Disclaimer: It has come to my attention that Angelus was already souled in 1921. I didn't know this when I started writing this so please just ignore my error and pretend that he was souled in, let's say, 1925. Thanks

Shadows of the Mind

Prologue

1427 (Italy)

He had been watching her for days. Her power called out to him like a bird's song carried on the wind. Armand was surprised to find her amidst this small and poor town in Italy. She stood out among the grayness of the town. It wasn't because of her fire red hair or her proud emerald eyes. It was her very essence. Her inner strength and passion only intensified by the whispering gossip and rude stares of the townspeople. For these people, life was a boring and tedious system revolved around their God. Religion was the essence of life; the answers to all their problems. For the girl who had become Armand's obsession, she did not pray tot his one God that she had once loved as a child. This God had deserted her when he cruelly took her parents and her baby brother from her. Now she found only peace and salvation in her love to her Goddess. The craft, becoming her system of life allowing her to live and glorify in everything around her. Although, it was not much.

It was this warm summer night that Armand found his witch gathering wild herbs in a clearing just outside of the tiny village, under the silver light of the full moon. She turned towards him as he approached her, crushing the plants under his silent footsteps. Her hair swirled about her waist as the wind picked up. He stood before her and she was not afraid. Armand moved to talk, to give her the choice of eternal life or death when she placed her soft hand over his cool lips, in order to silence him. Looking into her eyes, he saw her answer as she offered herself to receive the deadly kiss that would bring her into new life. It was unknown to the world at that time that this red-haired girl would master the race that is the vampire.

Chapter one

~1921~

The dark haired vampire stalked silently through the streets if Munich, Germany. He stuck to the darkest of shadows almost invisible to the mortal eye. His mind was a jumble of frustrated thoughts as he sought out his nightly prey. The love of his unlife, his sire, had begun to edge on his nerves. The constant visions and cryptic remarks were all that he heard about these past few days. One must not forget the singing stars and tea parties with Miss. Edith. That damn doll was starting to freak him out. Him, a master vampire! Well only master when Angelus and Darla were away. But still strong and powerful enough to be feared by others. He turned about a corner and caught sight of a lovely woman with long flaming hair and pale skin. This beauty would be his chosen prey, he decided as he began to follow the woman through the dimly lit streets. If she knew she was being followed, she gave no indication. He approached her, stepping out of the safety of the shadows.

"What is a young thing like you doing out are such a late hour, pet?" Spike spoke causing her to turn and face him. He was caught in a pair of the most dazzling green eyes one had ever seen.

"Why dost one care to ask, sir?" the woman replied as her eyes danced with amusement drawing him deeper into their clutches.

"Well it is rare that a woman of such grace and beauty is escorted alone." Spike replied grinning down at her. He thought that her voice suited her. A soft but seductive tone to it, hiding the temper of a wildcat deep within the radiance of her hair.

"You talk as if you know Me.," she said with a bit more dignity in her voice.

"I probably know you better then you thin, pet." Spike said rather confidently. Too confident for this woman's taste.

"I highly doubt that. For all you know I can be some monster, like a vampire, for example." she teased revealing a small flicker of her fire.

"Trust me, love, you are no vampire." Spike laughed. The wind swirled around them shifting the red hair on her back.

"Do you believe in vampires, William?" the woman said looking straight through him to the demon within. Spike's smile disappeared and his face darkened with bewilderment.

"Who the bloody hell are you?"

"Goodnight." she simply said and disappeared around a corner. Spike stared at the vacated spot of where this mystifying 'mortal' had previously stood, the thought of the hunt wiped from his mind for at least a few moments. He slipped back into the shadows continuing in the opposite direction. His mind was filled with the emerald green of her eyes.

~2001~

"You know Spike. I think we have made it too comfy in here for you." The blond slayer said cruelly looking down at the chained vampire, whom at taken up residence in the Watcher's bathtub.

"What the bloody hell are you yapping about Slayer?" Spike asked coming back to reality from his past memories.

"We feed you, keep you safe. I really think you are enjoying this, Spike." Buffy said plainly holding a mug of warm blood in her hand. The scent called to him making his demon rage inside.

