0320: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Four

After their mutual revelations, Mina and Susan started spending more time together. It was something of a blissful period for both, a reawakening for Mina and simply a lovingly fun time for Susan.

Over the month, Susan dragged Mina to all of the sites to which the ship's crew had taken her. It was the first time the two had so fully enjoyed each other's company. Mary had largely taken herself out of the picture, spending more and more time on shore. In fact, there were days when she simply didn't return to the ship. Both Susan and Mina noticed, but neither bothered to say anything. It was as if the Mary was no longer needed as a bond between them, they had found their own.

Interestingly, though, neither Susan nor Mina actually spoke of what bonded them. Their painful histories, Susan's so fresh in her young life and Mina's so long ago that she had almost been able to forget it, constituted the glue of he bond, but it wasn't the substance of the relationship. Just as glue can hold the handle of a cup on after it has been broken, but the glue itself does not provide the functionality of the cup. The pair simply enjoyed each other.

At the end of the month, the ship was fully repaired and ready to depart. Both Susan and Mina knew this meant that the real world would again crash in on their lives, but it was OK. And both had anticipated Mary's decision the last night before they were to depart.

“I've made a decision,” Mary announced shortly before dawn.

Susan and Mina looked up from their game of checkers, but said nothing.

“I am staying in Australia.”

Susan and Mina looked at each other, but remained silent.

“Look, you two don't need me. I'm not sure you've ever needed me.”

“That's not true,” Susan said.

“Well, I don't know. All I know is that you don't need me now. And, well, there's things going on in our world that... That Susan knew about before they happened,” Mary said to Mina. “She knew. I don't know how she could have know, but she did.”

Looking at Susan, Mina said, “She knows a lot of things.”

“Yeah, she does. And that's always freaked me out. I don't feel like I'm in control of my life when I'm with her. I feel like she's the one making the decisions.”

“That's not true,” Susan said. “Even when you choose not to choose you have made a decision.”

“You see?” she said rhetorically to Mina. “What little girl says that? I have no coven. My only tie to you is Susan. And once you have no need for me, I don't know that you'll be willing to help protect me. I need to look out for myself.”

“I don't know if that is true or not,” Mina said. “Only time could tell.”

“Well, you know that you don't need me anymore.”

Looking at Susan, Mina replied, “This is true.”

“So what's next?” Mary asked.

“I don't know,” Mina said, still looking at Susan.

“Then I have to go. I have to stay where I know I'll be safe. There is just too much going on in our world right now.”

Still looking at Susan, Mina asked, “What is going on in our world Mary?”

“The blood hunt for our friend Sol that's traveled from the United States to Europe. From what I have heard, there is a war brewing over him. Meanwhile, Elizabeth and Thomas are battling for control of New York. The rest of the country is watching because they know that whichever one wins will eventually try to take the rest of the country as their own. Of course that hasn't stopped the fighting that's broken out throughout the rest of the country. Who knows where it ends?

“No, there is too much going on for me to press on without some group to protect me. The largest coven here, it is spread all over the country, has asked me to stay with them. To join them. Australia is very similar to the United States in that they accept all who deserve a chance. I need that security. I've...” She trailed off and sat down.

“You've never been alone before,” Susan said quietly.

“No, I've never been alone. I'm not a leader, I'm a follower. I'm not an individual, I'm part of a group. I can't live the way we have been living. I can't.”

“I understand,” Mina said. “I will honestly be sad to see you go.”

“I will, too,” Susan said, getting up and hugging Mary. “Thank you for all you taught me. For all the time you spent with me and for holding us together when we were close to breaking apart. I know it was hard for you.”

Pulling away from the hug, Mary looked at the little girl. “How did you know that we needed to leave Europe? How did you know that this trip had to be so long? How did you pick a boat that would break down so often? You knew all of these things before they happened. It's just not possible.”

“I don't know, I just did,” Susan said quietly in her ear.

Mary laughed, then stood up. “Strangely, I don't feel as though I'm saying goodbye. I feel as though our paths will pass again.”

“They will,” Susan said.

“I don't know how you know that, but I know you are right. And that scares me. It scares me more than either of you realize,” Mary said. “I'm going back to my coven now.”

She started to walk toward the door, but Mina stopped her. “Thank you. I don't know that I would have made it this far without you.”

“I'm not sure that thank you is the right thing to say. You may regret this before it is over,” Mary said as the two hugged. Mina did not reply, unsure if Mary was correct or not in her assessment.

“Goodbye,” Mary announced as she left the ship.


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

0319: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Four

After arriving in Australia for more extensive engine repairs than could be performed at sea, Susan was chauffeured around by the crew to all the interesting tourist sites within easy reach. Mary spent her time roaming the streets and night clubs, while Mina attempted to contact her coven in New York.

After several failed attempts, however, Mina knew something was amiss. Unsure how to find out what had happened, she came back from shore and walked into Susan's room. Long asleep, Mina gently woke the young girl by rubbing her arm.

Grunting slightly, Susan lifted her body up to a sitting position and rubbed her eyes. “What's wrong?”

Mina looked at her quizzically and said, “I believe you already know.”

“What does she know?” Mary asked, returning earlier than normal.

“You are home early,” Mina stated.

“Yeah. I don't know why, but I just wasn't into going out tonight. What does Susan know?”

Susan just looked at Mina.

“I have tried several times to contact my coven in America without any success. What has happened?” she asked Susan.

“How would she know that?” Mary asked sarcastically.

Mina looked at Mary and then at Susan and repeated the question. “What has happened to my coven?”

After a long pause, Susan said, “It was their time.”

Mina stood and strode angrily across the small room to a window overlooking the port. Mary just continued to watch, not quite sure what to make of the situation. She was never quite sure what to make of Mina and Susan. It was almost almost a bond of love, but never without a twinge of hate.

Finally, Mina turned and asked, “And who decided that it was their time? Sabastian?”

“It was Sabastian, but he didn't decide it was their time.”

“Then who did?” Mina demanded angrily.

“You know the answer to that,” Susan replied quietly.

“Your all powerful Lord on high who peers down from the heavens to dictate life and death! Is that what you'd have me believe?”

“I wouldn't make you believe anything. And it's not like that. But I would think you would have seen enough by now to understand.”

“Isn't it? Isn't it like that?” Mina threw at the girl. “This faceless deity who is all powerful picks and chooses who, what, when, how. He makes it all happen however he wants. One person dies another doesn't. I like that one, I don't like that one.”

“That's not it and you know it.”

“How can it not be like that? Why did my coven die an not some other. Because it was their time? Who decided that? Someone must have, otherwise it wouldn't have been their time. It would have been chance, bad luck.”

Mary listened intently, more confused than ever. Mina, an ancient, was talking about deeply theoretical constructs with a child. She would have expected the elder to be the teacher, but it seemed the opposite. It always seemed the opposite.

“You know it isn't like that,” Susan said.

“Then why do innocent babies die? Why do humanitarians get killed by savages? Why do little girls get raped?” she asked Susan, without actually knowing what she had said.

Susan's eyes opened wide and her face went blank for a brief moment before her face went dark and her features hardened. It had been a long time since she had thought about her mother and how she had sold Susan to pedophile drug dealers for heroin.

When Mina saw the change in her face, she stopped. Everything stopped. The world stood still, and for a brief moment Susan let Mina into her mind to see. Mina began to cry as she walked over to the little girl still sitting in her bed. Putting her arms around Susan, she said, “I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't know what I was saying.”

Susan held her, comforting as much as being comforted. “It's not like that. We have free will.” She began to cry with Mina.

“I just don't understand yet,” Mina said.

“You will before it's over.”



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

0318: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Four

Mina, Mary and Susan were on an empty freighter heading back to China. Although Mary had arranged for plenty of blood prior to leaving, Mina had refused it. She let her wounds heal slowly with time, rather than take the life of another she had not selected herself. And since she was too damaged to be involved in the process, she couldn't simply find a temporary feeder. Mary, however, had taken to feeding off several of the crew members—each of which believed they were sleeping with her.

Susan spent most of her time enjoying the trip. Unlike her normal routine since entering the vampire world, though not a vampire herself, she spend most days out and about the deck and most nights sleeping. The crew of the ship, about thirty or so men, had taken a liking to her. It seemed they enjoyed having a child around to protect, watch after, and, when there was time, play with.

Mina and Mary talked a little, but of nothing important. They didn't discuss the last night in which a little girl had so beaten an ancient. They didn't discuss why that little girl had been allowed to make all of the decisions of late, including the one to visit Mina's sire in Asia. They both simply hid their minds from each other. They might as was well have talked about the weather. Moreover, Mary was too afraid to ask Susan anything and actually tried to avoid her. Mina did not avoid Susan, was not afraid of Susan, but did not attempt to engage the girl either.

Mina was simply waiting. She knew that nothing she said would change what was happening now. That Susan was in complete control, or at least something or someone was in control and was exerting that control through Susan. She also knew that her sire, one of the four, would be displeased when she showed up unannounced with a small child after having disappeared for months. She wasn't sure how to explain, again, that Susan was the one they had been waiting for. Her sire was so certain is was Thomas or Elizabeth. Or, at the very least, a vampire. How could she convince her sire it was a little human girl?

“We have been on the ship for a very long time,” Mary stated one night, returning to their suite after taking advantage of one of the crew.

“Yes,” Mina answered. “You know very well that we've had numerous problems with the ship.”

“I know, but it just seems odd.”

“Does it?” Mina asked.

“Doesn't it?” Mary asked in return.

“No, in fact, it doesn't. You said to me that Susan thought it would be a good thing for this trip to take a long time. That is exactly what is happening.”

“Yeah, but how could she...” Mary stopped and looked at Mina.

Mina was looking at Mary as if in deep thought. “I'm sure it's just bad luck,” she eventually said. What she thought, however, was completely different. She wondered how Mary could still be so willingly ignorant of what was in front of her. Mary wasn't a child, yet she looked at the world through a child's eyes. Mina was certain that the reason for the delays was Susan. Not that Susan made them happen by doing anything, but that here presence caused them to happen in some way. She was certain that if they had boarded another ship they would have experienced the same delays.

As she was thinking these things, Susan walked in. “Hi,” she said. “How are you feeling today Mina?”

“Much better.” She looked at her face in a mirror, “I believe I'm almost healed.”

“That's good,” Susan said. “The crew is hoping that we'll be able to get to a port in Australia in a couple of days for repairs.” She had said Australia very slowly, having been coached by the crew on how to say it properly. “After that, they say it's just a short trip to port!” She was genuinely excited.

“They have said that before,” Mina replied. “We'll just have to see if this ill fated ship ever gets us to where we want to go.”

“Don't be such a sour puss,” Susan said, walking over and giving Mina a big hug. “You know very well we'll get there, when the time is right.”

“I'm sure we will,” Mina said, unable to help smiling at the little girl who only a short time ago had so hurt her in a fight that she was still recovering from her wounds.

“I'm gonna go to bed,” Susan announced, breaking the bear hug.

“Sleep well,” Mina replied, watching as the girl walked out of the room.

“You two freak me out sometimes,” Mary announced after a polite time had passed.

Mina replied, “We should. I'm going on deck.”



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

The Vampire's Daughter, Book Four

The Vampire's Daughter

Book Four

Old Wounds and New Wounds

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

Sloth... BUT Book IV starts next week!

So I hate sloth. I particularly hate it about myself, but life gets in the way and sometimes I fall into the sloth zone... I've done nothing on Book III. That means it remains free, so I guess it's good for readers. Not so good for my ego, though.

One thing I haven't been slothful with, however, is Book IV. The title page should post on November first and the first chapter on the fourth (I really didn't plan Book IV to start on the fourth). Once a week on Wednesday a new chapter will post without any additional effort from me until January 6th. I've got more to put up, I just haven't found the time yet. So, if you have been waiting for the next book, hold tight! It's on the way no matter how slothful I get...

Thanks for reading!
Gregg

"I am so weak" or "Book IV to start posting in November"

So, I can't wait until I complete Book III for publishing as an e-book. I'm going to start up Book IV in November. The title page will post on November first, the book will begin on November fourth. (That's a coincidence, not planned, though it does seem appropriate.)

I'll start pulling off the individual chapters of Book III shortly, after I figure out what to do with any comments on those chapters.

Thanks for reading,
Gregg

Got the Domain!

So I purchased www.thevampiresdaughter.com. It is set up and works. For the more technology savvy out there I'm sure this would be no big feat--for me it is.

Also started to look at cutting Book I up into five chapter blocks and it really isn't a good idea. So, I'll start to remove the individual chapters from Book III shortly (leaving only the 10 chapter blocks) and rethink the Book I marketing effort.

As I noted, Book IV is ongoing and I'll probably start to look at posting it before I complete the book III "publishing" process. I might start up in November or December, but with a once a week schedule. Book III will probably only be available in e-book form, too.

I'm also looking into using myspace and/or facebook more effectively to promote the story. But that's on the back burner for a little bit until I start posting Book IV.

That's the updates for now.

Thanks for reading,
Gregg

Book Four

OK, Book IV is one the way. I am working on it weekly, building a backlog of chapters so I can post them in advance and ensure timely delivery.

At the same time, however, I am also working on compiling Book III for "publication." So, give a me a few weeks (maybe a month or two, but I doubt I'll be able to hold out that long) before there are any new chapters.

Now that I've got the ten chapter breakdown (the tens, as I call them) for Book III done, I'm going to start making five chapter breakdowns for Book I. At the same time, I'll be going over Book III doing minor editing and layout work.

But, I don't want anyone to think I've stopped writing. I have not. I am just working on things in the background. There will be more, for better or worse!

Thanks for reading!
Gregg

Book Three is done...

So Book III is done. I’ve been working on Book IV on a regular basis, but I need to take a little brake from publishing chapters to do some house cleaning.

First up is getting the last of the 10s up for Book III. I hope to take care of that this week. Second is breaking Book I into sets of five chapters. Then I have to start putting together Book III for publishing through Lulu. I’ll also need to remove all of the Book III single chapter posts in there somewhere.

Then I want to start working on some simple advertising to be put throughout the site to spur people to buy the ebook (or paperback) versions of Book II and soon Book III. I plan on testing some simple online advertising to see if I can both drive traffic to the site and, ultimately, sales of the books. Although this is just a hobby, it would be kind of cool if there were a self-funding nature to it. I figure all of this will take a couple of months to dig through.

In the end, we’ll have to see how far I get on this stuff, but those are the goals for now. If I didn’t have a job and family, I’d knock all of that out in a day or two (OK, maybe a week), but life gets in the way of so many things.

Also, I want to note that, going forward, I will only be posting chapters one time a week. I just can’t keep up with the two times a week schedule on the writing side of things. The most likely day will be Wednesday, but Monday might work, too. If anyone has an opinion on the topic, please feel free to head to my message board or respond to this post.

But don’t fear! I plan on coming back soon with more chapters…

As always, thanks for reading,
Gregg

Book Three, Chapters 0311 to 0316

The Vampire's Daughter
Book Three

Chapters 0311 to 316
-----

0311: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

"We have not had a productive lesson in months," Mina said to Susan, standing abruptly and walking across the room. "I know full well that Mary believes she is having great success with you, but I am, quite frankly, disappointed."

"I'm sorry," Susan answered, not moving.

"I do not believe you."

Looking up, Susan said, "You're right, I'm not really sorry. I just said that to make you feel better."

"Why?"

"Because I don't want you to feel bad."

"No. Why have we hit this wall? What is the problem?" Mina asked.

"I don't know. I just don't seem to be able to connect with you like we did before. It's like we are battling again. Like in your brothel."

A long silence ensued before Mina asked, "When were you going to tell me about your visitor?"

"What visitor?"

"The man."

"No man visited me."

"The headmistress is an open book to me. I command her to do my bidding as I see fit. Do you think I fail to check up on you?" Mina asked angrily.

"I told you that no man has ever visited me here."

"Then who was he? This Mr. Jude?"

"Oh," Susan said, almost relieved. "That's just Judas. He stops by all the time. I tell him he shouldn't, but he never listens to me."

"Judas?" Mina asked.

"Yes, Judas."

"He isn't a man."

"Oh no. Not anymore."

"What the hell does that mean?"

"He was a man, but he's not anymore."

"Is he a vampire?" Mina asked.

"No," replied Susan.

"Why won't you give me a straight answer? Who is Judas or Mr. Jude or whatever his name is? He gave the headmistress..." Mina trailed off and looked at the wall.

"Thirty pieces of silver," Susan said. "As a donation. I thought it was quite nice of him."

There was a long silence, as Mina just looked at the little girl sitting before her.

"Do you know how old the coins he donated were?" Mina asked.

"No, but I got the feeling that they were collectibles."

"They were more than just collectibles. They were from..." Mina trailed off again, continuing to look at Susan. "Does this Judas have a last name?"

"Iscariot. I think. It's kind of hard to say," Susan answered.

Mina walked backward, away from Susan, until she hit a wall. She leaned into the wall and let her body slide down until she was sitting on the floor. She said nothing.

"Is everything OK?" asked Susan.

Mina didn't respond, as she was too busy playing the events of the past year in her head. How could she have gone from a comfortable life, running a virtual grocery store of feeders for her coven to babysitting a little girl who. She couldn't even finish her own thoughts. Who what? Who seemed to be so much more than a little girl. Who knew so much more than a little girl, let alone an adult should know. Who seemed to have powers beyond the mortal realm.

Mina realized that it wasn't Susan that was the problem. She had created the block. She was afraid of this little girl. Afraid that if she gave too much knowledge to Susan, that Susan might actually be the one her sire was waiting for.

"You are the one," Mina said out loud. "But I just can't believe what you are telling me."

Susan stood up and walked over to Mina. "I'm not telling you anything."

"You could control me if you wanted to, I know you've done it to me," Mina said. "Why don't you just do that now? Just make me train you or tell you whatever it is you want to know."

"I don't know what I want to know or what I want to learn. All I know is that I'm not the one blocking our connection," Susan answered, sitting down next to Mina.

"No, no you aren't," Mina said. "I realize now that I am the problem. Perhaps we should finish up now and you and Mary can continue your fight training."

"That sounds fun," Susan answered.


0312: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

Normally, Mina would go for a walk while Susan and Mary trained. She would visit with the children, talk to the Headmistress, or, sometimes, just go for a walk around the school's beautiful campus. She viewed the time as an escape from reality, not to mention an escape from Mary. She actually liked Mary, but she wound up spending too much time with the vampire.

Tonight, however, Mina couldn't leave. She had to watch. She had to see what Susan did. Sense why she did it. Somehow, she needed to know Susan better than she did. She didn't know why, but she wanted to truly love this child and the only way she could achieve that was to get to know her.

So Mina sat and watched as Susan and Mary fought. It was a spirited training session. Mary had long ago shown Susan all of the moves she knew. Susan, who turned out to be an exceptional student, learned quickly.

Now it was honing her skills and truly learning how to fight. As usual, the pair went through a number of drills to fine tune some movements and then ended with free form fighting.

Mina watched as Susan performed both defensive and attacking moves with such skill that it seemed the student was on the verge of at least matching the master. She noted how easily and fluidly Susan moved throughout each drill. Her speed was also impressive.

"Very nice," Mina said several times as she watched.

Once Mary and Susan switched to free form fighting, however, Mina saw a noticeable shift in Susan. She wasn't fighting.

It wasn't that the fight wasn't fast paced and spirited, or that Susan wasn't actually fighting, because she was. It was that she never used her true abilities.

Mina didn't say anything for a while and just watched. She thought about what she and Susan had talked about over the time they had known each other. How many times had the little girl really used her powers? A handful, maybe?

Mina knew that Susan had used her powers to make her do things she didn't intend to. She knew that the little girl had read her mind on more than one occasion. But the times that she did these things were not out of some selfish desire, they were always out of a desire to help others.

"Stop!" Mina said loudly, causing the two to stop and look at her.

"Susan, you aren't fighting," Mina said to her.

"I don't know what you mean," the little girl responded.

"Yes you do. You never fight. You don't truly attack. You don't do anything other than what you have to do to appease Mary.

"She tells you to attack her and you make a half hearted effort that kicks off a five minute fight. During the fight, you spend almost all of your time deflecting her attack. But again, all of your attacks are half hearted and ineffectual because that is what you intend them to be."

"Mina, I think you're being too hard on her. She is advancing rapidly. Perhaps she just needs more time to gain the confidence to be more aggressive," Mary said in defense Susan.

"I disagree," Mina said standing and walking over to the combatants. She looked at both of them, and then knelt down in front of Susan. "Do you believe your gifts are from God?"

"Yes," the little girl answered, looking Mina squarely in the eyes.

"Do you believe people should use the gifts they have been granted to their fullest potential?"

"Yes."

"Then explain to me why you don't attack Mary? I can tell that you know exactly what she going to do well before she makes a move. You allow these fights to continue when you could easily dispatch her."

"I am here to train, not win every fight," Susan said.

Standing, Mina said, "I will fight her."


0313: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

"You don't think I can teach the child how to fight?" Mary asked, sounding far more hurt than she intended to sound.

Mina looked at Mary and then at Susan. "This isn't about you and your abilities," Mina stated flatly. "This is about Susan.

"Even the greatest teacher cannot teach an unwilling student."

"I'm not unwilling," Susan protested. "I've learned a lot."

"What value is learning if you never use your knowledge?" Mina asked.

"Learning isn't always about doing," Susan answered.

Mary watched quietly, realizing that there was more going on than simply training Susan how to fight. In fact, this conversation was a battle of its own. What Mary wasn't quite sure of, however, was who was fighting. Was the battle between Mina and Susan, Mina and herself, or Susan and herself?

Whatever the answer, this confrontation certainly wasn't about Susan's skill as a fighter. Mary moved to the side of the room and sat against the wall, watching.

"If you learn and do not use, then you have failed," Mina stated flatly. "Attack me."

Susan stood and looked at the vampire. She was an ancient with skills well beyond those of Mary. She was hardened by time both physically and emotionally. After a few moments, Susan said, "I do not wish to fight you."

"Attack me," was the reply.

Susan looked down and then lunged at Mina. Mina didn't move and Susan small fist landed squarely against Mina's nose, causing it to bleed. Mina made no move, causing Susan to step back.

"I said attack me, not toy with me. You aimed for an area that was easily defended. You telegraphed that punch and, worse, you advertised it in your mind. I know all too well how powerful you are little girl. If you don't want me to know what you are thinking you will stop me. You are more than skillful enough to block your mind in a fight. Now attack me!"

Susan stepped back and then came at Mina again. And again Mina did not move, allowing the blow to land. This time it was a jump kick to the side of the head.

"I am not toying with you little girl. I want you to attack me, not play. Use the skills God has given you."

"I use the skills and use them wisely."

"No, no you do not use them wisely. You use cautiously, fearfully. I do not wish to force your hand. I would prefer you to decide your own fate. But if you do not, I will decide it for you."

"Gifts are not meant to be abused," Susan said. "Mankind has abused its gifts so thoroughly, why should I add to the damnation?"

"If mankind is to be damned, then my kind are well ahead of them," Mina said. "Now fight."

"Maybe your kind is there to greet my kind," Susan said testily. "And I don't wish to be there at all."

"If you are who I think you are, little imp, you had better learn to use your gifts and use them well now, because when you need them, you won't have the latitude to fail. Now fight me."

"No," Susan said, putting her hands down. "If you want to fight, you'll have to attack me."

Mentally, Mina responded, "I will force you to fight if I must, but I won't attack you. And don't think I won't kill Mary."

Out loud, Susan said, "This is our fight."

"Not anymore," Mina said, lunging at Mary.

Mary's eyes went wide as she put her hands up to defend herself, knowing she didn't have much chance of even accomplishing that.


0314: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

Just before Mina's fist would have struck Mary's face, Susan's hand deflected the blow into the wall. Mina's arm went into the wall up to her elbow. She pulled it out and punched at Mary with her other arm, a blow that Susan also deflected.

Mina pulled her other arm from the wall and stepped back. "Fight me," she said with a great deal of anger in her voice.

"No," Susan replied.

"I will kill Mary if you do not."

"How did I get into the middle of this?" Mary asked, still sitting against the wall, her face drained of any color by the fear of dying.

"Shut up," Mina said to her. Then she relaxed her body and smiled. "Mary," she said. "Stand up." Mary did as she was told.

"Don't do this," Susan said.

"I'll do as I please," Mina said to the girl.

"Mary, come kneel before me," Mina said casually with a grin on her face.

"Mary stay," Susan said, with the slightest hint of anger.

Mina's smile grew. "Now that's better," she said. "Mary, come here and kneel before me."

"Mary stay," Susan said, with a great deal of anger.

This exchange continued for several more volleys, with Mary, little more than an automaton, walking forward and back with each command. Finally, Susan yelled, "Sleep!"

Mary fell to the ground unconscious.

"Nice trick, little imp," Mina said. "But what's she going to do when you're not around?"

Susan stood motionless for a long time. She just looked at Mina. Finally, she spoke. "This is silly. Why are you doing this?"

"It's only one life, what does it matter. If you don't want to fight, I'll just kill her."

"Every life matters."

"Why? She's a vampire, she's damned already. I'll just send her to hell sooner rather than latter."

"You don't know what you're talking about."

"Then why don't you explain it to me? Or, perhaps, you don't really know either.

"I'm tired of our little games Susan. It's time to put up or shut up. Use your gifts or go home. Fight or let Mary die."

"I won't let you kill Mary," Susan said.

"Well then, you'll need to fight," Mina said, lunging at Mary again.

Susan deflected the blow.

"I could control your mind," Mina said.

"No, you couldn't," Susan replied. "And you know you can't. You know you aren't strong enough to control my mind."

"How do you know that?" Mina asked.

"You've tried and failed."

"But you could end this by controlling my mind, couldn't you?" Mina asked.

Susan said nothing.

"Couldn't you?" Mina asked louder.

"That wouldn't end this. You would figure it out eventually," Susan said.

"Then I guess you'll just have to fight me," Mina said with a smile.

"Mary, get up and leave," Susan said to the vampire unconscious on the ground.

"Yes Mary," Mina mocked, "leave us be so we can chat a little more privately."

Mary got up and left the room without saying a word.

"Now what little girl?" Mina asked.

"What are you trying to prove? We don't have to do this," Susan said quietly.

"I want to see you use your gifts. I want to see how strong you really are. I want to know that I haven't been wasting my time."

"And if you have been wasting your time?"

"Then I'll leave and let you finish your schooling and your life, never to hear of a vampire again."

"Do you really believe that is what God has planned for me?" Susan asked.

"No," replied Mina. "That's why I'm confident that you will fight me."

"So be it," Susan said. She looked down and let her entire body relax.


0315: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

After a few moments, Mina said, "Come on little imp, are we going to fight or do I have to go find Mary?"

Susan lifted her head very slowly and said, in a barely audible whisper, "Let's fight."

Mina smiled and then lunged at the little girl.

As before, Susan could read every move that Mina was going to make despite Mina's attempts to mask her mind. Thus, every blow was either blocked or evaded.

