Cretian Escape

Chapter 14 – The Auction


Before they stepped into the portal that would transfer them to the grand hall, Willow reached over and grasped Spike’s hand. He looked down into her face and winked. Her face might have looked like Cordy’s, but he knew it was all Red inside. He squeezed her hand and then guided her through to the other side.

When they entered the grand hall, he could feel Willow tense more, almost as stiff as a board, so he adopted Cordelia’s blending-in strategy. Put food or a drink or both in your hands and inspect displays. After gazing over the room in general to get his bearings, he guided her over to the bar. “Well, Red, what’s your pleasure?” He felt safe using her nickname. A nickname that next to nobody used by a dead vampire shouldn’t be a problem, plus it helped remind him that it was Willow in a Cordelia disguise.

“White wine would be great.” Willow was having a very hard time believing that the evening was real. Here she stood among a couple of hundred demons with Spike, who was a demon that was supposed to be dead. She felt like sitting down on a chair, put her elbows on her knees, resting her chin in her hands and waiting for everything to soak in. Or click her heals and repeat, “There’s no place like home…There’s no place like home…”

Spike leaned down and whispered in her ear, bringing her back to reality. “Alright, pet. Let’s mingle and see if we can spot Peaches.” They walked around peering into the display cases in between looking around the hall. They quickly spotted Angel. Actually, they spotted an Angel in an upright alligator disguise. Willow mixed a potion for him, and after he drank, he looked like a demon. Still green like an alligator, but he had a stubby tail and shorter jaw.

Angle had already spotted Spike so when their eyes locked, Angel nodded his head before heading to his position near the dais. Similarly, Willow and Spike moved to their position on the opposite side of the room from the buffet, keeping a line of sight to Angel.

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Vassilious was at the entrance of the hall, looking the people over as they entered. He had little doubt that Buffy’s friends and family will try to save her this night. That’s who he was looking for. He scanned the crowd, moved his vantage point and scanned again. Finally, a beautiful brunette caught his eye because she kept glancing towards the dais. No, it wasn’t the dais, but a demon standing by the dais that she was keeping an eye on. Definitely a possibility. Definitely worth a stroll over to the pair to size them up.

As he came to a halt in front of them, Vassilious greeted the two brunettes. “Good evening.”

Spike didn’t like this, not one bit, so he kept his voice cool. “Seems to be so far.”

“Hi,” was all Willow wale tle to squeak out. Willow had totally lost it. “It” meaning instead of thinking about saving Buffy, she was gaping at the vampire. He was gorgeous. ‘No, no, I’m gay, but that’s no reason I can’t admire a male.’ But Willow hated to admit that this may be more. When this guy’s eyes were on her, she could feel a flutter in her stomach.

Something about the pair intrigued Vassilious. Both had a sense of power about them, even the female human. He could see the bite marn hen her neck. “I don’t think we met during the viewing. My name is Vassilious. ”

The guy was really checking them out like he was trying to see all the way through them. So not good, Spike thought. “Nice to make your acquaintance. I am Franco Perez from Peru.”

In the small amount of time, Vassilious had found out enough about the pair to ensure his surveillance on them during the auction. “Well, the auction should be starting shortly. Any object in particular that you are interested in?”

“Several actually. I think my strategy is going to have to be to not buy too much.” All Spike wanted was for the black hair vampire to leave.

Vassilious chuckled, noting how charismatic Franco Perez was. “Oh, no, feel free to buy it all.” He held out his hand to shake, a subtle signal that the conversation was over. “Let me wish you good luck.”

“Thank you.” Spike watched him walk away. “That, Red, was the second in command of this clan.” Willow inhaled sharply. “Yes, he is someone that could be trouble. Big trouble for us.”

Vassilious was thinking the same thing, that the human and vampire could be trouble. He was now ninety-nine percent sure that he had found the people here to save their slayer. When he reached Argonia’s side, he looked back at the pair. Vassilious knew he didn’t know the woman or the demon that she kept making eye contact with, but the vampire…something just wasn’t right there. Just something about him. Even though he used a soft voice and was exceedingly polite, the man exuded power and attitude. Something about him was familiar, but he was sure he had never met him before. As he walked beside Argonia, watching her maul the guests, he abruptly halted and one word popped into his head. “Spike.” It couldn’t be, but after listening to the slayer’s stories of her extraordinary vampire, he shouldn’t be surprised.

