Lestat stared at Louis closely, one eyebrow raised quizzically. “You’re telling me that Black Cat didn’t really die. That you are Black Cat?” “You don’t believe me?” Louis shook his head, a low chuckle rising from his throat. “Incorrigible!” “Would you believe it? I mean really, Louis, that’s a strange way to try earning my affections. I mean, can’t you try old-fashioned conversation like everyone else?” Louis put his head in his hands. “You really are impossible! I don’t understand how it’s so unbelievable – it is the truth after all.” He looked up, his mouth quirked into a smile. “I suppose a well crafted lie would have suited you better.” Lestat stared at Louis carefully, noticing a strange similarity somehow. “ Perhaps,” he said, but it came out mechanically as sudden realization hit him. The eyes. Black Cat’s eyes had been that exact shade of green, so brilliant it could blind the unwary. And his hair – it was long and sleek. Impulsive as ever Lestat reached out with one hand to feel for himself. He took a few strands in his hand, closing his eyes and rubbing the strands with his fingers. Then with a start his eyes opened again. He looked at Louis, then at his hair and released it with a low moan. He closed his eyes again, backing away. Louis leaned forward, clutching Lestat’s shoulders. “What’s the matter? Lestat? What is it?” “It’s too much. So much to take in.” Lestat looked up, fresh blood in his eyes and streaked down his cheeks. “I can’t believe it, but at the same time I can. What do I call you now? Why didn’t you tell me? I would have done anything to help you.” “Ah Lestat, you feel so deeply. That, you see, was the trick. You had to love me for it to work, and not the form in the portrait. Do you understand?” Louis slowly began to take his hands from Lestat’s shoulders, but Lestat wouldn’ t let him. He moved closer instead, nuzzling Louis’ throat for a moment before Louis pushed him away. “None of that, my friend. I have more to explain. There is a reason your eyes bleed, though I am loathe to say.” “It’s not just my eyes. I feel strange all over, sensitive, as though I have a fever.” Lestat stared at Louis’ throat for a long time, surprised to find he wanted to move close again, push the hair violently aside and . . . “Lestat, do you remember that I asked Santino to make me do penance for all my wrongful deeds?” Lestat nodded, still entranced with the pulsation of his friend’s neck and the thick artery there. He shook his head and looked into those green eyes again, letting the growingly familiar awe and desire wash over him. He wanted to pay attention, he really did. He realized suddenly that Louis’ lips were moving. Was he supposed to have heard something? Louis was looking at him expectantly so he nodded and smiled, “That’s alright, Louis.” “Lestat, did you even hear what I said just now? Mon Dieu, this will be more complicated than I imagined. Lestat, listen very closely. Santino’s spell could be undone when one I loved who loved me in return and was not blinded by my self-pity and overwhelming sorrow could kill my feline self, merging my two souls and leaving me whole; but the Dark Lord Santino still left me in an unnatural state. I and the one who loves me are doomed to an eternal life of vampirism. Santino, you see, seems to fancy himself a dealer in cruel fates.” Louis stood, ignoring the startled looks of his companion as he began to pace. “I have a feeling that the beasts that attacked you and the thing that nearly killed us both was sent by Santino to force us to act.” “So after all that trouble, we’re both undead? That’s our reward for all the misery and pain we went through?” Louis nodded miserably. “I don’t expect you to be happy now. I’m sorry I dragged you into this, Lestat.” “Don’t be sorry! This is wonderful! Don’t you see?” Lestat held Louis close, kissing him full on the mouth with all the passion he’d ever felt. Louis was confused and for a moment he railed against the idea of a kiss. He’d been a cat for so long he’d practically forgotten about such endearments, but once he remembered he relaxed, leaning against Lestat and wrapping his arms about the broad shoulders, sensing strength beneath the simple garments. When Lestat pulled away, he held Louis’ face in his hands and gazed searchingly into his eyes. “I never have to be away from you again. We have all the time in the world to do whatever we want, go anywhere we like whenever we like. Louis, we ’re free and I love you.” Louis sighed, leaning his forehead contentedly against Lestat’s own. “We freed each other, Lestat, but don’t think this is all a game. We can’t abide sunlight even for a moment, we must sleep during the day and drink blood at night. This is not the most picturesque of existences.” “Then we’ll just have to make the most of it.” Lestat grinned. I guess I won ’t be needing a wife or my father’s land.” Louis sighed then pulled Lestat down for another kiss.
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