VAMPIRE CHRONICLES BOOK 2 🧛‍♂️ | THE VAMPIRE LESTAT | ANNE RICE 🩸 | ILLUSTRATED SUMMARY 🕯️

hello to all literature lovers welcome to literary Journeys with River today we bring you the summary of The Vampire leat the second installment of and Rice's fascinating vampire Chronicle Saga in this video we'll explore the thrilling life of leat from 18th Century Paris to his rise as a rock star in the 20th century remember this is just a summary not the full book so if you want to dive into all the details I highly recommend reading the original work don't forget to subscribe to the channel so you don't miss any summaries Saturday night in the city 1984 leat the charismatic vampire emerges as a fascinating and terrifying figure with an imposing appearance and a demeanor that reflects his Immortal nature leat describes himself with blonde hair that falls and curls almost to his shoulders and gray eyes that seem to absorb the Hues of his surroundings his skin is strikingly pale further highlighting his Supernatural condition despite his Beauty his appearance can turn Eerie when the thirst for blood consumes him transforming his face into a mask of horror Lestat who was turned into a vampire in the 18th century presents himself in the 20th century as a rock star he has sold millions of records and is about to embark on a tour that will take him across the United States his music and Persona have captured the attention of a modern society that has no idea of the singer true nature The Narrative focuses on his return to the world of the living after Decades of Slumber during his prolonged sleep Lestat has absorbed information from the 20th century through the voices of nearby radios and televisions this exposure gradually awakens him making him aware of the profound changes the world has undergone finally leat decides to emerge from his tomb driven by an overwhelming desire to drink human blood and resume his existence among Mortals lat's return is not just fueled by his thirst for blood but also by his fascination with a group of young rock musicians who rehearse near his Refuge the music of these youths whom he finds androgynous and seductively wild draws him irresistibly leat feels a connection with the energy and brutality of rock music seeing it as a manifestation of vampirism a supernatural force that can sustain itself indefinitely thanks to technology l T decides to join these young musicians eager to propel them to fame and integrate himself into the world of music to do so he begins to regain his strength first feeding on animals and then on his inevitable first human victim a remorseless man who had committed murders in distant lands once restored to his full power leat immerses himself in Modern Life exploring the vibrant and erotic world of the 1980s he Marvels at how Society has evolved towards open consensuality and secular morality where people are bolder and Freer the men and women of the 20th century with their luxurious clothing and open expression of sexuality remind him of times past but with a new intensity finally Lestat decides to confront the Young Musicians when he Reveals His true identity as a vampire he is surprised when they recognize his name from a book they've read this discovery unsettles him leading him to reflect on his place in the world and the dangers that come with his public existence leat concludes that being a successful rock star is not enough his ambition drives him to plan something bigger a challenge unprecedented among his own kind he decides that through music and a book he plans to write he will reveal his existence to the world and force other vampires Out of the Shadows this decision marks the beginning of an adventure that will test both lat and The Mortals around him part one the appear of lelio chapter 1 in the harsh and unforgiving winter in the lands of ovia leat the Seventh Son of the Marquee found himself trapped in a hollow and aimless existence he was the only one still riding horses and hunting at a time when wolves dared to steal sheep and prowl near the village fearlessly he decided to face the pack terrorizing the villagers armed with old weapons inherited from his ancestors and accompanied by his loyal Mastiffs though resentful of his fate as the youngest brother with no right to inheritance leat had become the family's Hunter providing what was necessary to survive he mounted his M with a mix of frustration and rage venturing into the snow to confront the Wolves the hunt became perilous when he was outnumbered by the cunning animals and the struggle was fierce his dogs well-trained and Powerful were killed and he himself was near death several times despite being wounded and ex exhausted leat managed to exterminate the pack but not without a profound personal cost the pain of losing his canine companions and his May deeply affected him he returned to the castle carrying the body of one of the Wolves as a trophy but found no relief upon his return only the mockery of his brother Augustine who accused him of lying about his feet the cruelty of his brother's words changed him deeply and as he lost Consciousness he realized that something inside him had died along with the Wolves leat spent days in bed recovering physically but something in his Spirit had hardened his connection with his family especially with his mother who visited him in silence was marked by this experience despite everything leat clung to life choosing two new puppies to keep him company trying to find solace in his loneliness chapter 2 Lestat was in his room with the fire burning and his dogs by his side when his mother entered despite his misery he did not reject her because he loved her deeply and knew that when she spoke it was for an important reason his mother a figure of intelligence and education in the family had always been his support in the most difficult times like when as a child she rescued him from the isolation his brothers imposed on him after he was withdrawn from the monastery school where lat had found comfort and purpose lat's mother was a woman of great strength who had fought to give her son the education his father had denied him she had bought him books and clothes even selling her precious inherited Jewels leat fondly remembered how she had ridden with him to a neighboring Noble's castle where she allowed him to choose a pair of Masti puppies an act that cemented his love for hunting and the outdoors despite the lack of support from his family hunting became his refuge and a source of personal satisfaction when Lestat turned 16 a troop of Itali I comedians arrived in the village and he was captivated by the Comedia D art the performances full of life and creativity completely enthralled him and he decided to join the troop on their Journey however his family found him and brought him back to the castle where he was severely punished despite this his mother instead of reprimanding him once again offered her support buying him a splendid hunting rifle and a mare acts that further strengthened the their bond in the present Lestat looked at his mother and noticed that her health had worsened still she remained a beautiful woman though her fragility was evident she sat beside him and spoke with a Clarity that was both comforting and painful she explained that she understood his hatred towards others a feeling born from the loneliness and suffering he had experienced when facing the Wolves alone she compared his experience to the pain she had felt giving birth a pain that had left her deeply isolated leat confessed to his mother that before the confrontation with the Wolves he had dreamed of killing his family a revelation she received without surprise she admitted that she too had harbored dark thoughts imagining scenarios of complete freedom and abandonment of her responsibilities these confessions created a bond of mutual understanding between them something rare and precious in lat's life finally his mother revealed a devastating truth she was dying she had little time left and though she planned to live until summer she knew she wouldn't survive another winter this Revelation left leat stunned and filled with sadness his mother always composed and firm asked him not to be distressed and to prepare to live without her after their conversation his mother left leaving leat with a sense of emptiness and despair though she didn't mention his disheveled appearance soon the servants arrived with clean clothes a razor and hot water sent by his mother to help him regain some dignity leat allowed himself to be cared for aware that the only person who truly understood him was slowly slipping away from his life chapter 3 leat began to regain his strength but his thoughts remained focused on his mother's Revelation the idea that she was dying was unbearable to him as he tried to process the reality his mind filled with sorrow at the impending loss though he longed to leave his room to be with her he found himself trapped in his own anguish unable to face her a month after the wolf encounter some Merchants from the village arrived at the castle to pay homage to leat for his feet his mother in an act of affection disguised as Duty asked him to receive them reluctantly leat agreed among the visitors leat recognized Nicholas delant a young man he had known in his childhood but who is now almost unrecognized iable Nicholas transformed by his time in Paris presented himself with a dazzling appearance he wore a brocade coat in shades of pink and gold shoes with golden heels and a lace Jabo the comparison with his own simple wool and leather attire made leat feel out of place but also intrigued him Nicholas with a difference leat did not expect offered him a red velvet Cape lined with the fur of the Wolves he had killed a gesture full of respect his his father gave him a pair of finely stitched suede boots also meant for hunting despite feeling overwhelmed leat accepted the gifts with gratitude however his brother Augustine with his usual sarcasm suggested that these honors would only make leat more unbearable Nicholas far from being offended responded to leat with a manner only someone experienced in Paris could showing understanding and friendliness after the merchants left Lestat brought the gifts to his mother's room as he commented on Nicholas she explained that the young man had defied his father by abandoning his law studies to pursue music a passion sparked by hearing a virtuoso violinist in Paris Nicholas had sold everything even his watch to buy a violin which drove his father to despair however lat's mother had heard Nicholas play and recognized his talent though she doubted he would go far because he started so late the ation awakened in leat an interest in Nicholas whom he saw as a kindred spirit someone who also defied expectations and fought for what he truly desired his mother's suggestion that he befriends Nicholas using the excuse that he had been in Paris only fueled his curiosity although he initially resisted the idea of learning more about life in the capital and Nicholas himself intrigued him finally though frustrated and not expressing his concern for his mother's health l at accepted the idea of going down to the village and talking to Nicholas his mother without taking her eyes off her book gently urged him to do so letting the suggestion take root in lat's mind chapter 4 a week passed before leat decided to seek out Nicholas delant finally dressed in the red velvet Cape lined with fur and the suede boots he had been given he walked down the main street of the village toward the Inn although Nicholas's father's shop was right across from it he neither saw nor heard the young man playing his violin leat barely had money for a glass of wine but the inkeeper with a bow offered him a bottle of his best wine underscoring the growing distance between him and the villagers who now revered him more than ever after his feet with the Wolves this unexpected reverence made him feel lonelier it wasn't long before Nicholas burst into the Inn a whirlwind of color and energy though not as elegant as before his outfit of silk velvet and new leather reflected wealth Nicholas with his breath quickened and his eyes shining with excitement approached leat and after a brief conversation invited him to dinner in a private room upstairs the small wooden room with its cozy warmth and view of the winter landscape Enchanted leat as the snow covered the mountains Nicholas began to tell him about his life in Paris he described the theaters the plays the famous actors and the vibrant boulevards with each word Lestat became more immersed in the stories of the is De site the Latin quarter and the sorban they talked about the unrest in Paris the people's discontent with the monarchy and the church and the influence of philosophers like dero voler and Russo Nicholas explained that people no longer believed in God and that science was the new Beacon of humanity this skepticism though close to lat's own seemed to wound Nicholas who had recently lost his faith the conversation became more personal when Nicholas mentioned a childhood memory when Lestat had cried at the sight of the place where witches had been burned years ago this memory which leat had buried deeply shook him reminding him of the horror of superstition and the atrocities committed in God's name Nicholas in a festive tone joked about the possibility that Lestat had become a werewolf insinuating the connection between the wolf hunt and ancient belief leat responded with a mix of humor and longing saying that if he were a werewolf he would leave that miserable Village and run to Paris where life and ideas thrived the conversation continued until Nicholas feeling the camaraderie they had developed went to fetch his violin as the sun set leat heard Nicholas play for the first time the music a piece by Mozart was vibrant and emotional and leat moved to tears couldn't contain his emotion he embraced Nicholas thanking him for the gift of that experience and asked him to stop calling him missure asking him to use his name instead that night leat and Nicholas deepen their friendship sharing more wine words and emotions the next day still under the impact of the music and the connection they had established Lestat found himself tossing pebbles at Nicholas's window inviting him to continue the conversation they had started chapter 5 from that moment on lat's life became intertwined with Nicholas's spring was approaching and nature was beginning to bloom reflecting the new bond between the two friends they spent long days together roaming the hills enjoying the Sun and exploring the ruins of an old Monastery at other times they would Retreat to the in room where intimacy and whine allowed them to open up completely over time Nicholas and leat shared their most personal stories revealing their wounds and hopes leat feeling the trust that only friendship and wine could bring finally confessed the shame he had carried with him for years the story of his escape with the Italian actors this tale emerged one night at the Inn during what they called the Golden moment a Moment of clarity they tried to prolong until one of them admitted it had passed leat gazing at the Moon through the window mentioned that in that golden moment it wasn't so terrible to be far from Paris or the theaters he so longed for Nicholas always elegant even in his drunkenness couldn't resist making a sarcastic comment mocking lat's obsession with actors and theaters leat with the same passion that had driven him to escape with the Italian troop defended his love for theater seeing it as an act of creation of giving life to something that didn't exist before Nicholas though impressed by the intensity of lat's words remained skeptical music to him was a source of happiness but he regarded it without the almost sacred reverence that leat gave to Art in a moment of sincerity leat confessed that to him actors and musicians were almost Saints people who Rose above mediocrity to create something Transcendent despite his admiration he felt he had hurt Nicholas who interpreted his own sacrifice for music in a more cynical way the conversation turned to the nature of sin and art Nicholas with a tone of gravity suggested that the pleasure Lestat had experienced in acting was nothing more than an act of lust and Defiance something the church condemned however Lestat rejected this view insisting on the intrinsic goodness of Art and those who practiced it but Nicholas with his characteristic mix of intelligence and cynicism proposed that the real reason for their closeness was that they were companions in sin United by their rejection of their families and society's expectations despite Nicholas's apparent resignation leat couldn't accept this Bleak view he proposed a new adventure to take Nicholas's music to the forest away from the eyes and ears of others to see if there was truly goodness in it so on a moonlit night the two friends ventured into the forest to the place where witches were once burned the clearing was illuminated by the pale Moonlight and Nicholas with his violin began to play a gypsy Melody while leat danced around him trying to exorcise the ghosts of the past despite the momentary Joy leat couldn't help feeling overwhelmed by a deep sadness Nicholas comforted him assuring him that one day they would Escape that corner of France however the shadow of his mother's death and the feeling of being trapped in a meaningless existence tormented him Days Later Nicholas brought up what they had both been avoiding the idea of fleeing to Paris even if it meant living as Beggars they both knew that leaving the village and their families would be an act of rebellion with no return but life in the village seemed increasingly empty to them as they discussed their options leat began to reflect on the nature of life and death coming to A Terrible realization that even in death they wouldn't find answers to the questions that tormented them this understanding plunged him into deep despair the idea of death as a total void without meaning or answers terrified him in a panic leat began to scream unable to Bear the vastness of the universe and the Eternal Silence of the Stars Nicholas tried to calm him but leat couldn't stop screaming his Terror drove him to run out of the inn and back to the castle where he took refuge in his room unable to find solace in the following days Lestat remained in that state of agitation questioning his family and the Village priest about their beliefs in God and the afterlife however their answers only plunged him deeper into despair finally Nicholas tried to use music to soothe lat's torment playing for him in the Orchards under the sunlight although the music offered him temporary relief leat knew that his despair would not dissipate easily leat began to see Beauty in small things Nicholas's music The Village children dancing the statues in the church but at the same time everything that had once seemed beautiful in nature now filled him with Terror in his soul he knew he would never fully recover from this Revelation the certainty that death offered no answers and the vision of an indifferent Universe would haunt him forever chapter 6 leat was engulfed in overwhelming confusion the reasons behind his crisis were elusive to him he couldn't determine if it was the excessive drinking and endless nighttime conversation his mother's Revelation about her impending death or the recent events With The Wolves and the dark place of the witches that had triggered his mental state the only thing he knew for sure was that since that fateful moment the world had changed irrevocably for him even in moments of greatest happiness darkness and awareness of human fragility stalked him reminding him of the absence of hope during this time leat avoided his mother fearful that his mental state might harm her however when she learned from others about his apparent Madness she decided to confront him one night while the family participated in the lent celebrations in the village she went up to his room to talk to him leat was alone struggling against the urge to look out the window at the bonfire blazing in the village a celebration that had always seemed terrifying to him with its roaring flames and the Villager chant his mother's arrival was both a relief and a source of fear because he knew she brought with her an inevitable conversation she approached him tenderly asking if his anguish was due to her approaching death leat unable to lie to her confessed that he didn't know the exact cause of his torment though he related part of what had happened at the end with Nicholas his mother far from reproaching him praised him for being a fighter for never accepting fate as an immutable truth she assured him that he would recover from that crisis but also confessed that she had consulted with the doctor and an old healer who agreed that her time was running out despite lat's refusal to talk about her departure his mother insisted that he must go to Paris she handed him some gold coins urging him to leave without delay for her the idea of seeing him free in Paris when her time came was her only comfort amid the terror that death provoked in her leat surprised by his mother's firmness tried to embrace her at first she resisted but then she relented surrendering to him with a vulnerability she had never before shown at that moment Lestat felt he understood why his mother had always maintained an emotional distance he broke down in tears a completely new sight for him as he had never seen her in such a state that moment though painful was also a relief for lat who felt that for the first time his mother let herself be carried by her feelings and they bonded as never before when they separated his mother with her regained Serenity told him how she had always felt deep pleasure in watching him hunt or confront their family with uncomfortable questions she revealed that in a way she saw him as a part of herself as the man she carried within a part of her being that completed her finally she urged him to go with Nicholas to take the coach at dawn and to write to her when he arrived in Paris she asked him to find a scribe who could write in Italian so no one else could read their letters after his mother left the room leat remained motionless for a moment absorbing what had just happened then with Renewed Energy he ran to the village in search of Nicholas determined to leave immediately finding him he dragged him away from the crowd dancing around the bonfire to a secluded corner of the meadow the spring air was fresh and revitalizing and L tat overwhelmed with emotion began to dance in circles exclaiming that they were going to Paris in the morning Nicholas playing along joked about how they would manage to survive in Paris but leat filled with determination insisted that the only thing that mattered was getting there chapter 7 in less than 2 weeks Lestat found himself swept up in the Whirlwind of Paris composing his first letter to his mother from the bustling Cemetery of less innocence a among the ancient CPS and mass Graves Lestat tried to convey the excitement of arriving in the city he mentioned that they had arrived without incident were living on the is Dea site and were immensely happy Paris with its Lively streets Grand mansions and vibrant atmosphere exceeded all his expectations he wanted to share with his mother the amazement he felt as he walked through the winding alleys saw gentlemen in their elegant suits ladies with their adorned wigs and even caught a distant glimpse of Queen Marie Antoinette strolling through the tiller's gardens however the only thing he wrote in the letter was the best part that he had gotten a job at a theater with the possibility of soon being given a role leat didn't mention the difficulties they were facing like living in an attic on the sixth floor the shouts of Neighbors in the narrow streets or the fact that they had already run out of money nor did he say that the theater where he worked was a modest Boulevard establishment where his tasks were mind such as helping actors dress and maintaining order in the venue despite everything leat felt like he was in Paradise sharing the same sentiment with Nicholas who played his violin in the streets to earn some coins when times were tough every night they would rush up the steps to their attic with a bottle of cheap wine and Parisian sweet bread and by the dim light of a candle their small space became the most Splendid Place leat had ever known despite the modest conditions simply being in Paris made everything worthwhile the days passed in constant amazement at the life surrounding them from shops filled with luxurious items to bustling markets however the horror of death and darkness didn't completely vanish Lestat avoided the place to grieve where public executions were a daily reality that deeply unsettled him Nicholas for his part kept him grounded preventing him from falling into despair the theater where leat worked was a small Refuge where he could escape the fear that tormented him at night in Paris Boulevard theaters didn't enjoy The Prestige of the comedy France but they offered vibrant Lively entertainment that attracted both the popular classes and some Aristocrats leat immersed himself in Italian comedy where improvisation was key to keeping each performance fresh and unique his work at the theater offered a mix of camaraderie and rivalry with the other actors all United by their love of Art though Nicholas didn't share lat's enthusiasm they both found a life together in the city leat always dreaming of his Moment On Stage finally got the opportunity he had longed for one Hot August day he was asked to play Lelo a role that filled him with nerves but once on stage freed him from all fear the connection with the audience was instant and leat felt he had found his true place the success of his performance earned him the recognition of his peers who insisted that leat be hired as an actor and receive a salary befitting his talent from that moment leat became a regular actor at the theater a step closer to his dream of becoming a star that night leat and Nicholas celebrated with a grand party climbing onto the rooftops of Paris and waking the entire neighborhood with music and rry lat couldn't contain his excitement and rushed to write to his mother about his success over time Le leat became a beloved actor at the theater and his name began to appear on programs even the cold Parisian winter with its misery and poverty couldn't dampen lat's happiness although Darkness still loomed over him leat found solace in Nicholas music and his life in the theater despite the hardships of life in Paris his cup was full and leat was determined to seize every moment of his new life chapter 8 in October as Paris began to cool leat started noticing a strange face among the theater audience this face distracted him during performances almost making him forget what he was doing on stage although at first he thought it was just an illusion he couldn't ignore it after seeing it repeatedly for about 15 days finally he decided to mention it to Nicholas though he felt a bit foolish doing so Nicholas who was in a particularly melancholic mood that night didn't give the matter much importance replying that everyone was watching him as that was what Lestat had desired however this indifference hit a deeper sorrow Nicholas dejected confessed that he feared he could never achieve greatness as a violinist despite his efforts this reminded leat of his mother's words about Nicholas when she had told him it was already too late for him leat tried to comfort his friend assuring him that he shouldn't give up but Nicholas responded with painful frankness explaining that for him things weren't as easy as they were for leat while leat succeeded in everything he set out to do Nicholas felt that his aspirations were fading in the face of reality during the conversation leat couldn't help but think again about that mysterious face watching him from the audience something about that figure reminded him of wolves and the fear he had felt in the past this connection was incomprehensible to him but he couldn't get it out of his mind Nicholas seeing that the conversation was turning to topics that weighed heavily on him expressed his frustration saying that everything they did at the theater had nothing to do with the goodness that lat defended this led to a deeper discussion about the meaning of their lives and actions Nicholas admitted that he played the violin only for himself not for the audience and that he saw only Darkness within himself despite their differences leat tried to comfort him assuring him that he saw a light in him though Nicholas remained skeptical the next night during an especially successful performance lead again saw the mysterious face almost causing him to lose the rhythm of the song this time the feeling was even more disturbing and when he found himself alone with Nicholas he couldn't help but talk about what had happened he described the face as a sort of mask white and sharp that appeared briefly and then disappeared Nicholas though worried about lat's growing obsession tried to reassure him by suggesting that it might be someone from the comedy France coming to see him perform however leat was convinced there was something more something related to The Wolves and the cap lined with their skins this strange connection deeply unsettled him but he couldn't explain it as the conversation progressed leat began to feel overwhelmed by an inexplicable fear as if a word echoed in his mind wolf killer this word seemed