Suzerain's Companion

Part 9

Alexander was bewildered by the actions of his owner and all but melted into the kiss, hoping it, and the gentle touches, would continue. But his Claimer lifted off and the gentle strokes changed to a vigorous tug on Alexander’s already half interested manhood. The moves were hard and fast, drawing him stiffness and a fang filled mouth kissing him aggressively.

Without notice, he was flipped onto his front, the strong hands lifting hips and spreading knees in the process. Not a word had been said, but it seemed the Suzerain was demanding something that had not been called for since his Claiming.

There had been some gentle touches while he was ill, but as the Suzerain’s probing fingers found his rear entrance and plunged in without hesitation (and only a bare minimum of lubricant!), it all made sense.

His role as bodyguard was now defunct, so logically, his only other use would be as a pleasure human, a giver of relief whenever the Suzerain wished! He had let himself hope of recent weeks as he was treated with kindness and allowed to see family… but the latest development was so much worse than he had ever imagined.

He wondered how long it would be before the Suzerain took his pleasure human during a meeting or in front of the household minions. Alexander had heard stories of hapless Companions and, more frequently, feral humans, fulfilling their role as on-call receptacles for their owners’ seed… bent over meeting tables, or on purpose designed benches many times in a day and in full view of staff and strangers.

Of course he now he complied physically. The Suzerain silently went about stretching and filling him, increasing the tug on his erection with a steely grip then as he was bitten, he felt cool seed fill his channel, drawing him to his own climax.

He had never failed in his designated role in the Suzerain’s life, despite the fact that as a Claimed, there had been care without love; relations with no followup; and when Alexander pledged loyalty and willingly submitted, he was treated with a ‘brush off’ worthy of the lowest minion.

But to be violated without love??!! None of what had gone before compared to his apparent new role of pleasure slave. And the day he was ‘offered around’ by his owner, would be the day he found a way to end his life.

The final humiliation followed as his body defied him. His hope departed as his seed spurted uselessly onto the bed covers below and he died that little more inside. The Suzerain’s only words adding insult to injury at the conclusion of the encounter, “There you are Pet… Lovely… Should feel different in no time, hey?... Gonna make sure I sort this good an’ proper from now on.” Then the Suzerain left his apparently sated Companion on the bed to sleep.

Consequently, the vampire missed the sobbing, the pained move to find a hand towel that might catch the combination of the Suzerain’s spendings, lubricant and some of the Companion’s own blood and excrement. There was no joy in the act as Alexander mopped up then stood, and took himself miserably under the shower to flush the final evidence of the recent coupling unhappily with a hand held shower piece.

He didn’t return to the bed with its wet patch. The night was spent curled up miserably on the floor, as the Suzerain and his Childe and Grandchilde went hunting.


The following day, the Mistress Janet entered the training room expecting to find Alexander standing respectfully, waiting to train as he always did. Instead she found the Companion in the far corner of her dojo, curled in a foetal position, hugging a medicine ball, shaking and sobbing uncontrollably.

When she touched him, he flinched and cried out a tearful, “No! I can’t! Kill me please [hic] I can’t [hic] be your *whore*!”

She just knew something had gone horribly wrong the previous night. She manoeuvred the boy onto a thick foam mat, covered him with several clean towels and rubbed his back as his breathing eased and he eventually slept.

She ordered a minion to stand watch at her door then marched across the compound once more and marched directly into the Suzerain’s office with no knock and no announcement. He was standing, facing away from the door on the phone. She ripped the handset from his ear and flung it against the wall with enough force to smash the piece and leave a dent.

Spike had no idea the reason for the attack and began to defend himself, but found he was facing a veritable dervish.

She kicked upward to connect with his chin, a surprised Spike catching the foot. He just didn’t expect her to spin and the other foot to strike his temple so hard he saw stars! Spike fell back against the bookshelf, the impact bringing a dozen or so large volumes cascading down and giving the Mistress her chance.

She righted herself and swiftly bound the Suzerain’s arms at the elbows and wrists with her own martial arts belt, rolled him onto his back, *sat* on him in full game face with her right hand in an iron grip around his scrotum, and the talon like nails of her left, digging into his neck.

“Now that I have your attention… What the F#@K did you do to your Claimed Companion?!!”

Spike was so taken aback by the events that he answered like a small child caught stealing a cookie! “Nothing! Nothing! I did what you said… He was fine…”

“Oh lovely… Then suggest to me *why* is he on the floor of my dojo sobbing and asking to be killed on the grounds you have decided his new role is whore!? Pleasure Pet? Call it what you will… How in the name of *Hell* did he get that idea? Hmmmm????”

Spike really did feel like he was back at lessons with the very fearsome Ms Beatrice in London, but then found himself moving to indignant. The female currently above him had recommended the coupling that had somehow caused the problem.

“You *told* me to take him… *you* said it would help!”

The Mistress looked utterly unimpressed, “Fine, I will give you that, but I want to know *exactly* what you *did*.”

The Suzerain was so far on the back foot that he gave a very honest account, annotated by his own motivations… Reassurance for him meant quick and to the point sex, no need for preamble or speaking.

At the end of his recitation, the Mistress lifted the hand around his throat, only to slap him *very* hard… and the pain of the slap was nothing compared to his concern that his manhood might be torn off in the follow through of the strike.

She grabbed his throat again and growled, “*You Twonk*!!!!” Then leaned very close and ground out venomously, “You f#@ked him, you arse! You didn’t love him… you shagged him like some High Street hooker, then left! *That’s* why he has gone backwards ten steps! Idiot!!!! You have shown him disinterest and disdain with a side order of despair, instead of showing him the love of a true Claimer.” She squeezed his sac again… this time *very* painfully.

“Now… You gave me my standing in the cartels because you thought I was worthy of offering you counsel, so …. listen well Suzerain… You get in that dojo and you take that boy back to your rooms. You put him in the bed, and you pamper him and adore him. You must *make love* to him. *Court* him Suzerain. He worships the very earth you stand on but you have treated him like a feeder! And so he now believes you are preparing him to become a pleasure pet, to be used and discarded…”

The Mistress let go his testicles and stood before adding matter of factly, “I happen to know the depth of your attachment to that beautiful boy…. But *he* doesn’t and *you* have a lot of work to do before he will believe it…”

For the first time since the beginning of the encounter Spike spoke, “But…”

“No! There are no reasons or excuses. You had a heads up months ago and now?… It’s very, very simple… *Court* him Suzerain, slowly and *very* lovingly… Take him for long walks, talk to him as your Claimant; spar with him… and spa with him; take him shopping, to dinner, whatever! You must make him feel special or you *will* lose him forever.

“Hang the cartels and all your gangland mentality and politics! He begged me to take his life – and if you don’t make this right it will happen! And just for good measure… get his family back… word up Natte of your intentions and have them reinforce the idea of your *love* for him…”

Spike had struggled to standing, his arms still bound. The Mistress spun him and pinned him against the wall of his own office before he could break the restraints. She bit him on the ear and growled “Do you understand?”

Spike simply nodded contritely as the Mistress released his arms. He then followed her toward the dojo area, but really was still struggling to understand how he could have got it all so wrong.

He entered the training space, and both he and the Mistress were met by the scene of the Mistress’s most trusted minion Chris, pinning the human to the floor with every ounce of his strength.