"This isn't fighting!" Mina yelled, even though she continued her attacks.

As she continued, Susan started to land blows between Mina's attacks. She simply waited for the right moment, and then slipped a punch, kick or scratch in. Usually, Susan waited until Mina had just attacked, so that Mina was off balance or had a weak spot in her defense.

Before long, Mina was bloody and bruised. She was tired, too, but it was obvious that Susan was more tired.

"You are only human little girl. You have spirit, but that can only sustain you for so long. You've scratched at me and bruised me, but I still stand. Your little blows won't stop me and you know it. I can carry on all night if I so choose. You, on the other hand, will collapse if you don't do something soon."

"No, Mina, you are wrong. I may tire soon, but you no longer have the night at your disposal. Look out the window," Susan said, watching Mina closely.

As Mina turned to look out the window at the approaching dawn, Susan lunged at her. Distracted by rage, Mina didn't even notice until Susan was too close to block.

Susan's entire body was flying through the air. She grabbed Mina's head and with her momentum, pushed it into the wall behind her. A dull thud and crack sounded, as Mina lifted her fists up into Susan's belly, flipping her up so that her back hit the wall above Mina's head.

Susan fell to the ground hard, letting out a whimper, though she didn't cry. Lifting herself up to her hands and knees, she didn't look at Mina. She gritted her teeth and said, "Was this what you wanted?

"We are both hurt. Not just our bodies, Mina! Our faith in each other. I only hope that you live, so that we can try to heal what has been broken here today."

The little girl looked up at Mina, who's eyes were wide open, but empty. There was blood flowing down the wall, obviously from the vampire's head. Susan shook her head and cried at the sight.

She walked over to the other side of the room and sat, crumpled against the wall.

After a few minutes, Mary came bursting into the room, "It's almost dawn, we must..." She stopped and looked at Susan, who had fallen asleep, and Mina, who had slid down the wall into a pile on the ground. There was a bloody trail left behind, clearly showing where her head had hit the wall.


0316: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

"Oh my God," is all that Mary could say. She was shocked on more levels than one. First, she had just found out that Sol was in Europe being protected by Gan while a rather large army stood outside waiting for him to leave. Second, at least at first glance, it seemed as though Mina and Susan had managed to kill each other.

She walked over to Mina and looked at her. She wasn't dead, but she was hurt very badly.

"She needs blood," Susan said quietly, as she moved to stand up.

"You're alive," Mary said, somewhat shocked.

"Yes," the little girl said, slowly limping over to Mina. "But I am hurt."

"Not as badly as Mina, it seems," Mary responded.

Susan took Mina's head and shoved her wrist into the vampire's mouth, cutting herself on the upper fangs. A small amount of blood trickled into Mina's mouth before Susan pulled her arm away.

"That will help, but she'll need lots more blood before she's better," Susan said, looking at Mary while applying pressure to the small cut on her arm.

"Well I'm not doing that," Mary shot back, before realizing that Susan wasn't suggesting she should. She was waiting for Mary to say something.

"I've found something out," Mary finally started.

"Sol is nearby," Susan said.

"Yes."

"He's in trouble."

"Yes."

"There are things happening with your kind that suggests we should leave."

"Yes. How do you know all of this, are you reading my mind?" Mary asked.

"No, I'm too tired to bother. A friend of mine told me what was going on and that we would need to leave soon," Susan said.

Pointing at Mina, Mary asked, "Did he tell you about this, too?"

"Yes, but I didn't want to do it. I didn't want it to be true."

Mary was taken aback and confused.

"So what do we do now?" the vampire asked.

"We leave," Susan said.

"Where to?"

Susan looked at Mary and marveled at how little she knew. Or at least how little she let herself know. This vampire had lived for years in the shadow of others not because she was necessarily held back, but because she couldn't lead. She had the skills, but not the will. She needed to be directed, even though she was often angered by that direction.

Both Thomas and Tobias had selected a perfect victim for their crimes; Thomas using her as a feeder and Tobias using her as one of his many loyal followers.

"China," Susan said softly.

"China?"

"Yes. That is where we'll find Mina's sire. That is where we must go. For her and for me."

"And your little friend told you that, too, I guess?"

"No. It is what I feel is right and it is what we'll do," Susan said firmly.

"And if I feel you're wrong?" Mary asked sarcastically.

"I'll simply make you do as I wish, but I don't want to do that. I want you do this because you want to do it."

There was a silence before Mary said, "We don't have time to get to China before dawn."

"You'll take her to the car and I'll follow. We'll stay in your house for now. Tomorrow you can find some blood for Mina to help her get better and plan our trip to China. We should go by boat."

"OK," Mary said, carefully picking Mina's rag doll body up and walking out to the car. "Why boat?"

"Because it takes longer," Susan said.

"Why is that important?"

"Soon, this will be a dangerous place for vampires. Being out of contact for a couple of weeks will be a good thing."

Mary didn't question that statement, though it bothered her greatly.

~End of Book III~




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

0316: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

"Oh my God," is all that Mary could say. She was shocked on more levels than one. First, she had just found out that Sol was in Europe being protected by Gan while a rather large army stood outside waiting for him to leave. Second, at least at first glance, it seemed as though Mina and Susan had managed to kill each other.

She walked over to Mina and looked at her. She wasn't dead, but she was hurt very badly.

"She needs blood," Susan said quietly, as she moved to stand up.

"You're alive," Mary said, somewhat shocked.

"Yes," the little girl said, slowly limping over to Mina. "But I am hurt."

"Not as badly as Mina, it seems," Mary responded.

Susan took Mina's head and shoved her wrist into the vampire's mouth, cutting herself on the upper fangs. A small amount of blood trickled into Mina's mouth before Susan pulled her arm away.

"That will help, but she'll need lots more blood before she's better," Susan said, looking at Mary while applying pressure to the small cut on her arm.

"Well I'm not doing that," Mary shot back, before realizing that Susan wasn't suggesting she should. She was waiting for Mary to say something.

"I've found something out," Mary finally started.

"Sol is nearby," Susan said.

"Yes."

"He's in trouble."

"Yes."

"There are things happening with your kind that suggests we should leave."

"Yes. How do you know all of this, are you reading my mind?" Mary asked.

"No, I'm too tired to bother. A friend of mine told me what was going on and that we would need to leave soon," Susan said.

Pointing at Mina, Mary asked, "Did he tell you about this, too?"

"Yes, but I didn't want to do it. I didn't want it to be true."

Mary was taken aback and confused.

"So what do we do now?" the vampire asked.

"We leave," Susan said.

"Where to?"

Susan looked at Mary and marveled at how little she knew. Or at least how little she let herself know. This vampire had lived for years in the shadow of others not because she was necessarily held back, but because she couldn't lead. She had the skills, but not the will. She needed to be directed, even though she was often angered by that direction.

Both Thomas and Tobias had selected a perfect victim for their crimes; Thomas using her as a feeder and Tobias using her as one of his many loyal followers.

"China," Susan said softly.

"China?"

"Yes. That is where we'll find Mina's sire. That is where we must go. For her and for me."

"And your little friend told you that, too, I guess?"

"No. It is what I feel is right and it is what we'll do," Susan said firmly.

"And if I feel you're wrong?" Mary asked sarcastically.

"I'll simply make you do as I wish, but I don't want to do that. I want you do this because you want to do it."

There was a silence before Mary said, "We don't have time to get to China before dawn."

"You'll take her to the car and I'll follow. We'll stay in your house for now. Tomorrow you can find some blood for Mina to help her get better and plan our trip to China. We should go by boat."

"OK," Mary said, carefully picking Mina's rag doll body up and walking out to the car. "Why boat?"

"Because it takes longer," Susan said.

"Why is that important?"

"Soon, this will be a dangerous place for vampires. Being out of contact for a couple of weeks will be a good thing."

Mary didn't question that statement, though it bothered her greatly.

~End~


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

0315: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

After a few moments, Mina said, "Come on little imp, are we going to fight or do I have to go find Mary?"

Susan lifted her head very slowly and said, in a barely audible whisper, "Let's fight."

Mina smiled and then lunged at the little girl.

As before, Susan could read every move that Mina was going to make despite Mina's attempts to mask her mind. Thus, every blow was either blocked or evaded.

"This isn't fighting!" Mina yelled, even though she continued her attacks.

As she continued, Susan started to land blows between Mina's attacks. She simply waited for the right moment, and then slipped a punch, kick or scratch in. Usually, Susan waited until Mina had just attacked, so that Mina was off balance or had a weak spot in her defense.

Before long, Mina was bloody and bruised. She was tired, too, but it was obvious that Susan was more tired.

"You are only human little girl. You have spirit, but that can only sustain you for so long. You've scratched at me and bruised me, but I still stand. Your little blows won't stop me and you know it. I can carry on all night if I so choose. You, on the other hand, will collapse if you don't do something soon."

"No, Mina, you are wrong. I may tire soon, but you no longer have the night at your disposal. Look out the window," Susan said, watching Mina closely.

As Mina turned to look out the window at the approaching dawn, Susan lunged at her. Distracted by rage, Mina didn't even notice until Susan was too close to block.

Susan's entire body was flying through the air. She grabbed Mina's head and with her momentum, pushed it into the wall behind her. A dull thud and crack sounded, as Mina lifted her fists up into Susan's belly, flipping her up so that her back hit the wall above Mina's head.

Susan fell to the ground hard, letting out a whimper, though she didn't cry. Lifting herself up to her hands and knees, she didn't look at Mina. She gritted her teeth and said, "Was this what you wanted?

"We are both hurt. Not just our bodies, Mina! Our faith in each other. I only hope that you live, so that we can try to heal what has been broken here today."

The little girl looked up at Mina, who's eyes were wide open, but empty. There was blood flowing down the wall, obviously from the vampire's head. Susan shook her head and cried at the sight.

She walked over to the other side of the room and sat, crumpled against the wall.

After a few minutes, Mary came bursting into the room, "It's almost dawn, we must..." She stopped and looked at Susan, who had fallen asleep, and Mina, who had slid down the wall into a pile on the ground. There was a bloody trail left behind, clearly showing where her head had hit the wall.


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

0314: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

Just before Mina's fist would have struck Mary's face, Susan's hand deflected the blow into the wall. Mina's arm went into the wall up to her elbow. She pulled it out and punched at Mary with her other arm, a blow that Susan also deflected.

Mina pulled her other arm from the wall and stepped back. "Fight me," she said with a great deal of anger in her voice.

"No," Susan replied.

"I will kill Mary if you do not."

"How did I get into the middle of this?" Mary asked, still sitting against the wall, her face drained of any color by the fear of dying.

"Shut up," Mina said to her. Then she relaxed her body and smiled. "Mary," she said. "Stand up." Mary did as she was told.

"Don't do this," Susan said.

"I'll do as I please," Mina said to the girl.

"Mary, come kneel before me," Mina said casually with a grin on her face.

"Mary stay," Susan said, with the slightest hint of anger.

Mina's smile grew. "Now that's better," she said. "Mary, come here and kneel before me."

"Mary stay," Susan said, with a great deal of anger.

This exchange continued for several more volleys, with Mary, little more than an automaton, walking forward and back with each command. Finally, Susan yelled, "Sleep!"

Mary fell to the ground unconscious.

"Nice trick, little imp," Mina said. "But what's she going to do when you're not around?"

Susan stood motionless for a long time. She just looked at Mina. Finally, she spoke. "This is silly. Why are you doing this?"

"It's only one life, what does it matter. If you don't want to fight, I'll just kill her."

"Every life matters."

"Why? She's a vampire, she's damned already. I'll just send her to hell sooner rather than latter."

"You don't know what you're talking about."

"Then why don't you explain it to me? Or, perhaps, you don't really know either.

"I'm tired of our little games Susan. It's time to put up or shut up. Use your gifts or go home. Fight or let Mary die."

"I won't let you kill Mary," Susan said.

"Well then, you'll need to fight," Mina said, lunging at Mary again.

Susan deflected the blow.

"I could control your mind," Mina said.

"No, you couldn't," Susan replied. "And you know you can't. You know you aren't strong enough to control my mind."

"How do you know that?" Mina asked.

"You've tried and failed."

"But you could end this by controlling my mind, couldn't you?" Mina asked.

Susan said nothing.

"Couldn't you?" Mina asked louder.

"That wouldn't end this. You would figure it out eventually," Susan said.

"Then I guess you'll just have to fight me," Mina said with a smile.

"Mary, get up and leave," Susan said to the vampire unconscious on the ground.

"Yes Mary," Mina mocked, "leave us be so we can chat a little more privately."

Mary got up and left the room without saying a word.

"Now what little girl?" Mina asked.

"What are you trying to prove? We don't have to do this," Susan said quietly.

"I want to see you use your gifts. I want to see how strong you really are. I want to know that I haven't been wasting my time."

"And if you have been wasting your time?"

"Then I'll leave and let you finish your schooling and your life, never to hear of a vampire again."

"Do you really believe that is what God has planned for me?" Susan asked.

"No," replied Mina. "That's why I'm confident that you will fight me."

"So be it," Susan said. She looked down and let her entire body relax.


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

0313: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

"You don't think I can teach the child how to fight?" Mary asked, sounding far more hurt than she intended to sound.

Mina looked at Mary and then at Susan. "This isn't about you and your abilities," Mina stated flatly. "This is about Susan.

"Even the greatest teacher cannot teach an unwilling student."

"I'm not unwilling," Susan protested. "I've learned a lot."

"What value is learning if you never use your knowledge?" Mina asked.

"Learning isn't always about doing," Susan answered.

Mary watched quietly, realizing that there was more going on than simply training Susan how to fight. In fact, this conversation was a battle of its own. What Mary wasn't quite sure of, however, was who was fighting. Was the battle between Mina and Susan, Mina and herself, or Susan and herself?

Whatever the answer, this confrontation certainly wasn't about Susan's skill as a fighter. Mary moved to the side of the room and sat against the wall, watching.

"If you learn and do not use, then you have failed," Mina stated flatly. "Attack me."

Susan stood and looked at the vampire. She was an ancient with skills well beyond those of Mary. She was hardened by time both physically and emotionally. After a few moments, Susan said, "I do not wish to fight you."

"Attack me," was the reply.

Susan looked down and then lunged at Mina. Mina didn't move and Susan small fist landed squarely against Mina's nose, causing it to bleed. Mina made no move, causing Susan to step back.

"I said attack me, not toy with me. You aimed for an area that was easily defended. You telegraphed that punch and, worse, you advertised it in your mind. I know all too well how powerful you are little girl. If you don't want me to know what you are thinking you will stop me. You are more than skillful enough to block your mind in a fight. Now attack me!"

Susan stepped back and then came at Mina again. And again Mina did not move, allowing the blow to land. This time it was a jump kick to the side of the head.

"I am not toying with you little girl. I want you to attack me, not play. Use the skills God has given you."

"I use the skills and use them wisely."

"No, no you do not use them wisely. You use cautiously, fearfully. I do not wish to force your hand. I would prefer you to decide your own fate. But if you do not, I will decide it for you."

"Gifts are not meant to be abused," Susan said. "Mankind has abused its gifts so thoroughly, why should I add to the damnation?"

"If mankind is to be damned, then my kind are well ahead of them," Mina said. "Now fight."

"Maybe your kind is there to greet my kind," Susan said testily. "And I don't wish to be there at all."

"If you are who I think you are, little imp, you had better learn to use your gifts and use them well now, because when you need them, you won't have the latitude to fail. Now fight me."

"No," Susan said, putting her hands down. "If you want to fight, you'll have to attack me."

Mentally, Mina responded, "I will force you to fight if I must, but I won't attack you. And don't think I won't kill Mary."

Out loud, Susan said, "This is our fight."

"Not anymore," Mina said, lunging at Mary.

Mary's eyes went wide as she put her hands up to defend herself, knowing she didn't have much chance of even accomplishing that.


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

0312: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

Normally, Mina would go for a walk while Susan and Mary trained. She would visit with the children, talk to the Headmistress, or, sometimes, just go for a walk around the school's beautiful campus. She viewed the time as an escape from reality, not to mention an escape from Mary. She actually liked Mary, but she wound up spending too much time with the vampire.

Tonight, however, Mina couldn't leave. She had to watch. She had to see what Susan did. Sense why she did it. Somehow, she needed to know Susan better than she did. She didn't know why, but she wanted to truly love this child and the only way she could achieve that was to get to know her.

So Mina sat and watched as Susan and Mary fought. It was a spirited training session. Mary had long ago shown Susan all of the moves she knew. Susan, who turned out to be an exceptional student, learned quickly.

Now it was honing her skills and truly learning how to fight. As usual, the pair went through a number of drills to fine tune some movements and then ended with free form fighting.

Mina watched as Susan performed both defensive and attacking moves with such skill that it seemed the student was on the verge of at least matching the master. She noted how easily and fluidly Susan moved throughout each drill. Her speed was also impressive.

"Very nice," Mina said several times as she watched.

Once Mary and Susan switched to free form fighting, however, Mina saw a noticeable shift in Susan. She wasn't fighting.

It wasn't that the fight wasn't fast paced and spirited, or that Susan wasn't actually fighting, because she was. It was that she never used her true abilities.

Mina didn't say anything for a while and just watched. She thought about what she and Susan had talked about over the time they had known each other. How many times had the little girl really used her powers? A handful, maybe?

Mina knew that Susan had used her powers to make her do things she didn't intend to. She knew that the little girl had read her mind on more than one occasion. But the times that she did these things were not out of some selfish desire, they were always out of a desire to help others.

"Stop!" Mina said loudly, causing the two to stop and look at her.

"Susan, you aren't fighting," Mina said to her.

"I don't know what you mean," the little girl responded.

"Yes you do. You never fight. You don't truly attack. You don't do anything other than what you have to do to appease Mary.

"She tells you to attack her and you make a half hearted effort that kicks off a five minute fight. During the fight, you spend almost all of your time deflecting her attack. But again, all of your attacks are half hearted and ineffectual because that is what you intend them to be."

"Mina, I think you're being too hard on her. She is advancing rapidly. Perhaps she just needs more time to gain the confidence to be more aggressive," Mary said in defense Susan.

"I disagree," Mina said standing and walking over to the combatants. She looked at both of them, and then knelt down in front of Susan. "Do you believe your gifts are from God?"

"Yes," the little girl answered, looking Mina squarely in the eyes.

"Do you believe people should use the gifts they have been granted to their fullest potential?"

"Yes."

"Then explain to me why you don't attack Mary? I can tell that you know exactly what she going to do well before she makes a move. You allow these fights to continue when you could easily dispatch her."

"I am here to train, not win every fight," Susan said.

Standing, Mina said, "I will fight her."


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

0311: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

"We have not had a productive lesson in months," Mina said to Susan, standing abruptly and walking across the room. "I know full well that Mary believes she is having great success with you, but I am, quite frankly, disappointed."

"I'm sorry," Susan answered, not moving.

"I do not believe you."

Looking up, Susan said, "You're right, I'm not really sorry. I just said that to make you feel better."

"Why?"

"Because I don't want you to feel bad."

"No. Why have we hit this wall? What is the problem?" Mina asked.

"I don't know. I just don't seem to be able to connect with you like we did before. It's like we are battling again. Like in your brothel."

A long silence ensued before Mina asked, "When were you going to tell me about your visitor?"

"What visitor?"

"The man."

"No man visited me."

"The headmistress is an open book to me. I command her to do my bidding as I see fit. Do you think I fail to check up on you?" Mina asked angrily.

"I told you that no man has ever visited me here."

"Then who was he? This Mr. Jude?"

"Oh," Susan said, almost relieved. "That's just Judas. He stops by all the time. I tell him he shouldn't, but he never listens to me."

"Judas?" Mina asked.

"Yes, Judas."

"He isn't a man."

"Oh no. Not anymore."

"What the hell does that mean?"

"He was a man, but he's not anymore."

"Is he a vampire?" Mina asked.

"No," replied Susan.

"Why won't you give me a straight answer? Who is Judas or Mr. Jude or whatever his name is? He gave the headmistress..." Mina trailed off and looked at the wall.

"Thirty pieces of silver," Susan said. "As a donation. I thought it was quite nice of him."

There was a long silence, as Mina just looked at the little girl sitting before her.

"Do you know how old the coins he donated were?" Mina asked.

"No, but I got the feeling that they were collectibles."

"They were more than just collectibles. They were from..." Mina trailed off again, continuing to look at Susan. "Does this Judas have a last name?"

"Iscariot. I think. It's kind of hard to say," Susan answered.

Mina walked backward, away from Susan, until she hit a wall. She leaned into the wall and let her body slide down until she was sitting on the floor. She said nothing.

"Is everything OK?" asked Susan.

Mina didn't respond, as she was too busy playing the events of the past year in her head. How could she have gone from a comfortable life, running a virtual grocery store of feeders for her coven to babysitting a little girl who. She couldn't even finish her own thoughts. Who what? Who seemed to be so much more than a little girl. Who knew so much more than a little girl, let alone an adult should know. Who seemed to have powers beyond the mortal realm.

Mina realized that it wasn't Susan that was the problem. She had created the block. She was afraid of this little girl. Afraid that if she gave too much knowledge to Susan, that Susan might actually be the one her sire was waiting for.

"You are the one," Mina said out loud. "But I just can't believe what you are telling me."

Susan stood up and walked over to Mina. "I'm not telling you anything."

"You could control me if you wanted to, I know you've done it to me," Mina said. "Why don't you just do that now? Just make me train you or tell you whatever it is you want to know."

"I don't know what I want to know or what I want to learn. All I know is that I'm not the one blocking our connection," Susan answered, sitting down next to Mina.

"No, no you aren't," Mina said. "I realize now that I am the problem. Perhaps we should finish up now and you and Mary can continue your fight training."

"That sounds fun," Susan answered.


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

Book Three, Chapters 0301 to 0310

The Vampire's Daughter
Book Three

Chapters 0301 to 310
-----

0301: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

Gan assembled all of the other vampires as directed by Meredith. The group didn't have to wait very long before she arrived, smiling and bowing slightly before taking her seat at the head of the table.

She looked at Gan and mentally told him to go and assemble 20 or so of his best assassins, as there would be an important decision made at this meeting and that she would need them. "Make sure they are your most loyal," she noted, as he left the room.

Gan went quickly and had Car and Belinda fetch two dozen of his best men, exclusive of the two girls. "You will each lead 12 and you will only take your lead from me and Meredith," he said to them. "If any of your men appear to be disloyal at any time during this assignment, kill them instantly."

"Yes sir," they girls said in unison and ran from the room.

At that, Gan returned. He found Meredith standing before the group, who were in a heated argument about waking the King.

"I don't believe this one is the one, waking the King would be meaningless. I say we kill him and be done with it," one said.

"I'm not certain that is our choice to make, the King wanted to be woken if there was any indication that the one had arrived."

"The one? What does that even mean? What one are we talking about? The scriptures aren't clear about anything and, besides, we haven't even met him!"

Gan stood at the door listening, but soon Meredith looked up at him. With his mind he asked, "Is he the one, my lady?"

She smiled and nodded her head at him.

"How are you so certain?"

"I know you are loyal my child, you will find out soon enough. For now, trust that I know and I need your support now more than ever," she said to his mind.

"You have it as you always have, sire."

"You were my first in many ways," she said. "Now is a time of change and I don't know how it will end. But I want you to know that I have always loved you."

Gan felt his heart sink. She hadn't said those words in hundreds of years. Because of her rank, they had always had an unspoken love. That she would say this here and now brought the reality to him that this was in fact a life altering time. That Meredith was about to make a decision, and was going to support her choice without question, that would change the direction of Europe, if not all vampires.

"My lady, my love," he thought, a tear coming to his eye. "I have loved you since the moment we met. When we were children, playing. You a princess and me a peasant. You never looked down on me. Never. You were always the only one in my life. I can't begin to express to you my gratitude and love. I will follow you to brink of hell and beyond, if that is what you ask."

"But what about the gates of heaven?" she asked. "Are you ready for the battle that will bring us back into God's grace?"

As the others bickered back and forth, Gan and Meredith just looked at each other.

"I don't believe we've ever left," Gan said both in his mind and quietly out loud.

Meredith smiled widely, looked down at the table in front of her and then back up at Gan. "I want you by my side," she said to him.

He bowed and walked over to her. He stood just slightly behind her on her right. She turned her head slightly to catch his eye. She smiled, inhaled deeply and then exhaled.

"Enough," she said out loud, causing Gan's eyes to go wide and the room to fall completely silent.


0302: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

No one said anything for a long time, as all eyes were locked on Meredith. They hadn't heard her speak in over a hundred years. Some at the table had never heard her speak. None knew what to make of it.

She looked each vampire in the room in the eyes, except Gan, who she knew was loyal to her. As she was surveying the group, Gan put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed slightly, causing her to smile. She put her hand on his, knowing without reading him, that he was happy that her affliction had been lifted.

In some she sensed fear, others shock, and a few hid their minds.

"As you can hear," she said after at least five minutes of pure silence, "I have been healed."

"My Lady," one of the vampires that hid his mind said and bowed, "I am so happy for you. Do you know what has caused this miracle?"

"The one you would kill before introducing him to my father," she answered.

"My Lady, that cannot be. He is a charlatan just like John Paul."

Gan tensed at his words.

"I am healed," Meredith said, "and I am telling you that he has healed me. Why would I lie?"

Gan took his hand from Meredith's shoulder and reached out to the Car and Belinda. The girls brought their groups down to the study that led to the chamber. Although there were many ways to escape from the room, the only vampire that knew that was Meredith.

"I do not believe you are lying," the vampire said, "I simply believe you may be confused. Time has healed you, I am certain of it."

"And what do you believe?" she asked another of the vampires that hid their minds.

She looked at the first vampire and then back at Meredith. "I believe that you believe something special has happened. But I am not certain of it, my Lady. If I could see it with my own eyes, if I could meet this Sol, perhaps I would believe, too."

"Yes," another vampire added. "I believe we need to meet him. Let's bring him in and see this lad. See what he has to say. Let's test him, find out if he is the one."

Meredith turned to Gan and said to his mind and his alone, "Protect Sol at all costs, even if it means your life. Even if it means mine." Out loud, she said, "Gan, will you please bring Sol in."

"Yes, my Lady," he said, bowing and walking out of the room. No one said a word while he walked and no words were spoken while he was gone.

Outside, Gan looked at Car and said, "You must fetch Sol. You must also protect him. I have pledged to die protecting him. If that happens, it falls to you."

"Sir," she said.

After she left, her sister, Belinda, whispered to Gan, "I will protect him, too."

Gan put his hand on her head, "Thank you child."

"Is he the one you have been waiting for?"

He looked at her for a moment and thought about saying, "I believe so," but stopped, as it was no longer a belief, it was a certainty. "Yes," he answered.

"Then my Grim died for a good cause," she said.

Car arrived with Sol and Jamie shortly thereafter. "What is happening?" asked Sol.

"The world is moving quickly and I believe there will be bloodshed. I will protect you with my life," Gan answered, kneeling before Sol and kissing his hand. "But you must promise me that you will not fight."

