Authors: Richess a.k.a. A.N.H. Richards and Hilary a.k.a. Spike Lover UK
Email for feedback: [email protected]
Summary: Spike runs an errand for Giles and gets more than he expected. S/B piece
Disclaimer: All Characters belong to J. Whedon, Mutant Enemy Productions, the W.B. and/or Fox Production and etc.
Distribution: Just ask.
Author's Note: A huge thanks to our beta Wyrdin. Thanks to our Hunnies
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Part 1
Going on a book run for Giles was not Spike's choice for an ideal Friday night, but the estate auction began tonight and getting these books were, imperative to the Watcher and his Slayer. The fact that Giles actually gave Spike eight thousand dollars to buy these books was a miracle in and of itself.
"Santa Monica here I come." Spike grumbled as stuck his Oasis tape into the car stereo, passing the 'Leaving Sunnydale' sign.
* * *
"This is one of the best collections that I've ever seen." A young woman exclaimed, "The newly arrived scenery isn't bad either."
Spike spun around to see what she was talking about, and she smiled at him. Spike gave her a devilish smile and found a seat near the aisle in the second row of the auction house.
"How much would you bid on that?" Spike heard her friend ask.
"On that? . . . Everything I own." She replied boldly, eyeing the blond vampire up and down.
Spike smirked at her answer.
"Excuse me?"
"Ahh sure." Spike looked up to see a woman in her early thirties. She was extremely tall probably - 5'11" but 6'3" with her heels. She was dressed in a charcoal business suit. She sat down next to Spike and introduced herself.
"Hi, I'm Lilah Morgan. I'm representing Wolfram and Hart." Lilah extended her hand to Spike.
Spike shook her hand gently, "The name's Spike."
"I'd rather call you William. My father's name was William."
"How the hell do you know my real name?" Spike asked her. She held her hands up innocently.
"We just have a common nemesis. That's all. Angel?"
"Peaches? What about him?"
"We were very impressed with your little torturing of him last year."
"We?"
"My firm?" Lilah quickly whipped a card out of her bag.
"Special Operations?" Spike read.
"Yes. Such as things of special circumstances."
"Ladies and Gentlemen. The auction will begin in five minutes we advise all of you to take a seat. We will begin shortly." A short balding man announced into the microphone.
"So what are you here to bid on?" Lilah whispered into Spike's ear.
"Some books." He whispered back as another man stepped onto the podium. Spike shuffled through his pockets and took out the list of books Giles wanted and the prices that he thought they would go for.
"Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen. This is the estate of Herman D'Andrea, who lived from 1908 to 2001, and is survived by his brother, Eugene." The auctioneer pointed to a fragile old man sitting directly in front of Spike. "Mr. D'Andrea was a collector of old books and artifacts. He owned an impressive collection of silverware and gold coins, all of which will be auctioned off tonight.
"The first thing up is the Book of Laxel. In its original binding and authenticated circa 1400's. Let the bidding start at $750."
Hands were quickly raised and the bidding heated up. The Book of Laxel went for $3,000.
"Next are the Orida Chronicles, books devoted to the philosophical pursuits. Starting off at $250." Spike looked down at his sheet to see the Orida Chronicles at number five on the list.
Spike was the only person to bid on the books. "Sold to the gentleman in the second row."
"Why those?" Lilah whispered to Spike
"It's on my list." He replied as the auctioneer continued on with other books, vases, and jewellery.
Spike had $2,000 left. He had bought all the books on the list; well below Giles' estimated prices. Meanwhile Lilah had bid only on one thing - a scroll of some sort for nearly $10,000.
"The last item is a beautiful gold necklace encrusted with black opals and emeralds. It's believed to have belonged to Adra of Voluna. Voluna is an old South American village that the Portuguese were unable to infiltrate during their "discovery" of Brazil. The indigenous community poisoned the armies that came, killing them all. It was believed that the chief who led the villager's defense was one Adra – an allegedly powerful witch. In her ten year campaign against the Portuguese, only one man failed to succumb to her deadly magicks."
The auctioneer smiled conspiratorially and then continued, "They believe that the man was in fact a vampire and that Adra fell in love with him. Discovered that her power stemmed from a necklace taken from the first ship to ever land on Brazil's shores. It's captain, Addius Voluna, was a 13th century sorcerer. When the vampire learned that Adra's power was linked to the necklace, he stole it and killed the witch. But the necklace would not yield its power for him, so the vampire got rid of it. And now it's just a piece of jewelry with a rather colorful history. The bidding starts at $20,000."
Spike looked at the beautiful piece of jewelry, resplendent in a red velvet case. The first hand that went up was that of an older woman in the front row.
"I've got twenty. Do I hear twenty-five?" The man pointed quickly as a new hand shot up.
