Deception
Addie, September 1999
 
 

Disclaimers: All the characters belong to Anne Rice. I am not doing this for any form or profit, merely for the love of writing.
 
 

This whole story is from David's POV. He is an observer in some very strange and terrible happenings within the coven.
 
 

The story begins:-
 
 

The weather was unbearably muggy, with the sky continually covered in dull grey clouds that refused to release their contents. Everyone, including we three were hot and bothered and our tempers were frayed. Even the normally calm and gentle Louis was snappish, prone to slamming doors and giving both of us annoyed glances.
 
 

Lestat was the worst. He would rise each night and thump around the flat wearing nothing but his boxer shorts, which only increased Louis's ruffled demeanour. He wanted to play his loud rock music, and Louis wanted to listen to his tapes of Bach. Neither of them would give in to the other, so that in the end they were shouting at each other then both would disappear in a huff to opposite ends of the city to hunt. This continued for several nights, until I screamed at them one evening, causing both of them to stop in their tracks and glare at me.
 
 

"Can't you two just get along for a while? I am heartily sick of your childish behaviour." I said to them, pacing up and down and looking at them in turn.
 
 

"Shut-up David, if you want some peace why don't you go out for a while." snapped Lestat.
 
 

Louis turned on his heels without so much as a gesture and disappeared out the door.
 
 

"Good riddance" Lestat yelled at his retreating back and went over to the CD player and turned the music up a notch.
 
 

It was raucous, raunchy music that I detested and I tried to yell at him over the noise to turn it down. He could hear me, but he refused to acknowledge my request, instead choosing to sit down on the floor cross-legged in front of the speaker and to sing along to the music.
 
 

He was exasperating, so I took my leave as well leaving the grumpy egotistical vampire to wallow in his own desires. I spied Louis after a short walk up the avenue and sped my steps up just slightly so that I could reach him. We walked side by side for a few blocks, then he turned to face me.
 
 

"I need to feed David, can I be alone now please? I will see you shortly, and I hope you know who will be in a better mood when I return." he laughed just a little, his delicate features becoming even more beautiful as he did, then he spun around and walked away from me. I watched his slender form sauntering elegantly away from me, and he turned for a second to see if I was still there. He waved to me, a friendly brotherly wave, and that was the last I saw of him for several days.
 
 

Later that evening back at the flat Lestat was still listening to his music, only now it was softer, more melodic, even romantic. He had stripped off completely and was lying on the cold wooden floor spreadeagled and completely relaxed. He opened one eye when I entered and smiled at me. I blushed just slightly, and his smile broadened. Oh how he loved to embarrass me.
 
 

I tried to ignore him and sat down at the table to read the early morning edition of the paper. I felt his hand resting on my shoulder as he read the front page. Suddenly he tightened his grip and I could feel his body behind mine tense. I looked up to see that he had a faraway look on his face, and his eyes had misted over. I grabbed his hand and asked him what was wrong, wondering if he was picking up some sort of message from someone that I couldn't detect. He didn't answer me, but stood stock still for several minutes, not even breathing. I shook him gently but still he did not move. I was beginning to become slightly concerned when he seemed to snap back to normal consciousness and looked at me questioningly.
 
 

"Why are you staring at me David?" he asked.
 
 

"I was just about to say the same thing to you Lestat."
 
 

"What, I wasn't staring at you, you were staring at me."
 
 

I gave up, realising that he could possibly continue this conversation until the rising dawn sent us to our rest. I shrugged and continued to read the paper. I was aware of him as he moved over to the couch and sat down. He was mumbling under his breath, but I couldn't quite make out what he was saying.
 
 

He stood up again very quickly and began to look around him as though he was looking for something. His eyes were glazed again, and he was moving his hands about awkwardly. I was at his side in an instant and grabbed his arms to stop them from flaying about and tried to catch his attention.
 
 

"Lestat, for Gods sakes what's the matter with you, you are acting demented?"
 
 

He didn't answer me, his eyes were staring past me and I turned to see what he was looking at. There was nothing there, and as I turned back to face him again I could see his lips moving. It was almost as it he was having a conversation with someone. I felt like slapping his face to try and snap him out of it but I did not relish the retaliation for such an act, so I let him continue.
 
 

This strange behaviour continued for some minutes then he muttered something about going to bed and went into his room. I waited for about an hour for Louis to return, but he never came back. I was a little concerned about him, but he was after all over 200 years old and quite capable of looking after himself. I thought that perhaps he had decided to have a break from all the bickering and stay away for a few nights. So eventually went to bed myself hoping that everything would be normal when I awoke. It wasn't to be.
 
 

Chapter 2.
 
 

The next evening by the time I had my shower and was ready to face the night I realised that the flat was empty. It felt strange to be there alone so I turned on the radio to a talk back program and settled down to finish reading my papers. I did all the normal things, went out to feed, took Mojo for a walk, fed him, read some more and still no sign of either of them.
 
 

Lestat finally arrived back close to dawn, looking very flustered and quite distracted. He even had blood on his shirt which was most unusual for him as he is usually so fastidious. When I pointed this out to him, he seem quite surprised and immediately went into his room to change. I followed him wanting to have a chat but he slammed the door in my face, so I gave up and left him alone.
 
 

The next night was the same, he was gone by the time I arose and returned near dawn. He was in same dishevelled condition, but refused to talk to me about it. When I told him that Louis had not returned he merely shrugged. This was not at all like him, other times when Louis has been gone for more than one night he has fretted about him, and ended up searching everywhere for him.
 
 

"Lestat, tell me what is going on please?" I questioned him the next evening, but he snarled at me, and told me to mind my own business.
 
 

I was getting quite concerned about them both, and even went on my own search for Louis, scanning the minds of mortals as I went, I spent time in his favourite book shop, but no-one had seen him. The lady in the book shop even asked me where my friend was. Obviously he was a very regular visitor there. She seemed more concerned about him than Lestat was.
 
 

As a last resort I called upon Armand and Daniel, who were busy playing a chess game when I arrived. Although judging by the state of undress they were in I thought it might have been a chess game with a difference. Armand seemed a little put out when he saw me at the door, and I could have sworn that Daniel let out a sigh when I entered. Daniel made a swift exit and I smiled a little when I saw that all he had on was a t-shirt. He tried to pull it down over his backside as he sidled into another room.
 
 

"David, what brings you visiting?" Armand said, as he held out his hand to greet me. He had on trousers, but nothing else, and he walked back over to a chair and pulled on his shirt.
 
 

"I'm sorry for interrupting you." I said
 
 

"So am I David." he replied. Then thought better of his slight rebuff and offered me a seat.
 
 

"I'm very concerned about Lestat, he is acting extremely strangely, and Louis seems to have disappeared." I said to him, and his expression changed from annoyance to concern.
 
 

I told him what had been happening, and asked him if he had seen Louis. Daniel came back in then, wearing a black kimono, and sat down beside Armand, resting his hand on his knee. He looked almost wistfully at his maker. I snatched a couple of erotic thoughts out of his mind, before he turned to me with an indignant look on his face. "I'm sorry Daniel." I said, and Armand glared at me.
 
