Freedom Fighter
CHAPTER 4
It is said that the battle between Good and Evil is never-ending, a constant struggle for power. This is not true: there are those who believe that one side will eventually prevail over the other, and in light of this prospect, both Good and Evil have their own secret weapons. Evil has the most powerful and demonic forces as its slaves, breeds of Satan's hatred and love of destruction, death, and torture. Shape-shifting demons, super breeds of vampires, dark and Evil knights of the Lord of Hell all serve Evil's purpose when needed. They seek out anything with Good intentions and obliterate it. But Good's only secret weapon is not so secret. This secret is, in fact, a simple myth of pure and beautiful beings who possess all Good possible that it is unbelievable. They are God's warriors, sent to destroy all Evil on Earth on the blinding light of the Heavens above. But no fathom of such creatures has ever been found, and it was this very myth that brought the Zalkana to the Hellmouth. And there would be only a few who would face them, fighting for the salvation of all mankind.
Giles scowled at Willow over his glasses. "That's very interesting, Willow, but that is not the information we're looking for. What you read is one of the many seeings, as they were called, by a nameless prophet hundreds of years ago. It was written during the time that the apocalypse was coming, and is about as true as such."
Willow put the book down with a sigh and hesitantly picked up another one. She looked around the back room of The Magic Shop and saw everyone else emersed in a book or two, scattered out over the table and the floor. Another night had gone by, and two more people had been killed, more than likely at the hands of the protestor vampires, and no one had any information on the vamps. The situation was getting so desperate that even Spike, with a little solid (solid wood) encouragement from Buffy, was helping with the research. Geia was there too, wanting to help in the effort. She hadn't said much all night, and Willow was beginning to worry if all that was going on was just too much for Geia.
Everyone jumped as Spike slammed his book shut and hastily got up from the floor. "Is there a bloody point in this? No one knows where these freak vampires came from or who they are, and these old books are no blinkin' help. I'm leaving."
He got only a few steps when Buffy pinned him against the wall, a stake to his heart. "You gave me your word, Spike. And you know I'll enforce your own word if I have to."
Spike tried staring Buffy down, but he saw the light of battle in her eyes and knew he couldn't win if he wanted to stay alive. He pulled her hands off his coat and dejectedly sat back down. "Fine. But that doesn't mean I wouldn't leave if I didn't think you would bloody stake me."
Buffy sat back down beside Geia. Her new friend was intently studying the contents of a small, leather bound book. "Whatcha lookin' at, Geia?"
It took a minute for her to answer. "This book has been vaguely hinting at these protestor vampires for a chapter or two, but nothing specific enough to actually tell what it's talking about. The only thing I've gotten out of the folklore is that these vampires, if that's what they are, are connected to a group of Satanic warriors called the Zalkana." She looked up at Giles. "Is that the same group that Willow was reading about?"
Giles nodded absently. "Yes, but the Zalkana are simply a myth. That book you're reading is more ranting from a seer who was mentally disturbed. The author of your book may have been the author of the book Willow read out of."
A loud thump on the table turned everyone's attention to a sleeping Xander, whose head had fallen on the book he had been studying. Anya shrugged and went back to reading her book. "I think I'll just let him sleep. He's so grouchy when he wakes up."
Buffy moved to get another book from the stack on the floor when her sharp hearing caught the sound of footsteps running toward the back door of the shop. She motioned for everyone to be quiet so to not scare off the would-be intruder. Stake in hand, she waited beside the back door, ready to spring.
Three things happened at once: the back door flung open, Buffy grabbed the person and pinned them to the floor, a stake aimed at the intruder's heart, and then the intruder screamed.
"Whoa! Lady, chill. I'm no vampire."
Buffy stared down at the man she had pushed to the floor. "I hear that a lot, and then the so-called mortal tries to kill me. Not gonna work."
Geia sprang from her chair and ran over. "No, Buffy, it's okay. He's a friend of mine."
Slowly, Buffy got up and helped him up. "Why were you sneaking around the back? Ever heard of a front door?"
