Serenity gazed at the knife in her hand. The left one gripped a carrot. Now that she was human she experienced the aggravating sensation of hunger pains. Food seemed unable to sustain her in the way that sun and moon light once did. She found herself spending much of her time trying to keep her fridge stocked, much to her chagrin. If she had her way she'd stay home and rarely leave her unnecessarily spacious apartment.
Things were different now. She found herself unable to pick herself up or find a reason to keep going and yet somehow, she did just that. With the light and darkness cast out of her she no longer had a purpose or a place in the world. And with Angel having practically banished her from his company, she no longer had friends either. She set down the carrot, rubbed away the tears with the back of her wrist, and reached for the vegetable once more. Did all humans cry so much? She thought she understood their pain so well but apparently she knew nothing. Even though her stomach grumbled, the lump in her throat and the taste in her mouth told her she wouldn't be eating very much, and what little she could would have to be forced down.
Serenity marveled at how finicky her stomach and taste buds were. She didn't like fast-food. She didn't like grease or oils. She didn't like anything convenient it seemed (which annoyed her a little). She did, however, love fruits, vegetables, and grains; foods that were notorious for going bad the quickest. With a gentle sniff she began to cut the carrot, no stranger to knives. Even when she tried to keep busy she found her mind wandering to the vampire she risked it all for, and how even though he hated her mere existence, she didn't regret what she did. However, she did mourn her loss. The sunlight teased her. It no longer healed, rejuvenated, or inspired. Now all it did was force her to shield her eyes while slightly warming her skin. The moonlight mocked her. All those years of suppressing and ignoring the darkness, and now all she could do was stare at the large white globe.
The scent of the carrots gently calmed her stomach a bit. She felt her appetite slowly returning. The sun had retreated about thirty minutes ago. Now would usually be the time she'd patrol the streets and thwart any petty crimes but… she was afraid. She was far easier to kill now and her hits were far less effective. Any creature of darkness would immediately know she lost her abilities and they would come in for the kill. Never before had she truly felt alone until that moment. The only solace she could take was in knowing that no one knew where she lived. Not Angel and his clan, not Wolfram & Heart. Not a soul knew where she laid her head to rest. Or so she thought…
She felt her posture straighten. She didn't turn around. She wouldn't. How did he know? Did he follow her? Track her? How did he get in? She made sure to only leave her home during daylight. She tried swallowing the lump that returned in her throat. She suddenly became upset at the feelings of uneasiness she was having in her own home; the one place where she should she be safe from everything. She turned on the water and rinsed off her knife. "Go away, Angel. You're not welcome here," her tone convinced even her. He had a lot of nerve inviting himself into her residence after he kicked her out of his. She waited for a response. After a few minutes of silence she turned around and gasped.
She was frightened. He liked that. She pressed herself against the edge of the sink as if she desired to escape into the drain. He looked her up and down. He'd been waiting for this moment for far too long. It had been centuries since he felt such a strong wave of lust wash over him. The sensation mingled with curiosity, hunger, and the usual desire for complete and utter chaos. He loomed in the doorway of her kitchen. He could smell her fear. It swam in the air. It was completely intoxicating.
Wesley had been wrong. She was now human but her blood wasn't. Her abilities lay dormant within her. She was unable to control them freely but he could still sense them. Her fear was nothing like the run of the mill scents he'd become accustomed to. He was not even close enough to feel her body warmth but he could taste her emotions. They called out to the animal in him. He knew she wouldn't disappoint. Angel was quite the stingy little boy with this one. The poor bastard practically staked himself trying to protect her from Angelus. And it was going to kill him to know that his very efforts were what set her up on a silver platter for him. In her human form, she didn't stand a chance in hell… or heaven. He gave a predatory grin and took a step forward. "Why Serenity, you look as if you just saw your life flash before your eyes," he gave a smug grin.
Serenity's brown eyes darted along the intruder. Ravenous golden eyes, replaced repentant brown ones, "Who are you?" The vampire chuckled and gave a mocking curtsy, "It figures your little boyfriend would keep me a secret. Angelus, at your service, you've at least heard of me… right?" She nodded her head, subconsciously gripping the knife in her hand, "What have you done with Angel?" Her voice was soft and almost silent. Even with her own life in immediate danger she couldn't help but worry about the vampire with a soul, the vampire she had come to care about more than she did herself. Angelus laughed. She shuddered. He took another slow step forward, closing the distance between them. His aura was much colder than Angel's. She could feel the fine hairs on her skin rising.
"So they didn't tell you everything," he spoke aloud to himself, "Don't you worry about your dear old Angel. He's right here with us," he patted the area of his chest where his heart lay buried beneath, "He's just resting while I take over for a while."
Angelus took a moment to soak in the sight Serenity presented. Her outfit wasn't too spectacular. It was merely loungewear. Her light tan arms were exposed thanks to a soft gray tank-top that hugged her firm breasts and flat stomach. Her dark red hair was up in a loose bun and conveniently exposed her beautiful neck. He could see the tension she held there. He inhaled deeply. The fear in the air tasted almost as sweet as the blood of his victims. He would savor this moment. Her breast sat up high, the chill in the air hardened the nipples to what should have been an almost painful extent. Her wide hips made their presence known in the dark navy sweats that pooled down to her ankles. Her bare feet were restless as she constantly shifted her weight. He looked back up at her face. Her jaw was corpse-stiff.
