Part 17
Mind scrambling for a solution, Buffy hesitated before answering. She was torn. She wanted to help, but how could she afford to involve herself in other people's problems when she had Glory to worry about?
"We don't have to concern ourselves with their. . . their affairs. " Giles whispered to her.
"What? We just walk away from them? After what Spike did for me and Dawn." Looking around, her eyes once again sought out Spike. Head resting in the crook of Angel's neck, the injured vampire was feeding while Angel quietly conferred with his brothers and Djoser. Buffy hastily averted her gaze. For reasons unknown, she found the act of Angel sharing blood with his Childe unsettling.
"How can we not help them? Look at Spike. . .he's so thrashed." Glancing over at Spike, Xander found that he too had to look away. The humans found themselves consciously avoiding looking in the direction of Angel. They found that they couldn't watch the vampire Childe feed from the Father. The act seemed too private, too personal, and it embarrassed them to watch. With the exception of Anya, who continued to stare intently at the pair. She had no discomfort, perhaps because nothing embarrassed her, or perhaps because once being a demon herself she was able to more readily accept the vampire ways.
"Giles, there is something else we need to consider." Wesley got up from the rock he was sitting on. "Recently a. . .seerer demon informed me that if Spike were to die, Angel would revert back to his evil side and help the dark forces bring down an apocalypse."
A few moments of silence followed as they processed the latest bit of news. "Soo. . .If Spike dies then. . .then Angel would help Glory get the key?" A logical conclusion in Xander's mind, but it still caused both Giles and Wesley to heave huge sighs.
"What? What'd I say?" Xander was making his protest when two minions came out of one of the caves, carrying a body on a wooden bier. The figure was that of a young, slim man, unclothed except for a white cloth wrapped around him.
Wesley gasped in shock as he got a look at the dead body on the wooden bier. "Chris!" He knew the man having met him briefly in England. The notorious vampire hunter, Christian Shelton.
Bending down, Damon gently took the dead man's hand while frowning up at Angel. "My new Blood-Childe. I've been waiting for his reawakening, but perhaps now he will never have that chance. My plan was to present him to you in better circumstances. I wanted to say that with his rebirth, our Clan has renewed hope, but now. . .those Council hunters. . .they hunt us down. They won't rest until our Bloodline is completely eradicated."
"NO!" Buffy had now made up her mind. "I won't allow that. At least for today. Nic. . . ." She turned to the vampire. "Lend me your cell phone. I just need to check on my sister. And Angel. . . ." Looking over at her ex-lover, her eyes were apologetic. She understood that his problems were just a real as hers. "Have your. . .have Spike and the new Childe put safely in one of the caves. I have a plan."
**
Northern California, May, 2000
The fighting was brutal. The Council hunters had attacked the small band of renegade Tremeren vampires during the day, thinking then that it would be an easy kill. But mother nature had decided not to cooperate. Shortly after the attack started, the sun disappeared behind some cloud cover, and the hunters were left to face the enemy without their biggest weapon.
With no sun and a lot of wooded coverage, the vampires countered the attack with everything they had. And the slightly overconfident Council hunters soon found themselves barely escaping with their lives.
Fleeing out of the woods, the hunters collapsed near a stream. They knew they were only safe while it was day light. As soon as it was dusk, the vampires, without the fear of the reappearance of the sun, would attack without mercy.
Christian Shelton, one of the Council's most valued vampire hunters sat by himself. Usually calm and collected, he was so worked up that he didn't trust himself in front of his comrades.
"Hey, chin up. Those motherfuckers won't escape us forever." Shelton's boss and mentor, Jack Hawkins, walked over to the young man. He was one of the few who knew Chris' secret.
"We almost got ourselves killed today. WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED? If there had been any doubt about the weather. . . ." Voice raising, Chris could no longer hide his anger.
"Hey, mother nature in an unpredictable bitch. . . ."
"We attacked prematurely. We should have waited." Taking in a deep breath, Chris couldn't shake the feeling that the whole attack had been planned with the goal of them failing.
"We can't afford to wait. We've already determined that Damon is trying to get to Angelus. And that CAN'T happen. The two of them together would be. . . ."
"Would be what? What are you so afraid of, if the two of them reunite?"
"Damon is more of a threat than Anton and Luc ever were, despite the fact that he had a human mother. He's smart. He's powerful." Hawkins sat down next to Chris. "Records say that although being only a half-brother to Angelus, he was the most like him. So much so, that Heinrich Nest himself ordered that part of his training be done by the Scourge of Europe. So that's why we're worried. If Damon ever gets to Angelus, we could be in some serious shit."
"So. . . ." Standing up, Chris looked down at Hawkins, giving him a mocking smile. "I guess that makes me pretty special. Not only was I fathered by a Tremeren vampire, but I was fathered by one of Heinrich Nest's favorites."
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Standing up, Hawkins stood face-to-face with his protege. "You're not to think of him in that way. EVER."
"You can't fight blood, Jack." Using Hawkins' first name, Chris showed his disrespect. "My father's blood flows through my veins. Can't escape it. It's my destiny to. . .to become his."
Hawkins grabbed Shelton by the front of the shirt. "What the HELL is the matter with you? Why are you talking so crazy?"
"I'm the one who's crazy? I'm not the one who planned this bloody fiasco today. I'm not the one who had me assigned to go after Damon." Coldly looking his boss in the eye, Chris was not intimidated by Hawkins' hold on him. "Since childhood, that's all I've heard, how I should be careful of him. How I need to be protected from him. Because if he were to get a hold of me then. . .I become his and become one of them." Holding his ground, Chris wasn't going to back down from his superior. "And what do you Council people do, but make sure I'm put in his path. I'm beginning to think that that's what all of you want. You want him to claim me, to turn me."
"Jesus, Chris I honestly. . . ." Letting go of the younger man, Hawkins began to dissemble. "What kind of fucking bullshit has got into your head? We. . .we have you here because I thought you should see that fuck Damon die. See the bastard who's made your life a living hell. When he dies and becomes dust, you'll be free. I thought you should experience that moment. And believe me, I've been personally making sure that he gets nowhere near you."
