Wednesday, February 01, 2006

Eight: The Prophecy

Louis said he wished to go and see this girl called Michelle. “Girlfriend huh?” Lestat teased, laughing. The other guy scowled, reddening. Sometimes Lestat is so blunt.

“Just don’t lemme catch ya. Or I will be angry, you don’t wan’ me to be angry right?” He loved to make all the words stick together, but usually he will use the clearer pronunciation. Why? Lestat is adaptable to different people in that sense from mixing with many different races. I think it’s such a cool talent. It isn’t because it’s blood drinker’s talent; according to my professor of languages some vampires still sound archaic. People can detect them as the olden days kind of black suited gentlemen.

You all know the infamous de Lioncourt temper, which is as unpredictable and quick spreading as a bush fire in Australia. Louis muttered how much he would Love to provoke his possessive lover. I heard his mental voice and sniggered.

Lestat glanced at me. “What?”


Do not tell him, Krys. I stopped smiling and inserted the subject of bisexualism.

Guys you’re bisexual. That’s different from lamia vamps. So you and Louis are homosexual…. What about liking other girls?


Lestat nodded, picking up the new subject. His lover went back to writing poetry.

“Yes we’re bi. There’s no loyalty whatsoever, what I relish about our kind! We love freely and do not restrain our immense capacity for each other’s desires. I have loved a few people in my time. And the list goes on. What about your kind?”


“Disappointing I think,” I replied. He pouted. “Yea we’re not so easily stirred up. We emphasize upon loyalty to one’s partner. I mean, you saw those documentaries, avians are extremely loyal to our mate. Other Shapers like Cheetahs, Tortoises, or beavers have strong cohesive units which depends on a strong bond between husband and wife.”

“Great idea. Made- vamps should follow that concept,” Louis commented. Lestat growled, smacking his forehead.

“That’s so boring and uniform. No no I don’t mean to insult you, cherie… do not be mad at me. We are different, so different. But there are strictly heterosexual couples too, like Marius and Pandora, the seniors of my clan. And David who is so uncomfortable being my fledgling. You remember the cute Briton?”

I did. He had answered the phone in England.

“ Lestat, you like him?” At the same time I Sent Louis that I didn’t mean to be insensitive. He and David are rivals. But curiosity should be sated.

“He was so charming. But I regret converting him. He did not appreciate my kindness, Bianca.” The blond smiled dreamily and looked like he was building sandcastles in the air. “Anyway, what if you two time or three time?” He drew a few circles to represent parties in love triangles.


“They are condemned, exiled.” I was perfectly serious, but the guys gasped at this, which made me smile. “It is dishonorable to love more than one person.”

“What if you cannot help it? I like a lot of girls. But I love my Maker too,” Louis said worriedly. Worried Louis is kawaii, cute in the extreme! He has such beautiful emeralds that shine with emotion when he frets, the luscious red lips and clutching his inkpen.

“Bianca, that’s harsh.” I held up my hands at further protests from them both, cruelty, injustice, what about love and passion, what happened to true lovers? Lestat also added the example of Indian lovers being stoned to death if they were found eloping. Now where did he get that from?

He exclaimed quite agitatedly, “I cannot believe people will be killed because of love! It is hurting enough to be rejected. Being executed as well?”


“I know. There is no execution, except for adulterers. Exile is good, coz you can love each other freely right? I think it is reasonable. So the Indian system isn’t comparable. Don’t worry, you’re vampires, immortal and therefore do not fall under this category.” Again I felt like a scholar of intercultural studies. The showoff in me. I had picked up a marker as my conductor stick! Oh dear! I dropped it turning red.

Louis heaved a sigh of relief and resumed his writing again. Lestat was still keen to chat so I sat down again opposite him. He patted the space beside him. I shook my head.

“Eye contact is better,” was my response when Lestat looked hurt: Bianca, how many times do I have to assure you that won’t happen?

“I thought you don’t want me to stare.”

“It is alright. It’s good you respect me. What do you mean------ David doesn’t appreciate your kindness. Was he gonna die?” Lestat wasn’t clowning around now, for his expression had become soft and pained. I don’t think I would function well being so emotional and high- strung like him. I love being in control of myself. I pride myself on this.

