Summary: Business at the Denuo begins and brings in a little more than Selena expected.
*~*~*
Selena smiled to the guest and handed them a room key. "Enjoy your stay!" she beamed. This was her fourth guest this week. Bobby had sent over a cook and a maid, courtesy of Harrington Enterprises, to help out and Selena was thankful. She couldn't pull back the drapes during the day without becoming a crispy critter. Melissa handled the guests that came in during the day and Selena took the night shift.
She was surprised that Wesley actually put on a smile and helped with the guests who came in. He told her that as the office manager he had to think of his customers first. His whole demeanor changed when he was dealing with customers. He had cleaned up, shaved and even dawned a suit. When he asked came in with glasses Selena began to see what the others had meant by "the old Wes." He had been a Watcher and being official was part in partial to the gig.
As Melissa waved goodbye for the day, Selena turned to Wesley and folded her arms over her chest. "I think we should talk."
He set aside the papers he was looking over and adjusted his glasses on his nose. "About?"
"You."
"Me?"
"Wesley, you haven't been acting the same lately and I just want to make sure everything is going okay. I worry about you."
He grinned. "You worry about me? Selena, that is…"
"The truth." She let her fingers trail over the phone. "I was thinking about calling Angel and telling him to come get you. I don't think that it's healthy for you to be here."
"I rather think the hotel business has been quite therapeutic for me. Dealing with normal humans who need a place to stay…" His words trailed off as the chime on the door rang and a demon bent down to make it through the door.
It stood about eight feet tall with peach colored skin that hung loose on its boney frame. Its beady red eyes focused on Selena. "Vampire…" it growled as it took steps with its giant hoofed feet.
Her eyes widened. "Me? Uh, nope. Sorry. Wrong hotel."
"I need your help." It stopped at the counter and slapped its webbed claw on the table with a wad of cash. "And I'm willing to pay."
*~*~*
The four guests Selena had vacated the building when they saw the seventeen Nerraw demons pay for their rooms. Wesley and Selena sat with their leader when the others had settled in.
"What exactly do you think that I can help you with?" she asked.
"Tales are that you've fought along side of Angelus and the Slayer to bring down the mighty Beast." He made a gurgling noise in his throat that might have been a growl. "I am Haddock, the leader of my clan. We are being hunted by something we can't describe. We are a peaceful race."
"I've heard of you," Wesley said. "And that's true from what I've read."
"Then you see what I mean. We do not know how to defend ourselves. We are easy prey." Haddock blinked his beady eyes.
"You need someone to protect you." Selena shook her head. "But for how long?"
"Until the thing is stopped. Then we'll leave you be."
Selena looked at Wesley. "You up for this?"
He nodded. "We'll do what we can. Until then, you and your clan should stay here hidden. It would be the safest."
Selena smiled in agreement. "We have food and water and plenty of room."
Wesley cleared his throat. "Selena, Nerraw demons eat cow intestine."
Her smile faltered. "Oh, well then I guess I'm making a trip to the butcher."
"There has been one of us who has seen it and lived," Haddock continued. "My daughter, Kalani, witnessed it feeding on her uncle."
"Can I talk to her?" she asked.
*~*~*
Kalani was the youngest of the group, which meant that instead of being eight feet tall she was only six feet tall. Selena sat across from her, Wesley to the side of the vampire with a notepad. The female Nerraw's had a green tinge to their skin but other than that they had no other distinguishing features from the males. She was timid and shy.
"My father told me that you're the ones who are going to help us. You're going to track down the thing that killed my uncle." Kalani looked down. "I haven't been able to eat very well since I saw…"
"I need you to tell me, in detail, what you saw," Wesley requested.
She nodded. "It had a body like a snake, but with arms. Its face was… so cold… and it spoke in a language I couldn't understand."
"What did it do to your uncle?"
"It didn't just kill him. It skinned him alive and ate his internal organs." Kalani's voice was trembling. "My uncle screamed while it ate him…"
Selena waved her hand. "That's enough. Rest now. I'll make a trip to the butcher's to make sure you have something to eat." She stood. "Rest now."
Once Selena was out in the hall with Wesley, she shuddered. "Why do I get the feeling this isn't just some demon hunting them?"
"Probably because it isn't." Wesley took off his glasses and sighed, heading back to the lobby. "It's an assassin."
Selena followed him. "An assassin? After a group of non-hostile demons? Why?"
Wesley went into his office where he kept books he'd brought with him. "I'm not sure. We have to look at this from every angle."
"How can we be sure it was an assassin? I mean, the manor in which this was done… only a true killer could admire that."
"So you admire it?"
