Hell Is In the Details
Casting Stones
Hell Is In the
Details – Chapter 5 – Casting Stones
~ Nine Months Later ~
Angel’s mind was filled with happiness as he looked out his
office window. Unlife could not get better than this.
Life had settled down to a satisfying routine – paperwork, delegation, and the
occasional meeting. Decisions he made were responsible for saving lives on a
larger scale than the old one-by-one he and the AI gang had been used to.
His friends had stopped asking about Spike after the first few
weeks. He’d sold them some cock and bull story about the bleached pest using
his head for once and leaving
– actually, leaving the country altogether after their last fight.
He felt totally justified in removing Spike from the
picture. Nobody cared about him. Angel felt free for the first time in ages.
Free of his past, free of the monster he’d created in his own image. Now, if
only he knew where Drusilla was – maybe…
Nah, he wouldn’t worry about her now. Buffy was more fun to
think about. Ah, she was the puream eam in all of this. She’d never found out
that Spike had made his brief reappearance, so he never had to lie to her.
She had called about a month ago, telling him about her life
now – how she’d decided it was time to stop actively mourning for lost friends
and possibilities and move on. She’d told him she was lonely, and tired of it.
Now she’d decided to come back to him. Well, to be totally
honest, to come back to
and see where they stood. No promises, other than to try. What more could a
vampire ask for? With his soul firmly anchored, they were free to pursue a full
adult relationship. Just another benefit of working for
Wolfram & Hart.
The ability to give Connor the life he deserved was the
primary reason for listening to their offer, but the guarantee of finally
anchoring his elusive soul is what put the deal over the top.
Ever since the spell had been cast, Anfeltfelt more
comfortable within his skin. The demon no longer raged to escape – it seemed
far more content. As if it were more integrated with the soul – creating a
single being. He felt more like Liam than he had in decades. Liam
– with power.
Looking like the proverbial cat that ate the canary, Angel
strode through the hallway with a song in his heart and on his lips, singing:
Oh Buffy,
Well you came and you gave without
taking,
but
Oh, Buffy,
Well kissed me and stopped me from
shaking,
and
Oh, Buffy!
…discreetly to himself, since nobody appreciated his musical
efforts.
Walking past the mailroom, he heard a muffled thud, followed
by a startled “Shit!”
He didn’t bother checking, but continued on his merry way. Wolfram
& Hart had mailroom staff for a reason, he figured. Picking up a dropped
box didn’t constitute an emergency for the CEO.
~*~
Lorne felt like his head was going to explode. One moment he
was sending out a package of publicity photos for some starlet or other, the
next moment his mind was assaulted by blackness and betrayal. The level of
‘wrongness’ was so overpowering, the green-skinned demon couldn’t immediately
discern who had revealed such malevolence.
Using
the packing table for support, he levered himself up and brushed the mailroom
dirt off his cream colored linen pants. Maybe he had time to find out who was
throwoff off such harsh vibes.
He
peered around the door and saw Angel striding towards the elevator.
jumped the tracks big time. Making a concerted effort, Lorne launched
himself down the hallway, hoping to anyone who would listen that the elevator didn’t
get there before he could.
He
caught Angel just in time.
“Whoa
there, big fella – you’re in an awfully good mood
today. Wanna tell your old pal Lorne what’s
ribs. “It still is Angel, right? No
‘got a happy issue and the Evil One is back for a
visit’ scenarios?”
“Things
are good, Lorne. It’s a beautiful day outside, demon problems have been minimal
lately and I might be getting a handle on my love life at long last.”
Lorne’s
raised eyebrow spoke volumes.
It
took a moment, before Angel figured out just what he’d said to put the amused
look on his friend’s face.
“Very
funny, Lorne – who do you think you are, Sp…” The
vampire caught himself just in time – it certainly wouldn’t be good to bring
that name into play, raising questions that were better left unasked.
out, I’ll have my job, my friends and my girl. For the first time I can see
some kind of future for myself. That’s all I need to be happy. I’m a simple
kind of guy.”
“I’m
just playin’ with you, cupcake. It’s not like you’d
still be fighting the good fight with all your chums if you were back to being
devil’s food again. No worries here.”
~
something off, really wrong with the
vibrations Angel was giving off. It set Lorne’s teeth on edge – a bit like
chewing on tin foil. Nothing inherently evil in and of itself, but it sent
little prickles of warning running up and down his spine.
“Where
are you off to, Angel-cakes? Want me to come with?” Lorne tried for casual,
hoping to pick up on whatever it was setting him on edge.
“Nah
– I have a meeting with the head of some demon cabal on the far side of town. The
lead item on their agenda is whether or not they should be allowed to eat the
homeless. I mean, really – it’s important, but you’d be bored. Thanks for
offering, though.”
