Parts: 21 - Epilogue
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~Part: 21~
Pacing the floor, crossbow in hand, Wesley couldn’t decide what to do. Stay and help guard Spike or go and see if he could find Angel. Xander had promised that if Buffy didn’t need his help with the vampires by the Bronze, he would try and track down Angel and send him over to Giles’ house. But who knew if or when that would happen.
“Spike.” Giles tried again to talk to the vampire. “Where would Ramose have gone?”
“Don’t know.” Spike wouldn’t look at Giles, just kept his eyes glued to the TV set.
Looking up at the ceiling, Wesley sighed deeply. {Great! Now
he decides to become reticent.}
“Spike.” With utmost patience, Giles tried again. “Would Ramose dare
attack you? Because if that’s a possibility, perhaps I should do the ritual
that revokes his invitation here. I think I have all the ingredients.”
“Before you go to all that bother Rupert, try just locking your door.”
Flipping through the channels, Spike kept thinking about Djoser and his
betrayal. Remembering back, it now made sense. The Slayer had said that
Djoser didn’t seem to be concerned about Lucien’s obvious lies, and Spike,
himself had witnessed Djoser reacting to Lucien’s fibs. Reacting, but not
questioning or confronting. {Bloody Bugger! Now when our Pillock of a Sire
gets tired of playing daddy, I won’t have anyone to turn to. I’m truly
fucked!}
“Rupert, do the ritual. It wouldn’t hurt.” Wesley started toward the
door, deciding that locking it really was a good idea. Just as he was reaching
the door, it swung open suddenly, and Wesley found himself staring down
the barrel of a gun.
“Rupert Giles, I presume? You’ve got something...excuse me, someone
I want.”
**
{That’s them!}The minion, concealed behind some shrubbery, straightened
up, eyes focused on the car that was just pulling in. {Time for revenge
and my reward. Fuckin’ Angelus. Fuckin’ Bloodline vampires.}
The minion had been easily recruited by Lucien. It hadn’t been hard.
The seeds of disloyalty had already been sown. The minion had been a long
time friend of the vampire who had been decapitated by Angel, and angry
and resentful he had been waiting for a chance for payback. And he was
just the type of vampire that Lucien’s new master was looking for. Young,
rebellious, with a deep hatred and bitterness toward the Bloodline vampires.
So wrapped up in thoughts about retribution and the position he would
have in the new Master’s household, the minion was taken by surprise. Taken
by surprise by the figure that had come up behind him. The arm that wrapped
around him was strong, as he felt bones begin to break.
**
“That’s him!” The man let out a derisive laugh, studying Spike from
head-to-toe, still holding the gun to Wesley’s head. “Thought that a Bloodline
vampire was suppose to be a superior vampire. He doesn’t even look like
he makes it to mediocre.”
“Oh, but he’s big and bad now.” Lucien had walked up to Spike, eyes
mocking the younger vampire. “I heard that you remade yourself in the last
century. You think that just because you tortured some people with railroad
spikes, and renamed yourself Spike that you could become worthy of your
heritage, your bloodline? I’ve got news for you Growling softly, Spike was assessing the situation. Lucien had one of
the minions restraining him from behind. The other two had been left outside
to stand watch.
“You know “Vampire! Weren’t you the one who was in such a fuckin’ hurry? We‘ve
got the target, so let’s kill these two ex-Watchers and get the hell out
of ....”
Sounds of a struggle outside interrupted the man and caught the room’s
attention. That split second of distraction was all Spike needed, as he
kicked backwards catching the minion off guard. Giles and Wesley had also
been waiting for the right opportunity, as Giles dived for Lucien, and
Wesley began to grapple with the armed man, trying to knock the gun out
of his hand.
The battle lasted but moments as both Angel and Ramose came smashing
through the door. Ramose made short work of the minion that Spike was struggling
with while Angel grabbed Lucien, smashing his face into the wall, breaking
a nose and shattering a right cheekbone. The human had managed to untangle
himself from Wesley, but seeing Angel and Ramose, and knowing that death
by their hands would be torturous, placed the barrel of the pistol in his
mouth and pulled the trigger, splattering his brains on the wall behind
him.
“Lucien.” Angel hissed in his Childe’s ear. “The punishment for lying
and deceiving your Sire is torture. The punishment for attacking your Sire’s
Blood-Childe is death. I guess you know how you’re going to die tonight.”
Panicked, Lucien tried to escape his Sire’s hold, desperately hoping
that someone would stake him, so he could have an easy death. Holding him
tighter, Angel’s fangs elongated, and savagely biting into Lucien, he drained
him to the point of unconsciousness.
“And where the bloody hell did you go?” This was how Spike thanked Ramose
for his help with the minion.
“Sire.” Ramose explained himself only to Angel or Djoser, as he took
Lucien’s unconscious body from Angel. “A minion from the household was
a traitor. He was helping Lucien. He followed us here. I caught his scent,
and pretending to leave, I circled around and caught him from behind.”
“I knew it.” Spike felt vindicated. Turning to Angel, he made his accusation.
“This is all your fault. As Master, you should have known there was a traitor
in your own household. YOU left me alone. I could have been killed. You
should have protected me better.” Spike never felt so smug. Not only could
he throw his Sire’s mistakes into his face, but he now had a perfect excuse
for leaving the mansion without permission.
Seeing red, Angel growled at Ramose. “Did you kill him then?”
“No Sire. He’s outside in the bushes. I incapacitated him.”
“Incapacitated him?” Giles wondered out loud, as he sadly surveyed his
living room, furniture broken, one wall cracked, and the other one covered
with blood and brains.
“Broke both legs and an arm.” Ramose looked at the human with disdain.
{Didn’t he know what incapacitation meant?}
Spike smiled broadly. A weight had been lifted off of him. Ramose wasn’t
in cahoots with Lucien after all.
“Sire.” Ramose was studying the dead human. “This is one of the humans
who was at the Slayer’s house on Friday.”
“Bloody hell!” Spike looked over at the dead man who was now missing
the back of his head.
“You’re certain?” Bending down, Wesley carefully removed the man’s wallet.
“Because all we need is a driver’s license, and a social security number,
and perhaps we can find out who these unexplained vampire hunters are.”
“Buffy is at the Bronze now. I’m guessing that they sent some of their
minions over there as a decoy. I should go down there and check it ....”
Understanding the situation immediately, Angel didn‘t let Giles finish.
“Ramose, take two of our minions and go down there now and help the Slayer.
And have the others take him...." Pointing to Lucien. "... and the one
in the bushes to the mansion. I want them stripped and chained to the wall.
I will **
Spike had had enough. Lucien had spilled his guts to them hours ago,
but Angel was still finding new ways to torture him. At the beginning,
it had been exhilarating, seeing his hated enemy screaming in pain and
agony. But now! His Sire always was excessive when inflicting pain, but
how could he be so totally ruthless with one of his own Childer? He had
loved Lucien at one time, hadn’t he? Had held him, given him his blood,
taken him in his bed.
“Childe.” Angel motioned to Spike to come over by him. “Drink his blood.
Drink your enemy’s blood. Take your final revenge. Take his essence from
him, before I send him to hell.”
Looking at what was left of the vampire Lucien, Spike knew what was
expected of him, but the thought of drinking Lucien’s blood made him only
feel sick to his stomach. Eyeing a wooden stake that was just inches from
his hand, the only urge Spike had was to bury the stake in Lucien’s heart,
putting the older vampire out of his misery. But he could just imagine
the look on his Sire’s face. ‘Still so human. Still so pitiful.’
But unable to bear any more, Spike left the room. Wandering through
the deserted mansion, he could faintly hear screams coming from outside
of the mansion. Ramose was interrogating the household, looking for other
traitors or sympathizers. The traitor had been hung by his neck from a
tree as an example. He would be left there to await the sunlight. The leaves
of the trees would partially protect him, filtering out some of the damaging
rays, so instead of dying in a burst of flame, the minion would smolder
slowly, in bits and pieces.
The room at the end of the hall was dark. Laying on the floor, Spike
stared up at the ceiling, thinking about Drusilla. “You’re not demon enough
for me.” Her words kept ringing in his head. {Yeah, babe, you were right.
Not demon enough period.}
“William.” A light went on in the room, but Spike was not surprised.
He had smelled his Sire’s scent...and Lucien’s blood? Looking up, the sight
of his Sire did take him by surprise. Angel, shirtless, covered with Lucien’s
blood, a knife in one hand.
“Complete your victory. Seize his knowledge, his power, his experience.
It’s your right.” With that said, Angel began to cut stripes down his chest
and arms. His blood oozed out of the cuts, mixing with the blood of Lucien.
{Sire’s blood...Lucien’s blood...together....} As Angel knelt down by
him, Spike acted on pure instinct. Licking the blood off his Father, he
started with the shoulder and worked his way down the chest. Not missing
an inch, he had reached Angel’s stomach when he realized that his Sire
had lost the rest of his clothing.
Angel knew how to get his way. Hands covered with his dead Childe’s
blood, Angel cut lines in his right hand. Right hand now dripping with
blood, he coated his cock, balls, and inner thighs with blood, while pulling
Spike with him to the nearest chair.
Kneeling between his Sire’s thighs, Spike began licking up the blood
coating Angel’s inner thighs and balls, before slowly working his way to
the outside of Angel’s shaft. Licking around the head, Spike focused on
the v-shaped depression on the underside of the head. Flicking it with
his
tongue, he heard a soft groan, and felt a hand on his head urging him to
take the whole organ in his mouth. Taking the head in his mouth, Spike
began sucking, causing Angel to buck his hips, pushing himself in deeper.
Deep-throating his Sire’s cock, Spike was able to hold it there while Angel
flexed inside of him.
Trying to hold back, trying to make it last, Angel gritted his teeth,
but then felt his Childe’s oral muscles milking him, and he couldn’t stop
himself. “Christ Childe, take it all. You’ve had my blood, now drink my
seed too.” And with that he let himself go, pumping his cum down his son’s
throat.
After drinking up every drop of his Sire’s cum, Spike couldn’t help
but tilt his head sideways, offering himself to his Father. And Angel,
all self-control long forgotten, accepted his Childe’s offering. Pulling
Spike up on his lap, he nuzzled the neck first before biting into it. Wrapping
both arms around his son, Angel drank his Childe’s blood, feeling its warmth
slide down his throat, and feeling peace flow through him.
~Part: 22~
It was late morning when Spike woke, pinned down by a heavy leg and
arm of his Sire. {He’s still asleep? How odd.}It was unusual for Spike
to awake before Angel. Not wanting to wake his Sire, Spike carefully tried
to slide out from under Angel’s limbs. After last night, Spike needed time
to regain his composure. He didn’t want to face his Father just yet.
“Where are you going Childe?” Pressing down harder with his arm and
leg, Angel stopped Spike from leaving the bed.
“Need a shower.”
“Later. I have plans for you yet. If you take a shower now, you’ll just
have to take another one again.”
{PLANS!?} “Not interested in your plans. I want to get up now.”
In a lightening fast movement, Angel rolled over on top of Spike. “Are
you sure you’re not interested?”
Spike felt his Sire’s cool hands, caressing him, fondling him. Closing
his eyes, trying not to moan, he felt his treacherous body begin to respond.
{Christ, he knows how to do it just right. Better than Dru. Certainly better
than Harmony.}
“William.” Opening his eyes, Spike was shocked to see his Father baring
his neck to him. An offering of a Sire’s blood was a rare occurrence, but
if it was done, it was done only on a his terms. A Childe was never allowed
to bite a Sire. It was forbidden. “Go ahead. You need my blood. You don’t
eat enough.”
