Part 8
"No wonder you always were one of the favorites of my Sire. You're just like him. And you're just like your Old Man. Dull. Duller. And Dullest." Making his way down the stairs, a revived Spike could hear the conversation. All his senses told him that his Father was still here in the mansion. Searching for him, he followed the voices.
"And you think being a frivolous wastrel is so much more redeeming." Contempt was evident in Djoser's voice.
"At least I know the meaning of the word fun. You're either training or sitting around reading highfalutin literature. Who the hell are you trying to impress?"
"Hey, Sod off." Spike entered the room, ready to defend Djoser. The two had bonded since their escape from New York. "I don't know who the fuck you think you are, but why don't you get the hell out of here. We're back with our Sire now, and...."
"There's nothing I would love more, but the Great Angelus has mandated me to stay here."
"What the hell for?" Spike was never one to mince words. "You don't look very impressive to me, so what good are you to us?"
"Listen boy." Nic was starting to lose his temper. "I'm your Elder, so have some respect. And that goes for you too, Djoser. Angelus has given me back my rank in the Clan. I'm his Blood brother, and your Uncle, which means...."
"You outrank us?" Spike was confused. He had never paid much attention when his Ventrue teacher had given him lessons on the history and culture of the Vampire Clans and the Bloodlines. He had been an outcast, not given his rightful place, so he had rebelled, refusing to learn anything about his heritage. Years later, when Drusilla would be busy with her dolls, he, sometimes would sneak looks at books. But they had all been written by mortals, so most of what was written was either inaccurate or just pure supposition. Knowledge about the Bloodlines was safely guarded. Humans and most vampires knew little, if anything about them.
"Not exactly. Both of you are the Heir Apparents. But as a Bloodline Uncle, it's my duty to watch over you."
"Like we need you to watch over us...Nonce." Spike added the insult in for good measure. "Djoser, here could kick your arse from here to the border."
"Oh, is that a fact, Smart-Ass? I'll have you know that Iwas the one kicking his butt yesterday..."
"All your drinking and carousing has eaten away what little brain you had to start with." Djoser, of course remembered the incident completely differently. "I had you pinned to the ground...."
"Dream on Djoser. I was the one who had you pinned to the ground. You're just lucky that the Slayer showed up when she did." Voices escalated, as each vampire was sure in his mind that he had been the almost victor.
"I hope the two of you have this much energy when you're on patrol tonight." Standing in the doorway, leaning against the jamb, Angel assessed his family.
"PATROL! We patrolled last night. We did our good deed for the century." Nic had found an old deck of cards in in a pile of magazines. Sitting down, he began to lay out a game of solitaire.
"As long as you're here in Sunnydale, you'll patrol every night. That's the deal I have with Giles."
"Christ! I'll never be able to hold my head up in vampire society again. Helping a Watcher, patrolling for a Slayer...hey, why the fuck do we have to patrol for her? Isn't patrolling for demons her job? Why...."
"Nic!" Standing with his arms folded across his chest, Angel gave his brother a ominous glare. "Giles is our only hope for William's cure. He wants us to help Buffy, because she's under a lot of stress lately. We WILL DO whatever Giles wants until William is cured. Is that UNDERSTOOD?"
"And what makes you think that mortal can cure William?" Giving his nephew an apprising look. " He looks like shit. Either you forgot to feed him, or that human is playing us all for fools."
His brother had hit a nerve, because that same doubt that had been starting to grow in Angel. Demeanor becoming menacing, as suspicions and fears ran through him. "WOULD HE DARE?" Fists coming down hard on an end table. So hard that the table split in two.
Silence, as Djoser and Nic had already felt Angelus' temper, and had no desire to experience it again. Spike too, knew enough to not to enflame the situation, although he still couldn't help but poke his brother. "Do I really look like shit, cos I am feeling a little better, you know." A disadvantage to not having a reflection. You had to rely on other people to tell you how you looked.
The sound of a cell phone ringing broke the tension in the room. Angel looked over at Nic who waved his hand, gesturing toward another room. "It's your phone, not mine."
Angel exited the room, muttering expletives. Following the ringing, because he couldn't exactly remember where he had left his phone.
Spike poked his brother again. "Didn't you tell me that our Sire was cursed again? He doesn't exactly act all souly...." Looking over at the broken end table. "The real Angelus is the one who smashes things, not Soulboy...right?"
"He was in the garden with...with Darla, talking about helping her. Darla herself commented on him being souled again."
"Didn't we have this whole conversation last night?" Nic was cheating at solitaire. "I told you what Alex said."
"That she couldn't duplicate the gypsy curse." Djoser gave his uncle a scornful look. "So what does that mean? And why didn't you ask her to explain herself?"
"HE DOESN'T HAVE A SOUL, Djoser." Nic threw down his cards in disgust. He had still lost, even after cheating. "Does he act like he has a soul? You're a stupid Son-Of-A-Bitch!" Mumbling softly. "And I thought you were supposed to be such a smart one."
"Alright, listen up." Angel came back in the room, looking harassed. "I'm going to have to go to L.A. This is the plan, and I'm only going to say this once. The three of you will follow what I tell you to the letter. There WILL BE NO deviating from it."
"I'm going with you to L.A." There was no way that Spike was going to be separated from his Sire again, even for a little while.
Voice taking on a gentler tone. "No Childe. There's business I have to take care of there. I'm going to leave you with Giles while you two...." Looking at Djoser and Nic. "Patrol. Afterwards, go and pick up William at the Magic Shop. If I'm not there, then the three of you will come STRAIGHT back here, and wait for me. The rules are simple. No hunting or killing of the innocent, and you'll cooperate with the Slayer and her Watcher...for the time being. Now, Djoser, Nic go and eat something. You'll need it for tonight. "
Sitting motionless, Spike could feel a coldness flow through him. His Father was leaving him again. How many times had Angel left him in the past, because he had 'business' to take care of?
