| Fan Fiction |
| By Lidia: |
| The Return of the Vampire Armand |
| +The Return of the Vampire Armand+ by Lidia Disclaimer: Characters: Not mine, I guess you would know that because Anne Rice is probably a way better writer anyway. Rating: PG I guess Sequel to The Death of Him; The Death of My Universe ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I had thought I heard them wrong. So messed up in my current state that I could do nothing but sit and listen to the few voices that still existed on the 'vampire network' as they called it. I could not even move myself to be Daniel anymore. Daniel had long since gone with Armand, and there was nothing I could do to get him back. Surviving on the few vermin that managed to find their way this high up into the decaying building. The lovely views of the plateau's in California had done nothing to heal my heart. My heart bled for my maker, and my maker alone. It was when I heard the weak voices of the others, that my heart began to fill with desperate hope. The Vampire Armand, alive! Louis even, couldn't help me out of my depression. A depression so deep that I merely sat here now, desolate...alone. My clothes so filled with dust and worn so long that if I were to stand, they would surely fall to pieces. Louis had tried to counsel me out of my problems. With his beautiful melodic voice and calm emerald eyes he had helped me but a little. He was a balm, a balm for any soul ever in need of patience, of unending, un-judging love. After a bit, he had gone, telling me to stand, to at least live. Before he had though, he had stabbed me worse than I thought he would. I realize now that it was merely an attempt to anger me, to make me raise myself from this ball on the floor. "Daniel, if he can leave you, then you must not be worth anything!" I had been too stunned to talk...would Louis ever say anything like that to me...to anyone? "Daniel, show him that he was wrong, that you are worth something! That you can be better tan he ever was! Live Daniel, be the Daniel you were for Armand, the Daniel you were for me!" But I was never his Daniel. How could I have been his when he was always Lestat's? As anyone knows, I had fallen in love with Louis since the night I had seen him, the night he had given me his story. But one could see right away that he was already taken. Even as Louis believed he lay in a rotting grave at the bottom of the Louisiana swamps, he refused to give himself away. And I admired that, I really did. But I had still wanted him. But now I was in the very same position. My only love, the one love I had cared for the most, had gone into the sun. Uncaring towards his child, his maker...his companions. He had left me finally, and all I could do, was remember how much I had loved him. And such love I remembered only further deepened the hole in my soul. His cherub stance forever engraved in my vision, my memories. ~~~~~~~~~~ I finally started again to listen to the weak net of vampires. The few rouge vampires left after Akasha's attempt at total destruction. All the voices rejoiced and scorned at the sudden revival of my beloved maker. It filled me with hope, a hope that so wished that they weren't merely whispering rumors. I finally raised my head wearily from my knees, the dust covering and clinging to my hair falling around my face. I lifted my hands, so claw like and thin, running them through the greasy strands and pulling most of the dirt free with my fingers. I put my hands flat on the floor and pushed down, lifting my thin body from the thin wooden planks that just barely held my body. I heard the soft wood bend beneath my weight, as I made it to my knees, it creaked and caved. I fell with a brutal force to the floor below. My head bounced off the concrete, snapping uncomfortably back up. The cheap floors were not even covered in carpeting. I lay in pain, aware of the few ribs that had broken, and my arm laying at a painful angle. The blood flowed freely from the wound in my elbow, and it took all my will power to not lap up the spilt fluids. My nostrils flared slightly at the smell of my own blood, and after a moment, I was using my tongue to absorb all of the spilt, ruby liquid on the floor. I hadn't even realized I had moved, but tears, precious tears ran down my face at this simple humiliation. No one was here to bear witness, but that wasn't the point. I had been reduced to this. I hadn't yet even reached two decades of vampirism and this was what I had become. ~~~~~~~~~~ It took days to finally raise myself, and that was with the aid of my fellow vermin that scuttered too close to my face or body. I would snatch the furry fiends and drain them quickly, or bask in their nutrition, for it would be my only food for the rest of the long night. My only comfort came from the ongoing voices, night in and night out, the constant chatter. My love was back, and walking! But he was not alone, and that is what scared me the most. Had he already found someone, found so easily someone who could replace me? But how? I was his first, and he had called me his only so many times. But how was I to take the word of someone who could only keep a hobby for so long? Was I just his hobby? Had I merely been there for his enjoyment for a certain