Visitors

   All night, Angelique stayed up trying to figure out who this another Witch could be.
She had live long enough to know most of Witches that had survived so long that their powers could anyhow threat her, and those Witches she has made deals with not to attack on one another.
In weak morning light she drive to Angel Bay, calling every man she had to meeting.
 She had always been well prepared for everything, and now she would make sure she is prepared as well.
"Miss Bouchard, what is this?" One of her most trusted man asked tiredly.
"Shut up, drink your coffee and be wide awake. We have a problem"
Man blinked his eyes in surprise but nodded, "Of course."
 Angelique looked at the men around the table, some of them standing since there was no space to sit anymore.
 Soon one of guardians came into the room. "Miss Bouchard, it is young Miss Stoddard, she says she must meet you right away"
Angelique looked confused but nodded, "Lead her into my office. I will be there soon."
Guardian nodded and left.
Angelique looked at the men, making long story short. Her men seemed to understand the point fast, and within 15 minutes Angelique was alone in room.
Her men knew everything of what she was. And they were all well trained to protect her. Reward they got from it, was good. Angelique would be in trouble if any of them betrayed her, so she payed them well for their hard work as well as loyalty. Sings of betraying lead easily to that she brainwashed those men and kick out. Everyone knew what she was able to do, so they respected her with slight fear.
  She took all folders and left into her office.
"Carolyn, what a surprise. What brings you here? You're little too young to work for me."
Carolyn rolled her eyes. "Look, what ever you did to my mother, change her back as she was."
"Touching, you care."
Carolyn narrowed her eyes. "Shut up."
"Have I ever told you that I like your temperament?"
"Just help my mother, ok?"
"I can't... I did nothing to her."
Carolyn stared at Angelique in disbelief. "You did. You lie."
Angelique smiled, "Why should I lie? If I had cursed your mother, don't you think she would be dead by now?"
Carolyn looked down, obviously swallowing back her anger but still thinking about it. Sure Angelique was known in her family by that classic line that "If she wanted to kill you, you'd be dead by now".
"I guess."
"So, what about if you just leave before I have to kick you out?"
Carolyn looked at Angelique, her bitchy teenager eyes reflecting real desperation.
"Angie, can't you just help us for once in your damn Witchy life?"
Angelique raised eyebrow, "You're actually scared for her."
"Alright, alright! I am. Now help her. Ok?"
Angelique sighed, "I can't Carolyn."
"What you mean you can't? You've really easily destroyed everything around you, why can't you fix even one thing?"
"Carolyn I have not cursed your mother!"
"Oh right, like you didn't curse Barnabas and me"
"Carolyn! I am not only Witch in town anymore."
Carolyn looked surprised. "And you admit that?"
Angelique hissed angrily, "Get out of my office before I make sure that your miserable Doggie life gets few decades shorter"
Just now Carolyn stepped back few steps. As a human, she could do nothing to Angelique.
"Hey.. You know me.. I just.." She swallowed slightly and smiled nervously, "Angie, can't we just talk, ok?"
Angelique smiled sweetly, "Of course. What kind of funeral you want?"
Carolyn looked at her eyes wide, "Seriously Angie, this isn't fun anymore."
 Angelique stepped closer, "I think it's just becoming much more fun"
Carolyn looked at the door, obviously thinking could she make it out of the door before Angelique got her.
"Don't bother, my men will catch you sooner than you can say my name."
"Angie... You already cursed me, you ruined my life, ruined our business and all, aren't you satisfied?"
"Maybe I want all Collins family members dead."
"I.. Am Stoddard. Not Collins"
"Nice try."
"Yeah, seems like it didn't work."
"It didn't." Angelique smiled.
"Hands off my daughter!" Elizabeth screamed as she came into the room, trying to catch her breath.
Angelique looked at Elizabeth, "You shouldn't run so much in that age. It doesn't do good to your health old woman."
"Stay.. away from my.. My daughter."
"Cute."
Elizabeth sighed, "Carolyn, get out."
Carolyn looked at Angelique and then her mother, slowly backing away from the room.
"Angelique!" Another voice called.
Angelique raised eyebrow, "What damn Collins family meeting here is today?"
Barnabas came into the room and shot the door closed, "Now you don't leave this room until I have made myself clear to you Witch."
"Mind your blood pressure Barnabas, all my men are well trained to kill all kind of supernatural creatures."
"Including Witches?"
"No."
Elizabeth looked tired but her eyes were wide open, looking rather crazy. "Angelique, what ever you did to my family, fix this."
"And Collinwood is nearly destroyed! We have but very few rooms we can live in!" Barnabas growled.
" Congratulations for both of you, you're obviously Collins family." Angelique smiled sweetly.
Barnabas hissed angrily and took hold of Angelique's neck, "Fix this, or I shall make sure you will be destroyed along with us."
"Go on, slaughter me. My men will do what I started. You will be handed over to villagers, and the fact that you rebuild your family reputation with murder, will destroy everything you have build."
Barnabas let go of her. "You shall never have my love."
"I will."
"Never."
Elizabeth sighed heavily and kneel down, taking hold of Angelique's hand. "Please, help us."
Barnabas looked at Elizabeth eyes wide, "Do not be fool!"
Elizabeth looked at Barnabas with her insane eyes, "I am tired of this Barnabas. She has powers... " She shake her head, "I am tired.."
Barnabas looked down, "I know."
Angelique raised eyebrow and pulled her hand away from Elizabeth, "Get up old woman. You look too pathetic already."
 "You can curse me as you want Angelique, I have nothing more to lose... Just please help my family."
Barnabas growled and pulled Elizabeth back to her feet, "My family does not kneel down to servant girl!"
"Barnabas, face the truth! She is only one who can help us now!"
"Then I deal with it by myself. But we do not kneel down to her!"
"Being too proud doesn't help us through this now..."
"Perhaps not, but being weak doesn't help either."
Barnabas pushed Elizabeth towards the door, "Go to Carolyn. I handle Bouchard by myself."
Angelique smiled, "How cute, desperation fits to your family well Barnabas."
Barnabas growled and waited until Elizabeth was out. "You will have a taste to that desperation as well my dear... You wanted to marry me, so you are to be Collins as well."
Angelique laughed softly, "In your dreams blood sucker."
Barnabas came to her, placing his hand either sides of her, pushing her against the wall. "My dreams, are your nightmare my dear."
"Are they? I find this rather pleasurable."  Angelique smiled.
"We shall see if you think so after I am done with you" Barnabas whispered coldly, piercing his fangs into her neck.

