HECAMEAROUNDONEOFTHETABLESANDSAWIT.ASTEAMINGPILEOF

SOMETHING,CLOTHINGANDSKINANDGENERALBLOODYICKINESS.MOSTOFITWAS

UNRECOGNIZABLE.Xanderfeltnauseated.Heputahandoverhisnoseandmouth,bothtoblockoutthesmellandtokeephimselffromgettingsick.“OhmyGod,”hesaid.“OhGod.”

Hehadtogethelp.Buffyandtheothersareinthelibrary,hethought.Icouldbethereinlessthanaminute,ifIleaverightnow.EspeciallyifIrun.

Runningwasdefinitelyintheplan.

Heturnedtodojustthat,butthenhedidn’t.

Becausewhenheturned,hefoundhimselfface-to-facewithamonsterfromhisworstnightmares.

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Thisbookisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,placesandincidentsareproductsoftheauthor'simaginationorareusedfictitiously.Anyresemblancetoactualeventsorlocalesorpersons,livingordead,isentirelyco-incidental.

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Thisone’sforHollyandAmanda,trueXanderfans.AndDave,who’spartialtoHerbert.

AcknowledgmentsIttakesalotofpeopletowriteabook.I’dliketothanksomeofthosewhohelpedmewiththisone.Firstofall,myfriendChrisGolden,whogottheballrolling.MaryelizabethHartandNancyHolder,whoheldmyhandsallthewaythrough.Christine,Tigger,Scott,andDenise,formoralsupport.LisaClancyandMicolOstow,StateChampionsoftheeditorialworld.NicholasBrendon,forhisperfectportrayalofXander.AndJossWhedon,withoutwhom...

THEXANDERYEARSVol.2

PROLOGUETherewasn’tmuchtraffic—Sunnydaletendedtobethekindoftownthatrolledupitssidewalksandwenttobedearly—butthatdidn’tmeantherewasnone,andwhattherewas,Xanderfound.HemadearightontoPalm,andabrightredmusclecarroaredoutofnowhereathim,headlightsblinding.Itswervedaroundhim,jerkedbackintothelanedirectlyinfrontofhim,andthenracedawaywithagrowlandablastofexhaust.

ItshookXander,butheletitslideoffhim.Nothingwasgoingtospoilhismoodtonight.Besides,heknewhewasn’tinanymortaldanger.Mostly,herealized,hedidn’twanttohavetodealwiththequestionsthepolicewouldaskiftherehadbeenanaccident.Whatareyoudoingoutsolate?Whereareyougoing?Whydoesn’tthenameonthevehicle’sregistrationmatchtheoneonyourdriver’slicense?

Abriefmomentofpanic,andthenherememberedthatyes,hewascarryinghislicense.Healwaysdid—itwasjustthedrivingpartthatwasrare.

ThenameonthelicensewasAlexanderLavelleHarris,butexceptforhismotherwhenshewasangry—andthatstretchinfifthgradewhenhe’dgonethroughhisAlexandertheGreatphase—hewasalwayscalledXander.HehadalwayslivedrighthereinSunnydale,alwaysfiguredthathe’dgrowupandgrowoldhangingwithWillowandJesseanddespisingCordelia,andthatonedayhe’ddierighthereinSunnydale.

Okay,thatdaywaslookinglikeitmightarrivesoonerratherthanlater.

Butthekeywordherewas“always.”

Lifehadseemedprettyset,Xanderthought.IknewwhoIwas,whereI’dbe,whatI’ddo.Whenhetriedtoseehimselfinthefuturehesawbasicallythesamethinghesawinthemirror,onlymaybewithshorterhairandatie,orworseyet,oneofthosecardigansweatersTVdadswore.

AllthatwasbeforeBuffySummershadcometoSunnydale.

Blondandbeautiful,asfitasyoucouldhopefor—BuffywasXander’sidealof

Blondandbeautiful,asfitasyoucouldhopefor—BuffywasXander’sidealoffeminineperfection.He’dbeentakenwithherfromthemomenthe’dseenher,andhestayedthatway.Everytimehesawherwaslikeseeingherfreshagain.

Heknewnowthathe’dneverbe“with”Buffyinthewaythathewanted,butstandingbesideher—okay,alittlebehind,andmaybeofftotheside—asshefaceddownevilwasjustasgoodinitsway.Hewaspartofherinnercircle,partoftheScoobyGang,andimportanttoBuffy’slife.Howdiditgetbetterthanthat?

