Van Helsing

Edward smiled back, shutting his eyes. "Be nice," he murmured. "We... need him, too..."

 

"D.amn right," Van Helsing muttered quietly. "I'd love to see her come up here."

 

"I won't hurt him too badly." Hannah joked. She kicked the door open, swung out onto the roof of the carriage, kicked the door shut, and sat next to Van Helsing all in the matter of a second. "Now what?" She smiled at Van Helsing.

 

Edward sat up immediately, too hurt and tired to grab her in her speed. He put his heads between his legs, stretching and arcing his back muscles, reaching to feel the gashes. Most had healed almost completely; none tore from the strain he placed on his skin.

 

Van Helsing was mildly surprised. "Oh, nothing," he muttered casually. "I'd just rather you and your boy toy stop insulting my horse's handling of the carriage. It's the road."

 

Hannah forced herself not to give Van Helsing a dirty look. "I'm already upset, I'd appreciate it if you didn't insult Edward. Besides, I don't mind the handling of the carriage." She looked at the sky. Once again, things are going wrong....

 

Edward chuckled to himself, and then cried out, Lestat's voice suddenly popping into his mind:

Ah, good, you can hear me again, it started. How is your back coming along... I'm deathly curious!

 

"Look, if you're not going to help or share or tell the truth to all of us anymore about what's going on, just go watch Edward sleep and stay quiet," Van Helsing snapped despite the dirty look Jinx gave him.

 

Hannah rested her head in her hands. She glanced at Van Helsing and then began to tell him what had happened, starting with her first encounter with Angelyn.

 

Tell me, Lestat insisted. But he could tell Edward would not speak. Being diffcult, are we? It would be better if you just told me. I don't want to make you scream louder.

 

Edward shook his head, swallowing a cry of pain as the connection strengthened. He bit his lower lip, shoving one of his fists in his mouth to deafen the sound.

He risked speaking once: The connection is stronger... you're closer...

 

Hannah stopped after her second bullet wound from Elijah, her sharp ears catching Edward's attempted quieted noise. "Excuse me. You'll get to hear the rest so don't complain." She said to Van Helsing, and swiftly went back into the carriage. "Edward?" She sat next to him, her voice now reflecting worry instead of mock polietness.

 

Edward didn't hear her, only feeling her next to him, Lestat's voice still in his head.

Fine, he snapped, increasing his mental volume. Edward screamed, unable to stop himself. If you don't want to tell me now, I'll just have to see for myself whenever you decide to stop. To let you know as well, John is following. Watch for him... keep her close.

And with that, Lestat withdrew from his mind like a knife out of a wound. Edward gasped, lifting his head so rested his elbows on his knees, barely able to breathe.

 

"Edward...?" Hannah hesitantly touched his shoulder. "Is it John?"

 

Edward shook his head. "Lestat..." he gasped, and then shut his eyes tighter, focusing on his breathing. He tried to calm down, to swallow and ignore the sharp ripples of pain that were rebounding around inside his head from the main impact of the vampire's strong attack.

 

"What a wierd girl!" Van Helsing sighed.

 

"You're sweating," Hannah noticed and moved her hands to his forehead and cheek. "I'll stay now."

 

Edward sighed, his breathing back to normal. He looked over at her and tried to smile... it didn't work.

"Look at my back for me," Edward requested. "I can't see what it looks like now... better or worse?"

 

Hannah carefully moved to look at Edward's injuries. "Better," She confirmed, lightly running her fingers around the ones that looked the worst. She looked away from Edward, her hands back in her lap. "I'm sorry... I shouldn't have...."

 

"Shouldn't have what?" Edward asked, finally able to sit up. "You didn't do anything wrong."