Author: Mithril

E-mail: taptap@mn.rr.com

Title: Most Favored

Pairing: Angel/Spike

Rating: Adult

Summary: The Aurelius Clan chooses a new Master

DISTRIBUTION: Various S/A friendly lists.

Spoilers: Post NFA. Angel slays the dragon, and the battle is won with Illyria's manipulation of time, which also results in Wesley's return. Angel, Spike, Wesley, Gunn, and Fred/Illyria are now back in the 'Angel Investigation' business. All live in the Hyperion.

Disclaimer: I don't own Angel or Spike or anything else from ME.

Feedback: Always welcome.

Part 39:

"Time to dress, Sire," Spike murmured, forestalling the start of any other activity that both would only regret in the end.

* * *

Angel didn't argue, and for that Spike was both grateful and disappointed in equal measure. While the older vampire dressed, Spike went into the outer room and proceeded to heat up six bags of blood. He thought about offering his own, but knew it would be refused – Angel would have that soon enough during the ritual. So instead Spike consumed three of the bags himself, so that Angel would have plenty of souped up childe-blood to take when the time came, leaving him in a good position for the upcoming combat.

When Angel appeared he took the remaining bags and downed them one after another without comment. Spike took that opportunity to stare at his sire unobserved. His own erection, unsatisfied from the bath, had only receded a short while ago, but it made a full and painful reappearance upon the sight of Angel dressed in fighting leather pants, coat and boots. The blood-red silk shirt provided an intriguingly sexy contradiction, but confirmed that Angelus was present and accounted for; his aesthetic sense for sensual fabrics and rich colors had definitely originated with the demon.

Twenty minutes later, at five to midnight, a knock sounded, and Angel and the members of his house were led to the great hall by Thomas, Jardin's senior minion, who it appeared had been assigned to the House of Angelus exclusively by his attention to date.

The ampitheatre was a considerably less chaotic place now than when Angel and Spike had fought there over the Cup of Perpetual Torment some months back. The seating area of the main floor was cleared not only of all debris, but of the rowed seats as well, leaving a wide open floor for the vampires currently gathering there. Though the chairs in the upper mezzanine and balcony area remained, that space was virtually empty of guests, but was ringed by a number of minions who were obviously positioned to guard the conclave from above.

On the main floor, two sloped ramps led up to the slightly elevated stage, which had also been cleared of debris. Two small cages, however, were present on the platform now, one on the right side, and the other on the left, separated by the bare, central area of the stage in-between. It appeared that they were among the last to arrive. Other vampire clans were already assembled on the main floor and a few other groups were escorted in with them, but within minutes the numbers entering dwindled down and the outer doors were closed signaling that all expected were now present.

Scanning the room, each of the members of Angelus' house came to the same conclusion, estimating that approximately sixteen clans were in attendance by their clustered order on the main floor, and that there were, on average, five to ten members representing each house. Most but not all of the creatures assembled were vampires, with a smaller percent consisting of human or other non-vampire demon pets. In Wesley's estimation, there were at least one hundred vampires in the room, and that fact made him extremely nervous. Gunn, too, he noticed, was scanning the crowd anxiously, however Angel, Spike and Illyria remained calm, at least in their outward appearance.

A figure broke away from the group clustered near the left ramp and ascended to the stage to face the gathered order. It was Jardin.

"Welcome brothers and sisters of Aurelius."

A murmured response was heard from the floor.

"We are gathered here today for a momentous purpose; to choose a new Master of our Order. Sixteen grandchilder, sixteen clans, sixteen masters," he said, slowly nodding to the groups gathered below him. Today we will begin the process of determining who among you will compete for the head of our Order." He unrolled a scroll and read off a list of names. "Would each of you please join me here?" he concluded.

Fifteen vampires headed toward the stage, entering from both the right and left ramps until they stood behind and around Jardin. He bowed to each and then turned to address the members on the floor below, his arms sweeping out to encompass those gathered about him.

