Disclaimer: I do not own
Buffy or any of its characters, unless Joss Whedon takes pity on my poor soul
and gives them to me. Anyone whes ses shall be paid in pocket lint and dirt.
Actually better make that dirt I’m running out of lint.
style='font-size:14.0pt'>***********************************************************
style='font-size:14.0pt'>
AN:
Hey everyone.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Thanks for the reviews.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Keep em coming they’re almost as good as
chocolate.
BTW
I’m a big fan of Clive Barker’s NightBreed.
*********************************************************************
style='font-size:16.0pt'>Chapter 8
style='font-size:16.0pt'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>“Anyanka!” Rebecca jumped up and moved
forward to embrace her “I’m so pleased that there’s someone else I know still
around.” She linked her arm through Anya’s and started to pull her forward “How
long have you been an emissary. Things
must really have changed. How’s
D’Hoffran?” Rebecca stopped in front of
the sofa “Anya I’d like you to meet William.” Rebecca smiled broadly “My
husband”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Spike grinned up from his seat wiggling his
fingers at her “’ello luv.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Anya looked back and forth between the pair
her eyes round with amazement “Spike is William! As in your William?” Anya
smiled at Rebecca “Let me see if I remember correctly…The most incredible,
amazing, loving, sensitive man that every existed…he writes the most
beautifully romantic poetry and has these amazing blue eyes you could just
stare into forever…That William”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Rebecca blushed as Anya repeated the words
she had used to describe William. “Yes Anyanka ...That William.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Anya eyed Spike speculatively “I see you
left a few important things out of your description.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> She turned to Rebecca and added bluntly “Was
he good in bed? You weren’t married the
last time we spoke.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Rebecca’s face flamed even redder however
she leaned over to whisper in Anya’s ear “Incredible.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Anya smiled widely “Have you had sexual
intercourse since you’ve been back. He
is a vampire now. They have the most
incredible stamina you know and the whole not needing to breathe thing.” she
gave Rebecca a wink “Definitely a plus.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Spike stared up at her amazed; if he’d been
human his face would have been the same colour as Rebecca’s
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Giles cleared his throat behind them “Um
perhaps we could attend to the matter at hand and you could leave thestyle='mso-spacerun:yes'> ...umm…catching up until a later time.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>“Giles!” Anya exclaimed happily and started
to walk towards him. Then she spotted
Xander staring at her in amazement “Oh you’re still here.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Shouldn’t you have run away by now?style='mso-spacerun:yes'> You’re very good at that.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Anya glared at him in disgust.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Xander snapped out of the daze he had been
in since he had first seen his ex-fiancé.
He jumped up reaching out to pull on her arm “An, An, I’m so sorry
please forgive me. I still love you.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Anya wrenched her arm from her grasp “SORRY
SORRY, you left ME at the alter Xander.” She moved away from him and stood
directly in front of Giles, taking a moment to compose herself.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> “Giles you called me to help you, but I
CANNOT work with that...that … MAN in the same room.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Please get rid of him.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Giles sighed “Xander could you please go
…..” he thought for a moment. He had no
idea what to do with Xander “be somewhere else.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Dawn jumped up and grabbed his arm “Come on
Xander lets go get some…..umm…doughnuts.”
She tugged him towards the front door leaving the others to deal with
Anya.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>The door closed with a thud as the two went
in search of sugary goodness.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Anya seemed to relax visibly as soon as
Xander left the room; turnturned to face the others “I see I have a lot of
catching up to do. style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Tarastyle='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>, how are things going with the shop?style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Everything ready for reopening? ”style='mso-spacerun:yes'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Tarastyle='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> nodded “All set for Monday morning.”>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Anya gave a sharp nod “Good” she turned back
to Giles “Shall we get on with it?” Anya
moved forward pulling an ornate necklace from her pocket and placing it around
her neck; she sat down, straight backed and regally surveyed those before
her. “I am Anyanka chosen emissary of
Midian. Who has called me forth?”>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Rebecca moved picked up the bowl that was
used for the spell, she kneeled before Anya holding the bowl out towards her “I
have called you emissary.” Anya reached out to touch the bowl with both hands.
