Cretian Escape

Chapter 18- The Attack


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The original plan had been to spend a couple of nights studying the enemy and the third night attacking. Now with Vassilious, who designed the clan’s security, they decided to shave the reconnaissance back to one night and attack on the second. The sooner, the better. They kept one night of reconnaissance to confirm that Vassilious’ information was correct and to cheor aor any changes in his old security plan. After watching through the night, they saw only one minor change. Probably fearing an attack by Buffy and friends, Argonia had doubled the number of guards on the perimeter of the house. Vassilious had said five and now there were ten, a minimal change. Other than that, the overly confident vampires came and went out of the mansion like normal.

Vassilious’ accuracy about the perimeter defenses caused some amount of trust from the Scoobies, but his information regarding security inside of the mansion could not be verified. In that, they would have to take a leap of faith. Vassilious told them to expect four guards in the hallway that ran the length of the house, but that would in all likelihood be doubled as it was outside.

According to Vassilious, the clan’s living quarters in the villa were divided into two parts. The above ground part of the villa housed the fledglings and the majority of the elders. Below the villa there was a maze of connecting rooms and a few hallways. A small handful of favored elders, such as Vassilious had been, lived in these subterranean rooms. The two rooms farthest from the entry of the house belonged to Argonia. One was her receiving room, and the one in the corner of the underground facilities was her bedchamber. Vassilious told them that Argonia rarely left her rooms. The fact would be guaranteed with her fearing that Buffy would come back for revenge. So Argonia would be easy to find. It was just a matter of making their way to her.

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The night of the attack, they waited for many of the vampires to leave. Spike, Buffy and the others wanted as little resistance as possible while they made their way to Argonia. At the appointed time, Xander, Giles, Cordelia, Willow and Dawn, who had surrounded the mansion, took out all of the guards with crossbows. Doubling the guards had not been nearly enough protection for the Sepatuccis. From there on out, they shot any vampires leaving the house.

When the entire enemy outside was taken care of, Buffy, Spike, Angel along with Vassilious entered the house. Surprisingly there were only four guards inside as Vassilious had originally said, and they were sloppy, talking to each other instead of doing their duty. Crossbows quickly took them out with a minimum of sound.

When the four of them moved inside, they found a very common floor plan just as Vassilious had described. Buffy was sassy. “See, you skeptics. This is the main hall with rooms to the left and right. Simple.”

Vassilious lead them to the back of the hall and pulled back a heavy, navy velvet curtain to reveal a door.

Spike nodded at him. “And if the jailor’s information holds true, this door’s the entrance to below.”

As planned, Angel stepped forward to go first. Before Angel turned the door knob, he placed the point of his crossbow on Vassilious’ chest. “Listen, boy, I make it out, Buffy makes it out, and so does Spike. Anything different and you will die.”

“Peaches, I’m touched or gagging. Whichever.” Spike went ahead and pantomimed in an attempt to release some of the built up tension.

Vassilious locked stares with Angel and raised his hand to push the crossbow away. “First, I’m not your boy, and second, you have my word. It is my guarantee.”

Spike grew serious. “Your words better be worth something other than air, mate, or I’ll take you out if grandpa doesn’t.”

Rolling her eyes, Buffy groaned. “Enough with the testosterone rise to power. Let’s make with the dusting.”

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After going down the stairs last, using his magic, Vassilious put a barrier over the opening so no other vampires could come in behind them. Once in the tunnels below, the foursome split into pairs. Buffy and Spike took the first hall to the right, while Angel aassiassis tos took the tunnel to the left. But first Angel turned to Vassilious. “Once again, if you…”

“Save it. I’ve even already been threatened by the witch that she will flail me if I betray any of you.” Vassilious said this with a smile, obviously not believing Willow could carry out such a threat.

No one smiled back. Buffy filled him in. “She’s done it before.”

Vassilious couldn’t believe what she implied. “That gentle, warm woman has flailed someone before?”