Jamal embraced Geia and then turned to the group. "Geia asked me to come out here and stay with her for a while. I just got in tonight, and she left me a note at her place telling me where she was." His brown eyes glanced at the front door and then he continued. "Just out of curiosity, does a vampire's face look all wrinkled up with really big yellow eyes?"
Spike spoke up from the corner. "Yeah mate, but it's not like we want to look that way. Comes with the job."
Jamal nodded at the sarcastic vamp. "Thanks man. Anyways, after all that Geia said was going on and with her description of a vampire, I thought I saw one in front of the store, so I ran around to come in the back. I didn't mean to scare anyone."
Buffy's hand wrapped around the stake on the table. "How long ago did you see the vampire?"
The black man shrugged. "About five minutes ago, and it didn't look like he was going anywhere. Kinda hanging around, and he was a big guy, from what I saw. Had all black on, dark hair, but I only caught a glimpse before I ran like hell."
Before Giles could stop her, Buffy ran out the front door to find the vampire. Once outside, she looked around until she spotted a figure go around the corner. She followed, being as quiet as possible. Peeking around the corner, she saw the vampire, his back to her, leaning against the wall. "Gotcha," she whispered under her breath as her hand raised to drive the stake into her victim, but the vamp whipped around and caught her hand. With her free hand, she struck him a blow to the jaw and then aimed a roundhouse kick to the chest, but the vampire neatly tripped her and pinned her to the ground.
"Buffy, don't. It's me."
Buffy gazed in shock as Angel's face twisted back into normality. Angel helped her up and then shoved his hands into his pockets. He didn't like her surprised reaction, and he really didn't like the awkwardness that induced the silence between them. But he knew it couldn't be helped.
Buffy came to grips with herself as she stared at the tall, handsome vampire. "What are you doing here?"
Angel looked up from the sidewalk and couldn't help but stare. He'd almost forgotten how beautiful she was. "I don't like being the bearer of bad news, but like always, something's up. And it's not the normal threat-of-apocalypse-type bad news. But I need to speak with Giles. He's the only one who will know what I'm talking about."
Buffy motioned for him to follow, not sure of what to say. The bell above the door rang, signaling their entrance, and Giles jumped up from his chair when he saw who was with the Slayer.
Angel's eyes passed over the group, noting the two newcomers. And of course, he didn't miss Spike. "Still managing to stay civil, Spike?"
Spike tossed his book aside and lit up a cigarette. "Nice to see you too, Peaches. Although I can't say the same for the guy you scared off." His head jerked towards Jamal.
Jamal's eyes were huge, but he stayed seated. "And this just keeps getting weirder. I thought you said there was only one vampire in their little group, Geia."
Geia's eyes narrowed, and Angel noticed how dark green they had become. "I just didn't tell you about Angel because I didn't think he would actually be here."
Angel's confusion was apparent, but he knew someone would fill him in later, and that Geia and Jamal were okay if they were helping with what appeared to be research. "Sorry about scaring you, Jamal. Wasn't on purpose." He received a nod and a nervous smile from the man.
Giles cleared his throat and pulled up a chair for Angel, then sat down. "I'm guessing there is some urgent reason why you are here."
The vampire took the seat and nodded. "Like I told Buffy, I don't know all the details, but something of pure evil is coming here. And it's bigger than anything before it. What I do know is that this evil comes in the form of men, warriors perhaps. But what they want and why is unclear." He paused, unsure of how Buffy would take his words. "I had this dream that these warriors came here and were hunting something, never resting. They don't sleep, eat, or even breathe, and they are pure evil. They arose from the Sunnydale cemetery." His eyes met Buffy's. "But in my dream, they weren't after you. It was someone or something else."
Xander's head came up from the table. He yawned and groggily looked at everyone. "What's going on, and why is everyone-" His eyes widened at the sight of Angel. "Why is he here, and is he evil, cause if he is, I've got a stake with your name on it, mister."
