0304: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

"Ladies, Gentlemen. Meredith." Sol said, with a slight bow to the queen.

"You shall address her highness by the proper title," one of the vampires announced.

"I will address any and all as I see fit," Sol said defiantly.

"Where do you come from?" another vampire asked.

"I am originally from Italy, but most recently I come from the New World."

"Who's lineage?"

"My sire is Elizabeth. Her sire is Thomas. Thomas' sire, if I am not mistaken was your king, who I see is not present."

"Who named you?"

"My mother, who named you?" Sol asked sarcastically.

"Do you know what Sol means?"

"Do I appear to you to be an imbecile?" Sol shot back.

"You did not change your name when you turned?"

"I saw no reason to. Does my name offend you?"

"Why did she call you that?"

"From what my mother has told me, I was a ray of brightness in her otherwise darkened life," Sol said. "As you may recall, women didn't have a particularly high standing when I was born. Moreover, my mother had me late in her life. My parents thought she was barren, a sad thing in a day and age when a woman's primary job was to produce offspring and take care of the house. For my mother, who had married a wealthy merchant, however, her only job was to have a child. Imagine how happy she must have been after years of trying."

"We could care less about your mother and her feelings," one of the vampires announced. "How did you know John Paul? Were you one of his disciples?"

"If you don't care about my answers, then perhaps you should stop asking me questions. But, no I was not John Paul's disciple. We were friends. I met him in Europe years ago and we always got along. We talked often about God, but I was never a follower," Sol said. "In America, he was asleep for much my time there."

"You awoke him?" asked a vampire.

"No, but I believe my sire had something to do with it," Sol answered.

"How?"

"From what I've been able to tell, she was ordered to attack John Paul's clan by her sire, Thomas, despite the fact that they were no threat. During the battle, which was more like a slaughter, as most of the Zionists chose to die rather than fight, blood from the brutalized Zionists leaked down into the catacombs where John Paul was resting. He awoke and fought when his followers wouldn't. It caused Elizabeth to call a retreat. I only found out he was back after this had happened, however, so I'm sure my account is lacking in detail."

"Do you believe in God?" another asked.

"I have conflicted beliefs," Sol answered honestly, "but I'm beginning to find faith."

"Do you know the scriptures?" Meredith asked out loud, drawing looks from the others, who were still unused to hearing her talk.

"Honestly, my lady, I do not," Sol said in a much gentler tone and with a slight bow.

"Thank you for your honesty. And for your honesty with all of the questions hurled at you by my overzealous companions. They have been quite rude to you and it is unforgivable."

"I protest," one said loudly. "This is a grave and serious matter and we cannot waste time with niceties, there is too much at stake."

Meredith looked at the vampire, and asked in an angry tone, "You protest? Perhaps you have grown accustomed to the new age where it is acceptable to undermine your just ruler? Perhaps you have grown too bold in the absence of the true king and queen of Europe? Perhaps you no longer remember your place, overseeing a cold, rainy, and retched little piece of rock that no one else wanted? And that you nearly lost several times, only to be saved by others."

"I am sorry, your highness," the vampire said. "I allowed the moment to overpower me. You are, of course, correct."


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