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What sound does a heart breaking make?	By : chilli Category: AtS/BtVS Crossovers > Slash - Male/Male > Angel(us)/Xander > Angel(us)/Xander Views: 24007 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I don't own Buffy, Angel or Blade. I make no money from this.

Chapter List
- 4
- 5
- 6
Chapter 5

Angel and Spike drove at night while Wesley and Ethan drove during the day. Xander shifted his waking time to keep Angel company during the night hours of driving. Finding a certain comfort in being next to the vampire.
Sometimes they just shared a bed during the day or simply relaxed in front of the TV or just listened to music. However Angel did put his foot down with Cordy and Xander about school. They were both required to study for at least two hours per day. He had no intention of allowing the two to have to repeat a grade. Then his eyes turned speculatively to Faith, he was going to have to figure out what to do about her as well. Because he had no intention of letting such an amazing mind languish in darkness. He saw the wistful gleam in her eyes when her two friends were studying.
They made infrequent stops along the way, allegedly to stretch their legs which was just a thin, pitiful excuse to just get away from each other. Or they would accomplished what the hunters after them dearly wanted to do, unfortunately for them, they were only discovered by the demons hunting them five times, but they managed to escape or kill their attackers.
And it was during one of their stops, Wesley decided to take the opportunity to, hopefully, get some answers from Ethan. Both he and Angel had come to the conclusion that they needed all the ammunition on Rupert Giles as they could possibly find. And who better to give them answers than Ethan Rayne? Of course, they realized that the man would undoubtedly lie, but they felt up to the challenge of sorting truth from the lies.
Ethan lay sprawled on the picnic table, idly smoking a cig he had bummed from that blonde vampire. His lips quirked upwards in wry amusement. Despite Spike’s clearly very much dead status, the caustic vampire had more life in him than their fellow countryman, Wesley.
They were both having quite a rousing good time needling their respective puffed up targets, he to Wesley and Spike to Angel. He chuckled in amusement at how the lean, wiry vampire would behave in the most annoying, infantile fashion. It was driving Angel barmy, it was. Spike had a most uncanny knack of knowing when to stop needling Angel and allow the fuming vampire to settle down before re-applying the pressure once again. Somehow, he managed to keep his grandsire at a nice simmering boil of frustration.
Ethan choked back the guffaws that were trying to escaping, managing to reduce them to snorts of amusements. If Spike asked Angel one more time 'Are we there yet?' he was certain the senior immortal would attempt the impossible...he would try to strangle the annoying blonde. What was even funnier, something that he didn't think anyone other than Spike and him noticed, was in the watchful, dark eyes of the children...they were furiously taking notes. And written at the top was 'How to annoy Angel in twelve easy steps'.
He felt a profound sense of admiration for the wiry vampire. Not many vampires would willingly continue to mock or sneer at a vampire of Angel’s caliber. Even if the dark vampire was a bit of a twat.
At hearing footsteps coming from his right, he turned his head to see that annoying git of a Watcher coming towards him. He had been aware for several days of Wesley's nervously contemplative look and the questions the other man was almost dying to ask him. Ethan lip curled upwards and a dark look crept into his eyes. The silly boy should be careful of what he wish for and considering that they were traveling with three vampires, he might just might get his bloody wish. He grinned at the play on words.
And taking another drag from his cigarette Ethan sat up, he regarded the dogged look on the younger man’s face with a sardonic eye.
“Well? Get on wit’ it…” he finally drawled out looking vaguely annoyed.
Wesley started, blinking rapidly in confusion. There was just something about Mr. Ethan Rayne that was severely off putting, to say the least.
But he screwed up his determination and proceeded to his self-appointed task. “Ah...
uhm...you seem to have a rather extreme dislike for Mr. Giles…” he began hesitantly.
Ethan raised a brow as a cool look descended on his face. “Is that your question? Because, frankly my dear chap, this will be your only opportunity to ask me whatever you wish. I feel myself in a rather magnanimous mood.” And he stretched lazily. But beneath hooded eyes, he watched the young man's eyes trail up and down his body. Amused and charmed a bit, that the younger man found him attractive. He wondered how he might turn this to his advantage.
“I have a question,” Angel interjected quietly as he came up behind the Watcher. He ignored the startled jump the other gave as he allowed all his senses to come into play. Giving a quick, sidelong look at Wesley before refocusing his attention on Rayne. One way or the other, he was determined to get some answers. He was responsible for too many lives to sit by idly while an unknown quality was introduced into their midst.
“I have a question,” he repeated and narrowed his eyes on the Chaos mage. “What's between you and Giles? The first time you attacked him, it was indirectly during Halloween; the second time your attack was aimed directly at him. So what the hell is the problem?”
Xander, Cordy and Faith drifted up to Angel and Wesley's sides. They studied the Chaos mage with suspicious eyes. “Yeah, like what's up with the Wrath of Khan 'tude?” Xander added his voice to the inquisition.
Ethan studied the vampire with cold, expressionless eyes. He flicked his attention behind Angel as the others drew closer, sensing some sort of confrontation. He knew that the only reason why they allowed him within their little charmed circle was because of the boy. Not that he really gave a tuppence for their soddin’ opinions. If it weren’t for the bindings on him, he would just as soon chuck them all into the river and be done with the lot of 'em. However, the bindings the magus’ put on him weren’t worth his death. At least, not yet.
All of them were nothing but a bunch of silly fools playing at being heroes. Although there were times he felt a grudging admiration for them, especially the children, whenever he happened upon them reminiscing about this battle or some other battle. But still, they were little too old to continuing believing in their little version of Good and Evil. By his tally, there was no such thing as Good and Evil…there was only idiotic men making foolish choices.
He narrowed his eyes on the children…they were the ones most vulnerable, the ones most easily deceived by men pretending goodness. He glanced at Angel and Spike. But the two vampires understood evil. Evil wasn’t some obscure demon…evil was a man walking on cat's paws.
He began abruptly. “I, like many in my neighborhood, very much wanted to be like my older brother, Jacob. Back then, he was the epitome of what passed for coolness among us. He smoked, swore and didn’t give a rat’s arse for conventions or rules. Our flat used to shake with the godawful rows between Jacob and our Da, until finally, sil silly old git, kicked my brother outta the house. But he was still my brother and he still always made time for me. I looked up to him and wanted to be just like him, a fact that caused him great concern. He wanted me to make something of myself, to be someone important and not like him. I didn’t listen of course. I continued hanging with his gang of friends. They were a rough sort, but they treated me proper. I was proud to call them my friends and they certainly made use of my ‘book learnin’ as they liked to call it.” And a wry grin briefly transformed his face. Giving his spellbound audience a rare glimpse of what a young Ethan Rayne must have looked like, a far cry from the cold, disdainful mask he usually presented to the world.
