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He shook his head. That's for you to enjoy, he said. The body's young the way you've always been young. You will thrill to the stamina of it, as you say. You will glory in all those loving looks. He broke off. He took the final sip of his coffee and stared into the cup,
No code words, he said politely.
Very well.
Ah, good, he said with a full warm smile of amazing brightness. Remember I offered you a week for this sum, he said. It's your decision to take one full day. Perhaps after you've had a taste you'll want a much longer time.
Perhaps so, I said. Again, I was distracted by the sight of him, by the sight of the large warm hand which he covered now with the glove.
And another switch will cost you another handsome sum, he said merrily, all smiles now, as he arranged his scarf within his lapels.
Yes, of course.
Money really doesn't mean anything to you, does it? he asked, thoughtfully.
Nothing at all. How tragic for you, I thought, that it means so much.
Well, perhaps I should take my leave now, and allow you to make your preparations. I shall see you Wednesday as planned.
Don't try to run out on me, I said in a low voice, leaning forward slightly, and then lifting my hand and touching his face.
The gesture clearly startled him; he became motionless, like an animal in the wood who suddenly sensed danger where there had been none before. But his expression remained calm, and I let my fingers rest against his smoothly shaven skin.
Then I moved them down slowly, feeling the firmness of his jawbone, and then I placed my hand on his neck. Here, too, the razor had passed, leaving its faint dark shadow; the skin was firm, surprisingly muscular, and a clean, youthful scent rose from it as I saw the sweat break out on his forehead, as I saw his lips move in a surprisingly graceful smile.
Surely you enjoyed being young just a little, I said under my breath.
He smiled, as if he knew just how radiant and seductive the smile could be.
I dream the dreams of the young, he said. And they are always dreams of being older, and richer, and wiser, and stronger, don't you think?
I gave a little laugh.
I'll be there Wednesday night, he said with the same silver-tongued sincerity. You can be certain of it. Come. It will happen, I promise you. He leant forward and whispered. You will be inside this body! And once again, he smiled in the most charming and ingratiating fashion. You'll see.
I want you to leave New Orleans now.
Ah, yes, immediately, he said. And without another word, he stood up, moving back away from me, and then tried to conceal his sudden fear. I have my ticket already, he said. I don't like your filthy little Caribbean backwater. He made a little self-deprecating laugh, an almost pretty laugh. Then he went on as if he were a wise teacher scolding a student. We'll talk more when you come to Georgetown. And don't try to spy on me in the meantime. I'll know it if you do. I'm too good at picking up that sort of thing. Even the Talamasca was amazed at my powers. They should have kept me in the fold! They should have studied me! He broke off.
I'll spy on you anyway, I said, echoing his low key and careful tone. I don't really care whether or not you know.
He laughed again, in a low, subdued, and slightly smoldering fashion, and then gave me a little nod and rushed towards the door. He was once again the awkward, ungainly being, full of crazed excitement. And how tragic it seemed, for surely that body could move like a panther with another soul inside.
I caught him on the sidewalk, startling him, indeed scaring him half out of his powerful little psychic mind. We were almost eye-to-eye.
What do you want to do with my body? I asked. I mean, besides flee from the sun every morning as if you were a nocturnal insect or a giant slug?
What do you think? he said, once again playing the charming English gentleman with utter sincerity. I want to drink blood. His eyes grew very wide, and he leaned closer. I want to take life when I drink it. That's the point, isn't it It's not merely the blood you steal from them, it's their lives. I've never stolen anything that valuable from anyone. He gave me a knowing smile. The body, yes, but not the blood and the life.
I let him go, backing away from him as sharply as he'd backed away from me only a moment before. My heart was pounding, and I could feel a tremor passing through me as I stared at him, at his handsome and seemingly innocent face.
He continued to smile. You are a thief par excellence,
he said. Every breath you take is stolen! Oh, yes, I must have your body. I must experience this. To invade the vampire files of the Talamasca was a triumph, but to possess your body, and to steal blood whilst in it! Ah, that is beyond all my finest accomplishments! You are the ultimate thief.
Get away from me, I whispered.
Oh, come now, don't be so fastidious, he said. You hate it when other people do it to you. You're quite privileged, Lestat de Lioncourt. You've found what Diogenes was searching for. An honest man! Another broad smile, and then a low volley of simmering laughter, as if he couldn't contain it any longer. I shall see you Wednesday. And you must come early. I want as much of the night as I can have.