to carry a special weight as if someone had spoken it aloud though it wasn't the case this silent Revelation left him chilled and for the first time leat felt a genuine fear an emotion that was completely foreign to him Nicholas seeing the impact this experience had on his friend decided to lighten the mood suggesting they go to bed leat still in shock from the intensity of his feelings agreed without saying another word part two the Legacy of Magnus chapter 9 in the Stillness of the Parisian Dawn leat found himself trapped in a disturbing dream of wolves pursuing him on a Snowy Mountain however the dream turned into a nightmare when a tall hunched figure appeared in his room right in front of the Hearth where the Embers still glowed although the door and window were secured the unsettling presence was there with a pale face and black eyes exuding a foul and nauseating stench the Intruder without moving his lips whispered wolf killer and before leat could react he was lifted into the air by this figure and carried toward the window which shattered into a thousand pieces without touching the ground leat was transported over the rooftops of Paris desperately struggling to break free they landed on the rooftop of a tall building where the figure let him fall before leat could attempt to escape only to find himself surrounded by emptiness trapped Lestat faced the being in an unequal fight his blows were useless as if he were striking a wall while the being mocked him enjoying his helplessness leat full of Rage tried to attack once more but only managed to scratch the intruder's white skin and reveal his black hair the being with quick and precise movements toyed with lat shaking him like a child without any effort then with a deep and resonant voice the Intruder called leat wolf killer as he pinned him down and sank his teeth into his neck it was at that moment that leat understood the nature of his captor a vampire as the vampire drank his blood leat felt a strange ecstasy as if he were floating in a dark Timeless void where pain and urgency disappeared images from the past mixed in his mind memories of his mother his childhood and fleeting moments of happiness happiness but as this trance faded leat became aware of his situation again his heavy body the cold and the biting wind of the City Beneath his feet finally the vampire lifted him again and holding him tightly left him dangling over the abyss of Paris leaving leat engulfed in Terror and despair chapter 10 leat aoke in a state of extreme thirst with an overwhelming need for cold white wine and something fresh and sweet as he opened his eyes he realized it was already late with the daylight fading through a stone window with thick bars he could see snowy forests and in the distance the rooftops and towers of the city in a view that seemed surprisingly familiar to him although the room was warm indicating a recent fire leat felt weak and disoriented in front of him on a rough table he found a bottle of cold white wine exactly as he had desired in his mind The Thirst consumed him completely and with an almost animal urgency he drank from the bottle until it was nearly empty quenching his initial thirst he noticed that the bed where he had been resting was a simple slab covered with straw which made him think he was in some kind of prison however the quality of the wine seemed too good for a prisoner increasing his confusion the aroma of hot broth reached his senses and leat though weak crawled toward a bowl of succulent beef broth which he devoured with the same eagerness with which he had drunk the wine as he ate his memories began to return and with them the memory of the vampire who had kidnapped him suddenly a voice he recognized offered him more wine and turning he discovered Magnus the same creature who had terrorized him the previous night Magnus now without his cloak rested eerily in the window frame with his flaid salow appearance yet with his features still alive and terrifying although leat tried to escape Magnus easily caught him mocking his pleas and attempts to resist the vampire with a disdainful smile temporarily calmed him with refined words but his presence remained deeply terrifying with a mix of Terror and Fascination leat watched as Magnus caressed him noticing that his clothes old and worn were from a Time long past Magnus with a soft voice insisted that leat was perfect for The Dark Gift he was about to receive and though leat tried to resist Magnus held him tightly in a terrifying and ritualistic act Magnus cut his own throat and forced leat to drink his blood although leat initially tried to resist the thirst and need were stronger and soon he found himself drinking eagerly feeling all his desires and anxieties Fade with each drop drinking Magnus blood filled leat with vitality and incomparable Ecstasy but it also left him with a sense of dependency and submission when Magnus finally released him leat felt transformed as if he had entered a new realm of existence completely removed from the life he had known before with deep love and gratitude leat watched as Magnus now weakened and drained guided him toward a dark and Powerful destiny proclaiming that leat would be a great child of the Night chapter 11 leat followed Magnus up a spiral staircase Amazed by everything he saw around him the rough Stones seemed to Glow with their own light and even the rats scurrying through the Shadows appeared curiously beautiful to him at the top of the staircase Magnus opened a heavy wooden door reinforced with iron and handed lead a bunch of keys instructing him to enter a large empty room Magnus explained that as his Heir leat must take possession of the house and all its Treasures but first he had to listen carefully he warned that now IM mortal his new nature would guide him to his first human victim and although the ACT would be pleasurable he must stop before the victim's heart ceased beating or the consequences would be severe desperate Lestat tried to cling to Magnus confused and terrified by what he was hearing however Magnus easily pushed him away and ordered him to remove a loose Stone from the wall to lat's surprise he did so effortlessly revealing a dark passage leading to Magnus treasure Magnus lit a fire in the center of the room and the light from the Flames filled the room with warm bright colors fascinated and frightened leat watched as Magnus began to dance around the fire his movements growing more frenzied and uncontrolled although the sight of Magnus dancing in the Flames would have horrified leat at another time now it felt like a hypnotic spectacle Magnus expained that he had one last promise to fulfill once the fire consumed his body Lestat must scatter his Ashes to ensure that he would not return as an even more terrible creature leat overwhelmed by pain and Terror could only nod as he noticed his own teeth transforming into sharp fangs and his body beginning to undergo a painful metamorphosis Magnus urged him to fulfill his promise and instructed that after scattering the ashes he should use the passage to find his coffin as sunlight was the only real threat to his new Immortal Life leat in a state of panic and despair begged him not to leave him alone but Magnus pushed him away and with a final Act of will threw himself into the fire leat watched in horror as Magnus body was consumed by the Flames while his Creator's laughter echoed with heart-wrenching intensity Magnus blackened limbs wried in the P until they finally succumbed to the fire despite the pain and Terror consuming him leat couldn't stop screaming as he fell to his knees covering his eyes but the image of Magnus burning remained etched in his mind even with his eyes closed chapter 12 leat lying on the floor of the room watched as the fire burned down until only a few half bured logs remained the cold air blowing through the open window echoed his own sobs which resonated in the empty room he wept tears of blood as he recited prayers though soon realized they were just empty words offering no comfort for what felt like an eternity leat silently pleaded begging not to be abandoned in this place he considered cursed The Witch's place but Magnus words kept echoing in his mind go to meet hell if there is one eventually he struggled to his feet dazed and deranged contemplating the dying Embers he briefly considered throwing himself into the fire but quickly dismissed the idea feeling that he had no reason to deserve such a fate a strange calm began to wash over him as he realized that he was no longer human sadness bitterness and Fascination mingled in his mind he realized that all his human pains had vanished and that the residual warmth of the fire comforted him time lost its meaning for him each change in the air was a caress and the sound of the city's Bells seemed like pure music a new pain began to burn in his chest radiating through his veins although his body expelled waste he felt no revulsion not even when the rats came to devour it Lestat understood that he was no longer part of the world that felt disgust at such things he realized that he now belonged to what inspired fear and repulsion in others and he began to laugh though the sorrow still accompanied him as an inescapable thought Lestat accepted his new reality he was dead and a vampire he knew that to continue living he would have to drink the blood of others and that he would never again see Nicholas his mother or any other human he had loved this thought though painful also brought him a kind of ecstasy a new life that was just beginning finally he stood up feeling light and powerful and walked to the extinguished fire he found no bones among the ashes as if Magnus had completely disintegrated he gathered what ashes he could and took them to the window letting them fly with the wind as he murmured A Farewell to Magnus with that final gesture he knew it was time to explore the lower chamber and discover what awaited him chapter 13 Lestat easily moved the slab with surprising strength finding a latch that allowed him to secure it from the inside once he entered the narrow passage however as he peered in he saw that the tunnel was tight and and dark with no light at the other end the thought of crawling through that passage was utterly unappealing and he realized that had he been mortal he would never have ventured into such a place but Magnus words echoed in his mind he had to reach the coffin before the sun could destroy him pressed against the ground leat slid through the passage battling Panic as he Advanced blindly the space was so cramped that he could barely move and he had to use his foot to close the lab behind him leaving him in complete darkness fear gripped him and for a moment he thought he might go mad from not being able to lift his head however forcing himself onward leat continued crawling until his hands finally found a loose stone that he could push a soft light filtered through the crack giving him the courage to emerge from the tunnel when he emerged leat found himself in a small low ceilinged room illuminated by the violet light of the night streaming through a barred window in the room he discovered a large fireplace a pile of wood ready to burn and an ancient stone sarcophagus draped with its red velvet cover lined with wolf fur on a rough bench a splendid suit of red velvet embroidered with gold and Italian lace awaited him along with white silk stockings and red heeled slippers intrigued and excited by his new self leat noticed that his sweat was mixed with blood the sight of his own blood filled him with a a strange excitement and after cleaning himself up he set about lighting a fire in the fireplace mimicking the method he had seen Magnus use as he did so he felt the warmth begin to comfort him and he stripped off his dirty clothes tossing them into the Flames before dressing in The Splendid garments he had found he felt transformed like a creature sculpted from Ice with a hard and strange Smile as he admired his new attire he contemplated the sarcophagus in the Cent of the room its lid carved with the Effigy of an old man who resembled Magnus but in a peaceful pose with his mouth closed and his eyes Serene Lestat noticed that the hilt of the carved sword had been smashed as if someone had wanted to erase the shape of a cross time passed as Lestat examined every detail of the sarcophagus and reflected on his new condition he wondered if demons could love each other while Nostalgia for Magnus overwhelmed him though he felt betrayed by his abandonment he ironically remembered the love he had felt for him in his final moments and when he had found the red clothes leat turned his attention to a large wooden chest half hidden at the head of the sarcophagus opening it he was stunned to discover an incalculable Treasure of gold silver precious stones and objects of immeasurable value the jewels coins and pieces of goldsmithing took his breath away and he ran his fingers over the riches fascinated by how the Fire Light reflected their colors all of it was his among the treasures he also found personal and perishable items satin masks lace handkerchiefs broches and medallions Magnus must have taken everything he desired from his victims but Lestat couldn't understand why he had lived in the tower like a Hermit dressed in worn and old clothes Lestat continued exploring the contents of the chest finding rosaries adorned with gems and small crucifixes which made him Ponder the power that God might have over him but when he touched the crucifixes and nothing happened he felt it was a demonstration that God had no control over his new existence this thought provoked a maab laugh as he picked up a pearl-handled mirror looking at himself in the mirror leat saw a version of himself that seemed to be made of another substance his skin paler his eyes in iridescent cobalt blue and his hair with a strange Sheen although he recognized himself he realized that he was no longer exactly leat but a replica the few wrinkles he had had on his face had disappeared but when the tears of blood began to flow the image in the mirror became even more horrifying despite his horror leat was overcome by a desire to understand what he was and how he could walk among Mortals he wanted to see Paris with his new eyes but he also knew that he would have to give up certain things like listening to Nicholas's music from that moment on nothing would be normal even the smallest memory would be tinged with extraordinary intensity leaving the mirror behind leat dried his tears and sat in front of the fire sinking into a sweet drowsiness but even in that state he was invaded by the memory of Magnus stealing his blood and the sense of betrayal and warning that this implied he awoke with a start feeling a revulsion at the thought of sharing this with Nicholas finally Lestat Rose recognizing that he couldn't live by feeding on humans although within him both conscience and desire fought he took the iron keys he had brought with him and set out to inspect the rest of the tower knowing that his new life as a vampire had only just begun chapter 14 Lestat searched the tower for something more than the emptiness that seemed to inhabit it barred Windows deserted rooms and the vast night on the battlements were all he found however on the ground floor near the door leading to the dungeons he discovered a torch and a Tinder Box lighting the torch he noticed footprints in the dust and a well-oiled lock that turned smoothly when he found the right key with the torch in hand leat began to descend a narrow spiral staircase as he went down the stench of Decay grew stronger a smell he recognized from the cemeteries of Paris though the stench nauseated him his deter termination pushed him onward he knew that if there were mortal bodies there he would not be able to avoid them on the first Subterranean level Lestat found an enormous burial chamber similar to Magnus chamber but much larger three large Stone sarcophagi occupied the center of the room with figures sculpted on them everything was covered in dust and cobwebs clear signs that no one had inhabited the place for a long time Lestat opened the sarcophagi one by one but found only dust with no trace of other vampires he continued his descent although the stench became increasingly unbearable the smell emanated from behind a door further down and although he felt a deep aversion leat decided to face whatever his master Magnus had done in that place when he opened the door leat was met with a horrifying sight a dungeon filled with bodies in various stages of decomposition riddled with worms and insects rats fled from the torch light and the stench of putria overwhelmed him however he couldn't take his eyes off the corpses they were all young men blonde like him and the most recent body still fresh resembled leat so closely that it could have been his own brother horror paralyzed him but it also drove him forward to the corpse the Dead Man's eyes a wet and viscus blue were identical to his own fear gripped him as he imagined the corpse might move move and catch him leat backed away tripping over a plate of rotting food and a bowl of sour milk as he fell the bowl broke and the spilled milk looked like vomit pain shot through him like Liquid Fire causing blood to Ooze from his teeth and stain the floor but as he looked at the blood leat felt his nausea replaced by a fierce thirst he leaned toward the blood unable to resist the urge to lap it from the floor the Ecstasy of drinking it C through him even as his mind filled with thoughts of the young men who had been brought to that dungeon to die terrified and ecstatic Lestat realized that he could have been one of those young men he felt his heart pound as he drank the blood and a wild guttural scream escaped his mouth he dropped the torch and ran up the stairs slamming the door to the dungeons behind him his screams echoed through the tower but when the Morning Light began to filter in his screams abrupt ceased the sunlight was approaching and leat blinded by pain ran to the inner chamber of the tower emerging from the conduit the room was bathed in a dim purple glow nearly blind he managed to lift the lid of the sarcophagus and hid inside the lid fell over him and the pain vanished as fear and sorrow faded into cold unfathomable Darkness chapter 15 lead awoke with an overwhelming thirst without the comfort of mortal dreams about cold wine or the fresh grass of his childhood in the narrow darkness of the stone sarcophagus he touched his fangs with his fingers and found them dangerously sharp like tiny knives as his awareness cleared he sensed the presence of a mortal in the tower though the figure had not yet reached the door of the outer chamber through a new and unsettling power he could hear the Intruder thoughts filled with dismay upon discovering the open door and the burnt logs in the room the Mortal a servant of Magnus was clearly terrified and leat detected the treachery and deceit in his mind the smell of the Mortal both fascinated and Disturbed him it was a Musky scent Ain to that of the first prostitute he had known or the roasted venison after days of fasting but this Aroma was infinitely richer Awakening in leat a voracious and Primal appetite that he could not ignore he emerged from the sarcophagus driven by need and moved through the conduit to the outer chamber where he found himself face to face with the Mortal the servant an old and wrinkled man looked at him with bewilderment and hatred Lestat perceived in his mind that he was responsible for dressing the prisoners and caring for those Unfortunate Souls Magnus had locked in the dungeon the man's hatred and raged leat stirring in him a violent desire to strangle him with his bare hands when the old man desperately called out for his master Lestat coldly replied that Magnus was no longer there that the fire had consumed him the servant refused to believe it but Lestat paid no attention to his words he was Intoxicated by the aroma of the man's blood and his desire to taste it consumed him the old man realizing the danger tried to flee toward the stairs but leat easily caught him relishing the capture he lifted the man into the air as if he were a puppet feeling the disproportionate strength between them the mortal's body was no longer more than flesh and blood that leat craved to possess without hesitation leat bit into the man's neck artery and the hot blood struck his pallet filling him with an almost unbearable ecstasy his master's blood had been pure liquid light but this Mortals was dense rich and Earthly the pleasure of drinking was so intense that LE T had to make a supreme effort to stop before the man's heart stopped beating despite his desire to consume him completely he dared not do so the man's body fell heavily to the ground his glassy eyes peeking out from under half closed lids and leat watched in Fascination as the life slowly ebed away the blood he had drunk filled him with extraordinary warmth and strength sharpening his vision and making his body feel more powerful than he had ever imagined finally he picked up the lifeless body and dragged it down the tower steps to the dungeon where he left it to decompose with the other corpses chapter 16 with his thirst quenched and A Renewed awareness of his powers Lestat knew it was time to leave the tower and test his new nature he filled a bag in his pockets with all the money and jewels he could comfortably carry belted with a gem encrusted sword that didn't seem too outdated he descended the stairs and left the tower securing the iron gate behind him outside he discovered that the tower was the only thing left standing of a large ruined house however as he circled the stones he caught the scent of horses on the Wind an intense and pleasant smell that led him to a stable at the back there he found a beautiful Old Carriage and for splendid black MZ which miraculously were not afraid of his presence leat instantly fell in love with the animals spending time stroking them and studying them with his new senses though his mind already yearned to explore other things he also detected the presence of another human in the stable a deeply sleeping boy who upon waking proved to be dimwitted and no threat to leat he gave the boy a gold coin and told him that he was now his master but that he didn't need him that night except to saddle a mare the boy informed him that there were no Saddles but that didn't stop leat who improvised by cutting the long reins of the carriage and using them to ride the most beautiful May bearback the power and freedom he felt while riding were Indescribable the icy wind on his face and the vast Dome of the night sky above him filled him with wild Joy fused with the animal beneath him he rode laughing and singing hitting notes he had never reached before reveling in an euphoria that seemed in congruous with his new vampire condition although he longed to head to Paris he knew he wasn't yet ready so he rode in the oppos opposite direction until he reached the outskirts of a small town there he dismounted in front of a church and felt a surge of entirely human rage that interrupted his strange happiness he stormed into the church forcing the sacy lock and crossing the Nave to the altar he forced open the Tabernacle doors took out the sorum with the consecrated hosts and examined it but felt no special power desperate he laid his head on the altar like a prested in the middle of mass before closing everything up again so that no one would notice the sacrilege committed leat wandered around the church marveling at the paintings and statues that he could appreciate with astonishing Clarity and detail he could see not only the art but the creative process of the sculptor or painter noticing every flaw and every Touch of expressiveness but soon he felt overwhelmed by so much ordinary beauty and decided to go out and explore the town for for 2 hours leat roamed the town streets jumping over Garden walls climbing rooftops and spying on humans in their homes he watched sleeping families with Fascination admiring even the smallest details of their daily lives however what captivated him most was his ability to hear people's thoughts though only the most intense and passionate ones reached him this discovery baffled and almost annoyed him as he knew that although he could observe and listen to Mortals he was not one of them they were his victims before leaving the town Lestat committed one last daring act he entered the local Inn and ordered a glass of wine though everyone in the small establishment looked at him curiously none detected his true nature he remained there for 20 minutes enjoying the realization that he could blend in among humans undetected although he didn't touch the wine he knew he had gone unnoticed which gave him a sense of euphoria leaving the Inn he ran into the forest so fast that the trees and Sky blurred around him he sang laughed and performed acrobatics delighting in the strength and Agility of his new body however when Dawn began to subtly announce itself he felt an urgent call a warning that he must seek Refuge before the sun reached him on his way back to the tower passing through a cemetery leat felt something strange a presence that wasn't human he stood still feeling the blood coursing through his veins this presence seemed to be lurking near the Crips watching him but when leat confronted it he noticed that it retreated as if it feared him surprised leat realized that this presence whatever it was was afraid of him finally aware of his own power Lestat felt that he feared nothing not the church not the darkness not even men in he considered himself an extraordinary being satisfied with the form he had acquired no matter how he had come to it he laughed as he recalled that first night a moment of Discovery he would never forget chapter 17 as night was about to fall Lestat headed to Paris at full Gallop carrying all the gold he could manage the sun had sunk below the Horizon leaving the sky tinged with pale blue as he mounted his horse and set off however ever his growing hunger accompanied him at every moment fate decreed that a bandit would attack him before he reached the city Gates emerging from the trees with a roar the Bandit fired his pistol but lat with his heightened senses could literally see the bullet leaving the barrel and missing him with inhuman agility he leaped from the horse and lunged at the man the Bandit was robust and young and leat relished his curses and struggles to defend himself his poorly shaven beard and the strength of his fists even tempted leat but the fight ended quickly when leat sank his fangs into the Bandit's artery delighting in the Exquisite blood that flowed from it however in his ecstasy he forgot to withdraw before the man's heart stopped thus breaking the rules Magnus had taught him kneeling in the snow beside the corpse leat gazed at The Twilight Sky and the vast shadow of Paris stretching out before him he felt a growing warmth and strength but also a slight sense of loneliness the intimacy of drinking the man's blood had left a mark a strange connection that made him feel as if he had lost a friend however he soon dismissed these thoughts remembering that the Bandit had tried to kill him an hour later leest had arrived at the home of Fier Ro a young lawyer in the morray ambitious and open-minded ideal for lat's purposes the lawyer greedy and diligent read accepted lat's instructions without questioning the excuses he gave about his fortune and Origins Ro eager to serve the supposed husband of a wealthy ays from Santo Domingo attended to all of lat's Demands with total submission though Intoxicated by his power leat found it difficult to concentrate every detail of the room distracted him the candle flame the Chinese wallpaper on the walls and even the peculiar face of the lawyer with his small bright eyes behind octagonal glasses everything seemed to take on a life of its own and leat struggled to maintain control over himself as he gave precise instructions for the transfer of money to his family friends and especially to his mother the mares Gabriel Deon Court he entrusted RO with sending a sum sufficient for her to live comfortably in southern Italy hoping that her health would improve there while lawyer Ro followed his orders leat sank into thoughts of his mother imagining her dressed as the Marquee she was crossing the castle gates in her own Carriage the vision of her wasted face and the sound of her lungs cough shook him prompting him to order that the letter and money be sent that very night regardless of the cost after securing the well-being of his family and Nicholas Del lenfant leat decided to indulge in material excess together with Roe he toured the warehouses of the faor St Dennis selecting Furniture porcelain tapestries and all sorts of riches to send to the castle where he had grown up it was an act of nostalgia and power as he mentally transformed his childhood home into a place of luxury he even sent elaborate toys to his nephews ensuring that they would enjoy things he himself had never had in the midst of this orgy of Acquisitions an incident broke the spell a rat Brave and defiant crossed the warehouse near where they stood lat fascinated by the creature easily caught it and began examining it curiously completely forgetting about The Men Who accompanied him the sudden Silence from them brought him back to reality the men were watching him in Terror Lestat smiled at them innocently released the rat and continued his shopping but it was evident that he had awakened a deep fear in them that night after completing his