Part Six
The silence that followed her announcement was perfect gloating
atmoshpere and Cordelia took full advantage of it. She sat back with a
smirk and an arch of her eyebrow. She paid no attention to Wesley's
disapproving frown - he was an ex-watcher and therefore was biased
toward slayers.
"How...Why?" Buffy glanced at the kitchen. She should be angry. She
should be mad as hell that her best friend and her ex-boyfriend were
shacking up, but she wasn't. Angel was a vampire. Willow was sort of
a vampire. She was a vampire slayer. Two people in her life that she
loved and were important to her adn her instinct would be to kill them.
She had felt it the moment she had seen Willow. Her fingers had itched
for a stake and her muscles had tensed in anticipation of an attack.
She had tried to deny what it was, tried to tell herself that she felt
that way because Willow was holding hands with Angel, but it wasn't.
On the way to L. A., she had convinced herself that the best place for
Willow was back in Sunnydale with her friends and that nothing would
change between them.
The striken look on Buffy's face was making Cordelia feel guilty. Her
smirk was replaced with a frown. Buffy was supposed to be acting like
a selfish, spoiled child - stomping around and demanding Willow's best
friend loyalty and Angel's eternal soulmate devotion in a tantrum of
love - she wasn't supposed to be so sad. Leave it to her blond nemisis
to take the fun out of everything by growing as a person too. "Willow
was having trouble controlling the demon and Angel suggested a blood
bond so he could control the demon. It's some sort of sick vampire
thing where Angel's the elder vamp so he's stronger, but since he's not
her sire, he could only be in control by becoming her mate. They're
not 'mating' though, it's just a blood thing. No sex because of the
curse."
Buffy nodded. If there was no sex because of the curse then that meant
Angel's heart was involved. She didn't have to ask the question - she
knew the answer - but she needed to hear it out loud. She needed
someone else to confirm what she already knew. "Are they in love?"
It should have given Cordelia great pleasure to answer Buffy's question
given her earlier behavior toward Gunn, but it didn't. One more thing
Buffy had ruined in her life. "They're in a serious like phase right
now," she told them delicately. She heard Gunn's snort, but ignored
it. The physical attraction between Angel and Willow was intense so to
say that they liked one another was pretty lame, but Cordelia wasn't
sure it was love yet either. It was certainly heading that way though.
"No!" Tara picked up the lamp on the endtable next to her and smashed
it to the floor. "Willow loves me! She loves me, not him. She will
never love him." She ran toward the kitchen. "Willow."
"Tara!" Buffy jumped up and followed her. She had never seen Tara
like this before. Willow's girlfriend had always been so shy and
hesitant, but that had changed once Willow had called them. She
totally lost control. She had insisted that they drive to L. A. and
since Buffy had wanted Willow back home too, she had agreed. It had
surprised her when Xander had tried to stop them and convince them it
was a mistake. With Angel's involvement, she had expected Xander to be
the first one in the car. She was going to have to start listening to
Xander, his instinct had been right about this trip. It was nothing
but trouble. "Tara, calm down." Buffy stopped behind the blond witch.
They had walked in on something she had never wanted to see. Over
Tara's shoulder, Buffy saw Willow and Angel. She felt Cordelia,
Wesley, and Gunn come up behind her. She couldn't move.
The back of Angel's dark head was bent into Willow's neck and he had
her pinned up against the metal door to the walk-in freezer. Buffy
didn't have to see his face to know it was his vampire one. She lifted
her hand and unconsciously touched the scar at her throat. She felt
the ghost of ridges pressed into her skin, the fangs tearing her flesh,
the growling in her ear, and the horrible slurping as her blood flowed
into Angel's mouth. She remembered the pain, the incredible mind
dazzling pain. Willow didn't look like she was in pain. Her eyes were
closed and her head thrown back with one hand in Angel's hair, holding
him close. buffy couldn't look away. As she watched, ridges formed
on Willow's face and fangs glistened in her open mouth. She opend her
eyes, her golden gaze meeting Buffy's.
