Day before the Full Moon; 1 week before council arrived.
"How are you feeling, Anita?"Buffy asked before they started their meditation.
"Different, but not in a bad way. I'm coming to terms with my inner beast.These exercises help. Guess, I didn't understand what they went through."
"You know when you get a gift or a test, whatever.You can run or face it. I've done both.It's hard when you're so strong that you have to watch how you hug someone, because you could break their ribs."
"I think I'm getting that.I had to learn how to control my necromancy to keep the dead from showing up at my house."
"That's why your shield is so important, especially if you decide to try again later with Jean-Claude.He is a dead being, and you don't know how your powers might affect him.You want him to care for Anita the person, not the necromancer.Same with him, you want to make sure what you feel is for him not his sex mojo."
"Sex mojo? Oh, the arduer, yeah, well, how do you get around that?I'm sure I'd want him; I mean he's gorgeous, hard to keep you hand's off him.Plus, your one to talk look at Damian and Asher. They have the sex mojo, don't see you resisting, you moved fast."
"I'll lay it out for you.The sex mojo doesn't work on me.Yes, their gorgeous to look at but believe me it doesn't come close to what I see when I look at their auras.That's what I fell in love with.Have you ever heard if you had all the colors in a spectrum, you'd only see white?Anita, Damian, Asher and I, we make white.We complete each another.If you look at our auras when we're together, you'd understand.Pretty packages are okay, but if you open the box and it's empty you just have trash!"
"What could we do to take our powers out of the picture?"
"There are spells that can be performed that will remove the signature of power from a certain person perception.They only last for about a month full moon to full moon.You would have to both agree, but it would answer your questions.We could do it after the business with the council is through.Think it over and let me know."
Full Moon at the Lupanar:The pack felt the munin rush through them, empowering them with strength.
Anita's Backyard:The pard felt the munin and roared.They had never felt this way before, strong, predator, like the powerful animals they were. Anita felt her beast and let it free to wash over her pard. They rolled on their backs, breathing in her power.
Wererat Clearing:Rafael watched his clutch as the munin touched them all and got the feeling their lives were all about to change forever.
2 Day Before the Council Arrived in St Louis
Buffy lay between her mates and ran her hands through their hair."I have to leave tomorrow to make the Council house go boom.I want to give you Hephy gift now, I'm surprised you haven't asked.Though Dite's gift was delish, mmm, no, don't get me started.Here put these on."She handed each man an earring.They quickly put them into their right ear lobes.The earring held a single stone that changed color with the light, capturing all the colors of a flame."You both look very piratey; I like, I like a lot."
"What do they do. Buffy? Hephaestus gifts always do something," Damian asked.
"Have you ever heard of the gem of Amara?"She watched their faces change with a look of wonder.
"That is impossible it doesn't exist!It's a myth.The Council searched centuries and never found it. How?Why!"They both rattled out questions at the same time.
"You're making me dizzy with the team match of questions here. It is real and it belonged to 'Pollo.He hid it until he found a worthy owner or owners, in this case.He and Hephy played jeweler and tada.We can spend the morning in the backyard making love in the pool, any questions.They make you impossible to kill by anyone but my parents or me.They all wanted you to be with me until the end if you choose.I couldn't bear to lose you now that I've found you.I want my life to be with my mates until the end of time.Can you do this for me for us?" Tears spilled down Buffy's cheeks as she looked at her two husbands.
Her mates gathered her close purring to calm her, and then wiped away her tears."So what do you say to a day swimming and making love outside?"They both attacked her at once."I'll take that as a yes."
Later that Evening: Night of full Moon
Buffy met with the Vargamors- Robert, Lillian and Cherry."Guys, do you have any questions about tonight?You are ready for this and will do great. After you call the munin for strength, you need to have them all pledge their fealty to the Moon Mother.Anita you will need to be with your pard and call on your inner beast.The oath, plus the training we've been doing should give you some extra ammo.Everyone go rest tonight is going to be intense.Anita you stay."
Anita bristled at that tone in Buffy's voice, "Yes Mistress."
Buffy raised an eyebrow looking at Anita with eyes that were chips of green ice barely starting to glow.Anita unconsciously took a step back before she caught herself.She had never seen Buffy this angry before and a shiver went down her back.She had pissed the blond witch off several times before but today was different.The air around her crackled. Anita not used to feeling this way and normally channeled her fear into anger.For once, she stayed quiet hoping Buffy would cool down.