"Behold the power of Aurelius, Grandchilder all to Nast, former Master of our mighty and ancient Order, felled before his time at the Hellmouthe by the hand of the Slayer."

An angry hissing wavered through the throng, and subtly veiled glances were cast toward Angel on the stage, and Spike and the others on the floor.

"One amongst this group will take our late Master's place as head of our order. As host of this conclave, I formally request to be excused from the challenge, and pledge myself and my house as Steward for the new Master, whomsoever it shall be." He turned to face his brethren. "What say you, brothers and sisters?"

A chorus of "Aye's" rang out from the other grandchilder.

Hearing no dissent, Jardin bowed again. "The proceedings will be as follows. Each clan's Master will come before the Order to declare themselves for the coming challenge. All of you know that there is only one acceptable response to the challenge. Be prepared for the consequences," he added sternly, "should yours be otherwise."

He spoke these last words directly to the group gathered about him, then returned his attention to the clan members waiting on the main floor.

"Before that, though, each Master's Mate, Most Favored Childe or, in the absence of either, designated Lieutenant, will be secured as hostage."

Jardin turned to the Masters assembled about him once more. "Identify your chosen," he commanded.

One by one, each Master stepped forward and called out the name of his or her chosen Lieutenant, and as their name was called, that vampire stepped forward from their clan and was met by two of Jardin's minion's, who led each hostage up the right-hand ramp and into the cage waiting on that side. Once all the Lieutenants had been secured, Jardin took five steps back, and the vampires behind him opened ranks, reassembling themselves off to either side of him, the stage area front and center now cleared. Though those on the floor below could not see its outline, the flames from tall candles proclaimed the outline of a pentagram on the floor. Jardin clearly stood to the back of the lights, just beyond the sacred, mystical symbol.

"Master Sophia, come forth," he commanded.

A slim vampire with flaming red hair stepped from the group of sixteen grandchilder and regally made her way to the center of the pentagram, facing not Jardin, but the crowd assembled below her. Though she looked no more than twenty-two, she had the solemn air of a creature far older. Wesley recognized her from the Chronicles as one known by the name of Sophie the Great. He did a quick calculation in his head and realized that this vampire, though younger than Angelus, exceeded two centuries and six score years of age.

Apparently she needed no additional prompting from Jardin, proceeding with her pledge as soon as the whispered murmurings of the crowd had died down.

"I, Sophia of Aurelieus, childe of Luke, grandchilde of Nast, last Master of Aurelius, pledge myself, my house and all its members to the protection, glory and advancement of the Order of Aurelius, now and to the end of time."

"Do you agree to participate in the challenge, to fight to your final death or the highest honor?" Jardin now asked. "Do you pledge the honor of your clan to the final result, whatever it may be?"

"I do so pledge upon my honor to fight to the final death. I pledge the honor and existence of my clan to whomsoever shall emerge victorious," Sophie replied. "I lay upon my mate, Viktor, the responsibility of leading my clan honorably should I fail in the challenge, to give his full loyalty and fealty to the chosen Master of Aurelius as he does now to me, to follow the chosen one without question or pause in all things unto the end of his time upon this earth, when we shall be joined together once more for all eternity."

Master Sophia turned slightly to her left at the end, the last words spoken directly to a dark-haired vampire in the far cage, who watched her with rapt attention.

"House of Sophia," Jardin called out from the back of the stage. "Come forward."

A group of five, four vampires and one human, moved from their position near the back of the main floor and reassembled at the front, standing between the two ramps and looking up at their master as she stood in the center of the lit pentagram. Viktor, her hostaged mate, moved to the side of the cage closest to Sophia, his eyes pinned upon her.

"Do you pledge the honor and existence of your clan to support and enforce your Master's vow without dissent?"

"Aye!" the cries rang out loud and clear from the cage at Sophie's side and the floor below her.

