Chapter 14 A Very Old Demon
A/N: Faith begins to show her true colors and I've changed little things but they change everything in a big way. Enjoy.
She burns friends like a piece of wood
And she's jealous of me because she never could
Hold herself up without a spine
And she'll look me up when she's doing fine
Because the rage it burns like Chinese torture
She's just someone's favorite daughter
Spoilt and ugly as she willingly slaughters
Friends and enemies they're all the same
They'll burn her name
And crush her fame
She'll break a promise as a matter of course
Because she thinks it's fun to have no remorse
She gets what she wants and then walks away
And she doesn't give a fuck what you might say
Because it cuts her up like Irish mortar
Mother's pride is what we taught her
Soiled and petty as we happily taunt her
Friend or enemy we're all to blame
She'll burn us bad
She'll flaunt her flame
She'll make us remember, remember her name
If she sits still like she knows she could
She could win this game and be the queen for good
Save herself up for the cream of the crop
Then she'll look us up when she's ready to stop
Because the rage it burns like Chinese torture
She's just someone's favorite daughter
Spoilt and ugly as she willingly slaughters
Friends and enemies are all that came
To burn her name
Crush her flame
We're all to blame
Chinese Burn by Curve
Patrolling was like any other patrol night. Angel shot at a vampire and then threw a stake at one. Faith kicked down a vampire and then staked it. They met up looking around seeing if there were anymore at the moment.
"Wow," Faith started. "How did you learn to get so fast like that?"
"I train." Angel answered reloading his crossbow as Faith continued to stare at him. She was still thinking about that night with Xander how they had sex but she wished it was Angel. That happened two nights ago and the end of the school year would be here in three months. Angel then held up the crossbow firing at one last vampire and it was dust.
"I train to but not fast like that." Faith walked with him as he grabbed the arrow.
"I've been doing this longer also I train with Buffy." Angel answered and Faith had no idea why that name made her cringe. Maybe it's the fact that they aren't together but you can tell they wanted to be. Or maybe the way Angel looks at her there's a twinkle in his eye but when he looks at Faith there's nothing.
"Buffy makes you fast?" Faith asked as they left the cemetery.
"When you fight a two hundred and fifty year old vampire you learn a thing or two." Angel answered. Tonight was a normal patrol night except the vampires looked like they belonged to King Arthur's time. Faith nodded to the answer but she didn't like it. If Angel wasn't studying, patrolling or with the A-Team he was at Buffy's place.
The school day was over and the Seniors were receiving their admission letters or rejections. Angel did apply to several universities to see what would happen and he got accepted to every single one. Willow got accepted to the ones she applied for, Oz a fair few and Xander not so much.
"You think I'll get a letter on thin paper that says no way in crayon?" Xander asked the group as they left the campus for the day. No one answered that as Angel got to his car and would go to the mansion first. The library was destroyed and Giles had an office in the school media room but that was hardly a place to meet. Until the library was done or a new place was found the mansion would be the new meeting place.
Angel pulled up to the mansion unsure if Buffy would be awake but he needed to report about last night's patrol and headed inside. Inside the mansion Buffy was awake with Doyle and Giles and they were in the dining room. But there was one other man with them. He resembled Giles with the suit and glasses but was younger and as Buffy would say stuck up. Giles looked more annoyed than Buffy and Doyle at the moment.
"Of course training procedure has been update quite a bit since your time." The man went on as he unpacked his boxes of books.
"I have that copy," Buffy said seeing one of the books he had. "Plus the other five volumes." She added and the man looked to her like she was stupid.
"Field work has been sanction now." The man with the pompous English accent when on and that really annoyed Buffy. Giles gave her the look to remain calm. "Books and theory are wonderful but the field is where it's at. I have in fact faced two vampires under controlled circumstances."
"Well, you'll find no such thing as controlled circumstances in Sunnydale." Giles said as he was looking very annoyed. Buffy couldn't believe the Council sent this man. Giles thought with two slayers around, one being the first male slayer that has been slaying for three years the Council would have sent out an experience Watcher. But instead they get a kid. "Hello, Angel," Giles greeted the slayer as he walked into the kitchen looking around and saw a man in a suit.
