Spoilers: BTVS S5, Buffy vs. Dracula and S7, and ATS S5
Authors’ Note: Voivode" (a word of Slavic origin, used in Romania for the leader of a principality, a war-lord, or a supreme chief).
Thanks and a get well soon to Ghostforge
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Chicago, Illinois January 9, 2006
Pushed backward by surprisingly strong arms, David stumbled into an empty storage room. “Christ, man, slow down for a moment.” He tried to pull away from the lean man, who held him in an ironclad embrace. “I need to catch my. . . .”
A feral snarl cut him off.
“Listen.” Raising his hands, David backpedaled, wishing he had listened to his common sense, which not more than a half hour ago, had told him to just give it up and go home. Go home to his nice suburban home and wife and not be tempted by a handsome stranger. “Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. I’m sorry if I. . . .”
Again he was cut off, as the man grabbed him and threw him down on the floor. Hands literally ripped his clothes off, and David found himself helpless to stop it. “Listen.” He appealed again, as he tried to fend off his attacker. But the man’s average height and slim built was deceptive. He had the strength of ten men.
“I’ve changed my mind, and. . . .” David broke off again, but this time it was with a silent moan of pleasure. A wet tongue ran over his scrotum and then down his penis. Throwing his head back, he groaned. Lynell, his wife, wouldn’t think of putting her mouth to his genitals.
The stranger’s tongue and mouth halted the fight in him and closing his eyes, he forgot his protests. Moments passed and when the man deep throated his cock, David couldn’t hold back. Groaning out loud, back arching, hips thrusting, his orgasm rolled over him. Breathing heavily, his body jerked with aftershocks, when a sharp pain, like a hard pinch on the inside of his thigh brought him back to reality. Lifting his head, he saw that the man was biting him. Half sitting up, he tried to roll away, but then his head swam, and blackness took over him.
**
January 10, 2006
Waking up in the same storage room, David lifted his head and was immediately sorry, as dizziness made it spin.
“Ah, you’re awake.” The stranger spoke with a noticeable accent. Kneeling down beside David, he opened his mouth, exposing his fangs. “The weakness you’re feeling is from loss of blood.”
It was an effort to even make his mouth move, but David managed a, “what are you?”
The stranger gave a short laugh. “You mean after all the free press your Hollywood has given us; you don’t know what I am?”
“Didn’t think vampires really existed.” David said, his eyes drooping. “So you’re going to kill me, aren’t you?” Feeling cold and very sleepy, he realized he had no fear of dying. In some ways, it would be a welcome relief.
“I was.” The stranger noted David’s resignation and suddenly his interest was piqued. “We were never properly introduced. What is your name, boy?”
“David. David Loring.” David gave himself a mental shake, as he raised a hand in an act of greeting. He was dying; he had nothing to lose by being polite.
The gesture took the vampire by surprise. “An American with manners.” He observed. “How unusual.” Cocking his head, he studied the dying man. “Perhaps there is some potential in you after all.” Drawing David to his chest, he held him in a loose embrace. Using his right hand, he opened an artery in his neck. Blood gushed as he pulled David’s head to his throat. “Come, child, have a taste of my blood and then know me, Vlad Tepes, as your master.”
**
January 11, 2006
“Okay.” David Loring took a deep breath and mustered up his courage. Standing in the lobby of the five star hotel, he knew that the doorman and other hotel employees were staring at him oddly. “I’m going to just walk out that door.” He hesitated another moment, as the doorman opened the front door, willing the crazy man to walk through it and leave.
“I’m just going to walk right through it,” David continued to talk to himself, as he stepped through the entrance and into the sunlight, “and, and.” He looked up into the morning sky. “Not burn up in the sun.” He breathed a sigh of relief.
Enjoying the feel of outdoors, he didn’t notice the chill in the air or the bite of the harsh Chicago winter wind. Walking a block, the world seemed normal and sane, making him wonder if the events of the last two days were just an alcohol induced hallucination. Putting a hand up to his neck, he felt the puncture wounds, and the rich taste of the vampire’s blood on his tongue. He wasn’t hallucinating; he wasn’t crazy.
“But come, on.” David stopped, as he pushed his hands deep into his suit coat. The cold was becoming noticeable. “Vlad Tepes! Dracula!” A taxi passed by and he immediately flagged it down. “Deerfield.” He told the driver, as he began to search for his wallet. Surprisingly enough, it was still in his pants pocket filled with the bills he had left the house with on Friday night.
Leaning his head back against the car seat, he told himself that the events of the past two days, whether real or not, should just be forgotten. He’d go back to his safe life, and he made a vow to stop cruising bars for a quick thrill.
A wave of intense longing rose from the pit of his stomach. The rational part of him didn’t even know what he was hungering for. A memory of the taste of the vampire’s blood washed over him. The taxi hadn’t even gone a few miles, when David had it turn back.
