Chapter 15

Spike had led them down into the bottom half of his crypt. Vortigern, eyes shadowed with a deep soul weariness had curled up with Mordred like puppies in a heap, gold lying against jet, just watching but eyes drooping with tiredness. Soon, he’d given into it and their breathing had fallen into a quiet, relaxed rhythm; when one breathed in, the other breathed out. Draco and Blaise had stayed up talking for a little while longer, but Blaise had fallen first, exhausted by the spell and the walk, and the fighting. Draco had watched Spike run his black tipped fingers through Ginny’s red hair, eyes burning with a type of angry hatred flavoured heavily with resignation.

“So. What’s the deal with you two?” Draco asked finally.

“He’s helped me, and I’ve promised to help him,” Ginny dodged the issue, brown eyes sliding from his blue ones. Draco hissed angrily through his teeth.

“Don’t hide from me, Ginny. You promised you’d never hide from us.” Spike wrapped his arm tighter around Ginny, and growled protectively. Ginny patted his arm.

“It’s all right, Spike. He’s right, anyway…” Ginny breathed in deep breath. “Spike’s going to Claim me.”

“What?!” Draco yelped and shot upright from his lazy relaxed position on the floor. “You have got to be fucking kidding me!” Blaise murmured in his sleep, and Draco dropped his voice to a low fury filled icy whisper. “Do tell me you’re joking, Ginny. You’re playing with fire here.”

“I *know*, Draco. I know exactly what I’m doing,” Ginny hissed back, back straightening and throwing off Spike’s arms.

“I don’t think you really do. He’s a *demon*. Nasty, evil, bloodlust crazed *demon*. Sure, he’s muzzled at the moment, but later, later when he’s not, you’ll be dead.” Draco ran his hands through his hair, spiking it up. “And when he does, we’ll be there. Hopefully in time to save you. Maybe not. We haven’t been that good at the rescue gig.” His eyes flared with an old, remembered pain. “There will be fire, there will be never ending torture. Because in the end, death is just an escape. And we’ll have children, and the broken bleeding thing that he will become and the duty that his agony has become will be passed onto them. Forever.”

“That was in no way obsessive or scary,” Ginny commented, eyebrows rising.

“I’m a Malfoy, Ginny. We never forget, and very rarely forgive,” Draco said coldly.

“Don’t. Just…don’t. I’m too tired tonight.” Ginny turned from him and laid her head against Spike’s silent chest. He cradled his head on top of hers and glared at Draco.

“You are so bloody lucky I’m chipped, wanker.”

“Bite me, Spike. Oh, I forgot, you *can’t*,” Draco sneered as he laid back down, drawing his robes closer about him and closing his eyes.

“Fine. Let’s see how you cope when I let a demon eat you, nancy.”

“No, that would be Vortigern,” Draco tossed back. Ginny giggled in spite of herself.

“It’s not funny, pet.”

“Nup, not funny at all,” Draco agreed with Spike.

“Oh, it’s hilariously funny, but you probably can’t see it.” Ginny rolled away from Spike and snuggled down into his blankets. “G’night. I’m totally knackered.” Her breathing slowed and Draco smiled wryly.

“Look after her, or you will get into that endless centuries of torture I was warning you about.”

“Not planning on doing anything else, mate.” Spike curled himself around Ginny’s body and closed his eyes. She felt so right there, even more so then Dru. Warm and comforting. He listened to the slow and easy breathing matched with sleepy heartbeats of the mortals in his lair, and wondered. How in the bloody hell had they gotten here? He was *evil*, and proud of it. But one smile and a burning kiss from the redhead in his arms, and he’d fallen. Love’s bitch, again. Taste of her blood and the wicked gleam of amusement in her brown eyes as she sent the Slayer flying. She’d *wanted* him. Claimed him. Just as he’d Claimed her. And not a sniff of his poofy Sire in sight. Finally, he wasn’t second best. Spike smiled at that, pressed his face into the curve of her neck and slept.

