~Part 21~
Wednesday cont.
Willow was having a wonderful dream. She was lying on the beach, baking in the sun, eating an ice-cream. She was completely relaxed, and warm from head to toe.
The ice-cream was plain chocolate, her favourite. It was deliciously cold, and as she swallowed she could feel the chills move through her body, sending shivers up and down her spine.
But then a piece of ice-cream fell from the cone onto her neck. Willow tried to brush it away, but it kept moving, tracing an icy path up and down her neck.
Spike grinned as Willow frowned in her sleep, her hands emerging from beneath the tangled covers to bat at his head. He gave her neck a final lick, then started pressing quick nipping kisses over her face, causing Willow to wake up in the nicest possible way: with his name on her lips.
"Spi-i-i-ike," Willow groaned, before succeeding in capturing his mouth with her own. Spike allowed their tongues to play briefly, before rolling away and hopping off the bed.
"Wakey wakey, the Watchers are back and its nearly show time," Spike sang to the disgruntled, naked redhead who shot him a dark look as she regarded with revulsion her crumpled, well-worn clothes, laid out next to the bed.
She turned to Spike with an assessing look that made him fear the worst - rightly, as it turned out.
"Give me your shirt," she commanded with a sexy smile.
"C'mon luv, not my shirt," he whined, even as his hands moved automatically to the buttons.
"Well," said Willow slyly, "I guess I could always ask Angel to lend me one of his." She giggled at the outraged look on Spike's face as he stripped off his red shirt, handing it to her quickly.
She slipped the shirt on, tying the ends around her slim waist and then with a grimace she put her wrinkled skirt on. Spike grinned at the picture that she made, and moved closer to run his hand up the back of her leg, grabbing her naked buttock and pulling her hips towards him.
"Mm, no panties, you shock me Red," said Spike playfully.
Willow couldn't control the blush that spread over her face. She still hadn't found her underwear, last seen in Angel's study; she was mortified just imagining the scene when they finally emerged from wherever they were hidden. She made a mental note to get to the study as soon as possible - alone - and find the wretched things ... before someone else did.
Putting the problem aside for the moment, Willow padded barefoot to the door, asking Spike, "Is everything ready for the ritual?"
Spike followed close behind his mate, his appreciation of the gentle swing of her hips increased by his knowledge of what she did - or rather didn't - have beneath the thin cotton of her skirt.
"Hmmm?" was his only reply, as Willow gave an unladylike snort and went to find Giles. She found him bent over the table next to Angel, double-checking that all the preparations were in place.
"Hi Giles," said Willow, gratefully grabbing a muffin and looking over his shoulder at the list of items required. She gave Angel a half-smile, and asked "Are you OK? I mean, you know, with everything?"
"Yes," he replied, giving her what he hoped was a reassuring look. He couldn't imagine how Willow must feel, being told she must either bond herself to two vampires or die. He was surprised that the shy girl he had known in Sunnydale seemed to be coping so well - but then again, he was starting to realise that he had probably never known the real Willow.
Spike moved to stand behind Willow, placing his hands on her shoulders in a possessive gesture that was not lost on any of those present.
"Yes, well, we are more or less ready," said Giles, nervously cleaning his glasses. "I have prepared a, ah, concoction from most of the ingredients. Cordelia is on her way with the last item, a rose crystal."
"This mixture," and he gestured to the gray looking liquid in a pottery bowl in front of him, "is to be lit, and then the rose crystal immersed in it. Then each of you must cut yourselves with this dagger," and again he indicated an object on the table, a very ornate and old looking silver knife, "and add the blood to the mixture while reciting some words, and you, ah, each of you must taste the blood of the other two."
"And that's it?" Willow asked, her eyes running over the paper that Giles had handed to her, which contained the words that she must say.
The two vampires had their own piece of paper.
"So it would seem from the text," replied Giles, giving the mixture a final stir. "Angel has suggested that Wesley and I wait at Cordelia's while you perform the ritual, and I will come by at dusk to take you and Spike back with me to Sunnydale; assuming the spell works, of course."
