Chapter 18

Angel had asked his staff to leave, with Spike making appropriately evil comments, eventually getting them to go. Ginny sat wrapped in Draco’s arms watching them silently, old weary look on her face. Angel sighed and ran his hand through his hair. Spike snickered, and Angel glared at him. “So, peaches…”

“Yes, Spike?” The question was gritted out from between Angel’s teeth.

Spike sighed airlessly, and then shook off his attitude. “Sire…” He dropped his eyes before Angel. The older vampire could feel himself reacting to it, feel the demon rattle its chains and roar because finally; his Childe was back.

“What do y’ want then, me boyo?” Angel said in an Irish brogue. Spike’s eyes flickered at that; this wasn’t supposed to be about renewing the Childe/Sire bond…well, not really. At least not in the way he *knew* Angel was referring to. Bloody hell.

“I would like you to recognise my Claimant and extend to her the protection of our line.” Spike kept his eyes lowered; he wasn’t sure which one he’d be looking at when he looked up- Angel, Angelus, or crazy fucked up Angelus. At the moment…he thought it was one of the first two. “Sire, as your Childe I ask this.”

“As your Sire, I recognise your Claimant. What is her name?”

“Her name is Virginia Weasley, more often known as Ginny.” Spike gestured to Ginny to stand up.

“Do you bring the other mortal to be Claimed as well?” Angel asked curiously; he wasn’t a fool. The vibes between the three of them screamed that if they weren’t involved, they would be. And didn’t he want to be on hand when they did, just to observe the dynamics. Spike’s head shot up at that and stared in shock at Angel. “Don’t ye go thinking that I’m a fool, Will,” Angel chided gently.

“Don’t really think the boy would go in fer it, myself.” Spike shrugged his shoulders.

“Hello, I am over here, you know,” Draco said, slightly peeved. He took his courage in both hands and said softly, “at least it would mean someone wanted me. For keeps.” The corner of his mouth went twisted up in a bitter grin. “I know a bit of vampire lore.” Spike was shocked; was everyone he ran into as fucked up mentally as he was? Having histories of being rejected to snapping point?

“Right then.” Spike nodded slowly. “Let’s get this show on the road then, Sire.” He strode over to the two mortal children leaning on each other and lifted Draco’s head with his hand. “There is no stepping back from this. I won’t let you. Do you mean it?” Draco stared back, and then leant his head back, offering his neck wordlessly. “I want you to *say* it, Draco.”

“Fine. I want you to bite me.”

“Do you want me to Claim you?” Spike asked again. “Say it, and mean it. There won’t be another chance.” Seeing the boy’s eyes light up with a sort of longing for that…belonging, that being part of something that was bigger then he was. Being wanted. And wasn’t that in the end what everyone hunted?

“Yessss…” Draco’s answer turned into a hiss as Spike sank his fangs into his throat and drank. “Ahhh…”

Oh yes, that was it, Spike thought to himself. That cry of half-pain, half-pleasure from the vampire’s bite. Familiar. And the hands that scrabbled weakly at your clothes in a confusion of get them off, or push the vampire away? Also very familiar. Spike held Draco up under the bite and lapped delicately at the blood seeping from his neck. Oh, this was good. As good as the blood of his witch. Magic laced and heady like wine, but a lot darker then hers. Dark with pain and anger that no teenager should have to encounter. Not a virgin like his witch, but the sweetness of his blood came from a different source. The knowledge that he had been through what would cause most people to drown, and came out the other side sane and alive. And there was that sense again…that he was coming home after a long, long time and he hadn’t even known what home was to miss it. Spike pulled his fangs out reluctantly and swiped lazily at the holes on Draco’s neck. “So.”

“Uh, wow? Ginny, why the hell didn’t you say?” Draco said dazedly.

Ginny giggled. “It has to be experienced. So, Sire of my Claimer, shall we continue?” She bared her neck and Angel vamped out and lowered his mouth to her neck. He slid his fangs in carefully, on the opposite side to Spike’s mark and drank slowly of her blood, savouring his first taste of live human blood for a very long time. He couldn’t blame Spike for wanting to keep her. She tasted good…Angel shook himself out of his reverie and raised his head. He wouldn’t have more then a few swallows. He stepped back and let Spike take her as he bent his head to Draco’s neck. Ahhh. Different. Angry, disillusioned teen male. Bitter…but in a good way, like dark chocolate and coffee. But not like Cordy’s coffee. And he hoped to god he never had to drink that again. Angel reluctantly slid his fangs out of Draco’s neck, his demon screaming at him in rage to force his Childe to submit and take these two broken children from him and make them his, because somehow the broken parts in them just made them stronger and more desirable.

“Angel…” Spike coughed, and then obviously made his mind up. “Can we borrow a room?” Angel had to admire Spike’s strength of will as the very obvious scent of human arousal filled the room and both of them were making these little whimpering sighs.

“Upstairs, and to your left,” Angel said as he stepped back and let Spike have his Claimants back. Oh, how he wished…but that would never do. He couldn’t let the demon out, he’d come close enough tonight. “Go.” Spike nodded in a kind of understanding, and then started ushering his two charges towards the stairs.

“C’mon, pets…”

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