Dedication: To the PTB at WB who made the decision to renew Angel.
Author's Notes: Congrats to Elisabeth for completing another big milestone in her life. Also, if you're like her and don't remember Spike's conversation with Angel regarding Childer's names, its in Bloodlines, The Rebirth Part 39
Om (Spelled phonetically) = Arabic for mother
Part 16
Egypt, 1784
"And when your Father, the mighty Afreet, comes to claim you, what will you say to him?"
Standing respectfully in front of his mother, the young boy immediately began his daily recitation. It had been burned into him since birth. "I am the property of my Father. Everything that I am, everything that is my being belongs to him, the powerful Angelus, Heir Apparent of the Tremere Clan."
"And what do you owe him?" The mother asked.
"My allegiance, my loyalty, my life." The child named Djoser continued. "But om. . . ." He was so confused. How could he be a child of an Afreet, and why would he be made to pledge himself to one? "I don't look any different from other children?"
"What do you mean by that?" Looking up quickly, the young mother was startled by her son's question.
"Well. . . ." The child's brain worked feverishly as he tried to put his thoughts into words. "If my father is an Afreet, shouldn't I look different? Shouldn't I have. . . ?" Visions of horns, cloven hoofs, and tails flashed through his mind.
"You are different!" A spurt of anger shot through the young woman, causing her to rise to her feet. "Your father's blood runs through you and that cannot be changed." For a moment, she had bitter thoughts about her fate and the fate of her son. "To save the rest of our people your grandfather made a promise and to not honor it would bring shame, not to mention death. . . ." The young woman was no fool. When the Afreet returned, if he was not given what was promised, he would surely finish the slaughter he had started six years ago. "To us all." She finished, her voice now barely a whisper.
"But om, who is my father?" Djoser was desperate to know.
"Your master." Squaring her shoulders, the mother remembered her duty to her people and to her dead father. "And do not ever forget it."
**
Los Angeles, CA, November 2001
Lying on his back in bed with Djoser next to him and Angel on his brother's other side, Spike was content and happy, a state that was rare for him. "So let me get this straight." He asked Angel. "A vampire hunter from two hundred years ago kidnapped Connor with Wesley's help and escaped with him into a dimension called Quortoth?"
"That's right." Right arm around Djoser, Angel held his oldest son tight. He wasn't going to be careless again with his two surviving Childer.
"Christ." Spike shook his head. "I told you our family was cursed. How else can you explain what happened to Connor? A frigging ghost from your past takes a time trip two hundred years in the future to abduct him. But I must say, our curser has a sense of humor and a bloody good imagination because the most fucked up things are always happening to us."
"So what is the rescue plan?" Lying on his side, back pressed up against Angel's chest, Djoser held himself rigid. It felt awkward for him to be held by his Sire.
"No plans. Connor is lost. We just need to accept that." Burying his face in the back of Djoser's neck, Angel felt his Childe's unease at their closeness. "I'm making plans to go to Germany, but there are a few chores that need to be done first. And one of them is. . . ." Lifting his head up, he looked down at the side of Djoser's face. "For you to settle up with the Slayer."
"The Slayer?" Spike sat up. "Are you two bloody bores still droning on about Buffy? I told you. . . ."
"We know what you told us." Angel interrupted him. "But that doesn't change the fact that the Slayer assaulted you, my Blood-Childe, and also broke an agreement with your brother. Djoser." He now addressed his eldest. "Have you thought about what you want done with the Slayer?"
"Sire." Djoser didn't know what to say, as both surprise and guilt arose in him. Surprise that Angel would ask him what he wanted, and guilt because of the betrayal he committed with Buffy. "Sire, there is something. . .something I need. . . ."
"Since I'm the one she beat up, I should be the one to decide her fate." Spike broke in loudly. He knew his brother was about to make a confession, an unnecessary confession in his opinion.
"I had sex with her." Djoser hurriedly blurted out before he could be interrupted again.
"Bloody hell." Spike swore softly as he watched Angel who looked shocked for a moment roll over on his back to stare up at the ceiling. "Stupid git!" He whispered to Djoser. "You didn't have to tell him."
Moments passed as Angel continued to stare at the ceiling. Djoser and Spike exchanged uncomfortable looks. In their past experiences, a silent Sire was usually followed by a burst of bad temper.
Sliding out of the bed, Spike reached back to take hold of his brother. If their Sire was going to have one of his violent temper tantrums, it was better to have as much distance as possible.
"William!" Rolling over on his side, Angel grabbed his Childe's wrist at the same moment that Spike grabbed Djoser's. An emotional current ran through the three of them. "Get back in bed. There's no reason to run."
Warily watching Angel, Spike climbed back into bed.
"So." Releasing Spike, Angel slid his hand over to Djoser's face. Turning his Childe's face toward him, he spoke softly. "What do you want to do about the Slayer?"
His Sire's odd behavior plus the fact that Djoser had no idea what he wanted done with Buffy left the vampire without an answer.
"How 'bout you'd like to beat her face in and then shag her silly?" Spike suggested helpfully when Djoser remained silent.
Glaring up at Spike, Djoser couldn't believe his brother's boldness. "I. . .really. . . .am. . . ."
"Might be a plan." Angel said with a thoughtful look on his face, shocking both of his Childer.
"Sire. . .I. . . ." Djoser was astounded. "You. . .I know you ordered me to stay away from Buf. . .the Slayer, and I know. . . ."
"It's okay." Wrapping his arms once again around Djoser, Angel inhaled his elder Childe's scent. "You're my Successor and Heir, and I think it's about time I start treating you with the respect you deserve."
"So you mean you're going to permit him to beat her face in and shag her?" Spike had made his suggestion to shock, never dreaming that it would be taken seriously.
