Buffy moved her hand to close the door locking a barrier in place. She stepped to the light coming through the skylight. “Mother can you hear me? Please, I need to talk this is so hard" she cried.
Selene appeared, wrapping her arms around Buffy. "Shh, child we are all proud of you. You're doing well Athena said you mind is a joy to behold. Plans within plans, folding together, supporting one another towards a final end"
"Do you think it will all work out? Someone is going to get hurt, aren't they?" Buffy said in a quiet voice.
"Yes little one, you are right. We were wrong about the wolf; he isn't strong enough to be Anita's mate. He doesn't accept who or what he is; his doubt is a danger to his pack and others," the moon goddess told her daughter.
"He reminds me of Angel, never comfortable in his own skin. Always on the outside. Anita needs her own Spike," Buffy said sadly. "I just don't see one yet."
"Maybe the Master of the City will surprise us all, your vampire did. His love for you changed him. It will have to play out as the Fates intend it. Apollo says, he'll help the Vargamors advance their training. They'll be ready by the new moon to call benevolent spirits to heal those wounded by the previous leaders. The full moon call of the munin can call for strength. You're going to need it Belle Morte, the Master of the Beast and Morte d'Amour's surrogate are coming to force Jean-Claude to accept a seat on the Council. They want to force him, Anita and Richard out of St. Louis and back to Europe. Yvette will get St. Louis."
"No they won't! Great, I have a month to get everyone ready. Oh, well I kicked the First Evil's ass in about that time. If I have those three here do the three remaining Council members come out of retirement?"
"No, they have people in place that follow their orders and report to them."
"If I were to say pop over to Europe, for a spot of violence?" Buffy waggled her eyebrows in a perfect imitation of Spike.
Selene laughed, "I'm going to have to ask Athena if she didn't ever have a child with Ares, when I return. It'll work but you have to be careful how you do it to cloak all the chambers. No word can get out till this is all over."
"I've been thinking a lot about the childer and human servants. The scythe judged Traveler's people but they were all there. Can I use it kinda like Willow did to activate the slayers? Before I execute the Council Members, can't I use it to judge and separate the childer and servants? Then I could send the power through the ties connecting them to the childer who didn't pass and separate the ones that do? That way we get rid of the ones all at once that can't be saved no fuss, no muss?" Buffy tilted her head as she tried to think of all the angles.
"You can't do that child then the other council members here would know."
"We know I have to lock down the headquarters but what if I lock completing the judgment also. Kinda like a time bomb I could activate it whenever it's the right time."
Suddenly Zeus, Athena, Aphrodite, Artemis, Apollo and Hephaestus appear. Buffy squealed running to jump into Zeus' arms. He grabbed her spinning her around. Everyone looks on amazed; they can't believe Zeus' reaction to Buffy. Selene smiled knowing he'd fallen in love with this little girl, as much as she had. She was everything their daughter, Zierra, should've been, but there was some extra spark that was uniquely Buffy. Buffy moved to hug everybody lastly Hephaestus, who she quickly grabbed a chair for. Selene realized. Buffy’s heart is what made her so special. Once she loves you, she loves you completely; maybe she is 'Dite's daughter.
Buffy looked around happy to see everyone. She knew them from Zierra's memories but they felt like her family. "Hey ya pops how's it hanging?" She grinned at Zeus and everybody laughed. "So, I guess you heard my plan for the three big kahunas? What do you think?"
Athena spoke for the group "Its a good plan but timing will be important."
"But if I move at the exact time the others are traveling I can finish before they even get here right?"
"Of course that is good, Buffy." Zeus smiled at her, hugging her again. He wished, he could grab her and take her back to Olympus, she was so tiny what if the Fates were wrong and she could die.
"Dite are you sending me messages about Damian and Asher. I gotta say never needed any help to get off track, when there was a gorgeous man involved." Buffy glared at 'her aunt' with her hands on her hips.
Aphrodite smiled at Buffy while Zeus glared at the goddess of love. "Now Buffy, all work and no play makes for a cranky Guardian. You should open your heart to one or both. Each of them bring something different to the table or should I say bedroom. You're an immortal, they can help you adjust to that; Damian is 1000 and Asher is what 400. Neither are Masters, so you don't have the politics to deal with. If you went for a were; you'd have to watch them die, plus politics again." Everyone looked at her "What? I'm not just a pretty face."
"You remind me of Anya. I'll think about it, okay. You're right they're both so different. I'm glad they aren't like Angel or Spike. I don't have to compare them to anyone just accept them as they are."