 

Keep friends close, enemies closer

   "I'm telling you Angelique, she has awaken!" Barnabas kept saying over and over again.
Angelique covered her face with her hands and rub her forehead, "Fine, believe that if you want.."
"What other explanation you can give for her disappearing?"
Angelique looked at him and shake her head slightly, "I don't know."
Barnabas smiled a bit, "You do still have hard time admitting you are wrong."
"Maybe it is so." Angelique said and looked out of the window, gentle glowing light catching her attention again.
 Before she was able to react to it though, Barnabas seemed to turn around to look at the door like waiting for someone to come in.
"Barnabas?"
He hold out his hand to order her to keep quiet as he slowly got closer to the door. "Who is there?! Show yourself you mystic creature!"
Angelique hurry to take hold of his arm, "Barnabas, don't be stupid, no one's there!"
Barnabas looked at her confused, "You don't feel that strange presence? It is so... Familiar.. Yet so fresh, like flower dying and growing back again with new life next summer."
Angelique swallowed back her anger and slight desperation that she didn't want Barnabas to meet Josette.
 "Maybe it's just Vicky. Barnabas you can't go to her now, if she's Werewolf, she could kill you!"
 Barnabas shake his head, "There's no sense of danger..."
Angelique tried hard to stay calm and make him stay, but as much as she tried, more he thought she was the one insane.
 "Barnabas.." Hollow, ghostly voice filled the room.
Barnabas froze, looking around the room, obviously prepared to defend himself if situation so requested.
"Show yourself!" He commanded angrily.
Angelique hold his arm tighter, "Barnabas, don't..."
He looked at her and offered her slight smile, "Do not fear." Then he looked around, commanding more powerful voice, "Show yourself! You mysterious whispering creature! I do not fear of your presence!"
 Glowing light ball appeared to other side of the room and they both turned around.
Barnabas narrowed his eyes, "What is this..?"
Slowly the delicate form of Josette DuPres was getting more clear and Barnabas gasped slightly in surprise, watching the ghost with wide eyes. "J-Josette?"
 Josette pointed towards Angelique, "Your curses destroyed this family once, now you must safe what is left of it. You are no longer only Witch in Collinsport."
 Barnabas looked from Josette to Angelique and back to Josette.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
Josette turned to look at him, smiling gently, her ghostly glowing eyes filled with love.
"You are never alone Barnabas... Never."
"J-Josette.. Why you never came to me? I so desperately cried out for you, called you, and you never came to me. Why?"
Josette looked down and shake her head, "I'm sorry."
Angelique narrowed her eyes with her pure hate for that woman. Even she was dead she ruined her life with Barnabas.
Josette looked at her and shake her head, "Save your anger for someone is true threat for you."
After that Josette fall backwards through the floor, leaving Barnabas and Angelique wonder what on earth just happened.
 Barnabas looked at the spot where Josette had disappeared until he turned to look at Angelique.
"You can bring her back to life."
Angelique shot cold look into his eyes, "Never."
Barnabas took hold of her arms "Give her a chance! Give her life back! One you stole away way too early! I will marry you, I will give as many children as you are able to bear, but I want you to bring her back to life so she can live the life she deserved! Get married and have her own family!"
 "There's already Vicky! She is Josette!"
"She is not. They look the same, they has connection, but Josette is a ghost, Victoria is... Human, or Werewolf."
Angelique shake her head, "I will never bring her back to you. Never."
Barnabas let go of her arms, standing straight and swallowed back his own anger, "Then our engagement is broken. I am not going to marry you."
Angelique looked hurt and step back few steps. "You're foolish man Barnabas. Your family will die one after another, and you can only watch and know it's your fault!"
"You do not harm my family Angelique!"
"Watch me" Angelique hissed and left, soon getting Barnabas following her.
"Angelique! Angelique, you come back here and we shall find understatement somehow. Solution at least until we figure out what to do!"
Angelique stopped and smiled sweetly. "You and your family, no longer work for my company."
"Angelique!"
"And.. "She looked around, seeing damaged fireplace and smiled wickedly.
Barnabas took hold of her arm, "Angelique, stop this madness!"
"Sleeping flame, I summon thee. May your form return. Make the night as bright as day, and Burn, Baby, Burn"
Barnabas watched the damaged fireplace with wide eyes as it burst into flames, quickly destroying the manor more.
"Angelique! I beg of you! Stop this!"
"Too little, too late." Angelique said, turning around and walked out of the burning Collinwood.
 Her heart was heavy and felt more and more sore as she got farther away from Barnabas, but she kept her head up and walked away, hearing Barnabas long time yelling after her to get her come back to safe Collinwood.
 She fight back bitter tears and kept walking towards her house.