There was blood all over the mat indicating a struggle, and the rake thin vampire Chris knew he only had seconds to explain, if he was not to be dust, so spoke desperately and at pace whilst still restraining the frantic Alexander, “He was cutting himself and then biting… Oh Mistress… I had to…!!! Please Mistress I had to…”

The Suzerain could not believe it… The Mistress had said it, but he really had not taken it all in… now this??! He fell to his knees beside the claimed human and took over from the rather distraught Chris.

The young vampire was more than happy to vacate his position and simply relieved to still exist after the trauma of trying to control the Suzerain’s Claimed in such a situation.

Chris attempted to depart, but the Mistress Janet grabbed him by the arm and whispered, “Very well done Chris… Very well done! Rest… and see me tomorrow evening yeah?”

Chris simply looked grateful to be allowed to leave and retired knowing he had pleased the Mistress. It was the first time he had felt truly happy since he was turned.


Spike pinned the body of the frantically struggling Alexander face down, in the same position as the loyal Chris had held him, then bit down hard over his claiming mark and drank deeply. The result was a human that suddenly had no fight left. The semi-drained, overly stressed Alexander collapsed, and as the Companion was rolled onto his back, both he and the Mistress gasped.

In Alexander’s bleeding right fist, was a section of glass – from where, who knew.

There were deep cuts and lifted sections of skin all bleeding along his legs, cuts across his face and deep slices into his arms and on his torso. Obviously Chris had been able to subdue him before he had managed to do something truly life threatening, but it was a close call.

Alexander’s situation was so much worse than before…This was not a Companion crying for attention, but a Claimant convinced he was to be ‘shared’, and therefore determined to ‘cease and desist’ regards existence.

The Mistress left Chris at the door and returned to whisper to a confused Suzerain before she too withdrew. “Please Suzerain… *Love* him or kill him… Now! This has gone too far.”

Spike could not believe the result of what he thought was an amorous encounter, but in retrospect, and with the Mistress’ counsel, he saw how his intentions may have been misinterpreted.

Strangely enough, it was Angelus who had suggested the ‘out there’ solution months ago… “If he’s so sick…why don’t you just treat him like Dru?”

Spike accessed old memories. Alexander was drained, and Dru was remembered fondly.

The following evening found the Companion in his Claimer’s bed, admittedly shackled and lightly sedated, but that was for his own safety. He was coddled and cuddled by his vampire Claimer. He was relieved that apparently he was *not* to be used as a pleasure vessel, but was so confused by the change of heart that he simply lay mute and unmoving. For the next forty eight haze filled hours, he gave in to the hugs and soft touches.
……………………

The ensuing weeks were hard for both Suzerain and Claimant, the former trying so hard that it was almost painful to watch, and the latter worried it would all end in a heartbeat were he not to please.

Spike did *everything* the Mistress suggested, with one exception. He did it exclusively in private rather than in public as she would have had it. They went for walks around the compound; took in a movie of Alexander’s choosing in the underground home theatre; ate beautiful meals ordered in from the best restaurants; worked out, and took to the spa together.

There were quiet words and loving touches, something Alexander had yearned for and that had been missing except in the haze of his weeks ill. Strangely for the Suzerain, the more he gave, the more he received back, and the more he received, the more old memories and long latent feelings were prompted.

He had been forced to be hard… He had enjoyed it for a time… Worried for his Childe… and Claimed Lisbeth… and denied his Claimed in public … but now… now the argument fell silent… There was no excuse. His Claimed obviously loved him and needed him and… the epiphany was that the feeling really was mutual.

And so, over the weeks, the dialogue changed.

Where there had been silence and demands, now there were kind words and an effort to explain; where there was lack of contact, now there was a kind touch.... And slowly, ever so slowly, Alexander began to trust his owner again. But he struggled a little… His was still confused regards his role. The bodyguard role had apparently been permanently removed, leaving him as simply a Companion and possibly a Breeder.

He was still being injected with a low level anti depressant when his sister Sara was allowed to visit a month later. Consequently, he was relaxed and enjoyed her updates… Samuel was well and with the shunt, was now constantly penned with his favourite Rhiannon, and Penny was in her eighth month of pregnancy with Alexander’s third child.

Shortly after the visit was seated beside the Suzerain’s chair. Alexander touched his Claimer on the knee and made the first direct request since the beginning of his illness and Spike did not hesitate.

Alexander welcomed Penny the following day with genuine joy. The beautiful woman was heavy with child and had his two three year old boys at heel – their leads attached to their mother’s collar. They were obviously affectionate and *very* pretty! They freely accepted the warm hug from the sire of their line before being released and led outside into an enclosed garden to play in the sun.

Only four weeks or so from delivery of his child, Penny smiled at Alexander then happily followed the Companion and her handler into the pool area,

The handler unclipped her leash then left Penny and Alexander alone in the enclosure.

Penny took the lead, dropping her white garment to reveal her very large bump. Alexander could not help himself… he reached out, and she grabbed his hand, placed it on her belly and let him feel the tiny elbow and then a foot that was currently pushing against the outer lining.

They entered the pool together and the pretty human reclined in the shallows for a time, enjoying the relative weightlessness and cool water, before they both adjourned to a settee in the pergola. Wrapped in fluffy white towels she lay slightly sideways and tucked a cushion under her burgeoning belly. The handlers thought it might be one child, but after scans they found it was again to be twin boys… Alexander had spooned her in the pool and now knelt in front of her, continuing to stroke the distended stomach of the mother of his children again and again, and she quietly counselled him regards the Suzerain.

Despite her intermittent visits and orientation toward the ‘hetero’ side she had, particularly of late, observed the Suzerian’s affection for his Claimed. Indeed she rejoiced for her breeding partner, particularly as he had been so ill of recent times. She emphasised the point – the vampire’s love for his Claimed - over and over

All too soon, two tired but happy boys were led into the room, and it was time to leave.

Penny stopped at the door, bowed her head and whispered “Thank you” to the Suzerain who had come to collect his beloved Claimant.



Of late, Alexander’s life consisted mainly of being fed, exercised, caressed and … pleasured in every way by his owner… but the Suzerain had already indicated to the Companion (albeit at the Mistress’ insistence) that it was up to the Companion to indicate how and when any *full* relations would recommence.

It was Sunday night, not that that had any meaning but for the word to him, yet …Alexander looked across to the Suzerain… there were … things. He had always listened and learned. The Suzerain was a paradox. He had apparently been a shy, stunning intellectual human; a willing hopeful Childe who was now Master and Sire; a Sunnydale Spike chipped and ensouled; then willing martyr who stopped the Hellmouth from opening only to return to fight again; and finally two hundred plus years of demon rule…

It was Chris the Gardener, and the Mistress Janet that finally broke the impasse. A bunch of fresh flowers from Chris, and a push from the Mistress, had the rather ‘back footed’ Suzerain inviting his Claimed to share another movie.

The Mistress monitored the proceedings closely. In the back row of a public venue, blood was exchanged without fuss or planning and Alexander was blissful. He knew to be quiet as he was kissed and caressed by a cool hand that slid into his loose pants and massaged him to climax. He groaned his completion and was kissed again.

Alexander trailed out of the building after the Suzerain on the standard (utterly irrelevant for anyone bred and trained well!) leash. Both made a decision as they walked home. Alexander knew he would ask to be taken that night and the Suzerain was ready to publicly acknowledge his Claimed from now on.

PART 10

The Suzerain was admitted to his compound by one of the minions Angelus had turned for their size and fighting ability some hundred years earlier.

