Chapter Forty-three<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cWhere\u2019s Cordelia,\u201d Angel growled. His temper was being held together by a fragile thread. Every instinct, every desire in his undead body cried out for violence.<\/p>\n
It was only the knowledge that the professor was Angel\u2019s only link to finding Cordelia that kept the man alive.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d John said truthfully and sorrowfully.<\/p>\n
Angel advanced towards the Indian. Forgotten was the host\u2019s proclamation of the \u2018goodness\u2019 of the Indian. If the doctor could not help then he would die, but not before Angel made sure, painfully sure that the Indian knew nothing of value.<\/p>\n
\u201cUm, Professor, you must have an idea,\u201d Wesley jumped in, standing between Angel and the doctor.<\/p>\n
\u201cYea, and talk quick like, Angel is impatient.\u201d Chimed in Gunn.<\/p>\n
John watched in apprehension and awe as Angel\u2019s brown eye\u2019s glowed gold. Angel was really the beast, he thought in wonder. \u201cYou are a vampire,\u201d he said. John needed confirmation of what he already knew to be true.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m your death, if you don\u2019t start talking,\u201d growled Angel.<\/p>\n
\u201cA bit high on the melodrama scale, but effective I\u2019d say,\u201d Gunn whispered to Wesley as John\u2019s face paled.<\/p>\n
\u201cBe quiet,\u201d shushed Wesley. \u201cDoctor, it would be advisable if you start explaining,\u201d cautioned Wesley, turning from Gunn to the Indian.<\/p>\n
Dragging his eyes away from the enraged vampire, John faced Wesley. \u201cI don\u2019t know where Cordelia is. But, I\u2019m sure that it was Bathym that killed my father and took her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBathym?\u201d questioned Wesley, urgently. \u201cThat\u2019s the demon?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know of him?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, but\u2026\u201d Wesley headed quickly out of the small shack. \u201cI\u2019ve got to get my books,\u201d he called.<\/p>\n
A smidgen of hope arose in Wesley\u2019s chest as he ran to the car. He just might have brought the right book. Wesley hadn\u2019t found any texts on specific Hopi legends or demons, but he did bring the ancient encyclopedia of all things demon.<\/p>\n
The ancient manuscript listed thousands of different demons. This Baythm had to be included, he hoped.<\/p>\n
A tense silence descended over the room at the former watcher\u2019s departure. Angel waited his impatience and rage threatening to overflow. His cold stare never left the Indian. Angel waited for Wesley to come back or for the doctor to give him an excuse, any excuse to rip his throat out or to at least break all the bones in the doctor\u2019s legs.<\/p>\n
Wesley hurried back. \u201cTell us, what do you know about the demon,\u201d he demanded, flipping through the heavy leather bound book.<\/p>\n
\u201cBathym is an ancient evil. He has existed since the beginning of the Hopi, he takes his pleasure taunting and destroying our people. The necklace was first conceived to be a charm against his evil.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley nodded, listening as he quickly scanned the pages of his text. \u201cAha, here it is\u2026Bathym, a rare demon, one of the masters of the infernal regions of hell. He is pure evil, practically invincible. With the appearance of a robust man but his body ends in a serpent\u2019s tail. He is well versed in the virtues of herbs and precious stones. He is able to transport men from one place to another.\u201d Wesley paraphrased.<\/p>\n
John nodded. \u201cHe also has the ability to enter one\u2019s spirit planes. That\u2019s the most common way he uses to corrupt our people. He touches and invades their spirits, tainting and engulfing their souls with evil. Unchecked, he will damn my people for eternity.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s Cordy got to do with your pet evil swayer.\u201d Interrupted Gunn.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s is unclear. It\u2019s all so unclear. I\u2019ll I know is that the Necklace was devised by the \u2018Wise One\u2019 to counteract the poison of Bathym. While, the Hopi and their Shaman had the necklace, his evil influence was stalled.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow did your people lose possession? Don\u2019t tell me you all sent it out to be exhibited in the museum.\u201d Wesley asked in disbelief.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, of course not. The necklace along with the Shaman that held it disappeared centuries ago. The reason was unknown. Their whereabouts unknown. But it was known that the necklace still existed. If it had been destroyed, then Bathym would rule supreme.\u201d John explained. \u201cWhen the necklace reappeared, my father, the Shaman of the tribe, ordered the necklace liberated.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHeist it, you mean,\u201d Gunn translated.<\/p>\n
John nodded. \u201cBut the night we were to attempt the taking, you,\u201d he pointed to Wesley. \u201cWere in the Museum.\u201d John paused. \u201cCordelia was there too, wasn\u2019t she? You all were. Why? Why did she take the necklace? How can she utilize its power? Angel\u2019s Investigations, what type of detective agency are you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we are and what we do is irrelevant. What\u2019s relevant is why did you take Cordelia,\u201d Angel growled. \u201cAnd why would Bathym take her from you and most relevant where is she now.\u201d<\/p>\n
John gulped. The discussion of Bathym had made him forget momentarily about the demon before him. \u201cMy father\u2019s life goal was the return of the necklace to his people. He died for it,\u201d The pain evident in the doctor\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia,\u201d Angel growled, oblivious to the man\u2019s pain.<\/p>\n
John glared at the vampire. His own feelings of lost overrode his fear of the demon. \u201cMy father was a great man, a good man.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I\u2019m sure he was and we are sorry for your lost, but please\u2026\u201d Wesley begged, trying to relief the tension that had sprung up again in the room.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe needed the necklace and we needed to know why the \u2018Wise One\u2019 chose her to wear it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you think about asking,\u201d growled Angel. \u201cYour limited and self-centered view of the world has put Cordelia in danger.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley and Gunn raised their eyebrows in concert. That was calling the kettle black. Angel could be the most arrogant and self-centered being when his wants were thwarted.<\/p>\n
And in this particular instant, as it had been for awhile, his wants were wrapped up in the safety of his seer.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel,\u201d Wesley lectured. \u201cThe necklace, it called to Cordelia, she was given the gift by the Wise One and the Oracles. We were brought together with the Professor to defeat Bathym, that must be the reason.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll defeat Bathym,\u201d Angel\u2019s voice was coated in violence. \u201cBut, first we must now where he is,\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d John claimed again. \u201cAll I know is that my spirit animal led me to Cordelia\u2019s spirit guides and then to you,\u201d his hand shot in a wide gesture at the three men. \u201cThe tiger, the rabbit and the black beast.\u201d John stalled as he glanced at the vampire, \u201c\u2026the black wolf,\u201d he corrected.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, I\u2019m lost,\u201d cut Gunn.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy power animal led me to your power animal\u2019s and the Wise One directed that you are my people\u2019s hope. Each spirit that enters their dream plane has an animal guide. The guide represents the person\u2019s attributes and strengths. Admittedly, it is unusual for the animals to be present without their human counterparts. But Cordelia\u2019s were there, just as those that could only belong too you three.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn studied the Indian for a moment. \u201cOkay, who is the rabbit and who is the tiger. I\u2019m guessing the uh black\u2026uh, beast, no I mean wolf is sort of self explanatory.\u201d Gunn echoed John\u2019s hesitation about identifying the wolf.<\/p>\n
Wesley looked at the Indian for a response.<\/p>\n
John examined the two men. He studied Wesley\u2019s thin body, it was still, but John could imagine it fidgeting and twitching in impatience and knowledge. He turned to the young black man. Gunn stood shifting his weight from one foot to another. The strength apparent in his being. \u201cGunn has the tiger, Wesley, the rabbit.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBugs, man,\u201d Gunn turned grinning to the scowling former watcher.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe rabbit is a powerful\u2026\u201dJohn started to answer Gunn\u2019s gibe.<\/p>\n
\u201cSTOP,\u201d growled Angel loudly. \u201cCordelia,\u201d he demanded. \u201cWe need to find her.\u201d<\/p>\n
