Kathryn stood on the balcony, staring inside at him. Shielded by the night, he couldn't see her, but his gaze kept straying there, pinpointing her where she stood.

He was in the nursery, apparently putting the finishing touches.

Guilt twisted inside her. If she hadn't met him that night, he'd be in there with his wife and the twins. Everyone safe and sound and whole.

But they had met. He had brought sunlight to her eternal night. One dark kiss had sealed him to her.

Now she had to let him go. Oh, Jack, she thought, one pale hand half raised to reach for him before dropping back down to her side.

The French doors opened, and he stepped onto the balcony. "Hello?" he called, his brandy colored eyes scanning the darkness.

Kathryn drew a deep breath and stepped out of the shadows. She saw the sudden smile that creased his face, and something flared within her. She could feel his happiness at seeing her, but, beneath, she knew as well that he still feared her. She bit back a sigh. "Hello."

Jack made to sweep her into his arms, but she held up one slender, pale hand. Her chocolate eyes locked on his. He froze, staring into her eyes. Keeping his gaze trapped, she searched his mind, finding his compulsion, their bond, and severing it. In a resonant voice, she said softly, "I release you." One last caress of his cheek, and she stepped back, knowing it would take only moments before he snapped out of it.

She fled before he could wake, leaping over the side of the balcony and escaping into the night.

Her thoughts were in turmoil. There. She'd done it. Released him. She couldn't read his thoughts any longer, or hear what was in his heart.

"You did what you had to, Kathryn," Louis said, appearing at her side.

She rounded on him, staring up into his eyes. "You followed me?"

One long fingered hand gently swept over her cheek. She glanced at the pale pink streaks against his even paler fingers, then looked up into his eyes. "I wanted to make sure you were alright," he quietly explained.

She swallowed hard, her gaze glancing back over her shoulder at his house behind her. Was he still on the balcony? Had he moved back into the warmth of the nursery? Or was he standing on the balcony, looking for her...calling for her?

"He loves you still, I should think."

Kathryn growled low in her throat, rounded on Lestat. "So you followed me as well."

Lestat sighed. His blond hair billowed behind him on the cool breeze, framing his face so she could see the concern in his sapphire eyes. "We both care for you, Kathryn."

She opened her mouth to argue, then froze. Her gaze darted back to the house. There, she heard it again. He called for her. Swallowing hard, she turned to Louis. "We should go."

"But..."

Ignoring Lestat completely, Kathryn turned and strode briskly down the dimly lit street.

Louis glanced once at Lestat, sighed, shrugged his broad shoulders, then followed after her.

Lestat watched them both go, his blond brows furrowed in thought. A long moment later, as a slow smile creased his lips, he glanced back at the house behind him.