Part 12
Feeling the discomfort of the silent car ride, Wesley tried to hide his squirming as he readjusted his position several times. Envious of Cordelia and her unshared space, he wished he had called dibs on the backseat.
Cordelia caught the cold and questioning glances Angel directed at her through the rear view mirror but chose to ignore them in silence. She knew he did not understand just as she knew now was not the time for explanations. Having never seen Angel so distracted before a battle, Cordelia had been determined to eliminate herself as the cause of that distraction. Only at the time, she didn’t realize her plan would include no touching before Angel went off to that battle.
The car pulled next to the curb in front of Cordelia’s apartment but no one attempted to move from their position. She hesitated a few more seconds, waiting for Angel to break the cold silence before reminding herself she had wanted Angel’s focus off her and on the evil he would be facing shortly.
With a resolved sigh Cordelia pushed against the back of Wesley’s seat signally she was ready to go inside. Opening the door, Wesley stepped out of the car extending his arm.
Taking hold of his hand, Cordelia gave it a tight squeeze. “Promise me you’ll take care of each other. I’ve lost one friend to the evil that’s out there. Please don’t let me lose another one.”
“I shall do my very best to ensure that doesn’t happen.” Wesley promised, his forced smile not quite reaching his eyes.
Returning to his seat, Wesley watched Angel watching Cordelia make her way to the building entrance.
No wonder the vampire and the slayer aren’t together. Too much of a personality clash I imagine. They both behave like spoiled brats when they don’t get their way.
“You know Angel; it would save time if you went now.”
“I want to make sure she’s inside before we leave Wesley.” His voice was gruff and heavy with disappointment.
“Angel, I meant it would be faster if you walked Cordelia to her flat now as opposed to running up after her in a few minutes.” His tone thick and heavy with sarcasm, Wesley wanted to make sure the dense vampire didn’t miss it this time.
“Oh, right.” Angel jumped from the car, running for Cordelia before she could enter the building. “Cordy, wait up.” Angel yelled out, reaching for her hand as he settled next to her.
Arriving at her door, Cordelia spoke for the first time, ending their silent walk. “Well here we are big guy. One girl safely delivered.”
Cordelia attempted to pull her hand free but instead of releasing her hand, Angel tugged, turning her to face him. “Cordy, I’m sor…”
“Angel, just promise me you’ll be safe. Promise you’ll come back to me. I can’t lose you.”
“You won’t. Cordy, when this is over we need to talk, really talk.”
“Alright, but for now, you concentrate on killing the big bad. And take care of Wesley, we don’t want to lose anyone else; do we big guy?” Her weak smile failed to mask the worry Angel could hear in her shaky voice.
“I will, and we won’t lose anyone else.” Her eyes glistened with pools of unshed tears that Angel wanted to soak up with his kisses. He wanted to hold her in his arms, never letting her go.
Her hands pressed against Angel’s hard chest, Cordelia kissed him softly on his cheek; the warm breath of her words whispering against his ear.
“I love you.”
Angel engulfed her with a tight embrace, pulling her soft body against his solid form. His mind reeling from her unexpected declaration, Angel reminded himself that destroying Darcy Bane had to remain his priority.
“After I’ve taken care of Bane, I’m coming back and I want to hear those words again.”
Releasing her before he could change his mind, Angel spun around and headed toward the stairs. Cordelia leaned against the door, her eyes locked on the strong, muscular back hidden under the coat flowing behind him. The turn in the hallway taking him from her sight, Cordelia fondly remembered teasing Doyle about his attraction to Angel in his hero-y flowing coat.
After a silent prayer for Doyle in whatever life he had moved on to, Cordelia silently pleaded with The Powers that her badly timed confession did not compromise Angel’s focus on fighting Bane. Entering her apartment, she called out to her roommate knowing he was already aware of her arrival.
