Posted by Beverley on June 30, 1998 

WHEN DEMONS WEEP
(A sequel to Learn to Say Goodbye)

Disclaimer: This is a work of amateur, non-profit fiction and is not meant
to infringe on the copyrights of Anne Rice or her publishers. The
characters belong to Anne Rice, except for Dominic, he's mine, although
Lestat insists otherwise. And no copyright infringements are intended towards
'London After Midnight' or their record company, I just borrowed your words
guys as they were perfect!


Warning: Somewhere in here is full m/m vampire sex, quit now if you are
faint hearted. Spoilers, probably to all the Chronicles.

Prologue
New Orleans 2022

It has been a while since we talked, but you know me always busy, places to
go, people to seduce.
This time it is a little bit different. I want to tell you about the events
that occurred that very nearly finished me completely. Did you laugh? The
Brat Prince, giving it all away, surely I jest?
No, I don't.
The decisions I had to make tore me apart. I think I may be a little
stronger for it and definitely more sorrowful. Time heals a broken heart;
I'll take a raincheck on that one.
Do you remember the tale my Louis told of his going to ground and then his
return to New Orleans? Of course you do, how could you forget his story of
heartbreak and anguish. Oh Louis, you spin the words of pain so well, but
then you always could.

Shall I start when I scrambled up over the balcony; weak and starving after
hearing Louis' words to me as I lay motionless underground? What did I
find, but my long lost love in the arms of my David, dark brothers in sin.
Incest is a dirty word.
I do not care to start with that, too many painful thoughts, and I am
ashamed to tell you what I did with the first mortal that crossed my path.

I will start a few weeks later. I was once more my beautiful self after
feeding constantly on anything that crossed my path. The blood dulled the
pain; it is a good vampire substitute for alcohol.
I had already decided to leave Louis with David. After so many years all we
had to offer each other was hurt, maybe David could live with Louis' mood
swings.
It had taken a while to adapt to this new millennia. The Quarter seemed
much unchanged but there was an uneasiness about the mortals I do not
recall before, as though now finally in the next century, what happened
next? They had been there, done everything. Fear was a scent that hung
around the old street lamps.
Prowling around after dark, I had noticed also that there were many new
vampires. Creatures made in the last gasp of the old century, they made me
shudder. The vibes I picked from them warned of unrest, of one who was
hated and feared, one who wanted revenge.
Not since the days of Akasha had I felt so uneasy.
On this particular evening I rose early, dressed casually and left my flat
on Decatur about 9pm. My steps led me to the St. Louis cathedral and this
time I went inside. How many times had I passed it by, merely glancing at
the heavy doors that protected the entrance? However, this was fate.
At first glance the cathedral was empty but my keen senses soon picked up a
presence, a mortal, no, a vampire! I shook my head, Lestat it can't be
both, pull yourself together.
Searching curiously I found the object of my confusion. He was kneeling
behind the front pew on the right hand side of the altar, as if in prayer.
He wasn't in prayer but in pain, I sensed it as it throbbed from him. I
could almost taste it.
Purposefully I made a noise and he slowly raised his head. His white blond
hair slipped from over his face and he looked me right in the eye, and what
beautiful eyes he had, a very light green, I had always been a sucker for
green eyes.
A man-child, ghost like in his pale beauty, he reminded me somewhat of
Armand, caught in that time warp between child and adulthood.
"Come to finish what they started?" he hissed through clenched teeth. He
was no threat to me I realised.
I bent down and studied him closely. I could smell mortal blood, but also
the vampire spirit ran through his veins. In all my immortal years I had
never come across this phenomena. Whoever had done this to him had drunk
from him before bungling the attempt and infusing him with a little of the
vampire spirit. Essentially he was human with a vampires' cravings, and in
such tortured pain. The vampire in him cried out for blood but his human
side would not stomach it, he would die an agonising death if left like
this.
A wave of pain made him double up and he reached for my hand. He had
beautiful fingers like a pianist.
"End it for me, please!" he begged, "They said they would come back and
hang me from that alter," he winced, "if I didn't go along with their
plan."
My curiosity came to life.
"What plan?" I coaxed, stroking his fingers.
"Kill me now!" he gasped as another shudder ran through him.
"I will when you tell me what they wanted you to do."
Pausing for breath, he grabbed my arm.
"He wants to take over the whole city, cleanse it of the old breed, as he
calls them, the one's who have hunted here for centuries. He wanted me to
get close to one of them, before they did this," he gestured in disgust at
himself. "He said I had to find Daniel and befriend him."
"Daniel!" I shouted.
Keep calm Lestat; there is more than one Daniel in New Orleans. But I knew,
instinctively, that it was my Daniel. An icy feeling ran through me, the
first hint of the danger we were later in.

The Vampire Wars had begun.

What I did then the others later condemned me for.
'Don't you ever think before you act?'
I stood accused, guilty in their eyes. The prisoner is innocent until
proven guilty, but no one could ever call me innocent.
But back to my tale....

I made my decision in the blink of an eye, he was very weak and I needed
his knowledge. A shudder of sins past went through me, I pushed Claudia to
the back of my mind.
I dragged him towards me, he was like a rag doll, the pain had taken its
toll on his strength. I lifted up his face with one hand so he could see me
clearly.
"I am The Vampire Lestat," I told him softly, "I presume you've heard of
me."
The information didn't seem to sink in straight away; he looked at me his
eyes hazy with pain.
"Lestat.... they told me you had come to the surface... but no-one believed the
rumours."
A whimper from him then, I entered his mind and scanned his thoughts. They
had tortured him, broken down his spirit before leaving him to die
horribly. I made a mental note that they would pay dearly for this.
Then his plea.
"Make me yours, Lestat... your coven is in great danger."
Even in pain his voice was softly coaxing with an inner strength. He
offered me his wrist. I could see the vein throbbing with life, the blood
so close under the paper thin skin.
To hell with the laws of no new vampires, I needed this one.
I sank my fangs hard into his flesh, feeling his gasp as I drew out his
blood quickly. Then I felt his hand tangle in my hair as he pulled me
closer. Like lovers we knelt wrapped in each other's arms, until I felt his
heart slow.
I watched the faces of the saints, in the stained glass windows, as he
drifted towards death. A lazy smile played on my lips, this soul was mine.
Holding him like a baby, I hesitated.
Helpless he lay in my arms, his head had fallen to one side and I marvelled
at the softness of his skin over his cheekbones. I ran my lips over the
downy hair that grew there.
Didn't I always choose my fledglings for their looks and this one was no
exception. Even in his human form he was a pale beauty, his hair a few
shades lighter than mine, a little longer than collar length and very fine
like Danny's. Skin as pale as a ghost and those eyes, yes he would make a
stunning vampire.
With my nails I gouged a gash in my neck and pulled him towards me.
"Drink, my child. The Dark Gift will serve you well for you will crave
revenge." The vampire side of him locked itself to me instantly and I
waited while he drank his fill. I made him stop once, for he was going too
quickly. My blood ran from the corner of his mouth and I wiped it away with
the tips of my fingers.
Then it was done.
I had given him all he could take and now I watched as the myth became
reality. The death was coming quickly, and as the translucent aura of that
stage between death and immortality claimed him, I gathered him up in my
arms and took him home to my flat.

Once inside, I threw down the automatic switch that locked all the exits,
his words had made me wary. I longed to go to Royale and speak to the
others.
Did I not mention their cosy little coven? Louis and David now had Armand,
Daniel and Marius living under the same roof, all very friendly.
He crouched on the floor as the death took him, but no sound came from his
lips. I went to the bathroom and filled the bath, he would need to cleanse
himself of all his human waste. I felt a flicker of annoyance, I had made
him against all the laws, Marius would roar his disgust at me again.
He was quiet now, breathing heavily, his arms around his knees, his head
bowed. I knelt beside him, putting my hand on his shoulders. "Come with me,
let's get you cleaned up."
Standing on the tiled floor he made no attempt to rid himself of his soiled
clothing; a look of shock graced his face. I peeled off his clothes and
dumped him in the water unceremoniously.
"Want me to stay?" I offered.
He gave me a half smile that I took as a yes.
"My throat feels weird," he said quietly.
"That's the start of the blood thirst in you." I answered. "Soon all your
thoughts will turn to satisfying your hunger."
"I can hear the water forming on the tiles above," he said, in wonder.
I grinned at him. "Fledglings, you're all the same." I noticed that his
eyes had taken on a shade of gold, dappled with the green, and I tried not
to stare. "What's your name, boy?"
"Dominic, but my friends call me Nikki," he answered quietly.
"I think I'll go with your full name," I told him, turning my head away so
he would not see the flash of pain in my eyes at the mention of that name.
"Let's get you cleaned up. You need to feed and then you and I have some
serious discussing to do."
I left him for a few minutes whilst I quickly obtained some clothes from a
nearby apartment, when I returned he was sitting naked on the bathroom
floor examining the mosaic tiles, running his fingers over their glassy
surface.
"They are so beautiful, look how they catch the light," he told me.
Memories of Louis and how he had loved the buttons on my frock coat came
flooding back, but I pushed them away.
"Get dressed," I told him, my mind working overtime as I tried to
rationalise my thoughts. I had to find out who posed a danger to my
friends.
The clothes were a little too large for him but it didn't seem to matter to
him as he fastened the belt on his jeans. No one would guess that this
innocent looking boy would be a killer before the sun rose again.
"How old are you?" I found myself asking the question that burned in my
head.
"You could say you gave me the ultimate present," he grinned, running his
fingers in surprise over his newly formed fangs, "my birthday is today, I'm
fifteen."
Younger than I had thought, younger then Armand had been, let's just hope
living in this age had given him enough wisdom to survive immortality.
"I didn't thank you, did I?"
He turned to me and without hesitation he buried his head in my chest and
embraced me tightly. Slightly taken aback at this show of affection I
gingerly brought his face up so he could see me.
"I won't lie to you and say there wasn't a selfish reason for giving you
this gift. I need your information to help my friends."
He smiled up at me, a childlike, open smile, full of hope. "I know what you
did, but I would have died without you."
He frowned then and a look of malice suffocated the child in him, "I'm
hungry, show me how to feed."


A lone street artist trudging wearily home became his first victim. I
pinned the unfortunate man up against the wall on Pirates Alley and severed
his vocal cord so he would not scream. Then holding his struggling body
still I beckoned for Dominic to come closer.
His eyes were wide as he bent down and bit tentatively into the flesh of
the man's throat. The wound was messy but the blood was dark and rich and
as soon as his tongue tasted that sweet elixir he locked himself to the
wound in a wild frenzy. I stroked his hair holding it back as he noisily
satisfied his thirst.
I made him stop before the heart ceased. He reminded me of a child who had
just been told not to eat any more ice-cream, the expression on his face
was almost a pout.
The man's lifeless body fell onto the cobbled path. Dominic looked at me,
his eyes glowing golden in the dark of the night.
"Is this what I have to do in order to survive?"
I nodded in answer to his question, how Louis had been appalled when this
realisation had hit him.
Dominic shrugged his shoulders, "Okay, I can deal with that, will you show
me how to do it properly. If I am to be a killer I want to do it right."
His simple words brought a smile to my face, Lestat, the teacher, now that
was a new one.
My new fledgling was certainly different to the others. In the few short
hours I had spent with him I had seen the child still within him and the
killer I had encouraged, but this one wanted to learn, he wasn't afraid to
ask questions and he needed me. It had been a long time since someone had
needed me.
The body I disposed of in my usual fashion, but I am not going to tell you
how. A vampire has to have some secrets.
Passing Jackson Square he suddenly took me by the arm and ran to the
railings. "Let's go in," Dominic said, a look of pure devilment on his
face. His mood intoxicated me and we scrambled over the railings like a
couple of schoolboys. The air seemed calmer within as we sat by the
fountain. Dominic cupped his hand and let the water run through his
fingers, he looked very pensive.
It was a cloudy night, the air cool for the time of year. A breeze brushed
through the gardens, caressing the slender trees and gently lifting
Dominic's hair. A ghost of a vampire this one, such colourless beauty in
the shell of a child.
"I think it's time you told me what you know." I said gently.
"Not here, I want to feel safe when I tell you my story." He didn't look at
me as he said it.
"No harm can come to you here," I coaxed, "you're with me remember?" I
tossed a pebble into the water and watched it sink.
"I want to be in your arms when I tell you, in your bed."
I looked at him in shock.
"No, not like that!" He grinned at me. "It's funny but I don't think of you
like that. You are my teacher, my provider, I just want to be close to you
when I tell you."
I threw my head back and laughed, revelling in the feel of the water spray
on my face. I put my arm through his, "Dominic, tonight you have made me
smile, you don't know how good that feels. If you ride the night we me, I
promise to answer all your questions."
We walked like this the short distance home. I was, for the first time
since I had come to the surface, contented. In this boy I had found
something I had never had, a son.

