Julia Hoffman was frightened. The fear that was now clawing at her like sharp pinpricks had started with the storm. The storm itself was not the cause of her fear, it was something else, and no matter how hard she had tried to rationalize it, be logical, push it away it continued pricking at her until it seemed tangible. It was cloying, and seemed to be calling her name. "Oh, that's just silly," Julia said aloud, as she put out her cigarette.

"It's because everyone is out for the evening, even the servants. Anyone spending an evening alone would be afraid in a house this size, on a night like this. I'd better stop talking to myself or someone will walk in and have me committed," she said aloud, reaching for another cigarette. She decided she didn't need another cigarette just now. The attractive middle-aged woman pulled her hands through her hair, as though the physical action would reassure her that this real not some silly fear of the night, and the storm. After all, I'm not a child afraid of the bogeyman. Julia picked up the cigarette that she had seconds before thrown down, as a gesture trying to support her belief that she was not afraid. "It's the storm," she said out loud, as she reached for her lighter. She continued to pace the beautiful drawing room at Collinwood.

Earlier in the evening, Roger, Elizabeth, Carolyn and David had left for the theater in a nearby town. Elizabeth had insisted that they all go, and had invited her, but she had refused. The theater had booked a famous Shakespeare company, and they were performing Hamlet. The servants had the night off, and she was all alone. The evening had started out peaceful, outside was calm, the sky was clear, except for the stars twinkling in the heavens.

Barnabas, at Vicki's invitation, had accompanied Burke and Vicki for a tour of the house Vicki had discovered earlier in the day. It was an awkward trio that had set out for the adventure of discovering treasures in an old house located on the estate of the Collins family. The house was located right by the sea. Victoria Winters, being the romantic that she was, had instantly fallen in love with it. It was a disgusted Julia Hoffman that watched the trio depart, leaving her entirely alone.

She thought about Barnabas Collins, and her involvement with him. Her life had changed, taken a 180 degree turn, so to speak. He made her feel like a woman, not just a doctor, not a medical researcher, not his hope for mortality, but a desirable woman. Barnabas had never said nor behaved in any manner towards her to invoke the feelings that he did. It was just the way he treated her. So courtly, the Old World charm had been very refreshing for the professional doctor.

Barnabas Collins made her feel positively wanton. She dreamed of him, of his touch, of him holding her, touching her in private places, then slowly undressing her, touching her breasts, kissing her face at the same time, moving his hands from her breasts down her body. The kissing would stop, his touch more frenzied, she would look at his face, and his eyes would be tinged with gold, as he prepared to enter her, as she shamelessly opened up to him. The desire so intense that it was painful, as she would be jolted awake to the stark reality that it was only a dream. Night after night he would fill her dreams. Then she would touch herself to ease the pain, seeing only his face as she would reach climax, and for a glorious moment, she would be fulfilled. After the flush of her orgasm, all that would be left was a dark shadow of the man she loved. She would suffer feelings of degradation at what she was doing, but could not help herself. She had no control, for the dreams would come again to torture and torment her.

Julia Hoffman shook her head, as if the act would dismiss her thoughts. She pursed her lips, then relaxed as she dragged deeply on her cigarette, giving voice to her thoughts, "at least Maggie Evans is not a threat, but Victoria Winters is! Why do I use the word threat? Oh, I didn't mean it any way, except as rivals for Barnabas, and his obsessive bulldogged determination to create a new Josette for himself. Maggie Evans tucked away at Wyndcliff living in her world of make believe, would never remember the man who had wanted to make her his bride of darkness. When I cure him, he won't need to create a Josette. He will forget about Victoria Winters, and maybe -- Just stop it!" Julia exclaimed loudly.

The feeling of evil descended upon her so strongly, she could feel it vibrating. Before she could react to it, the doors of Collinwood swung open so hard that he portrait of the "original" Barnabas Collins shuddered, and was threatening to fall, as Julia entered the foyer. then she heard the pounding, at first she thought it was the waves that were pounding the beach outside the great house. Aloud, she said, "No, it's the thunder," because it was closer than she first thought. "Oh my God, it's in the house." It sounds like a heartbeat. She was wringing her hands, unaware that she was stepping backwards. The fear that she had felt earlier was now threatening to consume her, leaving no room for reasoning or logical conclusions, only escape.

