Chapter 4

Sorin's car in route to his house

Victoria angrily curled her fingers over the images. Crumpling the pictures in her hand she turned and hotly demanded "Let me out of this car now!" Gabe laughed and there was no mirth in his laughter. It was more like the humorless laugh of a jackal before he struck his prey.

Then his next words brought her heart into her throat and choked her, "Oh no, my dear Elizabeta, you are going with me to my cottage and we are waiting for your husband to call." Unreasoning fear filled her, here it was what she had felt was coming the first time she saw Radu in Collinwood. This was what she had dreaded happening and here it was. The same fear that drove Vicki to flee from Radu gripped her and Vicki reached for the door handle with every intention of jumping from the car if she was forced. As she struggled to find the door handle; she found the door handle had been removed. The crank to raise or lower the window down had been removed and she was now trapped in the car with a sadistic madman.

"What do you intend to do with Barnabas?"

Feeling trapped and frustrated. Her whole demeanor went cold as ice. She kept her attention on the road watching each turn they took. "I don't plan to do anything with Barnabas Collins, my mission was to secure you for your husband, my Prince, Vlad Tepes." Vicki actually paled to the point he was slowly becoming alarmed.

Her voice devoid of emotion held a rasp to it because her throat had gone dry. "Vlad Tepes is not my husband, Barnabas Collins in my husband and I demand you take me back to him."

Gabe drove his car to the rear of his cottage, he turned off the engine, and then he turned to look at Vicki, "Sit still and listen to me." His voice had dropped and he clinically outlined their next actions. He voice soft and holding no emotion. "Now, we are going into my house, and you are going to go in quietly, if you try to scream or run, I will sedate you. We are going to be civil to each other and you will answer the phone when it rings. Now do you know why you are going to co-operate?"

The tears in her eyes were beginning to dry and causing a burning sensation behind her eyes. She refused to look at him. So, Vicki looked down at the crumpled pictures in her lap and nodded.

"Exactly, because you want them to have continued good health. They are on their way right now to Romania to the Borges pass where they will be met by Prince Vlad's guard and escorted to his castle in the Heteg Mountains. They are guests of my Prince."

Sorin's cottage Pelican Beach Road

Vicki felt a nasty lump in her throat and new tears stung her eyes. She looked so withdrawn he had to make his point with her. "Now are we clear?" He watched as she once again nodded and waited for him to open her door. Opening his door, a cold blast of ocean fed air hit her already numb body. Vicki watched him as he walked with panther like grace to her opened the door.

He held out his hand and she ignored it and pushed passed him.

She did not wish to touch him or be touched by him. Holding her head proud and her shoulder straight she started towards the porch when her progress was halted. His lightening fast reflexes grabbed her roughly by her forearm and he pulled her next to his body. He pressed his lips to her ear and spoke harshly, "Now that was not very cordial or polite was it?" Vicki tucked her chin and shook her head. He pushed her in front of him and she only just caught herself to keep from falling.

Head bent she stepped in front of Gabe breaking his hold on her arm. He smiled seeing her comply so readily so, he lightly held his palm against the small of her back leading her up to the front porch and opened the door. Allowing her to enter in front of him he closed the door and locked it. Walking about the room with familiarity in the darkness he turned on a light near the phone. Vicki stood motionless in the middle of a room that would normally have invited comfort and cheer. Taking his own calf length coat off, he laid it on a Queen Anne sofa. He stepped next to her and ordered. "Take off your coat."

With fingers that fumbled with buttons she undid her coat and started to fold it over her arm. He took it. Then guiding her to a wingback chair by the telephone he forcefully shoved her into the chair. "Sit." His words said as an order and not to be argued. She noted he shifted his well muscled body to another chair sitting directly across from her, he slumped in the chair, draped his arm over the back of the chair, folded his other arm on the chair's arm bending his arm to rest his fingers against his lips. He smiled while he watched her. She had all the indications of being complacent to his demands.

She was scared and he could smell the fear practically rolling off her body. Her breasts heaved, she chewed her bottom lip, but she was watching him from the fall of hair over her face. "Now, my dear, would you like some wine to calm your nerves?" Vicki shook her head and continued to watch her hands folded in her lap and then glancing up to watch him. The phone rang and she did not appear to hear it as it rang again. On the third ring, Sorin stood walked to the phone and picked it up handing it to her. "Hello." Her voice was very soft and low.

"My darling Elizabeta, how are you my dear?" It was a voice that struck fear into her heart. A voice she had prayed she would never hear again. His tone was so smug and cheerful that were he there she would be tempted to slap him.

Vicki's throat had grown dry and it made her voice soft and hoarse, which caused her to do a nervous throat clearing when she answered, "Fine, thank you."

