'Runaway, runaway,
Hold, hold you but you're going away.
Runaway, runaway, Hold you tomorrow but you're leaving today.'
Spike let loose the first bolt of his crossbow, Buffy quickly following suit. With a movement so quick they couldn't even see it, Drusilla raised her hands and caught both objects, her face twisting into a smile, "Naughty."
She let the bolts drop the floor and took a step forward, avoiding the next flurry of bolts that were loosed at her. With a gesture of her hand Kendra and Faith stepped forward, "Round up our guests, the hosts don't like to be kept waiting long." The two slayers stepped forward, smiles rising up on their blank faces as they advanced on the crowd. Buffy caught Oz's eye and he nodded at Joyce and Willow. She nodded and turned back to face the two approaching slayers.
"B," Faith snarled as she came to stand before the blonde, "I'm going to enjoy smashing in your face."
"Likewise." Buffy loosed another crossbow bolt which hit Faith's shoulder, sending her back a few steps. She gripped the bolt as her face contorted in pain and with a vicious yank pulled it out of her arm which hung dead at her side. Beside her she could hear Spike grappling with Kendra as the undead Slayer managed to wrench the crossbow from Spike's hands, a number of bolts dotting her body.
Faith continued towards Buffy, quickly Buffy glanced at Oz who had gathered Willow and Joyce near him and shouted, "Go!" Faith lunged at her, knocking the crossbow from Buffy's hands.
Buffy was dimly aware of Spike and Kendra fighting beside her, the sickening crunch of bones reaching her ears and causing her to wince inwardly as she grappled with Faith. The younger Slayer attacked with a maniacal frenzy, kicking and punching ruthlessly as she sought to drive Buffy against the wall. Out of the corner of her eye she heard Spike's cry as he fell to the floor, Kendra standing over him, a splintered chair leg in her hand.
"No!" she cried just as Drusilla commanded, "Stop!." Their eyes locked as Faith and Kendra backed away. On the floor of the library behind the counter lay Giles and Xander, both sported large bruises on the side of their faces but their chests rose and fell steadily. Drusilla stepped forward, her eyes never leaving Buffy's as she spoke to Kendra, "No need to kill them just yet, pet. Everyone else would be so disappointed."
Kendra's makeshift stake clattered to the library floor and Buffy found herself let out a small sigh of relief. Drusilla smiled and moved towards where she and Faith stood. Faith backed away, hovering protectively behind the vampiress.
Drusilla's hand snaked out and grasped her under the chin, "Sh, pet." Buffy ceased her struggles, her pupils expanding as Drusilla's gaze bore deeper and deeper into her eyes, "That's right, dearie. Be in my eyes. Be in me."
Buffy felt her hold on consciousness fading until she was only aware of the thrum of blood in her veins and the ebony color of Drusilla's eyes which expanded and filled her vision until it was all she saw. She existed now solely through the rhythm of her veins and in the color of those irises. From the edge of her consciousness she was aware of a voice crooning, "Sleep now, pet. Your family's here."
She closed her eyes, sending her world into black as she sank further and further into the throes of oblivion. Drusilla caught the Slayer as she swooned, hoisting her slim form into her arms. Drusilla rocked her gently, crooning softly at the sleeping form, her cold fingers clutching greedily at the Slayer's flesh. Finally, content that her victim wouldn't be stirring any time soon, she turned to her two minions who stood watching her with blank faces.
She tilted her head, indicating the various fallen Scoobies, "Bring them." She started towards the library doors, before stopping and turning around, "And don't forget the poor chickens here. They ran off without their heads and now look what's become of them." She smiled down at the seemingly sleeping forms of Oz, Willow and Joyce, "Daddy would have been so pleased."
'You walk along by yourself, There's no sound, nothing is changing. Been gone away, left you there, Emptiness is nothing you can't share.'
Buffy awoke to darkness. She shivered and lifted her body into a sitting position before falling backward, her brain still fogged from the deep sleep. From the corner of the room she could hear the rustling of skirts as three cloaked figures came forward. Their faces were shrouded by the hoods of their cloaks, the only visible thing was their smooth white hands, each adorned with a delicately filigreed slave bracelet, which reached for her. She was aware of her clothes being removed from her as they bathed cuts and bruises, their skilled hands running across her body carefully, wiping away every visible trace of the last few years before turning to her hair. They soaked her tresses in rose scented water before drying it and forcing her to lie back on the bed.
