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Freedom by icemink
 
Chapter 24
 
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Chapter 24:

Spike put his arm around Buffy's waist, growling at the valet who was openly leering at her. Spike tossed the valet the keys to the Desoto, annoyed that in LA even the vampire clubs forced you to valet park.

Then he led Buffy past the velvet ropes where humans were lined up hoping to get into the exclusive club known as Thebes, unaware that the few who were allowed in would never leave alive.

"Remember, no fighting," Spike whispered in Buffy's ear.

"What?! No fighting?! You said no killing before. You never said anything about no fighting."

Angrily he spun her around and gripped both her shoulders tightly. "Listen to me," he growled through gritted teeth. "You. Can't. Start. A. Fight. Here. If you do we'll both be in more trouble than we need right now. So do you think you can act like a good little fledgling who does what her Sire tells her?"

"'M not good," she mumbled stubbornly as she refused to meet Spike's gaze.

"Buffy," he growled as he grabbed her chin and forced her to look him in the eye.

"Okay, no fighting," she agreed reluctantly.

Spike took a moment to decide if she meant it. The disappointment he could sense from her reassured him that she did. He put his arm back around her and led her into club.

As soon as they stepped past the bouncer and into the nightclub, Buffy tensed in his arms.

Realizing too late that the former slayer might be uncomfortable walking into a room filled with dozens of vampires he whispered in her ear, "It's okay, baby. You're one of us now."

"No, I'm not," she said in distress.

It was Spike's turn to tense up. He was afraid that next she would say that she still had her soul; that she was still good and she would have to kill him and then herself because she could no longer stand what she was.

"Everyone else is wearing black, and everyone is staring at me," Buffy continued nervously.

Spike had to bite his lip to keep himself from laughing with relief.


Then he reassured her by whispering in her ear, "They're looking at you because you're so beautiful. Besides," he added, "that's why we're here. So you can get noticed."

He was about to pull her deeper into the club towards an empty table, when Isis, the owner of Thebes, approached them. She was a tall vampire with a boyish figure. She kept her black hair clipped short and wore long beaded dresses that suggested either something off a tomb wall, or something left over from the twenties. Spike had never really had much use for her, but she was an incredible gossip. Perfect for spreading the news about his new childe.

"I don't believe it," Isis said as she approached them. "Spike with a girl who isn't dinner or Drusilla." She put a well manicured finger under Buffy's chin observing her for a minute before giving her a dismissive "Hmm." Then she turned her attention back to Spike. "I'm sure we could show her a thing or two."

From the moment Isis had approached him and treated him like an old friend, Spike could feel jealous anger rising in Buffy. Isis moved in closer to him, and he quickly grabbed his childe before she could attack the other female vampire.

As his arms tried to restrain the powerful young vampire, he pulled her close so he could grab the skin of her neck with his teeth. The moment his teeth closed on her neck she stopped trying to pull away. He could still sense the anger rolling off of her, but her body instinctively submitted to her sire.

He held her that way for a moment, until he was sure she wouldn't move to attack again. Then he slowly let go of her.

He hadn't bit her deeply, but his fangs had scratched her skin. He was tempted to lick away her blood, but instead he let her powerful blood perfume the air.

Until that moment, the vampires near them had been trying to act as if they weren't watching what was going on. But as the scent of Buffy's slayer/Aurelian blood hit the air, they gave up any pretense and several of them even inched closer.

"You should be careful, Spike," scolded Isis. "Bringing an untrained fledgling here. Especially since the word is that the Master is after you because of something you took from him."

"You'll have to forgive me, Isis," Spike said as he stroked Buffy's cheek and put his arm gently around her waist once more. "I thought my childe was ready for her first appearance. Of course, it isn't easy to break a slayer."

"Slayer?" Isis asked surprised.

Her eyes narrowed as she began to carefully look over the girl she'd dismissed only a moment ago. Her eyes came to rest on the scar that marred Buffy's perfect lips. She'd obviously thought Buffy had been turned to be a sex toy, nothing more. But when vampires chose humans for that purpose, they chose physically perfect ones. And since only a few rare mystical items could scar a vampire she must have had the injury before she'd been turned.

"Well," Isis continued. "You always had strange tastes, Spike. Just don't start any trouble." With that, Isis moved off to mingle among the crowd.

The booth Spike had his eye on earlier now had a couple of vampires sitting at it. He quickly sized them up and decided they were no one of consequence. He led Buffy to the table and a few threats later the other vampires vacated the booth.

"Why'd you tell her about me?" Buffy hissed in Spike's ear as they sat down.

"Because if she knows I've turned you, it won't be long until everyone, including the Master, knows," he whispered back in her ear.

"But. . ." Buffy started. Then Spike could see understanding dawn in her eyes.

If the Master found out that she had been turned, it meant there was another slayer to worry about. That would force him to split his attention.

Spike was also betting that the Master wouldn't credit Spike with having any bigger plan than making the slayer his childe.

At that moment a waiter approached them and asked, "Can I get you anything to drink?"

"A scotch on the rocks for me," Spike ordered. "What do you want, luv?"

"I don't know. Something sweet?"

"How about one of those fruity drinks with an umbrella for the lady?" Spike told the waiter.

The waiter snorted. "We don't have umbrellas," he informed Spike in a condescending tone.

Spike grabbed the waiter by his collar yanking him down until his face was even with Spike's. "Well, I suggest you get some, mate. Understand?"

The waiter nodded and Spike released him. After that, the waiter quickly disappeared back into the crowd, muttering as he went.

"How come you get to be violent?" Buffy asked indignantly.

Spike sighed and settled back into the cushions of the booth. He put his arm around her.

"Because I'm your sire," he told her.

Her mouth opened, and he could see another 'but' coming, so he kissed her before she could even begin her next question.
 
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