Hello! For some reason, I've really gotten into writing recently. Good news for those who like my books! Also, I just wanted to add that I got the idea for this from the Bible story of Samson & Delilah. I added a quote to the first chapter. Enjoy...

"The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting."

― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

Angelbay, 1972

"I'm going to make you a business proposal, Barnabas. My final offer; either you agree to rule this little pond of mine side by side, partners, and lovers... Or I'll put you back in the box." Barnabas gritted his teeth, his eyes narrowing in on her slim form. He inhaled through his nose, ready to throw an insult at her and storm out with his ego intact.

His eyes rose up to meet hers, and furrowed his brows at her expression. Her features were dark and stormy, her ice blue gaze coating him with animosity. She held herself confidently, as if she was ready for a fight to the death. She pressed her palms against the table and it shook with her anger. He did his best not to cower under her her intense presence.

"Do not get the notion in your head that I will somehow let all this go. Hell is hot, hell is burning and hell will rip her precious flesh from her bones, but my rancor will be hotter still."

Her words were strong and sharp. They filled the air and crept their way into his mind. Those words were the kind that you remember for years to come. The kind that haunt you, that keep you on edge. Barnabas swallowed thickly. He knew that her threats weren't empty at all and if he didn't stop her, she would kill Victoria. His Victoria.

If his own mistakes resulted in her death, he wouldn't be able to live with himself. Her affections were what kept him going. He could see that Josette lived in her. They were so similar, not only in body, but in soul. He could see that same innocent kindness in her that he had only ever seen in Josette. He considered his options for a moment, looking back to the blonde beauty before him. She raised her eyebrow, tilting her head towards him. She looked more surprised than irritated at how long he was leaving her without a response. He raised his head to look at her, attempting to think if there even was a way to kill her. He reminded himself that in all his years stuck inside that infernal box, going nowhere, she was learning and growing. Her witchcraft was probably ten times stronger than when she cursed him. That thought itself was terrifying.

Worry struck him as he realised that it was more likely that attempting to kill her would only make her more furious. Or I'll put you back in the box. Her words stuck in his mind, repeating over and over again. He couldn't stand to go through that again. There had to be some way he could avoid it. His options were dwindling by the second, and if he made one wrong move he could easily endanger both himself and those he loved. He needed more time to think. He needed to stall her actions.

"I... need time to think, Angelique. To consult with my family." She almost looked bewildered, her unusually bare lips parted in shock. He stood up as calmly as he could manage. There had to be some clever way to avoid so much bloodshed. If there was one thing he knew about her was that she relaxed when he gave in to her.

Not just in the past, either. Just a few days ago when they had slept together, she acted differently afterwards. Thinking back on it, she acted seemed happy. He never should have ruined that. If he hadn't denied her affections maybe none of this would have happened in the first place. Barnabas stopped moving entirely. Denying her affections was all he had ever done to her. Love her, spurn her, neglect her. And all that had ever come of it was pain.

He would be certain not to make that mistake again. If loving her was what he needed to do to avoid all that heartache, by God, he would do it. Put her in power, make her believe that she was in control. It was hard for him, especially given how much he hated her, but it was all that he could think to do to save his beloved.

"If you be so kind as to grant me that." He spoke through his gritted teeth, which he thought at first would make her see that he was faking it. But when she scoffed quietly he was forced to think again. It was his reluctance to agree with her that made her believe him. Of course, it would be unlike him to agree so easily. Suddenly he started to feel all of his anticipations fall into place.

"Alright." Her words were still more darkened than her usual tone of voice, most likely by her uncertainty at his reaction, but lighter than before. It somehow - worked. Just like that. He succumbed and she loosened her fiery grip. Maybe this really could work. It was as if he was drowning in quicksand, that was her, and all he could do to set himself free was to relax and give himself to her. When he turned and began to walk out she stepped in front of him, stopping his movement all together. She made a gesture behind her back that he couldn't see and he frowned.

