0270: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

The female vampire looked away from Gan, then, turning back said, “We have been valuable allies for a very long time. I would hate to see this event end our mutually beneficial relationship.”

Gan smiled. “Then I suggest you leave now, before something happens to endanger our precious relationship.”

“I have been sent by royalty. You know this and still you have the insolence of a fool,” the woman said.

“I have my reasons for protecting Sol, and it has nothing to do with money. My work has never had anything to do with money. If your Kings and Queens could understand that, then they would understand why I only take on select assignments. But they are too foolish to comprehend what is right before their eyes. They think I work for them no matter how many times I tell them otherwise. I am inclined to protect Sol and there is nothing you can offer me that will alter this,” Gan said.

“We want to find a peaceful solution to this problem,” the woman said sternly.

“Then go home,” Gan replied.

“You know as well as I that going home is not an option. I have been given an order and to fail would mean my head.”

“Then you do have a quandary on your hands,” Gan said.

The female vampire looked down in obvious anger, then, looking Gan in the eyes, said, “We can take him by force if need be.”

“What, are you going to lay siege to my castle?” Gan asked loudly, causing a cheer to rise up among his men. He looked around and smiled, “It seems my men would welcome such a challenge.”

“Then your men have no concept of what they face,” she replied. “My troops are made up entirely of elite guardsmen. Few can stand up to their strength.”

“Oh, I see. Elite guardsmen,” Gan said nodding his head seriously, as if pondering something. “My castle has stood, undisturbed for hundreds of years. Your kings and queens, while battling for power, were never able to take it, despite hundreds of attempts. Do you really believe I fear that this time you will succeed?

“And what of these elite troops of your. If they were any good, I would have recruited them already. Look around you,” he said. “You see a hodgepodge, rag tag group of vampires loyal to an old fool. To be sure, I read that from your mind as you entered my court. What you don’t understand is that each vampire here has been hand chosen. Selected by myself over centuries. I do not suffer fools lightly and trust me, there are no fools here other than yourself. If you want to fight, we will be ready. If you want to live, you will go back to your royalty and deal with the consequences, because, if we engage, I will make sure your death is slow and painful.”

The vampire looked at Gan and then Sol. She focused on Sol for nearly a minute, before saying, “I hope you are worth this fight.” She nodded politely to Gan and walked back to the gate.

“Open it for her,” Gan said.

Sol walked to Gan’s side as they watched her leave. “This is bad,” he said.

Gan looked at him and replied, “No, if we even do end up fighting, it is nothing. It will be good training for my men. Some will die, but we haven’t had to defend the castle in a hundred years. In fact, it might even be a good thing. Perhaps this is God’s way of telling us that we’ve lost our edge.”

“Isn’t that taking belief a little too far?” Sol asked.

Gan smiled, but did not look at him, “You can never have too much faith in God.”



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