book IV

Sabastian was growing tired of listening to Thomas prattle on and it was beginning to show on his face.

“I can see you grow tired of my talking. Sol never seemed to, I liked that about him. But you are more direct.

“Have you heard about Sol? Do you know what is going on because of him?”

Sabastian knew very little and cared very little, he only wanted Susan back.

“No, I didn't think you knew or cared. But it is important. For starters, it is possible that he has your little girl.”

The chaos of noise erupted from Sabastian's mouth as he grabbed Thomas and lifted him in the air.

“Now, now,” Thomas said calmly. “We'll never find out if you kill me.”

Sabastian lowered him to the ground. He now knew how he would be used.

“You see Sol's is an interesting story. He is accused of killing John Paul of the Zion clan. I'm sure you know this much. He fled to Europe because Paul, John Paul's successor called a blood hunt. Interestingly, Paul seems to have disappeared, too, and is presumed dead at Sol's hand. I can't say I'm sad to see them dead, but I don't believe for a second that Sol is responsible.

“So Sol fled to Europe into the hands of Gan. Do you know Gan?” Thomas asked, knowing there would be no response. “Well, put me down and I'll tell you some more about him.”

Sabastian put Thomas down gently, though his anger was clear by the glare in his eyes.

“Oh, I can see you are angry with me. So I'll get to the point. Gan, from what my sources have told me, called a meeting of the older kings and queens. Including Meredith. I doubt you even know who she is, before your time and all.

“Well, her father was the one who united Europe and then subsequently lost it. His daughter, however, has managed to quietly keep a semblance of control over the continent through a combination of strength and persuasion. This group was brought together to interview Sol. The group has all been killed, but Sol and Meredith are in Siberia together.

“Now, what about that whore Mina? You remember her, don't you?” Thomas paused, knowing there would be no reply, but relishing the moment since he had complete control of the situation. “Yes, you destroyed her coven. But Mina wasn't there, was she?

“When last I saw her, I offered an olive branch that she refused. She was hiding something. I didn't know what. However, I know she was in this country to watch me for her sire. Her sire is one of the four.

“I don't know where Mina has ran to, she is more discreet than Sol and she travels outside of my circles. What I can tell you, however, is that Mary, you remember her? The last of that clan you killed for me,” Thomas mocked Sabastian. “Well, Mary arrived by boat, of all things, in Australia. Now how did she get there and why? We both know she's not strong enough to have gotten there without having been led. She was also a big fan of Mina, or so I observed. And did I mention that Mina's sire is Asian?

Continuing, Thomas said, “So, you don't have the girl. Elizabeth doesn't have the girl. I don't have her. Mina led Mary to Australia and then ditched her on what I assume is a trip to see her sire. Sol is in the cold lands above Europe under the secretive queen's protection despite a blood hunt.

“Where's the little girl?”




[The Vampire’s Daughter: An ongoing vampire story. Copyright Reuben Gregg Brewer, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. All rights reserved.]

0353: The Vampire's Daughter Book IV

“Yes Sabastian, this is not new to me. I have only seen it once, but I have seen it. Most of our kind go insane before this point, I suspect. Or they give up and slumber.”

Sabastian just looked at Thomas. The voices in his mind were quiet, they had been quiet for several days. But not being able to speak was new and it frightened him. He had grown used to listening to the voices, to dealing with their demands. But losing control of his faculties was a totally different level.

“I can see in your eyes that this is new. I remember the other person I've seen with this when she was first afflicted. She was much younger than you, though. We all assumed her problem was youth. Too many souls in too short a time.

“You seem to have the opposite of that. Too many souls over too long a period of time. I fear I must take part of the blame for that,” Thomas said, starting to get up. He paused before fully standing, “Is it OK if I stand?”

Sabastian nodded his head.

“Don't fear that I'll run. First, I am aware that you could kill me like a small insect at any time. Second, as you have already guessed, I am deeply intrigued by your current state of affairs. And, yes, I am thinking of a way to use this to my advantage, there is no point denying this fact, since you already know it.

