“Is Giles here?” Angelus asked, double-checking everything once more. 

“Yes, as is Saffir. Willow just arrived with Paul, and Drusilla is checking on Faith and Lilah once more before joining us. Apparently Faith is a little rambunctious this evening. Spike thinks it’s because she doesn’t get out enough.” 

Buffy stretched out beside him on the plush leather sofa as she rattled off everyone’s whereabouts. “Connor is threatening the last group of so-called well-wishers with Spike, and Spike has finally accepted us as the masters.” 

Angelus cocked his head to the side at that last part. “What makes you say that, love?” 

“Because he doesn’t even grumble when we tell him to do something now. I know that he originally followed you because he valued his own life, then because you allowed him to prove himself rather than keep the sins of the past over his head. But now I think he’s finally accepted his place as second.” 

Angelus rumbled in agreement and leaned over Buffy to kiss her, pressing her into the softness of the couch. “Good, I’d hate, after all this time and this newfound understanding, to kill him. He’s become quite the commander, and he and Connor seem to get along – when they’re both out killing things.”
~~~~~~~~~~
Huh, she thought as she looked around the darkness. The house was brightly lit, as if a party was in full swing, candles – imagine the fire hazard – and lamps, oil lights and electricity poured out of the grand structure. But all the light stopped several feet from where she stood. 

Carefully tended ivy grew over the high wall separating the inhabitants from the rest of creation, jasmine, tulips – was this even the right season for them? – peonies, and several species she couldn’t name, decorated the front of the wall in riotous color. And, of course, the roses, from what could be seen near the front gate, there were at least a dozen different colored rose bushes, several of which were blood red. 

How typical. 

Everything felt the same as the last time she was here, the air, the ground; everything looked the same, too. Okay, the fact that demons basically ruled the world was different, as was the fact that the two creatures who led the fight against said demons were now in charge of the new world order. And so the sprawling castle before her was new but that was to be expected; nothing small for them, was there? 

It’d been a while since she was on this plane for more than a few moments to exact vengeance. Anya didn’t really miss it. 

Her status as a Vengeance Demon had risen dramatically since her return a few short years ago. No one had ever really been one, lost their powers, became pseudo-friends with the slayer of all creatures – hey Buffy was in her almost wedding after all – only to become a demon again. It was quite the accomplishment and Anya made sure to turn her fifteen minutes of fame into more. 

Also, she hadn’t had any contact with anyone from her second human life since Willow’s aborted attempt to destroy the world. Rumors, of course, always had a way of circulating in every dimension and she’d managed to keep up with everything. 

Keeping up and participating were two totally different things and opposites Anya, until now, managed to keep separate. Now she was ambassador for Arash’ma’har. If she knew that this was where her extended fifteen minutes of fame was taking her, she’d have quit while she was ahead. 

Appearing at the end of the mile long driveway, outside the magickally and physically guarded gates, Anyanka prepared to face her past, the future of whatever was left of this world, and hopefully not be eviscerated while she did it. 

“I am Anyanka, Ambassador from Arash’ma’har, I bring greetings to my Lord Angelus and my Lady Buffy from D’Hoffryn.” The three vamps and two demons – Anya didn’t even know M’ki Demons existed in this dimension; they had an aversion to sunlight, or was that humans? – simply glared at her. Huffing a put upon breath, she said, “Look, just tell Buffy – Lady Buffy –” Anya was quick to add at their menacing glares, “That Anya is here and we need to catch up.” 

Still nothing. Sighing again, Anya forcibly shifted into her demon look and said it again. It was hard to change when there was no real vengeance being extracted, but that didn’t mean after over a thousand years Anya couldn’t do it. 

“Announce me.” She commanded and waited again. 

Finally, one of the vampires moved to an intercom in a blackened booth a couple of feet from the gates. Several minutes later, he reemerged and nodded one-half of the massive gate opening as he did so. Anya bit back a scathing retort about not walking up that long driveway when she saw the car pull around. 

Climbing in, she waited as the anonymous driver pulled up to the door. The massive double wooden doors opened, revealing an impeccably dressed butler who showed her into a front parlor and told her to wait, someone would be with her shortly. 

Making herself comfortable with a glass of wine – non-blood wine of course – on the plush leather chair, she did just that.
~~~~~~~~~~
Buffy saw the butler hovering at the edge of the immense ballroom and made her was to him since he seemed to be waiting specifically for her. 