Trays came forth which held a variety of jars, brushes and needles. They scented her body with the essential oils of patchouli and sandalwood and thyme as well as a variety of scents that she couldn't identify. As they worked they whispered over her body in their soft language. Their hands were reverent on her body, blessing her hands, arms, neck, head, breasts, womb, sex, hips, knees and feet. Softly they turned her over and she was numbly aware of the first sting of pain as the long, thin needles were steeped in black ink and sacred symbols tattooed onto the skin of her back.
As they worked they sang, lulling Buffy back into unconsciousness.
When she woke for the second time an oil lamp burned low in the corner. She managed to push herself out of the bed as the cloaked women approached her and tied a soft fabric around her body into a secure tunic. They placed sandals on her feet and embroidered dried flowers and herbs in her hair before securing a leather belt around her waist.
She watched them complacently, moving quickly as they ushered her forward through the door of her cell into a long dark hall and then finally into a room lit by fires that roared in a large pit. Behind the pit was a three tiered throne, at it's top sat Drusilla, her mad eyes staring serenely at the Slayer. Behind her stood Kendra and Faith, their eyes unseeing in the darkness. Below Drusilla sat two more woman, each quiet as the watched the Slayer approach.
"Care to explain to the rest of the crowd?"
Drusilla's eyes roved over the Slayer as she took in the ceremonial garb, a small frown of displeasure on her face as she intoned, "You have been chosen."
Buffy placed her hands on her hips impatiently, "Tell me something I don't know."
Drusilla just smiled and snapped her fingers, sending her two minions into motion. Kendra and Faith both stepped forward and began the long descent towards the fire. They paused at the rim of it, their blank eyes roving over Buffy before they jumped, the fire enveloping them both.
"Kendra!" Buffy rushed forward towards the flames but found herself thwarted at the fire rose up in an intense wall before abruptly going out, leaving among the ashes only a few charred bone fragments. Buffy fell to her knees, her hands gently turning over the fragments as she whispered the Slayer's name again.
"She had already passed through this veil to the next world. She is at peace now."
"And Faith?" Buffy stood and started walking towards the woman who had spoken, "What about her?"
"From the blood of the sister great things shall come."
Buffy turned towards the other woman, "NO! Nothing good can come of death! Nothing! You killed them, in cold blood!"
Drusilla began to laugh, the sound carrying throughout the cavern as she doubled over. Buffy turned to her and started making her way up the dais, "Poor little Slayer. Placed in the maze without even the scent of cheese. What will you do, little mouse, when the cat comes?"
"What are you talking about?"
"What poor pack animal you make. Growf. You don't even ask where the rest of the animals are before starting to play."
The fire sprung up again as Buffy neared Drusilla, her hands clenched menacingly, "Where are they?"
"Where all the others have gone before." The vampiress leaned forward, "Through the fire."
Buffy felt her knees weakening, "No …"
Drusilla nodded and clapped her hands gleefully, "Oh, yes. There they are, can't you hear them calling? They call to me, such beautiful sounds … Especially the ones my Spike makes. I always did love how he sounded."
Buffy's eyes flashed warningly, "Well content yourself with the memories, 'cause he's not yours any more."
"No," Drusilla greed calmly, her large brown eyes watching as the flames leapt and danced behind the Slayer, "But he's not entirely yours either? Is he?"
"What do you know about it?"
"He leaves his bed cold in the gray morning light. A secret locked inside that he cannot tell you. Poor little girl. What will you do, huh? When the secrets eat him alive?"
Buffy turned away and started slowly down the stairs, her jaw hardening as she approached the fire, "If they're in there I'll find them. I'll bring him back."
The three women smiled at each other from the seats. Drusilla stood and descended the stairs as well, coming to stand beside the Slayer who glared at her, "Careful, love, there are all sorts of nasties in the dark. Even yourself. Scintilla."
Buffy started and took another step towards the fire, "If I can find them I will."
Good luck then, love," the vampiress replied as her hands gripped Buffy's shoulders and pushed her into the flames.
