A/N: Welcome, welcome! Today is international Narration Day so it is very fitting for this to be posted, haha!

I want to thank: MissMisc3, TinkerbellxO, Emma, Gary the Snail x3, Jandra1969, Balder Rask, XantheXV, ForeverACharmedOne, xxPaige23xx, dionne dance, CharlieCats and PGAEmma.

Oh, by the way, I have a new story in the works…My first Crossover. It's going to be between Dark Shadows & The Ninth Gate…More info at the end of the chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Dark Shadows.

Chapter 13

'If time is not real, then the dividing line between this world and eternity, between suffering and bliss, between good and evil is also an illusion.'

~Herman Hesse

My hand is tingling, my limbs are aching, but I squeeze my eyes shut as Barnabas' teeth dive towards my neck. When I can feel the sharp edges of his deadly fangs graze my neck, I let out an undignified squeal and push him away with my bare, sore hand. My weak magic manages to send him to the ground and I know that it is not an improvement from my first try.

He groans as he is pushed away from me and I quickly open my eyes to look at my hand with shock. His teeth do the trick every time though. I wasn't even sure that I had such a fear of his fangs until he started baring them to me menacingly.

"Huh." I am breathless and I can hear him as he slowly stands up form the ground. I look up and when I see him coming closer for another round of pushing and pulling and falling, I raise my hand up to stop him.

"Wait, wait." I wheeze as I lean forward to clasp my knees, "I can't. No more." I shake my head and he pauses.

"I should take care of your cuts then." He murmurs and I reach up to finger the various scratches and incisions on my cheek and neck. I watch as he approaches and takes my hand-my magical hand- in his. His eyes trail up and down the pale skin and when he pulls my inner forearm up to his lips my mouth goes dry.

"I am going to have to do it without provocation though, you know." I say quietly as his lips and tongue make quick work of my scratches, "I can't wait to be attacked."

He looks up at me with dark eyes and ruffled hair and blinks slowly. When he is done with my arm, he steps closer and brushes his mouth against my cheek.

"I know."

"But I can't do it on will…And I'm tired." I lean against the wall as he cleans a smudge of blood from my temple with his thumb.

My hand is pressed against his scarred stomach and the coolness of his bare skin feels wonderful against my sore fingers. Who knew that channeling magic would be so tiresome? I feel drained. All I want is to fall asleep and eat. Maybe eat first and then sleep, but I know that's just wishful thinking. It's been a day since my last meal and I am already feeling the effects in my body.

I slide down until I am sitting on the dirty ground and Barnabas follows me. His hands right my robe so it's covering my thin shoulder and then his hand is on my cheek.

"You're warm. You should sleep. And then you should practice more-…"

"No more. Not today! For God's sake, I am exhausted. And she'll appear at some point today. I am surprised she hasn't appeared yet…" I trail off and then my eyes go wide, "You think she's seen us?"

Barnabas shakes his head, "I doubt it. I would have heard her… Her lapdog is probably waiting outside though." He turns his face towards the door with a sneer and I gulp.

The werewolf. I had forgotten about him. Oh Jesus, we have no chance with him. What can my poor attempts at magic do with such a beast?

I start to hyperventilate and clutch at Barnabas' sleeve with all my might. He turns to me and puts his hands on my shoulders.

"Jane?"

I shake my head because all the exhaustion of the last few weeks is starting to take its toll on me. It's been weeks! Maybe even months! Days and days of practice and all I can manage is push someone against the wall. No other kind of magic. No spells, no incantations; nothing. How am I supposed to stand a chance against Angelique with no knowledge of witchcraft? It's ludicrous and I want to laugh, but my throat is clogged up and my eyes are filled with tears.

"Jane!" His hands are on my face, cupping my cheeks and as he shakes me I am forced to lock eyes with him. His dark eyes are wide and glimmering and…fierce.

I swallow with difficulty, past the lump in my throat, and part my mouth to get some air in.

"Jane, breathe. Just breathe." His voice is liquid honey and I blink. A couple of tears escape my eyes and roll down my cheeks. His thumbs are quick to wipe them away and I sniff deeply, trying to regain my composure.

"Breathe." His command is quiet and hoarse, but I find myself doing exactly that. I breathe deeply and slowly, pushing the scary thoughts to the back of my mind. His gaze is soothing, grounding; intense and I unconsciously lean towards him until my forehead is pressed against his.

