Title: Torn Part 2
Author: Neamh1
Feedback: Please please please!
Disclaimer: Not mine, belong to Joss and WB.
Rating: NC-17 Please don't read if you are under age.
AN: I'd like to thank aruora and buffycoo999 for their reviews. Please keep them coming.
She woke up with the same scream again only this morning there were four small hands gently stroking and soothing her, urging her to lay back down with them. She rarely spent the nights sleeping alone and since they had travelled away from home a few days ago she had been sleeping with her lovers. She lay her head back down on the soft pillows and they continued to soothe her sobs, they had been concerned about their small lover. Her night terrors hadn't ended like they thought they would have, she had been having them every night for the past four years and everything they had tried had done nothing to change it. Buffy's sobs died away as they continued to stroke her hair and face, they were different from other vampires; older, and the passion they felt for the small girl showed in their eyes as she lay there unmoving. It was like this most days, Buffy never did anything but what she was told, which some masters would have thought was a good thing. Slayers weren't prone to taking orders from vampires and her initial struggle for the first few weeks had been the only one she'd ever given them. They had noticed that she had been marked as another's mate but anyone foolish enough to let her get away from them didn't deserve her. They had called in a favour and had the bond broken which they assumed had created this effect in her. It was for that reason only that they hadn't claimed her as their mate or turned her. Instead they gave her time hoping that she would grow out of it but her twenty first birthday was approaching, it had been four years with no progress so now they had decided to give her the best present they could imagine. Hopefully immortality would break the hold on her that her past bond had and set her free, at least that's what they hoped. They had decided to take Buffy to the party with them and turn her at the stroke of midnight for all to see. That way everyone would know that she belonged to them and that they had sired the greatest slayer of all time. They had been told that it was impossible time and time again but after a lot of digging they found a loophole and were praying that everything would turn out alright. Rising from the bed they pulled her with them and all headed into the bathroom to prepare, they had a big night ahead of them and were sure to appear in front of the council members shortly as the heads of their order.
Angelus, Spike and Drusilla rose at sundown and got ready as quickly as possible, they could hear the commotion outside as everyone began leaving their rooms and heading towards the main hall. Every elder was permitted to take their most trusted childe in with them which meant that Drusilla had to wait for them in their personal chamber. Angelus and Spike followed the other members and entered into the large hall where tables had been made into the shape of a square and covered with a blood red cloth. Each order were seated as they entered the room by various council lackies and offered drinks, Angelus was too anxious to enjoy the fine blood he'd been given, he imagined most others were the same. When everyone at the table was seated except one, silence fell as the final member walked in and stood behind his chair to address them. Angelus recognised the man, whilst he had never been a fan of Heinrich Nest, Darla's sire, he had paid attention. He remembered hearing Nest telling Darla how he was to meet with a vampire named Jonas; he was older than Nest and much more powerful. Angelus was surprised to see that he was still alive and looking as deformed as ever, he raised his hands and the noise that had erupted when he appeared, died down to silence. "Friends…I have called you here today at the beginning of a new era, it has been far too long since the council of elders last united. Many of the elders have perished throughout the years and now we are the future. I'm sure you've all been wondering why I have called together this meeting…My first reason is to unite us as one again and to attempt to dismember the problems we have experienced between each order over the years. As one we are stronger, no one order is head of this council, we each have the right to call together the other orders when we need assistance. This brings me to my second reason, my recent problem – a slayer." He stated, everyone's attention was fixed on him and he noted the way that the members from the order of Aurelius and the order of Amen – Ra were suddenly tense. Jonas knew that Layla and Olufemi held in their possession a tamed slayer which was the reason for their tenseness but he couldn't understand what had peaked Angelus and William to react. No doubt the women would be showing their slayer to the crowds tonight as it was her twenty first birthday, so he would likely find out their interest later. He continued to speak, telling everyone of the slayer that had moved into his territory and already caused much havoc, he offered her life as a challenge to celebrate the joining of the orders once more. When his speech was finished he asked everyone to think about his proposition and each elder of each order presented their grievances and problems were settled within a few short hours. When every order had been dealt with he bid everyone to follow him into the next room for the night's celebrations.