"You're kidding right? I'm chained to a sodding tub, I have to drink animal blood, and I get the unwanted pleasure of your taunting all bloody day. And I can't even hurt you bloody human to get revenge for this. So yeah, Slayer, I'm having a jolly ole time." Spike said sarcastically.

"Tell us what you know and you won't have this problem." Giles said.

"Yeah cause then I'll be dust."

"Buffy won't stake you once you tell us what you know." Giles replied calmly.

"I won't?" Buffy asked.

"No, you won't."

"Fine. All I know is that I came through an air vent at the bloody school you go to."

"That's it?" Buffy asked having thought Spike had known more.

"What did you expect? Bloody blueprints? Sorry but I didn't get a chance to pull them up on their computers. I was kinda worried about getting out of their alive." Spike replied. "Now give me my blood and turn on the telly. Timmy's down the bloody well and if I miss it I'll…"

"Do what? Lick me to death?" Giles replied as Buffy fed Spike the blood. Outside, a bright red convertible sped into town with a red head smiling evilly behind the wheel.

Chapter Two

~1921~

It had been almost a week since Spike had seen the girl that had since plagued his thoughts. Every night he would venture out in hopes of catching a glimpse of her. He assured himself that he had to prove that meeting her hadn't been a dream. This ambition of his slowly turned into an obsession as each night he found no trace of the redheaded vixen. Angelus found Spike's antics to be quite amusing. Every night when Spike came home, Angelus would nag at him about it. In fact, it had become so amusing that Angelus teased him about it all the time now. It was that night that Drusilla had learned of what had taken over her childe's mind. She flew into a screaming rage, words coming out of her mouth that didn't seem to make nay sense. Within only a few moments, the floor was littered with smashes vases and porcelain figurines that were from Darla's personal collection. Angelus sat in the large wing-backed chair laughing at his childe's temper tantrum that had led to such petty violence. Spike moved to console Drusilla but instead she attacked him with fists flying. It was then Spike had made his escape out into the night leaving Angelus' laughter and Drusilla's screams behind him.

Spike walked through the streets, not bothering to keep to the shadows. He kept his head down, glaring hatefully at the ground of which he walked upon. He didn't even realize it when he wandered out of his usual territory. It wasn't until he reached deep into the opposite side of the city that he noticed his unfamiliar surroundings. Shaking his head in disgust at himself, he turned to head back the way he came but stopped short when he caught a glimpse of long red hair disappearing around the side of a building. He quickly followed, being led to the main street of the city, which was a bit too crowded with humans for his taste. Spike lost sight of the red hair and stopped in the middle of the path. He peered over the heads of the people who brushed past him, giving him curious stares. Finally, Spike caught sight of his object of obsession farther down the street. He followed her surprised at how fast she was moving. Spike ended up on the outskirts f the city in front of a large and elegant house.

"You've been searching for me, William. Why?" a voice said from behind him. He spun around to come face to face with the woman he had been searching for.

"Who are you?" Spike asked simply drinking in the sight in front of him. She grinned up at him.

"Is that important to you? To know who I am?"

"Yes, love, it is." Spike replied.

"Why?" she asked as a serious look came across her face, chasing away all traces of amusement.

"Bloody hell woman. Just answer the sodding question." Spike practically yelled. The woman's grin reappeared at his outburst and frustration.

"I'd much rather show you." she said and he fell into unconsciousness.

~2001~

Anya walked down the dark street having left Giles' apartment alone. Xander had joined Buffy for a patrol and even though Anya was invited to go along she wasn't so naive that she knew the slayer hadn't wanted her along. During the rather boring Scooby meeting, Anya could sense something coming but would anyone listen to her? No. She got stuck taking care of the blonde vampire chained in the tub. After dealing with his snide and sarcastic remarks for the hour, which she was there, Anya had been left in a rather irritable and grumpy mood. In the middle of the sidewalk Anya stopped short. She knew she was not alone even though the street seemed deserted. The wind picked up and whistled through the trees. Anya could head the whisper of her name hidden within the harsh gusts. Her heart pounded in her chest as she started up a brisk pace trying to get to somewhere safe. If only she had her powers then she wouldn't be afraid of whatever was following her. Damn human emotions. Suddenly a figure stepped out of the shadows as the wind came still.

