0303: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

"Are you ready?" Gan asked Sol.

"Yes."

"Are you ready?" Gan asked Car and Belinda.

"We are," they said in unison.

"I think we should go in first," said Car. "We can take the men and split to either side. Then you and Sol can come in behind. That way we have a wall to block any attack and you have a clear way out."

"That's what I was thinking," said Gan.

"Why are you all so worried about this? John Paul asked me to meet all of these vampires, he wouldn't send me to my death," Sol said.

"Allegiances are odd in the vampire world," Gan said. "You are not used to the ways of our kind because you have always lived on the outskirts of our society. Elizabeth never quite conformed and you never quite learned because of it. I mean no disrespect, you know that, but for all the skills you've mastered, understanding and living within the European vampire community is almost completely absent. Particularly when it comes to the old kings and queens."

"Are you saying that John Paul didn't know he was sending me to see vampires that would want to kill me?" Sol asked.

"Let's just say that you are lucky to have found me first."

"I'm beginning to lose my faith in luck," Sol said, looking down in thought.

"That is a good thing," Gan said. "Car, Belinda, you head in first."

"No," Sol announced forcefully. "I will go in first. If they want to kill me, I want them to look me in the eyes. I want to see their faces.

"I will go in with Gan by my side. Car and Belinda will follow behind with their men. After we enter, Car and Belinda can stand in front of me and their men can fan out to either side. This way we still have an easy escape route and I get to see those who would see me die."

Gan looked at the girls, who nodded their agreement. "We'll move quickly, I don't want Sol unguarded for longer than need be."

"I'll be just fine," Sol said, walking forward. Stopping before the door, he said, "Jamie. At the first chance, I want you to leave. I love you."

"I love you, too, dear," Jamie said, watching as Sol walked toward the meeting room with Gan by his side. The two girls and their men snaked after him.

Sol stopped at the door to the meeting room and looked down. "You are nervous," Gan said. "Take a moment and prepare yourself."

Sol looked Gan in the eyes grit his teeth and got down on one knee. Out loud he said, "God, I haven't said much to you for years. I am sorry for that. But if I am the one that everyone thinks I am, please give me the strength to see this through."

Gan put his hand on Sol's shoulder and closed his eyes, preferring to pray silently. After a few moments, he opened his eyes and said, "Meredith knows we are here, the others do not. Let's not keep the queen waiting."

Sol stood up and grabbed the doorknob. With one quick movement, he turned the knob and pushed open the door. Stepping through with power and grace, he strode toward the table with Gan by his side. From behind, the two girls quickly took their place in front as soon as Sol stopped. Their men fanned to either side, against the wall in single file.


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