Chapter 4
Laurie felt her mouth go dry, but she lifted her chin defiantly. "Nicholas Blair, I presume."
"Correct, Mrs. Simon. Now, hand me your transmitter." he demanded.
"No, you don't frighten me, you evil man!" she replied, her knees starting to shake.
"Rick, hurry, we're in danger! Come to the mausoleum, darling!" she called to her husband, then told her cousin, "when he opens the gate, run for it!"
As Blair came at her, she kicked him in the shin, then slugged the warlock in the face. Running to the gate, she tried to open it again, only to have their would-be captor pull her away and throw her to the floor. Gasping for breath, she watched with horror as Blair advanced on Carolyn and she screamed as he picked her up. As he opened the mausoleum gate, Laurie managed to get to her feet and rush to her cousin's aid.
"You will not interfere again, my dear," he ordered, only for Laurie to yank his arm, causing him to drop Carolyn. "Run, Carolyn!" she told her, then Laurie instead felt herself being dragged backwards, then thrown back into the mausoleum. "No, I won't let you hurt her!" Carolyn hit Blair from behind, then he threw her aside. Slamming the gate in Laurie's face, Blair stared down at her then grinned saying, "I'm going to make your cousin immortal, then I'll have the Collins family in my control. I'll come back for you in a little while, Mrs. Simon." Locking the gate behind him, he grabbed Carolyn and carried her away as Laurie screamed her name.
Suddenly a figure in white came to the gate, and Laurie froze, seeing Angelique standing in front of her.
"Oh, no, you did this, you had Blair take Carolyn, didn't you?" she yelled, clenching her fists.
"I only wish I'd thought up Nicholas taking your cousin, but he's betrayed me, I was to have Barnabas, instead he's going to lure your beloved husband and my love to their death once he sacrifices Carolyn," she told her coldly.
"Angelique, kill me if you must, but don't take Carolyn, please!" Laurie pleaded with her.
"I can't stop Blair from sacrificing her in the caves, only Barnabas can. As for you, if you stand in my way again, I will make you pay!" the witch replied, then vanished.
Just she heard Barnabas and Rick call out, then her husband came running toward the gate. "Sweetheart, are you all right? Where's Carolyn?" Rick asked, yanking at the gate, then using his gun, shooting off the latch.
"Blair trapped us in here, Rick. Blair grabbed Carolyn, after he locked us in, then he knocked me down and carried her off. We've got to hurry, he's going to kill her.," she cried, trying to get to her feet.
Pushing the gate open, Rick picked up Laurie and placed her on the bench, rubbing her wrists.
"Laurie, what did he do to you?" Rick panicked, seeing her dazed expression. Laurie caught her breath, then told them "Blair threw me to the floor, it was like I had no strength. He said he's going to sacrifice Carolyn! He said he was going to make her immortal, then he'd take over the Collins family and come back for me! Angelique came right before you, darling, she says Blair took Carolyn to some cave and that he's going to lure you and Barnabas to your death if he kills her!"
"No, no, angel, he won't, Barnabas is following him, I'm taking you back to the house." Rick lifted her up, then carried her back to Collinwood.
As they neared the door, Rick heard Barnabas yell, "Rick!" As he turned, the older man came into sight, out of breath. "Barnabas, did you see where he took her?" Rick asked, putting Laurie down.
"No, Rick, I lost sight of him on the path to the cliffs. Laurie, my dear, are you all right?" he gasped. "Yes, just a little dizzy. Blair's going to sacrifice Carolyn, Barnabas; he said he'd take over the Collins family then come back for me! After he left, Angelique came and was angry, she said Blair betrayed her and was going to lure you and Rick to your deaths after he killed Carolyn. We've got to stop him!" she said, upset.
Just then David came to the door and when he heard what had happened, demanded to go look for his cousin.
"No, David, I need you to watch over Laurie, Blair's vowed to make her his next victim." Barnabas told him firmly "Laurie, did Angelique say where Blair was taking Carolyn?"
"Yes, she said she couldn't stop Blair from sacrificing her in the caves, but that you could. She was calling you her love." Laurie answered, as Rick led her to the sofa in the library and made her sit down.
