The sounds of clawing could be heard resonating through the castle,
reverberating off the stone walls and floors of each corridor and room so that
the
beast sounded ever closer. It could be heard moving with a growing
determination, slowly coming to an awareness of the dining hall and moving
through the
adjoining rooms and corridors at a horrific pace. Lestat could envision the
invisible servants suddenly, some scattering as the thing approached while
others tried in vain to block its path. Whatever was out there, it tore
through
the spectral aides like nothing Lestat had ever imagined. Lestat felt for his
sword and pistols before remembering that they were in his room beneath the
plush four-poster bed. It seemed then that Black Cat's prophetic statement of
only moments before would come to pass. The sounds of the creature's snapping
fangs and rumbling growls were as a death knell. "Black Cat, what will we
do?"
Silently the sleek feline gazed at the massive wooden double doors of the
dining hall. The tapestries on either side moved with ripples as gusts of
wind,
or perhaps the fleeing servants, swept through the castle. The beast had
reached the outer chamber, its entrance signaled by the sound of a doorway
crashing to the ground and the massive weight of the thing as it crushed
antique
tables and chairs. Lestat found himself instinctively backing away from the
doors and toward the painting of Louis. Desperately Lestat wished he had a
weapon – any weapon!
When Black Cat finally spoke, his voice was as emotionless as the wind and
his eyes seemed glassy, almost dazed. "Lestat, were Louis to appear in
tangible form, could you find it in your heart to love him? Not just as a
friend,
but truly love him. It would mean giving up your quest, your family, and your
inheritance. It would mean a change for you in many more ways than I can
describe -- a new life, a new livelihood in this castle and at his side. Would
you
do it? Would you remain with him forever?"
Lestat was afraid but genuine as he nodded, his eyes darting back to the
double doors with every monstrous sound. The thing was banging upon the doors
with all of its strength, and with each blow the sound was nearly deafening.
"If you were there, Black Cat, I would. To hell with my father and to hell
with
all of this idiocy. I'm tired of playing a minor role, of being only a
puppet in his meaningless life. Besides, I don't think I even want a wife." He
licked his lips, his eyes wide as he tried to find a means of escape for the
two
of them. They were well and truly cornered. There was no other entrance to
the dining hall save for the two main doors. "If only I had a weapon!"
Black Cat nodded. "Oh but you do."
The thing was clawing at the doors, its razor sharp talons poking through
the wood in places. The ancient doors were sturdy and would hold, but just
barely. Time was swiftly running out. Lestat looked at his feline friend, the
terror clearly settling in him mind. "What do you mean? Damn it stop talking
in
riddles! I don't have anything to fight this beast! We are doomed, surely!"
"But look here, my friend." And as though by magic or sheer luck, Black Cat
indicated a dagger beneath the great oaken table. "I mean the dagger, the one
you used against the demon wolves."
Lestat dove for it without thinking, his mind in the grip of panic eager to
latch onto anything that might stave off the impending death. He grasped the
handle firmly and, righting himself, held it at the ready. Lestat pulled the
dagger from its sheath, eying it skeptically. It was certainly not large
enough for an effective weapon against a monster of such size. He may be
panicked
but he wasn't so stupid as to believe a dagger, no matter how helpful
against demonic wolves, would be any match for the talons sported by the
snarling
monster. The thing barreling toward them was gargantuan. "If this is all I
have, then it'll just have to do."
"Lestat, I haven't finished."
The wood groaned, the hinges slowly being warped as the doors began to
weaken. Lestat swallowed hard, gripping the dagger with clammy hands. "Can't
we
discuss this later?"
"No, Lestat. I need you to do something for me. Something very important.
You owe me this, Lestat."
The youngest son of the Marquis shot Black Cat a cold glance. "Couldn't this
wait until the monster is gone?"
Black Cat scratched Lestat's leg angrily. "No, listen carefully. We haven't
much time." Black Cat paused, unsure of how to proceed. The beast meanwhile
finally pulled the doors apart enough for its distorted visage to come into
view. It peered into the room at this prey that had caused it so much trouble
and snarled, a sort of laughing growl that bubbled up from its misshapen
throat at the sight of Lestat. A thin ribbon of drool fell from its impossible
jaws as it held Lestat's terrified gaze. Black Cat took a deep breath and
continued. "I want you to take the dagger and slice off my head."
Lestat stared incredulous. "What? But... you can't be serious..."
