"Did you find out what you wanted?"

Aura pulled a piece of burnt skin off of her arm, and watched it flutter to the floor. And then she watched the wound heal, go from pink to even and pale.

"Yes." She sighed "I believe I did."

Malcom turned to her.

"What happened?"

"He nearly killed me."

"And at this you are so satisfied?"

Aura nodded.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because... it confirmed all of my suspicions."

"Was he your sire?"

"No. Not in the least."

"But wasn't that what you were looking for?"

Aura shook her black hair.

"No."She said "Malcom... you should know by now that I'm over my Sire... as strong and beautiful as he was, he left me for milenia... in a box... alone... so I have no intentions on returning to his side."

"So... then what did you go for?"

"I went... in order to see if that vampire is truely the new King of the Damned... and he is that exactly... but he's so much more than my sire... and besides, every king.. needs a queen."

Aura smiled, her perfectly white teeth shone in the darkness.

"You intenend to leave me?"

Aura laughed.

"Malcom, since I first came to be with you... you should've known that I'd never stay... I have no intentions on being with you forever... or much longer for that matter."

"I figured as much."

"And besides, you have your own goals... am I correct?"

This time, it was Malcoms turn to laugh.

"Of course."He said "But still... you intened to become his queen... how do you plan on going about that?"

Aura laughed, walking away.

"Malcom, my love, you should never ask a woman her secrets... or her age."

"Why?"

"Because..." She said, disappearing into the darkness "You'll never get the truth."

Angel colasped into his bed. He didn't feel like moving. He was so tired. Last night wasn't particullary draining, but it still tired him out. He felt weaker, like his new strenght was leaving him and he didn't know why. He then thought about Catilina. She wanted him so much, wanted him to claim her, but he wouldn't... her wouldn't claim anyone before her.

Still, he felt bad for the way he'd treated her. He really was fond of her. Of her essence and her beauty. He stood and walked to his window, to his balcony and stepped out into the draning sunlight.

"Come to me my Catilina." He murmered "Where ever you are, come to me now. I wish to see you my child."

Angel moved back to his bed and laid down.

"Won't be long now." He murmered

Catilina shifted in the hotel suit bed that she was lying in. Nestled between the silk and satin sheets, warm and safe, next to the cold dead body of the man she'd fed off to get it. And then she heard it.

Come to me, my Catilina.

She immediatly sat up, her body drawn to him. She stood and dressed, carefully stepping into the halls, slipping into the basement and into the sewers.

Angel smiled and sat up, making his way downstairs. His movements weren't as graceful as they were in the night. He simply lacked the energy he had to make them. Wesley and Cordillia were both asleep on the couches, and Catilina stood above Cordillia, looking at her like a poor man at a three course meal.

"Come." He said, holding out his hand

She walked to him, her heels falling on the floor, clicking and clacking , and took his hand.

"Where are we?" She asked

"My house." He replied, leading her upstairs

"Who are they?"

"My employees."

"Oh."

"They are not to be touched." He said, opening the door to his room. He closed the door behind her and hugged her. "Are you hungry?" He asked

She shook her head.

"Not really."

"You just fed... no?"

"Yes. Though not enjoyable meals... first a bodybuilder, I could practically taste the steriods... and then on a fat man, his blood was so thick it was hard to swallow."

Angel laughed softly.

"Do you want something better?" He asked

"Not now... you seem... different..."

"Don't worry about it." He said, leaning back and stroaking back her hair "I'm sorry." He said softly

"For what?"

"For last night. The way I was. Do you forgive me?"

Catilina nodded.

"Yes."

"Do you love me?" He asked softly, leading her to the bed

"Yes."

"Do you want me?" He asked

"Yes."

Angel kissed her, and then laid her on the bed. He had found a way to spend his dreaded mornings.