His entire body goes stiff all of a sudden, but then his lips are on my nose, trailing over the bone and I close my eyes, breaking the eye contact. His hands move away from my face to snake around my back. His fingers are pressing against my clothed skin and I know he can feel my bones digging into his palms and I wince. I have never felt more undesirable than I do now and that's a shock, because I have always felt rather plain. That's what I always was; a plain, too thin, too simple girl.

His body softens suddenly and I can feel him pressing closer to me, his lips on my forehead and his hands on my lower back.

I sniff and I can feel another stray tear drying on my cheek as I press my face into his neck. His temperature is a bit soothing against my flushed skin and I sigh. His arms tighten around me and I don't have the will to object when he turns so that he is the one pressed against the wall. His hand slides under my knees and he pulls me onto his lap, as if I am a baby. I smile, but when his tightly coiled muscles press against me I tense up. I close my eyes shut, but I can't help but wonder if this feeling; this special connection that is between us will continue to be as fierce when we are out of this place. My breath hitches at the vision of us being free and I swallow hard. It's the first time I think hopefully about the future, but my hope is clouded by my apprehension. What if my emotions towards him are just because of this place? What if our situation has made me susceptible to his attentions?

His fingers disturb my thoughts as he runs them through my sweat soaked hair and I slowly place my hand over his chest. He inhales deeply and my hand moves along with his chest. Up and down, up and down, until the motion and his steady, yet slow breathing lulls me into sleep. I am lost into sweet oblivion.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Something soft is under me and I groan deeply. My eyes are closed and a cool, erratic breath is fanning over my neck. Hands are on my body and I can feel a deep, dull, but at the same time sweet ache between my thighs. Lips are latched onto my neck and I tilt my head to the side. A moan is enough to break me from my numb state of slumber and slowly I open my eyes when I feel something hard, and yet at the same time smooth pressing deep inside me, parting me, claiming me.

I blink rapidly as my gaze falls upon the rippling muscles of a straining pale back. My eyes widen and when another thrust rocks me hard against the mattress I groan. My hands reach up and clutch at the shoulders that are above me and a pair of unfathomably dark eyes flashes before my gaze. I gasp as Barnabas hisses and leans down to kiss me. His lips are insistent and hot. How is that even possible? How can someone so cold be so warm all of a sudden? A hand curls around my thigh and brings it further away from my body. A hoarse groan escapes me as he manages to slide deeper inside me and he growls deep in his throat as his free hand grasps my chin. His eyes lock with mine as he pulls away from my mouth and I watch as he swivels his hips sharply, pinning me harder against the mattress.

I cry out and a tear escapes my eye because I don't know if the feeling in my lower belly is painful or pleasurable. Maybe it's both. The sensation is intense, stifling yet at the same time liberating. There is a deep ache in my chest which coils tighter and tighter with every move of his strong hips. I buck under him and even as I move I am not sure if I want to push him away or pull him closer.

A low grunt from him is my only response as his hands trap both my wrists. He slams them roughly against the pillow on either side of my head and my eyes widen when his gaze travels from my face, to my neck and stomach, until he rests his eyes on the place where we are joined. My cheeks flush horribly as I am compelled to follow his gaze and my breath gets caught into my throat when he closes his eyes and thrusts more powerfully inside me. My inner thighs and hipbones are throbbing from the force of his movements and I close my eyes when I feel my body reacting to him. My skin feels as if it's on fire as his hands release my wrists and trail down my sides instead. I can feel him moving as he wraps his hands around my knees and I slowly open my eyes to see him sitting back on his knees. It takes a tug on my knees for him to pull me closer and I lock my legs around his waist as his hand grasps my arm. In one swift movement I am pressed against his chest with his hand in my hair. I tangle my arms around his neck as his hips never stop their incessant pounding and when his lips cover mine I feel beads of sweat sliding from my neck and into the neckline of my top. I flush when I realize that we are both partly clothed. The material of his pants is scratching my thighs as he moves, but my top doesn't remain on me for long. His hand trails up my back and his fingers hook on the material like claws. With a snarl he tears the fabric in two and pulls it impatiently away from my body. His hands are cool on my back as he palms it and I cry out when a particular thrust rocks me harshly against his lap. His mouth finds mine, but his kiss is brief. His hands release me and without him to hold me up I find myself sprawled onto the large bed again. A flash of white and gray cuts through my vision and the sight of red curtains is enough to confirm my suspicions. We are in the mansion and probably in his room.

