Book Two, Chapters 171 to 180

The Vampire's Daughter
Book Two
The Beginning of Another
Chapters 171 to 180


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

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0171

Sol walked into John Paul's apartment at the top of the tower and sat down on the floor. "You still refuse to sit on the chairs?" John Paul asked.

"Yes."

"Are you telling me that you don't believe me about the chosen one and your role in helping him?"

"I don't know what I believe JP. I just can't accept that I'm supposed to do God's work."

"What if it weren't God's work, but the Unspeakable's work?"

"I can believe that I'm here, that I exist, to do Satan's work," Sol said.

"Then why is it so hard to believe you are here to do God's work?"

"Because we are vampires. We are the spawn of hell. We do vile, evil things. Unjustifiable things. How could God condone what we do?"

"I am from the four. I have seen the rise and fall of civilizations. I have met the men and women who's names are written in these books," John Paul said, picking up a stack of religious texts. "Are you so foolish as to believe the glorified descriptions these tombs contain?

"These books, The Old Testament, The New Testament, The Koran, all of them, they are glorified recounts of events. Some real, some imagined, some just made up.

"Do you believe humans lived to be hundreds of years old? They don't do that now, even with their medical advances.

"How about Moses? He was nothing like what this book says. He was nothing like what people think today. Does that diminish what he did? He saved a nation, a people, from slavery and brought them to a new land. Do you think that was achieved with a few magic tricks?

"No. Do you think David really killed Goliath with a pebble? Sure, the seed of truth is there, but hyperbole has made this story, all of these stories, fantastic.

"No one is perfect. We are all flawed in our own way. That doesn't mean we can't be destined for greatness. It doesn't mean that God doesn't have a purpose for us. God loves all of us and there is a role for all of us.

"It is the lucky few who actually know what that role is."

"You sound like another friend of mine," Sol said, thinking of the conversation he had with Susan.

"Then this friend is very knowledgeable and you should pay more attention to him."

"Her, and I'm starting to think she may know more than I first believed.

"Even if I believe what you say,” Sol continued, “I still don't know what I'm supposed to do."

"The father said you were to pave the way for the chosen one so that we could face judgement. Only you can determine your destiny, but I believe you should preach the word."

"What word?" Sol asked.

"The words I have spoken to you, the words spoken to me by the Father."

"JP, I just, I just can't believe. I've seen too much suffering and killed too many people to believe God exists."

"And yet you still won't sit on chairs made by Jesus’ hands? I think you are not ready to believe.

"It's O.K. Sol, there is plenty of time. God will let you know when you have to take up your calling."

"Yes, I suppose he will, but for now I have someone else I need to meet before it is too late. I don’t want to cut this mass short," Sol said with a joking smile, “but if I don’t leave now, I may not make it to my next destination.”

“I’m sure I’ll have another chance to convert you,” John Paul said with a hearty laugh. He stood and offered a hand to Sol. Once both were up, John Paul escorted Sol to the church floor, where two guards were waiting for him.


0172

The guards took Sol to Paul, who was in his office with some of the elders of the Church.

"Sol, come in, come in. We were just discussing John Paul's predicament. Please sit."

"Thank you, but I can't stay long, I have an appointment that I have to keep," Sol answered.

"Well then, perhaps you can just quickly recap your interaction with John Paul for us."

"He wasn't much different from when I last saw him."

"So he's still talking about prophecies and the end of the world?"

"I wouldn't characterize his words like that, but he is certainly changed from before his time from us."

"He is acting, I hate to use this term, but, crazy. Unusual just isn't a strong enough term," Paul said.

"He is acting like his faith has been renewed. Like his time away has reignited a fire that has been dormant for too long."

"So you are saying he is acting extreme?"

"No, I am saying that he is acting like a true believer."

"Sol, a true believer doesn't focus on tangential events that do not serve God's purpose. John Paul is talking nonsense. He is making things up."

"Do you know that for certain?" Sol asked. "I don't. So I listen. The worst thing I could do would be to act rashly, especially now."

One of the elders replied, "Sol has wisdom beyond his years. I agree with him. There is no need for rash action, let us sit with our brother. See what develops before we do anything."