As the voices died down Sophie raised both hands above her head and called forth her demon. Eyes glowed golden and fangs, ridges and claws appeared. Slowly her raised hands moved forward and down, until they were held outstretched before her. With a sudden slashing motion, she sliced razor-sharp claws upon a waiting wrist and blood, black as onyx, welled up. It dripped down to the center of the star, and as it hit the ground steam rose.

When the fifth drop struck, the five lights at the apex of the pental design each flared upward in a golden stream, shooting sparks when they met in an arc over Sophie's head. Slowly the gold shimmered to green, then purple, and finally to a deep, rich red tinged with black. The conflagration blazed, seemingly enclosing its captive in a fiery prison. It held for some ten minutes, and everyone else in the hall stood silent and still, waiting. Finally the color faded and receded, until the arching dome of light disappeared and the flames glowed pale amber upon the floor once more.

In the silent aftermath Sophie turned in a slow circle, bowing first to the full Order and her clan on the floor below her, then turning to her right in ninety degree increments to bow to her fellow Masters, Jardin, and finally to the caged Lieutenants, her gaze locked to that of her mate. Only then did she leave the sacred star and make her way to the Master's cage, where she was ushered within by James, Most Favored Childe of Jardin, and Guardian of the Keys.

One by one each of the Masters were called forth, and one by one they repeated the pledge as spoken by the Great Sophie before them. All spoke boldly, as befitted a Master of such an ancient Order, some arrogant in their certainty of success, others with a wisdom and grace that shone through the spoken words. Most, though not all, added a personal statement at the end as Sophia had, meant as a final farewell to their Lieutenant or house at large should their challenge fail. At the conclusion of their pledge, the clan of each Master was called forward to make their vow en masse, their voices joined by their Lieutenant in the cage above. The Master's blood sacrifice was made and the arching pental flames signaling the acceptance and binding contract of the blood vow. Each master in turn, as their pledge was sealed within the star, was led from the stage to the Masters cage to join the others who had gone before them.

The process was a solemn one, as befitted the start of so great and rare a ceremony, and only slowly, over many hours, did the number of combatant candidates on the stage dwindled down until at last only one remained; Angel.

Oldest of all the Masters present, Angel appeared to float upon the ground as he entered the center of the star. In the cage across the way, the crowd of Lieutenants parted and Spike moved slowly, almost reluctantly, through their opened ranks to the side nearest the center of the stage. He leaned against the bars, hands thrust deep into the pockets of his duster, and watched the dark-haired vampire.

Everyone in the hall scrutinized both creatures intently, trying to ascertain the true relationship between the two most infamous of their Order. Spike's focused gaze was at odds with the almost negligent posture of his body, leaving most as confused as ever. The other Lieutenants in the cage near him though, felt tension vibrating off his slender frame in waves and their own anxiety increased. If Spike was indeed the Most Favored Childe of Angelus, together they represented an almost unbeatable force. All knew the legendary history of the Scourge of Europe and his Right Hand of Death, and none doubted for a moment its veracity, whether they'd lived during the time of those events or only heard the story passed down from their sires and grandsires.

Angel's voice cut through the intensely curious appraisal of the other vampires in the chamber, and all eyes turned toward him once more.

"I, Angelus of Aurelieus, childe of Darla, grandchilde of Nast, last Master of Aurelius, pledge myself, my house and all its members to the protection, glory and advancement of the Order of Aurelius, now and to the end of time."

On the floor, the pets of his house held their collective breath, wondering if the Powers that Be would take this moment to intervene. Nothing happened and Jardin continued the ceremonial words, unaware of the drama within the drama playing out.

"Do you agree to participate in the challenge, to fight to your final death or the highest honor?" Jardin asked for the sixteenth and last time. "Do you pledge the honor of your clan to the final result, whatever it may be?"

