Subj: Together We Stand-sequel part 13
Date: 7/10/00 1:33:15 AM Central Daylight Time
From: Julianka
Midnight, the wind sighed through the trees bordering the lawn of Collinwood. The song of the night creatures stilled and ceased; for a predator stalked the night.
Nicholas stood in the shadows of the trees. Calling softly, "Maggie, Maggie come to me." Suddenly a wall of fire pushed against him. Screaming as the flames licked at his body, Nicholas fell back. "No!" He screamed, flinging up his arms to protect his eyes. The fire receded to Collinwood and vanished.
Skirting the house he tested all sides. At each turn when he called to Maggie, he met with walls of flame, roaring water, hurricane wind and a chasm of earth faced with a sheer granite cliff.
Falling to his knees, Nicholas struck one fist into the opposite palm. With an anguished cry, he screamed. "MAGGIE, I NEED YOU!!!"
Unknowst to Nicholas, a spectator witnessed his agony. Barnabas' caped coat blended completely into the dark shadows of the trees. With a triumphant grin at Nicholas' failure, he turned, silently making his way to the Old House.
Entering the Old House, he warmed himself by the fire,Willie had so thoughtfully stoked for his return. A soft, white hand curled over his shoulder. Turning he cried, "Angelique!" Seizing her in his arms, he cried, "You're here and you're real!"
Lifting her face to his, he kissed her. Showering Angelique with the love he had long been denied. The love, that her death at the hands of Trask, he had been unable to tell to her of before.
"Angelique, my darling, I love you! Please forgive me for failing you so many times and for so many years! And the blindness that kept us apart." he groaned.
"Oh yes! Barnabas, can you forgive me? For all the pain I inflicted with my curse."
"Don't speak of it now, we both have hurt each other. It doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is that you're here." he declared.
"Barnabas, I must speak! There is so much you don't know!"
Pulling her down onto the thick carpet before the fireplace, he said, "Not now. There will be time enough for that in the morning."
To be continued....