Chapter Four
No sooner had the chess games drawn to a close, voices could be heard in the distant tunnels. Willow focused her eyes on the chessboard, still stroking the pawn she held loosely in her hands. She tried to ignore the voices, but the Master's hand appeared in her line of vision as he gestured for her to rise. She followed him to what was his throne room, sitting on a broken column as he took to his throne.
A group of five vampires entered the chamber, in the middle was Xander who wore a demonic mask and looked pleased with himself. on either side of him was Darla and Luke, even Luke appeared to be pleased with something and he stared almost proudly down at Xander.
"Master, you would be proud, he is a fast learner. Even Luke was impressed!" Luke's expression quickly rearranged itself into a disdainful scowl. Xander had eyes only for Willow but she was determined not to look his way.
"He has potential," Luke nodded. "If the Master permits it, I would like him to join us at the Harvest. It will be a true test for any vampire; but a fledgling? If he survives the night, he will do well amongst us."
"High praise from Luke," the Master clapped his hands. "We shall discuss the matter of the Harvest shortly. Did you bring food for our mortal guest?" Darla walked over and handed Willow a bag, she could smell the greasy food before she even opened the bag. looking in she found a bottle on top of the fast food wrapper and pulled out a bottle of iron vitamins. "You spoil her," the Master laughed and Willow shuddered, quickly dropping the vitamins back in. Darla walked over to the Master and held something out to him, curtseying deeply. Despite herself, Willow couldn't help but admire the woman's grace.
"Should you choose to reward her Master, I thought perhaps for the ceremony? She will be the first gifted with the honour in almost two centuries, surely an occasion to celebrate?" The Master opened the gift, shaking out black material. It looked extremely fragile and, even from a distance, exquisite. "I thought white would be too cliche; besides, it's hardly a wedding." Laughter filled the room and Willow tried to move closer to the shadows before their gaze turned to her.
"It is beautiful. Come, let us discuss the Harvest and perhaps after, Darla you would do me the honour of planning the ceremony? A woman's touch would be appropriate for the occasion."
The Master was joined by four of the vampires, but Xander stood still as if uncertain in his place in the planning. He looked at Willow and she noticed the stain around his mouth, by now she knew all too well it was blood. Had Xander killed tonight? She stood up and moved further away from him, but Luke returned and called for his attention.
"You did well. Fledglings are normally headstrong, they are not willing to listen to their elders." He turned to look at Willow, "should this blessing be bestowed upon you, you would do well to follow your friend's lead."
"He's not my friend." Willow said.
"Willow…" Xander looked to Luke for permission, the ox-like vampire gave a curt nod but motioned he would be watching. Willow dropped the bag to the floor as Xander lunged at her, seizing her around the waist. "Look at me."
"No!" Willow tried to kick, stamp and scratch at Xander but he was too quick and strong for her. Knocking the breath from her, he slammed her back against a wall. Pain pierced Willow's lower back as a sharp rock judded against her. Xander forced her to look at him, his eyes were a sickening yellow and his face contorted into a monstrous mask. "Who are you?"
"I'm Xander," the face was that of a demon but it was Xander's voice. "Willow, do you know how amazing this is? This power? We'll live forever, be young forever. We won't grow old, get sick - and best of all? No one will dare laugh at us."
"You killed tonight," Willow stated, she couldn't be sure but his lack of denial only confirmed her fears.
"It's part of the power, Will, and it feels so good." Xander leant his head down and sniffed Willow, his hands began wandering and not gently. "You smell delicious." He growled in her ear. Willow struggled against him as dipped his head to her neck, licking where she had been bitten only hours before.
"Alexander." Luke's sharp voice cut through the air and Xander froze. "She is the Master's, we can only taste her with his permission."
"You should be mine," Xander growled, pulling her close he kissed her on the lips, his tongue probing its way into her mouth. Pushing her away abruptly Xander picked the bag up and tossed it back to her. "You should eat. You're going to need your strength."
