Chapter 8
Blame My Heart
“You can come out of your priest hole Slayer. It’s only me.” Spike leaned against the corner of the alcove.
“Spike. There’s no priest in here.” Buffy frowned at the vampire. “There isn’t even a church for miles.”
“Remind me to check if your telly actually receives the history channel.”
“Why do you care about the history channel so much? The only things you ever watch are Passions and Monty Python Oh wait, they’re really old.” Buffy smirked. “I bet they’re both featured during prime time. What are you doing here so early? I mean, it’s after lunch so it isn’t really early, but for you…”
“Yeah, I know. Creature of the night, yada yada. I’ve had enough shut eye. I knew you were comin’ over here and I’ve got to own up to a fair amount of curiosity about this apartment. During my little stroll past the door, I could hear two human heartbeats but neither one of them is Rayne. What do you say to a little visit with the occupants?”
His eyes twinkling, he added, “Unless you’d rather spend some quality time together.”
Buffy rolled her eyes and said, “No one’s doing any spending in here.” She suddenly felt a little dazed at the fleeting vision in her head.
Shaking off a mental image of standing in the alcove with Buffy pressed against him, Spike chuckled at the rejoinder. “Suit yourself luv. So what’s your plan?”
“Plan? I don’t have any plan. I was just going to knock and then force myself inside when they opened the door.”
He snorted. “You’re right, that’s not a plan it’s a home invasion. Slayer, when are you ever goin’ to learn that you should always have some kind of plan?”
Mentally shaking her head at the vampire’s familiar refrain, she replied, “Okay, then we’ll use the bracelet.”
“Because it worked so bloody well before. Remember our last outing disguised as rocks stuck to the wizard’s floor?”
“I don’t want to be a rock or a dinosaur either. Do you know that I actually dreamt about being covered in mud and getting dropped in a tar pit after that? But I doubt Margot’s ever warded this place, so it really should work.”
Spike pushed a vision of Buffy covered head to toe in mud to the back of his mind to be considered at a later time. “I’ll go along with usin’ the bracelet, providin’ I can get inside. If it doesn’t work, we go with your original idea and I’ll guard your back out here. Now what exactly are we tryin’ for?”
“Our objective is to find out who the mystery people are inside and what they’ve got to do with Rayne. See if we can find out what leverage Margot’s got on him. We need to know that it’ll continue to work.”
“Sounds good.” He grinned. “And now, you’ve got a plan. See how easy that was? Especially with yours truly here for guidance in all things nefarious.”
Buffy laughed and reached down for Spike’s hand. I never noticed how slender his fingers were before. She touched the two charms and they both grimaced at the uncomfortable sensation.
“You’d think someone as powerful as Mr. Chaplaine could do something about that icky feeling, wouldn’t you?”
“Yeah, because all wizards are so very interested in other people’s bleedin’ comfort.”
The Slayer knocked lightly on the door and they both waited impatiently. Buffy realized she still held Spike’s hand. Flustered, she let go and crossed her arms.
Spike glanced at her curiously and stuck his hands in the side pockets of his duster.
After another moment, the door opened and a familiar looking man peered out. Puzzled at not seeing anyone, he walked into the hall toward the stairs. Seizing the opportunity, the couple slipped into the apartment.
The man came back inside and closed the door. “That’s odd. There wasn’t anyone there.” He spoke to a brunette sitting at the dining room table, the remains of the leftover pizza still in front of her. “I don’t like this. How could no one be out there and yet we both heard the knock?”
The brunette shrugged. “Someone probably realized they had the wrong apartment and left before you opened the door. It’s been known to happen, Drake.”
Buffy stifled a gasp. Drake! That’s why he looked so familiar. It’s Margot’s stepson, the singer from the Bronze. She looked over at Spike. He placed a finger on his lips and nodded. He had recognized the man, too. Motioning to the wall, he and Buffy slid close together and slipped back against it.
The brunette picked at the pizza. “You’re becoming too paranoid.”