Ginny woke up and tried to stretch. Nope, that wasn’t happening because she had a vampire attached to her. And he was cold. And somewhat dead. Ew. She opened her eyes and looked around. Draco was lying curled up in a heap of black robes and ruffled white hair, head cradled on his arm and face calm in peaceful dreaming. Blaise had somehow rolled between Vortigern and Mordred in the night and the three of them were tangled together in a pile, arms wrapped around each other, and heads lying black against gold against black. Azrael was curled up on the edge of Draco’s robes, nearly invisible against the black material. She heard a sort of gasp behind her, and she knew Spike had woken up because he started kissing the back of her neck.

“Mornin’, pet.”

“Morning, Spike.” She closed her eyes sleepily again. “Mmph. Tired.”

He chuckled lazily into her neck, tickling the sensitive skin. “I bet.” Ginny shivered as his hand started to stroke her hip.

“You know, kinda public here,” she squeaked out. He chuckled again, low and husky.

“I know, pet.” His hand didn’t stop moving. She squirmed, rubbing her jean clad ass against his denim covered thigh as the tingling heat built up. He hissed, and she grinned evilly. Good to know she wasn’t the only one getting all hot and bothered here. Draco’s eyes opened lazily, and he grinned as he stretched his arms up over his head, working some of the kinks out.

“Morning. What say we go and disturb the Slayer’s peace by asking her for breakfast and use of her bathroom?” Draco raised an eyebrow at Ginny, and she started to giggle as an idea leapt into her head.

“What’s so funny, pet?” Spike inquired as the three other guys woke up, untangling themselves.

“I just had the most wicked idea to cause the Slayer serious heart failure.”

“Do tell, Virginia,” Vortigern purred and Mordred hooked his chin over Vortigern’s shoulder, holding his twin close and his other hand resting on Blaise’s thigh.

Ginny sat up in the bed, and looked around before starting to explain her plan. “See, it would go kinda like this. . .”

~*~*~*~

After casting quite a few spells to shield Spike from the sun, they set off. Spike basked in the feeling of the sun on his face as the group made their way through Sunnydale. Thankfully, it was pretty early so no one blinked an eye at the sight of four guys dressed in long black robes, a redheaded girl in jeans and a loose white top and an older, punk-looking man in a black leather duster, all together in the same place and showing every sign of getting along famously. The cat that was obviously following the group may also have given them pause. But that was Sunnydale for you. As they rounded the corner into the Slayer’s street, and walked up to her house, they decided to put the plan into action. The body language between them became much more sensual, and leant heavily on touching, occasional kisses and a few full open palm gropes. Ginny giggled in delight as Vortigern and Mordred made a fuss over Blaise, swinging easily into the usual flirting game they all played. Draco flirted right back at her, and even included Spike, which was a bit different. Spike raised his eyebrow in that way that was quickly sending her insane with lust, and played along with all of them but acting much more possessive with Ginny.

Blaise and Mordred kissed, fingers lacing into each other’s hair and then Vortigern got into it. Mordred raised his head and met Vortigern’s mouth in a bruising kiss. Blaise was sandwiched between them, which Ginny guessed he really didn’t mind. It looked sensational, anyway. Draco stepped backwards, eyes locked on the scene in front of him as he tugged Ginny up the steps. Spike followed, eyes gleaming with amusement as Draco knocked on the door.

“Coming!” They heard Buffy say from inside the house, and Draco quickly moved forward, lifting Ginny so she locked her legs around Spike’s waist and he slammed his lips on hers. Spike growled, and Draco lifted his head, eyes daring Spike to do it. Spike smirked and leant over to kiss Draco hungrily. Ginny leant her head back on Draco’s shoulder as Spike’s hands snaked up her top, Draco’s hands holding her steady. “Oh my GOD!” A startled scream burst from Buffy’s lips and then they heard a thud.

