Part 8<\/b><\/p>\n
Long lashes fluttered, drowsy eyelids reluctant to open against the small stream of light flowing from the adjacent room.<\/p>\n
Where\u2026 How\u2026<\/i> \u201cWesley?\u201d Cordelia whispered, scanning the familiar surroundings and refusing to believe heaven and Wesley would use the same decorator, decided she wasn\u2019t dead.<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you and Gunn find me? Was\u2026\u201d It could have been a dream. It felt like a dream. Maybe they had found her passed out on the floor; but why bring her here? \u201cWhat happened, why am I here?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel brought you here.\u201d He paused letting the morsel of information sink in. \u201cIt was rather fortunate you invited him in before fainting.<\/p>\n
\u201cYea, guess so.\u201d She mumbled, turning her head away. Lucky to be alive maybe, but as fuzzy as the events were Cordelia was sure she hadn\u2019t invited either vampire into her home.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did Angel say?\u201d Simple questions were easier until she had a better understanding of just what was real. For all Cordelia knew at the moment, Darla had been nothing more than a hysterical hallucination.<\/p>\n
\u201cHmmm\u2026\u201d Wesley procrastinated. Angel had been vague, even for Angel; volunteering only that Cordelia had fainted when Darla tried to break in. Then insisting he couldn\u2019t risk losing her trail again; he took off, Gunn nipping at his heels and muttering his own brand of death threats.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow do you feel? Perhaps you should rest-\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley\u2026\u201d Cordelia sat up, and immediately regretting the rushed move grabbed her head until the room slowed its psychedelic spin. \u201cWhere is Gunn-oh God is he all-\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure he\u2019s fine.\u201d The quickly ushered attempt offered little comfort in the absence of actual facts. \u201cGunn is with Angel\u2026\u201d Wesley briefly paused weighing his limited options only to decide he had none. \u201c\u2026tracking Darla.\u201d<\/p>\n
And there it was. Proof she wasn\u2019t insane, well not totally. Both Darla and Angel had been in her apartment\u2026without an invitation. The restrictive access of a psycho ward was looking better and better.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow long have they been gone?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAbout two hours.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you haven\u2019t heard from them?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, try to get some rest. I\u2019m brewing tea.\u201d<\/p>\n
Why was she the only one worried about Gunn helping one psycho vampire track another psycho vampire? If his calm demeanor was any indication, Wesley believed their friend was safe; which meant Cordelia wasn\u2019t alone in her down-slope to blissful delirium.<\/p>\n
A muffled \u201coh good,\u201d grumbled into the pillows as she settled back into bed. \u201cTea will help.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
They had been walking for hours, the cold and heavy rainfall little aid in their pursuit. Gunn was breathing hard, his legs aching under the strain of keeping up with Angel\u2019s rapid maneuvers around and sometimes over the buildings standing in their way.<\/p>\n
Angel was like a bloodhound, Gunn thought. Once the vampire caught Darla\u2019s scent there was no stopping him.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know man, if you\u2019d gone after your ex with this rabid tenacity in the first place\u2026well we wouldn\u2019t be doing it now.\u201d Gunn shook his rain-drenched jacket, happy they were entering the next building instead of scaling it. \u201cAnd in the freezing rain.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot telling you again.\u201d His voice was gruff. Tired from lack of sleep and the stress of his relationship with Cordelia deteriorating before it had a chance to start, Angel wasn\u2019t in the mood for Gunn\u2019s streetwise observations. \u201cDarla is not an ex. Vampires don\u2019t\u2026couple.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhatever man. All I know is this bitch is going down for the last time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t have a problem with that, but if you let your emotions get the best of you, you will.\u201d Angel eyed his young companion. Breaths labored and heart racing; his nerves were raw and he was itching for a fight. \u201cDarla will snap your neck before you even feel her hands around your throat.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou just worry about sniffing her out and let me worry about my neck.\u201d Gunn huffed, almost unaware of the involuntary roll of his head.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat now,\u201d Wesley hissed at the unexpected knock. Dropping the kettle back onto the stove, he headed to the door, certain Gunn would have called with news of Darla\u2019s demise.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvening amigo,\u201d Lorne offered to the surprised face greeting him. \u201cJust thought I\u2019d drop by and check on our little princess-and is that your famous tea I smell?\u201d Lorne forged ahead; and ignoring Wesley\u2019s dropped jaw, he marched into the kitchen taking a chair at the small table.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia is sleeping, thankfully; and you knew she was here how?