Subj: Hecate's Daughter Pt.1
Date: 11/15/98 8:21:04 PM Central Standard Time
From: marcos1

Hecate's Daughter

***

Miranda Du Val lay on the floor on the goal cell. Her simple white robe was stained with blood and the seed of her tormentors. Her hands were burnt by the hot quicksilver poured from the cauldron. They had spent most the night forcing a confession from her. She reached under a patch of straw and pulled out the parchment. She began to write in her diary. It was very important to her that people in the future know the truth.

My name is Miranda. I am but a simple servant girl, indentured to the family of Amadeus Collins. But two years ago, I met Judah. He was not a handsome man but one of such power. It is often said that power itself attracts and I believe this is true. He opened my eyes to the freedom that power can bring. Nightly, I would meet with his coven and they taught me the path of
darkness. But little did I know then, how far I would fall into a pit of despair and my falling has not ceased. Hours from now, when the gentle light of Venus shines, during the period of the false dawn, my hopelessness will end and I will be hanged until dead. But I do not fear death. What I fear most is the hate that lives in my heart, for I'm clairvoyant, and I know-- I will live again. My hatred of Amadeus and all family born from his seed is boundless. Someday, I will love and this hate will be my undoing.

***

April 12,1972

Julia Hoffman knocked on the door of Eliot's cottage. His black cat named Banshee rubbed up against her leg. There was cold chill in the air. She pulled her jacket close. Eliot answered the door. There was an expression of excitement on his face.

"Julia, please come in--" Eliot said smiling. "I've been waiting for you with much anticipation. I have found something most amazing."

She walked into his small house. The walls were lined with bookcases and filled with works about the supernatural and the history of witchcraft. She coughed as the air from the fireplace filled her lungs. It felt so soothing to be here with her old friend. Julia sat down on a chair next to the flames. A glass of sherry had already been poured for her.

The professor held a very old looking piece of paper in his hands. He narrowed his eyes and stood next to her. "Julia, do you remember what happened to Nicholas Blair?"

"According to Barnabas, he vanished in a wall of flames. Nicholas had failed his master in hell and was taken back," Julia replied. "Why?" She looked at the paper and felt very curious. She had never seen Eliot so excited. He seemed like a child on Christmas morning.

"Sheriff Patterson, sometimes asks me for advice when certain of his cases turn up with evidence of the supernatural. The body of Nicholas Blair was never found and all of his belongings remained at the Collinsport Inn," Eliot said, his eyes widening. "No relative ever showed up to claim his things and so Patterson asked me to check through his room. I was looking for some clue regarding what might have happened to him."

"And you found these papers?" Julia asked. "What are they...they look very old."

"This,"Eliot said, taking a deep breath, "is the diary of Miranda Du Val. And yes...it is very old, dating from the year 1694."

"Miranda, later became Angelique," Julia said. "If we can believe what we saw and heard in our trip to the year 1840."

"I believe that we can, Julia," Eliot said, pacing back and forth, "In fact, I think that I finally understand the curse put upon Barnabas." He smiled. "The curse that Barnabas was nice enough to explain to me after we returned from 1840." He shook his head. "Julia, I'll never understand why Barnabas and you felt the need to keep such an important secret." He put his hand on her shoulder. "I would have done anything for you. I could have helped."

Julia smiled. "I realize that now, Eliot."

"No matter now," Eliot said. "These papers explain why it all began in the year 1692."

***

It was in the summer of 1692. I was bathing in the stream near the Collins' Manor. The sun was shining brightly and the air was full of the sweet scent of jasmine. I so loved the water. The water in this stream was clear and fresh. I could see the small minnows swimming near my feet. I felt so free and at peace. Working for the Collins family was sheer hell. I hated the way
that Amadeus would look at me. I knew that it was only a matter of time before he took me. And what choice would I have? I belonged to him. My family in France had lost everything, when the political tides had turned. They had sold me to a family friend--Amadeus Collins. I had always been quite fond of him when I was small, sitting on his lap and eating bread and
pudding. But now I knew the truth about him. He was wanton and brutish. His wife, Maude wasn't any better. She knew that Amadeus felt no love for her and so she became vicious. She would show me no mercy. The worst of the family though, was their daughter Justine. She was a cruel wench, a snake in the grass waiting to strike. My time alone was valuable to me.

This afternoon was somehow different. Have you ever had the feeling that you were being watched? It is a tingling feeling that makes the little hairs on the base of your neck stand-up. I looked around and saw a pair of eyes staring-- from some nearby bushes. I felt a chill.

" Come out right now," I shouted. "If you don't-- I shall report you to Monsieur Collins. He will have you whipped and put into stocks." I folded my arms across my breasts and started to walk-out of the water.

"No, please," a young boy said walking into the clearing. " My lady, please don't report me. I was lost in the forest and just happened upon you."

I looked at this young boy. He had dark hair and wore dirty looking rags. He looked as though he hadn't bathed in many a forthnight and was lurid and haggard. "What is your name?" I asked, starting to feel sympathy for him. I had seen orphans before in Paris, small creatures without a home, hungry and alone.

"My name is Nicholas," he said bowing. "Nicholas Blair."

***

Julia took a deep breath. "And so Nicholas was a mortal...a mere boy in 1692." Banshee jumped into her lap and purred. She rubbed his head.

Eliot sat in a chair next to her. "Yes, Julia. The infamous Nicholas Blair was a homeless lad that Miranda showed kindness to." He adjusted his monocle. "Julia, I've now started my fifth decade of living and one thing that I'm constantly reminded of, is that things are never the way that they seem at first glance. At this part of Miranda's story, she and Nicholas are more victims of evil than anything else."

***

Nicholas and I entered the Collins' Manor through the servant's entrance. The tall, strong, black slave named Moses was waiting for us. He seemed very worried.

"Miranda," Moses said. "Master Collins is very angry with you. You weren't here to prepare dinner for the family. Mistress Maude was forced to cook and you know how reluctant she is to volunteer for any work intended for servants. It is quite beyond her sense of haut monde"

Nicholas stood with his mouth open, looking at Moses. "I've never heard a slave talk like that before...."

"I was educated in England," Moses said smiling. "And who is this young man?"

"His name is Nicholas," I replied. "He is hungry and needs a place to sleep." I shuddered as loud voices came from the dining room. I was sure that I was in trouble.

Moses said, "Very well, young man, please follow me. We can go through the back way to the cellar." He chuckled. "I'm sure that we can find some bread and cheese for you."

Nicholas nodded and followed him. He glanced back at me and smiled. There was something about him that touched my heart.

"MIRANDA DU VAL," Amadeus shouted. "Is that you in the kitchen...come out here right now!"

I walked into the dining room and prepared for my punishment.

To be continued--