Chapter Seven:

~V~V~

After her abduction from Collinwood, Samantha had tried to reason with Morgan. She tried to make him see the error of his ways. Sadly, Morgan wouldn't listen. He was driven by the spirit of Brutus Collins. Nothing she could do or say would change Morgan's mind.

When she warned him that Bramwell would look for her, Morgan had laughed. "He'll be dead by morning. Catherine, too," Morgan quipped.

Samantha knew that what Morgan said was true. He was ruthless and he planned to take Bramwell and Catherine's lives.

"This isn't you, Morgan,' she said as he tossed her over his shoulder and carried her toward the cliffs.

Once they reached their destination, Morgan dropped Samantha down upon the surface of the cave's floor. She clung to him as she didn't want to fall. "Morgan, you're hurting me," she gasped.

"Are you a virgin?" he suddenly asked.

When she didn't answer, shocked by the forwardness of his question, Morgan exploded into laughter. "You won't be much longer. I want you, Samantha... and I am going to take what it is that I want."

His hand was on his belt buckle as she was kneeling at his feet. Her eyes were transfixed upon the prominent bulge within his pants. "Why are you doing this? Why...?" she questioned.

"Because, my dear, Bramwell took Catherine and she was mine. She's pregnant now with his child. So I am taking what is his. You're his sister... and after tonight, you will be mine," he said, his voice velvety, like a tender caress.

"Morgan, all you had to do was ask," Samantha said quietly. "From the first moment I saw you, I wanted you. I wanted to be yours... but I couldn't be, you were engaged to Catherine. I could not tell you how I felt, because you belonged to her."

Morgan looked deeply surprised by Samantha's confession. How had he not seen how she felt for him? Had he been too consumed by revenge? Had the spirit of Brutus Collins blinded him to the truth?

"Prove it," Morgan said in a growl.

To Samantha's great shock, he unbuckled his pants. She gasped softly as he pushed his clothing down, past his hips, exposing his aroused male flesh. "What... what do you want me to... do?" she asked.

Morgan gestured down to his throbbing length. "Show me you desire me," he prompted. "Prove that you want me."

"Morgan, I can't... I haven't..." Samantha said, suddenly shy. She had to look away from his immense member. Instead she focused upon the opening of the cave, her only escape.

"You aren't running from me, Samantha," Morgan said. "I am tired of playing games. Lie back on the ground. I am going to take you now."

Samantha shook her head. "Do you just expect me to lay there... and let you...?"

Suddenly she rose up from the ground. As she made a mad dash toward the cave's entrance, Morgan grabbed her, hauling her up into his arms. "Ohhh you're going to regret that, Samantha... " he growled within her ear. "You're going to regret that so much."

"Don't do this, Morgan," she begged, but he wouldn't listen.

None-too-gently, he lay her down within the cave. Despite her protests, he tore away her skirts. He ripped away her underclothing, exposing her untouched center. Very gently, he traced it with his finger. She cringed, seeing the look of lust within his eyes.

She fought him, trying to close her legs, but he was much stronger. He only laughed at her efforts at escape. He stopped laughing when she bit his neck.

"Morgan, stop!" she pleaded as he suddenly went stiff atop her. "I don't want it this way. I love you! You're hurting me!"

Her nails scratched his flesh, but Morgan was no longer fighting. He had gone perfectly still, his large body pressed against hers. "Samantha," he said in a soft whisper.

She looked into his eyes and saw something that struck a chord deep inside her. He was Morgan... just Morgan. The spirit that had possessed him had gone. The evil had dissipated and Samantha hoped it wouldn't be back. "Morgan?" she said as she gazed into his eyes.

She could see tears as they shone within his gaze. His remorse turned her heart over. "I love you,' she said tenderly as she pressed her lips against his.

*I love you. I love you sooo much!* she called out to him as they kissed.

Her love was doing strange things to him deep within his soul. She had the power of a witch and her love was healing him. As their tongues met in hunger, Morgan tangled his fingers within her hair.

"What are you doing to me?" he asked when he pulled away from the kiss.

He stared into her eyes. They were shining with some sort of crimson supernatural light. Strangely, it didn't frighten him. It made him feel exhilarated.

"You're not going to hurt me, Morgan. You're going to make sweet love to me," she commanded him.

She pulled him down for another kiss as her hands glided across his back and shoulders. Her body opened for him. She allowed him to merge with her, deep inside her flesh. There was a moment of incredible pain as Morgan pushed through her barrier, but soon the discomfort had ended. It was followed by sweet bliss. He pushed into her again and again, deep and hard as she moved her hips to meet his thrusts. She let him fill her emptiness.

"Yes!" she screamed as he brought her to her climax.

Morgan felt a moment of triumph. He had got what he wanted. He had Samantha. She was his.

"I love you, too,' he said as he spilled himself inside her.