  ... "Oh I love him so much! Angelique, come here! I want to hear your opinion!" Josette's voice called from one of the quest rooms where Barnabas had made place for Josette where she could stay whenever she wanted.
 Angelique came into the room, keeping her hands behind her back and looking down, "Yes Miss DuPres?"
Josette giggled, "Don't call me so, I feel like we are already friends, you can call me Josette."
"Friends?" Angelique repeated truly confused. She had hardly ever spent more than few minutes in same room with Josette.
"Yes, Barnabas has told me so much about you! I was thrilled to hear that here is another young woman such as myself to keep me company, and Barnabas told me you're really kind and helpful."
"I see.. That's way too kind of him to say."
"Don't underestimate yourself Angelique, you are very pretty and once I am married with Barnabas and our children needs governess, we will give that place for you. Then you can join the Balls and get married with some nice gentleman. You will be very happy then."
Angelique was sick of hearing her overly joyful voice and sweetness, so she simply nodded, "If you say so"
 Josette smiled, "Come here with me Angelique, I was trying on my new dresses and I have trouble to decide which one I would wear tonight on dinner with Barnabas. I wished you to help me decide."
 "Of course.."
Angelique stand next to the mirror and watched as Josette changed into another dress and turned few times around in front of her. "What you think?"
"Very beautiful." Angelique nodded.
"I thought so too. I love these flower prints here.."
"If I may say so, the neckline of this dress seems little lame, you will be needing a handsome necklace to fulfill the look" Angelique said.
Josette looked at herself from mirror, "Yes, you are very right Angelique. It does look boring without necklace.. Well, I will try another one."
 Angelique waited as Josette changed into another dress and turned around few times again. "How about this one?"
 "Personally I like that one much more." Angelique said and noticed that even she hated the very reason Josette was there, she started to like Josette somewhat. For an aristocratic woman, Josette was really delightful and kind for everyone, making Angelique almost feel like her equal.
 "I think it's little too dark." Josette thought aloud while studying herself from the mirror.
"But it looks really elegant." Angelique pointed out the fact.
"Yes, it does indeed." Josette nodded, "You have excellent taste Angelique."
"Thank you."
Josette changed into another dress and came to turn around few times in front of her again.
"How about this last one?"
Angelique looked at the dress carefully, it fit to Josette perfectly. It was sky-blue and really supported her delicate figure. "It is pretty. But I like previous one better."
Josette looked at herself from mirror and then the darker dress. "It is too dark for me... But," She looked up to Angelique and took the dress into her hands, holding it against Angelique, "It is perfect for you."
Angelique looked at her with wide eyes, "Me?"
Josette nodded and smiled, "You have beautiful dark hair, this looks perfect for you, so I give it to you."
"Where would I wear such gorgeous dress?" Angelique asked truthfully. She was just a maid, and all fine celebrations were denied from her.
"I want to see it on you in my wedding. You will be my personal assistant and help me through the day, so you must look very pretty. And of course there is a chance some fine gentleman notice you there. I'm sure Barnabas will make sure your future husband is able to give you good and happy life."
 "You want me to weak this on your wedding day?"
Josette nodded again. "Yes. You will look perfect, just as my friend should be looking."
"Well... Thank you.. This really is too much to-"
"Stop it! I want to give it and then it's not too much." Josette said and smiled then, "Go on, try it. I want to see how it looks on you."
 "Now?"
"Yes, now!"
"But I should be going to clean the -"
"None of that! I will tell them that I needed your help and released you for rest of the day from your other duties."
"For whole day?"
"Yes. I need help with wedding plans, and I like to have female company."
"I see.."
 Josette looked excited, "Try it."
 Angelique looked at the dress and nodded then, "Fine. I try it."
 Josette waited as she changed into dark dress and came in front of her.
"Oh Angelique! It's so beautiful!" Josette said. She turned Angelique to look at herself from mirror
"Look, you look like Queen of the Night!"
Angelique blinked few times, she did look quite perfect.
 They heard knock from the door and Josette hurry to open it, "Yes?"
"I only came to make sure you have all you need." Barnabas's voice answered.
Josette opened the door wide open and hugged him, "Oh I am so happy here. And come to see Angelique, you cannot believe how terribly beautiful she is."
Angelique looked around the room to find place to hide but Josette pulled Barnabas into the room and turned him to see Angelique. "Look at her! I gave her that dress to wear in our wedding. I want her to be my assistant and help me with whatever I need help with, so she must be pretty. And she is! She is beautiful!"
 Barnabas seemed to lose his voice for while as he nodded slightly, "Yes.. Very.. Very beautiful."
Angelique looked away, hoping that Josette will let her leave. It was humiliating that Josette brought Barnabas to see her now, and seeing them together made Angeliques blood boil.
"Josette.. Could I possibly go take this dress to my room so it won't get ruined when I work.. "
Josette turned to look at her, "Sure, come back here when you're done. No hurry though! We have all day!"
Angelique swallowed back her hateful anger and walked quickly to her own room.
  Even she hated Josette more than she ever could imagine she was able to hate, somehow she liked the way Josette treated her. As a friend. Friend Angelique never had before....

