Dark Shadows - A New Beginning

Chapter Thirteen

Character Portrait included: Quentin Collins

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Lucifera bit at her bottom lip, not certain of how she could answer Quentin. 

"Did you hear me?" Quentin hissed at her. "I asked you what you're doing here."

'Great' - she thought. 'A guy with an obviously short fuse. How can he expect me to just have an answer so quickly?'

Lucifera inhaled to collect herself, making her voice come out calm. 

"I was invited here by a member of your family."

"Invited by a member of my family? Yes, Julia told me that you might try that story. She said that you told her David invited you. Surely you can see how that's impossible. Forgive me - if I don't believe you!"

Lucifera found his temper almost unbearable. That was what so unnerved her about him. His temper had a disarming effect on her.

"The truth!" Quentin thundered. "NOW!"

Lucifera shook her head, knowing that her eyes must look wide and terrified to him. 

It dawned on her that the only way out of this fix was magic, and there wasn't any kind of candle anywhere in the room. 

Perhaps she could trick someone into bringing her a candle...

"You know - we can play this game all day," Quentin told her with a playful, mocking laugh. "...so go ahead. Take your time. Amuse me!"

Lucifera bit at her lip, trying to think of what to do. She needed a candle.

'A candle' - she thought to herself. 'How to get him to bring me a candle. Yes, I... I think I have it!' 

Resolved, Lucifera willed every bit of power in her to go into the bedside lamp. With a loud shatter the lamp literally blew up.

David sat up bolt upright and drew in a rattling breath, struggling for air. 

"Wuz' goin' on?" he mumbled weakly. 

"The lamp blew a fuse," Quentin explained in a calm voice. "Nothing to worry about David. Go back to sleep. I'll get a candle until Mrs. Johnson can find a replacement lamp."

David nodded and lay his head back. He was so drained with sickness that Lucifera believed he was already asleep once more. His breathing was less labored, at any rate.

"I am going to get a candle," Quentin hissed dangerously, grabbing Lucifera's arm roughly. "Now you are not going to attempt to leave this room. ARE YOU?"

Lucifera shook her head no. Quentin went to the bedroom door but hesitated. 

"I should lock you in," Quentin told her. "I would if David weren't so ill. Now, I warn you. Do not try to run. I promise you that I can make your life very difficult."

He needn't have threatened her. Lucifera had already decided that she wouldn't run. 

In the first place - she couldn't simply let Quentin be. Not now. If she did, he was likely to remember her as more than a vague memory.

That could jeopardize her mission in the future. It wouldn't do for anyone to have a strong memory of her. A memory that they might carry down to the present.

'How long have I been in this time?' - Lucifera thought. 'Perhaps two hours? Oh, I hope Barnabas has been occupied elsewhere until now! I must not miss him, or I'll have failed.'

Quentin wasn't long in returning, and already the candle was lit. 

"I can't see very well," Lucifera said, making her voice frantic. "I promise to answer your questions. Just please - bring the candle a little closer! I can't see."