Fangs emerging, Spike wasn’t going to let this opportunity pass him
by. Raising his head, he bit into Angel’s jugular, tasting the smooth,
rich blood. The combination of Sire’s blood, and an experienced hand squeezing
and stroking him brought Spike to a climax faster than he would have liked.
He moaned deep in his throat, as his cum shot out in strong spasms. Withdrawing
fangs, Spike’s head fell back on the bed. He was panting, an old habit
that he kept from his mortal years.
Pushing Spike’s knees back to his shoulders, Angel smeared his son’s
cum over his hardened cock. Pushing one cum covered finger into Spike’s
puckered hole, two, then three, and finally four fingers. Opening his Childe
up as much as possible, Angel readied him.
“Ahh Sire.” Lust had taken over Spike. All doubts and reservations he
had regarding Angel had been forgotten for the moment. “Take me. Fuck me...give
it to me.”
Proceeding slowly, Angel began to penetrate Spike, but Spike had other
ideas. He wanted it brutally and swiftly. Pushing his ass up, he wanted
his Sire’s cock all the way in him.
Grunting, Angel was lost in the sensation of a tightness around him,
his Childe’s balls against his. Ramming his way in, he hit prostate eliciting
another moan from beneath him. Finding his rhythm, he opened his son wide,
grinding himself into the straining hole, and then pulling out completely,
so that he could take him all over again. Feeling his Childe squeeze his
muscles, constricting the passage even more, Angel thrust all the way in,
spilling his seed inside his son with a loud groan. Upper body lying on
top of Spike, Angel began licking and kissing his Childe’s face and neck.
“My Childe. Mine.” Angel said possessively while rolling over on his
side, arms going around Spike. For once, Spike lay quietly, forehead resting
on his Father’s broad chest. Running his fingers through his Childe’s short,
wavy hair, Angel smiled contentedly. “No one is going to hurt you again.
I PROMISE you that.”
“You PROMISE? How can you promise that? You’ve promised me that before,
and what did you do? Abandoned me. Turned against me. Don’t make a promise
you can’t keep.”
Angel tightened his arms around his Childe. “I’m not without regrets.
But I’ve learned from them. I won’t let you down again.”
“Yeah, right.” Spike tried to pull away. Tried to put a little space
between him and his Sire. “You let Lucien come into our home. You believed
all his bullshit. He wanted to kill me. Wanted to send me to his new master,
so they could torture me. It was only pure luck....”
“I knew Lucien couldn’t be trusted, but I pretended to go along with
him. Wanted to see what he was up to. Wanted to find out what the hell
was going on.”
“You knew all along that Lucien couldn’t be trusted?” Breaking free
from his Father’s embrace, Spike sat up, looking down at Angel.
Frowning, Angel stared at his Childe. “Of course. Lucien always did
think he was smarter than he really was. Thought he could fool me by bringing
me a corpse of a dead man. Even the humans knew that it was a ruse. But
I played him. You knew that, didn’t you?”
“No!” Now Spike was pissed. {So fuckin’ worried. Guess, the big Poof
has some brain cells after all.} “And Djoser....”
“Djoser was playing along too.”
“Goddamn! Son-of-a-bitch!” Now really mad, Spike would have jumped up
out of the bed, except Angel grabbed him, pulling him down against him
again.
“Childe.” Forehead against forehead. “You need to trust me.”
{Yeah, when hell freezes over!}
Seeing the mistrust in his son’s eyes, Angel sighed, gathering Spike
in his arms. {What do I need to do to make him trust me again?}
**
Entering the mansion, Giles and Wesley gave each other doubtful looks.
On the way in they had seen the ominous noose swinging in the breeze. And
now inside, they could see evidence of blood. A lot of blood on the floors
and the walls. Minions were scrambling around trying to clean it all up.
“Wesley, explain to me again why we’re helping....” Giles was interrupted
by Angel coming into the room. Freshly showered, he was shrugging on a
clean shirt.
“Wesley. Giles. You’re a little earlier than I expected, but that’s
alright. I’ve got a lot to tell you. Where’s the Slayer? ”
Giles exchanged another uncertain look with Wesley. “Buffy will be along
in a little while. And we‘ve learned something of interest too.”
“You have?”
“Yes. The dead man from last night worked for the Watcher’s Council.
The Council has a division of specially trained demon fighters, usually
ex-military men. Not unlike the Initiative.”
“That fits with what Lucien told me. Said that his master, a vampire
named Elder Snow made a truce with the Watcher’s Council. But why would
your Council make a truce with a master vampire?”
Taking off his glasses, Giles wiped his brow. “We called a friend, an
ex-colleague today. According to him, not everyone in the Council is in
agreement with this truce. The Council is divided. Members are fighting
among themselves. It’s all very volatile and political. One of the strongest
proponents of this truce is the head of the ‘Search and Destroy Division’
of the Council. A man named Hawkins. I had the unpleasant experience of
meeting him once. An arrogant fool who is part barbarian.”
Seeing that Giles was reluctant to continue, Wesley jumped in. “This
Elder Snow calls for the elimination of the Bloodline vampires, and many
Council members agree with this viewpoint. They think they’re going to
use Snow to solve their vampire problems. They think that they’ll be able
to control or destroy him afterwards, but what they’re failing to take
into consideration is that the number of young vampires who are following
Snow’s call is staggering. The question is, who will control whom when
it’s all said and done.”
Speaking in a voice so calm and controlled, the two men knew that it
only belied what the vampire was really feeling. “They want to eliminate
us with this poison that they developed, but Alex told me that it’s useless
against a pure Bloodline vampire. They may kill some of our Blood-Childer,
but they won’t kill us purebloods, and we‘re the ones they should be scared
of.”
“By killing your Blood-Childer, they’re hoping for a domino effect.
And so far, they’ve been right. They’ve killed your brother’s Blood-Childe,
and....”
“And my brother went in and took out a whole Council facility.”
“And after that your brother went off and died. According to the Council,
he died of sorrow.” Wesley looked at Angel curiously. Another revelation.
A vampire father, so grieved at his son’s death that he literally died
of grief himself.
{NO!} Standing up with such force, Angel knocked over the chair he was
sitting on. {Not possible! Not Anton! A pureblood. Childe of Heinrich Nest,
direct descendant of Caine himself, and Heinrich’s consort, the vampiress
Darla. How could he just die?} Bewildered, Angel felt helpless. A feeling
he was not real familiar with and didn’t like. Picking up the chair that
had tipped over, he held it for a moment between his hands before his emotions
got the better of him. Both hands squeezed together causing the back of
the chair to crumble. “And now Iltik is vulnerable. If they poison him,
there will be no way we can save him without his Father’s blood. Goddamn
it! Who the HELL is this Elder Snow?”
Both Giles and Wesley had backed up away from Angel at his show of temper.
“Ahh, we...we were hoping you could tell us. We researched him this morning,
but could not find one reference on him.”
“Never heard the name. Probably an alias.” Calmer, Angel paced for a
moment. “Alex should know who he is. She prides herself on knowing who
everyone is in vampire circles. I’ll give her a call.”
“Yes, and could you ask her what’s up with Iltik?” Wesley was relieved
to see Angel back in control. “I e-mailed him last night, but I’ve received
no answer from him which is very curious. Normally, he always responds
very promptly.”
~Part: 23~
Historical Fact = In Nazi Germany on September 1, 1941,
all German Jews were ordered to wear yellow stars.
Lying on the couch with his knees bent so the bottom of his boots also
rested on the couch, Spike held a pillow over his face, not paying any
attention to what was being said by the other people in the room. His stupid
Sire had done it again. Spike felt like his guts were being twisted inside
out. He knew that the Poof would always affect him a little, but Spike
had promised himself that he would never again be emotionally vulnerable
to his Sire. But it was getting harder and harder now, especially when
the Wanker was “...of Elder Snow. Wesley interrupted Spike’s thoughts. “SPIKE!”
“WHAT?”
“Did you hear what I just said?”
“Yeah, and no I’ve never heard of any Elder Snowman.”
Buffy and Xander sighed in unison. “Snow, Spike. His name is Elder Snow.”
“Snow. Snowman. Snowflake. Stupid name for a vampire. Almost as lame
as a vampire with a name of Angel.” Spike stole a look at his Sire who
was leaning against the wall, arms folded across his chest, a grim look
on his face. {What’s Poofy looking so gloomy about? After getting his rocks
off last night and “Oh and being named after a dog isn’t just as lame.” Xander smirked
at Spike.
That got Spike’s attention. Sitting up, he gave Xander a menacing look.
“Come again? Dog?”
“Spike. Spike is a name you give your dog.”
Growling, Spike lunged for Xander. {Truce or no truce. This kid is going
down!}He was caught in mid-lunge by Angel who grabbed him around the waist.
“ENOUGH! Both of you.”
“Spike.” Giles looked mildly at the vampire who was now being restrained
by his Sire. “Angel told us that Lucien confessed that Snow already knew
about you being a Blood-Childe. That it wasn’t something he needed to be
told by Lucien. There has to be some connection. Somewhere. Somehow. Snow
wants to see all Bloodline vampires dead, but that idea is not anything
new. There always has been movements that called for the bloodlines to
be eradicated. Have you in the past ever had any contact or dealings with
any of these groups?”
“No.”
“Childe.” Arms still around Spike, Angel spoke in his ear. “Think again.
Are you sure?”
“Of course, I’m bloody sure. I would remember...oh wait a moment. There
was this one time....”
**
Canada, early 1900’s
“Spike. Miss Edith doesn’t like it here. Wants to go back home. I don’t
like it here either. Let’s go back to England, or...or how about Romania?
Maybe daddy will be there waiting for us.”
Spike sighed with impatience. “Luv, we’ve gone over this already. We’re
not too welcome anywhere in Europe right now. We’ve got to lay low for
a while. And here in the New World no one knows us.”
Pouting, Drusilla tried another argument. “Too cold here. Let’s go south
where the sun is shining and warm.”
“Dru, we’re vampires.” Spike’s voice now had a hint of temper. “We don’t
like the bloody sun, especially when it’s shining and warm.”
Looking into his lover’s eyes, Spike was surprised to see a flash of
clarity in them. {She doesn’t want to be here. It’s not the New World,
it’s this particular place. I wonder why?}
**
Alex couldn’t believe that she, too was here in this godforsaken place.
Chasing after Angelus’ brat no less, because the stupid Childe decides
to run and see Canada. Canada, of all places. Home of the Radicals. Haters
of the Bloodline. A dangerous place for him. Although not marked as a Blood-Childe,
he had been sort of presented in Court, and although many still believed
that myth that William was the Childe of Drusilla, there were some who
knew the truth. And vampires were no different than humans when it came
to gossip, especially gossip about the Bloodlines.
Arriving at the shabby building that William and Drusilla had moved
into, Alex swept by the minion who was supposed to be guarding the front
door.
“Don’t want to go and meet them.” For once, Drusilla was not going along
with Spike. “They’re not nice people.”
“Luv, it’ll be fun.” He coaxed her. “They believe in mayhem and violence.
They want to overthrow the Ones in power. Now...doesn’t that sound like....”
“William!” Alex couldn’t believe her ears. {He came here to join the
Radicals?!}
Spike looked up in surprise. “Who the bloody hell are you? And get the
fuck out of my house.”
“Is that any way to greet an esteemed member of your family? I’m your
elder, Childe, so you better have some respect.”
“Oh, I know you.” Spike now recognized the vampiress. “You’re a mate
of Angelus, Dru’s Sire.”
{He refers to his Father as Dru’s Sire?}”I’m here to take you back to
England. Your brother Djoser will come and meet us there. He regrets walking
out on you. You’ll live with him now. He’ll take care...”
“Don’t have the faintest idea of what you’re talking about? Think you
have the wrong bloke. Don’t have a brother.” Spike interrupted Alex, face
serious.
