~1~ Darkness Recognized

Unadulterated anger seemed to burn through his veins.  He could feel it sear
his body from the inside.  The dark haired youth looked the silent street
over before picking up the rock he had been kicking and smashing it into the
hardware store window.

Adrenalin coursed through him, loosening the knot which had been sitting in
his stomach since he'd left his supposed girlfriend in his apartment.

"That fucking bitch!!", he shouted to the empty street before turning down
an alleyway.  He really didn't think the Sunnydale police could find a
vandal, since apparently they couldn't find any of the supposed 'gangs'
which caused all the mysterious deaths in Sunnydale.  But he wasn't taking
any chances.

Xander was completely unaware that his actions had been observed.
~~~~

Druscilla swayed silently to the song of the stars.  A song only she could
hear.  She stared after the retreating form of the boy.  He seemed
interesting.

Vaguely the vampiress recalled seeing the boy somewhere before.  The memory
tickled the back of her addled mind, but escaped Druscilla's grasp.
Shrugging her slender shoulders delicately as if to dismiss the stray
thought, the raven haired vampire followed the young man.

She grinned wickedly.  "Such anger, such hatred.  Delicious."
~~~~

Xander sniffed the air, allowing old instincts to take over his body.  His
easy jog towards the park became a lope as animalistic urges were given free
reign.

As he neared the park's wooded area, Xander slowed.  He paused, and sniffed
again.  His dark eyes flashed in the moonlight, as he caught the scent of
prey.  He craved blood.  He wanted to kill.  He hadn't allowed himself to do
it in so long.

Druscilla watched as the lovely youth took off in a graceful run.  Easily
the vampiress followed, her long legs eating up the ground at a fast clip.

Her long raven hair streamed out behind her.  This was exhilarating.
Laughter bubbled from deep within her.

The sound of growling led her to the boy.  Delight and amazement caused
Druscilla to gasp.  She clapped excitedly at the sight before her, causing
the dark haired boy to turn.

Blood covered the youth, dribbling from his mouth and dripping from his
chin.  The carcass of a rabbit was clenched in his blunt teeth.  Spotting
the woman, he bared his teeth instinctively, dropping the torn and bloodied
animal.

Slowly Druscilla walked towards the boy.  "Lovely, lovely.  So beautiful you
are.  Blood and moonlight", she sighed.

Understanding finally seemed to dawn in the youth's chocolate eyes.  Horror
warred with satisfaction in the kill.

The vampiress purred, her eyes flashing with an eerie, golden light.
She cocked her head as the boy stood.

"Druscilla", Xander gasped.

"You know me luvey?", she asked as she continued to walk towards the youth.
Druscilla only stopped when they stood almost nose to nose.  Brown eyes
locked onto brown.

Abruptly, the vampiress nuzzled the boy, gratified when she heard him growl.
  Delicately, the raven haired vampire began to lick the blood off of the
boy's face.

"What is your name, luvey?", Druscilla whispered into the strange boy's ear.

"Xander", he moaned as her mouth traced the blood from his face to where it
ran down his chin.

Allowing his beast to rise again, Xander pushed the beautiful vampire
against a tree, plundering her mouth with his tongue.

Pulling away from him, Druscilla's lips curved.  "You were touched.  A
jackal spirit made you its home.  You yearn to hunt.  Will you hunt with me
Xander?"

"Yes", Xander gasped, kneading the willowy beauty's's breasts through her
velvet corset.

Hot, aching need shot straight to Xander's cock.  He pressed the hardened
length against Druscilla's thigh.

A moan escaped Dru's lips.  "Oh such fun.  Take me in the blood and leaves,
lovely boy.  The stars shine so prettily for us."

Savagely, Xander slammed the dark vampiress onto the ground.  He ripped the
zipper of his jeans downward and pulled Druscilla's long skirt upwards.  She
was naked underneath and he roared his approval as he slammed into her cool,
welcoming depths.

Druscilla moaned as the boy's cock continued to piston inside her.  Her true
face emerged as she neared orgasm.  Snarling as her release overtook her in
a wave, Dru rolled Xander unto his back.  The youth groaned as his own
orgasm crashed over him.  At that same moment the raven haired vampiress'
fangs entered his neck.

As his hot cum bathed her barren womb, Druscilla continued to drink.

Soon Xander's eyes were as glassy and empty as those of the rabbit whose
body lay forgotten near his own.

~2~ In The Dark Alone

Tara rolled out of bed and glanced at her still sleeping companion.
Tenderly, the witch swept a lock of red hair from Willow's cheek.

