Protected
Chapter Three
Fear
Mercy sat next to Connor, across from Willow. They were talking about magick again. Willow was just happy to find someone who understood the thrall magicking held. Connor stayed because he was fascinated with the new girl. She was sassy, beautiful, and she held a charm that Connor had decided only British people possessed. Faith and Gunn were in the corner, whispering to each other. The rogue Slayer and the ex-street kid seemed to understand each other perfectly. They were growing closer every day that Faith was out of prison. Connor was starting to hope Faith didn't have to return to her prison cell. She would undoubtedly be punished for breaking out of jail if she went back. They wouldn't know that she had just averted the next three or four apocalypses. Faith was going back to Sunnydale with Willow. They needed the help. More help than the City of Angels. Sunnydale knew what they were dealing with. Los Angeles was still in the dark, so to speak, about the Beast's master. Connor glanced over to Cordelia, who sat on the counter, looking bored. She was the mother of his baby. They had a special bond. Angel had locked himself in his office, Wesley in his, and Fred had followed Wes's footsteps to help him. Connor shook his head, his shaggy, unkempt brown hair falling into his dark eyes. He tried to focus in on the conversation taking place next to him.
"Do you know any other protections spells? I can put up several barriers using incantations and pleas to Pan, but they only last for a couple minutes."
Mercy nodded. "There is one. It covers the person's body, protecting them from pain and any kind of weaponry that might hit them. That one lasts for four or five minutes."
Willow nodded, "Tell me."
"Incerro, Calium fey.
Sarin, excentrex, Kofundey
Sword, scmiter, fist and foot
Keep them safe as I say!"
"Did it work?"
"Well, if I blow the powder on the person. It's made from goblin's bones, emu's eyelashes, sage, and chalk."
"How much do I use?"
"Enough to make a small circle in your palm. Just disperse it after you recite the spell."
"That'll help us some with the First, I hope."
"It should." Mercy conceded.
"I hate to interrupt the spell exchange, but I spoke with our relations."
That was something the children Wyndam-Pryces had almost always done. They tried not to think of their father as a parent, simply a relation they were forced to endure. Mercy's blue eyes widened in fear, and she felt Connor slip his fingers through hers to squeeze her hand.
"And..." Mercy prodded.
"You will be staying here with us. He's more or less cut both of us off, but we'll be able to survive it. There's a slight chance he'll try to dispute this, though." Wesley said it stiffly, showing no extra emotion or worry. In his mind, he was being brave. In Mercy's mind...
"You're such a prat, but your my darling, wonderful prat."
Mercy jerked up and hugged her brother.
Wesley smiled at her. He whispered quietly, "You're safe now."
She looked up at him, both of their blue eyes glittering.
"I am."
Wesley paused, "At least from our relations. Demons, vampires, and monsters, well, no."
Mercy felt contentment surge through her system. She didn't have to go back to England. Wesley would take care of her. Wesley had always promised to take care of her. Since she was three, terrified, huddled under the magnificent staircase after Wesley had been severley beaten when he was twelve. Tiny Mercy hid under the stairs, cowering in a corner, her eyes tightly shut, her hands covering her ears. Wesley had crawled to her, hugging his little sister, swearing on everything sacred to the little boy that he would protect her, no matter what happened. He had, also, started taking her punishments for her. Well, more like, he distracted Nicholas away from Mercy. He managed to keep her safe, until he left for the Watcher's Academy, and then to America to be a Watcher and a renegade. So much had passed between the siblings since that time. They were both thinking the exact same thing, memories of their childhood flying through. Wesley's hold had tightened on the younger Wyndam-Pryce and Mercy buried herself deeper into Wesley's button down shirt. They finally broke apart.
"So, you have this enemy to fight, right? I'm prepared to help."
Wesley exchanged a look with Fred. "You can help research."
Willow stood now. "I'm going to go pack. Faith and I have to leave for Sunnydale in the morning."
*Already?* Mercy whined to her.
*Remember, I've been here longer. Besides, the Scoobies need me.*
*Scoobies?*
*Scooby Doo's detective team.*
*A cartoon reference.*
*Yes.*
*I never watched a lot of cartoons on the telley.*
*You even sound British in my head. You're like a girl Giles.* The girls shared a smile and Willow treaded to the stairs. Gunn pulled Faith away to the weapons room, leaving only a few of them left.
Gunn opened the chest of swords and pulled one out. It was sharp at the tip and the hilt of the sword was silver and blue, a cross adorning the grip.
"Faith, uh, well, when you go to Sunnydale and you have to fight the big Evil. I want you to fight with this."
He tossed her the sword and Faith examined it closely.
"This is wicked cool, Gunn."
Gunn smiled at her exclamation.
"I made it, actually. My gang and I, we didn't have a lot of weapons, and I was never big on stealing. So, we'd make some of our weapons. I dusted my sister's killer with that sword."
