Chapter Seventeen
Time Cannot Erase My Passage Through This Sacred Place
The look in Angel’s eyes brought an ocean of unwanted memories awash, fresh and achingly painful. It surprised him more for the fact that, as Angelus, there had never been vacant rage burning his motive. There had never been anything other than the will to hurt others. Cruelty yes, but not anger. It wasn’t anger that had buried Jenny Calendar; it was vampiric nature in itself. Anger was a useless alibi, and no one understood that more than Giles.
“I still can’t believe you didn’t call me first,” the vampire snarled, storming past him angrily. “How stupid could you be?”
Giles rolled his eyes. “Please, come in.”
Behind Angel came an unfamiliar man with a tough street-face that looked supremely out of place in Sunnydale. He gave the Watcher a long, unimpressed look, then threw his bag onto the floor next to the sofa. “Nice digs,” he said appraisingly. “We hookin’ it up upstairs?”
“Angel…”
The vampire whirled around. “This is Gunn. He’s a friend of mine.”
“That’s all well and good. What’s he doing here?”
“Spike’s mine. I can handle him.” Angel paused. “But if what you said was true, we might have a problem with Buffy.”
“So you’ve brought a friend of yours to distract her?”
“He’s a vampire hunter. He has experience.”
Giles’s eyes widened. “You’re sending a vampire hunter after Buffy? Have you completely lost your mind?”
Riley emerged from around the corner, wiping his hands on a dishrag. “That would imply he had one to lose in the first place.”
Angel rolled his eyes. “What’s Captain America doing here?”
“You really think I was going to let you go after my girlfriend without me?” Finn retorted heatedly, beating the Watcher to the punch.
“Well, it’s obvious she’s not getting any satisfaction from you if she’s shacking up with Spike.” Angel stepped forward. “If she’s so in love with you, why on earth would she turn to her enemy in her hour of need?”
“Maybe because he’s the one vampire that hasn’t left her.”
Giles threw himself between them before Angel could lunge. “Riley has a right to go,” he said. “You two are simply going to have to put your differences aside and think for Buffy’s welfare.” He eyed Gunn warily. “Which is why I think those who don’t know her should be excluded from this.”
“First of all, she’s a sired Slayer. I kinda think she could take him. Second of all, no, the last thing I want him to do is go after her.” Angel shook his head. “We don’t know what to expect. It’s always better to have reinforcements.”
“Well, I’m sorry if I’m not too keen about sending a vampire hunter that I just met after my recently-sired Slayer. How in the world do I know I can trust him?”
Gunn’s brows arched. “You said the girl has a soul, right? I haven’t had too many problems with Angel yet; that don’t mean I wouldn’t stake his ass if he started nailing puppies to walls. I’m just the muscle, Rupes. And I damn well made Angel bring me ‘cause we don’t need no pile of dust signing our paychecks.”
“I’m sure a pile of dust would have more personality,” Riley grumbled.
“And Boy Wonder is one to talk,” Angel retorted.
Giles and Gunn exchanged a long look.
“Okay,” the latter said the next second, “now I’m going just to make sure you two don’t kill each other.”
The Watcher heaved a sigh. “Your prerogative is to ascertain Buffy’s welfare. If she…if it turns out that she is fine and not under some vampiric thrall…” He frowned. “Can vampires put other vampires under a thrall?”
“The weak-minded,” Angel replied, shooting Riley a pointed look. “But Buffy isn’t under a thrall.”
“How do you know?”
“Well, for one, I think we can all agree that Buffy’s not weak-minded. Second…” He paused. “Spike doesn’t use thrall. He never has.”
Giles’s frown deepened. “Are you telling me that in all his years with Drusilla, he never once attempted to master her powers?”
