Dark Changeling

DARK CHANGELING A NOVEL BY LORI PAIGE © December, 1983 by Lori Paige. All rights reserved. Illustrations (cj by Anne Marie Erental. All rights reserved. Permission must be first obtained for reproduction purposes. This does not intend to infringe on copyrights held by Dan Curtis Productions, ABC-TV, or Worldvision Enterprises.

DARK CHANGELING - a novel by Lori Paige Illustrations by Anne Marie Erental Graphics by Tess Thomas Typing by Esther Nash A Pentagram Publication Available from: Kathleen Resch PO Box 2262 Mission Sta. Santa Clara, Ca. 9S0S5 There is an unspoken rule on buses that travel at night, and that rule is the commitment of each passenger to absolute and unbroken silence silence. Not a word should come from the lips of any of the travellers after the sun has set and the inside of the coach grows dry and unpleasant and often unbearably hot and sticky. The young man seated behind Lethe, however, was either no more cognizant of the fact than she had been until reproachful stares cut her off that first stretch of the journey or else he plainly and simply did not care. He was leaning over her seat his elbow thrust carelessly between her and the stuffy-looking elderly gentleman seated next to her, and he was talking, much to the annoyance and repeated stares of the older fellow. Lethe was somewhat embarrassed by his persistent attention, but was shy and therefore neither eager to discourage him nor aware of how to keep the conversation going. As it turned out.it didn't matter. He kept talking quite ably all on his own. "Bangor.five miles, " the hippie was saying with interest as a sign flashed by the rain-streaked window amidst the trees lining the highway, "Not much longer. But you said you weren't getting off there." "No, " she affirmed quietly, staring down at the back of the seat in front of her. "I told you before that I was going further on." "That's too bad, " he shook his head decidedly, and scratched at his beard with dirty fingernails. "I've seen most of these little hick seaside towns. I can do wwithout 'em any day. Sure is a crappy night out, isn't it?" "I wish they'd turn the heat off up front, " she said after a moment's pause. "My feet are roasting." "Put your bag down in front of the vent. May melt your wallet all to hell, but at least your shoes won't shrink away to nothing." He laughed to himself she didn't know at what. Afraid that he might be merely teasing, she tried to change the subject to avoid actually deciding whether or not to take his advice. She glanced a-round the bus yet one more time to think of something to say. "That woman over there is still watching me, " she commented in a low voice, flashing her eyes briefly towards the very last seat on the opposite side of the coach. "She's been doing that ever since we started from Albany, .what do you suppose she wants, anyway?" The hippie glanced over his shoulder and snorted amusedly to himself. "Whew! That's a witchy one for sure! I wouldn't want to trust my life to her in a dark alley somewhere. Looks like the type that boils toads for supper." "That's rude, " Lethe Collins scoffed with a thin smile of embarrassment. "Don't let her hear you say something like that. There's no telling what she'd do." "I'd hate to think, " he said, still grinning--somewhat stupidly. Lethe thought. "Bet no one comes to her house at Halloween." The dark young woman with the staring eyes merely smiled complacently to herself and pretended not to hear. She did not remove her icy, clinical gaze from Lethe's seat. Lethe shivered secretly and forced herself to look away. The hippie reached out and prodded her shoulder. "Hey, maybe it isn't you she's looking at after all. What's that aftershave you've got on, anyway.Grandpa?" He gave a toothy grin to the old man sitting next to Lethe. The object of the barb stiffined and glared murderously at both young people. Lethe wanted to laugh, but at the same time felt her cheeks grow crimson with embarrassment. The bus turned slowly, its bright.yellowish headlights shining an arc on the glossy wet pavement leading into the modest-looking bus depot that signalled the end of the journey for more than half of the passengers on the bus. There was a moment of near-silence as the engine wheezed to a halt in the shelter of the station and suddenly the aisle was alive with noise as people, now free to chatter all they pleased, did so and collected their baggage from the over-

head storage and under their seats as well. There was a crush of bodies moving to the doors the instant they swung open with a hiss. Lethe waited, unsure what to say, as the friendly young man behind her began to pick up his own gear and stuff everything he had into his battered army-green knapsack. He stared at her with regret for a moment, then smiled and reached out to playfully squeeze her thin shoulder. She had thought of him as a nuisance for a great deal of what she had hoped would be a fairly quiet and relaxing journey, but now she knew she was not glad at all to see him go. He did have his good qualities after all, his unassuming coarseness perhaps among them. "Hey, it's been nice talking to you. See you again sometime. I hope. Have yourself a good time visiting your cousins. Don't worry about it, they"re gonna love ya. Bye now." She gave him a smile that, despite her innate quietness, was not false nor assumed for the sake of being polite. The ride would be boring now without him. "Bye, " she offered, sorry that the simple word could not possibly convey the meaning she wished to give it. "If you get sick of Bangor, ..I'll be up in Collinsport for maybe a month." She stopped herself quickly, her hands growing sweaty as she realized how innocently direct she had made her words seem. "Maybe you could write me, " she quickly amended. He nodded, but that was not necessarily a promise that he would remember. "See you again, " he repeated pleasantly as he moved with the rest of the crowd out onto the pavement below. She watched him go, and smiled a little to herself as he cheerfully slapped the old man he had been teasing right on the back. He was leaning forward to say something to him, razzing till the end. The old man shook his head in disbelief and hurried on through the crowd. Lethe knew her 'friend' would soon find another young lady to purposely sit behind and pour out his life's tale. Perhaps she would be forgotten. She was surprised how much it seened to matter. She sat quietly for a few moments, waiting to move on. She pondered what he had just said, and felt a slight bit of sweat prickle on her forehead. She hoped her cousins would love her--no, perhaps that was too much to ask. Like her, then. It would be good enough if they would like her. She stared at the rain and hand-smudged window with rising dejection. Her own face stared glumly back at her from within the glass. They didn't even know what she looked like. Would they think her homely? Would she look like them? She pressed a hand to her temple. For twenty-three years she had not known her last name. Now the world was suddenly confusing, larger, scary. finally the few people who had stepped off the bus only for a few minutes began filing back in again, small packages of food and drink in tow. Finally the driver himself returned, a squat, pug-faced little man, and crawled stiffly back into his seat and started the engine. Lethe heard him order everyone back into their seats, and she glanced around curiously. There were only five people struggling back into their seats. One more young man had stretched out, asleep, in the added space the decreased number of passengers had given him, a middle-aged man sat reading a magazine, squinting in the dim light...and in the rear of the bus.the dark woman remained. And her gaze had not left Lethe for even a second. A chill threaded quietly through her. Lethe hugged her arms together and pressed back against her seat as the bus began to move forward once again. As soon as they had left the shelter of the depot, the rain began to pound them from all sides. The ride continued uneventfully for some time, and Lethe thought perhaps she fell asleep once or twice, but as she wasn't wearing a watch it was impossible to be sure. But of one thing she remained positive right up to the moment of the disaster, the unbearably cold and cruel eyes of the woman in the rear seat of the bus never left her once. They remained affixed to the back of her head--she could almost feel them burning into her skull and even deeper. From the back of the dimly-lit vehicle, Persephone watched the younger girl with ever-burning intensity as the storm raged on outside. And she felt the other's heartbeat, and knew her name, and her destination, somewhere in that strange recess of her mind that she alone possessed. And she knew it was not fair.

Oh, she could see it now her power did not provide her with visions of the future, but nonetheless she knew. They would welcome her into their home at once, a rich people's home filled with invaluable antiques and fawning and eccentric relatives, and servants, and those sort of talkative busybody friends that all the rich always had. 'lovely, how charming, to meet you at last!" they would all exclaim, and take the pale hand of that little snip of a girl in all of theirs, one doting relative after another, 'You look just as we expected you to--a Collins through and through.' She could hear them say in" it. Perhaps they would give a party in young Miss Lethe Collins' honor. And other rich people would come from from miles around just to see her, and praise her, and welcome her at last into their 'humble but true group of friends and family and worshippers. She would suddenly be everything , having done nothing to deserve it other than be born to the right people. And it was not just now. All her lifo Persephone had had no one. No family .not even paupers, let alone the sort of blue blood this one had obviously latched onto for herself. She had never even known her own mother and adoptive parents? She had had some, once or twice or maybe even three tines—she couldn't remember for sure, as she had been young. but they hadn't kept her. She remembered hearing them talking, one night, to what she assumed to be one of the social workers, come to check on her progress. "The girl is mad,' her supposed 'mother' had been carrying on hysterically, hatefully. "She imagines herself to have all sorts of powers and abilities--she lives in a different world! She's not like the other children--she'll have to be sent away." And Persephone remembered herself.a dark little girl with a face perhaps no one else considered lovely.frightened, angry, Saddled in the dark at the top of the staircase and listening to those words, and feeling her blood begin to boil and rise up to beat a frightful tattoo in her brain-It was a shame what had happened to that family. Really it had been, but perhaps it was not as bad as the facts that had eventually come to the next. She deserved a family as much as anyone--more. She was different. , had always been; and though she had never asked for the power, there it was, and it set her apart and would forever make her better. Better—and there she sat, doing nothing .while another , less-dpsorvin" little nothing like Lethe Collins went forward to a destiny of fame'.and wealth, and lovers... there was a way. She began to see it even before the sign was welcoming them to Collinsport flashed in and out of view through the torrential rain. A tiny smile touched her plain-colored mouth. And then she closed her eyes and reached the driver's mind instantly. It took but a moment. The bus swerved violently, the wheels suddenly screaming in protest against the slick.mirror-like pavement. A single puddle reflected the side of the big Greyhound as it tipped over onto two wheels.passengers slamming helplessly against the sides and windows an it swiftly came down lersenhone crawled swiftly over the seats now standing on edge, and made her way steadily through the tangle of moaning people and the spray of shattered glass and acrid-smelling oil and gas. The engine was/as on fire, from the smell, and the driver lay sprawled in a heap of broken windshield painted with blood. It was/as beneath a pile of fallen suitcases that she found Lnthe. She knelt over her, eyes was/ide and cruelly fascinated, lips curling in a tiny smile of triumph. This time, everything would be different... Lethe's frail little hand, white and smeared with blood from a slight cut across her cheek, darted up almost immediately and grasped the dark woman's arm in horror. "I'm hurt, " she whimpered pitifully, half-sobbing, in shock and perhaps not fully aware of all that was going on. "Help me--help me, please! I--" Persephone's free arm casually snaked out to grab the small leather bag Lethe had been carrying on the seat beside her. She pulled it protectively to her chest, and Lethe's gaze followed her

as she did so. She grabbed desperately for what had been stolen from her. "No!" she gasped in protest.wrapping her own fingers about the strap. "Let go of that--it's mine! You're going to—" Persephone wasted no time. She raised up one hand and smote the girl across the face, and the little wimp fell away with a howl of panic. "You'll never care, " she whispered confidently, and it was then that she reached out and promptly drained the very thoughts from Lethe's mind. Then she scrambled quickly through the wreckage and completely out of the crushed and broken vehicle. A tiny fire was leaping from the punctured gas tank. She watched the flames devour the purse thoroughly, and the rain did nothing to stop the destruction. Then she smiled to herself once more. "From this night onward, I am Lethe Collins, " she repeated to herself.over and over until she nearly wiped the fact that it was not true from her own mind. "No one shall deprive me ever again. I am Lethe Collins—and that name, and this world, shall be mine now forever. Forever..." The rain streamed down her face in torrents, cold as ice, but she didn't notice. Her blood beating in her veins at a feverish, excited pace, she took off running down the long, black stretch of highway before her, and never stopped to look back at the wreckage she had left behind even once. Roger set down the receiver, and his face was pale. He turned to his anxiously-waiting sister and niece, taking a careful but not in the least calming breath before speaking. "Well.Roger?" Elizabeth prompted impatiently. "What is it? What's wrong?" A crash of thunder accompanied by a threadlike flash of lightning across the sky punctuated the silence as he looked down at the two solemnly. "Was that Lethe?" Carolyn wanted to know at once. "No doubt the buses are all tied up because of the rain..." "More than just tied up, I'm afraid, " Roger said grimly. "The bus from New York crashed on the highway about a mile from here. They're picking up the pieces now. The passengers—and there were only about six of them--have all been taken to the hospital." "Oh, no!" Carolyn and her mother protested in unison. "Was anybody hurt?" "The driver was killed. As for the rest of them—and Lethe--the sheriff just suggested to me that we get directly in touch with the hospital--they don't know anything specific down there." He picked up the phone once again. "And I intend to do that right now." Face white, Carolyn moved slowly across the drawing room and sank onto the couch. "I can't believe it, " she murmered.numb with shock. "Only a mile away! After she came all that way from New York—and she was so excited about coming here, meeting all of us at last—" "Let's not assume the worst until we know for sure, " Liz said with authority. "Lethe may not have been hurt at all. Roger will know in a few minutes." "She told me how much she wanted to come in her letters. How are we going to find her in the hospital? We don't even know what she looks like!" "rools!" The phone clanged in minute protest as Roger slammed it down in rage, ".Not in any position to give out the information over the telephone indeed!" Carolyn came quickly to her feet. "They didn't tell you anything?! Not even--?" ".'Nothing!" he snapped in disgust. "They haven't the slightest idea what they're doing down at that so-called hospital! All that technical mumbo-jumbo and something as simple as a name they get all flustered with!" He shoved the drink sitting on the table beside him away and stalked into the foyer, mumbling angrily to himself and shaking his head. The two women followed without hesitation. "Where are you going now, Roger?" Liz demanded uneasily as he pulled his coat off the rack and shoved both arms impatiently into the sleeves. "Down to the hospital to have a word with those idiots myself. The bunch of incompetents! Surely there's something that can be done!" "I want to come, " Carolyn said. "I'm the one who wrote the letters."

