Chapter 13

Old house drawing room

"Send it away! It is burning me send it away!" Peter groveled and cried out in pain. Angelique still able to move reached forward to grab Victoria's arm and found the strength in Victoria's grasp was far fiercer than the mere words she had just uttered and brought down on her earlier. Victoria narrowed her eyes lifted her other hand up and in a blink of an eye, held Angelique by the throat against the wall. Peter and Nicholas had witnessed the action and were both stunned. She obviously had the strength and the power of a vampire but not the curse of avoiding daylight.

"Now this is how this is going to play out. You all three are going to leave this house and never come here again, you will no longer be welcome in Collinsport. If you ever show your faces around here again, I will not hesitate to end all your lives. I will not feel guilty or sadden by your passing and I certainly will not mourn the loss of any pretended friendship." Her words had been said with precise cold deliberation that they all were stunned by her actions and her manner. "I protect what and whom I call family. From this day forward the House of the Dracul will hold protection over this house and Collinwood. Do you understand?" She turned while she held Angelique by the throat to Nicholas who at that moment saw the ring she wore on her hand. He actually paled and thought he was paralyzed by her spell he blinked successively to show her he did understand.

"Release." She spoke softly releasing them all from the spell to watch Peter Bradford collapse upon the floor in pain and grovel at her feet. Nicholas regaining his movement and voice spoke softly.

"How is it that the House of Dracul can hold dominion over this house or Collinwood?" He looked at the bulging eyes of Angelique and spoke softly "Please release her from your hold Miss Winters." He was sincerely afraid and was not sure how or what she was capable of but one thing was for sure she had powers that obviously were very strong. He watched Vicki release her hold on Angelique's neck and watched Angelique when released slide down to the floor. Vicki stepped over her body and went to Peter.

"You will go now. Do not let me see you around here again, if you so much as show your face around me, I will drive that holy cross right into your chest." She narrowed her gaze and waited for him to respond.

He glared at her his teeth bared and she smiled, Her eyes then flicked to a pierce bluish tint to a reddish tint and he saw her as a day walker but not a day walker with the thirst for blood. "What are you?" He whispered and she smiled and it was not a pleasant smile. It was a smile that held a hint of cruelty and she was no long the little timid mouse he had met those years ago. "What happened to you."

She spoke softly, "You, happened to me, you who destroyed his first chance at happiness in the future, your meddling is what happened to me and then I discovered I am related to Count Vlad Tepes, Dracula known by you and he protects the people of whom I am half and now their protector." When she spoke she looked from Peter to Nicholas, "You are a bane on this country ad its peace, you and that woman will take this abomination and leave, if I see you around here again, I will make you all regret knowing me and mine." She smiled a tight smile and stepped away from Peter who made the fatally wrong mistake of reaching forward to grab her wrist. He found his body thrust backwards and pinned to the wall. "Do not ever touch me again." She hissed into his startled looking face.

Releasing him, she walked to the drawing room and folded her hands primly and neatly in front of her. "Are you going to do as I said?" She looked from Nicholas to Angelique who had grown sullen and silent and glared at her then to Peter who was rubbing his throat. "I assure you the woman you thought you knew when you brought down this curse on Barnabas no longer exists. I am the newer stronger version of that woman and I have the power to end you all right now." She walked to the center of the room and stood in her self righteous pose and spoke softly, "By the right of the wiccan, by the right of the righteous, I ban you from setting foot on the property or allowing any spells to be cast by any of you to any and all who share the Collins name and blood." She waves her hands in front of her and they all three disappeared to reappear at the Eagles Nest Inn.

Eagle's Nest Inn

All three suddenly appeared in the room to th astonishment of some of the guests that had settled down for the evening with a bowl of soup and some corn bread. The words 'Witch and witchcraft' could be heard whispered through out the room and many crossed themselves. Angelique looked shocked and Nicholas dumbfounded. Angelique turned and gasped to Nicholas "How could she do that to us?" She realized what had happened and what a spectacle they must have made appearing as they did and she walked to the stairs towards their rooms. Nicholas was shaken and Peter could smell the fear in him.

"Upstairs and with what she just did, we best be prepared to leave town." Peter rasped following Angelique up the stairs. Nicholas laughed uncomfortably bowed to those in the common room and rushed up the stairs like a scalded cat. Reaching the rooms they shared he burst through the door and began to pack his bag. He studied Angelique's stiff back standing in front of the window. Peter watched Nicholas packing, "What are you doing Blair? Surely, you are not going to leave without a fight?"