“He had no use for them. I’m telling you, thrall isn’t a part of this. Buffy likely went to Spike because she didn’t know what to do about the hunger. She might…” He broke off, a strange emotion entering his eyes. “If anything…if she is…involved, as you seem to think…it might be some take on the Stockholm Syndrome…or something. She might be mistaking gratitude or…”
“Regardless, if she wants to be there…if you get there and…” Giles drew in a breath. “The last thing I would ever want for Buffy right now is to take away anything that makes what she has become less tolerable. I merely hope that if we reintroduce aspects of her former life, she might realize what she is doing.”
There was a long silence.
“And if she doesn’t?” Angel asked softly.
“Then leave her be.”
“With Spike?” The duo of scorned lovers balked in horror.
“If that is where she wants to be, then no one here has any right to try to tell her whom she can or cannot…” He gestured inarticulately. “If her feelings for Spike are…beyond gratitude and the…carnal…if she truly went to him because she felt he was…she’s her own person. I can’t—I won’t—approve, but she is perfectly capable of making her own decisions.”
“Even if—”
The Watcher leveled his eyes. “Yes. Even if she wants to stay with Spike, I will not abide anyone trying to interfere with…what she wants right now. And in order to ensure that my words of…caution are received in the nature intended, I’ve had Willow and Tara place a sanctuary spell on the crypt.”
Riley’s eyes widened. “From here? How’s that possible?”
“They are two very resourceful witches,” Giles retorted dryly. “If you wish to test my warning, go ahead…but I have it on good authority that the results would not be beneficial should either of you…” He tossed dual glances to Gunn and Riley. “…ever wish to procreate.” He turned to Angel. “And you…well, suffice to say, it should ensure that you will never again be in danger of losing your soul because of a moment of happiness.”
The three men looked at the Watcher for a long minute as though he was Satan incarnate.
“All this to protect Spike?” Riley demanded.
“No. To protect Buffy. If Buffy is with Spike against her wishes, or because she’s disillusioned and confused, I’m sure she will deal with him later…on her own terms.” Giles paused. “Regardless, Spike has taken care of Buffy faithfully for the past several days…I’m not happy with the way he has gone about it, by any means, but similarly, I am not about to go against Buffy’s wishes. She has been through enough, and I think that’s something that everyone can agree on.” He met Angel’s eyes and held. “I called you because if anyone can reach her…should this situation be a charade on Spike’s part…it would be you.”
Riley tried and failed to hide the flicker of hurt that flashed across his face.
Giles ignored him promptly and turned to Gunn. “I know your loyalties lie with Angel, but as the only one here who hasn’t met or had a…relationship with Buffy…I am trusting you to serve as the voice of reason when it’s otherwise astray.”
“I don’t wanna be a eunuch, so I think we have an agreement.”
“Good.” He nodded. “Make it so.”
*~*~*
The crypt was alight with decoration she had only envisioned in her sappier fantasies. While the past few days had taught her that Spike had, among other things, a bizarre affinity for candles, she had never imagined that he would go to such extremes to unwittingly bring one of her favored teenage daydreams to life.
There were candles everywhere of all shapes and sizes. The ground was scattered with white and red rose petals. She felt like she had stepped into a storybook.
“Oh my God.”
She felt Spike smiling behind her and shivered at his touch as he ran a hand down her arm. Her entire body was alert to his presence, drawn to him; such that even the air separating them became intolerable within easy minutes. “Do you like it?” he asked, nuzzling her hair.
“I can’t believe…when did you do this?”
“While you were catchin’ yourself supper.” His lips brushed against her throat, his arms wrapping around her middle. “Wanted it to be perfect for you…tonight.”
“Oh God.”
“You’re not havin’ second thoughts, are you?” He paused. “’Bout the claim?”
“No. No! Of course not. I just can’t…” She twisted in his embrace, her arms going around his neck. “You went to all this trouble for me? It wasn’t…Spike, I didn’t expect you to…you didn’t have to do this.”
“I wanted to. You don’ like it?”
“I love it.”
