The Rise and Fall of a COven
Book Two: Trio in Rio
© Dark Angel
rueroyale@yahoo.com
Spoilers: VampChron, especially TotBT, Louis and David, and also some stuff from Little Known Facts and Lucky crept in here. Next time I'll put up screens.
Status: Complete
Characters: Daniel & Louis
Disclaimer: This work is a piece of speculative fiction, masquerading as my 1998 Income Tax Report. As such, I take no responsibility for any lies within, but I will have it filed before April 15th (unless I need an extension!) it is not meant to infringe upon the rights of the author of the Vampire Chronicles, Knopf, Geffen Pictures, Random House, Ballantine, Rio, Brazilians, luggage, bathrooms, windows, ragged jeans. The Rio de Janeiro Tourist Board, The Caesar Park Hotel, Brazilians, vampires, Pamela Anderson Lee Anderson Lee Anderson, Yasmine Bleeth, BAYWATCH, BAYWATCH NIGHTS, nor David Hasselhoff (Music mega-superstar everywhere but at home!), The New Orleans Saints Football Organization, Charlton "Get your paws off me you damn filthy ape!" Heston, or anyone who really HATES it when people give each other disgustingly cute babytalk nicknames (All y'alls been warned now!) and the makers of fine souvenir clothing everywhere. No offense meant to Brazilians or members of the Candomble faith. "Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans" E. DeLang, L. Alter, Harry Connick, Jr. and Dr. John. The following work of speculative fiction employs stolen characters who would otherwise be sitting around on their tight vampire butts collecting welfare! Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Author's Notes: This SPEC would NOT be brought to you were it not for the tireless efforts of LA FEMME CHRIS!!!! Let us all kiss her feet now! Also I must thank Father of Lies and Morrigan, without whose efforts this SPEC would not have been finished. I hope you like it and I freely admit that I am making all of this up! So don't confuse this with a guide to CARNIVAL in Rio or anything
Warnings: This SPEC contains a disturbing sexual situation and an extreme act of violence. Also it has a very very naughty phrase, which is even worse if you are British. The following SPEC contains unhealthy levels of Louis angst and a rather graphic description of vampire masturbation. So LOOK OUT! Hide the children, lock up the pets!! Enter at your own risk! EXTREME SEXUAL CONTENT vm/f, vm/vm/vm, vm/vm/vm/m, oral, anal, and fang-related, voyeurism, exhibitionism, and lots of other dirty stuff!!! UNCLEAN! UNCLEAN! GET OUTTA HERE! MV/MV sex (Male Vampire). No mortals under 18, no Immortals under 212, past this point! Thank you and enjoy our complimentary beverages.
Dedication: This one is for Heather, who had a hell of a night last night. (10/6/98) Also dedicated to My Own Brat Prince, Father of Lies with all my love, Courtenay and Beloved Cat (November 27, 1980 - November 12, 1998)."Every New Beginning
Comes from some other
Beginnings' end."
- Feeling Strangely Fine
Chapter One
David and Lestat had flown parallel for three hours, through the night. As they neared Rio, Lestat felt Louis's hands slip from around his neck. Too close to dawn, and the death sleep had taken him. Lestat tightened his hold on Louis's waist and put his other arm around Louis's back, to keep him from shifting off balance. Lestat noticed David watching him.
"Do you want me to take him?" David asked, coming close to Lestat's ear.
"No, of course not." Lestat told him. "Why?"
"I thought you might want a break, Lestat." David answered innocently.
"Don't be ridiculous David. It isn't as if he weighs anything. I AM stronger than you, you know."
David shook his head and almost grinned. "Lestat, I am not trying to impugn your reputation as the Alpha Vampire. I simply thought it a polite thing to ask."
"You'd probably drop him." Lestat said testily. David laughed.
Within the hour they were over Rio de Janeiro. Though it was Thursday, they could see Samba Schools parading through the streets. Carnival proper started Saturday, but the pre-carnival festivities started as early as Thursday. When David had said he did not want to miss a minute of it, he meant pre-carnival too. They landed in an alleyway, in the older part of the city. Lestat turned to David, "I hope the hotel is close."
"Which hotel?" David asked.
"The one where I know you are going to tell me that you DID make reservations." Lestat said a bit angrily.
David gave a small soundless laugh, "I really rather thought that we could arrange that when we arrived, Lestat. There are dozens of hotels in Rio. It shouldn't be difficult for us, even during carnival. Not with your unlimited wealth, telepathic ability and irresistible charm, certainly."
"David, we do not have TIME for that, for God's sake!" Lestat yelled. David had the distinct impression that, had he not been holding Louis, Lestat would have been shaking him by the lapels.
"Lestat, what-" David began, a confused look on his face.
"Look at the sky, David! For the love of hell, we only have 10 or 15 minutes left!" Lestat was a bit frantic.
"Lestat, what do you mean?" David asked, looking up. "It is only just about to lighten, the sun is at least 40 minutes from the horizon at the very least. And I think we could even get away with perhaps-"
"Not US, you fool! LOUIS! The sun doesn't need to hit the horizon, as soon as the sky shows a hint of grey, he is in danger! His skin cannot withstand even the first weak light that filters through! He'll be scorched, David! Burned! ASHES!" Lestat was screaming furiously.
David felt frightened, and guilty, and stupid. Of course he had known that, but he hadn't actually thought about it. They should have left much earlier. He should have made reservations. "Dear Lord." David said, looking at Louis.
"Here!" Lestat said, handing Louis to David. "I'll take care of it. Just stay here! And make sure you stay in the Goddamned shadows!" Lestat looked up and was gone.
David gathered Louis close to himself and sat down facing the back wall of what seemed to be a bicycle shop. He hunched his head and shoulders over Louis. How could he have been such an idiot! What was he thinking of? Lestat. This is what he was thinking of. Himself and Lestat, together. He hadn't meant to put Louis in danger, he hadn't even considered it. He was never irresponsible! He did things on impulse, yes, dangerous things even, but he never never put someone else in danger. How could he? Good God was Lestat's presence that overwhelming? Was his need for Lestat strong enough to obliterate rational thought?
David scanned the mortal minds near him for some image of Lestat. As he was doing so, he became aware of Louis's consciousness rising. Not awake, but aware. Something was pulling him out of the death sleep. Something wrong. Something hot . .PAIN!
David clamped his hand over Louis's mouth the instant the scream rose from his throat. It muffled the sound enough to keep from attracting attention, but David could still hear it, through Louis' closed lips and his own hand.
'Please Lestat, hurry!' David shouted telepathically, even knowing that Lestat could not possibly hear him.
Louis was not completely conscious, but he was fighting to escape David's grip. Instinctively, Louis was trying to turn to the ground, dig for shelter. It was a vicious, heedless, animal drive for survival, and David was having a difficult time holding him, even though his own strength far outmatched Louis's. David was wondering if perhaps he shouldn't allow Louis to accomplish this, perhaps even dig for him, when Lestat appeared. He grabbed David by the shoulders and they were in the air and through a window in seconds, everything was a blur and then David heard a door slam. He found himself on the floor of a bathroom. According to the soap, it was in the Caesar Park Hotel. Louis was still struggling to open his mouth, to bite, and a the muffled screams were still coming from him under David's hand. Louis was clawing and kicking at him. David noticed heat rising from his skin. Lestat opened the door. He said nothing to David, but grabbed Louis out of David's arms and shook him.
"Louis stop it!" Lestat whispered harshly in Louis's ear. Louis opened his mouth to gasp for breath, his eyes were still closed. He opened his mouth again and screamed.
This time Lestat's hand came under his jaw, to close it and seal his mouth. "Louis SHUT UP!" Lestat said forcefully. Keeping one hand over his mouth, Lestat pinned Louis's arms to his sides with the other arm, then he lay down on his side and wrapped his legs around Louis's legs, to stop the kicking. There was a knock at the door. Lestat shot a look at David. David left the bathroom and went to the door.
"Is anything wrong sir?" asked the security guard, in English but with a heavy Portuguese accent. There was a couple standing in the hall, looking at him as well. David guessed they must be the occupants of the next room.
David smiled, "Yes, yes. Everything is fine. A bit of a problem with the hot water, we thought it turned the other way you see. A bit of a surprise. Sorry about the noise. It won't happen again." David looked toward the couple. "We do apologize for disturbing you."
The security guard relaxed. The couple smiled to each other in relief and nodded to David.
"I see. Was anyone hurt?" The security guard asked.
"No, not at all. Perfectly fine." David smiled to him.
"Good night, then." The security guard nodded and went back down the hall toward the elevators. The couple had moved back into their room. David pulled the door closed and sighed with relief.
David opened the door to the bathroom. Lestat still lay on the floor, wrapped around Louis, whispering soothing words into his ear. He could see evidence of tears on both of their faces.
"You are safe, cheri, safe. I am here. I am with you. Be calm now. You need to sleep. Sleep Louis, sleep. Sleep will take the pain away, precious darling. Everything will be alright when you wake tomorrow night. I will not leave you, my beautiful one. I will never leave you. I have you, I will protect you. Sleep now, my love, my heart, my child. Sleep." Lestat was saying these things, over and over again, in a constant lulling stream of quiet French. Louis was slowly relaxing. His screams had turned to whimpers, but Lestat had not yet released his mouth. Lestat began to sing to him. David didn't recognize it, but it sounded like a lullaby. Again it was in that old Creole French that David had heard from Louis before. David felt almost as if he were intruding, but he didn't move to leave. He was fascinated. Not only by what was happening to Louis, horrifying as it was, but by Lestat's behavior.
David had never seen this side of Lestat. This gentle, loving . . .. David couldn't quite place the adjective. Caring? Nurturing? Parental? Paternal, that was it. Lestat was positively paternal.
David pulled the door closed behind him and slowly sank to the floor. He pushed his hair out of his eyes and rested his hand on his cheek. To his surprise, tears began to fall from his eyes as well.
As Lestat finished the song, he felt Louis' head fall back against his shoulder. Louis was quiet. His body was slack, he had fallen again into the death sleep. Lestat kissed his cheeks. Lestat then looked over to David. He waved for him to come closer. David looked a bit apprehensive as he scooted over to Lestat. Lestat reached out and took the back of David's head in his hand. David stiffened, thinking perhaps he was about to feel what is was like to have his head crushed. But Lestat only pulled him close and kissed his tears. He shifted Louis into the crook of his left arm, laid on his back and patted the place beside him.
"Lie down David. The sun is near the horizon." Lestat said, in a comforting voice.
David did so, and Lestat put his right arm around him.
"Lestat, I am so sorry. I failed to take it into consideration. I would never hurt Louis purposely. I am very fond of him. I am just so sorry." David said, helplessly.
"I know, David. I know. Close your eyes." Lestat said, in that same soft tone.
David felt the heaviness in his limbs, he listened to the sounds of samba bands and laughter as he drifted to sleep.
'Claudia, Claudia," thought Lestat. 'I said I would be patient. Did you have to push it so far so soon? I thought I had made you into my conscience, little one, not my inquisitor. Did you have to put my vow to such a difficult test? I will not choose one over the other, as you did with Louis and I dear daughter. I won't fault David for this, it was a mistake. And I will not allow anger or resentment to build up between them either. Not over this, not over me, not over anything. I WILL have peace in this coven, no matter what. We will not live in the shadow of your betrayal. I will not have your spectre haunt our little family. If this is going to be a battle, I will not be defeated. Whether I am battling you, or my memory of you, or perhaps it is my own dark side, which I suppose I am projecting on to you, I will still win. I am the Vampire Lestat, after all. I will have what I want.' Lestat looked once more to his right and to his left, taking in the beauty of his fledglings, and closed his eyes on the day.
Lestat woke the next night just as dusk was falling. His back ached from sleeping on the bathroom floor. He opened his eyes to see himself held down by a fledgling on each arm. He realized they had never turned the light on. He did so, using his little trick of the mind. Ah, light. He turned to David, carefully pulling his right arm free. David looked peaceful, his handsome young face only slightly marred by the tracks his tears of blood had left down his cheeks as they dried. Then Lestat turned to Louis. His eyes widened in shock.
"Oh Louis! My God! My God!" Lestat said aloud. Louis's skin was burnt a bright red. Not the terrible dark brown Lestat's had been when he first awoke in the Gobi, Louis wasn't burned that deeply, but he was burnt badly. Lestat sat up and began removing Louis's clothing. Steam had been trapped between the shirt and vest and the cloth next to Louis's skin had been scorched, as if it had been left under an iron too long. Louis's skin beneath the clothing was the same raw color.
"Christ bugger me." Lestat heard David's voice behind him, soft and full of fear.
"He will heal, David," Lestat told him. David turned his wide brown eyes from Louis to Lestat.
"It must have been torture, the burning, then us touching him, my gripping his skin . . ." David blinked, tears welled in his eyes again. "Oh Louis, I didn't mean it."
"David, it was a mistake. Now get a grip on yourself, you'll have to help me with him," Lestat said. David nodded.
"Of course."
"Now I want you to locate where they keep their towels in this place and bring me as many as you can. I think it will be best if we can bring his skin temperature down as far as possible before he wakes. It is going to be much easier to handle him this way. Then bring ice, lots of it."
David had stood and smoothed his clothes, he was almost out the door when Lestat stopped him.
"David!"
David looked back, "Yes?"
"Wash your face."
"What?" David ducked back into the bathroom and looked into the mirror. "Oh," he said, seeing the reddish streaks down his cheeks. He ran water, lathered the soap and scrubbed. He dried his face on the nearest towel, and asked, "What are you going to be doing?"
"I think I'll put him in a cold bath, then I'll see about getting us checked into much larger, far more suitable accommodations," Lestat said.
"Well, before you go out, wash your face," David said, closing the door behind himself.
Lestat put his hand to his face, he could feel the dried tears there. "Louis," he said to the sleeping figure, "you missed your big opportunity to see me weep."
David scanned the minds around him and located a maid. From her he found out where the linens and such were kept and he moved quickly, too quickly for mortals to see, to retrieve them. He took all he could possibly carry, three stacks, and returned, just as quickly, to their room. Lestat was just turning off the water.
"I'll need something large to put the ice in," David said.
"Hmmm, you're right," Lestat said, walking out of the bathroom. "Let's see . . ."
As Lestat was walking around the room, to see if it contained anything large enough, David checked the bathroom. Louis wasn't on the floor.
"Where is Louis?" David asked, alarmed.
"In the bathtub," Lestat answered. "Listen, I'll take care of the ice problem, you had better go and hunt."
"Are you going to leave him unattended?" David asked, incredulous.
"What do you think he is going to do, David? Drown?" Lestat grinned.
David gave an irritated sigh. "Of course not, Lestat, but what if he wakes?"
"Well, if he does, which I doubt he will before at least one of us gets back, he isn't going anywhere. Not with those burns," Lestat said.
David opened his mouth, but closed it again saying nothing. He looked worriedly toward the bathroom.
Lestat walked to him and gave him a playful push toward the door. "Go. Hunt." Lestat opened the door for him. David looked back.
"Out! Now!" Lestat said, swatting his rump and closing the door on him.
David walked down the hallway to the lifts. He was feeling his thirst very strongly, now that he was thinking about it. He hoped no mortals would be on the elevator with him. No such luck, he was packed in with several mortals, drunk and loud. And, by the feel of the hands curving around his bum, lustful. Interesting.
David his head to locate the owner of the hands. It turned out to be a rather young girl of perhaps 19, and a well-muscled man whom David guessed to be 28. When they saw him look back they smiled to each other and continued their explorations more boldly. David was shocked, but with the over crowding in the lift there was no room for him to move. He tried to turn and face them but he found he didn't have the space to do even that. It was an interesting situation. He had to try to appear helpless in order not to call attention, when in fact he was the most powerful being in the lift. He could turn quite easily if he wished, it would only involve breaking the arms, shoulders and hips of those around him, which he could do with a fast spin, as his hard body contacted the soft mortals. David searched out the minds of the two behind him. They were friends. They had come to Rio for carnival. They were both having lascivious thoughts about him. They were going to continue this as far as they could. It was a favorite game of theirs. They considered the game won when they could make the hapless subject ejaculate, preferably in the lift. The object of the game was public humiliation. David found this to be a rather distasteful hobby and planned to have one or both of them for his dinner if this damned lift ever reached the lobby. The woman tried to slip her hand between his legs. David frowned and tensed his thighs, preventing her. She laughed. David felt the man's hand shove through and smack his right thigh rather forcefully. This was supposed to cause his legs to separate. David allowed this, and did as the man expected, wondering what the next move would be. He heard them both laugh. The man brought his hand up and cupped David's genitals. David tried unsuccessfully to move forward outdistancing the man's reach, but again, there was not enough room to do so. David declined to make use of his vampire strength. He was disgusted, yet intrigued. He felt used and yet in control. The man began to slowly manipulate David through his trousers. He was very experienced in this. At one point David found himself thinking that if he had still been mortal, they would have won their game by now. But David's lack of response puzzled the man. He signaled to the woman to slide her arm around David's hip and rub him from the front. She did so and was equally confused as to David's absent erection. They took this as a challenge. The man rubbed his wide hand down David's bum as the woman licked his ear.
The thought, 'Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained vampires unawares' ran through David's head. He chuckled inwardly at his own joke.
They continued their ministrations until the elevator opened on the ground floor and as the passengers began to file out, David pretended to make his escape. They laughed again as he ran into the lobby and out the doors. But David waited for them in the shadows. He followed them until they passed an alleyway when he appeared, as if from nowhere and pulled them both into the darkness of the alley.
David had them both by the throat, cutting off any noise they might make. He drained the girl first, while the man watched, growing more and more horrified by the second. David dropped her lifeless body and turned to the man. He released his hold on the man's throat, just enough so the man wouldn't lose consciousness. Then he reached down and ripped the zipper out of the man's trousers. The man was figuring out that he and his little chippie may have just played with the wrong man. David pulled the man's penis free of his clothing, lifted the man off of his feet by this handle, and sunk his fangs into the underside of it. David brought his other hand under the man's back, and drained him completely dry, finally removing his fangs with a savage twist of his head, which severed the appendage. Satiated, revenge taken, and stress relieved, the mighty lion hunter disposed of the bodies and returned to the hotel.
Lestat had removed Louis from the bathtub and again he lay on the bathroom floor, packed in ice. Louis's skin had turned a rosy beige which was a great change from the angry red, but still looked sore. Lestat was sitting on the bed, watching television.
"That was quick," he said as David entered.
"Yes, luckily I found prey just outside the doors," David explained. He went into the bathroom and knelt by Louis. David noticed the ice was melting. He stroked Louis's cheek. It felt hot. "How soon until he wakes?"
"Very soon," Lestat sighed. "We'll have to feed him, you know."
"But he doesn't want your blood, and with the strength you gave me I am sure he doesn't want mine either," David protested.
Lestat simply looked at him, only a slight narrowing of the eyes showed any expression.
"Lestat, you mustn't," David said.
"And why not, David?" Lestat asked, folding his arms. "You admitted that I knew what was right for you, even though you couldn't admit it. I know what is right for Louis as well."
"Lestat, no, you mustn't take this advantage with him," David said.
"Oh, I am not going to take advantage David, certainly not. I'll give him a choice when he wakes." Lestat walked close to David and kissed his cheek, "You may keep the honor of being the only one I took advantage of, my David." Lestat trailed his fingers down David's chest seductively.
David moved Lestat's hand away. "This is no time for your games."
"David, go and retrieve the bags," Lestat said, abruptly.
"Lestat . . ."
"David, they must have arrived by now, you don't think they'll hold them for us forever, do you?" Lestat said patronizingly.
"Lestat, I am not leaving you alone with him," David stated.
"Oh yes you are, David." Lestat smiled. "Either you leave now, and come back when you have gotten our luggage, or I'll take him and fly from you and possibly never see you again. In either circumstance, I'll have my way."
"But Lestat," David argued, "how could you do this?"
"I'm evil David. I thought you knew that already," Lestat grinned.
"I'll stop you," David said, menacingly.
"Oh? And how will you do that?"
"We have comparable strength, I can prevent you from feeding him from yourself," David said.
Lestat laughed. "Comparable strength? David, I could incinerate you where you stand. And even if you managed to prevent it tonight, what do you propose to do? Become his personal bodyguard? Do you intend to stay by his side for eternity?"
"Lestat, please, think of what you are doing! Louis will never forgive you."
"That will make us even then because I haven't forgiven him," Lestat answered.
