Book Two, Chapters 181 to 190

The Vampire's Daughter
Book Two
The Beginning of Another
Chapters 181 to 190


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

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0181

"Sire, I believe we can use both Sol and Sabastian to get to Elizabeth. Thomas will be much harder, as it appears the others are not talking to him at the moment," Mina said in an ancient tongue into the phone.

"Yes, I know we need to reach Thomas quickly. But I still believe this is the most expedient approach, assuming you still want to avoid confrontation."

"I agree. In that case I think Sabastian is the best option. He is involved with a human girl. I think I can use that as leverage."

"I will Sire."

When Mary finally returned to the house, both Susan and Claudia were fast asleep. Sabastian was reading in the living room.

"Hello Mary," Sabastian said, as she walked in.

"Hello."

"You have been to Mina's?" he asked.

"Yes, how did you know?"

"I sense her about you. What is your impression of her?"

"She seems very nice, welcoming. I think she understands our situation and wants to help us. In fact, I think she's afraid that she made a poor first impression," Mary answered.

"She did," Sabastian stated coldly.

"Yes, well, you should have an open mind and give her a second chance. I think she would like it if you visited her. In fact, Mina even said she'd like to meet Susan," Mary said.

"I am not sure I believe that to be prudent," Sabastian responded.

"Sabastian, she's really a nice woman. You should give her a second chance."

"I will consider it, but I urge you to be cautious."

"Why?" Mary asked.

"Mina came to this world after I, so I do not know much about her. But I can feel that she is powerful. Moreover, she knows her strength very well and uses it. Protect your mind when you are with her."

"You're overly concerned, she means us no harm."

"That remains to be seen."

"Anyway, I'm going to bring Mina over to meet Susan tomorrow," Mary said, casually.

"No, you are not," Sabastian stated firmly.

"I'm telling you, she only wants to help. Why are you so concerned?"

"I have yet to meet one of our kind that does not have motives beyond what they present. Perhaps this is bad luck, but I doubt that. You will not risk Susan's life by bringing Mina to this house."

"And if I do bring her and everything turns out just fine?" Mary asked.

"I will kill you regardless of how things turn out," Sabastian answered with no emotion whatsoever.

"Is that how it is, you rule this little coven with an iron fist?"

"There is no coven, you are a guest in my home. I will not allow my... Susan's life to be endangered. I view Mina as a threat. Until that perception changes, do not bring her here."

"Fine, I get the picture," Mary said. She wasn't angry or upset, she was simply trying to do what Mina asked. Realizing it was a lost cause, she went upstairs, parting with, "I'll be reading in my room."

Sabastian sat for a moment contemplating the exchange. It concerned him that Mina had taken such an interest. She was powerful both physically and mentally. Yet she hid that strength. Why?

Regardless of how he felt, though, he knew he needed to meet with Mina. Mary's sudden infatuation only made that need more pressing.

And, yet, the first time they met Mina, Susan seemed to think she was important. Sabastian decided that when Sol was back, he would leave Susan in his care and pay a visit to Mina.


0182a

The next night Sabastian came upstairs to find Susan cooking with Claudia.

As soon as she noticed him, Susan said, "We're making cookies!"

"Are you. What kind?" Sabastian asked with a broad smile.

"Chocolate chip. We went to the store and bought everything we needed. Claudia is gonna let me put it all together and stir once the stuff is measured out."

"It sounds like you get to have all the fun," Sabastian responded, well aware that Susan was going to do all the hard work.

"Yeah!"

"I hope you get to lick the bowl," Sabastian said.

"She get half bowl, I get other half. After all, I let her do all fun stuff," Claudia chimed in, also smiling at Susan's innocence.

"Yeah, but I get the first cookie!" Susan shot out.

"That fair, I think," Claudia responded, nodding her head with a suspicious look.

"Yes, I agree, that sounds quite fair," Sabastian added, laying his hand on Susan's head and messing up her hair. "Are the others up yet?"

"Mary's still sleepin and Sol never came home," Susan answered, playing with a wooden mixing spoon.

Sabastian thought for a second, and realized that he couldn't sense Sol in the house, though Mary's presence was strong. He was certain she was up, she just hadn't come down.

