Chapter 3
Castle Darkhart Carpathian Mountains
Victoria resented the ill treatment she had been handed by Drake. She found she was determined to avoid him if this was how he had chosen to treat her and the thought of them having to spend the rest of their lives together was at this time not an option as far as she was concerned. She was more determined to pretend to go along with the plans but plot a way to free Carolyn, Elizabeth and David from this man's hold. The first coming out party for her had been a test of her endurance and tolerance where Drake was concerned.
She secretly prayed that Barnabas would come and rescue her until she was informed that another guest had joined them at Castle Darkhart. The morning after her run in with Drake Victoria had been escorted down to the main drawing room. Victoria was left at the door to the drawing room she paused and noticed another female standing in front of Drake. With her back to Victoria it had been hard to discern what her features were. Drake had been speaking softly to the female when he noticed she had arrived in the room. "Ahh there she is now my dear, I don't know if the two of you know one another or not. Victoria my dear come and meet . . . "
The woman turned and Vicki felt her heart sink, she visibly paled looking at the features of the woman that had nearly destroyed the Collins family with her witchcraft. With a barely audible hiss she said her name with so much disgust that it evoked a reaction from the woman now standing in front of her. "Angelique!" Victoria gasped out the woman's name and fell back a few steps. Eyes wide and filled with undeniable fear and hate she watched the slow easy smile of triumph spread over those lips.
"Hello Mademoiselle Victoria it has been a long time has it not?" Angelique practically glowed at seeing Victoria before her and her eyes narrowed slightly. She reveled in the reaction she was getting with Victoria wanting to back up and possibly dash from the room from her and her dark master. She at least had the upper hand on this encounter and she was going to take what she could out of the whole situation. Laughing lightly she stepped forward in a show of intimidation. It was the same laugh that had haunted Victoria in the past as she waited for the day of her execution.
Before she could advance any further a strong and painful grip landed on her shoulder with the pressure being exerted. With each second the grip became painful. She laughed lightly then felt his hand descend on her shoulder in a crushing hold to give her a painful reminder to behave.
"I see you both do know each other. This is good, I want you two to become close friends. I think that Angelique will make an excellent maid to your needs Victoria and I think you should learn to appreciate each other a little more. I especially wish you Angelique that you should make my Victoria feel welcome to my home and I might grant your wish."
His words were said with a subtle influence of a demand and not a request and he had given her a look of no argument when she had shot him a glance of resentment at the suggestion. "I will have no argument from either of you and I am sensing there is some animosity between the two of you so I expect that you will settle those differences and become friends is that understood?" Drake had stepped away from Angelique and moved to Victoria taking her by the wrist he had tugged her close to his body, lifted her chin and kissed her deeply.
Angelique rolled her eyes and turned her back to avoid his show of ownership being exerted by her master over this unworthy human female that so strongly resembled the woman that Angelique hated. Crossing her arms in a defensive gesture she waited for this sad display of affection to pass. She noticed that Victoria was not so eager to embrace her master and smiled. She watched her futilely struggle against the hold he held to her body and the way she had flattened her palms to his chest. This sent a thrill of amusement through her body and she could not control the soft giggle that escaped.
Drake broke the kiss and frowned, "Angelique you are dismissed, leave us. There are confidential matters I wish to discuss with Miss Winters and they do not require your attention." He never looked at her and expected her to blindly accept his dismissal. Drake never released his hold on the woman that was attempting to break his hold on her body. Drake tightened his hold on her drawing her closer so their bodies were melded together. Lifting his head he waited for Angelique to leave.
Huffing slightly at his cold dismissal, Angelique slithered past the two giving Drake a backwards look of resentment to receive a narrowed eyed glint of disapproval from Drake as he shot her a look of pure anger directed at her retreating form. When she was finally out of the room he looked down at Victoria. "I see you still resist my charms I suppose now I must do what I do best. His smile held no humor and he looked deep into her gaze capturing her attention. "By darkness and powers of evil I call upon the true power for the one in my arms should learn to love the touch and feel of her master."
Victoria felt her mind cloud over. A blank look of surprised filled her and the resentment she had held for Drake was no longer present in her thoughts. It was amazing to watch the look of disgust and resentment filtered from her features to be replaced by an inexplicable need to be held tenderly by this man who stood in front of her and stared magnetically into her eyes. She softened the features of her face with a smile of pleasure.
