The alleyway was typical, nothing special. A few doors leading into
the buildings, a dumpster, some trash and boxes, nothing useful.
Angel couldn't smell anything indicating the direction Cordy had been
taken. But only one of those doors wasn't locked. Now maybe if this
creature had the ability to disappear, she could pass through walls. But
Cordelia was flesh and blood.
He guessed that the creature had unlocked the door before nabbing Cordy but
doubted she would have returned to re-lock the door. Besides, the lock on
the other door had rusted shut and had obviously not been touched recently.
"Let's see what's behind door number 1" Angel muttered quietly to himself.
Cordelia came around with a moan. Instinctively her hand went to her neck.
"It wasn't a dream." She grumbled. "That ogre actually bit me."
So much for the beautiful woman as bait theory. Now it seemed more like the beautiful woman as snack theory. But why wasn't she dead? He'd barely nibbled. Not that she was complaining, nibble was good, nibble was not Miss Queen C of the Undead.
"Not an ogre." A hoarse voice said, causing Cordelia to jump slightly.
"What?" She looked up from her prone position on the couch to see a pretty young blonde sitting there. "You! You brought me here!" She snapped.
"Yes." She said simply, staring at her with those eyes. Cordelia immediately looked away."Why?"
From the corner of her eye, Cordelia could see the poor girl struggling for words. "I.no hurt you.I look at you. You see."
"Oh no!" Cordelia laughed harshly. "Yes you Did hurt me. I looked at you and you hypnotized me . I could feel you inside my head."
The blonde looked extremely uncomfortable which made Cordelia curious. This girl wasn't acting like a captor but a captive with her furtive glances around. Cordelia stiffened as the girl began dabbing her neck with a damp cloth.
"I can do that!" Cordelia snapped, making a grab for the cloth but the girl pulled away. "No! I do it.we talk.Gwain does not see." Her voice faltered and after several more tries, she gave up."
"What's wrong with your voice?" Cordelia asked.
Grunting in frustration, the blond seized Cordy's head with a vise like grip, staring her in the eye. Once Cordelia had relaxed, the girl resumed dressing her wounds while speaking telepathically. Enfi didn't need to actually maintain eye contact with her subjects to converse with them. But she allowed Gwain to believe she did, hoping any misinformation Gwain had would somehow lead to an advantage over him.
I will not harm you. But speaking the human way is very painful for me. I have not done it for a very long time. I'm sorry I must talk to you this way against your will but you would not listen to me. I must make you understand. I will release you if you agree to listen. If you do not, I will do it by force. Do not involve Gwain in this.
She paused a moment until she heard Cordelia's mind respond in the affirmative. As she released her, Cordelia remained still and attentive but was greatly relieved to once again command her own body and mind. Enfi began her tragic tale.
On the other side of the door was a small room with a door on the other side. Opening it revealed the rest of the basement to the furniture warehouse. It was filled with covered sofas, tables, and the like.
"So much for door number two." He closed the door, remaining in the small room that appeared to be a sizeable office. Idly, his gaze fell over the papers on a cluttered desk. Nothing intriguing really just invoices and truck delivery schedules. A thin red notebook caught his attention and he reached over to pick it up. Just numbers and figures. He went to put it down when the underneath papers caught his attention. Big Black letters declared MEMO from none other than Wolfram &Hart. Would wonders never cease. Their connection was unsurprising. Over in the corner was yet another door.
"Not unlike a mirror maze." Angel sighed. Opening it slowly, Angel was rewarded with a dazzling display of...coats. The coat closet, Angel sighed. But since when did people in L.A. start carrying around everything from cashmere to wool coats in July... and why did it smell of Cordelia's perfume?
"Bingo"
He pushed back the coats to reveal what he had suspected he'd find. A third door. "Courtesy of Wolfram and Hart no doubt." He murmured to no one in particular. Did no one in this town operate a business out from under their hand. Probably trying to get good deals on flying carpets. Carefully opening the door, he stepped into darkness.