Peter smirked watching the man that was normally so confident and in control and now he appeared to be out of control. "If you all were smart you would be packing your bags too and back away from this for now. There is always tomorrow or next year, for now we are out numbered and we are out powered." Nicholas snapped his carpetbag shut and lifted it from the bed.

Angelique spun around and glared at him, "Why? What is so special about her now? How did she get those powers? Who is her master?" Angelique began to furiously pace back and forth, she was growing angrier with every step she took. "How is this possible? How did she get those powers."

Peter shivered, "She has my powers in strength and speed. Her eyes glinted with the hint of the undead but she is more alive than any of us in this room." He slumped down on the end of the bed. He hated Angelique but she still controlled him, Nicholas was just a necessary evil he tolerated for Angelique. "There were rumors of an undead that could walk in the daylight and resist the sun's death, they were called daywalker but they still needed blood of the living and they were only partially alive. She is not a daywalker but has the powers of the daywalker. I do not understand it, or this, how was she able to do all that?"

Nicholas frowned, "Were either of you not paying attention earlier? She bares the insignia of the House of Dracul. It was on the ring she wore. She is tied to Vlad Tepes and he must be in town and had contact with her." A banging on their door gave them all pause when the voice of the bailiff called out.

"OPEN UP IN THE NAME OF THE LAW!" Angelique dropped her chin and glared at Nicholas while Peter slowly began to shift to mist.

"Meet us in Portland Peter. Nicholas no time for luggage now, we can get clothing later, come we must be out of here before they break down the door and take us for trial for witchcraft." Nicholas took Angelique's hand and together they disappeared from the room. They disappeared just as the door was breached and Reverend Trask and the Bailiff entered the room.

Bailiff Harmon looked around the room. "I thought I heard them in here." Trask picked up the carpetbag packed on the bed and he frowned deeply. Pacing around the room he searched the area and saw the window was still locked and there was no other sign other than a packed carpet bag on the bed to indicate they had even been in there.

"This wreaks of witchery, we will secure the room and await their return!" Trask stormed from the room taking up position outside the locked door. He was on the hunt now and he could smell a witch in the area. He would not be detoured from his mission and that was to save this town from he darkness of the devil!

Old House Drawing Room

Barnabas was struck by the power with which she had dispatched his nemesis. "How did you do that he was even a little afraid of this woman that now claimed to hold his heart in the future. She sighed and looked down her hands folded primly in front of her.

"It is time you know everything about me Barnabas and I assure you I meant you no harm. I love you and you are my heart and we will be married in the future, but for now sit and allow me to explain everything you know part of it but not the whole of it and its time you did." She watched him warily walk to a fireside chair and sit, it was ironic to her she was the one that had control this time and it was her turn to pace to the window and look out just as he had done so many times in the past. How he would when he wanted to collect his thoughts would use this position to watch the front law and then speak in that sad hopeless filled voice. It was her turn to peer down at her folded hands take a deep breath and then begin at the beginning.

"When I first came to Collinwood, I was a governess to David Collins the son of Roger Collins and the nephew to a woman named Elizabeth Collins Stoddard, who looks remarkably like your mother Naomi." She turns and studied him while she felt he dissected her with his intent gaze. "We were friends in the beginning, and then we started towards something more deeper and well close to becoming lovers but I made myself a promise I would not take it to hat level unless I was married. I want my husband to have me as a virgin on our wedding night." She saw the look of awe cross his face. But he held his tongue and waited for her to continue, he watched her turn from the window and pace to stand in front of him. "You were persistent and a very good friend but I was pledged to another before his untimely death in a airplane crash in the Andes. In my time we can travel by air." She watched his eyes grow wide and then he settled and waited for her to continue.