Oh, he wanted to turn around and study the man again, but he didn’t want them to get suspicious because they would in turn act suspicious. Even though he didn’t have the picture he had drawn for Buffy to compare the vampire to, he remembered the distinct cheekbones and lips. The vampire was well disguised if you thought he was dead and gone, but Vassilious went with his instincts. Now he knew for sure that a rescue attempt was in the staging. Since the demon hadn’t shown up in his research of the slayer, he looked over to where it stood by the dais and wondered who he was. Actually, giving it some thought, he wouldn’t be surprised if it was Buffy’s other vampire lover. She had explained the two vampires’ love for her, but now he was seeing it in action. Vassilious wished he could hide away, take a minute in a quiet atmosphere to make an important decision, think it thoroughly through. Does he stop the slayer’s rescue or not? No standing on the fence in this situation. It was time to make a choice.

*****

“Ok, Red,’s g’s get the bloody show on the road already.” Spike looked to his right, caught Angel’s eye and nodded.

Willow let out the big breath that she had been holding since Vassilious left. “We can’t start soon enough for me. If I get anymore nervous, you will be able to call me Barf Girl.” She closed her eyes for a few moments, finding her personal center to draw her power from. When she opened her eyes again, they were black, and her hair had darkened.

‘Show time,’ Spike thought as he studied her.

A demon at the buffet was about to enjoy something that resembled a shrimp when it flew out of her hand and down the back of a vampire’s dress next to her. That caused a shriek that made those around her jump, while the contents of the vampire’s plate flew onto the two people next to her. Thus, the domino effect began from the middle of the buffet and toppled out into the room of demons.

Spike would have thoroughly enjoyed the shenanigans that Willow was skillfully orchestrating, getting in the middle and helping with the fun, if Buffy wasn’t the one whose freedom was on the line. But there was somewhere he wanted to be besides the grand hall. He had full trust in Angel, SpikSpike wanted to be the one to see her first and get her out of this hell for her called an auction. Spike wanted to train his eyes on the archway that Angel would be coming through with Buffy, but that would be a certain giveaway for anyone watching. No, not just anyone. Vassilious. Spike had a strong suspicion that Vassilious would be wing.ing. Spike just had to hope Vassilious hadn’t noticed and wondered about Willow’s eyes turning black. That was something that couldn’t be helped and would be very hard to explain.

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Knowing this slayer’s friends’ reputation, Vassilious had made sure that the number of guards was heavy during the viewing and especially during the auction. So with the commotion started, he knew exactly what was happe. A. As the guards rushed to the developing situation, he looked back at the suspicious pair in time to see the woman’s eyes turn coal black and hair darken. A witch. That must have been why he could feel power coming off of her. As Vassilious continued to watch, the green demon by the dais shared a look with Spike before making its way to the hallway leading to Buffy. Smart. They had undoubtedly done their homework during the viewing.

Earlier he had realized that during this night, he would have to make a decision that could change his unlife. Now was that time, and the choice was easier than he had expected. He would help. He didn’t know what he would do after this night, but with a smile, Vassilious promised himself that when the slayer was safely away, he would satisfy his curiosity and find out if the notorious vampire had truly risen from ashes.

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When the commotion began, Angel started making his way over to the archway to the hallway where Buffy’s cell was located. Using the information Cordelia had obtained and passed on, Angel expected to find two guards outside of Buffy’s door. He was two-thirds of the way to the archway when the black-haired vampire that Spike had warned him that was the second in command disappeared into the hall; he reappeared shortly followed by two guards. The vampire also ordered the guards at the exit to help with the commotion. Angel couldn’t have asked for better luck, but he had better hurry and not look a gift horse in the mouth.

Angel easily found Buffy’s cell and made short work on the lock before stepping inside. Since Vassilious had only given her a small dose of sedative, Buffy’s mind was pretty clear when a green demon stepped inside her cell. So not what she expected or wanted. She didn’t suppose that Vassilious had magically become a bizarro alligator or sent one. Despite herself, a drug-induced giggle escaped, but she was beginning to get nervous. This just wasn’t right.

Angel took a step into the cell. “Buffy, it’s me, Angel.” He took a couple more steps towards her and winced when she tried to move farther away from him. “Buffy, it’s ok. The cavalry is here like usual. We are all here on the island to save you.” Angel noticed how wide her eyes were and remembered that he looked like a demon. “I know this is a very strange costume, but it is me.”

