Summary: In a land divided and at war between man and demon, what happens when one does the unthinkable and falls for the enemy?
Disclaimer: Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy own the BtVS and AtS characters. There is no intention of copyright infringement or monetary gain in the borrowing of characters. They are used only for entertainment purpose.
Previously on Enemy Mine: Spike takes Willow back to Angelous. Dru tells Spike that they will have visitors soon. Cordy gets a vision.
Ch 6 Those That Speak to Us
She couldn't stop the trembling of her body. The way Angelous stared at her was unnerving. He had at first just looked into her eyes when he spoke to her and informed her she couldn't break free of the chain but now he had a look of contemplation that bordered on sinful.
It was majorly freaking her out.
He looked down at her shackled wrist and chuckled. "Did you try to be a bad girl?" he asked her silkily. His large hands began to skim her petite frame as his eyes moved down, taking her in.
To him, she was a vision of rumpled innocence. Her lithe form was splayed on his bed, trembling in fear. Her wrinkled pajamas and disarrayed hair only increased the impression of sexual abandon. His face dipped to her belly and slowly traveled upward until he reached her neck and inhaled deeply. In a word, she was delectable. The bite wounds had closed but blood had dried on her flesh.
Willow gasped as Angelous brought his face close to her sensitive flesh and gave a slow lick on the bite mark on her left - the bite of the first time he bit her and held her as hostage. Her shivering increased with the onslaught of emotions; there was fear, and pain but there was also confusion and. . .pleasure.
Angelous picked up his head to take in her reaction. Her large green eyes held turmoil but they also couldn't mask the spark of unfocused desire. He slowly moved his head down to the other side of her neck where the most damage had been done by his fangs and slowly, carefully licked the blood clean. Her blood was unlike anything he could remember. There was so much power but underneath that. . .there was a connection, a familiarity.
Willow could only take small gasps of breath as Angelous' tongue slid across her tender flesh. What was he doing to her? The skin were he had bitten acted out as nerve endings every time the rasp of his tongue passed over it. There was the sting of pain, the pain of any wound, but there was also so much pleasure being generated. Agonizing pleasure that radiated from his bites every time he passed over them and centered themselves in her womb. Something was building, something she didn't quite understand, and the feelings were just getting more and more intense. She grabbed fistfuls of the bedding under her, trying to anchor herself, trying to somehow stop or control the sensations. She didn't think she could take much more, her body was tightening, tensing, condensing from every nerve ending. Her breathing came in fast shallow gasps and her body felt both hot and cold. She writhed trying to get release from the torment. He continued until she thought she would die until without warning, she felt the sting of his fangs slicing into her flesh once again. Her eyes opened wide in shock and she screamed as she shattered. The power of her release caused her to arch up into the hard, cool chest of the vampire. Power that she thought had been drained out of her for the moment, charged in the atmosphere creating countless miniature arcs of lightning.
Angelous picked up his head after taking a small sip of the little witch's blood and closing the wound with his tongue. He looked around his bedchamber in astonishment as he felt the charge in the air. If he had been any other, he would have been already dust. He looked down at her, her skin flushed and glistening with a fine film of sweat. He chuckled in amusement as he heard her accelerated heartbeat even out into a rhythm of rest.
She had fainted from the pleasure his vampire kiss had generated.
Suddenly, a heavy knock sounded at the door and he growled in irritation at being interrupted. "What?" he barked out.
"Angelous, I need to speak with you," came the muffled voice of Spike.
He tried dismissing him with a curt, "Later," but Spike was persistent. When it looked like he might open the door, Angelous had no choice but to see what he wanted and commanded him to wait for him outside. The energy the redheaded witch had created had not dissipated and was still crackling around the room. Anyone who entered would seriously be harmed or even killed.
Hmm, he needed to think on how to proceed with the girl.
He walked out of the chamber, paying no mind to the lethal energy as he trespassed it without harm.
His childe was waiting for him, pacing.
"Well?" he asked, his expression set in a cold mask.
Spike stopped pacing and turned to him immediately. "We might have a problem."
"What kind of a problem?"
"Uninvited guests - the kind that want the redhead back."
Angelous tensed his muscles and narrowed his eyes at the prospect. "How do you know this?"
"Dru," was Spike's simple response.
When Angelous said nothing, Spike stared at him expectantly and asked, "What should we do?"
"How likely do you think Dru is right?"
Spike snorted. "Very." He cocked his head and continued, "You should know better than anyone. You've had dealings with them. How important is the witch?"
Angelous gnashed his teeth at the thought of 'them.' The damn humans - especially, the Slayer- would come for the girl. Of course, especially since - as he now remembered pieces of conversations that his soulful self had had with the fucking Slayer- the redhead was the Slayer's best friend.
"Are the perimeters still secure?" Angelous asked Spike.
"Of course, but Dru mentioned something about them vanishing so they would have at least one strong witch along to their little jaunt. They can't find the castle by magic, much less by normal human means but who knows what else they might be packing."