Angel looked to Giles, Buffy and Doyle and they all looked unhappy. Doyle was more interested to see what was in the boxes but this man wouldn't let him touch them. The man walked right up to Angel and Giles and Buffy forgot to warn him never to walk right up to Angel. Unless you know him personally you never charge at him. Giles could already see Angel tightening up and he took a step back to avoid throwing the man down.
"Hello," The man started and Angel looked to Giles.
"New Watcher?" Angel asked and Giles nodded but it wasn't a happy nod.
"New Watcher." Giles answered and the man reached out to shake hands but Angel backed off.
"Wesley Windum Pryce," Wesley introduced himself but Angel didn't return the handshake leaving Wesley hanging. The Watcher put his hand down with a sigh. "It is an honor to be working with the first male slayer." Angel walked around the man and sat on the table while Doyle swiped a box and sat down in a chair and started to rummage.
"He evil?" Angel looked to Giles as he unbutton his over shirt and put it on the table so it was just a plain white t-shirt. Wesley thought that the Council wasn't kidding that Angel was strong. He had more muscle these days since the day he was called.
"Evil?" Wesley asked sounding confused.
"The last one was evil." Buffy answered but Wesley ignored her. He hasn't even bothered to ask who Buffy and Doyle were letting alone learn their names.
"Ah, Misses Post we all heard but I can assure you mister Giles has checked my credentials." Wesley said and Angel nodded. "Now, how about you tell me everything about last night's patrol." Wesley grabbed a pad and a pen to take notes and Angel looked to Giles asking with his eyes if this was guy was for real.
"Humor him for now." Giles told the slayer.
"I killed some vampires normal night." Angel answered and Wesley looked confused. That was it and around here that was about as routine and normal as it gets. Buffy was getting very annoyed at the man. Even his English accent made her cringe it was all-uptight. "Except they had swords, jewels on them and they looked like King Arthur's men." Angel finished and Wesley perked up and started to rummage through his boxes.
"Sounds familiar," Giles was thinking.
"El Eliminati," Buffy spoke up and they looked to her. "Followers of a demon Balthazar which rumor said he died a hundred years ago." Buffy finished and Giles smiled a little bit, she was good to have around. Wesley however looked unimpressed and annoyed.
"Excuse me Miss," Wesley started. "Unless you are a slayer,"
"Hey," Angel jumped in. "She's with me and same with him," Angel looked to Doyle. "So back off." Angel warned the new Watcher. "Continue," Buffy shrugged.
"The cult is for the most part gone." Buffy finished.
"So why are they here?" Angel asked wondering because you don't come to Sunnydale for no particular reason this town was barely on a map.
"There is a rumor when he was killed by an enemy his amulet that gave him strength was buried here in the Gleaves family crypt." Giles answered. "They might be looking for it."
"Well, Balthazar is dead so the amulet has no power, they're probably looking for it for sentimental value." Wesley sounded like this wasn't a big deal.
"Uh, Wesley if you've been here as long as I have then you'll know vampires just don't visit." Angel said to him.
"Well, then Angel you will go to the crypt tonight and fetch the amulet." Wesley stated and Angel nodded but looked a little annoyed.
"You know when Giles gives me a mission he usually says please and thank you." Angel sounded sarcastic. Wesley looked confused and the whole feel of the room was just tension and uncomfortable.
"I don't think we're getting off on the right foot." Wesley stated.
"Nailed it," Angel confirmed and then Faith walked in looking confused and angry.
"New Watcher?" She asked.
"New Watcher." Angel, Buffy, Doyle and Giles said at the same time and she nodded.
"Screw that." And Faith left.
"She's starting to grow on me." Buffy commented.
"I'll get her back just don't touch anything." Angel warned the new Watcher and left to get the slayer. Wesley sighed looking around and then to Giles.
"They'll get use to me." Wesley insisted and hoped. Buffy scoffed and left because he hasn't introduced himself to her and this was her house. She was only allowing him because he is a Watcher and she needed Giles here.
"Fair warning, Angel doesn't like pompous people and is like a stubborn donkey and then Faith well she's like a bucking bronco so good luck in breaking them in." Doyle stated and left as well.
