William backed away from Glory; his heart beating so fast he could hardly breathe. What was she doing? They had barely met and she had her hands upon his person in a most familiar manner. He looked at her painted face and scanty red dress...Surely he had fallen into the hands of...a woman of ill repute! He had heard of them, but had never actually seen one in person. Did such scarlet women exist even in
this day and age? He looked with horror at her serving men, crusty deformed creatures in monkish habiliment who groveled before the young woman like she was a goddess. Somehow he knew, that despite her words, this woman was no friend of Miss Buffy's...and the key, what ever it was, was something that she must be kept apart from at all costs...Evil...That was the word he sought. This woman was evil.

Suddenly William heard a voice inside his head...a voice with a strange accent, sounding weak and in pain. The voice said..."Protect the key."

But what could he do? He was one man, and a weak one at that. And the key. He suspected that this was no ordinary brass key like the one he had to his Uncle's shop, but something strange and mystical, beyond his feeble understanding. Something...magic. Magic...That was it...He
would lead her to the Magic shop, and Mr. Giles and Buffy would sort everything out. It wasn't much of a plan, but it was all he could manage.

William was sure that he had stood there frozen for hours, but it was only seconds. Glory laughed at his confusion. "Whassamatter little man, am I making you all hot and bothered? Well, too bad for you I just don't have time right now to show you what hot and bothered REALLY is...Damn. I never get to have any fun! We'll just go get the key now, okay? You can just tell my bestest pal Buffy, to hand it over, and then we'll all be really good friends."

Glory seemed to be working herself into a lather; her face was flushed and sweat was beading up on her forehead, though the room was very cool. William saw that her hands shook, and then started plucking at her hair, almost as if they had minds of their own. Was she ill; having some sort of a fit? Her servants rushed to her aid, as though from long habit. One clapped his hands and a door opened. William couldn't see clearly but it appeared that two more servants came in dragging a man in some kind of uniform...across the back of his greenish shirt words were written, but William couldn't read them. Even with William's poor eyesight it was obvious that he had been badly beaten and was shaking with fear. Glory practically leapt upon the man and grabbed his head with both hands, as though she were going to kiss him. William was petrified but moved as close as he dared so that he could bear witness to what was happening. Instead of kissing the man, Glory seemed to jab her fingers into his skull, though this was surely impossible. While light streamed between her fingers, her face lit up in a kind of ecstasy. William was transfixed by what he was witnessing. After several seconds, Glory withdrew her fingers, and smiled, all traces of tension gone from her face and body. The victim, alas, wasn't so lucky. He was twitching and muttering on the floor, like those poor devils in Bedlam. Up close, William could see that the words on his back proclaimed, "Pacific Gas."

What had she done to him? What would she do to William if he didn't get her the key? "Whew...Dontcha just hate it when that happens? " Glory took William's hand and pulled him away from the agonized victim. He prayed not to faint with fear, and somehow found the strength to remain upright.

"Okay, let's go while the going's good. Take me to my key." William only hoped that he remembered the way to the Magic Shop.

*****

Before heading for the Bronze Buffy and Riley checked out Willy's bar. It was empty except for a demon on the third stool from the left, who muttered something about chicken fingers and fled. Willy had tried to hide behind the bar when Buffy and Riley came in, but Buffy pulled him up by his hair. "Where's Spike!" Buffy demanded. "Geez..I don't know." Willy whined. "All I know is that he's got that
chip out and all Hell's broke loose! I swear...If I knew where he was...I'd tell ya. He's scaring the hell outta me, and my customers! "

Buffy and Riley headed for the Bronze. Outside the door, they came upon a grisly sight...The crumpled body of a young woman. Blonde. Her throat had been torn open.

"Spike?" Riley asked grimly.

"Spike!" Buffy agreed. "He's making no effort to hide his handiwork, so it's probably a trap. But we need to catch him, so I guess we take the bait."

Stakes at the ready, Buffy and Riley entered the Bronze. Oblivious to the killer in their midst, the young people danced and drank and laughed and talked. Somewhere in the crowd there was a boy missing a date...wondering where she could have gone. But they had no time to think about his pain.. Somewhere Spike was lurking or killing, and they had to hurry.

They decided to split up, with Buffy taking the balcony and Riley the main floor. They had their cel phones for communication. The balcony was packed with people, mostly in pairs, some leaning over the railing, some kissing in corners. The light was even dimmer up here and it was a perfect spot for a vampire in black to hide. Buffy concentrated her senses, trying to filter out the din from the band and the smells of perfume, pot and liquor. Her eyes focused through the haze looking for a familiar blond head. Suddenly, from behind a pillar, a boy fell to Buffy's feet. Dead. As kids gathered around him, Buffy caught a glimpse of Spike, slinking towards the stairs.

She followed, not taking the time to phone Riley. The killing had caused a commotion and the kids on the balcony were starting to panic and run for the stairs...Buffy had to push her way through using her superior strength...Still the crowd was keeping her from Spike.

Hurriedly she called Riley and told him that Spike was on his way down the stairs.

Spike laughed as he saw the Slayer getting swallowed up by the crowd. "So near and yet so far, Slayer," he smirked.

He sauntered down the stairs only to find an arm wrapped around his neck, strangling him. Bloody hell...he'd forgotten the sodding soldier boy! Riley was strong...stronger than Spike expected. He couldn't
break free. Instantly Buffy was upon him, stake at the ready. He growled, and his face vamped out...He struggled to get away, but Riley's arm was like steel around his neck and Buffy held the stake to his heart. Spike smiled. If he had to be dusted, let it be the Slayer...a glorious death. But the Slayer didn't stake him...Instead she pressed the stake slightly into his chest, mere inches from his
heart, but didn't press it home. She wanted to push it in...Spike could feel it...hell, he even WANTED it, but she only glared into his eyes while Riley handcuffed his hands behind him. Buffy pulled out the stake and punched him in the face, knocking him to the ground. Riley quickly bound Spike's feet with the strong cord he had liberated from the Initiative. Trussed, helpless and as angry as a rabid dog, Spike found himself slung over Riley's shoulder, and being hustled out of the Bronze, Buffy following close behind...calling
Giles with the news and telling him to meet her with the gang at the magic shop.

Buffy and Riley carried Spike towards the Magic shop with Spike screaming colorful cockney curses all the way.

"Why didn't we bring a gag? " Buffy moaned, putting her hands over her ears.

"Oh, I don't know, "said Riley, "It's rather an education. I can see I missed out, not being in the British army!"

Unseen by Buffy, Riley or Spike a dark robed figure lurked in the darkness. He peered at the unlikely trio. Ah...The Slayer, at last!

The Toth demon had been seeking her for days! It was too dark here in the street to aim his Ferula-gemina. He had missed horribly last time, but tonight there would be no mistakes. Tonight the Slayer would die. He followed the echoing curses towards the Magic Shop.