Subj: Quentin's Thoughts and Barnabas' Demise XXI
Date: 5/29/99 10:08:44 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Mysterious Millicent
Quentin's Thoughts and Barnabas' Demise XXI
The Cave by the Ocean near Widow's Hill.......
Barnabas stood at the entrance to the cave. He could see the faint traces of color begining to spread across the morning sky signaling the dawn. He sighed. If only he did not have to be forced out of the sun. But he knew that for Angelique's plan to work he must remain a vampire. He looked one more time at the sky and then disappeared into the cave.
Angelique stood near the coffin waiting for him. "Did you see Petofi?"
"Yes. I am sure that he is in a very frightened state at this very moment!"
"Oh I am sure that he is in about the same state as Tabitha at this moment too!" Angelique said with a smile.
"Then you got the information to King Johnny's people?" Barnabas said and smiled as Angelique nodded. "This is working perfectly! Angelique, you have outdone yourself this time. And for once I am so very proud of you!"
Angelique giggled. "Oh that I could see her face at this very moment. That would be a wonderful site indeed."
Barnabas smiled. "Why are you staying here then Angelique? Why don't you go and see for yourself? You have earned that!"
Angelique looked at Barnabas and said, "No my love. I must stay here and protect you. We have something very special to do tomorrow night. And I want to be sure that nothing happens to you."
Barnabas nodded and walked over to the coffin. He took Angelique into his arms and held her close. "I can't say thank you enough for what you are doing, Angelique! I love you my dearest!"
Angelique pressed up close to Barnabas and melted into his arms. Those are the words she had longed to hear for so long. And now that she had Barnabas in the way it was truly meant to be, she was not going to jeapordize anything going wrong. She broke from him and said, "I love you too, so very much Barnabas Collins. And now you must sleep! I will be here when you awake!"
Barnabas lifted the coffin lid and climbed inside, with one more longing look at his love he slowly lowered the lid. Angelique put her hand on the lid caressing it as if she were caressing her love. She smiled and said, "Don't worry my love, this will soon be over!" And there she stayed, being true to her word. She had planned everything and all was working out as she planned. Nothing must go wrong now! Nothing!
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Inn at Collinsport........
A woman of gypsy blood and noble bearing walked into the Inn. She moved towards the stairs and began to climb. She followed a faint light that had been her beacon since leaving the camp. Ever since the Spirit of her daughter had come to her and confirmed what the two hooded strangers had told her husband, Bianca knew what she must do. And Julianka's spirit had returned to guide her mother to her murderer! And also to the Hand.
A few minutes later the woman stood outside a room of the Inn. The light that had been guiding her began to glow in intensity. "This is the location!"
She knocked on the door. And then the door slowly opened in front of her. The old woman inside turned around and almost fell down. There before her stood the wife of King Johnny Romano, Bianca!
"Tabitha Ravnos, I claim the right of possession and the Exchange Transfer!" Bianca said in a rather loud voice.
Tabitha looked at Bianca and said, "I will give up the right of possession but not the Exchange, Bianca Romano! You have NO power over me!"
Bianca stepped into the room and smiled. Holding a crystal in front of her she held it out towards Tabitha who backed slowly away. "By my power as the Queen of the Romano Tribe I invoke the spirit of my daughter, Julianka who gives testimony of the act you committed." And the crystal began to glow, until the form of Julianka appeared.
"I am Julianka Romano, a member of the royal line of the Romano Clan. My life was taken from me by one of my own kind. A gypsy of noble birth, as I am. As I was forfeited my life, I now demand the Exchange Transfer. My life for that of this mortal!"
Tabitha held out her hands in front of her and attempted to invoke the Side-Step, but she knew this would not work. She had no power against the Exchange. A blinding light appeared in the room and Tabitha screamed and fell to the floor. Her body crumbling to dust. And in its place stood the woman known as Julianka Romano. She weaved back and forth for a few moments and then stood up straight. She looked towards the door and saw her mother. "Mama! You have avenged my death! I am alive again!" And she ran to her mother and hugged her. Then Julianka turned around and picked up the wooden box that held the hand of Count Petofi. Together they walked out of the room and down the stairs out into the night.
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In a cave by the sea a woman stood near the entrance and smiled. "The First!"