Chapter 7
The soft rays of the morning sun broke through the clouds and streamed through the window to shower its radiance down on Vicki while she slept, curling into Barnabas pillow, she realized her husband was no longer sharing their bed. Pushing her hair from her face, she sat up, stretched and looked around the room and noticed that it was only eight o'clock. Flopping back on her pillow she closed her eyes and wanted to go back to sleep, she was still tired. Finding no way to relax her mind she moaned inwardly, threw the blankets off her body, turned and slid her feet to the floor. Standing she walked to her bathroom and turned the shower taps on, watching the spray of water soak the side of the shower.
Making quick work of her morning ablutions, she dressed quickly and walked into her bedroom to see Mrs. Lewis was making her bed. "Good morning Mrs. Vicki, Mr. Barnabas said to tell you he was going to Collinwood, your mother and father left earlier and Mr. Loomis is taking his girlfriend Maria home. I was told to let you know when you were ready for breakfast to let Cook know. She has been in the kitchen most the morning baking." Vicki watched her snap the end of the blanket and sheet into the tuck at the end of the bed, The overall affect was a military style corner. The thought of Cook baking actually interested Vicki, she loved when Mrs. Cook baked it filled the whole house with the delicious smell of fresh baked goods and from the hint of what met her from the half opened dooor, she must have baked pies and donuts today.
"Thank you Mrs. Lewis. I hope you had a good Thanksgiving." Vicki walked to her dresser pulling the hairbrush from the top and began to brush her hair, using care over the area that she had hurt the night before. Grimacing as she felt the bristles of the brush glide over her hurt area she sighed softly. She finished brushing her hair, turned to bring a ribbon around her head and tie her hair into place. Stepping past the dirty linens Mrs. Lewis had pitched on the floor, she walked to the servant's stairs to the rear of the house. Carefully, Vicki walked down the servants stairs entering into the kitchen and to the additional aromas of coffee and fresh baked bread now cooling that filled the air. "That smells wonderful Cook, do you think I could get a cup of coffee and have a slice of that bread?"
Cook turned and her eyes brightened, "Oh Miss Vicki, I am so glad you are up. Here let me fix you something special, now you come over here and you sit right down and don't move. You just let me take care of you this morning. How is your head feeling?" Cook bustled about placing a skillet on the front burner of the stove, opening the refrigerator door and pulling out the bacon and eggs. "Now Miss Daphne said you were to be fed good and then to tell you that they would be back, she just wanted to go back to Collinwood and pick up some clean clothing. Her and Mr. Quentin said they would be staying tonight, seems the weatherman has said we are in for another strong night of storms and a cold front coming in from Canada."
Vicki frowned; she had not known there was another nasty system blowing in from Canada, which would mean either ice or snow. Sitting gingerly on the bar stool she settled back and let Mrs. Cook spoil her. "Mrs. Cook did they say when the system would be arriving?" Vicki nibbled on her food looking to the window and then back to Mrs. Cook.
"Later this evening. I heard it has strong winds, and ice mixed in with it. So, it won't be a fit night for anyone to be out in the bad weather, that is why Mrs. Lewis, Harold and I are staying in the servant's quarters tonight. I believe Harold went down to make sure the generator was clean and ready for use if we loose power tonight. Vicki nodded slowly and found that sudden movement was unsettling to her equilibrium.
"I think I am going to take a short walk to the beach, I won't be out long, I just need to get out of the house and I think some fresh air will make me feel better." Vicki was glad she had dressed in her jeans, and turtle neck cable knit sweater. She could take a leisurely walk to the stables check on her horse, then walk to widow's hill and on to the beach. Last night had been unsettling enough for her. That strange man who claimed to have been sent by the mad man Vlad was upsetting. Walking to the hall closet she pulled out her heavy down filled coat, sliding it on she exited through the kitchen door while Mrs. Cook was in the pantry. Closing the door softly behind her, she pulled her hood up and stepped towards the path that would lead her to the stables.
Mount Dessert Island Castle Lochia
Vlad walked through the large halls, though this was a poor substitute for his own Castles in Romania, it was comfortable and he was making arrangements for his soon to arrive guests to be comfortable. Radu stood next to his Prince and studied his reaction to his new location and his reaction to the downgrade he had to accept to be in the United States near his Elizabeta. "Have you made arrangements to bring the mother here soon?" Vlad walked on down the hallway and smiled noting his furnishings were fitting in nicely to the newly purchased castle. "Rudolpho and Petru are to arrive tonight later, something about a weather system is holding up their arrival earlier. I hear reports are coming in that we have a nasty front coming, so I plan to try and manipulate the weather long enough for them to arrive. I find this area has an odd feel to it. It is almost as if the elements have taken up residence and resist my commands." He appeared frustrated at such a thought.