purchases leat asked Ro to send a gift of 100 crowns to Renault the theater impressario who had given him his first opportunity with a note of thanks he also tasked him with investigating the financial situation of the theater though he had no intention of returning there wanting to protect those he had left behind from the darkness that now enveloped him when all was done and the church bells struck 3 in the morning over the city's white rooftops leat found himself hungry again with the scent of blood calling to him from every corner he found himself in front of the boulevard du Temple gazing at the house of lepus with its crumbling walls and torn posters and his former name leat dewa still advertised in Red Letters chapter 18 the nights that followed became a wild frenzy for leat he began to devour Paris as if the city were made of blood plunging into the darkest districts as night fell seeking out thieves and murderers he would give them a mocking chance to defend themselves before pouncing on them with a deadly Embrace savoring their bodies until he succumbed to gluttony he sampled different kinds of deaths large and heavy small and wiry and from various ethnicities but his favorites were the young criminals those Scoundrels capable of killing for a few coins he enjoyed their curses and growls sometimes holding them with one hand while laughing at them throwing their knives onto rooftops and smashing their pistols against walls although he took pleasure in the hunt and the fight the only thing he truly disliked in his victims Was Fear if someone showed true Terror Lestat quickly lost interest in them over time he learned to prolong death drinking a little from one and another until finally he took the full life in the third or fourth attack it was the hunt and the fight that he repeated tirelessly seeking Perpetual pleasure one night when he had already hunted and drunk more than enough to satisfy several vampires he decided to turn his gaze towards the rest of Paris towards the refined Pleasures that had previously been denied to him but before indulging in those Pleasures he stopped by Ro's house for news of Nicholas and his mother his mother's letters radiated a Melancholy happiness content with her son's Fortune though she hinted at the shadow of a troubling question was leat truly happy had he fulfilled his dreams Gabrielle distrusted wealth and noted the happiness her son had found in renault's theater reading those words was Agony for leat he knew he had become a consumate liar something he had never been but he would do it for her as for Nicholas he was not satisfied with the gifts and vague words he demanded to see leat and would not stop asking which put Ro in an awkward position though Lestat avoided meeting his friend he discovered that Nicholas continued to perform at the house of thespis which infuriated him deeply leat could not understand why Nicholas insisted on staying there in a place where they had both been so happy to leat this was intolerable but the answer was evident Nicholas was happy in that little theater just as he had been he sent boxes of wine and champagne to the theater flowers to the actresses Janette and luchina and more gifts in Gold to Reno even paying off the theater's debts but 15 days later Ro informed him that Renault had made a proposal he wanted leat to buy the house of thespis and keep him as the Director with enough Capital to produce larger and more prestigious shows at first leat resisted unable to accept the idea of owning the theater as just another object but eventually he agreed handing over a fortune for its management As Time passed lead immersed himself in Parisian life attending the best theaters occupying privileged seats at the ballet and Opera and surrounding himself with luxury he wore brightly colored suits Jewels fashionable wigs and shoes with diamond buckles he he enjoyed poetry music and the refined Pleasures that eternity offered him with each passing night he felt more comfortable among Mortals Bolder in his interactions soon leat Found the courage to attend a ball at the poer Royal there surrounded by Mortals he aroused no suspicion on the contrary women were drawn to him and leat enjoyed the touch of their warm fingers and the pressure of their bodies from then on he roamed the boulevards among crowds entered theaters cafes and spoke with people he even discussed politics and mastered Billiards and card games however he did not dare to approach the house of TheBus fearing what Nicholas might see in his eyes in his skin despite this he promised himself that one day he would dare to do so during this time leat continued to discover more about his new nature he realized that his hair though thicker did not grow nor did his nails which if cut regenerated the next day he noticed an unusual brightness in his eyes and a slight luminescence in his skin especially when he was hungry he learned to control his voice avoiding it being too deep or his laughter shattering Mortals eardrums he also noticed that in moments of surprise or emotion his body could move exaggeratedly like an acrobat which puzzled those around him however the presence of other vampires remained remained a mystery although leat sensed a vague and Elusive presence in cemeteries and dark places in Paris he never managed to discover its origin he wondered if Magnus had destroyed the vampire from whom he had stolen the blood or if he himself should avoid creating another vampire to avoid being destroyed but these questions went unanswered and leat dedicated himself to exploring the city living among Mortals as if he were still one of them with the arrival of spring the nights grew warmer and lat continued to think about Nicholas one March night while reading a letter from his mother he realized that he had learned to read effortlessly acquiring knowledge unconsciously he took the letter and carried it to the tower where he read it in private his mother's words echoed in his mind Nicholas writes to me that you have bought renault's place so now you are the owner of that little theater on the boulevard where you were so happy but do you still possess that happiness when will you answer me folding the letter Lestat felt Tears of Blood filling his eyes why did his mother understand so much and at the same time so little chapter 19 driven by a mix of restlessness and Nostalgia leat found himself drawn to Nicholas's house on Isle St Louis spring had arrived and the vibrant smells and colors of the city awakened in him an uncontrollable desire to see his old friend after demanding that Ro provide him with the address Lestat headed to the residence wanting to ensure that Nicholas was well and living comfortably upon arrival he observed the impressive facade of the house though the closed shutters gave him a Pang of uncertainty unable to resist leat climbed the walls of the house with ease like a cat climbing a tree he reached the floor where Nicholas lived and peered through the window what he saw filled him with conflicting emotions Nicholas was sitting at the table accompanied by Janette and luchina in the middle of a dinner that evoked old times at the theater though surrounded by the Rich's leat had sent him Nicholas looked dejected Lost In His Thoughts with the same Melancholy that had always accompanied him leat overwhelmed by what he saw nearly lost his balance in his precarious position and closed his eyes for a moment clinging to the wall to avoid falling but he couldn't resist the temptation to look again Nicholas was there alive wearing his green velvet clothes the same ones he had worn arrogantly through the alleys of their Hometown though surrounded by luxury there was something in his posture that reflected fragility a vulnerability that leat hadn't noticed before as Janette spoke suggesting that leat had married a wealthy woman and couldn't admit his past as an actor Nicholas listened with a mix of bitterness and sadness he defended his friend claiming that leat would never be ashamed of them but at the same time his voice betrayed a contained rage and deep pain he recalled how he had heard Lestat calling him the night he disappeared and how he had found the window broken the women didn't believe him and seeing him so affected an uncomfortable silence took over the table leat from his hiding place felt Nicholas's anguish like a stab in his own heart it was a pain he knew well but could not alleviate he watched as Nicholas stood up and approached the window as if sensing his presence and at that moment leat realized how much it meant to him to see Nicholas the need to touch him to ensure he was still alive but he also understood that although he was now an immortal being Nicholas perceived the presence of the Lestat he had known the man not the monster he had become lat's anguish intensified when Nicholas took his violin and began to play the music filled the night tearing through the Silence with notes of Despair and Beauty lat lying on the roof closed his eyes letting the music envelop him it was a sound that expressed Nicholas's deep discontent with the world his rejection of the idea that beauty could exist amid so much pain for Nicholas music was a means to communicate the cruel irony of a world where Beauty was simply a mask for suffering unable to Bear it any longer leat withdrew from from the roof leaving Nicholas in his world of Despair he knew what he had to do though he didn't want to admit it the next night when he arrived at Boulevard du Temple it was already late and the first act at the house of fpus was in full swing leat was determined to do something to alleviate his friend's torment even if it meant making difficult decisions with his mind burdened by unwanted decisions and contradictory emotions leat knew he could no longer avoid Nicholas the deep connection between them was inescapable and soon he would have to face the truth of what he had become chapter 20 lat had decided to dress with great Elegance wearing silver brocade and a lavender velvet Cape complimenting his outfit with a new sword with a silver carved Hilt he arrived at the theater in a rented Carriage but upon arrival he headed down the back alley towards the artist's entrance just as he had done on so many previous occasions as he entered he was enveloped by The Familiar atmosphere of the place with the characteristic smell of makeup sweaty costumes and dust the sounds and lights of the stage along with the hustle and bustle of actors and crew behind the scenes awakened in L Tad a mix of intense emotions a sense of wonder at returning to that environment and at the same time a deep Panic luchina an actress at the theater recognized him immediately and Drew everyone's attention who heard hurried to greet him enthusiastically Renault the director led the welcome and soon leat found himself surrounded by old friends actors and technicians all eager to give him a warm reception although he tried to maintain his composure the closeness and affection of his friends made him feel a profound sadness while they celebrated his return with champagne leat struggled internally to contain his emotions especially his growing desire for the blood of those around him including his dearest friends like Janette and luchina whose lives he could hear pulsing through their veins the reunion with Nicholas was particularly emotional seeing his old friend leat felt a love so pure and strong that for a moment he forgot the darknesses that had transformed him into what he was however this feeling was quickly replaced by a monstrous and overwhelming desire The Thirst for Nicholas's blood an Impulse so natural and Powerful that it threatened to consume him completely while the theater vibrated with the show and the celebrations leat fought with all his might not to succumb to that deadly impulse lat's internal conflict reached its peak when in an impulsive and desperate act he leaped onto the stage interrupting the show his inhuman acrobatics left the audience stunned who initially applauded but then filled with bewilderment and fear at the magnitude of his supernatural abilities the shouts and cheers turned into murmurs of fear as leat almost in a trance tried to maintain control over himself the tension reached its climax when an old man from a box shot him with a pistol the bullet pierced leat causing a wound that to everyone's astonishment healed almost immediately this event pushed Nicholas to the brink of emotional collapse while leat feeling repulsed by his friend's humanity and his own Brusly pushed him away amid the chaos and confusion Lestat decided to leave the theater leaving behind a terrified crowd and a shattered Nicholas once in the dark streets of Paris leat sensed the presence of others like him who followed him at a cautious distance these beings who seemed to share his vampiric nature did not reveal themselves but leat knew they were watching him and could communicate if they wished however he chose to ignore them and headed to the Cathedral of not tran where he spent the rest of the night huddled in a dark corner the night culminated with Lestat finally succumbing to his thirst attacking a beggar woman and her young son who had tried to help him upon seeing the blood on his clothes this act of violence carried out with a mix of pleasure and horror confirmed to leat that there was no longer any barrier separating him from the monster he had become from that moment on not even his dearest friends would be safe from his hunger not even even Nicholas chapter 21 Lestat found himself in a state of agitation and despair he wished that renault's theater would disappear that the lights would go out and that the happiness he had once experienced in his mortal life there would be extinguished forever despite his attempt to drown the Pain by hunting several innocent victims in one night he couldn't stop thinking about the actors and the theater every street in Paris seemed to lead him back to that place and the shame of his uncontrollable Behavior consumed him he had bought renault's theater and made it the most successful in the city but now he was determined to close it convinced that by doing so the pain would also vanish despite his determination he knew that no one would suspect anything strange the excuses Ro his lawyer had given were convincing enough a recent return from the tropical colonies and an excess of wine had caused the confusion of the previous night the show continued the next day and the crowds on the boulevard due Temple accepted it with logical and mundane explanations however Nicholas his dear friend accepted none of this he had sunk into drinking refusing to return to the theater or study music he rejected any approach from Ro hurling insults at him and wandered through the most dangerous parts of the city drinking in seedy taverns when leat heard about this he felt a sad irony in seeing that they shared the same fate though on different paths as he paced restlessly through the room Ro informed him of the situation warning him that Nicholas was talking about Witchcraft and extraordinary powers this concerned the lawyer who noticed the growing bitterness and paranoia in Nicholas leat though trying to appear indifferent couldn't help but feel a shiver upon hearing his friend's accusations despite everything he ordered Ro to convince Nicholas to leave Paris suggesting that take him to Italy under the pretext of accompanying his sick mother he knew he would lose Nicholas forever but he was convinced it was best to protect him even if it meant tormenting his friend with doubts and suffering for the rest of his life time passed and when Lestat finally decided it was time to ensure that his orders were being followed he headed once again to Ro's house there the lawyer stunned and nervous informed him of something unexpected lat's mother had arrived in Paris the news hit leat like a lightning bolt filling him with anguish and confusion Ro explained that his mother's health was in a critical State and that she had traveled to the city to see him one last time she was staying nearby on is D St Louis and Nicholas was with her overwhelmed by emotions leat realized that time was running out and that he had to see her before it was too late Ro desperate urged him to go immediately warning him that his mother's will however strong could not keep her alive for much longer leat unable to think clearly ordered the lawyer to return to his mother's side and not let her die before he arrived part three viaticum for the mares chapter 22 leat is a different kind of vampire from many of his kind as he wakes up before most when the sky is still tinged with the red of Twilight this characteristic gives him an advantage over other vampires who do not rise until complete darkness has fallen although he was not aware of it at the time this trait would be crucial in the future on one of those nights before the light had completely faded leat headed to Paris on Horseback determined to see his mother Gabriel who was in the city and very near death upon arriving at the Mansion where she was staying he was received by servants maids and a nurse who informed him that his mother despite her weakness had insisted on dressing and sitting by the window to see him arrive leat asked them to extinguish all the candles except one and that Nicholas his friend and Ro his lawyer leave the room as he entered he saw his mother dressed in an elegant blue taida gown sitting with great dignity despite her evident weakness her beauty remained intact andless Tad experienced a moment of Happiness being with her as if everything were normal as if death were not near however the smell of death and sickness in his mother was unmistakable to leat and he could not bear to see it as they talked Gabriel showed a surprising calmness about the situation even as leat realized that she perceived his love and understood that he loved her deeply despite her physical pain Gabrielle was aware of her State and the gravity of the situation as leat struggled with his own fears and emotions his mother in an act of desperation asked him to tell her what had become of him what had changed at that moment leat not fully aware of what he was doing made a Monumental decision he decided to offer his mother the same life he had received an immortal existence as a vampire the change in leat was instant and decisive without words he showed his mother what he was now and what that entailed Gabrielle though astonished and bewildered accepted without hesitation she did not want to die and her will to live was stronger than her fear of the unknown with determination lead approached his mother and in an act that United all his emotions drank her blood sealing her fate as a vampire leat held her as the Mortal life drained from her body until Gabriel herself with renewed strength began to drink from lat's blood completing her transformation in the end leat weakened by the loss of blood was supported by his mother who was now an immortal being like him the transformation was complete and lat gazed at his mother who was now a vampire with a mix of astonishment and pain the room spun around him as he collapsed into a nearby chair feeling the enormity of what he had just done chapter 23 Lestat sat in a chair disoriented and Confused feeling as if he had slept for an eternity but without having slept at all for a moment he believed he was in his father's Castle searching for his dogs the fire poker and a glass of wine however he soon realized he was in Paris in a room decorated with golden curtains with the view of notra Dame cedral silhouetted against the Starry Sky and then he saw her Gabrielle his mother stood before him holding a candle Abra she had lit the candles one by one and the soft light illuminated her face face now rejuvenated and perfect the signs of illness and old age had almost completely disappeared leaving only slight wrinkles that accentuated the symmetry of her face her breasts withered by illness had regained their fullness and her hair full of life seemed to stir on its own gleaming with multiple tones leat marveled at the transformation of his mother who now shared his vampiric nature it was the first time he had looked at another being like him since Magnus had thrown himself into the fire he called her by her name Gabriel a name he had never used to address her before and she smiled at him filling him with a mix of emotions including The Thirst that was beginning to scream inside him Gabriel now silent seemed as astonished by her new existence as he was her body had changed profoundly and although leat tried to communicate with her mentally he could not catch any response it was as if Gabrielle were closing her mind to him which filled him with uncertainty despite the lack of communication Gabriel showed Renewed Energy urging him to continue and leave the room together leat though weakened by the transformation felt overwhelmed by the need to embrace her and ensure they would never part he lifted her off the floor spinning her in his arms and they shared a moment of Joy before facing the reality that Mortals awaited them on the other side of the door including Nicholas and Roe Gabrielle calmly surveying her surroundings decided they should leave through the window instead of confronting the humans waiting outside with unexpected firmness she said farewell to the objects in the room and prepared for what was to come together they escaped through the window climbing down the building's wall and running across the rooftops of Paris Gabriel Fearless reveled in the experience while leat guided her through through the city showing her what he had learned in his new life the thrill of sharing those moments with Gabrielle was Indescribable for lat they leaped onto a moving Carriage laughing and enjoying their New Freedom when they reached a neighborhood perfect for hunting leat let Gabrielle take her first victim he watched with Fascination as she without hesitation seduced and killed a young man though leat had forgotten to warn her about the need not to completely drain the victim Gabriel did so instinctively showing an innate understanding of her new nature after the hunt Gabriel insisted on continuing to explore despite the pain of her transformation leat aware of the presence of another being like them in the city tried to keep her safe but Gabriel seemed more concerned with the mystery of that presence which mocked them from a distance as the night progressed Lestat realized that Gabrielle possessed all the powers he did in including the ability to sense the presence of other vampires however what worried him most was that despite these gifts they could not communicate mentally this disconnection Disturbed them but leat found solace in knowing that at least they were together and would have eternity to discover why this strange barrier existed between them chapter 24 after crossing the river leat found a victim and as he hunted he realized that everything he had done in solitude up to that point he would now do alongside Gabrielle the idea of her watching him during the hunt excited him and though he tried to demonstrate a bit more cruelty and Mischief he realized that the intensity of death left him exhausted Gabrielle for her part enjoyed the scene absorbing every detail as if she could do so as easily as she absorbed blood after the hunt they embraced feeling each other's warmth and sharing a deep Connection in the darkness of the night where even the thin fabric of their clothes seemed strange to them that night which seemed endless became one of the longest and most intense in lat's Immortal Life the dimension of time faded and though he repeated Gabrielle's name to accustom himself to the idea of her transformation she was no longer just his mother she was her the woman he had always needed and loved as they sought refuge in an empty basement leat spoke with Gabrielle telling her in detail what happened since his transformation he explained about Magnus the presence he had felt in the city and how he had decided not to pursue it though he tried to communicate with her mentally it was in vain but Gabrielle listened to his words attentively more interested in what lay ahead in her new life than in the details of the past Gabrielle's transformation was complete and with it came uncontrollable energy there was no wall she couldn't climb no door she didn't want to open it seemed as if she believed she had only that night to live with Supernatural vitality and that she had to experience everything before death claimed her again at dawn leat on the other hand felt the need to rest and reflect but Gabriel wanted to keep going experiencing and exploring she proposed entering Mortals houses to look for clothes and leat though initially surprised by the suggestion soon found himself following Gabriel upstairs and through hallways exploring humans belongings in a house in St Germain Gabrielle found a pink velvet dress that fit her perfectly transforming once again into an elegant and ethereal figure they wandered through the Opera the comedy and later at the ball in the P Royal enjoying how mortal saw them without truly seeing them feeling an inexplicable attraction to them later while exploring churches they felt the presence again though this time it was more fleeting and confusing Gabriel more than anything enjoyed the dark and empty streets the sense of power that came from being invisible and the security that their vampiric nature offered for her the fact that they could go unnoticed in the most dangerous corners of the city was the most astonishing while wandering through a deserted Market Gabrielle found her next victim a young man on Horseback who walked carelessly among the closed stalls without hesitation she knocked him off the mount and with a coldness that surprised leet quickly killed him taking only a sip of his blood the ease with which Gabrielle ended the young man's life just to steal his clothes disconcerted and enraged leat but Gabrielle did not pause to consider the morality of her actions for her there was no need for Mercy Gabriel dressed in the young man's clothes transforming once again now into a handsome young man with blonde hair tied with a Scarlet ribbon less tat overwhelmed by his mother's metamorphosis and inexhaustible Energy felt a mix of admiration and horror Gabriel however showed no concern and asked Lestat to take her to the boulevard du Temple to see the theater he had closed they returned to Isle St Louis where Gabrielle sensed the nearby presence of Nicholas and Roe leat tried to use his powers to make his may break her ties and come to them managing to Free the Animal and take them to Magnus Tower where they would spend the day as they descended into the dungeons Gabriel showed indifference to the dampness and stench of the place focused solely on the new life she had begun in the Crypt Gabrielle chose a sarcophagus to rest in one with the figure of a knight carved on the lid as she prepared for the daytime sleep Gabrielle cut her long blonde hair with a pair of golden scissors she had taken from a house transforming once again this time into a young man with short curly hair less hat watching the locks of hair fall to the floor felt overwhelmed by the situation and the pain of seeing his mother transformed so completely before she fell asleep leat shared one last gesture of affection letting drops of his blood fall onto her lips sealing their connection as Immortal companions finally Lestat closed the sarcophagus over Gabriel letting silence and darkness envelop his mother in her new stone bed chapter 25 Lestat woke up in the Crypt with a feeling of disgust the cold the stench from the lower cells and the perception that everything dead lay there Disturbed him he was worried that Gabriel might not wake up fearing that what he had done the night before had been an irreversible mistake however he decided not to open the coffin again considering it an act of arrogance and a violation of the intimacy they had shared when they were both Mortals he left a torch burning for her and went out of the crypt in search of fresh air he ascended to Magnus chamber where he watched the Twilight fade over Paris while waiting leat distracted himself by choosing Jewels for Gabriel delicate objects that could Adorn her masculine clothes but fear assaulted him what if she didn't wake up the thought terrified him and the value of the jewels faded for him suddenly leat felt someone watching him he turned alarmed but but saw no one then he looked toward the window and saw her Gabriel floating in the air clinging to the bars and smiling with an expression that shifted from Serenity to malice the sight frightened him but also relieved him knowing that she had awakened Gabrielle explained that she had climbed the wall and together they decided to meet on the upper battlements Gabrielle was full of energy as exuberant as the night before leat wanted to show her the inner chamber and The Jewels but she seemed more interested in leaving the tower and returning to Paris her hair paler and more luminous than before radiated a supernatural Glory though fascinated by The Jewels leat showed her Gabriel had a restlessness in her expression a slight gesture of pain that betrayed her thirst there was something in her behavior that unsettled leat an emotional distance that became evident leat spoke of his obligations in Paris mentioning Ro and Nicholas but Gabrielle surprised him with her coldness towards them she didn't care about them at all and would never see them again this statement left leat perplexed and frightened afraid that Gabrielle was losing her