period of time? More than likely. But as I listened, I grew more sure that he was around, that I would be with him once again. New child or not, I would win back what was mine. For he was mine, whether he realized it or not. I was finally able to push myself from the bare concrete that was so cold against my face. And as I did, a wave of nausea passed over me. Sickness ran through me and I felt a lump rising in my throat. My head was so light that I felt faint even a few inches off the ground. "If you needed help Daniel, you should have asked for it." I heard an unfamiliar voice say. I was shaken at first, and I could not yet lift my head to see who had spoken. It wasn't Louis, the tones were not as soft spoken, and were edged in a meanness that could never belong to the coven's creole gentleman. The comment had been spoken snidely, as if to spite me in some way. To show that my humiliation had been monitored, that I had been watched as I became not even half of what I once was. I felt wretched, and dreaded facing my watcher. When I had finally turned my head to the side, the bones cracking loudly in the silence, I came face to face with Santino. He was very nearly laying beside me, his dark brown hair creating a little veil across the front of his face. It looked as if he had been there for a while. But that was impossible, I would have known...or would I? Dust had not yet begun to cling to him, but it had settled slightly. His thin lips smiled nastily at me, and as he began to speak again, I listened carefully. ~~~~~~~~~~~ Daniel ~~~~~~~~~~~ And as I listened to Santino speak, I realized I knew nothing of him, nor did I care. Hadn't Santino been the leader of that group of demon worshipping vampires which had set Marius aflame, and taken Armand from his arms? That simple fact alone made me rage with fury, to know that he had hurt my maker. But none the less, I listened to his words with a quiet intrigue. "I know that you have heard that Armand is, indeed alive." he whispered, his cold breath sneaking close to my face. "Yes, and what has any of this got to do with you?" indignation creeping into my voice. "I know how much you yearn to see him, how much you would give just to see his face again...and soon." he said, the grin on his face nearly impish, but behind it...something else. Something desperate? "Again, anyone could see this. Why would you come to me? I do not even know you." I said, my eyes running over his profile again, trying to identify his expression. "I can take you to him, now, before his new children are made, or I can leave you here. To suffer and miss out on another chance to be with you maker. But if you wish for me to take you to him..." he paused, leaving me hanging. I so desperately wanted to know. I would do anything to see my auburn haired lover, to have a chance to tell him how much I loved him. How much I needed him. "You must first, do something for me." I squinted my eyes, examining the evil leer that had spread on his mouth. "And what could I possibly do for you?" I did not know him. I did not know anything about him, or what he needed. "Your blood...is strong. When Marius had given his blood to Armand, it had been strong. And then Armand had given it to you. His only fledgling. You, born to a five hundred year old vampire, who had never given his blood before. That power alone is great for a new vampire to have. And it is nearly equal to mine. But I myself...have had many children..." And as I listened to his words, it began to come to me what he might be asking me. ~~~~~~~~~ Marius ~~~~~~~~~ After Santino and I had burned the remains of Armand, I knew that I had lost him. Once and for all, my child was gone. But, I continued on. I once or twice went to see how my "grandchild" had faired, but it seemed he had taken by far, a worse blow that I had imagined. He had been reduced to a bone thin vampire, who could barely walk, barely speak. I never did talk to him, merely watched him, the moonlight long since ceased to shine on his ashen blonde hair. It seemed to have quit, for all the grim and dust in the air seemed to have settled right into his hair. But I could not do this, for though Daniel only had Armand to love in his life, I still had many people who needed me...depended on me. And as much as I missed my child, I kept moving. Pandora no longer needed my guidance, but I took care of her as she seemed to be in a trance like state. Rarely moving unless she grew the urge to play the piano, and even then it was barely for a few moments. Eventually she had begun to move again, and she grew agitated with my presence. So I began to fade into the background as I had done before, and she grew independent. A close bond formed between her and Gabrielle, and I knew that soon, they were going to leave. It was merely a matter of time. When Lestat finally leaves his comatose state, Gabrielle will feel no obligation to stay, and Pandora...will follow. And bringing the Brat into view. Of course I feel the need to watch over the Coven's Prince. Contrary to popular belief, I do love him. Love him more than I thought I could ever love one such as him. My love for him rivals the love I hold for even those dearest to me. But I know that there would never be a chance for