tessarin (![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} tessarin) wrote,@ 2008-04-17 19:14:00 |
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| Entry tags: | btvs_fic, by_eries_shore, faith/xander |
BTVSFIC - By Erie's shore - 15 3/?
Title: By Erie's shore
Author tessarin
Rating: 15
Characters: Faith/Xander, Giles, Willow,ensemble
Summary: By the shores of Lake Erie dark forces stir within and without recovering their strength. Faith and Xander struggle towards a new understanding and the forces of the Old and New Council prepare for a new battle.
Warnings; Language (Faith is in it after all)
Disclaimer: Buffy the vampire slayer is owned by Fox. All characters bar original characters are copyrighted by Fox and Mutant Enemy.
Author's Note: This fic is the sequel to 'Running on' and takes place during the following December . As such reading the earlier story is recommended.Thanks to w00hoo for the beta.
"You're a fucking dead man Xander," snarled Faith, as Caridad finished primping her hair before the young Slayer stepped back with a wide grin and snapped a picture.
"Ah, ah what did we say about appropriate language young lady," scolded Xander, his voice distant and crackly, virtue of emanating from a small earpiece tucked into her left ear.
She could still hear the smirk behind the words though. Bastard was damn lucky he was all warm and snug tucked up in the surveillance van. It’s white boxy shape well concealed in the trees about a couple hundred yards away.
"You're still dead Xander it's so fucking freezing out here that my nipples are freezing off."
"You're just sore that you lost the bet." Xander teased. "Although I've got to say you look truly scrumptious in that get up."
"What getting a good view on your perv cam," she taunted, giving the finger in the direction of the van.
"Hey you should just enjoy it, and like I said you look really nice," answered Xander. His tone sounded wistful as he attempted to placate her.
Well nice wasn't the word Faith would use to describe her getup. Sure the silky red dress that hugged her curves in all the right places wasn't too bad, despite it being so thin that she felt like an over sized strawberry Popsicle. No it was the damn ivy complete with berries and snowdrops entwined in her hair that was the real killer. Red had told her it was traditional, all the while trying and failing to suppress the smirk that kept tweaking her lips. She had eventually given in and gleefully cackled away, all the while explaining to Faith about her role in the upcoming celebrations of Saturn or something. That was until Xander had come in scolded her and then with a mischievous grin slapped the manacles on her.
Faith had decided that Red was going to die as well when she got free; still she had to admit with a wry grin the idea of her playing the part of a virgin sacrifice was kinda amusing.
"Fucking watch it will you.” Faith snapped as she was wrenched back from her daydream, as someone tightened her bindings. She glared around at the crowd of smirking Slayers who were busy preparing her for her part in this charade.
The Slayer who was the target of her anger flinched slightly and glanced nervously over towards Rona. Faith snorted, as she caught sight of Rona’s face. She was the only one other than Faith who appeared not to be enjoying playing Barbie with Faith.
"Can it Faith! Just play the role as intended and maybe we can all get out of here." Rona scowled over at Faith, her dreadlocks hanging limply at the side of her face.
"You want come a little closer and say that."
"Sure," answered Rona. She bounded up the small set of steps onto the small wooden sacrificial platform and stopped, jaw jutted forward, her eyes inches from Faith, a clear sneer on her face. "You may be banging the boss, but this is my gig, now why don’t you be a nice little Slayer and scream like a girl."
Rona stood back with a smirk before reaching out and snapping the other set of manacles closed around Faith's right arm. She stepped back nonchalantly before turning her back on Faith and striding towards the tree line.
"Bitch," mumbled Faith.
"Hey leave it. You want me to have a word with her?" Xander asked through the earpiece.
"Nah, this is my beef and my problem. I'll solve it in my own way.”
"Hey only trying to help, I mean I am the boss you're banging right," replied Xander.
"Yeah,” answered Faith. “Hey look I'm sorry, just a bit jumpy you know with the entire getup and all."
"But you look great! I know I'll treasure my picture when Caridad gets it to me, I'm thinking life sized," mused Xander.
"Perv," complained Faith, trying desperately to dislodge a piece of holly that was tickling the side of her face.
"Keep doing that it does really interesting things.”
"You know you're a dead man right. When I get free..." Faith threatened.
"Yes, but I’ll die happy just me and my photo." Xander laughed. The faint click of the microphone stopped him in his tracks. "Wait one sec..."
Faith could hear a whispered conversation going on between Xander and possibly Willow through her earpiece.
