{"id":9786,"date":"2016-03-10T13:45:52","date_gmt":"2016-03-10T13:45:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/?p=9786"},"modified":"2024-04-07T11:30:08","modified_gmt":"2024-04-07T10:30:08","slug":"splintered-7","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/2016\/03\/10\/splintered-7\/","title":{"rendered":"Splintered 7"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter 7<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

The new door appeared secure. There was little to indicate that the old one had been ripped from its frame. Angel smoothed his hand down the surface as he wondered if Cordelia would incite him to break it down yet again. Thinking about it, he should have used the opportunity to get her out, made her realize that staying in an open apartment wasn\u2019t a good idea. But then Cordelia had fought hard to make this place hers and wasn\u2019t likely to abandon it if she thought looters might take advantage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stubborn, beautiful bitch. Cordy would put herself in danger in a heartbeat if she thought it meant protecting something she cared about. Her precious apartment with its overly friendly phantom menace was just one example. She didn\u2019t belong there. He\u2019d let her stay for the moment, while things were unsettled with Darla and Dru, since he couldn\u2019t seem to make her budge.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordy was just confused. Soon she would see the truth. That she needed him as much as he did her. She had to see it, to feel it as deeply as him. He\u2019d make sure of it.<\/span><\/p>\n

For now she was blind to the truth. Pretending she didn\u2019t care. He knew she was lying, even to herself. The way she kissed him was all the proof he needed. That and the hundred little responses her body made to show him that she belonged to him. That soft mouth melting into his. Her greedy lips open to his plunder. Hands clutching him closer. Her breasts swelling in arousal, nipples peaking beneath his touch. Hips tucked into his seeking out a closeness their clothing prevented.<\/span><\/p>\n

Damned interfering ghost.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yes, Cordy wanted him. Her arousal teased his senses even as the turbulence of her fear crashed in behind it. A part of him wanted to wallow in it. After all, he\u2019d earned every emotion she threw his way. That feisty spark of defiance turned him on just as much as her responsiveness. She could be so compliant, so submissive when he wanted her to be, letting him take her in all the ways he wanted.<\/span><\/p>\n

No, that was part of the dreams, thought Angel and then shook his head to clear its foggy haze. But she loved him. Cordy just didn\u2019t know it yet. It surprised him, the thought of her not knowing. How could that be when it was now so obvious to him? It hadn\u2019t occurred to him until recently, the way he felt. Something\u2026 there was something she\u2019d done. He couldn\u2019t imagine what it was, but it was just a simple thing.<\/span><\/p>\n

A switch flipped, a spotlight shone, a bell rang. Whatever caused it, Angel neither knew nor cared because all that mattered was an understanding that he wanted Cordelia. That he felt so much for her it was impossible to express with words. His need for her went beyond the physical. Soon, Cordy would know that, too. She\u2019d understand. Believe it with every heartbeat. She would live and breathe each day with the knowledge that she belonged to him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Anticipation set his senses tingling, his body practically leaping with energy as he focused on what he would have to do. First, he\u2019d have to find her. Cordelia had a knack for slipping under his radar. He\u2019d spent countless hours watching her lights go off and on, half-wondering if it was really Cordelia or just the annoying ghost playing with him from afar. No, he knew when she was there. Listened to her as she slept, breathing softly, mumbling in her sleep, moaning in pleasure when she was awakened by her dreams and couldn\u2019t resist touching herself.<\/span><\/p>\n

Being only a windowpane away was akin to torture. He wanted in. To be the one whose fingers gave her pleasure, feeling her heat and the liquid ecstasy coating him. Angel flicked his tongue across his lips at the thought of tasting her there. Of the rush of her blood as it raced in his ears while his face was buried between her thighs. That would only be the beginning. There was more, so much more that he would do when Cordy would open herself up to him, pleading for the pleasure he could give her and crying out his name as she begged him for more. As her body clung to his, she\u2019d tell him how much she loved him.<\/span><\/p>\n

For now, Angel needed to find her. It was late, long past sunset. He idly thought about the fact that she might be out with Gunn. A gloomy expression crashed down on his face as he immediately imagined the worst. That cocky bastard was good in a fight, but he had no business being so friendly with Cordelia. Didn\u2019t he know what was good for him? How was it that Gunn earned Cordy\u2019s smiles and laughter so easily? He\u2019d better not find them alone together.<\/span><\/p>\n

He drove by Gunn\u2019s place in the Plymouth, saw that his truck wasn\u2019t there and talked to a couple of his gang. Apparently, Gunn was at Caritas, a fact that they weren\u2019t too happy about considering it was demon hangout. Angel ignored the distrustful looks they sent his way; he didn\u2019t have time to teach them a lesson in manners.<\/span><\/p>\n

Parking the car out of sight, Angel made his way into Caritas. He spotted them immediately, but Cordy and Gunn weren\u2019t alone. Wes was with them, suggesting that this was not a date; just one of their little get-togethers that didn\u2019t include him. The smoky air of the club and its shadowy corners made it easy for Angel to approach their table without being seen.<\/span><\/p>\n

“I don’t get why you still go there.” Cordy took a sip of her coke, scowling first at the drink, and then at Wes before adding, “Not like there’s a reason anymore. I keep having visions, but Demento-Vamp is never around to respond. Might as well have our own agency,” her tone soured along with her expression.<\/span><\/p>\n

From the cloak of the shadows, Angel tensed at the inference that he was never around and simply not worth anyone\u2019s time. Why would she say that? Cordelia couldn\u2019t mean it. Maybe it was just the drink talking. He stared hard at the dark liquid in her glass, wondering if Gunn was trying to get her drunk.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Give it up, girl,” Gunn chugged his beer before continuing. “You’re just sore \u2018cos we bought you a soda.”<\/span><\/p>\n

So much for that idea, scowled Angel as he realized Cordelia\u2019s ridiculous plans for permanently separating herself from Angel Investigations were all her own. He\u2019d never let that happen. She belonged with him. The visions were his and so was she. It was that simple.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Am not,” she denied hotly making Angel think for a second that she answered him. But her focus was nowhere near him. She remained ignorant of his presence and was too busy scowling at Gunn to notice that he\u2019d almost stepped out to make her eat those words. “But the total wrongness of me being allowed to buy you<\/i> beers isn’t lost on me.”<\/span><\/p>\n

To her left, Wes grinned and saluted her with his glass. “And we’re very grateful, I assure you.” He lifted it to his mouth and took a healthy swallow, slapping his lips with gusto.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gunn snorted and Angel watched as Cordy’s fingers tightened around her own glass of Coke reflexively. When she pointed out the ridiculousness of denying her a drink in a demon bar, Angel noted that for once her fury wasn\u2019t directed at him. Though he wasn\u2019t certain he liked that, either.<\/span><\/p>\n

“So…” Cordy began conversationally, apparently giving up on the hope of getting something stronger than a soda, “What do you actually do there, Wes? Watch the Grumpmeister as he goes up and down the stairs to sleep the sleep of the seriously deluded, or debate the eternal question of how blondes turn men into homicidal maniacs?”<\/span><\/p>\n

Both men winced at the bitterness in her over bright voice. Showing her their solidarity, Gunn nudged her side in sympathy while Wes pursed his lips before replying, “Actually, Angel rarely shows his face when I\u2019m there.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Still as a statue, Angel gave Wes a hard stare as if the thought alone would cause him to topple off his chair. Maybe that was true, but there were reasons for it. All too important reasons, Cordelia being the main one.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Sleeping fulltime now?” Her loud scoff only caused Angel to smile twistedly as he realized she kept picturing him in bed. “With me not there to disturb him, I bet he’s making up for lost time.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Not yet, but soon. Making up for lost time was something he would enjoy as soon as he had her there with him.<\/span><\/p>\n

“I used to think the fangy fu- dudes slept thru the day till me and my crew found out pretty quick the movies got it all wrong,” Gunn commented, ignoring the mild chastisement in Wes\u2019 eyes when he’d almost cursed in front of Cordelia. Angel knew that Alonna\u2019s daylight kidnapping made it all too painfully clear to Gunn not to rely on fiction. “So he’s still catching those zees?”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Yeah, must be real tiring not fighting for his redemption and killing evil demons.” Cordy took a large gulp of her Coke and slumped back into her seat with a frown of disappointment creasing her smooth brow. Then, after a long sigh, told them, \u201cBoy, I never thought I\u2019d even think<\/i> something like that about Angel, never mind say it out loud.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordy\u2019s body language made it difficult to guess her thoughts. She\u2019d been so focused on the idea that being with him would result in the loss of his soul. Angel didn\u2019t know what to do to reassure her. All he knew was that he needed to be with her. They belonged together, no matter the dark warnings that came to him in his dreams. He could fight that.<\/span><\/p>\n

He pushed his doubts aside, focusing back on the conversation at the table. “I don’t think, to be honest, that Angel is actually in residence half the time I\u2019m there,” Wes corrected their assumption, perhaps retaining some feeling of loyalty. \u201cMaybe he\u2019s taken up patrolling again. Sometimes I can hear him quite clearly in the basement, training.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Training for what, stalking helpless victims?” Cordy muttered under her breath, too low for the men sitting with her to hear, but certainly loud enough for Angel to pick up clearly.<\/span><\/p>\n

The talk veered off the topic and the mood instantly lightened, a real smile finally curving her moist mouth. Angel caught himself staring fixedly, his eyes running like a soft caress along the plump bow of her lower lip. It was making him crazy with wanting her. Looking, but not touching. Finally, Angel decided to leave. This wasn\u2019t a clandestine meeting between Cordy and some unfortunate man, just the bonding between friends. Even if he happened to be the topic of conversation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Soon, they would all understand. He\u2019d make them see the truth. For tonight, they could have their fun. He was going back to Cordelia\u2019s apartment. If he got lucky, they\u2019d drop her off at the curb instead of walking her to the door. Then he\u2019d get a little of the one-on-one time he deserved.<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning, Angel strode toward the exit only to feel a tug on his sleeve as he swept past the bar. The smell alone told him who was standing there. Merl looked like he was about to dart away at the first sign of violence. \u201cHiya boss. Howya doin\u2019?\u201d The added smile instantly drew Angel\u2019s suspicion.<\/span><\/p>\n

Merl rarely made first contact. The snitch liked to keep things close to his chest just in case something came back to bite him on the ass. He avoided Angel at all costs and usually went through Wesley to make arrangements for providing intel. He was more likely to be paid that way.<\/span><\/p>\n

