Dark Shadows: Revenge of the Vampires
Chapter 7
1
"Julia, my Julia!" Barnabas agonized.
"Hang on, Barnabas. We don't know for sure that Ramon has her," Willie said. He wasn't certain his intention was to calm and reassure the vampire or himself.
"I think we can be pretty sure he has her," Professor Stokes said. "But, we might as well rule out the Great House." Stokes walked over to the phone Julia and Willie had finally convinced Barnabas to install into the Old House. He picked it up and dialed the long since memorized phone number. He waited for it to be answered.
"Hello," Elizabeth Stoddard said.
"Elizabeth, this is Elliott Stokes." Before he could say anything more, she interrupted him.
"Professor! It is so good to hear your voice. We haven't seen you for a while now. You must come to dinner and chat for a while."
"Thank you, Elizabeth, but right now I have some pressing matters with Doctor Hoffman. Is she there; I would like to speak with her." The professor didn't want to involve anyone at the Great House in the current crisis. They had been through enough with the Leviathans and the ghost of Quentin Collins.
"Why no. I thought she was staying with Barnabas. By the way, have Barnabas and Julia set a wedding date yet? It would be very nice to have a wedding in the family again."
"She is staying at the Old House with Barnabas. She just isn't home right now. I thought she might have gone to visit the family. That's all."
"No, she hasn't, but tell her and Barnabas we expect them to do so very soon," Elizabeth said.
"I'll do that. Thank you, Elizabeth, and goodbye." Stokes hung up the phone. He turned to Barnabas and shook his head. "She's not there."
"That settles it then. "Ramon has her," Barnabas said, his voice displaying a deadly tone. He headed for the door.
"Barnabas, where are you going?" Willie asked.
"To find Julia, and when I catch up to Ramon, I will destroy him for this."
"Just a minute Barnabas," the professor said. "Let's do this with clear heads. If we are going to find Julia, the three of us need to divide up Collinsport and search for her."
The vampire calmed a bit. "You are right, Elliott. I will take the area near Widow's Hill. Willie, you check the cemetery area. Professor, you take the town, including the Blue Whale. Remember, Ramon is deadly. Do not approach him on your own. If you locate him, you are to come to me. I'll deal with Ramon. Let's go." The three men left the Old House in hopes of finding Julia Hoffman unharmed.
2
Julia Hoffman was tied up in the basement of a house outside of Collinsport. It was the summer home of a couple who came there every year. Ramon sat in the drawing room of the house, smoking a cigar. Everything was going as planned. Beside him on the table was a pen and paper. Ramon thought about what he was going to say. He wanted Barnabas Collins in a rage. If he was, he wouldn't be thinking straight. No one in a rage ever did.
The vampire really didn't care anything about Julia Hoffman. In fact, he found the whole idea of Collins' messing with a human disgusting. If he wanted her, he should just turn her. Mortals were beneath vampires. They were nothing more than something to toy with, or better yet, to feed on.
Furious that he lost his seat on the Vampire Council, he intended to make Barnabas Collins and Vlad Dracula pay for destroying Andrew Adell and his dream of making vampires the master race on the planet. Why in the world should they hide in the darkness of night when humans were so inferior? There wasn't a human on the planet that could stand up to the vampire race. Vampires could squash them like the bugs they were. Survival of the fittest; isn't that what mortals always said? And, vampires were obviously more fit than the mere mortals.
Ramon picked up the pen and paper. He would compose a note to Collins. He was confident when the vampire couldn't find Julia Hoffman in Collinsport, he would seek help in locating her. That help, he had no doubt, would be in the form of Dracula. The two vampires were like peas in a pod. They were directly responsible for the defeat of Andrew's vampire army. Although Ramon was a much older vampire than Barnabas Collins, he was not confident he could defeat him. Those that fought against him in the tunnels of San Francisco, and survived, insisted he was much stronger than his years as a vampire than time would normally allow. Therefore, Ramon wanted to keep him at a distance.
As far as Dracula, no one in their right mind would go up against him alone. He was far too powerful. Ramon had watched as Dracula successfully fought off numerous vampires all at once. And, the there was the witch who turned the vampire bat on him. Instead of destroying him as it did the others it bit, it only proved to make him stronger than he already was. Ramon was not ready to engage Dracula. He was in the midst of creating an army of his own. When he assembled enough loyal vampires, they would then destroy Dracula and Collins. Morgan and Miranda, Eddie and Damon would either join them or be destroyed. Ramon much preferred to destroy them, but others who already joined him felt they should be given the choice.