“You can’t be Angel.” She starred hard. “I don’t believe you.”

Damn. Angel had hoped that it would go easier. “Willow said to remind you of the time that the two of you stole a book from Giles to read up on my past, Angelus’ past. You told me that you two sat in the bathroom and read my history and looked at a drawing of a woman. Remember? That’s why you picked out a similar dress for Halloween, trying to be like the women from my human days, and I told you that I liked you better because you weren’t boring.” He could tell she still didn’t believe him, and he needed her to believe so she would drink Willow’s potion that he had for her.

“Damn it, Buffy, you sent me to hell and then I came back. You would think you would remember me?”

Now desperate because time was passing, Angel looked over his shoulder and then back again. He didn’t want to mention Spike’s name and get her hopes up, especially since it would still be a dicey proposition to get Spike and Willow out of the auction, but now he was thankful that Spike had told him something private for Buffy and Spike. “When you defeated the First Evil, you told Spike that you loved him, and he told you that he didn’t believe you but thanked you for saying it.”

That was enough for her. “How did you know that? I never told anyone what he said.” While she was thoroughly distracted with her memories, Angel handed her a small vial. Without realizing what she was doing, Buffy took the vial, drank its contents, then took and drank the contents of a second viagel gel gave her. “I didn’t even tell Giles, Willow, or Xander. How did you know?” She passed out before Angel had to answer. The first potion had knocked her out so that she would stay out for the rest of the rescue. The second vial gave her the same disguise as Angel. While Angel watched, Buffy’s appearance shifted from human to the same type of alligator-like demon as he.

‘Good,’ Angel thought, ‘part one is successfully done.’ He picked her up in his arms and headed back to the grand hall.

***

Before the demon made it to the archway, Vassilious called all the guards out of the passage to the portal to help with the disturbance. Mostly for the fun of it, Vassilious used his own magic to cause one guard by the portal entrance to stumble into one of the guests, one of the larger guests. A fight ensured. Vass smiled. After a few minutes that felt like hours, Vassilious saw the demon come out of the hall carrying another demon he assumed was Buffy in disguise. Vassilious was waiting for them.

***

Spike laughed and pointed over at the entrance to the hall leading to the portal where the guard had stumbled and started a fight. “That’s a bloody classic, Red.”

After glancing over, Willow focused back on the main commotion. “That wasn’t me. Just good luck for us I guess.”

“What? He looked like he had been give a little heave ho by invisible hands.” Spike shook his head. Something about that just wasn’t right. To Spike, the guard looked to have been pushed, but no one was within ten feet of him. Was there another witch or warlock in the room having some fun? Surely not.

***

Upon entering the chaotic hall, Angel slid around the side of the room, practically brushing against the wall, until he finally made his way to the short hall leading to the portal that would take Buffy and himself to freedom. So far, so good. Very good.
Wh
When he stepped into the room with the portal, Angel tripped and had to catch himself from falling. Of course, he had been expecting the room to be manned by Argonia’s people. To be exact, he had expected one person helping with the portal and one guard. Ah, hell, there was a third person there, too. The clan’s second in command -- the one person who Angel absolutely did not want to see -- was standing next to the portal. Standing and smiling at .

‘Well, an offense is the best defense,’ Angle thought with resolve. “Excuse me. My mate here has fainted from all of the commotion, and I am really beginning for fear for her health. She is getting much to pale. I need to take her back to our home” Let’s see if that flies, Angel thought.

Vassilious looked Angel up and down, and then closely inspected Buffy. Angel wanted to cross his fingers that the magical disguises would hold up under this vampire’s inspection, but that just didn’t work with the disguise. This vampire didn’t strike Angel as any kind of fool. “Your mate does indeed look like she needs to seek some medical attention.” He turned to the portal’s attendant. “Cal, please allow this couple to pass through the portal.” Turning back to Angel, Vassilious nodded to him. “Sir, I hope your mate will be feeling better soon.”

“I certainly hope so, too. Thank you for your help.” Without another word, Angel with Buffy in his arms stepped through the portal and was gone.

