Even Lestat can't deny the little, delightful tingle of tension at the closeness. People may choose to see what he did as something against Neal, but Lestat wouldn't choose to turn someone if he didn't feel an attachment. Certainly he wouldn't choose to do it if he felt their body couldn't handle the change. And as he unwraps Neal's hand, the scent of blood grows a little stronger, and it reminds Lestat, too, of how it felt to feed on him.

"Nothing untoward, I assure you."

Lestat holds Neal's hand in one of his own, wound facing up so it can be seen. With the thumb of his other hand, he carefully cuts open the index finger next to it, and with a degree of tenderness he smoothes his blood over the wound.

"Now my own healing capabilities are back, this should help."

Even as he speaks, the wound starts to rapidly heal, slowly fading.