Chris stared at the man who had been such a big part of his life. The man who he had admired and aspired to be like. The man who was lying to him now, who was using him as a pawn in some game that he knew nothing about.
**
"There's a concealed area in the back of the main cave." Damon motioned for two minions to take his Childe back into the cave. "We can hide the Blood-Childer there."
"Djoser, take your brother and stay there until you're told to come out." Angel handed the now sleeping Spike to his eldest.
"Sire! I. . . ." Djoser started his protest. He wasn't used to not being part of the action.
"DON'T START! Just do what I say."
"Yeah Djoser, do what you're told for once." Nic had grabbed the Tec-9 that Djoser had set down in order to take Spike. "See how disobedient your oldest is becoming?" He addressed this to Angel. "He's been hanging around William too much. Starting to take on his obnoxious ways."
"You go with them too." Angel quietly told Nic as he looked around. Damon had everything under control. His minions were well trained. They, quickly and obediently did what they were told.
"ME? You're the one that should go back with them. You're the Master here. The one who's indispens. . . ."
"Since when did this become a democracy? The next person who questions my orders will be disciplined." Voice raising, Angel was fast losing his patience. Giving his brother a forbidding glare, he continued. "I'm naming you Sponsor for both my sons. If worse comes to worse, and the Council hunters defeat us, it will be your responsibility to try and save them."
"Me. . .I. . .OH FUCK!" Nic knew the implications of being named Sponsor.
"Angel." Stooped over, Wesley approached the vampire. He couldn't stand up straight from the pain of his injuries. "Buffy wants all of you to stay out of sight. And
we. . .we. . . ."
"You'll go back in the cave with the Blood-Childer, Wesley. You're in no shape to stay out here."
"But I. . . ."
"Are in no shape to do any fighting. You'll just be a handicap to us." Dark eyes stared at Wesley. "And I can't risk you. You're the only hope I have now for my William."
"But of course. . . ." Looking down at the ground, Wesley prayed that Angel could not read his expression of disappointment. For a moment, he had actually thought that Angel was concerned about him, but naturally that wasn't the case. He was important to Angel as long as he could serve him some way, nothing more.
"Welcome human." Nic was giving Wesley an unreadable look.
Looking into Nic's dark eyes, eyes similar in color to Angel's, Wesley saw something flicker in them. Something that made him look quickly away.
**
"So this plan of yours. . .it's the plan to end all plans, right?" Xander watched Buffy as she moved some big rocks to act as a barrier.
"No." Buffy admitted to her childhood friend. "I'm not even sure exactly what the plan is." Dusting her hands together, she quickly grabbed the Tec-9 from Giles before Xander could respond. "Ok, to get this thing ready to fire I. . . ."
"Pull the bolt back, and then you need to release the safety." Xander too, was now armed with a Tec-9 as Wesley had given him the one he had been carrying. "So. . .is your plan to shoot them all?"
"That's the last resort. Hopefully, we won't get to that."
"Uh huh." Xander was not liking what he was hearing.
"Buffy." All the vampires were in place, and Angel too wanted to know the plan. "Everyone is ready. What are you. . . ."
"Just tell them to be ready, but no one should do anything unless I give a signal." Pulling the bolt back on the gun, Buffy was as ready as she'd ever be. "Now. Everyone get ready for the biggest bluff of the century."
**
Hidden deep in the main cave, Wesley studied Christian Shelton. It gave him something to do. He had met Shelton a few years ago, and the man's appearance had not changed much. "And now it never will." Wesley whispered quietly.
"Who you talking to human?" Nic was studying Wesley with interest.
Turning his head around, Wesley couldn't help but snap at the vampire. "My name is Wesley Wyndham-Price. I would appreciate it if you called me by my name."
"Better sit down before you fall down, Mr. Wyndham-Price." Nic could smell Wesley's pain. "Quite a handle you got there. Ever start to sign your name and then run out of room on the paper?"
"I really. . . ." Annoyed, Wesley stood up too fast. He could feel something in his stomach pop, and then pain combined with a warm, sticky feeling. Looking down, he saw blood soaking through his sweater. "I. . .I. . . ."
Smelling and seeing the human blood, Nic instantly had Wesley by the shoulders leading him to a rock ledge. "Lie down human."
"I. . .I guess. . .an ambulance is out of the question right now." Panting from pain, Wesley could feel sweat break out on his brow. Something soft was shoved under his head, and he could feel his sweater being lifted up. "What. . .what are you doing. Stop. . . ." Trying to brush the hands away, he struggled to pull his sweater down as well.
"Just want to take a look. Stop fighting me." Nic motioned to Djoser to give him some help. The dark vampire immediately grabbed Wesley's arms and held them above his head.
"And what? Don't tell me you're a doctor." For some illogical reason, Wesley didn't like having his stomach and chest exposed. It made him feel vulnerable.
"No, but in all the years I lived, I've seen a lot of bullet wounds."
"WHAT. . . ?" Wesley could feel a cool tongue running over and around his wound. "STOP THAT!" Struggling, but getting nowhere in Djoser's strong grip. "I SAID STOP THAT THIS INSTANT. . . ."
"I needed to clean away the blood to see what's going on. You've popped some stitches." Nic looked around for something he could use to act as a pressure bandage. Not finding anything, he ripped away some of Wesley's sweater.
"BLOODY HELL! This sweater was a gift from. . . ."
"WILL YOU STOP YOUR COMPLAINING AND HOLD STILL!" Using the piece of sweater, Nic pushed down, putting pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding. "I'm going to get the bleeding stopped, and then you need to lie here perfectly still. And when this situation has been resolved, I will personally take you to the hospital."
Finally realizing that the vampires were only trying to help him, Wesley ceased his struggling. "I. . .thank you." Letting himself go limp, Wesley concentrated on slowing his breathing down and trying to relax.
