Chapter 4

Collinwood, Kitchen Thanksgiving Day

The smell of a turkey baking filled the kitchen with the smell of the baked pumpkin pies, apple pies and the various other wonderful smells associated with Thanksgiving. Vicki sat at the bar pealing potatoes. She was listening quietly to those around her as they laughed and joked and stole pieces of ham and turkey from the platters. Vicki had thought about pealing extra potatoes just in case there were not enough potatoes for mashed potatoes. She felt flushed and behind her eyes was the sting of a headache just beginning.

Elizabeth wearing her apron smiled and walked to Vicki's side and leaned over to speak softly to her. "Darling you look very pale, should you not maybe go up to your old room and lie down for a little while until dinner, it is going to be in another two hours. I have one more turkey to get out and slice and one more ham so you might as well go and lie down." She kissed her temple, holding onto her shoulders.

Vicki had to admit a lie down might be good. She smiled at her mother nodded slowly and stood and felt dizzy and sat quickly. "Daphne!" Elizabeth saw her wobble on her feet and steadied her to the barstool. Daphne had her hands in dishwater, turned and frowned seeing Elizabeth was holding Vicki to the stool. "Vicki needs our help to her old room. She has a headache and I think its best she go to her room."

Daphne dried her hands and looked around and smiled, seeing Quentin coming into the kitchen. "It smells wonderful in here! So, um what is going on?" He looked concern noting that Vicki was looking pale and needing help sitting up.

"Oh thank goodness Quentin, you can help me get Vicki upstairs to her old room so she can lie down, Elizabeth says she has a headache and from the looks at her, it might be a migraine." She had walked to the other side of Vicki and stepped back as Quentin lifted her and turned to the servant's stairs.

"Someone go to the library and tell Barnabas we are taking his wife up to her old room. When Julia gets here with Elliott send her up as well. If it's a migraine perhaps Julia could give her something for the pain." Quentin turned and held her close going up the stairs and down the hallway to her old room. "I bet you thought you would never come back to this room once you were married." He chuckled softly holding her close to his chest.

Collinwood, Vicki's old bedroom

Noting her door was open he walked into the room and noticed Elizabeth had changed the bedroom around putting the bed over by the window and moving her dresser against the door wall. Walking to her bed, he laid her down and noted she had been far too quiet on their walk up the stairs. Her eyes were closed tightly and she was breathing rapidly. "Vicki? " He pulled the blanket up and over her body covering her.

Vicki's eyes shot open and she looked past Quentin, speaking in a tongue he was only vaguely familiar with he found she was babbling as she reached forward clutching to his arms. "meu prinț iubit! el se apropie, pot să simt să-l aproape, vă rugăm să-l găsesc sau mă înainte să mor!"* Releasing his arms she fell back and closed her eyes.

Quentin became alarmed the only words he had understood out of all that mumbo jumbo nattering, was 'my prince', and 'die'. He frowned and tried to remember the words she spoke, he would have to ask Elliott what she had said. From the doorway he heard Barnabas' voice.

"Do you know what she just said?" He walked to the bedside and sat on its edged, taking her hand in his and looking at how pale and drawn she was. "She did not sleep well last night and since that day she fainted she has not been herself. I am worried Quentin." He glanced up at his cousin who stood leaning against the wall looking from Barnabas to Vicki.

Secret passage on the other side of Vicki's old bedroom

Radu Florescue had hidden behind the panel on the fireplace wall in the secret passage way. He had clearly heard her say, 'my beloved prince! He is coming, I can feel him close by, please find him for me before I die!' He was convinced more than ever she was Elizabeta and these people were suppressing her. He had to find a way to report this to Sorin so he could tell his prince what was happening! He had accidently found this secret passage while exploring the two houses. Was it providence that allowed him to hear his princess ask for her prince? He had to believe it was so. Something had guided him here in time to hear Victoria speak the language of her past life.

Pressing closer to the wall panel he was listening to everything that was going on and right now Victoria was having a headache, was that not a sign that another life was trying to emerge? He had read somewhere that when the personalities were merged and one wanted to come out, the other personality would get a horrid headache. That was the case now he was sure of it. He wished he could see what was happening, apparently Dr. Hoffman-Stokes had arrived and she was now examining Victoria. He refused to call her Vicki, which was such a silly name. A peasant's name his princess needed an noble name and she should claim the name Elizabeta and be done with these foolish people here and return to her one true love.