Apollo stepped forward "I will aid you with the Vargamors, just call on me." He disappeared in a flash of gold.
"We must go daughter. We have been here too long just call on any of us and we will come. We love you." Selene kissed her brow as everyone disappeared except for Hephaestus.
"Hey, Hephy, what's up?"
"Just a gift, Goldy. This will make it easier to freeze the Lover of Death's surrogate; then you can set her on fire. The scythe will work of course. This is just in case you get into a bind or don't want to call it up for one of her childer."
He handed her a simple ring with a moonstone at its center. The moonstone had a carving of Selene and Apollo's faces in silhouette, to represent ice and fire.
"It's beautiful just like you, Hephy. You know you make the best prezzies. If you weren't so in love with 'Dite, I'd steal you.” Buffy hugged and kissed him full on the mouth.
He blushed; suddenly they heard Aphrodite. "Come home dear, the bed is cold without you."
"I know duty calls, thanks again. Go on have fun," she laughed.
The next night, in Buffy's backyard, in a clearing under the light of the full moon, the small brook was gurgling but no other sound was heard. Asher lay on the ground in a salt circle; his body bare except for a white cloth. Jean-Claude stood at his head outside the circle, Damian his feet, Gregory on his left and Nathaniel on his right. They were bare-chested and barefoot with a white cloth wrapped around their hips. They had shared the sauna where special herbs floated in the water they had poured over the heated rocks. Buffy had provided scented oil, which they rubbed into their skin. They gleamed under the moonlight like Greek statues. Braziers burned in a circle behind them the scent of sandalwood, lavender, cloves and some other unknown scent wafted through the air, filling their senses.
Buffy walked out her body gleaming with oils. She wore a long silver loincloth, hanging low on her hips. There was a jewel in her belly button; silver marking covered her torso and reflected the light. Her firm full breasts were bare and the nipples colored silver to match the marking. Her cheekbones carried the same marks with a silver crescent moon hanging across her forehead. She looked like an ancient goddess come to Earth; she glided across the grass to stand in front of Jean-Claude.
That was when he noticed, she carried an urn in her hands.” Jean-Claude, you're here to aid in Asher's healing. You'll be his North and keep him grounded. Do you accept this chore of your own freewill?"
"I accept"
"Gregory, you will be his east to make sure his heart stays true. Do you accept this chore of your own freewill?"
"I accept"
"Damian, you will be his south to make sure his feet stay firmly on the ground; do you accept this chore of your own freewill?" "I accept"
"Nathaniel, you'll be his west to make sure his hands do not falter. Do you accept this chore of you own freewill?" "I accept"
"No matter what happens do not step into the circle for any reason. If you do, he'll die"
"Mon Dieu, what do you mean he'll die. You're suppose to heal him not hurt him. Hasn't he suffered enough?"
"Healing is painful Jean-Claude. You'd know that if you ever had to endure it, whether it's of the body, mind or spirit. Now, do you still accept? Asher knows everything that will happen. I never do magic for someone without permission; it is against everything I am to do so."
Jean-Claude quietly nodded his head in acceptance. Buffy stepped into the circle, putting her hand in the urn then spinning in a circle. She was a blur of silver and gold. The braziers flared higher and the circle began to glow silver, which gave off a low hum.
"Mother, I bring before you a moon child whose soul and body have been scarred. Please Mother, aide your daughter in healing him. I've looked into his soul and judged him worthy. If you judge us both so, then let me be your tool, guide my hand."
Moonlight burst forth almost blindingly so, the men closed their eyes, to give them a chance to adjust. Buffy’s hair blew around her gently but no one else felt any wind. She knelt beside Asher, showing all of her toned legs and part of her backside. The men couldn't take their eyes off her; she was like fire and ice.
Asher held her eyes as she started at his right calf. She dipped her hand into the urn, brought out a cloth dripping the water over the scars, he moaned as she wiped it away. There were no scars underneath Damian could see clearly letting out a small gasp. Buffy continued to wipe away the scars until she reached his lap. She looked deeply into his eyes removing the cloth from his hips. Jean-Claude cursed under his breath, as she continued working. Asher started to scream. She moved to his hip, Jean-Claude's nails were cutting into his palms, blood dripped down his hand. He started to take a step forward; Buffy looked at him, so he stopped.