David thought for a moment. "What was that song you sang to him last night?"
"What?" Lestat looked at him as if he were crazy.
"The song, that lullaby you sang to Louis, last night," David clarified.
"I don't know what you are talking about." Lestat turned away from David, picked up the remote control and began flipping through the television stations so quickly the screen was a blur.
"You know what I mean," David pressed. "It was in old French, Creolized French I think." David began softly humming the tune.
"Shut up, David," Lestat said, not taking his eyes from the screen.
"Don't you remember?" David hummed some more. "I only want to know the name."
Lestat threw the remote control at the television set. It crashed through the screen. They both were silent for a beat. Then Lestat walked to the window and opened it.
"Lestat?" David called to him.
"I have to hunt, stay with him," Lestat said and jumped out of the window.
As David stood, staring after him, he heard a terrible pain-filled groan. He rushed to the bathroom.
Louis awoke with his mind in a haze. Everything felt wrong. He didn't know where he was. Nothing smelled familiar. He couldn't see. It was difficult to breathe. He recognized the weight of something on his face. He reached to move the obstruction, an ice filled towel. This small unconscious movement ignited searing pain through his entire body. Even as he lifted the towel, he felt it scrape his face and his palm, as if it were made of steel wool rather than soft cotton. He opened his eyes but he could not penetrate the darkness. His eyes burned, as if they'd been washed with acid. He became aware of more pain. Towels, on his body, everywhere, pricking his skin. Unbearable. He turned to his side and the towels began sliding off of him, grating as they fell. Excruciating. He fell back, but now even the feel of the smooth floor against his raw back was unendurable. He couldn't move and he couldn't lie still. He heard a voice.
Chapter Two
"Louis, I'm here. Can you hear me? Louis?"
"David?" Louis asked. His voice came out as a raspy whisper.
"Yes, Louis, it's David. How do you feel?"
"David, I cannot see in this darkness, is there a light?"
David looked upward at the burning lamp. He looked back to Louis. "Don't try now. Don't strain yourself. Close your eyes. We should get you off this floor, the bed is much softer," David said. He was covering his worry. Blind? Could Louis be blind? Was that even possible? His mind consumed with this thought, David laid his hand down beside Louis's shoulder, gently beginning to lift it.
"DON'T!" Louis screamed, forcing his voice through his tortured throat. "Don't touch me!"
David pulled back immediately. "Alright, Louis, alright. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you."
Louis was breathing in short gasps now. "Oh God . . . the nightmare . . . David, the burning, what happened? Lestat? Mon Dieu, I cannot . . ." Louis lay panting, opening his eyes as wide as possible, straining to see.
"Louis, you were burned. I didn't understand the difference between our tolerances. I thought since I was yet a very new vampire, perhaps we would be closer to comparable than we are. It was my mistake, Louis. I thought we had at least until the sun reached the horizon. You were exposed to the light. I haven't the words to atone for it. I wish it were me instead of you, Louis, I truly do." David realized he was rambling a bit. He took a deep breath. "Lestat will be back shortly. We are in Rio. Lestat says you will heal. The pain will lessen, and you will be well. It took him perhaps three nights, but he had been exposed to full sun for an entire day. We will keep you as comfortable as we can and this will all be over soon."
Louis's eyes searched frantically for something he could see. "I thought it was a nightmare. It was too late. I couldn't find the ground to dig. Someone . . . something . . .I was fighting it. I couldn't get away. There was pain. It was peeling my skin away. And it was Lestat. And then it was the other Lestat, singing to me. I couldn't tell if he was hurting me or something else. I was in a trap. He was there. He was talking to me, but he wouldn't help me get out." Louis took a breath. "David?"
"I'm here Louis."
"David, please, take it off of me, on my skin, it's like sand paper. It's cold, it burns. Please, David." Louis couldn't say what he was thinking. Suddenly the words wouldn't come. He hoped David could understand.
"Yes, Louis. I will," David said, lifting the remaining towels and ice from Louis's skin. "Is that better?"
"Better," Louis repeated. "Lestat?"
"Lestat isn't here, Louis. He will be soon. He'll be here soon, Louis," David reassured him.
Louis seemed to relax a bit, he closed his eyes. "My eyes are burning. Thirsty. I want to drink. Bloodthirst."
"I know, Louis. I understand. When Lestat returns we will feed you. I don't want to leave you alone," David explained.
"No, don't feed me, you and Lestat, non, non, don't!" Louis moaned.
"No Louis, not from ourselves. Don't worry. I know you don't want that. It's alright, Louis," David promised.
"No blood, David please no, no Lestat, non. I don't want it." Louis finally got the sentence out.
"I know, Louis, I know. I won't and Lestat won't. Rest easy, Louis."
Louis quieted and his face twisted into a tight grimace. "Lestat!" he called through clenched teeth. "Lestat!"
"I'm with you, beautiful one." Lestat appeared at Louis's side. David hadn't even heard him enter.
"Lestat!" Louis exclaimed with relief.
"Oui, mon cheri. I told you I wouldn't leave you. I've brought you something . . .something to drink." Lestat went out into the other room.
"David?" Louis asked, apprehensively.
"He won't, Louis, it's alright. Trust him, Louis," David told him.
Lestat returned with a dazed looking teenager in his arms. She was dressed in ragged jeans and nothing else. Lestat knelt down and bared her throat , he held her just above Louis's lips, not quite touching him. There was a pause, and then Louis lunged up and sunk his fangs into her, pulling deep draughts from her.
"Good, Louis, " Lestat said, "very good. Drink deep."
Louis had drained her in less than ten minutes. Lestat pulled her from Louis's mouth.
"The heart's about to stop, cher, no more now."
Louis made a cry of protest as Lestat pulled the girl from his mouth. Blood ran over his chin and down his neck. David reached to staunch the flow and his eyes met Lestat's over the body. David gave him a warm smile. Lestat lowered his eyes. He was ashamed to have his bluff called. Especially by his own fledgling. But David had always been able to do that, hadn't he, even from that first meeting. He couldn't fool David. He hated that.
David took the corpse. "I'll go and dispose of this, and I'll pick up the bags."
Lestat touched his arm. "In a moment." He turned to Louis. "Louis, we're going to lift you off this floor and put you on the bed."
"NO!" Louis panicked. "Don't touch me! Don't!"
"Shh, Louis , calm down." Lestat said reprovingly. "Don't make such a fuss. You'll be much more comfortable on the bed. Don't worry, all of the windows will be covered."
"Non, Lestat, don't lift me, don't touch my skin! I cannot stand it!"
"Louis, I know. Believe me cher, I know. But it will only hurt for an instant. Now be quiet." Lestat looked at David and nodded toward the bed. David stood, opened the door wide and went to pull the covers down off of the bed.
"Lestat, don't please." Louis begged, his voice breaking. He was exhausted, he was in pain, the thirst was consuming, he just couldn't take any more.
Lestat sighed. "Louis, listen to me. I know the agony you are in. I know the intensity of it. And the last thing in the world I want to do is frighten you or hurt you more. But I am going to touch you. We cannot leave you here. It isn't safe. We are going to have to let housekeeping into this room, and better tonight than tomorrow morning. We can cover you on the bed. There is no explanation for you lying here on the floor. So we will move you to the bed. And you must not scream or yell. We have already had a visit from security due to your noise. Now I am going to lift you and carry you to the bed. And you are going to behave. Do you understand?"
Louis didn't answer at first. He closed his eyes. He took a deep breath. Then, in a steady whisper he said, "Yes." He tensed his body. He heard Lestat move closer. He squeezed his eyes shut tight. He felt Lestat's hands touch him. He gritted his teeth and sucked in a breath.
Lestat folded Louis into his arms as quickly as he could and got him through the door and on to the bed. "Louis, it's over."
Louis released a long shuddering breath. Tears had filled his eyes. "Merci, Lestat," He whispered.
David pulled a thin sheet over him. The combination of the blood and the pain of being carried made this light weight tolerable against his skin. "Is this more comfortable, dear boy?"
"Oui." Louis breathed. "but please, David, light a lamp. The night is too thick and I cannot see."
"You can't see!" Lestat reacted angrily.
"Lestat . . ." David began.
Lestat grabbed the lamp at Louis's bedside. He tore off the shade and threw it to the floor. He held the bare bulb to Louis's eyes. The light reflected there, showing a deep brilliant green. "Louis, what do you see?"
"Nothing. It's all darkness," Louis answered. "What is wrong?"
"Lestat." David gave a quick negative shake of his head. Lestat stared at David, but stayed silent. The room was tense. Finally, the silence was broken by Louis's calm whisper.
"The light is on, isn't it." It wasn't a question. He knew. But neither wanted to confirm it for him.
"Isn't it, David?" Louis pressed quietly.
"Yes," David replied slowly.
"It's only temporary," Lestat burst out quickly. "You'll heal Louis."
Louis closed his eyes and sighed wearily.
"David, please dispose of that," Lestat said in a low voice, pointing to the girl who had been deposited in a heap on the floor. David nodded. He opened the window, looked to Louis, then took up the body and flew into the night with it.
Lestat stood still and thought of Louis's eyes. He remembered the wonder in them that first night when he was staring at moonlight and buttons and trees as if they were magical things. He had always loved the light that would flare in them when Louis was angry. He loved the way they would spark and flash when Louis would describe a beautiful piece of art, or a good book or anything that ignited his passion. He remembered the pure feeling in them when they met together in Carmel Valley. He remembered how cold and lifeless they had looked to him when he was in the mortal body. Glittering jewels, he had thought at the time. Louis's eyes . . .his beautiful emerald eyes . . .
"Lestat?" Louis asked.
"Yes, cher," Lestat answered, coming to the bed.
"I thought you might have gone," Louis said. His voice was stronger, a bit more than a whisper now.
"No, my darling, I won't leave you," Lestat said kindly.
"David feels guilty," Louis said.
Lestat slowly sat on the edge of the bed carefully. "It was a mistake, Louis."
"Yes, I know," Louis answered.
"You must forgive him. His new powers, his reunion with me and his haste to get to Rio, these all conspired against him, Louis. He was caught off guard, without preparation. He has gone so quickly from the elderly mortal who can almost hear his own death rattle, to a suddenly young robust mortal with many long years ahead, to an almost indestructible immortal, it confuses him. He cannot get his bearings. He cannot gauge his own powers and limitations, much less anyone else's. Louis," Lestat said with a grin, "He is only 76."
"It's my own fault, of course," Louis told him. "This is what I get for putting myself in the hands of James Bond and Indiana Jones."
Lestat laughed. Louis sense of humor showed at the oddest times. He wanted so to kiss Louis. He despised the thought that he couldn't.
"Do you forgive him, Lestat?" Louis asked.
"Yes, of course I do," Lestat answered.
"As do I."
Lestat was relieved to hear it. Hopefully it wouldn't become a standard issue to be brought up during terrible fights when it could cause the most terrible pain, as so many other incidents were. "Are you feeling any better?" Lestat asked.
"Yes . . .better since . . .since I fed," Louis answered.
"The blood helps the healing," Lestat told him.
A look of uncertainty crossed Louis's face. " . . .Lestat?"
"What Louis?"
"Could . . .would you . . .is it possible for me to . . .drink again tonight?" Louis asked, hating to want such a thing.
"You want me to bring you more?" Lestat asked.
Louis's face betrayed the guilt he felt. "Yes."
"It's alright Louis. Yes, I'll bring you more, but not too much I should think. You don't need to be ill on top of all of this," Lestat answered. "After David returns, I'll go out again."
"No," Louis said. "I'd rather if we could . . .finish it, before David returns."
"I don't want to leave you alone, Louis. It isn't safe."
"Please Lestat. Please, you can do it quickly, I know you can."
"Alright, Louis, if you wish."
Lestat went to the window, pulled himself out and dropped soundlessly to the ground. He scanned the thoughts around him. He located an elderly man, poor, drunk and dancing in the streets with no shoes on, because he owned none. He was small, perhaps 5'2. Lestat centered on him, grabbed him up quickly and was back in the hotel room within five minutes. Lestat had grabbed him by the throat, choking him to unconsciousness, so that he was limp and quiet. Lestat took him to Louis and pushed the thin skin over his jugular up to Louis's mouth.
Louis moaned softly and bit deeply into the vein. The blood filled his mouth and ran down his throat in a cooling flood. Lestat held his finger on the pulse point of the mortal's wrist. As the heartbeat slowed, he let Louis drink as long as he could, but eventually he knew he had to pull the man away. In Louis's weakened state, he thought it might be dangerous for him to drink to the death.
Lestat reached under the man's neck to pull him out of Louis's mouth without jerking Louis's head up. In doing so, his fingers wandered a bit too close to Louis's fangs and he nicked himself on the sharp point. A few tiny drops of his blood fell into Louis's mouth before the wound closed. Louis gave a small cry of pleasure when the droplets hit his tongue, but remained unaware of what had happened.
Lestat did entertain the idea of forcing his wrist to Louis's mouth, but then he abandoned it. He didn't want to think about why he was abandoning it, he simply pushed it out of his mind. While Louis was still in the swoon, Lestat took the body out and dropped in the nearest river.
Louis felt the blood spreading out through his body, and it was not the familiar surge up and down through his veins and arteries, though that was there as well. This was more delicate and sweet. He could feel the blood enter each tiny capillary, enlivening every cell with its rich sensation. His mind swirled with images of Carnaval, images of dancing and singing, the colorful costumes, the beautiful people, and somehow, within in it, was Lestat, and David and himself. But these images flashed and careened wildly. Lestat was standing on the stage, singing, but the stage was in a Samba Parade. David changed quickly from his vampire self to his mortal self and then back again, and all the while dancing in the street. Louis saw himself; mortal, vampire, child, man, seemingly all at the same time. He was a child and with Lestat, running through a cold and barren wood to a burnt out clearing, but beyond the clearing were dancers in red spangles and pink feathers. And David with a gun, tall and young as a mortal, taking them both in his arms and carrying them away. And three of them laughing, and loving each other and speaking in English, and French and Portuguese and Louis could understand it all.
Memories and dreams, time and place, melded and twisted and crashed against each other. There was Lestat on the floor, bleeding and calling to him, and clearly the thought forms in his mind that Lestat won't kill her if he saves him. Lestat would never kill her. And so he rushes forth and pulls Lestat over his shoulder and runs to Lestat's room and flips open the coffin lid. He tends to the wounds. He feeds Lestat from himself. And she comes, and she is frightened and sorry and Lestat forgives her. And David comes and he picks her up and cradles her in his arms and she is happy. They go out and it is Mardi Gras, but as they run joyously down the Rue Royale, he sees that they have run over the river and into Rio.
He sees David in Rio, but long ago, with Carlos, the lover he had described to Lestat. And they are dancing into the hotel, and preparing to go into the jungles. Louis reaches for Lestat's hand and tells him. Lestat is dressed in his finest blue silk frock coat and breeches, his golden hair tied back in a blue velvet ribbon, and he looks out of place as he runs to the hotel. Louis follows him, seeing himself briefly reflected in the glass of the hotel door. He is dressed as Lestat is, in the fashions of their century. Green velvet frock coat, embroidered with gold, silk breeches, white satin stockings, small leather shoes on his feet. They were dressed for a ball, for dancing. But Louis saw that he was not so pale, and not so . . . he smiled, no fangs! Lestat reached back for him and pulled him into the hotel. They ran to David's room and Lestat pulled the door off of it's hinges. But Carlos was not there. 'I know.' David told them, laughing at the unhinged door. 'I know it all. Don't worry, they will not trap me again in their hallowed halls! Come let us find the tiger!'
Lestat is laughing as well and he embraces Louis and kisses him full on the mouth for hours.
But then it is David kissing him. Then breaking off the kiss, hugging him, and then pulling him along. 'Come, Louis, the tiger!' David says excitedly.
Louis sees that they are moving toward Pointe du Lac but there is no oratory, and his father is standing at the door. In his arms are two blond boys, both beautiful and robust. David reaches the doors first and his father smiles at him.
'Davide.' Louis's father smiles.
David kisses his father and takes one boy. He is Paul. Perfect and whole and impossibly sweet as he always had been.
Louis reaches his father and kisses him.
'Louis, mon fils, this is Lestat." His father says, handing Louis the other child. Louis stares down into his eyes and indeed it is Lestat. His large grey eyes are innocently dancing and his smile is pure and without irony or malice. 'His father was . . .not suited to family life.' Louis's father explained, decorously. "And so he has come to be with us. He was born in France, as you were. He is the son of Le Marquis d'Avergne. He is precious and precocious.' Louis's father laughs. 'I want you to take special charge of him and keep him safe.'
'From his father, Papa?' Louis asks.
'Non, Louis, mon coeur.' His father smiles proudly. 'You have already killed his father. You know that.' Then he looks out toward the fields. 'Ah, look mes petits, the Bandas have come!"
And they have, they come as a wave, covering the fields, thousands of them. And the music is so thrilling and so overwhelming. It washes through Louis and seems to raise him up off of his feet and into the heavens. He is in ecstasy, free, unafraid and gloriously happy.
Then he begins to float down, closer to the ground. The music is fading and seems to come from a distance now. He is uncomfortable and he wants to move. He realizes the darkness has descended again, and no matter how hard he strains, he can see nothing. The pain grows more noticeable. The swoon is over. He hears the door open. He tenses for a moment.
"Relax Louis, it is only David," Lestat told him.
David entered the room pulling a luggage cart piled high with their bags. "Lestat, did you make the other arrangements you mentioned before?"
"Yes, but we need not change accommodations until tomorrow night," Lestat said, coming and pulling down one of the suitcases.
"Where are we going?" Louis asked.
"The penthouse suite," Lestat told him. "Just six floors up."
"Why?" Louis asked.
"Why?" Lestat answered him. "Look around you, Louis, do these look like the surroundings of the Vampire Lestat? There isn't even room to turn around in here."
Louis said nothing. David stared at Lestat.
"What is the matter with you, David?" Lestat asked in annoyance.
David's mouth hardened. He waved his hand in front of his eyes and pointed to Louis, indicating 'He can't see.'
Lestat closed his eyes and grimaced in pain. "Louis?"
"It's alright." Louis answered.
"Besides," David said, "someone seems to have broken the television."
Lestat ignored that last comment and commenced to change his clothing. David watched him for a minute and then did the same. The only sounds in the room were the faint rustling of garments, the zippers being pulled and clicking locks of the luggage. It wore on Louis nerves. It was tense and unnatural. It made him too aware his lack of sight. He tried to think of other things. He came to the somewhat horrifying realization that he was not clothed, himself . . .at all. He thought about asking Lestat or David to bring him his case, and then thought that as he couldn't even sit up, how did he expect to dress himself? Of course, Lestat or David would help him if he asked. Suddenly nearly 700 things he would rather ask for invaded his mind; these included a request to be doused with tobasco sauce and rolled in hot tar. Come to think of it, covering his skin with clothing right now, would probably be a very similar experience. Still no one was talking.
"What time is it?" Louis asked.
David looked at his watch and did a quick calculation in his head. "It must be near midnight here, I should think."
"It is Friday here?" Louis asked him.
"Yes, nearly Saturday," David told him.
"So you still have time," Louis said.
"Time for what, cher?" Lestat asked with concern.
"To go out. To see Rio before Carnaval proper starts. I believe that was the purpose of this visit, was it not?" Louis answered him.
"Not tonight, Louis," David said.
"You don't need to keep watch over me," Louis said. "The windows can be covered, can they not?"
"Yes," Lestat answered him. "But it wouldn't be safe to leave you here alone, cheri."
Louis was about to answer as a knock came at the door. "Housekeeping," said a female voice.
Lestat crossed the room and answered the door. David quickly pulled the heavy blanket and bedspread over Louis. Louis winced. David stroked his hair lightly in apology.
Lestat had admitted the woman. She went immediately to the bathroom. At the sight of fourteen or so towels lying on the floor, soaking wet, she exclaimed something in Portuguese that described tourists in general and their unwholesome sexual habits in particular. She exited the bathroom with a furious glance at David, who was a bit stunned, and at Lestat, who was trying to hide his laughter, but not trying very hard. She pulled her laundry hamper in from the hall and angrily threw the towels into it, while making rather rude comments about their parentage. She mopped up the water and changed the other towels in the bathroom. Coming back into the room with David and Lestat she demanded, in English, "How did you get all these towels here?"
