Revenge of the Vampires
Chapter 9
1
Ramon and Angelique arrived at Tristan's Castle. They were immediately led in by the servants who were guarding. They walked down the corridors. Angelique noticed the looks she was receiving from the vampires as they passed them. She knew they would just as soon attack her as to look at her. Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on how she looked at it, she was somewhat protected by Ramon. He had plans for her which she was certain included Dracula. If only she had worn that cross around her neck. Unfortunately, her own witchcraft practices kept her from doing so because of the discomfort it caused.
They headed into the depths of the castle. Angelique couldn't believe where he was taking her. She thought he would at least lock her in one of the bed chambers in the castle. Instead, she believed he was leading her to what would have been the dungeon in years past.
They descended the stairs as he pushed her along. When they arrived at the room leading into the dungeon, there were two guards on each side of the door. They nodded at Ramon in recognition. The vampire ignored them and passed into the dungeon. He led Angelique over to one of the cells, opened it, and pushed her in.
"You will be fed three meals a day. Also, you will be allowed a couple bathroom breaks each day. I suggest you be careful of your liquid intake. There will be no exceptions to the schedule I have set."
"Ramon, I implore you to stop this! When Dracula finds out, he will come for me. You do not really think that this sad bunch of vampires can stand up to him, do you?"
"Oh, they will stand up to him; you can count on it. Not only will Dracula be destroyed, but so will Barnabas Collins. Julia Hoffman was taken for a reason. I had no doubt that Collins would enlist Dracula to help him find her. I made sure of that. When they realize she is no longer in Collinsport, they will return to Transylvania. That is when we will destroy them both. Then the vampire race will take its place as the dominant race on the face of the Earth."
"Huh, you're not very bright, are you? Over 50 vampires we're completely destroyed in San Francisco at the hands of Barnabas and Dracula. Yet, you think this handful of pathetic blood suckers will be able to defeat them? You're dreaming, Ramon. The two of them will crush you. Besides, do you really think the Vampire Council is going to put up with your shenanigans?"
The vampire spewed his angry words. "If I didn't need you, witch, I would kill you for your disrespect and insolence. Soon, I will have that pleasure anyway. I can wait." He turned around and left the dungeon. When he arrived in the main room of the dungeon, several of the vampires surrounded Devlin.
"Devlin, what took you so long?" Ramon looked around, but he didn't see Dr Hoffman. "Where is Hoffman?"
"I am sorry, Master. She got away from me and ran off when we arrived." Devlin knew he would be subject to Ramon's rage, but he knew better than to lie to him.
Ramon pushed his way past the other vampires, grabbed Devlin by the throat, and lifted him off the floor. "I give you one little job and you can't even do it right. She wasn't dressed for this weather. She'll freeze to death. Not that I really care, but I would prefer to have her here for leverage over Barnabas Collins. Now, I have to go out and do your job and find her." Ramon through Devlin across the room. He hit the wall with a terrible crunch. Already nursing what he assumed were broken ribs, he now had more. He could barely draw in air due to the pain that it caused. Maybe he should have listened to Dr Hoffman and staked Ramon. He just didn't understand why he had this overwhelming feeling that he had to serve him.
2
Ramon was furious. Maybe it was time that he killed Devlin and found himself a new servant. Devlin was incompetent. Every time he gave him something to do, he messed it up. Now, he had to go out and find Dr Hoffman before sunrise.
Ramon thought about where she would go. She wouldn't know the area, but she would know that Dracula's Castle was somewhere around here. Somehow, Ramon figured that is where she would be headed. She would have to find it rather quickly, or she would freeze to death in this weather. Ramon had to find her before that happened. She was no good to him dead. Eventually, he would have the pleasure of ending her life, and hopefully in front of Barnabas Collins.