There were just too many supernatural beings. Wesley had started with the telepathic variety but even their the categories were numerous. One database asked him if he wanted Telepathic Humans and if so, were these beings only empathic, able to read your thoughts and transmit their own, only able to transmit, and /or capable of mind -control. The girl had appeared human but he couldn't forget those very unnatural eyes. The Telepathic non-humans category was even larger. Whoever had arranged the database and divided and sub-divided until Wesley simply wanted to scream. Perhaps this had been the wrong database to choose, there were just too many choices. He wanted to just pick a category and read his way through til the end. But he read the menu anyway. Telepathic Non-Humans : demons, aliens, alternate dimensions, violent, passive, and these were divided up into subcategories such as half-breed, geological location, and gender.
"Start at the very beginning" he hummed softly, "It's a very good place to start."
She had transmitted her thoughts to him, and controlled him long enough to render him unconscious and paralyze him. Clicking the Telepathic Humans:Able to Transmit, Capable of mind control link, he started his search. It was an annoyingly long list. Who knew their were so many "types" of human telepaths.
Angel slowly edged his way down the pitch black tunnel. His senses of smell and hearing were at full alert. There was absolutely no sound, he wasn't hindered by the sound of his own breathing, or his own heartbeat. Also absent were the sounds of air ventilation or rodents and insects which indicated to Angel that this was a passageway closed on both ends. There was no light indicating an end to his journey. One could only assume that he would be facing a fourth door, hopefully sometime soon. The tunnels smell was full of information. He could smell Cordelia's perfume, and there was a trace of ..something. Angel assumed it was the mysterious captor. Above it all was the smell that gave him the greatest cause for concern, there was a slight smell of a vampire. It wasn't a recent smell and Angel doubted one was lurking in the tunnel for him. He stretched out his arms, dismayed to realize that the tunnel was only slightly wider than the breadth of his outstretched arms. If he were to meet someone in this tunnel, there would be precious little room to maneuver. Putting his arms out in front of him, he kept walking. When he finally touched the fourth door, he hesitated.
The rumble of the elevator lumbering up from the basement had never been particulary noticeable or so it seemed to Wesley Wyndam-Price. But now, as he heard it start the laborious journey up, the sound to echo loudly around the room.
"For whom the bell tolls" came morbidly to his mind. He was acutely aware of who was and was not in that elevator. Feeling his mouth go dry as cotton, Wesley position his stake and holy water within arms reach and pulled his crucifix pendant out from underneath his shirt so that the chain hung visibly. Be logical old chap. Wesley tried to reassure himself, If its Angel's help she wants, she'll hardly get it by feeding on his friends. She must know that. He hoped she knew that.
The elevator ground to a halt and the gate opened. Claire seemed just as uneasy at meeting him. No doubt getting the immediate hint of the rather obvious stake and crucifix. She didn't step out of the elevetor, nor did he move away from the desk.
"He's gone out. Cordelia has been taken I'm afraid. No doubt by your boyfriend."
"Ex-boyfriend." She said tersly, "I'll just wait downstairs until Angel gets back."
Wesley wasn't surprised at her lack of conern for Cordelia's safety. As the elevator started up again, Wesley resumed his search for the girl.
Claire leaned sullenly against the elevator wall, cursing Gwain's stupidity. He was going to ruin everything! What did he think he would accomplish by taking the girl? Unfortunatly, after hundreds of years with Gwain, she knew him rather well. He'd probably thought that taking the girl would level the playing field. Why wait for Claire to warm him up when simple guerrilla warfare would prove much faster and effective. He'd deduced correctly that Claire had no intentions of going back to him. Why should she if she found where the One was and allied herself with Angelus. But Claire knew that Liam would never trade the One for the girl. He'd simply kill Gwain, which suited Claire anyway. She smiled. Perhaps Cordelia would be killed also. That would save Claire the trouble of quietly eliminating her. If Gwain's mouth was as big as Claire knew it was, he'd revealed the whole plot to her by now. Liam wouldn't take kindly to being used but when he found out what she could offer, he'd change his mind. As the elevator stopped, she pushed up the gate. Perhaps Gwain's plan hadn't been so bad afterall. It was the smartest thing he'd done all century. Pleased with the development, she continued her search of her soon- to-be lover's rooms for clues to where she could find the One.