The Suzerain’s first had found four of them in a feral human fighting ring. He bought all four, turned them with just enough Aurelian blood to ensure the intelligence and fierce loyalty of the average Rottweiler in days before the fall of humankind. All four recognized their name and several simple instructions, but above all, killed *anything* threatening the household members. Averaging six foot eight with the musculature of a WWF professional and skills to match, they were indeed a valuable find.

Lars bowed low to the Suzerain and deferred to the Claimed companion, the household seemed calmer, his own Sire – the First of the Suzerain’s – was back in favour for a time and the minions had been fed well in celebration. Lars knew his place, and was occasionally even praised for his services, unlife was good.

Alexander followed his owner dutifully into the Suzerain’s private suite, but this time the trip was filled with a sense of anticipation. He dutifully closed the door then stood quietly waiting for instructions, but instead Spike turned to kiss him gently then whispered, “Tonight I am yours for the taking. What would you have me do, Pet?”

“I would have you… I would have…um… can you…um… can you make love to me, please Suzerain, I would have you make love to me. Please Suzerain… I would have you in me tonight… Make love to me… please?”

Spike simply said, “I will.”

Unlike the last violent claiming, this time there were caresses, delicate touches and kisses to mouth along Alexander’s jawline and over his claiming mark. Spike undid Xander’s belt and slipped his top off his shoulders letting the heavy black material drop to the floor. He broke contact for a moment to strip off his own jacket and shirt, undoing his belt and button of his pants in the process. He brought their nude torsos together for another kiss as he rubbed over the Companion’s evident arousal, first gently then with a firm stroke before sliding off the elastic topped pants, unzipping his own and letting it all fall to the floor.

Spike pushed very close and whispered into the rather mesmerized human’s ear, “On the bed, pet… gonna adore you and explore you until you scream my name in ecstasy.” Alexander groaned a little and the Suzerain could feel the boy’s hardness pressing against his own erect member as he pulled away and lay down. Spike reached for the tub of lubricant and small bottle of oil on the side table.

As they had done a few times in the past, the Suzerain sat on the pretty thighs and began by massaging Alexander’s hairless torso, playing with the boy’s nipples before sliding his hands further down and stroking around the erect member almost but not quite touching it.

Alexander was beginning to squirm, trying to gain the contact he so desperately wanted. Finally the Suzerain slid down a little further and encouraged the Companion to open his legs a little. Alexander expected to have his legs massaged and indeed that was the case, but what he did not anticipate was the cool mouth engulfing his hardness and working it with expert tongue and throat until he was arching off the bed and moaning with every swallow and flick of the tongue. Spike waited until the boy was just at the cusp of climax then pulled off to the distressed cry of his lover.

“Shh Luv, just need some of this.” He took a handful of lube – far more than was really necessary, and gently lifted Xander’s legs up, “Hold your knees love… that’s it.” As one hand caressed the soft sac and stroked the now near painful hardness, a well lubed finger on the other insinuated itself into his tight hole, pausing momentarily before beginning to work its way in and out. The hand on the member was replaced by a mouth as two fingers slid in and began to stretch him further, then twisted and pressed against the soft nub inside causing Alexander to cry out and come in his Suzerain’s mouth.

Spike swallowed the salty fluid and then pushed in a third finger, still sucking the softening member until it began to twitch to life again. Releasing the now reinvigorated hardness of his Companion, the Suzerain pulled out his fingers and leaned forward to kiss his Chosen, Alexander tasting his own spendings on the invading tongue, as a large, slick harness entered him slowly.

The human pulled away from the kiss and pushed up into the invasion, groaning in pleasure as the shaft found his prostate and slid past. Both stilled for a moment before Spike began to move ever so slowly and gently, sliding in and out watching his dear Companion’s face for any sign of distress, but dark chocolate eyes had shifted to black with the passion of the moment and stared lovingly into Spike’s own deep ocean blue.

“Please Suzerain… Please! Spike… Ohhhhhh.” Another pass of his prostate and the human pushed up from the bed so hard that it prevented Spike from withdrawing at all. “I love you Suzerain… Please… Harder Suzerain… please!! *Now*. Harder!”

Spike complied, driving into his willing Claimed, taking his mouth and caressing his manhood with a speed that matched his own thrusts.
They moved as one until Alexander felt the erratic pace, heard the unneeded breaths and then the bite – this time not his claiming mark but another, deeper bite not able to be concealed by a collar –it would be a public statement once healed. Just the mere thought brought Alexander to completion and the Suzerain followed him.

The two lay sated for a few minutes. Both contented to rest in the sticky aftermath of their coupling for a time but eventually there was a shower. The Companion all but relaxed into sleep as he was sponged down then towelled dry by his claimer. The compliant Alexander was led back to the bed, where he was graced with loving touches and passionate kisses before being bitten then drained to the shy side of oblivion, followed by a full feeding of the Suzerain’s blood. As the Companion slowly regained consciousness courtesy of Spike’s blood, the awakening was to the softest of caresses and the feeling of being entwined with… his everything. The Suzerain was in him, blood and seed, and he had been, and was still, *loved*, the connection was absolute and he truly was the Claimed of the Suzerain.

Alexander had struggled to comprehend the many changing demands of the Suzerain since his arrival but now was sure of his place at a visceral level. He felt… complete and sent a prayer to any who would listen to a mere human, that this might endure until he was no more. Then he joined Spike in slumber.
…………………….

PART 11

Alexander woke the following day, late afternoon to a pale hand gently stroking through his longish locks and crystal blue eyes staring lovingly at him, the contentment of the quiet moment just… perfect.

Finally Spike leaned forward, kissed him chastely on the lips before rolling away and making to get up. Assuming it was to bathe, Alexander knew that he should attend to his Suzerain as any good Companion must, so made to rise but his claimer stopped him.

“ ’Preciate your willingness Luv, but let’s just sit up ‘n sort what’s gonna happen today. ‘Cause, my pretty Claimant, now everyone can see, and we’ve renewed the vows truly and willingly on both parts… and I’m bettin’ that right now you can feel me yeah?”

Alexander had already shifted to a kneel beside his claimer and now bowed his head as he focused on the love he felt flowing from the vampire. “Oh Suzerain. It is wonderful!”

“Every vampire will smell it on you and feel some sort of a tingle, and you can bet your boots the bloody cartel spies will pick the mark from a mile, so I need you to listen, Pet. Gonna ask you to act for a while, can you do that? Not just today but maybe for months to come… you know like we do with my Childe Angelus and his bird Lisbeth. We’ll out you, but you’ve gotta remember… *anything* that happens publicly from then on is *only* an act. Story’s gonna be I was drunk and claimed you in the throws of passion as you’re such a bloody good shag.” Alexander blushed a little, if the previous night’s activities and declarations were anything to go by, there were no lies in the last part of the statement!

“But ya gotta trust me Luv…” Spike stroked down his pretty claimed’s jaw line. “I might have to hurt you in front of ‘em. Just to get those bastards to leave you alone… So I want you to take these now… and I’ll inject you just before we head to the meeting, it will block the pain until I can get you back here to heal after.” Spike handed his Claimant two capsules.

Alexander was utterly confused, “But Suzerain, if I am drugged, how am I to react in this ‘role’ you will reveal to me in the meeting.”

