Mirror, Mirror

Mirror, Mirror
Chapter 6.

~*~

Though it was late morning outside Angel had the singular pleasure of being the only one of his party awake. The girls has been housed in a dormitory styled room similar to how the students of the school were arranged. Giles had escorted him to the library and given brief introduction to the librarian before vanishing with his shadow. Considering how the two smelled they might not have disappeared to sleep, but Angel only smirked. Riley was asleep in the infirmary, safe behind locked door. Left to his own devices Angel turned his most charming smile on the scowling Madame Pince and asked after the American wizard schools.

There were three. Riley has attended the oldest, the northeastern Salem Institute. The yearbook Pince provided contained every graduating class, summoned to the pages by speaking the year. It took Angel two guesses before he got the right one, smiling at the slender teenager grinning up at him. There were other pictures under the boy’s name and a list of his achievements, rising and fading one after the other. Besides the formal photograph there was one of Riley playing some game while flying on a broom; walking with some fellow students looking all of twelve and earnestly adorable; and finally one of him running through the rain across a stone courtyard towards the photographer, all long limbs and thundering grace.

Angel was fascinated by the moving pictures, but finally put his finger on the neatly written list chronicling Riley’s life up until this very day with the dry words, ‘Bonded to Dark Creature by Unknown Curse’. He swallowed down his instinctive offense and then familiar guilt at the ‘dark creature’ bit, re-focusing on the boy’s earlier life. The blond’s school marks made no sense, but apparently he had a Masters in Transfiguration. There was something else written beneath that but it’d been smudged out and had the word ‘classified’ stamped over it. Everything in this book brought home to him how little any of them knew of Riley’s true life. The boy had only been an Auror for two years, the Initiative division. Just what was going on with the Initiative if it was being run by these wizards? Giles probably knew more than he let on, and Angel wasn’t going to abide all these lies for much longer.

Carefully he closed the book and made his way back to the librarian’s desk. He needed to find out what Transfiguration meant.

~*~

Seated gingerly behind his desk Severus frowned at the man casually snooping about his things. The wolf may have been permanently muzzled but it obviously still influenced Giles’ behavior. No surprise, considering he’d lived longer with the wolf than without. Some things would probably never leave him. Such as the innate curiosity and the heightened sense of smell. The temper that was slow to ignite but burned hotly when finally sparked. His posterior could certainly speak to that. “You’re certain you smelled Dreamless Sleep?”

“Yes,” Giles answered simply, running his strong, fine hands over the cover of the Second Year’s Potions text. When Severus only deigned to arch a brow in response he sighed. “I doubt the boy doused himself and Poppy had no cause to.”

“We both know who did it and why,” the Slytherin snapped. “Are you actually going to subject me to the torturous drama of spelling it out?”

A cloth appeared from Giles’ pocket and to Severus’ amazement he began to rigorously polish his useless spectacles. This was a new affectation to go with his new appearance Severus supposed, but he scowled at how annoyingly . . . endearing it was. “If you do not wish to discuss this, fine. Where do you keep your Pepper Up?” Severus made no move to get up, far too amused at Giles’ flustering. “Minerva has no right, Severus, and you know it.”

Severus went to lean back in his seat but thought better of it when his lower back twinged. “Please. Unless the boy’s father claimed him you damn well know Wizarding Law permits Minerva to do whatever she pleases as head of her family. Or did Turan marry an American wizard who accepted having a bastard in the family?” Giles’ mouth tightened and Severus sourly nodded. Until a wizard married the law made them the property of their parents and some courts did not even recognize Muggle marriages. If Voldemort had ever done him any favors it was killing his father and freeing him of the man’s tyranny. As a bastard Riley belonged to his mother’s family unless his father stepped forward, his stepfather adopted him, or he married out of his family. Severus wished the boy luck in finding a wizard who’d forgive the taint of being bound to a Dark Creature.

No matter his change in name and appearance Remus Lupin, now Rupert Giles, was at heart a Gryffindor, obstinate and noble hearted. “I brought Riley here defenseless in good faith. I will not leave him here the same. Minerva’s not thinking with her head, but her wounded heart. As her friends we need to stop her from doing something she’ll regret.”

Sanctimonious drivel, but with a heaving of breath and an evil glare Severus went to retrieve the Pepper Up. The kiss he received in reward almost made the grievance worthwhile.

The blowjob chased every complaint away. Perhaps this time around he’d make certain Giles was confident of his welcome.

