| Title: Queen of the Night Author: Starlett Chapter 25 "Cordelia, how much do you know about Angel?" They had finished lunch and were sitting in the kitchen, watching the rain that had finally descended on the mountain. Cordy looked over at him. "Uh, you mean, like historically, or everyday stuff?" "Historically." "Just that he's a vamp with happiness issues," she said, stretching her arms overhead like a lazy cat. "Why?" "It's part of the theory I'm working on. Nearly finished with, I should say." "Oh, well, I know he was sired by that bleached-out ho, Darla. He's..." she tapped her fingernail on her teeth. "Two hundred forty-eight. The Kalderashes, a gypsy family in Rumania, cursed him with a soul for killing their favorite daughter, and in order to shanshu he has to atone for his crimes committed before he was ensouled. And you never want to meet Angelus. He's evil incarnate." "Not bad," Mr. Zhou said. "Thanks. And this fits into your theory, how?" "Because I believe Angel may be the key." She reached for her mug of tea and sipped, letting the warm, honeyed liquid warm her body. "Again, how?" "Angel was once human, and he survived the transition." "Angel's dead. He didn't survive anything." Mr. Zhou shook his head. "I mean, he has successfully melded demon and soul. It shows that it can be done." "Are you saying I have to become a demon? A vamp?" Her voice rose. "No, not at all. But I think, somehow, if we were to bind you to Angel, his demon would strengthen you." "I'm already bound to him," she said, pointing to her eyes. "Visions? Hello?" "Yes, but that obviously isn't enough. It has to be something stronger. Something at a soul level." "Guess that means we gotta do some reading, huh?" Cordy set her mug down on the island. "Oh, boy. Research." Mr. Zhou laughed. "Research is a fact of life, my dear." "Speaking of research, what do you know about Angel's past? I mean his way-in- the-past, past?" He crossed his legs and steepled his fingers, his eyes losing focus as he thought about her question. "Probably quite a bit. What would you like to know?" "Just.... Sometimes he says things that freak me out. Historic stuff. Then I had this dream and...." She shrugged. "It's just weird, knowing someone, but not really knowing them." Zhou nodded. "I understand." He sat silently for a moment. "Vampires are a specific breed of demon," he began. "And until recently quite a few lived to be very, very old. In part this was because they lived within very precise social structures." Cordy arched an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" "Liam, the boy who became your Angel, was born in 1727. His was a world ruled not by freedom as we know it, but by monarchs and religious wars. He was 13 when the famine hit, something that changed Ireland forever. "His father was a merchant. Not royalty, but wealthy enough that his family was protected from starvation. He probably owned some land, and like the other lords of his time, protected it with everything he had. These men formed alliances, swore oaths. They promised that they would not betray one another, in battle or otherwise. "In the way of vampires," he continued, "that which was human was taken and distorted. They amassed power by winning territories and increasing the amount of land--and people--under their control. Eventually a handful of very influential vampires dominated most of Europe. Angel's grandsire, the Master, was one." Cordy sneered. "That creep." "Yes, I have heard that," Mr. Zhou replied dryly. "These rulers usually would choose a fight over a truce, but there were times when peaceable behavior was necessary. When this was the case, they swore an oath of loyalty to each other, much like their human counterparts." "Vampires. Loyal," Cordy snorted. "Yeah, right." "Stand up and I'll show you," Mr. Zhou said. Cordy pushed her chair back and stood, facing him. "If you were passing through another vamp's territory and you didn't want a battle," Mr. Zhou explained, "you would bare your throat to him." He gestured and Cordy tilted her head, exposing the long line of her neck. "He would know, then, that you wished him no harm, but, more importantly that you swore your allegiance to him while you were on his property." "That's pretty stupid," said Cordy, rolling her eyes. "He could rip your throat out." "Exactly," said Mr. Zhou. "That's why it was a show of faith. The Master would then press his teeth to the other vamp's jugular. He might also swear an oath, promising to protect him." He took Cordy's shoulders in his hands, then pressed his mouth to her flesh. As he straightened, he said something in a strange tongue. "What did you just say?" Cordy asked. "I said, 'I swear my loyalty to you,' in Angel's mother language, Gaelic," Mr. Zhou said. "In this way," he continued, releasing her shoulders, "each held something of the other's, creating a balance of power that allows both to thrive." Cordy nodded and sat back down. "Say