Louis stalked
the streets quietly, hunger banging away at him. The streets of New Orleans are not what they used to be. But, New Orleans
is his home. It is the place of his birth, and the place of his creation into darkness. He shivered. Louis was always sensitive
to the cold. He entered a dark alleyway looking for a homeless person to turn into his next meal. A drunk was staggering down
the alley toward Louis, when he got close he wobbled on his feet and fell toward Louis. Louis caught him and held him close,
almost a lover’s embrace. He then sank his fangs deep into the man’s neck. The blood flowed freely into him. He
finished quickly, dropping the man to the ground and leaving the body there. He turned and headed back toward home. He reeled
slightly to his right on his first few steps. Louis stood still for a few moments and waited for the alcohol in the man’s
blood to wear off him. He started to walk again. As he neared the house, he heard music blaring.
“...Let me introduce myself. I’m a man of wealth
and taste. And I laid traps for troubadours, who get killed before they reached Bombay. Pleased to meet you. Hope you guessed
my name, oh yeah, But what’s puzzling....”
Louis
recognized the song immediately. It was one of Lestat’s favorites at the moment. Louis and Lestat had not been getting
along all that well for the last few months. Louis was a little concerned, but then they always went through times like that.
Louis walked up to the front door and opened it.
“Lestat,” he yelled trying to be heard over the music,
“Lestat, turn the music down!” He didn’t get any response when he entered the house, but the music went
down a considerable amount. When Louis entered the living room, Lestat was sprawled out on the couch, he had a rock and roll
magazine in his hands.
“Must you have the music on so loud?” Louis asked.
“Loud is the only way to listen to it.” Lestat replied
looking up at Louis. Lestat got up and walked over to Louis, he said, “I’m going to see Armand for a while.”
“Armand? Why?”
“I have this feeling. It’s like a dark mist is clouding
my mind. I feel he might be in danger.”
“Lestat, you’re not.....you and Armand.” Louis
couldn’t finish. He didn’t know what he would have said anyway.
“Louis, mon cher, I simply feel that he needs me.”
“What about us?”
“What about us? Is there a problem with me going?” Louis
turned away from him.
“Lestat,” he started, he didn’t know if he should
go on or not, “I just do not know if I can trust you.” Lestat turned Louis around to face him and Lestat
saw that he was crying.
“Do not cry, my love, I would ask you to come with me but I
do not know if it is safe.” Lestat took Louis’ face in his hands and kissed him. Just a simple kiss. Then he moved
his attention to licking away Louis’ blood stained tears.
“Lestat, must you leave now?” Louis asked,
wrapping his arms around Lestat’s neck.
“Yes,” Lestat said softly. Lestat kissed him more passionately
then the time before. Louis moved into the kiss, locking himself in Lestat’s embrace. He closed his eyes. He
opened them again when the pressure left his lips. Lestat was gone. Louis was not surprised. It was so much like
Lestat to leave right at a moment when Louis would give anything for him to stay. Louis went and turned Lestat’s music
up. Louis stood beside the cd player listening to the words. “..I am immortal I have inside me blood of kings. I have
no rival. No man can be my equal....” The words sounded as if Lestat himself had written them. Louis went into the next
room and laid down in Lestat’s bed. There wasn’t very much night left. He let himself drift off.
Armand knew Lestat was watching him. Lestat knew Armand was aware
of him. Neither one confronted the other. It was like a game, Lestat thought, they were both waiting for the other to make
the first move.
They were in Paris. The night Lestat left Louis, he arrived in Paris
right before the sun was about to come up. This evening as soon as he awoke, he went out to find Armand. Lestat found him
easily.
Armand loved Paris. He walked the streets every night taking the
blood from those who wished to die. He would stand in front of their houses, and call to them. They would answer by walking
from their homes, and right into his arms. At the moment Armand was lying on a park bench staring at the stars. Lestat was
up in a nearby tree. He was about to jump down and go speak with Armand, when he saw someone approaching from behind the bench.