Spike grabbed his lover’s hand and held tight as he explained, “The premeds are just ta relax ya pet. You’ll still function. The local anaesthetic medication will be administered just prior to the ‘main event’, numbing your torso and legs. We need the timing right ‘cause you’ll lose function with loss of feeling… but just remember… You *must* react to the cruelties as you might were the words and actions real. When you hear the whip crack or hear me declaring that I will bugger you, beg as you would, cry out as though in pain, and submit as you might were you truly forced to such a position. But please Luv, my darling Alexander… Please remember… all through this day and the many to come… to the cartels, you, like Angelus and Lisbeth, might be in or out of my favour at any given time where they are concerned – but privately *nothing* changes. I love you and adore you and would have you safe. We are forever, you and I…forever!”

Alexander nodded, he knew the farce that was monthly played out with the Suzerain’s Childe and his Mate and the associated reasons.

“No else will dare touch you as you are introduced – but I will arrange for Angelus ‘risk it’, after which I will beat him publicly, then you for admitting his attentions. The ‘punishment’ must appear harsh to protect you, but please Pet… You listenin’?” Spike waited until he saw the adoring brown eye meet his then continued in an almost whisper, “*Know* in your heart that every time I snarl ‘Mine’ at you, I am telling you I adore you; every hateful word that is uttered is to keep you safe; every grunt as you pleasure me or I enter you, is only a small indication of how much I love you… deeply and truly…” Spike paused in his speech looking for acknowledgement from his Claimant. When Alexander nodded again and stared at him with utter trust and devotion, Spike let out a deliberate sigh, what they were about to do was going to challenge them both and he had only *just* re-established their relationship.

“You will not appear to the cartels for five days following today, and then you must dress and act as a ‘pleasure pet’ for a time… knowing full well that you are my Companion, my beloved and my willingly Claimed. Ergo, you may be required to attend my needs in full view of any present at court, willingly and swiftly. Can you do this Pet? Can we do this?” Spike’s last question was really directed to himself.

Alexander was caught in a moment of simply wanting to reassure, moved more swiftly than the vampire could have predicted. The Companion kissed Spike hard on the lips before pulling away sliding off the bed into a fully prostrated position in front of the Suzerain Spike. He was taken lovingly and both came simultaneously.

Spike’s own maelstrom of emotions did not prevent him scooping up his wonderful lover and carrying him to the shower. Alexander took the drugs as instructed, washed down by the blood from and open wrist. And by the time the half hour of soaping and mutual pleasuring had passed, Alexander felt someone had removed him from reality ever so slightly. He stood compliant as Spike bent him over onto the bed and lubed him extremely well, then attached an elaborate leather and steel contraption to his half erect member and scrotum. Fancy collar was replaced a chain collar and lead – one that might remain loose or choke at any moment depending on the fancy of the owner.

Alexander now sat on the bed looking definitely looking subdued, if a little dazed. The Suzerain swiftly dressed then tugged him to his feet. The meeting would begin in fifteen or so minutes, just enough time to brief his First Angelus and mate Lisbeth.

Alexander followed his Claimer down the hall on the leash.

Though initially shocked by the Companion’s attire, Angelus saw the bite and smelt the fullness of the claim so understood and was unsurprised by the plan. A little pain for Sire was worth it for the rewards later.

“So you want me to have a go at him Sire? How far?”

Spike could not help himself and growled at the thought of even his favourite Childe touching Alexander. “Do as you see fit – but you hurt him and the flaying afterward will be no act.”

Angelus nodded. He knew that if someone were to harm Lisbeth or Sire then his own reaction would be no different. “Understood Sire… So when?”

“Tonight… Meeting starts in five, let’s make a show of it around ten minutes in – gonna inject the lad just before we’re in.” Spike reached over and pulled his First into a tight hold then released, pulled open his shirt and scored his chest. “Drink Childe, and know that you are my First, my favourite. Know that I love you, and what you do for me this night is for the safety of us all.” Angelus drank long and deep knowing that the Suzerain would likely take what was his in the meeting.

And so it was.

The instant before the Suzerain and his Companion entered, Spike whispered, “Showtime pet, gonna inject you so just hold still and don’t you bloody well make a sound. With all the skill of a top surgeon, Spike bent the relaxed Xander over a nearby couch and in a parody of sex, used the position to both cover the act from his own security cameras and find the gap between two vertebrae in the lumbar region, pressing home the needle carrying the slow acting anaesthetic then swabbing his mid back with mild local anaesthetic just for good measure before dropping his own blood onto the area and disguising the medicinal scent with his own.

Angelus and Lisbeth moved from the antechamber into the meeting room. Spike waited another minute then whispered, “Showtime pet.” before striding into the room dragging the Companion behind him by a now overly tight, chain and leash.

Alexander went a little red in the face as his breathing was cut off. Spike realized belatedly and loosened it with the flick of a wrist that could have been interpreted as an act of annoyance that he was holding anything at all, growling “Now you bloody well stay there until we address this!”

The Companion stood in his usual place near the wall until looking understandably white and visibly shaking. Spike knew full well that those closest to him could smell the Claiming and see the angry claiming mark on the side of the man’s throat. Cameras built into suits and accessories recorded the scene.

The meeting progressed swiftly until a break in proceedings, around ten minutes in, gave Spike the opportunity he needed and also aware that any longer and the Companion would fall down.

“Come forward Companion and admit your misconduct… Strip!... And bloody well prostrate yourself!!!! Before I make it impossible for you to stand ever again!”

Alexander did as requested, collapsing down with relief as his legs began to wobble and give out despite his effort to control. He called out repeatedly in genuine distress at his loss of function. “Please Suzerain… Please!”

To the room of shocked cartel leaders, Spike was obviously in a blind rage and about to reprimand a Companion so publicly that it was indeed an extreme measure, consequently, they all waited in silence.

Spike continued in full game face snarling, “Your efforts last night were priceless have me drink then take you and wait for the right time then prompt the bite as I came… a *Claiming* bite no less! You have proven yourself to sickly to be my guard and now this. Perhaps whoring is better to your taste. Were it not for the fact that you are now *mine*, I would sell you to Knarr for one of his brothels!

“As it is, I wonder if anyone here would enjoy your tight little arse and a nibble, because Pleasure Pet is what you are.” Spike stared around the room challenging each cartel leader until there was only his Childe and Lisbeth left. The young female dropped her gaze immediately but Angelus had apparently taken the hint. It was time for his ‘performance’.

The leaders were amazed as the Suzerain’s First stepped forward, grinned a feral grin at his Sire and said “I’ll do the honours Sire so long as you are happy to help with the nibbling.”

Before anyone could blink, Angelus had moved with vampiric speed, had his pants open and lifted Alexander’s bare backside that, unbeknownst to his audience, was entirely numb. Angelus was just about to enter him when the Suzerain tackled him snarling to the floor, biting first his neck savagely then, before the First could regroup, bit down hard into his erect member, almost severing it. The Childe Angelus could do nothing but scream in agony then hold the injured – and now very limp and bloodied - appendage before curling into a sobbing ball.

The audience were stunned by the treatment of a favoured Childe, yet even more shocked as the Suzerain turned on his *claimed* Companion.

Spike stripped off his belt and began to beat the hapless human, who had returned to a collapsed down position and repeatedly begged forgiveness until finally the bloodied form simply whimpered a little with each stroke. Meanwhile, Spike kept up the mantra of “You are Mine! Hear me! You let him touch you!! And you were willing… but you *are* mine to destroy!”

The Suzerain eventually ceased the beating in preference to entering him using the blood from the Claimed’s own back as lubricant. He grunted and snarled as he rutted violently then bit down hard over the Claiming mark as he released inside the utterly compliant Companion.