"That isn't necessary, Carolyn. Besides, Maggie is still waiting down at the bus station. I'll drop by and send her home on my way. Can't leave the poor girl standing out in the rain all night waiting for a bus that isn't going to come in..." His jaw tightened a bit at the last. He took a firm hold of the doorknob and started to open the door. A gust of icy wind and a flutter of wayward raindrops rushed into the room. "Roger, " Liz ventured, "be careful on those slippery roads." "I'm always careful, " he muttered without looking back at them. He took one half-step outside and then froze in shock. There.soaked to the skin and shivering uncontrollably with cold, stood a young woman with raven-black hair plastered to her forehead. "This--this is Collinwood?" she breathed in a frightened voice. Her eyes caught Roger's. "You're Roger." She took a lurching step inside and would have fallen if he had not reached out to catch her. "Oh, my God!" she cried out suddenly, as if remembering something after a period of mental struggle. "It was awful! The bus crashed--! I was nearly killed! I—walked—all the way from there..." "Here .let's get her into the drawing room, " Roger suggested, and he and Carolyn each took her by an arm and whisked Persephone into the next room and onto the couch. Roger peeled off his own coat and wrapped it protectively about her shoulders. "We--we were told that all the victims of the accident had been taken to the hospital, " Liz said, puzzled. "I didn't think I would make it, " Persephone went on, huddling inside Roger's coat for warmth. "My legs hurt so badly--" "..'What?! Do you mean to say you walked away from that bus crash--and all the way to Collinwood?" Roger cried incredulously. "I wasn't hurt, " 'Lethe' shook her head. "I was one of the lucky ones, way in the back of the bus. ..we must have slipped in one of the puddles--there were so many of them, and all icy...I crawled out just after it tipped over. I didn't know what to do— I started running—I thought I heard an ambulance coming, but I was so scared I just—" Then she buried her face in her hands and wept, just for effect. "mY goodness, " Liz muttered. "Roger, we'd best call a doctor and right away!" hER BROTHER agreed, we'll take her to the hospital riGht now--just to be sure she's really all riGHT." "Don't You believe me?" she half-sobbed. "I'm telling you the truth! i am!" rOGER took her by the hands and knelt down in front of her. ":.ov;, Lfithc", he said, gently but firmly. "You're naturally upset, and in a state of shock.no doubt. It won't take any longer than an hour or so, and we certainly wouldn't want you walking around hurt without any of us knowing it. Carolyn will go and get you some coffee from the kitchen—you'll feel calmer after you're warm. You understand, don't you? Of course we believe you--we're just concerned, that's all." •Lethe' regarded him a moment. "All right, " she finally sniffed. "I'll go." "That's more like it. Come on--can you stand?" "Yes..." She Got up, making certain to cling to his arm as she did so. "I'll have to change my clothes first—it was the rain and all. I'm rather soaked." "I'm sure Carolyn has something you could borrow. Maybe we can reclaim your luggage--or whatever'S left of it, at least, at the hospital." He looked over at his neice. "Carolyn...?" "Yes, of course. We probably take about the same size in clothes--come on, we'll see what we can dig up. Persephone followed her with proper helplessness as she went iNto the foyer and up the steps. "I'm glad to meet all of you at last, " she said as she put a hand on the stair railing and glanced around at the group hoverinG all around her. "I'm only sorry it had to be this way. nO ONE HAS ever really cared about me before, and I just want to

say thank you for letting me come here and everything..." Suddenly her eyes caught something on the wall to her right, and she froze in mid-sentence, voice trailing strangely off. Everyone paused with her, uncertain. "That's quite all right, " someone was saying, "We're more than happy to have you here, of course." Persephone was only half-listening. She glided noiselessly down the steps then, and past the door, finally stopping to lay a thin, cold hand on the framed picture that hung there.watching her. Something rushed into her, then. "What is it?" Carolyn was asking with worry in her voice. "wHAT is it?" "This, " said Persephone with quiet fascination, "Who is it?" She whirled on her cousins with widened eyes. "Who?" Carolyn looked startLed, then glanced at her mother. "Mother, how could we?" she said with mock horor. "We've forgotten all a-bout Barnabas. I don't think I ever mentioned him to Lethe." " well, there'll be time enough for all that later, " Liz said. "Right now, the most important thing is to get going for town. Roger, why don't you go and bring one of the cars around front?" A grin spread slowly across persephone's face, and for reasons apparent to no one but herself. "Yes, " she said at length. "Let's get the whole business over with as soon as possible. I'm really rather tired..." "Let's go get the clothes, then, " said Carolyn. "We'll try and hurry, mother." "All right, " said Elizabeth. She watched as the two young women went up the stairs with a frown of regret. Why did such ill luck always seem to befall them? The midnight came and went, as did the raiN, AND by the time the sun's golden tentacles went across the yard and around Collin-wood.only the mud remained to suggest the true violence of the storm that had assaulted it the night before. Carolyn was/as more than a little surprised to discover her newfound cousin outside in the cool air, standing with transfixed expression and bright, interested eyes in the midst of the puddles and patches of mud. Elizabeth's daughter frowned slightly and approached the other. It wasn't until she was within a few feet of Lethe that the other noticed her, and whirled with fire dancing in her eyes. Carolyn let out an instinctive gasp and drew back one hurried step. "Carolyn!" Persephone exclaimed then, and instantly relaxed. "I hardly noticed you coming up behind me!" "Sorry, " Carolyn apologized, catching her own breath. "I assumed you'd seEN me standing back there—I guess I was wrong." "Did I startle you just now?" asked the other with slightly-raised eyebrows. There was something strangely condescending about her tone. "I'm terribly sorry about that.Carolyn. I apologize as well." "No.no, " Carolyn shook her head with embarrassment. "It was my fault. To tell you the truth, though, this really was the last place I'd expected to find you. The yard's quite a hazard when it's muddy like this. I wouldn't think anyone would want to go stomping through it in this cold." "I don't mind, " came the blunt reply, "wHY WERE YOU LOOKING FOR ME, cAROLYN?" Carolyn found herself turning her eyes from her cousin's overbearing glare. She looked down at the withered grass beneath her feet and then at Lethe's flat-heeled shoes. They did not even appear wet. "We wanted to know if you wanted breakfast, " she said at length, and found herself feeling inexplicably intimidated by the other's presence. "You haven't had anything to eat since you've been here." "I don't eat on a set schedule, " said Lethe. "I find my own time for such things. For too many years I've had to do each and every little thing when someone else told me...no more. I hope you won't be too upset by my telling you that." "I think I understand." At last, Carolyn met the other's eyes. "It must have been difficult for you all those years." "Foster homes, orphanages--it was worse than you could ever imagine, NO privacy.no respect. I always wanted to be what I knew I should be--they wouldn't let me. But that's all going to change now. People are going to sit up and take notice of me—I won't be pushed away into some corner ever again." A moment of heavy silence hung between them then, and Carolyn sensed that she should change the uneasy topic.

"wE were very surprised to hear about you, " she settled for saying. "We never realized any of our relatives in New York still existed. It was a litTLE shocking to find out that we were wrong." "And I was just as...intrigued to find out about you. I see I didn't make a mistake coming here. This visit is going to be no less than perfect—I'm sure of that." She glanced up at the greyish sky. One slate-colored cloud was easing across the seafront beyond. "The morning looked so lovely I just had to come out and have a look. This is the sort of climate I like best. It seems fresh, and exhilirating--like everything is just starting all over again after a storm that's wiped out all that there was--and only I can be part of that whole reburth. Carolyn smiled. "You sound almost like our cousin Barnabas when you talk like that. He has the same sort of appreciation for the world...seeing beauty in simple things and places no one else even bothers to look at." "Oh?" 'Lethe' asked slyly. "Is that so?" "He lives just past those trees, " Carolyn pointed. "I'd offer that we go and visit him now, but Willie's probably the only one there, and he's certainly not the most sociable person I know. I expect we'll see Barnabas tonight. That's when he does most of his visiting. He's quite involved in all manner of business. "He knew I was coming, didn't he?" "Yes. wE'LL probably see him later, like I said. He said he was anxious to meet you. I think your ancestors and his were rather closely related. "How interesting, " said Persephone. "How far is it to the beach?" sURPRISED at the sudden shift of topic, Carolyn only pointed and said simply "Down that way, through the woods. There are quite a few rocks down there, and they're bound to be pretty slippery after all this rain--I wouldn't go down there if I were you." "Oh, I'll be all right, I can assure you, " Persephone shook her head. "I think I'll head down there right now. See you later." She had already started off when Carolyn reached out and grabbed her by the arm. Lethe's face registered annoyance. "I could come with you, " she offered. "I really have nothing better to do." Persephone's stare was ice cold. "I'd really rather go alone, " she informed the OTHER calmly. "You understand that, CaroLYN, of course you do. Now let go of me." Carolyn's face became suddenly blank. She could only nod slightly and step away, releasing her 'cousin as she did so. She gasped as one of her feet unexpectedly sunk into a puddle. A chill ran through her as the cold water surged up through her shoes. "Uh.no, " she snarled. "Now you know why I don't see much beauty in storms. Looks like I'll have to go back to the house and dry these off now, anyway. I'm sorry, Lethe." "That's no problem." the other laughed. "I'm more than able to look after myself. See you later, I guess." Carolyn murmered some small farewell and went back to the house. Persephone watched her go with open amusement. "Much later, " she added to herself.and went immediately off in the direction of the Old House. It took a few moments before anyone came to answer the door for her, and even then it was clear that she was somewhat less than welcome. The young man inside scowled with disapproval. "Yeah?" he demanded without preamble. "What do you want?" "You must be Willie, " Persephone smiled dryly. "They told me to watch out for you. Anyway, I can assure you that I'm not here to sell subscriptions or recruit votes for the next senate election. mY name is Lethe Collins, and I'm looking for my cousin.. .Barnabas." "nOT here, " Willie said abruptly. She was not fooled. She'd always been able to tell when someone was lying. And they'd lied to her often enough in the past. "He's gone out for the day—on business. bUT he knew you were comin'--he's plannin' to go over to

CollInwood just as soon as he gets bacK.." "I see." She nodded. In his mind, she saw a picture• A musty hallway, a door, bolted and loCked, and past that, ' stairs.••as in the portrait. Something...strange. The image faded. She craned her neck and tried to peer around and into the house. 'I've been told MUCH ABOUT this supposedly beautiful house and all the restorations and old things he's put into it. I'd like to see some of It, if that'd be all right?" Willie fidgeted uncomfortably. "Well, you—you sure you're not better off waitin? I bet Mr, Collins would much rather show it to you himself. It'd be much better if he took you a-round and told you all the..." She pushed him aside and came into the room, pausing to look around onoe she was safely inside. "I see what they meant, " she said with interest. "It is like stepping back into the past. All this is authentic? How fascinating. It must be just like living in the eighteenth century for you." . Willie shrugged. "Yeah, I guess. Sometimes that's okay... anD sometimes it's not." "My ancestors and his were very closely related, you know--I think some of mine even lived on the estate at one point. They may have seen this room just as it looks now--so you can see why I'm very eager to talk to him." "You'll just have to wait for that, till he goes over to Collinwood tonight. Why don't you go back there now—I mean it's pointless to stand around here waitin' when i can't tell you anything about the history..." "You sound as if you're kicking me out, , " she said evenly. He Opened his mouth to say something else, but she cut him off. "..'o, no, that's all right. I'm not of fended, really. I see your point—you're quite right, really. I wouldn't want to be a NUISANCE TO ANYONE. She stalked confidently across the room and SAID, "I'll see you again, probably. Thank you for YOUR TIME." "Don't think I'm throwIN' you out or nothin', " THE servant hastily amended. "I Just thought..." "Don't worry, " she assured him. "I don't often get my feelings hurt, So you needn't think that." She turned as if to leave. """Except.of course, when I think someone has secrets they're keeping from me. Then I get most annoyed. And you know, I think that's what you're doing—hiding something in this house. Aren't you?" before he had time to speak, she pounced UPON him, knocking him flat on the floor and holding him there with a vicious knee in his rib cagE. Her mouth twitched with amusement, and a wild glitter that for some reason terrified him crept into her eyes. "I like perfect honesty from everyone around me, Willie. I hate secrets and things being talked about behind my back, ' she whispered to him, grabbing him by the wrists to stop his halfhearted struggle, "what's in the cellar, .lillie? What is it you're both hiding down there?" Willie squinted and turned his eyes evasively to one side. "Nothin'," " he whispered with effort. "I can't tell you nothin' about the cellar." "And why not?" she demanded, claw-like nails biting into his flesh. "Damn it.I'll have the truth from you! Where are the keys to that cellar? Give them to me!" Tears welled up in her captive's frightened eyes, when they cowered like that—it made her sick. It so r dlculous—it didn't hurt, after all. ", 'They're in my pocket, " he sobbed. "The right one. key with all the fancy engravings on it—that's the one to cellar door." Persephone dipped her hand in accordingly and smiled. "I'll be right back, " she promised him gently. "You're going to wait right here for me. I'll be back in a minute or two, and then you can get up again, and It will be Just as if nothing ever happened. We'll say goodbye, and it will be just as If I never left the room. Do you understand that--all of it?" "Yeah, " he answered in a high voice. "Good, " she grinned, then stood and left him. He didn't move, even after she was out of his sight. Quietly.patiently, he had to wait. And he did. The long descent down the old, cracked stairs was exactly as she had felt It In his mind. She squinted in the darkness as she

10 She always was all The long the 11

approached the long .silhouetted shape lying there before her. Her hands dampened slightly as she ran them over the coffin's neatly-polished surface. She had underestimated the impression she had gotten from her cousin's likeness in the foyer. She had suspected him of a crime, some amusing eccentricity that could later be used against him, perhaps—but this? The lid came up with barely a squeak at her bidding. They had kept the hinges well-oiled, it seemed. She thought she had been prepared for the worst--but even one such as her had to struggle not to gasp at the cold.life-less figure stretched out before her in death. David looked up from his hesitant piano-playing in the drawing room only to see Persephone standing in the doorway. He wanted to smile at her in at least a semblence of politeness, but found that he could not. "Hi, " he muttered. "You must be Lethe. I didn't wait up for you last night like the others did." "And you're David, " she surmised, go ing over to lean on the piano. Something about the way she did it made him resent her immediately. She was no guest--she was an intruder. There was a difference. "I'm just as glad to seet you now. I was just out walking around in the puddles, " she said. "You've seen everyone, then, " David eyed her. "Everyone but me?" "Nearly everyone, " she nodded. "I'm told Barnabas is coming over tonight, and--wait a minute. Come to think of it, there is one person I've almost forgotten about--I think Carolyn must have mentioned her before. Your governess, Maggie Evans. Where has she been all this time? "It's a Saturday, " David told her, as if insulted at being asked. "She has those off. She went out early this morning with her new boyfriend. He's a real jerk—into poetry and stuff like that. You'll see him later, too. He's a teacher at the high school. I don't know why she likes him." "Oh, I guess I'll just have to wait, then. Is your father a-round here someplace? I really want to talk to him." "I don't know, " came the disinterested answer. "My aunt and Carolyn are in the kitchen, if you want to talk to them." David stared at her a long moment, then folded his arms and leaned on the piano. "Have you seen my cousin's house?" he asked suspiciously. "Is that where you went just now?" "No, " she said, slightly unnerved by the unexpected question. "Actually I haven't. I understand it's quite nice, though." He nodded, slowly. "I think you were there, " he said with sudden directness. Persephone sensed his hatred then, and a deep flush of anger crept inter her own cheeks. She tried to keep it back, but was not entirely successful. "What?" she asked, surprised. "What are you talking about, David?" "I think you have been there, " he repeated confidently. "Why don't you tell me the truth?" Persephone drew away, startled. "David, " she said carefully, "why would I lie to you? I'm afraid I don't understand what you're saying..." Roger entered the room, scowling immediately upon seeing the strange expressions on both faces. "Well, " he said interestedly, "What have we here?" David quickly averted his eyes, turning sideways on the piano bench. "Nothing, " he muttered. "David was just telling me about the things I should go look at outside on the grounds. He says there's quite a bit of sightseeing to be done out there, " Persephone cut in, grabbing the chance. "Oh?" Roger folded his arms. "Tjat's quite interesting. No doubt he was telling you all about the marvelous graveyards we have around here. That has been a particular interest of David's for quite some time now." Suddenly David leaped off the bench, hostility in his eyes. "That wasn't what I was saying at all!" he shouted. "I was telling her about the Old House—and asking her why she lied to me about not going there! She said she didn't go there, but. I 12 know she did--" "David! " his father exclaimed, shocked. "—because I saw her walking over there, " the boy finished decisively. Persephone subtly blanched.