"If that's what you want." Angel spoke softly in Djoser's ear, flashing a playful grin. "But I do have one stipulation. One of your uncles must accompany you to Sunnydale and of course a few of our skilled fighters."
"And you, Sire?" Djoser turned his head so he could look Angel in the eye. "Don't you still have. . .feelings for Buffy?"
"If I do. . . ." There was no doubt to the seriousness of Angel's tone. "They are of no consequence. From now on only you, my Childer, and the survival of our Bloodline are important to me."
**
Having dozed uneasily for only a few hours, Wesley got up off the couch feeling no better than he had in the hospital. He needed rest but knew that was not an option until an important matter was settled. Looking at the clock, he noted that it was early but figured since Dawn had school, the Summers' household would be up and about.
Dialing the phone, Wesley silently said a prayer that Giles would be there. His former associate was his only link to the Council, which in turn could link him with the Ventrues. Lilah Morgan had made the claim that Wolfram and Hart was his only protection against Angel, but he believed her to be mistaken. There was another defense for him, Judelin, the Ventrue High Master.
**
Now it was Spike who lie spooned up against Angel. The still recovering Djoser had moved to the smaller bed and was fast asleep. "So you're really going to allow Djoser to pursue a relationship with the Slayer even though you still fancy her?" Spike wanted assurance since his Sire's generosity was so out of character.
"For most of my existence I have never made you, my Childer, my first priority. It's time that I did. No more women for me. I need to concentrate on you and the Clan." Closing his eyes, Angel ran his hand over a jutting hipbone and prominent ribcage. "You and your brother are awful thin." He remembered Damon's words about his Childer's terrible eating habits. "Were the two of you feeding properly in Sunnydale?"
Spike couldn't help but roll his eyes at Angel's stupidity. "What did you expect? Djoser is thin from the Elder-Snow-sharp-skewers diet, and. . . ."
"And you?" Rising up, Angel leaned over Spike. "Were you feeding on a regular basis in Sunnydale?"
"Yes. . .I ate." It wasn't exactly a lie Spike reassured himself, remembering the buffalo wings, onion blossoms, and bags of junk food he had shared with Clem.
"Uh huh." Angel was no fool. He knew what his youngest liked to eat. "Human junk food and booze, right?"
"Maybe." Spike temporized. "Was having a little problem so mostly I fed from Djoser, and then when he disappeared, I didn't have much of an appetite."
"Your little problem wasn't the same problem you've been having since Snow and the Council poisoned you?"
Now it was Spike's turn to raise his head to look at Angel. "You know the answer already. That good-for-nothing healer must have figured it out. The bloody git finally got something right."
Smiling, Angel rolled over on his back, playfully dragging Spike down on top of him. "Tsk. Tsk. Such disrespect for one of our learned clan members." Pulling his Childe's head to rest on his chest, he kissed, nipped, and licked his son's cool flesh. "Feed from me, my Childe. My blood, the blood of your ancestors, it will make you strong again."
Still not sure if he could truly trust Angel, Spike decided to test him. "Your blood is what I dream about." Fangs elongating, he brutally bit down into a pale nipple. Sire's blood filled his mouth. Drinking deeply, he savored the might and the essence of Angelus, one of the most powerful vampires ever to exist.
**
For the first time since Justine had slit his throat and he lay dying, Wesley felt a spark of hope. Giles was not in Sunnydale, but in England, aiding the Council with the negotiations with the Ventrues. Being an ex-Watcher, he knew where the Council had its guest lodging, and it wasn't hard to track down a telephone number.
Picking up the phone, he punched in the international code for the United Kingdom. Rupert Giles was no longer an indirect link to the Ventrues and Judelin, he was now Wesley's direct link and only hope.
**
Using both hands, Spike raked his fingernails down Angel's chest, making bloody rivulets. Smearing his face in Sire's blood, he took pleasure in the moment, while anticipating a clout to the head. He had crossed the line. No childe would dare do what he just did without permission. But the blow never fell, and he reveled in Angel's blood, enjoying its feel, its taste.
"My beautiful Childe. It's been so long." A whisper in his ear, as he felt hands caressing his lower body. Erotic strokes that were silky and smooth. Touches on the outside and then a blood covered finger rubbing his sphincter ring.
"Christ." Lifting his head from Angel's chest, Spike couldn't help but be distracted by the finger that had now entered him. Rocking his body, he pushed, so the finger entered him deeper. "Sire." He pleaded, wanting more.
Using his other hand, Angel stroked himself a couple of times before positioning his cock and then gently pushing in. The cool tightness enclosed around him, and he threw his head back while thrusting with his hips.
A feeling of completeness enveloped Spike, and he moved his body back and forth matching his Sire's movements. He felt fangs at his neck, as Angel bit into him, taking back some of his life's fluid. The cycle of blood was complete.
**
"Are you sure you feel up to this?" Downstairs in the hotel lobby, Angel eyed Djoser. "You could wait another day or two."
"I'm anxious to go, and the healer did give me a clean bill of health." In truth, Djoser didn't feel one hundred percent, but he wanted to leave before his Sire changed his mind and retracted his permission.
"I'm going with you." Stuffing cigarettes and a small flask of whiskey into the pockets of his duster, Spike was determined to accompany his brother to Sunnydale.
"Don't start, William." Arms folded across his chest, Angel glared darkly at Spike. "You are not going to be going anywhere."
"And why the bloody hell not?" Shrugging into his coat, Spike began to argue. "I was the one the Slayer beat up, so I should have a say in her punishment."
"That's enough, boy!" With the million and one things to think about, Angel was not in the mood for any kind of argument. "The healer is running tests on you, so you WILL stay here with me in the lair. Now don't. . . ." Grabbing Spike by the duster, he roughly yanked it off. "Speak another word."