Hold, hold you but you're going away.
Runaway, runaway, Hold you tomorrow but you're leaving today.'
Spike let loose the first bolt of his crossbow, Buffy quickly following suit. With a movement so quick they couldn't even see it, Drusilla raised her hands and caught both objects, her face twisting into a smile, "Naughty."
She let the bolts drop the floor and took a step forward, avoiding the next flurry of bolts that were loosed at her. With a gesture of her hand Kendra and Faith stepped forward, "Round up our guests, the hosts don't like to be kept waiting long." The two slayers stepped forward, smiles rising up on their blank faces as they advanced on the crowd. Buffy caught Oz's eye and he nodded at Joyce and Willow. She nodded and turned back to face the two approaching slayers.
"B," Faith snarled as she came to stand before the blonde, "I'm going to enjoy smashing in your face."
"Likewise." Buffy loosed another crossbow bolt which hit Faith's shoulder, sending her back a few steps. She gripped the bolt as her face contorted in pain and with a vicious yank pulled it out of her arm which hung dead at her side. Beside her she could hear Spike grappling with Kendra as the undead Slayer managed to wrench the crossbow from Spike's hands, a number of bolts dotting her body.
Faith continued towards Buffy, quickly Buffy glanced at Oz who had gathered Willow and Joyce near him and shouted, "Go!" Faith lunged at her, knocking the crossbow from Buffy's hands.
Buffy was dimly aware of Spike and Kendra fighting beside her, the sickening crunch of bones reaching her ears and causing her to wince inwardly as she grappled with Faith. The younger Slayer attacked with a maniacal frenzy, kicking and punching ruthlessly as she sought to drive Buffy against the wall. Out of the corner of her eye she heard Spike's cry as he fell to the floor, Kendra standing over him, a splintered chair leg in her hand.
"No!" she cried just as Drusilla commanded, "Stop!." Their eyes locked as Faith and Kendra backed away. On the floor of the library behind the counter lay Giles and Xander, both sported large bruises on the side of their faces but their chests rose and fell steadily. Drusilla stepped forward, her eyes never leaving Buffy's as she spoke to Kendra, "No need to kill them just yet, pet. Everyone else would be so disappointed."
Kendra's makeshift stake clattered to the library floor and Buffy found herself let out a small sigh of relief. Drusilla smiled and moved towards where she and Faith stood. Faith backed away, hovering protectively behind the vampiress.
Drusilla's hand snaked out and grasped her under the chin, "Sh, pet." Buffy ceased her struggles, her pupils expanding as Drusilla's gaze bore deeper and deeper into her eyes, "That's right, dearie. Be in my eyes. Be in me."
Buffy felt her hold on consciousness fading until she was only aware of the thrum of blood in her veins and the ebony color of Drusilla's eyes which expanded and filled her vision until it was all she saw. She existed now solely through the rhythm of her veins and in the color of those irises. From the edge of her consciousness she was aware of a voice crooning, "Sleep now, pet. Your family's here."
She closed her eyes, sending her world into black as she sank further and further into the throes of oblivion. Drusilla caught the Slayer as she swooned, hoisting her slim form into her arms. Drusilla rocked her gently, crooning softly at the sleeping form, her cold fingers clutching greedily at the Slayer's flesh. Finally, content that her victim wouldn't be stirring any time soon, she turned to her two minions who stood watching her with blank faces.
She tilted her head, indicating the various fallen Scoobies, "Bring them." She started towards the library doors, before stopping and turning around, "And don't forget the poor chickens here. They ran off without their heads and now look what's become of them." She smiled down at the seemingly sleeping forms of Oz, Willow and Joyce, "Daddy would have been so pleased."
'You walk along by yourself, There's no sound, nothing is changing. Been gone away, left you there, Emptiness is nothing you can't share.'
Buffy awoke to darkness. She shivered and lifted her body into a sitting position before falling backward, her brain still fogged from the deep sleep. From the corner of the room she could hear the rustling of skirts as three cloaked figures came forward. Their faces were shrouded by the hoods of their cloaks, the only visible thing was their smooth white hands, each adorned with a delicately filigreed slave bracelet, which reached for her. She was aware of her clothes being removed from her as they bathed cuts and bruises, their skilled hands running across her body carefully, wiping away every visible trace of the last few years before turning to her hair. They soaked her tresses in rose scented water before drying it and forcing her to lie back on the bed.
