It's a kind of magic

Part eleven

Catherine followed Katya as they tried to find the Brood. Katya let her instincts guide her and so was unprepared for Farrooq and Viscera heading round the corner and bumping into her. Viscera grabbed Katya and slammed her to the floor. Catherine was already running but still heard the crack of Katya's spine as she hit the floor. Then all Catherine could hear was the thud of her heart as she tried to outrun the two men. She slid into a half open doorway and prayed that one of the oldest tricks in the book would fool the two men. Luckily they weren't in the ministry for their brains and thundered past. Catherine waited until their footsteps died away and ran back to her friend. Katya's body wasn't there. Catherine edged round the corner and he was in front of her. The vampire she'd spent her whole life researching. Christian, the silent one. He looked straight at her and smiled at her. He moved forward.

"Put your arms round my neck." He said. Catherine wrapped her arms around his neck as if her body had a mind of it's own. They moved upwards so swiftly that Catherine felt as if they were flying. They balanced on a joist high above the church his arm wrapped tight around Catherine's waist. She could see Edge in a corner cradling a bundle.

"Is that Katya?" She asked. Christian nodded. "What's happening to her?"

"She's changing." He replied. He sat on a wide beam pulling Catherine down to sit opposite. He stared at her. Catherine felt herself flush.

"What do you want from life Catherine?" He asked gently. Catherine shrugged. Christian leaned forward. "Drink from me and live forever." He quoted.

"You nicked that from Anne Rice." Accused Catherine. Christian sat back and chuckled at her.

"No, no. Anne got it from me." He corrected her. Catherine stared in bemusement.

"Do you mean..." she started but then trailed off. Christian nodded.

"Read the description of Lestat. Does it remind you of anyone?" He asked. Catherine stared again comprehension dawning as Christian inclined his head towards his brother. She started to smile.

"And you are Louis?" She asked. He grinned at her. "Wow!" She breathed. Footsteps behind her made her look up. Katya and Edge stood there smiling at her.

"Katya!" exclaimed Catherine springing up. Christian grabbed her before she fell off. Katya smiled at her and Catherine noticed her teeth had become more pointed and prominent. She instinctively shrank back against Christian before remembering that he too was a vampire.

"So," said Katya, "What's going on here?"

 

Part twelve