She was at Asher's stomach now; he was starting to move. The screams were coming louder, when she got to his chest he started thrashing. Buffy knew he had scars on his heart as well, so she moved the cloth to that smooth portion of skin. He looked at her questioningly until he remembered her words; understanding hit him with pain worse than the holy water. He thrashed harder praying to die, to join Julianna, anything to make the torment stop. Suddenly it did, his eyes widened; he looked into Buffy's softly glowing eyes. She quietly continued on to the rest of his scars until she got to his face. She gently brushed his hair away. Startlingly him, she bent down to kiss his forehead. He looked at her waiting, as she began at his jaw working his way up his face. His screams came hot and fierce until she reached his temple. Then the memories hit, everything he lived through; being shunned by Belle; Jean-Claude denied him; all of it. He gave an Earth-shattering scream, blood pouring from his eyes. Buffy wiped his tears away, kissing his eyelids.
Asher couldn't take his eyes from her; she gently pulled him to her chest. She rocked him like a child smoothing back his hair. Buffy pulled him to his feet wrapping the cloth around his hips. She went to the center of the circle bowing. "Thank you Mother. Your moonchild returns to you once more. May his soul guide him and may you watch over him in the days to come."
The moonlight faded away returning the circle to normal. Buffy grabbed Asher's hand pulling him towards Jean-Claude, who had tears running down his face. She quietly slipped away motioning for the others to join her. The weres moved to get closer to her with Damian following as he studied Buffy quietly.
Damian thought of everything he had seen Buffy do. He found he couldn't get her out of his thoughts. Anita was a warrior, he admired her but something about Buffy drew him. She turned around smiling looking like a pagan queen.
"You guys can shower and change then just make yourselves at home. Be back in a sec." She moved up the stairs to her room.
Nathaniel asked, "You think she'd let me wash her back?"
Damian growled without realizing it. Nathaniel jumped and ran, Gregory close behind.
He felt himself harden at the thought of Buffy soaping her golden skin to wash away the silver paint. Damian quickly followed her doing something that surprised even him. He grabbed her kissing her passionately. Buffy didn't respond at first then she wrapped her arms around his neck. Her fingers rubbed his blood red hair giving into the moment. Damian devoured her mouth dueling with her tongue; he pricked her tongue on his fang then suckled like a baby.
He stiffened in her arms, his arousal pressed hard against her stomach. Buffy knew she was undeniably attracted to him but wasn't ready to sleep with him. He may change his mind once he found out who and what she was. When he pricked her tongue, she could have kicked herself. She knew what slayer blood did for vamps, what would a Guardian's blood be like them.
Damian was in pre-orgasmic paradise her blood was nirvana. He knew now she wasn't human, but he doesn't care. She gently moved away from him. His eyes opened. The lids heavy with lust as he panted for breathe even though he didn't need air.
"I'm sorry not that you kissed me but that it got out of control. I just don't know you well enough for more. Please forgive me, if I lead you on," Buffy told him. She couldn't help but think of the way she had treated Spike.
"Buffy, I started this not you. I’d like to get to know you, the real you," Damian said, his eyes drank her in.
Buffy's head jerked at those words an echo from her past. "I'd like that but not tonight. I’m tired just need to sleep for about a day or two, so goodnight. If you and Jean-Claude want to stay over, I have extra coffins in the basements. Needed to prepare in case Asher wanted to have a sleep over, never know right." She waved her hand closing her bedroom door.
He shook his head then went to shower.Who would have extra coffins just in case?Damian was coming back downstairs when Jean-Claude and Asher entered the house. They looked exhausted, but somehow lighter. Asher walked straighter with his hair away from his now perfect face.
"Buffy went to bed Jean-Claude. She said there were extra coffins in the basement for Asher to have sleepovers" Damian grinned.
The other two vampires looked at each other then started laughing. "Ma petite sorciere is quite unique, is she not," Asher smiled. Damian stiffened but says nothing.
Jean-Claude raised an eyebrow. "We will stay it is too close to dawn."
Buffy let Cherry, Robert, Dr. Lillian and Anita into the house. Nathaniel and Gregory bounded down the stairs in tiny satin shorts to greet their Nimir-Ra."Anita you should have seen it. Buffy healed Asher's scars it was so cool," Gregory, said bouncing around.
Anita raised her eyebrow but Buffy just shrugged.” Okay boys, we have to get to work. You can visit with Cherry later. Everybody come with me into the backyard. We need to help you see your own auras and align it when you need to. This is important because if you are out of alignment your shields will be weak opening you to attack. You could channel non-benevolent spirits to your groups. Here's the rundown for you, keep your aura healthy; shields in place; read other's aura; then with the help of the munin help them heal. Now the tricky part cause everyone can do some healing. Only benevolent spirits, if there are past psycho "group" members, they're not going to help someone who has been abused. You can heal the whole person - body, heart and mind. Even childhood trauma, once they're part of your group their pain is yours to cure. Understand please, they won't forget or be all la ti da. But, you'll, oh how can I make you understand, help them accept they didn't do anything wrong. That they're no less in their family's eyes, not weak, whole again.” Buffy looked at the others in frustration, hoping they could understand the concept.