Willow felt mixed emotions at Giles' words. She was glad that Angel had already arranged for them to have some privacy; she guessed by Giles carefully blank expression that he had at least a fair idea that blood wouldn't be the only bodily fluid getting exchanged today.
But she also felt upset that she and Spike would be leaving so soon; it seemed cruel somehow, like they would just use Angel for the spell and then discard him once he was no longer needed.
But on the other hand Willow had very deep reservations about the inclusion of Angel, and she had no wish to jeopardise her new relationship with Spike by suggesting that they stay longer.
Spike had been adamant that they should leave immediately after the "shag-fest", as he so elegantly phrased it.
So she kept her peace, and prayed to the Goddess that she was not about to make the biggest mistake of her life.
~Part 22~
Wednesday midday
Willow, Angel and Spike sat on the floor in the main room of the apartment, each facing the bowl that was in the center of the room and clutching the pieces of paper on which Giles had written the words they would need to say. Wesley, Giles and Cordelia had left, and the trio were now alone, each lost in their own thoughts.
Finally it was Angel who broke the silence, reaching for the box of matches and the rose crystal that lay next to the bowl.
"Are you ready?" he asked Willow, noting with concern her white face and racing heartbeat. He saw her make a conscious effort to calm down, and then she nodded, saying "Yes, let's get going."
Angel looked over at Spike, and receiving a curt "Just get on with it," he lit a match and ignited the mixture in the bowl, which immediately burst into dark green flames.
He then held the rose crystal over the flames, letting it fall and watching as the colour of the fire changed to pale pink, almost white.
Sitting back, Angel handed Willow the dagger and waited for her to start.
Willow spoke, and was surprised to find that her voice was steady. She had the words written on the paper in her hand, but she did not need to read them: they were engraved in her mind.
"I am the First, a Servant of Gaia, chosen to serve the Light with all that I am and all that I will be. I dedicate myself to this service," and so saying she put the piece of paper down, and drew the knife gingerly across her open palm, hissing slightly as the blade cut through her skin and blood began to flow from the wound.
She leant forward, letting the blood drip into the flames, and watched as their colour darkened. Willow sat back, sighing deeply before speaking again.
"My road shall be shared by the Second and the Third. Together we shall find the strength to do what must be done. I offer myself to them, that three shall be one." And Willow held out her still bleeding hand to Spike, who gently lapped at her wound, and then to Angel, who held her hand in his as he slowly bent his head to taste her blood.
Willow sat back, and wordlessly passed the knife to Spike, who looked at ist blade, still wet with Willow's blood. He felt no uncertainty; the more time he spent with Willow the more he thought this bond was a bonus, something to reassure him that Willow would not be leaving him for a Chaos demon.
Of course there was a downside: his grandsire sniffing around, plus the whole fighting demons for eternity ... not the side he thought he'd ever be fighting for, before his chip anyway.
Still, Spike had never been one to dwell on unpleasant things that couldn't be changed; better to just enjoy the good stuff in his opinion.
Getting a firmer grip on the knife, he had a final look at the words Giles had written down for him, then began.
"I am the Second, chosen by the First to serve the Light at her side.
I dedicate myself to her service, with all that I am and all that I will be." And Spike drew the knife across his palm, watching impassively as his blood dripped into the flames.
Moving his hand away, he continued. "I have chosen to share the road of the First and the Third. Together we shall find the strength to do what must be done. I offer myself to them, that three shall be one."
Offering his palm to Willow, Spike shivered in pleasure as he felt her tongue delicately trace his wound. He then held his hand out to Angel, pulling it back with a yelp when he felt fangs tearing at the flesh of his palm.
Spike pushed the knife, blade first, towards Angel with as much force as possible, earning a warning glare from Willow.
Angel was calm as he started to speak. Despite the speed of recent events, and the many problems he saw ahead, this felt right to him - to both soul and demon, something that hadn't happened for a long time, if ever.
"I am the Third, chosen by the First and the Second to serve the Light at their side. I dedicate myself to their service, with all that I am and all that I will be."
Angel cut his palm, and as the blood hit the flames they turned a deep, dark red, almost black. He watched entranced before pulling his hand back to complete the ritual.
