Subj: Petofi's Maze chapter 15
Date: 3/3/99 7:19:46 PM Central Standard Time
From: miranda
Chapter 15
"Angelique, hear my call," Barnabas implored. "You always said you would hear
me when I needed you. I admit that I need your help. Please appear to me."
"You don't know how long I have waited to hear you say that." Out of the darkness
a figure appeared. Angelique came out into the moonlight. Her long blond tresses
were piled up on her head and she wore a blue dress that matched her beautiful
eyes. "Barnabas, It's good to see you."
"Angelique," Barnabas started unsure of what to say next. "I remembered how you
were willing to help me in 1897 after Julia was transported back to this time.
I was hoping you would be willing to assist me tonight. Carolyn has died. She
was murdered by a vampire."
"Carolyn, dead?" Angelique said. "Since I last saw you in 1897 I have kept tabs
on the Collins family, but I haven't heard about this. I was abroad doing some
modeling."
"You have continued to live since 1897?" Barnabas asked.
"Yes, Barnabas," Angelique answered. "But I have been careful to stay away from
Collinsport as so not to interfere when I was here as Cassandra."
"Will you help me?" Barnabas asked.
Angelique looked into Barnabas' eyes. Was he finally beginning to see how they
made great allies? She was well aware that he planned to marry Kitty Soames and
had somehow disappeared before he could go through with his plans. For her it
was many years, but for Barnabas it was only weeks. They had indeed worked together
well in 1897, but it lacked the depth that Angelique truly wanted despite her
claims only be interested in Quentin. Perhaps if she did this without demanding
anything in return he would begin to remember the love they once shared in Martinique.
"I will help you Barnabas."
After Barnabas and Jeb unearthed Carolyn's coffin Angelique studied her body.
"She had her neck broken after most of her blood was drained," she commented.
Angelique closed her eyes and began to speak softly. She touched Carolyn's lifeless
body. Barnabas heard Carolyn's broken neck bones begin to move back into place.
The vampire wounds closed up and her body regained its color and flexibility as
the rigor mortis departed.
Jeb touched Carolyn's cheek. "She looks alive."
"Not yet," Angelique whispered. She raised her face towards the starry night.
"Spirits of the night, hear my call. Spirits of the night hear my voice and do
my bidding. A woman has died before her time. Carolyn Stoddard has been taken
from this world, but I have restored her body. Spirits of the night guide Carolyn
back to this earthen vessel that she may inhabit it once again and return to those
who love her. Spirits, hear me now!"
Carolyn took in a deep breath and moaned as it escaped her lips. Jeb reached down
and grasped her hand. "Carolyn, Carolyn!"
Carolyn opened her eyes. "Where am I?" She sat up in the coffin and Jeb tightly
embraced her as tears sled down his face. "Jeb, is this a coffin?"
Barnabas decided to provide a plausible explanation. "Carolyn what is the last
thing you remember?"
"Walking on the docks with Jeb."
"Well you tripped and fell into the water. You were unconscious and seemed to
have drowned. You were pronounced dead, but Jeb had a premonition that you were
still alive. Remember how the same thing happened to your mother? She was believed
dead, but was actually alive."
Jeb stared up at Barnabas and nodded. He understood that it would be better to
use this story than expect the family to accept all of these supernatural interventions.
Angelique retreated into the shadows.