    As Angelique came to her own house, she started thinking Josette's words tonight.
She wasn't only Witch in town anymore...
Was it possible that Josette came to warn her to save her from the threat of another Witch?

New circle of Curses

 
       The night of full moon was going to be a nightmare to Angelique. Barnabas couldn't stop repeating his questions did she sense any different in Victoria.
 He was desperate with his wish Victoria to wake up.
Angelique didn't have a heart to tell him that she was perfectly, completely dead.
  "Is she changing? What she needs to eat?" Barnabas asked, probably for the five million time.
"I don't know Barnabas, I don't know... I'm not werewolf, I can't tell." She sighed.
As the moon raised above the Collinwood manor, Barnabas kept staring at Victoria's body.
They heard wolfs farther away howling.
 Barnabas turned to look at Angelique, "Why she doesn't respond? Why she does not get up and answer others call?"
Angelique placed her hand on his cheek, "Barnabas... She's not answering to them because she was too weak at the begin with."
 Barnabas step back few steps, shaking his head, "No... No, she's not dead."
"Barnabas... She is."
"No!"
Before Angelique was able to do anything, he knelt down next to Victoria, piercing his fangs into her neck.
"No, Barnabas! Stop!"Angelique tried to pull him away from the body. "She's bitten by a werewolf, she's poisoned! Stop it Barnabas!"
 As soon as he pulled back, he placed his hand to his throat, trying to breath.
"What... What?! Angel.. Angelique.. Help me!"
Angelique watched him in shock as he fell to the floor, fighting to breath.
She kneel down and pulled him close, resting his head on her lap and tried to calm him down.
"Shhh... I will not let you die. Bite me Barnabas, bite me."
"You.. no blood.."
"I have."Angelique nodded, making the spell to fill her heart with blood. "Bite me now Barnabas!"
She didn't need to ask twice. He pierced his fangs to her wrist, feeding thirstily.
As Angelique looked around, she saw Josette standing near to Victoria, watching the girl with sad look in her eyes.
 "Get out" She hissed to the ghost.
Josette turned to look at Angelique, "Your jealousy is stronger than your love for him?"
"Never!"
Barnabas let go of her wrist, "Wh-What?"
Angelique kissed his forehead, "Nothing my love. Do you feel better?"
He nodded, breathing deeply as he closed his eyes for while, relaxing in her arms.
 Josette shake her head, "You keep hurting him... " After that, she disappeared as fast as she was appeared.
 Angelique swallowed her anger and focused on Barnabas.
He seemed to recover quickly, and as he got back to his feet, he looked at Angelique, ordering her sharply; "Bring her back to life Angelique. Use your horrifying powers to good purpose for once."
"Barnabas... I can't bring her back. Or I can, but she would not be Victoria you knew. She'd be a zombie."
"A zombie? Are you telling me that those exists as well?"
"Yes, if they're summoned. They doesn't exist without a Witch to command them. Though if the Witch dies, after bringing them to life, they keep on living as living dead, looking for their master."
 Barnabas sighed. "I shouldn't have ask you to turn her back to human... She would be still a Vampire, she would be fine."
"Barnabas, she was bitten by a Werewolf. Vampires dies to Werewolf bites. Though Werewolfs dies to Vampire bites as well."
"And what bite kills the Witch?
Angelique raised eyebrow, "You're planning to kill me now?"
"No. I am curious." Barnabas answered looking at her sharply.
"Witches don't die for bites. You have bite me, Carolyn has bite me, and I don't die. Ghosts however...."
Barnabas narrowed his eyes "Ghosts has power over Witches.."
"No. Witches and Ghosts are like Werewolfs and Vampires. Witches can destroy the soul that still keeps wandering through this world. But Ghosts can also affect on Witches... You see, Witches are spiritual creatures. Ghosts are rulers of spiritual world...."
 "I see... But Witches can harm Vampires and Werewolfs as well as Ghosts. It makes you rather powerful compared to others." Barnabas said.
"I have my weaknesses." Angelique smiled a bit, for while looking as innocent and sweet as she was before. Looking at him lovingly.
 "Hm... You seem to know how to use your weakness as your strength." He said, noticing her loving, gently admiring look. "I like your weakness, Angelique."
 "Sometimes I like it as well." She nodded.
Soon Willie came to the room, gasping his breath "Miss Elizabeth is crazy! Help her! She is insane!"