"What?" He questioned her, looking past her as he heard a shuffle behind the door. He scowled and opened his mouth to speak but she abruptly silenced him with her lips. He moved to back away from the gesture, still unsure of what was going on in the hall but she kept him there, parting his lips and forcing him against the wall. She pressed her body against him, threading her fingers through his dark hair. He started to relax under her touch, relishing in her sheer warmth, but at remembering that there was still blood on his tongue he pushed on her waist to separate them. His eyes fell to her slightly bloodied lips and he scowled again.

She didn't seem to notice it. But that only meant that she was concentrated on something more important. His focus strayed from hers quickly as he heard more commotion outside the room and pushed away from her entirely. The sound of clanging metal stopped him from being able to make out the hushed voices in the hall. It was late. Angelbay had closed many hours ago. When he came, there wasn't anyone in the building at all. Not even her receptionist.

"Who is out there?" He seethed at her. He had suspected she was up to something and that she was trying to distract him, but he hadn't suspected it would work. She nonchalantly looked towards the door and returned her attention to him,

"Interns. It doesn't matter."

"What were they doing?" He was still confused, and he hated that. He stepped in to her, not wanting to try and decipher her lies. Even if she was telling the truth, her words were always honeyed and meant to deceive. She repeated herself,

"It doesn't matter. Look -" As she began to change the conversation he rolled his eyes and opened the door to look down the hallway. Whoever was there had left and he snarled under the artificial lights. The only movement he could sense was Angelique's black dress flowing with her movements as she came closer to him and leaned against the doorframe.

"God you're paranoid." He sneered at her but stayed in the hallway, waiting for her next move. She grabbed his walking stick from the table and handed it to him, coming to stand in front of him.

"You should leave. I'll contact you soon." Her voice carried a smooth, professional tone, which was ironic considering how provocative her outfit was. She tilted her head as he didn't respond to her. Barnabas grabbed his cane and clenched his teeth, hating her control over him. He couldn't wait for this whole ordeal to be over.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

Barnabas paced his room in long strides, muttering to himself. He needed her to believe he loved her when he was with her, so she would trust him. Blinding her, distracting her with what she wanted most dearly. Him. It was the only way he could protect his family. He needed to make her more supple, so could shape her to do what he wanted with ease.

Only if he could pull it off, though. He kept telling himself. Pretending to love her might prove more difficult than it sounded. He hated her. Sure, he lusted after her as well, but that had nothing to do with love for her. It was love her her body. But of course, she never knew the difference. If he had told her loved her that night, centuries ago, she would have believed him. His expression shifted and he stood up, making his way to the drawing room.

His work would have to be skillful, crafty. He would have to consciously think about his every movement, every action, so that it would go according to plan. His story would have to be believable. Even though he knew Angelique's disposition was calmer and more pleasant when he did what she wanted, that didn't mean she was in any way stupid. Just... calmer.

Not on edge like she was when he was firing insults at her. Not scorned and vengeful like when he gave her hard truths. It was simple, then. He wouldn't give her the hard truths. He would let her believe what she wanted to. When he entered the drawing room he was quickly greeted by Elizabeth as she sat at her desk, filing paperwork.

"How did the meeting go last night with Angelique? Her assistant said she didn't even know you two were meeting." Barnabas sighed and Elizabeth granted him with her full attention.

"She wanted to come to a... consensus. An agreement." Elizabeth looked over his solemn expression with wide eyes.

"Oh. What happened?" He sighed and stepped closer to her.

"I asked her for more time to summon my decision, and, I believe I have indeed discovered a solution. But, it is -" His words cut off as he tried to figure out how he would describe the unusual idea he had come up with. He also wasn't sure that Elizabeth would go along with it.

"What?" Elizabeth scowled a bit. He exhaled deeply through his nose and took the chair next to her. It might take some convincing for her to agree with him.

"I ask that you do not think me daft when I suggest this, but... I am going to give her what she wants." She parted her lips to speak, but before she could he butted in,

"Some of what she wants. Only, of course, to keep her from harming this family. She threatened Victoria last night, and I do not doubt that she would have effectuated her promise to kill her if I turned her down." Elizabeth immediately inclined her head to him. What on Earth could she want with David's governess?

