Book Two, Chapters 191 to 200

The Vampire's Daughter
Book Two
The Beginning of Another
Chapters 191 to 200


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

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0191

"The dawn is coming, we must retire soon," Sabastian said. "However, I wanted to warn you that Mina has exercised some sort of mental control over Mary.

"Similar to how you might deal with a human. Mina's skill is quite impressive, if it were not for Susan I would have fallen victim to her, as well."

"Wait. That actually happened?" Sol asked.

"Yes, why?"

"Susan just played out a scene about that."

"If it involved me attacking Mina, then it did, indeed, happen."

"Can we trust Mary?" asked Sol.

"I do not know for certain. At this point, I believe Mina is simply trying to watch Thomas. But there is more to this story then any of us know," Sabastian answered.

"Why is she interested in Thomas?"

"It seems her sire from the Old World believes Thomas to be a usurper. Mina is here to insure that Thomas does not get too strong."

"Interesting."

"I suppose, but I really do not care so long as Susan is safe."

"Do you think it would be unwise for me to visit Mina?"

"Yes. As I said, she has control of Mary and nearly had control of me. I find it hard to believe you would fare much better," answered Sabastian.

"This is true. Yet a little girl was able to defend herself against an ancient. How is that possible?"

"I do not know, nor do I question it. There are many special things about Susan. This is just another to add to an ever growing list."

"How about we all go?"

"You want me to bring Susan back there?"

"Yes. I would like to meet Mina. If the only way to do that is with some sort of backup, then so be it."

"And if I refuse?" asked Sabastian.

"I will go alone. But I'm not sure this is entirely your choice."

"And who's choice is it?"

"Susan's little game ended with her asking me if I would take her to see Mina again."

"Did it? I guess I am not completely surprised. I will talk to her about this tomorrow."

"In an attempt to dissuade her?" Sol asked, though he knew the answer.

"Yes."

"If this is what she wants, you won't be able to change her mind."

"I am aware of that, but I wold be a poor guardian if I did not try," Sabastian replied. "Either way, we must retire. We can discuss this tomorrow."


0192

The next day Sabastian came into the kitchen to find Susan playing Candyland with Claudia. As soon as he stepped in, she jumped up and ran to him. Giving Sabastian a big hug, she said, "I'm gonna take Sol to meet Mina tonight."

"Are you?" he asked.

"Yeah. It's important and he can't go alone."

"How about I go with him instead?"

"Nope, you've got other stuff to do."

"Do I? Like what?" he asked, carrying her back to the table. He sat in her chair with the little girl in his lap while she took her turn at the game.

"You gotta go see Elizabeth. She needs your help."

"Elizabeth is capable of handling her own problems, I am more concerned with you and your safety."

"I'll be fine," Susan said. "It's Elizabeth that really needs your help right now."

"And how, pray tell, do you know you will be fine?"

"I just do."

"Why, then, does Elizabeth need me?"

"That bad man from the other night is hurting her. She won't stop him, and no one else can. But you.

"See, you have to go help her."

"Helping her can not wait one night?" Sabastian asked.

"No."

"I will go, but after you and I escort Sol to see Mina."

"Sabastian," Claudia interrupted, putting her hand on his. "If what little girl has told me is true, you must go."

"What has she told you?" Sabastian asked.

"That..."

"Claudia," Susan whined, interrupting the old lady.

"You are right, Claudia promise not to tell. I not say, but I think you listen to Susan would be better."

"Good evening all," Sol said, walking in.

"Sol! We're gonna go to see Mina tonight, right?"

"I think Sabastian has some justifiable concerns about that plan."

"I think I was overruled before you even came down," Sabastian responded. "Susan seems to think that Elizabeth needs my help and is dispatching me to her aid while you and she go to see Mina."

"Well, that was a quick discussion. I assumed I'd have to at least say something about how I would protect Susan with my life," Sol said, pinching the girl's cheek.

"You will," Susan said matter of factly, while taking her turn at the board game. Sol's smile faded at that comment, then returned, as he assumed Susan was just playing.


0193

Sabastian and Sol moved to the living room to let Claudia and Susan complete their board game.

They chatted aimlessly for a little bit, but then Sol asked, "Do you think Susan was serious about me giving my life to protect her?"