My breath is knocked out of me when he falls on top of me and when he pulls my leg up and over his shoulder I gasp.

"Jane." His voice is hoarse, barely recognizable and his eyes are hooded. I watch with fascination that his pupils are dilating further with each move and I gulp deeply. My breath hitches as the bliss slowly, but surely surpasses the pain and I am almost shocked when my other leg coils tightly around his thigh on its own. I blink as he falls onto his elbow and when his eyes zero onto my panting lips I lean up towards him. His mouth finds mine and the kiss, unlike the previous ones, is clumsy, sloppy and impatient. My head falls back down on the pillow and his hand pushes my leg off his shoulder so that he can lean further down to me. His hand moves and brushes over my collarbone as his hips start moving more sharply against me. His pace is almost uneven and jerky and my eyes widen when his fingers stroke over the top of my left breast. His mouth captures the tip of my breast and I am breathless as he slowly makes his way towards the top. His lips and tongue lave at the skin and his left hand reaches out to hold my own. I arch my back against the feeling and his low rumble causes me to shiver. His eyes flash up to mine and I watch as he pulls back. His lips part and through the lust and heat I can see the sharp edges of his teeth. I tense up, because I know what this means. His gaze is soft, dark and wicked at the same time and his tongue gently brushes his lower lip as he starts moving forward.

My breathing is loud even to my own ears and he groans softly.

"Hush." He murmurs as his fingers brush over the moist skin of my breast, "Jane."

I release a shuddery breath as the combined force of his thrusts and his gaze is enough to bring me to my knees.

Sensing my slowly relaxing state he growls and in one swift move he pounces. His teeth bite down roughly and I cry out. I can feel his fangs digging into the pliable skin and I shudder when his lips close over his teeth. The bite is deep, penetrating and rather painful, but I know why. After all, it has only one purpose; to mark, scar and claim.

My back arches off the bed as he doesn't pull away and it is almost as if I can feel his teeth biting through my very heart.

His hips grind hard against my own for one last time and as I can feel his release inside me, I close my eyes. My breathing is harsh, heavy and I whimper. The sound triggers something and in a flash his lips and teeth are gone from my breast. I cry out as an electric current rushes through me, jolting me to my very core and then his arms are there. I am pulled up and into his arms as the pain on my chest gets more intense. I gasp for breath and clutch at his lower back when he hisses. I can feel him breathing heavily as well and the fact manages to calm me down. He groans almost painfully and then quickly rolls onto his back. I am pulled along with him and I land on his chest. His hands get lost in my hair as he holds me, but his eyes are roaming my body.

He snarls angrily as he eyes the purple bruises that are forming on my skin, but his gaze is quick to return to my chest. He growls quietly and if I wasn't so dazed I would think the noise is filled with lust.

My eyes are wide as I look at him and suddenly I collapse boneless on top of him, weakly tugging on the covers.

His hand pulls up the sheets and as I feel my sweaty back drying, I blink. No dreams have ever felt so real. Not a single one.

I sigh heavily and startle when his hand wedges its way between us. His fingers brush over the throbbing marks on my chest and I moan. His hands grab at my waist and I am suddenly lifted upwards. I blink rapidly as his mouth presses a firm kiss against the bite, and my lips part in awe. His features are back to normal; soft, calm and soothing. His eyes find mine and he drops me back down on his chest before he closes the gap between us. As his mouth covers mine I can feel myself getting breathless.

I am waking up.

I gasp as I land onto my feet. I open my eyes and gaze at my surroundings quickly. I am not awake. This is another dream. I whirl around and I frown when I realize that I am out in the open. Trees, plants and flowers are creating an Eden-like scenery around me. A warm breeze disturbs my loose hair and something heavy is weighing down my arm. A basket of seafood is around my elbow and my eyes widen. I am back in the past.

I look down upon myself and I frown when I realize that I am dressed in a simple, but beautiful sea green dress. A matching shawl is wrapped around my shoulders and for the first time I can feel the pressure of a corset around my waist. I try to inhale deeply, but I am not allowed to.

