The claughter ring had barely stopped moving in the basement of the mansion, after Buffy had left it there, when a flash of light ripped through the room. Angels nude form landed on the floor near the ring, shivered and lay still. In the deepest shadows of the room something darker moved. A blacker than black form stepped close to the souled vampire and knelt beside it. Arioch brought his mouth close to Angels ear.

"Remember" he intoned "and remember it well." As he stood again his form frayed and dissolved into the lighter shade of shadows and was gone.

--- --- ---

Illyana was pleased with herself. It had all gone well. Even misleading Angel at the end. An attempt to take something from Hell, indeed. As if there was anything Hell contained that she could want or use. She turned and re-entered her chambers as a current of power was felt from within them. Now standing in front of her was the Arch-Angel Ambrous. His magnificent ethereal wings seemed to stretch from this dimension into others as they moved seemingly of their own accord. His golden plate armour moved as he did with no resistance. He was unarmed as he was a guest in her home.

"You have done well." Ambrous spoke to her. "The Powers-That-Be are pleased with the results."

"As am I." Illyana told him as she absently sat near him. She gave no indication that she was impressed or afraid of his display.

"Although you have taken a substantial risk incurring the wrath of Diablo and Baal."

"They can only act through intermediaries. Nothing I can't handle. I'm only going to be concerned if you lose this little conflict of yours." Illyana needled him.

"Pray that never comes to pass. For then realities without number will burn in Hell."

"Now that my part is complete, let's talk about your part." Illyana leant forward slightly. She was eager for this to be over, for many reasons.

"What is your desire?"

She opened the medalion which had just appeared in her hand. The inside was beautifully carved and sculpted to form a five point pentegram. At each tip of the pentegram was a socket for a bloodstone, three of which were filled. Each bloodstone represented one fifth of her soul. To place all five would mean the end of her own reality. Her request was simple.

"Remove them."

Ambrous stepped forward and looked down upon the amulet. "I cannot."

Her eyes narrowed as she stood and confronted him. "Can't or won't."

"I am unable to remove the bloodstones from the Beatrice Medalion." He clarified.

"Then bring me someone who CAN!" Illyana demanded her eyes shining lightly with power.

Ambrous looked towards the Heavens and quietly consulted with his masters. As he looked down at the young Magus she already knew what the answer would be. "They will not acquiese to this demand."

"DAMN you to the Stygian depths! You promised, anything within your power and now you're welching on the F---ING deal." Her eyes blazed with yellow fury. She had tried to convince herself that they would follow through but something had warned her they wouldn't. "Up hold your end of the bargain or I'll send Angel back to Hell where he belongs!"

"If you do we *will* simply collect his soul and give him the peace he deserves. We agreed to this because we wished to have another soldier for the light on Earth."

"You owe me Arch-Angel!" Somehow she made the title a curse.

"And you will collect. Just not today." He paused then spoke softly. "Forgive us this. You will see our reasons in the future." Ambrous looked over his shoulder. "Your other guest has arrived. It would not do well for her to know of my presence here." He bowed and walked to the balcony. "Dispair not DarkChild you will be well compensated for your work." He then leapt from the balcony, winged through the air for a ways and then vanished through a ripple in the air.

"You had better believe it you sanctimonious bastard." Illyana whispered after him. A whisper of movement behind her made her smile as Syndahiel joined her. They were both dressed as they had been in the throne room but Syndaheil had taken on equal proportions to her hostess. The equality in size allowed her to embrace Illyana from behind and rest her head on the blonds shoulder.

"Has it gone well with you?" Illyana asked. Her demeanor was now one of total happiness and pleasure.

The Maiden smiled. "Yes. Arioch is to be punished for a time and I am free to roam... and to be with you." The Powers-That-Be could be generous to those that helped their cause, especially of their own accord, and in this they had relaxed their restrictions on Syndaheil.

"Excellent!" Illyana crowed, turned to her and took her hands. "And now, lover what shall we do first?" She asked with a suggestive gleam in her eye.

Syndaheil smiled "I have heard of this place called Asgard and..."

"You wanted to raise a little Hell in Valhalla?" She continued when the Maiden nodded. "That's funny, I was thinking of the same thing. And... I have a debt or two to pay there." The two laughed quietly as a stepping disk appeared and took them away.