Collins! How he hated that man. He was no more fond of Dracula either. Angelique was stupid enough to think that he would take them head on. He had no intention of it. The only way to defeat Dracula and Collins was to outsmart them. Ramon knew he was capable of doing that. It wasn't Barnabas or Dracula that figured out how to defeat the army of vampires in San Francisco. It was the San Francisco cop that figured it out. Defeating them was not going to be that hard.
He headed out into the cold. Ramon didn't even bother to put on a coat. Then again, vampires were impervious to the temperatures. Cold didn't bother them. After all, if one touched the hand of a vampire, they would realize just how cold they were.
He turned into a bat and flew toward Dracula's castle. That is definitely where Dr Hoffman would head if she had any idea at all where it was. She probably figured that Dracula would protect her. The mortal had no idea that she had no protection from Ramon. He was determined to get what he wanted. He would have his revenge on Dracula and Collins.
Dr Julia Hoffman did not know Ramon was out looking for her. Although, she knew sooner or later he would be if Devlin did not find her. Julia felt fairly confident that she had outsmarted Devlin. She hadn't seen him for some time. By now, he probably had gone back to the castle to give Ramon the bad news. In a way, she felt sorry for Devlin. He had no choice in what he had to do. Julia knew from experience that vampire's slaves had no will of their own. They hated their masters, but they serve them anyway. She wondered how many of them realized that it was the venom the vampire left in their system that kept them serving their vampires.
Willie Loomis was fortunate that the coffin he opened was that of Barnabas Collins. In the beginning, Barnabas was cruel to him as all vampires are to their servants. Fortunately for Willie, Barnabas never totally lost his humanity. Willie and Barnabas were close friends now. Barnabas didn't even bite him anymore. Willie stayed to protect him because that is what he wanted to do, not because he was forced to. As a result, Barnabas never had to worry about Willie betraying him.
Even as Julia's mind wandered back to Collinsport, it couldn't keep her from feeling the numbing cold. Her feet burned. She knew what that meant. She was close to frostbite, and at the present time, there wasn't anything she could do about it. Julia only hoped that she was headed in the direction of Dracula's Castle. She continued to climb upward, knowing that Dracula's castle was high in the mountains. The question was - would she make it before she succumbed to the cold?
Unlike other women, Julia always wore a skirt rather than slacks. It had always been to try to get Barnabas's attention. Having grown up in a different century, he was accustom to women always wearing skirts. He loathed seeing women in slacks. He complained that they were trying to look like men. Barnabas felt it was unbecoming of a woman to dress like a man.
Right now, she wished she had slacks on. Her legs were almost as numb as her feet. She had nothing at her ankles or lower legs to protect her skin from the cold snow. Yet, she trenched on. What other choice did she have? She would either arrive at Dracula's castle, or die trying. Her only regret was that she wouldn't be around to see what Barnabas would do to Ramon if she froze to death.
Julia stopped long enough to look up. There was a bright moon and it helped guide her upwards into the mountains. She could see a castle off in the distance. It seemed so far away. Would she ever reach it before freezing? Julia doubted it, but she was going to try anyway. If she could just get to the castle, she would be protected from Ramon and the other vampires.
"Going somewhere, Doctor?"
The question came from behind her. Julia turned around suddenly. Standing there was Ramon. She knew better than to try and run. She had seen the speed that Barnabas could move. No doubt, Ramon would be able to move just as fast. She probably never would have made it to Dracula's Castle anyway. Her limbs barely had any feeling as the snow and cold had rendered them nearly numb.
"Ramon, you can't get away with this. Think about what Dracula and Barnabas will do to you when they realize I am not in Collinsport. They will put two and two together when they cannot find you either. You're very existence depends upon what they will do."
"You couldn't be more wrong, Dr Hoffman. We have plans for both Barnabas and Dracula. Why do you think I took you in the first place?"
