The Seventh SlayerBy Kantayra
Chapter ElevenIt was dark.
She spun around slowly, trying to figure out where she was. Ever so slowly, the outlines of cold, stone crosses came into focus, the unnatural blackness still causing them to fade slowly in and out of view.
The strange tingles at the back of her neck were by far the scariest part, though. She knew what that sixth sense of hers indicated. Danger. And it was close.
She instantly dropped into a fighting stance, crouched and ready for her opponent whoever, or whatever, it was.
The figure that finally stepped out of the shadows caught her completely off-guard.
Hello, Isabelle, Mr. West said, a cold, murderous smile on his face.
Suddenly, she felt a stabbing pain in her side. She looked down in disbelief to see the bolt of a crossbow sticking right out of her stomach.
H-How did you? she stuttered.
You never see it coming. West shook his head in that way he had always done when shed failed in her training. You never see me coming
And then, as she watched on in horror, the figure before her changed in form. It seemed to almost hollow out until all that was left was a billowing cloak. The cloak changed as well. It took on a deep navy blue tint, and something glimmered gold on the front of it, fading in and out of existence.
Isabelle found all her attention centered upon the strange symbol, trying to decipher it
She was jerked back when the cloth billowed outwards, taking on a strangely humanoid shape. One of the arms reached out and caught her by the throat, and she found herself lifted high up off of the ground. She hadnt realized before just how large the thing was. She dangled helplessly over fifty feet above the ground, the air slowly receding from her lungs.
Slayers were meant to die young it hissed in a strange, gravelly voice.
And then it dropped her. She plunged down and down and down, all the while looking up at her ghostly attacker.
And that was when the golden symbol finally came into clear focus.
A circle with four letters in the middle. Letters she had seen all too frequently as of late
It was only then that she screamed
Wake up!
Isabelles eyes flew open when someone roughly shook her shoulders. Instinctively, she lashed off, sending her attacker halfway across the room.
Oof! Ajaya complained, rising to her feet almost instantly. Watch it, will you? she said, obviously annoyed. I was just trying to help
Isabelle shook her head, and her consciousness fully took control over her body once again. Sorry, she said wearily, rubbing her temples lightly and trying to rid herself of the headache shed suddenly developed. I had a bad dream
I gathered, Ajaya sat back down on her own bed across from Isabelles. You were screaming up a storm.
Yeah, well Isabelle shrugged and trailed off.
You want to talk about it? Ajaya asked, concerned.
Nah, Isabelle brushed her off. It was just a stupid dream: villains, monsters, typical Slayer stuff Its no big.
Youre sure? Ajaya pressed.
Look, Im fine, Isabelle insisted, getting up. And its late. Shouldnt we be training or something?
Were not scheduled until noon, Ajaya answered.
What about breakfast? Isabelle was enthusiastically tossing on her sweats now.
Theres this kind of brunch buffet thing in the dinning room, Ajaya answered, slipping back into her role as tour guide.
Lets go eat then. Im famished. Isabelle flashed her a broad grin.
OK, Ajaya got up as well, and they headed out. Youre sure youre all right, though? she asked once last time. You just kept screaming
What? Isabelle asked nonchalantly when Ajaya trailed off.
You were screaming SCBI, Ajaya finally admitted.
Hmm, weird. Isabelle shrugged again, heading off down the hall. And trying to erase the image of those four letters embossed on the front of the creature that had attacked her. S. C. B. I
* * *
Hows Lily doing this morning? Monica was asking Willow when Ajaya and Isabelle finally sat down at the table with their breakfasts.
The old Witchs brow furrowed. Not too good, actually, she admitted. Shes got a bit of a fever now cant even get out of bed
She was drained that badly? Ajaya said in surprise. She seemed pretty much all right at the time.
Yeah, Willow nodded. She seems to be getting worse, though. Then she shook her head. Its probably just a little flu bug thats taken hold now that shes weak, she decided a bit more cheerily.
