Love In Vein: Book Two - Chapter 28

Spike couldn’t help grinning as he walked back into the Bronze. Buffy had been right, her plan was a far better one than his.

Walking back through the crowds to where her friends sat, Buffy kept a firm hold on Spike’s hand and smiled to herself--it was nice being one step ahead for a change. Coming to a halt by the low table her friends were sat around, she flashed them a wide smile and sidled closer to Spike.

Her heart skipped a beat as she saw Riley and friend out the corner of her eye and she sent out a silent prayer that her plan would work like she’d intended it to.

“Guys…think we’ll call it a night.” She said with another wide smile and then wiped it quickly from her face in case it was too histrionic--right now she needed to act as normal as she could under the circumstances.

There was a moment’s chatter amongst her friends and then she shrugged.

“I’m completely whacked, thought we’d get an early night for a change.” Buffy smiled up at Spike and he just grinned back at her.

She wondered briefly if he’d even heard what she’d said, the docile and dreamy look on his face was making her want to prod him to see if he was still on earth with her.

Catching sight of Riley moving through the crowd, she kept still for a few seconds more, waiting for the right moment to make her exit. As he moved out from behind the crowd, she noticed another man joining them and the hairs on the back of her neck stood up.

Suddenly, Spike seemed very alert.

Buffy squeezed his hand reassuringly and raised her face to him but kept her eyes fixed on Riley.


Riley watched as Graham smacked the side of the temperature gauge for the tenth time that night. The readings weren’t coming out right and this was the only shot he was being given at proving something wasn’t right about Buffy and her boyfriend.

Graham sighed emphatically and turned to one side so he was almost facing away from the blonde that his friend was so interested in. Pointing the device towards the group she was with, he watched Riley’s face for clues as to what the readings were saying.

Riley concentrated on the display as Graham swept it slowly over the people sitting.

“Human.” He stated quietly as it passed over both Tara and Willow.

“Unclear…it’s still not reading right, the girl sitting with the dark haired guy is reading at somewhere just below human temperature. I’m clocking her in at eighty-seven degrees.” Riley ran his fingers over his hair and frowned.

“Human.” He whispered as it stopped on the dark haired boy.

Graham raised it up slightly to rest on Buffy and swallowed noisily as he waited for the reading to come through of both her and her boyfriend.

“Human…and…damn it…what’s wrong with this thing?” Riley almost growled as he smacked the side of the device again and the screen flickered and died.

“Well?” Graham looked at him.

“He’s registering at just above eighty. This whole mission is a write off. Next time we’re bringing a new one of these, it’s been giving us false readings all night.”

“It was fine just a moment ago when we scanned the balcony.” Forrest looked down at the temperature gauge.

“There is no next time and you know that, Riley. Tonight just proves that this is a wild goose chase, man…let it go.” Graham placed his hand on Riley’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze. He sighed as Riley shook his head and took the device off him, handing it over to Forrest.

“They’re leaving.” Riley nodded towards Buffy where she was disappearing into the crowd. “I say we follow them, just to put my mind at rest.”

“Fine, I’ll go with you but only because I want this over with already. Don’t be getting like this when every girl you like turns out to have a boyfriend.” Graham went to smile but was met with a scowl from Riley.

“I know what I heard, Graham, something’s not right about those two.” Riley gave him a black look before heading towards the exit.


Buffy swung Spike’s hand back and forth as they walked along Main Street, she gave him a wide smile as he arched a brow at her.

“They following us?” Buffy asked straight into his head.

“Yep, think they’re so covert…can’t beat my senses…even if they are full of Slayer blood.” Spike grinned again at the memory of Buffy pulling his head down to her neck and asking him to drink.

She had been right. Her plan had been a beautiful one, getting him to drink down enough of her blood to raise his body temperature temporarily. The scary thing was that it had seemingly worked, the readings they had received wouldn’t have matched the normal temperature of a vampire or any other demons he knew of--it would have just looked like their device was faulty.

Although Riley seemed to be persistent to say the least.

Leading Buffy into the cemetery, he ignored her confused look and just smiled wickedly.

“What are you up to? I’ve seen that look enough times to know there’s a plan behind it.” Buffy let a frown crease her brows as she looked up at Spike.

“It’s almost the witching hour…something is bound to be on the prowl, something we could use to our advantage.” Spike wriggled his brows as she grinned at him.