Djoser, seeing that Wesley was now cooperating, slowly released his grip, while Nic continued to hold the sweater over the wound tightly.
Minutes went by, and then Wesley finally had to ask. "Was it really necessary to lick the blood away?"
"Yes, I couldn't see the wound clearly." A roguish grin as Nic looked down in Wesley's face. "But. . .I must say it was a bonus treat for me. . .And human, just so you know, you have the richest blood I've tasted in a long time. Can't wait to taste it again."
**
The Council vampire hunters knew where to go. Their associates had given them detailed instructions. What worried them was that since then, no one was answering the cell phones. Coming upon the caves, the hunters were greeted by the sight of the Slayer standing behind some large rocks, holding a Tec-9. Standing a few feet away from her was a young man, also holding a Tec-9 and a young woman and the Slayer's Watcher, both holding crossbows.
"That's far enough." Buffy ordered them, holding up the gun.
A man named Daniel Walters, second-in-command, held up his hand, signaling the men to stop. "What's going on Slayer?" He looked over at his boss, Jack Hawkins, whose unconscious body was tied standing to a stake.
"I was quite clear with Travers that you Council people were to leave Sunnydale and not come back unless I requested your presence. Now. . . ." Aiming the gun at the men. "Are you going to leave nicely, or do we have to start playing rough?"
"Looks like you've already started." Walters eyed his boss pointedly. "And the rest of the men?"
"They came to my town. Threatened me. Threatened my friends."
Seconds passed as Slayer and Council men stared each other down. "That makes you guilty of murder, Slayer."
"Something you Council hunters know a lot about."
More seconds passed as the showdown continued. "We know that there are some dangerous vampires here. . . ."
"Sunnydale is my town. I'll take care of any problems here. If, and I did say if, there ever comes a time when I need some help, I'll call you. But in the meantime, none of you are welcome here." The last sentence Buffy said through clenched teeth.
Looking around at the men, Walters was given a slight signal. The Slayer was not alone! There were vampires present. "Ok, Slayer. But we're not leaving without our boss."
"Take him." Buffy didn't care about Hawkins. "And then GET OUT!"
"NO!" Said under his breath as Damon lurched forward. He and Angel were hidden on the other side of the caves away from the hunters' sight. He didn't want the humans to take Hawkins with them.
"STOP!" Raising his arm, Angel barred his brother from moving. "You're going to blow our cover!" A quiet snarl, he barred his fangs, showing his dominance.
"He wants my Childe. He's a crazy fucker, that Hawkins. Dangerous. We should have killed him." Regaining control, Damon watched the hunters untie Hawkins. "He'll be back for us. I can guarantee that."
"We need to get a cure for William, then we can all disappear." Angel watched the Council hunters slowly take their leave. "I believe the Slayer just bought us some time."
"Yeah, but how much?" Damon met Angel's eyes as the two vampires slowly made their way over to their human allies. They both knew that the hunters would be back for them.
Expelling her breath slowly, Buffy gave Giles and Xander a look of relief.
"Way to fake those bastards out of their shoes." Xander congratulated her.
"I'm. . .I'm proud of you." Filled with fatherly pride, Giles could only smile at her.
Buffy turned to Angel and Damon who were approaching her. "You're safe here. . .at least for a little while."
"Buffy. . .thank you." The gratitude shone in Angel's eyes caused her to look away. He still affected her.
"Giles." Angel was all business again. "Wesley will be working on a cure for William. Please help him. In return, I and my Clan will help you and Buffy with this Glory."
Looking at each other, the humans didn't even need to discuss Angel's proposal. It was one they couldn't refuse.
**
Awakening, his nose told him who he was with. Angel's unique smell enveloped him, while strong arms embraced him. Snuggling closer, Spike sighed with contentment. 'Heaven on Earth.' He was home again, back where he belonged.
"Go back to sleep Childe. It's still early." A soft whisper in his ear.
"And the Council hunters?"
"Buffy scared them away. For a little while anyway."
"She's a luv." Eyes still closed, Spike had a smile on his face.
"A what?" Angel's eyes opened in surprise. His Childe never referred to the Slayer as Luv.
"Having a tough time, you know. Her mum's dead. Gotta protect Niblet from that cow Glory. . .we should help her, you know."
"Already been arranged." Stroking a head, Angel studied his son's bruised and discolored face. No improvement from the night before. The poison was still affecting his healing power.
"And Snow? I saw that Djoser and Nic are back. Did they and the Ventrues stake his sorry arse?"
Tightening his arms around the slim body, Angel didn't answer right away. His William just needed to concentrate on recovering from his injuries. He didn't need to be worrying about Snow, the Ventures, and the Council. "Sleep, Childe. You need to heal yourself." Carefully sliding his incisors into tender flesh, Angel used his power, putting Spike into a deep slumber.
****
Part 18
The next afternoon found Wesley sitting on the hospital bed, studying his tattered sweater. He had just been released by the doctor and was trying to figure out what he could wear. The sweater was a lost cause. He'd have to call Giles for a lift anyway. He'd just ask for a shirt loan at the same time.
"I'm just going to ring my friend." Wesley found that he had to explain himself to the nurse, as her impatience for him to leave was obvious. "As soon as he arrives, I'll be out of your way."
Giving him a puzzled stare, the nurse was in a hurry. "Your friend is already here. He's been waiting for you."
"He's here? Giles. . . ." Breaking off as Nic came strolling into the hospital room.
"They told me that you're free to leave now. So. . .ready to go, human?"
Wesley didn't have a chance to argue or complain as the nurse hustled him into the wheelchair. As usual, the hospital was short nursing staff, so they were always anxious to get rid of any discharged patients as soon as possible.
"Here are his discharge instructions. They've been explained to him, but you, as his family, should read them over too. Any questions?" The nurse was brusque as she hurriedly began to wheel Wesley out of the room.
"Nope. No questions." Nic answered the nurse, grinning as he took the paper from her. Wesley opened his mouth to protest that the vampire was no family of his, but was interrupted by the nurse.
