Bring Forth The Night
Chapter 6
“We’re home! Dawn!” Willow followed Buffy inside and set the box she was carrying on the coffee table. “Anya!”
There was no answer. Giles brought in a box of Angel’s clothes. “Are they sleeping? It’s not late, but the lights were out.”
“Xander’s car isn’t here.” Willow went into the kitchen and flipped on the lights. “No note.”
“They may be at Anya’s flat.” He watched Buffy go back outside. “Perhaps they’ve decided to give Buffy some time alone.”
“She was really quiet on the way home.” The redhead told him. “We started out talking a little bit, but the closer we got, the more it was me filling the big dreaded silence.”
“It took her some time to get over Angel’s death the last time – if she truly did.” He pushed his glasses up to rub at the bridge of his nose. “And then he miraculously reappeared.”
“I don’t think that’s going to happen this time.” They had found scraps of Angel’s duster; all had been badly burned. “Last time, he took a trip to hell – this time I don’t think he was so lucky.”
“Strange to consider a trip to hell as lucky.” Giles said quietly as Buffy came back in with another box. “I’m not at all sure she’s going to get over Angel’s death this time.”
“Buffy's strong.” Willow said firmly. “Lots of time and love and she’ll be fine. I just know it.”
“Buffy.” Giles put a hand on Buffy's arm as she started outside once again. “We can bring these things in tomorrow.”
“I want Angel’s things inside.” Her heart was so heavy that it hurt to force the words out.
“Perhaps you should rest.” The soft, hopeless voice made Giles’ own heart ache. “We can bring them in later.”
“No.” Shrugging off his hand, she walked back out the front door.
“Come on, just think of it as good exercise.” Willow patted him on the back as she followed Buffy outside.
It took almost two hours to unload the Plymouth and Giles’ rented car. Buffy refused to leave anything in the car. Everything, down to the box with Angel’s socks, was brought inside.
Willow’s eyes were drooping, and she hugged Giles before going upstairs.
“I can stay if you’d like.” Giles hesitated in the doorway. “If you need to talk – or just sit and be here.”
“I’m okay.” Buffy lied. “I’m going to take a shower and go to bed.”
“Buffy, I know it’s hard – losing Jenny – well – “ He brushed a strand of hair back from her face. “I do understand the emptiness.”
Did you want to die too? “I know, and maybe later we can talk.”
“Call me if you need me, no matter the time.” Pulling her into his arms, he hugged her tightly, brushing a kiss across her temple. “I do love you, Buffy. Whatever you need – I’m here for you.”
“I love you too, Giles.” Gratefully, she clung to him for a moment, breathing in the tweedy English tea scent. “Right now – I just can’t.”
“It will get easier.” He kissed her forehead. “I promise you, it will.”
“I know.” She stepped back, wiping at her eyes. “I’m just working on second to second.”
“That’s the only way.” Hugging her for another moment, Giles turned and opened the front door. “I’ll be back tomorrow. I’ll bring some of those awful coffee concoctions of which you and Willow are so fond.”
A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “Good night, Giles.”
Upstairs, Buffy met Willow as she came out of the bathroom. Willow’s hair was wet, and she was belting a thick robe on.
“Hey.” She rubbed at her hair with a towel. “I left you some hot water.”
“Thanks.”
“I checked, and Dawn isn’t here, so I bet she’s at Anya’s or Xander’s.”
“I’ll call her in the morning.” Buffy didn’t know how to deal with Dawn’s grief on top of her own.
“If you want to talk, I’ll be up for awhile.” She had gotten very good at reading Buffy's moods, and Willow could see that she didn’t want to talk. But as a friend she wanted to offer whatever comfort she could. “Just, you know, drop by.”
“Thanks, Will. I’m just going to shower and go to bed. I’m beat.”
“Sure, I understand.” Willow gave her a quick hug and headed for her own room.
Closing the door, Buffy sat down on the edge of the tub, dropping her face into her hands. She cried softly for a few moments before she wiped her face and began to strip her clothes off.
Angelus leaned forward eagerly. It was worth sitting in the confines of the van for this. “Take it off, baby, take it all off.” Opening his pants, he freed his already hard cock. Stroking it slowly, he watched her strip.
Buffy tossed her shirt and bra into the hamper. Toeing off her shoes, she unzipped her jeans and slipped them off. She stepped out of her panties, putting both them and her jeans in the hamper. Leaning on the edge of the sink for balance, she bent and tugged her socks off.