"You really are a fool, aren't you? Barnabas and Dracula will tear you apart. You're too stupid to realize that if vampires were allowed to do as they please, it would become a plague on earth. You would eventually have no food chain because you would have turned everybody. That is why there is a vampire council. It is there to make sure the vampires stay in the shadows. It is safer for them, and safer for humans. You didn't learn a thing about what happened in San Francisco, did you? You have forgotten that Angelique turned the vampire bat on Dracula, making him stronger than ever." Julia knew she was pushing him, and that it was dangerous to do so. But if he really wanted to use her as leverage against Barnabas, he wasn't going to kill her. So, she continued. "You sent an army of vampires. Four vampires defeated your entire army without much trouble, and with no loss of life on their side. You couldn't be content to go back and hide in the shadows. You've come up with some hair brain scheme to rule the world."
"Shut up! If you keep this up, I'll kill you before Collins and Dracula come back. I can always use someone else as a leverage. In fact, Angelique may just be enough. So, if I were you, I'd keep my mouth shut. I would enjoy sucking every ounce of blood out of your body."
"Then do it," Julia challenged. She hoped she hadn't gone too far. She would display no fear from Ramon, even if it cost her life. Barnabas would most definitely avenge her murder.
"You really have a mouth on you, don't you?" Ramon was seething with anger, but he really didn't want to kill her. She was the best leverage that he could have against Barnabas Collins.
When they arrived at Tristan's castle, he led her down into the depths of the castle Just as he had Angelique. Julia immediately noticed Angelique in another cell. She caught her eye. She was beginning to realize that both of them would be used as a pawn in whatever Ramon and the other vampires had planned.
Ramon opened the cell and shoved her so roughly that she fell to the floor and hit her head. Julia immediately saw stars and passed out.
3
Willie Loomis entered the cave near Widow's Hill. He found no trace of Ramon, Devlin, or Julia Hoffman. He wanted so badly to find Julia for Barnabas. Willie knew how much Julia meant to him. Actually, she had come to mean a lot to him too. Barnabas and Julia were Willie's closest friends. It scared him to think Ramon would harm her in any way. Heaven forbid that he might kill her. The loss to Barnabas would be devastating. Not only would he lose the woman he loved, but with her would go any chance of Barnabas being cured of his curse. Willie couldn't bear the thought of that. He wasn't sure that Barnabas would want to live on as a vampire. He hated what he was and was actively seeking the cure with Julia. Without her, Willie was afraid that Barnabas would ask him to stake him in his coffin as he slept the sleep of the undead. Loomis knew he couldn't do it. He couldn't end the existence of his closest friend.
It wasn't always that way. In the beginning Barnabas was very cruel to him. It took some time for his humanity to rise to the surface again, but it did, and he and Willie had become very close friends.
Loomis left the cave. There wasn't any sense in hanging around it. Obviously, Ramon had not returned to it. He had to be somewhere in Collinsport. He gave Barnabas 48 hours to locate Julia. Willie wondered why he would even do that. Was it just a ruse so Ramon could take Julia out of Collinsport? That made more sense than anything.
"You're not going to find her this way."
Willie turned around to see the ghost of Sarah Collins standing there with her flute. She began to play London Bridge is Falling Down. "Sarah! Where have you been? Barnabas needs you. Julia Hoffman has been taken captive by Ramon, the vampire."
Sarah stopped playing her flute and removed it from her mouth. "That is why I am here. You need to tell my brother that he will not find Dr Hoffman in Collinsport. She is no longer here."
"What do you mean that she is no longer here? Where is she?" Willie said anxiously. It was to be the only thing Sarah Collins would tell him as she disappeared in front of him. "Sarah! Sarah! Come back, Barnabas needs you. You must tell him where Dr Hoffman is. Willie was met with complete silence. Sarah Collins was gone. He had to get back to Barnabas and Dracula.
Professor Stokes came walking up to Willie. "I checked the other side of the cave. There wasn't any sign of Ramon or Julia. I met back here as we had planned. Have you had any luck?"
A very excited Willie Loomis told Professor Stokes about his meeting with Sarah Collins.