"Willow," Tara hissed between clenched teeth. "What are you doing?"
Willow's features snapped back to human and she nudged Angel away from
her. "Angel." She blushed a bright red and ducked her head,
sheltering herself from Tara and Buffy with Angel's broad shoulders.
As she looked down, she belatedly realized where her other hand was and
snatched it from Angel's crotch. He gave a strangled groan and rested
his forehead on the cool metal above Willow.
"Uh, sorry to, uh, interrupt." Cordelia shifted uncomfortably. She
actually blushed because of the sexual energy saturating the air. She
had no idea how Willow and Angel were going to explain this to Buffy
and Tara, there really was only one explanation. "I told Buffy and
Tara about the whole mating thing adn the rest of us will leave now so
you four can discuss." Cordelia turned and walked out of the kitchen.
When Wesley and Gunn didn't follow her, she turned back and pushed them
out.
This was the most mortifying moment of her life. When Willow had
dragged Angel into the kitchen, she had intended to calm him down with
words, but had soon realized that there was only one thing that would
mollify him. Actions meant more to vampires than words. Willow had to
show Angel that she was his mate. She had bared her neck to him and he
had bitten her without hesitation - he had been that out of control.
Unfortunately, Willow had lost control as soon as his fangs pierced her
flesh. She had felt an overwhelming desire to possess him. She
couldn't stop herself from unzipping his fly and caressing his hard
cock. Buffy and Tara had left her mind completely.
"Willow?" Tara's voice was still demanding but it was more tearful.
"I have to talk to her," Willow said softly. She felt Angel step back
a bit so she looked up at him. He looked a little stunned. Willow
smiled and touched his cheek. "I'll be back. We're just going to go
for a walk."
"No." Angel caught Willow's hand as she tried to slip around him. He
was still trying to process everything that had happened. He had been
jealous of Willow's girlfriend and her claim on Willow and had just let
his demon take control. He hadn't even tried to squelch his basest
urges. He didn't know what he would do if Willow left the hotel.
"Please."
"We'll go out inot the courtyard then." Willow squeezed Angel's hand.
"You can see us from the window. I need to talk to her alone."
"I know." Angel grimaced and reluctantly let go of Willow's hand. He
ran his hand through his hair as she left with her girlfriend. He and
Buffy were left alone in the kitchen.
"So...you made my best friend your mate and I didn't even get an
invitation." Buffy tried to smile, but it didn't really work.
"I'm sorry you found out this way, Buffy." Angel sighed. He didn't
have the energy to feel guilty about hurting Buffy. She was a love he
had to let go, but with Willow he had a chance to love someone who
truly understood him. He wasn't sure if he loved Willow yet, but there
was certainly something between them.
"You're not sorry you did it though." This time Buffy did smile,
although it was a sad smile. It was really over. The tragic love saga
of the vampire and the slayer was over. "Can you tell Tara that I'll
be at our hotel."
"Sure." Angel was a bit surprised at Buffy's quiet acceptance of
things, but he was thankful for it. Buffy's mention of Tara made him
realize that he wasn't where he could see Willow. Angel quickly left
the kitchen for the lobby. Willow was sitting on a bench in the
courtyard. She was beautiful in the sunlight.
"Angel." Buffy came up behind him. "I can't help Willow, but she's
still my best friend and I love her. Will you tell her that for me,
please? And promise that you'll take care of her."
"I promise." Angel heard the door close as Buffy left. His demon
hadn't stopped growling since Willow had left with Tara. The blood
bond of the mating ritual had allowed him to establish control over her
demon, unfortunately keeping things platonic was making him lose
control over his. It was going to be a problem.
*****
Willow could feel Angel watching her. She straightened, preening under
his attention, the heat from his gaze making the sun insignificant. She
almost wished she could pass off her reaction as the demon's, but the
woman in her liked it too. Willow pulled her awareness from the
vampire in the hotel and focused on Tara. She was supposed to be
apologizing to her ex-girlfriend. Neither of them had said a thing
since they had left the others.