He smiled, brushing a tender kiss across her lips. “Then it was worth it.” His mouth began a seductive path down her throat. “I jus’…this is important to me, Buffy. It’s somethin’…’s somethin’ sacred. Not many vamps…” He bristled and tore himself away from her tempting flesh, his eyes falling to the ground. “An’ now you must think I’m—”
“Adorable? Sweet?” Her brows perked with interest. “So gonna get laid?”
Spike smirked at that, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “This is more to me than that, sweetling.”
Her eyes fell serious and she cupped his face, kissing his lips gently. “It’s more to me, too.”
“An’ you’re sure?” Spike released a deep breath. “I jus’…you’re ready to do this tonight? We can—”
Buffy’s gaze flickered. “How many times am I going to have to reassure you that I want this?”
“Oi! I had to reassure you this afternoon.”
“Yes, and after that little lecture you gave me, I believed you.”
A small smile crossed his lips. “I jus’…I never thought I’d be here,” he said. “Never thought you’d…you could really want…it’s a li’l beyond me, luv. You’ve given me so bloody much.”
“Not more than you’ve given me.”
“I beg to differ.”
A soft sigh hummed through her throat. “I love you.”
Spike shook his head, kissing her again. “Still can’t believe that, either.”
“Believe it.”
His grin broadened, his mouth dropping once more to her throat. “Don’ know if I’ve told you this…don’ know how to say it without soundin’ condescending or bloody ridiculous…” Wandering hands tugged at her blouse, and a rush of cool air collided with her skin as he flung the offending garment to the ground. “But what you’ve done…not for me, but…you’ve come so bloody far. In everythin’.”
“You’re the reason.”
Spike shook his head, cupping her breasts reverently and exciting her nipples through the lace concealing her from him. “There’s only so many times you can say that,” he replied, skimming the column of her throat with his teeth as his fingers snapped her bra open. “Not that I don’ like the idea of bein’ your savior, mind you. But baby—”
“I’m gonna stop listening to you, because you’re being silly.”
He chuckled against her, manipulating her nipples masterfully. “Yeh,” he murmured. “That’s how civilized people end a conversation.”
“Since when are we civilized?” Her hands were tearing at his belt. “Are we gonna try for downstairs?”
“Thought we’d make it there…eventually.”
She grinned.
“But seriously…what you’ve done…the things you’ve done…in jus’ a few days…” He abandoned his quest of her throat, working down her body. “’m so…” His mouth got distracted then, tonguing her through the fabric of her panties. “Honestly, luv, what have I told you ‘bout wearin’ these?”
“Oh God…”
“Uh huh. That’s what you get.”
“Get up here.”
Her panties were gone the next second, his tongue lapping at her juices. “Make me,” he murmured, drawing her clit into his mouth.
“Oh…”
“Mmm. ‘S what I thought.”
Buffy drew in a shuddering breath and seized his wrists, drawing him up even as her body screamed in protest. “Made you,” she gasped.
“Party pooper.”
“Want you.”
“I was givin’ you—”
“Inside me.”
“Fuck, Buffy.”
She nodded, diving a hand into his jeans and drawing his erection into her eager touch. “Yes, yes,” she agreed. “That’s the idea.”
He whimpered in protest. “Bleedin’ hell…”
“And for the record…you did bring me this far.” She smirked. “Just wanted to get the last word in.”
“Did not,” he gasped, thrusting into her hand.
“Did too.”
“Li’l liar…”
“You taught me…” She ran her thumb teasingly over the tender head of his length. “…the three things.”
“Three…uhhh…”
Another gasp tore through her body as he plunged two fingers into her pussy. “The three things?” Her touch abandoned his cock, earning a long moan, instead sliding under the hem of his t-shirt, nails exploring his chest delicately. “Blood.” She tossed his top to the floor, somewhere near hers, and nipping at the flesh she uncovered.
He hummed in agreement, his own thumb settling over her clit. “Blood.”
