0169

On his way to New York City, Sol thought about Mary and what she said about Mina. Something worried him, but he couldn't put his finger on it. He was guarded around Mary already, but now he felt that he had to be even more protective of his thoughts.

The traffic was light, though, so he didn't have much time to dwell on that before he hit the city. Soon thereafter he was parking a few blocks north of the Church.

Stepping out of the car, he noted that there were vampires watching him. "Show yourselves," he said out loud.

Two vampires walked down the street, one on each side. They were both wearing white robes.

"Laz," he said, extending his hand to the one walking closest to him. "How are you?"

"I'm good," the man answered, giving Sol his hand. "But what brings you back to us tonight?"

"Information. I was hoping to talk some more with John Paul."

"Ah, let me escort you to Paul first. I'm sure he would like to talk to you, too."

"O.K.," Sol answered cheerily, but underneath he was concerned. The last time he spoke with Paul, he seemed oddly effected by John Paul's return. It was as though he didn't want to cede his control over the clan to his sire, who held the rightful claim to power. "Just one more thing to worry about," Sol thought, as they walked and talked about things Sol already knew.

Laz brought Sol to Paul's office and asked him to sit outside while he went to find Paul. A few minutes of boredom later, Paul came in and shook Sol's hand. "Come in, come in. Lazarus should have let you in so you would have been more comfortable. I am very sorry.

"He tells me you came to talk to John Paul. After the encounter you had last time, I'm not surprised that you are concerned about your old friend. I, as his own blood, am deeply troubled by his mental state.

"It's like this, sometimes, when an ancient comes back to us after slumbering for so long."

"Yes," said Sol. "I've heard of situations where an ancient has come back confused."

"Exactly, exactly. Very disturbing that it should happen to someone so fine as John Paul. He is the light of our faith, or at least he was.

"This episode has dimmed his brilliance. The elders and I have tried to keep him separated from the others. We fear that they may not understand the gravity of his situation. That they may follow him down a path that not even he himself would advocate, were he in full control of his faculties."

"I understand."

"We were all so excited upon his return, most especially me. I wanted so badly for him to lead us again, you understand, but in his current state. It just isn't possible."

"You're only being prudent," Sol said.

"Sol, I am so very glad that you understand," Paul said, putting a hand on Sol's shoulder. "We all hope that this will pass, that he will return to us, truly return to us. But while we wait, I fear we must keep him isolated as best we can."

"I understand."

"I am very glad, let me show you to the door."

"Thank you, John Paul, that is very kind of you. You must be busy, however, and I know my way. I can show myself out," Sol said. "I will be back soon, though, to check up on him."

"Sol, John Paul couldn't ask for a better friend. And I insist that I see you to the door, it would rude of me not to."


[Copyright Reuben Gregg Brewer, 2005, 2006. All rights reserved.]
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