 

"Look, I apologise again for interrupting you both, but this is serious, Lestat is up to something, and I am very worried about Louis."
 
 

After I had regaled the whole story Armand decided that something needed to be done. He decided that he would approach Lestat first to see if he could find out what was going on.
 
 

I was not very confident that he would have better luck than me, but it was worth a try. Armand came with me to the flat and we both waited for Lestat's return. He looked even worse this evening, his face had a weary expression on it, and there was more blood on his shirt. He slumped down on the couch when he entered and gazed off into nothing. Armand sat down next to him and put his hand on his shoulder. Lestat was startled and shoved Armand away roughly, then jumped up and began to pace.
 
 

Armand stood in front of him to stop this pacing and Lestat shoved him out of the way again knocking him over the coffee table. I picked up a sprawled and annoyed Armand off the floor and shook my head. "I don't think he is going to take any notice of you Armand."
 
 

"Oh yes he will." he replied and went back over to Lestat and grabbed him by the upper arms, holding him still. Armand looked into his eyes and held his attention. He was crooning to him, and I knew that he was trying to calm him down, and at the same time infiltrate his scrambled brain. They stood like that for quite a few minutes, neither one of them moving until Lestat slumped down to his knees. Armand followed and brought his hands up so that he was holding Lestat's face. Lestat was quivering and Armand was trying to keep him calm, but suddenly Lestat let out an almighty shout and stormed out of the room.
 
 

Armand spun around to try and follow him but he had locked himself in his room again and bolted the door. "I wouldn't try and break it down Armand, you just don't know what he would do to you if you tried."
 
 

"Don't worry David, my days of breaking doors down are over." and I saw him shudder slightly.
 
 

"Did you glean anything from his thoughts?" I asked.
 
 

"You were right to be worried David, he is very unstable at the moment what I found was scary. He is on the verge of insanity, his thoughts were completely incoherent."
 
 

"Does he know where Louis is?"
 
 

"I'm not sure David. I could see Louis there, but it was hazy, weird, I don't like this at all."
 
 

Then we heard it, a loud wailing sound that emanated from Lestat's room. We both ran to the door, but before we got there we heard an almighty crash.
 
 

"Fuck this" cursed Armand, and kicked the door in smashing it into little pieces. We were hit by a warm breeze as half of the wall by the window had disappeared into the bushes outside, and Lestat was no-where to be seen.
 
 

Chapter 3.
 
 

David:-

I spent the whole of the next evening with a couple of builders repairing the smashed wall in Lestat's bedroom, and worrying about them both.
 
 

Armand and Daniel went on a rampage of the city trying to find any trace of them, but it was like they had disappeared off the face of the earth. We all had fears of them both being whisked away by Memnoch, and I shuddered at the thought. The nights passed interminably slowly as I waited for some news of my friends. I contacted vampires whom I knew even just slightly and asked them to keep a look out for me.
 
 

I rang my dear Jesse and had a long chat with her. She tried to cheer me up, saying that they were both able to look after themselves, but I was not so sure.
 
 

Three nights after Lestat had disappeared I went for a walk down by the river with Daniel. Armand was contacting all his acquaintances via the internet, and Daniel was restless. We made strange company Daniel and I, but we cast our differences aside in our quest for our friends.
 
 

Up ahead we could see firelight, and were curious as to whom would find the need to light a bon fire on such a balmy night. We could hear children's shouts and could see their small forms darting in and out of the flickering light. As we drew closer we could hear what they were calling out. "Go on freak, jump in the flames, go on we dare you." I considered having one of the little demons for my supper, and was just about to make my decision as to which one when Daniel grabbed me on the arm.
 
 

"David, its Louis. My God David what's he doing?"
 
 

I turned to see him standing very close to the fire's edge, feeding the flames until they were darting up higher and higher into the night. The fire was extremely hot and voluminous, and I was afraid for him. I felt unable to move, it was like I was riveted to the ground, my legs were trembling and I could feel Daniel shaking me and shouting my name.
 
 

"David, David, he's going to.......fuck he's fallen in."
 
 

I felt Daniel let go of me abruptly as he lurched towards the flames, I followed as well, and together we managed to pull a singed and burning Louis out of the fire. We knocked him to the ground and rolled him over and over trying to put out the fire, then Daniel fell down on top of him to smother the last licks out completely.
 
 

I knelt down beside them and realised that I was panting hard and had nasty burns on my hands and arms. I wasn't as badly injured as Louis and Daniel though. Louis was unconscious and had burns to most of his body, and Daniel was groaning. I pulled him up to his knees and looked at him. His shirt had been burnt off, his hair was singed, his face looked blackened in the moonlight, but at least he was breathing.
 
 

"God, I have to get you both back to the flat." I said to the now shaking Daniel.
 
 

"No David." he croaked. "Armand's penthouse is closer, can you help me up?"
 
 

I lifted him to his feet then picked Louis up in my arms and carried him back to the penthouse. He didn't appear to be breathing, and I was extremely concerned about him.
 
 

Armand was outside the penthouse door before we even came out of the lift and took Louis from me. He laid him gently down onto his bed, then turned to look at his fledgling. "Daniel, you are hurt as well, here let me see to you." and he took Daniel into the bathroom and closed the door.
 
 

I walked over to Louis and knelt beside the bed. He still hadn't started breathing, and as I tenderly brushed an errant lock of hair from his eyes I crooned to him "Louis, come on old chap, breath for me please."
 
 

I carefully removed the rest of his singed clothing and gently covered him in a sheet. Oh god, I thought to myself, Lestat is going to go crazy, we have to find him.
 
 

"I agree" replied Armand as he came out of the bathroom, holding Daniel's hand. Daniel looked better all ready, and I suspected that Armand had taken him in there so Daniel could have a drink from him in private. Daniel was dressed in the black kimono again, and slunk down on a lounge chair beside the bed.
 
 

"Louis needs to drink as well David. It's the only way he will get better."
 
 

"I'm wondering if he doesn't want to get better Daniel. It appeared to me as if he was trying to kill himself. What will we do Armand.?" I said turning to him and raising the palms of my hands.
 
 

"David, you are burnt as well, look at those hands. Come on I have plenty to give." I was surprised, he was offering his blood to me, but I refused him.
 
 

"Thank you Armand, that is very kind of you, but I will go out and feed, I'll be back soon."
 
 

An hour later I returned to see Armand sitting on the side of the bed. Louis still had his eyes shut, and Daniel seemed to be asleep in the chair beside the bed. "Is he breathing yet Armand?"
 
 

"Yes, he is, but it is very shallow and he hasn't regained consciousness yet." I sat on the other side and caressed his forehead. He groaned softly and his emerald eyes fluttered open. "Noooo!!" was all he said then shut his eyes again.
 
 
 
 

Chapter 4.
 
 

Armand lifted Daniel into the bed beside him and left them sleeping together. Armand kindly offered me lodgings as well. He was already in the bedroom before I arrived the next evening and was kissing Daniel on the cheek.
 
 

"How's Daniel doing Armand?" I asked him, and he replied that he quite liked his new colour. Daniel even managed a smile as I entered then looked down at Louis.
 
