451

Bathia Mapes.  Her name was Bathia Mapes.  My memories are hazed, however my father did as best he could by summoning the old woman.  Angelique’s will is resolute, nonetheless.  The memory of Bathia Mapes and the pillar of flame into which she was reduced will never be forgotten by me.

Angelique’s powers seem to be expanding.  But how?  What would such a powerful creature have wanted with me?  Or has she gained new power from beyond death?  Why was she a serving girl?

Until I understand, these questions are fruitless.

BC

450

Barnabas.  How much fun you would be to inhabit should that crone attempt to rid you of me.  I may simply do so anyway.

You will burn.

449

Millicent made the unfortunate choice of finding me.

448

Immediately relinquish all financial holdings of Millicent Collins into the account of Master Daniel Collins, Collinwood, Collinsport, Maine.  These funds shall be accessible to him upon his eighteenth birthday.

NB — Between now and then, his agent, with full control of the account, shall be Millicent Collins, who reserves the right to terminate this transfer at any point prior to Master Collins’ eighteenth birthday.

Heinrich… the last part should stay between us.  As always, your discretion is most valued.

447

My father has secured me in the Tower Room, hoping to find some release for me from my condition.  I am firm in my conviction that this is an impossibility, and that he is simply putting himself at increasingly greater risk from the wrath of Angelique, for he finally knows the truth.  Furthermore, the room itself will do nothing to prevent my escape when my hunger grows insatiable.  I can only hope that I may do so without encountering a family member, first.

446

A man should be known by his deeds.  Words my father always taught me.  Tonight, he wished for me to end my own life.  Little does he know this is an impossibility.  Should he know more?  That I am a ‘vampire,’ that creature of gypsy lore?  Will any of us have peace?  I need him as an ally, but I may not be able to afford him as such.

BC

445

Dearest Naomi,

It shall be my final regret that the tenor of these words will seem wholly unfamiliar to you.

Nowhere is it written that a father must love his offspring.  I am loading a pistol and I am going to meet our son.  Should you find this before I retrieve it, I grant you full liberty to think me mad.  If that is the case, know then that it is the madness of fatherly love. More than this I cannot say.

Your loving husband,

Joshua

 

444

Ho, Kegly,

My lad, if a man owes you coin and cajoles you into donning a cape and mask for an elaborate scheme, I’ll wager there’s a swift beating in it for you.  Word to the wise.

Love,

“Da”

443

Dear Andre,

Young Peter Bradford has made a very frightening argument for Angelique being not just healer, as was her mother, but a witch, as well.  Similarly, nothing is as it seems with Barnabas Collins.  Please be advised that, if Angelique appears, she is to be trusted only to a limited extent.

N.

442

“The statements made by me regarding Miss Victoria were untrue.  I recant my entire legal argument and wholeheartedly suggest she be freed post haste.”

Thank you, Reverend.  It may require a tad of embellishment, but doing homages of valued signatures is a specialty one gains only in the finest of boarding schools, and I will aptly apply flourishes taught there when necessary.

The final brick’s mortar should be drying.  My main concern now is the aroma. Good Ben Stokes is used to such a bouquet, often finding his own complimented by a whiff of a ripening corpse, however, my own sense of smell is heightened to the point of discomfort under most circumstances.

As for explanations, I must proceed wisely should others sniff about.