Lestat gave her a blank look and turned to David. "What do you think of this color on me?" he asked in classical French.
"Hideous, brings out the blue in your skin," David answered him in Italian, looking toward the bathroom and shrugging.
Lestat turned back to the woman. "Perhaps the buttonhooks." He suggested in the old Creole dialect he had learned from Louis.
The woman pulled a wet towel out of the hamper and spoke very loudly and slowly. "THESE TOWELS. HERE. HOW?" She pointed to the bathroom floor.
David looked as if he had just understood her meaning. "Ah, it cannot be without the sauerbraten." He told Lestat in German. Louis was biting his lips, painful as it was, and trying to look asleep.
Lestat smiled and nodded to the woman. "Do not operate machinery while taking this drug," Lestat explained to her in modern French.
The woman stared at them. Valiantly she tried once more. "TOWELS!" she said shaking one in her fist.
"Zima," Lestat said nodding to David.
"Altoids," David agreed. They smiled at the woman.
Thinking she had gotten this concept through to them, she went on to the next one. "FLOOR." She said walking to the bathroom doorway and kneeling and smacking the floor with her hand.
"Should I just confuse her mind and get rid of her, or are you still having fun?" Lestat asked David in French, looking seriously at the floor.
"You know you are really only speaking a lower class gutter form of Latin," David answered in Latin, looking at the woman and rubbing his chin, thoughtfully.
"YES, FLOOR." The woman said. " HOW DID THE TOWELS," she shook a towel, "GET ON THE FLOOR?" She threw a towel to the floor in explanation and frustration.
"You are enflaming me with passion," David told her Polish while politely retrieving the towel and handing it to her.
She took the towel and looked from one to the other. They smiled and nodded. She sighed deeply and swore some more in Portuguese as she rolled the hamper back out into the hall, slamming the door behind her.
Louis was shaking with laughter. Lestat pulled the covers down off of him, leaving the sheet. David collapsed onto the other bed and laughed. Lestat walked over to the bathroom, and in a quick motion knelt down and slapped the floor. "FLOOR!" he demanded.
David curled up with laughter and in the process rolled off of the bed. Lestat fell over in giggles.
This mayhem lasted perhaps ten minutes, perhaps longer, but finally it did wear itself out, leaving them all with smiles and an overall feeling of camaraderie that has been lost in the tense atmosphere before.
"As I was saying," Louis continued. "As long as you cover the windows and lock the door, I don't see why the two of you cannot go."
"Oh, Louis, are you trying to get rid of us?" Lestat teased.
"Yes," Louis said. "Desperately."
"We aren't wanted," David smiled at Lestat.
Lestat sighed dramatically. "How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child!"
"King Lear act 1, scene 4," Louis recited. "Now exuent."
"Louis, how positively insolent!" Lestat said with mock horror.
"Lestat, really, what are you going to do in here all night? Stare at me? Nothing is going to happen. And to be honest I'd rather like to go to sleep. So, please, just go," Louis said. His voice was getting much better. It sounded almost normal.
"Louis, are you certain?" David asked.
"Yes, absolutely," Louis answered him.
"David, I'm not going anywhere," Lestat said seriously.
"David, please?" Louis asked politely.
"Well, Lestat, I do see his point. No one else will come in here this evening. We can cover the windows, lock the doors and hook the chain mentally from the hallway, that way no one can get in. If he'd really rather have some quiet, perhaps we should," David said.
"Merci, David," Louis thanked him.
"No," Lestat answered. "Louis if you want to sleep, then sleep. We won't disturb you."
"But Lestat, why?" Louis asked. "There is no reason."
"Because you are blind and helpless, that is the reason," Lestat hadn't yet raised his voice, but he was fighting his temper.
Chapter Three
Louis fought down the sob that tried to escape his throat. It was true, but it hurt to hear it. It was frightening. To be honest he didn't really want to be left alone, but he thought it would be good for David and Lestat to get out for a while. Go and have some fun. Every conversation was ending in an argument. There was too much guilt and worry in the room. Louis sighed.
Lestat came over to the bed and spoke softly to him. "I want to be with you, beautiful one. Is that such an irritating prospect, hmmm?"
Louis almost smiled. "Non, Lestat, it is only that it has been a terrible trip so far. It got off to a bad start. But everything is going to be fine. I am going to be fine. You said so yourself. So there is no reason to waste the nights you have here. David wanted to show you the carnival. You and David should have some time together. Take it now."
"Louis," David said. "That is not the priority. If that is the only reason you want us to leave then I agree with Lestat, and we shall not. Carnaval happens every year, we have eternity to see it over and over. Do not concern yourself with that."
"David, did you bring any books?" Lestat asked.
"Yes, I have a few," David answered. "Why?"
"Did you bring any INTERESTING books?" Lestat asked, playfully.
David went to the luggage and pulled out one of his bags. He laid it on the second bed and unzipped it. "I brought FAUST, THE COLLECTED KAFKA, THE SERPENT AND THE RAINBOW…"
"I believe I said INTERESTING books," Lestat yawned.
"Well, perhaps this then," David tossed a book at Lestat. Lestat caught it and found the title.
"THE VAMPIRE LESTAT! Perfect!" Lestat exclaimed delightedly. "Now make yourself comfortable David. I am going to read to you."
"Lestat-" Louis began.
"What Louis? Don't you remember life before television and VCRs you spoiled boy? We used to read aloud all the time. It was a major entertainment, have you forgotten?"
Louis smiled. "Non."
"Alright then, Lestat said, climbing into bed next to David. He opened the book. " 'I am the Vampire Lestat. I'm immortal. More or less. The light of the sun, the sustained heat of an intense fire-these things might destroy me. But then again they might not.' " Lestat read.
"Live and learn," David commented.
"Could I have quiet, please?" Lestat asked him. David smiled at him.
" 'I am six feet tall, which was fairly impressive in the 1780s, when I was a young mortal man...' " Lestat continued to read, for the most part uninterrupted for the rest of the night. Louis and David quite liked this actually, and for the same reason. Neither had ever heard Lestat read one of his own books. It was interesting to hear exactly how each sentence was meant to be said. What words to be stressed, in some instances it completely changes the meaning. And Lestat, for his part, was having the time of his life, with his two favorite fledglings as his audience. Louis was asleep long before anything insulting was said about him. 'His lies and his vanity' and such. And Lestat was just starting the sixth chapter of Part VII when David closed his eyes. Lestat looked at the two of them. He got out of bed and kissed Louis's cheeks. They felt warm, but not overly so. He crawled back into bed with David and kissed his lips. Then he thanked God, or Claudia or whatever it was that had allowed him these perfect companions, convinced himself that Louis would be alright by tomorrow night, and fell asleep.
The next night Lestat awoke curled around David. He simply lay there with his fledgling in his arms, enjoying the feel of it David, his David, in this beautiful body, strong and young and loved him still. Lestat couldn't believe his luck. It had only taken him 5 tries. That wasn't so bad, was it? And two of them weren't complete failures. Gabrielle was cold and anti-social as hell, but wasn't she always? And Louis, he was guilt-ridden, yes, but not quite so melancholy all the time, not since Carmel Valley. And so utterly beautiful in his tragedy that it didn't really matter so much. And he was so good to tease and taunt and infuriate. Actually, Louis was perfect, for Lestat's purposes, just as he was. Think if he had made a fledgling like David back when he had made Louis. A fledgling so alike in his powers that he could actually challenge Lestat and do a good battle for leadership. Back then Lestat would probably have killed him by the third night.
No, Lestat had needed his little mortal lifetime of superiority, even if it had come to a bitter end. It had been fun to be to be the one who was always right and the one who always won. To be the strong one, to be the leader, the protector, the father, even. And it still was.
Lestat gently extricated himself from David and went over to Louis. Lestat kissed his cheeks. There was warmth, but not much more than the heat after feeding well. Louis's color was improving as well. The reddish soreness had faded somewhat, it no longer hurt just to look at it. It was an interesting effect on Louis. He was a few shades darker than he had been even as a mortal and it gave him a faintly exotic appearance. Lestat pulled the sheet down. The color was even, as his own tan was, despite the clothing Louis had been wearing. Lestat ran his hands down Louis's body, even temperature as well. Lestat found himself lingering here, Louis's skin was so soft. Harder than that of a mortal, certainly, but it retained that mortal malleability, the gentle swells and curves. Lestat's own skin had become an almost shell-like carapace. But Louis's was still a bit springy to the touch. Lestat found himself tracing the muscles of Louis's stomach. He pressed his face to Louis's chest. The tenderness and the warmth there was almost irresistible. Lestat looked across the room at David. Still sleeping. Good.
Lestat let his hands roam all over Louis. He touched him and held him and kissed him as he never had. The utter despair at the thought of losing Louis was let loose in his mind now. Louis was a constant. Louis was always there, taken for granted really. Ignored when other, more exciting events took precedence, but always there when needed. Always waiting in some crumbling house, abandoned flat or tumble-down shack so that Lestat could always have him when he wanted. Unimaginable that one night when Lestat had had enough of misadventure and tempting fate there would be no Louis to relax him with his low and gentle voice. No Louis to lull him back into the rhythms of the world with his endlessly repetitive routine. No Louis for him to gaze upon and know that this beauty is eternal. No Louis to frighten and outrage with his tales? No Louis to explain to him in his angry and yet perfectly controlled voice, that he was the devil himself, that he should be walled up in a dungeon, that he was a monster, a fiend? Impossible.
Lestat lifted Louis and slipped into the bed beneath him. He kissed Louis's face and hair. He rained kissed down Louis's smooth chest. He rubbed Louis's glossy fingernails against his lips. He cradled Louis in his arms and licked his soft nipples which were so warm now and slightly pink. He rubbed his hands over Louis's hips to his thighs. Louis was slender and slightly built, standing a bit shorter than Lestat at 5'10 and 1/2, but he was well-developed and his muscles were hard. This was from riding everyday and the other common exertions of everyday life in 1791 that today would be thought of as unendurable hardships. Even rich young planters like Louis walked miles everyday; up and down the stairs of the house, out to the stables, checking the progress in the fields and conditions in the slave quarter. Lestat remembered Louis's difficulty in running the plantation once he had been made and could not supervise the plantation nor conduct his business during the day. Louis had been accustomed to riding into New Orleans and walking from the bank to the cotton mill to the tailor to the blacksmith to the silversmith to various merchants and wherever else he had errands or business. And all this while wearing a full suit of proper gentleman's clothing; shirt, vest, breeches, coat and boots, in the oppressive heat and humidity of New Orleans.
Lestat ran his hands again through Louis's long black waves. He remembered hearing that Louis refused to wear a hat during the heat of the day, and that it was somewhat of a bone of contention between himself and his mother. It was hilarious to imagine Louis being scolded for improper behavior! Louis, who wouldn't even allow himself to put his own hands in his own pockets! What a stiff battle-ax she must have been. This, of course, had been before the bitch had gone to the police to accuse her own firstborn son of fratricide. Lestat had rarely been in her presence, but he had always held a bad opinion of her. It seemed to him that she was forever haranguing Louis about this thing or that. She hated the city, it was coarse and dirty, and the house was too small. She needed another servant, the dressmaker was using inferior thread, the wine that had come in the latest ship from France was unfit to drink and she must have the wine brought from Pointe du Lac. But Louis seemed to love to attend to these endless requests of hers, and always accepted all of her complaints and criticism with a respectful, "Oui, Maman, I shall attend to it" and left her with a kiss and a bow. Lestat was vastly relieved and infinitely glad when she died. Though Louis had been quite upset. He had locked himself in his room, venturing out only to hunt, and cried heartbrokenly for two nights. Lestat understood this, after all it was the same filial grief that had led him to make Gabrielle one of their kind, but he wouldn't let Louis know it then. Instead he had stood and pounded on Louis's door, shouting at him to stop this childish squalling and come sit at the table like a man. In fact, he did it because he loathed the idea of having to pretend to dine with his blind father alone. Louis could always engage the old man in enough mindless chatter to keep him content. Lestat relied on this to get through the charade.
Good God, how he regretted all of his selfishness and stupidity then. But wasn't he still? At this moment, holding Louis naked in his lap, this was certainly selfish, Louis would never consciously allow it. And with David in the same room as well? Louis would be mortified as well as enraged. And it was somewhat stupid. He hadn't determined exactly when David tended to wake, and if he awoke to see this he would be scandalized as well as wildly indignant on Louis's behalf. Yet, Lestat didn't really care, did he? He wanted to do it, and so he was. And enjoying it immensely.
Lestat spread Louis's thighs and ran his fingers through the dark glossy curls between them. Louis's hair was soft, not wiry, as soft as the hair on his head. Lestat petted it and kissed it. He took Louis's member in his hand. It was a good size, proportionate to Louis. Lestat squeezed it gently and massaged it, all the while imagining how thoroughly livid Louis would be if he ever found out. He bent his head and kissed it's tip, then took it into his mouth, because he imagined this would be his only chance to ever do so.
If Louis had any of his own essence or scent left, this was it; a sweet, rich mix of cinnamon and sandalwood. Or better to say a scent more similar to this than anything else. It was impossible to describe really. It was Louis. Lestat released him from his mouth and kissed him. He let his hands wander down Louis's legs and over his feet. He looked over at David, still sleeping. He decided if he had gone this far, why not really satisfy his curiosity?
He turned Louis over onto his stomach. He laid down beside Louis and turned his face towards him, kissing his lips. The warmth in the kiss was an almost sexual pleasure and Lestat moaned softly. He laid his head on Louis's shoulders and rubbed his back. The color of him, the warmth, the softness of his skin, it was like holding a man, not a vampire. And the increased sensitivity in Lestat's recently burnt hands added an even deeper dimension. Lestat traced Louis's spine to his buttocks. He molded them in his hands. Thank Heaven that Louis continued to favor the tight-fitting pants of their era. Lestat had often gotten as much joy out of following Louis as he did from facing him. And it was a pleasure made even more sweet by the fact that Louis had absolutely no idea of his allure. Of course, by now certainly, Louis must have realized that his eyes, his face and his hair were considered to be quite becoming to others, even if he still considered himself "regular" and "nothing exceptional." But as to how the graceful movements of his well-formed body affected others, how he was indeed a walking wet dream, as they used to say in the crude taverns of Auvergne, Louis was as unaware as an infant. It was a charming ignorance.
Lestat let his fingers slip into the cleft. He probed the depth. He stroked Louis lightly with his first finger. He found him to be rather small. Lestat pushed a finger at the opening. Tight, very tight, he would go as far as to say virginally tight. Could that be? Well, with Louis it certainly was possible. Enjoying the favors of whores and bargirls, this was practically a Creole right of passage, but boys? In New Orleans? In the 1780s? Not unless one knew where to go and what to say, and Louis certainly could have lived his whole life without finding out. Lestat nudged his finger deeper, past the hard, unyeilding muscles encircling the orifice. Ahh, yes, this was territory untouched by human hands, certainly. How delicious. Lestat furtively glanced to David. His eyes were still closed. Lestat was having the most irresistible idea.
He leapt up gracefully and undressed in seconds, popping some buttons in the process and lay back down, naked, beside Louis. Lestat took hold of his own organ. It wasn't erect, of course, but it was hard. Hard as marble, as was the rest of his skin. And it had feeling, it certainly did. It was much more sensitive than when he was a mortal, in fact. Lestat tapped himself lightly, feeling the ripples of sensation wash through his body, kissed the back of Louis's neck, and made his decision.
He rolled Louis onto his side. Holding him around the chest with one arm, Lestat held himself with the other hand, and slowly entered Louis. Oh, it was pure delight. Lestat inched himself further and further in, finally moving on top of Louis and thrusting as hard as he could. He buried himself to the hilt in Louis. Lestat rocked slightly, Louis's rigid, unstretched passage crushing him. It was perfect. Lestat eased up and down slowly, for several minutes.
He leaned close to Louis's ear and whispered, "My Louis. Mine. Mon amour, toujours."
Vibrations of pleasure danced through Lestat's body, up to his head, down through his toes, out each of his fingers. And then, similar to mortal orgasms, the sensations became less intense, and faded. Lestat knew it was over. He rolled to his side and pulled himself free of Louis, loving the smoothness and cleanliness of this vampire "love-making." So much more pleasurable than the wet, sticky, odorous nature of mortal sex. Having withdrawn, he saw that he has torn Louis somewhat. 'My, my but we were an untouched child, weren't we Louis? It seems I have broken your maidenhood, mon cher!' Lestat thought.
Lestat ran the tip of his finger over his fang, making a long deep gash, and plunged his healing blood into Louis. He rotated quickly, covering all surfaces and emerged, smearing Louis's wounded ring of skin and muscle with red. Lestat watched the wounds close.
'Ah, restored virginity! Is there nothing beyond the power of the Vampire Lestat?' Lestat looked to see that his finger had already healed. All evidence gone. No fibers to bag for the rape kit, no blood to test for DNA matches, the perfect crime.
Lestat turned Louis again and gazed at his sleeping fledgling. So beautiful. He knew he overused the word until it seemed to have no meaning, but what other adjective could so completely encompass Louis? His luxuriant black hair, fine as silk and vaguely curly, Lestat took two handfuls of it and pulled it through his fingers. Louis's hair, it drove him wild, it really did. Even after more than 200 years, Lestat could barely stand to look at Louis without touching his hair. He stroked it back now, to fall away from Louis's face, such exquisite features. Lestat smoothed Louis's eyebrows with his thumbs. They were perfectly shaped, symmetrical and identical. It was the same with his stunning eyes which were wide set, pure true green, and seemed to have kept a bit of the dimension and roundness of childhood. Lestat touched Louis's eyelashes, they were thick, long and curved outward from his eyes. Louis eyes, was it possible that the sun had destroyed Louis's eyes? Lestat wanted to weep. He kissed Louis over and over. Louis's lips, always soft and full, had a color and warmth that tempted Lestat. He so wanted to bite those rose petal lips. But if he did, he may not be able to stop at one small sip, and Louis was in no condition to lose much blood. Instead Lestat pulled Louis's jaw down and opened Louis's mouth. He stared at Louis's fangs, perfect little fangs. Not that they were actually small, they were adequately long and sharp. But Louis's canines had never been as prominent as Lestat's. So as they lengthened and pointed, they stayed in line with his other teeth, giving him more the look of a kitten than a killer. Lestat often admired his own fangs in the mirror, and thought they had a much more vicious shape to them, like a wolf or a savage jungle cat, or indeed a horrible monstrous vampire!
Lestat pressed his open mouth to Louis's. He flicked his tongue over the points of Louis's fangs, making tiny cuts and bleeding slightly into Louis's mouth as the cuts healed.
'For your eyes, beautiful one,' he thought. 'For your eyes.' Then he withdrew and kissed Louis one last time.
He stood and pulled down the case he'd packed for Louis. He set it beside Louis's bed. Lestat picked up his own discarded clothing and threw it into his own bag. From this he brought out more clothes and dressed quickly; shorts, sandals, T-shirt, the tourist look. David had rolled over and was in the light sleep of night, rather than the death sleep of day, and this only due to the stress of the past nights, as vampires rarely sleep at night. But because of this, Lestat knew he didn't have much time before David woke. He threw the locks on Louis's suitcase. He'd been rather pleased and surprised to find several new garments in Louis's closet when he had packed this case. Of course, he realized that Louis had to buy new clothes once or twice a decade, but Lestat never imagined that Louis would buy so many at one time. And Lestat had packed them all. Suits, all black, of course, but one with beautifully worked silver buttons, and another buttoned with carved onyx roses. Three others with plain flat black buttons of plastic or brass.
'Oh Louis,' Lestat thought. 'Must you dress like an undertaker?'
There were two fine vests, one of blue silk with green embroidery, one of red velvet. Shirts, one large and flowing, white with ruffles at the collar and cuffs, a plain white button down, a plain black button down, two collarless, black and grey, and of course the ever-present black sweaters; mock turtlenecks, cable knits, pullovers. With five pairs of black denim jeans, and 12 pairs of black socks, Lestat had emptied Louis's room of all acceptable clothing. There were no underwear, of course. Louis found them uncomfortable, and Lestat had always suspected that he was too embarrassed to buy them. It wasn't gentlemanly to purchase one's underclothing in public. He had also, without Louis's knowledge, thrown out the rest of the rags that had been masquerading as Louis's wardrobe. But by the time they returned to the Rue Royale flat, Louis would be used to the new clothes, and wouldn't miss the pathetic worn articles. At least this was what Lestat thought. Unfortunately, it seemed that Louis had been wearing his very best suit the first night in Rio, and had scorched it beyond salvation. Oh well, Lestat would buy him another one. But what to dress him in tonight? Something light, preferably. Lestat remembered the feel of cloth next to his skin the first time he had dressed after he'd been burned. It was terrible. Louis was less deeply burned, and a bit more recovered than Lestat had been, so Lestat guessed he could stand it. But there was no need to wrap him in heavy rough layers. Lestat hefted each item in his hands. No, none of this would do, he would have to dress Louis in his own clothes until Louis could bear wearing these things.
