Children of Darkness
Addie, January, 2000
 
 

Disclaimer:- All characters belong to Anne Rice, I am doing this for fun only.
 
 

Warning: Will be m/m situations of a sexual kind.
 
 

"We are the Children of Darkness. We vampires are made to be the scourge of man as is pestilence. We are part of the trials and tribulations of this world: we drink blood, and we kill for the glory of God who would test his human creatures."
 
 

Quote: Santino to Amadeo in "The Vampire Armand"
 
 

Part 1.
 
 

New Years Eve, 1999.
 
 

Armand:
 
 
 
 

The voices of the mortals were ringing in his ears, he wanted to flee. He needed to be alone. He walked through the darkness, arms wrapped tightly around himself in a lonely caress. The voices diminished, until the only sound he could hear was the wailing of the wind; his desperate sighs.
 
 

'So lonely, always so lonely' he whispered to himself. 'I have been alive too long.' He remembered past New Year's celebrations spent with Daniel and how they danced and laughed and held each other lovingly as the clock ticked over. Where was his Daniel tonight? Would he be having fun with someone else, or would he be lonely as well?'
 
 

He wondered if Lestat was celebrating with his beautiful Louis, and if they would be holding each other as the new century dawned. He had not seen either of them for several years. Thoughts of Marius also filtered into his thoughts. He silently wished them all a happy 'New Millennium'.
 
 

He found himself wandering along the edge of a cliff, the burgeoning sea frothing below him, the lowering sky threatening to spew its droplets over him like a veil of despair. He settled into a niche in the rock, under a sprawled tree which was whipped into its ungainly shape by the ever present wind. It gave him a little shelter.
 
 

A small part of him wanted to celebrate the coming of the new millennium, but not in the way the mortals were, with their fireworks and balloons, and glasses of champagne. There was no majesty in getting drunk, no thrill for him in singing "Auld Lang Syne". There had to be another way to help him make the leap into another century. 'How many now?' he mused to himself. 'Six'.
 
 

As he turned his face skyward and took in the spectacle of the stars being obscured by another fiery array of celebrations, a small glimmer of an idea seeped its way into his subconscious. "Could it work? Would he be able to make it happen? Could he remember the ancient rituals of the Sabbat?''
 
 

He knew he needed an ally, someone who could help him remember, someone from whom he had been estranged for centuries. Would he join him?
 
 

*Santino* he cried out into the cacophony as another array of fireworks ignited, turning the sky a vivid red, then followed by sparkles of gold and silver. 'Very beautiful really' he thought.
 
 

In his mind he pictured the small Cafe de Paris, in the French Quarter, then he flashed to Santino *Meet me in three days*.
 
 

'Would he come?'
 
 
 
 

January 3rd, 2000, Cafe de Paris..............
 
 

Dies irae, dies illa

Solvet saeclum in favilla

Teste David cum Sibylla

Quantum tremor est futurus
 
 

He found himself humming the old hymn he had listened to many times when he was first brought to the old Roman Coven as an apprentice to the great Santino. Such a maudlin tune, sad and morose, just like he was feeling now. Maybe this was not such a good idea. He thought about disappearing, forgetting the whole thing. Santino would probably think he was mad, and he might not be able to talk any of the others into it either. He ordered another coffee on which to warm his hands, and tapped his feet impatiently.
 
 

Glancing around the Cafe where he had found a dark corner for himself, he spied several young men watching him.

'Not tonight' he thought, he didn't want to be lured away from his position just in case he came. One of them had risen and was walking, or rather sauntering towards him, a look of pure lust on his altogether too pleasant features. He was tall and slim, with short brown hair, and the most feline looking eyes he had ever seen. Armand watched as the young man came closer, his cat's eyes leering at him, his lips in a seductive sneer.
 
 

He reluctantly allowed him to sit at his table, not wishing to make a scene. "Can I buy you a coffee?" the man purred, his hands moving slowly across the table trying to touch him.
 
 

"No thank you, I'm fine." Armand replied, wondering how he was gong to get rid of him surreptitiously; when all eyes suddenly turned to stare at a tall, dark haired, man who was walking towards him.
 
 

"Amadeo!" this man whispered, his voice husky and deep. Armand lifted his eyes to stare into his, raised his slender hand to take Santino's and pulled him down next to him. Armand smiled a little when his unwanted companion scrambled to his feet and almost fell away from the table. Santino's gaze could be disconcerting, with the sparks of red flecked in the black. It was a gaze that said in no uncertain terms, 'He's mine, stay away.'
 