“We make the best team, don’t we? Seriously…” She gave his hand a gentle squeeze as they followed the path that wound through the headstones towards the centre of the graveyard.

“That we do, love.” Spike flashed her a toothy smile and then focused his senses on their surroundings, trying to seek out any demons that were lurking in the shadows.

Buffy scoured the headstones and tombs as they stretched out all around them. Remembering what Spike had told her about trusting her senses; she concentrated hard and tried to pinpoint the feelings that came back to her on a map in her head. She could sense Spike next to her, his signature dominant in her mind. Then came the two fainter signatures of humans following them, from her internal radar she figured that they were keeping a distance of around thirty-five metres or less. She was starting to wonder just what was going on with Riley, he’d seemed different since seeing her with Spike for the first time and now he was tailing them.

Spike nudged her arm as he saw something slink out of the shadows just up ahead of them. Buffy took a deep breath as she settled her attention on it and cocked her head to one side as she tried to guess what species it was.

“Vahrall.” Spike hissed at her as he saw the confusion on her face.

Buffy raised her brows in intrigue and then smiled. “Perfect.”

Walking along like they were oblivious to the demons presence, Buffy and Spike headed straight for it.


Graham squinted into the distance and then widened his eyes as he saw the demon.

“We’ve got company.” He stated flatly to Riley.

“Let’s see what they do. If either of them is a demon then they’re bound to fight.” Riley pulled his stun gun out of his jacket pocket. “And if they don’t, then the demon is ours.”

Graham grinned and nodded. “The professor would love to get her hands on a demon like that.”

Riley didn’t hear what Graham said; he was too busy concentrating on the couple that were steadily walking towards where the demon was hidden. He held his breath as they approached the spot, seemingly unconscious of what they were heading towards.

“Come on…” He breathed as he clenched his fists in anticipation. “Come on…”

As the demon leaped out of the bushes, his heart pounded hard and fast against his chest. He watched Buffy as she hid herself behind Spike and for a moment Riley swore that he was going to defend her.

Instead, with a shrill scream, Buffy dashed away from the demon with Spike following closely on her heels.

Riley’s shoulders sagged in resignation.

Maybe Graham was right after all--this was just a personal mission because he was jealous that someone already had the heart of the girl he’d had his eye on all semester.

Switching his stun gun on, he gave one last sigh before dashing up the path towards the demon.


Buffy couldn’t breathe for laughing as she came to a halt behind a crypt. Holding her sides, she struggled for breath as Spike kept an eye out for any sign of the demon or Riley following them. When it was apparent they were alone, he grinned down at Buffy as she smiled at him.

“Have to say…it’s kinda fun being the screaming girly for once…” She stifled another bout of laughter as she replayed the whole scene in her head.

“You did a fine job, love, should keep Riley away from us for…” He cut himself short as there was a brief burst of shouting in the direction they had run from and then eerie silence. He shot Buffy a serious look.

She was already moving forward, edging around the crypt but remaining in the shadows so she wouldn’t be seen. Her eyes widened as she saw what all the noise had been about.

There, in the very spot they had left it, was the Vahrall demon, only now it was laying on the floor with sparks coming from something attached to its chest and Riley was standing over it.

Spike wrapped his fingers around Buffy’s waist as he came up behind her. He was about to ask her what all the commotion was about when he spotted what had her so stunned.

The man Riley was with was now bent over the demon and was removing something from its body. Spike slipped into game face in order to check the status of the demon--it was still alive and from what he could make out it had been stunned.

Buffy frowned as she watched Riley and friend grappling with the body of the demon, trying to pick it up. She didn’t know what to think as they started to carry it away with them, her eyes followed them down the path towards the cemetery gates and she blinked in disbelief as they were joined by two men in what looked like combat gear.

“I knew it…I knew there was something wrong about him, he was all sneaky and suspicious and now look…he’s Mr. Military.” Buffy waggled her finger in the direction of Riley and huffed.

Spike slipped out of vampire guise and watched them leaving the cemetery, a serious expression settling on his face. “This isn’t good.”

“That’s an understatement. I’ve got enough trouble with the First.” Buffy came out of the shadows and stared hard at the gates.