Barnabas Collins was nearing Collinwood. His face wore an evil grin, he was causing the pounding of the heart inside the house. Barnabas was very aware that Julia Hoffman was quite alone for her final evening as a guest of the Collins family. He had stopped to listen for heartbeats inside, he knew each and every heartbeat that belonged to Collinwood. He concentrated, then he heard it, one lone heartbeat. The heartbeat of Julia Hoffman. He then started her heartbeat to echo loudly through the house. The eminent Dr. Hoffman had no idea what was happening to her, causing the evil grin on Barnabas' Collins face to change to a resounding laugh that he caused to be carried by the wind. He continued until he approached the doors, and the force of a gale of wind opened them, as he stood waiting. He then entered, and saw the object of his anger. His anger had continued to grow as the threat to his survival was increasing.

Julia then saw him, and in an instant she realized the fullness of his power. He seemed to fill the room.

"You betrayed me!" roared the being in front of her. His voice amplified many times over, sounded like echoing bouncing off the walls of a deep cave over and over again.

Barnabas swung his cane, hitting his intended mark, causing to double over in pain and surprise. It had happened so fast that she hadn't seen it coming. Julia, terrified, doubled over in pain, fell to her knees , holding her hands in front of her to keep from hitting her face. Julia was more frightened than she had ever dreamed was possible. She lifted her head to look at Barnabas standing across the room from her. His eyes were glowing red, his fangs were descended, and she could hear a feral growl coming from him, the sound filling the drawing room. He was like a wild, rabid animal ready to strike, although Julia knew that at least she might have a slim chance if that were the case. She felt her bladder weaken, and she felt the wetness on the inside of her legs. The fear that now was a part of her had caused her to lose control, and she was wetting herself in front of this monstrous being. Tears of humiliation were coursing down her cheeks, as she was struggling to get up and compose herself. But the blow from the pain had caused pain to sear through her abdomen as if being branded with a branding iron right out of the flames. Julia was having a hard time catching her breath, but even that did nothing to subside her fear. She could feel her bowels weaken -- she struggled against any more loss of bodily functions -- for now she seemed to be wining at least that battle.

Struggling to catch her breath, still on all fours, staring at him, she realized with a flash of clarity she knew nothing about this powerful supernatural being before her, and her arrogance to believe that she could control him, left the taste of bitter gall in her mouth. What irony, she thought. He had allowed her to believe that she was in control of him, all the while playing her like a fine-tuned violin.

Her mind begin to play back scenes with him in a matter of milliseconds, in rapid succession, confirming what a fool he had made of her, using her as nothing more than a source of amusement The first night he came to her room with an the intention of killing her, because he thought her a threat to his existence. Waiting for him in a chair, dressed in her old maid's nightgown, giving him the promise of mortality in exchange for her life. Telling him that she knew what he was had cause him to react violently, as he had placed his large powerful hands around her neck ready to choke her, she had managed to tell him who and what she was, and that she thought she could cure him. Now, she knew he had no intention of killing her then. He would never commit such an act at Collinwood. So, he walked her to the Old House.

Strolling along the moonlit path of the Old House, he had told her stories of his boyhood almost 175 years ago. Delightful stories of a young boy discovering and exploring caves beneath the wild savage cliffs that served as walls to the powerful sea. Climbing trees, fishing in nearby streams, carefree days with no hint of horror that was to take him as a man. He had listened attentively to her stories of medical school, growing up always wanting to be a doctor like her father. Answering his questions about her desire to be a medical researcher, and running Wyndcliff Sanitarium, as opposed to having settled down and gotten married and having children. He seemed astonished that she did not want that. She rationalized that was because of the era in which he was born. They had strolled leisurely, chatting amicably, as if they hadn't a care in the world, just the desire to be with one another. he had made her feel so animated, so alive. he had made her feel like a very desirable woman. His hand had brushed hers, and she had felt a thrill of pleasure course through her body. The coldness of his hand hadn't bothered her, it somehow enhanced the desire she was feeling traveling through her like an electric jolt. Looking at him, she saw that his appearance was striking. This man would never be ignored or looked over in a crowd, nor forgotten. He wore the charisma that was a part of him, like a well-tailored suit. The observer watching the scene on the path of the couple would have thought them lovers, not just mere acquaintances. It had been a warm evening, with the scent of lilacs sprinkling the air, the sound of the waves lapping the shore gently, gave her a sense of well=being. What a wonderful walk that had been. He had succeeded lulling her into a sense of false security. Dr. Julia Hoffman had started to fall in love with Barnabas on that walk to the Old House.