\u201d Wesley asked, pouring two cups of his fresh brew.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy ask when you already know the answer?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHumor me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe big guy called; riled about some big bad showing up unexpectedly.\u201d His torso stretched up, leaning over the narrow width separating them. \u201cBut you and I know somebody was slack with their translating; don\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAlright Lorne,\u201d Wesley reluctantly admitted. \u201cYou were right. The scroll does refer to someone from Angel\u2019s past with the power to derail his quest of shanshu.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat else? Come on don\u2019t be shy.\u201d Lorne coaxed, his grin stretching even wider at Wesley\u2019s scowl.<\/p>\n
Wesley settled into the chair, gulping down his tea and releasing a loud and weary sigh. The words of Anatole were clear on one point. The vampire with a soul would choose between dark and light; and that choice would bind his fate for eternity.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Serpentine is most likely Darla, but we have no way of knowing which choice Angel will make.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel will destroy Darla because he hates her, but she\u2019s not why he\u2019ll choose one path over the other.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen we have to hope for the best and be prepared for the worst.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDenial is a nice little safe-house; but newsflash professor, the big bad wolf is about to blow your house down.\u201d<\/p>\n
The few pieces of cheap china clinked as he shoved from the table. Wesley abruptly stood, back rigid and neck painfully stiff; and he poured what he was certain would be a long session with the calming elixir.<\/p>\n
Wesley had no doubt Lorne believed Angel and Cordelia were part of some cosmic plan to save Angel\u2019s soul. His dilemma was accepting that saving Angel\u2019s soul was worth risking Cordelia. Two nights ago he had glimpsed the old Angel, the one he had called friend and trusted unquestioningly. But the vampire he encountered at the hotel and the one that had brought Cordelia here was the same out of control, feral creature that had waged war on Wolfram and Hart, claiming anything or anyone else inconsequential.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no reason for us to believe Cordelia is the Artemis. Her influence over Angel was of little consequence when Darla was resurrected.\u201d Regardless of Lorne\u2019s intentions, Wesley refused to involve Cordelia until he knew if they would be staking one or two vampires tonight.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe curse imprisons the evil one, but the soul is without shackles. Only by choice can it be bound to this world. The vampire must choose or the darkness shall devour. There is but one truth.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
Lorne smiled at the oracle\u2019s voice echoing in his head. Even when the truth is scary, with absolute certainty came comfort.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhether you like it or not, Cordelia is the only one that can stop Angel from returning to the dark.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was under the impression Angel had returned to the simplicity of his evil past months ago.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou haven\u2019t seen the big guy evil, and believe me, you don\u2019t want to.\u201d Lorne stood from the table swallowing down the last drop of tepid tea. \u201cDon\u2019t look so glum, watcher of the crusaders, you don\u2019t have to tell sleeping beauty. Cordelia gets a choice in this one, and worrying whether her prince is behind door number one or door number two will only make it harder.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
The building smelled of waste and decay, but mostly it smelled of death. Gunn scrunched his nose, tucking his chin deeper into his wet jacket. The odor of his own clothes wet from rain and sweat was easier on the sinuses than the putrid stench of the gruesome hideaway.<\/p>\n
\u201cCan you tell if the stink we\u2019re looking for is in here?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDarla doesn\u2019t stink,\u201d came the barely audible, but no less gruff reply.<\/p>\n
Angel was hunting and the warehouse held too many scents to sift through. He couldn\u2019t afford the distraction of annoying wisecracks. Catching the faint aroma of her perfume hadn\u2019t been easy. In their hundred and fifty years together, Darla\u2019s choice of fragrance had rarely changed. There was a time he would have smiled at that thought, but not now. Now that simple familiarity would lead him to his prey.<\/p>\n
\u201cDid daddy bring me a yummy treat?\u201d The sultry lilt cooed from blood-red lips, belying its childish reference.<\/p>\n
Her hair was long and dark, her shoulders petite and slender, and her skin as pale as the moon. She was beautiful, Gunn mused; if you were stupid enough to forget she was a wild animal with fangs and claws wrapped inside a pretty hide.<\/p>\n
