Chapter 10

Old House

Vicki and Barnabas' bedroom

The day had arrived; Vicki knew she would be leaving Collinwood soon. Lying beside Barnabas she watched his profile as the sun came up bathing him in a soft warm glow of morning light. A sad sweet smile played at her lips and she felt ill, jumping up from the bed, she dashed to her toilet and emptied the contents of her stomach. Thinking this was a case of nerves she leaned her head against her hand resting for a moment.

Turning to the sink she washed her face and rinsed her mouth, looking up at her reflection in the mirror she saw her eyes looked haunted, her face pale and her lips trembled with fear. Brushing her teeth, she walked back to the bed she shared with Barnabas waiting for him to awaken. This would be the last time she would be with her husband and she wanted it to be special. Watching him open his eye, she smiled and shifted to curl into his body sharing their warmth with each other. Placing tiny feather-like kisses over his face she whispered, "I love you so much Barnabas, I will always love you to my dying day."

He chuckled and returned the feather like kisses then kissed her deeply taking her into his arms to hold her. "I too will love you until my dying day my darling. Thank you so much for being my wife and being you."

Vicki snuggled closer and sighed contentedly then whispered, "Make love to me Barnabas. Make love to me one more time."

He chuckled, "If it is my ladies command then so be it." The morning went by way too fast for Vicki. She watched him dress then leave with Willie. She knew he had said it was business a part of her wondered if it truly was business or was he planning on a counter attack against Vlad

She watched him from her bedroom window pressing her fingertips to the cold pane of glass watching it fog over from the heat of her hand. Willie pulled the Bentley around to the front, she watched him turn, look up at her, smile and wave, then he disappeared into the car's interior and she was left alone. She watched the car pull down the drive and disappear from view.

The overwhelming feelings of loss filled her and she bit back the bitter tears of resentment. "Tears of joy I hope Victoria, after all you will be seeing your prince soon enough." The voice behind her reminded her why she was upset, spinning around she glared at him.

"I wish to bathe then I will join the chambermaid in the tunnel, please leave me." Radu mockingly bowed to her, and then disappeared from view. Using the moment to let her knees buckle she slumped to the floor and cried. The sobs were long and drawn out and left her gasping for breath. Pulling herself together she pushed herself up and walked into her bathroom and prepared herself a long hot bath. Taking her time, she soaked in the tub until the water grew tepid.

Unable to delay the inevitable, she got out of the cooling tub's water and toweled herself off, wrapped her hair in a towel, and then pulled on her housecoat. As she stepped from her bathroom, she looked to see the secret passageway was open, sighing she stepped into the passage and walked on shaky legs to the secret room. When she entered, she saw a small dark haired woman standing by a chair; she smiled shyly then pointed to the chair. Vicki nodded and sat. In short order, Vicki's hair was dressed in ringlets with braids holding the ringlets in place. Then she was dressed in a 15th century brocade gown of deep gold over coat trimmed in white fur and a royal red velvet gown.

Turning she looked at her image in the mirror and noted, her hair was dressed and accented with a diamond tiara. Putting her fingertips to her throat, she paused, "Oh dear, the ring. Would you mind going to my bedroom and in the dresser drawer by my bed, there is a ring box. It has the ring Vlad gave me." The maid looked anxiously about the room, curtsied to Vicki shrugging her shoulders. Vicki realized she did not understand her then using charades explained what she needed. "You," pointing to her, "go" she made walking with her fingers "to the night stand by my bed." She put her palms together mimicking sleeping on her palms then did a square to indicate the table, "Pull out the drawer . . . " she did a pulling motion, "Inside is a box, a small box." She did a small shape for a box; doing an opening motion for the small box she indicated there was a ring inside. Running her fingertips up and down her ring finger. "Bring back to me." She pointed and did the walking motion again.

The maid smiled widely, she had understood her motions, curtsied to her and left the room, leaving Vicki alone in the room. Vicki sighed she was glad Radu was not there and now the maid was gone she could secure her personal affects she was taking with her to Romania. Walking over to her clothing she had worn earlier she began to rummage through them. There she found what she had been searching for and pulled out the I-pad and charger. Looking at the trunk she knew would be brought with her to Castle Dracula, she shifted through the trunk and found a small tear in the trunk's lining, and slid both the pad and the charger into a the lining. Closing the trunk, she sat in the chair near a table.