The lights were dimmed in my bedroom, soothing this half light, it didn't
really matter to a vampire but we still cling to some mortal habits. I
waited for him to join me in my bed.
Very strange this, the only time I had company between the sheets was for
pure bloodlust, or sex, although that hadn't happened in a long while,
maybe I was getting old, perish the thought.
Closing my eyes I waited. Then the sound of his feet padding across the
floor, time would grace him with silence.
I let him settle himself in my arms, his skin felt so comforting against
mine and was still warm from the kill. He laid his head on my chest and
sighed.
"So it begins," he said quietly.
"What begins?"
"The Vampire Wars," he stated. "He told me that you would either kill me or
make me yours. He said if you gave me the Dark Gift, the war would begin,
you see Lestat, I was the bait for you."
I was stunned. Who ever this rogue vampire was he knew me well enough to
know I would kill or give life to this child, he knew I would go to the
cathedral. Maybe he had even willed me to do it. I tried hard to remember
exactly why I had gone inside tonight.
"He gave me the choice," Dominic said bitterly. "To risk a confrontation
with you, or become his. I couldn't do that, even though his power over the
others is strong." His voice wavered a little. Such courage from my
spectral child.
"There are others that side with him?" I asked.
"Yes. He has built himself a little coven of the worst of the filth that
lives here, the drug pushers, pimps, and extortionists. There are thirteen
of them, all loyal to his vile ways. Their vices have all been heightened
by the Dark Gift," Dominic shuddered, "he promised them that when he gets
rid of the old breed, your coven, they will have the run of the city. He
talks about you with such hate in his voice, he wants revenge, Lestat."
I tapped my finger against my mouth in contemplation.
"I'm scared," Dominic said.
I squeezed him gently and kissed the top of his head. "Don't be, I'm here,
he won't hurt you again whilst I'm still breathing." I felt a rush of
protective love for my new fledgling.
"Are you angry at me for not telling you the whole truth?" His voice was
calm.
"If you had told me in the cathedral I would have killed you there. I have
a certain reputation for acting on impulse, anger at his scheming would
have prompted me to finish you there." I shook my head in disbelief at the
unfolding scenario.
Round one to you, whoever you are.


I awoke the next evening to the sound of heavy rain battering against the
windows and making the shutters dance on their hinges. Dominic was snuggled
in beside me, his arm over my chest. I watched his shallow breathing,
marvelling at the velvet texture of his skin and the way his lips curled up
at the edges in a smile, even in sleep.
Carefully I managed to arise without disturbing him. After a quick shower I
dressed in a dark linen suit, tied my hair back with a clasp and went to
wake him. He was already standing by the window, watching the rain slither
down the glass.
"Good evening," I grinned, "I trust you slept well."
"Like the dead," he quipped, his eyes shining, "when's dinner, I'm
starving?"
I rolled my eyes in mock anger. "Have you no shame?"
"Shame is for those with a conscience. I left mine in the cathedral." I
noticed the lack of emotion on his face.
I didn't answer him as he dressed, I just reflected on his words. Is that
what makes a vampire good at his art, a lack of conscience?
Such words of wisdom from one so young.

The rain had ceased by the time we hurried through the Quarter, to the bar
by the old jazz club. Dominic had told me this was a favourite haunt of my
adversary, a place frequented by mortals and vampires.
The air inside was heavy with smoke; I adjusted my vision as we tried to
enter without arousing suspicion.
The bar was full of students from the local college, drinking and smoking,
shrieking their way to a bad hangover.
All manner of seething youth here, the girls with harsh make up, their hair
wild and dyed most colours of the rainbow. Their outfits, worn to tease,
showed tender flesh; my mouth began to water.
The boys were of a similar ilk, most of them made up to look like the
un-dead; dark lipstick and lined eyes. Very much the peacocks some of them,
dressed in fine lace shirts and velvet coats, they would not have been out
of place in my mortal days. A pretty girl, obviously underage, grabbed my
arm to steady herself as we pushed our way to the rear of the building.
She giggled and whispered noisily to her friend, "he's cute, pity he's a
bit old for me."
If only she knew I smiled to myself.
We found a fairly secluded corner and ordered drinks from the waitress.
Dominic made a fatal error of attempting to drink his when it arrived. Only
my sharp slap on his back prevented him from almost choking himself.
"Old habits are hard to break," I grinned, loving his mistake.
I scanned the bar for signs of any immortals. Nothing yet, but it was
early. I had decided earlier to try to see my opponent first before I went
to the town house. I could just see Marius' face if I told him what I knew
without facing the threat first.
Suddenly Dominic's face froze. "Vampires," he hissed.
I turned swiftly and my heart nearly stopped.
Louis and Daniel.
Immediately I sent a message to Daniel. He picked up on it and whispering
to Louis, they made their way across to us.
I linked my arm through Dominic's and reassured him with a quick smile.
"You are about to meet my lover and Armand's only child," I told him, an
edge of bitterness evident in my voice. He moved in closer to me, a shadow
at my side.
"Lestat!" A warm greeting and embrace from Danny. He looked Dominic up and
down, then threw me a questioning look.
"This is Dominic, he's mine," I said firmly, as a way of introduction.
I saw the look on Louis' face when he heard this, pure shock, and then the
mask of hiding his feelings completely, fell into place.
"Louis.." I spoke his name with a great effort, this was the first time he
had been close to me for nearly 30 years and the words were catching in my
throat.
Danny realised we needed to be alone. He touched Dominic on the arm and
motioned with his head towards the other side of the bar. Dominic looked to
me for approval, and I nodded. They melted into the crowd, so alike these
two pale beauties they could have been brothers.
Louis hooked his fingers through the loops of his jeans and waited for me
to speak.
"I haven't time to explain everything here but we are all in danger. I must
speak to you all, will you tell Marius, David and Armand, that Dominic and
I will come to Royale tomorrow evening and tell you what we know?"
Typical of me, ignore the words you need to say and pretend they are not
important. Did it matter that the last time I had seen him he was in
David's bed.. that I had sent him away in the last century and nearly
caused his death? This one possessed my damned soul...one word of peace from
him and I would be ecstatic.
Louis' eyes searched my face, his gaze unnerved me, those laser beam eyes
stripping away my defences.
"Marius has told us of a presence he finds disturbing, we are all on our
guard when we hunt."
Louis pushed his hair back with one hand, a gesture of his that he had
carried with him from his mortal days; I found it extremely arousing.
The silence between us was deafening, two feet of space that may as well
have been an ocean. I wanted to tell him how I had felt to find him
sleeping beside David, but I didn't trust myself enough to speak the words
without it sounding like an accusation.
He lowered his head and crushed a can under his foot, grinding it into the
floor.
"If I caused you pain believe me it was not intentional. David was there
for me and you were not. We have a relationship based on trust, he doesn't
try to rule me."
This cut me like a razor blade. His words did not mean to hurt but they
made me flinch.
"So it's over then, me and you?" I laughed to hide the pain.
"It was over before it began, Lestat. You used all the wrong reasons to
keep me with you. All I ever wanted was your love and the truth. I never
really knew you loved me, and you based our life on lies."
The can lay mangled on the ground, just like our relationship.
Louis turned to leave; Danny was waiting for him by the door.
"I do still care for you, Lestat, I think I always will, but David deserves
me more, he never tramples on my feelings like you did." His face was a
picture of sorrow but he meant every word.
Gracefully as a cat he moved through the crowd, the door opened and I saw
the smoke from the bar twist its way into the night.

Dominic put his hand lightly on my shoulder.
"Can I help, Lestat?" The concerned look on his face touched me deeply.
"Don't worry about me," I tried hard to smile, "I've just been dumped, it's
not a pleasant feeling after over 200 years."


He followed me outside and the dull ache inside me churned to anger. Taking
Dominic's hand we made our way in silence, to the riverside. Deathly black
it was here and quiet, apart from the sound of revelry from the casino
boats moored upstream. I leaned on the metal railing and clenched it
tightly. The fury inside me boiled through my veins.
"Why do you still love him?"
A simple question from my child, and one I could not answer.
"Danny told me some of what you both have gone through." I saw him shrug
his shoulders, "I read Louis' mind when he was talking to you, at one point
he was thinking of how your lips tasted after a kill, and then he goes and
leaves you, it doesn't make much sense to me."
I laughed, "My Dominic, you're using your powers well for one so young." I
was amazed that he could read minds so quickly after his re-birth.
Suddenly I detected a human presence approaching, and we stepped back into
the shadows. A policeman on his way to a drunken disturbance on one of the
casino boats. An innocent man, but tonight I didn't care. Louis' words had
wounded my pride and left my heart bruised.
With one swift motion I had the man pinned to the ground, I heard his spine
splinter with the force I had used.
Dominic was right beside me, the saliva shining on his lips as his hunger
burst through. He grabbed the victim's wrist, tearing into the flesh
roughly with his fangs. The blood splattered on his face before his mouth
fastened on the gash. He moaned as the sweetness flooded his mouth, then he
rubbed his body frenetically up against the mans' twitching frame.
The blood is the erotic high for any vampire. Dominic had not yet learned
to separate his bloodlust. The animal movement of his body intoxicated me.
I let the feeling wash through my veins, as all my vampire emotions
exploded in my head.
The man's face was rigid with shock, I watched his eyes roll up in his head
as Dominic drew on his vein. I bared my fangs at him and then I did
something that I am not at all proud of.
I tore open his shirt and using my fingers as surgical instruments of
torture, I ripped into his chest, pulling and writhing at the huge wound
until I reached his heart. It was still beating slowly as I wrenched the
bloody organ from his body. I held it up to the half moon like an offering,
the blood running down my arm, then I squeezed it into my mouth.
The shock on Dominic's face strangely aroused me; I pulled him towards me
and kissed him, smearing his face with the blood. His eyes shone in the
darkness, the green in them almost hidden behind the golden glow. I held
the heart to his lips and he suckled on it like an infant.
I rocked him as he fed and the anger seeped out of me leaving a feeling of
emptiness. The body sickened me as it lay oozing its life force onto the
ground. I tossed the mangled heart back towards the body and stepped back a
few paces. Gathering my powers silently, I held Dominic to me as I
incinerated the body in a flash of flame. The heat drove us back a few more
yards, the flames devouring their victim as mindlessly as we had done.
Only a few ashes remained as testimony to our carnage, the night wind
carried away this evidence. Another nail in my coffin of damnation.

As we made our way home Dominic suddenly stopped and grasped my arm.

"What's wrong?" I was afraid he had taken too much blood for a fledgling
vampire, my heart began to race.
"He spoke to me, Lestat, I heard his voice!"
"What did he say?" I asked, somehow keeping my voice calm.
"Suffer the little children to come unto me.." Dominic looked puzzled.
My heart quickened its pace again, were the sins of the past coming back to
haunt me?
Those were Claudia's words to me before she poisoned me with her
treacherous gift. So this vampire knew of Claudia, had he heard it from
someone else or was he prowling these streets centuries ago?


I bolted the door behind me with some relief. I felt irritated from not
being in control and my concern was for Dominic. He was not safe to hunt
alone, that I was sure of. I made a silent vow to rid my territory of this
menace. How dare he invade my space and threaten my coven!
Dominic was very nearly asleep on the bed. He was fighting to keep his eyes
open, dried blood streaks on his face from the kill. I pulled the covers
over him, tenderly planting a kiss on his forehead. His eyes flickered in
response, then he rolled onto his side and was instantly asleep.
I walked to the window, the blinds were tightly shut against the morning
but the sun had not yet risen. Quietly I slipped outside onto the balcony,
dawn was but a few moments away but I clung to this night, praying that
whatever was out there had to be nocturnal in its habits. I surveyed my
beloved city, how she had changed over the centuries, but still the
decaying magic of the Quarter brought me back here.
I would not give her up without a damned good fight.