"Looks like its Showtime Faith. Now remember what I told you and scream like Penelope Pitstop. Otherwise our demon may tweak he's sticking his head somewhere it is likely to get lopped off," said Xander.
"Hey, I get out of this okay babe and maybe you won't need that photo," drawled Faith.
"Gah, open frequency," gagged Willow before adding, "take care Faith."
Faith smiled as the unmistakeable sounds of Red scolding Xander filtered through the earpiece. She turned her attention back to locating the demon. The heads up said it was close but she still couldn't see any sign of what according to the briefing should be a big motherfu... Oh yeah something was definitely very hinky. Either she was still somewhat woozy from last night, which was entirely possible, or the ground had just moved.
The ground violently heaved again and the wooden floor of the fake sacrificial altar groaned upwards, at first bending under the strain and then snapping. Faith was spattered with snow and mud as the demon burst from the ground about ten feet away, shooting ever upwards into the sky until it towered over her. A great white worm, its maw filled around its circumference with a double row of razor sharp teeth. It swayed, gulping in great mouthfuls of air and dispelling such noxious fumes that Faith almost gagged.
Instead she did the only thing she could at that point, she remembered to scream. Which maybe wasn't the brightest idea she had ever had as the demon's sightless face turned towards her and the maw suddenly lunged downwards. Straight towards where she waited as a supposedly helpless sacrificial offering.
Faith tugged hard on the fake manacles, bastard things failed to give instead of snapping open they dug in violently almost wrenching her damned arm off.
She braced again, muscles bunching and pulled, this time much harder.
*******
"Something's wrong," said Xander. He looked worried as he glanced up from his study of the monitors towards Willow.
"What?" Willow asked. She looked a little non plussed but then suddenly she had to lean backwards as Xander lunged from his seat besides her and dived towards the rear doors of the van.
"Faith's in trouble. Get the others," shouted Xander. He stumbled out of the doors and landed flat on his face before scrambling to his feet and taking off at a run towards where the white worm towered over Faith.
******
"Come on you bitch break," screamed Faith, as she strained against the manacles.
There was a sound of splintering wood and then she was stumbling free. The manacles whip lashing into her side sending red hot pain lancing up her side. Still it was just in time, as the demon plunged downwards slamming through the space she had just vacated destroying what remained of the altar. The other post was casually tossed twirling into the air before it slammed into her back, sending her sprawling and pinning her to the ground.
“Aarrgh, bitch,” she ground out. She managed to wriggle free and rolled to one side before coming to her feet the gold chain still attached to her manacle swinging like a makeshift morning star in her hand.
What the fuck? Faith looked widely around, the action tossing the remaining portions of her ruined hair decoration to the ground but there was still no sign of the demon. Just Xander, and a bunch of probies running hell for leather towards her. He was shouting something, but she couldn’t make sense of it, all she could hear was a low thrum through the soles of her feet.
She rolled to one side just as the demon broke surface to the left of her. The buckling ground almost spinning her off balance but the hem of her red dress finished the job, tripping her up and sending her sprawling on the ground. The demon swayed above her as she scrambled away, fingers tearing away at the partially torn red silk. But the demon’s attention wasn’t on her instead its head swung away towards the racket being made from the direction…
Then with a roar it was gone, ploughing away just under the surface towards the source of the sound.
Towards Xander.
Xander who was busy jumping up and down and shouting like a madman to draw its attention away from her. She could hear him now something about, “tremors.” Well duh she got that…Ah she got the doofus now as the demon broke ground near them and he and his accompanying Slayers went dead still.
The demon thrashed around smacking Rona to one side before plunging back in to the frozen ground. Faith could see the battleaxe they had secreted in the altar lying on the ground about twenty feet from her. Problem was the demon, which was ploughing a large trench in a spiral gradually out from the point where Xander and his team of Slayers thought they had cornered it.
“Faith no,” shouted Xander, as she started to run, but it was too late she was already rapidly covering the ground. The demon hearing the rhythmic beating of her bare feet on the cold ground, turned towards her and started coming on like a freight train.
Her fingers grasped the handle of the axe and she threw herself into the air, twisting sideways as the demon burst forth.
“Surprise,” she growled, swinging the axe, its blade slamming into the side of the demon carving a huge slice of white flesh free. She landed heavily as the howling demon snapped futilely at the air around her, her blade tracing circles in the cold air.
Slice after slice. Until strong arms went around her waist stilling her in mid-swing.
“It’s okay. He’s truly sliced and diced now.” Xander soothed his breath warm in her ear.