Humanity Gabrielle began to question the need to stay connected to the mortal world showing a growing Detachment from everything that had tied her to her previous life leat tried to reason with her but Gabrielle saw no point in maintaining those connections her cold and dispassionate logic Disturbed him especially when she suggested that he might share his power with Nicholas an idea that leat immediately rejected Gabrielle seemed to accept his decision but something in her gaze denoted incomprehension suddenly Gabrielle realized that her hair which she had cut the night before had grown back completely horror overwhelmed her and she began to scream gripped by uncontrollable panic leat tried to calm her explaining that it was a natural phenomenon in her new state but Gabrielle's screams resonated with unbearable pain leat desperate shook her trying to make her understand that there was nothing to fear that her hair would grow back every time she cut it Gabrielle finally calmed down but she was deeply affected leat seeing her anguish decided to distract her by talking about the places she had visited in her youth wishing they could travel together to those sites now that they were Immortal little by little Gabrielle regained her composure though still shaken by what had happened Lestat offered to cut her hair every night and burn it as a way to control what had frightened her so much in the end Gabrielle accepted the idea and returned to her usual state with a determined expression on her face leat helped her dress in a new shirt and combed her hair making a long braid though still affected she seemed seemed to have overcome the initial Panic they decided to go for a walk together through the boulevards enjoying the night with their faces flushed and their skin warm after having fed however the shadow of the presence persisted barely perceptible but enough to make them turn their heads from time to time chapter 26 around 3: in the morning when Gabriel and leat reached the Stables they again felt the unsettling presence that had been haunting them although they had lost it for a while the sense of malevolence returned with Force making them feel watched this constant game of appearances and disappearances was driving leat mad Gabrielle for her part was glad to be back on the road to the tower longing to escape the city's noise and Enjoy the Silence of the open Countryside they rode the May at high speed delighting in the wind caressing their faces and the stars shining over the dark Hills however Lestat couldn't help but wonder if Gabrielle had been crying silently at some point during the night he had noticed that at certain moments she appeared somber and Silent her eyes vibrating as if she were holding back tears as they Advanced through a dense forest near a stream the mayor suddenly reared and swerved sharply almost throwing them from the saddle leat surprised by The Animals reaction struggled to control it the mayor who knew the path well refused to continue nighing and turning in the opposite direction Lestat finally managed to stop her and when both concentrated they clearly felt the malevolent presence among the trees Gabriel urged Lestat not to advance towards that presence but he enraged decided to confront it with Fierce determination leat spurred the May towards the bridge that crossed the stream Fury burned within him and just as the Mar's Hooves struck the wood leat saw the demons for the first time beings with white faces and cadaverous arms screeching from the branches of the trees without thinking leat cursed them as they crossed the bridge but soon one of the creatures fell onto the M scratching leat with a quick move leat slashed with his sword wounding the attacker and watching it fly into the darkness another creature tried to attack them but Gabriel intercepted it cutting off its arm blood poured from the wounds as as the screams filled the air leat tried to turn the mar around but the terrified animal almost collapsed Gabriel took control and directed The M towards the tower while the creature screeches echoed behind them exhausted they abandoned the m and ran towards the tower closing gates and doors behind them until they reached the secret chamber they barely managed to place the slab in place before hearing the creatures scratching the tower walls trying to force their way in Gabriel and leat lit a fire in the window to drive away the attackers through the bars leat could see the emaciated faces and dirty hands of the creatures who screeched and cursed they were vampires like them but in a pitiful State as the Flames Rose the vampires retreated cursing and vowing revenge until they finally disappeared although exhausted leat and Gabrielle realized that the attackers had not been able to break through the gate however their anger grew when they realized that the creatures had killed the young groom who worked for lat lat's Fury increased knowing he had not been able to protect him despite the suffocating heat from the fire Gabriel and Lestat remained seated in the chamber aware that the danger had not yet passed finally leat exhausted by the night's events let himself fall asleep when he awoke he saw a youthful and beautiful figure walking through the chamber but soon he realized that of course it was Gabriel whose appearance seemed increasingly ethereal and Supernatural chapter 27 Gabrielle seemed possessed by an overwhelming energy as she wandered around the room though her beauty remained unchanged she trampled on the remains of the py with contained Fury until she managed to calm down and directed her gaze toward the sky aware that Dawn was approaching they discussed the nature of the creatures that had attacked them them filled with questions about their identity and the curses they had hurled calling them outcasts and blasphemers lat restless and determined insisted they leave the tower immediately as they didn't know the exact moment when the creatures would wake again Gabrielle for the first time since she had been transformed showed signs of vulnerability asking where they would go leat suggested seeking refuge in a church in a nearby Village a place the creatures would never dare to profane as leat prepared he took two rosaries from Magnus treasure one of pearls and another of emeralds and gave them to Gabriel believing they might repel the creatures if they encountered them again although Gabrielle seemed skeptical she accepted the rosary with a resigned gesture lat's confidence surprised her but it also filled her with a fear that radiated from her being as she watched the sky begin to brighten when they reached the Stables they encountered a maab scene the young groom's body mutilated and thrown to the ground draped in a red velvet coat this sight sent a shiver down Gabrielle's spine who felt the cold and weakness beginning to take over her body leat filled with rage vowed to avenge the creatures for what they had done hurrying to the Village they managed to enter the church unnoticed Gabrielle increasingly weakened by the approaching Dawn expressed her doubts about resting in a sacred place but leat dismissed her fears arguing that God did not reside in the church he led her to an ancient Crypt beneath the altar where he opened a slab revealing a forgotten Seiler inside the Seiler they huddled in the darkness among the remains of a decayed coffin and ancient bones Gabrielle in a trance expressed her relief at being far from the light while leat tried to calm her by assuring her they were safe however despite the Refuge leat couldn't fall asleep his mind remained obsessed with the red coat they had placed on the groom's body was it one of his own garments had the creatures entered the tower the uncertainty nod at him but exhausted he finally succumbed to sleep leaving those questions unanswered chapter 28 lead awoke in the Crypt to the sweet and familiar sound of religious chants resonating from the church above the singing reminiscent of his childhood brought back memories of winter nights in The Village Church wrapped in the Smoke of incense as the priest elevated the monstrance now however those hyms signified danger the church was filled with parishioners and both he and Gabriel were trapped beneath a marble slab surrounded by the remains of a decaying skeleton as leat oriented himself in the darkness he felt Gabrielle's immobile body beside him her hands cold as death CL clinging to him he tried to remain calm but he knew they couldn't leave the Crypt until the church was empty the space felt claustrophobic and the idea of staying there among the dead became increasingly intolerable suddenly he felt Gabriel stir although he couldn't see her in the darkness he knew she had awakened and sensed the Panic beginning to overtake her he tried to soothe her Whispering that they were safe in the church but she was terrified by the presence of the Blessed Sacrament on the alter desperate to escape she began to pound on the walls and the slab covering them and lat feeling Gabriel's Panic infect him decided they had to leave immediately they devised a daring plan to leave the Crypt dramatically like true vampires to frighten the parishioners and Escape amidst the chaos with a push Lestat lifted The Marble Slab and leaped into the choir wrapping himself in his cloak as he let out a ferocious scream The Mortals in the church reacted with Terror rising to their feet and screaming Gabriel followed emitting a high-pitched whale and together they ran down the central aisle throwing open the church doors and launching themselves into the night Panic erupted among the congregation and leat in one last act to sa chaos through gold coins onto the floor causing some Believers to bend down to collect them While others fled in fear Gabriel and he ran through the sem cemetery and into the forest where they found a large house with Stables using his power leat called for the horses and within seconds a beautiful gelding galloped out they leaped onto it and with Gabrielle seated in front of leat they rode towards Paris leaving behind the chaos they had created chapter 29 as they approached Paris leat tried to formulate a plan aware that they were heading towards an inevitable battle against the creatures that pursued them the situation reminded him of that morning when armed only with his rage and will he had gone out to hunt wolves now once again he faced an enemy with the determination not to yield as they neared monm Matra they felt the disturbing murmur of the Hostile presence like a poisonous vapor in the air both knew they needed to prepare so they stopped at a small farm where they found a sleeping couple and fed on them then with their minds clear from the Fresh blood they discussed their next steps leat was determined to confront the creatures but Gabriel warned him of the dangers of approaching his friend Roe fearing they might lead the monsters to him finally lead agreed that they first needed to resolve the threat of the creatures before attending to Mortal matters as they Advanced towards the boulevard du Temple Gabriel mentioned something that changed the course of their thoughts she recalled that the red velvet coat they had found on the stable boy's body belonged to Nicholas delant a clear message from the creatures overwhelmed by Fury and fear leat decided he could not ignore this clue Gabrielle however believed that Nicholas was alive a prisoner of those beings which only intensified lat's anger rain accompanied them as they arrived at the Boulevard where leat reflected on his strategy he knew he had to be careful and not let rage take over but rather maintain control aware that his enemies were superstitious and easily frightened in the narrow alleys near notra Dame the presence of the creatures became more evident pale faces began to appear on the rooftops and leat felt Gabriel's grip tighten on his wrist they moved forward knowing the creatures were stalking them until finally they were surrounded descending from the walls and blocking their way leat sword in hand charged at them managing to carve a path through with Fury the creatures retreated but soon regrouped around the place to grieve Gabrielle with her gaze and the hilt of her sword managed to hold the creatures at Bay for a moment but the situation worsened as Moore emerged from the Shadows inciting the others to attack lat's horse reared under the pressure of conflicting commands Lestat wanted to advance while the creatures tried to stop him he decided they had to abandon the animal and they ran towards notra Dame the creatures filled with hatred shouted that they wouldn't dare enter the cathedral but leat was sure they would be safe there as they crossed the doors the creatures cries turned to shrieks of Despair as if an explosion had scattered them inside the cathedral leat and Gabriel collapsed onto the stones exhausted but safe leat laughing at the flight of their enemies noticed Gabriel beside him trying to calm herself the ention of the battle had been intense and now kneeling in the shadow of the cathedral they both caught their breath feeling they finally had a moment's respit in the midst of their hunt Chapter 30 after a while in silence leat noticed Gabriel tense staring towards the square in a low but firm voice she warned him not to think about Nicholas as the creatures could hear everything that passed through their minds the situation was delicate and the creatures seemed to be playing with their thoughts trying to manipulate them leat however tried to grasp what was going on in the minds of those beings but could only hear a confusing murmur amid that unease leat was overcome by a strange sense of Peace an invitation to surrender to stop fighting and give in to the creatures in his mind visions of Nicholas being tortured appeared increasing his despair but Gabriel brought him back to reality insis in he not think of those images the presence continued Whispering attempting to convince them to leave the church under Promises of safety and relief leat resisted these Temptations mentally challenging the creatures and demanding to see Nicholas meanwhile Gabriel picked up fragments of conversation among the beings who seemed confused and divided suddenly a deep silence fell and leat began to feel a despair unfamiliar to him something he had always fought against he recalled the image of Magnus leaping into the p and this thought Disturbed him deeply as if someone were toying with his emotions at that moment a figure appeared in the church materializing as a young man who didn't seem human he was a creature of ethereal Beauty dressed in ancient clothes reminiscent of Magnus in his bearing but with a disturbing Youth and Purity Gabriel surprised why watched as the young man approached with a gaze that inspected everything his voice the same that had tried to seduce them mentally was now soft and persuasive inviting them to join him leat however remained firm resisting the creatur's charm he asked about Nicholas but the young man avoided the question focusing on other matters leat tried to penetrate the being's mind but received only strange and disturbing images that filled him with disgust despite the attraction he felt towards the young man leat resisted giving in keeping his will strong the young man frustrated by lat's resistance showed his wounded Pride Gabriel beside him perceived the creatures weakness his pride and his contained Fury at not being able to dominate them as expected the tension grew and lat continued defiantly asking why the young man didn't want the others to see him inside the church the young man's face Twisted in a fit of rage revealing a terrifying aspect but less tat far from being intimidated let out an involuntary laugh the strange one furious at being mocked returned to his Angelic form but leat had already seen his weakness Gabrielle and leat decided to act mentally inviting the other creatures to enter the church assuring them they would not be harmed realizing what they were doing the Young man tried to force them out of the church but leat and Gabrielle confronted him together managing to immobilize him momentarily however the young man counterattacked furiously striking leat and sending him flying out of the church the situation grew increasingly dangerous and leat prepared for whatever might come knowing the creatures were close and the battle was far from Over part four The Children of the Night chapter 31 leat and Gabriel found themselves in a desperate situation surrounded by vampiric creatures that stalked them with a nearly childlike ferocity as they tried to escape towards the bridge the leader of the vampires ordered her followers to capture them assuring them that leat and Gabriel possessed no special powers despite Gabrielle's insistence not to resist Lestat could not accept surrender they headed towards the hotel duw forcing their way through the crowd but soon the creatures caught up with them cornering them in the dark streets of the riv go there the vampires completely surrounded them their pale faces appearing everywhere leat tried to draw his sword but was quickly immobilized as was Gabriel as they were dragged away leat instinctively knew where they were being taken the cemetery of less innocence a dark and foul smelling place where bonfires burned every night to disperse the miasmas of death leat tried to fight against the repulsive stench and horror of the place but it was in vain the creatures though also disgusted by the environment seemed to Revel in their own suffering breathing in the stench with delight Gabriel beside him visibly trembled clinging to him tightly as they were led into the depths of the cemetery they descended a staircase into an even darker and more foul smelling catacomb where the stench was almost unbearable in a moment of weakness leat vomited blood due to the intensity of his disgust upon reaching the bottom of the stairs they were pushed into a large vaulted chamber barely lit by three torches held by other vampires in that Darkness leat sensed Nicholas's presence alive but in a state of deep confusion and despair the screams and laments of vampires buried in the depths filled the air as leat tried to maintain his composure when they were thrown to the ground they stood up and L observed with horror Nicholas who seemed to have gone mad unable to recognize them the place was filled with other vampires all in various stages of decomposition their bodies covered in rags the drums beat loudly creating an atmosphere of unbearable tension despite the situation leat remained calm aware that they were surrounded by vampires who watched them with envy and curiosity unable to understand how he and Gabriel had managed to m maintain their Humanity Lestat began to provoke them mocking their situation and questioning their Devotion to Satan the vampires though initially threatening began to show signs of confusion and fear it seemed that the authority that held them together was being challenged and the situation was becoming increasingly unstable leat took advantage of this uncertainty to maintain superiority aware that any misstep could be deadly finally an imposing figure the leader of the vampires made his entrance his presence was so powerful that the screams of the buried intensified and the vampires surrounding leat and Gabriel began to scream frantically the sound of the drums became deafening and leat sensing that something terrible was about to happen prepared to face the being who was approaching chapter 32 leat and Gabriel were taken to the main chamber of the coven a dark circle surrounded by vampires to formed by time and Madness in the center the leader a young man of angelic appearance and ethereal Beauty stood impassive his face despite its innocence emanated undeniable power while the drums echoed in the Gloom the leader remained silent without uttering a word while the other vampires watched expectantly next to the leader a regal-looking female vampire dressed in rags began to laugh maniacally her laughter broke the silence and unsettled the assembly despite the filth and wear of her garments she had been beautiful in her time and her manic laughter heightened the tension in the air as she approached leat her Madness was evident but so was her Keen perception of the situation the woman proclaimed that she had foretold lat's arrival and that her warnings had been ignored by the rest of the coven in the back of the chamber Nicholas trapped in a cage above a higher began to stir although his face showed signs of Madness a glimmer of Reason appeared in his eyes upon seeing leat the tension in the chamber grew and the woman continued to speak in a nearly prophetic tone while the young leader remained expressionless the young vampire who had tried to impose himself on lead in the church now filled with Fury attempted to accuse leat of breaking the coven's laws of acting like a mortal and defying the dark Traditions they follow however leat with a calm Defiance mocked the accusations and questioned why these vampires with all their gifts lived in misery and fear the old vampire queen intrigued by lat's audacity encouraged him to continue Lestat seized the opportunity to criticize the superstitions that kept these vampires in their deplorable State and openly challenged the leader to explain why they did not dare live among Mortals as he did his speech echoed through through the chamber sowing doubt among those present who began to question their self-imposed suffering finally the young leader who had observed everything in silence spoke with a soft and authoritative voice he declared that the assembly was over and ordered the other vampires to withdraw the members of the coven confused but obedient began to disperse leaving leat Gabriel and Nicholas alone with the leader and the old queen as the other vampires left the leader whose name was revealed to be Armand turned to leat with a look that indicated his judgment was not yet over chapter 33 leat Gabriel and Nicholas found themselves alone in the vast underground chamber illuminated only by the dim glow of a torch as the vampires dispersed Lestat faced Armand seeking answers in his enigmatic gaze Armand the leader of the coven oberved him in silence his expression a mystery leat attempted to understand him appealing to his Humanity but what he found was a being trapped in Superstition and fear of the unknown Armand with a voice soft but Laden with restrained anger spoke of the ancient Mysteries and laws that had governed vampires for centuries he explained how novices were subjected to terrible trials buried alive and left to their fate until they managed to escape their tombs only then After experiencing death and Terror firsthand were they granted The Dark Gift of immortality these rituals kept vampires bound to a dark existence fearful of the light and reverent of sacred symbols that according to Armand could condemn them to hell if profaned however leat did not share this view to him these Traditions were nothing more than archaic superstitions he confronted Armand arguing that times had changed and that vampires needed to adapt to the new era leat asserted that he represented a new form of evil one that did not need to hide in the shadows or fear the cross he was the perfect Predator camouflaged among Mortals living among them and hunting with cunning despite his anger Armand began to show signs of doubt and fear the vision of leat as a modern vampire capable of living among men without losing his sanity unsettled him Armand raised in a time when faith and Superstition dominated could not comprehend how leat could defy such deeply ingrained beliefs the old vampire queen who had been observing the confrontation intervened with a laugh that echoed in the Crypt she like Magnus before her had seen the world change and knew that Madness and love for Mortals were inevitable for vampires who tried to live among them according to her love for humans born of compassion and standing was what would ultimately lead vampires like leat to ruin leat overwhelmed by the tension and exhaustion refused to accept this Vision he despised the idea that loving Mortals was an inevitable and tragic fate he mocked the queen and Armand asserting that his place was among men and that his love for them did not weaken him but strengthened him finally feeling there was nothing more to discuss leat took Nicholas who could barely stand and escaped the Crypt with Gabrielle they left the coven behind and disappeared into the streets of Paris determined to leave that cursed place and find a safe haven when they reached Magnus Tower leat was exhausted both physically and emotionally Nicholas weakened but still alive was taken to a cell where he could rest Gabriel concerned for the safety of her son and Nicholas suggested that they take him out of France as soon as possible so that no one would believe his Delirious stories leat unable to think clearly only desired the comfort of silence and darkness far from the voices that still echoed in his mind in the Crypt as they prepared to rest Gabriel tried to comfort leet but he was plunged into an abyss of Despair and confusion for the first time the weight of his immortality crushed him and he longed for the Silence of the Grave a rest he could never find chapter 34 upon waking leat was enveloped in the screams and curses of Nicholas who was banging on the oak door of his cell furious at being imprisoned The Echoes of his voice filled the tower and his human scent so tempting reached leat through the thick stone walls although Gabriel continued to sleep deeply Nicholas's words resounded like a symphony of Madness and despair mingled with memories of times past Le cat Rose from his rest and ascended the stairs each step bringing him closer to the Whirlwind of hatred and despair that was Nicholas memories of humanity the days in ovia and shared wine mingled with the present reality now he was no longer a mere mortal but a being faced with impossible decisions Nicholas trapped in his suffering reproached leat for not granting him the power he now shared with Gabrielle lat's internal struggle grew as he ascended he knew he couldn't simply dispose of Nicholas his old friend Knew Too Much about his new life about the secrets of vampires and was being consumed by an insatiable desire for power the conflict within him became even more intense when he finally came face to face with Nicholas he was trembling sweaty and filled with rage ranting about the Injustice of being left behind while leat had shared The Dark Gift with Gabriel the tension between them was palpable every word from Nicholas was a reproach a reminder of the Betrayal he felt leat who had loved Nicholas deeply in his human life now faced the reality of what his immortality meant Nicholas's words filled with hatred and despair struck leat like a storm but what hurt the most was the truth behind them Nicholas had never truly understood the curse that was The Dark Gift and now his old friend was trapped in a spiral of Madness finally Le gave in to the internal pressure in an act of desperation he offered Nicholas what he so desperately desired immortality as he bit him he felt Nicholas's internal struggle his pain and Terror but also his Longing For Eternity leat held him as Nicholas's life faded and then by cutting his own flesh offered him the blood that would transform him the process was devastating for both Nicholas still filled with hatred and confusion accepted lat's blood eagerly licking the cut on his throat as if it were his last salvation however when the transformation was complete Nicholas was left in a state of apparent Catatonia unable to respond or move on his own he seemed to have lost all willpower Gabriel A Silent Witness to the transformation took Nicholas and cleaned him dressing his now Immortal body in dark clothes almost like a cleric she who had accepted her new nature with a cold Serenity LED Nicholas on his first hunt as if he were a child learning to walk leat watching them realized that there was a silent communication between them a connection that he did not share finally he was left alone in the tower overwhelmed by a feeling of emptiness and understanding now he could not bear Nicholas's presence his old friend had become an unbearable burden a constant reminder of the consequences of his decisions the fire in the Hearth could not soothe the cold he felt inside and he realized that the Solitude he had once desired was now his only Refuge chapter 35 upon waking the next night Lestat realized he had to do something for Nicholas who had been trapped in a stuper since his transformation Lestat decided that the only way to revive his Spirit would be to bring him the one thing Nicholas had loved in his mortal life his violin he believed that by playing it Nicholas might find a reason to live in his new condition and perhaps the ice now surrounding lat's heart would melt Gabriel upon waking listened to lat's plan and expressed concern about the danger of returning to Paris alone however Lestat was determined he knew that Gabrielle was needed at Nicholas's side who in his current state was vulnerable to any attack additionally Lestat wished to confirm if they truly had a truce with the other vampires under less innocence before going in search of the violin leat wandered through Paris hunting in the tillies and the boulevards trying to convince himself that the vampire assembly was no longer a threat however his vigilance did not diminish and finally he heard the presence of the other vampires near renault's theater hidden in the shadows not out of malevolence but out of desperation as he