Van Helsing

Lestat sighed, and turned to look for John; he wanted to make sure the vampire wasn't too angry about this evening and that he wouldn't do anything rash.

I hope I'm not interrupting anything... he casually sent to John, keeping his tone cool, sweet, and polite.

 

Not at all; I've already had my fill for the evening. John replied.

"Can't we just stop here...?" Hannah asked, getting tired of the position she was in.

"I guess we'll have to do with that for now." Beatrice agreed.

 

"Yeah..." Jinx replied, absently. "Maybe Hannah and Edward will name it when we catch up with them, if they don't get murdered for taking Lexie anyway."

Will listened to the two girls talking while he walked while his mind wandered to how to pull Jinx away from the group. Easy... he smirked to himself.

 

Lovely, Lestat smiled. And he followed John's scent, trailing through the trails until he saw him and his grin widened.

"You're not upset, are you?" he smirked with a mocking bow.

 

"In the forest?" Edward asked. "I'm sure we can find somewhere to sit and rest if you think that's safe."

 

John bared his still blood-stained fangs. "Of course I'm upset!"

Hannah leaned down along Lexi's neck. "You're paranoid." She half-smiled. "I really don't think anything is going to happen, Edward."

Beatrice laughed. "He did seem really angry. I think he'll understand when he hears the whole story though."

 

Edward smiled, kissing her neck again. "Alright, we'll stop. Forgive me for trying to keep you safe... from others and yourself."

He turned Lexi off the main path and into a thicker, darker part of the woods. The horse trotted through carefully, and Edward tried his best to lead her over the roots and low bushes. He finally stopped now, sensing no one around him or his mind.

"I can make a fire," Edward said, getting off Lexi and helping Hannah down. He held her against him next to the horse, smiling. "Or would that bother you?" he added softly.

 

"Oh, don't be so worried!" Lestat sighed. "There are other ways to tempt her besides kidnapping a poor girl who just lost her brother, or so she says. I let her go for a good reason, you know."

 

"No, it's fine." Hannah relaxed against Edward. "And thank you."

"I don't expect you to understand." John growled. "I doubt you've ever had a 'companion' as difficult as Hannah."

 

Jinx didn't look very confinced. "Maybe..." she shrugged, "I hope so anyway. It's annoying to be around him when he's so angry."

 

"Anything else?" he asked, pushing his forehead against hers. "Anything to make you feel safe?"

 

Lestat smiled bitterly, swallowing his sadness. "You'd..." he began slowly. "You'd be very surprised, my friend. I've had plenty... and all were difficult and didn't... didn't last."

 

"Most of us don't thanks to the hunters." John muttered. "What about that girl," He began louder, "You made her and you're not going to keep her?"

"Just stay with me." Hannah said quietly.

"I'd be the same way if it were Sorin." Beatrice pointed out. "He must have had Lexi for a long time."

 

Jinx looked at Beatice, "I don't mean to sound rude, but I really am curious... how do you get attached to an animal like that?" she asked.

 

"That won't be a problem," Edward replied, and then turned to Lexi's saddlebags and took out several blankets, lying them on the ground. He looked up at the trees; the sun was just starting to come up, but the protection of the roof of leaves and branches seemed to block out almost all the rays.

He sat down, his back against a rock behind him. "I don't know what you plan to do," Edward began. "I guess Jinx and Beatrice will be able to tell where we are, correct?"

 

"Mine had nothing to do with hunters," Lestat muttered back. "And the girl," he continued, "I made her because she wanted me to. She wanted to be of use to those around her, relate to them and help and feel more included. It was for her, not me. I'm not interested in keeping her at all."

 

John raised an eyebrow. "For her? She wanted it?"

Hannah paced. "They'll have no trouble with it." She assured Edward. She was tired, but she wanted to think things through before sleeping.

"I raised Sorin from the moment he was born." Beatrice smiled at the memories. "Sometimes it feels like we're one person."

 

"Oh..." Jinx couldn't think of how to answer that. She understood to a small extent, but she still couldn't relate as well as she wanted to. "That's wonderful. So you two are like best friends...?"

 

"What are you thinking about?" Edward asked, looking up at her.

 

"In a way," Lesat replied with the smallest smile. "And, in a way, I helped her."