Chapter 15

"You brought me my Princess!" The echoes of Drusilla's exclamation rang back from around the caves. Bernhardt was obviously impressed by the sound, now even more convinced that she was Queen of the Fairies. Spike, on the other hand, was amazed that she had not woken the sleeping child.

"Quieten down, love." He said, all the while examining the sleeping Cornelia. "We don't want to wake her quite yet."

His eyes noted the short brown coat she was wearing, with the school badge prominently displayed on the breast pocket, and his mouth slowly curved into a smile.

Gathering the other vampires around him, he spoke.

"Alright, lads. Look's like my baby over there was right. The kiddie looks like she's one of the Slayer's school pals, so I'm betting that before long we're going to get a visit from the Chosen One herself." His smile faded as he got down to business, although the glint in his eyes remained. "Right, Fritz - you go cover the entrance. Hermann - the crossroads, we've got to make sure she comes this way." Looking round, he noticed some apple peelings had fallen out of Cornelia's coat. He grabbed a handful and gave them to Hermann. "Scatter these on the ground, we musn't let the Slayer get lost, must we now… Freddie, wherever Bernie says he found the girl. I want her alive… been a while since I tasted a Slayer… But I'm not too bothered what state she's in - some of these Slayer's can be a bit talkative for my liking."

As the rest of the vampires headed off, albeit reluctantly, as they were still afraid of this mystical Slayer, Drusilla caught Spike's arm. "Remember William, we musn't fight her, The little fishy's will be very angry if we kill her… she's marked as theirs… They will be very angry with my William if they don't get their snack…"

Spike turned, sighing… "Look, love… I won't fight the girl myself - but I don't want her staking you or me either - so the lads can tire her out and we'll just hide in a little cranny I found over there 'til she's rescued her pal, we can just leave Bernie with the girl." As Drusilla looked at him, a puzzled expression on her face, he rolled his eyes as he realised he'd have to explain further… "Dru, sweetheart… Slayer's don't get killed by vampires as fresh as those - but I couldn't let 'em know that I was sending 'em to their dustings, now… could I? 'Sides, I was kinda hoping she'd turn up - didn't really want to take the minions with us - they'll only get in the way."

Realisation dawned on Drusilla's face, and Spike smiled, once again overwhelmed by her childlike manner.

"Come on, Dru - let's get ourselves packed and ready to go…"

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In Innsbruck, Rosemary made her way back to her hotel. She had planned to return to Spärtz, but due to her talk with Herr Bruckner lasting longer than expected, she felt that it would be best to stay an extra night.

Herr Bruckner was a member of the Austrian Police Force, but he was also a family member of one of the Watchers Council's Agents. He had agreed to meet Rosemary, believing her to be a Private Investigator who was tracking a couple who were luring people away from their families, never to be seen again. The couple were, of course, Spike and Drusilla, but it was felt wiser to not reveal the whole truth.

Rosemary was making her way to the Spiesesaal when she was called over to the reception desk, and upon reaching the desk, she was handed a message.

Frau Kitwood

Please make haste back to the Tiernsee. Sarah has gone into the cleft.

Herr Braun

Rosemary turned white as she read the short message, which nonetheless passed on all the important information. But she replied in the negative when the young girl on reception asked if anything was wrong, merely replying that something had come up sooner than expected, before making a speedy meal and leaving the hotel in order to try to catch the last train up to Spärtz.

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Sarah took time with her preparations. As she felt there was no point in going to face the vampires unless she had all that she might need. But deep down she knew her lengthy preparations were in fact a way to deal with her fear. She had been told how to fight the vampires. But up until now she had only ever faced the newly turned. The thought of facing vampires who had survived, the thought of facing a vampire who was legendary, who had killed a Slayer, it terrified her.

She looked at the pile of weapons on the bed, and then out of the window at the visitors walking around in the sunlight. Resignedly she replaced the majority of the weapons in the chest. Knowing that she would be unable to take anything large with her - having nowhere to conceal it.

Finally she set out, carrying nothing but a stake. At 7.30 it was later than she had intended, but the weather had been pleasant during the day and as a result there were a number of visitors to the lake. Herr Braun had warned her that he had seen walkers heading off in the direction of the cleft, and had advised that she leave her expedition 'til later. As if she were noticed she would in all probability not be allowed to continue on her own. Sarah reluctantly agreed, and spent the day pacing the room, worrying about Cornelia when she was not trying to take her mind off her worries by working at her Prep.

She had changed into what appeared to be her school climbing kit, but she had substituted the thick woollen stockings for pantyhose which had been knitted by one of the ladies attached to the Council, Sarah having asked for them feeling that they would be more practical than the stockings.

As she was leaving the hotel, Herr Braun called her into the Spiesesaal.

"Fraulein, I hope I did not presume, but I took the liberty of preparing some repast for you." He handed over the package containing a couple of small meat pies and some rolls, but seemed unwilling to let go. It was almost as if, Sarah thought, that he was trying to tell her something. But eventually he let go of the package. "I hope we shall meet again, Fraulein… I have asked Our Lord and Our Lady to keep you safe."

Sarah looked down, a little shocked that the kindly hotelier felt that he should pray for her, after all, he should know how dangerous her life is. But instead of protesting at his concern for her, she left with a simple "Thank You."