Alex sighed. “William, I don’t have time to be playing games with you.
You need to come with me.” Looking at William, the vampiress saw no mockery,
no deceit in the Childe’s clear gaze. {What’s wrong with him?} “Your Father....”
“My who?” He interrupted her.
“Your Father. Your Sire. Angelus. He was cursed by....”
“Woman, you’re talking pure rot. Dru’s my Sire.”
“Drusilla is not your Sire. That’s a lie that your Father started...”
Stopping, Alex looked at the younger vampire closely, and was hit with
the realization that Angelus’ son was slightly mad! {He’s still traumatized.
And living with that insane Drusilla isn‘t helping any. She’ll have to
be removed. Bad influence on William.}
But Alex, too overconfident, had sadly underestimated both Spike and
Drusilla. Not considering either of them to be a threat, she had not readied
herself. Unprepared she had forgotten an important detail. That Drusilla
was a psychic!
Drusilla had caught Alex’s thoughts about her elimination, and placing
a slim hand on Spike’s arm, she communicated silently to him. Acting suddenly
and in unity, they attacked the vampiress, throwing her to the floor.
Kicking Alex in the ribs, Spike vented at her. “Bloody Whore. Who do
you think you are? Coming here, thinking you can tell me what to do. Meddling
old Bitch.”
“Spike.” Drusilla tugged on Spike’s arm. The powerful vampiress was
down for a moment, but Drusilla knew it was just a matter of time.
Giving Alex one last kick, Spike allowed Drusilla to pull him away.
The two vampires ran away like naughty children, laughing about how they
got the best of Standing up painfully, her left ribs broken, left arm clutched around
her, Alex angrily muttered curses at the absent Angelus. “Bloody, selfish
son-of-a bitch! Runs off and abandons his Childe, and now we’re left to
take care of his BRAT!”
Alex had heard that Angelus was living in the streets somewhere, feeding
off rats. To make herself feel slightly better, she contemplated finding
out exactly where he was living, and imagined herself letting loose a wagon
load of cats in the area.
**
“You were going to do WHAT? You were going to join a group whose goal
was the extermination of all Bloodline vampires?” Angel could feel a pain
shoot through his head. He also could hear Alex’s voice, taunting him.
“Do you have any idea what kind of trouble your Childe managed to embroil
himself in while you were busy moping around, feeling sorry for yourself?”
“Well....” Thinking hard, Spike was trying to remember why he had thought
joining the Radicals had been such a good idea.
Xander and Buffy exchanged glares. “What an idiot!” Buffy mouthed the
words quietly to Xander.
“I heard that.” Spike scowled at the two teenagers. “I wasn’t marked.
They wouldn’t have known that I was....”
“But that was crazy.” Wesley, too was amazed at his stupidity.
“Spike, you joining the Radicals is like a German Jew, who leaves his
yellow star at home and then tries to join the Nazi party during World
War II.”
“Xander!” Giles looked at the boy in wonder. {Did he just say something
intelligent?}“Interesting analogy.”
Xander had surprised himself. “Did I just say that?” Giving Buffy a
self-satisfied grin, he nudged her with his elbow. “See, I didn’t sleep
through all my classes in High School.”
Rolling his eyes, Spike just wanted this topic to be closed. “Well,
no harm done anyways. Never met with them because of Alex sticking her
big nose in ...hey why are we knocking ourselves out trying to figure out
who this Elder Snowball is anyways? Give that know-it-all Alex a call.
She probably has a complete bio on the man, complete with the size and
color of his knickers.”
“Well...you see...we did try....” Wesley looked over at Angel for help.
“What?” Spike didn’t like the uncomfortable looks that were being exchanged
between his Sire and the two ex-Watchers.
“William.” Angel had that grim look on his face again. “We can’t communicate
with anyone in New York. Phones have been disconnected. Iltik hasn’t answered
Wesley’s e-mail...and...Djoser never called to say that he had made it
to New York.”
~Part: 24~
Europe, early 1900’s
They never stood a chance. They had been waiting, hoping that maybe
the pair would return. Two vampires did return, but it wasn’t the two that
the group of minion vampires had been waiting for.
Two vampires. Both dark, strong and extremely skilled as fighters. They
had no trouble dispatching the band of underling vampires. The lead minion
they left, bloody and hurt, but alive.
“You will go back to your master. Tell him that he is to leave the vampire
named ‘William the Bloody’ alone. William is under my protection.”
“Your protection?” The vampire shifted his position every so slightly,
causing him to groan softly. A broken rib had punctured a lung. “Djoser,
Blood-Childe of Angelus,” The minion addressed the Bloodline vampire with
the proper respect. “Why should you care what happens to the Childe of
your Sire’s consort?”
Djoser did not answer the minion. He did not have to explain himself
to an inferior.
“I will tell my master, but you are Clanless and Sireless now. You going
to defeat our whole Clan? And over who? Two vampires who don’t have an
ounce of good judgment between...”
“I don’t care about the vampiress, Drusilla. Kill her, for all I care,
but William you will not touch.” Djoser interrupted the minion, scowling
contemptuously at him.
“I will convey the message to my master, but it is already known that
those two are both disturbed. They’ve been running all around Europe, causing
all sorts of trouble. If our Clan doesn’t kill them, then another will.
Or they’ll be killed by other demons. They have just about managed to antagonize
every demon here in Europe.” With that said, the vampire got up slowly
and cautiously. Backing out of the room, he knew that he had said enough,
and that it was time to leave. Time to leave before the Bloodline vampire
who was known to be as vicious as his Father, changed his mind about letting
him live.
“How do you propose to keep William safe without our Sire, and without
a Clan backing us up?” Ramose spoke softly to Djoser. “If we took him back
with us to....”
“No, that‘s not possible anymore.” Djoser gave a sigh. “According to
Alex, William is out of control. He’s become unbalanced. He wouldn’t willingly
come with us, so the only way we could manage him now would be to keep
him in chains, and I don’t want to do that to him. We should have taken
him with us before.”
“So what do you plan to do?”
“Alex chased William and Drusilla back here from Canada. We’ll go see
her. I’m thinking that if we can find out where our Sire is, perhaps she
then can undo what was done to him.”
“Undo it? She thinks he got what he deserved. She laughed about it!”
“She’s not laughing anymore. Not after what William was going to do
in Canada. She now knows that something must be done. And that something
is to get William back under the protection of our Sire.”
**
“You will not go anywhere near Angelus! Him, having a soul is perfect.
With him out of the picture, my position as heir to the Master is unchallenged.”
The vampire named Luc paced in front of his seated wife.
“Restoring him would not threaten your position. He’d still be ostracized.
You, husband are the only one of the three pureblood sons who still has
a legitimate position with the Clan. Why does he still worry you so?” Alex
was keenly aware of the bad blood that ran among the three brothers.
“Because even ostracized, Darla still saw him regularly. He always was
her favorite. She couldn’t stay away from him, and you know what influence
she has with the Master.”
“But she hates William. And as long as William lives....”
“Then by all means, do what you can to protect Angelus’ unmarked Childe.
I cannot *openly* help you, because that Childe was condemned to death,
but ...” He didn’t need to finish, as he looked his wife in the eyes. They
understood each other. A bargain had been made. Alex would not try to reverse
the spell that cursed Angelus, but she would have free rein to protect
William. And Luc would be the uncontested heir to the Master.
Years later, Alex would end up desouling Angelus, but only after both
the demise of the Master and in a strange twist of events, the death of
the Anointed One by William’s hands. But she didn’t break her promise to
her husband, as by then Luc was well established as the new Master of the
Tremere Clan.
~Part: 25~
Spike and the popcorn catching-in-the-mouth is an idea
taken from a line from Donna and Jessica’s “Day of Our Unlives, Snake Week.”
‘Spike's been trying to perfect that throw-popcorn-in-the-air-and-catch-it-in-your-mouth
technique ever since he first arrived on American shores.’ Thanks to both
of them for letting me steal their idea.
“BLOODY MOTHER FUCKER! Selfish bastard. Djoser’s being tortured and
killed somewhere, and you aren‘t going to do anything about it! And it’s
your fault that he’s there in the first place. You sent him away just because
you wanted another poke at the Slayer, and Djoser was giving you some competition.”
“Boy, you had better watch what you’re saying! You’re forgetting your
place.” Emotions already high because of what was happening, Spike was
not helping Angel’s self-control.
“I’m forgetting my place! What about you? How many years now have you
been helping humans? You’re his Father, but you care more about strangers
than you do your own son. Well, I don’t have to bow down to you! My brother
needs help, and I’m going to go to New York and help him. When I explain
this to Ramose, I’m sure he’ll come with me.” Spike defiantly started to
leave the room.
Totally enraged at his Childe, Angel grabbed Spike, dragging him to
the middle of the room. Pushing his son down to his knees, much like he
had done to Lucien the evening before, Angel snarled at him. “I’ve had
enough of your imprudent tongue. I’ve been lenient with you because of
your condition, but you WILL remember who I am! I am your Sire and Father,
boy, and you will treat me with the respect that is my due.”
Buffy, too was not happy at Spike‘s words. “You’re such a pig, Spike!
Like I’d be stupid enough to get involved with a vampire again.”
“Don’t give me that Virgin Mary routine. Leading my brother on. Hoping
to provoke a reaction from him. Trying to make my Sire jealous. Given half
a chance you’d shag either one of them. In fact, if the situation was right,
you shag both of them together.” Spike struggled to rise to his feet, but
his Sire’s hold on him was powerful. {Must be the poison, because I don’t
remember him being so bloody strong.}
Turning red with anger, Buffy started for Spike, but was stopped by
Wesley as he quickly moved in front of her. “Spike, you need to try to
see it from Angel’s point of view. If he leaves you to go to New York,
then you’re unprotected. Instead of, perhaps losing one son, he then loses
two.”
Spike looked over at Wesley in surprise. He, of course hadn’t thought
of that side of it. Blaming Angel was easy and automatic. Anger also helped
keep the emotions that he denied about his Sire repressed.
“And at this point, we don’t even know for sure what’s happening in
New York.” Calmly said, Giles too tried to soothe the vampire.
“Oh right, Rupert. They disconnected the phones, so they all could go
on a bloody picnic.” But the two ex-Watchers’ arguments had made Spike
stop and think. Looking up at his Father’s livid face, he realized that
it was time to back down. Settling down on his knees, he stopped resisting
his Sire.
“Angel, if I give you my word that we’ll take care of Spike, could you
not go to New York and....” Giles began to ask Angel, trying to find a
reasonable solution that everyone would be happy with.
“Rupert, we were told by Lucien last night, that Snow has a large group
of minions camped about 90 miles north of here. That’s why Djoser and the
Slayer here were not able to find those three men, or any of Snow’s minions
here in Sunnydale. If I were to leave, they would waste no time in coming
here to try and seize my son again.”
“May I propose a solution to this problem.” Wesley raised his hand like
he was in school. “Let me go to New York.”
Spike could never stay submissive very long, as he snorted in contempt.
“Oh you’ll be a big help to Djoser, Wes. You’ll go to New York, and if
Djoser’s still alive, he’ll end up having to save your skinny arse.”
Giving Spike a withering glare, Wesley continued his case. “I have a
perfect cover. The Council knows that I had been working with you, Angel.
I‘ll go see them with the excuse that I‘m looking for the vampiress, Alex
who desouled you. I’ll be looking for revenge or a way to make her reverse
her spell on you. I did work for them. They’ll at least hear me out, and
perhaps give me some useful information. Most Council members love to brag
about their accomplishments. If the Council did have a battle with...with
your Clan and scored some type of victory, they wouldn’t be able to keep
that to themselves ”
“Are you sure Wesley?” Giles was doubtful. “The Council might talk to
you, but this Elder Snow is a dangerous unknown.”