**
San Diego, California, January 11, 2006
“I was really sure that Giles wasn’t going to approve the money for this place.” Matthew Hardleigh, Watcher-In-Training, commented to his two companions, both Slayers, as they surveyed their new home.
“It’s perfect.” Faith grinned widely, as she spun around, arms open wide. This would be her home, her headquarters. Not Giles’, not Buffy’s, but hers.
“I had a feeling that the Council was just going to give us temporary quarters here in San Diego.” Matthew plopped down on the floor of the living room, which would serve as their main meeting room. “That the plan was we would be moving to LA in the near future.”
“I think, they think that the war between the Ventrues and the Tzimisces is going to last a while.” Faith ran her hand over the door jamb, studying it.
“They hope that the vampires will kill each other.” Dana stated in her usual flat, unemotional tone.
“Yeah.” Faith said thoughtfully, as a fingernail scratched a slight imperfection in the door jamb’s wood. She couldn’t understand Giles’ and Buffy’s attitude about the vampire war. Angel and his family had been their partners on countless occasions, yet Giles and Buffy, who were now leaders in the newly formed Watcher’s Council, seemed to feel no loyalty toward their former allies.
“My understanding is,” Matthew stared meaningfully at Faith, “that we are to keep ourselves totally neutral between the Ventrues and Tzimisces. In fact, Giles even mentioned we are to steer clear of the two clans.”
“And that’s why we were stationed here in San Diego, instead of LA.” Faith turned to Matthew and Dana and brought the subject to a close. “Come on, we’ve got cleaning and furniture shopping to do.”
**
January 23, 2006
Moving the furniture around gave Faith something physical to do. Matthew and Dana were out doing recon and checking into a vampire nest. Faith would have rather eaten nails than stay behind, but both Matthew and Dana needed to clock the field experience, and they didn’t need her, their boss, to be breathing down their necks.
“Better.” She stood back to survey her work and smiled with satisfaction. The place was shaping up.
The sound of a key in the front door had her looking around in alarm. It was too early for Matthew and Dana to be returning, and no one else had a key to the house. Grabbing a crossbow that was still lying on the floor, she aimed carefully, but ended up dropping it with an exclamation of surprise.
“Christ, you two, you’re back already? Don’t think you could have worked up a sweat, and who the hell is that?” She asked as Dana threw down an unconscious blond man.
“We found the vamp’s nest.” Sword in hand, Matthew brought up the rear. “Took it out, but we,” he pointed to the form on the floor, “found him.”
Bending down, Faith took stock of the man, small, slim, and about her age. “Human.” She observed, as she pushed the head gently. Two noticeable puncture wounds on the right side of the throat. “Looks like he was their hostage.”
“Don’t think so.” Matthew hunched down beside Faith, pulling out a knife. Slicing the man’s jeans, he bared both inner thighs. “Just what I thought.” He ripped one of the holes wider, exposing a tattoo.
“That’s a tattoo.” Faith stated the obvious. “So?”
“Well, it’s, it’s. . . .” Matthew cocked his head to study the tattoo from a different angle. “It looks like a dragon with a face on it.”
“O-kay.” Faith looked up at Dana, whose face was as impassive as always. “And that means?”
“I think it means that he’s a vampire’s human servant.”
“A what?”
“He’s, he’s,” Matthew fumbled for an explanation, “a human, who’s under the vampire’s thrall, so he. . . .” His voice trailed off at the look on Faith’s face. “Does his master’s bidding.”
“Ri-ight, Matt.” Faith grabbed the young man under the armpits and heaved him up. “Didn’t anyone tell you that watching vampire movies doesn’t count toward your research time?”
“I’m serious.” The young Watcher protested.
“Let’s lock him up for now, and then how about a pizza, while you guys fill me in on what happened tonight.”
“He was fighting alongside the vampires.” Dana said flatly, as she moved to take the young man’s feet.
“Okay.” Faith sighed. “Guess we’re going to be doing research tonight too. Matt,” she yelled over, as she backed up toward the staircase, holding the man’s upper body, “make it an extra large pizza.”
**
January 24, 2006
Numerous books, along with paper plates and a carry out pizza box were spread out in front of them. Research, a necessary, but evil part of her job. Faith hated it, but as the leader, slash trainer, slash experienced one of the three, she had to set a good example by being professional about it.
“So, I guess I owe you an apology.” She looked over at Matt. “There really is something called a vampire’s human servant. Christ, I‘ve been in this business for eight years, so how come I‘ve never heard of such a thing. . .person.”
“Says here that having a human servant is a practice seen mostly in Eastern Europe, Russia, and parts of the Middle East, so it’s probably not something you would run into here in the US or in England. It also says that only a bloodline vampire can ‘make’ a human servant.”