"I have chosen to share the road of the First and the Second. Together we shall find the strength to do what must be done. I offer myself to them, that three shall be one."
Angel reached his bloody hand out to Willow, committing to memory the sensation of her tongue lapping at his blood. For a vampire, the exchange of blood was a serious act, much more intimate than sex.
Angel reluctantly moved his hand away from Willow's warm mouth, offering his palm to Spike. Spike grabbed at Angel's hand and sucked vigorously at the powerful blood, feeling his body's immediate reaction to the potent taste.
Spike growled as Angel pulled his hand away, and licked his lips to catch any stray drops. Angel then reached out to Spike and Willow, and the trio locked hands.
"I am the last, and I complete the circle" said Angel, and all three then said in unison, "And three shall be one."
As they spoke the flames exploded, filling the room with dense black smoke. Willow coughed; Angel and Spike were spared her discomfort due to their non-breathing state. They remained sitting, still hand in hand, waiting for the smoke to clear.
Spike and Willow found themselves in familiar surroundings, and Angel saw the two express no surprise at being now seated on a bare stone floor.
"This is my dream again," said Willow calmly. As she spoke four figures approached the trio: the first apparitions that Willow had met, whom she now knew to be representations of the primal energies of earth, wind and fire; and they were accompanied by Ms Calendar.
Angel stared with interest at the energy apparitions, before his eyes were drawn with horror towards the form of the murdered teacher.
Willow squeezed his hand reassuringly. "It's not really her. That's my - well, ours I guess - dream guide."
While she was speaking the new arrivals moved to stand closer, and as Willow watched she saw the wind spiral again surround Spike while Angel was encased in the cloud of dust. She felt the comforting heat of the flames as she was once more engulfed in fire.
Then the flames surrounding her seemed to expand, and as she looked at the others she saw that the wind and dust forms were also growing bigger, overlapping with her flames at her hands, which were still joined with those of her mates.
She heard Ms Calendar's voice ring out: "As you have spoken, so shall it be. The three shall be one." And there was an explosion of sight and sound as the three elements joined together, forming a single entity before subsiding into their shaken hosts.
Willow took a deep breath. She felt different, not in an all-knowing, incredibly powerful witch way, but in a something-is-a- bit-odd way.
She felt ... she suddenly realised what the problem was. In addition to her sense of near-relief <that hadn't been so bad after all> she felt a sense of distrust that was quite foreign to her. She had a sinking feeling that it was foreign because it was not hers at all; she rather thought she was getting a sort of reflection of Spike's emotions.
She tried to sense Angel in her mind, but there was nothing there. She could feel Angel stroking her fingers gently, as though he were aware of her inner turmoil.
Willow looked at Ms Calendar. "Is it finished?"
"No," came the reply. "The bond of partnership with your Third must become a bond of mates, to ensure that the circle is complete and equal. Then you will be ready for your maturity."
"You mean the power of the Servant is not released by the ritual?" asked Angel, trying to understand the guide.
"The time of maturity comes independently of the ritual, which is the reason the ritual must be performed as soon as the first sign of maturity, the dreams, occurs. Once the circle is formed the power should be safely channeled when it arrives."
<Should?> thought Willow nervously, before asking "Do we need to remain together, I mean physically?"
"No," said Ms Calendar. "The bond formed by the circle does not require you to be physically together to effectively channel the energy."
"Will the nature of the bond change once the energy is released?" said Angel.
"Of course" was the response, and the trio, still holding hands, found themselves back in Angel's apartment.
~Part 23~
Wednesday afternoon
Willow took a deep breath, calming herself and trying not to let her fears overwhelm her. <OK,> she told herself, <I am going to have sex with two vampires. And not just any old vampires, oh no, my mates for eternity. Oh yeah, one of whom happens to be my best friend's true love, and the other her bitterest enemy.>
<Hmm, that didn't really help> she noted, feeling more nervous than before.
She was pulled from her mental ramblings by Spike gently tugging her into his lap. She released Angel's hand, and linked her arms behind Spike's head, sitting astride him and eagerly leaning into his kiss.