Angel caught up to Faith and he didn't like this new Watcher either. He was snobby and thought he knew it all. It was funny how Buffy upstaged him and knew the information but he wasn't liking how Wesley was treating his people.
"Faith, wait," Angel caught up to her and stood before her as she looked annoyed. "Look, the guy has a corncob up his ass I know but we have to play along or we'll lose Giles completely."
"You're going to take orders from?" Faith asked sounding a little disgusted.
"It's sort of part of the job." Angel answered.
"We can do whatever we want," Faith started to explain and Angel knew she had an attitude to authority. "We're slayers Angel the chosen two. We don't take orders." Faith then left and Angel sighed. Looks like he'll go on patrol later tonight by himself, which wasn't so bad.
Night came around and Angel had his crossbow and his flashlight ready as he headed to the Gleaves family crypt. He went inside and turned the flashlight on and looked in. Nothing looked disturbed as he walked in and found one tomb. He pushed the top open and saw a corpse but no amulet. Angel went to the second tomb and opened the top and saw the amulet around the neck of the corpse. All too easy he thought and reached for it but then heard something. Angel shut the flashlight off and hid in the shadows as six vampires came in.
He could take two out with his crossbow but that still left four to deal with and they were in a tight space. Angel watched them as one found the amulet and grabbed it smiling and they left. Once out of the crypt Angel slowly moved with his crossbow out in front of him moving very slowly and made his way out of the crypt and saw the last vampire jump into a manhole. Then Angel swung around and Faith held her hands up.
"Easy cowboy it's me." Faith lowered her hands as Angel lowered his crossbow. "Well, what are we waiting for?"
"Faith, there' six of them and maybe more down there." Angel warned her but she already took off. She was going to get herself killed if she doesn't think and only reacts. "Faith, no!" But it was too late she jumped and Angel took off after her.
Back at the mansion Giles had all the diaries of past Watchers on the table for Wesley to read plus his own. It was procedure, protocol and tradition to pass the diaries on. History tends to repeat itself so by knowing the past you might be able to save yourself. Angel's first Watcher's, Merrick, dairy was there too. It was odd to think about it as Merrick died three years ago and there was little in his diary because he didn't survive very long because of Lothos but Angel killed Lothos and burned down the gym while doing it.
"These all of them?" Wesley asked looking at the diaries.
"Yes, knock yourself out, please do," Giles muttered the last part as Wesley read the first entry of Merrick's diary about Angel.
"Insubordinate," Wesley read and looked up at Giles. "This will not be tolerated."
"Wesley, Angel was very stubborn back then for good reasons but his stubbornness has kept him alive. He has gotten a lot further than I ever thought he could so do not judge him." Giles stated as Buffy came into the dining room and then left. She didn't want to be around Wesley at all.
"You know why you were removed from the Council?" Wesley asked and Buffy stayed behind the wall to listen. "You are emotional and too attached to the slayer and don't hold the mission standard."
"My attachment to the slayer has kept us alive this long. We have faced five apocalypses and we're still standing so don't criticize my slayer or me." Giles was getting very tired of this. "They should be back by now." Giles looked to his watch as he paced.
"Not to fret, my mission scenario has him back in one minute." Wesley smiled and Giles really wanted to wipe that smile off his face.
Angel and Faith landed in the sewers but what were six vampires was now eight. Angel rolled to the ground and fired at one vampire and then fired at another so now they were back to their six. Faith was fighting but it was taking her longer to kill the vampires as she was struggling. A vampire charged at Angel and he rolled to the ground catching the vampire by the feet. Angel pulled out his stake and stabbed him. Angel got up and blocked the moves another vampire.
Angel wasn't happy, Faith doesn't think all the way through and now they were in trouble. Angel ducked and another vampire charged after him. Angel rolled to the floor to dodge the vampire and then caught a sword before the first vampire he fought could kill him. Angel kicked the vampire away and the second grabbed him and threw him. Angel's head hit the steps of a makeshift well. He rolled over to get up and the first vampire grabbed Angel, picked him up and shoved his head in the water.
