Vicki gasped, her body tensing. Elizabeth's arms tightened around her, even as Vicki pulled back, staring.

Staring at the dark form across the room. At Barnabas.

His eyes widened as the realization swept through him like a firestorm, destroying all his hopes in its path. She'd been to the past --his past.

She knew.

But she didn't denounce him as the monster he was, didn't scream out the terrible truth.

Instead, she pled fatigue and confusion, and retreated to her room. Elizabeth and Julia hovered anxiously, each for her own secret reasons, but finally Vicki was able to convince them to leave.

Alone, she shut the bedroom door firmly, then -- after a moment's thought -- locked it. Across the room, a cheval glass caught her eye and she frowned. Critically, she studied her reflection, her mind turning back to Barnabas.

Of course he feared his secret was about to be exposed, but he needn't worry. She had ample reasons of her own to protect him. His secret was safe. For now.

Vicki's mouth curved up in a feline smile of satisfaction. And, in the mirror, Angelique smiled with her.

----------------------------