Vicki's bedroom

Julia had looked into Vicki's eyes and could see she was having a migraine. "Now my dear, you have over done yourself again and you are not getting enough rest. What I propose to do is try a little hypnosis and see if we can get the headache under control and then I want you to sleep for another hour and awaken feeling refreshed so you can enjoy this day." Reaching into her medical bag, she looked at the medallion she held in her hand and dangled it in front of Vicki having her concentrate on the facets and the way they reflected the light. Vicki at first resisted and then started watching the light and the pretty colors and soon found herself in a deep trance like sleep. "Very good Vicki, now I want you to rest and in one hour you will awaken and you will feel refreshed and you will no longer have a headache. Do you understand?"

She nodded her head slowly, "I understand no headache and awaken in one hour feeling refreshed." She snuggled down deep in her bed and relaxed totally. Julia stood from the bed, and walked to stand next to Quentin and Barnabas. "I suppose she did not sleep well last night?"

"No, she kept having this dream that woke her up. She is seeing a huge vat of blood and she falls into the vat and feels like she is drowning in the blood. She gets out and then is being pursued by what she thinks are long clawed demons who drag their nails across a stone floor coming for her. She wakes and is in tears and so afraid Julia. I don't know what is causing this, but it seems to possess her to the point she is afraid to fall asleep and once she does she has the same dream over and over."

Julia pursed her lips and looked up in a moment of study. Tapping her finger against her lip and smiled, turned to Quentin, Barnabas and looked at Daphne making Vicki comfortable. "I would say she is suppressing something that has caused her anxiety. I would say after we get through dinner today, I come back to the old house and we shall see about suppressing that dream so she can sleep. Daphne, once you see she is comfortable, just turn out the light and join us downstairs. I left Elliott with Roger in the den, George, the boys and the other guys are watching the football game in the TV room. I promised he girls I would be down to help with dinner."

Daphne nodded, "Aunt Julia please let them know I will be down to finish up the dishes." She smiled tucking the sheet and blanket around Vicki and arranging her pillows so she would be more comfortable.

"Oh not necessary dear Mrs. Johnson put them in the dishwasher and the kitchen is about cleaned up. I do think they needed the formal dining room table set, we might be able to do that for them. I brought my green bean casserole and Elizabeth was heating it up in the oven. We will see you down stairs shortly?" She turned lifting her bag and walking to the door to pause and look around the room. "I think I like this room better this way." Julia absently commented as she walked out into the hallway. Daphne followed her Aunt to the hallway.

Barnabas sat on the edge of the bed and held his wife's hand for a little while longer, leaning over he kissed her forehead and brushed the hair from her face. Standing he followed Daphne and Julia into the hallway, closing the door quietly behind them. With the closing of the door, Vicki slipped into a deeper sleep. She fell head long into that surreal world that was her dreams. She awaken in her dream to a dark room. A soft candle lit room began to emerge and she could hear laughter and music, it was a party!

Stepping down a long wide corridor she walked towards the sound of the music. Stopping in front of a floor to ceiling mirror she turned and viewed her image, she wore a long gown of brocade and satin of the deepest ruby red, embossed with gold trim and black embellishments of feathers. Her hair was dressed on her head and in her hair she caught the glitter of diamond pins that held her curls in place. On her face was a delicate black feather and gold mask. It was a masquerade ball. She felt her heart lighten and she was excited. Oh how she loved a masquerade ball. They were always filled with excitement and mystery.

Pivoting on her toes, she paused and noted the entrance to the ballroom. There was soft chatter, giggling young maidens and a spurt of deep laughter or a raucously loud laugh from a woman. They all sounded like they were having fun and Vicki was excited she knew this night she would meet her heart's desire. With a feeling of trepidation she stepped to the entrance and peered into the huge ballroom that seemed to be crowded with so many people. They were twirling and gliding around the floor. All the people were dressed in their finest gowns and dress suits and everyone wore elaborate masks.

Stepping into the room, she felt overwhelmed by the shear size of the room. From across the room she saw him. He was tall and dressed in black tie and tails. He set his eyes on her and she felt her breath catch. He wore a long cape that swept against his ankles with his movement towards her. His mask was one of a large black bird, the nose like a hook beak, the eyes slit showed only the minor part of his eyes that seemed to glisten from a golden brown to a icy blue hue. He walked to her and bowed, offered her his hand and led her to the floor, the others parted from the floor to allow them space to dance. The music paused until he turned and nodded his noble head to the bandleader. The music began and she was pulled up against him and he began to glide her around the floor keeping in perfect step with her to the beat of the music.