“But, to get back to my thoughts, I sent many powerful vampires to their deaths at your hands. Several with hundreds of years of life, and the history of death that inherently goes with the years of life. Your resent spree seems to have sent you over the edge.

“You don't know of the other with this affliction, do you? Living with my beloved Elizabeth I guess you wouldn't. She never did care for the rest of our kind and kept to herself for a very long time. I suspect she was happiest with you. You were her longest time away from me. And I somehow believe that my mistreatment of you is responsible for her current hatred of me.

“But I won't kill her, just so you know. She is the only vampire that has ever loved me for me.” Thomas looked down and laughed, “I don't even love me for me.”

Sabastian looked keenly at Thomas. He was being genuine, but why?

“You see Sabastian, just as with life, in death we are driven by different things. I am driven by a lust for power. Perhaps it's to make up for some perceived failure on my part, I don't care to think about it. But I want power.

“Elizabeth is driven by hate. She hated humanity for what it did to her. She loved me for freeing her from that. But hate has always been close to the surface. It pops up now and again and we fight. I fear that this fight will be unresolvable for her. But, as I said, I am willing to let it pass because I believe I can use her to gain more power, assuming I can break her first.

“You, meanwhile, are driven by love. You love humans. You love art. I watched many times in amazement as you painstakingly followed a human for months only to let your victim live. Yes, I watched you. You knew you were being watched, but didn't pay attention to who. Many times it was me.

“You went to such lengths to ensure that the victim was evil. Then, even though you had determined that this person deserved to die, you gave them one last chance. One last review before you judged them. And you let so many go.

“You know all too well that we do bad things and good things in our time. That sometimes the good outweighs the bad. Or at least some bad does not make one fully evil.

“Such restraint. You are an artist in all you do,” Thomas smiled. “I'm sorry, I shouldn't mock when I am in the weaker position. No, I suspect you have managed to take so many lives without insanity setting in because you were selective with your own victims. But now too many innocent souls are within you.”



[The Vampire’s Daughter: An ongoing vampire story. Copyright Reuben Gregg Brewer, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. All rights reserved.]

0352: The Vampire's Daughter Book IV

Having fallen to his hands and knees from the force of the impact, Thomas looked up at Night and screamed, “Do something.”

A flash of anger raged across Sabastian's face and he strode over to Thomas with the intent of yelling, “Shut up.” But what came out of his mouth was not his voice or his words. When he opened his mouth the sound erupted from it, it was voices. Not one, not two, but a cacophony of voices. Men's voices, women's voices, adults and children all speaking at once. There were different languages, different dialects, different words. It was impossible to understand what was being said. What was palpable, however, was the anger. All of the voices were angry and what they were saying was angry.

Thomas looked at Sabastian with wide eyes, he pulled away, but could only go as far as the wall directly behind him. He shifted to sit, leaning his back against the wall just below the section crushed by his body just moments before.

No one spoke a word, until Thomas looked at Night. But before he could say anything, Sabastian turned to her and said, “Save your soul.” It was clear and distinct, it was one voice, but it was not Sabastian's voice. It was the voice of a woman and there was no anger in it, the words were said with love.

Night looked at him with terror in her eyes. It had been so long since she had heard that voice. How could that voice be coming from Sabastian? How could it have gotten into him? She didn't believe for a second that it was Sabastian who had done this, but it was obvious to her, despite not really understanding what was going on, that a vampire that Sabastian had killed had. In willful disbelief she asked, “Mother?”

Sabastian went to speak again, planning to say, “no,” but the voice responded to Night by reiterating the warning, “Save your soul while you still can.”

Night's terror changed to shock. It was her mother. A vampire had killed her. She backed away until she reached the door and then ran.

Sabastian turned to Thomas, who's face had changed. It was obvious that he was no longer afraid. There was almost a confidence in his eyes.

Sabastian just looked at him for a moment and then opened his mouth to ask where Susan was, but again the din of voices erupted. Only this time, they seemed to shimmer and eventually they began to fall off. It was like a waterfall whose flow was being constrained until only a trickle remained. Little by little the voices trailed away until only one sounded. “Where is my daughter?” it asked.

