"Romini-ta-ley"
"Excuse me?" Those were the only words Cordelia could think of as she sat on the green couch in the middle of the large basement. She had tried to wipe the incredible amount of dust before she sat, but the vampire hadn't had the patience. Pushing her onto the couch, he told her not to worry about her designer outfit. It wouldn't matter much longer.
"Romini-ta-ley" The vampire repeated. "Enfi is one of them."
Coredelia just shook her head in confusion. The vampire smiled indulgently and sat down beside her.
"Enfi, the blonde bombshell that brought you here. As dumb as the day is long, that one. She's of Ta-Ley clan of Romini. I don't expect you to have heard of them. In fact anybody who has heard of them would never expect to see one. Their all dead."
Now Cordelia was completely lost. But she'd handled tougher vamps then this one seemed to be.
"So," she said with more bluster than she felt "Can I assume your Gwain? Why am I here? And." she held up her unmanacled hands "what makes you think I won't scratch your eyes out and stake you?"
Laughter, loud and boisterous, burst from Gwain who shook his finger towards the indignant Queen C.
"I like your spirit Cordelia. I like it a lot!" then with a lightening fast motion he grabbed both Cordelia's arms and jerked her over onto his lap with her neck open. His face turned into a horrible aberration. With a guttural rumble, his teeth began to descend into her flesh. Cordelia screamed.
"Cordelia!" Wesley whispered hoarsely. He was still flat on his back and seemed to lack the motor skills to rise. "Cordelia!" But he knew there would be no answer. Tears welled in his eyes as his frustration cumulated into a hoarse holler for help. Try as he might, his body would not move, Cordelia was kidnapped by who knows what to who knows where, for who knows what reason, and Angel was consumed with helping a former love vampire help stake his brother vampire. It was more than his mind could deal with at the moment. The street lights were on, and the sky had turned dark. Unable to glance at his watch, Wesley guessed that at least 5 hours had passed judging by the light. Was Angel still even in the building?
Footsteps could be heard coming down the alleyway.
"Help!" Wesley called. "Dear fellow, I'm in need of assistance!"
Into his line of sight came a young blonde girl with an elfin face.
"You!" Wesley spat. "What have you done with Cordelia! Where is she?" he fumed.
The girl said nothing, as she tried to lock her gaze on his, he closed his eyes.
"No! I know that trick and it won't work."
But he was unable to stop her as she bent down and forced his eyelids open and gazed into his eyes. He stopped resisting immediately. Once again, the roar of the ocean filled his ears. Slowly, he felt sensation returning to his body. Spastically, his fingers and toes began twitching. The girl released him and stood up, offering him her hand. He took it. Once vertical, he began to sway unsteadily but she helped him regain his equilibrium.
"Err, uh, Thank You miss." He offered. "But where is Cordelia?!" he insisted.
The young lady's throat worked soundlessly for a few moments but finally a strangled noise emerged.
"You will help me now yes? She whispered.
Wesley could only stare, stunned.
"Help you?" He said increduolous. "Help you what? Where is Cordelia!"
Her throat worked another moment and Wesley was torn as to whether he should strangle the information out of her or simply wait.
"I help you. You help.me..help.Cordelia."
"Cordelia first. Then we will.uh.help..you. Give her back!"
The blonde shook her head, sighing in exasperation, she tried to look him in the eyes but he quickly took a step back, looking away.
"NO. No mind games. Cordelia now, help later!"
"No." came the hoarse reply. "Ta-Ley no trust. Help us.help her."
Startled at some noise unheard by Wesley, the girl looked helpless for a moment then much to Wesley's dismay, disappeared.
"Come back!" Wesley shouted to the air frantically. But the night was still, and there was no evidence the girl had ever been there at all.
*** Fear. It smelled so sweet. They could smell it from miles away. Crashing through the trees, they chased their prey. Roaring and growling, they made their presence known. It added to their prey's fear.