Armand heard him and stood up. The other grabbed Armand violently and threw him to the ground. Lestat saw recognition on Armand’s
face. Lestat was going to interfere, but Armand’s voice told him to stay out of it. Lestat stayed where he was. The
other leapt onto Armand. Armand threw him off, sending him flying backwards. They were both on their feet in no time. The
other was already coming for Armand again. He grabbed Armand and pushed him against a tree. Armand struggled, but he was much
smaller in size. In a movement so quick it could hardly be seen, the other bit into Armand’s neck. It didn’t take
long for Lestat to jump down from the tree and tear the other away from Armand. Armand fell limply to the ground. Lestat recognized
the other vampire immediately although he had only known him briefly centuries before. Lestat threw him across the park. He
got up and ran without looking back at Lestat.
Lestat bent down and picked up Armand. Armand was drained almost
completely. Lestat wasn’t sure how Armand could still be alive. He headed toward Armand’s home. When they got
there, Lestat took Armand to his bedroom and put him down on the bed. Lestat could already feel the other vampires drawing
close. They had, of course, felt the attack on Armand. The first to arrive was Daniel who was living in Paris with Armand.
He had been feeding at the time of the attack. He had felt the assault, being Armand’s fledgling, but he had felt the
worry in the minds of the others. Daniel came in screaming for Armand. When he entered the bedroom, he completely ignored
Lestat who was trying to calm him. Daniel calmed a little, but would not listen to Lestat. He simply sat crying beside Armand,
holding his hand. Lestat didn’t know if Daniel even knew what happened.
The rest arrived more calmly. Marius was next, he hadn’t felt
the attack either, but like Daniel he had felt the worry of the others. He didn’t say anything. He just stood
on the opposite side of the bed from Daniel. Lestat sat nearby. They would all discuss the situation when everyone got there.
David came next he stood in the corner, he didn’t go anywhere near Armand. Santino and Gabrielle came in together. Gabrielle
went over and stood beside Marius, hesitantly putting a hand on Armand’s head for a brief moment before removing it.
Lestat was surprised at the show of tenderness so unlike his mother. Gabrielle and Armand did not get along with eachother.
But, then he could understand, there weren’t many vampires left after what Akasha did. Those who were left had to look
out for eachother. Lestat had thought that was everybody.
“There’s one more,” Santino said. Lestat knew it
had to be one of his then, the only one left was Louis. Louis arrived shortly there after. Lestat was surprised he had gotten
there so fast. He walked over to Lestat and stood beside him. Lestat put an arm over his shoulders.
“I believe that’s everyone now.” Lestat said.
“Yes,” Marius agreed.
“I believe all we can do for Armand right now is wait for him
to wake up,” Lestat said, “When he does, either Marius or myself can give him blood. Marius, do you have any problems
with giving Armand blood?”
“I think we all know the answer to that.” Marius said.
“Why Lestat and Marius?” Daniel asked.
“They are obviously the strongest.” Gabrielle said. Daniel
didn’t say anything else.
“For now all we can do is wait.” Lestat said. Lestat
and Gabrielle went into the next room to talk. They had not seen eachother since she had left the Night Island. David was
still standing in the corner. Louis and Santino were talking quietly together. Marius was standing at the end of the bed.
“My Amadeo,” he said softly, “He looks so beautiful.”
Armand’s auburn hair was sprawled out around his head. He looked very peaceful in his sleep.
Daniel was obviously angry. They could all feel the fury in his mind.
Marius went and stood beside Daniel. Daniel had his head down. Marius placed his hand on top of Armand’s. The reaction
from Daniel was something none of them were expecting. It actually caused Louis to jump.
“This is your fault you murdering fuck! Don’t even think
about touching him!” Marius, who was usually always composed, moved back considerably. He was visibly shaken from the
sudden outburst.
“Daniel, I...” He would have continued but Daniel jumped
up from his chair and dove at Marius knocking them both to the ground. He started to throw punches at Marius, who was too
shocked to defend himself. By this time Lestat and Gabrielle were back in the room. Louis and Lestat pulled Daniel off of
Marius. Santino helped Marius to stand up. Daniel collapsed into Louis arms, crying.
