Chapter 10

Somewhere over the Black Seas

Barnabas curled his fingers into the seat's arms his gaze fixed and fascinated to the window near his seat, the tip of the wing reflected the sun's rays and for once Barnabas was glad he had heavily tinted windows but could still see the magnificence of the sun reflection. Leaning into the window and loosing his grip on the armchair he peered below to the clouds that lay like a mingle of dusty cottonballs to his eyes. Through the plane's sound system from over head, the pilot announced, "This is your Captain speaking. We are currently crossing the Black Sea; our approximate time of arrival at the present course to landing will be 4:00 p.m. GMT." The static sound of the disembodied voice was now silent.

Julia turned to look at the expression on Barnabas' face. "What an age I have found myself thrown into Doctor. Where you can come into this cylinder, not worry that it will fall from the sky and can get us half way around the world in less than a day's time. I am truly amazed at such wonders." His voice was filled with reverence while he spoke of his first experience of flying.

Julia smiled turned to peer at Eric and Elliott and noted that this was nothing to them, since they traveled by plane all over the world and the contingent United States. "Barnabas we have put people on the moon. They have actually walked on the moon. In the early sixties we were able to launch a cylinder as you call it into space and shortly thereafter we planted a flag on the moon."

Barnabas turned his amazed and incredulous look to her. "You would not jest me would you Julia?" His voice had taken on a respectful awe at such an accomplishment. "You actually expect me to believe that a man was sent into space and to the moon and stood on the moon?" He was amazed.

"Yes, and currently they are building and are living in a space station that circles the earth. We have come a long way in nearly two hundred years Barnabas we have accomplished a great deal. We can build your heart from the inside out, we have managed to cure some diseases although we do not have cures for other more devastating diseases we are making amazing in roads."

"I have to believe that a lot has been accomplished if you and Dr. Lang are able to block my own cell to prevent me from becoming the monster that haunts me nightly." His own voice had dropped low and his respect for what had been accomplished with Eric's help was evident in his demeanor. It was a total reversal to the last time when he had aged to nearly two hundred years.

"It is more than that Barnabas, we have found the map for our deoxyribonucleic acid or as we call it DNA. Which is a part of our body that makes us uniquely us. It is through this process and we hope some day to completely decode it so that perhaps in the future it could be used to find if we are susceptible to some strains of cancers, or other debilitating diseases and will help us find cures. Why I would even venture that once that happens it will be used by law enforcement to know who committed the crime because the one that committed the crime left behind a portion of their DNA. I see a whole new world opening up and its my understanding that the scientists working on it are very close to doing just that."

Barnabas was astounded at such in roads into this newest discovery in the field of medicine. "I am grateful I am here to witness it now. I would have never given such miracles a second thought in my day. Now it's a whole brand new world for me and I am beginning to truly appreciate all it entails." He let out a soft breath and smiled. "There was a time that I would have marveled at being able to breathe again. Here I sit in a plane looking at clouds that look like giant puffy cotton balls, the sun reflecting off of a metal object and talking with a woman doctor. That for me is a very new experience."

Julia smiled, "Barnabas this is just the tip of an ice burg for experiences for you to have. Once we land you will see how time has forgotten some areas and they are not as advanced as what you are used to seeing in the United States. Some countries are taking their time to catch up in certain parts."

Julia sighed deeply then spoke thoughtfully. "For the most part we are in what we call an advancing electronics age. They even predict that some day there will be computers in every home and a means to call someone from what is just making itself known as cellular phones."

She thought a moment. "Although I am not that familiar with how it is done the premise is the ones designing and manufacturing these items use satellites placed in the sky above the earth to help bounce radio signals off of little transistors in the phones. In development at this time are things called microchips, which will eventually be used in anything electronic. As for the phones of which I just spoke. I believe the name for them is cell or portable phones. Which is what was used to communicate to Elizabeth by the men that took her."

Barnabas frowned remembering that situation and having found the crushed remnants of the phone on the rocks below widows hill. "I am not so sure that will be a bane to our society or a help." His words held his thoughts with the way he accented the words.

Julia smiled, "Well for every negative for their use there is a ten fold positive. Just think Barnabas, you need help, you reach into your pocket and pull out your phone and can call for help. You forgot to tell someone something you reach into your pocket and you can call them to remind or tell them you are going to be late for your appointment. Then there is the convenience of having that near you to have whomever to contact you if you are needed. I think had Victoria had one when she was taken you and Quentin could have easily gone to her rescue."