 

"I don't think he's doing so well David." he said to me, with a very worried expression on his face.
 
 

Louis stirred after a while and he looked at me first then the other two. "Why did you pull me out? Why?"
 
 

"Louis, I'm sorry, surely it can't be that bad, I'll help you sort it out, we can talk about it. But where have you been anyway? We have all been terribly worried about you."
 
 

He looked at me strangely then and shook his head. "I don't know, I can't seem to remember. All I know is that I wanted to die. I don't know why."
 
 

"Come, you must drink." I said to him and lifted his head up so that he could reach my wrist which I offered to him.
 
 

"No, please David I don't want your blood. I can't." he said and I let his head drop back down to the pillow.
 
 

Armand came over to me and put his hand on my shoulder. "Perhaps he would feel more comfortable if we brought him a mortal to drink from." I nodded, and he disappeared for about half an hour. When he returned he was guiding a young dishevelled looking man into the room, in an obvious state of confusion.
 
 

"Does he know what's going on." I asked him of the mortal.
 
 

"Doesn't have a clue David, will you lift up Louis' head again and I will slash this man's wrist."
 
 

I did as he asked and held Louis head up to the mortals wrist, his blood was flowing strong and thick, but Louis kept his mouth clamped tightly shut and refused to drink. He must had been starving and I couldn't understand how he could be so strong as to resist the strong smell of the blood right under his nose.
 
 

"Come Louis you must drink." I told him, and tried to guide his lips towards the fount. Still he refused. Armand dropped the young man in front of Daniel who immediately consumed the offering.
 
 

"Get rid of him Daniel." Armand barked at him. I could tell he was becoming extremely frustrated with his futile efforts.
 
 

We both walked over to the window and looked out at the night. As we were discussing our problem we saw a flash, and some how Louis had managed to get up off the bed and was heading towards the door. By the time Armand had shot across the room the lift doors were closing on him.
 
 

"Dam it David, we have to catch him, he'll try it again I am sure, and there is no way I am going to have the death of another of Lestat's fledglings on my hands."
 
 

Armand sped down the stairs quicker than the lift was going and I was hot on his heels. We were waiting at the lift doors when they opened and found Louis slumped in the corner breathing hard, with beads of perspiration on his forehead. We stepped into the lift and headed back up to the penthouse.
 
 

"We'll have to keep him locked in this room." he said to me as we put Louis back on the bed. "I can't understand how he even managed to get up off the bed." As he went to pull the quilt back up over him he stopped and held up his wrist. "David what do you make of this?"
 
 

It looked as though Louis had been tied up just a while ago, and the bindings had bruised him. We had not noticed these bruises before because we were more worried about his burns, but now we looked a little more closely at him. Underneath the reddened flesh of his torso we could make out some scars that had not quite healed yet, then we turned him over. There seemed to be faint bruises all over his body. "Some of these looked like knife wounds." I said incredulously. "What in the hell happened to him?"
 
 

Louis was squirming now trying to get out of Armand's grasp, and Armand was trying very hard to hold him still without hurting him any more.
 
 

"Please Louis, stop this, I don't want to have to tie you up. Do you understand me?"
 
 

Louis nodded and stopped his wriggling, then turned his face away from Armand and shut his eyes. "I have to try again to feed him David, his wounds just won't heal unless he gets some blood into him."
 
 

"I know, but he won't take it."
 
 

"I think he will. Here, just while I try this, tie this sheet across his chest, not too tightly, then hold his head for me."
 
 

I did as Armand said, then grabbed hold of Louis head again. This time he seemed resigned to his fate and did not try and get free. Armand knelt over him and began to murmur softly to him. He seemed to be trying to mesmerise him and after a few minutes I could feel my head nodding. It was working on me, I hoped it was working on Louis. He then bent his face towards Louis and began to kiss him. Louis resisted just a little at first, then I could feel his body relax. I watched as Armand forced his lips apart then I saw a small amount of blood escaping down the side of Louis's chin.
 
 

Armand finally got his way, and when he had Louis craving for more he slashed his wrist and placed it delicately over his mouth. Louis drank deeply and he moaned softly as Armand's blood flowed into him.
 
 

Chapter 5
 
 

Two nights after Louis had drunk from Armand, he was beginning to look a lot better. His burns had faded and any of the other wounds that had been evident earlier seemed to have disappeared completely. Louis still did not have any recollection of what had happened to him however, and seemed just as depressed as before.
 
 

I came into Armand's living room to see Daniel and Louis playing a game of chess. It seemed to be by the same rules as Armand and he had been playing a few nights ago, Daniel was sitting there in just his boxer shorts, and was helping Louis out of his jumper. Daniel was giggling, but Louis looked a little uncomfortable. I thought to myself that it was just as well that Louis was obviously a better player than Daniel.
 
 

By the time I had found Armand to say my greetings, Daniel was shimmering out of his boxers. Armand came into the room and slapped him on the backside. "Daniel, a bit of decorum please, we have a visitor." Daniel just gave me a sideways glance, winked at Louis who by now was bright red and sauntered out of the room. His tight little butt wagging just a little suggestively. I coughed and so did Armand.
 
 

"I'm sorry David, Daniel is rather incorrigible. Are you all right?" he said as he turned to Louis. Louis who was still a delectable shade of red, which only added to the new colour he had from his burns nodded politely.
 
 

"Louis seems much better Armand, has he made any more attempts to run away."
 
 

"No, but I'm keeping the doors locked just in case. Daniel is cheering him up a little, I think I even saw him smile this evening."
 
 

"But what about Lestat, is there any news.?"
 
 

"No, I haven't heard from him, heard about him, or spoken to any one who has seen him for a few nights now."
 
 

"I wonder where in hell he could be?" I said
 
 

"I'm right here David." and we both spun around to see Lestat standing in the doorway. He was looking his normally debonair self, well groomed, hair brushed, eyes bright, and he came over to Louis and kissed him on the cheek.
 
 

Louis looked startled and seemed to cringe when Lestat came near him. "What's the matter mon ami, aren't you pleased to see me?" he asked, and plonked himself down on the couch next to him.
 
 

Louis tried to stand up but Lestat grabbed him on the arm and pulled him down to him. He then put his arm around a now trembling Louis and proceeded to kiss him ferociously.
 
 

Armand looked at me and I looked at them kissing, and we both shrugged. Eventually Lestat allowed Louis to breath and he turned around to look at me.
 
 

"Where have you been David, I've been worried about you." he said, his eyebrows raising just slightly.
 
 

"You've' been worried about me!! We have all been worried about you, where the hell have you been, and what have you been doing.?"
 
 

He looked very confused and stood up before me, putting his hands on my shoulders. "I've just been around. I've not been away anywhere, what makes you think that I have?'
 
 

"Because we haven't seen you for a few days, and when I last saw you it was through the hole in your bedroom wall."
 
 

"Wha...what are you talking about?" he replied, his expression now changing to concerned and worried. "The bedroom wall is fine, I was just there. What on earth are you talking about.?"
 
 

It seemed as though neither Lestat nor Louis remembered anything of the time that they were away from us. Armand told him to sit down and told him everything that had happened up until his flying off into the night through the bedroom wall.
 