Lestat repacked Louis's suitcase and closed it. He opened his own and took out a T-shirt. It would be a bit large on Louis, but not ridiculously so. It was white and plain, that should please Louis. Lestat then brought out several pairs of shorts. Louis's hips were smaller than his own, so he chose a pair that were snug on him. A bit short for Louis's taste probably, but they were black and plain and would fit him well. And besides, he hadn't much choice. Lestat took the shirt and shorts and dressed Louis. It was very enjoyable actually, it reminded him of how he and Louis used to love to order clothes and dress Claudia. Hmmm, the shorts only reached two inches down Louis's thighs. Indecently short without underwear, not that Lestat minded, but it would humiliate Louis beyond all reason to find himself, exposed, as it were. Lestat pulled the shorts off of him, and went back into his own luggage for some smallish white Y fronts. God knew what kind of a fit Louis would throw if Lestat dressed him in colored silk or bikinis or worse. Lestat found a pair and was pulling them up as David opened his eyes.
"LESTAT! What in hell do you think you are doing?!" David demanded.
Lestat smoothly finished his motion, reached in and adjusted Louis to the left, all the while completely ignoring David. He reached for the shorts and happened to look over his shoulder.
"Why David, I didn't know you were awake," He said pleasantly.
David was incensed. "Lestat! How dare you take such liberties with Louis while he is in this state!"
"Liberties, David? And what liberties do you mean?" Lestat asked, amusedly.
"You know damn well what I mean! I saw you!"
"You saw me what, David?"
"TOUCHING him! With your hand on him!"
"I am DRESSING him, David. Don't be such an hysteric," Lestat answered.
David got out of bed and came to stand at the foot of Louis's bed, as Lestat lifted Louis to pull the shorts over his bottom.
"Oh," David said abashedly. "I owe you an apology, Lestat. I jumped to an erroneous conclusion."
"You made a despicable accusation is what you did, David," Lestat said calmly, pulling the sheet back up over Louis.
"Yes, I am sorry," David said sincerely.
Lestat turned and put his hands on David's shoulders. "David, I thought you knew me better than that. If I intend to 'take liberties' with someone, I much prefer to have him awake," Lestat said cheekily, and kissed David quickly, to show it was a joke. "Now listen, I would like to move Louis to the penthouse while he is still asleep, and we haven't much time because you slept late."
"You could have woken me, Lestat."
"Yes, but I was too busy taking liberties with Louis," Lestat said lightly.
David smiled and shook his head. "Shall I take the luggage?"
"No. I am going to take the luggage and check in the usual way, then you bring Louis. It is the top floor, Penthouse three."
"All right."
Lestat piled the luggage onto the luggage cart and wheeled out of the room.
David closed the door after Lestat and went to Louis. He was pleased at the change in Louis's skin tone. David put his hand to Louis's forehead, as if checking for fever. Louis was warm, warmer than David, but much cooler than he had been last night. David took Louis's hands in his own, and looked down into Louis's sleeping face.
"I am so sorry, Louis. So terribly sorry, my friend," he said, with deep regret. He released Louis's hands with a sigh, and looked around the room. He wondered briefly if he should do something about the broken telly. He had intended to allow Lestat forty-five minutes to check in and all that. He looked at his watch. It had only been seven minutes, but there wasn't enough time to replace the television. Instead, he went into his wallet and produced two hundred dollars, American. He left this on the dresser beneath the remote control.
Having nothing else to do, he went to the bed he had shared with Lestat and made it. He thought of making Louis's bed as well. He lifted Louis, and moved him to his already made bed. David stood back and gazed at Louis. Lestat had dressed him in your basic slob tourist fashion. Though it gave Louis a somewhat less dignified look, it was pleasing to David. Louis appeared younger, carefree even, with his face relaxed in sleep.
'He is stunning,' David thought. 'Not as overtly as Lestat, but in a more subtle way. Lestat's beauty is like a burst of color, Louis is more like a carving in ebony. The longer you look, the more beauty you see.'
David felt himself being drawn ever closer to Louis. He wasn't sure of this feeling. Certainly he loved Lestat. He would say he was in love with Lestat. But if he wasn't careful he would find himself wanting to be much more than a friend to Louis. And this was not like him. Even in his younger, wilder days, even at school, he was never one to have a 'boy on the side' as they said. He'd never even contemplated such a thing. Not that this would be the same thing at all. The rules had all changed for him. He never had been able to understand how vampire companionships functioned. When he had been in the Talamasca, he had tried to trace some sort of patterns out of their seemingly random unions and separations. Why would there be evidence of a certain two or three or even an entire coven existing together for decades, or even centuries, and then suddenly moving apart? Why would one who had been solitary for his entire existence, suddenly begin a companionship with another? Why did some fledglings stay with their makers, yet others left almost immediately? David had tried a theory of hunting partners, hunting packs and lone hunters, but it did not follow through. And here he was in the middle of some sort of vampiric relationship, and he still didn't know. He understood that there were elements of love, hate, jealousy, envy, control and security in vampire relationships, as in human ones. But as to this one in particular, David hadn't a clue. Where did he stand in the scheme of things? Had he become the third corner in Lestat's love triangle? This new life was proving to be a complicated challenge. David looked to his watch again. Forty-five minutes and more had passed. He left a tip, fifty dollars, American, on the pillow of Louis's bed, for the poor housekeeper they'd annoyed the night before. Then he opened the window, put Louis over his shoulder and went out.
He flew to the top level and found Penthouse Three easily. Lestat was standing in the window drumming his fingers and looking at his watch. He opened the window and helped David in.
"Put him in there." Lestat pointed to an open door.
David carried Louis in and placed him on the bed. Lestat had already covered the windows securely and put away the bags. David noticed that, though it was a king size, there was only one bed in the room. David arranged Louis comfortably and pulled the sheet over him.
Chapter Four
"How many bedrooms are there?" David asked, emerging from Louis's room.
"Two," Lestat answered. "He isn't awake yet?"
"Not a flicker," David replied.
"It's getting late," Lestat said, walking toward Louis's room. David followed him. Lestat sat on the bed. "Louis?" he asked softly, brushing raven hair from his fledgling's closed eyes.
"He is still in the death sleep, Lestat. I can see it in his mind," David told him.
Lestat frowned. "Well, I guess he needs his rest." Lestat kissed Louis's cheek and got up from the bed. "I need to buy him some clothes, David," he said as they walked back into the main room.
"I believe he has clothes, Lestat. What do you think those items you packed for him were?" David asked.
"Those will never do. They are too warm for this climate, he'll be conspicuous. And besides, they are too rough and heavy for his skin now," Lestat said.
"So that is why you have dressed him as a refugee from Baywatch?" David inquired.
"David!" Lestat said in an overly shocked tone, "I didn't know you watched Baywatch!"
"He isn't going to be very happy about your fashion choices when he wakes up," David said.
"Perhaps you haven't noticed, David, but he has gone naked for two nights with nary a peep about it. I don't think he'll have any problem with shorts and a T-shirt. Now, is there a mall, or will I need to trade livestock at some local marketplace?" Lestat asked, knowing the question would annoy David.
"There are several establishments, Lestat. Good God, this isn't the Third World!"
Lestat laughed. "Alright, do you mind staying with him while I shop? Or do you need to hunt first?"
"How long will you be?" David asked.
"I don't know, perhaps you had better go first. In fact," Lestat said, coming over to kiss him, "why don't you go out and spend some time at Carnaval? Louis is right, it is the reason why we came."
"Yes, but it isn't the type of thing one can enjoy alone," David answered.
"Oh David, go on. A dashing young man such as yourself should have no trouble finding company," Lestat grinned.
"I meant with you, Lestat," David said.
Lestat took David in his arms and kissed him. David opened his mouth and boldly thrust his tongue into Lestat's. Lestat responded by pushing his hand under David's shirt and raking his fingernails down David's chest. David reached down for Lestat's bum and gave it a hard squeeze.
"Mmmmmmmm," Lestat answered, pulling his hand back swiftly, breaking all the buttons of David's shirt. David moaned into the unbroken kiss, as he grabbed the back of Lestat's T-shirt and ripped it free. Lestat unzipped David's trousers and pushed them down, then pulled the shirt off of David. David wound his hand in the waistbands of Lestat's shorts and underwear and with a quick hard motion yanked them down and ripped them off. Lestat slammed David's hips against his own. David pulled Lestat down to the floor. He quickly pinned Lestat beneath him and raked his fangs over Lestat's nipples. Lestat reared up and pulled David's neck to his mouth. He kissed the skin there, and sucked at it but did not break it.
"Lestat, don't tease me, please," David whispered.
Lestat laughed a deep dangerous laugh and seized David's shoulders, rolling David under him. David took the challenge and bucked hard, but he could not dislodge Lestat. Lestat laughed again and holding down with one hand on his pelvis and one on his thigh, Lestat ripped his fangs through David's underwear and fastened on an artery in David's groin sinking his fangs deep. David cried out and took Lestat's hair in his hands, scraping his scalp. Lestat grabbed David's hand and David was able to force Lestat's wrist to his mouth and bit it hard. As the blood flowed in this lover's circle, all pretense of struggle was given up and they moaned together in ecstasy.
Louis soundlessly returned to his room, and allowed the darkness to envelope him once more.
Lestat and David remained locked in the bloodsharing for several minutes longer. Then with both of them satisfied, yet starving, they broke the flow and rested in each other's arms while their wounds healed.
Lestat was the first to speak. "Ah, my David, my lover, how beautiful you are."
David smiled back at him. "High praise from such a gorgeous fiend."
Lestat laughed. He stood up, grabbed David's arm and pulled him to his feet. David reached down and pulled his trousers up over his ruined knickers. He picked up his shirt, but seeing the condition it was in, went to find his luggage.
Lestat indicated the door beside Louis's. "In our bedroom." Lestat retrieved his own shredded clothing and followed David into the second bedroom. "A bit randy, were we David?" Lestat asked, tossing his ripped underwear in front of David.
David blushed and rummaged in his bag for replacement clothing. Lestat dressed quickly and, stopping to kiss David's cheek, went through Louis's doorway.
Louis seemed to be fast asleep still. Lestat sat on the bed beside him and ran his hands through his hair over and over, loving the feel of it. After a few minutes, Louis's eyes opened.
"Bonsoir Monsieur," Lestat said sweetly.
"Good evening, Lestat," Louis answered, sitting up.
"You must be feeling better!" Lestat said, surprised.
"Mmm," Louis said, pushing his hair back from his face. "Much better, merci."
"David!" Lestat called, " Come and see, Louis is sitting up!"
David rushed in, pulling on a shirt. "Louis! You look much improved! How do you feel?"
"Very well, David, thank you," Louis answered, smiling up at him.
"I am so glad to hear it," David said sincerely.
Lestat watched Louis's eyes follow David as he came to his side and took his hand. "Louis! You can see!! You can see us, can't you?!"
Louis turned to Lestat, blinked and nodded. "Oui, I can." He seemed surprised himself.
Lestat held his hand in front of Louis's face. "How many fingers do you see?"
"Twelve," Louis answered.
"Louis!" Lestat admonished him, angrily. "Be serious! Tell me how many you see."
"Five," Louis answered.
"Now?"
"Three."
"And now?"
"One."
"Perfect!" Lestat exclaimed joyously and hugged him.
David patted his shoulder. "Well done!"
"And how does this feel?" Lestat asked, his arms still around Louis.
"A bit sensitive, but not very painful," Louis answered.
"I am so relieved, dear boy," David said smiling.
"Why David, I TOLD you he would be fine!" Lestat told him, still holding Louis.
David and Louis smiled at each other. Lestat gave Louis a tight squeeze.
"Lestat, please." Louis squirmed in his grasp.
"Sorry, Beautiful One." Lestat said, releasing him.
Louis realized for the first time that he could feel something on his skin. He was wearing clothing. He looked down. Ghastly, of course, they looked like Lestat's. He was about to protest when he glimpsed his own skin. He gasped, his eyes grew wide. Lestat, seeing this reaction, pulled the sheet off of his legs.
"C'est incroyable!" Louis whispered.
"It is quite a handsome effect," David said.
"This is very near what he looked like when I took him," Lestat said conversationally.
Louis hadn't heard either of them. He was still trying to accept what he was seeing. "But this is not possible! I look like a man, a mortal man!" he cried anxiously to Lestat.
"Well, yes Louis, it is the same thing that happened to me," Lestat said with amusement, indicating his own skin.
Louis bit his lip and brought his tormented emotions under control. He nodded. "Yes, of course." Louis said, his voice returning to normal. "How stupid of me."
"Louis, are you alright?" David asked.
"Yes David," Louis answered without looking at him. "It is just a bit of a surprise. I believe I've had a few too many shocks this evening." He took a deep breath and put his head in his hands.
"Louis?" David asked with concern.
Louis shook his head.
"He needs to feed," Lestat said, standing. "Come, Louis."
Louis didn't look up. " Non . . .I think . . .I don't think I can go out. I feel so tired."
"That's because you're hungry, come on." Lestat took Louis's arm, pulled him off the bed and stood him on the carpet. Lestat turned to go to the sitting room. "We need to find you some shoes first."
Louis took a step to follow him, stumbled and fell. David caught him before his head hit the floor. Lestat turned back.
"Louis, what's wrong?" David asked.
"Dizzy," Louis mumbled.
David carried him to the bed. "I think perhaps you should trust his impressions of his condition, Lestat."
Lestat threw David a look and sat beside Louis. "I'll bring you your dinner, cher. David will stay with you while you rest."
Louis nodded a tiny nod. His eyes were closed. Lestat bent and kissed his lips, startling him. Louis's eyes fluttered open, a confused look on his face. Lestat grinned at him and went out the door. David meanwhile had found the bathroom off of Louis's bedroom and soaked a washcloth in cold water. He brought it back and laid it on Louis's forehead.
"This should help some."
Louis made a sound of relief, "Oui."
After a while, Louis removed the cloth and opened his eyes. "You know, David, I forgot what this felt like."
"Being dizzy?"
"Yes, but being ill in general. I was quite ill the last night I was completely mortal."
"So you were. I remember reading that."
"I had forgotten how frustrating it is," Louis said with a slight smile.
"It is interesting how quickly one becomes used to things. The first week I was in this body, I was constantly amazed at how well I could breathe and move and how healthy I felt. But now, it hardly crosses my mind," David observed.
Louis sat up. David moved to support his back.
"Merci, David. I think I am fine now."
"Louis," David began, coming to sit in front of him. "I must apologize for this. I deeply regret that my ineptitude has caused you such injury. I only wish I could somehow relieve you of it."
"David," Louis said, kindly, laying his hand on David's arm. "I forgive you. It was an understandable mistake and I know there was no malice in it. I have made many, many more terrible mistakes, I assure you. Don't keep it on your conscience David. I should have inquired as to the traveling time myself. I believe Lestat's return left us both a bit, shall we say, flustered?" Louis gave a small grin.
David grinned as well, dropped his eyes and almost blushed. "Yes, well, I do thank you, but I wish I could make it up to you somehow."
"If you really wish to David, you could," Louis said thoughtfully, almost to himself.
"Whatever it is, consider it done," David said.
Louis regarded David for a long moment and then a look of uncertainty crossed his face and he turned away. "Well, actually, I shouldn't ask you this."
"No, please Louis, ask away. Ask anything, absolutely anything you wish," David said, sincerely.
Louis cleared his throat. He looked down at his hands. As he spoke, his voice was halting. "I know this is quite personal and quite . . . impolite of me to even discuss . . . but . . . I was wondering if . . . and I know how impulsive Lestat can be, I don't wish to make you at all uncomfortable," Louis ran his hand through his hair, " . . . but . . . if you could possibly prevail upon him to . . . to . . ."
David waited silently, having no idea what Louis was getting at, but determined to give him as much time as he needed to express himself.
Louis took an audible breath, he ran his hand through his hair again. "To keep your . . . intimacies behind closed doors, it would make things much less difficult . . . or no, rather much more . . . comfortable for me, if you could. I mean, if it were possible at all."
David blushed deep red, his eyes had widened in horror and shame. He didn't know what to say.
Louis continued to look down, occasionally running his hand unconsciously through his hair, as was his usual nervous habit. He waited in the silence, supposing David was outraged at his bringing up such a thing.
"I shall," David said quietly.
"Thank you," Louis replied. He looked up at David.
"I do apologize for that," David said ashamed to have caused Louis such pain. "I didn't realize. I mean, we thought you were asleep."
"Yes, I know," Louis assured him. "I understand. I shouldn't have even brought it up." Again, he combed his fingers through his fine dark hair, which immediately fell right back to where it was. "David, I want you to know that I rarely discuss such things and I wouldn't dream of ever speaking to you in this way normally, but . . ." Louis's distress seemed to grow a bit more urgent, a slight heightening of his voice. "It's only that we are in somewhat close quarters here, and I doubt that Lestat would let me leave, at least not at this point," Louis sighed. "Tomorrow night perhaps."
"Oh Louis, please, don't! I know how much you have missed Lestat . . ." David began.
"No, David," Louis looked at him calmly. "I've seen Lestat rarely. I am quite used to it, honestly. And it is obvious the two of you need this time together. I should never have let you talk me into coming with you." Louis shook his head, and laughed at himself. "I should know better than to let Lestat talk me into anything by now."
"But there is no need for you to leave, Louis, please!" David pleaded. "We were . . . inconsiderate and rude. It won't happen again. I am truly sorry."
"Oh it's fine David. I am sorry for invading your privacy. But also, if you could keep this from Lestat." Louis looked away again. "I don't wish him to know."
"Certainly Louis, of course."
"Merci," Louis said.
"Louis, I want to make it clear to you that I am not trying to come between you and Lestat. It isn't that way at all," David explained.
Louis smiled a slow, sad smile. "I realize that David. Lestat has had other lovers before you; Akasha, others. And Nicholas de Lenfent before me. And I have known from the first that Lestat was drawn to you. He and I don't engage in such activities, of course. I am happy that he has you, to be with him." Louis pushed his own feelings down so deep into his frozen heart that they were numbed out of existence. He looked deep into David's eyes, and with all honesty he said, "Lestat is truly lonely deep inside. I'm no good for him. He needs someone like you, David. You are perfect together. You can be a true companion for him. He knows this, and so must you. He came to you before he went to the sun, and he returned to you afterward. You comfort him. You are the friend he has always wanted and always needed. You aren't displacing me in any way. I never have been an adequate partner for him. I wish I were, but I am not. But you are. And you must be careful not to hurt him, David. He can be hurt far more easily than you think. Please David, make him happy."
David was so touched and awed by Louis's ability to remain , not only cordial, but actually friendly to him, when he was so obviously in love with Lestat. As David opened his mouth to reply, Lestat came through the window carrying a very large, very unconscious man.
"Louis, your dinner is served!" Lestat announced.
Louis was somewhat horrified. He stared at Lestat.
"Well?!" Lestat dropped the man in Louis's lap.
"Merci," Louis said quietly, looking at the man. He waited. Lestat and David remained. Louis looked up. "If you don't mind?" he said politely, looking toward the door. David left the room immediately. Lestat didn't move.
"Lestat, leave me to do what I must," Louis asked.
"Louis, don't be such a prig. I have watched you feed twice already. I held the bodies for you for God's sake!" Lestat said in amused annoyance.
"Leave!" Louis demanded.
"And do you propose to dispose of the evidence yourself, petit monsieur?" Lestat asked patronizingly. "I believe that will prove somewhat difficult as you cannot take one step without falling."
"Lestat, you may dispose of it as you wish, but let me alone now."
"Perhaps I don't wish to," Lestat taunted. "Perhaps I'll leave it here with you. To keep you company. You'd like that, wouldn't you, Louis?" Lestat smiled a malicious smile.
"Lestat, what do you want?" Louis asked.