"I knew this would happen." Tara finally broke the silence. She
wouldn't look at Willow, she kept her eyes trained on the stone walk
beneath her feet. "I thought it would be Oz. Or maybe Xander. You
never even talked about HIM unless you were reminiscing about the old
days with Buffy."
"This isn't about being straight or gay, Tara. Things have changed."
Willow hadn't realized how much until she had seen Tara again. It was
like it had been years since they had been involved. She still loved
Tara, but the feeling was so distant. "I'm some sort of weird vampire
hybrid. Angel can help me understand things...."
Tara interrupted her with a derisive laugh. "Is that what he's doing?
What did he help you understand in the kitchen? That vampires like to
be jacked off while sucking blood?"
"Bloodlust is a part of being a vampire and sex is tied to it." Willow
bit back a growl of frustration. A hint of blood mingled with her
saliva as she chewed on the plump flesh of her lip. There was only one
way Tara would finally understand. Willow turned to her former
girlfriend and took her hand. She steeled herself against the sudden
hope that shone in Tara's face. She also ignored Angel's blistering
glare as she caressed Tara's palm with her thumb. She traced the
delicate veins of her ex-lover's wrist. "I can feel your blood pulsing
under your skin. I want to taste it."
"You can't scare me away. I love you, Willow." Tara stroked Willow's
hair and smiled.
The words were said bravely, but Willow could still see her fear. She
could smell it and a part of her wanted to exploit it to its fullest
and break the girl who gazed at her with such love and longing. "I
love you too." Willow reached up and cupped Tara's cheek. She didn't
want to do this, but it was necessary. She was going to indulge that
other part of her and hope that she could stop herself before she
demolished Tara's heart. "I want to make love to you right now. I
want to drink from you when you climax. Would you like it when I bite
you? Could you stop me from doing it? I doubt it." Willow gripped
Tara's chin to make her point. "You should have stayed in Sunnydale
like I asked. We can't be together anymore."
"You would never hurt me." Tara smiled and took Willow's hand from her
face. She squeezed it. "I know that and I trust you."
"How can you when I don't trust myself?" Willow tore her hand away
and stood up. "I know you love me, but don't be stupid, Tara. I don't
want to hurt you any more than I already have. I don't want to kill
you."
"This isn't about killing me." Tara stood up as well. She scowled.
"It's still about Him. You're afraid you'll hurt me because you won't
be able to stay away from him." Tara waited for Willow to confirm her
accusation and when there was no answer, she took that to mean she was
right. It was over. Her relationship with Willow - the best thing in
her life because it had helped her accept herself - was finished. "Do
you love him?"
"I don't know. I don't think so." Willow glanced over to the hotel.
She couldn't see Angel through the dark window, only the ghost-like
reflections of the bushes and flowers in the glass, but she still felt
like she was meeting his gaze. It was steadying. Instead of growling,
the demon inside her purred. "Everything has been so confused, but
Angel's made it better. I can accept myself like this because he's
made it okay somehow. I don't love him, but I could and it would work.
I have a future with Angel." Willow turned and looked at Tara, the
fact that she didn't have a future with the other girl went unspoken,
but it was finally understood. She was sorry for Tara's tears and
pain and didn't stop her when she ran from the hotel's courtyard. She
was sad too, but couldn't help the thrill of pleasure as she thought of
Angel.
"Excuse me," a woman a bit older than Willow entered the courtyard and
smiled hesitantly. With her dark hair and eyes, Willow immediately
thought of Jenny Calendar and knew that this woman was a Kalderash.
"I'm Astrid Carmichael, I'm supposed to meet a Willow Rosenberg at this
address."
"That's me." Willow shook the other woman's hand. "Thanks for coming.
Angel and I really need your help."
"I'm always happy to help." Astrid smiled and followed Willow to the
hotel. She was curious about the vampire her family had cursed. "I've
brought everything my family has about the curse and I think I know
how to modify it."
