Chapter 8

From the perspective of Sandor it was a draw as to who charged whom first. He was amazed that Magda had taken such an instant liking to Vicki, as she had to be so defensive of her. Magda charged Barnabas and Barnabas flung himself from Vicki's side and charged Magda. Barnabas reached Magda first grabbed her by the neck and bent it to the side and plunged his teeth into her neck.

Sandor reacted by moving forward to try and protect his wife but not harm any of the two combatants. "Mr. Barnabas! Please she just cares for Mrs. Victoria, please don't hurt her!" Sandor moved his large hands to Barnabas' hand around Magda's neck. "Please, please let her go!"

Barnabas released Magda allowing her to slump to her knees. He had taken only enough to get her under his control. Magda gasped and collapsed to her knees rubbing the blood slowly ebbing from the open neck wounds. Sandor followed his wife down to the floor holding her close to his body rocking with her in his arms "Magda, I told you that mouth would be your death!" He wept into her frail now trembling body and she glared at Barnabas with open hatred and fear.

From the bed a soft moan was heard and a softly whispered, "Barnabas?" All eyes turned to the pale figure on the bed amazed she still lived, all except Barnabas who had known the moment he took her that she was no ordinary human female she held some of his powers. It had to be something that must have happened between them in the future.

Moving to the bed, Barnabas picked her up and moved from the room with her, carrying her down the hallway to Josette's room and gently laid her on the bed. Stepping back he looked down at her neck and watched in amazement as the neck healed over and the marks disappeared. "How is this possible?"

Vicki rolled her head so she faced the sound of his voice. Lifting her hand weakly she reached for him. "Barnabas." She called to him and felt his cold hand encase her hand. Dropping to his knees he peered into her eyes.

"I am so sorry my dearest Victoria, can you forgive me for what I am?" He held her hand and kissed it as he set down on the bed at her side. He watched the look of wonder fill her gaze and knew that somewhere in the distant future this woman loved him so completely that she would give up her life for him. Taking her free hand now beginning to warm she cupped his cheek and peered with absolute love into his gaze.

"There is nothing to forgive Barnabas, I understand your needs and I understand how much you detest what you are. If you could be nothing else or even dead you would rather be that. I love you now more so completely because of what you are and why you are the way you are."

Quentin pulled on the chains in the wall and felt the bricks begin to give. He smiled, he was not sure how long he had been in this dungeon but the abuse had been enough that he knew he had two broken ribs and had bound them to keep them from shifting. Reaching into the jacket pocket he pulled out his notebook and grabbed his ink pen. Scribbling out his note he sighed and put his book back in his pocket, his anger was growing and then he saw the filter of a moon beginning to peak through the small window. Sliding the jacket off of his body he folded it enough to use it as a pillow. As he moved to get as comfortable as possible, the feeling began to gnaw at his body.

The old familiar feelings began to fill him and it scared him more than Trask. The gnawing pain gripping his stomach he rolled to the side and began to sweat and he could feel his skin beginning to crawl. He did not have the portrait to heal him but he had totally forgotten he had the curse still and it was beginning to take affect. The pain was so intense with the oncoming transformation that he did not care he just had to fill his need and the pain erupting from a moan in the back of his throat now turned into a low menacing growl of need and want.

With one mighty pull he had the chains loose and dangling now from his freed arms. Tearing at the chains from his wrists he leapt to the door and knocked it off its hinges, bounding up the stairs into the open abandoned hallway he looked to the area he was in and noticed the door was blowing open from not being securely closed. Bounding out the door he paused on the top of the steps looking up at the full moon. Lifting his head he howled, his nostrils flared and if a wolf could grin he sought out a quarry and bolted for the woods.

Trask had thought of many dates when he entered the room and found himself in the hallway of a disused west wing of Collinwood, hearing voices he darted into an open door and stood listening. "You say you saw Quentin disappear into this hallway?" Trask was astounded it was Collins, he was in this time, the very time that Vicki had occupied before he dragged her into that closet and down those stairs to be interrupted by some mad wild man.

Trask watched as another balding man wearing a uniform with a badge and a gun on his hip. He must be a lawman. Another woman joined them and she was very much like Naomi Collins only she wore scandalous clothing. "Yes, he chased the man that was holding Vicki against her will down this hallway. They all disappeared around here."

George sighed, "I am going to have to get some men out here and have them search the area. If they are still on the premises we will find them." Trask waited for them to leave the hallway and made his way back to the closet to find it had changed to nothing more than a closet. He knew he needed to bide his time until it switched back. Sliding down he sat and waited.