Folding her arm onto the table's top she cupped her chin in the palm of her hand and sighed. She waited for the return of the handmaid and her jailer to fetch her. The handmaid stepped into the room and curtsied handing over the ring box. Then stepping back she stood quietly by the opening to the room and waited. Radu entered the room smiling widely, "My dear Victoria, you look enchanting. Come, we must have a drink before we leave. We have much to celebrate!" Radu turned to the handmaid giving her an order in Romanian, which for some odd reason, Vicki knew exactly what he was saying. "You are dismissed, return to Sorin he is waiting for you in the car. I will bring the Princess shortly." The maid lowered her chin, curtsied to him and as she turned to leave, Radu, pulled out a knife and pricked her lightly on the arm.

The young girl was shocked as she gasped in pain while grabbing her arm; she paled and then slumped to the floor. Radu smiled, then said rather non pulsed, "Good, you will drink your wine, while I leave our little gift for your husband and father to find when they come home."

Vicki had gasped and rose to rush to the young girl's side. "Is she . . . "

Radu laughed, "Dead? Hardly. No, she is merely sedated, when she awakens, your husband and father will question her, because she speaks no English, they will bring Professor Stokes to speak with her, he will in turn bring his assistant Gabe who is in actuality Sorin and he will tell them everything we want them to know."

Vicki backed away from Radu, her throat constricting with fear, "That is monstrous." Radu laughed and shook his head. "Actually, I thought it quiet clever of my prince. You see once she tells them we have you, they will all wish to rush off and rescue you and then the final part of the trap will be laid."

Radu lifted the young maid and disappeared down the hallway, putting her in Vicki and Barnabas' bed, coming back he noticed her wine was untouched. "Oh my dear, I must insist you drink the wine and be quick about it, we are going to be leaving very soon."

Suspicious Vicki fingered her drink as she studied Radu, "I really don't feel much like drinking the wine thank you very much."

Radu frowned and stepped forward to tower over her, "You will drink the wine and be quick about it or I will force it down your throat."

Vicki stood and glared back at him, "No, I said I did not like the wine. I refuse to drink it."

She pushed past him, to feel him grab her arm and pull her back to him, staring into her eyes, she felt herself weaken in his hold, her hand trembled as she reached forward for the wine, both of their gazes intense as they locked into each other's eyes, the will was strong and a war was raging in her mind her will was fighting with what her mind was telling her she needed to do. Her hand clutched the stem of the glass while her eyes were caught by the intense stare of Radu. Again, she felt her hand tremble as a deeper part of her being encouraged her to resist, the single thought of her mind instructed her to pick up the glass and drink.

Slowly, painfully, with sheer determination she lifted the glass started it towards her lips and instead in a last moment of absolute will and determination she threw the wine in Radu's face. The moment between them was broken as he threw her away from him in a fit of temper. Vicki fell back catching herself before falling to the ground and watched him with utter contempt. He wiped the wine from his face, and then with exact precise measured movements, Radu Florescue Resnix Arotnon picked up the bottle of wine and poured another glass. Turning he called, "Gilda darling come out and show yourself."

The female bride of Dracula moved with easy seductive grace into the room. "Willful little thing isn't she? I find that rather surprising she does have spirit. She is still not good enough for our master." Gilda purred, her dark eyes raked over Vicki's form as she circled around Vicki studying the mere human before her. Full pouty lips, dark smoldering eyes, wickedly seductive body, and hair as black as a ravens wings Her voice was deep and calculated as she spoke with her Romanian accent "I do not see what he sees in her." Vicki noted the female was feral in her movements, and then when she turned Vicki saw the creature's teeth, her two canines were longer and sharper than the others.

Vicki gasped, "Oh my goodness!"