"I do so pledge upon my honor to fight to the final death. I pledge the honor and existence of my clan to whomsoever shall emerge victorious," Angel replied. "I lay upon my Most Favored Childe, William, the responsibility of leading my clan honorably should I fail in the challenge, to give his full loyalty and fealty to the chosen Master of Aurelius as he does now to me, to follow the chosen one without question or pause in all things unto the end of his time upon this earth."

Angel added no final farewell, but he directed his last words to Spike directly, and his childe acknowledged them with a barely visible nod of his head.

Jardin then called forth the House of Angelus, and Wesley, Gunn and Illyria moved to the front. Their presence was the focus of intense scrutiny and curiosity. It was the only clan present that included more non-vampire creatures than vampires, and since both sire and childe stood upon the stage, and since his remaining childe, Drusilla, was not in attendance, none of their kind were included in the small group standing below. This was unheard of among the Order, but Angelus was the exception to every rule it seemed, and so the others could draw no conclusions from this puzzling twist.

As with the other clans, the members of Angel's house made their own vow in support of their Master's, and that was followed by Angel's blood sacrifice to seal the pledge. At that moment the lights of the pentagram blazed a fiery gold and arched overhead, enclosing Angel in the domed structure until once more the flames shifted in spectrum and intensified, then diminished and finally fell back to their previous, unassuming state upon the floor.

Once the flames had died down, Angel did as all the others had before him, bowing first to the crowd on the floor, then in turns to the others on the stage, his eyes once more trained upon Spike at the end. After an almost imperceptible pause, he turned toward the far cage, but Jardin's voice stopped his progress.

"Master Angelus," he called.

Angel stopped, still within the pentagram, and waited.

"Your bloodline is acknowledged without question," Jardin began. "Most Favored Childe and Mate of Darla, herself Most Favored Childe of Nast, Master of Aurelius. You are older than any of us assembled here by a score of years. None would question your right to combat for the leadership of the Order were it not for that which is impossible to comprehend."

A low murmur began and built through the crowd at those words.

"A souled vampire is anathema to our kind, but it does not end there. The Most Favored Childe of your blood, beyond all conceivable possibilities, shares your fate as well. We cannot deny your right to combat, but we can require proof of your allegiance to your House, Clan and Order. Therefore it has been suggested by a Council of your peers that you give due proof here today, before the combatants are formally accepted." Jardin turned his attention to the other Masters enclosed in the cage. "What say you, Masters of Aurelius?"

"Proof!" came one voice from the back of the crowd. One by one the others took up the chant, until voices from the floor joined in as well.

"Proof! Proof! Proof!"

Jardin held up a hand and slowly the din died down. "It has been decreed," he added softly. "Much of your past has been hidden from us, your brothers and sisters of Aurelius, but some we know. We know that you were estranged from your Order, your sire and your childer for a hundred years. We know that at the end of that time, you committed the most unforgivable of all crimes; the staking of your sire and maker. We also know, however, that against all odds Darla returned to walk this world again, first in human form until she was restored to the glory of her demon by a childe of your blood. Thus the unforgivable crime was reversed and we do not attempt to impose judgment. These things, however, are weighed in the balance, and to the scales are added your notorious relationship with the bane of our kind; Slayer."

An angry buzz filled the room once more, and once more Jardin lifted his hand and waited for silence.

"And still there is more," he continued. "For some years upon your return, it seemed to all of us, and indeed to the other Orders as well, that you were in deadly conflict with William, your Most Favored. Even recently, while you appear to be reconciled to some degree, evidence abounds of your continued estrangement and animosity. There are whispers among our kind," he said, his voice dropping low, "that your childe denies you as his sire."

The murmurs appeared again, this time their tenor that of shocked disbelief, and few missed the deep frown that appeared on Spike's face at that accusation, though numerous interpretations were attributed to it in the minds of those who witnessed it.

"We cannot resolve or unravel the tragic history between you and your sire," Jardin said. "That is beyond us. But we can and do insist upon a clear understanding of where you and your childe William now stand as proof of your allegiance to family, clan and Order."