There was a pause on the phone. The same smug tone continued, "You now know what is going on?" She nodded and realized he could not see a nod through the phone and she chanced a glance at Sorin. The tension in her fingers made her feel like she was strangling the phone and she could see her knuckles were turning white from the pressure she had on the phone. "Yes."

Vlad had stepped around his desk and sat down, propping his feet up on his desk he smiled. Vicki could practically see the pleased look on his face as he spoke to her. "You know to keep them safe, you are going to come to me of your own free will."

Vicki nodded and then again realized he could not see her nod through the phone. "Yes." Her voice had grown softer with each passing word she was forced to listen to that smug voice she was growing to resent and hate.

Vlad was very pleased, his voice was almost purring while he continued, "Good, now here is what you are going to do, you are going home and get some rest. Then tomorrow, I will call you. You will be given instructions as to when my dear trusted friend Sorin will take you to the private airport and you are to board my plane and come to me here. Is that understood?"

Again, she spoke with difficulty, "Yes." Her head was beginning to pound from all the tension she had pent up from dealing with this newest upset to her world. She was sure as she sat there that he was not going to let Barnabas live. This choked her to the so deeply she felt a part of her die with each second she was on the phone with Vlad.

Vlad wanted her to talk to him more so he asked, "Is there nothing you wish to say to me?"

Sorin handed her a glass of wine and she shook her head and mouthed, "Water, please."

He walked from the room and returned shortly with a glass of water, she mouthed 'Thank you'. Then she sat the glass down. She said the first thing she could think of; clearing her throat she said simply, "Please don't hurt them. If I agree to your requests will you please let them go?"

Vlad laughed, "My dear they are your family and your best friend. Miss Evans shall be your lady in waiting at court. How could I possibly send them home if you need them?"

Vicki looked around the room in a panic. He had her talking to him and he wanted to keep her talking, she responded to him with desperation, "You said you want me, if you have me, you don't need them. Why don't you let them go. You have no use for them."

Again, he laughed, "My dearest love, your father finds your mother totally and completely enchanting. He will be entertaining her at his castle. His son, Petru finds your sister very charming. I am sure we can find a proper husband for Miss Evans, so I would be very foolish to allow them to leave."

Vicki closed her eyes and called out silently, "Please Barnabas save us!"

With the long pause and only the panic sound of her breathing he spoke, "I know you are still there my love, I want you to understand how important they are to me because of you. Do you completely understand what I intend?"

Vicki stood up and played with the telephone cord, her mind was racing with his implied threat. Finding a false sense of bravado, she blurted out, "I am begging you do not hurt Barnabas and I will do whatever you wish." She took a deep breath, let it out slowly and lowered her voice so it had taken on a threatening tone and said with little hesitation to her intent, "I promise you that if you hurt Barnabas, or any member of my family. I shall do whatever I can do to make your life a living hell."

Not giving him time to respond to her, she handed the phone over to Sorin, "It is over, I have nothing else to say to him." Her head held high she knew she had just risked angering two very dangerous men. Her face burning with her fear and anger; she walked to the front door, fumbling to unlock it she stepped out onto the porch. Sorin watched her go his gaze filled with a sense of surprise. She was not a little mouse as he had suspected. She had some courage taking such liberties of poor decorum with his Prince. He took the phone, "My prince?" Sorin noted a hint of admiration in Vlad's voice.

"She is showing more spirit than I thought. My plans for Collins are changed. I wish Gilda to take what she wants but do not kill him and not enough to control him. I am sure once Elizabeta leaves, Collins will follow. He will show up here, we shall make sure he has a center seat at our wedding and then we will let her see him return to what he was."

Sorin laughed, "I completely agree my Prince, will Radu be returning to collect Elizabeta?"

Vlad had a pleased smile on his lips as he thought of having his love back with him. "Yes, and you are to notify me once she has left on the plane." Sorin readily agreed with his request. Vlad cautioned his henchman, "Now, make sure she understands she is to say nothing and Collins will be safe. That should she fail to leave when instructed she shalll never see her family members again." Now he had control and was sure of his success Vlad leaned back in his chair and smiled, "Be sure she knows failure to comply will result in her precious Barnabas becoming fodder for me."

He frowned for a moment thinking back to her threat. "I think even with the show of will and spirit she had displayed she has to be reminded I will not tolerate outburst like that again. " Then as an after thought he said, "Oh Radu might do well to sedate her on the plane."

Sorin looked at her outline on the front porch she stood with her arms crossed over her chest, back ramrod straight and he knew she was watching the ocean with its movement; its perpetual waves on the sandy shore, bringing his attention back to the phone he spoke, "Yes, my prince it is as you wish."

Vlad chuckled, "When I send Radu back to collect my bride, I want her dressed as the royal she is and will be. You may also tell her that she will be married to me by Christmas and she will accept me as her husband in all rights."