 

Lestat's jaw dropped and his eyes widened, as we regaled this strange tale to him. "What's going on David, Armand? And why is Louis afraid of me?"
 
 

"I have no bloody idea." replied Armand.
 
 

"And neither do I." I said.
 
 

Chapter 6.
 
 

We sat talking for a while, and Daniel came and joined us, choosing to sit on the floor at Armand's feet. Armand absent mindedly ran his hands through his fledglings hair the whole time we talked. Louis refused to sit next to Lestat, so he sat hunched up into a ball in a large lounge chair, and I sat next to Lestat on the couch.
 
 

Armand offered to try and probe Lestat's mind, he had been reluctant to try this on Louis because of the tremulous state of mind he was already in. Lestat refused. He thought he would be able to sort this problem out for himself.
 
 

He wanted to take Louis back to our apartment with him, but Armand refused to let him. I sat back and waited for the fireworks. Before Lestat could say a word, Louis stood up and glared at him. "Lestat, I'm staying here until this fiasco is sorted out, so please don't make a fuss. Armand has graciously allowed me to stay with them, and here I am going to stay."
 
 

Lestat stared at Louis, slightly taken aback by his strong words, and decided that he would let him stay where he was. Louis sighed and sat back down in the chair, bringing his knees up to his chest and resting his head on them.
 
 

The next evening however, we had a visit from a very different Lestat. He blundered into the apartment, locked doors seemed to have no affect on him, and grabbed Louis roughly on the arm before anyone had a chance to stop him. Louis was trying desperately to break out of his grip, but he was slowly being dragged across the floor to the lift.
 
 

Armand and I went over to them and demanded that he let Louis go. "And who is going to make me?" Lestat shouted. Daniel came tearing up the stairs and entered the room just as all this was happening. The three of us stood our ground between them and the doors to the lift. "Step out of my way, I'm taking Louis home where he belongs." he shouted, and tightened his grip on him. Louis was wincing with the pain, trying to twist himself out of his maker's grasp.
 
 

Armand moved first, and was so quick that I hardly saw what happened. He hit Lestat hard on the side of the head, grabbed Louis and flung him into the waiting arms of Daniel. Lestat was taken by surprise but not hurt, and he went for Armand's throat, sending him to the ground and landing on top of him. Daniel put Louis down and together we tried to pull Lestat off of Armand.
 
 

We only just managed to yank him off, helped by a rather nasty kick from Armand to Lestat's groin, which had him staggering and crying out in pain. Armand yelled at Louis to run, and I watched him fly down the stairs. I was not sure if that was a good idea, but at the time it seemed logical. Then the three of us leapt onto Lestat and pinned him to the ground. Armand punched him again several times finally knocking him out.
 
 

We all sat back on the floor, winded and terrified that at any second he was going to jump up and attack us.
 
 

"Shit what are we going to do now.?" said Armand. Then he remembered Louis. "Oh shit again, Daniel, try and find Louis will you, and David find something we can use to tie him up with."
 
 

I left Armand to watch over Lestat, and went into Armand and Daniel's room. It did not take me long to find a pair of hand cuffs, that were attached to their bed head. Hmmm so that's what they get up in here I mused to myself. I had heard loud moans and what sounded like some one being thrashed a couple of nights ago, but I was too embarrassed to say anything to them. They seemed happy enough with each other so I also guessed that is was consensual.
 
 

Anyway, hand cuffs in hand I retraced my steps and found Armand kneeling over Lestat. He was holding his fist in his hand, then shaking it. "I'm afraid I had to hit him again, he didn't stay out for long. Good hand me those hand cuffs, now where can I attach them?"
 
 

Lestat awoke with his wrists clamped tightly together and chained to the heavy post at the top of the stairs. He was wild eyed and furious, cursing and shouting loudly at us.
 
 

He began to mumble, and talk what sounded like gibberish at first then I began to pick up a few words, he said something that sounded like 'Not again" then he kept saying that he didn't want to do it. He was shaking his head and saying no, no, no, over and over again.
 
 

I heard Armand talking on the telephone, then the words "Marius, please I need your help". So he was calling in the big guns.
 
 
 
 

Chapter 7.
 
 

David:-
 
 

I was sure the hand cuffs would not hold Lestat at bay for very long and I was right, he squirmed and cursed us both, then with a snap they were in pieces at his feet. With a malicious grin he flung them out of the way, knocked us both to the ground and fled out the door.
 
 

By the time Armand and I had regained our feet, and our composure we followed, but there was no sign of him. Then we heard a low moaning sound coming from the bottom of the stairwell and on investigation we discovered poor Daniel lying in a bruised and battered heap. He groaned that Lestat had shoved him over the bannister. Armand was livid, his normally pleasant features contorted with his rage, and as he picked Daniel up gently he swore his revenge. This was going from bad to worse, and it appeared as though Louis was missing again.
 
 

I told Armand that I would search for my brother again while he took care of Daniel. He nodded and carried him over to the lift, caressing his cheek and whispering to him as he did. I searched for hours, going over old ground constantly, asking everyone I saw, but to no avail. He had disappeared again and this time I wondered if I would ever see him again.
 
 

When I returned to Armand's Penthouse Marius was ensconced by the cold fireplace, staring at the grate as though he wished there were flames to entertain him. He looked up with a concerned look on his face when I entered, and I shrugged.
 
 

"How's Daniel" I asked Armand as he came into the room.
 
 

"He has a few broken bones, but is resting comfortably. No Louis?"
 
 

"No I'm afraid not Armand. This does not bode well"
 
 

"Marius, David, I have something that I need to tell you, concerning what has happened." said Armand.
 
 

I looked at him quizzically, and Marius seemed a little confused.
 
 

"Armand, what can you tell us that we don't already know?" I asked him.
 
 

"There was something or someone in Lestat's mind, it was very powerful and very dangerous. I don't think Lestat was fully aware of who or what it was."
 
 

"My God Armand, Lestat is a most powerful telepath, who could be stronger?"
 
 

"All I can tell you is that it wasn't a vampire, but for some reason I had the feeling that vampires are involved as well. It is very strange."
 
 

"Are you saying that you think Lestat might be possessed?."
 
 

"It's possible David, it's possible."
 
 

If I thought that I was worried previously I was wrong. There was a pain in my gut that would not leave me and my sleep was filled with horrid nightmares. In them I could see both my friends writhing in hell, crying out in pain, engulfed in flames. Each evening I awoke crying out and bathed in perspiration.
 
 

Armand and Marius were equally distressed and we pounded the streets and raided the roof tops in our never ending search. Daniel was healing but he too seemed depressed, saddened and worried.
 
 

I thought of calling Jess again and asking her if her mother would help as well and I had just decided that I would take the plunge, even as far as picking up the phone when Daniel came bursting into the penthouse.
 
 

"I've found Lestat." he cried, and fell down to his knees panting and shaking his head. "He's in a bad way David. Come I'll show you where he is."
 
 

All three of us followed Daniel's retreating form through the back alleyways, through run down tenements and finally down near the river. It was pitch black when we finally reached our destination, which was a small earthen cave which appeared to have been gouged out by hand, in the side of the River's embankment.
 
