Subj: A More Consistent Origin, Part 22-23
Date: 1/1/99 9:13:34 PM Central Standard Time
From: Whitey Pale

Part 22

Angelique seemed relieved that the dapper, mustached man who had startled her was not Judah Zachary. In fact, that fact suddenly emboldened her, and she sternly said, "I do not know what you are doing here, but you had better leave immediately and never look back, or I will kill you!"

Nicholas Blair laughed. Angelique seethed. "I am warning you!"

"My dear," Nicholas laughed, "you slay me already with your threats. You obviously have no idea who I am," his expression suddenly darkened, "or you would not value me less of a threat than that other person you mentioned."

Nicholas Blair, of course, knew all about Judah Zachary and his plan for Angelique. It was Blair's business to keep track of all of the evil schemes going around. And Blair did not intend to interfere with Zachary's plan, although Nicholas held a certain distaste for Zachary, who had gotten himself beheaded and now was running, in his opinion, a two-bit witchcraft coven largely populated by misguided women who had no inkling of what they were doing other than learning self-defense. What a waste, Nicholas thought.

Angelique was starting to become somewhat unnerved by Blair's continued smugness and confidence. "What are you doing here?" she asked.

"Ah, a question, not a threat. That is MUCH better. I already told you why I am here. I came to tell you that your soul now belongs to me and my master. It became so when you killed your grandmother through your use of witchcraft," Nicholas explained.

Angelique was now scared. "But I did not mean to kill her! I only wanted to scare her, to punish her, to make her sorry for throwing my mother out into the streets! I did not mean to for her to die!"

Nicholas shook his head in mock sadness in a "Tsk Tsk" fashion. "Well, you certainly punished her didn't you? Although I must say that leaving this squalor," he waved his hand indicating Michele's dingy room, "and the miserable life she had might even be considered a blessing."

Nicholas paused, frowning. "In fact, if I were you, that is the line of argument I would use to save myself. A mercy killing. My master considers that a gray area, very dependent on the circumstances."

He stopped again to think, and then waved his hand dismissively. "No, your motive was to punish, to extract revenge. Whether the end result was what you intended is completely irrelevant. Your soul belongs to us."

Angelique now realized that she was not in the presence of an ordinary mortal. "What--what are you going to do to me?"

Blair smiled. "Do to you? We will DO nothing to you. You belong to us, why would we harm such a prized possession? A much better question is what can you do FOR us. Right now, all you need to do is go back to that book in your room, study diligently and continue to display the promise that you showed so brilliantly tonight. We will let you know when we want you to do something more for us."

"And if I refuse?" Angelique said with a touch of defiance.

Nicholas shook his head, and said solicitously, "Angelique. Angelique. Angelique. I do not see what you are making such a fuss over. My master and I can be very generous to those who help us. Of course, as you might guess, we would treat any rebellion on your part with--well, I believe that your 'Alexis' put it best a few minutes ago when she said--when you said--there is a terrible price to pay for betraying a demon."

"But I did not make a deal with you!" Angelique pleaded.

"Must you whimper so? I liked you much better when you were threatening me," Nicholas said tauntingly. "There are two types of witchcraft. One comes from nature, the other comes from Hell. Those who use witchcraft to work with nature, like your late mother for instance, my master does not care about. Those who use witchcraft to violate nature, to kill for instance, are borrowing witchcraft from Hell."

Blair smiled. "You might even say that you borrowed it without permission, that you stole it, and must now pay for its use. Of course, use of such powers come at a very steep price. . ."

Suddenly, a thought popped into Angelique's head and she blurted, "Are you a Leviathan?"

Nicholas bit his lip to keep from laughing. He did think that this part of Zachary's plan, to make Alexis think that Angelique would be the bride of the Leviathans, was hysterical, but he did not want to ruin anything. He searched a moment for a glib, ironic answer and then simply responded, "No."

Angelique grasped at straws. She gathered all of the rapidly fading arrogance at her disposal and said, "well, you should know that I am to be the bride of the king of the Leviathans. That may make your master have second thoughts."

Nicholas could not control himself any longer and let out a large bellylaugh. "I'm afraid not. In the first place, my master is well acquainted with the Leviathans. Your mother did not tell you, likely out of ignorance, that you would join us that way as well, through marriage so to say."

"In the second place," Blair continued, "the bride of the king of the Leviathans is supposed to be a virgin," Nicholas contorted his expression into a mock frown, "and you are not a virgin anymore, are you?"

Angelique bowed her head. She needed more time to think. Suddenly, she thought of a way to salvage a little something from the situation. "Does this mean that the monster that killed my mother and has been chasing me will leave me alone?"

Nicholas shook his head. "I'm afraid not. My master and I have nothing to do with the monster that killed your mother. I would suggest you talk to that other person you mentioned earlier about that." Nicholas pretended to search for the name for a few moments. "This Zachary person." Angelique shuddered at the mention of his name.

"But surely you or your master can put a stop to this monster? If I am so valuable to you, surely you do not want me to be harmed?" Angelique argued.

