(note: For the natural conclusion of Jackie's narrative, check his oneshot in "Give Me That Body". I didn't want to double-dip, but it provides good insight into both Jackie's complicated state of mind and his relationship with Laurent toward the end of the latter's life.)
A crow came for Jackie, saying "Hush, hush", took him by the hands. By my heart, they look so alike, because of the look on their faces, which is wide-eyed and too lucid. A vampire is better off with its eyes closed and unknowing. Quinn leaned over to consult with Leis a moment before helping Jackie up from the couch. I closed my eyes and then opened them, and found Quinn looking at me. "Caw," he said, icily.
"What did he call you when he thought you couldn't hear?" Jackie whispered.
"Crow," Quinn said, and steadied him.
"They are all alike, aren't they? Cat, fox, crow. What should we do about it?"
"Sh," Quinn told him. "Unbutton your collar. You'll choke. Come and I'll bleed you."
Jackie, tall, dark-featured, with his brown hair kissing his collar, measured me with his gaze a moment.
"I'm sorry," I said.
"Understood. Now have you gotten from me what you wanted?" he asked.
"Yes. It will all be written."
He nodded without meeting my eyes, and I couldn't imagine this dignified character screaming, sweating, cold. He seemed frail and young, wavering, but at the time a pillar of iron, straight-backed and intelligent in his smart white shirt.
"How long will you stay?"
"Only a day or so," I told him.
"Then we won't see each other," he said, and extended a shivering hand for me to take.
I took it, fine fingers, nails that had been perfectly trimmed, clean and dry. On his left hand there was a gold ring, thin and wide. On the inside of it, I knew, there was an etched crab of Cancer. I knew it to be Laurent's ring, one of his favorite pieces.
"Have a good evening," he said.
"And you, darling."
After the two of them had gone, Leis remained on the couch and relaxed his shoulders, slumped down. I went through my papers and turned off the recorder, keeping to myself and enjoying the quiet atmosphere. In their house there are no refrigerators, no ceiling fans turning. At a certain time of night in the winter when no central air is needed, even the circuit breaker is thrown so that there is not a single whisper of electronic humming.
"Can I ask you a question?" I asked.
Leis opened his eyes lazily.
"Jackie seems to blame you," I said, in French, so that he wouldn't misunderstand me.
The blue eyes shut again, and Leis rubbed the bridge of his nose. "He's right to blame me. He suspects that Laurent and I talked about it and we did. But I didn't know that he was going to do it then. Look at me, like they say, I am too stupid for intrigue. Croasse croasse." Caw caw.
"Did he feel guilty?"
"No. And in any case, what did it matter? Jackie fled for England, and we didn't hear from him for thirty years. At this moment, we are not talking about it, as ever. He can barely remember it and I don't know what word is the knife that would twist in the wound."
"Are you annoyed with me? You sound annoyed."
"I am a little. Should I hide it? We have spent some time together in this past year. May I be annoyed?"
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The Story of the Vampire, L (Completed | Featured )
VampireHe looked over at me in the dimness, fingers loose in my grip. "You are hurting me," he said, without interest. He had caked powder on his already pale skin, all of one shade except for points made by a hot pencil. Though it was no longer the mode a...