*****
The store was dingy and creepy. It reeked of sandalwood and exotic
spices. It was everything an occult shop was supposed to be. Darla
flipped through a dusty old book about torture techniques. It was
boring, she was familiar with some of them and had invented the rest.
It might make a nice gift for Angel though - bring back fond memories.
"She'll be here soon," Dru whispered in Darla's ear. She had crept up
behind her childe and pouted when Darla didn't react to her little
surprise. "Why don't you believe me, Grandmother Daughter? Don't you
trust me?"
"Of course I believe you, Dru." Darla closed the book and caressed
Dru's cheek with her fingernail. It had been her suggestion that they
take the sewers to the vampire friendly occult shop with the
underground entrance. It had been encouraging when Dru had followed
along without question like she used to - the insane vampiress tended
to forget she had the control which would make it that much easier to
break her sire bond. "I just want to watch the wheels in motion. You
are sure that this spell won't destroy Angelus?"
"It might sting a little." Dru looked up with anticipation as the bell
above the front door jangled, announcing a customer. A young girl
headed straight for the sales counter without browsing. She dashed a
few lingering tears from her eyes. Dru clapped happily. "That's her,"
she said with an excited whisper.
"Hello," Tara called out. She glanced nervously at the two other
people in the store. The brunette smiled, but it didn't reach her
empty eyes. The blonde just smirked as she pulled the other woman
further down the aisle. Tara shivered and turned back as the shop
keeper emerged from the store room. "I need a spell to destroy a
vampire."
"That's a powerful and dangerous spell." The man ducked under the
counter and retrieved a small spell book. "Expensive too."
Tara set a credit card down on the counter. "I don't care. He's
seduced someone I love with his vampire tricks and I have to save her."
Dru giggled softly at the witch's announcement. "Mommy doesn't want to
be saved, silly witch. She and Daddy are happy."
"Yeah, well, they should enjoy it while it lasts. Once my boy is back,
he's mine." Darla smiled as she imagined all the things she would do
to make Angelus forget the mother of his future child. She didn't
notice Dru's frown or the small dagger she pilfered from the store as
they left.
To be continued....
The silence that followed her announcement was perfect gloating
atmoshpere and Cordelia took full advantage of it. She sat back with a
smirk and an arch of her eyebrow. She paid no attention to Wesley's
disapproving frown - he was an ex-watcher and therefore was biased
toward slayers.
"How...Why?" Buffy glanced at the kitchen. She should be angry. She
should be mad as hell that her best friend and her ex-boyfriend were
shacking up, but she wasn't. Angel was a vampire. Willow was sort of
a vampire. She was a vampire slayer. Two people in her life that she
loved and were important to her adn her instinct would be to kill them.
She had felt it the moment she had seen Willow. Her fingers had itched
for a stake and her muscles had tensed in anticipation of an attack.
She had tried to deny what it was, tried to tell herself that she felt
that way because Willow was holding hands with Angel, but it wasn't.
On the way to L. A., she had convinced herself that the best place for
Willow was back in Sunnydale with her friends and that nothing would
change between them.
The striken look on Buffy's face was making Cordelia feel guilty. Her
smirk was replaced with a frown. Buffy was supposed to be acting like
a selfish, spoiled child - stomping around and demanding Willow's best
friend loyalty and Angel's eternal soulmate devotion in a tantrum of
love - she wasn't supposed to be so sad. Leave it to her blond nemisis
to take the fun out of everything by growing as a person too. "Willow
was having trouble controlling the demon and Angel suggested a blood
bond so he could control the demon. It's some sort of sick vampire
thing where Angel's the elder vamp so he's stronger, but since he's not
her sire, he could only be in control by becoming her mate. They're
not 'mating' though, it's just a blood thing. No sex because of the
curse."
Buffy nodded. If there was no sex because of the curse then that meant
Angel's heart was involved. She didn't have to ask the question - she
knew the answer - but she needed to hear it out loud. She needed
someone else to confirm what she already knew. "Are they in love?"