“I am Rebecca the Vampire Slayer. I have
need of your counsel.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Anya looked at Rebecca for a moment before
intoning softly “style='mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>Cruentus antiquitasstyle='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>The water once again began to swirl turning
a deep rich red.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Spike leaned forward inhaling sharply.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> The scent of blood emanating from the bowl
was almost overpowering. His demon was
clamouring to come out.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Anya bought the bowl up to her lips drinking
deeply before handing it back to Rebecca her lips now glowed red from the
traces of blood left on them.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Rebecca also drank deeply from the bowl of
coopery liquid before she rose and approached Giles.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> “You have to drink or you can’t take part in
the meeting.” Giles looked ill as he
took the bowl from her “You have to take a large mouthful and you can’t wipe of
lick the blood from your lips until the meeting is over.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Giles closed his eyes tightly as he drank
hurriedly before handing the bowl back. style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Willowstyle='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>, Tara and Buffy
each took their turn drinking from the bowl grimacing at the taste of blood in
their mouths.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Rebecca moved to where Spike sat. “You can
only take one mouthful William” she looked at him in concern “Can you do that?”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Spike shifted uncomfortably the sight of
blood on the other’s lips mixed with the intoxicating scent of the blood had
his demon was screaming for release. He
concentrated on pushing his demon back down before nodding.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Rebecca handed the bowl to him whispering
“Remember, you can’t remove it from your lips.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Spike gulped down a large helping before
roughly shoving the bowl away. He had
never tasted anything like it before.
The mixture was like concentrated slayer blood he could feel the magic
and power coursing through it. The
temptation to lick his lips was overwhelming; he clenched his fists tightly as
he once again struggled with his demon.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Anya watched the others as they drank,
pleased at how Spike kept control of his demon.
Rebecca moved to sit in front of her once again nodding that they were
ready to continue.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
“style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Defendo nobis”style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> The blood on their lips glowed brightly and
a wave of magical energy raced through the room.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>“What was that?” style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Willowstyle='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> panted her whole body shaking from the
effects of the spell.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>“That was a protection spell” Anya relished
the feeling of the power flowing through her “Of sorts”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Rebecca once again moved to sit beside Spike
on the sofa “The ritual protects the meeting.
While the blood remains on our lips, the words we speak are protected.
Only those who have participated in the ritual can hear what is being said.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>“We only have a short time so ask your
questions” Anya hurried them along.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Giles spoke first “Well obviously since
ye hee here the peaceful communities still exist”style='mso-spacerun:yes'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Anya nodded “Only Midian remains the others
were wiped out during the last Great War.” Anya thought for a moment “That was
around the early 1900’s. It moves around
to avoid detection.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>“Great War, as in World War I?” questioned style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Tarastyle='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>“No before that, it was a war between humans
and demons.” Anya looked at Rebecca “Most of them didn’t see it coming, after
all we had worked with the Watchers for centuries.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> They just walked in one day and started
killing. Women, children, even the human
mates of some of the demons.” Anya
shuddered at the memory. “It was very
organised; communities all over the world were exterminated at the same time.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Rebecca stared at Anya “Why would they do
that?”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Anya shrugged “No one knew.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I heard later that a few months before there
had been some sort of demon attack on the council.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> It was said that the demon representatives
just walked in and started killing. It
waver ver confirmed because all those accused were dead.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>“What about The Slayer what was her reaction
to what was happening?” Rebecca was
feeling sick at the thought of her many demon friends dying at the hands of
those that were supposed to help protect them.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>“After you died The Slayers never seemed to
last more than a few ye Just before
everything started to get really bad there were three or four all killed within
a few months each other. Their deaths
were quite brutal and always close to one of the communities.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>“Someone was trying to overthrow the council
from the inside” they turned to look at Giles “It makes sense.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> If you want to take over the council and
control The Slayer what better way.”