 

Armand was surprised and flattered that Santino would react in such a manner, but he couldn't help thinking it was just a show of power, and a need for privacy.
 
 

"You called me, Amadeo?" he asked
 
 

"I did."
 
 
 
 

Santino was very curious as to why Armand has summoned him.
 
 

"Amadeo, this had better be good." he said to him, with a wry smile on his face.
 
 

"Come, lets leave this place, I don't want to talk here" Armand replied and grabbed his hand to lead him out into the cool night air.
 
 

They walked close, but not touching, eyeing each other off, trying to prise thoughts from each other's minds. They chatted superficially about the weather, the Y2K bug, the latest music.
 
 

After they had reached the edge of the park Santino stopped abruptly. "Come on Amadeo, this is ridiculous. Tell me why you called me? I'm sure it wasn't because you were missing me."
 
 

Armand smiled. "I need your help." he said very softly.
 
 

"What? Did you say you need MY help?" Santino replied sarcastically.
 
 

"Yes Caro, I need your help," and taking Santino's hands in his he continued. "How much do you remember of the old Sabbats?"
 
 

Santino's black eyes opened wide in surprise.
 
 

"Why would you want to know that?" he answered him.
 
 

"Because I want to call everyone together for a special celebration of the new millennium. A celebration for our kind, not the mortals with their noise makers and streamers. I want the drums and the horns and the torches."
 
 

Santino was staring incredulously at Armand, shaking his head, looking at him as though he had gone slightly mad.
 
 

"Don't look at me like that Santino. I'm serious. I want to show the new fledglings what it was all about in our day, when we were the Coven leaders. When we were important."
 
 

"But Amadeo, I thought you had renounced all of that, cast aside all the old beliefs?"
 
 

"They have never completely left me Santino. There were only two things I received any pleasure from in those dark years. One was the blood, the other was the Sabbats. The powerful coursing of the music through my body, the dancing. The adulation of my followers." he added almost as an after thought.
 
 

Santino seemed to be lost in his own thoughts as Armand spoke about the old times. His eyes glazed over and he became as still as a tree standing on the edge of the park. The only movement was his hair as the breeze blew it gently back off his face.
 
 

"I too remember those celebrations." he finally replied. "And yes Amadeo, I will help you."
 
 

**********************************************************************
 
 

Two days later, Lestat and Louis's flat in New Orleans.......
 
 

"I'm not going to a "Sabbat". Louis grumbled. "What ridiculous nonsense." He threw the invitation onto the floor and began to sulk.
 
 

"Come on Lou, it could be fun. I remember going to a few in the early days with Gabrielle. They were great, loud music, smoke, lots of blood drinking. Don't be a piker. Anyhow, you can't disappoint Armand now can you." Lestat had slithered down onto his knees in front of Louis and now brought his hands up to caress his temples.
 
 

Louis slapped his hand away. "It's arcane Lestat. I don't like rituals, never did, and how is he going to get enough of us together who remember what to do?'
 
 

"It seems that Santino is helping, and between them they have found enough of US who are only too willing to help. Come on Louis, for me." and he raised his hands again, tugging Louis face down to his and kissing him smartly on the mouth.
 
 

"Oh all right, just for you and Armand." Louis mumbled, as Lestat continued to kiss him. Eventually he pulled away, long enough to add one more thought. "But I won't have to wear a stupid robe will I?"
 
 

"But you look so sexy in black Louis." Lestat replied, smiling broadly at him.
 
 

The Night Island....January 5th.....
 
 

Armand:-
 
 

Armand was happier than he had been in decades. Everything was coming together. He had five drummers, a horn player and all the invitations had been sent.

"I've got some reproduction torches for you." Santino advised Armand "I had one of the silver smith's from the mall make up a dozen or so. He thinks it's for a fancy dress party." . Santino too seemed happy and looking forward to their celebration.
 
 

"Are you sure there will be enough space down here?" Armand mused, as he carried another box from his basement and placed it in the already over-crowded spare room.
 
 

"It will be perfect Caro, just perfect. Look, that raised bit of floor will make a great stage, we can put the drummers over there on the left and the horn player right down in front here." Santino was walking around, throwing his arms about almost gleefully.
 
 

"How many replies have we received?" Armand asked Pandora, who had popped over to help.
 
 

She looked as ethereal as usual, cavorting about in a long flowing gown of silver, her hair tied back with a silver ribbon, her feet barely covered in strappy sandals.
 
 

"Well Lestat it seems has talked Louis into coming." she said with a smile.
 