Damian and Asher tried to get Buffy to calm down.She gave them a look and told them through the rings it was time for a little ass kicking.No more, Miss Nice Guardian.Buffy paced the foyer then went to open door just as Richard and Jean- Claude were about to knock.
"You two in the living room now, sit down and shut up."Buffy's power rolled off her in waves.Richard and Jean-Claude slowly made their way into the room seeing Anita, they stopped.Richard stiffened but Jean-Claude smiled and Buffy pushed the men into the room.
"Has it slipped your minds the Council will be here in 2 days?All three of you are still playing games.Richard, get over yourself already, Anita broke up with you, so grow up!You are Ulfric; I thought you didn't want to be like the previous guy!"
"I am nothing like him."Richard growled pushing his power out in the room.
Buffy put her hands on her hips and stared at him."Oh, is that right Dick?You could have fooled me.You have the right to run your pack whole lives.Like oh say, their jobs.Everyone should quit working for Jean-Claude, right.You are no better than Raina.She saw them as pawns and so do you.Jean-Claude isn't a saint but he didn't force anyone to work for him.In fact, his clubs are the only place the known pack members 'can' work.DICK are you independently wealthy, as a teacher.Are you going to support everyone?Did you even ask any of them if they wanted to stop working there?Oh, I forgot you are the Wolf King.Mm. let me see your reason for this is to protect you pack.NO!You want to show Anita and everyone else you have the biggest dick.Well, all you proved is you are one!Watch out puppy or I'll put you in obedience school."
"How dare you tell me how to rule my pack? I'm the Ulfric.Are you challenging me?"Richard roared. His eyes turned amber and his beast roared in his chest.
Buffy leaped across the room and lifted Richard up by his throat."If I wanted your pack they'd be mine.Anita, if you put your hand one inch closer to your gun, I'll show you what I do when I'm brassed off." Buffy shook Richard then threw him across the room.Her eyes glowing brilliant blue as she turned on the Vampire Executioner. "Since you couldn't sit with your hands in your lap, it's your turn Anita.You stepped down formally as lupa, the rumors of your interference and questions into pack business is causing confusion and strife.Your pard should be your concern but you are not working on bonding your inner beast with them.Before you accepted it, I warned you what you needed to do.You have done a half-assed job.If you don't accept them completely then find them a true leader.Are you two hearing me?"
She whirled around after hearing a bark of laughter from the Master of the City."Ah, Jean-Claude, you I saved for last.Just because the wolf is your beast to call, you have no business using it to find out info on Richard and Anita.What are you people still in high school?Consider yourself in the principal's office about to be expelled."
"Little sorceress, please understand."Buffy's patience finally snapped. Previously her shields were down slightly more than normal. She looked at the three of them and lowered it to half then pushed with her Guardian powers for justice and judgment.Her hair flew all around her eyes and her eyed deepened to a rich royal blue.
Richard, Anita and Jean-Claude felt as if they had just slammed into a brick wall.Buffy moved closer to them and they froze with fear of her power.Asher and Damian both grabbed a hand and with their other hands turned her face to them.They looked deeply into her glowing eyes speaking through their bonds."Buffy, please calm down little goddess.""We will make them see"
Buffy started to breath deeply and put her shields back up.Everyone sighed in relief."Mon Dieu, I knew you were powerful but nothing like that.With that, much power you could make anything you want happen with your magic.Why don't you?"Jean-Claude asked honestly not understanding someone not using power for gain.
"You never learn do you?I'm not here to take lives.I'm here to protect them.My powers are to fight evil not become it. Everyone has a right to make their own choices.I don't interfere until those choices harm innocents.Don't you get it? Great power is a gift and a burden.You have to use it wisely and sparingly or it will corrupt you and those around you suffer for it."Buffy sat down on the couch between Damian and Asher. They each took a hand and began to rub their thumbs over her knuckles.
