The Princess of Vampires

Chapter 10

Chapter Ten,

As the next night moon rose but soon was covered by darkness as a storm approached, I dressed in the gloom with the lightning only my aid to see what I was doing. It was always raining it seemed which added to the mood I found myself in. It woke me from a familiar nightmare that I had before. There was a constant hissing in the air, a scratching irritation that gnawed on my insides, racking my nerves.

I want it out. I need to find Lestat. If he couldn't come to me, I would go to him. Marius had left to hunt for the evening, and I was left on my own. Tonight, the servants came to clean while they had that opportunity. Marius would be out for some time and I knew this was my only chance. I had a plan. It was a simple one, but simple plans work best. The plan involved the servants and what they came to the island with. They always arrive on the island by boat. And that was the key, that was my way out.

I hurried about in the darkness and packed a few things, all the while agonizing over the pain and worry, I will be causing Marius when he found out I was gone. It was so painful, so I rushed through my task and pushed the thoughts to the back of my mind. I couldn't let it stop me. Love was driving me, guiding me like a beacon in the storm to Lestat.

The rain came down slow like dripping blood, it was ominous in that way. The servants parked the boat just below the long passageway to the entrance of the mansion where they always did. Fog wafted over the sea and floated around the formidable structure. I looked up as I tightened my coat around me. The cool wind blew around me as I stealthily crept through the shadows leaving no trace of my presence on the path or aboard the ship. The cleaning crew were all inside the mansion and I was free to slip in and hide myself. I carefully listened for any sound out of place to warn me of a human approaching. The wind whipped my clothing and hair wildly as I boarded the ship. Passing through every corridor swiftly I finally found a snug little place to hide.

The crate was perfect. I found it empty in the corner of the room in the bowels of the vessel. I gently opened the lid and climbed in. I remained unnaturally still. All vampires can and I felt more comfortable that way rather than shifting about the way humans do and have two from time to time.

After a while, I heard the unmistakable approach of footsteps. The foreign chatter from the crew as they arrived aboard came to my sensitive years. I'd listen to them settling above me. Surprisingly, no one came down to the lowest level for any reason. I smiled to myself. I was going to pull this off.

After we made landfall, I waited for the vessel to be tied and left to bob in the sea. Springing from my hide away I grab my things, tossing a few rats that I had for snack out of the way and flitted out to a building I found abandoned. Once inside I wasted no time shucking off my dirty clothes and jumping in a steamy shower, I was delighted to find that it worked. I tried to relax my mind and enjoy the moment. I stretched my legs a few times to iron out the kinks. My thoughts were occupied with the face of Lestat. I was determined to find him. I will start where I left him, his scent will lead me to him.

After changing into a soft blue shirt and black yoga pants, I made my way out to find my love. No matter how long it takes I will keep searching.

As I stood outside of the ruins of the old mansion. I caught the scent of Lestat. I looked up into the sky, thick, rolling storm clouds gathered in the distance. I was sure he flew but was happy to discover he walked away. More than ever, I realized it was the right place to pursue him here. It seems he was upset and decided to walk then fly. Claps of Thunder promised a downpour very soon, so I flitted on to the trail.

Weeks went by and the faint trail of Lestat grew stronger as I crossed the borders of France. He was here at his old haunts. Confused I stopped at a deserted house in the center of the old city. The scent was so strong it led me into the broken-down structure. I knew he was here as soon as I stepped over the threshold of the place. But I searched the rooms and found nothing but dust, dirt and old worn-out furniture too decrepit to sit on. Why here? But I decided not to think on it too long. I was hot on his trail.

I even attempted to talk to the locals about Lestat if there was any news on his whereabouts. I could not tarry much longer so I moved on. I had a feeling that Marius was looking for me and I moved on feeling frustrated that Lestat was not found.

I again was a stowaway in a vessel bound for England. As soon as we landed, I spent the night tracking his scent and following up on leads. He was close I could actually feel this small vibration of our connection. When he fed on me, we linked mind and emotions.

I soon came to the dark brick building in the back alleyway of London town. I saw three figures emerge from the shadows and knock on the door as if sensing my presence one of the women glanced my way. Her inner light shone bright in her eyes and then I knew where I was. I was at the vampire bar, the only real one in the country. I decided to follow them in, maybe blend in the crowd. After all I was half vampire.

I walked into the bar with my expectation high. His scent hits me as if it he was standing right next to me. He was here. At last. I moved awkwardly as the bodies before me moved wickedly, grinding against each other as they danced to the kind of music that sounded like a prelude to something more. There was a smell of sin in the air, everyone seemed high on it.

Vampires were easy to pick out of a crowd. They had that immortal sweet scent. They also had a singular way they moved, and it always gave them away. They either floated about with ease or flitted too fast for a human to see. They hardly cared in a place like this to act human. I tried not to let my half human sensibilities make me wig out. I had to stay cool as I observed the feeding process practiced right in front of me.

If I didn't know the scent of Lestat I couldn't pick it out on a place like this. There was so many vampires and the fragrance of each mixed in the atmosphere. I headed towards the bar and ordered wine mixed with human blood. Which was highly recommended by the bartender. He smiled at me as I took a sip.

''Hey, have you seen Lestat around here? '' I asked tactfully not to give away too much information.

''Ah, yes, ''the brown hair vampire next to me answered with a nose ring and too many tattoos.

He turned slightly and ticked his chin over to the private booths behind the curtain. Then it happened, the vampire beside me sniffed noisily at my direction.

''What's your name pretty? '' He said as sweet as honey. ''You smell like heaven. Want to get of here? ''

I stumbled back in fright of what he had planned for me and collided into someone. His arm wrapped around me tight, and I sighed. Lestat.

''Raina? ''

''Yes, my love I'm really here. ''