"I have no idea, perhaps you should ask her."

Before Sol could respond, Mary came downstairs saying, "I feel worse today then I did yesterday." She threw herself onto the couch and covered her face with her arm.

"I need to go to the city. Perhaps you should take me. A change of scenery might do you some good," Sabastian said to her.

"I feel so awful, I don't know if I even want to leave the house."

"Well, I need to get to the city and Sol cannot drive me. I would appreciate if you would."

Mary moved her arm and looked at Sabastian, "If I must. What's sunny boy doing that he isn't willing to give you a lift?"

"I'm visiting Mina," Sol answered.

"So I have to chauffeur stodgy pants here, and you get to go have fun? That's so unfair." She covered her face again.

"I think a night away from your fun might help to clear your mind," Sabastian said.

"Whatever, I'll take you. Just give me a few minutes to rest. I really do feel horrible."

"I am not surprised," Sabastian said.

"Why do you say that?" she asked, not moving.

"I believe your time with Mina is more mentally draining then you realize."

"Well, we have been through a lot lately," she said, missing his subtle hint at Mina's control over Mary.

"So we have," replied Sabastian.

"Say hi to Mina for me," Mary said to Sol, though Susan, who was walking into the room, answered.

"We will," she said, jumping into Sol's arms.

"Yes," Sol said, "we will."

"Your glow is fading," Susan said to him. "When you believe, its gonna stay strong forever."

He patted her head and said, "Then I had better hurry up and become a believer."

"Oh, it'll happen when it's time. Can we go now?"

"Yes, yes we can," he answered. To the others he said, "I assume I'll see you later tonight." He carried Susan to the car.

After they heard the car drive off, Mary sat up and said, "I mean no disrespect, but sometimes that little girl says some unusual things."

"Yes, she does," Sabastian answered. "When will we be leaving?"

"Let me go put on cooler clothes."

"Why, your clothing seems appropriate for the weather?" Sabastian asked, misunderstanding Mary's desire to look good for the trip.

"Uh, yeah. I'll be right back," she said, not bothering to explain.


0194

Sabastian stood looking out the picture window. He liked the window, it overlooked a stretch of lawn and then the water. The Long Island Sound was not impressive to him, as he had traversed much larger seas, but what it lacked in size it made up for in tranquility. Being trapped between Long Island and the coast of New York and Connecticut meant the water was much calmer than the open seas. Indeed, it was the gentle waves that he liked to watch, lapping against the shore.

"You still wait for Mary?" Claudia said, snatching him from his thoughts. "Sol and little girl leave half hour ago."

"Did they?"

"Yes. You need hurry if you help your friend."

"Excuse me?" Sabastian queried.

"Susan say you need hurry, you take too long."

"Then I should go get Mary," he said, walking from the window. He went upstairs and opened Mary's door, revealing her naked body.

She was quite attractive, supple breasts, pale skin, curvaceous body, but all Sabastian noticed was the scar on her left breast.

"What are you doing?" She screamed when the shock of being walked in on wore off.

"We need to leave soon, I am attempting to speed up your dressing process. How did you get that scar?"

She had covered herself with loose clothing by that point, answering, "A childhood accident."

"You are lying. It is a brand. You were a feeder before you were made."

"If you knew, why did you bother to ask?" She said, snidely. "Leave so I can dress."

"Please hurry, I am led to believe that time is of the essence."

"I'll be down in a minute."

"Thank you," Sabastian said, as he closed the door and went back to his window.

Claudia was sitting on the couch knitting. "She still not ready?"

"No, she is not ready. Women take an inordinate amount of time dressing. They always have and, it seems, always will. It is a frequent source of frustration."

Claudia chuckled. "Men want women pretty, but never want wait. You can't have both ways."

Sabastian laughed, "I suppose you are correct."

"What's the old lady correct about?" Mary asked, coming into the room.

"Nothing important. You do realize you are wearing almost the same exact outfit that you had on before you went to change into cooler attire."

"Hardly, but I wouldn't expect you to notice," Mary replied. "Are we going or what?"

"Yes, we are going," he answered with a nod of his head.

As he walked by the couch, Claudia took his hand and said, "You must be there before one. Susan say that, she say one very important time."

"Oh, I'll get him there before one," Mary said. "Let's go."


