Chapter 7
Our little loss of control is going to cost us I know. But since I really don't want to deal with werewolf things I offer to call Oz and let him know what we've done. I could say it was all Faith but let's be honest. It may not have taken much of a nudge but I nudged her to it. I sprawl across my throne as I wait for Gus to make the call. I never have to do anything for myself anymore. I can see where this may get old but right now I'm going to enjoy every second of it. Gus clears his throat to get my attention and hands me a phone. "Hel-lo Oz." My sing song greeting is met with silence and I wonder if he's there.
"Who did you kill?" I don't know why but I laugh at that and shrug my shoulders even though he can't see it.
"Gee Buffy, it's so good to hear from you. I hope your trip home went well. Thanks, Oz it was a little bumpy but I'm glad to be home. You see? This is how one greets a compatriot in arms. And that's what we are, aren't we Oz?" He asked us to be a part of his fight, I think it only fair he return the favor. He sighs softly.
"Who was it?" He's not giving an inch but I know he'll back us up.
"Some demon slaver guy. Bartfarty or something." I'm not really sure what his name was. "He brought children." I can tell he was about to say something but the part about the kids takes the wind out of his sails. Oz grunts on the other end of the line as he thinks it through. "How bad did we fuck up?"
"Not as bad as I thought but not great." How very Oz. That gives me no idea what so ever of what to expect. And I should be expecting something. There is always retribution when it comes to killing. I'm not exactly worried about it as in fear for my unlife worry but I like to avoid the riptides when I'm swimming with sharks. I wonder if sharks ever swim in to riptides. I lose myself in thought so I almost miss what Oz says. "You're going to have to make up for this by going big with something else."
Going big. These demons are remarkably like children themselves. I took away their toy so now I have to give them a bigger better toy to shut them the fuck up. Wonderful. Of course, no one knows vices like Faith so this shouldn't be too difficult. Right? "What are we talking about here? Like, seven deadly sins?"
Oz chuckles just loud enough to be heard and I wonder if he's with someone right now. A sleeping someone. Not that it matters, I'm just curious. I'll admit it. I almost half expected Oz and Faith to have a dominance fuck at the confirmation party. And while the idea of that does something low in my body, the actual act might not be as entertaining. Nobody would be paying attention to me after all. "You're on the right track. Make it a point to find out what special things the Heads of Houses like, make it personal if you can."
Oooh I can do this. It's a little more dark and deadly than my May Queen days but you never really forget how to win over a group. I hum in thought before I continue. "You know we can't have this right?" He's quiet but I know he knows exactly what I mean. "It was kids, Oz. There's a fat one that cries." I will never admit it but it almost makes me want to comfort the little snotter. Almost. I certainly won't let anything happen to him but…I don't want to keep him. Or any of them. They just don't belong here.
"That would be why I called you guys, remember?" Right. He wants to make this a Circle of kinder, gentler, Black Thorns. We're demons. I think he might be asking a little too much of the concept but on this subject he's not wrong. Servitude is fine. I make my living on the backs of servants and sex workers. Child slavery is not fine. "I need majority to win the vote to shut that down." I somehow don't think that's going to be handled politically. Voting is fine in theory but in practice what demons really respond to is power. And fear.
The beginning of a plan starts formulating in the back of my mind and I smile seductively at nothing at all. "Oh, I think we can make that happen." He must not like my tone because Oz goes very still on the other end of the phone. I can't even hear him breathe. Just when I think he's going to question me about it he goes on as if I didn't say anything creepily intent laden.
"Anything else you need help with?" Actually…yes.
"You may just wish you hadn't asked that Oz." He snorts, it's a sound I've come to associate with werewolves when they're getting impatient.
"I need your Alpha." Faith might not be happy about it but I think Avi just might be what we need to help get the pack under control. As long as I keep my hands, and all my other parts to myself Faith won't have to kill her. Or Dawn. It's enough to keep the tempting little thoughts out of my head. I guess children aren't my only line in the sand.
