Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 8

Before he left the basement, Barnabas composed himself so that Angelique could not use any expression on his face against him. He, then, turned his attention to Julia, who was right behind him and raised an eyebrow, questioningly. Are you ready? She nodded.

Barnabas opened the cellar door and went straight to the drawing room where Angelique was sure to be waiting for him to appear. He stood in the doorway and saw her back was toward him.

"Angelique," he acknowledged frostily as he stepped further into the room.

Angelique turned around with a delighted expression in her light grey eyes. How he hated her. "Barnabas," she greeted.

"What do you want, Angelique?" he asked. He tried to keep the coldness in his voice at a minimum, but he couldn't help it.

She blinked in obvious surprise. "Is that any way to greet your wife of one hundred seventy- six years?"

"You cannot claim me as your husband since it was 'Until death do us part.' Which it has. Multiple times," Barnabas countered.

"Do I look dead to you?" she asked in an injured tone that any woman might use if they had been on the receiving end of such an insult.

If Barnabas didn't know any better, he would have let his guard down and comforted her, but he didn't. Instead, his guard rose a bit higher. "Why have you come, Angelique?"

"To see my husband, whom I love," she answered, innocently.

"What do you want?" Barnabas asked, narrowing his eyes. He knew her too well.

When Angelique saw that Barnabas didn't believe her, she dropped her facade and growled, "Stay away from Julia."

Barnabas raised an eyebrow, slightly amused at Angelique's jealous tone. "I think you know as well as I do that that is not possible. Especially since this is a small town." As he talked, he moved toward the fireplace. Barnabas smiled slightly as his sharp hearing picked up a soft snick as the back door closed. He knew Julia was safe for now. "Not even you can change that, Angelique," Barnabas continued.

Angelique glared at him and responded, her voice was cold enough to freeze the inside of a volcano, "Perhaps not, Barnabas, but I see your heart and the one who claims it. You may deny it if you wish, but hear me now, Barnabas, if you do continue to see her, she will suffer for it!"

With that, Angelique spun around on her heel and left.

End of Chapter 8

A/N: I hope you enjoyed. :D