In his haze, Alexander knew to whimper a little, then be silent. The beatings had not hurt nor the entry, but he also remembered that every time the Suzerain said ‘Mine’ it meant he was loved, and that was worthy of any whimper. Finally, near drained, the Companion passed out.

The room of ‘unshockable’ Cartel leaders were indeed shocked by the display, and all thanked their luck that they were not a part of the unpredictable Suzerain’s own household.

With the Suzerain apparently calming, Lisbeth approached and offered her neck. The Suzerain took what was rightfully his, then pushed her roughly toward her Sire. “Clean the bastard up, and I’ll deal with him *properly* later.”

None in the room missed the tears as the desperate youngster Lisbeth engaged the assistance of four minions to move the agonized figure of the First from the floor to a gurney, then carried him to their private quarters.

The Suzerain levelled cold eyes at the remaining minions, nodded at the bloodied figure of Alexander, then growled, “Now… remove this filth – put him in the ‘bed chamber’ when he wakes I will remind him of his position once more.” They hurriedly did as asked.

Spike waited until all his family were absent, then turned to the rest of the meeting and in a deadly, calm voice said, “My apologies… family!... But… Um… Anyone else care to defy the Suzerain? I’m *quite* in the mood.”

The very pregnant pause said everything. Yet it was followed by, to everyone’s amazement, the supreme leader of the Cartels choosing to continue the meeting as though nothing had happened. The shocked group sped through the remaining agenda and all departed within mere minutes of the meeting ending, relieved to leave the now blood soaked meeting room.

……………………………………………



PART 12

The violence and anger may have fooled the rest of the meeting, but Mistress Janet recognized it for what it was, a performance to protect the Companion. She noted with some satisfaction, that Alexander now bore a Claiming mark on his throat in clear view of all comers. After filing out with the rest of the cartel leaders, she headed for her dojo as expected, then doubled back, once out of sight of the others, and made for the Suzerain’s private quarters.

The minion guarding the door of the suite nodded to her grimly, rather pleased to see the Mistress, as her visits always seemed to calm the Suzerain. Everyone in the stronghold had already heard about the earlier proceedings and, without exception, were fearful. If the Suzerain considered severing his favourite Childe’s member fair punishment for an *almost* misdemeanour, then what might he do to a mere minion for a real one? If the Mistress could calm him then all for the better, but he did not envy her the task.

Once inside the suite, the Mistress could hear the anguished sobs coming from the bedroom and rushed to Spike’s aid. She found him mixing his own tears with his dribbling blood all over Alexander’s abused back and buttocks. The human himself seemed conscious but hardly lucid.

Noting the human’s complete lack of reaction to very raw wounds being touched, she understood the deception. Touching the Suzerain’s shoulder lightly she whispered, “You drugged him?”

Spike stopped his ministrations for a moment to look up at the diminutive woman with tear-filled crystal blue eyes and gave the husky reply, “Had to… can’t hurt the boy… not now… lumbar puncture… slow acting, and some pre op meds.” Mistress’s gaze dropped to what should have been a badly damaged anus then realized that Spike’s apparent rough lubing with blood had in fact disguised a very well lubed and prepared entrance – and the fact it was Alexander’s own blood meant that observers interpreted it as internal damage consistent with the apparent violence of the taking.

There was damage to his back, welts and cuts striped all over the previously unmarked flesh, but they were already beginning to disappear as the combination of vampire saliva and the Suzerain’s blood healed him swiftly. There was still no sensation at all in his lower half, so Alexander lay blissed out and compliant. He had been fed enough of the Suzerain’s blood to feel the Claiming link and truly knew the love the Suzerain had for him.

“Would you sit with him Mistress. I must attend my poor Childe. Unlike my dear claimed, his pain was very real.” Janet simply nodded and replaced Spike on the bed, stroking Alexander’s hair as he fell asleep.

The scene in Angelus and Lisbeth’s rooms was far less peaceful. A physician had been called and had stitched the damaged flesh as best he could. Angelus was still a grey colour and obviously in intense pain, despite his dear Lisbeth’s best efforts to lick the wound and feed him.

Spike pulled the girl to him and she sobbed into his chest. “Why there Suzerain? He is hurting *so* badly… Why there?”

“Shhh Pet… ‘twas the most logical place, now let’s have at the boy and sort him with some Sire’s blood yeah?”

Lisbeth nodded meekly then moved aside to let Spike tend his Childe. He bit his own tongue and laved the wound on the neck and the bloodied shaft, then sliced his chest deeply, just above the left nipple, and pulled Angelus up to suckle like a newborn, all then while stroking him and telling the Childe he was loved.

Lisbeth sourced some blood for Spike and watched as three pints were syphoned through the Suzerain’s system and into her dear mate in less than thirty minutes.

Eventually the grey tinge left Angelus skin and he fell away from his feeding position. He burped once then fell asleep. Spike gently eased the unconscious brunette onto his pillow then offered his wrist to Lisbeth, who took but two long drafts before joining her Sire on the bed to keep vigil as he healed.

A day later saw Alexander able to move his legs again, but kept on pain medication while the flesh on his back slowly repaired. Angelus too was improving, and by the third day, genuinely enjoying the Lisbeth’s ministrations as she laved his injured member. By the fifth day her ministrations resulted in him climaxing – a little painfully but very welcome.


Alexander was completely healed by day six and it was planned that he would accompany the Suzerain to the meeting on the following day.

That afternoon he had been allowed to return to his usual sparring and gym session with Mistress Janet, followed by an amorous shower with his Claimer. But the Suzerain staid his hand as he moved to dress in his usual black attire, instead the vampire pulled a large box from under the bed.

“Lie down and be still Pet, just gotta make you look the part.” Spike began by tugging and stroking his Claimed almost to climax then quickly dressed the boy’s erection in a full black leather binding that had a silver ring that slipped neatly around his scrotum. He gently lubed and prepared Alexander’s rear before applying a comfortably sized plug with hip straps to hold it secure.

The diaphanous white ‘harem’ pants that went over the top were made of material so sheer that anyone would see the bindings underneath. Spike then added jewellery – three silver bracelets and an anklet. Finally he applied kohl and mascara, dressed his hair and sprayed the Companion with the sweet scent of vanilla. Other than the bindings, Alexander felt wonderful, swiftly deciding that if being the Suzerain’s pleasure pet meant this everyday then he could stand it.

Spike spoke to him quietly as he dressed him. “You will be required to wear a lead Pet, and though I know you have been well trained as a Companion, you must follow my instructions in all things now. Ignore the audience and focus on me – no one else will touch you.”

Alexander had no doubt about that! He only had a vague recollection of his beating and the two days after, but Mistress Janet had ‘filled him in’ on the very terrifying events and the reactions of the other leaders.

As soon as they exited their rooms, the Suzerain and his disgraced Claimed Companion, now to be used as a Pleasure Pet, adopted their public roles. Alexander walked behind Spike on the lead pulled short and tight that he was almost jogging as the Suzerain swept through the building to the meeting room. Alexander was tugged into the room then pushed to the floor by the snarling Suzerain who then demanded, “Prostrate yourself to the cartel leaders and beg permission of your betters to stay.”

Alexander raised a little from the full down kneel, his hands locked behind his back and head down, long locks falling forward over his face. He thought for a moment before beginning “Esteemed Cartel leaders, though I am not worthy to be in your presence, I beg your permission that I may remain in the room for the Suzerain’s pleasure.”