Upon arriving at the Old House, he had told Willie who and what Julia Hoffman was, and her plans for him. Willie, of course, had seemed excited, but afraid to show much. He began his questioning about her research, listening intently to every word, seeming to absorb what she was saying, seemingly interested, and ready to start right away. He sent Willie off to clean a room for her, after she gave him a list of supplies she would need to be picked up the next morning. Retrieving her light jacket, walking to the door, he changed, ready to destroy her. She had had no choice but to tell him about Maggie Evans being alive at Wyndcliff, lost in a world of childhood. Reassuring him Maggie Evans would never remember him, the experience had been too traumatic. With that, he had walked her back to Collinwood, and again they had chatted lightly about mundane and unimportant subjects, as if the scene at the Old House had never taken place. Oh, how smug she had been thinking, she was in control. Thereafter, she had spent two or three hours a night at the Old House working and preparing the hoped for cure, all the while he had talked to her in a soft gentle voice about vampirism, the power of the vampire, the blood bond, and the restrictions. She had only half listened to him, believing he was telling her tales that he had read from myth and legend. Questioning her about the blood bond between him and Maggie, she had reassured him it was gone. Silently she had thought the whole idea of a blood bond was more legend that Barnabas believed. He explained to her the difference between his relationship between Willie and Maggie. Willie was a servant, and that's all he would ever be. Willie was in his power, his thrall if you will. He had only had to take blood from Willie once, and he had used his wrist, and not his throat, because he didn't want of his enzymes nor any of his powerful blood to get into Willie. If that had happened Willie would know him. Barnabas had explained bout the blood telling the victim's life story, and that for a vampire to exchange blood with a victim was a very intimate and personal thing, and was usually reserved for someone the vampire intended to bring across as a companion. He had bit Maggie at the neck where the carotid artery was located, thereby allowing Maggie to have a small exchange with Barnabas. The carotid artery was very large making the exchange easier. His power allowed him to mask and block anything he did not want his victim to know, therefore, Maggie Evans intimate times with the vampire had been very pleasurable.

Julia had been under the impression that Barnabas would bite the male victim at the vein in the wrist, because of the closeness of another male. She learned another astonishing fact, gender played no role with the vampire. He was not human, and he did not live by human morals. Being intimate with a man was just as as pleasurable to him as with a woman. The vampire used humans to survive, and the nature or orientation of their sexual preferences played no part in the existence of a vampire. Barnabas would never take a child as a vampire lover, nor a close relative such as a sister, daughter , son, mother, father, if they had existed, and when they did. It was just something, that he could not practice, even as a vampire. The Hunger had to be satisfied. The Beast kept under control. That was first and foremost. That allowed him to walk among humans, and appearing as a human. Sexual preference could not dictate the vampire, because his existence would be jeopardized. Julia was very curious about this, knowing he was from a very strict and rigid moral time. It was the puritan era, and that did not allow tolerance for same sex relationships, even today, it was in most regions unacceptable. Knowing how proper he appeared to be,she had to know, how and why it didn't matter to him. He tried to explain to her that as a vampire, he was superior to humans, and such taboos did not plague him. He would discuss it no further.

The one subject she dared ask him about was the mortal sexual act and vampires. She had to know, because everything she had ever read about vampires, the sexual act was no longer a part of them. The pleasure and intimacy came from the bite of the vampire, that was the way vampires made love. He laughed when she told him that, and informed her that sex was very important to him, and he practiced it often. He said that in a joking tone, but with Barnabas she never knew. He got serious and told her that making love to a mortal was dangerous, and could cause death to the mortal if a vampire did not exercise control, and feed well on human blood before engaging in mortal lovemaking. The vampire bite and taking blood at the time of the vampire's climax was always done. It was instinctive like a primal pleasure. Taking blood all during the act enhanced and lengthened the lovemaking. She went on to ask him if anyone had ever died because of his lack of control during lovemaking. He had answered her with an emphatic yes. One man and two women had been the unfortunate victims of his overzealous passion. No, he did not feel guilty, he was only living as his nature dictated.

She asked him about the cruel punishment and torture he had administered to Willie, and probably still did on occasion. He said Willie had to be kept in line, he felt no qualms about it, he was the master, Willie was the servant. That said it all. When she asked about his treatment of Maggie Evans, he had refused to answer her.