"Arsey Poof." Ignoring Angel's warning, Spike muttered this sullenly.
Shooting his Childe another angry stare, Angel communicated a silent warning. "Damon." He turned to his brother. "You will accompany Djoser to Sunnydale, and give him any aid he needs, unless of course the Slayer frightens you, so you wouldn't be up to the challenge." He gave Damon a taunting look.
Smiling sweetly back, Damon was not intimidated. "Nothing frightens me, including you."
"You may take a couple of our best fighters, and. . . ." Angel looked over at his nephew. "Will you be taking your. . . ? By the way, what name did you give your Childe?" He remembered the conversation with Spike regarding Childer's names and how they came by them.
A rare moment as Damon looked a little nonplussed. "Well. . .you see. . . ." He stammered out. "I haven't named him yet, because I was waiting for our Clan to be reunited, and I wanted to name him at his presentation."
"You mean to tell me that this Childe, who you turned almost a year ago, doesn't have a name yet?" Nic was incredulous. "For Christ's sake Damon, give your Childe a name."
"Well. . . ." Again Damon was thrown. "You see. . .since I. . . ."
"Jesus Christ!" Nic broke in. "You have no fucking idea of a name for your Childe!"
"No!" Damon said hastily. "I just wanted to make sure I gave him a name that embodies who he is."
"Uh huh." Nic knew a weak defense when he heard it. "Why don't you send a minion to the store to buy you one of those baby name books? You can pick a name from that."
"Perhaps I can help." Angel offered. "After you come back from Sunnydale, we can think up a name together."
"You're fucked." Whispering, Spike had moved over by his cousin. "If my Sire helps name you, then it's a sure bet that you're going to end up with some poofy name like Edward or Leonard. Pretty soon we're going to known as the Clan with the nancyboy names."
"And what are we suppose to call your nameless Childe in the meantime?" Nic waved his hand at the young vampire.
Damon had no idea since he called his son, Childe, and the minions all addressed the Clan's newest Blood-Childe as Sir or my Liege.
"My name was Christian." The former demon hunter informed his family members.
"You will not be called that!" Damon snapped at him. "A name given to you by that cursed Council and a brainless mother."
"Your mum was brainless?" Spike couldn't help but ask.
The nameless Childe nodded his head slightly. "Not exactly brainless, just a fanatic."
"Oh." Spike wasn't exactly sure what his cousin meant by fanatic, but before he could ask more, Nic continued the debate.
"So give your Childe a name, so we can call him something." He told Damon with disgust. Another brother who didn't take enough time with his son.
"Not now." Damon temporized. "I want to take my time and get a proper name for him."
"You've had ten fucking months!" Nic said with exasperation. "Fuck it!" He looked over at his youngest nephew. "I'll just call you. . .Guy. Hey, Guy. How you doing, Guy." He tried the name out.
Damon opened his mouth to protest, but since he had no other ideas for a name for his Childe, he remained silent.
"Well that problem is solved." Angel too couldn't help but give Damon a questioning stare. What father couldn't think up a name for his Childe in ten months? "So, I believe my original question was, is. . .Guy going to go to Sunnydale with you or stay here in the lair?"
****
Part 17
Armed with bottles of holy water, crucifixes around their necks, and weapons held high Gunn, Cordy, Fred, and Lorne cautiously made their way into the Hyperion. At the door, guards momentarily blocked their entrance, but no questions were asked as the vampires immediately stepped out of their way.
"Did I mention that walking into a known vampire lair is not one of your smarter strategies?" Gunn commented as the group walked over to the hotel's front desk.
"Quit worrying." Cordelia looked back at the minions guarding the entrance. "It's obvious that Angel had a talk with his. . .his people, since tweedle dee and tweedle dum over there let us waltz right in. We're not in any danger here."
"Hope you're right, sweetie." Lorne said, his discomfort obvious. "Those words better not end up being engraved on our head stones."
"Hey." Both Spike and Guy, who had stayed back in LA, came down the main staircase. "It's Cordelia, the bad hair queen, and the rest of my Sire's pets." Spike greeted the group. "Here, got something for you." He threw a dead demon slug on the floor near them, causing Fred to squeal and hop a couple of feet to the right.
"So you got it." Cordelia studied the demon corpse.
"It's dead." Angel seemed to materialize out of nowhere with Nic behind him. "But unfortunately, I'm told there are more of them." He stared down at the dead carcass. "*And* there's also a new enemy to worry about, someone or something called the Destroyer."
**
"Ah. . .boss?" The trio of novice vampire hunters trailed behind Wesley as they made their way to the Hyperion. "We've all heard of the vampire. . .the vampire who lives in a hotel, and we've heard he's pretty tough. Can't we start out with an easier foe, like a fledgling vamp or two?"
"You have nothing to worry about." Wesley lied easily. "The vampire who lives here." He pointed over to the Hyperion. "Is an old friend of mine."
**
"Okay, tell me if I got this right." Setting down his bottle of holy water, Gunn took a step closer to Angel and Nic. There was no way he was going to let these two vampires bully him. "We help you research this Destroyer, and then you order your minions to go and kill the rest of those slug demons."
"That's right." Angel deliberately kept his voice and demeanor non-threatening. "We can help each other."
"Oh, I get it." Gunn's voice dripped with sarcasm. "So you snap your fingers and have your. . .your flunkies get rid of the demons that *you* were responsible for bringing here in the first place with your scary ass mojo, and now we're suppose to help you with some Destroyer that's looking for a piece of you? Well, here's hoping that the Destroyer kicks your. . . ."
