They had been rummaging for over two hours in the library without finding anything.
"So... How does this spell work exactly?
- I don't really know. myself. All I know is that it's going to wear off unless it is renewed tonight.
- Are you sure?"
- Well, you should know. You're supposed to know me better than I know myself. Anyway, you're not the first vampire expert I've met in my life. I used to be quite friendly with one of your predecessors called Klaus Abel. He told me that my soul might leave me again once every two hundred and fifty years after the spell is first cast."
He took a deep breath. "He was a real rogue, that guy. He told me he had a charm that might prevent the spell from wearing off, and that he would give it to me if I made him a vampire. I refused , of course, but two years after that I learnt that he'd gone to see Spike to make the same deal with him. Stupid thing to do. Spike would rather suck the blood off other vampires than get his soul back. Klaus was buried alive. Never make a deal with the devil, unless your only other choice is to make one with Spike.
- Anyway, that was how I learned I might lose my soul again. I don't know anything else, except that we might find the spell in the Council's archives.
- I'm sorry. I'm no longer part of the Council, and I don't have access to the resources anymore. Only Wesley has.
- Where is he?
- On holiday. I never thought I'd hear myself say this, but I miss him right now.
- Where's his stuff?
- In the bottom right drawer of that desk over there. But it's locked, and only Wesley has the key.
- Desperate needs call for desperate measures." Angel was already lifting the hatch off the armoury-cabinet. He brought out a thin dagger and went towards the desk. He knelt beside the drawer and started picking the lock. It soon gave way and he opened it. Save a few unpaid bills, it contained nothing. Angel grew restless. "It's got to be in here somewhere ! "
Giles suddenly remembered something. "Wait ! I've often seen him leafing the same book over and over. Where is it?" He went to the bottom of the room and returned triumphant with a CD-ROM disk.
"Little Wesley... Such a vandal. Such a bad boy. He dug a compartment in this book. His little hidey-hole. And he thought he'd get away with this. He handed the diskover to Angel. He had soon opened the CD and was poring over its contents. Most of the council's archives, some of them very recently added, swam under his eyes. He didn't think of Wesley as a geek type. However, he was disappointed. "Nothing about spells here." He was giving up hope.
Giles was thinking. "Well... I don't know if it might help, but Jenny's bookmarks are still on that dreadful machine. Try that.
- No, there's no hope. I can just wait here until the time comes. I might quite like it, actually."
That last word was all it took. Giles made a dash to the crucifix on the wall. He held it forward and went towards Angel who was backing away.
"Oh, and did I mention the spell wore off gradually? I guess that's because there's a monster in every one of us. Even you, Rupie. Look at him ! Seething with rage already... Just because big brother soul has gone on holiday for a while.
- Get in the cage, Angel.
- Not tonight, momma. I'm free... free as a bird. Wheee !". He had opened the armoury cabinet and brought out a ball and chain.
- Future's looking bleak, Rupie. You really should get this place blessed or something. You never know with all those demons about.
- Don't come near me, monster!
- Well, well, look who's being rude now. You're cruising for a bruising, Rupie, you'll see if you..."
The sentence never ended. Angel swung the ball and chain high and brought it cracking down on his own head. There was no bloodspill. Giles ran forward to help him.
"Quick! Lock me up in the cage and spray holy water on the bars.", he said, backing away. He entered the cage and pulled the door shut.
Giles was concerned: "Are you all right?
- I'm not too sure. I don't know what came over me. His eyes had lost their evil sparkle, but he was badly shaken. "What happened?
- You lost control. We've got to find that spell fast.
- Any ideas?
- Well, I guess I'm going to have to use that horrible piece of junk myself, then. Hi-ho."