"I have my lord, we will bring your first guest to you tonight, although I might suggest a different order of encouraging them to join you here." Radu grew quiet when Vlad paused and walked one step in front of Radu positioning himself to be in front of his second in command. Setting the order correct, meticulously Vlad continued continued down the hallway lost in throught. Vlad paused and pivoted on the balls of his feet directing that look to his Captain of his guard.
"Oh and how is that?" He locked his hands behind him waiting for Radu to continue with his thoughts.
"I would suggest we bring Lady Carolyn first, this will upset and throw off balance the mother, then we bring Lady Margaret and finally we bring Lady Daphne." Radu stepped around Vlad walked to the wall and leaned against it. He studied Vlad who appeared to be thinking about his suggestion. "I say we do as we did in that last conflict we had, we create mass confusion, then with the confusion we strip away their defenses and leave them wondering what happened, the difference here is we don't leave a trail of heads on pikes, it seems this country frowns on that." Radu sounded disappointed.
Vlad turned and began to walk down the hallway stopped before the last door at the end of the hallway, opening the door he stepped inside and looked around, The room was large, airy, and held a four poster bed with a canopy that draped over the four posts, a window seat graced the huge window, there was a large dressing room, bathing chambers, and a lovely setting of two chairs with foot rests before a cheerfully burning fire. Against one wall, was a large vanity with a stool, silver brushes, combs and various bottles of beauty supplies graced the crystal containers. Vlad fingered each one looking thoughtful. "These were all her things when we were last together. I have the whole room, as it was before she . . . " His words had grown soft and distant while he remembered their last moments together.
1642
Transylvania
"Why my love! Why? Can you not just stay here?" She clung to him, her eyes growing over bright. "Let Radu and your men fight this battle! You need to stay here with me, our son, do not leave me. I have a horrible feeling you won't return." Reaching forward she grabbed him to hold him close to her and began to weep into his shoulder. He pushed her back, cupped her face in his gloved hand.
Holding her face in both palms he took his gloved thumbs and gently dried her tears. "My love, you must understand, the troops need me to be present for them. I will be back before you know it, you must understand when I am there the men fight harder and it demoralizes the enemy." He kissed her deeply feeling her tremble in his hold and cling to him for dear life, when he broke their kiss he sought the look in her eyes and saw the fear and anxiety that laid below the surface of her now calm, which was a façade. Reluctantly she broke apart from him, folded her arms over her chest and walked to the open window to look out over the battle fileds that were now lined for miles with bodies impaled and on pikes. Dropping her eyes she sighed deeply, looked away and realized he was gone.
He had watched her look upon the canvas of his art and was not happy but a part of him had to harden at her pleas and do the job he had been born to do, he had taken that lost stricken look with him when he left that day and went to war, it was not until a few days later he got word she had died. He had ridden all-night and walked in to see her broken body lying at the base of the alter to their church. Then there were the priests denying her the dignity of her right to be laid to rest on holy ground.
Present Day
Castle Lochia
Vlad turned and looked to the open doorway seeing Radu leaning against the doorframe. "I believe with all my heart my dear Prince that once she is with you and in these surroundings she will be back as she was. She will love you. I have heard and seen her when she is as Elizabeta, she is all and more she was before."
Vlad smiled, "We can hope, so you really believe this is the way we should begin our reign of terror on the Collins family?" He walked to the chair by the fireplace and sat in the chair and studied the fire as it crackled cheerfully in the fireplace.
Radu stepped into the room. "Yes, once the sister is gone, the mother will be upset and unprepared for anything other than news on her daughter, she will need Elizabeta to calm her and be by her side. Then we take Lady Margaret and again the house will begin to feel the pressure of our presence. Finally, we take the mother and the nurse Daphne and you will have Elizabeta compliant and wishing to save her mother, sister and two friends. That is when you put your other plan into play."
Vlad sat silent watching the fire, "I say bring the mother and the sister, loosing both they will be thinking I am coming for Elizabeta, when they are closing ranks around her, you and Sorin will bring me Lady Margaret and Lady Daphne. Then, and only then will Elizabeta be more pliable and ready to do as I ask." Vlad bridged his fingertips together and studied the fire lost in thought. "The castle will be complete in another week, then we will begin our plan." Vlad stood up turned and walked from the room. " They will be directing their assault on the castle near the Burgos Pass. Little realizing I am so near to them I could breathe down their throats." Pausing he smiled and then turned to peer at Radu over his shoulder and frowned deeply, "I also need Sorin to come and have a little talk with the witch. She has been practicing her craft against what I have requested. She needs to feel the touch of Sorin's dark magic to be reminded who is really in charge."