The fact that Wes was sitting only ten yards away suggested this was something more than just Merl\u2019s usual game. \u201cThis better be worth it. I\u2019m not in the mood to make small talk.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLike that\u2019s ever the case?\u201d asked Merl, backing up just a little at the growl that followed. \u201cMaybe I\u2019ll just keep the news to myself then.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With a lightning fast move, Angel wrapped a hand around Merl\u2019s arm, pushing him against the nearest wall to hold him there. \u201cTalk fast. I\u2019m getting impatient.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeesh! Okay, okay, remember that crazy girl, the vampire we was talkin\u2019 about the other day?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel nodded, \u201cDrusilla.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know where she\u2019s holed up, ya see,\u201d Merl\u2019s grin widened and he glanced down expecting Angel to release his arm. The hold only tightened to the point where he couldn\u2019t move without pain shooting along his shoulder. \u201cOww! I\u2019m gonna hafta complain to the Host about his frakkin\u2019 Sanctuary spell.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is she?\u201d Angel ignored the nasal whining as Merl spouted off about the pressure he was under. \u201cWolfram & Hart got her. Invited her to town, they did. She\u2019s stayin\u2019 at one o\u2019 them lawyers\u2019 apartments.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Though Angel easily came up with an idea or two, he asked, \u201cGot a name?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Merl gulped, shifted his eyes left and right, and then whispered, \u201cMcDonald. Y\u2019know, as in the old geezer that had a farm and turned it into a franchise.\u201d He grinned again at his little joke, only to see Angel staring down at him with stark seriousness.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere did you get this information?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Watching as Merl\u2019s eyes widened dramatically, Angel demanded, \u201cWhat\u2019s your stake in this, you little creep? I know you\u2019re up to something. I can smell it on you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Quaking in fear, Merl begged him to listen, \u201cNo, no, it ain\u2019t like that. Really, it ain\u2019t. She paid me to tell you, but I wasn\u2019t gonna cos I figured it was a trap, see? But then I figured you\u2019d wanna know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDrusilla paid you to give me information,\u201d Angel highly doubted that. His childe never used money when she could use her fangs or her ability to bend the will of her victims.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no,\u201d Merl hastened to correct him. \u201cIt was some blonde chick. She wanted you to know where to find her. Said she was goin\u2019 to some ritzy party tonight and wanted to make sure you were there. Gonna be a riot or somethin\u2019.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When the demon finally stopped talking, Angel dropped his hold. Somehow, this didn\u2019t surprise him. Darla was still in the game, manipulating everyone around her to get to him. \u201cWhat time is this party?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAbout now,\u201d gulped Merl. Explaining, \u201cYou\u2019re not exactly easy to track down.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel took one final look over his shoulder to the table where Cordy sat with Wes and Gunn. Their attention was focused on the stage where Lorne sang of troubled waters, eyes skimming the crowd and meeting his for an instant. Determined to find Darla and put an end to whatever evil plan she was concocting, Angel turned away and took the stairs at a run.<\/span><\/p>\n

The only clue she\u2019d left him was Dru\u2019s presence at Lindsey\u2019s place. There was no time to head back to the Hyperion for weapons. He\u2019d have to go in barehanded. That would be more than enough to squeeze the life out of her if it came to that. He\u2019d give her death if she left him no choice, but not the life of the undead she craved. Facing Dru would be quite different, far from simple and not without its dangers. There was no telling what mood she would be in.<\/span><\/p>\n

By the time Angel made his way to the exclusive high-rise apartment building that Lindsey McDonald made his home, he almost missed the lawyer climbing into the limousine parked out front. He had no idea if Lindsey was alone in that limo or if Darla and Drusilla were also aboard. Following at a distance, Angel found himself in suburban Los Angeles, surrounded by multi-million dollar mansions. Though his car was a classic, the Plymouth still looked a little out of place amongst the limos, sedate Jaguars & BMWs, and one flashy Lamborghini.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lindsey McDonald\u2019s limo pulled in through the security gate and proceeded up the curved drive. Quickly parking along the curb outside the estate, Angel scaled the vine-covered stone fence surrounding the property, landing gracefully below. The elaborate landscaping was well-lit, but some areas of the grounds remained deep in shadow, allowing Angel to get closer to the house.<\/span><\/p>\n

There was a group of chauffeurs standing in a circle, smoking and talking about the party already in progress below. He listened for a moment, gathering clues as to the nature of the party and its host. This was Holland Manner\u2019s estate, head of the Special Projects Division at Wolfram & Hart. Top employees and ritzy guests were here for a wine tasting.<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel knew he\u2019d have a problem getting in. Despite Darla\u2019s message, he needed a verbal invitation from someone who lived there. That wasn\u2019t very likely, though he thought Holland Manners was smarter than it appeared. Bad enough bringing Darla back, but he\u2019d allowed Drusilla to enter the picture, all to get to him.<\/span><\/p>\n

From his hiding place, Angel watched Lindsey step out of the limousine, but it appeared he was arriving with Lilah. They immediately went inside. There was no sign of Darla or Dru back at the limo, just the chauffeur standing by the open passenger door. After a minute, he closed it, walking in the direction of the other drivers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel waited for ten minutes, focused on the front gate, hoping that they had not yet arrived. Deciding it was time to take the direct approach, Angel realized that the chauffeurs were in the way. He circled around the group, concentrating on staying out of sight until he made it to the house. As he glanced toward his goal, Angel saw a tall brunette and a petite blonde being greeted by the hostess. They had been there all along, lingering in the limousine that brought Lilah & Lindsey. Primping, he supposed. Darla was always one to preen and make late entrances. She claimed it was more dramatic that way.<\/span><\/p>\n

Though he leapt over the shrubbery and dashed toward the front door, which was left partially ajar, it was too late. He stared down at the pool of blood spreading out across the tile flooring and heard a gasp, \u201cHelp me, please.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As the woman crawled along the floor, slipping in her own blood, Angel saw the deadly wound on her throat. \u201cCan I come in?\u201d he asked, steeling himself for the confrontation ahead of him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d she whispered on a final gasp, the light fading from her eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

***<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAngel! How nice of you to join us.\u201d Holland sipped at his wine before continuing, \u201cAlthough I\u2019m a bit at a loss as to how you managed that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe nice lady upstairs invited me in,\u201d Angel replied distractedly as he swept his gaze across the room, automatically assessing the situation. His senses had gone into overdrive since he\u2019d crossed the entrance of the wine cellar, then it clicked when he focused on his sire\u2019s smug expression. Darla no longer had a heartbeat. \u201cWhat the hell have you done?\u201d he almost snarled, anger ringing his eyes with gold.<\/span><\/p>\n

When Holland shrugged carelessly, Angel wanted to knock that slight smile from his face. If it showed, Holland obviously felt confident that he had nothing to fear. \u201cOh, I think we\u2019ve done a pretty good job so far. The new look suits her far better than that of death\u2019s door.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

