E-mail: lucindasiverling@hotmail.com
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~Part: 4~ The Most Dangerous Prey
A dark figure edged its way past the lone minion that stood as a sentry inside the warehouse. The minion never noticed as a sharp blade the color of dull ashes hissed through the air and severed his head from his shoulders, leaving a heap of ash on the floor. He had failed in his responsibility.
The other minions fared little better, being swiftly dispatched. The main area was the planning area for Jeremy. His face was deceptively wholesome, fooling most mortals into thinking him no more than a college student. He had used that to his advantage for almost three hundred years. He looked up, sensing something was not as it should be. The tall figure saluted him with the grey sword, and lunged. Almost unnoticed, a small bit of paper fluttered to the floor beside the now figting figures.
Jeremy's childe fled, knowing that this stranger was certain disaster. He didn't have the strength to fight this newcomer. The best he could do was to run, and hope to warn some of the other stronger vampires in Sunnydale. Someone was hunting them. Perhaps there would be someone strong enough to rid them of this new menace. Lance stumbled, feeling his Sire's death crash through him, his world crumbling. He had to find a way to bring this hunter down.
He went to Willie's, hoping to find someone or something that could get rid of the hunter that had destroyed his sire. He spread the word, regretful that he could offer only a partial description of the attacker.
Word of the assault on Jeremy's lair made its way to the ears of Spike and Angelus. They were not happy with the news.
"Bad enough that the blood slayer kills our kind. We don't need some newcomer to go around kiling vampires just to get his jollies." Spike was scowling. He could walk now, and was nearly healed from his burns. You three over there! Yes, I mean you. Go look around the place that used to be Jeremy's lair. I want to know everything you find."
Unfortunately, the minions were not able to find much of anything that would be useful. They could tell that all the minions had been killed. There was a puddle of blood in the main hall, some of it from Jeremy. The rest had to be from the attacker, and it was not human. The other had been some sort of demon, and there had been a single playing card at the edge of the pool of blood. It was the Ace of Spades.
~~~*~~~
Buffy was on patrol. She wasn't expecting much more than a few newly risen vampires, possibly some minions there to get the new recruits. If she was lucky, she might run into Angel. No, he wasn't her Angel anymore. He had lost his soul. Angel had tried not to get involved with her, but he had never ignored her. He had lurked, he had been cryptic, he had tried so many things. Angelus ignored her, as if she was of no interest to him, and Buffy didn't like that at all.
As she patrolled, Buffy began to get this odd prickly feeling between her shoulder-blades. Someone was watching her. She didn't think it was a friendly someone either, more likely an evil something. Just then, movement from behind a tombstone caught her eye.
There were several small demons, about as high as her lower ribs. They were covered with green skin that looked slightly scaled, and they had really big ears. In a way, they sort of resembled Yoda, only they were currently gathered around something, eating. Edging around a bit, Buffy saw that there were five of the green things, and they were eating what looked to be the carcass of a dog. They had short muzzles with sharp teeth, currently smeared with blood. Their hands ended in hands with three fingers each tipped with sharp, bloody claws.
"You know, that's just gross. Haven't any of you heard of napkins?" Buffy prepared herself for a fight. She hoped that taunting the demons would provoke a fight, but not get her killed.
The pack of evil Yoda clones snarled, then they leapt at her, growling and slashing at her with their claws. Buffy was stronger than they were, and fought them, trying to beat them back. Eventually, they retreated, melting away into the darkness.
She turned around, feeling that prickling again. There was a figure, tall and a bit lean, wearing a long coat and leaning against one of the mausoleums. She had a very bad feeling about that figure.
Buffy retreated to the library. Giles should have something on the evil Yodas, and maybe they could find some way to get rid of the trenchcoat guy. He gave her the serious wiggins.
When Buffy finally arrived back at the library, she found Willow there, a few books open in front of her. Something seemed a bit off about the picture, so Buffy studied her friend carrfuly. Willow was wearing a deep blue silk blouse. That was new, and rather stylish as well. The books in front of Willow were oddly colorful. Buffy was certain that the big books of demons weren't so colorful.
"Hey, Willow. What'cha doing?" Buffy tried to sound casual. Do you know where Giles is? I really need to talk to him."
