0300: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

As Elizabeth's crew launched themselves through the fire up onto the street, they met Marcus Emielius' entire coven.

Emielius' men went after Elizabeth first. She deftly launched several attackers into cars, but the onslaught of vampires was too much for her to keep up with and they soon had her surrounded and woefully outnumbered.

"Protect Elizabeth!" was the rallying cry from Jillian, and all listened. Soon the fighting spread out and Elizabeth was behind a protective barrier of vampires-made up equally of each of the clans that had agreed to back her. She smiled, knowing that this show of solidarity had deep meaning.

Her pleasure didn't last long, however, as she knew she had to end this battle quickly. Scanning the crowd, she spied Marcus Emielius standing behind a car at a safe distance from the fight. Elizabeth crouched down and launched herself over her wall of safety and, with two more bounds, landed on the roof of the car directly in front of Marcus.

"Let's end this," she said, as Marcus Emielius's followers nearest to him began to rush at Elizabeth.

Still stunned, Marcus didn't move or say anything, giving Elizabeth time to jump up out of the way as Marcus Emielius' men jumped on the car, and land behind Marcus. She shoved her hand through his chest, pulling his heart out the other side.

He slumped on her arm, as she yelled out, "This is over, join me or die!"

Marcus Emielius' men stopped fighting and just watched as their sire's dead body slid from Elizabeth's arm. Elizabeth's followers were running to her aid, however, and had surrounded all of Marcus Emielius' men.

"Decide!" she yelled.

No one responded, they all just stood there in shock.

"Kill them," she said, causing her warriors to rip Marcus Emielius' men apart. "Make sure they aren't found."

Jillian ran up to her and said, "There isn't much time before the dawn, follow me." Elizabeth didn't argue.

In one of Jillian's many coven houses, they quickly recounted the events and tallied everyone up. There were five lost, most from Jillian's clan.

"I have no complaints," Jillian said to Elizabeth before the two settled to sleep. "But I will be sure that all in the city know of what happened. I have already given orders to spread news of your rebirth to all free covens. They will learn of your bravery and that I have decided to join the Tribunal."

Elizabeth looked at Jillian and smiled. "Thank you," she said, kissing the vampire.

"I fear we won't have much time for these trysts for a long while," Jillian responded.

"Ah, but as the head of my elite guard I think we'll have more contact than you might expect," Elizabeth said, laying her head on Jillian's chest and dozing off.

Looking at Elizabeth, Jillian thought, "How did this happen? Just months ago there was peace, then, overnight, war. Now, I see a glimmer of hope for peace again."

The next night, Elizabeth walked into her coven house to cheers. "We've already heard," Vein announced to her. "Four covens in the new Tribunal and the destruction of Marcus Emielius! A resounding victory if ever there was one."

"Thank you," Elizabeth said, with Jillian close behind. "I want you to meet the head of my elite guard, Jillian."

"Jillian," Vein said, bowing, "I find that my former enemies are now my closest allies. It will be an honor to serve with you."

"Thank you Vein," Jillian said.

"No Vein, you won't be working with Jillian at all. You have greater responsibilities," Elizabeth said, looking past him at Sabastian, who was standing at the far end of the living room watching the commotion.

Jillian and Vein looked at Sabastian just as he turned to walk away.


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