Title: Corvinus Aurelius (2 of 4)
Author: jasonsnene
Rating: PG (this part)
Pairing: Angel/Selene/Michael
Disclaimer: Not mine…alas.
Summary: Selene and Michael are looking for a way to end the war that has broken out in their Coven. They seek out the leader of the Aurelius Clan for assistance.
A/N: So I totally couldn't wait for the Underworld Crossover on![[profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
strip_off_angel and *had* to plan something great for one of my all time fav movies. I hope this qualifies! I'm planning to post this in 4 parts, one each Friday in February.
Previous Part
A/N: So I totally couldn't wait for the Underworld Crossover on
strip_off_angel and *had* to plan something great for one of my all time fav movies. I hope this qualifies! I'm planning to post this in 4 parts, one each Friday in February. Previous Part
Part 2:
By the time they were settled deep into the tunnels beneath the city, it became obvious that Oz was very distressed. Unfortunately for Angel, a distressed Oz meant a very cranky Spike.
He decided it was time for some answers from their uninvited guests. “I think it’s time you told us who you are.”
Selene countered his request with one of her own. “First, tell me who is after us and what kind of threat we are facing.”
Angel hesitated before giving away more information to them, but realized that this would be a give and take. He’d give them some information and get some in return. “They are mostly humans that I used to work with.” Spike snorted. Angel continued. “They work for a law firm here in the city and need leverage to use against me to force me to cancel a deal I made with their Senior Partners a while back.”
Spike added. “Yeah, they thought they had Angel here by the balls. Turns out, his balls are a lot bigger than they thought.”
Selene was puzzled. “You worked for humans?”
Spike snorted again. “Not so much worked for as ran ‘em around in circles, luv.”
Angel couldn’t help the ghost of a smile that crossed his face at that. “I was the CEO of the firm for a while. The contract I signed keeps me in that position until I either break the deal or we renegotiate. I haven’t broken the terms though, as much as they’d like to believe that I did. Now they’re looking for a way to force me into changing the terms.”
It was clear as mud to Selene. She knew not to keep pushing though and decided to give a little back. “How much do you know about the Vampire Coven?”
Angel shrugged. “Enough to know that you shouldn’t be here seeking out the Aurelians after centuries of banishment.”
“Things are desperate. The original Coven leaders are all dead and now the Coven is at war with itself. We’re here to try to convince the Master of the Aurelians to come back with us and claim the coven.” Selene looked quickly at Michael, unsure of how much to share. “It is imperative that we find the Master as quickly as we can. I’m sure you can imagine what will happen if a full war is not prevented before it can fully begin.”
Angel did understand. The Coven leaders were fierce in their code and if that was breaking down, hundreds of very old, very powerful vampires would wage an all-out war to take over. Angel shared a glance with Spike who nodded slightly. “We know where the new Master is. But it doesn’t make sense that you would bring in the Master to take over when he’s been banished for so long. The other vampires will not allow it.”
Selene smiled at him then. “But we can give him a secret weapon, one that the other vampires will be too afraid to fight against.”
Angel waited for her to continue, refusing to rise to the bait.
“Michael is of the Aurelian line. He’s also a Corvinus. That makes him the most eligible to lead the Coven.”
“So why doesn’t he?”
“He’s young, only recently turned, so he doesn’t have full control of his power yet. And he doesn’t know the ways of the court. It would be too dangerous to put someone as inexperienced in the role of leader. We need more than brute strength and power.” Selene felt Michael step up behind her and his arm encircled her waist.
“Besides, I don’t want to be in charge. I just want to live my life.” When he spoke, they all felt the power surge in the room and Oz whimpered again.
“What exactly are you? And why does it hurt Oz to be around you?”
“Yeah, I’d really like to know the answer to that as well.” Spike moved closer to Oz, really not liking the fact that his friend was messed up by all of this.
Selene wondered just how much of the old ways the Master had shared with his clan. “What do you know about the origins of vampirism?”
“Obviously not enough. Why don’t you enlighten us?” Angel was growing tired of the game and wanted to just blurt out the truth. He was the leader of the Aurelians by default. And he would never rule the Vampire Clan.
“Vampirism is transferred by a virus that infects the blood. The first infected was a man named Alexander Corvinus. The virus gave him immortality. His sons however, were affected differently. One was bitten by bat, one by wolf. Marcus became the first vampire; his brother, William, the first werewolf.”
Spike shook his head, internally laughing at the myth. “Pet, we’ve got demons not some virus. But it’s a nice bit of folklore you’ve got going there.”
