Wes wiped the last traces of blood from his mouth with his naked arm, and let his teeth retract from their elongated state. The muscles of his face relaxed as well when the demon was once more pushed to the back of his consciousness. It was his first kill, his first taste of living human blood, and he felt better than he had in a long time. Powerful. It was no longer in him to sit back and let others take out their emotional baggage on him, or to use him in any other way. Wes almost pitied the fool who tried to stand in his way…but he knew how much fun it would be to rip the still beating hear from the chest and drink until he'd gorged himself with blood.
And now that he'd taken care of Lilah in a most satisfactory manner, it was time for Angel. Time to show the arrogant bastard that you did not mess with Wesley Wyndham-Price; you didn't toss him away like so much refuse. The hurt was gone, thankfully. The pain of betrayal no longer plagued him, only the anger…and the desire for revenge. Angel would feel every hurt he'd caused Wes returned in kind. And then some.
He could feel Morpheus waiting outside the door. The presence of the Master vampire was nearly overwhelming, his aura filled Wesley's senses. To be the childe of one so powerful and ancient filled him with something akin to pride. He was a vampire now, and there was no going back. Not that he wanted to.
Wesley stepped over Lilah's crumpled body that looked so like a marionette with its strings cut. Without a backward glance, he left the body where it had fallen, and left the morgue, closing the door behind him.
"You've made yourself a target, you know," came the voice of his sire. Morpheus did not judge, merely laid out a fact.
Wes just nodded. They walked to the elevator, leaving the morgue behind them.
"Yes, well, I knew that you would want to kill her yourself. Wolfram & Hart won't like losing the two of you in one night. They'll more than likely keep pursuing you."
"Yes."
Morpheus shrugged. "You truly are a remarkable creature, Wesley."
Now it was Wes's turn to shrug.
"Have you given any thought as to what you're going to do after?"
"After?"
"Yes, when you have dealt with the others. Angel and his associates."
"No, I haven't given that much thought, really."
"Ah."
"What is that supposed to mean?" asked Wes as they entered the elevator that led to the first floor.
"Nothing. Most vampires I know have no plans for the future; they live moment to moment. It seems pointless to make plans when you have eternity. Plans are for mortals who have to budget their short time on earth. And the ambitious vampire."
"Like you?" asked Wes, curious.
"No, not me. My ambition is not what it used to be. I was thinking more along the lines of the Master. Creatures that desire to rule the earth are the kind that make plans, and have yet to succeed."
"I have no desire to rule anything. I think though, that after Angel I should like to be alone for a while. Sort a few things out."
Morpheus nodded. The elevator chimed their destination as its doors opened. The building was as empty as it had been when they'd entered. It was rather a disappointment, actually. With fresh blood coursing in his veins, Wes in the mood for some action.
"Well, let's go home. Tomorrow is soon enough to find Angel," said Morpheus. "Besides, you'll be feeling the aftereffects of feeding so deeply soon; you're not used to taking so much at once. I expect the dizziness and lethargy will come soon. You'll need to rest."
"Very well," agreed Wesley.
They walked out of the office building into the pre-dawn night, the sky just beginning to lighten as the sun drew slowly nearer. Sunrise was still an hour away, but it was best to get to cover as soon as possible. Wes could feel the sun, it was a sensation of danger that made the hair on the back of his neck stand up. It wouldn't do to be burnt to a cinder before his revenge was complete. Another of Morpheus's refuges was near, not the one Wes had awoken in, but one of several scattered throughout the city.
Angel could wait another day…after all Wesley had eternity.