"Twenty-five. Do I hear thirty?" He pointed to the woman in the front row. "Thirty? Thirty?" Spike heard someone cough. "To the gentleman in the lime green suit. Do I hear, forty? . . . Forty?"
"Forty!"
"Do I hear forty-five?"
"Sixty." A voice shouted from the back.
Everyone including Spike turned, looking for the owner of the voice. A beautiful honey-brown girl stood in the aisle. Thick hair framed her face in a shapely bob. . She was dressed in a long black skirt with a split that reached dangerously high on her thigh and a dark blue, long sleeved lace top. Her cinnamon skin peaked through the lace.
"Seventy-five." The woman in front shouted, glancing back at the young woman.
"One hundred thousand dollars." The girl enunciated every syllable perfectly and clearly. The woman in front fumed and Lilah giggled at her.
"One hundred. Do I hear one hundred five?" The auctioneer said, looking directly at the woman in the front.
"One hundred and fifty." She gritted through clenched teeth.
Even before the auctioneer had replied, everyone was turning towards the girl in the back. She stood with her feet shoulder width apart, her arms crossed against her chest. Every male, and not a few females, ogled as her wide stance revealed a smoothly muscled leg, bare except for a delicate high-heeled sling. . She shook her head in annoyance and her hair gently swayed.
"Two hundred thousand." She said flatly. The older lady nearly jumped out of her seat.
"Two hundred thousand dollars." The auctioneer, repeated, smiling overjoyed. He glanced around the room. The woman in the front row remained silent, her hands shaking violently.
"Going once, going twice. . . . Sold." The auctioneer said after long pause and then banged his gavel. The woman in front rushed angrily from the room, brushing past her rival in the aisle.
All purchases were to be paid in full at the conclusion of the sale. Spike located one of the auctioneer's assistants and paid for the items he had bought. As he concluded his transaction, the young girl brushed past Spike, handing the assistant a money order.
"Have you made special arrangements to take this home Miss?" The young man asked.
"Yeah. I put it around my neck and leave. Just give me my necklace." She told him. The assistant hurriedly handed her the jewel case, and she opened it up, putting on the necklace, and walking toward the door.
A struggling Spike was already there, juggling his stack of acquired books and trinkets and fumbling with the door latch. With an amused glance, the young woman opened the door for him.
"Thanks." Spike mumbled, not looking up as he heaved the books upward to get a better grip on them.
"You're . . . . Hey. The Orida Chronicles and the Books of Ecure. Learning how to fight a God or become one?" She smiled, perfect rows of gleaming white teeth shone brightly.
"I bought them for someone else." Spike said, finally glancing at her face, taking in the necklace.
"Pretty isn't?" She reached up and touched it. They both walked toward Spike's Desoto. For a brief moment, Spike wondered if she was following him.
She took something out of her purse, and two cars away an alarm sounded. Spike looked over to see a red Lexus 2002 sports car.
"I didn't get your name."
"Spike."
"Mine's Adra."
Spike opened the car door and rested the boxes on passenger side. He turned back around, "Adra like the story Adra?"
"Yup. My father is from Brazil. He named me after her."
Suddenly, Spikes nerves jangled. Demon. . He closed the car door and walked toward Adra who stood near the DeSoto's trunk.
"I think that we should go." Spike firmly gripped Adra's arm, steering her towards her car. She looked at him confused. Spike didn't answer the unspoken question. He was on the defensive; he could sense three vampires and two other demons.
" Three vamps emerged ready to pounce. Spike dropped a stake from his duster sleeve and easily dispatched the first vamp. Adra turned to see two Sapovrow demons heading her way. She ran, heading toward a large water fountain in a nearby park. .
Spike hit the second vamp with a crushing upper cut, then rammed the ball of his hand into the demon's nose. Blood spurted everywhere and the vampire howled thickly through torn cartilage and broken bone.
The remaining vampire grabbed Spike in a bear hug. Spike quickly broke free from the loose grip and gave the vampire a roundhouse kick to the face. He sprawled backwards and Spike jumped on top of him and jammed the stake into his chest. Spike turned toward the vampire with the broken nose, but he was gone.
"SPIKE!" Adra screamed as the two Sapavrow demons encircled her. Spike ran over to her and punched one of the demons. The other grabbed at Adra. She kicked water at his face and where it touched him, his skin began to fizzle.
"So it's not only drowning." Spike heard her whisper just before a right hook laid him out.
"To all that is now and right, make the Earth be open to my change. Let the elements be of strength and ferocity. Let the elements be calm and soothing. Let it pour with the liquid that covers this Earth. Let it RAIN." Within seconds the clear night became cloudy and the rain poured down like an open fire hydrant. The demons began to melt before their eyes. Adra grabbed Spike's hand and they ran back toward the cars.
"Spike, please follow me." Was the last thing that she said, before she dove into her car.