"He shouldn't be left alone for a day or two. Are you going to be staying with him?"
"He's n. . . ." Again Wesley opened his mouth to tell her that Nic was not family, nor would he be staying with him, but this time was interrupted by the vampire.
"Yeah. I'll be watching over him. And you don't have to worry, I've had some experience caring for injured hum. . .people."
"Great!" The nurse was relieved. Problem solved. She could write in the patient's chart that he had been discharged in the supervision of a family member who assured her that the patient would be cared for.
Heaving a sigh as the nurse wheeled him out the hospital entrance to Nic's car, Wesley decided that it wasn't worth arguing about. He'd have the vampire drive him to Giles' house. Save Giles a trip to the hospital.
Letting Nic help him into the car, Wesley felt ridiculous. Dressed in trousers and shoes, he still wore the hospital gown on top while holding his ragged sweater in his hands.
Not bothering with the seatbelt as it would hurt too much to buckle it around him, Wesley found himself ill at ease with the vampire. For some reason, Nic made him extremely nervous. He began to make small talk to cover up his unease. "Spike? How is he?
And. . .Christian? Are they both quite all right?"
"William. He's with Angelus." In Nic's mind that translated to William is fine."And Christian? Who the hell is he?"
"Christian Shelton. The vampire hunt. . .the. . .your brother's new Blood-Childe." Tired and irritable, Wesley was short with Nic.
"His name is Christian? What kind of fucking name is that for a vampire? Jesus. . . ." Starting up the car, Nic pulled away from the curb. "His mother must have known that she was impregnated by a vampire and named him that thinking it would do some good." He smiled mockingly. "Stupid, fucking humans with your superstitious, religious bullshit. Think it will protect you." Pausing a moment, Nic then added. "Yeah, I noticed that someone tattooed crucifixes on that Childe's neck. Lot of fucking good that did too."
"He was raised by the Council." Wesley muttered as he thought about the mysterious Christian Shelton. It all made sense now. The Council had known all along that Shelton was a dhampir, a mortal child fathered by a vampire. It also explained the young man's amazing vampire hunting ability. Because according to legend, a dhampir who hadn't been turned had great powers for detecting and destroying vampires.
"Raised by the Council?" A raised eyebrow as Nic gave Wesley a surprised look, before snorting with laughter. "Oh, he should be a prize! The next generation of Blood-Childer, the future hope for our Clan rests with William and a Childe raised by the Watcher's Council. The only one with any potential at all is Djoser, and I'm starting to have some doubts about him."
"You know. . . ." Wesley found himself illogically defending Spike. "The Watcher's Council considers William the Bloody to be a highly dangerous vampire. He's fought two Slayers in the past century and killed them both. He's been recorded as having tortured his victims with railroad sp. . . ."
"Trying to make his daddy proud, that's all." Stopping at a traffic light, Nic put his arm out, making sure that Wesley didn't jerk forward. "William kills out of necessity only, not because he has a passion for it. If you were to ask him what he would rather do, watch one of his soap operas on TV or go for a kill, what do you think he would say?"
"We-ll. . . ." Wesley considered. "Since I've known him, he has been hampered by the poison in his system, so. . . ."
"Tell me human, have you ever met a vampire like William? Laughs, cries, watches TV, eats human food. That Childe's demon is weak. Always has been, always will be."
"And how is it that you know so much about Spike and how weak or strong his demon is? My understanding is that you've been estranged from the Clan for what. . .a century or. . . ."
"168 years." Staring straight ahead, Nic's jaw was clenched tightly. He remembered to the day how long it had been since his exile had begun.
Wesley said nothing for a moment, feeling the vampire's emotion, but then curiosity got the best of him. "May I ask for what reason you were. . .banished?"
A small, dejected smile. "Because I too have a weak demon. That's why I understand William so well. He and I share the same flaw; we stayed too human."
**
It was late afternoon when Spike awoke again. The sun was already setting because of the short winter days. Wrapped up in his Father's strong embrace, he felt warm and wanted. Lying half on top of Angel, he could feel something hard poking in him the stomach. Moving his hips, he began to grind and hump, wanting to feel the hardness grow.
"WILLIAM! STOP THAT!" Awakening, Angel could feel the hard friction of his Childe's body rubbing against his.
"You've got a stiffy, Sire." Spike stated the obvious.
"STOP MOVING, and it will go away." Head falling back, Angel gritted his teeth, trying to master his desire. Willing his cock to deflate.
"Go away? Why would you want to waste a perfectly good stiffy?"
"William. . . ." Exasperated, Angel lifted his head to take a look at his son. No difference. Face, black and blue, eye swollen shut. "Your injuries still look terrible. You need to rest."
"Tired of resting. Feel like being poked. 'Sides, having a good shag with you always makes me feel better."
Tightening his arms around Spike to stop him from moving, Angel looked at him thoughtfully. Somewhere in the recesses of his mind he remembered a conversation from long ago.
**
Germany, 1793
Sated and satisfied, Angelus dropped the body he had been feeding on. Looking over at his fledgling brother, Damon, he now understood why his Sire was so high on this new Blood-Childe. His brother was not only extremely strong, but had a cruel streak that rivaled his own.
Stepping over the mutilated bodies, Angelus made his way over to the other vampire. "Do you see now why playing with them first makes the blood all the more sweeter? Fear just adds to the flavor."
Nodding his agreement, Damon stood up, throwing the body he had been feeding on aside. "You're right, brother. I can taste the difference."
Inclining his head approvingly at the younger vampire, Angelus was surprised to note that even though his brother's human face was back in place, the eyes still had a crazed, wild look in them. His Sire had been accurate in his assessment of this new Childe; he was a prize!
"We'll go back to the lair now. I'll report to our Sire your progress. He'll be pleased. But
first. . . ." Angelus turned back to look at the bodyguards who were standing apart from them. Surveying the dead bodies, they were salivating, but dared not touch them without permission. "Go ahead, but be quick about it. I'm in a hurry."