Buffy just nodded. “Alive.”

Vassilious’ jaw worked by nothing came out. Angel slapped him on the back and pushed him towards the left hallway. “With that settled, let’s get going, shall we?”

When Spike and Buffy entered the first room, and it was empty, Spike tugged on Buffy’s arm before she could get to the next door. “Beating a dead horse here, but I don’t like this, pet. Peaches’ got no one to watch his back.”

Buffy’s eyebrows drew together. “What are you talking about? Vassilious is with him.”

“My point exactly, luv. What if Vassilious turns out to be a bad egg, regardless of Red’s threat.”

Shaking her head, she again std fod for the door. “He won’t.”

“Are you one hundred percent sure, pet?”

That stopped her. “Yes…no, but what can we do now?”

Shaking his head, Spike opened the door for Buffy. He gave a hollow chuckle. “Angelus was a right mean bastard. If needed, hope he pays a visit tonight.”

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To the left, the first room was empty. In the second room, Vassilious took care of one vampire while Angel moved forward to the third room, which turned out to be an ambush of sorts. Five vampires must have heard the sound of fighting, and they were ready and waiting. After Angel’s entrance and a fierce but brief struggle, they had Angel pinned to the ground.

When Vassilious walked into the room, Angel stopped struggling, waiting to see what would happen next. Vassilious came in pumped up with the air of authority. “Seti, who do you have there?” Vassilious, as if he was still Argonia’s second-in-command, questioned the tall blonde vampire that appeared to be the leader.

Seti looked up shocked. “Vassilious, I must be seeing a ghost. I thought that the mistress had you killed, staked you out to die in the sun. I was there when she gave the order.”

“That’s obviously what you get for thinking because I am here in front of you.” It was still painful to think about his torture and attempted murder. There was no more physical pain. The sweet Willow had used her magic to help him heal. The lingering pain was mental. He had loved Argonia so much, with all his dead heart. He had shown her his devotion by making sure her every whim, whether he agreed with it or not, was attended to. Once she had asked for a three year old for a special dessert. Even though he couldn’t bring himself to do it, he had sent out minions to grab the child. This was a good example of what Buffy had said about him being different, that a regular vampire wouldn’t have been bothered by the sucking a three year old dry. Instead, he had thrown up all his blood in private after Argonia had her fun. Now his last memory of her was of her torturing not a child but him and then issuing his death sentence. Yes, now was the time for revenge, starting with these five who had enjoyed witnessing his torture. “Again, who is this that made it past my security?”

“This is a prize of prizes that the mistress will treasure. We will undoubtedly earn great favors. I should be in her bed for a week.” Seti taunted him, knowing how Vassilious felt about Argonia. “Judging from the pictures you provided, this is the mighty…fallen Angelus.” One of the other vampires proudly held up a picture of Angel.

Angel lay there, not fighting, waiting to see how the drama played out. Normally, with a good partner, Angel would not have worried about five. However, he wasn’t sure if it was five against two or six against one for this fight. Vassilious was still the swing player yet to prove himself, and this was definitely the proving ground. On one hand, Vassilious could stay on Argonia’s side. Angel and Vassilious knew full well that if Vassilious brought Angel to Argonia, he would in all probability get back into her good favors. On the other hand, Vassilious could stick to his word and help Angel get off the floor, and they could dust all five of the cocky vampires together. Angel was going to give Vassilious one more minute to show his hand, and then he was going to take out the five vampires, all of whom had relaxed when Vassilious entered the room and were now off their guard. After that, of course, he would take out Vassilious.

Vassilious walked up close enough that the tips of his shoes were against Angel’s side. “Seti, I think you will like this.” He pulled back his boot to kick Angel, but his kick went high, up into Seti’s gut. Before Seti hit the ground, Vlioulious pressed the advantage he’d gain through the element of surprise and staked two of the vampires holding Angel down.