"Interesting, it is not like him to disappear like that. He went to the city last night, I hope he is alright," Sabastian said.

"He is," Susan responded, as she poured the premeasured ingredients into the mixing bowl.

"And how do you know that?" Sabastian asked, though he knew the answer.

"I just do."

He watched as the little girl mixed the cookie dough and thought how strange it was that on one level she was a naive little girl, yet on another she was something more. He didn't know what to call her, but mature wasn't the right word, even though she was very mature at times.

It was what she seemed to know because "she just did" that confused him so. She was special, he knew that. But, at times, he had to remind himself that she was just a little girl.

So much had happened to them, to all of them. And in such a short period of time. And still it seemed as if Susan, a little girl, had a better grasp of what was happening than anyone else involved.

By the time the last spoonful of dough had been placed on a cooking sheet, Mary came down.

"You do not look well," Sabastian said to her.

"I'm O.K.," she said, "just need to wake up a little. Did you think any more about what I said?"

"Yes."

"And?"

"I intend to wait for Sol's return before I do anything."

"He won't be back until late," Susan chimed in.

"How do you know that?" Mary asked.

"I just do. Besides, I want to meet Mina, too," the little girl answered.

"Did you talk to her about this?" Mary asked Sabastian.

"No, and I believe I have changed my mind. After the cookies are done, you will take us to meet Mina," he said, trusting a gut feeling that Susan knew what was best.


0182b

Baking all of cookies took about an hour, time that Sabastian used to play with Susan. Mary, meanwhile, nursed her headache and Claudia went about cleaning the house.

After the last batch cooled, and Susan tested them to make sure they were good, the three crammed into Mary's sports car. Mary and Sabastian were comfortable enough in the front seat, but Susan had to sit cramped in what the manufacturer euphemistically called a back seat.

When they arrived at the brothel, the doors opened before they knocked to reveal the two bouncers and Sin, who was wearing much more clothing then usual.

"Mary," Sin said, "you've brought friends. This must be the child, Susan isn't it?" She crouched down in front of the little girl.

Susan tilted her head to the side and, with a slightly puzzled look, said, "Yes," and then asked, "Why do they call you Sin?"

"Oh, it's just a nickname," Sin answered instinctively, before her face went blank for a moment. She looked directly into Susan's eyes and thought, "how did she know my name? I don't remember saying my name."

Shaking off the exchange, figuring she said her name but just didn't remember having done so, she stood up and greeted Sabastian with, "And you are Sabastian. Do you always kill your house guests?"

"Your definition of guest must be vastly different than mine."

"Anyway," Sin said, ignoring Sabastian's response, "Mina is simply dying to meet you. Follow me."

Sin led them to Mina's office through the control room. As they walked by one of the monitors, Susan looked up at it and asked, "What are they doing?"

Mary hurried Susan along and said, "They were showing how much they cared about each other."

"They weren't having sex," Susan said, pushing past Mary to look at the screen again. "They're stealing his soul."

By this time everyone there was looking at the screen. The two female vampires were collecting blood from their victim's groin. The pair looked up at the camera just as Mina turned the monitor off.

"No child, they were not stealing his soul, that was just a game," Mina said.

"That isn't what you saw. It was a game," Mary parroted. "Some people like to show their affection in different ways."

Susan smiled knowingly, looking at Mina, and said, "You play funny games here."

"Adults do, sometimes. Please come into my office. I'm very glad you came to see me.

"I asked Mary to invite you, but I assumed it would take far more coaxing after the unfortunate conditions of our first meeting."

They all walked into Mina's office, and, at Mina's request, sat down.

"Would you like anything to drink Sabastian?"

"No thank you," Sabastian said.

"But I insist."

"I will take whatever you have," he said. Susan looked at Mina and then Sabastian.

"You would like Soda," she said at Susan.

"No thank you."

"All little girls like soda."

"No thank you, but you may offer me water."

"If you don't want soda, how about a cold glass of water?"

"Thanks, I'd like that."

"Mary, go with Sin to get four glasses of blood and a glass of," Mina paused, "water." She looked at Susan, who smiled up at her.


0183

When Sin and Mary left the room, Mina shifted her gaze from the little girl to Sabastian. "You came here to learn about our process," she stated.