Angel was still disoriented from the fall but within moments he had the flashbacks of the Master. He could remember drowning again and in his head he was screaming for Buffy. She saved him the last time and his gut was yelling for her to come back. He needed her again as he thrashed in panic and for the first time since last year he was having a panic attack as he was reliving his death. Just then the vampire that held him under threw his sword in the well thinking he wouldn't need it. Angel reached for the sword and reached over his head and the blade hit the vampire's head hard enough for him to let go.
Angel got out of the well and sliced the vampire's head off still catching his breath. Angel charged to the last three vampires that Faith still could not kill. He took out his stake jumped, threw both the sword and stake at the same time. The sword spun and sliced the head off one vampire, the stake landed in the second vampire's chest. Angel then reached for the dagger he always carried and charged at the last vampire and shoved it through the vampire's neck and then grabbed the tip of the blade coming out from the other side and twisted the blade slicing the head off.
Faith stood there as Angel took out all eight vampires. She was impressed but Angel didn't look happy at all as he turned his back to her and walked over to the amulet and picked it up.
"Angel, Angel I'm sorry I didn't think," Faith started and Angel turned around.
"You never do." Angel then left the sewers. For Faith this was supposed to be a bonding time for them, hopefully to bring them closer but it backfired badly.
Angel was against the wall at the mansion as the sun just came up. Buffy had gone to bed an hour ago and Angel wanted to talk to her about last night. He relived his night of dying and if he thinks about it right now his heart starts to race so he needed to not think about it. Giles was here because Angel called him about the amulet and Wes was studying it. Once it's confirmed both Angel and Giles will go school for the day.
"It looks authentic enough but I'll do some more research to be sure." Wesley stated but Angel was still waiting for Wesley to ask him how everything went. Wesley just took the amulet and that was it. Giles knew Angel well enough to see last night's patrol went not very well.
"Well when you're done researching tell me why your dead demon cult was out and in force last night?" Angel demanded and Wesley looked up at him. "I nearly drowned for that amulet."
"Angel are you ok?" Giles asked because he was concerned and Angel nodded.
"I'll live," Angel answered but Wesley didn't comment on the near drowning experience nor did he appear to care.
"Perhaps there were a few more than you thought but no matter we have the amulet." Wesley wasted no time. "I expect you to be ready for anything. Remember the three words of a slayer, preparation, preparation, preparation." Wesley smiled a little but Angel didn't smile at all.
"That's the same word repeated three times dumbass." Angel then grabbed his backpack to leave for school and walked over to Giles. "Giles, we need to talk." And that made Wesley mad and he stood up.
"Angel," Wesley had to put his foot down and Angel turned him. "Need I remind you that I am your Watcher, the only thing you need to discuss with Mister Giles are overdue book fees." Wesley finished and Angel nodded but he didn't care and looked to Giles.
"We'll talk later." Angel left and Wesley looked angry and looked to Giles as the former Watcher grabbed his jacket to leave for the day.
"You're not helping." Wes said to Giles as he sat back down.
"I know I feel just sick about it." And that was to be sarcastic as Giles left for the say. Wesley had one more night at the mansion and then he'll be out and at his own place.
Night was here and Angel was looking for Faith. If she wasn't home then she was probably at the Bronze, it was Sunnydale there were only so many places to go. Angel walked into the club and it was techno night so the people were dancing crazy and some had glow sticks or something that glowed. Angel searched for Faith and found her dancing with five guys on her. Angel sighed and decided to let her have the dance and he leaned against a pole.
Faith caught Angel and smiled. She started to dance a little sexier to get his attention. Maybe he'll come over and they could dance together. Angel ignored it and was in his own thoughts. While he was thinking someone else walked into the Bronze. She had gone to Angel's place but he wasn't there. Doyle tagged along and danced a little as they stepped into the Bronze.
"Small town but people know how to dance." Doyle said and Buffy smiled and rolled her eyes. Buffy went to find Angel as Doyle sort of followed and danced. He was hoping they could stay a little and he could get the attention of a few girls. Buffy then picked up on Angel and saw him leaning against a post. She would say he was dressed in his slayer attire, black shoes, black pants, black shirt and a black leather jacket. That was his signature look these days and it worked. Angel looked over and saw Buffy walking to him and he smiled a little.
"You're here on techno night?" Buffy asked as she stood next to him and then saw Faith dancing. "Babysitting?" She asked and he shrugged.