Buffy shuddered a long sigh, but wrapped her hand around his wrist, drawing his touch out of her body. “Blood,” she repeated, sucking his index finger into her mouth, and his gaze devoured her with lust.
Then she shot a hand to his throat, her eyes registering the surprised widening of his own only a second before she threw him. Then he was flying through the air, landing rather brusquely on the sofa in front of the television before a word of objection could tumble through his lips.
“Bleedin’ fuck,” Spike gasped.
“Violence,” she noted, her eyes dropping to his cock. Her roughness had only strengthened his arousal.
She had to get him out of those jeans.
Spike must have read the look, for they were nonexistent the next minute. She grinned savagely and leapt in his course, landing squarely on his lap. His eyes flickered with shades of the hidden demon, excitement barely contained. He looked seconds away from losing control.
“An’ sex,” he growled, positioning himself at her opening.
Buffy’s hands flew to his shoulders, nails digging into his skin, a low rumble scratching at her throat. “And sex,” she agreed, attacking his mouth with hers.
She sank down, nestling his cock within her, and words lost all meaning.
*~*~*
“I still don’t see why you had to come along.”
“Forgive me if I don’t feel particularly comfortable with sending the grand ‘love of my girlfriend’s life’ to check up on her alone. Especially since, well now, that reason you left?” Riley shook his head dismissively. “Not so valid anymore.”
“So this is because you’re insecure?” Angel retorted. “The fact that that same girlfriend is boning Spike hasn’t clued you into the ‘not being interested in you’ kinda thing?”
Gunn arched a brow. “Guys, guys,” he said slowly, “ya’ll need to chill now.”
“If you go near her,” Riley continued, not even sparing the other man a glance, “you’re going to regret it.”
“Wow. Do you write your own lines?”
“Wow. Could you be anymore cliché?”
“I’m beginning to think I should’ve listened to Wes,” Gunn retorted, shaking his head. “He definitely could’ve done a better job of toleratin’ you two without a stake involved.”
*~*~*
It was an animalesque rutting, and there had never been anything like it.
Buffy was moving over him in fast, ardent strokes. Her eyes glazed over with emotions he had never seen. Her skin trembled beneath his touch, her pussy strangling him into his next life. He wasn’t going to last like this. Not with her bouncing on his cock, her ambrosia coating his length, her scent drowning him in bliss.
“Oh fuck.”
“Yeah,” she growled, clawing into his biceps. It was sweet pain, and he relished it. He had helped her reach this understanding. She could hurt him so good, and he would just scream for more.
He would make love to her all the way to the bed. He didn’t care how long it took.
He didn’t want to claim her, though, until they were under the sheets. Until the violence he had given her surpassed and she became herself again. As much as he loved her demon, he had loved Buffy first. He wanted her with him when his fangs found her throat. Wanted his demon shoved aside for that blessed union.
He didn’t know why. He just did. And that was the way it was.
In the meantime, the very tangible part of him that relished in sex meshed with violence took precedence over the man that lived inside. His thumb was speedily massaging her clit to hurry her orgasm; he was so bloody close, but he needed her scream of release before he found solace in her body. Before he allowed himself to fall.
“Fuck!”
Buffy threw her head back, her eyes flashing yellow as her fangs descended.
She was going to do it. Shit, she was going to do it.
“Buffy!”
Her gaze found him then, shining through with understanding even as her body slammed against his. “I love you, Spike.”
His heart soared. “I love you.”
Then her fangs were descending, and sweet bliss tore through his body.
And his eyes landed on the front, where the bewildered faces of intruders were staring at them in horror. Buffy’s body trembled into climax around him, triggering his own orgasm.
They fell together. Her fangs lodged in his throat, her hips moving against him; milking him for everything he had to give her.
And when he opened his eyes, they were still there.
All three of them.
To be continued in Chapter Eighteen: Bathed In Moonshade...
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