"She didn't tell you where Ramon took Julia?" the professor asked.
"No, she simply said we would not find Julia in Collinsport. Then she disappeared. Damn that ghost. She is always disappearing instead of sticking around and helping us."
"I believe she helps us as much as she possibly can. For some reason, there are things she just cannot tell us. We have seen that from the past. Come, Willie, we must find Barnabas and Dracula."
The two men hurried through the woods and headed back to the Old House. By now, both Dracula and Barnabas should have returned. Due to their speed as vampires, they should have been able to check all the cottages in and around the surrounding area. There wasn't any sense in looking any further. If Sarah was right, and they were both sure she was, they needed to find out where Ramon took Julia Hoffman.
As the approached the Old House, Professor Stokes could see Barnabas through the window. They had indeed returned. Willie opened the double doors, and the professor followed him inside. They were met in the foyer by both Barnabas and Dracula.
The disappointment showed in Barnabas's eyes. "You didn't find her?" The question was more of a statement. If they had found her, they certainly would show more excitement than they were doing.
"Barnabas," said Willie, "We didn't find her, but we ran into Sarah. She told me to tell you that Julia is no longer in Collinsport. She said we would not find her, at least not here."
"Then where can we find her?" Barnabas asked.
"She didn't say," Willie told him, "she disappeared immediately after that."
"Barnabas, if she is not in Collinsport then he has taken her somewhere else. We will have to find out where," Dracula said.
There was a knock on the door. Willie opened it and Victoria Winters stepped inside. "Barnabas, there is something you should know. David was out after dark despite being told many times that he has to be in when the sun sets. He said he saw Dr Hoffman with two men. David believed she was being held against her will. He wanted to come over here to talk to you, but I told him I would do it for him. He was really upset and concerned for Julia."
"Did he know where they took her?" Barnabas asked.
Victoria stared at the man standing behind him. He looked familiar, but she couldn't place him. Turning her attention back to Barnabas, she said, "David did not know where they were going. Although, he did over here them saying something about Transylvania. Isn't Transylvania in Romania?"
Alarmed, Barnabas hesitated before he finally answered, "Yes, it is in Transylvania. Victoria, I appreciate you coming here to tell us. We will take it from here." It was obvious that he was dismissing her. She looked up at Barnabas who smiled back at her.
"Is Dr Hoffman all right?" Victoria asked.
"She will be fine," Barnabas answered, hoping that was a case. Still, he was now even more worried than before.
Victoria stood there for a moment not knowing what else to say. She did not feel comfortable leaving, yet she knew Barnabas wanted her to go. Something was going on, of that she was certain, but she didn't believe for a second that Barnabas was going to tell her. "Will you call me when you find her?"
The vampire smiled down at her. He took her hand and kissed the back of it. "Of course." He let go and held the door open for her. With nothing else to do or say, Victoria left the Old House.
Barnabas and Dracula headed into the drawing room. The younger vampire sat down in a chair beside the fireplace. Dracula noticed the worried look on his face.
"We will find her, my friend. If he is harmed her, he will pay with his very existence. In fact, he is going to pay with his very existence anyway," Dracula said, attempting to soothe him.
"Where would he take her? How can we find her when we have no idea where they have gone?" Barnabas fretted.
By this time, Willie and Professor Stokes joined them. I believe I know where he would have gone," the professor said. He had both Barnabas and Dracula's attention.
"Victoria said she heard them talk about Transylvania. I believe Ramon has taken her back there. Dracula, didn't you say that some of the vampires who oppose the Vampire Council are staying in Tristan's Castle? You also said that you do not enter the castle because you have a truce with Tristan. Wouldn't that be a perfect place to take Dr Hoffman. Ramon would figure you will not storm the castle because of that truce."
Barnabas stood up and faced Dracula. "He's right, Vlad. It would be a perfect place to take her."