“Dennis, I’m home early. Change of plans. Let me get a quick shower and change into something more comfortable and I’ll tell you all about it.” Cordelia watched the tub of ice-cream float from the freezer to the table, her favorite ice-cream spoon landing beside it. The sound from the microwave was followed by the aroma of buttery popcorn.
“You read my mind Dennis; it’s going to be a long night.”
Needing a shower and comfy cotton before settling into an all night pig fest and heart-to-heart with Dennis, Cordelia headed to the bathroom. She had just found the right mix of hot and cold when the phone rang. “Damn, what now? Probably Margo wanting to know where I am.”
“Cordelia, it’s Mrs. Rutkowski…from next door dear. I need your help.” Hearing the panicked tone of her usually jovial neighbor, Cordelia shut off the water. “Please come over right away?”
Cursing that she had been so anxious to get out of the party dress, Cordelia jerk a towel from the shelf as she headed for the phone. “Hello…Mrs. Rutkowski?” The monotone sound of the disconnected call was her only answer. “Damn it.” Returning to the bathroom to grab her robe from the door, Cordelia yelled out to Dennis.
“I need to go check on Mrs. Rutkowski, Dennis. Hopefully it won’t take long.”
Remembering her cell phone, Cordelia snatched it from her purse; dropping it into the pocket of her robe as she headed for the neighbor’s apartment. Cordelia didn’t really think she would hear from Angel this soon but didn’t want to take a chance she would miss his call.
KNOCK…KNOCK…KNOCK… “Mrs. Rutkowski, it’s Cordelia Chase. Are you alright?” Damn, are the ears always the first to go?
Hearing what sounded like a muffled whimper, Cordelia pressed her ear against the door only to jump back as the terrifying scream resonated through the heavy wood. Cordelia twisted the doorknob mustering all her strength into a hard slam. Realizing too late the lock offered no resistance, the momentum of her charge sent Cordelia barreling into the room. A loud screech escaped as she stumbled over the unyielding obstruction at her feet.
Trying to brace herself against the inevitable fall, Cordelia only managed to twist her body enough to protect her face as she landed hard on the bare wooden floor. The burning pain seared through her shoulder as she tried to remember any tight wrenching of her body would only make the pain worse.
Concentrating on the deep, slow breaths of air moving in and out of her lungs, Cordelia attempted to steel her shaky nerves before testing her aching shoulder. The weak moans of Mrs. Rutkowski echoed through the fuzzy haze of her thoughts as Cordelia willed her sore limbs to move. Crawling over to Mrs. Rutkowski, she crouched over her prone form.
“Mrs. Rutkowski, are you alright? What happened?”
“Monster.” The elderly woman managed to gasp before unconsciousness took over.
“Monster? Mrs. Rutkowski, what are you talking about? What monster?” Getting no response, she frantically checked for a pulse. Her fingers felt the warm liquid oozing down the old woman’s wrinkled neck as the prickling fear traveled up her stiff spine.
The creaking of the door slowly closing brought Cordelia’s attention to the shadowy figure that had been hidden behind it.
“That would be me Miss Chase. Allow me to introduce myself. Lord Darcell Bane of Valenciennes at your service mademoiselle.” Sweeping an arm out and to his side, he offered her a graceful bow.
Cordelia’s body shook as she denied the escaping scream that rattled in her throat. His striking face, his muscular form, his eloquent voice; the perfect disguise for the monstrous evil that resided within. Cordelia had seen the dashing Darcy Bane wile the unsuspecting women with his gentle manner and polished sophistication. She had also seen in colorful, graphic, detail the hellish destiny that awaited the women enchanted by his bewitching charm.
The vision had shown her their mutilated bodies, their chests ripped open, empty where their hearts had once beat, pumping the blood that now flowed across the floor. Blood, there was so much blood it sloshed over his footsteps as he walked away, his bloody trophy gently clutched in his hand.
Mrs. Rutkowski was right, he is a monster.
