Living to Lenore: Chapter 22 "Aphrodite’s Games"
Title: Living as Lenore
Author: Luna (aka Luna_del_Cielo on lj)
Fandom: Supernatural/Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Cast of Characters: Tara/Lenore McLeod, Fergus McLeod/Crowley, Loki/Gabriel, Anya, Castiel, Kali, Eli, Angel, Darla, Spike, Drusilla, Dean, Sam, Scoobies
Rating: T
Summary: Willow tried to bring Tara back…and she did. Unfortunately, she was brought back to life in 1672. Now 'Lenore' has to deal with witches, demons, pagan gods, and even angels, as she struggles to find the red-haired woman she sees in her dreams.
Pairings: Multiple pairings that will include the characters: Anya, Gabriel, Kali, Tara/Lenore, Willow - at least.
Spoilers: BTVS S6E19 ‘Seeing Red’, SPN S2E3 ‘Bloodlust’. Spoilers for Crowley's past in S6 “Weekend at Bobby’s” and Trickster/Loki's past in S5 ‘Changing Channels’
Warnings: Character death, Femslash (nothing explicit)
Disclaimer: I do not own Supernatural or Buffy the Vampire Slayer. If I did then fewer people would have died in each of those shows :)
Read specific chapters here: Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 12 | Chapter 13 | Chapter 14 | Chapter 15 | Chapter 16 | Chapter 17 | Chapter 18 | Chapter 19 | Chapter 20 | Chapter 21
Or all of the entire story here: Living as Lenore
Read more...
December 26, 1849
Rome, Italy
Lenore woke up the next morning with three main thoughts running through her head.
One: Where were her clothes?
Two: Wow, if sex with most men was even half as good as it was with the Immortal, then maybe she needed to broaden her sexuality preferences.
Three: Her brother was a demon.
She sighed and slowly began to inch over to the side of the bed. The Immortal - or Heracles as he said she could call him, as long as she didn’t mention it to anyone else - was fast asleep on the other side of his king-sized bed. A red silk sheet was tangled around her leg and it took all of her supernatural grace not to fall out of bed while trying to get out of the sheet. Finding success, she peered around the dark room (the Immortal had been kind enough to pull his thick drapes closed since as a vampire she didn’t care much for the sun) and saw her dress hanging over a chair.
Lenore quietly crept to the chair and held up the dress, her brows furrowing as she wondered how to put the complicated 19th century dress back on.
“Good morning bella. My, you are quite the sight,” a sly voice interrupted her thoughts.
“Oh, hello,” Lenore greeted in surprise as she held her dress in front of her naked form. She had never slept with anyone after just knowing them for a few hours so this felt quite awkward.
The Immortal grinned and sat up halfway on his left elbow, allowing the silk sheet to fall down to his belly button. Sun-darkened skin and well-formed muscles made quite the pretty picture; she smiled in spite of herself.
“Leaving so soon?” He sat up all the way and his smile turned impish. “I was hoping we would have an opportunity to continue our lessons from last night.”
Lenore blushed. Last night he had certainly given her many ‘hands-on’ lessons in male-female lovemaking. The logical part of her mind chastised her for being rather reckless and sleeping with him but there was a slightly wilder side to her that had taken hold of her decision-making last night - and that side congratulated her on receiving all ‘As’ in her studies with him.
“Well, I did not want to tarry; I do have quite a few things to plan for the party,” she explained with a shrug as she tried to bite back a smile.
His brow rose in amusement. “You do know that in Italia we are always late to everything? Procrastination is one of the things we do best.”
She laughed and shook her head. “Well us Scots are a punctual lot.”
In a flash he was standing in front of her and setting her dress back on the chair. Then he was kissing her and her body was molding to his. His kisses tasted like red wine, bitter yet intoxicating. Lenore couldn’t quite understand why she was so infatuated with him but she didn’t particularly care, either.
And in a moment she was forgetting all her cares in the world.