It should have given Cordelia great pleasure to answer Buffy's question
given her earlier behavior toward Gunn, but it didn't. One more thing
Buffy had ruined in her life. "They're in a serious like phase right
now," she told them delicately. She heard Gunn's snort, but ignored
it. The physical attraction between Angel and Willow was intense so to
say that they liked one another was pretty lame, but Cordelia wasn't
sure it was love yet either. It was certainly heading that way though.
"No!" Tara picked up the lamp on the endtable next to her and smashed
it to the floor. "Willow loves me! She loves me, not him. She will
never love him." She ran toward the kitchen. "Willow."
"Tara!" Buffy jumped up and followed her. She had never seen Tara
like this before. Willow's girlfriend had always been so shy and
hesitant, but that had changed once Willow had called them. She
totally lost control. She had insisted that they drive to L. A. and
since Buffy had wanted Willow back home too, she had agreed. It had
surprised her when Xander had tried to stop them and convince them it
was a mistake. With Angel's involvement, she had expected Xander to be
the first one in the car. She was going to have to start listening to
Xander, his instinct had been right about this trip. It was nothing
but trouble. "Tara, calm down." Buffy stopped behind the blond witch.
They had walked in on something she had never wanted to see. Over
Tara's shoulder, Buffy saw Willow and Angel. She felt Cordelia,
Wesley, and Gunn come up behind her. She couldn't move.
The back of Angel's dark head was bent into Willow's neck and he had
her pinned up against the metal door to the walk-in freezer. Buffy
didn't have to see his face to know it was his vampire one. She lifted
her hand and unconsciously touched the scar at her throat. She felt
the ghost of ridges pressed into her skin, the fangs tearing her flesh,
the growling in her ear, and the horrible slurping as her blood flowed
into Angel's mouth. She remembered the pain, the incredible mind
dazzling pain. Willow didn't look like she was in pain. Her eyes were
closed and her head thrown back with one hand in Angel's hair, holding
him close. buffy couldn't look away. As she watched, ridges formed
on Willow's face and fangs glistened in her open mouth. She opend her
eyes, her golden gaze meeting Buffy's.
"Willow," Tara hissed between clenched teeth. "What are you doing?"
Willow's features snapped back to human and she nudged Angel away from
her. "Angel." She blushed a bright red and ducked her head,
sheltering herself from Tara and Buffy with Angel's broad shoulders.
As she looked down, she belatedly realized where her other hand was and
snatched it from Angel's crotch. He gave a strangled groan and rested
his forehead on the cool metal above Willow.
"Uh, sorry to, uh, interrupt." Cordelia shifted uncomfortably. She
actually blushed because of the sexual energy saturating the air. She
had no idea how Willow and Angel were going to explain this to Buffy
and Tara, there really was only one explanation. "I told Buffy and
Tara about the whole mating thing adn the rest of us will leave now so
you four can discuss." Cordelia turned and walked out of the kitchen.
When Wesley and Gunn didn't follow her, she turned back and pushed them
out.
This was the most mortifying moment of her life. When Willow had
dragged Angel into the kitchen, she had intended to calm him down with
words, but had soon realized that there was only one thing that would
mollify him. Actions meant more to vampires than words. Willow had to
show Angel that she was his mate. She had bared her neck to him and he
had bitten her without hesitation - he had been that out of control.
Unfortunately, Willow had lost control as soon as his fangs pierced her
flesh. She had felt an overwhelming desire to possess him. She
couldn't stop herself from unzipping his fly and caressing his hard
cock. Buffy and Tara had left her mind completely.
"Willow?" Tara's voice was still demanding but it was more tearful.
"I have to talk to her," Willow said softly. She felt Angel step back
a bit so she looked up at him. He looked a little stunned. Willow
smiled and touched his cheek. "I'll be back. We're just going to go
for a walk."
"No." Angel caught Willow's hand as she tried to slip around him. He
was still trying to process everything that had happened. He had been
jealous of Willow's girlfriend and her claim on Willow and had just let
his demon take control. He hadn't even tried to squelch his basest
urges. He didn't know what he would do if Willow left the hotel.
"Please."