Sorin thought a moment, "Will you bring her over on your wedding night?"

Again, Vlad was forced to reconsider his previous plans. "She will become mine as a eternal mate on the same night I give Gilda the right to bring Collins over. I want him to witness what I will do to his precious Vicki as I finally make her into my Elizabeta. After he witnesses what I do, then as Angelique is present she will witness his return to his eternal life and he will live with the fact, that the woman he loves, the woman he thought was a double to his mother and his cousin shall join us in our unholy alliance. The next to fall will be the woman that looks like his precious Josette; I am considering giving her to Count Ceazar."

Sorin listened and knew his Prince was on a roll with is plans. "He would be a valued ally for the future. He could have been a Russian Prince many years ago, but was distracted by Gilda. She was his maker and now he cannot touch her because she is mine." His mind was working on plans within plans so he was still considering his next course of actions while he ventured as an after thought "Or I may give her to Radu or to you if you want her?"

"No, she does not satisfy my tastes in the female gender. Radu may appreciate her charms more so than I. So, you want Collins to see the destruction of his new family and loose what he considered was his as you reclaim what is yours. Then will you allow Gilda her pet?" Sorin was finding his plans for revenge very reminiscent of the old days when he fought at his Prince's side.

"I do not presume to allow Gilda anything more than the pleasure of feeding on him. Making him as he was will fall to me at my pleasure."

Sorin smiled; this was the old Prince he remembered so well. "Very well my Prince will there be anything else you need of me?"

Vlad sighed and was thinking he wanted his Elizabeta with him now. "No just wait for my next orders, you are doing a grand job and will be richly rewarded once you have dealt with Dr. Hoffman. I am thinking once you have completed what you were contemplating, she will be brought here and will beg me to kill her."

Sorin smiled pleased with the knowledge he had been successful on such short notice to please his Prince. "As I have said my prince, I await your next orders. Until then I bid you adieu."

Vlad glanced over at the eastern skyline and spoke, "Yes, until later Sorin good eve."

Sorin put the phone back in its cradle and watched Vicki as she stood on his porch. He needed to get that willfulness under control. He did not want to break her, he just wanted to remind her what she had to lose if she did not co-operate. Walking to the front porch, he manhandled her back into the room, throwing her over on the sofa. Where upon landing hard she bounced; then huddled down on the seat. "You were rude to my Prince." Vicki covered her head whimpering. "That was very stupid and very dangerous. He could order your mother beheaded or your sister, and let us not forget your precious Barnabas."

Her reaction was immediate, coming from her cowed state she stood with eyes flashing with anger and indignation, "You would not dare!"

He stormed over and stood towering over her. "I would dare. Now, drink your water. I am going to take you home." Vicki went to rake his face with her nails and he grabbed her wrist tightening his grip his eyes glinted with steel ad his voice was like thin ice. "You are such a creature of habit my dear, I can read you like a book. Do not ever try that again, or the next time you could end up with a broken hand." He released her wrist and she pulled it back rubbing it. He turned to get her coat, "Now when you get home you must act like you are happy to be with your husband and continue to act like nothing has happened. Radu will be in touch with you to schedule your flight to Romania" He threw her coat at her and waited for her to put it on. Escorting her to the door he assumed an easy cordial air as if this whole violent ordeal had never happened. "Now smile, you are going home to your loving husband."

Old House

Sorin navigated his car around the circle drive of the old house. Turning to Vicki he spoke his tone firm, "Remember, not a word." She nodded keeping her chin tucked and her hands folded neatly in her lap. He noted they appeared to be the only ones home, so with an air of command he exited his side of the car.

Coming around the car Sorin opened the door he leaned against the door frame and held his hand out to help her out of the car. She steadied her nerves and tried to keep her hands from trembling. Laying her hand in his and let him help her stand. Vicki stepped forward to get around Sorin he stopped her, lifting her chin he lowered his lips to hers and gave her a light kiss. "It has been much too long my dear Princess, the castle was never the same when you left us. Now you are to return and become a part of our family, all will be right with Transylvania once again." Then he lifted her hand and kissed it. "Until we meet again my dear good night."

He stood by his car and watched her until she entered the house. Disappearing inside he smiled, No, he did not want Maggie Evans, there was always only one woman that held his interest and it was the one that just went into the house. A woman he could never have because she belonged to a man more ruthless than he.

Vicki opened the door and walked into the foyer she tucked her chin and took a deep breath, she was still feeling her fear and anger over what had just happened and she wanted to wash the feel of Sorin from her body. Willie and Sonja rushed forward to see her pale faced and drawn and trembling from what they thought was cold.. "Vicki Barnabas has been calling every 15 minutes to see if you came home. I am supposed to call him the minute you show up." As if on cue, the phone rang.

