Page 10 (2/2)

"Audacious and proud of it," Lestat fired back "But let's get one thing straight I am not the sole author of the Chronicles Blame your own versatile David Talbot for the Chronicle of Merrick Mayfair It was David's story to tell Merrick wanted the Dark Gift Merrick Mayfair was a witch before she was ever a vampire Who should know that better than you? There was no lie there And it was David's choice to use her naht add What is all of this to me?"

"He wouldn't have done it without your blessing," said Stirling with astonishing confidence

"You think not?" demanded Lestat "And why should I care about some mortal family of witches? The Mayfairs, what are they to reat family, pray tell, a rich family? Vampires loathe witches, whether they're rich or poor Anyone who reads the story of Merrick Mayfair can see why Not that Merrick isn't anything but a princess aer readers think it's all fiction, and how do you knohat's real and what's not?"

I wept inside thinking of my red-haired Mayfair! And on they talked

"Thank God your readers think it's fiction," said Stirling, beco faintly more heated, "and the Mayfair fareat faes, and treasures bonds of love What else? You seek a family, always and everywhere I see it in your Chronicles "

"Stop, I won't listen to you," said Lestat sharply but without raising his voice "I'ed by you You've had corruption in your ranks You know you have And I know full wellyour Elders to coive you the Dark Blood?"

"I don't want it," said Stirling in suppressed amazement "I don't seek it I wanted to see you, and hear your voice "

"And now you have, and ill you do?"

"I told you Write about it Confess to the Elders Describe it all "

"Oh, no you won't," said Lestat "You'll leave out one key part "

"And what is that?" asked Stirling

"You're such an aduess what part?"

"We try to be ad "I'll be condeht even be reh I doubt it I have other important work to do "

Again, there careat faht of my red-haired love, ain Was that his important work? I wished with all my heart I could ask him

Lestat appeared to be studying Stirling, who had fallen silent, staring at Lestat, perhaps doing that littleall the details about which he would write later on Members of the Talamasca were especially trained to do it