She couldn’t help her self; she tensed up, she still wasn’t used to this shit despite almost two months of it now.
“Let go.” Faith snapped wrenching her self free, ignoring the hurt look Xander sent in her direction.
“You okay?” he asked, his hands twitching at his side, before he shoved them into the pockets of his jeans resistingthe urge to reach out towards her.
“What do you think, I could have…” Faith paused, her breath catching in her throat; she let the swinging axe drop with a wry grin.
“So what happened?” Xander asked, reaching out, taking her hand and giving it a gentle squeeze, then stepping closer when she didn’t rip it off.
“Damn manacles got stuck,” she growled, swinging the remnants of the chain.
“Ah.” Xander said. “Can I?”
“Here,” replied Faith, slapping the chain into his hands.
“What the…” Xander growled suddenly dropping her hand like it was molten metal.
“What the hell are these?”
“Manacles, what the hell do they look like,” she answered, perplexed by the angry cast to Xander’s features.
“Yeah they are, they’re certainly not the flimsy’s I picked out for the job. Hey Rona what the hell are these.” Xander glared in the direction of Rona
“Like she said manacles,” said Rona. She shrugged and sauntered casually over despite her heavily bruised face and squatted down besides them.
“Well they’re not the right ones,” snapped Xander.
“Hey, look buddy one end was clipped around her arm so don’t go looking to pass the blame.” Rona surged to her feet.
“Besides she’s okay isn’t she, so no harm done.” Rona smirked and stepped away, her shoulder colliding with Trudy’s as she stalked away.
“Hey I’m not done with you,” shouted Xander. He surged to his feet and started after the Slayer.
“Hey babe, just drop it alright. She’s right I’m okay and the jobs done, right,” said Faith, her hand snaking out and grabbing a hold of Xander’s shoulder.
“She’s right Xander, leave her, I’ll have a word later,” suggested Trudy. The young Slayer smiled sadly as she looked over her shoulder at the retreating back of Rona.
“So Faith is this a new look for you?” Trudy gestured at Faith’s dishevelled and ruined getup not bothering to conceal her grin.
“You see this?” Faith grinned giving the younger Slayer the bird.
“Oh I’m hurt, guess you’ll not be wanting this then,” said Trudy, producing Faith’s heavy winter coat from behind her back.
“Give that here.” Faith growled stifling an involuntary shudder.
“Not until you say pretty please.” Trudy laughed.
“Oh you’re so going to pay, its fucking freezing,” snapped Faith, as Trudy danced away out of reach of her lunge.
“You want it you’ll have to come and get it,” teased Trudy, her own reddy auburn hair fluttering in the cold morning wind.
“Be right back babe,” said Faith kissing Xander quickly before taking off with a whoop after Trudy.
*****
“So are you okay?” asked Willow.
“Yeah, but I think we might have a problem,” replied Xander, dropping the severed manacle chain in to Willow’s hands.
“You surely can’t think it was deliberate?” asked Willow, frowning as her fingers danced across the surface of the gold chain, her frown getting progressively more pronounced as she took in the difference in weight and metal between these and the chains they had teasingly bedecked Faith in previously.
“I don’t know Wills, its just…” Xander trailed off and turned to his friend with an apologetic shrug.
“Look I know Rona can be a bit…” She paused, taking a moment to collect her thoughts. “It’s just it’s complicated.”
“How?”
“Well she sort of blames Faith for Vi’s death,” ventured Willow.
“What, and she thinks Faith doesn’t,” said Xander with such vehemence that Willow took a step backwards.
“Hey, I’m sorry,” said Xander. “It’s just...”
He trailed off unwilling as yet to tell Willow more. It would somehow feel like a betrayal if he revealed all the nightmares he witnessed. He knew it was selfish in a way but he sort of liked being the only one who knew or got to see that side of Faith. The side that stilled when he held her, the side that needed him to help chase away the nightmares.
“I don’t think this is Rona’s work? It’s just not her, if you know what I mean,” said Willow.
"Neither do I." Xander sighed. "It still means I’ve got to figure out what went wrong though. The girls are getting a bit sloppy with the holiday coming up. I swear some of them think all the demons go home for Christmas."
"My you're a right Mr Cranky," teased Willow. “Let me guess whose not getting enough sleep."
"Well I can't help it if my services are needed by the ladies." Xander grinned and waggled his eyebrows at Willow causing her to reply with an exaggerated eye roll.