The others in the room agreed by nodding their heads and saying things like, "Yes, he's right" and "I agree."

"Waiting is fine," Paul replied, "but what about the influence he has on the others. Some of us are not strong enough to realize John Paul's delicate situation."

"We've kept him apart from the others thus far, why not keep it this way for now?" asked an elder.

"We will do that, I just hope we can keep him isolated until we are able to come to a decision about what we must do," Paul said, mournfully.

"Sol," he continued, "I think it would be best if you did not see John Paul again for a while. It seems to upset him, it makes his condition worse. I hope you understand."

"No, I do not understand. Nor will I allow a friend to sit tortured with no one to talk to. I intend to see JP again soon," Sol said.

"I'm afraid the elders and I have decided that that isn't in John Paul's best interests. We will forcibly deny you access if we must."

"Then we'll cross that bridge when it comes. Gentleman," Sol said, turning to leave, "I have other obligations I must attend to."

He could hear Paul leading the elders along the path to John Paul's destruction, concealed in a facade of concern, as he left.


0173

Sol headed to Sabastian's brownstone in mid-town Manhattan. He was hoping to talk his way past the guards to see his sire, Elizabeth. He hadn't really spoken to her since the night Thomas destroyed the Smithson clan.

Sol was bitter at being used and was emotionally blaming both Elizabeth and Thomas. But he felt that Elizabeth was likely as much of a pawn in Thomas' plan as he was. Sol wanted to talk to her to make sure.

Indeed, despite his anger at her actions, including many beyond the most recent issue, he still cared for her. She was a captivating and capable woman when she chose to be. And that was the problem, she seldom chose to do her best. Sol, like Sabastian, had grown tired of her immaturity, but still felt tied to her. He reflected on the bond he felt, and decided it was more than the fact that she was his sire. He cared deeply for her and felt that she cared for him, too.

As he walked into the inner gate, the two guards' eyes opened wide. One said, "Sol, this really isn't a good time. You should..." He didn't get to finish his statement because the door opened.

Both guards moved to the side in military rigor to allow Night and Thomas to pass.

Upon seeing the pair, rage overtook Sol's mind. He was in the way, but did not move.

"Sol," Thomas announced, as he passed through the door. "How good to see you. Night told me you had been slinking around your sire's door of late. How are you?"

"I am good," Sol said tersely.

"You are angry with me," Thomas said condescendingly. "I understand."

"Do you?"

"Yes. I do. I've been in your place before. But you must understand that I am working toward a more important goal.

"We must unify this country. This is the first step."

"Everything you told me was a lie," Sol said.

"No, there were the seeds of truth in everything I said. It is simply a matter of how one reacts to how one feels and the events that are taking place around you.

"I needed time to think, you helped me work through my conflicted feelings. I owe you dearly and it hurts me that you feel used."

"I find it hard to believe you," Sol said to him.

"When you are ready, Sol, I would very much like to talk as we used to. Things are chaotic now, I know. But as I gain control of the city, I will have more time. You can come to me then. We can talk about what was happening behind the scenes.

"I warn you, though, be careful of Sabastian. He is far more dangerous than you believe. Once his precious little human is gone, he will turn on you. And that Smithson girl, you know as well as I that she is evil—all of the Smithsons were."

"I will be the judge on both topics."

"So you will," Thomas said calmly. "Well, it was nice to see you Sol, but I have pressing business. May I pass?"

Sol continued to stand in his way. Night, who was watching until now, stepped to Sol and said, "Move or I will move you."

"You could try," Sol responded.

Before night was able to say anything, or do anything, Thomas took her by the shoulder and moved her behind him. With a smile he said, "Sol, I understand. You don't believe me, but I do. When you are ready we will talk. For now, though, please let's be civil. May I pass?"

Sol moved to the side, and Thomas and Night walked past him. "I want to see my sire without having to kill old friends," Sol announced, as Thomas was walking through the gate to the outer court. The two guards exchanged a nervous glance, as they figured Sol could easily kill them if he wanted.

Thomas turned and said, "I see no harm in this request," and continued on his way. The guards sighed in relief.


0174

"Come on, guys," Sol said. "I was bluffing, I wasn't going to kill you. Ask for a favor for an old friend, maybe. But not kill you."