Willow looked up at Buffy. She had somehow known that her friend had entered the library. "I have a history report that I'm working on. I need to write a paper on the effects of a particular invention on business in America. So, for once I'm doing normal research, or at least the type of research that most people would consider normal, not like what we normally are researching, not that we aren't normal..I'm babbling now. Giles is in his office."
Willow didn't even realize that she was keeping track of Buffy's location the same way that she would a dangerous demon that might turn on her.
~~~*~~~
Everyone had gathered to try and research the new demons. Willow had already been there, but she had set her history paper aside. Once again, life on the hellmouth was interfering with her own projects. It turned out that Buffy had encountered some strange demons in the cemetery, and now everyone would have to help try to find them.
Xander and Cordelia had arrived together, looking a bit disheveled. Xander's lips looked oddly dark, and Coreila's lipstick was smudged. Willow had a few thoughts about how that could have happened.
"Before we can look for these demons, our resident Slayer needs to give us a description." Willow spoke, wanting to have some clues to where to search for the information.
"Right. There were five of them, and they looked like evil Yoda clones gone wild." Seeing Giles wince at that description, Buffy sighed. Gesturing at the bottom of her ribcage, she tried again. "They were about this tall. They had green skin that looked like it had really litle scales. Yellow eyes, no hair. umm they had those really big ears like Yoda, but they had short muzzles with a lot of teeth. They had three fingers, and claws. They are definately carnivorous, and they can jump. Better description that way, Giles?"
"Yes, much more detailed. We'll need to get started, some types of small green demons have very rapid reproductive cycles. We need to be certain that these five won't become twenty five by next monday. Willow, can you use that dread machine to search for.." Giles began to explain the reserch strategy when Willow made an unexpected reply.
"Can't do that." She looked mostly calm, not in the least possessed.
"What? What do you mean, you can't?" Giles didn't know what to think. Why would Willow refuse to research on the computer?
"You want me to go online and search for demons based on the description. The internet service that the school uses is down for the next twelve hours for some necesary repairs after those Tukorri demons. That means, no internet, no online searches for demons. It isn't a matter of don't want to, it's can't be done on the computer right now." Willow explained.
"Oh. Well, if the computer is of no use, we'll just have to use the old fashioned method. There are plenty of books." Giles looked almost a bit relieved that the computer was useless for this.
Several hours later, they had made only a little progress. Most of that had been along the lines of ruling out hundreds of small green demons. Giles was frowning. Finally, he held up a book,opened to a page showing a picture of snarling creatures grouped around a body.
"Buffy, are these the creatures that you encountered?" Giles sounded resigned, as if there were some unpleasantness ahead.
"Hey!" Buffy siezed the book, pulling it closer and frowning at the picture. "Yeah, those are the nasty little things. See, evil Yoda clones! What's it say about them..." Buffy looked at the oposite page. "Originally native to the Black Forest in Germany... carnivorous, capable of leaping, see Chammerly's Index for more information. So, Giles, where's the copy of this Chammerly's book?"
Giles removed his glasses, polishing the lenses as he frowned. "I don't have a copy. I haven't been able to aquire one. However, there is a man just outside of Sunnydale. He's a historian, a rather eccentric fellow. He has a collection of old books, many in forgein languages. He has a copy of the Chammerly's Index. I have offered to buy it from him, but he has refused to sell it. Our only option is to send somebody there to look at his copy."
There was a brief commotion. Xander wanted to know why some wierd guy had a book of demons. Buffy wanted to know why the guy insisted on keeping it, and Cordelia asked why Giles didn't just offer more money. Finally, Giles waved everyone silent.
"I don't know how he got it, but he has said that it is a rare item, and he does not wish to part with it. I am not authorized by the Council to offer more than five thousand dollars for the book, and he has already refused that sum. That said, I think the best person to go is Willow. She is good at research, and will not alarm the gentleman in question. Here is the address." Giles scrawled something on a piece of paper and handed it to Willow.
Unable to manage more than a few words of protest, more like vowel sounds, Willow found herself being shoo'd from the library. She was now supposed to go to this address and look at a book in possession belonging to some strange guy.