“That’s weird.” Faith frowned and then glanced over at Dana, who was unreadable as usual. Giles had placed the once traumatized Slayer with her because Faith and Dana had both known darkness. The younger Slayer could somewhat relate to Faith, but even so, Dana was an enigma, who no one would ever completely understand. “Cause many of the bloodline vampires here in this area were dusted by Judelin. The ones who are left are all up in LA, involved in the war.”
“A new player in town.” Matt couldn’t keep the excitement out of his voice. For a young and up coming member of the Council, this was an opportunity of a lifetime.
“Mayb. . . .” Faith began when a loud crash coming from the upstairs interrupted her. As if a pistol sounded, all three jumped up and ran for the stairs.
The upstairs consisted of four bedrooms and two bathrooms. One bedroom had been converted to a jail cell, complete with bars on the windows, and bars for a door.
“Jesus!” Faith swore as she hit the button to open the cell. Someone had yanked out the bars covering the window. Their prisoner was gone.
Rushing into the room, the three ran for the broken out window and looked down. Something dark, resembling a large bat was crawling down the side of the house.
“I know it’s late, and my eyes are tired from reading, but I could swear that a large bat is walking down the side of our house.” Faith blinked her eyes and then looked again. The dark figure didn’t make it to the ground, as half-way down it seemed to just fly away.
“Matt.” Faith said slowly. “What the hell was that?”
“A human bat.” Dana suggested.
“Security tape.” Matt said triumphantly. A security system had been installed in various places inside and outside the house, including the bedroom which was used as a holding cell. “The security tape should tell us who broke in here and how.”
**
Los Angeles, California
It hadn’t been hard to find the location of the Ventrue lair. One stop at an old demon hangout, and the information was hers. Faith hadn’t even scraped a knuckle. Pulling up to the large, old mansion, she slid out of her car, commenting to herself.
“Nothing like living in a cliché.” She smirked. From the outside, the mansion looked like it was a set straight out of an old vampire movie. “The only thing missing are the bats.” Faith said out loud, as she walked up to the front door. “And what’s this? No security? That’s not very. . . .”
The front door suddenly opened and Faith found herself staring at three heavily armed vampires. “White flag.” She quickly said, as she held up a small handkerchief on a stick. Her other hand gripped a stake hidden in her pocket. “I’m here to speak to Angel.”
“You’re a Slayer.” One of the vampires stated, his 10mm Uzi stared Faith straight in the chest.
“Yes, but white flag.” She pasted a fake grin on her face, as she waved the flag. “I’m not here to hurt or kill. I just need to speak to Angel.”
“Angel?” The vampire repeated the name, as if he had never heard it. “Do you mean Angelus, High Master of the Tremere Clan?”
“Yeah, yeah, that’s who I mean.” Faith mentally kicked herself. Three years of serious studying and training and at the first opportunity she forgot the formalities.
“He has no wish to speak to the likes of you.” The Uzi never wavered as the vampire moved to shut the door.
“Wa. . . .” Faith started to protest, when a familiar voice was heard.
“Faith? Bloody hell, it’s Faith the Vampire Slayer.”
“Spike.” Faith grinned in relief, as the vampire, who had once been her sneaking-away-smoking buddy appeared behind the sentries. “I mean,” she quickly amended, as the head guard looked at her in contempt, “William. . .er. . .the Bloody?” She had forgotten Spike’s proper name.
“William, Blood-Childe of Angelus.” Spike corrected with a roll of the eyes.
“Yeah, well,” Faith gratefully took Spike’s offered hand, as she squeezed past the three minions, who were staring at her grimly. “I’m not real good with all these formal titles and practices.”
“Tell me about it.” Spike said, as he gave the Ventrue vampires his patented cocky grin. “The lady is a friend of mine, and I’m taking her up to our part of the house.” He loved giving the Ventrues a hard time.
“She’s a Slayer.” The head minion repeated. “Our Master’s permission is needed for her to enter the lair.”
“Then I guess you better go get it.” Spike goaded. “Hop to it.” He ordered his expression perfectly serious.
Faith couldn’t help but hide her amusement. Spike hadn’t changed a bit.
“Come on, love.” He gave her a wink, as he led her to the staircase. “You can speak to my Sire upstairs.”
“And how is he, and you, and everyone?”
“Okay.” Spike let go of Faith’s hand. “The Tzimisces observe Christmas, so we’ve been enjoying a holiday time-out from the fighting.”
“They observe Christmas?” Faith could only shake her head. She thought she knew so much, but she was fast realizing that perhaps she knew very little. Funny how that fact had never bothered her before.
“Yeah, go figure.” Spike said with scowl, as he opened a door to a sitting room that was the center of the Tremeren bedrooms. “Sire.” He bellowed. “We’ve got a visitor.”
“A little louder.” Comfortable in a lounger, Nic peered around the newspaper he was reading. “There’s an old lady up in Burbank, who didn’t quite hear you. And,” he stared at Faith with disbelief, “you brought a Slayer into the Ventrue lair. Judelin is going to love you, boy.”