Radu laughed and shook his head as he stepped towards Vicki, "She cannot claim anything to do with goodness my dear. What you see before you dear Victoria, is a female vampire. A creature that survives on the blood of humans." Vicki grabbed her throat. "Not to worry my dear, she is not here for you. Gilda darling, you have your assignment. Now, if Miss Winters does not drink the wine, you are instructed to take Mr. Barnabas Collins as your eternal mate."

Gilda smiled as she let her tongue glide over her lips with the thought of a fresh meal. Radu smiled while he handed Vicki the glass of wine. Glaring at him, she took the wine and one last look of defiance she tipped the wine glass up and drank it until it was gone. With the same defiance she showed in drinking the wine, she shoved the glass into Radu's stomach. "Here, it's done, now call off your she witch and leave my husband alone!" Vicki started to walk towards the chair she previously occupied.

The room began to tilt as she lowered herself into the chair. Thinking the wine was affecting her from drinking it so quickly, she propped her head up with her hands. "Ahh, good." Radu took the glass from her nerveless fingers to sit it on the table, then in one motion, swept Vicki up in his arms. Her head rolled limply against his shoulder and he gazed into her face.

Radu smiled and spoke softly, "She is so beautiful."

Gilda glanced at her and then to Radu. "I find her boring and rather plain and I do not see what is so special about her."

Radu laughed, "She is special, so special, our Prince would kill us both if anything happened to her. Now, tonight you will pay a visit to Mr. Collins while he sleeps, you are to bite him only to draw him under your control, you are not to bring him over or kill him is that clear?"

Gilda pouted crossing her arms over her bosom, "Now you take away my fun."

Radu frowned his voice lowered and he spoke menacingly, "My dear Gilda, should you not obey the Prince on this, I fear your time on this earth will be short lived and the last one that displeased the Prince found their head on a pike."

Gilda frowned putting a protective hand to her throat. "I will obey my Prince. Mr. Collins will be tasted only this night." Radu smiled shifted Vicki's weight in his arms and walked to the door.

"I will be escorting the Princess to our Prince. You will be taking your orders from Sorin from this point on." He shifted Vicki's weight in his arms noting how limp and lifeless she appeared under the influence of the drug he had forced her to ingest.

Gilda cocked an eyebrow then smiled mischievously, "You like her a lot don't you?" She had to get in another taunt.

Radu paused looked down at Vicki in his arms then looked over to Gilda, "I find her intriguing. Did you know she traveled back in time?"

Gilda was interested, "Really how was that possible?"

Radu shrugged, "There was a séance and she was in the middle of the séance when she was suddenly taken back to the year 1795, where she met her husband. She was there when the original curse was put on him and he was turned into one of the brethren."

"So, you are saying she has a talent for the paranormal?" Gilda thought about that as Radu nodded and continued through the doorway.

He called back over his shoulder. "Sorin will be back later to translate for our little handmaid. After they leave, he will wait in the passageway while you visit Mr. Collins, then you will report to him. Now, I must take our charge to her future husband. Until we meet again in Transylvania my dear."

Gilda watched Radu make off with the unconscious Vicki then sat at the table. "I think Radu, you are more interested in the new Princess than you let on. Perhaps I could use this later if I need you." She smiled as she thought about how she could work this to her advantage. Rising she sauntered down the passage and into the bedroom where she looked upon the maid, the temptation was great to go and draw sustenance from her while she lay so vulnerable and unable to defend. But her prince would be upset if she did not follow his plans. She continued to explore the house and found it typical of most houses in the late 1700's. A time she loved and had missed the most. Her own crossing had happened in the early 1600's when she was but a child newly blossoming to her womanhood and the favorite of the village she had lived. Her beauty had been her down fall.

Vlad had taken notice of her late one night and the rest was history when he visited her opened bedroom window and took her as his bride. Their sex had been incredible her death quick, her rebirth frightening at first. However since that time she had grown to appreciate her new life. It had some advantages and some disadvantages. She had to admit she did miss seeing the sunrise but moonlit nights intriguing especially when she was on the hunt. She had learned to appreciate the hunt; it was one of the most exciting parts of her new reality. She adored the feeling of taking the life from one of her victims. Rarely was she allowed to bring one over. When she was allowed to be a creator she was excited and filled with sexual tension. The taste of a new life was always exciting.