"I want to watch. I procured the meal, I believe it is my right." Lestat stood, his feet planted, his arms at his sides, he wasn't going anywhere.
Louis looked at him with the absolute hate a child can have for his parent, especially when he knows that though the parent has all the power, the parent is wrong.
Lestat stared right back with the smug and superior look parents get to use when they say such things as, 'because I'm the Mom, that's why' and 'well when you pay all the bills you can make the rules.' No matter what Louis said or did, Lestat was holding all the cards, and they both knew it.
Louis went for the only defense he had. He threw the man off the bed. "I will not, then," he told Lestat.
Lestat grinned at him and shook his head. "I can wait longer than you can, Louis," Lestat said, folding his arms and sitting on the bed.
Louis looked straight into his eyes and folded his arms as well. "We'll see," he answered.
David could not believe this was happening. It was the most immature display he had ever seen. Was this really necessary? Were they fighting over nothing, just to fight? What was going on here? He decided to ignore them, perhaps they would work it out more quickly without an audience. But after an hour of silent staring, David felt he could stay out of it no longer.
"This is the most childish and meaningless power struggle I have even had the misfortune to witness!" he said, coming into the room.
"Get out, David. This is between Louis and me," Lestat told him in a cold voice, his eyes never leaving Louis's.
"If you don't stop this soon, this mortal is going to wake," David informed them.
"Yes, David, we are both aware of that, thank you." Louis's eyes continued to stare into Lestat's as he answered but his voice was not cold. It was highly controlled and full of suppressed rage, but certainly not cold.
David could not believe that this was the same Louis who had just been so concerned about Lestat being lonely and Lestat being hurt. Likewise, he could not believe that this was the same Lestat who had been so sweetly protective of Louis for the last two nights. "Lestat, Louis isn't well. Don't do this, please."
Lestat looked to David, as if coming out of a trance. Then he turned back to Louis. He reached out and stroked Louis's cheek. Louis remained still.
"He is right, my Beautiful One," Lestat said. He placed the mortal again on Louis's lap. He bent and kissed Louis's cheek, then taking David by the arm, he said, "Come along, David." And left the room, closing the door behind him. Louis stared after him in complete shock.
Twenty minutes later, Louis walked into the main room, closing his door behind him.
David saw him first and stood up, smiling. "You're walking!"
"Yes, I believe I have recovered," Louis answered. "And as soon as I am dressed," he shot a pointed look at Lestat, who grinned. "I should like to go out and see the carnival."
Now it was Lestat's turn to be shocked. "Why Louis! How wonderfully uncharacteristic of you! But you are dressed, all you need is these." Lestat tossed him a shoe box.
Louis pulled out a black pair of Converse running shoes.
"Quick, put them on, let's go!" Lestat told him impatiently.
"Lestat, I am barely dressed!" Louis said. "And the clothes in the case in that room are not mine."
"Louis, you look the innocently sexy young tourist! Doesn't he David?"
"Well, you certainly will be able to go about unnoticed," David answered. He had changed into a red golf shirt and white shorts.
Seeing that he had no support from David, Louis looked down at himself and sighed.
"Louis, you know perfectly well that this is the standard uniform of vacationing mortals. You see them all the time wandering about the Quarter, asking everyone whether riverside is east and lakeside is west or vice versa. Now put on the shoes," Lestat said reasonably.
It seemed as if Louis would have to capitulate or face another fight, which he really hadn't the strength for tonight. He was not about to bring up the subject of just whose underwear he was wearing or why. Or how the hell one was supposed to keep them from moving about and gathering into all sorts of uncomfortable places. He vowed to get through the night with as much dignity as possible. And then forget it as fast as he could. He frowned slightly, but sat down, pulled on the shoes and began tying the laces.
As soon as he released the second shoe string, Lestat pulled him to his feet. Lestat's other arm was around David. "Let's go, let's go, let's go!"
"Umm," Louis looked toward his closed bedroom door.
Lestat snapped his fingers. "Ah yes, I nearly forgot." Lestat disappeared behind the door.
David turned to Louis, "I do think you will enjoy it."
"I'm sure," Louis said, pulling downward on the legs of his shorts, trying vainly to stretch them further down his thighs.
"You have never worn short trousers before?" David asked.
"Never," Louis said.
"You'll get used to them."
"I sincerely doubt it."
Lestat burst out of the door. "All taken care of, mes chers!" He took each of them by the arm and nearly danced out of the door.
Lestat pulled them both into the sights and sounds of Carnaval. He noticed the appreciative looks he was receiving, and he reveled in it. He also noticed the attention Louis and David were receiving from the surrounding mortals and cast predatory looks of ownership at anyone whose gaze lingered too long on one of his fledglings. 'Yes, they are beautiful, but they are MINE!' the look said.
Lestat allowed David to participate in the excitement that was Carnaval, reining him in only if he seemed about to stray too far from him. Lestat allowed Louis to observe the passing scene, pulling him out into the action when he seemed about to fade into an alley and just watch. When Lestat became a bit weary of babysitting duties, he took them each by the hand and pulled them to the sidelines of a Samba Parade. They were at once enthralled. Lestat loved to see the delight in David's face at the passing dancers. It must bring back great memories to him. David turned and flashed his beautiful smile at Lestat. Lestat smiled back and leaned close to kiss his lips. David looked quickly past Lestat, toward Louis, with alarm. But Louis was entranced by the colors and sounds assaulting him. He didn't seem to have noticed them. David was happy to see this, he wouldn't want Louis to think he had broken his word so soon.
Lestat took Louis's hand and spun him away and back to him. Louis was taken off guard, and laughed but did not lose his balance, nor any of his natural grace. David was laughing as well, dancing and flirting with Lestat and also occasionally with Louis, when they were crushed into one another. He grabbed Lestat and ran his fangs down his arm, not breaking the skin.
"Ah, David, you are a tease!" Lestat laughed, pulling Louis between them.
Lestat handed Louis off to David who twirled him and then pulled him close to dance circles around Lestat. David hugged Louis and kissed him just below his left ear. Louis was not so much dancing himself as he was simply trying gracefully to keep himself from tripping over one of them. Periodically one would hand him off to the other, never letting him go, because they knew if they did, Louis would drift off into the crowd, and possibly back to the hotel if he could.
Lestat lasciviously pulled them both to him, one against each hip, and began dancing with them. He twirled them out on both of his arms, and then spun them back to him. He kissed them, one and then the other, and then began to make as erotic a scene as he could of them. Licking Louis's neck, and then kissing David's throat. One hand up Louis shirt, the other hand down David's shorts. Laughing and loving being a spectacle and holding the center of attention.
David was laughing as well, but Louis was blushing furiously. For once he could not ignore Lestat, nor could he hide his embarrassment. He wasn't used to being handled this way in the privacy of a darkened bedroom, much less on a public street. Added to this was the continuing reminder of the air on his arms and legs that he was barely dressed and very quickly his characteristic calm had been undermined by his natural shyness. Which was why, when it became clear that Lestat was not going to release him, nor stop his lewd advances, Louis finally turned and buried his face in Lestat's shoulder.
Chapter Five
Lestat kissed Louis head, winking at David. He wasn't about to give any support to Louis's bashful shame. It was ridiculous, unfounded, childish and stupid. If Louis couldn't get used to the idea of letting mortals see him, of making some noise sometimes, of raising a bit of a scene, then he was doomed to a night of self-imposed humiliation. Because Lestat would be damned if he would let him go and hide somewhere. Beside that, Lestat couldn't say that he didn't love having Louis cling to him. Lestat would be perfectly happy if Louis intended to stay this way all night.
David, still glued to Lestat's other hip, felt some compassion for Louis's situation. But he also felt that Louis would be better off to rid himself of such paralyzing timidity. After all, Louis was beautiful and he could easily pass for a mortal if he tried. Though his 18th century sensibilities were charming on the whole, they shouldn't be an impediment to his interaction in the 20th century. David felt it would be a disservice to indulge Louis's desire to refrain from modern dress and resist modern conventions of behavior, as it could become a matter of survival for him at some time. David himself rarely acted so outrageously, but this was the Carnival. He could revel with the best of them when he wanted to. David smiled at Lestat and shook his head slightly, reaching to pat Louis's back. Other than these small comforts, they ignored Louis and began a running commentary on the passing parade.
Louis was vastly disappointed in himself. He had been determined to get through this night with his dignity and self-respect intact. But the night had proven far too eventful for him. Seeing David and Lestat together, the argument with Lestat, mild though it was for them, and then seeing his skin with it's mortal color had unnerved him almost to his breaking point. He was finding that his newly healed eyes and skin were far more sensitive than before as well. The myriad of bright colors combined with the crush of mortal bodies was disorienting him. But even beyond that, Louis was quite unused to being out in public this way. It made him uneasy and self-conscious. Lestat's groping and grinding were not helping either.
And so he had been reduced to the infantile defense of hiding his head, and in front of David too. He knew how pathetic he must look, but he just needed to drown out his surroundings for a bit, to try and think, to gather some strength and fortitude. He wanted to go back to the hotel, but he wouldn't even suggest such a thing. Lestat would, quite literally have a conniption fit, and Louis was in no mood to handle that. He was weary. He felt weak. And, even here in Lestat's arms, with David patting his back, the events of the past week had left him with a terrible loneliness that he could not get away from.
Louis had been looking forward to living with Lestat again. As he had seen the renovation advance from night to night, he had envisioned himself and Lestat together in the recreated familiarity of their old home. On several occasions, he had lost himself in memories of times they had shared together which were warm, pleasant and affectionate. Lestat playing the piano for him. He and Lestat attending the Theatre or the Opera. The two of them dancing at the quadroon balls, smiling and winking to each other over their partners' shoulders.
He had even allowed himself to dream about nights they might have together in the future. Things they might do together. Things he might do to please Lestat. Louis had already made efforts to see that things would go as smoothly as possible. Just after Lestat left, he had purchased an entire wardrobe of new clothes.
He had outfitted Lestat's office with all new state-of-the-art equipment. Louis had gone to the library and read computer magazines and manuals and books until he felt he had acquired enough of an understanding to make wise choices. Then he had consulted Lestat's purchasing agent to make certain he had selected the appropriate machines before authorizing his buyer. He had bought Lestat a computer with a fax machine, a scanner, two printers, digital imaging system software, speakers, an answering machine, voice mail and every other extra he could find. He had put in four more phone lines on the advice of Lestat's lawyer, Christine. He bought a collating copier. He made sure Lestat had everything he needed for direct internet access. It was to be a surprise, and everything had been installed the very night Lestat left. Louis had brought Anne to see it and she said it looked like the office Bill Gates wished he had. But Lestat hadn't even seen the office.
Louis had completed the landscaping with Lestat's favorite plants and flowers. He put in every little touch he could think of that Lestat might like. He had reread both of Lestat's books to make certain he hadn't forgotten anything.
Louis was so grateful and so happy that Lestat had invited him to live with him again. He was going to try to accommodate Lestat in every way he could. If Lestat wanted to go out, he would go out. If Lestat wanted to stay in, he would stay in. If Lestat wanted company, he would have it. If Lestat wanted privacy, he would have it.
Just when all was in readiness, and Louis had been sure Lestat would return home any night, David had appeared. It had been like a hard blow to the stomach. Lestat had made a new fledgling. Louis panicked, but outwardly he held himself in check. He tried his best to hide his feelings, and he hoped David hadn't noticed anything. But it had been a crushing agony to see all of the little fantasies he'd created be replaced by this new circumstance. He had been waiting and planning and preparing and it had all been for naught. Lestat had not even been thinking of returning to him. Lestat had been pursuing David Talbot.
Of course it wasn't Lestat's fault. He had made no promises nor guarantees. It was all Louis's own fault. He had anticipated his own outcome, rather than waiting to see what reality would bring. He thought he should know better than that by now.
Ah God, Louis so wanted to be home. But now that Lestat would probably continue to travel with David, the thought of returning to Rue Royale was too painful to contemplate. He couldn't live there alone with all of the memories of Lestat and Claudia with no one for him to even talk to. He would go mad, surely.
'I must collect myself.' Louis thought, 'I must remember that I am a man and a monster and I need no such company. What I must do upon returning home is to find a small shelter, hidden from the world, so that I can re-accustom myself to my life as it has been, before all of this silliness with Lestat. Oh how I yearn for my little house. It was perfect. So completely hidden, yet utterly accessible. Above ground, yet so covered in vegetation that it seemed a hole or a cave. And I had my things there. Things I could turn to; favorite books, art, a warm blanket, candles. I had my desk and my chair. It was enough. It was a home of sorts. I liked it. It was familiar. I thought perhaps it might last a decade or two.
'And when Lestat brought the bergere there for himself, he never knew how it thrilled me. HIS chair, every night, HIS chair sitting there, saying to me, 'I will be back. I intend to see you again.' It warmed me to think of it. And some nights I fell into staring at it and thinking, 'It is his. It belongs to him. And he put it here with me.' Sometimes I would sit in it. After his visits I would often press my face against it to see if I could catch any scent of him. Gone now, all gone to ashes.'
Louis sighed into Lestat's shoulder. He felt Lestat give him a few absent-minded pats on his backside.
"Shh, Louis. (pat, pat, pat) You're alright." And then he went back to discussing the merits of spangles over feathers with David.
But the gesture had sent a wave of nostalgia over Louis. This was a habit of Lestat's. Louis wasn't even sure if Lestat did it consciously, but he had done it to him so often in the past. Whenever Louis had been upset over something which Lestat deemed to be annoyingly silly or irritatingly unimportant, he had done this.
~"Lestat! Look at these accounts! You've spent almost three hundred dollars this week
alone!"
"Hush Louis. (pat, pat, pat) You worry too much."~
~"Lestat, have you seen what Claudia is doing to her dolls? She has smashed one and thrown it
into the fire!"
"Quiet Louis, (pat, pat, pat) it isn't your concern."~
~"But you should not simply steal things! We have the means! It isn't right!"
"Louis, that's enough now. (pat, pat, pat) Settle down."~
~"Lestat! Thank God! Where have you been? It's almost dawn!"
"You should be in your coffin, mon Louis. (pat, pat, pat) Go on now." ~
It was gentle, and Lestat's voice had always been soft and kind, but it was a warning. If Louis would answer with "But Lestat . . ." it could quickly escalate into shouting matches, fistfights or terrifying chases across the rooftops of the Quarter. Louis thought it would be best to take this as a warning now as well. He set his jaw, squared his shoulders and lifted his head. He quickly rubbed his eyes to make certain no tears had escaped, then turned his head toward the parade.
Noticing this, Lestat kissed his cheek and David gave his hand an encouraging squeeze. But nothing was said beyond that, and the two of them continued their conversation. After the parade had begun to wind down, Lestat turned toward Louis, who had been silent throughout. He did not find Louis involved in the bandas and the atmosphere as he had thought. Instead Louis's gaze had been turned downward, toward the street, his head cocked ever so slightly toward Lestat. He had been listening to them. After their conversation had halted for an unusually long pause, Louis's eyebrows knitted and he stole a sideward glance at Lestat and David. He was startled to find them both looking at him. He lifted his head and turned to look at them.
"Eavesdropping, Louis?" Lestat asked.
Louis blinked in confusion. "I wasn't aware that observations as to whether or not other people's body parts were real or fake amounted to a private conversation."
"Then why haven't you joined the conversation?" Lestat asked, somewhat heatedly.
"I was enjoying listening," Louis answered.
Lestat sighed dramatically and turned to David. "Do you see what I have to put up with?" He turned back to Louis, "Participate! This is not a film, to be watched. This is not a piece of art to be studied. This is your life! When are you going to live it?! You are a spectator at your own performance, Louis. What is wrong with you?"
"We cannot all be strong enough to support an ego as big as yours, Lestat," Louis told him, with good humor.
"How can you stand to be so boring without putting yourself to sleep?"
"How can you stand to be so vain without making yourself nauseated?"
"I'm not vain, Louis. I am just so magnificently handsome, charming, talented, powerful and entertaining that it would be a sin to deprive the rest of you of my gifts."
"Fine, then leave me to be modest, reserved and demure."
"Excuse me, " David spoke up. "But if I could be allowed to intercede in a pacifying capacity as mediator, I believe I could make some sort of détente."
"What is another word for thesaurus?" Louis asked no one in particular.
"Yes, yes, yes, we all have large vocabularies, and Louis is deadly dull, can we move on to another subject, please?" Lestat asked in frustration.
"Yes, why don't we talk about you for a while?" Louis asked with absolute sincerity.
"What a splendid idea!" Lestat said.
"As appealing as that is," David said. "Perhaps we could also see some more of the city as well."
Louis flashed David a smile that was positively the most radiant expression he had ever seen.
"That is an excellent suggestion David." Lestat kissed his cheek. He released them both and took their hands. "You lead, David. Take us somewhere exciting."
David plunged into the crowd and began winding his way toward the outer edge of the city at a fast clip. The only thing which kept Louis from falling behind was Lestat's iron grip on his hand. He tried to run but he couldn't possibly match Lestat and David's pace. He was beginning to wonder if his arm might be pulled from it's socket, or possibly even off of his body entirely. He thought of shouting to Lestat, but he had no breath, and he doubted that Lestat would hear him, anyway. Lestat must have noticed something, because Louis suddenly felt an arm around his waist. He was lifted and pulled close to Lestat. He felt Lestat bestow a gentle kiss on his lips and whisper, "Mon Amour" into his ear. It was at once wonderful and terrible. Wonderful to hear such an affectionate term in Lestat's voice, directed at him. He would remember the sound of it forever. Louis knew that in the future he would pull it from his memory, during one of his long nights alone, and it would be as if Lestat were saying it to him again. He would remember the feel of Lestat's arm around him and the light breath of his whisper blowing over his ear.
But it was terrible because Louis knew there would be nothing but more long nights alone in his future. He didn't even understand how Lestat meant these words. As a meaningless endearment, Louis supposed. He mustn't allow himself to become irrationally attached to Lestat's presence and Lestat's affection. It wouldn't last and it would only be more difficult for him to adjust once it was gone. Mustn't revel in it now. Better to just acknowledge it and store it away to fuel the secret games of pretend that he used to help himself through some nights. Those nights when he awoke with an unshakable coldness in his mind and his heart, and covered all over with a thick layer of dust. When the world seemed an echoing cavern and he was drowning in his solitude. He would feel terribly wrong. His skin ached to be touched, even slapped or backhanded, anything to have some contact, to be the focus of someone else's attention for that moment. He would look around to make sure no one was about and then speak his name out loud, just to hear a voice, and to reassure himself that he still had one. On these nights he couldn't concentrate to read. Instead he would hunt early and hunt well to see if this might relieve his awful gnawing burning for companionship. It never did. He would return to his lair, too full yet still empty, and sit curled up in a chair, or more often a corner, hugging himself as tightly as possible. He would dredge his memory for all sorts of precious, special, loving moments, like this one, and string them together like pearls. He would create a grand coherent pattern of them into his best fictional night. He would put it together from his memories and a few imagined situations and then play it out in his mind.
He would wake at their flat in the Rue Royale. It would be warm, due to Lestat's habitual overheating of the rooms. He would be in the same coffin as Lestat. He could feel Lestat beneath him. Lestat had waited until he awoke. Lestat was smiling at him. Louis would smile back and Lestat's eyes would light up. 'Ah, my Beautiful One,' Lestat would say, 'I am so happy to be here with you.'
Lestat would kiss him on the mouth as he lifted the coffin lid. As they stepped out Louis would take Lestat in his arms. 'I love you' he would say.
'I love you, Louis' Lestat would reply. Of course it would go on and on. They would cuddle in the same chair and watch Jean Cocteau's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. Lestat would make no disparaging comments. They would discuss the film, and Lestat would be interested in what Louis had to say. Lestat would look into Louis's eyes with rapt attention as Louis spoke of all the symbolic meaning he saw in the details of the set and the script. And then Louis would stop and look down saying, 'But I am going on and on and I am sure this is boring you'
But Lestat would gently lift his chin to meet his eyes and say, 'No, Louis, never. I want to hear what you have to say. I want to hear your opinions. I want to know what you think about, when all I can think about is you.' And Lestat would kiss him and they would smile at each other.
Then Louis would test it once more, saying, 'Merci Lestat, but I am sure you would rather be listening to your music, or watching one of the films in your collection.'
'Non, Louis, not at all mon cheri. I want so much to share your interests with you. I want so much for you to open your world to me, and allow me to accompany you in it. You enchant me. I want nothing but you.' Again a warm deep kiss.