Insistent cries of agreement broke from the crowd for a third time, and again were quelled.

"To that end, we require you to willingly renew your claim of Most Favored upon William the Bloody. Agree to this demand, complete the claiming ritual and prove to us all that you are still our rightful kin, or reject it and suffer the consequences. What say you, Angelus?"

"I accept your demand," Angel replied, his voice carrying across the hall.

Jardin nodded, then turned to the cage at his left.

Do you agree to submit to the ritual, William the Bloody?" he asked, "and thereby provide proof of loyalty to kith, kin, clan and Order?

Spike pulled away from the bars and stood tall. "I do," he replied curtly.

Jardin nodded, then gestured to his childe, James, who crossed the stage and opened the Lieutenant's cage. The others backed away and Spike emerged, his stride slow and sure as he approached his sire within the pentagram. He stopped an arm's length away, his head bowed, then slowly lifted his gaze to meet that of the darker vampire's. Their eyes held for one long moment, and the room grew utterly still as all stared at the two in morbid fascination. Then, to the astonishment of all, Spike sank gracefully to one knee, dipping his head down low in obeisance.

Startled gasps filled the chamber. All but the youngest among them had witnessed various claiming rituals in their time. All formally acknowledged childer had participated in their own claiming rituals at court. All knew, with the possible exception of those made during the last seven years, when all court ritual had been suspended in the absence of a Master, that the obeisance displayed by Spike was not at all typical for the times.

Far more typical during the last three decades was the upright stance of proud arrogance displayed by most claimants. That prideful posture was not only accepted but generally encouraged, many believing it was a sign of both a powerful sire and house for a childe to behave thus. It was especially surprising to witness this submissive display by a vampire who was a Master in his own right. The question among many of the loyalty between these two souled vampires wavered mightily under this unexpected display.

The humility of Spike's submissive posture stunned those in the room both because it was so unexpected and because of the contradictory sensations it inspired. Sires long accustomed to the proud arrogance of their childer suddenly felt cheated of the proper respect owed them by those who existed only by their sire's grace. The vulnerable curve of Spike's neck and back, so exposed to the power of the elder vampire standing over him, stirred something in all sires present. Childer who would never have conceived of such a humbling genuflection before anyone, including their sire, suddenly felt that they had done a horrible injustice to the one who had made them.

Everyone present, sire and childe, minion and pet, felt a surprising sense of power emanating from the still tableau of the two vampires that seemed directly related to the submission of the childe to his sire's dominant claim. The room fell silent, and for a long moment neither vampire moved, Spike staring downward as he knelt at his sire's feet, Angel's gaze fixed upon his childe's bowed head. Finally his hand rose and came to rest upon the crown of the blonde's head. He looked up, his eyes scanning the crowd on the floor, letting them judge for themselves what they saw in his eyes.

"I am Angelus, Most Favored Childe and Mate of Darla, Most Favored in turn to Nast, Master of Aurelius. I was born in seventeen twenty- seven, and turned when I was barely more than a lad of twenty-six. I have walked this earth for over two hundred and seventy years combined. Are there any here who claim to be older?"

A hint of his Irish brogue had entered the soft-spoken voice, and those that had known Angelus back in the day felt goose-bumps rise upon long-dead flesh. Those on the floor stared up at him silently, while the eldest among them, enclosed in the cage to the stage's left each shook their heads in the negative.

"None. None are as old as I. I have seen and done what none of you have, and much of what I know is beyond your ken. How can this be anything but an asset in a Master of our Order? But that you must judge for yourself. Doubt me and what I am, but do na' doubt this."

And here Angel returned his gaze to the bowed head beneath his hand for a moment before lifting his head to stare intently at the throng below once more.

"William the Bloody was my Most Favored Childe one hundred and twenty years ago, when together we wrecked havoc among the enemies of Aurelius throughout Europe, and he is my Most Favored Childe now, one hundred and twenty years later."