"I would like to better understand your process," Sabastian responded.

Susan put her hand on Sabastian's leg, looked him in the eye and said, "I thought we were here to learn more about Mina?"

"Yes, that is why we are here. I am not concerned with the way you collect blood. I am concerned about your intentions toward us," he said.

Mina kept looking at Sabastian and said, "I'm sure you realize that I have no hidden agenda."

"But I realize that you have no hidden agenda and simply want to protect your way of life."

Susan, whose hand was still on Sabastian's leg, shook him. "Sabastian," she said.

Mina looked at Susan and said, "Child, Sabastian and I are having an adult conversation, you should mind your manors and be quiet."

Susan looked at Mina and then Sabastian. "Sabastian," Mina said, "don't you agree that the child needs to be quiet while we talk."

"Yes," he responded, though his response sounded empty.

Susan's face went angry and her eyes opened wide. She stood up, walked over to Mina and put her face up to the coven master's. "I know what you're doing. Stop it."

Mina pulled herself back from Susan and said angrily, "Little girl, learn your place or else."

Susan moved closer to Mina and asked, "Or else what?"

"I've had enough of your impudence. Guest or not, you will learn a lesson here today." Mina turned to Sabastian and said, "The little girl needs to learn a lesson doesn't she?"

"Yes," he responded like a hollow shell.

"Mind your place little girl," Mina warned.

Again moving closer, Susan said, "Mind yours."

"That's enough," Mina yelled. She moved her hand quickly and slapped Susan, sending her to the ground and sliding her a foot or two away.

But as her hand touched the child's face, Sabastian broke out of his stupor. His mind flared in anger and he lunged across at Mina.

Mina, shocked by Sabastian's attack, barely had enough time to grab Sabastian's wrist as his hand clamped around her neck. He lifted her high off the ground and ran with her to the other side of the room, sending whatever furniture was in his way dancing across the floor. He thrust her against the wall with a thud and cracking sounds. She let out a groan.

"What game are you playing?" he roared, but his hand was so tight on her neck she couldn't speak.

"Sabastian! Don't kill her," Susan said, sobbing on the floor. "I made her do it. It was the only way you'd see."

Sabastian kept his grip on Mina and watched as her eyes darted to Susan as if to say, "How?"

Regaining her composure, Susan got up, walked over to Sabastian and said, "Please, put her down. I don't know why, but she's still important to us."

Sabastian lowered Mina to the floor, but before releasing her neck said, "Never touch my child again."

Mina, rubbing the finger marks on her now free neck, said nothing for a moment. Then, looking at the girl, croaked, "Shall we try this again?"


0184

"Yes, I think we should start from the beginning," Sabastian said, taking Susan's hand and walking to the couch. Mina hobbled to her overturned chair, righted it, and sat down while Sabastian checked Susan to make sure she was O.K.

At about that time, Sin and Mary came back. Sin asked, "What the hell happened here?"

"Nothing either of you need to worry about," Mina said, her voice still cracking. "You should both go to the living area and wait for me to summon you."

"Yes," the two said in unison, as they turned to leave.

Sabastian watched the exchange, but when they had gone, Susan was the one who said, "That's what she was doing to you."

"Yes, I see that now," he said, and, putting his hand on her leg and looking her in the eyes, he said, "Thank you."

"No problem," Susan responded with a smile.

"Mina, what are your intentions?" Sabastian asked, looking at the Asian vampire.

She didn't respond.

"I do not wish to fight you," Sabastian said, "but I will if I must."

"No. That won't be necessary. You are of Thomas' blood, so I assume what I say to you I expose to him. But I'm not sure I have a choice in the current situation."

"I assure you, I do not care about Thomas or his affairs. There is only one thing I seek to protect in this world."

"The girl," Mina said. "I mean her no harm."

"Then why the games?"

"I am descended from the four. My sire has long believed that Thomas is little more than a peasant with aspirations well beyond his cast. I am here to watch him. To make sure he and his clan do not grow beyond the level needed for the task with which he was charged."

"That task would be taming the New World?" Sabastian asked.

"Yes. Until recently, it appeared that there was little to be concerned about. His attempts to install himself as a king had failed and his failure had driven him underground. Elizabeth seemed to pose little threat.

