0298: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

"Are you still playing around with the weaker sex?" Jillian asked.

"I play with whom I please," Elizabeth answered, sitting down in the leather chair opposite Jillian's desk.

Jillian walked to the desk and sat behind it. "Why are you here? Last I heard Thomas had locked you up with the threat that he would kill you."

"Well, let's say that things have materially changed in the last day or so," Elizabeth said.

"And how so?"

"Vein and his clan rescued me and pledged their allegiance to me. I've taken on their clan as my own."

"That is an interesting twist."

"How does your sire feel about this?"

"Based on the battle," Elizabeth said, "I don't think he was too happy. But we defeated him and, now, I'm looking to create a new Tribunal to oppose him."

"That's suicide. If not for those who join you, then at least for you."

"Thomas has used me one too many times. I could have handled the Tribunal affair, but not what he did to me afterward. It is time for me to confront him and kill him."

Looking down, Jillian said, "Yes, he can be brutal. But do you believe you can beat him with one coven? I'm sure he didn't bring all his strength to bear if Vein's middling group were able to defeat him."

"There were extenuating circumstances," Elizabeth said. "However, I've spoken to good old Sam. He's joined the cause, too."

"Sam hates you."

"Yes, but he respects me and fears Thomas. Much the same situation as your coven, I suspect."

"No, not at all alike. My coven hates you, but respected your leadership. I love you and wish you'd give up this heterosexual front you insist on hiding behind."

Elizabeth laughed, then said, "You know very well that I don't judge a person by their gender, but by what is inside." She got up and walked around the desk, sitting on Jillian's lap.

"This is a diversion for you," Jillian said, kissing her again. "What do you really want?"

Leaning in and biting Jillian's lip hard enough to draw blood, Elizabeth said, "I am resolved to defeat Thomas. I need support. I know we've had personal issues, but let's put that aside. Join me."

"You wouldn't be here if I held a grudge," Jillian said, caressing Elizabeth's body.

"Good, then you'll join the new Tribunal?"

"No, I'll have no part of it. But I will follow you and abide by the rules that you promulgate, should you defeat Thomas."

"Will you provide support?" Elizabeth asked.

"You can have your pick of my men."

"Uh, you're giving me your weakest fighters?" Elizabeth asked.

"For now," Jillian said. "I need my best to protect my eastern border. It seems in the mess that the fall of the Tribunal, the Old Tribunal, left behind, that idiot Marcus thinks he can take over my territory. I won't have that."

"I'll talk to him."

"Marcus hates you, and I'm not sure that he respects you all that much, either."

"Then I'll teach him to respect his elders," Elizabeth said, getting up.

"In that case, you can take some of my girls, too," Jillian said, following Elizabeth to the office door.

Standing in the open doorway, Elizabeth kissed Jillian, who was, obviously, displeased with the public display. Jillian shook her head, then, to her coven, yelled out fifteen names, five female and ten male. She told them to go with Elizabeth.

Outside, with the now large group, she said, "Next stop, East side and Marcus Emielius' place." She trooped on with a smile, recollecting some of the previous times she had "negotiated" with Jillian. Jillian watched the group from the restaurant window as they walked down the street, reminiscing about the same thing.


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