Subj: Grammar Story -- 21
Date: 7/25/00 12:37:43 AM Central Daylight Time
From: Beverly LaCroix

"I tried to keep him out of here, Barnabas, but I couldn't stop him." Willie said, his voice trembling with fear.

"Did you now? How did he get in here?" Barnabas asked.

"I don't know," Willie said in a whisper

Willie barely finished his sentence when he yelped in pain from the backhand of the vampire. It had been so sudden, and so fast Willie wasn't prepared for it, and fell to his knees.

Jeremiah reacted instaneously, only to be stopped by the deadly gaze of the vampire. The dark power was coming off his nephew in waves, it was suffocating him, and he could feel his fear start to paralyze him. It was the same kind of fear he had had that night in the cemetary watching Angelique.

"How did you get in here, Devlin?"

Finally finding his voice, Jeremiah said softly, "I walked in, Barnabas. And now I will take Miss Evans, and walk out. Now, get out of my way." He didn't take his eyes from his nephew for one moment, he held his breath, and knew the words he had spoken was with a bravado he certainly did not feel.

"Oh, I don't think Miss Evans wants to go with you, do you, my dear." Barnabas said walking to Maggie, never taking his eyes off Jeremiah.

Maggie responded to the hypnotic voice of the vampire, and said, "no, I want to stay with you."

Jeremiah reached behind him, and on the table he felt the little music box, and opened it, and he said, "Come with me, Josette."

"Josette is staying with me, aren't you, my darling." Barnabas said in a tone that was a command, and the carressing elements in his voice was hypnotic. Jeremiah watched fascinated as Barnabas begin to fondle her breasts, and saw desire and need for him in Maggie's eyes.

"Take off your robe, my dear," Barnabas said.

Jeremiah watched, and felt like a voyeur, and he moved, attempting to overpower Barnabas, and take Maggie Evans out of this cell, but before he knew what had happened, Barnabas had picked him up by his coat lapels and shoved him against the wall. Jeremiah saw his eyes change to blood, and fangs descend, and felt fear, and evil wash over him threatening to consume him. He saw the now naked Maggie Evans spread-eagled on the cot, touching herself, suffering any humiliation to serve her master.
Master? Jeremiah thought.

"Put me down, you insolent toad, or I'll break your fingers, Nephew." Jeremiah said in a stern tone.

Barnabas stared at him, looking deep into his soul, Jeremiah felt layers of secrets being torn away, and couldn't prevent the intrusion into his mind and being. Was he going to die like this?

"Jeremiah." Barnabas barely mouthed the word.