“He’s practically your grandfather.” Louis said
to Daniel.
Through sobs Daniel said, “Shut up, Louis. If you want to think
of things like that then your sister is your father’s mother.” Lestat laughed.
“Daniel,” Marius said, “I would never dream of
hurting Amadeo. He is my fledgling after all. I love him more then you could ever know.”
“Why did you leave him then?” Daniel screamed, tearing
himself away from Louis.
“I had no choice.” Marius said quietly. Daniel was about
to reply but before he could Santino broke in, “I think we all need to relax just a little bit. And if you want to discuss
the past then I have just a big a role as Marius, more really. I was the one who tried to kill Marius after all.” Santino
smiled at Marius.
“And besides that,” Lestat said, “I saw who attacked
Armand.”
“Who was it then?” Daniel asked.
“It was Santiago. He got away from me but I don’t believe
he will come back.”
“Santiago?” Louis asked, “I thought I killed him.”
“Yes, well, you thought you killed me as well.” Lestat
said with a smile.
“Twice.” Gabrielle reminded.
“So Santiago was just after some petty revenge for something
that happened centuries before.” Santino said. Daniel didn’t say anything. He didn’t even look at Marius.
He went back to his seat beside Armand. David hadn’t moved from the corner, he stayed there even during Daniel’s
attack on Marius.
“There are only a few hours of darkness left, we are going
to have to make sure all the windows are covered, I’m sure we can find places for everyone to sleep.” Lestat said.
David stepped out of corner. “Who put you in the leadership role, Lestat?” He said bitterly. Lestat was slightly
taken aback by David’s words.
“Do you have a problem with my methods?” Lestat asked.
“Well, you don’t seem to have a good record when it comes
to making choices. Just look at your fledglings, you forced me to become a vampire, then there’s Nikki and Claudia both
dead. And Louis, look at Louis...” He was stopped when he was hit violently in the face. He went stumbling backwards.
He had thought Lestat had hit him, but when he turned back he saw it had been Louis. He raised his fist to hit Louis back,
but he was stopped by Lestat who grabbed his arm roughly and said, “Don’t hit my fledgling.” Marius and
Santino grabbed David and lead him outside. Lestat put his arms on Louis shoulders.
“That was so unexpected.” He said. Louis turned around
to face him and Lestat saw he was almost in tears.
“Louis,” he put a hand to his face.
“Lestat, I couldn’t listen to him talk about you and
Claudia like that.”
“It’s alright, my love.” Lestat said tenderly,
he kissed the corner of Louis’ mouth. Marius and Santino came back in.
“He’s gone,” Marius said, “He probably won’t
come back.”
“Can one of you explain to me what the hell just happened?”
Lestat asked.
“He was veiling his thoughts well.” Santino said, “I
believe he was just blowing off some steam. Maybe he’s feeling envious.”
“Santino and I will go check the windows.” Marius said.
Gabrielle stayed in the bedroom with Daniel, while Lestat and Louis
went into another room to talk.
“Are you feeling any better, mon cher?” Lestat
asked running a hand through Louis hair.
“I’m alright, Lestat.” Lestat took Louis’
hands in his.
“You know that I’ve never liked David.” Louis said.
Lestat nodded, he started to massage Louis’ hands, working his way up to his shoulders.
“It was stupid of you to make David into a vampire.”
Lestat slid his hands under Louis’ shirt and continued to rub his neck and back.
“I felt so liberated when I hit him, I still can’t believe
he was talking to you like that.”
“Louis, my dear, your rambling.” Lestat started to kiss
Louis. He began at his shoulder and moved his way up to his neck. Lestat let his teeth drag across Louis’ skin but not
strong enough to draw blood. Louis shivered only realizing now what Lestat had been doing to him.
“Lestat,” Louis almost moaned his name. Lestat ran his
tongue down the spot he had just grazed with his teeth.
“Lestat, stop.” Louis said this quietly. “This
is not the time nor the place.”
Lestat looked around realizing now that they were in a very small
bathroom.