“I don't have her,” Thomas said. “I thought that I would find her here. It's why I came here. I most certainly didn't want to meet you.”

Sabastian went to speak again, but Thomas put up his hand and said, “No, don't. Let me talk.”

Thomas went on, “I had assumed that Elizabeth had the girl and was either overtly or covertly using her as a means to control you. You know me well enough to realize that I would use the little girl in this way. I should have known that my darling Elizabeth would never do such a thing to you. In fact, you probably know that I came here with the full intent of taking the girl and using her in just such a way.

Thomas paused and looked with genuine interest at Sabastian before saying, “I've seen this before.”




[The Vampire’s Daughter: An ongoing vampire story. Copyright Reuben Gregg Brewer, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. All rights reserved.]

0351: The Vampire's Daughter Book IV

The building was dark when Night and Thomas walked up to it. “I sense nothing inside,” Thomas said.

“This is the building, I'm sure of it,” she replied. “I don't know why she comes here, but there seems only a few reasons that might make sense.”

“Yes,” he answered, “I only hope it's favorable for us.”

“I believe this will be a fruitful escapade,” Night said, knowing full well that this was a trap. She was doing everything in her power to shield her mind from her sire, afraid that he would see through her ruse.

Night was beginning to see, however, that Thomas was so blinded by his own mind that it was virtually impossible for him to see anything. Ever since the incident in Sabastian's basement, he had been more and more distracted by his own hatreds and desires.

Although she was clearly a part of the conspiracy, she felt as though Thomas was equally involved. That, perhaps, he was even more to blame for what was to come than she was or, for that matter, than Sabastian.

As they walked up the steps of the building, she thought about Sabastian and Thomas. She feared them both, but differently. Thomas was powerful, calculating and ruthless. He would do anything for power. Night knew full well that if power required sacrificing her, despite years of loyal service, Thomas would eagerly forsake her.

Her fear of Sabastian was different. He almost seemed pure, or at least as pure as a vampire could be. She feared him not because of what he could or would do to her. She knew full well he would kill her without a second thought. What she feared of him was his judgment. That he asked her to do what she knew to be right, despite the risks it might pose for her. She feared failing the test.

Night stopped for a moment on the last flight of steps and closed her eyes. She knew that whatever was coming would be her greatest trial. She also knew full well that she would sacrifice Thomas, that she was sacrificing Thomas. She resumed walking, catching up to Thomas at the only door on the top floor.

“Is this it?” he asked her.

“Honestly, I don't know,” she answered. “But it appeared to me that she came to the top floor. Since this is the only door here.”

“Open it,” he commanded.

Night took a breath, knowing full well his intent was to sacrifice her if this were a trap, and forced the door open. She quickly stepped inside to see Sabastian standing silently across the empty room.

“There's nothing here,” Thomas said from behind her, walking in and pushing her out of the way.

Night looked at Sabastian in astonishment. He raised a hand, effectively telling her to be quiet.

Thomas looked around the large apartment. There was nothing at all in the entire place, no furniture, no belongings, no trace that anyone human or vampire had been there in years.

Dragging a hand across the kitchen counter, he put his finger up to show Night. “No one has been here in years.” He was angry.

“I...” she started before Sabastian walked across the room toward Thomas. She watched as he moved, seeing him the entire way. To Thomas, however, it was as if Sabastian was emerging from a cloud of smoke. Like he had appeared by way of magic. His eyes went wide as he tried to get out of the apartment. Sabastian caught him by the arm and threw him into a wall across the room. When he landed, the entire room shook from the force of the impact.




[The Vampire’s Daughter: An ongoing vampire story. Copyright Reuben Gregg Brewer, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. All rights reserved.]

0350: The Vampire's Daughter Book IV

Sol laughed at the thought of the Keeper writing a book about him. He wondered what it would actually contain. But pushing those thoughts aide, he looked at Meredith and asked, “Why do you think he wanted me to read this?”