Abruptly she took a deep breath, then "saw" Carolyn's face, as she was struggling with Blair.
"She's fighting with Blair, Barnabas, near some rocks. He's taking her into a big cavern." she blurted.
"I have an idea where he's taken her, Rick, but we've got to hurry. Laurie, you and David don't leave this house until we get back, all right. You'll be safe here." Barnabas assured them, then grabbed a flashlight from the entry hall closet.
"I won't let anything happen to her, Barnabas, I promise." David replied earnestly. Rick put his hand on his shoulder. "I trust you with her, David, now don't let anyone in until we return."
"Rick, take the cross with you, it might be our only hope!" Laurie reminded him, then put out her arms and embraced her husband. "I love you, be careful."
"We'll be back with Carolyn, I promise." he kissed her then grabbing up the silver relic, followed Barnabas out the door, locking it behind him.
As the two men raced up the path to Pirate's Cove, Rick marveled at the second wind Barnabas seemed to have. The younger man found himself hard put to keep up, then suddenly he saw Barnabas stop then point his light at a path straight to the ocean.
"He's taken her into the smugglers cave, we can come in through a passage I know in the back." Barnabas whispered. "Lead on, Barnabas." Rick answered, hoping the older man's memory was accurate.
Within a moment, they heard a man's voice in the distance, then coming in through the ocean side of the caves, entered a passage and took cover only to witness a frightening sight.
Rick saw a terrified Carolyn lying on a stone table, her wrists and ankles tied with rope. Nicholas Blair was holding a gold chalice in one hand and a knife in the other.
"This sacrifice will be painless for you, my dear. I'm going to perform a simple ceremony to take your soul, and make you my slave for eternity. Then my revenge against your family will be complete." Carolyn turned her face away, crying, "No!"
Suddenly Blair raised the chalice above her, as a rumble sounded, then he lowered it to her lips. "Open your mouth and drink of our loving cup, and you won't feel a thing!" he smiled evilly, then put the knife down and slapped her when she twisted away from it.
"So be it!" he shouted, then held up the cup in one hand and the knife in the other.
"Aim for the chalice, Rick." Barnabas whispered as Rick pulled out his pistol.
Abruptly a shot rang out, and the chalice shattered into pieces all over the altar. Blair roared, "No!" as Carolyn managed to roll off the stone table and hit the ground hard.
Coming out from behind the rocks, Barnabas and Rick stood in front of Carolyn as she struggled to a sitting position on the cavern floor.
"Barnabas Collins! So you and Simon are working together, are you!" He sneered, a grin appearing on his face. "To think you once were on my side, trying to take her for yourself!"
"That when I was ruled by evil, Blair, like you. I gave that up for life, you'll not take another one, ever!" Barnabas replied.
"Then mortal, die!" the warlock yelled, throwing a blast of energy at the former vampire.
Diving to the ground, Barnabas let out a cry of pain, then called to Rick "the cross!"
Rick threw the silver cross, point side first, and it imploded into Blair's chest, releasing a howl of smoke and fire. Suddenly he was no more, then the cave started to shake.
Acting on pure instinct, Rick lifted Carolyn off the ground, untying her then pulling Barnabas up, rushed both of them out of the cavern just as the roof started to crumble.
Coughing and choking, the three of them just made it outside and collapsed on the ground near the path to Widow's Hill. Barnabas put his arms around Carolyn as she started to cry.
"You're safe, Carolyn, I've got you. He's gone, my dear." The older man comforted her, then saw the look of relief on her face.
" Barnabas, you and Rick, how did you find me?" she wiped her eyes and gazed up at him.
"Angelique appeared to Laurie near your mother's mausoleum and taunted her. She called for us and I looked for you everywhere before Laurie sensed you were near the cliffs." He replied.
Barnabas got up slowly, wincing and Carolyn realized it was the first time she had ever seen him in physical pain. "Barnabas, are you all right?" she said, holding out her hand. "Just sore, thank God Blair's powers were at a low point. If he had completed his plan...." The older man stopped, then embraced her.