 

"He's in there." whispered Daniel. "I was getting rid of a victim in the river and heard a moaning sound. He's just lying there. He didn't know who I was or where he was. No Louis though I'm afraid."
 
 

I peered into the gloom and could just manage to make out a prone form. The only sound coming from him was his shallow breathing and an occasional whimper. Marius and I managed to drag him out and laid him on the ground. He had blood on his body, and little else, what clothing he had on him seemed to be in shreds and barely holding together. He stirred and his eyes opened slightly, but there was no recognition there. We carried him back with us to Armand's place and laid him down on the bed.
 
 

I cleaned him up as best I could, removing the shreds of clothing and wiping his body clean with a soft sponge. He made a few moaning sounds, but did not seem to be able to speak. Marius watched over me and continually shook his head. I knelt down beside the bed and caressed his cheek, then kissed him softly.
 
 

"David, move out the way. This has to be done, it will probably be painful for him, but I have to do it."
 
 

"What are you going to do Armand, he is in not fit state for any inquisition." I berated him.
 
 

"David, if there is even a remote chance that we are going to find Louis alive, I will have to probe his mind. Now stand back. leave the room if you don't want to watch."
 
 

Marius stepped up to Armand and rested his hand momentarily on his shoulder. "Be as swift as you can, time is of the essence."
 
 

I watched in awe as Armand readied himself for the onslaught of Lestat's mind. I readied myself as well, and waited.
 
 

Chapter 8.
 
 

David:-
 
 

Armand had hopped up onto the bed and straddled himself over Lestat's prone body. Lestat was barely conscious, but he seemed aware that Armand was there. Armand put his hands to Lestat's forehead and shut his eyes and both of them shuddered as the probe began.
 
 

The concentration on Armand's face was intense, and small beads of perspiration had formed on his upper lip. Lestat squirmed a little, but Armand held onto him firmly, so that eventually he relaxed.
 
 

Marius took my arm and suggested that we take a seat. He said that this could take a while, especially if whatever had been in Lestat's mind was still there. It was eerily quiet, and they almost appeared to be asleep, except for small grimaces and twitching on Lestat's face. Every now and then though, Lestat would let out a cry, and at one stage a torrent of tears tumbled over his white cheeks.
 
 

Armand's body was swaying and he seemed to be chanting, then together they let out a dreadful cry that had Marius and I leaping up and Daniel tearing into the room. Armand slumped over Lestat's body and was sobbing, holding onto him and running his fingers feverishly through his tangled hair.
 
 

Marius went over to the bed and pulled Armand gently off of Lestat, and held him to his chest. Armand was still sobbing, and Lestat appeared to be awake and was whimpering. I went over to him and took his shaking hand in mine and whispered calming words to him. He was incoherent, the only words I could make out were "Louis, Louis," over and over again, and "Keep out of me, keep out."
 
 

It took half an hour or more to calm them both down, Lestat finally drifted off into a fitful sleep and Armand slumped down on a chair and kept his eyes tightly closed. His breathing was laboured, and he continually rocked his head from side to side. He was mumbling as well, but the words I could hear emanating from his trembling lips were different to what Lestat had been saying. He was cursing over and over in every language that he knew.
 
 

Armand seemed unable, or unwilling to relay what he had gleaned from Lestat's mind, and refused to be questioned by either of us. He could not assure us that Louis was alive and well, but he said that there was a glimmer of hope that he was.
 
 

Well, this was not very reassuring for me and I was about to attack Armand verbally when Marius intervened. "No David, Armand is extrremely distressed and he needs to gather his thoughts before we question him any further. Please be patient."
 
 

I sunk down onto the couch and put my hands over my face. I became aware of Daniel sitting beside me after a while and he held my hand. "I'm sorry David, I'm just as concerned as you are about Louis, he is my best friend."
 
 

I looked at him quizzically. "Armand is my lover David, Louis is my friend." I nodded and he put his arm around me. Daniel was being serious and concerned, which only made me feel even more desperate. He helped me to my room and even offered to stay with me for a while, but I declined his generous offer. Maybe I should have let him, perhaps some warm company might have allayed the nightmares that seeped into my fretful mind as soon as the death sleep overtook me.
 
 

I awoke screaming, and Daniel was at my side in a couple of seconds. His hands were on my face and his expression was one of concern and caring. "David, come on my friend, lets go and see if Marius has managed to get Armand talking yet?" he whispered and gave me a gentle kiss on my cheek.
 
 

He held my hand as we approached Marius and Armand who were sitting quietly in the living room, staring at each other. "Where's Lestat, is he all right Marius?" I asked him.
 
 

"He's still asleep, he seems to be in some sort of semi coma, partially aware of what's going on around him, but seemingly unable to wake up fully. We are very concerned about him."
 
 

I was as well and made a move to go to his side when Marius stopped me. "No David, he's sleeping peacefully, you should stay here and hear what Armand has to say."
 
 

Daniel and I sat on the floor together resting our backs up against the couch and Armand stood up and began to pace.
 
 

"What I have to tell you is very disconcerting." He began.
 
 

Chapter 9.
 
 

David:-

The story that unfolded from Armand's lips was indeed disconcerting. I will relay it to you now as it was told to me.
 
 

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

Lestat had been feeling strange for a while, even getting headaches and flashes of light in his eyes. They seemed to come from nowhere. It made him feel bad tempered, angry unable to control his feelings.
 
 

He wanted to spend more time with Louis, but they always seemed to be arguing, so he tried to keep his distance just a little, choosing instead to simply watch him as he hunted and went about his boring existence. He even followed him into the library and the book shop, just to be near him.
 
 

This was when the nightmares began. Just short bits at first, memories of long ago, some before he was made into a vampire, some when he was with his old lover Nikki. They were always dark and gloomy dreams, full of fear and despair. He would go for several days without dreaming then they would start again, only now they were worse and seemed to last the whole day through. He was waking up sweaty and tired and even a little afraid.
 
 

He did not tell either of his companions about them, preferring not to worry them, preferring instead to play his music loudly and yell at them. If he acted his normal beligerent self, then perhaps the nightmares would go away. But they did not.
 
 

Claudia was in his dreams now, but never the sweet child he remembered, never his darling daughter whom he loved with all his heart. She was a demon, snarling and always coming at him with the knife. Always the knife. Sometimes they were both there, Nikki playing a manical tune on his violin, raucous, screeching, never like he played when he was alive, and Claudia would be at his side, taunting him, egging him on.
 
 

Why were they coming to him now? Then the worst one of all, the most recent of his nightmares involved Akasha. She was pure demon, mouth contorted in rage, her eyes full of pure hatred. He would awaken from these nightmares shaking violently, sweat pouring off of him, holding in the screams lest he awoke Louis and David.
 
 

Then Louis disappeared, and he was dreadfully worried. He searched everywhere for him, but it was like he was gone from the face of the earth. Did his nightmares have anything to do with Louis's disappearance?
 