Anya patted his hand. "He's not evil, Xander. He's here because another evil power is trying to...well, he doesn't know what it's trying to do, but that's why he's here."
An eyebrow raised in suspicion. "He's here because he doesn't know what the bad guys want, or he's here because he knows but...nevermind. Going back to sleep now." His head landed back on the table.
Geia had been watching the scene in front of her, and for the first time, all that Spike had told her about Buffy and Angel made sense. She could see the attraction still alive and sparking between them, but their destinies were holding them back. That and the whole "Angel loses his soul if he finds true happiness" deal. But it was no matter-she knew what was going to happen, before everyone else did.
An eerie silence enveloped the small room and its inhabitants, until Spike decided to speak up. "Well, aren't we just the picture of pure confusion? My grandsire is back from L.A. to warn his ex-lover and her followers about a big bad coming to town, and the two newest additions to our happy little group include a vamp victim and her friend from Lord knows where. Anyone else feel like a drink? Bloody well need it."
Spike saw all eyes were fixed on him, so he turned to leave, but Giles stopped him. "Just hold on, Spike. If it's alright with them, I want you to stay with Geia and Jamal and protect them. Geia's home faces the Sunnydale cemetery, and with you there, it gives us the best chance to see this evil first-hand." He pointed a finger at the vampire. "And I want no arguments."
Before Spike could protest, Angel stood up and put his jacket on. "If it's okay with you, Geia, I'd like to stay in your house also. Better to have two people there than just one."
Geia exchanged a glance with Jamal, then nodded in reply. "Sure. It'd be kinda nice to have some protection, even if it's provided by vampires."
Giles started gathering the books. "Then it's settled. We'll start research again tomorrow so we can figure these mysterious warriors out before they get here. I want everyone to go home and get some rest."
As Geia and Jamal walked out of the store, Jamal leaned over to Geia and whispered, "Too late, they're already here."
???????????????????????????????????????
Angel followed Geia upstairs, and noticed the tattoo on her back. "That's an interesting tattoo."
Geia breached the top of the staircase and started walking down the hallway toward one of the guestrooms. "A lot of people tell me that. But I admit it is different-that's why I got it."
Her words raised Angel's suspicions. He had read the writing around the angel in the tattoo, and although "Of Pure Good Yet of a Face of Evil" didn't mean much to him, he knew better than to take her words simply. Latin was a lost language, and he highly doubted that Geia's tattoo artist was a scholar of the ancient language.
Geia flipped the light on and stood aside to let Angel in the room. "Anything you need, just let me know. There's a bathroom attached to the room, so you can wash up there." Angel muttered a "Thanks" and turned to examine the room. Nothing unusual, just a simple bedroom with a few pieces of furniture and a TV.
Spike was fully outstretched on the couch watching a late night talk show. "Hey mate," he called out to Jamal, who was in the kitchen. "Do you know if your girlfriend had any beer in this place? I still haven't gotten over the bloody mess Angel's made out of things by coming here."
Jamal came into the living room with a bottle of Jack Daniel's in each hand. He tossed one to the vamp and then sat down in a chair. "First of all, she's not my girlfriend, man. And she doesn't keep beer in the house, but I do."
Spike grinned at his sarcasm and started flipping the channels. "The broad's got it all laid out here-my telly doesn't have this many channels! I have to watch bloody soap operas all day, and they're only good when Timmy's down the bloody well or Kimberly is breaking up with Devon because they both cheated with the same person."
Jamal snorted. "You watch soap operas? I thought vampires were supposed to be bad, tough guys."
Spike took a swig of beer. "Yeah, we are until bloody democracy plants a damn chip in your head or-" He paused upon seeing Angel enter the room and smiled smugly. "You're a sap who got his soul for killing a gypsy princess."
Angel sank down in a chair and stared at the television. "Hello to you too, Spike. You seem like you're fitting right in with the living."
The blonde vamp drained the rest of the beer and raised the empty bottle to Jamal. "The man got me a beer, so I'm happy. Good beer, good smokes, and good blood. That's all I need."