"Damn it!" I mutter and as I turn, I see the tall walls of Collinwood in front of me. I gulp.

A horse's whine causes me to stiffen, but I don't turn around. Not even when I hear the hooves getting closer. I start walking towards the mansion, but I am stopped.

"Ms. Wald?" Barnabas' voice is smooth and surprised and I pause. I take a deep breath and slowly turn around. I am not even sure in what period of our relationship I am this time.

I look at the sky and then at him, "Good morning." I say quietly as he jumps down from his horse and starts walking towards me.

"Good morning…" his eyes roam my form and he smiles, "Ms. Wald…Do you like it?" He asks me with sparkling eyes and I blink.

"Excuse me?"

His face falls and he clears his throat, "My gift…Do you like it?" His gaze is intense and focused on my face and realization suddenly dawns.

"Oh…Um…"

"You look lovely in it." He murmurs and I tense up. Is he jesting?

"Thank you."

He takes a step closer and boldly reaches out to finger my obviously new shawl.

"I was informed of your birthday…Have I offended you?" He frowns a bit and I look up at him. His cheeks are a pale pink and his hair windswept. I am suddenly too much aware of my previous vision and I flush.

"No…" I shake my head and I know I must sound like an idiot. My responses suck.

"I am glad you are wearing it. You're beautiful." His voice is quiet as if he is afraid to speak the words too loud and I almost gasp out loud. Beautiful? Is he blind? I am not beautiful.

"I haven't seen you in a while." He says as he steps next to me, trying to find my eyes, but I am stubbornly looking down, "I was beginning to despair." He whispers as he reaches out and tucks a lock of my hair behind my ear.

I jump back and he freezes.

"Mr. Collins." My voice is sharp, but I am confused, "I do not know what I did to make you take such liberties-…"

"Please." His hand catches my own and I am suddenly breathless, "Please, do not be cross with me. I apologize if I have offended you. Please." He murmurs and I don't know what made me shout at him. Maybe it's the fact that in most of our time together he is the one in control; he is the one in the know.

"I am not." I whisper at last, but I take a step back.

He looks forlorn.

"I need to take these inside." I motion towards the basket and he swallows hard before he nods. He steps aside and as I start walking he falls into step beside me.

"It's the kiss, isn't it?" He whispers as we enter the mansion's back garden and I falter.

"What?"

He licks his lips and comes to stand in front of me, heedless of the gatekeeper who is patrolling the grounds behind us.

"I realize that it was not proper of me…Especially now…" he averts his eyes for a moment, but when they are back on me they are fiercer than before, "But I do not regret it." He takes a step closer and I have to step back, but he continues following me.

"I'd do it again." He murmurs hoarsely as he tilts his head to the side, "And again," he moves even closer until I can feel his breath on my face, "and again…" he bites his lower lip and gazes at my form briefly, "And again, until I was drunk from your taste."

I inhale sharply and as I make to sidestep him he catches my waist and keeps me secured.

"Ms. Wald…Jane, you must understand my illness. It's far too advanced now. And there is only one medicine. You-…"

"Master." Angelique's voice causes me to stiffen and my hands start to tremble as Barnabas closes his eyes and grits his teeth.

"What is it?" He calls with barely contained irritation.

"Your parents need you. It's about the engagement party, sir." She is casually leaning against the threshold of the back door. Her eyes are watching us like a hawk watches its prey.

Barnabas swallows hard, "I'll be right there."

She lingers, but eventually she walks back inside.

"Jane-…" his hand touches mine again and I react on an impulse.

"No." I take a step back and shake my head.

He sighs, "Will you be there?" He asks and I blink.

"I'm sorry?" I whisper.

"Your name is on the help list for…" He trails off almost guiltily and I blink rapidly.

I want to gape at him. Is he flirting with me while he's getting engaged? How…how on earth did this happen? All this effort for me? It's hilarious in a tragic way.

"Your imminent betrothal?" I finish for him and he looks away.

"I…Yes."

I take a deep breath through my nose and slowly nod my head, "Don't worry, Mr. Collins. I shall be there to service your guests and you-…'

"I don't want you to work for me!" he hisses and blocks my way by slamming a hand against the wall, "I want to see you. That's all." He says quietly and I shake my head in shock.

