Authors Note: Okay, I know there is alot of you out there who want fluff, but it's not happening yet. I do promise you though that I will give you some fluff before this story ends because I want to see it too. Also, dreamsof4ever: I know you're upset about the way Buffy is acting, and believe me, I'm not happy with myself for turning her into a bitch right about now. But, on the show, she does tend to jump to conclusions and be very dramatic about things, so I had to do this. She's is wrong though, you're right, she has no idea what's been going on in Angel's life and she does need to back off and say sorry to him.... which she will sooner or later, but not right now. Hang on just a little bit longer. She'll soon realize what a bitch she's being. LOL I'm glad I've got you so riled up though. I must be doing something right as a writer. :)

Chapter Fifteen

Torn

I headed over to Leon's so called stage, which was the position I needed to be in. It was the same as before; bloodied chains and torture tools scattered the wooden platform, there was only one difference. The cage that held the people... it was empty. Dread filled me as the butterflies in my stomach suddenly became something bigger.

This made no sense. I was there, I had seen the people being dragged off, so where were they. I looked around trying to catch one of my team members eye, but I couldn't even see any of them. We were meant to blend in with the crowd and we seemed to be doing a damn fine job of that.

The crowd itself was aloft with urgent whispers as they too saw the empty cage. Whatever this meant, I knew it wasn't good.

Taking a deep calming breath I tried to shoo away my fears. It had to be just a coincidence. No one knew that we were coming... well except for that guard who saw Angel, but there was no way he could figure out that we were on a rescue mission just from seeing him. Right?

I shouldn't have pushed for this plan. Like Angel said, it was one man. We were going to risk the lives of many for just one man. I sometimes hated doing the right thing. I never really got how it always lead to more pain every time I did.

All at once a deathly silence took over the crowd as everybody dropped to their knees at Leon's approach.

"My people!" He shouted with wide open arms. Who did this guy think he was, Caesar? "I'm so glad you could join us today. For today, will be our best show yet!" He acted as if he was talking to a cheering excited audience of some sort. "You may have noticed that the cage here to my right isn't filled with traitors as they usually are. That is because I'm feeling most generous today! They have all been let free!"

Cries of joy burst over the audience. Looking around I could see women crying and thanking God for sparing their loved ones. And yet relief didn't flood me. Dread instead came and filled its place.

This was not good at all.

"Yes, that is right!" He called out to the weeping crowd. "Leon your savior has shown mercy on the criminals. But you all truly owe your thanks to one man."

From the other side of the stage two vampires dragged a nearly unconscious man to the stage, broken and bloody from his beating before hand. His fingers were bent back in a weird fashion along with each and every toe. That wasn't his punishment though. No, the punishment was soon to come.

"Young Mark here has worked with me for five years. Fetching me anything that I needed, he was held highly in my eyes as my personal assistant. Never once did he wrong me." Leon's eyes darkened. "Or so I thought." He moved around the stage, pacing back and fourth. "A couple days ago it came to my attention that he was double crossing me. That my favored servant here was actually every month going out and feeding information to my greatest enemy. For five years he has been selling me out to the people who have tried to hurt me since I came into rule."

The crowd was silent. They obviously knew what this boy's fait was going to be and they weren't sure if they should be happy about it or not. After all, if he hadn't betrayed Leon, then the captives wouldn't have been let go.

"Now, I'm a pretty forgiving guy, I think my act today as shown you that. But how could I ever forgive something like this?" He spoke slowly and deadly sending chills all through out the crowd. He turned to Mark. "I'm sorry Mark, but I can't just forgive and forget something like this." Starring at the kid for a beat, he walked over to the side of the stage which had a blazing fire burning in a pit. Picking up a hot metal iron poker he walked slowly back over to his hostage. The white tip glowed in the air as he moved, and even through the bloody and swollen exterior of his face, you could tell Mark was petrified.

"I don't know how many things you have seen in your life. Things that you decided to share with the people who are bent on taking down the empire." He smiled cruelly, showing a hint of his white teeth. "Well now, you'll see no more."

Screams pierced the air as Leon moved towards Mark. The vampires struggled to keep a hold of him. He was struggling with surprising strength for someone who looked like he could pass out any minute. But who could blame him. A third vampire got up and held Marks head, making sure that his eyes stayed open. With a joyful laugh Leon took the tip of the bar and touched it to Marks eyes. Everyone looked away as the blood curdling scream filled the air.

"Turn back my friends!" Leon demanded of the crowd. "Watch and see what'll happen to you if you defy me." Tossing the poker aside, thankfully not touching the other eye Leon walked to the right corner of the platform, his lackeys following behind him.

"Where are you Angel?" I whispered to myself. I had no idea what the hell was taking him so long but he needed to get here quick before anything else could happen. It shouldn't have even gone this far.