That drew a smirk from Lilah and Angel suddenly regretted only splitting her lip. He sent her a sharp glare, which she returned until he lost interest in making her squirm. That happened almost instantly. He wasn\u2019t here to play games and that was precisely what the people in this room were doing. They were fools if they thought they could play him this way and idiots if they believed themselves safe from harm.<\/span><\/p>\n

Not that he was the one they should fear the most. Angel\u2019s gaze slid back to his sire, who pouted dramatically. \u201cI was hoping it would be you that did it, my love, but you\u2019ve been so busy mooning over your new ladylove.\u201d A glimmer of spite touched her cool blue eyes at the instant tightening of Angel\u2019s mouth. \u201cDrusilla came through for me when you failed. She knows the meaning of loyalty.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The artless stab left him cold. He owed Darla nothing, least of all loyalty. As for Dru, she followed her demonic heart and her crazed senses. There was no sense in blaming his childe for Darla\u2019s death when he knew she only did what she was told would please her. Darla\u2019s throaty laugh made light of the circumstances as she pointed out the strange twist, \u201cSo now my grandchilde is also my sire. It was quite the little buzz.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dru smiled artlessly as she looked at them both, seeing more than the tension that was surely visible to all. The lawyers gathered in the room for the party were all equally tense, focused on him and awaiting his reaction.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re a fool,\u201d Angel\u2019s voice dulled as he faced Holland Manners, sounding colder with each short syllable. Knowing that he was the instigator, that he\u2019d designed this plan and arranged Darla\u2019s return & subsequent rebirth as a vampire, he felt it necessary to reveal just how rash the man had been. \u201cThe nice lady that let me in? It was a plea for help from a dying victim.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

All color blanched from Holland\u2019s face, leaving it pale and pasty as he realized his wife\u2019s death and who must have killed her. Angel took no satisfaction in telling him, realizing that he didn\u2019t give a damn if the world caved in on this man, or on any of them. He was tired of their interference, of their plots and the plans that always seemed to be focused on him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then he turned back to face Darla. \u201cI want you gone,\u201d he warned softly, ignoring the shift in the room from smug complacency to growing fear. The stench of it teased his senses, but Angel shrugged it off to concentrate on the two female vampires.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, but we just got here.\u201d Darla licked her too-red lips and lifted an arm to run scarlet-tipped nails across her slim throat. \u201cAnd I haven\u2019t met the little woman yet. Thanks to my sweet Dru, I\u2019m more than ready for that,\u201d she purred throatily. Every muscle in Angel\u2019s body tensed at the underlying threat lacing her tone.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI warned you once,\u201d Angel hissed as he stepped closer. \u201cDon\u2019t threaten Cordelia. Killing you as a human might have bothered me a little, but now I won\u2019t hesitate to dust you again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

While Darla digested his words, a pinched expression souring her looks, Drusilla weaved through the crowd to playfully gnash her teeth in Angel\u2019s direction. \u201cBad, naughty, Daddy, I like it when you play rough, but Grandmummy is mine now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen take her and go,\u201d Angel managed to escape the wandering hands of his lunatic childe. Adding on, \u201cDo it before I change my mind and dust you both.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but we have to have dinner first.\u201d Dru giggled coquettishly and looked around, sizing up the \u2018cuisine\u2019. Lilah swallowed visibly and stepped back behind Lindsey as the vampire\u2019s dark eyes rested on her a little too long.<\/span><\/p>\n

Holland stepped forward, almost yelping when Darla appeared behind him, her hand deceptively gentle on his shoulder. Now begging Angel, \u201cYou have to help us! For God\u2019s sake man, you owe us that at least.\u201d He rambled feverishly in his terror; his casual tone had bled away the moment he\u2019d heard about his wife.<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel stared back at him with a raised dark brow. Underneath his veneer of calm, rage simmered and for a moment he was tempted to \u2018help\u2019 the man by snapping his neck. \u201cI owe you nothing,\u201d he replied stonily. \u201cThere\u2019s something you keep forgetting,\u201d he added darkly. \u201cI\u2019m not<\/i> a man.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Capturing his attention, Darla\u2019s pleasantly surprised laugh filled the air. \u201cTook you long enough to figure it out, my boy,\u201d her hand crept up and latched into Holland\u2019s hair, yanking his head to the side. Sliding into her natural demon face with Dru following suit, she asked, \u201cAre you really going to stop us?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A collective gasp echoed in the room. The champion they had wanted dark and deadly was now the only thing standing in the way of their deaths. \u201cI want you out of town or I will put you back in the ground,\u201d Angel issued his last warning. It would be impossible to take on both Darla and Dru in these close quarters. While dusting them both would end any future conflicts, it was the here and now he had to focus on.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fighting together, Darla and Dru stood a chance of beating him. If they dusted him, Cordelia would be\u2026 he swallowed sickly, not even wanting to guess what Darla alone was capable of doing out of spite. She\u2019d always been a possessive bitch, and he knew Cordy would be kept alive for a long time.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know I\u2019ll do it, Darla. Did it once before,\u201d he reminded her, his expression enigmatic.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tilting her blonde head as she eyed him, Darla\u2019s mouth twisted in cold mockery, \u201cTwo human girls in the space of a couple years, lover? My boy is losing his edge. Although,\u201d she swept her icy blue eyes down his frame, \u201cyou lost that the day you got the filthy soul.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel remained silent, watching her stonily, more than aware of Dru in his peripheral vision. The younger vampire seemed more interested in the man she\u2019d pulled out of the frightened clutch of people, but knowing her only too well, he kept the unstable vampire within his line of vision.<\/span><\/p>\n

Realizing she wasn\u2019t going to get the rise she\u2019d hoped, Darla pouted in mild annoyance. Taking him down would probably be easy enough, but that was something that wasn\u2019t an option in her mind. Want for him still flared too hotly. Plus she hadn\u2019t missed the noticeable change in his demeanor, and was willing to wait for her moment to get him back where he belonged. By her side.<\/span><\/p>\n