 

The dreams eventually began to haunt him during the nights as well. Sometimes he would find himself drifting off, only to discover that he was somewhere else from where he began, but not having any recollection of how he arrived there. The flashing lights became brighter and then he began to see another figure nearby, lurking in the shadows, but as he approached he would be gone. It was like he disappeared into a puff of smoke. He looked familiar, but he was just an ordinary man. Not tall, nor short, or ugly or beautiful, just plain and normal.
 
 

This was when he became truly terrified. He came to him in his room one evening, and was sitting by his side even before Lestat realised that someone was there. "Why won't you leave me alone? Why are you making me have all these dreams?"
 
 

The man just laughed, and flashed every nightmare Lestat had been having into his mind at once. The images were so terrible and so confusing that he let out an almighty scream and crashed through the wall in his bedroom and out into the night.
 
 

What happened next was the worst bit. He flew through the night for what seemed like days, and eventually fell to the ground exhausted and lost. But when he turned around the man was standing right behind him, and as he raised his hand sparks of fire flashed out of them straight into Lestat's brain, and he fell to the ground screaming in pain.
 
 

He awoke in a dark room, with only small patches of light splayed in striped patterns on the floor, and soft scurrying sounds echoing in his ears. The man was still there by his side, and he seemed to be making Lestat's body move. He did not have any control over his limbs, and found himself walking towards someone standing there in the darkness.
 
 

He tried to regain the control of his body, but the man was stronger, and as he approached the person in the darkness, a small shaft of light fell onto their face. He squinted at the sudden brightness then let out a deep groan. The man in front of him was chained spreadeagled to the wall, his wrists held tightly by heavy hand cuffs, his head was bowed, and hidden by a cascade of black hair.

As the prisoner lifted his head Lestat was confronted by a pair of sorrowful emerald eyes.
 
 

Chapter 10.
 
 

David:-
 
 

I listened as Armand conveyed what he had read from Lestat's mind in awe and trembling. Louis had been held prisoner, but this was shortly after Lestat had gone out of the wall of his bedroom. Louis had been found after that and disappeared again. So where was he now and I wondered if Lestat knew?.
 
 

'Armand, did he give any indication of where this took place.? Perhaps Louis is still there being held prisoner." I asked him.
 
 

"Yes Armand, if Louis is still there we may be able to rescue him?"

replied Marius.
 
 

"I have no idea at all where my precious Louis is Marius. I only wish I did." mumbled Lestat as he staggered out of the bedroom.
 
 

"Lestat!! You should stay still, you have been through a terrible ordeal young one." cajoled Marius, and led him over to an overstuffed leather chair.
 
 

Lestat looked more devastated than I have ever seen him. He was emaciated, and even though he didn't need to drink every day he certainly appeared in need of sustenance right now. I went over to him and knelt on the floor at his feet. "Lestat, let me feed you, please. I would really like to help you."
 
 

He gave me a wan smile and nodded imperceptably, "Thank you" and he grabbed my wrist and sunk his fangs into me. He sucked gently at first then with more gusto, and I could feel myself being almost completely drained. After a few minutes, when the pain was becoming unbearable, I felt strong hands pulling me away from him holding me to stop my weakend body from falling to the floor. "Marius." I whispered, and promptly fell asleep.
 
 

.........
 
 

Later that evening when I finally awoke from my stupor I saw Armand pacing again, and Lestat resting his head in his hands weeping. Marius was talking to Daniel and when they saw that I was awake they both came over to me.
 
 

"What's wrong, what's happened? Why is Lestat weeping? Has he remembered any more?" I asked them.
 
 

"Yes I believe he has, and it is not good."
 
 

"Oh God, tell me, what has he remembered?" I begged them.
 
 

"Lestat believes that Louis might still be alive, but they wanted him dead." said Daniel, his voice shaking a a little as he said this.
 
 

"Why?" I replied. "Why Louis, and not Lestat?" I questioned.
 
 

"I believe it was to make me suffer David." said Lestat. "I believe that he wanted me to destroy Louis, or to make him so desperate that he would destroy himself."
 
 

"Why?" I asked again.
 
 

"So that I would feel guilty for the rest of fucking eternity." he said, and began to weep again.
 
 

"Armand, can you tell us the rest of what you found out, then maybe we might be able to find a solution?" asked Marius.
 
 

He continued:-
 
 

When Lestat discovered who the prisoner was he immediately attempted to free him, but was held in place by a strong invisible force. He screamed, but his voice could not be heard, he tried to use his mighty powers and incinerate the man who was controlling him, but nothing happened. Then he was forced to walk over and face his fledgling, who by now was crying out his name. He could see relief in Louis's face, he obviously thought that he would finally be rescued, but that relief soon turned to abject terror when he saw that Lestat appeared to be in some kind of a trance.
 
 

Louis began to beg Lestat to help him, but he could only stand there and stare at him. Then Lestat felt an incredible force hit him from behind, his entire body felt like it was on fire, his eyes were blind, and he could no longer hear, then shuddering violently he felt as though someone else was inside of his body. He tried to shake off the feeling, but it persisted, he tried to close off his mind to this entity, but it had seeped into his consciousness and was controlling him. Then through his eyes, but not of his own volition he saw his hand raised and became aware of it crashing down against Louis's face. He was crying out for it to stop, but the entity within him was far too powerful. He saw his hand raised again and this time it punched Louis in the chest and cracked his ribs.
 
 

He wanted this to stop, with all his might and will power he fought back. The entity trembled a little within his body, and was almost sqeezed out, but he remained. Lestat watched in horror, as his hand picked up a knife and plunged it into Louis's chest.
 
 

*Why are you doing this to us? WHY??"* he was screaming in his own mind, hoping that he would be heard.
 
 

*Because we want you to suffer."*he heard back.
 
 

Louis was screaming now in pain and terror, but the worst part of it was that it was Lestat who was doing this to him. As he watched Lestat's body seemed to shudder and he could see his torso convulsing, his eyes were dark with strange golden specks in them.
 
 

"Lestat please, stop hurting me?" he screamed, but Lestat just came at him again and plunged the knife in between his ribs. The blood was streaming down his chest and Louis was sinking into obvlivion.
 
 

...........

David:-

Suddenly I heard a loud groan and looked up to see Lestat on his knees on the floor, he was holding his head and seemed to be in a great deal of pain. I rushed over to him and tried to calm him down. "I hurt him David, I hurt the one I love. I didn't want to I couldn't help it. Oh God David, where is he?"
 
 

I felt so desperate, so useless, that all I could do was to hold my maker and tell him that I knew he didn't mean to hurt him. I held onto him like this as Armand continued..........
 
 

Lestat watched in horror at the injuries he had given Louis, and tried one more time to take control. Firstly he decided that he would have to calm down, so he thought of pleasant times, of times when he was at peace with the world, when he and Louis were young vampires in New Orleans, he pictured the two of them walking along the boulevard, holding hands with their precious Claudia.
 
 

At that precise moment he felt a pain so intense that the part of Lestat who was still in existence ceased to be for a couple of seconds. Then someone else was inside of his head. No there was more than one. He was clutching his head and screaming, even the entity inside of him seemed distressed and allowed this freedom of movement. *We want you to suffer. We want Louis to join us. You do not deserve any hapiness Lestat, not after what you did to us."
 