"The recent upheaval, however, has caused some concern. My sire is worried that this time Thomas may succeed."

"Why involve Susan and I in any of this?"

Mina looked at Susan. "Mary was a way to get to the girl. She was a way to get to you." Mina looked at Sabastian, "You were a way to get to Thomas."

"You do not need me, or anyone, to reach Thomas. He lives out in the open."

"Yes, but his motives do not. If he lives by his orders, he is a vital tool. If he attempts to take control of the New World, he is an enemy. My assignment is to watch him and report back to my sire if I fear the latter is the case."

"Well, then, I wish you luck, as this is your affair and it has nothing to do with me. All I want is to be left alone. By Thomas and by you.

"I can not tell Mary or Sol what to do, but I will not accept either endangering Susan in any way.

"Leave us alone and I will neither hamper nor help you."

"I don't believe you have given me a choice," Mina said.

"I have not."

"Then I bid you goodnight and hope that the next time our paths cross we are on better terms," Mina responded.

"If we have come to an understanding, then I believe that will be the case."

"Shall I summon Mary?" Mina asked.

"No," Susan said, "I wanna play with Sabastian alone for a while. We'll just walk down to the beach."

Mina walked them to the front door, still limping slightly.


0185

"Why did you want to avoid Mary?" Sabastian asked, as he and Susan walked down toward the park in which the beach resided.

"What Mina was doing to you she did to Mary, but Mary's doesn't know it."

"Yes, I assume that is true. How did you know what she was doing?"

"I just did," Susan answered.

"Yes, of course," Sabastin said with a smile, putting his hand on the little girl's head. "Still, I am surprised she is so powerful."

"Everyone's special in some way," Susan said. "You do the same thing with some people. She's just better at it."

"You are correct, but her ability to control was so strong," he said, as they reached the beach, "I did not know until she attacked you."

"I know."

"If you were not with me, I would have been a willing slave."

"That's why I was with you," Susan said before crouching over to poke through a pile of seaweed that was washed up on the sand.

Sabastian crouched beside her and examined the pile with her.

"You know she didn't tell us the truth, right?" Susan said, as she used a stick to pick up a long strand of the slimy green seaweed.

"Yes, I am aware of that. It concerns me, but I do not believe her lie, or, rather, her lack of full disclosure is a danger to us. I believe she is hiding something about Thomas and her sire. I do not think it involves us."

"Not yet anyway," the little girl responded.

Sabastian looked up at her, but didn't ask the obvious question. He knew that Susan either didn't know what she meant by that statement or didn't wish to share what she did know.

He loved Susan as he loved his own child. He knew she loved him from what he felt from her and from her actions, especially from her actions. Susan knew exactly what a vampire was and how powerful they were, and yet she confronted Mina. And not just with words, she physically confronted a being she knew could kill her.

There was something special about Susan, this was clear to almost everyone who knew her. But there was also something very special about the bond he shared with her.

Sabastian didn't know how to put it into words. He wasn't sure if he even needed to. He was sure, however, that his love for this child was deeper than anything he had felt since he was human. It moved him, consumed him, all that mattered was Susan. He would give his life for her if he had to.

He knew she would share what she knew when the time was right.

Sabastian broke out of his thoughts as he watched Susan wave toward the park. Sabastian looked up to see what appeared to be the figure of a man disappear into the night. Or, at least, it could have been a man. He wasn't sure. It could have been a wisp of fog.

"What did you wave at?" he asked.

"Nothin," she said.

"Is there someone watching us?"

Susan stopped what she was doing, looked up, and said, "There's always someone watching us. I figured you knew that."

"Who is always watching us?"

"God. Or the other one."


0186

Sabastian and Susan played in the sand for quite some time. They built a sandcastle, took their shoes off and wandered in the water, and skipped stones Susan collected from the park. Although he enjoyed himself Sabastian couldn't stop thinking about Susan's fascination with God.

It seemed a weighty topic for such a young girl to willingly discuss. What was so impressive, though, was the authority with which she spoke. It was as if her knowledge was first hand. As if she knew God.

While playing Sabastian occasionally asked questions. "Who is the other one?" was the first.

"The one you don't talk about," she answered, never stopping what she was doing.

