AN: Recall in last chapter, they were about to jump down a newly created sinkhole in front of the Giza Pyramids...
(((&&&)))
Buffy's first thought was something she normally did not utter publicly. Yes, Spike had been correct, it was indeed extremely civilized, but then she'd also forgotten Spike is Spike.
"Move and you die."
They were surrounded by needle sharp machetes, held by demons with dark blue skin, fur on their bodies, long canines, and yellow cat eyes. Of course, they were dressed in gold plated armor styled after the ancient Egyptian reliefs.
Spike groaned. Partly because he'd been so stupid. And partly because he'd been so stupid in front of Buffy. He shifted his feet slightly as he felt her back press slowly into his.
"So this is your idea of civilized?" She shot with syrupy sarcasm.
"Well, I guess they've done more work on the place since I last visited. Have to admit, the hall of chandeliers, oriental carpets and slot machines does look pretty snazzy."
They were in some kind of antechamber, but just a little bit beyond them, the ceiling opened up forming a miraculous arena of luxury and demonic corruption.
"Spike, they have cages full of kittens." She was cut off as a rod probed her ribcage. A guard gave her a dirty look, and she gave him one right back, turning quickly to catch a glimpse of Spike's profile.
"Yeah...Demon gamblers tend to have those..."
(^)
"So what have we here?" A grisly voice grated from behind the guards.
The ring of catlike demons opened to reveal a creature of middle height resembling the common statues of Horace. Its bird face eyed the two with greedy scrutiny. Laughter of the underworld casino guests wafted into their little foyer.
"Oh no..." Spike grumbled quickly. Buffy realized at once that he recognized the demon.
"Don't tell me you owe this one kittens too," she lanced nervously over her shoulder.
"I wish. I'm afraid we've gotten ourselves into a world of nasty."
"Well at least we found out where all the demons hide."
The guards suddenly jittered with new energy. Apparently the Horace-look-alike was speaking to them in their own language.
"Please, demon-language boy, enlighten me?" Buffy pressed her back strongly against his, bracing for attack.
"Trust me you don't want to know."
"Trust me you don't want me not to know." She stepped brusquely on his boot heel, making him wince.
"Right, they recognize both of us."
"Both of us?"
The demons were growing more and more agitated.
"Yeah, me, because well, I'm me. And you because well, you're special."
"Special? Oh lovely, how? And why is this bad?"
"Ahem...so the prophecy was perhaps true after all. Welcome chosen guests..." The bird man took a step toward them. Buffy shivered.
"Probably killed the guy who wrote the prophecy too," Spike whispered roughly into her ear.
"Welcome, to my grand estate. Welcome, to the cradle of your puny civilization..."