us. Not since I sent him away centuries ago. I watch over Lestat in ways Louis can't. I make sure that the rouges that come and go do him no harm. Though I am sure he could take care of them himself. I care for Louis in some ways. His beauty compels me to make sure that he is alright. No harm shall come his way as long as I am here. Often times I must force him to feed, telling him that I will be right here�Lestat will not be alone. Only once or twice had he gone on his own volition, and I believe that was to see Daniel. Not even Louis could have coaxed him out of his depression, and it seems that I had been right. The Coven was literally falling to pieces, and I�was trying to hold it together. I don't know why I hadn't given up, but I didn't want to. Soon, everyone was going to go their separate ways, and these sequence of events would be another memory to add to countless others. I think that when I first heard it, my rational mind threw it off. It couldn't be true. My Amadeo had long since burned. But more of these thoughts came wind of me, and soon, it was the main thought stream of most of the blood drinkers that I could pick up. Amand, had lived. Only five hundred years and he had lived through the heat of the sun! How the rumors began to fly. But I never could figure out if it was true. No one had seen him, only a few had picked him up. Soon the main Coven began to hear these things as well, and he wasn't alone. His baggage was two mortal children, whom he was bringing along...and he was headed this way. ~~~~~~~~~ Louis ~~~~~~~~~ When Armand came in through the chapel doors, I think that my heart did a leap. I care deeply for Daniel, even if we are only friends. I want him to be happy, and the death of Armand hit him hard. I don't believe he would have ever been the same. Armand was alive, and how happy Daniel would be! But he had two mortal children with him. Their eyes were as large as saucers as they looked around them. I embraced Armand and talked to him for a moment before allowing the others to glimpse him and touch him as well. I was shocked to hear of what he planned to do. I couldn't help but feel that tinge of jealousy. I hated others to drink from Lestat, but I have come to accept that Lestat doesn't entirely belong to me. My hold on him long since slipped. But there was also that fear that Lestat might hurt Armand if he got too close. I watched with interest as Marius took custody over the two children for the moment. The next moments were fast as I watched Armand get close and drink from Lestat. I hadn't truly expected Lestat to hurt Armand, we both shared a love for the little monster. Never would anyone hurt him, you just couldn't. The childlike aura around him, I think, was one of the only things that kept him from being hurt. ~~~~~~~~~~ Marius ~~~~~~~~~~ I clasped Benji to my side, for he kept trying to slip away to examine the room. His mind filled with thoughts about possibly getting close to the blonde vampire that lay so still on the floor. Dead and cold. Sybelle merely stood dormant next to me. I must admit, she was quite beautiful. Her flowing blonde hair and big soulful eyes. Her breasts large and her hips curved, she was young, but older than my auburn haired cherub. Her thoughts were jumbled, never seeming to land on one subject. Her eyes kept wandering back to my face, and I let her look at me. It didn't bother me when mortals examined me. She already knew what I was, and neither of these children were repulsed by it. Which surprised me somewhat, I must admit. And the love they held for Armand. They seemed to be the perfect thing for what he calls his 'black soul'. I guided them from the large room when Armand was thrown backwards. I listened to Benji's ramblings for what seemed like hours, his child's voice cutting through my brain. Oh, if I could have gotten gray hair... But the blonde girl merely sat down in one of the old wooden chairs and crossed her legs. The white dress that adorned her flowed marvelously on her form. When her eyes met mine, I believe I shivered... Continued... What was wrong with me? Whenever I looked at her, I felt different...I felt as I did whenever my eyes used to lay on Pandora. How I felt for this girl. I believe right then...is when I fell in love with her. Armand needed time to himself after he had drunk from Lestat, the memories that he had gotten from the blonde vampire had overwhelmed him. I obliged him by taking Sybelle and Benji to my little house. When there, it didn't take the like Arabian boy a whole night to ask to be changed. How they both wanted it, wanted to be changed. I sat in the library, reading a thick book at the oak desk, pouring over the words. I read over them with interest, but I was distracted by the scent of a mortal entering the room. I looked up to see Sybelle walking, running her thin fingers over the spines of the books. Seeming to not even realize that I was in the room. I stood quietly and came up behind her. "What are you looking for my dear?" I asked. She turned quietly and looked up at her. Did I mention I couldn't feel my body? Before I had known what I was doing, I had kissed her, my hand running from her hair, to her shoulder, to lightly cup her breast. I was startled from the