“It’s our lair now too.” Spike tried to pretend he didn’t give a rat’s ass what Judelin thought. “So it’s our right to have guests here now and then.”
“We’ve haven’t had any guests here at all, and so of course, the first one you decide to bring is. . . .”
“Faith.” Nic’s lecture was interrupted by Angel, who had just come out of the shower. “How did you get in here?”
“Your middle Childe decided he wanted to show the Slayer our new home.” Nic explained helpfully
“Don’t blame him.” Faith quickly jumped in, as she eyed a half naked Angel with appreciation. Good looking men should be admired was her philosophy. “I need to talk to you.”
“Okay.” Angel crossed his arms over his bare chest. “So you come straight to the Ventrue lair and barge in. Not exactly the brightest strategy, is it?”
“I didn’t just barge in.” Faith defended herself. “But hey, going in boldly makes a statement; the Slayer is back in town.”
“So I see.” Angel eyed her thoughtfully. “Giles and Buffy too?”
“No, no.” Faith saw the look that Angel exchanged with his brother and Childe. “Giles is still in England and Buffy,” she paused a moment, realizing that the conversation was about to become awkward, “she’s, she’s. . . .”
“Dancing her way through Europe.” Spike grunted in disgust.
“Yes, no, she’s. . . .” The question of why she had to defend Buffy briefly flitted through Faith’s mind, before she continued. “She was in charge of finding and bringing in all the Potentials, and now she’s working on having them trained. Not an easy task, since the First destroyed most of the Council and its Watchers.”
“So they sent you here to what?” Angel asked. “To help us in our war effort?”
“Ahh,” Faith shifted around uncomfortably, “no. I’m here with two rookies, and my orders are to work with them, while controlling the demon population here in, in, this area. I’m to stay out of your war.”
“Bloody Giles.” Spike spat out. “After everything we did for him and Buffy, and they abandon us when we’re in need.” He stood up, too emotional to keep still. “Well, next time there’s a bloody apocalypse, I hope he, Buffy, and the rest of the Scoobies choke on it.”
“I’m sorry.” Spike’s rant was only making Faith feel guiltier. “If it were up to me, I would be taking up arms for you guys, but. . . .” She broke off at the looks of saddened disappointment on the faces of Angel and Spike.
“The Tzmisces seek to reject their human sides and are known for their cruelty and love of torture, and the Council does not wish help us against them?” Angel said softly.
“I’m sorry.” Faith could only repeat herself. “I. . .I guess that is why I used the first excuse I had to come to see you. I wanted to let you know where you stood with, with us.”
“And I thank you.” Angel ran his hand through his wet hair. “Because we,” he looked over at Judelin, who had quietly come through the door, “were expecting the Council to join our cause, but now we can stop our waiting.”
Nodding her head, Faith turned slightly. The presence of the Ventrue Master sent an electric current that danced over her skin. The sight of Judelin had Faith taking deep breaths. Physically beautiful, he radiated sexuality, power, and dominance.
“I’m sorry.” She said again, but this time it was directed at Judelin. “But the Council will not join your war.”
**
They watched the security tape three times, but Faith was not hopeful. It showed neither a shape nor face of the intruder, only a pair of hands that smashed through the window’s glass and effortlessly pulled out the bars.
“What makes you think that this trespasser was a vampire?” Judelin asked, as his eyes turned to Faith. The Slayer interested him. He had heard of her tough reputation, but he had been unprepared for her honestly and directness.
“I’m not absolutely sure, but the person he was busting out, we figured to be a vampire’s human servant. He had this,” Faith pulled out a drawing of the tattoo, “on his right, inner thigh along with obvious puncture marks.”
Taking the piece of paper, Judelin studied it, before passing it to Angel. “Looks like Tepes’ mark.”
“Tepes.” Faith repeated. “You don’t mean thee Vlad Tepes?”
“The dragon with the devil’s face.” Angel muttered, as he examined the drawing. “That’s Dracula.”
“Drac?” Spike’s head shot up. “The Transylvania toss bag, who owes me eleven pounds.”
“Hold on. Hold on.” Faith held up a hand. “Dracula was dusted six years ago in Sunnydale by Buffy. I heard the story from Giles.”
“Really?” Judelin was skeptical, as he looked over at Angel for confirmation.
Angel could only shrug. “Six years ago, I was living in LA.”
“Having human servants is not practiced by the Ventrues, nor,” Judelin again glanced at Angel, “the Tremerens. But. . . .” He passed the drawing back to Faith. “The Tzmisces are known for having human servants.”
“That’s bloody right.” Spike remembered the naked man with the steel collar sitting on the floor that fateful night in Chicago.
“What was the physical state of the. . . ?” Angel broke off, not sure of the human servant’s sex.