“And you’re not paranoid enough, Claire. This is a dangerous game Margot has you playing.” Buffy’s brain had stepped into overdrive. So this was Kyle’s sister, Claire. I thought everyone said she was in New York. She concentrated on the ongoing conversation.
Drake ran his hands through his hair. “When is Rayne supposed to come back here?”
“Probably pretty soon. Mom’s going to call.”
“Then I better leave. Please be careful.” Drake touched her shoulder.
Claire smiled up at him. “I’ll be fine, big brother. After all, it’s almost over.”
A cell phone on the table started ringing. Drake closed the door behind him as Claire picked it up. “Yeah?” She paused as someone on the other end-Margot?- said something.
“Fine. I’m ready. Okay. Bye.” She hung up and wheeled around to the wall where Buffy and Spike were standing.
“Okay, you’ve got about ten seconds to tell me who you are and why you’re in my apartment before I rip you into teeny tiny pieces.”
“Bloody hell. Didn’t I tell you the bracelet wouldn’t work?” Spike scowled at Buffy, who looked confusedly at Claire and held up her wrist. “How can you see us? When Mr. Chaplaine gave this to me, he swore it would work and so far it hasn’t more than it has.”
The brunette starting laughing. “My grandfather made it? Well, there’s your answer. Anything a white wizard fashions can’t be used against another white wizard without expending an enormous amount of energy, especially on someone in his own family.”
“Drake didn’t notice you; he’s not trained in the arts, so obviously it does work.” She perched on the end of the couch. “So, we must be on the same side. I’m Claire Chaplaine. Who are you exactly?”
“I’m Buffy Summers.” She joined Claire on the couch. “I’m the Slayer here on the Hellmouth and this is Spike. He and I are friends and we work together. It’s a long story and I don’t think we’ve got enough time to go over it, unless you want Ethan Rayne to catch us here but we’re actually helping your mom.”
Spike walked around the living room looking at the very expensive knickknacks and listened to the Slayer and the wizard play twenty questions. He was running his finger across the intricate pattern of what was almost certainly a late Ming dynasty vase when he heard Buffy state categorically that not only were they partners, which was a shock in itself, but that they were friends as well. Friends.
Utter shock warred with amazement and Spike caught the toe of his Doc Marten on the base of the pedestal and stumbled. Quickly catching his balance, he steadied the rocking vase and managed to mumble the requisite “sorry” when both women turned to stare at him. Bloody hell. But friends!
Buffy looked to see what had caused the graceful vampire to stumble. At a loss, she patted the couch cushion next to her. “Spike, why don’t you sit over here?”
Ignoring the interruption, Claire continued. “I can’t afford to use any dampening spells in here, so the bracelet will work fine on Ethan.”
She looked quizzically at Buffy. “So you’re a Slayer. I’ve never met one before.”
Turning to the cute but clumsy guy walking toward her, Claire added, “I can feel that you’re not human. Vampire? I’ve never met one of those either.” She grinned. “This must be my month for new experiences. So how did you two get mixed up in my mother’s glorious mess?”
Spike dropped down on the couch next to Buffy and offered a brilliant smile to both women. “Just really lucky. But now tell me something, pet, how’d I get in here without an invite?” He turned to Buffy, willingly sitting right next to him. “Was it the bracelet?”
Claire shrugged. “I don’t know anything about your bracelet, but this apartment isn’t owned by anyone I’m actually acquainted with. My mom borrowed it from a Brachin demon, so there’s your answer.” She gazed at the two blonds. “My turn. What are you two doing here?”
“We’re keeping tabs on Ethan and we followed him to this apartment yesterday.” Buffy was beginning to like Claire. “What’s going on between you and Ethan?”
“I’m doing my mom a favor, keeping Ethan in line. We’ve done a powerful joint glamour on me and love spell on Ethan. He thinks he’s in love with a blonde bimbo named Candy Apples.”
She snickered. “Candy Apples. Can you imagine how difficult it is to keep a straight face every time he says it? You see, we had to use this one type of naming ritual for the binding part of the spell and it specifically required fruit and then we needed something sweet for the love spell and well, you get the idea.”