Hurt flashed in her eyes. "It was art to a killer. To anyone with a soul it is simply sick." She took an unneeded breath. "This is someone who wants their pray to fear them as well. Whoever hired them is looking into the fear factor as well."
Wesley held open a book. "I believe this Nitsuj what we're looking for." He pointed to a snake-like creature. "It's part of the Ranshere Clan. They can be bribed with jewels. They'll do anything."
She took the book and skimmed over the text. "They sound as ruthless as Kalani described." Shutting the book, she headed for the phone. "I'll see if Bobby's heard anything on the street about it."
"I haven't seen Bobby around here in a while."
"Since I've been straightening up things here at the hotel, I haven't really been social with him." She picked up the phone and dialed.
*~*~*
Bobby arrived in a suit within thirty minutes. He gave Selena a brief kiss awkward then turned all business. As Wesley described what they were looking for, she watched Bobby's gaze. He never took his eyes off of the ex-Watcher and listened intently. But Selena knew what he was going to say when he was through listening before he said it.
"I haven't heard anything." Bobby leaned back with a sigh. "But I can find out. It probably won't be hard to track down something killing demons."
"It's only killing one kind of demon," Selena pointed out. "It hasn't killed anything else that we know of."
"Maybe nothing else has lived to tell the tale." Bobby picked up his hat and stood. "I'll call you if I hear anything. Let me know if you need any help with anything else."
"Thank you." Selena led him to the door. "Bobby, I don't want you to think that I've been avoiding you, because I haven't. It's just that with the hotel and everything I haven't really…"
He put a finger to her lips. "Hush. I know. It's okay if you don't want to see me."
Her eyes grew wide and she took his hand. "No! I do want to see you! I just need to take care of this first. I have to earn my time. There are people who need my help."
He smiled and nodded. "Then I'll help in any way I can. Because I'm making reservations for dinner in three days."
She giggled like a little girl. "I'm on it."
*~*~*
Bobby found himself once again standing in the darkened office of Mr. Harrington. This was happening a little more often then he liked. "She knows about the assassin. Evidently the Nerraw have sought her out for protection."
The shadowy figure growled low. "Well, this puts a little damper in my plans now doesn't it? And just what do you suppose we do about Miss Selena and the Nerraw?"
"She'll protect the Nerraw to the end."
"Well, I need that land. And I don't want other squatters."
"Maybe they can relocate them?"
"Relocate." Mr. Harrington chuckled. "Why hadn't I thought of that? Oh, wait, it's because they're eight foot demons!" His voice echoed through the office. "Where the hell am I supposed to relocate them?"
Bobby's head snapped up. "Did you say hell? Sir, you're a genius!"
"I don't follow."
"Another dimension."
There was a pause as Mr. Harrington contemplated. "Do it then."
*~*~*
Wesley watched Selena as she read through the book on the assassin. She was deep in thought and he could tell. Sitting there, in her blue jeans and t-shirt, she looked like a young college girl studying for a mid-term. Her dark hair was being held up by a pencil, exposing her neck and facial features clearly. He stepped behind her to read over her shoulder and caught the faint scent of lavender.
"Damn." She slammed the book shut, startling Wesley. "Nothing to help me track this thing." She turned to him, surprised to find him so close. "Have you found something?"
He stepped back. "Er, no. Nothing."
The door to the Denuo chimed as Bobby rushed in. "Selena! I think I found your assassin. But we have to hurry."
She looked to the door. "The sun's coming up."
"It's in the sewers." He tossed his hat on the coat rack. "Mind if I change first? I don't really feel like messing up this suit."
Selena led him back to her own room. "This should do, shouldn't it?"
He looked around. "This is your room."
"Yes." She shifted. "If you'd like we have other rooms."
He yanked off his tie and began unbuttoning his shirt. "This works fine. I was just curious." He winked at her. "Now if you'll excuse me."
"Go ahead." She stood there for a minute before it sunk in. "Oh! Sorry." She hurried back out to the lobby with a huge smile.
"You know, I think I liked Angel's curse a lot better," Wesley snapped. "You don't seem to be suffering at all."
Her smile instantly faded. "I do suffer. But what you have to realize is that a soul isn't all about the suffering. It's also about learning how to live in peace without the need for destruction and chaos and… Oh no…" She looked to the door where Melissa bubbled in.
"Morning!" she chimed. "Well, I have a feeling today is going to be a great day!"
"I need you to leave," Selena said.
Melissa's smile failed and she looked like she might cry. "I'm fired?" she whispered.
Selena's eyes widened. "Huh? No! Oh, I'm sorry. I just meant that today I have some special visitors who aren't going to like anyone but me tending to them."