"I am over my bitchfest now.There are several things we need to do to prepare for the council.I wanted to meet here so no one could overhear what we say.I found a secret weapon.The Council thinks Anita is your human servant.We also want them to think you've created a triumvirate for power.So, for all of your sakes, you are going to have to make up.Richard, you and Anita can announce it to your people on the full moon.Everyone needs to see you together.I know it will be hard, but to get you all out in one-piece you are going to need some extra oomph. I found a spell that creates an intricate glamour, no one will see through.To all outward appearance, Anita and Richard will appear marked.Your will smell it and your power signature will reflect it.Belle will find it delicious.They will see you as even more worthy for the Council.I can make it where you can call on me for extra power and it will feel like you are opening the link.Now are your people, your city and one another important enough for you to put away all this crap and do what's necessary"
Anita looked at both men, "I'm in."She told Buffy looking her straight in the eyes.Her anger and power close to the surface. Buffy looked at her hard.Anita closed her eyes breathing deeply and mentally forced it to dissipate.The meditation techniques she learned were helping her allot.She realized she needed to work hard with her pard and her own aura.Damnit, I can do this.I am not giving up my pard.
Jean-Claude asked, "You are sure Belle Morte will not see through this?She could force the information from me."
"Nope, no Tracy.She won't be able to force anything after tonight at full dark.I well perform the ceremony of fealty for all the vampires.They will all be at the Circus at Midnight right.Can we roll back the big top for moonlight?If not I'll just use my tattoo."
"No, you can't use your tattoo.You would bare your breast before all the vampires. No, you are our mate," Damian growled
"Hey, I have great breasts. You don't think they'd all enjoy a free peep."
"I agree, little witch, your breasts are glorious."
Anita's head wiped around to glare at Jean-Claude."When did you see her breasts?"
"When she healed Asher, it was part of the ceremony."He gave a French shrug of his elegant shoulders.
"What, you got naked in front of all of them." Anita spun back around to glare at Buffy.Her hands on her hips inching towards her gun.
"People get on track here.I wasn't naked only topless."
"Wish, I could have been invited to help," Richard said aloud causing Anita to growl.
"The top rolls back, oui" Jean-Claude laughed.
"Cool, then I will see you at the circus at 12."
"We have enough time to perform the spell now if all are ready?"She hopped up kissing her mates then headed for her study, expecting them to follow.
They walked in cautiously."Sit in the center of the silver circle and hold hands."A large silver circle stood directly in the moonlight from the sunroof.Once everyone settled on the floor, Buffy poured red sand on the edge of the silver circle. She went to her worktables and grabbed a small anthem with moonstones on it.Pricking each of their fingers, she put a single drop in a cup adding several herbs.Buffy chanted under her breath and lit the mixture on fire.When it began to smoke, she told them to inhale deeply.Saying several more words, she poured the mixture over the sand and it flared into flames then dissolved.
"Presto chango all done, okay kiddies.Now don't let me see you in my office or I'll have to put you in detention for real.Bye-Bye. I'm going to go play with my mates till I have to go be in a building full of vampires.Think about what I've said, no matter what shitty thing is happening in your life.The mission comes first. We have some Council Ass to kick so focus people."
The whole time Buffy spoke, she moved them toward the front door finally pushing them out and closing it on their stunned faces.Anita, Richard and jean-Claude looked at one another in bewilderment.
"Did what just happen really happen?"Richard asked."I thought my chest was going to cave in."
"I am so pissed right now I could spit. How could this little blonde come into our lives and turn them all upside down.Where did all that power come from?"
"Ma petite, you are angry because she is right.She has, as you say, saved our asses many times.Buffy just showed us she doesn't need us we need her.There is enough time for us all to dine out together before tonight's ceremonies."
"We pretend until the Council is gone and then return to the way it is now?"Richard looked at Anita and Jean-Claude not sure what he wanted the answer to be.
"Yeah, except I promise no jealousy, no mixed signals and no interfering. The pack members like Jason, that I friends with we'll keep our conversations away from pack business."Anita looked away from the two most important people in her life and wondered how she would make it through this.
"I will butt out of their lives as well.If they want to keep their jobs they won't have any problems from me."
"Ma petite, Richard, I too am sorry.Shall we call a truce until we as Buffy said kick some Council ass?"
They looked at Jean-Claude a moment then cracked up laughing.Hearing Buffy's words said with his sexy French accent seemed so out of character it was funny.
Midnight on the Night of the Full Moon at the Circus of the Damned
Buffy stood center stage in the moonlight with Asher and Damian on either side. Both men wore leather pants but were bare chested causing their tattoos to gleam in the soft light.Buffy smiled at her mates, they were so different but they loved her with a protective passion that was humbling.
Over two hundred vampires were packed into the Circus. Being this close to so many vampires made Buffy's spidey sense to go haywire.The crowd suddenly went completely silent. Damian and Asher held her hands in reassurance.Buffy had never been confronted with this many vampires.She felt each one of them and saw their souls like a gleaming mist.Zierra's spirit, the Guardian's Spirit called to her.