The following evening I awoke and quickly showered before Dominic arose.
Walking back into the bedroom, I towelled my hair dry, wondering whether I
should cut it short tonight for my meeting with the others. I decided not
to bother, Armand would no doubt come out with some words of contempt if I
did, I could just hear him say, 'why Lestat, trying to make us believe your
vanity has disappeared.'
I felt Dominic's eyes on me as I finished with the towel and tossed it on
the bed. Looking in the mirror, I watched his face as I combed my hair.
Without a trace of embarrassment he was drinking in all aspects of my body.
I
pulled a face at him, "Like what you see?" I asked him.
"You're beautiful," he said simply. "I can't believe I'm not attracted to
you sexually."
I continued to comb my hair. "Maybe it's a good thing. Look what happened
to Louis and I." My eyes stared back emptily at me from the mirror.
"Danny and Armand, what kind of relationship do they have?" Dominic chewed
his bottom lip thoughtfully.
I turned to face him, pointing the comb in his direction. "Do not get on
the wrong side of Armand," I warned him, then I realised why he had asked.
"It's Danny isn't it, you're attracted to Danny!"
"Only in a sexual way..," he laughed, "last night when I was with Danny, I
felt like....I wanted to belong to him, to feel his skin against mine ....to
taste his blood...are you shocked?"
I tried to keep my face straight, but my eyes danced with amusement. "Me,
shocked, that would be a first!"
Dominic came towards me and I took him by the hand. I stroked his slender
fingers again, they enchanted me.
"Be careful with Armand. You do not want him as an enemy, believe me I
know." Then I let his hand go. "Off with you, into that bathroom, we have
people to visit!"
He stopped at the bathroom door and smiled at me, I saw the warm glow in
his eyes.
"Don't forget to wash behind your ears," I teased him.
He stuck his tongue out at me in mock defiance, before he disappeared
inside. I felt my throat contract a little and I shook my head to stop the
tears forming. I was falling in love with my new fledgling and he wasn't
even trying.

Half an hour later we sped the few blocks to Royale, Dominic's hair still
damp from the shower.
"Don't be nervous," I reassured him, "they only bite when they're hungry."
My joke made him smile and he visibly relaxed a little.
I knocked on the door firmly, wondering why I was knocking as it was my
house. Marius opened the door.
"Lestat, how kind of you to come," his tone was serious but a spark of
laughter danced in his eyes. "And Dominic, welcome to our little family."
We entered the hallway, Dominic close by my side.
"Hurry up Lestat, it's cold out there." Armand's voice came from the
drawing room.
They were all waiting for us inside.
Armand sitting in the wing back chair by the fire, his dark eyes drinking
in all of Dominic's features as soon he laid eyes on him. He noticed the
look that Danny gave my fledgling, and his face darkened.
Danny was sitting by the window, shuffling a pack of cards, if he noticed
Armand's glare he did not let it register.
Louis was in the other chair; his hair was also damp. It made the slight
curl to his hair more evident, even more angelic if that was possible.
David stood behind him, serene and proud, like a tiger protecting his cub.
He nodded briefly at me as our eyes met.
Marius closed the door behind him and walking to the window, he scanned the
street. Satisfied by what he found he began to speak.
"Lestat has discovered what I hoped was not the truth. We have in our
midst, a rogue vampire, one that is hell bent on destroying us all. I have
not been able to discern the identity of this vampire. He cloaks himself
extremely well and surrounds himself with his protectors. Dominic here has
met him and was sent to Lestat, I believe?" Marius looked to Dominic for
conformation.
Dominic hesitated before he spoke, "I was sent as a sacrifice," he said
softly.
I interrupted. "He thought I would kill Dominic or take him as mine. Either
way Dominic would feed me with enough information to make me curious or to
make me concerned."
Armand laughed and shook his head, Marius gave him a disapproving glance.
"He knows about my past," I looked at Armand, whose face was now serious.
"He spoke into Dominic's mind, quoting words that Claudia once said to me."
Louis made a little sound of shock, David put his hand on Louis' shoulder
and I saw the way that Louis responded. I felt a little nauseous as I
stared into the flickering flames in the hearth.
Danny stood up and tossed his cards on the table.
"Care for a guided tour?" he asked Dominic, who accepted quickly. I think
the presence of so many immortals had been a little too much for him.
"Very pretty, but oh so young," Armand clicked his tongue at me after the
boys had left the room.
"I really didn't have a choice," I told him, angry that I had to explain my
actions.
Marius joined in, "We agreed that no more fledglings were to be made," he
chastised me.
I spun round, the heat of anger rising through me. "Alright then, maybe I
should have asked your permission! Next time I'll leave him to die whilst I
come and find you. Dominic was quite prepared for me to end his life if I
so wished it, he chose that over immortality from our rogue vampire, is
that good enough for your precious sensibilities!" My voice thundered
through the house.
Louis stood up, "If you will excuse me," he said softly, refusing to meet
my gaze. He went into the kitchen and closed the door.
Why the hell we still had a kitchen I don't know. I had made a joke years
ago with Louis, that maybe we should bring our victim's home and serve them
up on the kitchen table, at least the room would have a culinary use. Louis
had not been amused; I still found it funny.
David stopped me as I walked towards the closed door. He looked as if he
wanted to stop me physically.
"Don't worry David, I won't misbehave. Louis has made it patently clear
that he prefers your company. Call him a little gift from me. I did take
your life from you without consent, what else could I offer you but my
reason for living?" My words were cold and sarcastic, David did not deserve
them.
"I'm sorry you feel so bitter, Lestat," he answered softly. "I did not fall
in love with him to spite you. It's just that you were gone, we were both
very lonely. Louis isn't hard to fall in love with."
I did not trust myself to answer him.

. Louis was standing by the kitchen window staring out into the inky
blackness.
"How many years has it been, Louis, since we were last together in this
house?" I asked, trying to keep my voice sounding normal.
He folded his arms and without turning round said, " twenty nine, Lestat,
do you want to know the months and days as well?" His voice held a twist of
bitterness.
"You awoke me with your pleas, Louis! At first I thought I was dreaming but
then I knew you had returned. Have you any idea what you made me feel when
I saw you in bed with David?" I clenched my teeth in frustration, and the
words I had wanted to speak last night, poured out.
Turning to face me, his face calm and his eyes blazing he retorted, "Have
you any idea what you did to me forever running off to one of your little
schemes? One moment you could not get enough of me and the next you had
dropped me like a child's toy. To hell with it, Lestat, you never even told
me when you went into the desert to die! What did you think that did to
me?"
For a second I could not meet the fury in his eyes, I lowered mine, his
words had stung me to the core.
"You were the only one I ever needed." I told him softly.
"Really, Lestat? What about David? Didn't you make him to replace me? And
now, Dominic! He is little more than a child, you monster! The mistakes we
made with Claudia should have been enough." I don't think that I had ever
seen him so furious.
"So I take it you're happy with David then?" I thrust my hands into my
pockets for fear of hurting him. I was a whisker away from pinning him up
against the wall in anger and adoration. "I presume you are lovers."
A faint blush graced his skin; I tried not to notice.
"Yes, we are, he is very good to me."
I laughed, a hollow angry sound.
"Is he ever so gentle or does he fuck you hard?" The venom of the words
left a sour taste in my mouth and I wished I hadn't said them.
"I don't think that's any of your business," he hissed, his eyes blazing
emerald fire.

"Look me in the eye, Louis, and tell me you don't love me any more."
He held his arms tighter around his body, his classic 'don't try and come
any closer' move. I took two steps towards him, until we were almost
touching. I had to use every fibre of my self-control not to take him in my
arms.
"I don't need you anymore, Lestat," his voice sounded defeated.
"I said, look me in the eye and say that." My hands were trembling.
He raised his eyes to mine and for a few seconds we just searched the
emotions written on each other's faces.
"I love you, Louis, I always have and I always will." I laid my feelings
bare in the open, praying he wouldn't trample them into the dust.
Slowly he ran his hand across my chest, then upwards to where my skin
showed under my shirt. I stood like a statue, not daring to move lest my
timid deer ran for cover. He paused in the exploration with his fingers.
"I'm with David now, Lestat. I presumed you didn't want me anymore." I
could see his breathing coming faster, and he ran his tongue over his lips
to moisten them.
Gently I covered his hand with mine; I raised his hand to my mouth and
kissed each finger in turn, running my tongue between his fingers. Louis
tried to pull away, "I must go," he faltered.
"Not until I kiss you, my love. Just one kiss for all we have shared,
surely that is not too much to ask for?" I played my winning hand, all the
cards on the table and he was the prize.
A little sigh from him then that I took as a positive answer.
"Hell, Louis, you're doing it again," I whispered as I traced the line of
his lips with my finger.
"Doing what, Lestat?"
"Making me drown in your presence, you have the ability to turn this Prince
into a slave," I whispered as I bent to kiss him.
"Sweet lies.." They were the only words he uttered before our lips met. I
ran my tongue between his lips but he kept them closed. Then I took his
lower lip in my teeth and nibbled gently on it. I felt him melt slightly
against me as I ran my hands down his back.
"Kiss me.." I murmured into his mouth.
Slowly his lips parted and I pushed my tongue into his mouth tasting the
sweetness that dwelt there. A vision appeared in my head of David doing the
same thing and I angrily held it back.
He responded with his tongue and as our actions became more urgent I pushed
him back against the wall.
A click as the door opened, Louis heard it at the same time as me and he
tried to push me away.
An angry roar from David as he gazed at the spectacle before him. It must
have looked extremely suspicious, Louis' frightened face and my obviously
aroused state.
"Lestat, you bastard!"
Never had I seen David as out of control as this. In a split second he had
crossed the room knocking me away from Louis. He had the element of
surprise and his force took me by surprise. I removed his hand from my arm,
smoothing down the fabric on my shirt.
"It wasn't as bad as it looked, Louis was a consenting party."
I felt the blow from his hand on my jaw, the momentum of it knocking me off
balance. I tasted my own blood in my mouth as again he struck me hard. A
scream from Louis and I saw him move to try to stand in David's way. His
eyes were burning, my David the tiger, and protecting his lover from me,
the predator.
Noises from outside the door, they had heard Louis' scream too. Marius
stormed into the room, the expression on his face like thunder. He took in
the scene in one glance.
David looked suitably chastised as Marius gave him a disapproving look.
I wiped the blood from my mouth with my handkerchief. Louis had gone to
stand by David's side, and he wouldn't meet my gaze.
The sound of footsteps running down the stairs and Dominic's frightened
voice calling my name. He pushed past Marius, Danny close behind him.
Dominic's hair was damp, his eyes wild and from the look of his clothing I
was left in no doubt as to what had been happening upstairs.... my child had
been learning the art of vampire love with Danny.
Marius raised his voice gesticulating with his outstretched arms. "Is this
what we have become? A coven betrayed by our own emotions! We are supposed
to have rules, you all swore to abide by them," he glared at me, "we face a
threat we don't even understand yet, and we are fighting amongst ourselves,
what kind of an example is that to set for our fledglings?"
"Just remember, Marius, I didn't strike the first blow," I told him
bitterly. I stood up and made for the door.
"Are you coming, Dominic?" I held out my hand for him.
"Can I come home later?" he said timidly, anxious not to offend me.
I saw the look of anticipation in Danny's eyes.
I nodded, but every sense in me wanted to make him come home with me. My
wayward child would come home to me no longer innocent.
"Forgive me if I must leave now." I made a sweeping bow. "After tonight's
events I feel a little upset." I banged the door behind me, childish I know
but it made me feel better.
I stood outside and took a deep breath trying to calm my racing heart. The
night air was cool and soothing, I realised I was shaking. The door opened
behind me and I spun round angrily ready to retaliate when harsh words were
spoken. But it was Louis, silhouetted in the darkness.
"I'm sorry, Lestat. David should never have done that, he is very
contrite."
"It is of no consequence now, my love. Go back to him in case he fears I
will spirit you away," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. Again, I
wished I could retract my words.
"Don't make rifts between you and David, he obviously loves you very much."
I said, trying to repair the damage I had already done to their
relationship.
"Won't you come back inside?" A little plea from my dark angel.
"I don't think it would be appropriate," I smiled sadly.
"Do one thing for me, Louis? Make sure Dominic is safe, the dawn is not far
away."
He nodded, then quite spontaneously he blew me a kiss before he shut the
door.
I felt the kiss shower me. It warmed me as I made my way home with my hands
thrust deep inside my pockets and my head bowed against the stinging rain.

