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Sam’s face was screwed up in distaste. He took a slurp of his beer. “Does someone want to explain to me what’s going on? Why are we talking about that half-angel guy?”
“Because he can change his aura, idiot, remember?” said Liz, shoving lightly at Sam’s solid arm. “That’s what he’s training Willow to do – remember?”
He glowered at her. “Yeah, but I thought that was just to make it look normal. ”
“No, he can make it look really unappetizing, too,” said Alex. “You know – like the last aura in the world an angel would ever want to feed from. Willow said it’s what he does when he sees one on the hunt. ”
Wesley’s habitual frown was back in place, his expression intense. “What about the computers? Won’t they have passwords on them?”
Kara sighed. “I think, unfortunately, that’s the part we’re going to have to play by ear. ”
Alex blew out a soft breath. He’d known already that breaking into the Church offices wasn’t as sure a bet as he’d like when it came to getting the security plans. But it was their only real hope.
“I’ll talk to Seb when we get home. ” He circled his finger through the condensation on his beer glass as he considered how they could best provide Seb with backup. No immediate way sprang to mind – not with that many angels in the office area, and in the narrow hallways that Kara had described. If any trouble broke out, it would be slaughter to have anyone posted back there; Seb was most likely going to have to be on his own.
“Jesus, this is going to be risky as hell,” he muttered. He felt a short, fierce relief that Willow hadn’t learned to disguise her aura yet.
“Well. . . there is something else we might try, but I don’t know how well it would work,” said Kara slowly. “The evening service two nights from now is going to be a special one, to celebrate the appointment of the new angel head – and the preacher’s going to be giving blessings on behalf of the angels. ”
Her eyes met Alex’s as he took in what this meant.
Liz blinked. “Yes? And?”
“A blessing’s seen as a really serious thing to ask for, so probably not that many people will go up,” explained Alex. “But for the ones who do, the preacher will hold their hands, maybe for as long as a minute. So Seb could try to get the information psychically first. ” Even though Seb had said he didn’t always get specific details, it was definitely worth a shot. Not that this option was without risk, either; the angels might decide to make an appearance and sense something amiss. But at least in the main cathedral, the team could provide Seb with cover.
“Will we be able to get in?” he asked Kara. “Every devout in the city’s going to want to go to this service. ”
She nodded. “It’s a ticketed event. They’re on sale from tomorrow; I’ll go down there first thing. ”
“Listen, are you sure we can trust that guy?” put in Sam, leaning on his forearms. “What if he gets in there and starts talking or something?”
“He wouldn’t,” said Alex. He was sure of that much, at least; Willow would never speak to Seb again if he betrayed them. He drained his beer. “Come on, we’d better get back so I can talk to him. ”
They left the cafe and started walking towards the Metro station. It was coming up to rush hour, with a steady flow of people all heading in the same direction. Far across the square was a pair of circling angels. Though the AKs couldn’t bring them down in daylight with such a crowd around, Alex saw several of the team glance at them speculatively. Good – they were doing scans now without being told.
He hung back a little, walking with Kara. “Can I ask you a favour?” he asked.
She glanced at him in surprise. “Sure. ”
Alex cleared his throat, wondering how to phrase this. “Well. . . you know Willow and I don’t get much time alone together. So I thought I’d take her out for the night on Friday. Would you be in charge while I’m gone? We’ll just be at that hotel on Alfredo Chavero; if anything comes up I could be home in five minutes. ”
Though he knew Kara still had reservations about him and Willow, she smiled. “No problem – I’ll babysit the troops. ” She gave him a thoughtful look. “Planning a romantic evening, huh?”
Alex’s ears reddened; he jammed his hands in his back pockets as they started down the station stairs. “Yeah, sort of. ” He’d booked one of the hotel’s nicest rooms, and arranged for flowers and chocolates to be put in it, plus ordered a special dinner to be delivered by room service. It had pretty much cleaned out his personal funds, but he wanted it all to be so completely perfect.
“Sounds nice,” said Kara, her voice neutral. “I hope you have a really good time. ” As they bought their tickets, Alex was glad she was keeping her thoughts to herself – and even gladder that the issue was settled. Because to be alone with Willow, really alone with her, for an entire night. . . god, right now there was nothing on the planet that he wanted more.
When they got home, Willow and Seb were both in the kitchen; Willow was peering into the fridge. “Hi,” she said, straightening up as they came in.
Her green eyes lingered on Alex’s, smiling. He smiled back. Knowing that just a few nights from now they’d be alone together made it easier to see Seb standing there against the counter. Like always, he’d gone quiet, though Alex had heard him and Willow talking as everyone came in.
Alex had the impression there was something she wanted to tell him; then she glanced at the others and seemed to decide to wait. “I was just thinking about fixing dinner,” she went on. “How does chilli sound?”
“Thanks, but I’ve already got some chicken marinating,” said Liz, coming into the kitchen. Her tone was so polite it was practically an insult.
Alex saw Willow give a small sigh as she closed the fridge door. “Well, just let me know if you want any help. ”
The others passed through without saying much, heading to their dorms or the TV room. As she disappeared, Kara gave Alex a tell me what he says as soon as you talk to him look, and he nodded. Meanwhile, Liz had taken Willow’s place at the fridge and was pulling out a covered dish. With a flash of irritation at Liz, Alex went to Willow and kissed her, though they didn’t usually in front of the others.
He saw her look of pleased surprise as they pulled apart, and resisted the urge to kiss her again. “Hey, can you do something for me?” he said, caressing her arms. “The Shadow’s been acting kind of funny – would you take a look?”
Liz glanced up, startled. “What – you fix motorcycles?” she blurted out.
“Yes, when I’m not fixing dinner,” said Willow mildly. Liz coloured and looked away. Still propped silently against the counter, the corner of Seb’s mouth twitched, and Alex knew that none of this had passed him by either.
“‘Funny’, how?” Willow asked. She was wearing jeans and her green camisole; the pendant he’d given her caught the light with a tiny sparkle.
Alex described how draggy the Shadow had been behaving the last time he’d driven it to the Torre Mayor. He’d forgotten to mention it afterwards, and now he was glad – the look on Liz’s face had been pure gold.
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