Watching the minions finish off their leavings, the two vampires stood side-by-side in silence. Damon was not a talker, a fact that made Angelus like him even more.
When the minions had finished, the group began to make its way back to the lair. "At the rate you're learning, your training will be complete soon, and you can then be presented and marked as a Blood-Childe." Angelus looked over at his brother with appraising eyes. "You do understand what it means to be a Blood-Childe of the Clan? Has our Master explained to you your duties and responsibilities?"
"Yes brother, I under. . . ." Halted in mid sentence, as they were attacked suddenly and unexpectedly by a vengeful mob of villagers. So contemptuous of the humans who lived in the area, the vampires had developed a careless attitude and were caught not paying attention.
Greatly unprepared for an organized attack, Angelus found himself surrounded, his bodyguards dusted, and his new brother seriously wounded. Holding an injured Damon against his chest, snarling and growling, he was able to temporarily keep the attackers at bay. Surveying the mortals, his eyes lit upon their leader. A man he had seen before. A man relentless in his pursuit of him. A man named Holtz.
Victorious smirk on his face, the vampire hunter finally had Angelus, Scourge of Europe, where he wanted him. "Careful!" He held his arm up, warning the villagers not to get too close. A trapped beast was the most dangerous. Holtz knew that better than anyone, but he was enjoying the thrill of the capture. Enjoying it so much that he stalled another moment to savor his triumph.
And that moment was all that Angelus needed. Moving at a speed that caught the inexperienced villagers off guard, he knocked a few of them to the ground as he took flight, brother in his arms. Running toward the lair, he tried to calculate the distance. Could he make it there before the human mob cornered him again? He could hear and feel the footsteps, the racing heartbeats of the mortals chasing him. They were closing in, and he was still too far from the lair and sanctuary.
Leading the pack, Holtz knew that it was imperative that they bring down the vampire quickly. Soon they would be in his territory, and then it would be too late. Pushing himself a little more, he could feel the prize within his grasp.
"Put me down!" Gasping for air, the newly turned Damon thought that breathing would somehow give him more strength and stamina.
Dropping Damon to his feet, Angelus never broke stride as he now dragged his brother along with him. Feeling desperate, he knew that they wouldn't be able to get to safety before being caught again by their pursuers. Hearing and sensing the arrival of many more, he glanced back at his pursuers, thinking that more villagers had come to join the chase. But to his surprise and relief, it wasn't more humans he had heard. It was a group of vampires who had seen the hunt, and had intervened, attacking the villagers.
Falling to the ground with Damon at his side, Angelus closed his eyes, offering up a small prayer to the vampire gods. Perceiving the presence of someone approaching, he looked up into the beautiful, mesmerizing eyes of Judelin, High Master of the Ventures.
"Angelus, Blood-Childe of Heinrich Nest." Silky, smooth voice. "I have heard of you, and it surprises me that you would be so careless. Especially when you have charge of. . . ." The Ventrue eyed Damon. "The newest Blood-Childe of your Clan."
"And you are Judelin, High Master of the Ventrue Clan." It was more a statement than a question. Angelus knew who the stranger was. He had seen drawings of the Ventrue.
"Yes, I am here to congratulate your Sire on the birth of another Blood-Childe. That makes four for him. Quite. . .impressive."
Narrowing his eyes, Angelus stood up. He didn't quite believe that that was the reason the Ventrue Master was here in their territory, but since the Ventures had just saved his and his brother's lives, he remained silent.
Arm around Damon, Angelus began to slowly walk toward the lair with the Ventrue Master walking alongside of them. Looking down at his younger sibling, he saw that the other vampire's clothing was soaked in blood. There would be no way he'd be able to hide his brother's injuries. He was in for a beating for his negligence.
"Your Sire will be occupied with me for a few hours. Go feed him some of your blood, and then bed him. He will be recovered by the time your Father looks for you." The Ventrue Master had an uncanny ability to read people. More often than not, he knew what they were thinking and feeling.
"What do you mean, bed him? He's in no condition. . . ."
"The sharing of blood and the sharing of bodies is the Bloodline vampire's strength. Share your blood, share your body, and you will share your strength. But it only works with family. The humans call this incest, and many of their religions forbid it. But for us, incest can be a source of power." Peculiar words coming from a curious stranger who was their longstanding enemy.
Staring at the Master, Angelus didn't know what to make of his words. He understood the purpose of blood sharing. And sex among family was expected and sanctioned. That familial sex had a purpose, other than being a means for receiving enjoyment or showing dominance, was a concept he had never heard before.
"Judelin! To what do I owe this. . .unexpected pleasure?" Standing in the main entrance to the lair, Heinrich Nest had been informed of the Ventrues' presence and had come with a large contingent of bodyguards to greet his rival.
"I have heard the news of your latest accomplishment. Four Blood-Childer! I honor you." The Ventrue Master bowed his head slightly to the Tremere Master. The gesture was submissive, but the Ventrue looked anything but humble.
Sparks of tension filled the air as Nest eyed his adversary with mistrust. "Angelus! Take your brother to the healers." The order was made with Nest never taking his eyes off Judelin. "Then go to your quarters. I will deal with your debacle later."
Leading his brother away, Angelus took one last look at the Ventrue Master. It would be another 17 years before he would see the Master vampire again and then it would be as emissary for the Tremere Clan. He would remember the Ventrue's words, but being Heinrich Nest's son, he would be taught to view anything that Judelin said with skepticism and disbelief.
It would take Angelus another two centuries to finally come to the realization that His Sire had not always spoke the truth to him, and perhaps the words of the Venture Master were not total lies.
**
"Alright. In the interest of science we'll have a. . .shag." Turning over on his side, Angel rolled Spike face down on the quilt they were sleeping on. "But we're going to do it my way." Getting up on his knees, he began to unwrap the blood soaked linen that was bound around his Childe.
"And when don't we do it your way?" Spike grumbled, raising his hips to help Angel. "And what do you mean 'n the interest of science'?"