Spike shrugged his shoulders and got in his Desoto and followed.
Lilah watched as they left. She took out her cell phone, "Yes, find out everything that you can on a vampire named Spike, a.k.a. William the Bloody and I mean recent stuff." She clicked off her phone and waited for the rain to stop.
Part 2
They drove for nearly two hours until they reached a small town called Thornhill. All the homes on the tree-shaded streets were large and imposing. Only the affluent and influential lived here.
They pulled up to a light grey house. Adra parked her car and waited as Spike parked his. She took his hand again and walked toward the door. Spike looked nervously, wondering Invitation?
She unlocked the front door and stepped inside. "You're invited in Spike."
Spike looked at her in shock, "You know what I am?"
"I figured that a normal human being couldn't beat three vampires and try and take on a Sapavrow demon. Plus, I saw you begin to morph when that demon hit you." She smiled.
"And you're not afraid of bringing in a dangerous vampire in your house?" Spike kidded.
"Nope. Tantie. TANTIE." She yelled as they walked through the house.
"Yes child. Whatcha calling me for? I'm in de kitchen." Adra and Spike walked into a kitchen that would have looked right in place in a five star restaurant. It was immaculate, with stainless steel appliances and frosted glass cupboards.
"I got the necklace." Adra showed Tantie, an older woman in her eighties. She wore a long dark green dress and various beads around her neck. Spike had seen such beads before, on a voodoo priestess back in 1973 in France.
"God my child . . . What is dis you bring in me house?" The old woman looked at Spike, "You bring a dead man in me house wid a demon inside is body?"
"Tantie, he's a vampire and he saved my life. Merlene wanted the necklace so badly, she sent demons after me."
"That dirty . . . Put de necklace in de safe before you go and sle . . . A vampire saved ya life? Why?" The last part was directed at Spike. Before he could even answer she grabbed his hand, holding it in her own wrinkled hands. Spike felt his mind was being invaded as thoughts from his past suddenly flew into his head. He tried to open his eyes, but they were too heavy.
"Tantie, stop it." Adra demanded as she broke their hands apart.
"I was just makin' sure dat he was genuine, Adra. Your parents have left to go to a convention. And what do you want to give your savior here." Tantie said, waving her hand in Spike's direction
"I don't want anything." Spike finally spoke up.
"Hush man. No one was talkin' to you. I'm not Miss Cleo. I don't want to here your problems or read your fortune" Her tantie scolded him.
Adra smirked, as the vampire remained quiet "Three wishes, Tantie. He deserves them."
"What the hell are you people talking about?"
"Fine I'll give the boy here three wishes." Tantie agreed. Adra smiled and grabbed Spike's arm in joy.
"He'll stay here tonight, while I get the ingredients for de spell. Dhere is blood in de fridge if he wants it. I'm going to bed. Put away de herbs for me, sugar plum. Good night to de both of ya." Tantie spun on her heels and went out another doorway.
"You keep blood in your house?" Spike asked raising his scarred eyebrow.
"For rituals mostly. But I think we got human stuff." Adra opened a mini-fridge filled with different things used in witchcraft and voodoo rituals. She pulled out a large container of the red liquid. "Microwave?"
Spike nodded his head, "So you guys are granting me three wishes?"
"Yup. And think about them carefully. My Tantie will give you the rules tomorrow." The microwave beeped and she poured the warm liquid into a mug. "Come upstairs and I'll show you your room." They walked up the back stairs to the second floor. Adra led Spike to a lushly decorated bedroom. She disappeared for a moment and then returned with still-packaged boxers and t-shirts and a pair of Calvin Kleins.
"My brother and you look about the same size." She said . "If you need anything, my room is two doors down on the right. See you tomorrow."
"Tomorrow." Everything in Spike's mind said leave but something - maybe his curiosity - was piqued.
Spike picked up the phone and called the Magic Shop. Giles was probably wondering why he wasn't back by now.
"Hello, Magic Shop. Spike?" Giles quickly greeted.
"Who the bloody hell else is going to call a magic shop at eleven at night on a Saturday?" Spike quipped.
"Oh, get on with it, since you sound all right. Did you get my books and talismans?"
"Yeah I got all the stuff. And I took out my fee."
"Fee? Why you bloody . . ."
"Now, now Rupert, watch that tongue of yours," Spike laughed. "I'll be back tomorrow at sunset."
"Where are you?"
"Thornhill."
"Why are you there? That's nearly four hours away from Sunnydale."
"Look here Watcher, we'll discuss that later. I'm feeling sleepy." Spike yawned into the phone. "Tomorrow I'll be at the magic shop, around eleven."
"Fine, but those books are imperative to helping Buffy, and I have entrusted you with a great deal of responsibility...."