Vicki stepped to the phone and picked it up, "Hello." Her voice held a hint of a tremor to it and she was prepared to play it off as being from the cold outside and having just come in.

The voice on the other end was filled with absolute and complete love and relief, 'Vicki, darling, you are home." His voice was enough to bring a sweet sad smile to her lips.

It was with her own sense of relief that filled her when she heard the love in his voice. She had to reply in kind. "Yes, my love I am home. When may I expect you home?" Barnabas was busy telling the others that she was home safe.

She could hear her father in the background, "Who, and how did she get home?"

Vicki closed her eyes and spoke softly, "Mr. Martin was there and I got released and they needed my room so he offered to bring me home since we could not locate you. I did not think it would be a problem and I was tired and needed to come home to rest. I did not mean to upset anyone. "

Barnabas was too caught up in his relief to realize she had lied to him; instead he assured her he was on his way home and would be there soon. She looked at Willie and then to the phone. "I await your arrival my dearest love." She listened for him to hang up. Carefully putting the phone into the cradle she turned to Willie and Sonja, "Please spend the night if you wish Sonja."

Willie looked at her with more than concern, he was afraid of how she looked and her mood. "Um Vicki, are you ok?"

Vicki reached her hand out and patted his hand. "I am fine, just tired and I have a horrid headache, will you let Barnabas know I have gone up to bed."

Willie knew enough about concussions to know that one should not go to sleep for at least 6 hours. "But, but, ain't you suppose to stay awake if you have a concussion?"

Vicki smiled and nodded. "I am just going up to rest, I will wait for his return home." She walked up the stairs and Sonja as well as Willie watched her climb the stairs and disappear down the hallway.

"She did not look too good did she?" Sonja said turning to look at Willie. Willie turned to peer at his new love interest. Warm golden hair, deep green eyes, full lips, curvaceous body and the sweetest voice he had ever heard. He turned to pull her into his arms and kissed her forehead. He liked the way she fit in his arms, smiling he focused on his girl.

"No, no she didn't, guess it was the concussion." Dismissing the way Vicki had just acted as part of her illness he turned and smiled at Sonja. "You wanna use the room next to mine? It's fixed up real nice and comfortable."

Sonja leaned into his chest and sighed. "That sounds nice, can I use one of your shirts to sleep in and I don't have a tooth brush."

Willie waved his hand and smiled, "Each new bathroom is fully equipped with more than toilet paper. In the cabinets there are toothbrushes and tooth paste. Mrs. Collins made sure they were well equipped, if you need anythin' else just pull open a drawer or open a cabinet."

Sonja flushed a bright pink, "Just your shirt to sleep in."

Willie smiled, "We might have a gown if you need one." She played with the buttons on his shirt.

"No, your shirt will do." She whispered into his neck and he could feel the warmth of her breath against his skin.

She giggled as he nuzzled her neck. "Sure, c'mon, lets get ya fixed up for the night." Together they walked into the drawing room. "If you want to go on up and get ready for bed, I will wait for Barnabas."

Sonja waited for him to sit then sat on his lap. "I will go up when you go up sweetie, I kind of like sitting on your lap and cuddling with you."

He smiled and rubbed her back, "I kind of like you sittin on my lap and cuddlin' with you too babe." They sat and watched the fire and talked about the day and what a successful dinner all had. Willie almost felt like he was the master of the old house and had a perfect right to sit in the master's chair and neck with his girl in front of the fireplace.

Their conversation and necking made the time pass quickly. They had been so engrossed in each other that they were not aware of the passage of time. They would nuzzle each other and then laughed and kiss. During one particularly passionate necking session they were interrupted by a knock on the door.

Willie stood up tucked his shirt in looked as Sonja adjusted her clothing then he walked to the front door. "Yeah, who is it?" Willie did not open the door right away; he waited to hear the voice he expected to hear.

"Willie, open the door."

Willie quickly slid the bolt aside and opened the door for him. "Um, Vicki was acting kind of weird, she said she had a headache and was going up to bed and would wait for you in your room."

Barnabas divested himself of his coat and hung his cane. "She did not go to sleep?"

Willie shook his head. "She said she would wait for you." He was feeling embarrassed and rubbed the back of his neck watching Barnabas glance up the staircase then to his manservant. "Why aren't you in bed?"

Sonja cleared her throat stepping into view, "Oh, well both of you might want to head up to bed. I fear we may have a very long day starting early tomorrow."

"Yeah, sure, Vicki said it was ok for Sonja to spend the night, thought I would let her use the room next to mine."

Barnabas looked past Willie and nodded, "That is fine, excuse me will you. I must go see to my wife."

Willie and Sonja watched him disappear up the stairs. "He sure loves her."

Willie nodded, "Yeah, he does. C'mon lets get you ready for bed." She giggled while following him up the stairs.