"What are you saying?!" Roger continued sternly. "You'll not use that tone of voice towards your cousin, not anywhere else in this house, for that matter! Now apologize at once—and then go to your room, and stay there until I tell you otherwise!" "I won't!" David insisted defiantly. "She's a liar—she lied to me about going to the Old House, and she's probably made up more than just that! I don't like her--I want her to leave! I don't know why, but I just don't like her!" "I'll be upstairs to deal with you later, " Roger growled, taking a threatening step towards his son. "Go to your room—this instant! If you dare say such a thing in this room ever again--" David stared at them both with fury, then quickly turned and ran up the stairs. Roger followed him halfway, then returned and slammed the doors to the drawing room in frustration. "I—I can't imagine what brought that on, " he told Lethe, genuinely shaken. "David isn't usually like that. I just don't Lethe looked up at him and playfully took his hand. Her smile was gentle...intoxicating. Roger swallowed and moved closer, only a step. A tiny sweat broke out on his forehead. "I'm sure he didn't mean it, " she said. "He'll have to be punished." "No—not this time." Her fingers tightened around his hand. "It isn't necessary—yet." The doors opened a second time to reveal Elizabeth and Carolyn. Persephone dropped Roger's hand before they had a chance to notice and smiled at them both. "So, " Carolyn said. "The weary traveller has returned. Want some company?" "Always, " came Lethe's confident reply. Roger shook himself and backed away, a strange look on his face. "It's rather hot in here, " he remarked stiffly. Mopping his brow, he left the room, the doors swinging helplessly in his wake. The three women watched him go, two with some confusion and the third with a grim, self-satisfied smile. "He's acting bugged, " Carolyn remarked. "Left without even "He's having a little problem with David, " Persephone told them as she took a chair. "But it's not all that urgent. I don't think we should butt in." "Probably not, " Carolyn agreed. "So, how was the walking?" "Fine, " Persephone grinned, "I feel quite refreshed. I think the rain does wonders for the mind, and soul...it relaxes me. I feel at home here—its been a long time since I can remember being so...happy. But enough of that. You must tell me all about Collinwood.and the Collins family, both of you—I'm more interested than you could ever know. And let's face it—I have quite a bit to catch up on, don't I?" Her eyes twinkled, happily.at both. "Good evening, , " Barnabas' silken voice nearly caused Willie to leap from his skin as he stood, pointlessly staring out of the window. He turned at once, smiling across at the other with some uneasiness. "You scared me, Barnabas, " he said nervously, wiping his sweaty palms on his jeans. "I didn't hear you comin'." "You never do, " his master said pleasantly. ", I shall be going to Collinwood immediately tonight, and shall probably be there for some time. I would appreciate it if you stayed in the house tonight instead of going out." He licked his lips. "I got noplace to go. Barnabas... she was here this afternoon, that girl. She came down here wanting to see you." "And of course you told her I was out for the day, " Barnabas surmised as he began to pull on his coat.

"She didn't give me any trouble but still..." The other paused, and looked at him. "But what.? Did she say something wrong? You look rather threatened, to tell you the truth."Willie clenched his fists, frowning with the impossibility of properly expressing his feelings. "Well, I don't know, Barnabas, I can't say exactly. She just gives me a kind of funny feeling. Like she got some kind of a...secret, you know? Made me a little nervous—I don't know why." "Well, " Barnabas attempted to shrug it off for the moment, "perhaps you're being a bit oversensitive. You do have a tendency towards that, you know." "I didn't let her in the house, " his servant was quick to assert. "She stayed right here, the whole time." "We mustn't work ourselves into paranoia.." Barnabas flipped up his collar. "I'm rather looking forward to visiting Collinwood tonight. It's been so long since I've seen one of them." "You mean your cousins. The ones who went to live in New Yourk." "Yes. I haven't seen any of them since I was a boy—it was quite a shock to learn that their line has fallen into obscurity over the years. How fortunate that it wasn't that way, after all." He opened the door and gazed wistfully out. "I see it's been raining again." "Yeah.all morning. Stopped after a while, though." "Yes, obviously. Good night.." "Night." Willie watched him go, then closed the doors behind him and leaned on them. All barnabas talked about lately was the weather. Things certainly had gotten boring since Julia had gone off to Wyndcliffe to wait out the vicious winter. They'd barely heard from her now in more than a month. Maybe just this once things would stay quiet. A peaceful period of rest—the whole town needed it. And he, for one, was not about to object. Maggie opened the car door and stepped out of the old vehicle's rusty confines, the fresh air a relief from the overbearing scent of Dlastic inh rent in all Volkswagens over a few years old. Joel got out after her and leaned on his open door, rubbing his hands into the pockets of his coat and staring up at the sky with some bemusement. "God, this has been a boring week, " he signed in his typically knowing manner. "I haven't been able to get anything written, and the going seems to get worse in my classes day after day. I'm having quite a problem with that Kent kid again. I wish they'd expel that monster. I'd like to see his parents, just for a laugh. They must be real beauties. If it was just him I wouldn't mind so much. But he's holding the others back. It's really quite depressing." He sucked on his ever-present pipe for a long while. "Terrible. Just terrible. I'm heading for a nervous fit if it doesn't get better soon. I'm afraid one day I might fly off the handle and pulverize them, one by one..." "You say the same every week, " she chided him patiently as they started up the walkway towards the house "If you're so disillusioned with the whole thing, why not just quit? There are certainly other jobs—and other schools beside CHS." "It's these small towns, " Joel went on, balancing his pipe between his teeth as he spoke. "There's just no individuality. It's different for you--you've got only one student. I've got a chorus of them. And they're so disinterested in the whole literary experience. When I was that age, I'd read everything Emerson had ever written—and enjoyed it besides. Nowadays they can't even remember the titles of the books from one class to the next. Minds are nothing but jello in this generation—I shudder to think what the next ten years will be like!" "I expect they were wondering the same thing for the past two decades, too, " she put in somewhat quietly. "But you shouldn't get so worked up about it, Joel. They're only ninth graders, after all I'm sure their literary tastes will improve as soon as they're a little older. I expect you'll make sure of that. You're a good teacher, after all--you shouldn't think that you're not. "Well, I never did, " he muttered, a bit offended. Maggie hooked her arm through his and took his pipe away. "Get rid of that smelly thing, " she cautioned, "before you make me gag. Now let's not hear about Moby Dick and Walden Pond for the rest of the night, okay?" Joel shrugged and indulged in a bit of kissing for the briefest of moments. There was a rustle in the bushes behind them, and all at once he broke away and looked around, suspiciously.

"What was that?" he asked, as if expecting her to know. "I don't see anyone, " Maggie said. She didn't stop to think that that wasn't really what he had asked. From the other direction then came swifter, harder crunching sounds, and both turned as the figure stepped from the darkness into the clearing where they stood. A single bluish beam of moonlight shone onto the familiar face. "Barnabas!" Maggie gasped, releasing Joel and stumbling embar-rassedly forward. "You scared me to death. We heard you walking through the woods but we didn't see anything until you were right in front of us..." "I'm terribly sorry, " Barnabas apologized. "I had no intention of doing so. I was on my way to Collinwood--to visit with the newest addition to the family. She came by my house a little earlier this afternoon, but unfortunately I wasn't there to greet her. I felt I should stop by as soon as possible to make up for that." Calmed, Maggie smiled and nodded. "I haven't managed to see her yet myself. She gave us all a scare last night when we heard about the bus crash--Roger came to the bus station to find me while I was waiting. None of us could believe it, when she was no more than a mile from here." Barnabas looked surprised. "Bus crash?" he asked. "I hadn't heard anything about a bus crash. I certainly hope no one was injured." "You haven't been told about it? I must say I'm astonished to hear that. It's certainly been the talk of the town all day." "I'm surprised they didn't announce it a town holiday, " Joel put in stuffily. "People were practically fainting with the excitement of it all. Small towns." The last words sounded suspiciously like a curse. "I'm afraid I haven't been put up to date with the village gossip in quite some time, " Barnabas explained. "But as I said, I hope no one was seriously injured." "The driver died instantly, " Maggie reported. "Apparently the whole thing just tipped over in the middle of the highway. They think it skidded on some wet pavement, but no one's really sure what happened. The passengers were all taken to the hospital--except Lethe. From what Carolyn said, she got thrown clear of all the wreckage, and just kept walking around.dazed, until she found Collinwood. It was all very strange--and a miracle that she wasn't hurt at all." "Well, I should say so, " Barnabas'eyes widened slightly. "How horrible--for the poor girl to come all this way to meet the family she never knew she had, and then encounter such tragedy so close to her destination." The governess nodded. "I really felt badly about not being able to see her this afternoon, but it was really the only free time Joel had, and I--Joel, you havenit even said hello yet. Where are your manners?" Joel turned slightly red in the cheeks. Barnabas regarded him with nothing more than tolerance. "My fault, I'm afraid, " he said politely, and nodded at Joel. "How are you, Barnabas?" "Fine, I suppose, " Joel answered meekly. Then, to turn attention away from himself, he took up his pipe again and blew a gust of acrid smoke into the cool air. "Did you hear about the passenger they found on that bus who didn't have a name? Apparently she didn't know where she'd even come from, who she was—even her luggage was nowhere to be seen. At first they thought she was either a fugitive or crazy, but now it seems as if the shock of the accident has somehow produced amnesia in her. Some kind of psychological thing—there wasn't a bruise on her. Must have lost some of her stuffing when they went a-round that last bend. I've seen something like that before—" "How unpleasant, " Barnabas remarked, though for a moment Joel was unsure Whether he was referring to the incident or its narrator. He shrugged and was about to say something else when the bushes rustled again, louder this time. All three looked over in the direction of the sound. "There it is again, " Maggie said in a high voice. "It wasn't Barnabas, after all--who is it.then? Who could it be?" "I'll go find out, " Joel offered, and started forward at once.

16 He didn't venture very far, however, and by the time he returned the sounds had disappeared and the mysterious spy—if indeed there had been one—had seemingly vanished. "I didn't see anything, " he announced unnecessarily. "Must have been some wild animal or something. All the wilderness around here attracts them." "Perhaps there was nothing after all, " Barnabas suggested with concealed suspicion. "Perhaps we are all three the victims of slightly-overworked imaginations. No doubt it was nothing more than a stick—a pine cone.perhaps—falling from one of those trees around us. I daresay it's nothing to be too concerned about. After all, who would want to go sneaking through the woods at Collinwood in the darkness, and in this rather unpleasant temperature?" "I shudder to think, " Maggie put in. "He's right, " Joel nodded. "Let's just go up to the house now. Enough of this mystery is enough, I say." Maggie nodded and the two started off ahead of Barnabas. He looked around once, with eyes narrowed, recall ing the strange impressions had imparted to him...still, there was nothing to be seen, and he was anxious to get to Collinwood. Deciding to look into it further at some later date, he turned and followed the other two up the driveway. "That looks like them." Carolyn remarked to her cousin without turning from the window she was gazing expectantly out of. Yes, that's definitely Joel—with that awful smelling pipe he always carries around. And there's Barnabas--he's with them too. They're all coming to see you. Looks like you're going to be the toast of the evening." She looked around and smiled. "I'll have to to go and tell my mother they're here." "Yes, of course, " Persephone nodded enthusiastically. "You go on ahead--I'll stay here and greet them." "All right, " Carolyn nodded quickly as she hurried out of the room. "You're going to like all of them--I'm sure." "But of course, " Persephone agreed dreamily. "I've waited all my life." After Carolyn had gone upstairs, she wandered into the foyer and smiled. "All my life. I'm going to be happy here. I swear that—I swear it!" She carefully froze her features so that they looked pleasant and welcoming, and went to answer the expected knock on the door. The dark man who stood outside regarded her first with a small, polite smile and then with an outright stare of obvious interest. "Good evening, my dear, " he greeted her carefully. "I am Barnabas Collins...and I don't believe I need inquire who you are." Persephone smiled, then reached out and swiftly ushered him into the foyer. Maggie and Barnabas moved in right behind him. "I'm Lethe, " she introduced herself needlessly. "And you've no idea how impatient I've been to get to this moment. Now I've seen everyone—and I've no shame in telling you I'm not in the least disappointed." Her eyes scanned everyone for a moment or two, and then settled finally on Joel. He stared back, saying nothing. "I'm pleased to meet you, " Joel said slowly. "Very pleased." For the first time in a long while, his tongue had become dry. His fingers curled about hers in an oddly-restrained handclasp. "Yes, " she said with direct confidence. "The same here." "Joel is a teacher at the local high school, " Maggie was saying somewhere off in the distance. "Literature—that's his thing. He writes poetry in his spare time." "Oh.how fascinating, " Persephone was saying as the other people came into the room, bringing with them noise of greetings and enthusiastic questions and introductions. "I'm so glad to see that everyone's here, " Elizabeth said as she came into the middle of the crowd. "Mrs. Johnson says the coffee's all ready and waiting in the dining room. Shall we adjourn there immediately?" Roger and Barnabas remained behind after everyone else had eagerly gone off in the designated

direction, the air filled with excited conversation. Roger shook his head as he watched Persephone's departing form with a mild sort of awe. "It's going- to be an unbearably long evening, " he decided unhappily. "The house hasn't been in this much of an uproar for years." "I expect Lethe is enjoying every moment of it, though, " Barnabas said as he hung his coat on the rack by the door. Roger sighed. "She's a lovely girl, " he told his cousin approv-

ingly. "Truly a benefit to this household." Barnabas observed Roger's worshipping gaze and then nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, " he said with a suspicious frown. "A most interesting example of a Collins." The other smiled and started off after the departing group. The nurse set the lunch tray down on the nightstand and paused at the edge of her mysterious patient's bed. She could feel nothing but sympathy for the young woman with the sand-colored hair and the sparkling, though depthless, eyes that were gazing innocently back up to her. "I'm glad you got here finally, " the girl said in a childish voice. "I was getting pretty hungry for my lunch." "I know, " the older woman said gently, reaching out to assist her charge into a sitting position. "Are you feeling better now than you were this morning?" "I was never sick, " came the defiant giggle. "I told you that. I want to go home. I didn't mean to make a fuss before but that's the way I felt. When are you going to let me out of here? I'm ready to go. I don't like this room." The nurse adjusted the tray on the girl's lap. "You know you can go home anytime you like, dear, " she said in the same authoritative tone she used in the children's ward. "Anytime you remember some of the answers to the questions we've been asking you. Do you think you could try again now? Can you remember anything new that will help us? Do you know your name? Where you came from? Do you want to go back to where you were before you got on the bus?" "No, " the real Lethe asserted as she continued to stuff her face in the most undaunted of manners. "I don't know why you keep asking me things I don't know about. What's a bus? I've seen some of them going by my window at night, I think--I wouldn't want to ride in one of those. They look uncomfortable. I don't like the way the seats go." The nurse sighed defeatedly and shook her head as she turned to go. "All right, " she conceded, "but don't forget about them. We'll be back to ask you again later. As soon as you remember, you can go home. Until then, you'll just have to stay put. Do you understand? "Yes, " Lethe giggled without conviction. She stared for a moment at the strofoam cup of mud-colored coffee in her right hand. "Oh, and one more thing. Can I have something else to drink instead of this? I don't think I like it. It smellB gross." She smiled up devilishly at the older woman's sudden look of exasperation. Maggie went quickly up the staircase and was about to turn the corner and head towards her own room when she saw the figure smirking at her from the end of the hallway. She paused and regarded the new addition to the household with a frown of slight discomfort. "Well, hello there, " Persephone greeted in a curtesy, mocking voice. "Hi, " said Maggie uneasily. "I was just coming up to help David with his lessons. You haven't seen him, have you?" Lethe shook her head. "No, " she smiled. I haven't. He doesn't like me, you know." And up to now I'd thought he was the only one, she laughed to herself. "Oh?" Maggie's face registered surprise. "I hadn't noticed it .•.but then, I haven't even seen him since yesterday. I had the day off, you know." "A moody child. I was quite hurt over it for a while—but then I decided it was just a child's reaction to a stranger being in the house. Perhaps it'll go away I only hope that his distrust of me doesn't actually turn into something more serious." "I'm sorry. Maybe I should speak to David about it. It wouldn't be the first time he got a little jealous or resentful about not getting as much attention as he thinks he deserves because there 18 was somebody else in the house. Yes, I think I will say something to him. Right away, in fact." The little monster.Maggie caught herself saying under her breath. The thought surprised her. What had made her think that? She looked again at Lethe and a strange, creepy feeling began to grow inside her. "As soon as...as soon as I do find him.