His lips were full and a soft smile lifted at the corners of his mouth. He never spoke, he just kept her mesmerized with his look as his gaze caught and held her gaze and they glided around the room together, her dress a perfect foible to his dark clothing and cape. The cape appeared to take on a life of its own as he held her close and they danced, the cape almost appeared to become wings that enfolded and caressed her while he held her close. The room seemed to suddenly disappear and they were now dancing in a garden under the soft moonlight. He twirled her around and around and she felt herself falling into his arms and leaning into his body.

Feeling winded she became breathless laying her head on his shoulder she closed her eyes and spoke softly, "My love tonight you have made me the happiest woman alive. I love you my dear sweet Barnabas. I will always love you!" She felt her body thrust away and the eyes that peered down at her were cold as death and filled with contempt. The hand that came up to remove her mask was quick and ruthlessly cruel. Vicki stepped back looking confused, she had just confessed her love to her lover and now he treated her with contempt.

With fingers that trembled slightly she lifted the mask from his face and fell back with a horror filled gasp. The man that had held her that now looked up her with contempt and anger was not Barnabas but Vlad. He reached for her wrist and pulled her into his arms, his voice was cold and clipped. "You will never speak that man's name to me again. Do you understand Elizabeta, you belong to me now, you are mine to have and to hold for an eternity!" Vicki broke her hold and turned and began to run.

Her dress hampered her forward movement, clutching the dress she lifted it to run, she ran towards the lighted hall that she knew she had been in earlier. Entering into the hallway, it was now filled with white blowing curtains that acted like long tendrils attempting to grab at her and pull her into their cloying embrace. Fighting against the curtains she felt it tear at her hair and her body, rending her clothing from her turning her beautiful gown to tatters. Then it began that mockingly hideous laughter that floated around her and down the hallway mocking her every move. The laughter was definitely from a woman that seemed to enjoy watching her being tormented by her ordeal.

"You think you belong to Barnabas, not so my dear Victoria, you belong to Vlad and I will make sure you and he are reunited once again in a baptism of blood!" Vicki spun around she knew that voice, she knew it well and it frightened her beyond belief, Angelique had come back to torment her and Barnabas. She stopped her struggle with the curtains and stood her ground, looking around she shouted.

"NEVER! WE ARE MARRIED! YOU DO NOT HAVE CONTROL OVER OUR LIVES!" Turning she saw a door at the end of the hallway and she ran towards that door, grabbing the handle she opened it to have a room filled with blood flow down on her and over her washing her with its rush down the hallway. Vicki felt the scream caught in the back of her throat and she sat up with a gasp and in tears. Covering her face she began to sob. Rocking back and forth she sobbed into her hands, twisting to collapse against her pillow and cry into her pillow. She was exhausted and soon fell back into an deep sleep devoid of dreams. Josette stepped into her room followed by Sarah.

"The witch is up to her old tricks little one we must see she does not harm Vicki." Josette looked at Sarah who had walked to Vicki's bedside and gently caressed her hair.

"No, we need to make sure Angelique does not send her any more dreams. You know what we have to do." Sarah turned to look at the lovely tragic figure of Josette. Watching her smile and nod. Together they both slowly faded from view leaving only the scent of Josette's perfume in the room.

Barnabas opened the door and stepped into the room pausing and sniffed. Looking around the room he spoke softly to the room. "Josette?" He walked further into the room and paused turning he looked around and waited and again he called, "Josette?" Not receiving a response he frowned and walked to the bed and gently shook Vicki. "My love wake up we are about to serve dinner and it would not be Thanksgiving without you." He watched her roll over and she looked ghastly, but for him she smiled and pushed her hair from her face. "My dear, are you still not better?" He could not help but noticed she appeared to have been crying.

She shrugged her shoulders. "I feel tired my love. I feel as if I have been running and running and I am very tired." She allowed him to help her from the bed and to stand next to him, sliding on her shoes; she supported her weight to him and let him lead her from the room. "I must have dreamed but I just can't remember what I dreamed. I will say perhaps getting some food, I will feel better." He held her next to his body and guided her to the top landing. "Oh, I forgot my bracelet on the night stand." She turned to go get it and Barnabas stopped her.