She looked at Sol deeply, he could feel her probing his mind. He did not try to fight her. Eventually, she spoke to him with her thoughts, “I have no allegiance to my father. I have no love for my father. Up until this day, this part of my life as a vampire has largely been a lie. A secret that I kept even from Gan.”

With his mind, Sol asked, “What about the group of vampires that you killed? John Paul sent me to them, but you killed them all. What should I make of that?”

Out loud, Meredith responded, “John Paul was a zealot. He was blinded by his belief in God. My father was afraid of him and his prophecies.

“Often you must keep your enemies closer than you do your allies. That is especially true in our world, where time is virtually meaningless and death is so foreign. He used John Paul.”

Sol looked away from Meredith and bitterly replied, “So many people used him. In the end, I don't know if anyone is innocent of that offense.”

Meredith put her hand on Sol's shoulder, “Do you really believe that you used him? That you were not a friend to him?”

“I don't know anymore what to believe.”

“Do you believe in God?”

“I used to. Then I stopped. But John Paul always kept me close and we debated the topic endlessly. I suppose he saw that, deep down, I wanted to believe.”

“What do you say now?” she asked.

“I say that I want to believe. That I want to with all of my heart, but that I can't let myself. That I must touch the wound. He always said I was like Doubting Thomas.”

“And so you are,” Meredith replied with a smile. “But you keep seeking out the answer just the same when you could easily give up, like so many of our kind.

“I wish I could tell you for certain that God is, but I cannot. What I can tell you is that I believe. That what I have done up until now and what I will do from here is all to fulfill the prophecies and that I believe you are the sun that will shine a light to save us from ourselves.”

“You have a great deal of faith in me.”

“Yes, but then if the Keeper has given you this book, I believe he does, too.”

Sol looked at her and smiled. “So, what does the Keeper look like?”

“To me?” Meredith asked.

Sol looked at her oddly, “What does that mean?”

“The Keeper is an odd fellow. An ancient and powerful vampire. He reveals himself in different guises depending on...” she trailed off. “Depending on his mood and to whom he has decided to reveal himself, I suppose.”

“So he appears differently to different people?”

“Yes, that is what I am saying.”

“To some he is a milk toast little man, to others he is...”

Meredith interrupted, “a handsome knight with long dark hair and piercing eyes.”

“That is what he looks like to you?”

“Yes. How does he look to you?”

Sol looked at her and said, “A stylish young man.”

“There you have it,” she replied.

“This is why no one knows when they meet him.”

“Yes. But the next time, if there is a next time, I'm sure you will realize.”




[The Vampire’s Daughter: An ongoing vampire story. Copyright Reuben Gregg Brewer, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. All rights reserved.]

0349: The Vampire's Daughter Book IV

Sol looked up from the book in shock. He had not expected that turn of events. It was almost heroic. Meredith had denied her father the show of power he had wanted. She emasculated him in his final act of power. It was genius, let alone daring. A smile broke out across Sol' face. He could see why Meredith held herself with so much dignity and grace. In that very moment, a moment that only she and her father shared, she had earned it and, at the same time, had disgraced him.

Sol felt almost honored to be able to share that moment with her. That she had allowed him to read this book. That the Keeper had given it to him...

That moment is when it dawned on him. The man who gave him the book was the Keeper. He looked blankly at the wall in front of him.

He had spent all of this time and effort to meet the Keeper and when given the chance, he didn't even realize that the Keeper was right in front on him.

He looked again at the book. There were a few pages left and, though distracted by what he believed to be a major personal failure, he continued.

After taking her mother's blood, Meredith appeared to go into a catatonic state. Her eyes were open, but she was largely unresponsive. Her father had her cleaned up and put in her old room. He stayed with her for days. The days turned to months. After half a year, she started to have fits. She would scream, lash out, and then clam back down into the same catatonic state.

It was two years before she fully recovered, two years before she took blood from a victim for the first time. Her father was amazed at how quickly she took to being a vampire. He was amazed at how quickly she fell into place at his side as his queen.