After it was over, they broke apart. Morgan was trembling as he gathered sticks and start a small blaze. He couldn't believe what he had almost done. He had nearly raped Samantha, a woman so fair and beautiful. What kind of monster had he become?

As he stared into the flames, Samantha was deep in thought. She was using her powers to concentrate on Bramwell and Catherine. She sent them deep, healing thoughts. "Let them be saved by love," she was chanting from deep within. She closed her eyes so tight as the energy inside her became greater. The passion that she had just shared with Morgan had given her all the magic that she needed to preform a spell.

Her powers were ancient. It took every ounce of her strength, but as the hours ticked by, Samantha was certain that she'd been successful. Catherine and Bramwell were safe. Brutus Collins hadn't won. Her brother and Catherine had been saved by love... and so had Morgan. She just had to convince him.

In the morning light, as the sun's rays moved across the water, Morgan did not leave the fire. The embers were dying as Samantha sat close by, her knees pressed tightly up against her chest. "We must return to Collinwood," she quietly urged.

It was the first time that she had spoken since they had made love. Morgan didn't look at her. His eyes were on the fire. "No, I cannot do that. I can never return."

"Why not?"

"Because of what I did. I tried to kill my cousin... and Catherine... and I- I almost hurt you."

His voice broke as a hot tear moved gently down his face. He looked haggard. Yet there was no trace of the evil that had lurked inside his soul.

"But you didn't... you didn't... and do you know why?"

He shook his head, trembling as a sob tore from deep within his chest. "Because love saved you. Loved saved us all," Samantha revealed. "I love you, Morgan Collins... despite everything. I love you and everything will be alright."

"But Brutus... He may be back."

"No, he won't. He's gone. He can't have you," Samantha said strongly. "Because you are mine."

Another sob erupted like crashing thunder. It exploded from Morgan's chest. "Samantha," he breathed. His eyes were calling out to her. They pulled her to his side.

"I love you," she said as she rose to her feet and went into his arms. "I want you again. I need you, my love."

"Then you shall have what is that you desire,' he said before her taking her lips in a feverish kiss.

~V~V~

Josette was distraught when she heard of Melanie's absence. "Where is she?" she asked urgently. "Where is Melanie?"

"She went to see Dr. Longworth at his practice. She hasn't been feeling well... ever since the attack-," explained Bramwell.

"What attack?" Barnabas questioned in alarm.

"Something... bit her on the neck," Bramwell replied. "Whatever it was, it made her feel very peculiar."

Josette and Barnabas shared glances. "I'm sure she'll be fine," Bramwell said as he put his arm around Catherine and pulled her closer.

"Someone must go and check on her," Josette spoke.

"I sent a servant over to bring her home, but the servant returned without her," Bramwell stated.

"I don't like the sound of this," Josette fretted.

"I will rescue Samantha," Barnabas said to Josette. "While I am away, you should go to Melanie and check on her condition."

"I will help you find Samantha, Father," Bramwell spoke up. "She told me that she is my sister."

"No, Son. I need you to stay here and protect your mother. She may need you. Melanie may need you," Barnabas said to Bramwell. "And do not forget Catherine. She's expecting your child."

"Alright, Father. I will stay," Bramwell replied reluctantly. "Just find Samantha as soon as possible. Morgan has lost his mind... and I fear he may have hurt her."

Barnabas took Josette in his arms and gently kissed her lips. "See to our daughter," he whispered softly so only she could hear.

She nodded as she held him close. "Be careful, Barnabas," she whispered.

Barnabas was just about to leave for his search when Angelique and Quentin both appeared in the parlor. "What are the two of you doing here?" Barnabas asked in disgust.

"I am going with you, Barnabas," Angelique insisted. "I am going with you to find Samantha."

"And why are you here?" Barnabs demanded of Quentin.

"You may need my help," Quentin stated. "It's going to take the combined powers of the three of us to defeat the Curse of Brutus Collins and save Samantha."

"Let us go then," Barnabas said with a heavy sigh. "We have already wasted enough time."

Josette, Bramwell, and Catherine watched as Barnabas, Angelique, and Quentin disappeared into the night. "Do you think they will find her?" Bramwell asked his mother.

"Your father would do anything to save one his children," she stated.

She hugged her son and tenderly kissed his cheek. "I must go to Melanie. She needs me."

"Alright, Mother. I will summon a carriage," Bramwell agreed.

~V~V~

After his parents and Quentin were gone, Bramwell took his beloved into his arms. "We're safe now. Saved by the power of love," he whispered in her ear.

"Bramwell, make love to me," Catherine urged. "Please... it's been so long."

He lifted her into his embrace, carrying her up the stairs. "Will you marry me?" he asked as he lay her down upon his bed. "I want to be with you forever, my darling. Say that you will be mine."

She nodded. "I will take your hand in marriage, but I am already yours,' she said as she pulled him down for a hungry kiss.

"I'll love you forever," Bramwell whispered as their bodies collided and they made sweet love.