“He,” Faith thought back to what the young man had looked like, “had bite marks on his neck and thigh, but other than that no other injuries, except a bump on the head, where one of my colleagues hit him.”
“The Tremerens abuse their human servants, so he doesn’t exactly sound like one of theirs, but still, they’d be your most likely. . .suspects?” Angel gave Faith a questioning look.
“Great.” Faith mumbled to herself, as she shoved the drawing in her Jean’s pocket. “I’ve got to make another house call.”
**
San Diego, CA, January 25, 2006
After not getting back to San Diego until morning, it was four in the afternoon before Faith managed to struggle her way out of bed. Yawning her way into the kitchen, her only thought was coffee. “Hey.” She greeted Matt and Dana, who were sitting around the kitchen counter, looking glum. Pulling out the coffee and filters, she gave the appearance of being occupied. It helped as the tension in the room was thick.
“You should have told us where you were going.” Matt was the first to speak, as he kept his tone low and neutral.
Whirling around, Faith’s first instinct was to lash out angrily, but she knew that was her defensiveness showing its ugly face. Taking a deep breath, she counted to ten to give herself time to be calm and reasonable. “I didn’t tell you guys where I was going because it was technically wrong and most likely when Giles finds out he’s going to hit the roof. But at least he can only be mad at me.”
“You went to LA?” Matt asked.
“Yeah.” Faith looked down at her feet. “But listen,” she raised her head to look her colleagues in the face, “I’ve known Angel for almost seven years now, and I can’t even count the times that he and his family have helped, not just me, but Buffy, Giles, the Scoobies, mankind. They‘ve fought with us side-by-side against, who or whatever was the big bad at the time. I just don’t understand how Giles and Buffy can turn their backs on them now. I don’t agree with their attitude at all.”
“Hey, we’re not judging what you did.” Matt said gently. “But you should have at least had the courtesy to tell us what you were planning, partly so we would know where you were, but also so we could make our own choice if we wanted to follow you in your,” he paused, grinning, “madcap scheme or not.”
Giving Matt a huge smile, Faith wanted to hug him. He wasn’t angry or condemnatory; he was just politely pointing out what she had done wrong. “You’re right. You’re right.” She readily admitted. “I should have at least given you guys a heads up. I’ll try to always do that in the future, but this whole being a leader thing is new to me too. There was only one other time, when I was put in command and that was when I took charge of the Potentials to fight the First, and, and. . . .” She broke off, realizing that perhaps telling Matt and Dana how she led the young Slayers-In-Training into a trap wasn’t the best information for them to know.
“And you blew a bunch of them up.” Dana spoke up for the first time. “We already heard about that.”
“Thanks for the back up, Dana.” Faith could only roll her eyes upward. Dana never minced words. “So I guess the two of you know all my sins.” Turning, she grabbed the coffee pot to fill it with water.
“Mostly.” Matt sat back, more relaxed. The tension level in the room just dropped considerably. “So in your adventures last night, did you learn anything?”
“Well, Angel and his family, the Ventrues, and the Tzmisces all deny having any presence in San Diego, and knowing anything about some young, blond human servant.”
“Did you actually think any of them would admit anything to you?” Dana asked bluntly, as she bit into a bagel.
“No, but if I had to pick, I think that the Tzmisces are the most logical choice. And I know, I’m biased, but the Tzmisces are creepy, so it’s easier to make them the bad. . .the very bad guys.”
“According to my research,” Matt stood up to fetch himself a mug. Faith had made enough coffee for all of them, “the Ventrues and the Tremerens do not have the custom of having human servants, but the. . . .”
“Tzmisces do.” Faith interrupted. “I know and that’s also a reason to suspect them.”
“Cool.” Matt poured himself some coffee. “So what’s our next step, boss.”
“Well,” Faith considered a moment. “I suppose we can start pounding on the demon population here, and see if they know of any Tzmisces in the area.”
“Great.” Dana said in her usual deadpan voice. “When can we start?”
“Why not. . .now?” Faith grinned, when the doorbell rang. “Who could that be?” Adrenaline immediately began pumping in her system, as she couldn’t help but be startled. None of them had any acquaintances yet in San Diego.
“Probably one of those religious people, who want to sell you a bible or something.” Dana was brushing bagel crumbs off her hands. “They were here the other day.”
“Really?” Faith grinned to herself at the image of a conversation between a couple of Jehovah’s Witnesses or Mormons and Dana. Heading for the front door, she asked. “Were you converted?”
“She told them that she was already a believer, and if they wanted to help her fight demons, then she would talk with them.” Matt picked up his coffee mug and followed Faith through the living room. “And she wasn’t kidding either.”
“Well, what good are these religious people if they can’t help fight evil?” Dana asked. Intense therapy had given reality back to the young woman, but she still had a tendency to see things in a rather peculiar fashion.
“I already told you; their object is to spread the word of God.” Matt said with a sigh, as Faith peered through the front door’s peep hole.
