Lycanthrope, Vampirism, and Magick

Lycanthrope, Vampirism and Magick Chapter Seven

Storming down the stairs to the lobby of the Hyperion Spike couldn’t help but admire the way his Sire had taken his advice. In the two weeks since their confrontation, Angel had taken over everything, trying to stop Wolfram & Hart from gaining any ground to reopen the Hellmouth.

Problem was is that they still were two steps behind and didn’t know what else the evil law firm needed for their ritual. They had the chalice, but had also managed to gather a bell, ritual wand, and an ancient pentacle said to have belonged to the sorceress and famous poisoner Lucretia Borgia. From what the Watcher had said, they would still need a sword, athame, and a few other items.

Like a suitable human sacrifice; one that held a lot of power.

It was this that sent Spike flying downstairs, his poof of a Sire was convinced it was a slayer they were going after. Now that there were a bleeding mass of slayers running around after the spell Red did to help defeat the First, Spike didn’t really think it was possible, slayers were a dime a dozen and while they were powerful they just weren’t unique enough.

However Angel was down there about to call Sunnydale and make an arse of himself mooning over the slayer some more. He suspected Angel still harbored some feelings for the other blonde, mumbling something about cookies under his non-existent breath.

Oddly enough Spike found himself jealous, but over Angel, not the Slayer. After all the he’d been here for Angel the past year, not the slayer. She’d gone back to her life in Sunnydale, starting a martial arts school as a cover for training slayers. He was the one who had bullied to keep the older vampire from walking into the sun, to keep him feeding. He was the one who finally got through the thick-moussed hair that he wasn’t to blame.

And he was the one who was going to beat the poof’s ass if he’d called Sunnydale when they didn’t need them.

“Where is he?”

Fred looked up from where she was working behind the counter and pointed to the back office. “He’s in there with Wesley, they were trying to figure out what the evil lawyers wanted next. At least that’s what I think they were talking about, it’s kinda hard to tell with the door closed unless you use a glass or some sort of listening equipment and I didn’t have any. Equipment, that is, there are some glasses in the kitchen.”

Spike had to smirk at the young woman, he’d been trying his best to corrupt the girl and it seems to have worked to a certain extent. Easy to do in situations like this, she was naturally curious. “Least you tried Tex, that’s got to count for something. Know if they’ve called yet?”

“I don’t know, I haven’t seen the light come on but then again I was looking up possible swords that can be used in this ritual thingie. Did youw thw there really is a Singing Sword, like in Prince Valiant? I wonder if it really sings or if it’s just some sort of mystic vibration?”

Spike just snorted at the girl’s question, she was mostly talking to herself, and walked into the office without waiting for an invitation. Both the human and vampire in there stopped talking to see what was going on.

“Right then mates, figured out your next plan of attack, oh fearless leader? Cause trying to k thk these buggers down after the stealing, not really working.”

“And I suppose you have a plan Spike? Because they always work out so well.”

“Least I’ve tried poof, which is more than you’ve done till I used a crowbar and pulled your head out of your ass. Now you’ve gone and done the opposite, doing the boss of us routine. When the fuck are you gonna learn moderation in all things Angel?”

“You’re preaching to me about moderation?”

“Gentlemen please!” Wesley looked as if he was ready to stake them both so Spike threw himself into a chair with a growl but subsided. He was glad his Sire was working through his grief but this Lord of the Manor thing he did always got on his nerves.


The Watcher continued. “We are trying to decide on a plan of attack that will work and everyone” here he looked at both vampires, “will be satisfied with.”

“I still say we should bring Buffy here for protection.”

“And I still say there is fucking thousands of slayers now, why do you think Wolfram & Hart are out for her?” He smirked as he heard a glass being held to the door, guess Fred curiosity had been too much. Sounded like Gunn and Mr. Greenjeans were out there too.

“Because they are out to hurt me, they’re always out to hurt me and that would do it.”