"Ladies?" Willow queried.
"I meant Faith. Oh god, please don't tell her,” pleaded Xander, desperately looking round for his girlfriend. He spotted her right behind them, so busted.
"Tell me what?"
"Oh about how Xander is such a stallion because he has to serve all his ladies," said Willow. She didn't even blush noticed Xander annoyed.
"Traitor.”
"Dead man."
"So who are these others exactly?" Faith asked the menace clear in her voice.
"Nobody, nobody, it was just an expression.....," stuttered Xander, before he caught the knowing smirk exchanged between Willow and Faith. "Hey not fair. For that missy tonight I'll be withholding my services."
"Yeah, like you would ever be able to follow through on that," teased Faith, slinking up to him, her bulky winter coat doing little to mask her figure or to stop his imagination running riot. She smirked, amusement dancing in her eyes before stepping away.
"So Red you got a sec? Cause I kind of have something to ask you," asked Faith, suddenly serious.
"Hey not fair," complained Xander.
"Hey just some righteous payback babe," drawled Faith.
"You can talk to me if you want," suggested Trudy with such cheesy puppy dog eyes.
"You, you're supposed to warn me when she's on my blind side," scolded Xander enveloping Trudy in a hug.
"So why don't you tell me what my favourite Slayer is planning for the holidays." He grinned, throwing an arm around Trudy’s shoulders.
“She’s watching my butt right?”
Trudy looked over her shoulder and caught sight of Faith doing just that. Faith grinned holding her finger up to her lips.
"Nah," said Trudy.
*****
"Sorry about... you know," said Willow, her boots shuffling in the snow as they walked back towards the van.
Faith could see the rest of the Slayers and Witches assigned to this takedown were now involved in the cleanup. Cleanup which mainly seemed to consist of the Slayers making sure that all the bits of the demons got destroyed in an impromptu winter marshmallow toasting.
"No probs Red wasn't your fault," replied Faith.
"But," objected Willow
"No buts, hell I'm not even mad at Xander, although I should be it was his whacked plan that landed me in this getup.”
She grinned over at Willow. "Sides it was worth it to see that look on his face. I've seen a great Dane with a mouthful of kibble who had less drool."
And if anything was making her mad it was that she wasn't going to be able to give the getup a test drive.
"Look Faith about R..." Willow started subsiding as Faith shrugged her shoulders.
"You needn't worry on that score. I'm not going to do anything. That was just trash talk to keep up my rep, you understand. Can't have them thinking I've gone soft. It's bad enough with me and X, you know, bumping the uglies."
"Hey I thought we agreed, no unwanted visuals," complained Willow, glaring over at Faith before her lips quirked upwards in a smile. "So what did you want to talk to me about?"
"Ah, this is kinda difficult..." Faith answered, glancing around as if checking to make sure they weren't being overheard before hugging her arms tightly around her.
God why was this so hard, her face felt warm and she felt like a total spaz, plus Willow looked. Well Willow looked... Faith couldn't put words to the look on Willow's face.
"So tell me." Willow huffed and started tapping her foot impatiently.
So Faith did.
*****
"They seem to be taking longer than expected." Robin observed clearing away the last of the plates in the kitchen.
"They do," replied Giles.
"You're not worried?" asked Robin.
"Hardly, I mean Faith and six other Slayers as well as three Witches. Not to mention Xander and Willow should be plenty to deal with this demon," replied Giles setting his cup down on the table. “Although you're right they do seem to be taking longer than expected."
"Shall I give Willow a call? There's not much chance of Faith answering hers even if she was talking to me," said Robin.
“No. I think we should leave it a while,” countered Giles.
“Look whilst Faith and I might not have lasted. In fact you could say it was surprising we lasted as long as we did. I do still care for her,” replied Robin.
“Good, I was hoping you would say that as I wanted to ask you something whilst everyone is out,” said Giles.
“And it involves Faith?” Robin replied with a wry grin.
“Yes. You know that Slazenger and Hartford are flying in from Cairo in a couple of day’s time?” asked Giles.
“I figured as much. So are you intending to have another high council meeting?” asked Robin.
“Yes and Faith’s connected with that,” answered Giles.
“Really?” Robin replied he sounded anything but convinced.
“Well you know that the present council has equal numbers of Watchers and Slayers six of each, part of the reforms we agreed with Buffy,” said Giles.
“Yes. Where exactly are you going with this Rupert?” asked Robin.
“If you’ll permit me it will be clear soon enough,” responded Giles with a smile.
