0293: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

"You have no idea of the magnitude of the situation," Francis' grandfather said.

"I'm sorry grandpa, I didn't know what else to do," Francis said into the phone, knowing that both Sol and his grandfather had told him that he would be killed if he admitted to knowing Sol.

"You've done nothing wrong, son," the voice on the other end of the phone replied. "It is Sol that has done something, or at least is accused of doing something. And he has brought ruin on our firm and family."

"What?"

"Shortly after you left for the US, our primary offices were mysteriously destroyed. I know for a fact that it was arson, but we did not report it as such."

"I don't understand," Francis said.

"Listen. After the fire, I left for a remote and hidden office that our family has kept for many years. That is where I am now. It proved fortunate that I left so soon, as many of our partners were killed or disappeared the night after the fire."

"My God."

"No, Francis, this is not the work of God. It is the work of devils. We work for a devil and he has brought the wrath of his kin down upon us. It has happened before, but not like this.

"As far as I know, you and I are all that is left of the firm."

"What?"

"The last time we spoke, it had already begun. I didn't wish to alarm you so I didn't say anything at the time. I was still able to hold together a skeleton staff then, but no longer. I have computers, I have communications, but I have nothing else. And Sol has disappeared."

"He's abandoned us?" Francis asked.

"No. I don't believe that. It isn't his way. He is either dead or not in a position to contact me. Either way, though, we are on our own," Francis' grandfather said flatly.

"What should we do?"

"I will remain here and you will remain where you are.

"If Sabastian was important enough to Sol that he sent you to contact him, I believe you are safer with him than with me. And if Sol does need our family's assistance, one of us needs to remain alive.

"Let them think they are holding you against your will. That will give them reason to keep you alive. As it stands, I doubt that I'll be able to contact Sol anytime soon."

"Yes Grandpa," Francis said. "I love you."

"I love you, too, son. Be safe and call me as soon as you have a private means."

"I will," Francis said, and hung up the phone. He moved to the couch, put his head in his hands and started to cry.

After a few moments, something fell on the cushion next to him, causing him to look up. It was Vein.

"There's your phone," Vein said. "Sabastian didn't tell me to give it back, but I assume he'd want me to."

"Thank you," Francis said.

"I don't know what your conversation was about, but for your sake, I hope Sol can be contacted rather quickly. From what I've seen, Sabastian isn't a vampire to trifle with.

"As long as he says you're safe, you'll be safe," Vein continued, "but the second he wants you dead." Vein walked away.

Francis called his grandfather back from his phone to tell him that it had been returned. "What do you know about Sabastian?" Francis asked.

"He's frighteningly powerful, don't cross him. We'll talk soon," his grandfather said and then hung up.


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