These facts made him happy. What saddened him was the cold exterior she kept. The distance from everyone and everything. It was as if nothing mattered to her. She flowed quickly into the role of setting, enforcing, and mediating rules. A very cold and calculating business that he was not good at, so that she complimented his power. In fact, she immediately gained the respect of all based on her fairness and the simplicity with which she saw the truth in both incidents and others of her kind.

“The end,” Sol said out loud closing the book.

“Was it a good read?” Meredith asked from behind him.

Sol, startled, stood up and turned to look at her. He had an odd look in his eye.

“I'm sorry,” she said, “you were deep in thought. I didn't want to bother you.”

“It's OK. I've grown so accustomed to being alone down here I guess I let my guard down.”

“I assure you, I mean you no harm.”

“I know,” he replied with a chuckle and a noticeable change in his demeanor.

“That's better,” Meredith said. “Was it a good book?”

“Exceptionally good.”

“Would you like to share the story with me?”

“Well, I had to cut the pages open so I know you haven't read the book, but I doubt that I could tell you anything from this story that you don't already know.”

“The one thing I want you to remember from that book,” Meredith said pointing at the tome, “is that my father is not my sire. I have always maintained that he is, but that is a public lie meant to keep the peace for many reasons.

“For myself, I would likely be branded a cannibal, like your friend Sabastian, if my true heritage were known. Secondly, it gives my father the respect he desires even though he does not deserve it.”

“I understand,” Sol said, lowering his head to show he appreciated what she was saying.

“I thought there were only two vampires who knew this story; my father and myself. Now, it seems, there are four; my father, I, the Keeper and you.”

“I will not reveal this information to anyone.”

“I do not doubt that,” Meredith replied with a knowing smile. “But what I really want to know is why the Keeper decided to share this information with you. After all of these years, it was with you that he chose to share my deepest secret.” Her head was tilted slightly.

“You didn't realize it was him, did you?” she asked, smirking.

Sol sighed deeply, looking at the floor, “No, it didn't dawn on me until the end of the book.”

“You spend all this time searching for him, he shows himself to you, and you miss your opportunity to ask the one question you needed to. Why did John Paul tell you to seek him out?”

Sol looked up, trying to hide how deeply disturbed he was at missing exactly what Meredith had said he missed, he smiled and said, “Yes.”

“Don't feel bad,” she comforted, walking over and putting her arm around Sol. “He never reveals himself the way you expect. And he rarely reveals himself without making at least a second appearance. He sees that you are important and you interest him.” Taking the book from Sol's hand, she said, “He may even be writing a book about you right now.”



[The Vampire’s Daughter: An ongoing vampire story. Copyright Reuben Gregg Brewer, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. All rights reserved.]

0348: The Vampire's Daughter Book IV

After a brief moment, Meredith's father yelled for guards to clean up what he termed, “this mess.”

Meredith was outraged. She stood up, and screamed at her father. “This mess? This mess? You are a monster! This mess is your wife. She loved you, she gave birth to your child.”

Meredith's father tilted his head and looked at her. “You have no concept of what I have become. Of what I am and will be forever. Your mother was a...” he stopped.

Meredith stepped away from her father. He was a monster. He was a powerful, vengeful, and aspiring monster. She could see in him that he wanted to rule the world.

“I will have a queen by my side,” he said to her. “You will be that queen.”

“I will not,” Meredith announced with fury.

The men in the room had not truly begun to clean up, as they were paying more attention to the drama unfolding in the room than their assigned task. Looking at them gravely, Meredith's father said, “Leave us.” The men scurried out of the room, leaving the mother's body on the floor where it fell.

Her father closed the door, turned, and said, “You will be my queen.” He said it with a calm that sent a chill through Meredith's body.

“Father, no,” she begged, though she knew there would be no way to stop him.

He walked up to her and said, “And to ensure that you never betray me again, I will teach you a lesson before I make you like I am.”