"So it is true. You're human." a soft voice laughed.

"I don't know who you are but that was so not cool." Anya replied. The girl stepped farther into the light as Anya's eyes widened in surprise.

"Lanis! What are you doing here?" Anya asked happily giving the female vampire a hug.

"Well Europe became a bore so these last few months I've been traveling around the New World." Lanis explained.

"And you just happened to end up in Sunnydale?" Anya asked.

"What? I can't visit an old friend?" Lanis asked innocently. Anya gave her a look.

"Okay so I heard you were human and I couldn't resist coming to tease you about it." Lanis admitted.

"I knew it! Wanna get a cup of coffee? Or wait, you don't drink coffee do you?" Anya rambled.

"Coffee's fine, Anya." Lanis smiled and the two girls headed to a late night cafe.

Chapter 3

~1921~

Spike awoke from the darkness of sleep to only find him engulfed in more darkness. He was chained to the ceiling and floor of a large room of where no light was visible. He desperately yanked at the chains he was attached to but they would not give in to his strength.

"Your attempts are of no use. The chains are magically strengthened." a laughing voice said from the darkest corner of the room. Suddenly a match burst into flames as a candle was lit. The only things in the room were an old chest, which the candlestick rested on, and an elegant armchair where the redheaded woman sat staring at her chained prisoner. Spike glared hatefully at her.

"It seems s I have forgotten my manners. My name is Lanis," she said plainly. When no look of recognition appeared in his eyes, she continued.

"I am older then any vampire you have ever met. I was sired 416 years ago." Spike gave her a surprised look because he hadn't sensed that she was a vampire. She stood and moved gracefully over to him, running a hand over his bare chest. It was then that Spike realized that he was naked to her eyes.

"You're wondering why you're here." Lanis stated staring into the icy blue depths of his eyes.

"You could say that, love." Spike spoke.

"Have you ever tortured anyone? Of course you have. That's why you are called Spike. You torture using railroad spikes, inflicting pain on mainly humans. Well, that's where you and I are...different. Humans are insignificant to me. The hunt, it bores me. Don't get me wrong now. I still feed off of them. But it is rare when I actually kill one of them. I instead prefer to master those of my own kind." Lanis said circling around the chained vampire. She leaned over his shoulder and spoke seductively in his ear, casing him to go rigid.

"Oh don't worry. I almost never kill any of those that I master. If I do, it's completely by accident." She moved back in front of him as he lashed once again at his chains.

"You're bloody crazy!" he hissed as the metal cut into the wrists.

"Not as crazy as your beloved Drusilla." she said sitting back down in her chair. His cold eyes gazed down hatefully at her.

"Oh poor baby wants to know why I picked him." Lanis laughed with a slight sneer curling at her lips.

"Well I guess that's a fair question. I mean why you when I could choose someone like, let's say, Angelus." Lanis said but then her tone darkened as she crossed her legs under the black silk dress she wore.

"Here's why. Angelus is weak. He would give in to me too quickly. But you, you intrigue me. I know all about you. William the bloody, now known as Spike. Sired by Drusilla... raised by Angelus. You have strength... character. You will be my favorite to master." Lanis said leaning back into the plush material of the chair, letting her true visage show through.

~2001~

"So what have you been up to?" Anya asked sipping her coffee.

"You mean who have I mastered lately, don't you?" Lanis replied with twinkling eyes.

"Well, duh. It is what you're famous for." Anya chided.

"So my magic has not earned me my fame?" Lanis teased knowing full well the lengths of her reputation.

"Well there's that too but the other part is much more interesting."

"There was this one in new Orleans named Davis. Very cute but not much of a challenge. But he was a screamer." Lanis laughed.

"Ah, the screams. I remember the screams." Anya sighed remembering her days as a demon.

"It's not the same though. These American vampires are weak. Give me the vampires of old any day. Now there's a challenge. To trap them in your web ad slowly draw them to you." Lanis smiled. But then she changed the subject. "So I hear you're dating a human."

"Yes. His name is Xander. He gives me many orgasms. It's quite pleasant." Anya said in a more chipped voice.

