Chapter 24: Voices of Violence

Jane's slap heard cross the world had effectively broken the ice again. It wasn't long before Lestat started sleeping over every night, in my bed instead of on the couch. His presence had ceased to scare me, in the irony of all ironies I actually began to feel safer when he was around. I did begin to wonder how this was affecting his music career, but I figured he had that well under control.

Ben noticed my return to life, and the sly grin he gave me every time we met said that he knew why. Gladly, he left the subject alone, and not without reason. It seemed that Jane's outburst had been only the tip of the iceberg. She really hated Lestat and made sure I knew it every time we talked. It was a strange feeling, being on his side where I used to agree with most everything Jane had to say. She demanded to know if I loved him and this time, this time I really had to think. I didn't not love him, if that makes any sense…but something had truly changed; he didn't irritate me like he used to, we were actually getting along, borderline civil.

The dreams had come to another halt. Lestat insisted it was all about proximity (with a suggestive smile), but I could tell that was all bullshit (as I swatted at him). Whatever it was, it was working, so I had no complaints.

One night he was late. I had a band interview and the show was slotted to start at eight. I waited and waited, looking nervously out the window wondering whether I should call a cab. Before I knew it the clock read seven forty-five; it was too late to call a cab, it would need at least ten minutes to get here. I was going to have to walk.

I kept thinking Lestat would be there. First when I opened the door, then when I stepped out onto the curb, then when I turned the corner towards Fortune Petite. No matter how hard I willed him to be there he never appeared. I walked quickly, chastising myself for being so dependent. But there was no point in denying it; I was terrified. I jumped at every noise. An alley cat sauntered out in front me from a trash pile and I had to clamp my own hand over my mouth to keep from screaming. I began to feel a little better as more people began to appear around me, but I still continued towards the club in a slow jog. I tried to suppress the thought that it didn't really matter where I was or whom I was with…but I reached the club without incident and heaved a sigh of relief. Strength in numbers - that would be my salvation tonight.

The show began and I forced my mind to fall into my usual concentration. I had situated myself back towards the bar, which was opposite the stage. More people could see me this way, I was sure of it. It was a twenty-one plus show, so most everyone would be drinking. My notes were looking very bare, and the set was already hitting the midway point. Even with all the people around me, I couldn't keep the hand holding my pen from shaking as I wrote. My eyes were spending more time on the door than on the stage.

Suddenly an arm snaked its way around my waist. A scream was caught in my throat as a voice in my head said, "Miss me?"

"God dammit, Lestat, you scared the shit out of me!" I mentally answered. My body betrayed my fear; I was visibly shivering.

Lestat pulled me closer, wrapping both arms around me. The voice was concerned now, "I'm sorry, I was held up! Are you alright?"

I shifted my body closer to his, too scared and thankful that he'd finally showed to be angry. "Yes," I thought, "Where were you?"

"Meeting with the agent, couldn't be avoided. It's ok, I'm here now."

I somehow managed to salvage slash recreate the notes on the show and I finished the interview as quickly as was professionally possible. I just wanted to go home and let my still-fragile psyche recover. At the same time I was infuriated with myself for allowing my fear to paralyze me, especially when there turned out to be nothing to fear at all.

I said this out loud as we walked back to my apartment.

"You have to realize how ridiculous you sound." Lestat responded.

"Wow, thanks for the sympathy!" I snapped.

Lestat gave a self-righteous harrumph, "You know what I meant. After what you went through being afraid is nothing to be ashamed of. If I had known you were still feeling this way I would have cancelled that meeting."

I sighed. "You can't do that. That's the part I hate, I'm not some porcelain doll…"

"Maybe not when it comes to humans; you're dealing with the undead."

"Ugh…"

We had left the limits of Fortune Petite. It was almost two and the streets were empty. It was strange, the air had been warm when we left the club and now I felt so cold.

Lestat acted as before. He looked around with eyes that seemed to tear through building and air alike. His grip on my hand tightened. In my head he said, "Do exactly as I tell you."

We upped the pace, moving down the sidewalk quickly. I looked straight ahead, thinking only of home. Then I couldn't think at all. My skull was splitting in two; the pain made me fall to my knees. I couldn't see…I could only hear laughing – Marcus laughing. And it wasn't in my head.

The pain stopped and I sat on my haunches holding both temples heaving beautiful oxygen into my lungs. Lestat had his arms around me.

"You just can't get it right, can you Lestat?" There was laughter; Marcus wasn't alone. "I'm surprised to see her with you, I guess I didn't try hard enough. I can see I left my mark, though."

Lestat stood up. "What do you want, Marcus?"

I reached out for Lestat's hand and he helped me stand up again. With my vision clearing I could see we were facing three vampires. The same three I never wanted to see again. Marcus stood in front, poised nonchalantly to throw barbs at Lestat. Phillip and Brutus stood behind him like the pathetic lackeys they were. This time I tightened my grip on Lestat's hand.

Marcus looked me up and down, licking his lips, "And how are we feeling these days? Sleeping well?"

Lestat moved to stand in front of me, "Don't even talk to her." His voice was more dangerous than I'd ever heard it, even though I was gripping his hand and pressing my forehead into his back I could feel his bared fangs augmenting the seriousness of that simple statement.

"Touchy, touchy. We're all friends here, aren't we boys?" More laughter.

"What do you want, Marcus?" Lestat said in a still harsher tone.

"I just wanted to check up on the happy couple. Couldn't let you get too happy, now could I?"

"Fuck off."

"Already did, with your little girlfriend there as a matter of fact."

I shut my eyes tighter and pressed my head harder against Lestat's shoulder blade. This couldn't be happening again.

Lestat was livid. "Don't think I won't kill you." He snarled.

"Oh ho! I'm afraid now! C'mon boys, we best be running home!"

There was a flurry of movement. I lost Lestat's hand. Someone grabbed me from behind and pulled. I saw Lestat go for Marcus' throat. Now there was a hand over my mouth and I was still being dragged backwards. I screamed with everything I had, but Lestat was in full combat with Marcus now.

A rough voice in my ear said, "Remember me?"

I started screaming harder, it was Brutus. I thrashed my arms and legs but he had me pinned against him like a rag doll.

Phillip appeared in front of me, "I believe he owes you a shot, love." He smiled wickedly. "Just a bite, my good man, if I may. Then she's all yours."

"My pleasure," came the rough voice beside my ear.

It was happening again…they weren't going to let me go this time…they were going to suck me dry! I screamed again as Phillip took my right hand. The tears started to fall before he even bit down. He looked me straight in the eye as he fed off the blood now pouring out of the flesh of my palm; I was looking right into the face of evil. He let my arm drop and Brutus had it back in check before I even had a chance to think.

"Now it's my turn," Brutus said, "I'll teach you to take a hit at your superior."

In my mind I told him to fuck off, but he didn't even bother to respond. He sank his fangs right into my neck. I struggled; I could still see Lestat fighting with Marcus. But Brutus didn't stop. His grip was suffocating me; my vision was beginning to blur. Phillip stood there staring with a malicious smile painted across his face. "Bye, bye, love," he said.

I cried out to Lestat in my mind, but it was getting more and more difficult to concentrate…I was blacking out.

The last thing I can remember is falling to the ground, shouting all around me, and a warm metallic substance on my tongue.