\u201cGuess this one likes dark meat.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGunn shut up-Drusilla, where\u2019s Darla? I need to find Darla.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDaddy is angry. I like daddy when he\u2019s angry.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMan this is getting us nowhere fast.\u201d Gunn lunged only to be yanked back, his head bouncing with a painful jerk.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t be stupid, she\u2019ll drain you in a heartbeat.\u201d Angel commanded. His eyes cold and distant, Gunn questioned which vampire would be easier to take down at the moment.<\/p>\n
Angel studied the young vampire. Slender fingers pinching the flair of her dress and pulling it away from her body, she swayed back and forth. Drusilla had performed the impish recital many times seeking his pleasure, and Angel struggled against the desire to close his eyes in shame. The girl had been innocent to the evils around her, and he had taken great pains in showing her all the glorious wickedness the world beheld. Only then did he risk the final transformation, making her a killer. Until a few months ago it had been his most unforgivable sin.<\/p>\n
Her nails slid down his cheek. They were long and sharp, and painted blood red to match her lips. When had Drusilla moved and how had he missed her float across the floor? The answers didn\u2019t matter, Angel needed information and he knew how to play his Dru.<\/p>\n
\u201cDru baby, where\u2019s mommy? Daddy needs to talk to mommy.\u201d Angel purred, his head bent low so that his mouth nipped at her throat.<\/p>\n
\u201cMmmm,\u201d she thrummed to her maker. \u201cMommy said not to be naughty.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it\u2019s daddy that rewards you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn felt sick, his stomach churning as he watched the disgusting scene unfold. \u201cFuck this.\u201d He bellowed onto their private stage, lurching forward, weapon in hand.<\/p>\n
Flesh cool and smooth crumpled, and Angel squinched his eyes tight as her fluid form sifted through his hands.<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s eyes snapped open, the point of Gunn\u2019s stake still hovering in the empty air in front of him. \u201cWhat the hell did you do?\u201d He snarled, a hand instinctively gripping Gunn\u2019s neck. \u201cDrusilla was our best chance of finding Darla.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t try your crap on me. I ain\u2019t buying it.\u201d Gunn choked out from the tight restriction of his throat. \u201cLooked like you forgot all about finding your other bitch.\u201d<\/p>\n
His fist hit against the wall next to Gunn\u2019s flinching head. \u201cYou idiot, you\u2019re all idiots. Playing superheroes when you don\u2019t have a clue what you\u2019re up against.\u201d Moving closer, he shoved until Gunn was wedged between his body and the damp wall. \u201cIt\u2019s a miracle you\u2019re not all dead.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen perhaps we should stop playing and get down to business.\u201d His tone stringent, Wesley pressed the tip of his crossbow into Angel\u2019s back, low enough to miss the heart but hopefully close enough to prevent any sudden moves. \u201cNow I suggest you release my friend or join yours on the floor.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s fingers slipped from their tight cinch, slowly lifting one by one until leaving only a burnished band in their place. He stepped back, freeing his captive and slowly turned to face a possible foe.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis isn\u2019t what it looks like Wes. I was angry\u2026that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes well, when you get angry people seem to die.\u201d Wesley challenged, his crossbow still aimed and ready. \u201cGunn what happened here?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou mean besides the nasty freak show I was forced to watch?\u201d Gunn grumbled, rubbing his hands over the tender ring around his neck. \u201cWe ran into the crazy one. Guess Angel\u2019s having another family reunion.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley peered at the clump of dust, feeling a slight pull on his emotions. Not sharing another\u2019s pain didn\u2019t lessen his understanding of their loss. \u201cI am sorry Angel. I don\u2019t presume it\u2019s any easier for you to lose someone you care about. But this is about survival and making choices. I won\u2019t risk sentiment influencing the wrong choice on my part.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou shouldn\u2019t have left Cordelia alone,\u201d was Angel\u2019s simple reply. Forging ahead, he turned back, when instead of following Wesley knelt beside the lingering debris. \u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n
Not bothering to look up, Wesley muttered from amid his jumble of Latin phrases. \u201cI didn\u2019t, Lorne\u2019s with her and I found an incantation that will thwart any attempts of raising a vampire from dust.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood move English, but make it quick. One down and one to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Her face pale, hazy eyes half disappeared under tired lids. The stress of the last few months was taking its toll; but ready or not, Lorne doubted life would wait patiently while Cordelia hid under the covers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWake up sleepyhead. How\u2019s the noggin?\u201d<\/p>\n
The soft twill invaded her sluggish brain. Not even close to what I need right now.<\/i> The inner voice that had become Cordelia\u2019s constant companion grumbled at her self-appointed counselor.<\/p>\n