"I cannot make that promise."

"We will protect you, too," Belinda said.

Sol got down on one knee and looked at her. "Thank you, but I will defend myself if the need arises."

To that, Gan said, "The need will not arise, four lives have promised you that."

"Who is the fourth?" Sol asked.

"Meredith."


0303: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

"Are you ready?" Gan asked Sol.

"Yes."

"Are you ready?" Gan asked Car and Belinda.

"We are," they said in unison.

"I think we should go in first," said Car. "We can take the men and split to either side. Then you and Sol can come in behind. That way we have a wall to block any attack and you have a clear way out."

"That's what I was thinking," said Gan.

"Why are you all so worried about this? John Paul asked me to meet all of these vampires, he wouldn't send me to my death," Sol said.

"Allegiances are odd in the vampire world," Gan said. "You are not used to the ways of our kind because you have always lived on the outskirts of our society. Elizabeth never quite conformed and you never quite learned because of it. I mean no disrespect, you know that, but for all the skills you've mastered, understanding and living within the European vampire community is almost completely absent. Particularly when it comes to the old kings and queens."

"Are you saying that John Paul didn't know he was sending me to see vampires that would want to kill me?" Sol asked.

"Let's just say that you are lucky to have found me first."

"I'm beginning to lose my faith in luck," Sol said, looking down in thought.

"That is a good thing," Gan said. "Car, Belinda, you head in first."

"No," Sol announced forcefully. "I will go in first. If they want to kill me, I want them to look me in the eyes. I want to see their faces.

"I will go in with Gan by my side. Car and Belinda will follow behind with their men. After we enter, Car and Belinda can stand in front of me and their men can fan out to either side. This way we still have an easy escape route and I get to see those who would see me die."

Gan looked at the girls, who nodded their agreement. "We'll move quickly, I don't want Sol unguarded for longer than need be."

"I'll be just fine," Sol said, walking forward. Stopping before the door, he said, "Jamie. At the first chance, I want you to leave. I love you."

"I love you, too, dear," Jamie said, watching as Sol walked toward the meeting room with Gan by his side. The two girls and their men snaked after him.

Sol stopped at the door to the meeting room and looked down. "You are nervous," Gan said. "Take a moment and prepare yourself."

Sol looked Gan in the eyes grit his teeth and got down on one knee. Out loud he said, "God, I haven't said much to you for years. I am sorry for that. But if I am the one that everyone thinks I am, please give me the strength to see this through."

Gan put his hand on Sol's shoulder and closed his eyes, preferring to pray silently. After a few moments, he opened his eyes and said, "Meredith knows we are here, the others do not. Let's not keep the queen waiting."

Sol stood up and grabbed the doorknob. With one quick movement, he turned the knob and pushed open the door. Stepping through with power and grace, he strode toward the table with Gan by his side. From behind, the two girls quickly took their place in front as soon as Sol stopped. Their men fanned to either side, against the wall in single file.


0304: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

"Ladies, Gentlemen. Meredith." Sol said, with a slight bow to the queen.

"You shall address her highness by the proper title," one of the vampires announced.

"I will address any and all as I see fit," Sol said defiantly.

"Where do you come from?" another vampire asked.

"I am originally from Italy, but most recently I come from the New World."

"Who's lineage?"

"My sire is Elizabeth. Her sire is Thomas. Thomas' sire, if I am not mistaken was your king, who I see is not present."

"Who named you?"

"My mother, who named you?" Sol asked sarcastically.

"Do you know what Sol means?"

"Do I appear to you to be an imbecile?" Sol shot back.

"You did not change your name when you turned?"

"I saw no reason to. Does my name offend you?"

"Why did she call you that?"

"From what my mother has told me, I was a ray of brightness in her otherwise darkened life," Sol said. "As you may recall, women didn't have a particularly high standing when I was born. Moreover, my mother had me late in her life. My parents thought she was barren, a sad thing in a day and age when a woman's primary job was to produce offspring and take care of the house. For my mother, who had married a wealthy merchant, however, her only job was to have a child. Imagine how happy she must have been after years of trying."

"We could care less about your mother and her feelings," one of the vampires announced. "How did you know John Paul? Were you one of his disciples?"

"If you don't care about my answers, then perhaps you should stop asking me questions. But, no I was not John Paul's disciple. We were friends. I met him in Europe years ago and we always got along. We talked often about God, but I was never a follower," Sol said. "In America, he was asleep for much my time there."

"You awoke him?" asked a vampire.

"No, but I believe my sire had something to do with it," Sol answered.

"How?"

"From what I've been able to tell, she was ordered to attack John Paul's clan by her sire, Thomas, despite the fact that they were no threat. During the battle, which was more like a slaughter, as most of the Zionists chose to die rather than fight, blood from the brutalized Zionists leaked down into the catacombs where John Paul was resting. He awoke and fought when his followers wouldn't. It caused Elizabeth to call a retreat. I only found out he was back after this had happened, however, so I'm sure my account is lacking in detail."

"Do you believe in God?" another asked.

"I have conflicted beliefs," Sol answered honestly, "but I'm beginning to find faith."

"Do you know the scriptures?" Meredith asked out loud, drawing looks from the others, who were still unused to hearing her talk.

"Honestly, my lady, I do not," Sol said in a much gentler tone and with a slight bow.

"Thank you for your honesty. And for your honesty with all of the questions hurled at you by my overzealous companions. They have been quite rude to you and it is unforgivable."

"I protest," one said loudly. "This is a grave and serious matter and we cannot waste time with niceties, there is too much at stake."

Meredith looked at the vampire, and asked in an angry tone, "You protest? Perhaps you have grown accustomed to the new age where it is acceptable to undermine your just ruler? Perhaps you have grown too bold in the absence of the true king and queen of Europe? Perhaps you no longer remember your place, overseeing a cold, rainy, and retched little piece of rock that no one else wanted? And that you nearly lost several times, only to be saved by others."

"I am sorry, your highness," the vampire said. "I allowed the moment to overpower me. You are, of course, correct."


0305: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

"It has been said," Meredith started, "that the son will come and shine the light that will reveal the chosen one. We had always assumed that son meant child, not necessarily sun like the star at the center of the solar system. Moreover, John Paul, your friend, had stated that Thomas would be the root of..." she paused.

"Yes, my lady?" Sol asked.

"The root of our kind's destruction. You're name is sun and you are of Thomas," Meredith said, before stopping again to look around the room. "As you noted, the king is not with us. The question before this group is whether or not you are the sun. If the answer is yes, then we need to wake the king. If the answer is no, we..."

"Would likely want to kill me," Sol said, finishing her sentence.

"Yes," she said.

"So, am I to continue answering questions? Or have you made up your minds?"

"I have made mine up," one of the vampires announced. "I say we dispatch this young man and be done with this charade. It is obvious he isn't the one."

"How so?" Meredith asked.

"He doesn't even know if he believes in God," the vampire replied. "How could he be the one if he doesn't even know if he believes?"

"Yes," another vampire responded, causing others to mumble in agreement.

"And what would prove to you that Sol was the one? Perhaps a miracle?" Meredith asked in sarcasm.

"That would be a start," a vampire announced, standing up. "This misfit, accused of killing not only his supposed friend, but also the vampire in line to lead the Zionists, comes to us from nowhere and we are supposed to believe that he is the chosen one? What of the army outside the gates waiting to kill him? They clearly must realize his importance," the vampire said, causing some laughter among the others.

"He healed my voice," Meredith said quietly.

No one said anything, but looked around at each other in mixture of shock and disbelief.

"You don't think my voice just came back to me do you? Sol healed me. There is your starting point," she said.

"You must be mistaken, my Lady," a vampire said. "Perhaps your voice came back to you, but while you rested and you simply hadn't tried to speak yet."

"Perhaps you think I'm an idiot? Perhaps you aren't here to find the chosen one, but are, instead, here to stop the chosen one? Perhaps the King, my father, has placed you all here to make sure that the chosen one never arrives."

"This is not true," one of the vampires said, after the others looked around the room at each other with grave concern in their eyes.

"If it is not true, then you have the opportunity to prove yourselves to me and to God. I tell you that this vampire has healed me. He has performed a miracle that no other could have performed. No, that no other has ever performed despite repeated attempts. He has saved me from the curse under which I lived. If this is not enough for you to believe, then what is?" Meredith asked.

The vampires sat silently, looking around at each other. There was obvious concern in some, anger in others, and downright fear in a couple of the vampire's faces.

"Why do you sit mute? I know you don't dare think anything, as I'll read your thoughts instantly. So if you won't think and won't speak, then I must assume that you don't believe what I have told you or, worse, that you don't believe in God."


0306: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three
"That is not the case, my Lady, not at all," said one of the vampires standing up. "I think, perhaps, our reluctance has nothing to do with you. I believe that we would be better able to communicate our feelings on this matter without Sol's presence."

"I see..." Meredith said, looking at Sol.

"Seeing that my life depends on the outcome of your decision, and I doubt that I'd be able to stop you from killing me, I think I would like to stay," Sol said, interrupting her.

"I see no reason why you shouldn't," Meredith replied.

"I protest, my Lady," a vampire said, "we are here to advise you and if you will not follow our advice, what purpose do we serve?"

"I have recently begun to ask myself that very same question," Meredith announced, with a hint of anger in her voice.

"My Lady," another vampire said, standing and slamming his hand down on the table. "I served your father for centuries. I have served you for just as long. Your father so trusted each of us that he asked us personally to sit on this council. He wanted us to ensure that no impostors were raised up beyond their cast. That peace was kept within the vampire community. We have performed our duties admirably.

"I do not understand how you can stand here and question our loyalty like this. It is insulting."

"You have been very loyal to my father," Meredith said. "In fact, I do not doubt your loyalty to my father. I doubt your loyalty to me."

"It is one and the same," the vampire responded.

"No it is not."

"How can you say that? If it is not one and the same, then you must not be loyal to the King," the same vampire said, causing some stir among the others.

"I am not loyal to my father, the King," Meredith stated coldly, looking her accuser in the eye. "I am loyal to the one true King, to God."

The room fell into a deep silence. Meredith looked down the table at each vampire in succession. One by one they averted their eyes. She then lifted her eyes to Gan, who nodded but kept eye contact. She smiled and then turned her attention to Sol.

Sol looked her in the eyes and nodded his head slightly, smirking.

She spoke to him with her mind, saying, "This will soon be over."

The vampires around the table began to look at each other again, but said nothing. Then, without warning, one jumped at Sol. Gan slipped in front of Sol and deflected the vampire. Car and Belinda proceeded to jump on him and, essentially, rip him apart.

Sol watched in shock, not moving his arms from the position he had put them in to catch the attacking vampire. Car and Belinda stood crouched on their victim's body like rabid animals waiting for the next attack. Gan stood in front of Sol, also waiting. The rest of Gan's men had spread out and were standing ready to fight.

But no attack came.

Meredith was standing with her hands on the table and a look of fury on her face. The other vampires were seemingly frozen in place, in various stages of movement. Some had fallen, still holding the pose they were in when they fell. It was like time had stopped for them.

"For many years I thought you were here to help me find the chosen one. But it is obvious now that you were not here for that purpose at all. You were all here, with the exception of Gan, to stop the chosen one with the hope of stopping the prophecies," Meredith said.

"I believe that my father should be disturbed," she continued. "I believe my father needs to see and hear Sol. And I believe that you should all die. Gan, if you would be so kind. I promise they won't put up a fight."


0307: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

After Gan's men had slaughtered the last of the vampires at the table, Meredith slumped into her chair. Gan ran over to her, and asked, "Are you OK?"

"Yes, yes I am," she said. "I am simply tired. They were very powerful. It took all my energy to control their minds. To make them believe that they couldn't move.

"But there is no time for rest. There is another task at hand that I must attend to before we can leave to wake my father."

"My Lady?" Gan asked.

"The army outside your gate. I must cull out the seeds that have fallen on barren ground."

"That can wait, my Lady. You must rest."

"Gan, I would like for you to call me by a different name. I am not your Lady or your Queen."

Gan looked at her, smiled, and said, "My love, you cannot deflect my intent with words. You are tired. You must rest."

"I so enjoy hearing you call me that," she said, looking down. "But I have rested more than I should have. It is time to take care of the next step. There will be plenty of time to rest as we travel to Russia."

"If I may add my thoughts, my Lady, I believe that Gan is correct. You are tired, your last interaction with these vampires has obviously taken a great deal out of you. I am not certain what your next actions will be, but I assume that they will require controlling the minds of others. There are many vampires outside the gate, it will take a great deal of strength to control them all," Sol interjected.

"I do not believe I will need to control them all," Meredith said. "And I am quite certain that controlling a few children will be much easier than controlling a table full of ancients."

"My love," Gan said, "please rest."

"No my dear. This is too important. We must start this now. My life is meaningless and my pain temporary. We will continue."

"Do not say that your life is meaningless," Gan pleaded. "You are and always have been everything to me."

"I agree with Gan. We all have a role to play in God's plan. I find it hard to believe that this is the only part in which you will be involved," Sol said to Meredith.

"You sound more and more like you've found faith," Meredith chided Sol. "I am not concerned about my life is all I meant. I am fine and we will go outside. I do not wish to remind you that I am the Queen."

"Yes my Lady," Gan said, standing beside her chair, watching as she stood up.

"Thank you children," she said to Car and Belinda as she walked by them and out the door. Gan's troops followed.

She walked out into the inner court and stopped. "Sol, you will stay here." He nodded and said, "My Lady."

"Car and Belinda will stay, too. Gan, you will go with me."

"Men," he yelled, but was silenced by Meredith.

"We go out alone."

"Meredith?"

"Alone."

He dropped his head in agreement, but was obviously concerned.

"Lower the gate," she said loudly, causing Gan's men to look at him. He Nodded his head and they lowered it.

Walking outside, they could see Henry leaning on a large truck. As soon as he noticed them walking out, he stood up and started walking toward them.

Behind him, his officers began to organize the men, causing Henry to turn and tell them to line the men up but to take no action.

As Gan, Henry and Meredith reached each other, Henry fell to one knee and said, "My Lady."

"Stand up," she said with a smile. "Now is the time to find out who among your men are loyal and who are not."


0308: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

The three vampires walked to the small army lined up in front of them. Gan and Henry exchanged concerned glances, but nothing else, as they knew Meredith would be able to read every thought.

"I am Meredith, Queen of all Europe!" Meredith announced to the army, which numbered over a hundred.

A murmur went through the ranks. Many looked to Henry for guidance, as what Meredith was saying would be considered heresy to those currently in power in Europe.

"I can read your thoughts," she continued. "There are many here who remember me, many more that do not remember or never knew.

"Far too long have I been gone. Far too long have I allowed the new kings and queens to act with impunity. I have watched and done nothing, believing that my time had come and gone."

Another murmur rushed through, this one louder than the last.

"I now realize that this was a mistake," Meredith said coldly. "The kings and queens of today do not act with any honor or understanding of the power they wield. They have trampled on tradition and risk our exposure. In fact, I fear they risk our very souls.

Meredith was silent for a long time before saying, "It is time for me to return and retake what is rightfully mine-the throne of all Europe."

The army was quiet before someone in the middle asked, "What of your King?"

Meredith smiled. "Yes, some of you do remember the old days. The days when vampires were held responsible for their actions. The days when my King ruled with an iron fist, killing any and all that did not conform to the rules of the land.

"I say we must cleanse ourselves of the evil that has been allowed to fester. I will not lie to you, I intend to wield an iron fist and use it even more forcefully to return us to our former glory."

Voices began to rise in the ranks. Fighting even broke out in some areas, causing Henry to yell, "Stand at attention!" This caused the commotion to cease.

"I feel the concern many of you have. I also feel the relief of others. Yes, some are as tired as I am of the hedonistic types that have risen to power. I am calling for an end to the current regime. And I am telling you that I will be that end.

"Those that are loyal to me and the ways of the past, kneel before me."

About a third of the group knelt down, while the others looked around at each other in confusion.

"Who do you think you are?" a voice rose up, followed by others agreeing with the sentiment.

Meredith smiled and said, "I am your Queen and you will go to your grave having learned that lesson.

"Kneel!" she announced in a powerful voice. All those standing knelt, though it was obvious it was not of their own accord.

"Those who are with me may stand," she said more softly. All of those that knelt when first ordered to stood, plus a few of those that were forced to kneel. Still, nearly two-thirds of the army was still on the ground.

Meredith lowered her head, "Those that are with me, come to my side." The third that were loyal, moved to her. She looked at them. "Cut off their heads," she said pointing to the vampires still kneeling, "and burn their bodies."

Without question, the vampires complied.


0309: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

Once all of the vampires had been killed, she leaned on Gan. She was drained, but managed to say, "I must rest now my love. Take me to my father while I rest. Keep the army here and await my orders."

"Yes my love," Gan said, putting an arm under Meredith and carrying her back to the castle. Henry remained to oversee the burning of the bodies.

Once by the gate, Gan yelled, "Open the gate!"

It flung open and out rushed Sol, who helped with Meredith. He looked at Gan, and said, "She has used a great deal of strength. She needs rest or to feed."

"She will not feed," Gan said.

"I am sorry for that," Meredith said with a smile. "I have killed so many that did not deserve to die. I can no longer stomach the blood."

"Then you may take mine," Sol said within earshot of Gan's assassins.

"I am no cannibal," she said just before the trio entered the inner courtyard.

"I would never suggest such a thing," Sol said, as they entered the castle. "Clear the castle," he announced.

Gan nodded to the vampires that had followed them, but said, "Car and Belinda stay."

They moved Meredith to a waiting room and placed her on a couch. She appeared to be sleeping.

Sol pulled his sleeve up and went to break a vase, but Gan stopped him. "You will respect Meredith's wishes," he said.

Sol looked at Gan. "Why aren't we allowed to feed on our own?" he asked.

"We are vampires, not animals," Gan said.

"Or is it because we are not capable of holding the souls we have, collectively, taken? That compounding the evil would destroy us? Does she not feed because she feels guilty or because she knows that any more souls would drive her mad? That any more souls would destroy her soul?"

"This is no time for such a discussion," Gan said, looking deeply into Sol's eyes. "My Queen has given me orders to bring her to the King. I intend to fulfill her wishes. You are welcome to join us, but I will not allow you to risk her life if you do."

Sol's gaze didn't leave Gan's. "You know more than you say. So does Meredith." Looking at the female vampire laying asleep, he continued, "I will join you. I fear I have little choice. I only hope that you will lead me to the answers I seek."

"After all of this, do you believe we would lead you astray?" Gan asked.

"No, no I don't," Sol answered. "I simply fear that it will take much longer for me to find my answers than I had hoped. That the events that are to unfold must be allowed to run their course before I will know what my place is in this puzzle."

"Sons are always impatient to be men," Gan said, before turning away and conferring with Carmelinda and Belinda.

The three began to plan out the trip to Russia when Henry arrived.

"Is she alright?" Henry asked.

"She is resting," Gan answered.

"I hope you are worth this fuss," Henry said to Sol. "If you aren't, it will mean the death of us all."

"I am all too aware of that fact, thank you," Sol said with a chuckle.

Henry smiled back, "I know you are." Looking back to Gan, he said, "I will stay here, as she wished, and ready the troops. I'd also like to call on some old friends for support if I may."

"I think that would be advisable," Gan said.


0310: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

"I will be heading off to Russia with Meredith, Car, Belinda and Sol," Gan said to Henry. "I think it best that we remain a small group and a quiet group. I will not tell you how or exactly where we are going."

"That is best," Henry said. "I will attempt to gain as much support as I can in a discrete and quite manner."

"Good, but you should also integrate my men into yours," Gan said. "I will need a small group at my beckon call to protect the Queen, but I can select them when I need them. Obviously, I've already chosen two," he said, speaking of Carmelinda and Belinda.

"Yes, and I'm sorry that I won't have the pleasure of commanding them," Henry said with a smile.

"You jest because you know just how difficult the pair can be," Gan joked back.

"Yes, well, I should start my part of this plan in motion," Henry said, standing. Before leaving, however, he walking to Sol. The old warrior hugged Sol and whispered in his ear, "If the time comes, I will die for you as I would for the Queen."

Henry went to pull away, but Sol took his face in his hands and cried. Looking down, he said, "I fear that you may regret those words."

"Never," Henry said, pulling away and walking out of the room.

"It seems you have many admirers," Gan said to Sol. "I count myself among them, but I warn you that I will protect Meredith before I protect you."

"I would have it no other way," Sol said.

"Good to hear. As to our plans, it is too late to move tonight so we will rest here and then leave tomorrow evening. You have another night with Jamie, it seems. I'll ask that you do not share our plans."

"I won't. Confidences are not Jamie's strong suit."

"I bet," Gan said. "Enjoy the rest of the night."

"I will attempt to," Sol answered, "but I think the current situation will weigh heavily on my mind."

"Yes, it will weigh on me as well," Gan said, watching as Sol went down to his bedroom.

After he was gone, Gan picked Meredith up and walked to a room in the upper part of the castle. He stripped her naked and removed his own clothing, before lying down next to her. He said, "I have never had the pleasure of your body, only your mind and soul. It is shame that the night we openly professed our love is not the night for this union."

Meredith opened her eyes and smiled at him. Quietly, she asked, "And why shouldn't it be the night?" She leaned into Gan and kissed him deeply, before the two released hundreds of years of passion.

In the basement, Jamie, looking deeply into Sol's eyes, asked, "I'm never going to see you again after tonight, am I?"

Sol said nothing, but leaned in and kissed his lover.




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

0310: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

"I will be heading off to Russia with Meredith, Car, Belinda and Sol," Gan said to Henry. "I think it best that we remain a small group and a quiet group. I will not tell you how or exactly where we are going."

"That is best," Henry said. "I will attempt to gain as much support as I can in a discrete and quite manner."

"Good, but you should also integrate my men into yours," Gan said. "I will need a small group at my beckon call to protect the Queen, but I can select them when I need them. Obviously, I've already chosen two," he said, speaking of Carmelinda and Belinda.

"Yes, and I'm sorry that I won't have the pleasure of commanding them," Henry said with a smile.

"You jest because you know just how difficult the pair can be," Gan joked back.

"Yes, well, I should start my part of this plan in motion," Henry said, standing. Before leaving, however, he walking to Sol. The old warrior hugged Sol and whispered in his ear, "If the time comes, I will die for you as I would for the Queen."

Henry went to pull away, but Sol took his face in his hands and cried. Looking down, he said, "I fear that you may regret those words."

"Never," Henry said, pulling away and walking out of the room.

"It seems you have many admirers," Gan said to Sol. "I count myself among them, but I warn you that I will protect Meredith before I protect you."

"I would have it no other way," Sol said.

"Good to hear. As to our plans, it is too late to move tonight so we will rest here and then leave tomorrow evening. You have another night with Jamie, it seems. I'll ask that you do not share our plans."

"I won't. Confidences are not Jamie's strong suit."

"I bet," Gan said. "Enjoy the rest of the night."

"I will attempt to," Sol answered, "but I think the current situation will weigh heavily on my mind."

"Yes, it will weigh on me as well," Gan said, watching as Sol went down to his bedroom.

After he was gone, Gan picked Meredith up and walked to a room in the upper part of the castle. He stripped her naked and removed his own clothing, before lying down next to her. He said, "I have never had the pleasure of your body, only your mind and soul. It is shame that the night we openly professed our love is not the night for this union."

Meredith opened her eyes and smiled at him. Quietly, she asked, "And why shouldn't it be the night?" She leaned into Gan and kissed him deeply, before the two released hundreds of years of passion.

In the basement, Jamie, looking deeply into Sol's eyes, asked, "I'm never going to see you again after tonight, am I?"

Sol said nothing, but leaned in and kissed his lover.


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

0309: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

Once all of the vampires had been killed, she leaned on Gan. She was drained, but managed to say, "I must rest now my love. Take me to my father while I rest. Keep the army here and await my orders."

"Yes my love," Gan said, putting an arm under Meredith and carrying her back to the castle. Henry remained to oversee the burning of the bodies.

Once by the gate, Gan yelled, "Open the gate!"

It flung open and out rushed Sol, who helped with Meredith. He looked at Gan, and said, "She has used a great deal of strength. She needs rest or to feed."

"She will not feed," Gan said.

"I am sorry for that," Meredith said with a smile. "I have killed so many that did not deserve to die. I can no longer stomach the blood."

"Then you may take mine," Sol said within earshot of Gan's assassins.

"I am no cannibal," she said just before the trio entered the inner courtyard.

"I would never suggest such a thing," Sol said, as they entered the castle. "Clear the castle," he announced.

Gan nodded to the vampires that had followed them, but said, "Car and Belinda stay."

They moved Meredith to a waiting room and placed her on a couch. She appeared to be sleeping.

Sol pulled his sleeve up and went to break a vase, but Gan stopped him. "You will respect Meredith's wishes," he said.

Sol looked at Gan. "Why aren't we allowed to feed on our own?" he asked.

"We are vampires, not animals," Gan said.

"Or is it because we are not capable of holding the souls we have, collectively, taken? That compounding the evil would destroy us? Does she not feed because she feels guilty or because she knows that any more souls would drive her mad? That any more souls would destroy her soul?"

"This is no time for such a discussion," Gan said, looking deeply into Sol's eyes. "My Queen has given me orders to bring her to the King. I intend to fulfill her wishes. You are welcome to join us, but I will not allow you to risk her life if you do."

Sol's gaze didn't leave Gan's. "You know more than you say. So does Meredith." Looking at the female vampire laying asleep, he continued, "I will join you. I fear I have little choice. I only hope that you will lead me to the answers I seek."

"After all of this, do you believe we would lead you astray?" Gan asked.

"No, no I don't," Sol answered. "I simply fear that it will take much longer for me to find my answers than I had hoped. That the events that are to unfold must be allowed to run their course before I will know what my place is in this puzzle."

"Sons are always impatient to be men," Gan said, before turning away and conferring with Carmelinda and Belinda.

The three began to plan out the trip to Russia when Henry arrived.

"Is she alright?" Henry asked.

"She is resting," Gan answered.

"I hope you are worth this fuss," Henry said to Sol. "If you aren't, it will mean the death of us all."

"I am all too aware of that fact, thank you," Sol said with a chuckle.

Henry smiled back, "I know you are." Looking back to Gan, he said, "I will stay here, as she wished, and ready the troops. I'd also like to call on some old friends for support if I may."

"I think that would be advisable," Gan said.


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

0308: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

The three vampires walked to the small army lined up in front of them. Gan and Henry exchanged concerned glances, but nothing else, as they knew Meredith would be able to read every thought.

"I am Meredith, Queen of all Europe!" Meredith announced to the army, which numbered over a hundred.

A murmur went through the ranks. Many looked to Henry for guidance, as what Meredith was saying would be considered heresy to those currently in power in Europe.

"I can read your thoughts," she continued. "There are many here who remember me, many more that do not remember or never knew.

"Far too long have I been gone. Far too long have I allowed the new kings and queens to act with impunity. I have watched and done nothing, believing that my time had come and gone."

