The Circle: Part Four
by Kelli Brown
Cassandra's apartment: 3:37pm:

After the dream that she had, it was impossible for Cassandra to get more sleep. Also, it was her habit to get up in mid afternoon. Cassandra often woke up earlier than most vampires. It was something that she started doing when she was an active member of the vampire community. The afternoon always gave her time to think and be by herself for a while, before the rest of the coven woke up. Time alone is rare when you are a member of a coven, and Cassandra enjoyed every second of it. Even after her soul was restored, the habit remained.

After showering and feeding, Cassandra sat down to do some work. She wanted to get a jump on filling out her tax forms this year. Cassandra worked for a few hours, her work was finally interrupted by a loud knock at her door. As she got up, Cassandra noticed that the sun was already down. < I must have been working longer than I thought. > Before Cassandra got to the door, she felt something strange; something that she had not felt in a very long time. She felt the demon that lived deep inside her react. At that very moment, she knew who was behind the door.

Cassandra quickly recovered, and she slowly opened the door. "What are you doing here?" She demanded in a low tone.

Angelus smirked. "You're not happy to see me? I'm really hurt Cass."

Cassandra glared at him, she hated it when he called her by that nickname. "Answer the question, what are you doing here?"

"I've come to see you of course. Did you actually think that I would stay away? You know me better than that." Answered a still smirking Angelus.

"No, I knew you would show up eventually. However, I have nothing to say to you. So, leave now." Cassandra replied with a low threatening tone.

Angelus shook his head. "I want to talk to you." He then touched the invisible barrier that kept him from entering her apartment. "Invite me in."

Cassandra laughed bitterly. "I don't think so." She then started to shut the door on his face.

Before the door closed, Angelus asked. "So, what was it like to feel the bond again?" Asked Angelus in a conversational tone.

Cassandra swung the door open quickly. "What do you know about that?!" She demanded.

Angelus casually leaned against the doorframe. "Of course I do. Our demons are bonded Cass, I would know if it suddenly opened up again. Let me in, and we can talk about this."

The last thing Cassandra wanted was to invite her sire in her home. However, she wanted to know how strong the link between their demons was. She knew he would not attack. Physically, Cassandra was stronger, and in most circumstances, could beat him in hand to hand combat. "Ok, come in Angelus." She said reluctantly.

With a smile of triumph, Angelus followed Cassandra into her apartment and shut the door. He looked around appraisingly. "Nice place, much smaller than some of the places we used to live, but still nice."

"Ok, talk." Cassandra interrupted. "When did you first feel the bond?"

Angelus plopped down on her couch and made himself at home. "You're not being a very good hostess. You're not even going to offer me something; coffee, tea, a freshly torn out heart of a virgin?"

Cassandra rolled her eyes. "Sorry, I'm all out." She replied bitterly.

"Pity." Angelus said softly.

"I let you in my home to talk, so talk. When did you first feel the bond?"

"A few hours ago. While I was sleeping."

"Sleeping?" Cassandra asked.

"Don't you remember one of the aspects of the bond? We sometimes see each other's dreams."

"You saw my dream?!" Cassandra demanded.

Angelus calmly shook his head. "Yes, I did. You know, it's rather sad seeing someone dream about their past. All those memories, all those regrets. It must have been hard on you." He said in mock sympathy.

Cassandra did not say a word, she just stared at him.

Angelus continued. "I especially liked the part when you saw little Thomas. He was so young, so tasty. I hope that you dream more about your past tomorrow, especially the time when you woke up with the mangled corpse of your little brother in your room, next to your bed. I want to relive your reaction, it was priceless."

All Cassandra wanted to do was beat Angelus into a bloody pulp where no one could recognize him, and so he could never make that demonic smirk of his again. However, she knew what Angelus was trying to do. He wanted her to get angry and let the demon come out, but she refused to take the bait. Ignoring Angelus' previous statements, Cassandra finally spoke. "How could the bond still be in effect? I have a soul."

Angelus was disappointed that she did not take the bait. "Cass, you used to be so much more fun to fight with."

"Sorry to disappoint you." Cassandra sarcastically replied. "Could we get back on the subject please? I'm in no mood for games."

"Probably the reason why the bond took effect again is because I finally got rid of my tortured humanity. It probably opened up the link again. I don't know why, I only know that it did. Which adds a new interesting wrinkle in our relationship. When did you feel it?"

"Before I answered the door to you. I felt it as I walked to the door. I knew it was you. If I opened up my mind, I imagine I could hear your thoughts like before."

Angelus nodded his head. "When you had it open earlier, I could hear your thoughts. It is really annoying with your humanity and all. I might need to find a way to get rid of that. We could be a team again."

"Not bloody likely Angelus." Cassandra replied, her English accent was evident for just a bit. It always came back when she was not in complete control of her emotions.

Angelus smiled, "So, where does this leave us?"

"It changes nothing Angelus. Bond or no bond, I'm still going to help get rid of you."

Angelus laughed, "Well, you might want to do it yourself. I don't think Buffy's up to it."

Cassandra ignored his last comment. "I think it's time for you to leave."

Angelus got up and walked toward the door. "Bye Cass, I'll see you soon. I promise." With that, he left. Cassandra had no doubt that she would see him soon. Angelus never broke a promise.

Cassandra's Journal: January 25, 1998:

My life has just become a little more interesting. Angelus decided to come visit me. I also found out that the demonic bond that we had while we were both soulless is now in effect again. I guess it has something to do with Angelus losing his soul. I don't know how it happened, it only matters that it did. He told me that he could see my dreams. Which, of course, he used to cause me a little more pain.

The bond was a side effect of Angelus turning a Slayer. Our demons are bonded. If our minds are both open, we can hear each other's thoughts. That is one of the reasons that me and Angelus made a perfect team when we were together. Fortunately, he can't read my thoughts when I close my mind to the link. I guess I should be thankful for the little blessings. However, when I sleep, my mind automatically opens to the link. That means he can see my dreams and I can see his. I am not looking forward to that. Not only can he see my dreams and get more ammunition to make my unlife a little more miserable, but if we happened to be sleeping at the same time, I will sometimes see his dreams. I am not looking forward to seeing the dreams of that psychotic killer. When I was soulless, I used to enjoy them; but I don't now.


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