"Yeah, well, I'm glad you got his permission just the same," one guard said.

Sol walked into the house, which was now full of Elizabeth's furniture. She was sitting in a large chair in the living room wearing a lush robe. "I like what you've done with the place," Sol said to her from the entryway.

"No you don't," she replied.

"You're right, I think it's too much, but it wouldn't be you if it were anything less."

"Did Thomas allow you to visit me or did you bribe your way in?"

"Thomas."

"Did you reconcile with his highness?"

"No, I'm actually still angry about what happened. He seems to think it was no big deal, but I don't appreciate being used."

"Neither do I, but I owe him so much. Are you going to stand in the doorway all night, or are you going to sit down in here with me?"

"I'm not sure yet," he answered.

"What’s stopping you?"

"I know I played the part of the fool in all of this, but what part did you play?" Sol asked.

"I, too, was a fool, Sol. I, too, was a fool. Perhaps even a bigger fool than you.

"Thomas didn't bring me here to run the Tribunal, he brought me here because he believed I would destroy it with my ineptitude.

"It's wonderful to find that your sire has such faith in you. But, hey, according to Thomas, it impressed him that I didn't fail miserably. Like he hoped I would."

"How much did you know?" Sol asked.

"I knew nothing. Absolutely nothing. Do you think I would have set Sabastian up like that?" asked Elizabeth rhetorically.

"A week ago I would have said “no,” but now I'm just confused. Sabastian is the only one I trust,” Sol answered, knowing that Elizabeth wasn’t looking for an answer.

"I may not be important to him,” Sol continued, “but I know where I stand with him. Everyone else, I just don't know."

"I'm hurt," Elizabeth said, "but I understand. Trust is a fragile thing. I hope to have the opportunity to gain back your faith.

"You're making me nervous, sit already," she said, with a smile and a beckoning arm gesture.

"Yes Madam President," Sol said smiling back.

"Please don't call me that, I can't believe how hard I worked, we worked, to have it all be one big scheme. And now... It's like my whole world is falling apart.

"You made the right decision to follow Sabastian, I wish I had the fortitude to do the same thing."

"It wasn't my choice, it was Susan's decision," Sol said in reply.

"Susan? You mean the little girl? She seemed very nice. You know, she does look very much like Sabastian's own child."

"I knew he had a child, but I wasn't aware of the similarities."

"You've spent time with them, why is she so important to Sabastian?" Elizabeth asked.

"I don't really know, but I can sense there is something very special about her. She seems to know things. Things she couldn't possibly know about. And she has an understanding that is beyond her years. It can be weird, disturbing even."

"Interesting. I would like to meet her some day, but for now I'm trapped here."

"So you are. I have gathered that it has something to do with your attack on the Church and the Zionists."

"No, it has everything to do with it."


0175

"Thomas sent me to destroy the Church the second we got back to the city," Elizabeth started. "He's always hated that clan, and particularly John Paul. It infuriated him that they came to the New World.

"The city was falling around him and he wanted to destroy a non violent coven. He is so blind at times.

"Anyway, I did as I was told. It was a slaughter. They barely even fought to defend themselves. Then, all of the sudden, John Paul appears. To say the tide of the battle turned is an understatement. He was unstoppable.

"He was killing my men like they were humans. I pulled back before we were completely routed."

"But that wasn't good enough," Sol interrupted.

"No, no it wasn't. Thomas said I was a coward and that I should have fought to the death. He said I should have fought John Paul myself. He insulted me in front of most of our clan and then he struck me. He had never done that before, and his blow was heavy. It sent me off of my feet.

"I don't take criticism well, particularly when it's abusive, so I got back up and gave him a piece of my mind. Needless to say, he didn't like that. He had me taken away and threatened to kill me."

"Do you think he will?" Sol asked.

"No. But he has to make a point. I'm being used again, only this time to prove that he is in command."

"I'm sorry for that," Sol said.

"Yeah, well, not as sorry as I am. Besides, you must be happy about John Paul."

"Yes, I am. It's been nice to see JP again," Sol said tentatively.

"You don't seem so sure of that."

"He's changed a little since last we met."

"What does that mean?"