“He was dying, of old age. He didn’t mind, yet I felt he needed more time. I sound selfish huh?” Lestat posed to me suddenly, clasping his hands. I motioned, please carry on---

“At the same time David underwent a change. He was in a new body. He exchanged souls with Raghan James. You will know this when you read Tale of the Body Thief, one of my stories--------- Twentyish, full of vigour, younger than he used to look, he was satisfied. Bianca, I felt it wasn’t enough. I was all, if I could make him immortal he wouldn’t have to age. The bonus was I could still take care of him. So I overpowered him with the Dark Gift.”

“Why did you do it? Do you still love him?” I was mesmerized by this recounting, although he had read to me from each of his books at least ten times already, best parts only. My favorites are his own background, TOBT and Blood Canticle. And yes his personalized ‘book promotions’ make them much more appealing than Louis’s first book!

Lestat smiled softly. “I did it from impulse. Oui, I love him still… everything we have and feel is out of love. I do things from passion, from enthusiasm.” He rose and walked over to me, sat next to me, played with my red hair.


He switched to the special telepathy bond we shared. It’s the opposite of Shaperchangers, for them, usage of Mindspeak is easier and less draining than speaking, because we can pick up each other’s thoughts and not have to guess.

That’s the difference between my kind and me the Vampire Lestat. They don’t approve of me just going around converting people. If I tried….

Could you not convert people anymore?

Lestat smiled. You found what I wanted to say….yes. I could start with you. I promised you and I must honor that. Bianca, I hope there can be complete trust in me, if not all of us. I freed some of my hair from his grip and leaned against him. He was hard, and there was no heartbeat to be felt. Lestat’s hand rested on my head and caressed me.

Um do you mind? Why must you touch me all the time? It makes me uncomfortable.

“Sorry.” He stopped and fiddled with a string on his shirt. Tonight he was wearing a soft frock that opened at his neck. It was supposed to stimulate lust from prostitutes. He smelled like a Lestatie. “It has been a year. Are you not used to me? Why?” I got up from where I was half leaning over his lap . Gazed at his golden hair. I brushed back the long curly fringe.

Louis admonished him, “Do not impose on people. That’s rude and inconsiderate.” Lestat spoke French in response, translating for me: Aw don’t start with that nonsense. I am just asking. I think French is prestigious, but he cannot teach me. He said that he had forgotten most of the grammar and vocab, except Mon Dieu which is swearing.

“Is it because you were abused? I understand. I won’t hit you.” He was right to suspect that. That dumb incident where he overheard my dysfunctional folks fling things around still stayed fresh. Now Father was usually abroad helping with the business. But he only slapped me then. Not always.

Louis did not know. We updated him. “That is tough. We’ll not fight in your presence.” I said ok and touched Lestat’s frock, pulling it up. He pulled both sides together and tied up the string to conceal his exposed chest. “If you’re in real trouble, walk away. It helps, though you appear to be losing. If you stay it worsens.”

“Which book was that from?” Lestat wanted to know. I had read it somewhere too. Only the playful Prince won’t touch self -help, coz he claims it’s only for cuckoos, shrinks and psychologists. Louis said he couldn’t recall. He read about 15 books a week! So I didn’t blame him.
“Thank you-------merci,” I added. Lestat grinned. Yep, I have often heard him use that and work it like a charm on women. I nodded. “ So you’ve covered up decently. Good good good.”

“See? I’m not a brat.”

“You like the nickie?” Lestat rolled his eyes.
“I don’t! It’s irritating, nothing like the Real me. I hate it when even victims say oh You! The Brat Prince. If I didn’t intend to drain all their life it will make me when they mention it. You know I’ve got to keep what’s left of my reputation.”

“What reputation?” we both asked all solemn and royally. The blonde glared.

“You were bad from the start. I like it, you enjoy it. Kill if you must, but do it swiftly, for do not doubt that You are a killer. I quote,” Louis said as proof.

“Bianca, you know I meant it for another purpose,” the youngest of the marquis’s family whined to suck up to me. I shuddered.

