Severed Ties

Chapter 15

Dominoes

Sunnydale

May 18th, 2002

Early Morning

Everything was in place.

As he glanced around the room, Algolagniar smiled at the circle of bodies that surrounded him. Three men, two women and four children, all in various states of disarray, were lined equidistant from his position at the center of the macabre circle. He had striped them of their clothing and only the unconscious bodies of the children had escaped defilement at his hands. No, they were to be unspoiled in order for the H'anak Dou to be successful. That notwithstanding, the children would probably be scarred for life after witnessing the purple skinned demon take the others in the most gruesome of ways. What he had done to the two women and the man who had dared fight back…no one could un-see the violations Algolagniar had perpetrated on them and the demon was quite proud of his ability to distill so much damage and yet leave the victims alive. Comatose, quite possibly, but alive nonetheless. Oh, how he wished them to awaken and relive his desecration of their flesh for their remaining years--that was the most fulfilling part of inflicting pain upon others.

Too bad they would all be dead in minutes.

It matters not, the beast thought. I will have endless puppets to play with once my Master arrives. Algolagniar smiled deliciously at the prospects of exacting revenge from the three man-demons he had fought earlier. Especially the vampire.

The demon growled as he lit the candles in front of him and his mind returned to the single reason he had not finished the three warriors in the field of the dead. His knee, which the blood-drinker had shattered, still burned, sending the intoxicating tendrils of agony through his limbs. Kneeling only intensified the pain, which, in turn, strengthened him and his resolve to make the vampire pay. But for now…

"Gods of Darkness, Denizens of Evil; I, Algolagniar, beseech your services in the services of Gabriel, Lord of the Hellmouth." Algolagniar closed his eyes and inhaled the pungent scent of air that lacked the exhilarating redolence of death that salted the atmosphere of Quortoth and the Earth from whence he had traveled. It didn't matter, though, considering that that particular oversight would be rectified soon.

Palms out, the demon tipped his head towards the sky and continued his unholy supplication in the long-dead language. "The strength of three, I give you." He glanced towards the men's bodies. At first there was nothing but he felt the minute change in the atmosphere and immediately thereafter the three male bodies were engulfed in a purplish-red flame. The flesh sizzled and contorted for several seconds before the bodies collapsed inwardly, melting into a viscous pool of reflective silver.

"Two that receive the seed and give life." The two unconscious women slowly rose into the air, the tattered remains of their clothing billowing in the wind that sprung up from the three glistening pools of silver. The gale slowly increased, swirling around Algolagniar with the force of a hurricane. He closed his eyes and reveled in the gusts as it cut across his flesh. He sensed the two bodies ripped apart by the relentless hurricane though nothing else in the room was disturbed.

When he opened his eyes, Algolagniar squinted at the dual pulsating bluish-green lights that danced before him. They were twice as big as the bodies that they had once been and swirled with the grace of dancers well versed in seduction. It took the hulking demon a moment to clear his thoughts as the lights called to him, whispered promises of death and destruction, pleasures beyond all imagining.

Using all of his energies, the Quortoth beast focused on the crystal at the center of the triangle candles in front of him. Its dull tint now shone with the faintest of glows; it flickered on and off like a distant shard of lightning and with the same unmistakable power. Still, the ritual was only two-thirds complete. It was time for the final incantation.

"Blood of the young, flesh of the innocent. I offer it up to you…" he was interrupted when the room was flooded with an intense white light. There was no preamble as the four young bodies disintegrated into a heavenly radiance that tore at the demon with rage that was enough to mute his bellowing protest of agony. Every nerve and tendon sizzled as the light intensified to immeasurable levels, burning his retinas through the skin of his eyelids. His two hearts seized, constricting to half their normal size and he felt the blood pour freely from invisible wounds along his wrists as he held them out to the side, parallel with the ground. His limbs shook with the effort of keeping his arms upright and Algolagniar tried to concentrate on his final task.