In her lifetime she had only been permitted the honor of being a creator four times. Vlad could be merciful or he could be unconditionally mean minded depending on his mood. His mood of late had been a double dose of both; he was benevolent with the prospect of having that sorry excuse for a princess back in his life. She frowned when she had thought of Vicki Winters. What made her so special that Sorin, Radu and her Prince would fall over themselves for her attention? Feeling petulant she began to explore the house moving about from room to room-in ethereal form her curiosity in trying to learn what made Victoria Winters so special. She was acutely aware she was not the only supernatural form occupying this house. Smiling she hummed softly as she drifted from section of the house to the next.

Collinsport back roads

Radu carried his package to the car sliding her into the backseat he made sure she was comfortable. He slid into the passenger seat. "I have left Gilda in the house. She has been given her instructions and awaits further commands from you." Sorin glanced to the backseat looked at the sleeping princess then turned his attention back to the road.

"You will escort her home. I will continue with my plans here and once we have the go ahead will lead Collins and his entourage to Romania. Did you have any problems getting her to drink the laced wine?" Sorin thought he had noted the smell of wine on his comrade.

"She resisted slightly, well she did throw the wine in my face. I had to threaten her with Gilda harming Collins before she willingly drank the wine." He smiled remembering the fire in her eyes when she had thrown the wine in his face. She had fought him all the way when he tried to psychically coerce her into drinking the wine. "She really had a strong will."

Sorin smiled, "I suspected as much when I had her at the cottage and she got very disrespectful to the Prince, even made demands on him. I had to strong arm her to get her under control." He had admired her tenacity and her spunk. "She is not going to easily succumb to the prince as he seems to think. She is going to be a handful and should be watched constantly."

Radu chuckled, "I hope so. It will be interesting to watch her and the prince together. She really dislikes our master with a passion. I had a chance to see that part of her mind and she is not going to be very cooperative, she imagines herself totally in love with Collins. I personally do not see the attraction."

Sorin was lost in his thoughts; he too wondered how she could have fallen in love with such a creature as Barnabas Collins. It appeared that Collins could attract beautiful women without having to use his vampiric powers. Pushing aside the fact this very special woman could possibly love anyone other than his prince he allowed his own thoughts to think of what life would have been like for him in the early 1800's if he had met her.

Transylvania 1812

He was taken back to the night he was brought over by Radu. Radu had cornered him in the ally and brought him nearly to death when from the shadows another larger darker figure appeared and forced him to taste the blood from his wrist. That had been the night that Vlad had claimed his master assassin.

Sorin had always been an assassin, Vlad had followed his movements for nearly two years watching him at work and liking what he saw in this man of many talents. That is when Radu was sent to bring Sorin to him and finally for Vlad to bring him over but not as a vampire Vlad had other plans for him. When Vlad had given his blood to Sorin, it was at that point of death he did not see his own past life but that of his prince. He saw the brutality of his Prince's life and the darkness that Vlad held within his body. Vlad had not lived these many past centuries to not learn the dark powers other than being a vampire. Sorin had a special place and that was once he was giving the blood of the vampire, he would not be vampire, he would be a dark master in his own right and able to face the light of day.

Together they formed an unholy union of master and slave with the intention of Sorin becoming the Prince's assassin. It was Radu that had felt the transition of power from his being Vlad's right hand man to this now newest and darkest addition to their fold. Sorin had done Vlad's bidding never questioning him. This time he was finding it hard to bring harm to this woman that would be his princess.

Present Day

Hearing that Radu had to strong arm her internally angered him. Then he reasoned he had to strong-arm her too how could he fault his brother for doing what he had done. The difference was it was he doing the strong-arming. He wrestled with his thoughts and his new feelings he was having where Victoria Collins was concerned. She was so vastly different from any of those Vlad had taken or chosen in the past. There was something intangible about her and he could not fathom what I was exactly that made him want to protect her even from his prince.

Thrusting that thought from his mind he drove to the private airfield into the hanger near a small jet. He watched Radu carry her to the plane and from his sight and was surprised at the feeling of loss. Turning back to his car, he made his way back to his cottage to call and report in to his prince that she was on her way to Romania.