The blond wiccan watched as her girlfriend suddenly tensed, seemingly caught
in the grips of a nightmare.  The redhead thrashed in bed, sweat beaded on
her upper lip and forehead.

"Xander", Willow gasped in her sleep, fear etched on her features.  "Oh
Xander...."

Tara frowned, but was relieved when her girlfriend seemed to suddenly relax.
  A smile broke across Willow's beautiful face.  Tara smiled back
reflexively.

She grew confused as Willow's breathing began speed up until the redhead was
gasping, her head thrown back in what appeared to be ecstasy.  Tara grinned,
her girlfriend only looked that way when she was going down on her.

Willow's low moan broke the stillness of the women's bedroom.

"Willow", Tara said, trying to wake the dreaming redhead.  "Willow."

"Mmmmmm, Angel", the redhead gasped quietly in her sleep.  "Fuck, fuck,
fuck, Goddess, yes.... "

The blond witch recoiled as if struck.  Tears gathered in Tara's eyes.

~~~~

L.A~

Angel stared at the ex-watcher.  It bothered him that he was hurting Wesley,
but he knew he had to distance himself from his strange little family if he
wanted them to have a chance of surviving Darla and Dru.  Still, he would
have been lying to himself if he didn't admit to getting some enjoyment of
the emotional anguish he appeared to be inflicting on the younger man.

Placing a bored, uninterested look on his face on his face, Angel ignored
Wesley's entreaties.

"Angel please.  Cordelia and I are worried about you.  You must tell us what
is going on.  You're not telling us everything", Wesley began.  "I'm sorry
is we reacted badly about what occurred at the wine tasting.  Perhaps if you
explained it to me--"

"Wesley stop.  There's nothing to explain", the dark vampire interrupted
coldly.  "I'm going to do things my way.  I don't want or need you and
Cordelia policing me anymore."

The bespectacled man gaped at his former boss.  His mouth opened and closed
uselessly.

Angel stifled the suddenly absurd urge to laugh.

"Get out Wesley, and please make sure the door shuts behind you.  I don't
like drafts."

Turning back to his book, Angel summarily dismissed the man.

~~~~

Wesley hurried out of the Hyperion Hotel.  His breath came in great, choking
sobs.  He would be damned if he would show weakness to that bastard of a
vampire, but this hurt him more than anyone knew.

For a while the former watcher had actually thought he had a family of
sorts.  They were a team, they had a purpose.  Suddenly, he felt as confused
and adrift as he had when the Watcher's Council had sacked him.

He sighed and headed towards Cordelia's apartment.  The needed to decide
what to do.

Silently, Darla watched the Wesley leave the building owned by her former
Childe.  The small blond had watched the hotel for days and this was the
first time she'd seen anyone enter or leave.

The vampire cocked her head and stared at the tall, dark haired man.  The
bespectacled former watcher was attractive, but rather boring.  Wesley
seemed the very definition of steady and dependable.  "He has no spark",
Darla thought.

Cordelia on the other hand....  Now she was another story.  Smiling in
anticipation, Darla licked her lips.  Thinking that perhaps Wesley would
lead her to the Seer, Darla followed.

~3~ Darkness Creeping

Willow walked into Giles' shop and looked around.  Tara trailed behind her.
The redhead didn't know what the hell was up with her girlfriend and frankly
she was surprised to find that she didn't care nearly as much as she
probably should.

Spotting Anya behind the counter, Willow walked over to the ex-demon.

"Anya, have you seen Xander?", the wiccan asked.

"No, he never came home.  We had a fight.  He never wants to give me orgasms
anymore", Anya sniffed disdainfully.

Willow winced at the woman's blunt words.

"He never came home.  Did you tell anybody?  Did you call Buffy?  Something
could have happened to Xander."  Willow had a bad feeling.  In the nightmare
she'd had the night before, Xander had been turned.  The red witch thought
of Jesse.  She didn't want to lose the boy who was like a brother to her as
well.

Anya shrugged in disinterest.  She hadn't thought to call anyone.

Willow's green eyes flashed in anger.  The sudden urge to beat her best
friend's selfish girlfriend was rapidly quenched.  The redhead was used to
ignoring that side of herself.  It was second nature.

Willow wasn't sure what Anya saw in her eyes but found herself grinning when
the former demon stepped back hastily.

Grabbing Tara's moist, limp hand, Willow swept out of the Magic Box.