BuffyhadbroughtallkindsofnewthingsintoXander’slife,andsure,someofthem,likevampiresandwitchesandgiantprayingmantises,hecouldlivewithout.Butwhenonegotrightdowntoit,themostsignificantthingthatBuffybroughtwaschange.Statuswasn’tquitesoquowithheraround.

Madelifeexciting,thatwasforsure.

IfyoulookedatSunnydale,youwouldn’tthinkanythinghadchanged,butthenreally—Xanderremindedhimself—ithadn’t.HeknewnowthatSunnydalehadalwaysbeensituatedonahellmouth.Itwashisperceptionofhishometownthatwasdifferent.Theshadowsseemeddarker,thenightslonger,thesilences,well,quieter.

HeglancedoutthepassengersideattheBronze,justwhereithadalwaysbeen.Buttherehadbeenatimewhenhethoughtitwasjustaplacetochillwithhisfriends.Inthoselong-gonedaysbeforehe’dseenpeopleheknewkilledthere.Hestillwenttheretolistentomusic,drinkamochaccino,hangwithBuffyandWillowandOzandCordy...buteverynowandthenhehadaflashofsomeofthethingshe’dseenthereandgotalittletingleuphisspine.

Notthekindoftingleheliked,either.

Thosetimes,hefeltatouchofsorrowforthelossofinnocencethatSunnydalehadsufferedsinceBuffycametotown.Andthenheremindedhimself,yetagain,thattheinnocencelosthadn’tbeenthetown’s.Itwashis.Itwassomethinghe’dneverhavebackagain.

Yes,he’dchanged.Nodenyingit.XanderwasstilljustXander,totheoutsideworld.ButhisinnerXanderwassomeoneelse,someonewhocouldn’tbringhimselftoeatahotdogorahamsandwichanymore.Sofar,nothingevilhadcroppeduptointerferewithhisenjoymentofchocolate,thankGod.

croppeduptointerferewithhisenjoymentofchocolate,thankGod.

ButthiswasSunnydale.Heinousnessperchedaroundeverycorner,lurkedbehindeveryhappyfacade.LivingherewaslikegoingthroughadooratDisneylandandbeinggreetedwithamathtest.

Homesweethome.

Hecruisedthesilentstreets,feelingnoparticularhurrytogethome,onthisnightespecially.Hefeltgood.Ifheslept,thechargewouldbegonewhenhewokeup,andhe’djustbeplainoldXanderagain.No.Hemightbesleepyinschooltomorrow,buthewasgoingtostayoutforawhile.Besides,howoftendidhegettoactuallydriveacar?Surebeatskateboarding,which,intheold,pre-Buffdays,hadbeenhisonlymodeoftransport.

Insteadofmakingtheturnthatwouldtakehimtohisquietsuburbanstreet,hehungaleft.HedroveslowlydownRevelloDrive,butdidn’tstopinfrontofBuffy’shouse.Thatwouldmakehimastalkerorsomething,andaSlayerettedidn’tstalktheSlayer.Attheendofherblockhetookanotherleft,thenaright,andafewminuteslaterhepassedtheSunnydaleMall.Hekeptonthiscourse,headedtowardtheocean.ThiswaytookhimpastWeatherlyPark,andsincetherewasstillnotrafficheopenedherupalittlebit.TheNaturalHistoryMuseumandtheSunnydaleZooflashedpastonhisright.

Thezoo.Destinationofahundredtripswithfamily,friends,andclassmates.Thatplacebroughtbackmemories.

Allofthembad.

Gaveawholedifferentmeaningtotheword“change.”Xandershuddered,grippedthewheelalittlemoretightly,anddroveon.

CHAPTER1BuffySummersstrolledthroughtheSunnydaleZoo,enjoyingthewaythesunwarmedhercheeksonthiscoolspringday.Shewalkedalone,intentonthezoomap,comparingpointsonittothepostedsigns.Maybetherewassomethingheretheydidn’thaveinLosAngeles.Although,thisbeingSunnydale,shethought,itwouldprobablybesomemythicalkillerbeast,aKrakenoraWendigoorsomething.

“Oh,look.”

Thefamiliarvoicecaughtherattentionandshelookedup.KyleDuFours.CreepyKyle,Willowcalledhimsometimes.Hecametowardher,accompaniedbythekidshewasalwayswith:RhondaKelley,TorHauer,andHeidiBarrie.Alwaystogether,alwaysannoying.Well,she’djustmakeapointofavoidingthemfortherestoftheday.Shouldn’tbehard—Kyle’sshirtwasayellowsobrightshe’dbeabletospothimfromadistance.Like,say,Kansas.