Faith raised her dark brown eyes to meet Gunn's. She let her arm drop to the side, the tip of the sword almost touching the floor. She wrapped her free arm around Gunn's neck and pushed his head down to kiss him. They continued to kiss, the heavy metal clattered to the floor as Faith pulled her other arm to encircle Charles's. Gunn's hand entangled in Faith's thick hair. Finally, Faith twisted out of his grip.
"We can't do this."
"Faith, I really like you."
"I dig you, too. But I've got this Big Bad to fight and I can't deal. I can't deal with having feelings for a guy when I should be concentrating on the battle."
"Don't be scared, Faith."
"I'm not scared." She replied indignantly.
Gunn stood towering over her, challenging her words. Faith turned around, trying to ignore his presence.
"You are!" He stepped up behind her and Faith shivered.
"Fine! I'm totally wigged!"
Gunn was quite shocked she'd relented so quickly.
"Why?"
"Haven't you noticed? I don't care about what happens to people. No one's ever cared for me!"
"Same here, Faith. You know I don't have family."
"Yeah. But I'm still afraid. I hate this feeling. I cared for my Watcher and she died. B and her pals never accepted me. Mayor Wilkins cared, but we see how well that turned out. Now, you."
"I'm not going anywhere, Faith, Baby."
Faith turned to face him. "I have to pack. Thanks for the sword."
She hefted it up off the floor and disappeared into the maze of hallways that made up the Hyperion.
Connor studied Cordelia. They were the only two in the room, the others off in their own world. Cordelia's eyes were closed, a look of pure exhaustion on her face. Her abdomen was even more swollen, the look of her pregnancy almost obvious. Connor wondered how long Cordelia intended to keep the baby a secret. Connor was proud of the baby. He did love Cordy. But he was already starting to develop feelings towards Mercy. Fred would call them warm and fuzzy. How would Mercy feel about the 16-year-old having a baby with a woman nearly her brother's age. Everyone was disgusted about his relationship with Cordelia. Would Mercy? Heck, when anyone finds out about that tiny life inside Cordelia, they would be revolted. Connor ran his fingers through his hair, tousling it. Life was so complicated. He took another peek at Cordelia, who had a small smirk on her face, Connor not understanding why. Wesley walked in, talking to Angel, Fred, and Mercy. "The Galrok are special beings. They have no hearts and decapitating it is a near impossibility. If you manage to cut it in half, though, it will die. Slice them in the torso. Sometimes it likes to take human hosts. We need to discover the Galrok's hideout or who the host is."
Connor's eyes flicked between Wesley and Cordelia. Cordelia's eyes had an interesting glint to it, and she was trying to hide a smile. Connor pushed the thoughts away, focusing on the Galrok demon discussion.
Chapter Three
Fear
Mercy sat next to Connor, across from Willow. They were talking about magick again. Willow was just happy to find someone who understood the thrall magicking held. Connor stayed because he was fascinated with the new girl. She was sassy, beautiful, and she held a charm that Connor had decided only British people possessed. Faith and Gunn were in the corner, whispering to each other. The rogue Slayer and the ex-street kid seemed to understand each other perfectly. They were growing closer every day that Faith was out of prison. Connor was starting to hope Faith didn't have to return to her prison cell. She would undoubtedly be punished for breaking out of jail if she went back. They wouldn't know that she had just averted the next three or four apocalypses. Faith was going back to Sunnydale with Willow. They needed the help. More help than the City of Angels. Sunnydale knew what they were dealing with. Los Angeles was still in the dark, so to speak, about the Beast's master. Connor glanced over to Cordelia, who sat on the counter, looking bored. She was the mother of his baby. They had a special bond. Angel had locked himself in his office, Wesley in his, and Fred had followed Wes's footsteps to help him. Connor shook his head, his shaggy, unkempt brown hair falling into his dark eyes. He tried to focus in on the conversation taking place next to him.
"Do you know any other protections spells? I can put up several barriers using incantations and pleas to Pan, but they only last for a couple minutes."
Mercy nodded. "There is one. It covers the person's body, protecting them from pain and any kind of weaponry that might hit them. That one lasts for four or five minutes."
Willow nodded, "Tell me."
"Incerro, Calium fey.
Sarin, excentrex, Kofundey
Sword, scmiter, fist and foot
Keep them safe as I say!"
"Did it work?"
"Well, if I blow the powder on the person. It's made from goblin's bones, emu's eyelashes, sage, and chalk."
"How much do I use?"
"Enough to make a small circle in your palm. Just disperse it after you recite the spell."
"That'll help us some with the First, I hope."
"It should." Mercy conceded.
"I hate to interrupt the spell exchange, but I spoke with our relations."
That was something the children Wyndam-Pryces had almost always done. They tried not to think of their father as a parent, simply a relation they were forced to endure. Mercy's blue eyes widened in fear, and she felt Connor slip his fingers through hers to squeeze her hand.
"And..." Mercy prodded.
"You will be staying here with us. He's more or less cut both of us off, but we'll be able to survive it. There's a slight chance he'll try to dispute this, though." Wesley said it stiffly, showing no extra emotion or worry. In his mind, he was being brave. In Mercy's mind...
"You're such a prat, but your my darling, wonderful prat."