My apartment was cold and empty. I hadn't realised how Dominic's presence
had made it feel like a home. I switched on the TV and flicked through the
channels mindlessly.
"You really should be more careful with your security, Lestat, I just
walked through the door."
I spun round, a low growl forming in my throat.
"Come to gloat, Armand?" I tossed the question to him. Something in his
face made me stop. A look of sympathy?
I waved my hand in an impatient gesture.
"I'm sorry. Life is a little messy for me at the moment." To my horror I
felt tears well up behind my eyes.
Silently he came towards me, so at ease with his vampire state not even the
air moved around him.
"Dominic is fine. I checked on him, he is still with Danny, they are
becoming very well acquainted. Your new child is very bewitching." I saw a
cold smile flit across his lips and then it was gone.
"Have you come to tell me how wicked I am to have made one so young again?"
Suddenly I was tired of all the fighting and denials.
He shrugged his shoulders. "I gave up long ago trying to tell you what was
right or wrong. You never listened anyway." Simple, but so true.
"Do you want me to go?" he asked, "I was worried about you, your fight with
David was very bitter."
Glancing at the ceiling I raised my voice, "I presume everyone thinks it's
my fault..." I bit my lip to stop the tears.
Armand moved towards me and linked his arm through mine. I hesitated as he
pulled me to my feet and led me into the bedroom.
"Let me stay with you."
It wasn't a plea from him, just a statement.
He sat cross-legged on the bed, thoughtfully entwining his fingers
together. His hair fell over his face and I had an overwhelming desire to
run my fingers through his curls.
"This danger we are in, Lestat, it is very strong I can feel it. Sometimes
I scan the night and I can feel the pulse, throbbing in the night." He
sighed, "I don't think the young one's should hunt alone for a while."
I flung myself down on the bed.
"I am going to find out what this means, I hate not being in control."
He smiled. "You're a petulant Brat."
I was not in the mood for quips.
"Why are you here, Armand? Shouldn't you be with Danny? You can always try
and turn Dominic away from me, you had a damn good try with Louis."
"Sticks and stones, Lestat." His voice was very low, I glimpsed a flicker
of hurt in his dark velvet eyes.
"Will break my bones, yes? Just like throwing me from that tower! I needed
you then," I accused him.
"Don't let the bitterness cloud your reason, Lestat. The things you
mentioned are in the past. They are my mistakes, I have to learn to live
with them."
"I don't want to let him go, Armand."
I let the tears fall now, what did it matter?
Armand held out his arms to me and letting down my guard, I let him cradle
my head against his chest. He rocked me then as you would an infant,
stroking my hair in reassurance.
"Fledglings have a terrible way of repaying you, Lestat. The price of the
Dark Gift is not only silence but a cancer that forms in their hearts and
eats away their love for you."
I raised my head and saw the hollow pain on his face.
"We are two devils from the dark ages and so alive with the pain our
children cause us." The words fell from his lips like a mantra.
Slowly I reached out and pulled him down to me, there was no resistance.
His hair fell over my face and I whispered into it, "My sweet demon,
tonight we will have each other for truly we do not know how long eternity
will last."
His lips found mine and what I discovered there amazed me.
He was warm and I could almost taste the blood of his victim on his lips. I
probed into his mouth and he bit hard on my tongue, I gasped as he devoured
the resulting blood hungrily. He pushed me onto the bed and straddled me;
my blood was smeared on his face.
I was not sure if I enjoyed him having this position of power and he read
this on my face. Leaning down, he smoothed the hair from my face, fanning
it out on the pillow. Then he put both his hands on my hair, pinning me to
the bed.
I grinned at him, "This makes me feel like Samson," I laughed out loud.
"It's so good to hear you laugh again, Lestat. When you went to ground last
time I thought that I would never see you again." He licked the remnants of
blood from his lips.
"I didn't think you would care," I challenged him.
"I understand about pain, Lestat, I know loneliness and despair, I see it
reflected in the mirror every night, that same expression you carry with
you now. Let me help you heal it, just for tonight. I know exactly what
Danny is doing with Dominic, that hurts me too, but Danny wants to control
at the moment and it is crumbling the foundation of our relationship. I
love him and I have to let him do as he wants, otherwise he may never come
back to me."
"That's what I didn't let Louis do," I realised with a shock, "I always
wanted him to do what pleased me and I drove him away with it. When I sent
him away I thought it was for his own good, but really it's what I
wanted.." The selfishness of my actions stunned me.
Armand smiled tenderly at me, he had made me see my centuries of failure.
"Want to be in control tonight?" he asked me, blowing a few stray wisps of
hair from my face.
Still reeling from the effect of his words I slowly shook my head.
He took hold of each of my hands and placed them behind me, curling my
fingers around the wood of the bed head.
"Whatever I do to you, promise me you won't let go." His voice enthralled
me with its softly seductive lilt.
"I might regret this, but I promise," I told him as my heart began to beat
a little faster.
He firmly unfastened the buttons on my shirt pushing the material to the
side so my chest was exposed to his advances. Bending down he delicately
ran his tongue over my stomach, little cat like licks that teased my skin.
His hair stroked my skin and he pushed it back impatiently with one hand.
With his fingers he massaged my skin, sometimes pressing with such force he
made me cry out in pain and then so softly like an artist's brush on
canvas.
I had to exert all my will power not to let go and make him mine
completely.
He moved down the bed and deftly unfastened my jeans pulling them from me
quickly. He sat between my legs and looked me up and down as if I was a
slave at an auction. I was fully aroused, my skin covered with a hint of
blood sweat and I wanted him so much my whole body was trembling.
"Perfection," he growled as he took me in his mouth, working me with his
tongue and teeth. I tensed against him, my muscles taut where I fought to
keep hold of my invisible bond.
Lifting his head he smiled wickedly at me as his hand continued the
assault. I was extremely wet and his expert friction made me cry out in
sexual torment.
"Pull your knees up," he ordered.
I obeyed him, willing him silently to take me quickly.
He spread my knees wider with his hands and lay between my legs, nibbling
the tender skin on the inside of my thighs as he advanced.
I closed my eyes and allowed the feelings of this moment to wash over me.
He was everything I had ever wished for.
Then I felt his wet tongue exploring, lapping at my balls, nuzzling into my
flesh.
"Armand!" I cried in arousement as his tongue entered me, probing,
flicking, driving me insane. I arched my body to him, giving him easier
access, wanting to give myself to his attentions completely.
I was vaguely aware he was unfastening his jeans, then he brought his head
up and in one sleek movement his body was on top of mine. Lighter than
Louis, my memory prompted me, but oh so beautiful. Taken into darkness with
the body of a nymph, slender limbs with the strength of a panther.
"Ready?" He breathed in my ear as I writhed in frustration beneath him.
"Take me..." I managed to gasp.
"Pardon, Lestat, was that a plea or an order?" The smile on his face was
genuinely wicked but not malicious.
"Make love to me, Armand," I said softly, all my inhibitions gone.
His expression changed. Gone was the teasing boy of a few moments ago, and
in its place a look of such sweet love it made me want to weep.
"Forget about everything apart from how I make you feel," he said and he
looked deep into my eyes as he entered me. He pulled my body to him,
holding me at a slight angle so his strokes impaled me fully.
A stab of pain coursed through me but I rode it as my hips rose to meet
his, I wrapped my legs around him to give him easier access to my body. The
blood sweat poured from his face and I pulled him to me and licked it from
his face.
I felt my climax building; I was flying on lust.
"Harder," I uttered, "hurt me!"
Then I came, my semen covering his stomach as he drove into me. The wetness
excited him further as our bodies slid perfectly together. I turned my head
so the main vein in my neck was prominent.
"Feed from me," I almost begged, so great was the void inside me, that had
to have his fangs in my flesh, to feel my blood flowing into his mouth, to
share my pain with one who understood so well. He needed no other
invitation. His fangs sliced into me and I was his completely.
I felt his mind trying to scan my thoughts. I hesitated before finally
dropping my shield and letting him in. All my emotions of hurt and anger
poured out for him to see, I heard him whisper, "You're mine, my love," and
then his body shuddered as the climax thundered from his body.
I let go of my prison and embraced him as the final waves of passion ebbed
from us. We were both soaked in blood sweat, his hair a few shades darker
as it clung to his face. He collapsed beside me still breathing heavily.
I sighed in contentment and raising myself up on one elbow, I studied his
face. His eyes were closed; his thick dark lashes a perfect contrast to his
ivory skin. I smoothed a stray curl from his forehead loving the way it
clung to my fingers. Louis' hair was so different, silky smooth it ran
through my fingers like water, if I remembered correctly.
How could I ever forget?
Armand smiled up at me, it lit up his face, how childlike he looked when no
worries graced his features.
"Thank you, Armand." I said seriously.
"My pleasure. I don't think we rushed into it, did we?"
I laughed. "Hardly. We've only known each other for a few hundred years, it
wasn't a spur of the moment fling."
I kissed him tenderly, not wanting to let him go but I knew he wanted to.
As he dressed, I realised that for a short time we had been truly happy, an
hour of ecstasy amongst an eternity of sorrow. Louis would have thought of
it like that, I pondered. Angry with myself I blocked the thought.
"Check on Dominic." I said as Armand turned to go.
"That's one reason I am returning. I want to make sure Daniel has left him
all in one piece," he laughed softly.
"Lestat, I...," he paused, "needed you." Then he was gone, a shadow in the
night.
He had used the past tense, I smiled to myself, but what could I say? Who
drew the fine line between need and want, love and lust?
We had been slaves to our own desires and that was enough for me in these
fragile times.

A week passed by in which I searched fruitlessly for my foe. He had either
disappeared or was hiding himself away extremely well. Dominic was asking
to hunt alone, his constant pleas were heart rending.
"I will never learn to hunt properly if you insist on baby sitting my every
meal!" A trace of anger had started to arise whenever this conversation
started.
This evening I was busy selling stocks and shares on the internet. My
dealer, who was in London, was getting nervous about my infrequent calls. I
waved my hand impatiently at Dominic.
"I've told you no, now go watch T.V. or something, I won't be long."
Actually I was over an hour. My connection was faulty, at this rate it
would be quicker to fly across and finish my transaction.
I logged off gratefully and called for Dominic. "Sorry my love, that took
longer than I thought, let's go, I'm hungry too!"
No answer from the other room.
Hell, he's sulking I thought, don't go all silent on me like Louis.
Gathering my patience I scanned the room. Nothing. I ran from room to room
although I already knew that he was gone.
"Damn you, Dominic!" I cursed him as I flew out into our regular hunting
grounds.
I frantically searched every inch of the Quarter but to no avail, and with
my heart pounding in fright I went to Royale.
David answered the door, calm and unflappable as always. I hadn't seen him
since our disagreement. One look at my face convinced him this was no time
for harsh words.
"David, have you seen Dominic?" I gasped, holding onto the door frame for
support.
"No, not this evening. You didn't let him out alone, did you?" David's face
was serious and accusing.
"I didn't let him out, he just went. I turned my back for a few moments and
then he was gone." That was not a very convincing lie and David read it in
my eyes.
"Come in, Lestat, I'll ask the others," David beckoned.
"No, I can't, I have to keep looking." I had that awful feeling in the pit
of my stomach that precedes a calamity.
Armand appeared behind David's shoulder, "Louis is out too, he has been
gone longer than his usual time."
Just what I didn't need to hear, my panic intensified.
David put his fingers to his mouth and retreated within himself, the worry
was plain to see.
"I'll come with you, Lestat," Armand spoke softly. "I can call to them
both."
David began to pace the floor, "I will contact Marius and Daniel, " he
said, "one of us needs to be here when they return."
I nodded in agreement.
David closed the door quietly, but I knew his emotions were almost
overwhelming him.
After three hours we had found nothing. Armand had used his considerable
powers of deduction, but to no avail. They had simply vanished from the
city.
Wearily I sat myself down at the side of the road, angry at myself for not
being more careful, annoyed with Dominic for going off alone and of my own
fear.
Armand suddenly froze.
He turned his head in the direction of the Garden District and I held my
breath as he concentrated on some vague pulse of energy that echoed in the
stillness.
"He's there, Lestat, waiting for us. I can hear his taunts. Come, it is
time."
Armand looked at me, his beautiful face as still as a statue. Only his eyes
belied his feelings. They burned with a liquid fire. He linked his arm
through mine and ran the back of his hand gently across my cheek.
"He has them both, Lestat."
I heard a scream of fury bounce from building to building, resonating
through the territory I claimed as my own. The scream was mine.