"I think we understand Buffy," Dr. Lillian smiled.
Several days later, Anita returned with Richard after a dinner date. Cherry answered the door dressed in a black miniskirt split up both sides. She wore a sheer midnight blue shirt with nothing underneath.
"Who's at the door Cherry? Is everyone ready to go? I just have to put my earrings on," Buffy called, coming down the stairs.
Richard's eyes got large as he swallowed moving from foot to foot. Anita please do not look down. He tried to adjust himself quickly.
Anita turned to see what he was staring at. Buffy wore a very short gold dress. It had spaghetti straps and dipped between her breasts exposing each half almost to the nipple. A silver moon tattoo was visible on her left breast. The color of the dress shimmers blending with her skin. It almost made her appear nude in certain lighting. Her hair was up with two long curls down her back. She had intricate gold armbands on both upper arms. Buffy turned to answer someone behind her; the back was bare to the base of her spine. A spider web of gold threads held the dress together; they formed a star pattern across her back.
Buffy turned back laughing then stepped into the foyer. Asher, Damian, Nathaniel, Gregory and Jean-Claude were following her. Anita stared they are like a painting; all shades of silver, white, gold, blacks, reds and blues. The men were all in leather pants and varying shades of silk or velvet shirts.
"Anita, we tried to call you like 50 times don't you ever pick up? We are going to Dance Macabre felt like letting loose want to go?” Buffy asked.
Anita looked at Richard, who wasn't happy to see Jean-Claude here but nodded.” Cool JC has the stretch; let's motor.” Buffy glided out the door leaving the others staring at her back. Anita glared at Jean-Claude, who only shrugged.
When they got to the club, Buffy grabbed Nathaniel pulling him towards the dance floor. Everyone heads turned as she made her way through the crowded club. The music was a loud techno beat. Buffy let her body go as Nathaniel jumped in with both paws. Cherry and Gregory soon joined them. The couples swapped around until Buffy and Cherry ended up dancing together; the crowd went crazy. Both women were blonde, one tiny, one tall, they played off each other just having fun. It was the most sensual act anyone had seen in a longtime.
Watching from the table, the way Buffy moved amazed them. The play of her muscles under her skin was hypnotizing. They know she was not a were but she could easily pass. Damian and Asher couldn't take their eyes off her. A slower beat came on; they looked at each other in understanding moving onto the floor.
Anita looked at Jean-Claude confused. "Where are they going?"
"I am not sure, ma petite, but I think they go to woo the maiden."
She laughed.” Well it's about damned time, I wasn't the only one on the push me pull me ride."
Richard looked at her hurt; he doesn't understand how she can have feelings for a corpse. Why doesn't she just choose, doesn't she want kids, a home, what does she want? This is killing him slowly piece by piece.” Do you want to dance? Our date isn't over" he grinned.
"We can't just leave Jean-Claude here alone."
"Fine! I'm out of here." He stomped away.
"Ma petite, you're going to have to choose, soon. Richard will not last much longer; he isn't that type of man."
"It is so hard I want you both."
"I would share you rather than lose you but wolves mate for life. Richard can't share you; it is inconceivable to him."
Anita thought about what Buffy had told her the other day. She realized no matter how much she loved Richard she wasn't the right woman for him. Maybe her best choice was to pick neither and work on herself. Merging with another pard would strengthen them, since there weren't any alphas. If they had a Vargamor then bingo our pard is better than yours, can't play from weakness. Now the tough questions does she tell them she chose neither of them. Does she tell him maybe someday, maybe soon? This was giving her a headache maybe Buffy had the right idea.” Let’s dance."
Several Days Later:
Asher watched Buffy meditate. He realized he was falling in love with her and didn't know what to do.How do I tell her, will she laugh? Why would she want me? He heard her voice in his head. Maybe, because you're a wonderful man.He jumped.
Buffy was still sitting on the floor but had turned to look at him. The truth was there in her eyes. "I think we should talk.” She got up walking towards him; pulling him into the room closing the door. She set the locks in place so no one could hear them.
"I need to ask you a couple of questions first. I know you were in love with Jean-Claude. How do you feel about him now?"
"The love is there but different. I have forgiven what happened but I can never forget the past." Asher's voice was a whisper.