“Well, that worked,” Ginny gasped out as Spike and Draco lowered her to her feet. She was feeling a little dizzy and hot. Very hot. Sweaty and wet, in fact. She pressed her legs together, and Spike smirked at her.

“All hot and bothered, Flame?”

“Shut up, you.” She slapped his arm lightly. Blaise, Mordred and Vortigern had stopped and walked up to their side by this point and the whole group observed with intense interest the passed out Slayer on the floor, just inside the front door of her house.

“Why didn’t I try that before?” Spike mused as they stepped over her body into the house.

“You know, I really didn’t think she’d pass out,” Ginny said conversationally. Joyce was coming down the stairs slowly. “Hello, Mrs Summers.”

“Ginny, Spike. You’re not. . .” Joyce hesitated, obviously looking for a way to put it diplomatically, “on fire.”

“Ginny’s a witch, and her mates that followed her from her home dimension are wizards. The five of them figured out a few spells to keep me non-flamey.”

Vortigern stepped forward and raised Joyce’s nerveless hand to his lips, bowing over it. “We are privileged to meet thee, lady. My name be Vortigern Pendyrwyrdd.” He kissed her hand, before letting go and stepping back.

“God, you are such a smarmy bastard. How we’re brothers, I will never get. Mordred. His sodding twin, if ya can believe it.” Joyce laughed at the sheer disgust in Mordred’s voice.

“Draco Malfoy. Pleased to make your acquaintance.” Draco nodded.

“Blaise Zabini. I never would have guessed the Slayer had such an attractive mother.” Ginny chuckled as Blaise swept into full flirt mode.

“Sod off, Zabini,” Spike said in amusement.

“Why for?” Blaise tilted his head to the side and grinned devilishly.

“Cos, she’s my mum too. Makes the best hot cocoa. Anyway, mum, the reason we came over was cos my crypt isn’t exactly what you would call friendly to the living.”

“No food. No bathroom. We all need to shower. And, the guys will need some muggle clothes because school robes? Don’t exactly fit in.” Ginny smiled at the older woman.

“Of course. I’ll just set some towels out. Maybe if I ring Xander, he might have some clothes they could borrow…” Joyce set off. “Get Buffy to help you make breakfast.” Mordred turned to look at the still passed out Slayer.

“I think we broke her,” he announced solemnly, and they all cracked up. Mordred glared around at them, mock seriously. “What? We broke the fucking Slayer. I don’t think that’s gonna go down well with that Watcher guy. Or her mother. We need to fix her, quick!” Mordred’s shoulders shook with suppressed laughter.

“I think thee had thy own part in her breaking, twin,” Vortigern teased back. “Thou wert kissing me, after all.”

“But Spike had his tongue down Draco’s throat. Draco, you sure you’re straight?” Draco lazily flipped Mordred off as he sank down into the lounge, head leaning back and limbs spread wide. Ginny jumped into his lap, and he let her lay back against him, his eyes closed.

“I’m straight as they come, mate,” Draco drawled in an imitation of Mordred’s accent. “But to make Ginny happy, I’m willing to snog a bloke.”

“Cos, everybody loves me!” Ginny said happily. Buffy got up off the floor slowly, and Spike decided to make the whole situation worse. He lay down on the couch, one arm possessively around Draco and Ginny, while tugging Blaise down onto his lap.

“SPIKE!” Buffy pointed and screamed. “You, they, ahhh!” Spike licked up Blaise’s neck, grinning evilly and leering at her.

“I really do think we broke her good,” Ginny said gleefully. “Go me and my evil, evilness!” She laughed, before pushing Blaise off Spike’s lap. “Shove off, Blaise, that’s my vampire.”

“You are of course aware that whole relationship is so wrong,” Draco said dryly.

“What? I gave up golden boys. And he’s so delightfully bad ass, how could I refuse?” Ginny said cheerfully as she cuddled up to Spike, and Blaise picked himself up off the floor, wincing.

“You know, still kinda sore here,” Blaise griped.