~*~

Most wizard folk looked no different from Muggles. It was the distinction of those pure blood families that could not only hold themselves apart from non-magical humans but plebian, ordinary wizards as well that gave the true clarity to their legacies. Their magic rested not only on the contribution of some distant mythical creature but the very power imbued in the legacy of their name. They stood apart for the simple fact that those who could lay claim to a pure blood family name could call on powers greater than their own. When a pure blooded wizard passed his power did not pass with him but instead went to his heirs. Each successive pure generation added to that power and that power stamped them in turn.

That power did the same to pure blooded wizards who married into those ancient family names. Narcissa Black had been such a witch. When she had attended Hogwarts she had looked much like her sisters with their raven dark hair and languid grace, legacy of the Black name. Marrying Lucius and accepting his family legacy had sundered onto her more than just a husband. In becoming a Malfoy she had set aside all that made her a Black.

Sweeping through the doors in a swirl of platinum and silver Narcissa Malfoy coldly swept her black eyes over the insignificant students who scurried out of her way. Even those Muggle born who had no inkling to who she was shrank back before the invisible unfurling of her power, the most primitive parts of their brains where their magic dwelled screaming out in a confusion of desire and fear that left them quaking. Those pure blood children that felt her touch instinctively reacted in kind, calling on their ancestral legacies. The air fair crackled with energy, violence so very imminent with so many untrained wizards fearfully milling about.

Narcissa smiled to see a furious Headmistress appear. By whatever trickery Minerva had hidden the boy from them her ruse was foiled now. The boy’s magic called to her with all the allurement of a siren’s song, piercing through the swamping waves of magic that filled Hogwarts and striking her to the core. Genuine fear briefly shone in Minerva’s eyes and Narcissa’s smile turned decidedly wicked. The Malfoys had come to Hogwarts for one of their own and she would not deny them.

~*~`

Angel truly couldn’t recollect leaving the library or making his way back to the infirmary. One moment he was leafing through a tomb older than Moses and in the next he was watching Giles feed Riley another potion. “What are you giving him?” he asked, resolutely suspicious of anything that went on in this castle. Had his own cocktail worn off or had a deeper instinct drawn him back to protect his mate?

If Giles was doing anything nefarious he masked his guilt well, calmly laying Riley’s head back before pocketing the now empty vial. “It’s called Pepper Up. A single dose won’t hurt him and sooner this nonsense is resolved the better. He should start coming around in a few minutes.”

An awake Riley was more entertaining than a sleeping one so Angel nodded, coming up to the other side of the bed from the Watcher. “Is this the school you attended, Giles?” He already suspected the answer given how that harridan of a Headmistress and the other teachers acted with him, but he wanted to hear Giles speak lie or truth.

“Yes. I went by a different name, obviously, but then, I was a different person back then.” The man laughed softly and it sounded wholly self-mocking to Angel’s ears. “A very different person.”

Before Angel could ask anything else Professor Snape appeared in the doorway. The thin man did not even glance in Angel’s direction, his sour expression for Giles alone. “If you are done nurse maiding we have a lovely debacle taking form in the Great Hall. While I normally wouldn’t care if you are to blame far be it I not allow you to contribute to the farce.”

Angel stared over at Giles, but the ex-Watcher only sighed. Resigned yet rueful blue eyes finally darted his way. “Once Riley wakes take him down the hall. The Headmistress said she’d arrange a luncheon for all of us there.”

“Of course,” the dark vampire nodded, careful not to smile until Giles and Snape left. Beside him Riley mumbled a soft noise of complaint at the harsh slamming of the door, long fingered hand lifting to rub at his face. Was everything this man did adorable? “Hey, ready to wake up?”

“Mmm,” the blond hummed, head turning to the sound of his voice. Sleep clouded hazel eyes briefly looked grey before they cleared to their usual warm green. “Hmmm, did I fall asleep?”

“Only for a little while. I went down to the library.” Riley’s mussed honey colored hair was too great a temptation to his fingers and fussy nature so he smoothed the spikes back into shape.

Stretching, Riley slowly sat up, for the moment ignoring the touch that gently followed, trailing down his nape and the curve of his spine to palm his lower back. “Find anything helpful?” the boy mumbled through a yawn.

“Not related to the curse, no.” The young wizard was sleep warm, his delicious musk heightened by a light sweat and Angel leaned closer to breathe deeply. When Riley didn’t react, obviously still more asleep than awake, the vampire gave in to boldness and rubbed his cheek against the fur soft hair. A contented purr rumbled in his chest when the blond still did not shove him away.

No, for a brief, perfect moment Riley leaned into the affection, making a sound Angel could have mistaken for an answering purr if it had come from someone else. Riley did not seem the purring type, but before Angel could decide the boy stiffened. He did not physically move a muscle, yet Angel felt his withdrawal just the same and bore the pain of rejection stoically. He would prove his love.

