Cold
Koj
2000Disclaimers: I don't own any of Anne Rice's vampires, I just love to write about them. Also Daniel's speech to Armand in this Spec is a song by Annie Lennox called "Cold". I recently found my copy of Annie Lennox's Diva, from why "Cold" is from. I listened to it, rewound it and listened to it again. I got the idea for this spec and it wouldn't go away. I hope you like it.
Cold
Installment #1
I want to be with you baby
Slip me inside your heart
Don't I belong to you baby
Don't you know nothing can tell us apart
Come on now come on now come on now
Telling you that
I loved you right from the start…
But the more I want you the less I get
Ain't that just the way things are…
Anne Lennox, 3rd Verse of "Cold" from Diva
For the best two nights Daniel Molloy had done nothing but stare at his cell phone. Sure he feed as soon as he got up but that was it. He had this secret hope that Armand would call him so they could talk but he never did and Daniel did not dare call. Fortinbras was right about one thing... passion had clouded his reason and now he had to pay for it. Even Louis hadn't called him to see that he was all right and if Louis didn't call there was no way Armand ever would.
Right now he would die to hear Armand say one thing to him, even in anger. Daniel did not want to love Armand but he had no choice, his heart could not tear itself away from his angel of the night. Could Armand even know how badly that he missed him?
He knew he could call Marius up right now and talk to him. Marius always calmed his nerves but he couldn't; Daniel wasn't part of the coven now, Marius would never talk to him. God how he screwed things up; he was now totally alone in the world. Again he was alone in the world but now it wouldn't be for a lifetime but forever.
Now that was a depressing thought.
Boy the house was cold.
Daniel never knew how cold this old house was until he came back from New York. Everything seemed a lot colder when he got back from New York.
Call Louis or Lestat… tell them that he was sorry. No, he couldn't do that, with Sybelle around. Sybelle would ruin him in everyone's eyes again; not that he was already ruined by his own doings. Shit, this really wasn't a good situation to find himself in.
He could call his sister, Gwen, no not on that cell phone. Armand paid the cell phone bill… which means that it probably doesn't work. Daniel walked over and picked up the cell phone. The stupid thing wasn't even turned on, he turned it on and it said, "Voice Mail: 15 messages."
"Fifteen messages!" Daniel exclaimed as he pressed the receive button, "how could I have gotten that many in only two nights?"
Message#1: "Daniel, this is Louis. Listen you've got to call me as soon as you get this message, we've got to talk."
Message #2: "Daniel this is Marius. Sometimes I wonder what is going through your mind because Sybelle is no threat. If you agree to come home I will let Eric comb through her mind for the truth but only if you come home."
Message #3: "It's Santino, I really hate these voice mail things but I want you to call me. What you need is a good kick in the butt for hurting Armand like that. If I didn't know that you loved him I'd hunt you down myself which I might still do if you don't call me."
Message #4: "Daniel, it's Eric, Marius won't let me check Sybelle's mind unless you come back. I'm not overly amused at this situation either and I think Santino did sleep with her. Call me."
Message #5: (Santino)"Dammit, Daniel, I did not sleep with Sybelle and you better call me and help me get Eric's head on straight!"
Message #6: "Daniel, its Louis… why in the world is your cell phone off for? Why are you hiding from us? Things are going to Hell without you and Armand is snapping at everyone and I'm this close to killing Benji. Please call me when you get this message."
Message #7: (Lestat)"Daniel I know Louis has been calling you and you aren't answering. This thing about Sybelle is really screwed up. I don't understand why you are so afraid of her… even Louis is hiding out now. I'm not saying that maybe she isn't up to something but she isn't a threat. For once in your life stop running."
Message #8: "Hi, it's Jessie. Daniel everything has gone crazy here in Miami, Armand has locked himself in his bedroom and won't talk to anyone. Sybelle is pleading her innocence while playing the victim. I think I'm going to be sick. Call me."
Message #9: "You don't know me but you will. I am your worst nightmare and when I get through with you there will be no DNA to identify you. I, Sybelle, am not beaten yet… run away little man while you still can."
Message #10: (Eric) "Did he say he wanted you to help me get my head on straight. I'm not the one the seductress is after… I want to know how she knew about his great body. There is only one way to know that and that is seeing it! He had to have slept with her. Daniel call me, dammit!"
Message #11: (Santino) "I don't know why Sybelle was after me but I have no interest in her because I love Eric. I'm innocent here, Daniel, and you have to believe me. Call us dammit and talk some sense into Eric!"
Message #12: (Eric) "Santino has threatened to move out because he says that I don't love him. I do love him more than anything it's just this thing with Sybelle wanting him… she was going to ruin me in his eyes and that is what frightens me. If you could do that to you I wonder what she could do to me…? You know Santino's and mine relationship is more built on sex then trust but I love him. Everything Guildenstern said about love and being in love that is what I feel for Santino. Daniel, I really think I lost him this time. Where are you? Why are you blocking us out?"
Message #13: (Marius) "This has gone on long enough now, Daniel, I don't know what lies Fortinbras and Guildenstern put into your mind but we are your family. Families work out problems and right now Sybelle happens to be a problem. You were never ruined in my eyes, Daniel, I don't know who is coming up with this foolishness. I'm at Night Island along with the rest of the Coven. Call."
Message #14: "Daniel, it's Louis again. It's been two days, I think you forgot to turn your cell phone on or you really don't want to talk to us. Listen we are all over here at Night Island and Lestat and I are fighting long with Santino and Eric. Armand won't come out of his room and Benji is being a huge… prick. Sybelle is up to something. Daniel we need your help."
