By Ldynwaitin
Chapter One
Clouds slowly drifted across the night sky, exposing a bright, full moon. A halo of blue encircled it.
"Blue moon," Anya softly said, as she walked down a dark street. "Magicks are strong on a night like this."
"I guess they must like blue cheese," Xander said.
Spike tried not to react to Xander's bad joke. They had been searching the streets for bringers, dark acolytes of the First Evil. Buffy, Giles, and several of the Slayers in training were searching a different part of the city. They passed by the boarded up Magic Shop.
"My poor Magic shop," Anya sighed. "Actually I wish Willow and Buffy worked out their differences earlier. I made more money from the insurance, then working there for a year. You know, that could be a very lucrative business. Buy a place, and have Willow and Buffy tear it down," Anya happily said.
"Never going to happen," Xander said. "Willow and Buffy are fighting for the same side again."
"Wouldn't have to be a big fight. I'll just tell Buffy that Willow was wearing her favorite blouse!" Anya said, hopefully.
"Quiet!" Spike hissed.
They stopped near an alley, he spotted something lying near a garbage gondola. Rushing to it, Spike rolled a body over, in the light of a street lamp, they saw dead white eyes staring up at them. The creatures body was a deep purple, long horns grew out of its head. Deep wounds ran across the creatures body.
"That's a Calbek demon," Anya said. "You don't see them on the streets, usually in the woods trying to get a date with some female deer."
"What do you suppose killed it?" Xander whispered. He saw Spike check the hands of the creatures. He suddenly stood up, his hands clenched in a tight fist.
"I’m not sure," Spike said. "But I do know that we may need some reinforcements."
"Buffy?" Anya said.
"Yes," Spike said. "We'll need her here, as well as Giles. Can you get them?" Xander saw him unconsciously wipe the blood of the demon off on his pants. "I'll stay here, incase whatever beastie did this comes back."
"You want me to stay and help?" Anya offered. "I dated a Calbek demon once."
"Is there a demon you haven't dated?" Xander said.
"Maybe I should stay," Anya shot back. "So I can try to get a date with whatever killed this demon!"
"Oh yeah right, then the two of you can relive old times," Xander grumbled.
"Look," Spike said, as he took a step towards Xander. "This is not the time or place to be openin' old wounds. Somethin' dangerous is out there. Anya is no longer a vengeance demon. If I have to fight whatever creature did this, I don't want to worry about her safety."
Xander had to admit it, Spike was right. She was just as vulnerable, if not more than he was. "Fine, let's go Ahn, we have a job to do."
"If you see another Calbek demon, you can subdue them if you rub them behind the horn," Anya said, as she rushed after Spike. "It always worked for me."
"If I'm that close, I don't think he'll let me get that personal with him," Spike called out, as they ran down the streets.
Letting out a heavy sigh, Spike began to search the area. Coming to the Magic Shop, he placed his hand on the doorknob. Bracing himself, he gave it a good shove, it easily broke. He silently entered the dark shop. He found the place was left the same as when Giles and Willow fought. Stepping over a fallen beam, he began to search the shop.
He walked into the scattered remains of Buffy's training area. Dust covered everything. Taking in a deep breath, he let out a sneeze. His eyes twisted in anger, spinning around he shouted, "Alright, I saw that creature outside with a missin' finger tip. Your little trademark, now stop hidin' and show your ears!"
He stormed through the shop, throwing broken tables, and chairs in the air, until he heard someone yell, "Ouch!"
"Come on Evan," Spike growled. "Show your bloody face!"
"Don't get your knickers in a twist," he heard a deep voice rumble. He heard footsteps walking on the wooden floor, and the sound of something jingling. Slowly the silhouette of a tall man began to appear. Once he came into view, Spike saw a man with long dark hair, and dark eyes to match. A half grin parted his lips. He stopped just in front of him, in his hands a small jackknife twirled.
"'Ow did you find me mate?"
"I could smell you a mile away, you keep insistin' on usin' that cheap cologne."