Jamal looked at Spike. "I'd agree with you up to the good blood part. I think I'll take good women instead."
"Can we say overload of testosterone in the room? I knew it was a mistake letting three males into my house."
All three men turned and watched Geia walk into the room, and all three couldn't help but laugh a little. "Glad you all find it funny that I'm just a little outnumbered, whether you're dead or alive."
Angel held up a hand. "But technically, we're not dead. We just don't breathe."
Geia sat down on the floor in front of Jamal's chair. "That constitutes deadness in my book." A loud sound on the roof made her look up. "What was that?"
"Prolly just a little squirrel running across your roof." Spike replied carelessly.
The noise came again, but now it was louder and more often. Angel cocked his head to listen. "Must be one big squirrel or an army of them, because it sounds like more than one, more like footsteps."
Geia's eyes met Jamal's as the sound grew still louder and continuous. Jamal smirked. "Told you there were already here."
Geia got up and walked over to the far wall in the living room. "I knew they were here, I just didn't know how many." She listened to the noise for a moment. "And now I know." Her eyes grew dark and she stared at the two confused vampires. "More than we should handle by ourselves." Her eyes bore into Angel's. "Besides, he's the one we're looking for." She flipped open the cover to a hidden keypad in the wall and punched in a code. Two large section of the wall opened like a closet, revealing a mass display of crossbows, swords, knives, stakes, and the odd pistol. Geia selected a sword in the middle of the case and wielded it. "You three take your pick, but this sword is mine personal weapon. No one else can wield it."
Jamal urged Spike and Angel to pick the crossbows. "They fire five arrows at one time," he explained, "and you never run out of arrows. No reloading, just aim and fire." He went over to stand beside Geia at the front door. "We'll answer your questions later, but you can trust us. We mean no harm to anyone, except the bad guys."
Geia opened the front door and saw the thirty Zalkana warriors on her front lawn. "Let's do this. If you can capture one, do so, but if not, there are to be no survivors." She looked over to the very reluctant vampires. "And don't worry, you're not going to die. You can't while I'm around."
CHAPTER 4
It is said that the battle between Good and Evil is never-ending, a constant struggle for power. This is not true: there are those who believe that one side will eventually prevail over the other, and in light of this prospect, both Good and Evil have their own secret weapons. Evil has the most powerful and demonic forces as its slaves, breeds of Satan's hatred and love of destruction, death, and torture. Shape-shifting demons, super breeds of vampires, dark and Evil knights of the Lord of Hell all serve Evil's purpose when needed. They seek out anything with Good intentions and obliterate it. But Good's only secret weapon is not so secret. This secret is, in fact, a simple myth of pure and beautiful beings who possess all Good possible that it is unbelievable. They are God's warriors, sent to destroy all Evil on Earth on the blinding light of the Heavens above. But no fathom of such creatures has ever been found, and it was this very myth that brought the Zalkana to the Hellmouth. And there would be only a few who would face them, fighting for the salvation of all mankind.
Giles scowled at Willow over his glasses. "That's very interesting, Willow, but that is not the information we're looking for. What you read is one of the many seeings, as they were called, by a nameless prophet hundreds of years ago. It was written during the time that the apocalypse was coming, and is about as true as such."
Willow put the book down with a sigh and hesitantly picked up another one. She looked around the back room of The Magic Shop and saw everyone else emersed in a book or two, scattered out over the table and the floor. Another night had gone by, and two more people had been killed, more than likely at the hands of the protestor vampires, and no one had any information on the vamps. The situation was getting so desperate that even Spike, with a little solid (solid wood) encouragement from Buffy, was helping with the research. Geia was there too, wanting to help in the effort. She hadn't said much all night, and Willow was beginning to worry if all that was going on was just too much for Geia.
Everyone jumped as Spike slammed his book shut and hastily got up from the floor. "Is there a bloody point in this? No one knows where these freak vampires came from or who they are, and these old books are no blinkin' help. I'm leaving."
He got only a few steps when Buffy pinned him against the wall, a stake to his heart. "You gave me your word, Spike. And you know I'll enforce your own word if I have to."
