Book Three, Chapters 0301 to 0310

The Vampire's Daughter
Book Three

Chapters 0301 to 310
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0301: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

Gan assembled all of the other vampires as directed by Meredith. The group didn't have to wait very long before she arrived, smiling and bowing slightly before taking her seat at the head of the table.

She looked at Gan and mentally told him to go and assemble 20 or so of his best assassins, as there would be an important decision made at this meeting and that she would need them. "Make sure they are your most loyal," she noted, as he left the room.

Gan went quickly and had Car and Belinda fetch two dozen of his best men, exclusive of the two girls. "You will each lead 12 and you will only take your lead from me and Meredith," he said to them. "If any of your men appear to be disloyal at any time during this assignment, kill them instantly."

"Yes sir," they girls said in unison and ran from the room.

At that, Gan returned. He found Meredith standing before the group, who were in a heated argument about waking the King.

"I don't believe this one is the one, waking the King would be meaningless. I say we kill him and be done with it," one said.

"I'm not certain that is our choice to make, the King wanted to be woken if there was any indication that the one had arrived."

"The one? What does that even mean? What one are we talking about? The scriptures aren't clear about anything and, besides, we haven't even met him!"

Gan stood at the door listening, but soon Meredith looked up at him. With his mind he asked, "Is he the one, my lady?"

She smiled and nodded her head at him.

"How are you so certain?"

"I know you are loyal my child, you will find out soon enough. For now, trust that I know and I need your support now more than ever," she said to his mind.

"You have it as you always have, sire."

"You were my first in many ways," she said. "Now is a time of change and I don't know how it will end. But I want you to know that I have always loved you."

Gan felt his heart sink. She hadn't said those words in hundreds of years. Because of her rank, they had always had an unspoken love. That she would say this here and now brought the reality to him that this was in fact a life altering time. That Meredith was about to make a decision, and was going to support her choice without question, that would change the direction of Europe, if not all vampires.

"My lady, my love," he thought, a tear coming to his eye. "I have loved you since the moment we met. When we were children, playing. You a princess and me a peasant. You never looked down on me. Never. You were always the only one in my life. I can't begin to express to you my gratitude and love. I will follow you to brink of hell and beyond, if that is what you ask."

"But what about the gates of heaven?" she asked. "Are you ready for the battle that will bring us back into God's grace?"

As the others bickered back and forth, Gan and Meredith just looked at each other.

"I don't believe we've ever left," Gan said both in his mind and quietly out loud.

Meredith smiled widely, looked down at the table in front of her and then back up at Gan. "I want you by my side," she said to him.

He bowed and walked over to her. He stood just slightly behind her on her right. She turned her head slightly to catch his eye. She smiled, inhaled deeply and then exhaled.

"Enough," she said out loud, causing Gan's eyes to go wide and the room to fall completely silent.


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."


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.


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."


0305: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

"It has been said," Meredith started, "that the son will come and shine the light that will reveal the chosen one. We had always assumed that son meant child, not necessarily sun like the star at the center of the solar system. Moreover, John Paul, your friend, had stated that Thomas would be the root of..." she paused.

"Yes, my lady?" Sol asked.

"The root of our kind's destruction. You're name is sun and you are of Thomas," Meredith said, before stopping again to look around the room. "As you noted, the king is not with us. The question before this group is whether or not you are the sun. If the answer is yes, then we need to wake the king. If the answer is no, we..."

"Would likely want to kill me," Sol said, finishing her sentence.

"Yes," she said.

"So, am I to continue answering questions? Or have you made up your minds?"

"I have made mine up," one of the vampires announced. "I say we dispatch this young man and be done with this charade. It is obvious he isn't the one."

"How so?" Meredith asked.

"He doesn't even know if he believes in God," the vampire replied. "How could he be the one if he doesn't even know if he believes?"

"Yes," another vampire responded, causing others to mumble in agreement.

"And what would prove to you that Sol was the one? Perhaps a miracle?" Meredith asked in sarcasm.

"That would be a start," a vampire announced, standing up. "This misfit, accused of killing not only his supposed friend, but also the vampire in line to lead the Zionists, comes to us from nowhere and we are supposed to believe that he is the chosen one? What of the army outside the gates waiting to kill him? They clearly must realize his importance," the vampire said, causing some laughter among the others.

"He healed my voice," Meredith said quietly.

No one said anything, but looked around at each other in mixture of shock and disbelief.

"You don't think my voice just came back to me do you? Sol healed me. There is your starting point," she said.

"You must be mistaken, my Lady," a vampire said. "Perhaps your voice came back to you, but while you rested and you simply hadn't tried to speak yet."

"Perhaps you think I'm an idiot? Perhaps you aren't here to find the chosen one, but are, instead, here to stop the chosen one? Perhaps the King, my father, has placed you all here to make sure that the chosen one never arrives."