"You mean the devil?"

"That's what some people call him."

Later, he asked, "So both God and the devil are watching us?"

"Sorta. They watch us sometimes, but mostly they send others."

"Like angels and demons?"

"Sorta."

"Does everyone get watched?"

"Of course," Susan answered absently, as she played with the sand.

"So everyone has an angel and a demon?"

"No, most of the time the watchers look after lots of people."

"Most of the time?"

"Yeah, we're different."

"How?"

"God has a special plan for us."

"What is God's plan?"

"I don't know."

"Is the devil trying to stop us?"

Susan stopped, looked up at Sabastian and said, "No. God's plan is the devil's plan."

"How can that be?" he asked.

Going back to what she was doing, Susan said, "God made everything. How could it not be?"

"But if God is good and the devil is bad, how could they have the same plan?"

"Who said the devil was bad? He's just part of the plan."

"Can you see the angels and demons?"

"If they want me to see them, but they're not like you think."

"What do you mean?"

"Angels and demons are just names we've created. Demons aren't bad and angels aren't good, and they don't really look much different from each other. Not like we think, anyway."

"So angels aren't good?"

"Well," Susan said, stopping what she was doing, "they are good, but not like you think. I mean, they do God's will. I guess that makes them good. But demons do God's will, too, so they're good, too. I guess."

"I thought demon's served the devil."

"They do, but the devil isn't bad. He's just doing his job. Like the demons are doing theirs. It doesn't make them bad. They're just doing a job."

"Like us? Like God's plan for us?"

"Well, we have a choice. They don't. We don't have to do what God wants."

"Free will," Sabastian stated.

"Yeah," Susan said, dusting herself off. "I wanna go home and see Sol, he's back."

Sabastian sensed that Susan no longer wanted to talk about God, so he relented and the pair walked back toward the town. He noted, however, that he was left with more questions than when he started.


0187

Sabastian and Susan had to pass Mina's brothel on the walk back to the house. As they came up to it, they saw Mary waiting for them.

"Do you think we should avoid Mary?" Sabastian asked.

"No, she's O.K. Besides, my feet are tired. We just shouldn't trust her cause it might not be her that's doing things."

"Well, then, let us see if she will drive us home."

The pair walked up to Mary, who jumped up from sitting cross-legged on her car's hood. "About time you two got back!" she said, in an overly happy tone.

"We were playing at the beach," Susan said.

"Sounds fun, you should have waited. I'd have gone with you," Mary replied.

"You seemed otherwise occupied," said Sabastian. "Besides, I did not intend on staying as long as we did. We lost track of time."

"Then you two must have been having a grand time of it."

"Yeah, we had lots of fun," Susan said. "But now I want to go home and see if Sol is back."

"No problem, hop in," Mary said, opening the door. Once they pulled away from Mina's, she said, "Mina seemed to enjoy talking with you guys. She told me to tell you that you should come back to see her whenever you want.

"She's really great, isn't she?"

"She is nice enough, once you understand her ways," Sabastian responded.

"Well, I know she's really sorry about how she introduced herself to us. And she's really put out the welcome mat for me.

"Maybe if you let yourself have a little fun once in a while, you two would get along better. I mean, we did barge into her back yard uninvited."

"I suppose that is true," Sabastian said. "Still, I am content to avoid our kind if at all possible."

"Jeez, you make it sound like you want Sol and I to move out."

"I did not say that, besides the house is Sol's, not mine. If anyone should leave it should be me."

When they got back to the house, Sol was sitting on the front porch. Susan scrambled out of the tiny back seat as quickly as she could, ran to Sol and jumped into his arms. She gave him a big hug and said, "You saw him again, I can tell by the glow."

Sol smiled at her and asked, "Who did I see?"

"Your friend, the one sent by God."

Sol's smile faded as he looked at the little girl in his arms. How could she know about John Paul's story?

"Anyway, I'm glad your home," Susan said wriggling down and taking his hand. Sabastian and Mary had walked up to them by this point.

"Where did you stay last night?" Sabastian asked.

"With Elizabeth," Susan answered for him.

Looking at the girl holding his hand, Sol said, "Yes, with Elizabeth."

"I'm sure she's really happy you did," Susan said.