~~~*~~~
Willow found the address. It was a medium sized house a little bit outside of Sunnydale's corperation limits, with orange trees in the back yard. There was an abandoned church beside it, with a small graveyard, painted an ominous dark hue by the setting sun. A small grey car sat in the driveway. She walked up to the door, and hesitated. What if this guy wouldn't let her look at his book? What if he was some sort of dangerous maniac? Willow took a few deep breaths, and knocked on the door.
The door opened slightly, revealing a man's face. His skin had been tanned to a leathery brown, and had squint lines around his eyes. He regarded her warily. "Who are you and why are you here? I don't want any magazines or siding."
Willow smiled weakly, still nervous. "ummm Mr Rupert Giles said you have a book, Chammerly's Index? He.. we, umm I need to ask if you'll let me look something up in it. So, ummm, may I look for something in your book that you won't sell Giles? oh, and I'm Willow."
The man smiled, showing very white even teeth. "Well, Willow, I suppose I can let you look in my library. The books stay here, and you must be careful with them. Some of them are very old." He gestured for Willow to follow him. "You can call me Sam."
He led the way to a huge library, filled with leather-bound books. Many of them looked old enough that they were hand written. "I'm afraid they aren't organized along any particular pattern or system. I think the Chammerly is over there." He gestured at a shelf, and left Willow with the books.
Dalton had been sent to research the new demons that had been sighted by some of the minions. Unfortunately, his own books didn't have any useful information on evil Yoda-like creatures... He would have to pay a visit to Mr. Samuel Taylor and consult with his books. He had some unusual books on demons and mystical objects that were unavaiable anywhere else. He was supposed to learn about the creatures, and if there was a chance of was a connection between them and the source of Jeremy's demise.
He went to visit the house of Mr. Taylor, as always wondering exactly what the man was. He had lived here forty years, and still looked exactly the same. The same dark eyes and tanned skin, lined with creases from squinting at the sun, wih grey hair showing faint traces of a darker color. The man knew about Sunnydale's less hman inhabitants, and was well versed in identifying and dealing with them. He was also very good with a sword.
Dalton knocked on the door. "Mr. Taylor? I think I need to look something up in one of your books."
"Ahh, Dalton. Remember to mind your manners, I have another guest in my house today. You know where the books are."
Dalton noddedd at Sam, knowing very well where the books were located. He made his way towards the library, wondering who or perhaps what else wuld be here. His question was answered soon enough. Sitting on the stepps, carefully turning the pages of a thick book was a young woman.
She was lovely, with hair like rubies and smooth pale skin. He could tell from across the room that despite her pale complexion she was alive, and she looked like she would be delicious. Her scent made his teeth itch. But Sam had said to mind his manners, and something about her was nagging at his mind. He hadn't ever met her, so it couldn't be that. Dalton didn't even realize that he was still moving towards her until he walked into the solid oak railing.
"Oh! umm... Hi. I'm Willow. Sam was kind enough to let me look at one of his books for something... ummm" She had smiled slightly, obviously nervous.
It clicked in Dalton's mind. This was the mortal that Master Angelus had declared off limits. She had ocupied Angelus' mind for some time, and there had been some question as to what made her so special. That meant no matter how tasty she looked, he couldn't taste her. He might as well be polite. "I'm Dalton."
He found that she was a skilled researcher, and was copying passages from the book she held. He was muttering something about where would the Fizzoul's be, trying to decide if Sam's lack of any sort of system for his books was deliberate.
"It's on the bottom shelf of the bookcase to your left. The green bound book on water spirits, the black one about different types of undead, and the two brown ones on various demons." Willow's voice carried to him. "Ummm, if you don't mind my asking, what are you trying to get information about?"
Dalton smiled a bit. The books were exactly where she had said. "You wuld probably think I'm a bit odd for this, but I'm looking for information on what was described to me as 'evil Yoda-like creatures' and they were on the north side of Sunnydale."
Willow looked thoughtful. "I think you are probably looking for these." She flipped back a few pages in the book she was holding, and turned it so he could look. There was a smaller sketch showing a group of large eared creatures ripping flesh from what appeared to be a human corpse, and a larger sketch showing a single individual.