Willing her eyes to focus on the room swimming around her, she reached up to inspect her questioned noggin. \u201cOuch! No wonder my head feels like it challenged a freight train and lost. Did somebody hit me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMore of a something instead of a somebody, kiddo.\u201d Bare brows raised, Lorne leaned forward meeting Cordelia\u2019s inquisitive and confusing squint. \u201cThe floor hit you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe floor? Well that\u2019s just great. I can\u2019t even defend myself against the floor.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s OK princess, your champion was there to rescue you from the mean ole hardwood.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s eyes rolled at the bold inference. It felt like a long time since Angel had been a champion of anything, let alone hers. He had left LA without a word, and the fact there was nothing he could have done to make things right didn\u2019t make running away right. Add to that, Angel had abandoned them to deal with Darla alone, it was impossible to believe he could ever be her<\/i> champion again.<\/p>\n
No, it was time to stop hiding, she determined with a renewed resolve. Her friends had stuck by her even when she shut them out and now they were willing to risk their lives to take Darla down.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere\u2019s Wesley? I need to find out what\u2019s going on with Darla.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe went to join up with his troops. I can see why you made the professor leader; not only high on the brain meter, but he probably has more brawn than meets the eye.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia couldn\u2019t believe what she was hearing. It was official, they were all crazy. What were they thinking banding together to form their own superhero club with a vampire as their leader? They had been alone, that\u2019s what. Each abandoned by a life that had turned its back, they had found each other and through their misfortune had found their greatest fortune\u2026friendship.<\/p>\n
Now wasn\u2019t the time to reminisce about the past or reflect on what might have been. Angel had fallen into Darla\u2019s trap once, quickly dismissing their importance in his life. Regardless of his recent efforts to make things right with her, she couldn\u2019t risk trusting him again, at least not where Darla was concerned.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got to find them-and you\u2019ve go to help me.\u201d She ordered, struggling against her body\u2019s determination to remain in bed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhoa-Whoa-Whoa, princess. Let\u2019s not go off half cocked. Let\u2019s leave that to the professional. You know, the king of act now regret later.\u201d Lorne warned in the most playful tune he could muster. The last thing Angel needed right now was Cordelia caught in the line of fire, and worst, giving Darla the perfect ammunition against him.<\/p>\n
She\u2019d had enough and was past tired of holding all the crap inside. Tired of pretending everything was normal when her life was beyond falling apart, Cordelia decided it was time to let the world in on her and Angel\u2019s dirty little secret.<\/p>\n
\u201cReality check Lorne,\u201d Cordelia yelled as she scrambled from bed and began a frantic search for her shoes. \u201cI\u2019m not a princess. I\u2019m a has-been cheerleader slash may queen voted most popular three years running-who got stuck with visions I can barely handle. And you\u2026you\u2019re a nightclub entertainer who does a little spiritual guiding on the side.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shoes now laced and snuggly tied, her only immediate dilemma was a missing sock. \u201cWhere the hell is my sock-and in case it slipped by you; a marriage counselor you\u2019re not.\u201d Snatching the hiding sock from beneath Wesley\u2019s bed, she scrubbed it through a clinched fist ridding it of attacking dust bunnies. \u201cBut that\u2019s good because I\u2019m not married. I\u2019m a victim; at least I was, but not anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell its about time!\u201d Lorne shrilled to the high heavens. \u201cIf you\u2019d wallowed in pity much longer I was gonna slit my<\/i> wrists.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d Cordelia blared as she shoved her foot into the dust-nappy sock. \u201cWhat was all that feel the pain princess, the pain is real\u2026embrace it? I ought to embrace your ass with my foot.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s my girl.\u201d Lorne gulped at the fiery heat flashed in his direction. \u201cThe one that scares the heebie-jeebies out of me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo the bitch is back and all is right with the world-now either help me or get out of my way.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I have been helping you prin\u2026\u201d Gulp<\/i> \u201cUh sweetie, but your fight is not out there.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot out there! Are you crazy? I can\u2019t hide out while my friends risk their lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lorne was in over his head and sinking fast. Maybe Cordelia was right; he was only a glorified barkeep that happen to have a knack for cryptic readings. How could he help Cordelia understand what he barely understood himself? How could he make her believe The Powers hadn\u2019t abandoned them when he had his own doubts?<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes Cordelia blind faith is all we have; and sometimes that\u2019s enough to get us through the rough patch.\u201d It was worth a shot, and Lorne was rather proud of his delivery. \u201cI know you\u2019re worried about your friends\u2026all of them. So what do you say we have a little faith in our three champions?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEnough with the half-ass messages Lorne. If you have something to say then say it. I don\u2019t have time for truth or dare.\u201d<\/p>\n