The Garden District was deserted. Only the wind caressing the rustling
leaves broke the silence. The grand old houses of this area loomed like
decaying monoliths in the night.
We walked in silence, each of us trying to pick up any sign of danger.
"He is near." Armand said as we entered the block from Prytania that housed
the Lafayette cemetery.
"How very appropriate," I growled. I had already decided that if he dared
to hurt my fledglings I would skin him alive, and I meant it literally.
We entered this place of the dead, two un-dead creatures stalking our prey.
Just who was the prey had yet to be decided.
The tombstones cried in the darkness, so beautifully monstrous in the touch
of the moonlight.
Armand stopped in his tracks, I heard his breathing quicken.

And then I saw him, my rogue vampire straddled across the top of a high
tomb that was crawling with wisteria. I felt my lips curl back on my fangs,
Armand held my arm.
"Good evening."
His voice was sarcastically friendly. He removed the top hat he was wearing
and his dark hair fell curling onto his shoulders. He was dressed in a dark
suit of clothes that blended him into the night. His midnight eyes, so dark
it was if I was staring into his very sockets; their anger pierced the
darkness. I felt a shiver run down my spine. I knew this vampire!
From long ago, in this part of the world, I knew him. Desperately I tried
to remember where I had seen him.
Gracefully he jumped from the tomb, throwing the walking cane he was
carrying into the air and catching it as his feet hit the ground without a
sound. He tapped the edge of the tomb. "Listen Lestat, do you hear the
whimpers from your children?"
It was all Armand could do to hold me back.
"How would they feel if they lost you, their maker, protector, lover?" He
emphasised the last word with his voice filled with venom.
"What the hell have I ever done to you?" I asked him, barely able to keep
my voice steady.
He spun round and jabbed the cane inches away from my face.
"Don't you remember me, Lestat? Tut tut, I meant so much to you once.." His
voice tailed off and he stuck the cane in the ground with a flourish.
"I will refresh your memory then." He paused and held out one hand, "can
you hear my voice in your head?"
I narrowed my eyes in hate. I wanted to tear him limb from limb.
"The reason you cannot hear me Lestat," his voice had taken on the tone of
someone speaking to the village idiot, "is because, you made me, Lestat!"
His voice rose. "You made me and then deserted me in one night, do you know
how that felt?" The maniacal tone of his voice made my skin crawl, and then
I knew who he was.

My God!
From that house in the Rue Dumaine, my young mortal musician friend!
I had taken his life that fateful night before Claudia ended mine!

It was all so crystal clear. I had wanted to make him my fledgling but had
tired of him before the act was finished. I had only given him a little of
my blood, or so I had thought. I had left him for dead, and before the dawn
came I was helpless in the swamp, a victim of Claudia's treachery.
"Bravo" He clapped his hands. "At last the realisation!"
I had him pinned against the tombstone in an instant, my face inches from
his.
"How do I know you have Dominic and Louis?" I snarled at him.
He removed my hands from his coat as if I were a squashed insect and he
stared into my eyes.
"If you look beneath the Mayfair tomb you will find your proof. But you
must excuse me, tonight's revelries have made me hungry."
With a hiss of contempt I pushed him away. Then with a wave of his hand he
was gone, absorbed into the darkness.

Armand was already kneeling under the Mayfair tomb scrabbling in the earth
with his fingers. He brought out a package and slowly unwrapped it.
Two pieces of hair lay on the paper, one jet black, one almost white. Both
had been pulled out viciously by the roots, the ends were caked in dried
blood. With my voice trembling with unsupressed anger I screamed into the
night. "The war is just beginning, Sebastien, and I will take no
prisoners!"

Armand's face was expressionless, but I knew the turmoil within. He thrust
his hands into the pockets of his jeans and looking up, he surveyed the
night sky.
"For eternity," he murmured. "The stars, Lestat, they will be here as long
as we are, but in all my nights I have never felt so useless. I cannot
pinpoint where he has them. How can his powers be so strong?" He shook his
head in disbelief.
I scuffed the ground angrily with the toe of my boot.
"He's playing with us, Armand. This is a test, but it's me he wants revenge
on, and my children are paying the price." I could feel the resentment
building up inside my body, my pride was taking a crushing blow and that I
would not stand for.
"We have to go, Lestat," Armand threw his head back, I saw his nostrils
flaring, he could smell the impending dawn.
"Do you want me to stay with you again?" His question was sincere and I was
sorely tempted to accept.
"Thank you, but no, I would rather be alone."
A slight breeze disturbed the fallen leaves around the tombstones, whispers
of nature on this hellish night.
He handed me the package, touched my arm lightly and was gone, my
will-o'-the-wisp, did he know how much I needed him?

I waited until the last possible second before succumbing to the death
sleep. My mind dredged over the night's events like the constant replay of
a nightmare.
The flat was cold and sterile without Dominic's presence, I saw his face in
every room, smelt his scent in my bed. I crushed his pillow to my face
trying to suffocate the horrific images that began to dance in my mind.
I imagined the pain as his hair was ripped from his scalp, I knew he did
not have the wisdom to hide his fear, my only consolation was that maybe
Louis was with him.
My darling, Louis, you would gaze upon this scene of torture with your
emerald eyes blazing. Your voice would speak of this senseless pain, I
prayed that Dominic would feel the reassurance of Louis' arms around him.
I tasted my blood seeping into my mouth as I bit down hard to block the
image of them violating Louis; he would not give them the satisfaction of
crying out.
The whispers of the death sleep echoed in my ears as I collapsed exhausted
onto the bed, still holding the pillow to my chest.

For two nights we all searched without success. Marius was convinced
Sebastien had taken them away from the city.
We ended the night at the town house, David and Daniel both blamed me for
my fledglings capture.
The atmosphere was icily cold, only Armand gave me any encouragement. If
Sebastien's plan was to try and destroy our coven it was succeeding .
Armand's fury was with Daniel, who goaded me with bitter words whenever we
were together.
David blamed me for returning, without me, there would be no war.
And Marius, what of Marius? I had never seen him so desolate, I could
almost see the lines of worry etched upon his smooth face. Occasionally I
saw his eyes glisten as heated words again resounded from the walls of our
little house. We were eating away at our trust and devotion, a cancer
spreading without hope.

On the third night I actually walked out before David could start an
argument with me. His eyes had been accusing me all evening, and I knew I
had to leave before I said things I would regret.
Slamming the door behind me I stood with my back against the wall trying to
hold onto my fury. It was then I noticed the tiny white card laying on the
mat by the front door.
I picked it up and turned it over as one side was blank. Two words. 'Come
alone', then an address, an old warehouse on Dumaine, I realised instantly.
I slipped the card into my back pocket and hesitated, as I thought about
going back into the drawing room. Smiling, I let myself out into the cool
night air. This one was my fight.

I stood outside the old warehouse and carefully scanned the interior.
Absolutely nothing apart from a few rats scurrying in the dusty corners.
A sudden feeling of eyes watching made me stop, my skin began to crawl like
an insect had eaten its way under the surface.
Sebastien.... and quite alone.
He stood leaning nonchalantly up against an old street lamp, a dark figure
blending into the night. I stood my ground, let him come to me, I would not
be ordered by this bastard child of my youth.
Throwing back his head, he laughed, a mocking, challenging sound, it echoed
from the walls of the decaying buildings.
"Tut,tut, Lestat, don't let your pride deter you from coming to me," he
examined his nails meticulously, "your fledglings are in my hands,
remember?" I saw a shadow of hate creep across his face, "now come here!"
With my face like thunder I walked the few steps that separated us. The
barrier between us was almost visible. I could not detect one image from
his thoughts, our minds were locked shut in the silence of the Dark Gift.
"Where are they?" I hissed.
"Such passion for their safety," his eyes narrowed as he caught the look of
malice on my face, "you were passionate for me all those years ago."
"I didn't even know I had made you!" I spat at him in fury.
He grabbed my arm and held it tightly.
"Then you left me to die, a half used object that you had tired of....how I
laughed when I realised what dear Claudia had done to you! She always was
the strong one. Your beautiful Louis could never see how she manipulated
him...I am afraid he is not so beautiful now.." His voice trailed off as he
drank in my reaction.
Using every fibre of my self control I stemmed the awful fear that was in
the pit of my stomach.
He smiled at my obvious distress, then he turned a full circle waving his
cane in the air. Stopping dead he snarled, "want to see them, my Prince?
How much pain can you bear? Louis makes such a tragic victim, I had quite
forgotten how delicious torture can be..."
My internal anger could not take anymore. With a scream, I pinned him up
against the wall, knocking his hat to the floor.
"If you want to see both of them again I suggest that you pick up my hat."
Something about the tone of his voice told me that he would not hesitate in
murdering my children.
Very slowly I picked up the hat and handed it to him. He took it from me,
our fingers nearly touching. It was then that I noticed that the fingers on
his right hand were twisted and thin, like the branches of some demonic
tree.
"You took my life, Lestat," Sebastien murmured, "and with it my ability to
play my music. This I received in the fire, the night you came back to take
your revenge on Claudia." He flexed the fingers on his mangled hand. "I
burnt too, in that inferno," he shuddered at the memory, "you have no idea
how long it took me to heal without a full compliment of vampire blood.
That is why I still carry this reminder, even the blood of the one who
saved me could not heal it." I saw a slight softness settle in his eyes,
and then it was gone.
"Up against the wall," he snapped and close your eyes. Biting my lip I
complied, the role of the submissive was not to my liking. He pushed me
roughly against the bricks, grazing my cheek in the process. I felt his
breath on my neck and then his tongue on my face.
"You still taste like nectar, Lestat, do you remember how you loved me to
caress all your body with my tongue? What nights of lust we spent. and I
never guessed just what you were. I played my music just for you, you were
my inspiration.."
Those were the last words I heard before the vicious blow to the back of my
head sent me sprawling onto the ground. I was vaguely aware of a needle
stab in my arm and his face close to mine and then, darkness.