"This is not true," one of the vampires said, after the others looked around the room at each other with grave concern in their eyes.

"If it is not true, then you have the opportunity to prove yourselves to me and to God. I tell you that this vampire has healed me. He has performed a miracle that no other could have performed. No, that no other has ever performed despite repeated attempts. He has saved me from the curse under which I lived. If this is not enough for you to believe, then what is?" Meredith asked.

The vampires sat silently, looking around at each other. There was obvious concern in some, anger in others, and downright fear in a couple of the vampire's faces.

"Why do you sit mute? I know you don't dare think anything, as I'll read your thoughts instantly. So if you won't think and won't speak, then I must assume that you don't believe what I have told you or, worse, that you don't believe in God."


0306: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three
"That is not the case, my Lady, not at all," said one of the vampires standing up. "I think, perhaps, our reluctance has nothing to do with you. I believe that we would be better able to communicate our feelings on this matter without Sol's presence."

"I see..." Meredith said, looking at Sol.

"Seeing that my life depends on the outcome of your decision, and I doubt that I'd be able to stop you from killing me, I think I would like to stay," Sol said, interrupting her.

"I see no reason why you shouldn't," Meredith replied.

"I protest, my Lady," a vampire said, "we are here to advise you and if you will not follow our advice, what purpose do we serve?"

"I have recently begun to ask myself that very same question," Meredith announced, with a hint of anger in her voice.

"My Lady," another vampire said, standing and slamming his hand down on the table. "I served your father for centuries. I have served you for just as long. Your father so trusted each of us that he asked us personally to sit on this council. He wanted us to ensure that no impostors were raised up beyond their cast. That peace was kept within the vampire community. We have performed our duties admirably.

"I do not understand how you can stand here and question our loyalty like this. It is insulting."

"You have been very loyal to my father," Meredith said. "In fact, I do not doubt your loyalty to my father. I doubt your loyalty to me."

"It is one and the same," the vampire responded.

"No it is not."

"How can you say that? If it is not one and the same, then you must not be loyal to the King," the same vampire said, causing some stir among the others.

"I am not loyal to my father, the King," Meredith stated coldly, looking her accuser in the eye. "I am loyal to the one true King, to God."

The room fell into a deep silence. Meredith looked down the table at each vampire in succession. One by one they averted their eyes. She then lifted her eyes to Gan, who nodded but kept eye contact. She smiled and then turned her attention to Sol.

Sol looked her in the eyes and nodded his head slightly, smirking.

She spoke to him with her mind, saying, "This will soon be over."

The vampires around the table began to look at each other again, but said nothing. Then, without warning, one jumped at Sol. Gan slipped in front of Sol and deflected the vampire. Car and Belinda proceeded to jump on him and, essentially, rip him apart.

Sol watched in shock, not moving his arms from the position he had put them in to catch the attacking vampire. Car and Belinda stood crouched on their victim's body like rabid animals waiting for the next attack. Gan stood in front of Sol, also waiting. The rest of Gan's men had spread out and were standing ready to fight.

But no attack came.

Meredith was standing with her hands on the table and a look of fury on her face. The other vampires were seemingly frozen in place, in various stages of movement. Some had fallen, still holding the pose they were in when they fell. It was like time had stopped for them.

"For many years I thought you were here to help me find the chosen one. But it is obvious now that you were not here for that purpose at all. You were all here, with the exception of Gan, to stop the chosen one with the hope of stopping the prophecies," Meredith said.

"I believe that my father should be disturbed," she continued. "I believe my father needs to see and hear Sol. And I believe that you should all die. Gan, if you would be so kind. I promise they won't put up a fight."


0307: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

After Gan's men had slaughtered the last of the vampires at the table, Meredith slumped into her chair. Gan ran over to her, and asked, "Are you OK?"

"Yes, yes I am," she said. "I am simply tired. They were very powerful. It took all my energy to control their minds. To make them believe that they couldn't move.

"But there is no time for rest. There is another task at hand that I must attend to before we can leave to wake my father."

"My Lady?" Gan asked.

"The army outside your gate. I must cull out the seeds that have fallen on barren ground."

"That can wait, my Lady. You must rest."

"Gan, I would like for you to call me by a different name. I am not your Lady or your Queen."

Gan looked at her, smiled, and said, "My love, you cannot deflect my intent with words. You are tired. You must rest."

"I so enjoy hearing you call me that," she said, looking down. "But I have rested more than I should have. It is time to take care of the next step. There will be plenty of time to rest as we travel to Russia."

