Selena headed down the dark street towards Night Island, when she heard a small noise in an ally. A whimpering. Out of shear curiosity, she peeked into the ally. There was a form huddled in the corner, but there was something wrong with it. It wasn't human. She let her mind flick over the surface thoughts there, and gasped. It was Louis. She was at his side in an instant. She knelt down and lifted his chin in her hand. His face was slightly bruised, just starting to heal.

"Louis....what happened?" She whispered. He just cast his eyes downwards. "Lestat. He did this, didn't he? Louis?" He didn't answer. It was nearing dawn and she needed to get him back to Night Island. She would have to fly. She cursed under her breath. She hated flying, but she had no choice. She picked Louis up and held him tight, then silently disappeared into the night. Minutes later she was at Night Island. She came bursting through the door, still cradling Louis to her. A very surprised Daniel was on the other side.

"Selena....God!" He gasped as he took in the sight. "What happened?"

"I don't know! I found him like this!"

"You don't think Lestat..."

"I don't know! Here," she said, handing Louis off. "take him to his room, see if you can clean him up a bit."

"But, where are you going?"

"To find Lestat." Her voice was a low growl.

Lestat was playing a game of solitaire when the door to his room burst inward. He jumped up, startled, and upset the small table. It hit the floor with a dull thud. "Selena..." He started. She was ragged, her hair a tangle, and there was blood smeared on her clothes. He was about to make a crack about her eating habits when he noticed her eyes. Her green eyes were twin flames, and reminded him unpleasantly of Armand. "What's the meaning of this?" He demanded.

"You tell me." She growled.

"I'm sure I have no idea what you're talking about. If you're in a foul mood, I suggest taking it out on someone else." He said angrily. Suddenly, he was on the floor. His face stung, and there was blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. She had slapped him! What was more, she had hurt him! But how was that possible? "How? You...you shouldn't have been able to do that!"

She glared at him. "Enough! I want to know why I had to carry Louis, beaten and bleeding, back to Night Island! He would have died out there when the sun rose! Do you understand that?!" Then she looked at his face.

Louis? Hurt? The shock of being hit by Selena had disappeared completely, only to be replaced by a worse one. That was Louis' blood on her shirt! Something had happened to him. Panic began to creep in from the edges of his mind.

Lestat's face was a perfect mask of shock and agony. He didn't know! It hadn't been him! The rage she felt boiled away, only to be replaced with a cold feeling of dread in the pit of her stomach. Suddenly, Lestat grabbed hold of her shoulders, shaking her. She winced in pain.

"Where is he? Selena? Take me to him...."

"Daniel took him to his room. Lestat, I'm sorry..." He wasn't listening. He had already brushed past her and was running with long strides down the hallway. She hurried after him. Apologies could wait, for now.

Lestat ran through open the door to Louis' room. Louis was propped up on pillows, eyes closed. His face was still marred with bruises, just now fading away. The slow rise and fall of his chest was the only sign of life. Lestat was at his side in a flash, clasping Louis' hand in his own. He looked over at Selena. "You have no idea what happened?"

"No, none." She retold the events of earlier that evening. Lestat just sat and listened, glancing at Louis' face every so often.

"Thank you for bringing him here." He said quietly.

She nodded. From where he stood in the doorway, Daniel yawned. Selena turned to him. "Come on, Daniel. I think Lestat is going to stay here with Louis." From the bed, Lestat nodded his assent. "There isn't anything we can do tonight."

Daniel headed to his room. Selena headed in the direction of her own room until he closed the door behind him, then changed directions to wait on the beach for Marius and Armand to return. She didn't have to wait long. The black speed boat came zipping up to the dock after a few minutes.

"Selena, what are you doing up still?" Armand looked genuinely puzzled. Marius made a motion for him to be silent, but Selena spoke first.

"It's okay. I'd say my cover is pretty blown."

"Something's wrong."

"Louis was attacked. Lestat's with him now. He should be okay..."

"Do you know who did it?"

She sighed. "No. And Louis hasn't regained consciousness. It's too close to dawn. There isn't really anything to be done." Selena stifled a yawn.

"I will go see to him. You and Armand need to get to sleep."

As they walked into the house, Armand looked over at her. _There is much more to you than meets the eye._

_Yes. There is. I have many secrets._ She sent back. She saw curiosity behind his large brown eyes.

_I look forward to discovering what they are._ A smile played at the corners of his mouth.

End Part I FASTER WHEN YOU FALLPart II