“Yes, George?” 

“There is an ambassador here from Arash’ma’har who wishes to extend her respects and speak with you and my lord, milady.” The human butler said as all good butlers did with absolutely no inflection in his voice. George was their latest and longest butler, having managed to survive almost a year in the house; Buffy didn’t know how he did it, but he was good, she gave him that. Plus he didn’t try to eat their guests. 

Intrigued at the mention of Arash’ma’har, Buffy tilted her head to the side and thought for a moment. Turning back to the crowded room, she scanned for Angelus; finding him deep in conversation with the group from the vampire council, she waited patiently the few seconds it took for him to look at her. 

The ball was going well, the soon to be disbanded, though they had no idea they were, vampire council enjoying themselves immensely. They honestly thought that the two strongest vampires – hell demons – on Earth would willingly hand over their power and that of their Family’s just because of some ancient tradition.

They were more than mistaken. 

Excusing himself, Angelus made his way through the room towards Buffy, automatically wrapping his arm about her waist when he reached her side. For a brief moment Buffy’s eyes were drawn to Angelus’ body, the tight white shirt showed his upper body to perfection, the straight lines of his pants, the tailored line of his jacket. Licking her lips as her eyes met his, Buffy reluctantly returned to business.

The faster that was accomplished, the faster they could get onto the more important things. Namely, her devouring his body. 

“A representative from Arash’ma’har is here,” Buffy said with a smile. “Shall we meet her?” 

Angelus looked at her for a moment, trying to figure out why Arash’ma’har sounded familiar and why Buffy had a predatory look on her face. Then it all clicked; they often talked about things the other had missed, sharing everything that had ever happened to them with the other. There was nothing Angelus didn’t know about his lover, and the same went for Buffy. 

“By all means,” he nodded and they walked out of the ballroom. 

Halfway down the hall Angelus pressed Buffy against the wall and attacked her lips with his. “Can we kill them now?” She breathed out when his lips trailed from her swollen mouth to her neck. “I want to move onto other pleasurable things.” 

“Drinking the blood of the council isn’t enough, love?” Angelus asked as his blunt teeth clamped over the mark on the side of her neck. 

Eyes flashing golden, Buffy smiled; Angelus shivered in anticipation. “Of course, baby, but given the choice between glutting oneself on council blood and fucking you into tomorrow, I’ll take you every day.” 

Angelus laughed, releasing her from the wall and capturing her lips with his once more. “You really think this ‘ambassador’ is Anyaka, then?” He asked as they finished their walk down the hall. 

“Positive,” Buffy agreed. “And if it is, then I want to know where she’s been all this time.” 

The doors opened to the parlor by a waiting footman (vampire) and the couple entered. Neither said a word as Anya placed her wine glass on the end table and rose. They waited as she curtsied and went through the speech. The one that started, “I bring you greetings and well wishes for a continued powerful and bloody reign…” 

When Anya was finished, a little perturbed that Buffy made her do the whole thing, Buffy smiled. “It’s good to see you, Anya, how’ve you been?” 

Still standing – the manners and rules she’d been taught in upper Arash’ma’har society were once more fully engrained in her despite her brief sojourn as a human– Anya smiled back. “Very well, thank you, milady.” Looking around the room, a move that was meant to encompass the entire house, she went on, “I see you’ve done very well, more than. I admit, I didn’t believe the rumors at first, but it’s kind of hard to miss the truth when you’re here.” 