Spike jumped up, growling. “What and it wouldn’t hurt you if they used one of us? What if it was Wesley here? They could be out to get him or Gunn, both are powerful. Fucking hell Angel, Fred is one of the strongest people I know, they could be out to get her? Or wouldn’t that matter?”

Angel in turn had jumped up and grabbed Spike by the collar. “Of course it matters Spike! But Buffy and Willow are different, they have supernatural powers and they are…”

“Quite capable of watching out for their own fucking selves, I should know. You’ve always underestimated the Slayer’s backup group Angelus! Call them up and let them know what’s going on but you’ll do a hell of a lot more good here trying to stop the fucking lawyers than you will playing bodyguard.” He brought his arm up and then slammed it down, breaking Angel’s hold on his collar. He turned and stormed from the room into the lobby.

Spike noticed the two humans and the green demon jump from their listening post to further down behind the desk, trying to act as if they hadn’t been listening. The tension between the two vampires was steadily getting worse, and Spike knew that Lorne had a betting pool going as to whether they’d kill each other or fuck each other senseless first.

Right now he just wanted away from his Sire, frustrated that even after all this time he still thought of Buffy first. After all, he’d gotten over the Slayer, why couldn’t Angel?

Before he could get too far Angel was there, grabbing him by the arm and pulling him around. Wesley had followed out of the office but instead of trying to stop the fight or make peace between them he was watching from the sidelines with the others.

“Jealous Spike?”

“Fuck off Tosser!”

****

Why was it his errant Childe always seemed to bring out both the best and the worst in him all at once? He’d be lost without the younger vampire, he knew that, but still it didn’t stop them from banging heads or egos. Maybe it was just a Master Vampire thing.

He’d followed Spike into the lobby, knew in a part of his brain that wasn’t effected by the scent of anger and lust rolling off his Childe that it wasn’t a good idea but he couldn’t seem to stop himself from pushing the blonde further.

“Jealous Spike?”

A part of him thrilled at the look that crossed his face before being replaced by anger.

“Fuck off Tosser!”

He hears the door to the hotel open but doesn’t stop, takes a swing at Spike that is blocked, and then returned. Before they can really get started though a new scent reaches his nose, a musk/woods/leather smell and it isn’t human. Spike scents it as well, they both tuo tho the door, eyes glinting yellow in the light. There’s a young woman, petite with short brown hair holding a baby and a man with a toddler, wide shoulders and long hair and wolf. Angel scents him again and really looks at the man.

“Xander? Xander Harris?”

“Nice to see you too again Deadboy. Can we come in or do we need to buy tickets to the big fight?”

“Well aren’t you a pretty pup? Come on in, I’m sure Peaches won’t mind.” Spike drops his demonic face first, struts up to Xander and almost purrs. “So you’re Xander eh? Red never mentioned the wolf bit whenever she talked of you.”

They walk into the lobby, the woman setting down and Xander sat the toddler down with her.

“That’s because she didn’t know, not really. Hey Lorne, good to see you man. Wesley, nice to see you out of that suit and looking a little more rugged. Guess you guys work here or something?”

“Oh yes, where are my manners? This is Fred Burkle, and Charles Gunn our associates. This is Xander Harris, he was from Sunnydale at one time, and the lady?”

“Sweet-cheeks if you need an introduction to this fine lady you haven’t been reading the paper in the past year, at least not the important parts.” Lorne comes round from behind the counter and offers his hand. “This is the famous and fabulous Phoebe Halliwell, advice columnist extraordinaire. It’s an honor to meet you Ms. Halliwell, if I didn’t know better I’d say you were an empath, some of your answers were spot on.”

“I was. An empath that is, until I lost my active powers. These are my nephews, Wyatt and Chris. Xander brought us here because we need help.”

