Page 196 (1/2)
Cleh around the entire tomb, and wood and coal were layered on top of it And everywhere stood the candles
Merrick was there in a lovely full-skirted dress of black cotton with long sleeves, and beads of jet around her throat Her hair was free And she carried with her a very large bag covered with fancy and glittering beadith two grips for handles, which she carefully set beside one of the ton of the Cross and laid her hand respectfully on that grave, which was to be the altar
With a lighter she ignited the first candle Then frohted, went to the other candles one by one Slowly the little ceht
Lestat stood atas if I was cold
At last the entire graveyard was illuminated, and as Clem had put several rows of candles in the little church, which I had forgotten altogether, they were lighted by Merrick as well, and a flickering light came from the church s
I felt a cold trepidation as Merrick lifted the can of kerosene and poured it over the coals and the wood lavishly, and then applied the taper and stepped back I had never seen a freestanding fire of this size
"Come here to me, both of you," she called out "And be my helpers, and repeat what I tell you to repeat and do as I say What you've believed in the past is not i And you must put your faith in what I do and say to"
We both gave her our consent
"Quinn, don't fear it," she said
The fire was blazing and crackling I stepped back, instinctively, and Merrick and Lestat moved back as well Lestat seemed particularly to hate it Merrick seeht, but then what did I know?
"Tell me the true names of Garwain's parents and ancestors, as you know them," said Merrick
"Julien and Grace; Gravier and Alice; Thomas and Rose; Patsy -- that's all "
"Very well Now re back, she reached into the large black bag again and took froolden knife With the knife she slashed at her wrist, and, drawing as close to the fire as she could, she let her blood splash into it
Then Lestat, fearing for her, yanked her back fro flames
She drew in her breath as though she had been in danger and even frightened herself Then she brought out a chalice fro, and she told ain, deeply and roughly, and the blood flowed into the cup, and she took it from me, and she heaved the blood into the flames