Sol, closed that book. A tear fell down his cheek. He knew that what he was about to read, he knew that he would read it, but he didn't want to make it real by seeing the words. He paced the room, hoping that someone would come in, but unwilling to leave the book. After bracing himself, he sat again and read.

Meredith's father grabbed her forcefully by the arm and ripped her clothing off. He looked her naked body over and smiled. “You will now learn your place. I am your father, your Sire and your king. You are powerless to stop me and you will forever remember that after this night.”

He threw her to the floor and unbuckled his pants. Standing half naked above his daughter, he listened as she begged him to stop. He did not, her struggles were futile, he was too strong for her to stop him. He raped her.

Sol cried openly. His bloody tears stained his hands and arms as he wiped them away. The book itself had little red circles where his tears had fallen. It took him some time, but he composed himself and continued.

Meredith had drawn herself into a ball in the corner while her father cleaned himself up. She was lost in her own world. Eventually her father said, “It is time.” This brought her back to the room and the situation.

She did not fight her father when he drew her blood. She did not fight the death as it crept over her, she did not fight as her father lifted her dying body up and offered his wrist. She looked over at her mother's body and with her last effort lunged at it. Her father was too shocked to do anything but watch as his daughter drank the still warm blood of his dead wife, her mother.

He did nothing as she rolled over from her mother's body, a wild look in her eye. To his surprise, he felt that it had worked. She had made herself of her mother to spite him.


[The Vampire’s Daughter: An ongoing vampire story. Copyright Reuben Gregg Brewer, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. All rights reserved.]

0347: The Vampire's Daughter Book IV

Sol went back to the story. Meredith's mother and father remained together for several years afterward, pretending that nothing had changed. But it had, and they all knew it. The stress was evident and it pulled them apart. Meredith was closer to her mother than her father, and that bond only intensified after her father became a vampire.

Occasionally, Meredith could hear her parents fighting. She knew that her father wanted to sire both her mother and her. The idea frightened Meredith, but it was obvious that it was beyond objectionable to her mother. Her mother was a deeply religious woman, who viewed her husband as a demon. Why she stayed with him Meredith didn't seem to know.

Eventually her father demanded that they submit to being sired. Her mother refused, leading to her father backing down. The anger she saw at the first rejection, however, was glowing in her father's eyes again. And Meredith knew that this time he was going to release his fury.

She attempted to tell her mother, but her mother would not listen.

Sol stopped reading again and looked up. He was amazed at the detail and depth of The Keeper's knowledge. He was also quite certain he knew what was coming next. He took a deep breath and went back to the book.

The next night, while sitting as a family in a living area, Meredith's father stood and announced to the pair that they would be sired by him that very night. Predictably, this led to a massive fight between her mother and father that ended when he forcibly drew her blood. In her desperate dying moments, her husband turned her.

Meredith watched this with horror. She was young, but had seen much in her life. It was a brutal world in which she lived, but to see her father do such a horrible thing to her mother was unthinkable. She stood motionless, paralyzed with fear.

After her mother had, in her dying weakness, taken her husband's blood, Meredith's father looked up at his daughter. He had an evil smile on his face that left quickly when he saw Meredith. He demanded that she go to her room.

When she didn't move, he stood up and struck her. This sent her across the room and left her unconscious on the floor.

She never knew how long she was out, but when she awoke, her father was laying next to her on a bed in the inner castle. It seemed as if he were dead. Her mother was not in the room.

She didn't try to wake her father, instead, she chose to leave. She quickly ran to her room and collected anything she could grab and stuff into a small bag. With that she took a horse and ran for her life.

Upon reaching the first town, it was obvious to her that she could not hide among the people of her father's kingdom. Her look was too striking to not be noticed. She did not want to leave the kingdom, so she took to the mountains.

Somehow, she managed to live in the mountains for several years. She lived like an animal in some ways, hunting and fighting for survival. Luckily she never faced any serious injury or interaction with another human.

Her new life was not to last, as one evening in the dead of winter, she awoke to find her father standing motionless outside the cave she had taken as a home. They stood looking at each other for a long time before her father said, “You will come home with me.”

“I will not.”