Angelus groaned as he watched her bend over. The perfect little ass just begged for his hands to touch and squeeze the golden –
“Damn black and white!” It wouldn’t be long before Buffy's skin would lose that tanned, golden color and he wanted to enjoy it for as long as he could.
Stepping into the shower, she turned on the water, not caring if it was hot or cold. She reached for the shower gel and, pouring a handful, spread it over herself.
Even black and white didn’t detract from the pleasure of watching Buffy slide her hands over her body. Angelus had never wanted to be anything other than the incredibly sexy evil vamp that he was, but right now, he seriously wanted to be shower gel.
Imagining being the bubbles that were moving over the pebbled nipples and pert breasts, he stroked himself harder. Moving from base to head and back down, he followed the trail of bubbles down the flat belly and into the dark blonde curls.
Angelus cupped his balls with his other hand, squeezing and rolling them, visualizing her small, warm hands playing with them.
When her hand went between her legs to massage the soap into her skin, he growled and worked himself faster and harder. “That’s my girl – all nice and clean – soapy and slippery – “
He spread the drops of precum over the head of his cock and wrapped his fingers tighter around the shaft. Pumping up and down rougher and faster, Angelus panted as ripples of electric fire crawled along his thighs and into his cock. His balls drew up tight to his body, ready to explode.
Giving up on the soap, Angelus changed fantasies. He was in the shower with Buffy. His hands were sliding over her body, cupping her ass and pulling her up against him. Lifting her up, he was pressing her against the wall, slipping his cool cock inside of her hot pussy.
Grunting, he forced his eyes to focus on Buffy as she rinsed the soap from her body. She cupped and lifted her breasts, letting the hot water pool between them. “Oh – Jesus – Buffy –“ Cum covered his hand and stomach in cool spurts.
He grabbed a handful of tissues from the box and gasped for not needed air as he mopped himself clean. Buffy was stepping from the shower and wrapping a towel around herself. “Timing – it’s all – in the timing – “
Buttoning his pants up, Angelus settled back in the chair to wait. Willow had fallen asleep while she was still brushing her hair. Buffy took more time to settle.
She put on one of his shirts and a pair of green panties, and then pulled her old diary out of its hiding place.
Curling up on the bed, she read through it slowly, wiping tears from her face from time to time. Eventually, her eyes began to droop, lack of sleep and weariness forcing her to sleep.
Two hundred and fifty plus years of hunting had given Angelus the patience to wait until he was absolutely certain Buffy was sound asleep. Buffy was possibly the most dangerous prey he’d ever stalked. One wrong move and he would be living in a dustbuster. Not until her eyes began to flicker under her eyelids as she dreamed did he get out of the van.
Creature of habit that she was, Buffy had opened the window. Soundlessly, Angelus crept into her room. She was curled into a tight ball on her side, her arms wrapped around herself, holding the diary to her breasts.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, he carefully pulled the diary free. She stirred and her lips parted. “Angel…”
Quickly, Angelus laid the cloth he’d dosed with chloroform over her nose and mouth.
Her eyes opened wide and she struggled, but it was too late, enough of the vapors had been sucked into her lungs to drag her back to sleep.
“I brought you something, baby.” Angelus pulled the heavy cuffs from his pocket. “Got them special just for you.”
The shop he’d ordered the cuffs from specialized in kinky toys for partners human and otherwise. The owner had guaranteed they’d hold a Vhnori demon. Angelus was certain they’d hold a pissed off Slayer.
“Let’s just get you out of these uncomfortable clothes.” Unbuttoning the silk shirt, he lifted her up and slipped it off. Angelus cradled Buffy's body against his, rubbing a hand up and down her bare back. “I’ve missed you, lover.”
Gently, he laid her back on the bed and slipped her wrists into the padded cuffs. There was a third cuff – Vhnori demons being three handed – that he attached to the metal head rail.
Satisfied that she couldn’t slip free, Angelus hooked his fingers into the waistband of her panties and pulled them down.
He tossed them aside, taking a moment to appreciate the sight of Buffy stretched out naked on the bed. Her breasts were pulled up taut, and he lowered his mouth to kiss one pink nipple, then the other, before kissing a path down her belly to the mound of dark gold curls. Nuzzling through them, Angelus breathed in her soft scent.
“Sorry to leave you, baby.” Rising up, he kissed her lips gently. “But I’ve got something to take care of.”
