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~Part: Six~
The silence that followed her announcement was perfect gloating atmoshpere and Cordelia took full advantage of it. She sat back with a smirk and an arch of her eyebrow. She paid no attention to Wesley's disapproving frown - he was an ex-watcher and therefore was biased toward slayers.
"How...Why?" Buffy glanced at the kitchen. She should be angry. She should be mad as hell that her best friend and her ex-boyfriend were shacking up, but she wasn't. Angel was a vampire. Willow was sort of a vampire. She was a vampire slayer. Two people in her life that she loved and were important to her adn her instinct would be to kill them. She had felt it the moment she had seen Willow. Her fingers had itched for a stake and her muscles had tensed in anticipation of an attack. She had tried to deny what it was, tried to tell herself that she felt that way because Willow was holding hands with Angel, but it wasn't. On the way to L. A., she had convinced herself that the best place for Willow was back in Sunnydale with her friends and that nothing would change between them.
The striken look on Buffy's face was making Cordelia feel guilty. Her smirk was replaced with a frown. Buffy was supposed to be acting like a selfish, spoiled child - stomping around and demanding Willow's best friend loyalty and Angel's eternal soulmate devotion in a tantrum of love - she wasn't supposed to be so sad. Leave it to her blond nemisis to take the fun out of everything by growing as a person too. "Willow was having trouble controlling the demon and Angel suggested a blood bond so he could control the demon. It's some sort of sick vampire thing where Angel's the elder vamp so he's stronger, but since he's not her sire, he could only be in control by becoming her mate. They're not 'mating' though, it's just a blood thing. No sex because of the curse."
Buffy nodded. If there was no sex because of the curse then that meant Angel's heart was involved. She didn't have to ask the question - she knew the answer - but she needed to hear it out loud. She needed someone else to confirm what she already knew. "Are they in love?"
It should have given Cordelia great pleasure to answer Buffy's question given her earlier behavior toward Gunn, but it didn't. One more thing Buffy had ruined in her life. "They're in a serious like phase right now," she told them delicately. She heard Gunn's snort, but ignored it. The physical attraction between Angel and Willow was intense so to say that they liked one another was pretty lame, but Cordelia wasn't sure it was love yet either. It was certainly heading that way though.
"No!" Tara picked up the lamp on the endtable next to her and smashed it to the floor. "Willow loves me! She loves me, not him. She will never love him." She ran toward the kitchen. "Willow."
"Tara!" Buffy jumped up and followed her. She had never seen Tara like this before. Willow's girlfriend had always been so shy and hesitant, but that had changed once Willow had called them. She totally lost control. She had insisted that they drive to L. A. and since Buffy had wanted Willow back home too, she had agreed. It had surprised her when Xander had tried to stop them and convince them it was a mistake. With Angel's involvement, she had expected Xander to be the first one in the car. She was going to have to start listening to Xander, his instinct had been right about this trip. It was nothing but trouble. "Tara, calm down." Buffy stopped behind the blond witch. They had walked in on something she had never wanted to see. Over Tara's shoulder, Buffy saw Willow and Angel. She felt Cordelia, Wesley, and Gunn come up behind her. She couldn't move.
The back of Angel's dark head was bent into Willow's neck and he had her pinned up against the metal door to the walk-in freezer. Buffy didn't have to see his face to know it was his vampire one. She lifted her hand and unconsciously touched the scar at her throat. She felt the ghost of ridges pressed into her skin, the fangs tearing her flesh, the growling in her ear, and the horrible slurping as her blood flowed into Angel's mouth. She remembered the pain, the incredible mind dazzling pain. Willow didn't look like she was in pain. Her eyes were closed and her head thrown back with one hand in Angel's hair, holding him close. buffy couldn't look away. As she watched, ridges formed on Willow's face and fangs glistened in her open mouth. She opend her eyes, her golden gaze meeting Buffy's.