The task in front of her needed her total concentration.There were those here who will betray them.Buffy knew each one of them and could see their judgment laid before her, but not now.Jean-Claude moved to center stage, his power was a tangible thing; you could taste it in the air. Buffy saw it floating around him.
"Welcome my children.We have received news that the Vampire Council is coming to our town. They plan to replace me with Yvette, some of you have heard of her. She is the favored child of Morte De Amour, even though she is not a Master.They are breaking our laws.They want our city and will do whatever they can to take it."Angry snarls could be heard throughout the crowd."Buffy, has come to give us the protection of the Moon Mother in exchange for our oath of fealty."
"Why does a witch care about us?"A voice shouted from the crowd.
"No one deserves to have their lives taken away on a whim.The Council made the laws and Jean-Claude has broken none.You and your city should not be punished."Buffy's voice rang out. From the corner of her eye, she saw several vampires slip out the back.
She hoped Jean-Claude was paying attention.Buffy turned to look at him."Okay, Fang-Face its time.Roll back the tarp."
He noticed her necklace and glanced at her mates matching tattoos. Something about them caused a memory to niggle in the back of Jean-Claude mind.
Buffy looked out at the crowd as her eyes began to glow softly, she lifted her head to the moon."Mother all before you swear an oath of fealty to fight in your name, to protect their home and way of life against this threat.Do you accept?"
The moonlight light burst over all in the Circus of the damned rushing over them like a tidal wave.Many cried out in fear at first, then purrs only a vampire could make were heard.
"Your fealty has been given to the mother.Jean-Claude is still the Master of the City but your fealty is not to the council who come here in dishonor your laws. The Mother Moon has judged them and found them wanting."
Buffy turned and walked away with her mates.Jean-Claude followed her grabbing her by the arm.Asher growled at him causing Jean-Claude to look at him in shock and hurt.
"Do not touch our mate, Jean-Claude," Damian said in his quite way."No one touches her but us."
Jean-Claude stared at the two men towering over the tiny blond woman.They looked ready to kill him merely for touching Buffy.He could understand this from Asher, but not Damian.The Viking had always been so calm, almost passionless.
"Pardon moi, petite sorciere, I meant no disrespect to you or your mates.I wanted to know if you had had any more visions."
"Don't worry about it JC and the answer is no.Now if that's all, I'm tired."Buffy's voice was raspy and her mates looked on in concern.
"Richard, Anita and myself wanted to let you know that we talked and will work together to get us through this situation with the council."
Buffy nodded her head wearily and Damian picked her up and flew off.
"Is she okay, Mon chardonette?" Jean-Claude turned to his friend and ex-lover with concern in his eyes.
"She is tired Jean-Claude.She barely sleeps and we have to make her eat.Buffy feels responsible for making sure that your completely damned city survives the Council.Damn you Jean-Claude, I blame you and your hunger for power for this.If anything happens to her, even one tear is shed because of all of this I will make you pay."Asher looked at him with cold hard eyes.
"Mon ami, please what have I done, She came to us and offered her help."
"Buffy always tries to save everyone, even you.Any she can't she thinks it is her fault.The reason the council is coming is that you had to mark Anita.She is a necromancer Jean-Claude; even you aren't that stupid not to know that if you were successful and lived, the councils eyes wouldn't turn this way."
Asher, sweetie, come home to me, this bed doesn't feel right without you.He is a little boy playing grown up games leave him.Come home and I promise to play other games with you.
"Au Revoir, Jean-Claude my mate calls to me," with that, Asher flew off.
The next morning, Buffy was meditating in her study as Asher and Damian looked on.She floated down and smiled at them. "Good morning loves, I need to show you l where I keep the weapons and how to get them."
She took them over to the bookcase."I guess the easiest thing is to concentrate on our bond and put you hand to the wall."The bookshelf moved away to reveal a hidden room with a wall of gun, of knives and axes, and one of swords, directly in their middle hung the scythe humming gently.
"What is that?" Damian asked pointing to the scythe.
"It comes and disappears at my call and can kill anything.The pointed end is what can separate the lines of power to childer or servants.Cool huh. Used it on some ancient vamp, the First, and a creepy preacher dude, oh and Travel guy.I am going to have to leave soon.The Council has been gone about three hours now.They are somewhere over Greece, I think?"