Despite his reluctance, the demon opened his eyes. The brilliance of the light had softened enough for him to catch a glimpse of the once opaque crystal hovering before him. It expanded and contracted in time with the palpitations of his hearts and that knowledge assisted him in focusing on his final call.

"I grant you access to thought and mind, intent and will; take as it is yours." The crystal dimmed to the point of its prior inactivity before it filled with the triumvirate of colors that had lined the circle--silver, blue-green and the purest of whites. He saw a minute span of black in the center of it and, before he could prepare, the crystal burst into a thousand jagged pieces that embedded into his flesh.

Algolagniar screamed to the heavens as the pain grasped him around the throat and slithered through his veins. It tore at him from the inside, unconscionable in its journey. It was like nothing he had ever felt and, for the first time, the beast that fed on pain wanted to beg for mercy if only the unspeakable torment would cease.

So absorbed in the torture that visited his flesh, Algolagniar didn't see that same minute dot that had been in the crystal's center now hover before him. He didn't feel its probing of his mind or its restless motions before him. But he was all too aware of the dazzling stab of white-hot anguish when it burrowed through his skull and into his mind.

After that, he knew no more.

Future Time.

Morrigann was absolutely breathtaking.

It may have been a clichéd expression but it was true nonetheless. In the physical sense, with her exotic features coupled with a body sculpted to perfection, she was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. Even the radiance that had pulsated from Emerald paled in comparison to Morrigann's supernatural magnificence and he knew that her mastery lie in the seduction of men. Were it not for the incalculable power that coursed through his veins, Gabriel knew that he would be at her mercy as well.

He watched from the bed as she danced for him. Her hips swayed rhythmically to a melody all her own and the liquid grace of her body was enough to draw Gabriel's attention.

"To what do I owe this honor, my luscious Salome?" Gabriel asked as Morrigann slowly danced over to his bed.

"You are Gabriel," she whispered and her hand slipped underneath the waistband of her silk skirt. "And that is enough." The Lord Vampire growled as her delicate fingers traced the curls of her mound. The translucent material hid nothing from view and Gabriel took pleasure at the sight of her muscular legs flexing as she walked towards him. Her fingers trailed against the inside of her thigh and she gasped as one disappeared from view.

"That I am, woman," he murmured and sat up as Morrigann neared the edge of the bed. "And you will not forget that." His hand shot out with supernatural speed and he buried his fingers in the thick, motley-colored mane of the succubus before jerking her onto the bed, slamming Morrigann onto her back. He lowered his body to hers, prying her legs apart with sheer will and pinned her arms to the bed with his superior strength.

"Do you fancy yourself a tease, Bitch?" He spat and nipped at her jugular with blunt teeth.

"I am a succubus, after all, Master." The last word was coated with disdain and Gabriel knew the attitude was another one of her games. Still, he did not take kindly to even mock disrespect.

Clasping both her wrists in one hand, Gabriel used his free hand to unfasten the buttons of his leather pants with deft precision. In seconds he had pushed them down to mid-thigh, freeing his bulbous erection. He reached down towards the succubus's powerful thigh and traced the soft cool flesh of her leg. Not only did it heighten her arousal but the thin fabric of the skirt was pushed up towards her waist and out of the way.

Morrigann threw her head back and squirmed when he teased her with his length, pressing it against her opening. Every nerve tingled with the anticipation of being filled, of sharing the power and memories of her angelic lover, even if it lasted a few moments. She raised her hips and whimpered, urging him to plunge into her. But he remained still.

Gabriel chuckled at Morrigann's desperate need. She was always like this when he slid between her thighs and the Lord vampire knew that, as much as her sex was her greatest strength, it was also her greatest weakness; one that he took pleasure in exploiting. "Look at me." His tone was hard and unyielding and the succubus found herself drawn to the power of his voice.

"You are mine," he said and punctuated his words with a vicious thrust, sheathing himself fully within her. "Mine to do with as I please. Understand?" He plunged deeper into her with every word, satisfaction twisting his features at the pleasure and pain he was giving her. She wrapped her legs around his waist and he gasped when she locked her ankles together. It was enough of a distraction for Morrigann to wriggle out of his grip and her hands explored his naked body, her nails carving shallow tributaries into his flesh.