Angel can see the confusion in her eyes as Lorne sits down next to her and puts Wyatt in his lap, the little boy burbling happily. The tableau of everyone watching the vampires fight has broken up and everyone is moving into the lobby and finding seats. He finds himself watching Xander. He had changed a lot in the past five years, and not just the wolf. Skintight clothes and an air of confidence make a hell of a difference and Angel can’t help but wonder where he’s been all this time.

Spike seems fascinated as well, circling the brunette and the slouching on the wall behind him when Xander finally gives up looking for a good place to sit and just flops on the floor near his friend. And Angel is certain it is just friends, the woman doesn’t smell of a closer association.

Phoebe looks at Xander and he can see the conversation being carried out between them.

“Okay I’m going to trust you all even though I just met you.” Once again she looks at Lorne as he bounces the baby on his knee. “As your friend here said I’m Phoebe Halliwell, of the Halliwells, I have two sisters and together we are the Charmed Ones.”

Intakes of air from two different sets of lungs and Spike stops watching Xander enough to really look at the slight woman in front of them. Angel can’t really believe it either; this young, small thing is one of the most powerful witches in the world and feared in demon circles?

“A couple weeks ago we started having more problems that usual with demons, we’re from San Francisco and we’ve been held in out home almost like a siege, and from what Xander’s and my brother-in-law can figure out it’s come big group based here in L.A. that wants the kids for crifcrifice of some kind.”

“My god, it makes sense, what better sacrifice for Wolfram & Hart than the children of the Charmed Ones. I assume they’ve tried for your Book of Shadows as well?” Wesley had started taking notes, his glasses slipping down his nose unnoticed until Fred leans forward and pushes them up with a smile.

“We thinks so, they’ve not gotten into the Manor that far yet, at least not when we were able to get out, and we haven’t really contacted them yet, they’re trying to buy us time to get somewhere safe and get it warded.”

“Right, we can do that. Fred can you get me the Wallis Codex in my office please? I think I have the supplies we will need, if not, they are easy to find.” Angel just shakes his head as Wesley continues to plan under his breath, getting an amused look from the witch.

“So this little munchkin is what set the demon world on its ear just over a year ago, he’s a cutie. I suppose you don’t get many demons not trying to kidnap the little tyke. His brother’s adorable too, look at those eyes.”

“How did you know…”

“That you were wondering about me? I read auras Honey, you had worried parent written all over yours.” Lorne just smiled.

“Could someone fill the mere mortals here, cause I’m confused, what’s a Charmed One?”

“They’re powerful witches that have been foretold to be champions for the PTB for the past couple of centuries.” Angel answered, leaning forward in his seat and looking at where Xander had been keeping quiet the entire time. The boy had definitely changed.

“What I’d like to know is how you met up with them Xander and how you got to be…”

”Xander the dog faced boy?” The brunette smirked at Angel and he felt a familiar annoyance. Maybe the boy hadn’t changed so much. “I’d think that’s pretty much obvious Angel, how else do werewolves get made? Either a mommy and daddy wolf gets together or you get bitten. Don’t worry Deadboy, I won’t be peeing on your plants or chasing the mailman, I’m housetrained.”

“Ooh got a leash boy? I’d love to see you in your collar.”

“Spike!”

”What Peaches, like you weren’t thinking the same?”

“Please Blondie, like I’d let the likes of you tie me up!”

“Xander! Little ears!” Phoebe turns a death glare on the two vampires and wolf, and Angle notices that she smirks a little at Xander. Before he can say anything though Wyatt seems to get tired of bouncing on Lorne’s knee. Seeing Xander sitting near he holds his arms out to be held.

“Unc’ Fluffy!”

Angel finds a smile on his face as he watches his Childe all but fall in the floor laughing at the wolf’s blush. “Uncle Fluffy, Xander?”

“Shut up Angel!”

“Come on Xander, after years of putting up with Deadboy you don’t expect me to pass that up do you?”

Listening to the boy growl deep in his throat and Spike start sputtering ‘Fluffy?’, Angel can’t help but feel a little bit lighter in his unbeating heart.