Angelous contemplated Spike's words.
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"Ugh, I so need to change careers," joked Cordy with a pained groan as she regained consciousness.
"How are you feeling," asked Oz with as much concern in his voice as his personality allowed.
The Seer groaned again and drew a shaky hand to her throbbing head. "Like I've died twice over and was stomped on by Xerchknovik demons for good measure."
"Ouch."
"Yeah," she said dryly. Those suckers were huge.
Cordy noticed that she was cradled in Oz's arms, her head resting on his shoulder. "Thank you," she told him.
"For what?" he asked, looking down at her upturned face.
"For not letting me bang my head against the hard floor."
"You're very much welcome," he answered with one of his small smiles.
For a moment Cordy just got lost in Oz's face. She didn't want to feel anything, think about anything, do anything. She only wanted to rest.
And then the images of her vision intruded. "Oh shit!"
Oz helped her right herself up. "What?"
She leaned heavily into him, thankful that he held her secure by the waist. "We've got problems. Boy, do we got problems."
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A wicked smile appeared on Angelous' face as a plan began to form. He swung an arm around the smaller vampire's shoulder in a jovial gesture and said, "Will, my boy, let's prepare for our visitors, shall we?"
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The doors opened to the armory with a loud bang. Xander and Buffy turned their head in time to witness a Cordelia being supported by Oz ordering them to reconvene at the library immediately.
"What do you think that was all about?" Buffy turned to Xander after the Seer's and werewolf's immediate departure.
He shrugged and put the distinctive silver-handled stakes down on the table that already held various weapons ranging from crossbows to special adaptable guns. "Don't know, but if I were a betting man, I'd say you got your wish - "
Buffy frowned in confusion.
"And Cordy got a vision."
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Oz had just helped Cordy sit down at the large study table of the library where Wesley had amassed a large collection of books, journals and rolled up documents. The young watcher was still very much engaged in searching for all relevant information concerning Angelous that might in any way be helpful in their mission. He was currently sitting down with an array of open books around him and scribbling down notes on a pad.
Buffy and Xander entered shortly thereafter. Xander had already changed into his combat clothing of black like Cordy and Oz. Buffy, not so much. Their bickering could be heard even before they entered through the large wooden double doors.
"I don't see the prob, Xander."
"You don't see the problem?" he repeated incredulous. "Please, you don't see the problem? You're a walking sign complete with loud, honking noises and bright, flashy lights."
Buffy scoffed. "You exaggerate. I've always dressed like this and there's never been a problem."
"Yeah, for patrol," Xander pointed out. "Probably easier for you to get the baddies to come to you than for you to go to them."
"Are you insinuating I'm lazy?"
"No, but now that you mention it, I wouldn't put it past you."
Buffy gaped. She was quickly getting irritated with her friend.
"You will change before we leave," Xander ordered her.
"I will not! Who died and made you boss?" Buffy said incensed.
"Actually, yeah, in this case I have precedence over you. As your elder - "
"By a measly four years!"
" - who has had more time fighting experience, you have to respect my suggestions."
"Orders, more like."
"You know what?" said Xander exasperated. "You're absolutely right - "
"Thank you."
"- in this case, the Specialists team take precedence."
Buffy was incredulous. "What?"
Cordy smiled at Buffy from across the table. "Yeah," she drawled out, "that's right. You do what we tell you."
"If you think…" Buffy began to say when Tara suddenly appeared in front of them and startled them into silence.
With a sheepish look, she apologized, "Sorry. Had to teleport out of the Coven since that's where I was and. . . you know, it's located in the northern tip of the territory. . . And that's pretty far away…"
Wesley looked up from his notes unfazed and calmly asked, "Did you speak to the Coven then?"
Tara moved to a nearby chair and sat down. "Yes. I spoke with them and explained the situation. They will help me prepare a magical arsenal large and powerful enough for our numbers and destination."
Wesley nodded. "As you know, magic is unpredictable in the Shadowlands, so whatever you will be using has to be very direct and controlled."
"Oh, d-don't worry Wesley. All that has been taken into consideration," Tara began to say to try to appease him but then paused, knowing that it would be best to explain everything now to prepare them since almost everyone was gathered. "The Coven will be giving me a boost for the complete cloaking spell. Almost all my energies will be solely focused on that since it is quite draining and especially difficult considering our numbers and the place we will venture in. I don't know how long I will be able to hold it so it is really important that we go in and come back out as quickly as possible." Tara turned to speak directly to Wesley. "I'm going to need you and Mr. Giles to be prepared as backups if anything happens. You will have to handle all the rest of the magics if we go under attack."
Buffy didn't understand. "Tara?"
