0149

"Mary and I spent the drive discussing the Smithson clan and her sire, Tobias," Sabastian said to Sol as the lay together, testing out a bed.

"And what did she say?" Sol asked.

"She was far more open and honest than I had expected. It seems that the Smithsons started in Europe, but Tobias was, more or less, expelled to the New World because he killed his own sire to take control of the clan.

"Mary was instrumental in perpetrating this act. Life was so difficult for them afterward that they fled. Your friend Baal was created after they arrived here."

"I wonder what happened to Baal?" Sol asked.

"He finally had the freedom to confront me."

"Which, I assume, means he's dead."

"Yes. He was an evil creature, controlled by the bloodlust and greed for power."

"I'm certain you did the world a service. I can't imagine the pain he has caused."

"I live with it every day," Sabastian said.

"So you... You fed on him?"

"Yes."

"What was it like?"

"I saw every one of his victims. They still haunt my thoughts when I rest. He was one of the most vile creatures I have ever met."

"I didn't think he was that bad," Sol answered, feeling some loyalty to his former partner.

"He would lock up women and children for days and weeks, torturing them before ending their misery. He wanted them to beg for death."

"I didn't know that."

"I am certain you did not. I, however, know exactly how many died in that manner. What right did he have to judge a child?" Sabastian asked rhetorically.

"And you had to see every victim?"

"Yes, and, unfortunately, traumatic events, such as torture and death, tend to be powerful memories for victims. I assume the first thing you see when you take a victim is your own attack."

"I don't attack victims. I only take those that wish to die. I've never been able to stomach..." Sol stopped and looked at Sabastian, who knew all to well what Sol's last word would be.

"Interesting," Sabastian said. "It has been a long time since I have had a willing victim. If I remember correctly, the most acute memories are of the reasons for their desire."

"Yes," Sol answered.

"I imagine that these images are equally as painful."

"They can be quite upsetting."

"We all have our crosses to bear," Sabastian said.

"Interesting choice of words," Sol responded. "Did Mary say anything else of interest?"

"Just that she feels at peace with Susan. She doesn't know why, but, as with you, she sees something special in my little girl."

Sol noted that Sabastian used the word "my" to describe Susan, but responded, "I hope that tranquility remains. Baal's violence was only a symptom of a greater evil in that clan."

"Yes," Sabastian, responded, "she mentioned that her clan was violent and that she was no exception."

"Doesn't that worry you?" asked Sol.

"As with you, Susan wanted her to join us. She must have seen something in Mary that you and I would not."

"I hope she is right," Sol said, obviously holding back something he knew, or thought he knew.


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