Barnabas and Angelique shared confused looks and left. On their way to find Elizabeth, they saw Carolyn running out side through the forest with her wild furry form.
 "She doesn't look like creature I would like to pet" Angelique said.
"Yes, better you keep your wicked nails away from her" Barnabas nodded.
Angelique looked hurt, "You think it's my fault Elizabeth is crazy?"
"No. I am simply not in mood for your twisted jokes Angelique, my family is falling apart." He answered, walking faster.
Angelique keep up with him until they noticed Elizabeth walking out of the doorway, through the forest, towards Widow's Hill.
 "I swear, that wasn't my idea." Angelique said.
Barnabas looked at her, "I thought it's your specialty to sent people there..."
"Not anymore. I almost liked her work she did to my folders. I thought she might actually be useful in business."
Barnabas raised eyebrow, "You are changing."
"I promised you."
"Yes you did. I am proud of the step you have taken."
Angelique looked up to his eyes, "It doesn't mean I like her."
"I did not ask you to like them, only live in peace with them."
"That's what I'm working on"
Barnabas smiled, "I am most glad of it."
"Alright daddy, are you done with speech or will we just stand here and watch as she jump?" Angelique asked.
Barnabas blinked and looked at Elizabeth.
"Elizabeth! Elizabeth no! Come back!" He run after her and took hold of her arms.
"Angelique! Come help me!"
Angelique came to them and took good look at the old woman. "She's not crazy. She's asleep."
Barnabas looked at her surprised. "Asleep?"
"Yes..."
"How can she still fight back so much?"
"I don't know..." Angelique said, looking slightly curious of this as well. She snapped her fingers in front of Elizabeth's eyes and the woman opened her eyes, looking around.
"Why I'm here? Angelique? No! I don't want to die! I don't want to fall!.... I must.. I must fall"
Angelique and Barnabas looked at each other.
From Angelique's perfectly surprised expression, Barnabas was sure she didn't have anything to do with Elizabeth's strange will to die.
 "Elizabeth? Elizabeth, you must come home with me now." He said.
"No! I must jump!"
"No, you do not do such thing."
Angelique took hold of Barnabas's arm, whispering, "We have to take her back to Collinwood even by forcing her, otherwise she will find way or other to jump. With or without us."
 "How you know?"
"With that insane desire, she can do it."
"Hm,.. You must be right. " Barnabas nodded and lifted Elizabeth to his shoulder. "We go home."
"No! I know you two are planning to kill me! Let me choose my way to die. I want to jump! Barnabas let go!" Elizabeth screamed.
Angelique sighed, "Let me put her to sleep."
Barnabas looked at her. "Just to sleep?"
"Yes, so she'd shut her mouth."
"Very well." Barnabas nodded.
Angelique hold her hand to cover Elizabeth's eyes and whispered the spell, making Elizabeth fall into deep sleep.
 Barnabas looked over his shoulder, "She is in peace."
"For while. That spell doesn't last long. Just so we get her to Collinwood."
    "Mother?!"
"Carolyn, stay where you are." Barnabas ordered.
Carolyn looked shocked, and saw Angelique then. "What have you done to my mother?!"
"Nothing!"
Barnabas looked at Carolyn sharply, "Be quiet Carolyn, we will explain everything to you later. Now step aside so we get your mother safely back home."
"Right, you defend that bitch who cursed us all! You're such a freak!"
"Hold your tongue young lady!" Barnabas growled.
"In your dreams." Carolyn hissed.
Barnabas shook his head and kept going.
"Hey Angie! If my mother is cursed now, I make sure you suffer." Carolyn yelled after them.
 Angelique sighed, "I will never be in peace with that dog"
"Do not call her dog, she is upset. I shall talk to her later. She have to learn to hold her tongue as you need to learn control your jealousy and evil thoughts. You are proving it is possible, so it is possible that Carolyn will learn to act as polite people should."
 They settle Elizabeth down and go see Victoria.
Angelique stepped into the room first and froze. Barnabas nearly walked on her and looked at her curiously before looked into the room. "Where is she?"
"I don't know.."
Barnabas smiled, "She woke up!"
Angelique looked at Barnabas and then the empty table where Victoria was supposed to be.
"Did she?..." She thought aloud and looked around, she had feeling that someone else than herself was playing around with Collins family now.

