The Sacred Core is the term used to refer to the brain where the spirit Amel resides, being the source of The Dark Gift itself. Every vampire is linked to the Sacred Core through a network of invisible tentacles of Amel's outreaching spirit. Harm done to and pain felt by the host is felt by all vampires, often affecting younger vampires more severely than more ancient ones. For the majority of the series, it is believed that the death of the host of the Sacred Core would kill all other vampires.
Hosts of The Sacred Core[]
Akasha[]
The tyrannical Queen of Egypt, Akasha became the first to host the Sacred Core, making her the first vampire in existence. The spirit Amel manifested itself to her and infused into her body when she was on the brink of death from a fatal stabbing. As Amel entered Akasha, her body engulfed his spirit, allowing Akasha to heal from her wounds and possess the Dark Gifts originating from Amel. Her first fledgling was her husband King Enkil. As the first mass event demonstrating that damage to the Core would damage other vampires was caused by both Akasha and Enkil being placed in the sun, they collectively became known as Those Who Must Be Kept.
Mekare[]
When Akasha's head was severed by a large pane of falling glass, Mekare and her twin sister Maharet acted quickly by extracting Akasha's brain and heart. Not knowing which carried the Sacred Core, Mekare consumed both her heart and her brain. Mekare became infused with the spirit of Amel and became the Host of the Sacred Core, becoming the new "Queen Of The Damned."
Lestat de Lioncourt[]
Lestat becomes the Host of the Sacred Core in 2013 during the events of Prince Lestat, at the apparent invitation of Amel and Mekare, by consuming Mekare's brain through her eye socket. He chooses not to claim a title analogous to "The Queen of the Damned," and instead assumes the title of "Prince Lestat," a play on his nickname "The Brat Prince." After becoming the host, Lestat is accompanied by bodyguards and required to remain in his crypt until significantly after sunrise to ensure his protection and protection for all other vampires.
Replimoid Body[]
In Prince Lestat and the Realms of Atlantis, it is discovered that Amel is the spirit of an ancient human who interacted with an artificially created humanoid species called Replimoids. After determining that a vampire can live disconnected from the Sacred Core if their heart has fully stopped and been restarted, Dr. Fareed stops Lestat's heart temporarily, freeing all vampires from the Sacred Core. Kapetria, a still-living Replimoid, creates a new Replimoid body for Amel to inhabit, and his spirit is extracted from Lestat's brain, allowing Amel and the fate of all vampires to become fully independent of one another.