"Do you mind telling me why?" I could just tell him. I should just tell him. But Oz made it a point to say he wasn't the The Big Fur so I guess I really don't owe him any explanation. So I'll just give him the short version of why I want her here.
"Because you can't come yourself." See? Short. To the point. Maybe I pushed him too far and he hung up on me. I listen to dead air for another couple of seconds. The soft sound of him breathing is the only indication he's actually still there.
"If whatever it is, is bad enough to want me there then I won't argue. Can someone pick her up at the airport?" The way he said that makes me wonder why she needs a ride. Not that we wouldn't have offered anyway. It's only courtesy. "The noise…" He doesn't have to go on. I remember. She's still half wolf brain, half rational thought brain. I don't want to say human brain because while rational thought is a human trait not all humans are rational. Giles is completely irrational and he's the most human person I know. Magic dabbling aside.
"I'll have Xander pick her up. Just get the flight info to Gus." It's almost like saying have your people talk to my people. I've always wanted to say that before but I've never had the chance. I suppose I should say thanks or I owe you one but I don't exactly feel grateful. I just feel obligated. This Circle deal is turning out to not be as advertised. I'm hoping I can salvage something with this bacchanalia. The party to end all parties could just make this all worth the effort of dealing with all the backstabbing and evildoing. Or it could be a colossal failure. I wonder how far Faith will be willing to go with me on this.
"Why thank you Oz, oh of course, Buffy…" Oh shut up. I just hang up because he already made the necessary small talk himself. I hold out the phone for Gus as I work out how to appease Bartyfart's Head of House. I'm at a disadvantage here because I don't know anything about the rules of this world, and I don't really know any of the players besides Oz and Avi. And can anyone ever truly say they know Oz? Besides maybe Willow.
"Find Denna and bring me a list of our stable." I lower my legs from the arm rest and stand in one easy move, grateful that I'll never be too old to do that, or feel my knees creak and weaken. I'll never get soft with age, my skin will never wrinkle, and my body will never sag. I finally get to enjoy the gift that my Calling gave me without worrying if I'll die because I got too slow, too soft, and too old to work. I won't lie. It was a factor in choosing to drink instead of fight it.
My life was just a burden too heavy to keep carrying. The temptation was just what it was meant to be. Tempting as hell. I didn't really know if Faith would let me live or not. And when I think hard on it I'm never really sure if I wanted her to or not anymore. Liar. I know what I wanted and I don't have to feel ashamed of it anymore. I wanted her to save me. I needed her to save me. I was never right after my friends and family ripped me from heaven to make their lives easier. Funny how I only feel right after Faith tore through her own soul to keep me out of hell, just so I could have a chance at a life all my own.
If a girl is willing to give up a soul for you how could you want for anything more? If I had to get stuck with a soul I'm glad it's hers. I probably would have staked myself if I had been burdened with a part of Angel's soul. God. Or my own. There would be no reconciling what I am with who I was with my own soul trapped in here. No. I'm glad I have her soul, because now I know I'll always own a part of her she can never steal back.
Denna's footsteps shake me out of my thoughts and I turn to look at her. I smile and crook a finger so she comes up close. There's no fear in her, she just comes to me, sliding hands down my sides. I play with a tight curl, wrapping it around my finger. "You know who runs what House don't you?" She nods and I lean in to inhale her scent. Of course she knows. "Good. I want to know every dirty little secret, every dark fetish they harbor." I love the way she smiles at me. It reminds me of the Cheshire cat and I respond to it with a laugh. I picked the right girl for the job. Gus opens a leather bound book that looks more like an account ledger than an employee list.