“Don’t worry Rupert. I’ll be using my ‘rogue demon hunter’ facade. Angel,
you know. Snow and his followers will be too busy laughing to take me seriously.”
Angel had released his hold on Spike, allowing him to rise off his knees.
“And why are you so willing to go to New York and risk your life for us?”
Spike addressed the ex-Watcher, but his eyes never left his Sire. “What’s
in it for you?”
“What’s in it for me?” Wesley looked at the vampire in surprise. “Didn’t
Angel tell you? When this whole situation has been resolved, and we find
a cure for you, you, Djoser and Angel will allow yourselves to be cursed
with a soul. The three of you will then return to L.A. with me to continue
the fight against the evil in this world.”
{Since when?} This was the first time that Spike had heard of any such
agreement. Spike felt torn. Part of him wanted to laugh in Wesley’s face,
but another part of him felt compassion for the earnest mortal.{Stupid
twit! He actually believes that Angel will keep such a promise?} Looking
down at the floor, Spike couldn’t look Wesley nor his Sire in the eye.
{Another fool falls for my Sire’s beauty and his smooth tongue.}
**
{Brainless Wanker! So in love with my Sire. So much in love that he’s
willing to die for him.} Feeling such empathy for Wesley, Spike felt compelled
to give him some token of kindness. So hearing that Wesley had requested
something to drink, Spike grabbed two bottles of beer and was on his way
to the upstairs bedrooms when he came face-to-facewith the one person he
had hoped to avoid. “For Wesley.” He held up the two bottles of beer while
eyeing his Sire warily, not sure of his mood.
“Tell Ramose that I want to talk to him immediately.” Angel dispatched
the minion in search of Ramose. “William, tell Wesley that I’ll be sending
Ramose to New York also. They’ll go separately, but Ramose will track Wesley
down once they’re both in New York. To track him though, Ramose will need
an article of Wesley’s clothing.”
“Yeah...sure anything you say.” Spike hurriedly agreed. As usual he
thought that his Sire had his head up his ass.{He’s going to send Ramose?
Ramose will be one of the first persons Snow will be on the look-out for.}But
he had had enough of arguing with his Father.{Fuck, Ramose is a big boy.
If he doesn’t want to go to New York, he can bloody well tell Angel himself.}
Quickening his pace, Spike was half-way up the stairs when he was halted
by his Father’s voice again. “William, I made a promise to you today. That
no one will ever hurt you again while you’re under my care. I plan to keep
it. And furthermore, you do realize that I’m not going to New York, because
when I consider you and Djoser, you need my protection so much more than
Djoser does.”
Feeling confused by his Sire’s unpredictable mood changes, Spike answered
him flippantly. “Yeah whatever.” Continuing up the stairs, Spike paused
and turned to look down at Angel. “You know, the name’s Spike now. I use
Spike. You know that. You used to call me that.”
“William is the name given to you at your birth.”
“So? What do you care about a name given to me by a human woman?”
“Your mother didn’t name you. I did.”
**
Packing his suitcase, Wesley was beginning to wonder if somewhere along
the line, he had suffered a serious mental breakdown. He was going on,
what could only be called a “Hey Wes.” Per usual, Spike didn’t bothering knocking, just barged in.
“Heard you wanted something to drink. I’m acting as your room service for
today.” Handing Wesley the beer, Spike grinned at him.
Heaving a long sigh, Wesley stood a moment with his eyes closed. “I
didn’t want anything with alcohol. Alcohol dulls the senses. It....”
“Wesley.” Spike spoke slowly. “This is a vampire house. Look in our
refrigerator, and you’ll find blood, and maybe, just maybe, a beer or two.
We don’t keep any milk around.”
Standing up straighter, Wesley gave Spike a piercing look. “I wasn’t
looking for milk! I wanted something with...with caffeine, and...and sugar.
You must have some coffee here in the house. In L.A. Angel drank coffee
everyday.”
“Is that a fact?” Spike turned back toward the bedroom door, while taking
a gulp of beer. “Did he drink it mixed with blood and sugar?”
“NO.” Wesley was revolted at the thought. “He drank it black.”
“Ugh!” Spike made a face. “Now that’s disgusting!” Sticking his head
out the door, Spike shouted at the top of his lungs to a minion who stood
down the hallway. “Hey, Wesley here wants some coffee. Go down to the kitchen
and tell them to make him some. And be quick about it, or I’ll be banging
some heads together.” Turning back to Wesley, smug smile on his face, Spike
found that he was starting to like the human, despite his stuffy demeanor.
“There Wesley, got your coffee for you. Can I do anything else for you?”
Besides feeling sorry for the mortal, Spike felt the need to suck-up a
little to him. Wesley might be his one hope for Djoser.
“No you’ve done quite enough.” Resuming his packing, Wesley hoped that
the vampire would now leave.
“Oh...got a message for you from his royal Poofiness. Ramose needs an
article of clothing from you. Something that has your scent on it.”
“Pardon me?” Wesley was bewildered. Talking to Spike sometimes was like
talking to a two year old. Could never quite follow his train of thought.
“He’s sending Ramose to New York too. Ramose will track you down there,
but he needs an article of your clothing. Knickers would be the best.”
“Sending Ramose to New York? That’s insane! It’ll be a dead give away.
I don’t want Ramose with me.”
“Hey, I’m right there with you. But you try arguing with Mr. “I think I will.” Wesley mumbled, wondering if he could get a minion
to go get Angel by yelling down the hallway like Spike did. He didn’t need
to find out, as he opened the door to find Angel on the other side of it.
“Wesley, did Spike tell you? Ramose needs an....”
“Spike told me. And Angel, I don’t want Ramose with me. Snow and the
Council know who he is. He’ll blow my cover. I can’t be seen with....”
“He won’t be with you openly. When you’re in New York, stay overnight
at some out-of-the-way motel, away from the Council headquarters, and away
from Snow. Ramose will track you down there.”
“Angel, is this safe for Ramose? I would think that Snow and the Council
would be particularly looking for him. Perhaps it would be better if....”
“You’d be surprised how Ramose is able to come and go undetected. He’s
the only one who can track Djoser down quickly. And believe me, you’ll
be glad to know that he’s around, if and when you need back-up.”
“Well, if Ramose can do all that, why does Wesley have to go at all?”
Spike asked, keeping himself on the other side of the room, away from his
Sire.
“If they’ve hidden Djoser, so Ramose can’t find him, then it will be
up to Wesley to see if they’ll tell him anything. Wesley, I really need
you to give my your shorts. The ones you’re wearing would be best.”
“The ones I’m wearing?”
“They’re dirty. They have more of your scent on them. But to be absolutely
sure, the best thing to do would be for you to cum on them.”
“EXCUSE ME!” Wesley began to turn red.
“He wants you to wank off on them.” Spike said helpfully.
Deeply embarrassed, Wesley turned to Spike. “I know what he told....”
“Wesley, if you like, I could send up a female minion or two. Or if
you prefer, I could send up a male minion, or a male and female. Whatever
you desire. Just name it.”
“Or the two of us could help you.” Spike had zeroed in on Wesley’s hidden
desire.
“I..I....”Wesley was speechless, as a forbidden picture flashed in his
mind. A picture of himself, naked on his knees in front of Spike, with
Angel...Angel’s hands on his hips, Angel’s cock buried in him, stretching
him, filling him...“I..I...don’t need any help, thank you. I’m quite capable
of doing this on my own.”
Giving Wesley’s shoulder a small shove, Spike let out a short laugh,
as he and Angel both started for the door. “Never doubted it for a minute
mate.”
~Part: 26~
Spike was bored. Stuck in the bedroom with his Sire with nothing to
do. No telly. No one interesting to talk to. He had tried to talk to Angel
about Wesley and Ramose’s departures, but his Father’s one syllable answers
began to get on his nerves.
Throwing popcorn up in the air and trying to catch it in his mouth,
Spike watched Angel out of the corner of his eye. He missed, and another
piece fell to the floor. Spike knew that his game was irritating the hell
out of his Sire, but that was his goal. As well as trying to see if he
could break his old record of catching fifteen in a row without missing.
“WILLIAM!” Angel shouted, looking up from his book.
“What?” Spike put his best ‘innocent face’ on.
“Must you? You’re making a mess!” Angel frowned with disapproval at
his Childe. The floor around Spike was covered with pieces of blood soaked
popcorn. Spike’s vampire popcorn consisted of warmed-up blood poured over
it instead of melted butter, and sprinkled with a little of his Sire’s
blood instead of salt.
“I’m bored Mate...err...Sire. Need my telly and VCR.”
Sighing, Angel put his book aside. “I will not have that infernal racket
here in my home. Why don’t you read a book?”
“Hate reading.”
“After that Ventrue vampire taught you to read, I seem to remember that
you read quite a bit.”
“Yeah, well there wasn’t telly back in the 19th century.” Spike continued
to throw popcorn up in the air, but now was deliberately missing, so there
would be more of a mess. He was hoping that Angel would start to get angry,
because he had decided that an irate Angel was easier to deal with than
the...the Angel who said shit about ‘caring and protecting him’ and...and
‘how he, Angel had named him William at his birth.’ {Like I’m going to
believe his bullshit. Yeah, just call me Wesley.}
“If you stop throwing popcorn all over the place, I’ll read to you.”
Stopping his popcorn throwing for a moment, Spike rolled his eyes. He
had glanced at the book Angel was reading, fragments of writings from some
idiot Greek philosopher. “Ri-i-ight. Like I want to listen to some boring,
incomprehensible philosopher who only knows how to speak in run-on sentences.
Would give me a bleedin’ headache trying to figure out what the Wanker
is saying.”
“Alright.” Angel looked longingly at “The Writings of Heraclitus”, now
laying on the floor beside his chair. “We have other books. What would
you like me to read to you?”
“Got any porn?”
“Porn!” Sparks lit up Angel’s dark eyes. “No, but if you’re in that
kind of mood, we could make our own porn.”
Grimacing, Spike realized that he had made a grave tactical error. Sex
with his Sire, especially lately was not helping his state of mind. Seemed
to just bring his defenses down more.
“We’ve had sex twice now in the last 24 hours. Not in the mood for more.”
Spike lied, concentrating on the popcorn, so he wouldn’t have to look Angel
in the eye. “Wanna watch some telly. Let me send a minion to the cemetery.”
“Cemetery?” Angel was baffled. Like Wesley, he too, at times, found
Spike hard to follow. “What does your television have to do with the cemetery?”
“Cemetery. Crypt. That’s where my stuff is.”
Closing his eyes, Angel was almost afraid to ask. “Why are your things
at the cemetery?”
{Well...duhh} Spike gave Angel a look that clearly said, ‘village idiot.’
“I’ve been living at the cemetery since January. I told you that.”
“You never told me that.” A pounding was beginning in Angel’s forehead.
“Why were you living at the cemetery?”
“Because Giles kicked me out, and I “Xander’s a slob?” Rubbing his temples, Angel looked over at the popcorn
scattered all over the floor. “But why were you living in the cemetery?
Why didn’t you go and find a house or an apart....”
“With a chip in my head? How was I suppose to steal money from anyone,
if I couldn’t hurt them in any way? So with no money, the cemetery was
my only option. And you... you never bequeathed me anything. Should have
given me SOMETHING...something for a rainy day.” Throwing more popcorn
up in the air, Spike twisted the imaginary knife. He was hoping to soften
Angel up, and then maybe he could have his telly and VCR.
Receiving no response from his Sire, Spike looked over to see Angel
staring at him with hooded eyes. “WELL? Can I send a minion?”
“Take your clothes off, and I’ll consider sending a minion.”
