32. Part 32 New Allies

Friday, May 23, 2014

Boston Is Burning

Disclaimer: Please See Part One

Part 32 New allies

The Coven was in mourning. It had been a hard blow to lose two such important members and losing the slayers was a blow as well. The Boston Coven had long protected the south side and had until this attack been protected by all sides. Yes they did fight the demons at times but the human elements had long ago considered them neutral and they had gained the respect of various human gangs for their kindness and compassion. It was well known that the coven healers did not care who you affiliated yourself with as long as you did not harm innocents. They had become the one safe place for many in the community neutral ground for human, fae and demon. The community was angry and in mourning and they all wanted the killers caught. To that end there was a meeting.

Donal O'Rourke moved to the head table he nodded respectfully to the witches seated there. "I know this type of meeting is unusual. However given the situation we believe it is vital for the safety of the community."

He looked out over the gathering of people and took a deep breath.

"This killing was is an affront to all that is good and decent. It was clearly a human who did this thing and he/ she will be brought to justice. While the Irish families tend to not always get along."

There was a nervous laughter at that statement and O'Rourke glared at the demon who dared laugh.

"We have come to an agreement and truce. Until this thing is solved we are suspending hostilities and we will be…." He looked a little annoyed and disgusted at what he was about to say. "Helping BPD anyway we can. This meeting is to inform the local community that we want; no expect all our people to help the BPD solve this quickly and efficiently or at least help find who did this. Doyle's daughter is the M.E. On the case and we all know she is good people. However if you happen to find out who did this before the cops Doyle and I have agreed to allow the father's of the ladies killed to deal with the situation. However we do not I repeat do not want a killing spree. I am also here to inform our demon members that the Council has sent several slayers to investigate the crime and they are to be helped or left alone. A fair warning the Slayer Queen, The Dark Slayer and the Red Witch are all here in Boston along with the witches mate and the Queen's sister and Watcher. I know you all understand messing with them is not a key to a long and healthy life."

There was a nervous laughter at that statement.

"Also just for your information Doyle is claiming the Dark Slayer as his daughter and it seems that Maura and Rizzoli have somehow become slayers."

There was a string of curses from the demon community who had hoped to catch a break with the two slayers dead and gone. Most of the demons were a live and let live type but a few were of the criminal type and a cop as a slayer was so not good. Plus if Maura was a slayer Doyle would take it personal if anything happened to her or her wife it seemed Boston was now well protected from the dark. Several demons began to make plans to relocate.

"We are going to have a wake for the ladies in two days so everyone get ready." O'Rourke said. He then stepped aside to let the coven new leaders speak to the community. He had work to do he slipped out and headed to find Doyle. They might be rivals but these killings were not good for anyone and he was so going to help catch the killer. The ladies in question had been good people and they were a rare thing and Donal was so going to kill the bastards that ended them even if it meant working with Paddy Doyle.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

There were too many people about. Then again it did give him a chance to check the coven out without them being aware. He moved forward and placed the flowers on the makeshift altar. He had to keep up appearances after all. He noted the power that flared off and on from the various witches. One positive thing about their grief was that they let down their guards somewhat and it gave him a chance to check out the power levels. If he had learned nothing in the past few years or from the attack on the council it was that he had to take out the support staff. It had become clear upon reflection that the reason Summers had survived had been because of the so call friends she had gathered around her. It had taken time to analyze the mistakes of the past but he had had plenty of that while cooling his heels and healing from his injuries. Yes the Demon had saved his life but his recovery had been long and painful. Upon reflection he should have asked for invulnerability as well as life protection. The devil is always in the details as they say. Oh well he had learned and now he was researching every bit as carefully as he would have a demon to find a weakness to exploit. These witches were dead even if they did not know it just yet. They supported the theft of the Council so they would become sacrifices to the restore the proper order. Did they not know it was men who were destined to rule women even witches had to fall in line. He looked around and felt another dark presence. He spotted a man about his age moving among the guests. Who was he? Perhaps he could be used. As he turned Travers smiled. Ah yes and ally indeed. He moved through the crowd with politeness he really did not feel.

"Jonas Post is that you old chap."

Jonas turned and froze. He had not expected to run into anyone who knew him. He saw Travers and a rare smile appeared.

"Ah it's good to see you old chap. It's a dreadful tragedy that happened here." He said moving to grasp the outstretched hand of the former head watcher. He felt no ill will to Travers as he had defended his sister Gwendolyn back when she had been cast from the council.

"Yes it is. It's always a sad day when evil prevails. I just stopped by to pay my respects." He took the outstretched hand and the two men shook.

Jonas nodded and smiled. "Yes it seemed the thing to do." He too had been scoping out the coven. He needed power and the news of the ritual had given him an idea. He grinned now knowing who had preformed it. Travers was never one to be squeamish or to care if underlings were sacrificed for the good and power of the council. "Perhaps we should take this reunion somewhere where we can get a cuppa. I am rather dry right now and I think the meeting is breaking up."

"Yes that sounds lovely. Lead the way." Travers said. Jonas grinned and made for the door perhaps things were looking up at last.