The problem with giving them a choice was . . . how could they possibly be sincere? They fought with Dracula and Collins. They destroyed others of their own kind to protect the mortal police detective and his people in San Francisco. Ramon didn't trust them. If they continued to serve on the Vampire Council, nothing would change. They would not vote to allow vampires to step up and take their rightful place as the master race of the earth. He was sure of that. How could they change things under those circumstances? In all reality, they couldn't. Ramon didn't understand why they couldn't see that.
So, his goal was to destroy the vampires standing in his way one at a time. Dracula and Barnabas had to be first. That was a given. The rest of them would lose their protection, and then destroying them would be easy.
Ramon put pen to paper and began composing his note to Barnabas Collins. As the famous fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes would say . . . the games afoot!"
3
In bat form, Barnabas Collins flew over the area near Widow's Hill. Since he hadn't bitten Julia in such a long time, his venom was not in her system. He was unable to communicate with her telepathically. Since the two of them got together as a couple, the vampire refuse to allow his condition to touch her if he could at all prevent it. Now, he was regretting that decision. If he had at least bitten her, taking only enough blood for the two of them to communicate, he would be able to find her with no trouble. All he would have had to do was to speak to her mind.
Instead, he was uselessly flying over Collinsport and finding no sign of her whatsoever. Barnabas was aware of his anger, and he had to make sure it didn't cloud his judgement. The longer it took to find Julia, the less chance there was that he would find her. He hovered over the caves that led into the tunnels back to the Old House. Only those familiar about how to open secret passages would be able to use the tunnels. That meant only he, Willie, the professor, and Julia could use them to their advantage. Well, David could, but he had no intention of involving him.
Ramon would have no idea of their existence. The vampire wondered if Ramon would take Julia right back to the cave. After all, he might think Barnabas wouldn't bother to check it since Ramon and his servant left the cave. It could be a perfect hiding place for them to keep Julia. Barnabas flew down and transformed back to human form. He only hoped Ramon was there with Julia. He would be careful to keep from being detected. Rather than go in as a human looking vampire, he turned to mist. That way he could keep his presence unknown for as long as possible.
Entering the cave as a mist, Barnabas moved along the floor in the darkest part of the cave. In a remote section, he transferred back to human form and looked around. The cave appeared to be deserted. There wasn't any sign of Ramon, Devlin, or Julia. He looked around for a few minutes checking deep inside. Still no trace of any of them. Disappointed, he left the cave. Standing outside, Barnabas could hear the waves of the ocean beating against the shore. It was always a sound that soothed him. Not today, however, it only served to remind him of the past and what happened to his Josette. Now, he was worried about another woman in his life. Would the day ever come when he could just live a quiet existence?
Barnabas reverted to bat form and flew into the air. He flew over Collinsport and the surrounding area. He checked every cottage for signs of Julia, but found none. Discouraged, there was only one thing he could do. The vampire headed for the time portal. He didn't plan to leave the century. He knew that the portal would transfer him where ever he wanted to go, and right now, he wanted to go to Romania. When he arrived where he knew the portal to be, his hope was that it hadn't closed since the last time he used it.
Stepping into the portal, Barnabas disappeared. When he again stepped out, he was standing in front of the castle Dracula lived in with Angelique. He hated to show up here, especially since he didn't want to interfere with their relationship. Hopefully, it was now strong enough that his appearance would have no effect on Angelique.
Barnabas walked up to the huge doors of the castle, and using the knocker announced his arrival. It took several times as he awaited someone to answer. He was well aware of the time difference, and planned his arrival at dusk to protect both Dracula and himself. It was but a small shift in time.
A servant opened the doors. Since she had never met Barnabas, she didn't recognize him. "The count doesn't see anyone. You have to have an invitation to come here." She attempted to shut the door, but Barnabas didn't allow her to.
He wasn't going to be put off by one of Dracula's servants. The vampire opened his mouth, his canines elongated, and his eyes turned black. "He'll see me. My name is Barnabas Collins."
She looked at him. He was just like the count. He was a member of the living dead. She wouldn't argue with him, knowing what he could do to her. Still, she had to do as Dracula said, or he would kill her. "Wait here. I will see if he will see you, Mister Collins." She shut the door and Barnabas waited for her return.