"Lestat we haven't the time for your foolishness now do as I say! I have
cared for you this long, always coming to your aid. Now do as I say or else
you,
me, and the painting will be destroyed!"
Lestat looked at the beast, closed his eyes, and then looked at his friend.
"I don't know if I can." Then he narrowed his eyes, his jaw setting in
renewed anger. "How can you ask this of me!"
Black Cat uttered a low keening meow, his eyes large and pleading,
constantly darting toward the door. The monster was in a frenzy, splintering
the wood
with its ferocious claws. The doors were ancient and made of the finest,
thickest timber, but even they were no match for such murderous determination.
"If you don't, everyone is doomed. I will die anyway, as will you and Louis.
Everything you've worked toward will be for naught. There is a curse upon this
castle, and to break it you must behead me. As the life flows from me, all in
the castle will be restored to its previous form, and menace will be
obliterated." Black Cat sighed, looking to his human companion with pleading
green
eyes. "I cannot let you die. You have been chosen to lift the curse, but
instead of a mellow transition I'm afraid action must be swift. You have to
save
Louis and yourself through my small sacrifice."
Lestat looked at the dagger, then at the painting of the beautiful young man
with the emerald eyes. His expression was so sad, yet something about him
was irresistible. Lestat imagined the monster crashing inside, rending the
painting, himself, and Black Cat to shreds. He shivered. "You would die for
Louis, your master?"
Black Cat nodded. "And for you, Lestat."
Lestat stared at the dagger solemnly, the light of the dining hall candles
glinting off the blade as the sound of wood splintering resounded all around.
"Something about the portrait draws me. But, Black Cat, I can't do this! You
have been more kind to me than anyone in my entire life. You were the first
person to help me without asking for anything in return. What was the point?
Its all for no reason if my quest is a failed one. I... I love you. I don't
know if I'm mad or if this castle is even real, but I love you. Please, there
must be another way."
"I'm sorry, Lestat, but there is not."
Lestat was weeping, his fingers gripping the blade tightly. "You will leave
me no other option, will you?"
Black Cat nuzzled Lestat's leg, then his hand as Lestat sat on the floor
heavily, numbly stroking behind the ebony ears. "We all do as we must, Lestat.
Now do as you must, or else all is lost. One way or another I will die. I'd
rather perish upon your blade than in the jaws of a monster."
The sounds from the beast were deafening and despite his better judgment,
Black Cat had a point about not wanting to die in those monstrous jaws, yet
the
decision was all too painful. What would life be without his dearest friend –
Louis or no Louis? It was something Lestat was loathe to try, yet despite
all the arguments it was the expression in the eyes of his friend that told
him the act was necessary. "Truly I don't know if I can. I've never killed
someone I cared for so very much."
"It's only a little death, Lestat. Now be quick else it will all have been
for nothing."
Lestat gazed at the dagger, remembering how those wolves had scattered in
its very presence. With a flare of hope he thought that maybe it would work
the
same way with this creature; but the hope died just as quickly as it had
come. Black Cat would have thought of that.
It was with a heavy heart then that Lestat brought the dagger close. He
hesitated, closed his eyes, and plunged the metal blade deep into his friend's
throat. Black Cat made a sound that could have been a hiss, and blood rushed
from his mouth. Lestat hitched a breath, "Ah, God!" and grabbed the furry
little neck in his hands, breaking the fragile bones with a few twists. He was
good at killing animals; but to kill someone he cared for, though to all
appearances an animal no more special than any other, was unbearable. He had
never
tried to kill without pain or suffering, and as Black Cat's head hung limply
to the side, his tiny pink tongue lolling, he felt the world seem to shift
and slip, falling away beneath him.
He was dimly aware of the sound of wood groaning, as though trying in vain
to warn its dead master that Black Cat Castle was being invaded. Nothing
mattered, not anymore, except for the agony of slicing through flesh and bone
to
separate that which should never be separated. He felt hot breath on the back
of his neck as he cut through the final bit of skin, cleanly slicing through
the final flap of flesh which still served as connector. Once the job was
done, he gasped, lifted into the air by a pair of matted taloned hands, their
claws sinking into his flesh. He closed his eyes, feeling that it had all been
for naught, but at least it was over. "It is done as you wished, Black Cat."
The beast was behind him, its hot breath causing the hair on the back of his
neck to rise to attention. The sickly smells of