"If I may add my thoughts, my Lady, I believe that Gan is correct. You are tired, your last interaction with these vampires has obviously taken a great deal out of you. I am not certain what your next actions will be, but I assume that they will require controlling the minds of others. There are many vampires outside the gate, it will take a great deal of strength to control them all," Sol interjected.

"I do not believe I will need to control them all," Meredith said. "And I am quite certain that controlling a few children will be much easier than controlling a table full of ancients."

"My love," Gan said, "please rest."

"No my dear. This is too important. We must start this now. My life is meaningless and my pain temporary. We will continue."

"Do not say that your life is meaningless," Gan pleaded. "You are and always have been everything to me."

"I agree with Gan. We all have a role to play in God's plan. I find it hard to believe that this is the only part in which you will be involved," Sol said to Meredith.

"You sound more and more like you've found faith," Meredith chided Sol. "I am not concerned about my life is all I meant. I am fine and we will go outside. I do not wish to remind you that I am the Queen."

"Yes my Lady," Gan said, standing beside her chair, watching as she stood up.

"Thank you children," she said to Car and Belinda as she walked by them and out the door. Gan's troops followed.

She walked out into the inner court and stopped. "Sol, you will stay here." He nodded and said, "My Lady."

"Car and Belinda will stay, too. Gan, you will go with me."

"Men," he yelled, but was silenced by Meredith.

"We go out alone."

"Meredith?"

"Alone."

He dropped his head in agreement, but was obviously concerned.

"Lower the gate," she said loudly, causing Gan's men to look at him. He Nodded his head and they lowered it.

Walking outside, they could see Henry leaning on a large truck. As soon as he noticed them walking out, he stood up and started walking toward them.

Behind him, his officers began to organize the men, causing Henry to turn and tell them to line the men up but to take no action.

As Gan, Henry and Meredith reached each other, Henry fell to one knee and said, "My Lady."

"Stand up," she said with a smile. "Now is the time to find out who among your men are loyal and who are not."


0308: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

The three vampires walked to the small army lined up in front of them. Gan and Henry exchanged concerned glances, but nothing else, as they knew Meredith would be able to read every thought.

"I am Meredith, Queen of all Europe!" Meredith announced to the army, which numbered over a hundred.

A murmur went through the ranks. Many looked to Henry for guidance, as what Meredith was saying would be considered heresy to those currently in power in Europe.

"I can read your thoughts," she continued. "There are many here who remember me, many more that do not remember or never knew.

"Far too long have I been gone. Far too long have I allowed the new kings and queens to act with impunity. I have watched and done nothing, believing that my time had come and gone."

Another murmur rushed through, this one louder than the last.

"I now realize that this was a mistake," Meredith said coldly. "The kings and queens of today do not act with any honor or understanding of the power they wield. They have trampled on tradition and risk our exposure. In fact, I fear they risk our very souls.

Meredith was silent for a long time before saying, "It is time for me to return and retake what is rightfully mine-the throne of all Europe."

The army was quiet before someone in the middle asked, "What of your King?"

Meredith smiled. "Yes, some of you do remember the old days. The days when vampires were held responsible for their actions. The days when my King ruled with an iron fist, killing any and all that did not conform to the rules of the land.

"I say we must cleanse ourselves of the evil that has been allowed to fester. I will not lie to you, I intend to wield an iron fist and use it even more forcefully to return us to our former glory."

Voices began to rise in the ranks. Fighting even broke out in some areas, causing Henry to yell, "Stand at attention!" This caused the commotion to cease.

"I feel the concern many of you have. I also feel the relief of others. Yes, some are as tired as I am of the hedonistic types that have risen to power. I am calling for an end to the current regime. And I am telling you that I will be that end.

"Those that are loyal to me and the ways of the past, kneel before me."

About a third of the group knelt down, while the others looked around at each other in confusion.

"Who do you think you are?" a voice rose up, followed by others agreeing with the sentiment.

Meredith smiled and said, "I am your Queen and you will go to your grave having learned that lesson.

"Kneel!" she announced in a powerful voice. All those standing knelt, though it was obvious it was not of their own accord.

"Those who are with me may stand," she said more softly. All of those that knelt when first ordered to stood, plus a few of those that were forced to kneel. Still, nearly two-thirds of the army was still on the ground.

Meredith lowered her head, "Those that are with me, come to my side." The third that were loyal, moved to her. She looked at them. "Cut off their heads," she said pointing to the vampires still kneeling, "and burn their bodies."

Without question, the vampires complied.


0309: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

Once all of the vampires had been killed, she leaned on Gan. She was drained, but managed to say, "I must rest now my love. Take me to my father while I rest. Keep the army here and await my orders."

"Yes my love," Gan said, putting an arm under Meredith and carrying her back to the castle. Henry remained to oversee the burning of the bodies.

Once by the gate, Gan yelled, "Open the gate!"