“And one day, I introduced a boy I rather fancied to them. Back then, Rupert was considered quite a catch. Beautiful and incredibly rich. It was a combination that had many of the boys at our school making sheep's eyes over him. But it was his looks, his bearing that impressed me, that drew me to him like a moth to a flame.” Ethan looked down at his burning cigarette, not wanting his fascinated listeners to see the self-hatred in his eyes. After all these years, it still made him squirm in revulsion at how he had been so gullible.
“We exchanged a few kisses, shagged a couple of times…and I fell head over heels in love with him. I imagined that he felt the same for me, such a fool I was. So, proudly did I trot him off to meet my brother. However, I introduced him simply as my ‘friend’. Gods above, I was so bloody eager to show Jacob the love of my life and yet I feared his reaction to the notion that I was queer.” He stubbed out his cigarette viciously on the table, wishing it was Rupert's head instead.
“Rupert took one look at Jacob and tossed me aside. And naïve fool that I was, it took me a fortnight to discover the truth. But by then my brother had also fallen for Rupert as well and was rather hesitant to tell me.”
“I finally got up the courage to tell Jacob of Rupert and myself. I went to the gang’s hangout, only to find my brother buried balls deep into Rupert's ass! I tore out of there in a flaming hurry and refused to talk to my brother for days. It was too bad that our friends didn't agree with my decision. They tackled me and carried me to Jacob. While he was absolutely horrified by their actions, he chose not to waste this opportunity to talk to me. I could see the tears in my brother's eyes as he tried to explain to me…and I realized that he didn’t even know about my sordid little affair with his lover.”
He looked up with a mocking, twisted smile. “I was such a silly git back then, you know? I loved my brother enough to keep my mouth shut and let him be happy with Rupert. Oh, I was still in love with the little arsewipe, but I loved my brother more. How does that saying go…'If you love somebody, set them free’, eh? Perhaps I was subconsciously wishing that Rupert would come back to me?”
“As Jacob got more deeply involved with Rupert, he began to change. It was a slow gradual process that I truly didn’t take heed, until it was too bloody late. When he yelled or shouted at me, I simply passed it off by saying he had a rough day. I think it was about that time the silly little prat took to calling himself 'Ripper' and wearing a leather jacket, jeans and such. He also began carrying a switchblade, trading on my brother's reputation as a rough sort in order to build up his own rather lackluster street personae.”
“But finally I did notice when the others began changing and there was this…this look about their eyes that was alarming. And then I found a book under Jacob’s bed---a book of black magic. Some of the things within the book horrified me, yet there was this secret part of me that was thrilled by that horrid book. Still I felt it was my duty to talk to my brother about my suspicions. I confronted Jacob about it...and was soundly thrashed for my concern.” He swallowed and looked away from their sympathetic, horrified eyes. His jaw resembled stone, it was so tightly clenched.
“This time our estrangement lasted for almost a month before Jacob rang me up late one night. Asking if I would come over as he had something he wanted to tell me and like a fool, I went. You see, I had no intention of giving up on my brother. I used our time apart wisely and researched that dreadful book. I was always an exceedingly clever student. I delved deeper into the dark, mystical realm, where I found to my surprise that I had a bit of an aptitude for the dark arts. It was rather amusing in retrospect. Here were these idiots trying to summons demons for larks and kicks while the demons came easily at my bidding.” He let out a black, morbid chuckle, though the others did not share his amusement.
“But I digress from my tale. Against my better judgment I foolishly went over to Jacob’s flat. And gathered there were at least three of my former friends plus a unknown boy. However, there was a look about my erstwhile friends eyes that was frightfully unnerving. And it seemed as if my instincts were spot on when my brother proceeded to explain that they needed a seventh member to summon Eyghon and poor Georgie was sick.”
His lip quirked as he looked at Wesley's horrified face. “You can imagine my extreme reluctance to take part in this. Despite what you may think of me, I am no fool. In my research into the black arts I came across the name Eyghon, and I knew just how dangerous it was. Rupert choose to remain silent when I frantically tried to talk them out of their mad scheme but to no avail. Though I knew this was exceedingly stupid, still I allowed myself to be coerced into it especially when Jacob swore he would never do this again. This was my brother and I loved him.”
Ethan took a deep breath, his eyes faraway and lost in dark painful memories.
“We drove out of town and into a small clearing. We marked ourselves according to the ritual, and formed the proper circle of protection. With Rupert and Jacob giving me strict orders NOT to break the circle…under no circumstances must I break the circle.” He looked sardonically at the half-circle of avid listeners. “You hear the emphasis on not breaking the circle? Excellent! Because as long as the circle remained unbroken, Eyghon couldn't harm us.”
“Everything went according to plan. I watched as Sally, followed by Andy and then Phillip allowed Eyghon to pass through them. While the ecstasy that transformed their faces was tempting, I knew better. And I was proven horribly correct, for as soon as that foul creature approached the strange boy, he screamed and ran off...breaking the circle. And Eyghon attacked.”
“I hastily cast a ward around my brother, Rupert and myself. And I screamed to them that they must not break my wards. But I don’t think they were listening to me. Their attention was primarily focused on the demon as it ripped to pieces the rather slower member of the fleeing youths. And when it took over the body of the strange kid, Rupert’s nerve broke. He ran…shattering my wards. And the demon leaped upon my brother before I could do anything.”
He blinked rapidly, inhaling deeply as he recalled the screams his brother made. “Jacob begged me to help him as the demon rode his body. Screaming in horror at things only he could see. I didn’t know what to do…or how to help Jacob. This was my brother and the only help I could possibly give him was death, but I couldn’t kill him. And I saw the demon shining out of his eyes as I got closer and I knew that the instant I dropped my protective wards, that it would ride me just as viciously as it was riding Jacob. Then it began speaking to me, with the most malicious smile imaginable. It told me how Jacob knew of me and Rupert long before he took him to bed. It mockingly informed me about how they laughed at me. Then it forced Jacob to tell me the ‘truth’ that he did indeed know about the two of us. And again, my brother begged me to kill him.”