She glanced around at the sea of frightened faces and then back to Angel. How far was he already willing to go? From his outwardly detached air regarding the plight of the humans, Darla wondered if she hadn\u2019t mostly succeeded already. Time to find out, she decided. \u201cSay we leave LA and let you have your precious seer all to yourself. What\u2019s it worth to you, Angelus, one night of uninterrupted dining?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel\u2019s gaze left hers for a moment and looked around the room. Terrified faces stared back at him and Holland was practically soiling himself with pure fear. His body shook beneath Darla\u2019s deceptively gentle grip. \u201cPlease\u2026\u201d he mouthed silently.<\/span><\/p>\n

Something snapped in Angel\u2019s head and his eyes went blank. The consequences of such a deal weren\u2019t lost on him, but all that mattered was keeping Cordelia safe. \u201cJust keep in mind they\u2019ll leave a bad taste in your mouth.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Holland\u2019s mouth sagged open as every remaining vestige of color bled from his face. Angel turned away, hardening his heart even more against the panicked cries for help. As he pulled the double doors together, his eyes caught and held Darla\u2019s and desperately quenching down the surge of self-hate he felt at the sight of her gleeful, triumphant expression at his unexpected actions, he slammed the door and turned the key, moving up the stairs with vampiric speed determined to ignore the screams that now echoed from the cellar.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI half expected my boy to join in. Pity.\u201d Darla could have sworn she\u2019d seen a familiar flicker in the souled vampires eyes, and it warmed her from the inside out. She looked directly into Holland\u2019s bulging eyes. \u201cDon\u2019t be sad, not exactly how you planned it, but close enough for me.\u201d With a shrug and a feral grin Darla attacked his throat with gusto.<\/span><\/p>\n

***<\/span><\/p>\n

Wes stared down at the opened newspaper with horror written all over his face. It couldn\u2019t be! He reread the small print. No, the information hadn\u2019t changed. \u201cGood God,\u201d he muttered, shocked to the core.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wolfram & Hart, the name was a red flag. It was too much of a coincidence: a massacre last night at Holland Manner\u2019s house, in his wine cellar. \u201cSo many deaths,\u201d Wes sighed heavily. Even though the law firm had been nothing but trouble, almost killing him and attempting to drive Cordelia insane, no one deserved being butchered to death, as the paper worded it.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the article, a Ms Lilah Morgan and Mr Lindsey McDonald had survived with superficial wounds. \u2018No comment\u2019 from them even though the reporters had described them as pale and in shock.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Head of The Special Projects Division, Holland Manners had perished whilst the other two thorns in their sides had walked away. Not so lucky were the lesser employees, who most likely had families that were now grieving.<\/span><\/p>\n

The paragraph that stood out from the rest of the article was the mention of the doors to the cellar. From the morbidly detailed description of the damage, it was easy for Wes to ascertain that it must have been locked prior to the massacre. If the perpetrators to contain their victims had indeed locked it, surely they would not have had to force their exit after? That left him with the horror of realizing someone had callously locked the lawyers in with their murderers. In his stunned mind, Wes could think of no other reasonable explanation to dispute such an unpalatable conclusion.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou been here all day, Wes?\u201d His eyes jerked from the article, startled by the noiseless approach of the resident vampire, then they widened with surprise.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAngel. You look\u2026 a little worse for wear.\u201d He took in the unusual sight of a paler face with tired eyes ringed in blue shadows. His usually immaculately gelled hair was clean, yet tousled without any sign of hair products in sight.<\/span><\/p>\n

His clothes, although looking clean were wrinkled and Wes wondered if Angel had slept in them. \u201cAnd no, I arrived about half an hour ago,\u201d he answered the original question before holding out the newspaper. \u201cHave you heard about this?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel took it from him without a word and scoured the article that covered most of the page. He was fully aware of the pale blue eyes assessing him and tried to shove down the guilt that had ate at him since he\u2019d left Darla and Drusilla to it last night. Then his mouth twisted. \u201cI see our two favorite lawyers escaped the all-you-can-eat buffet.\u201d The comment slipped out and he regretted it the instant a gasp echoed through the lobby.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll-you-can\u2026?\u201d He reached for the paper, scanning the article again, but already positive that that particular phrase wasn\u2019t used anywhere in the report. He finally looked up to find Angel\u2019s eyes were busy scrutinizing his boots. \u201cAngel?\u201d Wes took a deep breath. \u201cPlease tell me you weren\u2019t there?\u201d the shocked question reverberated through Angel\u2019s tired skull and he dragged his gaze up to meet stunned blue.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t kill them, Wes. They did that,\u201d Angel defended himself, but still had the grace to look as guilty as hell.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wes frowned in confusion. \u201cThey?\u201d he asked quietly. \u201cAnd who exactly are \u2018they\u2019.\u201d Angel shifted uncomfortably before saying the names out loud. For a moment Wes looked again at the newspaper, closing it and folding it neatly before dropping it onto his desk. \u201cDrusilla. Yes, I can see a remote chance that one of your\u2026 family<\/i> may have decided to show her face, but Darla?\u201d Wes chuckled, but the vampire noted the total lack of humor.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDarla.\u201d Angel nodded, his expression remaining closed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wes pursed his lips then spoke, almost as if he were thinking aloud. \u201cFirst, you telling Cordelia that Darla was back, as human, was\u2026 extremely difficult for us to believe.\u201d He lifted narrowed eyes and captured Angel\u2019s wary ones confirming that Cordelia telephoned with a concern that he was becoming delusional and violent. \u201cBut now your resurrected sire is apparently re-fanged and helped kill almost an entire division of Wolfram & Hart. Come on, Angel, tell me, how can you expect us to not think you are having some kind of-of breakdown?\u201d he asked almost pleadingly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWolfram & Hart\u2026 remember Vocah, Wes?\u201d he asked abruptly, then his mouth quirked bitterly. \u201cI doubt you\u2019ve forgotten. That ceremony was to invoke something.\u201d Wes nodded slowly and leaned back in his chair.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo you\u2019re saying that they brought back a human Darla?\u201d He inwardly mused for a moment then asked; \u201cBut now you\u2019re saying she is a soulless vampire.\u201d Wes stated rather than asked, but Angel nodded in confirmation, leaning forward and pressing his hands flat on the desk between them, his dark eyes tinged with a hint of wildness that had Wes pressing a little deeper into his seat.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cExactly! Dru turned her. She asked me but I refused.\u201d He grunted angrily and straightened up. \u201cShe took great pleasure in telling me last night.\u201d Lack of sleep was making him loose-lipped and it seemed to Wes that he was unaware of how incoherent he sounded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe asked you?<\/i>. So you\u2019ve seen her previous to this.\u201d He indicated the newspaper. Angel shook his head, abruptly realizing he was saying too much.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat doesn\u2019t matter, now,\u201d he growled with irritation. \u201cWhat does matter is they are in L.A.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Wes stared at the now pacing vampire. How on earth had he missed all this? Things were dreadful, he couldn\u2019t deny, but he\u2019d hoped upon hope that it was an unpleasant phase that would soon pass.<\/span><\/p>\n