"Victoria? Why?" Barnabas locked eyes with her. He searched for the current word Carolyn had told him, but it escaped him so he simply hoped Elizabeth would understand.

"I am courting her, as of recently." Elizabeth ignored his archaic language only to question him again,

"Well how the hell did she know that?! Even I didn't know you two were a couple." She was edging closer to franticness with every word. Barnabas scoffed, not at all disturbed by her confusion.

"She knows many things, madam. Most of which I can be sure she has discovered in rather, unsavory ways. She has the cunning, and the connections." Elizabeth thought on his statement for a moment. Everything in her life had changed so quickly. She rubbed her temples in irritation.

Just a few weeks ago she had had no knowledge of the supernatural being a reality. Now she had to worry about Angelique not only because she was CEO of the company that was putting them out of business, but also that she is a powerful witch that is threatening to destroy her family. Elizabeth sighed. God, she hated her. Barnabas noticed her discomfort and spoke again,

"I believe that not only will this stop her in her in her heinous intentions, but also that I might acquire some... information from her." Elizabeth raised an eyebrow at his words. He was meaning that he wanted to convince Angelique herself to willingly give him the tools he needed to destroy her. She didn't know what to say at first, his plan was so... fearless. Ruthless, even.

"Know thy enemy." She chuckled. His eyes lit up at a reference he was actually familiar with.

"Indeed. But Elizabeth, I need your approval first. I could, of course, potentially put our family in danger." He dragged out the end of his sentence, not knowing if he should have said it at all.

"Our family is already in danger." She pointed out, locking eyes with the vampire. He nodded and she spoke again,

"You truly think you can get her to tell you about Angelbay?" Barnabas contemplated her question, trying to find a way to answer it without sounding indecent.

"Yes, in time. But, I wish to acquire knowledge not only about Angelbay, but... other areas that may be beneficial for us." Elizabeth frowned. It took a few moments for her to understand what he meant. So that he could kill her? Not to long ago that thought would have seemed absolutely ludicrous. But he was being serious. She only wondered if Barnabas knew what he was getting himself into.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

Days later...

A dense fog surrounded the manor, climbing up the stone walls and covering the grass like snow. Victoria adjusted her arm wrapped around Barnabas', looking up at him with wide, grey eyes. His own gaze was on David, who was trotting ahead of them, inspecting his new seashells.

"Do you miss your family? Back in England, I mean." Victoria's voice was gentle and casual. Barnabas looked down to her innocent gaze and smiled lightly. Sometimes he actually forgot that she wasn't Josette. They similarities were remarkable.

"I miss them deeply, but I am very grateful to have all of you here. I consider you all to be my own flesh and blood." She smiled and looked ahead at the newly refurbished rose bushes beyond David's small form. Barnabas sighed lightly, his mind buzzing with his own thoughts.

"It is my sincerest hope, my dear, that you will come to consider them as your own family in time." Barnabas' words echoed her same kindness, but there was a darkness behind them. He felt so terrible that she had to endure a childhood such as her bit her lip and watched David as he rounded the corner of Collinwood towards the front door.

"I do. You all are the best family I ever could have hoped for." Her words lightened his heart and she rested her head lightly against his shoulder. Barnabas wanted to tell her his plans, but he knew it would be a mistake. He loved her and the rest of his family dearly, which was precisely why he and Elizabeth decided not to tell anyone else. It was for their own good.

When he thought about what he was intending on doing, his mind often faltered. But he reminded himself, in the end, it was all for them in the end. He wouldn't be cheating on Victoria. It was to protect her, after all. But he could never have her know. Not that part, at least. Her life had already been so damaged. He had to keep her safe, by whatever means possible.

The ends justify the means, do they not?

Wow. I had a lot of fun writing this chapter. I'm sure Barnabas' thoughts are now thoroughly ingrained in your heads. I apologize for repeating them so many times, but since this is basically the opposite of what Barnabas' thoughts are in the movie and most popular fanfictions (cough, cough, linalove) as well as my own.

I'm shooting into the dark here, experimenting with all this. I need your help. What did you think? Do you like this new Barnabas? What do you think will happen next?