"And exactly what kind of business do you have in L.A.?" Nic had gotten up, but was in no hurry to go and eat. The kitchen was stocked with animal blood, not a tastebud tempter.
"I'm meeting with an envoy of the Ventrue Clan. But first, I have to clear out the humans from...from the Hyperion. And then..." Looking over at his youngest. "I have some overdue business that I need to settle for William."
"Overdue business? What overdue...."
"Nic! Stop questioning everything I say or...."
"But you forget, brother." Nic grinned to himself. The one small satisfaction he had with this whole mess. "As your only Blood Brother, I get to have the position of ...of...." Nic couldn't remember the word. It was an old word, a word from their almost dead language. "Fuck! Can't remember what it's called anymore, but...you know what I'm talking about. Your personal advisor. Did you know that the Mafia Dons have the same position in their Families? Always wondered if they stole the idea from us."
"You mean a Consigliere?" Spike had seen all the mafia movies.
"Yeah, that's what they call it. Can't remember what we call it anymore, but I do know that as your only Blood brother, it's my right to be able to question and advise you."
Face darkening, as Angel turned to face his brother. His drunken, dead beat, brother. Hell would freeze over, before Nic would give him advice. "I don't need an advisor." Said abruptly, he just wanted the subject closed.
"Angelus, you ordered me to stay here and take on my responsibilities and duties as your Bloodline brother. Well, I'm doing my duty. If you don't like it, then release me."
Angel stared threateningly at his brother, but Nic wasn't going to back down on this issue. He was right, and by pushing his point he would either gain his freedom, or be in a position that in the past, he had only dreamed of.
"Alright." Grudgingly conceding to his younger brother. "While in L.A., I plan to kill Darla." Stating this, Angel quickly turned to leave the room. He knew this would spark debate, and he didn't want to hear it.
"WHAT!" Nic shouted this at his brother's departing back. "You CAN'T kill Darla."
"Why can't he?" Spike was feeling a little better about his Sire's leaving for L.A. He'd endure a short separation, if it meant the death of Darla.
"Because." Nic gave Spike an exasperated look. "Killing one's Sire is against our laws. And killing Darla who's special is..."
"Darla needs to die." Simply said, Djoser, as always looked very unemotional, but inside his feelings were churning.
"Djoser!" Another exasperated look. This time directed at his other nephew. "The Ventrue Master always was a stickler for following our laws. If you kill her, you can kiss any hope of an alliance with them good by."
Stopping in his tracks, Angel had not thought of that perspective.
"Darla needs to die." Djoser repeated himself. "She's a danger to William."
"And Snow isn't?" Nic looked pointedly at Spike's wounds. "Listen...I'm no fan of Darla, believe me. But I'm telling you that now is not the time to kill her."
Face grim, Angel had half turned, pondering his brother's viewpoint.
"Don't kill her then." Spike spoke up, surprising them all with his words. "Snow is the one we should be concentrating on. And if our only hope of survival is an alliance with the Ventrues, the let's just forget Darla for now."
"She had you impaled." Angel had that bleak, determined look on his face. "And I'm going to kill her for that. I'll tell the Ventrue Master that it was justified. She dared to harm one of my Blood-Childer."
"Hang on. Time out." Nic interrupted. "I'm lost. What's going on? Darla had William impaled?"
"You know bloody well what happened. Weren't you there?...Bloody Bastard...probably got a good laugh out of it." It was still a humiliation that Spike had a hard time living with.
"I...I...."Confused, Nic looked at both Angel and Djoser for a moment, before it dawned on him. "Oh Jesus! This happened at your presentation? Fucking A...oh Childe." Turning to Spike. "I am SO fucking sorry. I wasn't there though. I heard later through the demon grapevine that the Master had condemned you to death, but I wasn't...I had already been kicked out of the Clan for what...50 years or more."
Eyeing his uncle thoughtfully, Spike knew he was telling the truth. Knew he was sincere with his apology. And at that moment, Nic went from a person of suspicion to family.
"So this crime happened at the time of William's presentation? Who actually ordered the impalement? Darla or The Master?" No one bothered to respond. The answer was obvious. "As Master, he would have had the right to put a Blood-Childe to death. You have no justification to kill Darla....Besides, I heard that she was human now. Thought that was against your soulful ethics to kill a human." Nic looked closely at Angel, not wanting to miss his reaction. As far as he was concerned, Angelus acted like the true Angelus, and if he was planning to meet with the Ventures then he couldn't be souled, but because Djoser was so convinced that Angelus was recursed, Nic just wanted a little more confirmation.
"She's a vampire again. Dru turned her." Spike volunteered this information to his uncle.
"WHAT!...Jesus Fuckin' Christ." Nic shook his head. "This keeps getting better and better. You know, I think that bitch Alex threw us all into a warped alternate universe, before she ofted herself. Because I sure feel like I'm in the middle of a Twilight Zone episode. But Angelus you just can't...."
"She'll kill William if she gets a chance." Djoser still remembered Darla's hatred.
"I hear both of you." Hands resting on the one unbroken end table in the room, Angel contemplated his options. "I'm still going to pay Darla a visit. I won't kill her, but I'm going to hurt her badly. Put her out of commission for a while. One less person I need to be watching out for." Mind made up, Angel stood up straight, looking his brother in the eye with a slight smile on his face. "You know Nic...I think you're starting to grow up. Guess you will be good counsel for me after all."
"OH FUCK!" The realization dawned on Nic. "I just blew it, didn't I? Should have screwed up, then you would have let me go. Christ Almighty! Now I'm stuck. Stuck doing my duty and taking care of my responsibilities. Wonder if I went and begged the Slayer, if she would put me out of my misery?" The vampire stomped out of the room, grumbling to himself, while Angel and his two Childer gave each other amused looks. There was no doubt. Nic was back in the fold. He was once again, a Tremeren vampire.