With nothing else to do Willow picked at the food that had been brought back for her; but she had no appetite and could only manage a few of the fries. Setting it aside, Willow stood up and paced around the chamber. Seeing no harm in exploring she wandered into one of the tunnels. The sound of low voices tugged at her curiosity and she followed them, trying to move as quietly as possible.
"Have you found an appropriate lair?"
"If I may," Xander's voice sounded eager. "The Bronze is the hot spot of Sunnydale, it might suit you as a starting point? It's not very luxurious -"
"My dear boy, have you not noticed where I have been dwelling for decades? What do you both think of this 'Bronze'?"
"It's a nightclub," Darla said. "The humans gather there in large groups, the smell...it's…"
"Lust and despair linger in the air." Luke's voice picked up where Darla had left off. "It is dark; virtually windowless and the door seems to be steel."
"It shall suffice, well done to you all. You are clear on what needs to be done tomorrow? Luke must be protected, as my vessel it is crucial you do not fall. At least, not until I am free."
"I shall not fail you, Master. It is a great honour you bestow upon me."
"Master, forgive me but why is the fledgling here? How can you be sure he is loyal to you?"
"You dare question the Master?" Darla scorned the unknown voice and Willow flinched at the deadly tone of the woman's voice.
"Derek, I'm surprised at you. Alexander of all of us has the best knowledge of Sunnydale, he has resided here all of his mortal life. In his one night, he has proven himself worthy. Which is more than can be said for you…" There was a shout of pain which was cut-off abruptly.
"Are you not curious as to why you are welcomed into my inner circle?" Willow moved so that she was sitting with her back to the wall, a more comfortable position to eavesdrop in.
"I did not think it was my place to question you."
"Darla, as always it is a credit to your siring." Darla murmured her thanks and Willow rolled her eyes. Would she be this simpering? "You are right of course, you have witnessed how I tolerate impertinent questioning. When a fledgling first awakens they are consumed by their bloodlust, but you have maintained such control...perhaps it is the presence of your companion. You care for her, it may be that your feelings are stronger…"
"An interesting theory," Luke said. "We have never tested this...perhaps that is the way to sire stronger fledglings?"
"A theory we will have centuries to test after the Harvest." The Master sighed. "Perhaps human emotion is not a complete weakness? It has been a while since we had a fledgling in our nest, I am curious to see how you progress. If tonight is anything to go by, you will be a great vampire."
"T - Thank you Master."
"Perform well at the Harvest, and I will reward you well." There was a hesitation in the air and the creak of leather as the Master stood up. "You want the girl?"
"She is my best friend, we grew up together."
"She loves you, that's what drew me to her the other night. The way she looked at you, so pitiful. But she is for the Master," Darla said gently.
"If she is rewarded with immortality there will be a ceremony. Our first in a long time, perform well at the Harvest and I will grant you a place in the ceremony. Darla will tell you about it, but not now. The ceremony is not for human ears," Willow cried out as her arm was suddenly yanked and she found herself standing in a room with four vampires, she dreaded to think about the fifth voice. "Eavesdropping is not behaviour that will be rewarded." the Master chided Willow.
"I don't want to be rewarded, not unless it means going home."
"Hush child," Darla scolded her. "Xander, would you have asked for this life?" He seemed to think about his answer before shaking his head.
"No, it would have seemed terrifying as a mortal. Will, there's no way to describe just how - how awesome this power is. You won't be able to even comprehend what it's like to be a vampire, until you are."
"You killed tonight."
"Humans eat animals - how is that any different?" She had no logical answer to this. "We're just higher on the food chain."
"A human would not understand this gift, you see death as something to fear." The Master spoke consolingly.
"Will, please." She turned to look at Xander, his face was that of her childhood friend and not a monster. Standing up he reached out to take her hands, squeezing them gently. she couldn't help noticing how deathly cold they were. He brushed his lips lightly against hers. "Believe me, you want this reward. Don't you trust me?"
Willow looked up into his eyes, their lips still touching. His brown eyes were soft, but there was a glimmer in there she had never seen before. something...evil.
"No." She whispered. "I don't."
