... before the storm ...
Ethan Rayne sits in his makeshift cell. It's a joke, really. Unfortunately, the guards aren't as funny. No matter. He's right where he needs to be, at least for the moment.
Theoretically, he can't do any real magic with the command bracelet on. He'll be electrocuted to death. But his definition of magic is much, much different than whomever the U.S. Army paid to cobble up this little choke chain. They need to think bigger to hold him.
He'll be out soon, but first: opportunity.
He closes his eyes, as if resting, and images flash before his eyes. He can't really make much sense of them ... that would take effort, and effort sets off the sensors. So he remains passive.
The Hyperion Hotel, former residence of one currently absent ensouled vampire. Hmmm. Why there? Angel has no real symbolism to The Shadowmen. Just to Wolfram & Hart.
Wolfram & Hart. Wolfram & Hart, who imprisoned the Juris, who turned on both him and The Shadowmen to stymie their apocalypse in favor of their own. What else have they hidden, over the centuries?
The answer's obvious: Lots. Any number of evil things shoved under the ground, ensnared in pocket universes. Whatever. Probably all over the world. Over many worlds.
But this isn't HAPPENING all over the world. It's happening HERE. Every vampire on Earth was drawn to Los Angeles. Why not Cleveland? Or Reno? Or anywhere?
Because Wolfram & Hart wanted them here. They wanted what came next to be in their command.
And the images float across his subconscious brain. He sees the newer slayer and the blonde vampire fighting a savage woman in a far off place. He sees Buffy and Rupert on the doorstep of The Hyperion. He sees Willow and her wicked companions in total darkness. And he sees Angel ... but that vision is obscured to him, and he can't prompt it.
He relaxes more, doesn't fight his senses. It's as easy as dreaming.
And then he hears The Juris' musical voice, and his eyes snap open in shock.
Who are the lost children of Vahla ha'nesh?