 

In his mind, through flashes of light and pain he could see his tormenters, those from his nightmares, his lost ones, the ones he once loved. Claudia, with her sweet face and curly blonde hair, Nikki with his wild eyes and dark demeanour and lastly his great love, the dark queen herself, Akasha. They were all there, tormenting him, driving him insane with their accusations. *No, no, no* he screamed over and over again. Leave me alone. You are not having Louis. NO!! I won't let you.*
 
 

Lestat threw them out and in so doing the entity was flung out as well. In that split second of freedom, Lestat released Louis and told him to run, and as he watched him flee he felt the presence returning once more into his mind.
 
 

Chapter 11.
 
 

David:-
 
 

Armand continued the story..........
 
 

Lestat did not remember much of what happened to him then, except that for a couple of days he seemed to be free of him, of them, and that is when is went to visit Louis at Armand's. At the time he had no real recollection of what had taken place. All he remembered was that he had this desperate desire to see Louis, to make sure that he was all right.
 
 

It was dreadful not being able to recall the past few day's events, and to see Louis with his nearly healed injuries was confusing and distressing for him. When he returned later that evening he was not alone. The presence was once again inside of his head and his one thought was to bring Louis back. The presence had made Louis fling himself in the fire. The presence was angry and so were his minions, Claudia, Nikki and Akasha. Their only goal was to destroy Lestat by destroying the one whom he loved the most.
 
 

We made it easy for Lestat to get Louis back. By sending him out into the night away from Lestat, we were placing him in grave danger. As soon as Lestat and the presence freed themselves from the handcuffs Louis was easily found and taken back down to the dungeon.
 
 

The presence was now going to make sure that Lestat destroyed Louis. He was going to make him torture him a little more just to see him suffer, then make Lestat set him alight with his thoughts. There was to be much celebrating when Lestat's fledglings and lovers were reuinited in hell. They were going to enjoy watching Lestat suffer from guilt and pain for an eternity.
 
 

Lestat found himself once more facing his loved one with a knife in one hand and a whip in the other. His hands were shaking, the presence was having a hard time making him do his bidding. To look into Louis's sorrowful eyes was almost more than Lestat could bare. If he could have destroyed himself then he would have, but the presence had other more ghastly desires in his mind.
 
 

He watched in rage as his own hands doing the bidding of the entity began to thrash at Louis, then stab him, in the chest, in the groin, in the neck. Then flail his body over and over with the whip. All this time Lestat was screaming in torment, but no one could hear him, they were drowned out by Louis's cries.
 
 

Then the time came, when they were all in his head again, cajoling him, urging him on, *Burn him Lestat. Burn your fledgling. Send him to hell to join us. Memnoch will help you*
 
 

Lestat had known all along who this presence was, but he could not admit it to himself, did not want to admit it. He nearly destroyed him once, and now with the help of three almost insane vampire spirits, he was attempting to do so again.
 
 

*Destroy him Lestat* they continued with their taunts. *Burn him slowly so that you can watch him writh in pain, watch him die slowly*
 
 

Lestat brought his hands up to his head and screamed, this time the presence allowed it. Or did he? Lestat turned to look at Louis who was sobbing and shaking his head in fear and desperation. *Do it Lestat, we will all watch. Use your powers, destroy him* They continued.
 
 

"NO!!" he shouted. "I will not hurt him."
 
 

*But you have no choice Lestat. Together we will make you do it*
 
 

Lestat felt a power within himself that he never knew existed before, it was growing stronger, so powerful that the spirits within him were drowned out by it. It came thundering through his body, welled up inside of him and burst forth in an almighty scream.
 
 

"NO! you cannot make me do it."
 
 

*Why do you think that Lestat* whispered the voice of the presence, weak now, straining to be heard above Lestat's beating heart.
 
 

"BECAUSE I LOVE HIM" he shouted again. "I LOVE HIM AND I WILL NOT HURT HIM ANY MORE. Nothing you can do now will make me hurt him anymore."
 
 

The presence and the spirits within his mind whimpered when he said this, shuddered within him, knew that he was telling the truth and that he was growing strong again.
 
 

They joined their forces together in one last onslaught, one last attempt to make Lestat do their bidding. What followed was a monumental battle of wills, one powerful being and three spirits in in battle against one vampire. Hatred against love. Loathing and desperation against a heart beating so strongly with the love for his fledgling that they had no chance.
 
 

They tried to make him hurt himself, and succeeded for a few seconds, laughing as they watched Lestat tear at his own clothes, rake at his body with his sharp nails, but it didn't last. Lestat threw them out of his mind, one by one. "Leave me my one time lover, out with you forever, go back to your mad music. Begone my once precious daughter, know that I did love you in my own way, remember me, your loving father. Akasha, be with your Enkil, and with your horrid memories of slaughter and mayhem. Memnoch, know that I will never bow down to you, will never aquiesce to your demonic desires. Love is more powerful than your hatred for me, love has won. Go back to your lost souls, for mine is no longer lost, it will remain in this body of mine, forever, and will forever love Louis."
 
 

He felt them seep from his mind, whither in his thoughts, disappear back into the darkness. Then he turned to Louis..........
 
 
 
 

David:-
 
 

"My God Armand, surely the memories cannot end there?" I said
 
 

"I'm sorry David, that is all that I could take from his mind, the rest was too befuddled, confused. I think Lestat must have run away then and we found him shortly afterwards."
 
 

"That's almost right Armand." said Lestat. "Almost."
 
 

Chapter 12.
 
 

David:-
 
 

"Do you remember now what happened after that?" I said to Lestat, and I watched him now pacing alongside Armand. At this rate they would wear a hole in the carpet.
 
 

I watched as Lestat brought his hand up to his forehead and began rubbing it vigorously. He spun around a couple of times as though he were looking for something, then brought both of his fists down against his thighs and banged them over and over. "I remember turning to Louis and setting him free." he said, his voice shaking with fear, anger, I wasn't sure. "Then.....then I turned to Memnoch, I faced my most feared adversary and told him where to go."
 
 

"And where was that Lestat?" questioned Armand
 
 

"Back to Hell of course."
 
 

"Did he leave Lestat, did he take the vampire spirits with him?' I asked him, feeling like pacing myself now, only there wasn't enough room.
 
 

"Merde, David, I don't know, the last bit is so confused. He must have still had enough power over me to scramble my thoughts. Oh fuck, I just can't remember. After I had faced him my next memory is of seeing Daniel by the entrance to the little mud cave."
 
 

"Shit!' I swore now, and they all looked at me a little surprised.
 
 

Marius stood up then and began to pace as well, it really was getting very hectic in here, so I went over to the double french doors leading outside, wanting fresh air, and a little peace to try and gather my thoughts. The sky was clear, all the thunder clouds from earlier had disappeared. There was a light breeze wafting the perfume of the hibiscus through the air. *Louis, Louis, where are you?* I mused to myself. I had the distinct impression that he was still alive. I couldn't read his thoughts, but I could feel him, sense him some how. I sat down on the wrought iron and wooden bench, and let my head loll back so that I could see the stars in all their glory. Such a beautiful evening, so calm, so far away from mayhem and distrust, from pain and suffering. I could hear them talking inside, I could just make out a few words, but I chose not to listen. I wanted to think.
 