Mercy jerked up and hugged her brother.
Wesley smiled at her. He whispered quietly, "You're safe now."
She looked up at him, both of their blue eyes glittering.
"I am."
Wesley paused, "At least from our relations. Demons, vampires, and monsters, well, no."
Mercy felt contentment surge through her system. She didn't have to go back to England. Wesley would take care of her. Wesley had always promised to take care of her. Since she was three, terrified, huddled under the magnificent staircase after Wesley had been severley beaten when he was twelve. Tiny Mercy hid under the stairs, cowering in a corner, her eyes tightly shut, her hands covering her ears. Wesley had crawled to her, hugging his little sister, swearing on everything sacred to the little boy that he would protect her, no matter what happened. He had, also, started taking her punishments for her. Well, more like, he distracted Nicholas away from Mercy. He managed to keep her safe, until he left for the Watcher's Academy, and then to America to be a Watcher and a renegade. So much had passed between the siblings since that time. They were both thinking the exact same thing, memories of their childhood flying through. Wesley's hold had tightened on the younger Wyndam-Pryce and Mercy buried herself deeper into Wesley's button down shirt. They finally broke apart.
"So, you have this enemy to fight, right? I'm prepared to help."
Wesley exchanged a look with Fred. "You can help research."
Willow stood now. "I'm going to go pack. Faith and I have to leave for Sunnydale in the morning."
*Already?* Mercy whined to her.
*Remember, I've been here longer. Besides, the Scoobies need me.*
*Scoobies?*
*Scooby Doo's detective team.*
*A cartoon reference.*
*Yes.*
*I never watched a lot of cartoons on the telley.*
*You even sound British in my head. You're like a girl Giles.* The girls shared a smile and Willow treaded to the stairs. Gunn pulled Faith away to the weapons room, leaving only a few of them left.
Gunn opened the chest of swords and pulled one out. It was sharp at the tip and the hilt of the sword was silver and blue, a cross adorning the grip.
"Faith, uh, well, when you go to Sunnydale and you have to fight the big Evil. I want you to fight with this."
He tossed her the sword and Faith examined it closely.
"This is wicked cool, Gunn."
Gunn smiled at her exclamation.
"I made it, actually. My gang and I, we didn't have a lot of weapons, and I was never big on stealing. So, we'd make some of our weapons. I dusted my sister's killer with that sword."
Faith raised her dark brown eyes to meet Gunn's. She let her arm drop to the side, the tip of the sword almost touching the floor. She wrapped her free arm around Gunn's neck and pushed his head down to kiss him. They continued to kiss, the heavy metal clattered to the floor as Faith pulled her other arm to encircle Charles's. Gunn's hand entangled in Faith's thick hair. Finally, Faith twisted out of his grip.
"We can't do this."
"Faith, I really like you."
"I dig you, too. But I've got this Big Bad to fight and I can't deal. I can't deal with having feelings for a guy when I should be concentrating on the battle."
"Don't be scared, Faith."
"I'm not scared." She replied indignantly.
Gunn stood towering over her, challenging her words. Faith turned around, trying to ignore his presence.
"You are!" He stepped up behind her and Faith shivered.
"Fine! I'm totally wigged!"
Gunn was quite shocked she'd relented so quickly.
"Why?"
"Haven't you noticed? I don't care about what happens to people. No one's ever cared for me!"
"Same here, Faith. You know I don't have family."
"Yeah. But I'm still afraid. I hate this feeling. I cared for my Watcher and she died. B and her pals never accepted me. Mayor Wilkins cared, but we see how well that turned out. Now, you."
"I'm not going anywhere, Faith, Baby."
Faith turned to face him. "I have to pack. Thanks for the sword."
She hefted it up off the floor and disappeared into the maze of hallways that made up the Hyperion.
Connor studied Cordelia. They were the only two in the room, the others off in their own world. Cordelia's eyes were closed, a look of pure exhaustion on her face. Her abdomen was even more swollen, the look of her pregnancy almost obvious. Connor wondered how long Cordelia intended to keep the baby a secret. Connor was proud of the baby. He did love Cordy. But he was already starting to develop feelings towards Mercy. Fred would call them warm and fuzzy. How would Mercy feel about the 16-year-old having a baby with a woman nearly her brother's age. Everyone was disgusted about his relationship with Cordelia. Would Mercy? Heck, when anyone finds out about that tiny life inside Cordelia, they would be revolted. Connor ran his fingers through his hair, tousling it. Life was so complicated. He took another peek at Cordelia, who had a small smirk on her face, Connor not understanding why. Wesley walked in, talking to Angel, Fred, and Mercy. "The Galrok are special beings. They have no hearts and decapitating it is a near impossibility. If you manage to cut it in half, though, it will die. Slice them in the torso. Sometimes it likes to take human hosts. We need to discover the Galrok's hideout or who the host is."
Connor's eyes flicked between Wesley and Cordelia. Cordelia's eyes had an interesting glint to it, and she was trying to hide a smile. Connor pushed the thoughts away, focusing on the Galrok demon discussion.