"Well, I can just look after our other guests."
"There kind of aren't any other guests."
Melissa wrinkled her brow in confusion for a moment before letting out a blood-curdling scream. Her eyes rolled back up into her head and she fainted on the spot. Selena looked behind her to see Kalani standing there rubbing the sleep her beady eyes.
*~*~*
Selena had locked the doors to the Denuo to prevent the cook and maid from coming in on the scene as well. Melissa was lying on the couch, Wesley dabbing a cloth on her head. Selena was pacing while Bobby leaned against the counter, now dawning jeans and a t-shirt as well.
"I had wanted to keep her safe from the demon world. I didn't want her to see anything. Now what am I going to do?" Selena threw her arms up in defeat.
"It was a costume," Bobby calmly offered. "Just tell her it was a costume. You're housing a make-up artist who's working on a monster flick."
Wesley rinsed the cloth and replaced it on her head. "I think she's coming through."
Melissa groaned and blinked her eyes. "Wesley?" She looked up at him in confusion. "What happened?"
Selena stood behind Wesley. "You saw a monster for a new movie. I don't want this to get out but we're hosing some actors here for a movie."
She sat up slowly. "Oh, that makes sense." She chuckled. "I actually thought I saw a monster! How silly!" Bobby coughed to hide a laugh and Melissa looked his way. "Hey! Aren't you the fruit basket guy?"
"Bobby, and yes, I am."
Melissa looked from him to Selena. "Oh, look at the sparks!" She smiled. "You two make such a cute couple!"
Selena helped her up. "Now then, I think you should go home and rest. You'll have a paid leave, I promise. It's just that the… movie cast wants only Wesley and I here."
"Then what about Bobby?"
"He, uh, works for their parent company."
Melissa narrowed her eyes. "Why do I think there's something you're not telling me?"
Selena looked to Wesley with a question in her eyes. But he shook his head so she swallowed back the truth. "Everything's fine, Melissa. I promise."
*~*~*
"You know I heard a rumor about crocodiles down here," Bobby informed Selena as he led the way. "Some big wig with Washington Mutual got a baby one and lost it in these sewers."
"You know, that's funny. I heard something like that back in Paris around the time of Louis the Second." She chuckled. "Didn't figure you for one to believe in urban legends."
"You should know that not everything is what it seems."
"What about you?" Selena stepped up ahead. "Are you what you seem?"
"That depends," he countered. "How do I seem?"
"Like you have something to hide. Maybe your heart. You seem to genuinely care about people and want to make a difference. You're left handed and you have quite an attraction to a certain vampire." She smiled. "That is if I'm not mistaken."
He returned her smile. "I defiantly can't deny the attraction."
"What about everything else?" She stopped. "Are you hiding something?"
"Selena…" His eyes widened. "Look out!" He shoved her to the side as the Nitsuj slithered out from a hatch next to them and knocked him out against a wall.
Selena drew a dagger from her side. "Hey! Why don't you pick on something else with fangs?" She let her vampire face slip into place as she snarled at the beast. It hissed, its reptilian eyes blinking at her. Selena's eyes widened as she watched the giant claws grow from its fingers. "Hey now! No fair! I only have one dagger!" She twirled and kicked at its head, knocking it off guard for a moment before it slashed out its tail and wrapped around her legs. Falling on her back, she held fast to the dagger and brought it down with all her might, lodging it in the Nitsuj's flesh. It reared back with a cry and turned to run but Selena was faster, retrieving her knife and jumping on the back of it, holding on like a rodeo rider. "Yee-haw!" she cried as she brought the dagger over her head. She didn't even flinch at the sickening crunch it made as it pierced the skull of the slithering thing, killing it.
Selena shed her demonic appearance and stared at the body of the Nitsuj. It twitched once but it was unquestionably dead. She dropped the blood covered dagger in her hands and turned to Bobby. "Oh no." She dropped to her knees and put a hand to the side of his face. "Bobby?"
He groaned and held a hand to his head. "Did someone catch the name of that train?"
She smiled. "Come on. Let's get you cleaned up."
*~*~*
Showered and changed, Bobby and Selena sat with Wesley and Haddock in the lobby. The demon was shaking Selena's hand. "I knew you could do it."
She smiled. "I just hope that you and your clan can be at ease now."
Bobby shook his head. "I don't think so."
Wesley looked at him sharply. "What do you mean?"
"Just because the Nitsuj was killed doesn't mean that the person who hired it isn't going to hire something else. But I have an idea."
Haddock nodded. "Anything."
"Another dimension."
