0302: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

No one said anything for a long time, as all eyes were locked on Meredith. They hadn't heard her speak in over a hundred years. Some at the table had never heard her speak. None knew what to make of it.

She looked each vampire in the room in the eyes, except Gan, who she knew was loyal to her. As she was surveying the group, Gan put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed slightly, causing her to smile. She put her hand on his, knowing without reading him, that he was happy that her affliction had been lifted.

In some she sensed fear, others shock, and a few hid their minds.

"As you can hear," she said after at least five minutes of pure silence, "I have been healed."

"My Lady," one of the vampires that hid his mind said and bowed, "I am so happy for you. Do you know what has caused this miracle?"

"The one you would kill before introducing him to my father," she answered.

"My Lady, that cannot be. He is a charlatan just like John Paul."

Gan tensed at his words.

"I am healed," Meredith said, "and I am telling you that he has healed me. Why would I lie?"

Gan took his hand from Meredith's shoulder and reached out to the Car and Belinda. The girls brought their groups down to the study that led to the chamber. Although there were many ways to escape from the room, the only vampire that knew that was Meredith.

"I do not believe you are lying," the vampire said, "I simply believe you may be confused. Time has healed you, I am certain of it."

"And what do you believe?" she asked another of the vampires that hid their minds.

She looked at the first vampire and then back at Meredith. "I believe that you believe something special has happened. But I am not certain of it, my Lady. If I could see it with my own eyes, if I could meet this Sol, perhaps I would believe, too."

"Yes," another vampire added. "I believe we need to meet him. Let's bring him in and see this lad. See what he has to say. Let's test him, find out if he is the one."

Meredith turned to Gan and said to his mind and his alone, "Protect Sol at all costs, even if it means your life. Even if it means mine." Out loud, she said, "Gan, will you please bring Sol in."

"Yes, my Lady," he said, bowing and walking out of the room. No one said a word while he walked and no words were spoken while he was gone.

Outside, Gan looked at Car and said, "You must fetch Sol. You must also protect him. I have pledged to die protecting him. If that happens, it falls to you."

"Sir," she said.

After she left, her sister, Belinda, whispered to Gan, "I will protect him, too."

Gan put his hand on her head, "Thank you child."

"Is he the one you have been waiting for?"

He looked at her for a moment and thought about saying, "I believe so," but stopped, as it was no longer a belief, it was a certainty. "Yes," he answered.

"Then my Grim died for a good cause," she said.

Car arrived with Sol and Jamie shortly thereafter. "What is happening?" asked Sol.

"The world is moving quickly and I believe there will be bloodshed. I will protect you with my life," Gan answered, kneeling before Sol and kissing his hand. "But you must promise me that you will not fight."

"I cannot make that promise."

"We will protect you, too," Belinda said.

Sol got down on one knee and looked at her. "Thank you, but I will defend myself if the need arises."

To that, Gan said, "The need will not arise, four lives have promised you that."

"Who is the fourth?" Sol asked.

"Meredith."


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