 

"Wonderful!" Armand replied. "As far as I know Louis has never been to a Sabbat. I have a few special surprises in store just for him. Who else is coming?" he asked her.
 
 

"Well, I think I have talked Marius into it."
 
 

She heard Armand sigh.
 
 

"And Eric, Khayman and Maharet are thinking about it as well. Jesse is coming over early, she wants to help with the decorations. Oh and I haven't been able to contact Daniel yet." she said to Armand a little sadly.
 
 

"Doesn't anyone know where he is?" Armand cried to them both.
 
 

"I have a few contacts Armand." Pandora continued. "I will make a couple of phone calls in a minute. Now there will also be a few of my old acquaintances, and two or three of Santino's."
 
 

Santino looked up from fiddling with one of the torches when he heard his voice mentioned and came over to them. "I have only found two from the old Roman Coven." he said softly. "The rest I am afraid were destroyed by Akasha when she went on her rampage."
 
 

"Dam her!" Pandora swore under her breath. "I too lost many old friends to her wrath." she mused.
 
 

"Pandora have you found any from the Paris Coven?" Armand questioned her, walking away now and picking up another box.
 
 

"You destroyed most of them Caro, and those that went with you to the Theatre were done away with by that pyromaniac Monsieur Louis." she replied sarcastically.
 
 

"So you have found none?" Armand said wistfully, wishing in a way he had warned a few of them of Louis's impending revenge.
 
 

"Oh I didn't say that Armand. Does the name Ellini ring a bell?"
 
 

"Ellini! Of course, she left the Theatre long before it was burnt down. I think I will be very pleased to catch up with her."
 
 

"I'm here everyone, what can I do to help?" a very joyful female voice echoed through the now almost empty basement.
 
 

"Jesse!" Pandora cried out and went over to give her a big hug.
 
 

"Can you sew?" Pandora said to her, as she picked up a bundle of black hooded gowns. "We need a few more of these whipped up."
 
 

"Sew?" Jesse looked at her incredulously. "Of course I can sew. Would you like me to embroider a few stars and moons on them as well in silver and gold." she replied her voice full of laughter.
 
 

"Why not love." Pandora replied. "This is supposed to be a happy celebration after all."
 
 
 
 

Two nights later.......
 
 

Armand was pacing nervously up and down in his living room, hands behind his back, fingers twitching.
 
 

"Everything is ready Amadeo. Just relax can't you? You were the most wonderful coven leader back in the old days. Just make out you are there now. Remember the look in your flock's eyes as you made the first sacrifice."
 
 

"They are ready aren't they?" he asked.
 
 

Yes, there are ten young men and women locked up in the basement. I drugged them all just a little so they wouldn't shout or hurt themselves. "
 
 

"What would I do without you ." Armand replied and went over to Santino to shake his hand.
 
 

Santino took his hand and brought it up to his lips. Armand's dark eyes fluttered for a second, as he gazed into Santino's eyes.
 
 

"I am so glad you asked me to help you." Santino whispered and kissed Armand's hand.
 
 

Armand pulled it away, embarrassed and slightly angry. 'Just because I asked him to help me doesn't mean he can take liberties.' He thought to himself.
 
 

Santino looked very uncomfortable. "I'm sorry Amadeo." he replied.
 
 

"Please call me Armand, Santino."
 
 

"You want to shed your old name, but you want to celebrate the old customs. You are an anomaly, A R M A N D." he said his name carefully, sounding out all the syllables.
 
 

Armand looked confused for a second or two, as if he had made a wrong decision. He closed his eyes and walked away from Santino.
 
 

Santino watched his small figure hunch over slightly as he picked up his robe, then disappeared into his bedroom to change. He had always loved Amadeo.....Armand. He couldn't get used to calling him his other name. He would always be Amadeo to him. That feisty young fledgling who took so long to break when he first arrived in Rome. He fell in love with him then, unable to tell him of course. To fall in love with a fellow vampire was simply forbidden.
 
 

He remembered the times they had spent together in his lair, with the wild haired Allesandra, talking of theology and mysticism. Amadeo had a fire in him then, and he loved to watch him dance around the bon-fires, twisting his fine limbs, and singing with gusto. He seemed almost happy then, to be his chosen one.
 
 

When he had received the call for help a few nights ago, his old feelings for him had returned. They had lain dormant for so long. The only time he had seen him was briefly during the time when Akasha nearly destroyed them all. Afterwards at his Night Island he had wanted to take him in his arms, but his new fledgling was there. So he had disappeared again, gone back to his solitary life. Only occasionally visiting with his old friend Eric.
 
