Van Helsing (Cont.)

"Tired or something, dear?" Lestat said softly. "Is sleeping something on your mind?"

 

"Just a bit tired..." Hannah murmured in response.

Beatrice bit her lip. "He'll be mad probably. But this guy can help Hannah. I think Van Helsing will get over it after a while."

 

Michael payed no particular attention to Beatrice and Edward's conversation. He listened to Beatrice's voice, not the words she was saying.

 

"Possibly," Edward began. "He still hasn't gotten over me keeping secrets from him, so this may be even harder."

 

"There's a bed upstairs if you want to sleep the rest of the evening," Lestat began in a sweet whisper. "But that's only if you think you'll be okay without three doors magically shut against you."

 

Hannah relaxed against Lestat. "I'm not sure..."

Beatrice sighed. "That's true. Maybe we should ease him into it."

 

"Yeah," Edward laughed through a sigh. "Have fun with that one."

 

"Well, Hannah," Lestat began, standing with her wrapped in his arms against his soft, silk shirt. "You're going to have to tell me an answer or you'll have to sleep on a stone floor here."

 

"I think I can handle the bed." Hannah mumbled.

"I won't." Beatrice grinned. "Jinx will."

 

Jinx? Hm... Michael pondered over the name.

 

"Ah, yes," Edward said with a smile. "I've forgotten that was the best way to deal with this. Oh, and what's so interesting about Jinx?" he added to Michael.

 

"Excellent," Lestat said, lifting her into his arms. He opened the three doors again, letting them bang back on their ancient hinges. He carried her up the stairs and into the main bedroom again, setting her down on her feet next to the bed against the far wall. The king-sized, four poster bed had gold curtains hanging on it, old, dark red, Egyptian cloths, pillows, and comforters draped on the mattress.

"I must admit sleep is the last thing I thought you'd do tonight," Lestat sighed, sitting on the edge of the bed himself. "But then I didn't know what to expect at all."

 

Michael rubbed his head. "Nothing. I was just wondering what she was. By the sound of your group, I'm guessing she's not human."

 

Hannah curled up on the bed, her worry of disturbing the room faded with sleep. "Me neither..."

Beatrice glanced at Edward and then looked back at Michael. "She's not."

 

"None of us are anymore besides one," Edward added. "Though, with all due respect, I don't feel like I should completely trust you with all our information."

 

"Well, go ahead and rest, then," Lestat smiled. "But just to let you know," he added, turning his head to look at her. "If you do anything in your sleep, I won't hesitate to... restrain you at all."

 

"That's understandable." Michael said. "I won't hold anything against you."

 

"M'kay," Hannah replied, half asleep. She closed her eyes and let sleep take her.

Beatrice sighed. "You're paranoid, Edward."

 

"But it's understandable, isn't it?" Edward smiled. "You shouldn't be so trusting all the time."

 

Lestat let out a small sigh, waiting for a moment before he leaned back on his side next to Hannah, propped up on his elbow, his hair falling in his eyes. He reached out a hand and trailed one of his fingers along her cheek, finally resting his palm on her neck. He could feel the small amount of blood in her body pumping past in her veins.

You'll have to eat sometime, dear he thought to himself, not intending to let his thoughts drift into her dreams. And when that time comes, I'll tell you that if you drink from me once, you'll never have to worry about killing animals or humans again for a long time...