Spike tried staring Buffy down, but he saw the light of battle in her eyes and knew he couldn't win if he wanted to stay alive. He pulled her hands off his coat and dejectedly sat back down. "Fine. But that doesn't mean I wouldn't leave if I didn't think you would bloody stake me."
Buffy sat back down beside Geia. Her new friend was intently studying the contents of a small, leather bound book. "Whatcha lookin' at, Geia?"
It took a minute for her to answer. "This book has been vaguely hinting at these protestor vampires for a chapter or two, but nothing specific enough to actually tell what it's talking about. The only thing I've gotten out of the folklore is that these vampires, if that's what they are, are connected to a group of Satanic warriors called the Zalkana." She looked up at Giles. "Is that the same group that Willow was reading about?"
Giles nodded absently. "Yes, but the Zalkana are simply a myth. That book you're reading is more ranting from a seer who was mentally disturbed. The author of your book may have been the author of the book Willow read out of."
A loud thump on the table turned everyone's attention to a sleeping Xander, whose head had fallen on the book he had been studying. Anya shrugged and went back to reading her book. "I think I'll just let him sleep. He's so grouchy when he wakes up."
Buffy moved to get another book from the stack on the floor when her sharp hearing caught the sound of footsteps running toward the back door of the shop. She motioned for everyone to be quiet so to not scare off the would-be intruder. Stake in hand, she waited beside the back door, ready to spring.
Three things happened at once: the back door flung open, Buffy grabbed the person and pinned them to the floor, a stake aimed at the intruder's heart, and then the intruder screamed.
"Whoa! Lady, chill. I'm no vampire."
Buffy stared down at the man she had pushed to the floor. "I hear that a lot, and then the so-called mortal tries to kill me. Not gonna work."
Geia sprang from her chair and ran over. "No, Buffy, it's okay. He's a friend of mine."
Slowly, Buffy got up and helped him up. "Why were you sneaking around the back? Ever heard of a front door?"
Jamal embraced Geia and then turned to the group. "Geia asked me to come out here and stay with her for a while. I just got in tonight, and she left me a note at her place telling me where she was." His brown eyes glanced at the front door and then he continued. "Just out of curiosity, does a vampire's face look all wrinkled up with really big yellow eyes?"
Spike spoke up from the corner. "Yeah mate, but it's not like we want to look that way. Comes with the job."
Jamal nodded at the sarcastic vamp. "Thanks man. Anyways, after all that Geia said was going on and with her description of a vampire, I thought I saw one in front of the store, so I ran around to come in the back. I didn't mean to scare anyone."
Buffy's hand wrapped around the stake on the table. "How long ago did you see the vampire?"
The black man shrugged. "About five minutes ago, and it didn't look like he was going anywhere. Kinda hanging around, and he was a big guy, from what I saw. Had all black on, dark hair, but I only caught a glimpse before I ran like hell."
Before Giles could stop her, Buffy ran out the front door to find the vampire. Once outside, she looked around until she spotted a figure go around the corner. She followed, being as quiet as possible. Peeking around the corner, she saw the vampire, his back to her, leaning against the wall. "Gotcha," she whispered under her breath as her hand raised to drive the stake into her victim, but the vamp whipped around and caught her hand. With her free hand, she struck him a blow to the jaw and then aimed a roundhouse kick to the chest, but the vampire neatly tripped her and pinned her to the ground.
"Buffy, don't. It's me."
Buffy gazed in shock as Angel's face twisted back into normality. Angel helped her up and then shoved his hands into his pockets. He didn't like her surprised reaction, and he really didn't like the awkwardness that induced the silence between them. But he knew it couldn't be helped.
Buffy came to grips with herself as she stared at the tall, handsome vampire. "What are you doing here?"
Angel looked up from the sidewalk and couldn't help but stare. He'd almost forgotten how beautiful she was. "I don't like being the bearer of bad news, but like always, something's up. And it's not the normal threat-of-apocalypse-type bad news. But I need to speak with Giles. He's the only one who will know what I'm talking about."