"JP's always been evangelical, it's part of what I like about him," Sol started, but was interrupted by Elizabeth.

"You like that? It's why I always avoided him. Too preachy."

"He has beliefs that he stands by, I like that. Anyway, he's even more adamant about his beliefs now. He says that we are doomed."

"Yes, well, he's been spewing that nonsense for centuries. It's why Thomas dislikes him so much."

"Is it? I wouldn't think Thomas would care," Sol said.

"He has quite strong feelings about John Paul and the Church. It's why I was sent to destroy them before all others, I think. He was, once again, blinded by his anger."

"Interesting but there must be more to the story than you are telling me."

"Well, you know that John Paul is descended directly from the four."

"Yes."

"Thomas came about much latter."

"Yes."

"Well, for a time in the Old World John Paul wielded a great deal of power over the kings and queens. The royals listened to his stories and were infatuated with their own demise. Thomas was a high-ranking warrior and could speak his mind. He clashed with John Paul on many occasions.

"One day, John Paul announced that God had spoken to him through a prophet and that Thomas would be the seed of our kind's destruction. That it was already too late to stop it. Thomas' powers were taken from him and he was put under house arrest for twenty years. They killed all of his children.

"When our demise didn't happen, he was released. I was the first he sired after his release."

"But I thought you were his servant?" Sol asked.

"I was, while he was under house arrest. Once the court allowed him his freedom, he sired me.

"When he was released, he made it a personal goal to discredit and shame John Paul. It was fairly easy to do, as John Paul's predictions hadn't come true. John Paul was basically thrown out of the court. That was when he started the Zionists.

"He took in and, being a very powerful vampire, protected any of our kind that believed, regardless of their lineage. Although none dared to take John Paul on, his followers were persecuted for their beliefs. And even then they wouldn't fight."

"When Thomas came to the New World, he was incensed that John Paul followed him. But because of the way things were here, he couldn't really do anything."


0176

"John Paul said that Thomas was the seed of our kind's destruction?" Sol asked.

"Yes, silly isn't it," Elizabeth said. "I think the court sent him to the New World because they feared he would overthrow them. They have always treated him with respect, but have kept him at a distance. It became even worse after John Paul's accusations. I was his servant through the whole episode, it was a very difficult time for him."

"Have you ever heard of the prophecies?" Sol asked.

"You mean about the Father?"

"Yes."

"They are old wives tales. There is no truth at all to those stories."

"Then were did we come from?" Sol asked.

"The truth is that we are an ancient variant of the humans. We are their predator," Elizabeth said.

"Then what of the four?"

"It is not so grand a story. We grew too powerful for our own good. We ruled the Earth with humans as our slaves and food. But failure often follows power. Great wars started as warlords sought to take total control.

"Almost all of our kind were killed. The Four banded together to unify the land. They wiped out all that opposed them and left the world with only their distinct bloodlines. They are all descended from one, the one people call the Father.

"John Paul's version of our history is fanciful, but it just isn't true. It is made to suck in the weak minded," Elizabeth paused. "I don't mean..."

"No offence taken," Sol said. "How much of this does Sabastian know?"

"Sabastian? Probably nothing. He never cared too much about our history. He was always infatuated with humanity. In fact, he never really cared for any vampire at all."

"Other than you," Sol said.

"Perhaps, but I always knew in my heart that he was beyond my reach. He may care about me, but it's more like a dear friend."

"So Thomas taught you all of this?" Sol asked.

"Some, the rest came from the Keeper."

"Who?"

"The scribe who has chronicled our kind's history since well before my time. He is, like John Paul, from the four."

"I've never heard of him, why?" Sol had heard of the keeper, but was playing dumb to illicit more information, a tactic he used often—particularly with his sire.

"He keeps a very low profile. In fact, you have probably met him, but you just didn't know it. He lives in the east. His home is deep in the mountains of what is now Northern China.

"It's very peaceful, but bitterly cold. I've been there three times. Once with Thomas as he sought to discredit John Paul, and two times by myself. The last time I went was after Sabastian and I separated. The Keeper is very kind and comforting. He likes to listen. And if you get him at the right time, he'll tell you stories about our kind that you wouldn't believe."