The three men jumped at the yell.<\/p>\n
\u201cRight, of course,\u201d Wesley stuttered. \u201cNow, that we know the demon, I suggest we go back to LA. I can do a more conclusive research on Bathym there.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWait,\u201d John called. He had to know. \u201cWhat is Cordelia?\u201d<\/p>\n
The three men from Angel Investigation turned and stared at the doctor. \u201cCordelia is a young, innocent girl,\u201d Wesley finally spoke.<\/p>\n
\u201cInnocent, yes that I know. But what is she? Her power animal\u2019s, two, which is unheard of, were guarding and giving comfort to a wall of souls. Souls that were screaming in agony. Their suffering was unbearable. What is she?\u201d<\/p>\n
John watched in amazement as the anger in Angel\u2019s being transformed into sorrow and guilt.<\/p>\n
Wesley glanced at the vampire, then back at John. \u201cCordelia has the ability to see and experience the helpless in the world. It\u2019s her destiny. She takes it very seriously.\u201d Wesley said the last part directly at Angel.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s go,\u201d ordered Angel.<\/p>\n
Chapter Forty-four<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cReinfold,\u201d the demon bellowed as he reappeared in the dark underground complex. Bathym\u2019s side trip into John Red Bear\u2019s vision quest had been interesting. The demon had been tempted to show himself and kill the young man as he had killed the young man\u2019s father, but the information in the dream had been telling. So, Bathym had remained silent and watched.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaster,\u201d the weasel man came running. \u201cSuccess?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Wise One seems to have found some champions,\u201d he laughed in disdain. \u201cOne being a lesser demon, a weak demon, a vampire with a soul. Come,\u201d Bathym ordered.<\/p>\n
\u201cWake her,\u201d Bathym pointed to the unconscious body of Cordelia.<\/p>\n
Reinfold eagerly shook and slapped at the young girl.<\/p>\n
\u201cStop,\u201d Cordelia cried, pushing away from the small man.<\/p>\n
Bathym stalked over to Cordelia, his massive form enclosing around her.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow what,\u201d she struggled attempting to mask her fear.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnswers,\u201d he hissed in a low menacing tone.<\/p>\n
\u201cOr what?\u201d Cordelia said with false bravado. \u201cYou can\u2019t kill me.\u201d She retorted.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, but I can cause pain.\u201d His large hand encircled her delicate throat squeezing and pressing the life out of her.<\/p>\n
Cordelia gasped as the air fled her body. The pain was so intense, but then she felt the healing energy surge through her body, fighting the oppressive, deadly action.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t kill me,\u201d she claimed again, choking on her words.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, but I can do this all night or maybe I\u2019ll switch back to the knife.\u201d He warned.<\/p>\n
Cordelia hated pain, she really did. Sure, she accepted it from the visions; she didn\u2019t have a choice. But, she didn\u2019t like it. Cordelia cringed as she remembered the sound and feel of the sharp blade slicing through her flesh. Cordelia didn\u2019t even know what the demon wanted maybe the answers he wanted weren\u2019t suffer worthy.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d she coughed angrily.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe vampire, the one that you seem to be so close too?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia stared. Okay, this may be getting into suffer worthy territory. . She didn\u2019t like to give out answers about Angel. Everybody always seemed to want to kill him.<\/p>\n
And she would be damned if she would ever help in the accomplishment of that particular goal. She remained obstinately silent.<\/p>\n
Bathym traced the knife across Cordelia\u2019s cheek. \u201cAre you sure,\u201d he questioned. \u201cAll I want to know is how the demon got his soul, that\u2019s all. It\u2019s an interesting concept, a demon with a soul. How did it happen? How secure is it?\u201d He laughed as Cordelia involuntarily tensed at this last question.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, not that secure is it?\u201d He nodded and threw Cordelia across the room. \u201cThank you.\u201d He laughed, his evil cackle vibrated off the wall of the small room.<\/p>\n
Cordelia stayed on the floor. And for the first time since all of the weirdness started she felt her body tremble with unbridled fear. Angel, her mind cried.<\/p>\n