"Sort of," Angel answered and Buffy smiled a little but when she looked back up at Angel she saw something.
"Hey, you ok?" Buffy asked and he sighed.
"Couldn't sleep, almost drowned last night and brought back some memories." Angel answered and Buffy reached out and put her hand on his shoulder for reassurance. Faith saw it and every time Buffy was around there was that twinkle in his eyes. Angel and Buffy then saw Doyle on the dance floor trying to dance and it was kind of funny.
"Well," Buffy started looking at Angel. "You know how to dance, you're good at it too." She suggested and Angel smiled. Was she suggesting that they dance before they talk slaying and vampires? Another song came on as the lights went crazy and the temptation got the better of them as they went to the dance floor but far from Faith and Doyle. Faith could see them and her heart raced with jealousy. She should be the one dancing with Angel.
Buffy would do her best not to work Angel up and vise versa, this was just a dance between friends…right? Angel hated techno but somehow it brings out the inner animal in everyone. They started to dance together and hopefully it won't get out of control and they can stop themselves before they start kissing and groping. They were like each other's drugs and since the holidays they've managed to warn off certain thoughts. But while they won't admit to each other they still dream about their first night together, the dream about the dream they shared having sex. They were close right now with Buffy's arms around Angel's neck and his arms around her waist.
It started off pretty innocent but the longer they danced the more intimate they were going to get. It didn't help that Buffy liked it when he wore this black on black look. Angel was letting it get out of control as she started to really dance on him swaying her hips close on his body. They had to tone it down very soon and Buffy knew how. They could continue to dance but talking about the mission would deter some unwanted thoughts and desires.
"Balthazar," Buffy started still dancing a little. Angel was both happy and upset she brought that up.
"Business trip," Angel said but he was kind of glad. If Buffy continued to dance and then started to grind on him and things could get interesting. "Thought he was dead,"
"Wish, rumors are putting him in a packing warehouse off Baker's," Buffy explained as they were still dancing with Buffy's arms around his neck and his arms around her waist. He was fighting the urge to let his hands roam down further.
"I found the amulet so we're good." Angel assured her and Faith watched them from afar and they looked too cozy.
"I went to Giles and he said," Buffy was cut off as Wesley came over and he can ruin any mood no matter the atmosphere.
"There you are, been looking all over for you." Wesley looked around to the place and listen to the loud music. This was no place for a slayer he thought. Wesley then looked to Angel and Buffy, which he has yet to still learn her name. Angel and Buffy were close and Wesley assumed this was his girlfriend or mistress, squeeze, something. "I think we ought to establish if you're going to go out slaying you leave me a number where I can contact you." He then looked to Buffy again wondering why she hung around him so much. "Why are you here?" Buffy gave the Watcher a serious look the look of "you're not my father."
Angel had to break the tension because he was so unaware how much that can upset Buffy and he doesn't know how she's not a fan of men well boys in his case. Right now Angel is the only man she fully trusts. After Angel it was Giles then Doyle then Xander and Oz. But Wesley she has no idea who he was or what he stands for and she will safeguard Angel from him.
"She's with me," Angel stated and couldn't help himself but pull her closer mostly to keep her safe. Buffy fought the smile and continue to look at Wesley. Buffy didn't mind getting as close as possible to Angel but she needed to get out of here soon because being this close to Angel with the music and the smell of sex pheromones of teenagers it was tempting. She was very tempted to pull him in for a kiss and let loose. "The amulet, where is it?" Angel asked and Wesley straightened his jacket.
"Somewhere safe." He answered and then Buffy reached out and grabbed him by the tie pulling him. Wesley wasn't sure if she was being seductive or not and then she reached into his jacket and pulled out the amulet. "How, how did you know?" Angel smiled thinking "that's my girl."
"Pooches your jacket, besides this is like having a sign on your back that says shoot me." Buffy told him. Angel wanted to smile but didn't.
"Then you keep it and put it somewhere safe that's really safe." Angel told Buffy and she nodded.
"I'll do it now." Buffy assured him as she put it in her little purse.
"I'll look into Balthazar see what we're up against." Angel stated and Wesley looked confused.