Stepping out into the hall, he closed Buffy's door. Silent strides took him to Willow’s door. Her heartbeat remained slow and steady in sleep as he eased the door open and went inside.
Willow was sprawled out on her back with her red hair fanned out around her face, a smile on her lips as she dreamed.
As much as he would’ve loved to wake her up and scare the bejezus out of her, he was wary of her magic. The redhead’s strength had grown to phenomenal proportions, even with her steering clear of the dark arts, and he couldn’t take the chance.
Grabbing the front of her robe, Angelus hauled her up and drew back his fist. Just as her eyes popped open, he clocked her with a hard right to the jaw. “Nighty night, Brunehilda.”
Her top dresser drawer held several silk scarves. Bending the fingers of her left hand down, he bound them to her palm with one of the scarves. “No witchy twitchy fingers for you.” He repeated the process for the other hand and then tied her wrists together tightly behind her back.
After tying her ankles together with another scarf, Angelus rolled her onto her stomach. Pulling a length of rope from his jacket pocket, he fashioned a slip knot and slipped it around her throat before threading the end through her bound hands. Angelus pulled her legs up and looped the rope around her shins. Tying it off, he stood back to survey his work.
Willow was trussed up like Christmas dinner. If she tried to move her arms or legs, the noose would cut off her air. “I shoulda been a cowboy.”
One last trip to the dresser yielded up a pair of cotton panties, which he wadded up and stuffed into her mouth, securing it with another scarf. “Wish I could stay and visit, but it’s not nice to keep a lady waiting.”
Whistling a cheery tune, Angelus unplugged the phone next to the bed before closing the door behind him.
Buffy was still unconscious, and he quickly stripped his clothes off and joined her, stopping only to close the window and the curtains. He had absolutely no intentions of gagging Buffy.
Lying down next to her, he curved his cool body around her warmer one. He lifted her leg and pulled it up and over his hip. His cock, already hard and aching, slipped easily into the wonderfully warm space between her thighs.
“Buffy, baby…” Sliding an arm under her shoulders, he cupped her face in his hand, turning her so he could kiss her lips. “Wake up, baby.”
It seemed she was going to be out for awhile longer, but that might work to his advantage. Rising up, he palmed her breasts, marveling at how perfectly his hands covered them.
Licking at one nipple, he suckled and nipped until it was hard and pebbled. He moved to her other breast, lavishing the same loving attention on it until it too was standing up as if begging to be kissed. “Mine, mine, mine!”
One hand slid slowly down her stomach while Angelus nursed at her breast. Searching through the soft curls, he traced along the delicate outer lips of her pussy. “Nice and warm…”
Angelus nestled two fingers in the wonderfully warm place between the inner and outer folds. She wasn’t wet, but there was that delicious moistness that was an inherent part of her femininity.
“Buffy, wake up for daddy…” Angelus lifted his head from the wet nipple and nipped along her throat. “I’ve got a surprise for you…”
Easing his fingers back and forth in lazy strokes, Angelus smiled as Buffy grew wetter and slicker. Gently he eased one finger inside of her, moaning at the hot, silky feel of her.
Angelus had never understood Angel’s pleasure at only using his fingers – personally, he was all for slamming his cock home. Why just dabble when you could jump right in?
Now that he was holding himself back and waiting until Buffy was awake and could fully enjoy his attentions, Angelus discovered there was indeed pleasure to be had here. Who knew?
Slowly, ever so slowly and carefully, he pushed and pulled his fingers within her. Buffy moaned softly, and her breath began to hitch. He smiled as her blood quickened and the chorus changed from sleepiness to arousal.
With his thumb, he circled and played with the small bundle of nerves hiding within her curls. Biting his lip, he tried to give just the gentlest of caresses. “Hmm…” Maybe this was why Soul Boy had always done this through Buffy's panties. “And here I thought it was because she had to be coaxed into taking them off. We’ll just have to try that.” He added that to the list of future pleasures to be had.
Another soft moan, and he kissed along her cheek. “This is fun, baby.” Nipping at her ear, he purred. “More fun if you wake up. Wakey, wakey.”
Buffy's body responded even as her mind slumbered. A sheen of perspiration covered her golden skin, and she arched into his strokes. Angelus licked a path across her cheek to her lips. “Um… Buffypop…” The throbbing artery in her throat got special attention. Laving it with his tongue, he nipped at it, making her blood jump and scurry faster.
Lifting his fingers to his mouth, Angelus lapped up the sweetness. “Oh, yes, a taste worth killing for.”