Cordelia quickly surmised her chances of escaping were less than none since said beautiful monster was practically leaning on the only exit. “Crap.” The whispered hiss passed her lips and she cursed herself for insisting that Angel bring her home.
“Time to go Miss Chase.” The breathy sound of Darcy Bane’s menacing words caused Cordelia to scuttle backwards, away from the cruel hands reaching for her. Grasping one arm and the front of her robe Bane lifted her from the floor, throwing her effortlessly over his shoulder. Stepping over Mrs. Rutkowski’s lifeless body, Bane headed down the hall with Cordelia in tow.
“Can’t keep the other players waiting; can we my dear?”
Cordelia knew her demise would not be immediate. Darcy Bane would not deny himself the pleasure of seducing her before moving in for the kill. With a deep breath to steady his frantic nerves, Cordelia took advantage of the purgatory granted by Bane’s intent to lure her into his deadly web.
“OK first, if we could just step inside my apartment I could call for the paramedics. Then I could get a pair shoes and maybe grab something to wear.”
“Why would we need the paramedics Miss Chase? And I assure you, your attire is most appropriate for this evening’s game.”
Game? What the hell is this psycho vamp talkin’ about? Why would he tell me he’s playing with me? Crap, does he know that I know? Be confident…but don’t make him angry.
“Look you’ve got me, that’s evidently what you came here for, so there’s no reason to let Mrs. Rutkowski die. I know I felt a pulse earlier and if she receives blood in time, she won’t die. And as for the shoes, well I’m only thinking of you. If I had my shoes you wouldn’t have to carry me through the sewers, which I’m sure is where we’re headed.”
Bane released a hearty, devilish laugh that vibrated against her body. “Make your call Miss Chase if it will make you happy.” Bane instructed as he reached his cell phone over his shoulder. Good, Mrs. Rutkowski has a chance and he doesn’t know I have my cell phone; that’s two for me.
Grabbing the phone, Cordelia quickly dialed and proceeded to give the necessary information before the quickly gaining depth of the sewer tunnel interrupted her connection. Completing the call, she returned the phone to her kidnapper.
“That did make me a little happy, thank you. You know I would be even happier if I had a good pair of running shoes. I might need them where we’re going.” Go ahead tell me where we’re headed before I pass out from the blood rush to my head. God my heart’s beating so fast he must feel like it‘s beating inside him. At least if my phone vibrates he might think it’s my heart flying out of my chest. Well that would save him the trouble.
Bane chuckled at the beautiful and feisty girl bouncing gracefully with the rhythm of his stride. “You are a delightful creature Miss Chase. I can see why Angelus enjoys your company. He will be joining us shortly. Angelus always did love the game.”
Irritated by his smug and confident teasing, the acid tongue of Queen C battled with the warnings of common sense not to antagonize the evil vampire.
“OK, I don’t know anything about this game you keep talking about but I do know that Angel’s sandbox has gotten a lot smaller over the years. Not to be rude or anything but I don’t think Angel’s invited you to any party and you know what they say, no one likes a party crasher.”
“It is I, Miss Chase, who will be the host of this evening’s festivities and Angelus, will be my honored guest…and you my dear are the treasure.”
Treasure? “Treasure?” Cordelia’s attempt to yell at the vampire was reduced to a vibrating shriek as she attempted to twist her body around while bouncing on Darcy Bane’s broad, hard shoulder.
“Can’t very well have a treasure hunt without the treasure; now can we my dear?”
Just stay calm Chase. If you go off on Mr. I’m Too Sexy For My Shirt, the polite time might be cut short. Angel will save me, I know he will. I’m pretty sure Angel intends to tell me that he loves me when he gets back and not to be selfish or anything but I’d really like to live long enough to hear that.
“No, of course not. Silly me.” Allowing her body to hang limp and sway with Bane’s rhythmic but determined steps, Cordelia concentrated on tomorrow. Tomorrow this would be over and she would be safe.
I just have to stay alive until Angel finds me. Angel always saves me.