"We'll go out inot the courtyard then." Willow squeezed Angel's hand.
"You can see us from the window. I need to talk to her alone."
"I know." Angel grimaced and reluctantly let go of Willow's hand. He
ran his hand through his hair as she left with her girlfriend. He and
Buffy were left alone in the kitchen.
"So...you made my best friend your mate and I didn't even get an
invitation." Buffy tried to smile, but it didn't really work.
"I'm sorry you found out this way, Buffy." Angel sighed. He didn't
have the energy to feel guilty about hurting Buffy. She was a love he
had to let go, but with Willow he had a chance to love someone who
truly understood him. He wasn't sure if he loved Willow yet, but there
was certainly something between them.
"You're not sorry you did it though." This time Buffy did smile,
although it was a sad smile. It was really over. The tragic love saga
of the vampire and the slayer was over. "Can you tell Tara that I'll
be at our hotel."
"Sure." Angel was a bit surprised at Buffy's quiet acceptance of
things, but he was thankful for it. Buffy's mention of Tara made him
realize that he wasn't where he could see Willow. Angel quickly left
the kitchen for the lobby. Willow was sitting on a bench in the
courtyard. She was beautiful in the sunlight.
"Angel." Buffy came up behind him. "I can't help Willow, but she's
still my best friend and I love her. Will you tell her that for me,
please? And promise that you'll take care of her."
"I promise." Angel heard the door close as Buffy left. His demon
hadn't stopped growling since Willow had left with Tara. The blood
bond of the mating ritual had allowed him to establish control over her
demon, unfortunately keeping things platonic was making him lose
control over his. It was going to be a problem.
*****
Willow could feel Angel watching her. She straightened, preening under
his attention, the heat from his gaze making the sun insignificant. She
almost wished she could pass off her reaction as the demon's, but the
woman in her liked it too. Willow pulled her awareness from the
vampire in the hotel and focused on Tara. She was supposed to be
apologizing to her ex-girlfriend. Neither of them had said a thing
since they had left the others.
"I knew this would happen." Tara finally broke the silence. She
wouldn't look at Willow, she kept her eyes trained on the stone walk
beneath her feet. "I thought it would be Oz. Or maybe Xander. You
never even talked about HIM unless you were reminiscing about the old
days with Buffy."
"This isn't about being straight or gay, Tara. Things have changed."
Willow hadn't realized how much until she had seen Tara again. It was
like it had been years since they had been involved. She still loved
Tara, but the feeling was so distant. "I'm some sort of weird vampire
hybrid. Angel can help me understand things...."
Tara interrupted her with a derisive laugh. "Is that what he's doing?
What did he help you understand in the kitchen? That vampires like to
be jacked off while sucking blood?"
"Bloodlust is a part of being a vampire and sex is tied to it." Willow
bit back a growl of frustration. A hint of blood mingled with her
saliva as she chewed on the plump flesh of her lip. There was only one
way Tara would finally understand. Willow turned to her former
girlfriend and took her hand. She steeled herself against the sudden
hope that shone in Tara's face. She also ignored Angel's blistering
glare as she caressed Tara's palm with her thumb. She traced the
delicate veins of her ex-lover's wrist. "I can feel your blood pulsing
under your skin. I want to taste it."
"You can't scare me away. I love you, Willow." Tara stroked Willow's
hair and smiled.
The words were said bravely, but Willow could still see her fear. She
could smell it and a part of her wanted to exploit it to its fullest
and break the girl who gazed at her with such love and longing. "I
love you too." Willow reached up and cupped Tara's cheek. She didn't
want to do this, but it was necessary. She was going to indulge that
other part of her and hope that she could stop herself before she
demolished Tara's heart. "I want to make love to you right now. I
want to drink from you when you climax. Would you like it when I bite
you? Could you stop me from doing it? I doubt it." Willow gripped
Tara's chin to make her point. "You should have stayed in Sunnydale
like I asked. We can't be together anymore."
"You would never hurt me." Tara smiled and took Willow's hand from her
face. She squeezed it. "I know that and I trust you."