The area around him began to shimmer and shift and once again Trask found the stairs leading down. Confused he wondered how he was to get back to his time. His thoughts conflicted he moved down the steps pausing at the first door he came to and opened it. Stepping into the hallway he stopped, there she was standing in the hallway looking at him in shock.

His eyes alighted with delight, moving towards her, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her to his body. "I have found you witch, you won't get away again!" From down the hallway he appeared, the one he had chained in the basement of the old house. He watched as Joanna struggled against his hold. "You won't stop me again!" Grabbing Joanna he lifted her and carried her to the closet and closed the door.

The room shifted and Trask disappeared down the stairs and from sight. Quentin followed only to find the room was nothing more than a closet. Frowning he stepped fully around the room pressing against walls to see if there was an escape panel. Moving back out into the hallway he frowned again, what was going on and where did that man come from that had just taken Daphne's sister Joanna?

Daphne smiling moved down the hallway and paused confused and curious looking around she asked Quentin, "Did Joanna come this way? I know I asked her to find Gabriel and Edith." Quentin turned to look at Daphne, he was finding he was having feelings for her and was fighting them. The last thing he wanted was to have to tell her he witnessed Joanna being kidnapped.

"Quentin? Did you hear me?" She put her hand on his shoulder and looked at the stricken look on his face.

"Daphne, some man just came in here and took your sister. I tried to stop him but they disappeared. I don't know how else to say this but your sister is gone."

Joanna tugged against Trask's hold struggling with him down the stairs, stopping he jerked Joanna around and slapped her across the face snapping her head back she gasped. "Sir! Unhand me!"

Her voice was not the same and Trask has looked into her eyes. Then it struck him, this woman's eyes were brown not hazel. How was this possible? Trask shook his head. "Your name seductress! Tell me your name!"

Joanna backed up her eyes wide and filled with fear and trepidation. "I sir, am Joanna Miles and whom are you?" She was indignant and now she was outraged by his temerity to manhandle her the way he had. "I demand you return me to my sister and Collinwood immediately or face the full charges of the law for this affront!" She had squared her back and glared at the man in front of her.

Trask had to think quickly, this woman was not Miss Winters then who was she and how was it she looked so much like the woman that had obsesses his life. Trask was furious with her and with himself for being so hasty and reacting to seeing someone that resembled the one woman he had become enamored.

Grabbing her hand he moved back up the stairs watching for the doorway and when it appeared he opened it and shoved Joanna into the open hallway. Much to the astonishment of Daphne and Quentin to see Joanna appear in the hallway looking angry and dazed. Quentin seeing the man shove Joanna back into the hallway turned shouting, "Hey you!" He charged into a closet to find the odd dressed man was gone and so were the stairs he glimpsed. "What in blazes is going on?"

Joanna moved to the door and opened it looking at the interior in shock. "There were stairs there earlier when that brigand drug me in there!"

"I know Joanna, I saw them too, this is most curious and I wonder." He did not finish his thought turning back to look at Joanna, "You are unharmed?" he studied her and noted her face held a palm print.

"That monster slapped me then demanded my name. He became inflamed when he was told and forcefully drug me back up those stairs and shoved me here into the hallway!"

Daphne put her arms around Joanna and turned to her to lead her away from the area that had caused her so much distress. "Come on Joanna, let's take you back to your room. Quentin would you find Gabriel and Edith and tell them your father wishes to see them in the library?"

Quentin nodded, "Of course." He looked at the closet then looked at the two women moving off down the hallway. "I am going to figure this out if it is the very last thing I do."

Alain Fortner was a vagabond, he had drifted from one small town to another catching jobs where he could on fishing boats or stables. This full moon night he found he was a drift again and needing a place to sleep for the night. Moving through the woods he paused sure he had heard the baying of a wolf earlier and wondered if that wolf was tracking him. Moving through the wood line he paused and turned and saw it, a huge wolf the size of what could only be called a man, and it appeared to be standing on its hind legs.

Taking off at a dead run, Alain made his way towards a large white lumbering structure ahead, the growling and snapping maw of the huge wolf was on his heels as he hit the open front door, looking around in a panic Alain saw the stairs going up and then a door opened at the end of the hallway, dodging past the stairs he darted down the steps to the basement and hugged the wall.

Not hearing the wolf he sighed relief filling him, shivering he looked around the room and saw a jacket lying on the floor, reaching to put the jacket on he hugged into it finding a modicum of warmth. Looking around he saw where someone must have been held captive. Bending to lift the chains his hands froze as he heard the deep labored breathing of a huge animal, turning he looked up seeing the outline of the huge wolf on the top stairs watching him with its feral eyes following his everyone move.