**
Waiting for Djoser and Nic to finish feeding, Angel took a moment with William. He wanted to calm fears, and also offer more of his blood. "Are you hungry Childe?" Unbuttoning his shirt as he approached the sitting vampire.
"Don't bother undressing. I'm not hungry." Spike was slightly appeased that part of Angel's business was to 'take care' of Darla, but he still had the same empty feeling he used to have when his Sire would take his business trips. Bad things had always happened then.
"You should eat again." Gently pressing his Childe's face against his bare chest. "My blood. It's strong. It will make you strong again." Bending his head to whisper in an ear.
"Nahh." Spike shook his head. "Not hungry now, but I'll eat when you get home." Spike's only leverage to try and guarantee Angel's fast return.
"Eat now. You can also eat when I come home. And I will come home to you. I plan to be home before sunrise." Sensing his son's fears, Angel tried to reassure him.
"You're going to deal with your pet humans, meet with the Ventrue envoy, and also take care of Darla, all in one night? Super Angel. Can move at the speed of light." Spike had learned that flippancy was an effective way to hide fear.
Angel couldn't help but smile, as he kissed his Childe's forehead. "Ok. I might not make it by sunrise, but I will be home by tomorrow. I promise you that." Wrapping arms around Spike, Angel rested his chin on top of a fair head, concerned. His son still had no appetite, and again the refusal of Sire's blood. Something was dreadfully wrong. He would talk to Giles before he left for L.A. See what the Watcher had to say. Also get the supposed cure from him, and send it along to the Ventrues. See what their healers had to say about it. And if in fact, the mortal was double-crossing him, then Rupert Giles would soon be feeling pain unlike any he had felt before. Greater even than torture that Angel had inflicted on him a few years ago. Angel was tired of everyone assuming that he would control his demon, because of his soul. Perhaps it was time, especially for the humans to see exactly what Angelus, Angelus the New Master of The Tremere Clan was capable of.
****
Part 9
"Ok Giles. Done with this book. Now will you send Xander for a telly? I'm missing my programs." Stuck at the Magic Shop with Giles and the Scoobies, Spike had been told to help them research a demon named Glory.
Buffy let out a loud sigh. "Spike, you did not finish that book. All you did was look at the pictures."
"Yeah, and...." Caught in the act, Spike scrambled for a defense. "And how do you know that all I did was look at the pictures? You're suppose to be reading your own book, Summers." Waving his hand at the book in Buffy's lap. "Anyway, there were no pictures of a demon named Glory in this book. Don't have to read the bleedin' thing to know that there's nothing in it about her."
"Spike." Giles, eyes closed, held his glasses in one hand, while rubbing his forehead with the other. Spike was more of a hindrance than a help. The Watcher wondered if he should send Xander to look for Djoser and Nic. Have them come and get Spike. Would one evening without a patrol cause the world to end? "Perhaps we should send word to your brother and uncle to come get you? The three of you could go back to the mansion and wait for Angel."
"Then who's going to patrol?" Xander looked up from the book he was reading, happy for the interruption.
"Well...maybe...for one evening we can...."
"No Giles." Buffy slammed her book shut. "We're helping them, so they can keep their end of the bargain by doing the patrol. Spike here will help us out in another way." The near fatal blunder Buffy had made not long ago still weighed on her mind. And here was an opportunity to find out what had happened, the mistakes that other Slayers had committed just before their deaths.
"Wot?" Spike was wary. The Slayer looked too smug. Although for the life of him,
Spike couldn't figure out what terrible thing she could have him do that was worse than reading an effin' book.
"You're going to sit here and tell us all about the two Slayers you killed. The one during the Boxer rebellion in China, and the one in New York."
"Why?" Normally bragging about the two Slayers he had offed would be right up Spike's alley, but because it was something that the Slayer wanted, he was instantly suspicious.
"It's something that I want to hear about. Now...you either can tell me about them, or you can pick up that book whose pictures you were looking at, and start reading it."
"Alright Summers." Weighing his options, Spike had made up his mind that he would just about do anything to get out of having to help with this bloody boring research. To play it safe, he decided that he would get the Slayer to take him somewhere away from Giles and his mountain of books. "I'll tell you what you want to know, but it will take a while, so I'm going to need something to keep my throat from going dry. So...take me over to the pub and buy me a couple of pints. I'll tell you all about it there."
"Spike." Giles knew going to the pub was a bad idea. "Your instructions were to stay here until either Djoser and Nic came for you, or Angel...."
"Rupert, stop being such a Nancy Boy. The pub is just down the block. And I'm going to be in the company of Miss Super Slayer who promised my Sire that she would look after me." Spike grinned at Buffy. He knew that it irked her that she had to make sure that nothing happened to him. "When Djoser and Nic show up, tell them to go and pick me up at the pub. My Sire won't be home until sometime tomorrow, so he'll never even have to know."
"Spike. THIS IS NOT A GOOD IDEA." Giles was adamant.
"It's ok Giles." Buffy didn't think it was such a bad plan. "I'll take Spike over to the bar. He can tell me about the Slayers, and the rest of you can continue to research Glory in peace and quiet."
"Ahh, damn. You mean we can't hear about the Slayers too?" Xander was disappointed. He'd rather hear about the Slayers than do research.
"No Xander. You guys continue to see what you can come up with on this Glory demon....Come on Spike. Let's go." Buffy had stood up and was headed for the door.
"Alright, but you need to buy me buffalo wings too."
"Buffalo wings?" Giles' head shot up. "Spike are you hungry? Angel said that you weren't eating much. I have some blood here...in fact, I have some of Angel's blood here. Would you like some?"
"No." Spike considered a moment. "Don't feel like blood, but do have a taste for spicy buffalo wings."
Standing in front of the door, waiting for Spike, Buffy could only shake her head at her former mortal enemy. "You are the weirdest vampire I ever had the displeasure of meeting."
**
The air smelled of gasoline and burnt flesh, as the two vampiresses sat under a spraying fire hydrant. Badly injured, Darla wasn't even feeling the pain yet, as confusion clouded her mind. "That wasn't Angel...wasn't Angelus either. Who was that?"