When he\u2019d last spoken to Cordelia, she\u2019d mentioned Angel\u2019s last visit, especially his ramblings about a human Darla. Wes had inwardly agreed with her blunt comment that the vampire was becoming delusional. Now he was totally at a loss. Angel was correct. The whole reason for Vocah\u2019s attack was for the scroll of Aberjan, which held the invocation spell required.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wes couldn\u2019t dispute that, but why Darla? And why in human form in the first place? He also had to find out how this involved Angel. But it brought up too many questions that would need time to find answers, and right now, he needed to concentrate on the massacre at hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou say you didn\u2019t kill them, but I have to beg to differ, Angel. You did not deny being there, which is what I asked,\u201d Wes paused and reached for the paper, leaving it folded but tapped it with a finger. \u201cYou didn\u2019t help, and in my eyes is that any less heinous?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Coming to an abrupt halt, Angel approached the desk in short angry strides. He snarled, \u201cDarla and Dru are none of your business,\u201d causing Wes to shrink into his chair and clutch the paper to his chest. The conflict in Wes\u2019 eyes forced Angel to realize he wasn\u2019t going to back down over something so serious. Abruptly, he added, \u201cI have my reasons.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut isn\u2019t it \u2018our\u2019 business too?\u201d Wes asked nervously no matter what twisted logic Angel had come up with to justify his lack of action. \u201cThere is a risk to everyone, including your friends, with two such notoriously vicious vampires causing God knows how many more unnecessary deaths and suffering. Angelus was the only one that surpassed their reign of terror.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

His unneeded reminder rang in Angel\u2019s head, and the rage bled out of him rapidly. \u201cI\u2019ll deal with it, just back off.\u201d He finally replied. Wes stared at him for a long moment before reluctantly nodding.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cVery well, we\u2019ll continue to concentrate on the helpless in the visions.\u201d This jolted Angel. With so much going on, although never forgetting his seer, he\u2019d given no thought of the mission fought for him.<\/span><\/p>\n

He looked, really looked at Wes, and only now noticed the signs of sleepless nights, and bruises that hadn\u2019t even begun to fade on his face. Although Angel himself suffered from lack of sleep, he could still function almost fully, and lately hadn\u2019t been facing all kinds of demons, but Wes, Gunn and Cordy had, and they were also human.<\/span><\/p>\n

That last thought brought to his mind Cordy\u2019s threat. \u201cI hope by that you mean Cordy having visions, with you and Gunn fighting them?\u201d Wes cringed in his seat at the ring of amber that abruptly flared in the vampire\u2019s eyes as he waited tensely for his reply.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf-of course, Angel. What on earth do you take us for?\u201d he lied through his teeth even as he inwardly answered his own question: cowards who can\u2019t say no to a woman with a tongue like a scimitar.<\/i> He gulped in relief when the amber faded along with the threatening vibes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Appeased, Angel\u2019s tone softened. \u201cGood. Don\u2019t let her try to bully you into going.\u201d Wes nodded with a smile he hoped showed Angel they could manage to do that. \u201cI should have said something before now, but thanks\u2014 to both of you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel lifted a hand to stay Wes\u2019 automatic protestations, adding, \u201cI will<\/i> put them both in the ground if it comes to it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Wes instantly frowned. \u201cAngel, I know you have a certain\u2026 history with them, but surely the death and destruction they already caused is reason enough to rid the planet of them?\u201d Angel\u2019s dark eyes flickered for a second before clearing and meeting Wes\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d he finally admitted, then his attention was caught by the discrete way Wes unexpectedly checked his watch with a frown before his brow smoothed and he relaxed. \u201cAm I keeping you from something?\u201d He asked, a little irritated at the thought that Wes would consider anything more important than what was happening right now.<\/span><\/p>\n

