Chapter 2<\/b><\/p>\n
The top down on the convertible, the night air felt good rushing against his unusually warm skin. Vampires were rarely affected by temperature changes but his room had definitely heated up taking his normally cool flesh in its rise.<\/p>\n
Angel had not called Wesley as Cordelia had asked. What good would come of that? Wesley would likely be asleep by now; and any discussion of the vision would lead to other topics. The would be conversation ran through his thoughts.<\/p>\n
\u2018Is Cordelia alright? I assume she was home when the vision hit.\u2019<\/i><\/p>\n
\u2018No actually she was with me, but don\u2019t worry Wes, I tucked her into bed before leaving.\u2019<\/p>\n
Wesley would definitely insist they build a cage in the basement. Though considering their evening maybe a cage wasn\u2019t such a bad idea\u2026just in case. Angel had lost focus on the point of his objective. It was true he didn\u2019t think David Nabbit was a suitable companion for Cordelia but thoughts of any man touching her were becoming intolerable.<\/p>\n
This was not the time to mull over the cans and cannots with Cordelia. Having refused to involve Wesley, Angel would need his mind clear when taking down the vampires. His confidence was high as usual when it came to battle. Fighting skills honed razor sharp from long years of use and his evil reputation equally disciplined gave him an edge against most opponents.<\/p>\n
Parking the car a couple of blocks from the warehouse Angel chose to continue on foot. His prey unaware of his approach would be in his favor. Any shifting of the odds would aid his team of one. Turning the corner into the dark alley keen sight scanned the short distance. Head cocked he listened to silence blanketing the path instead of attacks and screams.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
The woman eased into the room, sleep and the trickery of magic protecting her silent intrusion. Bending over the bed, she hovered over Cordelia\u2019s sleeping form. Small fingers with modest length nails shining of clear polish stroked through the long, brunette strands spreading them out across the pillow.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou remind me of Drusilla when she was fresh and new\u2026and reeking of innocence.\u201d Her voice a wicked rasp alluded to the evil horrors to come. \u201cYou must be my boy\u2019s current obsession. I approve,\u201d she whispered as fingers trailed a visible cheek. \u201cI\u2019ll be back in the game soon enough but until then\u2026\u201d Blowing across her outstretched palm glittering dust of blue crystals swirled above Cordelia fading into the air. \u201c\u2026join my dear boy in his wickedly sweet dreams.\u201d<\/p>\n
Straightening up she rubbed her hands together ridding them of any clinging crystals. She moved through the doorway leaving the sleeping girl undisturbed by her visit. \u201cSee you in dreamland.\u201d The quiet murmur floated beside her laughter into the room. Her escape as silent as her entry she turned the lock before closing the front door behind her.<\/p>\n
Exiting the old hotel the young woman waited by the curb, her blonde hair glistening under the light of the street lamp. The black limo pulled up only seconds later, the door opening to allow her to slip inside beside before speeding away.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
A wary stalk toward the alley\u2019s hub caught the muffled mumbles of three, a fourth moving away. His hand slipped inside his coat\u2019s outer pocket fingers circling the stake; its tip filed to a precision point, the wooden weapon felt comfortable in his grip.<\/p>\n
\u201cYo man what\u2019s up?\u201d<\/p>\n
Senses narrowed to the path\u2019s dead end but becoming distracted as scattered thoughts lingered on his return home smothered any instinctive detection of an approach from the side. Angel stiffened then lurched facing his attacker and stifling the yelp stuck in his throat. Its release would only give credence to his being caught unaware.<\/p>\n
\u201cDamn it Gunn; what the hell are you doing here?\u201d Angel hissed rubbing his fingers over the imprint left on the wood from the tight clinch of his fist.<\/p>\n
\u201cUh\u2026killin\u2019 vampires? What\u2019s your excuse.\u201d A cheesy smile spread across Gunn\u2019s face. He had rattled the vampire, not an easy task and he intended to strut.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy had a vision,\u201d Angel huffed unsuccessfully hiding the release of a held breath, \u201ca small nest of vampires attacking some teenagers.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe vampire nest is a heap of dust and I guess me and my crew must be the teenagers. That was twenty minutes ago; what took you so long?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGunn the visions don\u2019t come with a time chart. Cordelia sees the attack and I take down the attacker, that\u2019s about as complex as it gets.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell maybe you should tell these vision senders not to bother Barbie if the vamps are in my neighborhood.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel looked at the pensive muscles trying to hide behind the forced smile. Gunn\u2019s protective exterior was coming back full force. The alley had felt familiar and Angel recalled the worst night the young man would ever likely experience. His sister had died near here, twice. Once at the hands of a vampire and again at the hand of her brother. \u201cGunn we agreed, you\u2019d help me and I\u2019d help you. What\u2019s with the I\u2019m on my own routine? I thought we were past that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are, just lookin\u2019 out for my own. If the vamps try to chow down I can\u2019t be waitin\u2019 for the white hat to come galloping in to save the day. So\u2026\u201d Gunn wanted to change the subject and move away from this place echoing his torment, \u201clooks like we did your job tonight; what\u2019s the plan til sunup?