Chapter 13

A few moments later, David strolled down the staircase where he found his father and cousin greeting their guests.

"Good, you have arrived," David said. He shook Barnabas' hand and kissed Maeve's cheek. "Carolyn, father, meet our cousin, Barnabas Collins and his friend Maeve. Barnabas is the son of our cousin Barnabas who lived here 30 years ago."

"Uh-huh," Roger frowned. Carolyn steered Roger into the drawing room. Maeve followed them.

David walked over to the portrait of the Barnabas Collins of 1795 and looked at his guest. "Isn't it amazing how all the Barnabas' look exactly alike?"

Barnabas walked up to David and looked at the portrait. "Yes, even down to the ring and cane." He held up the hand holding the cane and smiled. "We believe in tradition and passing heirlooms do our descendants," Barnabas smiled.

"Come, Barnabas, let's go into the drawing room for a drink before brunch," David said, placing a hand on Barnabas' back. As they walked towards the drawing room, Barnabas noticed the room get darker and heard Maeve explain her actions to Carolyn and Roger.

"Barnabas has inherited a photosensitive disease which is dangerous to him. We must prevent him from being exposed to any sun whatsoever." She closed the drapes just as Barnabas entered the room.

"Oh?" David questioned, looking at Barnabas, "Is there anything that can be done?"

"Yes, we have some special medicine that I administrate when he needs it," Maeve replied evasively.

At the same time, in the kitchen, Anita was busy cutting the bread when two hands furtively covered her eyes. Then she felt lips on her neck, which caused her to drop the knife and turn about to face her playful assailant.

"William Loomis you frightened me," Anita laughed, slapping his chest, then rubbing it affectionately. Not saying a word, William passionately kissed her.

"How are you feeling?" he said after their kiss ended.

"Fine," she said turning back to cut the bread.

"Let me see your wound."

"Leave that alone, William," she said seriously, shoving his hand away from her neck. "I'm busy."

"I have something here that will help it heal faster," he said taking something out of his pocket. Although he was apprehensive, he didn't share this with Anita.

"What is it?"

"Don't look, just keep working." William noticed other workers busy taking trays of food into the dining room. "I'll do this without disturbing you." William held his pocketknife and flipped the blade out of its sheath. A shiny three-inch silver blade reflected the light from the florescence ceiling lights. Long ago, William's dad gave him this beautiful knife and said it had special properties that can heal and protect. What did William have to loose? Looking at Anita's neck, he placed the flat side of the blade against her wound. Anita jumped.

"HEY, what is that? It's cold," she bellowed.

"Sorry." William rubbed the blade on his pants leg, warming up the blade. Then he applied the blade to her wound again. As the blade rested on her neck, they smelled something burning.

In the drawing room, Roger sipped his brandy as Barnabas stood in front the fireplace pondering what he would do when it was time to eat. Food normally made him nauseous so he tried to think of an excuse he could use to get out of attending the brunch.

"Excuse me as I go to the dining room and ask the servers to close the drapes before we have our brunch," Carolyn said as she left the room.

Maeve watched Barnabas closely. As he thought of excuses, Barnabas felt an unusual burning sensation. Rubbing his throat, he stared at Maeve.

Back in the kitchen, Anita jumped and pulled away from William. "OUCH, that burns!" William glanced at the wound and noticed the holes fading. "I feel a little dizzy, William."

"It's working, Anita, be patient and let me try again." He held her steady while he placed the blade on the wound again. This time he patted the blade on the wound so it didn't hurt as much. After a few minutes, William looked closer at the holes. He gasped in astonishment. He was unaware of what was happening in the drawing room.

The burning sensation increased as Barnabas held his throat. A feeling seized him and his glazed eyes were all too familiar to Maeve. She moved closer to him and asked quietly, "What's the matter, Barnabas?"

"My throat is burning," Barnabas moaned quietly.

"Wait, I will get you some water," David replied overhearing them. Suddenly, he noticed Barnabas' hand rise.

"It's gone; my throat is not burning anymore." Barnabas looked worried at Maeve. Even the lustful sensation had subsided.