Ethan gave his horrified audience a cold smile. “And so I did. I killed Jacob in such a way that Eyghon couldn't use his dead body. I found out later that Jacob was as much of a dupe as I for our duplicative lover. Rupert ran back to his family's posh house and apparently threw himself on his father’s mercy. He was swiftly enrolled in the Watcher’s Academy within a few days of this event. Putting himself temporarily beyond my reach.”
“But I swore that night I would have my revenge on Rupert. You see, we bore the Mark of Eyghon, we were it's callers and one by one it would find us. I had held it off as long as I could. I wanted Rupert to finally have something that he valued, a life that he would do anything not to lose.”
He looked sourly at Xander and Angel.
“Interfering little bastards!” he snarled.
“Yeah, if it hadn’t been for us meddling kids…” Xander sighed, though a brief grin flickered on both his and Cordy’s faces at his remark.
And Ethan resumed his usual expression of cold disdain. “And there you have it my friends, my sad tale of woe. The reason for my undying hatred of one Rupert Giles and how I hope to someday piss on his grave!” He spat on the ground and walked away, leaving an uneasy silence in his wake.
“And there goes one angry man,” Cordy remarked quietly.
“Angel…” Wesley questioned the vampire, his eyes intent on the vampire.
“You know, I certainly don’t want to be in Rupert’s shoes when Ethan finally gets a hold of him,” Angel remarked instead, staring thoughtfully after the mage.
Xander looked at Angel in surprise. “Ah, man…he was telling the truth? Damn, Giles is, like what, making a career out of fuckin’ people over?!”
And after his little confession, Ethan found to his surprise, a little more tolerance from his traveling companions. He had to chuckle when Xander, with great solemnity presented him with a tin foil crown. Summarily electing him as President of the ‘I hate Rupert Giles Club’. Confiding that it was only fair since he was the founding member.
He smiled fondly. He had forgotten sometimes just how twisted a female mind could be and he would be quite grateful to Miss Cordelia Chase for her rather brilliant suggestions on how to drive Rupert barmy.
The Council said he was not to have 'direct' contact with Rupert, so....
....“For God's sakes, Buffy stop banging...” and Giles words were lost in the spray of water from the broken pipe in his kitchen...
....Giles looked up in sheer horror at the hornet's nest in his bedroom before he fled the angry buzzing in his room, draped in a sheet...
....The Watcher hurriedly spat out his mouthful of whisky in disgust. He sniffed the bottle and made a moue of disgust. Why did it smell like horse-piss?...
Ethan sighed in satisfaction. It wasn't enough but it was a start.
As they travel cross-country, Angel was seriously regretting his no sex policy about Xander. And from the frustration evident in the boy's dark, bewildered eyes, Xander was in almost worse condition. With a gloomy sigh, he knew it wasn't as if there was anything they could do about it, especially not surrounded by six other people. He regarded the smirk on Spike's face and dearly wanted to rip it off, then he eyed his peacefully sleeping childe resting in the blonde's lap and his face softened. Regretting as always the madness that he had driven Drusilla into.
He started as a warm hand settled into his. He glanced down into warm, understanding brown eyes.
“What was she like?” Xander whispered softly, drawing Angel into the partitioned bedroom which was empty for once. He crawled into the bed and waited until Angel was settled in a reclining position before he eased into the waiting arms.
“She was so beautiful. Not that she's not right now...but back then, she had a quiet intelligence shining in her eyes. She was magnificent. And she wanted no part of me. I was enraged at her refusal but still, I probably could have walked away if it wasn't for Darla. Dear God, how she laughed and mocked me! Jeering at me constantly. Sneering, claiming that I was a love sick fool over a little mortal girl. That I was not a demon, not a vampire...I was nothing but a little puppy, cringing away at the first hint of rejection. For weeks she harped at me about Drusilla. And in hindsight, I think she was under the impression that I was in love with Dru and she was jealous.”
Angel looked down gravely into Xander's upturned face. “Between Darla and I, it was always a battle for dominance, despite her Siring me. I think that what she hated most was that I was almost her equal in strength and will....yet I was still her Childe. A Childe that by all rights should not be quite as strongwilled as I was. Once I set myself against her, only total brutality could force me to do her bidding. She hated that was almost the only way I would do whatever she ordered me to do. She was my Sire and I should have automatically rushed to do whatever she wanted, yet if I refused to follow her orders it would take her days, if not weeks for beat me into submission.”
“So one night I snapped. I had finally enough of her harping and viperish tongue. I set out to prove just how much of a true demon...a vampire that I really was. And with each rejection from Dru, my temper became fouler especially after having to listen to Darla's poisonous words. And I snapped. I decided that for every rejection, Dru would lose a member of her family.”
“To prove my 'love' for her I presented each kill to her. I would place the bodies in an areas where she would be the first to discover it. I would whisper to her in the darkness that because of her, because of her intelligence, her beauty that I was enchanted by her. And each day as I 'courted' her, she grew more insane. Believing my words...my lies. But I didn't see the insanity that was flickering in her eyes as I was only focused on winning this sadistic game with Darla. A game that was coming to a close as I sensed Dru's weakening. And I would strut back to Darla, crowing that I was the master of the Dark Kiss.”
“And a few days later, I found Dru by a small stream just after sunset. To this day, I have no idea what drew me there. But that was where I found her. Just barely alive...she had slit her wrists. And I realized then, just how far I had driven her. She was to be a Bride of Christ and yet she tried to commit suicide. And for half a second, I felt joy that I had beaten both Darla and Dru at their little game. Then she open those big eyes and I saw the madness lurking within them. I realized just how far I had driven her.”
“So, I drained her and gave her back a semblance of life. Darla, of course, was furious and tried to stake her but this was MY Childe, my first childe. And I fought Darla to a standstill when she attempted to put an end to Drusilla's unlife. My sire was enraged at my defiance. So she decided to punish me and ordered me to destroy Dru. I refused...and no matter how badly she beat me, scalded me with Holy Water or burned me with crosses...I still refused to destroy my beautiful, dark Childe. She was mine and I would take care of her now. And when Dru tried to Turn Spike, I had to finished the act. She was too broken to function as his Sire. I taught him as Darla taught me, as her Sire taught her. I knew of no other way to teach Spike how to be a vampire.” And Angel wondered if Xander would see the connection.
Xander sat up slowly and drew his knees to his chest, his brow furrowed in thought. Cycles...that's what Angel was talking about. You teach by what you know.