Anya stared at Willow's retreating back, a shiver crawled up her spine.  She
jumped in earnest as a voice came from behind her.

"Was that Willow leaving?", Giles asked.

Turning, Anya nodded, uncharacteristically silent.  Her throat was suddenly
dry.

~~~~

Smirking evilly, Spike pounded into the hot, wet body of the small, blond
Slayer beneath him.

Buffy squirmed and thrust upwards against the pale, chiseled body of the
British vampire atop her.  She squealed in pain and pleasure as two of
Spike's long, unlubricated fingers plunged roughly into her virgin asshole.

Ruthlessly, Spike continued to thrust into Buffy, even as his fingers fucked
her from behind.

The Slayer cried out in release and Spike saw red.  Visions of tearing the
chit's throat out filled his mind and triggered his own climax.

Spike rolled off of Buffy and reached for his cigarettes.  Lighting a fag,
the vampire laid back in the Slayer's bed.  Buffy sighed contentedly and
tried to cuddle into his side.

Rapidly, Spike shrugged Buffy's arm off of his own and stood.  He glanced at
the floor wondering where the hell his pants had gotten to.

"Spike don't leave", Buffy whined.  The Slayer licked her lips and allowed a
hand to trail down the tanned skin of her breast and belly.  She thought the
move was seductive.

The chipped vampire snorted quietly and turned his back.  "Stupid bint", he
thought coldly, rolling his eyes. They'd been fucking since Riley had
returned to the government and rejoined the Initiative.  Spike couldn't
resist bedding the blond Slayer and taking what she so freely gave.  Fucking
the girl allowed him to quietly take revenge against the corn fed soldier
boy who'd chipped him and poofy Grand Sire, Paingel.

Small, hot hands trailed along his back.  "Come back to bed Spike", Buffy
whispered.

Taking a last, long drag of his cigarette Spike dropped the still burning
stick of tobacco on the carpeted floor.  He allowed himself to be led back
to the bed.

Spike's smirk widened as Buffy's mouth descended on his cock.  Grabbing her
head cruelly, the vampire thrust his hard length deeply into the blond
Slayer's mouth.  He almost laughed out loud when Buffy coughed.
 

~4~ Reborn in Darkness

That night, Xander awoke.  He frowned, momentarily confused.  He found
himself on a dusty, canopied bed.  Sheets which had once been white, were
yellowed with age.

A dark figure neared and he sniffed in instant recognition.

"Sire", he croaked.

"Yes luvey", Druscilla sighed.  She lay down by her newest Childe's side and
trailed a blood red nail down his cheek.

"Hungry, my darling?", Dru asked as she nuzzled the dark haired vampire's
neck.

"Yes", Xander hissed.  He hungered.  It was an all consuming ache in the pit
of his stomach.

His Sire smiled.  "I know you now Xander.  You were a pet to the Slayer,
weren't you pet?"

Her Childe growled in disgust, and nodded, too ashamed to speak.

"Do you know Spike?", Dru asked.

Jealousy filled the young vampire.  "He doesn't deserve you", Xander
snarled.

Suddenly Druscilla's hand was a crushing vice around Xander's throat.

"You smell beautifully.  Jealous you are, mummy can tell", the raven haired
vampiress growled in Xander's ear.

"I can find Spike", he managed to choke out.

"Wonderful", Druscilla said gleefully, bounding out of the bed and clapping
her hands in excitement.  Gracefully, the dark vampire did a pirouette.  Her
long skirt twirled about her slender frame.

Grateful to still be alive, so to speak, Xander rubbed his throat.  He
wasn't stupid, he knew he had just displeased his Sire.  She could easily
have torn his throat out.

The young vampire rose from the bed and stalked behind his new mother.  He
buried his face in her fragrant hair.  She smelled of roses and death.

A growl thrummed deeply in his throat.  Xander's arms wound about Dru's
waist.

The elder vampire sighed and leaned against her newest Childe.  "Mmmm", she
moaned.  "Spike can wait luvey".

Turning, the insane vampiress pushed Xander back onto the bed.

"Yes", Xander thought, "Spike could wait."

~~~~

"She love me, I know she does", Tara thought desperately, as she ground some
lavender and herbs with her mortar and pestle.

"Angel, whoever he is, means nothing", Tara thought.  "It was just a dream.
Willow loves me.  I'll prove it."

The blond wiccan finished preparing her spell components, and arranged them
around her.

