Chapter 15


Tara sat at her computer, staring at her browser screen, not really sure of what to do first. Normally, she would have asked Willow what to do, or the redhead would have already done it. That’s how we got in all this trouble to begin with. Goddess, why didn’t I see this side of Willow before it got this bad? Stop it, focus. Now, what should I do first? Angel. He will know how to get in touch with the Oracles.

She knew the address book in Joyce’s old desk had his number under Hyperion Hotel. Tara dialed his number and listened as the phone rang repeatedly.

Angel finally answered. “Angel Investigations; we help the helpless. Angel speaking…”


“H-Hello, my name is Tara and I’m a friend of Buffy and Willow’s.”


“Do you need help? Is Buffy ok?”


“Well, yes, and no. It’s a long story, but I will cut to the chase. I need information to locate the Oracles, to help Buffy. Willow used some magic on her that didn’t exactly go right, and now I need their help to find her.”


“Find her? What the fuck did Willow do? I’m on my way…”


“No, Angel. I just need information right now. There’s nothing more you can do to help. Buffy’s body is here and being protected. Spike’s with her now. I’ve cast a spell over the house only allowing residents to enter.” Tara lied, knowing Buffy wouldn’t want him there and figured that the ensuing Angel versus Spike testosterone battle wouldn’t be good for anyone. Buffy was the one who mattered, and she was with the people who could care for her the best.


“I don’t understand. Her body is there? He’s living there now, isn’t he? Weaseled his way into her life, just like I knew he would. I can’t believe she trusts him!” he growled in response.


“Yes, Spike is here. He’s with her body now, but Angel, her soul is missing and I don’t need all this ex boyfriend… shit. It’s a really long story, but I need the Oracles’ help. Can you help or not?” Tara had shocked herself by cursing, but she needed Angel to focus on helping her or find someone else who could.


“Yeah, I think I can. They have a location here, but I think you can actually cast a locator spell on them. I know it sounds too easy, but if you need them, you will find them. I can come, help out, or even better, I can come and bring you all here so you can all be safer and I could take you to them. I know them, you know.” Angel had a pleading tone to his voice.

“Really, Angel, no. We need to do this here and now. Thanks but no thanks.,” Tara told him firmly.

“I will tell you, bring a gift when you go to them. Makes them happy, and is kind of part of the deal. Try it and let me know, ok? And if you need anything else, Tara, please call,” Angel said reluctantly.

“I will. And thanks, Angel.”


Tara hung up the phone and immediately went to work on the spell, setting up on the coffee table.


Spike had heard the entire conversation from Buffy’s room. Smiling to himself, he whispered to Buffy, “Glinda, the good witch, has everything under control. We’ll find you, pet… and soon. I promise,” as he placed a soft, sweet kiss on her cheek.


Angel paced the lobby of the Hyperion, thinking back to their last meeting, feelings of confusion washing over him. He knew Buffy had moved on, but she hadn’t admitted that it was with Spike. Why him? What’s he got that I don’t? Oh, right. No curse. No soul, either…


He returned to his office, anxious to talk with Cordy and Wes about the latest Sunnydale news, but resigned to keep it to himself. He didn’t want to hear all the flack about brooding over Buffy. He stared at the phone, hoping someone who actually needed his help would call.


Tara’s spell worked perfectly, indicating that she could find who she was looking for at the Sunnydale movie theater. Happy and excited, she rolled up her map. Now, what in the world do you bring as a gift to Oracles?


__________


Buffy was making her way through the darkening woods, nervous and on alert, when she heard a noise behind her. Slowly, she removed her pack and produced her newly sharpened stake. She hoped she was prepared for whatever beastie would jump out at her.


When she didn’t hear or sense anything, she figured it had just been her nerves. Probably just a branch breaking, or an animal.


Kahn stopped dead in his tracks. He’d heard the noise too, and he knew they would be hunting. Maybe I won’t have to take care of her; she’s going to feed herself to the blood drinkers! Kahn slowly made his way back to the edge of the woods, keeping her in his line of vision, but wanting to be as far away from the attack as possible. He knew there was still enough sunlight to protect him, if he was out of the shaded woods.