"Are you happy, Anya?" Lanis asked her brow creasing as she studied her long time friend.

"Yeah, I am." Anya replied honestly.

"Good. So tell me more about this Xander of yours."

"Well he works in construction. I like it when he gets all sweaty. And he's friends with Buffy- the slayer. He's actually out patrolling with her right now."

"Does that bother you?" Lanis asked.

"No." Anya said but then let out a sigh. "Yeah it does. All of them, they only accept me because I'm Xander's girlfriend. They can't get past the fact that I used to be a demon. And lately I've been stuck taking care of Spike and I swear if I have to hear one more snide comment out of him I'm gong to get my powers back and then he'll regret it." Anya threatened. Lanis looked up surprised.

"Spike's here?" she asked. She knew that Spike had been traveling around with his sire but she had lost track of him when thy left Prague.

"You know Spike?" Anya asked.

"From a long time ago." Lanis said softly. Anya's eyes lit up.

"You mastered him, didn't you? If only I knew sooner! Think of the revenge, the blackmail." Anya laughed happily. Lanis grinned at her friend.

"So tell me what he's been up to." Lanis said sipped her coffee. Anya proceeded to tell what she had heard about from the 1st time he and Drusilla came to Sunnydale up to his current chipped condition and being tied up in Giles' tub. After listening to these stories, the wheels began turning in her head about what she could do to Spike just for kicks.

"I think I have an idea." Lanis grinned, her eyes flashing evilly. Anya leaned forward and they planned the best 'game' ever conceived in the minds of any demon.

Chapter Four

~1921~

Spike attempted once again at breaking the chains but only succeeded in becoming tired.

"Are you quite finished?" Lanis asked with raised eyebrows.

"Let. Me. Go." Spike growled his demon face coming forth to match his abductors. Lanis let out a low laugh.

"Are you trying to intimidate me, William?" She stood in front of him and roughly grabbed his chin, forcing him to look straight at her.

"It only adds to my amusement so stop being a child." She raked a nail over his cheek breaking enough layers of skin to cause a thin line of blood to appear. Lanis traced her tongue over the cut, savoring the taste only to have Spike yank his face away from her. She smiled at him.

"So much fun." Lanis walked away from him and over to the chest across the room. Spike watched her curiously as she placed the candle on the floor and opened the dark chest. He couldn't se what was in it but he could hear the clanking sound of objects hitting against each other as she dug through the contents. Spike took this time to study his back in thick waves, comparable to a sea of blood in a vampire's eye. Her skin was a pale color of death in contrast to the ebony dress which hugged her curves. He could not see her face at that moment since her back was to him but he could picture it perfectly. The deep green color of her powerful and amused gaze that seemed to see straight into his center. It was those eyes that unnerved him. He felt that those eyes could see into his dead and unbeating heart that carries all his private emotions and thoughts. No one had been able to penetrate that barrier but he was afraid that this one might be able to. Spike's thoughts led him to think about her other facial features that added to her exquisite beauty. Her nose so perfect with the slightest hint of a small spray of freckles that had once been more visible as a human. Finally that left her lips. The soft full lips that curved into the seductive and taunting smile that adorned her face so many times when she spoke; untouched by the rogue that human women found to be in the height of fashion.

"Enjoying the view, William?" Lanis laughed over her shoulder. She could feel his eyes boring into her back as his mind turned like clock-wheels. He did not reply but continued to watch as she pulled out a long leather whip.

"I think this will be good to get us started." Lanis said facing him to test out the whip in the empty air.

~2001~

It was the following night and Lanis stood on the front step of the Watcher's apartment. She was there to meet Anya for the Scooby meeting concerning the new demon in town. It was also to start with phase one of the plan they had concocted the night before at the coffee shop. Lanis knocked lightly on the wooden door and waited patiently to be let in. Rupert Giles opened the door, surprised to find a beautiful red head standing there.

"Mr. Giles? I'm Lanis, Anya's friend." Lanis smiled. She had casted a glamour spell in order to make herself seem like a human. Heartbeat and all.

"Ah yes. Please, come in." Giles said opening the door wider allowing Lanis to enter his home.

"Lanis! You made it." Anya smiled from where she sat flipping through a magazine.

