Subj: Unicorn Rising CH. 6
Date: 5/29/00 7:14:28 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Charlene
Petofi surveyed his new residence. Certainly more comfortable than the Mill had been during his last visit to Collinwood. He remembered those days in 1897. Barnabas, Quentin and Angelique. They had spoiled his plans, thwarted his efforts, and Barnabas Collins had left him to deal with the demon of Garth Blackwood. Well, Angelique and all her powers were not available to Barnabas and Quentin this time. They'd have to fight him alone. Yes, alone. That's what he would do, he'd make sure Barnabas and Quentin were alone before he saw to their demise.
"Your Excellency." began Aristede interrupting Petofi's thoughts.
"Yes Aristede, what is it?"
"When do we move against the Collins'?"
"Anxious for your revenge, are you dear boy? You must learn the virtue of patience. First, I want to demoralize my enemies, then destroy them. It's much more pleasurable."
"I want to be the one to kill Quentin. Will you please let me be the one to kill Quentin?" Aristede whined at his master.
"You're still obsessed that Quentin was to blame for your punishment."
"I would have never stabbed you had I not been tricked by Quentin. I wouldn't have turned against you."
"You would have if it had suited your purpose Aristede. You would have, but you won't anymore, not unless you wish to return to Hell where I retrieved your pitiful soul. You'll do exactly as I say, won't you dear boy?"
"Yes excellency. Exactly as you say."
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"Well, it certainly seems that we have our work cut out for us Barnabas." Eliot Stokes stated. "And Quentin, I'm most anxious to learn when you encountered Petofi in the past?"
Quentin groaned, sliding further down into the wing back chair. He had hoped Stokes had forgotten what he said when he first entered the Old House.
"Now Eliot ... ".
"Barnabas, you want my aid, don't you think it's time you and Quentin trusted me with your secrets?"
"Secrets. I'm not sure what you mean?" said Barnabas, a feeling of panic rising in him. Regardless of what he'd said to Julia earlier, he really did not want anyone else to find out about him.
Quentin stood facing Barnabas and Stokes, "What exactly do you think my secret is Eliot?"
"To be honest, I think that you are the only Quentin Collins. That it was your ghost that once haunted the halls of Collinwood."
Quentin laughed a soft laugh, "But how could I have a ghost, I'm not dead."
"Not now, but if Barnabas had not somehow intervened, you would have been."
"That would make me 101!"
"Yes. That's what I find so fascinating. I want to know exactly how you and Barnabas have managed to live so long without aging."
"How I ..." started Barnabas.
"Yes, once Julia told me about her travel to 1897 and how she wasn't really corporeal I wondered about you. Your body disappeared from the present, you existed in 1897 as a real person because you had a body to inhabit. And from what I saw in 1840, you existed then as well. I'd wager that you are the original Barnabas Collins. THe one for whom my ancestor worked so long ago. He spoke highly of you in his diary, but he also spoke of a curse. Is it that curse which has enabled you and now Quentin, to have seemingly immortality?"
Barnabas and Quentin exchanged worried glances. Neither really knew how to answer Stokes. Willie stood by the doorway. It was Julia who finally broke the silence in the room.
"I think Eliot is right. He deserves to be told. He can be trusted. Besides Barnabas, didn't you say that protecting the family was more important than protecting your secret?" she asked, using his own words to turn the argument.
With a sigh of resignation, Barnabas faced Eliot Stokes, " Yes, Eliot, I am the only Barnabas Collins. Your ancestor Ben was a good and faithful friend to me; much more than a servant. He stood by me willingly after Angelique cursed me."
"What was the curse?"
"I only hope you can be as trusting of me as Ben was when I tell you what everyone else in this room knows. What Petofi knows. I am a vampire." he said, hesitating on the last word.
Eliot Stokes face betrayed no sign of emotion. Whatever he felt at the revelation he kept well hidden.
"And Quentin?"
"I was a werewolf." he said resigned, if Barnabas could tell his secret, Quentin had no choice but to reveal his own. "Petofi caused a portrait to be painted of me. It prevents the transformation when the moon is full and confers upon me immortality."
"So you suffer from two different curses and Petofi knows of them both. INteresting. I'll have to find out more from both of you later. It's safe to say that your existence during the day Barnabas can be attributed to Julia?"
"Yes."
"Well then, Petofi will be most interested in that. Yes, I'd say we have our work cut out for us. I'll leave now, I have some research to do. We'll met again tomorrow. Good night."