Buffy laughed, Angelus stood next to her, a faint disinterested smile on his face. “Indeed it is,” Angelus said, gesturing to the seat Anya recently vacated. “What is it you wish to share with us?” 

He sat in a winged-back chair, Buffy lounging comfortably on the arm next to him, and Anya was suddenly struck by how contented the two seemed together. Granted, she’d only seen them together that once and, if she remembered correctly, they weren’t ‘together’ in the strictest sense. Was that the Indian Spirits thing, or the bear? Wait were they the same incident? Her memory was getting faulty, Anya thought; she’d have to work on that…maybe a memory charm? Or possibly start keeping better reports. 

“My Lord D’Hoffryn wishes to form an alliance. He knows of your plans – everyone does including the humans in the as yet unoccupied countries – to take over this dimension and agrees that it’s a puny one not worthy the name. He proposes an alliance between the demons of Arash’ma’har and you.” 

Settling comfortably against Angelus’ side, Buffy asked, “What makes you think we have need of such an alliance?” 

“Please,” Anya said with a look and a shrug that indicated she knew the stupidity of falling into that trap. “D’Hoffryn knows you need no help at all, nor does he wish to help subdue any being, human, demon, or otherwise. He merely wishes to be allied with you; it’ll raise his standing and that of Arash’ma’har plus become a source of both new Vengeance Demons and those we seek vengeance upon.” 

“And if a being wishes vengeance on us or our Family?” Buffy inquired. Her look was bored, but her mind sharp as she waited for Anya’s answer. 

“That, as part of the alliance, will not be allowed to happen. The wording will have to be specific and strict; of course, wishes are tricky things, as we all know. But, the treaty will specify that any Vengeance Demon who grants – or tries to grant as the wish will not be allowed to be granted – vengeance against The Family, will be punished as the intended recipient desires. Also, the wisher will be handed over to you for similar treatment.” She paused, as a thought occurred to her. “Or the wish they wanted granted could bounce back onto them. Up to you, actually.” 

This wasn’t so bad, Anya thought. She’d been doing the diplomatic thing for a millennia now when it came to furthering her role in Arash’ma’har, it wasn’t so hard when it was with people you knew. And when you were in an official capacity for doing so. She could definitely get used to this. 

“What do we get out of this?” Angelus asked even though he had a pretty good idea what it was. 

“A dimension of loyal demons,” Anya answered promptly as if it were obvious, “No need to expend energy or resources on conquering Arash’ma’har, and even more chaos than you’ve already created. When word gets out to the more secluded humans, they are bound to be more who try the power of the wish.” 

“How did you manage to become the ambassador, Anya,” Buffy asked instead of giving an answer to the proposed alliance. 

“My association with you, actually. A Vengeance Demon never before lost their powers, became involved in the slayer’s life, and then regained their vengeance powers. I turned my newfound popularity into something more. It’s always good,” Anya said in a voice that sounded like the human one Buffy knew rather than the vengeance one that sat before her. Maybe turning into a human teenager really did change Anya’s personality. “To plan for one’s future.” 

“Agreed,” Buffy nodded and looked at her mate. He nodded a small smile playing across his features. Buffy wanted to lick those lips, suckle the bottom one, sink her fangs through it and lap at the blood, but she didn’t move. “What do you get out of this, Anya?” 

Raising an eyebrow, a move Buffy never saw the woman do before, Anya laughed. “Higher status in Arash’ma’har. As ambassador to you, I’m already the highest-ranking official in the dimension. D’Hoffryn is first, of course, as founder and leader, then his priestesses and advisors. Anyway,” she said, dismissing the intricacies of Arash’ma’har society, “D’Hoffryn wishes me to form this alliance because no other dimension has the sheer amount of pandemonium your rule has created. He desires to be a part of it.” 

“Agreed,” Angelus said as he stood, Buffy rising fluidly next to him. “Tell D’Hoffryn we agree and that he should be here in three days time to cement the deal. You are, of course, welcomed to stay here until then.” 