It flung open and out rushed Sol, who helped with Meredith. He looked at Gan, and said, "She has used a great deal of strength. She needs rest or to feed."

"She will not feed," Gan said.

"I am sorry for that," Meredith said with a smile. "I have killed so many that did not deserve to die. I can no longer stomach the blood."

"Then you may take mine," Sol said within earshot of Gan's assassins.

"I am no cannibal," she said just before the trio entered the inner courtyard.

"I would never suggest such a thing," Sol said, as they entered the castle. "Clear the castle," he announced.

Gan nodded to the vampires that had followed them, but said, "Car and Belinda stay."

They moved Meredith to a waiting room and placed her on a couch. She appeared to be sleeping.

Sol pulled his sleeve up and went to break a vase, but Gan stopped him. "You will respect Meredith's wishes," he said.

Sol looked at Gan. "Why aren't we allowed to feed on our own?" he asked.

"We are vampires, not animals," Gan said.

"Or is it because we are not capable of holding the souls we have, collectively, taken? That compounding the evil would destroy us? Does she not feed because she feels guilty or because she knows that any more souls would drive her mad? That any more souls would destroy her soul?"

"This is no time for such a discussion," Gan said, looking deeply into Sol's eyes. "My Queen has given me orders to bring her to the King. I intend to fulfill her wishes. You are welcome to join us, but I will not allow you to risk her life if you do."

Sol's gaze didn't leave Gan's. "You know more than you say. So does Meredith." Looking at the female vampire laying asleep, he continued, "I will join you. I fear I have little choice. I only hope that you will lead me to the answers I seek."

"After all of this, do you believe we would lead you astray?" Gan asked.

"No, no I don't," Sol answered. "I simply fear that it will take much longer for me to find my answers than I had hoped. That the events that are to unfold must be allowed to run their course before I will know what my place is in this puzzle."

"Sons are always impatient to be men," Gan said, before turning away and conferring with Carmelinda and Belinda.

The three began to plan out the trip to Russia when Henry arrived.

"Is she alright?" Henry asked.

"She is resting," Gan answered.

"I hope you are worth this fuss," Henry said to Sol. "If you aren't, it will mean the death of us all."

"I am all too aware of that fact, thank you," Sol said with a chuckle.

Henry smiled back, "I know you are." Looking back to Gan, he said, "I will stay here, as she wished, and ready the troops. I'd also like to call on some old friends for support if I may."

"I think that would be advisable," Gan said.


0310: The Vampire's Daughter, Book Three

"I will be heading off to Russia with Meredith, Car, Belinda and Sol," Gan said to Henry. "I think it best that we remain a small group and a quiet group. I will not tell you how or exactly where we are going."

"That is best," Henry said. "I will attempt to gain as much support as I can in a discrete and quite manner."

"Good, but you should also integrate my men into yours," Gan said. "I will need a small group at my beckon call to protect the Queen, but I can select them when I need them. Obviously, I've already chosen two," he said, speaking of Carmelinda and Belinda.

"Yes, and I'm sorry that I won't have the pleasure of commanding them," Henry said with a smile.

"You jest because you know just how difficult the pair can be," Gan joked back.

"Yes, well, I should start my part of this plan in motion," Henry said, standing. Before leaving, however, he walking to Sol. The old warrior hugged Sol and whispered in his ear, "If the time comes, I will die for you as I would for the Queen."

Henry went to pull away, but Sol took his face in his hands and cried. Looking down, he said, "I fear that you may regret those words."

"Never," Henry said, pulling away and walking out of the room.

"It seems you have many admirers," Gan said to Sol. "I count myself among them, but I warn you that I will protect Meredith before I protect you."

"I would have it no other way," Sol said.

"Good to hear. As to our plans, it is too late to move tonight so we will rest here and then leave tomorrow evening. You have another night with Jamie, it seems. I'll ask that you do not share our plans."

"I won't. Confidences are not Jamie's strong suit."

"I bet," Gan said. "Enjoy the rest of the night."

"I will attempt to," Sol answered, "but I think the current situation will weigh heavily on my mind."

"Yes, it will weigh on me as well," Gan said, watching as Sol went down to his bedroom.

After he was gone, Gan picked Meredith up and walked to a room in the upper part of the castle. He stripped her naked and removed his own clothing, before lying down next to her. He said, "I have never had the pleasure of your body, only your mind and soul. It is shame that the night we openly professed our love is not the night for this union."

Meredith opened her eyes and smiled at him. Quietly, she asked, "And why shouldn't it be the night?" She leaned into Gan and kissed him deeply, before the two released hundreds of years of passion.

In the basement, Jamie, looking deeply into Sol's eyes, asked, "I'm never going to see you again after tonight, am I?"

Sol said nothing, but leaned in and kissed his lover.




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