"Are you sure, we can't come with you my love?" Asher asked wrapping his arms around her tiny waist.
"I'm sorry guys but this is single person occupancy.I will be back before you can miss me."She said kissing them each in turn.
"That is impossible, we already miss you," Damian said.
"Oh, you would be surprised." Buffy smirked looking at her watch it was 10:30 am.It was night in Europe and the Council should get here by 6:00 tonight.Yep it was doable.Here goes nothing.
-Somewhere in Europe- Vampire Council Headquarters
Deep Inner Chamber:A large cloven-footed vampire stood before a fireplace.Two horns jutted from the front of f his face, which was long and narrow.His lower body was encased in red hard scales like amour and spines ran down his, arms.His eyes were red and his pupils were slits, his tongue was black and forked like a snake.He was the Dragon, one of the three true leaders of the Council.It was rumored that his father was a dragon, looking at him it was easy to believe. His original beasts to call were the dinosaurs.He retired from the inner court intrigues long ago preferring his inner sanctum. There was nothing he didn't know, no matter what Belle and the other thought they hid.
Buffy appeared in an outer courtyard of the headquarters and looked at the large castle.Oh please must be where Dracula got it.This looks like something from a movie.She looked up at the moon concentrating to pull her powers and magic to her. Buffy wove an intricate pattern with her hands; they moved faster and faster.Her eyes glowed brighter and brighter until she finally threw her hands up as if throwing net.In fact, she did just that; a fine net fell over the castle trapping all inside.
She cocked her head to the side and thought of her first victim, the Dragon, and disappeared.Buffy appeared behind a large vampire that reminded her of a cross between Kakistos and that rock beast thing the AI troop fought in L.A.Wonder if his breaths fire and sprout wings?
"Hey puff how's it hanging?"
The dragon whirled around to find a tiny blond dressed completely in black leather.How did she get in here, he hadn't heard her enter.He sniffed the air, she smelled of a sweet magic.
"Who dares enter here?"His voice boomed as he sent waves of power rushing towards her.
Buffy grinned at him polishing her nails on her shirt."I thought you were supposed to be a magic Dragon, Puff.Maybe you're broke, try again."She knew she should just get this over with but she hadn't really kicked any ass in a while.
He stormed towards her, moving faster than something that large should be able to.He went to grab Buffy by the throat and she blocks his hand and punched his chest sending him across the room.
"Uh, uh, no touching.I'm taken, my mates get really upset when other, erm, guys touch me."
He roared shooting fire out of his mouth at her.Guess, that answers that question.Well better finish this, still got two more to go.Her eyes started to glow and her full power blasted a path to the Dragon.Buffy's power pinned him to the wall, as she advanced on him.
She called forth the scythe, and pointing the stake end towards him.It showed Buffy the lines to the Dragons children, there were no human servants.He had a few remaining childer who were about 1000-2000 years in age.Buffy carefully separated the ones that could be saved and severed their sire's line.The ones remaining she sent her final judgment, powered by the scythe, down the line.She looked into the Dragon's eyes.
He knew fear he didn't know he was capable of experiencing. "Who are you?What are you?"
"I'm Buffy, the Earth's Guardian and your history."She pulled back the scythe and severed his head.He exploded into dust like the vamps in her old world.She liked being able to use the scythe no messy clean up.
"One down two to go.Which one next the crazy Melty lady or Freddy Kruger's Momma?Mmm, let's take door number two."Buffy disappeared only to reappear in a room that would have freaked even Angelus out.
In front of her was a "woman" not even 5' ft tall that looked a bag of bones.When she moved, it sounded like nails on a chalkboard. She looked at Buffy with out saying a word then began to cackle. Buffy felt her trying to batter down the shields on her mind.
Her power was to use a person's worst fears against them and then fed off that fear.Buffy didn't have any of her usual smart-ass remarks. She remembered a little boy trapped in nightmares with no way to get out.Queenie here did that to all of her victims, so Buffy decided to turn the tables.She imagined a vampire's worst nightmare and saturated Kruger's Mommy with them in an endless loop.
"It's not so much fun when someone else has the power is it."
The Queen of Nightmares screamed.It was a horrifying sound, worse than anything Buffy could remember.She called the Scythe to complete her judgment and execution.She couldn't stand to be in the same room with the vampire a moment longer.Her whole line was irradiated; the scythe could not find even one that was salvageable.Buffy disappeared from the room feeling exceedingly dirty.