approached the alley next to the theater leat found for vampires huddled against the wall fearful and Confused among them was the Dark-eyed woman and the gray-eyed boy who begged for help they told him that Armand had begun destroying the assembly throwing his followers Into the Fire and sealing the tunnels leading to their meeting place leat initially incredulous was surprised to hear that the old vampire queen had voluntarily thrown herself into the Flames laughing as she did so now Armand had destroyed most of the assembly and the few remaining begged Lestat to form a new assembly with them although leat was reluctant he advised them to adopt mortal disguises and blend in with humans suggesting they become mimes or street performers finally he agreed to let them use renault's theater as a refuge a gesture the Dark-eyed woman named alenny deeply appreciated she along with lauron Felix and Eugene promised loyalty to leat in case Arman to attack him after leaving the theater Lestat headed to Nicholas's house in search of the violin upon arriving he discovered that the house had been ransacked with books and objects scattered everywhere and a strange glow illuminated each room he soon realized that Armand was there devouring the books with an obsessive veracity absorbing all the knowledge they contained the scene deeply Disturbed leat who felt that Armand with his youthful and dangerous appearance represented a palpable threat Armand began to communicate telepathic messages insinuating that the love and satisfaction leat sought could never be found among the vampires he had created in a mental whisper Armand expressed that only they could truly understand each other and that leat would eventually seek his company terrified and overwhelmed by the intensity of armen's words Lestat fled the house and returned to Magnus Tower there he climbed to the battlements to watch the sunrise but was invaded by a profound loneliness in the midst of his desolation he heard a soft sweet voice calling him a voice that promised comfort and Oblivion but Lestat knew that voice was nothing more than a trap set by Armand lat's internal struggle was intense he recognized that Armand was trying to manipulate him even suggesting he eliminate Gabrielle and Nicholas to join him but leat resisted though the void left by armen's Retreat filled him with even greater despair kneeling in the tower Lestat realized he was trapped in a dangerous game with Armand a being who despite everything attracted him deeply the night ended with leat feeling fatally trapped in a web of loneliness betrayal and desire unsure if he would ever escape armen's influence chapter 36 upon waking leat LED Gabriel away from Nicholas to tell her everything that had happened the previous night he spoke of armen's disturbing words the growing tension between them and his concern for Nicholas with an urgent tone leat suggested they leave Paris immediately abandoning the city to Armand and the creatures now occupying the theater however Gabriel calm and reflective insisted they find answers before making any decisions despite lat's urgency she considered it crucial to understand the origins of armen's assembly and all he knew about them Gabriel insisted they stay together both to protect each other and to plan an attempt to awaken Nicholas from his current state of indifference leat though anguished agreed and together they brought Nicholas to Paris Nicholas in his apathetic State behaved like a ghost following Lestat and Gabriel without showing any sign of True Life once in Paris Lestat left Nicholas and Gabrielle near his lawyer Ro's house while he took care of the preparations for their departure the meeting with ro was straightforward the lawyer eager to believe in normality accepted without question lat's excuses about his mother's disappearance and Nicholas's situation however upon leaving the house Lestat discovered that Nicholas had disappeared Without a Trace Gabriel Disturbed explained that it had all happened too quickly and that she hadn't heard any sound or sensed any trace of of fear in Nicholas's mind with a growing sense of Despair leat and Gabriel deduced that Nicholas might have returned to Reno's theater a place filled with memories for him when they arrived at the theater they found the place deserted and in Ruins however among the debris and dust they found Nicholas sitting in the orchestra pit staring into space completely oblivious to his surroundings leat determined to elicit some kind of response from him searched for the Stratovarius violin he had bought for Nicholas after finding the instrument he placed it in Nicholas's hands who after a moment of hesitation began to play the music that emerged from the violin was devastating filled with a dark beauty that resonated throughout the empty theater as Nicholas played he seemed to unleash a storm of repressed emotions even attracting the vampiric creatures that had occupied the theater these creatures now disguised as performers joined Nicholas in a maab dance as the music filled the air with a lament that seemed to tell the tragic story of his life and transformation Nicholas with his violin and music drew the creatures to him enveloping them in his own frenzy at the end of his performance in a fit of madness he proclaimed that he had given life to the theater to vampires a place where horror and death would intertwine with art and spectacle the creatures cheered him while leat watched horrified at Nicholas's descent into even deeper Madness after the frenzied performance Nicholas confronted leat demanding control of the theater and resources to continue his new vision leat seeing the desperation and hatred in Nicholas's eyes agreed granting him the theater in the hope of freeing himself from his presence finally leat and Gabrielle left the theater but leat could not shake the feeling that he had failed Nicholas in some irreparable way Gabrielle tried to console him reminding him that Nicholas had made his decision and that they were now free of responsibility for him however Lestat knew that the danger had not completely disappeared Armand though he had not yet acted remained an imminent threat and lat realized he would have to face him before finding any peace that same night when Lestat returned to Paris he learned that Nicholas had already visited Roe demanding the title to the theater and a large sum of money in a fit of Madness Nicholas even threatened to turn all the actors and actresses in Paris into vampires alarmed Lestat decided to intervene uring Ro sent a warning to Rena's company not to return to Paris upon finding Nicholas at the theater leat confronted him warning him not to harm the actors or involve Ro in his plans elenni horrified by Nicholas's actions supported leat and finally took control of the theater before leaving leat asked aleni for information about Armand who according to her was still watching from the Shadows though no one knew what he would do once he discovered what was really happening in the theater part five the vampire Armand chapter 37 the spring rain fell softly and persistently over Paris enveloping the city in an atmosphere of diffused light and humidity at the poer Royal the noil and the Common People mingled in a dance that seemed to defy the world's concerns the music flooded the hall and the candlelight glistened on the jewelry and elegant attire of the guests Lestat stood there Among The Mortals observing with a mixture of desire and repulsion the sight of those living bodies the blood pulsing beneath the skin awakened his hunger in an almost unbearable way as he moved through the hall his vampiric perception allowed him to capture every detail the sense the glances The Whispers he felt the implicit invitation of some the lust and longing of others and the inevitable attraction to death that hung in the air despite his power and Beauty leat couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the vision of Mortals as skeletons as mere beings awaiting death amid his internal torment leat spotted Armand an impressive and dazzling figure in his formal attire Armand with his Supernatural Beauty seemed to be the only being capable of understanding the true horror of vampiric existence in an instant Lestat felt drawn to him experiencing a Love and Desire as deep as he had never felt before Aron spoke to him in his mind telling him that they had been seeking each other all night and at that moment leat knew he had found someone who shared his dark fate Armand led him to a dark room away from the hustle and bustle of of the dance where intimacy and closeness seemed to erase any trace of the monstrosity they both embodied but as leat allowed himself to be carried away by the apparent piece of the moment Armand revealed his true intention by biting him and beginning to drink his blood lat Paralyzed by the Ecstasy of the bite was slow to react but eventually he fought back with Fury throwing Armand through the glass doors and dragging him into the darkness outside lat filled with rage struck Armand with Relentless violence determined to end him however upon seeing Armand wounded and bleeding on the ground a doubt began to grow within him Armand despite his ancient evil and his attempt to dominate Lestat was also a being who shared the same curse in that moment of vulnerability Lestat felt a deep connection with him a mixture of compassion and recognition of his own loneliness and despair finally Lestat helped Arman to his feet and together they began to walk away from the poer Royal along the way leat realized that Gabriel had been watching them from the shadows and that other creatures including the new vampire assembly led by Nicholas were also nearby though the night had been a brutal trial leat knew the path ahead would be filled with even greater challenges and that his struggle to understand and accept his true nature had only just begun chapter 38 Gabriel and Lestat brought Arman to the stables and given his weaken State Lestat decided to ride behind him on the May to ensure he wouldn't fall the three rode together across the fields and Lestat pondered the implications of bringing Armand to their Refuge Gabriel without expressing any objection occasionally glanced at Armand while he small and reserved remained silent upon reaching the tower Arman stepped ahead to the gate and with a simple gesture demonstrated that he had always been able to enter if he had so desired bending an iron bar with ease this display of strength left leat wondering about his own ability to replicate such a feat but he quickly decided to ignore those doubts and move forward inside the underground Crypt Gabrielle lit a fire while leat illuminated the room with candles Arman sat on a stone bench watching them leat could see how the heat and light seemed to revive him making his small figure fill with renewed strength as the room warmed Armand absorbed the light and heat and his clear gaze captured every corner of the room Gabriel with a curiosity bordering on Obsession began to tend to Armand cleaning the blood from his face and hands despite his helpless appearance Armand seemed unaffected by her presence soon his wounds began to heal and leat felt a mixture of hatred and Fascination toward him the vulnerability he displayed contrasted with the threat he still represented leat decided to question Armand about his future in Paris but he didn't give a clear answer instead he seemed lost in his own thoughts his emotions fluctuating between pain and regret through a silent exchange of glances Armand begged leat to love him to give him a chance to redeem himself and rebuild what had been lost his voice though sweet and tempting carried a warning that leat couldn't ignore as the conversation progressed Armand tried to convince leat to take him along to accept him into his life but leat aware of the danger this posed refused his request Armand desperate then appealed to the respect and love they might feel for him but his plea only revealed the Deep loneliness and pain that consumed him leat feeling increasingly overwhelmed refused again aware that that Armand was trying to manipulate him in a fit of desperation Armand cursed leat predicting that in the future he would only be saved by others of his kind though disturbed by these words Lestat tried to maintain his firm decision Gabrielle observing everything in silence intervened to challenge Armand demanding to know what more he could offer them armen's response was vague and Gabrielle with her usual frankness reproached him for his lack of understanding and his Reliance on Obsolete beliefs the verbal confrontation LED Armand into a state of confusion and weakness Gabrielle Relentless continued to question him exposing her own desires for knowledge and her growing Detachment from Humanity Gabriel's brutal honesty left Armand without answers and he began to show signs of despondency his mind once full of complexity emptied of thoughts leaving only disordered and senseless images as the tension in the Crypt grew Armand began to release an avalanche of images and emotions this emotional openness so intimate and profound was something leat had never experienced although he initially felt fear leat realized that this intimacy was something he needed to accept Armand stripped of his pride and strength revealed his true self a being marked by centuries of loneliness and suffering ing lat feeling a mixture of compassion and fear decided they could not let Armand go in that state the emotional confrontation and Gabrielle's ruthless frankness had disarmed Armand but they had also brought him closer to a revelation in that instant the connection between the three deepened and leat knew that despite the danger they needed to keep Armand with them at least for a while longer chapter 39 the Crypt vanished and L was transported to the distant lands of the past where armen's memories came to life a young boy with chestnut hair dressed in rough peasant clothes ran desperately as a horde of tartar Horsemen captured him that boy was Armand torn from his home in the vast steps of Southern Russia dragged into a new and terrifying world he did not understand after being abducted Armand was taken to Constantinople the imposing city of the last era of the Byzantine Empire a place where a chaos of languages and slave auctions defined his existence disoriented and alone he was subjected to a dark and painful fate that severed him from everything he knew years passed before Armand could comprehend his situation he was sold in Venice amidst the Splendor of its palaces and canals locked away in a luxurious house he was forced to commit unspeakable sins under the indifferent gaze of strangers the only only light in his life was his encounter with his new master a man with a smooth and luminous face dressed in red velvet who purchased him for a considerable sum this man was a vampire named Marius who with a gentle touch and a deadly kiss forever changed arman's life in the vampire's Embrace Armand experienced a pure and intoxicating love a transformation that transported him to a state of ecstasy he was taken to marius's house where his new master immersed him in a world of Art and Beauty Armand learned to paint to mix colors and to appreciate the masterpieces that emerged under the Master's brush despite the darkness surrounding him those moments with Marius sharing art and love filled him with Indescribable happiness however the peace was fleeting despite the happiness he shared with Marius there were moments when the master would be absent for long periods leaving Armand alone and full of questions Marius spoke of those who must be kept mysterious beings he had to protect but he never revealed their secrets to Armand this uncertainty filled the young man with fear but also with hope that one day he might understand those Mysteries one night armen's Paradise crumbled marius's house was attacked by a group of hooded vampires who with torches and hand set it Ablaze Marius fought valiantly but was consumed by the flames leaving Armand alone and trapped the asants took him far from Venice tormented him with their fanaticism and forced him to swear loyalty to Satan though Armand resisted with all his strength he eventually succumbed accepting a fate of darkness and pain Armand was taken to Rome where he met Santino a vampire leader who taught him the laws of the children of Darkness these laws were strict only the leader could turn a mortal into a vampire and the existence of vampires had to remain secret furthermore old vampires were to be destroyed to prevent Madness and new ones were not to be created with overly powerful blood Santino also told him about the children of the Millennia ancient and Powerful vampires who had survived for centuries and according to Legend still roamed the world however Armand found no comfort in these stories his master Marius was dead and with him all that had once given meaning to his existence had been lost over the centuries that followed Armand became a devout servant of the vampire laws he perfected his art of hunting Mortals and gathered scattered vampires teaching them the dark ceremonies and rights of the assembly however he harbored two deep Secrets he had never turned a mortal into a vampire and his despair grew with each passing night Armand lived a hollow existence believing in nothing Desiring nothing and finding no satisfaction in his increasing Powers he watched as many of his companions succumbed to Madness or death and began to wonder if he was destined to be one of the children of the Millennia an immortal vampire condemned to wander for eternity without purpose As Time passed news from Rome ceased to arrive chaos overtook the assemblies and Santino the leader who had taught Armand disappeared meanwhile Armand continued to dream of Marius his lost master and the Mystery of those who must be kept though he knew these dreams were feudal he could not help but cling to them the arrival of Lestat and Gabriel in Paris awakened conflicting emotions in Armand on the one hand he felt rage and resentment toward leat who had created Gabriel a woman is powerful and beautiful as his own lost son on the other he saw in them a reflection of what he had lost an echo of the beauty and power that Marius had represented for him finally Armand found himself before leat and Gabriel feeling as if the Earth had brought him back to life dressed in ancient clothes his mind flooded with memories and emotions he confessed his despair his lack of purpose and his incomprehension of everything that had happened in his life at the threshold of the chamber Armand a being abandoned by God silently wondered what more there was to know what more he could offer to a world that had turned its back on him chapter 40 a long silence followed as Armand still marked by his history remained seated by the fire Gabriel compassionate and melancholic sat across from him gazing into the Flames the atmosphere was Heavy with unspoken thoughts a weight of emotions that resonated in lat's mind leat lost in his Reflections couldn't stop thinking about Marius armen's ventian master who had dared to create art while living among Mortals painting tryptic and Fresco that adorned churches and palaces that vampire had committed the heretical act of giving deep meaning to his Works defying the norm that dictated that their kind could not coexist with Humanity in that way leat recalled the moment when alongside Nicholas he had felt the futility of life armen's story filled with despair seemed like an ocean in which he could drown a darkness that stretched over three centuries the figure of Armand young and radiant sitting by the fire could release a Blackness that would cover the world if he opened his mouth a darkness that only Marius with his heretical axe had tried to counter through his paintings Marius had defied the Norms of the vampires who had destroyed him refusing to separate himself from the mortal world to lat Marius represented a fascinating figure someone who had achieved The Impossible living among Mortals creating and leaving a legacy this thought filled leat with a deep desire to understand Marius to know if perhaps just perhaps he was still alive somewhere Armand in his Melancholy shared his skepticism with leat he spoke of the legend of Marius an ancient myth that persisted despite the destruction of Armand and his master despite lat's admiration Armand no longer believed in miracles to him the world had closed in on his dark reality leaving behind any possibility of Hope overwhelmed by the despair emanating from Armand leat realized that he could not stay with them both Gabriel and he knew that Armand could not accompany them on their Journey the sadness in Gabriel's eyes confirmed what they both already knew though leat wished to take Armand with them doing so would be a catastrophe for everyone the conversation turned introspective Armand aware of the inevitability of his Solitude resigned himself to his fate leat confessed that he couldn't stop thinking about Marius about the radiant figure of his master Armand however pointed out that Lestat was ignoring other Mysteries such as that of those who must be kept to leat Marius represented an obsession a figure he could not ignore Arman on the other hand saw him as just a part of a larger tragedy Armand confessed that he had always been a slave to those who wielded power over him first Marius then the children of Darkness his life had been marked by the Enchantment of others and now in his emptiness he found no meaning in his existence leat for his part had always been a rebel resisting domination this difference between them was fundamental Gabriel intervened suggest gesting that Arman should study the time in which he lived understand the art literature and music of his era she urged him to find his place in the world even if it meant returning to the theater to vampires and leading the assembly he had left behind Armand though initially rejecting the idea began to consider it recognizing that he must adapt or succumb to his despair finally Armand accepted Gabrielle's advice he decided to return to the theater to accept the gold and refuge offered by leat but he would do so with the hope of finding a purpose of fighting one last battle against the darkness that consumed him his tone changed showing renewed strength a promise that in the future perhaps they could meet again stronger and wiser Gabriel and leat feeling a silent relief embraced and kissed him Armand was docel and loving in their arms promising them that he would go to the theater and that they could find him there the next night when Armand left Lestat remained gazing at the distant fields and forests feeling a deep sadness it pained him to have lost Armand but also Nicholas and at the same time a part of himself chapter 41 back in the Crypt leat found Gabriel stoking the last Embers of the fire her face illuminated by the reddish glow he sat across from her watching as the Sparks leaped and dispersed against the dark bricks leat asked if Armand had given her what she wanted to which Gabrielle replied affirmatively but with cold indifference she declared that she was tired of vampires their Legends and curses and especially of their Humanity something she found more unbearable than anything else she was ready to venture out into the world again eager to explore as she had been on the night of her death leat still captivated by the story of Marius tried to Vince her that ancient vampires like Marius had used immortality in a different way that there were still secrets to uncover but Gabriel skeptical compared the story of Marius to a fairy tale suggesting that Armand might have invented or borrowed Marius from some Legend passionate leat insisted that Marius was real that he had felt it during armen's tale Gabriel though less convinced mentioned a detail that might lend credibility to the story the name Typhon which Armand had used without understanding its meaning she explained that Typhon was a figure from Greco Roman mythology associated with Osiris an Egyptian god though Gabriel wasn't entirely convinced she admitted that perhaps Marius had indeed existed however Gabrielle made it clear that she wasn't interested in those ancient stories she was tired of books and legends the only thing she desired was to see the world desolate Landscapes m mountains and untouched forests far from Human civilization leat on the other hand remained obsessed with the figure of Marius convinced that the ancient vampire possessed knowledge about life and time Gabriel though condescending didn't share his Fascination and asked Lestat to focus on what they themselves could do with their immortality when leat realized that their dreams of exploring wild places didn't align with his own he felt a distance between them that Disturbed Ed him with an air of farewell Gabrielle kissed leat and began to climb the stairs of the crypt she expressed her desire to leave Paris not to return until she had seen the other end of the world leat despite his doubts accepted her decision Gabrielle however had a strange intention she wanted to sleep in the Earth itself as if she needed to unite with nature more deeply she ventured into the forest dug a hole Among The Roots of Old Oaks and with a gesture of farewell let herself be buried in the earth leaving leat alone perplexed and frightened by her behavior disoriented and melancholic leat wandered around humming a Melody that resonated with the echos of the previous night as he walked he realized that his life in Paris was truly coming to an end that he was saying goodbye to everything familiar to him the sense of Freedom he had longed for was now mingled with a deep sadness finally Lestat arrived at the ruins of an old Inn moved by an Impulse he took out his dagger and carved a message into the stone addressed to Marius Marius the ancient letit is looking for you it is May of the Year 1780 and I am heading south from Paris to Lion please make yourself known as he observed his work leat felt a mixture of arrogance and satisfaction he had broken one of the dark laws by leaving the name of an immortal carved in stone but doing so gave him a sense of Liberation he wasn't someone who obeyed laws and this was just another proof of his rebellious nature part six on the path of evil from Paris to Cairo chapter 42 the last time leat saw Armand in the 18th century he was with aleni Nicholas and the other vampire actors standing in front of the door of Rena's theater Armand watched as lat's carriage made its way through the boulevard traffic shortly before leat had found Armand locked in his old dressing room with Nicholas in a strange conversation dominated by Nicholas's sarcasm and peculiar enthusiasm clad in a red frock coat and wearing a wig Armand seemed to have acquired a new opacity as if each moment since the dissolution of the old assembly had given him more solidity and strength in those final moments leat and Nicholas exchanged no words Armand on the other hand courteously accepted the keys to the Tower and a large sum of money with the promise that Ro would provide him with more when needed though armen's mind remained closed to leat he assured him that he would not harm Nicholas despite the strangeness of the farewell Lestat felt at peace thinking that Nicholas and the vampires of the theater had every chance of surviving and that Armand and he were still friends by the end of that first night Lestat and Gabriel were already far from Paris fulfilling their promise in the months that followed they traveled to Lion Torin Vienna Prague leig and St Petersburg eventually settling in Italy for several years in each place they visited leat left messages from Marius written on walls or carved in stone always hoping that someday Marius would respond to his call as they traveled leat and Gabriel encountered various vampire assemblies but they were in Decline the old rights were crumbling and the vampires who still adhered to them were few unlike these groups more interesting were the solitary vampires who camouflaged themselves among humans avoiding any contact with their own kind during their stay in Italy particularly in Venice leat immersed himself in culture and art but always with one eye on the search for Marius meanwhile he received news from Paris through letters informing him of the success of the theater to vampires the company had grown attracting actors from all over Europe and Nicholas had become a central figure though his chaotic and disordered Tendencies worried the others aleni one of the theater's vampires wrote to leat with affection urging him to return to Paris describing the theater as a bright star in the history of our race however leat couldn't contemplate that possibility he was too fascinated by the world around him a world full of cathedrals castles and the knowledge contained in the books he devoured in his Venetian Hideaway as lead explored ancient myths and legends especially the story of Osiris he found unsettling parallels with his own existence as a vampire Osiris the Egyptian god murdered by his brother and turned into the lord of the Dead evoked questions in leat about the nature of his immortality and the fate of vampires despite his studies and reflections leat couldn't escape a feeling of loneliness the messages he wrote for Marius on the stones and walls of the places he visited became a one-sided conversation that could not satisfy his growing need for answers and though Gabriel was by his side they both knew that the differences between them Amplified by their immortality were driving them further apart