Blair smirked and circled Angelique as he spoke. "My dear, what a quick recovery! You have gone from whining about your fate to arguing that you are indispensable."

Nicholas stopped a few inches from Angelique's face. "I said that you will serve us, not that we will protect you. A large part of your value to us lies in your self-reliance and resourcefulness. If we stopped the monster ourselves, you would become soft, dependent. If the monster kills you before either you kill it or find some other way of stopping it. . ." Nicholas shrugged, "then your self-professed value to us was somewhat inflated." Angelique cast her eyes downward glumly.

Nicholas stuck out his hand and lifted up her chin. "Come, come, Angelique, why so sad? You have great powers. Powers that you truly relish using against others, as I saw tonight. "You are much more talented than your mother was. Would you rather be a simpering fool, a servant, a tool of others--or would you prefer to rule and dominate with an iron hand! I think that you prefer the latter." Nicholas abruptly let go of Angelique's chin.

"No!" Angelique said defiantly. "I am not like you. All of my spells I have done because I have needed to do them. I did not intend to kill my grandmother. And I have no intention of harming others."

"Unless," Nicholas interrupted, grinning, "you NEED to do it! I see. Of course." His expression became more serious and he continued, "I somehow think my dear, that in this world you will find that you will 'need' your powers a great deal. And that if people have to die so that you can get what you want, all the better, they are out of your way. You will learn that soon. Yes, I think that you probably will."

Nicholas turned to walk away, and then suddenly reversed himself, "And if I were you my dear, I would immediately go back to your room, grab that doll of yours and squeeze that scarf hard before that fool you let get away betrays you."

"Gavroche will never betray me. The poor fool is too scared. In fact, I will go up to my room and take off the scarf from around the doll's neck, as I promised I would do. So you see, you and your master are
mistaken about me," Angelique retorted.

Nicholas Blair's expression turned to disgust. "Then it is YOU who are the fool my dear, not him. But I think that I am right about you. We shall see."

Nicholas again turned to leave, but then reversed himself again and said brightly, "I told you who my master was not, but you never asked me who my master was. Aren't you curious?"

"No, I do not care." Angelique said, a little too strongly in her attempt to hide her fear of what Nicholas would say.

"I thought so." smirked Nicholas. "My master is Diabolos, master of Hell." And with that, Nicholas Blair stepped into the shadows and disappeared.

Angelique looked down at the body of her grandmother and immediately ran from the room. As she left the cellar, Angelique realized that she needed to be discreet, and quietly, but hurriedly crept back to her room. Then she defiantly removed Gavroche's scarf from the doll's neck. Angelique was not sure what she would do next, but she was sure of one thing, she would be no man's--or demon's slave.

Part 23

A slow, misty dawn slowly began to rise over Martinique as the night began to give way to a new day.

It could not have come sooner for Gavroche, who had been alternately running and panting for over seven hours after Angelique had sent him away in the night for the long trip home to the Du Pres plantation. Gavroche had traveled a few miles in the night, but was still a long way from home.

He hoped that Angelique would keep her word, and not harm him if he remained quiet. Stopping to pause again, Gavroche noticed that his neck no longer felt tight.

He rubbed a hand around it and could tell that Angelique had removed his scarf from around the clay doll with which she had caused him so much torment. Elated, he began walking rapidly along the road again,
hoping to put the nightmare behind him.

Suddenly, Gavroche noticed a figure in the foggy distance. He had seen no one on his travels overnight, but, with morning coming, it was not a surprise to him that he would see someone. As he came closer, Gavroche noticed that the figure was somewhat familiar.

"Gavroche?" the figure called.

Gavroche tried to focus his eyes, which were half-closed with fatigue. As the figure drew closer, he realized that it was Jacques, the Du Pres's muscular gardener and informal enforcer and policeman of the Du Pres estate. If trouble occurred, Jacques was the one sent out to quell it. Gavroche was not surprised that Andres Du Pres had sent Jacques out to look for him.

"Jacques! Mon Dieu! I am so glad to see you!" Gavroche ran into Jacques's arms.

Jacques dropped his gun and returned the embrace with a grimace. "Gavroche, thank heaven I found you! Where have you been? We have all been so worried when you did not return yesterday."

Gavroche remembered Angelique's warning. "After I dropped off Angelique at Monsieur Dawson's, I began to take the carriage home. I was ambushed by highwaymen. They took the carriage, the horses, and the remainder of the money Monsieur Du Pres had given us." he said.

Jacques let go of his embrace. "My friend, you are lucky to be alive after such an experience! Most highwaymen would leave you dead in the road for the dogs, so that you could not identify them or warn the authorities."

Gavroche reddened. "Yes, I was lucky. It was night and I escaped before they could catch me."

"A good move, Gavroche." Jacques said. "Money, carriages and horses can be replaced, but a human life cannot. We must go to the authorities immediately and identify these men so that they can be caught."