Evil type beings that knew about Angel\u2019s tentative hold on his soul were not a good thing. Not a good thing at all.<\/p>\n
Chapter Forty-five<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, glaring at me won\u2019t exactly help me find the answer any quicker,\u201d Wesley shot to the pacing vampire.<\/p>\n
The group had returned to LA a couple hours earlier. On the ride back, Angel had remained silent in the back seat, constantly shooting glares at Wesley and Dr. Red Bear in the front seat.<\/p>\n
They had been dissecting the vision quest and its every possible meaning. They hadn\u2019t come up with anything of use. Just that Angel, Wesley and Gunn were some how suppose to help John. And that Cordelia as the holder of the necklace couldn\u2019t die at the demon\u2019s hands, or at least that is what the legends predicted.<\/p>\n
Couldn\u2019t die, Angel growled, so what. She could still feel terror, feel pain. All the things that Angel never wanted Cordelia to experience. The things that he had promised to protect her from, the things that he couldn\u2019t protect her from.<\/p>\n
Angel growled in rage, the lack of useful information or a plan frustrated the hell out of Angel. It wasn\u2019t that he always needed a plan per se, not as long as he knew who, what or where had to fight. Then he could just barge in a fight. But in this case, he couldn\u2019t, he didn\u2019t even have the necessary information to do that. How would he save Cordelia?<\/p>\n
Now, Wesley was buried over several bound texts, trying to ascertain any possible locations of the demon or any weaknesses they could use to exploit and kill it. Wesley was not having much luck. Consequently, Angel was back at glaring at everyone.<\/p>\n
Gunn was sitting on a desk quizzing John Red Bear about each of their spirit guides. Gunn had decided that avoidance and a slight change of the subject was the best way to handle the major vibes of anger oozing off the vampire.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, English has a little bunny rabbit,\u201d Gunn chuckled loud enough for the former watcher to hear. \u201cWhile, I\u2019m a tiger. Big, strong and brave sounds about right, don\u2019t it Bugs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley rolled his eyes, slamming a book shut. Gunn had been teasing his friend mercilessly. The tough black man thought it was hysterical that Wesley had a rabbit for spirit animal.<\/p>\n
\u201cTiger, umph, nothing more than a poster cartoon for a child\u2019s cereal.\u201d Wesley grumbled.<\/p>\n
Angel growled in annoyance and dropped his body onto a chair. Useless, irrelevant talk, Angel thought. What does any of it have to do with finding Cordelia?<\/p>\n
\u201cActually, Gunn, the rabbit is a powerful guide. The physical strength of a particular animal is not representative of the guides\u2019 attributes or of the person\u2019s abilities. The wisdom of the rabbit includes guile, living by one\u2019s wits, quick thinking and the ability to receive hidden teaching and intuitive messages.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBasically, I\u2019m clever, very clever,\u201d preened Wesley.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd humility,\u201d added John.<\/p>\n
Gunn started to laugh.<\/p>\n
\u201cActually, the Tiger and rabbit are very compatible. The tiger has power and strength, but acts without analysis, whereas the rabbit is intuitive, quick witted, a thinker.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy brawn, your brains, hey English,\u201d Gunn slapped up his hand. Wesley high fived him back. \u201cWe be the dream team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel growled. \u201cThis is a waste of time.\u201d He started to pace again. He had to get out of here. It would be dark soon, and then he could go out into the streets and pummel any leads out of the various demon snitches in the area.<\/p>\n
But, until then he needed to get rid of this pent up frustration and rage. He started for the basement stairs.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe wolf seems all growly,\u201d Gunn chimed in lowly.<\/p>\n
\u201cIndeed,\u201d commented Wesley. \u201cJohn, you said Cordelia\u2019s spirit animal was a wolf, too. Is that unusual? I mean for Angel and Cordelia to have the same animal.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, and what\u2019s with Cordy having two?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTwo is unusual. One is usually sufficient. But, then again from what I gather, Cordelia is not usual.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure enough,\u201d agreed Gunn.<\/p>\n