Heavy, labored breathing. It was her own. Her feet moving as fast as they could carry, she ran through the forest. Trying to move quietly, she called on all her training to move stealthily. But they knew where she was. They were going to find her. She was beyond terrified and they could smell it. There was no sense in stealth, so she abandoned it, charging through the forest, dodging trees but getting tangled in all the underbrush and thorns. Ripping through them heedlessly, she barely felt the sting as they tore her clothes and flesh. Inky darkness turned shadows into monsters and monsters into shadows. She couldn't see them but she could hear them. And they were close. Her tiny body couldn't hold out much longer she knew. Straining her ears to hear past the noise of her pursuers, she could hear other commotion in the forest. All Ta-Ley ran this night. All were afraid, and all would soon be dead. But the Ta-Ley ran. Another lithe young body emerged from the forest to run along side her. It was Jinsa, her sister, wild-eyed and a mass of cuts and contusions. Neither verbally acknowledged each other. They simply ran. Focusing one delicate foot in front of the other. Their breathing became tandem, the footsteps became synchronized as the forest ended and they entered the clearing. Here were the other Ta-Ley, with more emerging from the trees. Each in a state of terror and disarray. There was no moon tonight, no light shone down on the plain that had once been used for recreation and ceremonies. But there was no time to stop, no time to dwell. The Ta-Ley kept running. But only one made it to the other side, to the forest beyond, before the tree line broke, and the predators emerged. Jinsa screamed, she screamed, they all screamed. Then Enfi's vision went dark and she heard no more.***
"Ta-Ley!" Gwain's harsh voice broke Enfi from her sad remembrance. "Where did you go?"
She shrugged, coaxing words yet again from her tired vocal chords. "You said leave."
Gwain huffed. "I meant, go outside the room, not leave the warehouse. You know you are to never leave unless I give you an assignment." He slapped her hard across the face, sending her reeling backwards.
"Do NOT do it again." He snarled.
"Yes." Enfi croaked.
"What?" Gwain mocked. "You must Speak up!"
Enfi knew vampire hearing was exceptional and that he could hear her with no problem. He wanted to torment her. And from his cocky smile, she knew that he knew she was aware of his cruelty. "Yes, Master." She said more clearly, but not above a whisper.
"Good, now tend to the girl." He jerked his finger over to the green couch, where Cordelia lay comatose, blood oozing slowly from two puncture wounds in her neck. Enfi turned an enraged glare on Gwain, catching him in the eyes before he could stop it. Her thoughts went through angrily.
"You cannot kill her. Not yet if you're plan is to succeed Master. I will tend her but she cannot survive another..snack."
*** Sobriety was the farthest thing from his mind. Liam grabbed the barmaid and began dancing with her unaware for whom he was performing. Darla admired him from across the room. The girl laughed as Liam did a lively jig, not a straight thought running through his head. Anything to dull the pain, to make him forget. Claire had been dead for a mere two weeks, yet it seemed two centuries. He couldn't abide the feelings of anguish and despair one wit longer without the aide of the local brew. Drinking and dancing kept his attention diverted but too often his thoughts would drift but to her. He'd had another fight with his Father earlier in the day. Father and son had gotten along miserably to begin with and now, it had become almost unbearable. His father tried to understand but was still bitterly disappointed in how his son chose to grieve for Claire. It hadn't been the first time Liam had been struck, no today his father had let him off easy out of pity for his sons aching heart. But Liam knew he couldn't return home many more nights in his inebriated condition. So he stayed in the tavern dancing and drinking, drowning. ***
Wesley staggered back into the office, haggard and weary. Angel didn't even hear his approach.
"Angel, some assistance please." Wesley pleaded, snapping his fingers in front of the vampires face.
"Wesley, what happened to you?"
Wesley sank into the chair behind Cordelia's desk.
"Cordelia's been kidnapped. One can only assume it has something to do with Claire." He proceeded to tell his tale and at its conclusion, Angel grabbed his black duster and headed for the door.
"Stay here with Claire, I'm going to go check that alley. You didn't see at all what door she took Cordelia in?"
"I was a bit pre-occupied. Angel, whatever you do, you mustn't look this creature in the eyes. I'm going to do some research on her and see what exactly we're dealing with here. I assure you, this wasn't random."
As Angel left Wesley called out. "Um, Angel wait. Where's Claire?"
Angel pulled uncomfortably at his black knit turtleneck. "She's downstairs in my room sleeping."
"Oh, I see." Then noticing that Angel had changed his outfit from his red button up shirt to a black pull over, he could only hypothesis. "And...."he asked, indicating the change. Angel gave him a cold stare. "And what?" he asked, knowing the answer but daring the stuffy English prig to say it out loud.
Wesley rubbed his hand through his hair uncomfortably "And I trust, that staying here, there's no reason for me to fear that anything may occur." "I gotta go." Angel said flatly.
