0334: The Vampire’s Daughter, Book Four

The next night, Francis was at Sabastian's home. He had started to clean the building as soon as he arrived. The outside courts were the initial attack, using the daylight hours to his best advantage. He also knew quite well that he was only safe during the day, a fact that Elizabeth had made sure to point out to him. She had also informed him that she could offer him no protection while he was as far south as Sabastian's apartment because it was in Thomas' territory. Francis was, as she described it, completely at the mercy of Sabastian.

He could have run and he knew it. But something stopped him. It wasn't that he really had nowhere to go, as his grandfather had made quite clear to him on their last phone call. It wasn't that he feared he couldn't make it on his own. It was something about Sabastian's passion. There was something genuine and pure in his desires and intentions. Something Francis believed he could trust. It reminded him of how he felt around Sol. Sol was gentle and kind, while Sabastian was distant and harsh, but the underlying purity of intent was there. So, with nothing better to do, he went with Sabastian.

Francis was cleaning up the living room when Vein came up from the basement. The two looked at each other intently for a few moments before Vein said, “Dinner!”

Francis' face went white, but he stood his ground as Vein walked toward him. “Oh, it's no fun if you don't at least cower a little bit,” the vampire said within inches of Francis' face.

“I'm sorry to disappoint you,” Francis said, as he went back to cleaning. He knew he had a won an important victory. It was both a moral victory and a mental one. He knew that Vein would no longer taunt him and that he would be accorded more respect going forward.

“You've been around vampires for too long. It happens. I'll let it slide this time, but next time you absolutely must pretend to be afraid.”

“I'll do my best,” Francis said returning Vein's smile.

“Have you seen Sabastian?”

“No. I assumed he was still downstairs. I've been here all day and I haven't seen him at all.”

“He's going to be the death of me,” Vein said, rolling his eyes.

“Yes, I will,” Sabastian said in a matter of fact tone from the doorway.

Both Vein and Francis were startled.

“I hate it when you do that. And I hate it when you tell me that I'm going to die because of you.”

“I apologize. Francis, you will find plenty of money in the walls of the top floor rooms. It is gold bullion. I know that you will have to sell the gold, but it should provide amply for any needs that you have or that we have.” He had placed the gold in the walls in case of some disaster, never thinking it would actually be needed.

“I'll sell some tomorrow.”

“Good. I see you have already begun cleaning. Thank you. I was quite upset to see what they had done to my home.”

“I like working with my hands,” Francis said. “I'll get it back in shape in no time. I'll probably have to do a little wood work, though, which will take a bit longer.”

“Time is immaterial to me in most instances.”

“Bully for all,” Vein announced sarcastically. “So, what do we do now?”

“We wait,” Sabastian said.

“Wait?” Vein parroted.

“Yes.”

“For what?”

“I have an important meeting in a few days.”

“And we just sit here until then?”

“Yes.”

“And watch Francis McBoy here clean.”

“Unless you wish to help him.”

“Your sire fights for control of the city and we sit and do nothing?”

“My sire's battle is not my concern. I have one goal and one goal only. You knew that when you chose to go with me.”

“I am aware, but I feel as though I am not doing enough to help put down Thomas like the dog that he is,” Vein said, opening up the anger inside of himself for Sabastian to see and feel.

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