“Go on then, although I think I can see where this is heading.”
“Well since the beginning there has been one of the two permanent seats unfilled on the Slayer’s side,” said Giles.
“And let me guess, you want to offer this vacancy to Faith?” Robin couldn’t hide his obvious amusement.
“Yes. Although I fail to see what is so amusing about the suggestion,” replied Giles somewhat hotly.
“Well other than the fact that she’ll hate it, all those boring meetings and reports. You obviously think there will be a problem otherwise you wouldn’t be talking to me,” said Robin.
“Well the thought had crossed my mind but I think it’s important that we make the offer, even if she does turn it down. It’s a matter of showing how much we value her and how much…”
“We trust her. I get it Rupert and I agree. There’s no way in hell she’ll accept though. You haven’t asked her have you?” said Robin.
“Not yet. I wanted to have something to offer her which is why I needed to know where you stood before I brought it up in council. Slazenger and Hartford are from the old guard.”
“But I thought they were moderates. Both you and Buffy seemed happy enough with their continued membership of the council along with Zabuto,” said Robin.
“True and certainly they’ve done nothing to suggest they’re anything other than happy with the new order,” replied Giles.
“I sense there’s a but coming,” said Robin.
“Yes well they were members of the old council after all and thus they would all be aware of Faith’s past. They would certainly know about the wet team.” Giles shifted uncomfortably.
“So you don’t think they’ll react favourably to your suggestion,” said Robin.
“No, in fact I fear they may think I’m following Caesar’s precedent,” responded Giles.
“And stocking the council with your supporters, hardened legionaries from the wars, they have met her haven’t they,” asked Robin.
“Yes, but they are right to be concerned in a way as I am her watcher,” replied Giles.
“Well they’re idiots if they think she’ll be a tame vote any more than Buffy, Xander or Willow are.”
“Quite, so can I count on your support?” asked Giles.
“Of course Rupert,” said Robin. “Although, if you wouldn’t mind. I want to be there when you offer the position to Faith.” Robin grinned, amusement still written clearly on his face.
“Good.” Giles smiled in return before picking up the teapot. “More tea?”
“Thank you,” replied Robin, sliding his cup over for a refill. “Do you mind if I ask you a question?”
“No, ask away,” replied Giles.
“Now what exactly happened in Dover?”
“You’ve read the reports?” asked Giles.
“Oh yes, but somehow I’m sensing not everything ended up in the report. So why don’t you tell me exactly what happened.”
********
"You're kidding me right?" Willow looked shocked which was not a good start to this conversation.
"No. Look if you're going to make it such a big deal. I knew I should have kept my trap shut," complained Faith, starting to stamp off towards the van.
"Hey, wait up. Look I'm sorry. It’s just..." The red head trailed off. "Of course I'll help it was just unexpected."
"Yeah well it’s not something that I've exactly had a call to do. Usually its wham bam thank you sir, never sort of get that far. Besides I'm usually the one who gets all the goodies you know," answered Faith with a shrug.
"But surely you have some idea?" asked Willow. "Have you asked Xander?"
"Well I figured that I would just go with a red bow and me..." Faith trailed off with a knowing smirk.
"Yes Missy I get the idea," answered Willow rolling her eyes. "But since you're here I gather there was a but?"
"Yeah I thought I might try something classier you know. Didn't get the chance with Robin and thought it would show Xander the new me."
"Faith, I think Xander's pretty happy with you as you are," replied Willow sadly. "In fact I haven't seen him this happy in years."
"God don't go maudlin on me Red. I was asking for your help buying Xander a present not an agony aunt.”
"Hey I'm too young to be an agony aunt, plus remember, seen the inside of your head Faith, in case you've forgotten. Oh scrub that you probably have, given your one track mind and all."
"Ow, claws out," complained Faith.
"Thank you," replied Willow, visibly preening. "So you talk, I know you do, didn't that give you any ideas."
"What, you eavesdropping Red.”
"Hard not to when our room is near yours, do you think you could, you know," grumbled Willow.
"What not getting any?”
"Am so," complained Willow, suddenly going a bright shade of red that almost matched her hair and had Faith chortling.
"So you going to help or what? As I'm dying and I swear if I try going Christmas shopping again there will be fatalities.”
"One condition," said Willow.
"Look much as I like you and squirt I don't swing that way."
"Oh god you're as one track as Xander," groaned Willow.
"So shoot."
"Okay, you promise," asked Willow, "no finger crossing."