Trays came forth which held a variety of jars, brushes and needles. They scented her body with the essential oils of patchouli and sandalwood and thyme as well as a variety of scents that she couldn't identify. As they worked they whispered over her body in their soft language. Their hands were reverent on her body, blessing her hands, arms, neck, head, breasts, womb, sex, hips, knees and feet. Softly they turned her over and she was numbly aware of the first sting of pain as the long, thin needles were steeped in black ink and sacred symbols tattooed onto the skin of her back.
As they worked they sang, lulling Buffy back into unconsciousness.
When she woke for the second time an oil lamp burned low in the corner. She managed to push herself out of the bed as the cloaked women approached her and tied a soft fabric around her body into a secure tunic. They placed sandals on her feet and embroidered dried flowers and herbs in her hair before securing a leather belt around her waist.
She watched them complacently, moving quickly as they ushered her forward through the door of her cell into a long dark hall and then finally into a room lit by fires that roared in a large pit. Behind the pit was a three tiered throne, at it's top sat Drusilla, her mad eyes staring serenely at the Slayer. Behind her stood Kendra and Faith, their eyes unseeing in the darkness. Below Drusilla sat two more woman, each quiet as the watched the Slayer approach.
"Care to explain to the rest of the crowd?"
Drusilla's eyes roved over the Slayer as she took in the ceremonial garb, a small frown of displeasure on her face as she intoned, "You have been chosen."
Buffy placed her hands on her hips impatiently, "Tell me something I don't know."
Drusilla just smiled and snapped her fingers, sending her two minions into motion. Kendra and Faith both stepped forward and began the long descent towards the fire. They paused at the rim of it, their blank eyes roving over Buffy before they jumped, the fire enveloping them both.
"Kendra!" Buffy rushed forward towards the flames but found herself thwarted at the fire rose up in an intense wall before abruptly going out, leaving among the ashes only a few charred bone fragments. Buffy fell to her knees, her hands gently turning over the fragments as she whispered the Slayer's name again.
"She had already passed through this veil to the next world. She is at peace now."
"And Faith?" Buffy stood and started walking towards the woman who had spoken, "What about her?"
"From the blood of the sister great things shall come."
Buffy turned towards the other woman, "NO! Nothing good can come of death! Nothing! You killed them, in cold blood!"
Drusilla began to laugh, the sound carrying throughout the cavern as she doubled over. Buffy turned to her and started making her way up the dais, "Poor little Slayer. Placed in the maze without even the scent of cheese. What will you do, little mouse, when the cat comes?"
"What are you talking about?"
"What poor pack animal you make. Growf. You don't even ask where the rest of the animals are before starting to play."
The fire sprung up again as Buffy neared Drusilla, her hands clenched menacingly, "Where are they?"
"Where all the others have gone before." The vampiress leaned forward, "Through the fire."
Buffy felt her knees weakening, "No …"
Drusilla nodded and clapped her hands gleefully, "Oh, yes. There they are, can't you hear them calling? They call to me, such beautiful sounds … Especially the ones my Spike makes. I always did love how he sounded."
Buffy's eyes flashed warningly, "Well content yourself with the memories, 'cause he's not yours any more."
"No," Drusilla greed calmly, her large brown eyes watching as the flames leapt and danced behind the Slayer, "But he's not entirely yours either? Is he?"
"What do you know about it?"
"He leaves his bed cold in the gray morning light. A secret locked inside that he cannot tell you. Poor little girl. What will you do, huh? When the secrets eat him alive?"
Buffy turned away and started slowly down the stairs, her jaw hardening as she approached the fire, "If they're in there I'll find them. I'll bring him back."
The three women smiled at each other from the seats. Drusilla stood and descended the stairs as well, coming to stand beside the Slayer who glared at her, "Careful, love, there are all sorts of nasties in the dark. Even yourself. Scintilla."
Buffy started and took another step towards the fire, "If I can find them I will."
Good luck then, love," the vampiress replied as her hands gripped Buffy's shoulders and pushed her into the flames.