Perhaps he was looking in the wrong place. His Human search had been fruitless, and an hour later found him searching through the Non-Human camp. He should have known she wouldn't be there. Disappearing into thin air was hardly a human ability, and those eyes were more than a genetic mutation. Pulling up the Telepathic Non-Humans, he selected half-breeds. She did look human,, and adding Shape-Shifting to the mix would bring up more divisions than his brain could handle. Putting his mouse on the scroll bar, he began reading.
Take this. Enfi told her, proffering a vial of clear liquid slightly smaller than Cordelia's palm. At her questioning look, she explained. Gwain's life cannot be taken until I know the fate of the Ta-Ley. Until, I have located the one. But my fight is not yours. I only offer a chance to escape. Use it wisely.
"You're helping me?" She whispered. "You brought me here!"
Enfi shrugged. I help my master in hopes of freeing the Ta-Ley. He wanted you, I brought you. Should you somehow be able to effect escape however, such is not my fault. Should I openly aide you, I may never find my family or clansmen again. But you must promise to allow Gwain to live until I find what I seek."
"But how do you know I'll keep my promise."
Enfi appeared genuinely shocked. You would not keep your word once you have given it? Such is the way of the un-dead but you are yet living.
Cordelia grimaced. "The living and the dead aren't so different Enfi." She said sadly. "But I'll do what I can. Besides, I don't think I could kill him, unless you happen to have a ready-made stake for me too?"
Enfi shook her head. Cordelia palmed the bottle slowly into her pants pocket.
"Thank You. " She whispered. "Find Angel, he can help you locate the Ta- Ley, you don't have to stick with this bozo. He's only using you."
Enfi shook her head vigorously. No! I cannot risk losing my strongest link to the Ta-Ley.
Gwain noted with great annoyance that Enfi was still tending the girl. Wearing his true form,he grabbed Enfi and hurled her against the wall. Cordelia gasped and immediately stood to help her. But Gwain shoved her back on the couch.
"Unless you want to be my next meal Ms. Chase, I suggest you Sit DOWN!" he bellowed.
Enfi wisely, had not moven from her spot on the floor. Gwain moved over to her, kicking her savagely in the side.
"Do you WANT me to send you back to where you came from? Do YOU!! I'll send you and your precious little sisters straight back to the ghostroads if you try to pull anymore stunts. Now I told you to go so go!" His body was rigid with rage, his fists clenched and teeth bared. Cordelia barely allowed herself to breathe, knowing that this guy was obviously set off easily. Her palms were also tightened into fists, partly out of anger but mostly to keep her hands from shaking. With a bow of her head, Enfi shimmered then vanished. Then Gwain turned around to give Cordelia his full attention. Doing her best to appear unfazed, Cordelia gave him her best scathing glare.
There was only one way to determine what was on the other side of that door and that was to open it. Angel realized what a potentially dangerous situation this was. Should the door lead directly in the unknown lair, he would lose the advantage of surprise. Whatever awaited him would have to be met immediately, without time to think or plan. His only other option would be to turn around and go back. There might possibly be another way in but Angel didn't know where that would be and if it would be any easier.
"I've never been one for planning anyway." He told himself, and opened the door. It did no good to open it slowly, so he just burst in.
Gwain stood overtop Cordelia, leering at her when a large bang caused everyone to jump. Whirling toward the noise, Gwain growled as he saw the intruder.
"Angel!" Cordelia called out ecstatically.
The other vampires immediately began to circle in while Gwain sayed where he was.
"Stop you fools!" he called. "This is the great Angelus!" he announced, his voice full of bravado. "You'll only get yourselves killed."
"Been a long time Angelus!" Gwain added. "Oh, we've never officially met but I've heard a great deal about you. Tell me, how does it feel to have a soul? To not be of the undead but not of the living either. Must be dreadfully lonely."
His voice had taken on a sneering quality that made Cordelia want to sock him. Angel reached into his coat and drew out a stake.
"This isn't a social visit." He said coldly.
"Oh isn't it?" Gwain asked. He seized Cordelia and held her in front of him. "See how sociable I'm being?" he asked with a feigned cheeriness. "I'll even share her with my friends here." He indicated the four other vampires. "Just to be sociable of course."
