Damon was disappointed when he saw that there was no voodoo shop anymore; and the current owner didn't have any clue of to where the witch moved to, or if she even had descendants. Spike wasn't as appalled as one would imagine, but still he felt somewhat bummed. So now they'd have to either locate this witch –if she was still alive–, or find someone else who could enlighten them regarding Spike's changes.
Bonnie called Abby and asked her if she knew any witches in New York, or any close town for that matter. Meanwhile, Elena and Damon were having a brief stroll in Central Park, so that left Spike alone with Jeremy.
–What other supernatural creatures are in your world? –Jeremy asked, his hunter curiosity taking the better part of him.
–Impossible to list them all, mate. As you already figured there's vampires and witches. There's all sort of disgusting demons, you got them slimy, or with horns. And there's also werewolves and zombies, and things you'd never imagined. There's even an old demon god. –Spike explained.
–Werewolves? We got that too. What about hunters? –Jeremy inquired.
–Hunters? Well, of course there's bloody hunters, people hunt all the… Oh, you mean a demon hunter, –He replied, and Jeremy nodded. Spike continued, –they are called Slayers, and those birds are really tough.
–Birds? –Jeremy asked, confused.
–Yeah, Slayers are always girls. Quite mind-blowing to picture a 16-year-old girl beat the crap out of demons. Some vampires underestimate them; others wet their underwear at the sound of that word. Well, vampires don't piss, but you get what I mean, mate. –Spike explained, while remembering Xin, Nikki, Rose, and Buffy. He surely had fought of fair amount of them
But before Jeremy could ask more about Slayers, Bonnie interrupted their conversation.
–My mom gave me a small list of witches in the city, though it's possible they have no knowledge about portal magic. She says it's possible that we are dealing with dark magic. –She said gravely.
–No, no way, I don't want you anywhere near dark magic. Last time you used unknown magic, you almost died. –Jeremy protested.
–I'm not gonna practice any dark magic, I promise. I'm just trying to find answers. – She tried calming him down.
–Listen, pet, I don't want you risking your life for lil' old me, ok? –Spike added.
–Like I said, I'm not gonna do any dark magic. – Bonnie insisted.
–What's going on? –Damon asked, startling the trio. He and Elena were just returning from their romantic stroll in the park.
–We have a list of witches that may know some answers. Nothing guaranteed, but it's a start. –Bonnie explained and gave a meaningful look to Jeremy, silently telling him to drop the subject. She could tell he was about to mention the dark magics again.
Damon was disappointed, none of the witches they visited knew squat about portal magics, only that it was dark and dangerous, and probably all true knowledge of it was lost, but at least they were able to learn a few things about Spike's metamorphosis, who now had a full mirror reflection.
–So I guess it's safe to assume that you cannot go back home. I'm sorry, Spike, –Elena said sympathetically. Spike simply shrugged. The group was in a burger house having dinner.
–Beats bein' trapped in a hell dimension. Or being a ghost. –Spike replied, almost chuckling.
–Right there with you, –Jeremy added, and raised his glass, –Cheers to that, –he added. The group laughed for a bit before resuming their dinner.
–At least we know that your transformation is ramping up faster, and it will be complete in the next weeks, –Bonnie said while dipping some fries in ketchup.
–Before you know it, you'll be enjoying all the perks of being one of us, –Damon replied, almost smiling; and Elena was glad to see her boyfriend in such good mood.
–Well, mate, I'll feel much better once I can start compelling and running at super speed, –Spike said, while looking around the place. Something was off and he didn't know why. He had the feeling someone was watching him, but he dismissed the idea.
–How about we go to a disco or something and enjoy New York? –Elena suggested.
–Sorry, pet, I'm not one for loud places, unless it involves The Ramones or The Sex Pistols, –Spike replied.
–We could go to one of those bars that have music. I saw an Irish bar on our way here, –Jeremy suggested.
–Nuh-uh, you are not going, –Elena protested, –you are a minor, it's bad enough I caught you drinking Damon's bourbon with Tyler. Besides, you'll be carded.
–And I'm in the company of three vampires, two of which, one being you, can compel the bouncer to let me in, I won't drink, I promise, –Jeremy countered. Elena wasn't sure it was a good idea.
–Please, Elena, let's try. I'll make sure he doesn't drink. He can't drink if he's busy kissing me, –Bonnie replied before giving Jeremy a quick kiss on his lips.
–Bonnie! –Elena yelled in a playful way, surprised of her friend's response.
Spike was amused at the situation, at how well adjusted these people were, at how normal, considering their individual situations, they were. Every moment it passed he was more certain that he would like it here.
The bar was packed with people, and the music was okay to Spike's standards. Could be better, much better, but at least it wasn't anything he hated. Elena and Bonnie went to the small area that served as a dancing floor and were having fun by themselves. That left the three men sitting at a table. And once again, Spike felt he was being watched. Damon noticed he looked grim.
–What's wrong? –Damon asked.
–I can no longer sense other vampires, I was able to earlier, but not anymore, mate, –Spike explained, then added, –when we were eating, I felt I was being watched and I sensed a vampire. Now, I'm feeling it again, but cannot sense a bloody vampire, not even your girlfriend on the other side of the bar.
Jeremy noticed Spike looked tense, –Maybe you're just being paranoid. –He added.
–I'm not paranoid! –Spike retorted, slightly raising his voice. Damon looked around the place, but noted nothing suspicious.
Jeremy didn't take it personally, and added –As a hunter, I can sense vampires, and there's a bunch here.
Spike scanned the crowd and his already cold blood went colder when he saw a familiar face staring back at him. A face full of fire that had been popping in his mind for the last months.
–It can't be, –He gasped.
–What? –Damon and Jeremy asked almost at unison.
Spike turned to face Damon, –over there, between the bar and the pool table, that redhead.
–What redhead? –Damon asked confused, looking at the spot where Spike was pointing at.
–That redhead! –But when Spike looked again, there was nobody there, except for a man playing pool.
Poor Spike, these changes seem to be doing a number on his brain, Damon thought, clearly worried.
Jeremy got up and headed to where Elena and Bonnie were. He needed to ask Bonnie if hallucinations were part of Spike's transformation, but to his surprise, Bonnie said that nothing indicated that.
–Are you sure you saw her? –Damon asked.
–I'm bloody sure I did. She looked exactly as I remember her, only hotter and with more make-up, –Spike replied.
–Maybe it was someone who looked similar to her. Trust me on this one, there are people that look exactly like others. Elena and Katherine are the prime example of that, –Damon explained.
–Yeah, but this bird was staring at me, intently, –Spike insisted.
–Maybe she thought you were hot and wanted to pick you up and fuck you, –Damon added, grinning wide before downing his bourbon.
–Maybe you are right, or maybe I'm going basket case, –Spike said, somewhat worried.
–Or maybe you're just horny and daydreaming of hot redheads, –Damon said while pouring some whisky in Spike's glass.
The group was leaving the bar and heading back to their hotel, completely unaware that someone was hiding in the shadows, watching them. And once the group was out of sight, the figure emerged from the shadows.
–Hello, Spike, –the woman said, mostly to herself.