The Bonds of Love pt 3
Date: 3/18/98
From: barnster

Angelique's eyes blazed. She had found the snapshot. She stared with hatred at the smiling faces of Maggie and Barnabas, and those of three of their children. Her attention was drawn to the elder of the youngsters. Her eyes focused on Barnabas, and then back to his son. His resemblance astounded her, even now.

She remembered back to her accidental meeting with his son, who so resembled him.

It had been when she had given Barnabas her ultimatum. He had burst in on them so unexpectedly, that she had had no time to disappear. She had stared in amazement at both of them. Barnabas had stood protectively beside his son, making the resemblance more pronounced. She had felt tears sting her eyes. This could so easily have been THEIR son! She had made a silent promise to herself. Not only would she have Barnabas for herself, but she would claim the child, too.

However, Nicholas had told her that was out of the question. If Barnabas or Maggie were to be 'punished' the threat of harming the children would be enough to make them more...cooperative. Angelique had liked that idea. Promptly turning them into vampires, too.

Now she turned her attention back to Barnabas.

"You are such a fool, Barnabas! Did you think I wouldn't find this? You would do better to forget about her! She love's Nicholas now!"

"I would be a fool to forget her. Just as I'd be a fool to believe that she loves Nicholas."

"It's true. She no longer loves you."

"I don't believe you!"

"You had better, Barnabas! Because it's true!"

Barnabas glared at her. "I'd have to see them together, before I'll believe you. You'll never turn Maggie against me."

Angelique laughed. Her blue eyes sparkling with her triumph. "Yes! Perhaps you SHOULD see them together! Then you will realize how useless it is to resist." Her laughter still echoing, around the 'room,' she faded from sight. She had dropped the photograph, as she'd disappeared.

When Barnabas picked it up, he couldn't believe his eyes. Angelique's image had replaced that of Maggie's.......

**************************************************************************

Angelique proved good as her word. Literally.

On leaving the Netherworld, both had experienced excruciating pain. Which had dissipated when they appeared on Earth. Taking no chances, Angelique had cast a spell, which ensured that she total co-operation from Barnabas.

Thus fortified, they made their way to the old house.....

Nicholas was happy. Things were working out perfectly. Maggie, was at last beginning to see how useless it was to resist. She was finally coming around to his way of thinking. Unfortunately, to get to this 'happy' state of things, he had been forced to use his powers. But at least it was a beginning.

Nicholas was standing by the fire, which somehow made him feel at home, when Maggie entered. Though she looked pleased to see him when she entered the drawing room, the blank look in her eyes told the real truth. Nicholas grinned, and going over to her, he held her in a tight embrace.

Unseen, Barnabas and Angelique watched the scene.

A fury like none he had ever experienced, burned within Barnabas. How DARE Nicholas do this to his wife! Even through his blinding rage, Barnabas had noticed that Maggie had not responded to Nicholas as passionately as she would to him.

"Maggie!" he thought, desperately. "Resist!"

Maggie disentangled herself from Nicholas. A puzzled look on her face. The blank expression in her eyes, slowly fading. "Barnabas?" she said, in a dull, sleepy voice.

"What did you say?" hissed Nicholas. Something had gone wrong. There was no way of breaking the spell.

"Barnabas?" said Maggie, becoming more aware of her surroundings. Nicholas looked around the room, suspecting Barnabas to be there, though he knew it was impossible.

He turned back to Maggie, and raised his arm as if to strike her.

Barnabas' eyes BLAZED, with his fury. Nicholas WOULD pay! And dearly.

As Barnabas watched, Nicholas lowered his arm, without striking Maggie. But the fury he felt consumed him. He wouldn't rest until he had saved Maggie and himself, from their power. He had had the proof that Maggie was not beyond saving.

The love she felt for him, was still strong. And that bond would be their salvation.

As he and Angelique returned to the Netherworld, a plan was beginning to form............

TO BE CONTINUED.