Dies Irae

By Medea

Chapter Six

Willow, Spike and Giles watched as Angel's body jerked and his eyes snapped open. Slowly, he pushed himself up, rested on his knees momentarily, then rose powerfully to his feet. He gazed back at his companions with a cold, determined smirk. Something about his expression, and the intensity that seemed to ripple off of him, made Willow shiver.

"Angel, are you okay?" she asked.

"Never better," the dark vampire replied in a low, silky growl.

Giles, like Willow, sensed danger in the air. Trying to maintain his veneer of calm, the Watcher inquired, "What did the Powers say?"

Angel's smirk widened into a predatory grin. "The Council is to be scourged."

Spike had been unsure about the familiar signature that had assaulted his senses when his sire first awakened, but that statement eliminated all doubts. The voice...the words...it could only be...

"Angelus."

"Nothing gets past you, does it, boy?" Angelus winked at his childe.

"Dear God," Giles breathed as he backed away.

"Miss me, Rupert?" Angelus chuckled. He noticed Willow step closer to Giles, as if to shield the Watcher from the sadistic demon who once had tortured him. "Don't bother, kid. If I was going to kill him, you couldn't stop me. As it is, Rupert isn't on my agenda."

"How'd you get out? The Poof was as far from happy as it gets," Spike quipped, drawing his sire's attention away from Willow.

"Would you believe 'time off for good behavior'?" Angelus suggested coyly.

"Not bloody likely," Spike snorted. "But 'designated Angel of Death', that I'd believe."

Angelus's eyes burned into his childe's. "You know me well." Shifting his gaze in order to address all of them, the dark vampire explained. "Seven members of the Watchers Council conspired to kill off their own Slayer. They knew Soul Boy could stop them if one of Cordelia's visions warned him in advance. So they dredged up a *very* ancient spell that prevented the Seer from receiving visions from the Powers. That, not even the Powers can forgive. That's where I come in."

"Poetic justice," Giles breathed. "You're the worst the Council has ever known. The Watchers Chronicles are full of horrific accounts of your deeds, but record only a single occasion on which you were defeated in combat...by the very Slayer they murdered. And for that, the Powers have unleashed you."

With a deadly smile that bared his teeth fully, Angelus confirmed, "I've been given carte blanche over the seven Council members responsible for the Slayer's assassination, with one condition: They all die."

"Brutally," Spike added, with a tremor of delight in his voice. This was a chance to slaughter alongside his sire once again, to leave a path of devastation that would become the stuff of legends... Hell, he hadn't been this excited about anything in a long time.

"Just like old times, Spike," Angelus affirmed, his stance and demeanor mirroring Spike's thrill at the prospect of violence.

"So when do we leave?" Giles asked solemnly.

"Have to get an overnight flight, 'less the Powers want vengeance to wait three weeks while we book passage on a bloody cruise ship," Spike observed.

"And who said you're going with us, Rupert?" Angelus growled dismissively. "You're not cut out for the kind of scourge I have in mind."

Giles removed his glasses, strode toward Angelus, and glared coldly at him. It was clear that Ripper wasn't going to take no for an answer.

"Try me."

Before the two males could take their aggressive posturing any further, Willow interrupted.

"We leave as soon as I'm ready."

Angelus sneered, "You think the Powers put *you* in charge of exacting vengeance, little girl?"

As intimidating as Angelus was when he unleashed the ruthlessness that had made him the Scourge of Europe, Willow was no longer the frightened minion of eleven years ago. She wasn't yet a master, but she had enough fortitude to stand up to him.

Setting her jaw, Willow retorted coolly, "I think I'm the one who can get us there. No planes or boats necessary. Just one phone call to my coven."

"If it's the spell I think you're thinking of, you haven't tried that one in over ten years. Sure it's safe, luv? This'll be more than a chip," Spike asked, concerned.

"How touching," Angelus muttered sarcastically. Spike shot him the look of death, while Willow ignored him, choosing instead to reassure Spike.

"That's why I'm calling for reinforcements. Besides, this is the fastest way for us to travel without having to worry about the sun, and I suspect we're on a tight schedule."

"You think the Council is already preparing to face us?" Giles speculated.

"They have to have anticipated some kind of retribution, although I doubt they know that the Powers have given us their blessing," Willow explained. "But what I meant was that I think Angelus has a time limit."

All eyes turned to the dark vampire, whose sullen expression revealed that Willow had hit the mark.