Not stopping to think, Spike answered quickly. “I’ll take my clothes
off, but you WILL send a minion for my things.”
“Done.” Triumphant, Angel got up, smile on his face, and headed for
the bedroom door. A minion, stationed outside the door, would be sent to
the cemetery.
{DAMN!} Spike wanted to kick himself. He had forgotten what a chess
player his Father was. {Put the Poof in check, and he counters. Checkmate.
Smart-ass son-of-a-bitch!}
“William. I’m waiting.” Standing now, back against the bedroom door,
Angel watched his son. “I’ve sent some minions to the cemetery. You can
watch T.V. later today. But now...now your clothes.”
Grumbling softly to himself, Spike yanked his T-shirt over his head.
{Wanker! Gonna get his way again!}So much thinner, Spike could just let
his jeans drop to the floor. Stepping out of them, he looked up at his
Sire, who had now also discarded his clothes and was standing naked, stroking
his already erect member. He had seen his Sire naked innumerable times,
but Spike was still stunned at Angel’s physical magnificence.
“Come to me my Childe.” Voice soft and seductive.
Falling to his knees before his Father, Spike stroked the stiff cock
in front of him, before running his tongue around the head and the shaft.
Licking droplets of pre-cum that oozed from the slit of the cockhead, Spike
gently caressed the ball-sac that hung down. Feeling his Sire’s legs tremble,
Spike began to take the head and several inches of the stalk in his mouth.
But Angel had other ideas, as he pulled his son up to his feet, running
hands up and over the prominent ribcage.
“You’re too thin. You need to eat more.” Angel whispered in his Childe’s
ear. Biting his tongue, making the blood flow, Angel pushed it into Spike’s
mouth, while he moved toward the bed, propelling the younger man with him.
Unable to resist the blood, Spike gently sucked on Angel’s tongue. All
barriers that he had held fell at the taste of his Sire’s blood and the
feel of gentle hands massaging his body. Spreading and pulling back his
legs, he silently entreated the older vampire to enter him.
“You’re too impatient. We’ll get to that in a bit. But for now...” Breaking
the kiss, Angel began licking his way down Spike’s body, sucking for a
moment on both nipples, before continuing on his path.
{Oh Christ!} Head falling back on the pillow, Spike felt a cool mouth
engulf him. His Sire had never done this to him before! He watched through
slitted eyes, as Angel’s elegant lips slowly moved up and down his length.
A hand was stroking his balls causing Spike to push up with his hips a
few times. Then he felt his organ being taken in completely; he felt the
back of a throat. Moaning, head thrashing, hips raised, Spike climaxed,
his sticky semen filling his Sire’s mouth.
Panting hard, Spike was speechless. A Sire performing oral sex on a
Childe was unheard of. But Angel still was not finished, as he turned the
younger vampire over on his stomach. He passed his tongue over Spike’s
coccyx for a moment, before proceeding on. Parting the slim asscheeks,
his tongue traveled from the top of the smooth ass to the area around the
hole. There Angel spent a few moments licking the area before continuing
on, pushing his tongue inside. Tonguing his Childe’s hole, he reached around,
shoving three fingers in Spike’s mouth. “Bite them. Make them bleed, so
I can lubricate your ass with them.”
Biting down and then sucking on Angel’s fingers, Spike felt himself
growing hard again. He had had sex with his Sire more times than he could
count. And there had been times, when Angelus was in a benevolent mood,
that it had been wonderful. But never like this! Never had Angel done so
much to pleasure him.
Pulling his fingers out of Spike’s mouth, Angel could no longer wait.
His cock was throbbing with need. Fingers slipping inside, thrashing them
from side to side, stretching the walls. One arm around a slim waist, he
pulled his youngest Childe up on all fours. Placing the head of his cock
at the entrance, he positioned himself for a moment, before slamming his
cock and hips into the young man beneath him. Self-control at an end, he
began to furiously pump in and out.
Spike found he had to use both hands to balance himself, even though
he so desperately wanted to use one of his hands to stroke himself. The
feel of his Sire pounding into him, had excited him. He needed relief again.
Grunting animal-like, Angel whispered hoarsely, “I’m going to cum up
your ass, sweet boy. Tighten up!”
Those words did it. Spike felt himself erupting without even touching
himself. Spraying cum on the bedspread, he cried out, clamping his sphincter
muscles down.
Feeling his Childe tighten around him, Angel groaned. Freezing for a
moment, he buried his cock deep inside, emptying himself completely. Both
spent, the two vampires collapsed on the bed, still joined together, while
Angel licked the back of Spike’s neck.
{Jesus Fuckin’ Christ! He did it again! Seduced me! I am so fucked up!}
Body pressed up against his Sire’s, head spinning from the pure sensual
pleasure, Spike couldn’t help but breathe heavily.
“Can’t break the habit, can you?” A soft hand rested on his breastbone.
“Nay...” He gasped out. “Some of us Hearing the sarcasm, Angel buried his face in the soft neck. “It’s ok.
I wasn’t faulting you.”
“You always used to. Told me I was such a disappointment, because I
kept so many of my human traits.” Remembering those times began to give
Spike his strength of mind back, as he tried to shake the lethargy that
had settled in his whole body. For a instant Spike had just wanted to surrender
completely, just wanted to believe and trust in his Sire. He was so tried
of fighting.
“So angry. So angry with me. Can’t do or say anything without causing
you anger.” Rubbing his lips over the side of his Childe’s neck, Angel
was so tempted. Tempted to complete the cycle of possession. “You’re still
mad, because I sent Djoser away. But he asked me to send him away, you
know.”
“He was that enamored with the Slayer? After only a week? Mr. Self-Control?
Give me a fuckin’ break. You sent him away for your own selfish reasons,
and because of that twit Alex. Her and her bullshit about protective custody.”
“Don’t blame Alex too much. I twisted the truth a little to her, so
that she would think that the situation was close to being desperate here.
I figured that then she would insist that Djoser come to New York, which
is what I wanted. I needed it to look like it was her idea that Djoser
was coming to stay with the Clan. And Djoser....” Angel’s mouth twitched
in a small smile. “He was so humiliated, that he let his judgment be affected
by...by his libido, that he asked to be sent away for a short time. Needed
a little time to regain his composure. So to help him regain face, I sent
him to New York with a little assignment. Gave him something to distract
him from his disgrace.”
“Assignment?” Spike tried to wiggle, but Angel had him totally pinned
up against his larger body.
“Wanted him to check out the Clan and the new Master.”
“Why?”
“Because as soon as the humans cure you, I plan to go and take over
the Clan. After all, I am the rightful Master. And you Childe, will sit
at my left hand with Djoser at my right. Remember, I promised you that
I would make things right for you. You will be known as the Blood-Childe
of the Master. You will be honored, feared and obeyed.”
Resolve up, Spike tried not to let himself be taken in by such an enticing
picture. “And how exactly do you plan to accomplish this? This group of
minions you got here wouldn’t be able to fight their way out of a paper
bag, let alone keep up their end in a battle with The Tremere Clan.”
“After you’re healed, I’ll have two powerful Blood-Childer, and there’s
Ramose...”
“You, me, Djoser and Ramose do make a formidable team, but we can’t
defeat the Master, Alex, and a whole Clan.” Spike interrupted his Sire.
{Bloody hell. King Poof loses his soul, and he begins to have delusions
of grandeur again.}
“I’ve got a few aces up my sleeve. I’m checking into them now.”
“Uh huh.” Disbelief was evident in Spike’s voice. {Fuckin’ A. The Poof’s
in his dotage. Another jerk-off scheme equal to his ‘sucking the world
into hell.’} But still, Spike couldn’t help but feel just a tiny bit wistful
for what might have been. Feeling sleepy, he burrowed into his Father’s
embrace, and let himself dream for just a little while.
~Part: 27~
“They did it. They really did it.” Wesley talked to himself as he warmed
up some water in the small hotpot he had packed. Wesley had been correct
in his predictions about the Council. So puffed up with themselves, they
told him everything that had happened.
Together with Elder Snow and his followers, the Council had stormed
all of the Tremere Clan’s establishments. And according to them, they had
dusted the whole Clan, including the Master himself. Unfortunately since
vampires disintegrate at death, Wesley had no bodies to verify what was
told to him.
Dipping a tea bag into a cup of hot water, Wesley tried to settle the
inner conflict he was feeling. The Council had also made him an offer.
They still were on their quest to kill off all Bloodline vampires. They
still wanted Spike. If Wesley could find a way to either kill or deliver
him to the Council, then the Council would allow Angel his continued existence,
as long as he became souled again. They were certain that as long as Angel
was souled, he would not reproduce again.
Sighing deeply, Wesley realized that this was a golden opportunity for
him. He and Angel could return to L.A. Things could go back to normal.
But would they? As a souled vampire, Angel had shown no loyalty toward
Spike. In fact, from what Giles and Cordelia had told him, when the two
had crossed paths, they had, for the most part, been at each other’s throats.
Would a souled Angel revert to being Spike’s mortal enemy once again? Wesley
wasn’t sure, remembering the image of Angel holding his Childe to his breast.
A father holding a son. Could that be wiped away so easily?
And Spike? Wesley had found him to be a royal pain, but there was a
part of him that found the vampire rather entertaining. Spike had done
nothing to him. Could he live with himself, if he betrayed Angel’s son
to the Council and Snow?
But if he didn’t take the Council’s deal, what would happen? Angelus
the demon would not allow his son, Djoser’s death to go unavenged. He would
seek vengeance. And then how many would die? Who would die? Spike would
probably die in that scenario too, so would it be so bad to sacrifice him
now?
A tapping at the window interrupted Wesley’s musings. Heart pounding,
Wesley grabbed a stake. Throwing back the curtains, he saw a dark figure
on the fire escape on the other side of the window. It was Ramose.
{Well... he was able to find me through my knickers. Must be nice to
be part bloodhound.} Opening the window for the vampire, the two stared
at each for a minute.
“Mortal, you need to invite me in.”
“Yes...yes of course.” But still Wesley hesitated. {Do I want to invite
him in?}
“Human, if you choose not to invite me in, then I will leave. But I
went to all of the Clan’s buildings. I smelled death. Many deaths, but
not Djoser’s. He still lives, and I plan to find him.”
“Not dead you say?” Wesley wasn’t totally surprised, because how could
the Council possibly know for sure who was truly killed or not? “Please
come in. Can I get you any....” Stopping, Wesley realized he had nothing
to offer the vampire, but his own neck.
Climbing through the window, Ramose stared at the human. “I’ve discovered
where Snow has his headquarters. I’m going to investigate it. Snow might
have Djoser imprisoned there. Did the Council tell you anything?”
“They claimed that they killed everyone, including Djoser and the Master.”
“The Master {No energy?} Wesley didn’t understand what Ramose was talking about.
“What exactly do you mean....”
“Pack your things.” The vampire interrupted him, looking around at the
dingy hotel room. “I’ll follow you to the airport. Make sure you get there
safely. Then I’m going to Snow’s headquarters.”
“I want to come with you to Snow’s. I want to see who and what this
mysterious vampire is all about. The Council bragged to me about the victory
over the Tremere Clan, but they still stayed rather close mouthed about
Snow.”
“Human.” Ramose’s eyes flashed for a moment, but otherwise his face
remained expressionless. “Snow and his followers will smell you immediately.
You can’t go there. You must leave now, before anything happens to you.”
“I appreciate your concern, but I’ve made up my mind.” Wesley was determined.
“Now, I think I know how you can sneak me in. And I also think we should
disguise you. I’ll shave off your beard, and cut your hair. You can have
my leather pants and ....”
“MORTAL! Have you taken leave of your senses? You can’t go into a vampire
lair. I can’t allow it. My Sire gave me strict orders to watch over you.
