"Do you have another way?" Edward asked. "How else can I get rid of John? You have no idea how much restraint it took tonight to stop beating him right before he could have died."
"How else can I kill John?" Edward mumured against the top of her head. "Lestat says he knows how... and I'll do anything to get him to tell me. You can't know what side he's on, dear. He let me go..." He narrowed his eyebrows, remembering the moment. "He dropped me from the trees and told me to get you and go, when he very well could have killed me. Yet his bite impaired my mind, my strength, and slowed my healing on my back..."
"I've got to," Edward began, pulling her down against his chest again. He sighed, her cooler body making the heat along his back more bearable. "Lestat can help us... and it seems he and John are together for now, though Lestat seems much older and more powerful. Look, Hannah, you've seen me get angry, but I was ten times worse tonight, and... he could hold me with one hand. I don't understand it..."
"He did it," Edward confirmed. "Lestat de Lioncourt, your John's friend. He... he did it perfectly, though, Hannah; the cut was perfect it seemed, as though he timed his attack just right effortlessly, the direct angle of just one of his teeth, and how much damage that little but would do to me mentally... it doesn't hurt too much."
"No," Edward said, "but could you look at this?" He shifted a little bit so she could see the small slash on his stomach.
"Not just you," Edward replied, trying once more to smile and failing miserably. "Lestat," he murmured, "He's more than even I can handle when I'm as mad as I can get. That's saying something..." he shivered, and then controlled himself, not wanting to have her feel the waves going through his stomach.
"You didn't drag me, dear," Edward reminded her. "I came of my own accord, whether you would have wanted me to or not. And," he added, "I was the one being dragged around the forest, anyway."
"What did John say to you? I mean to stay, but then he..." Edward faded off, remembering Lestat's strong attacks. "He was too strong for me."
"I'd like you to," Edward said, his mind still aching from Lestat's and John's onslaughts. "It's up to you."
"Oh, no," Edward tried to laugh immediately. It made the scratch on his abs burn even though it was shallow and small. "You're perfect where you are... although I do have some questions in my head for you."
"I'm fine," Edward said, finally shifting into a position that was slightly comfortable. "He didn't physically injure me too much... don't worry."
"What did he do to you?" Edward asked, unable to stop himself. He shifted his back, the pain now fluctating from unbearable to a little twinge. He tried to hide his groan.
"Sleep if you must," Edward began, stroking her hair. "Just tell me you're alright before you pass out again."
"It's me," Edward replied quickly, laughing with relief through his pain. "I'm right here, dear, just stay awake for me."
"Hannah!" Edward tried again, shaking her more harshly. He could see the pain in her eyes. "What's wrong? Talk to me, please--" he cut himself off, wincing from the pain in his back.
"Hannah?" Edward jumped slightly. He tapped her cheek lightly. "You okay? Wake up, dear."
"Nothing," Edward said, raising his voice so they could hear him. "My back is healing, is all... hurts a bit."
"B.astard!" Edward swore aloud when he saw the small gash along his hard stomach. He had to move Hannah over slightly to run his hand on it. The cut was perfect it seemed, as though Lestat timed his tackle of Edward, the direct angle of just one of his teeth, and how much damage that little but would do. Edward tried to retort in his mind, but it ached to the point of splitting open. "I wouldn't come near me again if I were you, Lestat," he whispered aloud. "Be very careful."
Edward panicked slightly, turning his arms around, looking at his bare chest, trying to see if Lestat was telling the truth or not.
What the hell are you talking about? Edward channeled back to the vampire, trying not to cry aloud at the pain of the voice in his head. What are you doing?
