Callista floated after Angel into the library. They had so much to worry about with the Master being back, but all she could think about was Angels' arms around her. They were a little late but, hey, it had been worth it.
Giles glared as Angel and Callie came through the door, but Callie smiled sweetly, putting every ounce of charm she possesed into it. Giles' glare faded. *I'm good* Callie thought.. She and Angel quietly took their place at the table and waited for the lecture on having to be careful and duty and plan of action blah blah.
"Now, down to business." He turned to Callie and Angel. "I'm worried about you two, especially you Callie. The Master made it very clear he wants you by his side. Along with you, Angel. I don't know how soon he will strike again. Do you two have any ideas?"
Angels' face was clouded with worry. "It'll be soon. We've made him mad. He won't give us anytime to prepare."
Glass broke and the slayerettes spun around. "You're right about that. You're going now. There's no time left." There stood a group of particularly healthy looking vampires. Say about 30 of them. Six went after Buffy, three after Giles, one each after Cordy, Xander and Willow, athe rest went after Callie and Angel. Buffy quickly staked the first, but was having a difficult time with the rest. Giles was in trouble as was everyone else. Angel and Callie were quickly overwhelmed and knocked unconcious. One vampire threw Callie over his shoulder and two more grabbed Angel and suddenly all the vampires were gone, leaving behind a group of shaken, confused and concerned slayerettes.
*I have to wake up* Angel commanded himself. His mind answered with *Why?* *Because we're in big trouble and Callie could be hurt* With that his eyes finally obeyed and opened. He surveyed the room around him. It wasn't a room really, more like a prison cell, with steel bars. He sat up and brushed against something warm. "Callie." He pulled her into his lap, supporting her head with his arm. He checked her for injures, but aside from the bump on her head, she had remained untouched. "Come on Callie, you have to wake up. I need you awake." He shook her and slapped her cheeks gently. Reluctantly her eyelashed fluttered. Then slowly opened.
"Angel?"
"Right here."
She looked around her and shuddered, realization sinking in. She wrapped her arms around Angel, like she never wanted to let go. He held her realizing how scared she was. He could feel it almost as if it were his own. "It'll be okay. We'll get through this." He laid his cheek against her hair.
"Yes, everything *will* be okay. Once you are mine once more." The Master stood there grinning. He was enjoying himself. There were 10 vampires behind him. "Restrain them"
The vampires opened the door to the cell and Angel and Callie sprang to their feet. They backed into a corner, knowing there was no way out. Five went for Angel and five for Callie, the fight was over in moments. The Master stepped into the cell carrying an old book. (big surprise an old book) "It will take awhile to find away to release your dark sides, right now though, I'll settle for a mind controlling spell. You two will rule by my side, together you are unstoppable."
Callie tried to break away, but the vampires were too strong. Her mind lost its' focus as the Master began to chant. She felt her control draining away to be replace with a pressure forcing her resistance back. She screamed in pain and felt Angel do the same. She used the last of her strength and control to reach out to Buffy.
Back in the library Buffy and the rest of the gang were frantically trying to map out a plan. Everyone jumped when Buffy screamed holding her head. Then stood completely still as if listening to something in her head. Buffy suddenly straightened and turned to her friends. "We're too late and now we've got major problems."
"Which would be......." Xander asked.
"The Master has put a spell on Angel and Callie to control their minds."
Giles looked confused. "Buffy how do you know this?"
"Callie used what little energy she had left to contact me. She wanted us to be prepared. She told me that the spell was too strong, she didn't know if they would be able to fight it."
Willow knew the pain it caused Buffy having to fight Angel again. "Buffy..."
"Will, it's not going to be like last time. We'll find a way to snap them out of this. Callie said there was a way, we just have to find it. Which means we need her and Angel here."
"Buffy, I know a way to break the spell.....but, Angel and Callie will have to help us, which means we need to find a way to reach them."
Xander broke in, "Look, I never really liked Angel, but he'll try to fight this. I know he would never hurt us. But, I like Callie, she'll be doing everything she can to fight this and help Angel fight it. No spell could be as stubborn as those two."
Xander odd streak of loyalty gave everyone strength. They decide to have Willow go out "alone" as bait with the others watching from nearby. They would start that night. Something told them that the Master wouldn't be able to resist rubbing this in their faces.
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