Angel twirled the stake slowly in his fingers. "I'm only going to tell you once Gwain. Give her to me now."
Gwain seemed to consider it for a moment. Then "No." he said simply. "But I will trade her..you give me the last remaining Ta-ley, I give you Cordelia. I sent a messenger to tell you the when and where, but apparently, you won't be receiving it."
"No deal." Angel said.
Gwain just chuckled. "Angelus, I admire your stubbornness but look around, you are greatly outnumbered and have a hostage to protect. Do you really think you can win? But I tell you what, I'm feeling magnanimous. I'll promise you that I will keep Cordelia alive until you can give me the One. How's that for you?"
Angel looked around realizing that Gwain truly did have him in an impossible situation. Cordelia had realized it too. Angel would either die valiantly to save her, or retreat to fight another day. Neither option was appealing to Cordelia. Playing the part of damsel in distress had never appealed to her anyway. Her legs went weak, gaining a brief moment of Gwain's attention and forcing him to shift his body weight to maintain a firm grasp on her, at which instant she brought her elbow up sharply to connect with his adam's apple. Roaring in pain, Gwain reached for Cordelia's throat but Angel was already in motion. Lunging forward in a blur of lightening fast motion, he punched Gwain in the face who let go of Cordelia. The four other vampires immediately fell upon Angel who began fighting them off. Cordelia made a dash for the door.
"Angel!" she yelled.
Two of the vampires exploded into dust as another went sailing across the room landing in an unconscious heap. The fourth charged Angel who had vamped out. With a guttural snarl, Angel dusted him. Gwain had quickly recovered and had reached the door, effectively cutting off Cordelia, he grabbed her neck hard but Cordelia already had the holy water out and threw it at his face. Screaming, Gwain clawed at his face. Angel dashed foreward, stake raised.
"No!" Cordelia screamed. "Angel!"
She was too late. In a elegantly fluid, inhumanly rapid motion, the stake descended. The Holy Water had scalded Gwain's eyes, he was unable to see it coming. It entered his torso, and in a spray of dust ashes, Gwain was no more. Cordelia's hands flew to her mouth, tears forming in her eyes.
"No." She whispered. "Oh no!"
To Angel's surprise, she turned a wrathful glare on him. "Do you have any idea what you've done!?"
"Let's see what's behind door number 1" Angel muttered quietly to himself.
Cordelia came around with a moan. Instinctively her hand went to her neck.
"It wasn't a dream." She grumbled. "That ogre actually bit me."
So much for the beautiful woman as bait theory. Now it seemed more like the beautiful woman as snack theory. But why wasn't she dead? He'd barely nibbled. Not that she was complaining, nibble was good, nibble was not Miss Queen C of the Undead.
"Not an ogre." A hoarse voice said, causing Cordelia to jump slightly.
"What?" She looked up from her prone position on the couch to see a pretty young blonde sitting there. "You! You brought me here!" She snapped.
"Yes." She said simply, staring at her with those eyes. Cordelia immediately looked away."Why?"
From the corner of her eye, Cordelia could see the poor girl struggling for words. "I.no hurt you.I look at you. You see."
"Oh no!" Cordelia laughed harshly. "Yes you Did hurt me. I looked at you and you hypnotized me . I could feel you inside my head."
The blonde looked extremely uncomfortable which made Cordelia curious. This girl wasn't acting like a captor but a captive with her furtive glances around. Cordelia stiffened as the girl began dabbing her neck with a damp cloth.
"I can do that!" Cordelia snapped, making a grab for the cloth but the girl pulled away. "No! I do it.we talk.Gwain does not see." Her voice faltered and after several more tries, she gave up."
"What's wrong with your voice?" Cordelia asked.
Grunting in frustration, the blond seized Cordy's head with a vise like grip, staring her in the eye. Once Cordelia had relaxed, the girl resumed dressing her wounds while speaking telepathically. Enfi didn't need to actually maintain eye contact with her subjects to converse with them. But she allowed Gwain to believe she did, hoping any misinformation Gwain had would somehow lead to an advantage over him.