“My God, it’s Angel and Spike!” She swung the door open, greeting the vampires. “Hey, guys, what brings you here?”
“Faith.” Angel returned the greeting, as he scanned the other two faces, which were eagerly looking over Faith’s shoulder. For Matt it was thrilling to see the famous Angelus in person, for Dana it was just exciting to have visitors.
“It’s psycho Slayer!” Spike recognized Dana immediately, as he took a step backward. “Bloody hell, Faith, you didn’t tell us you were harboring psycho Slayer.”
“Dana is my colleague, and she’s not psy - ill anymore. In fact she’s advanced so much in two years that she was chosen to join my team and get her first field experience.” Faith thought that was a good enough explanation, but Dana decided to add.
“I surpassed many of the other girls because I already knew how to kill.”
Faith rolled her eyes. So much for her concise, but not-giving-too-much-information explanation.
“Bloody right.” Spike, who was now safely behind Angel, was boldly pointing a finger at Dana. “And torture, and maim, and. . . .”
“That’s enough, William.” Angel had come to San Diego to help Faith find the mysterious master vamp, but upon seeing Dana, he had second thoughts. “Perhaps we should just head back to LA.” He turned to leave, but was stopped not by Faith, but by Dana.
“Thank you, vampire.” She stepped out of the house. “I remember you. You were the one who got help for me.”
“Hey.” Spike protested, always wanting his share of the credit. “I was the one who suffered, so you could get help.”
“Thanks.” She nodded her head at both Angel and Spike and then turned to enter the house. She was not a big talker.
Hesitating a moment, Angel considered and then changed his mind again. “I thought I’d come to help you find the master vamp. The one,” he smiled so slightly, “who stole a prisoner out from under two Slayers and a Watcher’s nose.”
“Don’t you have a war to fight?” Faith asked, eyebrow raised in curiosity.
“Yes, but if I help you, perhaps you can sing my praises to,” Angel cleared his throat, “Giles and Buffy. Remind them that I and my family are on your side.”
“Gotcha.” Faith smiled, understanding Angel’s strategy.
“Also, I,” he glanced at Spike, “we want to know who this vamp is. If there’s a new master in the area, we should know about it.”
**
“Nothing like a Slayer with a sense of humor.” Spike commented as he walked alongside Angel at the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum of San Diego. It had been Faith’s idea for them to investigate the cemeteries. “Speaking of which, you wanted her as a partner tonight, so you could pump her for information. But I blew your plan, didn‘t I?”
“Yes, Childe, but it’s not a big deal.” Shrugging Angel was unconcerned.
“It is a deal.” Spike protested. “And I blew it by being a big, old nancy boy.” Wincing, he remembered the little rant he threw, when it was suggested that they split into two groups: Faith and Angel, and him with the Watcher and Dana. Hell would freeze over before he went anywhere alone with Dana, and he hadn’t liked the idea of Angel being alone with her either.
“Listen.” Angel stopped walking and turned to Spike. “Perhaps it wasn’t a bad strategy for us to stay together, because I’m just keep wondering why the Faith was sent here to California. And not just Faith, but that Dana too. Two very dangerous Slayers.”
“Right.” Spike agreed, as he once again began following Angel, who had resumed his long strides.
“Two years ago,” Angel continued to mull, “that Dana was a young, psychotic girl, who without any formal training managed to give both you and me a fight. Can you imagine how dangerous she is now, after the Council has been. . .guiding her?”
“She gave you a fight.” Spike said with humiliation. “She took me down and. . . .”
“I know what she did to you.” Angel interrupted. His Childe always tried to make light of his capture by the young Potential, but back at Faith’s house, he had smelt the fear. “The point is, what are Giles and Buffy planning?”
“Ahh that is the question.” Materializing out of thin air, a man suddenly stood in front of them. “Just what is the Council up to, now that they have hundreds of Slayers at their disposal?”
“Vlad Tepes.” Angel showed no surprise at seeing the supposedly dusted vampire. “There are rumors that you died some six years ago.”
“There are rumors that I died more than one hundred years ago.” Vlad flashed his fangs, which might have been his version of a smile. “Why do these rumors persist? Don’t people realize that it is not easy to kill a five hundred year old vampire?”
“So you’re thee Drac?” Spike blurted out, forgetting his manners. “Because I met some bloke, who was claiming to be you back in England. Poncy git borrowed. . . .” A shove in the back by Angel shut him up.
Tepes turned his midnight blue eyes to Spike. “I am Vlad Tepes, Order of the Dragon, and once Voivoce of Wallachia. And you?”
Spike did not immediately respond, as he was disconcerted by Tepes’ piercing stare, which seemed to burn through his head into his brain. Another shove by Angel, and he finally opened his mouth. “Err, William, Blood-Childe of Angelus, and. . . .” He forgot the rest of his title.
