Before Buffy and Amanda could move one of the vampires behind Amanda cried out in pain and then suddenly turned to dust. As the dust fell to the floor Angel stepped into the room behind the remaining three vampires holding a wooden stake.
"You weren't going to start the party without me, were you?" Angel asked.
"Angelus," said Amanda smiling at him, "I heard you had taken up residence in Sunnydale. And working with the Slayer, no less. You really have fallen since you got your soul back, Angelus. I'm very disappointed."
"It's Angel now," said Angel. "And yeah, I'm with the Slayer."
"My, my," said Amanda. "I was so hoping the rumors were wrong. Unfortunately I can see they aren't. You did such good work as Angelus. No vampire was as merciless as you were."
"None but you," said Angel.
"True," said Amanda. "But then, you were never a Slayer. I was. Now I'm not. I do have a reputation to maintain after all."
"That's going to end tonight," said Angel. "Your days of killing Slayers are over. We're putting an end to it forever."
"Really, Angel?" said Amanda. "Do you think you can honestly stand against Sebastian, Mordecai, and me all at the same time? Those others you would probably have little trouble with. But we are no ordinary vampires. Surely you know that."
"Hey, I'm still here," said Buffy. "Angel isn't in this alone. And I'd say the odds were just about even. Us against you."
"You are a fool," said Amanda. "I have the powers of a vampire and a Slayer. Angel must have told you that. And with Sebastian and Mordecai you don't hope to stand a chance. One vampire and the Slayer against us? It's going to be a massacre."
"Yeah, yours," said Angel.
"Hardly," said Amanda. "First I'll deal with the Slayer. Sebastian, Mordecai. Keep Angel entertained for me. If he's still alive when I'm finished with the Slayer I'll deal with him then. After that, we'll take care of the Slayers' friends. Then her mother. And then Sunnydale will be ours for the taking. Its' resident hero will no longer be a threat to us."
"Bring it on, sister," said Buffy. "Like I said, it ain't over 'till the fat lady sings. And right now she's singing your song."
"Foolish, foolish, Slayer," said Amanda. "You're all the same. You think you're unbeatable. I thought so, too. I was wrong. There's always someone bigger or stronger or meaner than you are out there. And you are after all only human. I'm so going to enjoy this."
Buffy faced off against Amanda as the Berman Brothers moved toward Angel. The remaining three vampires that had come in with Amanda circled around Angel and took up positions behind him. Buffy knew she wouldn't be able to help Angel once the fighting started. And if they had been ordinary vampires she wouldn't have been worried about Angel.
But she knew how strong the Berman Brothers were. They were stronger than any four normal vampires. Against both of them Angel would have his hands full. And there were the other three vampires to contend with. If Buffy didn't finish Amanda quickly they might turn on Giles and the others. Helpless as they were they wouldn't even be able to defend themselves. And Buffy and Angel would both be too busy fighting to protect them.
Buffy knew this was going to be her most important fight. Not only was her life on the line. Not only was Angels' existence at stake. The lives of her closest friends hung in the balance. She faced Amanda with the cold determination of the Slayer. She might not win this particular fight. Angel might die protecting her and the others. But Buffy made a silent vow to herself. If she was going to loose this fight she'd take Amanda with her. And as many of the other vampires as she could get before they got to her.