Carolyn put her arms around her cousin, "it's okay, Barnabas. I'm just freezing."
"Honey, we'll get you inside where it's warm." Rick reassured her, then picked her up and carried her back home as Barnabas lit the way.
As they entered Collinwood, David and Laurie came running towards them. "Carolyn!" he called. "David!" she cried, as Rick put her down in the entrance hall. David caught her up in his arms, nearly crying with relief. Laurie hugged both Rick and Barnabas, "You did it, I knew you'd bring her home."
As David released her, Laurie tearfully embraced her. "I was terrified when Blair took you, did he hurt you?" "No, but, Laurie, I need to get something warm to drink, I'm so cold." Carolyn told her, her teeth starting to chatter.
Immediately David took her arm and helped her into the library, as Laurie went to get her some hot tea. Settling his cousin by the fire, he looked up as Barnabas limped into the room, holding some blankets. "Barnabas, what happened, did Blair do that to you?" David asked, worriedly as Barnabas nodded, then assured the young man. "David, he'll never threaten our family again, he's gone for good, I hope."
Laurie brought a steaming cup of tea to her cousin, then watched Barnabas wrap her up warmly.
"Thank you, Barnabas, I feel better already." Carolyn smiled up at him, then took the hot beverage from Laurie. "Laurie, I see why you're so hooked on Rick, he's very strong!" she said admiringly.
"He is, Carolyn, but don't let him hear that, I give him a swelled head as it is!" she laughed, then looking around, frowned.
"Speaking of Rick, did you guys see him, I thought I might make some coffee."
"He went upstairs, Laurie, he said you had some medicine for this stiff leg of mine." Barnabas said, sitting down next to Carolyn.
"Oh, I gave some to Mrs. Johnson, I bet it's still in the pantry, I'll go get it!" she turned and went out of the library, only to hear Rick's voice from a distance.
"Rick, where are you?" she started up the stairs, only to hear him again from outside the front door. "Oh you nut, did you lock yourself outside, darling?" Laurie went to the front door and opened it, but he wasn't there. Stepping outside for a moment, suddenly there was a cold presence, then a hand was around her mouth and she heard Angelique's voice in her ear. "One sound and I'll kill you right here."
Rick was upstairs looking in their luggage when he heard the bedroom door close. "Laurie, is that you?" he called, then came into the sitting area. Not seeing his wife, he went to open the door but found it locked. "Laurie, the door's locked, please open it!"
Suddenly he had a cold feeling, and started pounding on the door. "Laurie! Hey, Barnabas, David! Something's wrong, I'm locked in!"
After a moment, Rick heard running footsteps, then the knob turned and David opened the door. "Rick, how you get locked in?" he said. "Did Laurie come up here, she went to the pantry to get some medicine but Barnabas thought she might have gone looking for you."
"No, I thought I heard her come in, but when I came out of the bedroom the door was closed and locked, oh my God!" Rick suddenly heard his wife call out to him, and he grabbed David.
"Something's happened to her, quick, downstairs!" and the two men rushed to the stairs.
Arriving in the foyer, Barnabas was there, upset. "She's not in the house, Rick, where is she?"
As Barnabas questioned him, Angelique held a knife to Laurie's neck as she dragged her along, and as they came to the path to the cliffs, Laurie heard Rick "answer" her.
"Sweetheart, where are you?" he "called", a frantic tone in his thoughts. "She's taking me to the cliffs, please hurt, Rick!" she answered.
"Hang on, Laurie, we're coming, try to stall her." Rick turned to Barnabas. "Angelique's forcing her to the cliffs, we've got to hurry!"
"She's taking her to Widow's Hill, we must get there! David, stay with Carolyn, we'll be back." Barnabas told him, then ran out the door with Rick.
Seeing where they were headed, Laurie tried to throw the witch off balance and break free of her grip. Managing to knock the blade out of her hand, Laurie broke loose and screamed "Rick, help me!"
"No you don't, Mrs. Simon!" Angelique slapped her to the ground. Laurie lunged away from her only to have Angelique grab her by her bad arm and twist it behind her, causing her to cry out. "There's no escape for you, I've waited years for my revenge, and I'm going to make you pay!" the witch laughed, dragging Laurie up and forcing her up the rocky trail.