 

Over the soft humming sound of the cicadas I detected another noise. Like a murmur, a ragged breath, and wondered if there was some small furry animal scurrying about in the tree behind me. I strained my ears to listen, but it wasn't an animal's sounds. It was coming from a dark corner of the garden that was overgrown with weeds. I walked slowly over there, curious now, and stopped suddenly in my tracks when I saw who was there.
 
 

I bent down, my heart was thudding so furiously that it felt like it was about to leap out of my throat. His hair was tangled and dusty, his clothes were filthy and in shreds, his eyes were closed and there were scars all over his body, but he was breathing. I gently lifted him into my arms and slowly walked back into the house. All eyes turned to me and they let out a collective sigh. Daniel's face lit up, Armand, grabbed Marius on the arm and squeezed tightly, and Lestat just stood there, relief washing over him like a summer shower then he rushed over to me.
 
 

"Louis." he crooned, and he took him from me, laid him down on the couch and knelt down beside him. He brushed the tangled hair from his face and kissed him over and over, little butterfly kisses to his eyelids, his cheeks and his lips. He was weeping again, the tears were coursing down his cheeks and his whole body was wracked with deep sobs.
 
 

Daniel came over to me and kissed me, then put his arms around me and hugged me tightly. "Oh David, what a wonderful gift you have found in the garden." then he kissed me again, this time on the mouth. I heard a slight *ahem* in the background and looked up to see Armand glaring at us. "Oh boss, am I neglecting you?" Daniel said sarcastically to his maker and went over to him and planted a sloppy kiss on his lips.
 
 

I knelt down beside Lestat and put my arms around him. "I'm so glad Lestat, I am so glad." He turned to me and whispered. "So am I."
 
 

Chapter 13.
 
 

The three of us finally returned to our flat on the Rue Royale, and settled back into as close a normal life as possible. It turns out that Louis had never lost his memory, it was just that they were far too terrible to convey to anyone. He had held them inside the whole time. How he must have suffered, thinking that Lestat hated him so much that he wanted to hurt him like he did. It took a fair amount of convincing on both of our parts to make him believe that Lestat had no control over what happened.
 
 

Louis it seemed had fled when Lestat freed him, but had hidden away, afraid to set foot out of his hidey hole. He had managed to snare a few drunks and drug addicts into his lair and had fed from them, the desperate drinking from the desperate, but it seemed as though he would never heal. He considered going into the fire again, and was just beginning to build up the courage to do so when he began to feel a strange desire to return to Armand's place. He could not explain to us what he had felt, but he said it was almost as if he could read Lestat's thoughts. He could feel his love for him, his need, and he eventually found his way into the garden. Lestat was nearby, he could tell, he was just resting, trying to find the strength to go inside and face him.
 
 

When he discovered how hard Lestat had fought the demons to save him he was overwhelmed with love for his maker. It was wonderful to see them so much in love again, they never said a nasty word to each other, and Lestat followed Louis around like a puppy. His steel grey eyes would soften and turn sky blue when he saw Louis enter the room, and Louis would fling his arms around him and together they would cuddle on the couch for hours. They even hunted together, although I think that was more for Lestat's sake than Louis's. Lestat would not let him out of his sight for more than a couple of seconds.
 
 

I was beginning to feel like an interloper and spent most of my evenings away from the flat. They were happy, and seemed almost content. They were even bickering again which meant that they were healing. I returned after hunting one evening to find them on the floor by a roaring fire. They were kissing passionately and were caressing each other's naked bodies so fervently that they didn't notice me at first. I tried to sneak past them to my room but I accidently trod on a piece of shed clothing and slipped, crashing to the floor and spoiling their peace. Two eyes stared at me as I tried in vein to cover up my embarassment.
 
 

"I'm sorry, please forgive me, I will be out of your way in a minute." I said to them hurriedly and headed for the bedroom. I shut the door behind me and let out a sigh. I could hear them giggling. I was jealous of them. So jealous and so alone that it was almost unbearable. I almost decided then that I would leave and find lodgings somewhere else.
 
 

I undressed quickly and put on a robe, I was going to spend the rest of the evening ensconsed in a book and try very hard not to listen to the sounds of their love making from the adjoining room. I was just about to settle in when I heard a soft tapping at the door. It was Louis and he had a jumper wrapped around his bottom half and the only other thing he was wearing was a rather sheepish smile.
 
 

"Louis, what's the matter, can I get something for you?" I asked him politely.
 
 

"Yeah Dave baby, get your butt out here." said Lestat, who was standing behind Louis and wearing nothing at all.
 
 

"What did you say Lestat, what do you want me for?"
 
 

"Geeze he has to ask Louis, what are we going to do with him?" Lestat laughed and grabbed me on the arm and pulled me into the living room.
 
 

"Lestat, please, what's going on?"
 
 

"Oh shut up David." he giggled and proceeded to kiss me deeply on the mouth, opening up my robe and revealing my nakedness to the world. Well to the two of them any way. I tried to pull it back around my body but he pulled it off of me completely and down onto the floor with him. "Don't just stand there Louis, come on down."
 
 

Lestat was devouring me with his mouth, which was by now between my legs, and Louis was devouring my mouth with his. Oh God!!! I was shuddering and shaking and wanting this so much that I thought I would scream. Lestat had taken the whole of my organ into his hot mouth and was sucking and licking and nipping. I was thrusting into his throat, unable to control myself any longer. My inhibitions had disappeared along with my robe. Louis's tongue was in my mouth then he moved up my body and placed his cock in where his tongue had been a few seconds earlier. Oh the taste of him. I could read Louis's thoughts and he was giggling like a school girl, thrusting and writhing and moaning and then he came in a huge burst. His tongue was back in my mouth again licking my lips clean.
 
 

Lestat grabbed me and turned me over, with Louis underneath me. This was going to be a very interesting joining. Louis spread his legs wide and brought them up so that I could enter him freely, he let out a short guttural cry as I did, and I devoured his lips in mine, loving the feel of being inside of him. We moved together faster and faster. Suddenly I felt Lesat behind me kneading my buttocks then licking my centre of passion. I almost exploded with desire when I felt him enter me, strong and hard and deep.
 
 

The three of us were joined together in a way that I never thought possible. then I felt a sharp nip as Lestat's fangs went into my neck. If I thought that I was in ectasy before, then I was wrong. Nothing could compare to this feeling. I could see flashes of light before my eyes and could hear a pounding in my ears like the crashing of waves in a storm. Louis brought his wrist up to my lips, although how he had the strength to do this I will never know, and I tasted my brother's essence for the first time.
 
 

We writhed in each other's arms for ever, or so it seemed. Eventually we released each other, and we lay beside each other trembling and breathing hard. Oh if only life could be like this always. I was just dozing off when I heard a giggle from someone by the door. "Shut up Daniel." it was Armand's voice and I could see now that he was poking his fledgling in the ribs.
 
 

Lestat sat up, and looked at them. "Well what can we do for you.?" he said.
 
 

"Well we just thought you would all like a game of strip chess." giggled Daniel again. "But it looks like we are too late."