John smiled weakly. He had never meant for his actions to expose the young woman to Bathym. John had wanted to protect her from the demon. John stared up to the ceiling and let out a soft sigh.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe humming bird represents love, joy, endurance, happiness and possesses healing attributes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel paused. He had a sudden interest to hear the rest of what the Professor would say. Love, joy and happiness, how Angel wished he could give those things to Cordelia. Angel slid back on to the sofa.<\/p>\n
Wesley and Gunn both stared, their gaze turning inward. Each pictured the different faces of Cordelia. Angry, pouting, vain, happy, and then the face they all hated. The one that showed the suffering she had to endure, as her mind filled with the pain of the helpless. . But regardless of her pain, no matter her mood or complaints, she possessed a joy in living and a love for her family, them. She was their heart.<\/p>\n
The three friends\u2019 eyes met suddenly. \u201cWe have to find her,\u201d growled Angel, jumping back up. Wesley and Gunn nodded in vigorous agreement as Angel stormed back towards the basement.<\/p>\n
John studied the vampire as he rushed down the stairs.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou asked if it was typical for two people to have the same power guide.\u201d He commented still staring at the now empty doorway. \u201cThat\u2019s not unusual. Each animal, whether it be the same brings unique wisdom to their human spirit. There are as different as each soul is different. What is truly unusual is that a demon has a guide at all.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel has a soul,\u201d defended Wesley.<\/p>\n
\u201cI imagine that his why he has a guide, then.\u201d John said somewhat doubtfully. He was still undecided about the conflicting nature of the vampire\u2019s soul, which he had sensed with in Angel when John first met the vampire. But John couldn\u2019t deny that Angel did have a soul or what he had seen on his vision quest. \u201cThe wolf guides his soul. And binds him to Cordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley took of his glasses and rubbed his face. \u201cBinds?\u201d<\/p>\n
John nodded. \u201cAll of you are bound in some nature, loyalty, true friendship.\u201d His gesture included Wesley and Gunn. \u201cBut Cordelia\u2019s and Angel\u2019s guides, well,\u201d He paused remembering the dark beast\u2019s reverent look towards the beautiful female, his noble head gentle caressing her fur, the patience and regard he focused on the antics of the humming bird and the control and influence that Cordelia\u2019s guides had over the beast. \u201cThey are bound by something more, than just the strong familial attributes of the wolf. They are mated.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMated,\u201d Gunn squeaked. \u201cHell, they don\u2019t even have a clue that they are into each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cReally?\u201d John asked. \u201cWell, the vampire and the woman may not know, but their spirit guides sure do. Love, gentlemen, pure and simple.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately, Doctor love between Angel and Cordelia is definitely not a simple matter,\u201d signed Wesley. \u201cDamn\u2019t,\u201d he cried, slamming another book shut. \u201cNothing, I can\u2019t find any references to where Bathym may be hiding.\u201d Wesley changed the subject. \u201cYou\u2019ve said that Bathym has the ability to enter your dream plane.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, that is how he corrupts.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut, he is a corporeal demon,\u201d Wesley pointing to the information he had discerned from his books. \u201cTherefore, he must be somewhere in this reality. Not just present in the spirit world.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, why don\u2019t we join the spirit safari and confront him there,\u201d asked Wesley.<\/p>\n
\u201cPossibly,\u201d pondered John. \u201cNo, he is too powerful there,\u201d concluded John. \u201cHe can manipulate the spirit world better than we.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe professor, is most likely right,\u201d sighed Wesley. \u201cNo, the vision quests are merely a clue, a guide to what we have to do. But what is that.\u201d Frustrated Wesley began to pace. \u201cWe will have to wait until Angel is able to question his contacts. If a new demon is in town they will know, I hope,\u201d he added in a lower tone.<\/p>\n
Chapter Forty-six<\/b><\/p>\n