The pain and dizzying scent of arousal permeating the air drove Gabriel insane with lust. The lesson he had wanted to impart to her forgotten, the vampire quickened the rhythm and soon they were both lost in a hedonistic frenzy.

Morrigann was the first to come, screaming his name as her nails tore into the flesh of his back; it stimulated him more and, before he knew it, Gabriel followed her with his own apex, spilling himself into her blissful void. He retained enough control not to sample the addiction that was her blood, treating himself to the psychedelic assault on his senses that it had twice a week at most. He had not doubt that, were he to sample more, regardless of his power, he would never be able to think past the inviting pull of her sex.

As they drifted from their high and Gabriel moved to roll of her, a sharp pain shattered his peace and the Vampire Lord clutched his head.

"My Lord? Are you all right?" Morrigann asked and rolled to her side. Gabriel sensed the genuine concern in her voice and accepted her gentle touch.

"I'm fine, Morrie," he chuckled, thankful that the pain had subsided as quickly as it had appeared but there was still a weighted sensation in his mind that refused to depart. That was when the memories started.

"Algolagniar," he whispered and tried to slow the images as they raced through his mind.

"My Lord?" Morrigann put a hand to his head and felt the warmth that radiated from his skull. "What is this?"

"Algolagniar performed the H'anak Dou. It is a ritual taught in Quortoth. With it, one may transmit one's thoughts to another, whether the distance between the two is dimensional or temporal. Right now I am seeing the images that our

vein-y warrior has seen. A preview, of sorts, of what to expect when we reach Sunnydale."

"Can it be shared? With someone other than the intended receiver?"

"Why do you ask?"

Morrigann scooted closer towards Gabriel and her fingers caressed the muscles of his thigh. "My Lord, being that I will lead the others through the portal and arrive nearly two months prior to your arrival, it would be…prudent for me to understand what I will face--would it not?"

The dark-haired vampire closed his eyes and re-focused on the images before him. Without warning, his hands shot out and clasped Morrigann's head tightly in his palms. She gasped, her eyes wide with surprise before those same color-shifting eyes glazed over and Gabriel knew that she was experiencing what he was seeing. He smiled before closing his eyes and concentrating on the three figures…

The Slayer's Dudley-Do-Right flies at the purple-skinned giant, weapons cutting through the air. He slashes the giant several times before being disarmed. Despite his de-Zeppoed state, hand-to-hand, he is no match. The giant is ready to deliver the killer blow when…

A dark-skinned man interrupts, saving the Jokester's life. He is thrown off-guard by the familiarity in dark eyes…very familiar dark eyes. And he knows. Yes, it is him. But how? No, it doesn't matter. All that matters is that his greatest warrior is alive--but isn't…

The fight lasts several minutes and the bald-headed warrior holds his own. Still, it is not enough and he, too, falls to the power of the beast.

The creature remembers being bested by the dazed man and smiles, reveling in a chance for vengeance. He touches his hand to the man's spine, shuddering in ecstasy at the pain-filled screams. He does this for several minutes to the helpless warrior and…

A platinum and black streak interrupts the torture and the beast is hurled away. Momentarily stunned, it takes several moments for the beast to regain his bearings. When he does, he rises and sees the blonde kneeling over the first man. He creeps up towards the vampire and attacks, quickly gaining the upper hand. It doesn't last, as the vampire is faster and more cunning. He undead flesh absorbs the blows, not affected as much as living tissue would be. Still, he is weakened and the beast will prevail…

The first man attacks again, slicing the beast in the back. It barely stings but the distraction is enough. The vampire's heel slams into the beast's knee, shattering bone, ripping tendons and cartilage. He grabs the beast by the arm and, with all his undead strength, hurls the beast into the brush…

Stunned, the beast rises on unsteady legs and watches as the three warriors retreat far into the night…

"Fuck!" Morrigann shouted as Gabriel released her from his grip. She massaged her temples for several moments before gathering her thoughts to face Gabriel. "Who were they?"