“Heir Apparent to the Tremeren Clan.” Angel finished for him.
Vlad Tepes showed no emotion at Spike’s lack of social graces, just continued to study him. “You are a handsome Childe, William, Blood-Childe of Angelus. You remind me of your GrandSire, Darla, the same coloring and bone structure.”
Giving Spike another shove, Angel stopped him from any kind of a rude response. “So that was your human servant the Slayers captured.” He quickly changed the subject. “You do realize that the Council and the Slayers do not like it when human servants are made.”
“But I treat my servants so well.” Vlad took a step closer. “This is the first time in this country, and I needed a. . .local to aid me in my mission.”
“And what would your mission be here?” Angel asked.
“To put a halt to your war, Angelus.” Tepes responded. “You, Judelin, and Baduna are playing right into the Council’s hands by killing each other. And after you are done, the Council with their army of Slayers will come in and clean up the rest. It needs to stop. I came here to act as mediator because I do believe that I am elder enough to command the respect of you and the other two High Masters.”
“And why do you care what happens to us?” Spike asked, as he turned to glare at his Sire, wondering if he was going to get another shove.
“For more than one hundred years, I have been peacefully minding my own business in my homestead in Transylvania, along with my faithful servants. But now,” Tepes eyes flashed red, “now, Slayers, not a slayer, but a group of them come to my home, and,” his voice rose, “massacred my servants and family. And they will massacre yours, Angelus, unless we, vampires join together.”
**
“Okay Dana.” Faith said with some exasperation, as she and her two colleagues made their way to the rendezvous point with Angel and Spike. “When you enter a demon establishment with the purpose of finding out information, you don’t announce your presence with a; talk now, demons, or die a horrible death.”
“I was only telling the truth.” Dana responded.
“Yes, but they all ran before we could talk to any of them.” Heaving a sigh, Faith walked faster. It helped burn off some of her frustration.
“Well our team came up with zilch.” Matt spoke mainly just to make conversation. “I wonder how the vampires did.”
“Looks like they found someone.” Faith squinted in the darkness. She could make out the figures of Angel and Spike, but there was a third, unknown one standing with them. “On guard, guys.” She ordered, as she pulled out a stake from the waistband of her pants. Speeding up to a trot, she approached the three.
“Faith.” Angel greeted her. “We’ve found your mysterious intruder.”
Raising her stake, Faith felt the reassurance of Dana and Matt behind her. “Who is he?” She stopped a few feet from the vampires, body poised to attack.
“I am Vlad Tepes.” Dracula spoke up quickly. “So pleased to make your acquaintance.” He made a half bow.
“Try again, mister.” Faith never lowered her arm. “Because my sources tell me that Vlad Tepes was dusted six years ago.”
“A former servant of mine.” Tepes continued smoothly, showing no fear of Faith and her team. “I believe he managed to get herself turned and then took my identity and masqueraded as myself in Europe and here in the United States.”
“Really?” Faith looked around, trying to understand the situation. She couldn’t tell if Tepes was friend or foe of Angel. “And was that you, who broke into my house last night?”
“My apologies.” Tepes lowered his head slightly. “But I was worried about David. He hadn’t been feeling well.”
“No doubt.” Faith said with sarcasm. “Being held prisoner by a vampire tends to make us humans a little sick.”
“But he is not my prisoner.” Vlad protested. “He can come and go as he pleases.”
“Well to make sure that he is no one’s prisoner, how about I stake you.” Faith took a threatening step toward Tepes. “That should set him free.”
“Or kill him.” Vlad said softly.
“Wha-?” Faith’s arm wavered a bit, as she looked over at Matt, silently asking him if that was true.
Unfortunately the young Watcher had no clue, so he could only shrug.
“Faith.” Angel finally spoke up. “Dracula has come here to mediate for us with the Tzmisces. Don’t kill him. He is our chance to perhaps end this war.”
“We found your. . .servant in a vampire lair here.” Faith turned suspicious eyes at Tepes. “What was he doing. . . ?”
“Minions nowadays.” Vlad gave Faith a fanged smile. “In Chicago they told me that the war was here in San Diego, so I mistakenly came here instead of LA. I was, of course checking out the vampire lairs, looking for. . .information. I do realize my mistake now and have fortuitously run into Angelus.” He turned briefly to Angel. “I will be on my way with him to LA. I harmed no one here in San Diego and will leave peacefully.” The suave voice now held a hint of menace, as if daring her to tell him different.
Faith hesitated, uncertain of what to do.
“Perhaps a show of good faith.” Vlad could see the indecision in Faith’s eyes. “In meeting the local vampire population here, I found that many of them are from the Toreador Clan. As you all know their High Master and his Bloodline were destroyed by Judelin about five years ago, so what’s left of the Clan are now your basic Caitiff vampires, except they’re better organized and extremely angry at what has become of them.” He glanced over at Angel. “Do you think it’s possible that you could send a team here to. . .aid the,” his gaze turned back to Faith, “Slayers in disorganizing the Toreadores?”