"Charles!" Fred sharply interrupted him, just as the front door opened and Wesley entered with his new crew.
"Wesley." The surprise appearance of the man who betrayed him had Angel's eyes glowing amber. Salivating, he barely remembered the three humans and the Anagogic demon he had been trying to win over. "How convenient that you stopped by. Saves me the trouble of hunting you down. Although. . . ." He began to move slowly and deliberately toward Wesley. "I always did enjoy the hunt, so maybe I'll just give you five minutes to start running for your life, before I. . . ."
"Angelus." A hand on his shoulder brought him back to his senses. He turned to look at Nic who silently reminded him that killing Wesley now would not help their cause.
"Wes." Moving quickly into the middle of the room, Cordelia strategically placed herself between Angel and Wesley. "I'm not sure why a smart man like you would make such a dumb move by coming here. You had better leave now."
"Angel." Wesley took a few more steps closer to Angel, ignoring Cordy. "I know you think I betrayed you, but. . . ."
"DON'T even try and defend yourself." Still being held back by Nic, Angel snarled this out, his control slipping as his demon surfaced.
"All right." Standing up ramrod straight, Wesley was not about to beg. "But hear me out for a moment. The fact that you are now reunited with your brothers has been noted by more than a few interested parties. They're becoming very nervous."
"As they should be." Slightly appeased by hearing that he and his brothers were causing some uneasiness, Angel pushed back his demon.
"Wolfram and Hart made me an offer." Wesley continued. "They're interested in my skills and knowledge, especially my knowledge regarding. . . ." He looked Angel straight in the eye. "You and your family."
"So what are you saying?" Angel now stood, feet apart, arms folded across his chest. "That you're now an employee of Wolfram and Hart, and you have their protection?" He gave the three men who still stood by the entrance a contemptuous look that made them shuffle their feet nervously. "Breaking news for you, Wes. They can't stop me from killing you."
"I turned Wolfram and Hart down." Wesley said abruptly. "But according to a mutual friend of ours, Rupert Giles, who if you didn't know has been in England aiding the Council in negotiations with the Ventrues, I'm about to receive another offer. An offer from the Ventrue High Master himself, Judelin." He took another step closer to Angel. "It seems that he too has heard about the Tremeren reunion and is coming here to LA."
"Judelin is on his way here?" For a moment Angel forgot his hatred for Wesley, as a new problem reared its head.
"He too is concerned about you and your family, but that isn't anything new, since throughout history the Tremerens and Ventrues have been long time rivals, if I remember correctly." Wesley studied both Angel and Nic with interest, as the former watcher in him emerged. Vampire history still fascinated him.
"And how are you involved in all this?" Mind going in all different directions, Angel was wondering how long it would take to get Djoser and Damon back from Sunnydale, and if they could possibly leave for Germany before the Ventrue High Master arrived in LA.
"It seems that Judelin is doing extensive research on you. He already recruited Giles, who he knew to have worked closely with you, and now wants to meet with me."
"I could kill you first." Angel growled softly.
"Or you could let me live." Wesley countered. "And I, in return will pass along any information I glean from Judelin or the Council."
"Moles don't have a long life expectancy." Nic couldn't help but look at Wesley with concern. "You're living dangerously by playing Judelin."
"I don't plan on playing anybody." Wesley took a step back toward the door. He knew that his business was just about done. "Judelin is going to come to me. I don't plan on taking him up on his offer, but I will meet with him. And anything I learn, I'll tell you in exchange for leaving me in peace."
"*If* you get me information that is useful. . . ." Angel's tone was soft but menacing. "I'll let you live. But you better make it good, Pryce."
**
Sitting in the back of the cargo van that had transported him as an invalid from Nevada, Djoser found himself fidgeting around restlessly, much like his younger brother.
Damon asked giving him a curious look. "Can't wait to get your hands around the Slayer's neck?"
"Perhaps." Djoser wasn't sure. He just knew he felt unsettled.
"I had a talk with your Sire." Damon switched to another topic. "When we get to Germany, I want to have a formal presentation for my new Childe. William too, for that matter, since he never received a proper one."
"It's been a while. . . ." Djoser was relieved at his uncle's change of subject. "Since I've participated in any formal Clan rituals. I'll have to review our protocol, or I'll end up making a fool of myself like. . . ." He wanted to say Nic, but stopped himself, not sure if Damon would take offense.
"Like who?" Damon asked with a slight smile. "In our Clan, it could be any number of people. Nic. William. Even my new Childe, since he hasn't been too conscientious of his lessons lately. He finds William far more interesting than any studies."
"William can distract anyone or anything on any given day." Djoser said with a grin. "It's one of his talents."
"Talented Childe, that one." Damon commented as he settled back in the van seat. "But just so you're aware, I'm also pushing Angelus to formally present you at that time as his Successor."
"What?" Djoser straightened up in surprise. He never would have suspected Damon to be his supporter, since he had harbored false suspicions and doubts about his uncle for more than a century.
"One of the factors that lead to our Clan's downfall was my Sire's refusal to publicly name a Successor. It only led to brother against brother, plot and counter plot, all vying for the Master's favor. We were so divided that we became easy pickings for other vampire clans and demons. I don't want that to happen again."
"I know our history." Djoser, a man who had been let down time and time again, starting with his own mother and continuing with his father, had a hard time trusting what anyone said. "But why me?"
"Why you?" Damon repeated the question, not sure he heard right. "You're Angelus' eldest. William should naturally be considered also, but I believe him to be too frail, too unstable."
"William is stronger than he appears." Djoser automatically defended his younger brother. "He's had to be in order to have survived everything that has happened to him."