Louis would then push it to the extreme. 'Wouldn't you rather be out, among mortals? Or with one of the others who suit your temperament so much better than I?'
Lestat would laugh a warm laugh. Not the high sneering sound he often heard, but the kind of laughs he used to give to Claudia when she had done something to arouse affection in him. 'No Louis, mon amour, there is no one I would rather be with than you. Your temperament is a balm to me. You comfort me and soothe me. I feel safe with you. I want nothing but to be here with you, always.'
Of course it was all embarrassing shallow romantic trash, not even fit for one of those paperback bodice-rippers. Louis knew this. And it was a Lestat of his own making, nothing like the real Lestat, this soft, mushy, sweet, snuggly man. Louis was sure the real Lestat would reduce his Lestat to ashes in an instant just out of disgust for his saccharine disposition. But this pretend Lestat was Louis's Lestat; his very own. He lived only in Louis's mind and he helped fill the painful void that existed in him, so that it would not consume him and become obvious to any of the others, should they happen to see him. And it helped him cover any despair that might show through to Lestat on one of his rare visits.
And it often kept him from resorting to his most loathsome habit. Not always, but often. When this sweet harmless fantasy would not calm his need, and the tension would build in him as if his loneliness were a force in itself and might explode, blowing his body to pieces, he would lose his self-discipline, close his eyes, bring his wrist to his mouth and sink his fangs into it deeply. As the blood would hit his tongue, he imagined it to be Lestat's blood. He imagined that it was Lestat's fangs in his wrist, pulling and pulling on him. He would dig the fingers of his other hand into the flesh of his side, imagining that his arm was around Lestat and Lestat's fingers were gripping his flesh. Of course this blood, being his own, did not produce the swoon that it had when he first drank it, but he could imagine that as well. He would stay locked to himself for hours, sometimes. Imagining being this close to another, being loved and wanted and urgently needed. Eventually though, his wrist would become sore and throb with pain. This would bring him out of his self-induced trance and he would have to stop. And then he would be revolted at his own behavior. He knew it was wrong. It was weakness to stoop to comforting himself this way. It was repugnant that he found comfort in this abomination. He was sickened and ashamed. He would vow once again that never yield to this perversion, no matter how strong the provocation. He didn't understand why he couldn't prevent himself from engaging in this vile act. He would be mortified if any of the others ever found out. He was certain that he was the only one ever to perform this repulsive deed. He would hold his wrist tightly, detesting himself, and wait in his misery for the death sleep to take him.
Louis roused himself from these unpleasant and angst-ridden thoughts. No point in dwelling on all of this now. Lestat had come to a stop and released Louis. David had led them to what seemed to be an enormous street party. There was food everywhere. Two groups of musicians that seemed to be loosely organized into bands. People of all ages, mostly Brazilians, dancing and laughing and hugging and talking and passing around babies. There were candles lit and placed all around the perimeter of the street and near the doors of the houses. Some were in paper bags, some in glass votives, others in side plastic containers of all colors and shapes. The candles gave an unearthly glow to the surroundings. There were some altars set up, here and there to different deities. There was incense burning somewhere. There were also the smells of alcohol, tobacco and burning hemp. Lestat noticed that some of the dancers were completely naked, yet no one seemed to be at all bothered by this. Some danced in circles, holding hands. Others whirled like dervishes.
"David what is this?" Lestat asked.
David smiled. "This is a secret, it is called the Carnaval Candomble."
"Marvelous," Louis breathed.
"It is held in a different location every year. There are spirits here, can you feel them?" David asked Lestat.
"I think so. I feel something," Lestat answered.
"So do I," Louis said.
David frowned. "I can't summon them anymore, but I sense their presence."
"Won't these people know what we are?" Louis asked with alarm.
"Very possibly, but they will not care. Not tonight, anyway," David assured him.
"Why not tonight?" Lestat asked, as a naked woman danced past him.
"Carnaval is a special time within this particular Candomble community. Everyone and everything is summoned to come and take part in it. Spirits, ghosts, witches, angels, demons, the living, the dead and the undead, all are called to Carnaval," David said, smiling. "You could say, they're expecting us."
And indeed David was correct. As the three of them wandered about in the crowd, the mortals would often smile at them and reach to touch their cold skin. A few very bold, and often very inebriated ones even offered their wrists or their throats. Lestat was thrilled at this and always obliged, taking a small sip, and then kissing them on their way. David did the same. Louis was too flabbergasted to be appalled at it. He was released for the first time that night, as Lestat made his way toward the naked dancers, and David went to commune with the dervishes. Louis curiously studied the altars, going from one to the other and noting the images and offerings made. There was a certain artistry in these displays which captivated him. By the time he had visited all of them more than an hour had passed. How much more, he wasn't sure. He looked to see Lestat in the middle of a knot of worshipful acolytes, dancing and singing and holding them all in thrall. Louis decided to search for David. He finally found him talking shop with a group of Candomble priestesses. Louis couldn't follow the Portuguese but it seemed to be focused on spells and incantations. He stood near the crowd, waiting to catch David's attention. When David did chance to look his way, Louis motioned to him. David excused himself and went to Louis.
"David, how far are we from the hotel?" Louis asked.
"Oh, two hours walk, I should say. Do you need to be getting back?"
"Yes. As soon as possible, if we are that far away."
"I'll get Lestat," David said, turning toward the crowd.
"David," Louis said, stopping him with a hand on his shoulder. "Don't distract Lestat, he is in his element."
David had located Lestat surrounded by adoring mortals. "As I see," he grinned.
"Tell me what direction it is and I'll find it. I am a bit disoriented," Louis laughed at himself. "And I cannot remember which way we came."
"Why don't you allow me to fly you back?" David offered. "It would be much faster."
"I don't wish to draw you away, David. It isn't necessary," Louis answered.
"I'd like to do it," David pressed. "I'll worry for you if I don't."
Louis laughed. "Alright David."
David smiled. Stepping close to Louis he put his arms around his waist. Louis locked his hands behind David's neck and immediately they were airborne.
They arrived at the hotel within minutes. They dropped to the ground and entered the hotel.
As they were crossing the lobby, Louis spied a gift shop that was still open.
"David, what is our room number?" he asked.
"Penthouse three," David answered. "Why?"
"I need to buy something, and I haven't any money with me. Thank you for bringing me. You needn't stay, I am sure there are still hours of night left for you and Lestat," Louis said.
"I haven't got any with me, either. Do you speak Portuguese?" David asked, ignoring the polite opening Louis provided, so that he could leave.
"No. They don't speak English?" Louis asked.
"Sometimes they do, but if you would allow me to accompany you, you'll be prepared for any eventuality," David said.
"Thank you," Louis smiled. "You are very welcome to come if you wish."
Louis entered the shop. He looked around quickly and made beeline towards the back left corner. 'Clothing', David noted, following him.
Louis looked around and sighed. All short sleeves and short pants, as he had feared. If he'd have been able to get free, he could have located some clothing for himself, but as it was, by the time he was out of their grasp, he was too disoriented to know where he was. Still, perhaps he could find something better than what he was wearing. He began going through the racks.
"May I ask what you are looking for?" David asked.
"The furthest thing from this," Louis indicated his shirt and shorts, "that I can find. I don't intend to continue wearing Lestat's clothes if I can possibly help it. Our tastes are in opposition, to say the least."
David chuckled.
"I don't suppose you know what became of the case with my clothing in it?" Louis asked.
"I can only say that it seemed to disappear during the move from the previous hotel room to the penthouse," David shrugged.
"And the luggage was moved by . . .?"
"Lestat," David confirmed.
"Of course," Louis sighed. He continued looking through the racks. He located a black sweatsuit with only a small red logo of the Caesar Park Hotel on the front of the sweatshirt. This would do. He thought he had better purchase some short pants too, to avoid any unpleasantness with Lestat tomorrow night. He found a pair that were considerably longer than the pair he was wearing, and relatively plain, black, with RIO in a very bright yellow on one leg. It was obviously the best he was going to find. All of the T-shirts sported images that were entirely too bright or vulgar sayings, so he thought he was best off in what he had. He carried his purchases to the counter.
Chapter Six
"Good evening sir, will this be all for you?" Asked the young girl, in perfect English.
"Yes, I'd like to charge them to Penthouse three," Louis answered.
"Yes, sir," she said as she completed the transaction and handed him his bag.
"Thank you," Louis said, signing the charge slip. Lestat Mapother Oddbody.
As the girl took the slip, she looked up at him with a smile. "Were you named after that singer?"
"No. I was a little before that," Louis said, smiling, but not wide enough to show his fangs.
"You must get asked that a lot." She smiled back, instantly in love.
"Yes, if only I had been an Elvis," Louis said, winking at David.
The girl laughed, as did David, and they left. David noticed that her gaze followed Louis's back at just under waist level.
"Well, I was of no help," David commented, as they walked to the elevators.
"English is fast becoming the international language of commerce, I believe," Louis said.
"I suppose so. It was a bit different the last time I was here. How did know you they would charge it to the room?" David asked.
"Most do," Louis answered, as they watched mortals stream out of the elevator.
"Yes, but I didn't realize you knew the workings of hotels so intimately," David said.
Louis laughed, "David, I am not a complete recluse, though Lestat portrays me as such."
They stepped into the empty elevator and David punched the button for the Penthouse level. When the doors opened, Louis looked questioningly at David.
"This way," David told him, walking to the right. They arrived at their door and David opened it, visualizing the lock and sliding back the dead bolt. Louis stepped through and held the door for David, hanging the DO NOT DISTURB sign on the outer doorknob, before he closed it.
"Excuse moi," Louis said as he walked to his room. He emerged minutes later, dressed in the sweatsuit. He was visibly more relaxed. "You were incorrect, monsieur," he said to David as he dropped down next to him on the couch.
"I was? About what?" David asked.
"I did not get used to them," Louis answered.
David laughed. "I see. How much more time do you have, before you sleep, if I may ask?"
"Perhaps an hour. I do not feel anything yet. But I knew it would take me quite a while to get through the crowds, even at my speed. I wasn't counting on flying," Louis said.
"Ah, I see," David answered.
"May I ask how much longer for you?"
"Well, it seems I don't lose consciousness until the sun actually rises above the horizon, which will be nearer to two hours from now. Possibly two and a half."
"Then I think you really should return to Lestat, David. You can find him in mortal minds, oui?"
"Yes, I could. But I thought you might like the company," David offered.
"I don't mean to say that I would not enjoy your company, David. But I think that Lestat would rather have you with him."
"I don't know about that. What with all the naked dancers, drunk mortals and such, I doubt he has even noticed our absence." David grinned. Louis grinned back, and tilted his head as if to accept this idea.
"Louis," David said softly. "I feel that you are being terribly ignored here."
"Really David? It was my impression that I've been the center of attention, so far," Louis gave a forced laugh.
"But not the right kind of attention." David countered, he saw something flash in Louis eyes briefly, and then got the impression of it being pushed down.
"What do you mean, David?" Louis asked curiously.
David bit his lip. "I mean, Louis . . .that . . .Well, I know you had been anticipating Lestat's return to New Orleans, as we had discussed. And I know you haven't had much time with him And I feel that, perhaps . . .you may be lacking . . .shall we say, a closeness?"
"With Lestat?"
"With anyone."
Louis smiled, but David saw the blank polite look descend upon his face. David was beginning to recognize this look, he suspected it covered pain. "I am solitary by nature, David," Louis replied.
"Yes, but not necessarily by choice," David said.
"It is a condition of my existence," Louis said, as if that explained it.
"Why aren't you close to the others?" David asked.
"I was close to Armand for a time, but he grew tired of my disposition. I have a disparity of passion. I am not interesting to the others," Louis explained, without animosity.
David found his gaze drawn to Louis's eyes. "I find you both passionate and interesting, Louis."
Louis blushed but was returning David's gaze. "Merci. Monsieur. Lestat has always chosen interesting companions."
"Yes," David answered, drowning in deep green.
"David," Louis said, unconsciously drawing nearer. "I want to thank you for accompanying me here. I didn't wish for you to have to leave the excitement of the carnival."
"Louis," David replied, his voice becoming breathy, "I find your company just as compelling as the carnival."
Louis found his heart was beating faster. "I have thought, since the first night you came to New Orleans, that you and I have compatible tastes. That we . . .could share so much."
"Yes, I have felt the same," David said, their faces almost touching now.
"David . . ." Louis whispered, he was losing himself in David's chocolate brown eyes, drawn to the golden light the vampiric blood had infused them with.
"Yes, Louis?" David asked, drawing closer still.
Louis opened his mouth to speak, but words would not come. After a beat, they both moved to close the gap between them, their lips touching, and then opening to receive each other's kiss. As their tongues touched, Louis grabbed David's arms with both hands, his fingers gripping so tightly he would have bruised a mortal man. He held him as if he were the last lifeline thrown into the abyss, which might be snatched away any second. David reached for Louis and crushed him close to his chest in a mad embrace. He moaned into the kiss. Louis sighed deeply, releasing David only to put his arms around his neck.
But the next second, they both pulled away, each one's eyes widening in shock. They stared at each other in horror for a long silent moment, during which neither even remembered to breathe. Then they both stood up, quickly, turning away from each other. David coughed, uncomfortably. Louis ran his hand through his hair several times, and straightened his unwrinkled clothes.
"Maybe you should be getting back to Lestat," Louis said, neutrally.
David nodded quickly, "Er , yes . . .yes . . .that . . .that would be the thing to do. . . .Can't leave him among his admirers too long or he'll be impossible to live with." David shot a nervous grin at Louis.
Louis was still turned away from David, his hands held behind his back. "Yes."
"Yes," David repeated, and walked toward the door. But as he reached for the knob, suddenly Louis was beside him.
"David, I apologize," Louis said.
"Louis," David said, turning to him. "So do I. God forgive us."
"I don't fear any God but Lestat," Louis said.
David nodded and went out the door.
Louis proceeded to his room. He couldn't help but savor the taste of David on his lips as he lay waiting for the death sleep to descend.
The next night Louis awoke to hear Lestat's voice in the next room. He was obviously on the phone.
"Send, oh three thousand . . .Yes, American . . .Hibernia Bank, New Orleans . . .Howard O'Brien Rice . . .From the Swiss account, not the Chase Manhattan . . .Oui, ma chere . . .Oui . . .the code word next time will be . . ."Lestat looked up as Louis kissed his cheek, "Precious. . . Oui, merci. A bien-tot." Lestat smiled up at Louis as he hung up the phone. "Good evening, Beautiful One."
"Good Evening, Lestat. You are sending Anne three thousand dollars? How long do you expect to be gone?"
"Oh, I don't know. David wants to explore the jungles," Lestat answered.
"Does he?"
"Yes. Don't you think that sounds appealing?" Lestat asked, amused.
"I believe I'll be returning home tomorrow night, once the carnival is over. There are still a few things that need to be done at the flat," Louis answered.
"Really? What?" Lestat asked.
"The chimney needs to be inspected. The water and electric bills will be arriving soon, and there haven't been any arrangements made to have them paid automatically from the account. The new shutters need to be installed. Just minor things, but someone has to be there," Louis answered.
"Haven't you hired a day staff?"
"It was pointless until the construction was finished. I thought you would want to do that yourself," Louis said.
"So you were waiting for me, Louis?" Lestat asked, pulling him down onto the couch with him.
"I thought you might return to see how the renovations turned out," Louis answered.
"I am very pleased. Do you like them?"
"It is a beautiful house, Lestat. It always was."
"I noticed you had already given David a room."
"Of course."
"I appreciate your welcoming him that way, Louis." Lestat paused, looked into Louis's eyes. "He must have given you quite a shock."
Louis remained calm, his voice quiet, controlled and, as ever, polite. "I was surprised, yes. But it was only right to have him stay. He belongs in your house, Lestat. It wasn't within my power to turn him away, even if I had wanted to."
Lestat laughed loudly. "Louis, Louis, you and your damned manners!" He saw that Louis gave him a small smile, but did not laugh. "Did you want to turn him away?"
"No. David is a very personable gentleman."
"Oh, is he?"
Louis did not answer that. "Where is David?"
"He went out to hunt and see some sights. We'll catch up with him."
"Why didn't you go with him?" Louis asked.
"Because I wanted some time with you, my baby darling lover, you."
Louis looked skeptical. "Oh?"
"Yes," Lestat answered, kissing him.
"And what do you want with me?"
"I think you know," Lestat said, coyly.
Louis looked at him blankly. "Non, I don't."
Lestat grinned and poked him in the stomach. "Yes, you do, Louis."
"Lestat, I cannot even guess. With you it could be anything." Louis regarded Lestat with an affectionate look.
Lestat sighed, he sat up straighter. In all seriousness, he said, "Alright, Louis. We need to talk about just what you think you were doing sneaking into my room and defacing my personal photographs!" Lestat produced the picture of himself , Gabrielle and Louis, on which Louis had placed two post-it notes, one covering his own face, the other describing Lestat and Gabrielle as unsatisfactory models for the Pieta. Lestat shook this at Louis, accusingly.
Louis laughed, shaking his head. "Lestat, I told you, it wasn't me," he denied.
Lestat looked shocked, and said with exaggerated disbelief, "Louis! Louis Michel Rene Antoine, you're lying! You are lying right to my face. I can't believe it."
Louis sank back against the couch, and affected a superior air. " Lestat, you are so suspicious. It is really unattractive."
"You happen to have very distinctive handwriting," Lestat said, resting his elbow on Louis's shoulder and looking down into his face.
"I believe, in this day and age, that is called circumstantial evidence. You cannot convict me on that, Lestat Christophe Marie, not even under Napoleonic law," Louis told him.
"Louis, my fledgling," Lestat idly brushed Louis hair from his face. "I do believe I have missed you."
Louis smiled. "I know that I have missed you, Lestat."
"That's good to hear, Lis." Lestat said, reverting to his most private nickname, the one he didn't wish anyone else to know, ever. He didn't write it in his books, he didn't say it within anyone else's hearing, he never wrote it. It was akin to babytalk for the name Louis, though it was also the word for lily in French, pronounced lee. Lestat nuzzled in close to Louis's neck. Louis tensed, but did not push him away. Lestat rested his lips on Louis's soft flesh, to let him know he would not bite him. Louis relaxed and put his arms around Lestat. They sat, wrapped around each other, both lost in their own thoughts for a while, Lestat occasionally giving Louis a soft chaste kiss, Louis occasionally rubbing Lestat's back or stroking his golden hair.
"Lis, why can't we always be like this?"
"Stat-chat, something always happens to pull us apart, you know that," Louis answered, using his own secret nickname for Lestat, which he dared not utter at any other time. It was one of those rhyming names, again, mostly given to babies, like Gar-bear for Gary or Manda-panda for Amanda. Louis had dubbed Lestat this without much thought. It just seemed to fit him, though Lestat claimed to not like cats. Louis, for his part, loved them. He pronounced this without the final Ts, stah shah. "It seems that something always will."
"We simply won't allow it to, Lis. We don't need to let it happen. If we try, we can keep this. I know we can."
"Stat-chat, there are too many problems." Louis ran his hand through Lestat's hair. "Too much history between us, too much resentment and pain. Maybe, MAYBE, if we could resolve all of that, while somehow not creating any more conflicts, then it might be possible. But you know that this can never happen. You know it as well as I." Louis kissed Lestat's mouth lightly, affectionately, and gave him a smile.
"No, I don't know it. I don't believe it either. THIS is us, Lis. The real us, without walls or defenses or petty grievances." Lestat said this persuasively but not in an argumentative tone.
"Non, Stat. This is us as we wish we could be. But we aren't without our dividing emotions. We haven't solved anything. We are simply ignoring everything else so that we can have this." Louis hugged Lestat tightly. "This truce, which will be short, as always."
"It doesn't have to end, Lis-Lis."
Louis sighed. "What of David?"
"Do you mean as a menage a trois?" Lestat asked.
Louis laughed. It was a deep easy laugh, the kind Lestat could never get enough of. "Stat-chat."
Lestat laughed too. He reached to rub his hand over Louis's chest and belly, to feel his laughter. Louis allowed this intimacy, as he always had when they had somehow fallen into one of these rare calm and happy moods. When they could be close without hurting each other. When they could slip easily into their old pet names, and the Creole dialect of years past. When they could speak to one another as what they were; two souls deeply entwined, and steeped in love.