Barnabas thought about it for a moment then nodded slowly. "I can understand the benefits of such things Julia. Personally, I do not know if I would wish to be available to every one. I do covet my privacy and relish the one on one intimacy that you can cultivate by just sitting across from one another like we are doing now to just speak. I can see your emotions in your facial expressions, I can feel your passion for your science by the way you accent your voice and then you show it through your body's actions. I don't know if I am prepared to sacrifice that for convenience sake."

He had given this a little thought as he expressed his thoughts on the advancements. "I cannot argue that to 'fly' to get somewhere is more expedient and a comfortable way to travel. I cannot argue that electricity gives you the advantage of having light whenever you wish it. But there is the argument that candle light gives a certain romantic feel to the room, although cleaning up the candle wax can be time consuming and takes away from other chores that could be easily addressed. I suppose it is a matter of tastes."

Julia chuckled, "We would call you a Renaissance man with your romantic thoughts and your gentlemanly manners Barnabas, but this is the way of the future. We all adjust and we make sacrifices and find our romance in other ways. However, there are those out there that would be glad to take your coin and give you the experience you crave. They specialize in what they believe is the past and giving you what you hope to find from your time frame. However as you had that experience you might find them lacking in their ability to give you what you left behind."

Barnabas leaned back and closed his eyes and he could still see the night Josette and Andre arrived. How she ran to him and he lifted her and slowly lowered her down his body and pressed into her to kiss her deeply. The way her eyes gleamed and the smile she shared at being held by him. He could smell her perfume and feel the warmth of her body close to his. The satin of her dress matching the satin feel of her skin against his touch.

How the candlelight had caught the deep texture of her hair and the sheen of its shine. The soft play of the light over her complexion as he stared into her eyes and saw his love returned in that one gaze. How at that moment he could see their lives together and their children in her eyes. That was the one perfect moment from the past they had shared. Shortly thereafter Angelique had interfered and life as he knew it had changed forever. Opening his eyes he had lost that look of wonder and now his eyes was filled with sadness, so much had happened after that and it all culminated in the hanging of Victoria Winters at the gallows. Now more than ever he was determined to see that she was returned to Collinwood and if it was intended that they would be together then he was for all possibilities.

Somewhere arid dry and hot

Vicki opened her eyes and found her clothing had been changed and she was lying on spun cotton covers that felt as soft as silk, the gown she wore was ancient Egyptian and hugged her figure like a second skin. Pushing up on her elbows supporting her slender form on the soft pallet she felt the heavy ornamentation that dressed her hair. Feeling the heat and the dryness of the air she surmised she was somewhere in the desert.

Standing she turned and gone was the lush feeling of the mountains and the coolness of the thin air. Turning she peered around and could not help but feel this was a place so different from what she expected or knew that it half frightened but intrigued her. "Ahh I see you have awaken. I thought perhaps we would bring you here before I take you home. I wanted to show you my home." The strange man that had appeared in her room at Castle Florescue stepped from the very air in the center of the room. He was dressed in Egyptian garb of a Pharaoh.

"Who are you?" Victoria turned to peer down at him in the center of the room. She refused to come down from the dais she had been resting on. Folding her arms over her chest she tilted her head and felt the beads click with the movement. "And in what am I dressed?" She ran her fingers over her hair and found her hair had been braided and beaded.

"I am Ra, and you are in my realm now and you are dressed befitting any female that would sit at my side." He folded his arms and took a condescending stance. He extended his hand and motioned her to come down the steps to stand before him. "Come join me, we shall leave here shortly and I shall try to court you by your standards back in the home you have claimed as yours."

Victoria pushed her self up from the bed and stood. Feeling the stength in her legs she stepped foreward slowly walked down the steps to stand before him and studied the arrogance of the man before her. She took note of the huge ornate golden headdress that shaped itself like a a large bird, it encased his head and covered his forehead. He wore a large covering around his neck that appeared much like a cape that had been cut to expose his arms and a portion of his chest.

Wrapped in an intricate fold around his waist to hang over his hips and down in front of his legs was a material that was pure white with gold threads and beading that traced its way around from front to back. He was impressive and looked every bit a god of Egypt but Victoria was not that impressed or ready to accept that he was nothing more than a mad man that had taken her from her place of safety. "Okay so let us say for this moment I believe that I am in the presence of a dead god. What was the purpose of bringing me here?"

She watched him look affronted by her attitude of whom he claimed to be and had dared to say such to his face. "I am Ra, and I am far from dead unlike that creature you laid with which was neither dead or alive but a blood sucking monster of the night." He turned and walked to a nearby table and poured some water in to a chalice. "Would you care for some water? I know the air is dry and the heat is intolerable for most that are not accustomed to the desert."