Another murmur rushed through, this one louder than the last.

"I now realize that this was a mistake," Meredith said coldly. "The kings and queens of today do not act with any honor or understanding of the power they wield. They have trampled on tradition and risk our exposure. In fact, I fear they risk our very souls.

Meredith was silent for a long time before saying, "It is time for me to return and retake what is rightfully mine-the throne of all Europe."

The army was quiet before someone in the middle asked, "What of your King?"

Meredith smiled. "Yes, some of you do remember the old days. The days when vampires were held responsible for their actions. The days when my King ruled with an iron fist, killing any and all that did not conform to the rules of the land.

"I say we must cleanse ourselves of the evil that has been allowed to fester. I will not lie to you, I intend to wield an iron fist and use it even more forcefully to return us to our former glory."

Voices began to rise in the ranks. Fighting even broke out in some areas, causing Henry to yell, "Stand at attention!" This caused the commotion to cease.

"I feel the concern many of you have. I also feel the relief of others. Yes, some are as tired as I am of the hedonistic types that have risen to power. I am calling for an end to the current regime. And I am telling you that I will be that end.

"Those that are loyal to me and the ways of the past, kneel before me."

About a third of the group knelt down, while the others looked around at each other in confusion.

"Who do you think you are?" a voice rose up, followed by others agreeing with the sentiment.

Meredith smiled and said, "I am your Queen and you will go to your grave having learned that lesson.

"Kneel!" she announced in a powerful voice. All those standing knelt, though it was obvious it was not of their own accord.

"Those who are with me may stand," she said more softly. All of those that knelt when first ordered to stood, plus a few of those that were forced to kneel. Still, nearly two-thirds of the army was still on the ground.

Meredith lowered her head, "Those that are with me, come to my side." The third that were loyal, moved to her. She looked at them. "Cut off their heads," she said pointing to the vampires still kneeling, "and burn their bodies."

Without question, the vampires complied.


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

0307: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

After Gan's men had slaughtered the last of the vampires at the table, Meredith slumped into her chair. Gan ran over to her, and asked, "Are you OK?"

"Yes, yes I am," she said. "I am simply tired. They were very powerful. It took all my energy to control their minds. To make them believe that they couldn't move.

"But there is no time for rest. There is another task at hand that I must attend to before we can leave to wake my father."

"My Lady?" Gan asked.

"The army outside your gate. I must cull out the seeds that have fallen on barren ground."

"That can wait, my Lady. You must rest."

"Gan, I would like for you to call me by a different name. I am not your Lady or your Queen."

Gan looked at her, smiled, and said, "My love, you cannot deflect my intent with words. You are tired. You must rest."

"I so enjoy hearing you call me that," she said, looking down. "But I have rested more than I should have. It is time to take care of the next step. There will be plenty of time to rest as we travel to Russia."

"If I may add my thoughts, my Lady, I believe that Gan is correct. You are tired, your last interaction with these vampires has obviously taken a great deal out of you. I am not certain what your next actions will be, but I assume that they will require controlling the minds of others. There are many vampires outside the gate, it will take a great deal of strength to control them all," Sol interjected.

"I do not believe I will need to control them all," Meredith said. "And I am quite certain that controlling a few children will be much easier than controlling a table full of ancients."

"My love," Gan said, "please rest."

"No my dear. This is too important. We must start this now. My life is meaningless and my pain temporary. We will continue."

"Do not say that your life is meaningless," Gan pleaded. "You are and always have been everything to me."

"I agree with Gan. We all have a role to play in God's plan. I find it hard to believe that this is the only part in which you will be involved," Sol said to Meredith.

"You sound more and more like you've found faith," Meredith chided Sol. "I am not concerned about my life is all I meant. I am fine and we will go outside. I do not wish to remind you that I am the Queen."

"Yes my Lady," Gan said, standing beside her chair, watching as she stood up.

"Thank you children," she said to Car and Belinda as she walked by them and out the door. Gan's troops followed.

She walked out into the inner court and stopped. "Sol, you will stay here." He nodded and said, "My Lady."

"Car and Belinda will stay, too. Gan, you will go with me."

"Men," he yelled, but was silenced by Meredith.

"We go out alone."

"Meredith?"

"Alone."

He dropped his head in agreement, but was obviously concerned.

"Lower the gate," she said loudly, causing Gan's men to look at him. He Nodded his head and they lowered it.

Walking outside, they could see Henry leaning on a large truck. As soon as he noticed them walking out, he stood up and started walking toward them.

Behind him, his officers began to organize the men, causing Henry to turn and tell them to line the men up but to take no action.

As Gan, Henry and Meredith reached each other, Henry fell to one knee and said, "My Lady."

"Stand up," she said with a smile. "Now is the time to find out who among your men are loyal and who are not."


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

0306: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

"That is not the case, my Lady, not at all," said one of the vampires standing up. "I think, perhaps, our reluctance has nothing to do with you. I believe that we would be better able to communicate our feelings on this matter without Sol's presence."

"I see..." Meredith said, looking at Sol.

"Seeing that my life depends on the outcome of your decision, and I doubt that I'd be able to stop you from killing me, I think I would like to stay," Sol said, interrupting her.

"I see no reason why you shouldn't," Meredith replied.

"I protest, my Lady," a vampire said, "we are here to advise you and if you will not follow our advice, what purpose do we serve?"

"I have recently begun to ask myself that very same question," Meredith announced, with a hint of anger in her voice.

"My Lady," another vampire said, standing and slamming his hand down on the table. "I served your father for centuries. I have served you for just as long. Your father so trusted each of us that he asked us personally to sit on this council. He wanted us to ensure that no impostors were raised up beyond their cast. That peace was kept within the vampire community. We have performed our duties admirably.

"I do not understand how you can stand here and question our loyalty like this. It is insulting."

"You have been very loyal to my father," Meredith said. "In fact, I do not doubt your loyalty to my father. I doubt your loyalty to me."

"It is one and the same," the vampire responded.

"No it is not."

"How can you say that? If it is not one and the same, then you must not be loyal to the King," the same vampire said, causing some stir among the others.

"I am not loyal to my father, the King," Meredith stated coldly, looking her accuser in the eye. "I am loyal to the one true King, to God."

The room fell into a deep silence. Meredith looked down the table at each vampire in succession. One by one they averted their eyes. She then lifted her eyes to Gan, who nodded but kept eye contact. She smiled and then turned her attention to Sol.

Sol looked her in the eyes and nodded his head slightly, smirking.

She spoke to him with her mind, saying, "This will soon be over."

The vampires around the table began to look at each other again, but said nothing. Then, without warning, one jumped at Sol. Gan slipped in front of Sol and deflected the vampire. Car and Belinda proceeded to jump on him and, essentially, rip him apart.

Sol watched in shock, not moving his arms from the position he had put them in to catch the attacking vampire. Car and Belinda stood crouched on their victim's body like rabid animals waiting for the next attack. Gan stood in front of Sol, also waiting. The rest of Gan's men had spread out and were standing ready to fight.

But no attack came.

Meredith was standing with her hands on the table and a look of fury on her face. The other vampires were seemingly frozen in place, in various stages of movement. Some had fallen, still holding the pose they were in when they fell. It was like time had stopped for them.

"For many years I thought you were here to help me find the chosen one. But it is obvious now that you were not here for that purpose at all. You were all here, with the exception of Gan, to stop the chosen one with the hope of stopping the prophecies," Meredith said.

"I believe that my father should be disturbed," she continued. "I believe my father needs to see and hear Sol. And I believe that you should all die. Gan, if you would be so kind. I promise they won't put up a fight."


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

0305: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

"It has been said," Meredith started, "that the son will come and shine the light that will reveal the chosen one. We had always assumed that son meant child, not necessarily sun like the star at the center of the solar system. Moreover, John Paul, your friend, had stated that Thomas would be the root of..." she paused.

"Yes, my lady?" Sol asked.

"The root of our kind's destruction. You're name is sun and you are of Thomas," Meredith said, before stopping again to look around the room. "As you noted, the king is not with us. The question before this group is whether or not you are the sun. If the answer is yes, then we need to wake the king. If the answer is no, we..."

"Would likely want to kill me," Sol said, finishing her sentence.

"Yes," she said.

"So, am I to continue answering questions? Or have you made up your minds?"

"I have made mine up," one of the vampires announced. "I say we dispatch this young man and be done with this charade. It is obvious he isn't the one."

"How so?" Meredith asked.

"He doesn't even know if he believes in God," the vampire replied. "How could he be the one if he doesn't even know if he believes?"

"Yes," another vampire responded, causing others to mumble in agreement.

"And what would prove to you that Sol was the one? Perhaps a miracle?" Meredith asked in sarcasm.

"That would be a start," a vampire announced, standing up. "This misfit, accused of killing not only his supposed friend, but also the vampire in line to lead the Zionists, comes to us from nowhere and we are supposed to believe that he is the chosen one? What of the army outside the gates waiting to kill him? They clearly must realize his importance," the vampire said, causing some laughter among the others.

"He healed my voice," Meredith said quietly.

No one said anything, but looked around at each other in mixture of shock and disbelief.

"You don't think my voice just came back to me do you? Sol healed me. There is your starting point," she said.

"You must be mistaken, my Lady," a vampire said. "Perhaps your voice came back to you, but while you rested and you simply hadn't tried to speak yet."

"Perhaps you think I'm an idiot? Perhaps you aren't here to find the chosen one, but are, instead, here to stop the chosen one? Perhaps the King, my father, has placed you all here to make sure that the chosen one never arrives."

"This is not true," one of the vampires said, after the others looked around the room at each other with grave concern in their eyes.

"If it is not true, then you have the opportunity to prove yourselves to me and to God. I tell you that this vampire has healed me. He has performed a miracle that no other could have performed. No, that no other has ever performed despite repeated attempts. He has saved me from the curse under which I lived. If this is not enough for you to believe, then what is?" Meredith asked.

The vampires sat silently, looking around at each other. There was obvious concern in some, anger in others, and downright fear in a couple of the vampire's faces.

"Why do you sit mute? I know you don't dare think anything, as I'll read your thoughts instantly. So if you won't think and won't speak, then I must assume that you don't believe what I have told you or, worse, that you don't believe in God."


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

0304: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

"Ladies, Gentlemen. Meredith." Sol said, with a slight bow to the queen.

"You shall address her highness by the proper title," one of the vampires announced.

"I will address any and all as I see fit," Sol said defiantly.

"Where do you come from?" another vampire asked.

"I am originally from Italy, but most recently I come from the New World."

"Who's lineage?"

"My sire is Elizabeth. Her sire is Thomas. Thomas' sire, if I am not mistaken was your king, who I see is not present."

"Who named you?"

"My mother, who named you?" Sol asked sarcastically.

"Do you know what Sol means?"

"Do I appear to you to be an imbecile?" Sol shot back.

"You did not change your name when you turned?"

"I saw no reason to. Does my name offend you?"

"Why did she call you that?"

"From what my mother has told me, I was a ray of brightness in her otherwise darkened life," Sol said. "As you may recall, women didn't have a particularly high standing when I was born. Moreover, my mother had me late in her life. My parents thought she was barren, a sad thing in a day and age when a woman's primary job was to produce offspring and take care of the house. For my mother, who had married a wealthy merchant, however, her only job was to have a child. Imagine how happy she must have been after years of trying."

"We could care less about your mother and her feelings," one of the vampires announced. "How did you know John Paul? Were you one of his disciples?"

"If you don't care about my answers, then perhaps you should stop asking me questions. But, no I was not John Paul's disciple. We were friends. I met him in Europe years ago and we always got along. We talked often about God, but I was never a follower," Sol said. "In America, he was asleep for much my time there."

"You awoke him?" asked a vampire.

"No, but I believe my sire had something to do with it," Sol answered.

"How?"

"From what I've been able to tell, she was ordered to attack John Paul's clan by her sire, Thomas, despite the fact that they were no threat. During the battle, which was more like a slaughter, as most of the Zionists chose to die rather than fight, blood from the brutalized Zionists leaked down into the catacombs where John Paul was resting. He awoke and fought when his followers wouldn't. It caused Elizabeth to call a retreat. I only found out he was back after this had happened, however, so I'm sure my account is lacking in detail."

"Do you believe in God?" another asked.

"I have conflicted beliefs," Sol answered honestly, "but I'm beginning to find faith."

"Do you know the scriptures?" Meredith asked out loud, drawing looks from the others, who were still unused to hearing her talk.

"Honestly, my lady, I do not," Sol said in a much gentler tone and with a slight bow.

"Thank you for your honesty. And for your honesty with all of the questions hurled at you by my overzealous companions. They have been quite rude to you and it is unforgivable."

"I protest," one said loudly. "This is a grave and serious matter and we cannot waste time with niceties, there is too much at stake."

Meredith looked at the vampire, and asked in an angry tone, "You protest? Perhaps you have grown accustomed to the new age where it is acceptable to undermine your just ruler? Perhaps you have grown too bold in the absence of the true king and queen of Europe? Perhaps you no longer remember your place, overseeing a cold, rainy, and retched little piece of rock that no one else wanted? And that you nearly lost several times, only to be saved by others."

"I am sorry, your highness," the vampire said. "I allowed the moment to overpower me. You are, of course, correct."


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

0303: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

"Are you ready?" Gan asked Sol.

"Yes."

"Are you ready?" Gan asked Car and Belinda.

"We are," they said in unison.

"I think we should go in first," said Car. "We can take the men and split to either side. Then you and Sol can come in behind. That way we have a wall to block any attack and you have a clear way out."

"That's what I was thinking," said Gan.

"Why are you all so worried about this? John Paul asked me to meet all of these vampires, he wouldn't send me to my death," Sol said.

"Allegiances are odd in the vampire world," Gan said. "You are not used to the ways of our kind because you have always lived on the outskirts of our society. Elizabeth never quite conformed and you never quite learned because of it. I mean no disrespect, you know that, but for all the skills you've mastered, understanding and living within the European vampire community is almost completely absent. Particularly when it comes to the old kings and queens."

"Are you saying that John Paul didn't know he was sending me to see vampires that would want to kill me?" Sol asked.

"Let's just say that you are lucky to have found me first."

"I'm beginning to lose my faith in luck," Sol said, looking down in thought.

"That is a good thing," Gan said. "Car, Belinda, you head in first."

"No," Sol announced forcefully. "I will go in first. If they want to kill me, I want them to look me in the eyes. I want to see their faces.

"I will go in with Gan by my side. Car and Belinda will follow behind with their men. After we enter, Car and Belinda can stand in front of me and their men can fan out to either side. This way we still have an easy escape route and I get to see those who would see me die."

Gan looked at the girls, who nodded their agreement. "We'll move quickly, I don't want Sol unguarded for longer than need be."

"I'll be just fine," Sol said, walking forward. Stopping before the door, he said, "Jamie. At the first chance, I want you to leave. I love you."

"I love you, too, dear," Jamie said, watching as Sol walked toward the meeting room with Gan by his side. The two girls and their men snaked after him.

Sol stopped at the door to the meeting room and looked down. "You are nervous," Gan said. "Take a moment and prepare yourself."

Sol looked Gan in the eyes grit his teeth and got down on one knee. Out loud he said, "God, I haven't said much to you for years. I am sorry for that. But if I am the one that everyone thinks I am, please give me the strength to see this through."

Gan put his hand on Sol's shoulder and closed his eyes, preferring to pray silently. After a few moments, he opened his eyes and said, "Meredith knows we are here, the others do not. Let's not keep the queen waiting."

Sol stood up and grabbed the doorknob. With one quick movement, he turned the knob and pushed open the door. Stepping through with power and grace, he strode toward the table with Gan by his side. From behind, the two girls quickly took their place in front as soon as Sol stopped. Their men fanned to either side, against the wall in single file.


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

0302: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

No one said anything for a long time, as all eyes were locked on Meredith. They hadn't heard her speak in over a hundred years. Some at the table had never heard her speak. None knew what to make of it.

She looked each vampire in the room in the eyes, except Gan, who she knew was loyal to her. As she was surveying the group, Gan put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed slightly, causing her to smile. She put her hand on his, knowing without reading him, that he was happy that her affliction had been lifted.

In some she sensed fear, others shock, and a few hid their minds.

"As you can hear," she said after at least five minutes of pure silence, "I have been healed."

"My Lady," one of the vampires that hid his mind said and bowed, "I am so happy for you. Do you know what has caused this miracle?"

"The one you would kill before introducing him to my father," she answered.

"My Lady, that cannot be. He is a charlatan just like John Paul."

Gan tensed at his words.

"I am healed," Meredith said, "and I am telling you that he has healed me. Why would I lie?"

Gan took his hand from Meredith's shoulder and reached out to the Car and Belinda. The girls brought their groups down to the study that led to the chamber. Although there were many ways to escape from the room, the only vampire that knew that was Meredith.

"I do not believe you are lying," the vampire said, "I simply believe you may be confused. Time has healed you, I am certain of it."

"And what do you believe?" she asked another of the vampires that hid their minds.

She looked at the first vampire and then back at Meredith. "I believe that you believe something special has happened. But I am not certain of it, my Lady. If I could see it with my own eyes, if I could meet this Sol, perhaps I would believe, too."

"Yes," another vampire added. "I believe we need to meet him. Let's bring him in and see this lad. See what he has to say. Let's test him, find out if he is the one."

Meredith turned to Gan and said to his mind and his alone, "Protect Sol at all costs, even if it means your life. Even if it means mine." Out loud, she said, "Gan, will you please bring Sol in."

"Yes, my Lady," he said, bowing and walking out of the room. No one said a word while he walked and no words were spoken while he was gone.

Outside, Gan looked at Car and said, "You must fetch Sol. You must also protect him. I have pledged to die protecting him. If that happens, it falls to you."

"Sir," she said.

After she left, her sister, Belinda, whispered to Gan, "I will protect him, too."

Gan put his hand on her head, "Thank you child."

"Is he the one you have been waiting for?"

He looked at her for a moment and thought about saying, "I believe so," but stopped, as it was no longer a belief, it was a certainty. "Yes," he answered.

"Then my Grim died for a good cause," she said.

Car arrived with Sol and Jamie shortly thereafter. "What is happening?" asked Sol.

"The world is moving quickly and I believe there will be bloodshed. I will protect you with my life," Gan answered, kneeling before Sol and kissing his hand. "But you must promise me that you will not fight."

"I cannot make that promise."

"We will protect you, too," Belinda said.

Sol got down on one knee and looked at her. "Thank you, but I will defend myself if the need arises."

To that, Gan said, "The need will not arise, four lives have promised you that."

"Who is the fourth?" Sol asked.

"Meredith."


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

0301: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

Gan assembled all of the other vampires as directed by Meredith. The group didn't have to wait very long before she arrived, smiling and bowing slightly before taking her seat at the head of the table.

She looked at Gan and mentally told him to go and assemble 20 or so of his best assassins, as there would be an important decision made at this meeting and that she would need them. "Make sure they are your most loyal," she noted, as he left the room.

Gan went quickly and had Car and Belinda fetch two dozen of his best men, exclusive of the two girls. "You will each lead 12 and you will only take your lead from me and Meredith," he said to them. "If any of your men appear to be disloyal at any time during this assignment, kill them instantly."

"Yes sir," they girls said in unison and ran from the room.

At that, Gan returned. He found Meredith standing before the group, who were in a heated argument about waking the King.

"I don't believe this one is the one, waking the King would be meaningless. I say we kill him and be done with it," one said.

"I'm not certain that is our choice to make, the King wanted to be woken if there was any indication that the one had arrived."

"The one? What does that even mean? What one are we talking about? The scriptures aren't clear about anything and, besides, we haven't even met him!"

Gan stood at the door listening, but soon Meredith looked up at him. With his mind he asked, "Is he the one, my lady?"

She smiled and nodded her head at him.

"How are you so certain?"

"I know you are loyal my child, you will find out soon enough. For now, trust that I know and I need your support now more than ever," she said to his mind.

"You have it as you always have, sire."

"You were my first in many ways," she said. "Now is a time of change and I don't know how it will end. But I want you to know that I have always loved you."

Gan felt his heart sink. She hadn't said those words in hundreds of years. Because of her rank, they had always had an unspoken love. That she would say this here and now brought the reality to him that this was in fact a life altering time. That Meredith was about to make a decision, and was going to support her choice without question, that would change the direction of Europe, if not all vampires.

"My lady, my love," he thought, a tear coming to his eye. "I have loved you since the moment we met. When we were children, playing. You a princess and me a peasant. You never looked down on me. Never. You were always the only one in my life. I can't begin to express to you my gratitude and love. I will follow you to brink of hell and beyond, if that is what you ask."

"But what about the gates of heaven?" she asked. "Are you ready for the battle that will bring us back into God's grace?"

As the others bickered back and forth, Gan and Meredith just looked at each other.

"I don't believe we've ever left," Gan said both in his mind and quietly out loud.

Meredith smiled widely, looked down at the table in front of her and then back up at Gan. "I want you by my side," she said to him.

He bowed and walked over to her. He stood just slightly behind her on her right. She turned her head slightly to catch his eye. She smiled, inhaled deeply and then exhaled.

"Enough," she said out loud, causing Gan's eyes to go wide and the room to fall completely silent.


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

Book Three, Chapters 0291 to 0300

The Vampire's Daughter
Book Three

Chapters 0291 to 300
-----

0291

"The car is over here," Vein said, as he watched Sabastian walk by him and down the street. Sabastian stopped, turned, and looked at him for a few moments.

Vein could see that Sabastian was lost somewhere in his mind. It was as if he was in a world all his own. And after what he'd seen of this vampire in action, Vein assumed that none could truly understand what was going on inside him.

Vein walked over to Sabastian and, looking him in the eyes, said, "We must hurry back to the coven house if we are to beat the sunrise."

"I doubt it would matter," Sabastian said, but followed as Vein took his shoulder and led him to the car.

The trip started out silent, but Vein couldn't bear the quite and asked, "How long have you..." He didn't get a chance to complete his thought because Sabastian said, "The first time was after a fight with Elizabeth. She had created yet another vampire that should not have been made and I had to destroy him. It was something of an accident, really. Though now I am beginning to question that, perhaps it was something I wanted but did not realize."

"It's why you are so powerful, isn't it?" Vein asked.

"Yes, but with that power comes the burden."

"What is that?"

Sabastian was silent for a long time. "The pain of the innocent."

Vein didn't ask what that meant, preferring ignorance to knowledge. "Can you be destroyed?"

"We can all be destroyed."

"But fire and sunlight won't kill you?"

"I have never tested it, but I feel as though neither would harm me."

"What about the swords... How did you catch two swords without getting hurt at all?" Vein asked.

"I just did."

Vein nodded his head and let out a deep breath. He felt that he was safe with Sabastian, but knew that, at some point, that would change. The question flashed through his mind, "So when do I become the victim?" but he didn't say it.

"When your time here is up," Sabastian said out loud, causing Vein to turn and look at him.

Vein was shocked, as he had been shielding his thoughts as best he could. Which meant that Sabastian could read everything he thought-a scary thought in and of itself.

As they pulled up into a parking garage, Vein stepped out of the car, but Sabastian remained inside. Vein bent over and looked through the driver's side window and jerked his head at Sabastian, who kept looking out the front window. Vein knocked on the window, causing Sabastian to turn, and jerked his head again. Sabastian got out of the car.

As they walked back to the coven house, Vein thought to himself, "He can read my thoughts but can't figure out when it's time to get out of a car."

Sabastian, still walked, turned and looked at Vein. Vein turned to look at Sabastian, and saw that the vampire was almost looking through him. He knew Sabastian had heard what he thought, but what he made of it was a mystery.

They went inside the coven house to find Francis sitting on the living room couch with several female vampires sitting with him, all obviously teasing him. Francis was visibly nervous. "Leave him," Sabastian said to them. They all scurried from the room.

"I'll let you two talk," Vein said, noting the fear in Francis' eyes. He left the room and found one of his trusted aids. "Where is Elizabeth?"

"She has gone to meet with the other coven heads," the aid said.

"I hope she is both successful and quick. Sabastian is a time bomb and I don't wish the responsibility of watching over him any longer."


0292

In the living room, Sabastian sat down next to Francis. He said nothing at all, but simply sat.

"Sol said that I should give the note to you. I didn't intend for what happened. I tried."

"I know you did," Sabastian said. "Do you know where Sol is?"

"No."

"Was he safe the last time you saw him?"

"Yes."

"You are sure he did not have a young girl with him?"

"Yes. He was with another like you."

"I can see that by the wounds," Sabastian said. "They were not caused by Vein's coven, they are older then the length of your stay here-though not by much.

"Can you contact Sol if you needed to?"

"I don't know," Francis said, "but I could try."

"Try."

Francis stood up and walked over to a phone. "May I?" he asked.

"Yes," Vein said from across the way, "but put it on speaker." He had been watching for a short while.

Francis dialed a number and said, "Grandpa?"

"Yes son. Are you OK? You've been gone for months." the voice on the other end said.

"I'm, I'm fine."

"You aren't alone?"

"No."

"Who is with you?" his grandfather asked.

Francis looked at Sabastian and then Vein. Vein nodded his head at Sabastian. "I'm with Sabastian."

"You delivered the message?"

"Sort of, yes."

After a long silence, his grandfather asked, "Are you still human?"

"Yes, I think so."

"He is unharmed," Sabastian said. "But I need information and you seem to be the only link to it."

"I assume I am talking with Sabastian."

"Yes."

"I hope you appreciate that there is only so much I can tell you. I risk my life even talking to you now."

"Then I will make my request simple. Can you contact Sol?"

There was another long pause, then a slightly trembling voice said, "I do not know anyone by that name." Francis' eyes went wide, as did Vein's. Francis looked to the ground, but Vein looked at Sabastian to see his reaction.

"Sol said you were trustworthy, but I did not assume you would sacrifice your own blood in loyalty to him," Sabastian said. "Let me rephrase my request. Can you contact your employer?"

"I don't know," Francis' grandfather said plainly. "We haven't been in touch for some time. In fact, I haven't heard from my employer since Francis left for New York to find you."

"I would appreciate if you would try to contact your employer. Francis will remain here, with me, so that you can contact him with any news. He will then relay that information to me," Sabastian said.

"How will I contact Francis? As he is not calling from his cell phone, I assume you took that from him."

"I did not, but I will assure that he has a private means of communicating with you. Unless told other wise, assume that his phone will be promptly returned."

"If I am able to contact my employer, will you let Francis go?"

"That depends on what your employer has to tell me," Sabastian said, as he got up and walked out of the room. Vein watched Sabastian leave, looked at Francis and lifted his shoulders as if to say, "I don't know," before leaving the room, too.

Francis picked up the phone and said, "I'm so scared grandpa."


0293

"You have no idea of the magnitude of the situation," Francis' grandfather said.

"I'm sorry grandpa, I didn't know what else to do," Francis said into the phone, knowing that both Sol and his grandfather had told him that he would be killed if he admitted to knowing Sol.