“You will do as your father commands.”

“You are not my father. You are an abomination to God.”

At that her father flew at her with such speed that she didn't have time to move. He grabbed her and forced her onto his horse, bringing her back to the castle.

She was stunned by the number of vampires in the castle. When she had left, it was only her mother and father that had been turned. Now, he had a small army of vampires.

Her father put her in a room with no windows and several guards. “Your mother will want to see that you are alive and well,” he grunted before closing the door.

She looked around, knowing it was useless for her to try to escape. She was trapped and could only hope that her mother's fury or her father's compassion would save her from their fate.

She remained in the room for several days, being watched over by a vampire handmaid. Meredith tried to speak with her, but the woman would not interact with her in any way other than that prescribed by her job function. Meredith could tell that she was driven by fear.

Eventually, her father returned. “Come,” he said.

“I do not wish to,” Meredith replied.

“I will force you if you do not.” She complied.

They walked to a chamber in the basement that had been reserved for torture. “Why are we here,” she asked fearfully. Her father only looked at her.

Opening the door, she saw her mother in the corner in shackles. When their eyes met, her mother smiled. Then, looking at her husband, she said, “You have damned us all.”

She took one of her chains, wrapped it around her neck, and, before Meredith's father could stop her, cut her own head off. Meredith fell to the floor crying. She couldn't believe what she had just seen.

Meredith's father stood over his wife's body and said without any emotion, “Stupid woman.”




[The Vampire’s Daughter: An ongoing vampire story. Copyright Reuben Gregg Brewer, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. All rights reserved.]

0346: The Vampire's Daughter Book IV

The next evening Sol rose and went immediately to the library. The title of the book was “Becoming Queen.” He assumed it was the story of Meredith's assumption of power after her father chose to sleep. Yet, why would that upset her so? He didn't open the book and simply contemplated Meredith's reaction for a moment.

His thoughts varied widely, but what fascinated him most was that she would let him read it. He cracked the book open, to find that the pages had yet to be cut. Unlike the other books in the library, this one was hand bound. He looked around to find a knife and cut the pages. He hadn't needed to cut pages in so long that he was actually quite nervous. It heightened his anticipation and drew him even further into the story—and he hadn't read a word yet.

As he turned the pages, it started with a human king. The king ruled a small kingdom in northern Europe. It was obviously a brutal time that required a brutal king. The story ran through years of combat. Sol wondered when vampires would appear in the story, as it was written by and for vampires. Just as Sol was getting tired of reading about foreign invader after foreign invader, a new force entered the fray, a clan of vampires.

Just as before, the king fought. And he fought well, killing many of the vampires by sheer force of numbers. It was clear that the king understood what he was up against and prepared accordingly.

It was also clear that his counter attacks were keenly focused. They were planned to bring about some specific outcome, though the Keeper, in his frustrating way, would not reveal it before its time.

Sol found it odd that the king was never referred to as anything else. He was nameless, though it would be obvious to all who knew him who he was. His deeds were powerful, distinct. He continued with the story.

Eventually, the king had defeated the vampire clan. An act that impressed Sol greatly. The only vampire left was a relatively young vampire named Gri who the King had captured. Before he read further, Sol knew the story he was about to read and knew about whom he was reading.

As Sol expected, the king forced Gri to sire him, giving the king immortal life. It was a damn fool thing to do, since Gri knew little of the life a vampire must live. At first, the king attempted to hide what he had become. But it become more and more difficult.

When he could no longer hide it from his wife and daughter, who's name was quite expectedly Meredith, he explained his actions to both of them.

Meredith's mother rejected the king as a grotesque beast, an animal, and a freak while Meredith watched. Her father pleaded with his wife to understand, to see that he did it for them. That this would ensure their reign forever. That he had done this, taken the actions he chose, to protect them for all eternity. She wouldn't listen. She ran from him. Meredith remained. She knew how dangerous her father's anger could be and she saw in his eyes that her mother had drawn from him an anger deeper than any she had ever seen before.

