Part 31 (2/2)
”Where?”
”Please. I must go.” His hold tightened.
”Not until you tell me where.”
”Let me go, Quentin. You wouldn't understand!”
”Oh, but I do, Miranda.”
Those words stopped her struggle to free herself momentarily. ”You can't!”
She started to fight again. ”I'll take you to him, Miranda. Just calm down and look at me.”
Barnabas turned from the window. Why hadn't she come to him? Was Quentin stopping her?
”Barnabas. I thought you had gone,” Willie said. He'd heard the dogs howling, and was nervous.
”Not yet, Willie.”
Holding up a tray, he said, ”I gotta take this coffee down to Julia -”
”Then go on.” He stared into the fireplace, began calling again. ”Come to me. Let no one stop you. I need you.”
The front door opened and Miranda entered the room, crossing to stand before him, her eyes bright. ”I heard you.”
”Why didn't you come when I called the first time?”
”He wouldn't let me.”
”Who?”
”She's talking about me, Barnabas,” Quentin said, coming into the room.
”Quentin. I warned you last night-”
”I would have stayed out of it, if I hadn't discovered what you had done.”
Willie stopped on the threshold. ”Excuse me.”
”Willie, take Miranda up to Josette's room.” He turned to her and took her hand. ”Go with Willie while Quentin and I talk. I won't be long.”
”All right.” She followed Willie up the stairs.
”Barnabas -”
”I know, Quentin. I know. I just wanted to talk to her - but before I realized what was happening -”
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