 

Armand came back into the living room, hooded and ready to go to the Sabbat.
 
 

"Just one more thing I want to do Santino. Come over here and sit down will you." and Armand took out a brush and some silver and black paint.
 
 

Santino looked amused.
 
 
 
 
 
 

The Night Island......Night of the Full Moon.........
 
 

"I'm not stripping Lestat, and that's all there is to it." Louis shouted at him.
 
 

"But Lou, Jesse has made this beautiful gown for you to wear, with stars and moons on it." He said this last bit with a very large grin on his face.
 
 

Jesse made a face at him, and poked out her tongue.
 
 

"Come on Lou, you can't wear anything underneath this." Jesse said to him. "Armand's orders."
 
 

"Well I'm not stripping in front of you then. Go on, turn your backs."
 
 

Jesse and Lestat smiled at each other and turned around. Of course they both peeked, and of course Louis knew they would. But what could he do, Armand ordered it after all.
 
 

Eventually Lestat tugged Louis down to the basement where he could hear the incessant beating of the drummers, and smell the acrid aroma of the torches.
 
 

"They smell strange" he mumbled as Lestat led him into the centre, then right up to the small stage.
 
 

"I think Armand has filled them with incense or something." he replied. Lestat could already feeling the beat of the drums moving through his body, making him want to gyrate his hips.
 
 

Turning around Louis took in the view. He felt like he was peering through a thick fog. The only light was coming from the torches around the walls, and the vampires within appeared as shadows. He peered through the gloom but could only make out a few faces. Marius was standing glumly in a corner, hands behind his back. He looked like he would rather be anywhere else but here. He could see Eric and Khayman holding hands and swaying to the music
 
 

Then Pandora appeared at the top of the stairs. All eyes turned to watch her descend.
 
 

She wafted into the room, resplendent in a black dress, a silver star emblazoned across her ample chest, and little silver moons dotted throughout her hair. She was beautiful, her pure white arms were bare, as was her back, and her feet seemed to be covered in sparkling jewels.
 
 

"Simply stunning isn't she.?" Lestat murmured.
 
 

Jesse appeared and stood between them holding their hands. Louis was surprised at how many vampires were there. So many he didn't know. Three or four were definitely fledglings, they were not as pale as some. But alongside Lestat stood a woman, who was pure white, her tangled brown hair fell haphazardly to her shoulders, and her eyes were wild. She seemed to know Lestat, they were smiling and talking to each other like old friends.

He heard him call her Elini.
 
 

Suddenly the drums began to beat a little faster, then faster again, then they were joined by the plaintive cry of a horn. Louis saw the young black-haired vampire by the edge of the stage, his fingers running deftly up and down his bright silver instrument. It seemed to be alive, it shiny surface reflected the shimmering fire-light. Its mournful notes echoed throughout the basement, wafted through the foggy air and settled for a minute or two, as if resting, then built up in volume again. Louis found himself moving his hips, then his whole body was swaying in time to the music.
 
 

Lestat was smiling, everyone seemed to be smiling, even he could feel the laughter erupting from his throat and spilling out into the cacophony.
 
 

Then as suddenly as the beat built up, it began to descend into a dirge, slowing down. The horn cried out a few more notes, then stopped. The only sound came from the panting vampires and their occasional sighs. Everyone was waiting.......still and waiting.......silence filled the corners.......the suspense was palpable.
 
 

The horn screamed again and all eyes turned to the stage. Armand entered first, gliding slowly, his arms out, eyes downcast, his hair flowing some-how, as if a breeze had suddenly sprung up. He came to the centre of the stage. He folded his arms. Santino entered then, floating as Armand had into the centre, then they threw back their heads.
 
 

Everyone gasped. Their eye-lids were painted black, surrounded by silver, their lips were black against the whiteness of their faces and black pentagrams were painted on their foreheads. Armand raised his hand to silence the horn player. His eyes were shining his expression was serious
 
 

Then he began to sing an old hymn, his tenor voice strong and mellow. Santino joined in with his strong baritone, and together they filled the room with their melody. They were swaying together as one, their voices joined, their arms linked. Everyone began to hum along to the tune, then one by one they raised their voices to the heavens. Louis had never heard anything so beautiful. Every vampire it seemed knew the tune, felt the music within their hearts and souls.
 
 

The hymn was over, and Armand raised his hands for silence.
 
 

"Let the ritual begin." he cried out, enjoying the raucous cheers of all those assembled.
 
 

................