"We have ten days," Angelus confirmed. "So there's no time to waste. I intend to spend every minute of it torturing seven humans, with the Powers' seal of approval. Make your call."

As Willow moved to the phone behind the counter, Giles stammered, somewhat perplexed "But, Willow, how did you know?"

"About the expiration date stamped on Angelus?" Willow replied, arching her eyebrow coolly at the dark vampire. When Giles nodded, she continued. "The Powers might have their reasons for tapping Angelus as their instrument of retribution, but I can't see them trusting him. A deadline would be the only way to keep him focused on the task at hand. Well, a deadline with some clear threats about what would happen if he blew off the assignment."

"True, I have a timetable." Angelus crossed toward her slowly, his pace measured, deliberate, and deadly. "But as long as I get the job done, they'll overlook any incidental kills along the way..."

Angelus paused just long enough for his full meaning to sink in, before he mused, "Xander should be stopping by to pay his respects soon, shouldn't he? Wonder if he'll bring the kids..."

Willow glared at him. "Enough, Angelus."

"Don't taunt me again. I may not be here for long, but you'd be amazed at the damage I can do."

She nodded at him curtly, then turned away and dialed Cyrene's number. After a few rings, her friend and coven sister answered. Willow explained the situation, including her need for the coven's assistance with a spell to transport three vampires and one human all the way to London. However, she was caught off guard by Cyrene's reassurance that she, Hannah and Tara had already started their preparations.

"How did you know?" Willow murmured in disbelief.

"Loïc called us from Saint-Brieuc. He felt something. He said it wasn't entirely clear, but he knew that his help would be needed for a spell involving travel across great distances. We thought it might be you, but never guessed you'd be taking a couple of vampires and a Watcher along for the ride," Cyrene informed her.

"Loïc felt something?" the redheaded vampire repeated, somewhat surprised that their Druid friend had been drawn into this.

"Yes. He's not a Seer, but he suspected it was a message from higher beings. It's something he's experienced a few times before. And it's just as well. We'll need his help to be precise across such a vast space. With four of you traveling so far, we'll be lucky to manage with only five of us sending."

It took a moment for Willow to recover from this latest development. Apparently, the Powers meant business. "All right, then...how soon can you be here?"

"Another five minutes and we're out the door. Give us about two hours after that."

"Thanks, Cyrene," Willow sighed.

"Sister..." Cyrene added gently, "I always told you that the rigid separation between Good and Evil was a human distortion...that in the past, witches and vampires often found common cause. Somehow...I always knew this day would come. I'm only sorry that it had to be... well...I'm sorry about Buffy."

"Thank you..." Willow shuddered as new tears leaked from the corners of her eyes. "We'll be waiting for you."

Willow set down the phone. With her back to the others, she leaned against the counter and took a few moments to compose herself, wanting to show as little weakness in front of Angelus as possible. When she felt calm, she approached Giles, who had been calculating the difference in time zones between California and Britain to determine an arrival window that would be safe for the vampires.

"Giles..." she murmured softly.

"Hmm?" he replied, not looking up.

"Are you sure that you want to come with us?"

The former Watcher paused and turned warily toward Willow, unsure of her intent. She continued.

"There's no turning back, once we do this. I doubt it's something the Watchers Council will ever forget. While that means little to Angelus, Spike or me, it could cut you off for the rest of your life. I know how you feel about them now...believe me, I want to hate all of them. But the Powers made it clear that only seven were actually involved...in time, there might be cause for you to work with a new-and-improved Council. Not, however, if they associate you forever with Angelus and with their own scourge, no matter how deserved it might have been."

An enigmatic half-smile played over Giles' lips and he lowered his gaze thoughtfully. When he brought his eyes back to Willow's, his reply was steady and determined.

"I appreciate your concern, Willow. I realize that the consequences of our actions will weigh more heavily on me than on the rest of you. But I need to be a part of it. You aren't the only one with a...dark side...caged up. Mine has been provoked, and if I pass up my opportunity for justice, it will rage within me until it drives me mad. I ask only one favor of you."

"What?" Willow prompted.

"If ever you think I need it, remind me who I am. I have less experience than you with re-establishing control when my darker side has been free to indulge its passions."

"I think I can help you out with that," Willow promised with a smile.