"You've done nothing wrong, son," the voice on the other end of the phone replied. "It is Sol that has done something, or at least is accused of doing something. And he has brought ruin on our firm and family."

"What?"

"Shortly after you left for the US, our primary offices were mysteriously destroyed. I know for a fact that it was arson, but we did not report it as such."

"I don't understand," Francis said.

"Listen. After the fire, I left for a remote and hidden office that our family has kept for many years. That is where I am now. It proved fortunate that I left so soon, as many of our partners were killed or disappeared the night after the fire."

"My God."

"No, Francis, this is not the work of God. It is the work of devils. We work for a devil and he has brought the wrath of his kin down upon us. It has happened before, but not like this.

"As far as I know, you and I are all that is left of the firm."

"What?"

"The last time we spoke, it had already begun. I didn't wish to alarm you so I didn't say anything at the time. I was still able to hold together a skeleton staff then, but no longer. I have computers, I have communications, but I have nothing else. And Sol has disappeared."

"He's abandoned us?" Francis asked.

"No. I don't believe that. It isn't his way. He is either dead or not in a position to contact me. Either way, though, we are on our own," Francis' grandfather said flatly.

"What should we do?"

"I will remain here and you will remain where you are.

"If Sabastian was important enough to Sol that he sent you to contact him, I believe you are safer with him than with me. And if Sol does need our family's assistance, one of us needs to remain alive.

"Let them think they are holding you against your will. That will give them reason to keep you alive. As it stands, I doubt that I'll be able to contact Sol anytime soon."

"Yes Grandpa," Francis said. "I love you."

"I love you, too, son. Be safe and call me as soon as you have a private means."

"I will," Francis said, and hung up the phone. He moved to the couch, put his head in his hands and started to cry.

After a few moments, something fell on the cushion next to him, causing him to look up. It was Vein.

"There's your phone," Vein said. "Sabastian didn't tell me to give it back, but I assume he'd want me to."

"Thank you," Francis said.

"I don't know what your conversation was about, but for your sake, I hope Sol can be contacted rather quickly. From what I've seen, Sabastian isn't a vampire to trifle with.

"As long as he says you're safe, you'll be safe," Vein continued, "but the second he wants you dead." Vein walked away.

Francis called his grandfather back from his phone to tell him that it had been returned. "What do you know about Sabastian?" Francis asked.

"He's frighteningly powerful, don't cross him. We'll talk soon," his grandfather said and then hung up.


0294

After Elizabeth had made up her mind to take on Thomas, she got ready for her meetings with the other covens. She put on her best skintight leather outfit, brought over for her by Vein's people, ensuring that ample cleavage was shown, and applied deep red lipstick.

"I wish Sabastian were here to tell me how good I look," she said out loud. Sighing, she added, "Even Sol's disinterest in my looks would be a small blessing right now."

She primped her hair, took one last look in the mirror, and walked out into the hallway. She told several vampires that they would be escorting her to a meeting.

The vampires, looked at each other, before one asked, sarcastically and with a great deal of attitude, "And why should we do anything you tell us?"

Elizabeth looked at him for a moment before walking up to him. He stood defiant, before his eyes went wide in a mix of surprise and pain. He slumped to the ground, leaving Elizabeth holding his heart in her bloody hand. "I am the head of this coven and I will be obeyed," she said, tossing his heart on top of his dead body. The other vampires looked on in shock.

Elizabeth looked at them and asked, "Am I understood?"

"Yes, my lady," the two other vampires said quickly before slightly bowing.

Elizabeth looked down at her bloody hand and the blood that she had gotten all over her outfit. "How does Sabastian do this without getting any blood on himself," she thought before saying, "Well, this outfit is ruined, but I expect there to be more bloodshed before the night is through, so I don't think I'll bother changing. Someone get me a towel so I can wipe off my hand."

A towel was produced and she left with a small group of vampires in tow.

Elizabeth walked North. She reasoned that she would start in the upper areas of Manhattan, an area where Thomas wouldn't likely have attempted to gain control. As she entered Harlem, a small group of vampires begin following her band, but at a distance.

A few block later she stopped, looked down with obvious frustration, and said, "How about you run ahead and tell Sam I'm here to see him."

"How about you suck my dick," was the reply.

Still looking down, Elizabeth said, "You are certainly a brazen one when there's a hundred yards between us. Why not come over here and cop that attitude to my face. You can bring your friends, if that makes you feel safer."

The vampire and those with him, walked slowly toward Elizabeth and her group. Elizabeth said, "Don't fight unless you have to. I'll take care of this."

The vampire that Elizabeth challenged walked right up to her and, standing in front of her, said, "Why don't you suck my dick?"

Elizabeth was still looking at the ground, her hair hiding her face. "Why don't you be a good lap dog and do what you're told before I have to rub your face in your own shit to teach you a lesson?"

The vampire moved to hit Elizabeth, but she reached up and grabbed his arm. The others could see he was struggling to move his arm, but that she was obviously overpowering him. She forced him to kneel in front of her.

From the lower angle, he could see that his opponent was Elizabeth, the former president of the Tribunal. He could also see the blood that covered the front of her outfit. He stopped fighting her and looked up at her face. Elizabeth, however, was still looking at the ground.

After a few seconds, she said, "I'm in no mood to play, boy. Why don't you go tell your sire I'm here to see him?"

He nodded his head, which prompted Elizabeth to let his arm go. He stood up and ran.

"Let's go," Elizabeth said, walking on. The vampires continued to trail behind, but at a greater distance than before.


0295

Outside what appeared to be a housing project, a small band of vampires were sitting on the steps. One of them was the vampire that Elizabeth had dispatched to his sire.

"Well, well, to what do I owe this pleasure Madam President," a youngish looking vampire said. "Oh, wait, you aren't President anymore because the Tribunal fell and your sire is running around killing off its former constituents."

"Hello Sam," Elizabeth said. "Let's get a few things straight right now."

"Let's," Sam said, standing up and waving his arm, which resulted in a flood of vampires into the area and surrounding Elizabeth and the small group of vampires she had brought with her. "For one, you have no authority here and I'll kill you if I so choose."

Elizabeth smiled. "For one," she responded, "your sad little show of force doesn't frighten me in the slightest bit." She looked him right in the eye and laughed. "If you want to go down this road, I promise you that you will die tonight."

Sam stood looking at her for a little bit before he snapped his fingers and his coven backed off. Elizabeth nodded to him as a gesture of thanks.

"Second, I'm not here on behalf of Thomas. But I think you already knew that."

"I did," Sam said. "But why are you here?"

"You won't be able to defeat Thomas alone," Elizabeth said. "He'll slowly defeat the covens below you and then, when it's your turn, he'll destroy you or subjugate you like the others."

Sam didn't respond, but knew that what Elizabeth said was true.

"I offer you an alternative to that."

"To be destroyed or subjugated by you?" Sam asked.

"No. I want to recreate the Tribunal, but in my image this time."

Sam looked at her for a long time, then said, "Let's talk inside."

He turned and walked into the building, Elizabeth followed. She held a hand up, letting those with her know they weren't welcome to join.

Inside, Sam and Elizabeth walked into an elevator and went to the basement. In the basement, Sam walked over to a corner that was outfitted with what looked like a living room. He sat down in an arm chair. "Talk."

Elizabeth sat down in the couch, leaning forward to expose her chest, and said, "I was used by my Sire for the last time. I'm going to take this city from him and I need your help."

"Sounds more like you want to be King of New York."

"You've seen me in action," she replied. "Do I want to be the King or peace keeper?"

"If history is a guide, the latter. Which is the only reason why I'm listening to you." After a pause, he asked, "What happened to your outfit?"

"Vein gave me his coven. Some of his coven didn't like the idea. I had to make a point."

"Now that's a new side to the peace keeper," Sam responded.

"I'm a little more resolved to lead this time around," Elizabeth said with a wry smile.

"So how does this work?"

"We shake hands on the idea and I call you when I've contacted a few more covens."

"I'll be one of the two that are chosen to rule along side you," Sam said in a matter of fact tone.

"You'll be one of the four covens that rules with me as the deciding fifth vote, but only so long as yours are one of the four strongest covens."

"So, you will be King."

"No, I'll be Queen and peace keeper," Elizabeth said, extending her hand.

Sam took hold of her hand and said, "You realize I have little choice in this."

"That's not true, you could be ruled by a merciless King or by a benevolent Queen who believes her subjects have a right to govern their own affairs so long as the rule is just to all."

Letting go of her hand, Sam looked directly at her and said, "I'm staking my coven on that."

Elizabeth smiled and said, "I won't let you down."


0296

"Sam, now that you've joined the new Tribunal, you'll need to provide me with a selection of your best, and most loyal, warriors," Elizabeth said.

"I've lost a good chunk to Thomas' Enforcers and now you ask for me to send more away? What will I do for protection?" Sam asked, angrily, but respectfully.

"You're coven has been depleted to some degree, I can see that. But at present, I need to connect with others that are not as well situated geographically as you. To do that, and increase our size and strength, I need more troops.

"To give you some notion of what is going on here, Vein risked his entire coven to get to me and initiate this new Tribunal. If it is to work, and we are to retake the city in its entirety, similar risks will be required by all. I hope I have not misjudged your character," Elizabeth responded, placing a hand on Sam's leg.

"You have not, Madam President," Sam said. "I believe I can send a score or so with you and still adequately protect myself.

"We both know I am a low priority for Thomas right now. With any luck, we'll have strength in numbers before my importance increases enough for a direct attack."

"I promise you, Sam, that we will be a force in this fight," Elizabeth said to him with a smile.

"And if you are wrong?"

"God help us all. But I will die before I allow my sire to rule the New World," she said, standing and walking toward the door.

"Elizabeth," Sam yelled, causing her to turn. He stood and looked her in the eyes. "I've never been able to read minds, my coven's strengths are elsewhere, but I believe I am a good judge of character. I have never liked you, but, once I saw how you ruled, I grew to respect you. I feared Thomas and nothing more.

"You will have a score of my best fighters because I believe in you as a leader."

Elizabeth smiled and said, "You don't like me? I'm hurt." She winked and walked out the door, leaving with, "I'll need your men presently."

"You shall have them," Sam yelled after her, following far more softly with, "my queen."

One of his coven then walked up to him and asked, "Do you think this wise?"

"Ten minutes ago I would have said no. But now, I believe it is not only the only choice we have, but is the best chance of beating Thomas."

"How do you know she's not with him?"

"She is of his blood, that is certain. The boldness the defiance, that is from him. But there is more in her, more than just his blood. You could see that in the way she led the Tribunal.

"As I'm sure you recall, under Thomas we lived in constant fear. Under Elizabeth we lived in relative peace. I don't recall one instance where she abused her power."

"Save for Sabastian," the vampire responded.

"Yes, she abused her power to save Sabastian. The one vampire that she loves more than any other," Sam said. "But wasn't it you that disobeyed me to save your greatest love?"

"That was different, she was my child."

"Yes, and Sabastian is her child. I trust her and I respect her, perhaps I may even grow to like her," Sam said with a wry smile. "Go, select 20 of our best fighters, include yourself in that number, but leave your daughter. She is second in ability only to you, and I want her here for her safety and mine."

"Yes sire," the vampire said, walking off and yelling for specific vampires to join him.


0297

Elizabeth was sitting on a car when the vampires came out. She stood and walked over to the leader and looked him in the eyes. Touching his face, she said, "Sam is a good man. Trust him."

"I do," the vampire said.

Elizabeth smiled and said, "Your daughter, she remains behind? I thought I was getting the best fighters."

A little shocked, the vampire stammered, "That was Sam's decision, not mine."

"I would have made the same decision. Do you think he made that choice for himself?"

"Well, yes. She is the best fighter after myself," the vampire said. "We need to protect the coven, too."

"Ah, but then why give up his best fighter? No, I suspect he had other reasons. Perhaps he realized that his best fighter would rather go into a battle that seemed like certain death then send his daughter in his place." She touched the vampire's face, smiled, and walked away, saying, "Follow me! We will visit the Herman clan next. They are in the center of the fight right now. We can help them and put a stop to Thomas' advance while we grow our forces."

"Yes my lady," the group shouted, as she led the way back downtown.

About halfway there, however, she stopped. "We are in Trivoltcha territory, are we not?"

A vampire from Vein's clan ran up, "Yes, yes we are."

"Is that butch Jillian still alive?"

"I believe so, we haven't heard otherwise."

"Let's pause here a moment, I would like to visit an old friend. This way."

They traveled east until they found an old restaurant in the basement of a large office building. "I'll go in alone, but be ready in case I need help."

The vampires with her looked at each other and shrugged, as she walked into the eatery.

Elizabeth calmly walked inside and closed the door behind her. The entire coven was standing, ready to fight. "Hello," she said, in a kind tone.

"How dare Thomas send his bitch here!" one of the vampire's yelled out, causing an roar of support, but no action.

Suddenly, the word "Silence!" came loud and clear from the back of the room.

Elizabeth looked at the back of the room, and said, "They are like lap dogs, all bark no bite."

"If you'd like some to bite, I can arrange for that," the female vampire said. She was tall and slender, and dressed in a man's suit. Her long blond hair was pulled to the sides in pigtails.

"Oh, I bet you can," Elizabeth said.

"Are you here to fight or talk?"

"I left my men outside, Jillian, what do you think?"

"Come into my office," Jillian said.

Elizabeth walked through the group, which parted as she went. Almost to the door, she stopped and grabbed one vampire by the neck, lifting him high above her. The other vampires shifted closer, but did nothing but watch. Jillian stood silently.

"If you have the audacity to insult a woman, I highly recommend you have the balls to follow up your comments," Elizabeth said to him, before throwing him across the room. "I am no one's bitch," she said after he hit the opposite wall and fell to the ground. "Remember that before you open your mouth again, because the next time you say something to offend me, I'll kill you."

Elizabeth continued on her way, and followed Jillian into her office. Inside there were four other women in suits, who were told to leave. Each one looked at Elizabeth with scorn as they left.

Once the room was empty, Jillian walked over the put her hand behind Elizabeth's neck, pulling her to her for a passionate kiss. Pulling away, she bit Elizabeth's lip.

Putting her hand to her lip, Elizabeth said, "It's nice to see you again, too, Jillian."


0298

"Are you still playing around with the weaker sex?" Jillian asked.

"I play with whom I please," Elizabeth answered, sitting down in the leather chair opposite Jillian's desk.

Jillian walked to the desk and sat behind it. "Why are you here? Last I heard Thomas had locked you up with the threat that he would kill you."

"Well, let's say that things have materially changed in the last day or so," Elizabeth said.

"And how so?"

"Vein and his clan rescued me and pledged their allegiance to me. I've taken on their clan as my own."

"That is an interesting twist."

"How does your sire feel about this?"

"Based on the battle," Elizabeth said, "I don't think he was too happy. But we defeated him and, now, I'm looking to create a new Tribunal to oppose him."

"That's suicide. If not for those who join you, then at least for you."

"Thomas has used me one too many times. I could have handled the Tribunal affair, but not what he did to me afterward. It is time for me to confront him and kill him."

Looking down, Jillian said, "Yes, he can be brutal. But do you believe you can beat him with one coven? I'm sure he didn't bring all his strength to bear if Vein's middling group were able to defeat him."

"There were extenuating circumstances," Elizabeth said. "However, I've spoken to good old Sam. He's joined the cause, too."

"Sam hates you."

"Yes, but he respects me and fears Thomas. Much the same situation as your coven, I suspect."

"No, not at all alike. My coven hates you, but respected your leadership. I love you and wish you'd give up this heterosexual front you insist on hiding behind."

Elizabeth laughed, then said, "You know very well that I don't judge a person by their gender, but by what is inside." She got up and walked around the desk, sitting on Jillian's lap.

"This is a diversion for you," Jillian said, kissing her again. "What do you really want?"

Leaning in and biting Jillian's lip hard enough to draw blood, Elizabeth said, "I am resolved to defeat Thomas. I need support. I know we've had personal issues, but let's put that aside. Join me."

"You wouldn't be here if I held a grudge," Jillian said, caressing Elizabeth's body.

"Good, then you'll join the new Tribunal?"

"No, I'll have no part of it. But I will follow you and abide by the rules that you promulgate, should you defeat Thomas."

"Will you provide support?" Elizabeth asked.

"You can have your pick of my men."

"Uh, you're giving me your weakest fighters?" Elizabeth asked.

"For now," Jillian said. "I need my best to protect my eastern border. It seems in the mess that the fall of the Tribunal, the Old Tribunal, left behind, that idiot Marcus thinks he can take over my territory. I won't have that."

"I'll talk to him."

"Marcus hates you, and I'm not sure that he respects you all that much, either."

"Then I'll teach him to respect his elders," Elizabeth said, getting up.

"In that case, you can take some of my girls, too," Jillian said, following Elizabeth to the office door.

Standing in the open doorway, Elizabeth kissed Jillian, who was, obviously, displeased with the public display. Jillian shook her head, then, to her coven, yelled out fifteen names, five female and ten male. She told them to go with Elizabeth.

Outside, with the now large group, she said, "Next stop, East side and Marcus Emielius' place." She trooped on with a smile, recollecting some of the previous times she had "negotiated" with Jillian. Jillian watched the group from the restaurant window as they walked down the street, reminiscing about the same thing.


0299

At the border between Jillian and Emielius' territory, Elizabeth found a group from each side sitting on either side of Second Avenue. She looked at each group as they both looked at her and the band of vampires she had brought along.

One vampire from the East side went running off, while the others stood up. There were five still there, as Elizabeth walked up to what amounted to boarder guards.

"Well, if it isn't, oh, what's your name again little girl?" one of the vampires from Emielius' clan asked sarcastically.

Elizabeth smiled, looked to the floor and then put her fist through the vampire's head. She moved so quickly that no one even realized what had happened, they all just stood stunned.

With her arm still through vampire's head, she said, "Kill them all."

There was a minor struggle, but within a few minutes, the four vampires were dead. During the struggle, one of Jillian's vampires ran off.

Wiping the remains of the vampire off of her arm, Elizabeth said, "Forget the amount of effort it takes and the pain, I'll never understand how Sabastian manages to do this without getting filthy in the process."

As she finished the sentence, a band of about thirty or so vampires came up. "Ah, Marcus Emielius," Elizabeth said. "A pleasure to see you again. Wait, no, that's a lie. I'm not at all happy to see you. As I recall, you were one of the loudest voices in my opposition the entire time I ran the Tribunal."

"Yes and today we see that I was correct in my fear that you would be an utter and abject failure," Marcus Emielius responded.

"Oh, I can see where you might get that impression. But I assure you, I am about to set things right," she responded.

"And how is that to happen? Are you planning on defeating your sire? With this rag tag band of misfits?"

"This is just the start," she said.

"You don't believe I'm about to join this quixotic crusade, do you?" he asked.

"No, no I don't," said Elizabeth.

"Then why are you here?"

"Because I need Jillian's help."

"What do I have to do with that?" Marcus Emielius asked.

"It's very simple Marcus. You see, you seem to be encroaching on her territory. I need to stop you to get her help," Elizabeth said with a broad smile.

"You won't find me so easy to dispatch as that boy," he said, pointing to the vampire who's face had been punched through.

"I doubt that," Elizabeth said, her smile fading away.

Marcus looked sternly at her, and said, "Then let's do this."

"Not without me," Jillian yelled from behind the crowd, as she and the rest of her coven ran up to join the fight.

At that, sirens erupted nearby.

"Police," Marcus said. "We can't involve the humans."

"No," Elizabeth said. "Claim your dead and we'll finish this tomorrow evening. Unless, of course, you come to your senses."

"I'll kill you tomorrow."

The two groups scattered, with Jillian and Elizabeth walking together. "I assume I can count on you for shelter through the day?" Elizabeth asked.

"Certainly, but I'm not sure that I have enough room for everyone. You might have to suffer and share a bed with me."

"I'm sure I can handle such an inconvenience, after all, it is for the greater good," Elizabeth answered.

Back at Jillian's restaurant, the vampires spent the next hour talking and dancing. Then, just before dawn, Elizabeth shot up from Jillian's lap and yelled, "Get ready to fight!"

Everyone stood and within moments, firebombs came through the windows.

"Out through the front!" she screamed, "We take them head on."

She led the way and all followed.


0300

As Elizabeth's crew launched themselves through the fire up onto the street, they met Marcus Emielius' entire coven.

Emielius' men went after Elizabeth first. She deftly launched several attackers into cars, but the onslaught of vampires was too much for her to keep up with and they soon had her surrounded and woefully outnumbered.

"Protect Elizabeth!" was the rallying cry from Jillian, and all listened. Soon the fighting spread out and Elizabeth was behind a protective barrier of vampires-made up equally of each of the clans that had agreed to back her. She smiled, knowing that this show of solidarity had deep meaning.

Her pleasure didn't last long, however, as she knew she had to end this battle quickly. Scanning the crowd, she spied Marcus Emielius standing behind a car at a safe distance from the fight. Elizabeth crouched down and launched herself over her wall of safety and, with two more bounds, landed on the roof of the car directly in front of Marcus.

"Let's end this," she said, as Marcus Emielius's followers nearest to him began to rush at Elizabeth.

Still stunned, Marcus didn't move or say anything, giving Elizabeth time to jump up out of the way as Marcus Emielius' men jumped on the car, and land behind Marcus. She shoved her hand through his chest, pulling his heart out the other side.

He slumped on her arm, as she yelled out, "This is over, join me or die!"

Marcus Emielius' men stopped fighting and just watched as their sire's dead body slid from Elizabeth's arm. Elizabeth's followers were running to her aid, however, and had surrounded all of Marcus Emielius' men.

"Decide!" she yelled.

No one responded, they all just stood there in shock.

"Kill them," she said, causing her warriors to rip Marcus Emielius' men apart. "Make sure they aren't found."

Jillian ran up to her and said, "There isn't much time before the dawn, follow me." Elizabeth didn't argue.

In one of Jillian's many coven houses, they quickly recounted the events and tallied everyone up. There were five lost, most from Jillian's clan.

"I have no complaints," Jillian said to Elizabeth before the two settled to sleep. "But I will be sure that all in the city know of what happened. I have already given orders to spread news of your rebirth to all free covens. They will learn of your bravery and that I have decided to join the Tribunal."

Elizabeth looked at Jillian and smiled. "Thank you," she said, kissing the vampire.

"I fear we won't have much time for these trysts for a long while," Jillian responded.

"Ah, but as the head of my elite guard I think we'll have more contact than you might expect," Elizabeth said, laying her head on Jillian's chest and dozing off.

Looking at Elizabeth, Jillian thought, "How did this happen? Just months ago there was peace, then, overnight, war. Now, I see a glimmer of hope for peace again."

The next night, Elizabeth walked into her coven house to cheers. "We've already heard," Vein announced to her. "Four covens in the new Tribunal and the destruction of Marcus Emielius! A resounding victory if ever there was one."

"Thank you," Elizabeth said, with Jillian close behind. "I want you to meet the head of my elite guard, Jillian."

"Jillian," Vein said, bowing, "I find that my former enemies are now my closest allies. It will be an honor to serve with you."

"Thank you Vein," Jillian said.

"No Vein, you won't be working with Jillian at all. You have greater responsibilities," Elizabeth said, looking past him at Sabastian, who was standing at the far end of the living room watching the commotion.

Jillian and Vein looked at Sabastian just as he turned to walk away.



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

0300: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

As Elizabeth's crew launched themselves through the fire up onto the street, they met Marcus Emielius' entire coven.

Emielius' men went after Elizabeth first. She deftly launched several attackers into cars, but the onslaught of vampires was too much for her to keep up with and they soon had her surrounded and woefully outnumbered.

"Protect Elizabeth!" was the rallying cry from Jillian, and all listened. Soon the fighting spread out and Elizabeth was behind a protective barrier of vampires-made up equally of each of the clans that had agreed to back her. She smiled, knowing that this show of solidarity had deep meaning.

Her pleasure didn't last long, however, as she knew she had to end this battle quickly. Scanning the crowd, she spied Marcus Emielius standing behind a car at a safe distance from the fight. Elizabeth crouched down and launched herself over her wall of safety and, with two more bounds, landed on the roof of the car directly in front of Marcus.

"Let's end this," she said, as Marcus Emielius's followers nearest to him began to rush at Elizabeth.

Still stunned, Marcus didn't move or say anything, giving Elizabeth time to jump up out of the way as Marcus Emielius' men jumped on the car, and land behind Marcus. She shoved her hand through his chest, pulling his heart out the other side.

He slumped on her arm, as she yelled out, "This is over, join me or die!"

Marcus Emielius' men stopped fighting and just watched as their sire's dead body slid from Elizabeth's arm. Elizabeth's followers were running to her aid, however, and had surrounded all of Marcus Emielius' men.

"Decide!" she yelled.

No one responded, they all just stood there in shock.

"Kill them," she said, causing her warriors to rip Marcus Emielius' men apart. "Make sure they aren't found."

Jillian ran up to her and said, "There isn't much time before the dawn, follow me." Elizabeth didn't argue.

In one of Jillian's many coven houses, they quickly recounted the events and tallied everyone up. There were five lost, most from Jillian's clan.

"I have no complaints," Jillian said to Elizabeth before the two settled to sleep. "But I will be sure that all in the city know of what happened. I have already given orders to spread news of your rebirth to all free covens. They will learn of your bravery and that I have decided to join the Tribunal."

Elizabeth looked at Jillian and smiled. "Thank you," she said, kissing the vampire.

"I fear we won't have much time for these trysts for a long while," Jillian responded.

"Ah, but as the head of my elite guard I think we'll have more contact than you might expect," Elizabeth said, laying her head on Jillian's chest and dozing off.

Looking at Elizabeth, Jillian thought, "How did this happen? Just months ago there was peace, then, overnight, war. Now, I see a glimmer of hope for peace again."

The next night, Elizabeth walked into her coven house to cheers. "We've already heard," Vein announced to her. "Four covens in the new Tribunal and the destruction of Marcus Emielius! A resounding victory if ever there was one."

"Thank you," Elizabeth said, with Jillian close behind. "I want you to meet the head of my elite guard, Jillian."

"Jillian," Vein said, bowing, "I find that my former enemies are now my closest allies. It will be an honor to serve with you."

"Thank you Vein," Jillian said.

"No Vein, you won't be working with Jillian at all. You have greater responsibilities," Elizabeth said, looking past him at Sabastian, who was standing at the far end of the living room watching the commotion.

Jillian and Vein looked at Sabastian just as he turned to walk away.


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

0299: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

At the border between Jillian and Emielius' territory, Elizabeth found a group from each side sitting on either side of Second Avenue. She looked at each group as they both looked at her and the band of vampires she had brought along.

One vampire from the East side went running off, while the others stood up. There were five still there, as Elizabeth walked up to what amounted to boarder guards.

"Well, if it isn't, oh, what's your name again little girl?" one of the vampires from Emielius' clan asked sarcastically.

Elizabeth smiled, looked to the floor and then put her fist through the vampire's head. She moved so quickly that no one even realized what had happened, they all just stood stunned.