I gesture to a table he can put the book on. "Thank you, Gus." He rumbles a happy preening sound and I have to remember to acknowledge him more. It's hard not to forget him despite his size. I lead Denna to the table so that I can flip through my resources. I want to match my talent to the right Master. Denna isn't as warm against my back as Faith is but I lean back in to that warmth none the less. "Find the best for each Master. Nothing less than my standard." My standard is high and when I turn in her arms I realize I don't want Denna on the menu. She's too valuable to risk and…and she's mine.
"What if I don't find everyone you need?" We're swaying to music only I can hear and I smirk at her.
"Call for fresh supplies." Hm. I bite my lower lip and quirk a grin. "I want you to find one in particular. Six feetish, pretty silver pearl eyes. I want him." Normally when you say six feet you don't have to specify gender but when you're dealing with demons and demon half breeds it's always best to be specific. "I don't care what it costs, just…get me bodies." I'm distracted by my hunger and that faint beat of her pulse. Giving my head a slight shake I pull back enough to keep myself from feeding now. "Show me your work by the time the sun rises." We're on a schedule after all. As I leave I give Denna's ass a stinging slap that makes me rethink my choice not to feed yet. "Sun rise, Denna." Responsibility. That bitch follows you even in to death.
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She's tryin' real hard to distract me right now, Buffy is. I glance down at her kneelin' between my knees as I sit on the raised throne in the center of the parlor. I'm thinkin' we need two in here now. Buffy licks a line along the crotch of my jeans as she stares up at me an' I squirm. Yep. Distracting. I tangle my hand in her hair and tug her up to spill in to my lap. "Now I'm not gonna complain about your methods but I'm thinkin' you're tryin' real hard to put me in a good mood."
Buffy huffs a pout as she straddles my thigh but she knows she's busted and stops tryin' so hard ta get me riled. I say tryin' so hard because I don't think she realizes how often she lets her hands wander all over me. I don't complain' cause I like it. I like knowin' that she can't be two fuckin' feet from me without needin' to touch on me. All my life I've been wanted. It's nothin' new. People have been wantin' to fuck me or fuck me over since I was twelve, I grew up usin' that to get what I wanted. So it's not new to me that someone wants ta fuck me.
What's new is that B actually knows me. She knows the good, the bad and the furry an' she's still all over me. Maybe bein' a vampire now gives her freedom ta do it but the desire? I know that shit is deeper than her demon. I watched her on that dancefloor and I didn't see the vampire starin' back at me. I saw her. I saw the real Buffy. She saw me an' she wanted me ta know it was me she was thinking of. I growl in to a deep kiss as she grinds down on me.
"Not my fault, you're just hard to resist." Heh. Shut up, baby, I know it. Almost like she can read my thoughts B rolls her eyes an' pushes me back further in to the straight high back of the throne. "But you're not wrong. I was hoping to soften you up."
At least we don't have secrets between us. I gotta laugh a little at that as I trace a path down the front of her black halter with a fingertip. I follow it with my eyes until I reach her waist. A lil bit of creamy white skin is showin' an' without thinkin' I lick my lower lip as I play with the hem of the shirt. "Yeah? Should'da come in here butt ass naked then." I love it when B laughs like that ya know? I know it's a stupid fuckin' joke but when she laughs at it, it's fuckin' real.
I haven't heard her laugh a real laugh in so long I thought she forgot how. Now she laughs all the time. Sometimes it's scary but I'm not trippin' on that. I like it when it's scary too. I like knowin' that scary part she lets out is a part of me. I can't take all the credit, she does have a demon inside of her now. A demon shackled to a soul. She should be like Angel, ya know? All broody an' shit. She's not though. I see her struggle sometimes but mostly she's cool with what we've become. I know that's me. I know every damn time she loses control an' likes it that it's me stokin' that fire. No matter where she goes, I'll always be there. Every breath in every minute. I'm there inside of her an' she'll never be rid of me. Way I see it, I own Buffy. Not all of her. But she's mine. Buffy tsks in to my ear givin' me goosebumps. "That would imply that I want you to fuck me. When really I'll be doing the fucking, thank you very much."