Vassilious watched the couple leave completely passing through the portal, before returning to the grand hall where the confusion was quickly calming down. To help facilitate the return to order, the auctioneer was standing at his podium, banging his gavel to gain the audience’s attention and preparing to auction off the first item. Impassively watching the grand hall, Vassilious wasn’t sure how he felt. The little slayer was gone, and he would probably never see her again. But he supposed she left him with ideas and thoughts that would last him a while.

***

How Angel wanted to run once through the portal, but he walked. As soon as Angel laid Buffy in the back seat of the car and got in the front next to Dawn, they were off, moving before Angel could completely shut his door. Dawn drove past the other cars waiting for their pick-ups. As they passed Xander, Angel gave him a thumbs up.

Now it was Xander’s turn to wait, hoping Spike and Willow made it out alive. Actually, he wasn’t worried about Spike. Xander had it all figured out. Spike was like a cat in that he had used up two of his nine lives now but still had seven to go. Who Xander was worried about was Willow. Her powers were stretched a little thin even for a witch as powerful as she. Not only was her magic keeping her disguised as Cordelia, but it also caused the disturbance in the hall that allowed Angel to sneak out with Buffy. Luckily, Spike had not only numerous lives, but he also had a very strong protective instinct. Xander knew Spike would take care of Willow, but he still worried. Thumping his hand on the steering wheel, Xander knew he could think all he wanted, but all he could do was wait for his turn to help.

***

After the fifth item, a knife carved from bone that was used to kill a slayer in 1702, Vassilious casually made his way towards Spike and Willow for the second time that evening. They didn’t see him coming unte wae was practically standing in front of them. “Good evening. Again.”

Willow took a step closer to Spike. Spike wasn’t sure what to make of this special attention from Argonia’s right hand vampire. “Good evening to you. Nice auction you’ve got going on here, but the floor show was more entertaining.”

Vassilious nodded his acceptance of Spike’s compliment. He held out his hand and a striking salmon-colored rose appeared in handhand. With a smile, he handed it to Willow. “I thought you might like to see this hybrid rose. Its color is unique, to say the least, and looks quite beautiful with your green eyes.”

That almost put Willow in an even bigger panic than she was in already. First, this vampire used magic. He must have been the one that made the guard stumble and start the fight that Spike had mentioned. Second, Vassilious was looking at Cordy, not her, and Cordy’s eyes were brown. She had known it could be a problem that her spell would not be able to change her eye color. But then Willow remembered Spike saying that he and Cordy had not met Vassilious at the viewing. With that, Willow relaxed some and enjoyed the aroma of the lovely rose. He may be on the wrong side, but the man did have style.

Then Vassilious did the same for Spike but instead of a rose, he presented a glass full of human blood. As the distinct aroma drifted to Spike, Vassilious watched subtle hints of indecision cross his face. Now Vassilious was sure of the vampire’s identity.

Spike knew he should take the blood from his host as any other vampire would do but wanted nothing to do with human blood. He also knew that the black-haired vampire obviously noted his hesitation.

Enough. Vassilious decided to put the pair out of their misery. First he spoke to the woman. “A witch, I presume. Nice work tonight. I was very impressed.” He gave her a wink before turning to Spike, and waved his hand casually over the glass. “Go ahead and enjoy your drink, clavo grande. It is only bovine blood now.”

Spike wasn’t sure what unnerved him more --- that this vampire could perform magic, which was rare, or that he had just been called Spike in Spanish, actually a “large metal nail” but close enough. Ok, the use of his name won out. Trying to mask how shook up he was, Spike took the glass before the black- haired vampire’s words sank in completely.

Willow’s curiosity got the better of her. “You called him, ‘clavo grande? Clavo?’”

Spike looked down at her with eyes full of warning. “It means a large metal nail.”

“A good example is a railroad…spike.” Vassilious tilted his head and raised his right eyebrow at the pair, letting Spike know that he was no longer believing the charade. “Your demon acquaintances made it away. I’m sure his mate will recover.” With that, he turned and gave Willow a small bow before walking off to join Argonia. As he walked away, he wondered what it was about the witch that made him want to play the gentleman by making the bow.

“He recognized you?” Gripping her rose in one hand, Willow pulled on his sleeve with the other. “How?”

“I don’t know, pet, but we really have a mucked up mess now. Keep on those pretty little toes, missy.” Buffy had made it out of the auction. He wasn’t going to get caught now. Not gonna happen. He was going to make it out with Willow unharmed. No magical vampire waoppiopping them.

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TBC

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Thanks
Dana