With her arm still through vampire's head, she said, "Kill them all."

There was a minor struggle, but within a few minutes, the four vampires were dead. During the struggle, one of Jillian's vampires ran off.

Wiping the remains of the vampire off of her arm, Elizabeth said, "Forget the amount of effort it takes and the pain, I'll never understand how Sabastian manages to do this without getting filthy in the process."

As she finished the sentence, a band of about thirty or so vampires came up. "Ah, Marcus Emielius," Elizabeth said. "A pleasure to see you again. Wait, no, that's a lie. I'm not at all happy to see you. As I recall, you were one of the loudest voices in my opposition the entire time I ran the Tribunal."

"Yes and today we see that I was correct in my fear that you would be an utter and abject failure," Marcus Emielius responded.

"Oh, I can see where you might get that impression. But I assure you, I am about to set things right," she responded.

"And how is that to happen? Are you planning on defeating your sire? With this rag tag band of misfits?"

"This is just the start," she said.

"You don't believe I'm about to join this quixotic crusade, do you?" he asked.

"No, no I don't," said Elizabeth.

"Then why are you here?"

"Because I need Jillian's help."

"What do I have to do with that?" Marcus Emielius asked.

"It's very simple Marcus. You see, you seem to be encroaching on her territory. I need to stop you to get her help," Elizabeth said with a broad smile.

"You won't find me so easy to dispatch as that boy," he said, pointing to the vampire who's face had been punched through.

"I doubt that," Elizabeth said, her smile fading away.

Marcus looked sternly at her, and said, "Then let's do this."

"Not without me," Jillian yelled from behind the crowd, as she and the rest of her coven ran up to join the fight.

At that, sirens erupted nearby.

"Police," Marcus said. "We can't involve the humans."

"No," Elizabeth said. "Claim your dead and we'll finish this tomorrow evening. Unless, of course, you come to your senses."

"I'll kill you tomorrow."

The two groups scattered, with Jillian and Elizabeth walking together. "I assume I can count on you for shelter through the day?" Elizabeth asked.

"Certainly, but I'm not sure that I have enough room for everyone. You might have to suffer and share a bed with me."

"I'm sure I can handle such an inconvenience, after all, it is for the greater good," Elizabeth answered.

Back at Jillian's restaurant, the vampires spent the next hour talking and dancing. Then, just before dawn, Elizabeth shot up from Jillian's lap and yelled, "Get ready to fight!"

Everyone stood and within moments, firebombs came through the windows.

"Out through the front!" she screamed, "We take them head on."

She led the way and all followed.


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

0298: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

"Are you still playing around with the weaker sex?" Jillian asked.

"I play with whom I please," Elizabeth answered, sitting down in the leather chair opposite Jillian's desk.

Jillian walked to the desk and sat behind it. "Why are you here? Last I heard Thomas had locked you up with the threat that he would kill you."

"Well, let's say that things have materially changed in the last day or so," Elizabeth said.

"And how so?"

"Vein and his clan rescued me and pledged their allegiance to me. I've taken on their clan as my own."

"That is an interesting twist."

"How does your sire feel about this?"

"Based on the battle," Elizabeth said, "I don't think he was too happy. But we defeated him and, now, I'm looking to create a new Tribunal to oppose him."

"That's suicide. If not for those who join you, then at least for you."

"Thomas has used me one too many times. I could have handled the Tribunal affair, but not what he did to me afterward. It is time for me to confront him and kill him."

Looking down, Jillian said, "Yes, he can be brutal. But do you believe you can beat him with one coven? I'm sure he didn't bring all his strength to bear if Vein's middling group were able to defeat him."

"There were extenuating circumstances," Elizabeth said. "However, I've spoken to good old Sam. He's joined the cause, too."

"Sam hates you."

"Yes, but he respects me and fears Thomas. Much the same situation as your coven, I suspect."

"No, not at all alike. My coven hates you, but respected your leadership. I love you and wish you'd give up this heterosexual front you insist on hiding behind."

Elizabeth laughed, then said, "You know very well that I don't judge a person by their gender, but by what is inside." She got up and walked around the desk, sitting on Jillian's lap.

"This is a diversion for you," Jillian said, kissing her again. "What do you really want?"

Leaning in and biting Jillian's lip hard enough to draw blood, Elizabeth said, "I am resolved to defeat Thomas. I need support. I know we've had personal issues, but let's put that aside. Join me."

"You wouldn't be here if I held a grudge," Jillian said, caressing Elizabeth's body.

"Good, then you'll join the new Tribunal?"

"No, I'll have no part of it. But I will follow you and abide by the rules that you promulgate, should you defeat Thomas."

"Will you provide support?" Elizabeth asked.

"You can have your pick of my men."

"Uh, you're giving me your weakest fighters?" Elizabeth asked.

"For now," Jillian said. "I need my best to protect my eastern border. It seems in the mess that the fall of the Tribunal, the Old Tribunal, left behind, that idiot Marcus thinks he can take over my territory. I won't have that."

"I'll talk to him."

"Marcus hates you, and I'm not sure that he respects you all that much, either."

"Then I'll teach him to respect his elders," Elizabeth said, getting up.

"In that case, you can take some of my girls, too," Jillian said, following Elizabeth to the office door.

Standing in the open doorway, Elizabeth kissed Jillian, who was, obviously, displeased with the public display. Jillian shook her head, then, to her coven, yelled out fifteen names, five female and ten male. She told them to go with Elizabeth.

Outside, with the now large group, she said, "Next stop, East side and Marcus Emielius' place." She trooped on with a smile, recollecting some of the previous times she had "negotiated" with Jillian. Jillian watched the group from the restaurant window as they walked down the street, reminiscing about the same thing.


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

0297: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

Elizabeth was sitting on a car when the vampires came out. She stood and walked over to the leader and looked him in the eyes. Touching his face, she said, "Sam is a good man. Trust him."

"I do," the vampire said.

Elizabeth smiled and said, "Your daughter, she remains behind? I thought I was getting the best fighters."

A little shocked, the vampire stammered, "That was Sam's decision, not mine."

"I would have made the same decision. Do you think he made that choice for himself?"

"Well, yes. She is the best fighter after myself," the vampire said. "We need to protect the coven, too."

"Ah, but then why give up his best fighter? No, I suspect he had other reasons. Perhaps he realized that his best fighter would rather go into a battle that seemed like certain death then send his daughter in his place." She touched the vampire's face, smiled, and walked away, saying, "Follow me! We will visit the Herman clan next. They are in the center of the fight right now. We can help them and put a stop to Thomas' advance while we grow our forces."

"Yes my lady," the group shouted, as she led the way back downtown.

About halfway there, however, she stopped. "We are in Trivoltcha territory, are we not?"

A vampire from Vein's clan ran up, "Yes, yes we are."

"Is that butch Jillian still alive?"

"I believe so, we haven't heard otherwise."

"Let's pause here a moment, I would like to visit an old friend. This way."

They traveled east until they found an old restaurant in the basement of a large office building. "I'll go in alone, but be ready in case I need help."

The vampires with her looked at each other and shrugged, as she walked into the eatery.

Elizabeth calmly walked inside and closed the door behind her. The entire coven was standing, ready to fight. "Hello," she said, in a kind tone.

"How dare Thomas send his bitch here!" one of the vampire's yelled out, causing an roar of support, but no action.

Suddenly, the word "Silence!" came loud and clear from the back of the room.

Elizabeth looked at the back of the room, and said, "They are like lap dogs, all bark no bite."

"If you'd like some to bite, I can arrange for that," the female vampire said. She was tall and slender, and dressed in a man's suit. Her long blond hair was pulled to the sides in pigtails.

"Oh, I bet you can," Elizabeth said.

"Are you here to fight or talk?"

"I left my men outside, Jillian, what do you think?"

"Come into my office," Jillian said.

Elizabeth walked through the group, which parted as she went. Almost to the door, she stopped and grabbed one vampire by the neck, lifting him high above her. The other vampires shifted closer, but did nothing but watch. Jillian stood silently.

"If you have the audacity to insult a woman, I highly recommend you have the balls to follow up your comments," Elizabeth said to him, before throwing him across the room. "I am no one's bitch," she said after he hit the opposite wall and fell to the ground. "Remember that before you open your mouth again, because the next time you say something to offend me, I'll kill you."

Elizabeth continued on her way, and followed Jillian into her office. Inside there were four other women in suits, who were told to leave. Each one looked at Elizabeth with scorn as they left.

Once the room was empty, Jillian walked over the put her hand behind Elizabeth's neck, pulling her to her for a passionate kiss. Pulling away, she bit Elizabeth's lip.

Putting her hand to her lip, Elizabeth said, "It's nice to see you again, too, Jillian."


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

0296: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

"Sam, now that you've joined the new Tribunal, you'll need to provide me with a selection of your best, and most loyal, warriors," Elizabeth said.

"I've lost a good chunk to Thomas' Enforcers and now you ask for me to send more away? What will I do for protection?" Sam asked, angrily, but respectfully.

"You're coven has been depleted to some degree, I can see that. But at present, I need to connect with others that are not as well situated geographically as you. To do that, and increase our size and strength, I need more troops.

"To give you some notion of what is going on here, Vein risked his entire coven to get to me and initiate this new Tribunal. If it is to work, and we are to retake the city in its entirety, similar risks will be required by all. I hope I have not misjudged your character," Elizabeth responded, placing a hand on Sam's leg.

"You have not, Madam President," Sam said. "I believe I can send a score or so with you and still adequately protect myself.

"We both know I am a low priority for Thomas right now. With any luck, we'll have strength in numbers before my importance increases enough for a direct attack."

"I promise you, Sam, that we will be a force in this fight," Elizabeth said to him with a smile.

"And if you are wrong?"

"God help us all. But I will die before I allow my sire to rule the New World," she said, standing and walking toward the door.

"Elizabeth," Sam yelled, causing her to turn. He stood and looked her in the eyes. "I've never been able to read minds, my coven's strengths are elsewhere, but I believe I am a good judge of character. I have never liked you, but, once I saw how you ruled, I grew to respect you. I feared Thomas and nothing more.

"You will have a score of my best fighters because I believe in you as a leader."

Elizabeth smiled and said, "You don't like me? I'm hurt." She winked and walked out the door, leaving with, "I'll need your men presently."

"You shall have them," Sam yelled after her, following far more softly with, "my queen."

One of his coven then walked up to him and asked, "Do you think this wise?"

"Ten minutes ago I would have said no. But now, I believe it is not only the only choice we have, but is the best chance of beating Thomas."

"How do you know she's not with him?"

"She is of his blood, that is certain. The boldness the defiance, that is from him. But there is more in her, more than just his blood. You could see that in the way she led the Tribunal.

"As I'm sure you recall, under Thomas we lived in constant fear. Under Elizabeth we lived in relative peace. I don't recall one instance where she abused her power."

"Save for Sabastian," the vampire responded.

"Yes, she abused her power to save Sabastian. The one vampire that she loves more than any other," Sam said. "But wasn't it you that disobeyed me to save your greatest love?"

"That was different, she was my child."

"Yes, and Sabastian is her child. I trust her and I respect her, perhaps I may even grow to like her," Sam said with a wry smile. "Go, select 20 of our best fighters, include yourself in that number, but leave your daughter. She is second in ability only to you, and I want her here for her safety and mine."

"Yes sire," the vampire said, walking off and yelling for specific vampires to join him.


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

0295: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

Outside what appeared to be a housing project, a small band of vampires were sitting on the steps. One of them was the vampire that Elizabeth had dispatched to his sire.

"Well, well, to what do I owe this pleasure Madam President," a youngish looking vampire said. "Oh, wait, you aren't President anymore because the Tribunal fell and your sire is running around killing off its former constituents."

"Hello Sam," Elizabeth said. "Let's get a few things straight right now."

"Let's," Sam said, standing up and waving his arm, which resulted in a flood of vampires into the area and surrounding Elizabeth and the small group of vampires she had brought with her. "For one, you have no authority here and I'll kill you if I so choose."

Elizabeth smiled. "For one," she responded, "your sad little show of force doesn't frighten me in the slightest bit." She looked him right in the eye and laughed. "If you want to go down this road, I promise you that you will die tonight."

Sam stood looking at her for a little bit before he snapped his fingers and his coven backed off. Elizabeth nodded to him as a gesture of thanks.

"Second, I'm not here on behalf of Thomas. But I think you already knew that."

"I did," Sam said. "But why are you here?"

"You won't be able to defeat Thomas alone," Elizabeth said. "He'll slowly defeat the covens below you and then, when it's your turn, he'll destroy you or subjugate you like the others."

Sam didn't respond, but knew that what Elizabeth said was true.

"I offer you an alternative to that."

"To be destroyed or subjugated by you?" Sam asked.

"No. I want to recreate the Tribunal, but in my image this time."

Sam looked at her for a long time, then said, "Let's talk inside."

He turned and walked into the building, Elizabeth followed. She held a hand up, letting those with her know they weren't welcome to join.

Inside, Sam and Elizabeth walked into an elevator and went to the basement. In the basement, Sam walked over to a corner that was outfitted with what looked like a living room. He sat down in an arm chair. "Talk."

Elizabeth sat down in the couch, leaning forward to expose her chest, and said, "I was used by my Sire for the last time. I'm going to take this city from him and I need your help."

"Sounds more like you want to be King of New York."

"You've seen me in action," she replied. "Do I want to be the King or peace keeper?"

"If history is a guide, the latter. Which is the only reason why I'm listening to you." After a pause, he asked, "What happened to your outfit?"

"Vein gave me his coven. Some of his coven didn't like the idea. I had to make a point."

"Now that's a new side to the peace keeper," Sam responded.

"I'm a little more resolved to lead this time around," Elizabeth said with a wry smile.

"So how does this work?"

"We shake hands on the idea and I call you when I've contacted a few more covens."

"I'll be one of the two that are chosen to rule along side you," Sam said in a matter of fact tone.

"You'll be one of the four covens that rules with me as the deciding fifth vote, but only so long as yours are one of the four strongest covens."

"So, you will be King."

"No, I'll be Queen and peace keeper," Elizabeth said, extending her hand.

Sam took hold of her hand and said, "You realize I have little choice in this."

"That's not true, you could be ruled by a merciless King or by a benevolent Queen who believes her subjects have a right to govern their own affairs so long as the rule is just to all."

Letting go of her hand, Sam looked directly at her and said, "I'm staking my coven on that."

Elizabeth smiled and said, "I won't let you down."


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

0294: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

After Elizabeth had made up her mind to take on Thomas, she got ready for her meetings with the other covens. She put on her best skintight leather outfit, brought over for her by Vein's people, ensuring that ample cleavage was shown, and applied deep red lipstick.

"I wish Sabastian were here to tell me how good I look," she said out loud. Sighing, she added, "Even Sol's disinterest in my looks would be a small blessing right now."

She primped her hair, took one last look in the mirror, and walked out into the hallway. She told several vampires that they would be escorting her to a meeting.

The vampires, looked at each other, before one asked, sarcastically and with a great deal of attitude, "And why should we do anything you tell us?"

Elizabeth looked at him for a moment before walking up to him. He stood defiant, before his eyes went wide in a mix of surprise and pain. He slumped to the ground, leaving Elizabeth holding his heart in her bloody hand. "I am the head of this coven and I will be obeyed," she said, tossing his heart on top of his dead body. The other vampires looked on in shock.

Elizabeth looked at them and asked, "Am I understood?"

"Yes, my lady," the two other vampires said quickly before slightly bowing.

Elizabeth looked down at her bloody hand and the blood that she had gotten all over her outfit. "How does Sabastian do this without getting any blood on himself," she thought before saying, "Well, this outfit is ruined, but I expect there to be more bloodshed before the night is through, so I don't think I'll bother changing. Someone get me a towel so I can wipe off my hand."

A towel was produced and she left with a small group of vampires in tow.

Elizabeth walked North. She reasoned that she would start in the upper areas of Manhattan, an area where Thomas wouldn't likely have attempted to gain control. As she entered Harlem, a small group of vampires begin following her band, but at a distance.

A few block later she stopped, looked down with obvious frustration, and said, "How about you run ahead and tell Sam I'm here to see him."

"How about you suck my dick," was the reply.

Still looking down, Elizabeth said, "You are certainly a brazen one when there's a hundred yards between us. Why not come over here and cop that attitude to my face. You can bring your friends, if that makes you feel safer."

The vampire and those with him, walked slowly toward Elizabeth and her group. Elizabeth said, "Don't fight unless you have to. I'll take care of this."

The vampire that Elizabeth challenged walked right up to her and, standing in front of her, said, "Why don't you suck my dick?"

Elizabeth was still looking at the ground, her hair hiding her face. "Why don't you be a good lap dog and do what you're told before I have to rub your face in your own shit to teach you a lesson?"

The vampire moved to hit Elizabeth, but she reached up and grabbed his arm. The others could see he was struggling to move his arm, but that she was obviously overpowering him. She forced him to kneel in front of her.

From the lower angle, he could see that his opponent was Elizabeth, the former president of the Tribunal. He could also see the blood that covered the front of her outfit. He stopped fighting her and looked up at her face. Elizabeth, however, was still looking at the ground.

After a few seconds, she said, "I'm in no mood to play, boy. Why don't you go tell your sire I'm here to see him?"

He nodded his head, which prompted Elizabeth to let his arm go. He stood up and ran.

"Let's go," Elizabeth said, walking on. The vampires continued to trail behind, but at a greater distance than before.


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

0293: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

"You have no idea of the magnitude of the situation," Francis' grandfather said.

"I'm sorry grandpa, I didn't know what else to do," Francis said into the phone, knowing that both Sol and his grandfather had told him that he would be killed if he admitted to knowing Sol.

"You've done nothing wrong, son," the voice on the other end of the phone replied. "It is Sol that has done something, or at least is accused of doing something. And he has brought ruin on our firm and family."

"What?"

"Shortly after you left for the US, our primary offices were mysteriously destroyed. I know for a fact that it was arson, but we did not report it as such."

"I don't understand," Francis said.

"Listen. After the fire, I left for a remote and hidden office that our family has kept for many years. That is where I am now. It proved fortunate that I left so soon, as many of our partners were killed or disappeared the night after the fire."

"My God."

"No, Francis, this is not the work of God. It is the work of devils. We work for a devil and he has brought the wrath of his kin down upon us. It has happened before, but not like this.

"As far as I know, you and I are all that is left of the firm."

"What?"

"The last time we spoke, it had already begun. I didn't wish to alarm you so I didn't say anything at the time. I was still able to hold together a skeleton staff then, but no longer. I have computers, I have communications, but I have nothing else. And Sol has disappeared."

"He's abandoned us?" Francis asked.

"No. I don't believe that. It isn't his way. He is either dead or not in a position to contact me. Either way, though, we are on our own," Francis' grandfather said flatly.

"What should we do?"

"I will remain here and you will remain where you are.

"If Sabastian was important enough to Sol that he sent you to contact him, I believe you are safer with him than with me. And if Sol does need our family's assistance, one of us needs to remain alive.

"Let them think they are holding you against your will. That will give them reason to keep you alive. As it stands, I doubt that I'll be able to contact Sol anytime soon."

"Yes Grandpa," Francis said. "I love you."

"I love you, too, son. Be safe and call me as soon as you have a private means."

"I will," Francis said, and hung up the phone. He moved to the couch, put his head in his hands and started to cry.

After a few moments, something fell on the cushion next to him, causing him to look up. It was Vein.

"There's your phone," Vein said. "Sabastian didn't tell me to give it back, but I assume he'd want me to."

"Thank you," Francis said.

"I don't know what your conversation was about, but for your sake, I hope Sol can be contacted rather quickly. From what I've seen, Sabastian isn't a vampire to trifle with.

"As long as he says you're safe, you'll be safe," Vein continued, "but the second he wants you dead." Vein walked away.

Francis called his grandfather back from his phone to tell him that it had been returned. "What do you know about Sabastian?" Francis asked.

"He's frighteningly powerful, don't cross him. We'll talk soon," his grandfather said and then hung up.


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

0292: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

In the living room, Sabastian sat down next to Francis. He said nothing at all, but simply sat.

"Sol said that I should give the note to you. I didn't intend for what happened. I tried."

"I know you did," Sabastian said. "Do you know where Sol is?"

"No."

"Was he safe the last time you saw him?"

"Yes."

"You are sure he did not have a young girl with him?"

"Yes. He was with another like you."

"I can see that by the wounds," Sabastian said. "They were not caused by Vein's coven, they are older then the length of your stay here-though not by much.

"Can you contact Sol if you needed to?"

"I don't know," Francis said, "but I could try."

"Try."

Francis stood up and walked over to a phone. "May I?" he asked.

"Yes," Vein said from across the way, "but put it on speaker." He had been watching for a short while.

Francis dialed a number and said, "Grandpa?"

"Yes son. Are you OK? You've been gone for months." the voice on the other end said.

"I'm, I'm fine."

"You aren't alone?"

"No."

"Who is with you?" his grandfather asked.

Francis looked at Sabastian and then Vein. Vein nodded his head at Sabastian. "I'm with Sabastian."

"You delivered the message?"

"Sort of, yes."

After a long silence, his grandfather asked, "Are you still human?"

"Yes, I think so."

"He is unharmed," Sabastian said. "But I need information and you seem to be the only link to it."

"I assume I am talking with Sabastian."

"Yes."

"I hope you appreciate that there is only so much I can tell you. I risk my life even talking to you now."

"Then I will make my request simple. Can you contact Sol?"

There was another long pause, then a slightly trembling voice said, "I do not know anyone by that name." Francis' eyes went wide, as did Vein's. Francis looked to the ground, but Vein looked at Sabastian to see his reaction.

"Sol said you were trustworthy, but I did not assume you would sacrifice your own blood in loyalty to him," Sabastian said. "Let me rephrase my request. Can you contact your employer?"

"I don't know," Francis' grandfather said plainly. "We haven't been in touch for some time. In fact, I haven't heard from my employer since Francis left for New York to find you."

"I would appreciate if you would try to contact your employer. Francis will remain here, with me, so that you can contact him with any news. He will then relay that information to me," Sabastian said.

"How will I contact Francis? As he is not calling from his cell phone, I assume you took that from him."

"I did not, but I will assure that he has a private means of communicating with you. Unless told other wise, assume that his phone will be promptly returned."

"If I am able to contact my employer, will you let Francis go?"

"That depends on what your employer has to tell me," Sabastian said, as he got up and walked out of the room. Vein watched Sabastian leave, looked at Francis and lifted his shoulders as if to say, "I don't know," before leaving the room, too.

Francis picked up the phone and said, "I'm so scared grandpa."


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

0291: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

"The car is over here," Vein said, as he watched Sabastian walk by him and down the street. Sabastian stopped, turned, and looked at him for a few moments.

Vein could see that Sabastian was lost somewhere in his mind. It was as if he was in a world all his own. And after what he'd seen of this vampire in action, Vein assumed that none could truly understand what was going on inside him.

Vein walked over to Sabastian and, looking him in the eyes, said, "We must hurry back to the coven house if we are to beat the sunrise."

"I doubt it would matter," Sabastian said, but followed as Vein took his shoulder and led him to the car.

The trip started out silent, but Vein couldn't bear the quite and asked, "How long have you..." He didn't get a chance to complete his thought because Sabastian said, "The first time was after a fight with Elizabeth. She had created yet another vampire that should not have been made and I had to destroy him. It was something of an accident, really. Though now I am beginning to question that, perhaps it was something I wanted but did not realize."

"It's why you are so powerful, isn't it?" Vein asked.

"Yes, but with that power comes the burden."

"What is that?"

Sabastian was silent for a long time. "The pain of the innocent."

Vein didn't ask what that meant, preferring ignorance to knowledge. "Can you be destroyed?"

"We can all be destroyed."

"But fire and sunlight won't kill you?"

"I have never tested it, but I feel as though neither would harm me."

"What about the swords... How did you catch two swords without getting hurt at all?" Vein asked.

"I just did."

Vein nodded his head and let out a deep breath. He felt that he was safe with Sabastian, but knew that, at some point, that would change. The question flashed through his mind, "So when do I become the victim?" but he didn't say it.

"When your time here is up," Sabastian said out loud, causing Vein to turn and look at him.

Vein was shocked, as he had been shielding his thoughts as best he could. Which meant that Sabastian could read everything he thought-a scary thought in and of itself.

As they pulled up into a parking garage, Vein stepped out of the car, but Sabastian remained inside. Vein bent over and looked through the driver's side window and jerked his head at Sabastian, who kept looking out the front window. Vein knocked on the window, causing Sabastian to turn, and jerked his head again. Sabastian got out of the car.

As they walked back to the coven house, Vein thought to himself, "He can read my thoughts but can't figure out when it's time to get out of a car."

Sabastian, still walked, turned and looked at Vein. Vein turned to look at Sabastian, and saw that the vampire was almost looking through him. He knew Sabastian had heard what he thought, but what he made of it was a mystery.

They went inside the coven house to find Francis sitting on the living room couch with several female vampires sitting with him, all obviously teasing him. Francis was visibly nervous. "Leave him," Sabastian said to them. They all scurried from the room.

"I'll let you two talk," Vein said, noting the fear in Francis' eyes. He left the room and found one of his trusted aids. "Where is Elizabeth?"

"She has gone to meet with the other coven heads," the aid said.

"I hope she is both successful and quick. Sabastian is a time bomb and I don't wish the responsibility of watching over him any longer."


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

Book Three, Chapters 0281 to 0290

The Vampire's Daughter
Book Three

Chapters 0281 to 290
-----

0281

“So the Keeper is real?” asked Sol.

“Oh, very real,” answered Henry, who stood up and walked to look over his army again.

“Have you met him?”

“Yes, I have met the Keeper. A milk toast little fellow who truly loves what he does. Or maybe he’s been doing it for so long that he only knows what he does. I don’t know which it is. He doesn’t even use a modern language, preferring ancient Greek. I don’t understand why. He uses a computer now, but still uses that old language.”

“I guess he’s eccentric,” Sol suggested.

“That’s an understatement. Most people think he’s just strange. No, that’s being too polite. Crazy. That’s what most people think of him. They think he’s a nut job.

“In fact, there are many among us who don’t believe his role is even necessary any more. With modern technology, we have so many different versions of our history floating around that no one knows what our true history is anymore.”

“I’ve noted that,” said Sol. “My sire, as you mentioned, believes in hard facts. To her the idea of God and prophecy is silly. So, to her, the old stories aren’t true. She has fashioned her own version of how we came to exist.

“If enough vampires followed my sire, but were industrious enough to write their thoughts down, we would have all sorts of history—just not a very definitive history.”

“That is, in a nutshell, what has happened,” Henry said with a smile.

Sol stood up and stood next to him. “So we have something of a colorful mosaic.” Then after a pause, he added, “But too much color and all you get is brown mush.”

Henry laughed and turned to Sol. Putting an arm on the younger vampire’s shoulder, he said, “I like you. You’re a good kid with a clear head. I hope this all works out and I don’t have to kill you.”