She felt his blunt teeth nip at her lips, and his hands slipped down her back to grab her ass, finally allowing Willow to shut down most of her brain - except for the pleasure processing parts, anyway.
Willow moaned as Spike used his grip to pull her hips closer to his, rubbing her pelvis against the erection straining against his jeans. He pulled her skirt up, kneading her bare flesh and teasingly running a finger up and down between her ass cheeks, causing Willow to moan and wriggle against him.
Spike slowly undid the knot holding her shirt together, pulling it off her and bending to suck hard at her nipple. Willow arched her back, trying to increase the delicious contact, and was rewarded by one of Spike's hands leaving her back to reach for her free nipple and pinch it, hard.
Without thought Willow's hands grabbed Spike's T-shirt, pulling it over his head and tossing it aside. She leant down to lick at his nipples, causing them to harden before she fastened her teeth around one and bit down, smiling as Spike groaned and pushed her to the floor, where she lay naked except for the skirt now bunched around her waist.
Spike pulled the skirt down, then quickly removed his shoes and jeans before seating himself on the floor nearby, decadently leaning against the sofa, legs spread and rock-hard cock jutting out, while he beckoned Willow towards him.
Willow rose to her knees then crawled towards her mate, enjoying his immediate transformation into his demonic face. When she reached him she sucked his big toe into her mouth, making his whole body jerk and a warning growl emerge from Spike's throat.
He gritted his teeth and closed his eyes as Willow's warm little tongue slowly made its way up the inside of his left leg, accompanied by stinging bites. Finally he felt her mouth reach his inner thigh, and she lingered there for a teasing moment before sucking one of his balls into her mouth.
Spike nearly came on the spot; even after their previous shags he still wasn't prepared for the warmth of her mouth. Her clever little tongue rolled him gently around her mouth before slowly releasing him and licking a path of fire from the base of his cock to the glistening head.
He couldn't resist opening his eyes to watch her pink tongue daintily lap the pre-cum off his cock, for all the world like a cat with a saucer of cream. He slid his hands into her hair, and groaned as she slipped him into her mouth and started to suck in earnest.
As Willow's head started to move up and down, Spike saw Angel stand and quickly strip. He was not surprised to see that Angel's cock was fully erect. <Obviously he enjoyed the show,> thought Spike to himself as he watched Angel walk towards him and kneel behind Willow.
~Part 24~
Wednesday afternoon
From the moment that Spike had pulled Willow into his arms, Angel had felt the pressure in him start to build. He knew that he wanted Willow - a lot.
It was very different to what he had felt for Buffy. That had been a desire felt only by his soul. However even his demon wanted Willow, and his demon also wanted Spike - to claim him once more. Angel was much more ambivalent about his feelings for the blonde, but he decided that he would have plenty of time to sort it all out once his mates had left for Sunnydale. His mates. The words sounded so right, so warm...
Angel watched as Spike flipped up Willow's skirt, exposing her naked bottom. Her skin was pale and smooth; Angel could feel his mouth watering and his cock hardening as he saw Spike's long fingers tease the redhead's crack, making her moan and rub against the blonde vampire.
Angel watched spell bound as Spike removed Willow's shirt, and imagined that the fingers tracing her long, elegant spine were his own. He saw Willow pull off Spike's T-shirt, and Spike grimace with a mixture of pleasure and pain as Willow bit hard on his nipple.
He saw Spike push Willow to the floor and strip them both. Willow's flushed form held Angel's gaze: she was exquisite and Angel felt his lust surge. He quickly undid his trousers to ease the painful pressure.
He knew he was close to his breaking point, but before he could stand up to join them he was transfixed by the sight of Willow crawling, naked, towards Spike's reclining form. He saw the gentle sway of her ass, the faint traces of moisture on her thighs from her own juices, and the sweet smell of her arousal flooded his mind.
It was as though everything had switched into slow motion, and the images were jumbled. He saw Willow's tongue teasing its way up Spike's leg; Spike biting his lips in an obvious attempt to hold back his orgasm; Willow's pink mouth encircle Spike's cock then swallow him whole; Spike grab hold of Willow's head and start to gently rock his hips; Willow's body moving as she slid her mouth slowly up and down Spike's shaft.
