0118

Sabastian showed Elizabeth how to get into the basement, a task that required opening several different mechanical locks.

"This is a very complicated system," Elizabeth remarked.

"It has kept me safe and, more importantly, it does not require your modern technology to work. Too many of our kind rely on electricity to keep them safe."

"You are so very old fashioned, my dear."

"I will take that as a compliment."

Sabastian began to collect his things, including a large number of small paintings.

"Is that your family?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yes."

"Are there any left?"

"None that I follow closely. When my daughter's children died, I lost interest."

"I'm sorry," Elizabeth said, putting her arm around Sabastian and laying her head on his shoulder.

"For what? You no longer owe me apologies."

"You are too kind. It seems to me that I owe you an increasing number. It starts with your daughter and, at the moment, ends with the events of the other night.

"I knew nothing of his plans. You must believe me."

"I know he used you. I do not fault you for what happened."

"Thank you, my dear. But I will always feel regret when it comes to you."

"Well, as it stands, the only thing I fault you for, at the moment, is breaking my front door. I hope you regret that enough to fix it quickly," he said, passing a hand over her hair.

"You are a dear, of course I'll fix it."

After putting his things into a small box, the two of them went upstairs to find Sol sitting in the living room chatting with Elizabeth's guards.

"Ah, there you are,” he said to Elizabeth and Sabastian as they entered. “I wish you had left a forwarding address. It would have been so much easier to find you if I'd known you had moved."

"I'm sorry Sol, for so many things."

"You did not know. I am angry, but I can't fault you."

"It is getting late," Sabastian interrupted. "Elizabeth has decided to steal my home from me and, to make matters worse, selectively take my belongings."

"Oh posh, you agreed to it."

"You say that as though you offered me a choice. I have collected the things that are most important to me.

"Sol, is it agreeable with you that Elizabeth contact me through you when she is ready to have the rest of my belongings sent to our new home?"

"Of course."

"Good. Take good care of my home," Sabastian said, kissing Elizabeth's hand. "Sol, shall we take our leave?"


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