“Well, what do you know?”, Angel thought. “Vassilious came through.” Angel wasn’t sure who was more surprised, himself or Seti. As far as Angel was concerned, Vassilious had proved himself to be true to his word. He still didn’t think he could yet completely trust him yet in things such as not killing humans, but he now thought it was possible.

After all five were dust, Vassilious turned to look at Angel. He knew what the older vampire was thinking. He had earned some measure of trust, and Vassilious was shocked that Angelus’, no Angel’s approval meant more to him than he had anticipated. Ugh. He was going soft.


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Spike and Buffy had it pretty easy. They didn’t encounter any vampires until the fourth room.

“On three. One, two, three.” Buffy pulled the door open…and had to step back from the cloud of smoke that came rolling out of the room.

Laughing, Spike lowered his stake. “Just our bleeding luck to get the group smoking some pot. They’re so stoned that the gits will probably set themselves on fire. But we don’t have time to wait on’em. Let’s do it, luv.”

“Maybe we had better not inhale.”

“Maaayyybbbeee I should.” He had a mischievous light in his eyes, which just earned him an elbow to the ribs.

There were a total of six vampires in the room. As slow as those pot heads were moving, Spike and Buffy killed them in record time.

The next room had two. Buffy had again entered the room first so Spike let her at them both. Kick, spin, punch, crunch, stake. Buffy was grace in motion. He had forgotten just how glorious she was when she was fighting. After the last vampire was dusted, Buffy, with a huge grin, spun around to face Spike. Spike grabbed her, slammed her against the nearest wall and then covered her mouth with his own.

The kiss was savage, with Spike devouring her mouth, and she gave as good as she got. When she came up for a breath, she had to ask, “Not that I’m not enjoying this, but what’s with the smacking?”

“Ah, pet, I had forgotten how hot you look when you fight. The only thing better is when we fight each other. Then I want to come in my pants.”

“Eeewww.” He kissed her again and moaned when she lifted up and wrapped he legs around his waist.

Finally reality crept back in. They were having sex with their clothes on in the Sepatucci clan’s
stronghold. Buffy found it funny, erotic, and also sobering all at once. “Spike…” He was nipping and kissing along her neck. “Spike…” She unwrapped her legs and pushed at him. “Spike! We have to get busy. Remember room to room. Kill vampires. Kill Argonia. Remember?”

Spike growled. “Yes, but just you wait until later, missy.”

Before she stepped back to head to the door, Buffy told him. “I love you.”

“Ie yoe you, too.” Now he could do anything.

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Buffy and Spike finished searching their hallway and met up with Angel in Argonia’s receiving room. The only room not yet searched was Argonia’s bedchamber

Upon walking in, Buffy and Spike came to a halt only a couple of steps in the room. Spike was too mad to talk, and Buffy didn’t even want to ask, but had to. “Where is Vassilious?”

“That is a very good quest and and frankly, I don’t know what to tell you.” Glancing down, Angel shook his head and clenched his jaw.

Spike was so angry he had switched to game face. “Well, tell us a tale, grandpa.”

First Angel told them how Vassilious had saved him and that he had decided to extend a certain amount of trust to Vassilious in return. “But in the last chamber to this one, we encountered two vampires. We each took one, but when I finished and turned around, all I found was a pile of dust from his opponent, and Vassilious was gone.”

Buffy was still hopeful. “Gone as in out of the door?”

“Not a door. I would have seen that. My back was to a wall, and he did it behind my back. Just gone.”

Spike felt a cold burn, slapping his stake against his other hand. “Make a note to find him and kill the buggering bastard after Argonia is dust.”

“Get in line, Spike. You can kick the dust I make out of him.” Angel could already picture the torture.

“Let’s get to business, guys.” She walked over to the door that Vassilious’ description said was Argonia’s bedchamber. This was the last room; the mistress had to be there, but there may be others. “On three.”