Angel sat on the bench staring at the punching bag he had hit across the room. It hadn\u2019t helped not really. The anger and tension in his body threatened to consume his ever-conscious thought. He had thought he had started to come to grips with his anger.<\/p>\n
But, no, as soon as the Doctor embarked on the description of Cordelia\u2019s spirit guide, he had felt the rage rebuild. A humming bird, love, joy, happiness, endurance, Angel shook his head. So very appropriate, a small, fragile animal in constant motion. Irritating even, but loving, joyful and a breath of fresh air. That was what Cordelia was to him. She was life, in its most potent beautiful form. He had to save her. Without her, there was nothing but darkness. Angel leaned back on the wall, closing his eyes. He had to calm down.<\/p>\n
Exhaustion started to creep over his body, edging out the rage with in his body. Angel fought the tiredness; he had to stay awake. He had to find Cordelia.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel stood on a cliff overlooking a large green meadow.<\/p>\n
\u201cDemon.\u201d An ancient Indian appeared. \u201cYou don\u2019t belong here, not in this manner.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel studied the Indian. Briefly, Angel wondered why the Indian had no spirit guide. Obviously, someway Angel had entered into the dream plane. \u201cManner?\u201d Angel\u2019s hand went up to touch the prominent ridges that rippled on his face. His tongue ran over the sharpened incisors that grew in his mouth.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou do not have your soul. It\u2019s there,\u201d the Indian pointed to the green basin below.<\/p>\n
Angel looked out over the cliff. A black wolf was frolicking in the bright grass. A smaller brown wolf was barking happily at the black wolf\u2019s display. They rushed together rolling and snapping playfully at each other. All the while a humming bird flew circles overhead, always over both animals. \u201cThat\u2019s your so-called soul\u2019s dream, but it\u2019s just a dream. This is the real you.\u201d The Indian gestured back to the vampire. \u201cWhy fight it? You know this. That is nothing more than a fantasy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d struggled Angel, trying to rid himself of his demon visage.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes and even that thing that you believe to be your soul realizes it. Watch.\u201d The Indian pointed again to the plateau.<\/p>\n
Transfixed Angel watched as the black wolf started to back away from the brown wolf. His hunches raised in a threatening manner. His eyes were glowing deep gold.<\/p>\n
The beautiful wolf cocked her head questioningly, moving closer. The black beast growled. The other wolf ignored his snarl and yapped, still moving closer.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe really does trust you. Its shame that a beast can never be trusted, isn\u2019t it?\u201d The Indian watched the unraveling story. A small smile formed on his wrinkled face.<\/p>\n
Angel growled in horror as the beast below growled in rage. The black wolf lunged at the other unsuspecting wolf, his fangs bared. With a howl, he clamped his strong jaws around the weaker female, ripping at her throat. The humming bird dove down pecking frantically against the beasts skull. The great wolf leaned up from other canine\u2019s throat and snapped at the bird. His strong teeth pierced the bird in two. The black wolf spit out the lifeless body from his mouth and ignoring the whimpers of the dying brown wolf, plunged his fangs again into her flesh; he bit and chewed until the wolf no longer breathed.<\/p>\n
\u201cReally, it\u2019s a shame. She was such a lovely being, ” signed the Indian.<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s howl of sorrow matched the beast\u2019s howl of completion.<\/p>\n
\u201cSee, that is who you are. You are a beast, a demon\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNO,\u201d growled Angel lunging towards the Indian.<\/p>\n
The old man laughed, changing and transforming into a large solid human form, his serpent tail whipping wildly around his robust body. Bathym stepped quickly aside from the vampire\u2019s charge.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t defeat me here and really, do you want to, after all we are the same. Evil, in all of it\u2019s magnificent power. You will soon accept it.\u201d With a burst of light the demon disappeared.<\/p>\n
Angel struggled up from the ground. He crawled over to the edge of the cliff. The beast was still howling in satisfaction at the dead bodies of the bird and female wolf.<\/p>\n
\u201cNO,\u201d Angel shouted, despair and fear vibrating through his voice.<\/p>\n