"The Keeper," Sol said, looking aimlessly across the room.

"Yes, well, that's enough history for one night, tell me about how you and your band of misfits are doing."


0177

"We have a house in Westchester. It's on the water. The little girl and the old lady take care of it during the day, or at least they will once things settle down some. We've got it mostly furnished, but Mary is still playing around with some things.

"On a negative note, we had the pleasure of meeting Mina."

"The one who runs the whore house?" Elizabeth asked, interrupting Sol.

"Yes, the very one. She broke into our home to great us to the neighborhood. She brought five friends with her, but Sabastian made sure that she only left with four. I think we have something of a truce, but I'm not quite certain yet."

"Do not trust Mina," Elizabeth said.

"I don't know much about her, except that Thomas was always very tentative around her," Sol said.

"With good reason. She is from the four. Thomas always believed she was sent to keep an eye on him. He never knew what for, but he always kept her at arm's length," Elizabeth responded.

"Interesting. Mary recently spent an evening with Mina. Perhaps I should be extra careful from here on out," Sol said.

"Do you know how Mina attacks her victims?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yes, Mary outlined the process."

"Well, Mina is very powerful, she can control vampires just as readily as she can humans. Take great care with her."

"I will, but she seemed afraid of Sabastian. That seems odd for an ancient. And, now that I think of it, I didn't get the feeling that she was an ancient when I met her," Sol said.

"She guards herself even better than you, Sol. As for Sabastin, only a fool wouldn't fear him. He has no idea how powerful he truly is. I believe it would take a true blood hunt to kill him.

"From the way Thomas described the end of Tobias Smithson, an ancient himself, I believe Sabastian could easily handle Mina,” Elizabeth continued. “I love Sabastian, but I fear the day he realizes just how powerful he has become.

"Most of us would have been driven insane if we took Tobias' blood. I saw Sabastian just after he killed him, it was like nothing had happened.”

“I’ve been with him since it happened, I can tell you that he is no different now than before,” Sol said.

"As you well know, the blood we drink comes with the curse of memories. They haunt us. Think how many souls are swimming inside Sabastian. And he has killed ancients before. There could be hundreds of thousands of souls inside of him,” Elizabeth said.

"Insanity normally overcomes our kind after a few hundred years, if not sooner. The few that can handle the torment become ancients. Eventually they no longer need to feed. So, for the most part, the problem stops for them. But, normally, they recede from daily life when they no longer need to feed. They become recluses. That is what I assumed happened to Thomas. It is what happened to Sabastian until very recently.

"The Four have, supposedly, managed to live with the bloodlust, but they are lost to us. We don't really know what they have become or where they are. They have their loyal followers, such as Mina, but other than a select few, no one knows anything about them anymore. And they like to keep it that way.”

"And then there is Sabastian," said Sol.

"Yes, and each time he takes another of our kind his power increases,” Elizabeth said. “Do you know how many of our kind he has taken through just the recent events? I can’t even imagine how many souls he has taken on himself.”

"Do you think he is here for a purpose?"

"That's an odd question to ask. I don't think Sabastian wants anything but to be left alone. But I don't think he has an ulterior motive in anything he does."

"Perhaps his actions don't serve his motives," Sol suggested.

"You have spent too much time with John Paul. I already told you his prophecy is a fool’s drivel. Bah, I'm tired of being serious. Come," Elizabeth said, "help me pick something to wear."

She stood up and offered her hand to Sol.


0178

Walking up to the second floor, Elizabeth said, "I know you don't really enjoy this, so I want to thank you in advance for humoring me."

"It's been a long time since there has been the time to enjoy anything, you needn't thank me," Sol said. It was true that he didn't enjoy playing Elizabeth's dressing game, but they had a different relationship now and on some level he missed her and her games.

Sol remembered watching as Sabastian fell so fluidly back into the game, helping her choose what to wear and what makeup to put on. It surprised him that it was possible after they hadn’t seen in each other in over a hundred years, not to mention the fact that Elizabeth was confronting Sabastian for a publicly exposed murder at the time. Sol noted that Sabastian was much better at dealing with Elizabeth than he, but he felt it would be nice to play for a little while, anyway.