Automatically answering, Wes started to explain, \u201cYes, actually, I have several errands to run before heading home. I\u2019m expecting C\u2014,\u201d only to realize what he was saying and rapidly recovering with a cough, \u201cnothing really, just a quiet night of relaxation. I just popped in here to check on y\u2014things and then caught sight of the newspaper headlines.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He glanced down, clearing his throat and checked his watch again blindly, hoping the vampire standing in front of him hadn\u2019t noticed the slip. Cordelia wasn\u2019t alone in wanting to keep jaunts away from her apartment at night to herself, and now, armed with this new, disastrous turn of events, Wes realized it wouldn\u2019t hurt to be a little more prudent in future.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mainly to keep Cordelia out of the firing line as she adamantly insisted upon no further contact with Angel. Things were dangerous enough with Darla and Drusilla in town. There was no need to distract Angel from his drive to purge human society of the two vampires by mentioning Cordelia.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, Angel, is there anything else I should know about?\u201d he asked, relieved to find that the vampire hadn\u2019t seemed to notice his faux pas. In fact, during the time that Wes was trying to figure out how to meet up with Cordelia at his flat without drawing suspicion, Angel had disappeared into his office and returned holding a manila file.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wes nodded approvingly, \u201cYou\u2019ve been keeping a record of events, I see,\u201d only to frown when he received a negative headshake.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo. This is something I was working on before\u2026\u201d Angel paused and then held out the file. \u201cI want you to take a look at it now.\u201d Wes\u2019s brows lifted in curiosity.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI assume it\u2019s important if you feel it needs to be dealt with now,\u201d he stated thoughtfully as he reached for the file, placing it on his desk and opening it out to find a sheaf of formal looking letters, and notes in Angel\u2019s handwriting. He frowned and sifted through them, the furrow deepening when briefly skimming one particular page.<\/span><\/p>\n

After carefully rereading it he lifted his head to stare at the vampire with surprised eyes. \u201cAngel, this is a copy of your curse,\u201d he waved the printed-paper between them, adding, \u201cbut I find the title heading it somewhat mystifying: \u2018Edited Kalderash version\u2019?\u201d Wes shook his head in confusion. \u201cI had always assumed the spell used to curse you originated \u00a0from<\/i> the Kalderash, so this wording seems rather odd.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, that\u2019s what I thought\u201d Angel nodded slowly, looming over the desk to shuffle through the papers and pull out a letter. \u201cBut I got this in the mail about a month ago, along with the Kalderash copy.\u201d He held out the letter to Wes who took it and then propped his hip against the desk as he explained.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cApparently, the gypsies were not the spell\u2019s creators. Their ancestors came across it centuries before and\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTailored it to their specific needs,\u201d Wes cut in, his voice rising in building excitement.\u201d Hardly unable to contain himself, Wes grinned in dawning comprehension as he came to the end of the lengthy letter. \u201cAngel, it is imperative<\/i> we obtain this- this scroll, um,\u201d he glanced again at the letterhead. \u201cMister Brayess\u2026hmm, his name actually rings a bell.\u201d He squinted his eyes attempting recall what he\u2019d read or heard, then his face lit up.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMister Brayess is a noted figure known by the Watchers Council. A renowned magus,\u201d he revealed, his voice dripping in hushed awe. \u201cThe council have used his services on many occasions. One time in particular\u2026\u201d Wes jolted out of his reminisces when he suddenly became aware of Angel\u2019s impatient gaze, and glanced at the letter again. \u201cBut that\u2019s another story.\u201d He cleared his throat and an excited gleam lit his pale blue eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAngel, you do realize the significance of such a find?\u201d Wes\u2019 body twitched with anticipation, causing a faint smile to touch the vampire\u2019s pale mouth. Adding a soft tut-tut, he said, \u201cHeaven knows why you didn\u2019t show this to me before now. Performing the original incantation would nullify the Kalderash clause. It would mean a permanent end to the threat of Angelus\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot exactly,\u201d Angel reminded him, lifting a hand before Wes could protest. \u201cI am<\/i> Angelus. A fact that some people forget, or refuse to believe,\u201d he added bitterly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wes was already nodding and inwardly biting his tongue. He of all people was very aware of this sometimes-unpalatable fact. \u201cYes, yes, of course,\u201d he murmured almost apologetically. \u201cThe addition of your soul is what makes the difference; a-a vampire with<\/i> a soul.\u201d He corrected before continuing after a short, uncomfortable pause.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHave you seen the scroll yet?\u201d Angel shook his head and rose lithely to his feet, talking and pacing simultaneously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d he admitted. \u201cBrayess was out of the country at the time, so my appointment was made to coincide with his return. But other\u2026things distracted me. I almost forgot about it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Gaping, Wes stared at him in disbelief. \u201cWhat could be so urgent to distract you from such a sensational revelation?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d say Darla and Drusilla\u2019s appearance is \u2018urgent\u2019 enough, wouldn\u2019t you?\u201d Angel returned dryly. Almost instantly, Wes responded with what almost sounded like a \u2018duh\u2019 before nodding and sitting back into his seat.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, of course,\u201d he replied, a little embarrassed with yet another bout of momentary forgetfulness. I must be more tired than I realized<\/i>, he thought to himself \u201cI\u2019m afraid, In my excitement, I overlooked that for a moment. This appointment, you haven\u2019t missed it, I hope?\u201d he asked, getting back to the subject of the scroll.<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel rubbed a hand across the back of his neck and halted his pacing to turn and face the other man. \u201cNo. It\u2019s tonight.\u201d He revealed wearily. \u201cThe guy lives in San Francisco, and won\u2019t part with the scroll or \u2018risk damaging it by using a photocopier\u2019. I arranged to go there and transcribe a copy myself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCompletely understandable,\u201d nodded Wes, thinking of the delicacy of ancient scrollwork.<\/span><\/p>\n

Walking back over to the desk, he reached out to collect the paperwork and slide it back into the file. \u201cI\u2019d be away from L.A. until late tomorrow night,\u201d he told Wes, frustration coloring his low tone, \u201cand right now, that\u2019s not possible.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no I suppose not.\u201d Wes felt his excitement fading as he watched Angel tap the file with his forefinger, but suggested he might make another appointment at a later date.<\/span><\/p>\n