“Are, um, that is, is the . . . wearing off?” Riley stammered, and Angel remembered Giles had given him the potion after Riley had gone to sleep. The boy was talking, or trying to at any rate, about the cock sucking. Sweet opportunity, but sweeter still than to swallow warm seed would be to taste Riley’s intoxicating blood. His first small sampling painted on firm lips he’d thought so rich because of the spell. Now he wondered. Did wizards taste different from normal mortals?

Playing into the moment Angel gleefully seized the opportunity to wrap himself about the fetching blond. “’Fraid so,” he growled, nuzzling Riley’s throat while he let his hands wander.

That provoked a reaction, the boy jerking hard in an aborted attempt to escape Angel’s steel clutch. “Hey!” The vampire chuckled and palmed his crotch, eliciting another futile burst of wriggling. “Stop that! No blow jobs are going to happen! Angel, I mean it!”

Behind him Angel smirked, confident the boy protested more for appearance than true reluctance if his quickly swelling cock was any judge. How sweet Riley wanted to protect his virtue. “Kisses do not keep the curse checked for long,” he helpfully pointed out nibbling on one fleshy lobe.

“Then something else! Oh Merlin, please stop doing that!” Riley implored, his efforts useless in stopping Angel’s knuckles pressing into his denim caged crotch.

“A most wicked curse,” Angel sympathized while fumbling with the stubborn button of the boy’s jeans and batting away his interfering hands. “We must do something soon, before I am taken over completely. Before I ravish you right here. Bend you over this bed and shove my dick so deep inside you perfect little ass, over and over and over, fill –“

Riley shuddered, fear and arousal twined so closely in his scent Angel could barely distinguish them apart. The boy wanted this despite himself; scent did not lie. Angel would have loved to reassure him that he wasn’t going to beat him to a pulp once the spell ended, that he would never regret shagging such a delectable ass, but he knew Riley wouldn’t believe him. Boy had no cause to trust him, but he would.

“Blood!” Riley screamed.

Angel froze. His hand between the boy’s legs kept them open despite the blond’s efforts to close them; his other hand had pinched Riley’s wrists against his chest, inhuman strength easily overcoming any struggle. A few more minutes and he truly could have lost himself in the haze of his lust. “What?”

“Blood. We can exchange blood,” the blond panted. “Blood is good, right?”

Oh yes, blood will most certainly do, sweet prince, but not for long. I will be fucking you, hard and soon, but Angel kept those promises behind his teeth. Riley already sounded panicked. No need to push him into running to his grandmother, not when Angel was so close to earning his confidence. Angel had a firm suspicion that once McGonagall had Riley in her clutches she’d not let go for anything. “I suppose blood could work, but, my lovely one, it can be dangerous. Sharing blood with a vampire can forge unbreakable bonds.”

Yes, let it be your decision. Riley chewed his bottom lip, already reddened and swollen from when he had bitten it through last night. “We could always jerk off into cups?” Angel helpfully suggested, nudging that mental image into the boy’s mind.

Riley grimaced. “No. We’re already bonded. What’s a little more to this? We’ll exchange blood. Just a little, though.”

Crowing silently in triumph Angel eased around to face the wild-eyed blond, smiling reassurance and soothingly rubbing his reddened wrists. Seeing the obvious evidence of restraint made him internally wince; he hadn’t meant to hurt his love. “Whatever you want, Riley. I heal quickly so you can take from my wrist, but what about you?”

Looking up at him through his lashes Riley eyed him suspiciously before he went back to staring at Angel’s large hands cupping his own. The gears were turning in that witchy little head, but hesitantly the boy nodded. “I can use an illusion charm to hide anything.”

“Alright then.” Keeping hold of Riley’s one hand Angel brought his own wrist up to his mouth, slowly and deliberately shifting into gameface. Wide hazel eyes watched his every move, muscles tensed. There was no fear at seeing his demon visage, but then Riley had been living on the Hellmouth for months. Angel bit cleanly into the inside of his wrist and then held it out for Riley to take.

A final look but Riley took his hand in his own warm one. Uncertainty over how to go about things made him again hesitate, but then his tongue darted out, lapping up the blood trickling down Angel’s forearm. Vampiric blood was instantly addictive and Angel smiled when Riley latched onto his wrist, sucking hard, eyes glazing over before they fell closed. Angel’s fangs sinking into his own wrist barely roused a whimper of complaint.

Bliss exploded on Angel’s tongue. Slayer’s blood was rich and earthy, like eating steak raw if normal was well done fare, all the vitality seared out. Riley’s blood did not compare. It was like swallowing lightning. Electricity singed Angel’s taste buds the flavor was so sharp, the lingering aftertaste of delicate sweetness soothing raw nerve endings. His stomach clenched painfully when the ambrosia hit, and then a second wave of pain swept through. Craving. Fangs sank deeper into vulnerable flesh.