"Willow," Tara hissed between clenched teeth. "What are you doing?"
Willow's features snapped back to human and she nudged Angel away from her. "Angel." She blushed a bright red and ducked her head, sheltering herself from Tara and Buffy with Angel's broad shoulders. As she looked down, she belatedly realized where her other hand was and snatched it from Angel's crotch. He gave a strangled groan and rested his forehead on the cool metal above Willow.
"Uh, sorry to, uh, interrupt." Cordelia shifted uncomfortably. She actually blushed because of the sexual energy saturating the air. She had no idea how Willow and Angel were going to explain this to Buffy and Tara, there really was only one explanation. "I told Buffy and Tara about the whole mating thing adn the rest of us will leave now so you four can discuss." Cordelia turned and walked out of the kitchen. When Wesley and Gunn didn't follow her, she turned back and pushed them out.
This was the most mortifying moment of her life. When Willow had dragged Angel into the kitchen, she had intended to calm him down with words, but had soon realized that there was only one thing that would mollify him. Actions meant more to vampires than words. Willow had to show Angel that she was his mate. She had bared her neck to him and he had bitten her without hesitation - he had been that out of control. Unfortunately, Willow had lost control as soon as his fangs pierced her flesh. She had felt an overwhelming desire to possess him. She couldn't stop herself from unzipping his fly and caressing his hard cock. Buffy and Tara had left her mind completely.
"Willow?" Tara's voice was still demanding but it was more tearful.
"I have to talk to her," Willow said softly. She felt Angel step back a bit so she looked up at him. He looked a little stunned. Willow smiled and touched his cheek. "I'll be back. We're just going to go for a walk."
"No." Angel caught Willow's hand as she tried to slip around him. He was still trying to process everything that had happened. He had been jealous of Willow's girlfriend and her claim on Willow and had just let his demon take control. He hadn't even tried to squelch his basest urges. He didn't know what he would do if Willow left the hotel. "Please."
"We'll go out inot the courtyard then." Willow squeezed Angel's hand. "You can see us from the window. I need to talk to her alone."
"I know." Angel grimaced and reluctantly let go of Willow's hand. He ran his hand through his hair as she left with her girlfriend. He and Buffy were left alone in the kitchen.
"So...you made my best friend your mate and I didn't even get an invitation." Buffy tried to smile, but it didn't really work.
"I'm sorry you found out this way, Buffy." Angel sighed. He didn't have the energy to feel guilty about hurting Buffy. She was a love he had to let go, but with Willow he had a chance to love someone who truly understood him. He wasn't sure if he loved Willow yet, but there was certainly something between them.
"You're not sorry you did it though." This time Buffy did smile, although it was a sad smile. It was really over. The tragic love saga of the vampire and the slayer was over. "Can you tell Tara that I'll be at our hotel."
"Sure." Angel was a bit surprised at Buffy's quiet acceptance of things, but he was thankful for it. Buffy's mention of Tara made him realize that he wasn't where he could see Willow. Angel quickly left the kitchen for the lobby. Willow was sitting on a bench in the courtyard. She was beautiful in the sunlight.
"Angel." Buffy came up behind him. "I can't help Willow, but she's still my best friend and I love her. Will you tell her that for me, please? And promise that you'll take care of her."
"I promise." Angel heard the door close as Buffy left. His demon hadn't stopped growling since Willow had left with Tara. The blood bond of the mating ritual had allowed him to establish control over her demon, unfortunately keeping things platonic was making him lose control over his. It was going to be a problem.
*****
Willow could feel Angel watching her. She straightened, preening under his attention, the heat from his gaze making the sun insignificant. She almost wished she could pass off her reaction as the demon's, but the woman in her liked it too. Willow pulled her awareness from the vampire in the hotel and focused on Tara. She was supposed to be apologizing to her ex-girlfriend. Neither of them had said a thing since they had left the others.