“I remember my dad talking about how he was disciplined by his father. He once showed me a scar on his arm from a beating his dad gave him. He told me that I was lucky that he didn't do to me all the things his dad did to him. But with a couple of broken ribs, I really didn't consider myself 'lucky'.” His mouth twisted in a bitter, self mocking grin. Then his expression changed. “Do you think I'm gonna be like him...if I ever have children?” And he waited tensely for the answer, hardly comforted by the hand rubbing his back.
“No...” came the low reply and Xander turned to look at Angel.
“How do you know that?” Though his voice was soft, his eyes were still wide and fearful as he searched the vampire's dark gaze.
“A couple of reasons. You're a male and unless things have changed a lot since I've lived, men are simply not equipped to have children. And vampires are either barren or sterile. Neither an egg nor sperm has ever produced a child,” Angel replied intently, pulling his warm mortal back into his arms. Though darks thoughts of their future, of Xander's future was stirring in his mind.
Xander blinked, a pleased light growing in his eyes at Angel's reply. “So we’re talking long-term here?” He asked tentatively. And a happy smile flourished on his face at Angel’s soft ‘For as long as you live.’
In that case, he planned on living for a very long time.
And with slightly frayed tempers, they reached their destination. The human members of the group gaped in awe as they pulled up to the gates just after sunset. Beyond the ornate, detailed gates was a huge mansion that sprawled in a quiet, ostentatious display of wealth.
The vampires exchanged uneasy looks and Dru firmly put Spike behind her. Somewhere in her addled mind, danger was screaming, the heavens were shivering and even the stars were in hiding. She knew Spike belonged to her, the way she belonged to Angelus and she remembered a time when he protected her from her second Mummy when she was…new. She trembled, recalling the screams of agony that filled the home.
Spike made one aborted attempt to put Dru behind *him* and he had a snarling Sire in his face. He decided to stay where he was.
Angel leaned over Wesley, and announced himself into the speaker. “Angel, Childe of Darla, now Head of the Family of Aurelius begs leave to meet with the Master of Aureli.”
“Who’s the Master of Aureli? Aren’t you the Master?” Wesley asked in confusion. A state shared by the other humans in the large vehicle.
“No…” Angel answered shortly, nervously tapping his fingers on the dashboard. “If we are allowed entrance you'll see a side of vampires that the Watchers don’t know exist. What Watchers understand about vampiric society could fill a 30 page pamphlet. In reality we are a 200 volume encyclopedia.”
“When humans are Turned, knowledge and skills are passed along as well as the demon. What Slayers kill are Revenants. Revenants are the vampires that have the demon in full control of the body. And the myth that we lose our souls is just that, a myth. The truth is that the demon's personality is so overwhelming that it temporarily suppresses the soul. However, if the soul is strong enough, it will gradually work itself back into the foreground after about 300 or so years and the demon will absorb the personality of the soul. Of course, there are demons that do not re-integrate with the soul.” He stopped and stared broodingly at the huge edifice as the gates slowly began to open.
“When we get inside, you do nothing, say nothing. And Xander, Cordy I’m especially talking to you two.”
“HEY!” Both young people yelled indignantly while the others suppressed chuckles of amusements despite the danger they would soon face.
“Look, we are on dangerous ground here. While all Revenants have the right to seek protection from the Master of the Line, most of them prefer to stay as far away from them as possible. Revenants egos are fragile,” Angel remarked dryly as Wesley put the camper into gear and slowly drove up the winding driveway.
“Then why are we here?” Wesley asked quietly.
“Because the soddin’ wanker ain’t a Revenant no more,” Spike replied to Wesley. He studiously refused to even look in his grandsire’s direction, while Dru sulked and looked away as well. “And he wants to take his rightful place among the elite…forgetting about the rest of his own…OW!” Spike yelled, rubbing angrily at his head as the camper jerked to a stop.
“The next time you start acting like a spoiled brat I’m gonna turn you over my knee, and wallop you but good,” Angel warned him ominously. His eyes glinting with a cold, golden fire.
“Why in the hell would you think I would forget my own Childer? I created Dru, but you I taught the Hunt. That makes you more MY Childe than Dru’s. And if you think that I would abandon you…” his words were low and icy with rage, but Spike refused to back down. Not this time. He had been through this once, long ago.
“You did before…” he reminded Angel quietly, a wellspring of hurt hidden behind his traditional sneer.
And Angel studied his two childer. One he created and the other he shaped. He sighed with regret, not for the first time cursing both Darla and his darker self.
“I was…different then. Things were different for me…for all of us,” he began, picking his words with care. “As demons, as vampires, we feel no remorse or guilt about taking the lives of our prey,” and he threw an apologetic look at the fascinated humans.
“But when I was cursed, my soul was now in charge and it was half-mad with guilt at all the human lives that were lost, that were taken. You and Dru reminded me of what I was, and what I no longer could tolerate to be. Every time I looked at the two of you, I saw the hundreds of human lives that we fed upon. And the guilt, the remorse was destroying my mind. I couldn’t bear to look at you and my beautiful dark childe....”
He gently caressed Dru’s face, smiling at the soft purring she made as she rubbed her cheek into his hand.
“...and only see monsters,” he stated with little emotion.
And both Spike and Dru became motionless. Angel nodded slowly at the horrified look they gave him.
“I couldn’t take it any longer. The demon in me found you achingly beautiful, darkly sensual while my soul screamed in horror every day and it was literally destroying what little sanity I had left. And with my sanity in serious jeopardy, it was best that I leave before abhorrence overcame me and I would do something I would have regretted. So I fled. ” He met Spike’s frozen blue stare gravely.
And Spike abruptly recalled one night he had woken up, sensing danger to Dru and him. But opening his eyes, it was only to see Angelus standing over him.
Just standing there and watching them with cold, glittering eyes.
With one hand tucked behind his back.
And the next day Angelus was gone and Darla had been in a tearing rage for months after that.
He blinked as he met Angels eyes, hissing in recognition at just how close he and Dru came to be dusted that night.
Angel nodded slightly before turning to the others. “When we leave the camper, you will be on your best behavior. If you see me do something, no mater how ridiculous it is, DO IT! One false move and we will be out on our asses. This is the safest place for us to be. Xander will be safe here.”