Return of Josette DuPres

   Two weeks was already passed since Carolyn attacked Victoria, but Barnabas refused to allow her to be buried. Elizabeth had hands full with work Angelique had given her and top of that she had to comfort Carolyn who was shocked of fact she had killed Vicky.
 David on the other hand was locked himself to his room, and Elizabeth couldn't understand where Doctor Hoffman had disappeared now since the boy definitely needed her.
  "Angelique, you have to come to Collinwood." Elizabeth said as she walked into Angelique's office.
Angelique leaned back and watched Elizabeth for while with her wicked, cold eyes.
"Who gave you permission to enter my office?"
Elizabeth placed all papers and folders, Angelique had made her go through, to the desk.
"Here, your highness. It's all done. And I doubt I need permission to come to you, when it's about Barnabas."
Angelique stand up, "Don't you dare underestimate my love for him!"
Elizabeth looked down, quickly dropping her sarcastic attitude. She had to constantly remind herself that Angelique was only one able to help her family right now, since they didn't have any money without her.
 "Sorry."
Angelique took the folders and put them to the closet.
"How is he?" She asked looking at Elizabeth over her shoulder.
Elizabeth looked at her, "He doesn't leave her. Not even for little while. He still waits for her to open her eyes."
"He haven't feed at all?"
"No."
Angelique looked out of window, "She's not going to wake up. I tried... I really tried, but I couldn't make her heart beat"
Elizabeth seemed perfectly surprised. "You actually tried to save her?"
Angelique hissed angrily, turning to face Elizabeth, "Of course I tried! Not because of myself.. But because of him. I was fine with her death, but he wasn't. He needed her to at least be alive. So I tried... I tried to save her for his happiness."
Elizabeth didn't know what to say, she had never thought that Angelique was able to feel something so deep as love.
 Angelique turned to take her handbag and shut the lights from her office. "I come to see him little later."
Elizabeth followed her out of Angel Bay and watched as she got into her car and drive away.
 While she drive towards her house, she tried to think how to make Barnabas let go of Victoria.
 As she got home, she walked right away to bathroom and made bath ready, go choose the dress and took it near before she got into bathtub, leaned back and closed her eyes to relax.