The drums began to beat again, pounding steadily like a great heart beating. Santino was leading them in a chant. Pandora had taken to the stage and was moving her lithe body in time to the beat. Armand had disappeared momentarily, but when he returned he had a young man in tow, dressed as they all were in a black robe. His hands were bound he was blindfolded struggling and making little moaning noises.
 
 

Armand pulled off the man's blindfold, and spun him around so that he was facing the vampires. His eyes widened and he tried to flee. Armand held him firmly. With a deft movement he ripped the victim's robe from his body. He now stood there in front of the vampires, naked and afraid. Louis could see the goosebumps on the man's flesh, and his adam's apple bobbing up and down as he tried in vain to swallow his fear.
 
 

The drums beat on...
 
 

Armand circled him, his fingers touching his cheek, then his chest, then his stomach. Round and round he went, chanting all the time. The young man was rooted to the spot. Unable to move, unable to cry out, but clearly terrified. "No pain, no pain" Armand was chanting now, and it reminded Louis of the show Armand had put on for him in the "Theatre de Vampires" in Paris all those years ago.
 
 

Louis was trembling, and he felt Jesse squeeze his hand tightly. He glanced to the side and saw the look or pure lust on Lestat's face. In fact all the vampires in their circle looked as though they would devour this young man given the chance.
 
 

A bright sparkle flashed before Louis's eyes and he realised that Armand had withdrawn a large, and very sharp knife from his robe, and was waving it in front of the man. Beads of sweat were pouring down the victim's face now, and his trembling had become much more severe. In a dramatic flurry Armand pulled a black cloth off of a high table and he laid the victim gently down onto it.
 
 

The smoke from the torches was billowing......the drums beat on.......
 
 

He brought the knife down slowly to the man's throat and pierced the skin, just enough for the blood to flow. Armand raised an ornate silver chalice to the sky and murmured a short invocation summoning the spirits of deceased vampires. He moved the man's head so that his blood flowed into the chalice, then he brought it to his lips. As he drank his eyes gleamed in satisfaction.
 
 

Beating......beating drums........
 
 

Louis could feel himself licking his lips in anticipation. He could almost taste the blood, and his body moved forward just a little, drawing close to the aroma. Louis watched as Armand bent down towards the man, and holding him down Armand sunk his fangs into his throat, deeply and seductively. Armand's moans rose above the sighs of the congregation and his body undulated in his passion.
 
 

The victim shuddered a couple of times, moaning as well, then his hands fell limply to his side. Louis could hear Armand's delicate sucking, and the sound of it nearly drove him insane. He had done as Lestat had requested before they arrived and not fed.
 
 

Louis was starving.
 
 

Armand raised his head, and looked lovingly at his assembled coven.
 
 

"Now for the oath." Armand shouted. 'It has been re-written for the new Millennium."
 
 

"One. Great care and thought must be taken before giving the Dark Gift to any mortals. You no longer have to be a Coven leader to perform this ritual"
 
 

"Two . This law remains unviolated. The Dark Gift must never be given to the crippled, the maimed or to children, or to those who cannot, even with the Dark Powers, survive on their own. Be it further understood that all mortals who would receive the Dark Gifts should be beautiful in person so that the insult to God might be greater when the Dark Trick is done."
 
 

(Armand stared straight at Marius when he said this)
 
 

"Three. Old vampires may work the magic of the Dark Gift on mortals, but only with due care."
 
 

"Four. It is unwise for any vampire to reveal their true natures to mortals. It is also unwise to commit to writing the history of the vampires. However, this is no longer forbidden."
 
 

(Armand stared straight at Lestat when he said this)
 
 

"Please note that one of the old rules has been deleted completely. That rule was that no vampire shall ever destroy another vampire."
 
 

(Armand stared at Louis when he said this, then bowed his head)
 
 

"Do you all agree to abide by these new rules?" he asked of the entire congregation. As one they cried out their assent.
 
 

Armand then beckoned to Santino and watched as he moved to centre stage, holding a struggling young woman.
 
 

The drum beat stepped up a notch........all the vampires held hands and began to sway. Their heads were flung back........blood sweat was gleaming on their faces.
 
 

Santino circled the woman, caressing her hair, pulling her robe down.....slowly......slowly.........the drums continued.
 
 

Louis was trembling so hard that his knees nearly buckled. It was hot in this robe, he longed to discard it. He wanted to fling it to the ground and dance around naked. 'Where were these decadent thoughts coming from?' he pondered. 'Surely not from him.'
 
 

Santino was holding the naked woman in his arms now, his curly black hair had fallen over his brow, his eyes were feverish. He lifted her up..........the beating drums...........sunk his fangs into her delicate white throat.............his moaning came in gasps.
 