Half the day passed and they were both still naked in bed. She was curled around his hulking frame and his arm was wrapped around her as they drank some of Italy’s finest red wine. Most of the day was spent in the throes of passion but in between Lenore was discovering that she actually, kind of, liked the Immortal. He was extremely intelligent and well-read on a number of topics and they differed in opinion enough to argue - which of course always resulted in some sort of sexual activity.
She was surprised that she was having fun.
“No, I tell you, I hate the magics. They are devious and don’t allow for a level field.”
Lenore turned to give him an incredulous look. “Magic is not devious, only the person commanding it may be devious. Magic is a huge part of who I am - I don’t understand how you can hate it.”
“You heard Loki mention my real name last night, yes?”
She nodded. “Heracles.”
“I assume you’re used to the Roman version of Hercules?”
She nodded again.
“Well, that is who I am. Son of Zeus and Alcmene. My father loved me but I was the target of his goddess consort and many others. I endured many trials - trials that also included magic users.” A dark look passed through his eyes. “Of which I am sure you are familiar, so I shan’t bore you with the stories. When my death day came my mortal body burned in a funeral pyre, leaving only the god aspect of my self. My father, Zeus, granted me with immortality.” He regarded her with curious dark blue eyes as he watched her reaction.
“Wow.” Sure, she suspected something like this thanks to Loki…but to know that she had spent the last day with the one and only Hercules? On one hand it was quite neat but on the other she could never think of that Disney cartoon the same ever again. “So why are you here in Rome and not Olympus or something?”
The Immortal - or Heracles - shrugged. “I spent enough time fighting the various gods that I wasn’t terribly eager to spend time with them,” he snorted in amusement. “Besides, the Greeks and later the Romans began to worship me. That worship gave me power so I prefer to stick close to my base, as most gods do.”
“So why all the mystery? Why not just call yourself Heracles?”
He grinned and rolled over, pinning her under his body. “Because my darling, intrigue and mystery creates a worship and power of its own. Plus,” he laughed, “if people knew I was Heracles they’d attempt to send me on quests every damn day.”
Lenore laughed. “Good point,” she managed to say before Heracles was kissing her again.
Soon she was sitting in his lap with her legs circled around his waist when the door banged open. They looked over in surprise to see Heracles’ manservant, Loki, and Aphrodite entering the room.
“Sir, I apologize sir! I could not stop him!” the nervous manservant explained.
“It’s fine, Paulo. Loki, Aphrodite,” he greeted in an irritated voice as Lenore pulled the covers over herself, relieved that she didn’t think they saw much of her since Heracles’ back was to the door and he covered her. “What in Hades’ name are you doing here?”
“Looking for Lenore, we’re leaving,” Loki answered defiantly with crossed arms.He looked positively murderous as he glanced from Lenore to Heracles. Behind him Aphrodite was looking quite amused.
“Loki!” Lenore shouted as she wrapped the thin sheet around her ever tighter. “What the heck are you doing? I’m kind of, you know, busy,” she hissed in irritation.
Her friend snapped her fingers and suddenly she was wearing her dress again. “Yeah, about that. Aphrodite used her magic to help push you into Herc’s pants,” he snarled with an angry look at Heracles.
“What?” Lenore shouted as she jumped away from the bed and looked at her recent lover in horror.
“What? Lenore I have no idea what’s he talking about,” Heracles, still nude, said as he jumped out of bed. “Unless…” he glared at his giggling sister. “By Poseidon’s Trident! Aphrodite, tell me you didn’t,” he ordered her in a warning tone as recognition dawned in his features.
The blonde goddess shrugged innocently with a secretive smile. “O-kay,” she sighed. “So maybe I had some fun. I just wanted to get Loki alone and figured you and the vampire would have fun.”
Lenore’s hands clenched into fists at her side as she stared at the goddess in dismay. “No…how could you?” she whispered. Memories of her mind being toyed with passed through her mind. She shot Heracles a dark look. “Did you know?” she demanded.
“No, no,” he murmured as he tried to take her hand, but she jerked away. “I swear I didn’t.” He glared at his sister. “I forget how Aphrodite likes to play her damn games.”