Wesley shook his head. "It's risky."
"So is staying here. I have access to dimensional books that could help. We can find something that suit the Nerraw to a tee." Bobby stood and grabbed his suit jacket. "I can bring them if you want."
Selena looked to Haddock. "It's up to you. But it might be a good idea."
The demon nodded. "I think you're right." He looked to Bobby. "Thank you."
*~*~*
Bobby was back within an hour. He had a stack of books in his arms and set them on the counter. Haddock, Wesley, Selena and Bobby conducted the research. It was obvious that Wesley and Selena were both tired. Wesley hadn't slept since the Nerraw arrived and no one knew when Selena slept.
Bobby pulled her aside and into her back office. "Selena, your color is bad. Have you fed recently?" He brushed a hand by her cheek.
But she turned away. "I, uh, I might have let it slip my mind." She shook her head. "Finding a place for Haddock's clan is more important right now."
He ran his fingers through her hair. "You need to drink. If you waste away weak then you can't help. You fought an assassin. You need to replenish your strength." His eyes were soft. "Please? For me?"
"I don't have any blood here and it's daylight still."
"What about Wesley? Could you feed a little off of him?"
"No."
"What about demon blood?"
"No. Maybe pig or cow but not demon."
"Selena, I won't have you wasting away like this." He kissed her. "I'll bring you some pig blood. It'll help."
She nodded.
"Until then, I want you to rest. Sleep."
"But the books and…"
Bobby lifted her into his arms and carried her back to her room, laying her on the bed. "Rest. I'll be back in twenty minutes." He caressed her face as she closed her eyes. Her skin was so soft and she looked like a sleeping beauty. He shook his head and headed out the door. "Bobby," he said to himself. "You can't care about her."
*~*~*
Selena opened her eyes when she smelled the warm blood in front of her. Bobby was sitting on the bed, holding a mug to her lips. "Drink."
She obediently parted her lips and let it run down her throat. She could feel the energy returning to her limbs and realized she had gone three days without feeding. She finished half the mug before she found words. "Thank you." She held the mug in her hands and looked down. "Wesley was wrong."
"About what?"
"I do suffer. I torment myself to the point where I won't eat." She set the mug aside. "Every time I feed, I remember those I've killed. But then it wasn't the hunt. It was the kill. I took pleasure in what I did."
He took her hand and linked their fingers. "That's not you now though."
"No. Now I'm the pain itself." She leaned forward and rested her head on his shoulder. "Wesley loved a woman and I killed her because of a bad judgment." She sniffled and Bobby could smell the salt of the tears she was shedding. "That's why he hates me so much. And he deserves to."
Bobby held her close and rubbed her back. "And you deserve to be forgiven." He tilted her chin up and kissed her tears. "We all deserve to be forgiven."
*~*~*
At dusk, the entire Nerraw clan gathered in the lobby of the Denuo as Wesley and Bobby spread the herbs and sacred sand. Selena stood in front of Kalani and smiled. "Your uncle has been avenged. You'll never have to see a Nitsuj again."
"Thank you. I don't think you understand how much this really means."
"I do. It means freedom to live in peace."
"Selena? We're ready," Wesley informed her.
*~*~*
"They're in the Engival dimension. They should pose no threat." Bobby set a report on Mr. Harrington's desk. "Selena and Wesley still don't know who hired the assassin but with the Nerraw away, I don't think that we'll have much of a problem."
"That pleases me. Now we can move on with the construction."
"Of course, I'll let the workers know to begin right away." He gave a bow and turned to head out.
"Bobby?"
He stopped and turned. "Yes, sir?"
"You feel compassion for this vampire?"
"She's my assignment, sir."
"You didn't answer my question. Are you… falling in love?" The question had mocking laughter behind it.
"It's not that easy to fall in love."
"Isn't it? Just remember, Bobby. Remember whom you work for. Remember where your loyalties lie."
"They lay within me, sir. I know what I'm doing."
"Be sure that you do, Bobby. Do you think Selena would be able to protect you if you betrayed me?"
"I have no intension of betraying you, sir." He bowed again and left.
*~*~*
Selena woke and grabbed for a dagger, ready to kill her intruder until she saw who it was. "Bobby? Is everything okay?"
He sat next to her and wrapped her arms around him. "Just let me hold you for a while."
She sat her dagger aside. "What happened?" She hugged him back, running her fingers through his hair.
"Nothing. It's just that after what happened with the Nerraw… When you told me about what happened with Wesley… I just wanted to stay with you. If I'm out of line, let me know. But can I stay here tonight? With you?"
She nodded. "Of course."