Drake felt her body relaxed in his arms, and he studied the smile of appreciation spread over her lips. Running her hands up to his shoulders and encircling her arms around his neck she pressed into him. "Hello my love, I was wondering when I would get to see you again." With a dispassionate sigh he watched the sweet smile that edged her lips while she looked adoringly into his dark impenetrable gaze.
He noted her smile was very sweet and inviting. Involuntarily he drew her closer; lowering his lips he captured her mouth and plundered it with his tongue. His hands moved around her to cup her hips with his palms.
"Have you missed me my dear?" He practically purred in her ear as he asked her about her day and her need to be held by him. He was enjoying her capitulation but a part of him was resentful that he had to use these tactics to get her cooperation. He wanted her in his arms willingly and not with dark magic coercion as a means to give him what he wanted. Smiling he thought a moment while she prattled on about their day.
"I missed you my love. It has seem an age since last we held one another and I was growing lonely for your touch." She nuzzled her cheek sensually against his jacket, closing her eyes to lean into his body and wait for him to sweep her off her feet and carry her up the stairs to his room where she was sure he would make mad passionate love to her. Instead she felt him push her back from his hold.
"I find you delectable and very appealing my dear but this is not how I wish us to consummate our love." He sighed softly, "What was set in motion by darkness and evil be set aside to be called up at a later time." Once again, the look on Victoria's face shifted and in her mind he knew she was coming back to her and his reality. She had blinked and as before the reticence was back in face and form. Realizing that she was being held far to close by him Victoria started to step back.
Drake smiled and the look he gave her made her feel she was being devoured by his very essence. "I think the more time you spend in my arms the more accustomed you will become to me and what I desire from and of you." His words were said with a velvet softness that was underlined with steel. "As you know Victoria you were born for a purpose that purpose was to be mine to do with as I saw fit and how I wished."
Victoria frowned her mind was filled with a thousand questions. How could this man possibly believe she was here for his whim? This was the 20th century and they were less than a decade away from the twenty-first century. "No one person is another person's property in this day and age. What year do you think this is? We abolished slavery a long time ago. I hold no man's brand." She stiffened her back when she made that statement only to see his slow easy smile edge his lips.
"No?" He stepped around her and then began to circle her body until he was in front of her again. "No man's brand?" He reached forward to her shoulder and curled his fingers into her shoulder, with a single swift moment he ripped the sleeve and shoulder of her blouse so her shoulder was exposed. Running a fingertip up her up and to the cleft of her neck he gently teased her neckline and a birthmark that was lightly displayed. Smiling he then ran a hand down to her wrist jerked her to him and tugged her to the eight foot mirror.
Spinning her around she stared at her image with him towering over from behind. "My brand was put on you the day you were born." Slightly tilting her head he forced her to look at her birthmark. "There is my brand, the Double D's for Drake Darkhart. So you see you do belong to me." His words again held that soft seductive tone of a man that was possessed and saw what he wanted to see.
Victoria looked closer noting the birthmark for the first time did resemble something other than a misshapen discoloration on her skin. It was plain to see there were two capital D's laid one on top of each other so they were slightly staggered. She had really noticed this trait now whereas before she had always assumed it was just a slightly misshapen birthmark. She had not given it much thought to it other than it being something she had been born with and had to accept it as a part of her genetic makeup "So you can plainly see I have put my brand on you my dear.
He sauntered away from her to the large stately window that looked out over the vast gardens of the front yard. His voice was soft and spoke in well-modulated tones so there was no doubt that what he spoke was the truth to him. "The night you were conceived it was decided our two houses would be joined. During the impregnation rite our two families performed a ritual. That ritual secured you as my future bride."
Victoria was not sure what she was hearing. "How could you possibly have known I would be a girl or for that matter that you were to be a man? Those odds were impossible to predict." She was outraged at such a thought that they would consummate something as beautiful as making love into something this debased and dark.
"It was ordained you would be female and I would be male so it was and now you are here and you are mine. That mark on your shoulder you so quaintly thought was a birthmark was my brand on you as belonging to me." He turned from the window and pinned her with that dark gaze that smolder with a hint of something darker and deeper buried within his soul. She could see it and it frightened her to think he held such ominous powers.
"I do not care what was ordained. I know where my heart leads me and it is not to you." She spoke bravely not realizing how much she was angering him. She should have watched the eyes that now glowed a deep amber and reddish orange color. His lips clamped into a thin stiff line. Dropping his chin he looked at her withholding his anger from surfacing. Then before she knew what was happening he was across the room pulling her into his arms clamping them tightly about her frame.
