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It was just another Friday night on the Hellmouth, or so the two girls thought as they wandered through one of the many cemeteries in Sunnydale. They were chatting away merrily, as most girls do when they’re together, about nothing and everything and especially about the complexities of the mind of Xander Harris.
"I still can't believe Xander is with Cordelia" Buffy said, shaking her head in total disbelief.
"Trust me, I know." Willow said dryly, she’d spent the better half of the last few nights crying her eyes out over the fact, but of course she wasn’t going to admit to that. Instead, she was going to bitch. "I don’t even know what he sees in her, yeah, great body, skanky reputation…but it’s Cordelia for goodness sakes, he can’t stand even talking to her."
"Will, I don’t think talking is the basis of their relationship," Buffy stated, knowing how much it hurt her friend that the great love of her life was involved with yet another girl who wasn’t her. The Slayer sighed as her friend remained quiet and she glanced about the tombstones. "Damn, it's quite tonight. Why don’t we head home, we could pick up a couple of videos on the way back, have a bit of a girls night. "
"And we can bitch over popcorn?” asked Willow, knowing that she was being silly, but she couldn’t help it, the blow had been hard and it still hurt.
“Definitely,” agreed Buffy, heading towards the entrance of the cemetery. “We can criticize Xander’s total lack of taste, then perhaps dip into the foray of how shallow and vacuous Cordelia is, as well as a few well placed objectives about the falsity of her hair and how she wears far too much make up, and then we’ll go back to bitching about Xander.”
“I already feel guilty,” stated Willow and then she frowned. “And strangely vindicated at the same time.”
The girls giggled and would have continued to giggle if they hadn’t been attacked by a bunch of vampires.
"Willow," yelled Buffy, ducking a fist and staking the first of many, not even looking at her friend. "Run now!"
Willow, with her first instinct being to help her friend, slowly started to back away from the rowdy group. As Buffy screamed in agony from a lucky blow from one of her attackers, Willow panicked, turning to run so she could fetch help. Stumbling slightly, she ran straight into something cool, unmovable and wearing leather. The blow was hard enough to knock the breath from her and she inhaled sharply, the scent of old leather and cigarettes assaulted her senses.
"Hello cutie," Spike purred at her. Eyes widening in terror, Willow stepped back from him, only to be halted by his arm that held her firmly about the waist. Opening her mouth her scream was smothered by his free hand, his fingers digging into the flesh of her cheek, his thumb almost piercing the flesh under her chin. "Go on and fight me, makes it fun."
He smirked down at her and Willow heard a sickening crunch, then everything went black.
***
Her neck ached and there was a dull throbbing pain working its way through her head even as she rested it against the cool comfort of the silk pillow. Moaning softly, she thought it was odd, she couldn't remember having a silk pillow. Her eyes flew open, she didn't have a silk pillow and yet she was resting against one.
"Good, you're awake," Willow twisted her head, wincing at the pain in her neck, and saw Angelus calmly sitting in a huge wing chair, his legs casually crossed and his fingers steepled beneath his chin as he watched her, his dark eyes unreadable. Instincts kicked in and she jumped off the plush sofa she was lying on and promptly fell down.
"Ow," she hissed, her hand flying up to cradle her neck. From the chair, Angelus laughed, a deep rumble that rolled about the huge room they were in.
"Don't hurt yourself anymore, Willow, I think Spike's already done a good enough job," Angelus spoke quietly, still watching her carefully. "I still want you in one piece…for now, anyway."
"What do you want from me?" Willow asked, not looking up at him. She instantly regretted asking the question as her ever-active imagination went into overdrive, producing a vivid image of her own funeral.
"What do you think I want?" he asked softly.
Willow shrugged and swallowed back her tears. She was certain that he was nothing more than the Angel of Death, an Angel who wanted her dead merely for the pleasure of being able to go and crow over the marvelous feat to Buffy. But she wasn’t about to admit that to him and condemn herself.
"I wouldn't have asked if I knew," she stated ruefully.
Again his laughter echoed through the room and she shivered slightly.
"I have a..." he stopped and smirked at her, before glancing down and fiddling with his ring. "Proposition."
"What sort of proposition?" Willow frowned at his boots, not willing to look up into that hauntingly familiar face.
"Oh, a very simple one. You give me what I want and I’ll let Buffy and her pathetic little circle of family and friends," he spat those two words, like they were poison for him to even speak of. "Live."
For the first time since she fell, Willow looked up at him. His face, as usual, was set in a mask of amusement. Biting her lip, she frowned at him. What did she have that he could possibly be interested in? "What do you want?"
"That's simple," he stated calmly, gracefully standing up and strolling toward her fallen form. Slowly, he squatted down in front of her, his face barely a few inches above hers, his fingers lightly dragged across the bruises that Spike had left on her pale skin. He smiled as she flinched away, but continued to caress the darkening marks. "You."
For a moment Willow wasn't sure if she had heard him correctly. Shaking her head, she tried to inch away, only to find it impossible to do so. "I don't understand."