"I'll 'ave to watch that," Evan said.
"Why are you here?"
"Why am I 'ere?" Evan said. He threw his hands in the air. "I came to 'ave some fun with me mate. Can't you feel it Spike? The evil is as thick as a pea souper on a winter mornin'."
"I've felt it," Spike said. "I've also see it. Now answer my question, why are you really here?"
"As you saw in the alley, just 'ere on a job, nothin' more."
"Nothin' more?" Spikes eye squinted in suspicion.
"You do know me well," Evan said with a chuckle. "You always were me best friend." He continued to twirl the metal jackknife in his fingers.
"Since our last meetin' turned out so well, why do I have a hard time believin' that?"
"I was on a job," Evan said in defense. "You know when I get's paid to do a job, I sees it to the end." He leaned his back against a fallen bookcase. Crossing his ankles, he continued to twirl the jackknife.
"Are you on a job now?" Spike asked him. His voice was just deep enough to be threatening.
"Per'aps," Evan sung out.
"Who's your mark?" Spike demanded.
"First off, as a friend, I want to tell you that I 'eard about your break up with Dru."
"She ended it, not me," Spike replied. He slowly moved to keep Evan's knife just out of striking distance.
"I know, I spoke to 'er."
"You always had a thin' for her Evan. She's as free as the bird she always babbles about."
"I also 'eard that you got somethin' back. Somethin' that is un'eard o' in the Vampire world."
Evan's dark eyes stared at Spike. They seemed to grow darker, as he continued to stare at him. Suddenly a small grin parted his lips. "Cor' Spike, they were right," Evan gasped. "You did get your bloody soul back."
Spike stood uneasy before Evan. This was the first time since he got his soul back, that he confronted someone that he knew from his dark past.
"I never imagined you to be gettin' your soul back. Didn't think it were possible."
"It wasn't an easy thin'," Spike softly said.
"Must 'ave been somethin' powerful to make you get it. Like say…love?"
"You were talkin' to Dru."
"She told me about you and the new slayer. I didn't believe it, but lookin' at you, seein' 'ow much you glow, she was right. You reek o' 'er."
"What else have you heard?" Spike growled. "When you come to town, you like to get in touch with the local underground. If you are my mate, tell me what you've heard."
"I am your friend," Evan seriously replied. "I've never forgotten the times you pulled me bum out o' the fire." Standing up, he began to twirl his jackknife on his fingers. "I 'eard that your new missy is the one that stirred thin's up around 'ere. She 'elped wake up the sleepin' giant."
"Go on," Spike said.
"Now I ain't sayin' I came 'ere to oft 'er, but I will say that the offer was given." He gave Spike a quick wink, and quickly disapeared. Spike immediately vaulted over a fallen pillar. Picking it up, he threw it towards the back of the magic shop, effectively blocking Evan's escape. Rushing towards the open door, he blocked the front exit with his body.
"If the slayer is your next mark, then I'm sorry to say that you're not gettin' out of here alive," he growled.
"Spike," he heard Evan's voice within the magic shop. "I told you before, you're me mate. I can't 'urt you, but a job's a job. Me word is me bond."
Spike scanned the floor of the dusty shop. He saw footsteps begin to appear on the dirty floor. He lunged towards the footsteps, aiming where he thought the middle of Evan was. He flew in the air, sailing over the footsteps.
"Now 'ow stupid do you think I am Spike?" he heard Evan say. "I was bent over, I 'aven't been in the assassin business this long and didn't learn a thin' or two."
Spike saw Evan's shadow in the frame of the door. "I'll be off now Spike, after I finish up me contract per'aps we can 'ave a nice sit down. Until then…"
Spike sprinted to the door, running into the cool night, he searched up and down the street. Evan was no where to be found.
"Blast," he hissed. "I gotta find her before he does."
He ran down the streets, hoping that he would get to Buffy before Evan did. He knew just how deadly Evan was when on a kill. Buffy didn't stand a chance!
End of Chapter One