These small confidential moments were exceedingly rare. The first had occurred at Pointe du Lac. One night, a few months after Louis had been made, when Lestat's father was asleep and the slaves were calm and quiet, they had been walking up the stairs together. Louis was going to his office, Lestat heading toward his own room. When suddenly, by some silent mutual agreement, unexplained and unexplainable still, they found themselves in Louis's old room. The room Lestat had come to him in, Louis had not returned to it, sleeping as he had been in the oratory.
They walked toward opposite sides of the bed, each lifting the mosquito netting in silence and crawling in, boots and all. They met in the middle of the mattress and lay in each other's arms. They were quiet. They were comforting each other. Each escaping the tensions of their charade, their families, their own animosity and disappointment, and the horrible pressure which had descended upon them without warning. They were finding support from the only other person in the entire world who understood. They were comfortable with each other and they found they could communicate. Lestat found it similar to the golden moments he had once shared with Nicholas. Louis reminded him so much of Nicholas. But this was more affectionate and comforting, the strong undertone of lust and desire which had existed between himself and Nicholas was not so much a factor as the warm solace of love.
Louis had never experienced anything like it. But it gave him the same feeling of confidence and security that his talks with Paul had. It seemed in that moment that everything had been solved for him. That day they slept together in Lestat's coffin. The next night, however, things had returned to their previous state as mortal and immortal concerns overtook them once more.
It had not happened again until after they had Claudia. During their sixty-five years together it had happened with perhaps the frequency of the new moon. And it was during these times that they had named each other silly names, with the license of mothers, or lovers.
Of course, since then it had not occurred. Not even at the Night Island after the incident with Akasha. But now, inexplicably, it had happened again.
"Let's not talk of David for the moment, Lis."
"As you wish."
"I was so frightened for you, my love," Lestat told him, meaning the burning and the blindness.
Louis snuggled in so close to Lestat's chest that he could feel his breast bone against his head. "I was frightened too."
They rocked together for a time. Louis began softly to sing the old Creole lullaby that Lestat had used to calm him then. It was the lullaby sung to Louis by the young slave girl set to look after him, and his sister and brother once they came. Louis had sung it to Claudia and Lestat had learned it during those peaceful nights. Lestat joined him now, and they sang to each other. When they had finished the song they held each other.
"How could you try to kill yourself, Stat-chat?" Louis asked in a low sweet voice.
Lestat opened his heart and poured it all out. "Oh, Lis, it just seemed all so pointless. Everyone had gone. The coven had scattered. I was lonely, and I saw all the rest of eternity as a never-ending series of abandonments and separations. No matter how many times I try to come together with those I love, always there is the time when it ends and they leave me. I was in pain, Lis. My entire existence was exhaustion and pain."
"Why didn't you come to me?"
"I know." Lestat looked at Louis. There was no judgment in his face, and no pain, just the need to know. "I should have, Lis, I know I should have. But I think it was that I had decided to end it. I thought I knew how and I knew if I saw you, you would try to talk me out of it. I was too tired to argue with you, and I was afraid that you might win. I pretended to think that you would understand. I fooled myself into believing that once I had gone you would be free to go as well, if you wished. But really I just didn't want to face you. I'm sorry Lis-Lis, I really am."
Louis kissed him gently. "I might have followed you, you know, if you had been successful. I don't know what else I would have done."
"I am glad that I was unsuccessful then."
"So am I," Louis said. Then he said, "Stat, when you came to me, when you were mortal-"
"No, Lis." Lestat said, pressing his finger to Louis's lips. "No, not now."
"Don't you think we should talk about it?"
"Yes, but not now. I just want this time together now. Just hold me, Lis, and let me hold you."
Louis kissed his lips in answer. Lestat deepened the kiss and boldly rubbed his hand across Louis's thighs. Louis shifted uncomfortably. Lestat quickly snaked one arm around Louis's hips, gripped the inner thigh closest to him and deposited Louis in his lap. Louis gave a sharp cry into the unbroken kiss. Lestat felt it echo over his palate and laughed. Holding Louis tightly he shoved his hand down the front of his sweatpants. Not surprisingly he found no underclothing to hinder him. Louis pulled out of the kiss, panting for breath. Lestat reached under Louis to find what he wanted, hefted them in his hand, then gave them a gentle upward toss to bounce lightly into the sensitive underside of Louis's manhood. Louis arched his back and almost yelled. Lestat laughed again and fondled Louis, down his shaft and up to his tip, tracing small circles there.
"Lestat!" Louis said forcefully. "Stop this now!"
Lestat caught his mouth in a kiss drowning out any further protest. Louis could get no leverage as his position did not allow his feet to touch the floor. He pushed ineffectually at Lestat. He pulled at Lestat's arm to remove the offending hand, to no avail. In a preternaturally quick movement, Lestat caught both of Louis's wrists and held them in one hand behind Louis's back. Louis was still shouting at him, the muffled angry sounds making Lestat laugh all the more. Luckily, his tongue was an effective gag for Louis, because he knew that Louis dared not bite him, lest he should consume any of Lestat's stronger blood. Louis fought as best he could, turning his head and twisting his body with all of his might. Lestat found this struggle sweet. He released Louis's mouth and pulled his had from beneath Louis to wind his fingers into the hair at the back of Louis's head. Lestat pulled, bringing Louis's chin up, baring his neck. Louis hadn't fed yet, so the threat of Lestat drinking from him made him tremble. Lestat licked at the thin skin over his vein, playing with him.
"Lestat, please, no." Louis whispered his plea.
Ah, this was just what Lestat wanted. He licked at the vein again. He rested his mouth there. Louis's entire body was tensed. He lightly raked his fangs across the skin.
"Lestat! What about David? We cannot!" Louis cried.
Lestat released Louis's head and hands, keeping his arms about Louis's waist. "What about David, cherie?"
"Lestat, this isn't a good time. You and David are lovers." Louis said, changing his defense, since begging wouldn't help. And he was concerned about this "cheating", especially after what had happened between himself and David. But if it weren't for David . . .Louis couldn't think about that now.
"That doesn't mean that you and I cannot be lovers, Louis." Lestat smiled at him, as if he were explaining something to a small child.
"Non? And so David is free to find other lovers as well, then?" Louis asked, combing his fingers through his tangled hair.
"Don't be ridiculous." Lestat pulled Louis to him and kissed his forehead.
"Lestat, you and I can never be lovers in the same way."
"What do you mean, Louis?"
"You and I cannot drink from each other," Louis said softly.
"Louis, that is due to your own stubbornness." Lestat smacked Louis's hip.
Louis ignored that. "Nevertheless, you and he ARE lovers, and you and I are NOT."
Lestat grinned. "Louis! Are you jealous?"
Louis smiled back at him, shifting to a more comfortable position, and unobtrusively crossing his legs. "I hope to live up to your example, Lestat."
"MY example? I fear to ask." Lestat looked down at him fondly.
"I always admired the way you didn't begrudge me my closeness with her. I was always grateful that you were so patient and magnanimous with us. I hope to do the same with you and David."
"Why Louis, I am flattered," Lestat answered with mock humility.
"You should be," Louis said.
"Especially since all this time I had thought it was she and I fighting for YOUR time." Lestat tapped Louis's nose. Louis laughed and shook his head. Lestat stood, lifting Louis with him, and turned to lay sideways on the couch, pulling Louis's legs to either side of him and folding them behind his back, so that they could be face to face. "I take it that you and David got along well?"
"Very well. We share a lot of interests."
"Yes all of the ones I have been trying to break you of." Lestat gave him a stern look.
Louis laughed, "Oui, those would be the ones."
"I want you to come to the jungles with us, Louis. David expects it too."
"Lestat, I told you -"
"Yes, yes, I know." Lestat said tapping Louis's mouth. "But I think we can accommodate that. We'll all return to New Orleans until everything is settled. And then we can all leave together."
Louis looked unsure. "I don't know that David will want to delay your trip."
"Louis, David will do well to realize that I am the leader of this coven." Lestat looked smug.
"Oh the two of you are a coven are you? You may want to inform him of that," Louis said.
"No, the THREE of us are a coven, Louis." Lestat poked his belly, where he knew he was ticklish. Louis squirmed and held back a giggle. "And I am surprised that I have to inform YOU of it."
Louis raised his eyebrows. "And how was I supposed to infer that?"
Lestat sighed in exasperation. "Louis, you are now, always have been, and always shall be a part of my coven. How could you forget such a thing? Is your memory going, hmmm? Can you tell me your name, Benjamin the Devil? How old are you? What year is it?"
"Lestat, stop," Louis laughed.
Chapter Seven
Lestat went right on. "Why do the Saints never win at home?"
"Because the Superdome was built over the Yellow Fever mound of the Girod street cemetery."
"Who was the most famous man ever to wear a Saints uniform?"
"Charlton Heston."
"What are the best odds you can get on the Saints in any game, anywhere, no matter what?"
"Fourteen to one."
"What are the odds that Ditka can pull the Saints up to the standards of his past record?"
"Forty to one."
"What are the odds that the Saints will pull Ditka's record down to their level?"
"Zero to one. Sure bet."
"How much do you have on that bet?"
"One hundred dollars a season until he has a mental breakdown or quits."
"Really?"
"Mmmm-Hmmm."
"You have a bet on whether or not a man will have a nervous breakdown? Louis!"
"But Lestat, it's perfect odds! I've got better than even money on it!"
Lestat sighed. "Louis, Louis, Louis. You live without electricity or heat. You don't change your clothes until they are worn right through. You don't know what coven you belong to. And yet you have football bets going on every game, all season long. Do you not see the incongruity of this?"
"I thought covens had to live together," Louis observed, getting back to the subject.
"This one will," Lestat said with assurance.
"Will it?" Louis asked.
"Louis, don't you want to live with me?"
"Yes, Lestat, I do very much."
"You do not want to live with David, is that it?"
"No, Lestat, not at all. I am fond of David, I told you."
"Then what?"
Louis sighed. "Lestat, have you asked David if he wants to live with me? Have you considered that either he or I might not wish to be part of your - "
"Louis shut up! Don't be ridiculous. You like David. David likes you. You both love me. I adore both of you. What IS the problem?"
"You never asked us, Lestat. You always assume that everyone will do your bidding."
"I MADE you, Louis! Both of you! You are my fledglings, you are MINE!"
"But we aren't possessions, Lestat. We have preferences, and opinions and plans as well. You act as if we are puppets, inanimate but by your will."
"I NEVER said you were puppets, Louis! My God, why is everything always a fight with you?"
The door opened and David entered. He looked from one to the other, aware of the sudden silence. "Have I interrupted something?"
"No, David," Louis said, extricating himself from Lestat and moving from his lap to sit on the couch.
"Not at all, David. Louis is just having his typical fit of obstinacy," Lestat announced.
"Ah, then that would mean you are having your typical fit of megalomania, I suppose," David said crossing the room to Louis, bending and kissing his cheek. "Good Evening, Louis."
Louis stood and returned the gesture. "Good Evening, David."
Lestat watched this with pleasure. "Do you see, Louis?" He stood and kissed them both. "See how we get along? Now stop making trouble. Go and get dressed before the entire night is lost in arguing." Lestat took Louis by the arm, and pulled him to face his bedroom. He gave him a light swat, which he knew Louis had always hated.
~~ "Don't treat me like a child, Lestat!" ~~
But years ago he had stopped his futile protests against it. "GO!" Lestat told him.
Louis walked to the bedroom. Lestat was in a mood now and would likely make a scene if Louis did not emerge dressed in a pair of those irritating short pants. He stripped off his sweat suit and pulled on the longer pair he had purchased the night before. They were nearly the length that his formal knee breeches used to be, but of course then one had stockings to cover the rest. Louis sighed. At least they were better than the indecent excuse for trousers Lestat had put him in. He pulled on the white shirt from the night before. The short sleeves didn't bother him as much, he had often rolled up his sleeves if he was out in the fields or if he went riding. But still, it was not done in public. He wore the shoes Lestat had brought for him. They were quite comfortable, actually. He rejoined Lestat and David.
"Louis! Where did you get those shorts?" Lestat exclaimed with delight.
"I bought them last night, when I returned with David," Louis answered.
"David! You are an overwhelmingly positive influence on Louis! Excellent!" Lestat complimented him.
"I had nothing to do with it, Lestat," David said.
"Well, perhaps it is subliminal." Lestat took Louis face in his hands and shook his head at him affectionately. "God knows my opinions hold no sway over him."
Louis laughed a silent laugh. Lestat released him.
"Well my darlings, we must go out. Louis needs to be fed and I need more naked dancing! Have you fed, David?"
"No, not yet," David answered.
"Wonderful! We can dine together then," Lestat smiled. "Of course Louis will require a separate table." He turned to David and said in a stage whisper, "Terrible thing but his table manners are atrocious, to the point that dining in company is out of the question."
David tried to suppress a grin, as Louis gave an outraged look to Lestat. Before he could utter a word, however, he found himself high in the sky in Lestat's arms. It happened that quickly. Louis was astonished. He had no idea of the extent of Lestat's powers, but this speed was incredible. He grabbed for Lestat and hooked his arms around his neck. Louis's hair was blown back from his face and the wind was catching his ears and burning his skin. Just as it was becoming intolerable, they landed. Louis let go of Lestat and rubbed his ears. Lestat took Louis's hands down and rubbed briskly over Louis's ears, face, arms and legs. He should have thought about what that kind of wind force would do to Louis's softer skin. David had been right beside him and had suffered no ill effects. His older stronger blood had widened the gulf between them so much that Louis now seemed a china doll in comparison; beautiful, delicate and fragile. Though Louis had been born to darkness in 1791, and David had been born to darkness just last week, the discrepancy in their powers and abilities made David seem the older of the two. Louis's nightly need to feed, his sensitivity to cold and to the light of the sun, his inability to levitate, lack of telepathy, and inferior strength, hearing, sight and speed made him appear to be the infant of the coven, though Jesse, Daniel, and now David, were far younger in years. He slept earliest and rose latest.
Lestat remembered when they were all together at the Night Island, how the old ones were immediately somewhat protective of Louis. Khayman, especially, who made a nightly ritual of asking, 'Where is Louis?' as soon the sky showed the first grayish signs of dawn. They were quite fascinated by, yet greatly disapproved of Louis's habit of waiting until his pain and hunger became unbearable, before feeding. Lestat had heard both Marius and Khayman, at different times, scold him, gently but firmly that this practice was detrimental and must be discontinued. Louis took it well, respectfully listening to their admonitions and thanking them for their concern, but never actually agreeing to change his ways. Precious Louis, ever the gentleman, would never have dreamed of telling them that they could take their advice and go straight to Hell, as Lestat would have, if anyone had taken such a tactic with him.
Even Gabrielle, whom, Lestat could attest, had never been very maternal, had taken an interest. She had stopped Louis at whatever he was doing, at least once a night, and after putting her hand to his icy cheek, would point her finger at him, and order him, in a most commanding voice, 'FEED!'. To which Louis would reply calmly, 'Oui, Madame' with a small bow, and then go directly back to his activity. This never failed to elicit a chuckle from whomever should chance to witness it, which Louis pretended not to hear. It also earned him an exasperated look and frustrated sigh from Gabrielle, which he likewise would not respond to.
Lestat had gleaned all of this information as he had skipped lightly through the minds and memories of the other vampires, as he was looking for information to write his last book, QUEEN OF THE DAMNED. He loved to find these little tidbits about Louis in the minds of the others, as much as he loved to find things about himself, which he needed for his book, of course.
Maharet was impressed with the compassion and emotion evident in Louis. Marius had been delighted by him, at first sight. Pandora took notice of his beauty, and thought he had a lovely voice, but she gave little regard to anyone at the time. Khayman had, from the first sight of him, referred to him as 'the pretty one' within his own mind, and eventually bestowed this nickname upon Louis. Khayman also had an unaccountable desire to touch Louis's soft skin. Armand, of course, was quite involved with Daniel, but felt that he should take some responsibility for Louis as Lestat had 'abandoned' him to lock himself in his room. Daniel remembered Louis, of course, and was the only one who thought of him as a man with a good sense of humor. They teased each other back and forth like old friends. Eric though him cute but too quiet; a shy child who garnered little notice. Jesse was absolutely taken with him and was infinitely patient with his repeated questions regarding her encounter at Rue Royale, because she found him so 'absolutely sweet.' Mael thought him soft, and feared he would not last long. Santino only spoke with Louis once, and even Lestat could not get past Santino's shields well enough to discover the contents of this conversation. But it had achieved its result, which was to leave Louis quite terrified of Santino. He kept the images of Louis's widening eyes, his convulsive swallow, the sounds of his breathing and heartbeat quickening beneath the calm exterior he had tried to maintain. This pleased Santino, who found Louis all the more alluring when frightened, and he had considered taking Louis as his own. Lestat, upon finding this, put all such notions out of Santino's head by sending him a very graphic depiction of just how many tiny, charred, yet still living pieces he would find himself in, should he even chance to consider speaking to Louis again.
And yet Lestat found that they all respected Louis's ability to survive and endure alone within the world, without a coven or even a companion, for so long. They were proud of him, and Lestat loved that they were. Lestat loved to see the effect that his Louis had on the others. He could see that Louis was working his unconscious magic on David as well. The two already seemed close, which pleased Lestat greatly. It would go much easier in his new coven with no friction between them.
Louis skin felt warmer. Lestat stopped rubbing him and turned to David, "Shall we?"
David smiled, "Let's shall. Louis, would you like to meet us here in, should we say, an hour?"
"That would be fine," Louis answered.
In a flash both David and Lestat were gone and Louis was left alone on the street. He memorized the landmarks and then slipped into a back alley in search of prey. A favorite song of his, quite unlike the surrounding Samba music, floated through his head.
He sang softly to himself, "Do you know what it means, to miss New Orleans? And miss her each night and day. I know I'm not wrong, because the feeling's getting stronger, the longer I stay away . . ."
Louis saw a young man lying unconscious on the ground. His clothing had been ripped and his skin had been bruised. He had a large lump on his head, and his skin had an unhealthy pallor. Louis guessed he had been mugged, beaten, and possibly worse, then left for dead. He had no watch but there was a white band around his wrist where one had been, and the same tan lines on his fingers where rings had also been. The young man was dying. Louis dropped to his knees and drained him quickly, pulling hard to empty the body before the slowing heart stopped. He stood and leaned against a wall while the swoon lasted. The drinking had been strange and disjointed. He hadn't gotten any clear memories from the mortal. The swoon was even more dizzying and off-kilter. Probably the young man had drugged himself, or possibly been drugged by someone else. Louis wasn't sure how long he leaned there, but when he looked down the young man was dead and his body was cooling. Louis knew he had to get rid of the evidence. Louis lifted the body and tore his fangs through the tiny wounds making large gashes. Then he carried the man to a nearby parking garage.
"Miss the moss covered vines, tall sugar pines, where a mocking bird used to sing. I'd love to see that old lazy Mississippi hurrying in the spring . . ." Louis sang as he walked.
He tried to stuff the body into an air vent in garage, but it wouldn't fit. Louis couldn't understand this. He broke the arms and legs, but it still wouldn't fit.
'What the hell is wrong?' Louis thought. He turned and saw a large car. Louis pulled the trunk open and threw the body in. It fit, but then the trunk wouldn't close. Louis rubbed his head, confused. It was usually simpler than this, wasn't it? Louis went up to the roof of the garage and put the body down. He was thirsty again.
"Moonlight on the bayou, creole tunes fill the air. I dream about magnolias in June, and I'm wishing I was there. . ." Louis looked down over a crowd of people. He jumped down and grabbed the nearest mortal, running with it as fast as he could. He was going somewhere, but he didn't know where until he saw all the candles. He vaguely remembered this place from another time; Last night? Last month? Last year? He wasn't sure, but the people knew him, remembered him from the last time. An irritating noise was coming from somewhere. Louis looked around. It was the boy in his hands. It was coming out of his mouth. Louis stared at him, wondering when it would stop. An old woman took hold of the boy and gently motioned for Louis to let go. Louis did so and then immediately forgot about him.