Loki was at her side with his arm around her back. “Come on, Lenore. Let’s get out of here.”
She walked with him towards the door as she curled within herself. She had been…used. Sexually used. This couldn’t be happening. Not again.
Lenore looked back at Heracles and saw him staring at her with a forlorn expression. Biting her lip and blinking back tears she turned away. At the door Aphrodite gave her a stunning smile and winked. “Hey, at least he’s a good lay, right?”
That feeling of victimization was thrown out the window at the goddess’ smug smile. “You. Bitch.” Lenore grabbed her by the throat and threw the Goddess of Love onto the marble floor twenty feet across the luxurious master bedroom. “How dare you toy with my mind!” Lenore shouted as she leapt forward, grabbing Aphrodite’s arm and cracking it as she flung the goddess into the wall.
“Just what gives you the right to use me? Or anyone?” Lenore yelled as she propelled towards the goddess and slammed her palm into her nose.
Her face bleeding, Aphrodite glared at her. “You filthy, stupid vampire. Don’t you get it? I am a goddess - I can do whatever I want.” Her fingers flew through the air like talons, effectively leaving five bleeding trails down the right side of Lenore’s face. Her knee slid into Lenore’s gut and her right hand shoved Lenore’s head against the wall.
Grunting, Lenore kicked out with her left foot and executed several kung fu moves she learned from the Asian vampires of her clan - tiger, crane, and praying mantis. “Gods can die,” she muttered as she avoided Aphrodite’s kick. She hit the goddess with a wooden chair and then broke off the leg. “I think we all know what happens when you get staked.”
Laughing, Aphrodite broke off a stake of her own. “Same thing with you, my dear.”
“Enough!” Heracles boomed as he grabbed his sister and Loki grabbed Lenore. “I will not have this here. Aphrodite, apologize!”
“What? No!” she shouted in indignation. “This foul creature tried to kill me.”
“After you violated her,” Loki spat angrily as he struggled to hold Lenore back.
“Do it, sister. Or must I tell your husband Hephaestus that you’ve been unfaithful again? The god of metal crafts will be sure to fit you with some chains if he learns of this,” Heracles threatened.
“Fine,” Aphrodite snarled, all charm gone from her face now. “Vampire-”
“-Lenore,” her brother corrected.
“Lenore, I am sorry,” she growled.
Lenore regarded her with an angry stare. “Do anything like that to me again and I will kill you. Do you hear me?”
The goddess’ eyes narrowed to slits but she finally nodded. “You can try,” she smirked.
“Come on, Lenore. Let’s get the hell out of here,” Loki said and he snapped them back to her hotel room.
She sat, shaking, onto the couch and leaned over until her head touched her knees. “What is wrong with me, Loki? Why does everyone have to play mind games with me and take advantage of me?” she asked in a tired voice. “Willow. The angels. Connor. Aurelius. I’m so exhausted of people trying to use me.”
“Hey, well after that fight I doubt anyone will try that again,” Loki said in a light voice as he pulled her into his arms.
Lenore snorted and shook her head. “I don’t know what came over me…I just snapped, you know?” She shook her head again. “I’m tired of being the victim. I’m tired of being lied to.”
Loki stiffened slightly but then he settled against the couch and hugged her tighter. “It’s okay to get angry, to fight. I know you like to pretend like you’re normal but you are a vampire. You’re a predator, Lenore. You’re bound to act like one sometimes.”
“I don’t want to be an animal. Hunting demons is one thing, but attacking someone I’m angry at? That’s different.”
He sighed. “You’re not an animal. What Aphrodite did was wrong,” he said in a hardened voice. “And Heracles, too.”
Lenore shook her head. “Honestly, I really don’t think he knew.”
Loki snorted and rolled his eyes. “Guy’s a dick, Lenore. He probably did.”
Lenore shrugged. “Didn’t seem like it…” she trailed off.
He held her up and shook her. “Lenore, don’t be thinking sweet things about him. Before you were under the Goddess of Love’s influence, okay? Everything from before was fake.”