The immediate scene before them was of four naked, writhing bodies. No surprise from what Vassilious had told them. Buffy went through the door first and immediately staked a female. Angel came in second and got two to the left. That left just one naked female, Argonia. Her red hair made it easy to recognize her.

Spike sauntered through the door last. “Hey, chicky. Look at the tits on you. Real or Fake?”

Flinging her arm around, Buffy hit Spike in the shoulder. “First – eewww. Second – put some clothes on. Third – Spike, no boob questions.”

Argonia was afraid, but wouldn’t show it. “Slayer, who are your pet dogs? Good in bed I presume. Blonde or brunette. Tasty choices.” After picking up a robe, Argonia started backing away. She enjoyed causing Buffy discomfort by her nudity, and would continue toying with her, but she needed some clothes. Shoes too, but that would make it too obvious she was about to make her escape. She stopped backing up when her back was against the farthest corner. Perfect.

Spike gave a bark of laughter. “Accurate, well, at least for me, but you don’t even know or recognize us. What a pip? You auctioned some fake artifacts that you attributed to me.”

Buffy raised her hand. “Let me have the honor of the introductions. t ist is Angel. You know – Angelus. I’m told you passed his picture around. Maybe you should have looked at it yourself. And the cocky blonde is William the Bloody as you liked to call him at the viewing. We affectionately call him Spike.”

Angel’s looked around at Buffy and then Spike. “I don’t know if it is affection.”

“Now, peaches. I’m hurt.” Spike blew him a kiss to irritate his grandsire just a little bit more.

Angel growled at Buffy. “Now I don’t know whose ass I want to kick first. Yours or his.”

“You can’t be Spike.” Argonia was completely thrown off. “He’s dead.”

Spike dramatically threw up his arms. “Everyone keeps saying that. Do I not look like I am sodding up and walking?”

“Hmmm…gee…maybe because you were…DEAD!?” Buffy shook her head.

“Ohhh, is that it?” He gave her a quick kiss on the top of her head. “Right smart you are, pet.”

Letting out a sigh over his grandchilde, Angel tried to focus everyone again. “Let’s get to business so we can go kill all the others upstairs, shall we?”

Spike made a show of counting. “There are three of us and one of the she bitch. What we need to do is decide who is killing this trollop.”

Angel gave a nonchalant shrug. “Well, either you or I could do it because she kidnapped and tried to auction off Buffy, who is near and dear to us.”

Raising an eyebrow, Spike pointed out, “But then Buffy was the one kidnapped.”

“That’s right. Let me decide.” Buffy’s smile looked devious.

“Yes, let this lady decide,” Argonia threw in with a wave of her hand to indicate herself. She was happy, cocky, throwing out her taunt just before her back touched the wall and a secret door swung open. Argonia was preparing to step through before Angel, Spike, and Buffy could even process what was happening. Vassilious hadn’t said anything about secret doors. But then, before Argonia could get a foot out the door, Vassilioppeappeared and grabbed Argonia so that his arm was around her throat.

Now everyone knew where Vassilious had disappeared to and what he was doing.

Spike recovered fastest. “Wait a sec, mate. We were just deciding who gets the privilege of killing her. We have the possibilities of Angel or me because your clan kidnapped Buffy. We have Buffy because she was kidnapped. And now we have you, the jailor, because of the torture and the mental torture of living with this strumpet for years. So let’s see how the slayer votes.”

“I vote for Va…” Before Buffy could finish, Vassilious snapped Argonia’s neck and dust rained down. Buffy was startled but still finished her sentence. “…ssilious because he had to put up with her the longest.”

Silence reigned in the room. Vassilious had joined them again and had again proven himself. His trustworthiness was growing fast.

No one was quite sure what to say. Vassilious wasn’t sure if they were going to stake him or what. He had just stolen their kill. His voice was tentative. “Hello?”

“Nice, clean. Good kill, bo…Vass.” Angel nodded his approval. “Now let’s get out of here.”