After their reluctant nods he indicated that he was the first to exit the vehicle. “Cordy, Wes and Xander I want you three in the middle; Spike, Dru you’ll cover our rear; Faith, Ethan you’re on either side and I’ll take point. Remember, let me do the talking and try to avoid eye contact with those inside.” With those final instructions, he signaled Wes to continue to the mansion doors and they exited the camper. Arranged to Angel’s satisfaction, they moved towards the waiting sentries.
Spike shivered as he passed under the guard’s cold, emotionless eyes. Understanding for the first time the difference between how he and Dru were taught and how other Revenants were reared. Despite Angelus brutality towards them, they knew they were loved. And he felt a cool hand clasp his. He met Dru’s darkening gaze, seeing the vagueness recede somewhat from her eyes before she returned her attention forward. And Dru's bearing was that of a queen. Cool, regal and utterly ruthless. And by the flicker in the Revenants' gazes they recognize a permanent death in her eyes.
Cordy and Xander trembled as they trailed behind Angel. They gave each other terrified looks before they cautiously, yet with eyes carefully lowered, studied the indolent creatures sprawled among the furniture in the huge foyer. Cordy was eerily reminded of large, hungry cats. Sleek, ruthless and deadly in their hunt for prey.
Guess who’s coming to dinner? Xander firmly repressed an hysterical desire to giggle at the thought. Both he and Cordy were almost treading on Angel’s heels by the time they entered the study. He could still feel the other vampires eyes boring holes in his neck.
Behind the large mahogany desk sat a coolly composed man. Inky black hair was styled in the latest of fashion and even Xander was able to recognize that some serious dinars went into the making of that suit. And there was one fact that was starting to piss him off: why did all the demons have to look so damn cool?! That's probably why he didn’t look cool, they were hogging all the coolness. Yeah, that was it! There was probably only a limited supply of coolness going around and as soon as you were demonized, Whammo! Instant coolness was acquired. Life could be so fuckin’ unfair to the average human, was his sad thought.
Cordelia darted a quick look at Xander and sighed softly, recognizing the blank look: Ladies and gentlemen Xander has left the building, she wryly thought. She surreptitiously glanced around the room while ignoring the insanely beautiful people that graced it. She studied the the discrete signs about the room that seemed to whisper: 'Yes, I am quite fabulously wealthy...and you're not'.
And she eyed Angel with a sense of betrayal, like he couldn't have casually dropped the fact that his Family had money?! Dumbass!
Angel regarded the numerous people calmly watching them. He easily recognized a few from Darla’s angry description.
The jade eyed man could only be Pascal, the Enforcer. Those eyes provided a startling contrast to the deep white gold coloration in the bald man. Huge, broad and utterly relentless. He was in charge of security, a task that the cold and ruthless vampire was exceedingly good at.
MaryAlice. A vivacious, merry red-headed with vibrant blue eyes. She had a passion for games. Unfortunately, her games were usually rough and resulted in the deaths of dozens of human and non-humans alike.
Kyle, second in command. He looked the weakest of the four, with his mop of strawberry blond curls and dancing gray eyes. Putting one in mind of summer clouds. Soft, gentle and giving no hint to the destructive thunderstorms lurking within. Rejar trusted no one more than his first lieutenant, who was rumored to be a bit of a prankster with a ready laugh. But he was far more deadly than even Pascal.
And finally, his eyes rested on Rejar el Dorchan. Smooth, sleek and lean, skin the color of cocoa with just a hint of milk, eyes like aged brandy. Master of the House of Aureli for over 3,000 years. It was said that he had singled-handedly hunted and exterminated a nest of Revenants BEFORE he was Turned. All for killing a servant under his protection.
He was known as Rejar the Ruthless...and he was one of the most feared vampires in all the nation.
Angel went down on one knee and bowed his head respectfully. From the muffled thumps behind him, he knew the others were obediently following his lead.
“Ahhhh, my dear Angelus or is it Angel?” Rejar waited calmly for the other to indicate which personae he was before continuing.
“Angel, now to what do we…what do I owe this visit...with, let me see…two humans, a Watcher and oh my…a Chaos mage and do my eyes deceived me, but is that a Slayer gracing my humble abode?” He remarked with smooth aplomb, which was merely the calm before the storm.
“Now, before I have you dusted, perhaps you will be good enough to tell us why you dared to bring a Slayer and three unMarked humans in my home.” Rejar asked with a terrifying mildness. A hint that spiked chains and buzzsaws were soon be pulled out to deal with an annoyance.
Xander and Cordy squeaked, and knee-walked closer to Angel for protection.
“Forgive me, my Father, but we seek your protection. The Protector has awoke and the Shadow Warriors walks among us.” Angel replied in a low voice.
Rejar froze and his eyes flared an almost white-gold color as MaryAlice lost her mocking smile. Kyle and Pascal’s faces became blank in response to Angel's words. But a deadly, watchful stillness was in all four vampires.
“Nonsense!” Snorted one of the handful of vampires off to the side. “The Protector is but a dream. A myth that demon parents tell their children in order to make them obey. That is all the legend of the Protec...” his voice stuttered to a halt in astonishment as Xander looked up with white glowing eyes and rose smoothly to his feet.
“A myth made flesh,” the Protector announced in a chilling voice as it strode past Angel. Sensing the boy’s companions rise also to their feet as well as the door opening behind them.
It continued in the wake of the stunned silence. “I am the balance between Day and Night; created by the First Powers to be their Voice, their Eyes, and should it become necessary, their Arm. And if that Revenant does not release Cordelia Chase, you will find out just how strong my Arm CAN BE!” It’s voice was a sibilant hiss as it turned around with eyes glowing with a hellish white heat.
And the room began to grow hotter.
Paul, one of the few Revenants allowed to roam about the mansion freely merely sneered while his companions easily restrained the other vampires and humans. The delicious smell of terror from the wildly struggling female was only whetting his hunger for fresh human blood. And smirking, his face shifted. Keeping malicious eyes on the boy, he slowly lowered his face, then stopped at a choked cry from his left.
Puzzled, he looked in that direction and saw only the Slayer, then came a succession of oddly choked cries and he blinked rapidly as dust irritated his eyes.
And Cordy took the momentary distraction to stomp viciously on his instep, slam her elbow in his jaw before she whirled around and yanked his head brutally into her upraised knee then she jumped back, breathing hard.
“You goddamn piece of shit!” Paul yelled, holding his bloody nose. “Just for that, I’m gonna slowly rip your guts out.” He laughed coarsely, ignoring MaryAlice’s frantic pleas for him to shut up. He was her youngest Childe, and usually he got away with a lot of things. But today was his unlucky day.