0195

In the car Sabastian asked, "Who kept you as a feeder?"

"You can't read that, too," Mary said snidely.

"I suppose I could, if I chose to, but I assumed it would be easier to ask. Were you a feeder for the Smithsons?"

"No. In fact, Tobias saved me from that horrific fate. He met me at a club and fell in love with me. He had a big fight with my owner and won, though I'm not sure how."

"In love? And yet you betrayed Tobias even though he saved you?"

"Love is fleeting, especially when one lives forever. He soon grew tired of me and betrayed my love.

"I did love him, too. I loved him for what he did for me. I would have done anything for him. That is until he found another woman to save. And then another, and another, and another," Mary chuckled. "As it turns out Tobias was little more than a philandering old pervert."

"The same could be said of so many of our kind."

"Yes, vampires, as a group, don't tend to be the most reputable or chaste folks around."

"So you have told me half of what I would like to know. But you still have not told me who kept you as a feeder," Sabastian said.

"You're right, I haven't shared that. It isn't a time I like to remember.

"The bastard took me as a feeder against my will. He kept me in chains and beat and raped me. Not a positive time in my life.

"Would you believe he even let me escape four times just so he could have the pleasure of hunting me down? He treated me like a toy, a toy he could do anything to. Anything he wanted. I hated him, no I hate him. But I think he liked that. He liked that I never gave in, I fought every time he came to feed. Every time he came to beat me. Every time he came to rape me.

"If I were strong enough I would kill him," Mary said, as a tear ran down her face.

"I am sorry for bringing it up," Sabastian said, noting that the blood red tear had fallen and stained her white shirt.

"Don't be. I need my anger. It keeps me going. I don't think many men can understand what it is like to have your body forcibly violated.

"As horrible a vampire as Tobias was, and trust me he did many horrific things, he never treated anyone like I was treated. He didn't have that much anger in him, not like..." Mary stopped.

"You do not have to tell me."

"You already know, don't you?" she asked.

"Yes. It took me a little while, but I do know."

"That bastard took me around like a pet. When he was angry with me, which was often, he'd beat and rape me in front of other vampires. He'd even offer me up to them, like meat.

"Tobias was there for one of these displays. He was the only one who ever stood up and did something.

"It was a huge fight. It's why he wanted to destroy the Smithsons. It was why Tobias was so defiant. It went beyond words and underlings, too. They fought each other. I was there, Tobias won. He drove the son of a bitch off.

"Tobias said I should have the brand removed before he turned me. I said I wanted to remember how I was treated. I never wanted to forget what it was like before.

"He told me that forever was a very long time. He was right."

"Do you regret not having it fixed?"

"No, I'm glad I made the choice I did. Every time I look in the mirror I see it and remember how much I hate him. When you don't have love, hate can keep you going."

"Yes, many of our kind think the same way. Do you think you could hurry up?" Sabastian asked.

"Yeah, I think that's a good idea."


0196

Unlike Sol, who always parked several blocks away from Sabastian's brownstone, Mary pulled right up in front.

Stepping from the car, thankful that Mary was a very fast, thought frighteningly reckless, driver, Sabastian said, "You realize that you have parked in front of a fire hydrant. I believe the human's frown upon that."

"I know and really don't care," she said, stepping beside him on the sidewalk. "If they tow me, I'll just buy a new car.

"So," she continued, putting a boot-clad foot on the fire hydrant, "this was your home?"

"Yes. And it still is my home, I have not given it up, I have only lent it to Elizabeth."

"How sweet."

"You sound as though you are feeling better," Sabastian said.

"Yeah, I am. I guess some good city smog was all I needed. Or maybe it was the traffic that got me going. I don't know."

"I am glad to hear it, whatever the reason. Are you up to joining me?"

"You bet," Mary answered.

The two walked past the outer gate and into the inner court. There they saw three guards sitting casually on the steps.

"Stop," one said. "Turn around and go back from wherever you came from."

Sabastian and Mary ignored him.

All three guards got up in unison and blocked the stairs. "Who the hell do you think you are?" another of the guards asked.

Walking directly up to him, Sabastian said, "Why do I always have to explain this. I am the owner of this property and I intend to go inside."