The next instant it happened and for poor Alain, the end of his life came with the sound of his throat being torn apart and his face being terribly disfigured by the huge ravaging animal that now render his body tearing at him with a lust for blood and a need to kill, the feral animal sated his need, when he had finished his feast he lifted his head and howled again in triumph. Sprinting towards the door the large figure of the animal disappeared into the night just as Trask arrived at the house to check on his prisoner.

Trask moved down the stairs calling, "Did you miss me?" He stopped at the bottom of the steps and saw the bloodied mess that now greeted his gaze. The sight caused him to turn and wretch. Rushing from the house he leaned against the pillar supporting the front of the overhang of the front of the house. Rolling his eyes to the heavens he prayed to have the strength to hide the remains that were a part of that cellar and indelibly inscribed on his mind he knew for the rest of his life.

Vicki smiled as she watched Barnabas. He was holding her hand in his and was looking intently into her gaze. "You know I have to ask how it is that you possess what I have but are not cursed as I am." He watched the play of emotion dance over her eyes then shelter behind a fall of heavy eyelashes.

"You may ask, and I will think about telling you. Let us just say the only reason I am alive today was because of you and I am the reason you are no longer a true vampire but what we know as a daywalker. When we were able to help one another I received a part of what you were in the transference of our life forces and I absorbed your curse into my body."

The look of hope was beginning to show in the light of his eyes. "Then I owe you a lot in the future?" He watched her close her eyes and then nod her head slowly.

"We owe each other a great deal my love. We found each other and we have grown with our love, it did not come over night it took a couple of years. Before Trask grabbed me and brought me here, we were planning our wedding and the future you I am sure does not know where I am."

Vicki pushed herself up on her elbows and sighed. "I am much stronger now. How badly was Magda hurt? I really should go attend her." Barnabas assisted her to stand and then stood back to allow her to go in search of Magda. Barnabas felt it would be best to avoid the Rakowski family for now and moved to his room, where he saw his new clothing were resting in his dressing room.

Moving to the dressing room he pulled out a suit and began to dress to blend into this time. He stood in his bedroom going over all that had transpired and now he knew he had Magda under his control along with Sandor, the only other problems would be Julianka and the two boys. He would deal with them when the time was right.

Vicki moved down the hallway to Sandor's room. Knocking lightly she heard Magda call out in a scared and hoarse voice. "Come." Vicki entered the room a look of care and concern edging her eyes.

"Magda? Oh my poor dear, are you all right?" Vicki moved to her beside, watching Sandor look at his wife with concern and fear. She could see the huge bite marks and sighed, moving to pour water into the bowl she came back and bathed her neck. Magda watched her with little trust as she gently bathed her neck.

"You have no marks, I saw him bite you and you died, I had to make sure you would not be hurt or dead, you understand?" Magda stopped her from bathing her neck. "What are you?"

Vicki lowered the wash cloth in her hand. "Magda, I am from the year 1969, I was brought here by an evil man that has done nothing but torment me and persecute me since I traveled back to the year 1795. He tried me for witchcraft. Mr. Barnabas actually helped me and saved me."

Magda grabbed her hand and looked at her palm. "Cards Sandor, get my cards!" Running fingertips over her palm she frowned waiting while Sandor went to the dresser and opened a drawer pulling out a set of tarot cards. "Give to her." Sandor handed the cards to Vicki. "You deal them, now deal them."

Vicki took the cards and began to shuffle them the whole time she felt confused at this strange reaction to her confession that she was from the future. Shuffling them she looked at Magda and handed the cards back. Magda took the cards and divided them into three piles. "You pick, you pick now."

Vicki reached for a pile of cards to the right then drew her hand back and took the pile on her left, handing them over to Magda. Magda took them out and laid them out on the bed frowning. She studied the various cards in front of her and lifted the death card. "You died, you have a new life now. You live in this time but belong in another. Sandor she tells the truth. I forgive her and the monster. We help."

She was so matter of fact that Vicki did not believe there was room for doubt in her belief that she was who she said she was after reading her cards. "I do this for free this time. Next time you and the monster pay me." She took her fingertips and rubbed them over her thumb. "Now get me up, he did not hurt me as bad as you think, he just made me not want to curse his name and call him names." Magda waved them away.

"Go, we get busy and make house and find plan to get you home Miss Victoria. I be nice for now to the monster." Magda threw the blanket off of her lap and moved to stand and found she was a little weak. Sitting back she frowned, "How long take?" She looked at Vicki.