“No time like the present, my beautiful one.” Lestat
licked his neck once again, and Louis purred with pleasure. Lestat was almost exploding with desire. He grabbed Louis and
kissed him passionately, pushing him up against the door. The moment would have been perfect, but suddenly Gabrielle was calling
from the room.
“Lestat! Lestat come here quickly.” Lestat did not want
to leave the little bathroom, but he heard the panic in Gabrielle’s voice. Lestat opened the door with one hand, and
took Louis’ hand with the other. Gabrielle was knelling on the floor, Daniel was at his feet.
“What happened?” Louis asked.
“He slipped out of his chair and onto the ground.”
“He’s overly tired and I’m sure he’s stressed
out.” Lestat picked him up easily and put him on the couch. “He’ll be alright here for the night.”
Marius and Santino re-entered the room.
“Everything is sealed,” Marius said.
“I will be leaving tonight. For the time being Armand will
be better off if he’s surrounded by those closest to him.” Santino said.
“I will be leaving as well.” Gabrielle said, “The
four of you are here to care for Armand.”
“Are you sure about leaving?” Lestat asked.
“Yes,” Gabrielle said, “It’s been good seeing
you again, my son.” With that she turned and left, walking out into the night. Santino left without saying anything
more. He bowed slightly before disappearing into darkness.
“Marius, there is one bed in the other room, Daniel will be
fine here.” Lestat waved his hand toward the couch where Daniel lay.
“You and Louis can have the bed.” Marius said, sounding
distant, “I will stay in here.”
“Where will you sleep?” Louis asked.
“I will sleep on the floor. I don’t mind. It will not
be the first time.” Lestat could tell Louis was getting tired. He was leaning on Lestat now.
“Come along, my love,” Lestat said. “I do believe
it is almost morning.” Louis was almost asleep before they even reached the bedroom. He laid down on the bed and fell
almost immediately into his vampiric sleep. Lestat lay beside him rapping his arms around Louis’ body.
Marius picked himself a place in the middle of the floor. He laid
down and put his hands behind his head. What Daniel had said to him came back. “This is your fault you murdering fuck!”
Was this really his fault? Armand had thought him dead for many centuries. Marius had left him because he thought that Armand
would be able to get himself out of Santino’s coven and away from the evil there but he had been wrong and Armand had
suffered because of him. Armand, his Amadeo, his auburn haired beauty was hurt because of him. Marius would have a lot to
make up for once Armand was awake again.
Marius was the first to wake the next night. Lestat was up next,
Louis followed shortly after that. Daniel awoke last. Louis and Marius convinced David to go out with them to feed. Lestat
stayed with Armand. He sat at the piano. Lestat didn’t think he knew a vampire who didn’t own a piano. Lestat
didn’t know what to play. Flashes from his days as a rock star came back to him. He had loved the crowd more then anything.
He had an idea of what song he wanted to play. The song itself was beautiful, it was one of his favorites. The meaning of
the song, was something he, and every other vampire could understand. He laughed a little thinking of how ironic it was for
him to sing this song, but he didn’t care. He struck the first notes on the piano and started to sing:
“There’s no time for us
There’s no place for us
What is this thing that builds our dreams,
Yet slips away from us
Who wants to live forever?
Who wants to live forever?”
Lestat thought
distantly of Louis, who still acted more like a mortal then a vampire.
“There’s no chance for us
It’s all decided for us.
This world had only one sweet moment set aside for us.
Who wants to live forever?
Who wants to live forever?
Who dares to love forever?
Oh, Woh, when love must die.”
Lestat thought about
all the mortals he had fallen in love with. He also thought about the fact that he had tried to kill himself and had not succeeded.
“But touch my tears with your lips
Touch my world with your fingertips
And we can have forever
And we can love forever
Forever is our today.”
The song touched
him like no other because it was so close to the truth.
“Who wants to live forever?
Who wants to live forever?
Forever is our today
Who waits forever anyway?”
He played the last
part of the piano, thinking about the last line of the song. Who waits forever anyway? That was as close to the absolute truth
as you could come. When Lestat hit the final note on the piano, he sat for a moment just looking down at his hands.