“Aw, the poor ickle Seer. Did the big bad girl hurt you?” Ginny cooed and fluttered her eyelashes. He half-heartedly scowled at her. Ginny just grinned, and fluttered harder as she put her feet in Draco’s lap and lay her head down on the armrest of the couch. “Oh, I so win. I win everything.” Mordred leant down and flipped her off the couch. “Ow!”

“No, you don’t.” He smirked at her and Spike chuckled at Ginny’s expression.

“Grrr.” Ginny glared at Blaise as he laughed. “What, all seeing one?”

“Oh, nothing,” Blaise gasped out as he tried to stop laughing.

“Prithee, Virginia, perhaps thee shouldst go up and see that Madam Summers be well?” Vortigern suggested gently. He looked at Buffy consideringly. “Naught but a game, Slayer. Naught but a game. We play it well, nay?”

“Game? That was a game?” Buffy said in a high-pitched voice.

“Well, mostly,” Draco drawled. “I’m very straight, so the Spike thing? Not gonna happen again.”

“Mordred and Vortigern play this a lot. But we’re not the type to sleep and tell,” Blaise added, winking.

“Forsooth, Zabini, thee hast sent her back into shock,” Vortigern said disapprovingly as Buffy placed her hands over her eyes. Ginny shrugged and headed upstairs.

“I’m gonna grab a shower. Make the Slayer get you food.”

“Oh, now this will be good.” Spike stretched out, lacing his hands together behind his head. “Be polite, ducks. Mum wanted you to anyway, you know, but you didn’t hear her cos you were passed out at the time. Maybe I should have tried that…” Spike mused. “Certainly a novel idea.” Draco snickered.

“We’re Slytherins, Spike. We have a reputation for sneakiness, general underhandedness and activities of that nature. The founder of our house, Salazar Slytherin, was the black sheep of the Hogwarts Founders. Had a bit of an obsession with blood purity and so forth,” Draco explained. “Our House symbol is a silver snake. Ginny could tell you more about some of it then even us, seeing as how He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is the one taking a wander through her mind.” His eyes flared with fury. “Why now? Why has he done nothing for five years, then bam!” Draco smacked his fist into his other hand. “All hell breaks loose.”

“Prophecy, dragon, prophecy.” Blaise shook a finger at Draco semi-reprovingly. “We must not forget the gods damned prophecy. Gods play games with mortal men, or not so mortal men,” Blaise half bowed to Spike, “and who be we to disturb their game playing?” He spread his hands in a type of acceptance. “But I have had my whole life to get used to the idea, and you’ve all been dumped into the middle of it. Honestly, I had no idea the Phoenix would be Ginny.” Blaise looked around, eyes begging them to believe him.

“You need to tell us the prophecy,” Draco said quietly.

“Later. The Slayer isn’t part of it. We are all who really needs to know…for now.” Blaise sank down onto his knees and sat back on his heels. “We may decide otherwise later. But once we all know, we will have a few things to do. One, unmuzzle Spike. Two, go see his Sire. Ginny *must* be Claimed, there is no alternative. And the prophecy skips around, saying that if this happens, this must happen, but if that happens then another course of action must be followed.” Blaise looked very tired. “I can see the twisting paths, and when a choice must be made, I can only guide onto the right one. All of you must choose aright, otherwise we lose, and everything else loses as well. Janus of the Two Faces has chosen us to tread his winding tracks, and he is not called the Lord of the Twisted Paths and the Crossroads for nothing.”

“Well, aren’t you just mister cryptic guy today?” Mordred raised an eyebrow. “And what’s all this talk of ancient gods?”

“We may have disavowed their existence, but they never disavowed ours. Merely because *we* do not believe, does not mean that somewhere in the dimensions, there is someone who does.” Blaise stood and walked over to the kitchen, running his hand through still sleep mussed hair. “I need a cup of tea.”

“So, that’s not just a stereotype that Giles fulfils?” Buffy headed over to the kitchen to help Blaise.

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