"Excuse me?" Those were the only words Cordelia could think of as she sat on the green couch in the middle of the large basement. She had tried to wipe the incredible amount of dust before she sat, but the vampire hadn't had the patience. Pushing her onto the couch, he told her not to worry about her designer outfit. It wouldn't matter much longer.
"Romini-ta-ley" The vampire repeated. "Enfi is one of them."
Coredelia just shook her head in confusion. The vampire smiled indulgently and sat down beside her.
"Enfi, the blonde bombshell that brought you here. As dumb as the day is long, that one. She's of Ta-Ley clan of Romini. I don't expect you to have heard of them. In fact anybody who has heard of them would never expect to see one. Their all dead."
Now Cordelia was completely lost. But she'd handled tougher vamps then this one seemed to be.
"So," she said with more bluster than she felt "Can I assume your Gwain? Why am I here? And." she held up her unmanacled hands "what makes you think I won't scratch your eyes out and stake you?"
Laughter, loud and boisterous, burst from Gwain who shook his finger towards the indignant Queen C.
"I like your spirit Cordelia. I like it a lot!" then with a lightening fast motion he grabbed both Cordelia's arms and jerked her over onto his lap with her neck open. His face turned into a horrible aberration. With a guttural rumble, his teeth began to descend into her flesh. Cordelia screamed.
"Cordelia!" Wesley whispered hoarsely. He was still flat on his back and seemed to lack the motor skills to rise. "Cordelia!" But he knew there would be no answer. Tears welled in his eyes as his frustration cumulated into a hoarse holler for help. Try as he might, his body would not move, Cordelia was kidnapped by who knows what to who knows where, for who knows what reason, and Angel was consumed with helping a former love vampire help stake his brother vampire. It was more than his mind could deal with at the moment. The street lights were on, and the sky had turned dark. Unable to glance at his watch, Wesley guessed that at least 5 hours had passed judging by the light. Was Angel still even in the building?
Footsteps could be heard coming down the alleyway.
"Help!" Wesley called. "Dear fellow, I'm in need of assistance!"
Into his line of sight came a young blonde girl with an elfin face.
"You!" Wesley spat. "What have you done with Cordelia! Where is she?" he fumed.
The girl said nothing, as she tried to lock her gaze on his, he closed his eyes.
"No! I know that trick and it won't work."
But he was unable to stop her as she bent down and forced his eyelids open and gazed into his eyes. He stopped resisting immediately. Once again, the roar of the ocean filled his ears. Slowly, he felt sensation returning to his body. Spastically, his fingers and toes began twitching. The girl released him and stood up, offering him her hand. He took it. Once vertical, he began to sway unsteadily but she helped him regain his equilibrium.
"Err, uh, Thank You miss." He offered. "But where is Cordelia?!" he insisted.
The young lady's throat worked soundlessly for a few moments but finally a strangled noise emerged.
"You will help me now yes? She whispered.
Wesley could only stare, stunned.
"Help you?" He said increduolous. "Help you what? Where is Cordelia!"
Her throat worked another moment and Wesley was torn as to whether he should strangle the information out of her or simply wait.
"I help you. You help.me..help.Cordelia."
"Cordelia first. Then we will.uh.help..you. Give her back!"
The blonde shook her head, sighing in exasperation, she tried to look him in the eyes but he quickly took a step back, looking away.
"NO. No mind games. Cordelia now, help later!"
"No." came the hoarse reply. "Ta-Ley no trust. Help us.help her."
Startled at some noise unheard by Wesley, the girl looked helpless for a moment then much to Wesley's dismay, disappeared.
"Come back!" Wesley shouted to the air frantically. But the night was still, and there was no evidence the girl had ever been there at all.
*** Fear. It smelled so sweet. They could smell it from miles away. Crashing through the trees, they chased their prey. Roaring and growling, they made their presence known. It added to their prey's fear.