"I concur; William is a survivor." Damon was not looking for an argument. "But think seriously for a moment, can you really picture him as our High Master? And do you really believe that he wants the position of High Master with all its responsibilities and duties?"
"No." Smiling slightly at the mental picture of his younger brother as High Master, Djoser had to be truthful. "Right now his only ambitions are to avoid all responsibility and to fritter his unlife away pursing fun."
"So you're the only logical choice." Damon stated quietly.
"And what about you, uncle?"
"Me?" Surprise flashed over Damon's countenance.
"Yes. You're the second eldest surviving son of the Old Master. You now have a Blood-Childe, and a special one at that, a former Council hunter. I would think that many would consider you to be a logical choice for Successor."
"Angelus is the High Master." Damon stated this matter-of-factly. "The Line of Succession goes through him. That is a fact, and I accept and honor that fact."
"But why is it so important to you that our Master formally announce his Successor? My Sire is not that old; he has many centuries to live yet. There is no urgency."
"I want the matter to be settled now, so there will be no questions or arguments in the future." Damon leaned over, his face inches from Djoser.
"Why?"
"Because of your brother, Connor."
"Connor?" Now it was Djoser who looked surprised. "I was told that Connor is dead."
"Being kidnapped into another dimension does not necessarily mean dead." Leaning back, Damon glanced over at the minions in the front of the van. "So many of our people believe him to be the savior of our race, the first Pure Blood vampire born in more than two centuries. One such as that does not die so easily."
"The first Pure Blood in two centuries. Perhaps if my brother is alive, then he should be named as the Successor."
"You give in rather easily, my nephew." Damon stared at Djoser through narrowed eyes. "You would just willingly hand over your heritage, something that has been yours since your human birth, to a younger brother."
"A younger, Pure Blood brother." Djoser corrected his uncle.
"So he's a Pure Blood." Damon sneered. "That doesn't make him better. Because I had a human mother, I was automatically considered inferior to my three older brothers. In truth I was never their inferior, but because of old prejudices and beliefs I was never even given a chance. And I just accepted that. Don't you, my nephew, make the same mistake. I cannot believe that this brother of yours is superior to you. Fight for your birthright, Childe, and take your rightful place."
"You are setting me against a brother I have never even met." Djoser eyed Damon thoughtfully. "I thought you wanted to avoid another brother-against-brother conflict."
"If Angelus names you his Successor, there will be no power struggle. The issue will be solved."
Frowning, Djoser was still confused. "But Connor is not even here."
"True, but what if he were to find his way back from this hell dimension he's in?" Damon asked his nephew before turning to bark an order to the minions.
**
Appeased by Angel's not-killing-Wesley restraint and the good sense that they needed the vampire and his minions to help with the rest of the slug demons, the gang had wisely decided to back him against 'the Destroyer.'
"So the only information that your minions got was that the slug demons were fleeing something called the Destroyer, but the Destroyer wasn't really after them it's after you?" Charles Gunn managed to inject both disbelief and disdain in his voice. "That makes no sense whatsoever."
"That's all they were told." Angel's tone in turn was sharp and short as he felt defensive toward his minions.
"They didn't think to ask a few more questions?" With a pile of books already in front of her, Fred wondered where to even start the research with so little to go on.
Seeing her bewilderment, Angel gave her some helpful advice. "Start with thaumogenesis."
Leaning over the hotel counter, he grabbed a book while avoiding eye contact
with Lorne whose head had jerked up at hearing the word thaumogenesis.
"Thaumo. . .what?" Fred asked.
"Creatures manifested as a by-product of using dark majik." Pretending to be absorbed with the book in front of him, Angel had the perfect excuse not to look at Lorne or his brother Nic. He didn't want to see the 'I-told-you-so' accusation in their faces. "I don't want to hear it." He told them, anticipating some finger pointing.
"No one said anything." Lorne quickly said, even though he had been staring
at Angel.
"Good, let's keep it that way." Angel warned him just as Spike and Guy entered
the lobby carrying a pizza. "What the hell is that?" Frowning angrily at the
pizza since he had already resolved to keep a closer eye on his Childer's feeding
habits.
"Pizza." Spike tried to appear innocent. "For your pets." He lied hastily as he saw the dark look cross his Sire's face.
"For us?" Coming over to take a peek at the pizza, Cordelia was suspicious. "Since when did you become 'thoughtful guy'?"
"I haven't." Spike continued his lies, since the last thing he wanted was to be known as 'thoughtful guy.' "It was his. . . ." He pointed to his cousin. "Idea."
The smell of pizza was making Cordelia's stomach rumble. Taking a piece, she had no more reservations. "Great!" She smiled widely at Guy. "Thanks."
"Don't eat it all, bint." Spike followed Cordelia to her desk muttering softly in her ear. "Some of that is for me."
"Tell them." Cordelia garbled out, as she took a big bite of pizza while pointing to Gunn and Fred who were piling their plates with pizza. Research was a hungry business.
"Goddamn it!" Swearing, Spike watched the humans gobble up *his* pizza. He'd have to go bully the minions to go and buy him another.
"William." Angel's voice stopped Spike in his tracks. "If you're hungry. . . ." He held up a wrist. "I can. . . ."
"I'm not." Spike interrupted quickly. It was humiliating to admit in front of the humans that he fed from his Sire.
"Then grab a book." Angel's voice was soft. "And help research who this Destroyer is."
"I. . . ." Opening his mouth, Spike tried to quickly come up with an excuse to leave. He wanted to eat pizza, not do research.
"NOW." Angel only had to raise his voice just slightly, but his message came across loud and clear.
"Bugger this." Spike reluctantly turned back. Picking up a book off a pile, he sighed loudly, praying that something, anything would save him from having to do research.
