The Viking Hunter

Part 14

Xander woke with a feeling of dread. Tonight he would join his Sire in hunting his friends. Sure, Thor had said that Spike was the target, but there was no way the Scooby's would just desert him. If he went after Spike he would get Buffy and the others as well. He seriously hoped that Spike had gotten his message. As much as he hated to admit it, he also hoped that Spike had swallowed his pride and called Angel.

After showering and dressing, Xander made his way to the library. He wondered how long Thor slept, as he always fell asleep with him beside him and yet he always woke up alone. He hated waking up alone, with Anya he always woke first. He would lie there in the dim morning light and hold her close, watching her sleep and think how lucky he was to have someone who loved him. It was a nice feeling. Now, he had a strange man in his bed, one who he was drawn to and yes, extremely attracted to, but at the same time he resented this man more than anyone he'd ever known. Including Angel. It was probably a good thing that he woke up alone, he didn't want to feel anything more than he had to for the monster that took his life.

Thor was sitting in the library reading when Xander walked in. He gave his Childe an appraising look. Xander had dressed especially well this evening, blue silk button down shirt, black leather pants, shiny black boots and the silver ring and wrist band he had given him.

"Alexander, you look very nice."

"Thank you Sire. When does the hunt begin?"

"Eager are you? A very nice trait in a hunting partner. We shall set out soon. But first I want you to feed from me. It will strengthen your senses as well as your body."

Xander knew better than to pass on an invitation to drink from his Sire. If human blood was like chocolate, Sire's blood was like the richest, smoothest, most expensive chocolate in the world. It was like twinkies covered in the richest, smoothest, most expensive chocolate in the world. There was no finer thing to be had. He crossed the room with a predators grace as Thor tipped his head to the side and beared his throat to him. He gently, but quickly sank his fangs into the older vampires skin and drank greedily.

The feeding, like most times led to a thorough fucking and then a quick clean up before they left for the hunt. Thor had produced a blood covered piece of black cloth that Xander recognized as a piece of Spike's shirt. He scented the cloth and then tried to find Spike by sniffing the air. They started out near the shop, as the minions reported to Thor that he spent a lot of time there.

Xander was impressed. He could actually smell Spike on the air. This was an interesting new ability. He tried to follow the smell but this ability was too new. He didn't understand it yet. A thought suddenly occurred to him, if he could smell Spike then surely Spike could smell him as well, he had placed his own blood on the messages he'd sent.

They were half way through the park when Thor stopped and pulled him close.

"Do you sense it? Can you feel her?"

"Who?"

"The slayer, she is close. Be on guard."

"I feel something, like tiny sparks shooting up my back."

"That's it. It's a warning. It lets us know when a slayer is near. The slayer has a similar sense, she has most likely sensed us as well."

"Should we go?"

"No, we continue. I'm not here for the slayer, not tonight anyway. If she stays out of my way she will live another night. But if she tries to protect William, then she will die with him."

Willow and Tara had cast a cloaking spell on Angel so Thor wouldn't detect his presence. He was to be their secret weapon, other than the magic. They had come up with a few confusion spells, and a very nice freezing spell. The problem was that the freezing spell would work against any unhuman creature, so Spike and Angel would be stuck as well.

Thor led Xander further into the park, they saw Spike up ahead sitting on a table smoking a cigarette. As they crept closer Buffy and Angel flanked them on either side. Buffy kept enough distance from them to keep them from detecting her as more than just a slight presence. Once they were close enough to Spike Willow, Tara and Giles would start casting a confusion spell on Thor.

"Look Alexander, see how he waits for us? The slayer is near by, they are probably meeting here. We'll split up, you go left and circle around behind him. I'll creep up in front of him."

"Yes Sire."

Xander snuck off to do as he was told. He hoped that the others were hiding somewhere nearby. He knew that if Thor were aware of his deception he would be dust. He felt horrible at deceiving his Sire, his demon howled at the idea of it. If it were any other vampire, anyone other than Spike and his friends, he wasn't sure that he could do it. If it were Angel, he was sure he'd be looking forward to it actually.

Spike new they were there. He smelt Xander and Thor when they entered the park. It wasn't hard now that he knew the boys scent. He had to admit, the boy was good. He never would have caught on if he weren't expecting them. He made eye contact with Buffy, she nodded that she was ready. He turned his head the slightest bit to the left and caught Giles eye. He nodded as well. It was now or never.

Thor sprang out in front of Spike as he flicked his cigarette but away. Spike went on the defensive, throwing a volley of kicks and punches. Thor gave back more punishment than he received. Spike was losing fast when Willow and Tara started chanting.

The witches held hands and chanted the spell while Giles poured the herbs into the bowl. When the spell was finished the three of them turned to watch the fight. Thor was still blocking Spikes attack, though he didn't seem to be returning the blows anymore. Xander watched in morbid fascination, He had never seen Spike fight like this before, it was awesome. He had never seen Thor fight at all, aside from sparring with him and he knew he was taking it easy on him.

The fight continued and the spell seemed to wear off as Thor was gradually fighting back with more and more strength. Buffy jumped out and came to Spike's aid. Thor spared a glance to Xander and smiled.

"Come Alexander! Join the fun, this will be a good hunt yet. William and a Slayer! Come!"

Xander hung his head in shame and listened to the fight going on in front of him. His Sire was calling him to fight. He longed to join him. His demon demanded he obey his Sire. His soul wanted to help his friends. He could do neither so he just stood back out of the fray and prayed for it to be over soon.