"That's pretty funny," the vampire said, as all three laughed. "I say Thomas owns this property and you can't go inside."

"I really do not have the time to play games, move or I will move you," Sabastian announced.

Getting right into his face, the largest of the vampires responded, "No."

From next to Sabastian, Mary asked, "Do you know who he is?"

Still in Sabastian's face he answered, "Yeah, and I don't care."

As soon as he finished speaking, Sabastian thrust his hand through the vampire's chest and out the other side, holding his heart. With his other hand he pushed the dead guard off his arm and then tossed his heart to the ground.

The other two guards looked down at their friend, eyes wide, and stood aside.

"You know that's really disgusting, right?" Mary asked. "And how is it you aren't covered in blood? Look at all the blood you got on my shirt, but you are perfectly clean. How do you do that?"

Walking up the stairs, Sabastian said, "I have no idea."

Following behind, Mary said, "Seriously, I don't understand. When you killed Mina's guard, you got blood all over. That poor old lady..."

"Claudia," Sabastian interrupted.

"Yeah, her. It took her hours to clean it. Yet you didn't have a drop on you. Not even your hand."

Now in the living room, Sabastian said, "I do not know the answers you are looking for, and now is not the time for trivial conversation. We are here to help Elizabeth. She is in the basement with Thomas and Night."

"Fine, how do we get down there?"

"Through this door," he answered, unlocking the locks. As he opened the door, he could hear Elizabeth crying and begging for Thomas to stop, while Thomas and Night laughed.


0197

Walking down the stairs, Sabastian saw Elizabeth bent over a table with her clothing ripped off. Night was across the table holding her arms down and laughing. Thomas was behind her with his pants down, thrusting violently.

There was a stream of blood flowing down Elizabeth’s pristine white legs to a puddle on the floor. She was sobbing and begging Thomas to stop.

"I'm sorry sire, please stop. Please. You're hurting me. I'm sorry."

"No spawn of mine will betray me," Thomas said, ending with a maniacal laugh. "Besides, I'm quite enjoying this. It's been a long time since I've fucked you, bitch."

"Do you like his dick in your ass?" Night asked mocking her. Elizabeth spit in her face, causing Night to slap her.

"Enough!" Sabastian erupted.

Thomas and Night looked over, startled. "Well," Thomas said, having regained his composure, "the great thespian returns." He pulled his blood-covered penis from Elizabeth's rectum, picked up a piece of her ripped clothing to clean himself, and wiped whatever blood was left on his hands on her back, before putting himself away.

Sabastian stood at the foot of the steps, his anger rising to a boil. Mary, with her eyes averted and a grimace, stood next to him.

Once Thomas had adjusted his clothing to his satisfaction, he waved his hand at Night to signal that she should let go of Elizabeth's arms. Once her arms were released, Elizabeth crumpled to the floor. She pulled what was left of her bloody clothing around her and curled into a ball. She was crying, but no longer sobbing.

"I'll dispatch the cannibal," Night said, moving toward Sabastian.

Mary shot over in front of her and said, "No, no you won't."

"Ladies," Thomas said to them. "I've given Elizabeth what she deserved. It is over. I'm ready to leave. There is no need to fight."

Mary turned to Thomas and said, "Do you think you can treat anyone you want like this?"

"Don't think I won't do the same to you, feeder. Tobias isn't here to protect you anymore. Besides, I made her. She is mine to do with as I please.

"She not only disobeyed me, but she defied my orders in front of others. She is lucky I have chosen to let her live."

Sabastian stood silently by the steps looking at Thomas.

"Sabastian," Mary pleaded, "you can't just stand there doing nothing. You came here to help, stopping this one event won't stop him. You know that he'll be back. He'll do it again."

Sabastian didn't move.

"You don't really believe the stoic hero is going to do anything, do you?" Thomas asked Mary, with a chuckle. "He doesn't want to be involved with our affairs any more than he needs to be. And this affair is over.

"Night, come. It's time for us to leave. Let these two clean up."

Night walked around Mary, who stood looking at the ground, resigned to the fact that Sabastian, the one vampire who might have helped, chose to do nothing.


0198

Thomas kneeled down next to Elizabeth and put his hand on her. She recoiled from his touch, causing him to smile.

