Another vampire exploded into a whirl of dust. Shade pulled the broken piece of two by four out of the ground and tossed it into a garbage heap. After dusting off her hands, Shade continued on. Her silver eyes glittered brightly in the moonlight. She took one step backwards as a vampire landed on the ground in front of her. He had tried to jump on her from the roof the building, but Shade had sensed him and moved out of the way. Her foot shot out and tripped the vampire. She placed her booted foot on his back and pressed down. He struggled but to no avail. With a quick thrust of her foot she snapped the vampire's spine. She pulled her boot away as the vampire faded into dust. Shaking her head with disgust, Shade turned to walk off. She froze, though, when a sound reached her ears. Someone was coming. Melting into the shadows, Shade waited. She didn't have long to wait. A figure came around the corner carrying a chunk of wood in her fist.

"Were did all the vampires go?" Buffy complained. She stepped in a pile of dust and sighed. "Guess someone already did my job for me" Buffy grumbled, dusting the thin coat of dust off her black boots. Shade pulled deeper into the shadows. Her silver eyes gave off the smallest of glimmers. Buffy glanced over to were Shade was hiding. The vampire froze, her eyes locked on The Slayer. Buffy shifted her grip on the stake and held it up to strike. "Come out, Come out, wherever you are" Buffy taunted. Shade felt the building wall press up against her back. One more step and Buffy would be able to see her. Shade stopped breathing as if it was only her breath that would give her away. "Slayer" a deep voice hissed. Shade almost sighed with relief. That quickly changed when she saw who approached Buffy, a tall and bulky male vampire. He had his demon face on as he grinned wickedly. Buffy sized up her opponent. He stood at least four feet above her. He wore black and red armour that covered his shoulders and legs. A large chrisom hilted sword lay at his waist on a large belt. He had long black hair that swept over his strong wide shoulders. His most distinctive feature was the black snake- dragon tattoo over his right eye. "And who are you?" Buffy laughed after firmly planting her hands on her hips. "He's Kerl, from the Order of Serdraga" Shade answered stepping from were she hid. Buffy spun around ready to defend herself. Shade ignored her and stepped up to the metal clad vampire. "Ah, Shade!" Kerl greeted her "Long time no see" "Stuff it, Kerl" Shade snarled back. Buffy stood beside the vampires in complete confusion. "Shade, Shade" Kerl smirked shaking his head in mock shame. "Is that anyway to greet an old friend?" "Your no friend of mine" Shade shot back. Her hands clenched into fists and her silver eyes narrowed angrily.

"Pity," Kerl smirked "You would have made such a fine addition to The Order of Serdraga" "Okay, hold up! You know each other?" Buffy glared at both the vampire. She received a nod from both of them. "But from the feel of all this tension, I guessing you're not the best of friends" Buffy added. "Shut up Slayer, I'll deal with you later" Kerl snapped. "Hey!" Buffy protested. "That was just rude!" In a flash Kerl drew his sword and swung in at Buffy. She dodged it but just barely. Kerl turned back to Shade with his sword held out. Shade rolled across the ground and snatched at a pole that had been left discarded in the garbage. She brought it up just as Kerl brought down his weapon. Sparks flew as the two metals collided. "Go!' Shade commended at Buffy. Buffy hesitated. "I can take him!" Shade assured her. Buffy nodded and took off. Get Giles, Tell Giles repeated over in her head. "You were always noble, Shade" Kerl taunted. He swung his sword again with deadly accuracy. Shade brought down the pole to block, but the flimsy metal stick shattered on impact. Kerl laughed and pulled his sword back. "Ever wonder why I was asked to join The Order of Serdraga?" Kerl taunted. "The Girl Guides rejected you?" Shade smirked. Kerl scowled and pushed her to the ground. His sword was held poised at her neck. "No, I can do this" Kerl snarled angrily. He muttered a word in Latin and his sword blazed with a pearly black mist. "Smoke tricks?" Shade scoffed. Kerl scowled at her. He drew up his sword to deliver the killing blow. With a battle cry and a flash of blonde and leather, Kerl went sprawling to the ground. His sword clattered to the ground and lost its pearly mist. Shade jumped to her feet. Kerl was pinned under another vampire. He snarled with deep anger and threw the vampire off. Shade leaped for Kerl's sword just as he did too. Her hand caught the blade and she pulled it towards her. Kerl froze as she spun around and pointed it at his chest. She glanced over at the vampire that had saved her. Spike pulled himself onto his feet with a triumphant smirk. "Ya alright, Luv?" he asked with his blue eyes glittering. Shade just glared at him. Spike winced when she kicked Kerl in the gut. His sword clattered to the ground in front of him. "Go, Get out of my sight" Shade growled at him. Kerl Picked up his sword and with a gallant bow to Shade he left. "What was that all about?" Spike demanded. "Why'd you let him go?" "Who do you think you are?" Shade snapped directing her anger to Spike. "I'm the bloke that just saved your life," Spike shot back. "By the way, the names Spike" "Well, Spike" Shade scoffed emphasizing his name "I think you should leave me alone" With that she spun on her heel and started to walk away. "Riven, wait" Spike called not wanting to lose her when he was so close. Shade froze. "What did you call me?" She whispered fearfully. "Riven" Spike repeated. Something flashed behind her eyes as she stared at him. God she is beautiful Spike thought as he watched her. "I'm not going to ask how you found that Diary" Shade hissed her voice low ", but you better not tell anyone what you've learned" "I wont" Spike assured her. Shade glanced down at the ground her eyes filled with pain. Spike hesitated not sure of what to do. Finally, Shade looked up.

"Who are you?" She whispered her voice soft.