He stayed in his clothes, only removing his shoes and held her until they fell asleep.
*~*~*
Selena smiled to the guest and handed them a room key. "Enjoy your stay!" she beamed. This was her fourth guest this week. Bobby had sent over a cook and a maid, courtesy of Harrington Enterprises, to help out and Selena was thankful. She couldn't pull back the drapes during the day without becoming a crispy critter. Melissa handled the guests that came in during the day and Selena took the night shift.
She was surprised that Wesley actually put on a smile and helped with the guests who came in. He told her that as the office manager he had to think of his customers first. His whole demeanor changed when he was dealing with customers. He had cleaned up, shaved and even dawned a suit. When he asked came in with glasses Selena began to see what the others had meant by "the old Wes." He had been a Watcher and being official was part in partial to the gig.
As Melissa waved goodbye for the day, Selena turned to Wesley and folded her arms over her chest. "I think we should talk."
He set aside the papers he was looking over and adjusted his glasses on his nose. "About?"
"You."
"Me?"
"Wesley, you haven't been acting the same lately and I just want to make sure everything is going okay. I worry about you."
He grinned. "You worry about me? Selena, that is…"
"The truth." She let her fingers trail over the phone. "I was thinking about calling Angel and telling him to come get you. I don't think that it's healthy for you to be here."
"I rather think the hotel business has been quite therapeutic for me. Dealing with normal humans who need a place to stay…" His words trailed off as the chime on the door rang and a demon bent down to make it through the door.
It stood about eight feet tall with peach colored skin that hung loose on its boney frame. Its beady red eyes focused on Selena. "Vampire…" it growled as it took steps with its giant hoofed feet.
Her eyes widened. "Me? Uh, nope. Sorry. Wrong hotel."
"I need your help." It stopped at the counter and slapped its webbed claw on the table with a wad of cash. "And I'm willing to pay."
*~*~*
The four guests Selena had vacated the building when they saw the seventeen Nerraw demons pay for their rooms. Wesley and Selena sat with their leader when the others had settled in.
"What exactly do you think that I can help you with?" she asked.
"Tales are that you've fought along side of Angelus and the Slayer to bring down the mighty Beast." He made a gurgling noise in his throat that might have been a growl. "I am Haddock, the leader of my clan. We are being hunted by something we can't describe. We are a peaceful race."
"I've heard of you," Wesley said. "And that's true from what I've read."
"Then you see what I mean. We do not know how to defend ourselves. We are easy prey." Haddock blinked his beady eyes.
"You need someone to protect you." Selena shook her head. "But for how long?"
"Until the thing is stopped. Then we'll leave you be."
Selena looked at Wesley. "You up for this?"
He nodded. "We'll do what we can. Until then, you and your clan should stay here hidden. It would be the safest."
Selena smiled in agreement. "We have food and water and plenty of room."
Wesley cleared his throat. "Selena, Nerraw demons eat cow intestine."
Her smile faltered. "Oh, well then I guess I'm making a trip to the butcher."
"There has been one of us who has seen it and lived," Haddock continued. "My daughter, Kalani, witnessed it feeding on her uncle."
"Can I talk to her?" she asked.
*~*~*
Kalani was the youngest of the group, which meant that instead of being eight feet tall she was only six feet tall. Selena sat across from her, Wesley to the side of the vampire with a notepad. The female Nerraw's had a green tinge to their skin but other than that they had no other distinguishing features from the males. She was timid and shy.
"My father told me that you're the ones who are going to help us. You're going to track down the thing that killed my uncle." Kalani looked down. "I haven't been able to eat very well since I saw…"
"I need you to tell me, in detail, what you saw," Wesley requested.
She nodded. "It had a body like a snake, but with arms. Its face was… so cold… and it spoke in a language I couldn't understand."
"What did it do to your uncle?"
"It didn't just kill him. It skinned him alive and ate his internal organs." Kalani's voice was trembling. "My uncle screamed while it ate him…"
Selena waved her hand. "That's enough. Rest now. I'll make a trip to the butcher's to make sure you have something to eat." She stood. "Rest now."
Once Selena was out in the hall with Wesley, she shuddered. "Why do I get the feeling this isn't just some demon hunting them?"
"Probably because it isn't." Wesley took off his glasses and sighed, heading back to the lobby. "It's an assassin."
Selena followed him. "An assassin? After a group of non-hostile demons? Why?"
Wesley went into his office where he kept books he'd brought with him. "I'm not sure. We have to look at this from every angle."
"How can we be sure it was an assassin? I mean, the manor in which this was done… only a true killer could admire that."
"So you admire it?"