He was losing her, and if that was the case he had nothing else to lose. Should have known, Lorne inwardly groused, Cordelia Chase would never be satisfied with anything less than the whole enchilada. \u201cYou\u2019re place isn\u2019t out there sweetie. Let Angel do his job; it\u2019s hard enough without you distracting him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDistrac-\u201d<\/p>\n
Lorne cut her off with a frantic wave of his hands. \u201cGeesh, glad I only have to satisfy you with information.\u201d Then pinching his lapels between his fingers, he straightened his jacket with an exasperated jerk. \u201cNow, as I was saying; the first battle is almost over, but the second is just beginning\u2026and that\u2019s where you come in.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFine!\u201d Cordelia threw her jacket on the chair then settle into it herself. Legs crossed and finger darting threateningly in his direction, she issued her own brand of ultimatum. \u201cYou have thirty seconds to tell me everything you know before I rip your pea-green head off.\u201d<\/p>\n
GULP!<\/i><\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Concentrating on the unique scent of his target, the menagerie of odors filling the old warehouse had been sufficiently block out. Angel was close; which meant Darla had caught his scent as well.<\/p>\n
He had instructed his reluctant hunting partners to flank left. Their objective; a sneak attack from behind while he approached head on. The fact that this maneuver would move them further away instead of closer to their goal made it the perfect plan.<\/p>\n
It was fitting that they would finish this the way it had started…alone. Darla had made him what he was. Not a killer or even a monster. That accomplishment, Angel had no doubt Liam would have achieved on his own.<\/p>\n
Darla\u2019s intervention in his life had simply made certain the bad in him would never die; and for that Angel would destroy her.<\/p>\n
\u201cHello Lover. Miss me? I missed you.\u201d<\/p>\n
The sultry drawl floated across the dark surface, its wicked hold shivering up his spine. His breath hitched, and Angel marveled at the absurdity as he choked on the stale air trapped in the back of his throat. Death faces death and he had an uncontrollable compulsion to breathe.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been missing you for months. You\u2019ve been a bad girl Darla, always a step ahead of me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCouldn\u2019t teach you all of my secrets; now could I.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDru is dead.\u201d He deadpanned.<\/p>\n
His eyes cold and dark, Angel watched for even the smallest reaction. But like him, Darla had been incapable of love; a shortcoming rarely corrected by death, natural or otherwise.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t seemed moved by our loss. Tsk, tsk; not a single tear for our Dru. You are a cold bitch.\u201d<\/p>\n
A heavy boot slid forward, the other sliding in its trail. A skilled predator, not even dead-still air fluttered as black leather floated over the concrete surface fading into pitch dark cover.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe boy will pay for taking our Dru.\u201d<\/p>\n
She shifted her stance, and with a fluid motion turned to face him again. Jaw clinched and brow furrowed, eyes black as night glistened, betraying her secret.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou expected more than revenge? My dear boy has been pretending to be human for too long. I can still fix that nasty little problem; if you\u2019ll stop being stubborn.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her voice willful, it carried the slightest tremor, lost to one not waiting for it. Darla was afraid. It was an emotion Angel wasn\u2019t accustomed to witnessing. Only slight, but it was there; and that was enough. If she doubted her ability to stop him or his need to deliver her final death then he had a chance.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t pretend to be something I\u2019ll never be. I just decided to crawl out of the sewer and leave you behind.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh lover, you are confused. You were in the sewer when I found you. I showed you the way out; remember?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI remember. I\u2019ll always remember the evil we perfected…long after you\u2019re gone.\u201d<\/p>\n
His arm swung out, the back of a clinched fist striking its blow across her cheek. Back arched, her head lobbed in the direction of his swing, the sound of bone crushing under the force of curled knuckles filling the eerie silence.<\/p>\n
Caught unprepared for the first attack, she was helpless against the shove of his boot into her stomach. Scrambling for only a second before her feet lost their footing, her body flung into the air and slapped against the wall before slumping onto the floor with a heavy thump.<\/p>\n