Buffy giggled helplessly.
Waving her hand airily, the wizard continued. “I’ve been trapped in this apartment by Margot the wicked wizard until Ethan completes the ambassador thing. Then we’ll live happily ever after in wedded bliss, where I presume I’ll get to change my name, although one has to wonder if Candy Rayne is truly the best alternative.”
Claire sobered. “As you heard, obviously Drake hates it. My stepbrother doesn’t trust the magicks to hold, so he keeps running over here between gigs to check on me. He’s afraid Ethan will wake from his fruit induced haze and slice Ms. Apples into little pieces in her sleep.”
“There’s got to be another way of keepin’ him in line.”
“It was the best way we could come up with to keep really close tabs on him and yet make it appear fairly normal. He’s a strong enough wizard in his own right that we can’t really make him do anything completely out of character. This works well. He’s around here constantly and he tells me everything he’s doing.”
“But it’s not like you’re thinking. Darling Ms. Apples hasn’t peeled for him.” She grinned at the vampire’s amused snort. “Mostly I just act sexy and helpless and then turn hysterical over my situation. He doesn’t even stay overnight; we placed a suggestion that it’s much too dangerous.
It’s not a nice thing to do, I know, but Ethan’s not really a very nice guy and after all, he started the ball rolling when he brought the offer to my mom from the Gashi, so obviously, he’s in bed with them. But they’re the only ones he’s going to bed with.”
“Is there anything we can do?”
“No, I’m pretty set, except there’s only so much fast food a gal can eat. At this rate, Ms. Apples will be shaped like her name fairly soon.”
They heard a key turn in the lock. Buffy and Spike hurried to the door and when Ethan opened the door and immediately rushed toward Claire, Buffy and Spike slipped out. Claire winked at them and closed the door.
They had just reached the alcove when Spike pulled Buffy inside and hissed. “Slayer, there’s somethin’ comin’.”
Peering around the corner Buffy saw a large winged demon reach the top of the stairs. It advanced slowly down the hall and stopped at Claire’s door, cocking its head.
Buffy whispered. “That bug demon is trying to hear inside the apartment.”
“That’s a Thesa Tracker. The Overlord must have Rayne under surveillance, too.”
“If he’s being followed, Margot may be in danger.”
The demon, apparently having no more luck listening through the door than Buffy had earlier, backed up and shuffled toward the stairs. When it began the descent, she made a decision. “I’m going to see where it goes. We need to try to find out if the Thesa have figured out where Margot is hiding.”
“Be careful, Slayer, Thesa demons are incredibly tough to kill.” He lightly touched her arm. “I heard you tell Claire that I was working as your partner. Did you mean it?”
Buffy nodded, still watching the demon. “I’ve been thinking about all the things you’ve done these past few days. We make a really good team.”
Don’t be a ponce. Ask the question. “What about the rest of it?” He placed his hands on her shoulders, turning her gently toward him and searched her face. “Slayer, do you really consider us friends?”
Staring directly into his eyes, she replied gently. “It took me awhile to really figure out what I thought and for that I’m sorry. But yes, Spike, I think you’ve not only become a true friend, but you’re quite possibly the only one around me who understands what it actually means to be the Slayer.”
She lowered her eyes. “Which is why I know you won’t try to hold me back when I say I’ve got to go, I don’t want to lose the trail.”
Spike dropped his arms and stepped back. “You’re not even carryin’ a weapon.” Frustration with the situation gave his voice an edge. “With the sun still so high, you’ll have no back up either.”
“But you’re right, I would never hold you back.” Spike feigned a nonchalance he didn’t feel. “Watch yourself Slayer.”
Buffy knew what it had taken for the vampire to give in so gracefully. “I’ll be fine; I’m only going to follow it.”
She held up her wrist. “This will be enough. While I’m gone I need you to take the sewers to Giles’ apartment and tell him what we’ve found out so far. I’m going to follow the demon to ground, and then go home for dinner. I’ll meet you at sunset and we’ll weapon up. After all, I know you wouldn’t want to be deprived of a chance at a really great bloodbath.”