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When the quartet was clear of the building, Giles and the others outside switched from their more subtle crossbows to flame throwers that came courtesy of Wolfram and Hart. They began burning the house to the ground.

Cordy was hidden on one side of the building while Giles was on the other. Xander was in the back behind some rocks, leaving Willow and Dawn in the front. While Willow started hurling fireballs into the mansion, Dawn took the flame thrower to those running out.

When Buffy and her crew joined them, they spread out with the others. Buffy joined Xander, Spike with Giles, Angel with Cordy, and Vassilious rushed to join Willow.

“How is it going?” Vassilious was anxious to fout.out.

Willow was surprised by his sincere curiosity regarding killing fellow vampires. “Good.”

“Let me help you.” Vassilious started pitching more fire balls into the mansion up on the second and third floor. After a few more minutes, the first story was burning well, and the second floor was starting to burn. Vassilious looked over at Dawn. “Are you ready?”

“Yes, but why?” Shrugging, Dawn had no idea what he was talking about.

Without answering, Vassilious ran up the steps of the mansion and stepped ie. e. Willow was horrified and took a couple of steps after him.

“This is Vassilious. The killers outside have been cleared out. Hurry. Get out.” Then he ran back to his position. Willow touched his arm and smiled before hitting the first vampire out of the door with a fire ball.

Twenty minutes later, the majority of the Sepatucci Clan was decimated. The only thing left was to hunt down any stragglers.

The gang would spend the next couple of nights cleaning up the island. After that, Cretian patrol duty would be assigned to the other slayers in the different locations such as Athens and Rome.

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Once back at the villa, Spike and Buffy made no excuses for their rudeness and went straight to their room. Their juices were still flowing from the fight, and they had to have each other.

Before the door completely shut they were on each other. Their mouths fused together in a hungry kiss while their hands clawed at each other’s clothes. Spike ripped off Buffy’s shirt, then pulled his mouth away from hers to latch onto her nipple. He suckled the hard nubbin while pinching the other. Buffy threw her head back and used one hand to hold his head to her breast.

Finally growing needy for more, she pushed him away so that she could pull his shirt over his head. Next, she attacked his belt and the fly to his jeans. In under a minute flat, Spike had stepped out of his jeans and divested Buffy of hers. He picked her up and threw her on the bed, stopping her bouncing by laying his naked body on hers. Their mouths melded again, each trying to devour each other. Spike ground his arousal against Buffy’s leg until she squirmed underneath him and his shaft was between her legs, the head rubbing against the lips of her entrance. And there Spike stayed, teasing her.

Buffy was going wild, trying tve eve enough to impale herself, but he wasn’t having any of that. After some more play, Spike finally pulled up and looked deeply into her eyes and said, “I love you.” With that, he drove into her hard. Buffy’s head flung back as she cried out from the feeling of stretching and the wonderful fullness that worked so well with his declaration of love. As she angled her hips so that he could stroke even farther into her channel, she whispered against his lips, “I love you, too.” Then their tongue swirled and danced.

As the pace picked up, Buffy started to go into a sensory overload of pleasure. She pulled her mouth away and concentrated on the feelings of her sex. She was raising her hips, meeting him thrust for thrust so that his pelvis met hers, slamming against her clit.

Spike could feel her orgasm building, her muscles clamping down on his cock, milking him. He snaked a hand between their bodies and began to rub on her clit. That was all it took to send her over the edge, and her pulsing muscles took him with her. They both yelled out of their release before fusing their mouths together again as they floated back down to the ground. Spike pulled back and brushed her sweaty hair out of her face, caressing her as he whispered to her, “I love you. You know that, but what was that you said that I was supposed to believe, pet?”

Buffy loved his mischievous smirk. “I don’t know what you are talking about.” Two could play at this game.

“What?! You know. I am supposed to believe that…?”

Buffy finally took pity on him. “I want you to believe that I love you.”

“I believe, luv. I believe.”

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TBC