"I'll see you again soon, my dear Elizabeth," he said loud enough for everyone to hear. "Perhaps I'll bring more friends next time. Maybe they would like to enjoy you, too."

Sabastian's eyes went wide, as anger flashed across his face. It was as if a final straw had been broken. He walked slowly but deliberately across the room. Night moved to stop him, but Mary restrained her, eventually moving between the head of the Enforcers and the others.

Thomas remained on one knee, watching as Sabastian walked toward him. He watched as Sabastian swooped down and grabbed his neck with one hand, lifting him up to eye level. Thomas smirked, as Sabastian carried him across the room and toward the cinder block wall of the basement.

A cringe of pain briefly flashed across his face, as his body crushed into the wall. Although he wasn't moving quickly, the strength behind Sabastian caused the walls to crack and crumble, as he pushed Thomas against it.

Thomas regained his composure, smiled, and said, "Only the greatest of actors could have done that. You are a true..." He stopped talking as Sabastian tightened his grip, effectively cutting off the air flow to his voice box.

"Sabastian," Elizabeth said weakly, sitting up in a puddle of her own blood, "don't." Her eyes were pained and her face was covered with the marks of her bloody tears.

Sabastian turned to look at Elizabeth. She looked at his face, but it was as if she were looking at someone she didn't know. She had seen Sabastian angry before, but there was more behind this face. It just wasn't her Sabastian.

His eyes were wild, almost glowing. His jaw was clenched so tightly Elizabeth could see the muscles of his face pulsating. His normally pale complexion was crimson red.

As he looked at her, the hand holding Thomas' neck began to tremble. He turned back to Thomas, but was looking at his hand, not the vampire crushed against the wall.

"Kill him!" Mary yelled.

Sabastian began to raise his free arm. As it rose, he made a fist.

Everyone anticipated what was coming, and, in an attempt to save her sire, Night pushed past Mary to stop Sabastian.

Sabastian looked at her out of the corner of his eye, never moving his head. He waved his free arm across the room and yelled in a deep guttural tone, "No!"

As his arm passed through the air, everything was forcibly thrown across the room, including Night, who literally flew off her feet, Mary and Elizabeth.

Sabastian's eyes returned to Thomas, who was now looking at his captor with fear. Thomas looked from eye to eye, but saw nothing. It was as if Sabastian were gone and all that remained was hate.

Sabastian again raised his free arm, slowly and deliberately, clenching his hand into a fist as it reached shoulder height.

Night, Mary, and Elizabeth were regaining themselves after being thrown across the room. They were confused, but realized that whatever force threw them came from Sabastian.


0199

Sabastian held his fist poised to crush Thomas' head, but didn't move. His fist stared to tremble, as if he didn't want to throw the blow, but someone or something was trying to force him.

Elizabeth cried, "Sabastian, please, you're frightening me."

As she ended her sentence, Sabastian's body relaxed. He looked over at Elizabeth and she saw that whatever had taken hold of him had left. Sabastian was back. But, as suddenly as it left, the cloud of anger returned.

Sabastian tensed again and his fist began to shake. Just as he began to throw the punch, Elizabeth screamed, "No!"

Thomas closed his eyes, Mary smiled, and Night ran to her sire's side.

The force of Sabastian's hand was so strong, his arm went completely through the cement block wall. With his arm all the way to his shoulder in the wall, he released his grip on Thomas' neck.

Thomas slid down the wall and opened his eyes. It had been hundreds of years since he had felt true fear. Since someone had credibly threatened his life. He looked up at Sabastian, who's body was still shaking with anger.

His arm had just missed Thomas' head. Still unable to speak, he crawled to Night, who helped her sire up. Without a word, the pair fled.

Neither Mary nor Elizabeth moved to stop their escape. They both just watched Sabastian.

After several minutes, Elizabeth climbed to her feet and walked to him. She was afraid to touch him, but did anyway, saying, "Sabastian," as her fingers caressed his hair.

As soon as she touched him, his body relaxed. He pulled his arm from the wall and slumped down against it, his face hidden in his hands. Although there was cement dust all around him, there was none on him. Not even on the hand he thrust into the wall.

Elizabeth fell behind him and put her arms around his body. She held him for several minutes before he dropped his hands from his face.