Stopping to glare at them from across the street, Angel etched the scene in his memory. Later he would want to describe it, maybe even sketch it for his Childe. "William's Revenge." He muttered to himself.
The women's cries serenaded him to his car. Next stop, to the Hyperion again. Hopefully the Ventrue envoy would already be there. If not, Angel would only wait until sunrise. He had made a promise to his son that he would be back in Sunnydale by tomorrow, a promise he meant to keep. His Childe's trust in him was fragile, and he needed to handle it carefully. Not shatter it in pieces again, because this time it might never be put back together.
Zigzagging through traffic, Angel contemplated making the envoy wait while he took a shower. He wanted one badly, and it might be good strategy to put the Ventrues in their place. They were of the opinion that he needed them, but in reality they needed him just as much. It would send a pointed message to their Master. He was still Angelus, Blood-Childe of Heinrich Nest. A pure blood Tremeren vampire. He bowed to no one, not even to the Ventrue Master.
Entering his domain, he felt their presence. More than one. The envoy had brought bodyguards. Slowing his steps, Angel readied himself for battle. For years now the only dealings he had had with other vampires were to hunt them down and kill them, so he felt unsure of himself. He had forgotten what it was like to associate in a nonviolent way with his own kind.
Walking cautiously into the hotel lobby, he spied them across the room. A seated figure rose, flanked by two other vampires. Tall and majestic, it was the Ventrue Master himself. "Angelus." Voice smooth like syrup. "It has been many years. We have much to talk about."
**
"Yep, killing me that Slayer in China was the best night of my life." A bold face lie, but Spike hid it by taking a couple of good swallows of beer.
"You got off on it." Buffy was disgusted.
"Well, yeah. I suppose you're telling me you don't?" Pretending scorn, Spike set his glass down.
**
China, 1900
"Oh, Spike, look at the wonderful mess you've made. That's a Slayer you've done in. Naughty... wicked... Spike." Looking at the dead corpse, Drusilla's eyes glowed.
"Yeah, a fella could get used to this." Feigning an arrogance he didn't feel, Spike, too studied the dead Slayer. He didn't want to look Drusilla in the eye, because then she would read him and know. Her ability to know people's true feelings could be very bothersome at times.
"My Spike. My Slayer killer. You're going to be famous now. People will talk about you." Clapping her hands, Drusilla danced around the dead body.
"I bloody well hope so." He muttered, still looking down at the ground. {And will the word get to my Father. Will he hear about this, and be proud? Will he know that I've finally become the son he wanted? And then will he come back for me?}
Two years had passed since Angelus had deserted his family. The household had long been disbanded, but many still whispered about what may have happened to Angelus, The Scourge of Europe. Spike had heard all the rumors and speculations. Killed by a gypsy clan. Cursed by a gypsy clan. Killed by mercenary demons hired by Angelus' brother Luc.
Djoser had left him, shortly after his Sire, never telling anyone what he had learned from Darla. So Spike was never able to resolve the two fears that resided in him. He feared his Father to be dead, even though his blood told him differently. The blood that flowed through his veins; the same blood that flowed through his Sire's veins screamed to him that Angelus still lived.
He feared his Father to be alive. Because if Angelus still lived, then Spike had truly been abandoned by his Sire. Abandoned, because he was such a failure, such an embarrassment.
For the next century, consciously and then subconsciously, Spike would desperately remake himself in his Father's image. So it was the perfect irony that when he finally met up with Angel again, a souled Angel, he would be rejected. Rejected for the very traits that he had changed to please his Sire.
**
"Ok, so what about the Slayer in New York?" Vampire and Slayer were now playing a game of eight ball, while Spike continued to regale Buffy about his two triumphs.
"The first was all business but the second, she had a touch of your style." Spike studied the pool table. "Corner pocket. And if I make it Summers, you owe me another plate of buffalo wings."
Buffy rolled her eyes upward. "How many plates of those things can you eat? I'm gonna tell Angel and Giles that there are no problems with your appetite. You're a bottomless pit."
"Buffalo wings aren't food for vampires." Spike, aiming carefully was getting ready to take his shot.
"HEY...WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?" Nic, followed by Djoser came storming into the bar. "The instructions were that you were to stay at the Magic Shop, until..."
Nic's yelling caused Spike to miscue, giving Buffy the chance to win the game. "Bloody hell! You just cost me some buffalo wings with your bellowing. So you can bloody well buy me a plate of them and another beer too." Straightening up, Spike glared daggers at his uncle.
"The hell I am! We're all leaving now, and going back to the mansion. And there, I'm going to call Angelus and tell him what a brat you are, and what a brat your brother is too. And that he better wrap up his business and get his ass back here, cos I'm tired of babysitting you two."
"Wot'd you do?" Spike looked at his brother, scarred eyebrow raised questioningly.
"Almost got me killed. Fuckin' Jerk." Nic was not a happy vampire, as he gave Djoser an angry stare. "You let that Gargorus demon get right past you."
"The problem was that you fell over your own feet."
"Ok. Ok. Enough!" Buffy had put the eight ball in the corner pocket, winning the game. "Nic, take a break, and go have yourself a drink, while Djoser fills me in on the patrol, and Spike finishes giving me some information."
"We're not suppose to be here Slayer." Nic protesting a little, remembered Angel's instructions, although a couple of shots of whiskey sure sounded good.
"It's ok. I'm watching over Spike. Go have a drink." Buffy motioned Spike and Djoser over to a table. "Alright Djoser, what happened on the patrol?"
"He needs a beer first before he can tell you, and I need a refill." Spike motioned to a passing waitress. "And I think that this should be your treat, Summers."
Heaving a sigh, Buffy pulled out more money. This evening was starting to get expensive. "Alright, but Djoser, you and Nic had better have cleared out a lot of demons."