Selene realized that they knew little to nothing about their roots. “You have a demon. I do not. The original Aurelian was turned not long after the virus by Marcus himself. He was power hungry, though, and wanted to be stronger and take over the clan himself. He made a deal with the devil, so to speak, and was given a demon to supposedly strengthen him. It didn’t work, however. The demon was powerful but still limited by the virus. Aurelius and those he turned were not only infected by the virus, but by the demon as well. They were banished after refusing to live by the laws that govern the Coven. It seems the demon’s bloodlust cannot be tempered and killing humans and drawing attention to our kind is forbidden.”
The explanation seemed to explain quite a bit to both Spike and Angel. “That explains the soul bit now doesn’t it, Peaches?”
Selene looked at them, not understanding the reference. “What do you mean, ‘the soul bit’?”
“Well, it’s like this. When the demon takes over, it takes the soul. But there’s a way to get the soul back. So now there’s three types of vamps in the world: souled with no demon, demon only, and demon and soul.”
Michael was puzzled now. “So there are vampires of the Aurelian line who are not controlled solely by the demon?” He turned to Selene. “If we can find those vampires, maybe one of them would be strong enough and less of a risk.”
“Oi! I’m not less of a risk. Still known as William the Bloody here, soul or not!”
Angel glared at him. “Shut up, Spike.”
Spike realized he’d let the cat out of the bag with that one.
Selene looked at Angel. “You as well? Do you also have a soul and a demon?” He nodded. “What about the new Master of the Aurelians? How many of you are there?”
Angel decided it was time to come clean. “Yes, I also have a soul. And I’m also the Master of the Aurelians. But I can’t come back with you. My fight is here.”
Selene was stunned. She could sense that this vampire was powerful but didn’t suspect that he was the Master she was seeking. “What fight? You do realize that with this alliance you would have resources to fight any battle that you face here.”
Angel shook his head. “No, I fight for the light now. I’m considered a Champion, for whatever it’s worth. My mission is here, to protect the innocents from others of our kind who seek to kill and destroy.”
Selene started pacing. This could really work. All she had to do was convince him that their resources could do so much more good than he could alone, or with one other vampire and a young wolf. “Have you heard of Death Dealers?”
Angel and Spike shook their heads.
“I’m a Death Dealer for the Coven. Well, I was. There are teams of us, specially trained to handle threats like the ones you mention. Our code is simple. We protect ourselves against exposure to humans; we don’t drink human blood. There were others but I’ve affectively destroyed those by coming here.”
She was convincing, Angel would give her that. But he still felt his place was here. Although now his curiosity was aroused. “What were the others?”
With a sigh, Selene leaned back into Michael’s embrace. “We destroy all werewolves and don’t delve into our history.”
Angel was reminded of his first impression of Michael. He’d thought he was a Lycan but Selene claimed he was a newly turned vampire. The two together made no sense and had never happened as far as Angel knew.
“What exactly is Michael, Selene?”
Michael stepped forward then. “I can answer for myself.” He glared at Angel for a moment before releasing his tenuous hold and shifting. “I am a hybrid, both vampire and wolf.”
Oz curled into himself and Spike snarled. “Control it man! Can’t you see what you’re doing to him!”
Michael turned to Spike and yelled. “Don’t you think I would if I could! This shit didn’t come with a manual and I’m fighting as hard as I can. All the Lycans we’ve crossed have reacted this way to me, even older, powerful ones.”
Before Spike could counter and start a full fledged argument, Angel’s cell rang, startling them all into silence. He flipped it open and bit out a “Hello” between clenched teeth.
“Angel? Just checking in. Looks like you had some company. You okay?”
Angel had never been so relieved to hear her voice. “We’re okay. Is it safe to come up?”
“I haven’t done a full sweep yet, but they’re gone. You want me to take a look around?”
“No, wait for us. We’ll come up now.” Angel closed the phone and looked at Spike. “Let’s head back. They’re gone.” Angel led them back through the tunnels, Selene and Michael behind him and Spike and Oz lagged behind, putting distance between the wolf and the hybrid.
When they reached the entrance, Angel disengaged the alarm and motioned for Selene and Michael to wait. “You guys stay here and let us do a sweep. They usually leave bugs and cameras to try to keep an eye on us. I don’t want them getting a look at you two. Plus, I’m going to have to do a little explaining.”
Angel moved through the door and Spike and Oz moved around Selene and Michael to follow. Spike pushed the door closed and they all started looking for any surprises left by the team from Wolfram and Hart.