When they got to her dressing room, she dropped her robe, revealing herself. Sol was shocked and couldn't help but say, "My God."

Elizabeth was relatively young when she was made and her body was firm and strong. She had a shapely figure and smooth, white skin. Like every time before, this is what Sol expected to see. This time, however, her body was marred by bites, scratches, cuts and bruises.

"Did this happen when you fought the Zionists? I can't believe John Paul would..." Sol asked, touching some of the marks.

"No," Elizabeth replied. "I wasn't even in the fight. This happened shortly before you arrived."

"Thomas did this to you?"

"Yes."

"But..."

"You know why,” she said. “He has to teach me a lesson or he loses face. It isn't the first time he's beat and raped me. It probably won't be the last."

"How can you let him..."

"He is more powerful than I, how could I stop him without being killed? Besides, he is my sire and I owe him so much.

"It's not as bad as it looks, I'll heal quickly enough. This is such a small cost for what he’s done for me."

"He has no right to..." Sol started, angrily, before Elizabeth broke in.

"No, he doesn't, but who is going to stop him? I can't. Nor could you."

"Sabastian," Sol said, still looking over his sire's marred body.

"You will not tell Sabastian!" she said adamantly.

"If you don't want help, why did you show me this?"

"So you know the danger of confronting Thomas. He is powerful and vengeful," Elizabeth said, walking over to Sol. He took her into his arms and she started to cry. Sol caressed her hair and cried with her.

Sobbing she said, "He knows how much my beauty means to me. So he violated my body. He left my face, Sol, so that he could hold something against me. So I would know that he could and would come back to inflict more pain if he wanted.

"I can't believe the things he said to me. He was so cruel. And he had that bitch Night watch. It was horrible."

"This was unnecessary, evil. He should be stopped," Sol said.

"Yes, but you will not do anything. I've shown you his handiwork because I know you. You feel betrayed, you want revenge. If you attempt anything, a worse fate than this awaits you."


0179

Sol and Elizabeth sat on a couch in the room. They talked the rest of the night before going down to the basement to sleep for the day. Sol never even thought of leaving his sire's side, he knew she needed to be with someone.

He felt Sabastian would have been a better choice to help her, but knew she was too proud to show him her weaknesses. Indeed, she chose Sol for a reason.

They didn't talk about Thomas or the Tribunal, though. They talked aimlessly about their time together, about Sol's childhood, about nothing and everything. They enveloped themselves in safe words and safe places, giving Elizabeth time to heal.

Susan and Sabastian had been home for a long while by the time Sol and Elizabeth met up. They occupied their time playing in Susan's room. There was a tea party, a little bit of "house" with some Barbie dolls and other assorted toys, and a game of hide and seek that also involved Claudia.

The games, however, did not include Mary. By the time Susan and Sabastian had returned, Mary had already left. When asked about her, Claudia honestly answered that she hadn't seen her leave.

Despite feeling horrible, Mary had left shortly after Sol. She went to see Mina.

The guards opened the door for her before she had time to knock. She was told that Mina was waiting for her in her office. They said there was no need for them to escort her, unless she had forgotten the way. She hadn't, so she went by herself.

Along the way she saw Sin entering a room with a customer. "Would you like to join?" Sin asked.

"Oh, Mina is waiting for me."

"She won't mind, come on. Bobby would love the extra attention," she cooed, caressing the man standing next to her in the doorway.

"Really I...," Mary started, but was interrupted by Mina.

"I think you should," Mina said to her from down the hall.

"O.K.," Mary responded and moved to the man's other arm. The two vampires pulled him inside the red room. Mina followed them in and closed the door.

Once inside Sin and Mary began to undress, exposing their pristine bodies to the obviously excited man.

"Mary, undress our guest," Mina said. She did as she was ordered, first unfastening his tie, then slowly unbuttoning his shirt and rubbing her hands on his chest. After pushing his shirt down his arms to the floor, she then pulled him hard by the belt to her naked body. For a second she gently rubbed her nipples against him, then she unfastened his belt and unbuttoned his jeans. Dropping them to the floor, she pushed him onto the bed.

"Help me," she said to Sin, and each took a leg, removing his shoes, socks, and pants.