The sound of water dripping and the damp smell of underground.
I opened my eyes to see shadows and vague shapes; shaking my head I came up
onto my hands and knees and tried to rationalise my thoughts. Putting my
hand to the back of my head I found dried blood, my hair was matted with
it.
I tried to stand but I collapsed under the weight of my own body and the
room began to spin. Another fine mess, Lestat, I could just see Marius
shaking his head at me again.
With a groan I sat myself up against the wall with my head on my knees. I
could smell blood and as I forced myself into awareness I realised that it
was mine. On examination I found gashes on my wrists and ankles, some
slight scarring and some fresh marks. I felt so weak and then I knew why.
They had bled me on numerous occasions, stealing my strength with each
onslaught, and for what?
So I would not tear them apart when I saw what they had done to Louis and
Dominic.
There was also evidence of marks from a myriad of needles. Whatever they
had poisoned me with was working well, my blood felt thick in my veins like
curdled milk.
Far away I heard the creak of an old, metal door, and then footsteps coming
closer. The smell of burning tar and then the door to my cell opened.
"Sebastien, you didn't have to make a great entrance," I mocked him, " I
could smell you amongst all the rotting flesh of any cemetery."
Not a flicker of emotion on his face. The light from the burning torch he
carried spun ghastly images on his face.
"It's time, Lestat."
From behind him, veiled in darkness, two of his henchmen appeared, one tall
with short, black hair and cruel eyes and the other, emerging from the
shadows was... Dominic.
"Dominic...?" I uttered his name with disbelief, the nausea rising in my
throat.
Sebastien pulled Dominic to him and caressed his face with the end of his
cane.
"Isn't he beautiful, Lestat? One thing you can do is sire stunning
fledglings."
I saw Dominic shudder and try to pull away.
"Dominic told you that he was the bait, but I don't think you ever realised
that it was my trap. He made the fatal error of falling in love with you
though, pity, I had such high hopes for him, with your blood and my
leadership nothing would have been out of his grasp." Sebastien kissed
Dominic's cheek and pushed him towards me. "Take the chains and bind him."
Dominic's face was ashen as he stood before me. His voice trembled as he
spoke, "I am sorry, Lestat, so very sorry...I never wanted to fall for you,
it would have been so simple if the hate Sebastien had nurtured in me
towards you, had carried me through this."
I raised my eyes to his, "Judas.." I spoke softly, but emphasised every
word, "what did you sell me for?"
The blood tears welled in his eyes and he looked away.
Sebastien's voice cut through the silence, "he sold you for my promise to
make him my lieutenant; someone offered you that, didn't they, Lestat?" His
eyes gleamed ferally in the blackness.
"Memnoch was the devil, but you are worthy of his affections." I made my
voice steady, but I wanted to weep. Oh Lestat, you have been betrayed by
your own disciple.
My whole body shook as Dominic knelt down and wrapped the chains around me.
I could summon no strength to help myself. He bound my wrists together
first and his fingers were warm.
"Fed well, tonight?" I asked, bitterly.
Dominic avoided my eyes as Sebastien led the way from the cell. His voice
rang down the corridor.
"The blood of his victim was most regal tonight, Lestat. Your splendid
Louis is a delicious morsel."

Once in the corridor a wave of unsteadiness overcame me. I stumbled and
Dominic was there, his hand on my arm. I shrugged it off as if he were a
leper. I could not bring myself to speak but my body language told him,
'don't dare to touch me'.

Looking back on the whole sordid scenerio I was in deep shock. Dominic's
betrayal and my fear for Louis had sent me tumbling towards a precipice of
disaster.

Ahead the glow of a light through another open doorway. Sebastien paused,
his hands resting on top of his cane.
He kicked the door open and bowed sarcastically, a leering smile on his
lips. There were others this time, a seething mass of all that vampires can
be, given the correct leadership. How Armand would laugh to see this; my
mortal lover, a man whose music had thrilled my soul, now this coven master
existing on hate.
"Louis de Pointe Du Lac respectfully invites you to his humble dwelling,"
Sebastien's eyes were glowing in the dim light, demonically.
"I swear I will kill you for this," I snarled as I was dragged into the
cell.
"I don't believe you will have that opportunity. All forms of rescue seem
far away. You didn't tell anyone you were coming to see me, did you,
Lestat? You thought, as always, that you could triumph. I have waited over
200 years to see you crawl, but I warn you, your pain hasn't even started
yet." He polished the silver end of his cane on his handkerchief.
"May I just tell you, Lestat, that your beautiful Louis has been most
delightful. I can quite understand how you had to return to him every
morning." Sebastien removed his hat, flicked a speck of dust from its rim
and replaced it.

The sight that met my eyes still haunts me to this day, and the remnants of
my strength ebbed away, like the water running from these dank walls. I
fell to my knees, clawing at the cobbled stones.

Chained by his wrists and ankles to the back wall was my beloved Louis. He
was barely awake, his head hung to the side and his hair was wildly
dishevelled around his face. Even in the half light I could see the ugly
bruising on his cheekbones and his bottom lip was split and swollen. These
were very recent wounds, a vampire heals quickly unless he is starving... or
dying.

A pool of blood at his feet; they had slit his arms from wrist to elbow,
deep gaping wounds....like an animal at a slaughterhouse.

"Unchain them both." Sebastien ordered harshly.
No sound from Louis as his chains were removed, then he collapsed on the
floor like a rag doll. Horrified I searched his face for a sign of life as
Dominic quickly removed my chains.
With a great effort I dragged myself towards him as Sebastien closed and
bolted the door, "such a touching re-union, Lestat," then the sound of his
cane along the walls of the corridor.

For a moment I couldn't bring myself to touch Louis, he was so deadly
still.
Then his hand moved and found my hand, his icy fingers clutching at mine.
With a sob of relief that he was still alive I gathered his broken body to
mine. Holding Louis close to me again, even in this fragile state, seemed
so right. I held his face between my hands and gently kissed his battered
face. The blood had dried on his lip, I could not stop myself from licking
it off, I was desperately hungry.
Louis curled his fingers around mine.
"Dominic..." his voice was a whisper and his lips parched and bruised, "I am
sorry, Lestat.." I gently placed my finger on his swollen lips.
"I did it again, my darling, rushed in without thinking of the
consequences," the words were thick in my throat. "And this time you were
the one to suffer."
I had called him my darling and that instant I knew that he was only mine,
these love games with David just a front for his confused emotions.
He searched my face with those beseeching eyes. I saw the pain behind them,
physical and mental.
"Can I drink from you, Lestat?" he asked me, "the hunger inside me is so
strong," he paused and I saw a flicker of horror in his eyes. "Dominic
drank from me ...I thought he was going to drain me.." slowly Louis pulled my
wrist to his mouth.
I stopped him with a groan of despair. "Louis, no! They have drugged me,
poisoned me with some chemical, it's not safe to drink."
He nodded and his face was suddenly shadowed with an abject despair.
And so we held each other tightly and I rocked him in my arms, as the blood
from his wounds soaked our clothes, both of us starving and knowing that to
drink from each other would end in the death of one of us.
This was torture.
Sebastien knew me better than I had ever believed.
Louis lapsed into a semi-conscious sleep and my concern was growing for his
survival. His body contorted with a spasm every few minutes and he was
clammily cold .
I sent out a silent plea to Armand, praying that it would reach him as my
powers were so weakened. Surely they would have missed me by now- but then
I had a certain reputation for disappearing without permission, to fight my
own battles.
I had under estimated Sebastien's power and his hate for me. How had he
gained such strength, maybe his loathing had swollen over the years to
this, a recipe for my destruction.
By now, Louis had stopped shaking. He lay in my arms like a corpse, his
skin tight against his cheekbones, dark lashes matted with blood tears. My
heart was thudding in my chest like a death knell and my lungs were
struggling more with each breath.
I kissed his forehead protectively and whispered into his hair, " I won't
let it end like this, beloved, I promise you."
I drifted into an uneasy sleep, the sound of the door swinging open jolting
me into awareness. I tried to move but my limbs were frozen, I couldn't
even open my eyes. Someone shook me, then a voice, contorted in my ears,
"he is alive, but only just."

Did they mean me?

They pulled Louis from my arms and I was helpless to stop them.

A familiar touch on my face, caresses from an angels wing, was I dying?
The smell of blood, teasing, the aroma of a mirage. I could even taste it
on my tongue, such a sweet dream.......
"Lestat! Hurry, there isn't much time!" Dominic's frightened voice.
The blood trickled down my throat, real and rich and warm.
I swallowed hard, biting down hard on Dominic's wrist. Ecstasy as my child
fed me. Was this another vicious trick, my son?
Part of me wanted to kill him for the danger he had placed us in, and then
again didn't you love your children for their faults as well as their
virtues?
With each mouthful my vision became clearer and my thoughts more coherent.
Dominic's face was lined with pain as I drew on his lifeforce.
"Enough!" he said, pulling his wrist away, "I can't give you anymore,
Lestat. Can you stand? We must go!" He dragged me to my feet and we rushed
from the cell and down the darkened corridor.
Dominic's face was ashen, a stark contrast to the darkness, his pale eyes
wide and frightened, his lips a thin line on his face.

A scream from a room ahead, another sharper sound, a whiplash!
Louis! I swallowed hard.
Another whiplash pierced the silence.

"Save yourself, Lestat! You can't help Louis now!" Dominic clung to my arm
as I prepared to burst through the door.
"I cannot leave him." I told him firmly, and I gathered up my fragile
strength and broke down the door.

I took in the scene before me with furious disbelief.
Sebastien stood, naked to the waist, blood sweat glistening on his skin, a
long handled stock whip in his hand. The malicious look of triumph sparkled
in his eyes.
Four of his henchmen hovered near, tall, shadowy figures, they laughed
evilly as a I uttered a cry of horror.

My beautiful Louis...broken and bleeding.

They had hung him with his hands tied together from a beam in the ceiling
so he twisted like a macabre puppet on a string. His shirt was in tatters
and underneath I could see the raw weeping wounds from the lash.
"Louis!" I screamed his name and his eyes flickered open for a few seconds.
They were dull and lifeless, all hope had left them.
"He is not quite finished, Lestat. I am glad you arrived to witness his
final breath. So pretty, even in pain.." Sebastien goaded me as I stumbled
across the cell. My new found strength had lasted only a few minutes.
I fell to my knees as he caught my leg in the throng of the whip. He pulled
my head back with my hair and bent down, his face inches from mine.
"The only time he fought me, Lestat," He paused and gazed deep into my
eyes, "was when I raped him...the only sound he made was your name. .it was so
touching." 
"I will tear you limb from limb!" I spat at him. I didn't even have the
strength to remove his hand, my power was ebbing away like the blood of my
battered fledgling.
Sebastien laughed. "I don't think so, Lestat." His face became deadly
serious as he flung down the whip.
"Dominic, bring me the torch. It is time I put an end to Monsieur Pointe du
Lacs' suffering."
Horrified I watched as Dominic took a torch from the wall and advanced
towards Louis. I saw the way his fingers clenched the shaft of the torch,
he was in fear of his life.
"Maybe I am being a little too cruel, the effect of an orphaned childhood
dear Lestat." Sebastien's words were cold. "Put down the torch, Dominic.
Dawn is nearly upon us I feel, and you will see if you look above there is
a trapdoor in this ceiling," Sebastien pointed with his cane, "the door
faces east I believe, open it," he ordered one of his minions. With a sharp
thud the trapdoor was released, years of dust showering everything below.
I glimpsed a faint light in the purple sky. Dawn.
"Say goodbye, Lestat, for when the sun rises your sweet Louis will be ashes
on the ground. Take him away!"
"Louis!" I screamed his name. He opened his eyes for a brief moment and I
saw a spark of lovelight appear, then a final half smile on his lips. I
felt like I was going to choke on the love I had for him.
The other vampires crowded around me like a pack of carrion crows. They
dragged me roughly out from the cell, their voices a faint echo in my ears.
I was a living spirit trapped in this body that I could not feel anymore,
memories of Akasha and the years she spent like this, seeped into my mind
and I wept internally.
The feel of a cold, damp stone against my face and then blessed darkness.

Moisture dripping on my face slowly and the smell of something I craved....
tears of blood from Dominic as he sat with my head on his lap.
"You have to come and see," he sobbed.
He put his arm around me and I leaned against him as we staggered from the
cell.
The doorway to Louis' room was slightly ajar, the air inside cool.
Dominic pushed the door fully open and as we entered I closed my eyes. He
broke down then, great heaving sobs coming from his slender frame.
I opened my eyes to see where Louis had been.....a pile of white ash....wisps
curling in the breeze from the still open trapdoor.


I felt nothing.

Then the numbness crept through my body like a disease and I banished all
my emotions. Don't feel anything Lestat, it can't hurt you then.
The only sensation I knew was a boiling hatred towards the one who had
taken him from me, that I could not conquer.
Dominic stood beside me; he slowly touched my arm.
"I know it's all my fault, you have every right to want to kill me too, I
won't run..." he said, an expression of sheer torture on his face.
I ignored his words and I sank to my knees and ran my fingers gently
through the ashes.
'Louis,' I whispered in my head, 'I will avenge you.'
Was he finally at peace, my demon who believed he was truly evil?
My memory took me back to the first time I had laid eyes on him, this
stunning mortal man filled with self loathing over something that he had
had no control over, how I had wanted to heal that despair.........a rustle of a
taffeta gown on the polished wooden floor and Louis' breathtaking eyes full
of love, as he swept Claudia into his arms and told her how beautiful she
was........the first time I had made love to him, my most precious memory, the
feel of his silky skin against mine and his sobs of passion warm on my
neck, the ecstasy of possessing him body and soul...