He stared at them all, daring them to doubt his words. Finally he went on.

"The years pass, and the world changes, but some things do not," Angel added in a deceptively soft voice. "If a millennia from now we both still walk the earth, this creature, by whatever name he gives, will still be my Most Favored Childe."

Though most in the room had no need for breath, it seemed even the human pets were bereft of it now, the room stunned into complete silence by the force of the dark vampire's words. Angel held the crowd's gaze for several long minutes, then finally returned his attention fully to the vampire kneeling before him.

"I, Angelus of the House of Aurelius, childe of Darla and grandchilde of Nast, do hereby renew and reaffirm my claim of Most Favored upon my childe William before my brothers and sisters of Aurelius. I promise to protect, teach and guide him to the utmost of my abilities. I recognize and affirm before you all that William is now a Master in his own right, and though he will always be my childe, I promise to temper my authority and rights over him with the justice and leniency required of one Master to another within our Order."

Angel's hand slid down from the crown of Spike's head until it cupped the back of his neck. With his other hand he reached down to grip the younger vampire's shoulder, drawing him to his feet. Spike's lowered gaze rose up slowly until he met his sire's. His face was stern, lips pursed in a tight line. When Angel leaned forward to press a kiss upon his childe's brow, Spike's eyes closed briefly in response.

Finally Angel's hands dropped away from shoulder and neck and he backed up a step, his dark eyes staring intently at the face of his silent childe, who finally spoke. No trace of the cocky, adopted accent of Spike was present now.

"I am William, Order Aurelius, turned by Drusilla one hundred and twenty-seven years ago, and remade by Angelus as his true childe five years after that. Grandchilde to Darla and great-grandchilde to Nast, last Master of Aurelius, I am older than most of you present here today. I was Master of the Hellmouthe for seven years, before I sacrificed all to close it against invading hordes of demons that were bent upon the destruction of us all."

Here he paused, looking down thoughtfully before raising his eyes to meet those of his sire once more. When he spoke again, it was to repeat the words spoken by the elder vampire a few short minutes before.

"The years pass, and the world changes, but some things do not. I am the childe of Angelus and do submit myself to his discipline and will. I accept his authority over me, and promise to guard and protect him, his clan, his property and territory for as long as I walk this earth."

With this final pledge, Angel's eyes blazed gold. He reached out and gripped Spike's shoulders, turning them both so that Spike rested against his broad chest, both of them facing the crowd below. Angel's arms closed about the smaller vampire's torso, holding him tight to his larger body.

"Behold my brothers and sisters of Aurelius, William, my Most Favored Childe."

Spike's eyes drifted closed as he tilted his head to one side, exposing the unique marks placed there by the creature standing now behind him. Angel snarled and his face shimmered and changed, revealing the demon within. He sniffed at the vulnerably exposed throat and his upper lip curled back, exposing sharp fangs that dripped with saliva. Suddenly he struck, teeth sinking hard and deep into the exact spot he'd claimed over a century before. Spike cried out and his demon face appeared. Every vampire there recognized both the pain and pleasure in that sound, their own voices raised in sympathetic and envious response.

"Childe's blood, childe's blood, childe's blood..."

The chant rumbled through the hall until it filled it to the rafters.

Angel growled in response and tightened his grip, fangs sinking in deeper. He drank in deep draughts of his Most Favored's blood, feeling the surging power of their shared demon and tasting their history in every drop. His hands unfolded from the slender torso and met at the center of his chest, and then the black t-shirt was torn open, exposing the pale muscles and dusky pink nipples.

The audience surrounding them gasped at the erotic sight, as large, strong hands stroked the silky smooth expanse, pinching and tweaking the taut peaks while the dark vampire continued to pull deeply from his childe's throat. Sliding his hands down to the waistband of the black denim, Angel jerked the fabric roughly apart and the metal buttons popped free. One hand slid in the gap to cup and fondle the straining flesh within, while the other palm again encircled the slim torso to rub over the rough-pebbled nubs.

