Van Helsing

"I'd like you to," Edward said, his mind still aching from Lestat's and John's onslaughts. "It's up to you."

 

"Of course." John answered Lestat. "I'm taking my time though. That little bit of Hannah's blood is enough for me use."

"Okay, I will." Hannah promised, hoping she wouldn't regret it.

 

"I think there's a lot wrong." Jinx said, seriously. She could have just listened to them, but she'd kept her hearing focused on other things so they could have privacy since a little earlier. "They are definetly already prey." she rested her elbows on her knees and her chin in her palms. "And we'll just have to keep them safe some how."

 

"No problem," Van Helsing muttered. "I can handle that... but I do have a theory relating to you..."

 

"What did John say to you? I mean to stay, but then he..." Edward faded off, remembering Lestat's strong attacks. "He was too strong for me."

 

"He said a lot of things." Hannah answered. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have dragged you into that."

 

"You didn't drag me, dear," Edward reminded her. "I came of my own accord, whether you would have wanted me to or not. And," he added, "I was the one being dragged around the forest, anyway."

 

Good, Lestat murmured in his mind. The boy is weaker now, just to let you know. He will have a harder time resisting you next time you see him.

 

"Is it just me or do I draw in the bad guys?" Hannah muttered.

"It would be more helpful if he were dead." John retorted. "I thought you had finished with me."

 

Enough, then, Lestat snapped, pouring thick venom into his last retort before he broke the connection roughly.

"Stupid, just like the rest of them," he sighed, and then sat up on the bed. "I think," he announced to the empty house, "I shall play the piano."

 

"Not just you," Edward replied, trying once more to smile and failing miserably. "Lestat," he murmured, "He's more than even I can handle when I'm as mad as I can get. That's saying something..." he shivered, and then controlled himself, not wanting to have her feel the waves going through his stomach.

 

Hannah decided not to speak her mind. "Is that all you wanted to ask me?"

John kept up on the trail, staying just far enough behind so that neither of the vampires could smell him. I'll have to remind that one whoes girl is the problem.

 

"No," Edward said, "but could you look at this?"

He shifted a little bit so she could see the small slash on his stomach.

 

Lestat shoved over the bodies still left in the piano room carelessly and sat on the bench, tracing each key with his fingertips, no immediate song in his mind.

 

Hannah bolted up, fully awake now. "You've been bit...." She covered her mouth, her eyes wide. "Edward," She tried again, softer this time, "You... Does... does it hurt?"

 

"He did it," Edward confirmed. "Lestat de Lioncourt, your John's friend. He... he did it perfectly, though, Hannah; the cut was perfect it seemed, as though he timed his attack just right effortlessly, the direct angle of just one of his teeth, and how much damage that little but would do to me mentally... it doesn't hurt too much."

 

Lestat pushed a chord, a loud D minor that hung in the air solemnly, making him smile. He traced up the scale, down in thirds, no real melody or song coming out... just a macabre sense of death that made him feel at ease. He glanced at Susan's and Mary's white bodies and was reminded of something he'd said...

Should we put out the light? He had whispered, grabbing a candle and deadening the flame. And then put out the light... he had continued, stepping toward the woman crying on his and Louis's couch. But once put out thy light, I cannot give it vital breath again. It needs must wither...

He chuckled, lost in thought.

 

"He's not my John." Hannah objected.But her anger quickly faded. "I don't know anyone by that name. But what he did was so perfect, he couldn't be newborn..." She thought aloud. "That settles it: you're not coming with me again."

 

"I've got to," Edward began, pulling her down against his chest again. He sighed, her cooler body making the heat along his back more bearable. "Lestat can help us... and it seems he and John are together for now, though Lestat seems much older and more powerful. Look, Hannah, you've seen me get angry, but I was ten times worse tonight, and... he could hold me with one hand. I don't understand it..."

 

"It could have been worse though," Hannah said, but kept still, content where she was. "You could have lost an arm. Or your head! I don't want you in that kind of danger. I don't know about you, but I can't tell whoes side Lestat is on. And I'm not sure if I want his help. I don't want to lose you...."