CHAPTER NINETEEN

STEFAN WAS IN quite a mood when Sonny and Carly finally entered Wyndemere. “It certainly took you two long enough.” He spat. “Do you even care that while you two were indulging your base appetites Sorel could have been here and finished enslaving Barbara.” He pointed an accusing finger at Sonny. “Sorel would never have targeted Barbara if it hadn’t been for you.”

“Where the hell do you get off talking to us like that.” Sonny spat back. “You’re even lucky that we’re here. And we wouldn’t be if you didn’t have information that we needed.” He added. “As for our base appetites, well it was witches like you who gave them to us, so why shouldn’t we indulge them. You certainly had no problem indulging your base desires with a mortal.”

“I’m going up to see my mother.” She announced. “Sonny, you can fill me in on his plan when you come up and join me.” She kissed his cheek then headed up the stairs.

Sonny walked ahead of him into Stefan’s study. “Shall we get down to it?” He asked as he poured himself a drink.

“Make yourself at home, Vampire.” Stefan sneered.

“Look.” Sonny said with an edge. “You’re the one who needs our help. I could whisk Bobbie away from here and protect her from Sorel, but that wouldn’t tell me what you know. That being why demons from hell are trying to kill me, Carly and our child.” He added. “And I may still do it unless you tell me why anyone cares if Carly and I have a child together.”

“I’ll tell you after you help me trap Sorel.” Stefan informed him haughtily.

“No, you’ll tell me now, Warlock.” Sonny countered. “Or Carly and I are out of here. And on that there is no negotiation.”

“All right, fine.” Stefan said bad naturedly. “Damian Smith has an insane plan to rule the universe. He believes a child born of a full-blooded vampire and a full-blooded witch will be inherently evil and enormously powerful or so an age-old prophecy says. Damian intends to raise that child and use him to gain control of the entire universe.”

“What does that have to do with me?” Sonny asked. “Yes, my child will be full-blooded vampire, but I would never allow Damian Smith anywhere near him. And a witch mate with a vampire. Ridiculous! We despise each other.”

“It’s not as ridiculous as you think.” Stefan told him. “Damian has brokered a deal with both Helena and Edward and they have a great deal to gain by making this prophecy into a reality.” He added. “The fact that you and my daughter are together is no accident. You have my mother to thank for that.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” Sonny asked with a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach.

“My mother hand-picked Carly for you.” Stefan announced. “She planned for a long time for you and Carly to breed a child together.”

“Are you saying your mother cast a spell on Carly and me?” Sonny exploded. “That she manufactured what we feel for each other.”

“No, nothing like that.” Stefan tried to calm him down. “She arranged events so you and Carly would be thrown into each other’s sphere and for nature to take its course just as it did.”

“So what you’re saying.” Sonny tried to get control of his temper. “That’s it’s not bad enough you witches are the reason we vampires are cursed the way we are, now you’re trying to use us as breeder stock.”

“That about sums it up.” Stefan agreed.

“What about the demons?” Sonny asked. “Where do they come into this?”

“They want to stop Damian.” Stefan answered. “And they figure the best way is by disposing of you, Caroline and your baby.”

CARLY ENTERED BOBBIE’S bedroom and say Leticia sitting by her beside. “How is she?” Carly asked in a hushed voice. To Carly’s eyes, Bobbie looked at lot better than when she last saw her.

“She’s still sleeping.” Leticia told her. “Although I’ve seen some signs she may be waking up soon.”

“No doubt.” Carly sighed. “She probably knows her master will be here for her soon.” She changed the subject. “Leticia, there’s something you need to know. Sonny and I have decided to leave Port Charles.” Carly placed a hand over her stomach. “There’s people who want to harm our baby and we have to leave. But we think it’s too dangerous to take Michael with him. So we’re going to leave him with my mother when we leave.” She added. “I’d feel better knowing you were still taking care of him. Would you consider remaining as Michael’s nanny.”

“Of course, Carly.” Leticia promised. “You don’t even have to ask. But if you don’t mind me saying, I think it would be a mistake for you to leave Michael behind. I’d be more than willing to come with you and Mr. Corinthos if you want to take Michael with you.”

Before Carly could reply she could feel her mother’s eyes boring holes in her. She stared at the bed and the look Bobbie gave her chilled her to her marrow. So, she did know. Cassadine had told Bobbie what she was.

“Leticia.” Carly turned back to her. “My mother’s awake now. Would you mind leaving us alone.”

“Of course not.” Leticia left and headed straight to find Sonny. She was certain Carly was going to need him.