"I was supposed to look here, because Giles had a book with a picture of these things, and it said to refer to the Chammerly Index, but Giles didn't have one, so he sent me here to ask Sam if I could look in his copy which he let medo, and I'm babbling now, sorry. ummm I finished copying the passages on them, you can look and see if it's any help with your evil Yoda things."
"Thanks, Willow. This is exactly what I'm looking for." Dalton hadn't expected things to be this easy. He hadn't expected Willow to be so nice either. He was definately beginning to understand why Angelus wanted her for his very own.
~~~*~~~
Dalton had returned to the lair, feeling rather pleased. He also understood now why Master Angelus was so interested in the mortal. Willow was amazing. She was attractive, and brilliant, and knew how to find information quickly.
He was certain that there was something about the pendant that she had been wearing. He hadn't looked too closely at it, trying to minimize the temptation she presented, but it had been shaped like a sunburst, with a dark stone set in the center. He was certain that he had seen something like that in one of his books.
He did have the information on the Yoda things. No evidence to support or disprove the possibility that they were being used by some other entity as a pawn or distraction. However, they now knew how to kill them.
Master Spike was pacing impatiently as he returned. "Well? Did you get the information?"
"Yes, master Spike. I found the information on the green demons. Umm, I wasn't the only one looking for information on them. There was also someone from the Slayer's group researching. Her name was Willow." Dalton answered, holding out the papers of information that he had copied.
"Willow was there? Did she encounter them herself or did they possibly injure the slayer?" Angelus had caught the reference to Willow.
"Yes, she was there. She looked...very healthy. She was wearing a necklace, some sort of pendant shaped like a sunburst. She seemed to get along fairly well with Sam, and he was willing to leave her alone in his library. She didn't say much about why she was looking up the information, only that she needed a book that Giles, I presume that's the watcher, did not have." Dalton was very careful with his words. He didn't want master Angelus to get jealous after all.
"She was wearing the necklace? Good.... It's only a matter of time then." Angelus was smiling now, and walked back to his chair. He had a pad of paper, and was drawing something.
In the library, Willow had also returned with her information. She didn't mention Dalton. She merely said that she hadn't had to much difficulty with Mr. Taylor, and had found the information. She showed Giles the pages that she had copied, as well as a few things she had found in some other books.
After a brief time of looking through the pages, Giles began to explain to Buffy the best way to deal with the demons. Willow felt exhausted. She hoped that Giles didn't plan for her to go fight with Buffy. She picked up a book, for some reason thinking about the ace of spades. She idly began to flip through pages, looking at an assortment of demons for hire to do various jobs. She smiled slightly as she passed the section on the order of Taraka.
Giles looked at her, exhaustion clear on her features. "Willow? Why don't you go home and try to get some rest. Buffy should be able to deal with these demons."
Willow nodded slightly. She didn't even glance at the page she had just turned to, revealing a dark robed creature with glowing eyes, a single playing card depicted beside it. The card was the Ace of Spades.
Instead, Willow simply left the library. She went home, and read a bit more about the reasoning behind the gypsy sorceress's curse of Angelus. She had viewed the demon as a menace to all around him, unpredictable and too strong in his emotions. He gave in to his hungers and angers leaving destruction in his wake. Willow closed the book and went to sleep.
~~~*~~~
Buffy was ready to find and slay the evil yoda clone demons. She had plenty weapons, and was entirely furious that some evil demons had ruined her new blouse. She'd just have to show him sporting. "It's wabbit season."
"Buffy, these creaures are not... ah, another pop culture reference. I do suggest you be careful. This is a far more dangerous siuation than hunting Bugs Bunny, and I should hope you are more capable than Elmer Fudd." Giles sighed at his Slayer's attitude. He wished she would at least take things a bit more seriously.
As Buffy left the library, prepared to slay, Giles looked at the books scattered over the tables. As he began to carefully put them away, he reached towards the book Willow had been flipping through, and stopped. There was a figure, in a long coat with glowing eyes. An ace of spades, traditionally used as a symbol for death, was drawn beside him. It gave Giles a bad feeling. He picked the book up and read the section.