little exchange by the entrance of Pandora into the house. She came into the library, from which I had put a distance between I and the girl. "Marius, we need to talk." she said, nodding towards another room. I nodded and followed her... ~~~~~~~~~~ Daniel ~~~~~~~~~~ "And what are you trying to ask of me?" I asked again. Why could he not give me a straight answer? "What I want from you...what I want is...for you to make a fledgling for me." I looked at him shocked...I could not do that. I did not want anymore distance between Armand and myself. I do not care if his fledgling would be weak since Santino had obviously had a flock of fledglings. It was his responsibility to make his own children! How could have ask of me this? But to see my maker... "Just be in my position. None of my children have ever stayed with me, and what I ask is to have a fledgling that will never be blocked from me...mentally as well as physically. I ask of you this." he looked into my eyes. But my resolve was no. He could tell by the hardened look in my eyes. "Look Daniel, I am pressed for time. You either consent to helping me and I take you to Armand, or you do it by force and you'll wish you had never set eyes on another vampire." he said, his brown eyes flashing dangerously. I turned my head away from him. "No." ~~~~~~~~~~ Marius ~~~~~~~~~~ I followed Pandora slowly, walking into a delightful room decorated in warm hues. It reminded me strongly of the old days, when I used to be with my mortal family, my real family. She took a deep breath and turned to me, her beautiful eyes looking thoughful for a moment, searching my face almost hopefully. "And how are you, my maker?" Her hand came towards my face and pushed a few locks of hair behind my ear. "Are you well?" Her eyes were probing as they scanned my figure. Why did she want to know...what was she thinking? "I am fine...why?" "Marius..lately..have you..do you--have you happened to glimpse Armand since he drank from Lestat?" she asked seriously, her brown eyes so filled with concern...so beautiful. It reminded me of the days when we had lived under the same roof, loving and fighting. "Not really, is there a problem?" "For hours he has been sitting, doing nothing. He doesn't care about anything. He needs someone, for himself." "And what of Daniel? Is he no one? Does he count for nothing? He is Armand's, he is Armand's only child." "Yes, and don't you realize that he will remain Armand's only charge...if we do nothing to help. Daniel isn't meant for him Marius, and I have come to see this...even if you haven't." "And what are you saying? What do you wish me to do?" "I want you to make Sybelle and Benji for him...to make him happy." ~~~~~~~~~~ Daniel ~~~~~~~~~~ "Daniel, realize what you are saying, realize that I will have you do what I want!" Santino was angry now, raging even as I refused to turn toward him. He was right of course, I could barely protect myself should something arise. I couldn't fend off a mortal if they felt the urge to attack me. It wasn't bothering me as much anymore. I would heal, I would feed, and then I would see Armand...alive... "Look at me!" he yelled, flecks of thick saliva hitting my face...or was it blood? Do vampires even have saliva anymore? "Daniel...just listen." he seemed desperate now. "I love her, and I want her. And you will bring her to me!" how familiar that sounded. I tried to think of where I had heard that before. 'Bring her to me! Do it...before you leave me...' where had I heard it...or something like that? It didn't matter, for even as I tried to think, I felt his hands roughly handling me. His hands grasped the lapels of my threadbare shirt, lifting my upperbody from the floor as he shook me slightly. A grunt came from my throat when the fragile material broke and I hit the ground. I felt his fingernails cut into my cheek as he grasped my face. Reflexively I bit into the soft flesh between his thumb and forefinger, my fangs sinking deep into the pale skin. I heard his gasp, and then his hand being ripped from my mouth. There seemed to be a black cloud...right in front of my face. I could not see, my hunger was all I could think about, all I wanted. I scrambled almost blindly after the scent but was only pushed to the floor again. I had found the strength I needed to get blood. I was able to leverage enough weight to throw Santino from me and stand, but as I did so, I felt his arm grasp mine and pull me to him. "You will help me child." he whispered into my ear before sinking his fangs into my neck. ~~~~~~~~~~ Marius ~~~~~~~~~~ "Pandora, no!" I said, backing away from her as if she had struck me. Make new vampires? How long had it been since I had performed such a deed? Since Bianca, there had been no others. Nearly five hundreds years? I think I was so shocked...because I wanted to do it. I wanted to bring Sybelle close to me...but it wouldn't be for me. My rebellion sprung from that jealously, and I realize that now. I didn't want to make this girl for my child, whom I loved as much as I loved myself...perhaps more. And I think somewhere in my mind, I didn't want to hurt him if I were somehow able to get the girl for myself. But if I let her go, I would be heartbroken...oh the torments that went through me. "Marius, just