"Magic is tricky," Tara began to explain. "In any normal circumstance it takes a lot of power and concentration to control since magic is a part of nature itself. What we do is try to coax it to our will all the while knowing that it can go in different directions. We have to prepare and cut off from any deviations it might possibly take. Like a game of chess, we have to plan for all possible moves and then move to counteract it. Using magic is a delicate balance, that's why there aren't many proficient at it. There has to be a great deal of respect for the elements that are being used and a great deal of care. The Shadowlands contain a great amount of energy but most of it is disruptive. Almost all, if not all, my concentration will be to get us in undetected. My task is made that much more difficult than the destination by having to be aware of each and every one of you at all times to be able to cloak you."
Xander gave a low whistle. "Wow, that's what I call multitasking."
Cordelia closed her eyes in trepidation. Tara would be unavailable for any combat, probably not even defensive. And if her vision was at all true - which she knew it always was - they were going to need all the help they could get
Oz noticed Cordelia's worry. He had sat beside her and was now taking one of her tightly clenched hands in his own. "Cordy?" he softly asked her, "Are you okay?"
She opened her eyes and gave him a rueful smile. "No."
Tara noticed the exchange and knew immediately that Cordelia had had a vision. To have telepathically called her back meant that the vision meant something very important. The way she looked now, her normal sun-bronzed face pale and drawn, meant that what she saw was really, really… "How bad is it?" she asked her.
The Seer's gaze moved to the Wicca's. "Bad. I saw where Willow is being kept."
Buffy was surprised but elated. "What? Where?"
"Is she okay?" came from Xander.
Cordy laughed at Xander's question and everyone looked at her as if she were nuts. Considering the situation, there was absolutely nothing that was of a laughing matter.
She shook her head bleakly. "Depends on what you consider okay. She's inside a castle, surrounded by vampires. I got flashes of her and she's weak, really weak. She isn't dead but she has been bitten more than once. From what I saw. . . her top was covered in blood. Angelous has her. . . " She paused unsure of what she had seen. "I don't know for sure what's going on but we should consider her lucky that she's still alive. Half of what I was allowed to see makes no sense but what I do understand," she sighed, "Not good. Not good at all."
"Well that's good though, that she's alive, right?" said Xander relieved.
Tara knew that there was more so she patiently waited for Cordy to continue. Whatever came next was for her, the previous silent exchange with the Seer had confirmed that.
Cordelia's gaze hadn't left Tara's and when she continued, Tara felt the connection that the Seer established with her snap into place, thrusting her into Cordy's vision, letting her see what she had seen .
"The castle is old, massive. A fortress really. It's dark and unapproachable. There's power around it, darkness and danger and death. Something is protecting it - several things actually - but I don't know what. What I do know is whatever protects it is what caused the tracking spell to dissolve."
Tara frowned. She was trying to understand what she had seen, what Cordy's words had described . The images were jumbled and played on as if they were on different settings: fast forward and then slow and then rewind. Goddess, how did Cordy stand it? But she concentrated on what she needed to know: the castle. It flickered, one moment there and the next gone.
"A cloaking spell," she whispered in realization.
Wesley turned to her. "What was that?"
Tara snapped out from the connection. "Oh, um . .. The castle - where Willow is - is protected under a cloaking spell. A very powerful one. There's more to it, I just don't know what."
Wesley took off his glasses with a sigh and rubbed between his eyes. "That is bad."
Cordelia shook her head. "No, that's not bad at all. That's not even half of it."
"What do you mean?" asked Wesley, dreading the answer. How could things be any worse?
"I'm not sure, but as vague as the visions can be at times, they were very specific in one thing. There's a man - well, not a man - a vampire. I got the feeling that as much as Angelous is a threat, he is much greater. He stands beside Angelous. He's like . . " Cordelia tried to look for words, "Like an angel of death. "
"Can you describe him," queried Wesley.
"Hair that shines white in the moonlight. Slender and shorter than Angelous. A gaunt face that," she scoffs and asks herself, "how could that be, beautiful? Razor-sharp cheekbones, full lips, and dark eyebrows. I can't tell the color of his eyes, they're hidden. The way he looks, the way he stands. . . I got a sense of power and heaps upon heaps of threat."
"Anything else," asked Wesley as he was furiously searching through a book for something.
"Um. . .he had a scar, on his left eyebrow." Cordelia turned to Buffy confused, "I didn't know vampires could scar."
Buffy frowned, just as perplexed. "They don't."
"Oh, dear God," Wesley exclaimed. "Things are worse!"
"What is it?" Buffy asked him.
"Cordelia, who you have described fits perfectly with one of Angelous' Childes."
"What's so special about him," Xander asked, "aside from the scar?"
"Well, not only is he Angelous' Childe which makes him just as intelligent, cunning and ruthless, but he is his right-hand. During the General's rampage, he acted as his bodyguard and protected him from attack."
"And? What's the big deal about that?" asked Buffy, not really seeing the importance or the big difference from Angelous.
"The big deal about that," stressed Wesley, "is not who he is but what he is. He goes by the name of William the Bloody but it's his other moniker that's what's terrifying. . . He's The Slayer of Slayers."
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To be continued: Ch 7 Amid Sunlight's Shadow