"We were growing closer and closer and then David began to have issues with seeing what he perceived was a little girl that was suppose to be a ghost, her name was Sarah." She watched him set forward and she nodded, "Yes, your little Sarah had come back to protect the family with Josette, so yes I have seen Josette and she protects Collins family members in the future, she feels guilty for what she did to Jeremiah and she also feels guilty about you too." Vicki's voice had taken on a softer tone and she was now studying her hands. "During a costume party here in this house which we called the old house, we were dressed in period clothing for your time we had a séance in and that was when I was thrust back to your time and met you, Jeremiah, and Josette. When I had completed what I needed and Ben brought me up from the basement to the drawing room here, I ran and I continued to run until I reached Collinwood and when I knocked on the door, I was back in my time. "

She turned and walked to the other chair and slumped down in the chair appearing to be exhausted, "You and I continued our relationship and we took it to another level you formally asked to court me and then you asked for my hand in marriage, a series of events happened and I believe it was you had been cured temporarily of your vampirism by a chemical means with Dr. Hoffman's help. However, because of a series of misfortunes by a lot of complications from various individuals you found yourself back as you are now, until Julia's husband Eric asked you to try a new technique of his. That was a life force transference taking your curse and putting it in a dead body to bring it to life. Your doing that would drain the curse from you and it would allow you to be human and free to marry me. Unfortunately, there were complications from that when Peter interrupted the transference and you were only partially cured." She took a shaky breath and let it out slowly. Then she proceeded to tell him how she had over heard him saying he was going to end their engagement because he felt he would only be half a husband to her and that was something he did not want for her and how she had ran to the steps and fell down them breaking her neck.

"NO! You sit beside me today how can you have died and then be here with me now?" He had stood and began to pace hearing such an outrageous tale. He looked down at her bent head and a part of him called out to take her in his arms and hold her and kiss her and make her fears and pain go away. He watched her slowly lift her chin and raise her eyes to lock them with his and then he saw it the ice blue chips that were a part of what he was flash into her eyes and diminish. How was his possible she walked in the day and she did not require blood as he did?

She sighed softly, "You and Quentin Collins gave up a part of your life force to bring me back to life. When I came back I was as I am now, but since arriving here I have gained these incredible powers and I know not from where they came I just know that the part of me that clings to the ways of the people, which is gypsy knows how to deal with the likes of Nicholas Blair a warlock and Angelique Bouchard a witch. I fear nothing from Peter because I am stronger than he." Her voice had dropped and she was speaking so low that Barnabas had to tilt his head to hear what she had to say. "Tonight was the first time I had ever exerted those powers and know what to do. I know when I arrived here Julianka said she gave me her power and I would know what to do when the time came but I thought that was for dealing with Count Petofi. Which he was here in my bed earlier today wanting to know what I was doing here."

Hearing this Barnabas wanted to go and rend the man to pieces but maintained his anger and she could see his jaw locked and a small tick began to appear near his ear and jawbone's joint. "Do not be upset my love I quickly sent him on his way he is a nuisance to me, I believe he had more to fear from the true guardian of the gypsies. I do believe he has come back to seek his own revenge and to reclaim what he feels is his." She watched him knell before her and take her hand.

"What is that?" He asked and his lovely soul searching eyes drilled into hers and held them with a passion of his own.

"He seeks his own revenge against Petofi my love." She took her palm and cupped his cheek. She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his dry cold ones and felt his own passion arise in his body. Scooping her into his arms breaking the kiss he smiled and spoke softly.

"I think our love is epic my dear a lasting one, you have the soul of a vampire in you and an immortal. So this Quentin is that Quentin you have come to prevent from returning Petofi's hand?" He studied the intent look she returned to his gaze and her head shifted slightly in a nod.

"However, I think it goes deeper than that. Another is here that lives in my time and I don't know how she got here but we are connected to one another." She entwined her fingers with his and lifted his hand to kiss his fingers. "Until I figure out why and what I am doing here then I cannot go back to the future and to you." He drew their fingers from her lips and he kissed her fingers.

"Then I am here to do whatever you need me to do."

Gazebo of Collinwood

Joanna held onto Quentin crying softly into his shoulder, holding him tightly, he gently pressed her away from him and smiled into her lovely soaked eyes. "Thank you Quentin, you don't know what this means to me." She sniffed lightly and he gently brushed the tears from her eyes and smiled.

From the rose bushes Edith stood and watched. She was angry, she was jealous and she wanted Joanna dead along with that meddling sister of hers Daphne. Edith withdrew before she heard any more of the conversation. "I just need you to tell Edward I am not being unfaithful to him, I need him to know its him I wish to be with and to marry. That you are not the one that has me distracted he is my one and only and I don't know how to please him."