that line again." Mr. Zhou repeated the phrase. "Cool," Cordy said. "I've never seen Angel do that before, though." "I am not surprised. Most vampires nowadays are woefully unaware of their history, and the masters who do travel would only come to challenge Angel's turf. I imagine he hasn't used that signal in decades; maybe more than a century. "But it is good for you to recognize. If you are with him, and you see him make that sign, you will know that the vampire he has greeted will do you no harm. As his Seer, you are considered his property, and you will be respected." "Property," Cordy snorted. "Hardly." "Yes, it is hard for a modern-day woman to understand. It seems archaic, demeaning. But truthfully, these vampires would view your relationship like a marriage. You are, after all, linked for life." She was silent for a moment, considering. "Which brings up a question. What happens if one of us dies?" "The other might survive, but it would be difficult, especially for the first few years." "Years? Jeez!" "That is why it is of the utmost importance that you keep your health and his as your first priority. If either of you slips, the other suffers. Angel was lucky that you were there to receive the visions from Doyle. He might not have survived the night, otherwise." Cordy shuddered. "Makes me wanna stay in the house all the time. Not risk anything." "Ah, but that's the catch. Without human contact, Angel cannot shanshu. And you are his key to human contact. Life is a risk, Cordelia. In that way, every day, every night, is precious." "Yeah, I've heard that," she said, turning her face toward the windows. Title: Queen of the Night Author: Starlett Chapter 26 "I have something you might be interested in," Mr. Zhou said the next morning. Cordy looked up from the pot of bubbling porridge she was stirring. "What's that?" He set a book on the counter next to her. Vampires Through the Ages glowed in gold lettering against the dark, green cover. "It's a series of history books. You've probably seen others." Cordy nodded. "We've got the Warriors version back at the office. I didn't realize they had one of these, though." She picked it up and flipped through the pages. "Looks interesting. Oh, my God," she said. "What?" She poured their breakfast into bowls and set the pot in the sink to soak. "Spike's in there. Geez. Like his ego isn't big enough already." Mr. Zhou laughed. "Yes, well you don't have to tell him." He took the bowls to the island and sat down on one of the stools. Cordy joined him, resting the book next to her so that the picture of William the Bloody was highlighted in the morning sun. "His ego is hardly the worst of his problems right now," she said taking a bite of rice. "He actually pulled an Angel, if you can believe it." "What do you mean?" "He's fallen in love with Buffy." Mr. Zhou blinked. "I'm sorry, did you say he's in love with the Slayer?" Cordy nodded and took another bite. "I just saw him. We spent the night before I met you at Buffy's. It was totally wild. Like a trip into the past, only not." Cordy flipped through the pages as she chewed. "It frightens me that you're starting to make sense, Cordelia," he said wryly, as he sipped his tea. "Whoa, wait a minute," Cordy said, stopping at a page. "Son of a...." "What?" Mr. Zhou said, leaning across the island to peer at the page. "Oh, you know them, too?" She looked up. "What? No. I...man that is so weird." She studied the page carefully. Under the chapter title, "The Elders," was a black-and-white drawing of two vampires, a man and a woman, in game face and old-fashioned clothes. "I had this dream the other night. While I was at Buffy's, actually." "Really? What about?" She pointed at the book. "Them." "You had a dream about the Elders?" he asked in surprise. "Yeah, this vamp came up to me and said the Elders were coming for Angel. Then he tried to kill me." She shuddered at the memory. "Did you tell Angel?" "Yeah. He said it was just a dream and not to worry about it." Mr. Zhou sat quietly for a moment. "This is all very interesting." "Having a nightmare is interesting?" "That's not what I mean. I think there's a bigger theme here." He rested his hand on the book. "History." "You think the theme is history?" He nodded. "Yours and Angel's. You share a history together, through your friends in Sunnydale." "Yeah, so? Lots of people share a history. Big deal." "In this case, it might be. When was the last time you were in Sunnydale?" "Years." "My point exactly. Not only do you get pulled back in order to meet me, but while you're there, you come face-to-face with your past. And Angel's." "You mean like Buffy and the whole star-crossed lovers thing?" "Yes, but more than that, someone, somewhere sent you a warning. About vamps Angel once knew." "Angel knows them?" She pointed at the book. "He didn't say anything to me." She huffed. "That's so like him." "Angel's got over 200 years of back story that you, the woman