Van Helsing

Lestat gave John a small bow before blending into the shadow of the nearest tree. He launched himself at Jake's horse, knocking the man down to the ground in the form of a breeze. He chuckled when the hunter looked around for him.

"Just when you think you've seen everything..." Lestat murmured in the dark. "Someone like me comes along... brilliant, isn't it?"

 

Hannah pressed herself against Edward. "I want to be with you as much as possible. But I don't know what I'll be like if I... if I live through the change."

John stayed a fair distance back, watching Lestat's graceful entrane and waiting for an oportunity to enter himself.

 

A low growl built in Jake's throat. "So you're a cowardly bloodsucker?" He got to his feet. "Too scared to face me head on." He gripped his stake tighter.

 

"I'll get rid of John, then, my love," Edward murmured against her lips. "Once he's gone, all this will go away... everything that's wrong with you and me. Then it will be better, I promise. Do you trust me?"

 

Lestat chuckled. "I shall come out, then," he spoke, stepping from the shadows. "Try the stake," Lestat whispered, stepping toward Jake, shaking the ruffles on his sleeves, sighing, and running a white hand through his thick, blonde curls. "That would be something I would not mind."

 

"I fully trust you." Hannah replied. "But that doesn't erase my fear... or my pain...."

 

"Wouldn't mind?" Jake repeated acidly. "Only Dracula can withstand a stake." He looked over Lestat, taking in his attire and then locking eyes with him.

 

"Well, I'll work on those next," Edward smiled. "I wish I could tell you what I... well, what we have to do when the time comes."

 

Lestat snorted, looking back where he knew John was and smiled. "I thought I said you thought you'd seen everything," he said softly, his voice low, sweet, almost kind. "Very ignorant, my friend. I'd love to feel a stake, now you mention it; it's been too long since someone's tried to kill me in such a... cliched fashion."

 

"Why can't you?" Hannah asked. "I will follow you, but I'd like to know what it is we have to do."

 

Jake glared at Lestat. "You sure are full of yourself. How many have you killed? Hundreds? Thousands? Not that it matters, you'll die soon anyway. By my hand." He lunged forward, thrusting the stake through Lestat's chest.

 

"Lestat," Edward explained shortly. "I cannot speak about it... says something about how it's won't work if I tell you. But we'll be fine; I think I can manage what I need to do, and I think, if you say you'll follow, all will be well."

 

Lestat froze, coughing once. He spat the mouthful of blood onto the ground, and then clutched at the stake, swallowing the small scream that rose in his throat. Pulling the wood out of his chest, he caught the few drops of blood off the end with his gloved hand, staining the tips of the fingers as he licked the red off with his tips of tongue. He smiled as Jake, and then grabbed the front of the man's shirt and raising him a few feet off the ground.

"You've no idea who I am, boy," he hissed, pressing the bloody tip of the stake against Jake's throat. "No idea..."

 

Hannah sighed. "Okay. I trust you. But I am more unsure of myself now. I don't know much about lycans but I know that a first full moon for lycans and werewolves is not pleasent."

 

Jake's eyes widened. "You... You're one of his. One of Dracula's." His expression hardened. "Looks like I'll have to do this the hard way." He managed to choke out the words.

 

"We'll get rid of the hunter before the full moon," Edward assured her softly. "That will help. The moon will not bother you if you feed more and get that werewolf venom out of your system. It could be as simple as that, trust me!" he added when she saw the doubtful look on her face. "Just... go out with Beatrice and Jinx when you can... have more than you usually do to help. Don't you think that's a good idea?"

 

Lestat dropped Jake to the ground, tossing the stake over his shoulder, trying to aim toward John and get his attention. "I know nothing of your little Dracula, my boy," Lestat laughed, shaking his hair out once more. "My... parents, if you will, are much more than you could ever dream. Trust me..." he faded off.

 

"I can't get rid of it. It's his blood, not his venom." Hannah said. "But it is a good idea. It might help."

John leaned to the side to dodge the stake. "That wasn't necessary." He said, approaching Lestat and Jake.

 

"Blood circulates through your body just a human," Edward replied. "If his blood, which is bad for you, gets circulated through your system faster than normal, you will get better faster... hopefully before the full moon. You just need the good blood put into your body to help the process. If you don't feel well enough to hunt, I can help. Whatever I can do, I'll do it. I can even ask Lestat..." he faded off, unsure what else he could say.

 

"You told me to go first," Lestat shrugged, ignoring Edward's comment about him. "I could have done worse."