To the best of my knowledge Angel is the property of Joss Whedon.
All homage to the great creator Joss!
Evangeline's POV
"We'll take my car," Angel yelled as we raced a flight of stairs into a room with metal walls. Angel and Wesley climbed into a blocky, black metal object supported by rubbers – Angel's car I presumed. The top was supported by several very grimy panes of glass. Following their lead, I climbed into the rear opening seating myself in the middle. Angel made movement to a spindle and the thing roared to life and lurched forward. With great speed the 'car' carried us through the crowded roadways to some new destination.
"What is this 'Chutney Sheeves'?" I asked.
Angel's POV
I hadn't thought about Evangeline coming with us to fight the big bad until she climbed into the back seat.
Just like the night before, she more than held her own. And for the first time, someone else sprouted fangs in the middle of the fight. Those Hogarth were not expecting her. That surprise gave us a definite advantage.
Heading back to my apartment, Evangeline asked non-stop questions about everything she saw, heard or smelled. It was a good thing that Wesley was there with his Watcher knowledge. He handled most of the questions so I could just drive in silence.
But after the turnout of these last two battles, my silence wasn't about sulking. It was about thinking...thinking that maybe the PTB know what they're talking about after all.
It's almost enough to make me hope.
Evangeline's presence was a definite positive addition to the team. She was deadly, quiet and a team player...of course she also assumed that the lead the team – that is second to only me. This ruffled Wesley's feathers more than a little.
But Wesley's not foolish enough to challenge her – not unless he wants to be on the business end of one of her 'pointy things' as Cordy calls them.
Truth be told, she make a pretty solid second. I can see why the PTB choose her. Evangeline may not have volunteer to come here, but she take the responsibility seriously. I know she misses her home and wants to go back, but she never lets that get in the way of doing what the PTB have asked.
It only took about a month to get her to start calling me Angel and not just 'Vampire' or 'Champion'. I particularly dislike the title 'Champion' its a constant reminder of a job I frequently don't feel capable of.
Flashback to Evangeline's last moments at home
I took one last look at my reflection before I turned and picked up my things. Yes, I was ready for my first tournament. Like my mother and her mother before her, I would be the winner, proving by battle my right to rule beyond just my bloodline.
As I walked towards the arena, I could hear the sounds of the gathered spectators. As I stepped into the waiting area, surrounded by the other contestants, I saw my best friends, Maris and Kiva. We knew our skills were ready and that we were the best. When it was all over I would proclaim them my first lieutenants.
Maris and Kiva walked towards me and I held out my hand, we each grab the wrist to our left, forming a triangle with our arms. This was our show of solidarity and friendship. We all felt the same, even though we would be competing in the tournament singularly, nothing would tear us apart.
My mother stepped to the podium, and a hush stole across the arena. We dropped our hands and turned to hear her proclaim the start of the tournament and the rules. When my mother finished she descended from the podium and the trumpet hailed the start of the first trial and the the names of the first combatants shown overhead, nebulous sparkles in the sky.
As the crown princess, of course I was called to the first challenge. It was no surprise, that I was to battle Kiva first, it was well known how closely matched we were. But before the end of the day, I would have to show without a doubt that my skills were greater than hers and everyone else.
As I stepped into the ring, I glanced at my mother's smiling proud face. I turned to face Kiva and we began circling each other. Suddenly something powerful hit me from behind and I felt myself falling and blackness overtook me quickly. As the air rushed from my lungs, I could feel immense pressure pulling on my limbs threatening to first tear me apart then suffocate me.
As quickly as it started, it ended. My fall ended with me face down on a cold, hard surface – not the packed dirt of the ring I expected. I struggled to open my eyes quickly, desperate to regain my fighting stance. The first thing I saw was white marble as I looked up and around everything was white. I definitely was not in the arena anymore, but then where was I?
I rose from the ground, my surroundings were a matte of white stone, not much to see. But a scent. A disturbing scent... something old..something I should not know, but was burned into my genetics. I turned surveying the surroundings looking for the threat I knew I must battle.
Battle and win.
As I look for my opponent, I take in the form of two beings with auras of great power. They were not the threat. I knew this without a doubt instinctively. I quickly dismissed them continuing to survey the room, until he came into view.
The scent of the age old enemy of mankind – a vampire.
Upon sighting him, I let out a battle cry, a roar proclaiming the my feral strength as I grabbed my blades, ready to do battle to the death if need be to rid the world of this vile presence.
I watched the scene progress for what must have been the hundredth time. And as always nothing ever changed. No matter how I willed it otherwise. And just like every other time the dream ends when the torch goes out.
That's when I wake up. All of my longing for home and loneliness crash down on me in the darkness as I try to compose myself and not cry like a weak kitten.
The dream...memory hurts. Being here hurts. Missing my mother, my friends hurts. But know that every night I wake shaking from the dream, he knows – that hurts the most.
That darn vampire hearing. Plus he just doesn't sleep at night. Even after being here in his home for more than a month, knowing he's awake prowling around prevents me from finding a sound rest.
If I just listen I can here him in the main area of the house. Tonight he's reading. Such a normal pastime for someone so not normal.
But what is normal in a world besieged by vampires, demons and monsters?
How could the great Watchers sentence me to this? So many question and no answers. So tonight like so many other nights, restless and unable to sleep I rise from bed and begin to dress.
Who really needs a full night's sleep anyway?