Angelus followed the crowds into the next room whilst Spike went to fetch Drusilla; other members went to collect their partners from their waiting locations, including Layla and Olufemi. Angelus sat at one of the tables drinking his whiskey mixed with blood as he waited for Spike and Drusilla to return to him. He kept his eyes on the door watching the various others entering the room and as he set eyes on the three women that entered he would have skipped a heart beat had his heart been able to. Buffy entered flanked by the two elders of the order of Amen-Ra, she was dressed similarly to them, their clothes and jewellery displaying their wealth and status to all. His eyes raked her body as she looked around searching for something, finally finding what it was her eyes settled on him. Layla noted Buffy's sudden stillness and followed her line of sight until her eyes settled on Angelus, "You want to go over there sweet?" she crooned to Buffy in her usual soothing way. Buffy was trying to come to terms with it; she couldn't believe that it was him. She shook her head, needing more time to get used to the idea of being in the same room as him again. He'd noticed her, she could see his eyes as he scanned her form and it made a shiver run through her body. She wondered whether he would follow them and make a scene as she turned away and followed her lovers. Angelus watched as they turned away from him, he began to wonder whether he was imagining her. Spike returned to his side and Angelus pointed her out as they watched the three move around the room greeting others and helping themselves to drinks. Spike confirmed his theory that it was in fact Buffy but told Angelus to tread carefully where the Amen-Ra clan were concerned. Spike had once encountered the two vampires whilst he had been travelling after Angelus was cursed. They were old and extremely powerful, not only in themselves but also when it came to magic. Angelus had sensed the power coming from them when they had been sitting at the table whilst Jonas spoke to them all so he knew that they were powerful. If they had any hopes of re-claiming Buffy they had to approach them as friends not enemies, so to speak. As the night drew on the girls worked their way around the room, stopping to greet everyone until they worked their way around to Angelus. "Hello William, Angelus." Layla greeted as the three approached them. "Layla, Olufemi, Buffy." Angelus replied, kissing each of their hands, when he touched Buffy's the familiar spark shot through his system telling him that she was indeed his Buffy.
"I see you've done you're homework Angelus. How well did you know our Buffy?" Olufemi asked tersely, she was immediately calmed by Layla who reached her arm around Buffy and stroked her hair.
"What makes you think that we have met before?" Angelus asked, trying to follow Spikes suggestion of pretending to not know Buffy.
"The fact that we have introduced her tonight as Nura; you are the only one except us who knows her human given name. I think perhaps we should sit together and you can tell us all about it." Layla said as she waited whilst Angelus and Spike got up to offer them seats.
"So Nura, how did you meet Angelus, were you two put up against each other when you still fought as the slayer?" Olufemi asked Buffy as she stroked the girl's hand which was resting on her knee.
"Yes we fought a long time ago, it's in my past though, it doesn't matter." Buffy said, her eyes pinned to her hands which we now both occupied as Layla and Olufemi attempted to calm her. They could both tell that she was nervous around Angelus and Layla had her suspicions as to why that was.
"To hell it doesn't matter Buffy!" Angelus roared at her blatant disregard of him, he felt Spikes hand rest on his shoulder as his childe attempted to urge him to sit back down. Several vampires close by had heard the outburst and were staring at the group with curiosity, including Jonas. He had known that something was going to happen between the four vampires when the slayer was introduced and so had made sure to stay close once they were all present. He had spoken to various others in the room who were acquaintances of both the groups to try and find out a little more about them. It seemed that Angelus had been searching for his human mate for four years and had yet to find her. Layla, Olufemi's sire had found the slayer and named her Nura four years ago although no one but Layla's most trusted had seen the slayer in that time. It was no secret that Layla and Olufemi were lovers and Jonas knew for sure now by Nura's scent that she was also a lover of theirs. Jonas had a suspicion that the mate Angelus had been searching for these years was the same lover named Nura that Layla had staked her claim on.
"Angelus sit down, and you will not raise your voice to us." Layla said as Angelus slowly sank back into his seat.
"If you wish to continue being civil with us then you will also address us with our Egyptian names, this is Nura." Olufemi spoke up, not liking the vampire calling her by her human name, which was an intimate privilege, one reserved only for her and Layla. The tension in the group was noticeable throughout the room and they managed to keep things civil for about an hour until Angelus attempted to speak about Buffy again.
"I need to go and use the bathroom." She said turning to Layla for her approval, Layla nodded and let go of her hand giving her the freedom to move away from them.
"Would you like me to go with you Nura?" Olufemi asked, not wanting to leave Buffy alone even though she knew that she could easily take care of herself. Buffy shook her head but smiled and gave both Layla and Olufemi a quick kiss before she left the table. She hurried through the room heading for their chamber, the crowds parting to let her through as she passed them. Over the years she had gotten used to living with so many vampires, at first her senses had been all over the place but she learned to control them and could now sense whether or not she actually knew the vampire that was near her. She couldn't say that she hated living with Layla and Olufemi because she didn't. They never hurt her or whored her out to others, she could have anything she asked for within reason, and she had certain levels of freedom. She tried not to think about her old life and simply basked in her freedom from her duty and from the mess her life had become when she left. When they had first taken her back to Egypt she had been terrified and had fought them until she simply gave up. Every attempt she had made to runaway had been thwarted by them; they were never mad with her for trying to escape but only seemed disappointed. When they first found her and got her to Egypt they had immediately decided to break her bond with Angelus and she had refused and fought it, when it was over she felt so lost she had hardly said two words for months. Add that to the nightmares that she had almost every night and she had been more than a handful for them. Through everything they had been patient with her, not like vampires at all which had made Buffy wonder why they were the way they were. One night she had been sitting in the garden when they came to join her like they often did. Rather than sitting in silence that night she spoke to them, surprising them both she asked who they were before they were turned and how old they were. Layla told Buffy that she was over seven centuries old and had sired Olufemi on her 100th birthday as a vampire. They had both been powerful witches before they were turned and had continued studying throughout their years as vampires which was why they could still look human unlike most of the other elders. She told her that they had no intention of harming her but also none of letting her leave, she belonged to them now and as theirs she would have anything she needed. Over time they introduced her to their lifestyle, she became their lover and companion. During their sexual lessons they introduced her to their appetites and her own; they showed her that she could find pleasure in the bite although they never took more than a few sips.