"Thank you, " the dark woman smiled pleasantly. "I think that might be a very good idea." Then she lifted her chin ever so slightly, and walked on past, sparing Maggie a tiny glance out of the corner of her eyes as she went past. The governess waited until she was gone, then leaned against the nearest wall and expelled a heavy.nervous sigh that had somehow edged its way into her chest. She felt unaccountably shaky--all over. Weird! she thought with a miserable little laugh. Then she cautiously continued on her way down the hall. Butsomething lingered in the back of her mind. Maybe David wasn't the only one, after all. Carolyn looked up from the book she was only half-heartedly reading as the doors to the study opened and closed sharply. Her cousin stood, looking pleasantly down at her. "Hi!" Elizabeth's daughter offered amiably. "Boy, am I glad to see you! I was almost to the point of talking to myself, I'm so bored." "I didn't know you were reading, " Persephone said, glancing down at the plain-covered novel in Carolyn's hands. "I don't want to interrupt anything." "Oh, forget it." Carolyn tossed the book aside. "It's not that great a book--I think I've read the same passage over three times, anyway. And when that happens, it's time to stop." Persephone smiled and eased herself into a chair opposite her •cousin. "What book is it?" she asked. "One of those awful things my mother gets every two months from Reader's Digest. It's probably the only way the publisher can get rid of them. It'll be a long time before I pick that one up again, that's for sure." "Oh. One of those classics." After a moment of thoughtful silence, 'Lethe licked her lips and edged forward slightly in her seat. "Did I hear Maggie say last night that that Barnabas fellow she brought with her last night did some writing in his free time?" "Yes, " Carolyn nodded. "And according to Joel, everything that flows from his gifted mind is guaranteed to revolutionize the field of literature. He's already quite intense about the whole thing." "Has any of it been published yet?" "I'm not sure. He doesn't talk about it much—not even with Maggie, I don't think. Maybe one or two poems--nothing more than that, though, I believe. He doesn't really know as much as he says he does, you know." "Oh." Persephone rolled her eyes wistfully. "He really seemed quite intelligent--he's certainly handsome enough. I don't think any girl would mind having him for herself...do you?" "Maggie likes him all right, if that's what you mean. I suppose he's all right. I don't know if every girl could put up with ego, though. It seems a little over-inflated." "Go on, " the other chided. Her eyes slowly tunnelled into her cousin's, as another tiny smile crept onto her mouth. "You don't really think that. You've noticed him--it was more than obvious to me last night. You can confide in me if you like him--I'm your friend as well as your cousin, you know." "Well, I--I really didn't think--" Carolyn stared at Persephone a moment, and her mouth twitched. "But yes! Of course I noticed him— how could I help it? He's handsome, and smart, and talented besides. Maggie did show me one of his poems once it was really quite good, sometimes I wish I had him, instead of her--sometimes I think about it quite a lot. Abruptly she sighed and plunged into sudden depression, "But what's the use? He's going out with Maggie, and hasn't even said two words to me in all this time. He doesn't like me—I guess it's hopeless after all." "No, " Persephone said quickly. "That isn't true at all. He does like you—he practically told me so himself. You have only to call and he'll come running...away from Maggie, away from everything! He'll love you in an instant—he only wants to know that you want him, and he shall be yours completely." A shiver of excitement charged down Carolyn's back.

"Really?" She slid forward on her chair. "He told you that— he said that?" "Yes, he did. Carolyn, you're going to write him a letter.A letter.telling him what you just told me. You'll do it now.quickly--this isn't something that can wait. When it's finished, come give it to me and I'll see that he gets it. It will work Carolyn--you'll have him for yourself before the day is out, and poor old Maggie will be left all alone out in the cold." A savoring, malicious light began to glow in Persephone's eyes. "All alone.••" "I will, " Carolyn nodded determinedly. "I'll go get some stationery right now. You wait here—you can help me!" Quickly, Persephone rose. "Oh, I couldn't do that. This is between you and Joel—it would be wrong for me to interfere. But don't worry. If the words are sincere, they'll come to you perfectly... believe that." After patting Carolyn reassuringly on the shoulder once, she backed away and out into the hall. Carolyn gazed wistfully out into space for a few moments. Then she hurried across to the desk in the corner and withdrew paper and pen and sat down. Hurriedly she began to write. 'My dearest Joel, the letter began. Persephone found Elisabeth, like her daughter, buried in a book --this time in the drawing room. Liz looked up as she quickly slipped into the room and shut the doors behind her. "Lethe, " she greeted congenially. "I'm glad you're here. Please come and sit down—talk a while. I think we have a lot to discuss now that we finally have the chance to be alone." "I was just thinking that myself, " Persephone agreed. "But it looks like you're a little busy..." "I can read anytime." Liz closed her book and set it down on the coffeetable. "It's not often I get to ask visitors what they think of Collinwood so far." "I like it, " came the enthused reply. "I like it quite a lot. It's been very difficult for me all these years, alone, without family. To discover that I had some after all--well, I don't have to tell you what a shock that was. And it was even better when I got to the bottom of my research and was able to find all of you...here." "It was a very strange feeling. And I must confess to a certain amount of guilt on my part...if I'd even suspected there were any Collinses left in New York, you certainly wouldn't have been on your own for as long as you were. But we hadn't heard from any of them in so long, we just naturally assumed they had died off. The two sides of the family never did get allong too well, you know." "That's a shame. But of course you can't be held to blame for it, Mrs. Stoddard.and I realize that. You've already done more than enough for me, that's for certain--just allowing me to fisit here for a month in a great thrill for me. It's so different here from the kind of surroundings I'm used to. The city Is a tough place...more so for a woman on her own. Maybe some people like to put down a small town like this, but I think they take the kind of peaceful life they lead for granted. That's the true shame of it all." "I'm glad to hear you feel that way, " Liz replied. "Roger was quite worried that you'd hate it here. He said you'd be yearning the city by the second day." Persephone's face darkened. "No, never, " she snarled with sudden rage. "Never the city! After the way they treated me down there—after the kinds of things they said about—" She caught herself at once. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that. What I mean is that I don't miss the city--quite the opposite, as a matter of fact. To be perfectly blunt about the whole thing...if you asked me to stay here forever, Mrs. Stoddard.I don't think I'd ever say no." "We'll see if you still feel the same way a week from now. You may find, as something of an outsider, that Collinwood has a way of getting on one's nerves after a while. We stay here because we've never known anything else--you may think differently in a very short while." Persephone laced her fingers together and stared at the fireplace. "I guess we'll just have to wait and see, then...won't we?" Liz nodded. Yes. We'll see." Someone was knocking at the doors and then rushed into the room. 20 It was Maggie. Even the sight of Lethe in the room did nothing to dampen her expression of worry as she addressed Elizabeth.

"I didn't mean to disturb you, but it's David. Have you seen him? I've been looking for him everywhere but I haven't had any luck. I thought maybe one of you knew where he was." "Why no, " Liz frowned. "I haven't seen him for quite a while. I just assumed he was somewhere with you." "Wait a minute, "Persephone said; turning to stare at Maggie. "I've seen him--just after I came downstairs a minute ago. He was right by the kitchen--as a matter of fact.it looked to me like he was going into the study. If he went in there, that's where he must be. I'll go and help you look, if you want." She grinned slightly. Maggie looked surprised. "In the study? That's the last place I'd expect him to be. I'll go and check there right now—that's all right, Lethetjust go on with whatever you were talking about. I'll let you know if he's there. Sorry to have barged in like that, but I just thought..•" "Not at all, " Persephone shook her head. "I hope you find him, Maggie." "Thanks." Maggie turned and quickly left the room. "Sometimes I don't understand David at all, " Liz muttered with an air of discontent. "He seems to be getting moody again, just like he was a few years ago when we all thought he...well, it isn't important. I'm sure I'm getting worried over nothing." "I'm sure, " Persephone offered soothingly. "Children can't help being troublesome sometimes. I'm sure he's in no danger...and Maggie should find something in the study, I'm sure." She grinned to herself and settled back on the couch. Carolyn jumped as the door swung open with a clatter. When she realized who it was, she quickly leaned over the desk to conceal what she had been writing. "Sorry, " Maggie apologized from the threshhold. "I didn't mean to scare you. I didn't know you were in here, Carolyn--I thought David was." "Oh, " said Carolyn in a surprisingly shaky voice, and almost too quickly. "no, he isn't in here--and I wasn't doing anything important anyway." "Writing a letter? To who? I thought you gave up all your penpals years ago." Innocently, Maggie attempted to peer over her friend's shoulder. Carolyn snatched up the piece of paper she had been filling and clutched it against her shirt. "It's none of your business, " she insisted with growing anger. "I said it wasn't important, didn't I?" The other was taken aback. "Sorry, " she repeated, then she grimaced. "Since when do you keep secrets from me, anyway? "Since whenever I want! Who do you think you are anyway—busting in on me like that when I'm working by myself? Bad enough you scared the daylights out of me—then you demand to see what I'm doing even after I tell you it's none of your business! You sure have some nerve, Maggie Evans—have you forgotten whose house this still is?" Maggie's first reaction was shock, but gradually that gave way to insulted anger and hurt. "I said I didn't know you were in here, " she hissed with unabashed resentment. "And since you haven't seen your rotten little cousin, madam, I guess I'll just be moving along. Excuse me!" "I said I hadn't seen him, " Carolyn snapped. "Now get out of here and let me finish!" Maggie turned to go, then unaccountably paused and came towards Carolyn with a strange look in her eyes. "Wait a minute, " she said carefully. "You're writing something about me, aren't you? You're trying to spread some gossip behind my back without my knowing it! You little sneak—that's what you're doing, isn't it?" Clutching the paper so desparately that it crinkled noisily in her grip, Carolyn jumped up from the desk and started from the room, the chair she had been using tipping over with a bang. "I don't have to admit anything to you! Get out of here--now, before I tell my mother and you're fired! And if that doesn't work, I'll tell my Uncle Roger what a pest you're making of yourself lately--! wonder how he'd react to that! You'd better think twice about repeating this little incident, ! I can guarantee you that!"

22 Maggie threw herself across the room without warning and leaped on Carolyn, fingers gouging the back of the hands that defiantly held the letter away from her. "Give that to me!" she screamed, blood suddenly rushing from Carolyn's hand and onto the wrinkled sheet of paper. "Give it!" Carolyn shrieked and reeled out of her attacker's grip and against the bookcase. Several books fell out and hit the floor in a splatter. The letter tore neatly in two and each grabbed one half of it. Hurriedly Maggie uncrumpled the pieces shee had been able to salvage, and read with growing horror. "My God, " she said with disbelief after a moment or two. "You're trying to steal Joel from me!" Carolyn pressed against the bookcase, tears of terror and embarrassment filling her eyes. "No!" she protested. "It was just a joke—all a joke—" "You think he wants you!" Maggie carried on. "And all the time I thought it was Lethe who—" Her face abruptly contorting in hatred, Maggie heaved the ball of paper across the room, and it would have struck Carolyn squarely in the face if she had not instinctively raised a hand and batted it away. "Leave me alone!" she half-sobbed, half-screeched, "It's not my fault he loves me instead!" Maggie ran forward and grabbed a handful of creamy blonde hair, then jerked Carolyn across the room and slammed her against the wall. Her victim screamed in agony. "Loves you instead? Now that's a laugh! You'd better forget the whole thing, dearie, I warn you--you'd better be careful what you say around me from now on, do you hear? And if you come near Joel, or so much as look at him the wrong way ever again, you're go-ing to be sorry--no, worse than sorry! I know how to take care of people like you, and don't you ever doubt it! Do you hear me??" Carolyn said nothing.merely sobbed in protest and looked a-way. Maggie wrapped a great length of hair around her hand once again, and pulled till the tears ran from the other's eyes all the more. "I asked you a question, " she snarled viciously. "and you'd do well to answer me! Now say yes, before I do something I'm really goinn to regret!" "Yes!" Carolyn sobbed in horror. "I understand—I'm sorry! Let go of me--please, let me go!" Naggie began to laugh wildly. She yanked her free hand and stepped back, howling with pleasure. Blinded by tears, Carolyn pushed past her and ran from the room. David casually walked from the dining room and past the study, and was nearly plowed down by his hysterical cousin as she took off through the halls. He was pushed roughly against the wall and stared after her in astonishment. "Carolyn?" he called after her in shock as she tore into the foyer and towards the front doors. "Carolyn, where are you going— what's wrong? Carolyn!" Maggie came out into the hall in Carolyn's footsteps. David's eyes widened as he saw that his governess' fingernails glistened with blood. "There you are, David, " she said pleasantly. "I've been looking all over for you." "What is all this shouting about?" Elizabeth's concerned voice echoed from the drawing room. She and Persephone opened the doors and peered curiously out just as Carolyn rushed by with a wail and out the front doors in the foyer. The two drew back in shock. Maggie struckher hands in the pockets of her jeans and wandered out with an innocent expression on her face. David followed with a lump in his throat. "Maggie!" Elizabeth demanded worriedly. "What's the matter with Carolyn--where on earth is she going?!" "I don't know, " Maggie answered calmly. "We were just talking and suddenly she said she had something to do and ran off. She didn't say what." She met Persephone's eyes and smiled quietly. Persephone calmly returned the expression. "How odd, " Elizabeth remarked. Then she noticed her nephew and took him by the arm in concern. "David, there you are. Where were you when it happened? Did you see anything?" There was a long moment of silence. David pulled free of his aunt's ftrip and walked across the foyer.confidently. He halted a

