Redemption: Part Four
by Kyra
I looked nervously at the clock. Only an hour left until sunset. An hour left, perhaps, for me to live.

I paced around the living room, trying to organize my thoughts. With Jarod's help, I had arranged a soul restoration spell that was as close to the orginal spell as possible. The potion was made and ready to go. All that remained to be done was to pour a few drops in a goblet of blood and convince Angelus to drink it.

I stopped at the mirror in the hall and took stock of myself. I was wearing a low cut velvet dress. My hair was twisted up in a bun with curly tendrils down the sides. All right, I'll admit it - I had dressed rather provocatively. But hey, maybe I’ll stun Angelus and that’ll be one problem down.

I sighed and wandered back to the living room. The phone rang and I picked up the receiver. "Hello?"

"Hello, lover."

"Angelus!" I exclaimed.

"Just making sure you were still here. Wouldn’t have wanted to chase you down. He laughed menacingly. "Aw, who am I kidding? I had hopedyou ran. I love the thrill of a chase!"

"Sorry to disappoint you."

"20 minutes left to go - are you looking forward to it? I am," he gloated then hung up.

I plopped on the couch, unnerved by the conversation. I had to pull myself together though. I would be able to think and react better if I was relaxed and calm.

The phone rang again. I walked over and picked up the receiver with some trepidation. "Hello?"

"Kyra, it’s me," answered Hope. "Are you all set?"

"Yeah," I answered.

"Are you sure you don’t want me for backup?"

"I’m sure. This is my mess and I’m going to clean it up." I answered firmly.

"Technically it’s not your mess," Hope replied practically. "It’s super-tramp’s mess."

"I don’t see her here trying to clean it up."

"What’s wrong?" Hope asked worriedly.

"He called me a few minutes ago." I sighed then replayed the conversation for her.

"Try not to let him bother you. He’s just playing mind games," Hope said, trying to bolster me.

"I know, I know. It’s just that this particular encounter has a lot riding on my success."

"But.. what about all the Immortals you’ve faced?"

"That’s different. The only thing I had to lose was my head. With Angelus, I have my humanity to lose."

"Have courage, my friend. I’m here for you."

"You aren’t planning to come over anyway, are you?" I asked suspiciously.

"No, of course not!" Hope replied, seemingly shocked. "I’m merely obeying your wishes. I will keep an ear open though for trouble."

"Of course, I wouldn’t expect any less."

We talked for a few minutes more then hung up. I glanced at the clock. Only a few minutes left until night. I hid my sword under a pile of cushions. It was Plan B but I didn’t think I would need it. I had to have faith in the spell, didn’t I? Of course I did. I ran to the kitchen and took the goblet. I gazed appraisingly at the vial containing the potion. Could I pour the drops now or should I wait until the last possible moment?

The doorbell rang. I shrugged and poured a few drops in the goblet. "It was now or never," I thought then entered the living room, the goblet behind my back.

I jumped as I saw Angelus sprawling on the plaid lazyboy, still in the same clothes as last night. "Go ahead - just barge on in," I snapped, trying to regain my composure.

"Don’t mind if I do," he drawled. He jumped up and advanced towards me, shifting into his game face. "What’s that you’ve got behind your back?" "It’s a... house-warming present," I replied and handed him the goblet. I was pleased to note that my hands trembled imperceptibly. Here we go, I thought as he accepted the gift. It’s magic time!

He smiled gruesomely and lifted the goblet to his lips. I focused myself and prepared to begin the spell. He sniffed it then snarled as he sent the goblet through the air. I winced as it shattered, spilling the precious liquid on the carpet.

"What kind of trickery is this?" he growled, grabbing my throat.

"It’s a kind of magic," I gasped.

"Haven’t I made myself clear," he sighed, dropping me on the floor. "I’m down with my bad self! I’m cool like that! This... is me!"

"Oh, well then - can you forgive me? I was under the false impression that all of this was bad,"

"Was that sarcasm?"

"It could be."

He stepped backwards. "What’s this? You’re not afraid? We’re going to have to fix that."

I crawled backwards into the kitchen. If I could just get the vial, then there still might be a chance. I jumped up as Angelus entered.

"Oooh, nice. You know what this kitchen needs?" he asked, a glint in his eyes.

"What?" I asked, the kitchen counter at my back. I slowly stood up, feeling the counter every inch of the way.

"A little blood," he said and started walking towards me. "Ooh, are we showing a little fear? You know, that really does turn me on."

"Fear turns you on. I’ll have to remember that." Surreptitiously, my fingers were fumbling for the vial. I babbled nonsense, anything that came to my head to buy a little more time. My fingers felt a cool substance and I grasped it. It was the vial. I held it enticingly in front of me. "You want blood? Right here."

He raised an eyebrow. "But I like my blood the old-fashioned way... right from the vein."

"Then come and get it,". This was the test. This was my last chance. I braced myself for his attack.

He rushed at me, snarling. I splashed the potion into his face. He stopped and clawed at the liquid rushing down. A few drops fell in his open mouth and he stopped, transfixed.

"Thank the gods," I cried and raised my hands. "Esta daemonicum resa hjar! Callus tran merridrae cabal! In sum Naedye celestia shaistai! Quirium est! Quirium est! Raesuluse Angelus dans lai abys....."

I stopped as a sudden pain filled my arm. I looked up and saw Buffy standing in the doorway, with a crossbow aimed at me. "Stop with the weird chanting, ‘kay? Angelus is my problem and I’ll deal with him."

I glared at her. How dare she interrupt! I pulled the crossbow bolt out and threw it to the floor.

"I’m warning you," the Slayer called and prepared to fire another bolt. From out of nowhere, Hope rose up and yanked the crossbow out of her hand. Buffy turned and tackled her and the two fell to the ground.

I would worry about those two later, I had to finish the spell. Where.. oh, yes. I remember. "Dushule! Lyshisgard yeolum mere val kai! Val kai! Val kai sei exuention!"

The spell was finished. Even as I lowered my hands, a white glow surrounded Angelus. The glow grew brighter and brighter until it filled the whole room. Lightning crashed and everything grew dark.

I opened my eyes. I was laying on the floor. All these sensations... what was I feeling? I had never felt this way before...never felt so free. And the power! I could feel it in me and around me all at the same time. What had happened? And then I remembered. I laughed inside - the spell! Yes, the glorious spell.

I rose to my knees. Careful now. Don't want to rush into things too soon. There was time for that. I looked around.

Angel was sitting up, a bewildered expression on his face. He turned and looked at me and screamed. I laughed, a long glorious sound. "Move over, Spike! A new vamp's in town."


This story archived at: The Slayer\'s Fanfic Archive
The Slayer\\\\\\\\'s FanFic Archive - http://www.slayerfanfic.com/viewstory.php?sid=1421