“Ah, you know me too well, Slayer.” Spike pushed away from the alcove wall. “I’ll see you at sunset.”
Buffy left the alcove for the stairs. Cursing his inability to accompany her, Spike stood at the landing and watched the Slayer walk out into bright afternoon sun before he turned for the sewers.
******
Margot set the porcelain bowl filled with tepid water on the table within her salt circle and mentally prepared herself. Scrying was extremely difficult, even for someone with her natural talent and years of practice. She had hit a blank wall so many times in her attempts to locate John’s Grimoire that she was almost afraid to try again. But two years ago when she’d discovered irrefutable information that the Gashi had been at fault in his death, she knew the Chieftain had it and realized she’d have to curb her infamous impatience.
Then Rayne had shown up this past spring and dropped the possibility of getting it back right in her lap and she knew the fates were finally on her side. She had readily agreed to the blood oath to insure a closer connection and a better chance at finally seeing where it was hidden.
It had been all she could do to hide her frustration and demand its return during the ceremony with the Gashi ambassador. She absolutely had to have it. With only one more week until her installation, time was running out. Margot sent a quick prayer to the Goddess, took a deep calming breath and stared into the still water.
*****
Giles, expecting Buffy when he answered the door, was unhappily surprised at his actual visitor.
“Hello, Mr. Giles.”
“Kyle.” Oh dear. “I’m sorry, but neither Buffy nor Spike are here at present.”
“Actually, I’m here to see you. My grandfather asks if you might have time for a short visit.”
“Now?”
“If you wouldn’t mind.”
“I would very much like to meet your grandfather, Kyle. I think we’ve much to discuss. Let me get my car keys and I’ll drive us both.”
*****
Spike dashed across the yard to Giles’ front door and immediately realized no one was home. Cursing, he was trying to decide what to do when he spied a familiar bicycle locked to the gate.
Luckily the Watcher’s mid life crisis car is too small to hold the junior wizard’s bike.
He needed to go back to the cemetery and pick up the Desoto. By that time it would be dark and the Slayer would have finished tailing the Thesa and be eating dinner. Spike decided to grab his own meal while at the crypt and then pick up Buffy. He could drive them both over to the wizard’s house and find her errant Watcher.
Spike lifted his blanket over his head and ran back toward the sewer entrance.
*****
Buffy was bored tailing the demon. Playing Nancy Drew wasn’t any fun at all, she would’ve much rather been killing it. That would have been fun.
She skirted a large crack in the sidewalk, keeping the Thesa demon in sight. A giant bug leaves a building in broad daylight and no one even notices or cares. Gotta love Sunnydale.
At first she’d tried to avoid gaining its attention by hiding behind signs and cars, but the demon seemed almost preprogrammed. Not paying attention to anything around it and staring strictly forward, the Thesa continued to move at the same steady pace. Finally Buffy gave up the hiding ploy completely and just went for Ms. Obvious.
Now she was just walking a block behind the demon, trying to figure out where it was headed and occasionally window shopping. She stopped to admire a cute top and almost missed seeing it turn into an abandoned building at the edge of the shopping district. Now this was more like it. She could watch where it went to ground, go back, grab a weapon and wipe out one nasty demon bug infestation.
Buffy chuckled. Instead of a sword maybe I’ll try to find a huge rolled up newspaper or an industrial sized can of raid.
Musing to herself about whether a newspaper or a magazine was the better choice for smashing bugs, she cautiously crept up to the old building and tried to peer in the window. Unable to see anything, she was surreptitiously wiping a clean spot at the corner of the filthy glass when she heard a hiss and whirled around, raising her leg to kick. A large stinger on the demon’s forearm shot out, plunging deeply into her calf. Seconds later, unconscious, she slumped to the ground.
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Author's Chapter Notes:
Not mine, ever except for the plot.
AU S5.
AU S5.