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHome and bed,\u201d guilt, Angel instinctively categorized and pushed back; another skill honed by years of practice. Angel caught Gunn\u2019s quizzical look. It made sense, a vampire anxious to get home with hours of darkness to stave off the sunrise. \u201cIt\u2019s been a long week, you know, getting the hotel ready.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI hear you man; want me to walk you to your car? You know even a big superhero can be sneaked up on in the dark.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFunny Gunn and in case you\u2019re wondering, I\u2019m laughing on the inside.\u201d His expression a droll irritation as Gunn\u2019s wiry smile returned, Angel headed toward the alley\u2019s entrance.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo you guys aren\u2019t still keeping camp in the warehouse are you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNah man, the young ones are sleeping at Anne\u2019s center. We catch up with them during the day but the nights are usually spent patrolling and staking.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYea fighting evil is definitely not a day job.\u201d Angel answered reaching his car and sliding behind the wheel.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou got that right.\u201d Already turning around to join his crew in the alley Gunn lifted an arm waving it in the air.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou guys want a ride back to the shelter?\u201d Angel asked before Gunn could disappear from view.<\/p>\n
Gunn stopped at the alley entrance declining the offer. \u201cNah man, we\u2019ll do a few more sweeps before headin\u2019 back.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCome by the hotel tomorrow, the new computers arrived today and I know Cordelia could use some help. I\u2019ve already been told I was interference not help.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou got it, catch you later,\u201d Gunn yelled disappearing behind the turn of the wall as Angel pulled onto the street, thoughts of home and Cordelia keeping him company as he traveled the dark streets.<\/p>\n
Chapter 3<\/b><\/p>\n
Angel jiggled his key inside the old lock impatient for its compliance. The silence of his fast-paced trek up the stairs, purposely missing every other rung, evidenced a skilled predator in action.<\/p>\n
His coat dropped over the hook as he moved toward the bed to check on his overnight guest. Her dark hair spread across the pillow encased in red silk, a hand resting beside her face created the perfect pose. Grabbing the half finished sketch from his closet, Angel settled in the large chair positioned near the foot of the bed. He slipped off his boots resting his feet on the ottoman before unrolling the sketch on his lap.<\/p>\n
The charcoal danced across the parchment capturing the innocent beauty that eluded him just weeks ago. What had produced the impetus, Angel was unsure but the uniqueness of woman and child was now crystal clear.<\/p>\n
The faint glow of the small lamp left on while he was away illuminated the finished sketch. The innocence, beauty and perfection captured for eternity belonged to him. Should he leave it out for Cordelia to see? Hiding it now seemed foolish. Ignoring her protest and demand for a reason, Angel had insisted the section of wall opposite his bed remain empty. It was the perfect location, a direct line of his view.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel?\u201d Cordelia rubbed the sleep from her eyes attempting to focus on her friend slumped in his chair.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey,\u201d Angel answered immediately approaching to reach for her outstretched hand. \u201cSleep good?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh yea, like a rock. This bed is better than a sleeping pill.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGlad to hear it. I look forward to finding out for myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHummm, it\u2019s in use at the moment big guy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI see that, but you might have to share.\u201d<\/p>\n
Remembering the vision Cordelia jerked up, \u201cthe vision.\u201d Angel leaning close, her unexpected action caused their noses to touch and he cupped her cheeks stilling her movement.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t believe I forgot about the vision.\u201d Her hands slipped under his shirt checking for wounds. \u201cAre you Ok, what about Wesley?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m fine and\u2026I didn\u2019t call Wes,\u201d Angel thought it best to give an honest answer. \u201cIt was late and Gunn was there to help.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo Gunn and his crew were out vamp hunting; was anyone hurt? You took care of everyone; right?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course,\u201d Angel soothed Cordelia\u2019s worries rubbing his cheek against her forehead.<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s hands still under Angel\u2019s shirt pressed against his stomach, the warmth seeping into his skin. Releasing her face from the cradled of his palms he wrapped his arms around her pulling her closer and keeping the warm hands in place.<\/p>\n
Too tired to consider right and wrong Cordelia snuggled against Angel\u2019s chest, lulled by the safety she had come to equate with Angel being near. Tomorrow she would deal with the right and wrong of her decision.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to go back to sleep,\u201d her drowsy voice announced and much too soon hands pushed against his muscular form as her body rolled back into the soft, plump covers. \u201cYou should get some sleep too,\u201d the words barely out before she rolled onto her side as sleep took her again.<\/p>\n
Angel eased up from the bed tugging off his socks. Fingers worked in a fast motion pulling buttons from their holes. This wasn\u2019t wrong; Cordelia had invited him to share her warmth. With a quick jerk, the leather belt slid from snug fitting loops. His hand resting over the button of his trousers Angel paused to consider the removal of that last piece of clothing. Sliding under the covers, he scrunched her half-curled form inside his regretting he had not removed his trousers. He wanted to feel her warmth; he needed her warmth.<\/p>\n