A demon, species unknown, but vulnerable to steel, that hunted hunters. It had made a habit of hunting master vampires, slayers, and powerful demon leaders and killing them. As an indication of responsibility, and ace of spades was left at each site. He had been known to test potential 'worthy prey' by sending lesser demons against them, and observing how well they dealt with the challenge. Lesser demons like what Buffy had called Yoda clones.
Giles began to worry about his slayer. If this hunter were in town, he would be killing the more powerful figures on the hellmouth. He didn't care about good or evil, only his sporting challenges. Perhaps he should check with Willy to see if there had been any sudden disapearances among the established demons and vampires. He left the school, making his way towards the seedy little bar.
Willow was now asleep. She dreamed that she was walking through a stone corridor, possibly some of the old european catacombs. She was following someone that felt like family, she could feel a connection to him. They arrived in a large chamber, skeletons in alcoves around he walls. In the center was a large cauldron.
Her companion turned and faced her. She recognized the Master, but his clothing was drastically different. He wore a ring on his hand, with a dark sunburst that matched the one on her pendant. "Come, my childe. Look into the pool, and you will see how your slayer fares against He who Hunts."
Willow felt no fear. She was somehow dressed in a strange flowing gown, the color of dark sapphires. Momentarily worried, she reached up to make certain that her pendant was still there. Pressing it's solidness against her throat, she looked into the cauldron. Buffy was fighting the little Yoda like demons. Standing off a little bit, there was a figure observing her. He has tall, dressed in a trenchcoat and hat. His eyes glowed a pale sickly yellow from underneath the hat.
Willow sensed someone enter the room. He walked up behind her, sliding his arm around her waist, and kissed the side of her neck. She glanced up and saw Angelus smiling at her.
"She's not a bad fighter. Her problem is that she doesn't listen to the warnings that you and Giles try to give her. I'm not sure if he'll kill her tonight, but she's too headstrong and impetuous. No caution. One night, it will be her death." He smiled at her, an expression of passionate promise. "Dance with me?"
Willow found herself waltzing with Angelus, as the master smiled at them. She noticed that he also wore a ring with the dark sunburst on his hand. She ran her hand over his arm, admiring the feel of his muscles under the velvet material of his coat.
"I knew that you would look stunning in midnight silk. It makes your skin glow like a pearl, and your hair is like fire." He leaned down, catching her lips in a passionate kiss.
She barely deciphered the Master's voice welcoming her to the order of Aurelius before she found herself awake, gasping for breath.
Her lips still tingled from his kiss, even if it had only... wait. That may have been a dream, but it wasn't only a dream. She had felt Angelus' presence, heard the Master's voice. She also knew that Buffy would not be able to defeat the demon, the one the Master had called He Who Hunts. Buffy wouldn't be able to defeat him. He would continue his killing. She couldn't allow that to happen.
Willow slid from her bed and began to get dressed. She had to find a way to stop the Hunter. She had an idea forming, and while it was dangerous, it was the only hope she could find.
~~~*~~~
Willow dressed hurridly, pulling on a pair of dark jeans and one of her new blouses. After a moments thought, she chose one that was almost the same dark blue as the dress she had been wearing. It was paired with the running shoes that had been another gift from her admirer. If her dream had been right, they would be from Angelus.
Dressed, she set out down the street. She wasn't entirely sure where she was going, but had the feeling that she would get to where she needed to be. She also had the feeling that her dream had been much more than a dream. It had been a message. The name He Who Hunts sounded vaguely familiar, and she knew that if the figure watching Buffy was this person, the Slayer would not survive their encounter.
She found herself in front of a large mansion. She had the feeling that Angelus and his family were inside. Hopefully, she wouldn't be going inside to her doom. She felt confident that her dreams were not simply wishful thinking. She opened the door and walked in as if she were expected.
Dalton heard the door open. He had been sitting in the front room, reading a book about archeology. The last person he expected to see was Willow. She was dressed in blue, with her hair cascading loose down her back.
She looked at him and smiled slightly. "Hello Dalton. I need to speak to Angelus."
It was only when he heard her words that Dalton realized he had his vampire features on. He closed his book and rose to his feet. "I'll go tell him you're here."