“Hello, Mama.” Carly leaned down to kiss Bobbie, but she pulled away from her.

“Don’t!” Bobbie spat. “Don’t touch me.”

“If that’s what you want.” Carly didn’t let her mother see how much her rejection hurt her. “You can’t know how worried I’ve been about you.”

“Is it true?” Bobbie sneered. “Are you a vampire?”

“Yes, it’s true.” Carly raised her chin to show her mother she was proud of what she was. “Had you raised me, you would know what I am. I’m only what you made me.” She added a bit snippily, “You’re the one who slept with a witch and got pregnant by him. You‘re the one who made me what I am.”

“You’re blaming me for what you are?” Bobbie gasped in shock.

“Who else, Mother.” Carly retorted. “You gave birth to me. I didn’t give birth to you.”

“Well, you’ve definitely had your revenge on me.” Bobbie spat. “Thanks to your lover, I’m going to be turned into what you are.” Bobbie couldn’t be anymore clearer at how the thought of that revolted her.

“It isn’t the worse thing that could happen to you.” Carly countered. “You might actually enjoy it.”

“Like you do.” Bobbie scorned. “Yes, I’m sure you enjoy enslaving men like you did with poor Tony and AJ. Not to mention all the other depravities you and Sonny share together.”

“I’m not going to stand here and listen to this.” Carly declared as she headed for the door. “I’m not going to let you try to make dirty what Sonny and I share when it’s something beautiful and wonderful. Something that makes the most special relationship you‘ve ever had pale in comparison to what Sonny and I share together.” Once she reached it, she turned back around to Bobbie. “For the record Sonny and I are here to stop Sorel from completely enslaving you and when we do my debt to you will be over. Since the sight of me so obviously repels you, you’ll be happy to know we won’t need to have any further contact with each other after this night.” She added as she walked out the door. “In future, you’ll just be the woman who gave birth to me and nothing more.”

Sonny was waiting for Carly out in the hall and she ran into his arms. “Are you all right?”

“I can’t leave Michael with her.” Carly told him. “We’ve got to take him with us.” She offered. “Leticia has offered to come with us.”

“Whatever you want.” He cupped her face in his hands. “What about you? Are you all right?”

She laid her head against his chest and placed his hand on her stomach. “As long as I have you, Michael and our baby, I’m just fine.”

SOREL WENT OVER an old map of Spoon Island. He knew Cassadine would be waiting for him to show up to claim Bobbie as his own. He’d probably have his people patrolling the outer perimeters of the island to make sure he wasn’t able to step one foot on the island. He knew he couldn’t expect help from the Dark Master this time around. Besides, the man had quite a problem of his own on his hands at present trying to round up all the rogue demons and quell the rebellion against him. So that meant this time he’d be completely on his own. Ah, if only the old folklore were true and he could transform himself into a bat and just fly over there.

The best plan Sorel could come up with was to have his yacht take him within swimming distance of the island, then he’d scuba dive the rest of the way to shore. Thankfully, the fog was thick again, tonight, So Cassadine wouldn’t be able to see his ship docked off-shore. Of course, Cassadine could have the shoreline armed with sensor detectors that would alert Cassadine to his presence. But that would be a risk he would just have to take.

SONNY AND CARLY joined Stefan in his study to discuss this trap he wanted to set for Sorel. On the way back downstairs Sonny had filled Carly in on what Stefan had told him. Carly’s first inclination was for them to just take Michael and leave now, but Sonny knew if they did that and Sorel succeeded at enslaving Bobbie she would always blame herself. At least this way if the worse happened Carly could say she’d honestly did her best to try and stop it from happening.

“From what I’ve seen, Mr. Cassadine.” Sonny began. “You seem to have this situation well in hand. Why do you need our help.” Sonny was wondering if this weren’t just a trap for Sorel but for him and Carly, as well.

“I’ve heard stories about you.” He told Sonny. “That you have the ability to join your mind with someone else’s.”

“Surely, you have the same ability.” Sonny threw back at him. “You being a warlock, you must possess some of the same abilities I have not to mention a whole lot more.”

“Yes, I’m able to do the same.” Stefan admitted. “But I need all my concentration for locating Sorel and stopping him. I need you to link your mind with Barbara’s and to be able to tell me when Sorel calls her to him. Then we can follow Barbara when she goes to meet him and dispose of Sorel.”

“Wait a minute!” Carly interrupted. “Are you telling me you plan to allow my mother to go to him.”