Ungh. I got no argument to that. I could use the distraction from all the shit weighin' on my shoulders right now. But a part of me can't let it go so easy. That part of me that won't let me just give in without a fight makes me grip her wrists hard behind her back before she can get all the buttons on my shirt open. My lips barely brush against hers an' I pull back when Buffy tries to lean in with a frustrated whine. "You think I'm that easy?" I am. She knows I am. But it's all about the game right? "What aren't ya tellin' me, B?"
I know it fuckin' hurts her shoulders to lean forward but she does an' the hurt lil whimper does exactly what she hoped it would. It drives me crazy, like growly, bitin' crazy. I know she doesn't breathe but when her breath catches in a moan I can't help but bite down harder. That's the thing. B likes takin' the pain as much as I like givin' it, an' she knows just how ta play me too. "Avi's coming." This time my growl isn't so much lusty for sex as it is blood.
"Why?" Buffy tries to wriggle on me but I jerk her wrists back harder, makin' her body bend back uncomfortably. She gasps but it's mostly a laugh. Buffy likes that I'm jealous.
"We, and I mean you, need the help." I don't need her help. I don't fuckin' WANT her help. So why is she here?
"Ya sure you're not just lookin' for a real wolf?" I narrow my eyes at Buffy ta see if she'll lie ta me. Her green eyes never leave my face an' despite the burnin' she's gotta be feelin' in her shoulders and wrists, she's perfectly calm.
"What makes you think you aren't my real wolf?" I can't shift. I don't have a pack. I'm maybe not enough. It's the last part that I really feel right now. "Awwww…."
That's about all the sympathy I get before Buffy crashes her forehead in to my face. It makes me let her go so I can cover my face but I never get that chance. Buffy's cold fingers are like steel when she squeezes my wrists together hard above my head. I can feel the bones grindin' together but I don't give her the sounds she wants. I just smirk through the blood spillin' over my lip and down my chin. "I don't need her help ya know."
Buffy couldn't give two shits about what I'm sayin'. She's too busy catchin' every drop of my blood on her tongue and lips. I try ta pull my hands free but I'm barely able to move with her weight on my lap an' my arms stretched up. "You need at least one wolf that has your back no matter what. She's an Alpha and that full moon is coming fast." I try ta pull away again but Buffy gives me her own growl an' forces me back in to the chair hard again. "Nut up Faith. This is war." She's right. I know she's right. But I still feel jealous. Buffy uses her free hand ta grip my throat nice an' tight. I can't look away when she has me stuck like this. "She might be all wolf but you're all Faith. And all mine." It's the little things.
I never was much one for bein' claimed but when she does it? Well the possessiveness does it for me is all. My breathing is tight from her grip but I'm not panicked yet. Wet, yes. Panicked, not so much. My voice is even raspier than normal from havin' to squeeze past her grip. "I believe it when ya say it." Her grip on my throat loosens an' Buffy kisses me like she's tryin' ta devour all of me. It's the lil things.
She believes in me, an' when she says she believes, I believe in her. No questions asked, no second guessin', no doubts. I just…believe. An' that's all she needs. I finally give a pained whimper in to our kiss, makin' her hurt me again just to hear it one more time. I whimper again but now I'm the one pullin' hard, hurtin' myself. See. B knows how ta play me. But I know how ta play her too. "If you struggle, Faith, you know I'll hurt you more."
That's not a threat. It's a promise I intend ta make her keep. I catch Buffy's lip between my teeth, tearin' it open so I can lap at the dark red well of blood. Buffy squeals but it ain't pain an' she ain't pullin' away. When I let go we're both breathless, an' it's hot with our bodies so close together, foreheads touching as we struggle against each other, causin' a lil pain an' blood loss. My lips brush hers as I growl out exactly what she needs ta hear. Exactly what I need ta feel. "Fuck. Me." The best part about B bein' a vampire? I never gotta ask her twice.