0282: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

Sol and Henry stood silently for a little while longer, before Sol asked, "What do you think is going to happen?"

"I don't know," Henry answered. "My life is as much in the balance as your own."

"It seems I've gotten a great many vampires into this fix."

"Don't be too hard on yourself," Henry said, "if you are who John Paul says you are, it will all be worth it."

"I don't know. John Paul compared me to Doubting Thomas before he died. I have to touch the wound if I am to believe. He knew me very well. I am almost ashamed that I have such a hard time believing."

"Don't be," Henry responded after a long pause. "Belief is hard."

"The dawn approaches," Sol said, "we should go back down."

"Yes, we should," Henry said, before turning to look Sol in the face. "You are a good kid. I hope that John Paul was right about you." He then walked back into the tower and down the stairs.

Sol stood looking at the open doorway. "Could I be the one?" he asked himself. "I just don't feel it. But then I don't know what being the one would feel like. I just can't imagine that it feels so unsure."

He turned and took one last look over the army outside the castle, sighed, and walked down the tower steps.

When he got to the main castle, Car and Melinda were waiting for him.

"Girls," he said as he hit the landing.

"We're worried about you," the said in unison.

"Really, why?"

"You haven't eaten in days," Car said.

"You must eat if you want to survive," Melinda followed.

Sol tilted his head slightly and though. It was true, he hadn't eaten in days. He had been so deep in thought that food wasn't even on his mind. "You are correct on both accounts," he replied. "Is there anything to eat?"

"Yes," the girls said together, each taking one of Sol's hands and pulling him into the dinning room. As they walked in, he saw the White Vampire sitting at the table with her back to the doorway.

She raised her right hand and the girls said, "You're welcome my lady," together. Then, "Yes," and they were off, leaving Sol with the White Vampire.

"My Lady," he said, bowing slightly. "May I join you?" He left his mind open, but she did not attempt to read him or speak to him in that way. Instead, she turned and smiled.

Sol walked over to a chair next to her and sat. "Henry tells me that your name is Meredith," he said.

She nodded her head again.

"He also tells me that it is very hard for you to speak and that you use your mind instead."

She nodded.

"I'm sorry that I didn't know that. I've been under a great deal of," he paused, "pressure lately. When you attempted to read me without first contacting me in any way, my first reaction was to become defensive."

She smiled at him at put her hand on his. He was shocked at how cold her hand was, leading him to sport a blank expression as he looked at it.

"You haven't fed in a very long time," he said, looking up at her.

She shook her head.

"Why?" he asked, then closed his eyes because of the stupidity of questioning one that doesn't talk.

She rubbed his hand and smiled.

"It is late tonight, but, perhaps, tomorrow we can talk," he said.

She nodded her head and smiled again.

[The Vampire's Daughter: An ongoing vampire story. Copyright Reuben Gregg Brewer, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009. All rights reserved.]