0260: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

“You don’t know as much as you think,” Elizabeth said to Vein. “Besides, if Thomas has killed the heads of the larger clans, what do you think he would do to me if I attempted to unify the clans against him?”

“He’d try to kill you, but we wouldn’t let him. As a group we would be able to stop him. The only reason he’s been able to kill off so many clan leaders is because of the conflict between the clans. He’s simply making that conflict worse by creating conflict within clans, too. And it’s working. Working so well that he is gaining ground every night. Block after block is falling to his troops as they kill any vampire that doesn’t fall in line behind Thomas.

“With you to unite us, we can fight back. As a group we can and will protect you. In fact, if you agree to this, I will personally guard you. I will pledge my total support and give up my position as head of the Orion clan to become your personal bodyguard. I will give the leadership of the Orion clan to you.”

“I don’t want to run your clan. I don’t want to run anything,” Elizabeth said exasperated. “All I want is to be left alone.” As the words left her mouth, she felt that she understood Sabastian’s disdain for his own kind more than she ever had before.

“Is Thomas going to leave you alone?” Vein asked.

“After recent events, you might be surprised to find that I believe he will,” Elizabeth said, in a matter of fact tone. “Besides, I have other obligations at the moment.”

“Other obligations? And what would those be?” Vein asked.

“I’m currently protecting something that is of great value to me. I’m afraid that attempting to recreate The Tribunal would distract me from this task.”

“We will protect whatever it is that you are guarding. My entire clan is at your disposal to protect anything you want to protect.

“You must understand how hard it is for me to come here and say these things. I’m not joking around, I’m not making fun of you, I’m here because we need you. And we don’t have to recreate the Tribunal. We could install you as the Queen of New York City for all I care. I just want to stop Thomas before it’s too late.”

“Call my self Queen!” Elizabeth exclaimed. “Vein, I appreciate your intentions, but what you are asking is simply too much. You know all too well how powerful and brutal Thomas is. How much more so will he be if I do as you ask? You know yourself that I’m lucky to be alive. He has killed his own for lesser offences. Moreover, what sane vampire would believe I’ve decided to betray him?

“And I do, honestly, consider my current task of greater importance than anything that involves Thomas.”

“You are condemning all of us that believe in freedom to death or servitude,” Vein responded.

“I’m sorry,” Elizabeth said, “but I can’t help you.”

“I am sorry, too,” Vein said, walking to the door. Before opening it, he said, “I won’t kill the messenger. I’ll release him, as a further act of good faith. Shall I tell him how to find you?”

“No, I would appreciate if you didn’t. If I need to find him, I’m sure I will be able to find him myself.”

Still holding the door handle, Vein said, “As you read the letter, please remember that my act of bringing it to you put me at great personal risk. That I’ve willingly taken on this risk to better the lives of all the vampires in New York City, including yours. Regardless of what it contains, I hope you will reconsider my request.”

He opened the door and walked out, shaking his head at the guards waiting for him to show that his plan had failed.




[The Vampire's Daughter: An ongoing vampire story. Copyright Reuben Gregg Brewer, 2005, 2006. All rights reserved.]