Darla sucked in a breath, gagging on the stench pulled into her lungs. She needed to distract her opponent, buy time to regroup. A hand cupped over her mangled cheek, she gasped out her most vengeful threat. \u201cShe\u2019ll never want you. To her you\u2019ll always be a monster.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe so, but I\u2019ll have her just the same.\u201d Angel hovered over her crumpled form, his breath hot and wet spewing into the cool air. \u201cThe only difference…you won\u2019t be around to mess it up again.\u201d<\/p>\n
She had found her opening. Thoughts of the girl needing him but not wanting him, hating that she needed him made Angel weak. And that would be his undoing.<\/p>\n
He hunched lower, his hand reaching out to circle her throat; and Darla waited until she felt the sweep of his fingers brush against her skin.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy dear boy doesn\u2019t need me for that. You\u2019ve had two hundred and fifty years of practice…watching what you can never have slip through your fingertips.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kicking out, her foot landed against the side of his leg just above the knee, the narrow spike of her heel slicing through flesh and cartilage until it was embedded behind his kneecap.<\/p>\n
Angel threw his head back, his grunt echoing into the cavernous space as his legs buckled and he landed in a heap on top of her.<\/p>\n
Ripping her heel from the jagged wound, Darla drew her leg back and prepared for another strike; this one aimed at the heart she was determined would never beat.<\/p>\n
A large hand closed around her ankle, and with a twist the slender bone snapped; her cry keening into the night.<\/p>\n
Feminine features morphed, the strength of her true nature forcing back the pain rifling through her body. Nails, elongated and razor sharp, ripped up his throat then plunged down, tearing across his face.<\/p>\n
Desperate to escape his heavy weight, Darla wriggled frantically shoving against the massive chest pinning her down.<\/p>\n
His hands reached out to capture her fumbling fists, instead knocking them aside and targeting her throat again. Angel squeezed, feeling her larynx crush under a hundred years of anger and regret.<\/p>\n
\u201cCan\u2019t strangle me,\u201d choked from her constricted passage, \u201cbut then you always did forget not to breathe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anger ebbed as a wave of remorse washed in. Angel hated her, hated what he believed she had made him do. He needed her to feel all the pain he had forced on Cordelia, but none of it was Darla\u2019s fault. She had never taken his right to choose, that was never within her power. She had simply shown him an easier way, and he had taken it, reveling in its freedom until he had to pay the price.<\/p>\n
Angel rolled back onto his knees and shifting as much weight as his uninjured leg could hold, brought the two of them up. His hands still wrapped around her throat, Darla\u2019s limp body dangled above the floor like a worn out rag doll.<\/p>\n
There was no measure of pain one could inflict on the other to make up for their sins. \u201cI\u2019m sorry I couldn\u2019t save us.\u201d He whispered.<\/p>\n
His grip wrapped tight, Darla struggled helplessly against his intentions. Bone and flesh fell victim to his strength, tearing away as her neck twisted inside the trap of large and determined hands. Demon form fading to soft, feminine features, Angel closed his eyes as her agonizing screams blew against his face. And with a final snap it was over. Flesh shattered into dust, sifting through his fingers still clinched around empty air.<\/p>\n
Already knelt beside Darla\u2019s remains, the incantation gripped inside nervous fingers; Wesley\u2019s voice drifted up from the floor. \u201cAngel?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s done.\u201d He whispered, his sight still fixed on the black void in front of him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can see that.\u201d Wesley waved a dismissing hand toward Gunn, shushing any remark before it could fall. \u201cAre you alright?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel slowly turned from the scene finding Gunn blocking his departure, stake in hand and ready.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a right to know. Why didn\u2019t you take her out the first time?\u201d<\/p>\n
Ignoring the question he didn\u2019t know how to answer, Angel stepped to the side prepared to move around the young man. \u201cGet out of my way.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s right you know.\u201d Incantation complete, Wesley rose from the floor wiping the clinging dust from his pants. \u201cWe deserve to know why you were so determined to destroy Darla now\u2026without any witnesses.<\/p>\n
His eyes were dark and cold, as empty as his soul. Angel had his truth, and it was unbearable. Darla was gone, yet the pain and regret remained. Lost for an answer, he moved forward, intent on hiding behind the dark cover of night.<\/p>\n
Darla wasn\u2019t to blame, and neither was his father. Angel and Liam had always made bad choices because they were easier. The penance was always the same; he would live with his choices for eternity. How could he help them when he couldn\u2019t help himself? What could he say to make them understand he had finally turned from the easier path, taking the harder one instead?<\/p>\n
\u201cI raped Cordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n