Vicki sighed, "I would give it another hour Magda, you will feel weak for about an hour and then you will be fine. I will make sure that Barnabas does not use your blood again, he will take mine before yours. He can't hurt me. I have a special ability and I heal faster than most. I am having him take what he needs from me so he won't hurt others."

Magda frowned, "I no like he might hurt you. You are a pure soul with good intentions. Sandor, help Miss Victoria with Rolf and Gregor, make sure that Julianka finds root of sassafras and boil it for me and add a pinch of lavender for me to drink." Magda laid back down on her bed and waited for them to leave her alone.

Vicki followed Sandor out of the room and paused in hallway. "Sandor, will she be all right?" Vicki had laid a sympathetic hand on his arm. Sandor nodded and smiled.

"She is better now, she just tried to protect you." Sandor looked down at the small woman with a look of apology. "She no mean harm she just let her mouth go and not stop sometime."

Vicki smiled, "She will need to try and not call him a monster, in my time Sandor he has saved my family and myself so many times at a great deal of expense to himself. He did not ask to be this way, he has no choice and its one hundred fifty years away when he can have a normal life with me again. Maybe you will talk to her about it?"

Sandor saw why Magda felt so defensive for this gorger female and he too was finding he liked her as much as Magda, she was not afraid of heavy labor, she was not afraid of the man that was dead, she was fearless in his eyes. "I do my best talk to Magda but she her own woman with her own mind which is reason I married her." He smiled widely and proud of the fact he had married well from his perspective.

Vicki left him in the hallway to go down the stairs and paused. In the middle of the drawing room was an older taller man standing with his hands locked behind his back looking the house over. "Hello?" Vicki said softly from her position on the stairs. She watched the man turn and then looked at her with a look of surprise and confusion.

"I thought the gypsies had possession of the house, Madam may I ask whom you might be?" He stepped forward and for a moment Vicki was reminded of Joshua Collins by this man's demeanor. He gave her a superior look or a proprietary nature and then he looked again. "Oh is that you Joanna? What on earth are you doing here dressed like that?"

From the rear of the house a distinguished looking Barnabas dressed in period 1840's dress stepped into the drawing room from behind. "She is my wife, Mrs. Collins and you might be?" The man spun around, his face paled visibly and his voice choked out, "Cousin Barnabas?" His voice had almost dropped to a whisper.

Barnabas studied the older man in front of him and guessed him to be about sixty years of age and as he studied him Barnabas knew who he was. "I am Barnabas Collins. Not the original one but his son. You are?" He knew before he opened his mouth but Vicki was not expecting to hear him say it.

"I am Daniel Collins, the owner of this house and Collinwood. May I ask why we have not had the pleasure of meeting you at Collinwood?" He moved with an extended hand to Barnabas. Barnabas took his hand and shook it.

"I fear there is a misrepresentation on the ownership of this house. My grandfather Joshua Collins deeded this house and its surrounding properties to my father before he moved to England. I have recorded the deed in town and have a copy of the deed if you wish to see it."

Daniel shook his head. "I do recall something of this transaction when I was a child. I am sure you are entitled to reside here. I do wish you would afford us your company at Collinwood." He turned to watch Vicki move down the stairs to move to him looking at him in wonder and surprise.

"I am Victoria Collins Mr. Collins, and very pleased to meet you. We apologize for not coming sooner but Barnabas and I are recently wed and were getting the house ready for occupancy and hoping to invite the family over for a dinner soon." Vicki had moved to Barnabas' side hooking her arm around his arm.

It had been at least fifty-five years since Daniel was saved to continue the Collins family line. Here he was now all grown older and more than likely had children of his own. "I was surprised when Tad told me he saw someone other than the gypsies here and when I came in and saw the house so elegantly dressed much as it had when your father was here I was some what set aback."

Vicki smiled, "We have invited the gypsies to stay and they are a wonderful addition to our household staff." She moved to the chair by the fireplace and sat offering the other chair to Daniel. "Please sit and let us get to know one another better."

Daniel moved to sit and looked at Barnabas. "I know I was very young when your father left, but I must say you look just like his portrait it is uncanny."

Barnabas smiled, "I must say you look a lot like Joshua Collins from the portraits father had of him. I understand he was more of an Uncle to you and later a father?"

Daniel nodded, "Yes, we became close in the end of his life." Daniel looked distant with his thoughts wandering back to Joshua., Vicki smiled, she was happy that she was able to save his life. Sitting back she knew she could not relax completely the meeting of the other family was about to unfold for them all and she prayed she was ready for it.