-:- MON AMOUR -:-
Chapter 1- Three mistakes to becoming an immortal
(Bella)
Edward has been gone for four years, four years since he left behind a naive, foolish, love sick girl. Now, when I gaze into my reflection, I see a wise and bitter woman staring back at me daring me to see otherwise. I've willingly stood back and watched the kind heart I had once possessed slowly turn cold and unyielding. I'd rebuilt the façade of my life for the benefit of Charlie and Renee; I didn't want them to worry. It's funny, he always said I was a "terrible actress" but I guess my acting skills must have improved, because everyone around me believes that I have gotten over Edward and moved on with my life.
After graduating at the top of my high school class, I had received numerous offers from various colleges and universities. My life was here now and I felt it was unnecessary to move all the way cross county, so I settled with Seattle State.
I had just gotten off my shift at the café; because of my class schedule the late hour worked for me and apparently I had been one of the few that were willing to take that shift. Grumbling under my breath about the rain, I pushed the café door open pulling my hood over my head as I splashed through the obligatory Seattle puddles drenching my jeans. The streetlights shone bright in the stormy night illuminating the sheets of rain that poured all around me. I smiled to myself at Charlie's admonishing voice in my head telling me that I shouldn't be out this late at night, it's dangerous. Granted, recently there had been reports about the mysterious disappearances of young men and women. I couldn't care less. The kidnappings really have everyone in the city on edge and when I read about new disappearances in the paper, I can't help but think about vampires. Could it be possible that vampires were responsible? People disappear every day, vampires surely not, but there is still chance. If anyone knows the real possibility of that happening it's me.
I sighed as I stopped in the middle of the sidewalk to tie my shoe, nowhere near a streetlight of course. That was my first mistake. I felt someone grab my waist and put their hand over my mouth. I let out a muffled scream as they held me tight to their body; a body I could feel that had the temperature of an ice cube.
"Shhh, you won't feel a thing," purred a musical voice. His voice was deep and rich, it sounded so similar to Edward's. Slowly pulling my hood back he swept my damp hair across my shoulder. A painful shriek erupted from my mouth as an excruciating pain shot through my throat as his razor sharp teeth pierced my skin. I began to feel strangely euphoric as his teeth dug deeper into my throat and a warm, wet sensation traveling down the side of my neck; I realized it was blood, my blood. He was drinking my blood. My mind howled in laughter at the irony of the situation. Slowly, a strange sensation coursed throughout my body bringing with it complete relaxation and my head lolled to the side as my breathing slowed to a painfully slow pant. I knew I was dying, but my mind was running wild. I felt only a dull throb when he removed his mouth from my throat, I could feel my heart slowing with every painful thump. My mind began reeling in anger, why didn't he finish me off?
"Why don't you kill me already, vampire?" my voice a gravelly whisper, but I knew he could hear me. Releasing his hold on me he set me gently on the cold wet ground and stepped slightly away from me.
"How do you know what I am?" he snarled.
Why didn't I feel the flames like last time? Where were they? "Why isn't your venom changing me?" I hissed. I was truly furious. I sat there astonished, why I can't feel anything. Maybe I'm too close to death to feel anything. My heart gave another painful thump. I took quicker breaths as I realized I wasn't ready to die. I thought I was, I really did, so where did it all go? I couldn't die, I just couldn't.
"Please, don't let me die" I pleaded looking up at the vampire. That was my second mistake. With the faint light from the nearby streetlight I could faintly make out my assailant; light shoulder length hair and skin pale as porcelain. Kneeling down next to me he snaked his cold arms around my waist helping me to my feet; although my body was completely numb I knew the chill from his cold hard skin was there. "I won't," I heard him say before a shroud of blackness closed around me.
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I awoke hours later to find myself resting in a very luxurious bed; the gold and red velvet comforter soft under my hands as I tried to unsuccessfully untangle myself. The blood loss I had suffered clearly evident as I could barely lift myself to a sitting position. Lying back with a huff the events of last night came crashing back into my mind. Shouldn't I be a vampire now? Wasn't the change incredibly painful? Did I die? Obviously you aren't dead Bella, my rational mind told me, ok then so what the hell is going on? Realizing I needed answers that I couldn't get from myself I slowly rolled out of bed onto the plush carpeting covering the floor. The sound of a soft laugh caused me to snap my head in the direction of the noise. There the vampire stood lazily looking down upon me with his beautiful pale cobalt eyes. They were not red like they were supposed to be. My eyes slowly traveled over his form, his damp shirt clung to his muscled chest, light blond hair tied back at the nape of his neck with a black ribbon. Reaching down he helped me up from the floor and led me to what looked to be a library. Thousands of books lined the walls, soft leather chairs were scattered about the room and a fire blazed in the ancient hearth. Motioning for me to sit he walked across the room and poured a rich red liquid into a glass, sitting across from me he handed me the glass. I looked at him in confusion.