Hurt flashed in her eyes. "It was art to a killer. To anyone with a soul it is simply sick." She took an unneeded breath. "This is someone who wants their pray to fear them as well. Whoever hired them is looking into the fear factor as well."
Wesley held open a book. "I believe this Nitsuj what we're looking for." He pointed to a snake-like creature. "It's part of the Ranshere Clan. They can be bribed with jewels. They'll do anything."
She took the book and skimmed over the text. "They sound as ruthless as Kalani described." Shutting the book, she headed for the phone. "I'll see if Bobby's heard anything on the street about it."
"I haven't seen Bobby around here in a while."
"Since I've been straightening up things here at the hotel, I haven't really been social with him." She picked up the phone and dialed.
*~*~*
Bobby arrived in a suit within thirty minutes. He gave Selena a brief kiss awkward then turned all business. As Wesley described what they were looking for, she watched Bobby's gaze. He never took his eyes off of the ex-Watcher and listened intently. But Selena knew what he was going to say when he was through listening before he said it.
"I haven't heard anything." Bobby leaned back with a sigh. "But I can find out. It probably won't be hard to track down something killing demons."
"It's only killing one kind of demon," Selena pointed out. "It hasn't killed anything else that we know of."
"Maybe nothing else has lived to tell the tale." Bobby picked up his hat and stood. "I'll call you if I hear anything. Let me know if you need any help with anything else."
"Thank you." Selena led him to the door. "Bobby, I don't want you to think that I've been avoiding you, because I haven't. It's just that with the hotel and everything I haven't really…"
He put a finger to her lips. "Hush. I know. It's okay if you don't want to see me."
Her eyes grew wide and she took his hand. "No! I do want to see you! I just need to take care of this first. I have to earn my time. There are people who need my help."
He smiled and nodded. "Then I'll help in any way I can. Because I'm making reservations for dinner in three days."
She giggled like a little girl. "I'm on it."
*~*~*
Bobby found himself once again standing in the darkened office of Mr. Harrington. This was happening a little more often then he liked. "She knows about the assassin. Evidently the Nerraw have sought her out for protection."
The shadowy figure growled low. "Well, this puts a little damper in my plans now doesn't it? And just what do you suppose we do about Miss Selena and the Nerraw?"
"She'll protect the Nerraw to the end."
"Well, I need that land. And I don't want other squatters."
"Maybe they can relocate them?"
"Relocate." Mr. Harrington chuckled. "Why hadn't I thought of that? Oh, wait, it's because they're eight foot demons!" His voice echoed through the office. "Where the hell am I supposed to relocate them?"
Bobby's head snapped up. "Did you say hell? Sir, you're a genius!"
"I don't follow."
"Another dimension."
There was a pause as Mr. Harrington contemplated. "Do it then."
*~*~*
Wesley watched Selena as she read through the book on the assassin. She was deep in thought and he could tell. Sitting there, in her blue jeans and t-shirt, she looked like a young college girl studying for a mid-term. Her dark hair was being held up by a pencil, exposing her neck and facial features clearly. He stepped behind her to read over her shoulder and caught the faint scent of lavender.
"Damn." She slammed the book shut, startling Wesley. "Nothing to help me track this thing." She turned to him, surprised to find him so close. "Have you found something?"
He stepped back. "Er, no. Nothing."
The door to the Denuo chimed as Bobby rushed in. "Selena! I think I found your assassin. But we have to hurry."
She looked to the door. "The sun's coming up."
"It's in the sewers." He tossed his hat on the coat rack. "Mind if I change first? I don't really feel like messing up this suit."
Selena led him back to her own room. "This should do, shouldn't it?"
He looked around. "This is your room."
"Yes." She shifted. "If you'd like we have other rooms."
He yanked off his tie and began unbuttoning his shirt. "This works fine. I was just curious." He winked at her. "Now if you'll excuse me."
"Go ahead." She stood there for a minute before it sunk in. "Oh! Sorry." She hurried back out to the lobby with a huge smile.
"You know, I think I liked Angel's curse a lot better," Wesley snapped. "You don't seem to be suffering at all."
Her smile instantly faded. "I do suffer. But what you have to realize is that a soul isn't all about the suffering. It's also about learning how to live in peace without the need for destruction and chaos and… Oh no…" She looked to the door where Melissa bubbled in.
"Morning!" she chimed. "Well, I have a feeling today is going to be a great day!"
"I need you to leave," Selena said.
Melissa's smile failed and she looked like she might cry. "I'm fired?" she whispered.
Selena's eyes widened. "Huh? No! Oh, I'm sorry. I just meant that today I have some special visitors who aren't going to like anyone but me tending to them."