"No my dear you go on down and I shall fetch it, I know how much that bracelet means to you." He kissed her temple and turned, he had not gotten very far, she he heard the gasp and turned and watched in horror as she collapsed and gracefully slid down the stairs to land in a crumpled heap at the bottom of the steps. Barnabas' heart skipped a beat. He turned and rushed down the stairs, shouting, "JULIA! DAPHNE!" Coming to a halt at the bottom of the stairs he bent to pick her up when Daphne arrived with Quentin.

"BARNABAS! NO, DON"T!" Daphne was at Vicki's side bending down to gently check her neck, her shoulders and then her back. "Okay, we are going to lift her together and take her into the drawing room to the sofa. Barnabas, you will support her head and neck, Quentin, you will support her legs and feet and I will support her back, now on three we lift and we carry." Julia arrived to see them collecting Vicki from the bottom of the steps and she turned to get her doctor's bag.

"Did she fall? How far and is she conscious?" Julia lifted her bag and followed the four into the drawing room. Elizabeth, George, Roger, and Carolyn arrived to see Vicki being carried into the drawing room. "I need someone to call an ambulance. I will call the hospital." She turned to do a brief exam of Vicki, as she lay still unconscious on the sofa. There were so many questions she needed to ask, yet there was no time to do anything other than make sure she had not broken her back or her neck.

Sorin stood in the doorway with George, Elliott and the boys. "Is she going to be all right?" He genuinely did care that she was not harmed; he was not sure how he would report this to his master once they spoke tonight. He had just enough time to spike Julia's wine before they were called into the drawing room. He knew Julia had taken a couple of drinks but was not sue if she had ingested enough of the drug to have any affect on her.

"I won't know until I can get an x-ray and have her checked out at the hospital. I think you all should go on and eat your dinner before it gets cold and I shall with Barnabas take Vicki to the hospital and then you all could join us there later. She took a nasty fall from the top of the stairs." The sound of the siren could be heard in the distance. "Someone get the door please and allow the attendants in."

Vlad Tepes Castle Carpathian Mountains.

Angelique sat in front of the mirror and smiled, she looked down at the clay figure of Vicki Winters with the strands of hair and ribbon she had found from her stay in this castle when she had been brought here those many moths ago. "That is right Vicki, let us just see how well you handle the next dream I send you. I will drive you from Barnabas to here and you will accept your part in this play and this whole plan I have set in motion." She giggled and stood sighing very pleased with what she had done so far. Walking to the door, she thought she should go down stairs and see what her host was doing. Perhaps she could have some fun with him.

Opening the door she came up short seeing Vlad standing at the door and glaring at her. "What have you done witch." He growled low and grabbed her wrist jerking her against his chest. He glanced over the room and on her dresser he saw it, the clay doll. "What mischief have you been up too?" He jerked her with him as he crossed the room and lifted the doll holding it out for her to see. "What is this?" He could see the strands of dark hair that were woven into the head of the clay doll. The ribbon he recognized immediately throwing her across the room to land hard on the floor he held the doll before her and he frowned. "Undo what you have done or so help me I will send you back to your dark lord in pieces."

He was more than angry he was outraged. "DO IT NOW!" He advanced on her and stood over her cowering figure and shoved the doll down into her face and growled. "I said do it now." His voice had gone too soft for her comfort. Exhaling a ragged breath she drew herself up and reached hesitantly for the doll afraid of what he might do her. She frowned and spoke in a pleading tone. "I only meant to bring her to you willingly." She tried her pretty lie and found he did not believe her.

"You have caused her harm. I know I can feel her and I feel her pain and you were behind it. I have excellent hearing and I heard your claim, now undo it now before I summon your dark lord and tell him how unhappy you have made me."

Angelique took the doll, walked with a slight limp to the mirror and looked at the clay image, carefully she began to draw the hair form the doll and the ribbon. "What as set in motion is now undone, what was will now be reversed as if it never was. So, I call upon the darkness that grants my powers to reverse what was done." Turning she handed the clay image that represented Vicki over to Vlad. "There it is done, I hope you are happy now?" Angelique watched Vlad grab the clay image and crush it in his hand.

"If ever I find you are dabbling in your dark arts without my knowledge again, there will be nothing of you to recognize when I am done with you. Do I make my point clear?" Turning he left a shaken and angry Angelique to contemplate his threat.

Angelique sat heavily with a disappointed huff on her stool. Turning to the mirror she looked at her image and the scowl that edged her beautiful features. "I will have my revenge and it will be done by me not you."