"Am I the only one that remembers that Balthazar is dead?" Wesley asked and Buffy ignored him.
"Please be careful I'll meet you there in an hour." Buffy told Angel and had to do it so she got on her toes and planted a kiss on his cheek. Angel was holding her hand as she walked away and he didn't want her to leave. Buffy smiled as she started to disappear in the sea of people and she could heart Angel's heart racing just for her. Buffy finally let go of Angel and she walked through the crowds and saw Doyle trying to hook up with some girls. "Come on little Irishman."
"Hey, but," Doyle tried to argue but you couldn't argue against Buffy as she dragged him out of the club. Angel found Faith and took her out leaving Wesley by himself looking lost and confused.
A huge demon laid in a bathtub of water. He was at least five hundred pounds, red eyes and horns coming from his face. All in all he was ugly. He was angry at the moment because it was as normal people would say it, it's crunch time.
"Let me tell you what I see," Balthazar started in a low voice. "A bunch of pussies!" He yelled. "You failed to get my amulet! He will rise in sixty days and if I don't have my amulet by three am I will not be able to defeat him! Ah!" Balthazar screamed.
"It's the slayers," One vampire minion told him.
"Then kill them! Bring me the Watcher! I have been weak for a hundred years! He will not take the end from me! Go! If you fail I will kill you all!" Balthazar yelled.
Angel and Faith left the Bronze and walked to Angel's car for weapons. They grabbed some weapons and headed to the packing warehouse to kill Balthazar and then call it a night. They were quiet as they walked side by side. Angel was still on edge about the night before and Faith could feel it.
"Look I'm sorry ok," Faith spoke up. "I'll try to think things a little more through next time." But Angel only half bought it. "Fine stay mad," Just then three vampires from Balthazar jumped in front of them. Before Faith could take them out Angel fired at one, threw a stake at another, kicked the third one back and fired at it. What he was trying to tell her was he didn't need her if anything she was a liability to him. Faith worked against the system. Yes there are times when you can't play by the rules but a lot of times you have to. Faith walked away and then someone grabbed her and she shoved him back and he went to the ground.
"Faith no!" Angel yelled but it was too late Faith staked the man smiling waiting for him to turn to dust but nothing happened. She took a step back and Angel threw his crossbow down and pushed Faith aside and got to the ground and put his hand over the wound. Faith stabbed a person.
"I, I, I didn't know," Faith stammered.
"Faith, call for help now!" Angel ordered and he looked back to the man. "You're going to be ok just stay awake," Angel hoped it was true but the man struggled to breath looking scared. "Faith!" Angel yelled but when he turned around she was running away. Angel looked to the man and he started to fade. "No, no, no," This wasn't happening and then the man died. Angel sat back on the ground and scooted away. He didn't know what to do.
Angel raced down the ally hoping to find Faith but she ditched him. Angel went to round a corner and held up the crossbow but lowered it seeing Buffy.
"Hey, I was getting worried," But then she really started to panic. The air was full of blood, was he hurt and then she saw his hand and reached for it. "You're hurt?" She asked and he pulled away.
"I'm ok," Angel was lying and she knew but there was no time for that.
"They got Giles," Buffy stated and now it wasn't just a search and destroy it was also a rescue mission and they were off.
Giles and Wesley were tied up and standing before the demon. The demon couldn't do much to them but his vampire minions could. Wesley looked panicked but Giles just stood there. He knew Angel would find them somehow he knew and just had to buy his slayer time. Balthazar then looked to the two Watchers.
"Bring them closer," Balthazar demanded and two vampires walked them up the tub. "You know what I want?" The demon asked.
"If it's for me to scrub those hard-to-reach areas, I'd like to request you kill me now." Giles answered the demon's face twisted in anger and Wesley looked shocked to hear Giles say that.
"Are you out of your mind!" Wesley panicked. "This is hardly the time for games!"
"Why not? They're going to kill us anyways." Giles was very calm about this and Balthazar smiled and snickered.
"You're not wrong about that." Balthazar added.
"Wait," Wesley didn't want to die. "Now hold on. We can deal with this rationally. We have something you want, you have something we want." Wesley hoped this would work.
