Lost Angels: Soulmates: Part 11
by Angelisa
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story, although they have been twisted for my own use. I apologize profusely to Joss Whedon for my butchering of his creation. Buffy The Vampire Slayer is owned by Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar Television, Kuzui Enterprises, 20th Century Fox Television and the WB Television Network. Wow, that's a mouthful!
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Part Eleven
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Angel looked at the others. From the time he had gotten up just past sunrise until they reached the library, there had been a lot for him to do. Nathaniel had invited Angel in, and it seemed as if Nathaniel had been right that no other vampires would be able to get in without his invite. Of course, that was assuming this Daemon guy brought vampires as his back up. Humans can be just as dangerous.
Xander was at the door with Nathaniel. They were both armed with stakes and crosses. It would be fine against the vampires, but Angel had the feeling that Daemon wasn't a vampire. If that was so, the crosses probably wouldn't do any good. Of course, stakes were good for just about anything, if they were sharp enough.
Whistler and Willow were walking around the perimeter, checking the windows. They were armed with stakes and crosses as well, but Whistler also had a knife in a belt sheath, and Willow had her blossoming witch powers. They seemed a bit more realistic about the whole thing.
Angel stood in the middle of the room, leaning back against a table. He had a stake in his hand as well. Of course, he was minus the crosses and holy water, but then, Angel didn't need the same weapons as the others did. He had his supernatural strength and his fighting knowledge.
Angel heard a sound by the door. He glanced over towards Xander and Nathaniel. They both stood at the ready. As the door swished open, Xander stepped forward, his stake brandished like a knife. Angel tensed himself, ready for trouble. A man stepped through the doorway. He looked normal. He had dark black hair, and was very well dressed in a grey suit, but he didn't quite look like he should be any trouble.
"Where's Lissa?" Nathaniel asked.
"Why, she's right outside. As you probably know, she can't come in without your invitation."
Nathaniel stepped closer to the door. Angel stepped forward and next to Xander, though still keeping some distance. Nathaniel returned with Lissa standing beside him. There was something different, Angel realized, but he couldn't quite figure out what it was.
"Now," Daemon said. "Can we discuss this reasonably? I see you're all ready for a fight, but I am not interested in giving you one."
"How do you know about Dramoco?" Whistler asked still over by the windows.
"Well, until recently, I was his right hand, literally. Left hand too, if you want to be specific about it."
"Recently?" Angel asked.
"Well, about when Lissa here started sniffing around, I got curious. I mean, Dramoco was offering me power. How could I resist that?"
"Gee," Xander said. "Ever heard of the phrase ‘just say no'?"
"A lot of demons are hard to say no to. Especially when they offer you the power that Dramoco promised me. But as I said, when Lissa started to nose around, I got curious myself. I thought there were things going on that didn't need to go on. And I was right. Besides, he was offering me power that he had no intention of giving out. The first time he rose he had a lieutenant just like I am now. Know what he did to him? Fed off him to help make his power grow before he went on the killing spree. Of course, the Slayer at the time was able to put him back into demon limbo."
"He's already taking some of his own," Willow said. "The first victim we found had that tattoo."
"Well, then it's just what I thought. He's been using us all."
"I have a question," Whistler said. "A demon offers you power in return for help getting out of his prison. Didn't you think that this demon might not turn out to be your best friend? Didn't you wonder what he had done in the first place?"
"I think I was under a mild spell. But Dramoco wasn't powerful enough to keep it in place."
Angel stepped forward again, this time a bit menacingly. He got into Daemon's face and said in a low voice.
"Vampires can smell lies. Make sure you're telling the truth."
Daemon smiled at him.
"I assure you. I swear to you. Everything I've told you is the truth. And now I need your help to stop Dramoco. He will rise, he's had enough power given to him. It's only a matter of time. And the full moon is tomorrow I believe."
Angel walked towards the back of the room and Whistler.
"What was that all about?" Whistler said in a whisper. "You can't smell lies can ya?"
"No."
"Then why...? Oh, I get it. You were bluffin' him. You get what you wanted?"
"I don't know. I still think he's lying, but maybe we don't have a choice."
"Listen," Daemon said. "I don't blame you if you don't believe me. I wouldn't believe me either. Still, you need me. Of course, I need you too, but you see, this is a mutually beneficial arrangement. We help each other, and the next thing you know, no more Dramoco."
"Lissa," Angel said. "Is this what you found?"
Lissa looked up at Angel. There was a dull look to her Angel decided. She hadn't said a word since entering the library and that's what had been bothering him.
"Yes," Lissa finally said. "Dramoco must be stopped before he rises. If we don't, he will slaughter the world entire."
"Then we stop him." Angel said.
"Good," Daemon said with a smile. "I'm glad we're agreed. Here's my plan."
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