In the drawing room of the castle, Dracula sat with Angelique. He had never been so happy in his entire existence. Angelique had become his true mate. Even though she wouldn't allow him to turn her, she was still immortal. A witch would live for eternity just as he would. He would never be alone again. Angelique was his forever.
A servant appeared at the door. "Count Dracula, there is a man here to see you. He is like you," she said.
"A vampire?" Angelique asked.
"Yes, he made sure I knew that. Shall I show him in?" she asked.
"Did he give his name?" Dracula asked.
"Yes, he said his name was Barnabas Collins. He was quite insistent about seeing you. He said you would see him."
Dracula looked at Angelique. If the name Barnabas Collins had any effect on her, she didn't show it. She noticed his concern immediately. He could tell he hadn't been very good at hiding it.
"It is all right, Vlad. You have no reason for concern." She ran her hand down his cheek. "I am here with you because I choose to be. Barnabas cannot change what is between us." She stood up. "I will greet him and bring him to you."
"Are you certain, Angelique? I wouldn't want you to be uncomfortable."
She smiled at him. "I am fine. Stop worrying. You have no cause for concern." She turned and left the drawing room, headed for the main entrance into the castle. She had assured Vlad of her feelings for him, and she had been being honest with him. Angelique knew she loved Dracula. Time with him, his gentleness, and his love for her had won her over. Now, the real test of their love was at the entrance of the castle. She would find out if her feelings for Barnabas Collins had finally waned.
Angelique opened the door. There stood the man she had loved for so long. She surprised even herself. He seemed just to be someone from her past. He didn't have the same effect on her he once did. She must finally be over him. Barnabas, what a pleasant surprise. Vlad and I were not expecting you. Is this a social call?"
Barnabas bent down and kissed her on the cheek, then gave her a brief hug. "It is so good to see you so happy. It warms my heart to know you have finally found love with Count Dracula. Unfortunately, the answer to your question, is no, this is not just a social call. I need Vlad's help."
"Oh, well come right in. He is in the drawing room." Angelique led him down the halls of the castle to Dracula.
When they arrived, Dracula stood up and walked over to his American friend. He offered his hand to Barnabas who shook it. "Barnabas, what a very pleasant surprise. Did you fly to Romania, or did you use the time portal?"
Angelique looked up. "Time portal. Oh yes, I remember now. That is how I returned here from Quentin's time. I forgot all about it."
Dracula watched Angelique closely for any signs she was affected by Barnabas, but she didn't show any. She walked over to him and put her arm around his waist. Dracula in turn did the same with her.
"I came through the portal with a matter of great importance," Barnabas answered the father of all vampires.
"I could tell something was wrong the moment you stepped into the room. What is it, my friend?" The count asked.
"It's Julia. She has been taken."
"Taken? What do you mean taken?" Angelique asked.
"Ramon. He tricked us into knowing where his lair was. Unfortunately, he let us know for a reason. I sent Willie and Elliott Stokes to stake him. But, while they were gone, his servant came to the Old House and took Julia."
"My God, Barnabas, you are lucky he didn't stake you," Angelique said.
"Are you certain, it was Ramon?" Dracula asked.
"Who else could it be?" Barnabas said. "I have checked everywhere. Where ever he is hiding her, I have not been able to find out."
"Barnabas, as you know, Ramon and a few of the vampires that followed Andrew Adell are planning to take over the Vampire Council. They believe as Adell did, that vampires should be the master race. It sounds like this could be a move on their part to get me involved. They have guessed that you would come to me if you were unable to locate Doctor Hoffman. That is why your are here, isn't it? You want me to help?"
Before Barnabas could answer, Angelique interrupted. "Vlad, you must help Barnabas. You know how you would feel if it were me that was kidnapped. Barnabas would certainly come to your aid."
Dracula saw no desperation in Angelique's eyes. "You want to come along, is that it?"
Angelique looked over at Barnabas. "He still thinks you represent a threat where I am concerned. Let me make it perfectly clear in front of both of you. I am happy with Vlad and that is where I want to stay. I also want Barnabas to be happy after all the pain I caused him. Vlad, he can't lose Julia Hoffman. You must help him, and no I do not need to come along. It will be lonely without you here, but I will manage. Help Barnabas, Vlad."
"Are you sure, Angelique?"
"I am. Help him find Julia Hoffman. It looks like he may need your help in ending the threat of a takeover of the Vampire Council as well."
