Chapter 6
Later that day, Quentin sits in the drawing room. A glass of brandy in his hand and his theme being played on a CD player on the desk, he looks every bit like the lord of the manor. There's a knock at the doors, "Come in!" he bellows and in walks Nancy Loomis, daughter of Willie and Carolyn. The 23 year old looks as beautiful as her mother but now a look of outrage mars her pretty face. "Why didn't you tell me Barnabas was here?" she demands, "Didn't you think I'd want to see him? I'm sick of you running my life for my Quentin, in fact I don't even have a life anymore. You never let anyone see me besides at work, and if you do it's only for your own gain. I've had enough! I'm leaving here, today! I'll go to New York and find mother, it doesn't matter if she doesn't want me. I'll go anywhere to get away from you!" "Biting the hand that feeds you eh my dear?" Quentin asks caustically, "Who took you in when your father died and your mother ran off to be an actress?" "Well, you did," she admits "and Grandmother." "And when your grandmother died? You've called me cruel man many a time Nancy, You were barely 5 years old, I could have thrown you out when Liz died, I could have given you to someone who could've cared less. But I always had a special affection for your mother, and I thought another child in the house would do David good. Well he was a teenager by then, but nothing brightens up a gloomy old house like a young happy child." "Happy child?!, you kept me around for your own perverse pleasure, you terrified me and you knew it! But still you-" Quentin broke in harshly "That's enough Nancy! Go upstairs!" "No! I won't! I'm leaving you and this house with all it's memories behind forever. Goodbye Quentin." "Nancy," Quentin said in a soft menacing tone, "Go upstairs." Nancy knows that tone and with a look of wide eyed fear she runs for the front door, but in a flash Quentin is at her side and catches her arm in an iron grip. "You bully! Let me go!" He has a terrifying look in his eyes and holds her with his gaze. "I wont tell you again. Now will you go upstairs or do I have to take you up myself?" She struggles desparetly to reach the door but it is useless. Quentin swings her up into his arms effortlessly and marches up the stairs with her.
Meanwhile, Barnabas sits in the cottage remembered another conversation he and Quentin had earlier that day:
"...I told you Barnabas, I'm not capable of loving anyone but myself. I realize that. Once I thought I had grown a heart, when I found Lenore, do you remember? And I loved then, I loved Beth, but time has made me a cold and bitter man. I lose everyone I've loved. So I must show them no love. I'm amazed I haven't started kicking puppies! Women are nothing more than playthings to me, I use them and toss them aside. I can't afford to form attachments. I can't ever marry. My children would be cursed and my wife would grow old before my eyes while I remain the same. and when she died, I would be guilty, grief stricken and alone. So why not just remain alone and save myself the heartache? You of all people should understand. Don't tell me you arn't heart broken over Julia? It took you decades to get over Josette, and although you are no longer a vampire, still strangely you are cursed. Like me. We are destined to survive through eternity. We are immortal, and an immortal can never love. Remember that Barnabas." For the first time in weeks Barnabas cried. He cried for his darling Julia and for the love he would never know again.