Curtseying again, Anya stayed in the bent position and thanked them. “On behalf of Arash’ma’har and My Lord D’Hoffryn, I thank you for your time and attention, Lord Angelus, Lady Buffy. In three days time we shall meet again as per your request.” 

Angelus nodded, Buffy smiled at Anya and said, “I look forward to seeing you again, Anyanka,” and watched as the demon walked out the door, following a footman to her room. 

They waited until the footman returned and sent him to find Connor, wanting the newest member of their family to double check on Anya. Buffy had a little trouble using Anya’s full demonic name, but she, too, knew the value of etiquette when forming alliances. Maybe, Buffy thought as Angelus instructed Connor to see to Anyanka’s comfort, she’d visit her former friend after they took care of the council. 

“A world open to vengeance, more so than ever before,” Buffy said, the couple still in the parlor, Connor off to see to Anya. “And I thought massacring the council was going to be the highlight of my week.” 

“Don’t ever say I disappoint you, my love, or that I don’t keep you entertained.” Angelus smirked, molding her lush curves to his hard body. 

“Never, lover, never.” She answered in the moment before their lips met.
~~~~~~~~~~
An hour later Angelus and Buffy stood back in the ballroom watching the scene before them. It was time for their plan to be enacted, but they waited still, as the Vampire Council lingered in the room. No rush, none at all, there was plenty of time. 

“The weak always want to ally themselves with the powerful. It makes them feel more so and gives the illusion that that power is shared.” Angelus allowed his eyes to roam over the assemblage as he and Buffy debated Anya’s proposal. 

Both projected an air of casual intimacy that belied the seriousness of their discussion. Angelus’ hand rested possessively on Buffy’s back, his face a mask of polite boredom, lips pulled back in a faint snarl that was almost as much a part of him as his hard brown eyes. Buffy tilted her head to look at him, opening the right side of her to appraisal from those who still couldn’t believe that Angelus had taken a mate, much less a slayer…former slayer. 

The mark that stood prominently on the delicate column of her neck put to rest any assumptions, yet stirred even more. Such as when they tired of the other, as so often happened even in mated pairs, who the lucky new lover could be. There were dozens angling for that position, but so far, none had had the pleasure. 

“Still,” Buffy agreed in a low voice as she sipped her champaign. “I’m fairly certain that Anya will be a valuable asset. She’s ambitious and has no qualms with stepping on others for her own gain. You can’t survive as a Vengeance Demon for eleven hundred years and not be ruthless. You can’t survive the end of high school and not be ruthless,” she added as she remembered that Anya had been trapped as a student in Sunnydale High during their senior year. 

“Agreed,” Angelus murmured, as they watched the Vampire Council finally adjourn to the library as per their host’s gracious requests earlier. “And having the strength of D’Hoffryn on our side should prove an entertaining diversion if nothing else, my love.” 

The last of the Council walked out of the massive ballroom and Connor stepped up to Buffy and Angelus. His hands were clasped behind his back, hair, not nearly as unruly and floppy as before, was longer and pulled back into a short ponytail that allowed the viewer to see the youth’s face, the angular cheekbones, the intense blue eyes that may not have looked like his father’s but held an unidentifiable quality that nonetheless spoke of Angelus. 

“The Vengeance Demon is in her rooms now, and has agreed to stay there for the remainder of the evening.” 

A funny look crossed his face and Buffy couldn’t help but wonder at that. She knew Anya, knew what the other woman was like. And felt a slight, distant pang of jealously that she would possibly have things with Connor that Buffy would not. It wasn’t that she wanted them, but the urge was there, a faint undertone that, the vampiress suspected, had more to do with him being Angelus’ son, and therefore an extension of him, than her childe. 

Sipping her glass again, she slipped from Angelus’ hold and moved to Connor. “Is everything okay?” She asked, hand resting lightly on his broad shoulder. Buffy remembered the first time she had met the boy, how skinny he was; a whipcord thin young man with more guts than brains. In the intervening years since the so-called ‘official’ start to this war he had filled in nicely growing taller and stronger; his muscles even now bunched under her hand, always poised to fight. 