Giles leaned forward his head in his hands.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Anya patted him on the back awkwardly “Yes
many that are left in Midian believe that is so, but their numbers are too
small to do anything about it.” She
turned to look at Buffy “Especially if The Sladoesdoesn’t believe that it is
possible for a demon to be good.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Buffy had started to pace the room “So this
is what has happened.” She began to check points off on her fingers “Someone,
most likely from within the council, started what?style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Setting up Slayers so they got killed of
quickly.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>“Why?” style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Willowstyle='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> questioned
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>“Well it sounds as th the they were trying
to make it look like the peaceful demons weren’t so peaceful after all.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I mean you did say that the bodies were found
near the communities.” Giles theorised.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>“Oh Oh also maybe
they were also trying to get a Slayer called that they could control” added style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Willowstyle='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Giles nodded in agreement.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Buffy started again “Ok so they had a Slayer
that they could control, next would be to get rid of the demons within the
council.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>“Not only demons luv.” Spike looked at Anya
“I’d say that anyone they believed would be a problem was wiped out.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Probably only left behind the ones still wet
behind the ears. Easier to control that
way.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>“Then they used that as an excuse to remove
any resistance from the outside.” Buffy
sat down suddenly very depressed “With all the obstacles out of the way they
could do anything they liked.” She looked at Giles “Like changing records to
show whatever they want.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>“It seems that way” Giles felt the need for
a large glass of scotch. “And the most likely suspect is…”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>“Quentin Travers” they all cried in unison.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>“But that doesn’t make any sense” Buffy said
“I know he’s like way old, but he’s not that old.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>“Yes it does seem quite an elaborate plan to
set in motion just for someone else to reap the benefits.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Giles knew he was missing something but
couldn’t quite put his finger on it.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Spike looked at them in disgust “Hello!style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Have we all forgotten that Quentin Travers is
a DEMON?”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Spike and Rebecca stared at the others in
disbelief. How could they forget that
piece of information?
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>“Well that explains a lot” stated Anya, then
she frowned “Why didn’t I sense it?”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>“He’s a Dretgo” Rebecca said reassuringly.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>“Well no wonder then”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>The others still stared at them “Huh! Wha!
Huh!” Buffy still had no idea what being a Dretgo meant.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Giles removed his glasses and began to clean
them AGAIN “It would be most helpful if you could…Damn!” he looked down at his
broken glasses in disgust before tossing them onto the coffee table. “Could you
explain to us what a Dretgo demon is? Oh
and Tarastyle='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> could you please go look in my bag for my
spare set of glasses.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Tarastyle='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> dashed out of the room wanting to get back
before she missed anything.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>“Dretgo’s are basically human, they look
human, smell human” Rebecca slid a look at Spike “Taste human but they are most
definitely NOT human.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Tarastyle='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> came rushing back in and practically threw
the glasses at Giles “Go on” she panted
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>“The main differences are...well… ’re
’re
evil. They also live for about 5000
years”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>“So Travers was likely part of the council
back in the 1800”s. Won>Wouldn’t someone
notice him not aging?” style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Willowstyle='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> thought out loud.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>“Well actually no.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Dretgo’s regenerate about every 50 years,
they age normally until they are about 75 then they go through this
metamorphoses and change back to look about 25.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>“Then what….pass themselves off as a
relative?”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Rebecca and Anya looked at each other
uncomfortably “Yes that is what they do; they usually pass themselves of as a
son or daughter.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>“Wouldn’t someone notice if a child all of a
sudden showed up out of nowhere?”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>“Well it’s not exactly out of nowhere.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Rebecca didn’t want to have to explain this
but it needed to be done. She grasped
onto Spike for support. “When two
Dretgo’s mate it’s for life, however they do take human mates as well.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> The human never knows that their husband or
wife is a demon. The Dretgo always picks
a fertile mate and breeds with them.
They will breed until the correct gender is born; any half human
children that are born and are not the correct sex or are born with a defect
are killed within a few months.” Rebecca
shifted in her seat “Once the ideal child has been born the Dretgo will then
cosset that child and its human mate.
