Van Helsing (Cont.)

"Yes," Lestat spoke with the smallest nod. "The queen was dying, and Akim took advantage of the situation; he posessed her, and she turned her king, Enkil's blood tempting her beyond control. They did not understand what it meant to be what they were; so they decided to kill the witches, the queen still blaming them. They brought out Makare and Maharet, and... the queen wished to torture them before they burned.

"They poked out Maharet's eyes so she could no longer see her beloved twin. They would cut out Makare's tongue so she couldn't speak to her sister, she being the older and the stronger of the two. But before they did so, Makare cried out a curse, using the power of all the good spirits that loved her, saying that the queen would suffer a death only she could induce eventually. Then they were thrown into a cell, and Khayman was turned by the queen that evening. She wanted to experiment with him to see what the curse would do. But he loved the twins, and turned them as wall, seeing they were dying. He set them free, and they were that way for a time, but without tongue and eyes.

"The Egyptians caught them eventually in the desert. They were put into stone coffins, one set out on the eastern sea, the other on the western. They were separated for a long time, but, as you can tell, I met Maharet, and she spoke this story."

 

"A group?" Michael's eyes widened. "A group of vampires and werewolves? Things have changed..."

 

"So they're still alive?" Hannah asked.

Beatrice looked up at Edward, confused. She turned to look at Michael and saw Jake's body. Nausea rolled in her stomach and she quickly turned her head away, shutting her eyes and covering her mouth.

 

"Yes," Edward agreed. "We all have similar wants and goals, so were are all together. But we never meant for this to happen to Beatrice."

 

Lestat shook his head, his eyes shut. "She and Enkil reigned in peace for many years, and then they became so powerful they lost the urge for blood, to feed. They did not need it, being thousands of years old. They slept here, right behind us, for the whole time, an ancient man named Marius. They did not move, did not speak, nothing... until I came.

"I had been searching for Marius for years, hearing of him from his one child, a friend named Armand whom said he was the oldest he knew of. I wanted to learn from him, and Marius showed me where the king and queen slept. I... I loved the look of her as soon as I saw her, the way she just sat, full of knowledge. I fed from her, woke her and loved her as I never cared for another human or immortal. But she was wrong, all the views for the world she had... I shan't explain them or the details, because it pains me too much, but this is the short of it: she killed Enkil, she planned to kill all other vampires in the world but me, her, and the ones I loved. But we stopped her; Makare's curse outlasted. She came and cut out the queen's heart and brain, ate them, and finished her.

"I... I've mourned her ever since, despite her awful, twisted, disgusting, wrong views. I did love her. But it's all passed now..." he tried to finish, his smallest smile failed. "It's... all passed."

 

Michael sighed and shook his head. "No one intends for it happen. At least, most people don't." He smiled at Beatrice.

 

Hannah felt her heart ache. "Lestat..."

Beatrice stiffened. "Edward," She began carefully. "Did you...?" She tried again. "Um... Jake... did you...?"

 

"Yes," Edward said with a small smile, ignoring Michael. "Don't look if it bothers you."

 

"What?" he asked calmly, clearing his throat. "What is it, dear?"

 

"You... You've been through so much." Hannah sympathized.

Beatrice nodded and covered her nose.

 

Michael watched Beatrice with curiosity. She seems to have a fair amount of control. It's hard to believe she's a newborn.

 

"Isn't it?" Edward said with a grin. "Yes... I hear your thoughts."

 

Lestat nodded. "There's more things, things she made me do, but... maybe some other time. Her name..." He paused, turning to look at Hannah, his face an inch from hers. "Her name was Akasha." A blood-tear slipped down just one of his cheeks.

 

Hannah carefully reached up and wiped the tear away. "I'm so sorry, Lestat. I shouldn't have pried."

Beatrice looked at Edward and then at Michael. "What did I miss?"

 

"I was just admiring your control." Michael explained. "It's no surprise, really." He spoke to Edward. "I've met beings that can do a lot more than just read thoughts. They manipulate memories or even take them away or create new ones."

 

"Interesting," Edward said half-heartedly, looking down at Beatrice. "But I don't see how you can be concerned with or involved with either of us or our group. I'm sorry, but the other... lycan, as you call her, isn't willing to speak with you and, frankly, I'm very protective of her."

 

"You didn't," Lestat smiled, putting a hand to her face, brushing his thumb along her cheekbone. "I just... like talking."

 

Hannah tried to smile. "You certainly have a lot to talk about."

"Wait," Beatrice objected. "Don't you think she would want to talk to him? She's the one who wanted help. Maybe he can help her, Edward."

 

Michael shrugged. "Edward, is it? If you are so protective of her, then I'll keep my actions within your bounds if you allow me to see her." He paused. "I know what it's like to love someone you're 'not supposed to.'"

 

Edward swallowed a growl, his stomach churning again, his skin beginning to itch. "I told you I'd maybe think about it, alright?"