He is so…arrogant. He wants everything without losing anything. Impossible.

"You make me sick." I murmur, or rather blurt out, and his face looks stricken as I duck under his arm and make my way into his house.

As soon as I step in, the icy blue gaze of Angelique Bouchard locks with my plain brown one and I gasp. Before I can move or blink, a force knocks me off my feet and I am falling, face down towards the ground.

I shriek when my cheek connects with the cold floor. Everything goes black.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

I open my eyes and my hand immediately goes to my cheek.

"Jane." Barnabas' voice is alarmed, "Wake up. She's coming." He whispers and I sit up quickly. As I stand, my hand goes to my breast and he notices.

"What is it?" He murmurs and I know from his guilty expression that he saw my last dream. He is ashamed and I am angry. Who knew he was such a bold charmer when he wanted something he couldn't have?

"Nothing." I shake my head crisply and I don't mention the vision of our bond completion. It's useless right now. And I am angry at him. He can sense it because he's staring at me with wide eyes.

I ignore him and pull my hand away from my collarbone just as the door opens. Angelique steps in looking rather odd.

"Time for your baths. Get moving. This place reeks." She wrinkles her nose and her eyes are on Barnabas as he slowly moves towards the door. Her hand casually brushes his side and in one swift move he has her hand clasped in his hand.

She gasps and then laughs huskily, "You're strong…How surprising. Maybe it's the full moon." Her eyes fall on me with distaste and I gasp when I hear the distinctive creak of bone breaking. She cries out and she glares at the vampire in front of her.

"Look at her again and I'll tear it off." He pushes her hand away from him as if burned and she raises her chin before she flicks her wrist. He is sent backwards with a groan and he chuckles darkly.

"How repetitive." With that he walks out of the room, but he stumbles when an invisible hook curls around his arm.

"Move." She spats at me as she rubs her hurt wrist against her thigh.

I walk after Barnabas and stumble too as my arm is trapped in something cold, but indiscernible. Iron.

I walk behind him as she walks quietly beside me and I startle when she clicks her tongue.

"Edon!" she barks and I stumble.

Barnabas turns to look at me, his eyes narrowed in worry. I shake my head at him.

"Bloody mutt." She mutters and I gulp. She's calling for the werewolf. I want to be sick when I remember him.

"Turn the corner." She commands as she gives a push on my shoulder. I want to break her hand for touching me, but I know that I can't. I am not able to.

A rustle from our right causes me to pause and I look towards that direction. Angelique pauses too.

"Edon?" she calls again as she inhales deeply, probably trying to track his scent. Her eyes darken, but she has no time to react when something tall, heavy and hairy pounces on her. She is sent tumbling to the ground with the creature on top of her and Barnabas pushes me out of the way. My hand is freed from the unseen shackle and I collide with the wall when Barnabas steps in front of me. His dark eyes are narrowed and confused, but they go wide as he stares at the creature that just attacked Angelique.

"My God." He whispers and I look, really look at the scene in front of me.

Among the hair and paws there is blond hair. It's a woman; a female werewolf.

Angelique gives a sharp cry of pain and lashes out with her hand. The werewolf is pushed off of her. The creature lands against the wall with a whine and Angelique's eyes fall on Barnabas as she stands up.

"You…You and your wretched family." She flicks her fingers and Barnabas is quick to duck as a silver blade is thrown towards him. The sharp cutting edge barely misses my face and lands on the wall by my ear instead. I cry out as debris is thrust against my cheek from the force of the hit and I look at the witch.

She is snarling, but before she has the chance to move forward the werewolf, the female werewolf, is on her again.

Barnabas pushes me out of the way and moves forward towards the witch, but instead of the wall I fall on something strong, hard and rather smelly. Edon.

I cry out as his sharp hands clutch at my shoulders and when he throws me down on the dirty ground I gasp in pain. I must have fractured my rib because my breath is coming out in tiny sharp gasps that shake me with pain.

He growls and snarls down at me and I yell as I try to kick out at him. His hand closes around my calf and he squeezes until I scream in pain.

Barnabas whirls around to me and growls, but a hand in his hair causes him to stumble back.

I watch out of the corner of my eye as Angelique throws the other werewolf away and Barnabas cries out.