Heavy, labored breathing. It was her own. Her feet moving as fast as they could carry, she ran through the forest. Trying to move quietly, she called on all her training to move stealthily. But they knew where she was. They were going to find her. She was beyond terrified and they could smell it. There was no sense in stealth, so she abandoned it, charging through the forest, dodging trees but getting tangled in all the underbrush and thorns. Ripping through them heedlessly, she barely felt the sting as they tore her clothes and flesh. Inky darkness turned shadows into monsters and monsters into shadows. She couldn't see them but she could hear them. And they were close. Her tiny body couldn't hold out much longer she knew. Straining her ears to hear past the noise of her pursuers, she could hear other commotion in the forest. All Ta-Ley ran this night. All were afraid, and all would soon be dead. But the Ta-Ley ran. Another lithe young body emerged from the forest to run along side her. It was Jinsa, her sister, wild-eyed and a mass of cuts and contusions. Neither verbally acknowledged each other. They simply ran. Focusing one delicate foot in front of the other. Their breathing became tandem, the footsteps became synchronized as the forest ended and they entered the clearing. Here were the other Ta-Ley, with more emerging from the trees. Each in a state of terror and disarray. There was no moon tonight, no light shone down on the plain that had once been used for recreation and ceremonies. But there was no time to stop, no time to dwell. The Ta-Ley kept running. But only one made it to the other side, to the forest beyond, before the tree line broke, and the predators emerged. Jinsa screamed, she screamed, they all screamed. Then Enfi's vision went dark and she heard no more.***
"Ta-Ley!" Gwain's harsh voice broke Enfi from her sad remembrance. "Where did you go?"
She shrugged, coaxing words yet again from her tired vocal chords. "You said leave."
Gwain huffed. "I meant, go outside the room, not leave the warehouse. You know you are to never leave unless I give you an assignment." He slapped her hard across the face, sending her reeling backwards.
"Do NOT do it again." He snarled.
"Yes." Enfi croaked.
"What?" Gwain mocked. "You must Speak up!"
Enfi knew vampire hearing was exceptional and that he could hear her with no problem. He wanted to torment her. And from his cocky smile, she knew that he knew she was aware of his cruelty. "Yes, Master." She said more clearly, but not above a whisper.
"Good, now tend to the girl." He jerked his finger over to the green couch, where Cordelia lay comatose, blood oozing slowly from two puncture wounds in her neck. Enfi turned an enraged glare on Gwain, catching him in the eyes before he could stop it. Her thoughts went through angrily.
"You cannot kill her. Not yet if you're plan is to succeed Master. I will tend her but she cannot survive another..snack."
*** Sobriety was the farthest thing from his mind. Liam grabbed the barmaid and began dancing with her unaware for whom he was performing. Darla admired him from across the room. The girl laughed as Liam did a lively jig, not a straight thought running through his head. Anything to dull the pain, to make him forget. Claire had been dead for a mere two weeks, yet it seemed two centuries. He couldn't abide the feelings of anguish and despair one wit longer without the aide of the local brew. Drinking and dancing kept his attention diverted but too often his thoughts would drift but to her. He'd had another fight with his Father earlier in the day. Father and son had gotten along miserably to begin with and now, it had become almost unbearable. His father tried to understand but was still bitterly disappointed in how his son chose to grieve for Claire. It hadn't been the first time Liam had been struck, no today his father had let him off easy out of pity for his sons aching heart. But Liam knew he couldn't return home many more nights in his inebriated condition. So he stayed in the tavern dancing and drinking, drowning. ***
Wesley staggered back into the office, haggard and weary. Angel didn't even hear his approach.
"Angel, some assistance please." Wesley pleaded, snapping his fingers in front of the vampires face.
"Wesley, what happened to you?"
Wesley sank into the chair behind Cordelia's desk.
"Cordelia's been kidnapped. One can only assume it has something to do with Claire." He proceeded to tell his tale and at its conclusion, Angel grabbed his black duster and headed for the door.
"Stay here with Claire, I'm going to go check that alley. You didn't see at all what door she took Cordelia in?"
"I was a bit pre-occupied. Angel, whatever you do, you mustn't look this creature in the eyes. I'm going to do some research on her and see what exactly we're dealing with here. I assure you, this wasn't random."
As Angel left Wesley called out. "Um, Angel wait. Where's Claire?"
Angel pulled uncomfortably at his black knit turtleneck. "She's downstairs in my room sleeping."
"Oh, I see." Then noticing that Angel had changed his outfit from his red button up shirt to a black pull over, he could only hypothesis. "And...."he asked, indicating the change. Angel gave him a cold stare. "And what?" he asked, knowing the answer but daring the stuffy English prig to say it out loud.
Wesley rubbed his hand through his hair uncomfortably "And I trust, that staying here, there's no reason for me to fear that anything may occur." "I gotta go." Angel said flatly.