"If it came to a matter of choice between me and Jean-Claude, who would you choose - life-and-death?"
"You, you are the first person to see the man, not the scars. I think I fell a little in love with you that first night. You're beautiful, but it's more than that. The way you help people you don't even know, just because you can and you see their need. You have the gentlest soul encased in a will of iron. If I needed to breathe I'm not sure I could," Asher explained.
"What if I told you something in confidence and bound you by an oath that would change you forever? Would you accept if it gave you the opportunity to be with me as long as we are both alive? If I'd tell you everything about me?"
"Yes, I would take any oath to be with you." The truth came off him in waves and through his blue husky eyes.
Buffy felt at least one burden off her shoulders. "I need you to know I also feel a bond with Damian. I don't know if it's the warrior in us, or his quiet acceptance. It's there and I won't deny it. How do you feel about that?” His answer scared Buffy.
"I already knew. Damian is an old friend. He is also loyal and has bound himself to Jean-Claude."
"I'm not sure how I get around that. Jean-Claude would let him move in here. Only because it would make it appear as if I am part of his posse with him calling the shots. We both know he couldn't lead himself out of a paper bag. He has relied too heavily on his games and power base. You have to have more than a pretty face," Buffy huffed. Asher raised an eyebrow at that. "You know it as well as I do. Anita and her powers have pulled his tush out of the fire more times than not. Half the time he's the reason the fire even started."
Buffy shook her head not wanting to think of the dark haired vampire.” Enough I would like to take the next month to get to know Damian better. After I explain, you will understand what I mean. I'd like us to spend more time together as well. But until I can give Damian the same opportunity to know everything, I won't sleep with you. Doesn't mean we can't play though.” She wiggled her eyebrows kissing him then pulled away.
One hour later after the oath, Buffy finally finished her story. "So, two will come here and three will stay home." Her voice was hoarse from emotion and talking. She had paced the whole time like an angry tiger ready to pounce. Asher watched her deflate and finally look at him. He got up and went to her, taking her face into his hands kissing her gently. "Does this mean you are staying, you still want me?"
"Mi amour, Mon Cher, I love you. You're everything I thought you were and so much more. The Powers are right, we can't let the Mother of Darkness awaken. What was Jean-Claude thinking? The council always stayed away from necromancers for a reason. Our powers fight for dominance like a fire feeding itself, until burning everything in its path. I will help you, Mon Cher, anyway I can. How will it work to keep them from creating a new one? Ah no, animal to call, no soldiers, can't create new vampires without consent, your Powers are sneaky my little goddess. How do we keep our relationship a secret?"
"Well while we are in here no one can enter. Whatever we do in here, no one will be able to hear but the smell is another subject. Luckily, 'Dite showed me how to wipe that away.” Buffy grinned at him.
Asher laughed, "I should have known you had this all figured out. The wheels are always turning in your mind."
"Asher, if I give you my heart, I have to know you won't leave me. I have only ever known one who wouldn't leave me no matter how hard I pushed him away."
"Buffy, I do not give my heart easily; you snuck into it little by little until you were just there, and now that you are I couldn't stop loving you if I tried. We can do this I can share you if you love us both. What I had with Jean-Claude and Julianna was beautiful and precious."
"I want you to know that if we three commit to one another that I want it to be complete. If you and Damian want to be with each other, I don't have a problem with that. Asher your feelings or desires are your own whether they are for both or it was only Jean-Claude. Belle’s auder forced you to have to do allot you have suffered for it. I want you to have what you want with whom you want. I won't share either of you once we commit; you see Dite will bless our bond so to me it will be a full commitment. It's impossible to mark me but I would like you both to drink from me. It will make you stronger, harder to kill you could even gain a beast to call. Damian could become a Master Vampire. I'm hoping that I will give you what you need and we will be a family. You could even meet mine if you want other than just Mom, Dad and Dite."
"You mean Aphrodite, the goddess of Love?"
"Yep, but she's taken and so are you blondie." Buffy wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him with all the passion and happiness she felt.
"Did I hear my name" a beautiful blonde appeared in pink and red shimmering lights.
"'Dite, you naughty girl, you were listening again."
"Yeah, your life is better then Passions"
Buffy snorted "So. Dite will you bind us, if Damian agrees?"
"Sure sweetie, told you to go for it didn't know you would use both hands. But can't say I blame you. I thank your Viking will come through for you as well. Mm, maybe someone could walk in his dreams for a change and give him a tiny little suggestion that he owes you a boon for healing Asher. Gotta keep up appearances." She disappeared in another shower of lights with tinkle of laughter