0295: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

Outside what appeared to be a housing project, a small band of vampires were sitting on the steps. One of them was the vampire that Elizabeth had dispatched to his sire.

"Well, well, to what do I owe this pleasure Madam President," a youngish looking vampire said. "Oh, wait, you aren't President anymore because the Tribunal fell and your sire is running around killing off its former constituents."

"Hello Sam," Elizabeth said. "Let's get a few things straight right now."

"Let's," Sam said, standing up and waving his arm, which resulted in a flood of vampires into the area and surrounding Elizabeth and the small group of vampires she had brought with her. "For one, you have no authority here and I'll kill you if I so choose."

Elizabeth smiled. "For one," she responded, "your sad little show of force doesn't frighten me in the slightest bit." She looked him right in the eye and laughed. "If you want to go down this road, I promise you that you will die tonight."

Sam stood looking at her for a little bit before he snapped his fingers and his coven backed off. Elizabeth nodded to him as a gesture of thanks.

"Second, I'm not here on behalf of Thomas. But I think you already knew that."

"I did," Sam said. "But why are you here?"

"You won't be able to defeat Thomas alone," Elizabeth said. "He'll slowly defeat the covens below you and then, when it's your turn, he'll destroy you or subjugate you like the others."

Sam didn't respond, but knew that what Elizabeth said was true.

"I offer you an alternative to that."

"To be destroyed or subjugated by you?" Sam asked.

"No. I want to recreate the Tribunal, but in my image this time."

Sam looked at her for a long time, then said, "Let's talk inside."

He turned and walked into the building, Elizabeth followed. She held a hand up, letting those with her know they weren't welcome to join.

Inside, Sam and Elizabeth walked into an elevator and went to the basement. In the basement, Sam walked over to a corner that was outfitted with what looked like a living room. He sat down in an arm chair. "Talk."

Elizabeth sat down in the couch, leaning forward to expose her chest, and said, "I was used by my Sire for the last time. I'm going to take this city from him and I need your help."

"Sounds more like you want to be King of New York."

"You've seen me in action," she replied. "Do I want to be the King or peace keeper?"

"If history is a guide, the latter. Which is the only reason why I'm listening to you." After a pause, he asked, "What happened to your outfit?"

"Vein gave me his coven. Some of his coven didn't like the idea. I had to make a point."

"Now that's a new side to the peace keeper," Sam responded.

"I'm a little more resolved to lead this time around," Elizabeth said with a wry smile.

"So how does this work?"

"We shake hands on the idea and I call you when I've contacted a few more covens."

"I'll be one of the two that are chosen to rule along side you," Sam said in a matter of fact tone.

"You'll be one of the four covens that rules with me as the deciding fifth vote, but only so long as yours are one of the four strongest covens."

"So, you will be King."

"No, I'll be Queen and peace keeper," Elizabeth said, extending her hand.

Sam took hold of her hand and said, "You realize I have little choice in this."

"That's not true, you could be ruled by a merciless King or by a benevolent Queen who believes her subjects have a right to govern their own affairs so long as the rule is just to all."

Letting go of her hand, Sam looked directly at her and said, "I'm staking my coven on that."

Elizabeth smiled and said, "I won't let you down."


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