Message #15: "Beloved, this is Armand. I hope it is still all right to call you 'beloved' and I know how much that nickname meant to you. I have thought about calling you since you left the Church but I didn't know what to say. I know most of the coven has tried calling you without success, I hope you aren't making the rest of the coven pay for my mistakes. If Sybelle has in any way threatened you or hurt you then I want to know! You said you were leaving because it wasn't fair to me because you would never stop loving me well you not being here isn't fair to me either. I don't love Sybelle, Daniel, she keeps me amused, doesn't fight with me and just takes my money. She's not like you: you look out for my welfare, you stand by me and love me unconditionally. No one has ever loved me like that before and you frightened me… you frightened me and I pushed you away. *sob* I never meant to hurt you, I don't know what I thought marrying Sybelle was but I didn't want to see you cry. *sob* If I would've realized Sybelle's plans… I would've killed her and I hope that you know that. May heaven and hell help anyone who dares to hurt my Beloved."
Daniel collapsed on the floor as he dialed the number to Louis's cell phone. It rang about two times before Louis picked it up. "Dammit, Lestat, I don't care about how stupid you think I'm acting. This has nothing to do with how faithful and how much trust I have in you. This woman is evil and… and…"
"Louis, its Daniel not Lestat."
Louis paused, thinking about that for a moment, "Daniel?"
"Mrs. Molloy's only son here to serve."
"Goddammit Daniel where have you been! Things have done nuts around here."
"So I've heard. How is everyone?"
"Marius is ranting and raving to anyone who will listen. Sybelle is crying and moaning behind him with Benji close at hand. Armand is still in his bedroom and is now throwing things. Santino didn't leave Eric, Eric left him now Santino and Lestat are out roaming the streets of Miami."
"Eric left… as in not there?"
"Yes, Eric is gone who knows where."
"Eric shouldn't be out by himself. After Sybelle screwed me over I was a wreak and went out of my mind. With Eric's personality that is very dangerous; he is probably going to get himself hurt."
"What should I do?"
"I'll try calling Eric's cell phone and I'll call you back," Daniel said as he hung up then dialed Eric's number.
"Daniel?" Eric asked.
"I thought my damn cell phone was on but I guess it wasn't. Sorry about that; I just got off the phone with Louis and he told be what has been happening. Eric, you shouldn't be out there by yourself."
"What do you suggest I do? While you hide out from Armand I should go back to Santino?"
That one stung, "I thought no one wanted me back."
"That's bull…"
"No, it's not. I really kinda told Armand off and I knew that would get me in heaps of trouble."
"Daniel for heavensake everyone is used to hearing you tell Armand off that it doesn't bother us anymore. Hell most times Armand deserves to be told off."
"Listen, you have no reason to fear Sybelle, Eric, you are older than dirt and she should be afraid of you. Now that you are gone and there is no one to protect Santino… get the picture."
Eric sighed, "Yes, I get the damnable picture. Will you come back with me?"
"What for?"
"Daniel…"
"If I go back I know what is going to happen? I've gone back many times and the outcome is always the same."
"This time it is different."
"Why, Eric, why?"
"Didn't Louis tell you?"
"Didn't Louis tell me what?"
"Armand has confessed he loves you in front of the whole coven."
Part 2
At that moment the world stopped spinning and Daniel thought he when thrown into a different universe or maybe… heaven. For all the times Armand had told me that he loved him he never announced to the coven that he loved him. Armand wasn't even overly that affectionate to him in front of the older vampires. Daniel's heart leap up into his throat and tears streamed down his eyes. "Daniel… Daniel?" Eric asked, "are you there, Daniel?"
"Yes, Eric, I am here," Daniel said, "Armand really said he loved me."
"Said it is an understatement, he yelled, screamed and cried it. Armand even threatened Sybelle if she did try to hurt you that he would visit it back on her plus 10."
"Armand would never hurt Sybelle," Daniel whispered.
"What was that?"
"Eric, you've got to return to Santino and tell him that you love him and let him know all about your fears."
"Why?" Eric asked, "he…"
"Listen, Sybelle lost her charm with Armand when I told him how I felt and all my fears about staying. If I'm right then the same thing should work with Santino. She has got to be stopped and I'm going to be the one to hand her the defeat."
"What if you are wrong?"
"Well I always told you to let Santino in if you really loved him you get to kill two birds with one stone," Daniel said as he hung up and called Louis back, "Hello Louis."
"I was wondering what was taking so long," Louis said, "we've got a small problem."
"What?" he asked.
"Benji is gone."
"What?"
"Sybelle was covering for Benji and he is gone. I just overheard Sybelle on the phone talking to him. You better either get to Guildenstern or find an underground path to get back here."
"Ah, so Benji wants to kick my ass, huh?" Daniel asked, highly amused, "well he can bring it on!"
"I don't think Benji is alone," Louis said worriedly, "I think she hired a witch to help him, a fire witch."
"Poetic justice I see."
"Daniel…"
"Put Armand on, would you?"
"You've got to get out of there…"
"I can get out of here and talk on my cell at the same time," Daniel said as he grabbed his overnight bag, which was still packed. The only time he ever unpacked it was when he was home.
Daniel walked out of the shack and down the street. He highly doubted the witch would attack him especially in a small town like this and he needed the borrowed time to talk to Armand. They had to talk in case something bad did happen.
"Lestat," Armand said, "if you wanted to talk to me so bad you could just call me…"
"I know but I didn't feel like going through everyone then not having you answer the phone. Louis makes such a better operator."
"Who… Daniel?"