Now, four years down the line she knew she was spoilt for humans. No human would ever be able to satisfy her desires, but she also knew that she hadn't been made for humans. She was as much a part of Layla and Olufemi as they were of her and she found that she enjoyed their company and attention. Looking at herself in the mirror she smiled at the flawless reflection, her skin was golden making her stand apart from the vampires.
She always spent at least an hour before sunset basking in the sun, her life style with her lovers had changed her routine to a nocturnal one but she always woke that hour early every day, usually from one of her nightmares.
Adjusting the gold transparent dress she wore she headed back out to find them. She was used to the lack of clothing, the weather in Egypt was unbearable sometimes and it was much easier to cope with when you didn't have to wear a great deal of clothes. She could tell the temperature difference as soon as they got off the plane and had brought with her a pair of trousers and jumper to wear from the airport to the council's location but Layla had insisted they all dress as they would if they were back at home so she brought her favourite dress. It was long with two slits at the front which ran straight up the front of either leg to her waist, the material sparkled gold but was thin and transparent accept for around her feminine area and breasts. The thongs she had been made to wear by Layla hadn't covered up much more of her skin but Layla was pleased and so she had worn them, every vampire in that room had been looking at her body at some point throughout the night but she didn't feel too uncomfortable because both Layla and Olufemi were dressed in a similar lack of apparel.
As she walked back into the room fifteen minutes later she searched for her lovers, they were not where she had left them but she could feel that they were still in the room. She let her sense guide her through the crowds as she searched for them, they were in sight and as she moved towards them her path was blocked by a masculine body. She looked up to find Angelus staring back at her with an unnerving expression on his face, she attempted to move past him but he took hold of her arm and tried to push her back the other way with him. She began to struggle against him, trying not to kick up too much fuss considering the event was supposed to be a huge peacemaker. Layla and Olufemi sensed that Buffy needed them when she started to panic; they quickly excused themselves from Jonas and left in search of her. Angelus had managed to get her to the edge of the room when Layla and Olufemi stepped in their path blocking the exit. Buffy released a sigh of relief as she spotted them and Angelus stopped his movements pulling her behind him slightly. She was scared of what would happen if she was left lone with him, he had not exactly been gentle whilst pulling her with him and the way he was growling at her lovers now was proof of his foul mood.
"Get out of my way, we're leaving." Angelus spat at them.
"Unless Nura tells us that she wishes to leave with you then she will not be going anywhere." Layla replied calmly.
"She doesn't know what she wants; you two have poisoned her mind. She's my mate and I will not surrender her to you, you had no right to keep her in the first place, she was marked." He said with venom in his voice. Everyone in the room had stopped what they were doing to watch the exchange; those that were close by had backed up to give some room in case a fight broke out. Spike and Drusilla were now standing on Angelus' right side, Buffy on his left as they faced off.
"She was a mess when we found her, you did that to her and then let her run away. Her mind was almost shattered and we helped her repair her life. She is no longer your mate Angelus; we broke your bond on her years ago, you didn't deserve her." Layla said sharply.
At lightening speed Angelus moved forward and threw her against the wall, he quickly advanced on her hauling her up against the wall and held her around the throat with a small stake pressed against her heart. Olufemi tensed and made a step forward but Layla held up her hand ordering her to stay where she was. "Who the hell are you to decide that I don't deserve her?" Angelus shouted at her as his grip increased and he pressed harder with the stake against her chest, she winced as the wood ripped slightly into the skin of her chest. The whole room was deadly silent watching the scene unfold before them.
"Angelus Stop!" shouted Buffy bringing everyone's attention to her as she moved forward and put her hand on his arm. "Don't do this…please." She said to him, his grip softening on Layla and finally he released her and took a step back thinking that Buffy would go to him. Layla's legs grew weak as he let go of her and she slipped down to the floor, Buffy moved to help her up. The three women turned to leave the room but stopped when they heard Angelus call Buffy. She turned and looked hard into his eyes struggling with her decision of whether to stay with him or leave, making her decision she walked to him and kissed him lightly on the lips. Turning from him she headed back to Layla and Olufemi and they left the room leaving Angelus and every other vampire staring after them. Angelus stood there for along time, by the time he came around everyone had moved back into the room and were again enjoying themselves. Not even bothering to wait for Spike and Drusilla, Angelus walked back to his room taking with him a bottle of whiskey that he snatched from a waiter on the way out of the door.
TBC...