As if the gods heard his pray, thunderous, electrical charges began flashing through the Hyperion lobby. "Bloody hell!" He exclaimed with gleeful surprise. For once his prayers were being answered. His happiness lasted but a moment as suddenly a large, ferocious beast appeared out of thin air.
Taken totally by surprise, Spike and everyone but Angel froze for a split second. Taking a step toward the monster, Angel's first instinct was to protect his family and lair.
"Angelus." Quickly recovering from his shock, Nic grabbed a sword and threw it to his brother.
Catching the sword with one hand, Angel faced down the monster as it advanced, roaring. More electrical charges flashed, and then another form came somersaulting out of nowhere. A swift swipe with the blade in his left hand, and the newcomer took out the monster. Turning to Angel, the young man then held up his right hand in which he held a weapon with several stakes pointing out of it. Aiming it at Angel's heart, he spoke two words. "Hi, Dad."
****
Dedication: Even though I've already made a dedication to Ghostsforge for his efforts in keeping the S/A fandom alive, I'm going to do it again. He modestly tries not to take credit, but I, personally know that he's been working hard behind the scenes, encouraging and giving little pushes to many of the S/A authors. My thanks to you, and may you be rewarded with many S/A fics in the future.
Part 18
Sunnydale, CA, November 2001
Having settled into his Sire's old lair in Sunnydale, Djoser was readying himself to meet Buffy. The vampire knew Damon would never allow him to leave on his own, so he was calculating how he could slip past his uncle and bodyguards. He didn't want an audience when he met with the Slayer.
"So what's the plan?" Entering the room, Damon interrupted his guilty thoughts.
Stiffening slightly at his uncle's choice of the word plan, Djoser braced himself for an argument. "I'm preparing to go and meet the Slayer, but I prefer that you not be there. No offense, I just don't want a chaperone."
"All right." Damon agreed quickly, surprising his nephew. "But if you're going to meet the Slayer, you had better feed first."
Nodding his head, Djoser felt relief and disappointment flash through him. Relief that there wasn't going to be an argument with his uncle, and disappointment because this was to be his first meal in three days that wasn't to be from his Sire. "Did the minions stock up on blood?" He asked as he turned to head for the kitchen.
"Yes, but familial blood is what you need now." Pulling away his shirt collar, Damon bared his neck. "Add my strength to yours, Childe, and the Slayer will be no match for you."
**
LA, CA, November 2001
"My god!" Lowering his sword, Angel was beyond stunned. "It's you. . .Connor."
Still aiming his weapon at Angel's heart, Connor shouted. "Don't call me that!" He looked angrily around the lobby, glaring at all its occupants. "My name is Steven."
Hearing this, Nic could only roll his eyes. "Fucking nephews and their fucking names or no names."
"Steven?" Frowning, Angel was trying to understand how his youngest Childe went from a baby in arms to the young man standing in front of him in a matter of months. "Steven - okay, Steven. It's a good name too."
"Since he's not using Connor anymore." Nic had to comment. "Maybe we can give it to no name. . . ." He motioned over at Guy. "Over there."
"Angel." Stepping up to stand by the vampire, Gunn's eyes never left Connor, who was still aiming the stake thrower at Angel. "Are you sure this is Connor? Just cause he says, 'Hi, Dad'?"
"It's him." There was no doubt in Angel's mind.
"How the hell is that possible?" Gunn was still suspicious. "A couple of months ago he was wearing diapers. Now he's a teenager?"
"Really." Cordelia heaved a sigh of agreement. "Tell me we don't live in a soap opera."
Like everyone else, Spike was staring at Connor."*He's* our Clan's Successor? The frigging savior of our kind?" He whispered to Guy who was standing next to him. "That scuzzy nancyboy? We're all fucked."
"It's the layers of dirt that are fooling you." Guy whispered back. "Clean him up, and I see a family resemblance between him and us."
"You're effing blind, mate." Spike frowned at his cousin. "I'm certainly not that short or skinny." Turning his attention back to his newly arrived brother, he muttered curses to himself. "Don't fucking care if he is a Pure Blood! That limp-wristed twit is not going to replace Djoser as Successor, even if it means that I will have to challenge my brain- dead Sire."
**
Hurrying through the now familiar streets of Sunnydale, Djoser looked quickly behind him. His bodyguards were nowhere in sight. Laughing quietly to himself, the vampire slowed his pace. "Thought my uncle had trained his minions." Losing them had been no effort at all.
The night was calm with not even a slight breeze stirring the air. Tilting his head up, Djoser sniffed, taking in the different odors. With such stillness it would be no problem to track the Slayer. "Luck is with me tonight." He said to himself. "Slayer, I hope you're ready for me."
**
Having laid down his sword, Angel was taking slow, careful steps toward Connor. "There's just. . .just so much I want to know about you. So much I need to know."
Still standing in the middle of the lobby, weapon raised, Connor watched Angel with suspicious eyes.
"Are you alright?" Angel continued to approach his youngest Childe with caution. "Are you hungry?"
"I swear that's the only question the Poof knows how to ask." Still whispering to Guy, Spike was watching the scene in front of him. "Well, I don't know if he's hungry, but I'm feeling a bit peckish. Come on." He grabbed a hold of his cousin's arm. "Let's go and get us some pizza. The High Poof's busy now; he'll never know we're gone."
"Have you lost your mind?" As both a human raised by the Council and the Blood-Childe of Damon, Guy had had duty and obedience pounded into him. Breaking rules was a foreign concept to him.
"I wouldn't be surprised." Spike began to unobtrusively back out of the room, pulling Guy with him. "Since people are always asking me that."
"But there are minions guarding all the exits." Guy continued to whisper protests. "How are we going to get past them? And what about your new brother?"