“No, what you will do is die,” came the cold response from the weird looking kid. Paul opened his mouth…and exploded into dust.
Slowly Rejar rose to his feet and bowed his head grudgingly. “My Lord Protector, how may the House of Aureli serve you?”
“Dude, you really think we can trust them?” Xander asked the Protector anxiously. “I mean, Angel, Spike and Dru we already know. But I dunno about Joe Cool, yeah he’s the Big Man but I dunno, he’s just too slickity. And that red-headed woman looks just about as crazy as Dru. You can see it in her eyes! Actually, I think it'll be a tie-in about who’s got the most screws loose and to tell ya the truth, I don’t think Dru will win. And that big dude?! Obviously he has size issues. Look how big his muscles are! Nobody needs muscles that size…and I’m talking out loud, right?” Xander finally became aware of Angel’s despairing expression as well as the blank look Rejar’s face. Spike turned his back, his shoulders shaking as he struggled to control himself.
“Uhm…not that I have a problem with crazy people, per se, it’s uhm…just that…ah…with the leather catsuit…not that it doesn’t look nice on you by the way….Growl…and…and hammer! and all that, was it painted on or what?! And…uhm…dude, muscles it’s just envy talking, yeah that what it is with me, cause I ain’t got none, ya see. And I can tell you definitely come in handy whenever they need a train…” his nervously babbling words were cut off by, oddly enough, by Dru who pulled him firmly to her side.
She sternly held a finger to his lips. “Shhh, lil’l boys should be seen not heard and kittens should tumble and play, n'ver makin' a sound. Shhhhh..listen to the stars sing to you,” she murmured swaying from side to side, her eyes half closed.
“My apologies, Master Rejar…” Angel murmured with a quick, dark look to an embarrassed Xander.
Rejar blinked, coming out of his Xanderdaze. “Please tell me that the Protector is NOT in the body of a child?” His voice was faint with horror.
“Hey, buddy, I ain't no child! I’m seven…ow!” Xander rubbed his head, glaring murderously at Dru.
So she hit him again before putting a finger to her lips again in a gesture of silence. When his mouth opened again, she raised her hand. He promptly closed his mouth, eyeing her uneasily. Drusilla nodded approvingly.
“Sacre bleu!” And Rejar continued swearing for a full minute. Kyle and Pascal’s eyes growing wider and wider at the lurid curses spewing from his mouth, then both their shoulders began to shake in stifled amusement. They couldn't remember the last time Rejar was so unsettled. It was unfortunate that Rejar’s sharp eyes caught their betraying movement.
“So, then Angel what is it that you wish of me?” He asked briskly, regaining control of his temper.
Angel hesitated for a half second. “As you can see, Xander lacks guidance which I will provide,” he said in a hard voice looking around the room challengingly before continuing, “Unfortunately he, along with my other humans, need training in self-defense as well as finishing their education.”
Kyle brows rose curiously. “So why can’t you train him?” Then blinked as Angel stretched back an arm and pulled the boy to his side. And at the blush that crossed the child’s face, he understood that Angel couldn’t be objective in teaching him how to defend himself.
“Very well. You will occupy the East wing. However, you will need to mark your humans while here.” Rejar began before he paused. And with a poisonous smile he added, “Kyle and Pascal will train your charges.”
“REJAR!” The two vampires yelped, whirling around looking at him with horrified eyes.
“I’m in charge of security, so I really don’t think it would be wise idea to have me work with the humans,” Pascal remarked and he shook his head sadly. “I can just see the chaos ahead if I’m not in control of your security.” He was smugly certain that Rejar would see reason.
“Oh? Like what for instance…” Rejar sat down and leaned back in his chair, eyeing his two lieutenants with a cynical eye. Wondering what ridiculous claims would spring from their fervid imaginations.
“Uhm…you remember that explosion a few years ago? Well, it could happen again!” Pascal folded his arms defiantly, glaring at Rejar who raised brow.
“I presume you mean the one that took place about 100 years ago?” Rejar replied sardonically.
“See?! And just think of what those clever little monkeys been concocting all this time!” Pascal exclaimed triumphantly. “There’s absolutely NO telling what they’ve managed to come up with in a 100 years. You know they won’t be satisfied until they blow themselves up."
“And you know how live humans make me break out in hives!” Kyle exclaimed.
Rejar looked at the two men and snorted, but they were actually serious. Kyle had even gone so far as to start scratching at his arms as if to validate his claim of hives.
“Well, gentlemen you know my feelings on forcing people to do things that they truly don’t like,” he murmured quietly but with an inward smile at the looks of dismay on their faces. Oh, they knew his feelings alright…he loved watching them squirm in discomfort at doing things they detested. But it was amazing the majority of them actually found themselves grateful to him for forcing them.
“However, inasmuch as I really feel that it would be to your advantage to do this small favor for me, I will not force you. Although, you two are reputed to be the very best fighters in the House of Aureli, are you not? I am inclined to believe that any other vampire would not possibly impart the necessary skills and training the humans need, and should they managed to do so…well, one can only imagine what others will say about your style and quality of skills?” He looked at them with a raised brow before he sighed.
“But if you are quite sure that your skills are not quite…up to teaching the humans…well, I’m sure that the entire House of Aureli will understand.” And he shook his head with a feign look of sympathy.
“The entire House…” Kyle whimpered in dismay, his eyes rounding at the thought.
Rejar nodded silently, a tiny smile playing on his coldly, impassive face.
Pascal and Kyle looked at each other before sighing and reluctantly agreeing.
“Excellent…I’m most honored that you both agree with me,” Rejar allowed his tiny smile to broaden, looking approvingly at his two lieutenants.
“How much time do they have to train your monke…your humans?” He turned and asked Angel politely.
“Three months,” came the reply and both Kyle and Pascal moaned softy.
“Rejar…” came Kyle’s plaintive wail.
Pascal stiffened his shoulders determinedly. “Kyle, it’s only for three months! We can do it, besides they’re only humans, how bad could it be?” he shrugged in unconcern.
And Cordy, Xander and Faith's eyes narrowed at his dismissive tone. They exchanged looks, then wicked smiles formed flashed across their faces. Wesley and Angel stiffen then merely shook their heads and eyed the two trainers sadly.
A week later the door burst open violently, startling both Rejar and Angel who were playing chess. They looked up in with surprised faces as Kyle stormed into Rejar’s office.