"Well, I can just look after our other guests."
"There kind of aren't any other guests."
Melissa wrinkled her brow in confusion for a moment before letting out a blood-curdling scream. Her eyes rolled back up into her head and she fainted on the spot. Selena looked behind her to see Kalani standing there rubbing the sleep her beady eyes.
*~*~*
Selena had locked the doors to the Denuo to prevent the cook and maid from coming in on the scene as well. Melissa was lying on the couch, Wesley dabbing a cloth on her head. Selena was pacing while Bobby leaned against the counter, now dawning jeans and a t-shirt as well.
"I had wanted to keep her safe from the demon world. I didn't want her to see anything. Now what am I going to do?" Selena threw her arms up in defeat.
"It was a costume," Bobby calmly offered. "Just tell her it was a costume. You're housing a make-up artist who's working on a monster flick."
Wesley rinsed the cloth and replaced it on her head. "I think she's coming through."
Melissa groaned and blinked her eyes. "Wesley?" She looked up at him in confusion. "What happened?"
Selena stood behind Wesley. "You saw a monster for a new movie. I don't want this to get out but we're hosing some actors here for a movie."
She sat up slowly. "Oh, that makes sense." She chuckled. "I actually thought I saw a monster! How silly!" Bobby coughed to hide a laugh and Melissa looked his way. "Hey! Aren't you the fruit basket guy?"
"Bobby, and yes, I am."
Melissa looked from him to Selena. "Oh, look at the sparks!" She smiled. "You two make such a cute couple!"
Selena helped her up. "Now then, I think you should go home and rest. You'll have a paid leave, I promise. It's just that the… movie cast wants only Wesley and I here."
"Then what about Bobby?"
"He, uh, works for their parent company."
Melissa narrowed her eyes. "Why do I think there's something you're not telling me?"
Selena looked to Wesley with a question in her eyes. But he shook his head so she swallowed back the truth. "Everything's fine, Melissa. I promise."
*~*~*
"You know I heard a rumor about crocodiles down here," Bobby informed Selena as he led the way. "Some big wig with Washington Mutual got a baby one and lost it in these sewers."
"You know, that's funny. I heard something like that back in Paris around the time of Louis the Second." She chuckled. "Didn't figure you for one to believe in urban legends."
"You should know that not everything is what it seems."
"What about you?" Selena stepped up ahead. "Are you what you seem?"
"That depends," he countered. "How do I seem?"
"Like you have something to hide. Maybe your heart. You seem to genuinely care about people and want to make a difference. You're left handed and you have quite an attraction to a certain vampire." She smiled. "That is if I'm not mistaken."
He returned her smile. "I defiantly can't deny the attraction."
"What about everything else?" She stopped. "Are you hiding something?"
"Selena…" His eyes widened. "Look out!" He shoved her to the side as the Nitsuj slithered out from a hatch next to them and knocked him out against a wall.
Selena drew a dagger from her side. "Hey! Why don't you pick on something else with fangs?" She let her vampire face slip into place as she snarled at the beast. It hissed, its reptilian eyes blinking at her. Selena's eyes widened as she watched the giant claws grow from its fingers. "Hey now! No fair! I only have one dagger!" She twirled and kicked at its head, knocking it off guard for a moment before it slashed out its tail and wrapped around her legs. Falling on her back, she held fast to the dagger and brought it down with all her might, lodging it in the Nitsuj's flesh. It reared back with a cry and turned to run but Selena was faster, retrieving her knife and jumping on the back of it, holding on like a rodeo rider. "Yee-haw!" she cried as she brought the dagger over her head. She didn't even flinch at the sickening crunch it made as it pierced the skull of the slithering thing, killing it.
Selena shed her demonic appearance and stared at the body of the Nitsuj. It twitched once but it was unquestionably dead. She dropped the blood covered dagger in her hands and turned to Bobby. "Oh no." She dropped to her knees and put a hand to the side of his face. "Bobby?"
He groaned and held a hand to his head. "Did someone catch the name of that train?"
She smiled. "Come on. Let's get you cleaned up."
*~*~*
Showered and changed, Bobby and Selena sat with Wesley and Haddock in the lobby. The demon was shaking Selena's hand. "I knew you could do it."
She smiled. "I just hope that you and your clan can be at ease now."
Bobby shook his head. "I don't think so."
Wesley looked at him sharply. "What do you mean?"
"Just because the Nitsuj was killed doesn't mean that the person who hired it isn't going to hire something else. But I have an idea."
Haddock nodded. "Anything."
"Another dimension."
Wesley shook his head. "It's risky."