"Bobby," Sin cooed, you still have on your boxers.

"I can fix that," he said, starting to get up, when Mary shoved him back down.

"I'll do that," Mary said, literally ripping his boxers off.

"Damn," he said, looking at her. He was fully erect at that point. Mary kneeled down in front of him and started to lick his penis, starting at the tip and moving down the shaft. Once at the bottom, she nuzzled into his groin, put her arm up to push his torso onto the bed, and bit into the fold where his scrotum and inner leg meet.

"Oh, God, yes," he moaned, as she drew blood.

Sin looked over at Mina, who was smiling at the scene, and put her clothing back on. She walked over and put her arm around Mina. "She's a fast learner."

"Yes," Mina said, "perhaps we should let her practice in private." She went over, and whispered into Mary's ear, "Come to me when you are done."

Mary stopped and pulled away from her victim's genitals. "I will. Do you want me to finish?"

"No, no. Take your time. You seem to be enjoying yourself."

"The longer you take, the more you see," Mary said.

"Yes," Mina replied, taking Sin with her as she left.


0180

In the office, Sin and Mina watched Mary finish feeding. After she was
done, she sat next to her victim talking to him as he masturbated.

"She certainly is good," Sin said. "I didn't get the hang of it for a
long time."

"Yes, but you were just made when I trained you. Mary is older, more
skilled. Still, she is picking it up quickly. It makes me wonder how
skilled she really is," Mina said.

After a little while, the man ejaculated and Mary closed his eyes. She
then looked directly into the camera and smiled before leaving the
room. She knocked on the door to Mina's office a few moments later.

"Come in," Mina said loudly.

Mary opened the door and asked, "How did I do?"

"From the looks of it you did very well, and I would guess you even
enjoyed yourself."

"I did."

"All the better," injected Sin.

"Yes, all the better," Mina said. "Please sit and tell me about your
little coven."

Once again, Mary followed instructions. "There isn't much to say,
Sabastian, Sol, and myself live there with the two humans, Susan and
Claudia. We've only been there for a short while."

"What relation do Sabastian and Sol have to Thomas and Elizabeth?"

"They were both sired by Elizabeth, so they are of Thomas' blood."

"Do they have any contact with either of them?"

"From what I know, Sabastian has had direct contact with Elizabeth.
Sol hasn't."

"Do you know what was discussed?"

"I think they just talked about Sabastian's furniture, really. We've
been spending most of our time trying to set the new house up."

"Have you ever had dealings with Elizabeth or Thomas?" Mina continued.

"Not really. I know them, they might recognize me, but nothing more."

"That's good. Based on what happened in Port Chester, what is your
impression of Thomas' relationship with Sol, Sabastian and Elizabeth?"

"Right now, I don't think any of them are on speaking terms with him.
Sol is angry at being used. Sol said that Elizabeth and Thomas had a
big fight and he locked her up in Sabastian's old house. Sabastian
simply doesn't care about him, or anyone, so long as Susan is safe."

"So Sabastian's entwined with the human girl?"

"Oh yes. It's kind of pitiful. He would do anything for her."

"I would like to meet her," Mina said. "Perhaps you can arrange that."

"I'll try," Mary answered.

"Good. You should go home now."

"Yes," Mary said, getting up.

"Mary," Mina said before Mary had left, "You may feed here any time
you like. I consider you like family."

"Thank you," Mary said, taking her leave.

After Mary was driving away, Sin sat in Mina's lap and asked, "You
don't do that to me, do you?"

"Never, child. I only do such things when they are absolutely
necessary. Can you get me a glass of blood?"

"Sure," Sin said getting up, pouring, and bringing a glass. "I mean,
you would have to be pretty weak to be pushed around like that,
right?"

"Relative strength is more important than absolute strength. I'd like
to see you in that pink nightie I bought you. Go put it on," Mina
said.

"Yes," Sin said, leaving for a few minutes. On returning, she said,
"So you are that much more powerful then her?"

"Yes, I am of the Four. I changed my mind, go put what you had on
before back on. And wait for me in my bedroom, but don't walk through
my office to get there."

"Yes," Sin said, again leaving, as Mina chuckled and picked up her phone.



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