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Dark Paladin by Thianna
 
2 - Change
 
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Disclaimer: The characters from Buffy the Vampire Slayer are owned by Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, and Fox studios. This story is not meant to infringe upon anyone's rights, only to entertain.

**


CHAPTER 2 – Change

A/N: Some dialogue taken from Fool for Love. Thanks Joss and all the BTVS writers.

… Spring 1880


It has been over five months now since Helena first started visiting William in the library for Latin classes. Despite the giggling and slightly childish antics that the fifteen year old Slayer would often give her tutor, she was a quick learner and quite attentive when the need arose. She was also very friendly, and not long after he took on the role of tutor, William also found himself with the role of friend.

Helena would usually come to share tea with him before the lessons began. Her lessons were over at around five o’clock but she insisted on staying until nightfall when a tall man by the name of Angel would come and fetch her. One could only assume that this Angel was one of the guards that went with the Slayer as she patrolled each night.

It was rumored that just a little over a decade ago, the Council had made a bargain with a vampire. In exchange for services rendered to the Council, specifically to ensure the safety of the Slayer, he would be rewarded with sanctuary. The stories mentioned that this vampire was unusual because he was cursed with a soul, forcing him to live his unlife guided with a similar morality to humans. He was however, shunned by the demon community for his uniqueness.

The existence of the Slayer’s guards was considered more of a myth than fact within the organization. If you asked any of the higher ups about it, they would just deny the rumor and say that the notion of a vampire protecting the Vampire Slayer was absolute preposterous. But rumors always come about as it does in any organization. The only reason William knew for a fact that they were real and not fiction was not because he had met this Angel, but because he had access to highly confidential records being in the research department.

This Angel fellow was pretty tight lipped. He hardly exchanged words with anyone in the room and seemed to communicate more with his discreet nods and constantly furrowing brow. Helena would often joke that he was quite the bore and even referred to him as her gigantic brooding shadow. William couldn’t contain his amusement when the Slayer first mentioned this to him.

“Nice to know that even stuffy boring librarians can laugh.”

“Is that how you see me Helena? Stuffy and boring?”

“Well you are here all day. I don’t see you anywhere else in this compound but here. Do you have a life outside the Council, William?”

“Uhm … well … I’m just far too busy with work and Mother to worry about anything else.”

“I like your mum. I mean I’ve never met her or anything but she seems really nice from what you’ve told me.”

“Mother is an exceptional woman.”

“Just your mum? Aren’t there any other exceptional women in your life?”

“What are you getting at Helena?”

“Well what about Cecily?”

“I have no clue what you are talking about.” William said nervously, flipping through the pages of the book that was in front of him.

“There’s no use denying it. I know you like her.”

“And just how did you come up with that conclusion.”

“Because you turn into mush at the mention of her name, plus I’ve seen you at those parties. You stare at her for hours on end.”

“How do you know? I mean … ”

“My Watcher calls it intelligence -- gossiping and eavesdropping that is. If you want to hear something strange, gatherings are usually the place to go. Of course I usually end up pretending I’m just one of the hired help. Servants usually have better information than the guests.”

“Oh …”

“Well are you ever going to tell her?”

“I don’t know if I should.”

“So you’re just going to pine over her from afar?” When William answered with just a sigh, Helena continued. “Will, I think you should tell her. I mean better to find out if your feelings will be returned than to just keep on hoping and never knowing. Of course I don’t see why she wouldn’t want you. I mean you’ve got a well paying occupation, you come from a high society family, you are educated, smart and quite a gentleman.”

“You think so?”

She gave him a big smile. “You’re a whole lot better than most of the people I’ve met. If I was her, I would be flattered.”

“Watch it Helena. I’m more than a dozen years your senior.”

“Like that matters. Life’s too short. I should know. I’m the Slayer.” She said, though one could tell the sadness in her voice when she mentioned her destiny. Slayers never really lived a normal life. It was impossible. Before the Council employed the services of the Slayer’s guards, the Chosen One was lucky to have fulfilled even a year of her calling. With her immortal guards by her side, they were able to extend that to nearly three years. Three years. … Helena was already passed her second year as the Slayer, but even if she broke all the records and lived passed the three year average, what did she have to look forward to? She would always be the Slayer until the day she died. That was her calling. That was her destiny.

A few minutes later, her dark brooding shadow slipped in quietly and with a sigh Helena gave a small pout.

"Guess it's time for me to go. A Slayer's work is never done." she said standing up.


***

... a few days later

William watched nervously as he sat alone in a corner, thinking of the right words to say to Cecily. Helena's words gave him some encouragement but he still couldn't help the fact that her beauty always left him speechless. He looked down at his small journal, hoping that maybe his poems could better express his feelings for her. But there was something missing -- a word, just one word that told of Cecily's beauty.

"Hmm... Luminous… Oh, no. … No. ... That won't do. Irradiant. ... That sounds better, but ..."

A butler came by with a tray. “Care for an hors d'oeuvre, sir?

"Oh, quickly, I'm the very spirit of vexation. Would you know another word for “gleaming”? It's a perfectly perfect word as many words go but the bother is nothing rhymes, you see.

The butler smiled patronizingly and then moved on to the other guests without answering his question.

With a sigh, William looked up to see that Cecily had finally arrived. He took a deep breath and made his way through the crowd towards her. He saw her step into one of the rooms and he meant to follow but Edward stopped him with a question.