The darkness was now surrounding her, and she felt a familiar tingle at the back of her neck. Stake gripped tightly, she slowly spun around looking for whatever prehistoric vampire was stalking her. “Come out, come out, wherever you are! I want to show you my new, futuristic pokey stick!”


Suddenly, she was surrounded. Five creatures, like nothing she had ever seen before, were slowly advancing on her from every angle. Her heart was pounding. What the hell are these? Their skin was grey and pulled tight against their skeletal bodies. Their eyes were sunken, all red and catlike, and they had pointed ears and a mouth filled with razor sharp pointed teeth. They were growling as they approached, the crudely sewn hides they had on looked similar to what the men of the clan wore. She recognized their mouths, however… She remembered a mouth that looked like that very well. One very similar was the first to ever sink its teeth into her. These were vamps, and of the same breed as the Master.


Buffy was eager and excited to slay, and charged the first one. She plunged her stake into his chest, and nothing happened. The vamp swatted her away like a rag doll, right into the waiting path of another vampire. They were strong, stronger than any vampire she’d ever fought, and staking them didn’t work.


The second vampire grabbed her from the ground and leaned in to bite her, only Buffy was able to break free from his grip. She quickly plunged her stake into both sides of its chest. Maybe two hearts, or maybe it’s on the other side here. Nothing happened. She was hoisted up over its head and tossed against a tree.


Kahn watched, surprised that Kaia wasn’t dead yet, but knowing she wouldn’t last much longer. He would blame Groma for her death, since she’d sent the girl out after dark into the woods. The tale he would tell would make him sound like a hero, one who watched his love die because of the old woman’s stupidity. He grinned. This was even better then he could have hoped for. His hands would be clean, and both Groma and Kaia would be punished. He looked to the sky, and silently thanked the spirit guide for fixing his problems.


Buffy was hurt. Confused on how to kill them, she struggled to fight back. Their strength was like nothing she’d ever come up against in Sunnydale, but Kaia’s strength rivaled her own. So much so, that she forgot she wasn’t in her own body. That’s it! Kaia’s a slayer too! Maybe we can somehow do this together. Kaia, I need you, you must try to help me. Her body was slammed against another tree, knocking the wind out of her. She collapsed onto the ground, fighting to breathe, as they closed in on her.


Like a slap to the face, Kaia spoke to her. Buffy, it’s their head. You must remove the head. When clan folk were attacked by the blood drinkers, they would always remove their heads at burial. This must be why. Quick, I think I can help.


Adrenaline pumped through her body, energizing her like never before. She rose from the ground and prepared herself for the fight of her life. Together, they would fight them.


The first Vamp attacked from her left, diving toward her. She moved, causing him to miss and fall face first into the weeds. She quickly straddled his back and grabbed his head with both hands. A fast, severe twist and his neck snapped, and she found her hands covered in dust.

The rest roared as they watched their comrade turn to dust, and charged her.

Beaten, but not down, Buffy, with Kaia’s help, fought the remaining vampires.


Kahn watched, his mouth open in awe. He had never seen any man fight like that, nor had he ever seen anyone kill a blood drinker. It looked like she knew exactly how to kill them. He felt his cock swell once more as he watched her fight. He wanted her more now than ever before. I will have you, Kaia. You will be mine. His hand wove its way under his loincloth as he silently watched the girl fight for her life.


The last vampire’s neck broke, just as her strength gave out. She had survived, but her body had paid a hefty price. Beaten and bloodied, she crawled over to the base of a large old tree. She knew she needed to get moving, but she didn’t have the energy to make the trip yet. I’ll just rest for a few minutes… She closed her eyes, still panting, unaware that she was being stalked by a different kind of predator.


Kahn nearly came as he watched her defeat the last of the pack. Kaia was a warrior. A woman warrior, who would soon be his. He watched her appear to pass out from exhaustion under the tree, and made his move. Today, she would be his.