I will not harm you. But speaking the human way is very painful for me. I have not done it for a very long time. I'm sorry I must talk to you this way against your will but you would not listen to me. I must make you understand. I will release you if you agree to listen. If you do not, I will do it by force. Do not involve Gwain in this.
She paused a moment until she heard Cordelia's mind respond in the affirmative. As she released her, Cordelia remained still and attentive but was greatly relieved to once again command her own body and mind. Enfi began her tragic tale.
On the other side of the door was a small room with a door on the other side. Opening it revealed the rest of the basement to the furniture warehouse. It was filled with covered sofas, tables, and the like.
"So much for door number two." He closed the door, remaining in the small room that appeared to be a sizeable office. Idly, his gaze fell over the papers on a cluttered desk. Nothing intriguing really just invoices and truck delivery schedules. A thin red notebook caught his attention and he reached over to pick it up. Just numbers and figures. He went to put it down when the underneath papers caught his attention. Big Black letters declared MEMO from none other than Wolfram &Hart. Would wonders never cease. Their connection was unsurprising. Over in the corner was yet another door.
"Not unlike a mirror maze." Angel sighed. Opening it slowly, Angel was rewarded with a dazzling display of...coats. The coat closet, Angel sighed. But since when did people in L.A. start carrying around everything from cashmere to wool coats in July... and why did it smell of Cordelia's perfume?
"Bingo"
He pushed back the coats to reveal what he had suspected he'd find. A third door. "Courtesy of Wolfram and Hart no doubt." He murmured to no one in particular. Did no one in this town operate a business out from under their hand. Probably trying to get good deals on flying carpets. Carefully opening the door, he stepped into darkness.
There were just too many supernatural beings. Wesley had started with the telepathic variety but even their the categories were numerous. One database asked him if he wanted Telepathic Humans and if so, were these beings only empathic, able to read your thoughts and transmit their own, only able to transmit, and /or capable of mind -control. The girl had appeared human but he couldn't forget those very unnatural eyes. The Telepathic non-humans category was even larger. Whoever had arranged the database and divided and sub-divided until Wesley simply wanted to scream. Perhaps this had been the wrong database to choose, there were just too many choices. He wanted to just pick a category and read his way through til the end. But he read the menu anyway. Telepathic Non-Humans : demons, aliens, alternate dimensions, violent, passive, and these were divided up into subcategories such as half-breed, geological location, and gender.
"Start at the very beginning" he hummed softly, "It's a very good place to start."
She had transmitted her thoughts to him, and controlled him long enough to render him unconscious and paralyze him. Clicking the Telepathic Humans:Able to Transmit, Capable of mind control link, he started his search. It was an annoyingly long list. Who knew their were so many "types" of human telepaths.
Angel slowly edged his way down the pitch black tunnel. His senses of smell and hearing were at full alert. There was absolutely no sound, he wasn't hindered by the sound of his own breathing, or his own heartbeat. Also absent were the sounds of air ventilation or rodents and insects which indicated to Angel that this was a passageway closed on both ends. There was no light indicating an end to his journey. One could only assume that he would be facing a fourth door, hopefully sometime soon. The tunnels smell was full of information. He could smell Cordelia's perfume, and there was a trace of ..something. Angel assumed it was the mysterious captor. Above it all was the smell that gave him the greatest cause for concern, there was a slight smell of a vampire. It wasn't a recent smell and Angel doubted one was lurking in the tunnel for him. He stretched out his arms, dismayed to realize that the tunnel was only slightly wider than the breadth of his outstretched arms. If he were to meet someone in this tunnel, there would be precious little room to maneuver. Putting his arms out in front of him, he kept walking. When he finally touched the fourth door, he hesitated.
The rumble of the elevator lumbering up from the basement had never been particulary noticeable or so it seemed to Wesley Wyndam-Price. But now, as he heard it start the laborious journey up, the sound to echo loudly around the room.
"For whom the bell tolls" came morbidly to his mind. He was acutely aware of who was and was not in that elevator. Feeling his mouth go dry as cotton, Wesley position his stake and holy water within arms reach and pulled his crucifix pendant out from underneath his shirt so that the chain hung visibly. Be logical old chap. Wesley tried to reassure himself, If its Angel's help she wants, she'll hardly get it by feeding on his friends. She must know that. He hoped she knew that.