"I knew this would happen." Tara finally broke the silence. She wouldn't look at Willow, she kept her eyes trained on the stone walk beneath her feet. "I thought it would be Oz. Or maybe Xander. You never even talked about HIM unless you were reminiscing about the old days with Buffy."
"This isn't about being straight or gay, Tara. Things have changed." Willow hadn't realized how much until she had seen Tara again. It was like it had been years since they had been involved. She still loved Tara, but the feeling was so distant. "I'm some sort of weird vampire hybrid. Angel can help me understand things...."
Tara interrupted her with a derisive laugh. "Is that what he's doing? What did he help you understand in the kitchen? That vampires like to be jacked off while sucking blood?"
"Bloodlust is a part of being a vampire and sex is tied to it." Willow bit back a growl of frustration. A hint of blood mingled with her saliva as she chewed on the plump flesh of her lip. There was only one way Tara would finally understand. Willow turned to her former girlfriend and took her hand. She steeled herself against the sudden hope that shone in Tara's face. She also ignored Angel's blistering glare as she caressed Tara's palm with her thumb. She traced the delicate veins of her ex-lover's wrist. "I can feel your blood pulsing under your skin. I want to taste it."
"You can't scare me away. I love you, Willow." Tara stroked Willow's hair and smiled.
The words were said bravely, but Willow could still see her fear. She could smell it and a part of her wanted to exploit it to its fullest and break the girl who gazed at her with such love and longing. "I love you too." Willow reached up and cupped Tara's cheek. She didn't want to do this, but it was necessary. She was going to indulge that other part of her and hope that she could stop herself before she demolished Tara's heart. "I want to make love to you right now. I want to drink from you when you climax. Would you like it when I bite you? Could you stop me from doing it? I doubt it." Willow gripped Tara's chin to make her point. "You should have stayed in Sunnydale like I asked. We can't be together anymore."
"You would never hurt me." Tara smiled and took Willow's hand from her face. She squeezed it. "I know that and I trust you."
"How can you when I don't trust myself?" Willow tore her hand away and stood up. "I know you love me, but don't be stupid, Tara. I don't want to hurt you any more than I already have. I don't want to kill you."
"This isn't about killing me." Tara stood up as well. She scowled. "It's still about Him. You're afraid you'll hurt me because you won't be able to stay away from him." Tara waited for Willow to confirm her accusation and when there was no answer, she took that to mean she was right. It was over. Her relationship with Willow - the best thing in her life because it had helped her accept herself - was finished. "Do you love him?"
"I don't know. I don't think so." Willow glanced over to the hotel. She couldn't see Angel through the dark window, only the ghost-like reflections of the bushes and flowers in the glass, but she still felt like she was meeting his gaze. It was steadying. Instead of growling, the demon inside her purred. "Everything has been so confused, but Angel's made it better. I can accept myself like this because he's made it okay somehow. I don't love him, but I could and it would work. I have a future with Angel." Willow turned and looked at Tara, the fact that she didn't have a future with the other girl went unspoken, but it was finally understood. She was sorry for Tara's tears and pain and didn't stop her when she ran from the hotel's courtyard. She was sad too, but couldn't help the thrill of pleasure as she thought of Angel.
"Excuse me," a woman a bit older than Willow entered the courtyard and smiled hesitantly. With her dark hair and eyes, Willow immediately thought of Jenny Calendar and knew that this woman was a Kalderash. "I'm Astrid Carmichael, I'm supposed to meet a Willow Rosenberg at this address."
"That's me." Willow shook the other woman's hand. "Thanks for coming. Angel and I really need your help."
"I'm always happy to help." Astrid smiled and followed Willow to the hotel. She was curious about the vampire her family had cursed. "I've brought everything my family has about the curse and I think I know how to modify it."
*****
The store was dingy and creepy. It reeked of sandalwood and exotic spices. It was everything an occult shop was supposed to be. Darla flipped through a dusty old book about torture techniques. It was boring, she was familiar with some of them and had invented the rest. It might make a nice gift for Angel though - bring back fond memories.