Barnabas smiled. It looked like Angelique had indeed found her place in life. She seemed very happy with Dracula. Now only if she could reverse the curse she put him under. All would be back to normal. He laughed to himself. His life and existence had been anything but normal for over two hundred years. "Thank you, Angelique."
"It is settled then. We shall go back to Collinsport and make a thorough search of the area. We must find Ramon, and when we do, we shall destroy him. I will get ready to leave at once. Excuse me, while I go collect some earth to put in a coffin. You will have one for me to rest in during the day?"
The younger vampire nodded. "Of course. It is the same one you rested in the last time you were in Collinsport."
"That will be satisfactory. Excuse me." He bowed and then left Barnabas and Angelique together.
Barnabas smiled at her again. "You certainly look happy with Vlad, Angelique."
"I really am, Barnabas. If only I had discovered how happy he could make me the first time we were together, I wouldn't have hurt you and turned you into a vampire."
"That is all in the past. We know Julia will find a cure for my vampirism. I will again live as a mortal man. I am truly happy for you and Vlad. You both look very happy."
"We really are. I never realized I could be so happy. Seeing you again only serves as proof that I no longer wish to try to make you love me. You are like an old friend. Actually, Barnabas, it is really nice to see you again. I guess you were right when you told me in San Francisco that if I simply accepted your friendship, I could find love of my own."
Dracula stood in the cross corridor. He listened to everything Barnabas and Angelique said to each other. He smiled to himself. He no longer had to worry about Barnabas Collins being a rival for Angelique's attention. She truly loved him and not the Collinsport vampire. It took her a long time. Dracula had Barnabas to thank. If he had shown any interest in her at all, she would not be with Dracula right now. Collins had been an obsession for her, but she was over it now. He was confident he could allow her to be friends with Barnabas and not have to worry about her trying to win his love. He could no longer do it. Dracula had her love now. He continued on his way to pick up some soil from his homeland.
"How close is Julia with finding a cure for your condition?" Angelique asked Barnabas.
"She is getting closer every day," Barnabas explained. "I can walk in the daylight for a short period of time, so we know she is on the right track."
"That is wonderful, Barnabas," Angelique smiled at him. She was truly happy he would soon be converted to a mortal since that is what he wanted from the time she turned him into a vampire. If only she could reverse the condition herself, she would do so immediately. Unfortunately, she had no idea how to do so. She even discussed it with Vlad, who also had no idea how to reverse the condition. They continued to bring each other up to date since the last time they saw each other in San Francisco.
Dracula returned. "I am ready to go," he told his companions.
Barnabas kissed Angelique on the cheek. "I'll leave the two of you alone. We'll meet at the time portal, Vlad." Barnabas left them to say their goodbyes in private.
Angelique smiled up at Dracula. "I felt only friendship for Barnabas. He had no effect on me at all. I am truly over him."
"I am so happy to hear it. Maybe now when I visit Barnabas, you can come with me."
"Yes, I would like that now that I can see him without wanting him. Vlad, I have you to thank for that. You be careful and come back to me."
"I promise, my darling. As soon as Barnabas and I find Doctor Hoffman and deal with Ramon, I shall return to you." He bent down and kissed her. "I have instructed the servants to take care of you in my absence."
"That is very kind of you, but unnecessary. I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself," Angelique said.
"I know that, my dear, but it makes me feel better." He kissed her again and left her to join his friend.
Barnabas was waiting for him at the time portal. "Remember, Vlad, you must think of present day Collinsport, and at night. You don't want to arrive in the daytime or you will burn up with the sun."
"I remember. Let us go now. The sooner we deal with Ramon, the sooner Doctor Hoffman will be safe."
The vampires stepped into the time portal. When they stepped out again, they were in the woods in Collinsport. Dracula turned to the younger vampire. "I suggest we transform into bat form. We can reach your Old House much faster."
"Agreed," Barnabas said. With that, both vampires transformed and flew off to the only home Barnabas had ever known.
4
Devlin loaded Ramon's coffin into the private plane. Ramon has secured the plane for the return trip to Romania. It was time to put the next part of his plan into action. He decided to pay a visit to the Old House and tell Barnabas and hopefully Dracula what was expected of them. Ramon worked this out carefully. Neither of the vampires would realize for a while that Ramon had left Collinsport with Julia Hoffman. It was exactly what would give him the time to do what he had to do.
That was why he waited until almost dawn to put this part of his plan into operation. Leaving instructions with Devlin, the vampire left for the Old House. He changed into a bat and flew toward the ancestral home of one Barnabas Collins. When he arrived, he returned to human form and knocked on the door. It opened immediately.
