The candlelight flickered as a cool breeze flowed through the wine cellar.

It was coming from the boarded up windows at the far end of the room. John was happy he remembered the candles he had hidden in his coat pocket along with his Dads gold lighter, which always brought him luck. Basements and wine always reminded John of his first time with Evangeline. Now he wished he knew where she was and if she was safe. It was against his better judgment to leave Eva on Tuesday but it was only to make a quick run to Pine Valley to pick up a suspect in the fire out at the quarry. He had warned her to stay away from Caleb and thought the secret police protection he assigned to her would be enough. When John was at the station Ms. LaFleur surprised... Twin souls, how was that possible? But John knew he would travel through many lifetimes for the chance to be with Eva all over again. He didnt blame Caleb but he did know Eva was his now and forever. No matter what Calebs intentions were John wasnt about to let Eva go. His soul was at peace when he was with Evangeline and he intended for it to stay that way. Eva was facing off in court with Nora and Mike was giving her a ride since he was the chief witness for the defense even though he normally worked as a forensic pathologist for the cops. John had arranged to have his car in the shop so he would need to use Evas car. All precautions against Caleb and his quest for Evangeline evidently were not enough otherwise he wouldnt be trapped in this wine cellar, he thought. He should have listened more carefully to Madame Monique LaFleurs warnings of what Caleb was capable of doing. He had spent the better part of the evening reading one of the journals that Ms. LaFleur left with him. He had 3 with him now and only wished had read the other ones before venturing over to Calebs Lair. The journal he was currently reading spoke of the love affair a young Creole woman named Evangeline Laveau had with a mysterious man named Caleb. It was love at first sight for Caleb and his adoration and devotion to Evangeline mirrored Johns own feelings for his fiance. Being a practical man John would never entertain the notion of Voodon or Vampirism but after viewing the painting, reading the journals and listening to Ms LaFleurs stories he sure enough put the Laveau family protection charm in Evangelines purse before she headed off to court yesterday morning. He only hoped it worked as well as Ms LaFleur said it would because for now Eva was on her own. Monday night in his study he stayed up very late reading while Eva was in their home office preparing her opening statement for court the next day. John walked over to the doorway of the office and saw his love seated on a stack of pillows on the floor in the center if the room. Her hair was in a messy ponytail atop her head and her face free of makeup. This is when John loved her most. He often would watch her while she slept, drinking in her beauty and loving that sense of peace that came over him every time he went to sleep with her by his side. John , Eva said as she looked up and saw him in the doorway kind of staring of into space. Did you want me for something? . John replied, I always want you; you should know that by now. And then he chuckled. Thats not what I meant, said Eva. Do you need something? And before you say me, I mean something besides that, she laughed. Im just taking a break from reading those journals that Ms Lafleur dropped off on Saturday and want to see if you have finished perfecting your opening for the 50th time. Evas laughter filled the room and she said Yes I was just doing some breathing exercises to calm me down before I head to bed. You coming? she asked with a slow sultry smile which made John want to rip her clothes from her body piece by piece and make love to her right there on the floor but he knew that neither needed the distraction right then. He had more important things to discuss with her and he knew he should tread lightly because his Eva was an independent soul and hated when he tried to protect her. He had promised her that they would tackle Caleb as a joint effort but Johns need to protect her overwhelmed him and he knew it was best he did some investigating on his own. The whole supernatural aspect of it raised some doubts but in his heart he knew it was true. And if Evangeline Laveau shared a soul with Eva then his soul was connected to Calebs somehow and John intended to tap into Calebs power; that was the only way to defeat him. He knew the answer was in the journals he read and the letter written specifically to him from an unknown author. From that letter John concluded, not all of Calebs power and lure came from him being a vampire. In the time he spent in New Orleans he picked up a few tricks and that made Caleb even more elusive. He had protection spells and his essence was linked to Eva through some sort of soul bonding he did after Evangeline L.s untimely death. Ms LaFleur mentioned a special talisman or object of magic that bonded Caleb to Eva. If John could find the object and cleanse it, Evangeline Ls spirit or soul could be