“That was beautiful,” Lestat turned abruptly, he was
shocked to see a pair of golden brown eyes staring at him.
“Armand, you’re awake.”
“It looks that way.” Lestat got up and went over to Armand,
he sat in the chair beside the bed.
“Do you remember what happened?” he asked.
“Yes, Santiago,” he paused, “I don’t know
why I didn’t hear him coming.”
“I didn’t hear him either.” Lestat said.
“Louis here,” Armand said.
“Yes, Daniel and Marius also. David, Gabrielle and Santino
were here, they’ve left now.” Lestat explained the argument between Daniel and Marius, also the situation with
David.
“Louis actually hit David?” Armand asked. Lestat nodded.
“That is amazing.” Armand was still lying in bed.
“Armand, we have discussed your situation, we think it’s
best if you take blood from Marius or myself.”
“I cannot take blood from you.” Armand said.
“I know you have wanted too before. We have both been tempted
by eachother.”
“Yes, Lestat, but if I was to have your blood, I would want
the moment to be perfect. Anything else would be wrong.” Lestat was about to protest but Daniel came into the room,
screaming much like he had the night before.
“Armand! Armand you’re awake!” He ran in pushing
Lestat out of the way.
“Daniel calm down,” Armand said. Armand noticed Marius
enter and stand in the doorway. Louis entered behind him and went to stand beside Lestat.
“We’re leaving,” Lestat said, “back to New
Orleans.”
“We will come see you soon.” Louis said. Lestat looked
back at Armand. Armand looked at him. There was no need to say anything more, they both understood. After they left, Daniel
asked, “Did I just miss something? I have no idea what just happened.”
“Daniel, I will explain later. I need some time with Marius
right now.”
“You want me to leave?” Daniel asked, grief stricken.
“Only for an hour or two.” Armand said. Daniel nodded,
he left without looking at Marius.
Marius waited until he was sure Daniel was gone before he approached
Armand. Armand sat up. Marius sat in the chair beside him.
“Amadeo,” he placed a hand on the side of Armand’s
face.
“Master,” Armand said. Marius grimaced.
“There is no need to call me that anymore.”
“You are my maker, my master after all.”
“I am not your master anymore. I believe you are old enough
to care for yourself.”
“I don’t know,” Armand jested, “I am only
a little over five hundred.” Marius smiled.
“Amadeo, I need to apologize. I’ve been horrible to you.”
“I do not agree,” Armand said.
“None of this would ever have happened if I hadn’t left
you like I did. We would still have eachother.”
“We do,” Armand said.
“No, not the way we were.”
“Do not dwell on the past. After all, it was only I who made
my enemies.” Marius didn’t say anything.
“Would you prefer it if I called you Marius?”
“Yes, It sounds beautiful coming from you.” Armand smiled.
“Now, for the reason I’m here.” Marius said.
“Ah..Yes, your blood.” Armand licked his lips dramatically,
showing his teeth. Marius couldn’t help but laugh. He leaned down over Armand, exposing his neck. His breath caught
in his throat when he felt the teeth prick his skin.
Some time later, Daniel returned and found Armand sitting at the
piano. Marius was no where to be seen. Armand smiled at Daniel, and Daniel understood that everything was back to the way
it should be, al least for a while.
When Lestat and Louis exited out onto the street, the cold air hit
them almost at once. Louis shivered, Lestat wrapped his arms around him.
“Is that any better?” He asked.
“Much,” Louis replied with a smile. Before he could say
anything more Lestat shot into the air, with Louis in his arms.
“Lestat, couldn’t we go by boat or something?”
Louis asked.
“Boat? Louis, you do realize we are going to New Orleans don’t
you....Boat!” He laughed. “Go to sleep. You always do.” Louis out his head on Lestat’s
chest, and tried to rest comfortably as possible considering what they were doing at the moment.
“If you ask me, vampires were not meant to fly.” Louis
muttered before finally falling asleep.
When he woke up, he was being carried into their house.
“Lestat,” he said, “Lestat, put me down.”
