Van Helsing (Cont.)

"I could tell you, if it will keep your mind occupied," Lestat started slowly. "I've never spoken of it aloud or in my mind to anyone."

 

"You don't have to," Hannah said quickly. "If it bothers you."

 

Michael sighed. "I would, but she took quite a scare, and it sounds as if you don't want me to stay around. I don't mind that," He added quickly. "After all, not many people want a lycan near them at all."

 

"Is that what you are?" Edward began. "I know someone like you," he tried, his voice slow. "How do you do it? Live like you are?"

 

"It doesn't bother me too much now," Lestat began. "But I can ask you something first: where do you think we all came from?"

 

"I'm not sure," Hannah started. "I- I supposed there had to be an original... I thought it was Dracula, but then someone must have made him too... I just keep puzzling over how far back vampires go."

 

"It's easy after the first hundred-fifty years." Michael laughed. "My first full moon was the worst. But I don't need the moon to phase anymore. As long as I feed enough, I'm fine." He paused. "You know someone like me? Are they alive? As far as I know, I'm the only one that's survived my first full moon."

 

"She is in a place where she can survive," Edward began slowly. "That's all that matters and all you need to know."

 

"There were parents," Lestat began slowly. "A Mother and Father; ancient Egyptians from over six thousand years ago. They were the first... and I met them both, just behind where we are sitting."

 

Hannah wanted to glance behind her, but she couldn't bring herself to move from where she was. "But... who made them?"

 

Michael locked eyes with Edward. "Am I not allowed to meet her? Or know her name? There have been no lycans for the past two hundred-fifty years. It's been a very lonely world for me. At least let me see her if she does survive tonight."

 

"I might think about it," Edward sighed. "But I think you're frightening my friend. Let Beatrice go."

 

"An evil spirit," Lestat began, his grey eyes thick with memory and the soft yellow of the fire. "A demon spirit named Akim that was known for being... well, bad. There were people outside the land of Egypt, which was, at the time, the most powerful land in the known world. These people lived in peace, farmers, they were. And two people, the red-haired twins, lived there just like the rest of their family since as far back as they could remember. They were witches, these women. Now, witches were just thought of, back then as those who could speak with spirits of the world, good and bad, and read minds. Nothing bad; they were revered, special. Makare and Maharet were their names. And they were cannibal witches, just like all the other people in their land. Then the Egyptians invaded... killed their mother, all their people, and brought the twins to the king and queen: Enkil and... and..." but he faded off.

 

Hannah could hear the conflict in Lestat's voice. "You don't have to continue." She said gently.

 

"Beatrice?" Michael looked down at the pale blond in his arms. "What a name. A beautiful name." He rested his hand on her cheek. "Beatrice, wake up."

 

"She's... fragile," Edward began slowly. "A newborn... she hasn't done anything wrong. Never touched a human."

 

"I cannot believe it," Lestat sighed, laughing lightly. "I still cannot say her name! I couldn't after she..." He paused, shaking his hair, trying to relieve the stress in his mind. "Marake and Maharet were brought to the king and queen to show their powers, since Egypt was taking over every small town like theirs, killing all the inhabitants.

"The king thought they were harmelss since they only spoke to good spirits and could keep the evil ones at bay, since the good ones loved them so much, thought they were sweet little twins that it was worth making rain for in the village.

"But then came Akim, the vengeful, evil spirit that longed to be human, to have feeling and flesh more than anything. The witches tried to get rid of them. She... the queen, blamed Makare and Maharet for not being able to get rid of Akim. He longed for humanity so much he had the power to whip around mortals and prick holes in their skin, pull out their blood. The queen said that the red-haired twins did it on purpose, were plaguing them with this spirit for killing their village. The king seemed to have on power over her; what she said was.

"The king and queen had a right-hand man, Khayman, whom they trusted with everything. But he cared for the twins, made them happy when they were imprisoned. He saved them from the king and queen's rath... but not before the spirit Akim possessed... her... the queen."

 

"The queen?" Hannah repeated. "The first vampire?"

"What..?" Beatrice moaned. She blinked her eyes open and yelped when she saw a face she did not recognize so close to her own.

 

Michael gently set Beatrice on her feet. "Fragile indeed." He agreed, holding back a chuckle when Beatrice scampered over to Edward. "A newborn and yet she has not touched a human? You must take very good care of her." He looked at Beatrice. "I'm sorry for the scare."

 

Edward sighed, putting a protective arm around Beatricce's shoulders. "I don't take care of her," he spoke. "Others do... in our group."