Chapter Text
Is it not strange how an enemy can be missed?
While Spike never particularly cared for the slayer, he did admire her detection for independence. In a way he could relate. The council attempted to control her life like they had done with the others. The watcher attempted to leash her like one would a pet or child. Even her own friends expected more from the slayer.
How she managed to remain sane is beyond a mystery.
Spike patiently waits for Angelus pull into the gas station. His sire turns around to make sure his precious childe and reborn were in fact in the backseat. Something that is starting to become a habit of his.
“We’ll be back shortly.” The sire reassures the duo.
All Spike could do is fake a smile as Angelus exits the car with his witch.
In a way, Willow reminds Spike of Penn. Always glued to his sire.
The submissive waits for Angelus and the witch to enter the convenience store before facing Wesley. Time was limited, so Spike needed to ask his questions as quickly as possible.
Unfortunately, the reborn starts blabbering away.
“Hard to believe, but I dabbled in witchcraft back in the academy. I should have known it was a witch.” Scuffing a laugh, Wesley shakes his head.
“Right. Did-”
“In fact, Watcher Harrison said I excelled in the arts. He even suggested-”
“Did father kill Buffy?!” Spike loudly, and bluntly, asks.
This startles the reborn.
“Well, yes. The same day he lost his soul. Did he… not tell you?” There was a hint of uncertainty in Wesley’s voice, like he wasn’t entirely sure he was revealing a secret or not.
“Sometimes father forgets to inform me on such things. How did he kill her?” Spike glances towards the convenience store.
Right now, Angelus and Willow were speaking with the cashier. This means Spike only has a couple of minutes before the couple returns. Hopefully they eat the cashier. That would give him some more time.
“You know, I’m not entirely sure. Giles called me that night and said Buffy had died. By the hands of Angel of all people! I was in complete shock, but then Giles reminded me of my oaths, and I quickly pulled myself together. We devised a plan to keep the image of Buffy alive, so I went out with the others to slay vampires and all sorts of beasts, in hopes that Giles could locate the new slayer.”
“The new one?” The submissive softly says.
Makes sense.
Once a slayer dies a new one takes her place.
“Don’t worry. Giles couldn’t locate her. So, there’s a good chance that Angel- forgive me… FATHER can locate her before the council.” Wesley reassures with a short nod.
“Is that what they’re doing now? Looking for the new slayer?” Spike keeps a watchful eye on Angelus.
“I don’t think so.” Wesley tilts his head slightly in deep thought. “As far as I know, they’re trying to locate Giles.”
Before Spike could ask another question, Wesley continues.
“Which, all I have to say is good luck. The man is skilled in all sorts of arts; including anti-tracking spells. Did you know the academy rewarded him Mastery of the Hunts? Only three others were given that reward before him, and believe me when I say, it’s hard to achieve.” The reborn proudly spits his facts.
Honestly, Spike doesn’t know anything about the academy or their reward system. It acted more like a club rather than a school. Hell, every vampire Spike has spoken to mocks the academy for being simple and misinformed.
“I wasn’t aware Giles was a threat.” Spike honestly says.
Shrugging, Wesley adds. “Angel believes so. I mean, one of his witches did just trap us in a motel room.”
True.
But then the question remains. Why? Why didn’t she just kill them? Killing a sire’s favored childe would surely weaken them enough to get the upper hand. If that is what Giles truly wants.
“You dabbled in witchcraft, yeah?” Spike asks the ex-watcher.
“I did.” Wesley beams.
“How can a witch make a door disappear?”
“Well, first you would have to purify the room to make sure nothing can interfere with the spell. Then you would have to place a mark on the door. Any mark will due, really. Salt. Sage. Then you would have to-”
“Let me rephrase that. How long does it take to perform the spell?”
Again, Wesley shrugs.
“I would say a couple of minutes.”
“Only a couple of minutes?” This surprises Spike. Normally such a powerful spell would require more preparation.
“If you marked the door, that is.”
“Does it take more than one witch to preform?”
“That depends.” Wesley leans back in the seat. “If a single witch were to perform the spell, then all they would have to do is give the illusion the door disappeared. Basically, instead of removing the door, they would build around it. Now, if you had, say, nine witches performing the spell, then yes, you could easily remove the door from existence and you would have to physically create a new door.”
“So, any witch can create the illusion?” Spike confirms.
“Not really, no... They would have to be experienced in the dark crafts.” Wesley explains further.
“The dark crafts… Sounds like something Giles would be against.”
“Oh, defiantly.” Wesley nods. “Giles once had a lover that was rooted in the dark crafts, and let me tell you… hang on… you’re not suggesting that someone else performed the spell? Are you?” The reborn frowns.
“No, of course not. Who else would dare hunt father down?” Spike discreetly looks at the convenience store, more specifically, Willow.
“True.” Wesley dumbly agrees before he starts talking to himself. “Then again, Ang- father might have made some enemies along the way as Angel. It would be a rather tedious job listing all the demons, sirens, and lord knows what else he pissed off. Don’t get me wrong. It can be done. But…”
As Wesley’s words become sounds, Spike focuses on Willow.
The witch briefly turns in his direction and their eyes meet. She quickly reverts her attention back towards the cashier; a rather talkative cashier at that.
“… that was before Jhudu lost control and blew up the hospital.” Wesley sighs at the memory.
“I’m sorry. What?” Spike asks with honest confusion.
“I’m listing potential enemies of Angel.” Wesley says like it’s obvious.
“Right. You do that. I’m going to bum a cigarette off that whore over there.” Spike points to the mortal woman sitting next to the ice bag machine.
“Angel said-”
“Father said he’ll be back shortly. He never said stay put.”
“Yes, but- wait! Spike! Wait!” Wesley panics when Spike opens the door.
Spike then slams the car door shut.
“I’m just pulling your leg.” Spike grins.
Wesley sighs in relief.