A small mewl of distress broke Angel free from his bloodlust. Riley was desperately clutching at his arm, blood smearing his face, but Angel could feel the mad hammering of his heart through the veins he’d torn open in his frenzy. Any more and the boy’s heart would start to stutter. Angel was grateful for the curse then, knowing it was by its strength that he stopped feeding. Licking at the torn flesh until the healing properties in his salvia started to work Angel carefully cleaned away every last drop.

Only by vampiric strength did he free his own arm. Holding the blond still with a firm hold of his jaw Angel drew him closer, bathing his face with long swipes of his tongue. Riley squirmed, eyes still unfocused, licking away the remains of Angel’s blood from his lips before the vampire could take that last taste. Angel chased his tongue back inside, plunging into a hard, probing kiss that Riley instinctively committed to. Tasting his own blood in every nook of Riley’s mouth sent a bolt of desire straight to Angel’s cock. Not since Angelus had he enjoyed his own flavor in another’s warm mouth. A heady aphrodisiac and he leaned closer, determined to draw every moan he could out of Riley’s heaving chest.

A voice shouting behind him heralded the sudden rush of darkness that toppled him from paradise into oblivion.

~*~

Riley grunted to suddenly have Angel’s considerable weight slumping into him and he struggled to push the vampire to the side. The blood pounding in his ears had drowned out any other noises and he gasped for air, struggling to get control of himself. It was hard to focus his eyes on the man sprawled across his lap but when he lifted his head he could see a blurry shape coming into the room. They were being attacked!

Before Riley could withdraw his wand, reflexes considerably slowed, thick green ribbons of silk tightly bound his arms to his sides and yanked him from the bed. Landing painfully on his knees Riley started to topple forward but a hard yank on the lead kept him upright. Behind him Riley heard the thud of Angel’s limp body striking the floor, but his attention was caught by the man staring down at him. Shaking the spots from his vision Riley glared up at his captor.

The robes were expensive and finely tailored to a man as tall as Riley, if not an inch or two more. He held himself with the same aristocratic bearing his grandmother did, as rigidly straight as the snake headed cane the ribbon roped from. Broad shoulders, pale complexion complimenting silvery grey eyes. Riley assessed their attacker in seconds looking for any weaknesses, but his mind stilled its frantic clamoring at seeing the long blond hair. Who was this man?

For his part the older wizard seemed fixated on Riley’s face, his stare so intent Riley struggled not to look away. To defiantly raise his chin and glare back. A barely audible word and the older wizard left his cane suspended in mid-air to hold the tension on Riley’s bindings. “The son of Turan,” he murmured, long fingered hand reaching out to gently stroke Riley’s jaw. When Riley tried to jerk away those fingers became hard, gripping his jaw painfully to keep him in place.

“Riley Finn,” he growled. “And you are, sir?”

But the man only smiled grimly, ghosting his touch over Riley’s cheeks and nose. “You have your mother’s look about you.” Fingers lightly touched his hair and Riley did not mistake the look of displeasure that briefly rose through the man’s otherwise inscrutable mask.

When the man uttered “Finite Incanteum,” Riley knew what would happen even though he could not see it. Fingers carded through his suddenly longer, paler hair, hair that matched his attacker’s in shade though it only fell to his ears. Given a day it would easily reach his back unless he cut it back. ‘Head like a weed.’ The charms his mother had placed on him for as long as he could remember fell away and the older wizard looked immensely satisfied. “Clever Turan. I assume she uses magicked scissors to keep it shorn?”

“Who are you? How do you know my mom?” Finally Riley managed to wrench his head free, but the damage had been done. He wasn’t skilled enough in charms to magick all the hair on his body a darker shade and Mom had always been adamant that Nana never see his real coloring. Riley had never understood since he got his looks from her; just another one of her endless rules she’d forced on her only kid. This guy looked like them, though. Was he an uncle? Mom had always said Nana was their only family left.

“There is nothing to fear, . . . Riley. We are going to have a long talk after I dispose of this inconvenient complication.” Stepping past Riley’s kneeling figure the man reached into his robes to pull forth a long polished stake.

“No! Don’t touch him!” Riley honestly didn’t know how he felt about the charming vampire, but he absolutely did not want him dead. Angel was the first person in too long that Riley didn’t have to pretend with and he didn’t want to lose his friendship. Or their potential to be something more.

Angel was slumped on one side, curled towards Riley, but the older wizard’s booted foot knocked him onto his back. “That is the curse speaking. You will be of a different mind in a few seconds.”

Bound, with no way to get to his wand, Riley did the only thing he could think of.

TBC.