It might be a good idea to give her a bit of a magical check-up, Fletcher suggested, sipping at his cup of tea, just to make sure the Council didnt find a way to attack her while her defenses were down.
Aida and I will work on it this afternoon, Willow agreed. Never can be too careful, after all
And how are you two doing this fine, snowy morning? Monica asked the two Slayers that were scarfing down their food in that way that only Slayers whove been out killing nasties can.
Hungry, Isabelle joked, taking a bite of her toast.
Bad dreams, Ajaya added.
What? Fletcher instantly looked up, alert. Youve been having nightmares? he demanded of Ajaya.
Not me, Ajaya shook her head, gesturing to Isabelle.
The redheaded Slayer practically choked on her coffee and began hacking incessantly.
Fletcher frowned at waited for her to calm down. What did you dream about? he asked when she was finally able to breathe again.
Nothing, Isabelle insisted. Fighting badies, dark stuff, nothing unusual. She flashed him the same everythings-OK smile shed used on Ajaya earlier.
If anything, Fletcher looked less convinced than Ajaya had. You are aware that Slayer dreams can be prophetic? He looked at her sternly. Anything at all you can remember could be very important.
Then its too bad I dont remember anything, Isabelle countered, her fingers nervously fingering the napkin on her lap.
Only Ajaya beside her was able to see her fidgeting.
Fletcher sighed. In the future, I would advise you both of you, he added, including Ajaya, to keep journals of any dreams you may have. At times like these, any clue we can gather concerning things to come could mean the difference between life and death
My old Watcher, Isabelle said softly and a bit sheepishly.
Everyone turned a curious eye in her direction, except for Xeris who was staring intently at what looked like a Jell-O mold that was continuously changing colors. Isabelle kept her eyes on the spectacle of the midnight blue demon, not wanting to have to face those around her. His tongue flicked out right as the Jell-O-like thing turned bright green, and a hole burned into the structure where his tongue had been. Isabelle frowned slightly, actually becoming a bit curious as to what he was doing
Your Watcher? Fletcher interrupted her moment of self-imposed oblivion.
He said I wouldnt see him coming, Isabelle shut her eyes and finally decided to fess up, and then there was this crossbow bolt sticking out of my chest.
She took another quick sip from her coffee and turned her attention back to Xeris. His horns were now flashing bright orange.
The context of this scene? Fletcher continued to press her.
It was dark. We were in a cemetery. I couldnt see anything, then he stepped out, and it went down like I told you, Isabelle replied, somewhat irritated.
I see. Fletcher was now cleaning his glasses with a handkerchief. I suppose that could be taken literally or metaphorically then, he muttered to himself, obviously somewhat concerned by this turn of events. Was that all? he asked Isabelle.
Yup, she said a bit too hastily.
Luckily for her, Fletcher was too busy trying to interpret her dream to notice. It would seem to be a warning that the Watchers are coming after us, in some way, shape, or form, he commented. Of course, we dont know whether theyll come just for Isabelle or if its just her Watcher He sighed again and pinched the bridge of his nose. I need more information. Ajaya, did you have any dreams last night?
No, sorry, the Bengali woman shook her head apologetically.
I suppose I should ask Buffy as well Fletcher decided. Has anyone seen her this morning?
No, but I heard her all night, an irritated voice exclaimed from the doorway. They all looked up to see a very pissed off looking Alex storm into the room. Nicky and I had to camp out in the drawing room just to get some sleep, he complained. And then, of course, I discover that he snores. I mean, who ever heard of a vampire snoring? He doesnt even need to breathe, let alone snore He poured himself a large cup of coffee and collapsed into the seat beside Ajaya grumpily.
Well, now you know why your parents complained about living under them for so long Willow began, before trailing off abruptly at the pained look on his face.
Yeah, they did he said so softly that they almost couldnt hear him.
There was a long, awful silence in the room.