Buffy was wet – practically dripping, in his expert opinion – but his cock wanted to see for itself. “Down, boy.” He reached back down between her spread legs and rubbed the head of his cock along her, coating it with her wetness.
He wanted to push inside of her, but that would be crass – and no doubt she’d be seriously pissed off at him. She might even say it was rape.
“Like I’d do something like that to her?” Chuckling, Angelus dipped his fingers back into her welcoming warmth. “I’m not Spike.”
It was one of those dreams. Angel’s cool body next to hers, his mouth on her breast, his fingers doing that magical thing he did. Sighing, Buffy parted her legs wider and snuggled back against him.
The next part was always the best. Running her hands over his cool, soft skin. Running her hands – running – her – hands weren’t running –
Blinking, Buffy tried to move her hands. There was a rattle, and her hands remained above her head. Craning her neck, she saw the handcuffs firmly locked around her wrists.
“Hello, lover.”
The soft, sensual purr made her skin tingle. “Angel! Oh my God, Angel!” She turned to see his face close to hers. His beautiful face she had thought she’d never see again. “You’re alive! You’re – why are my hands – “
“I wanted us to be able to talk.” Angelus dropped a kiss on her nose. “Without all the violence we normally indulge in as foreplay. Not that we can’t do that later, if you’d like.”
“Angelus.” Her eyes closed. For a moment, she’d forgotten that Angel was already gone. “You hid, didn’t you? Hid and waited?”
“What else would you expect me to do?” Her throat was tempting as always, and he rested his lips on the soft skin there. The rushing blood tickled, and he purred softly.
“Can you – your fingers – “ She pulled her legs together. “Move them.”
“Okay.” He wiggled his fingers, making her gasp.
“I meant – out!” She growled.
“Out? Well, of course, baby. Why didn’t you just say so?” He slid his fingers out and back in. “Better?”
“I hate you.” Sure you do, that’s why it feels so damned good! “Get. Your. Hands. Off. Me.”
“I can’t.” Chuckling, he pressed the heel of his hand down on the sensitive nub.
“You can!” She pulled on the cuffs, testing their strength. “Move your hand!”
“Don’t bother, baby. I picked those special just for you.” He patted her hip. “And you’ve trapped my hand, lover, like you don’t want to let go.”
“Ooh!” Buffy opened her legs again. “Now move!”
“Your wish – “ Angelus slipped his fingers free and pressed his cock against her in their place. “Is my command.”
“No – oh – “ She sucked in a startled breath as he filled her. “No!”
She struggled as best she could, kicking at him and biting at his lips when he tried to kiss her. Angelus laughed at her and hooked an arm under her leg, pulling it up and over his hip once again firmly locking her into place.
“Please, Angelus, don’t – “ Tears burned her eyes. As before, fire licked and nibbled at her as he slid slowly in and out of her. “Angel, please – “
“Don’t beg, baby.” Covering her lips with his own, Angelus increased the pace, pumping harder and deeper. “I’ll make it good.”
The strain of the past weeks, lack of sleep, and the despair she had suffered thinking that Angel was dead had taken a toll on her, and Buffy was completely exhausted. She fell back, panting and crying.
Angelus knew her body too well and used that knowledge to his advantage. Stroking, petting, and teasing, he brought her to the edge of the firestorm again and again but never let her be consumed by it.
“Please, Angel – please – “ She arched up as he pulled out until only the head of his cock remained inside of her. “I can’t – can’t stand it – “
“Say it for me.” He kissed the pink nipple he’d been sucking on.
“No – “ There was a gentle pinch to the bud above where they were joined, and she cried out.
“Say it.” Angelus commanded.
“No – “ Another gentle pinch and she pushed up, trying to force him back inside of her once again.
“Just tell me, lover.” He blew cool air over her wet nipples.
A sob tore from her. It was no use denying it; she wanted it – wanted him. “Fuck me – “
“What?” He lifted his head.
“Fuck me!” She’d long ago stopped caring if Willow could hear her. “Fuck me! Damn it, isn’t that what you want to hear? Fuck me!”
“That wasn’t what I meant…” Grinning, Angelus pushed himself up onto his forearms over her and shoved his cock deep inside of her. “But I’ll take it.”
Helpless, Buffy lay under him, her body arching up as roll after roll of fire washed through her. Angelus was grunting above her, pushing her strength to the limits. His cock pounded into her, shoving her into the mattress. He was going to fuck her to death. Worse ways to go.