Keeping them healthy and safe at all costs.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> They usually try and time it so that the
child will be in its mid twenties by the time they need to metamorphose.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Anya took up the story “When the Dretgo
reaches its time to transform it will take its human family to a place of
ritual where it will meet up with its demon mate.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> The family is restrained and during the
ritual the child is consumed by the parent, enabling the parent toe one on the
child’s form. The human mate is then
eaten alive by the Dretgo’s in celebration.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>The room was deathly silent as the Scoobies
digested this information. Silent tears
streamed down the girls faces and Giles was looking decidedly ill.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Buffy composed herself “We have to stop
this. We have to wipe them from the face
of the e” he” her hands curled into fists at her side and she felt the
overwhelming need to hit something. She
unconsciously looked towards Spike at that thought before once again looking
away in shame.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>“Anya is it possible for us to enlist the
aid of the residents of Midian?” Giles was already trying to form some kind of
battle plan.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>“I will speak to the elders when I
return. Does anyone have any more
questions?” Anya was tired and wanted to be able to relax.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Her back was killing her from having to sit
so straight.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>“Um I just have one” style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Willowstyle='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> waved her hand to get everyone’s attention
“You seem to be a vengeance demon again, and don’t kill me or anything, aren’t
they evil? How can you be an emissary
for a peaceful demon community?”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Rebecca answered for Anya “Vengeance demons
aren’t evil, they’re neutral. It depends
on the wish you make.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>“You wish it, I dish it” commented Anya “And
they sent me because I know Buffy. Less
likely to be slayed if you know the Slayer.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Just then Xander and Dawn returned from
their snack run. Xanders eye’s lit up
when he saw Anya was still there. “Anya
please just hear me out, let me explain.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style=-bid-bidi-font-style:italic'>Anya jumped up and started to shout,
unfortunately as the spell was still in effect so all Xander saw was Anya
gesturing wildly and moving her mouth with no sound coming out.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>>&nb>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Anya stamped her foot in frustration “You
can all break the spell now, just wipe the blood from your lips.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> She reached for a tissue when she ced ced how
Spike and Rebecca were removing theirs.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Spike’s lips were on fire the feel of the
potent blood on them had been driving him crazy.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> He quickly darted his tongue out to lick his
lips clean when he caught sight of Rebecca’s blood red lips.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> He gently caught her face and moved his mouth
towards hers; he ran his tongue across her soft lips lapping at the blood like
a kitten at milk. When her lips were
free of all traces he covered her mouth with his letting his tongue search for
any traces that may have been left. The
couple groaned and deepened their kiss.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Anya looked at the others, style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Willowstyle='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> and style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Tarastyle='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> seemed to appreciate the method Spike was
using to clean his wife. They gave each
other a sensual smile before they followed the couples lead.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Giles was desperately trying to avoid
looking at the couples while he searched for something to clean his own lips
with. Anya stood there staring at his
full lips, Xander completely forgotten.
A speculative look filled her eyes and she moved forward to sit on his
lap “Let me get that for you”. Anya let her tongue move softly across Giles’s
lips until she felt his body relax then she pressed her lips against his
seeking entrance into his mouth with her tongue.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Xander felt like his heart was breaking as
he watched Anya kiss Giles; he whirled round and rushed out.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Even the slam of the door didn’t register to
the kissing couples.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Buffy clutched her knees close to her chest
as she watched the three couples kissing.
Her eyes kept moving back to Spike and Rebecca, she felt a knot form in
her chest as tears started to fill her eyes.
Suddenly she jumped up and rushed upstairs a sob bursting forth as she
reached the bathroom and proceeded to scrub the blood from her lips.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Dawn just stood in the doorwaarinaring at
the couple trying to memorise just what it was they were doing to each other to
elicit those tiny moany sounds. She
really needed to write some of this stuff down so she and Janice could work out
what to do if they ever got boyfriends.