He would have the flesh off my back, if I took you with me.”
“If you don’t take me, then I’ll go by myself. Which would you prefer?”
Ramose was stymied. {Stupid, foolish human!}
“Now if I go by myself, and something happens to me...what will your
Sire say to that?”
“I was ordered to protect you.”
“You can protect me by taking me with you. Now this is my plan. You’ll
pretend....”
**
Sitting on the plane, staring at the drink in his hand, Wesley wondered
how many more he would have to have before he could dull the images in
his head. Dragged to the airport by Ramose, Wesley somehow had managed
to book himself on the first available flight to L.A. A lay-over in Chicago
didn’t bother him. He just needed to get out of New York!
And the Council. Nonces, all of them! Allied themselves with Elder Snow.
Believed that he would kill their enemies for them. Thought he was like
a trained pit bull, but didn’t they know that some pit bulls turn on their
keepers? Snow was dangerous. So dangerous, because Wesley knew that Snow
had a carefully thought out plan with an ultimate objective. Destroy all
the Bloodline vampires, and then...?
They had gone to Snow’s headquarters. Ramose, appearance changed, and
he, disguised as Ramose’s dinner. He had forced the vampire to beat him,
even had him bite him lightly, so he would have the fang marks in his neck.
Fighting back a hysterical laugh, Wesley could almost find the whole
situation a little humorous, as he remembered how had to argue, threaten,
and cajole the vampire to bruise him. Ramose, so reluctant, because of
Angel’s orders. But it needed to be realistic. Wesley needed to be truly
battered and cut-up. It would then be believable that he was Ramose’s hostage.
Wesley had Ramose tie his hands loosely behind his back. He looked bound,
but could actually free himself easily, if he wanted. A rope was put around
Wesley’s neck; its function to serve as a collar and leash. But inside
Wesley’s clothing, they had hid wooden stakes and vials of holy water.
Cautiously making their way to the large warehouse that served as Snow’s
head office, they found themselves inside. No one stopped them. A vampire
leading a human around by a rope was a common sight to the warehouse’s
inhabitants.
And inside was a sight that would forever be etched in Wesley’s memory.
Hell couldn’t be any worse! Human hostages being tortured in every imaginable
way possible. Raped, mutilated, eaten alive, dismembered. And vampires.
Hundreds of them, dancing around in blood, dripping and covered in human
blood. To them it wasn’t hell, it was paradise.
Legs frozen, Wesley found he could move for a few seconds. It was like
a nightmare come true. He couldn’t even run from this terrible, terrible
evil.
Stepping inside, Ramose did not feel Djoser’s presence. Their connection
was strong. He only needed a quick moment to determine that, but what truly
overwhelmed Ramose’s senses was the feeling of peril. “Human we need to
leave NOW.” He whispered this in Wesley’s ear, while pulling on the rope.
With Ramose jerking the rope, Wesley stumbled behind him. But not before
he looked up, and caught a brief glimpse of a man, sitting up high, looking
down at the floor of the warehouse. Surrounded by minions, all with a streak
of white in their hair, Wesley could swear that he was looking right at
them, even though the warehouse was jam-packed with bodies, living, dead
and undead. Quite a distance separated the two men, but even so, Wesley
could still feel the malevolent presence of this vampire who called himself
Elder Snow.
~Part: 28~
Europe, early 1800’s, in an underground lair
Crushed in with the rest of the Clan members, the vampire’s only advantage
was that he had been allowed to be in front. He was a Childe of the Master
himself, but he wasn’t of the Bloodline, so he was forced to stand with
the rabble.
The Master sat at the head of the room. The heir apparent, Angelus at
his right hand. Another pure blood son, Luc at his left. The third son,
Anton stood slightly in front of the Master, hands on the shoulders of
a young, fledgling vampire who sat on the floor in front of his Father.
The young vampire was special. He was a Blood-Childe of Anton, newly turned
and now being presented to the Master and the Clan.
It was a little unusual for a Blood-Childe to be presented so soon after
being turned. But Anton didn’t want to wait. His Father would be pleased.
He had begot a second Blood-Childe. A feat not accomplished by either of
his two brothers.
Looking at the newest Blood-Childe, the Master was a little dissatisfied.
He certainly was no Djoser. And after meeting him, the Master wondered
if the Childe named Victor would even live up to his brother, Iltik. Something
about him was not quite right. But then again, he was newly turned. Given
time, perhaps he would prove to be less of a disappointment. Nodding to
the two high Priests, the Master signaled for the ‘Rite of the Bloodlines’
to begin.
“We swear to honor and protect the Blood-Childe, Victor.” The throng
of vampires swore their oath to the newest Blood-Childe of the Clan.
{Him? I should sacrifice myself for him?} The vampire in front was totally
contemptuous. {They think, just because he’s of the Bloodline that he’s
special.} When the young vampire, laying on the dais began screaming, as
the hot metal sizzled and seared the skin on his neck, the Master sired
vampire named Claude, smiled with scorn. {Some Blood-Childe! Screams like
a woman! Some superior being!}
Watching the rest of the ceremony, Claude swore to himself that one
day... one day, he would have his reprisal. One day he would prove to the
world that he was as good, if not better than any Bloodline vampire. And
that day he would bring all Bloodline vampires to their knees. Especially
that arrogant one. The one who thought himself too good to notice anyone
who was not of the Bloodline. The Master’s heir. The one named Angelus.
**
“Ok Giles. Let me get this straight. You want us to go and keep Spike
company? Oh yeah, that’s high on my most-favorite-things-to-do-on-Thursday-evening
list.” Xander stared at the older man in disbelief.
“J-ju-just for tonight...and...and maybe tomorrow night...and maybe
for the rest of the weekend.” Giles lowered his voice at the end of his
sentence, hoping maybe they wouldn’t hear the last part.
“THE WEEKEND TOO! Giles, you need to take a reality check. We don’t
want to keep him company for one evening. Why would we do it for a whole
weekend?”
“It’s for a good cause. Willow is helping me continue the work on Spike’s
cure. I think we’re close. We should have something in a few days. But
in the meantime, it’s imperative that nothing happen to Spike.”
“But why do we have to take care of him? He’s with the big and now bad
Angel. Isn’t Angel taking care of him?”
“Yes, but Angel has a household to run. Minions to keep in line. He
can’t be with Spike all the time. And now Wesley’s not there either. I’m
concerned. Spike is like a magnet when it comes to trouble. And if he starts
to get bored....” Breaking off, Giles gave Xander an appealing look.
“Baby-sit Spike? Isn’t that part of Buffy’s job description? Especially
since it’s in a vampire household. Send her. She and Riley can go and watch
over him. I did my tour of duty when you made me take him in last year.”
“Buffy and Riley aren’t....” Giles searched for the right word. “...aren’t
appropriate for the job.”
“Gee Giles, a Vampire Slayer and a ex-demon hunter. How are they not
appropriate?”
“They’re...they’re too threatening to him. I don’t want to upset him.
Just keep him entertained and diverted, until we have a cure.”
Heaving a sigh, Xander looked over at Anya who just shrugged her shoulders.
“Why all of the sudden are we so concerned about Spike’s delicate feelings?
So what if he feels threatened by....”
“We just need to cure him *without* incident. With what’s going on in
New York, my guess is when Spike is restored to health, Angel will take
his household straight there. They’ll be gone from here, and we won’t have
to concern ourselves anymore. But if anything should happen to Spike before
we can heal him, then I truly believe that Angel will take his revenge,
and....”
“Ok Giles. I get the picture. But what exactly do you want us to do
with him?”
“Well...what do you...what do you and Anya usually do on a Thursday
evening?”
“We have sex.” Anya told Giles matter-of-factly.
“Sex?...oh, of course....” Giles had to sit down as an image of Xander,
Anya, and Spike having sex flashed through his head.
“I AM NOT having sex with him.” Xander was adamant. “Angel will just
have to kill everyone here in Sunnydale then.”
“Spike likes watching T.V.” Willow had been listening with half-an-ear,
as she had been concentrating hard on the formulas on the screen in front
of her.
“Didn’t he have a T.V and a VCR at the crypt he was living in? We could
go there and get them and then rent some videos.” Every once-in-a-while
Anya would have a helpful suggestion.
“Splendid idea Anya.” Giles could actually bring himself to smile at
the ex-demon. “Just watch videos with him for the next few days. Willow
and I will have a cure for him, and by next week they’ll be gone, and everything
can get back to normal around here.”
**
“Got any aluminum foil? You could try wrapping aluminum foil on the
rabbit ears.” Xander suggested helpfully to Spike, as he watched the vampire
bang on the television set, trying to clear up the picture.
Giving the teenager a look of disgust, Spike stopped his banging for
a moment. “This is a vampire lair. We don’t have aluminum foil.”
“Don’t have aluminum foil? What do you wrap your leftovers in?”
Looking at the group of humans with loathing, Spike sighed. {Fuckin’
Giles. I’m going to get him for this!}
Unfortunately, when Giles had recruited Xander and Anya to keep Spike
company, he had failed to take in consideration the ‘teenage factor.’ Teenage
factor meaning: 99% of the time some unknown variable will mess up the
equation.
As Xander and Anya were making their way to the mansion, they bumped
into Buffy and Riley. Buffy, angry with Riley because of his testosterone
driven jealously, decided that it was a good excuse as any to ditch him
and go with the other two. Riley, angry at Buffy, because she was once
again in league with vampires, especially an ex-boyfriend vampire, refused
to be ditched and also came along. And although Giles had told Xander and
Anya his concerns about Buffy and Riley in Spike’s company, they didn’t
really think it was anything to worry about.
So Giles’ vision of sending over just two people, two non-threatening
people, to occupy the vampire, was promptly distorted to a party of four.
A party which now consisted of one Vampire Slayer and one ex-demon hunter.
An almost certain recipe for disaster.
“What you need is a satellite dish.” Xander had recently been to the
store, pricing them. He couldn’t afford one, but he had his dreams. “Digital
picture and sound, 225 channels, 38 movie channels, 33 sports channels...you’d
never have to leave the house.”
“Sports channels? 33 sports channels? Would I be able to watch football?”
Dreams of watching his favorite football team, Manchester United began
dancing in Spike’s head.
“Sure for an extra $129.00, you can get the NFL ticket.”
{NFL ticket?} “So let see if I understand you correctly.” Spike wanted
to be perfectly clear in his mind what he needed, so there would be no
mistakes when he sent a minion to go pinch him one. “I need to have the
satellite dish, and a ticket? Then I can watch....”
“Ticket? What are you talking about a ticket? You need the dish, receiver,
and a mounting kit.”
“You said that I needed a N..F..L.. ticket to watch football.”
“You have to pay an extra $129.00 besides your usual monthly fee, and
you can watch all the NFL football games on Sundays.”
“NFL football? I was talking about the real football. Don’t really care
for your American football. And what do you mean monthly fee?”
“American football is the Spike gave the ex-soldier a long look. “If you‘re calling me a sissy....”
“He’s not calling you a sissy.” Xander quickly interrupted. His instructions
from Giles were that he was suppose to entertain and divert the vampire.
And he was pretty sure that getting into a brawl with Spike was not Giles’
definition of entertainment and diversion. “With satellite T.V there’s
a monthly fee for programming.” Xander spoke louder, trying to get Spike’s
attention away from Riley, as vampire and ex-soldier continued to exchange
hostile glares.
“Monthly fee! After you pay for the satellite dish, you still have a
monthly fee? What kind of fuckin’ shit is that?”
“It’s the way it works.” Xander sighed, sorry he had brought the subject
up.
“Hmm...wonder if Poofy would agree to pay for satellite telly for me.”
Spike thought out loud.