"Then, we shall use the time portal and return to Transylvania immediately. Ramon is going to regret his actions," Dracula said.
Professor Stokes spoke up. "If you will permit me, I would like to join you to help."
"I do not recommend it, Professor," Dracula said. We are going to go up against a lot of vampires. You are not equipped to protect yourself from them."
"I'm going," Willie proclaimed. "It is my job to protect Barnabas. He will need protection in the daytime, and I intend to be there to do it."
"That is very noble of you, Mr Loomis." Dracula admired the bravery of the young man. His experience the last time he saw him was that Loomis was not equipped to be a vampire's servant. Despite being scared to death, which Dracula knew he was, he still insisted upon protecting his master. Then Dracula realized Barnabas really was not his master. He didn't treat him as a vampire slave. He treated him as a friend.
"There will be plenty of servants in my castle to protect your master," Dracula assured Willie. "There is no need for you to join us."
"I am going. It is my job to protect Barnabas. I am not going to leave that to someone else," Loomis insisted, standing up to the world's most powerful vampire."
Dracula looked to Barnabas to settle the dispute. It didn't take him long to do so.
"Vlad is right. There really isn't anything for either of you to do. If Vlad says there are people there to protect me during the day, then it is not necessary for you to come with us, Willie. And, professor, I appreciate your loyalty, but there isn't anything for you to do either. No, both of you will stay here. If we need you, one of us will come back through the time portal and let you know."
"We shouldn't waste any more time, Barnabas. We should go through the time portal now." Dracula's voice displayed the urgency that he felt. Dr Julia Hoffman was not his only concern. If Ramon had indeed returned to Transylvania, Angelique was left unprotected. Dracula wanted to get back to his castle to make sure that she was there and unharmed. It bothered him that Ramon took Julia Hoffman. Could it it have been a diversion, in order for him to kidnap Angelique as well? She was perfectly capable of protecting herself from a vampire. She certainly knew how. If she wasn't expecting it, she probably would not carry the protections on her. That had Dracula extremely worried. With Angelique finally admitting that she loved him, he couldn't lose her now. If he had to he would kill every vampire in Tristan's Castle. He didn't care if there was a truce. He would not allow his Angelique to be harmed.
"I will need to stop by the Great House and let the family know that I am leaving for a period of time. Otherwise, they will be upset." Barnabas headed for the door.
"Your servant can take care of that," Dracula said. He was anxious to get back to his castle to check on Angelique.
"No, Vlad. They will want to hear it from me. They were upset the last time I left without letting them know myself. It will only take a minute. Besides, the time portal is in the west wing of the Great House." Turning to Willie, he said, "You will continue your duties here. If your services are needed in Transylvania, we will let you know. Elliott, please keep an eye on my family while I am gone. If anything comes up that I need to know about, then cross through the portal and find us. Otherwise, I will expect both of you to stay here."
"All right, Barnabas, if that is the way you want it. I will check on them frequently. Please use a phone and keep us up to date as to your progress in Transylvania. Otherwise both Willie and I will worry."
Barnabas placed a hand on Willie's shoulder. "Take care of yourself, my friend. I'll see you when I get back."
As Barnabas and Dracula left the Old House, the vampire heard Willie say, "I certainly hope so."
As soon as the vampires were outside the Old House, they both turned into bats and flew at top speed toward Collinwood. They returned to their human form at the double doors of the Great House. Barnabas reached up and knocked on the doors.
They opened almost immediately, and Elizabeth Collins-Stoddard, the matriarch of the Collins family smiled at her visitors. "Barnabas, it is so nice to have you visit. You haven't been here in several days. Please, come in. Join Roger and me in the drawing room." She looked up at Dracula thinking what a strange man Barnabas had brought with him. Leading them into the drawing room, Roger was sitting by the fire with a glass of sherry in his hand. He stood up as soon as the two vampires entered the room.