Sol paused again. He was amazed at the detail that the Keeper was able to give of Meredith's thoughts and actions. It was like he was there with them, as if he saw how important she would be before she was important. Even the bland descriptions of her parents seemed to show that it was Meredith's story, not theirs. They were just actors in another person's life.




[The Vampire’s Daughter: An ongoing vampire story. Copyright Reuben Gregg Brewer, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. All rights reserved.]

0345: The Vampire's Daughter Book IV

“You look like you've seen a ghost,” Gan said, walking over to Sol.

“Uh, no. Just engrossed in a book. I'm sorry, it's just. The book is very powerful.”

“Most of the books in these walls are,” Meredith said, looking closely at Sol. “Is it just the book?” she asked.

Sol looked at her for a moment and said, “Mostly. But I grow weary of waiting.” He didn't tell her about the vampire, he felt he shouldn't. Sol didn't know why he shouldn't, but he felt it was better to keep the visit to himself.

“Time is of little value to vampires. I've told you this before. Still, your wait will not be much longer. My father's resting place will soon be thawed out and we will awaken him. I am far more certain of who is with me than I was before the meetings began.”

“Is that what this is all about?” Sol asked.

“Yes.”

“Why invite me to meet some but not others?”

“To show you who your true friends and enemies are,” Meredith responded.

“You'll need that information at some point,” Gan interjected.

“It is always good to know these things,” Sol said, still somewhat distracted.

“Are you sure you are OK?” Gan asked.

Sol chuckled, “Yes, I am sure.” He stood up, holding the book the stranger had given him.

“What book is that?” Meredith asked, pointing to the book in his hand.

Sol looked down at it, and said, “I... I don't know. I just found it. I was going to complete that one,” he said pointing to the book he was reading, “and then start this one.”

“Where did you find it?”

“Over there,” he said, pointing to where the vampire pulled it from behind the other books.

“May I?” she asked, holding out her hand.

Sol didn't want to give it to her, but knew he had no choice. “Certainly,” he said, handing the thin volume to her.

She took it and looked at the cover. Then she looked at Sol for a long moment. “You say you just found it?”

“Yes. I was taking a break from reading and rummaging through the stacks when it sort of jumped out at me. I mean its very different from the others. Less ornate, thinner.”

“That it is,” she replied, before opening the book to reveal uncut pages. “I have never seen this book before,” she said, looking again at Sol. “It has never been read.”

Sol looked at her closely and replied, “Would you like to read it first?”

She looked at the book again, and then back to Sol. He could see that she was upset, though he couldn't tell why. “No, no. You read it,” she said and gave it back to him. “It seems to me that there must be a reason for you finding this book at this time out of so many other books.”

“We'll be having a second meeting with a King from the lower provinces,” Gan interrupted. “We would like you to join us.”

“Absolutely,” Sol replied a little too eagerly. “Have I met him before?”

“It's a her,” Meredith stated, “but she likes to call herself king. And no, you have not met her. At least not recently.

“Gan,” Meredith announced, “will you please go and get things ready. I want to talk to Sol alone for a moment.”

“Yes my love,” Gan said, as he left the suite of rooms.

Sol was worried, but was attempting not to show it.

“Relax,” Meredith said, sitting down. Sol sat, as well.

“That book, I know the story it contains. I never realized that it was written. The Keeper seems to see all things. He amazes me sometimes. I... I'm not sure if he is one vampire or many vampires working as one because it seems too improbable that he could be in the middle of so many important events. To have such details of so many things.”

“Yes, my lady,” Sol said to fill in a pause.

She looked at him. “I know that you are lying about finding it. You are strong enough to hide how you acquired it, but not strong enough to hide the emotions surrounding this act.

“I don't hold this against you. You have a reason. I presume it is a good reason.”

“It is,” Sol said, not knowing if it was really a good reason or not.

“Then read and tell me what you think when you are done.” She got up, took Sol's hand and they left for the meeting.




[The Vampire’s Daughter: An ongoing vampire story. Copyright Reuben Gregg Brewer, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. All rights reserved.]