Chapter Seven

The song ended within a few minutes. Lenity bowed and Buffy curtsied while the crowd applauded. "Now, someone may have the pleasure of dancing with this lovely woman." He picked out a random vampire. Two of the henchmen Buffy faced whispered something in his ear. "Carry on," Lenity announced and led the two out.

Buffy danced obligingly with the vampire. When the song was about a minute through, they were asked to switch. Another vampire, with grey hair took the others spot. "I'm honored to be able to dance with you my lady."

Buffy put on a smile and nodded. They were asked to switch again. She was held by a blonde vampire this time. "Spike?" she asked frantically.

"Pardon, my lady?" he asked.

"I'm sorry I thought you were someone else."

"Switch partners," the pianist announced.

Buffy felt another one touch her once the previous vampire left. She took a big inhale and let it out as she placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Don't look so enticed Slayer."

Buffy's memory remembered that voice. That tone. She looked up. "Spike," she said happily.

"I had to knock over three other wankers to get here."

"I can't believe it." Her eyes started watering.

"I hope those are tears of joy, love."

"They are," she said as she wiped the few that fell. "It's just- I can't believe it."

"Final switch," the pianist declared again.

A vampire tapped Spike on the shoulder. He looked young. "Sod off," Spike said as he continued to dance with Buffy.

"Do you know what he's going to do?"

"Find someone else to dance with."

"Not him. Lenity."

"I know what you meant." He looked around before speaking. "I heard the guards talking about creating an eclipse. Only not a momentary one. He also plans to marry you."

"I caught that. What I don't understand is why."

"Look at you love. Not many people out there wouldn't jump at a chance to marry you."

Buffy smiled. "You were always great at compliments."

Spike smirked. "So, do you have a plan to get out of here?"

"I haven't really thought of one. But it should definitely be pursued when all these vampires aren't here."

"Agreed."

"Or we could just slip off and run. Not like anyone would notice two out of a hundred people missing."

"I like that one, it's sooner."

"Agreed." Buffy took his arm and they casually walked outside. Once the door was shut they ran to the left.

"Have any idea how to get out of here?" Spike asked.

"Not the slightest."

As they neared a corner, two men rounded it. "Hey, where do you think you're-" Buffy punched him in the face. Spike kicked the other in the stomach and kneed his head.

"There's no stakes!" Buffy noticed.

"This is a vampire's house."

Buffy punched the glass surrounding of an eccentric ax and decapitated one. She tossed it to Spike who copied her motions. "At least he's a collector," Buffy said. Spike kept hold of the ax and continued running with her.

Lenity was heading back to the ballroom when two more of his henchmen stopped him. "Master, your bride to be has skipped the party."

"What?" he asked.

"She's not there sire. Neither is the captive."

Lenity clenched his teeth. "Find them and bring them back. Alive." The two that were with Lenity followed the others down the hall.

Buffy and Spike reached a door. Buffy turned the knob and ran outside. Spike quickly wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. Buffy noticed she almost ran off a cliff. "That's not very safe," she said.

"I don't think they're worried about that." Spike loosened his grip and Buffy turned around.

"Company."

Spike looked. "Lovely."

"C'mon." Buffy dashed back in and down the other hall. Spike followed her, running as fast as he could.

They made their way to the end but there was no where else to go.

"No. No. No," Buffy said, looking back and seeing the vampires pursue them. She punched the wall, but it didn't do anything, not a mark. "Shit!"

"Guess we gotta fight our way out."

"Looks like it." Buffy landed a roundhouse kick to one of their faces. She punched the other in the stomach and swiped his legs out from under him. Spike tossed her the ax and she decapitated him. The other vampire kicked her from behind. Buffy dropped the ax and punched him twice in the face, once in the gut and kicked him in the chest. He staggered back. He picked up the ax and swung it at her. She dodged it and grabbed the handle of it. She swung him into the wall and made him loose his grip. Buffy swung it to his jaw and jabbed him in the stomach. He leaned over and she brought the handle up under his chin. He fell back, allowing her to cut off his head.

Spike dodged a punch and jabbed one in the face. The other kicked him in the back and punched him in the gut. He grabs Spike and throws him down on the ground. Spike rolls out of the way as he swings at his head. Spike grabbed his hand for the next punch and kicks his side. The vamp staggers back as Spike flips to his feet.

The other vampire pulls out a bottle and cloth. He soaks the cloth and rushes to Buffy. He goes behind her and places it over her mouth. Buffy kicks his legs and he pulls her down with him. She tries not to breathe it in, but has to after all her squirming. She inhales and jabs his side with her elbow He turns to her left side and she flips him off her. He grabs her face and places the cloth over her mouth again.

"Buffy!" Spike yells as he gets kicked in the gut. Spike grabbed him and slammed him into the wall. He picked up the ax and swung it, removing the vampire's head. He turned to Buffy who was now passed out on the floor. Spike kicked the vampire and picked him up. "I'll make sure this hurts." He throws him against the wall. The vampire blocks a kick to the face but falls from both Spikes' forearms smashing into his back. Spike grabbed his right arm and bent it the opposite way over his knee, breaking it. The vampire screamed in pain. Spike grabbed his head and slammed it twice into the wall and kicked him in the stomach. He elbowed his nose, breaking that as well. The vampire screamed more. "Now, you're just annoying me." He grabbed the ax and made it stop, ashes remaining.

Spike quickly picked Buffy up in his arms and rushed her out of the house. He carefully walked around, hoping to find some way off. Luckily he found a walkway and tons of horse drawn carriages. He placed Buffy in one and whipped the reins to make it run. The two horses neighed and started running down the path.

They soon entered a small town. Spike pulled the reins, ceasing the horses. He jumped down and grabbed Buffy. He heaved her over his shoulder and slapped the horses behind. It ran as fast is could away from them. Spike pulled her off his shoulder and held her. He searched frantically for a partially hidden area.

He entered a house that was in a back alley. "Good enough I suppose." He placed Buffy down on a nearby bed. He sat on the floor and held her hand. "Now you have to wake up." He brushed a few stray hairs form her face. "Come on Slayer. You're not one to give in easily."

Back at Lenity's home, he was sitting in his throne. He told everyone his bride to be was escorted out because she felt ill, but they would continue to celebrate without her.

Five black suited vampires entered and walked straight to Lenity. All three bowed. "Where are the others?" Lenity asked.

"They were killed Master."

"And Buffy?" he asked, knowing the answer.

"Escaped. With the hostage."

Lenity was growing angry. He grabbed the second man and pulled him close. "Find them. Bring them back. Do not kill the vampire, we need him to make her abide to the wedding which has been pushed forward to her return. If you come back empty handed, I will stake you myself." He tossed the vampire back. They all bowed and left the room. "We will wed and the world will be my kingdom." Lenity smiled as he watched everyone dance.