The Bonds of Love, pt 2
Date: 3/17/98
From: barnster

Barnabas sensed rather then saw Angelique return. He quickly hid the snapshot.

When she entered the 'room,' he stared at her with contempt. She let it pass, secure in the knowledge that one day he would look at her with love.

She sauntered over to him, with one of her sweetest smiles, and draped her arms around his neck. Barnabas furiously pulled her arms down, his eyes blazing.

Angelique stared at him, blue eyes icy. "You know we'll be together one day, Barnabas. Why must you continuously fight against it?"

His voice was filled with hatred. "You can ask that, after all you've done? All the deaths, the pain and suffering?"

"I can make you forget. It would be so easy."

"I can never forget. All I ever loved are dead, because of you. I can never love you, because I hate you."

A far away, dreamy look crossed her face, and her blue eyes sparkled with a fond memory. "That's not what you said in Martinique. Then you said..."

"I am aware of what I said!" he snapped, vehemently.

"All those sweet, endearing words...."

"Stop it!"

Angrily she turned to him. Her poise forgotten. "You are still my husband, regardless of any feelings you have for that,-- Maggie! You will stay here, and you WILL forget!"

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A knocking at the door, roused Maggie from her restless slumber. "Maggie, open this door!" came Nicholas' angry voice. She considered disobeying him. She was determined to make his life as unbearable as he was making hers and the children.

Though Nicholas had sworn not to use his powers on Maggie, he knew that; that resolve was becoming less easier as days went by. In order to get Maggie, she had to come to him willingly. But there was a major problem to his plan... Barnabas. The love that she had for Barnabas was stronger, and more powerful than he had first realized. And he was beginning to lose patience.

Receiving no answer from the room, he waved his hand, and the door flew open.

A startled Maggie, wiped at her tear-streaked face, and tried to hide something behind her back. Within seconds he had crossed the room, and had snatched the wedding portrait.

His eyes blazed with a demonic light, as he gazed at the picture. In a low, dangerous voice he said, " I told you to forget about Barnabas. I meant what I said."

Defiantly Maggie stared back. "Never! I love him! He's my husband! He'll come back, I know he will! And he'll destroy you and Angelique!"

Nicholas grinned. "He's also married to Angelique, or have you forgotten? He'll not be able to save you, or his," he paused for a moment. "Children." he spat. "He's in Angelique's control. There's nothing he can do."

"What do you mean?" asked Maggie, alarmed. Fear in her eyes.

"Let's say, that he has no will of his own." He give the wedding photo a contemptuous glance. "Get rid of that!" he ordered.

Then he turned to leave the room. When he reached the door, Maggie said," You'll never get away with this! People will ask questions!"

He turned back to her. "I have...ways of dealing with people. And I've already 'gotten away' with it.......

TO BE CONTINUED.