0325: The Vampire’s Daughter, Book Four

“Yes,” Gan interjected, “it was when we began to push into the northern reaches that I came to Meredeth. We thought, at first, that they were barbarians.”

Meredeth put her hand on Gan's and said with a chuckle, “Yes and we thought they were barbarians. But he was fierce. The vampires were all afraid of Gan the Destroyer.”

“Oh, that name is so old and inappropriate,” Gan announced.

“Oh no it isn't. You were powerful and cunning. I had seen him often before he came to kill me. I was in love with him even then. You see, despite being called the Destroyer, I could sense goodness in him. He fought not to kill, but to make better. He believed that what he was doing would bring the order and tranquility of the south to us.”

“That is true. I believed we were doing the right thing” He looked away. “I know now that we were mistaken, misled. But I was younger then and believed that our way of life was the right way of life.”

“I'm just glad he couldn't kill me,” Meredeth said. “I'm also glad that his faith has proven as strong as my own.”

Gan looked at Sol and said, “Did you know that I lived with your friend John Paul for a long time?”

“No,” Sol said without hiding the shock in his voice.

“He took to calling me Job after the biblical story.”

“I know it well,” Sol said, eyes wide. He remembered seeing that name on the list John Paul had given him before he was killed by his own clan—causing the blood hunt wrongly directed at Sol.

“I was with him may times when he visited Jesus. Even Jesus called me Job. They both enjoyed it.” Gan laughed. “Jesus was a jovial man. He liked riddles and stories. He loved children because they are so pure of heart.” Gan smiled inadvertently and, like a child, purely.

“Why, may I ask, did they call you Job. It's such a sad tale.”

“Is it? A man who's faith can't be shaken despite hardship? I see it as very uplifting. But then I've lived a great deal of hardship. Even Jesus told me I would have to bear many more hardships.

“At first I didn't believe,” Gan said to Sol, looking deeply into his eyes. “I was much like you. But then I had the man, the Christ, in front of me to prove himself. And he did. The last time I saw him he took me aside and told me that he was going to die. That John Paul would need me if I were willing. Not right away, but some day. That I would be important and that I should be ready for the sun to rise.” He laughed. “For so long I thought he meant it literally. Until I met you, I had forgotten how he liked to tell stories and riddles and let people figure out for themselves what was meant.”

“The prophesies go back much further, though,” Meredeth made sure to say. “You have been expected far longer than Christian time. Longer than Jewish time. Longer than Egyptian time. There are mentions of you in Egypt, in China, in aboriginal Australia. They are all different, but all similar. I have seen many of them myself. I have heard the stories directly from the prophets.”

“Have you met Jesus, too?” Sol asked.

“Yes,” Meredeth answered. “Gan introduced me.”

“What do you believe?”

Meredeth looked at Sol for a long time before answering. “I believe in God. I believe in Jesus. I believe in you.”

“You are hiding something,” Sol said to her with factual certainty.

Meredeth smiled and stood up and announced that she was tired and needed to rest.

As she walked away, Sol said, “I can be annoyingly persistent.”

“Sol,” Gan chided with a hint of anger.

Meredeth raised her hand, “It is alright. I have pledged my life to protect you Sol. But that fate was determined well before I met you.” She walked into the sleeping car.


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