The Viking Hunter

Part 8

It didn't take long for the group to re-emerge from the training room. All of the girls looked as though they had, had a good cry. Dawn went to Spike and buried her head in his chest. Buffy cast him a grateful glance for caring so much for her sister. Spike nodded in return and wrapped his arms around the youngest Summers woman who had earned a place in his unbeating heart.

Willow and Tara were looking up a locator spell to use on Xander and Anya, Giles was looking for someway to mess it up with out their knowledge. If Spike's suspicions were true and Xander was indeed a vampire it would destroy Willow. He didn't want to see what foolish magic she would undoubtably use in her grief.

As soon as the sun went down Buffy was out the door to patrol. She really needed to kill some bad guys tonight. Spike settled Dawn in with the witches and headed out to track down Xander. He only hoped he found Xander before Thor and his boys found him.

Xander was feeling restless. He hating being trapped inside. When you grew up in a house like his you learned early on in life to love the great outdoors. And now that he no longer needed to fear the creatures that bumped in the night he wanted out. He wanted out now! So as soon as the sun had set he went looking for Thor to beg him if necessary to let him go out for a while.

Thor was in the library when Xander came in. He noticed the rigid way his Childe held himself. The tension poured off of him in waves. He wanted to know why he was so tense, if there was anything he could do to alleviate it.

"Alexander. You are troubled."

"I ... well I feel as though I'm suffocating. And yes I see the irony of that statement coming from a vampire. Seriously Sire. May I go out for a few hours?"

"Of course. I see no harm in that. I would ask you to feed first. This town is home to a slayer and I do not wish to draw attention."

"Of course. Um, who should I ah...bite?"

"Oh, Alexander you are truly a delight. Sit, I shall call Cassandra and Amelia. You should feed from both of them as I have not given you my blood this day."

After feeding Xander left the estate, it was the only acceptable description of the house, if Angels place was a mansion then this place was truly an estate. He had thought about going to the Magic Box but he wasn't sure if he was being followed. That ruled out the Bronze or any other place his friends went to. Sighing in disgust he headed to the only place left to him, Willy's bar.

The room fell silent when Xander walked into the dimly lit demon bar. The other patrons could tell that while he was newly made, he was very strong. Xander ignored the assorted demons and eventually they all went back to their business. Xander plopped himself on a stool at the bar and waited for Willy to come to him.

"Hey kid, tough break. It was bound to happen sooner or later hanging around with the slayer."

"Yeah. It was always a possibility. Give me a beer alright."

"Sure thing kid. Look, I gotta ask ya, who's your Sire?"

"Kinda personal don't you think."

"Well it's just, there's some weird shit going on the last few days, a lot of new vamps in town, Angel harassing me from LA to deliver blood to Spike at the watchers shop, and you come in here tonight not even dead a week and more powerful than Angelus himself. I'm just trying to figure out if I should be scared or not. You understand."

"Yeah I do. Did you say you were delivering blood to Spike?"

"Yeah. Every other day. It's going to ruin my reputation."

"I need a favor. In return I'll answer a few of your questions. Deal?"

"Deal. What do you need?"

"A pen, some paper and an envelope to start. Then I want you to deliver the envelope to Spike with his blood shipment. If you snoop, I'll find out. You don't want to cross me. What I'll do to you will make the slayers attentions feel like a lovers caress. Understood?"

"Yeah. No problem. I'll be seeing him tomorrow right after sunset. That soon enough?"

"It'll do. Now, paper, pen , envelope?"

Willy rushed off to find the requested items for the newest powerful vampire to fuck with his life. He started to seriously consider relocating off the mouth of Hell. It attracted all the weirdos and power-hungry demons. Willy placed the items on the bar in front of Xander along with another beer and hurried away. Xander wrote a brief but detailed account of his turning, including his theory of having a soul. He Also informed Spike of Anyas death. He sealed the envelope and placed a small drop of blood on the top left corner. He then motioned for Willy to return.

"I'm finished. You still want answers?"

"Uh, yeah I guess."

"Don't guess. Do you or don't you?"

"I do."

"Good enough. First, let me say that I will not name my Sire. I will tell you that he is not here to cause trouble with the slayer, he has no designs on the Hell mouth nor are we staying for any length of time. I don't know what Angels deal is, but I doubt it has anything to do with us. He's been kept in the dark about Spike's.....problem, most likely he just recently found out and this is his attempt to make it up to him and alleviate his own guilt. That's all I'm going to tell you. Now, is that sufficient to ensure that my message gets delivered?"

"S sure. no problem."

"Thank you. What do I owe you for the beers?"

"On me. Sort of a welcome to how the other half lives. Or doesn't I guess. Take your pick."

Xander nodded his acceptance of the offer and swallowed down the barely cool liquid. He stood, turned on his heel and left the bar. Hopefully Spike would take the letter for what it is. A warning. Since waking up a member of the fang club Xander had come to understand Spike in ways he never thought possible. He hoped that if they both survived this they might become friends. At least.