Inell's Fanfiction Archive

Darla could feel Willow fading with every step. She began to run, knowing that her time was running out. She knew she should be checking her apartment, looking for Willow, but she couldn't do it alone. Angel would help her. He could not refuse his sire. She saw him when she was a block away from his apartment. He was turning the corner, headed to her apartment. She caught up with him, seeing the surprise in his eyes as he looked at her. "Angel."

"Darla?" he looked at her, noting the worry in her eyes.

"I need you, dear boy."

"What happened?"

"It's Willow," she said softly, her eyes softening with emotions.

"No," he whispered, shaking his head.

"She's been hurt," Darla said, starting to walk towards her apartment, dragging him behind her. "I felt it when it happened. Angel, she's dying. I have to find her."

"You really care for her?" he said quietly, seeing the obvious distress his sire was in.

"She is my life," Darla said, glaring at him. "I love her, as I've told you before. Will you ever start to listen?"

"I didn't believe," he began, stopping when she growled at him.

"Angelus, now is not the time. We must find Willow," she said sharply, her eyes flashing yellow.

"Yes, sire," he responded automatically, moving ahead of her. "Do you know what happened to her? Was she attacked or is she ill?"

"She was hurt," Darla whispered, barely able to feel the bond. "She isn't this way. The bond is growing more weak as we walk. She must be with the boy."

"I know where he lives," Angel said, pulling her across the street and turning. "When you find her, what will you do sire?"

Darla caught his eyes, "I cannot lose her, Angel. She is my mate, she belongs to me. I will do what must be done."

He nodded, having expected that answer. Strangely, the soul did not argue with him for helping his sire find her mate. He moved faster, Darla keeping up the pace as they ran towards Xander's house.

***********************

Jesse looked at the house then at the Master, "This is her home, Master."

"Call me Grandfather, boy," he said, looking at the house. "She is in there."

"Grandfather," Jesse started, frowning. "She's so weak. I can barely hear her heartbeat."

"Bring her to me," the master said, looking at the boy.

"Should we move her?" Jesse asked, moving towards the stairs.

"I cannot enter the house," the master replied. "I do not have an invitation."

Jesse opened the door, entering the house and sniffing the air. He went towards the living room, seeing Willow laying on the sofa, Xander's arms around her. She was covered in blood that was slowly dripping from a wound on her neck and upper chest. Xander's shirt was covered in blood, the teen rocking Willow back and forth and whispering to her. Wild dark eyes looked up at him as he entered the room. Xander's eyes widened as he whispered, "Jesse?"

Willow stirred, turning her head to look at him, "Did you bring Darla?"

Jesse shook his head, "She is searching for you. She felt your pain, Wills. She's so upset. Grandfather is here. He left to find you, to help you. He can't come in though."

"He's invited," Willow whispered, laying against Xander as Jesse went to get the Master. She looked at her best friend and first real love, a small smile on her face at his look of confusion. "Xander, listen to me."

"Willow, you shouldn't be talking," he said, his fingers moving along her face.

She laughed softly, "I need you to be brave for me, Xan. I know what's about to happen and I approve. Don't fight it. I'm dying. That demon? He was poison. Even if the blood had been stopped, I'd be dead by the end of the night. I can't die, Xander. I can't leave Darla or you or Jesse. I want this. Do you understand?"

"What's going to happen?" he asked her, hearing a man's voice answer him from the doorway. He looked up, not moving away from Willow despite his fear at the man standing beside Jesse.

"What must be done, boy," the master answered for Willow before moving to her side. He smiled at her, seeing the strength in her eyes even as she faced death. "You're dying, little one. Darla is looking for you but I'm not sure she'll find you in time. I will send Jesse to find her, to bring her to you."

"Please," she whispered, needing Darla with her.

"We can wait for her, Willow," the master said, looking at the amount of blood and the depth of the wound.

"I'm dying, Father," she said, using the name he had told her to use. "I know she wanted to sire me, wanted me to be hers, but I don't know if I can wait."

"I will not let you die," the master assured her, knowing her fears. "Darla would stake me herself if I allowed that."

Willow closed her eyes as she felt another wave of nausea and pain rush over her. Opening them, she asked, "Father, please save me."

The master nodded once at her request, easily picking her up into his arms and moving towards the stairs. He looked at the confused boy and said, "Stay here. When Darla arrives, send her to me."

Xander was left alone in the living room, not having any idea what had happened or what was about to happen.