"A lair of Gargorus Demons, and we also stumbled across a lair of....." Taking the beer from the waitress, Djoser hesitated. He didn't know how much to say to the Slayer. "Are you still going with that blond soldier boy?"
Taken by surprise, Buffy could only stare at the dark vampire for a few seconds, confused by the unexpected question. "Riley? Yeah, and what business is it of yours?" She felt uncomfortable, remembering that supposedly Djoser once had an interest in her.
"Yeah, why you asking 'bout Captain Cardboard?" Leaning back in his chair, Spike looked at his brother with curiosity.
Djoser was uncertain. Faltering, he didn't know whether he should tell the Slayer what he had seen or not. The decision was made for him though, as an upset Riley came flying through the doors of the bar. Riley had just come from the vampire 'whore' lair where he had been a regular customer. The lair had been attacked, and while Riley had been making a quick, but discreet exit, he had gotten a glimpse of one of the attackers. A tall, dark vampire, a vampire he had seen before in Sunnydale.
"Buffy I need to talk to...You!" Stopping in mid sentence as he realized he was staring at the very vampire he had come to tell Buffy about. "What the hell are you doing...and him too?" Now also seeing Spike.
"Havin' a pint, a friendly chit-chat, and a few dances with Summers here." Giving Riley a wink, Spike deliberately provoked the other man. He hadn't forgotten Riley's insults from last summer.
"Buffy, you need to leave NOW." Grabbing Buffy by the arm, Riley wanted her away from the vampires' company. He didn't like them, and he wasn't sure what, if anything Djoser had seen at the vampire lair.
"Riley, stop..." Brushing Riley's hand away from her arm angrily, Buffy, at the same moment realized how her being in the company of Djoser and Spike looked. "This...I'm...it's just a business chat I'm having with them."
"I don't care. You're leaving with me..." This time Riley was stopped from taking a hold of Buffy's arm.
"Do you not hear so well human?" Now standing, Djoser held Riley's arm in a viselike grip. "The Slayer is conducting business with us, and you're interrupting."
Emotions and fear of being found out made Riley act before he thought. Trying to pull his one arm free, he simultaneously tried to wrap his free arm around Djoser's head. But Riley had forgotten. Forgotten that he was no longer the 'enhanced' Riley, made stronger and faster by chemicals and drugs. Djoser had him around the throat before he was able to mount any kind of an attack.
"An inferior mortal is not allowed to touch a Blood-Childe." The vampire hissed in Riley's ear. "You've gone over the line, human."
"Djoser, LET HIM GO NOW!" Standing up quickly, Buffy pulled Riley out of Djoser's gasp.
"I can't...can't believe that you...associate with these...animals." Coughing and gagging, Riley was truly humiliated.
"We're animals, are we?" Djoser was standing nose to nose with Riley. "You didn't seem all that repulsed this evening when you were being sucked off by one of us animals."
"Sucked off? What's he talking about...Riley?" Puzzled, Buffy laid a gentle hand on her boyfriend's arm.
"Nothing." Riley wouldn't break eye contact with Djoser. "He's lying." Brushing off Buffy's hand.
"Am I? Show the Slayer your arm then." Breaking eye contact for a minute, Djoser gave Buffy an unreadable look.
"Let's just settle this. Roll up your sleeve." Buffy still didn't quite understand, but she didn't see what harm it would do, if Riley showed them his arm.
"Come on Mate. Roll up your sleeve, and let's take a look." Spike was now standing next to Djoser, beer bottle in one hand. He knew what Djoser meant by being sucked off, and was enjoying Riley's predicament.
"I'M NOT." Backed in a corner, faced down by two vampires, the only thing Riley knew how to do was to come out swinging. This time he lunged at Spike whose taunting grin was angering him, but the result was the same, as Djoser had him quickly around the neck.
Downing his second shot of whiskey, Nic was starting to feel a little better. His nephews being entertained by the Slayer, should behave themselves with her. He'd have a couple more shots, buy a bottle to go, and back they'd go to the mansion to wait for Angelus. By tomorrow his brother would be back, and Djoser and William would be his problem. Turning his head just to glance over at the trio, he was most annoyed to see that Djoser had some blond human around the neck. The Slayer was yelling at him to let go, and William stood by, watching the whole scene with a happy grin on his face.
"Djoser!" Grabbing the newly filled shot glass, he reached them in time to help the Slayer separate his nephew and the mortal. "What were your Sire's orders right before he left for L.A.? No hunting or killing innocent..." A thought suddenly occurred to Nic. Looking over at Riley, he asked. "You are an innocent human, right?"
"He's not." Spike chimed in, wanting to stir up trouble. "He's a trained demon killer, and he attacked Djoser, and then he attacked me. Attacking two Blood-Childer, isn't there a double penalty for that?"
"SHUT UP Spike." Buffy gave the vampire an evil look. She knew what he was trying to do. "Riley is just a common civilian now. He's not a threat to anyone." She was defending Riley, but didn't realize that her words wounded him more than anything the three vampires could ever do.
Spike, Djoser, Buffy and Riley all began to talk and quarrel at the same time, with Nic trying to make heads or tails with what they were all saying. So busy arguing that the five didn't notice the group of vampires with a white streak in their hair come into the bar. And along with the vampires were some extremely angry Gargorus demons. They were the few survivors of the lair that Djoser and Nic had taken out earlier. Arriving into town, Snow's followers had run into them, and the Gargorus demons were all too happy to point the way to the two Blood-Childer who had destroyed their lair.
Nic was the first to see them, as he had turned to go back to the bar for another drink. He needed one. His two nephews, the Slayer, and the blond mortal were giving him a headache. Shot glass dropping out of his hand, he yelled a warning to the others. Djoser, quick to protect Spike, grabbed his younger brother. His intention was to get him safely out of the back exit, but as the two vampires started for the rear of the bar, another group of white streaked vampires, backed up by a couple more Gargorus demons came through the back door. Both exits shut off, the vampires were blocked in, with no way out.