Radu frowned, "Really? You do know she fell down the steps last night and nearly broke her neck?" Radu stepped forward to look at the fire with Vlad. "She was not feeling right earlier, and went up to lay down. I followed her through the secret tunnels. I arrived in the room where she rest and that is when she was speaking our language asking for you my Prince. Doctor Hoffman made her go to sleep." He turned his chin to look at his Prince and saw him frown deeply at the mention of Dr. Hoffman. After she had slept, it was a restless sleep she awoke from nightmares. That is when Collins came into the room and escorted her to the stairs. I had gone into mist form and saw her grow faint. I nearly let them know I was there when I saw her fall headlong down those stairs to land on the bottom." Radu saw his anger growing with the tightening of his hand into a fist. "Naturally, I was tempted to follow but later learned she was treated at the hospital. The doctor released her stating she was lucky she only had a concussion and would be bruised and sore for a few days. The doctor said she was very lucky to not have broken her back or neck." He turned to watch the fire his voice growing soft, "My Prince that is when she discovered she was not pregnant."
Vlad's face clouded with anger with every word that Radu spoke, standing abruptly he paced to the center of the floor and growled low. "Make sure Sorin sees me tonight. I want him here in this palace tonight. I think our witch needs a proper lesson. She was not hurt more than a concussion correct?" He turned pinning his gaze on Radu.
Radu had only seen that look one other time, and it was after he discovered his brother had betrayed him. It was a look Radu never wanted directed at him because of something he had done wrong. There were two looks Vlad held for people that would receive his worse judgment. The first look was the one he witnessed the day his brother betrayed him; the second look was the day the priests denied his wife burial on consecrated ground. Both those looks had caused life-altering experiences for all of them. Now Radu noted his Prince held the one he had reserved for his brother and his betrayal and Radu did not wish or want to be Angelique Bouchard at this time.
Radu stood his ground looked to the floor and spoke softly. "I was watching her that day my lord. She had become ill, very suddenly, she had complained of a horrible headache." Vlad recalled there was a pin stuck to the head of the clay doll he had taken from the witch.
Vlad spoke softly, "Go on tell me again and leave nothing of what happened out. I wish to know it all Radu."
Radu drew on his memories of what had occurred that day and began to retell him everything he could remember. "Then she slept after Dr. Hoffman hypnotized her to help her with the pain in her head, she began to speak in the old language and she was calling out for you. Then the doctor forced her to suppress those memories." He watched that glower that was one of irritation knowing full well what he thought of Dr. Julia Hoffman Stokes. When dinner was ready to be served, Collins came to collect her for the family gathering and my lord she looked extremely tired and somewhat disturbed by a dream she had. I followed them until they got to the top landing, Collins instructed her to go on down because she had forgotten her bracelet, one she treasures and wears all the time, when he turned, I watched from overhead and she appeared to grow weak and then fainted just as she she began to step down the stairs."
Vlad slammed his fist into the wall cracking the stone edifice that held up an arch. He showed no signs of suffering any pain from an display of anger. "The witch was chanting a spell when I entered her room, she tried to hide the effigy she had created out of clay. It had one of Elizabeta's ribbons and some of her hair pressed into the scalp area of the doll. When I confronted her she said she was casting a spell to secure her for me, what she was doing was trying to kill her because she is married to Collins." Vlad let out a deep long held forced breath, though his body did not require for him to breathe he did practice the movement to release the stress and calm him in times of anger or need. It had helped him tremendously on other occasions to do such a thing.
"My lord I was with her upon her return from the hospital late last night, I watched her interaction with her two half sisters, her friends, her parents. She is very attached to them all, you could control whatever you wish of her just by holding them and using them as a way to manipulate her. She is so giving and selfless that she would do anything for those she loves including Collins." He watched Vlad look out the window. He was seeing into a distant past when he was with his Elizabeta and he had found his love was complete in her arms.
"She will forget Collins, I will give Collins to Gilda, she can play with him for a while, I do not want him brought over until he sees Elizabeta as he was and then I want him to not care any more, I want him to see how happy she is with me and to know that is whom should hold her heart and her life from now until the end of time." Vlad's passion was becoming more pronounced with each word he had spoken. "She will remember our love and not with the help of the witch. I am thinking the witch has overstayed her time and it is time to send her back piece by piece to Diablos."
Radu continued to watch his Prince. "I will send Sorin to you my lord and we shall begin to implement your plans. Have you already spoken with Collins?" Radu shifted his weight and continued to watch his dark lord and master. He saw a different side of him while he had withdrawn into himself when he was contemplating his next move, he had never had to worry about betrayal in his own camp except from his brother, he made sure he had never allowed himself to be put in that position again. That was why he had hand picked all his close guards and assassins. Radu was afraid of no one except Sorin and when Vlad had brought Sorin into the family Radu had to reassess his actions around Sorin and Vlad. Radu had known that Sorin had become the closest confidant of Vlad and Radu had stepped aside not interfering.