few steps from Persephone, and stared up at her with a look of unabashed hatred, and suspicion. "No, Aunt Elizabeth, " he answered slowly, and calmly. He did not remove his eyes from his cousin's belligerent face. It seemed they were the only two in the room. "I didn't see anything." He turned and ran up to his room. Carolyn hammered with growing desperation at the front doors of the Old House. "—Barnabas—someone open the doorl Let me in--" There were scuffling noises inside, and then the doors parted and was there, gaping. "Carolyn?" He suddenly found himself pushed aside, and Carolyn rushed past him and flung herself into a chair by the fireplace. "What're you doin' here?" She buried her face in her hands and was gasping exhaustedly for breath, the last of her sobs having been driven from her system during the race through the woods. "I had to come here, " she told him, wiping her eyes with her sleeve. "There was--there was nowhere else to go." ""Now whattya mean by that?" he asked concernedly as he shut the doors and followed her inside. "What, did you have a fight or somethin' with your mother back at Collinwood?" "Where's Barnabas?" she sniffed at length.forcing her voice to sound calmer. "Is he. here?" She glanced up at the windows over the couch. "Well, he— he went out for a little while but he should be back any minute." He started to pace around the room, then nervously placed a hand on the worn fabric of the back of her chair. "'S'ere somethin' I can do for ya, Carolyn? You want a glass o' water or somethin'? I just went to the store a coupla days ago, and..." To his surprise, Carolyn turned her eyes towards him and reached out to grab his arm urgently. "It was Maggie, " she whispered with horror anew. "She tried to kill me—she said she would, if I ever got in her way again. Look what she did to me—look!" He jerked his face back in surprise as Carolyn thrust her bloodied hadn at him for inspection. He could only gape at the vicious wound running the length of her knuckles. The blood was only just beginning to dry. "Maggie did that?" he asked in a high voice. "Wh--why?l" "Because she hates me, " Carolyn answered confidently. "She wants me out of the way, so she can have Joel all to herself, But I won't let her. Joel wants me—can I help it if Maggie Evans is nothing but a jealous little witch???" struggled for words but found none. "That looks sore, Carolyn—real bad. You sure Maggie did that? Maybe I should go find a Band-Aid or somethin'? You wait right here—I'll be back in a minute." He turned to go and she stood up. "You needn't bother., " she said as the sun slipped away outside. "It really doesn't hurt that much any more—" "It ain't any trouble. There mUBt be somethin' around here someplace..." He froze suddenly in his tracks as someone loomed up before him. "Good evening, , " Barnabas said pleasantly.folding his hands and gazing past his servant at the other. "It seems we have a guest tonight. Hello, Carolyn." Carolyn blinked, hoping her eyes would not all red and puffy and horrible. "Barnabas, I'm so glad you're back. I just had to go somewhere— this was the only place I could think of." "Oh?" Barnabas' voice immediately took on a note of worry. "You look quite upset, Carolyn. Has something happened at Collinwood?" "Does it show that much? I had to tell somebody. Something's got to be done! Look what she did to me! Look—look at that!" Biting her lip determinedly, Elizabeth's daughter shoved her gouged hand out at him.just as she had with Willie. "She attacked me--she tried to 24 kill me! And all this time I thought she was my friend! Hah! Some friend she turned out as! She said that was only the beginning—if I ever got in her way again it'd be much worse! She said she was going to murder me!" Barnabas' eyebrows rose as he saw the wound. "Do you mean to say, " he said quietly, "that Lethe did

this to you?" "No!" Carolyn shook her head vehemently. "It wasn't Lethe—it was Maggie! She barged right in on me while I was writing a letter that had nothing even to do with her—and like a crazywoman she attacked me! I screamed at her to stop, and I tried to call for help, but My God, I was so scared, I couldn't even think straight! I ran out of the house with her chasing me, and it was almost dark so this was the first place I could think of to come—" "Carolyn, you must try and calm yourself." Taking careful grip of her arm, her cousin guided her back to a seat on the couch. "You know you're welcome at all times in this house. But really! Why would Maggie even think of doing such a thing? You two have been such good friends in the past..." Carolyn's eyes narrowed with hate as she reflected upon the incident one more time. "Because she's crazy, " she announced after a moment's thought. "She hates me. She wants every single man in town for herself, and it just burns her to ashes when they don't! It isn't my fault Joel likes me better!'s why Maggie wants to eliminate me completely. But why should I let her scare me? I'm entitled to see anyone I want to--anyone who wants to see me! I shouldn't have to come running over here--I shouldn't have let her scare me out of my own house! Who does she think she is, anyway—who does she think I am? Some kind of fool? I'm going to show her when I get back--" "Carolyn!" Barnabas intervened sharply for a second time. "Does your mother know of this—argument? Does Roger?" "I didn't tell them, " she answered smugly. "Not that they'd listen to me.anyway. They'd just take her side. No one up there ever listens to me—except Lethe, of course. Lethe would never take Maggie's side' Maggie doesn't even like her. Not that she seems to like anyone any ore.except herself. That's fine with me, though...just as long as she keeps out of my way. She thinks she's gotten the upper hand with me--well, we'll just see the next time she tries one of those little stunts again—hah!" Shocked and utterly bewildered.Barnabas took her by the arm and turned her to face him. "Come, " he said.frowning. "I'll take you back to Collinwood myself. They're surely wondering where you've gone. It's getting dark out.anyway." Carolyn smiled with self-satisfied intend. "All right, " she said happily. "I'll go. 'Bye .." '"Bye, " Willie murmered quietly, Barnabas shot his servant a meaningful look as he moved to the coat rack and then to the doors. "I shouldn't be too long, , " he said as he followed Carolyn outside. "Mind the house while I'm gone." Willie nodded with understanding. "I will, " he promised. He moved to lock the doors after them, then leaned against the wall and he began to shake his head with growing disgust. Something was going on at Collinwood again. "Carolyn!" Liz exclaimed with obvious relief as she threw open Collinwood's doors to find her daughter and cousin standing there among the shadows. "Thank goodness you're back! I was about to send someone out after you! What happened to you a few minutes ago? All I heard was a terrible shriek and then off you ran..." "I'm sorry about all that, " her daughter answered with surprising calm—and a hint of something else, perhaps. "It won't happen again, I promise." Confused, Liz glanced up at Barnabas as he neatly closed the doors behind them. "Carolyn came directly to my house, " he explained. "I thought you would probably wonder where she'd gone, so I took the liberty of escorting her back myself. I hope all is well again now." "Well, I'm certainly glad that you did, " Liz told him. "I couldn't imagine what could have happened ' "So!" someone announced from the top of the staircase. All heads turned towards Persephone leaning over the railing, a coy little grin smeared across her face. "Look who's here. How are you tonight Cousin Barnabas—have you had a good day? I certainly hope it wasn't

too eventful. We all like a little peace and quiet now and again, don't we?" The biting sarcasm in her words was lost to everybody but him. "I am quite well.thank you, Miss Collins, " Barnabas replied stiffly, his usual polite air gone completely from his voice. "And yourself?" "I'm quite wonderful, " she gushed enthusiastically. "And I'm happy to say I'm enjoying my visit here—immensely." "How nice, " Barnabas returned drily. He returned his attention to Elizabeth. "Elizabeth, I believe I have something rather important to discuss with you, if you have the time. Might we go into the drawing-room for a few moments.;.?" "Of course, " Liz nodded promptly. She looked back at Carolyn with concern. "Carolyn, are you sure you're all right now?" Carolyn nodded. "Yes. I know I shouldn't have blown up like that--I'm sorry. I think I'll go up to my room now, and rest a while. Go on and talk to Barnabas. I'm fine, really." "All right...but Carolyn, if you should need anything.be sure to let us know right away." "Oh, what would I need?" Carolyn retorted impatiently.starting upstairs. "Good night.mother—Barnabas." "Good night, Carolyn, " both of them echoed from below. After they had gone into the next room and closed the doors, Persephone went quickly down the steps towards Carolyn. She took her blonde cousin by the arm. "There's something I have to talk to you about, " she told her confidentially. "Come with me." Liz turned to face Barnabas. "Now, " she said solemnly, "what is it you have to talk to me about? I gather it has something to do with that unpleasant incident which just took place here a half an hour ago." "Yes." said Barnabas. "But first I should like to know exactly what happened—from your point of view, I mean." He gazed mysteriously at her. "That is, if you don't find it too prying a question." "I wish I knew, " she sighed, taking a seat on the couch.He hovered curiously over her. "As far as I know, Maggie and Carolyn had some sort of a small argument which got slightly out of hand. As you saw, I couldn't get anything out of Carolyn. Maggie was the same way, and no one else was around at the time." "Yes...that was what Carolyn said to me. But she also showed me something more—a rather impressive gouge on one of her wrists. She claims that Maggie did it--and there was some very definite violence between them." "Violence?" Liz was taken aback. "Are you sure that was what she meant? I can hardly see the two of them coming to blows right here in the study!" "I hesitated to believe it at first myself. However, in comparing it to some other unsettling occurrences as of late, I see a rather strange and unpleasant picture beginning to form. And I think it is time we recognize...and put an end to...the problem before it is too late." "What do you mean by that? I'm afraid you've lost me." Barnabas took a deep breath. "You will forgive me for being blunt, I hope. But I believe that both Maggie and Carolyn have been the unfortunate victims of a very unusual influence situated now within this house. Or, with all due respect, a very strange instigator.and I have no doubt you know to whom I am referring." "Where's Maggie?" Carolyn asked cautiously as they went into one of the upstairs studies and closed the door. "Off to plan what she'll do to intimidate me next? She's going to have a big shock coming to her if she thinks she's going to boss me around like that any more." Persephone smild. "She's off in her room someplace. Don't worry about her. What I wanted to talk to you about concerns only you. You...and Joel. You haven't given up on him, have you? You aren't going to let Maggie think she's won, no matter what you may have decided about him by now." A wicked grin spread slowly across Carolyn's face. "No—of course not, " she whispered. "Maggie doesn't scare me one bit—she's a fool if she thinks she

does. That'll be the day— when I let one of the servants start telling me what to do!" 26 "That's the spirit." 'Lethe' gave her cousin a playful slap on the arm. "Are you going to turn in for the night now?" "Yes, " said Carolyn. "Talk to you later. And don't think I'll give in to Maggie. I won't—ever. I'm glad you're on my side." "Oh, I am, " Persephone assured her. "Go on now—go dream about Joel. "Night." Carolyn smiled as she left the room. Persephone watched her go and then waited until she was sure the other was out of earshot before picking up the nearest phone. She dialed quickly.surely. She did not have to look up the number. "Hello?" a pleasant male voice came from the other end of the line. She paused a moment before answering. "Tomorrow, " she whispered in a low, haunting tone. "As soon as this night ends, Joel. I'll be waiting." She slammed down the phone and began to laugh. "Barnabas, you can't be serious!" Liz was saying with surprise. "Ask Lethe to leave—after only two days? No, that's ridiculous--I wont do it." "But, Elizabeth.don't you see? What happened here, tonight, was only the beginning—and I should think you would be as concerned with preventing another, more serious incident as I know You must admit that we know absolutely nothing about the girl—and it is my opinion that she is deeply, and emotionally, troubled." "Julia Hoffman is qualified to make that kind of a statement, " his cousin said cooly. "You are not.I'm sorry to say. And I don't believe it. Even if I did, our responsibility would be to help Lethe —not simply push her out the front door without so much as an ex-planation! I'm sorry, Barnabas—I won't do it. Lethe will stay the original length of her visit—one month, and possibly more, at that. And that decision, I'm afraid, is final." "Elizabeth, I do not make the suggestion so lightly as you seem to think. Every moment she remains here at Collinwood.the greater the threat becomes. I—" The drawing room doors banged open to admit a scowling Roger. "Well, I see I'm interrupting something, " he observed smugly. "Am I to understand the two of you are actually talking of sending Lethe away?" "Roger!" Liz was shocked. "You've been listening outside the door!" "Never mind that, " her brother retorted angrily.and at once turned his full wrath on Barnabas. "I hope I heard wrong, Barnabas —you're not actually suggesting we send the poor girl back into the streets?!" "I am not suggesting it.Roger—I am trying to convince you that you must." Barnabas' tone grew harsh as well. "She is a threat to this household. What happened this evening is only the beginning. Now, I'm sure you could make a reasonable excuse offer her her rightful share of the family inheritance and send her on her way. A vacation.perhaps—a one-way vacation." "You're joking, " Roger cried indignantly .his face growing quite red. "What proof do you have? None at all! I'm absolutely shocked at you, Barnabas—and you're even more closely related to her than any of us! I would have expected a great deal more family loyalty from you—I see I was sorely mistaken!" "It is more than a question of loyalty, Roger, " his cousin insisted through gritted teeth. "It's a matter of everyone's safety— both in this house, and mine. Think! Have Carolyn and Maggie ever fought before—until blood was actually drawn? Do you recall them ever having an argument of any serious consequence—even once?" "Actually, they never have, " Liz put in reluctantly. "Well.it was certainly high time they did, then!" Roger shouted. "Two girls have a fight and the whole house goes into an uproar. I never heard of anything so ridiculous in all my life! And as for the rest of this nonsense, Barnabas.I shall not have any such things spoken of under this roof!" He stalked across the room then, and pointedly flung the doors to the foyer open. "Good night .Barnabas'—get out of here until you have some better topic of conversation to share with us! " "Roger!' Liz cut in sharply. "There's no need for all that shouting! What on earth has gotten into you?"

"I believe I can guess, " Barnabas said, voice deathly cold. He gripped his cane with whitened hands and stared intently at Liz. "Please consider what I have said, Elizabeth, " he mentioned briefly, and left the room. When he went out into the foyer, Persephone was sitting on the stairs, glaring. "Good night, Barnabas, " she taunted him sweetly. "I'll see you again soon, I hope." A wicked peal of laughter came from her as she pushed herself up and ran back up the stairs. David came onto the landing and instinctively drew back as she raced triumphantly past. When he himself came down the stairs and paused on the middle step, his eyes were wide with fear. "You're right, Barnabas!" he cried out vehemently.gripping the rail with both hands as if expecting to fall. "It is her--she's the one doing all of this! She wants the whole house just for herself— and she's going to kill all of us to get it! "David!" Roger bellowed furiously. "Go up to your room. I'll not have you saying such things about your own cousin!" "She's not my cousin!" the boy screamed with tears rushing into his eyes. "She's trying to kill us all and I hate her!" He backed quickly up the stairs as his father advanced towards him, forehead and neck gone crimson. Roger spared a murderous glance at Barnabas. "This is all your fault! How dare you come over here and attempt to turn everyone—including my son—against a guest in this house?." He fixed his eyes intently on David then. "You're going to be punished for this¦young man—punished, indeed!" Clenching his fists, he started up the stairs. "Roger, no!" Elizabeth came running from the drawing room and latched onto her brother's arm. "Stop this--stop all of this, now!" "She's going to kill all of us, " David continued to cry out in fear as he darted back onto the landing and started to run for his own room. "And you, Barnabas, you and willie both! She was in your house! She was, she was!" Then he burst into wild sobs and rand down the hall. A door slammed somewhere in the distance after he was gone. David locked the door or his room and threw himself into a huddle in the darkest, furthermost corner. He wrapped his arms a-round his head to block the noise. But still he heard the sound of her mocking voice, and cruelly abrasive laughter. It came on, and on, through the halls and out the windows and off into the empty and horrifying darkness outside... Barnabas lunged angrily out into the night, slamming Collin-wood's doors behind him. "Yes, " he whispered as Lethe's and David's threatening words echoed in his mind, over and over again until there remained nothing else, and there was pain. "She was in my house." Even the woods trembled as he stomped through them, towards his own home, grinding his teeth with noxious intent. The sound rang harsly all through the house as Barnabas rushed inside and savagely slammed the doors behind him. Willie hurried down the stairs to meet him.but stopped short when he saw the expression on Barnabas' face. He blinked and paused high on the staircase. "You—you talk to Mrs. Stoddard OK, Barnabas?" he ventured quietly. "Everything all right up there now? They gonna throw the girl out?" "No, " the other hissed.making no move to delegate either his coat--or cane to the rack beside him. Willie felt his face slowly grow warm. He swallowed. "Everything is definitely not all right, Everything is far from it, to be perfectly honest." "You mean she didn't listen to you?" Willie instinctively backed away as Barnabas came towards him.eyes strangely afire. "She aint gonna kick Lethe out? Did you tell her, Barnabas? Did you tell her all about what Carolyn said? Did you—?" He gasped as Barnabas' strong hands shot out and neatly pinned the servant to the wall by the throat. 28 "Yes, , I told them everything—they remained unconvinced. But they told me something as well I was about to leave—something I had nearly forgotten! She was in here, —she was in his house! "You know that! I told you so! Don't you remember!? I—" "Yes, you told me well enough! But what you didn't tell me was that she'd seen everything—she must have, for she knows about me, !