“It’sBuffy,”Kylesaid.“Andallherfriends.”

“That’switty,”Buffysaid.She’dknownsomekindofobnoxiouslinewascoming.Afterall,hislipshadbeenstartingtomove.Butshealsoknewitwasn’tover.Theseguysneverletup.

Torfixedhisgazeonher.“Doyoueverwonderwhynobodycooleverwantstohangoutwithyou?”heasked.

“I’mjustthankful,”shereplied.

“Wereyouthispopularatyouroldschool?”Rhondaasked,gettinginontheaction.“Beforeyougotkickedout?”

Theyallresumedwalking,almostasone.RhondamovedpastBuffy,nudgingherasidewithoneshoulder.Buffyletitgo.They’rejustpunks,shethought.Rude,butharmless.

“Careful,”TortoldRhondaashepassedBuffy.HestaredatBuffy,turninghisheadashewentby.Shewondered,briefly,ifhethoughthelookedcool,or

headashewentby.Shewondered,briefly,ifhethoughthelookedcool,orworse,attractive.“Shemightbeatyouup.”

Theyalllaughedatthatknee-slapper,andthentheyweregone.Relativelybriefandpainless,Buffythought.Thebestkindofencountertohavewiththem.

Shemovedon,stoppingtoreadadisplayoutsidetheelephantenclosure.

Anothervoicecalledouttoher.Alsofamiliar,butmorefriendly.“Hey!Buffy!”

ShelookeduptoseeXanderHarrisandWillowRosenberg,hertwobestfriendsintheworld,runningtowardher.Theylookedhappy,liketheyweretrulyenjoyingthislittleescapade.Maybetheywere.Theybothseemedtohaveaknack,sometimes,forlookingonthebrightside.

“Youmissedit!”Willowsaid.Enthusiastic.Herusualstateofbeing.

“Missedwhat?”

“Wesawthezebrasmating,”Xandersaid.“Thankyou,veryexciting.”

“ItlookedliketheHeimlich.Withstripes,”Willowadded.Herwidesmilewasusuallyinfectious,butitdidn’tspreadtoBuffythistime.

“AndImissedit,”Buffysaid,withmocksadness.“Yet,somehowI’llfindthecouragetoliveon.”

Theystartedwalking,headednowhereinparticular.“Wherewereyou?”Willowaskedher.

“Iwaslookingatthefishes.”

“Wasitcool?”

Buffythoughtaboutthatforamoment.“Itwasfishes.”

“I’mfeelingthatyou’renotinthefieldtripspirithere,”Xandersaid,asifpickinguponherdecidedlackofexcitement.

“Well,it...it’snothing.”Shecouldn’tquitesummontheenergytoshrug.“Anyway,wedidthesamezootripatmyoldschooleveryyear.Sameold,sameold.”

old.”

“Buffy,thisisnotjustaboutlookingatabunchofanimals,”Xanderexplained.“Thisisaboutnotbeinginclass.”

Thistime,Buffydidsmile.Hehasapoint,shesupposed.GoodoldXander,findingthesilverliningtoeverycloudofgloom.“Youknow,you’reright.Suddenlytheanimalslookshinyandnew.”

“Gottahaveperspective,”Xandersaid.

Thechimpanzeeenclosurelookedlikeagranitecliff.Onarockyshelf,threechimps—mother,father,andbaby—sharedlunch.Or,themotherandfatherdid.Theyoungoneshriekedandgrabbed,buttheadultsmanagedtokeeptheirfoodtothemselves.

LanceLincolnleanedontherailattheenclosure’sedge,spiralnotebookopen,scribblingdownhisobservationsonthechimpfamily’smeal.Forhim,afieldtripwasn’taboutbeingawayfromschool,itwasabouthavinganopportunityforsomegoodsolidinsightintoprimatebehavior.Hewassoinvolvedinhisresearchthathedidn’thearthefourpairsoffootstepsapproachinghimfrombehind.

“Lance!”

Heturnedaround.Kyleandhisfriends,bearingdownonhim.Swell,hethought.Victim,thynameisLance.

“How’sitgoing?”Kyleasked.Likewe’reoldbuddiesorsomething.

“Hey,Kyle,”herepliedevenly.

Kyleleanedontherailingnexttohim,glancedatthechimps.“Sothisislikea,um,familyreunion?”

