I have made my immortal life what I have perceived as the greatest adventure of all time, with no consequence of heaven or hell ever existing... just lust, power, and my own happiness have existed for hundreds of years. Yet now, the times are turning... my century is disappearing, and I have all these powers, all this knowledge and strength no one else possesses. I must share it, it's only fair... plus, he added, darkening his tone so it was stabbing to any who heard it, I like it. All of it, if you know what I mean... He chuckled again, taking out a handkerchief to polish the mud from his black boots.
Not too much, Lestat began, pleased with himself. I've gottten him afraid of me enough that he's actually listening to and considering words of advice...
He won't bother you tonight, Lestat grinned, catching John's thoughts and tuning in quickly. Edward will let you be alone with her.
Lestat leaned against the nearest tree, thinking what he must do... Edward needs my knowledge... Van Helsing needs Edward's knowledge... John needs me as well... what on earth would these people do without me?
Lestat folded farther into the trees, the shade merciful to his lovely, pale skin. He couldn't hear John, therefor not knowing where he was, but it did not bother him; he didn't need the man.
Yes, Lestat muttered, and then jumped out of the shadows, grabbing Edward by the neck, lifting him feet off the ground, grinning at his own strength. But do anything besides what I say... he began dangerously, his smile widening when Edward shrunk back in fear, and I will kill all of you. First John... then her... then you. Understood, boy?
In time, Lestat smiled. My only advice is let Hannah go to him alone if he wants to see her again. That would be in ALL of our best interests. Agreed?
Nothing she didn't want, Lestat crooned, hearing Edward nearby. He smiled at the pain his voice caused in the werewolf's head. I'm surprised you're so angry, what with your head just starting to heal... what do you want? Revenge? You can't kill me, boy. Trust me in that instance, at least.
"You can't find me," Lestat lilted, drifting casually a few feet from Van Helsing. "Even the sound of my voice seems to come from every direction, doesn't it? Listen: I will let my new daughter travel with you for now, just to see what use she is. She wants to help you, and I don't want to deny her any of her desires. I will see you soon. You're no challenge," he added smugly before he drifted off, trying to find John's mind track to see where he was.
"Shoot her aleady!" Lestat snapped from the shadows. "Lousy excuse for a hunter... come to think of it," he added, smiling to himself, "don't shoot her... let her bite you!"
Lestat, unable to stop himself, let out a loud chuckle, knowing they could still hear him by the river nearby. The taste of Beatrice still hung on his teeth and tongue, and he relished the life spreading through him, his cheeks flushing red. "I am such a good person," he laughed, his eyes sparkling. "Van Helsing, whomever you are, this could be considered a test; if you're a formidable, evil, worthy enemy, you will shoot her now. Let her live and you're just as soft. This will be easy..."
"That's it, love," Lestat soothed, biting back the small bits of pain with each draw Beatrice took. He'd only felt the same, indescribable feeling a few times before in all his years, and yet each time it felt new, as if it were the first. "Alright," he said now as Beatrice was able to sit on her own, her lips and her hands vice-gripped to his wrist. "Enough!" he said more sharply, pulling his wrist from her grasp swiftly. He whipped a handkerchief out of his vest pocket and wound it around his small cut, gasping for breath. "Now," he said, hearing Van Helsing approaching. "You will live. Take care to enjoy the shadows and not the sun, my sweet; it's different now. And," he added, standing, "I will be near if you need anything from your father." He saw Van Helsing then, running up the path toward him. "She's yours," Lestat announced with a loud, shrieking laugh, bowing, so amused with himself. He grinned, his chin, corners of his mouth, lips, and teeth all stained a nasty, sickening shade of red. Then he turned to the shadows and was gone.
"Good," Lestat muttered, and put his other wrist to his bloodied, stained mouth and teeth. He bit a small gash and let the drops fall on Beatrice's face. "Drink, dear," he soothed, still holding her body and her head up and level. "Do it."
"Come on," Lestat urged, shaking her head. "If you can't say it, think it and I will hear you. Now or die!"
"Do me one favor," Lestat his words slurred now, not used to controlling himself this close to a woman this long. "Don't pass out, or you will die." He bit lightly into her neck at first, drawing the smallest amount of fresh blood into his mouth. He tightened his grip on her mouth as she screamed, the sound delighting him beyond belief. Lestat sunk his teeth in deeper now, breaking her sweet skin cleanly, the hot liquid that rushed into his mouth now overwhelming his taste buds and senses. He could feel her fingers twitching, still trying to fight him. Alright, fine. I said to stay still, and she doesn't want to... Lestat thought, and suddenly pulled his fangs out of her neck, spinning her to face him. He kissed her roughly, first with just his lips, his spell almost completely covering her thoughts, then biting her lips harshly, sending fresh blood down his and her chins. He pulled away, clearing his head for a fourth of a millisecond, and then finally biting the other side of her neck, Beatrice completely limp in his arms now. Feeling her heart finally failing, he withdrew, this time not very kindly, tearing this side of her throat jaggedly. He knelt to lay her on the ground, one arm under to shoulders to support her head. Lestat wrapped his fingers in the hair at the back of her hair and snapped her eyes to his. "Now, dear," he murmured, his voice still soft, sweet, and, even, kind. "What would you like? I can leave you here, and, even if your friends find you, you will die. But I can save you, give you what the other girls in your lovely company treasure: the gift of eternal life on earth. Which is it, my sweet? What do you want?"
"Hold still," Lestat muttered now, his lips drifting down to her throat. "I can feel your blood just a scratch from my mouth..." he shuddered delightfully. "You said you wanted to be more useful to your group, my dear. And, I, being the angel I am, will give you what you want."
Lestat sighed, and, in the same action as any human, but just fifty times faster, he whipped around behind Beatrice, tightening one hand over her mouth and the other pinning her arms to her waist. "I told you not to be afraid," Lestat whispered against her ear, pulling a step back into the shadows and away from the sun. "You smell wonderful..."
"We can't begin like this!" Lestat sighed, shaking his head and walked around Beatrice to run a tentative hand along Lexi's back. "Who am I? You know my name, sweetheart. And I'm sorry Hannah gave you such an awful impression of me. She's very unfair."
"Take that out if it makes you feel more comfortable, my dear," Lestat crooned aloud, stepping out of the shadows and close to Beatrice. "I do not mind."
Lestat stood behind Beatrice, so silent and still half-dissolved in the shadows she never would have noticed him if he didn't speak in her mind: Don't be afraid, he began in his usual, soft, polite, seductive tone. There's no need to get startled. Just stay where you are.
