Inell's Fanfiction Archive

"This is the face of what you saw?" Thack asked, making sure.

"Yes" Willow said feeling Spike's arms around her.

"This isn't good." Thack muttered. Seeing Willow's look, he started to explain. "This is Markos. He is immortal. He gets this immortality by draining it from others. He is a sadistic, psychotic bastard. He not only drains his victims of their immortality, he plays with them. Tortures them until they beg him to kill them. Its the only way the transference will work. They have to willingly give up their existence. If he has Dru, was in fact following her, it could be very bad."

"Why would he go to that much trouble? Why couldn't he just drain any newbie?"

Thack shook his head. "He wouldn't find that a challenge. With Dru, her psychic powers plus her immortality would be too good to pass up. It isn't often you find a psychic vampire. He could have all ready completed the ritual. She's been gone for almost two weeks."

"No." Willow said. "She would take longer. I've seen what she has been through. Nothing he could do to her would make her give it up. Not that easily. She is still alive, so to speak."

"What can we do?" Spike asked, trusting the watcher to help them.

"Could we stake him? I mean, you said he was draining vampires."

"No. He would be immune to it. You see, Markos was a powerful sorcerer before his transition to immortality. He put a spell on himself. He became invincible to all but one thing. There is only one known way that he can be killed."

"What?" Willow asked, fearing the answer.

"The sword of Nissis. One blow through the heart and Markos is history."

"Well, then. We get the sword, slay the bad guy, and save Dru." Willow said, determination in her voice.

"It's not that easy, Willow." Thack said softly. "You don't know what you may face. Markos has been alive for well over a thousand years. If it were that easy, he'd be dead."

"We have to try" Willow said. After the connection to Dru's life, she knew she couldn't rest until she found the woman, dead or alive.

"Where is this sword?" Spike asked. He knew that Willow wouldn't let go of this. He only hoped it wouldn't get them killed.

"We have it. The council has had it for a few hundred years now. No one has EVER been successful. I don't know if I can agree to this. It will surely mean your death, one way or another." He studied Willow's face and saw the stubborness in her eyes. "Do you know where he is?"

"I think so. I felt a strong pull towards the east."

"Is it Dru?" Spike asked, not sure that he liked the idea of his love and his ex sharing a bond.

"Yes. Don't worry, Spike. I'm sure once she is all right, the bond will disappear."

"I'll get you the sword. Willow, tell me honestly. Are you willing to die for this?" Thack looked deep into her eyes, fearing her answer. He hadn't told her the possibilities that could await her. He had read about Markos's forms of torture and persuasion. He feared that the unstable vampire would not have lasted through the night.

"Yes. I have to get her out of there. Besides, we kill a bad guy in the process. Not bad for an evening of work." Willow said, trying to smile. She was scared but had a calm feeling that everything would work out as it was supposed to.

Thack nodded. "I'll meet you tomorrow then. Dusk. Take care." He left, deciding to do research on the demon that the girl and her lover would be facing. He wanted them to be as prepared as possible.

Spike pulled Willow into his arms. "Are you sure luv?"

"Spike....how can you ask me that?"

"Sorry...I was hoping. I don't want to lose you." he said, kissing her softly.

"You won't. You're stuck with me, whether you like it or not." She grinned, trying to enjoy this time with him. She had a feeling that after tomorrow night, nothing would ever be the same.

"I like...a lot. I never want to let you go. Come here." Spike pulled her to him. He carried her into the bedroom, slamming the door shut with his foot.