Chapter 27
Sebastian stared in horror as he watched both Barnabas and his cousin crash to the floor of the basement. Julia's alarmed, frantic cry of "Barnabas!" got him moving. Cursing under his breath he ran down the remaining steps.
He was dimly aware of Julia reaching the prone form of her husband first. He had time to marvel at this remarkable woman, who put the needs of her husband, son, and his family, before her own. But right now, that could only put Barnabas in more danger, simply because she was too deeply involved. He wondered too, how Matthew had reacted to his still embryonic powers of a Slayer combined with the darker powers a dhampir. He realised with a start, that this was the first time he even dared to truly think of his true name and nature.
He reached Julia and Barnabas' side, glancing quickly in Roger's direction.
Barnabas and his family had to be his first concern, but if he left without even checking on Roger...torn between duty and humanity; his decision was made for him, when a small voice anxiously called "Daddy? Mommy?"
He went to Julia's side, who was frantically trying to revive Barnabas. He was shocked by how pale the vampire looked. Far too pale to account for what he was. He glanced towards the stairs that led to the door, and glimpsed a small childish shadow. "Matthew, stay there!" he shouted, before turning back to Julia.
"Doctor, listen to me. We have to get out of here. Barnabas is in more danger than you can hope to handle right now."
Julia ignored him, her concern only for Barnabas. His face glistened in the reflected candle glow. A red puddle was forming beneath him, which was rapidly turning to a fine red powder, as it came in contact with the air.
The situation was dire. He grabbed Julia by the arm, finally catching her attention.
"Listen to me, Doctor!" he snapped. "Barnabas is in danger. We have to get him out of here, now! But first of all, you have to stop Matthew from coming down here, and seeing his father like this."
Julia's exotic green eyes regarded him, with fear and suspicion. "Who are you?" she demanded, " and how do you know so much about us?"
"I'll explain everything once Barnabas is safe. Right now, all you need to know is that I'm a friend," he said more calmly, staring deeply into her eyes.
She regarded him silently, her eyes searching his face.
"You can trust me, Doctor," he said, quietly. "I don't want anything to happen to Barnabas, either, but it will if he stays here much longer."
Barnabas stirred, and winced as fiery pain swept through him. He shivered involuntary. "Julia?" he croaked.
"Barnabas?" she questioned, turning immediately from the stranger.
"Barnabas, thank God. I thought…" her voice trailed off as he fought against what must be excruciating pain. He's body convulsed.
Sebastian, pushed Julia aside, and held Barnabas down, until the convulsion had passed. Then he bent closer to look at the wound in Barnabas' shoulder. He frowned. And then gently rolled Barnabas on his side. It didn't look good. He turned to Julia, sympathetically. "I'm being honest with you, when I say that it's not good. But with time, he can over come this. From what I can tell, the bullet is still lodged in his shoulder."
"Oh no!" moaned Julia, her hands flying to her mouth, as the horror finally sank in.
Sebastian felt a wave of compassion sweep over him. Her love for Barnabas would be her downfall that he was sure of. In the end, it would be her love for him that would be the death of her; the curse he was so afraid of would lay claim to her in the end. He vowed to himself, that nothing would happen to this very talented and remarkable woman. Not if he could prevent it, and he would willingly die, trying.
"I'm sorry, Doctor, but you must understand how serious this is," he continued, gently. "We both know how dangerous a silver bullet can be, to someone like Barnabas. If nothing is done, it will destroy him. I don't want that, and neither do you, so I'm asking you again, to trust me."
/
Between them, Sebastian and Julia managed to get Barnabas into Sebastian's car. They had explained part of the truth to Matthew, that his father was very ill. Now as they approached the car, Bisket, caught a scent, and dashed barking, into the trees, edging the Old House.
"Bisket!" yelled his young master, and when he got no answer, ran after him.
"Matthew, no!" shouted Sebastian, clearly worried for the boy.
"Matthew!" shouted Julia, realising Sebastian's concern. She looked up at him, "Do you think it could be any of the villagers?" she asked, worried herself. He had explained about the townsfolk massing, as he had made his way up to the Collins Estate.
"No," he said, looking down at the ground. "Nothing that has anything to do with the townsfolk."
Julia gave him a look she only reserved for Barnabas, when he was hiding something from her. "What is in those woods that you don't want Matthew seeing? Has it something to do with Barnabas? Because of…what he is?"
Sebastian swallowed, pausing before answering. "Yes and no," he said evasively.
"That's not an answer," snapped Julia. "Is my son in danger?"
"No, just something I'd rather he didn't see." He paused, thinking carefully of the right words. "I'm sorry to have to be the one to tell you this, a stranger, but Dane Spencer is dead."
"Dane…dead?" asked Julia, in quite disbelief. "How do you know Dane? How do you know so much about us?" It was a question she had asked more than once.
He sighed, knowing that she wasn't one to be kept in the dark, she had an unnerving way of figuring things out. "I'll explain everything, once Barnabas is safe," he repeated. "All I'll say for now, is that it's my job to know, and that I'm in no way here to do you, Matthew or Barnabas, any harm. In fact, if anything, I'm here to make sure nothing does."
He paused when Julia suppressed a smile, considering the circumstances.
"You're not doing a very good job, are you?"
He shook his head, trying hard to hide his own smile. This was not a time for jokes, but it seemed to have cleared the air between them. Julia, though not completely convinced for his intentions, was willing at least to give him the benefit of the doubt.
"I found Dane in the woods, as I made my way here," he explained. "He was dead, no doubt about that, a cluster of what seems to be oak leaves, on his forehead. No doubt, Petofi's payment for betraying him, when he helped Barnabas rescue you."
"I can't believe his dead," Julia mourned her former lover.
"Forgive me, Doctor, but Dane Spencer was a nasty piece of work," said Sebastian. "He doesn't deserve your pity, after the things he has done."
The emphasis on "your pity" didn't escape Julia's attention, and she looked at him thoughtfully. She stared at him pointedly, and after a few seconds, Sebastian turned away from the intensity of her gaze. "I'll find Matthew, and then we can get out of here."