Gabriel smiled and pinned her with lust-filled eyes. "The first one was a nobody. Was in love with the slayer for awhile." His finger traveled the expanse of his jaw and she shivered.

"He didn't look like a 'nobody' to me."

"Don't know what to tell you. Guess he got all powered up or something."

"And the other one? The black guy?" She idly drew patterns on his chest.

"He's ahh…" Gabriel moaned, thankful for the distraction and the fact that she hadn't recognized him. "I don't know who that was."

"Seemed like you knew him," she murmured. She leaned forward and caught the silver hoop that pierced Gabriel's nipple and pulled it with her teeth, eliciting another growl from him. "Come to think of it, his eyes…" But Gabriel never let her finished and his hand plunged between her legs. Morrigann spasmed and it took only seconds of deft ministrations with his fingers to push her over the edge once more.

The brunette vampire's hands roamed across the succubus's luxuriant curves, coaxing her from her climax but, at the same time, slowly building an even hotter fire within her.

"And the vampire?" She whispered and lathered his collarbone with her tongue.

"Oh, that wee lass is William," he said and laughed. "Always trying to bite off more than he can chew, that one. Should have put him down when he was a pathetic fledgling." His words knocked Morrigann from her explorations of his flesh and Gabriel sighed at his mistake.

"You knew him?"

"You could say that," he muttered and roughly squeezed Morrigann's ass. She jumped and reflexively maneuvered closer to him. He took advantage and tattooed her jugular with light kisses, biting down every so often.

"I want him," she moaned as one of his fingers violated her second opening. "I want to taste him and fuck him. He looks so delectable; I know he would be a pleasing lover."

"That he is," Gabriel said, chuckling as memories of a past time crept into his mind and overflowed his veins, causing his aroused member to throb with need.

"So," Morrigann said and ceased all movement. She pinned her Lord with imploring eyes. "Can I have him? Make him my slave?"

"Be my guest," Gabriel conceded and she smiled before assaulting his lips. Her tongue invaded his mouth and she pushed him to his back. In the transition, she had impaled herself onto his rigid cock and Gabriel cried out at the heat that radiated from her undead flesh.

"I'll fuck him like this, you know," she said and used all her unnatural strength to buck forward. Gabriel's hands found her waist and his nails dug into her flesh. The pain only aroused her further and she rode him harder, stopping every so often to swirl her hips in slow, concentric circles.

"Do me a favor before you do," he said and pulled her down for a deep kiss.

"And what's that?" she asked, swallowing unnecessary breaths.

"Make sure you tell him I was here first." On her confused stare, he sighed and slammed into her stationary form. She jerked helplessly and Gabriel knew that she was at the precipice of gratification for a third time.

"Why?" she muttered as her body was wracked by her most intense orgasm of the evening.

Gabriel watched her breasts heave as she shook with pleasure and he could no longer help himself. Flipping her onto her back, he pounded into her with a renewed vibrancy and roared right before his fangs elongated and he sunk them into her flesh. As his orgasm claimed him, their gazes locked. Gabriel saw the brief confusion on her face before it melted into understanding. She had understood at least a portion of what she had seen but that didn't stop Gabriel from voicing his motivation after he calmed down.

"Let's just say that dear old William has a predilection for sampling my sloppy seconds." Outrage flickered across the succubus's eyes but was quickly swallowed up by the eternal desire that burned within her.

"Is that so?" she asked. When he nodded, Morrigann slid a finger between them and rubbed the moisture that pooled at her sex. Her gaze never wavered from the brown eyes staring down at her as she seductively brought the wet finger to her lips. Her tongue darted out and she sampled the combination of fluids before her thick lips engulfed the digit. Gabriel muttered his satisfaction and obediently took the finger in his mouth when she offered it to him. The simple taste of her was enough to invigorate his flesh and Morrigann felt him harden inside her.

"Well," she said as he started once more to rhythmically move within her, "I guess I'll have to be the tastiest seconds he's ever had…"