0344: The Vampire's Daughter Book IV

Time passed slowly as Meredith resumed control of her lands and exerted more power over some of the new kings and queens. And, generally, ran her kingdom. It was clear to Sol that she had lost control of much of Europe and that she was now attempting to regain that control in a congenial way.

She was meeting with a great many vampires, always with Gan at her side. She never spoke out loud. The few times that Sol was invited to join, he somehow found the meetings tedious and boring. What he wanted to do was read. He was fascinated by the Keeper's books. What was going on in the meetings was largely showmanship.

Sol could tell that a great many of the visiting vampires were lying to Meredith. He was aware that she obviously knew this, but she never let any of the visitors know. And she never spoke to him about any of the visitors or the visits in any material way. And he could never tell why he had been invited to some meetings but not others.

Still, he was happiest when he was alone in what he had come to call the Library, though that wasn't its main purpose.

After one particularly long meeting with a vampire who was particularly adept at deception, Sol came back to the Library and began to read a book he had started but had not completed. It was a story of a love affair between a female vampire and a human. If he didn't know it was true, he would have thought the story line painfully predictable. But, knowing it's truth, it was fascinating.

Engrossed in the book, Sol wasn't paying close attention to his surroundings. He had learned quickly that the Library was a place that only Meredith and her closest companions could go, so he let his guard down.

“Do you like love stories?” a man's voice asked, breaking Sol's focus.

Sol looked up to see a young man dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. His dark sunglasses covered his eyes and struck a compelling image on his white face. He had wisps of stark blond hair dangling about his face.

“I'm sorry,” Sol said, “but I do not believe I know you.”

“You do not.”

“May I inquire as to your name and origin?” Sol was trying desperately to focus and read the vampire's mind, but he was obviously old and powerful.

“No you may not. And stop trying to get into my head,” the man said, looking over his sunglasses and winking at Sol with a wry smile.

“I'm sorry, but you must appreciate my apprehension.”

“Oh, I do. There are a great many people who hate you.”

“I am aware.”

“And news that you are here has spread far and wide.”

“That is news to me, but thank you for the information.”

“You are such the rage that I thought I should meet you,” the vampire said.

“I don't know what to say to that,” Sol replied, quickly calculating how he might defend himself if needed.

“Oh, I won't harm you, but others would. Including some you might believe harmless.”

“Is this visit a warning?”

“No. I simply wanted to get to know you.”

“And what of me getting to know you?”

“That will happen in due time,” the vampire said. Then, looking around, he announced, “I must go. However, as I see you like to read, I would like to suggest a book for you.” He walked over to a far bookcase and began to finger along the spines of the books. When he found the one he was looking for, he pushed it aside to reveal a thin volume hidden behind the other books. He pulled it out, looked over the cover, and returned to Sol. “This one, it is short, but I think you will find it quite compelling.”

“Thank you,” Sol said, looking down at the book. When he looked up again, the vampire was gone. Before he had time to look for him, Meredith and Gan walked into the room.



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