“REJAR! I demand to be allowed to kill the humans and Spike!” He roared, then began pacing angrily back and forth. They could just make out the dire threats he was making about what he was going to do to ‘those damn kids'.
“And you…” he turned and frowned darkly at Angel. “I loathe Spike! I hate the very ground he walks upon. I hate all your humans, but especially Cordy and Xander."
“Do you know what they did? DO YOU KNOW WHAT THEY DID?” he shrieked.
“Uhm, no?” Angel replied tentatively, darting a quick look at Rejar who shrugged. He had no idea what had Kyle so upset.
“They made us drinks!”
“And that would be bad because…” Angel tried to hazard a guess.
Kyle threw him a silent sneer before continuing. “It was with Holy Water, you low-brow cretin!”
Both Angel and Rejar gasped, coming instinctively to their feet. Rejar looked at his first lieutenant in horror. “You didn’t drink it?!”
“Would I be standing here if I did? Don’t be insane…besides, our drinks weren’t laced with Holy Water,” Kyle snapped irritably. “I said they’re idiots not stupid. They just wanted to see our reactions! Besides, it was Spike’s idea in the first place. Talk to your humans or I won’t be responsible for the consequences!” Kyle finally stormed out, leaving an alarmed Angel behind.
“Be at ease, youngster. Kyle will not harm your humans. Embarrass them to hell and back, true, but he will not harm them,” Rejar replied to Angel’s worried look.
“How do you know that?”
“Because I know my Family. And there is the fact that I have forbidden the death or harm of your humans. I have given you my word that the Family will help train the children. And none of the Family will dare to sully my honor.” He coolly raised his eyes to meet Angel’s gaze.
And Angel shuddered as he met that demonic, ruthless gaze. He realized that while the soul and demon were merged, it really didn’t mean the demon side was totally eradicated.
“No…no…of course, not,” Angle carefully resumed his seat and began playing again.
And the war of pranks began..
Kyle mixed up a nice batch of Ex-lax bars as a gift for the humans. Presenting them to Cordy and Xander for doing such a wonderful job of learning a particularly difficult move…
Cordy responded by spraying Kyle's mug with garlic…
Kyle made them drink raw egg yolks, allegedly to ‘increase their strength’…
Faith, Cordy and Xander retaliated by rigging Kyle’s bedroom with a powerful light, mimicking the deadly rays of the sun, just without the burning effect. His screams echoed throughout the mansion…
Spike kept switching sides merrily until finally Angel, fearing the safety of his childer, sent the blonde, Ethan and Dru back to Sunnydale to keep an eye on the situation there. And at the slight flare of relief in Spike's wild blue eyes, he belatedly realized just how uncomfortable his blonde childe felt around true vampiric Masters.
And Rejar finally had enough and forced them to a cease fire. Unfortunately, the four pranksters were having far too much fun to stop. Joining forces, they turned their diabolical attention to bedeviling the rest of the house.
Rejar decided to wear ear plugs and lock his study door against the increasing parade of vampires yelling about the five demons plaguing them. But sometimes a sharp ear could hear peals of laughter from behind his locked door.
Angel woke out of a sound sleep with the unnerving sense that someone or something was in the room with him.
“You realize the boy does these things, these pranks, in an effort to capture your attention,” came a cool voice from the shadows.
“Protector? What are…” Angel sat up in bed and stared at the being with confused eyes.
“Xander sleeps…and I decided to take this opportunity to speak with you. He is unaware of what your Claim Mark actually means. Because you spend most of your time with Rejar and the other Masters he believes that you regard him not. That you see him as nothing more than a foolish boychild, not worthy of your regard. In truth, he is much confused as to what he wants from you. He believed you and he were 'friends' and as such, he has subconsciously resulted to juvenile tactics to garner your interest again. If you do not wish to remain mated to the child, then I will vanish your Claim and permit him to seek another mate.”
“You can’t do that!” Angel had listened to the other speak with an dropped jaw look of shock. However he did manage to get himself under control and protested Protector’s last remark furiously.
“I can and I will. The boy is my host and I will not allow your uncertainty to jeopardize his happiness. Either you treat him accordingly as your true mate or you WILL set him free.” And it’s voice was cold iron, ringing with icy finality.
Angel dropped his eyes. “I…I do want him, but he has his whole life ahead of him. I practically raped him.”
“You saved his life and set me free. Had he remained much longer in his dreamworld, he would not have returned,” came the flat response.
“But still he’s young,” Angel protested, his voice was far quieter now. “There’s so much I want him to see of the world before truly committing himself to me. And if I treat him as my mate, I might not have the strength to let him go in the future. There’s so much that I want him to see and experience before he’s…no longer in my life,” he finished in a near whisper.
Blinking, Protector studied the vampire’s words. “You fear death will take him from you?” It asked Angel slowly.
A miserable nod from the vampire was the response.
“Perhaps I may be using the phrase incorrectly but I shall try: ‘Are you freaking almonds?!”
And despite himself, Angel felt his lips twitch. “Nuts…it’s 'Are you freakin’ nuts!' ” he corrected the other politely.
The energy being paused in what it was going to say. “Isn’t an almond a nut?” It asked, allowing itself to be momentarily sidetracked.
“Yes, but the phrase is still ‘nuts’,” Angel replied firmly.
“Humans…” the other sighed. “Be that as it may, it is far more likely that you will die before Xander. United with me, it will take some time before a full merger of our selves is completed and he will age at a much slower rate.”
“How slow?” Angel asked suspiciously, but hope was rising in his chest.
“We finally agreed on the age of 30. Once he reaches that age, then he will no longer show any physical effects of time,” the Protector announced briskly. “For some odd reason, he is very determined to look older than you. Now would you want to be at his side for at least a hundred of the human years? He has agreed to serve as my host for at least 10,000 years and we will negotiate for additional time afterwards. But time would go much faster with a companion at his side to ward off the loneliness,” it asked persuasively. Or at least as persuasively as possible for it didn't really understand emotions too well.
Angel was still grappling with the fact that Xander was practically an immortal. That they could be together for a very long time. And slowly a broad grin settled on his face.
Somehow, ‘together’ sounded perfectly natural with Xander. There was so many things he wanted to show his Mate…to watch pleasure and awe fill those beautiful chocolatey eyes.
“Ahhhh....I see by your smile that the thought of many years with Xander is not displeasing to you,” Protector murmured dryly.