“No.”Well—fromanevolutionaryperspective,maybe.ButtogotherewithKyle?Hedidn’tthinkso.

KylewentonasifLancehadn’tsaidanything.“Ithinkit’safamilyreunion.It’ssotouching.Doesn’tanybodyhaveacamera?”Hemimickedwhippingoneout,snappingapicture.

Lanceflashedbacktogradeschool,whenhisloveforrerunsoftheoldTVshow“LancelotLink,SecretChimp”hadbecomecommonknowledge.Givenhisname,itwouldhavebeenhardforhimnottobedrawntotheshow,anditwasprobablywhatkick-startedhisinterestinprimatology.Buttheflackhe’dtakenfromschoolmatescallinghimLanceLink,orSirLancelot,hadalmostdrivenhimawayfromthatcalling.

Comparedtothesebullies,thosekidswerenothing,hethought.

RhondacameupbehindLanceandstartedtuggingatthehairsonthebackofhishead.“Hey,doesyourmomstillpickoutyourlice?”sheasked.“Orareyouoldenoughtodothatyourselfnow?”

“Quitit,”Lancedemanded.Hejerkedhisheadawayfromher.

Andindoingso,turnedjustenoughthatTorwasabletosnatchhisnotebookfromhishand.“Hey!Guys,comeon,”Lancesaid,grabbingforthenotebook.“I’vegotallmynotesinthere!”ButTorhelditoverhishead,outofLance’sreach.Onlyinthebackofhismind,wherehecataloguedsuchthings,didhevaguelyrealizethatthewholesceneduplicatedthechimpbehavior,withthelargerchimpsholdingfoodawayfromthelittleone.

Terrific.I’mthelittlemonkey,hethought.

Thegroup’slaughterwasinterruptedbythevoiceofMr.Flutie,SunnydaleHigh’sprincipal.“What’sgoingonhere?”heasked.

Lancewatchedhimapproach.Hewasnofashionexpert,butevenheknewMr.Flutie’splaidsportscoatwasjustwrong.Ithungopeninfront,asifbothhisbellyandhissenseofself-importanceweretooswollentoallowittobutton.Ashockofdarkhairsatatophisheadlikeanafterthought,orasmallfurrymammalabandonedtherebysomepredator.

“Ihavehadituptoherewithyoufour,”Mr.Flutiesaid.“Whatareyoudoing?”

“Nothing,”Kyleinsisted.

FlutieplantedhimselfinfrontofKyle.“DidIaskyoutospeak?Okay,IguessIdid.ButIwantthetruth.”HelookedatLance.“Lance?”

Tellthetruth—orsurvive?Norealcontest.“Theyweren’tdoinganything.Really,”Lancewentalong.Heevenforcedachuckle.“Wewerejustplayingaround.”LikeI’dplayaroundwiththeseguys.

Andyet,Mr.Flutieboughtit.“Allright.”Mr.Flutiestartedtogo,thenstopped,swiveled,andrakedafingerlikeamachinegunacrossthechestsofthefourtroublemakers.“I’llbewatchingyou,”hesaid,thenturnedagainandheadeddownthepath.

“You,”Kylesaid,pointingatLance’sface.Lancedidn’tlikethesoundofthat—orthatfingerinhiseyes.Nowwhat?“Camethroughbigtime,”Kylewenton.

“Waytogo,Lance,”Rhondaadded,pattinghimonthearmlikeanoldfriend.

“Flutie’sbeenlookingforareasontocomedownonus,”Torsaid.

Whew.“It’sokay,”Lancesaid,tryingnottosoundtoorelieved.

Kylereachedout,grippedLance’scollarbone,somewherebetweenapalandaprisonwarden.“Comeon.We’regonnacheckoutthehyenahouse.”

Lancehesitated.“But—Ithinkit’sofflimits.”

“Andtherein,myfriend,liesthefun.”

Lancechuckledagain,buttohimitsoundedevenlessrealthantheonehe’dgivenMr.Flutie.Hedidn’tquiteknowhowtoextricatehimself—thathadbeenabondingmomentofsomekind,hefigured,andnowtheywereaunit.Hewentalong.

Thepathwaytothehyenahousewasblockedoffbyyellowcautiontape,andsignsoneaselsread“PositivelyNoAdmittance.”Yetanothersignsaid“Closed.”Orangelightsflashedonthewarningsigns.Themeaningwasprettyclear,Lancefigured.Thezooofficialsdidn’twantanyonewanderingintothehyenaexhibit.