A circle of dancers was forming around him. A young girl danced into the middle of the circle with him. She took his hands and rubbed them over her breasts. Louis smiled, he remembered something like this from long ago, forever ago. He remembered that he liked it. The girl removed her white dress, she was naked underneath. She pressed herself to Louis and they were dancing, swaying with the music. Her skin was very hot and Louis could smell the blood in her. He kissed her, she tasted sweet, her lips were soft. She lifted her breasts to him. He took one in his mouth and sucked it, biting the nipple and licking the wounds. One of the other dancers handed her a glass which she drank and then flung into the air. Louis took her other breast into his mouth, the nipple was hard and stiff. He bit down taking a long draught of her blood. She moaned and stroked his hair. When he lifted his face, she encouraged him to take her. The other dancers had gathered close around, and they wanted it too.
Louis lifted her in his arms, kissing her and biting her tongue. He lay her on the ground, looking at her body, and then put his head between her thighs. He parted her, licking her and teasing her, swelling and hardening her tender bud. Ah, yes, he remembered this very well. What had been her name, the first one? Celeste? Celine? Cecile, it was Cecile from the dancing lessons. And then who was the girl he brought to the garçonniere? Monique? Non, Dominique, Etienne's placee. Oui, it had been DuVal's garçonniere, at Bon Sejour. Was he twenty? Twenty-two? Delicious. And if Etienne had been man enough to challenge him to a duel, she could have been his own. He wouldn't have had to kill him, first blood would have served. And that would have been his without question. Etienne was the worst swordsman in Louisiana, and couldn't fire a pistol without the kickback knocking him off his feet. Had he ever made plans like that? Of course he had, before he understood the meaninglessness of it all. Before Paul . . .
The girl pulled his hair in ecstasy. She was writhing and panting under his attentions. He opened his mouth wider and sank his fangs into her flesh. He drank deeply from her, she arched her back, offering him more. Louis ran his tongue over the wounds and then down the curve of her thigh. He bit her legs and then turned her over. He ran his fangs over her buttocks. He laid atop her, pressing himself against her warm cleft and biting her shoulder. He drained her then, almost to the death, but he felt many pairs of mortal hands pulling him back.
He allowed them to lift him up and carry him to a platform. Here they brought him a young man, struggling with his bonds and screaming behind a gag. Louis bit into an artery and drained him fast. Dropping the body, he lay back on the platform swooning. The young man's life ran like a film in his mind, a succession of firsts; first word, first step, first day of school, first bicycle, first communion, first drink, first car, first date, first girl, first year of college, first boy, first vacation to Rio and then it was over.
Louis sat up. He felt good. His skin was tingling all over, all the pain was gone. He suddenly remembered Lestat and David. Had it been an hour? Louis thought he had better get back, just in case. He left at top speed, so that he seemed to vanish. He stopped when he got to the garage, it was familiar.
"Do you know what it means, to miss New Orleans, when that's where you left your heart?" Louis began walking back toward the street they had agreed to meet on. He saw Lestat and David. He didn't know how long he'd been gone, but they were waiting for him. He was glad to see them.
"But there's one thing more, I miss the one I care for, more than I miss New Orleans." Louis finished the song as he walked toward them.
"Louis, where have you been?" Lestat demanded.
"We were just going to try and find you," David added in a worried voice.
Louis smiled and kissed Lestat. "I'm sorry mes chers, I ran as fast as I could."
Lestat blinked in surprise and then smiled back at him. "Louis, you're in quite a mood."
"Are you alright, my boy?" David asked, the anxiety in his voice was growing.
Louis turned and kissed him as well.
"I'm full," Louis informed him.
"I see," David answered, smiling back at Lestat. No need to worry, Louis had sustained no damage, just a bit drunk it seemed.
"Come with me!" Louis said excitedly, taking their hands. "I'll show you where they are!"
Louis turned and ran. Lestat ran after him and David followed Lestat. They arrived at the Candomble celebration within three minutes. The group was even larger tonight, David noticed, as they made their way to the center of the crowd. The people were even more forward as well, pressing against them, kissing them, touching them. A young man slid seductively up to Lestat and bared his neck. Lestat bit him and drank his sweet hot blood. The boy was pleasantly buzzed and Lestat felt it immediately. He pushed himself away from the boy before he did him any permanent harm. He looked to see David drinking from another youth, who by the size of his pupils, was under the influence as well. A girl came and kissed him. Lestat bit her tongue and tasted her before twirling her over to David, who did the same. Louis appeared behind him.
"Dance with me, Lestat?" Louis asked. His low sweet voice had a seductive purr to it that Lestat wasn't sure he'd ever heard before.
"I would love to, Beautiful One, " Lestat answered, taking Louis in his arms. They pressed their hips together, moving with the beat, kissing each other often. Louis took the lead and twirled Lestat out on his arm, then gathered him back. Lestat was laughing. Louis danced them through the crowd to David.
"David, join us!" Louis called to him.
David dropped the girl he was holding and reached for Lestat's outstretched hand. Two older men came through the crowd and carried the girl away.
The three vampires danced together, teasing and flirting and enticing each other. Each one focused solely on the other two. Unbeknownst to David, Louis and Lestat, a group of elders were organizing a group of white clad mortals to form a circle around them. These youngsters closed in on the vampires, kissing them and offering their blood. The young mortals stripped off their clothing. The vampires drank and drank.
Lestat grabbed a young man and pulled him in. Louis kissed this naked dancer and David slid his hands between the boy's legs, while Lestat impaled the mortal on one finger, almost lifting his feet from the ground. The young man moaned into Louis's kiss. Louis took his shoulders and held him while Lestat inserted another finger to his explorations. David rubbed the boy's hardened organ between his hands, tracing circles over it's already wet tip. Lestat pushed deeper and did lift him up. Louis put his arm under the mortal's shoulders pushing his tongue deep, almost to the throat. Lestat put his free arm under the boy's back and David moved to his hip, not breaking contact. They supported the squirming groaning mortal. The boy's entire body was trembling with ecstasy. David thumbed his opening to keep him from climaxing as long as possible. The boy was sweating. He kicked his legs and flailed his arms. He arched his back, pumping up into David's hands, then pushing himself down onto Lestat's fingers, wanting both. Louis reached for the boy's chest, twisting his nipples. The boy pounded at them with his fists, screaming into Louis's kiss, begging for release. He began gyrating his hips wildly and a deep shudder went through him. David aimed his open legs away from them, towards the crowd, and removed his thumb, still holding the shaft tightly. The boy convulsed in their arms as he ejaculated in strong gushes which fell on the dancers who rushed in at him. The mortal gave one final cry and passed out. Lestat removed his fingers as the boy went limp. The three of them lowered him to the ground, stepping over him to move toward another knot of naked dancers. They walked with their arms around each other, away from the elders who moved in to retrieve the boy.
Reaching the dancers, who moved to let them in, they took more drinks. The mortals were pulled from Louis by the other dancers, before he could drain them. The music got louder. It pounded down on them. Colors blurred and the smell of blood was everywhere.
David took Louis in his arms and kissed him. Louis ran his fingers through David's short sun bleached hair. Lestat leered at David and licked his throat. David slid a hand down Lestat's shorts. Louis pulled Lestat's shirt off and ran his fangs across his chest. Lestat groaned and grabbed Louis's hair. David felt a hand pulling at his shorts, he couldn't tell if it was Lestat or Louis. Lestat kissed Louis's fingers and then his lips. David pulled up on Louis's shirt. Lestat pulled Louis's shorts off, then he took Louis's nipples in his fingers and pinched them hard. Louis laughed and stumbled backwards. Lestat grabbed his knees and he fell into David's arms. They laid him on his back. Lestat spread Louis's legs and pushed David head down between his thighs. David moaned and began working his tongue over Louis's soft organ. Louis closed his eyes and whispered, "Oui."
Lestat pulled David free of his shorts and divested himself of his own. Lestat grabbed David's hips and pulled his lower body up, bending David's knees. David arched his back, pushing himself as far out and open as he could. Lestat guided himself into David and then rammed into him repeatedly, making David give muffled cries at every thrust. Lestat threw his head back and screamed in pleasure. Louis bucked beneath David. Currents of electric rapture flowed up and down this three linked chain.
Some kind of chant had been taken up by the crowd, but Louis, Lestat and David were only dimly aware of it. They continued to ravish each other tirelessly as the intensity of the feeling mounted and then crested. They felt it simultaneously, and together they cried out and lost consciousness.
David awoke in total darkness. He could feel himself squashed against a body, which turned out to be Louis. His back was against a hard wall. He was lying on top of an arm which belonged to Lestat. David raised his head to see Lestat lying on the other side of Louis, in basically the same predicament.
"Where are we?" David asked.
"I don't know," Lestat answered. "But there are mortals near."
"Can we get out of here?" David asked.
"Yes, I think so. But I want to wait until Louis wakes. We may be outside, I can't tell. It won't do to face whatever this is with him unconscious. I can't read these mortals, but I can smell them. I can hear their breathing and their heartbeats. Can you read them?" Lestat asked.
"No. They are too well shielded," David sighed. "Do you know how we got here?"
"I have no idea, I have been trying to figure that one myself. I cannot remember any of last night, David. What happened?"
David was silent for a few moments. "Nothing specific, but that we spent it together the three of us."
"Yes, and that it was quite enjoyable, whatever we did," Lestat agreed.
"I get that too, as a general feeling. I do remember going out alone and coming back to the hotel."
"Oui, I remember that, and flying with Louis. We landed in a street. You and I hunted."
"Yes, and then we returned and waited for Louis," David said.
"And I remember him and then just confusion," Lestat said.
"Yes, it is cloudy. All I get are images," David said.
"What do you see?" Lestat asked.
"Your smile, Louis's laugh, singing, the three of us joined somehow," David mused.
"Yes, tied together or . . ."
"No, not tied, I don't think, but . . ."
"Not tied exactly . . .more like . . .like . . .I've lost it," Lestat sighed.
"I can't get it clear either," David told him.
"Are you hurt?" Lestat asked.
"I don't seem to be," David answered.
"Neither am I, as far as I can tell. Nor is Louis," Lestat said.
"Well that is something to be thankful for at least," David said.
Chapter Eight
Louis stirred. He tried to turn over, but he was blocked by something. He opened his eyes. He could see Lestat. He knew that it was David at his back.
"Where are we?" Louis asked.
"Ah, Louis, you are awake," David said.
"Do you remember anything of last night, cher?" Lestat asked.
Louis tried to pull himself free of Lestat and David, but there was no room. "I can't breathe."
"Yes you can Louis. Answer my question," Lestat said.
"Is it a coffin?" Louis asked.
"It seems to be some sort of box, yes," David answered.
"Can't we get out?" Louis asked, barely masking his growing alarm.
"There are mortals outside. Mortals that neither David nor I can read," Lestat said.
"Let's get out," Louis said, as if this information was completely irrelevant.
"Wait, Louis," David said. "Please, tell us what you remember about last night."
"Nothing . . .no, I remember being with Lestat in the hotel room. And you returning, David. And then we left. I went to hunt. I woke up here. I think we should get out now," Louis told him.
"You don't remember anything else?" David pressed.
"No, David! Lestat, for Christ's sake, can't you just break it open?!"
"Alright, Louis, alright!" Lestat said, lifting his free arm and giving a strong push. The lid flew off and clattered to the ground. Lestat grabbed the edge of the box and stood up, motioning for the other two to stay down. They obeyed. Lestat saw seven mortals forming a circle around the box they'd been imprisoned in. All white-haired, very old, four women and three men. They all stood and looked at him.
"What do you want?!" Lestat asked loudly, stepping out of the box.
"Vampire," an old woman approached him and bowed her head. "We wish to thank you for performing the ritual , and allowing us to bear witness to it."
"What ritual?" Lestat asked.
"The sacred ritual, that which has no name," another answered.
Lestat looked down into the box. "David, get up here."
David rose, straightening his red shirt and white shorts. Louis stood as well. He looked down at himself and then to Lestat and then David. He was relieved to see that they were all dressed. He'd had the oddest feeling for a moment that they wouldn't be.
David recognized the robes the mortals were wearing as colors belonging to the highest clergy of the Candomble faith. "May I ask what is the purpose of the ritual that has no name?"
"That we sacrifice to you and you sacrifice to us, Vampire," said a man.
"Did you put us in this box?" Louis asked.
"Yes, Vampire, it is the end of the ritual. We watched over you all day. We kept our vigil faithfully," said a woman.
"What did you sacrifice to us?" David inquired.
"The blood of a virgin, the blood of a stranger, the seed of a virgin as well as the elixir in the blood of our young," said one of them.
"What did we sacrifice to you?" They asked together.
"Love." The elders answered in unison.
"Love?" The three vampires asked.
"Yes, Vampires. That even blood drinkers can love each other, it is the holiest sacrament," the other man said.
"What do you mean by 'love each other'?" Louis asked uneasily.
"It is evident in what you share that you love each other, Vampire," said another.
"Is the ritual completed?" David asked.
"Yes, Vampire," said a woman.
"Then we'll leave," Lestat said. At the same time, he and David took hold of Louis and rose immediately into the air. They traveled to the hotel, and went directly to their room.
"What did that mean, David?" Louis asked.
"Nothing." David answered him. "The ritual that has no name is a generic term for any supernatural occurrence. Apparently we must have fed together before them last night. In their philosophy that would amount to the sharing of an agape meal." David thought it best not to mention the aphrodisiacs usually involved, nor the sexual nature of the ritual that has no name. The elders had kept their minds closed, so Lestat had no idea. It was best left unsaid, especially since he really had no idea what had happened.
Lestat shook his head and went about packing their things into the luggage. Louis donned his sweat suit over his clothing. Outside it was eerily quiet. The carnival was over and most of the tourists had gone home during the day.
"Leaving, Lestat?" David asked.
"Yes, we are. The carnival is over, David. It's time to go home," Lestat answered, zipping up a bag.
"I see," David said, noncommittally.
"Are you going to stay, David?" Louis asked.
"I haven't really thought about it, Louis," David answered.
"Oh, David, you aren't fooling anyone. You are far too intrigued by us and Anne and everything else you have read about to let us go without you. So don't play hard to get," Lestat said.
David laughed.
"Besides, I am going to start writing when we get home, and as Louis can tell you, that is unbelievably stimulating to watch."
"You are making it so I can't resist," David joked.
"Well, the typos can be interesting," Louis told him.
"Exactly. Louis, help with these bags, will you?" Lestat handed a suitcase to Louis, who obligingly took it. David grabbed some as well.
"Come with me." Lestat led them to the lobby, where he paid the bill. He gave Louis a look when he was handed the bill from the gift shop. Then they left the bags with the concierge. Lestat tipped him an obscene sum of money to have the bags shipped to his apartment in New Orleans. Once outside Lestat said, "We need to hunt quickly before we return home."
They walked out into the street. "It seems that the hunt is where our memories of last night begin to go blank," David said.
"Yes. More specifically, Louis remembers until he went to hunt, and we remember until we saw him after he hunted. We'll have to be careful." Lestat looked at Louis "I'll hunt and then come back for you and we will go together. Stay right here! Don't move an inch!" Lestat disappeared.
David looked over at Louis. "He can be a bit imperious, can't he."
Louis laughed, "Not to mention dominating, controlling and bossy."
Louis began walking away from the hotel, David suppressed a smile and followed at his side.
"So, he will begin writing now?" David asked.
"Mmmm," Louis answered.
"What does that mean.?" David asked.
"Well, you won't see much of him at first, but when you do see him, he will be in an extraordinarily good mood. That is until the galleys come back and he decides he hates every single word, at which time you'll want to keep him away from sharp objects. Oh and avoid crossing the line of fire when the vases start hitting the walls. Don't waste your time hiding them, he'll just go out and buy more so that he can bring them home and smash them. That lasts until it is published. But if it doesn't stay on the bestseller list over six weeks, I advise that you unobtrusively suggest that he go and see his friend, David Tal -. . . oh, no . . ." Louis looked at David. " I'll have to think of something new now."
David laughed hysterically.
"I suppose I'll have to try and fob him off on Armand. But London is so much farther away," Louis said wistfully.
"So I was your last resort was, I?" David asked, recovering a tiny bit of composure.
"Yes, well, you see, London being six hours ahead of New Orleans would force him to stop at least twice, even at his top speed, to wait for the rotation to keep him out of the sun. Therefore, no matter what a mood he was in, he would usually be over it by the time he reached London. You know how mercurial Lestat's moods can be. So, I wouldn't have to deal with it, and neither would you."
"Logical." David was still chuckling.
"It was nice while it lasted anyway," Louis sighed. After a few minutes of quiet walking, he said, "The Carnival was beautiful, David. Thank you for inviting me."
"I am happy you accepted, Louis. Lestat certainly enjoyed it," David observed.
"Lestat has a great capacity for joy. I wish I had that talent," Louis said.
"Are you happy to be returning to New Orleans?" David asked.
"I am happy that we shall all be there." Louis smiled.
"Yes, so am I," David returned.
Louis looked toward an alley. He saw the logic of hunting early, though he loathed to do it. "Excuse me a moment, won't you?" He asked David.
"Certainly," David replied courteously.
Lestat headed straight for the site of the Candomble gathering. He was determined to find out exactly what had happened to them. But he found the street deserted, all evidence of dancers, food, altars or candles gone. Damn them all! He scanned all of the mortals in this area. None had any knowledge of Candomble. He scanned all the mortals he could reach. Suddenly, within the tumult of thoughts came one bright flare, "VAMPIRE!"
Then shields went down. But Lestat had found his victim. He flew quickly to the small home he had seen. It was far removed from the city, and almost hidden behind banana trees. There was a wizened old woman standing outside the door, waiting for him. He appeared before her.
"I thought you would be the one to come, Vampire," she said. "You are one who cannot leave a mystery unsolved."
Lestat fixed his ice blue gaze on her, and gave her his cruelest smile. "And you know what I want, mortal?" He asked, mimicking her form of address.
"You want my blood, Vampire, and my life. But mostly you want your memory back," She answered calmly.
"Yes." Lestat bared his fangs.
"You will enjoy it, Vampire. The green eyed one would not. The tall one knows the ritual but not his part in it." She stepped forward and offered him her neck.
Lestat kissed her, and then pierced her vein, draining her in a matter of seconds.
Louis reappeared, warmer and pinker. "Will you stay in New Orleans a while with us, David?"
"For as long as you'll have me," David answered him.
"Lestat believes we are a coven." Louis told him.
"Yes, I believe he mentioned that to me. What do you think?" .
"Being part of a coven was a rather enjoyable experience, on the whole, compared with being on one's own. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, of course."
"Hmm," David appeared to think on that a moment. "Will you excuse me?"
"Certainly."
Lestat pulled every drop of blood from her, even sucking out her heart. He knew everything. He knew who they were. He knew what they had done to Louis, David and himself. He knew how and he knew why. And the old woman had been right. He did enjoy it. Especially the sight of his fledglings in the menage-a-trois with him. Wonderful image. Ah, it had been a good night. He healed the wounds of the body and left it within the house. He then returned to meet Louis and David.
David returned, also warmer and pinker. "I meant about the three of us, specifically."
"Well, Lestat needs some sort of keeper. We agree on this, oui?"
"Definitely," David affirmed.
"And the two of us seem to communicate well, so that I believe we would be well suited to perform this function."
"For the good of mankind."
"And also as some sort of bizarre, unending penance, which of course, is exactly what I want, if you believe Lestat's books. Therefore, I think that we should agree to be a coven," Louis concluded.
"It does seem to fit, doesn't it?"
"Comfortably well."
"Besides, we have already been on what one would call 'a bender' together, so we are already bonded," David observed.
"Oh, is that all it takes? I believe I had bonded with over half of New Orleans in my day."
"And just what part of 'STAY HERE' do you not understand?" Lestat had appeared before them without warning.
"Lestat, we were just looking for you," David said, conversationally.
"We want to go home," Louis added.
"Do we?" Lestat asked looking from one to the other. They made him so happy, more than they could ever know. His little fledglings, he wanted to take them both in his arms and never let them go. He let his anger melt away. "Well, then I suppose we will." He pulled Louis to him. "Fold your hands in front of you cher, and lean against them. This will be fast and I want them out of the wind. Put your head down." Lestat guided Louis's face in to the crook of his neck. He locked his hands tightly around Louis's back. "Are you ready to say goodbye to Rio, David?" He looked to his younger fledgling.
"Not goodbye, Lestat, but merely au revoir. I shall be here for the next carnival. And with the same company, I hope." David smiled.
"But of course, David!" Lestat exclaimed.
Louis lifted his head, " Umm . . .I'll have to check my schedule on that."
And the trio bid Rio adio.
FINIS
THE END