Lestat placed him on his feet. Louis wobbled a little before planting his feet firmly. Lestat was kissing him before he even
had a chance to take a look around.
“Lestat, get off of me!” He pushed Lestat away.
“I don’t understand, my darling, you were very enthusiastic
last night.”
“I don’t know how I feel.” Louis said. Sometimes
Lestat confused him so much. Louis loved him, he knew that but one of them always seemed to get hurt. Always.
“You must explain to me what your thinking, mon cher.”
Lestat said, “I can’t read your thoughts, sometimes I really wish I could.”
“I cannot put it into words.” Louis said. Suddenly he
had an idea.
“If cannot explain it, maybe someone else can,” he said.
“I’m afraid I do not understand, love.” Lestat
said.
“Just listen.” Lestat gave Louis a questioning look,
as Louis walked over to the cd player. Lestat couldn’t tell which cd Louis picked. He sat down as Louis put it into
the player. He was not sure what to expect, but the song that played still surprised him.
“Your cruel device
Your blood like ice
One look could kill
My pain, your thrill
I want to love you, but I better not touch (Don't touch)
I want to hold you but my senses tell me to stop
I want to kiss you but I want it too much (Too much)
I want to taste you but your lips are venomous poison
You're poison runnin 'thru my veins
You're poison, I don't want to break these chains
Your mouth, so hot
Your web, I'm caught
Your skin, so wet
Black lace on sweat
I hear you calling and it's needles and pins (And pins)
I want to hurt you just to hear you screaming my name
Don't want to touch you but you're under my skin (Deep in)
I want to kiss you but your lips are venomous poison
You're poison runnin 'thru my veins
You're poison, I don't want to break these chains
Poison
One look, could kill
My pain, your thrill
I want to love you but I better not touch
I want to hold you but my senses tell me to stop
I want to kiss you but I want it too much (Too much)
I want to taste you but your lips are venomous poison
You're poison runnin 'thru my veins
You're poison, I don't want to break these chains
Poison
I want to love you, but I better not touch (Don't touch)
I want to hold you but my senses tell me to stop
I want to kiss you but I want it too much (Too much)
I want to taste you but your lips are venomous poison, yeah
I don't want to break these chains Poison, oh noRunnin’
deep inside my veins, Burnin' deep inside my veins
It's poison I don't want to break these chains”
Louis turned off the cd player.
“So you think I’m poison?” Lestat asked.
“Something like that.” Louis said with a smile.
“ I wanna hurt you just to hear you scream out my name,”
Lestat quoted, “that sounds
pretty exciting.”
“Exciting wasn’t exactly what I was going for.”
Louis said, taking a seat beside Lestat.
Lestat kissed him tenderly on the lips, then he said, “I don’t
mean to hurt you, Louis.”
Louis nodded.
“I love you,” Lestat said.
“I know, Lestat. I love you as well.”
“Cheer up, my beautiful one.” Lestat slipped his hand
under Louis shirt. Then he smiled wickedly and asked, “Do you like this shirt?”
“It’s nice,” Louis replied. Lestat ripped the shirt
open, popping all the buttons, and
leaving it in threads. “I’ll buy you a new one.”
Lestat licked Louis’ neck. Louis slid both
his hands under Lestat’s shirt, rubbing his shoulders. Lestat
didn’t hesitate for a moment.
He sank his teeth into Louis’ neck.
“Lestat,” Louis murmured pleasurably. Lestat withdrew
his teeth, and said, “I wanted you
to scream my name.” He bit into Louis again, this time harder.
Louis moaned. Lestat
pressed his long fingernails into Louis’ back, bitting hard
once again.
“Lestat!” Louis didn’t quite scream, but it was
good enough for Lestat. Lestat put his
hand up to Louis’ head, guiding it down to his own neck. Louis
sunk his teeth in.
Eachother’s blood fused with there own. After some time Lestat
could feel Louis getting
weak. He withdrew, Louis drank for a moment longer before removing
his teeth.
“Everything will be alright, mon cher.” Lestat said.
He picked up Louis and carried in into the bedroom.
