Chapter 17

Exactly one half hour past the time Tierra and Page set off to a neighboring farm to view some stock, Kathleena dashed to the stables and prepped Deidra, thankful that the stable lad was nowhere to be found. "Come girl, we must ride like the very devil." Trampling the ground beneath him with a loud snort, Dalmiir butted her shoulder firmly, almost as if trying to stop her. She stroked his sleek coat. "Don't look at me like that. It must be. I will only hurt him should I stay." With a sad shake of her chestnut locks, she added, "Please protect him, mon ami." After one last loving pat to the stallion's thick neck she unearthed the small valise she'd concealed in the straw late last night. Lashing it to her saddle horn, Kathleena mounted her mare and galloped toward town.

Even at such an early hour the station was teeming with life. Lifting her skirts with a sigh, she stepped up to the window. "Bonjour Monsieur. Tell me, to where is your next train destined?"

The ticket master looked up at the elegant young woman and smiled, entranced by her youth and beauty. "She be goin' ta Boston, lass."

Handing him the required fare, Kathleena glared at the stub he'd thrust forward and reluctantly collected it. This was the right thing to do, she told herself although her heart was tightening painfully. "Have you someone to board my horse at the livery?" Suddenly her brow furrowed as she realized her oversight. "I must also have a message delivered to the Vogel manor. Do you know of it?"

"Aye, me boyo kin do that fer ya." Peering into a curtained room behind the counter, he called for his son. "Shawn?"

A young boy of twelve faithfully appeared. "Aye Pa?"

"Be a good lad an' take this wee gal's animal ta th' liv'ry an' then ride out ta Vogel's place.

Hurriedly, she penned a few words. The note to Tierra and Page was brief but sincere and truly heartfelt. As for Barnabas… Kathleena shook her head, longing for what might have been. "Barnabas…" Handing the boy Deidra's reins, she patted her mare's sides. "I'm sorry, girl. I wish I could take you with me. À bientôt, mon ami."

Strolling about the station, the conductor glanced up at the huge wall clock and double checked his pocket watch. "Ahh 'board!"

The Frenchwoman sadly gathered her lone bag and stepped onto the train, seating herself as the piercing whistle blasted. Leaning against the head rest, she gazed out the window then closed her eyes. Bound for Boston? Was it real? Forced to leave as she knew she must, Kathleena realized Duncan and Angelique had wounded her far more than had they taken turns knifing her repeatedly in the heart. Hot tears of sorrow slipped from beneath long lashes as she clutched the medallion securely fastened about her neck.

"Au revoir, Barnabas."

The train traveled at a fine clip. Day turned into night. Night into day. Day after day. Nothing broke the tedium. Three more days… three, and she would arrive in Massachusetts. And what life would she lead there? The conductor came by every so often to offer the passengers something from the meal basket. Kathleena shook her head. Since leaving Pennsylvania, she'd had scarcely any appetite. "Miss, you need your strength, if you don't mind me saying." Staring up into his face, she saw nothing but a sincere expression of concern for her on his weathered features.

With a sigh, she thought only to placate the man. "A cup of coffee and an apple, please," she said digging into her reticule for a few coins. Frowning, he shook his head as he pulled the items she requested. Barely enough to keep a bird alive and here she was … As she handed him payment, Kathleena gasped in shock, her fingers brushing against his palm. "You are wrong, sir!" she sputtered, "so very wrong!"

The conductor paled. "Excuse me, miss?"

"I am not expecting a child! Not now! Not ever!"The man could only stand there, slack jawed and confused as the others turned and gawked at her outburst. How in God's name could she know what he was thinking? Slowly collecting himself, he moved on to more passengers. Kathleena fumed as she took a brutal bite from the tart fruit. How dare he?! Fate had been too cruel to her already. She couldn't imagine bringing a child into this world only to lose it when that bastard came to claim her. No, she shook her head determinedly. No, she wasn't pregnant! Looking at her reflection in the window glass, a tear slid down her cheek.

If only...

"Barnabas…"

His anger was incredible to behold when he discovered Kathleena had left him. He actually trembled in disbelief. "Where is she, dammit?" he roared, furiously stalking the room, his boots pounding loudly with each step.

"Boston, Barnabas. She's gone to Boston." This from Page. "I had to threaten to box the messenger's ears to get him to tell me. I tried to send word to you this morning but when James knocked, there was no answer. I didn't know what else to do."