The blood tears fell silently down my face....something snapped inside me....I
would go on without him...

The urge for survival grew in my heart, fight Lestat, for Louis' sake
fight!

"Now it's your turn, Lestat! Any questions before I execute you?"
Sebastien's voice rang across the room.
I turned and using all my powers of self control I asked him, "what did you
drug me with?"
" A dying vampire's last wish, how delightful," he laughed. " A wonderful
concoction of the nastiest hard drugs combined with a virulent new virus
and a very powerful anticoagulant. I found on test studies that a vampires
wounds will stay open for much longer when given this, it makes the blood
flow very strong. Unfortunately in a vampire of your strength it is rarely
terminal which is why I will have to burn you alive."
He took a torch from the wall and ignited it.
"Move aside, Dominic, I will not risk your beauty."
Dominic stood his ground.
"I won't let you murder him, Sebastien," he said bravely, his face streaked
with blood tears.
I saw a shadow creep across Sebastien's face.
"Then you will burn with him, my love."
"Dominic, go!" I pleaded.
"I love you, Lestat," he answered simply as Sebastien prepared to carry out
his threat.

Suddenly I saw Dominic glance towards the open door.
"Sebastien, this is not the way!"
The steady powerful voice of an ancient one.
Friend or foe this time, Santino?
"Well, well, what a pleasant surprise, my old lover has come to visit me.
You see, Lestat, I learned my skills of torture from a master!" Sebastien
was shaking with some form of emotion.
"Killing Lestat will not serve any purpose, except to feed your hate.
However, you have existed on hate for so long that if you kill him, you
will murder yourself. Quite simply, Sebastien, your reason for living will
disappear along with his last breath." Santino was calm and emotionless, I
could not detect a muscle moving in his entire body. He held out his hand
for the torch.
The breeze from the trapdoor lifted his long, dark hair, tendrils playing
over his finely boned face.
"You left me when I needed you." Sebastien clung to the torch like a
comforter.
"I left you because you didn't need anything but your hate to satisfy your
hunger. I found you after the fire and made you whole. I was attracted by
your sheer will to survive, before I knew what fuelled that will."
Sebastien shrugged his shoulders, "such is life, my love, and death..." and
whirling around he threw the burning torch on the ground.
The events of the following few minutes are still not clear in my mind. The
room was a tinderbox in moments.
I remember a flash of light as the dry wood around us burst into flames.
The smell of flesh burning as one of Sebastien's minions was swallowed by a
burst of fire, and the terrified screams from Dominic. I heard the timbers
creak as they expanded with the heat.
The ceiling collapsed around us, I could smell the acrid scent of my hair
burning and Dominic's final scream to me rang in my ears as Santino pulled
me from the room.

A voice in my head and strong arms around me.
I was in the night, the air was cool and welcome in my lungs and I thought
I saw the stars above me, you must be drunk on this drug flowing through
you, Lestat. The only sound I heard was my dull broken heartbeat telling me
that the one with the ebony hair was gone forever.

I will tell you how I remember the next few hours in the dream like state
that I experienced it in, pray forgive me if it is a little confused, alas
my memory of it is rather vague.

Royale, the street lamp outside my house, why is it circling around me?

Carried up the stairs towards my bedroom... the scent of fresh
flowers...delicious...the softness of silk sheets on my skin....no.. let me
sleep......let me forget!

A face filled with worry and love, auburn curls on my skin as he kissed my
forehead....my lips were frozen....I screamed out silently to him....Louis, oh
sweet Jesus, Armand, he's gone....a puzzled frown..

David.. hovering.. anxiously talking to Marius, their heads bowed, why was
Marius shaking his head? WHY DIDN'T DAVID WANT TO KILL ME?

Someone listen to me!

Marius stroking my forehead, 'there isn't much time, we have to do it now,
I know he's weak, Armand, but what can we do?'...

Why were they all holding me down? Terror! I felt the blood flow from my
body as they cut my veins...no..no..NO..!
Was this my final punishment for Louis? They were draining me...

Words in my head, soft caressing sounds soothing my fear.....Armand?. 'don't
be afraid, caro, I am here, don't fight this, just relax....sshhhh...'.a dull
heartbeat slowing........mine?......Wait for me Louis, I'm coming...

'Lestat! For God's sake, drink!' Marius?

My mouth, the taste, swallow a little...and again.....oh yes......

I was cocooned in the rush of the bloodlust as I drank heavily from my
saviour's wrist, again he had saved me, dear Marius I don't deserve you.
Armand's cool hand resting on my forehead and an angel's smile on his lips,
my guardian demon.
David and Danny watching. Danny was biting his lip and his eyes were wide.
David placed a hand around his shoulder and smiled down to him....

My vision was clearing and my heartbeat had finally stopped resounding in
my ears. I groaned and wiped the tears from my face....
"Why are you all staring at me?" I asked, slightly confused.
Armand smoothed the hair from my face and smiled, "he's back!"
I looked from one to another glorifying in the familiar feelings surging
through my body.
"Let's leave him to rest," Marius said.
"I want to stay for a little while," Armand replied.
The door closed behind them and I realised I was grateful for the silence.
Armand face was suddenly serious, and I reached for his hand as the tears
threatened to fall again.
"Louis...." I began, how could I find the words to tell him that Louis was
gone forever?
He slowly bent down and kissed my cheek, "be quiet, my darling, only time
will tell, he is very weak.."
"Alive..?" I uttered in disbelief.
"Yes, but only just, one of us is constantly with him."
"How did you know where to find us?" I asked.
"Dominic managed to somehow send a message to Danny, Santino intercepted
it."
His words floated above me and then dropped into my brain, and I silently
cried out Louis' name in relief. I was suddenly extremely tired, my limbs
were heavy and I closed my eyes, just for one moment.
"That's right, my love, sleep, I will be here." Armand's voice was distant
as I drifted into sleep.

When I opened my eyes again I found Armand curled in beside me, his arm
across my chest.
My body ached and the thirst for blood was like that of a newborn vampire.
As I awoke fully I realised that Armand had not been sleeping. He sat up
and gazed down on me, his dark eyes full of concern. "How do you feel?"
"Empty," I replied, trying to put a brave face on the situation, "I must go
out and feed."
Armand held my arm. "You are not going out. Do you not realise how close to
death you were? The poisons in your blood were driving you insane."
He stopped as I touched his cheek. "The thought that I had lost Louis was
driving me insane, my friend," I said, my voice a little unsteady, "I have
to see him, Armand."
He brought his wrist up to his mouth and sank his fangs into the soft
flesh. The blood ran down his arm and I felt dizzy with hunger at the
sight.
"For you, my love," he offered, "drink your fill, I fed well last night."
As I drank I closed my eyes and revelled in the sweet taste of him. If it
wasn't for Louis, this deadly angel would finally be mine.
A few hours passed, and I dozed in the arms of my protector.
A faint knock, Armand slid from the bed and opened the door.
David.
I sat up, as I felt that laying down put me in a vulnerable position. I
brushed the hair from my face and waited.
Armand stood by the door, "I am going to Louis," he said softly, as he
closed the door behind him.
"Is it time for a lecture?" I asked David, wanting to claim the first blow.
"Don't you want to know how he is?" he answered, crushing my words.
"Tell me," I replied simply.
"Barely alive, Lestat!" he shouted, "his wounds are horrendous, we had to
drain the poison from him too, do you have any idea what that did to me?"
David's eyes flashed with anger, his usual composure flattened with his
rage.
"I witnessed his torture, David, and I was helpless to stop it, what about
my feelings?"
David shook his head. "You never gave a damn about anyone else's feelings,
Lestat, why should we care about yours?"
I tried to keep my voice from trembling, "I take it you would have left me
to die then?"
David drew himself up to his full height, his eyes devoured me as I waited
for his condemnation.
"Damn you, Lestat," he said softly, "even after all this I still love you,
I just don't like you very much."
I did not want to answer him. He placed one hand on my shoulder, a small
gesture of friendship, and then he left the room.
His words had stung me, but I shrugged them away. I pulled the blue, silk
robe around me, that I found at the bottom of the bed, and with my heart
beating wildly I made my way to Louis' room.

Armand's voice beckoned me inside as I knocked gently on the door.
A single candle lit the room, illuminating the corner where Louis lay. I
approached the bed silently, hardly daring to breathe.
He lay on his side, dark hair fanning across the white pillow and his skin
so pale, he was but a shadow of his former self. His lips were almost
colourless but I noticed with relief that they were no longer swollen.
A bowl of water sat on the table beside the bed, filled with bloody cloths.
Armand saw me glance in horror at the water. "I have just bathed his
wounds, Lestat. They are healing, although slowly."
Gently I pulled back the sheets.
The skin on his back was still raw and angry. Some of the larger lash marks
now had bruising deep in the wounds. Evidence too, of the brutal rape he
had been subjected to.
Swallowing hard I reached for his hand. It was cold to the touch. His arms
were heavily bandaged and I shuddered at the memory of those injuries.
Like a delicate blossom he lay, bruised and injured but alive.

The door opened again and I saw Armand stiffen.
"May we speak?" Santino's voice broke the silence.
Armand touched my arm softly as he stood to leave. "I didn't think it would
be long before you came," he said, his voice hard.
Santino smiled, a slow, lazy smile, his dark eyes flickering with
amusement. "I have been a little busy renewing old acquaintances,
sacrificing a few virgins, once a coven master..."
Armand was not in the slightest bit amused. I heard him exhale deeply.
"Go," I told him, "I will watch Louis for a while."
I waited until he had gone before I met Santino's gaze.
"I did not expect you to be mobile so soon," he said, folding his arms as
he leant against the wall.
"I have this ability of always doing what I am not supposed to," I said
drily.
He laughed softly. "The Brat Prince living up to his reputation."
I nodded with a half smile.
"Sebastien survived the fire in the old days because of me. I found him
cowering in pain under the floorboards of a run down shack on the Bayou
road. I could smell the vampire in him, he was an enigma to me. His depth
of hate drew me to him and I completed the job you so carelessly left."
"Why did you leave him?" I asked.
Santino thought for a moment, a slight frown creasing his smooth skin.
"Even I tired of his passion for loathing. I left him before I was tempted
to crush him on the floor like a cockroach."
"Why did you come to our rescue? I presume it was you that saved Louis as
well?" I curled my fingers around Louis' hand.
"Yes. It was me," he replied, no trace of pride in his voice. "I hope you
will forgive me for the ashes, my last victim provided them free of charge.
A little theatrical perhaps, but Sebastien assumed they were Louis'."
"So did I," I said as the memory made me close my eyes to stop the tears.
"I am sorry for the pain that caused you, Lestat. Sebastien was my
responsibility, I did not realise he would take things as far as this."
He sighed gently before continuing, "I do not know if they all perished in
the fire, my prime aim was to get you here as quickly as I could. My
condolences to you over Dominic."
Still stroking Louis' hand I said, "he didn't stand a chance with Sebastien
terrorising him. He was but a child, with a child's failings and I was
blind." I turned my head into the shadows as the tears fell.
"Goodnight, Lestat."
I raised my hand in reply as he gracefully left the room.

I sat holding Louis' hand for hours. Just the luxury of looking at him
sleeping made me content.
I watched the candle light playing on his face, creating shadows where his
beauty hid, only to blaze again as the light danced. He moved sometimes, in
sleep, and I was instantly there, brushing the silken strands of hair from
his eyes.
All the pain I had caused him stampeded through my mind, maybe he would
have a better future with David. I knew I had to give him that choice, even
if that meant he would no longer be mine.
My body ached from sitting in the same position, I stretched out, cat-like,
easing the tension from my body.
I hesitated as I walked to the window and I ran my hands along his antique
desk. Superbly tidy, the parchment in an orderly pile, his pen laying
across ready for use. I picked it up and ran it lovingly through my
fingers.
The words of a song from the last days of the old century played in my
mind.
I pulled out the chair and began to write.

Louis, mon cher bel,

Expressing my feelings for you face to face has never been my strongest
point, so forgive me for borrowing these words from another.
The pain you suffered was all my fault and I can't blame you if you choose
to hate me now, you have every right. If you wish to stay with David I will
let you go, just read these words first.