Willie Loomis turned wide-eyed at the sight of the vampire. "Barnabas!"
Collins came out of the drawing room with Dracula following to find out what had Willie so excited. With rage welling within him, Barnabas grabbed Ramon by the throat. Confident Collins wouldn't harm him without knowing what he did with Julia Hoffman, he said, "I suggest you put me down, Mister Collins, unless of course, you don't care whether you see Miss Hoffman again."
Dracula placed his hand on Barnabas' shoulder. "Set him down, my friend. We will deal with him together."
Barnabas calmed and let go of Ramon. The visiting vampire smiled and said, "Why don't we sit down in the drawing room and discuss this like men."
Not wanting to treat Ramon like a guest, Barnabas was about to tell him no when Dracula spoke up. "In the drawing room. This way, Ramon."
Ramon followed the two vampires into the drawing room of the Old House and sat down in front of the fireplace. He was oozing with confidence, knowing as long as he held Julia Hoffman, he had the upper hand. "Well, gentlemen, I believe we have a problem to discuss."
"You have Julia Hoffman," Dracula said. "If you value your existence, you will release her at once."
"Well now, you see I can't do that. If I did that, my existence would end right here and now. I have no intention of allowing that to happen. Neither of you are in a position to demand anything. I'll do the demanding," Ramon said with a smirk on his face.
In an instance, Barnabas was across the room and lifted Ramon by the throat. Dracula went to him, placing a hand on the vampire's shoulder. "Easy, my friend. He wouldn't have come here unless he was in the position to order her death immediately."
"If you harm her . . . " Barnabas shouted before being interrupted by Ramon.
"You'll do what? I'll tell you what you will do and that is exactly what I tell you to do or your mortal woman will die."
"He bites his servant. He has a telepathic connection with him," Dracula said.
"Just like you do, Mister Collins, with your servant," Ramon said.
"Barnabas never bites me," Willie said from the doorway. "I protect him because he is my friend."
"Oh now, isn't that touching. Touching, but stupid in so many ways. Do you realize the harm he could do if someone tried to get information about you out of him. A servant who has been bitten would die before they would say a word about their master."
"Enough of this!" Dracula said. "You came here to give us your terms for Doctor Hoffman's release. What are they?"
"You and Mister Collins will help us destroy those on the Vampire Council. Once that is done, we will place our people on the council. Vampires will take their rightful place as the master race."
"You fool! You will destroy our race completely," Dracula said. "We won't do it."
"Then you condemn Julia Hoffman to death. I promise you I will kill her. Of course," he said with a grin, "I will first have to decide if I will turn her."
"We don't have a choice, Vlad," Barnabas said.
Dracula looked at his friend. "You're right, Barnabas, we don't. We will do as you ask," the elder vampire said.
"Very good. And just to show you what a good sport I am, you will have tomorrow night and the night after to search the area and find Doctor Hoffman. If you find her, then I will return to Romania and not cause you anymore trouble. I will leave it up to those who want the council destroyed to do it themselves. If you try to harm me in anyway, I will telepathically tell Devlin to kill her. Now, gentlemen, I will tell you this much, she is in Collinsport, and will be alive for at least 48 hours. After that, I will assume your answer is no and I will kill her. So, happy hunting."
"What's to stop us from killing you after Julia is returned to me?" Barnabas asked.
"Very simple, Mister Collins. You and Count Dracula will come back here to Collinsport and never return to Romania again. Is that clear? Because if you do, you will be destroyed. And this time, there will be a lot more vampires sent to do the job. You two are good, but you will not be able to stand against an army of 500 of them. Good luck, boys, you are going to need it." Ramon left the drawing room. He turned to give them one last smirk.
"It is almost dawn, Vlad. We must retire to our coffins. We start at dusk to look for Julia. In the meantime, Willie!"
"I'm right here, Barnabas," Willie said from behind them. "I know what you are going to say. I will tear this town apart looking for Julia."
"Thank you, Willie." Barnabas turned back to Dracula. "This way Vlad." Dracula followed Barnabas out of the drawing room, down the foyer, and into the cellar where their coffins awaited.
5
Ramon got on the chartered plane. He did what he set out to do. While Dracula and Collins searched for Hoffman, he would be in Romania executing the next part of his plan. Everything was going smoothly. Soon, he would be insured that Dracula and Collins would do exactly as they were told. Then he would have them destroyed.