free. While Eva was in court the next day, John planned to send Caleb on a fools errand and he would search the place until he found what he needed to fight the vampire. Vince was going undercover to meet with Caleb, posing as an antique dealer specializing in 18th century ceremonial Voodon artifacts and they hoped Caleb would take the bait. Ms LaFleur left him with several options. A knife with the same engravings and gemstones as the amulet, a charm necklace worn by Marie Laveau, a handmade Voodoo doll and a Claddagh ring with tiny diamonds : Calebs mothers Irish wedding ring that he gave to Evangeline when he pledged his eternal love. The ring was in his pocket because Caleb didnt need to know that John was on to him. Sweetheart is it ok if I take your car to Pine Valley tomorrow? I had to put mine in the shop, the clutch is sticking. I ran into Mike and he said he would be more than willing drive you to the courthouse. John said trying to keep his voice neutral hoping Eva wouldnt catch the worry in his tone. No problem, actually that is a great idea because it will give me extra time to prep Mike on the way over. His testimony is the key to my case and I have to make sure he is flawless tomorrow Eva replied. John spied Evas black leather Louis Vuitton (kick your ass in court bag) he had given her for Christmas last year. He moved towards it as he fingered the protective talisman from the Laveau family in his pocket that Ms LaFleur told him to give Eva to lessen the power and draw Caleb might have on her. She had blessed it in his office on Saturday while tying on a small bag she called Gris Gris which she said would open Eva to the spirits of her ancestors. She said that Evangeline was a descendant of the Laveau family and it would keep her from harms way. John felt that was his job but the tales of Calebs revenge on the man and his family who had raped Evangelines namesake in the late 1800s would give him nightmares for years to come. Quietly he slipped the amulet in the inner pocket of her bag. He walked over and gave her kiss goodnight. I love you Vange, and you will knockem dead tomorrow. Eva smiled, I love you too. Please go to bed before the sun comes up. With that she blew him another kiss and continued to meditate. Wednesday evening. As the car pulled in front of her house, Eva turned to thank Mike for the ride. Have you heard from your brother? No not since yesterday when I came by the house to pick you up. He offered me a cup of coffee while I waited for you to get dressed. He looked as if he had been up all night. Do you want me to come inside and keep you company until he gets home? Mike asked. No thats ok; he left me a message very early this morning, so he probably got hung up at the station. Im beat; Ill just veg out on the couch with a movie until John gets back. Eva got out of the car and walked towards the door. She waved to Mike as he drove away and unlocked the door. Entering the foyer she kicked off her shoes and made a beeline to the couch. She propped her bag against her legs and reached into the inside pocket of her purse to grab her chocolate bar when she felt something made of metal with a leather strap. Eva pulled the amulet from her bag. It had a tiny linen bag attached with different types of fragrant herbs inside. The amulet appeared to be made of gold with a smattering of semi- precious stones that sparkled against the antique finish. It was an intricate design, carved on both sides with the intails EL, some type of animal she was having a hard time identifying on one side and an inscription in French saying protect the heart and soul from evil and harms way both known and unknown. The guiding spirit of Lavaeu is always with you. Even though the leather cord was worn the amulet itself was exquisite. It looked to be from the early 1800s and reminded Eva of a piece she had seen at Calebs; a gold chalice with similar carvings. Eva was tempted to call Caleb for an assessment of the piece but heeded Johns warning that he was dangerous. And until John was able to find out how to stop him from getting what he wanted she promised to steer clear of Caleb.

Eva smiled in spite of herself realizing John must have slipped this in her purse while she slept, to surprise her. She put the necklace on, stretched out on the couch to watch her movie and fell asleep. Eva woke up with a start. She expected to be on her couch but found herself in the kitchen in an old mansion just outside of Llanview. As everything came into focus she saw it was a pantry connected to a kitchen, one she recognized as Calebs from the party she attended. She was standing in front of what appeared to be a cellar door and was compelled to open it. She followed the staircase deep into a wine cellar. Walking further into the darkness a sense of calm purpose enveloped her and her eyes began to adjust. She could barely make out the figure she saw slumped on the floor by several old fashioned wine barrels. Instinctively she knew it was John and she hurried forward to make sure he wasnt seriously injured. It looked like John had stacked several of the barrels atop one another in order to reach a small window near the ceiling but apparently slipped and fell. Moving as quickly as possible, she reached John and bent down to check his breathing. She gently touched him trying to rouse him from his slumber. John turned and said quizzically Eva, baby is that you? He reached up to touch her face. It really is you, I thought I was dreaming. I have been so worried about you, wondering if you were safe . Eva said, John, you arent making any sense why wouldnt I be safe? You have cops tailing me and your brother driving me to court. Im covered; you are the one exposed all the time. Caleb, John murmured in a faint whisper, Hes dangerous. Johns eyes were drawn to Evas neck and the amulet glowed against the honey color of Evas skin. John ran his hand over the amulet in disbelief. It was warm to his touch. John smiled. Beep buzz beep Buzz Eva felt the buzzing of her blackberry which was resting against her hip. She pulled the phone from her hip and sat up. It was Mike texting to see if John was home. She glanced at the clock and saw it was after midnight. Wow she thought to herself, what an odd dream. Then in that moment she realized where John was and felt he was in danger. She leapt from the couch grabbing her handbag; barely sliding her feet into the Ugg slippers she kept by the front door. Once inside her car, she called Mike to let him know she was ok and that she knew where John was and they would call him when they returned home. Eva drove furiously through the night with the moonlight and the stars as her guide. Reaching Calebs Lair in record time, Eva parked around back near the service entrance so as not to alert any one in the main house. Slipping through the bushes and in the shadows she managed not to wake the dogs. No light was needed Eva knew exactly where to go. She slowly crept into the pantry and headed towards the cellar door. She opened it (just like in her dream) and headed down the steps; there in the far corner of the room was John knocked out on the floor next to the wine barrels. She ran over and touched him; he awoke slowly and said Eva.