Pulling off his clothing, Angel met Spike's eyes as he moved to kneel behind Willow. Then he bent over her, biting gently at the nape of her neck as he rubbed his length against her buttocks.
Willow momentarily froze, the fog of lust that had filled her brain clearing momentarily as she felt Angel's large frame pressed against her, his erection throbbing against her ass as his teeth scraped the back of her neck. Willow let out a low moan, and felt Spike's cock jerk in her mouth in response to the vibrations.
She slowly started sucking at Spike's length again as she felt Angel's mouth move down her spine, tracing the sensitive crack of her ass before moving beneath her to lick up and down her soaking pussy. Willow moaned against Spike's cock, then nearly lost her balance as Angel shifted to suck her clit into his mouth, nibbling lightly as Willow trembled uncontrollably.
Willow groaned again, this time wrenching a moan from Spike as he thrust uncontrollably into her mouth. She moved to a more comfortable angle as Spike started a steady rhythm, slowly fucking her face.
Willow felt Angel rub the head of his cock along her wet slit, teasingly touching her clit and then withdrawing before Willow could get the pressure she craved.
She rocked her hips desperately, before Angel took pity on them both and grabbed her with his large hands, holding her still as he pushed the head of his cock into her cunt, slowly penetrating her until she could feel his balls brushing against the backs of her legs.
Willow felt as though her heart had stopped. It was unlike anything she had ever imagined. Spike was still thrusting his cock deep into her mouth, and she could taste his pre-cum coating her tongue as his movements became more frenzied.
And Angel - she thought that she might just split in two if he moved another millimetre, he was huge. She could feel her cunt being stretched to its limits as he gently rocked his hips, letting her adjust to his size as his movements caused her inner muscles to clutch at him. She felt so full, complete ... she wished this sensation would never end.
But even as she formed the thought she heard Spike draw a ragged breath as he reached for her hand, and she felt him bite hard into her wrist as he came, flooding her mouth with his seed.
Willow swallowed, licking his cock clean, then Spike bent his head down to kiss her deeply, allowing them both to enjoy the mixed flavour of her blood and his cum.
She felt Spike shift to support her shoulders as Angel started to move in earnest, drawing back until only the tip of his cock remained inside her then slamming his length inside, making Willow groan in a perfect mixture of pleasure and pain as she was overwhelmed by the sheer size and strength of him.
Spike reached his hand between her legs and gently fingered her clit, timing his movements with Angel's thrusts. He saw his grand-sire's demon emerge, and as his fangs sank into Willow's neck Spike pinched her clit, making her scream in pleasure as her orgasm hit her.
Willow's mind was overwhelmed by sensations: Angel's huge member ramming into her throbbing pussy; her thighs growing wet with his pre- cum and her own juices as they spilled from her sopping slit; Spike's long fingers teasing her clit, bringing her release ever closer; and then Angel's fangs piercing her skin as her orgasm crashed around her, her inner muscles spasming as Angel continued to thrust hard until he too came, and she felt her womb fill with his cool release.
Angel continued to suckle at Willow's neck as the last tremors of his orgasm left his body. He could smell the aroma of their combined releases heavy in the air, and he pulled his fangs from Willow's neck only to lick at the puncture wounds he had left.
He saw that his earlier bite marks had almost healed - which meant that she had healed much faster than a normal human would. He found himself hoping that his mark would last at least a little while ... a reminder for her when she was back in Sunnydale that she had two mates, not just one.
Angel felt a strange contentment fill him, and he mentally chased the emotion until he realised it was not his, rather it was coming from the totally relaxed redhead still rocking gently beneath him. He slipped his softening cock from her body, and sat on the floor, pulling her into his lap as they both faced Spike.
Spike took in the intoxicating sight before him. Angel in full game face, blood smearing his lips and arms wrapped tightly around an almost purring Willow. He could see Angel's bite mark on Willow's neck, and the juices flowing from her pussy were evidence that Angel had marked his territory in more than one way.