"A long time ago an old. . .enemy gave me some advice. Going to see if what he told me has any merit." Parting the slender buttocks, Angel used a bloody tongue to begin lubricating Spike's sphincter ring.
Despite the wonderful sensation of being rimmed, Spike still couldn't help but complain. "Friggin' ground is hard. Why the hell are we still in these bloody caves? Should be shaggin' in a bed like civilized people."
Sighing heavily, Angel stopped what he was doing. Lying down on his back, he tapped Spike on the hip, signaling the younger vampire to straddle him backwards. Pulling hips toward him, until the body on top of him was in position, and then using both tongue and finger, Angel lubricated and loosened his Childe's ring, while teasing his prostate.
Eyes closed, hands steadying himself on a hard chest, Spike could only groan as he felt himself stiffen. His Sire had zeroed in on his 'hot' spot and was giving it a good working over. "Fuckin'ell. Can't stand it anymore. Need to have you inside of me." Turning himself around so he was straddling face-to-face with Angel, he pushed his hips down until he felt a hard cock between his ass checks. Positioning his body, he just wanted to impale himself hard and fast.
"Easy." Grabbing onto hard hipbones, Angel slowed his Childe's movement. "Careful."
"Don't wanna be careful. We're vampires. We like it rough." Objecting, Spike tried to shove Angel's hands away while he pushed down with his hips.
"WILLIAM!" It was taking all of Angel's self-control to not give in and take his Childe fiercely and brutally. "I can see your injuries. NOW. . .I told you we would do it my way! GO SLOW!"
"Go slow." Griping in a falsetto voice but obeying, Spike began to lower himself little by little onto Angel's shaft. "You treat me like such a nancy-boy."
Angel couldn't help but grin. "Grow your hair out again, and you'll look the part."
"Funny man." Bent at the waist, forearms now resting on a broad chest, Spike closed his eyes, concentrating. He could feel more of his Sire filling him up, stretching him. Pushing down some more, until he felt his bum pressed down into Angel's pubes. It felt so good having his Sire inside of him.
Moaning the word yes, Angel closed his eyes, bucking his hips gently. He could feel his Childe's tightness around him, his Childe's cock rubbing against his stomach.
Spike couldn't help but move faster as the cock inside of him was rubbing back and forth over his prostate. Enjoying the friction of Angel's stomach on his own cock, he began panting. He could feel himself reaching the end, feel his cock swell as he began ejaculating semen onto his Sire.
Angel felt the sticky fluid spew out on him. Felt his Childe's ring contract around him. Groaning, he thrust himself in deeply as his cock bucked, spraying Spike's insides with his seed.
Head now resting on Angel's chest, Spike was taking deep unneeded breaths. He couldn't help it. Always breathed heavily when he was in pain or after sex. "Bloody hell. . . . " He gasped. "Gotta teach me how to not breathe. So bloody embarrassing."
Embracing his son tightly, Angel smiled while burying his face into the short, wavy hair. "It's you. You don't need to change that."
Pulling away slightly so he could see Angel's expression, Spike was taken aback by his Sire's beautiful smile; it was so rare to see him smile. "You never used to say that. Said that it was unseemly for a vampire to breathe like those inferior humans."
"I was wrong." Angel took the opportunity to once again study the wounds that Glory had inflicted on his Childe. He could swear that they looked slightly better than before. "You're perfect the way you are. You don't need to change anything."
"How can I be perfect when I was reborn so flawed? Too human. Not demon enou. . . ."
"Perfect." Angel interrupted him firmly as he drew his son back into the circle of his arms.
Nestling into the embrace, Spike opened his mouth. The words were on his lips. He wanted to say them, but at the last possible moment, he stopped himself. There still was that tiny seed of doubt in his mind. That nagging reservation that his Sire would do another about-face. Love him today, reject him tomorrow.
Closing his mouth, he didn't tell him. Didn't say the four simple words, 'I love you, Father.'
****
Part 19
Waking up with a start, he felt the pain of a terrible hunger. The craving was like a fire in his stomach that spread from the very pit, through his intestines, and up his throat. He WANTED. NEEDED. HAD TO HAVE.
Along with the craving, there was a part of him that still held onto his humanity. He was so ashamed of this hunger. This hunger for blood.
Body telling him to seek out the blood, while his brain screamed that he couldn't allow himself to become 'one of them.' The body and the brain warred, making him feel like he was splitting in two.
He had to stop it. Stop the craving. Stop the hunger. He waited for the right moment, using all his discipline to lay motionless, pretending to still be lifeless.
The healer who was watching over him did not realize that the new Blood-Childe had awakened. Turning his back, he busied himself with some herbs and potions, and that's when Christian took his opportunity.
Leaping up, he ran for the cave entrance. Day. Night. He didn't know which, and he didn't care. He just needed to make it end.
Taken by surprise, the healer could only shout, hoping that someone could stop the Childe before he made it outside into the sunlight.
Fortunately Damon, who knew that it close to the time for his Childe to awake, was staying close. Tackling the fledgling before he made his escape, Damon found himself in a wrestling match. His son, although much smaller and weaker, was desperate. And desperation gave strength.
Snarling and growling, the two vampires grappled on the ground, until Damon was finally able to get on top of Christian, pinning him down. "You're hungry, Childe. That's all. Let me feed you."
Leaning down, Damon tore open his own flesh, letting the blood flow and entice.
The scent and the sight of blood stopped Christian's struggles. Lying still, the bleeding wrist was close to his face. So tempting. All he needed to do was to open his mouth and taste it. Rich, smooth nectar.
"NO!" Using the last of his self-control, Christian bucked his body, trying to throw off the man on top of him. {Not going to give in.}
Chanting to himself while still thrashing about, he didn't feel the sting of the bite. Eyelids became heavy; struggles became weaker as he was pushed' into unconsciousness.
**
After dropping Wesley off with Giles, Nic stopped off at Willie's. He needed a few. He had just spent a night waiting for a human to be released from the hospital, and did he get any compensation for his thoughtful gesture? A handshake and a thank you.
