Winds Of Eternity Part 53

"Barnabas," Angelique said, still unable to call him Aaron, "must you? You have no idea what that is like. I do."

He looked at her. "You have a better idea?"

"No, but - banishment to the fiery pit -"

He saw her shudder at the memory it evoked. "You were allowed to leave. Judah would not be. His punishment would be for all eternity."

"Very well. I can't fight you, and I know you have the power to do it." Judah's gaze met Angelique's. "Beautiful Miranda. I really would have taken you with me, tried again. I suppose it just wasn't meant to be." He sat back. "I'm ready."

Barnabas circled him twice, then began the incantation. "I summon the denizen of the fiery pit to escort this soul back with you and make him one of your cursed legion. Come, and claim this soul as one of your own. Come. And once there, he will remain throughout eternity as punishment for his crimes. Come, lost souls of the darkness. Follow my voice." A sudden wind blew into the room, carrying the agonized shrieks of the Lost Ones with it. Angelique covered her ears, trying to shut out the terror filled memories that they called forth. The window closed with a loud bang, and97.

the room was still, the calm after the storm. Quentin sat upright, not moving, but Angelique didn't notice as she ran across the room to throw herself into her husband's arms for comfort.

"It's alright, my darling," he a.s.sured her. "He's gone forever."

"You're sure?"

"Yes. You were not eternally banished. There was hope for your release. But not for Judah."

She looked at Quentin. "Why hasn't he moved?"

"I placed him in a trance so that I could reverse my spell back to the portrait."

She looked at Barnabas. "You could end his curse, couldn't you?"

"Yes. And I will - later." He touched Quentin's wrinkled, aging hand, returning it to its former youthful appearance. His face was next, and then Barnabas touched his fingers to Quentin's forehead. "Quentin."

He opened his eyes. "Barnabas. Angelique. What are you doing here?"

"You don't remember, Quentin?"

"The last thing I remember is coming up here after your wedding, having a brandy - Maggie was here." He glanced quickly around the room.

"Maggie's fine," Barnabas a.s.sured him. "What happened?"

"I guess I fell asleep. I had one h.e.l.l of a nightmare, too. All about Judah Zachary and Roger -" His voice stilled as he saw the looks on their faces. "It - wasn't a nightmare, was it?"

"No. It wasn't. Angelique, you'd better call Julia and find out about Roger. Tell her to meet us over at the Old House after sunrise for the full story."

Quentin looked a little shame-faced. "I'm not sure how you can keep from punching me out, Cousin, after everything I've done."

"It wasn't you, Quentin. It was Judah Zachary."

"Yes." As if remembering something, he looked down at his hands. "You - ?"

"Of course. I don't think it would be easy to explain your suddenly aging thirty years to the family."

"No. It wouldn't be. Thank you." He could sense the change in his cousin, but knew that his mind wasn't clear enough to ask the questions he wanted to ask and be able to understand the answers.

Angelique returned from the telephone, taking Barnabas' arm. "Roger's completely recovered, and Julia will be calling the main part of the house in a few minutes to let them know. She's going to release him as soon as possible."

"Then shall we go so we can be there to help celebrate the good news? Quentin?"

"Right behind you, Cousin."

Elizabeth was ecstatic when Julia called. "I'll have to call Maggie and have her bring the children home. We have to celebrate this evening. You and Angelique will be here, won't you, Barnabas?"

He looked down at his wife. "We wouldn't miss it, Elizabeth. Now, if you will excuse us, Angelique and I have an appointment to keep.EPILOGUE.Barnabas clasped Angelique's hand tightly as the first rays of the sun became visible on the horizon. They were both silent until that golden orb bathed them in its warm glow.

Watching him, Angelique smiled. "Happy?"

"I'm happier than I ever thought possible. Because you're here to share it with me."

"It's a new day, Barnabas."

"A new beginning," he said. "For all of us."

THE END.