"She'll be here soon," Dru whispered in Darla's ear. She had crept up behind her childe and pouted when Darla didn't react to her little surprise. "Why don't you believe me, Grandmother Daughter? Don't you trust me?"
"Of course I believe you, Dru." Darla closed the book and caressed Dru's cheek with her fingernail. It had been her suggestion that they take the sewers to the vampire friendly occult shop with the underground entrance. It had been encouraging when Dru had followed along without question like she used to - the insane vampiress tended to forget she had the control which would make it that much easier to break her sire bond. "I just want to watch the wheels in motion. You are sure that this spell won't destroy Angelus?"
"It might sting a little." Dru looked up with anticipation as the bell above the front door jangled, announcing a customer. A young girl headed straight for the sales counter without browsing. She dashed a few lingering tears from her eyes. Dru clapped happily. "That's her," she said with an excited whisper.
"Hello," Tara called out. She glanced nervously at the two other people in the store. The brunette smiled, but it didn't reach her empty eyes. The blonde just smirked as she pulled the other woman further down the aisle. Tara shivered and turned back as the shop keeper emerged from the store room. "I need a spell to destroy a vampire."
"That's a powerful and dangerous spell." The man ducked under the counter and retrieved a small spell book. "Expensive too."
Tara set a credit card down on the counter. "I don't care. He's seduced someone I love with his vampire tricks and I have to save her."
Dru giggled softly at the witch's announcement. "Mommy doesn't want to be saved, silly witch. She and Daddy are happy."
"Yeah, well, they should enjoy it while it lasts. Once my boy is back, he's mine." Darla smiled as she imagined all the things she would do to make Angelus forget the mother of his future child. She didn't notice Dru's frown or the small dagger she pilfered from the store as they left.
~Part: 7~
Magic was familiar territory for Willow and it was comforting to be within the confines of the casting circle. She wished she was there to secure Angel's soul, but she and Astrid had only just begun to sort through the information the gypsy had brought about her clan and the curse. Astrid's theory about how to modify the curse looked promising though and Willow wanted to try it as soon as possible.
"Are you ready?" Astrid asked.
Willow opened her eyes and smiled at the other witch. She could have done the spell alone, but sometimes it was nice to cast with another witch. It was also a good way to get to know the other woman better. With a pang, Willow thought of Tara, but she pushed those memories aside. Negative energy could do weird things within the circle and the spell could backfire on them. Willow took a few breaths to clear her mind. "Let's do it." She placed the nose and paws of the alpha Blikar demon on a gold serving plate, facing them south with the paws on either side of the nose. Astrid poured a ring of blue powder around the edge of the plate. She held her hands out and Willow took them.
"Element of Fire, we call to thee," Willow and Astrid intoned together. The blue powder ignited and flames circled the plate. "We offer this demon, forged in your flame, to reveal its creator. This is our will, so mote it be." The flames flared a deep blue and consumed the paws and nose. Willow wrinkled her nose at the acrid smell that filled the room. She willed herself to relax and let the spell take effect. Nothing happened. Willow frowned. A spell hadn't failed completely on her since the one she had done with Tara to pinpoint evil and that had failed only because Tara.... Willow opened her eyes and looked at Astrid. "It didn't work. I didn't get a name, did you?"
"No." Astrid shook her head. She frowned as well. "Maybe our magics don't compliment each other or, uh, maybe what happened to you has effected your powers."
'Or maybe you're keeping something from me,' Willow added silently to herself. It was true that her new living vampire status could have hurt her ability to do magic, but Willow doubted it. She had teleported herself to L. A. after being made a vampire and she could still feel it. She could feel her magic coursing through her, it was a part of her and she would know if it was weaker or gone completely. No, it had to be Astrid who messed up the spell. Whether it had been an accident or on purpose, Willow couldn't say, but she suddenly found herself not trusting the other girl. She did come from a clan that hated Angel, maybe she was here to hurt him and not help him. Willow couldn't let that happen. Angel was her mate and she would protect him even if it meant letting her demon out to play.