Everything that he had told her had flashed across her mind very rapidly. She had been so smug in her belief that what she had to offer him was so much better than all that legend diatribe he had told her. She had thought she controlled the situation, but along he had toyed with her, allowing her to think he had every bit of faith in her science. Her arrogance and lead her to believe that no matter what he would never harm her, because she was going to cure him and she knew the truth about Maggie Evans. Oh what a fool she was, as she gazed up at that powerful being before her. Now, she understood without a shadow of a doubt what Barnabas Collins was, he was lower than a human in his animal instinct for survival, yet far above a human with his superior intellect, his supernatural powers, his ability to kill without conscious, his cunning and craftiness, oh dear God why hadn't she listened to him, really listened to him.

When he had told her he could wipe out the entire Village of Collinsport in a matter of seconds, she had not responded it had seemed so preposterous. Now, she knew without hesitation it was true. The storm that was raging outside was at his command, his emotions. It alone, if it got any harder, could flatten the entire village in seconds if it was the Will of the Vampire. She heard the horses kicking the stalls, rearing and trying to escape, waiting, the dogs were howling, the wild animals of the forest were on alert waiting for His command. He was their master. They felt him, sensed his anger, and more importantly they sensed he could be in danger, and they would, if commanded by him, protect him at all costs. Now she understood that what he said was true. She had -- oh my God -- I underestimated his powers. I have been so foolish. She was thinking how to --

Barnabas -- she was gasping, as she tried to talk -- I can make Maggie forget --

Dr. Hoffman, you need to beg my forgiveness for your betrayal, and pray that I will give it, Barnabas said in a low hypnotic voice.

His voice still had that loud echoing sound, his eyes were still flaming red. She knew he was taunting her, oh, she had been the fool. He knew about her smugness all along, that she could control him, and let her believe it until it suited him to change the rules. It was all so clear to her now. She would tell him she was sorry, then go to Dave Woodard's office, hypnotize Maggie, then leave town. Her thoughts were interrupted by that voice direct at her.

"Dr. Hoffman, I am waiting, but you will beg my forgiveness on bended knees." said that cruel voice again.

Julia stared at him standing across the room from her. Still on her all fours, still not able to get a good breath, she struggled to rise to walk, but could not.

"Barnabas, I can't get up very good -- I can't stand up to walk, you'll --

"CRAWL!" Barnabas said softly, deadly.

Julia, her humiliation had become a luxury of the past, now was followed by inhuman directives of this cruel supernatural entity before her, she put out one after the other followed by her knees, her dress wet from her accident, a puddle on the carpet, began her way slowly across the room to Barnabas Collins to beg his forgiveness. At last she reached him. She looked up at his still flaming red eyes, he seemed so tall. She was trying to get to bended knees, and she begged his forgiveness, never looking him in the eyes. He told her in that loud echoing voice she was not to refer to him as Barnabas ever again, it would be Mr. Collins hereafter if she lived through the night. "Yes, sir, Mr. Collins, "Julia replied very meekly. She would do anything to survive.

The phone was ringing. "Answer it," Barnabas said. in a soft voice. as he helped her up from where she had been at his feet begging his forgiveness. It was Dave Woodard telling her what had happened and to come right away. As Dave was talking to her, Barnabas reached inside her blouse, and grabbed her breast so quickly, she moaned in surprise, and the moan turned to pleasure as he kneaded her breast very roughly at first, she heard the buttons of her blouse pop off, as he ripped it open, and with a quick tug her bra was torn off,leaving her breasts exposed. He continued to knead her breasts roughly, first one then the other, then he would tease her nipples with light strokes, all the while his other hand was stroking her face softly. She heard herself moan out loud with pleasure as she hung up the phone. She could feel herself grow wet between her legs with desire as the stroking continued. She felt herself arching her body to him. She wanted him, oh, god, help me, I still want him, and he knew it. After the humiliation and degradation that had happened to her tonight, she was standing here moaning in pleasure at this monster's touch. He knew it, and he was still playing with her, teasing her playing on her feelings for him. Maybe -- just maybe now he wanted her also. Barnabas, please, I need you, she begged him. "Dr. Hoffman, the only thing you need to do is go to Dr. Woodard's office and pray that Maggie Evans hasn't said anything before you arrive, and that your plan of hypnotism works. He had pulled his hands away from her, leaving her exposed, in a state of painful desire. He looked at her with disgust on his face.

"Dr. Hoffman, do you not remember me telling you that you were never to call me Barnabas again, only Mr. Collins?" Barnabas said staring at her intently. His words were like cold water dousing her, leaving her embarrassed, and feeling degraded and dirty. "Yes, sir." replied Julia. At the same time she was answering him,she saw the cane being swung at her, it hit her on her left breast, as she screamed, her breast was still hot and swollen from his touch. The blow was very light, it only served to intensify the burning pleasure that he had been started earlier by his touch.