Gavroche became nervous. He did not expect this. "No!" he blurted, prompting a quizzical look from Jacques. "I mean, it was dark--I was scared--I don't remember what he looked like."

"He?" Jacques pressed. "I thought that you said that there were several of them."

Gavroche began to shift his feet. "Ummm, yes. One held a gun and the others were unarmed."

"And you outran them all to escape?" Jacques asked, appearing somewhat dubious.

"Yes! Jacques, why are you asking me so many questions? I am tired and scared." Gavroche blurted.

Jacques was unmoved. "Monsieur Du Pres has lost a carriage, two horses and a great deal of money. If we go to the authorities, perhaps we can recover them and prevent those highwaymen from preying on other innocent victims. Come, let us go back into town." He turned Gavroche back in that direction.

"No! You can't! You mustn't go there!" Gavroche screamed.

Jacques now turned on his friend with fury. "Why not? Is there something you are not telling me? I think that you are lying!"

"Why? Why do you say that?" Gavroche pleaded.

"First, because, you have consistently changed your story since we began speaking. Second, if your story were true and highwaymen took your carriage a day ago, you would certainly be farther along than you are now. Tell me, what have you done with Monsieur Du Pres' carriage and money?" Jacques grabbed Gavroche and began to shake him.

Gavroche protested. "No, Jacques! I am telling the truth, I swear it!"

Jacques snarled. "Then why did I run into a man riding a horse on my way here that looked a lot like Starla, and why did this man tell me that he bought the horse yesterday from a man fitting your description!"

Gavroche caved. "Jacques, please, it is not what you think! Yes, I made up the story. Yes, I sold the horses! But I had no choice, I was forced to do so."

Jacques pushed Gavroche away, "By who? Angelique?" Jacques snorted.

"Yes!" Gavroche exclaimed impulsively and then grabbed his neck in fear, remembering Angelique's warning.

Jacques roughly collared Gavroche and pulled him along. "Come with me you weasel! When Monsieur Du Pres finds out what you've done, he'll have you sent to Devil's Island!"

Gavroche sensed that he had no choice. He had to tell Jacques the truth.

"No, Jacques! It is true! Angelique used witchcraft on me! Monsieur Dawson's was deserted. I tried to get her to return, but she seduced me. She wrapped my scarf around a voodoo doll and forced me to give her the money, destroy the carriage and sell the horses for more money. Then she let me go and told me to walk back to the plantation."

Jacques pushed Gavroche away again. "I believe one part of that fairy story. Angelique seduced you and you GAVE her the money and the carriage. The rest of the story insults my intelligence!"

Gavroche ran to Jacques and grabbed him, causing Jacques to grimace again. Gavroche was hysterical.

"No, you must believe me! I can show you proof! Come back to the town with me. I have witnesses! The landlord at Dawson's! The owner of the stable we stayed in! An apothecary shop where Angelique bought witchcraft supplies from! And the inn where I left her--although you must not go there, because if she is still there and finds out that I told you, she will kill us both! Please, Jacques, please, you MUST believe me!"

Jacques considered the ferocity of Gavroche's plea, and then pushed him away. "No, I don't believe you." he concluded.

"But I told you, I have proof, witnesses!" Gavroche wailed.

"I do not believe you, because if Angelique is what you say she is, she would not have let you live." Jacques concluded.

"She told me that she regretted putting me under her power, but that she had to do it so that she could follow some quest she is on for her roots. She told me that if I kept her secret, she would let me live."

Jacques turned to Gavroche and said icily, "And you have betrayed her trust. How very brave of you."

"I did not want to do it, Jacques! You forced me into it, with your threats." Gavroche responded.

"If I did not do it, someone else probably would have. It's a pity really." Jacques said evenly.

"What is?"

"That Angelique is still so careless. Still, I guess this justifies my master keeping her in the dark as to his true intentions," Jacques answered.

"Yes, we must inform Monsieur Du Pres at once! He will have everyone on Martinique searching for the witch!" Gavroche exclaimed.

"I do not mean Monsieur Du Pres. I mean Judah Zachary."

Gavroche began to ask who Judah Zachary was, but the words caught in his throat as Jacques began to change shape before his eyes. To his horror, Gavroche watched Jacques transform into a seven foot tall monster covered with fur, with sharp claws and fangs, and searing red eyes. Gavroche turned to run, but the monster leaped at Jacques and tore at his throat, killing him instantly.

The changeling then returned his form to "Jacques" and rubbed his arm where Angelique had burned him the night before. Jacques then pulled out a gun from his bag, and shot the dead Gavroche in the head.

Jacques then again became the beast and fed on the corpse, giving it the look of having been chewed upon by dogs. He did not want to make the murder look too much like his killing of Alexis. Then, with the dawn burning the mists away, the changeling again became Jacques.

His work complete, Jacques turned to go back to the Du Pres mansion. There he told Andrea Du Pres and the other servants that he had heard from witnesses in the town that, after dropping off Angelique, Gavroche had been set upon by highwaymen and was killed, and that they had taken all of his possessions.

NEXT: Josette Returns.