London Nocturne (Part 2)
Sandra
They were waiting for him when he got back to the hotel. He'd been staying
in a small, unpretentious place in Chelsea called the Tudor Arms; it was
welcoming to vampires.
Too welcoming, Spike decided, as his reception committee ringed him.
They took him to an ordinary Georgian house in St. John's Wood, far from
Kensington. Spike was certain that was deliberate- London's Master
Vampire wouldn't relish proximity to the Watchers.
Master Tao was in his walled garden; and, at first sight, he did not
impress. He was an elderly Chinese, small and slightly built, quietly
dressed in a plain dark suit and red silk tie.
But Spike did not make the mistake of underestimating this man whose iron
rule had directed London's vampires for half a century.
Then Master Tao spoke; and Spike knew he'd been right to be wary- this
was the most dangerous vampire he'd ever come up against.
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Dawn was breaking as Spike stretched out on his bed, unable to sleep. The
warning from Master Tao was all too clear in his mind.
"In itself, this trial is nothing," the old man had said. "There is far
more involved than that- although I cannot recall a time when a Slayer
killed her Watcher. You know this Slayer?"
"No," Spike said carefully, "but I have had...dealings, with the other
one."
"Two Slayers," Master Tao frowned, "and one a traitor. What of the
other? Is she capable of betrayal?"
"No!" Spike spoke with conviction. "I'd never believe that."
He didn't, he realized. She had- a strong sense of loyalty, the Slayer.
HIS Slayer. He didn't know this other one, this killer named Faith. Faith
the Faithless...that was rich. He shook with silent laughter, then
sobered, remembering Master Tao's warning.
"This trial will have repercussions," the Master said. "Elspeth Blackwood
is dying; and at least three other factions are scrambling for
power...Quentin Travers thinks to head the Council, but so does Nigel
Chang. Others, too, have ambitions. If you become involved in any way,
great harm may come of it."
Spike stared. 'No fear of that; it's nothing to me who heads the
Council."
"Nothing," Master Tao agreed. "Please remember that, Spike. Or I will
kill you myself."
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For several hours, Spike tried to will himself to sleep, only to eventually
give up. He wasn't used to sleeping alone....
Except he was, really. At least lately. It had been a long time since
Drusilla had willingly shared his bed; and still longer since he had made
love to her...
Made love TO her. Yeah, that's what it had amounted to, all right. She 'd
never made love to HIM, or even WITH him. But there'd been a time, long
ago, when she'd accepted his attentions willingly enough. A time when she
was happy with him...
Wasn't there?
Impatiently, Spike got up and paced until the sun finally dipped behind the
horizen; and he found himself out in the street, walking briskly.
Right mate, he told himself. The thing to do is to stay far away from
Kensington...especially from that house...
So, why was he going there?
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