“It’s the only way to trap him.” Stefan replied. “Once Sorel is with Barbara, we can lower the boom on him.”

“But what if something goes wrong.” She asked. “What if we lose my mother and Sorel is able to finish what he started.”

“It’s a risk we have to take.” He told her. “I’m hoping if Mr. Corinthos can keep the mental link with Barbara’s mind that won’t happen. That his mind can act like a tracking device for Barbara‘s movements and we‘ll be able to zero in on Barbara and Sorel‘s location when he tries to feed off her one last time.”

“What you’re talking about.” Sonny interjected. “I’ve never done before. I’ve never done a mental link for the prolonged period of time you’re talking about.”

“But I’m sure you can do it.” Stefan assured him.

“What if Sorel is able to feel Sonny’s mental link with my mother when he calls her to him.” Carly asked. “What if he’s able to do something to Sonny’s mind.” She added. “It’s not a total impossibility. When Sorel links with my mother’s mind, he’ll be linking with Sonny’s mind, as well. There’s no telling what he could do to Sonny’s mind in a situation like that.”

“I have every confidence Mr. Corinthos mind will be unharmed if such an occasion should arise.” Stefan declared confidently. “But I doubt such an occasion will even arise. When Sorel links his mind to your mother’s he won’t be expecting another mind to be linked to hers as well and I doubt he’ll even be able to tell that there’s a mental link already established between your mother and Mr. Corinthos.”

“excuse me,” Carly retorted. “But your assurances mean nothing to me. I won’t have Sonny placed in any danger do you hear me.”

“It’s all right, Carly.” Sonny tried to calm her. “I’m willing to do it.”

Carly turned to Sonny. “Baby, we don’t know what kind of risk you might be taking.” She pleaded with him. “You heard the way my mother feels about the both of us. It isn’t worth putting yourself at risk for her.”

“Carly, it’s my fault this has happened to her.” Sonny told her. “Sorel wouldn’t have targeted her if it weren’t for me. So I have to do whatever I have to do to help her even if it could put me at risk.” He looked over at Stefan. “Just how do you want to play this?”

“I’ve had sensor detectors planted all over the island.” He informed them. “As soon as Sorel steps foot on this island, I’ll know it. Then I’ll inform you and you can link your mind to Barbara’s and we’ll see what happens after that.”

While Carly listened to Sonny and Stefan continue to discuss their plans for Sorel’s arrival, she began making some plans of her own. Maybe she was completely selfish or maybe it was because she was a woman in love, but she wasn’t going to allow Sonny to put himself at risk. It was less than 24 hours ago that she almost lost him and she wouldn’t risk losing him again. If she had to choose between her mother being enslaved by Sorel or keeping Sonny safe, then her choice was keeping Sonny safe.

“Sorel probably won’t make his move until sometime after midnight.” Carly spoke up. “You don’t really need Sonny and I until then, so would it be all right if we retired to that bedroom we used, last night.”

“I don’t know if that’s wise.” He sensed she was up to something, but he couldn’t quite figure out what. “I’d prefer to have you both close at hand when Sorel makes his move.”

“We’ll just be upstairs.” Carly was determined to get her own way. She had to get Sonny alone for her plan to work. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m pregnant and I tire easily these days. And Sonny almost died, last night. If you want this plan to work, I think you should let Sonny and I get all the rest we can get.” She added. “Sonny is going to need to reserve all his energy for retaining the mental link with my mother. It‘s in everyone‘s best interest if you let Sonny and I go upstairs and rest before Sorel makes his move.”

“Carly has a point.” Sonny might have realized Carly was up to something if he wasn’t so pre-occupied with what Cassadine wanted him to do. He’d never done it before. What if he failed at it? He had been unable to hone in on Bobbie when she was missing. No matter how hard he tried he was unable to connect with her mind long distance and find out where she was. Worse yet, what if he actually succeeded and when Sorel called to Bobbie to him he was able to connect with his mind instead of Bobbie’s. Sonny had never connected minds with a vampire before. Sure, he and Carly’s minds had joined together, but Carly didn’t hate him with every fiber of her being. She didn’t want to harm him. Sorel was a different case, entirely. If Sorel connected with his mind, there was no telling what he might try to do to him. “It would probably be best if I relaxed a bit before show time. We‘ll have a better chance of success if I do.”

“Fine.” Stefan sighed. “So be it. Go upstairs, but be on the ready when I come for you.”

“We will.” Sonny promised as he lead Carly out of the room not noticing the satisfied smirk on her face.