Empty hearts, I can hear them talking
I close my eyes and keep on stalking, my love
No one's aware of the hunger I feel
It's something you, or time, cannot heal, my love
Eternal bliss is something I can show you
Spread your arms and let my wings enfold you, my love
In the darkness shades of crimson rapture
The world is ours alone to capture, my love

Come over here and let me tell you something
Nothing ever comes of nothing
We pay a price for all our choices made
Come along now and take my hand
I'll lead you to a promised land
The morning after may never come again
It will never be the same.

I will learn to say goodbye if that is what you wish, just remember mon bel
ami, that I will love you until the stars fall from the sky.
Je t'envoie tous les baisers de l'amour

Sur ce, mon cher
I am ,always yours
Lestat

{For all of you that don't speak french (me included!) Lestat's sentence
reads 'I send you all the kisses of love' *sigh*}



I folded the letter and placed it in an envelope. Strangely I felt happier
now, I had given him the choice, I would not influence him anymore. This
was to be his decision, but it was breaking my heart.
The sound of a door shutting softly in the corridor. I looked outside to
see Marius, his arms full of blankets. He smiled warmly, "bring him
downstairs, Lestat, there is a fire blazing and I want us all be together."
I slipped the letter under Louis' pillow with a silent prayer. Then I very
gently gathered him up in my arms and made my way downstairs. He was like
an injured bird, so very fragile it made me want to cry out with the
injustice of it all. Of all present he was the one who did not deserve this
pain.
I placed him carefully on the couch as David covered him with the blankets.
The fire roared in the hearth, crackling and hissing. The noise reminded me
of the events leading up to my rescue. I stared into the flames without
really seeing them. I imagined I heard Dominic calling my name.
"Lestat?" Danny's voice broke into my thoughts. "Can we talk?"
Armand gave Danny a possessive glance, just who he was feeling possessive
about I could not tell.
Danny was very agitated as he led the way out into the courtyard.
I sat down on the old stone trough and waited for him to speak.
"Dominic is alive, Lestat, I just know it!" His pale violet eyes were
deeply troubled.
"And what makes you think I would care?" I asked him, folding my arms.
He gave me a puzzled look. "You made him, Lestat," he said quietly.
"He betrayed me, Danny. He very nearly caused the death of Louis, isn't
that enough reason not to care?" My voice had risen, I was trying to
convince myself.
Danny sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "I know that, Lestat, but
he did send me a message.." he finished lamely, as he saw the anger in my
eyes.
"We have Santino to thank for our lives, not Dominic," I said, trying to
keep my voice steady.
"Forgive me, Lestat, but I think you are talking complete bullshit," Danny
cocked his head to one side and studied me intently.
I turned my head away, letting my hair shield my face.
"Forget him, Danny. Do not let him come between you and Armand."
Danny laughed sarcastically. "Between me and Armand! The only one that is
coming between me and Armand, is you, Lestat!"
I raised my eyes, looking at him through strands of hair.
"Armand is here for me now, Danny, because he feels betrayed by you and
your need to control. Armand and I are too similar to last for long. Our
relationship is doomed, we both know that, but we are hanging on to what we
have because it is all we have."
"Do you love him?" he asked me, as the anger left his eyes.
"More than I ever knew," I said softly, "but this relationship we have is
like a butterfly kiss, fragile and easily wounded. I must return to the
others, Danny, and so must you."
I held out my hand, he took it, and I led him inside.

David met us at the door, he was smiling.
"He's awake!"
I threw my arms around Danny who was almost speechless in excitement.
Dashing into the drawing room I almost collided with Marius, "Lestat, calm
down, too much frivolity is not good for him, he is still very weak."
Ignoring Marius' warnings to calm down I lifted the Roman vampire off his
feet and twirled around .
"Lestat!" he roared, "put me down!"
"Now, now, Marius, keep your voice low, remember?" I teased him, drunk on
the knowledge that Louis was awake.
I placed Marius on his feet and he whispered in my ear, "it is so good to
have you back again, you little devil."
I rolled my eyes in mock indignity at his words and then I heard his voice
in my head, 'I love you like a son, Lestat.'
I flashed him my most charming smile as I gently bent over the back of the
couch where Louis was laying.
His eyes met mine.
"Hi Beautiful One," I greeted him as my love for him threatened to
overwhelm me.
He smiled softly and the smile was echoed in his eyes, not quite as
dazzling as normal but still beautiful. Slowly he held out his hand, such
slender fingers, just like Dominic's....
I pushed this thought away, but not before Danny's words came to me 'he's
alive, Lestat, I just know it.'
"Lestat? What is wrong?" Louis' anxious, gentle voice brought me back to
reality.
I took his hand and brought it to my lips.
"Nothing for you to worry about, my love," I told him. "How are you
feeling?"
"A little battered," he replied with a smile, "I can only remember
fragments..." he stopped as a flash of pain crossed his face.
I leapt across the couch and was at his side in an instant. From the corner
of my eye I saw David's face darken.
Marius touched my shoulder, "he needs to feed, Lestat, stand back, there is
no way you are strong enough yet."
Reluctantly I obeyed, although I knew he spoke the truth.
I held onto my emotions as David gashed his own wrist. He put one arm
around Louis and offered him his slit wrist. Louis locked onto him
immediately, little moans of pleasure coming from his throat as he suckled.
I heard the front door shut and saw Santino framed in the doorway. He took
in the situation before him with one glance.
"Come, warm yourself," polite hospitality from Marius, a brave gesture
given their past.
Santino raised his hand. "Thank you, but no, I am not one for cosy
re-unions. I came to check on Louis before I left." He walked across to
where Louis lay, asleep now in David's arms, and touched him gently on the
cheek. I saw a spark of emotion flicker in his eyes, then it was gone. He
had accomplished what he had set out to do.
"Where are you staying today?" I asked him, dawn was but an hour away.
"Why, Lestat, a vampire never tells where he lays, didn't they tell you
that?"
"I am offering you my flat on Decater, if you wish," I answered, trying to
probe into his mind. It was a closed book.
"I will accept your kind offer for this day only," he said, "will you join
me? I don't think we have had the luxury of a long conversation." He looked
me up and down and smiled lazily. For the briefest of moments the tip of
his tongue played between his lips, he made sure I was the only one to see
it.
"Lestat is still quite weak," Marius started, "I do not think he should
hunt."
Santino almost laughed, "I think I can spare him a little blood if he gets
hungry."
I grinned at Marius' concern, "do not worry, I will send him out for a
'home delivery' meal if I get desperate."
"Lestat!" Condemnation from David.
Bending down I kissed Louis lightly, "be there for him," I said softly to
David, then I ran upstairs and quickly changed into a shirt and jeans. I
grabbed a ribbon from the side and tied my hair back as I went down stairs.
Armand was waiting, his dark eyes pleading.
"Whatever I say, you will go, won't you?" he said, fastening a button I had
missed on my shirt.
"I need to talk to him, Armand," I said, "it's only for one night, I will
be back by this time tomorrow."


Santino and I walked in relative silence, a slight mist curling around us
as we made our way to my flat.
I bolted the door behind us and threw down the switch that operated the
electronic shutters, I was not taking any more chances for a while.
Santino explored the flat, opening doors, and laughing at my human
possessions. I found him stretched out on my bed, his arms behind his head,
waiting for me.
"I take it you want to sleep here?" I asked him, slightly irritated that he
had chosen my room.
"I think we will both sleep here," he replied firmly.
"I don't think so, Santino, whatever you have heard about me is incorrect.
I am not into one night stands."
He laughed, "not even with auburn haired imps?"
"Armand is different, the circumstances were not the same," I informed him,
the irritation clear in my voice.
He stood up and came towards me, his eyes held mine. "Don't you owe me a
favour, Lestat?"
He stroked my cheek with his nail, then ran his finger along my bottom lip.
Without a sound he moved behind me and placed my hair over one shoulder,
baring my neck. I could feel his breath on my skin as he explored my neck
with his mouth. A wetness as his tongue traced patterns on my flesh, I was
too weak to fight him and besides what he said was true, I did owe him.
"Would you prostitute yourself for Louis, my sweet," he whispered, nuzzling
into my neck.
"This is taking advantage, you bastard," I said, drawing a deep breath as
his fangs pierced my skin.
"Isn't that what I do, take advantage of the weak?" His voice was softly
persuasive.
I could smell my own blood on his mouth.
"I would rather you were your old self. Now that would be a delicious
fight, Lestat, your strength and integrity, against my powers of
persuasion," he growled. "I remember Armand called me a similar name when I
instructed him in the art of sexual torment, how I wish you had been around
a few centuries earlier," he said, licking a droplet of blood from my skin.
He held my shoulders and turned me around to face him. I let him see the
stubbornness in my eyes. I would not be a willing victim.
"Just how low do you think I would go? You are too weak to seek your own
prey, even I wouldn't abuse you in this state."
Was he playing with me, like a cat teases its prey?
I was extremely tired; the events of the past few days, the relief of
Louis' recovery and my massive blood loss had taken their toll.
"On the bed, Lestat," he growled, and I found myself obeying without
question.
The last thing I remembered was Santino's face as he settled himself in the
armchair by the bed.

A harsh knocking on the door brought my sleep to an abrupt end.
Santino's raised voice and another I recognised.
David!
I sat bolt upright.
Louis. It had to be Louis!
My heart was racing madly as I stumbled groggily towards the door.
Santino almost knocked me over as he swept through the door.
"Lestat, stay where you are!" he roared. He gathered me up in his arms and
deposited me back on the bed.
David appeared, his face a mask of fury. "I swear if you do not get that
child of yours away from Louis, I will kill him with my bare hands!"
Dominic! I knew instantly, and with that realisation, a weight lifted from
my heart.
"Be rational, David," Santino said, "remember your upbringing." A little
mocking tone that enraged David even more.
"To hell with my upbringing, Santino, I just want him as far away from here
as possible!" A muscle twitched in David's cheek as he fought for control.
"He is asking for you Lestat, and he is hurt, he won't let anyone else
touch him."
I was on my feet in a moment, a fear building that if Dominic had survived
then what about Sebastien?

Armand was waiting for us as we entered the house. "He is in Louis' room,"
he informed me quietly.

"Like a lightning bolt I ascended the stairs, Santino and David one step
behind me.
Marius stopped us before we stormed into the room. Something about the
expression on his face made me hesitate.
Slowly I pushed open the door. Louis was resting in an upright position,
his head on a large pillow. Laid across the bed, one arm on Louis' stomach,
was Dominic, pale hair dishevelled around his face. His eyes were shut,
clothes dirty and charred.
Marius put his arm around my shoulder, "Do you want to be alone?" Oh
Marius, you know me better than I know myself.
I nodded in reply. He put his arm through David's, whispering some calming
words as he ushered him downstairs.
Santino hovered in the doorway. I gestured with my hand that all was well
and he melted into the darkness of the corridor.
Silently I made my way to the bed. Louis opened his eyes and smiled gently.
Had I ever noticed how the skin across the bridge of his nose creased
slightly as he smiled? So much I had missed always in pursuit of my own
destiny.
"He is quieter now," Louis said, "Danny fed him, he was starving. I think
his wounds are fairly superficial, a very lucky vampire in all respects."
I sat down on the edge of the bed and brushed a lock of hair from Dominic's
face.
"Don't you blame him, Louis?" I had to ask.
Louis laughed softly, "He is not evil, Lestat. He was only driven by others
who used his fear and innocence as a tool of hatred. Even when he fed from
me there was no malice, they had starved him."
I took Louis' hand, he shut his eyes and sighed.
"Your letter astounded me," he said suddenly.
"Why?"
"I never thought you would give me the chance to leave," he replied, eyes
still shut.
"Understand me when I say this is not a decision I can make lightly, I have
to think this through."
His eyes opened and his gaze met mine, " But I want Dominic to stay,
Lestat."

So you see, my friends, for once I am not the hero of this story, merely
the narrator. Only a part of the scheme that nearly led to disaster.
I will wait for Louis' answer and I will not push him. His recovery is all
I wish for; Dominic is an added bonus.
Leaning against the balcony now, warm wind on my skin, I can see them both
asleep, contented, or so I hope.
Excuse me if my vision is a little hazy, I have them both for now, and that
is enough to make demons weep.

The End