This wasn’t exactly what he’d wanted. He wanted her arms around him, not chained over her head. Her legs wrapped around his hips and not pushed over and out of his way. And the words he wanted to hear Buffy say were words of love, not sex. “Baby – tell me – tell me – you love me – “
She couldn’t. I can’t – I won’t – Another deep thrust and a fresh roar of fireworks. “I love you – Angel – “
“That’s my girl – “ Buried deep within her, his balls aching to come, Angelus let his true face show. This was the moment he had been yearning for since he’d given into his love for Buffy. Now he would claim his mate.
His eyes turned to gold, face morphing into that of the demon within. “No – “ Buffy jerked at the cuffs binding her wrists. This wouldn’t be a love bite – Angelus was going to kill her. “No!”
She wasn’t afraid for herself; she’d been dead and it hadn’t been that bad. But she was afraid that the demon who took her body would kill Dawn and Willow and everyone that she loved. “No!”
“Shh, baby…” Angelus purred as he dipped his mouth to her throat. “Don’t be afraid, I’ll be here when you wake.”
“I don’t want to be like you!” Desperately, she twisted her head, trying to keep him from her throat. “I won’t kill them!”
“And you won’t have to, baby.” Angelus slid his fangs gently through her soft skin, down into the oxygen rich artery. Hot, wonderful, Slayer blood filled his mouth.
“No – “ The house had been empty. They’re already – Her thoughts vanished in a river of pleasure. Each suck and pull of her blood sent orgasmic shocks ripping through her body. Dimly, she heard Angelus growl as her inner muscles clenched down on his pumping cock. The chill, thick fangs pushed deeper, and there was a cool gush bathing the fire inside. A soft cry came from her lips.
Eyes closed in sensual pleasure, Angelus drew Buffy's blood into his mouth as his seed filled her womb. He fed from her until her heart began to slow and falter.
Rising up, he placed a soft kiss on her parted lips. Biting his own wrist, he placed it to her mouth. “Drink up, lover.”
She resisted, turning her face away, and for a moment he thought he’d have to force it down her. The magic and power in his blood was not to be resisted, however, and the small taste ignited an appetite for more.
When Buffy turned her face back, searching for his blood, Angelus cradled her head in his free hand, helping her to drink.
Suckling greedily, biting into his skin in an effort to get more, Buffy moaned as something began to burn and eat its way through her, ecstasy trailing in its wake. Her wrists were free suddenly and Buffy grabbed his wrist and held it to her mouth. Angel’s blood was good, it was power and magic. A small voice warned her that this was wrong – that this was violating everything she stood for.
“Buffy, I love you, baby.” Angelus leaned back on the bed, pulling Buffy against his chest.
Opening her eyes, she looked up at Angelus. He was beautiful, painfully so. There was love in his eyes – the depth of it was something she never would have believed possible from him. Angelus – the Scourge of Europe – and love?
There was sadness in his beautiful eyes, and she reached up to touch his face. Buffy wanted to tell him not to be sad, but that would mean lifting her mouth from the wonderful taste of him.
“You’ll sleep, and when you wake, I’ll be here.” He whispered softly. “Don’t be afraid.”
Her fingers traced the ridges of his forehead. Strong – he was so strong. Inside, the small voice was crushed and swept aside by the bubbling magic that filled her. She was filled by him in a way she had never imagined. Buffy felt weak but wasn’t afraid; Angelus would protect her.
When her head lolled back, Angelus lowered his lips to hers. The taste of his blood and hers mingled as he kissed her.
“Angel…” His name on one last breath.
“I love you, Buffy.” Her heart slowed, fought with death for another heartbeat, and finally stilled. Angelus held her to him, keening softly. She would rise come nightfall and be with him forever, but he felt the sharp edge of despair at all he’d just lost.
Never again would her blood sing to him. Her heart was silent; what little blood remaining in her body was still. Her golden skin would soon be as pale as his own, her body just as cool. Holding and rocking her, he continued to keen over Buffy's still form for several minutes, regretting that the song in her blood would never again call to him of love and arousal.
Gently he laid her down, pulling the blankets up before kissing her cooling lips. “I’ll be right back, baby. Just a little business to take care of.”
Willow was awake and glared at him as he opened the door.
“Well, lookee who’s awake!” Angelus sat down on the bed next to her. “You look good this way, Red.” Jerking on the rope, he laughed as she choked. “Bondage becomes you.”
