Inell's Fanfiction Archive

"Sit down, child."

Darla stopped her pacing to look at her sire, "Is it dusk yet?"

"Not a minute has passed since you last asked," the Master pointed out.

"Then I will not sit," she said, continuing to pace.

"What is wrong?" he asked finally, tiring of seeing her go back and forth.

"Willow," Darla said, looking into his eyes. "She's calling me. I can feel her. She's been hurt."

"Is she dying?" he asked quietly, seeing the intensity in her blue eyes.

"Yes," she said sharply, her hand running through her blonde hair. "And I'm not there. She needs me, Father. I can feel our bond growing weak. Will dusk never arrive?"

"Do you know where she is?"

Darla shook her head, "I can't tell. I cannot lose her, Father."

"You won't," he assured her as he stood. "Come to me, Daughter."

She went towards him, taking his hand. She flinched as he bit into her neck, having not been bitten in decades. She felt him withdraw, the wound already beginning to heal. She watched him carefully, not sure what he was doing but trusting him. He liked Willow. She knew that he wanted the redhead to be part of the family.

"I can feel her," he said softly, turning his head slightly. "She is somewhere safe with someone that loves her. She is dying but slowly. She will last another hour or more." He opened his eyes, looking at his daughter, "I did not get enough of her blood to sense anything more definite."

"She feels safe?" Darla said, her mind thinking. "She's with someone else? It has to be that Xander boy, her best friend. She must be with him."

"Do you know where he lives?" the master asked.

Darla nodded, "Yes. Near her house, not very far. But, if she knows that she is dying, she might have gone to the apartment to wait for me. That is where we usually meet, where she has spent most of her nights these past weeks."

"I have heard rumor that Angelus has been following her, keeping her out of harm's way," the master began quietly, watching his childe. He saw her surprise then her acceptance. Did she really think she could have kept her favorite's presence a secret from him? Foolish girl.

"He has," Darla confessed softly, fearing punishment.

"And he still has that pesky soul?" the master asked, seeing his daughter's nod. "Is he a threat?"

"No, Father," Darla said. "He has the soul but he belongs to me."

"Find him. He might know where to find her," the master said, seeing the surprise in her eyes. He smiled, "Did you think I would have him killed? He has made no move against me, Daughter. I've been aware of his presence since he first arrived. He has done nothing but look after your mate. That does not warrant my temper. As I said, he might be of help. Find him."

"Yes, Father," she said, relieved that her Angelus would survive another day.

"Go now. It is dusk," the master said, moving with her to the door. He watched her go, a worried statement on his face. He had felt the weakness in Willow, knew she did not have much longer. He hated to imagine what would happen if Darla was too late. With a determined look, he started down the hallway. He stopped in a doorway, looking at his youngest grandchilde, "You, boy."

"Yes, Master?" Jesse stuttered.

The master smiled, "Come with me. I have an important errand to run and I need your assistance."