Lenore was silent; she felt like maybe it wasn’t but there was no use arguing. Besides, maybe Loki was right. Maybe she just wanted there to be something.
She just wanted love.
“I just want…”
“Yes?”
Lenore sighed. “I just want someone again. I’m so tired of being alone. Willow seems so far off. And I…”
“What is it?” he asked in a soft voice.
“Thinking about how Aphrodite toyed with my mind makes me think of Willow and everything that went wrong with our relationship…sometimes I can’t help but wonder if we’ll even be compatible anymore.”
There. She said it. Said the little annoying thought that had been plaguing her for a while now. Lenore McLeod was not Tara Maclay. She was much more, with different life experiences. Not to mention, she was immortal. “What if we’re really not meant to be?” Lenore whispered.
“Oh Lenore,” Loki said sadly. “I really don’t know what to tell you. Fate’s a tricky thing. It’s not some treasure map with your path clearly identified by a line and an ‘X’, it’s a map with hundreds of different roads you can take.”
Lenore was silent for a moment as she snuggled up to Loki. Finally she said, “Can’t I just be a pirate and get a freaking treasure map?”
Loki laughed and she joined in - here with Loki, surrounded by their laughter, was the one place in her world where she always felt safe and happy.
A/N:
I’m working on way to many projects all at once and updating isn’t as easy as I (and I’m sure you!) prefer. So that’s why this chapter is a tad shorter instead of me cramming several scenes together in one chapter.
On some good news: I am 15k words into my Gabriel Big Bang story! It’s a BTVS/SPN crossover with a Gabriel/Faith pairing. Here’s the summary:
Summary for ‘Finding Faith’:Prince of Fire, Messenger of God, Angel of Death: Gabriel has been all these things until one day his charge, Sineya, is violated in the cruelest of ways. Grief derived from this action and the hatred that divides his family ultimately drives him from Heaven. But he continues to observe the Daughters of Sineya - the Vampire Slayers - and upon the day Faith Lehane is Called the archangel is enthralled.
(Ok, I don’t like the summary but it’s a work in progress.)
Author: Luna (aka Luna_del_Cielo on lj)
Fandom: Supernatural/Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Cast of Characters: Tara/Lenore McLeod, Fergus McLeod/Crowley, Loki/Gabriel, Anya, Castiel, Kali, Eli, Angel, Darla, Spike, Drusilla, Dean, Sam, Scoobies
Rating: T
Summary: Willow tried to bring Tara back…and she did. Unfortunately, she was brought back to life in 1672. Now 'Lenore' has to deal with witches, demons, pagan gods, and even angels, as she struggles to find the red-haired woman she sees in her dreams.
Pairings: Multiple pairings that will include the characters: Anya, Gabriel, Kali, Tara/Lenore, Willow - at least.
Spoilers: BTVS S6E19 ‘Seeing Red’, SPN S2E3 ‘Bloodlust’. Spoilers for Crowley's past in S6 “Weekend at Bobby’s” and Trickster/Loki's past in S5 ‘Changing Channels’
Warnings: Character death, Femslash (nothing explicit)
Disclaimer: I do not own Supernatural or Buffy the Vampire Slayer. If I did then fewer people would have died in each of those shows :)
Read specific chapters here: Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 12 | Chapter 13 | Chapter 14 | Chapter 15 | Chapter 16 | Chapter 17 | Chapter 18 | Chapter 19 | Chapter 20 | Chapter 21
Or all of the entire story here: Living as Lenore
Read more...
December 26, 1849
Rome, Italy
Lenore woke up the next morning with three main thoughts running through her head.
One: Where were her clothes?
Two: Wow, if sex with most men was even half as good as it was with the Immortal, then maybe she needed to broaden her sexuality preferences.
Three: Her brother was a demon.
She sighed and slowly began to inch over to the side of the bed. The Immortal - or Heracles as he said she could call him, as long as she didn’t mention it to anyone else - was fast asleep on the other side of his king-sized bed. A red silk sheet was tangled around her leg and it took all of her supernatural grace not to fall out of bed while trying to get out of the sheet. Finding success, she peered around the dark room (the Immortal had been kind enough to pull his thick drapes closed since as a vampire she didn’t care much for the sun) and saw her dress hanging over a chair.