Boston. Why the hell would she go there?! The vampire growled in desperation. Last night was wonderful… too wonderful. Suddenly he froze. Kathleena planned this all along! What a fool he was! Of course she knew of his designs to meet up with her on the train. Words came to mind: 'I need only to touch you and I know everything. Your plan will fail.' But why had he not realized it sooner? Angelique! That unholy bitch! While Kathleena wore the amulet she was immune to the witch's powers. He was not!

Without explanation, Barnabas sprinted from the room to the stables and leaped onto Dalmiir's broad back. He was going to wring Kathleena's beautiful throat when he found her. My God, what if Duncan discovers her first, or worse, has already found her. He winced at the unimaginable thought. Before he could make his exit, Page met him in the courtyard. Still shuddering in impotent fury, Barnabas could but stare at the man, incredulity thickening his voice. "She left me!"

"I know, my friend but perhaps this will help. I had Tierra check Kathleena's room. She found it on her bed." Reaching into his breast pocket, he pulled out an envelope and handed it up.

He stared at the missive with sudden dread, at his emboldened initial on the parchment. Finally breaking the wax seal, he slowly opened it.

Dear Barnabas,

I'm truly sorry I had to leave like this but I simply had no other choice. I know that had I stayed, the parting would be so much harder to bear. That is why I hadn't boarded the train to New York. I knew what you were planning to do.

Had my life been mine to share, I would have happily spent it with you for as long as humanly possible. You've given me many beautiful memories, made the time I have left wonderful. Don't try to find me, I beg of you. I can offer you nothing but misery. My fate was sealed the moment I was born.

Merci and au revoir,

Kathleena

With a low growl, Barnabas gave the paper to Page and leaning into the lamplight, he quickly scanned her words. "I don't understand, " he said, perplexed. "How did she realize what you had planned? We told no one." The vampire waved away his question. With a sigh, the man handed back Kathleena's letter of farewell. "What are you going to do?"

Turning Dalmiir to the direction of town, he stared wistfully into the distance. "I'm going to find her, Page. I need her!"

"Shall I come with you?"

"No. I must do this alone."

"But what if Fasette-?" Page's voice trailed off, unable to say the words.

A look so full of evil, so menacing and sinister crossed Barnabas's features, his friend felt the need to step away. "If he has touched any part of her, there shall be no place to run. No place to hide. I will follow him into Hell itself to reap my revenge." With that, he spurred Dalmiir into a gallop as Tierra came to stand by her beloved.

Gathering her into his warm embrace, she leaned her head on his chest, watching the determined man ride away at break neck speed. "Worry not, sweetheart. He will find her, of that, I have no doubt."

"Nor do I," she whispered.

The last train destined for Boston departed the station that evening. Four men carefully slid a simple, unadorned coffin into the cargo hold, unaware that this particular sepulcher was temporarily empty.

Barnabas stood before Dalmiir. "We're going to find her boy. We must!" The horse snorted loudly as if in total agreement. Stroking the stallion's long neck, the vampire bared sharp fangs sinking them deep into the animal's thick jugular. Gorging himself on the beast's life giving blood, he returned to the sanctuary of his coffin. There he remained until the train pulled into the station two weeks later.

Staring pensively from the front window of his leased townhouse, Barnabas watched as hansoms jostled by in the bustling street below. Somewhere… Somewhere in this huge city... With a groan, he flung himself from the glass. His frustration grew daily. From the moment he arose in the evening, he searched for her, night after night, halting only to feed. Where could she be? Pacing, he lifted a hand to his chin. Three months! It'd been that long since he'd arrived in Boston. If she was here, she had concealed herself well, not only from Fasette but also from him. Damn it! Why? Why could he not channel her mind? "Kathleena," he moaned. "Where are you?!"

No one he'd spoken to had seen or heard of her. Of that he was certain. With his inhuman powers, came certain abilities. He was able to determine if someone was trying to deceive him and as yet, no one had. He spared a glance at the clock. It was nearly seven. Grabbing his cloak and cane, Barnabas headed for the door. Having checked all of the boarding houses and rental properties within a several mile radius to no avail; tonight, he thought to try a different strategy. Although it was highly improbable, he would check the two bawdy houses closest to the train station.

He vowed to turn this city upside down until he found her, and God help anyone who stood in his way!

A/N. This is a bit of a short chapter but I thought it was revealing. Yes, Kathleena is pregnant but as of yet she doesn't know it. And Barnabas? How will he react. But I believe the most important question is... How will Duncan react? Tune in to find out.