Nnnnnnnnnnnn

It was not often that he felt so unnerved or nervous. As a master vampire of the Draculan line he feared very little and as a Cabot he had a natural arrogance that belied his being born a bastard. He was the lord of all her surveyed. The Supernatural and even the human elements of Boston generally followed his lead and rules. His pact with Doyle ensured he rarely had issues with the human elements of crime and the supernatural ones were not foolish enough to cross him. It had all been so simple before. He pushed his hands through his hair as he recalled the first time he had meet Caylin. It had not been anything he had planned in fact he had only been intending to grab a quick snack and then retire for the evening as it had been a long few nights. Unlike what most believed running a community like Boston did require a great deal of work to keep the various demons under his control and to keep the city from even becoming aware of the supernatural. It did help to have Doyle as the king of the Druids but it still required he step in at times to negotiate peace and territorial disputes that were not quite in the kings jurisdiction. A part of him hate that there was any kind of Royalty around but he was a practical sort. Short of starting an all out war with the Druids which served no one he had to get along with them. He looked out the window over city grateful once more for the invention of glass that filtered the dangerous rays of the sun. He could once more stand and look out at his city and even enjoy the sun a bit without worrying about turning to dust. His mind reflected on his meeting Caylin and their dates and tutoring sessions. He had never really planned on getting involved with a human but his heart had overruled his head. Which is why he was now in the situation he was in and it was why he had called for his sire to back him up. He must have become insane to think it would be wise to want to take the sister of a slayer as his mate. Yet when he thought of Caylin's smile and her joy at life's simple things his undead heart beat faster and he just wanted to smile. It was then he heard his bell ring. Well it looks like his sire had arrived and he had to pull it together. He was so not going to be teased for choices.

Dracula rang the bell with Harmony standing slightly behind him and to his right. While he trusted his 'son' he had no way of knowing if the slayers had found his lair and the king of the Vampires was not taking any chances with his beloved. While Harmony might feel slightly safe with the slayers and perhaps consider them a sort of friend he was still a bit wary. Slayers were always tricky things and his own interactions with Buffy Summers showed her to be highly unpredictable and therefore dangerous not that he did not admire her as he did but it never hurt to be careful.

The door opened and Lucas led his sire in. "Welcome to Boston My Lord." He said in formal tones.

Dracula smiled as he was invited into his son's home. He held out his hand for Harmony who took it with wary smile. It was clear she was waiting to be introduced.

"This is my beloved bride Harmony Kendall Mitchell I hope you don't mind my bringing her along she knows the Queen slayer and her group and I hope having her with us smoothes the meeting."

Lucas Mitchell smiled charmingly at Harmony and bent to kiss her fingers. It was such an old world gesture that Harmony giggled a little her smile lighting up her face. Luc now knew what had captivated his sire. "It's a pleasure to meet you my lady. I am so glad someone has captured my Sire's heart he was alone far too long after Sunnydale."

"Yes it was regrettable and I am really glad Vlad does not hold grudges but to be fair his brides had stolen the Slayer's watcher who she loves like her father. The old guy may be stuffy and formal but he's been there for Buffy and the gang and even me back when I was human not that I appreciated it much then. However trying to hurt him or feed on him well many a vampires paid the ultimate price for that. Buffy even sent Angel to Hell once and she loved him and I know a part of it was for what Angelus did to Giles and the gang. They are her family and she is wickedly protective of them. It's a trait you all share as well so maybe we can work together because the world ending is good for no one."

"On that we agree. I am concerned but knowing Buffy once worked with William to save the world gives me some hope. Plus it is well known she has a live and let live attitude. Boston has long been a no kill zone so perhaps we can work something out as I have with Doyle."

"Maybe but be careful she is no naïve girl. She may be blonde and play it to the hilt but Buffy Summers is wickedly smart and can think on her feet on the fly. I would also worry about the others they are all seasoned veterans and not anyone to anger. If you truly want peace and to save the world they will work with you but it you cross then you will be dust in the wind." Harmony warned. She then gave Dracula's son a hard look. "Endanger Vlad because of games or a double cross I will stake you myself. Plus as much as I hate to admit it, I would not be happy if you hurt the gang either. They are….they are as close to family and friends that I have now that Cordy, Spike and even Angel are gone. So they are mine to protect."

Mitchell smiled at this. He knew Harmony was not an overly powerful vampire and that she was not the smartest out there but, he also knew she meant every word. He wondered if the slayer and her people knew what a good friend they had in this vampiress? Probably not and he decided he could respect her and the threat she made. He also resolved to let it drop to the slayers as they deserved to know Harmony considered them family. It might save her life one day and frankly any slayers that could inspire such loyalty in so many differing vampires his sire included was worthy of respect. Hell over half the Scourge of Europe had fallen for Buffy Summers and Dracula was a royal vampire so it was clear she was something different. Maybe he could work with her and her council for the good of all. If he could then maybe just maybe he could have his mate and not have to kill everyone she loved to do so.

TBC….