0330: The Vampire’s Daughter, Book Four

The stagnant pause as the trio sat mute waiting for a response from Sabastian, who obviously didn't care to provide one, was too much for Vein, who liked sarcasm and sound, so he said, “Now, now Jillian. Although your display of manliness is impressive, I think it might be best to let Sabastian tell us calmly, and without a fight that we most assuredly would lose despite your ample testosterone levels, what his plans are.”

Sabastian looked at Vein. “She is here with me. That is all you need to know.”

“Well that settles it then,” Vein said through an uneasy laugh. “Please come right in.” He bent at the waist in a mock greeting.

Elizabeth knew that Vein was trying to diffuse a situation that he knew they could not prevent. She also knew that she couldn't have the enemy in her coven without losing authority with her own clan and the clans that had chosen to follow her.

“Sabastian,” she said. “I can't have this. You know I can't. This undermines my authority, it jeopardizes the Tribunal.”

“I do not care about your Tribunal.”

“I am all too aware of that. You are not in your right mind, however, so will you please at least listen to reason?”

“My mind is not your concern. I would like to pass so that Little Bee and I may speak alone.”

“Why do this here? What are you trying to prove?” Jillian asked, still visibly angry.

“I am proving nothing. I need to speak to Little Bee in private. I chose to do it here.”

“Who's next?” Jillian retorted, “Thomas?”

“Sabastian,” Elizabeth said, stepping between him and Jillian. “You may meet with her this time. But you may not do this, or anything similar, again.”

“I will do as I need,” Sabastian replied.

“Then you will have to leave,” she said, obviously afraid that he would, in fact, leave.

“Then so be it,” he said. “I will leave tonight.”

“Let's not be hasty,” Vein announced, laughing openly and awkwardly. “I think we can find an arrangement that suits all needs. Elizabeth's Tribunal, Jillian's testicles, Sabastian's... Whatevers.”

“Watch your tongue,” Jillian said sternly. “I don't appreciate your humor and this situation doesn't call for it.”

“I dare say it does,” he replied. “Perhaps you don't quite understand the situation.” Vein stepped in front of Sabastian. “I can tell you that I don't understand what he's doing any more than either of you. I know for a fact that it has nothing to do with the Tribunal or the war in which we now find ourselves. These things mean nothing to Sabastian.

“I also know that our safety partly relies on having Sabastian with us. Perhaps not for us, but with us at least. No fool, save perhaps Jillian, would dare take him on. And if they did, they would quickly die. I've witnessed it. To say I stood in awe at this vampire's power is an understatement. And, frankly, I don't think he even knows how powerful he is.

“He has a purpose, one that he chooses to keep to himself. It doesn't run counter to our own. Perhaps it doesn't run parallel either, but he is not against us. I suggest most humbly that we allow him a fair amount of latitude so long as what he does isn't a danger to us, the Tribunal, or the coven.”

Elizabeth looked at Vein, realizing that he was as correct as he was loyal to the oath he had taken to protect Sabastian with his life. “I agree,” she said. “But this is now a matter of risking the Tribunal. This act compromises my authority. I can't have that.”

“Then per the oath I took, I leave with him. I trust that you will lead the Orion clan with dignity and honor,” Vein announced. “Well, Sabastian, you go take care of your meeting. I'm sure you won't pack much. But I, on the other hand, will be taking some things. Let me know when you leave.”

As Sabastian walked off with Night, Vein yelled after him, “That's not a joke, don't leave without me.”

[The Vampire’s Daughter: An ongoing vampire story. Copyright Reuben Gregg Brewer, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. All rights reserved.]