The elevator ground to a halt and the gate opened. Claire seemed just as uneasy at meeting him. No doubt getting the immediate hint of the rather obvious stake and crucifix. She didn't step out of the elevetor, nor did he move away from the desk.
"He's gone out. Cordelia has been taken I'm afraid. No doubt by your boyfriend."
"Ex-boyfriend." She said tersly, "I'll just wait downstairs until Angel gets back."
Wesley wasn't surprised at her lack of conern for Cordelia's safety. As the elevator started up again, Wesley resumed his search for the girl.
Claire leaned sullenly against the elevator wall, cursing Gwain's stupidity. He was going to ruin everything! What did he think he would accomplish by taking the girl? Unfortunatly, after hundreds of years with Gwain, she knew him rather well. He'd probably thought that taking the girl would level the playing field. Why wait for Claire to warm him up when simple guerrilla warfare would prove much faster and effective. He'd deduced correctly that Claire had no intentions of going back to him. Why should she if she found where the One was and allied herself with Angelus. But Claire knew that Liam would never trade the One for the girl. He'd simply kill Gwain, which suited Claire anyway. She smiled. Perhaps Cordelia would be killed also. That would save Claire the trouble of quietly eliminating her. If Gwain's mouth was as big as Claire knew it was, he'd revealed the whole plot to her by now. Liam wouldn't take kindly to being used but when he found out what she could offer, he'd change his mind. As the elevator stopped, she pushed up the gate. Perhaps Gwain's plan hadn't been so bad afterall. It was the smartest thing he'd done all century. Pleased with the development, she continued her search of her soon- to-be lover's rooms for clues to where she could find the One.
Perhaps he was looking in the wrong place. His Human search had been fruitless, and an hour later found him searching through the Non-Human camp. He should have known she wouldn't be there. Disappearing into thin air was hardly a human ability, and those eyes were more than a genetic mutation. Pulling up the Telepathic Non-Humans, he selected half-breeds. She did look human,, and adding Shape-Shifting to the mix would bring up more divisions than his brain could handle. Putting his mouse on the scroll bar, he began reading.
Take this. Enfi told her, proffering a vial of clear liquid slightly smaller than Cordelia's palm. At her questioning look, she explained. Gwain's life cannot be taken until I know the fate of the Ta-Ley. Until, I have located the one. But my fight is not yours. I only offer a chance to escape. Use it wisely.
"You're helping me?" She whispered. "You brought me here!"
Enfi shrugged. I help my master in hopes of freeing the Ta-Ley. He wanted you, I brought you. Should you somehow be able to effect escape however, such is not my fault. Should I openly aide you, I may never find my family or clansmen again. But you must promise to allow Gwain to live until I find what I seek."
"But how do you know I'll keep my promise."
Enfi appeared genuinely shocked. You would not keep your word once you have given it? Such is the way of the un-dead but you are yet living.
Cordelia grimaced. "The living and the dead aren't so different Enfi." She said sadly. "But I'll do what I can. Besides, I don't think I could kill him, unless you happen to have a ready-made stake for me too?"
Enfi shook her head. Cordelia palmed the bottle slowly into her pants pocket.
"Thank You. " She whispered. "Find Angel, he can help you locate the Ta- Ley, you don't have to stick with this bozo. He's only using you."
Enfi shook her head vigorously. No! I cannot risk losing my strongest link to the Ta-Ley.
Gwain noted with great annoyance that Enfi was still tending the girl. Wearing his true form,he grabbed Enfi and hurled her against the wall. Cordelia gasped and immediately stood to help her. But Gwain shoved her back on the couch.
"Unless you want to be my next meal Ms. Chase, I suggest you Sit DOWN!" he bellowed.
Enfi wisely, had not moven from her spot on the floor. Gwain moved over to her, kicking her savagely in the side.