 

Louis fell dead away into Jesse's arms.
 
 
 
 

Only Jesse and Lestat noticed Louis falling in the darkness. And only they dragged him to one side to try and bring him around.
 
 

Lestat kept glancing back at Santino who was still cavorting with the young woman on the stage.....still playing with her. He longed to be part of the action, but Louis came first, always did and always will.
 
 

"Louis, Louis, come on sweetheart. Wakey, wakey." Jesse was patting him gently on the face.
 
 

Louis groaned and slowly opened his befuddled eyes. He sat up with a little help and clutched onto Lestat's arm.
 
 

"Oh my!" he groaned. "This is a little overwhelming, isn't it?" he said with a slight smile on his face.
 
 

"Do you want to get back to the action Louis darling?" Lestat asked him, eager himself to return to the swaying, sweat soaked bodies of the vampires.
 
 

"Oui mon amour. I most certainly do. Just hold me up if I stumble again will you?" he said, and allowed Jesse and Lestat to help him to stand.
 
 

"It's so hot, isn't it?" he said as they helped him over near to the centre stage again. They were just in time to see Santino bending over the young woman as she fell into a heap on the floor.
 
 

Mysteriously her body disappeared, and in her place stood a young stud. Firm muscles rippling across his torso, a firm erect penis jutting out from his curling pubic hairs. Louis blinked twice, three times. "Where did he come from?" he thought to himself, confused and disoriented.
 
 

Louis found himself licking his lips again, and realised that underneath his robe he too had an erect, and very hard penis. He touched himself briefly, almost shocked at what he discovered there.
 
 

Armand was smiling down at the beautiful Louis, who seemed so out of place amongst these decadent and uncouth vampires. Even his master Marius seemed to be joining in the fun, holding Pandora's hands now and swinging her around and around and around............Armand was getting dizzy.
 
 

The beating drums increased their pace again, filling the cavernous basement with a deep throbbing. Armand lifted his hands to the horn player, and he recommenced playing, jumping up onto the stage and waving his instrument in the air, never missing a note.
 
 

Louis looked up at the young man again. He feelt a tingling in his body, that began at his toes and crept up slowly to his stomach, then coursed through his chest, and up and out of his head. He felt like all the fine hairs on his body were standing on end. He shivered violently, then began to walk towards him, arms outstretched.
 
 

Lestat watched in amazement as his normally reticent and shy Victorian gentleman, began to caress the young man's chest. He watched as Louis's slender fingers played in his hair then ran them down the man's back, cupping his buttocks tightly. Lestat nearly fainted himself when he saw Louis bend to kiss the young man passionately on the lips, and his tongue came out in a nervous dart and began to lick the young man's face.
 
 

The man seemed mesmerised by Louis's administrations and he even brought his own arms around Louis in an embrace.
 
 

Armand appeared at Louis's side and began to run his fingers up and down his back.
 
 

The beating of the drums became furious............
 
 

Armand circled the pseudo lovers, touching first the victim, then Louis, as he went around them.
 
 

The horn player continued his tune, the music erupting suddenly then softening again, as Armand continue to walk around and around, as Louis continued to caress and kiss his victim.
 
 

Armand was whispering in Louis's ear now. 'It's so hot isn't Louis. So hot...........you are dripping with sweat...........there is so much smoke........so much noise.........you are so hot.....so hot.....so hot."
 
 

Louis was nodding, waving his hair about, the blackness of it floating in amongst the smoke from the torches. Waving it back and forth to the beating of the drum......the beating of the drum.
 
 

Lestat was watching them, realising what Armand was doing, but seemingly unable to intervene. Perhaps he did not want to. Perhaps this was what he wanted, what he needed. To watch Louis like this. Perhaps this was also what Louis needed. To release his inhibitions, to be free.......
 
 

The drums beat on........the sound of the horn echoed off the walls........the smoke got thicker and thicker.
 
 

Louis stepped back from the young man and looked at him with a desire and a lust so deep he wondered where it had come from. He lifted the robe up over his head and flung it down onto the ground. His naked white body began to sway in time to the pounding of the drums...........he rubbed his body up and down against the young man, their erections rubbing and fighting each other.
 
 

The drums were beating.............
 
 

Lestat could not keep his eyes off of his fledgling. Louis moved behind the victim now, and brought his hands around to his chest. Louis ran his hands all over him, his tight stomach, the erect penis, then up again to his neck and face. Then with a graceful swan like movement he bent his head, sunk his fangs into the victim's neck and began to drink.
 
