0263: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

Several nights later, Sabastian jumped up from the bed and stood naked in the middle of the room.

“What is it?” Elizabeth asked, shocked at his sudden movement.

“We have guests. Quickly, put on your clothing. Be prepared to fight.”

“What?” she asked, doing as he said.

“Thomas is back and he has brought friends,” Sabastian said, while getting himself dressed. Standing at the foot of the steps, he continued, “They are down the street. Twenty of them. Night is leading them, with Thomas behind. We should meet them in the front courtyard for the battle.”

“What battle, it will be likely be a slaughter. You are in no shape to fight, and I can’t possibly take on twenty vampires alone,” she said to him. Hugging him, she said, “Sabastian, I knew it would eventually come to this. I want you to know that I love you. I have always loved you. You were the special one.”

“I care deeply for you, too, Elizabeth. But our time has not come.”

“It hasn’t? I’m glad you are so confident. But I can’t trust that you will be capable of the fight, so I’m ordering you, as your sire, to stay behind,” she said. Her larger concern, however, was that his powers might prove more of a liability then a benefit if she should get in the way of his anger. After throwing both her and Mary across the room with Night that evening, she wasn’t sure he even knew what his powers were, let alone how to control or direct them.

“As you might expect, I am going to ignore your order. Besides who said we would have to fight alone?”

“What?” she asked, confused.

“Your friend from the other night. While you may have spurned him, he has not given up hope that you will do what you know is needed,” Sabastian said.

“I’m confused,” Elizabeth said. “How did he know?”

“Come,” Sabastian said taking her hand, “there is no time to discuss unimportant and tangential topics.”

They ran out to the front court and into the street. To the left they could see Night and her band walking casually, though silently, down the street. To the right there was no one.

“I thought you said we didn’t have to fight alone,” Elizabeth said.

“Wait.”

As Night’s band drew closer, Elizabeth could see that they were outfitted for a battle. Most had full leather armor with modern plastic padding. Some wore helmets and all appeared to have weapons. While Elizabeth watched this band advance, Sabastian stood looking the other way.

“Sabastian, I think it would be beneficial if you stopped waiting for a miracle and helped me fight. They are almost here.”

“I will not fight,” Sabastian said to her, his back still turned away.

“What!” Elizabeth exclaimed, grabbing him by the arm and turning him around. “You could have at least told me that before we got up here. I can’t fight this many vampires alone!”

“You will not have to,” he said. “You will order your clan to fight for you.”

As he finished the sentence, Vein and a large number of vampires came running around the corner behind Sabastian. Elizabeth saw them, closed her eyes, and smiled.

“I should have trusted you,” she said to Sabastian, leaning in and kissing him on the lips. He didn’t return the kiss, as he had again gone into a catatonic state. She stepped back from him, crying lightly. “My child, my love. This is not the life I wanted for you. For us.”

He said nothing, looking blankly past Night’s vampires. Elizabeth could see, however, that his eyes were following something, but she couldn’t tell what.



[The Vampire's Daughter: An ongoing vampire story. Copyright Reuben Gregg Brewer, 2005, 2006, 2007. All rights reserved.]