“We…we have our hands full with the First.” Spike wrapped his arms around Buffy’s shoulders and let his chin rest on her shoulder as she leaned her back into his chest. “We’re in this together, remember?”

Buffy put her hands over his where they were clasped in front of her chest and spoke in a distant tone. “I know…I’m not alone anymore…I guess I never was, it just felt like it was all my responsibility. I’m glad you’re with me in this, Spike…William.”

Spike noted the hesitant way she’d said his real name and held her a little tighter in order to reassure her that it was okay for her to call him that now.

Pressing a kiss to the top of her head, he breathed in her scent and sighed it out.

“We need to find out more about Riley and his little friends.” Buffy said quietly as she closed her eyes and relished the way being held by Spike made her feel--warm and safe, comforted and loved.

Spike hesitated for a moment before saying what was on his mind.

“I know a bar, think you already know the owner…way I see it, that’s our best chance of unearthing what’s been happening in Sunnydale behind our backs.” Spike released Buffy and smiled as she turned to face him.

“What are we waiting for?”


Pushing open the heavy, squeaky metal door to the bar, Spike tried to shut out the thoughts that were lingering in his head. Bringing Buffy here was probably the worst idea he’d had in a long time, it wasn’t that she wouldn’t be safe here--he knew she could handle herself even in this place--it was more that he felt so overly protective of her in this kind of environment that he was liable to endanger them both.

Deep inside Spike, William smiled.

Spike smiled too.

Being in love was grand.

Buffy raised her brows as she found Spike staring at her with a dreamy expression and she smiled back at him as she sensed the tender affection he was feeling towards her.

“Come on, lover, let’s make with the questions.” Buffy smoothed down her little denim jacket and tried to straighten her hair out as she marched straight for the bar.

Willy almost dropped the glass he was cleaning when her small fist slammed down on the bar top.

“Sl…Slayer…” He stuttered and then his eyes became as wide as saucers as he saw Spike coming to stop beside her. “Sp…Spike.”

Spike slipped his arm around Buffy’s shoulders and sniffed as he sucked his cheeks into a grin.

“Long time, mate, not long enough though.” Spike cocked his head to one side as he regarded Willy in the same manner he’d so often regarded a victim.

Buffy stifled her desire to giggle as she watched Spike putting on his show. There was something irresistible about him when he was in full bravado mode and she remembered the times they had fought in the past, and how she loved it when he’d throw barbs at her with this trademark smirk.

“You’re going to give us information.” Buffy said in her best ‘business’ tone and favoured Willy with a hard look.

“I am?” Willy asked and as he was met with scowls from both the vampire and the Slayer, he nodded vigorously. “I am…of course I am…what was I thinking?”

“Military guys, doing what looks like routine demon capture of some sort.” Spike leaned against the bar and kept his brows knit and his look mean. “We need to know who they are, and fast.”

Buffy couldn’t help noticing that Willy suddenly looked a lot more nervous than he had done before Spike had mentioned the military and she knew that they were onto something. As Willy glanced for a split second at one of the back corners of the room, Buffy quickly turned her head to see what he’d been looking at. She squinted in to the darkness and saw a demon sitting here, a shadowy shape in the dim light.

“Wait…” Willy called out desperately as she started walking towards the demon, her eyes remaining fixed on it as she waited to see what she was dealing with now.

“Talk fast.” Spike grabbed hold of Willy’s shirt with both hands and dragged him up onto the bar, bringing Willy so close to himself that their noses were almost touching. There was a slight growling edge to Spike’s voice as he spoke through clenched teeth. “Because if she makes it there before I know what she’s dealing with, I’ll kill this whole damn room, burn down this sinkhole bar and then I’ll come after you.”

Willy was shaking so badly that he couldn’t find his voice, he stared with wide frightened eyes at Buffy as she continued to walk towards the demon residing in the back corner.

“F…F…Fyarl…” He managed to stutter as he brought his eyes back to meet Spike’s and desperately tried not to piss himself as he found Spike’s amber eyes narrowed intently on him.

Dropping the bar tender, Spike turned on his heel and took in the looks the other patrons of the bar were giving him. It had been a long time since he’d felt so good, putting on a show and getting attention for living up to his reputation as a vampire not to be messed with was more fun than he remembered.

Buffy frowned as she found Spike’s hand on her shoulder, arresting her movement towards the demon.

