0266: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

As Elizabeth reached Sabastian, who was still looking directly at Thomas, she put her hand up to his cheek. “Are you OK my dear?”

“Yes,” he said.

She looked at his hand and marveled at the fact that there was no blood on him at all, even though there was blood all over the street. “Did you kill her?”

“No,” he answered.

“Why not?”

“It was not her time,” he said, turning and walking back to the house.

Vein walked up behind Elizabeth and asked, sarcastically, “This is what you needed to protect?”

Turning, she said, “He is more delicate than he appears.”

“I looks like Thomas has called a retreat,” Vein said. “I believe that you and I have some important discussions ahead of us, Madam President. Perhaps we can begin tonight in your house. I don’t think Thomas will be back for some time.”

“That sounds like a good plan, though I do like the sound of Queen,” Elizabeth said with a hint of jest, walking to the house. Vein followed, telling his clan to keep an eye on the area.

Once inside, Elizabeth went into the living room and sat down in her armchair. Vein sat on the couch.

“Where did he go?” Vein asked. “I do not sense his presence.”

“He is in the basement.”

“After that display, he will be a powerful ally for us,” Vein said.

“He will be no such thing. I noted that he is in a fragile state. It is no state for fighting battles. And I don’t believe he fights for the same reasons as you and I.”

“Is he a danger to our cause?” Vein asked with a concerned look.

“I honestly don’t know,” Elizabeth answered.

“Yet we must protect him,” Vein said. “I guess we’ll have to find a home in which we can both protect ourselves from without and from within.”

“Do not concern yourself with protecting us from Sabastian. If he ever decided to kill us, nothing you could do would stop him.

“At one point I thought that if enough vampires attacked him they could win. My estimation of the numbers needed went from a few Enforcers to a combat team to an army. Now I’m not even sure that a blood hunt would suffice.”

“What are you suggesting?” Vein asked.

“I’m not suggesting anything. I’m telling you that Sabastian is likely the most powerful vampire you have ever met. If the Four still exist, if they ever existed, I believe he would rival their storied strength. If I am to lead you into battle with Thomas, you will be taking on the risk of keeping Sabastian among us. But I will not help you unless you take on that risk.”

“Then I guess it is a risk I must accept,” Vein said. “We have been using your old apartment as our headquarters, but I no longer think that is the most prudent option. We need a building with a very deep and secure cellar.”

“I will not lock Sabastian up. He will have free reign of whatever facility you select.”

“Will you provide me with no protection against that thing? You did notice what he did to Night, didn’t you?” Vein asked.

“If he wanted you dead, he would have already killed you,” she answered, ignoring both questions.

“Wonderful,” Vein responded. “I’m between a rock and a hard place, and those are the two vampires that are on my side. I fear that Thomas will be little more than a distraction.”

“We should be so lucky. Thomas’ fingers reach far and wide. Even some of his enemies would support him if they thought it would keep the New World under some semblance of control. Trust me, this battle we have chosen to take won’t be easy.

“I’m something of an outcast already, but now I will be reviled throughout this continent and in the Old World. If we do not win in our fight, there will be nothing that can save us.”

“Unless, of course, the time bomb in the basement blows a gasket,” Vein retorted with a smile.

“God help us all if that should happen,” Elizabeth responded seriously.



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