to do his work for him, but we must stop him."

"I know. Listen, I want you to go back to Barnabas and tell him that I was able to stop Angelique by using that amulet. If he's Barnabas, he'll be grateful. If he's Judah-"

"He'll be furious at your intervention."

"Not necessarily. He may take it to mean that I suspect Angelique."

"We need to get the children away -protect them. But David will never go with Roger still in the hospital -"

"Let me handle David. And I'll also talk to Elizabeth about sending Maggie with them to Boston until this is over."

"Yes. I'll go up and give Elizabeth something to help her relax and then leave."

"I can give her a pill, Julia. Go on back to the Old House."

Upstairs, Quentin convinced Elizabeth that David couldn't help his father by staying here, and that the atmosphere wasn't a good one for children at the moment. She agreed that Maggie should take David and Amy to Boston for a week or so, then took the pill Julia had sent up for her.

Quentin was just leaving her room when Maggie came into the hall. She started to turn away, but he stopped her. "I want to apologize for the things I said, Maggie. Can we talk?"

"I'm not certain we have anything to talk about, Quentin."

He touched her arm, smiling. "Hey. At least give me a chance."

"Are you sure Angelique won't mind?"

"Angelique?"

"You seem to be spending a great deal of time with her, Quentin."

"That's part of what I have to explain. Please?"

Maggie took a deep breath, knowing that she was probably going to regret this, but turned and led the way to his rooms in the West Wing. Once there, she refused his offered drink and sat down. "I'm listening."

.m

"Angelique and Barnabas are having some - problems, and she needs a friend. That's all there is to it."

"What kind of problems?"

"She's afraid that he's not - stable."

"What?"

"He's been acting pretty strange since they got married - and Angelique is worried that he might have been possessed by an evil spirit who wants to destroy the Collins family."

"You're going to have to do better than that, Quentin."

"It's true. Even Julia's noticed the change. She's concerned that he might harm someone - if he hasn't already -"

"Roger? How could he?"

"Black magic. Maggie, I know this is hard for you to believe, but I'm afraid he might try to hurt you or the kids. Elizabeth's agreed that you should take them to Boston for a few days."

"Boston? David won't go with his father ill," she said.

Quentin sat beside her. "Please, Maggie. I'll talk to him. I want you out of here. I don't want to give him any opportunity to hurt you." He touched her cheek. "You mean too much to me for me to let that happen."

"That's not what you said the other night."

"I'd had too much to drink," he explained. "I'm sorry. I'm - thinking about staying on at Collinwood, Maggie, and if I do-"

"Don't make any promises, Quentin Collins, that you don't think you can keep."

He kissed her. "Then I won't say any more now. Just promise me that if I can convince David to go, you'll leave tomorrow morning."

"I - " She was silenced by another kiss, one that turned her bones into water. "I'll go," she said.

"Good girl." He stood, pulling her to stand at his side. "Let's go talk to David."

Barnabas' relief appeared to be sincere. "You're sure Elizabeth is all right?"

"Quentin was going up to check on her when I left. I think he's suspicious of Angelique now, what with the argument earlier."

"Good. I don't like the idea of her using him as she's been doing."

"He's also going to suggest to Elizabeth that Maggie take the children away to Boston until things are settled here."

"That's a good idea." He paced over to the stairs and looked up. "Julia, we must stop Angelique."

"I'm not certain that Angelique herself is behind this, Barnabas."

He turned to look at her. "What do you mean?"

"Quentin suggested that she may simply be the instrument for someone else."

His expression was guarded. "Such as?"

"Judah Zachary."

He looked suddenly weary, and sat down. "I haven't wanted to admit it to myself. Or discuss it with you. I know how much it troubled you that you fell under his power those times. She came back here as Miranda - the name Judah knew her by. Using her would be his ultimate revenge." He looked at her. "I can't fight him right now. I'm too vulnerable. As soon as I'm cured, I'll find a way to destroy Judah Zachary. Once and for all."

The next day, Angelique said almost those same words to Julia and Quentin. "We'll have to wait until the serum takes effect. Right now, he's too dangerous to fight. If he suspects we know the truth, he could decide to destroy the entire family in one night, using Barnabas. Once he's out from under the curse, he'll be more easily handled."

"What are you going to do, Angelique?"89.

"I wish I knew, Quentin," she said, sounding as weary as Barnabas had the previous night, "I wish I knew."

The next week was a nightmare for all concerned. Roger made no improvement, in fact, he appeared to be slipping nearer death, which caused the atmosphere between Barnabas and Angelique to deteriorate even further. They were scarcely speaking to one another. As a result, Angelique spent even more time with Quentin, further angering Barnabas.

Julia gave him his evening injection, and an hour later, drew a sample of blood. She was looking at it under the microscope when Barnabas turned to leave the room. "Wait. Barnabas -"

"What is it, Julia?" he asked, hearing the surprise in her voice.

"Do you feel any different, Barnabas?"

"No, not that I - Yes. I do. Julia, it worked. I'm cured."

"Yes. The blood sample is clear of the vampiritic organism.

"I must go tell -" He paused, the joy on his face erased by a brooding frown. "I cannot wait any longer, Julia. I'm going upstairs and confront Angelique."

"No, Barnabas. She might -"

"I must. I don't care what happens to me, as long as I stop her - or Judah. Go to the hospital and stay with Roger. If I'm successful, he'll be all right very soon."

"Be careful, Barnabas," she said once they were in the foyer.