The leaders simply nodded and shrugged. Many had Companions themselves, yet despite their fearsome reputations, none would treat such a well known, prize human in such a demeaning way, it was obvious that the Suzerain would make this poor Claimed Companion earn his way back into the supreme leader’s favour and who knew how long that might take with the unpredictable vampire.

“Seems they’re feeling magnanimous O ‘treasured’ human of *Mine*.” The last statement positively dripped with sarcasm and contained an unveiled threat to the audience that needed no further explanation. Alexander really only listened to the ‘mine’ and knew he was loved. “Kneel between my legs and put your head here.”

Spike opened his legs enough to make room for Alexander who did as instructed and rested his head on his beloved Suzerain’s crotch. The effect was delicious, his cheek resting on the vampire’s hardening member, and for Alexander it was mere minutes before the room fell away. His Claimer was idly stroking his hair as he dealt with matters of the cartels – this one was struggling because a drought was cutting their income; that one because of dissent in his ranks (no surprise the advice from the Suzerain involving dusty or bloody endings as appropriate); and yet another presenting a citation congratulating the Suzerain’s entire group for their assistance with the feral human problem in the previous year.

As the third speaker rose to address the meeting Spike had undid his belt, button and zipper freeing his erection. Alexander was thrilled. The pale hardness was for him – only for him. He ignored the meeting and began to lick and suck the prize in front of him, eventually rising to deftly swallow the entire cool shaft down a willing throat, past the gag reflex and into bliss. He worked the Suzerain enthusiastically, all the time wishing the angle was better, but delighted when a grunt from above signalled release and his stomach was filled with cool seed. He had felt the soft petting, then hands in his hair grabbing the locks tight as climax approached, and finally the Suzerain completing within him. He hummed quietly around the softening shaft, and with his back to the audience, was safe to raise his eyes to allowing Spike to see the look of love and devotion, and the subtle smile, before he pulled away and took a full down position facing his Claimer.

His audience saw something different and some trying to concentrate on the matters at hand were more than a little distracted by the ‘show’. With his back to them, they could clearly see that his rear was filled with a false phallus and that it was strapped in place – most had already noted the cruel full bindings covering the human’s groin. They saw the Suzerain filling the boy’s mouth with no more attention than might be afforded an appropriately sized bottle. They watched his hands tangling in the hair, apparently forcing himself deeper and pushing past the Companion’s gag reflex, all the while, keeping up the dialogue of the meeting. It was callous in the extreme. Even the most senior of leaders were shocked as he concluded, slamming into his Companion’s mouth one more time then obviously releasing with no more acknowledgement than a single grunt then pushing the hapless human back down to a full kneel.

After the final display, one of the younger demons in the audience excused himself and moved swiftly to the toilet facilities to throw up. He treated his own Companion with kindness… but then his father claimed that to be a weakness – but the alternative – one he was witnessing – was appalling. He resolve to continue *his* practice of treating his human with care and compassion and request that his younger brother represent their cartel at the meetings in future.

Once more three present understood what they were seeing, others misinterpreting. Mistress Janet’s smiled a little at Alexander’s obvious enthusiasm despite the public, carnal act.

Toward the end of the meeting, Alexander was nearly asleep when the Suzerain’s order came to kneel by the chair and present his behind. He did as instructed for the remainder of the meeting and focused entirely on his Claimer, and the role he had always had – that of listener - as behind was caressed apparently absently. Had his manhood not been bound Alexander knew he would have come at least twice as stroke after stroke moved the slim dildo ever so slightly and brushed prostate.

Eventually the group filed out, the last two turning to observe the Suzerain stripping the Companion and removing the plug in one swift move then taking him hard on the floor, fangs and penis buried deep in the boy. What they missed seeing was the loving touches, the whispered words of adoration, and Alexander’s manhood being released. Nor did they see the kissing, stroking and loving once the Suzerain had his Companion back in the suite after a second mutual climax.

An hour later, Angelus and Lisbeth were summoned to the Suzerain’s private rooms but waited until they heard the shower cease before requesting entry to the suite.

They were welcomed in by a very satisfied looking Spike leaning against the high side of a chaise lounge smoking, his darling Alexander all but asleep cradled in his beloved Claimer’s lap.

They debriefed a little regards the meeting before Spike raised a topic from *way* out of left field . “You reckon we could trace ‘is line… He’s gotta be a descendant of the whelp… too good hearted not t’ be. ‘s not a big priority – just be good to know don’t you think – after all you did give him to me the first time we re-met… remember?”

Angelus squeezed Lisbeth’s hand and smiled at Spike, “Yes Sire, I remember. What would you have us do?”

“Just see what you c’n find is all. Oh and get that breeder to bring the lad’s family in for a visit again would you? Now come – take some blood from your Sire, you too Lisbeth.”

Both took some of the precious fluid before taking their leave to seek out Alexander’s origins.

……………………

Part 13

Over the next three months, the outside world saw the Claimed companion continue his demeaning role, often observed following the Suzerain via short leash to his collar, fine gold chain attached to nipple clamps, or leather strap shackled to the hip belt and associated bindings below.

For his part, Alexander became used to being in the public eye in his ‘costume’ and silky attire. Indeed he was strangely allowed out and about far more than when he was the ‘in favour’ Companion.

Spike was taken aback by the reaction of cartel leaders to his treatment of his Companion. Several trusted rulers approached him in confidence to beg clemency for the hapless human. And when Spike suggested that it would be a sign of weakness were he to fail to teach the boy his place, he was met with a myriad of suggestions as to other less shocking ways of achieving that end.

For a group used to dismembering, dusting, and debauchery, it was a rather surprising turnaround. So the Suzerain chose to publicly adhere to the advice from his inner circle and gradually over the months began to display his ‘forgiveness’ of his errant Companion.

When it was cold, Alexander was now dressed in a fuzzy white polo necked sweater made of the softest angora, and comfortable sheepskin slippers. He had no other duties but to please the Suzerain, and every favour was returned when they were alone.

The Claimant had never felt so loved. Indeed the binding of his now near constant erection proved a blessing as time after time again, he was aroused by even the anticipation of subtle touches and whispered words from his wonderful claimer, much less a plug in his rear that began to vibrate, or nipples tugged (again) publicly… and of he was ordered to kneel?... there were just too many possibilities. Alexander found the bliss of the bedroom and their coded words of love when in public made it impossible to feel anything but happy at his lot.

It was time for the annual meeting of the full delegations from seventy three cartels worldwide. They would all make their way to what used to be Toronto in the human world.

The Suzerain’s closest allies were relieved to see that he had taken their advice on board, and was treating his Companion with a little more compassion and dressing him in thicker material, so any bindings were at least hidden. Violence to establish and maintain amongst cartel leaders, or within the cartel ranks themselves was acceptable, as was occasional cruelty to feral humans or renegade feedlot stock, but to punish a rarefied innocent like the Suzerain’s Companion for such an extended period and for an act that seemed to the onlookers, one that was a simple misunderstanding and quite out of the poor human’s control, was rather like beating a helpless puppy.

Unlike before the incident, few missed noting that the lad constantly wore a leash of some sort and consistently had his head bowed a little in the presence of his master, obscuring the pretty face under dark brown locks. But after three months, at least the Suzerain was allowing him to stand for most meetings now, and had ceased the appalling displays of using the human for pleasure and domination in public. The two demons who had dared say something were quietly pleased that they had such standing that the Suzerain might at least heed their well meaning words.

