The Viking Hunter

Part 9

Spike wandered through town keeping in the shadows trying to find Xander or at least one of the vamps that beat him up the other night so he could follow it. So far no such luck. Thor must be keeping a low profile in town. Spike was guessing he was avoiding having the slayer learn of his presence, he must not know that Spike was a part of their little do-gooder brigade.

After a few hours of wandering around and finding nothing Spike decided to go to Willy's and see if he was aware of the new power in town. Maybe he could find out where Thor was staying. Willy was nothing if not informed. For a sniveling, pathetic little human, Willy knew how to stay alive living on the mouth of Hell. Never choose sides and gather and give information to whoever was your biggest threat at the moment. Most demons wouldn't think twice about killing Willy if he wasn't so well informed. Spike would bet money that Willy knew what colour the slayers knickers were today.

It took Spike about a half hour to get to the bar and in that time he thought about what he would do if it turned out Xander was a vampire. He could warn the boy, get him out of town before his friends cursed him like they did to peaches last time Angelus made an appearance, or he could drag him back to the shop and restrain him until his friends cursed him. He wouldn't stake him. Not a chance in Hell. He finally decided to talk to the watcher first, if they could change the curse, no loop-holes, then he would help them re-soul the boy. Otherwise he would tell the bugger to run, vampires - souled or not - should not be forced to live without sex. Killing - whether it was for food or sport, fucking and fighting were the main attraction of their existence. Angel could do two of the three, but without the sex look at how bloody miserable he was. He wouldn't inflict that on Xander. One broody brunette in his unlife was more than enough.

Spike knew something was up with Willy the moment he entered the bar. The greasy little man paled visibly and scurried into the back room. Spike was never a patient vampire so instead of waiting at the bar like a good little vamp, he went after him.

Willy was waiting in the store room for Spike, he knew he would follow him in here and to tell the truth he was glad to see him. He wanted to deliver the message to him and get him and the letter out of his bar. For some reason ever since Xander had been in earlier that night his clientele, especially the vampires, had been acting on edge.

"H hey Spike."

"Willy. Some reason you're hiding from me?"

"Not from you, look I was hoping you'd follow me in here okay?"

"Look, you're not my type mate. Can't blame ya for finding me attractive though. I am a handsome bloke."

"Uh ... okay? I have a message for you. Here, now please leave."

"What's this then? Who's it from and who gave it to you.?"

"It's from the same person who gave it to me. He was here earlier and wrote it at the bar. He asked me to give it to you tomorrow when I drop off your blood. Seeing as you’re here now you can take it and leave. My customers have been acting strange all night, I'm surprised you haven't noticed anything."

"Oh I have, there's a sense of power hanging in the air here, just that I'm a master vampire. Things like that don't bother me much."

Spike examined the envelope in his hand, he immediately noticed the blood on the upper corner. He sniffed at it and then touched his tongue to the stain. He tasted power and age in the blood, but also youth and sadness. It was a strange sensation. He realized that the blood was probably the source of the fledgling vampires agitation.

"You tell me who gave you this, and then I'll leave and take the source of your customers aggravation with me."

"Xander, okay. The white knight is now the black knight. He came in here for a beer tonight, we talked. He asked me to give you this. Now you have it. Leave please?"

Spike stopped listening to Willy as soon as he'd heard him say the message was from Xander. He looked at the small white envelope in his hand, rather he looked at the drop of blood staining the corner of the envelope. It was a very personal thing to do, leave your blood on a message. It allowed the receiver to know things about you on an intimate level. Had Xander known what he was doing when he marked it?

Spike thrust the envelope into his pocket and left the bar. Willy sighed with relief, hopefully his customers would calm down and business would return to normal.

Spike wanted to be alone when he read over Xanders message, he couldn't go back to the shop without seeing the others and as they had no respect for his privacy the crypt was out as well. That left the one place that he was sure he wouldn't be disturbed. Xanders.

He got to the apartment building as quickly as he could while still being on the look out for trouble from Thor and his boys. Once inside he sat on the sofa and drew the letter from his pocket. He tore the envelope open and drew out the single sheet of cheap lined paper. He read.

Hey Spike,

A funny thing happened to me on the way to LA. I kinda died. Anya's dead too but not in the running around snacking on people way that I am. Look, first off let me say that I apologize for every crack I ever made about your chipped state, I understand the bloodlust a whole lot better than I ever wanted too. Also while I'm on a roll here, Angelus and Dru. I get it now. My Sire, geez I never thought I'd say that, I hate the bastard! He killed me, let one of his greasy minions eat Anya and then introduced me to the wonderful world of male/male sex. Not something I really wanted to explore as one of the pulse-bearing, breathing types. So yeah, I get it now. I'm sorry I was such a bastard to you.

I think something went wrong with my turning, actually I know something did. I still have my soul Spike. I don't know why or how. I do however know that sex is not an issue so I must not be cursed like Angel. I sort of hope you can smooth things over with the guys before they see me and go stake happy.

The other reason why I'm sending you this message is to warn you. My Sire, his name is Thor, if that means anything, is hunting you. The other night when those minions grabbed you was just a test. He was watching, seeing how you fight. I was there, I don't know if you saw him or me but I got him to let you go. What happened when we got home ... let's just say you owe me pal! Okay, so no use trying to convince another vampire that sex is a chore, you would never buy it. But still you owe me for shortening your beating.

I'm going to try to get away from him but it won't be easy. I have a soul but he's my Sire. I know you can understand this. Running won't help you Spike. He expects it, wants it even. He loves the thrill of the hunt. He's old and powerful and unlike any vampire I've ever heard about. He feeds mostly from willing donors, and hunts master vampires for sport. Be careful.

Don't show this letter to anyone okay? The sex part will probably freak them all out. Well you can show it to G-Man if you have to but make sure you tell me the look on his face when he reads it! Take care of my girls for me. If I never see them again it won't be for lack of trying. I will come back if I can.

Xander.

Spike folded the letter up and put it back in the envelope. He tore the bloodstained corner off and then shoved the envelope back in his pocket. He looked at the stained scrap of paper in his hand. Closing his eyes he put the tiny fragment in his mouth and let it sit on his tongue for a long time before he swallowed it.