oooh the plot thickens...now what's a human mage doing in league (or simply using the services of more likely) with a bunch of demon minions? And how long have they been watching Spike to be sufficiently aware of his companion (Meret) and thus be prepared to catch her too? And is it Spike they're after or was it Meret all along (I remember your earlier reference to how coatl were hunted into extinction as their feathers were used in magical rituals)? Love it when a fic makes me ask more questions that it answers!

Author's Response: I'm going to have to sit on those answers for a bit. ;-) Thanks for reading!

Ah, the jig is up, now. Giles knows about the coatl. The loyal little thing certainly wouldn't stay away when she sensed his condition.

Poor duster!

Author's Response: Poor duster indeed. :-) Thanks for reviewing!

Just one typo... "...mement..." should read moment. Apart from that, perfecto!

I wonder if that was the same Mage that lost to Spike in the Poker game? Hmmm? I wonder too, has Giles changed the shower curtain? Whose red eyes are those? Don't say Giles has corrupted Tara and they're both hitting the Scotch!

I'm loving this. Love that Spike has a friend in Memet. Love that you're taking time with the story. Hopefully, establishing some Scoobie relationships prior to their getting together will help Buffy overcome her misplaced shame at falling for Spike. He's already got Tara and Dawn on his side, if he and Memet can work on Giles that'll go a long way to easing things.

The fight in the sewers with the robed demons was fairly gruesome, but I think it was no more yucky than some of the scenes I've seen on the show. That's my opinion of course. I think the rule is to err on the side of caution.

Great update, pet. Thanks again!

Author's Response: Oops! All fixed now. (And why does the mental image of Tara sitting up with Giles, drinking Scotch, make me want to giggle?) Thanks for the proofread and the review!

Meret found him, did she?. I'm curious about the mage. . . and I can wait for healthy Spuffy. . . .

Author's Response: That she did. I had to let the cat out of the bag sometime. Thanks for leaving a comment!

Yay! New chappie! I get so excited when I see this story on the Recently Added page. Happy belated Birthday, BTW!

I'm glad you put the 'worried' bit in for Giles. So many fic authors villianize him, I like Giles, despite the evil thing he did in Season Seven. (Of course, as pretty much everyone was out of character in Season Seven, maybe we can't blame him.)

Oh, pure Spike! I'm glad Meret got away. I'm eager to see Giles reaction to Meret!

Author's Response: I never pegged Giles for a villian. Stuck on his Watcher training? Yes. Saddled with a father's overprotectiveness? Definitely. Evil? Not so much. I'm glad you're liking the fic so much! Thanks for the review and the birthday well-wishing!

Another good chapter! As far as Buffy not being around so far, it will make the story all the more interesting when she does show.

Author's Response: Thanks for the vote of confidence and the review!

I like your story so far - but it's good to know we'll see more of Buffy later. I would miss it I must say. :) And good to see too that Spike noticed the danger for Meret too. So Spike beat the demons - but who is the last one standing? At last he know how to keep dry feet standing in water. But I'm glad Spike could escape the Mage and making it to Giles. *gg* And it seems too that Giles is now in the secret - Meret is there :-D

Author's Response: I'm glad you're still liking the fic. And yeah, the cat is right and truly out of the bad now. Thanks for reviewing!

The rating seems appropriate to me, if that’s what you’re worried about.

Personally I’m not concerned that this isn’t a Spuffy-centric fic. There are plenty of those already out there! I tend to agree that both our heroes need to mature for them to have a healthy relationship, and I’ve appreciated the direction you seem to be heading in this story. I will admit to anticipating seeing you develop a relationship between Spike and Buffy, but I’m happy to see you do it when it fits your story!

And poor, poor Spike! Though after his trek through the sewers I’d toss him in the shower too!


Author's Response: Whew, that's good to hear. I know how to rate movies, but writing, where fleshing out a scene if left to the reader's immagination? Yikes. Anyway, thanks for reviewing!