I'm sure of it! She knows everything!" Abruptly the pressure on Willie's throat tightened. "How did she find out.—tell me." "She didn't see anything!" Willie choked in a high voice. "I swear! She didn't go any further than the front door, really! I told her you weren't here an she left right away! I didn't let her see anything, Barnabas, I swear it! You know I would've told you right a-way if she had--you know that!" "No, I don't know it! And if she wasn't here, then how did she find out about me? Did you tell Willie?" "I swear!" Willie protested, wildly clawing at the pale hands that were slowly, but surely strangling him. "I didn't say anything! She can't know, unless she's just trying to make you scared of something, now I swear! What's the matter with you, anyway.Barnabas?? You're acting like—like you did—" The pain finally forced him to his knees on the steps, gasping desparately for breath. Slowly, a change came over Barnabas' face. His murderous fingers slipped from his servant's neck—and then, shocked into a near-stupor, he turned and walked dizzily away. caught his breath after a few moments, and climbed to his feet again. He approached his friend timidly, keeping a safe distance between them at all times. "You all right now, Barnabas?" he inquired. "I didn't let her see nothin', I swear. She was here only a few minutes—right here by the stairs. You said yourself that was okay.remember? You said yourself it was—" Barnabas spun to face him, and Willie unnecessarily jumped. "I am unsure what came over me just now, Willie," he said.troubled. "I—I can hardly remember the walk back. Forgive me, ..." Willie was quiet a moment, then nodded with dread. "It's her." he said quietly. "That's just how it was for me when she came here the other day. I got this headache while she was leavin'.and I couldn't remember anything she'd even said—but I'm sure she wasn't down in the cellar.Barnabas.I'd be willin' to stake my life on it." "That isn't necessary, ." Barnabas stared at his cane thoughtfully and then finally hung it and his coat on the rack. He went back into the next room and sank into a chair. "I know you wouldn't willingly betray me--despite what happened a few moments a-go. But I saw her at Collinwood.and I could tell not only by the things she said to me, but by the very way she...looked at me, that she knows. Somehow she really has found out—and I've no doubt that she intends to denounce me to everyone.when the time is right." There was another moment of silence. "You gonna kill her, Barnabas?" "I should—my survival fairly demands it. However.it would also be far too great a risk. No one in possession of that knowledge is going to be too careless—and if I do harm her.it may well be a fatal mistake on my part." "Maybe she just wants to use it against you--bribe you to do somethin' for her, maybe. You gonna give in to her--do whatever she says? That'd be just as dangerous—.though—wouldn't it?" "No.never. There must be something we can do, but the answer doesn't lie at Collinwood. She's surrounded herself quite carefully, this cousin of mine—she seems as sly and deceitful as her ancestors ever were." "Doesn't sound too good, " Willie shrugged. "No--it certainly doesn't." Barnabas sighed and leaned back, entwining his fingers in thought. "There must be some way to dispose of Miss Lethe Collins—dispose of her in a way that will bring no harm to any of the family at Collinwood—or to me." Willie began to pace around the room. "Wish I could think of somethin', " he muttered unhappily. "There must be somethin' we can do..." Suddenly Barnabas got to his feet. "Wait--there is a way, after all! —I shall require your assistance at once." Willie came to his side. "Sure, Barnabas, you know I will. What is it? What are we going to do?" A thin smile graced Barnabas' features. "I should like you to go into town, , and get to a phone. I think you can guess who 29

I want you to call.

"How could you treat him like that?" Liz demanded.finally releasing her brother and allowing him to resignedly clench his fists and storm down the foyer stairs. "Your own son--and you were so rude to Barnabas I was actually embarrassed for you." "I think I let them both off rather easily, considering the vicious gossip and accusations they were trying to spread about Lethe. I won't allow such rubbish to be voiced against a guest in this house. And as for being embarrassed for me, I sincerely wish you would save your strength, Liz." Sniffing resentfully, he straightened his jacket and headed straight for the drawing room. She caught up to him when he paused to pour himself a drink. "Don't walk away when I'm talking to you, " she raised her voice. "If I have something to say I expect you to stand still and listen to me! You're living in this house, and if I remember correctly, this house'is mine!" "Don't tell me you're starting in just like Barnabas! Have you gone as mad as he is.Elizabeth? He was fairly easy to get rid of- but you should bide your time a little more carefully! I can't simply order you to leav and expect you to do it-if you get in the way with all this nonsense.you should be prepared for far more drastic-and dangerous-action. Do you understand?' "How dare you, " Liz hissed. In her mind, she saw an image, Lethe, her head thrown back, laughing--laughing, till everything spun around her and the room itself was vague and shadowed and hateful... She slapped Roger's face. His drink flew across the room and spattered the wall. He gasped and clenched his fists in rage. Liz backed away, fury in her eyes, and nearly ran into Persephone, who was standing in the foyer, smiling and gloating. "You ought to pay for that, " Roger snarled. "Don't you ever talk to me again!" Elizabeth retorted cruelly. "I won't ask you to leave this house for David's sake, but as for you personally, don't you ever come near me! You stay in your part of the house while I'm in the other! I'll do the same for you when I wish. And if I ever find you in the wrong place at the wrong time-well, let us just say it won't be pleasant for you." Then she turned to face Persephone. "Goodnight, Lethe, " she said with an abrupt change to pleasantry. "See you tomorrow." "Goodnight, " Persephone happily returned as the older woman headed upstairs. Then she went inside the drawing room and closed the doors. Roger stared at her. "What did she say?" He took her by the hands. "They wanted to throw you out, " he said with unshed tears glistening in his eyes. "I stopped them, though. This is your place-you'll never have to leave here. I promise." She reached up and slid her fingers through his hair, as if stroking a favored pet. "You must continue to love me that way, ", she said .her breath warm and exciting against his ear. "You mustn't let any of them hurt Me. I'm frightened of them, you know. I've never had a family before --and to lose this one would do worse than kill me. Do you believe that, Roger? Do you...?" "Yes, " Roger breathed, unashamedly sliding his arms about her waist. Gracefully, she pushed him away and backed slowly into the foyer, nodding and reassuring him, as she went. "I'll always protect you, Lethe. Always." "You must. Continue to love me, Roger--yes." She blew him a kiss and closed the doors between them. Rogerb hands began to tremble. He brought them close to his face and watched them shake for a long while. His insides hurt, and he was confused-he felt he might die. He fell to the couch, burning emotions hot in his stomach. Then he buried his face in his hands and wept.bitterly. Maggie loomed in the doorway, a dark silhouette against the wall. "Calling him now, aren't you?" she asked in a silken, evil voice. Carolyn whirled around at once, her finger still on the phone's dial. "I don't have to answer to you, " the blonde girl retorted quickly. "I can use this phone any time I like. It's my house, not yours." "You still think you'll have him. Well, you won't.Not while I'm around. He's mine." She would have said more, but all she could emit was an agonized shriek as Maggie lunged for her and tore the phone backwards from her grip.

The rear entrance Persephone now stood before had not been used in some time. the knod was rusty and the lock was covered with dust. But that presented no problem. The knocking came, light and nervous, and just when she had expected it to. Quickly and without difficulty, she found the appropri ate key and thrust it into the lock. The door swung open to reveal Joel Harris there in the grey light of coming dawn. His breath came in little clouds of vapor, and his fists were tight and bulging in the side pockets of his suede coat. His voice was shadowed with uncertainty. "Hello Joel, " she said simply. The teacher nodded, as if afraid. She held the door open for him. "Come in, " she ordered bluntly, and he did. "You asked me in here, " he said, his cheeks red. "So I did. Do you know why?" Some of his uneasiness vanished. "Yes, " he answered quickly. It was like that from the moment we met. I knew..." "No. she knew, " she corrected him sternly. A gust of cold wind came from outside and chilled the dark, empty room. "She knew. Come here." His arms wound immediately around her waist.desperate, passionate. She sank into the depths of his soul and molded it to fit hers without error. "Now I have all that I want, " she whispered in his ear as he dug violently at her with his lips. "For the first time, I am truly .•.content." He kicked the door shut, and their mouths met hungrily. The pipe he always kept stashed in his pocket clattered to the floor, forgotten. It was just after noon when Willie heard the telltale crunch of wheels turning onto the gravel outside, and at once he tossed aside the candlestick he had been nervously polishing and ran to the window to confirm his visitor's identity. The golden sunlight, unusually bright for that time of year, was glinting almost blindingly off the hood of the expensive-looking white car that was turning slowly into a corner of the Old House's yard. There was a sharp click as the door on the driver's side opened, and someone stepped out, pausing to look interestedly all around before continuing to the front doors and knocking briskly on them. Willie ran to open the door with barely-concealed anxiety. Julia was waiting patiently on the other side when he did. "Hello .Willie, " she said with a slight smile, and he gathered at once from her tone that she had actually missed the old place in the months she had spent catching up on her work at the sanitarium. "Hi!, " he nodded with apparent relief. "Glad you got here so fast. Barnabas was real scared you wouldn't get back in time." "In time for what? she asked, troubled, as she came into the house and threw her coat over one of the chairs. "You were so brief on the phone.Willie, I don't even know what the big emergency is... or why I had to come so quickly. I was forced to leave a patient, you know--that was rather difficult without a reason." . "I couldn't say on the phone, " he told her impatiently. "You never know who might be listenin'. There's somethin strange goin'on at Collinwood--even Barnabas doesn't know what to do about it. You been drivin' all night?" "Yes, for the most part. I left as soon as I could without 31

arousing anyone's suspicions-I do have to appear a little responsible .you know. Now--please tell me what this is all about. And it must be serious if Barnabas is at a loss to do something about it." Her voice was slightly bitter. "It is. It is bad." Willie took her by the arm and walked her to a chair. "Here.sit down an' I'll try and explain. You want some coffee or somethin'?" "Later.Willie. Tell me." "Okay.okay." Willie sat on the edge of the other chair and began to relate the unpleasant events of the past few days as briefly and coherently as possible. Julia listened with growing amazement. "It's really weird, what Barnabas says she's been doin' over there. He can't figure out what she is. He says if this goes on longer someone's go in' to get in her way and then they're gonna be sorry--maybe even killed. He's real worried--and after getting kicked outa the house last night, he was so mad he almost killed me. Stopped himself in time, though. It got me scared for a minute--I was sure he'd gone back to bein' like...like he used to be." That, more than any of the things previously said, startled the doctor. "He...hasn't, has he?"she asked with immediate concern. Willie shook his head. "No, like I said, he came back to his senses...and then he said that somethin' weird was happenin' to him, too. An' it's like that at Collinwood. Everyone's a little bit crazy...even me. When she came over here the other day.it was almost like-well, like I went blank in the head for a few minutes. It was really funny, but I don't know if it means anything." Julia crossed her arms, and began to pace around the room thoughtfully. "I think perhaps it might. Maybe...maybe the best way to really find out something is to actually go right over to Collinwood now, and see what's happening there. I'm sure they'd let me in-and you'd better come.too, just in case." Willie jumped to his feet and followed her out the door. "But who's gonna guard the house? Barnabas thinks she knows about him... what he is." "We'll just have to take the chance that it will be all right for a few moments. Once we just take a brief look around here, we can come right back. Besides, Barnabas may be wrong. She may only be trying to intimidate him into saying something she really doesn't know anything about. I think it's best if we both go--there's certainly safety in numbers, just in case, something really is going on over there." "Yeah, I guess so, " Willie agreed after a moment of consideration. "I better get somethin' first, though. You wait right here." He left the room for a moment and came back with a suspicious bulge in his right coat pocket. "What did you have to get?" Julia asked as they locked up the front door and moved towards the car. Willie reached into his pocket and eased the object out so that she could see only a little of it. But that was enough. "Just this, " he said mysteriously. Then he pushed back down and covered it with his hand. Julia set her teeth as they walked on. It had been black, shining, metallic...a gun. Nothing more was said as they got in the car and drove towards the bigger house further up the estate. No one answered when Julia knocked on the door, so she carefully tried the knob. Surprisingly enough, the door swung open. Julia looked across at Willie. "Someone apparently didn't think the house needed locking, " she commented. "Maybe after the big fight they had with Barnabas, they just forgot." "It's possible, " Julia agreed. "Or maybe they expected someone...and intended for them to come in unannounced." "Like who?" Willie asked in a high voice. "Not us--" "We'll soon find out, " she cut him off, stepping determinedly into the foyer. "Come on." The stairs, and all that was visible of the upstairs was deserted the same proved true of the drawing room. All was deathly silent...the only sign of life was the throbbing pulse of the grandfather clock by the double doors. "You think they're all still asleep?" Willie asked. "Let's go upstairs and find out, " Julia suggested.