"It's wine, are you not thirsty?" he asked, the ghost of a French accent hidden deep within. I shook my head no. He gestured to the glass, "Please". I hesitantly took a sip of the rich liquor, the aroma filled my senses and my empty stomach and I blushed deep red when I realized I drank it all. "Good?" he chuckled softy, "Yes thank you" I muttered placing the glass on the table between us.
"Now tell me Isabella-," he began.
"How do you know my name?" I interrupted him, my brows furrowed. He growled.
"I don't appreciate being interrupted." He stated.
"You didn't answer my question." I retorted. He paused.
"It comes with the blood," He said reluctantly. He returned to the subject of the conversation before I could answer.
"As I was saying. Tell me how you figured out I was a vampire?" He leaned in.
"To tell you the truth; I don't really know if you are a vampire. The vampires I knew-"
"You knew vampires?" He interrupted. I nodded. He narrowed his eyes. "I don't believe you." He stated. "It was a mere lucky guess, to think I started to believe-"
"I do not lie." My voice lowering to an almost growl, I narrowed my eyes at him. "Do not doubt my honesty for a moment, vampire." He raised an elegant eyebrow in curiosity.
"Is that so, Isabella? Please, pray tell, what were the vampires you knew like?" He leaned back into the leather chair, fingers tented, legs crossed.
Sitting cross legged in my chair I decided that there was no reason to not share my history with this vampire. "Well, if we are to be on a first name basis, what is your name?"
He nodded, "I have been called many things, at Renaud's theater in Paris I was known as Lelio, the lover," he stopped for a moment, his face sober, "the one who made me called me his beautiful, brave wolfkiller. In his eyes I was his." His eyes darkened as he reached back into his past. "I have been called the brat prince, the damndest creature, but, please call me Lestat." He smiled a charming smile, his dangerous teeth flashing in the fire light.
"Very well then" I sighed, "Four years ago I moved to Forks Washington, the most depressing place in the world. The place that became the caretaker to my most hated memories." I told him everything about the Cullen's and Edward, pouring my pain and heart break out to a stranger, a vampire no less. I occasionally stopped to take drinks of water that Lestat had provided for me, and continued replaying my past. When I finished I found myself staring down at the wooden floor.
The graze of a soft cold hand running across my face, effectively catching an unnoticed tear broke me from my reverie and I looked up, surprised, into Lestat eyes.
"You have been through many things, Isabella. You are a surprisingly strong human. You remind me of my mother."
"I have to be strong. Not for me, but for my family. I could care less if I dropped dead right here."
"Yet, in the alley you begged me not to let you die." A smug smirk covered his face.
"No one can accept death, Lestat. Did you when it came?" That took the smile off his face.
"No, I wasn't ready; I had just begun to live my dream in the theater. I was a star. I was so arrogant that I couldn't just give up my hard work." He stopped and looked straight into my eyes. "That's how I became like this. A cold blooded murderer, sometimes warm but still." He chuckled at the inside joke. I furrowed my eyebrows. He composed himself and again looked at me intently. "I wish I had another chance at living. That's why I'm going to let you live, Isabella. I trust that you will not tell our little secret, yes?" I froze in place. Let me live? He wasn't going to kill me.
"One condition."
"What would be this condition?" Lestat inquired.
"Visit me, and tell me your past. You've roused my curiosity, and I'm in need of a good story." Lestat just chuckled. That was my third mistake.
"Consider it done." I smiled tiredly. "Go to sleep, ma petite cherie. When you awake you will be in your own bed." I tried to fight my eyelids from closing, but my body seemed to have a mind of its only. I faintly felt him pick me bridal style and kiss my forehead. Just like Edward used to do.
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Author's note:
ma petite cherie- my love in french.
Yeah!! The revised chapter!!
AHHH!!
Ksangi is really a goddess!! Isn't it wonderful?! Ksangi, my most treasured Beta, is to thanks for this newly revised chapter. Now, everyone say 'Thank you Ksangi!!'
I expect to find a 'Thank you Ksangi' in every review!!
Review and make me feel better!
-N.S.T.
P.S. On my profile is notes at the bottom, updating you on what's happening in my life and when Mon Amour will be updated.
-I DO NOT OWN THE VAMPIRE CHRONICLES BY ANNE RICE OR THE TWILIGHT SAGA BY STEPHENIE MEYER-