"My brother's got everyone's attention." Spike took one last glance around before ducking out of the room to head for the sewer entrance. "He doesn't need ours too."
"And the guards?" Guy asked again.
Stopping for just a second, Spike gave his cousin a look of total disbelief. "They're just minions, mate." He enunciated slowly. "Easy pickings for the likes of us. Haven't you learned anything yet?"
**
"Slayer." Hissing, Djoser spied the familiar figure a short ways ahead of him. "It's time to pay for your sins." Breaking into a run, the vampire was a blur to the human eye as he caught up to Buffy and tackled her from behind.
Having found out from Amy that Willow had taken Dawn with her to see a warlock named Rack, Buffy was hunting hard for them. So caught up in her search Djoser caught her completely by surprise as he landed on top of her. "What the hell?" Buffy managed to exclaim before hitting the concrete.
Grabbing Buffy by the hair, Djoser began pounding her face in the pavement. "Bitch! Traitor!" He growled at her. "I saved your sister and helped you control the demons here in Sunnydale, and you repay me by attacking my brother. You promised me that you were going to protect him."
"Djoser?" Recovered from the initial surprise of the attack, Buffy had gathered her wits and strength. Reaching back, she grabbed onto the vampire's clothing. With a hard jerk, she managed to pull Djoser off balance. "For God's sake, I don't have time for you or this."
"Don't have time?" Djoser felt himself toppling sideways, so he gave a good yank on the hair he was holding. Falling off Buffy, he landed on the pavement beside her. Both of his hands held a clump of her hair. "Well, you're going to have to squeeze me into your schedule, Slayer, because I'm here to revenge my brother, a Blood-Childe of our Clan."
Jumping to her feet, Buffy took a defensive stance."Listen to me, Djoser. I am sorry for what I did to Spike. I lost control. I didn't mean. . . ." She wasn't able to finish her thought as Djoser attacked again.
"I don't want to hear your excuses." The vampire growled out as he swung his fists. "If our positions were reversed, and I had been the one to hurt your younger sister, you would not be receptive to any excuses I had."
Backing up while blocking Djoser's blows, Buffy could feel his outrage. It fueled his attack. "You're right!" She tried another defensive approach. "It was inexcusable, so let me make it up to you."
Total shock stopped Djoser in mid punch. He couldn't help but interpret Buffy's words to have a sexual content. "What? You're offering me sexual favors for not killing you?"
Making a face, Buffy rolled her eyes. "NO! What kind of person do you think I. . . ?" Stopping as she remembered the tryst she had with Djoser in the cemetery. "NO!" She guiltily repeated herself. "Gutter-mind. I'm offering you and your Clan valuable information and perhaps protection if necessary."
"Information?" Djoser raised his fists again in suspicion. "What kind of information?"
"Giles." Buffy said quickly. "Giles has been in England helping the Council negotiate a treaty with the Ventrues. I've been told that Judelin has quite an interest in Angel and your Clan. He pumped Giles for anything he could get on you guys, and now he's on his way here to California."
**
Sighing in relief, Angel watched as Connor sat in the kitchen eating. There was still work to be done on building a relationship with him, but at least his newest Childe had finally put down his weapon. "If he wants something else, can you guys get him. . .whatever?" He asked Cordelia and Fred as he motioned to the food on the table.
"I don't know." Hands on hips, Cordelia watched Connor inhale the food in front of him. "We might need a truck for more supplies."
"Well anything you need. . . ." Angel turned to leave. There were things that needed his immediate attention. "Have the minions get it for you. I just have to check on a couple of. . .issues." He trailed off while turning to leave. "I'll be right back." Turning he gazed directly at Connor who was busy devouring all the food in front of him and wouldn't look up.
"We'll take care of him." Sitting next to Connor at the table, Fred smiled up at Angel. "Don't worry."
"Nic!" Long strides took Angel back into the hotel lobby.
"Yes, Master." Elbows on the front desk, Nic looked up from the newspaper that was spread out in front of him.
Stopping to stare at his brother, Angel suspected mockery but let it pass. "Contact Damon. I want them back here now."
Straightening up, Nic looked around in surprise. "They just left this afternoon. Where's the fire?"
"And then, check the airlines." Angel didn't bother to answer, just continued to bark out orders. "I want arrangements made for us to leave for Germany as soon as possible."
"Now? Right now?" Nic was still trying to figure out what the emergency was. "I thought you wanted Elder Snow first."
"Connor's returned now, and you heard what Wesley said. Judelin is coming. Our priority is protecting our Blood-Childer. Which by the way. . . ." Angel checked around the lobby. "Where are William and er. . .Guy?"
"I thought they were with you in the kitchen." Nic gave Angel a look of alarm. "Because William usually hangs out wherever the human food is."
"Jesus Christ!" Swearing, Angel turned to the sentries by the front door. "Did you see. . . ?"
"Master." A minion entered the lobby from the back entrance. "There's a problem downstairs. It seems that. . . ." Hesitating the vampire wasn't sure how to report that Spike and Guy had knocked out the sentries guarding the sewer entrance and had left the lair.
But no more explanation was needed as Angel already realized what had happened without being told. "That goddamn Childe of mine! I'm going to strangle him!" Stomping over to the weapons cabinet, he barked to the minion. "You, come with me. Their scent should be easy enough to track. Nic." Starting for the sewer, he looked over his shoulder at his brother. "Get replacements for the guards downstairs, call Damon, and keep watch over everything, especially Connor."
**
"He was a fun bloke." Having had more than a few beers at the pizza parlor, Spike was not quite walking a straight line down the street, as he told Guy about their dead cousin, Victor. "You would have liked him. He knew how to have a really good piss-up."