"You sure that's safe?" he whispered as he followed her quickly up the stairs. "I mean, what if she's up there..•" "She has no reason to do anything to me, " Julia insisted. "I've come for a visit. She can't object to that, can' she?" "Wait a minute, " Willie reached out and grabbed her by the sleeve. He pointed to the small door located directly under the landing. "I thought I heard somethin'." Both moved towards the sound, and then Julia heard it, too. A soft, labored scraping sound...as if someone were dragging themselves injured across a floor someplace. Then there came the sound of a phone buzzing impatiently, as if it had been off the hook for quite some time indeed. They opened the door to the study and saw Carolyn there, stretched out across the rug with her right arm against her stomach. Her face was ashen with pain. "Carolyn!" both muttered at once, and knelt on either side of her as she tenderly got to her knees. "What are--what are you two doing here?" she managed to gasp without looking directly at either one of them. "What happened?" Julia asked with dread. "It's my wrist, " Carolyn moaned. "I think Maggie broke it. She tore the phone out of my hand while my fingers were jammed in the dial..." "Let me see, " Julia coaxed, moving the injured arm out into the open. Carolyn winced with agony. Her hand and the lower part of her arm had turned several lovely shades of purple. "God, " said Willie. The doctor's fingers pressed at the bones, despite the patient's whines of agony. "It is broken, " Julia confirmed. "We'll have to try and set it right away. We'll get some bandages and so forth from the closet upstairs...can you walk?" "I don't know, " came the weak reply. "I've been in here all night, and the pain..." "Stay here with her, " Willie was informed as they took her out to the steps and guided her to sit there. "I'll be back in a minute." Willie nodded and watched Julia walk off in search of the needed medical supplies. Saying nothing, Carolyn wearily sagged against him. Elizabeth ventured in from the garden and saw the people on the stairs, two of them uninvited. Her expression hardened with offence. "This is going to hurt, " Julia was cautioning as she took hold of Carolyn's hand and attempted to push the snapped bones back into their proper positions. Her somewhat reluctant patient screeched accordingly. "What's going on here?" Elizabeth demanded harshly, tossing the flowers she had just cut onto the table with disgust. "Willie -what are you doing here? And Julia-where did you ever come from? Carolyn, what are they doing in this house? "It's all right, mother, " Carolyn looked up, face streaked with tears. A length of white bandage trailed down her hand. "They were fixing my wrist. I seem somehow to have mysteriously injured it- when Maggie attacked me with the phone last night and no one would come and stop her." "Don't lie.Carolyn, " her mother snapped coldly. "Maggie would never do such a thing." "It's the truth!" Carolyn shouted, starting to blubber with pain and anger again. "You don't listen to anything I say any more!" "I'm afraid we already have a guest here, " Liz went on, turning her attention this time to Julia. "There isn't room for anyone else. You'll have to leave at once." "Elizabeth," Julia said, stunned. "You heard me, " the other repeated. "Get out." "No I " her daughter shouted. I want them here Both of them! Julia, Willie--don't leave, please!" "Well, then, Carolyn, if you want to associate with them so badly, you can go, too, now. I'm not going to stand here and argue with you. Lethe wants her breakfast." "Well, I'd be happy to!" Carolyn continued to scream, tears boiling out of her eyes and running in torrents down her face. "Why don't you just adopt Lethe as your daughter then, or Maggie?! You 33

may have to, mother-because it'll be a cold day in Hell before I ever set foot in this madhouse again!" She started forward as if to slap Elizabeth, but Willie and Julia wisely held her back. "Go ahead, then, " Liz said nonchalantly. "I'm not stopping you!" Lethe appeared on the landing above. "I see we have company, " she exclaimed in a pleasant voice that secretly dripped ice. "Hello .Willie, Carolyn-and you, " she indicated Julia with a smile. "I don't believe I've met you." "No, " the doctor informed her without interest as she started outside with Willie and Carolyn. "I don't believe you have." The door rang shut behind them, and Roger and then Maggie Evans carefully moved in behind Persephone on the landing. All were grinning secretively. "What were they doing here?" Persephone demanded of Liz, who picked up the flowers from the table and began to put them in a vase. "And who was that other woman?" "That was Julia Hoffman, " Liz told her promptly. "She's a psycchiatrist-some friend of Barnabas'. She works way up in the northern part of the state-he must have called her down here to try and patch things up after we sent him out last night." Persephone scowled. "A psychiatrist?! Why would he call someone like that, unless he thinks we've all gone mad, that is?" "There's a bit more to it than that, I suspect, " Roger grinned. "They're friends, you see-rather...'good' friends. "Julia would do just about anything for Barnabas, " Maggie put in. Persephone absorbed this information with interest. Joel came out of Persephone's room, rubbing his eyes tiredly and wearing nothing but an ill-fitting bathrobe that had formerly been Roger's. Roger glared at him but obediantly said nothing. 'I think I understand, " Persephone gloated as she leaned heavily on the rail. Perhaps it won't be such a difficult task to get rid of her, after all." "Here, come sit down over here, " Willie offered.guiding Carolyn to one of the chairs by the fireplace. Julia followed, carrying something else from her car. Carolyn fell easily into the comfort of the chair and put her face into her good hand. "I'm never going back there, " she pouted, wiping the dried tears from her cheeks. "I hate all of them-my mother, too. She'd rather protect Maggie than me..." "Now you shouldn't say that, " Willie urged, kneeling at the arm of the chair. "You don't want to fight with them. You'd be just as bad as they are if ya did." "Maybe I am just as bad as they are, " she grumbled. "But I know I'm not going to be pushed around like that any more. I've had it with them. They can all go to Hell as far as I'm concerned. I can make it by myself-" Julia had turned away and was doing something over the coffee -table with her back to both of them. Willie glanced up at her and winced a little. "It's been a little strange for everyone over at the house, " he went on. "But Julia's here now-it'll be better soon for everyone. You'll see." Julia looked over at him and gave him a signal out of the corner of her eye. Understanding, he circled around the chair and placed his hands on Carolyn's shoulders as Julia brought the hypo out in front and squeezed the air bubbles out of it, carefully. Carolyn's eyes grew wide with fear. "What's that?" she demanded with sudden anxiety. "You're not going to stick that in me-I won't let you! No-" "It will help ease the pain, " Julia promised cooly as she lowered it to Carolyn's arm. She struggled a bit, but Willie held her firmly down from behind. It took only seconds for her to grow weaker and slump to one side without further objection. Julia stared a moment, then wheeled around the second chair so that it was facing only a few inches away from Carolyn's. That one she took herself. "What was that for?" Willie asked nervously. "It's nothing harmful, I can assure you. We're going to get to the bottom of this-right now. She should be able to hear me again in a minute. Carolyn? Carolyn, speak up when you can hear me. Now? Carolyn?"

"Yes..." her patient responded slowly, then with growing confidence. "Y«s, I think I can...' "Good. Then tell me everything you know about Lathe Collins, " Julia ordered firmly, but with patience. "Everything." It was than that Elizabeth's daughter became hysterical. Maggie crossed the woods in a matter of minutes. All the way. she had the oddest feeling that someone was watching her from within the bushes, somehow. But she didn't have the time to look into it' She'd have to tell Lethe about it as soon as she got back to Collinwood. Determinedly, she walked up Barnabas's porch steps and pounded on the door. "Open up, " she shouted. Julia and Willie looked up, shocked, when they heard the first stern knock. Others followed quickly, until there was almost a deafening hammering going on outside. Carolyn quickly was distracted and began squirming around in her seat. "In my head, " she kept murmering in terror. "She's in my head. Her face-everywhere! Knows everything about me-everything I've ever done. Have to obey her-want to-I am. her-her face, in my mind -everywhere..." "Who could that be?" Willie ran to the window and attempted to see, fear seizing him with cold, clammy hands. "I don't know, " Julia said with equal apprehension. "You'll have to go and answer it. But whatever you do, don't let anyone in!" "Hey!" Maggie continued to cry out from the porch. "I know you're in there, Willie-and you too, Julia. Let me in-open this door, now!" "Can we move her?" Willie looked down at Carolyn with desperation. "That isn't advisable. I'll just have to keep her quiet. Julia scooped up the empty hypo and stashed it behind one of the ornaments on the fireplace.while Willie moved the chair around to its original position on the other side of the room. "In my head-everywhere-" Carolyn ranted on. "Go on, " Julia pushed Willie away. "Go and answer the door- it'll be all right." Then she knelt beside Carolyn and grabbed her by both arms. "No.Carolyn, stop now. The picture is going away-you must come back now, back to this room. Concentrate on something other than Lethe's face-imagine a bare white wall, with nothing at all on it..." Willie's hand shook as he opened the front door just enough to stick his face out and see Maggie standing there. "Hellow, Willie, " she said. "What took you so long? I knew you were in there. I don't like standing out here in the cold. You going to let me in?" Willie's jaw tightened. "No, " he told her bluntly. "You're here to break Carolyn's other arm, ain't you? Well, we're not lettin' you in. You can do your talkin' right here-if you got anything worth sayin'.that is." "OH, I do. And you'll think so, too. I'm here to tell you and Hoffman both to leave Lethe Collins alone. No one's been hurt there-not seriously, anyway-and if you both wish to keep it that way, you'll learn how to mind your own business and keep your interests confined to this corner of the estate-and you'll learn it fast, too." "No one's been hurt?" Willie sneered. "How about Carolyn? You took care of that little bruise yourself." "I said no one's been hurt seriously. She'll heal. The next one night not be so lucky-and it might just be one of you. Understand?" "I got nothin' to say. You can pass that along to your buddy.' "I will...providing you pass my message along to Barnabas and poor.lovesick Julia.both." She attempted to peer around Willie and into the house then, but he stubbornly moved with her to block her way. "Where are you keeping Carolyn?" Maggie asked with amusement. "Down in one of the secret chambers?" "I said you couldn't see her. You said everything you wanted to? Then go back to Collinwood-we got nothin' to say back to you." "Keeping her off in the same place you kept me, Willie, back in those days when you weren't so noble as you are now? Now you've some extra help. Have fun, Willie--just Ilka

you did then, when you

kidnapped me." She started to laugh hysterically as Willie's eyes narrowed and he slammed the door on her angrily. "Fools!" she shrieked as she started back down the porch and towards home. Willie locked the door a bit more roughly than was necessary and glared back at Julia. "She's gone," he assured her.then went back to the window to make doubly certain. When he had, he closed the curtains. "How's Carolyn?" "Asleep. We won't be able to rouse her again-we probably could have gotten more out of her if we hadn't been interrupted.but I guess now we'll have to make do with what we've got." "That ain't much, " he pouted. "I didn't understand any of it. What was she sayin' about Lethe Collins bein' in her mind--what's that got to do with what she's been doin' to all of them over at the house?" "A great deal, " Julia told him staring at the fireplace with pursed lips. "I think I finally have it figured out. We should be safe here for the time being, and so is Carolyn, because Lethe actually has to be near the victim to do any real damage. Maybe now that Carolyn's been talked out of it, she'll forget-they all should, if we can get them away from the influence completely." "That wont' be easy. They all think she's the greatest over there. .they all love her so much it's sickening." "That figures--it's part of the power she's exerting over them. She has the strange ability to reach into people's minds...it's always made her different, no doubt, and the need for affection is what's driving her to do all these things. And the sorry thing is.she nay not even realize that what she is doing is wrong. And if she does, she obviously not interested in changing her ways." "So what do we do?" Willie pressed clenching his fists. "Just sit around here...and wait?" "No!" Julia asserted quickly. "That's the one thing we can't do. What Maggie said is proof enough. We'll have to do something--now." Maggie came back into the drawing room and betrayed no surprise at seeing Joel and Persephone entwined in each other's arms on the couch. Joel had at least had the good sense to finally put clothes on, however. Persephone pushed him cooly away at seeing her messenger return, and stood, smoothing her jeans as she did so. "What did they say?" she asked Maggie eagerly. "They said no. They're going to fight you. Carolyn's in there somewhere, but I couldn't see her. They kept the door closed. She's probably drugged. "I see. Well, there's no sense in worrying about her. Carolyn- and the others-may think she's free, but she isn't. As soon as she comes too, she'll realize the error of her ways and come crawling back to grovel at my feet. And you'll be nicer to her from now on, Maggie Perhaps you went just a little too far that last time." "Yes, Lethe." "You can go and check on David, now. The brat's still cooped up in his room...he'll have to come out sometime, and that will be your task. I'll handle this problem with Willie and Hoffman myself." "What are you going to do?" Maggie lifted one eyebrow slightly. "I'll handle it, " the other woman assured her. "That's all you need to know." "All right. I'll go upstairs now." Maggie turned on her heel and marched upstairs without further argument. "She's easy to talk to, " 'Lethe' smiled as she returned her attention to the immobile Jo»l. She knelt beside him and tantalized him by pushing her fingers through his sandy-brown hair. Then she rubbed the corners of his moustache until he murmered with pleasure. "Joel, " she whisD«red sweetly, punctuating her words with soft kisses. "They're not short on nerve are they? The last thing I need is that damned Barnabas sending his little army over here to spy on me. Something will have to be done. There's something you can do for me, though-something to stop all this before it gets too serious. "Sure, " he agreed easily. "What is It?" "I can always count on you. Serve me well, and this will be your home for a very long time." "Good." He smiled lazily. "What do you want me to do?" "You're going to go out for a while. Sit up, and I'll try and explain it to you. It's a little complicated, and it won't be pleasant. But you can do it. I know you can...

Julia finished preparing the second hypo and carefully tucked it in the side pocket of her purse. Willie continued to gaze worriedly over her shoulder. "You really think that's gonna work?" he asked again, impatiently. I mean, what if it doesn't? What if you can't hold her still long enough to give it to her...?" "Willie, we can't do anything but try and see what happens. We'll find out soon enough, anyhow-how much longer until sunset?" "Maybe half an hour, " he said. "But I don't think you understand about the rest of it. It ain't to be as simple as try and so-it's gonna have to work the first time. She'll kill you If It do««n't. And that's no joke." Julia signed and looked at the opposite wall to hid' her own worry. "Of course it isn't a joke. But I don't think that tranquil-izlng her is going to be the most ifficult part--that will cobs when we have to find a way to keep her safely under control." "Barnabas will know what to do about that, " Willie said darkly. "Yes, I expect he will." "So what do we do now--? Just sit back, and wait?" Julia set her purse in the center of the coffeetabl' by the staircase. "Let's go up and see how Carolyn is." Willie followed Julia up the stairs. "I hope what you said was right.about her finally bein' free of all that hypnosis an' stuff.:." "So do I, " Julia agreed as she opened the door to Josette's room. When she saw what was going on inside, however, she rushed In with a hiss of rage and pinned both of Carolyn's arms to the bed, careful of the broken wrist and its homemade plaster cast. Carolyn was thrashing wildly in the tangle of uprooted blankets, forehead shining with sweat and eyes glazed and unseeing with fear. All the while she continued to utter mad, nonsensical words, and beat her head from side to side on the pillow-as if running, in a dream, from some pursuing enemy too hideous to describe. "Carolyn!" Julia shouted. "Carolyn, stop it! It's all right- she won't find you here--she can't! You're safe-" The doctor looked up at Willie. "She isn't supposed to be able to dream, " she protested angrily. "That drug is designed to calm even the most hysterical of psychotic--and it hasn't! The monster--what has she done to their minds??" "Let go of me, " wailed Carolyn, struggling against Julia's grip. "She'll catch me-" A tangle of black, overhanging branches shrouded the dusty window. Joel raised himself on tiptoe and brushed them away, peering Inside the Old House with teeth set in determination. There was no one. The key Lethe had given him had grown warm in his han . He crept steadily back through the brushes and to the house's front door, and dug it into the lock. The door swung open with no more than a small creak of protest. He went inside. The sun was setting, with deathly slow speed, and the rooms were spotted with black, ghostly shadows. His arm brushed against something hard which was sitting on a coffeetable near the the door, it fell to the floor with a sharp noise. He bent to pick it up, then changed his Bind.Sweat rose on his brows. "Damn, " he muttered, and hurried off towards the cellar as quickly as was possible. down. Willie tensed noticeably.even as Carolyn finally began to oala "What's wrong?" Julia demanded with sudden concern. 37