"A fuckin' handshake! Wanted a blowjob." Nic muttered to himself, signaling Willie with a folded up double sawbuck. "Ungrateful human!"
"And what can I get you?" Willie was nervous. He knew who Nic was. A ranking Blood-Childe with the Tremere Clan. And the Tremeren vampires, with their aggressive ways, usually meant trouble.
"A shot of tequila. Actually, make it two. And don't go too far." Picking up the shot glass, Nic raised it to his lips while he turned to survey the room. An Aleator demon stood a few feet from him.
"He owes me money! You gonna pay up for him, or do I have to take my payment out by smashing a few skulls?"
"Don't know what the fuck you're talking about. And don't fucking care!" Horny and disappointed, Nic was in no mood to take shit from anyone, including an Aleator demon.
"Your good-for-nothing nephew, William the Bloody or Spike as he calls himself, owes me big time. And I'm tired of waiting for my money. You're his family, and I heard you've got some cash. Pay up for him!" A couple of the demon's friends stood up, adding more weight to the Aleator's threat.
"Listen. . . ." A growl. Nic didn't like being intimidated.
"Guys, guys. Not here. I run a respectful business. If you. . . ." Willie never finished his sentence as Nic threw a punch, hitting him square in the face.
"SHUT THE FUCK UP!" Nothing like a good fight to take the edge off his horniness. Nic turned back to the Aleator demon. "I ain't paying you shit. You want your money. Go see his Fath. . . ."
He never finished his sentence as the Aleator demons attacked. Known for their toughness, and outnumbering him three to one, Nic would come to regret that he hadn't handled the situation with more tact.
**
Using the excuse that he was exploring the caves, Spike made his way to where the new Blood-Childe was being kept. He had been told about the newborn, and being naturally nosey, he wanted to see the Bloodline fledgling for himself.
Entering one of the smaller caves, he was immediately met by the Clan's one and only healer. "My Prince. The new Childe is not to be distur. . . ."
Ignoring the healer, Spike pushed his way over to his new cousin. "Hey Mate, all right?"
Christian's head jerked up in surprise. Born in Australia, then raised by the Council in England, it astonished him to hear someone speak to him in familiar tones and words.
Surveying the baby vampire in front of him, Spike lit a cigarette. The Childe had been chained to the cave walls to prevent him from running again. "Want something to eat? Want me to tell them to bring you some food?"
"Food? You mean some poor murdered soul." Breaking off, Christian was still fighting his demon, trying to push down the treacherous hunger that gnawed at him.
"We-ll. . .actually no. I was in fact thinking about. . . ." Spike exhaled, blowing out cigarette smoke. "Buffalo wings. I figure if you want them too, I probably could get permission to send a couple of minions for some. Course, if you don't feel like buffalo wings, they got this onion thing. . . ." Cupping his hand to demonstrate the circular shape of the onion blossom. "That's real good."
So indoctrinated by the Council on the evilness of vampires, Christian could only stare at the slim, bleached blond man standing before him. With the suggestion of food, he had expected an offering of a dead or dying person, not buffalo wings and an onion blossom.
"Food? You're offering me normal food, not the blood of an innocent or a baby?"
"We-ll. . . ." Spike considered again. "Not sure what you mean by an innocent in this day and age. And babies. . .don't give you but a couple of mouthfuls. Not worth the effort. But right now, we're allied with the Slayer so eating humans is strictly off limits."
"What did you just say? We're. . .you're allied with the Slayer? How is that possible? We're. . .you're vampires. The Slayer doesn't ally with. . . ."
"We've allied ourselves on and off with her for more than four years now. Nothing new for us." Sitting down by his cousin, Spike offered him a cigarette.
Taking one, Christian was trying to digest the startling news that these vampires could be allied with the Slayer. "And you. . . ?" He tried to remember all the ranking members of the Tremere Clan. "You're. . . ."
"Spike. I'm called Spike."
"Spike? You were named Spike? Like a dog?"
"I WASN'T NAMED AFTER ANY BLOODY DOG! I took the name because I have a fondness for torturing my victims with railroad spikes."
"You took the name. But what is your real name?"
Sighing, Spike ground out his cigarette butt with the toe of his boot. It was bad enough that his family insisted on still calling him William, but he wasn't going to have some wet-behind-the-ears fledgling calling him that too. "I'm called Spike. You will address me as. . . ."
"WILLIAM!" A beat-up, bloody, and steaming mad Nic came tearing into the cave.
"Wot happened to you?" Unruffled, Spike placidly stared at his uncle.
"WHAT HAPPENED TO ME? Does an Aleator demon ring any bells with you? An Aleator demon who you owe money to?"
"Oh fuck." Spike mumbled quietly.
"Oh fuck is right! But enlighten me." Nic stared at his nephew out of swollen eyes. "For what dire reason did you have to borrow money from an Aleator demon? Did I just take a beating because you needed money for blood, clothes, shelter? Tell me it was for a good cause."
"Ahhh. . . ." Spike considered telling a lie, but the mood his uncle was in, that could only make matters worse. "Ten to one."
"Huh? Ten to one what?"
"He was giving ten to one odds on Manchester United. And. . . ."
"GAMBLING! I just got my ass kicked because you were betting on a soccer game?"
"We-ll. . .yeah. But. . . ."
"JESUS FUCKING CHRIST! If you don't take the cake." Nic paced angrily. "Pinhead! Dealing with a fucking Aleator demon. Don't you know that they're the loan sharks of the demon world?"
"Of course, I knew that. But ten to one odds on Manchester United! Couldn't walk away from that."
"You know. . . ." Giving Spike a glare that spoke volumes, Nic couldn't believe that his nephew was even more of an imbecile than he had ever been. "If you ever become High Master of our Clan, I'm going to cut my own head off."
"What you mean, Master of the Clan." Spike gave a snort of disbelief. "Djoser is the Successor and. . . ."