"Carolyn!" He screams as he grabs Angelique's arm and starts squeezing. Does he know the other wolf?

Angelique grits her teeth and slams him hard against the wall, but the pain on my leg is too much and I have to turn my attention back to the creature in front of me.

In one sharp move, he throws my leg back down and I bite my tongue from the immense pain. I inhale sharply and turn onto my stomach in a futile attempt to get away, but something heavy and hard falls against my back when I try to. I gasp out loud as a hand clamps down on my shoulder. The fingers and nails dig into my skin and I scream again.

"Jesus Christ!" I take big breaths through my nose and put power on my back. I arch my back and manage to push him back just as Barnabas manages to throw Angelique off of him. There is a huge gap on her neck and another hole on her bare shoulder. I quickly turn around when I hear Edon growling and my eyes go wide as I watch him lunging for my neck.

I scream and thrash my body under his weight, undulating under him in an effort to get him off of me. He snarls as he is pushed back, but then his claw-like hands are around my neck, digging into my flesh and choking me. I gurgle and try to lift my knee between us in a weak try to lift him off, but he is too strong. My head is forced backwards and my eyes go wide as I start to see stars. The werewolf above me is snarling and growling menacingly and I can see through my blurred vision as Barnabas throws his body forward towards us. Angelique is distracted by the other werewolf, but she notices the movement.

"Recidimus." She mutters the incantation and Carolyn is thrust away from her.

The witch storms up behind Barnabas and curls her fingers in his loose shirt. He screams in pure fury and reaches behind him, trying to pull her off.

I squeeze my eyes shut and gasp for air, but the fingers around my throat are squeezing too hard and my vision is getting darker and darker. I open my eyes and wiggle my hips, thrashing my legs around and I feel victorious when my knee hits him in the groin. Edon groans and momentarily loosens his hold and I gasp huge gulps of air, but a voice brings me back to the danger above me.

"Jane, do it! Jane!" Barnabas' voice is too loud and my time is too little.

I look up at him just as Edon tightens the hold around me and a flare of hope is triggered inside of me when Angelique is thrown off of Barnabas by the other werewolf. Carolyn, or whoever that is, is on Angelique's back and her arms are tight around her neck. Barnabas whirls around towards the witch and I watch his back muscles tensing as he bares his teeth at her.

"Do it and she's dead. You always had a flare for weaklings-…" Her speech is cut off as he pounces on her. His face dives quickly for her neck and as I hear the ripping sound of her flesh I tense up.

The werewolf on top of me tenses up and bares his teeth down at me. My eyes widen at the sight of his horrible teeth and before I know it my hands are pressed against his solid chest. My first attempt is weak and he barely budges, but as I hear the painful roar of Angelique I try again. My arm vibrates with electricity and as I shoot out my hand he falls off of me. I watch as he flies back and back, far away from me, until he is thrown onto the ground on the other side of the hall.

Feeling breathless, dizzy and ready to faint, I turn around on my stomach and watch with wide eyes as Barnabas sinks his teeth again and again into Angelique's neck until her eyes are rolled to the back of her head. I huddle backwards as the werewolf on her back grasps her head with both hands and with a swift pull severs it from her neck.

I scream and squeeze my eyes shut as Barnabas stumbles back. I hear the sickening sound of Angelique's body as she collapses lifeless onto the ground and when I open my eyes I cry out. The witch's head is lying a few feet away from her body and I can't help it. I scream again, louder this time.

Barnabas turns to me with wide eyes and wipes his mouth clean from Angelique's flesh, but his sudden movement scares me so much that I slide away from him.

The standing werewolf looks at us with what seems like worry and I cover my mouth with my trembling hand.

"Jane…It's alright…"

He touches my hurt leg and I scream both in agony and fear, before everything goes black.

In my deep, blissful oblivion I inhale fresh, unpolluted air. We are free.

End of chapter 13

*Translation: Recidimus= fall back*

Author's note: Still here? Good. You cannot complain. This chapter had it all! Haha.

So, liked it? Hated it? I really want to know so please review and make my spring a little brighter! Please?

Oh, and the new crossover fic I mentioned is called The Vampire's Deal. You can find the first cover pics on my Facebook page and I will prepare a sneak peek for you soon.

Until next time!

Xxx Lina ;o)