"I thought I heard somethin', " he told her quietly. "No." she admitted. "What did it sound like?" He shrugged. "Maybe I just imagined it." "Did you?" Smirking with triumph, Joel raised the hammer he had brought and sent it crashing down against the locked cellar door. The iron lock groaned in response.and pieces of It clattered to the floor at his feet. He pushed, but still could not get in. "My, but you're protected well.friend, " he laughed to himself as he balanced his entire body carefully for the powerful trick that would gain him entrance to the Old House's most secret place in a matter of minutes. Carolyn finally turned over onto the pillows and sank into sleep. And, in the added concentration that silence allowed then both, they heard the noises again sharp, definite this time. Julia's face paled as she sprang off the bed and headed for the stairs. "Someone's in this house, " she said unnecessarily as they both raced for the cellar door. Joel approached the silhouetted oblong box with some degree of awe. He felt a tingle of excitement rush through both arms as he stepped forward and determinedly pushed the heavy lid open. The slender wooden stake in his hand seemed to fit Barnabas' cold, still chest perfectly. It had all been easier than he'd thought, He could hardly wait to see Lethe's face when he told her how simple it had been... He raised the hammer and measured the distance carefully, taking a deep breath of anticipation, One firm thud would be all it would take..¦ There was a sharp click behind him. "Wait right there¦Harris, " Willie snarled from the steps. "Drop it quick or you'll get it for sure." Joel spun to see Barnabas' servant holding a small revolver on him. Julia Hoffman was standing beside him. "Get away from there-now." Joel tossed the stake and hammer onto the dirt floor and backed backed carefully away from the two. Willie came towards him cautiously. "Aren't you just the hero of the hour, " Joel sneered. "What are you gonna do with me now, though, huh?" "Shut up, " said Willie, and gave him a small shove. "We can lock up over there. Get go in'." "Sure, " Harris smiled. "Sure, I don't want any trouble." He took a few steps forward as though he might comply, then suddenly whirled and plunged a hard fist directly into Willie's stomach. The gun flew across the room and Willie went on his knees at once, gasping in agony. Joel ran to the coffin and scooped up his weapons as he went. He fitted the stake immedieatly over Barnabas' heart and lifted the hammer high over his head-Something hit him in the back-hard, and the force of it sent him to his knees in front of the coffin. He turned awkwardly as the hot wetness spread all across the back of his shirt, and saw Julia there, holding the smoking gun. "Bitch!" he snarled as he fell face-first into the dust. "Lethe will get you for that-I swear she willl" Julia pulled back against the icy stone wall as the last shiver of life raked through Joel's body and was spent... Willie was only just collecting his wits. He got slowly to his feet and looked around in horror. He struggled to form words, but could find none. "I'm going to Collinwood, " Julia announced suddenly. "You'll have to take care of the body.Willie." "Collinwood?" Willie gaped. "But I thought we were going to wait for Barnabas and then go over--" "It's gone far enough.Willie.can't you see that? Every minute we wait the risk gets worse! Besides, we can't give her time to guess what happened here. Have Barnabas follow me over as soon as he canhopefully by then the whole thing will be done with for good. We can't free any of them until we remove the source of the infection completely-and that source is Lethe Collins." "Come on, Julia, please-wait right here till he. wakes up! He'll wanta talk to you before doing anything...you don't know what you're doin'!" She handed Willie his gun. "I'm not afraid of her. Besides.it will be better if I go alone-there's less likely to be any suspicion. Don't

worry about me-I'll be all right." "All right, " he said quietly. She started to turn up the steps but his hand on her arm stopped her. She felt him press the still-warm pistol in her hand and force her fingers tightly around it. "But at least take that with you. If one thing don't work-the other will." "I'll see you in about twenty minutes, " she said. Roaring strains of classical music filled the house as 'Lethe' casually turned the new stereo up to maximum volume and then returned to her chair to listen in peace. Her fingers danced lightly on the chair's arms. "The record player is wonderful.Roger, " she told him above the din. "Thank you for having it brought in here. This room was always so drab and boring-now we can have some entertainment in here, at least." "I'm glad you like it, " Roger had to raise his voice to be heard. "I think it fits rather well in here, actually. No one's ever used it in the study all these years." "A sad waste, " Persephone agreed. "But it won't be like that anymore. It'll be put to good use from now on, I'm sure." "I'm glad, " he smiled. She allowed him to give her a cautious kiss on the cheek, then he left the room, shutting the doors on the unbearably loud music. But she liked it that way. Otherwise it was impossible for her to concentrate on the one sound alone. Almost as soon as he was gone, someone else knocked and then entered the room. It was Maggie Evans. "Yes, Maggie?" Persephonee shouted. "What is it?" "Can you turn down the music?" Maggie asked loudly. "I'd rather not yell it." "All right." She got up and complied, then looked back over at her servant. "What seems to be the problem?" "Well." Maggie said haltingly, "it's David again. I tried to get up to his room today to talk to him like you said, and his door's still locked. He wouldn't answer anything I said, but I could hear him moving around inside. I'm worried about him-he's just stubborn enough to starve in there." Persephone considered a moment, then shrugged callously. "No, I don't think that's likely to happen. He's probably been sneaking down at night to get food." "Mrs. Johnson hasn't reported anything missing. And you know how she is about counting the dirty plates and rations each and every evening." ' "Then go and leave a tray by his door if you want. But don't cater to the little brat...he'll expect his own way in everything if you do. And if that's to be the case, the monster can rot in there for all I care." Maggie nodded. "Okay, that's what I'll do. I didn't mean to disturb you. Sorry." "That's perfectly all right, Maggie. Go and have something fixed for him now." "I will. Thanks." As Maggie left the room and closed the doors again, Persephone casually reached over and turned up the music to full blast again. Julia drew safely out of sight behind the grandfather clock as David's governess turned out of the drawing room and headed for the kitchen. She heard the music return, the very walls and floor vibrating with the deafening volume. It made sense that Lethe would want it so loud-and its presence was definitely to the doctor's ad39

vantage in this case. Lethe was in her chair once again, btarIng at the windows and lost in the noise as Julia slipped in.unobserved. She squeezed the air bubbles out of the hypo and aimed it squarely at the other woman's shoulders as she crept across the room. Her steps were careful .measuredly she placed one hand on the back of the chair for balance and touched the long, glittering needle to flesh with the other... There was a sudden.momentary pause in the music, and in that second Persephone's head cleared and then snapped violently back with tthe shock of someone else's thoughts hitting her mind. She tore out of the chair, the needle catching awkwardly on the fabric of her flannel shirt and snapping neatly off in the middle. Julia dropped the useless weapon in startlement and instinctively drew back a step as 'Lethe' whirled on her with vicious rage in her eyes. "You!' she screeched horribly, die! fists clenched at either side. "How did you get in here-what are you doing?!" "Nothing, " Julia protested stubbornly. "I only came to see Mrs. Stoddard-about Carolyn's arm." "Liar!" cane the animal hiss as Persephone reached up to snatch the broken bit of needle off her sleeve. "I don't like people who lie--I don't like them at all! I was actually expecting you, doctor --I didn't expect you to take what I did to your precious lover without retaliation! What was it like for you-? Finding him that way.with not a hope in hell of saving him this time-" Julia struggled not to think, not to respond mentally. Hurriedly she shoved the thoughts from her mind, but it was too late. Lethe's gaunt face went suddenly stark white, her eyes wide with horror and disbelief. "No!" she gasped raggedly, choking on her nausea. "Not Joel- no! You didn't-you didn't" Julia threw open her purse and snatched up the gun. It was then that Persephone's eyes rolled back in her head, and what was almost a visible bolt of lightning crackled forth from the whites. The gun went off and a lamp fell.shattering, to the floor. There was a blazing, unbearable pain in Julia's head. The pistol fell from her hand and thudded to the carpet, and she watched it tumble and bounce as if in slow motion. She gripped her temples in agony and whirled to run desperately from the house. It was growing dark outside. Lethe was following only steps behind as Julia ripped open her car door and fell clumsily across the front seat. She heard Lethe'b laughter echoing all across the lawn and towards her, growing louder.louder in the other's murderous approach. Her numb fingers found the key in the ignition only with the utmost effort. The car screeched in protest as it roared into life and lurched down Collinwood's drive and then onto the lawn itself. A tangle of bushes scraped across the windshield. Julia struggled with the steering wheel, but still the vehicle plunged down wildly through the greenery. She hit the brake determinedly and everything shuddered to a halt. The world outside was a blur to her eyes. She tore desperately at the door handle and spilled out, face-first, onto the night-coaled grass. No. she thought furiously, forcing herself to ignore the pain. I won't let you win... "There she is!" someone was shouting. Two shadowed figures were running towards her. Her vision was fading away--she couldn't tell who they were until they were directly upon her. "Julia!" Barnabas shouted as he slumped to his knees beside her. It was the last thing she heard. Willie swallowed hard, eyes wide as Barnabas looked up at him with shock. "She-she ain't!" he cried out. "Get someone!" his friend shouted at him. "Use Collinwood's phone-don't let them stop you!" "But that girl's in there, Barnabas, she-" "I said go!" Barnabas shook Julia's prone form and gripped her suddenly-cold face in genuine terror. "Julia!" he pleaded, but she did not respond. Willie turned and ran up the drive towards Collinwood. He passed Persephone hiding in the darkness, but never noticed her, and she in turn merely watched In fury and said nothing at all. The night had turned unbearably cold, and the hospital reeked of anticeptic and other less definable medicine. Barnabas continued to pace up and down the corridor.and was doing so when Willie returned from the Old House and threw himself onto one of the chairs set up in the waiting area. Barnabas noticed

his arrival immediately and went over to him. "What is happening at Collinwood?" he demanded without pause. "Have you taken the necessary steps as far as both Carolyn...and Joel Harris are concerned?" "Yeah, " his servant nodded slowly. "Carolyn went back to Collinwood-the same as she was before. I tried everything short of lockln' her in Josette's room to make her stay-she wouldn't have none of it. And joel Harris is gone for good--no one seem to know where he went." "I see. I never did like the man-entirely too self-assured." Barnabas stared at the wall then and waited for Willie to ask the obvious. "How's...how's "The same, I would assume, " the other answered in frustration. Roger is right-they are all fools in this place! They've not been back here once to give me any news-not even a report-nothing!" "They're doin' the best they can, Barnabas, you know that. Besides, Julia's gonna be OK. Look at all the worse things she's been through and come out all right." He paused and saw a deeper, even more tragic concern glistening in Barnabas' eyes. "Barnabas, it wasn't your fault. She was the one who insisted on goin' over there herself. There's nothin' anyone can do once she has her mind made up-now you know that." "You fool, Willie--of course it was my fault! I asked her -to come back to Collinwood in the first place-if I had acted the moment I first suspected anything, instead of sitting back like a cowing imbecile, none of this would have happened." "You don't know that that would've done any good! You did everything you could-I mean, just go in' over to Collinwood like you did last night took guts! You weren't even sure what was really goin' on-Julia knew that, an' she didn't complain any." "That isn't the point. It all could have been prevented. And nothing you shall ever say will convince me otherwise. Perhaps Lethe Collins has truly one, this time-perhaps Collinwood is hers now, forever." "Quit sayin' that, Barnabas, you know it aint true!" Willie persisted. "You--" A door opened behind them, and a grim-faced man in doctor's garb stepped out to address them. Barnabas looked up and immediately hurried over to meet him. "At last, some news!" he said hopefully. "Tell us, doctor, quickly-is Julia still alive?" "Yes, " said the physician. "Alive, and holding on, but not conscious. I'm sorry to bring you the bad news, sir, but we've done everything possible now, and there's been no real change. Dr. Hoffman seems to have suffered some kind of a stroke-a bit different from the usual, it seems, but no less damaging. She may regain consciousness in time...but then again, she may not. As far as brain damage--I can't promise that what there has actually been will be reversible." "No." Barnabas looked defiantly away. "I refuse to believe it-it simply isn't true." "Well, with all due respect, I'm afraid you'd best face it. The chance exists that Dr. Hoffman will be a vegetable all her life. Not pleasant, of course.and certainly a tragic waste, but better to bring all the facts out into the open than to mince words-don't you agree? And I want you to know that I'm truly sorry." "I must see her, " Barnabas demanded next, completely ignoring all that had been said. "You must take me to her.doctor-immediately. "I'm afraid that isn't advisable at his time. If you come back tomorrow when visiting hours start, however..." "Doctor, your callous attitude disturbs me very much. I said I want to see Dr. Hoffman this instant, and I meant it. Let us not play games--am I making myself clear?" "Perfectly, " the doctor replied, hotly. "But I'll have to repeat myself also-the answer is no. Maybe you should go home for the night-there's certainly nothing you can do by remaining here any longer. Naturally, if there's any change in the doctor's condition, 41

you'll be notified at once." Willie touched Barnabas' arm in an attempt to persuade him. "Maybe we should be gettln' back to Collinwood now, huh? Julia's in the best care .you know that. Don't forget-there's also some thin, we have to do right away at home..." Coldly, his master pulled away and stalked across the corridor. "No, " he repeated with growing rage. "All of this is my doing -and I shall not budge from this spot. Every hour possible I shall spend right here, until Julia recovers...and as for Collinwood.they asked me never to return." There followed a moment of uneasy silence. Willie glanced helplessly at the doctor as Barnabas purposely, and resolutely, affixed his gaze onto the bare white wall in front of him and said nothing more. • David brached his back firmly against the door and clung to the wall on either side of the threshold until his fingers ached. "I won't let you in!" he shouted again. "Go away, Lethe--leave me alone!" "But David, you haven't eaten the dinner Maggie so kindly brought you." Persephone edged closer to the door that separated them. "You're a growing young man, David-you have to eat. It's been more than a whole day...you must be nearly starved to death. Mrs. Johnson has some chocolate cake downstairs--and don't tell me you hate that, because I know better." Tears welled up in David's eyes, both from pain and frustration. He did want some...but not from her, never. "Then you're a very foolish boy, " she spat, the last vestiges of her forced pleasantry gone. "You may very well die thereafter all. You deserve it! But do you know what? I don't think your will is that strong. I think you'll come out again, very soon. Your hunger will drive you. And I'll be waiting then, David--it doesn't matter when. It can be a long wait, or a short one-but I shall win in the end. And I really don't care how long it takes, because, you see, I have plenty of things to eat on this side of the door." Then she began to laugh, triumphantly. "Go away!" David wrapped his hands around his face and ran to throw himself on the bed. "Go away and leave me alone! I do have the will-you're wrong if you think you'll ever get me I You're wrong," "Have it your way.bratl We'll soon see who is the stronger between us. We'll soon see..." Her laughter faded as she went down the hall and then the stairs. David waited until he was sure she had gone back downstairs, then buried his head in the pillows and wept.bitterly. No one would help him now. Not his aunt, not Carolyn...certainly not his father. And Barnabas was... Where? he wondered. He resented his cousin for running away- for letting himself be kicked out of Collinwood without even a fight. He should have done something! He could have helped them all -but he hadn't. Wouldn't. Choking back the rest of his sobs, David slid across the bedspread and moved to open the window. Tree branches, long and withered like hag's fingers, tapped urgently on the glass. He frowned as he peered out and past the overhanging twigs. And he saw a figure standing out In the yard. The boy's heart leapt. The silhouettted head of the other tipped up on broad shoulders and looked squarely at him. "Hey!" David shouted down. "Who are you?" The person took off running and instantly vanished between the trees and shadows. Urgently.David pressed himself against the sill and stretched out an arm into the cold night air. "Come back!" he shouted, but to no avail. "Whoever you are- please.come back!" His cries bounced through the yard and came back to him.but not a soul answered. He frowned- Had he only imagined it...? His empty stomach burning like a pit of hot coals, David sank to the floor and began to think. Even without Barnabas or anyone else's help, there had to be a way. And he decided then and there to find it. "The doctor said only a few minutes, Barnabas, " Willie remind-

ed his friend. "It's been about that now." "Be quiet, Willie, " Barnabas snapped. "I can hardly hear myself think with all your endless chatter. Either stop talking so much, or go and wait for me out in the hall." "You can't make me leave, " Willie ventured defiantly. "This is a public buildin'. I got as much right to be here as you do." "I'm not going to argue with you, Willie...not tonight." Julia's hand was dry, barely warm. He touched it cautiously just the same. "She's no doubt in pain, and yet she looks so peaceful. I wonder what it feels like to be so close to.