Letting go of the rope, he watched her suck air in through her nose in desperate heaves. “You’ve got a lot of those scarves, Cinnamon.” He tugged at her bound wrists.
She jerked away from him, the gag muffling her words.
“What games were you and your lesbo friend playing at night?” He tugged on the scarf again, watching the knot slide down tighter. “Didn’t anyone ever tell you about the dangers of using silk scarves?”
Another unintelligible burst from Willow, and she glared at him over the gag.
“You see, silk is a slick material.” He tapped her nose with a fingertip. “Feels nice, but it’s not the best thing to use for those kinky nights.”
“What happens, Cinnamon, is that – “ Angelus gave the scarves binding her wrists a jerk. “They slip and slide, and the next thing you know – “ Another jerk. “Somebody’s losing their fingers.”
Willow winced as the silk tightened on her wrists, cutting into the skin.
“And you girls need your fingers.” He smirked. “Seeing as how you’re lacking the equipment to do the job right.”
“But wait a second – “ Angelus snapped his fingers. “Didn’t I see – wait – “ Getting up, he went to the still open dresser drawer.
Willow closed her eyes and let her head drop to the mattress. I knew I should have gotten rid of that thing!
“I know I saw – ah ha!” Angelus pulled a dildo out of the drawer. “Here it is! Man on demand!”
The bed dipped as Angelus sat down next to her. She’d heard the sounds coming from down the hallway and knew that Buffy wasn’t going to come to the rescue anytime soon. Buffy was either as tied up as she was – or dead.
“It makes me wonder why you girls use these.” He flicked the switch and a soft hum came from the dildo. “I mean – you don’t like men – so why do you want to use this?”
Just stop with the witty banter and kill me already! Willow jumped as a cool hand slid along her thigh, pushing her robe up.
“The truth is… you girls want what we got…” Angelus patted her bare ass. Nice and round, but not as pretty as Buffy's. “A stiff cock. Nothing gets the job done like – what is this – ten inches? Whoa! Going for the deep strokes, Red?”
The dildo buzzed along the back of her thighs, and Willow flinched. She tried to move away, choking herself in the process. The tip pushed down between her legs, and she clamped them together as best she could. This is so not happening to me!
“So who was on top?” Angelus asked. “You? Or your homely girlfriend? What the fuck was her name? Dirt or something, wasn’t it? Geez, Will, you could have done better.”
Rage flared up within her and the words for a spell to incinerate him came to her tongue. Unfortunately said tongue was dried out and trapped behind a wad of cotton.
“Did she get on top of you with this thing?” He pushed it down between her clenched thighs. “Did you close your eyes and pretend she was a man?”
Willow screamed behind the gag as Angelus shoved the dildo inside of her, burying the full length within her.
“Did you pretend she was Xander?” He lowered his lips close to her ear. “Or Oz?”
Tears sprang to her eyes as the dildo was pulled out and slammed back in again.
“This is – not as much fun as I thought it’d be, actually.” Angelus pulled the dildo out and tossed it aside. “I’d give you the real thing – but I’m a one woman vamp now.”
He slapped her ass, admiring the red handprint. “Yep, those days are over. Just me and the old ball and chain for eternity.”
Getting up, Angelus picked up the bottle of chloroform and poured some of it onto a pair of panties he plucked from the drawer. “Too bad you know that damn spell. That little glimpse we had of you – remember vamp Willow? You’d have been a chylde to be proud of.”
“But now – “ He grabbed a handful of red hair and jerked her head back. “Now you’re just prey.”
Slapping the cloth over her face, Angelus pulled her hair viciously, knowing the pain would make her suck her breath in. “Deep breaths, Wendy Witch.”
As nice as it would have been to let her lay awake and worry about her fate, she was too damned dangerous to risk getting loose.
He counted to ten after Willow went limp before removing the cloth. Peeling her eyelids back, he could see that she was out. Her heartbeat was slow, and her blood sluggish. Just to be on the safe side, he pinched the inside of her thigh, twisting cruelly.
She didn’t move, and he smiled. Tossing the cloth in the wastebasket, he left the room.
Buffy was cool now, and Angelus took an extra blanket from the closet and laid it over her. Sliding under the covers, he wrapped his arms around her and held her close.
“I know you can hear me, Buffy.” He kissed her cheek. “You’re safe. Sleep, baby, daddy’ll be here when you wake.”
Smiling, he tucked her head in that familiar place under his chin. “All eternity waits for us, Buffy. We just need to bring forth the night.”