Buffy motioned for him to follow, not sure of what to say. The bell above the door rang, signaling their entrance, and Giles jumped up from his chair when he saw who was with the Slayer.
Angel's eyes passed over the group, noting the two newcomers. And of course, he didn't miss Spike. "Still managing to stay civil, Spike?"
Spike tossed his book aside and lit up a cigarette. "Nice to see you too, Peaches. Although I can't say the same for the guy you scared off." His head jerked towards Jamal.
Jamal's eyes were huge, but he stayed seated. "And this just keeps getting weirder. I thought you said there was only one vampire in their little group, Geia."
Geia's eyes narrowed, and Angel noticed how dark green they had become. "I just didn't tell you about Angel because I didn't think he would actually be here."
Angel's confusion was apparent, but he knew someone would fill him in later, and that Geia and Jamal were okay if they were helping with what appeared to be research. "Sorry about scaring you, Jamal. Wasn't on purpose." He received a nod and a nervous smile from the man.
Giles cleared his throat and pulled up a chair for Angel, then sat down. "I'm guessing there is some urgent reason why you are here."
The vampire took the seat and nodded. "Like I told Buffy, I don't know all the details, but something of pure evil is coming here. And it's bigger than anything before it. What I do know is that this evil comes in the form of men, warriors perhaps. But what they want and why is unclear." He paused, unsure of how Buffy would take his words. "I had this dream that these warriors came here and were hunting something, never resting. They don't sleep, eat, or even breathe, and they are pure evil. They arose from the Sunnydale cemetery." His eyes met Buffy's. "But in my dream, they weren't after you. It was someone or something else."
Xander's head came up from the table. He yawned and groggily looked at everyone. "What's going on, and why is everyone-" His eyes widened at the sight of Angel. "Why is he here, and is he evil, cause if he is, I've got a stake with your name on it, mister."
Anya patted his hand. "He's not evil, Xander. He's here because another evil power is trying to...well, he doesn't know what it's trying to do, but that's why he's here."
An eyebrow raised in suspicion. "He's here because he doesn't know what the bad guys want, or he's here because he knows but...nevermind. Going back to sleep now." His head landed back on the table.
Geia had been watching the scene in front of her, and for the first time, all that Spike had told her about Buffy and Angel made sense. She could see the attraction still alive and sparking between them, but their destinies were holding them back. That and the whole "Angel loses his soul if he finds true happiness" deal. But it was no matter-she knew what was going to happen, before everyone else did.
An eerie silence enveloped the small room and its inhabitants, until Spike decided to speak up. "Well, aren't we just the picture of pure confusion? My grandsire is back from L.A. to warn his ex-lover and her followers about a big bad coming to town, and the two newest additions to our happy little group include a vamp victim and her friend from Lord knows where. Anyone else feel like a drink? Bloody well need it."
Spike saw all eyes were fixed on him, so he turned to leave, but Giles stopped him. "Just hold on, Spike. If it's alright with them, I want you to stay with Geia and Jamal and protect them. Geia's home faces the Sunnydale cemetery, and with you there, it gives us the best chance to see this evil first-hand." He pointed a finger at the vampire. "And I want no arguments."
Before Spike could protest, Angel stood up and put his jacket on. "If it's okay with you, Geia, I'd like to stay in your house also. Better to have two people there than just one."
Geia exchanged a glance with Jamal, then nodded in reply. "Sure. It'd be kinda nice to have some protection, even if it's provided by vampires."
Giles started gathering the books. "Then it's settled. We'll start research again tomorrow so we can figure these mysterious warriors out before they get here. I want everyone to go home and get some rest."
As Geia and Jamal walked out of the store, Jamal leaned over to Geia and whispered, "Too late, they're already here."
???????????????????????????????????????
Angel followed Geia upstairs, and noticed the tattoo on her back. "That's an interesting tattoo."
Geia breached the top of the staircase and started walking down the hallway toward one of the guestrooms. "A lot of people tell me that. But I admit it is different-that's why I got it."
