"Congratulations," replied Buffy. "You've won the prize." She raised her weapon. "A stake through the heart."

Marissa crossed her arms and continued to smile placidly at Angel and Buffy. Raising her hands, she examined her nails, which were long and--big surprise here--blood red. "By the way," she said in a caonversational tone, "how is your friend doing? The little redhead--Willow?"

Buffy lowered the stake, a sudden feeling of dread in her heart. "How do you know about Willo?" she asked in a dangerously low voice.

"It must have been so traumatic," replied Marissa, ignoring Buffy's question. "Finding her boyfriend's dead body and all."

Buffy felt her blood boil, and she would have started throwing kicks and punches if Angel hadn't held her back. "You did it!" she screamed. "You killed Oz!"

Marissa shrugged. "What can I say?" she said. "I got hungry." She laughed as Buffy glared murderously at her.

"Shhh. Calm down," whispered Angel, trying to soothe Buffy. However, Buffy didn't hear him. She was too busy concentration on Marissa's laughter.

"That laugh..." she murmured. She had heard it, somewhere before...

Angel turned to Marissa, still holding Buffy tightly. He wasn't about to let the two fight. Who knew how powerful Marissa was, how strong a fighter she was?

"What do you want?" he asked angrily. Although it still pained h im to look at Marissa, he was beginning to accept that this wasn't his sister--that this was just a demon in disguise. "Did you just come here to torture us, to cause us pain?"

"Well, partly," said Marissa, giving Angel an evil grin. "I mean, it's so much fun!" She paused. "But I'm actually here for something else."

"And this something else is?" asked Angel.

Marissa shook her head and laughed again. "Oh no, Angel. That's for me to know and you to find out."

Suddenly, Buffy gave a start. "A ring," she said. Angel and Marissa both turned to her. "You're here for a ring, aren't you? A ring with a red stone..." Her voice trailed off as she struggled to remember her nightmare.

"How did you know that?!" snarled Marissa, suddenly not so calm and collected as before.

"It h as power," continued Buffy, recalling how Marissa had stood in the sunlight. She stared at the vampire in realization. "It will give you power."

Marissa raised her eyebrows at Buffy. "I've got to give you credit, Buffy," she said. "You're not the dumb blonde I thought you to be. Still, you can't stop me." She turned and started to walk away.

"Not so fast!" yelled Buffy. She tackled Marissa to the ground and once more raised the stake. "Just where do you think you're going?" she asked. "I'm not finished with you yet." With that, she prepared to plunge the stake in Marissa's heart.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you!" screamed Marissa. "That is, unless you want your love for Angel to disappear forever!"

Buffy stopped and stared down at Marissa in disbelief. "What?" she cried. "What are you talking about?"

to be continued in the next part... hey people, i like feedback.... ; )