Part 19

Ethan awoke with a scream. Memories of what the vampire had done to him last night kept playing through his mind. He had finally been released only to have a dark haired female vamp drink but not drain him. He lay huddled against a building cradling his broken hand. He had made his escape in the early morning hours just as the sun rose. He had no doubt that the vampire that tortured him let him escape. Ethan didn't think even the sun would have stopped him from following him if he hadn't wanted Ethan to leave.

With every scrape of the knife and finger broken Ethan finally agreed with his father about Willow in their conversation that seemed years ago . . . "I could feel the power just radiating off of her. I just wouldn't want to see what would happen to you if you pissed her off."

He had well and truly pissed Willow off. If not Willow, he had definitely pissed off her protector. That puzzled him. How could Willow have gotten such a vicious vampire to be her protector? Maybe she wasn't the goody, goody he always thought.

~~~~

Angelus slowly awoke with the knowledge that he would turn Willow tonight. He had waited long enough. He smiled at the memory of how he had gotten the information that he wanted from Ethan. It was time to turn Willow and watch her exact her revenge on both Ethan and Malcolm. Then they could begin their eternity together.

"Where's William?" he asked Darla.

"He took his witch and went to the cottage where we ate that lovely couple a few days ago."

Well, he wouldn't be able to turn her without William now. He'd have to think of a way to get him out of the cottage so he could turn Willow without interference. He could handle William's reaction after the fact.

~~~~

Willow turned in William's embrace and saw him watching her. She smiled and leaned in for a kiss. "Hi"

"Hi yourself. Can I ask you something?"

"Um, sure."

"Why'd you call me Spike earlier?"

She hadn't thought he heard her when she had moaned his name. She should have known better. Think, Willow. Her hand was caressing his stomach, which was getting a response lower. She smirked and brought her hand lower. "Mmmm, Spike."

He brought his hand down to cover hers. "Spike, huh? Think I like that."

Willow was trying very hard not to laugh. Who would have thought that time travel Willow had given Spike his nickname? With a twinkle in her eye she rolled on top of Spike, "Think I like that, too."

~~~~

Angelus approached the cottage where Willow and William were staying. He backed into the shadows as he saw William go outside and quietly made his way in.

"Willow", he whispered right before he grabbed her from behind.

Spike had seen Angelus enter the cottage and wondered what he was up to. He saw him grab Willow from behind and waited with a smirk to see him go flying like he had the other night.

Willow rolled her eyes and with a thought sent Angelus flying a few feet and landing with a thud. "Like I told William, you should know better than to grab me from behind."

Angelus morphed. "Good, you want to play rough."

Spike began to growl deep in his chest but he knew that Willow could take care of herself.

"Freeze!" With that Angelus couldn't move.

In the shadows, Spike had been hit by the freeze command as well.

Willow walked around Angelus muttering, "You know, I've really tried to remember that you become Angel eventually but you keep working on my last nerve. I don't think I'm gonna wait ten years for the gypsies to curse you."

She looked up into Angelus' eyes and raised her arms with her palms cupped. An unnatural breeze filled the cottage and Willow's hair began to blow with the magickal current.

Spike watched in awe as he saw his witch build her power and was very glad he hadn't been the one to bring her to this much anger.

Angelus struggled against his invisible bonds and tried to understand what Willow had meant by waiting for the gypsies to curse him.

Willow closed her eyes briefly and let the magickal energy fill her. She felt her goddess presence and knew it would turn out all right.

"Not of the dead, nor of the living. I call upon Janus to bring about this new beginning. Create a new creature where darkness and light shall dwell as one. So mote it be, my will be done."

Angelus felt a searing pain fill his body. It felt like his whole body was on fire. What had the witch done to him?

Willow felt the energy leave her body and saw the pain in Angel's eyes. "Release".

Angel fell to his knees and curled into a ball. Memories began to assault his senses. Willow rushed to his side and carefully pulled him into her embrace. She rocked and caressed him whispering that it would be all right.

She heard a whimper in the corner and turned to look. There was Spike rocking back and forth and staring into space. "Spike!" She ran to his side and knelt down. "Oh god, oh god, oh god. I'm so sorry. I never meant this for you."

She took his hand and led him to where Angel was sitting. She sat between the two vampires and laid their heads on her shoulders trying to give them each the comfort they craved.

~~~~

Darla entered the room and saw Drusilla keening and rocking.

"Dru what is it?"

"Our family is changing. The light burns Angel and William."

Darla felt the bond with Angel and William and knew they weren't dead. "What light is burning Angel and William?"

"The witch is giving Angel and William their souls."

Witch, what witch? Darla shuddered, there was nothing worse than a vampire with a soul. It is too late for Angel and William but not too late to cut her losses and go be with the Master.

"How would you like to go to France with me and spend some time with the Master?"