0322: The Vampire’s Daughter, Book Four

Sol echoed Gan's statement, stating, “There have always been those among us who abuse their power. And that will always be the case.”

“Yes,” Gan replied. “But my queen desired to do something about it.”

“So she sent you to kill them?”

“Yes. It was an interesting and violent time. At first it was just me at her command. She would select the target and I would take care of the rest. As you know, Meredith is very powerful. Her ability is reading minds. I've never met another of our kind that has her strength in this attribute.

“As queen, she was able to mingle with the most powerful without fear. I never accompanied her. She would decide who was evil and I would take care of the rest.”

“She could have been using you to advance her own cause,” Sol stated, but was truly trying to ask a question.

“She could have, but she didn't. I knew very well of the evils perpetrated by the vampires I was sent to assassinate. And don't forget that I am of her blood, so my power is also in reading minds. Not once did I kill anyone for her that didn't deserve it.

“You should also remember that I was a human warrior bent on the destruction of vampires before I fell in...” Gan stopped and looked out the train window into the dark night. “Before I met Meredeth,” he continued.

“You did this all by yourself?”

“At first. When I started on this quest, we believed that taking out the evil would end it. That it would leave the others in the clans the ability to, for lack of a better word, be good. But it didn't turn out that way. When we killed one vampire, another quickly took his place. We needed to do more.

“So I started to recruit a band of assassins. That was when I got caught.”

“You got caught?” Sol asked in surprise.

“Yes, I misread one of my recruits and she betrayed me. It was a difficult time for me. For us.

“As you would suspect, Meredeth was accused of involvement. You know because I've told you that she was involved. They did not. There were divisions and fractures that never healed. She fought bitterly with her father. I don't think they ever fully reconciled. I, of course, denied her involvement until the day they placed my head on the block. I was not going to betray the woman I loved.”

“My God, that's almost romantic. But they obviously didn't cut your head off, so what happened?”

Gan again looked out the window. Not looking at Sol, he started, “They caught me and a few of my men. They didn't catch all of us. Needless to say, my men are very loyal to me. As my head was placed on the block, an experience one does not forget easily, I heard a crash. Through the door came The Grim. He was a monster of immense strength. None had seen him and, as you are aware, he was quite frightening to behold. I saved him from the dungeon of one of our brethren. He was a sport for the clan. I treated him with respect and we shared a bond. He came first, scared those who attended, beat off many of the guards, and allowed the rest of my small band to free me.

“It was quite the show, actually. I don't know why my head wasn't cut off at the first sign of commotion, but it wasn't. And I escaped with my life, lost my love, and earned a reputation. I was the vampire assassin. I could be had for the right jobs and none would stop me.” Gan chuckled.

“Wow, so Meredeth made you what you are today in more ways than one,” Sol stated.

“Yes, I did. And I regret it bitterly,” Meredeth said, walking into the room. Both Gan and Sol stood.

“We are friends, there is no need,” She said, taking Gan's hand as he directed her to a seat.

“How are you feeling my love?” he asked.

“I am well. My strength is returning. I only hope I have enough strength for what lies ahead. But that is another day. Sol,” she said turning to him, “I want to tell you the parts of this story that Gan doesn't know because I have never spoken of them.”



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