“Not surprisingly, I hope so too,” Sol responded, leading both to laugh.

After a moment they grew quite and looked over Henry’s army. Both thought about how grave the situation was for each in their own way. Sol a virtual prisoner in the castle, with his only protection coming from an assassin, Gan, and a collection of powerful, but long forgotten, kings and queens. Henry, also prisoner, but one caught between his allegiance to the old kings and queens and the new.

“Someone once told me that I should find the Keeper,” Sol said, breaking the silence. “That he would help me to understand our history and what role I might play in its future.”

“If you are what John Paul believes you are, that would be a very good idea,” Henry said. “But I don’t know anyone who would be able to find him.”

“What?”

“He hasn’t been seen in many years. There is rumor that he has given up his task and gone to sleep. Some even suggest that he’s handed his task on to another and chosen death,” Henry said.

“Is that possible?” asked Sol.

“Anything is possible,” Henry answered. “All I know is that he used to attend court and now he does not. That isn’t to say that he’s missed anything. In a hundred years, maybe more, there has been nothing of importance to write down as far I’m concerned.

“Hell, the royals are so self absorbed that all they would want would be stories about their exploits. Who’s slept with who and who’s killed the most humans sort of stuff. The Keeper wouldn’t write that type of stuff down. The move to the New World, that was worthy of history.

“The fact that King Idiot slept with some famous human actress wouldn’t get a mention. Rightfully so, if you ask me. But that type of editing certainly wouldn’t get the Keeper any points.”


0282

Sol and Henry stood silently for a little while longer, before Sol asked, "What do you think is going to happen?"

"I don't know," Henry answered. "My life is as much in the balance as your own."

"It seems I've gotten a great many vampires into this fix."

"Don't be too hard on yourself," Henry said, "if you are who John Paul says you are, it will all be worth it."

"I don't know. John Paul compared me to Doubting Thomas before he died. I have to touch the wound if I am to believe. He knew me very well. I am almost ashamed that I have such a hard time believing."

"Don't be," Henry responded after a long pause. "Belief is hard."

"The dawn approaches," Sol said, "we should go back down."

"Yes, we should," Henry said, before turning to look Sol in the face. "You are a good kid. I hope that John Paul was right about you." He then walked back into the tower and down the stairs.

Sol stood looking at the open doorway. "Could I be the one?" he asked himself. "I just don't feel it. But then I don't know what being the one would feel like. I just can't imagine that it feels so unsure."

He turned and took one last look over the army outside the castle, sighed, and walked down the tower steps.

When he got to the main castle, Car and Melinda were waiting for him.

"Girls," he said as he hit the landing.

"We're worried about you," the said in unison.

"Really, why?"

"You haven't eaten in days," Car said.

"You must eat if you want to survive," Melinda followed.

Sol tilted his head slightly and though. It was true, he hadn't eaten in days. He had been so deep in thought that food wasn't even on his mind. "You are correct on both accounts," he replied. "Is there anything to eat?"

"Yes," the girls said together, each taking one of Sol's hands and pulling him into the dinning room. As they walked in, he saw the White Vampire sitting at the table with her back to the doorway.

She raised her right hand and the girls said, "You're welcome my lady," together. Then, "Yes," and they were off, leaving Sol with the White Vampire.

"My Lady," he said, bowing slightly. "May I join you?" He left his mind open, but she did not attempt to read him or speak to him in that way. Instead, she turned and smiled.

Sol walked over to a chair next to her and sat. "Henry tells me that your name is Meredith," he said.

She nodded her head again.

"He also tells me that it is very hard for you to speak and that you use your mind instead."

She nodded.

"I'm sorry that I didn't know that. I've been under a great deal of," he paused, "pressure lately. When you attempted to read me without first contacting me in any way, my first reaction was to become defensive."

She smiled at him at put her hand on his. He was shocked at how cold her hand was, leading him to sport a blank expression as he looked at it.

"You haven't fed in a very long time," he said, looking up at her.

She shook her head.

"Why?" he asked, then closed his eyes because of the stupidity of questioning one that doesn't talk.

She rubbed his hand and smiled.

"It is late tonight, but, perhaps, tomorrow we can talk," he said.

She nodded her head and smiled again.


0283

The next night, Sol left Jamie in their bed as soon as he got up. He wanted very badly to find Meredith and learn what he could from her. As he dressed, he opened his mind to the castle, but couldn't sense her anywhere through the clutter of vampires. He noted, however, that he couldn't sense any of the other guests, either.

He walked upstairs and into the den, finding Meredith sitting directly across from the fireplace. She smiled.

"Do you mind if we go to the tower?" he asked.

She shook her head and stood up, offering Sol her hand.

Sol took her hand and led her through the castle to the tower. The walk was silent, but strangely pleasant.

Once at the top, Sol walked out and then led her to the edge to see the small army that was outside the gates.

"Everyone, it seems, is here for me," he said.

Meredith smiled at him. She looked younger than he thought in his first encounters. In fact, he guessed she was little more than sixteen when she was made. Although her pale complexion and fine blond hair gave her an eerie look from afar, there was an underlying beauty that was captivating.

After looking her over and contemplating her beauty for several minutes, he noticed that she was watching him with a slight smile on her face, so he quickly looked away.

"I'm sorry," Sol said. "I tend to think too much."

She put her hand on his, as if to say it was OK.

"I like to come up here and look out over the horizon," he continued. "Although the circumstances of my stay are less than ideal, the time has given me a chance to think quite deeply about my life and what I've done with it."

Meredith tilted her head to note her interest in what Sol was saying.

"I've spent so much time just being that I've never thought about why I am here at all. Why was I made? Why was I made by Elizabeth? Why did I meet the vampires that I've met? Befriend the vampires that I've befriended?

"I still have no answers," he said with a laugh. "But I have a feeling. I feel like I'm meant to do something, I just don't know what yet. When I find out, I know I'll grasp it and blossom. I almost feel like a butterfly that is still in its cocoon.

"John Paul told me that I was a Doubting Thomas, even when it came to myself. I need proof. He was correct about so many things, I have no doubt that he was correct about that. I wish I could believe more than I do. I want to be what he thought I was, I'm just not convinced that I am.

"And all of you are here because he believed in me, even though I don't believe in myself."

Meredith smiled and lifted a hand to Sol's face. Touching it gently, she spoke to him with her mind, "Few have the conviction of John Paul. And the task he believed is yours is a hard one. Only a fool or a zealot would take it on lightly. You are neither and I believe that makes you a better choice for the task."

"That is very kind of you," Sol said. "I wish I knew what to do now."

"Tell me about your past," She said.

"There isn't much to tell, you saw some important events the night you were in my room."

"I am sorry for that," she said looking down. "The situation we are in is important and I foolishly tried to force myself on you. It was a mistake."

"I was very upset at first, but now that I know your situation, I am not the least bit angry," responded Sol.

Meredith smiled.


0284

"Tell me more," Meredith said with her mind to Sol as they sat overlooking the lands. "I want to know what was important to you."

"When I was young, the Church was all important. It was the only thing that was important to anyone. An odd time now that I look back. There was vice, but it was ignored and virtue was highlighted. Quite the opposite of today.

"Still, I couldn't give myself to that life. It felt wrong. So I left to become an artisan. Sculpture. I loved the stone and wood with which I worked. It was what brought Elizabeth to me. She noticed me one night and watched as I worked after all the others went home.

"I saw her and started to carve her into the stone. I didn't even know what I was doing, I was just carving. Chipping away the outer layers to reveal what was inside. I created what some would call a devil, but I didn't see it that way.

"At first she seemed upset, but then she made me into what I am today. Since that time I've spend most of my life, or death, serving her needs. I replaced Sabastian in that. But I never loved her, as I believe Sabastian did. I simply lived with her and did her bidding, which was never hard. Though childish at times, she is really a beautiful woman in her heart. It is why I stayed when I wanted to go.

"There were times we spent apart. I met Jamie during one of those separations. Jamie has been an important friend in my life. My lover, in all honesty. A calm place in a storm. I'm always welcome in Jamie's heart. Both of our faults melt away when we are together." Sol stopped and looked out over the horizon.

"Continue," Meredith said, touching Sol's arm.

"I guess the next big thing in my life was leaving Jamie because Elizabeth needed me in the New World. It was hard and ugly, but I did it. In the Americas, I met Thomas. I had met him before, but we seemed to become close as he relinquished his power, giving it all to my sire. I also met Sabastian for the first time, after an unfortunate event that seems to have driven all that has followed.

"I liked Sabastian from the first moment I met him. There were some who called him a cannibal or monster, but I couldn't see it."

"He takes his own?" Meredith interrupted.

"Yes," Sol said. "He does. But it isn't like you think. He doesn't hunt down vampires, he only takes life when he must." Pausing a moment to think, as if something just clicked in his mind, Sol continued, "And then he only takes some when he could take many more. It is almost as if he is selective."

"So he takes some, but not all," Meredith said, looking away from Sol.

"Yes. I've never seen him feed unless it was in self-defense. And even then, he takes some but not others."

"And how has he changed you?"

"When it turned out that Thomas had used me to manipulate and keep tabs on Elizabeth, I broke from my sire and went with Sabastian. He had taken in the daughter of one of his victims, a young girl, and he had decided to raise her.

"There was something he saw in her, that everyone saw in her, that made him do it. And made others help when killing her made more sense. He loved her. I was attracted to that love and they shared it with me."

"At the same time Thomas was reasserting his control of the city, which caused John Paul to wake."


0285

Sol stopped telling his story for moment, and single red tear trickled down his face. Meredith watched it, using her finger to collect it before it fell from his cheek. She licked it and then put her arm around Sol.

"It's OK," she said out loud, causing Sol to look at her in amazement.

She pulled back from him, putting her hands over her mouth in shock. "I... I... haven't... spoken... in over a hundred of years," she said, as tears began to fall from her face. A hint of color reddened her cheeks.

"Do not stop, tell me more," she said to Sol.

"I didn't know John Paul was back," Sol started tentatively, "but when I went to his coven's house to find out information about the state of the city, he was there waiting for me. He told me that I was special, but I didn't believe him. Then his chosen successor killed him and I fled.

"It was almost as if he had to die for me to believe," Sol said, forgetting about Meredith. "Oh my God," he said. "He died for me!"

Sol fell to his knees, as Meredith, still reeling from the sudden restoration of her ability to speak, watched. "He died for me," he said quietly. "He died for me, so I would believe. He gave his life so that I would live mine the way God intended."

Meredith slid down and held Sol. "Do you believe?" she asked.

"I don't know what to believe," he answered.

"Then you must discover what you believe."

"That's what he told me. He told me that you would help," Sol said, looking Meredith in the eyes.

"I will," she answered, sensing that he longed for guidance. "I must meet with the others as soon as possible," she said, helping Sol to his feet. "You must stay with your concubine for now. You will be summoned when it is time."

Sol didn't answer, he simply followed her directions. As they stepped back into the castle, however, those directions switched from verbal to mental.

"My Lady," Henry and Gan said, as the pair entered the den in which the door to the meeting room and Sol's bedroom was hidden. Jamie, in a far corner playing chess with Carmalinda just looked over.

"You," she said to Jamie's mind, causing a wave of shock in Jamie. "Take Sol to your bedroom and stay with him."

"Yes," Jamie said, jumping up and taking Sol through the fireplace.

To Car, she said, "Get your sister and guard the door."

"Yes my Lady," Car said, jumping up and running like a child out of the den.

To Gan, she said, "Get the others now and assemble them for a meeting."

"Yes my Lady," he said calmly, with a smile on his face. He bowed to her, but never let his eyes leave hers. As he stood, she touched his face and nodded her head. He ran off through the fireplace.

She walked over to Henry, the only vampire left in the room, and put her hand on his face. She then asked, "Are you loyal?" But did so out loud.

"My God," Henry said. "My Lady, you are healed."

"Yes," she said. "But the others cannot know until I am ready to tell them."

"Of course my Lady."

"Are you loyal?" she asked again.

"Yes," he said, before bowing down in front of Meredith.

She lifted him up by his hand, and asked, "Are you loyal to me?"

Henry said nothing for a moment, looking Meredith in the eyes. "Yes," he answered after a long pause.

"Then go back to your troops and await me. I will tell you what to do when I need it done."

"My Lady," he said, leaving the room, unsure of what was next to come.


0286

Although not particularly happy about the location, Elizabeth and Vein chose to make use of Elizabeth's old house as their temporary base. Alone, Vein's clan could do little to stop Thomas, if his were the only clan Thomas was fighting. Luckily, Vein's was one of many, so Thomas' troops were divided.

Indeed, there were several relatively large clans that held sizable tracts of the city. It was these clans that Elizabeth needed to unit. Unfortunately, the blocks controlled by the clans were not contiguous, so it would require a great deal of persuasion on her part to convince the other clans to give up areas that they had fought to control.

The pair were so busy discussing the different clans and brokering meetings that both had completely forgotten about Sol's messenger, who had become a favorite toy of some of the female vampires.

"Francis," one said, walking into the room in which he was being detained, "would you like to come out and play?"

"No, no thank you," he said politely to the thin blond.

"Why not?"

"Because you don't want to play, you want to mock me and I've grown tired of it. All I wish to do is speak with the Mistress of the house, Elizabeth."

"I could be Elizabeth if you want," she said with a broad smile.

"I dare say you couldn't," Francis said, turning away from the door and picking up the book he'd read three times already.

"I dare say she could not live up that standard, as well," a voice came from behind the vampire.

She turned and looked at the face behind the voice and staggered back. She didn't say anything, but it was obvious she was nervous.

"Leave," the vampire said to her, stepping aside from the door.

Awkwardly, she ran past him out the door.

Francis had turned around by now and was looking at the man standing in the doorway. "Who are you?" he asked.

"You are not a vampire."

"No, no I'm not," Francis answered.

"Yet you still live."

"So far."

"Why are you here?"

"I'm here to talk to Elizabeth. Do you know her?"

"In a manner of speaking," the vampire said. "What did you need to discuss with her?"

"I need to find someone named Sabastian."

"Why?"

"To deliver a message," Francis answered.

"I thought you needed to deliver a message to Elizabeth," the vampire stated.

"Only as a way to find Sabastian."

"Have you had difficulty finding this Sabastian?"

"You ask a lot of questions."

"Sometimes I do. Are you going to answer?"

"I went to an address I had for him, but he was not there."

"Who was there?"

Francis paused and looked at the vampire questioning him for a few moments. He looked down, then said, "I found the body of an old woman shoved in the freezer."

The vampire said nothing for a long time, then asked, "Was there anyone else there?"

"No," Francis answered, looking up.

"What else can you tell me?"

"There were signs of a struggle. Whatever happened in the house was violent."

"There was no little girl there?"

"No."

"Who is this message from?" the vampire asked.

"I'm not at liberty to say."

The vampire looked at the floor as he squatted down. "I could make you tell me," he said.

"Trust me, I'm well aware of that."

"Did Sol send you?"

The boy looked into the vampire's eyes. There was something in this vampire's eyes that he didn't see in any of the others. It was compassion, but it was clouded over somehow. Like the compassion wanted to come out, but couldn't for some reason. "Yes," he said after contemplating what to do for several minutes.


0287

"He has the girl then?"

"Why, no. I don't think he does," Francis said. "At least I never saw a little girl."

As he completed the sentence, he saw the vampire's eyes change. Gone was any fog, but so too had the compassion disappeared. In its place was rage.

"You will give me the message," the vampire demanded.

"I... I don't have it anymore," he said.

The vampire strode toward Francis, lifting him up by his shirt and taking him across the room to a wall. "You will give me the message!"

Francis, horrified and frightened, looked the vampire in the face and said, "I can't. I... don't have it." But while looking at him, Francis saw that the rage was driven by something deeper. He stuttered out, "You... you are Sabastian."

"Yes I am. Now tell me the message before I am forced to do something we will both regret."

"It is a letter," Francis said. "I... I can't give it to you because it was taken away from me by the one they call Vein. I tried to stop him from getting it, but he knocked me out or something. He searched my body and took it. I had it taped to my lower back."

Sabastian placed him on the ground and stepped back. He strode out of the room, grabbing the first vampire he found by the neck and lifting her to his face. "Where is Vein?" he asked.

"I don't know," she said, just before he ripped her head from her body, causing panic in those who saw it. They all ran from Sabastian, who followed them into the living room.

Three vampires came running at him at once, but he waved his arm, sending them flying against the far wall. He screamed for Vein, drowning out the screaming from the frightened and angered vampires running around the apartment.

Quickly Vein and Elizabeth came running out to the living room. Before he could do or say anything, Sabastain had Vein by the neck lifted high above the floor. "Where is the letter?" he demanded.

"Your sire has it!" he yelled, trying to struggle free.

Sabastian threw him across the room like a rag doll before turning to Elizabeth and saying, "Where is the letter?"

"Sabastian, calm down," she said.

As she completed the sentence, he lunged at her, grabbing her shirt and slammed her through a wall.

Elizabeth screamed in pain, but it had no effect on Sabastian, who simply demanded the letter again.

"I will get it," she said. "I will get it."

He put her down and she limped off to another room, bringing back the letter and handing to him.

He opened it and read.

Sabastian looked at the wall in front of him, saying nothing for quite some time. "I must find Susan," Sabastian said.

As he stepped out of the room, Elizabeth followed and watched as Sabastian walked out of the house. "Sabastian," she screamed to no avail. "I must go after him," she said, walking toward the door.

Vein grabbed her arm, saying, "You can't. You must meet with the other clans. If you are not here the Tribunal will never be reestablished."

She looked at him, knowing he was correct, but said, "I can't let him go alone. He's in no state for that. He needs to be protected."

"Others might need protection from him, but I doubt he needs protection. You must stay and save the city from your sire."

Elizabeth looked at Vein, then at the door. "You don't understand, I can't leave him out there alone."

"Then I will send someone to follow him."

"That won't do," she said angrily.

"Then I will go," Vein said hastily.

Elizabeth turned to Vein and took his face in her hands. Holding his head with an almost loving cradle, she said, "I will destroy you if you let any harm come to Sabastian."

Her tone was so intense, that Vein simply said, "I understand," and stepped back from her. He looked deep into her eyes and realized that he had pledged his life in exchange for the Tribunal's survival.

He ran out after Sabastian.


0288

"Wait for me!" Vein yelled after Sabastian as he walked quickly and deliberately out of the building.

He did not respond or stop, forcing Vein to run to catch up to him.

"Will you at least tell me where we are going?"

Sabastian did not respond, so Vein grabbed him by the arm. It shocked Vein at how hard Sabastian's arm was, like stone, but what was truly frightening was the look on Sabastian's face when he turned to see who was holding him.

"Elizabeth sent me to help you," he said, trying to muster as much strength in his voice as possible. "But I can't help you if I don't know what we are doing."

"I am going to my home in Rye to find someone very important to me."

"Do you intend to walk the entire way? It is quite far, I could drive us," Vein responded, causing Sabastian to relax somewhat.

"Where is your car?"

"Back at Elizabeth's apartment. It is only four blocks, we will easily make up any lost time in the car," Vein said, realizing that Elizabeth was correct about Sabastian's state of mind. He was so focused that he couldn't think beyond his end goal. What happened in-between mattered little to him. So little that he would attack those that would help him.

As they walked back, more slowly than they had left, Elizabeth was talking to Francis. "What did you say to him?"

"Nothing."

"That's a lie," she said.

"I told him I was trying to find him. That I had a letter from Sol to give him and that Vein had taken it from me."

Elizabeth slapped the boy to the ground. "I was trying to stop him from being bothered by such silliness. He cares very little about Sol. Why is he so concerned about Susan?"

"I don't even know who Susan is," Francis said, rubbing his face, though still on the ground.

"His little girl. The one that lives with him," she responded.

"If the little girl lived in the house in Rye, she isn't there anymore."

"What?" Elizabeth asked in shock.

"I went there, but all I found was an old lady's body shoved into the ice box."

"No one else? There was no one else there? she asked.

"No one."

Elizabeth looked around the room, as a cold chill flowed through her. She had kept the letter from Sabastian thinking that Mary was going to take care of the little girl. But if there was no one at the home, then Mary must have failed at her task or fled with the little girl.

"Could she have taken the girl?" Elizabeth said out loud. "But why would she do that, it makes no sense."

"I... I don't know what you're talking about," Francis said.

"If the little girl is in danger, I don't know if I will be able to contain Sabastain," she said, before turning to Francis and asking, "Does Sol know what is going on?"

"I... I don't know. He is in Europe with a friend," Francis responded, giving away more information than he should have.

"He must have run to Jamie, that little bitch. I should have killed that one the first time I found Sol..." she trailed off. "But he begged for his lover's life and I caved for my child. Again.

"What have I done," she said quietly, as she sat on the floor. "What am I doing.

"My life swirls around me and I feel I play no part in it. I simply do as is expected and never what I want."

Francis walked over to her and sat with her. "What do you want?" he asked.

"I don't know," she said. After a long, thoughtful pause, she said, "I want revenge on Thomas for betraying me.

"Vein will help Sabastian, he is in good hands. Besides, I don't know how to help him beyond what Vein could do anyway. However, I know exactly how to destroy Thomas and that is what I will do," she said forcefully.


0289

Although something of a surprise to Sabastian, he was able to direct Vein on how to get to his home with little difficulty. Other than directions, however, he did not speak to his companion, though Vein tried many times to start a conversation. Eventually, he simply put the radio on, as he realized trying to talk to Sabastian was a pointless exercise.

As they pulled into the driveway, Sabastian's eyes went wide. "Oh my God," he said, as he opened the door and stepped out, well before Vein had even begun to stop the car. This caused Vein to slam on the brakes, but Sabastian paid no mind to the car or anything else, as he hit the ground running.

He was standing beside the charred remains of the house before Vein had even stopped the car.

Sabastian stood looking at what remained, motionless.

After realizing that Sabastian had not only jumped out of the car, but seemingly transported himself to the house, Vein drove up to what remained of the house. He got out and walked up to Sabastian. "There isn't much house left," he said seriously.

"No, there is not. I must go to see another vampire," Sabastian responded, turning and walking toward the road.

"Sabastian!" Vein yelled. "I have a car."

Sabastian turned, and said, "So you do." He walked back and got in.

"O.K., now direct me how to get there, but promise you'll let me stop the car before you decide to jump out," Vein said sarcastically.

"I will direct you," was the reply, causing Vein to shake his head.

Sabastian took them to Mina's brothel. After the car came to a stop, Sabastian said, "You may not want to come with me. There is likely to be violence."

"Elizabeth sent me to protect you, which is a joke in and of itself, so I figure I should go regardless of who or what you intend to destroy. I can only hope I'm not on the short list," Vein replied.

"Not yet," Sabastian said seriously, stepping out of the car. Vein followed.

About six feet from the door, Sabastian stopped and looked at the camera that was anchored to the wall of the brothel. He looked intently at the camera for a minute before taking a deep breath and thrusting his right hand, palm out, toward the door.

The door ripped from the wall with such force it pulled apart the frame that housed it. The doors splintered and flew back, throwing both the doors and the guards into the wall opposite the door.

Vein looked on in shock. "My God," he said, before he even realized that Sabastian had already drained the life from one of the two guards and was now turning his attention to the other.

The second guard had regained enough of his senses, to know that his life was in grave danger. He was attempting to scramble away from Sabastian, but couldn't move quickly enough. Sabastian grabbed him by the neck and lifted him high up, crushing him into the ceiling.

Bringing the guards pained body back down so that they were looking eye to eye, Sabastian said, "Where is Mina?"

"She's left," the guard coughed out.

"Where?"

"I don't know," he answered.

Vein had walked up behind and was watching Sabastian in complete awe.

"You are telling the truth," Sabastian said, before draining the guard's life.

Vein stepped back in fear. He had never seen any vampire take another, let alone do it so easily. He was afraid, wondering what would happen to him if Sabastain didn't find what he wanted.


0290

Walking down the hallway, two female vampires lunged at Sabastian from a side room. He caught one by the neck, crushing it and simply popping her head off of her body. The other vampire he grabbed by the face, using his fingers to collapse the front half of her head. Both vampires fell to the ground lifeless.

Vein nearly threw up, but contained himself and continued to trail along behind. He noted, however, that Sabastain's body was pristine. Completely clean without any blood or other body parts on him at all.

At the end of the hallway, five vampires stood waiting. They each had drawn swords.

"Where is Mina," Sabastian demanded, stopping a safe distance from the band. The group charged.

Sabastian waved both of his hands from the center of his body to the walls, causing the five to be thrown against, and imbedded into, the walls. He walked from victim to victim, but none could answer his question and each was drained of their lives.

Standing before the door to the control room, Sabastian calmly opened the door and stepped through. There was no one on the other side. He walked calmly through to the door to Mina's private office. He tried to door, but it was locked. Vein stood well behind him watching.

Sabastian gently put his hand on the door and shoved it right off of its hinges. Two swords came down on his hand at the exact same time as the door fell. He had turned his hand up before they struck, however, and caught them both. Vein could see that the vampires were trying to pull their swords free of Sabastian's grip, but simply couldn't manage it.

With his free hand, Sabastian reached out and grabbed one of the vampires, draining him of his life. The other let go of his sword and ran toward the door into Mina's private room, but stopped as his sword came through his chest. He fell to his knees, turned his head to look at Sin, who was sitting on the couch watching, and fell forward.

"You had better kill him, too," Sin said, sarcastically. "You wouldn't want to leave any stone unturned."

Sabastian looked at her, walked over to the vampire through which he had thrown the sword and crushed his head with his foot. Turning to Sin, he asked, "Where is Mina?"

"She left."

"Where did she go?"

"I don't really know."

"Who was with her?"

"Mary and that little girl," Sin said with a smile.

Sabastian didn't speak for a moment, but looked intently at Sin.

"If you kill me, you'll never find anything out," she said.

"You would be surprised how loudly the dead can speak," Sabastian said walking to her.

"Mina was meeting with Thomas just before she took the little girl," Sin said, grinning wildly.

Her grin got wilder and wilder as Sabastian approached. Inches away, he reached out to grab Sin, but she drew a small knife across her neck, cutting her head off, just before he touched her.

Vein, who was watching from the doorway, wiped his mouth with his hand.

Sabastian stood silently over Sin, the image of Thomas etching itself on his mind.

From the doorway, Vein said, "The sun will be up soon, we should leave."

"I should have killed him when I had the chance," Sabastian said.

Vein said nothing, but walked over to Sabastian and gingerly placed a hand on his shoulder. "We need to leave."

"We must burn this place," Sabastian said. He reached down and picked up Sin's head. He held it up in front of his face and, after a few seconds it started to smolder and then burst into flames. He threw the head into a corner and watched as the fire spread.

Vein took Sabastian's arm and pulled him, "You'll never find the girl if you die in a fire."

Sabastian went with Vein, but said, "Fire would not be sufficient to kill me."