"They wanted him dead," Sabastian said so weakly that Elizabeth didn't hear him.

"What, my dear?"

Slightly louder, he said, "I could not control them. They wanted him to die."

"Who wanted Thomas to die?"

Sabastian stood up and walked across the room. "The souls," he said, looking blankly at a wall. "The souls."

"I don't understand," Elizabeth said, standing and walking toward him. She no longer cared about her nudity and the pain of the attack had already subsided.

"I need to be alone. I do not understand what has happened. They, they have never done this before."

"Done what?" Elizabeth asked, reaching out to touch Sabastian.

"The yelling, the anger, all of them. All at once. I could not fight it. I could not contain them."

Mary, who had been watching silently up until that point, got up and took Elizabeth by the arm. "We should get you cleaned up."

"Sabastin needs me," Elizabeth protested.

He turned to her and said, "No, I need to be alone."

"If... If that's what you want," she answered.

He turned away saying nothing.

"Come, you should clean yourself off and put some clothing on," Mary said, leading Elizabeth up the stairs.

"I'm worried about him," Elizabeth said to Mary.

"It's too late for that."

"What do you mean?"

"I've seen our kind act like this before. He's going insane. The power of the blood is too much for him."


0200

Mary and Elizabeth went to the living room, only to find the dead bodies of the two guards. The third guard's body was still on the front stoop, and could be seen through the open door.

"We should get the other body inside, where it isn't visible to the humans," Elizabeth said.

"Sit," Mary said, "I'll take care of it."

While Mary was dragging the corpse of the other vampire inside, Elizabeth said, "This is typical of how Thomas acts. I'm surprised Night was allowed to live, except that he needs her.

"In his mind he's been humiliated. He's probably decided to kill both of us when he has the chance."

"Well," Mary said, dropping the Enforcer's arms and closing the door, "I'm sure he wants me dead. You, however, seem to have a little more leeway with him."

"He and I have been through a great deal together, but nothing like these past few months. And what he was doing to me... He's never treated me like that. He can be mean and brutal, but it was never like that before."

"You were never his slave," Mary responded. "Let's get you cleaned up and dressed."

Walking upstairs, Elizabeth asked, "Did he treat you like that often?"

"Yes, but that's over now. I'm sorry that you had to see the darkest side of your sire, but I assume you can understand why I hate him."

"Yes. Yes, I do," Elizabeth answered, walking into the bathroom. She turned on the shower and dropped the rags she had around her. Her body was bruised and bloody. She had open wounds on her back that she could only see in the mirror, but could feel constantly.

Her breasts were bitten and clawed. In some places he actually chewed flesh from her body. She could still feel the burning in her rectum. She didn't dare look to see what damage he had caused.

Her pristine body was marred and violated. She hated him for it. She understood Mary's hate. Part of her wanted to give up and die, part of her wanted revenge, and still another part wanted to pretend that it had never happened. The wounds, however, would take years to heal, so she knew she wouldn't be able to forget what the beast did to her.

Mary, who was standing in the doorway watching, said, "It's not your fault."

Elizabeth looked up before stepping into the shower. She said, "I know this isn't about me. It's him. It's just that these wounds are going to take forever to heal. I'll probably be able to feel them for months."

After finishing her shower, Elizabeth stepped out to find Mary sitting on the toilet holding out a towel. She took the towel, saying, "Thank you," and began to dry herself off.

Mary stood up and unbuttoned her shirt. She exposed her breasts to Elizabeth. "That's your sire's brand," she said, pointing to her scar. "My sire wanted me to let it heal over before he made me. I told him I wanted to keep it so I could remember."

Elizabeth held her towel to her chest and said, "At one point I would have asked why you wanted to remember, but now I think I understand."

Buttoning her shirt, Mary said, "Sometimes it gives me the strength to go on. Even if that strength comes from hate."

"In some way, it seems we are sisters," Elizabeth said.

"In a most unfortunate way," answered Mary.

Without saying anything else, Elizabeth walked into one of the rooms and started to dress. Mary followed and helped. It was difficult for Elizabeth to put clothing on, but she managed to wear a loose fitting shirt and a skirt.

"I'm worried about Sabastian," Elizabeth said quietly, buttoning the last shirt button.

"So am I," Mary responded. "We've both seen this before."


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