"Do you WANT me to send you back to where you came from? Do YOU!! I'll send you and your precious little sisters straight back to the ghostroads if you try to pull anymore stunts. Now I told you to go so go!" His body was rigid with rage, his fists clenched and teeth bared. Cordelia barely allowed herself to breathe, knowing that this guy was obviously set off easily. Her palms were also tightened into fists, partly out of anger but mostly to keep her hands from shaking. With a bow of her head, Enfi shimmered then vanished. Then Gwain turned around to give Cordelia his full attention. Doing her best to appear unfazed, Cordelia gave him her best scathing glare.
There was only one way to determine what was on the other side of that door and that was to open it. Angel realized what a potentially dangerous situation this was. Should the door lead directly in the unknown lair, he would lose the advantage of surprise. Whatever awaited him would have to be met immediately, without time to think or plan. His only other option would be to turn around and go back. There might possibly be another way in but Angel didn't know where that would be and if it would be any easier.
"I've never been one for planning anyway." He told himself, and opened the door. It did no good to open it slowly, so he just burst in.
Gwain stood overtop Cordelia, leering at her when a large bang caused everyone to jump. Whirling toward the noise, Gwain growled as he saw the intruder.
"Angel!" Cordelia called out ecstatically.
The other vampires immediately began to circle in while Gwain sayed where he was.
"Stop you fools!" he called. "This is the great Angelus!" he announced, his voice full of bravado. "You'll only get yourselves killed."
"Been a long time Angelus!" Gwain added. "Oh, we've never officially met but I've heard a great deal about you. Tell me, how does it feel to have a soul? To not be of the undead but not of the living either. Must be dreadfully lonely."
His voice had taken on a sneering quality that made Cordelia want to sock him. Angel reached into his coat and drew out a stake.
"This isn't a social visit." He said coldly.
"Oh isn't it?" Gwain asked. He seized Cordelia and held her in front of him. "See how sociable I'm being?" he asked with a feigned cheeriness. "I'll even share her with my friends here." He indicated the four other vampires. "Just to be sociable of course."
Angel twirled the stake slowly in his fingers. "I'm only going to tell you once Gwain. Give her to me now."
Gwain seemed to consider it for a moment. Then "No." he said simply. "But I will trade her..you give me the last remaining Ta-ley, I give you Cordelia. I sent a messenger to tell you the when and where, but apparently, you won't be receiving it."
"No deal." Angel said.
Gwain just chuckled. "Angelus, I admire your stubbornness but look around, you are greatly outnumbered and have a hostage to protect. Do you really think you can win? But I tell you what, I'm feeling magnanimous. I'll promise you that I will keep Cordelia alive until you can give me the One. How's that for you?"
Angel looked around realizing that Gwain truly did have him in an impossible situation. Cordelia had realized it too. Angel would either die valiantly to save her, or retreat to fight another day. Neither option was appealing to Cordelia. Playing the part of damsel in distress had never appealed to her anyway. Her legs went weak, gaining a brief moment of Gwain's attention and forcing him to shift his body weight to maintain a firm grasp on her, at which instant she brought her elbow up sharply to connect with his adam's apple. Roaring in pain, Gwain reached for Cordelia's throat but Angel was already in motion. Lunging forward in a blur of lightening fast motion, he punched Gwain in the face who let go of Cordelia. The four other vampires immediately fell upon Angel who began fighting them off. Cordelia made a dash for the door.
"Angel!" she yelled.
Two of the vampires exploded into dust as another went sailing across the room landing in an unconscious heap. The fourth charged Angel who had vamped out. With a guttural snarl, Angel dusted him. Gwain had quickly recovered and had reached the door, effectively cutting off Cordelia, he grabbed her neck hard but Cordelia already had the holy water out and threw it at his face. Screaming, Gwain clawed at his face. Angel dashed foreward, stake raised.
"No!" Cordelia screamed. "Angel!"
She was too late. In a elegantly fluid, inhumanly rapid motion, the stake descended. The Holy Water had scalded Gwain's eyes, he was unable to see it coming. It entered his torso, and in a spray of dust ashes, Gwain was no more. Cordelia's hands flew to her mouth, tears forming in her eyes.
"No." She whispered. "Oh no!"
To Angel's surprise, she turned a wrathful glare on him. "Do you have any idea what you've done!?"