“Oh please. Don’t do a Pointe-Lac effect. It doesn’t work on me.”


Meanwhile I found out why I had been having all those horrifying visions. They were of the Gold Hunters, a nicer name for vampire slayers, not buffy mind. Buffy only kills with stakes but they had all the heavy arsenal, poisons, multiple ended blades, smoking gas, torture equipment. Their leader------ Relixa. Under her leadership the Hunters had managed to exterminate 500 whole clans of lamia. So far they hadn’t targeted Made vampires yet. But my friends were still vampires! Relixa’s reason was because she had been orphaned thanks to Blood drinkers. I couldn’t stand this burden alone any longer so I revealed to my mentor.

“My dear it is true. It will likely happen. You must stay away from vampires’ influence. Even if they are your friends which I understand is extremely difficult for you.”

“No. I can’t, I will hurt their feelings. How can you be so cold?” I choked.

His soft owl eyes showed the depth of his Kind. “I am but a seer. I interprete visions. My senses give me the Birthright. Just warn this Lestat. I may reveal a secret: their weapons will not hurt you Bianca. You haven’t taken the Gift?”

“No.”

He smiled, cleaning his glasses. “Ah yes, then you are safe.”

“Lestat won’t listen to me! I don’t want him tortured, Master! Please tell me what I can do!”

It was the doom of a seer, to speak the truth but not have anyone believe.

**************



It was the fateful night. Lestat was flying me home, carrying my human form through the night sky. Master warned me it would happen…. I had wanted to warn Lestat, but seeing him so innocent and soft, I couldn’t bear to dampen the atmosphere.

Master told me they might help if I was sincere, so I sent a prayer to him. I wasn’t expecting a group of troops materializing on the horizons, for Master did not wish to trigger a war between the Hunters and Shapers. A revolutionary movement. Shapers always stayed neutral. He sounded accusatory at that point, chiding how I shouldn’t be getting my race into war.

Bianca. We touched down outside my house, a few metres away. I could just see the lights. I pushed him away, told him to leave. He stiffened, feeling the intruders. Danger. He said. He stayed not wishing to leave me.


Not to me, only your kind! Flee! I Showed him my visions and the images of the recordings I had seen. Hurry, while you still can, Lestat!

The darkness became the enemy. Both of us can see nocturnally but the Hunters were extremely swift. They’re not human, interbred with cyborgs, werewolves and other unnatural abominations. “Lestat don’t fight them…. I will stall for time. This is my territory.” But the enemy had surrounded us. Lestat readied himself. There was no way but fight. Oh Artemis! I cursed myself for not bringing my friend round to the truth earlier. And severed my ties with him.

They struck. I unsheathed my claws, kicking, scratching and biting. Occasionally I penetrated the weaker mindshields. Lestat caught a few of the figures, slit their throats, broke their spines. Several figures went flying and lay still. But some stood up again. More flooded in to replace the fallen. There was an armored division. I felt myself lift. Oh shit! Lestat rammed into my captor.

Thank you. You can leave now. Hurry. I struggled to calm down and call upon my power of the storms. It was a really long spell though and I had to take at least twenty minutes to finish. The beginnings of the spell were making the trees vibrate. Lestat vanished.

"Don’t hurt him but make them shed their lives. Goddess of nature, lightning, and patroness of beasts, slay the sinful murderers that walk this place." A storm began, raining softly and bolts of lightning slammed into a few of the creatures. I wrote on the earth the sign of the typhoon. I had to make it right so I didn’t uproot my own house. I ran further into the forests. Had Lestat escaped? His house had a shield, if he reached his house, he should be safe.

Krys! I will come and help. Ah!

No Marcus! Dammit, if anything happened to my bro I would kill them!! I morphed and flew around. I had already activated the spell and I couldn’t afford to delay or we would all be swept up by it. Give me brother back! Or I swear that this storm will make you regret. I didn’t notice a gauntleted hand and slammed straight into it . I fainted.

When I came to, Relixa laughed. “Hello little birdie. It worked. I got myself a prize.” I glared at her and sat up. They had netted me so I was stuck.