He left the room, trying to determine what exactly had brought her here. He saw Masters Angelus and Spike. They were debating about the Slayer, and he tapped the door sofly. He was reluctant to interrupt them, but he felt certain Angelus would want to know about Willow now. He flinched slightly when they glared at him. "You have a visitor, Master Angelus. Willow is in the front room, and she asked to speak with you."
Angelus stopped frowning at Dalton immediately, and went to see Willow. She was in one of the blouses he had given her, a deep blue that made her look incredible. The pendant hung in the hollow of her throat, gleaming softly. "Willow. The blue makes your skin look like pearl. What brings you here? Is it business, or pleasure?"
Angelus walked over, running his fingers over a lock of her brilliant hair, his words soft in her ear. He was standing close enough for Willow to determine that he smelled the same as he had in her dream. She sighed softly, remembering the kiss.
"Mostly business. I think that the evil Yoda things are being used by He Who Hunts to test people before he kills them. Buffy is going to fight them tonight, and he's watching her. She won't be able to defeat him, although he will be injured. You need to help get rid of him." Willow looked at him, memorizing the lines of his face. She remembered how he had looked with the long hair in her dream.
Seeing him about to speak, she presed her finger over his lips. " I know you don't care if he kills Buffy. If this is the Hunter, he won't stop until every powerful being in Sunnydale had been killed. Buffy, you, Spike, maybe Dru now that she's strong again, any other master vampires, possibly the leaders of any other type of demons. He leaves a single playing card, the Ace of Spades. He isn't just a danger to Buffy, he's a danger to all of you."
Angelus listened, reluctantly seeing the logic of her words. "Willow, how do you know it's the Hunter?"
Willow blushed, and studied her thumb intently. "I had a dream. I was walking with the Master in some catacombs, and we looked into a big cauldron, and I could see Buffy fighting the little green demons, and someone was watching her, and the Master said it was He Who Hunts. You were there also, you had on this burgundy velvet coat and your hair was long... umm." Willow trailed off, remembering their dance.
Angelus smiled. She had come to him based on a dream. The Master had spoken in her dream, and he had been there. She must have let her blood fall on the stone, marking her as one of the Order of Aurelius. She was family, even if she didn't know it. Leaning towards her slightly, he wrapped his arms around her, kissing her passionatly. She tasted of oranges.
"We will kill the Hunter, my Willow. Welcome to the family." His words carried, and reminded Willow of he words the Master had spoken in her dream. His face changed, showing his vampiric nature. He kissed her again, and Willow tasted blood in his mouth. It had an odd taste, not like her own when she had cut herself. This was somehow darker, full of time and passion. She was also certain that she had nicked her tounge on his fangs, allowing him to taste her blood.
~~~*~~~
Willow was introduced to Spike, who smiled and insisted on calling her Red. She then listened as Angelus and Spike planned on how to deal with the Hunter. It seemed somehow natural that she was here, between Spike and Angelus, surrounded by thier minions. She felt accepted and welcome. Her calm acceptance lasted until she watched them leave to hunt down the demon. Suddenly, the realization that she was in the lair of a group of vampires came crashing down on her.
Why had she ever felt safe here? What was the reason that she felt so connected? How could she have forgotten that these were the dangerous bad guys of Sunnydale? Feeling confused and lost, Willow very quietly returned to her own house. She was so very confused right now.
Her admirer was Angelus. The person that had sent her lovely flowers and silk clothing was the same vampire that had been cursed by a clan of gypsies in fear of his self indulgence and vengence for the life of one of their own. How could such a ruthless killer send her such sweet gifts? He had made her feel cherished, and welcome.
Drusilla was furious. Her Daddy loved the little tree, and had no time for his Princess. He didn't want to play naughty games with her anymore. She would show him that the little tree would not do. She would show him how fragile and weak mortals were, just like he had shown her so long ago. Then, Daddy would be her's again.
The remnants of the Hunter were found around the Exeter family crypt. He had been very thoroughly killed and dismembered. Giles was at a loss for an explanation, knowing that Buffy had been badly injured in her own fight with the demon, and had certainly not done that.
Nobody thought to ask Willow about it. Cordelia did however compliment Willow's new pendant, a golden sunburst set wih a dark stone.