"How can you when I don't trust myself?" Willow tore her hand away
and stood up. "I know you love me, but don't be stupid, Tara. I don't
want to hurt you any more than I already have. I don't want to kill
you."
"This isn't about killing me." Tara stood up as well. She scowled.
"It's still about Him. You're afraid you'll hurt me because you won't
be able to stay away from him." Tara waited for Willow to confirm her
accusation and when there was no answer, she took that to mean she was
right. It was over. Her relationship with Willow - the best thing in
her life because it had helped her accept herself - was finished. "Do
you love him?"
"I don't know. I don't think so." Willow glanced over to the hotel.
She couldn't see Angel through the dark window, only the ghost-like
reflections of the bushes and flowers in the glass, but she still felt
like she was meeting his gaze. It was steadying. Instead of growling,
the demon inside her purred. "Everything has been so confused, but
Angel's made it better. I can accept myself like this because he's
made it okay somehow. I don't love him, but I could and it would work.
I have a future with Angel." Willow turned and looked at Tara, the
fact that she didn't have a future with the other girl went unspoken,
but it was finally understood. She was sorry for Tara's tears and
pain and didn't stop her when she ran from the hotel's courtyard. She
was sad too, but couldn't help the thrill of pleasure as she thought of
Angel.
"Excuse me," a woman a bit older than Willow entered the courtyard and
smiled hesitantly. With her dark hair and eyes, Willow immediately
thought of Jenny Calendar and knew that this woman was a Kalderash.
"I'm Astrid Carmichael, I'm supposed to meet a Willow Rosenberg at this
address."
"That's me." Willow shook the other woman's hand. "Thanks for coming.
Angel and I really need your help."
"I'm always happy to help." Astrid smiled and followed Willow to the
hotel. She was curious about the vampire her family had cursed. "I've
brought everything my family has about the curse and I think I know
how to modify it."
*****
The store was dingy and creepy. It reeked of sandalwood and exotic
spices. It was everything an occult shop was supposed to be. Darla
flipped through a dusty old book about torture techniques. It was
boring, she was familiar with some of them and had invented the rest.
It might make a nice gift for Angel though - bring back fond memories.
"She'll be here soon," Dru whispered in Darla's ear. She had crept up
behind her childe and pouted when Darla didn't react to her little
surprise. "Why don't you believe me, Grandmother Daughter? Don't you
trust me?"
"Of course I believe you, Dru." Darla closed the book and caressed
Dru's cheek with her fingernail. It had been her suggestion that they
take the sewers to the vampire friendly occult shop with the
underground entrance. It had been encouraging when Dru had followed
along without question like she used to - the insane vampiress tended
to forget she had the control which would make it that much easier to
break her sire bond. "I just want to watch the wheels in motion. You
are sure that this spell won't destroy Angelus?"
"It might sting a little." Dru looked up with anticipation as the bell
above the front door jangled, announcing a customer. A young girl
headed straight for the sales counter without browsing. She dashed a
few lingering tears from her eyes. Dru clapped happily. "That's her,"
she said with an excited whisper.
"Hello," Tara called out. She glanced nervously at the two other
people in the store. The brunette smiled, but it didn't reach her
empty eyes. The blonde just smirked as she pulled the other woman
further down the aisle. Tara shivered and turned back as the shop
keeper emerged from the store room. "I need a spell to destroy a
vampire."
"That's a powerful and dangerous spell." The man ducked under the
counter and retrieved a small spell book. "Expensive too."
Tara set a credit card down on the counter. "I don't care. He's
seduced someone I love with his vampire tricks and I have to save her."
Dru giggled softly at the witch's announcement. "Mommy doesn't want to
be saved, silly witch. She and Daddy are happy."
"Yeah, well, they should enjoy it while it lasts. Once my boy is back,
he's mine." Darla smiled as she imagined all the things she would do
to make Angelus forget the mother of his future child. She didn't
notice Dru's frown or the small dagger she pilfered from the store as
they left.
To be continued....