Victoria followed him to the table and took a moment to peer out the uncovered window's view which upon her approach had the curtains open without anyone pulling them back to expose the outside of the room she was in and she was shocked to see she was in the desert. "How?" She could not think further to finish her sentence.

"I told you I brought you here my dear. You intrigue me. You found a way to transcend time and go back two hundred years and then were able to return to your time. That makes you special. It is a pity that you are not a virgin any longer, had you been I would have taken you as a sacrificial bride for my fires." He had so casually stated his intentions that Victoria nearly choked on the glass of water she had just accepted from him.

"Sir, please I have been far from home for so long do you have the ability to take me to my home?" She spoke so softly and had to play this as gently as she could to avoid him going psycho on her. All she longed for now was to be back at Collinwood and then she would hope that Elizabeth, Carolyn, and David could be returned. That her life might take on something more normal than what it had been over the past few weeks while at Castle Darkhart.

She looked up with a subtle flick of her lashes watching him for some sign of sanity. He smiled put his arms around her drew her close to him. With a simple thought she felt the very air around them begin to fill with static and in a blink of an eye, she was dressed as she had been and he was in a three piece business suit of impeccable blend and fit. "Of course I have the ability to do whatever you desire my dear I am a god." With a smile Victoria felt the air shift again and once again she was transported through space and time to find she was now standing in the grand foyer of Collinwood.

Ramon stepped from her side and turned with an expressive wave of his hand. "Come you are home." He smiled noting she was still a little disoriented and he sighed dramatically. "You mortals are so fragile. Come to the drawing room and sit until you get your equilibrium back." He turned and wrapped a protective arm around her shoulders and led her to the drawing room. Seating her on the comfortable sofa. "Now perhaps some of that excellent brandy that the Collins family is famous for will calm your nerves."

Ramon stepped to the liquor cabinet and poured a glass of brandy for her in a snifter. Turning he paused standing in the doorway was Maggie Evans. She held her gaze to Ramon's gaze her eyes went milky white and she spoke softly, "The demon Diablos is coming along with Florescue, they come for you Ramon. They come for your blood." Maggie lifted her chin closed those milky white eyes and collapsed to the floor.

"Maggie!" Vicki stood and rushed to her side to bend and lift her head in her lap and gently pat her face. "Maggie, please open your eyes!" She looked around and then to Ramon. "Did you do this?"

Ramon sighed and walked to Maggie stooping down he took his index finger and poked her forehead. "Seer open your eyes and rise up." Maggie's eyes fluttered open. Blankly she looked at Vicki and then the realization of where she was and who was holding her hit her.

"Vicki! You are back!" She slowly sat up with Vicki's help holding onto her and looking around. "How did I get here?" Vicki helped her up then took the drink from Ramon's hand and gave it to Maggie. "Thank you."

"She was only caught for a moment between the nether world and this world that is why she collapsed, she was having a vision and relaying only what I already knew that two of my enemies are going to be coming home to Collinwood. There will be one to try and collect and claim you my dear and the other to use you as a pawn against the other. That is why you should consider my offer of becoming one of my followers and take my offer to sit at my side. Neither would dare try to do anything if you are aligned to me."

Victoria shook her head. She sighed deeply and turned to help Maggie sit on the sofa. "Look Mr. . . . " she waited for him to provide her a name.

"Call me Ramon while I am in this form on this plane."

"Look Ramon, I have feelings for another and they are not for you, or Drake or anyone else. As for Alexandru . . . "

"A very dangerous man if I might say one of the few that could give me some trouble if he pushed his abilities to the limit." He interrupted her then waved for her to proceed.

"I care about another and it does not involve some King or Prince and it does not involve you. I am very sorry and I appreciate you bringing me home but there are other members of this family that need to be brought home. My mother and sister and cousin."

Maggie clutched Vicki's arm. "What did you just say?" She looked shocked and confused by what was just said. She glanced over her shoulder to see a stunned Roger standing in the open doorway to the drawing room.

Vicki sighed she had not seen Roger, "The reason I was taken was my father a Count had an affaire with Mrs. Stoddard and I was the result of that affaire. She did not wish him to get me so she hid me in a foundling home in New York hoping to hide me away from him. I found out about our relationship while in the Carpathian mountains."

"Now Miss Winters I think you need to calm down and not make up ridiculous stories about my sister being your mother. I knew it was a mistake to bring you here." He marched into the room giving a glaringly cold stare to Ramon. "It is my understanding that Laura was looking for you. Perhaps you should go to her room and let her know you are here."

Ramon looked past Roger and turned his gaze to Victoria. "Consider what I offer a show down is going to happen here at Collinwood and there will be collateral damage when its over and done." Ramon bowed to Maggie and walked from the room.