armen's predictions about lat's loneliness had come true although lat strove to find a purpose in his existence the shadow of Eternity and the lack of concrete answers about his nature and Destiny weighed ever more heavily on him chapter 43 even before leaving France Gabrielle had begun interrupting her travels with leat disappearing for several nights at a time in Vienna these absences stretched over 2 weeks and by the time they arrived at The Palazo in Venice she was Vanishing for entire months during their first visit to Rome Gabrielle disappeared for half a year and finally after leaving leat in Naples he returned alone to Venice while she made her way back to Veno on her own the reason for these disappearances was her attraction to the open Countryside the forests the mountains and the uninhabited islands when Gabrielle returned from these trips she did so in a lamentable State her shoes were broken her clothes in tatters and her hair completely Tangled she resembled a Spectre of the Ragged members of the Parisian assembly beneath less innocence she would wander through lat's Chambers in her dirty clothes staring at the cracks in the walls or the distorted light in the window panes questioning why an immortal needed to read newspapers live in palaces carry gold in their pockets or write letters to the Mortal family they had left behind Gabrielle would speak rapidly and with a spectral tone about the cliffs she had climbed the blizzards she had endured and the caves full of fossils and mysterious marks she had discovered then she would disappear again leaving leat irritated and bitter waiting for her return only to act offended when she finally came back during one of these reappearances in a dark alley in Verona Gabriel surprised leat with an unexpected question is your father still alive the question caught him off guard as she had been absent for 2 months and now took an interest in the family as if it mattered leat replied that yes his father was alive but very ill but Gabrielle seemed to barely pay attention despite her Detachment leat couldn't forget his family he continued writing letters to ro asking about them sending portraits of his nephews and gifts from all the places he visited the French Revolution worried him like any mortal and though he tried to discuss these matters with Gabrielle she remained indifferent urging him to forget about them over time Gabrielle's absences grew longer and the tensions between them increased leat tried to discuss the importance of staying in touch with his family but what he was really saying was a veiled plea for Gabriel's company those conversations usually saddened her and for a time she would allow herself to be more affectionate she let lat dress her in clean clothes allowed him to comb her hair and together they would go hunting chatting even attending the Opera or casinos maintaining the illusion that they were still a small United assembly despite these moments of closeness Gabrielle's absences and distant attitude when she was with lat began to undermine their Mutual affection Gabrielle expressed disturbing ideas speaking with a frankness that unsettled leat One Night in Florence after a month-long absence Gabriel began to talk about the need for a great leader who could guide the creatures of the night toward a new order a dark Monarch who would seow chaos and suffering in the world destroying human civilizations this conversation gusted leat but he was happy to have Gabrielle by his side even if only to avoid being alone with his letters however Gabrielle's words were not what leat wanted to hear she spoke of large-scale destruction of chaos that according to her humans would call satanic though it was nothing more than the natural decomposition of civilized order leat tried to understand her but couldn't accept her vision over time Gabrielle continued to show her adventurous spirit teaching leat some of the things she had discovered for example she had learned that vampires could sleep in the earth without needing coffins or catapal and wake up spontaneously at dusk although leat found some charm in the idea of rising from the grave he preferred to sleep in specially constructed coffins for him hidden in the house rather than cemeteries Gabriel however was increasingly detached from Human concerns while she listened to lat talk about the works of art he had seen or the choirs he had heard in cathedrals she seemed more interested in her own adventures and philosophies less tat for his part felt that they were drifting further apart and though his heart was breaking he had too much pride to admit it finally when they left Italy Lestat began to play dangerously with Mortals following those who seemed spiritually perfect to him imagining a connection he could never have this self-destructive Behavior led him to remember armen's warnings and in time he decided to abandon this game and return to hunting with his usual coldness in Athens he left a message from Marius expressing his confusion and despair he didn't know why he continued but he kept searching for Marius believing in something perhaps in the beauty of the world or in his will to live despite his loneliness and the growing tensions with Gabriel leat continued traveling exploring new cities new victims and new experiences never letting go of his search for answers and companionship in a world that felt increasingly strange and solitary chapter 44 before leaving Greece Lestat began receiving troubling news from France through English and French Travelers upon arriving at the European in in Ankara a large package of letters awaited him Ro his lawyer had transferred all his money to foreign Banks and advised him not to return to Paris he warned that the atmosphere in France was not favorable for monarchists and that he had urged his father and brothers to stay out of any controversy aleni on the other hand described in her letters how the Parisian public delighted in theatrical performances that ridiculed the aristocracy and the clergy Nicholas's new play featured a puppet Queen being trampled by puppet soldiers and a priest turned into a werewolf scenes that elicited laughter and Applause from the audience however elenni also spoke of Nicholas's difficult situation as he was increasingly con assumed by his power and vision to the point that they had to tie him to a chair to make him right though worried leat couldn't bear the thought of returning to Paris he remembered armen's warnings and knew he had no control over what was happening in his homeland his loneliness was profound and though he longed for Gabrielle he knew she was far ahead of him on her journey the letters that reached him in Damascus only confirmed his fears Nicholas in a fit of Madness had demanded an ancient coven and after a frenzy dance had thrown himself into the Flames the theater to vampires under his Direction had become such a successful spectacle that the public even accepted its name without question the news of Nicholas's death devastated leat he blamed himself for having turned Nicholas into a vampire and left him in Paris Gabrielle though present by his side could not console him leat wrote to Marius carving an Epitaph for Nicholas in an ancient Egyptian temple feeling lost and alone Gabriel tried to support leat accompanying him as they explored the ruins of Egypt but her presence only highlighted the growing distance between them leat consumed by sorrow watched as the world he once knew crumbled he felt trapped in a spiral of Despair unable to find solace in his surroundings or memories finally Gabrielle revealed that she had hidden a package that had arrived before their Journey up the Nile Furious leat opened it to discover a letter from Ro containing the most devastating news his family in France had been killed by peasants During the Revolution only his father had survived fleeing to New Orleans where he begged for lat's help in a desperate attempt to keep lat by her side Gabrielle pleaded with him not to go help his father but leat overwhelmed by pain and betrayal dismissed her with a viol ENT shout ordering her to leave the final separation between mother and son became inevitable marking the total collapse of the fragile connection that had kept them together chapter 45 leat dreamed of his family a dream that enveloped him in a mixture of nostalgia and Horror in the dream he found himself back at the Lion Court Castle but it was blackened burned reduced to ashes all the treasures it once held had melted or turned to dust yet his family was there embracing and laughing all of them transformed into Vampires by leat Gabriel was also present wearing a velvet dress a detail that highlighted her presence among them the house of Lion Court in its entirety had been turned into a family of vampires they were all pale and beautiful even the vampire baby lying in the Cradle the mother of the infant holding a fat rat with a long tail writhing between her fingers leaned over the Cradle to feed the child with the creature the children now ghostly chattered about their prey as they moved through the ashes alongside their pale parents even his father blind had stood up exclaiming with Biblical joy that he could see again leat was accompanied by his older brother who put his arm around lat's shoulders dressed in elegant clothes his brother looked Splendid like never before the vampire blood gave him a reserve D and spiritual Heir with a smile and a laugh his brother thanked leat for bringing them the dark gifts assuring him that if it hadn't been for him they would all be dead however his wife gently corrected him pointing out that what leat had given them was the dark right in this dream the maab family reunion was tinged with a strange Joy a relief at having been saved from Death though at the cost of an eternal existence as vampires chapter 4 6 the house was empty stripped of everything except for a violin and a small suitcase that Lestat planned to take with him on his imminent Journey while the trunks were already on their way to the ship that would depart from Alexandria Gabrielle watched him from the garden tall and slender with her usual hat and her golden hair falling freely leat feeling a deep sadness asked Gabrielle what she needed from him aware that something deeper lay hidden in her gaze despite his resolve to leave Lestat found himself trapped in a tide of conflicting emotions Gabrielle With Tears In Her Eyes asked where he was going and he coldly replied that he was going to New Orleans to be with his father until he died Gabriel horrified by the idea of leat living with him tried to dissuade him but leat determined showed no hesitation in his plans despite the visible pain on his mother's face the conversation between them became tense and filled with an unspoken farewell leat who expected to be the one begging in that goodbye found himself instead comforting Gabrielle who struggled to hold back her tears when she finally lost control lead approached her ready not to let her go but Gabrielle though she did not resist did not fully surrender to his Embrace Gabriel asked leat for a promise that he would not seek to end his existence without first meeting her leat almost disdainfully agreed to the request assuring her that he had no intention of doing so in return he asked Gabrielle to inform him of her whereabouts in the future so that he wouldn't lose her completely though Gabriel promised to fulfill his wish lat's pain was palpable and they both knew this would be their last moment together finally Gabriel left leat consumed by despair collapsed on the floor of the house unable to move or search for her the image of Gabriel disappearing into the night was etched in his mind as he lay there watching the arrival of dawn feeling the warmth of the first rays of sunlight when a young European appeared at the entrance to the Garden leat in a state of despair and anger attacked him mercilessly revealing his true nature and throwing him far away then he fled frantically seeking Refuge from the Rising Sun finally he found found a burned out house where he buried himself in the garden immersing himself in the darkness and cold to escape the danger that pursued him there in his temporary Refuge he felt safe at least for a while chapter 47 leat buried under the Earth found himself on the brink of death though he knew he could not die like a mortal his body reduced to a shell was barely a shadow of what it once was The Thirst that endless torture consumed him from within but leat refused to yield to it clinging to a will that seemed feudal his heart beat strongly echoing in his head like a drum he couldn't silence at times he could hear Mortals walking above him their distant voices alien as if they were in another world but Lestat only heard the darkness and his own Agony over time his body turned into a skeleton covered with skin his hands transformed into claws and his eyes seemed to bulge out of their sockets yet he remained alive though too weak to rise from his self-imposed grave he endured constant pain suffering Without End while his mind was trapped in memories and deranged thoughts he remembered Nicolas his friend turned vampire who had descended into madness he relived their conversations his desperation to find meaning in a world where everything seemed empty and purposeless in his mind lest tat was caught in a loop of unanswered questions why continue existing when existence itself was torment why keep feeling when every feeling was painful at some point some Mortals sought refuge in the burned house beneath which he lay leat perceived them as distant figures with the smell of their blood floating in the air he knew he could kill them and feed but he resisted preferring suffering to Salvation The Thirst however continued to torment him a call to life that he couldn't completely ignore as the days passed leat grew weaker and weaker his thoughts becoming increasingly dark he dreamed of Nicholas of his violin of the music that had filled the theater to vampires in Paris but those memories only brought him more pain reminding him of everything he had lost less tat reflected on the concept of paradise and Hell on the nature of his existence and wondered if if he would ever find an end to his suffering but deep down he knew that even though his body was about to collapse his will clung to life with an inexplicable Force still he preferred that pain to nothingness and while The Thirst continued to consume him leat remained buried a creature of nightmares trapped in his own Darkness unable to die but also unable to live fully his mind Tangled in thoughts of blood and despair kept fighting though Every Beat of his heart reminded him that he was losing that battle chapter 48 in the midst of the darkness and lethargy in which leat was submerged a deep and resonant sound began to fill the void around him it was a roar like that of a giant drum so powerful that it seemed to vibrate in his bones that sound as familiar as it was terrifying reminded him of the drums that announced theatrical performances in his childhood but much more intense like the Roar of a Canon echoing through valleys and mountains leat weakened and buried felt the sound approaching filling the world around him though it wasn't a sound a mortal ear could capture it was inescapable for leat Egypt lay in silence yet that deafening noise enveloped him driving him to the brink of panic leat trapped underground tried to move to reach the surface but his body was too weak to respond he felt that if he could scream his voice would shatter all the glass for miles around but he could do nothing only remain there helpless as the roar Drew nearer the sound grew louder until leat thought he saw a figure approaching a faint red glow in the darkness he thought that perhaps it was death coming for him that maybe death was a living entity that could take him Beyond existence where all his deeds would be forgiven and dissolved into Oblivion he tried to move to rise from the Earth but he was too weak as the noise approached Lestat felt that whatever was seeking him had found him and he could do nothing but welcome the force that called him suddenly the Earth above him began to move something or someone was unearthing him and leat with immense effort opened his eyes to see the faint light of the night sky and a pair of soft and strong hands holding him breathing fresh air brought him Indescribable pleasure and at last he saw the figure that had come to rescue him a being of beauty and goodness incomprehensible to a Vampire the creature holding him had an almost divine presence with blue eyes that reflected light from all directions surrounded by Golden lashes and hair that fell in blonde and gray waves that being was not a common vampire leat astonished by his presence felt that this being was the embodiment of love and compassion and he held him tenderly as he helped him out of the earth lat undone saw himself as a spectre a monstrous being with claws and bones and it was then that the vampire who had rescued him spoke The Stranger with a sweetness that Lestat didn't believe possible in a vampire ordered him to drink with Supernatural grace and patience the vampire pushed aside the cloth from his throat and exposed the vein inviting leat to take his blood the deafening sound filled the air again and leat driven by a primal need clung to to that being and drank the blood like Liquid Fire filled his body giving him renewed strength and as the power of centuries flowed through that blood leat finally understood who had saved him in a whisper with the little strength he had left he uttered a name Marius and the being with infinite calm confirmed his identity part 7 ancient magic ancient Mysteries chapter 49 Le woke aboard a ship cradled by the rhythmic sound of ores and the creaking of the Timbers although unable to move his limbs or open his eyes he experienced extraordinary peace his body warm as if he had just been satiated the Briny scent of the Sea and the smell of the crew's blood enveloped him but in his mind there was only Serenity gradually he began to become aware of his surroundings the sun had recently set and the ship was moving swiftly through calm Waters shrouded in Twilight when Lestat finally opened his eyes he found himself on the deck far from the sarcophagus that had contained him the sky an incandescent blue was dotted with stars that seemed closer than ever around him dark mountainous islands and cliffs illuminated by small flickering lights created a mystical scene the air was filled with the aroma of plants and flowers from the nearby land and the ship glided gracefully toward a narrow path passage between the cliffs despite the strength and Clarity he felt leat didn't bother questioning how he had arrived there or whether what he remembered was real the sight of Marius standing on the ship's Bridge captured his attention Marius with his red velvet cloak and blonde hair billowing in the wind was focused on Guiding the ship between the Rocks his presence radiated a contagious piece and leat felt irresistibly drawn to him there was no trace of arrogance or ominousness in Marius only Serene nobility and a sweetness that made him more human than any other Immortal leat had known as Marius piloted the ship the rowers responded to his silent commands slowing the rhythm of their Strokes leat fascinated by the power emanating from Marius could hear the thoughts of The Mortals on the nearby Cliffs who although he didn't understand Greek conveyed a clear message they recognized Marius as a supernatural being revering him as he passed as they entered a large Bay surrounded by Cliffs the ship stopped near an old moss covered Pier Marius took lat's hand and together they jumped onto the pier leaving the ship behind as the boat drifted toward a distant Village Marius led leat up a narrow staircase carved into the Rock ascending the cliff leat feeling the vibration of marius's power was captivated by the ascent enjoying the fresh air and the increasingly distant landscape finally they reached the top of the cliff where an immense fortified house stood before them with lights shining in its windows and Towers Marius led leat to the entrance of the house where after passing through a massive gate he guided him to a spacious chamber with a Terrace hanging over the sea in the center of the room leat found Nicholas's violin and his suitcase which sent a shiver of sadness and relief through him as he explored the room he discovered a sarcophagus in a small passage accompanied by mysterious objects a golden mask leather gloves covered in gold plates and a blanket of soft red wool these objects though intended to protect from the light whoever rested in the sarcophagus had a charm that fascinated leat however he decided to leave them and after dressing in his most elegant clothes though inappropriate for the place he prepared to search for Mar marus the Master of the House who had saved him chapter 50 leat wandered through marius's immense house marveling at every corner he discovered the place was imbued with a strange warmth and Hospitality yet infused with a touch of immortality that made it unique lit torches illuminated the hallways where doors and windows remained open allowing the seab breeze to enter and the light of the stars and Sky to reflect on the marble floors the luxurious and refined atmosphere captivated lat's attention from the first moment the Bronze Statues the delicate plants blooming in every window and Terrace and The Splendid carpets brought from distant lands turned the house into a Living Museum where art and nature coexisted in Perfect Harmony he couldn't help but admire the enormous Taxidermy animals arranged with such naturalness that they almost seemed ready to move bear lion tiger and even an elephant stood majestically in various Chambers accompanied by imposing lizards and birds of prey perched on dry branches however what captivated him most were the murals covering the walls of the house every room was decorated with vibrant Lively scenes from a sunscorch desert with a caravan of camels advancing through the Sands to a lush jungle where tropical flowers Vines and leaves seemed to leap off the walls the amount of detail was overwhelming insects birds and creatures of all kinds were hidden in every corner creating the illusion that the jungle was real and that leat had been transported to another world as he moved forward leat became increasingly engrossed in this Splendid visual fantasy the colors and Hues were Indescribable as if the painter's technique combined the classical realism of the Renaissance with a complexity of detail that defied natural proportion even in a gallery crowded with human figures from all eras from BNS and Egyptians to medieval knights and Renaissance characters the details were so precise and meticulous that leat could almost feel the moisture on some of the depicted layers see the drops of water condensed on the skin or the spider crushed under a boot lost in this world of visual fantasy leat couldn't contain his laughter though it wasn't a laugh of amusement but of pure delight at the overwhelming Beauty surrounding him however he decided to move on driven by an instinct guiding him to find Marius his journey led him to a vast Library where he found himself surrounded by walls and walls of books and manuscripts ancient maps and globes in the center of the room surrounded by comfortable armchairs and candle laas were tables cluttered with newspapers in different languages and curious objects such as fossils mummified hands and vases covered in Egyptian hieroglyphs the atmosphere was relaxed and disordered a testament to the long hours of human enjoyment that had been spent there leat felt a strange intoxication as if he were immersed in the blood of a drunken mortal but the desire to find Marius pushed him to continue he left the library descended a short staircase and crossed a hallway covered with murals until he reached an even larger room before entering leat could already hear the birds singing and smell the scent of flowers upon entering he found himself amidst a jungle of cages filled with birds of all sizes and colors as well as monkeys and baboons plants grew in pots pressed against the cages filling the air with the aroma of ferns roses and Jasmine while orchids and carnivorous plants added an exotic touch to the place leat continued on not stopping at each object or Discovery aware that he could spend an entire mortal lifetime exploring the wonders of that house finally his senses caught the unmistakable sound of marius's heart a powerful and rhythmic beat that guided him directly to his creator chapter 51 leat found himself in an 18 century parlor luxuriously lit where refined Rosewood paneling covered the stone walls and framed mirrors reached the ceiling everything in the room evoked an atmosphere of opulence and sophistication painted chests elegantly upholstered armchairs and paintings of dark Lush Landscapes the room was imbued with a nostalgic Elegance with porcelain clocks A small collection of books and glass cabinets and a recent newspaper on a side table next to an armchair covered with brocade doilies a pair of tall narrow sliding doors led to a stone Terrace where lies and red roses filled the air with perfume as he approached the Terrace Lestat saw a man dressed like him with his back turned leaning on the railing when the man turned and invited him out leat recognized Marius Marius was dressed in a style similar to lats with a red coat instead of purple and valencian Lace instead of Brussels his hair was tied with a dark ribbon and his bearing was of a super presence a figure of impossible Perfection and whiteness that nevertheless seemed deeply connected to everything around him from the stone railing to the tiny Cloud crossing the brilliant half moon in the sky leat Stood Beside him savoring the moment aware that his body was still sustained by marius's Blood running through his veins Awakening all the Mysteries within him marius's gaze was fixed on a nearby Island barely half a mile off the coast and although his profile seemed carved in stone as soon as he turned to leat his face lit up with an impossible Vitality with a joyful expression he wrapped his arm around lat's shoulders and led him back inside the Parlor walking with a natural and human Rhythm that contrasted with the Ethereal presence of other like Armand Marius guided him to a pair of armchairs facing each other in the center of the room where they both settled down the room with its clear lighting and civilized atmosphere seemed almost normal very different from what leat would have expected from a conversation with such an ancient and Powerful being however as Marius settled comfortably in his chair curling his fingers around the arms of the seat his face took on a human expressiveness that disarmed leat the conversation began with a question that resonated with a hint of malice in marius's voice did leat prefer that he explain why he had brought him there or that leat reveal why he wanted to see him leat though surprised by the familiarity of marius's tone opted for the former eager to hear what his mentor had to tell him Mario started talking about the first death referring to the fact that many Immortals experience a kind of symbolic death a retreat underground much earlier than Lestat had anticipated the Revelation that this Behavior was common among Immortals who survived left lead astonished though he recognized that in his case it made sense considering everything he had lost in such a short time as the conversation progressed Marius explained how he knew so much about Lestat and how his perceptive Powers had developed with age allowing him to pick up thoughts and events from other Immortals at Great distances however Marius preferred spoken language a choice that intrigued leat who had always Associated Antiquity with transcending verbal communication marius's frankness and human warmth puzzled leat but also seduced him Marius for his part explained that he had brought lat to his Refuge because he considered him a remarkable creature someone who genuinely sought knowledge without preconceived prejudices something rare among Mortals and Immortals according to Marius few truly asked questions and that genuine Quest For answers was what had piqued his interest Marius continued reflecting on lat's innocence not a childish innocence but one that came from the absence of a need for pretense and the ability to Face Reality with love and respect for what was before his eyes leat though flattered insisted that he was Not Innocent but a depraved being a vampire who killed to survive however Marius with his calm and wisdom made him see that his lack of cynicism and his search for a purpose for love set him heart from others of his kind finally Marius revealed that like leat he had been turned at a moment of rupture in history at a time when the ancient world was collapsing and a new God was about to emerge Marius had lived in the time of Caesar Augustus when Rome was becoming an Empire and faith in the traditional Gods was waning this connected the two Immortals in a shared experience both had emerged from times of transition devoid of a pre-established faith yet not cynical about the world world the conversation took an even more fascinating turn when Marius suggested that although he didn't have definitive answers about the origin of vampires or the universe he could share with lat the secrets he had accumulated over the centuries including the truth about those who must be kept however Marius warned that while this