"She seemed to appreciate it," he said. "I also had the pleasure of running into Thomas and Night."

"That must have been awkward," said Mary.

"Let's go inside," Susan said pulling Sol by the hand.

Walking in, he said, "It was. I'm still very angry."

"As you should be," Sabastian said, as they entered the living room.

"Sol, come play with me upstairs," Susan said, again pulling on his arm.

"If you don't mind," he said to Sabastian and Mary, "can we talk latter. It seems that my attention is needed elsewhere."

"Not at all," Sabastian said, walking to the large window at the back of the house, which overlooked the Long Island Sound.

"Enjoy the tea party," Mary said, as she flopped herself into a chair.


0188

Sabastian stood silently at the window watching the white caps flutter across the water for a few minutes before Mary, who was still sitting in her chair, said, "You don't like Mina, do you?"

"It would be more appropriate to say I do not care about her."

"I know her first challenge to our presence was, well, a bit much."

"By a bit much, do you mean an attempt to intimidate us?" Sabastian asked.

"We intruded into her territory, she had every right to confront us," Mary countered.

"I do not dispute that, I simply do not appreciate the way in which she chose to do it," Sabastian said, turning to face Mary.

"In any event,” Mary said, “she's sorry and wants to get to know us. All of us. Susan and Sol, you, me. She's extending an olive branch."

"That is kind of her, however, as I have said before, I would prefer to avoid our kind at the moment."

"You're being overly cautious," she said.

"Perhaps. I will not stop you and Sol from doing as you wish, so long as I do not believe you are a danger to Susan."

"Is she all that's important to you?"

"Yes."

"What about your life?"

"I am cursed with immortality, there is plenty of time for me to be selfish. At the moment, however, I intend to see Susan grow up and, if she will allow it, old."

"Well, Mina's offer stands regardless. I just hope Sol isn't as rude as you are about the whole thing," Mary said with a hint of anger in her voice.

"I suppose you will have to speak with him to know that," Sabastian said, turning to the window again.

He stood silently for a long time listening to Mary page through her magazine. She was making far more noise then necessary turning the pages.

Sabastian focused very hard on her thoughts. It was obvious she was angry, anyone could tell that, but he wondered how much more he could tell if he really focused. He had never really tried to delve into another’s mind before. He closed his eyes.

He could see her sitting behind him, she was angry, but that was just a surface emotion. It was as if there was another Mary wrapped up inside of this one, trapped inside an automaton. He probed deeper, looking inside the anger, when images and memories of the souls within him flooded his mind. His eyes shot open.

He closed them again and the images were gone. He opened his eyes, wondering what had happened. Closing his eyes again, he again tried to probe Mary's mind.

As he reached about the same level as the first time, the images flooded back. He opened his eyes and focused outward. He saw Susan being put to sleep by Sol, Mary sitting behind him angrily turning pages, and outside the house, there was another.

The other was shielded, but Sabastian could still see the other’s presence, if only faintly. "Pardon me a moment," he said to Mary, as he walked out of the room.

"Sure," she said after him, not even looking up from her magazine.

As he stepped onto the porch, a car slowly pulled away from the edge of the driveway, which was about a quarter of a mile away near the main road.


0189

Sabastian stood on the porch and thought for a moment. He wasn't sure when he was inside, but it was obvious now, having watched the car pull away, that Mary's words were not necessarily her own. Mina had been directing her.

Even after their interaction earlier in the evening Mina still wanted to present herself as being friendly. Sabastian was certain that he made it clear that he wanted nothing to do with Mina. Why was she still trying to ingratiate herself? It worried him, as Susan, a child, could easily be used as a pawn. He knew he couldn't protect her during the day and a vampire as powerful as Mina was certain to have humans at her disposal.

He would have to tell Claudia to be careful.

Sabastian was happy that he sensed Mina enough while talking to Mary to come outside. He realized, however, that he was lucky this time. He would have to be more vigilant in the future. Moreover, he could no longer trust Mary. She would be harmless so long as her purpose was to be Mina's embasador. How long that would last, though, was uncertain.

He stood outside for a few more minutes, noting that Sol was putting Susan to bed. "Goodnight dear," he said out loud.