"We're at war here, boy! Haven't you figured that out yet? The Council, Snow, the Ventures. It wouldn't be out of the realm of plausibility that both your Sire and your brother would be killed and then, may the gods have mercy, you would be the High Master."
"I--I. . . ." In his wildest dreams, Spike had never considered that possibility.
"And again I say, if you become High Master, I will. . . ."
"What the fuck is going on here?" An angry Damon entered the cave. "I gave strict instructions that my new Childe was not to be disturbed in any way. So what the hell are all of you doing here?" Noticing Nic's appearance, Damon paused for a moment. "What happened to you?"
"Ask the'Heir Apparent." Nic gestured furiously over at Spike.
Damon was no fool. He felt the tension between his nephew and his furious brother and knew that the moment called for the two to be separated. Nodding his head to the healer, he silently communicated his wish.
"My Liege." The vampire healer gently took Nic's arm and led him over to a chair. "Come sit here, and I'll take a look at your injuries."
Turning to a visibly upset Spike, Damon used Angel as an excuse to get the younger vampire to leave. "I do believe your Sire is looking for you, Childe. You need to go to him."
**
Nic's words had brought up all of Spike's old insecurities and doubts about himself. To cover his feeling of inadequacy, he used his usual defense of belligerence and anger. If Angel were looking for him, he'd just make sure that he couldn't be found.
Exiting the cave, Spike immediately started to leave the area. Reaching the outside boundary of the lair, his way was instantly blocked by two minion guards.
"If you know what's good for you, you'll get the fuck out of my way!" Despite his injuries, Spike let his demon side out. He was ready to start bashing some heads in.
Exchanging looks, the poor minions were in a quandary. They had been ordered that no one was to leave the lair without direct permission from the Master, but the vampire who stood in front of them was an Heir Apparent and didn't look like he was going to take no for an answer.
"My Prince." One of them tentatively began. "Just let us get the Master so we can clarify with him."
"Get out of my way NOW, or you'll find yourselves having to take your blood intravenously because I'm planning to rip your throats out!"
"William!" Djoser had heard the commotion and had come to investigate. "You can't leave the lair. Sire's orders." Walking up to the group, he waved the minions back to their posts.
"WHAT? We're bloody prisoners here? I might as well go back with Glory. At least I was housed better." Spike rolled his eyes toward the caves.
"You're certainly out of humor. Is it because you missed 'Passions'?" A half smile as Djoser tried to tease Spike into a better mood.
"Maybe. What you got there?" Spike questioningly eyed the Tec-9 that his brother was holding up proudly.
"She's a beauty, isn't she?" Djoser admired his new acquisition.
"It's just a gun." Spike shrugged indifferently. "But I suppose to a backward, desert nomad like yourself, it's impressive." Still smarting from Nic's comments, Spike took it out on his brother.
No expression crossed Djoser's face; but Spike, who was beginning to know him well, saw the slight stiffening of the body, and the face tightening. His insult had wounded and hurt. Repentant, Spike apologized. "Err. . .sorry Mate. Just. . . ." He wasn't sure himself why he had lashed out at his brother.
Stoically, Djoser turned to walk away.
"DJOSER!" Grabbing his brother's arm, Spike stopped him. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I'm just. . .just confused about something. Tell me. . . ." A vague idea had begun to form in Spike's mind. "What would happen to my position as Heir Apparent if you were to have a Blood-Childe?"
"If I were to have a Blood-Childe?" Djoser repeated Spike's question. "You don't need to worry. I'm not going to have, nor am I planning to have one. Your position is safe."
"My position is safe?" Now Spike repeated Djoser's words. "What do you mean by that?"
"If I were to have a Blood-Childe, and it was deemed worthy, then the Line of Succession would revert to my offspring and me. You would be cut out."
"Deemed worthy? What does that mean?" Spike needed to get all his facts straight. His hazy idea was becoming less hazy.
"It means. . . ." Now Djoser was starting to become suspicious of all of his brother's questions. "Why are you so interested in this topic all of the sudden? And besides, you're supposed to know this. Didn't that Ventrue teach you anything?"
"He tried." Spike grinned at Djoser, his affection for his brother overcoming his bad mood. "But I didn't always listen. Now. . .deemed worthy means. . . ?"
"Any Blood-Childe who is in the Line of Succession has to first be deemed worthy. Meaning. . . ."
"He has to be special. No flaws." Spike's brain was in overdrive. "Hmmm. . .so why am I an Heir Apparent? I shouldn't have been deemed worthy."
"Our Sire considers you more than worthy. In fact, I think he even toyed with the idea of naming you as the one to succeed him as. . . ."
"HAS HE LOST HIS FUCKIN' MIND? He was going to pick me over you. You know, I think you're right. Alex did resoul him cause that bleedin' soul always makes him a stupid sod. Think I can get him to change his mind and deem me unworthy?"
Speechless, Djoser could only stare at Spike. He couldn't believe his ears. First at his younger brother's total disrespect by referring to their Sire as a stupid sod' and then by his illogical desire to be deemed unworthy.
"Naww. . . ." Spike was still thinking hard. "He won't change his mind. Would mean that he would have to admit that he was wrong, and when was the last time that happened? Guess that means that. . . ." A sly smile. Spike's idea had just developed into a plan.
"William, what are you cooking up?" Djoser could almost see the gears turning in Spike's brain, and whenever that happened, it usually meant trouble.
"Me? Cooking up? I'm poisoned and still injured from that bint, Glory. I'm too ill to be cooking up anything." Ten minutes ago, Spike had been ready to take down a couple of minions, and now he was doing his best to look sickly. He didn't want his brother to start asking too many questions.
"I think it would be best to take you to our Sire." Taking Spike by the arm, Djoser began to lead him back to the caves. In the older vampire's mind, if his brother were up to something, it would be nipped in the bud, if he were being supervised by Angel.
"Whatever you say, Mate." Going submissively along with Djoser, Spike smiled to himself. Now all he needed was to talk his Sire into taking him to see the Slayer. Because the Slayer was a key player in his plan.
****