"The next time you do not do as I command, you will feel the blows! You were saved this night by the needs of your patient. No, GO! Get decent and leave immediately," Barnabas dictated in a very harsh commanding voice. Then he disappeared before she could say anything in reply.

The storm outside had abated, the animals, both wild and domestic had quieted down. The only noise that could be heard was the sound of Julia Hoffman sobbing, as she made her way to get dressed. Walking up the grand staircase, Julia Hoffman lost what little control she had over her bowels. She continued walking, not noticing what had happened to her.

What was going on at Dr. Woodard's office was very different from the nightmare world Julia Hoffman had plunged into. Dr. Woodard was talking to Maggie. She had recognized everyone. Just before Dave had talked to Julia, Maggie had seemed about ready to name her kidnapper, but on Julia's advice he didn't question her anymore. Julia Hoffman came through the door looking her usual professional self. Dave showed her into where Maggie was, Julia then requested to be left alone with Maggie.

Maggie was listing very carefully to all that was going on. She had to be very careful how she acted and behaved or they would know about Barnabas, and her need for him. So far she had pulled it off, leading Dr. Woodard to believe she almost knew who her kidnapper was. Maggie knew that Julia Hoffman would be there soon, and had dragged the story out, then Dr. Woodard had stopped the questioning on the advice of Dr. Hoffman. Yes, of course, thought Maggie, Julia wouldn't want me to betray Barnabas, to betray Barnabas would ruin her. She knows all about him. She was part of the plan to keep me locked away at Wyndcliff, while she remained down here close to Barnabas, knowing he was my kidnapper all the time. Maggie, while at Wyndcliff, when her memory returned, and she couldn't stop thinking about Barnabas Collins, had lead Julia to believe she couldn't remember anything about her experience. Most of the time she would let her think she was still immersed in her world of childhood. Then Sarah came and helped her escape. She almost cried with relief when she saw Barnabas at the Blue Whale. That's when she began her plan to be with him always.

Most of the things he was telling her about his supernatural abilities, and power to command the elements, and so on she had pushed aside as fantasy. As far as she was concerned he had a virus in his blood cells that needed to be isolated, and rendered useless, then this craving for blood, and allergy to sunlight would disappear, and he would cross back over and become human again. Then he would forget all this mumbo jumbo he had been telling her. She had no doubt that he believed it. thinking these thoughts, she heard his voice telling her that vampires could change their physical appearance, and become a huge wolf, a bat, the mist, disappear at will, hypnotize, the gaze of the vampire once entrapped by it could not be broken, and with that power its victim had no choice but to tell the vampire anything he wanted to
vampires, age usually determined how powerful a vampire was, and all these abilities that Barnabas had been telling her he had, would only belong to a very old and powerful vampire. How could a vampire as young as he, be able to acquire and use the powers and supernatural abilities that he had? She thought she would finally trap him with this question, and he would stop this nonsense. But, no, he had answered her without hesitancy. He had been -- she interrupted him to add more thought to the question. Also, factor in that you spent most of your life as a vampire chained in a coffin locked away from the world. now, you can answer, and I won't interrupt. Before he answered, she was thinking he might not like modern conveniences, but he knew everything about them; when they were invented and by whom, where, everything. He knew historical facts about insignificant happenings and very important historical facts over the past 175 years. She had been astonished at his knowledge. There was not much concerning world affairs, past and present, that had escaped him. His superior intellect was one of the first facts about himself he had apprised her of, in case she and ideas about trying thwart him. Barnabas had continued on, but before her answering her question he went onto clarify a couple of things.

After his father chained him in his coffin, knowledge flowed into his mind continually; for instance, when Willie released him from his coffin, he knew who the president of the United States was, for example. In answering the previous question about his superior powers, he explained to her very patiently that he had been cursed by a very powerful witch, and he had not been bitten by another vampire, but a bat from the pit of hell, summoned by the witch for the very purpose of making his life eternal. He was for all purposes the first of his race. He did not know if other vampires existed or not, and had no interest in finding them, even if they had existed. He knew for a fact that he was the only one in existence made the way he was by a demon bat invoked by a witch's curse, thereby making him very powerful. The demon bat, while attacking him, somehow was able to convey that knowledge to him through the blood exchange. He learned of all his powers, and how to use them the same way. He had learned everything he would ever need to know and use to survive as a vampire at the time of attack. When he rose from his coffin for the first time in 1795, he was already very powerful.