Part 18

Ethan awoke slowly trying to get his bearings. The last thing he remembered was walking into the building on the wharf. The pain in his arms forced him all the way awake. He realized he was tied to a chair with his arms tied behind him and his legs tied to the legs of the chair.

"Well, you're finally awake. I thought I would have to start the party without you."

Ethan lifted his head towards the voice. Out of the shadows walked a tall man with his hair tied back in a ponytail. He had no idea who he was or why he had him tied up. "Who are you?"

"Let's just say, I'm a man that needs something from you."

"What have I got that you want?"

Angelus walked further into the light. Oh he could hardly wait to turn Willow and watch her exact vengeance on this man. He'd have to make sure he kept him alive enough for that. He brought out a long thin bladed knife that he had found in the building where he had captured Ethan.

"You have information that I want."

"I don't know anything."

"Hmm, let's see if I can refresh your memory . . . There is a little known legend that the heart of his last victim holds great power. No one had been able to find the heart and if I can follow him, become a protégé, maybe I'll be able to steal the heart."

Ethan paled. If he knew about that he knew about the time traveling and that Malcolm was the Ripper. Ethan was dead either way. Malcolm would think that he told this man and kill him. He had a feeling whoever this man was he would kill him just for the pleasure of killing him.

"Ah, I see it's coming back to you." Angelus took the knife and lightly skimmed it down Ethan's cheek leaving a little trail of blood. "Ready to tell me what the power is?"

Ethan thought quickly, maybe he would let him go if he did tell him the power or make up something. He would never know if he was telling the truth or not. He still had no idea who the last victim was so he couldn't help him there. Hopefully he would be long gone before this man found whoever's heart it was.

Angelus morphed his features into a vampire hoping to give Ethan incentive to tell him. He moved around so Ethan could see him clearly. He leaned in to lick the blood that was trickling down Ethan's cheek, "Mmm fear always makes the blood taste better. Now, I'll ask you one more time, what is the power?"

Oh my god, he's a vampire. Ethan knew for certain he was dead now. His time with Malcolm taught him that. Hmmm, an idea began to form in his mind.

"The power is immortality", that part was true. "The Ripper will take the heart of his last victim and with it he achieves immortality. I don't know who his last victim is so you'll have to find Malcolm and take the heart away from him when he gets it." Ethan thought this vampire was match enough for Malcolm. He could kill two birds with one stone. Literally, maybe they would kill each other.

He brought the knife down Ethan's arms leaving more blood. "Nice try but I know Malcolm is a vampire and I'm obviously a vampire why do we need immortality?"

"Oh, Ripper doesn't know the heart contains immortality. He just gets it for his trophies. It will make anyone immortal, even vampires. You'll be able to go out in the sun and holy objects won't have an effect on you." Ethan had no idea if this was true or not but he hoped this man believed him.

Angelus thought about what Ethan said. He didn't trust him.

Seeing the vampire set the knife down, Ethan let out a sigh of relief. Angelus smiled and turned to Ethan, "Oh we're not done here. I've only begun."

"But why, I told you what I know."

Angelus got eye to eye with Ethan, "Oh you've told me what I want to know about the power."

"Then what?"

Angelus quirked one side of his lips in a smile, "You haven't told me everything I want to know."

"I don't know anything else that might interest you."

"Oh, I don't know . . . How about why you want to harm my Willow?"

SHIT!!!!

Angelus smiled at his reaction. Time to see how loud he screams.

~~~~~~

William made his way to the pub where he was going to meet Willow. Willow had told him that there wasn't going to be another murder for almost a week. He planned to use the time to seduce Willow, starting tonight. He wasn't going to be interrupted by Angelus or anyone else.

He waited in the shadows outside the pub. He had no intention of them ever going inside. He smiled when he caught her scent on the breeze behind him.

He turned and watched her walk towards the entrance to the pub. He waited for her to get near it and walked up behind her. He reached his arms around her waist and then found himself thrown through the air and landing with a thud.

Willow turned with a smile, "You should know better than to sneak up on me, William."

He just smiled at her and thought, well we'll certainly have some interesting times.

He stood up, dropped his arm around Willow's shoulders and steered her away from the pub. "Ready, luv?"

"I don't know . . . ready for what?"

"A night of excitement. I've got the night all planned."

"It doesn't involve torture does it?"

He wiggled his eyebrows at her, "Not unless you want it to."

She raised one corner of her lips, "Maybe later."

He wasn't sure if she was kidding or not. Yep, they'll have some interesting times.

He had the perfect place to take Willow. He couldn't very well take her back to the lair Angelus, Dru or Darla would probably interrupt them. Especially Angelus.

William escorted Willow to a waiting carriage and he gave the driver the address. Willow was getting her skirts out of the way to sit on the bench opposite William when he put his arms around her waist and settled her on his lap.

He began to nuzzle her neck just below her ear, "Appetizer".

"I hope you don't mean that literally", she moved her hair out of the way to give him better access.

He moved his hand from around her waist and began loosening the bodice buttons to give him better access to her throat and shoulder. His hand slipped down and lightly caressed her breasts. Willow arched into his touch. She wanted his hands on her and his lips.

The rocking of the carriage stopped abruptly and William tightened his hold on Willow so she wouldn't slip from his lap. "I think we're here."

Willow quickly did up the buttons that William had loosened. By the time they straightened their clothes the driver opened the door and helped Willow down.

They stood outside a cottage in the woods. William led Willow up the steps and into the cottage. Since he could go in without an invitation she guessed the cottage was abandoned. "What's a vampire need with a cottage?"

"Don't. I saw the owners leave it a few nights ago and no one's been back since." No need to tell her that Darla killed the owners a few nights ago.

William led her over to the fireplace, "Light a fire?"

"Sure." Willow waved her hand and the log in the fireplace caught fire. William chuckled. He had meant it as a question if she wanted him to light a fire in the fireplace.

He stood for a moment just watching her in the firelight, "You are beautiful."

He stepped closer and pulled her into his embrace. His hands gently caressed her back from top to bottom. He pulled her closer and rocked his hips into hers.

She moaned into his mouth and moved her hands to begin unbuttoning his shirt. She needed to feel his skin about as much as she needed to breathe. When she had exposed his chest she bent her head to place a kiss in the center of his chest where his heart would have been beating. He tilted his head back and reveled in her touch. He gently pushed her back and they began removing each other's clothes layer by layer. Willow was really cursing all the layers that both genders wore in this time.

They finally stopped and gazed at each other. Simultaneously, "You're beautiful."

"A man can't be beautiful, pet."

"OK, you're beautiful in a manly way. Better?"

He pulled her back into his embrace. The feel of his cool skin was soothing next to her overheated body. He gently lowered her to the floor and braced himself on his arms above her. Her thighs gripped him and she sighed against his lips. Her eyes met his and she whispered, "Please."