Nocturnal Bravura Book Two: The Healing

Dalton Avery

Dalton Avery sat at a large rosewood table, trying to decipher the text. He struggled to control the pounding in his heart. He knew these creatures could hear his heart racing when he was panicked. He closed his eyes, fighting to refocus on the ancient text in front of him.

He looked up for a moment and watched his captor standing there with his women. She was beautiful. Hauntingly so. Her eyes were the brightest green he had ever seen and the way she looked at her mate...nothing but devotion and, dare he say it, love? Could vampires feel love?

He watched as his captor lifted his mate off her feet and spun her around and around, whispering things in her ear that made her giggle and purr. The women kissed his captor, inciting a growl in him.

“She is beautiful isn’t he?” Spike said, staring at Buffy.

“Ye..yes, Sir.” Dalton responded.

“As much as I understand why one would want to do nothing but stare at My Perfect Princess, I believe you need your eyes to read that book.” Spike said, still staring at Buffy.

He lowered Buffy to the ground and kissed her on top of her head.

Buffy sat down, humming to herself.

Dalton heard a loud thud. He looked up and saw that Spike had jumped onto the table. He stalked over to Dalton.

Dalton began to tremble in his seat.

Spike crouched down in front of the man. “I told you, do what you are suppose to do and no harm will come to you.” he said softly.

“I..I understand, but the text is so obscure that the language is difficult to decipher.” Dalton explained.

“Now, remember what I told you before.” Spike smiled wickedly at the man.

FLASHBACK
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Dalton Avery walked to his rental car after his latest lecture. Being an expert on Ancient Occult was not the most glamorous of titles but he enjoyed his work immensely. There were the occasion issues like creatures of the night coming to him, requiring his aide.

For the most part he had been happy to assist.

The Demon World seemed to be a financially endowed set of beings. There was no way he could make a living off of the lectures he had been asked to speak at. Most of the crowds would snicker and talk under their breath. He never minded. They had no idea of the world he knew.

He looked around at his surroundings. Tucson had been a known resting place for old Indian spirits still intent on seeking out vengeance for the destruction of their people. It was not a very popular place for vampires. The sun shone too brightly here. He had kept most of his magical wards for such creatures at home opting to bring things more useful.

But in the still of the night, he heard it.

A voice in his head.

“Turn around.”

Dalton’s hand began to shake. “No.” He thought.

“Turn Around.” The voice commanded.

Dalton, unable to control his own body, slowly turned around.

He fought to remember all of the things he had learned to try to prevent this from happening to him, but his mind drew a blank. His head filled with a dense fog.

“Listen to me. You will be fine.” The voice said.

Dalton nodded.

“Get in your car and drive to the I-10, west toward California.” The voice said.

Dalton pulled out his keys and opened his door. He thought he was alone but he felt a presence sitting next to him.

Five hours later.

Thwack!

Dalton felt a fist connect with his chin. He looked around and saw that he was lying in an old abandoned warehouse. The steel shutters had been pulled down, thus preventing any light from coming in. He looked up at the man staring down at him. Not a man. A vampire.

“So good of you to join us.” The man smirked.

His jaw twitched a bit and he moved his head to the side, cracking his neck. He released a sigh, as if he was calming himself.

“The name’s Spike.” He said, offering Dalton his hand.

Dalton just stared at it, trying to decide if he dared to reach out and shake it.

He must have thought for too long.

Thwack!!

Dalton felt a heavy boot crash against his chest.

“Didn’t your parents teach you any manners?” Spike asked.

“Please don’t kill me. I’ll give you anything.” Dalton pleaded.

“My God you are pathetic.” Spike said, shaking his head. He lifted the man to his feet and dusted him off.

“I am not going to kill you as long as you and I understand each other. Now, you are going to help me figure out this book I found. It’s a book that talks of all these little mystical statues that do all kind of neat parlor tricks. Now, you help me find the one I am looking for and you get to continue your sad little life.” he explained.

“What if I can’t?” Dalton asked.

Spike picked him up and threw him against the wall.

Dalton gasped holding his head in his hands.

Spike walked over to him and leaned down. “Anymore questions, or have I made it quite clear?”

Dalton began to shake and cry.

“Lord, I used to think my brother was a Nancy Boy! You, my whiney friend, must be King of the tribe.” Spike said, taking out a cigarette and lighting it.

END OF FLASHBACK
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Dalton looked back at the text. “I am not sure what you are looking for exactly.” He said

Spike grabbed the man by his collar.

“Something that will help the lady.” he sneered.

“Per..perhaps if I knew what was wrong with her..” Dalton suggested.

Spike lifted the man to his feet and slammed him against the wall.

“If I bloody well knew, don’t you think I would have shared that with the class by now?!” he roared.

Buffy covered her mouth and began to giggle.

“Ah-oh, you made Daddy mad. It’s not good to make Daddy mad.” she said to Dalton.

Dalton looked at Buffy then at Spike.

“You heard my girl.” Spike said. Jumping off the table, he picked up Dalton and threw him back in his chair. He then slammed the chair against the table, causing Dalton to wince in pain.

“Now let’s get back to our studies. Shall we?” Spike sneered.

Just then Buffy let out a cry. Spike’s head snapped up.

Buffy was staring down at her wrist. The leather band had fallen off.

Spike jumped back on the table and ran over to Buffy.

“So, much blood.” Buffy cried.

Spike picked her up and rocked her back and forth. “It’s all right my love. There’s no more.” he whispered, kissing her head.

Dalton watched them, a bit mystified with the whole scene. He had seen just how many minions The Master had. How they all cowered in fear of him.

The Master exuded power. No one dared defy him. He had seen some powerful demons in his life, but this one could bend people to his will with a three word sentence. He had only ever heard of one other vampire with such an ability to thrall. Mysteriously, that vampire had disappeared.

But sitting there now with the angelic-looking, tortured girl, he looked like a scared teenage boy. He rocked her back and forth, trying to soothe her with his words. Trying to lull the creature out of her frenzy.

Dalton saw Spike kiss her forehead and stroke her soft cheek. Various emotions swept across his face. Concern, hurt, pain, immense fea,r and again, a look Dalton could only describe as....love.

Again, could vampires feel love?

Buffy hugged Spike tightly.

“Daddy why so many pictures? Make them go away!” she sobbed into his chest.

Spike took the leather band and tied it tightly around Buffy’s wrist. He kissed it lightly, then gave her one of those Eskimo kisses on her nose that always made her giggle.

“See my Perfect Princess? No more pictures.” Spike whispered in her ear. He kissed her lightly on the lips.

Buffy looked down at her wrist and sighed, closing her eyes.

“My Princess is tired, isn’t she?”

Burying her face in Spike’s chest, she nodded.

“Let’s get to bed then.” Spike announced. He cradled Buffy in his arms and stood up.

Dalton watched as he jumped off the table.

Spike gave Dalton a cold glare. A glare that sent a shiver down his spine and caused his heart to pound against to ribcage once more.

“You have until tomorrow.” Spike said, cryptically.

Dalton gulped hard, searching through the book and praying to find an answer.