"Hmm," Balthazar thought. "A trade, intriguing…no, wait, boring. Pull off his kneecaps!" And the vampires went to do so.
"No! No!" Wesley begged. "The slayer gave it to someone! A blonde girl, girlfriend maybe. I can tell you everything." Wesley started to cry in fear.
"Shut up you twit!" Giles whispered loudly.
"But…but I don't want to die." Wesley said and Balthazar smiled.
"You will tell me!" Balthazar screamed. "What is this girl's name!" Wesley went to answer but then realized he's failed to learn her name. He's been at her place but was so into being a Watcher than he failed to learn her name. Now he was going to die. "What is her name!" Balthazar yelled.
"Name's Buffy," Buffy walked in and two arrows flew in as Angel fired at two oncoming vampires. Buffy went to the floor taking out another vampire. Angel ran in and kicked vampire down taking it's sword away. Giles turned around and Angel cut the rope off Giles' wrists and tossed him the sword and he took out a nearby vampire. Wesley was in a panic while Angel staked a vampire and then tossed the stake to Buffy.
"This is unacceptable!" Balthazar yelled as Angel ducked and rolled to the ground grabbing his crossbow and fired at one more vampire. He then looked up seeing a faulty light hanging over Balthazar and knew what to do. Buffy and Giles had the vampires at bay and Angel scaled the boxes and with the small dagger cut the rope and the light fell into Balthazar's tub electrocuting him to death. Angel hopped down from the boxes as he, Buffy and Giles stood there seeing the burned demon.
"What took you?" Giles asked and Wesley looked confused. This was a team and Wesley has yet to see it.
"Got caught up." Angel answered then Balthazar opened his eyes and Buffy went into defense mode getting slightly in front of Angel.
"Slayer!" He yelled but was dying. "You've think you've won?" He laughed a little with a smile. "When he rises you'll wish I killed you." And then Balthazar died.
Three am was here and the Mayor sat in the center of an upside down pentagram chanting in Latin. Candles lit the room as he chanted and then the place started to shake. He looked around smiling and once done he stood up.
"Did it work?" Mister Trick asked as the Mayor shrugged. He then grabbed a sword and tossed it to Trick and Trick went to slice his head off. The Mayor's head almost flew off but then it was like his body reached for it and his head remained attached.
"This marks the last sixty days before the ascension." The Mayor smiled.
"I have a gift for you, courtesy of the male slayer." Trick opened up the cabinet and there on the shelf was the head of Balthazar and the Mayor smiled.
"Good, it's almost done." The Mayor smiled.
Angel knocked on Faith's door and she opened it. He wasn't going to try and go in but she was safe. It was late but this needed to be sorted out right away.
"We need to talk," Angel started and she shook her head no.
"No we don't." Faith stated.
"Faith, sooner or later they're going to find the body this isn't something that's going to go away," Angel explained and she shrugged.
"What body?" Faith asked and Angel's eyes widen. She was crazy, why would she do this? She was putting them both at high risks and from what Balthazar said they had something huge coming.
"What did you do?" Angel demanded this wasn't the typical denial this was something else. What did Faith do the man because this was getting out of control.
"Got rid of the problem." Faith smiled.
"You killed a man Faith!" Angel was getting frustrated.
"I don't care." Faith looked to him still smiling. "We never had this conversion and if you repeat it I'll take you out." She threatened him and then shut the door in his face. This was bad Angel knew this was all going to come back but how? He had this plus bigger problems that he has yet to discover. Angel left Faith's place and she watched him leave through the window. Once he was gone she went to her closet and opened it. The body of Allen Finch laid dead in there looking up at her. She smiled looking at him, she felt a rush of energy, a rush of power, a rush of control and she liked it.
Oh my god, oh my god Faith didn't get rid of the body she kept it! What! A very different ending to that so cue up the evil creepy music. So now what? You want the next chapter I know but it has to wait until tomorrow. Faith is going to be interesting and there's one chapter that will catch you guys off guard in complete surprise. Ah! It gets a little tense from here on out. Excited? Remember the forum is still open for you guys to discuss things, guess what happens next, talk about what you would like to see from here on out and in Book 4. Thanks for reading and as always comments and reviews are welcomed. This concludes the three posts for today and it will continue tomorrow.