“Ah, William! Favor us with your opinion. What do you make of this rash of disappearances sweeping through our town? Animals or thieves?”

William knew very well what they were but being a Watcher he was not at liberty to discuss any of it. He took a moment to think of what to say. “I prefer not to think of such dark, ugly business at all. That's what the police are for. I prefer placing my energies into creating things of beauty.”

“I see. Well, don’t withhold William,” Edward’s cousin Richard interjected as he snatched the poem out of William’s hands.

“It’s not finished and tis not for your eyes.”

“Don’t be shy William. Let’s see. … My heart expands/'tis grown a bulge in it/inspired by your beauty, effulgent." He chuckles. “Effulgent?”

William gave Richard an icy glare as he took his poem back and made his way towards Cecily. He stood there by the doorway trying his best to ignore the laughter behind him. He had heard it all before. William the Bloody -- the name they mock him with every single time. He shut it out. He was here to see Cecily and right now she was the only one that mattered.

He took a deep breath and took a chance by sitting beside her. “Cecily?”

She let out a bored sigh and turned to face him. “What are you doing here? Leave me be.”

“I just wish to talk to you.”

“I'm going to ask you a very personal question and I demand an honest answer. Do you understand?”

For a brief moment, William’s heart sang despite his nervousness. She at least was talking to him and for now that was enough.

“Your poetry, it's... they're... not written about me, are they?”

“Uhm… They’re about how I feel”

“Well yes, I understand that. But are they about me?”

“Every syllable.”

“Oh, God!” she said with disgust.

“Forgive me. I know. ... It's sudden and ... please, if they're no good, they're only words but... the feeling behind them. ... I love you, Cecily.”

“Please stop!”

“I’m not naïve. I know I'm a bad poet but I'm a good man and all I ask is that ... that you try to see me … “

“I do see you. That's the problem. You're nothing to me, William. You're beneath me.” She stood and left him without another word.

**

He knew it was cowardly and stupid but it cut right through his heart. He knew he wasn’t a bad man. He knew he was worth something but how could she look upon him like he was dirt? He half-walked , half-stumbled down the street, not paying heed to anything nor anyone. It took everything he had to keep the tears from flowing in public. He had to hide. He needed to be away from everything and everyone.

William slipped inside a public livery, taking comfort in a bale of hay. He saw the small journal in his hand. It was the symbol of his inefficiency. It was his heart and it meant nothing to her. With anger and burning tears, he tore his heart to shreds similar to what Cecily had done but minutes ago. He was a Watcher. He was important to the Council. Why was he here sulking like a small child? He had no answers. Perhaps this life wasn’t worth it.

“I came here looking for you. Though I wonder, what possible misfortune has brought such a man to tears?”

Was there someone talking to him? He looked up and furiously wiped salty tears to see a woman addressing him. Was she just a woman? She seemed to be more. As she moved closer, she seemed to peer into his soul.

“Nothing! I just wish to be alone”

“You are more. You have strength, vision, glory. I can give them to you.” She said taking a step towards him.

“Stay away from me. I’ve heard tales of London pickpockets.”


“Don’t need a purse, but your wealth doesn’t lie in gold. It’s in your character, your spirit.”

William was mesmerized by this dark haired beauty that had sought him out. It felt comforting after the harsh torment he had endured by Cecily’s hand.

“I see what you want. Something glowing and glistening. Something... effulgent.”

“Yes… effulgent.”

“I can make the pain go away. Do you want that?”

“Oh yes! God. Yes.”

The young lady looks down for a moment as her face shifted and fangs descended. Her hand that was lovingly placed against his chest now pushed him against the wall with such force. He knew who she was now. He understood the ethereal quality she possessed. Part of him wanted to struggle, to break free from this creature that was to end his life. But what was his life anyway? It meant nothing. The human world did not want him and perhaps it was best if he just faded away.

He felt the sting of fangs pierce his neck and he heard the occasional smacks of her lips against his flesh as she drew his essence into her. So this was what dying felt like. His torment would end. The world that had mocked him will no longer exist for him for he would be dead.

“William! NO!”

That voice. He knew that voice. Helena?

“Release him vampire!” Helena said angrily.

The dark-haired vampire withdrew her fangs and hissed at the Slayer. “You’re too late Slayer. Death will be upon him soon.”

“So will yours!” Helena cried out as she lunged at the vampire with a stake. She fought with purpose and anger. This undead creature had taken her friend away. She liked William. He was always nice to her and never treated her like a child. She rained down punches and kicks against the vampire till she found her opening. She shoved the stake through its heart with such force that the vampire took a few steps back as it crumbled to dust.

She rushed towards William’s side, hoping that maybe it was all a lie and he was far from dying.

“It’s too late for him. He has been drained.” Angel said from the shadows.

“No. It’s not too late. Turn him! Please Angel, turn him!”

“You know I am forbidden to do that.”

“Sod the Council! Do it!”

“He wasn’t meant to survive this.”

“Don’t talk me out of it. You know very well that the Council was going to choose one of their own for the next Vampire Guard.”

“True, but he was not on the list.”

“Not true. I saw the list. He was a candidate. And now I’m making my decision. Turn him!”

“Helena!”

“Angel, turn him now before it’s too late.”

“You best be prepared to dust him if he wakes up deranged.”

Helena nodded solemnly as she moved out of the way. With a strange fascination she watched as Angel slit his wrist and let his blood drip into William’s mouth.

 
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