“Yeah,” he smiled at her, “She’s…odd, isn’t she?” 

Buffy laughed a light sound that was anomalous in the gathering and one that held genuine amusement. “Yes, Connor, yes she is. Come now,” she moved her hand through his arm and led him out of the room. Shooting a sultry look behind her, she smiled at her mate, as the final step of their plan to rid themselves of the council was put into motion. 

Angelus watched them go, finishing his own drink in one swallow before moving to Giles and Spike. He knew that Buffy felt a strange affinity towards his son, one that was both more and less than the sire/childe bond. He was jealous, as anything that took her attention away from him made him, but Angelus felt something else there, too. It was difficult to place, almost an understanding? 

Something to think about for some other time. Now, he had thousands of years of tradition to break. It was going to be lots of fun and more than slightly bloody, if he had his way.  

The Vampire Council, arrogant in their power, never knew what hit them. 

Agreeing to a meeting with Angelus and Buffy was one thing, agreeing that the couple and their family were currently the most powerful vampires in the world was another. For millennia, the Council ruled the various vampire clans and sects with an iron hand, the ludicrous thought that they not only didn’t have that control over this so-called family, but that the so-called family’s power, reputation, and sheer strength exceeded their own? 

Ludicrous. Preposterous. Why the very thought…! 

The group of five gathered in the large anteroom, sipping first class blood-wine and discussing matters both business and social. The four men and one woman each knew what to expect of this night, for none had ever defied them and lived to tell about it. 

The fact that a pair of vamps and their childer managed to subdue whole continents, destroy the Watcher’s Council and 90% of the Army of Light, well, that just boded well for the Vampire Council’s continued rule, didn’t it? All vampire power was, by law, seceded to the Council after all. 

With a gracefulness that belied her years, Buffy waltzed into the room, a faint mocking smirk in place, an air of detached scrutiny in her eyes for those looking; underneath was pure determination and an excitement that was waiting to boil forth. Connor stood immediately in front of the doors, head slightly bowed though it grated on his sense of rank, blocking any intended escape. But to the Council members, it looked deferential, as if he knew he wasn’t worthy of being in their presence. Connor hid the knowing sneer well. 

“My lords and my lady,” Buffy began in a soft voice that carried across the room. “I do apologize for taking so long, there was an unexpected guest to attend to.”

She smiled again; the Council would never know of the alliance with Arash’ma’har, never know of the talks between several other demonic dimensions who also pledged their worlds to she and her mate and family. They would be dead come morning and what little power they retained absorbed into her and Angelus’ holdings. Grinning wider, Buffy strove for courtesy before bloodshed.

The best part, after all, was the look on their faces. 

“Greetings and honors to you, my Council,” Buffy said, proud of her reverent tone, even if there was a faint undercurrent of disdain. Oh, yeah, she was good. “I am honored that you have graced our humble home with your presence and ask if your every need has been seen to?” 

The eldest of the Council vamps waited until all eyes were on him before speaking. Ancus was the showman, he knew what he wanted and waited for the perfect time to get it. There was very little in the several thousand years since he was turned that he didn’t get; power, sex, money, social status. He was the undisputed ruler of the Vampire Council for centuries, but never managed to overcome the arrogance that permeated the assembly.

Too bad for him, or he’d have realized the trap sooner. 

“You have done us all an honor, Buffy,” he began with entirely too much familiarity, missing Connor’s sharp look and suppressed growl. “It is indeed an accomplishment what you’ve done to this world.” 

“Yes,” she murmured, feeling Angelus’ approach. “It is, isn’t it?” The doors opened admitting the rest of their Family, Angelus walking smoothly to her side. He clasped her hand with his larger one, bringing it to his mouth and pressing a soft kiss to the palm. 

“All is set, my love,” he said though she already knew that, it was, after all, part of their plan. 