"Please, have a seat." Giles said pulling out a chair for the girl to sit. She smiled kindly and took a seat, crossing her legs at the knees.

"I'm Buffy. This is Xander and Willow." the blonde slayer said indicating to the dark haired boy and red headed girl.

"Lanis." Lanis replied with a slight nod.

"So how is it that you know Anya? I haven't heard her mention you before." Xander spoke up.

"We're old friends." Lanis replied.

"Yes and I have mentioned her but you just don't listen." Any said looking up from her magazine.

"I always listen to you, honey." Xander said kissing his girlfriend on the cheek. Be fore Anya could reply a rude and annoyed voice called out from down the hall.

"What's a vampire to do to get some sodding blood around here!"

"Oh dear. I forgot." Giles sighed picking up the mug that he had previously filled with warmed blood. "Anya, could you take this to him?"

"Nope. I'm sick and tired of his rude comments." Anya stated not tearing her eyes away from the magazine.

"But Anya." Xander protested.

"No Xander, I won't do it." Anya replied shortly.

"I'll do it." Lanis spoke up, taking the tension away from her friend.

"No. You don't have to do that, Lanis. You're a guest. Buffy will do it." Giles said gazing at the beautiful girl.

"Ha! Bring on the apocalypse. I'd take that any day rather then deal with him. I don't know why we don't just stake him. He IS a vampire." Buffy said. Lanis frowned deeply but no one except for Anya really noticed it.

"I have no problem dealing with chained vampires. Let me do this." Lanis said doing her own version of the resolve face. Giles shrugged and handed her the warmed pig's blood. Lanis took it and proceeded down the hall to the bathroom, giving Anya a small smirk. Let the games begin!

"Took you long enough. Trying to bloody starve me to death or something, demon girl?" Spike said once Lanis stepped into the room.

"Given the chance I'm sure Anya and the others would love to. But I couldn't let that happen. At least not when they're the ones doing it. Now if it was me, then that would be a whole other story." Lanis smirked leaning back against the closed door. She dropped her glamour spell. Spike froze and looked up quickly coming into the gaze of the vampire from years before.

"Lanis?" Spike asked not able to believe his eyes. She hadn't changed much over the many years between their meetings. The same vibrant red hair and piercing green eyes.

"Good. You remember me. Saves me the time of trying to jog your memory." Lanis replied a pleased smile dancing across her face and into her eyes.

"What the bloody hell are you doing here?" Spike asked.

"Now is that any way to talk to your mistress? My, my William. We have become disobedient over the years. I guess I didn't teach you properly."

"Trust me, pet. You taught me good and plenty." Spike smirked. Lanis frowned.

"What has happened to you? The vampire I knew wouldn't allow himself to be chained to a wash tub, being fed animal blood in a cup by humans. Let alone the Slayer."

"Shit happens. People change." Spike said void of any emotion.

"But we're not people, William. We don't stoop to their depths. We don't show them our weakness. But yet you have. So maybe then you are like them. The infinite subspecies of this world that mill about in their oblivious and pointless lives." Lanis replied a frosty tone lucid in her voice.

"Bloody hell, pet. Have you come only to torture me with these words after so many years of being apart." Spike groaned throwing his head back in annoyance.

"Does that mean you missed me?" Lanis grinned smugly.

"I bloody well did not! I couldn't wait to be out of your damn clutches. If you don't remember clearly I was and am in love with Drusilla." Spike shot back.

"Did you really now? If I believe right, you never really loved Drusilla. Oh, you loved her all right but you were never in love with her. At least not after I let you go. There is no way because you belong to me." Lanis voiced.

"Bull shit! You don't know how I feel. Dru and I were in love for over a century. It's an eternal love, never-ending and all that crap!"

"Then why isn't she here with you?" Lanis smirked. Spike didn't reply. "It's because she knows you belong to me. It's only time until you accept that, William. I had thought you had but I guess I was wrong."

"You're insane, ducks. You know that?" Spike spat out his cold eyes meeting her amused ones.

"No Spike. Not insane. Just not in denial like you and the rest of the world." Lanis replied then made her exit out of the bathroom, leaving the cup of blood just out of the blonde vampire's reach.