"Look I'm not your slayer, or those scoobies. Damn near shit, I'm YOUR elder. Don't give that parental crap. I'll see you tomorrow." With that, Spike hung up the phone.
"Bloody wanker." Spike grumbled as he headed to the bathroom.
He turned on the shower and stripped off his still damp clothes. As he stepped into the shower, he thought about his three wishes. If he could wish for anything, what would it be? He would have a couple of hours to decide something that could change his unlife forever.
Part 3
The morning sky was filled with dark clouds but it didn't rain. Spike had gotten no sleep, so when Adra knocked on the door he wasn't prepared for the sight before him.
"Aaaggghhhhhh." Spike jumped back in surprise and disgust.
"A demon afraid of this" Her face was covered in a dark green mask that covered everything except her nostrils and mouth. Even her eyes were covered. "I need to make a mold of my face for the ritual. For the one you saved a likeness must be given. My Tantie wants you to come downstairs so that she can explain the rules."
Spike grabbed her arm and led her down the stairs. Adra led him the rest of the way to a wall where a full length painting of a beautiful native looking woman with sun tanned bronze skin and long straight black hair hung.
Um, Adra? Vampire here, not a ghost. Don't walk through walls too well."
"No silly , push the picture."
A full length painting of a beautiful native looking woman with a sun tanned bronze skin and long straight black hair. Spike gave the painting a second look and noticed the necklace.
"Was this Adra of Voluna?"
"Yes. Press the top right corner." Spike did as she said. The painting fell back as a secret door opened . They stepped inside. The smell of jasmine and vanilla was strong.
"Tantie?"
"Yes child. Bring him in."
They walked down a narrow hall that opened onto a large oval room. The place was dark except for a few strategically place candles. Tantie stood before a small, low table. Various items, including brushes, paints, and jars, sat on top.
"Take off the mask, child. And you, vampire, sit down in front of me and take off your shirt." Both complied, Spike sinking gracefully to the floor.
"Now go child." Tantie shooed away Adra.
Adra bent down and gave Spike a quick hug, whispering to him, "Happiness. What makes you happy or will."
"Spike is your name Adra tell me." Tantie walked around the small table, a paint brush and two black jars
in her hands.
"Yes." She walked behind him and painted something onto his back
"What name your mummy give ya?" She walked around and sat in front of him on the floor
.
"William." On his chest, she painted something in a royal blue and then switched to black.
"I like William." As she lifted the paintbrush to his face, Spike closed his eyes. She painted something along his forehead and he felt bright flashes of light across his face.
"What are you painting?"
"I am trying to see ya. I am tryin' to open you up to what will come to you. . . . Tell me 'bout yaself."
"Before I was a vampire?"
"Yes."
"Well I belonged to middle class family. Father died when I was five and my older brother hated me. My mom was a gentle and unassuming woman. We owned property. . . ."
"Not da things you had. About you?"
"William was a pounce. A bloody, lovesick fool, who was always made fun of and humiliated. Nothing more to tell. My mum tried to make me into a perfect gentleman and I became a laughing stock. The only woman that I loved thought I was a big wanker. She was from the upper crust and believed that I was 'beneath her.' And the night she told me that was the night I became . . ."
"One of de undead." Tantie finished. She move back to her seat across the table from him. "Here are de rules William. Whatever you wish for must only affect you. I don't do love spells or curses - dey usually don't go de way de inflictor wants dem too. Also no one 's pain'll be your gain from these wishes. And ya can't change past events, only the present. Those are de rules. Can you accept dem?"
"Yes." Spike said , inhaling all of her words.
"Now I will grant you tree wishes, which ya'll write down on dhose pieces of parchment with the coal stick." She point to the tools and Spike took them carefully.
He wrote down his wishes quickly, and set them on the table. Tantie picked them up and placed the three piece of paper into a black pot. She added blood, feathers, and a plain gold ring.
"I need some of your hair."
"Do you have scissors?" he asked as Tantie walked behind him. Spike felt a sharp pain in the back of head as Tantie ripped hair from his scalp . "Bloody hell."
"I need de root to be included." She threw the hair into the pot and sprinkled a powder over it. Then she placed Adra's mask over the contents. Tantie began to chant unintelligibly in Caribbeanized French . Spike suddenly felt lightheaded. Tantie lit a match and dropped it into the pot, and everything disintegrated in a matter of seconds.
She abruptly stopped, "Get out now. Go to de place where ya needed. The clouds'll be out for de whole day."
Spike got up disoriented and a bit confused but complied with no questions. Adra met him at the end of the hall and walked him to his car.
"Your wishes. First wish will start on the one week anniversary of the day that you saved me. It will last for three weeks. Don't worry, it will happen. If you need me just call this number." She slipped him a card, hugged him quickly, and ran inside the mansion closing the door heavily.
TBC..