knowledge could change leat the circumstances of his existence would remain the same leat deeply moved and fascinated felt that marius's offer was not only an opportunity to discover the truth but also to find a purpose in his immortality however he was also aware that the knowledge Marius offered could either annihilate him or change him in ways he could not foresee chapter 52 Lestat began his descent down an ancient staircase that led deep into the Earth much older than the house itself though he couldn't explain how he knew the steps worn and concave in the center spoke of centuries of use spiraling ever deeper into the Rock occasionally he encountered roughly carved openings that faced the sea too narrow for a man to pass through and on Whose Sills Birds nested and wild herbs grew the next thing he felt was the cold an inexplicable cold that reminded him of old monasteries ruined churches or haunted rooms he paused for a moment to rub his arms as the cold Rose from the steps Marius a few steps below waited patiently reassuring him with his low voice explaining that this cold had been there long before the beings they were about to see arrived on the island as they descended the sound of the Sea and the humidity in the air became more evident finally they reached a landing where the light from a pair of lamps illuminated a large double door barred by a massive wooden beam Marius with Supernatural ease lifted the beam and set it aside as the doors opened leat held his breath in front front of him was an underground Chapel filled with fresh flowers and vood of lamps with lies and roses and shades ranging from Deep Red to pale pink illuminated by a soft light that made the chamber seem like a sanctuary from another time the walls covered with Fresco depicting Egyptian scenes with palm trees pyramids and the Nile shimmered with gold leaf while the delicate Egyptian figures adorned with Rich ornaments seemed to gaze at the River from their graceful boats in the center of the chamber on a low Stone altar stood a large golden Tabernacle richly decorated Marius with an unreadable expression used his power to open the doors of the Tabernacle revealing two Egyptian figures sitting side bys side a man and a woman their faces finely sculpted and adorned with real hair wigs bore the Serenity and Majesty of ancient statues but their eyes too real and their flesh Too Perfect revealed something more than mere Stone lead approached them each step more hesitant than the last when he finally touched the cheek of the female figure his world shook it wasn't Stone he felt under his fingers but something alive something that shouldn't be there he recoiled in horror knocking over flower vases in his Retreat between gasps and Tremors he exclaimed the truth they weren't statues they were vampires just like him Marius confirmed this calmly explaining that although the beings in the Tabernacle breathed thought and lived they didn't know if they were conscious over the centuries these beings had stopped drinking blood and now remained in a state of Eternal Stillness Marius with infinite patience had cared for them adorned their chamber and brought them flowers and ornaments though sometimes these objects appeared fallen or broken as if the beings in their Stillness resisted Ed them leat overwhelmed by the Revelation wished to escape but Marius insisted he stay a little longer to speak with them although leat did so reluctantly he soon found himself enveloped in a strange trance so deep that he whispered the female figure's name Akasha the name echoed in the chamber as if it had always been there plucked from the depths of Oblivion as they ascended back to the house Lestat was in a state of confusion and Terror Marius told him that the Tabernacle had reopened on its own as if the beings wanted to play with him despite this Marius was more lively and cheerful than before and promised l t that now that they had returned to the light of the study he would tell him the whole story of those ancient beings and the secrets he had guarded for centuries chapter 53 Marius began to tell his story going back to the time when he was 40 years old on a warm spring night in the Roman city of meilia in the Gs he was in a ramshackle Tavern a place frequented by Sailors and vagabonds where he a Roman scholar was writing his history of the world Marius enjoyed the bustling activity of the tavern where despite The Rustic environment he felt comfortable and satisfied as the illegitimate son of a wealthy family he had been educated and pampered giving him a carefree and confident outlook on life that night as he wrote a strange idea invaded him the existence of a Perpetual Consciousness in the world a continuous intelligence that knew everything and had seen everything he reflected on this notion finding comfort in the idea that nothing spiritual was lost that there was a Perpetual knowledge of the world's history and events suddenly Marius realized that the tavern had almost emptied plunged into an inexplicable silence a tall blonde man with a disturbing appearance was watching him intently from the Shadows this man a giant of a gall with a somewhat primitive look intrigued him he had long hair and a leather coat making him seem like he had stepped out of another era from the barbaric times before Julius Caesar's arrival despite his rustic attire he had an air of intelligence and youth but at the same time he exuded an ancient wisdom the man began to speak to him in Latin marked by A peculiar accent asking him about his education and his knowledge of Egypt Marius puzzled responded courteously but avoided prolonging the conversation however the man persisted revealing surprising knowledge about him mentioning his slaves and his travels to Egypt soon Marius realized that this stranger was not a mere Barbarian but a druid a member of the ancient Priestly cast of the selts which according to Julius Caesar's Chronicles had disappeared from the Galls this Druid began to speak of ancient gods claiming that in Egypt there were true Gods who didn't need statues and that he Marius would become one of them before Marius could process this Revelation he felt a blow to the back of his neck and lost Consciousness when he awoke he found himself in a cart bound hand and foot being taken through an immense Forest by the Druid and other armed men the forest was imposing with ancient Oaks blocking the sunlight creating a somber and oppressive environment find finally they arrived at a rustic Fortress a hidden Enclave of the ancient kelto the same Warriors who had sacked Rome and Deli centuries ago Marius was left alone in a dark Low House filled with Fury and caution he was in an unknown Place far from any possible help and he began to realize that the druid's words about becoming a god might mean his sacrifice on an altar in the midst of that sacred Forest chapter 54 Marius now a captive in a Celtic Fortress faced his Fate One Night his captor M visited him with other men dressed in white robes the atmosphere was Heavy with solemnity and an elder declared that Marius was perfect for the god a Supreme Being who would receive his sacrifice during the Great Sinn Feast according to ma he would drink the Divine blood and become an immortal deity but Marius distrustful feared he would lose his Humanity dur during his captivity Marius was instructed by m in the Celtic rituals and beliefs the God he was to serve had no name but was known as the blood Drinker a powerful and feared being as Marius learned more about this God his fear grew this God was deeply connected to the great mother an omnipresent deity representing the Earth and all living things Marius could not Escape he was constantly watched and though he tried to reason with ma nothing changed Ed his fate time passed and the day of sawin approached as the festival neared Marius noticed increasing activity in the Fortress finally the day arrived and Marius was prepared for the ritual shaven and dressed in white robes he was taken in a covered cart to a sacred place in the forest surrounded by a crowd of Druids and warriors when they reached the Forest Clearing Marius witnessed a terrifying scene two gigantic wicker figures filled with condemned human bodies destined to be sacrificed these figures a man and a woman were about to be burned in a maab ritual marius's despair increased as the ceremony unfolded M along with other Druids LED Marius to a sacred grove where a massive oak tree adorned with skulls and Celtic symbols awaited before the tree M and The Druids opened a hidden door at the base of the oak revealing a dark passageway Marius holding a torch was urged to enter though filled with confusion and fear Marius heard a silent voice from within assuring him he was expected and should not be afraid chapter 55 Marius was guided into the oak where he discovered a stone staircase descending into a hidden chamber upon reaching the bottom he encountered a terrifying creature a burnt and twisted being with yellow eyes and a charred body the creature who had once been a powerful God spoke to him in a deep voice explaining the Calamity that had befallen their kind the son their enemy had found a way to penetrate their Darkness burning them alive despite his State the god offered Marius his power and urged him to Escape The Druids travel to Egypt and discover the cause of the tragedy the burnt being with evident pain revealed that he and other gods had been destroyed by a supernatural son a a mysterious power that had penetrated their Refuge only the oldest Gods like him had survived though in an agonizing State Marius was to become a new God strong and beautiful and seek answers in Egypt where he hoped to find the ancient gods who still lived without waiting for marius's response the creature attacked him biting his neck and draining his blood Marius fainted falling into a state of semi-consciousness where he glimpsed images of Egypt to tombs and sanctuaries while the God transmitted his ancient strength to him for hours the being repeated the process alternating between draining and returning the blood teaching him about his new Immortal nature and his Destiny as a servant of the great mother finally the god weakened and aware that his time was running out prepared Marius to leave the oak he warned him to escape after the sacrifice ceremony and that as a new God he must find his way to Egypt to avoid the same fate as the ancient gods before parting the burnt being asked Marius to take him to Egypt where he hoped to find the cure for his Agony though he knew it was unlikely he would survive Marius now drained of blood and weak made his way to The Oak's exit ready to face his new Destiny but also aware of the terrible burden he carried with him as he ascended the stairs he felt the presence of the god behind him his words echoing in his mind he must Escape find the Ancients and avoid the Calamity that had destroyed their race chapter 56 Marius emerged from The Oak's trunk transformed into a new being a God to The Druids who awaited him with reverence his appearance was terrifying a living skull with the white robe hanging over his skeletal body The Druids led by male gazed at him in awe convinced that the ancient God had been strong enough to create a new Divine being as he Advanced toward the clearing in procession surrounded by priests chanting HMS and covering him with flowers Marius experienced his new vision for the first time every color and surface presented themselves with a Clarity he had never known before the sound of the chance enveloped him and Marius the man faded within this reborn being he climbed the stone steps of the Altar and from there he observed the gathered crowd the gigantic wicker Effigies filled with condemned prisoners and the silver cauldron prepared for the sacrifices the priests presented three young men destined to be his first victims all clean and dressed in white trembling with fear as he began to drink the blood of one of them the fires under the Wicker Giants were lit and the prisoners began to scream as they were submerged in The Cauldron or thrown into the fire Marius plunged into an ancestral frenzy drinking the blood of the sacrifices while while chaos rained around him piles of decapitated heads accumulated on either side of the Altar and the crowd hailed the new God but despite his Newfound power Marius knew he had to escape Before Dawn or he would be trapped in the sacred Oak doomed to live famished until the next full moon when The Druids tried to take him back to the Oak Marius made a decision he ordered ma to disperse the priests but they distrustful began to surround him in a final attempt to control his fate Marius fled using his superhuman strength to run through the forest leaping from tree to tree until the voices of his pursuers were left behind the next day Marius buried himself in the earth to protect himself from the Sun discovering a new ability in his being The Thirst consumed him but he knew he had to be cautious when he found a group of robbers he fed on one of them regaining strength and stealing their clothes finally Marius returned to his old home in meilia where he faced the reality of his new existence he sent his slaves back to Rome and wrote to his father claiming an illness that forced him to move to Egypt then with his essential belongings he set sail for Alexandria determined to find the ancient gods already in Alexandria Marius wandered through the dark streets searching with his new silent voice for the old gods he knew he had to find them not only to solve the mystery of the Calamity that had destroyed others like him but because he could not bear the loneliness and horror of his new existence although he only killed wrongdoers his conscience wouldn't let him deceive himself he needed answers and a reason for his new and dark life chapter 57 Alexandria though not very ancient with barely three centuries of existence was a prominent City with an impressive Harbor and the largest library in the Roman World a center of knowledge where Scholars from the Empire came to research Marius had been one of them in his previous life and now as a reborn being he found himself again in its streets despite the god of the forest's indication to go to Alexandria Marius intuited that the answers to his questions were deep in Egypt in its ancient temples however a strange certainty invaded him in the city a feeling that the gods were there guiding his steps in the darkest and most decadent corners of alexand Andria during the nights in his Roman house Marius struggled with his Madness seeking answers about his new powers and emotions one night just before Dawn he saw a dark and silent figure on the threshold of the garden door it was a God but as soon as he perceived it it disappeared leaving Marius in a state of bewilderment and anticipation the next night a voice called to him in the city's alleys guiding him to a door a god opened the door and invited him in fearfully Marius descended an endless staircase entering an underground Temple older than the city of Alexandria itself the walls were covered in hieroglyphs and scenes of life in ancient Egypt and the presence of something alive seemed to permeate the air in an immense columned Hall Marius saw a black figure leaning against one of them it was not a statue but a burnt being with black hair and yellow eyes its body torn by fire but still alive the being asked him how he had survived the fire and Marius explained that he was created after the Calamity by the forest God the being surprised that his creator had survived led him through the temple showing him sarcophagi with the remains of burnt Gods now reduced to piles of Ashes Marius tried to understand what he was seeing and asked about the identity of the father and the mother the first of their kind the being tormented explained that those from whom they all descended had been left in the Sun by their Guardian causing the catastrophe that destroyed so many gods in the north Marius horrified realized that his fate was inextricably linked to these ancient beings finally the guide LED Marius to an underground Library where another being older and even more enigmatic sat silently this old one as the guide called him had not spoken since the catastrophe though it was known that he knew the whereabouts and fate of the father and the mother Marius approached him determined to get answers with a mix of defiance and Desperation he asked about the Calamity about the secrets of their kind and the old one after a tense exchange began to speak he revealed that it All Began by accident for thousand years ago and that since then it had been shrouded in Magic and religion the old one explained that the blood they all shared came from the father and the mother and that what happened to them affected all the others if the father and the mother burned they would too this Revelation deeply Disturbed Marius understanding the fragile and dangerous connection they shared with these ancient beings finally the old one in a state of agitation and resignation revealed that the Calamity was caused by the father and mother's Guardian who in his desperation left them exposed to the sun Marius realized that his fate was tied to this act of betrayal and that he must find these ancient beings if he wanted to understand his new existence and protect himself from the Fate that had consumed so many others like him Chapter 58 the old one began his story by explaining the history of two ancient human beings Akasha and ank who came to Egypt from older lands long before writing and the first pyramids these beings were benevolent and turned the Egyptians away from cannibalism teaching them to sew and domesticate animals it is likely that Akasha and ankel were leaders of a more advanced people that had disappeared under the Sands of Lebanon leaving only dust and ruins Akasha and Ankle ruled with Justice promoting the well-being of all and worshiped The Good Mother Earth wishing everyone to live in peace their lives changed when a demon began to cause disturbances in the Royal Steward's house this demon a common being that caused chaos and temporary possession in its victims intrigued ankel who decided to confront it personally King ankle believed that these demons were furious at not having a physical body and wanted to experience human Sensations after spending a night confronting the demon his wife Akasha decided to accompany him on the second night fearing the effects it might have on him as objects flew and walls cracked a group of conspirators enemies of the king took advantage of the opportunity to attack them the conspirators repeatedly stabbed ankle and Akasha and though warned them they were allowing the demon to enter their bodies the attackers fled when the crowd gathered to see the king and queen's bodies they found them standing their wounds healed but transformed into something else the demon had entered them impregnating their blood just as their mortal lives were slipping away what emerged from this process was a combination of the human and the Demonic creating something entirely new Akasha and ankl became blood drinkers Immortal beings who could no longer live as they once did they now depended on blood to survive but this new existence came with its own dangers they could not withstand sunlight or fire As Time passed Akasha and ankel tried to hide their new nature but soon they were forced to create a cult to The Good Mother under the light of the Moon the conspirators and Priests tried to exploit their power but failed to obtain the secret of immortality as those who drank their blood without first emptying their veins died in agony eventually the myth of Osiris was based on their sufferings and their secret cult spread throughout the world leading them to be worshiped in dark sanctuaries the blood drinkers multiplied but the secret remained wrapped in rituals and myths Akasha and ankle's religion spread through the islands and forests where lunar Gods ruled and drank the blood sacrifices for the mother however before the time of the old one this religion had already fallen into decline the lunar gods of Egypt were destroyed when the Egyptian priests converted to the worship of the son God and the sanctuaries were looted and reduced to ashes today according to the old one the cult persists only in some dark corners of the world AED in the jungles of Africa and the northern forests the old one finished his story watching marius's reaction when Marius expressed his disbelief the old one laughed enjoying his interlocutors confusion in a fit of anger and frustration Marius left the library crossed the temple halls and exited to the streets of Alexandria leaving behind the dark history of the origin of his new species chapter 59 Marius found himself in an unusually Disturbed mental state a mix of Madness and restlessness that led him to act impulsively something uncharacteristic of him he returned to his house in Alexandria tried to take refuge in bed seeking to escape the disturbing Revelations the old one had made to him however he couldn't push the story out of his mind the more he analyzed it the more logical it seemed though he resisted accepting it fully it was difficult for Marius to accept the idea that he was spiritually connected to the mother and the father ancient beings who could determine his faith this thought was intolerable to him as he considered himself an individual with rights and autonomy however the possibility that his life depended on the safety of those being led him to make a decision he had to see the mother and the father with his own eyes to ensure they were safe Marius tried to forget the matter in the following nights immersing himself in the search for blood and reading in The Great Library of Alexandria as his Madness dissipated he began to appreciate his new existence seeing in his immortality an opportunity to acquire infinite knowledge and to control his thirst for blood ethically nevertheless the need to find the mother and the father remained latent in his mind five nights after his conversation with the old one Marius was in his chamber lost in thought when he sensed someone's Presence at the door when he turned he saw an impressive woman an Egyptian figure of Regal appearance dressed in Gauzy fabrics and jewelry that enhanced her presence the woman who turned out to be Akasha the mother silently addressed him asking him to take her out of Egypt before disappearing this encounter filled Marius with a mix of fear and determination he left his house and headed to the underground Temple where he believed he would find the mother and the father Guided by a powerful intuition he dug in the Sands until he found a trapo leading to a dark passageway without a candle to light his way he moved forward blindly until his hands found the figure of ankel the father still and Majestic as he explored the chamber he saw Akasha sitting in a corner like a living statue suddenly ankle began to move slowly pushed by Akasha which filled Marius with reverential fear a burnt being almost a skeleton appeared on the scene trying unsuccessfully to move ankle and return the Divine couple to their place Marius overwhelmed by emotion wept inconsolably as he realized the magnitude of the suffering and isolation of those Immortal beings Akasha in a final effort communicated telepathically to Marius her desperate need to be protected warning him that the old one was trying to destroy them the burnt being desperate to regain his strength tried to drink the God's blood but was violently rejected by ankel ashamed of his selfishness in inciting the burnt being Marius offered him his own blood in an act of compassion chapter 60 after feeding the burnt creature with his blood Marius ordered him to protect the where Akasha and ankl rested though he knew it was unlikely he could fulfill such a task without wasting time he returned to Alexandria and appropriated two beautiful mummy coffins along with cloths to wrap the bodies with these items he returned to the desert Crypt determined to take the Divine couple to a safer place with a mix of determination and fear Marius prepared aasha and ankel carefully wrapping them in the cloths and placing them in the coffins though aware of ankle's power who could have easily destroyed him both beings allowed Marius to transport them leaving the agitated burnt creature behind Marius took the coffins to his house in Alexandria where he buried them in the garden assuring them they would soon be in a safe place that same night while Marius was resting the old one appeared furious at marius's audacity in taking the mother and the Father the old one admitted that he had been the one who exposed Akasha and ankle to the sun desperate to see if they would move or speak in his frustration over centuries of silence and his desire to free himself from the heavy burden of being their Guardian the old one had risked the life of their entire race the confrontation between Marius and the old one was brutal Marius though injured managed to defend himself by attacking the Old One's eyes who threw him violently against the wall just when it seemed Marius would be destroyed Akasha appeared emerging from the earth covered in sand and with her shroud torn her presence froze the old one in place filling him with absolute Terror Akasha with terrifying calm proceeded to crush the old one stomping on his body until it was reduced to a shapeless Mass finally with a simple gesture she made a lamp fly towards the mass setting it on fire Marius stunned and injured watched as the old one was consumed doomed by the Flames until nothing remained of him in the darkness Marius realized his injured arm would heal quickly if he drank aasa's blood as he reflected on this he felt Akasha through her thoughts speaking to him urging him to take her far from Egypt Marius despite his fear approached her feeling that he was now her guardian and that she would never allow anyone to harm him with akasha's Hand firm on his nape Marius made the decision to drink her blood thus sealing his fate alongside the powerful Queen chapter 61 marius's experience of drinking akasha's blood was indescribably intense he plunged into an absolute ecstasy a happiness so deep it surpassed any other known feeling in that trance Marius found himself transported to other times and places hearing voices and screams of pain facing lost battles the experience was so overwhelming that he felt himself falling into a pit of Darkness hearing akasha's whisper that she could no longer keep fighting when he awoke he found himself back in the chamber in Alexandria with Akasha motionless at the center of the room but something inside Marius had changed for he now possessed deep ancient knowledge transmitted to him through akasha's blood Marius understood that ever since the creation of the blood drinkers there had been disputes between those who saw human life as sacred and those who in their power became angels of death reveling in destruction and suffering these dark Gods worshiped by fearful men had spread their power through Babylon Assyria and other ancient civilizations but always as agents of death and Chaos throughout the centuries benevolent gods and dark Gods waged a constant battle and the dark ones even managed to capture the mother and the father subjecting them to unspeakable torments locked in Crypts surrounded by stones Akasha and ankl suffered while the dark Gods fed on their sacred blood increasing their power at the expense of the Divine couple suffering however over time the strength of Akasha and Ankle grew until they managed to break free though their state was no longer that of living beings but of immobile statues silently watching the World As Time passed while Egypt maintained its ancient Traditions Akasha and ankle's power remained though they continued in their silence and Stillness when the Greek and Roman conquerors arrived the world changed radically marking the end of Egyptian civilization as it had been known Marius now in Antioch understood that the ancient glories of Egypt and its Mysteries were disappearing Swept Away by time and the rise of new civilizations after his confrontation with the old one Marius decided to protect Akasha and ankel at all costs with a mixture of love and devotion Marius dedicated himself to building sanctuaries for them throughout Asia and Europe keeping them safe as the world changed around them despite his hope that one day they would awaken and regain their Vitality centuries passed and Akasha and ankl remained in their petrified state with only faint Signs of Life in their bodies over time Marius met other Immortals like Pandora a beautiful Greek Coran with whom he shared 200 years of passion and conflict through the centuries Marius continu continued his existence as the guardian of Akasha and enkil facing challenges and temptations and meeting other Immortal beings who like him struggled to find their place in a constantly changing World Marius reflected on the value of human life a principle that had endured even as civilizations fell and new religions arose with the advance of Christianity the old pagan gods were relegated to Darkness considered demons the children of Darkness convinced of their inherent evil adopted a distorted view of their role in the world believing that their existence as vampires had a purpose in balancing good and evil Marius concluded that despite everything human life had always been valued and that the vampire's place in the world had been reduced to that of a dark figure a reminder of the Primal desires and fears that dwell in the minds of men