The global Cartel meetings went smoothly, other than a slight altercation regards a protection excise being charged at the borders of certain allied cartels. Some yelling and a dusted body guard later, the matter was resolved with few others in the room concerned by the minor blowup between neighbours. As soon as the violence erupted however, it was noted by several in the audience, that the Suzerain called his Companion to kneel on a cushion beside him, protected behind an enormous corporate desk at the head of the room. Alexander was idly petted for a time as the supreme leader sat bemused watching the show. Few failed to note the apparent lack of affection in the act… something Spike had thankfully honed to perfection, it seemed.

Others in the audience had heard of the recent antics of their most successful cartel ruler ever, and those who had not been present at the ‘reprimand of the Claimed and the Childe’, took the reports to be grossly exaggerated, others could care less – focusing on business only.

In any case, the rest of the afternoon/evening was devoted to territory squabbles and discussions of concessions for areas where Gaia was still raging, destabilizing regions and literally preventing the harvests for human food, ergo the harvest of humans and the few other stock remaining on the planet. The issue required more research before a decision was made the following day, and delegations departed to do their own due diligence and number crunching before attending a casual dinner just after midnight at the Suzerain’s invitation.

Alexander was pleasured, and pleasured his Claimer enthusiastically in return as soon as they were in their suite. This was followed by a second round in the shower and finally a ‘stimulating session’ before his member and scrotum were bound by gold cock ring and associated binding for his sac, with criss-crossed, fitted gold chains adorning the whole of his erection. Alexander was dressed in thick silk pants and a loose shirt of white and gold gossamer like material that had a gold sash and belt matching the Suzerain’s own woven into the material. Spike added a large gold earring, kohl, mascara, and gold dust sprinkled in his hair to finish.

After being thoroughly kissed, Spike took an unnecessary breath then sighed, “You look bloody sensational, Pet. You ready?”

Xander grinned shyly then levelled sparkling brown eyes at his Claimer, “Always ready for you my beloved Suzerain… my Claimer Williamn Master of Aurelius… Spike, I am yours.”

Spike nearly came on the spot – Alexander rarely, if ever, dared use his formal name – let alone his later alias. They kissed again desperate to comfort and reassure before melting into their public guises.

The Suzerain swept into the antechamber of the huge dining room where the cartel delegations were having drinks and being entertained by one of the most popular demon cover groups available on the planet. Several dozen pleasure humans of both genders had been provided to serve food and drink, dance, and generally act as amusement for the attending leaders and their group members.

Spike was schmoozed by numerous power hungry demons, most centuries his junior. He was now five hundred and twelve years old, and unimpressed by any sort of grovelling, but put up with it.

Just before they were ushered in to the dining room, Angelus (now ‘barely back in favour’ according to the inner cartel), approached and knelt at his Sire’s feet along with his Mate Lisbeth. He begged that his Sire, the Suzerain, allow him to sit in his rightful position at the Sire’s right, then pledged his loyalty in the time-old vampire fashion. Both he and his Childe bared their necks in full view of the group and both were taken with relish. It seemed a coldly enacted ritual, but the audience didn’t know of the sliced tongue that alternately took, and delivered back, blood to the sliced flesh, then pushed the wonderful combined liquid down willing throats as both Angelus and Lisbeth were kissed brutally. The two submissive vampires barely withheld their climaxes as the sensation of the Suzerain’s blood combined with their own was accepted in the kiss, and Angelus kissed his pretty Lisbeth in acknowledgement of her extraordinary self control before they both melted to the back of the room.

As the rest of the crowd moved into the room and located their seats, Lisbeth and Angelus found a small store room down the hall and consummated their love one more time, riding high on the Suzerain’s blood. It only took seconds for both to come and they still managed to enter the dining hall with the last few.

Half way through the meal, the Suzerain stood to address the group. He thanked them all for attending, and congratulated the organizing group, also emphasizing who in the room to approach for any special needs. The speech was short and to the point, followed by a meal that catered to all tastes: virgin human blood served at exactly the right temperature; raw and cooked flesh; and all manner of other fruit and vegetable delicacies as appropriate to dietary needs.

As soon as the band struck up and many went to dance, the Suzerain and his Companion, and Angelus and Lisbeth slipped out, closely followed by the Mistress Janet and several other senior cartel leaders. The conference was hardly over and a number of issues were going to be difficult in the coming two days.


Mid afternoon the next day found Xander kneeling at the Suzerain’s side once more. This time instructed to lean against the vampire’s leg and to *listen*. He did so, debriefing with Spike whilst others enjoyed a break and ‘high tea’ – though the food and drink on offer would hardly have suited the Savoy of old.

The biggest problem for some of the cartels breeding fauna (including humans), was keeping the random mutation level down. Other Cartels did not see that as such a problem, arguing such sporadic mutations often allowed other possibilities not yet considered. The concern was that even after over three hundred and fifty years, the fallout of biological and nuclear weapons was still taking its toll where un-registered breeders mixed feral stock with their own.

The difficulty seemed to lie with the fact that testing every captured human and new foetus’ DNA was utterly impractical. Several examples of failing to do so were trotted out for inspection by the audience of cartel delegations. A handler brought out a large young female with extremely tiny limbs but normal sized body. She was pulled out atop a large skateboard type arrangement – obviously used as a regular mode of ambulation. The woman directed the path of the vehicle with deformed appendages, it was only later that all in the room recognized her future mother status.

Her breeder argued that there was merit in keeping the traits displayed, as bleeders simply needed to eat and produce blood, emphasising her passive, pleasant nature and bodily adjustments made to accommodate her prone position – and the advantages were infinite – including less space needed and reduced control issues. Much debate ensued.

Just when the arguments died down, another enormous bound male at least seven feet tall and muscles to match, was led in by two handlers carrying electrical prods. The human stood compliant, he had obviously been gelded but the breeder insisted that he had ensured that the available sperm be saved and frozen prior to. Apparently the male was an anomaly and could produce four times the blood of a normal sized bleeder with little to no side effects. Yet another aberration that needed to be ‘preserved’ perhaps?

There was an ensuing half evening of deformed beings paraded for consideration– everything from humans with no hair and little if any nose or ears, to cows with legs barely long enough to keep their udders from the ground. There was a list of known extinctions and a number of species identified as no longer viable (ie gone within ten years). The resolution was to keep those mutants deemed viable (whether animal or vegetable) in secure facilities – harvesting DNA and where appropriate seeds (of all varieties) and eggs.

The meeting was all but adjourned when a delegate from what used to be Ireland stepped forward. On a tight leash, her wrists bound and mouth gagged, was something that caused the Suzerain and his First to inhale unnecessarily.

A tall raven haired vampire Sean, knelt in front of his Suzerain’s chair and allowed emerald green eyes to meet crystal blue as he tugged his charge until she did the same.

“My Esteemed Suzerain, this is our current problem, we have discovered a line of feral humans that are naturally magically endowed. They have been bred for their looks over a number of centuries but it seems that simply enhances their magical trace. They are not mutants per se but my cartel is concerned that we are underutilizing their worth. We would like the central organization’s permission to exploit their talents and continue to breed them and refine the line. I offer my blood as pledge that we will follow your instructions in this matter and any others.”