As they came to the top of the hill, Laurie heard Rick tell her "We're almost there, darlin', when I tell you to, drop!"
"Here we are, my dear Laurie, you'll be another Collins bride meeting her end on Widow's Hill!" Angelique said mockingly, then started to pull her to the edge.
"No!" Barnabas yelled, as Rick "told" Laurie to let herself fall. Laurie made herself a dead weight, as Angelique was startled by Barnabas, and falling away from her captor, was caught and carried away from the edge by Rick.
Sobbing with relief, Laurie huddled in her husband's arms as Barnabas faced the stunned woman.
"Angelique, you've terrorized my family for the last time, your power is no more!" he thundered angrily at her.
"But you're wrong, Barnabas." Angelique licked her lips, then focused her gaze on Rick.
Suddenly he was unable to tear his eyes away from her, "she's so beautiful, she couldn't be that bad, not really." he thought, mesmerized.
Laurie felt his arms let go, then she saw where he was looking.
"No, Rick, don't! Don't look at her, she's trying to hurt you!" Laurie pleaded, frantically.
Seeing he couldn't hear her voice, Laurie "called" to him, "Rick, I love you, don't let her possess you, please my love."
Realizing he couldn't respond, she drew a ragged breath. "All right, darling, I will always love you." She touched his cheek, then turned to face the witch. "I won't let you destroy him, take me instead!"
Shifting her gaze just a bit, Angelique smirked at Laurie as Barnabas realized what she was doing. "Laurie, no. She's going to kill you!" he called out, trying to reach out for her, as she started toward Angelique.
"Barnabas, she's the one who cost you our life together, she deserves to pay for telling you to be an ordinary human." Angelique smiled seductively at her former love. "Let me make you young again, let her die."
Rick suddenly realized what his wife was doing, and calling "no!" he leaped forward and snatched her back from Angelique's grasp. "Sweetheart, don't ever do that." He held her shaking form in his embrace. "Rick, I wouldn't let her take you." She whispered, clinging to him.
"I know, you broke her spell, my angel." Rick stared at the witch with anger. Angelique ignored them, her eyes on Barnabas.
As she stepped closer to him, suddenly Rick saw Angelique palming a knife, and shouted to Barnabas "Look out!"
Angelique lunged at Barnabas, then slipped and grabbed for him. Stepping back just in time, the former vampire watched as she missed her target, then plummeted over the cliff to the rocks below.
Dazed, Laurie looked at the older man. "Barnabas, you knew what she had planned?"
"I only suspected, my dear." He came to her side and pulling a handkerchief from his pocket, dabbed at a cut on her face. "Angelique blamed you for my happiness with Julia, and I, I once thought she would relieve my loneliness. But her evil would never have taken the place of my family." Barnabas straightened up, then smiled. "She underestimated the way I feel about...being mortal."
Rick shook his head. "Sounds like she underestimated a lot of people, like my brave girl." He kissed her forehead, and she managed a smile.
"Not so brave, darling, I was terrified. Thank God you heard me." Leaning against Rick as they started down the trail, she added, "I thought she was after Carolyn and David, I think she set them up for Blair just to get you back, Barnabas."
Barnabas nodded. "That explains why Angelique told us where to find Carolyn, she wanted Blair destroyed so she could get rid of you."
As they got to level ground, Rick felt his wife tiring, so he swept her up in his arms.
"Darling, I can make it, it's just my arm..." she protested, then Rick kissed her. "Yes, Rick." she sighed, putting her head against his shoulder.
Barnabas glanced over at Rick. "I see Oscar was right." He said, an amused tone in his voice.
"About, oh yeah. "Rick thought back to a long ago conversation he'd had with Goldman.
'"I had a lot to live up to." he replied, as they entered Collinwood. "And you have, Rick."
Rick felt Laurie's gentle kiss on his cheek. "You protected me from every evil, my prince. I will never let anyone take you from me."
Gazing on her face, he smiled. "Laurie, the only woman who will ever possess me is you, my princess."