“I think that can be arranged.” Angel quickly agreed. He was seeing first hand the diplomatic skills of Tepes, and optimism flowed through him. Perhaps the elder vampire would be able to end the war with no more bloodshed. “Would you like that?” He looked directly at Faith.
Still uncertain, Faith reluctantly agreed. “All right, Angel.” She lowered her arm. “I’ll give him,” she gave a brief nod in Vlad’s direction, “a pass tonight for your sake. But I better not hear about any new human servants made by your hand.” She ended the meeting on a threat, so Dracula would not take her lightly the next time they met.
**
Epilogue
January 26, 2006
“So,” Matt looked up, as Faith entered the kitchen, “on the scale of one to ten, how mad was Giles?”
“Well.” Faith had just finished a long conversation with the now Council head. “He was not too happy that I went to LA and, ahem,” she cleared his throat, “had conversations with Angel, the Ventrues, and the Tzmisces, but on the other hand, he wasn’t displeased that I allowed Dracula to go with Angel to LA. I got the feeling that he isn’t so neutral about the war after all.”
“Really?” Matt set his fork down in surprise. “Then why were we given such strong orders that we were to keep out of it?”
“When we were sent here, that was the opinion.” Faith hopped up to sit on the counter. “But now new news has surfaced. It seems that the Senior Partners of Wolfram & Hart have chosen a side. They’re now backing the Tzmisces, and that has our Council rethinking their position. Who knows?” She grinned at her two companions. “Maybe we’re going to end up taking a side in this war after all. Anyway, I did speak briefly to Giles about this whole human servant thing. He didn‘t know much about it either, other than it‘s not a common practice with the vamps here and in western Europe. Have you found any more info on it?”
“Not on that topic specifically.” Matt resumed his eating. “But I did read up on Vlad Tepes AKA Dracula. Fascinating reading. But Tepes, unlike the vampires we know, doesn’t tend to turn humans, instead he makes them his servants.”
“Ok-ay.” Faith shook her head thoughtfully. “And how does he do that?”
“Not sure.” Matt shrugged. “I haven’t found any specific information in the Watcher’s records or any other references, except that he creates some kind of bond with them.”
“And if we stake him, what will it do to us servants?” Faith jumped down off the counter to get herself a plate.
“Don’t know.” Matt said, as he popped a piece of meat in her mouth.
“You don’t know.” Faith repeated. “Well, I’m thinking that it’s our job to find out, don’t you?” Scooping out some eggs onto her plate, she hated to say it. “So I suppose the three of us should hit the books today.”
“Research would be hard right now.” Dana spoke up in between chewing. “There’s a problem with our Internet connection, so we can’t access the Council’s reference materials. Someone really should call the cable company.”
“So, if you knew about this Dana.” Faith spoke slowly. “Why haven’t you called the cable company?”
“I was going to but then Matt told me breakfast was ready.” Dana said.
Sitting down at the breakfast counter, Faith studied Dana carefully trying to detect deviousness on her protégé. “Alright, so you’ll make the call after breakfast?”
“Probably should call that company that installed those bars and have them come and fix them today.” Dana continued guilelessly. “So probably won’t get to the cable company until tomorrow.”
“Dana.” Faith knew what the young woman was up to. “We’ll call the cable company first because we really should research. . . .”
“Tonight on patrol we could look for vamps, who might know something about Dracula and such.” Dana interrupted. “And this time I promise not to make them run away before we can question them.”
Faith was taken a back for a moment. Dana was certainly a sly one, knowing that if they were able to beat the information out of some vamps, then they might not have to do research. She could only admire Dana’s technique. Digging into her food, she could only mutter, “out of the mouths of babes.”
**
Los Angeles, California
The house was huge, as David fearfully looked around. He wasn’t stupid; he knew it was another vampire lair, and he only hoped this time it wouldn’t be attacked. Stumbling after his master, he resisted the urge to grab on to the other man. He just couldn’t be separated from his master again. The first (and the last, he hoped) separation had caused a craving in him that ate at his body and soul.
Going to the second floor, he and his master were taken to be introduced to Angelus’ family, Angelus being one of two masters of the lair. Walking into the room, David was surprised to see a group of vampires sitting in front of a TV playing video games. He never in his wildest dreams would have equated vampires and video games.
“Want to take a turn, mate?” A lean, bleached blond man, who had been introduced as William, asked, as he held out a video controller to him.
David could only shake his head. It was just too weird.
The vampires stared at him with interest, and he couldn’t help turning around to look at them, as he exited the room.
That same William, who had asked him to join them, was poking the vampire sitting next to him on the couch. A vampire named Nic. “So he’s Drac’s human servant. Just what the bloody hell is a human servant?”
****
Finis