Something over by Leon was emitting steam from the huge tub. I couldn't see into it but I had an idea of what it contained. Leon smiled giddily at the mere thought of what was to happen next. Again I looked for any sign of Angel, but he was no where in sight.

Lifting Mark up, his only good eye widened in fear as he renewed his struggle with extra force. But the vampires were to strong for him. Agonizingly slow, they lowered him down into what the tub. My suspicions were confirmed as the smell of burning flesh filled the air, making people retch in he crowd. Boiling water spilled over the sides, letting everyone in on its secrets.

Grabbing him by the hair Leon snapped Marks head back to make him look him in the eye. Taking a knife from his pocket, he placed the flat blade to Marks cheek. Every so slowly he peeled away the skin of his soft flesh, causing him to cry out in pain. Taking his time so as to draw out the most amount of pain possible, Leon ignored the man's screams of terror and continued to produce thin strips of human skin.

There was so much blood now. It ran everywhere, in little rivulets down and off the stage, staining the grass crimson.

Screams of terror came both from Mark and the crowd as the watched his brutal death. And Leon? You would think he was a kid in a candy shop. He peeled layer after layer of skin, flaying him alive, and he took more joy in it then I had ever seen before.

Just when I thought I couldn't take anymore, that I was going to have to start this whole thing with or with out Angel, he showed. Jumping up on the stage, he was already spotted with blood. A deep angry bruise showed brightly on his forehead.

"Hey," he called out.

Leon turned and smiled at Angel, still holding the knife in his hand, pieces of skin sticking to it. "I was wondering when you were going to show."

"Here I am." Angel held out his arms. "Let him go."

"Oh but you didn't say please."

In a blink of an eye Angel had moved over to Leon and pulled him away from the scene of torture, pressing him up against the outside of the cage. "Please." His fangs were bared now as he breathed deeply from the anger surrounding him. I smiled as a hint of Angelus gleamed in his eyes. That was exactly what we needed right now.

That was my cue. Quickly I got up on stage and started fighting the three vamps that were holding Mark hostage. I could hear a commotion in the crowd behind me as the rest of the guards came to try and stop us. But that's what Connor and the rest of them were for. One by one I heard as the vamps got dusted, smiling in satisfaction as I staked one of my own.

Angel's voice still carried over the ruckus though. "You should have learned by now Leon, don't mess with me."

Leon just laughed. "I think it's the other way around Angelus."

I staked the last vampire and hurriedly pulled Mark out of the tub of boiling water. Blisters marred his angry red skin, while other parts were already peeling away. I could easily see the muscle and bone through his right cheek, but the most unnerving sight was the way he blankly starred at me with that one white eye.

"It's okay." I tried to comfort. "I'm going to get you out of here." Looking back behind me I saw Connor come running up with two other men.

"We'll take him." They said as they slowly lifted Mark's battered form, rushing him away from the scene of the crime.

I turned my attention to Angel, trying to signal him to run, that we were done and over with. But at some point while I was getting Mark, the sides had been switched. Leon held Angel against the cage now, with only one hand.

"You shouldn't have shown your face Angelus. You've been smart these past couple of decades and kept away from me. I was under the impression that you were dead."

"I almost was, but your men gave up to easily that night, thinking that I wouldn't be able to get myself to safety. You should train them a little better."

"Believe me; they'll all die tonight for that. They had assured me that you were gone, out of the picture. Of course, they got a stern beating when they didn't bring your body back for me to play with." He leered at Angel. "How I would have loved to hear your screams as I broke every single bone in your body. Maybe I still can" He added almost hopefully

"You'll never hear me scream." He gritted out, spitting blood from his split lip in Leon's face.

"Wrong answer." The knife Leon had in his free hand was now rammed into Angel's gut.

He winced in pain but that was all. "That the best you got?"

Twisting the knife in a slow circle Leon growled. "No, but I'm saving the best for last."

"Look around you Leon. While you decided to try and get a little vengeance, my men easily killed off all of yours. And your little prisoner, well, he's long gone by now." Angel gloated as Leon turned to look and see if what he said was true.

The moment Leon's grip loosened on him Angel shoved him as hard as he possibly could, knocking him off the stage.

"Run." He said, turning to me.

"Not innless you're with me."

"Buffy, I'm right behind you, I swear. Now go."

"Angel..."

"GO!" He shouted. More vampires were pouring in by the minute. In the distance I could see Connor and the rest of the men struggling to get Mark to safety as they were intercepted by at least a dozen more vamps. Connor was the only one of the group with some what super powers. If I didn't go to him then this mission would just be a waist of time. Already they were starting to overtake the group of men. I had to go help them before this got any worse.

But looking at Angel one last time I nearly stayed in my spot. Him and Leon were engaged in a full out battle now. There was something different about it though, almost as if they were holding back with their blows. The sound of battle reached my ears again though and making a split decision I ran towards Connor and the rest of them, hoping that Angel would take the next chance he got to get out of there.