Chapter 4<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cSo, Darla, anything you care to report; like maybe everything went as planned?\u201d Lilah Morgan asked filling their glasses with the third round of champagne.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, it was much more than I ever imagined.\u201d Darla cooed never taking her eyes from the passing view as the limo traveled through the heart of Hollywood. \u201cNot as many hookers as I would have expected.\u201d<\/p>\n
The cigarette long and slender pulled from her pursed lips to dangle between small fingers. Lindsey MacDonald thinking it looked too large in her small hands wished Darla would toss the foul smelling tobacco twig out the window. \u201cYou know, you\u2019re human now and that nasty little habit isn\u2019t very healthy for human lungs.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAn inconvenience which will soon be remedied Lindsey but I do appreciate your concern.\u201d Darla looked at the man sharing the opposite end of her seat. \u201cWho is the woman and why was I not told about her?\u201d Even human the narrowed intent of her gaze caused a nervousness Lindsey rarely felt.<\/p>\n
\u201cCare to elaborate,\u201d Lilah interrupted seeing her partner trapped under the gaze of the recently resurrected ex-vampire. \u201cI know Angel doesn\u2019t get much action with females so if there was one at the hotel we may not know about her yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYoung and innocent\u2026very innocent,\u201d Darla added with a hiss unworried by her companion\u2019s reaction, \u201clong, dark hair, maybe athletic, hard to be sure with all the bedcovers.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat would be Cordelia Chase, we told you about her,\u201d Lindsey finally spoke.<\/p>\n
\u201cNooo, you told me about Angelus\u2019 seer.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRight,\u201d Lindsey gritted out wondering if maybe Darla had been the wrong choice for taking Angel down. \u201cCordelia Chase is<\/i> Angel\u2019s seer, graduated from high school about a year ago so ex-cheerleader, quite stunning actually, a brunette, and long.\u201d<\/p>\n
Darla slowly turned her head eyeing her companions doubtful they\u2019d ever understand the inner workings of her boy. \u201cA warrior will protect his seer, but a man only prepares his home for his woman. This girl is important to my boy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lindsey lifted his arm presenting the hard, unyielding thermoplastic doctors expected him to pretend was a hand. \u201cI have proof Cordelia Chase is important to that psycho blood bag.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy Angelus always was demonstrative in his activities.\u201d Darla chuckled at the man\u2019s anger uncaring of his loss or need for revenge. She wanted Angelus back, the way he used to be before the gypsies interfered in their evilly happy life.<\/p>\n
Despite her intentions Lilah laughed out loud at Darla\u2019s declaration. She didn\u2019t find pleasure in Lindsey\u2019s loss but she didn\u2019t waste time worrying about that loss either.<\/p>\n
Lindsey listened as the two women laugh at his miserable situation. \u201cThis is just great. It\u2019s not enough that I lose a limb, I have to be saddled with two crazy bitches. The hand I can deal with but Wolfram and Hart don\u2019t pay me enough to put up with you two.\u201d<\/p>\n
The woman began to laugh again, Lilah reaching for the almost empty champagne bottle before remembering she had intended to correct Darla\u2019s assumption. \u201cDarla, Angelus goes by Angel now. The way we understand it, he\u2019s Angel when he has a soul and Angelus when he doesn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSoul of no soul, there\u2019s one thing the gypsies will never change, he will always be my boy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lindsey tucked his excuse for a hand against his leg gulping down the last of his champagne. \u201cMaybe you could come up with a plan for your boy<\/i> not to have a soul.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m working on it lover.\u201d Darla closed off from any further conversation with her companions returning her attention to the blurry view passing across the dark tinted window.<\/p>\n
Epilogue<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cI ran into Lord Nichols, a horrid little man. He was propositioning a streetwalker and dickering over the price; can you imagine? I told him I\u2019d do him for nothing.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
Angelus looked down at the body lying at Darla\u2019s feet, bite marks on his neck. \u201cYou\u2019re a very charitable woman,\u201d he cooed kissing and licking the blood from Darla\u2019s lips.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have a surprise for my boy but you\u2019ll have to guess.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angelus scanned the busy street finally spotting a family with three young daughters. \u201cThe three daughters and all virgins.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s more my love. The one in the middle has something delicate and unique. She has the sight.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cVisions, she sees the future. Pure innocence, yet she sees what\u2019s coming, she knows what I\u2019m going to do to her. I really shouldn\u2019t keep her waiting.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDown boy, let the plum ripen.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel rolled back and forth across the bed, the covers twisting around his sweaty body. He could taste the blood, human blood linger in his throat and he wanted more. It was sweet\u2026like his seer. He wanted to feel her surrender beneath him as he drained the life from her body. She would be his for all eternity.<\/p>\n
TBC…<\/b><\/p>\n