"Goodnight Sabastian," Susan said, bringing a smile to his face.

"Silly goose," Sol responded, "I'm not Sabastian."

"I know, I was saying goodnight to Sabastian. I'm not gonna say goodnight to you until you read me a story."

"Oh, I see," Sol answered, and then asked her to pick a story, which he then read her.

Sabastian listened to a few pages of the story and then went back inside. In the living room Mary was sitting with her head in her hands.

"Are you O.K.?" he asked.

"Yes, my head just hurts, that's all."

"How long has this been going on?"

"It started to hurt just after you went outside."

"If I remember correctly, you woke up this evening not feeling quite right, too."

"Yeah, bad night."

"Perhaps you should go to bed."

"I think you're right."

As she stood up to leave Sol came down and said, "Mary, you look like hell."

"Thanks, see you tomorrow," she answered, as she walked past him.

"What's wrong with her?" Sol asked Sabastian.

"I am not certain. We can discuss it in a moment, for now, tell me about your adventures."

"Not much to tell, really. I saw some old friends and spent the night and day with Elizabeth."

"How is our sire?" Sabastian asked.

"Not very good I'm afraid."

"What do you mean by that?"

"She made me promise not to tell you, but I don't think anyone else can help.

"Thomas is making life very difficult for her."

"I know that."

"Before I arrived he beat her and raped her in front of Night."

"Proving his dominance, I assume."

"Yes, but Elizabeth isn't taking it well. She's trying to put on a facade of strength, but she is very fragile underneath.

"I can't do anything but listen. You could try to stop it."

"But she does not want me involved, you said as much before."

"I know, but if you don't get involved I'm afraid it'll get worse."

"I have one important thing in my life right now," Sabastian said.

"Susan," responded Sol.

"I cannot put her at risk by confronting Thomas any more than necessary. Elizabeth is capable of handling her own problems."

"You still care for Elizabeth, as do I. I believe she needs help, but I can't help her. Sabastian, please think about this."

"I will," he said. "But if it means putting Susan in harm's way, I cannot do anything."

"I understand. Speaking of the child, she seemed awfully interested in playing with me."


0190

"Susan was waiting for you to come home. She wanted to leave the park when she knew you were here," Sabastian said.

"When she knew I was here?" Sol asked.

"Yes, that is what I said."

"How does she do that? How does she know things? Honestly, it's kind of eerie."

"At first it bothered me, too, but now I accept it. What I find more disturbing is how authoritatively she speaks about God," said Sabastian.

"Yeah, the conversation she and I had in the car that one night was very upsetting. I felt like the child," responded Sol.

"She and I had a similar conversation tonight," responded Sabastian.

"Was she ever taught about religion?"

"Not to my knowledge. In fact, aside from the lessons all of us have given her, I do not believe she has had any formal schooling at all," Sabastian answered.

"And yet what she says seems to make so much sense to me."

"And to me," said Sabastian.

"What do you think of God?" Sol asked.

"I do not," replied Sabastian.

"You must have some opinion."

"Perhaps there is a God, perhaps not. At this point in my life I do not think it matters. If there is a God, I have done many things that would result in me going to hell. If there is no God, then I will simply die someday."

"Our kind consider themselves to be immortal. Do you really think you'll die?"

"I assume so. I have killed so many of our kind that I know immortality is but an illusion. You live until someone stronger kills you. There will come a time when someone stronger than I kills me," said Sabastian.

"Interesting. I hadn't thought of it that way," responded Sol. "And at that point, I guess you'll find out if Susan was correct about God."

"Yes, I suppose I will."

"I'm not sure what to believe, myself. I was raised believing in God. I know some of our kind who claim to have personally met Jesus Christ. But it all seems so unreal. So hard to believe."

"Believing is the basis of faith, if I am not mistaken," replied Sabastian.

"Yes, it is. You know, I want to believe. I try very hard to believe. But my faith isn't strong enough. I haven't met God's son, I haven't been touched by him, I need proof."

"It was Thomas, if I remember correctly, that had to touch Jesus' wounds, was it not?"

"Yes. Doubting Thomas."

"Well, be careful what you ask for. If there is a God, he might just give you the proof you need. Or, perhaps, he already has, and you are too blind to see it," Sabastian said.



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