****
Part 10
"Still burdened by the gypsy curse, are you not?" The Ventrue Master was extremely perceptive.
Keeping his expression neutral, Angel thought quickly. His regained soul might kill the whole possibility of an alliance. "Since the sorceress recursed me last summer, the soul seems to be weaker. It doesn't control me as much. You needn't concern yourself over...."
"I was never concerned about your soul, Angelus. In fact, it pleases me that you finally acknowledge it."
{Acknowledge my soul?} "I don't follow...."
"No you would not." The Ventrue Master gave Angel a knowing smile. "Your Sire would never admit it to himself, so all his off-spring remained in ignorance. All of you. Your whole Clan. All Tremeren vampires have lived all these years never understanding, never knowing who and what they are."
"And what are we?" Puzzled, Angel watched the Ventrue carefully.
"Hybrids. Half human, half demon. We walk with one foot in each world, neither one or the other. We have souls, all of us."
Arms folded across his chest, warning bells began to go off in Angel's head. {The Ventrues were never known for manipulative, underhanded thinking. What game is he playing? }
"I see disbelief written all over your face Angelus." The Master had expected such a reaction. "But it is true. Your Sire would never accept that. He tried to reject everything human, but that ultimately was his downfall, was it not? Your youngest Blood-Childe was condemned to death, because according to your Sire he was flawed. Flawed, because he was too human, and the day they tried to put him to death, was the day you revolted, no?"
"You don't need to tell me what happened. I was there." Suspicion made Angel answer abruptly. "The gypsies cursed me with a sou...."
"The gypsies cursed you with a self-hatred spell. Caused you to hate and reject who you were, thus the guilt and remorse over what you were, what you had done. A soul is bestowed by the Deities; it is not something that can be given by a simple majik spell."
Pacing in front of the Master, Angel considered the older vampire's words. He had never heard such a theory, that vampires were souled creatures. And just because such a theory came out of the mouth of the Ventrue Master, didn't mean he believed it. "Alright, so my soul or whatever is not anything that will stand between us coming to an agreement. Good, then we can proceed."
"Ah...but there is one issue I would like to address...your attack on your Maternal Sire."
Angel's head reared up in surprise. {How did he know?} "I just came from...."
"I know. My scouts witnessed the whole incident. They got here just before you did." The vampires were now circling each other, cautiously.
"I am now the Master of the Tremere Clan. Darla is a Tremeren vampire. What I do with my people is none of your concern."
"Darla is your Maternal Sire, and she is unique. You know that. And with all the Blood-Childer who have died now by Snow's hand, she is even more special. She needs to be protected!" Looking Angel directly in the eye, the Ventrue Master silently dared him to challenge his words.
"She threatens my Blood-Childer. And even though she's special, she's still just a turned vampire. She does not even come close to the value of a Blood-Childe."
"How does she threaten your Blood-Childer?"
Angel hesitated. Nic had been right. Darla had not actually done anything tangible against William, but he knew he had to be careful with the Ventrue Master. Angel had dealt with the Ventrue many years ago as an emissary for his Sire, and the Venture Master did not tolerate lies or manipulations of truth. "She was the one who requested William's impalement many years ago. She holds a deep hatred for him. I believe, that given an opportunity she would harm, or even kill him."
"A serious crime to be sure." The Master's expression was enigmatic. "But the hostility between them is not anything we need to worry about anymore. The problem will be resolved shortly on its own."
"How?" Angel's body froze. He knew before the Master answered that the news would be a disaster.
"Your youngest Blood-Childe is dying, Angelus. My healers had an opportunity to exam him after he was rescued from Snow. They poisoned him for a second time. And again, we do not know the type of poison. To complicate matters further, he was never cured from the first poisoning. My healers say he has two unknown poisons running through him, and it is very possible that they're reacting with each other in some mysterious way. Even if we had the services of the Council itself, nothing probably could be done for him. The best solution is to put your Childe out of his misery. He is just a burden. Without him, you will be free to concentrate on defeating Snow and the Council."
Speechless, Angel felt like something was wrapped around his chest, squeezing, causing immobility for a long moment.
"He serves no use to you or the Clan. And now as Master, you have to start thinking in terms of what's good for the whole. The whole Clan. Your people."
"There's only a handful of us left. I have no people. And William is my..."
"There is you Angelus." Stepping closer, the Ventrue Master's eyes were an incandescent red. "You can produce again. And your eldest, Djoser. For the last one hundred years, he has been chasing around after William instead of reaching his potential. The rumor is that he has some interest in the Slayer. The same Slayer you had relations with. If either of you were to impregnate her...think of what kind of Blood-Childe that might be. If you want the Bloodline of The Tremere Clan to continue, then you must think of yourself and your oldest. Your crippled Blood-Childe William is expendable."
**
"WILLIAM! Protect yourself, get down on the floor behind the bar." Djoser pushed Spike toward the bar, just as a couple of Gargorus demons launched themselves at him. But Spike was never one to run away from a fight. Grabbing a cue stick, he began swinging it at the advancing vampires.
Nic, Buffy and Riley also had their hands full, as they were converged upon by Snow's vampires and the surviving Gargorus demons. Outnumbered and trapped inside a building, their prospects looked bleak. But the Higher Powers, deciding that it was not their time yet, intervened.
Another group of vampires, vampires who had been tracking Snow's followers came rushing into the bar. Joining the Tremeren vampires and the Slayer, they evened the numbers out, and Snow's followers and the Gargorus demons soon found themselves in a losing battle.
Although weakened, Spike, with the aid of the cue stick, had managed to keep the enemy at a distance. Unfortunately because of slower reflexes, he was not fast enough to duck out of the way of a projectile cue ball. Hitting him in the left eye, it caused the eye to swell shut, making it difficult for him to see. Pressing a hand to the swollen eye, he resisted the urge to rub it, as he watched the surviving enemy flee. "Mates of yours?" He asked as he walked over to Djoser. They watched in interest as the leader of the unknown vampires ordered some of the minions to pursue the handful of Snow survivors.