 .... "Am I doing this too hard" She heard Barnabas's gentle voice whispering behind her, while massaging her shoulders and back.
  "No.. It's perfect. You are perfect." She found herself saying, looking around bathroom which was filled with candles.
"Hm, I try." Barnabas said and slid his hands around her, pulling her into protective hug and she leaned back against his chest, keeping her eyes closed.
Barnabas run his fingers up and down her arms, making her shiver slightly even water was hot.
"You're teasing me." She smiled and looked up to him. She saw him grinning slightly before kissed her shoulder. "I did not mean to."
"You lie" Angelique laughed and sit up, turning around to face him.
"I swear, I did not." Barnabas protested, obviously holding back laughter as well.
Angelique wrap her arms loosely around his neck, and kissed him.
"You taste like soap." Barnabas said, pulling her closer while he leaned back to bathtub again, holding her against him.
"I know. So do you" She nodded burying her face to his neck, closing her eyes.
"Do you feel better now?" He whispered softly into her ear, making her shiver.
"I do.. You're my own Angel." She whispered against his neck, causing him shiver slightly as well.
Barnabas tightened his hold of her and kissed her shoulder, "Let this be our Heaven then"
 "Yes.. Let it be so." Angelique found herself agreeing...

  She opened her eyes and got out of bath, wrapping towel around her hair and bathrobe around her body before she stepped out of bathroom.
Something about the memory she just had remembered, made her long to get into his arms. She wanted to go back in that time when they were happily together.
 Shaking her head and clearing her mind from fantasies, she took the dress and got it on, going back to bathroom to do her hair and make up, that didn't take long from her after few centuries of practice.
 After she checked that she had all she needed in her handbag, she left, driving as fast as could so she'd see him as soon as possible.
 This time Willie was waiting for her and opened her car door to her when she stopped.
"At the end of hall, left door" He said when she stand up.
Angelique didn't show any reaction to his words, she simply walked in damaged manor and walked through the hall and opened the door.
 Barnabas was on his knees next to wooden table where Victoria was placed to.
Angelique stepped into the room and kneel down next to him. "Barnabas... Look at me"
Barnabas didn't move for while until finally turning his bloody eyes to look at Angelique.
His pain and sorrow ate him inside, and now Angelique knew she could never fill that hole in his heart that Victoria's death has caused.
 "You have to come with me. You need blood."
"Blood... Yes.. " His eyes trailed down to her neck and he licked his lips.
"Barnabas, don't.. Not me." Angelique said, pulling back, trying to make him stand up. "Come with me Barnabas. I will find someone for you to slaughter."
"No.. "He said as he stood up and pushed her against the wall. "No others." He hissed, piercing his fangs into her neck.
 Angelique gasped weakly, feeling his fangs break her skin. Knowing she was able to survive without blood in her system, she made quick spell to make her heart beat blood in her so he could get at least something to feed his hunger.
 "Barnabas... You're hurting.. Me.."
Barnabas growled, feeding hungrily from her neck and took hold of her wrists to stop her from trying to make him stop.
 She felt her wrists break in his tight hold, and as soon as she fell into unconsciousness, her heart stopped making blood. That was when Barnabas pulled back, his lips and chin covered with blood.
"Angelique?" He asked helplessly like lost child and let her go, soon lifting her into his arms as she was about to fall to the ground. "Angelique?... Angelique! No.. No.. Not you. You promised me.. Angelique!"
He shake her body desperately, blood tears running down his cheeks.
 "Stop it.. "Angelique whispered tiredly and blinked her eyes open.
"Angelique? You're alive.. Thank god." Barnabas said and hugged her so tightly she thought she may get few cracks more.
 "Barnabas, you need to come with me. You need to feed more. I will bring you back here then. I promise."
"But she might wake up. It is nearly full moon. Maybe if she did turn into werewolf, she might wake up!"
Angelique looked into his eyes, behind those bloody tears that didn't seem to stop cascading from his eyes, there was small hope. Hope that he refused to let go. Even he knew it was nearly impossible, he wanted to believe in it.
 "Barnabas... She was too-"
"That's why she's resting now. Recovering. Changing. Into a werewolf."
Angelique couldn't break his last hope, and she simply nodded. "Maybe..."
Barnabas looked at her hopefully, "You really think so?"
Angelique sighed. "I think... Miracles can happen sometimes. I think, she was too weak to survive, but we can wait until full moon, if there happens a miracle."
 "Full moon.. Yes, of course.. Full moon. It is after two nights. She may wake up" Barnabas nodded.
"Barnabas you must come out of here for while and feed. You can't help her now. We sent Willie to guard her, and you come with me so we can find you some people to slaughter."
 "Yes, Willie.. Willie will guard her." Barnabas nodded and walked to the door.
Angelique took hold of his arm and lead her out. Cool night air hit their face and Barnabas closed his eyes for while. "Ah, the freshing wind" He said, standing still for while, enjoying the wind cooling him.
 Angelique watched him carefully and something catch her eye moving in shadows near by.
"Wait here" She said to Barnabas and walked towards the shadows.
 Behind damaged manor, was floating weak ball of light.
Angelique narrowed her eyes and stepped closer, when she realized it's not ball. It was delicate Victorian beauty Josette.
 "Why are you still here?" Angelique asked, failing to mask her jealousy perfectly from her voice.
 "He needed me..." Josette said simply.
 "He doesn't need you to remind him from his past... I take care of him now.This is our new start!"
Josette looked at Angelique calmly. "You wasn't here when his world broke down on him, nor when he spent nights crying and praying for Miss Winters. I heard his cries and felt his pain, and at least for little while, I can make him feel he's not alone."
 Angelique hissed but Josette shake her head "I know." She said, smiling sadly. "All you've done, was deep down motivated by your love. You are cruel, Angelique. You do terrible things. But greatest of your powers, is your love. That's why you did try to save Miss Winters. That's why you are so willing to do anything to make him happy."
Angelique looked surprised.
Josette looked through the forest towards Widow's Hill. "But you will never be me. You will never find the love I did. Because difference between you and me, is here." She placed her hand on her chest. "I love through the death. I love him even I can't have him. I love, even I know he doesn't know it. And my heart is not poisoned my jealousy. You may have him Angelique. But he has my love, and you cannot take that away from him."
 After that, she disappeared.
Angelique scratched nearest tree, leaving deep marks on it, and left back to Barnabas.
 He looked at her curiously, "What did you do there?"
"I was thinking." She said, walked to him and placed her hands on his cheeks. "I love you Barnabas."
He raised his eye brow, seemingly surprised of her sudden emotional state. "Yes.. I know."
She hugged him tightly, resting her head against his chest. "You can't even imagine... How terribly much I love you. The pain you carry in your sinfully beautiful heart, breaks my heart. Those tears you cry, are like knifes through my chest... Let me be here for you my love."
 Barnabas looked perfectly surprised now, but her words touched something in him and he hugged her slowly back.
"I love you too Angelique."
 Angelique smiled, one single tear falling down her cheek and she hold him bit tighter.
     Not so far away, Josette watched over them and smiled sadly.
"I hope she can give you happiness you once gave to me."
 Barnabas looked around and loosen his hold of Angelique a bit.
"What is it?" Angelique asked and looked at him slightly worried.
Barnabas shake his head. "Nothing... Nothing. I suppose it was the wind. Shall we go now?"
Angelique kissed his lips softly. "Yes, you must be starving."
"Hm, I admit."
 Angelique took hold of his hand, walking towards the town with him.