"I want to know how you managed to get back here?" Roger walked to the liquor cabinet poured himself a drink then turned and pinned his eyes to Victoria. He never let his eyes falter while he made his way to the chair across from her and Maggie.

"I don't know how I got here, that man that was just here brought me back. I cannot tell you Mr. Collins how I got here because it happened so quickly and I was very confused."

"Precisely, that is why I am sure you are mistaken by what you just said about Elizabeth being your mother." He sipped his drink and studied her over the top of his drink.

"Roger, I think Victoria is right and that she truly believes that she is the illegitimate daughter of your sister. Why would she make such a charge unless she had some foundation to base it on?" Maggie leaned back and felt exhausted these trips to the plane worlds was draining and she was weakened by her vision.

"Look Mr. Collins, while I was in Romania, Count Petofi told me I was his daughter and that from birth I had been pledged in marriage to Prince Drake Darkhart. Then one night at a dinner, I was introduced to my mother and you can imagine my shock and surprise when Mrs. Stoddard was made known as my mother and Carolyn as my sister. I am not making this up. It happened and I was shocked and upset because I was brought here to be David's governess and had not been given any reason as to why out of no where this invitation to be David's governess was made to me by someone I had never known before."

Roger waved it off. "Why did you accept?"

"I accepted because since I was 10 I received a bank draft from Bangor, Maine less than seventy-five miles from here in the amount of five hundred dollars per month. It was mailed to me at the foundling home. There was no other information except it was for my benefit and to be used as I saw fit. Then when I turned twenty-one the checks stopped coming and out of the blue I get an invitation to come to Collinwood as governess for David. You tell me how that looks?"

Roger sipped his drink then noted Maggie was not looking well. "Maggie? Are you ill?" Maggie tucked her chin and rested her palm against her forehead. She glanced up glad he finally noticed she was not herself.

"No Roger I just had a vision that ripped me from my body and took me to another plane to bring a message to Ramon. I think I need to lie down." She started to stand and felt dizzy again. So she gently reseated herself. "I think I will sit her for just a few more minutes. Will you take me home Roger when I am able to stand?"

Roger set his drink down, stood up, and then walked to Maggie scooping her up in his arms. "I will do better than that. I will take you to my room where you can lie down and rest. Oh Miss Winters, we have a new resident a nurse by the name of Melanie, she is here helping with Mrs. Johnson and of course Sarah's Johnson's sister, Harriett Franklin, is here as well. I would suggest you meet them so they might get to know you better and as for that ridiculous tale of Liz being your mother I suggest we table it until she is home." He turned not giving Vicki a chance to respond and walked with Maggie in his arms from the room.

Vicki folded her arms over her chest, she did not feel welcome here in a place she had come to know as her home and with a heavy heart she stood and walked to the door, turning she looked around the foyer for one moment then turned and walked out the door and headed to the old house.

Taking her time along the pathway she sighed deeply looking up at the night sky she frowned she had not realized that dusk was upon them but knew the way was lighted well by a full moon over head. Reaching the bend in the pathway she paused hearing the sound of the brush rustling. Then a low threatening growl was heard. Fearing for her life she picked up her speed and began to run towards the front entrance of the old house hitting the front door she prayed it was not locked, turning to look over her shoulders she saw one of the largest wolves she had ever seen.

Turning the knob she felt the door give with her weight and rushed in slamming the door shut behind her locking it tight. "Miss Winners?" She heard Willie's voice and spun around eyes wide filled with fright.

"OH Willie you frightened me. I need a favor."

Willie walked forward and smiled then he threw his arms around her. "Oh Miss Winners Mr. Barnabas has gone to rescue you! Now you are here did he come back with you?" He looked over her shoulder to the closed door expecting to see Barnabas standing there.

"No Willie, I came back before him. I just need a place to stay tonight. Would you mind if I slept in Josette's room tonight? Mr. Collins has his hands full with your Aunt and the nurse and I just feel I would be more comfortable here if that is all right?"

Willie smiled and nodded, "Sure Miss Winners you can stay here. Mr. Barnabas would not mind. Do you need Miss Josette's gown to sleep in again?"

She smiled and placed a grateful hand on his shoulder. "Yes, if it is no bother Willie and I would not go out tonight I was chased here by a really large wolf. He seemed to be hungry and wanted me as his meal."

Willie sighed, "Sure thing Miss Winners, we both will stay in tonight. Do you need anything to eat? I was about to fix myself some soup."

Vicki smiled. "I would love some soup Willie." She watched him head off to the kitchen and she walked to the drawing room looking around and happy to be safe in one place she felt she belonged.