Shaking his head no, Djoser looked over at Nic who was studying the leader with a puzzled look on his face.
Buffy, seeing that none of her allies seemed to know who the unknown vampires were, kept herself ready for battle. "Do we have to take these guys on now too?"
But the leader of the unknown vampires only looked over at them with disinterest. Nodding his head slightly at Nic, he turned and left the bar followed by the minions.
"Oh, he's a mate of yours." Spike looked over at his uncle. "So tell us, who is he, and why did he help us?"
"I don't know him, although he does look a little familiar." Nic was racking his brain, trying to place the unknown vampire.
"Hmmpf." Djoser snorted in disgust. "Probably someone you met while you were in an inebriated stupor."
"HEY!" Nic gave Djoser a shove. "My friend who-I-can't-remember-cuz-I was-in-a-intoxicated-coma, just saved our asses, so count your blessings. All my drunken socializing has not gone for naught."
"Cut him some slack, Djoser." Spike could relate to his uncle. He was sure that there were countless demons and humans walking around who he had met at one time in a drunken haze, and now had no recollection of who they were, or where he had had met them.
"It's just that he's such an embarrassment to...." Turning to Spike, Djoser got his first good look at his brother. "William! What the hell happened to you? I told you..."
"Oh Jesus Christ!" Nic swore loudly, as the group all turned to study the injured vampire. Spike's eye was now totally swollen shut and turning different shades of purple. "He wasn't suppose to leave the Magic Shop." Rounding on Buffy. "This is all your fault Slayer. You brought him here, so you can DAMN well explain to Angelus when he gets back why his orders were disobeyed, and how William got hurt."
"It wouldn't have mattered if we had stayed at the Magic Shop. They tracked us here through the surviving Gargorus demons. If you would have done your job better, and not let any of them get away, then none of this would have happened." A sense of familiarity washed over Buffy as she argued with the vampire. Squabbling with him was like squabbling with...she turned to look at the Spike, and it hit her. {Spike is like his uncle. I guess, genes work with vampires like they do with humans.}
"It wasn't my fault that those Gargorus demons got away." Nic was shifting blame to everyone. "Djoser didn't hold his own." Looking over at his nephew. "You let them get away, so you're to blame for all this too. When your Sire gets here...."But Djoser wasn't listening, as he was already half way to the door with his younger brother in tow, being the only one of the group who was smart enough to know that the best thing to do was to get Spike back to the Magic Shop and Giles.
**
"How does that feel Spike?" Giles had taken a bandana, soaked it in Angel's blood, wrapped it around some ice, and fastened it over the vampire's eye.
"Too tight around my head. And you didn't get any blood in my hair, did you?" Feeling good, Spike was a major aggravation, but injured in any way, he became intolerable. "And did my effin uncle get a hold of my Sire yet?"
Sighing heavily, Giles loosened the bandana around Spike's head. "We're still trying, but Angel doesn't have his cell phone turned on, and no one is answering at Angel Invest...."
"Just spoke to Cordy." Willow interrupted the Ex-Watcher. "Says that earlier this evening, Angel fired them all and threw them out of the hotel. She hasn't seen him since."
"Fired!" A surprised Giles stood up quickly to face the young woman. "What...did Cordelia say why?"
"Said that Angel arrived back all creepy, and weird. Told them to 'get the hell out, because they were all fired'."
Giles didn't like what he was hearing. The uncertainty about what the sorceress did or did not do to Angel was unsettling. Straightening up, he eyed Angel's two sons, wondering if he should just get them out of Sunnydale. Send them all to L.A.
"He couldn't have humans around when the Ventrues arrived." Djoser read the doubt in the Watcher's eyes.
"The...the Ventrues." Trying not to appear too interested.
"Seems that the Council broke the truce they had with the Ventrues. Killed one of their Blood-Childer, so now the Venture Master looks to ally himself with our Sire against the Council and Snow." Djoser didn't bother to hide his contempt for the Council. "I guess humans are as traitorous as demons."
Giles turned his head to look over at Willow so the vampires couldn't read his expression. Ventures allying with Tremeren vampires had always been one of the biggest fears of the Council for years. The highly intelligent Ventrues with a Master who some said was more than a thousand years old, allied with the aggressive and violent Tremerens. Such an alliance could prove fatal for the human race. "Keep...keep trying to reach Angel. He needs to know what...what happened to Spike." {While I try to contact the Council and find out who the bloody idiot was that decided to break the treaty with the Ventrues, pushing them right into the arms of...of Angel.}
**
Running hard, because his legs were stronger now, but even so the enemy was gaining on him. Protection was up ahead of him. His Sire, tall and imposing was running ahead of him. Screaming at him to stop and wait for him. To come back for him. To save him. But the figure ahead kept running. Long legs. Long strides, increasing the distance between them.
"SIRE! DON'T LEAVE ME! WAIT FOR...."
"William! Wake up, you're dreaming." Hands shook his shoulders.
Spike lifted his head off the table, tears still running down his face. Disoriented, he tried to shake off the nightmare.
Studying his nephew, Nic didn't like what he saw. Spike's injured eye now the size of a golf ball. "Gonna call that fucking Watcher. He's gotta do something for William. Look at him." Turning to Djoser. "He's looks terrible. Angelus is gonna have a fuckin' fit."
Hearing his Sire's name, hope spread through Spike's body. "Is he coming? Will my Sire be here soon?"
"He won't turn on his fucking phone, so we still haven't...." The bleak look on the younger vampire's face made Nic change his tune, wanting to reassure. "You know how your Father is with cell phones. Probably fell down under the seat in his car, and he doesn't even know it's there. Thinks it's on and in his coat pocket. He's most likely tied up with the Ventrue ambassador. There's been so much mistrust between our two Clans, that it will take a couple of hours for them to just agree on if they're going to sit or stand, and then when they decide they'll sit, it'll be another hour of negotiation on who gets the comfortable chair."