"Your insolence could easily call for your death. Because I choose you as my wife, I shall allow this outburst this time." His voice dropped low as he lowered his lips close to hers and spoke with warmth to his breath that pressed against her lips. "Never speak to me of your heart's desires. That could cost you dearly. As I have said before, you will learn to accept me and even come to love me." Shoving her back he turned his back on her and spoke harshly. "Now go change we will ride the grounds so you might go out and meet your future subjects."
Collinwood
Collinsport Maine
Laura Collins stood on the summit of Widow's Hill, lifting her arms up to the heavens she began to speak in the ancient tongue that was spoken during the time of his reign she lifted her chin and smiled as she spoke the words to seek her god and his powers. "Ra, the holder of the secret kept to his breast to his days of the non living, I call forth to you to seek your guidance and seek your help to recover one that belongs to you but is being held by a darker force that would seek your death as a great and good god! I ask you to hear this unworthy servant's plea and come forth. I call out to you through the cosmos and all things that hold your eyes. Come forth Ra, I need you now!"
She lowered her head and her arms bowing and stood silent. Quentin watched as the wind lifted up her hair and the soft white dress she wore that hugged her form with the press of the wind against her body. Barnabas stood silently watching the spectacle that was the dark arts of this witch. "Will she be successful?" Barnabas asked Quentin.
Quentin shrugged. "She has been alive longer than you or I and she garners the attention of one of the more powerful Egyptian gods. So, I suspect that she will hear something just not sure what."
If the wind before her call had been chilled and strong it was now whipping with frenzy around the three that stood on the top of the hill. From the velvety dark skies a brilliant star began to pulsate and move. With each passing second the star began to grow larger and more brilliant until it appeared to be a burning meteorite that was hurtling towards them on Widow's Hill.
The brilliant burning object grew closer Quentin and Barnabas watched with anticipation as the object no longer resembled a hurtling meteorite but something more defined that of a figure of a huge burning bird. The wingspan was expansive and took up easily a fifty-foot span from tip to tip. In the center was the smaller figure of a man dressed in black with a long black duster styled coat. With the large burning bird growing closer Barnabas and Quentin could feel the heat but it was not so intense that it would burn them.
"Well it seems our defender for justice has arrived." Quentin had spoke softly from the side of his mouth while he along with Barnabas watched Ra in phoenix form hovered over Laura. He noted she had dropped to her knees and bowed her head. The sight of the burning bird began to slowly dissipate. Ra floated to the surface with the fiery wings beginning to shrink and the small wispy flames were slowly disappearing with each movement he made to earth. Whiffs of smoke and tiny tendrils trailed down his back to disappear when he stepped foot to the ground.
Landing behind Laura Ra spoke with a deep base hollow sound to his voice, "Stand Laura and face me as an equal at my side and tell me of this affront to our personage." His words echoed around the hill with a feeling of oppression. For a mere mortal it would have been intimidating. However the two watching the arrival of the Egyptian God they knew him to be more showmanship than fearful.
Barnabas in that heavily accented British accent remarked, "Rather a dramatist isn't he?"
He looked at Quentin who im return smiled and nodded, "One reason I did not wish to become a follower. I felt that and the whole deal with the jumping into flames to be reborn was a bit over the top."
Ra had chosen to ignore the two as unworthy of his note, they had not summoned him but his loyal subject had and had said there was someone that belonged to him being held by a lesser deity. Both men stood arms crossed waiting patiently for Laura to do what she did best. That was manipulated and get what she wanted.
Laura rotated then smiled at the one she had pledged her life and soul to and watched as he extended his hand to help her stand. Reaching a small delicate hand forward she curled those fingers around the hand of her god watching it shimmer from mortal form to immortal god form. It was solid enough to help guide her up to a standing position. Standing before him she smiled her appreciation for his attention and assistance to stand. "My lord Ra, may I present Quentin Collins, an immortal and Barnabas Collins a vampire."
Ra turned slightly looked at Barnabas then his gaze slid to Quentin and a snarl of disapproval slid over his features. "Ah, the coward that did not wish to commit himself to our allegiance and ran away."
Quentin grimaced looked down and said softly, "I would not call me a coward, I would say it was a fortuitous decision to avoid being burned alive. I did after all achieve immortality. I just did not agree with your politics and took the highroad to avoid further problems. It gets a bit nasty when you expect your followers to bring you a human sacrifice especially one that has to love you unconditionally."