The room exploded in protest but Spike let the debate rage around him as he stared at the girl, as did Angelus. It was a throwback to a young version of the Sunnydale Witch Willow. Huge green eyes and pretty features along with the unmistakeable red hair, like Alexander’s resemblance to the long dead Xander, it was quite unnerving. Spike stared pointedly at Angelus. They both felt it, this was no longer a mere coincidence.

Angelus and Lisbeth departed the meeting early and followed up the new lead. They met with the Irish contingent over dinner, then departed. They missed the last day of the meetings, returning three days later with both First and Mate looking utterly exhausted as they entered the meeting chamber. Angelus still took the time to kneel at his Sire’s feet and offer his neck and the Suzerain took of family then offered his own blood to the dedicated Childer.

Despite the ceremony and emotion of the moment Angelus whispered, “We found a lead, Sire” just before taking the proffered wrist of the supreme leader. The two exhausted vampires then withdrew from the Suzerain’s presence and regrouped.

Spike wished he could quit out of the lengthy meeting with financiers but found calm and patience as his wonderful Claimed moved voluntarily to a position under the desk between his thighs and simply rested his cheek on his beloved’s growing interest.

The final resolutions were all ‘win-win’, reconfirmed Cartel regions and excises, breeding and development programs and strategies for supporting cartels with areas in environmental crisis – particularly developing breeds of humans and other species best able to survive extremes.

Issues of the pricing and supply of power and commodities were swiftly dealt with before the final dinner saw a number of special recognitions for a particularly extraordinary young demon who had put the survival of his cartel and/or the stock above his own welfare, and another who had developed new methods and mechanisms to survive the continuing unpredictability of Gaia.

It was a cold night so Alexander stood in spectacular white and gold ‘Roman senator’ like robe, his gold collar and ankle fastenings obvious to all in the room. The next meeting was set before all went off to the final dinner and finally departed for their various destination.

…………

A week after all the Cartel delegations met, Angelus and Lisbeth requested an audience, inviting Janet also. It was Lisbeth who had finally tracked down the historian, come near immortal. The Willow connection was the final clue.

Two days after the global cartel meeting, the Suzerain and Alexander escaped their compound, drove well out of town then followed his First and Lisbeth into drab dwelling at the egde of a series of catacombs that contained the records from the human era… the ‘Before’.

The three quarters Epucha demon, and passionate historian, with the unlikely name of Bob, proved not only welcoming but downright passionate about his profession. When he felt the Companion Alexander enter the room, he all but fell to his knees, steadying himself against an ancient bookshelf before saying, “One of the original line!!”

“Yeah well… that’s the point innit mate?! What the hell d’ya mean by that?” It was only seconds later that Spike realized. The demon was totally blind.

Spike was suddenly on the back foot, “But how do you?”

“He is a direct descendent of Alexander Lavelle Harris, an ex-Sunnydale Hellmouth resident and fighter for good. The smell is unmistakable as is the magical signature and the aura.” The elderly demon snorted, “What, you think I am restricted to conventional sight for my information?! Come come vampire – master or no you are brighter than that surely?!”

Spike more than a little perturbed, “Yeah well… So the boy’s got a pedigree… What else?… What of the original Xander?… And all the rest of that Sunnydale bunch while we’re at it?”

The slightly mauve coloured demon cocked his ear toward the question as an eyeless face frowned. “The man of whom you enquire, Alexander Lavelle Harris, and the strong wiccan, Willow Rosenburg, were captured at the Watcher’s council in London during the seventh month after the blackening.”

“They were taken in by the newly formed council sponsored by one Rupert Giles. He died shortly after of radiation poisoning. It seems they were taken to an old air-force silo and protected from the worst of the effects before being captured and taken deeper by a demon contingent. I have few records of the reproduction of the female…” Bob seemed to become distracted for a moment as he rifled through a number of files marked with raised dots and odd slashes that obviously meant something.

“You better be bloody well lookin’ for somethin’ or I’m gonna have your…” It was Angelus who put a calming hand on his Sire’s arm. They all needed to know, and upsetting their best lead yet was not the way to proceed.

“Ahh!! Here it is!” Bob pulled out an ancient bound book and associated DVD of information. At the time few knew whether electricity would ever be available freely again – but who knew of the true potential of geothermal, wave or hydrogen power at that point…

Up on the screen came images of Xander Harris in his mid twenties in Sunnydale, archival still images of high school, Joyce’s funeral, Anya and his engagement party, of the hole… the after. Then there were others, of him at the coven, the Watcher’s council, then photographs meant for buyers, complete with details of his history as ‘slayer’s assistant’, and the ‘brave and loyal, brunette, brown eyed, white Caucasian male’.

Apparently their residency in the new Watcher’s Council Headquarters had afforded some protection for the initial nuclear and biological attacks, but the consequent capture by demons and departure to realms below had sealed their survival.

According to the historian, the two were initially together under the protection of one owner, but Willow was eventually sold as a ‘magical breeder’ as supplies of fertile women dwindled and their owner ran short of funds.

Xander too was eventually sold to Natte’s great, great, great uncle… to become one of the first generation of Companions. His calm nature and Hellmouth beginnings leant itself to a role as man servant/pet to the rich and influential of the newly emerging demon nations. As the historian pointed out, it was a lucky human that found himself in Natte’s Great great great Aunt and Uncle’s care.

The video footage included Xander’s early days of training, including some petulance and bad temper borne of the frustration of being treated as a subordinate and pet, but later there were images of the man, Xander of Sunnydale, enthusiastically assisting Natte’s great, great, great uncle fishing, and caddying at golf, standing quietly behind the demon’s chair during a meeting and just relaxing at his master’s feet in front of a fire, head on a pillow with ‘PET’ embroidered on the same.

The remaining records were stud records and breeding charts along with numerous meticulous notations of changes made to the DNA and letters to the emerging local cartel leader indicating that Xander’s offspring would be prize possessions in the new ‘Companion’ market. With the DNA manipulation in its infancy, apparently Xander’s demon magnet status and history as a child of the Hellmouth gave him the advantage. Willow, no doubt, was similarly prized.

The breeding charts & digital photos of various generations were pointed to by their blind host, and Spike found himself increasingly annoyed. As an unchanging being whose life now spanned over half a millennia he was oddly challenged by the ‘refining’ of traits by breeders. Particularly disturbing being notes on the photos of mature human ‘breeders’ generation after generation, indicating the continuation, adjustment or cessation of the line (be it voluntary or due to unavoidable death) and any ‘extra adjustments’ that needed to be made to features/nature to ensure ‘viability’… Spike did note that the original Xander had spent his latter years as a true companion to Natte’s ancestor, after the death of a partner had the elderly demon doting on his attentive and intelligent charge. In the end they were apparently inseparable, Xander pining and dying within a month of his master’s death ten years later.

By the time the three vampires had sorted through the evidence, Spike was sitting on the floor with his Claimed in his lap, allowing Alexander to comfort him, while Angelus and Lisbeth sorted through the last of the files.

Despite his lack of sight, Bob ‘saw’ the reaction to the facts and squatted beside the supreme leader of the cartels.

“Your Companion is one of the most ancient lines. His ancestor was the perfect combination of loyalty, calm and had a magical marker that was a call of want to any demon, his survival at the Hellmouth itself testimony to his magical strength. I listened to your boy’s DNA profile, the one your First sent, and read his Aura. Your dear Claimed is indeed a direct descendant of the Sunnydale friend of the Slayer. I would not be surprised if the red haired girl you mentioned isn’t just as well ‘related.”