My Devils and Minions: Sometimes, pieces of a canon are so powerful, they become what Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse would term a “canon event.” That means that no matter what universe a character is living in, the event MUST happen. When it comes to Anne Rice’s universe, if you ask ardent fans, there are quite a few canon events that belong to the relationship between Armand and Daniel, also known as Devil’s Minion. And these canon events NEED to occur in AMC’s adaptation of The Vampire Lestat. One of these is the idea that Armand calls Daniel, “Beloved.” In fandom circles, from fanfic to fan art to memes, the use of “Beloved” is ubiquitous around Devil’s Minion. And, truly, how can one resist the notion when it comes right from Anne Rice’s Queen of the Damned? And, indeed, is so beautifully offered from Armand to Daniel so many times? One can’t! But, alas, for now, the question of whether Assad Zaman’s Armand will call Eric Bogosian’s “My Beloved” in The Vampire Lestat does not yet have a clear answer. But regardless of what happens in the show’s universe, I set out to bring this canon event to our universe. Enjoy Beloveds! We deserve it.
As to the story behind this moment, it shall remain shrouded in the right amount of vampiric mystery. But I invite you to imagine many cackles, the promise of $5 (not necessary), and Eric Bogosian awakening like a sleeper agent mid-interview to bring it to life. Truly, we are beloved as a fandom.
For now, Armand and Daniel’s much-anticipated romance has not yet manifested itself. Although, speaking of Devil’s Minion, Rolin Jones told Nerdist, “We’re right there now.” And Eric Bogosian and Assad Zaman shared, “We’re working on it./It’s a work in progress.” So, Devil’s Minion feels a bit inevitable from where I’m sitting. And if we really think about it? How could any good storyteller miss the opportunity to bring such a delicious relationship to life?
Hopefully, one day soon, we’ll get the real “My Beloved” from Armand to Daniel. Perhaps even a “Boss,” in response. But for now, we’ll enjoy this dark gift. I hope this makes the day of many devils and minions out there. And I leave you all with Anne Rice’s words to enjoy.
But Armand gently pulled him upright, held him. The car rocked gently, deliciously
as it moved forward. So nice to sleep at last in Armand’s arms. But there was so much
he must tell Armand, so much about the dream, the book.“Don’t you think I know?” Armand whispered. A strange light in the eye, what was it?
Something raw and tender in the way Armand looked, all the composure stripped
away. He lifted a tumbler half full of brandy and put it in Daniel’s hand.
“And you running from me,” he said, “from Stockholm and Edinburgh and Paris.
What do you think I am that I can follow you at such speed down so many pathways?
And such danger-“Lips against Daniel’s face, suddenly, ah, that’s better, I like kissing. And snuggling
with dead things, yes, hold me. He buried his face in Armand’s neck. Your blood.
“Not yet, my beloved.” Armand pushed him forward, pressing his fingers to Daniel’s
lips. Such uncommon feeling in the low, controlled voice. “Listen to what I’m saying
to you. All over the world, our kind are being destroyed.”
Then, again, later in the text, beautifully, “Far away he heard Armand’s voice: ‘What do I do with you, my beloved? Especially now, when I myself am so afraid.'”
Yes, rip our hearts out, why don’t you, Anne Rice?
Much love to you all, Beloveds,
Ro
The Vampire Lestat airs on AMC and AMC+ Sundays at 9 pm ET/PT and midnight, respectively. You can snag The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice to read, if you’d like to know a little bit more about what’s going on.
Rotem Rusak is the Editor-in-Chief of Nerdist. She’s ready for Devil’s Minion to become canon so one of her ships can finally sail.
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