"Fine I promise," replied Faith, rolling her eyes so obviously Willow had to stifle a giggle.
"Now since Buffy isn't here, as payment for my services you'll have to fill in, so I expect lots of vicarious girl talk," answered Willow, adding with an evil glint in her eye, "about Xander."
"Can't I do the threesome instead," groaned Faith.
"Too late.” Willow stifled a giggle.
"Deal, although no painting of nails or I'm out of there and no word of this to anyone or you're a dead Witch understood."
"Absolutely.”
****
“So are you going to tell me what is bugging you, or do I have to break out the thumb screws,” asked Giles, sipping at his tea as he regarded Robin over the rim of the cup.
Robin sighed running a hand over his bald head. He sipped his tea before turning to Giles. Giles could tell the man was stealing himself, readying himself to admit to what he clearly thought was a mistake or a problem.
“Come on Robin. Look if it will make it easier you must know I fully trust your judgement,” said Giles.
“I know, otherwise you wouldn’t have trusted me to handle the council’s affairs in Europe,” replied Robin. “Look maybe its nothing Giles, maybe its just being away for the first time in 6 months.”
“Maybe,” agreed Giles.
“Who would have thought that I would have found so much to tie me to Europe? Hell the only time I had ever been out of the States was for trips down to Cancun or day trips to Canada,” replied Robin with a wry shake of the head.
“Is this to do with young Jez’s mission?” asked Giles.
“Yes, I checked in earlier with Wilhelmina and she hadn’t heard anything back. In fact she sounded quite worried,” replied Robin.
“And you’re worried that something has gone wrong and therefore feel responsible,” said Giles.
“Yes,” replied Robin.
“Well you are, responsible that is,” replied Giles.
“And that’s supposed to help how?” answered Robin.
“Its not, but it’s the truth,” answered Giles, setting down his cup and looking the younger man straight in the eye.
“Look you obviously felt there was something off about this purchase of Buford Manor or you wouldn’t have sent Jez to investigate it,” replied Giles.
“Well I did, I did tell Jez about doing a quick scout,” answered Robin.
“But you’re afraid she didn’t listen,” said Giles.
“If you had met her you would understand. Let’s just say she’s a little like a Slayer of our mutual acquaintance,” replied Robin.
“Ah,” replied Giles. “But you arranged backup and you trust Wilhelmina.”
“Yes,” replied Robin.
“All you can do Robin is trust them. I realised a long time ago we cannot protect them against the darkness. In fact they are here to protect us against that very threat. If we molly coddle them then we do them a great disservice.”
“It doesn’t make this any easier though.” Robin sighed, burying his head in his hands.
“No it doesn’t and I’m afraid it never will,” replied Giles.
“Great thanks, now I feel truly blessed,” said Robin.
“If it helps I can ask Willow to talk with Wilhelmina. When she gets back maybe she can suggest something that may help. Plus give the local Slayer house a call. I’m sure from my recollection there are a couple of girls we can send to find out where this Jez has got to. That’s of course if they haven’t already.”
“Thanks Rupert,” replied Robin.
******
The girl struggled helplessly against her bonds. Bands of purple and black entwined around the tiny figures arms and legs as she bucked and struggled, mascara tinged tears staining her face as the Vampire ran his swollen bloody tongue along her cheek.
“Enough Marcus,” snapped the figure in the doorway to the cell as itstrode forward rapidly resolving itself into a tall robed figure.
“But she is a Slayer master,” growled the Vampire, his game face smoothing away as the ex clubbers old features masked the demon within.
“I said enough.” The figure stepped forward back handing the Vampire with such savagery that he went to one knee his head snapping back, his game face reasserting the dominanceof the demon within.
“Forgive me honoured brother,” replied Marcus, his demeanour meek whilst all the while the demon within howled for blood and vengeance.
“She must not die, at least not yet, not until we are ready,” instructed the figure, his hand reaching up to tug forward the hood of his robe.
“Why Brother?” asked Marcus.
“Why, you ask why when you should just follow the word of my order as all of your brothers and sisters should. Why?” The figure growled causing the Vampire to quail in renewed terror.
“Because I say so and because the mistress instructs it and because she is to be bait,” explained the figure the flash of pearly white teeth visible for a moment within the hood of his monks robe.
“She will serve to lure other Slayers here.”
“And what shall we do then?” Marcus asked.
“We shall kill them Brother for then they shall send her,” replied the man. His hood falling back as he gestured extravagantly at the picture of a young woman tacked to the wall.