"Barnabas! Liz and I were just discussing that we hadn't seen you in several days. Can I get you a glass of sherry?"
"I do not believe I have ever met your friend," Elizabeth said.
"I am sorry, where are my manners?" Barnabas said. He turned to Dracula and began his introduction. "This is Count . . ."
Dracula interrupted him, concerned that Barnabas would introduce him as Count Dracula without thinking. He took Elizabeth's hand and kissed the back of it. "Count Vlad at your service, madam."
The younger vampire realized that he did almost introduce him as Count Dracula. Thank heavens Dracula intervened. "Vlad is from Romania. We met many years ago. He has been visiting me; that is the reason you haven't seen me. Unfortunately, neither of us can stay. I did want to stop by and let you know that I am flying to Romania to visit Vlad for a few days. I didn't want you to worry."
"Surely you have time for one drink," Roger Collins insisted.
Despite wanting to move on, Dracula nodded at Barnabas. "Please do, Barnabas," Liz said. "We have not seen you for several days, and apparently we won't see you for several more."
"All right, Cousin Elizabeth. But we only have time for one drink. Then we must be on our way."
Roger went over to the credenza and poured two drinks. He brought them back, handed one to Dracula, and then one to Barnabas. "I wasn't aware there were any flights going out at this time of night. You would have to drive to Bangor, and by the time you get there all the flights would have already left the airport."
Having to tell quite a few tall tales in his lifetime since Willie released him from his coffin that fateful day, Barnabas was quick to think on his feet. "We are not taking a commercial airline, Roger. We charted a private jet to take us across the ocean. It will leave shortly. We didn't want to wait till morning for a commercial airline."
"I see. What is your hurry?" Roger Collins walked over and sat down near the fireplace. Elizabeth joined him. Having no choice, Barnabas and Dracula did the same.
"That is my fault," Dracula said. "I informed Barnabas when I arrived that I would have to be back today. That is the reason he chartered the private jet to take us back."
"You introduced yourself as Count Vlad. Are you of royalty in Romania?" Elizabeth asked.
"You are very perspective," Dracula said with a smile. "Although royal titles really do not mean very much anymore, yes I am of royal blood."
"I wasn't aware that you have traveled to Romania, Barnabas," Roger said.
"Remember, I am from England. I have traveled extensively around the world." In all actuality, Barnabas had only traveled to Martinique in his lifetime. He had never been in England, and his only time to Romania was when he went there to enlist Dracula's help. Roger and Elizabeth had no way of knowing or confirming what he told them.
Young David walked into the drawing room. "I thought I heard your voice, Cousin Barnabas. Did Vicki tell you that I heard . . ."
Barnabas interrupted him immediately. "Yes, David. She told me, and I appreciate you letting us know."
"Just exactly what did my son tell you?" Roger asked.
"He let us know about the private jet," Barnabas told them. He had no intention of elaborating any further than that. Fortunately, it seemed to satisfy Roger. Elizabeth did not question him on it either."
"David, Barnabas is going to be away for a while. This is his friend Count Vlad. He is going to Romania to visit with him," Elizabeth told the lad.
"I kind of assume that," David said. "I will miss you while you are gone, Cousin Barnabas."
Barnabas ruffled his hair. "I'll miss you as well. Don't worry, I won't be gone long. In the meantime, you be a good boy in mind your father and aunt."
"I hate to be the one to rush things," Dracula said, "but we really must be going."
Roger and Elizabeth stood up. "Well if you must. I really wish you could stay longer and chat, Barnabas. We haven't seen you for some time."
"I would like that very much, Elizabeth, but the pilot set the flight plan, and he has others he has to pick up in Romania. I will be sure to come and visit when I return."
They walked Barnabas and Dracula to the door and everyone said their goodbyes. As soon as the door closed, both vampires converted to bat form and flew up toward the west wing. Barnabas knew how to get in, and they headed straight for Quentin's room. They walked over to the time portal and stepped through.