Chapter 13 - Reunions

Glowing yellow eyes that squinted with a hatred that took over the rest of the ugly, horrific face, glared at us with malice. The thing in the entrance that stared down at us was twisted and terrifying. It stood eight feet tall at least, it's head barely clearing the ceiling. It's skin was a dark gray color with the look of sandpaper almost, even it's texture was revolting. Long arms that hung almost to the floor ended in hands that ended in needle sharp claws from each it's four fingers. Horns grew from the sides of the things head but instead of pointing up, adding even more to it's height, they curved downward and twisted around it's neck, which was huge, the size of a grown man's thigh. The skin from it stretched all the way to the sloop of it's shoulders and I could see the cables of muscles straining.

" Slayer " The thing whispered. Then he turned his eyes to Willow. " And the witch. "

I shrank back from it, not knowing how we were going to get past it but if it came down to a fight, the thing definitely had the upper hand.

It took a step towards us and looked behind me. " You brought friends. " It hissed, " Excellent."

A poisonous smile came over it's face and I winced and again took a step back. My hand slide inside my coat and I let it rest, unnoticed I hoped, on the hilt of my other knife.

" I'm so pleased you could join me. Although you're early. I thought I told you to be here tomorrow night. " it said, it's voice graveled and raspy.

" Sorry, I have plans tomorrow night. " I said, sarcastically.

Those eyes trained on me and I felt a lump in my throat. I had stared down some of the biggest nasties in the universe but the look on this things face was cold, unadulterated hatred and it was aim at us. This time it was personal.

" Still with the undying wit. " It mumbled, " I hate to disappoint you, but I'm afraid whatever plans you had for tomorrow were just canceled. "

" Damn I really had my heart set on watching those ' I love Lucy ' reruns, too. " I answered.

The thing took a step towards me, but this time I stood my ground. It wasn't close enough that I wanted to draw my weapon yet, but it was getting there.

It looked back over my shoulder and I glanced at what it was looking at. Angel had set Spike down and he was standing on his own, albeit not very steadily, but well enough to make a go show of it.

" I really thought I'd managed to kill you. Just how many lives do you have, Vampire ? "

Spike turned his face towards the thing and his eyes were now opened and glowing with yellow intensity.

" More than you've got the power to take. " he spat.

The creature laughed and the sound turned my stomach. " We'll see about that, wouldn't we ? "

It looked back to me again. " But I think I'll let you get your strength back a bit, we wouldn't want it to be over too quickly. " It snarled. " I'll just start with the Slayer instead. I've had plans for her since the first time I saw her. "

It moved even closer and as it did, I heard Angel and Spike both take a step up behind me as well.

" Isn't that sweet, you have a couple of heroes. " It baited, looking over my shoulder. Then something changed in it's face and I glanced around to follow his gaze.

He was staring intently at Andrew and poor Andrew was almost shaking so hard I thought he was going to come apart.

" Spike told me that you were with this little group but I guess I didn't believe it. I couldn't imagine such a coward wanting to stick his neck out. I guess I underestimated you. " The thing hissed.

" Warren, " Andrew managed, even his voice was shaky. " I hoped I would never see you again. "

" Well we can't all get what we wish for. It seems it was my turn. I have all my enemies right here in front of me. What could be more perfect. " It smiled, " And you weren't really even important enough to be part of my pact. So you're nothing more than a bonus really. "

" Why are Angel and Spike in your pact ? " I asked, " They never really did anything to you. "

It turned back to me. " They aren't. They were just the easiest way to get to you and the witch. " he chuckled. " Looks like it worked beautifully. "

" So what now ? " I said. " You've got us here, what happens now ? "

He thought about that for a second. " I wasn't expecting you until tomorrow night. I could just kill you now, but I think waiting until just before the ritual has so much more style so I guess you'll have to be my guests until then. "

He raised his cumbersome arm towards the back wall and one section disappeared. Then he glanced around behind him.

It was the only chance I was going to get. Just as he was about to call for his reinforcements, I drew the knife out and pounced.

Angel had the same idea because he got to him the second I did. Warren swung his head around in surprise as I sunk my knife into his left shoulder and Angel sunk his into the right side of his chest.

He let out a wailed and tried to swat us off him, but his arms were so big they weren't able to reach us easily and I took the opportunity to withdraw the knife and sink it into his neck this time. Angel, vampire face in place, was wailing at him with his knife driving it again and again into his side and torso.

Then hands came around me and hurled me back away from Warren. My knife hit the ground with a clang and I turned my attention to whatever had grabbed me.

Spinning around I saw four vampires had entered the room and two of them were concentrating on me while the other two were on Angel.

I used my body weight to heft one of them off, pushing into him with my hip and reaching as I did for the stake I still carried in my pocket. I swiveled around to the other one and used the momentum to drive the stake into his chest, sending dust flying, unfortunately right into my eyes.

I blinked a couple of times, trying to clear them of the burning that had taken over. But it didn't help. The first one had gotten to his feet and was grabbing me again.

" Don't kill them. " I heard Warren demand from where he was slumped against the wall.

My vampire had his hands around my shoulders dragging me towards him, while he tried to pin my arms. I wasn't about to let that happen. I arched my back into him and latched onto his arms, sending him flying over my head and landing in a heap at my feet.

I dropped to one knee and drove the stake as far as I could into his chest. Another cloud of dust blew up, but this time I turned my head away and when I did I saw one of Angel's vampires stalking towards Andrew.

I guessed he figured he'd take out the weakest link first.

I got to my feet and just as I was almost to him, Spike stepped in front of him and knocked him to the ground with a swing of his arm. Then he pounced on his chest, straddling him and plunged his fangs into the vamps neck.

But instead of feeding he jerked his head upwards, ripping the vamps throat to shreds and leaving him immobile beneath him.

I shuddered. I had never seen him do anything like that before. It was brutal and primitive. Angel had been right, his beast really had taken over for the moment and it scared me to see it action.

Then something hit me across the back, sending me sprawling onto the ground. I panicked as I realized I was pinned to the floor by something heavy.
My attempts at squirming were quickly ended when the weight shifted from the middle of my back to my shoulders and another weight fell across my legs.

I cried out as it pushed my into the unyielding floor. I could almost hear my bones cracking as the pressure continued to mash against me.

I couldn't draw air into my lungs and spots were forming in front of my eyes. Apparently while I had my back turned, more vamps had arrived because all my friends were fighting in front of me and I don't think any of them had noticed my situation.

My chest burned with lack of air. I was dizzy, I couldn't even get enough breath to call out to them.

Then to my amazement, Spike turned towards me abruptly, knocking the vampire he was fighting into the nearby wall. His eyes locked with mine and a crazy look came over his face. He ran towards me, letting out a primal yell as he did. The last thing I remember seeing was him vaulting over me, trying to get to whatever it was that was holding me down.