"I would have liked to have known him." Walking alongside, Guy put out a hand to try and steady Spike. "It's too bad what happened to him."
"Fucking Snow! What I wouldn't give to see his entrails pulled out of him, preferably through his nose." Spike's good humor was dampened by the memory of Snow. "Okay, mate." He said to Guy as they approached the manhole that would lead them to the Hyperion. "If anyone asks, we were just having a smoke down in the sewer."
"And what do we say about the guards?" Guy asked as he bent down to lift up the manhole cover.
"Just play dumb." Spike advised as he looked around the darkened streets. "I found you can get out of a lot of things by pretending to be brainless." A flash in the shadows caught Spike's eye. "Hey." He tapped Guy on the shoulder. "Hey, new boy just ran past us."
"What?" Guy looked up at Spike, wondering who he was talking about.
"My new brother, Connor, Steven, whatever his name is, just ran past us." Spike was now having second thoughts about his younger sibling. "First night back, and he ducks out from under the Poof's nose. Maybe that kid has potential after all."
"Where would he be going?" Standing up, Guy scanned the streets quickly until he spotted the running figure. "He doesn't know LA or anyone here, except us."
"Don't know." Spike's curiosity was aroused. "But let's follow him and find out."
**
"Another fucking brat!" Throwing on his coat, Nic rushed out of the Hyperion. "I've got four nephews, and they're all brats!" The vampire had put Connor to bed, and when he went back to check on the new Prince, he discovered the Childe gone. The room's window broken open. "Christ! When Angelus finds out that another Childe left the lair, he's going to. . . ." The vampire stopped in surprise as ahead of him were Spike and Guy. "Hey!" He yelled out, breaking into a run, as his two runaway nephews began to sprint in the opposite direction from the hotel. "Fucking kids! Get back here!"
Guy stopped and turned at the sound of his uncle's voice, but Spike kept running to keep from losing Connor.
"William!" Nic bellowed, wondering if half of LA could hear him. "I said to. . . ."
"We're following Con. . .Steven." Guy quickly explained. "We're wondering what he's up to."
"Connor went past here?" Grabbing Guy by the arm, Nic began chasing Spike. "Thank the gods! Now I just have to get you, William, and him back to the hotel safe and sound, and the world will be right again."
**
After calling a truce, Buffy and Djoser walked the streets of Sunnydale, while she explained to him everything she had found out from Giles. In return, he, after hearing about Willow and Dawn, was trying to locate Rack, since only demons could locate the warlock's lair.
"Anything?" Buffy asked. She had finished giving Djoser all the information and now just wanted to find Willow and Dawn.
"Not yet." Using all of his senses, Djoser knew he would pick up on the warlock's lair. It was just a matter of time.
"Hey!" A horrible suspicion was rising in Buffy. "You're not deliberately leading me away from Rack to punish me for Spike?"
Coming to an abrupt stop, Djoser turned to Buffy. The urge to hit her had returned. "Don't judge my actions by yours. I wouldn't hurt your innocent sister to get back at you."
"Listen." Djoser's words angered Buffy, even though a voice in her head whispered that she was being unreasonable. "I'm finding that I can't depend on anyone. Giles abandoned me for the stupid Council. Willow, my best friend, who has always been so level-headed, is now turning into a majik addict."
"Djoser." A group of vampires approached them, interrupting before their conversation escalated into another fight. "You need to finish your business with the Slayer now." Damon stopped a few feet from Buffy and Djoser. "We've been ordered back to LA immediately. Judelin is on his was to LA, and. . . ." The vampire looked first at Buffy and then at his nephew. "Your brother Connor has just returned from the hell dimension he had been in. And he's no infant anymore. He's almost of age." He gave Djoser a serious look. "To become our Clan's official Successor."
**
"We're going to take him down." Nic ordered as he, Spike, and Guy ran after Connor. "But don't injure him. Your Sire's already shitting bricks because you two ran off. We don't need to make things worse by hurting the new Childe on his first night home."
"Let him go for a bit." Spike advised. "That kid has a destination. He's not just running aimlessly. I want to know what he's up to."
"Have you lost your fucking mind?" Nic shouted. His nephews were pushing him toward a nervous breakdown. He was sure of it. "We grab him and then head back to the hotel pronto. I want to get the three of you back safely and then go collapse somewhere with Jack Daniels."
"Don't you find it odd that he runs off the first bloody night he gets back from a hell dimension?" Spike asked. "Something's up with that kid, and I think we should find out what."
"Alright." Nic conceded. "But we call Angelus and tell him what's going on."
"Where is He anyway?" Spike's head swiveled around, expecting Angel to suddenly appear. "And how did kid brother manage to sneak out past the Poofster?"
"Because the Poof. . .Angelus is out LOOKING FOR YOU TWO." Nic began shouting again. "Dumb shits! What did you think?"
"He's headed down that alleyway." Guy pointed out, happy to redirect Nic to another subject.
"He's stopping." The three vampires slowed to a walk as they watched Connor come to a halt. "Kid's talking to someone." Eyes focusing hard on his younger brother, Spike could see a shadowy figure standing in front of Connor.
"Hang on." Nic put an arm out, forcing Spike and Guy to come to a stop. "I know the man he's talking to. Saw a drawing of him when I was just a fledgling. That's Holtz, or. . . ." He squinted into the darkness. "Or maybe that's Holtz coming back as a mummy because fuck, does he look bad."
"Well what did you expect?" Spike asked. "Isn't he like two or three hundred years old?"
"It makes sense that he's here though." Guy said thoughtfully. "Since he was the one who kidnapped. . .Steven."
Even though the vampires were still some distance away, they could hear Connor as he greeted the older man. "Hi, dad."
****