She was up at sundown, but she stayed in her room. She didn't really want to talk to anyone at the moment, and she might as well try to keep up the charade a little longer. She had a feeling her world would come crashing down around her ears very soon. There was a quiet knock on the door. She didn't respond.

"Open the door, Selena. I know you're up, so there is no need to play this game with me."

She got up and opened the door. "How is everyone?"

"Fine, to my knowledge."

"And Louis?"

"He's fine too. He needs to feed, but other than that..."

"Where is he?" She knew she wasn't being very polite, but she needed to know.

"In his room still. I believe Lestat is in there fussing over him as we speak." Marius said with a chuckle. "You haven't cut your hair." He added.

"No. I was about to. She grabbed a handful of the dark curls and looked at them disdainfully. "Such a nucence." She let it fall again to join the rest of the cascade that reached almost to her waist.

"Don't." He said, looking her in the eye. He reached out and ran his hand through the auburn tresses.

"But, I'm sure I don't have any clothes that won't look absolutely foolish with this....MESS!" She protested.

"Let me look." He walked over to the closet and began to rifle through the items that hung on the pole. "Here." He produced a long, green, velvet gown.

"But........" Cat had bought it for her some time ago, full knowing that she would almost never wear it. But it was beautiful, and she hadn't done anything to please anyone but herself in a long time. She took it from his hands and headed to the bathroom. She emerged moments later, and looked in the full-length mirror. she had to admit, she liked how it looked. And so did Marius, judging from the look in his eye.

"Lovely."

She blushed a little. "I don't have shoes."

"Then you'll be the bare-foot countessa."

Selena giggled a little at the thought. "I should go see Louis."

"I'll take you to him." He said holding out his arm. She took it, and together they walked down the hall to Louis' room.

What do we have here, Marius? Who have you brought, and *what* have you done with Selena?" Lestat said sarcastically.

"You're too much sometimes." Selena replied. She glanced over at Louis. "How are you?"

"Fine now. I wanted to thank you.."

"There is no need. Just tell me, do you know what happened? Do you remember?"

"No. I only remember seeing you...and that's all."

"Nothing? Nothing at all?"

"No. I'm sorry..."

Selena could tell that he was upset. But she wanted to know what had happened so badly.

"You can dress her up, but you can't make her a lady." Lestat sighed, going to Louis once more. Selena frowned at him. "I want to talk to you, by the way. Privately." He didn't miss the nervous glance she cast at Marius. There was something there he couldn't place. Maybe they seemed to know each other too well. He dismissed it. Selena gave him a curt nod.

"We will."

Selena left the room and set out to feed. She didn't need to, really, but she *wanted* to. She was back at Night Island shortly, the memory of the poor boy who had thought she was an angel still fresh in her mind. His sent clung to her clothing. "Divine..." he had whispered. "...answered my prayers." And as he died, she had whispered "Yes." Now she and Lestat retired to the library for their 'chat', baring everyone else from the room. Selena took a seat by the fireplace, warming her cold hands. Lestat leaned casually against one of the tables. He wore a lose violet silk shirt, and gray slacks, his golden mane down, glinting in the firelight. He was studying her slowly, eyes scanning her form as she sat there. So small...smaller even than Armand. She looked very much like him, he realized, suddenly, and was amazed he hadn't noticed earlier. But her hair did not hold as much auburn glint as his did, and her marvelously large eyes were green. Not emerald, like Louis', but glowing like a cat's eyes. They held the same mystery as Armand's, though. The same look of deeply locked, painful secrets. Who had made her? She was young, or so he had thought, until last night. Now, he didn't know. And she had been young when she had been made. Nineteen, at most. She was an unknown. Everything he had assumed about her, it seemed, was wrong. He was aware that her eyes were on him as well. He cleared his throat. "Firstly, I wanted to thank you for rescuing Louis for me. He's so fragile, so very human. That's what endears him to us all. I don't know what I would do without him." He wasn't looking at her now, but rather, was apparently studying the pattern on the carpet at his feet.

"And I wanted to apologize for last night. For thinking that you would ever hurt Louis like that. And to apologize for hitting you. I was upset..."

"You were so distraught and overcome with rage that you had a strength you don't normally posses. That is what you were going to say, no?" She stiffened a little. "I don't think so, cherie." He walked over to where she sat.

"I'm sure I don't..."

"You're older than you let us believe. That is why you are still alive. Why *she*-"

"Please! I don't know what you're talking about!"

"Why *she* did not destroy you!" Even after the time that had passed, he could not bring himself to say that name. He looked down at her, his eyes violet from the light reflecting off his shirt. "Isn't it so?"

"Yes." She said quietly.

He crouched down at her side. "Why? There is no need for deception....unless you are protecting someone! You never talk about your past, your maker. Why is that?" He said almost to himself. Just then, something caught his eye. A thin chain hung around her neck. It occurred to him that he had seen her wear it many times, and he had never paid it any attention. He reached for it now, lifting it gently to see what was suspended on it. Selena clapped her hand over the pendent, but the gesture was half-hearted. He gave the chain another tug and she released. He laid the object in the palm of his hand and examined it. It was a coin, very old. Roman. She snatched it back out of his hand, and slipped it below the neckline of her dress. She looked up at him, her yellow-green eyes miserable. And then she was silently pleading with him. "Let me keep my secrets." She seemed to say.

Interesting, that." He said. "Does it have special meaning to you?"

She didn't answer, only looked at him. She seemed on the edge of tears.

"Suit yourself. By the way," he added, heading for the door, "Apology accepted." End Part II