“Set?” One of the younger vampires asked, looking around the room suspiciously. Buffy wondered if she was new to the council and therefore not nearly as blind as the rest. 

“Set,” Angelus said louder, releasing Buffy’s hand and looking at the assembled vampires. The couple was flanked by their family, Connor moved next to his father, Giles to Buffy’s right, Willow, Paul, Spike, Drusilla, and Saffir finishing the imposing line before the five vampires. “Set as in you’re all a bunch of idiots who think that because things have been done one way for thousands of years that they can’t change. Change, my dear council, is what unlife is all about. You should have realized that sooner.” 

“Or,” Giles said, walking forward a step, “You should have realized that Angelus never plays by the rules and a slayer turned vampire wasn’t likely to either.” He shook his head and said to no one in particular. “Amazing that they managed to survive all this time.” 

Ancus sputtered in anger and surprise. “What is the meaning of all of this?” 

“Tut-tut,” Drusilla purred, teeth bared, “Never underestimate your opponents, your glass castle always comes crashing down.” 

Buffy snickered at the look on the council’s face. Angelus took a step forward, snaking out his hand to grab Ancus by the throat. “You dare,” he snarled, “Come into my house and expect me to simply hand over everything? Expect me to accede to such ridiculous rights as the Mating Night? You think that I’d hand my mate over to you, you worthless and weak piece of flesh?” 

He squeezed his hand tighter, nails digging into the flesh of Ancus’ throat, drawing blood, Angelus’ eyes glowing an unholy gold, face shifting in his anger to that of the demon within. “You think that we’ll simply consent to hand over our power? You, who have ruled the council for a millennium and couldn’t accomplish a third of what we have in mere years? Think again, Ancus.” 

With that, Angelus tilted the older vampire’s head to the side and began to drink. The second he did so, the other Council vampires snapped out of their surprise and began to fight. It was short lived. As Angelus drained Ancus, Millicent, Alfredo, Yee-tan, and Hootan attacked the remaining eight members of the family. 

They may have had age on their side, and as a result, strength, but it was nothing compared to the sheer furiousity the family fought with. Buffy’s eyes gleamed as she forcibly held herself back from joining in. She wanted to tear into each of the remaining four vampires, but didn’t want to take too much away from her and Angelus’ childer. It went along the lines of allowing them to feel power they weren’t likely to hold while she and Angelus were in charge.

Besides, Buffy much preferred taking her blood from Angelus than anyone (or anything) else. She was still having problems with the taste of everything but her mate’s blood. 

As the rest of the family fought and shared, Buffy moved closer to Angelus and waited almost patiently for him to drain Ancus enough for the old vampire to turn to dust. As soon as he did, Angelus immediately turned to Buffy and kissed her, letting her taste the power that he’d taken from the older vamp. 

Silently he edged her further into the corner, allowing shadows to hide them from even their family. Buffy’s addiction to his blood wasn’t something they advertised, even to their childer, so when Buffy’s fangs sank into Angelus’ neck, they did their best to ensure no one noticed. Angelus’ moan was lost in the chaos going on around them and he tried desperately to hold onto the last shred of control he had as he felt his mate eagerly drink from him. His own fangs found their home as Angelus took small sips from Buffy’s gracefully arched neck. 

Fucking her against the wall wasn’t exactly the way to keep her addiction to him (not that it was in any way a bad thing so far as the master vampire was concerned) quiet. 

Reluctantly they pulled apart, Angelus running his tongue one last time along the puncture marks on her freshly reopened scar. Together they turned, watching the pandemonium around them. The nine of them had debated long and hard about how to kill the council. Many had been overthrown by their own clans and orders when those orders joined Buffy and Angelus. But these five were still the strongest. Or were. 

The debate was centered on how public to make their deaths. While there was a strong argument for holding them publicly, having witnesses and such, it was also argued that the scent of such powerful and old blood would cause more trouble than it was worth. 

Hence the reason for a private execution.

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