“Oh, it’s Angel who pays the bills around here...but of course, he would
have to, since you don’t have any money. Loser!” Buffy displaced some of
her anger at Riley onto Spike.
“Listen Slutty.” Spike pointed the screwdriver he had in his hand at
Buffy. “Why don’t you take your lap-dog here and GO HOME. I didn’t invite
you or him here. Actually I didn’t invite any of you here.”
“Son-of-a-bitch!” Jumping up and grabbing Spike by the t-shirt, an insecure
Riley made to defend Buffy’s honor. “Apologize to her NOW!”
Staring the boy down, Spike spoke with a calmness that was contrary
to the anger starting to bubble inside him. “REMOVE your hand now human,
or you’ll have it cut off. My Father is the Master here, and I am his Blood-Childe.
No one is allowed to touch me in any way.”
“My Liege.” Two minions assigned to watch over Spike came quickly in
the room.
“You are pathetic, aren’t you?” Giving the two minions a look of scorn,
Riley was in no way intimidated by them. “Can’t defend yourself? Have to
have your Neanderthal daddy and his servants protect you.”
“Leave me!” Spike ordered his bodyguards away. It would be a cold day
in hell when he would allow himself to be rescued by a couple of worthless
minions from some wannabe Rambo. “Ok soldier boy, take your best shot,
and see how pathetic I am.”
“GUYS! GUYS!” Acting as peace-maker, Xander jumped up to try and get
between the two. {Boy, is Giles gonna have a “Riley, will you stopping acting like a big jerk!” Buffy caught both
Riley and Spike’s arms in mid-swing.
“I’m a JERK? He’s the one who called you Slutty.”
“Yeah, well it’s a title she earned.” Spike was giving Xander the evil
eye, because Xander had taken a hold of his other arm and had swung him
away from Riley. Xander raised both hands in mock submission. He didn’t
want them cut-off for touching one of the Blood-Childer of the household.
“YOU ARE SUCH A PIG!” This time Buffy didn’t stop Riley, as Riley lunged
for the vampire again.
Moving quickly out of the way, Spike held the screwdriver up again.
“Come on human. Want to see how it feels to be gutted?”
“SPIKE, put the screwdriver down now, or I swear I’ll make you hurt
before I dust you.” Buffy shouted at the vampire.
“Buffy! Buffy!” Xander tried to placate his friend. “Remember. Truce.
Allies. Don’t want to get Angelus all riled up.” {Man! Giles is going to
be having more than a cow!}
“Allies!” Riley spat out derisively. “We don’t ally ourselves with this
scum! The only good vampire is a dead vampire.”
“What the hell is going on here?” Angel entered the room flanked and
followed by a group of minions. The smarter of Spike’s two bodyguards had
run and brought back the Master.
Everyone in the room froze for a split second. Xander, false smile plastered
on his face, immediately began to lie. “Nothing! Nothing! Riley, here just
connected the VCR to the TV backwards, and doesn’t believe us when we tell
him that he did it wrong.”
Eyeing the group for a moment, Angel had heard enough before even entering
the room to know the real situation. Approaching Riley slowly, he stared
the human down. “I don’t remember ever saying that you were welcome here
in my home.”
“He’s with me.” Buffy stepped in between the two men.
“And why are you here Slayer?” Angel directed some of his hostility
at her.
“Giles thought with the truce and all, that we should come and hang
out with Spike. So we rented some videos....” Xander began to explain.
“Get out! All of you!” Angel interrupted. “And tell Giles the next time
he sends you humans to my home, that he had better give some lessons in
manners first.”
No protest was made, as deep down the foursome knew they had been in
the wrong. Turning to leave, Xander made an offer to Spike as way of an
apology. “Want me to leave the videos?”
“Yeah mate.” Spike wasn’t opposed to having the videos. “And bring me
some new ones tomorrow.”
Nodding his head at Spike, Xander hoped that maybe leaving videos with
the vampire would satisfy Giles.
“Master.” The minion who had gone to fetch Angel didn’t understand why
the Master was letting the humans leave unpunished. “The tall, blond mortal
threatened and put his hands on your Blood-Childe. Our law states....”
“Go and tell the guards outside that Kneeling down to fiddle with the VCR, Spike decided to test his Sire.
“You want to give me a present? The only present I want is the Slayer.
Give me the Slayer as a pet.” {Ok old man. Let’s see what you have to say
about giving me your precious Slayer.}
Silence, as Angel put a fist up to his mouth, thinking.
{What kind of creative excuse are you going to give me? Can’t kill the
Slayer. Can’t hurt the Slayer. Cause you still “Alright William. You can have the Slayer as a pet, but I’m concerned,
because she’ll make a very dangerous pet. You won’t be able to play with
her, unless you’re properly supervised. Maybe have to keep her arms broken.
Wouldn’t want her to slip her restraints and hurt you in any way.”
Stunned, Spike found he couldn’t look at his Sire. {Jesus Christ! He’s
serious! Don’t tell me the bleedin’ Wanker really has been sincere all
this time?}
“You’re right, you know. I haven’t given you much. So as soon as I have
the Clan under control, I’ll return here. The Slayer and her boy-toy will
be my first gifts to you as....”
“I think you’re a little ahead of yourself.” Spike interrupted. “You
see yourself as Master of the Tremere Clan, and you don’t even know what’s
happening in New York. Don’t even know if Djoser’s still alive or not.”
“I’m confident that Djoser is alright. He’s strong. He’s endured worse.
You know he even challenged the old Master after I had abandoned all of
you, and survived. Even if there was a battle in New York, I’m sure he...”
“Challenged the Old Master?” Spike had not heard any of this. Actually
he had been a little curious about what his brother had been doing for
the last century, but hadn’t been sure how to bring it up in a conversation.
His brother, at times was as laconic as his Sire.
“Not long after I was cursed, the old Master sent Djoser a summons,
welcoming him back to the Clan. The Master wanted him back, but Djoser
sent back the Master’s messenger without even a reply. An obvious insult.
The Master was enraged. Sent an army after Djoser, but Djoser couldn’t
be captured or killed.” A small smile of pride on his face, Angel felt
somewhat vindicated. His Sire had ostracized him and his family, but had
never been able to kill any of them. And not for lack of trying. Heinrich
Nest had sent many after him, after Djoser and after William. But they
still all lived. And it was the Master whose bones had been crushed into
dust.
“Stupid Sod.” Spike muttered softly. {Should have gone back with the
Old Master and the Clan. What was he trying to prove?} “Ok, so maybe Djoser’s
still alive. And will be returning with Ramose and Wesley. But again I
ask you, how do you plan to defeat the Tremere Clan? What aces do you have
up your sleeve?”
“A powerful vampire with well-trained minions is going to help put me
back in my rightful position. He knows that I’m the rightful Master.”
“Who?” Standing up, Spike’s curiosity was really piqued.
“You don’t know him. But I’m thinking he’ll be here soon, and you’ll
meet him then.”
{Cryptic as usual. Bloody Bastard.} “And why does this powerful vampire
want to help you? If he’s so bloody powerful, why doesn’t he....”
“Since when did you worry so much about all the little details?” Grabbing
Spike by the front of his t-shirt, Angel pulled him down onto the couch
with him. “I told you that I would take care of you now. You just need
to trust me.”
Opening his mouth to protest some more, Spike was halted by strong arms
wrapping themselves around him. Head on Angel’s chest, Spike yielded, enjoying
the moment. He didn’t know what to think anymore. His Sire was a mystery
he couldn’t solve.
Hand stroking his hair. A soft purr vibrating in the chest beneath him.
Quiet voice whispering to him. “You’re home with me now Childe. And after
I become Master of the Tremere Clan, you will be denied nothing.”
~Part: 29~
“And Djoser?” Angel, showing no sympathy for the wounded vampiress,
eyed her coldly.
“Dead. They’re all dead. The whole Clan, wiped out by that traitor.
Clever son-of-a-bitch. But he got his revenge now. Never would we have
suspected Claude of all people.” Leaning back into the chair, Alex was
numb. Part of her kept insisting that this was all just a horrible nightmare.
If only, she could get herself to wake-up.
“How do you know that everyone is dead? You escaped. Djoser could....”
“We were all down, defeated. Snow’s people and the vampire hunters from
the Council were just cleaning us up.”
“Ahh...cleaning up?” Giles asked after a long uncomfortable silence.
“Staking the bodies.” Spike, sitting in a chair with his cure running
through an IV, finally answered the ex-Watcher, as Angel continued to hostilely
stare at Alex.
“Oh...oh...of course. How obtuse of me.” Going over to Spike, Giles
checked the IV again. An unnecessary act, but it gave him something to
do. And Spike, uncharacteristically subdued made no protest.
“Goddamn bitch. Used a spell to escape.” Anger caused Angelus’ demon
to surface. Leaning down, gold eyes stared into Alex’s face. “You swore
to me that Djoser would be safe with you in New York. You would protect
him. And Iltik? Dead also, isn’t he?” Raising a hand, he slapped the woman
hard across the face. “As a Clan member, you were bound to protect them.
Give up your life for them. Yet you live, and they’re dust. You deserve
to die right now.”
Strong fingers wrapped themselves around her throat. But Alex was beyond
caring. Saddened and defeated, she closed her eyes, waiting for the hand
to pull back, to rip her trachea out.
“ANGEL!” Giles felt compelled to do something! Moving over to the pair
quickly, he grabbed and tugged gently on the arm that held the vampiress
by the throat. “Killing her won’t bring back Djoser, and since you have
so few allies, I suggest that you let her live. She’ll be more helpful
to you alive.”
Growling, Angel swung around, throwing the human’s arm off. His eyes
caused Giles to back up a few steps. Giles recognized those eyes. The crazed
eyes of the Angelus who had tortured him for hours more than two years
ago.
“Wesley will be back tomorrow. We’ll hear what he has to say.” Angel
told the vampiress abruptly, while continuing to stare dangerously at Giles.
“I’m also expecting Damon soon. As soon as he arrives, we’ll leave for
New York. So I suggest you rest up, because I expect you to atone for your
mistakes by dying in battle.”
**
“Angel. Think about what you’re going to do carefully.” A battered and
bruised Wesley still had strength to argue. “Unless this vampire friend
of yours has an army of minions, you’re never going to win in a battle
with Snow. I was at his headquarters. He has hundreds of followers. Not
to mention the Council backing him up.”
“And Ramose? Did he follow you out of New York?” Angel acted like he
had not heard a word Wesley had said to him.
“He mentioned that he was staying to search for Djoser.”
“Goddamn him!” Not even trying to control his temper, Angel picked up
a chair and threw it against the wall. No one in the room moved, as the
chair shattered into pieces. “It’s not like him to act so STUPID!”
“He was convinced that Djoser still lived.” Wesley said in a meek voice.
“Probably just wishful thinking on his part.” Sitting on the window
seat, legs stretched out in front of him, Spike leaned his head back against
the wall. {Djoser. You Fucker. Deserted me again!} Spike never would have
guessed that he would feel so bad about his brother’s death.
“What do you mean? Wishful thinking?” Wesley sat up straighter in his
chair. Spike had his attention.
“A vampire’s judgment can be swayed by his emotions, just like humans.
Ramose just doesn’t want to believe that Djoser is dead. ” {And I don’t
want to believe it either.}
“But perhaps he’s right. Perhaps Djoser found a way to escape.” Wesley
looked hopefully over at Angel. “That’s why you need to not jump into anything
rashly. Actually I think you and Spike should lay low for...”
“I DO NOT RUN AND HIDE FROM ANYONE! Especially from some common vampire.
He may have been sired by the old Master, but he is a “Well this nobody just managed to bring down your whole Clan.” Wesley
again tried to reason with Angel. “Lay low for a while. Be patient. The
truce between Snow and the Council cannot last forever. They’ll turn on
each other. That’s when you should make your move.”