despite their power and ability to inspire fear and admiration Marius understood that life did not need vampires and that that in the end their existence lacked a true purpose chapter 62 Marius paused gazing up at the sky beyond the windows as if listening to voices that lat could not hear then he mentioned that he still had important things to tell him practical things and Promises to demand however he fell silent with an expression that reminded leat of Akasha and enkil leat was overwhelmed by marius's words wanting to repeat them out loud to to fully grasp them he reflected on marius's statements about Good and Evil and how he too was a child of the West unable to accept evil and death but underlying all this was the fact that Marius could annihilate all Vampires by destroying Akasha and enkil which terrified leat deeply as he thought about Akasha and enkil leat felt tempted both by the idea of waking them and by the idea of destroying them both options attracted him equally as they both involved great power however he couldn't help but wonder what would happen if he woke them what kind of beings they would be if they walked and talked again with evident pain in his voice leat asked Marius if he had ever felt tempted to destroy Akasha and enkil Marius shook his head and explained that although he knew there was no place for them in the world he desired to continue existing the idea of immortality was what drove him and he didn't think of the alternative Marius then told leat that he would have to leave soon that he wasn't ready to stay with him leat resisted the idea of leaving feeling a mix of anger and despondency but Marius insisted that he needed to live a full life something he hadn't done until now he explained that living that life was essential for his survival to avoid falling into despair or Madness although leat wanted to stay Marius explained that he wasn't yet ready to understand what immortality truly meant and that within a century they would meet again Marius promised that by then he would be the one begging leat to stay that he would enjoy his company and not want to be apart from him leat struggling with his emotions reluctantly accepted that he had to leave though the idea filled him with sadness Marius for his part warned him to choose his companions with love and care as they would be his only company in eternity he advised that if leat ever created other vampires he should do so because he loved them because he enjoyed their company not out of mere power or loneliness the conversation became more serious when Marius mentioned the possibility of Lestat drinking from Akasha and enkil he explained that while drinking from them would Grant him extraordinary strength it could also condemn him to unimaginable suffering if he were ever Gravely injured Marius warned him to think carefully before making that decision as immortality came with a price leat eager for the power Akasha blood could Grant him admitted that he wanted to drink from her and Marius promised that before he left they would descend together into the Crypt to humbly ask Akasha to allow it finally Marius spoke of supernatural beings the ghosts and demons he had mentioned earlier but leat was more interested in the creatures that were Immortal and walked in the sun without needing to drink blood Marius warned that these creatures were powerful and dangerous and that he must avoid them discovering where he slept at all costs as the conversation Drew to to a close Marius asked Lestat never to reveal what he had told him to anyone he explained that doing so could endanger their entire race and above all Akasha and enkil leat though he understood the gravity of the promise felt it would be difficult to keep especially because he knew others could read his thoughts Marius realizing lat's fears assured him that he could conceal his thoughts and reminded him to be prudent then with evident sadness Marius told told leat they would have to say goodbye soon as he too needed to leave the island to seek another Refuge leat full of uncertainty and sadness accepted the reality of the situation before leaving he retreated to the room Marius had assigned him contemplating the sea and sky until dawn though he knew the moment of Separation was near leat couldn't help feeling overwhelmed by the imminent loss and the difficult decisions he had to make chapter 63 lead awoke with an idea that immediately obsessed him despite The Thirst burning in his veins it was a vain idea but its beauty was undeniable Marius had warned him to stay away from the sanctuary and leat knew he should wait until midnight to share his thought with him however the temptation to carry out his idea in secret without marius's presence was too strong he wandered through the house noticing that everything was just as it had been the night before the candles lit the windows open the spectacle of the sea at Sunset he couldn't bear the thought that he would soon have to leave and that Marius plan to abandon this extraordinary place the sadness overwhelmed him and the idea returned to haunt him more persistent each time leat decided he had to do it though he knew nothing would happen it was an Impulse he couldn't ignore he walked through the house trying to distract himself but the idea remained and the The Thirst made him more impulsive and less reflective finally he found the door to the staircase leading to the Crypt where those who must be kept rested it wasn't locked he unfolded the violin he had brought with him and remembering how Nicholas used to play he tuned it and began to play the music resonated throughout the house filling every corner with its Melodies but leat didn't stop there he felt something pulling him toward the Crypt as if an invisible force was urging him to descend the steps to the sanctuary the door to the Crypt was open and the light from the lamps illuminated the interior the scent of flowers and incense filled his lungs and there were Akasha and ankel sitting on their Throne surrounded by offerings Lestat felt the violin in his hands was an appropriate instrument to present himself before them he whispered to them explaining what the violin was and his desire for them to hear him play he closed his eyes and began to perform a Melody pouring his entire being into the music the melody grew in intensity and leat became fully immersed in the performance forgetting everything else but something strange happened a pure high-pitched note began to resonate in the chapel a note that Lestat knew did not come from him when he opened his eyes he saw that Akasha had risen and the note was coming from her she moved toward leat with her arms outstretched and the sound grew louder until the violin fell to the floor and the note faded away leat tried to flee but the doors of the crypt slammed shut trapping him inside Akasha was right in front of him her eyes filled with a mix of pain and curiosity with a delicate movement she Drew him toward her and without hesitation lat sank his fangs into her neck drinking the most powerful blood he had ever tasted at that moment he felt Akasha also sink her fangs into his neck creating a blood circuit that connected them in an Indescribable way the Ecstasy of the experience was interrupted by a horrible sound like Stone breaking it was anill who with superhuman strength separated Lestat from Akasha with immense pressure he began to crush lat's head and leat fell to the ground unable to defend himself aasha tried to stop ankel but it seemed impossible Marius from the other side of the door shouted desperately threatening ankle with separating him from Akasha forever if he killed leat finally ankle ceased his attack and released leat who injured and dazed managed to stand Marius LED Akasha and ankle back to their Thrones while ordering Lestat to flee without looking back leat a bade knowing he had been dangerously close to death chapter 64 leat was filled with fear and confusion after his encounter with ankel he was on the Terrace trying to calm himself after the intense experience when Marius appeared lat full of guilt tried to apologize but Marius interrupted him clearly upset however marius's anger was more complex than simple rage and leat felt a mix of relief and sorrow as they both descended The Cliffs toward the beach on the way Le tat was deeply affected by akasha's presence whose hands and blood still enveloped him mentally as they walked along the beach the wind and waves engulfed him in a sense of loneliness and despair Marius led him to a Cove where a small boat waited and despite his attempts to apologize again Marius confronted him saying that lat didn't truly regret what had happened which sent lat into a fit of Anguish tears Marius though Furious explained that ankel had returned turned to an agitated State and that it was dangerous to talk or think too much about him and Akasha however lat's thoughts were filled with hatred for ankle and desires to free her imagining ankle's destruction without endangering the vampires but Marius interrupted him and with a gesture of Despair urged him to go hunting to distract himself Lestat followed marius's instructions boarding the small boat and heading to a nearby Island in a port Tavern Le tat reflected on what had happened while gazing at his reflection in a mirror surrounded by the bodies of two Sailors who had tried to kill him despite the hunt he couldn't stop thinking about Akasha and what he had experienced with her upon his return Marius informed him that he had to leave immediately the atmosphere on the island had become unsustainable due to ankle's Fury despite the pain this caused him leat understood the seriousness of the situation and agreed to leave Marius assured him that when the time was right they would meet again before saying goodbye leat was filled with questions but Marius reassured him reminding him that he could always call on him if he needed to with a final Embrace leat descended the cliff staircase leaving behind Marius and the island feeling the weight of the separation and the fear of not seeing him again chapter 65 leat didn't realize how much he missed the world until his ship arrived at Bayou St John heading toward New Orleans the sight of the dark swamps silhouetted against the evening Sky filled him with a mix of excitement and humility the idea that no other vampire had explored that Wilderness made him feel like a Pioneer in Uncharted lands soon leat was fascinated by the region the low humid lands with their intense Aromas seduced him in a way he had only experienced with the dry heat of Egypt he felt captivated by the Raw wild beauty of the place and over time this corner of the world would become his favorite New Orleans though small and neglected completely captivated HIM lead explored the muddy streets and plank sidewalks observing the idle Spanish soldiers and the sailors in the dangerous Harbor Dives the dark skinned Caribbean women the summer storms with their lightning and thunder and the warm softness of the summer rain made him feel alive despite his imortal nature at night under the Moonlight leat marveled at The Shining rooftops of the houses and the elegant Spanish Mansions he wandered the streets Looking Through the Windows of humble cottages and finding in them remnants of a wealth and civilization that seemed out of place in such a wild environment amid the mud and Decay leat saw glimpses of Elegance like French gentlemen with white wigs and their wives escorted by black slaves carrying their clean shoes he realized that he had arrived at a remote corner of his wild garden a place where he could settle and where despite his sufferings he found some solace in the freedom it offered on that first night in New Orleans Lestat felt a mix of power and vulnerability despite his Immortal nature he wished for a moment to feel like any other Mortal man not the Exotic Outcast he had always believed himself to be he reflected on how old truths and new inventions often distract from the pass that dominate everyone leading him to dream of the Simplicity of Times Gone by finally he resigned himself to his fate one that encompasses both Heaven and Hell feeling that he was destined to face and embrace both aspects of his existence over and over again epilogue Confessions of a vampire chapter 66 leat Begins by recalling the end of his adventures and the story he has shared but warns that his tale does not end there despite his relu he feels he must recount the painful events that led him to disappear in 1929 after leaving marius's Island he spent 140 years without seeing him again and Gabriel also vanished from his life Without a Trace when lat decided to bury himself in the 20th century he was alone and deeply wounded both physically and emotionally throughout his life lead had followed marius's advice to live a full existence though he could not blame Marius for the mistakes he made his strong will shaped his experience and despite warnings and advice he exposed himself to tragedies and disasters even so Lestat cannot deny that he had his rewards for nearly 70 years he shared his life with Lewis and Claudia two vampires he considered Splendid and with whom he maintained a close relationship leat recalls how he fell madly in love with Lewis a young bajis from New Orleans who captivated him with his cynicism and self-destructive desire reminding him of Nicholas his friend from his youth however Lewis had a more powerful influence on leat touching his tenderness and seducing him with his dependence and Fascination despite his occasional cruelty Lewis retained a strange faith believing in damnation and salvation which made him even more attractive to leat however it was the desperation to keep Lewis that led leat to commit an impul Ive and selfish act the creation of Claudia a vampire child of astonishing Beauty although Claudia would have died if leat had not turned her this action was a challenge to the gods that leat and Claudia would pay dearly for leat admits that his love for Lewis led him to create Claudia to please him but this act resulted in an inevitable tragedy over the years Claudia Lewis and leat formed a trio of hunters who lived together for 65 years in New Orleans Lewis through his account in Interview with the Vampire captured the atmosphere of those times though leat criticizes the inaccuracies and misunderstandings in Lewis's narration despite the tensions and betrayals leat remembers those years with a mix of love and guilt lat's story with Claudia culminates in a tragic confrontation Claudia tired of being trapped in the body of a child finally Rises against leat in the spring of 1860 stabbing him repeatedly and leaving him on the brink of death leat survives but the experience scars him deeply both physically and spiritually over the years leat becomes a marginalized monster crippled and deformed unable to hunt effectively and living in a state of despair finally leat seeks out Armand the only vampire he believes he can turn to Armand upon seeing him is shocked by lat's condition but welcomes him into his home Lestat confesses what happened and asks for help to heal his wounds but Armand takes him to the theater to vampires where lad is humiliated and forced to testify against Lewis and Claudia Armand filled with resentment towards leat for destroying his former life in Paris betrays him and pushes him from the tower leaving him to fall and break every bone in his body at that moment leat faces the Betrayal despair and suffering he has caused and endured throughout his Immortal Life chapter 67 leat needed 2 years to feel recovered enough to board a ship back to Louisiana despite being still full of scars and terribly weakened he felt the need to leave Europe not a single piece of news about Gabriel or Marius had reached him which pushed him to seek refuge in the only place he considered home New Orleans there in the warm Southern Climate and surrounded by Lush nature leat found solace in the old Mansions he still owned though they were deteriorated and in Ruins leat spent the last years of the 19th century in complete seclusion In the Garden District near Lafayette Cemetery in one of his best houses he slept under the immense Oaks and immersed himself in reading by candlelight and oil lamps the books piled up to the ceiling of the rooms turning his home into an improvised Library he increasingly isolated himself losing interest in the outside world and surviving on what little he could hunt in his State dogs cats and when there were no other options sewer rats on one occasion leat ventured into a dilapidated theater called the happy hour where he experienced the cinematograph for the first time although the black and white images terrified him they also seemed appropriate for an era he perceived as dark and devoid of beauty after that experience leat returned to his isolation avoiding other Immortals who occasionally sought him out in his lair these encounters were brief and disturbing leaving him increasingly sunk in his loneliness time passed and leat retreated further into his misery eventually stopping even reading the books that once gave him Solace however one afternoon Armand appeared at his house at first leat thought it was a hallucination Armand with his youthful appearance spoke to him about L revealing that Lewis had been searching for him in New Orleans and had even seen him through the windows Armand admitted that he had lied to him about Lewis in their last encounter in Paris though leat felt too weak and Confused to react the idea that Lewis was alive gave him a brief glimmer of hope over time Armand continued to visit leat though he barely noticed on one occasion leat heard him call him rat Hunter mocking his current situation despite his deplorable State Lestat found a dark satisfaction in the hatred between them enjoying the opportunity to despise Armand however the tension between them culminated in a strange Vision where leat dressed elegantly found himself in a restored house full of power in this Vision Armand offered him his blood but leat rejected it unable to love him as Armand desired the scene ended with Lestat throwing Armand off the roof though it was unclear who had actually Fallen reality returned to leet who found himself once again in his ragged weakened form buried under the old house he decided it was time to make peace with everything and descend into the Earth seeking the final rest he so longed for as he dug his grave he remembered marius's teachings and promised not to commit more atrocities if he ever came back to life in his sleep Lestat had a vision of Marius modern and sophisticated using a camera to film Mortals in a studio Marius now adapted to the Contemporary world was taking care of those who must be kept in a technological environment but leat understood that it was all a dream a product of his imagination the vision culminated with Akasha calling him from her Stone bed Whispering his name and lat trapped in the earth could only respond with desperation leat had reached a point where he was caught between the desire to continue existing and the acceptance of his inevitable fall into Oblivion dianis in San Francisco 1985 chapter 68 a week before the release of his record Lestat received the first threats by phone The Secret Life of the rock group named The Vampire leat had been carefully protected but someone managed to find his private number and left disturbing messages on his answering machine Outlaw we know what you're doing we order you to stop come out where we can see you we dare you to come out Lestat had hidden the band in an isolated Mansion north of New Orleans Far From Any imminent danger despite the luxury and comfort the tension was palpable as they awaited their first performance in San Francisco after receiving the messages leat secretly took the band West without even his lawyer Christine knowing where they were they settled on a ranch in Carmel Valley celeb ing every Advance like when they first heard their music on the radio and saw their video clip on television leat however grew increasingly uneasy he drove alone to San Francisco hunting at night and receiving more threats on his answering machine don't you dare appear on stage in San Francisco we warn you the threats were persistent but leat wasn't intimidated instead he felt drawn to the danger and the possibility of confronting those who challenged him the album became a resounding success topping the charts in the United States and Europe as leat roamed the Streets of San Francisco he thought of Lewis Gabriel Armand and above all Marius whom he had betrayed by telling his story in his autobiography he wondered if Marius was watching him and how the other ancients would react to his bold exposure one night while resting at the house in Carmel Valley Lestat felt a strange presence he heard a mental trans transmission warning him of imminent danger but he couldn't grasp any concrete details he soon realized that someone was approaching the house it was a vampire and from the way it moved Lestat understood that it was a creature created by Him the figure that appeared before Lestat was tall slender with black hair and green eyes instantly Lestat knew who it was Lewis his beloved and lost companion the encounter was emotional and tense they embraced communicating without words both feeling the Deep connection that had never truly broken Lewis confessed that he thought Lestat was dead and had been searching for him Lestat in turn asked how he had found him to which Lewis replied that Lestat had wanted to be found Lewis also warned him of the danger he faced by appearing at the San Francisco concert but lat full of confidence and determination refused to back down as they walked together through the the fields under the Moonlight Lewis spoke of the places where Modern vampires gathered the vampire bars in big cities where Immortals mingled with Mortals despite the warnings and the possibility of a confrontation with other vampires leat was determined to go ahead with his plan the desire for visibility and the thrill of risk drove him and he had no intention of stopping Lewis worried but fascinated by lat's determination decided to accompany him him to San Francisco despite the tension and danger surrounding them leat felt a deep joy in having Lewis by his side the morning approached and as they said goodbye Lewis accepted the idea of a new beginning together even if the risk was immense leat full of excitement prepared for what was to come aware that his challenge could change everything for them and for the World of Vampires chapter 69 when the Caravan arrived at the Cow Palace in San Francisco the place was surrounded by a crowd of frantic youths leat and Lewis in an elegant Porsche Advanced through the fans who filled the parking lot eager to hear the music of the vampire leat Lewis dressed in the band's attire and a black cape watched with concern the turmoil around them the concert had sold out a month earlier and the organizers decided to set up speakers and video screens outside for those who couldn't get tickets leat noticed how l 's tension grew as the fans swarmed around the car pushed by excitement as the Caravan Advanced toward the ugly building of the Cow Palace leat began to realize the magnitude of what he had underestimated the energy that surrounded him was overwhelming and deeply unsettling inside the venue the atmosphere was electrifying leat along with his band prepared to take the stage and the Roar of the crowd of 15,000 people echoed with beastly Force the excitement ment was palpable leat had never felt anything like it from the wings he saw the mass of youths moving frantically their faces illuminated by thousands of small lighter Flames finally the lights went out and the crowd roared with almost inhuman fervor when leat stepped onto the stage he was met with a sea of Screams and Applause the spotlights bathed him in light highlighting his figure and golden hair the crowd's energy electrified him with his cape spread like bat wings leat fully committed to the performance shouting to the adoring crowd I am the vampire L hat and I want to drink your soul the audience responded with more screams Applause and an almost religious devotion over 3 hours the band played their songs with an intensity That Shook the entire venue leat moved across the stage like a Divine being fueled by the audience's Adoration and the Euphoria of the music the crowd gave themselves completely and Lestat felt tempted to succumb to the desire to drink the blood of those who offered themselves willingly however an unexpected calm overcame him and at that moment he saw among the crowd other vampires the true Immortals watching him with amazement and horror Lestat shouted at them to reveal themselves but the vampires remained hidden among The Mortals after the final number The Ballad The Age of Innocence the atmosphere calmed momentarily but the tension still lingered in the air at the end of the concert as they left the parking lot Lestat and Lewis were attacked by a group of novice vampires who tried to overturn their car the situation turned chaotic but suddenly the attacking vampires began to burst into flames exploding in blinding bursts of fire leat and Lewis surprised realized they were not responsible for those deaths someone else with tremendous power was protecting them in the midst of the chaos Gabriel lat's mother appeared behind the wheel of the Porsche ordering them to get in the car to escape though leat wanted to stay and confront the enemies Gabriel convinced them to flee however as they sped down the highway they were pursued by a van full of novice vampires the Porsche eventually overturned but leat Gabriel and Lewis emerged and scathed when one of the novice vampires tried to attack them it was once again consumed by Flames this time Gabriel stopped leat reminding him that it was feudal to chase after the others since the person responsible for the deaths was someone far more powerful finally the three vampires were left alone under the highway surrounded by the glow of the burning car and the sound of approaching Sirens despite the danger Lestat felt comforted by Gabriel and Lewis's presence but he was also full of questions he uttered marius's name convinced that only he could be behind the destruction of the novice vampires however the only sound that answered was the approaching Sirens Gabrielle with a gesture of urgency urged leat to move she knew they were in terrible danger and needed to escape before it was too late Chapter 70 at 5: in the morning leat found himself alone in front of the window at the ranch in Carmel Valley Gabrielle and Lewis had left together for the hills to find a safe place to rest lead had received a call confirming that his musicians were safe in Sonoma celebrating behind electric fences while the police and the Press Waited For answers but lat's mind was occupied with another matter marius's absence why had he saved them without revealing himself Gabrielle had expressed her doubts warning leat about a sense of Menace she had felt both when leaving the auditorium and by the burning car Lewis had also sensed something strange a barbaric and wild presence something foreign to civilization leat however was sure it wasn't Marius if Marius wanted Revenge he would have already carried it out despite Gabrielle and Lewis's concerns leat couldn't help but admire his mother despite the centuries Gabrielle remained The Fearless Explorer with her tattered Safari attire sitting arride a chair with her chin resting on her hands leat felt too happy to have her there to fear what might come but deep down he knew he had made a grave mistake his personal War had endangered those he loved as Dawn approached Gabrielle and Lewis left to rest and leat was alone watching the growing light over the Santa Lucia mountains the idea that Marius was behind everything troubled him but what if it wasn't Marius what if he hadn't called on him with enough Force perhaps Marius was waiting for Lestat to call him with all his energy closing his eyes leat did so sending his call into the void in an instant he had a vision he saw a remote place covered in snow a stone building with frozen windows and above a television antenna spinning a shattered television on the stone floor the sound of the vampire leat echoing through the speakers and then marius's voice Danger leat All of Us in danger she has the connection broke desperate Lestat tried to call again but the sun was already Rising he ran to his underground Crypt descending the narrow steps into the safe Darkness he collapsed onto the muddy floor his mind still processing the vision Akasha the mother goddess of vampires had awakened that music of yours can and Wake the Dead Marius had brought the television to the sanctuary of those who must be kept and Akasha had seen the videos Awakening from her long Slumber as the sun rose lat on the verge of succumbing to the day's sleep suddenly felt a hand as cold as marble closing over his own a silky mass of hair brushed his face and a frozen arm wrapped around him his last thought before falling unconscious was a plea to his dear beautiful though his body no longer responded thank you for joining us on this journey through the life of the iconic vampire leat if you enjoyed the summary please give the video a like and share it with your friends don't forget to subscribe to literary Journeys with river for more summaries of fascinating books and now I ask you what would you do if you discovered the existence of vampires like leat in the real world leave your response in the comments I'd love to read your series