0113

"How many of our kind have you killed?" Mary asked, as the two of them began to explore the house.

"How many humans have you killed?"

"There have been so many that I lost count years ago."

Sabastian did not reply.

"What room will you sleep in?" Mary asked after they had wandered the rest of the house in silence.

"I assumed we would share the basement."

"The basement?" Mary asked with a mixture of surprise and disgust.

"Most of the elders sleep in basements," Sol announced, leaning in the doorway. Mary, startled, turned to look at Sol, while Sabastian continued to look out the window. "It makes them feel safer. It's really only the new blood that sleeps above ground."

"But Sabastian said he isn't an ancient."

"By years he is not, but by blood I suspect he is one of the oldest you have ever met. I've felt his wrath, he has more power than he even knows."

"Hyperbole," Sabastian said quietly.

"And he is quite modest," added Sol.

"I will be spending the day in the basement, you are both welcome if you wish to join me," Sabastian said.

"Until we get the house set up, I think it is best that we heed Sabastian's advice and sleep below ground."

"I've spent a week in a run-down, abandoned house, I’m not sleeping in a dirty basement. I'll sleep in a closet before I spend another night in such filth."

"Whatever you decide is best," Sabastian said, leaving the room. Sol followed.

"I'll see you in the evening," Mary yelled after them.

On the way to the basement, Sol asked, "Sabastian, do you think we can trust her?"

"Funny," he replied, "she asked me the same thing about you."

"And what did you say?"

"The same thing I will tell you. Susan believes you are trustworthy, and I respect her judgement."

"You trust your life to a child?"

"Yes, I do. But what really interests me is that Mary and you trust me."

"From what I have seen of your loyalty, we have nothing to fear from you. Mary, however, is another issue.

"Although my direct dealings with her have been few, one does not rise to the hierarchy of the Smithson clan because they are trustworthy and kind."

"Nor does one rise in the ranks of the Enforcers based on these qualities."

"My place in the Enforcers was contrived, you know that."

"Yes," Sabastian replied, "but Mary does not."


[Copyright Reuben Gregg Brewer, 2005. All rights reserved.]
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