Chanting quietly, Tara began the spell.  It would cement Willow's true love
in her heart and mind to the exclusion of all else.  It was perfect, soon
Willow would only think of her.  As it should be.

As a blue light filled the room, the blond smiled.  Tara knew the spell had
worked.

~~~~

Cordelia knocked on Wesley's door and adjusted her short, black leather
skirt.

The former watcher opened the door quickly.  Apparently he had just gotten
out of the shower.  His hair still glittered with moisture, and he wore only
a short, terry robe.

"Cordelia what a surprise, do come in", Wesley said.

The Seer smiled brightly, noticing how the man's eyes seemed to linger on
her breasts for a moment too long.

Striding confidently into Wesley's small apartment, Cordelia looked around.
She sniffed disdainfully and turned to face the dark haired man.

"Cordelia, has something occurred?", Wesley asked, becoming concerned.  "Is
something wrong?"

His eyes widened as the beautiful Seer walked nearer.  The small skirt
creeped up her long legs with every step.  She stopped only when she was a
hairsbreadth away from him.

Wesley swallowed nervously.

"Well Wesley, I suppose you could say something's happened", Cordelia began.
  Her large hazel eyes bored into those of the ex-watcher.  Slowly, her
fingers trailed down the lapels of Wesley's blue robe.

The dark haired man stifled a groan and backed away.  "Cordelia what are you
doing?"

Golden flecks rose in the tall woman's eyes.

Fear and arousal warred in Wesley's body.  He groaned in earnest as Cordelia
pushed him against the wall and loosened the sash on his robe.

An elegant, manicured hand reached for his semi-erect shaft.  "Not bad",
Cordelia remarked.

Startled, Wesley tried to push the young woman away.  He had always wanted
the former cheerleader, but this was too much too fast.

Growling in anger, Cordelia allowed her true face to emerge.  Grabbing the
man before her by his robe, she flung him across the room.  She smiled as
his back slammed against the wall and he slumped to the floor.

Walking to the front door, Cordelia opened it to find her Sire leaning
against the hallway wall.

Darla licked her lips.

"Hello Mom", the young vampiress said lazily.  "Do you want to come in and
have a little fun with Watcher Boy?"

Darla stared at her beautiful new daughter.  Turning Cordelia had been easy.
She'd simply bribed a pizza delivery man to invite her in.  He had been
standing in Delia's entrance hall.  It was all Darla needed.  She smirked in
remembrance.  For his trouble, the teenaged idiot, had been Delia's first
meal.

"Why of course Sweetie.  Why I'd be delighted", Darla replied as she strode
into the apartment.
 
 

~5~ The Bloody Darkness

The day had passed in relative normality.  Willow was still worried about
Xander, much to Tara's annoyance.  Although the blond witch felt that
something about her girlfriend was different, she was unsure if anything had
changed.  If it had, the she should have been the only thing on the
redhead's mind.  Thus, the concern Willow expressed for the Xander grated on
Tara's nerve.  If the spell had worked, Willow shouldn't even be thinking of
him.

Willow had even called Buffy, telling the Slayer how Xander had been missing
for days.  Buffy had shrugged off the redhead's concern.  The red witch had
been livid, but she and the Slayer hadn't been close in months.

Tara forced the thoughts out of her mind.  She relaxed and enjoyed her
girlfriend's ministrations.

Willow plunged her fingers into Tara's cunt as she laved the girl's nipples
with her tongue.  Almost harshly, Willow bit down, causing the blond to arch
against her.

Tara's vagina began to pulse around her fingers as the wiccan came murmuring
Willow's name.

Slowly, the redhead's other hand reached beneath one of the pillows.  She
grabbed the handle, and pulled it quickly from beneath the bedding.

Suddenly Tara felt cold metal against her neck.  The blond witch's eyes
opened in surprise.  "Willow what are you doing?", she gasped.

"You're in the way Tara dear", Willow murmured, kissing the other girl's
trembling lips.

"No I'm not.  You love me.  I know you do."

Willow's lips thinned.  "Actually I don't", the red witch said succinctly.
"You were simply convenient.  And so easy."

The wiccan pressed the sharpened edge of the blade down one of Tara's arms.
A ribbon of lovely blood rose from the cut.

"I was trying to forget who I loved.  I was trying to push his memory away.
He was forbidden to me", Willow sighed.  "But I woke up today and realized I
didn't care anymore.  I will have my Angel."

Willow looked at the whimpering girl and smirked.  "I have a feeling I have
you to thank for the sudden turnabout in my emotions."

The red witch lifted the knife over her head.  Tara's eyes widened in horror
as the blade plunged downward and into her chest puncturing a lung.  Blood
bubbled in her throat, causing her to gasp for breath.

Pain exploded in Tara's body.  There was a ringing in her ears.  It grew
louder as the knife continued to slash and stab at her flesh.  The last
thing she heard before death claimed her was Willow's avowal that all those
who stood in her way would die.

Willow slid from the bed.  Blood painted her naked flesh.  Splatter of the
thick liquid painted the walls and even the ceiling.  She grinned ferally.