1697
Back Streets of Medias
Vlad watched the handsome young man follow the traveler into the streets hugging the walls, and following him down the darkened streets, pausing when the traveler paused, pushing off from the wall, the traveler appearing to be well into his cups continued down the darkened streets, and the young man blended and shifted into the shadows following. Finally, the traveler stopped undid his pants and began to relieve his self, farting and belching with his drink. From behind before he was finished and could shake off, the shadowy figure took him by his throat. Before he hit the ground he was dead. Vlad smiled and could smell the fresh blood flowing from the dead man's body. "You were careless young one." Vlad spoke from the shadows and saw him spin around with his blade handy and ready to attack.
Yet, there was no one there for the young handsome man to see. "What was his trespass that could cost him such a high price to be paid?" He watched the young handsome man shift from foot to foot, holding the knife forward, with the taunting Vlad had given him he had not spoken one word in defense or curiosity. "What is wrong young one has someone taken your tongue?" Vlad finally materialized from a swirling mass of fog to make his presence known. The young one smiled, shifted the blade to his other hand, and positioned him self to defend.
Vlad had held out his hand and with his will compelled the young assassin to him. Sorin had no idea whom he had come up against but he was far from wishing to challenge this powerful dark art one. "Speak to me if you have the means, tell me what he has done that you take his life while he was under my auspices?" Vlad's eyes had glowed with an eerie red then bluish tint.
"Was he one of yours?" The voice was deep and he was a mature but young buck that was just starting out on his trade, Sorin continued to watch the man in front of him with the compelling bluish tinted eyes.
"He was a visitor in my town, my country what did he do to deserve death?" Vlad spoke softly continuing to watch the young brash man before him.
"My business with him is between us. Why do you care that another problem was eliminated. You should not worry that a rapist and fornicator of children was taken from this earth." He had spoken with such venom that it made Vlad chuckle.
"I see and whose child did he fornicate with?" Vlad wanted the facts before he passed his own brand of judgment on this young cocky male.
"My sister is but twelve years, and he took her, he had his way with her and then he broke her neck and she lies in the ground without having known life, so why not take his life." Sorin had finally shown his true emotions and oddly enough this made Vlad smile.
"Then the judgment was just, come, we have business to discuss, my men will clean up your mess." Vlad turned and waited for him to fall into step next to him. Radu had been summoned to dispose of the body and to show Sorin a room in the castle. From that day forward, Sorin and Vlad practiced with the dark arts and when Vlad needed someone eliminated Sorin was dispatched.
Present Day
Castle Lochia
"Radu, before we make any further plans, I need you and Sorin here. For now he must 'deal' with the witch, I will kill her if I met out my justice to her especially after what I have learned from you. I know currently Sorin is working on his plans for Doctor Hoffman. However, he should delay that for a short time and come here to deal with Angelique, she has also brought along her brother who annoys me. I think they both have their own hidden agendas and I will not tolerate my own plans being put at risk because she cannot control her feelings for Collins."
Radu bowed, "As my Prince desires, I shall go now and inform Sorin that you require his presence here. Have you brought the witch here?" Radu stood and waited for Vlad to respond.
"She will arrive with that obnoxious brother of hers tomorrow, I do wish to speak with Sorin tonight, I want him to do something special for me. You are dismissed my faithful servant and captain. Do not disappointment and do remind Gilda I am here now and if she misbehaves she may not like my punishment."
For the first time since he had arrived and was given Gilda as his charge to hear that Vlad was following her actions made Radu finally relax. "Consider your wishes done and thank you my lord. I take your leave now." Radu stepped back shifted to mist form and disappeared from the room. Vlad watched him for a moment then turned and peered up at the painting that graced the fireplace. He smiled looking into the storm tossed colored eyes of the raven haired beauty that smiled beguilingly down at him.
"My love, soon. You will be here and we shall share our lives together until you are ready to be brought over and then we shall share an eternity together." He reached for a pure white rose and kissed it then laid it on the mantle beneath her picture. "We shall have our lives and together we shall begin a new family, one that will be with us for now and forever." The words he spoke to the portrait were said with softness to his passion. "I love you Elizabeta, I love you so much that I did cross many barriers through time to find you. Time was not my enemy this time in this sequence of my life, it was time that brought me to you. I would have fought a million battles suffered a thousand wounds to hold you in my arms one more time."
He thought back to the first night he saw her. He had come looking for Barnabas and imagine his shock that the one person that came to the door that night so long ago was his Elizabeta. He had felt his world shatter and rebuilt in one moment when she looked up into his eyes and smiled seeing him there. It was his Elizabeta and he knew she belonged to him no matter the claim that Collins has placed on her. She would be his again and of that he made him self a promise, he would make sure Collins knew what it felt like to loose something you love more than life itself.