"So is staying here. I have access to dimensional books that could help. We can find something that suit the Nerraw to a tee." Bobby stood and grabbed his suit jacket. "I can bring them if you want."
Selena looked to Haddock. "It's up to you. But it might be a good idea."
The demon nodded. "I think you're right." He looked to Bobby. "Thank you."
*~*~*
Bobby was back within an hour. He had a stack of books in his arms and set them on the counter. Haddock, Wesley, Selena and Bobby conducted the research. It was obvious that Wesley and Selena were both tired. Wesley hadn't slept since the Nerraw arrived and no one knew when Selena slept.
Bobby pulled her aside and into her back office. "Selena, your color is bad. Have you fed recently?" He brushed a hand by her cheek.
But she turned away. "I, uh, I might have let it slip my mind." She shook her head. "Finding a place for Haddock's clan is more important right now."
He ran his fingers through her hair. "You need to drink. If you waste away weak then you can't help. You fought an assassin. You need to replenish your strength." His eyes were soft. "Please? For me?"
"I don't have any blood here and it's daylight still."
"What about Wesley? Could you feed a little off of him?"
"No."
"What about demon blood?"
"No. Maybe pig or cow but not demon."
"Selena, I won't have you wasting away like this." He kissed her. "I'll bring you some pig blood. It'll help."
She nodded.
"Until then, I want you to rest. Sleep."
"But the books and…"
Bobby lifted her into his arms and carried her back to her room, laying her on the bed. "Rest. I'll be back in twenty minutes." He caressed her face as she closed her eyes. Her skin was so soft and she looked like a sleeping beauty. He shook his head and headed out the door. "Bobby," he said to himself. "You can't care about her."
*~*~*
Selena opened her eyes when she smelled the warm blood in front of her. Bobby was sitting on the bed, holding a mug to her lips. "Drink."
She obediently parted her lips and let it run down her throat. She could feel the energy returning to her limbs and realized she had gone three days without feeding. She finished half the mug before she found words. "Thank you." She held the mug in her hands and looked down. "Wesley was wrong."
"About what?"
"I do suffer. I torment myself to the point where I won't eat." She set the mug aside. "Every time I feed, I remember those I've killed. But then it wasn't the hunt. It was the kill. I took pleasure in what I did."
He took her hand and linked their fingers. "That's not you now though."
"No. Now I'm the pain itself." She leaned forward and rested her head on his shoulder. "Wesley loved a woman and I killed her because of a bad judgment." She sniffled and Bobby could smell the salt of the tears she was shedding. "That's why he hates me so much. And he deserves to."
Bobby held her close and rubbed her back. "And you deserve to be forgiven." He tilted her chin up and kissed her tears. "We all deserve to be forgiven."
*~*~*
At dusk, the entire Nerraw clan gathered in the lobby of the Denuo as Wesley and Bobby spread the herbs and sacred sand. Selena stood in front of Kalani and smiled. "Your uncle has been avenged. You'll never have to see a Nitsuj again."
"Thank you. I don't think you understand how much this really means."
"I do. It means freedom to live in peace."
"Selena? We're ready," Wesley informed her.
*~*~*
"They're in the Engival dimension. They should pose no threat." Bobby set a report on Mr. Harrington's desk. "Selena and Wesley still don't know who hired the assassin but with the Nerraw away, I don't think that we'll have much of a problem."
"That pleases me. Now we can move on with the construction."
"Of course, I'll let the workers know to begin right away." He gave a bow and turned to head out.
"Bobby?"
He stopped and turned. "Yes, sir?"
"You feel compassion for this vampire?"
"She's my assignment, sir."
"You didn't answer my question. Are you… falling in love?" The question had mocking laughter behind it.
"It's not that easy to fall in love."
"Isn't it? Just remember, Bobby. Remember whom you work for. Remember where your loyalties lie."
"They lay within me, sir. I know what I'm doing."
"Be sure that you do, Bobby. Do you think Selena would be able to protect you if you betrayed me?"
"I have no intension of betraying you, sir." He bowed again and left.
*~*~*
Selena woke and grabbed for a dagger, ready to kill her intruder until she saw who it was. "Bobby? Is everything okay?"
He sat next to her and wrapped her arms around him. "Just let me hold you for a while."
She sat her dagger aside. "What happened?" She hugged him back, running her fingers through his hair.
"Nothing. It's just that after what happened with the Nerraw… When you told me about what happened with Wesley… I just wanted to stay with you. If I'm out of line, let me know. But can I stay here tonight? With you?"
She nodded. "Of course."
He stayed in his clothes, only removing his shoes and held her until they fell asleep.