 

An audible sigh arose from the entire congregation, Lestat's being the loudest. And the drums beat on...........
 
 
 
 

Armand and Santino surrounded Louis as he drank, held him upright until the last drop of blood was drained from the young man.
 
 

Louis was unaware that his victim was heavily drugged, that the feeling of euphoria he felt now were the drugs at work on his already confused brain. He began to dance. His slender naked form moved gracefully across the stage, his hair hanging loosely, his arms out wide. Twirling, twirling, his head flung back, his eyes glassy, his mouth slack.
 
 

Lestat lifted his own robe over his head and threw it away. He picked Jesse up in the air and held her high above his head. She was laughing and crying out in delight. When Lestat rested her back onto the ground again, she also took off her gown, and her soft white breasts seemed to float around her slender body.
 
 

Armand was over-joyed. Everyone was celebrating as they had never celebrated before. He watched Lestat and Jesse dancing together, running their hands up and down each other's bodies. Then he took in the spectacle of a naked Louis, still cavorting and gyrating on the stage, his tight backside flaunting him.
 
 

He was just about to rip off his own gown when he spied a new face in the congregation. Violet eyes sparkled in the fire-light, a wide smile lit up his face. "Daniel!" he cried out.
 
 

Daniel was standing stock still, watching Armand, when their eyes met. Daniel walked slowly up to the stage and put his arms out to Armand. They stood like that for a few minutes, Armand looking down at Daniel, Daniel reaching up to Armand, then they flung themselves at each other. Armand was weeping with joy, running his fingers through Daniel's tousled hair, kissing him on the cheek and lips.
 
 

"Having fun boss?" Daniel whispered cheekily into Armand's ear, then nibbled on his ear lobe.
 
 

"Where's your robe?" Armand asked him, with a happy smile on his face.
 
 

"Doesn't look like I need one any more." he replied, and began to strip off quickly. Daniel stepped back from Armand and when he had taken off all his clothes, he lifted the gown over Armand's head, then flung himself at his naked body. Rubbing himself against his maker he crooned into his ear.
 
 

"Oooohh you feel so good Armand. We should do this more often."

then laughing gleefully, he grabbed Armand by the hands and began to dance about the stage.
 
 

Louis was dancing in front of Santino now, who was completely absorbed by the seductive sway of Louis's hips. He couldn't stand it another second. With a movement quicker than the eye could see he had dis-robed and was holding Louis close to him. Their bodies moved as one in time to the beat.
 
 

Armand and Daniel moved closer and closer to Louis and Santino, then they began to caress their naked backs, kissing the backs of their necks, running their hands through their hair. Santino turned to Armand and held him up so that their eyes were level.
 
 

"Amadeo!" he cried.......and he pulled his mouth to his for a long, deep fulfilling kiss.
 
 

Louis turned to Daniel and crying out his name, did the same, enveloping Daniel in his strong arms and kissing him deeply.
 
 

The drums beat on........the erotic vampires on centre stage continued their caresses, their kisses.
 
 

Lestat took his eyes off of Jesse's sexy body to see his fledgling being manhandled first by Santino, then by Daniel. He saw red, then purple then leapt up onto the stage himself and pulled Louis into his arms.
 
 

No-one seemed to care. Santino simply grabbed Daniel into his arms and began to kiss him as well. Armand kissed Daniel, Santino kissed Daniel, Santino kissed Armand, Daniel kissed Santino.......and so it went.........on.....and on.....and on.... the drums beat faster.....louder.
 
 

Marius was moving to the beat, his arms around Pandora, their naked bodies hard against each other, but their mouths were hot and moist as they kissed each other. Khayman had Eric down on the ground and was draining him of his blood........Eric was squirming and naked under Khayman's strong body.
 
 

The drums beat on.......the smoke billowed around their naked bodies.......
 
 

Several young fledglings were spinning around the stage now, moving in a clockwise direction. Then the other vampires joined in. Except Eric who was still lying prone on the cold floor.
 
 

Then as one the vampires raised their faces into the air. More mortals had joined them, naked and drugged they were dancing with the vampires, moving to the same beat, but not towards the same finish.
 
 
 
 

The mortals were being handed around the circle. Each vampire in their turn was having a little drink, a slow caress, a kiss or two. The mortals were euphoric, the vampires were out of control.
 
 

The beating of the drums grew louder faster...........the smoke billowed throughout the room, obscuring the naked vampires on the stage.
 
