As he looked down on the infant his hand twitched; it would be so easy—a quick twist and the fragile neck would snap beneath his fingers. How he ached to do so—wipe all traces of Angelus’ bloodline from this earth just as the vampire had years ago removed all traces of his.

Instead, he cradled the child close to his breast; far better to raise this abomination to believe that he was its father—poison the creature against its own flesh and blood. His lips twisted in a cruel mockery of a smile. Yes, that would do nicely!