~~~*~~~
Something was bothering Willow. Angel could feel it. She was quiet, not really paying attention to her surroundings while she worked out the problem in her head. They were at the Spider Web waiting for a couple that would fit Cordelia's description from her vision. Unfortunately, the description had been vague, a tall, dark haired man and a dark haired woman. Angel glanced around the club before looking back down at Willow. She was still chewing at her bottom lip. It was driving him crazy. Angel slipped his arm around Willow's waist and moulded himself into her back, pinning her between him and the bar. He dropped his head down and nuzzled her ear. "What's wrong?" he whispered.
"Why didn't the spell work?" Willow leaned back into Angel. She couldn't believe how comfortable she was with him. In highschool, it had taken all of her courage just to say two words in front of him and now she was his vampire mate.
"You are not losing your magic." Angel kissed the top of Willow's head. He had to get control of himself. He could not complete the mating ritual, no matter how much he wanted to. He would not give Angelus control over Willow. "Look into yourself and you'll find it. And stop worrying about the Blikar demons. It'll do the others good to track down their master the old-fashioned way."
"I guess." Willow turned in Angel's arms and smiled weakly up at him. He stiffened and growled low in his throat. A petite, ivory hand squeezed his bicep and then Darla slid up beside them.
"How cozy." Darla ignored Willow and sidled up close to Angel. She stretched languidly up to talk into his ear, "You're losing your touch, dear boy. Back in the day, I would never have gotten this close without you sensing me first."
Angel hugged Willow close to his body. He felt and heard her growl in frustration and jealousy. She wanted to attack Darla for daring to touch her mate. Angel let his satisfaction and happiness at Willow's reaction show in his smile when he looked down at his sire. "You forget, you came back human and Dru sired you. Our former connection no longer exists. I'm not your 'boy' anymore. I belong to Willow."
Darla snarled and stepped back. "Don't kid yourself, you'll always belong to me, Angelus. No mewling little milquetoast will change that." Darla glared at Willow. She wanted to rip the bitch's throat out and to hell with the living vampire baby.
Before Darla could attack, Drusilla intervened. She stepped in between her childe and her Mummy. "Tsk, tsk, tsk, Grandmother Daughter. Play nice." She wagged her finger in Darla's face. "Say you're sorry to my Mummy."
"Never," Darla spat, but it was a losing battle. She was caught in the fathomless pits of Dru's eyes and the hypnotic effect was tugging at the Sire/Childe bond. "Sorry," she hissed. She heard Angel snort. The bastard was enjoying her subjugation.
"I have a present for you, Daddy!" Dru clapped her hands in delight as she whirled around to face Angel. "It's out in the alley."
"What is it, Dru?" Angel sobered up a bit, his amusement fading. Dru was dangerous when she controlled things. Her presents also tended to be bloody.
"It's a lovely girl." Dru grinned. She reached out and caressed Willow's shoulder. "Don't be jealous, Mummy. Daddy just likes to save pretty things from mean, nasty vampires." Dru cocked her head to the side. "Can you hear her screaming?"
Even with his vampire senses, Angel couldn't hear any screaming over the loud music of the club. He didn't doubt that there was a girl in trouble though. He couldn't leave Willow alone with Darla and Dru. He took Willow's hand and pushed through the crowd, heading toward the exit that led out into the alley. He would have to risk unleashing Willow's demon while they fought Dru's minions.
"Angel." Willow tugged at his hand and stopped him before he went through the door. "This isn't right. In Cordelia's vision, Dru and Darla attacked a couple in the alley."
"I know. This is a trap." This time they were close enough to hear the scream. Angel opened the door and he and Willow stepped out into the alley.
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