~~~~

Spike watched the redheaded witch in amazement and disbelief.  He had had a
front row seat to what had just happened from his place at the window.  He
blinked.  He couldn't believe it.  The good little witch had killed her
girlfriend.  Shock and arousal poured through his system.  His cock hardened
painfully in his jeans.

He watched Willow's pale blood spattered body as she appeared to dance about
the room.

The blond vampire occasionally stopped by the wiccans' room to watch them
fuck each other.  The two chits were so trusting, they never thought to
lower the shades.  However, what he had just seen turned him on more than
anything had since Druscilla had ridden a stable boy in Canterbury to death,
almost a hundred years before.

Spike watched as Willow's hands traveled across her breasts, smearing the
blood on her flesh as if rubbing in lotion.

Absurdly a song by Alice Cooper began to run through his head.
<In my eyes
Blood drops look like roses on white lace
In my mind they're roses on white lace
Straight from the heart
So dead upon the bed>

The British vampire was so intent, he did not notice the silent approach of
two figures.  He couldn't remember the rest of the song, only bits and
pieces.

Willow saw a flash of white from the corner of her eye.  Someone was
watching her.  Naked, the red witch stalked towards the window.  It was
Spike.  Her face betrayed no surprise.

Green eyes met icy blue.  Spike started when the chit smiled at him.

<In my eyes
Blood drops look like roses on white lace
They won't wash away
In my mind they're roses on white lace
Straight from the heart
Blood drops look like roses on white lace
Straight from the heart
Crimson and sweet
Stained on the sheet
Roses on white lace,
pretty in red, dripping and wet
Roses on white lace
Spilled on the walls, dark in the halls>

"Oh Spikey, I like her", a familiar voice singsonged.  Startled, the blond
vampire turned.  "Druscilla", he growled.

His growl deepened as another vampire came out of the darkness.  "Xander",
Spike hissed in surprise, and sudden jealousy.  The blond's eyes narrowed.

The dark haired youth's lips curled slightly.  Xander ignored Spike and
looked over his shoulder to where Willow still stood, naked and bloody at
the window.

Pointedly, Xander walked around Spike and towards the window.

Willow looked deeply into the eyes of her best friend.  Her hand rose and
pressed against the glass.  Xander smiled and touch his hand to hers.  Blood
smeared against the pane of glass.

They would be friends forever.
 

~6~ Joined in Darkness

Druscilla watched her Childe's reunion with his lovely friend.  She clucked
indulgently.  Xander was such a good boy.  He did such inventive things with
the railroad spike she had given him.  She stared at the witch in the window
appraisingly.  The redhead was interesting.  A little red tree, flexible,
strong, unbreakable.  The stars sang.  The girl would be important to her
family.

Turning to her former lover, Druscilla cocked her head.  Spike was so very
beautiful.

"Spike, grand mummy sent me to get you."

The blond vampire blinked in confusion.  "Darla's dead Dru."

"No Spikey.  She was brought back.  Darla's my little girl now", the raven
vampiress responded.  "She can help you luvey."  Coming nearer, Druscilla
placed her cold hands on Spike's head.

"Xan-pet told me about the nasty little piece of metal in your head.  It
makes you hurt", Dru whispered.  "Poor little Spike, mummy can make it
better."

Spike grabbed the insane vampiress' shoulders.  His grip was punishing.
"You can get this damned chip out of my head?", he demanded.

Druscilla cooed and smiled.  She reached into her bodice and pulled out a
small, black cell phone.

Spike stared at Dru.

"Surprised my darling?", the lovely woman quipped.  "Grand mummy insisted I
join the technological revolution as she called it."