What woman won't do to get man she loves?

  By the time Angelique got back home, she already had visitor waiting for her.
She opened her door, "Get in." She hissed coldly to dirty older man.
Man walked in and waited Angelique to give him permission to sit.
"Sit. I need you to do something"
"I thought so, otherwise you wouldn't have called me here."
"Don't pretend to be smart."
"I'm sorry."
Angelique looked at the man emotionless expression on her face. "Carolyn Stoddard Collins. Little bastard I sent you to bite years ago, I want you to make her hunt down Victoria Winters."
"Victoria Winters? But why?"
"Don't ask, it's none of your business." Angelique hissed.
Old man sighed. He knew he had no other choice but do as she told him to.
He nodded, "Of course. As you wish my lady"
"Good. Now leave."
Angelique watched as old man left her house and go to window, following him with her eyes as he walked towards Collinwood.
She wasn't sure of Werewolf manners, but she knew that Alpha-Wolf was able to make others do something obsessively until they successfully done it.
"Once Carolyn get obsessed with killing Victoria, law of nature will tell her to either run, or die... Wolfs are beasts. Nothing else. I'm sorry Barnabas, this is how it has to be."
She finally turned away from window and sit down, sinking into her memories.

 .... "Run Angelique, run!"
"Daddy?"
"Run!"
Angelique blinked her eyes confused and looked up to her father. "But daddy I want to stay with you"
"Run!"
Soon the door opened and Angeliques mother came. Angelique heard her father sigh in desperation.
"Hide." He hissed to Angelique before going to stop his wife.
Angelique go into small closet in kitchen corner, finding her baby brother there as well.
"James?"She whispered, touching soft cheek of the baby.
He was sleeping peacefully.
She turned around to look into the room from tiny hole on the door.
 She didn't understand what her parents were talking about, but she knew her father was afraid and wanted to take her and her baby brother far from her mother.
 Soon she heard a cry of pain and loud bang. She let out small scream helplessly.
"There you are." She heard her mother say and soon the door of small closet, her only hiding place, was open.
"Come out." Her mother took hold of her hair and pulled her out of her hiding place. "You should be on your bed!"
"I will go mother, I will go! Please, let go! It hurts!"
Baby started to cry and Angelique felt hard hit on her back and then her mother was carrying the baby away. Angelique looked around and saw her father laying on floor.
"Daddy?" She whispered, trying to wake him up.
"No... "
She heard her mother coming to the room again, so she quickly run to her bed, pretending to be asleep.
        Not very long after that, she heard someone breaking through the door.
Angelique sit up and run to see what was going on.
Strangers, who she recalled sometimes to see around her father, was taken her baby brother.
"James! No! Take me as well!"
But men were gone as fast as they came.
Angelique knew she was in trouble, so she run out of the door as far as she could, falling tiredly to the ground as she heard men talking.
 "Where did you come little girl?"
She opened her eyes for while. "I'm.. Angelique, sir."
"Angelique, where do you come?"
"I'm lost... Alone."
"You have no parents?"
"Mother... "
"Well, we will take you to her in morning. You seem badly hurt, I will take you to my house. I am Joshua Collins."
Angelique felt her small body to be lifted up and gently carried to warm, comfortable house.
  She has no memory what happened next, but next morning when she woke up, she saw her mother talking with Joshua.
"Good news my little one" She heard her mother say in fake loving voice, "We will stay here. We will serve this family."
Angelique closed her eyes tiredly, tear falling to her cheek as she remembered her dead father and lost baby brother. Only few weeks later, she met her youngest master first time. Barnabas Collins.
 He smiled warmly and take hold of her hand, gentlemanly kissed the back of her hand.
"Barnabas Collins"
Angelique felt her cheeks getting hot, she shyly said only "Hello"
Barnabas smiled and looked at the clock, "My lessons is starting, I'm glad to know there's other kids around here, see you sometimes!" He said and quickly left.
 Angelique looked after him and then at her hand. He kissed her hand like she was a lady.
She smiled and go back to her work, looking forward to see young master Barnabas soon again....

  Phone ring woke Angelique up from her memories.
"What?"
"Angelique, where are you?" She heard Elizabeth asking.
She narrowed her eyes. "How you have my number?"
"Your other workers gave it to me, now answer the question. Where are you?!"
"Home."
"I need you to come to Collinwood now and fix whatever you have done to my daughter."
"Do I look like Werewolf?" Angelique asked coldly.
"No, you're a Witch. And you're only one who could do this to her."
"Let me tell you this. Werewolfs are like wolfs. They has one leader in the group and whatever this leader tells them to do, they will do. I'm not a wolf. I have nopower over them if their leader is commanded them."
 "Who is this leader?"
"How could I know?"
"Who you send to bite my daughter?"
"He's dead long time ago."
"What can I do to help her?!"
"Nothing." Angelique answered coldly and hang up.
She smiled and settle down her phone. "Rest in peace Josette."
 She was able to take only few steps before the phone ring again.
After sigh, she picked it up, "Yes?"
"Angelique?! Angelique, oh my god, are you now in this little thing?"
"Barnabas, it's phone. I'm not in it. Now what you want?"
"Help! Carolyn is even more strange than usually. What is wrong with her?"
"Barnabas I'm not a wolf. I can' do anything. You need to find Alpha-Wolf to make her stop her strange behavior."
Before Barnabas answered, she heard loud scream and painful sobbing and then Barnabas calling for Victoria desperately.
"Barnabas?! Barnabas?!" Angelique called, without answer. She put down her phone.
The desperate voice that Barnabas called for Victoria, broke her heart.
 Without second thoughts, she picked up her car keys and left, driving towards Collinwood as fast as she could.
"Miss Elizabeth it's-!"
"Shut up, where's Barnabas?" Angelique asked from Willie.
"With Miss Winters."
Angelique hissed and go find him.
 "Barnabas, get away from her."
Barnabas, who held Victoria on his arms, looked up to her. "Angelique!" He cried, bloody tears running down his cheeks. "She doesn't breathe!"
Angelique kneel down front of him, trying to make him let go.
"Barnabas, let go of her. She's bitten by Werewolf. If she turn into Werewolf, she could kill you. Werewolfs and Vampires will kill each other."
Barnabas let Victoria go unwillingly, watching Angelique carefully as she picked up Victorias lifeless body, studying the wounds.
"Can you help her?"
"I can't do miracles Barnabas"
"You're a Witch! Help her!"
"I cannot!" Angelique stand up, looking at him broken expression on her face. "I cannot save her! She's bleeding too much, she'll die within hour. And Werewolf bite is poisoned her. She's just to too weak. Otherwise she would have become a Werewolf as well. But she's too weak."
Barnabas shake his head, trying to go to Victoria but Angelique stopped him.
After trying to fight her off for while without success, he broke to cry on her shoulder, weakly hugging her.
Angelique fight back her own tears, not because of her sorrow to Victorias death, but the pain Barnabas felt. She hugged him tightly, "I'm so sorry, my love... I'm so sorry."
 Without knowing the true reason of her apologies, Barnabas expected her to be sorry for his loss honestly.
He hugged her tighter "Don't ever leave me Angelique... Don't leave.. I beg you."
"Shh... I'm always yours. I'll never leave you." Angelique promised desperately.
For small moment, she felt joy for his need to keep her so tightly close, desperately needing her to be by her side, but the  pain he felt hurt her heart.
 'It is worth it.... I will heal your broken heart my love. I promise'