Angel 6X08: Solitaire
Chapter One
The rain lashed down as Angel chased after the vampire. It turned a corner into a darkened alleyway, almost colliding with some trashcans as it skidded in the rain.
Got him, thought Angel. That alley is a dead end.
Angel turned the corner and faced down the vampire. The soulless beast snarled and charged headlong at Angel, fangs bared. In one fluid motion, Angel swiftly dodged out of the vampire's path, and drove his stake into the heart of the bloodsucker. As the dust settled on the floor, Angel felt another presence watching him, eyes staring deep into his back from deep in the shadows. He turned but there was no one, not a sight, scent or sound that anyone but Angel, and his prey were ever here. Angel shook his head, and started the walk back to the Hyperion before the Sun rose.
As Angel walked away, another figure stood atop a high building, watching the vampire champion intently. The figure was wrapped in shadows, a long black cloak draped around his shoulders. Across his back was a long ornate sword. His eyes shone with an unnatural green light, and a thin smile spread across his lips.
"He's the one? That is the vampire with a soul?" The man said, to no one in particular.
His eyes suddenly flared brightly and became a deep red glow.
"Yes. He is the one. Destroy him, and be free…"
In the Hyperion, Spike was sat on a sofa watching the television.
"No! It's not him! It's his evil twin, you bloody stupid woman!"
Laura came up from the training room in the basement to find out what the yelling was about.
"I'm watching Passions, now sod off; you're making me miss it…"
"You really do suck Spike, you know that?"
Spike's eyes didn't leave the TV set as he raised his arm and brandished his middle finger at the red haired Slayer.
Suddenly the hotel doors creaked open and Angel stepped through. Spike looked over at his grandsire.
"Took your time broody pants... The sun is almost bloody up."
Angel was about to bite back at the blonde vampire when Faith interrupted.
"Angel, I got some stuff here that you need to see."
"What is it?"
"There has been a jump in the number of demon and vampire slayings in the last couple of days…"
"Well, I have been out quite…" Angel started, swelling with pride.
"Not by you."
"Oh." muttered Angel, deflated. "Do we have another Slayer in town?"
"No, not that the Council have mentioned. Plus there have been a few reports of people being saved by a man, dark clothing, armed with an old lookin' sword."
"Could be some kind of demon hunter?" said Spike, shouting over from the couch.
"If it is," said Faith, "He's not quite human. People have mentioned him being very strong, and having glowing eyes."
In the darkened sewers, a Terrok demon ran through the tunnels. Terrok demons are massive, bulky beasts who fed on the hearts of their prey, humans. They are not known for being afraid, but this one ran as if its life depended on it. The beast turned a corner and ran into a dead end. It turned to escape, but came face to face with its hunter. The black swathed man stood tall in the tunnel, his eyes glowing green and drew his sword, brandishing it at the demon. The Terrok roared at the man, hoping to show some form of defiance and courage. The man's eyes switched colour to a deep blood red, as a bolt of power ripped from the sword and slammed the demon against the wall. The man walked over to the prone demon, and knelt beside him. His eyes changed back to the sickly green light as he jammed a long dagger into the demon's stomach, and twisted the blade.
"Tell me my ugly friend, where can I find the vampire with a soul?"