 

Lestat pushed Louis up against the back wall of the stage and kissed him deeply, drawing blood from his lips. Louis's eyes were glazed and wandering, his breathing rapid and shallow. Lestat spread Louis's legs and lifted them up so that they were around his waist. He pinned the top half of his body to the wall behind them.
 
 

'Lestat....wha.....what are you doing?" Louis mumbled almost incoherently.
 
 

"Relax mon amour.....relax and enjoy me." he whispered into his ear.
 
 

Lestat pushed Louis's legs up even higher and entered him slowly and deeply. Louis's head hit the back of the wall as he screamed in pain and surprise.
 
 

Armand, Santino and Daniel turned as one to watch Lestat's firm white backside undulating up and down as he thrust into his fledgling. They watched as Louis's expression changed from pain to ecstasy, his eyelids fluttering, his lips quivering.
 
 

They turned back to each other, wanting and desiring to do the same, but unsure how to cope with three of them. Jesse solved the problem by quickly grabbing Daniel from behind and pulling him down on top of her. He immediately oblidged by slipping inside of her, and together they moaned and writhed on the floor.
 
 

Santino and Armand eyed each other for a few seconds, wanting to do the same, desiring each other deeply, but something was holding them back........ old pains, old memories......
 
 

The horn sprung into life, as it's player cantered around them. Sweat was pouring from their bodies, lust was pouring from their eyes. Santino made the first hesitant move and began to caress Armand again very slowly, bringing his hands down to his buttocks and squeezing. Armard fell into his embrace, opening his mind to the older vampire, letting Santino know how much he had always desired him; letting him know how much he wanted him now.
 
 

Armand pushed away from Santino, watching the glimmer of hurt in Santino's face, but he just smiled at him. He laid down on his back in the middle of the stage and spread his legs in an overt invitation. Santino grinned back at him, and knelt between Armand's legs. Santino moved his hands up and down Armand's torso, then moved his lips down to kiss his nipples.
 
 

"Amadeo, I have always wanted you." Santino crooned, as he shifted into position.
 
 

"I know." Armand replied, and allowed Santino free entry to his body.
 
 

Armand had opened his mind, his heart and his body , and Santino luxuriated in becoming part of 'his' Amadeo *finally*. Tears coursed down Santino's cheeks as he moved slowly and gently inside of him, as he pushed deep and lovingly. He bent down and suckled on Armand's neck.
 
 

"Drink." Armand coaxed, and Santino sunk his fangs into his throat, feeling Armand's strong sweet blood coursing through his veins. Santino pulled Armand's head to him and allowed access to his throbbing vein. Their moans grew louder, as they floated into an abyss from which they never wanted to return.
 
 
 
 

One by one the mortals succumbed to the vampire's deadly kisses, one by one the copulating vampires on the stage reached their final climaxes.
 
 

The beating drums slowed......the drummers were tiring........the torches were dimming....dimming........dawn was approaching. They had been dancing and drinking and cavorting all night.
 
 

Marius and Pandora had left early, not enjoying the foray, just wanting to be with each other. Khayman and Eric had retired to a dark corner and were devouring each other completely, small moans emanating from them.
 
 

Elini had introduced herself to David, and they too had left for places unknown, perhaps a warm bed or coffin. One by one the young fledglings succumbed to the dawn's stern light, they lay where they fell, on the cold floor, arms and legs entwined.
 
 

Lestat cradled an exhausted and sleepy Louis in his arms as the death sleep overtook him. Lestat kissed his sleeping face, wiped away the tears that lay on his cheeks and covered him with one of the robes. Lestat looked up to see Daniel and Jesse, cuddled up to each other, smiling, with their eyes closed. Armand was still lying underneath Santino, who was whispering to his 'Amadeo'. Crooning to him, sighing gently.
 
 

They were the only ones left awake. Lestat rested his back against the cold stone of the wall behind him and viewed the mayhem. The drummers, exhausted, had fallen onto their drums, sticks still in their hands. The horn player was in a crumpled heap on the floor, his horn still touching his lips. Dead mortals were everywhere.
 
 

Santino rose and helped Armand to his feet, and together they walked over to Lestat.
 
 

The smoke was disappearing, billowing gently through the basement, all sound was gone except the soft sighs of the sleeping vampires.
 
 

Santino and Armand sat down beside Lestat who was still cradling Louis and they held hands for a minute.
 
 

"Happy New Milennium Armand." Lestat said to him.
 
 

"To you too Lestat." Armand replied, as he turned to kiss Santino.
 
 

Together they laid on the floor, holding each other as they finally retreated into their dreams.