“I would suggest, however, that you speak with him as soon as possible before his stubborn nature reasserts itself and overcomes his common sense,” it tossed over a bare shoulder as it left thought the adjoining bedroom door.
The next day, late afternoon found Xander in the training room, practicing his moves. And trying, with limited success, to avoid thinking about a certain blockhead vampire.
“Shit!” he exclaimed as he tripped over his feet…again. He threw a dirty look at a couple of vampires that remained in the salle with him. Glare for glare he met their looks before dismissing them from his sight. This was all Deadboy’s fault, he silently groused as he began his sequence again. No matter what Cordy and Faith said, that stupid vampire obviously didn’t want to…didn’t care about him, and he certainly wasn’t in love…no, not in love, Xander thought carefully. He was simply *hurt * that Angel didn’t at least want to be friends with him. Yeah, that was it, he was upset because they weren’t becoming the friends he thought they were becoming. And felt his spirits lift considerably. Yeah, they were becoming friends and not anything else that would get him beaten up.
And in a decidedly more cheerful mood, he sauntered over to his boombox and turned it on, knowing that the music bugged the hell out of the vampires sharing the room with him. At the heavy beat of a Jody Watley song, he smirked and returned to practice the new moves Pascal and Kyle were making them learn.
Slamming his foot repeatedly against the muscle bag, Xander focused on getting his blows perfected and building up his strength. He grinned slightly and began timing his kicks and blows to the pounding beat…
(When i first lay my eyes upon you)
(I knew right then and there you were the one)
(Eyes so deep you send me melting)
(Then you smiled as if to say 'oh yeah')
And when he spun to deflect an attack by his imaginary opponent turn, his eyes fell on Angel, just standing there….right in the doorway of the gym. Looking all cool and mysterious, and Xander faltered slightly. BASTARD! And he had the nerve to show up with Rejar. Of course, it was the older vampire’s house but still…
Xander’s eyes clouded over at the presence of the Master of the House. Now that Angel was ‘friends’ with Rejar, why in the hell would he want a scrawny ass human kid as a 'friend'.
(But then you seemed to change your mind)
(You looked away like you were oh so shy)
(Is the game you playing hard to get)
(Won't you tell me, oh oh)
Damn Angel for being so fuckin' nice and stuff; making people fall in lo..care about him. But more importantly, damn him for making him think he was good enough to be a friend. And Xander felt despair trying to pull him down but he wasn't having none of that. He was strong and he wasn't going to give in. Fuck Angel anyhow.
(Want me...don't you want me)
(To touch you and to hold you tight)
(Don't you want me...like I want you)
(To kiss and love all through the night)
He determinedly turned his attention back to the bag, attacking it with fists and feet. Drumming furiously into the forgiving exercise equipment. He was NOT going to look at them. Nope, not gonna look. So what if Angel didn't want him, there were plenty of people that wanted to be friends with him. Plenty.
(Are you looking for a new love, baby?)
(I'm looking for a new love)
(Please don't tease me)
(I'd like to know more than just your name)
(Did you come here alone or with someone)
(If only you would open up)
(And let me know just where you're coming from)
He gritted his teeth and moved faster, letting his body take over. And his movements became sharper, as each blow landed with deadly precision. Everything Kyle and Pascal had been teaching them, teaching *him*...seemed to click for the first time…to just flow together. Maybe it was his subconscious, maybe it was just him but Xander found himself stretching his body to the limit. Unconsciously trying to show Angel all that he had to offer.
(Are you looking for a new love?)
(Or does commitment seems to bring you down)
(Is that a look of yes or is it no)
(Please don't tease me)
Angel drew in an appreciative breath as he watched the sweaty human twisting about the salle. Weeks of training sessions with Pascal and Kyle had definitely increased Xander's muscle mass. He could definitely see firm muscles gliding sleekly just under the skin. Now there was a clearer delineation of strength and power lurking under the glistening, increasingly toned body.
(Want me...don't you want me)
(To touch you and to hold you tight)
(don't you want me...like I want you)
(To kiss and love all through the night)
“Beautiful...” He was unaware of the whisper that escaped his lips.
But Rejar heard the soft word and smiled as he silently admired the play of muscles beneath Xander’s gleaming skin. It was about time the foolish boy got his head out of his ass.
Xander flicked a look in Angel’s direction despite his determination not to look that way. Dammit, he WAS good enough! And if Angel couldn’t see that then…then…the hell with him anyway. He could even use his return ticket to Hell, probably got frequent flyer miles on it anyway, Xander groused to himself. There was someone out there that would appreciate what he had to offer, he wasn’t a Zeppo.
Not anymore.
He was through begging for affection. He was through chasing after people to love him and he was damn tired of being the last one picked for basketball. Not that anybody played around here basketball or any other kinda sports, but the point was, the point *was*, he was tired of being last.
(Want me...don't you want me)
(To touch you and to hold you tight)
(Don't you want me...like I want you)
(To kiss and love all through the night)
Xander dropped his stakes deliberately and let them clatter noisily on the floor as he calmly stalked towards the door. His planned to simply ignore the two vampires.
Angel stepped in front of him.
“Would you have dinner with me tonight?” Angel asked softly, his eyes intent.
Xander blinked. Okay, this is good…just be calm and slightly distant. You can do it…this is what we’ve been waiting for. Now, just be cool, he sternly admonished himself, rubbing his hands with devilish glee. Act reluctant, like maybe you have…
”Okay!”
…other plans? Huh? Wa…wa…wait a minute…what the hell just happen?! Didn’t I say to act cool and play hard to get? He’s supposed to be on his knees begging for my company. Am I that desperate for Angel’s company that I’m willing to settle for anything?
He took a long look at Angel.
Oh hell yeah.
“Good…is 7 pm okay with you?” Angel smiled and wondered why the hell did he ever hesitate to pursue Xander. He just hoped that he was worthy of the love that glowed so brightly in the wide brown eyes.
Xander nodded eagerly and bounced happily away to find Cordy and Faith.
Both the vampires regarded the youth galloping off. “It takes so little to please him,” Rejar murmured softly.
“Because he’s had very little in his life,” Angel replied equally quiet. “The only people that he felt gave a damn about him, betrayed him. He came to me seeking death, he had been hurt so badly.”
There was a moment of silence as the two men thoughts dwelled on the youthful exuberance the young humans brought to the House of Aureli.
“If you should cause the boy harm or distress in any way there is a place in the basement that will be awaiting you,” Rejar informed Angel coolly before he swept away.
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