most intimately connected to him, know nothing about. I imagine there's some of it he doesn't want to share--or doesn't know how to." He leaned forward and covered her hand with his. "Cordelia," he said intently, "Angel and the Elders were once very close. The books don't say why they didn't remain so. Most historians assume there was a betrayal of the oath of loyalty, but it is all speculation. That you dreamed about them coming for him could be the truth. And if that is so, you must be on your guard." "Why? We kill vamps every day." "Not these vamps. There's a reason they are called The Elders." "Let me guess. They've lived a long time," Cordy said wryly. "Not just that, they wield great power in their community. If you are their enemy, you are also the enemy of vampire cadres all over the world." She took a deep breath in an attempt to calm her nerves. "But it could just have been a dream, right?" "I suppose it could simply have been a metaphor for you coming to terms with his past. Not just who he is, now, but who he was." "Angelus? I know he's part of the equation. I do everything I can to protect myself in case he returns. Other than that, what can I do?" "Maybe nothing," Mr. Zhou said thoughtfully. "Maybe I'm reading more into it than I should." Cordy shrugged. "I'll keep it in mind. So, what's on the agenda today?" She pushed the lingering discomfort aside and stood to take their bowls to the sink. "I need some exercise. You up for training?" He nodded. "Sounds good. Then I plan on spending the afternoon researching. Why don't you do the same?" "Fine with me." *** She sat on the back porch watching the stars peek through the last of the clouds. It was cold out, now. The ground had frozen in the night, and snow dusted the ground. She found herself wondering where Angel was and her longing for him became palpable, an ache deep in her chest. She rubbed her breastbone absently and thought about him gathering weapons for the evening patrol. She breathed a prayer for his safety. There was a click as the door behind her opened. Mr. Zhou walked onto the deck and handed her a mug of tea, then sat down on the chair next to her and propped his feet up. "Thanks," Cordy said, slurping the hot brew. He nodded, leaned back and looked at the sky. "It's a beautiful night." "The night Angel drove me here," she said quietly, "we stopped and looked at the stars. He told me how he wanted to be a sailor so he could follow them around the world." She sighed, missing him with an intensity that made her entire body hurt. "You are in love with him," Zhou said. Cordy laughed, ignoring the way her heart jerked at his words. "Well, of course I am. I mean, he's gorgeous. Who wouldn't be?" Mr. Zhou smiled and sipped his tea delicately. "But I'm not in love with him, like a boyfriend, if that's what you mean." "What do you mean, then?" he asked curiously. "It's hard to describe." She rubbed her chest again. "It hurts to be apart from him. And not just emotionally, but physically. It's like an ache." Mr. Zhou nodded. "As if part of you is missing." "Uh huh." "You want to bring him into your body." Again, her heart lurched. "Not like you're thinking. But it's almost like I want to open up my chest and put him next to my heart. Keep him there so he can never leave." She groaned. "God, that sounds so Angelina Jolie." Zhou laughed, then, in his way, was quiet for a few moments. "It's nothing to be afraid of, my dear. It is simply the link. It is a sign of a successful connection that you feel this." Again, he paused and drank his tea. In the woods an owl called to its mate and she replied, a love song to the night. "You are both part of a long line, whose history you will one day know and understand." He leaned forward, a serious look on his face. "You must always be prepared, Cordelia. With a link as powerful as yours, the Powers will test you many times." Cordy shivered, as if his words had flung open a window and let in a draft. "Why?" "It is like the refiner's fire, burning you to your purest essence." She was floating high above the earth, untethered, and surrounded by space as vast, empty and cold as anything she'd ever felt. "Cordelia?" He tapped the back of her hand. She jerked, sloshing tea. "What?" She blinked in confusion. "Are you feeling okay?" She set her mug on the table next to her. "Just tired, I guess." She ran her hands over her arms, trying to get warm. "A little cold all of a sudden." Mr. Zhou slapped his hands briskly against his knees. "You must go to bed then. And I must begin my work for the night." "Yes," Cordy agreed, the need to sleep suddenly becoming overwhelming. "Good idea." "Sleep well," Mr. Zhou said, picking up the mugs and heading toward the door. "You too," Cordy replied. "Whenever it is that you sleep," she whispered as she walked across the deck to her bedroom. She left the doors open and dropped the mosquito netting, then went to the bathroom to get ready for bed. |