Chapter 15

"I'm very sorry Max, I don't know what you are talking about," Maeve responded to Max's sleepy remark. She removed her hand as Max stood up.

"I, I just saw my . . . my mother . . . and I read all . . . about HIM in her diary," Max stammered excitedly, slapping the book.

Maeve walked away from Max and looked around the room appearing to be curious about the furnishings in the room but instead reflected upon the visions she just shared with her unsuspected ward. How am I to proceed from here? she wondered. The 'Powers-to-be' do not always consult her. She responded, "You saw and read what, Max? I don't understand why you are so agitated. Did you have a bad dream, dear?"

"Maeve, please stop playing games with me!" Max yelled. "I KNOW you were there just now. We shared the same visions," Max vigilantly watched Maeve turn to face her again. Max's mind was clearer than it had been in 30 years. "My mother said in her notes that I, her daughter, would not be able to read from her journal until the time was right. She said there was a magical spell placed on them to keep anyone from reading it until it was appropriate. Then only I would be able to read from the diary. All my life, I would get a headache and terrible nightmares after trying to read this book. Except today, I read everything without any trouble. Those visions really happened during those final months while my mother was alive and YOU were with her!"

Maeve knew this was the appropriate time, a sign from the 'Powers-to-be', that she was to be reunited with Julia Hoffman's daughter as planned. Their eyes locked and the long-awaited invisible bond completed itself. Not saying a word, Maeve extended her arms and Max stepped forward. Maeve's arms encircled the "once-child, now-woman" who she had not seen for decades, their bond sealed completely and Max knew she had found the woman she called "Mommy".

"Maeve," Max whispered.

"Yes dear?"

"I know who my father IS. You kept your word because you brought him back to me, just like you said you would." Max felt Maeve's chest expand and contract as she heard a soft sigh.

As people gathered in the dining room, one table was set with all the eating utensils plus fixings and another set with assortments of dishes. Several servers stood next to the food table as the guests found their seats. Barnabas recognized one server as William Loomis and another as the girl from last night, Anita. Arriving at his seat, Barnabas avoided eye contact with her.

Roger sat at the head of the table, with David on his left side and Carolyn on his right side, facing David. Max sat next to David while Barnabas sat next to Carolyn, with Maeve on his other side.

"Let us bow our heads to say grace," Roger announced. He started the humble request for thanksgivings as everyone bent their heads in homage. As he sat not listening, Barnabas fidgeted with his index finger ring, readjusted his sitting position and glanced around the table. If he were to pray, he would wish he could leave without anyone missing him. He noticed Max staring at him so he diverted his attention to his hands again. Finally, Roger finished and everyone got ready to eat except him.

As the servers started to perform their duties, Anita walked around the table, placed a fruit plate and a glass of tea in front of Maeve. As she walked around the chair towards Barnabas, she felt lightheaded and bemused. William noticed her staggering and became concerned. She got closer to Barnabas and dropped the contents of the plate and glass on Barnabas' lap.

"Oh, I am so sorry, sir, let me clean that up for you," Anita profusely apologized. Angrily, Barnabas rose quickly to get rid of the mess from his lap and they made eye contact. Not understanding why, Anita became frightened as she excused herself. William was attentively observing them.

"I am so sorry, Barnabas. Anita will clean that up for you," David replied. "I will send for some clean clothes while we clean yours for you." He grabbed William's arm and instructed him to retrieve clothes from his wardrobe upstairs.

"Right away, sir," and William ran upstairs.

"You can change in my room, Barnabas," David instructed. "It's upstairs on the right, second door." Same room he had when he was a child, Barnabas mused.

Max stood up quickly and said, "I will show him where it is, David."

"That's not necessary," Barnabas snapped. Outraged by the embarrassment and the growing lust for blood, the need to strike out at someone grew with every step he took.

"Barnabas, do you . . ." Maeve began to ask him if he needed her assistance.

"I'm fine," he mumbled through gritted teeth. "I'll be just fine." However, she knew better.

Entering David's room, Barnabas found William sifting through the closet. Looking at William's neck, Barnabas resisted the impulse to attack the son of the man who served him long ago.

"Ah, here you go sir," William laid a pair of pants and shirt on the bed. "If you need to wash up, the bathroom is down the hall." William bowed and walked swiftly out of David's room, anxious to find Anita.

Barnabas closed the door and turned towards the bed where the clothes lay waiting for him. Cold, wet and hungry, Barnabas hurriedly clothed himself, planning his escape from the great house. As he finished, there was a knock on the door. Ignoring whoever was there, he stared out the window with thoughts of flying away. The door handle turned and someone slowly opened the door.

"Barnabas?"

"What are you doing up here, Max?" Barnabas snapped, surprised to see her. He was hoping it was Maeve because this time he really needed her. His hunger grew as she came in and closed the door. Her neck caught Barnabas' attention and he slowly moved towards her. "What can I do for you, my dear?"

"I wondered if there was anything you needed." Max seductively moved towards him. He could hear her heartbeat and smell her fragrance as she stared into his eyes. It would be so easy to seize her into his arms and feast on her life force. He felt himself surrendering to his impulses, walking to the beautiful creature that titillated his urges. Looking into her eyes, he saw a defenseless child wanting a hug. He opened his arms, invited her to enter. Max hypnotized by his magnetism, tilted her head to one side and strolled into his embrace. Barnabas held her tight, opened his month as his fangs protruded.