Subj: Together We Stand-sequel part 17
Date: 7/10/00 1:37:23 AM Central Daylight Time
From: Julianka
The next evening at Collinwood, they gathered. Elizabeth, Carolyn, Barnabas and Quentin. Quentin stated, "It's time to bait the trap."
Nodding Carolyn left the room to get Maggie.
"Won't she think something is strange, if we both ask her for a walk?" questioned Quentin.
"I have decided to ask her to accompany Barnabas on an errand to the Old House. I dislike to deceive Maggie this way, but what else can we do?" asked Elizabeth.
A few minutes later, Carolyn and Maggie entered the drawing room. "You wanted to see me, Mrs. Stokes?" asked Maggie.
"Yes, Maggie dear, I wonder if you would do something for me?"
"Of course, Mrs. Stokes." replied Maggie.
"Barnabas is graciously allowing me take a group from the Collinsport Historical Society on a tour of the Old House. You arrange flowers so beautifully. Would you do a few flower arrangements for tommorrow morning? I hate asking you at the last minute like this, but the flowers simply skipped my mind."
"If you wish Mrs. Stokes." answered Maggie.
"It's such a fine night, I think I'll go along." stated Quentin.
Maggie, Barnabas and Quentin departed. When they were outside the door Barnabas grasped Maggie's arm. "Look Quentin!" said Barnabas pointing with the other hand.
Standing at the edge of the woods was Nicholas. Quentin grasped Maggie's other arm.
At the sight of Nicholas, something clicked inside Maggie. The men began to rush, dragging Maggie down the path to the Old House. After a stunned silence Maggie began screaming Nicholas' name over and over again. Nicholas was about a hundred yards behind them. Without thinking he gave pursuit. The only thing on his mind was getting to Maggie. Quentin realized at this rate Nicholas would soon catch them. Turning he threw Maggie over his shoulder and ran carrying her. Maggie alternately beat her small fists against Quentin's back and held out her arms to Nicholas imploring him to help her.
Reaching the Old House Barnabas threw the doors wide. He and Quentin rushed through them with Quentin still carrying Maggie. So maddened was Nicholas, that he charged straight through the doors falling right into their trap! Eliot sprang forward to slam and lock the doors behind Nicholas. At moonrise the night before Eliot had laid wards around the Old House.
Confronting Eliot, Quentin and Barnabas Nicholas demanded, "Release Maggie at once! And open that door, so we may leave here or I will turn this place into a bloodbath!"
"Go ahead and try." provoked Quentin.
Nicholas held out his hands, curling his fingers, he said in a cold, killing tone, "Then DIE QUENTIN!"
When Quentin didn't begin to choke, Nicholas started to to chant.
"Don't bother Nicholas, your powers are ineffective here." tauted Angelique stepping out of the shadows.
"Angelique, you bitch! What are you playing at now!" screamed Nicholas as he lunged toward her.
Quentin and Barnabas both moved to block him. As Angelique began to call, "Master, hear me! Your servant Nicholas has failed yet again! He let his emotions deter him from his mission. He is weak and become entrapped by these mortals! They know him and are armed against him. He has no hope of taking Collinwood from them. Destroy him, Master! Take him back to suffer the penalty of the damned!"
"No Master! I have been betrayed! Help meee!!" Nicholas screeched as he was enveloped in blue-white flames. "What of her, Master? What of Angelique's human emotions? She loves Barnabas! Instead of working with me to annihilate the Collins, she has protected and conspired with them!" Nicholas spat.
A voice as old as the grave boomed, "Angelique has suceeded in the mission she set for herself. I am well pleased with her. This was a trail for you, Nicholas! And you have failed again! You won't be given another chance so easily. Return to me now!"
The last thing Nicholas saw before the flames consumed him, was Barnabas' face, grinning at his destruction!
To be continued....