Quentin drew her close again and spoke softly in her ear. "You leave Edward to me my dear, now dry those pretty eyes and you sit here for a while, compose yourself while I go find Edward." He lifted her chin and kissed the end of her nose. "You will make him a wonderful wife some day soon I hope." Seating her on the bench he bent and picked up the letter that had fluttered softly to the ground from her pocket. He glanced at the letter and frowned, she had just confessed she could not live without him, that he was her one and only love and if she could not be with him she would throw herself from widows hill. Quentin sighed softly and tucked the letter back in her skirt pocket. "You might want to rethink that." He patted her arm and walked off leaving her alone in the gazebo.

Edith watched him leave and waited then slowly inched her way to the gazebo where she found Joanna sitting and sniffing and trying to not cry. "Hello Joanna, would you like to take a walk, it might help you clear your thoughts and help you compose yourself." Edith held a hard glint to her gaze watching the pretty woman that looked like the one that held her husband's attention. Joanna unsuspecting poor sweet and trusting smiled bravely and nodded.

Widows Hill

"I would like that Edith." Edith watched her stand then hooked an arm around Joanna's arm and began to lead her to widows hill, the air around them had grown colder and the sun was just beginning to set when they reached the summit. Both women stood in silence; Beth took a step back and spoke softly.

"Joanna, you cannot have him! He belongs to me. You will never be with him!" Edith stepped forward and shoved Joanna and smiled haring her scream as she fell backwards off the cliff to land in the icy cold waters and on the rocks below. Walking forward she sighed and titled her head. "Now what to do about your nosey sister." Turning she calmly left widows hill and walked towards Collinwood, if only it was that easy to take care of her obnoxious womanizing husband. If she could kill him, she would be free to marry Quentin. She was more determined than ever to make sure he would be with her and her only.

Entering the hallway she paused hearing Quentin with Edward in the drawing room, "So Edward I assure you there is nothing between Joanna and myself, she was so distraught at the thought of loosing you she was prepared to end her own life. That my dear brother is devotion from a woman that professes to wish to be your wife."

Beth's eyes widen and then she slumped against the table, 'Joanna did not want Quentin?' She thought and was shocked that she had possibly killed the wrong sister. Turning she walked quickly up the stairs headed to her bedroom, she certainly did not wish to be down there when they found the body on the beach. If she were lucky she was sure the tide might carry her body out to sea, just as she opened the door to the main living quarters upstairs, Tad hit the front door screaming in shear terror.

'THERE IS A DEAD BODY AT THE BOTTOM OF WIDOWS HILL!" Quentin and Edward rushed to Tad. Quentin reached forward and grabbed Tad, holding his trembling body and demanding.

"Who is it Tad did you recognize him?" Quentin could see the terror written on the boys face. He was white and shaking with the sight he had just beheld.

"I . . . I . . . think it is a woman and it may be Joanna!" He exclaimed and buried his face in Quentin's chest. He began to sob. Quentin's eyed widen and he looked at Edward who was rushing from the doors to head to Widows Hill, Quentin turned and began to call out for the servants!

"Jacob! Isaiah! Come with me to widows hill! Bring a blanket and hurry!" Quentin set Tad on the bottom step and spoke softly, "You wait here and tell one of the servants to fetch Judith, mother is still caring for father and we do not wish either of them to be upset. Understand?" He cupped his cheek then folded his fingers to gently stroke his cheek. He watched the pale boy nod and he looked like he was still in shock seeing a dead body on the beach, Quentin just prayed it was not Joanna it would kill Daphne to loose her sister." Looking up to see Greta he motioned her to Tad. "Take him to Judith he will explain to Judith what has happened and someone needs to find Daphne

and keep her in the w room until I return is that understood?"

Greta nodded looking confused but he was he master of the house's son so she had to obey his request, "Come Thaddeus, we will find Miss Judith." Tad stood and stared at her blankly, following her up the stairs. Quentin making sure he was secure, and on his way to being cared for by the servants turned and followed the two servants out of the door. Running behind the two servants he arrived to hear Edward wailing and crying from below, rushing down the pathway with the two male servants Quentin came up short to see Edward holding Joanna's broken dead boy and rocking in the waves with her holding her close. Quentin turned and shook his head, this was too personal for him and painful for his brother. Speaking softly he spoke to Isaiah, "Take the blanket and let him cover her body, then help him bring her back to the house." Quentin turned feeling sick to his stomach.

He was not ready to go back to Collinwood so he set his direction for the Old House and his cousin.