"Well, you surrender to me," he tilted his head and smiled a devilishly charming and dangerous smile. Again Willow shook her head and frowned.
"You mean you want my life?" Willow asked, uncertain of what he was saying as the throbbing in her head increased.
"I suppose. I want you, totally and completely. Your mind, your body," he lost his smile and his eyes darkened as they roamed over her body. He leaned in close, his cheek brushing against hers, so he could whisper in her ear. "And your soul."
"What?" Willow asked, truly shocked, was he in some twisted way telling her she would be dead if she agreed to the proposition, or did he plan something more sinister? Angelus shook his head slightly and let out a frustrated sigh.
"I'm bored, I need a distraction," once more his eyes roamed over her, causing her to blush profoundly. "I want a consort, Willow, and I've decided on you."
"A consort? You’re insane," spat Willow and instantly regretted it as his eyes turned to stone and he stood up.
"Not really, I know what I want. If I don't get what I want, then Buffy and her pathetic circle will die,” he paused for a moment and those cold eyes narrowed maliciously. “Except you. You can just accept the consequences of your stupidity and selfishness."
"No," Willow almost sobbed, not wanting to consider life without her friends, or the knowledge that she could save them. "I don't understand."
"What is there to understand?" he squatted back down and grabbed her shoulders in a vice like grip. "You agree they live, you don't they die. I'll give you until midnight tomorrow."
For a moment Willow stared at him and then, much to her horror, he dropped his mouth to hers, his lips bruising hers and his hold on her shoulders tightened as she began to struggle. Even as she struggled, she could feel his fangs against her lower lip, piercing the flesh and flooding her mouth with the taste of blood. Just as quickly as he’d initiated the kiss, he broke it, pulling back and licking at his, smirking as he watched her. Furiously, she wiped at her mouth, her face crumpling into a frown of disgust.
"This is a joke, right?" she demanded and the smirk only broadened momentarily before disappearing from the vampire’s face.
"My sweet little virgin, do you think I would waste so much time and effort on a joke? Think of it this way, you hold all their pathetic little lives in your hands," his fingers curled about hers and he cradled one of her hands in his, his thumb caressing her exposed palm lightly. "If you say no," the hold on her hand tightened, causing her to gasp from the pain. "And they all fall down."
Willow blinked back tears as she finally realized he was serious. This wasn't a game. He was offering her the chance to secure her friend's futures, in exchange for her body, mind and soul. She felt him let her hand go as he stood.
"Until tomorrow night."
Willow looked up at him, hearing his words. Before she could respond, he was gone. She heard the door close and a lock sliding into place. There was that strange rush of adrenaline as she realized that was trapped in the room he came back for her, if he actually did intend on coming back for her. The tears began to flow freely, one thing she could be certain of was that she had no real choice in how the vampire’s game was going to play out. He’d made it clear that should she refuse him then her friends would be dead, within hours undoubtedly. The tears burnt as they fell, she would do anything for her friends, even become Angelus' distraction.
But that was also part of the problem Willow decided as she pushed herself off the floor and glanced up at the double doors Angelus had disappeared through, she had no idea what would be expected of her as his consort. Briefly she wondered if she could break the lock or maybe pick it, but those thoughts were soon vetoed. There was no doubt that the lock would hold against any attempts of escape she made and she did managed to break out, she wouldn’t manage to get very far. So, she turned her attention to her prison, turning about and carefully looking around the room she was in.
A huge green leather wing chair, the chair that Angelus had occupied, dominated one corner of the room, its claw feet digging into the soft carpet that lined the floor. Apart from that huge chair, there were a few less intimidating chairs, a sofa, a rosewood writing table and what could only be described as a chaise, made of rosewood and a deep rich red velvet. In another corner of the room was a huge wooden cabinet, locked and secured. Willow didn't even want to know what was hidden away in that.
Behind her, opposite those main doors that Angelus had locked, were another set of doors and Willow made her way over to them, hesitantly trying the handles and pulling them open. They offered no way of escape, in fact the room they opened into only served as a reminder of the fate in store for her. It was a bedroom, a mammoth bedroom, similarly decorated to the original room she had been confined to. It was at this point in time, staring at the decadent bedroom, that Spike unlocked the main doors.
"Fancy it pet?" he asked, a snort of laughter accompanying his question and Willow swung around to face him.
"Tell Angelus that I need to know the terms of our agreement. What is to be expected of me and what I will get in return," she stated, failing miserably in her attempt to sound confident and demanding. Spike put down the tray of food he was carrying and stared at her, his face devoid of emotion and she swallowed back a lump of fear. "Please."
Smirking at her addition of 'please', he shook his head and stalked towards her, making her back into the bedroom. He didn't even stop when she fell back onto the vast bed, continuing to crawl over her until she was well and truly trapped beneath him.
"If you agree, your friends will be off limits to Angelus' minions. If you don't agree, they become a free for all," Spike's blue eyes captured her green tear filled ones.
"And if I agree..." she could barely whisper what she needed to know. "What happens to me?"
