Part 9

A cold dead mask slipped over Willow's features as she followed Graham into the bar. Their 'assignment' from the Nazul demon was to squelch an uprising. Before they took it they sent a message back to Quantico to make sure this would correspond with the Agency's plan. After getting the go-ahead from Agent Menendez they were now entering the demon bar.

Their entrance caused the regulars to shift nervously in their seats. The reputation of Red Death and the Hunter was sweeping through the demon community. They couldn't go anywhere without either nervous glances or threats against their lives from demons wanting to make a reputation for themselves.

With a dead look from Graham the patrons went back to their drinks and conversation. Graham made his way to the bar knowing that Willow had his back. The bartender nervously watched as Hunter and Red approached.

"So, uh... what can I get you?" Ted nervously wiped the counter.

"Beer and information." Graham coldly said as he made room for Willow at the bar.

There was a soft click to Willow's right. She slowly turned her head and cocked it to the side while she contemplated the demon at the end of the bar.

"Oh good. Someone wants to play." Willow continued to stare at the demon.

The demon that had flipped the safety off his shotgun felt his hand move. In horror, he watched his gun hand rise up and turn the gun toward himself.

"Open wide." Willow smirked as she watched the horror on the demon's face as the shotgun prodded his lips.

The demon pinched his lips together and began to whimper.

Willow pouted and turned to Graham, "He's not cooperating."

Graham smiled at Willow before moving around her to stand next to the demon. He clamped his hand on the demon's jaw and squeezed. He leaned in to whisper menacingly, "I believe the lady told you to open wide."

The pressure of Graham's fingers caused the demon's mouth to open.

"That's better." Willow smiled as she waved her hand. The gun moved between the demon's lips. "Bang."

Willow smirked as the demon's legs gave out, his gun clattered to the floor and he fainted. "Mmm, that was fun."

Graham smiled as he drew Willow into a kiss before turning to the bartender, "Isn't she great?"

"Y-yeah, great."

Graham picked up his beer and handed Willow hers.  "Now, the information please. We're looking for Tawalda."

There was a soft noise by the pool table that caused Willow to turn her head in that direction. A shadowed figure melted further into the shadows.

Willow placed her hand on Graham's arm and subtly nodded toward the pool table. Graham reached into his wallet and threw some money on the bar before turning away.

With a flick of his wrist the knife that Graham had hidden in his sheath hit its intended target. A loud yelp could be heard and then the shuffling of feet as the others got out of Graham and Willow's way.

The faint widening of Willow's eyes was the only indication that she was surprised to see who was on the other end of the knifepoint.

Clem smiled sheepishly as his fleshy arm was pinned to the wall. "Hey Willow. Wow, you know, long time no see. How long has it been, a year?"

Willow tapped the side of her cheek, as she looked Clem over, "Huh, I didn't think the leash Spike kept on you would stretch as far as Ohio. Tell me Clem, what was it about the name Tawalda that had you creeping back into the shadows."

"Creeping? Me? I wasn't creeping." Clem shook his head no. "I was, um, just getting another stick. You know these darn claws are tough on pool sticks."

Clem held up his hand that wasn't pinned and showed Willow the scratched stick.

Graham reached for his gun and put the muzzle under Clem's chin. He turned his head to Willow, "Since you know him, is he lying?"

Willow seemed to be pondering the answer to Graham's question. She looked at the pool stick that Clem held in his had, to Clem's pleading eyes and then over to Graham. "I'd have to go with lying."

Graham put more pressure on the gun's muzzle. "That's what I thought. Now, Clem do you really think Willow and I are that stupid? Hmm, what's that didn't quite catch what you said."

Clem swallowed. Bullets couldn't kill him but a large gaping hole through his jaw would take forever to heal. Clem cleared his throat and tried again, "N-no, I don't think you're stupid."

Willow's eyes never left Clem's as she moved forward, "Then, Clem. Can you tell us why you thought you could lie to Graham and me?"

"I'm not lying." Willow just looked at Clem, "Okay I lied about the pool stick but not about the demon. I don't know anyone named Tawalda I swear! I was just trying to leave before you saw me."

"That right? Going to run back to Sunnydale to tell Buffy what a bad girl I've turned out to be?" Willow smiled, "Don't bother. They already know. See, Angel stuck his nose in where he shouldn't have and tattled on me already."

Graham lowered the gun and took the knife out of Clem's arm. He knew from his years with the Agency that Clem was a harmless demon but every show of force helped their cover story. Like the agent that had pretended to pull a gun on Willow tonight. That story will circulate through the demon community once they leave the bar.

Clem sighed with relief when they released him. He had heard rumors about Willow being the Red Death but he hadn't believed them. Looking into her cold dead eyes he no longer held doubts that he was looking at Red Death and the Hunter.

Willow leaned in to Clem and whispered, "I find out that you DID know anything about Tawalda I'll find you and make you regret ever lying to me. Understand?"

Clem didn't answer just nodded his head yes so fast that his ears bobbed and his flesh jiggled.

Graham noticed a demon in the corner that was nervously twitching. He turned his back on Clem and made his way over to the demon, "Something about me make you nervous?"

"W-what?" The demon squeaked.

"Do I make you nervous? I noticed you twitching every time I glance your way or ask questions."

"O-only an idiot wouldn't be nervous about Red Death and Hunter."

Graham sat down next to him and nodded. "True. But you seem more nervous than the others here. Wouldn't be because you know something about Tawalda now would it?"

The demon closed his eyes. He was dead either way. Tawalda would kill him or Hunter would. "He'll kill me."

Willow held her arms out palms up and said, "Rise!"

The demon felt himself float until he was suspended a few feet in the air. He opened his eyes and began to struggle.

Willow smiled cruelly, "Oh you'll die, that's a given.  But the question is how. Will it be quick and painless after you've given us what we want or will it be slow and painful? Dragging the information out of you. Make no mistake. You WILL answer our questions."

Graham came to stand next to Willow, "I'm voting for slow. The last death we did was too fast. I need to practice my torture skills anyway. They tend to get rusty from misuse."