Suddenly both vampires sank to their knees, the smaller one borne down by the strength of the elder behind him.

Spike's hands dropped down to rest palm-flat upon his thighs, knees spread wide, his head thrown back to rest against Angel's shoulder. His torso was exposed through the rent and opened fabric of his clothing, though in large part covered by the motions of Angel's large hands upon him. For a moment the hand upon Spike's chest left that spot and disappeared behind him, and the creatures throughout the room drew in a collective breath of anticipation. The black jeans were shoved down to mid-thigh, and Spike's pale, throbbing cock was clear to see, weeping crystal liquid from the plummy tip, the staff enclosed in his sire's large fist. That hand was closed tight about the thick, long shaft, now stroking, now holding secure at the base, never stopping or still for more than a moment as he drank his childe's flowing blood.

One by one the faces in the crowd below and to either side began to slide away, revealing their demons. They began to sway in time to a beat only they could hear. The chant 'Childe's blood, Childe's blood, Childe's blood,' continued on but was now interspersed with a new litany; 'take him, take him, take him,' whispered and moaned from hoarse throats throughout the chamber.

Suddenly Spike fell forward upon his hands, pushed down by the hand still hidden behind him. His head flew back and he howled with demonic intensity. The few faces that still retained their human aspect lost them instantly, their demons called forth as the fierce hunger on the stage built to a firestorm, exploding throughout the hall to engulf everyone there. All present felt the clutching pain, pressure and ecstasy of the penetration. Those with preternatural senses snarled and howled in a building frenzy of blood-lust, the scent of it strong on the air.

"Childe's blood, take him, Childe's blood, take him..." the chant continued, faster and louder.

Angelus moved behind his childe, thrusting brutally hard and fast into the pliant, strong body beneath him. The hand at Spike's groin was mostly hidden now, but its motion was not, translated as it was through the jerking rhythm of the leather and silk-encased arm that circled Spike's hip.

Angel's teeth were still buried deep in the blond vampire's throat, his body bent over the smaller creature held within his confines, but suddenly he jerked straight up behind the prostrate figure, his mouth leaving the pale throat. He snarled and gasped, blood dripping from his fangs, and abruptly pulled Spike back and up onto his knees. Once again Spike's cock, now purple with borrowed blood, was visible within the larger vampire's fist. It slid down and tightened about the base of swollen prick and full balls, withholding the release the body before him so desperately craved. His arm slid about Spike's torso from behind once more, but rather than wrapping it around his childe's chest, where it had been before, instead Angel raised it to his mouth and tore into the veins at his wrist. He held it out before Spike's contorted features.

"Drink, Childe," the dark vampire urged hoarsely. "Share in my eternity."

Spike snarled and sank his fangs into the bloody flesh, hands rising to hold the arm tight to his mouth. A collective gasp of shocked disbelief filled the room, then a new chant emerged, first hushed, then growing louder, interspersed with groaning wails as the scent of the most ancient blood left of their race filled the hall.

"Sire blood, Sire blood, Sire blood..."

Spike drank deeply, his blood-weakened body infusing itself anew, sparked by the blood of his sire, their shared demon howling to life between them.

Angel's hand sped up between the blonde's taut thighs, and suddenly it dipped below to grasp and squeeze the tight balls drawing up at the base of his childe's cock. He worked them harder than any human could take yet still his childe's release was withheld until his sire's struck seconds later, evident to all by Angel's suddenly bowed and frozen torso and the howling wails that left his throat, seemingly originating from deep in his belly to fill the room. A moment after that Spike was given his own release at Angel's hand, his growling cries rising up in chorus with his sire's.

All around the great hall, the creatures gathered there let loose a cacophony of sound in response to the two vampires joined upon the stage. Only when their arching bodies collapsed to the stage floor, both bent forward to rest on knees and arms, did the sounds die away to an awed, silent stillness more profound in its way, than what had come before.