Darla paused at the crossection of sewage tunnels leading to the Master's lair. From the lair, she heard whispering, sibilant voices that couldn't be of her own kind. Walking slowly, and keeping to the shadows, she entered the lair.

All but one of the candelebra were extinguished. Hands clasped behind her back, Darla approached the Master. "Master?" she queried softly.

"It is almost time." he replied. The sibilant voices rose about Darla, and she glanced around nervously. There appeared to be no one within the chamber but herself and the Master. When she looked back at him, her Sire looked amused.

"Do not be afraid, my Childe, my first." he said benignly, brushing a cold hand over her forehead. "Soon the Old Ones will rise, and you will be a Princess of Vampires."

"Then..."

"Soon... yes, soon." The Master said meditatively, turning back to look at the pool of water. "And Angelus's little pet is the last of them. Barely enough power within her... but it shall have to suffice."

"Her?" Darla's voice was sharp. "That little brat?"

"Jealous?" Before she could respond, the Master continued "Of course you are. Don't be. Once the Old Ones rise, Angelus is yours. I have forseen it."

"Then..."

"You will have the power of all souls at your disposal." The Master flicked his hand dismissively. "Soon. Very soon. Perhaps within this night."

"The others?"

He smiled toothily. "They are fledglings... they are meat. Meat to keep Angelus from us until it is complete."

"It will be glorious..." Darla whispered, face shining.

***

Buffy sat on her bed, brushing out her hair. A strange lethargy came over her, and she dropped the brush to the bed. *What's... what's wrong with me?* she wondered, before her mind went blank.

'Up. Get up.'

Without thinking to question, she stood.

'Go. Leave your house.'

Moving as if in a dream, she followed the instructions. Opening her bedroom door, she left, and walked towards the steps. A board squeaked.

"Buffy?" her mom called sleepily.

'Reassure her.'

"I'm just getting a midnight snack." she replied flatly.

"Oh. Okay." Her mother fell silent.

'Keep walking.'

And so the whispering voice led her down the street and away, towards the raging battle in the bad side of town.

***

Something big was happening.

It wasn't the fact that his skin crawled when he woke up, or that he felt an anticipation in the air. No, it was the horde of vampires that had descended upon him as soon as he'd left his apartment that morning.

And they weren't trying to kill him.

He'd fought his way out to a street near the Bronze. The club was closed for fumigation. This was a Good Thing as far as Angel was concerned. Fewer casualties.

His relief only lasted until he saw Buffy drifting by, untouched by vampires, eyes glazed.

"BUFFY!" he screamed. *What the hell is she doing?* "Get out of here! Now!"

She didn't seem to hear him. A sickening feeling filled Angel, and he fought all the fiercer as Buffy walked away barefoot down the road, untouched by the horde.