Chapter 6

So, let me get all of this straight, Faith said, lifting her glass to her lips. They sat in a booth in a dim room, on seats padded with the skin of the apparently-much-hated animal Eve called the cow.' The slice of meat in front of her and the cold, white liquid in her own glass were all from the same source, which she found to be rather sad. You've been running all over the country with an ex-daemon, wiping out entire buildings full of Wolfram and Hart's finest. You can use magic and she's been impersonating Fred, who is now apparently dead, along with Gunn and Angel and Cordelia and pretty much everyone else from Team Angel.Yeah, that's pretty much it so far.And... Wesley? The amount of concern in the woman's voice - Illyria felt a strange stirring of pride that she could so easily identify such an emotion now - did her credit, as well as the darkness in her eyes from what she must surely have assumed.

He was the first one down. Illyria's hands curled into fists around her knife and fork without her permission. Eve's tone was casual. What, don't tell me you feel guilty or anything? Didn't he forgive you for all the stuff that went down between the two of you? The red haired woman flashed a sardonic smile at the black expression that filled Faith's face.

Where did you...?

Eve waved the question away. I read your file when I was still on the inside. I learned some... pretty interesting things... Faith's eyebrows quirked noticeably.

Does she know?I haven't told her yet, no.

A change came about the slayer, something that sang to Illyria in a way she hadn't felt for some time, since Eve had come to terms with the death of Lindsay. It would be wise for you if you decided to keep that tidbit to yourself.My my. Was that a threat?Oh, absolutely.

Eve laughed at that, drinking deeply from the chalice of the foul poison that she took nearly every evening now, whenever they found the chance to rest from their crusade to ruin the strongholds of their enemies. That was happening more and more frequently, given their unparalleled success. Wolfram and Hart, powerful as they might believe themselves, was being driven back down into the darkness. They could only rebuild so much so quickly. Unlike the vampire and the humans who followed him, Illyria knew that they were not omnipotent. Their strength was flagging - hers was growing.

So, how's your dear little watcher's council? I'm sure Buffy has it all whipped into shape by now.Haven't heard from Buffy in a few weeks, but yeah, that's pretty close to the truth. The council bends to the slayers now, which is the way it should have been all along. The woman Faith took a long drink from the tall glass before her. Too bad it took an explosion to finally teach all of them that, but it's a lesson well learned.And how's Buffy handling our little... situation? Eve's voice was a silky drawl, already aided by the noisome liquid she always took in excess.

Better than you might think, but I'd be lying if I told you she was taking it well. No offense, but the thought of you running around with one of the most powerful daemons we've ever come across wasn't doing too much for my nerves either.Can't say I'm surprised. Buffy doesn't seem like the type who'd get off at the idea of playing second fiddle for too long.Actually, that was the interesting part. Faith sat back, her smug smile very evident. It's not like the slayers get much of a chance to work incognito. With the two of you going on your great little world tour, it's amazing anybody in the daemon world even remembers that we exist. The girls managed to walk right into a hive, the night before I left, and blow the place apart without so much as blinking. The vamps were so shocked, they didn't even get up before the whole place was in pieces.

Eve laughed. I'd be more impressed if Blue and I didn't take on a building full of real daemons at least once a week.You're pushing them back, sure, but how long do you think it'll take before they decide to stop leading you on? If they really wanted to, do you think it would be all that hard for the Senior Partners to erase you from the face of the earth? Maybe not her, she gestured sidelong toward Illyria, since they probably haven't figured out just what the hell they can do against one of the ancients. You'll probably hold out better when you're around her, but sooner or later, you luck's gonna run out. Hate to break it to you, babe, but you're just a human. We're pretty fragile, when you come right down to it.Yeah, but I've got magic, and more than a little of it. I'm not exactly your standard human any more, though it's not like I ever was. Eve settled back against the cushions of the bench. If you've already forgotten, I was their protege. I don't remember all of it, but enough of the knowledge is still left. Every day I gain a little bit more power.Maybe you should talk to Willow - let her tell you just how well that worked out for her. Magic and vengeance don't really mix all that well.Believe me, I'm not quite deluded enough to try to end the grief of the world' by killing everybody, thanks. That was a pretty spiffy little free-for-all she had there though, wasn't it? Eve added, almost as an after thought. The scowl Faith gave her suggested that she didn't agree.

Listen, I didn't come find you just to bitch back and forth over beer.Really? Cause it kinda seems like...Just shut up for a second and let me talk, will you? Faith took a breath and Illyria could sense the tension seep from her. Eve didn't seem intimidated, but she held her peace for once, which was perhaps the most surprising. In the time Illyria had been in her company, the woman never appeared to possess self restraint in any quantity. Nothing at all like Wesley, or the two undeads, nor even the mortal Gunn. If you want to get ahead, you're going about it in the wrong way. I came and found you because I've run across some information that might interest you.Keep talking. Eve attempted a tone of mild amusement and failed. The sound of her companion's quickening pulse was nearly deafening to Illyria's ears.

Faith sat back, looking smug herself. The senior partners already know all about you. After all, you pretty much belonged to them while you were working on their side. But your buddy... Here, Illyria received a long, considering glance. Everybody who's anybody in the daemon world has heard of the ancients, but they've been asleep since before time began, as far as I can figure out.And since when did you become some kind of expert on all of this? Eve swilled the rest of her beverage. Illyria drank from her own glass, savoring the white liquid which, by contrast, seemed so pure.

I thought we agreed that you were going to shut up. Getting a scowl for her trouble didn't seem to deter Faith in the slightest. When Eve fell silent, she smirked again. I've got some contacts in Europe who've been looking into some serious shit that's going down around the hole in the world.

Illyria sat up at once. What is this?Yeah, I thought that'd get your attention. See, the Senior Partners aren't sure what to do about you. I mean, no surprise there, if nobody knew for sure if you were even real, how would they go about trying to fight you? And why, when they figured out the location of the well, would they risk more of the Ancients waking up?But that's not even a risk...!

Illyria waved Eve into silence. With no one to guard the gateway, the transpirations of the Ancients are beyond considering. If they find their way to the well, all will suffer.And now you see why I've come. Any levity in the female slayer was gone now. From what I've been able to scrape up, the Partners are sending everything powerful that they have left at that place. They're gonna shred it, while they think they've got you occupied. I'm sorry that I don't have more information on it, but I've taken the liberty of getting you plane tickets. I thought you'd wanna get going.And you're coming with us?

Faith pulled a white envelope out of her jacket, revealing three glossy strips of paper.

Yeah, I was thinkin' about it. Not like there's gonna be anything more interesting going down in the next... oh... few centuries. Besides, I've got a few questions that you haven't answered yet.

Eve crossed her arms, watching the paper strips warily. So ask.Yeah, whatever.

Ollen70: Again, I'm sorry that this is so hideously short and that I seem to have dropped off the face of the earth. I never really knew exactly where this fic was going, so it's taken quite a bit of time to get it back on its feet. If you have any plot suggestions or general comments, I'd love to hear them. A great big Thanks' goes out to all of my wonderful reviewers. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten you!

This story is going to be finished, if it's the last thing I do. Given how much my computer seems to hate me at the moment, that might not be so far from the truth. Anyway, reviews are greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading.