In a Corner of My Soul: Angel: Scanning Project

[dragonyphoenix]

Summary: Rewrite of season 1 with Giles as the Big Bad.
Master List for In a Corner of My Soul (previous chapters / scenes)

One wall of the Ashworth family library had been denuded of books to create a gallery for the taxidermal invasion otherwise known as the old mad Lord's unfortunate obsession with the avian physique. A good third of the books had been moved to what had once been a minor drawing room. Antonia, unfortunately, did not have the authority to return the books to their rightful place. Her father-in-law had stipulated in his will that his heir leave the birds on display exactly as they'd been in his lifetime. Her dear departed Vernon had made no such stipulation in his will but Cecil would not be moved on the subject. His grandfather had wanted the birds on display in the library; there they would remain.

Cecil's fondness for the collection had been anchored the night the lad, a mere child of six at the time, had stolen one of the birds, a snow bunting, from the display. How he'd managed to open the case remained a mystery, but by the time they'd noticed, Cecil had latched onto the stuffed bird as if it were the most delightful toy. In fact, he'd treated it rather like a teddy bear and had named it Snowflake, which had spoken highly of the boy's cleverness given that snowflake was a colloquial name for the snow bunting. His grandfather had been obstinate, demanding the bird be returned to its case, but Cecil had won in the end, talking his grandfather into allowing him to keep the bird as a toy.

“A Professor Miller to see you, my lady.”

“Yes, thank you Geoffrey. We're not to be disturbed.”

The minor Watcher families, those that had never risen to the ranks of the Council, provided a solid pool of men who knew their place. Miller's haircut, the coarseness of the weave on his tweed jacket, and even his mannerisms all suggested he was just such a low-level operative. He wasn't, but very few knew it. Antonia gestured toward a pair of leather chairs. “Please, join me.”

“My lady.”

The servants had been told that Miller had requested a chance to visit the library. Geoffrey certainly knew better, but Antonia knew that Geoffrey wouldn't talk. “I suppose you know why I've invited you here.”

She saw a hint of a smile on Miller's lips before he replied. “One hates to put forward one's own conclusions.”

“Humor me.”

“Your son met with Alan Wyndam-Pryce not long after Jeremy Taylor had compiled data, information relating to demonic attacks that had occurred in the vicinity of Rupert Giles. Taylor is now reporting to another of the Wyndam-Pryce clan, a man who is acting as Travers' agent in this matter.”

“Ah,” Antonia nodded to acknowledge the confirmation. “I knew Quentin had suborned the lad.”

“Mr. Taylor was in a difficult position.”

Antonia waved that off. “Yes, yes, I'm not about to take it out on him.”

“Given that your son attempted to invoke the Mortem Filium on Rupert Giles for his part in the death of Roderick Travers Ashworth …”

“You heard about that?” If word of that event ever got back to any of the Gileses, open warfare wouldn't begin to describe their response.

“The information hasn't been widely spread,” he said.

“Very well. So you understand what I'm asking of you.”

“To compile evidence against Rupert Giles.”

“You're not to kill him.” She wanted to be quite certain he understood that.

Miller nodded in agreement. “Of course not. Revenge isn't half so sweet when your adversary isn't alive to feel the sting of your victory.”

“Good. I'm glad you understand. I've been preparing a place for you. Are you familiar with the Scanning Project?”

“The preservation of our most ancient tomes.” His voice held the ringing tones used by its proponents to describe the project. In a more sedate voice, he added, “by scanning them into a digital database.”

“Naturally there are no priceless books in the field but by the Council's charter any member can be called upon to present any book for processing at any time.”

“I'm to be assigned to Sunnydale.”

“You're assigned to Rupert Giles. You'll leave within the week.”