Druscilla pressed a button and the phone automatically dialed a number.  "Oh
Spikey, its ringing.  So pretty, but not as pretty as the star's song", she
sighed.

~~~~

Cordelia shimmied out of her skirt and stalked towards where the frightened
ex-watcher cowered in the corner.

Grabbing Wesley's legs, she pulled him across the floor and ripped the robe
off of his body.

Darla stood by the door, watching her Childe's actions with interest, as
Druscilla's lilting voice poured from the cell phone into her ear.

"You found him Dru.  Good.", Darla stated.

Moisture pooled between her thighs as Cordelia's mouth plunged down on
Wesley's semi-erect cock.  Expertly, the beautiful brunette brought the man
to the brink of orgasm over and over again despite his fear.  Darla smirked.
Delia wasn't allowing the poor man to cum.  The girl was cruel.  She liked
that.

Over the cellphone, the small blond could hear the accented sound of Spike's
voice.  She shook her head.  "Still so impatient", she noted in amusement,
as his voice filtered in from the background.

Darla's hand crept beneath the waist of her velvet jeans as she watched
Cordelia's fangs pierce Wesley's thigh.

"I've got to go Dru.  Bring Spike here", Darla said shortly, turning off the
small phone.

Kneeling on the floor by her new daughter, Darla smiled coquettishly at
Wesley.  "Hello Wesley", the blond murmured before plundering his mouth with
a punishing, brutal kiss.

Breathless, Wesley moaned despite himself.  He was going to die, he knew.
He might as well enjoy it.  Hope had died in him long before.  This felt
fated somehow.

Disposing of her black silk thong, Cordelia rubbed Wesley's almost purple
erection with her hand.  She mounted the former Watcher, taking his entire
length inside of herself with one downward thrust.

Darla smirked as Wesley gave himself up to Delia's ministrations.  The blond
allowed the man to orgasm before she tore his throat out.  She could be
merciful.  Occasionally.

The Seer moaned at the sight of blood.  She continued to plunge downwards on
the dead man's cock until her own climax left her limp.

Together the two vampires feasted on the ex-watcher's warm essence, before
fucking each other on the Wesley's carpet.
 

~7~ Dark Stalkers

Willow strode confidently between the three vampires as they walked the
streets of Sunnydale.  Her green eyes seemed to spark with energy.  Power
radiated off of her slender form.

The red witch walked by the taller brunette vampiress.  Their hands were
clasped, their mission the same.  Angelus.  The would bring him back.
Forever.

The raven haired vampiress seemed to glide upon the ground, her steps
graceful as a ballerina.  Lightly, she hummed 'I'm a Little Teapot' over and
over again.

Spike walked at Druscilla's other side, a cigarette hung limply from his
lips.  He scowled.  He couldn't seem to stop glancing at Red or Xander.
Especially Xander.  The British vampire had always known Willow had great
potential... but the changes in the boy, blew him away.  He was graceful,
lethal.  The very epitome of a predator.  Suddenly, Spike was reminded of
Angelus.  He scowled again.

Xander walked at Willow's right.  His dark eyes searched the night. He was
alert and almost manic with energy.  The railroad Dru had given him was
clutched in one hand.  The young vampire ached to bury it in something warm
and alive.

They would leave that night for L.A.  Xander smirked and looked at his Sire.
  "But first", Xander thought, "I have a loose end to tie."  He was excited.
  He could hardly wait.

~~~~

Darla almost cackled with glee.  Her newest Childe was so clever, so
calculating.  Cordelia was proving to be a delight.  The petite blond
vampiress licked her lips.  She had never made a female Childe before, but
the girl was marvelous.

"I will teach, mold her", she thought.

Silently, Angel's former Sire watched as the Seer entered Angel's home with
her key.

"Angel was too damned smug", Darla thought. "The bastard hadn't even changed
the locks."

Cordelia didn't bother trying to be silent as she let herself into the
office of her former boss.  She knew Angel was here, she could feel him
vaguely in her blood.  They had already been connected by her Seer status,
but now they more.  They were the same.

The elder vampire was probably upstairs reading or doing Tai Chi.  Cordelia
snickered.  She knew she wouldn't be here long enough for him to catch her.
Reaching Angel's desk, the tall brunette placed the present artfully on the
shiny wood surface.  She smiled brightly.  "Perfect", she exclaimed.

Quickly, she walked through the lobby.  When she reached the doorway, she
let loose a blood curdling.  "Angel!", she cried, "Help!"

And then she was gone as suddenly as she'd come.

Angel ran down the stairs.  "Cordelia!", he shouted.  "Delia, where are
you?"

He could smell her.  He followed the scent to his office and started in
surprise.

There on his desk, Angel spotted a pair of crushed glasses.  The ensouled
vampire knew them immediately.  They were Wesley's.
 

next