Lenore quietly crept to the chair and held up the dress, her brows furrowing as she wondered how to put the complicated 19th century dress back on.
“Good morning bella. My, you are quite the sight,” a sly voice interrupted her thoughts.
“Oh, hello,” Lenore greeted in surprise as she held her dress in front of her naked form. She had never slept with anyone after just knowing them for a few hours so this felt quite awkward.
The Immortal grinned and sat up halfway on his left elbow, allowing the silk sheet to fall down to his belly button. Sun-darkened skin and well-formed muscles made quite the pretty picture; she smiled in spite of herself.
“Leaving so soon?” He sat up all the way and his smile turned impish. “I was hoping we would have an opportunity to continue our lessons from last night.”
Lenore blushed. Last night he had certainly given her many ‘hands-on’ lessons in male-female lovemaking. The logical part of her mind chastised her for being rather reckless and sleeping with him but there was a slightly wilder side to her that had taken hold of her decision-making last night - and that side congratulated her on receiving all ‘As’ in her studies with him.
“Well, I did not want to tarry; I do have quite a few things to plan for the party,” she explained with a shrug as she tried to bite back a smile.
His brow rose in amusement. “You do know that in Italia we are always late to everything? Procrastination is one of the things we do best.”
She laughed and shook her head. “Well us Scots are a punctual lot.”
In a flash he was standing in front of her and setting her dress back on the chair. Then he was kissing her and her body was molding to his. His kisses tasted like red wine, bitter yet intoxicating. Lenore couldn’t quite understand why she was so infatuated with him but she didn’t particularly care, either.
And in a moment she was forgetting all her cares in the world.
Half the day passed and they were both still naked in bed. She was curled around his hulking frame and his arm was wrapped around her as they drank some of Italy’s finest red wine. Most of the day was spent in the throes of passion but in between Lenore was discovering that she actually, kind of, liked the Immortal. He was extremely intelligent and well-read on a number of topics and they differed in opinion enough to argue - which of course always resulted in some sort of sexual activity.
She was surprised that she was having fun.
“No, I tell you, I hate the magics. They are devious and don’t allow for a level field.”
Lenore turned to give him an incredulous look. “Magic is not devious, only the person commanding it may be devious. Magic is a huge part of who I am - I don’t understand how you can hate it.”
“You heard Loki mention my real name last night, yes?”
She nodded. “Heracles.”
“I assume you’re used to the Roman version of Hercules?”
She nodded again.
“Well, that is who I am. Son of Zeus and Alcmene. My father loved me but I was the target of his goddess consort and many others. I endured many trials - trials that also included magic users.” A dark look passed through his eyes. “Of which I am sure you are familiar, so I shan’t bore you with the stories. When my death day came my mortal body burned in a funeral pyre, leaving only the god aspect of my self. My father, Zeus, granted me with immortality.” He regarded her with curious dark blue eyes as he watched her reaction.
“Wow.” Sure, she suspected something like this thanks to Loki…but to know that she had spent the last day with the one and only Hercules? On one hand it was quite neat but on the other she could never think of that Disney cartoon the same ever again. “So why are you here in Rome and not Olympus or something?”
The Immortal - or Heracles - shrugged. “I spent enough time fighting the various gods that I wasn’t terribly eager to spend time with them,” he snorted in amusement. “Besides, the Greeks and later the Romans began to worship me. That worship gave me power so I prefer to stick close to my base, as most gods do.”
“So why all the mystery? Why not just call yourself Heracles?”
He grinned and rolled over, pinning her under his body. “Because my darling, intrigue and mystery creates a worship and power of its own. Plus,” he laughed, “if people knew I was Heracles they’d attempt to send me on quests every damn day.”
Lenore laughed. “Good point,” she managed to say before Heracles was kissing her again.
