Part 4
It had been one month since he acquired his aspect of the demon. It took getting used to. He could read the minds of vampires, humans and a couple of other demons, but not all. He had to make eye contact with the people or demons to know what they were thinking. And only Ava and Nina knew of his newfound power.
"It's time I go back," Spike started.
"I know. To Sunnydaleto kill the slayer. Well remember that you have a place here now."
They heard the doorbell ring and then Nina's shriek of terror. Spike and Ava ran downstairs. A gang of vampires stood outside he door. Ava looked as the vampires parted like the Red Sea. Fernando walked to the doorway. Ava's look hardened as she saw her old acquaintance. Nina stepped away from the door and moved toward Spike.
"Ava."
"Fernando."
"May I come in?"
"The invitation is for one."
Fernando glided through the doorway and examined Spike, "William, old friend."
"Fernando. What brings you here?" Spike asked unenthusiastically.
"The Slayer," Fernando said, noting the expression that flit across Spike's face. "Ahh. I've seen that I've piqued your curiosity."
"Nina, why don't you go to the kitchen or something?" Ava said casually, wanting Nina out of Fernando's sight. Nina nodded and trotted down the hallway. Ava made a mental note to speak with the villagers later. Most knew of Nina's powers, and a careless word could easily get back to Fernando, placing the young witch in danger.
"Let's go in to the study." Ava suggested.
Both Ava and Spike had been surprised to find the dark-haired vampire on their doorstep. Neither held any liking for Fernando. In fact, both had good reason to stake him where he stood. They had first met him in 1888, during their cross-Atlantic journey to England with Angelus, Darla, and Drusilla. A besotted Fernando had immediately attempted to ingratiate himself into Darla and Ava's good graces. Angelus had made it brutally clear that the blonde vampiress was off limits. Spike similarly warned Fernando away from Ava and Drusilla, or so he thought until she stumbled, bruised and battered, into his stateroom one night.
Fernando had snuck into Ava's room, intent on forcibly pressing his case. In turn, Ava had made her aversion quite clear by staking the vampire in the stomach. Only the fact that he remained in great pain as his injury slowly healed – and Ava's insistence that she was quite capable of exacting her own revenge - saved him from Spike's wrath. Nevertheless, Fernando assiduously avoided Ava and Spike for the rest of the trip.
"From what I hear, the Slayer has partnered with some band of mercenaries, hunting down vampires and other demons and experimenting on them," Fernando began, sipping warm blood from a champagne glass.
"The slayer is not that sophisticated," Spike scoffed.
"Well if it's not her, than who Spike? You've just come from Sunnydale. Has anyone said anything to you?"
"No. I was too busy."
"Yes. Looking for the Gem of Amara ," Fernando snickered. Spike glared at him.
"Why you bloody w...."
"Okay boys. Let's be civil for a bit. I don't get what the has to do with us."
/Well, we kill the slayers and then I kill Spike and then I'll have you all to myself, Ava./
Spike had his back turned to Fernando, but he had clearly picked up the other vampire's treacherous thoughts.
The brief flash of rage that passed over Spike's face shocked Ava. Unaware of his telltale expression, Spike was surprised by the look on Ava's face. He tried to read her thoughts, but couldn't.
Oblivious to the by-play between Spike and Ava, Fernando gestured to the other vampire. "Well, my dear, I think we should kill the slayers. And I want William here to help us."
"I don't think so, chum. I've got stuff to take care of," Spike said, moving closer toward Ava.
/Fool. When I kill the slayers, I will bathe in their blood. And then I will kill you slowly./
"Very well," Fernando said nonchalantly. He slowly finished his glass of blood, not even noticing Spike's venomous glare.
"Well good bye, William and Ava. Always a pleasure," he grabbed Ava's hand to kiss it , but the growl from the younger vampire stopped him in mid-air.
TBC