Barnabas grimaced at the thought but held his tongue as he saw the firry ire of Ra surface momentarily when his body began to glow then died down to his more normal human form. "Then it is good that you decided to take another path and I owe you nothing for your rejection of my 'politics'." He studied the silent Barnabas and sighed, "It is a shame they allow you to live here, I suppose as a Collins you think you can do no wrong?" Not expect an answer or ready to hear one he turned back to face Laura. Smiling what he felt was a benevolent smile he extended his hand to her. "Now my dear show me some respite for a moment perhaps libation and we shall discuss this problem."
Blue Whale Collinsport Maine
Sam wiped down the bar, stopped to look at the bent head of his daughter as she studied the cards she laid out on the bar's top. "Are you going to stare at the cards all night my dear? By the way where is Roger?" He slipped the rag under the bar turned to look around the half full bar and then back to his daughter. "Maggie? Did you hear me?" He spoke to her again watching the look of fear and concern wash over her face.
"Huh? Did you say something Pop?" She glanced up when she realized that he had spoken to her. Her features soften when she looked upon the face of her father. She had just read the cards three times and it was always the same. Death was visiting the House of Power and the Castle was tumbling down on top of them all. Damnation and Hell was coming to Earth and there was not a lot that could be done to prevent its coming.
"Maggie what is wrong with you? You have been shuffling those cards and looking at them now for over three hours. Honey what is going on with you?" Sam had watched the change in his daughter since that damn séance at the Collins House on the night of the Gala. He did not like how she was acting. At first it had been a distance she was attempting to put between those that cared about her and now she had become so absorbed in those damn cards he was beginning to wish she had never been born with her talent.
Maggie sighed deeply looked around the room to see who was close to her and then leaned over the counter to speak softly to her father. "We have a horrible disaster about to unfold in our backyard and frankly Dad it has the crap sacred out of me. I have to find Roger because I think it is going to affect his family and Collinwood." Maggie slid the cards together and began to straighten them to put them back in their box. Sam watched the frantic pace she had disassembled the line up of the cards.
"Is there anything I can do honey? You know I am very worried about you." He had laid a comforting hand on her shoulder. She looked so much like her mother at that age. It was a time that she had discovered that she was going to die from cancer and there was nothing either of them could do about it. Maggie had been so young when her mother passed.
Maggie smiled tightly to her father. "I wished there were something anyone could do but at this time we have to wait and see what is going to happen and Dad, I am hoping we all come out of this one alive." She scooped her cards into her purse, slid from the stool and headed for the door. This only left Sam with a hard knot in his stomach and wondering what it was she did see in those cards. His thoughts were interrupted when one of the patrons came to the bar for a refill.
Collinsport Cannery
Collinsport Maine
Roger set at the expensive mahogany desk in his office. He looked to the window and noted the night had fallen and for once there was no storm heralding the arrival of nightfall. Sitting back he pinched the bridge of his nose, closed his eyes and took one deep cleansing breath. God knows he and David had always been at odds but now he was missing and being held with his sister, niece and David somewhere they had no idea. He blamed Laura for this and had gone to confront her which had resulted in a very nasty fight between the two of them.
Now he regretted he had jumped the gun on blaming his soon to be ex-wife. His door opened and Elliott Stoke peered around the edge of the door. "Hey, got a minute for me?" Pushing the door in he waited to be invited in.
Roger extended his hand. "Always Elliott, do come in and have a seat. I would offer you ad drink but we have a new policy here at the cannery about alcoholic beverages on the premises." Elliott smiled, shook his head and found the chair in front of Roger the most comfortable he had rested in any office surroundings.
"No thank you Roger, I just came by to see how you were holding up with half your family being held hostage in a remote country somewhere half way around the world?"
Roger moaned inwardly and outwardly. "If it had not been for you interrupting the argument between Laura and myself I am sure it would have come to harsher consequences. She is after all a powerful witch in her own right."
"It could have been far worse than even you could have imagined Roger. That is why I did tell you what was going on and who all was involved. What me must focus on now is how to get them back and unfortunately we will need Laura and her Master's help."
"Unfortunately? I can tell you nothing involving that woman would fall under the category of fortunate for any poor unsuspecting sucker."
Elliott nodded slowly, "I realize how hard this is on you Roger, I have to confess something to you. I am beginning to have real feelings for your sister and I was hoping that we could have continued that relationship until this happened."
Hearing this Roger was thunderstruck that someone from the opposite sex found his sister a love interest. A part of the brother seeking to protect surfaced briefly then he quashed it. He was about to comment when the door to his office blew open and a figure appeared in the doorway. A spectral voice echoed with its chilling fortune around the room when it announced. "Death has arrived."