Lorne Angel This The He’d “Angel-kins, before “Sure, pal – anything for you. Troubled “Any “Noal ral reason, my little peach-pie. It’s just something about the black leather Angel Lorne “Well, There He The But “ Refusing “Have “Not “That’s “God, “Oh “You “Do Gunn “That’s “So, “Seems “You “Tell “Sounds “Let’s “Works for me, man. “Me, either, buckaroo.
knew he couldn’t push the matter; he didn’t want to raise suspicion by grilling
the boss. Definitely not a smart move. Just when he
was about to give up for the time being, the green-skinned demon caught a
break.
began to hum.
time, Lorne was prepared for the wave of animosity he’d experienced earlier
passing by the mailroom. It was strong and constant, but not exactly current.
Something bad had gone down, bad enough to have marked the vampire permanently.
There was also the distinct crackle that signified the use of
demon couldn’t feel anything sinister about the spell – something he’d have to
ask the boss about another time, or dig into on his own. Probably
own.
elevator finally arrived at their floor. Angel smiled, and told Lorne he’d see
him later. Before the door could close, the Anagogic demon reached out to
impede its progress.
had a clear snippet of a vision flash through his mind – of platinum blonde
hair, a swathe of black leather and a gun. Closing his eyes, he could feel
pettiness, jealousy and vindictiveness surrounding the incident he was sensing.
This was the focal point of all the
badness he sensed.
you go off to tilt at the homeless’ windmills, can I ask you a question?”
waters, Lorne, but… he stuck his oar in. “For some reason, your duster made me
wonder if you’ve heard anything from your prodigal childe lately?”
particular reason you’re asking me?” Angel’s expression gave nothing away; he
was cool and collected when he continued. “It’s not like you ever got to know
him. Why do you care?”
that sparked a memory. I guess I’m just curious about where he might be, and
whether he’s found some happiness after all he’s been through.”
frowned. “You know, I truthfully haven’t given him more than a moment’s thought
since he left the building. Knowing him, he’s off being a pain in the ass
somewhere. I wouldn’t worry – Spike always manages to look out for himself.”
let the elevator door close after bidding the vampire adieu, with the uneasy
suspicion that Angel was hiding something big and bad.
there’s only one thing I can do while the cat’s away,” he said aloud. “Snoop through
the boss’ office and see if anything reeks of discord.”
was nobody in the vicinity of Angel’s office, and Lorne’s relief was palpable.
He harbored no delusions about video security – he’d just have to bribe the
guard with tickets to his favorite show. No skin off his green nose. Working
with evil had its plus side.
where would I hide?
sat at Angel’s desk, opening drawer after drawer, finding nothing even remotely
personal. Office supplies, a tranquilizer dart gun – always paid to play things
safe. None of the regular flotsam that most people accumulated by existing.
bottom drawer was locked. With a quick poke of his tie pin, the demon managed
to bypass the catch. “Let’s see what you’ve been hidin’
on us, Angel-cakes.” There’s a picture of Cordelia –
good to see she’d not been forgotten. A picture of a small
baby which was puzzling, but nothing to be concerned about.
then – “Hello, what’s this?” Underneath a manila folder, there was a small
plastic bag. Just as he was about to open it to examine the contents, Gunn
walked into the office.
office?”
to be rattled or distracted from his task, and knowing he’d need help from
someone, Lorne decided to take the bull by the horns.
you noticed anything unusual about our head honcho lately? Is he acting
strange, or setting off any mental alarms with you?”
particularly, no. In fact, I’ve never seen him so at ease with himself and
wait, is that what you’re talkin’
about? Damn, man – that is out of character for him. What’s he got to be so
happy about?”
what I’ve been wracking the old noodle about, my little cup of java. He’s still
Angel – no worries there, but he’s different. And it’s giving me all kinds of
boy – heard him singing in the halls earlier.”
no – don’t tell me he’s still doin’ the
yeah, and I got a headache from it that just won’t…” Lorne freezes, a wave of
overwhelming pain ripped through him. He’d been toying with the bag as he spoke
with Gunn – and the small silver ring inside had slid into his palm, unnoticed.
Well, he’s noticing now… it seared his hand like it was snatched out of the
flames. Again, an image of black leather and platinum hair.
This was too much to be a coincidence.
alright, man? You look a bit… well, greener than usual.”
you remember seeing this ring before? Is it familiar to you?”
peered at it. “It’s been awhile, but Ink Ink I remember seein’
it on Blondie, when he first showed up here. Where the hell is he? I thought
for sure he’d be here tormenting the boss man forever. He took such joy in it.”
just it. I asked Angel if he’d heard from him, and he claims he hasn’t given
him two thoughts since he walked out almost a year ago. But everything I’m
reading from him and this ring… says our blonde piece of fluff has met with
serious harm.”
what’s the what with that piece of paper still in the
bag?”
to be a receipt of some kind – it’s dated… Oh great green mother earth… it’s
dated the last day Spike was in the office. The logo says Dante’s – ‘Property
Delivered’ received by Pret, cost – one dollar.”
ever hear of a place called Dante’s with all your connections? Got a
of.”
you what, pumpkin – why don’t I go check with entertainment, see if they’ve
heard of this place, maybe give us a clue as to what we’re facing?”
good, I’ll head down to records, to see if there’s somethin’
the boss wanted hidden that corresponds with this date.”
get this show on the road, then. How about we meet at my place in a couple of
hours? After work, say
I’m not feelin’ real good about this.”