She closed her eyes as she felt cool breath tickling her ear, his lips almost brushing against them as he spoke.

“Let me handle this, love…unless you speak Fyarl?” Spike whispered into her ear and delighted when he felt a shiver run up her spine and saw her lick her lips.

Trailing his lips along her cheek, he ran his hand over her backside and grinned naughtily as he squeezed it slightly and saw her smile.

Buffy wanted to protest about his plan, she wanted to be the one to throw her weight around and use her reputation as the Slayer to get information out of the demon. As she watched Spike slide easily into the seat opposite the great hulking demon, she pouted. It was only when she realised that the series of growls they were exchanging was actually a language that she decided maybe it was a good idea that Spike dealt with it.

Sitting on one of the stools beside the bar, she couldn’t stop herself from looking thoroughly bored as she listened to the conversation continuing.

Willy walked slowly down the length of the bar to her as she rested her chin on her upturned palm and pulled a sour face that rang of discontent.

“Fyarl’s a bitch.” He said conversationally and waited to see if she would talk to him.

Buffy just drummed her fingernails impatiently on the bar, resisting biting for as long as she could.

Which wasn’t very long.

“You know Fyarl?” Buffy asked with a mildly curious twinkle in her eyes. “You can tell what they’re saying?”

Willy held his hands up beside himself and shook his head. “No. It’s a tricky language, too guttural for me. Only a handful of demons have what it takes to speak it. Didn’t know Spike could.”

“Me either.” Buffy said quietly and glanced back at Spike where he was still sitting opposite the large, horned demon. They looked deep in conversation and she badly wanted to know what they were talking about.

“So, what’s the story with you and Spike?”

She turned her attention back to Willy as he raised his question, his voice still shaking slightly with nerves.

“You mean you don’t know? You can’t sense it?” Buffy looked incredulous and leaned towards him, regarding him with suspicious eyes.

“Sense what?” Willy looked as innocent as he could get. This night had been odd enough without being faced with the Slayer and her having Spike in tow to protect her.

“I thought all demons would be able to…” Buffy mused and saw the confusion wiped from his face as he smiled knowingly and leaned over the bar, getting as close as possible.

“I’m not a demon.” He said in a hushed tone and Buffy’s eyebrows shot up as she pulled away from him.

This was new.

She’d always presumed that Willy was a demon, he ran a demon bar and it was logical in her head that he should be kin to the patrons of it.

“Then…why this place?” Her thoughts of Spike drifted away as she grew ever more curious about Willy and his choice to run a demon bar when he was human.

“They pay well.” Willy answered honestly as he picked up another glass and started to clean it. “Don’t cause much damage, pretty good business if you ask me. Besides, it keeps them off the streets and out of your hair.”

She arched a brow as she gave him a look that bordered on exasperation. “I’m not going to thank you for that, it’s not like I need people keeping demons off the street.”

“Wasn’t expecting you to.” Willy took a step back and put a little distance in between himself and the Slayer as she continued to give him a hard look. “So, what’s with you and Spike? Got a truce going on or something, some big evil after you both?”

Buffy realised that Willy was becoming a little too curious for his own safety and opted to put an end to his questions the only way she knew how.

Pulling aside her hair, she revealed the fresh marks that Spike had placed on her neck that evening and the scars that littered her throat. “I claimed him…”

Her eyes widened as she felt something cool pressing against her neck as a hand splayed out against her stomach. As Spike kissed the marks on her throat, she sighed out her breath in a release of pleasure.

“Show everyone why don’t you, love?” Spike murmured quietly into her ear and smiled wide at Willy as he stared at them both in surprise. “Let’s go.”

“Where?” Buffy asked as he grabbed hold of her hand and dragged her from the bar.

“We need to see Rupes.” Spike replied in a serious tone and she realised there was no point in protesting but tried anyway.

“It’s almost three in the morning…he’s going to be asleep…can’t this wait until daybreak at least.” Buffy followed him down the street as quickly as possibly as he continued to march along in a determined manner and with enough haste that it had her worried that the Riley situation was more serious than she’d believed.

Spike held her hand a little tighter, his eyes scouting all the dark corners as he led her through the deserted streets of Sunnydale. Turning the corner and starting down the street that led onto Giles’ road, he paused for a moment and let his eyes meet hers so she could see in them how serious he was.

“This can’t wait.”

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