"You become Angelus' consort, his concubine, his pet," Spike grinned, pushing himself off the bed and wandering back out to the main room. "If you obey him, you will be rewarded. Misbehave and you'll be punished."
"Will he hurt me?" Willow sat up on the bed and watched as the blond vampire strolled back to lean against the doorframe. He shrugged.
“Who knows?" he studied her for a moment before turning to leave the room. "Maybe, maybe not. Whatever takes his fancy, love."
And that was it. Whatever took his fancy and apparently Willow had. For hours she paced, restlessly working through the proposition, turning and twisting it about, unfortunately it only served to increase her anxiety. Drove her to a point where she would throw herself down on the chaise and cry until she fell asleep, only to wake a few hours and realize she was trapped in some horrific nightmare, so she’d returned to the pacing.
Was pacing now, pacing away the last few moments where she actually owned her life, knowing full well that she had no other choice but to forfeit hers in order to save her friends. The key turned in the lock and she froze, it was time for her to give Angelus her answer. An answer that she knew would damn her, would condemn her to Angelus’ whims, and that scared her, she had no real idea of what being a vampire’s consort involved, she was at his mercy. However, she hoped that no matter how much of a monster he was that he was also a man of his word and that her friends would be left alone, off limits to all those who obeyed the vampire.
Taking a deep, calming breath and setting her jaw, Willow turned and faced the doorway, waiting and watching as the doors were flung open and Angelus sauntered in. The doors were left open as he strolled across to her, almost as if he was daring her to try and run. With every step he took towards her, Willow could feel her resolve not to show any fear slipping. She was about to give her life away to a psychotic killer with the face of an angel and the body of a god. He was barely a foot from her when her resolve came tumbling down and she turned away, crossing her arms and ducking her head, not wanting to look at him, not wanting him to see her reaction to him.
"You've made a decision," his voice was arrogant, he didn't ask, he stated, already knowing her answer. She glanced up at him, quickly wondering if she could say no, but reality crashed about her and images flashed through her mind, of Buffy, Xander and Giles all facing a torturous death and the guilt that would destroy her. "And what is that decision, little girl?"
"You give me your word that Buffy and all of her friends and family won't be hurt or killed?" she asked, finding the need to look him in the eye.
"My word and my honor, but only if I get what I want," stated Angelus, giving her a half smile, comfortable in the knowledge that she was going to do it. Willow felt her bottom lip tremble and she bit the inside of her cheek to stop from crying.
"Why me? I mean is it just to hurt Buffy?" she turned back away from him, still not giving him the satisfaction of an answer. He laughed at her and moved, blocking her escape and forcing her to look at him.
"Do you even know what a consort is, Willow?" he asked quietly, holding her gaze in a way that she knew she couldn’t break. Numbly, she shook her head, the Watchers Diaries that Giles had let her read had never mentioned the role of a vampire’s consort. "You will be mine, completely."
"You mean your whore?" she said the last word in disgust, it was one aspect of the proposition that she’d been mulling over the most.
"No, if I wanted a whore I would’ve just fucked Buffy," he paused for a moment and smirked. "Which I already have and just between you and me, she really wasn't worth it."
"What then? What will I be? You want me to live some pathetic and demeaning existence as some sort of vampire’s slave?" Willow spat at him, frowning in distaste.
"A consort is a companion. You will be at my beck and call and yes, you will be my whore, since you are so fond of that word, my companion, my slave, my toy, my pet," Angelus smiled, letting his finger trace a path from her cheek to her red moist lips. "You will wear what I tell you, speak when spoken to, you will obey me completely. It's a good life, Willow, you'll love it."
"Love it? I find that highly unlikely,” Willow flinched under his touch and pulled away slightly, but she couldn’t pull away completely. Her eyes were still locked on his. “What kind of life is that anyway?"
"It can be rich and fulfilling, if you behave. You’ll want for nothing," he purred, his chocolate brown eyes boring into her soul.
"What about my friends?"
"What about them? They'll be safe," Angelus spat the word out as he tilted his head and let his hand caress her throat, delighting in the pulse racing just below the surface of her warm skin. "As long as you do as you're told. You’ll be allowed to see them, to live your life, go to school. But, Willow, ask yourself this: are your friends really going to miss you? Hmm? Poor Buffy, last night so badly hurt, everyone's rushing about after her, but they haven't even noticed you're missing..."
Angelus shrugged, pouting at her and Willow shook her head in disbelief. They didn't know she was gone? What little fight she still had was easily deflated at his words and he smirked, watching as her face fell, the righteous glint in her eyes faded and he knew in that moment that she resigned herself to her future with him, believing that no one really cared but still willing to sacrifice herself to ensure that they would live.
"Enough of this silly chit chat, " Angelus' fingers tightened about her throat, making her gasp in surprise, she hadn't even been aware he’d been touching her. “I want your answer.”
Willow closed her eyes as his hold on her neck became painful, threatening to squeeze the life out of her.
"Yes,” she whispered, knowing that with her next few words that she was sealing her fate. “I'll become your consort.”
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