“Such sound advice coming from such an *experienced warrior*.” Angel
sneered at the ex-Watcher. “...but tell me Rogue Demon Hunter. What other
valuable information did you learn from your friends at the Council?”
“Well...they...they offered me a deal.” Looking down at the floor, Wesley
felt humiliated. The demon Angelus had been remarkably restrained up until
now. But the latest events had brought the real Angelus out in full force.
“Go on.”
“They agreed to let you live, if two conditions were met. You were to
be resouled, and they wanted Spike either delivered to them as a hostage,
or dead.” Seeing Angel’s eyes start to flicker gold, Wesley continued nervously.
“I tried to compromise with them. Asked if I souled Spike too, would they
consider letting him live, but they were quite adamant. They seem quite
determined to get their hands on Spike. But why would this Snow...er...Claude
be so set on capturing Spike?”
As soon as the words were out of Wesley’s mouth, he realized that it
had been the wrong thing to say. He had just thrown petrol on the fire.
Another chair went crashing to the wall, causing Wesley to form an absurd
image in his mind of them all sitting on the floor, because soon all the
furniture in the mansion would be in pieces.
“Spike.” Wesley, happy to focus his attention on someone else. “Snow
seems so intent on your capture, that I’m wondering. I know you said you
never met a vampire named Elder Snow, but what about Claude? Ever cross
paths with him?”
Spike shook his head. “No mate. Never ran into him.” Mind going a mile
a minute, a plan was starting to form in Spike’s brain. He too like Wesley,
had not missed the emergence of his Sire’s demon. Angelus was out of control.
Something needed to be done. Donning a false mask, he looked up at his
Father. “Got a headache. Gonna go and lay down.”
Eyeing his Childe carefully, Angel knew that something was amiss. “William.
Don’t even think about leaving the mansion. Now is not the time for you
to be playing games, with Snow out for our blood. Disobey me, and I’ll
drain you into a coma state, and then bury you underground. That way I’ll
know for sure you’ll be safe from Snow.”
Turning his head away, so he wouldn’t have to look his Father in the
eye, Spike was taken by surprise by Angel’s ability to read his thoughts,
and also by his very serious threat. {Bloody bastard. He’s going to do
it. He’s going to bury me, and then go and face down Snow.}“Gonna lay down.
Don’t feel well.” It was easy to lie, since it wasn’t a total lie. Spike
had been feeling sick, ever since Alex had showed up on their doorstep,
and they had heard the bad news. The whole Clan eliminated. And his brother,
Djoser dead.
His Childe, a complete picture of misery, made Angel relent a little,
but not completely. Calling for Spike’s two bodyguards, he gave them their
orders while never taking his eyes off his son. “Escort William up to my
room. Once there, he is not to leave, nor is anyone to enter until I get
there. Is that UNDERSTOOD?”
“Master.” The two minions bowed their heads submissively.
Walking slowly up the stairs, the two minions respectfully behind him,
Spike felt a itching between his shoulder blades. He didn’t like having
the two bodyguards following him around like shadows. He was now beginning
to understand Victor’s hatred of his status as a Blood-Childe. Always had
people around you, guarding you, watching you.
Reaching the top of the stairs, and rounding the corner out of Angel’s
line of sight, Spike spun around quickly. Grabbing both minions by their
heads, he smashed their skulls together. Watching the two vampires crumple
to the floor, Spike couldn’t help but snort in contempt. {Who the hell
would they have protected me from? Xander?}
Hoisting the bodies up, he headed for Alex’s room. For her, he did at
least knock first, before barging his way in. “Alex. I hope you’re feeling
better, because you’ve got a few things you need to do.”
Surprised for only a split second, before Alex felt anger burn through
her. “Get the hell out of here William. I’m in no mood to play with you...and
take your two playmates with you.” She gestured to the two unconscious
vampires, now laying on her bedroom floor.
“This ain’t no game, Alex. Djoser’s death has made my Sire lose the
few marbles he had. You know what he wants to do. It’s suicide! We need
to stop him.”
“Stop him? You want me to help you stop him? In the mood he’s in? Find
another sucker, Childe. I’m already in your Sire’s bad graces.”
“Yeah. So then what more do you have to lose?” He asked the vampiress
ingenuously.
Heaving a huge sigh, Alex fell back into a chair. “Perhaps Angelus has
the right idea. Our whole Clan is dead. Going to New York and joining our
fallen...”
“All the more reason to stop him.” Spike interrupted her. “The Clan
is not dead as long as he lives. He’s the last of the line, Alex. He needs
to be saved. Wesley believes that Snow and the Council will eventually
turn on each other. I think he’s right. My Sire needs to live until that
happens.”
“And how do you propose to stop him from going to New York and avenging
your brother’s death?”
“Curse him. You need to curse him with a soul again. He’s more rational
with a soul, and...and that soddin’ soul seems to suck any paternal feelings
he has right out of him. He won’t be looking to avenge my brother’s death
anymore.”
“And you don’t think that your brother should be avenged?”
Looking down at the floor, Spike felt sorrow wash through him. “Someday.
Someday I hope to watch Snow being eviscerated by my Sire. I’ll spit on
his innards and remember my brother. But it can’t be now. Snow is too strong
now.”
“Cursing him with a soul might stop him from storming off to New York,
but in the long run, I don’t see how that will save him. Snow and the Council
will be sending more and more vampires and humans here for Angelus...for
you. Your Father is more dangerous without a soul.”
“The Council. They offered that ex-Watcher a deal. If my Sire is resouled,
they’ll let him live. He needs to live.” Deadly serious, Spike eyed the
woman in front of him. “He’s our Clan’s only hope for survival. The last
of the Bloodline.”
“He’s not our only hope. You still live. But tell me, William, do you
really think that just because he’s souled, Snow and the Council will let
him live? And what about you? You’re right, you know. About him losing
his fatherly feelings.” Alex remembered very clearly how seemingly casual
Angel had been at the news of William being poisoned. “Those damned Gypsies.
They did more than curse him with a soul. What will happen to you?”
{The Gypsies did more?}“What the hell are you talking about? What more
did the Gypsies do?”
“Never mind that now. It’s only a theory that I have.” Leaning forward
in the chair, Alex studied her sponsored Childe. “I’m concerned about you
William. You’ll have Snow and the Council after you. And if I soul your
Sire again...you’ll probably not be able to look to him for protection.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve got it all figured out. I’m going to die. I need
to die. Snow and the Council will leave my Sire alone, as long as he’s
souled and I’m dead.”
“And you’re going to sacrifice yourself?” Alex looked with disbelief
at Spike.
“Fuck! Do I look like a martyr? This is where you come in again.”
“I’m listening.”
“There’s a group of Snow’s minions about 90 miles north of here. I figure
that the two of us will go there. Start a fight with a few of them, and
then...isn’t there some kind of hallucination spell that you can cast?
Make them believe that they’ve killed me. They’ll report to Snow that I’m
dust. The terms of Wesley’s deal will be met. My Father will be left alone,
and I’ll disappear south of the border. Snow won’t bother me anymore either,
because he’ll think I’m already dead.”
Thinking hard, Alex couldn’t believe that such a logical plan had been
thought up by Angelus’ youngest Childe. But she could find no flaw in it.
“Hurry up already. We don’t have all day. I’m supposed to be laying
down in bed. He’ll be checking on me soon. You do know how to soul him,
don’t you? Don’t tell me that we have to look up the spell, because...”
“I can do it. Don’t worry.” Alex stood up abruptly. “What I don’t like,
is you being on your own again. Desouled this time, he finally was doing
right by you, and....”
“When Snow and the Council begin killing each other, we’ll return. You
can uncurse him again, and then he’ll be free to take revenge for the Clan,
for my brother. Probably take over any vampires of Snow’s that are left.
The Tremere Clan will be reborn. And when this happens, I plan to be there
by his side. He promised me that I would sit at his side. That I would
rule with him. And that’s one promise I’m planning to make the Great Angelus
keep!
~Epilogue~
Leaning over, looking out the airplane’s window, Spike looked down at
the lights of the city below. He felt so empty.
“William, would you like a drink?” Alex nudged him with her elbow, repeating
the flight attendant’s query.
“Yeah...give me...I want...{my Sire’s blood}...give me a gin and bitters.
And make it a double.”
“You ok?”
“Never been better.” Spike turned to look out the plane’s window again.
{Don’t need him. Don’t want him. I survived without him for more than a
century.}
Perhaps reading minds was one of the skills the vampiress/ sorceress
kept in her repertoire. Placing a comforting hand on his arm, she whispered
to him in a low voice. “It’s not forever Childe. You’ll be with him again
someday.”
“When?” {Days? Weeks? Please Alex, don’t say years.}
Alex shrugged her shoulders. “The mortal is probably right when he says
that the partnership between Snow and the Council is unstable. But I’ve
now heard that they’ve turned their attention to other Clans. There’s nothing
like a common enemy that will bring allies, even shaky ones, closer together.
Could be a while. But we’re Immortals. Years, decades...they’re just moments
in time for us.”
Resting his head against the back of the seat, Spike closed his eyes
for a moment. {Years! Decades! Maybe another fuckin’ century!} Biting his
tongue, trying to keep his emotions from overruling common sense, logic.
{Alex, take me back to him!}
“Planning to follow me around South America?” He tried to sound untroubled,
flippant. Keep himself from screaming at the pilot to turn the fuckin’
plane around. Keep himself from screaming at Alex to remove the curse.
Keep himself from running to L.A, because that’s where his Sire was. In
L.A. again, with his faithful companion, Wesley, fighting evil, saving
the innocent.
“Yeah Childe.” Alex took her drink from the flight attendant. “It’s
my sworn duty to look after you, when circumstances dictate that your Father
cannot. So I plan to take care of you, until I can once again place you
back under his protection.”
“Your duty?” Spike took a huge gulp of his drink. {How many of these
do I need to drink before the pain goes away?} “Your husband’s dead. You’re
not bound to our Clan anymore. His death has set you free. You’re not obligated
to protect me anymore.”
“I may have my freedom again, but I’ll always be duty-bound to protect
you.”
“Why? Don’t tell me that you’re that afraid of the Big Poof?”
“I’ve NEVER been considered stupid, Childe. I respect, and fear your
Father. It’s probably what kept him from killing me the other night.” Studying
the glass in her hand, Alex began to remember so many years ago. “1885.
You were presented in Court.”
“You don’t need to bore me with that story again. I’ve already heard
the whole friggin’ account.”
Laughing lightly, Alex was glad to see William sounding more like the
smart ass brat he was. “Your Father named me your Sponsor. And I‘ve tried
to do my duty toward you, by watching over you all these years. Had help
though. Your brother helped a lot, and my husband for his own selfish reasons,
would support me, at times behind the scenes.”
“You watched over me? You and Djoser?” Spike felt even more depressed
at the mention of his brother. {Can’t even thank the Wanker anymore.} “So
I just have one question for you. Where the hell were you and Djoser three
years ago when Slutty the Slayer was dropping an organ on my head with
my souled Sire watching and applauding?”
“That’s a whole ‘nother tale. Want to hear it? Or will I bore you too
much?”
“Get the flight attendant over here for another drink. And then I guess,
I’ll listen to you. Got nothing better to do for the next six hours.”
Staring out the window, Spike waited for Alex to get them more drinks.
He’d listen to her. Listen to her story. And try not to think about Angelus.
Try not to think about how it felt with his Sire’s body in him, around
him, consuming him. Try not to interrupt Alex in the middle of her narration.
Try not to scream at her that he just wanted to go home. He just wanted
to go home to his Father.
****
Finis