think on it." her eyes pleading...did she care for my other child this much? I didn't think she even particularly liked Armand before, what was this? "You can do it, do it for Armand." she said, her warm breath brushing my cheek. I felt her lips press a little kiss onto the side of my face before she turned and walked away. Could I do it? For Armand? I didn't want to think on it, but think on it I did, for hours on top of hours. During these times, I watched Sybelle play the piano, listening to her play the Appassionata over and over. When she had moved into the Second Movement, Andante con moto, I watched the graceful sway of her body as she moved to her own music. I don't think I could take anymore, for I had stood when the Third Movement was reaching its brilliant climax. I walked to her seated figure in front of the piano and put a hand on her shoulder. Her hands stopped and she turned her head slowly, her eyes moving to focus on mine. "Yes?" she asked. "So beautiful." I whispered, my eyes following the delicate lines of her face before lowering to her neck and chest. I bent and lay a kiss on her warm mouth, my fingers sliding down her jaw to rest on the curve of her shoulder. She moved into the kiss, her warm tongue moving from her mouth first. I pulled her from her seat, leading her to my rarely used bedroom. I shut the door behind me and pulled her to the bed. I hadn't made love in so long...why? Because there was really no one to love in so long. And we did make love. There was a pleasure in it for me, for when I penetrated her, I sank my fangs into her neck. Her mortal body strained against mine as she fought back her instict to scream in pleasure. But it grew too intense and I listened to her strained vocal cords for a few moments...and this was when I made my decision. I would make her...for myself or not. I loved her to much...to watch her die. Newest Part: *~*~*~*~* Daniel ~~~~~~ I heard water dripping from some pipe onto the floor. I lay still, wondering when I could be. The ground felt damp beneath my cheek and I could feel dried blood still on my lips and chin from the vicious bite I had given Santino. The wounds in my neck still remained, throbbing. They had barely begun to heal, for my lack of blood, and Santino�s long drink, I shudder to think that I may only have dregs left. I opened my eyes, squinting, adjusting to the dim glare of the florescent light on the ceiling. I raised my head a scant centimeter and flinched when a drop of water hit my hair. I took a deep breath and tried to push myself up with my arms, my whole body aching. I had some small flashbacks from when I had been kept in a place like this as a mortal. The first encounter with Armand, straight from Louis� story to searching for Lestat, I had come across him. If only I never had, I might have had a chance at a normal life. Or perhaps, there really had been no chance after Louis. But I did not blame my friend for this, for in the end I had helped him, helped him reach Lestat. I managed to get myself into a sitting position, leaning back against the hard stone wall behind me. Impulsively, I licked the cold blood on my fingertips, trying to conserve as much as possible. How long had I been in here? The walls of my stomach, hell, the walls of my entire being shuddered in the search for blood. My nostrils flared when the blood of a warm animal came near and I found my eyes scanning every corner of this room until I saw the glint of light from some shiny material near the floor. I raised my eyes until I saw the pale face of Santino glaring out from the shocking darkness. �Have you decided to help me, or rather rot here for a few decades?� he asked, his mouth maliciously turning up in a gruesome smile. �You wouldn�t keep me here for that long, not when you need me to help you make this fledgling now.� His smile faded somewhat, considering what I had said with his eyes lidded. �Keep making this harder on yourself Daniel.� He said, his voice serious as he strode towards the metal door and let himself out. ~*~*~*~*~* Marius ~~~~~~ With the first rays of the sun, I had left my bed, covering her frail mortal body with the thick comforters that had been arranged artfully on the mattress. She merely turned and sighed softly, his blonde hair tangling itself, tousled around her face. I loved her strongly, more so than I had thought possible to love another so soon. I know it had been half a millennia since Armand, yet it seemed like just yesterday. I was so tired now, as I lay down in my little sanctuary, so I closed my eyes and drifted softly into sleep. ------ �Have you decided Marius?� Pandora�s soft voice intruded on my thoughts the following evening as I sorted through my coats, deciding on which to wear this evening. She was dressed in a dark silk dress, accenting her hair beautifully. I chose a velvet type of smoking jacket. �Yes, I have.� I said, dreading more questions, wishing just to follow through with my decision before I backed down. �And what have you decided?� she asked, her voice calm, soothing. �That I will make them tonight.� I said, finished dressing, I walked past her and into the living area, where the two mortal children sat, perfect. ~*~*~*~*~* More Coming Soon... Fan Fiction Home |