Lestat attempts to make amends with Louis. The vampire family decides to live together once more. A surprising action from Lestat leads the family to decide to leave New Orleans, once and for all. In Dubai, Molloy has a shocking realization.
Molloy has no sympathy for Louis. He views this century-old vampire trying to detail the story of his life in artful perfection. It doesn't inherently reveal the truth. It doesn't explain the constant draw to the various individuals. Louis hopes it's just understood that these vampires have a bond that transcends any relationship a human might feel. That's why he and Claudia eventually agreed to welcome Lestat back into their lives. He kept secrets from them. He ruined their lives. He abused them physically and emotionally. They fought back. They wanted their own agency. He couldn't handle it. Lestat isn't suddenly deserving of more love and respect simply because he shares a few more details about his life. He has lied so often that Claudia doesn't trust what he has to say now. Molloy has the same skepticism. He views Louis as nothing more than someone in love with their abusive partner. He can't escape no matter how sensible that seems to the outside world. Louis has tried to make the point about how seductive this relationship was. However, his bond with Claudia is stronger than whatever he has with Lestat. It doesn't change from moment to moment. He doesn't have to temper his emotions in order to interact with her. In fact, he appreciates the ways in which she tends to his wounds. A decade passes in their lives. They are largely relegated to hiding. They keep Lestat away despite his frequent overtures. He needs them to forgive him. He lost his temper. He promises to do better in the future. All it seemingly takes is Lestat writing a song about Louis. He records it with complete passion and precision. He also pointedly features Antoinette on the track. It's all meant to provoke a response. When Louis is enraged, he can't maintain the silent treatment that has defined their relationship for a decade. Once that barrier collapses, it's easy for Lestat to return to the family dynamic that was once common. These three can only rely on each other. They remain targeted in the community. They hunt at night. They are greeted by hexes at their door meant to scare them away. They are unmoved. They don't leave this environment. They hope a set of rules will allow the family to prosper. The same problems repeat though. None of them move beyond the reactions they have always offered no matter what. They are stuck in their ways. They can't change that now. Louis hopes to offer a fresh perspective to Molloy. They can finish what they started all those years ago. However, that only comes with the realization that Louis is now the one withholding secrets. He has aged into the mysterious vampire just like Lestat was when they first met in the early 20th century.
All of this is meant to pivot around the fateful decision Louis and Claudia make to kill their maker. That has never been presented as the end of this story. It continues in the lives they have afterwards. They aren't destined to remain in New Orleans. They aren't confined to this reality. In order to break free though, they have to deal with Lestat. He has his charms. Plus, he's more powerful than them. They understand the way he thinks. Claudia rations that they have to become exactly like him in order to defeat him. It works when it pertains to chess. He has a breakdown upon realizing that she has bested him. He pompously believed that would never occur. And yet, she can't easily be controlled and manipulated. She has her own agency. Louis was willing to let her leave to chase her dreams once more. She is older now and learned from her mistakes. She won't inherently trust the first vampire she comes across. Her hopes are destroyed when Lestat crashes into the scene. For years, Lestat and Claudia learned to tolerate each other. It's their personal curse that they are meant to endure together. This family is bonded. They can never break up. They are destined to always be together. Claudia challenges that notion. She created the rules in order to provide comfort and structure to Louis. He was in a vulnerable place. He still needs convincing to take the rational actions. He can be easily persuaded. Lestat and Claudia simply have to note how condescending he is when he talks about their need to feed on humans. He relents and shows his own willingness to accommodate their needs. They don't change in that regard. In fact, it's monstrous to watch as Lestat forces Claudia into compliance. He wields information and destruction against her. He makes her feel damaged and responsible for whatever horror happens next. Louis can survive without Claudia. He doesn't need her in order to remain emotionally stable. Sure, he has suicidal thoughts. However, he knows not to damage her psyche in that way - just like his brother did when he died on his sister's wedding night. He shows consideration for her perspective. Lestat has no such concern. He demands so much from the people around him. He appeases them with talk about his love. He shares his affection willingly and frequently. He's still destructive when they don't reciprocate. This cycle is bound to end in disaster. That's the neat conclusion Louis hopes to build. That doesn't quite offer peace and clarity to Molloy. In fact, he grows more distraught upon realizing that Rashid was also present at the bar in the 1970s when he first met Louis. That invites more questions into the proceedings. Louis is withholding in so many ways. He eagerly offers Molloy the chance to become a vampire. That's no longer something he desires. He is at peace with being human even though it leads to death. No such understanding comes for Louis. And so, his story is destined to drag on. Lestat and Claudia were important once. Molloy and Rashid are as well. These stories are being told in parallel. They inform each other while also only offering the faintest details of what's to come next. That's precarious and mysterious. It's not all that comforting. The performances make it all worth it though. That remains clear and constant.