"He PROMISED me. He promised he would be back by today. And it's...." Spike looked around in confusion. They were back at the mansion. "What time is it?"
"Sunset. Our Sire will probably be back later tonight." Djoser too was trying to set his brother's mind at rest. "Let's turn on the television. Isn't it time for...." Trying to remember what programs his brother watched in the early evenings.
"Don't wanna watch telly. I want my Sire." Pain and fear caused Spike to act childishly. He still was unsettled by his nightmare. His Sire running from him, abandoning him again.
"I tell you what." An idea had occurred to Nic. "Let's have something to eat, and then we'll go see the mortals." Something to do. Something to distract his nephew.
"When our Sire returns, he'll look for us here." Djoser argued with his uncle.
"When he doesn't find us here, he'll know that we'd be at the Magic Shop." Nic had made his decision. "Besides I think that William here needs some kind of...help. That Watcher needs to whip up some kind of healing potion...." Trailing off as said Watcher and the Slayer walk into the room.
"We spoke with Angel." Giles and Buffy had come to the mansion with a purpose.
"That friggin' Poof better be on his way here." Tough talk to cover his panic, Spike wiped the tears off his face.
"No, actually not." Giles stepped closer to the vampire, studying his swollen eye. "Spike, your eye doesn't look any better than it did earlier. Were you icing it down like I showed you?"
"He kept taking the ice off. And what do you mean that Angelus isn't on his way here? And why didn't he call us?" Lack of sleep, worry, and now anger began to boil up in Nic. {If that isn't just like my arrogant asshole of a brother. Pawns off his brats on me, leaves, and then doesn't even have the courtesy to let me know what the hell is going on.}
"Well actually...he did try to call you, but he said that his call wouldn't go through on your cell phone." Giles looked mildly at the vampire.
"Wouldn't go through?" Nic scrambled to look for his cell phone which was buried under a pile of newspapers. "What the hell? It's turned off...oh...." Embarrassed grin. "Battery ran out."
Rolling his one good eye, Spike couldn't help the uncomplimentary slur that fell out of his mouth. "Brainless Wanker!"
Djoser, also muttered a derogatory insult at his uncle in the language of his human mother, causing Nic to glare angrily at both his nephews. "So what's going on? When is Angelus coming back?"
The Watcher and the Slayer exchanged uncomfortable looks. "I...I spoke with Angel at great length." Taking off his glasses, Giles took a moment to find the right words. "And he is aware of the situation."
"Situation? What situation?" Nic stepped closer to Giles, eyes narrowing. He was an accomplished prevaricator, so he could tell when someone else was lying or trying to be evasive.
"The situation is that all of you need to leave Sunnydale now." With the confidence of youth and being a Slayer, Buffy didn't have any problems being blunt and to the point.
"You...you see, the Council is on its way here." Part of Giles couldn't believe he was feeling so guilty about what he had done. Called the Council. Betrayed the trust of Angel and his family. But he had needed to clarify the situation with the Ventures. Since the decline of the Tremere Clan, the Ventrues had been the ruling Clan. Highly intelligent, the Ventrue Master had negotiated a truce with the Council, allowing both sides to exist peacefully. The relationship between human and vampire, although strained had benefited both. Without the constant battling, the Council and the Ventrue Clan had flourished. But now, if the Ventrue Master was looking for revenge, and was looking for guidance from Tremeren vampires, it meant that he was gearing up for a war.
"On its way here?" Face now in Giles' face, Nic had become menacing. He never really trusted their so called allies here in Sunnydale. "I've spent many years working as a 'Bull' for some of the biggest Mafia Bosses, and they have a word for people like you. A stoolie. And you want to know how many stoolies I've killed?"
"That's enough!" Grabbing Nic by the arm, Buffy pushed him back. "They're coming here because they have some important information on Glory. We need their help, because we just keep hitting dead ends." Buffy scanned over the three men, also feeling a twinge of guilt. She wasn't totally lying about the Council coming to share some significant data on Glory, but they were, in fact also coming because of Giles telling them about the possible alliance between Angel and the Ventures.
"You betrayed us Slayer." Djoser's eyes looked even blacker. "We had helped you like you had asked, and this is how you repay us."
Arrogance and the stress of having an ill mother and a sister she was desperately trying to protect, caused Buffy to be defensive and short with the vampires. "Helped me? You call pulling me in the middle of you and Snow's followers, helping? I *don't* need that kind of help. I have enough of my own problems. I've got my family to protect, and some being that may or may not be a goddess to fight. I'm giving you a break by warning you in advance that the Council is coming."
"And you Giles? Discharging me as your patient, even though I'm not right?" Spike was resigned. Sooner or later, didn't everyone in his existence betray him?
"Spike...I...I...." Giles kept having to repeat to himself over and over that the creatures before him were just soulless demons. They were the enemy. He had taken a vow to fight such creatures, not to protect and save them. "Spike, I don't think there's anything more that I can do for you." Angel had told Giles about the new development in Spike's health. "But here are the ingredients for your cure...." Handing Spike a bag. "For whatever it's worth."
"Wot you mean, for whatever it's worth?" Opening the bag, and peering inside.
"Well...it's just that in light of this new...." Breaking off, Giles realized that he was bringing up a subject that best stay closed for now. It was Angel's responsibility to tell Spike.
"New what?"
"New...." Exchanging a look with Buffy again. "You need to ask Angel. Now I suggest that all of you get ready to leave, because Angel is waiting. And he told me to relay this message. 'Tell Nic that he's to bring my two Childer straight here to the Hyperion. He is to make no stops, and take no detours.' Is there anything about that message that any of you don't understand?" Knowing that he needed to toughen up in dealing with the vampires, Giles took himself back to his younger days, his Ripper days. Donning his former persona, he hardened his heart. "Now, I want all of you out of Sunnydale as soon as possible."
****