"Why are you here?" She shivered from the chill in the air, but managed to keep her voice straight. Angelus gave a look of mock-hurt, "I came to see you. After your boyfriend kicked you out, I've missed you so much." Disgust slowly tainted her stoic expression. "He's not my boyfriend," she gridded through clenched teeth. The vampire's words were sharper than his fangs. She stepped forward, away from the sink, not wanting to feel anymore cornered than she already was. "Not for lack of trying," Angelus' word slapped at her heart. Did he know everything about them? Did Angel tell him? "But then again, you are no 'Buffy'," he grinned in satisfaction, having seen her expression crack. Her eyes narrowed, "So then why are you here? We both know he doesn't give a damn about me. Or are you working for Wolfram & Hart?"
The fight in her excited him. He was glad to see she wouldn't merely curl up and surrender simply because she was at a complete disadvantage. He wanted her to fight back. He needed her to fight back. He came to break her, and he was hoping for a fight every step of the way. With her standing in the middle of the kitchen, he began to circle her like a lion would an injured gazelle. He watched her straighten her posture and smirked. "I'm going to let you in on a few of the little secrets your alleged friends have been keeping from you," he toyed with and touched anything that was within arm's reach along his path. "I am Angel. Well, actually, he's me. He just doesn't like to admit it. So he will be here to witness all of the things I'm going to do to you," he watched as she balled her free hand into a fist, and tightened the grip on the knife in the other.
"From the first moment Angel, laid eyes on you, I wanted you. Our buddy could sense that and it scared him. We could smell the purity in you. I kept trying to convince him to have a taste… but as usual he just ignored me, but then you," he took a finger and stroked it against her bare shoulder, "you helped me in that department when you forced him to drink you. And when I tell you, he and I have never tasted anything like you before, I mean it," he paused and mulled over the words in his head, "Well, naturally. How often do you get to taste the blood of a bastard seed of heaven and hell?" She curled away from his touch.
His words hit harder with each blow. Her skin was warm. Good. He'd need something to combat the icy chill of his own. He had no worries that she would keep him warm, "However, that's not the best part. After Buffy, old lover-boy swore to never fall in love again. He even believed it to be impossible… then you came scurrying along with your big brown eyes and forgiving heart, embodying everything he aspires to. He puts on a convincing front, doesn't he?" His eyes met hers and she looked away coyly. Apparently she still saw a lot of her dream-boy in his evil form. He heard her clear her throat. She looked at her feet, "I don't know what you're talking about."
She was telling the truth. He liked that. He licked his fangs. So many sought strength from lies in his presence but as terrified as she was, she faced him with vulnerable honesty. Man, she had balls. "Come on, Serenity. You can't truly believe that Angel kicked you out merely over an argument? Your insecurity truly does work to his advantage and leaves you blind," he watched as she boldly turned her head to look him in the eyes. It was obvious that he now had her full attention. "Angel developed feelings for you a long time ago; your compassion, your strength, your unwavering ability to truly forgive… what sad sap could resist that? When you lost your memory that was when lover-boy came to terms with what he felt for you. The look of nonrecognition you gave him cut him deep to the core. I felt it. I always feel you. Smell you. Sense you. Unlike Angel, I openly appreciate the finer things in life," he stopped behind her and gently thumbed a loose lock of red hair. He could smell the faint fragrance of peonies.
"You scare him. You threaten to bring happiness into every moment of his existence, and when Angel experiences true happiness, I come out. Now Angel and I have never been on speaking terms, but we know one another inside and out. What I experience, he does, and vice versa. He takes all the pain and guilt; I take all the pleasure and joy," he continued his slow and stalking gait around her. His boots lightly cracked against the fresh tile. His gait betrayed his massive size but also displayed his poise at carrying such mass.
She inhaled. She didn't understand why he would tell her any of this. That scared her more, "Why are you telling me this?" This time her voice quivered just a bit. He especially liked that. With some distance still between them he stopped in front of her, blocking her off from the main exit of the kitchen. He cracked his neck, "Because you called to me. Every time he marveled at the way your eyes glittered when you smile. Every time you looked guilty for the lustful glances you gave him. I've been waiting for someone like you to come along. Buffy was strong and a survivor. At best, the damage I could do to hurt him with her would wound him and cause him to retreat into himself even more. But you," he took a step closer. "The things I'm going to do with you are going cut his very soul. No, I'm not going to kill you. A foreign concept for me, believe me, but I'm going to make you wish I had," he watched as she shed a single tear.
He took another step, "It's nothing personal. Although I will be getting something out of this as well. Aside from my powers multiplying by an obscene amount, I'll finally be able to break Angel and roam free the way I once did. Curse or no curse, the anger and guilt that will well up within him will break him. He'll try to control it, conceal it, avoid it but you will always be a living testimony to the damage he made possible." The tear spilled down the side of her lips. "You know that will never work," she hissed. He countered her resistance with a smile that sent chills violently down her spine. "Well it's worth a try," he growled and pounced.