*****

By the time Hannah, Cyrene, and Tara arrived, extensive plans had already been set in place. Buffy's body had been moved upstairs to Giles's apartment when Willow grew uncomfortable with the looks Angelus had given it. Giles had placed Dawn in charge of the funeral arrangements, then called Xander and Anya to suggest that they wait to come to the store until the next day. When he explained the presence of Angelus and their impending departure for London, the mere mention of Angelus was enough to persuade Xander to keep himself, and the children, well away.

Willow made arrangements over the Internet for an apartment they could use as a base camp. A fifty-thousand pound bank account she created ensured that an agent would meet them with keys -- would wait all night, if need be.

Meanwhile, Angelus had given Giles the names of the seven Council members they were to eliminate.

Henry Lloyd, Head of the Council.

Charles Watson, Demonologist.

Thomas Lytle, Head Archivist.

Margaret Austen, Acquisitions.

Fiona Leary, Head of Prophecy Research.

Andrew Barnes, Council Member.

Winston Barnes, Council Member.

Giles had noted grimly that the names belonged to some of the most influential members of the Watchers Council. Lloyd had been Head of the Council for close to twenty-three years. The Barneses, father and son, came from a family of Watchers that went back eight generations.

The very heart of the Council. If it had a heart; at any rate, the Old Guard.

Giles was in the middle of recounting what he knew about each individual when Willow's coven sisters arrived.

After greeting her, Hannah, Cyrene and Tara encircled her in a collective embrace, surrounding her on all sides with compassion and the calming influence of natural magic. The mood was broken by a snide remark from Angelus.

"How girly."

The women drew apart and Cyrene shot a disdainful look at the dark vampire. Electing not to dignify his mocking words with a response, she said to Willow, "We have everything we need. The ingredients are already mixed. If you're ready, we can get started right away. All I need to do is call Loïc."

Willow nodded. "The sooner, the better. If we leave now we should arrive at 1:00 a.m."

Giles gestured to the phone behind the counter, and Cyrene dialed the number for her Druid friend in St. Brieuc.

"Allo, Loïc? Oui, tout est prêt. Nous commençons maintenant...Du sang? Oui, on peut le faire, si tu crois...d'accord...au revoir."

Cyrene turned back to the others. "I told Loïc we were starting now, so he's expecting us. He'll feed the spell from his end, which should help ensure that you end up in London rather than Edinburgh or somewhere on the Continent. But he suggested that we strengthen our bond as added insurance."

"Blood?" Willow asked.

"Blood," Cyrene confirmed.

"I like the in-flight cocktail service already," Angelus chuckled wickedly as he eyed the human women with interest. Tara blanched, and Willow placed a reassuring hand on her arm. The redheaded vampire nuzzled Tara's neck until she relaxed. Willow then sank her fangs into one of the many bite marks she had made over the years, and drank. Spike drew close to Hannah and did the same.

"Shall we, sweetheart?" Angelus smirked and held his arms out to Cyrene. Narrowing her eyes, the tall, dark-haired woman walked silently toward him until her body was flush against his.

Cyrene offered her neck without so much as flinching, pulse and heartbeat steady, and whispered in his ear, "Ready whenever you are, Tough Guy."

Angelus growled in pleasure at her fearlessness. Shifting to his true face, he pierced her flesh and suckled hungrily at her neck. While he relished her strength of will, it didn't prevent him from delighting smugly at the barely-audible sigh she let out when he finally released her. If he weren't on a schedule, he would have enjoyed spending a few weeks mastering this one.

But that soft, fleeting sigh was the only sign that betrayed that Cyrene had been affected at all. Without pausing to recover, she extracted herself from Angelus's arms and went back to business. The coven's humans had begun sprinkling the powdered mixture in a wide circle on the floor. Willow joined them after she had finished drinking from Giles and arranging her companions in the center of the circle.

The four Wiccans closed themselves inside the circle with the others and, once all had joined hands, began their incantation. Power surged through them as the spell was achieved. The circle ignited in a blinding-violet flame of such intensity that the flash radiated out several blocks beyond the magic shop.

When the three human Wiccans recovered their sight, the travelers had vanished.

The trip was almost instantaneous for Giles and the vampires, although for a split-second, Willow glimpsed the blurred face of a raven-haired man surrounded by candles. It was the first time she had ever seen Loïc, although she hoped it wouldn't be the last.

The image faded quickly, and Willow found herself with her companions in the middle of St. James Park.

The deep tolling of a bell resounded in the air.

Spike grinned wryly. "Good ol' Ben. Welcome to London, boys and girls."

His bravado was lost, however, when the draining effects of the spell hit them, and all four collapsed to the ground.

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