Spike tried to feel jealous but he couldn't - his brain was being overwhelmed by the contentment of his mates. He saw from the wall clock that they still had a few hours before dusk.
"What the hell," Spike thought fatalistically, and he leant forward to press his body against Willow and claim Angel's mouth in a ferocious, fang-filled kiss.
~Part 25~
Wednesday evening
Willow tood in the shower, leaning against the wall to support her shaky legs. She had been well and truly fucked, in every way she had ever imagined and then some. Apparently, the Watchers' Diaries were right about a vampire's unusual recuperative powers, she thought tiredly as she let the water run over her.
She couldn't stand to use the soap between her legs; she was so sore, and just the thought of it made her muscles twitch in protest. She turned her back to the shower and bent forward, letting the water trickle over her back and down to her red and tender ass.
She sighed in pleasure at her memories, then winced at the reality of her bruised flesh as she straightened, moving the rest of her body under the spray a final time before shutting off the shower and stepping out of the cubicle.
As she dried herself she saw her outline in the foggy mirror. The blurred image showed her form but not the interesting details: the bite marks on her neck, breasts and thighs; the finger-shaped bruises on her hips and ass; the sore red appearance of her nipples, which had been sucked and nibbled on once too often; and her swollen lips, marked by bruising fang-filled kisses.
Willow felt herself grow wet at the thought of her mates' exceptional abilities, then ruthlessly got herself under control. <None of that!
First of all, I am in no state for anything but bedrest at the moment. Second, there is a deal, and I will stick to the deal. Spike and I are going to Sunnydale as planned. No more shag-fests for this girl!>
And as Willow got dressed, the only cheerful though she could muster was that at least in Sunnydale she would be able to get some clean clothes.
Angel stood in the kitchen, waiting for the microwave. He could feel echoes of his mates' emotions in his head: Willow 's sadness and Spike's impatience tinged with uncertainty. He tried to smother his own emotions, a desperate desire to keep his mates in LA no matter what it took.
He knew that Spike and Willow needed to leave; everything had happened so fast, they needed time to think about the past few days, what it all meant and what they wanted, and he knew that Spike and Willow needed time to be together, just the two of them, so they could grow comfortable with their relationship.
Radiating a sense of calm that came from many years of self-denial, Angel heard the microwave beep and removed the mugs of blood, heading to the sofa and handing one to Spike.
Spike looked at him as if searching for something to say, then shrugged and drank his blood. Angel sipped at his mug, glad of the excuse to avoid what was certain to be an awkward conversation.
He heard the lift start, and said to Spike, "You'd better tell Willow that Giles is here."
Spike was spared the necessity of a reply as Willow emerged, her hair still damp from the shower as her wary glance took in the tension between the two vampires. She moved forward to greet Giles, who looked at the unhappy expresisons of the trio before deciding a hasty exit was in order.
"Right then, ah, everything went alright I take it?" Seeing Willow's nod, Giles hurried on, "Excellent, good, well we'd best be off then, ah Spike, I assume you still have the keys do you?"
As Spike pulled the keys to the Citroen from his pocket and tossed them at Giles, he grabbed Willow's hand and pulled her towards the lift.
Willow turned her head towards Angel, saying softly, "Call if you need us." Angel nodded slowly, watching silently as Giles made his stuttered good-byes before joining the others in the lift.
He heard the lift engine start, and looked around the room. He picked up the bowl and dagger that had been left on a table, the only visible signs that the past 24 hours had not simply been a strange - and very vivid - dream.
Then Angel undid his shirt, looking down at his chest. The golden mark rippled before his eyes, and he ran his fingers over it, feeling nothing but his own dead skin. Angel sighed, moving his fingers to trace the bite marks on his neck, left there by both vampire and human teeth.
He groaned at the mental image of his mates biting into his neck, their bodies pressed against him. He reminded himself of his decision, to let Spike and Willow have some time to think about what had happened and what they wanted, while he did the same ... a decision he was already regretting.
Sighing again, he headed to his bed as his mates travelled further and further from him, until the last echoes of their presence left his mind, leaving him alone with his thoughts as he slipped into a troubled sleep.
The End
read the sequal 'A Circle Has No End'