Van Helsing

Edward, no, Lestat snapped when he heard Edward coming. They're done, it's over! Let him be, or I will stop you in a more painful way than before, trust me.

 

Hannah stopped outside the tavern, trying to pull herself together.

Beatrice stood her ground firmly in front of the doorway. "She told me to make sure that you didn't do anything stupid, too."

 

Edward ran as fast as he can once he exited the tavern, making sure he went around the back to avoid Hannah. He reached the woods quickly, his eyes immediately adjusting to the dark.

 

"So true," Van Helsing sighed. "We'll see what happens, I guess."

 

Lestat jumped down from his tree right behind Edward, slamming his arm hard across the back of his head. The werewolf flew to the ground, and Lestat kicked him harshly, landing him into the nearest tree. He crumpled, and Lestat grabbed the front of his shirt once more, crashing his fist into the side of his face.

"You're stupid, Edward," Lestat growled as Edward moaned, unable to move. "You're brave and strong enough to kill anyone when you're not around me, but right now you're an idiot. Let him be!"

He saw Edward shake his head, felt him try to raise his arms and fight back. "Hold still or they'll bring you back to that tavern in several pieces," he muttered, trailing his sharp ring along the edges of Edward's eyes. "Listen to me."

 

Once Hannah was sure she wouldn't start bawling again, she went inside and up the stairs, practically running in to Beatrice.

"I'm sorry, Hannah," Beatrice helped Hannah steady herself. "He wouldn't listen to me; he left."

"Damn it...." Hannah murmured. "Beatrice, will you please try to find him?"

Beatrice brought Hannah into her room and over to the bed. "I can try."

 

Edward growled, his head pounding, blood dripping down from cuts on his head, forehead, and mouth. "I can't wait till the full moon," he hissed. "Let me kill him... I trusted her, and..."

 

Lestat frowned when Edward faded off. He loosened his grip a little. "There's nothing you can do to him tonight, Edward," he explained quietly. He saw the man open his mouth to retort and shouted shrilly in his mind: Do not argue with me! Do you want me to send you back to her in one piece or not? I could remove a couple of your fingers, maybe an eye... you don't need them! She's got enough to deal with without you throwing yourself at John! FOCUS!

Edward's scream of pain at the last word he had shouted bothered him only shortly. "Stop struggling," he whispered aloud. "Do you really want me to let you go?"

 

Hannah stood back up quickly. "No, I should go find him." She swayed with a wave of dizziness.

Beatrice quickly helped Hannah to the bathroom, turning her head away and trying to block out the sound of Hannah's second round of vomit. Maybe that was too much for her to handle so soon.

 

Please, Lestat, Edward whispered, barely audible. He knew the vampire would be impressed by using his mind. If you won't let me kill him now, tell me what he did to her...

 

Lestat sighed. "Nothing," he lied, dropping Edward to the ground. The man crumpled, groaning, holding the back of his head. "Go back to your room... and... do what you must, but do not be mean or overprotective with her. Understand?"

 

Beatrice waited for Hannah and then took her back to the bed. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

"I just want to be alone...." Hannah mumbled. "Do you think you can keep Edward at bay for a little while when he comes back?"

Beatrice nodded and adjusted the pillows for Hannah. Beatrice felt the guilt well up in her again when she looked at Hannah lying on the bed. "I'll be right outside." She told Hannah and then went to stand outside the door and wait for Edward.

 

Edward managed to stand, swaying and holding onto the tree for balance. "Why... should I trust you... when you beaten me half to death... twice now?"

 

"Yes," Lestat muttered, and leaned forward, grabbed the back of Edward head, and brought his ear close to his mouth and whispered barely loud enough to hear: "John is still near enough to hear. Do not mention what I've told you... go now."

 

Edward grimaced, pulling away from Lestat. "Get away from me, then," he snapped. He stepped away, back toward the town. "Stay away from me, and stay away from Hannah. I... I appreciate what you've done so far, but let us be for now."

He turned and headed slowly back toward the tavern, his back still bleeding. He held his forehead, the large bump on the back of his head tender as the one on his jaw. His vision was a little blurry, but he kept himself level, finally entereing the tavern and slowly going up the stairs. It took him a while to remember which way to turn, and he saw Beatrice in front of the door. He shook his head to clear the fog, ignoring the blood dripping between his fingers from the cut on his forehead.

"Hi," he said weakly, giving her a small smile.

 

Beatrice's eyes widened. "What happened?!" She shook her head. "Did you go after John?"

 

Edward laughed. "I tried," he replied. "I didn't even get to him... Lestat stopped me. Can I ask why you're guarding the door?"

 

"Happy, John?" Lestat said aloud, knowing the stables were just a few yards away. "He's half dead now."

 

"You should have just killed him." John muttered, quickly next to Lestat.

"Hannah wants to be alone." Beatrice explained. "She asked me to make sure she could be for a while. She's not feeling well at all."

 

Edward winced, feeling the back of his head. "I need to clean up," he sighed. "The bathroom inside... I'll only be a minute."