Soon she was sitting in his lap with her legs circled around his waist when the door banged open. They looked over in surprise to see Heracles’ manservant, Loki, and Aphrodite entering the room.
“Sir, I apologize sir! I could not stop him!” the nervous manservant explained.
“It’s fine, Paulo. Loki, Aphrodite,” he greeted in an irritated voice as Lenore pulled the covers over herself, relieved that she didn’t think they saw much of her since Heracles’ back was to the door and he covered her. “What in Hades’ name are you doing here?”
“Looking for Lenore, we’re leaving,” Loki answered defiantly with crossed arms.He looked positively murderous as he glanced from Lenore to Heracles. Behind him Aphrodite was looking quite amused.
“Loki!” Lenore shouted as she wrapped the thin sheet around her ever tighter. “What the heck are you doing? I’m kind of, you know, busy,” she hissed in irritation.
Her friend snapped her fingers and suddenly she was wearing her dress again. “Yeah, about that. Aphrodite used her magic to help push you into Herc’s pants,” he snarled with an angry look at Heracles.
“What?” Lenore shouted as she jumped away from the bed and looked at her recent lover in horror.
“What? Lenore I have no idea what’s he talking about,” Heracles, still nude, said as he jumped out of bed. “Unless…” he glared at his giggling sister. “By Poseidon’s Trident! Aphrodite, tell me you didn’t,” he ordered her in a warning tone as recognition dawned in his features.
The blonde goddess shrugged innocently with a secretive smile. “O-kay,” she sighed. “So maybe I had some fun. I just wanted to get Loki alone and figured you and the vampire would have fun.”
Lenore’s hands clenched into fists at her side as she stared at the goddess in dismay. “No…how could you?” she whispered. Memories of her mind being toyed with passed through her mind. She shot Heracles a dark look. “Did you know?” she demanded.
“No, no,” he murmured as he tried to take her hand, but she jerked away. “I swear I didn’t.” He glared at his sister. “I forget how Aphrodite likes to play her damn games.”
Loki was at her side with his arm around her back. “Come on, Lenore. Let’s get out of here.”
She walked with him towards the door as she curled within herself. She had been…used. Sexually used. This couldn’t be happening. Not again.
Lenore looked back at Heracles and saw him staring at her with a forlorn expression. Biting her lip and blinking back tears she turned away. At the door Aphrodite gave her a stunning smile and winked. “Hey, at least he’s a good lay, right?”
That feeling of victimization was thrown out the window at the goddess’ smug smile. “You. Bitch.” Lenore grabbed her by the throat and threw the Goddess of Love onto the marble floor twenty feet across the luxurious master bedroom. “How dare you toy with my mind!” Lenore shouted as she leapt forward, grabbing Aphrodite’s arm and cracking it as she flung the goddess into the wall.
“Just what gives you the right to use me? Or anyone?” Lenore yelled as she propelled towards the goddess and slammed her palm into her nose.
Her face bleeding, Aphrodite glared at her. “You filthy, stupid vampire. Don’t you get it? I am a goddess - I can do whatever I want.” Her fingers flew through the air like talons, effectively leaving five bleeding trails down the right side of Lenore’s face. Her knee slid into Lenore’s gut and her right hand shoved Lenore’s head against the wall.
Grunting, Lenore kicked out with her left foot and executed several kung fu moves she learned from the Asian vampires of her clan - tiger, crane, and praying mantis. “Gods can die,” she muttered as she avoided Aphrodite’s kick. She hit the goddess with a wooden chair and then broke off the leg. “I think we all know what happens when you get staked.”
Laughing, Aphrodite broke off a stake of her own. “Same thing with you, my dear.”
“Enough!” Heracles boomed as he grabbed his sister and Loki grabbed Lenore. “I will not have this here. Aphrodite, apologize!”
“What? No!” she shouted in indignation. “This foul creature tried to kill me.”
“After you violated her,” Loki spat angrily as he struggled to hold Lenore back.
“Do it, sister. Or must I tell your husband Hephaestus that you’ve been unfaithful again? The god of metal crafts will be sure to fit you with some chains if he learns of this,” Heracles threatened.