“What prize?” She pushed him forward. No Lestat! How, why? He was stumbling, bound in thick chains. He’s strong enough to break them. What happened to weaken my friend to this state? Poison? Relixa threw back her head and cackled.

“Don’t kill her… I will obey you.” Lestat fell to a kneel beside me. He smiled. It is alright. I am fine. I won’t let her touch you. I smelled blood before I saw it. Huge darts embedded firmly and cruelly into the vampire’s neck, chest arms and almost every part of his body. How could they? How dare they?

Wind whipped our hair. Lestat bled slowly into the grass. He collapsed, still not passed out. I could not see clearly with the net in my way. I stood up, crying. “Lestat. Lestat, wake up.” Damn, I had promised Louis we would be fine. Louis wasn’t here now, he had gone to visit another friend. The rich blood draining away, draining away from my dearest friend.

I should have broken away from you.

No I would hate you for it.

Relixa booted him. Lestat coughed. He gasped soundlessly. I begged her not to be cruel.

“You’re so cruel bitch! If you don’t let us go the storm will wipe out all of you!”

“You are but a child. Can a puny wind kill us? Cruel? Hardly! I am doing the world a favour ridding vampires.

“ Don’t listen to her, my people. Today glory will prevail as I bring back the Vampire De Lioncourt.” She held up her bloodied spear. Her followers all imitated her. She motioned for four of them to drag away my friend.

I focused all my energy into striking them down. The bolts flayed them and where they stood only crisp burnt remained. Relixa was still walking. Lestat held my hand. I whispered reassurance for I sensed him wavering under the brave front.

You’ll always be immortal. Nothing will kill you.

Ha, this very well might. But I do not regret. The short tempest is sweetest, Bianca. My Little princess. The soldiers hauled him off. I followed. Then a knife was pressed to my back.

“Don’t think you can kill my people without consequences…..” while she was giving me the standard lecture, I scanned for her weak points. Got it, her stomach was vulnerable, could see the serious injury of sustaining it previously. I kicked her, driving full force and clawing into it at the same time. She screamed. Her people turned back stoically. I lifted my hand. The wind screened them from my view. Here came the destroyer.


I found Lestat who was still conscious. “C’mon can you walk? Come to my house.” Where is Marc? “Help me.” My friend leaned upon me. Falling several times, we got to my house. Marc threw open the door.

“I fought them off…. What?”

I cried, not able to explain. The extent of his injuries was prevalent under our lighting. He was so white and his skin was stretched taut. Lestat gazed at him in confusion, in agony.

Hello Nice brother. How are you ? He could still joke! I grabbed some cloth to staunch the flow.

‘You can heal right? Heal! Why cannot you heal?” I felt weak. Everything was red. Lestat passed out, but I wouldn’t let him give up. Don’t leave me. you are my best friend. I love you… I promise I will not make you angry again! Be strong. Take out your great Lioncourt courage. Where is it now?!

So cold. I shifted so he was lying against me. He smiled and touched my face with a bloodstained hand. Marcus made a rough pillow. Then blankets. Vampires don’t feel cold unless… no no, don’ t think in that manner. Then nothing bad will happen. I chanted to myself. if only I had learned how to heal!

Master! Please come. Lestat is dying. My friend is dying. I dunno what to do! You have to save him. You cannot allow life to extinguish.

Bianca? He was so feeble that he began to shake. Bianca my love, my cher, where’s Louis? Is he gone? I need to see him. I grasped his hand again.

We cannot reach him, Lestat. I’m here. Do not worry. You will heal. Give it time. I knew it was untrue, almost every drop was gone. He coughed, arced up. Blood came up from his mouth, on my hand. I wiped his lips. I cried. I don’t want to be seer! What for? I cannot stop life from being given away! I am so useless. The glazed eyes brightened momentarily, he closed his eyes to summon his strength. I leaned closer.

Marius. The coven. They can help me. But so far. In Europe. In Greece. I nodded, reached out to Master, to the shapers nearing us. Yes! They had come! They would help! Merci!

The birds changed shape upon touching down. Lestat awoke, frightened. It was all right. “They’re my friends. Master Omaga, please extend your healing power to save Lestat.” A few Owls had surrounded us, giving off ethereal glow.


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