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

0290: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

Walking down the hallway, two female vampires lunged at Sabastian from a side room. He caught one by the neck, crushing it and simply popping her head off of her body. The other vampire he grabbed by the face, using his fingers to collapse the front half of her head. Both vampires fell to the ground lifeless.

Vein nearly threw up, but contained himself and continued to trail along behind. He noted, however, that Sabastain's body was pristine. Completely clean without any blood or other body parts on him at all.

At the end of the hallway, five vampires stood waiting. They each had drawn swords.

"Where is Mina," Sabastian demanded, stopping a safe distance from the band. The group charged.

Sabastian waved both of his hands from the center of his body to the walls, causing the five to be thrown against, and imbedded into, the walls. He walked from victim to victim, but none could answer his question and each was drained of their lives.

Standing before the door to the control room, Sabastian calmly opened the door and stepped through. There was no one on the other side. He walked calmly through to the door to Mina's private office. He tried to door, but it was locked. Vein stood well behind him watching.

Sabastian gently put his hand on the door and shoved it right off of its hinges. Two swords came down on his hand at the exact same time as the door fell. He had turned his hand up before they struck, however, and caught them both. Vein could see that the vampires were trying to pull their swords free of Sabastian's grip, but simply couldn't manage it.

With his free hand, Sabastian reached out and grabbed one of the vampires, draining him of his life. The other let go of his sword and ran toward the door into Mina's private room, but stopped as his sword came through his chest. He fell to his knees, turned his head to look at Sin, who was sitting on the couch watching, and fell forward.

"You had better kill him, too," Sin said, sarcastically. "You wouldn't want to leave any stone unturned."

Sabastian looked at her, walked over to the vampire through which he had thrown the sword and crushed his head with his foot. Turning to Sin, he asked, "Where is Mina?"

"She left."

"Where did she go?"

"I don't really know."

"Who was with her?"

"Mary and that little girl," Sin said with a smile.

Sabastian didn't speak for a moment, but looked intently at Sin.

"If you kill me, you'll never find anything out," she said.

"You would be surprised how loudly the dead can speak," Sabastian said walking to her.

"Mina was meeting with Thomas just before she took the little girl," Sin said, grinning wildly.

Her grin got wilder and wilder as Sabastian approached. Inches away, he reached out to grab Sin, but she drew a small knife across her neck, cutting her head off, just before he touched her.

Vein, who was watching from the doorway, wiped his mouth with his hand.

Sabastian stood silently over Sin, the image of Thomas etching itself on his mind.

From the doorway, Vein said, "The sun will be up soon, we should leave."

"I should have killed him when I had the chance," Sabastian said.

Vein said nothing, but walked over to Sabastian and gingerly placed a hand on his shoulder. "We need to leave."

"We must burn this place," Sabastian said. He reached down and picked up Sin's head. He held it up in front of his face and, after a few seconds it started to smolder and then burst into flames. He threw the head into a corner and watched as the fire spread.

Vein took Sabastian's arm and pulled him, "You'll never find the girl if you die in a fire."

Sabastian went with Vein, but said, "Fire would not be sufficient to kill me."


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

0289: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

Although something of a surprise to Sabastian, he was able to direct Vein on how to get to his home with little difficulty. Other than directions, however, he did not speak to his companion, though Vein tried many times to start a conversation. Eventually, he simply put the radio on, as he realized trying to talk to Sabastian was a pointless exercise.

As they pulled into the driveway, Sabastian's eyes went wide. "Oh my God," he said, as he opened the door and stepped out, well before Vein had even begun to stop the car. This caused Vein to slam on the brakes, but Sabastian paid no mind to the car or anything else, as he hit the ground running.

He was standing beside the charred remains of the house before Vein had even stopped the car.

Sabastian stood looking at what remained, motionless.

After realizing that Sabastian had not only jumped out of the car, but seemingly transported himself to the house, Vein drove up to what remained of the house. He got out and walked up to Sabastian. "There isn't much house left," he said seriously.

"No, there is not. I must go to see another vampire," Sabastian responded, turning and walking toward the road.

"Sabastian!" Vein yelled. "I have a car."

Sabastian turned, and said, "So you do." He walked back and got in.

"O.K., now direct me how to get there, but promise you'll let me stop the car before you decide to jump out," Vein said sarcastically.

"I will direct you," was the reply, causing Vein to shake his head.

Sabastian took them to Mina's brothel. After the car came to a stop, Sabastian said, "You may not want to come with me. There is likely to be violence."

"Elizabeth sent me to protect you, which is a joke in and of itself, so I figure I should go regardless of who or what you intend to destroy. I can only hope I'm not on the short list," Vein replied.

"Not yet," Sabastian said seriously, stepping out of the car. Vein followed.

About six feet from the door, Sabastian stopped and looked at the camera that was anchored to the wall of the brothel. He looked intently at the camera for a minute before taking a deep breath and thrusting his right hand, palm out, toward the door.

The door ripped from the wall with such force it pulled apart the frame that housed it. The doors splintered and flew back, throwing both the doors and the guards into the wall opposite the door.

Vein looked on in shock. "My God," he said, before he even realized that Sabastian had already drained the life from one of the two guards and was now turning his attention to the other.

The second guard had regained enough of his senses, to know that his life was in grave danger. He was attempting to scramble away from Sabastian, but couldn't move quickly enough. Sabastian grabbed him by the neck and lifted him high up, crushing him into the ceiling.

Bringing the guards pained body back down so that they were looking eye to eye, Sabastian said, "Where is Mina?"

"She's left," the guard coughed out.

"Where?"

"I don't know," he answered.

Vein had walked up behind and was watching Sabastian in complete awe.

"You are telling the truth," Sabastian said, before draining the guard's life.

Vein stepped back in fear. He had never seen any vampire take another, let alone do it so easily. He was afraid, wondering what would happen to him if Sabastain didn't find what he wanted.


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

0288: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

"Wait for me!" Vein yelled after Sabastian as he walked quickly and deliberately out of the building.

He did not respond or stop, forcing Vein to run to catch up to him.

"Will you at least tell me where we are going?"

Sabastian did not respond, so Vein grabbed him by the arm. It shocked Vein at how hard Sabastian's arm was, like stone, but what was truly frightening was the look on Sabastian's face when he turned to see who was holding him.

"Elizabeth sent me to help you," he said, trying to muster as much strength in his voice as possible. "But I can't help you if I don't know what we are doing."

"I am going to my home in Rye to find someone very important to me."

"Do you intend to walk the entire way? It is quite far, I could drive us," Vein responded, causing Sabastian to relax somewhat.

"Where is your car?"

"Back at Elizabeth's apartment. It is only four blocks, we will easily make up any lost time in the car," Vein said, realizing that Elizabeth was correct about Sabastian's state of mind. He was so focused that he couldn't think beyond his end goal. What happened in-between mattered little to him. So little that he would attack those that would help him.

As they walked back, more slowly than they had left, Elizabeth was talking to Francis. "What did you say to him?"

"Nothing."

"That's a lie," she said.

"I told him I was trying to find him. That I had a letter from Sol to give him and that Vein had taken it from me."

Elizabeth slapped the boy to the ground. "I was trying to stop him from being bothered by such silliness. He cares very little about Sol. Why is he so concerned about Susan?"

"I don't even know who Susan is," Francis said, rubbing his face, though still on the ground.

"His little girl. The one that lives with him," she responded.

"If the little girl lived in the house in Rye, she isn't there anymore."

"What?" Elizabeth asked in shock.

"I went there, but all I found was an old lady's body shoved into the ice box."

"No one else? There was no one else there? she asked.

"No one."

Elizabeth looked around the room, as a cold chill flowed through her. She had kept the letter from Sabastian thinking that Mary was going to take care of the little girl. But if there was no one at the home, then Mary must have failed at her task or fled with the little girl.

"Could she have taken the girl?" Elizabeth said out loud. "But why would she do that, it makes no sense."

"I... I don't know what you're talking about," Francis said.

"If the little girl is in danger, I don't know if I will be able to contain Sabastain," she said, before turning to Francis and asking, "Does Sol know what is going on?"

"I... I don't know. He is in Europe with a friend," Francis responded, giving away more information than he should have.

"He must have run to Jamie, that little bitch. I should have killed that one the first time I found Sol..." she trailed off. "But he begged for his lover's life and I caved for my child. Again.

"What have I done," she said quietly, as she sat on the floor. "What am I doing.

"My life swirls around me and I feel I play no part in it. I simply do as is expected and never what I want."

Francis walked over to her and sat with her. "What do you want?" he asked.

"I don't know," she said. After a long, thoughtful pause, she said, "I want revenge on Thomas for betraying me.

"Vein will help Sabastian, he is in good hands. Besides, I don't know how to help him beyond what Vein could do anyway. However, I know exactly how to destroy Thomas and that is what I will do," she said forcefully.


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

0287: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

"He has the girl then?"

"Why, no. I don't think he does," Francis said. "At least I never saw a little girl."

As he completed the sentence, he saw the vampire's eyes change. Gone was any fog, but so too had the compassion disappeared. In its place was rage.

"You will give me the message," the vampire demanded.

"I... I don't have it anymore," he said.

The vampire strode toward Francis, lifting him up by his shirt and taking him across the room to a wall. "You will give me the message!"

Francis, horrified and frightened, looked the vampire in the face and said, "I can't. I... don't have it." But while looking at him, Francis saw that the rage was driven by something deeper. He stuttered out, "You... you are Sabastian."

"Yes I am. Now tell me the message before I am forced to do something we will both regret."

"It is a letter," Francis said. "I... I can't give it to you because it was taken away from me by the one they call Vein. I tried to stop him from getting it, but he knocked me out or something. He searched my body and took it. I had it taped to my lower back."

Sabastian placed him on the ground and stepped back. He strode out of the room, grabbing the first vampire he found by the neck and lifting her to his face. "Where is Vein?" he asked.

"I don't know," she said, just before he ripped her head from her body, causing panic in those who saw it. They all ran from Sabastian, who followed them into the living room.

Three vampires came running at him at once, but he waved his arm, sending them flying against the far wall. He screamed for Vein, drowning out the screaming from the frightened and angered vampires running around the apartment.

Quickly Vein and Elizabeth came running out to the living room. Before he could do or say anything, Sabastain had Vein by the neck lifted high above the floor. "Where is the letter?" he demanded.

"Your sire has it!" he yelled, trying to struggle free.

Sabastian threw him across the room like a rag doll before turning to Elizabeth and saying, "Where is the letter?"

"Sabastian, calm down," she said.

As she completed the sentence, he lunged at her, grabbing her shirt and slammed her through a wall.

Elizabeth screamed in pain, but it had no effect on Sabastian, who simply demanded the letter again.

"I will get it," she said. "I will get it."

He put her down and she limped off to another room, bringing back the letter and handing to him.

He opened it and read.

Sabastian looked at the wall in front of him, saying nothing for quite some time. "I must find Susan," Sabastian said.

As he stepped out of the room, Elizabeth followed and watched as Sabastian walked out of the house. "Sabastian," she screamed to no avail. "I must go after him," she said, walking toward the door.

Vein grabbed her arm, saying, "You can't. You must meet with the other clans. If you are not here the Tribunal will never be reestablished."

She looked at him, knowing he was correct, but said, "I can't let him go alone. He's in no state for that. He needs to be protected."

"Others might need protection from him, but I doubt he needs protection. You must stay and save the city from your sire."

Elizabeth looked at Vein, then at the door. "You don't understand, I can't leave him out there alone."

"Then I will send someone to follow him."

"That won't do," she said angrily.

"Then I will go," Vein said hastily.

Elizabeth turned to Vein and took his face in her hands. Holding his head with an almost loving cradle, she said, "I will destroy you if you let any harm come to Sabastian."

Her tone was so intense, that Vein simply said, "I understand," and stepped back from her. He looked deep into her eyes and realized that he had pledged his life in exchange for the Tribunal's survival.

He ran out after Sabastian.


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

0286: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

Although not particularly happy about the location, Elizabeth and Vein chose to make use of Elizabeth's old house as their temporary base. Alone, Vein's clan could do little to stop Thomas, if his were the only clan Thomas was fighting. Luckily, Vein's was one of many, so Thomas' troops were divided.

Indeed, there were several relatively large clans that held sizable tracts of the city. It was these clans that Elizabeth needed to unit. Unfortunately, the blocks controlled by the clans were not contiguous, so it would require a great deal of persuasion on her part to convince the other clans to give up areas that they had fought to control.

The pair were so busy discussing the different clans and brokering meetings that both had completely forgotten about Sol's messenger, who had become a favorite toy of some of the female vampires.

"Francis," one said, walking into the room in which he was being detained, "would you like to come out and play?"

"No, no thank you," he said politely to the thin blond.

"Why not?"

"Because you don't want to play, you want to mock me and I've grown tired of it. All I wish to do is speak with the Mistress of the house, Elizabeth."

"I could be Elizabeth if you want," she said with a broad smile.

"I dare say you couldn't," Francis said, turning away from the door and picking up the book he'd read three times already.

"I dare say she could not live up that standard, as well," a voice came from behind the vampire.

She turned and looked at the face behind the voice and staggered back. She didn't say anything, but it was obvious she was nervous.

"Leave," the vampire said to her, stepping aside from the door.

Awkwardly, she ran past him out the door.

Francis had turned around by now and was looking at the man standing in the doorway. "Who are you?" he asked.

"You are not a vampire."

"No, no I'm not," Francis answered.

"Yet you still live."

"So far."

"Why are you here?"

"I'm here to talk to Elizabeth. Do you know her?"

"In a manner of speaking," the vampire said. "What did you need to discuss with her?"

"I need to find someone named Sabastian."

"Why?"

"To deliver a message," Francis answered.

"I thought you needed to deliver a message to Elizabeth," the vampire stated.

"Only as a way to find Sabastian."

"Have you had difficulty finding this Sabastian?"

"You ask a lot of questions."

"Sometimes I do. Are you going to answer?"

"I went to an address I had for him, but he was not there."

"Who was there?"

Francis paused and looked at the vampire questioning him for a few moments. He looked down, then said, "I found the body of an old woman shoved in the freezer."

The vampire said nothing for a long time, then asked, "Was there anyone else there?"

"No," Francis answered, looking up.

"What else can you tell me?"

"There were signs of a struggle. Whatever happened in the house was violent."

"There was no little girl there?"

"No."

"Who is this message from?" the vampire asked.

"I'm not at liberty to say."

The vampire looked at the floor as he squatted down. "I could make you tell me," he said.

"Trust me, I'm well aware of that."

"Did Sol send you?"

The boy looked into the vampire's eyes. There was something in this vampire's eyes that he didn't see in any of the others. It was compassion, but it was clouded over somehow. Like the compassion wanted to come out, but couldn't for some reason. "Yes," he said after contemplating what to do for several minutes.


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

0285: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

Sol stopped telling his story for moment, and single red tear trickled down his face. Meredith watched it, using her finger to collect it before it fell from his cheek. She licked it and then put her arm around Sol.

"It's OK," she said out loud, causing Sol to look at her in amazement.

She pulled back from him, putting her hands over her mouth in shock. "I... I... haven't... spoken... in over a hundred of years," she said, as tears began to fall from her face. A hint of color reddened her cheeks.

"Do not stop, tell me more," she said to Sol.

"I didn't know John Paul was back," Sol started tentatively, "but when I went to his coven's house to find out information about the state of the city, he was there waiting for me. He told me that I was special, but I didn't believe him. Then his chosen successor killed him and I fled.

"It was almost as if he had to die for me to believe," Sol said, forgetting about Meredith. "Oh my God," he said. "He died for me!"

Sol fell to his knees, as Meredith, still reeling from the sudden restoration of her ability to speak, watched. "He died for me," he said quietly. "He died for me, so I would believe. He gave his life so that I would live mine the way God intended."

Meredith slid down and held Sol. "Do you believe?" she asked.

"I don't know what to believe," he answered.

"Then you must discover what you believe."

"That's what he told me. He told me that you would help," Sol said, looking Meredith in the eyes.

"I will," she answered, sensing that he longed for guidance. "I must meet with the others as soon as possible," she said, helping Sol to his feet. "You must stay with your concubine for now. You will be summoned when it is time."

Sol didn't answer, he simply followed her directions. As they stepped back into the castle, however, those directions switched from verbal to mental.

"My Lady," Henry and Gan said, as the pair entered the den in which the door to the meeting room and Sol's bedroom was hidden. Jamie, in a far corner playing chess with Carmalinda just looked over.

"You," she said to Jamie's mind, causing a wave of shock in Jamie. "Take Sol to your bedroom and stay with him."

"Yes," Jamie said, jumping up and taking Sol through the fireplace.

To Car, she said, "Get your sister and guard the door."

"Yes my Lady," Car said, jumping up and running like a child out of the den.

To Gan, she said, "Get the others now and assemble them for a meeting."

"Yes my Lady," he said calmly, with a smile on his face. He bowed to her, but never let his eyes leave hers. As he stood, she touched his face and nodded her head. He ran off through the fireplace.

She walked over to Henry, the only vampire left in the room, and put her hand on his face. She then asked, "Are you loyal?" But did so out loud.

"My God," Henry said. "My Lady, you are healed."

"Yes," she said. "But the others cannot know until I am ready to tell them."

"Of course my Lady."

"Are you loyal?" she asked again.

"Yes," he said, before bowing down in front of Meredith.

She lifted him up by his hand, and asked, "Are you loyal to me?"

Henry said nothing for a moment, looking Meredith in the eyes. "Yes," he answered after a long pause.

"Then go back to your troops and await me. I will tell you what to do when I need it done."

"My Lady," he said, leaving the room, unsure of what was next to come.


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

0284: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

"Tell me more," Meredith said with her mind to Sol as they sat overlooking the lands. "I want to know what was important to you."

"When I was young, the Church was all important. It was the only thing that was important to anyone. An odd time now that I look back. There was vice, but it was ignored and virtue was highlighted. Quite the opposite of today.

"Still, I couldn't give myself to that life. It felt wrong. So I left to become an artisan. Sculpture. I loved the stone and wood with which I worked. It was what brought Elizabeth to me. She noticed me one night and watched as I worked after all the others went home.

"I saw her and started to carve her into the stone. I didn't even know what I was doing, I was just carving. Chipping away the outer layers to reveal what was inside. I created what some would call a devil, but I didn't see it that way.

"At first she seemed upset, but then she made me into what I am today. Since that time I've spend most of my life, or death, serving her needs. I replaced Sabastian in that. But I never loved her, as I believe Sabastian did. I simply lived with her and did her bidding, which was never hard. Though childish at times, she is really a beautiful woman in her heart. It is why I stayed when I wanted to go.

"There were times we spent apart. I met Jamie during one of those separations. Jamie has been an important friend in my life. My lover, in all honesty. A calm place in a storm. I'm always welcome in Jamie's heart. Both of our faults melt away when we are together." Sol stopped and looked out over the horizon.

"Continue," Meredith said, touching Sol's arm.

"I guess the next big thing in my life was leaving Jamie because Elizabeth needed me in the New World. It was hard and ugly, but I did it. In the Americas, I met Thomas. I had met him before, but we seemed to become close as he relinquished his power, giving it all to my sire. I also met Sabastian for the first time, after an unfortunate event that seems to have driven all that has followed.

"I liked Sabastian from the first moment I met him. There were some who called him a cannibal or monster, but I couldn't see it."

"He takes his own?" Meredith interrupted.

"Yes," Sol said. "He does. But it isn't like you think. He doesn't hunt down vampires, he only takes life when he must." Pausing a moment to think, as if something just clicked in his mind, Sol continued, "And then he only takes some when he could take many more. It is almost as if he is selective."

"So he takes some, but not all," Meredith said, looking away from Sol.

"Yes. I've never seen him feed unless it was in self-defense. And even then, he takes some but not others."

"And how has he changed you?"

"When it turned out that Thomas had used me to manipulate and keep tabs on Elizabeth, I broke from my sire and went with Sabastian. He had taken in the daughter of one of his victims, a young girl, and he had decided to raise her.

"There was something he saw in her, that everyone saw in her, that made him do it. And made others help when killing her made more sense. He loved her. I was attracted to that love and they shared it with me."

"At the same time Thomas was reasserting his control of the city, which caused John Paul to wake."


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

0283: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

The next night, Sol left Jamie in their bed as soon as he got up. He wanted very badly to find Meredith and learn what he could from her. As he dressed, he opened his mind to the castle, but couldn't sense her anywhere through the clutter of vampires. He noted, however, that he couldn't sense any of the other guests, either.

He walked upstairs and into the den, finding Meredith sitting directly across from the fireplace. She smiled.

"Do you mind if we go to the tower?" he asked.

She shook her head and stood up, offering Sol her hand.

Sol took her hand and led her through the castle to the tower. The walk was silent, but strangely pleasant.

Once at the top, Sol walked out and then led her to the edge to see the small army that was outside the gates.

"Everyone, it seems, is here for me," he said.

Meredith smiled at him. She looked younger than he thought in his first encounters. In fact, he guessed she was little more than sixteen when she was made. Although her pale complexion and fine blond hair gave her an eerie look from afar, there was an underlying beauty that was captivating.

After looking her over and contemplating her beauty for several minutes, he noticed that she was watching him with a slight smile on her face, so he quickly looked away.

"I'm sorry," Sol said. "I tend to think too much."

She put her hand on his, as if to say it was OK.

"I like to come up here and look out over the horizon," he continued. "Although the circumstances of my stay are less than ideal, the time has given me a chance to think quite deeply about my life and what I've done with it."

Meredith tilted her head to note her interest in what Sol was saying.

"I've spent so much time just being that I've never thought about why I am here at all. Why was I made? Why was I made by Elizabeth? Why did I meet the vampires that I've met? Befriend the vampires that I've befriended?

"I still have no answers," he said with a laugh. "But I have a feeling. I feel like I'm meant to do something, I just don't know what yet. When I find out, I know I'll grasp it and blossom. I almost feel like a butterfly that is still in its cocoon.

"John Paul told me that I was a Doubting Thomas, even when it came to myself. I need proof. He was correct about so many things, I have no doubt that he was correct about that. I wish I could believe more than I do. I want to be what he thought I was, I'm just not convinced that I am.

"And all of you are here because he believed in me, even though I don't believe in myself."

Meredith smiled and lifted a hand to Sol's face. Touching it gently, she spoke to him with her mind, "Few have the conviction of John Paul. And the task he believed is yours is a hard one. Only a fool or a zealot would take it on lightly. You are neither and I believe that makes you a better choice for the task."

"That is very kind of you," Sol said. "I wish I knew what to do now."

"Tell me about your past," She said.

"There isn't much to tell, you saw some important events the night you were in my room."

"I am sorry for that," she said looking down. "The situation we are in is important and I foolishly tried to force myself on you. It was a mistake."

"I was very upset at first, but now that I know your situation, I am not the least bit angry," responded Sol.

Meredith smiled.


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

0282: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

Sol and Henry stood silently for a little while longer, before Sol asked, "What do you think is going to happen?"

"I don't know," Henry answered. "My life is as much in the balance as your own."

"It seems I've gotten a great many vampires into this fix."

"Don't be too hard on yourself," Henry said, "if you are who John Paul says you are, it will all be worth it."

"I don't know. John Paul compared me to Doubting Thomas before he died. I have to touch the wound if I am to believe. He knew me very well. I am almost ashamed that I have such a hard time believing."

"Don't be," Henry responded after a long pause. "Belief is hard."

"The dawn approaches," Sol said, "we should go back down."

"Yes, we should," Henry said, before turning to look Sol in the face. "You are a good kid. I hope that John Paul was right about you." He then walked back into the tower and down the stairs.

Sol stood looking at the open doorway. "Could I be the one?" he asked himself. "I just don't feel it. But then I don't know what being the one would feel like. I just can't imagine that it feels so unsure."

He turned and took one last look over the army outside the castle, sighed, and walked down the tower steps.

When he got to the main castle, Car and Melinda were waiting for him.

"Girls," he said as he hit the landing.

"We're worried about you," the said in unison.

"Really, why?"

"You haven't eaten in days," Car said.

"You must eat if you want to survive," Melinda followed.

Sol tilted his head slightly and though. It was true, he hadn't eaten in days. He had been so deep in thought that food wasn't even on his mind. "You are correct on both accounts," he replied. "Is there anything to eat?"

"Yes," the girls said together, each taking one of Sol's hands and pulling him into the dinning room. As they walked in, he saw the White Vampire sitting at the table with her back to the doorway.

She raised her right hand and the girls said, "You're welcome my lady," together. Then, "Yes," and they were off, leaving Sol with the White Vampire.

"My Lady," he said, bowing slightly. "May I join you?" He left his mind open, but she did not attempt to read him or speak to him in that way. Instead, she turned and smiled.

Sol walked over to a chair next to her and sat. "Henry tells me that your name is Meredith," he said.

She nodded her head again.

"He also tells me that it is very hard for you to speak and that you use your mind instead."

She nodded.

"I'm sorry that I didn't know that. I've been under a great deal of," he paused, "pressure lately. When you attempted to read me without first contacting me in any way, my first reaction was to become defensive."

She smiled at him at put her hand on his. He was shocked at how cold her hand was, leading him to sport a blank expression as he looked at it.

"You haven't fed in a very long time," he said, looking up at her.

She shook her head.

"Why?" he asked, then closed his eyes because of the stupidity of questioning one that doesn't talk.

She rubbed his hand and smiled.

"It is late tonight, but, perhaps, tomorrow we can talk," he said.

She nodded her head and smiled again.

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

More Site Updates and a Plan of Attack (June Restart!)

I've put up the bulk posts of Book Three, Chapters 251 to 260, 261 to 270, and 271 to 280. That should bring us pretty much up to date with what has been published. You can find the bulk posts by clicking on the Book Three link to the left. I'm sure there is a lot more housekeeping to be done, but I'll get to it over time. Remember, I'm going to remove these posts once I make Book Three and, well, book.

Right now, I'm re-reading posts 282 to 316... All of which are unpublished but written. That's a good thing and a bad thing. It gives me an instant backlog, but it means I need to keep reading/editing for a bit longer before I start posting again. Right now, I'm planning on a June restart. We'll see what happens.

I'm also trying to relearn how to work with Blogger... Which has changed a great deal since I last posted anything material. So, that's taking a bit of time, too. So expect some mistakes along the way.

One feature that I'm trying with this post is to schedule it for the future (that would be tomorrow in this case). If it works I'll be very pleased. It was the one feature that was missing before. In fact, if it works, I'll be able to pre-post all of the unpublished posts and they'll just run through without my interference. (Sweet!) Then I can just add new ones as I write them and not have to worry about the calendar. (Sweeter!)

Thanks for reading!

Some Site Updates

I've made some changes to the site, including removing access to most of Book Two. As I noted before, Book One will remain free. Book Three will remain free while it is being written and compiled for publication. So, if you want to read Book Three for free, keep coming back for updates!

I am currently rereading Book Three to make sure I "know" where I am in the story before I continue with that Book. The story will pick up from where it left off. Not sure how far away I am from writing again, but I can't imagine it will be too long.

The story should begin again soon...