“Fine,” Aphrodite snarled, all charm gone from her face now. “Vampire-”
“-Lenore,” her brother corrected.
“Lenore, I am sorry,” she growled.
Lenore regarded her with an angry stare. “Do anything like that to me again and I will kill you. Do you hear me?”
The goddess’ eyes narrowed to slits but she finally nodded. “You can try,” she smirked.
“Come on, Lenore. Let’s get the hell out of here,” Loki said and he snapped them back to her hotel room.
She sat, shaking, onto the couch and leaned over until her head touched her knees. “What is wrong with me, Loki? Why does everyone have to play mind games with me and take advantage of me?” she asked in a tired voice. “Willow. The angels. Connor. Aurelius. I’m so exhausted of people trying to use me.”
“Hey, well after that fight I doubt anyone will try that again,” Loki said in a light voice as he pulled her into his arms.
Lenore snorted and shook her head. “I don’t know what came over me…I just snapped, you know?” She shook her head again. “I’m tired of being the victim. I’m tired of being lied to.”
Loki stiffened slightly but then he settled against the couch and hugged her tighter. “It’s okay to get angry, to fight. I know you like to pretend like you’re normal but you are a vampire. You’re a predator, Lenore. You’re bound to act like one sometimes.”
“I don’t want to be an animal. Hunting demons is one thing, but attacking someone I’m angry at? That’s different.”
He sighed. “You’re not an animal. What Aphrodite did was wrong,” he said in a hardened voice. “And Heracles, too.”
Lenore shook her head. “Honestly, I really don’t think he knew.”
Loki snorted and rolled his eyes. “Guy’s a dick, Lenore. He probably did.”
Lenore shrugged. “Didn’t seem like it…” she trailed off.
He held her up and shook her. “Lenore, don’t be thinking sweet things about him. Before you were under the Goddess of Love’s influence, okay? Everything from before was fake.”
Lenore was silent; she felt like maybe it wasn’t but there was no use arguing. Besides, maybe Loki was right. Maybe she just wanted there to be something.
She just wanted love.
“I just want…”
“Yes?”
Lenore sighed. “I just want someone again. I’m so tired of being alone. Willow seems so far off. And I…”
“What is it?” he asked in a soft voice.
“Thinking about how Aphrodite toyed with my mind makes me think of Willow and everything that went wrong with our relationship…sometimes I can’t help but wonder if we’ll even be compatible anymore.”
There. She said it. Said the little annoying thought that had been plaguing her for a while now. Lenore McLeod was not Tara Maclay. She was much more, with different life experiences. Not to mention, she was immortal. “What if we’re really not meant to be?” Lenore whispered.
“Oh Lenore,” Loki said sadly. “I really don’t know what to tell you. Fate’s a tricky thing. It’s not some treasure map with your path clearly identified by a line and an ‘X’, it’s a map with hundreds of different roads you can take.”
Lenore was silent for a moment as she snuggled up to Loki. Finally she said, “Can’t I just be a pirate and get a freaking treasure map?”
Loki laughed and she joined in - here with Loki, surrounded by their laughter, was the one place in her world where she always felt safe and happy.
A/N:
I’m working on way to many projects all at once and updating isn’t as easy as I (and I’m sure you!) prefer. So that’s why this chapter is a tad shorter instead of me cramming several scenes together in one chapter.
On some good news: I am 15k words into my Gabriel Big Bang story! It’s a BTVS/SPN crossover with a Gabriel/Faith pairing. Here’s the summary:
Summary for ‘Finding Faith’:Prince of Fire, Messenger of God, Angel of Death: Gabriel has been all these things until one day his charge, Sineya, is violated in the cruelest of ways. Grief derived from this action and the hatred that divides his family ultimately drives him from Heaven. But he continues to observe the Daughters of Sineya - the Vampire Slayers - and upon the day Faith Lehane is Called the archangel is enthralled.
(Ok, I don’t like the summary but it’s a work in progress.)