That idea was cut off by Angel\u2019s gruff response, \u201cHe always keeps the scroll with him. The curse is just one of many incantations.\u201d Grunting in irritation, he added, \u201cBrayess is leaving for his yearly retreat to a monastery in Tibet two days from now, which means if I don\u2019t do it now, I won\u2019t be able to get a copy of it until he gets back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhich is when?\u201d Wes sighed in frustrated disappointment at Angel\u2019s low reply.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThree months.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

***<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCrap, I\u2019m late,\u201d Cordelia muttered as she glanced at the clock hanging behind the checkout counter. The Blockbuster clerk quirked his mouth in a measure of sympathy, but failed to move any faster. Though it was just movie night at Wes\u2019 place, punctuality was expected. Otherwise, she\u2019d never hear the end of it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Going out when and where she wanted was something Cordelia was resolved to do. No matter that Angel\u2019s determination to see to her safety overlooked the fact that he was the one who scared her. He was obsessive, delusional and now starting to remind her of a Friday night horror movie.<\/span><\/p>\n

So she\u2019d been extra careful about sneaking out of the apartment. Angel couldn\u2019t be everywhere at once. He was probably off chasing some blonde who reminded him of whichever ex-girlfriend he happened to be obsessing over. It confused her as to how a brunette like her got caught in the middle. Not that Cordy seriously considered what it might be like to be with him if the threat of Angelus was non-existent. Or missed the early days when it felt so good just to make him smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

They\u2019d built up a friendship out of the ashes of Sunnydale and it strengthened after Doyle\u2019s sacrifice. Looking back, Cordelia couldn\u2019t pinpoint when everything when wrong. There was a time when Angel stood behind her, when his strength was something she trusted. Now he forced her to keep glancing over her shoulder, suspicious of shadows. Being afraid ticked her off and it might have been stubbornness that made her determined to keep her movie night plans with Wesley, but she wasn\u2019t about to let Angel turn her into a hermit.<\/span><\/p>\n

Besides, Wesley\u2019s apartment was just one bus transfer away. When she finally reached his door, a smug smile appeared on her face. Getting here was the big challenge, since Wes usually gave her a ride home on the moped once the buses stopped running. She knocked on the door, half expecting Wes to fling it open and demand to know why she was six and a half minutes late.<\/span><\/p>\n

There was no response, even after Cordelia rapped a little louder, calling out to him through the door. \u201cGuess the Grumpmeister has him working late again. No visions tonight, so it\u2019s just nose-to-the-grindstone vamp issuing orders to his minions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Then she noticed the edge of a folded note poking out from beneath Wesley\u2019s door. She stared down at it for a minute, wondering if some secret admirer was slipping her friend love letters. A grin formed along with the thought and Cordy bent down to pull the note out. \u201cWouldn\u2019t want some nosey parker to come along and take it,\u201d she said feeling completely justified.<\/span><\/p>\n

To her surprise, the note was addressed to her in Wesley\u2019s familiar scrawl. So much for Wes\u2019 love life, Cordy sighed, opening the note and scanning its content. \u201cGone for popcorn. Make yourself at home,\u201d she read. Frowning, Cordy read it again, scrutinizing the short message and finally rolled her eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

It looked like Mr. Prepared & Punctual had ruined his record. Shoving the folded note into her jeans pocket, Cordy decided it was better to wait for Wesley inside the apartment than to die of boredom by hanging out in the hallway. Besides, he said to make herself at home and that implied going in. Unfortunately, that also meant she would have to dig through the jumbled contents of her purse in search of the spare key.<\/span><\/p>\n

When Wes had given it to her, he stressed that the key was supposed to be used in emergency purposes only. Pfft, like she\u2019d normally want to walk into Wes\u2019 place day or night for any other reason. It wasn\u2019t like she\u2019d sneak in just to put itching powder in his underwear. \u201cToo bad I didn\u2019t think of that before I left the hotel,\u201d Cordy grumbled, but felt the grin spread across her face at the thought of Angel hopping around trying to reach all of the itchy spots.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finding the key lodged between her compact and the side of her purse, Cordelia let out a triumphant, \u201cAha!\u201d She let herself in and locked the doors behind her, setting the plastic Blockbuster bag on the coffee table. Everything looked so neat and clean, not like the last time when she had to wade through piles of research just to get to find the living room carpet.<\/span><\/p>\n

Blame that on Angel, she thought sourly. He wasn\u2019t around long enough to give Wesley anything to do, much less to cause him to get super-absorbed in finding out why some new strain of snot demon was causing sudden attacks of moo-shu flu and how there was a prophesy that involved the vampire-with-a-bad-attitude. Huh. Things were obviously so boring without her around the office, that Wes had nothing better to do than keep his apartment clean.<\/span><\/p>\n

Impatient, Cordelia was already tired of waiting. Wondering how long Wes was going to be, she rummaged through her purse again and took out her cell phone. Punching in the number two on her speed dial, the action made Cordy realize she\u2019d have to reprogram the number one spot. Thoughts of Angel left her with a scowl on her face. As she waited for the call to go through, she shoved her purse onto the couch, not caring that it hit harder than intended.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then the beep-boop tones switched over to an automated recording, indicating that Wes either had his phone forwarded or turned off. \u201cStupid voice mail,\u201d she muttered just before leaving him a message designed to get his butt home asap. \u201cI\u2019m here and I\u2019m bored. Guess I\u2019ll just have to rifle through your stuff while I\u2019m waiting.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordelia turned around to toss her cell phone onto the couch next to her purse and let out a short shriek of surprise as she saw Angel standing only three feet away. He closed the distance between them before the sound faded. \u201cWes won\u2019t be home tonight,\u201d his words sent shivers along her skin. \u201cIt\u2019s just you and me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Chapter 8<\/a><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chapter 7 The new door appeared secure. There was little to indicate that the old one had been ripped from its frame. Angel…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9786","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-completed-fics"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9786","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9786"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9786\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13361,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9786\/revisions\/13361"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9786"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9786"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9786"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}