Her words raised Angel's suspicions. He had read the writing around the angel in the tattoo, and although "Of Pure Good Yet of a Face of Evil" didn't mean much to him, he knew better than to take her words simply. Latin was a lost language, and he highly doubted that Geia's tattoo artist was a scholar of the ancient language.
Geia flipped the light on and stood aside to let Angel in the room. "Anything you need, just let me know. There's a bathroom attached to the room, so you can wash up there." Angel muttered a "Thanks" and turned to examine the room. Nothing unusual, just a simple bedroom with a few pieces of furniture and a TV.
Spike was fully outstretched on the couch watching a late night talk show. "Hey mate," he called out to Jamal, who was in the kitchen. "Do you know if your girlfriend had any beer in this place? I still haven't gotten over the bloody mess Angel's made out of things by coming here."
Jamal came into the living room with a bottle of Jack Daniel's in each hand. He tossed one to the vamp and then sat down in a chair. "First of all, she's not my girlfriend, man. And she doesn't keep beer in the house, but I do."
Spike grinned at his sarcasm and started flipping the channels. "The broad's got it all laid out here-my telly doesn't have this many channels! I have to watch bloody soap operas all day, and they're only good when Timmy's down the bloody well or Kimberly is breaking up with Devon because they both cheated with the same person."
Jamal snorted. "You watch soap operas? I thought vampires were supposed to be bad, tough guys."
Spike took a swig of beer. "Yeah, we are until bloody democracy plants a damn chip in your head or-" He paused upon seeing Angel enter the room and smiled smugly. "You're a sap who got his soul for killing a gypsy princess."
Angel sank down in a chair and stared at the television. "Hello to you too, Spike. You seem like you're fitting right in with the living."
The blonde vamp drained the rest of the beer and raised the empty bottle to Jamal. "The man got me a beer, so I'm happy. Good beer, good smokes, and good blood. That's all I need."
Jamal looked at Spike. "I'd agree with you up to the good blood part. I think I'll take good women instead."
"Can we say overload of testosterone in the room? I knew it was a mistake letting three males into my house."
All three men turned and watched Geia walk into the room, and all three couldn't help but laugh a little. "Glad you all find it funny that I'm just a little outnumbered, whether you're dead or alive."
Angel held up a hand. "But technically, we're not dead. We just don't breathe."
Geia sat down on the floor in front of Jamal's chair. "That constitutes deadness in my book." A loud sound on the roof made her look up. "What was that?"
"Prolly just a little squirrel running across your roof." Spike replied carelessly.
The noise came again, but now it was louder and more often. Angel cocked his head to listen. "Must be one big squirrel or an army of them, because it sounds like more than one, more like footsteps."
Geia's eyes met Jamal's as the sound grew still louder and continuous. Jamal smirked. "Told you there were already here."
Geia got up and walked over to the far wall in the living room. "I knew they were here, I just didn't know how many." She listened to the noise for a moment. "And now I know." Her eyes grew dark and she stared at the two confused vampires. "More than we should handle by ourselves." Her eyes bore into Angel's. "Besides, he's the one we're looking for." She flipped open the cover to a hidden keypad in the wall and punched in a code. Two large section of the wall opened like a closet, revealing a mass display of crossbows, swords, knives, stakes, and the odd pistol. Geia selected a sword in the middle of the case and wielded it. "You three take your pick, but this sword is mine personal weapon. No one else can wield it."
Jamal urged Spike and Angel to pick the crossbows. "They fire five arrows at one time," he explained, "and you never run out of arrows. No reloading, just aim and fire." He went over to stand beside Geia at the front door. "We'll answer your questions later, but you can trust us. We mean no harm to anyone, except the bad guys."
Geia opened the front door and saw the thirty Zalkana warriors on her front lawn. "Let's do this. If you can capture one, do so, but if not, there are to be no survivors." She looked over to the very reluctant vampires. "And don't worry, you're not going to die. You can't while I'm around."