Isabelle watched everybody return to their food nervously, except Xeris who had never left it if that weird thing was food, that was
So, whats the deal with your parents? she finally demanded of Alex, the awkward silence finally driving her crazy.
Several spit takes followed her question, and Alex gave her what could only be called the Evil Glare of Death.
Theyre dead, he informed her icily.
How? she asked curiously, popping a grape into her mouth.
Magic. If looks could kill, his would have.
Isabelle shrugged. Sorry bout that She took another bite of her waffles.
Sorry?! Alex exclaimed in disbelief. Youre sorry?!
Yeah, she gave him a mildly annoyed look. Why not?
How about because you have absolutely no idea who or what youre talking about?! He was practically sputtering in indignation now. My mother was immortal! She should have stayed with me forever, but no! Magic had to take her away from me.
Jeez, Isabelles eyes widened, I said I was sorry. Whats your problem?
My problem?! he hissed, leaning over Ajaya to glare at her. The Indian Slayer suddenly felt very uncomfortably in the way. My problem is Slayers that dont know anything opening their fat mouths about things that dont concern them.
Oh, cmon! Isabelle rolled her eyes. So, you lost your parents. Im sorry but chewing me outs not going to make you feel better, and youre not using me as your punching bag, either.
Alexs face turned an interesting shade of purple, and he was so furious he couldnt force the words from his mouth.
And, Isabelle added, yawning, if youre going to spit all over the place, can you do it somewhere else? Im trying to eat here, and its very unappetizing.
That finally did the trick.
Alex slammed his fist down on the table before stomping out of the room, enraged. At the door, Buffy and Spike had the misfortune of colliding with him.
Dont you two ever sleep? he grumbled, shoving his way past them. There was a loud crash as the door shut behind him.
Uh what was that all about then? Spike asked, wide-eyed.
Overreact much? Isabelle snorted derisively and rolled her eyes at Alexs behavior. He was just throwing a hissy fit because I refused to molly coddle him She trailed off abruptly when she got a good look at the vampire.
Her mouth dropped open, and he shrugged and ran a hand sheepishly through he newly re-bleached hair.
And I thought yum before Isabelle licked her lips, saw that Buffy was giving Spike the exact same look she was, and sighed disappointedly. Oh well, at least we can eat in peace without General Bringdown in the way, she shrugged, picking up a piece of toast and buttering it.
Everyone including Xeris was now staring at her with a mix of wide-eyed horror and awe.
I-Isabelle, Willow began nervously, you really shouldnt provoke him like that
Why not? she retorted. He started it. I was just asking an innocent question, and then boom! Mt. Krakatoa.
Hes just lost both his parents and his fiancée, Monica supplied. Hes rather delicate at the moment.
He didnt seem all that delicate to me, Isabelle shrugged. He seemed like he needed someone to give him a good, hard slap of reality.
Spike flashed her a broad smile and gave her a little wink of agreement when he sat down beside her.
At the end of the table, Fletcher stifled a laugh.
Isabelle raised an eyebrow at him curiously.
Its nothing, he insisted. You just reminded me of someone there for a second
Isabelle shrugged and turned back to her food.
Well, no harm, no foul, I guess. Monica shrugged as well. Just try not to provoke him in the future.
No problem, Isabelle smiled slyly, as long as you tell him not to provoke me.
And, at this, everyone desperately began trying to make pleasant small talk to erase the incident from their minds.
Hey, Isabelle, Ajaya gave her a conspiratorial smile.
What? Isabelle turned to look at her.
Next time I have to train with Alex, she grinned evilly, youre coming with me.
Isabelle smiled as well. I take it hes not much more pleasant then?
Nope, Ajaya frowned slightly. Then her expression brightened again. And I cant yell anywhere near as loud as you.
The two Slayers both laughed at that, their own conversation drifting away from serious matters once more.
Which was why everyone was caught completely off guard when an explosion rocked the building
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