Which,accordingtoKyle,wasthe“funpart.”Lancecouldn’tquitefigure,buthewaswillingtogoalong.Afterall,theywerebeingnicetohim,whichwasafirst.Andbesides,theyhadhimmoreorlesssurrounded.Rhondaliftedthecautiontapeandtheyduckedunder,headeddownthepath.

Hyenas,herewecome.

Xander,Willow,andBuffyweren’tfarbehind.TheysawLancegounderthetapeanddisappeardownthepath.Therewassomethingverywrongaboutthispicture,anditwasasobviousasLance’sbrightredsweater—hewouldneverbepartofthatcrowd.XanderknewLancewasnomorelikelytohangwithKyleandthoseguysthanWillowwas.Orhimself,even.Like,notatall.

“WhatareKyleandhisbudsdoingwithLance?”Willowasked.

ToXander,theanswerwasclear.“Playingwithhim,asthecatplayswiththemouse.”

“Whatisitwiththoseguys?”Buffyasked.Theystoppedatthetape,lookingdownthepath.Lanceandtheothersweregonefromsight.

“They’reobnoxious,”Willowsaid.“Professionally.”

“Everyschoolhas’em,”Xanderexplained.“Youstartaschool,yougetdesks,someblackboards,andsomemeankids.”

Buffystartedtowardthetape.“Yeah,well,IbetterextractLancebefore—”

ButXanderraisedahandtoher,stoppingherinhertracks.“I’llhandleit,”heoffered.“Thisjobdoesn’trequireactualslaying.”Ihope.Heduckedunderthetapeandheadedforthehyenas,fullyawarethatthetwogirlsbehindhimwerewatchinghimgo.Asmalldisplayofbravery,tiny,really,comparedtosomeofBuffy’s.But,hey—youtakewhatyoucanget.

Buffywasn’tconvinced.“Youdon’tthinkweshouldfollow?”

“Kyleandthoseguysarejerks,butthey’realltalk.”WillowhadlivedinSunnydaleherwholelifeandknewthekidsbetterthanBuffy.Buffywasinclinedtotrusther,untilWillowadded,“Mostly.”

“Whydon’twe—”

Willowagreedwithanod.“Yeah,whydon’twe—”

Theyhadn’tmadeittwostepsbeyondthetapewhenazookeeperappeared.“Whoa,holdit,holdit,”hesaid.Whathairhehadwasblond,longinbackbut

“Whoa,holdit,holdit,”hesaid.Whathairhehadwasblond,longinbackbutmostlydome-likeontop.Hehadaneatblondbeardandglasses,analmostprofessorialdemeanor.Hisvoicewasgentle,butfirm.“Areyoublind,orareyoujustilliterate?Becausehyenasarequicktopreyontheweak.”

“Wewerejust—”Buffystarted.

Hecutheroffmidsentence.“You’renotgoinginthere.Anyonethatdoesisinaworldoftrouble.”Heraisedthetapeforthemtoslinkbackout.

Willow,alwaysthepeacemaker,chimedin.“No,noone’sgoinginthere.”Sheledthewaybackunderthetape.

Buffywasn’tsowillingtoletitgo.“Whyisitofflimits?”sheasked.

“It’saquarantine.ThesehyenasjustcamefromAfrica.Sokeepout.”Hisvoiceindicatedthathewouldacceptnoresponseotherthanobedience.Butheraisedasingleeyebrow,givinghisfaceaslightlyfriendlieraspect.ThenhesaidsomethingthatBuffyfoundverystrange.“Eveniftheycallyourname.”

“What’reyoutalkingabout?”sheasked.

Thezookeeperlookedevenmorelikeaprofessorashelaunchedintolecturemode.“AMasaitribesmanoncetoldmethathyenascanunderstandhumanspeech.Theyfollowhumansaroundbyday,learningtheirnames.”Hisvoicelowered.Nowhesoundedlikeamantellingaghoststory.“Atnight,whenthecampfiredies,theycallouttotheperson.Andoncetheyseparatehim”—hesnappedhisfingers—“thepackdevourshim.”

Therewasmorecautiontapeattheactualentrancetothehyenaenclosure.Kylejustrippeditdownashepassedthroughit,sothathewasfestoonedinitforamoment,yellowagainsthisyellowshirt.Itwasdarkinhere,shaded,andcoolerthanoutside.Thewallswereartificialrock,aman-madecavewithcutawaysforilluminateddisplays,andalargeroneforthehyenasthemselves,upacoupleofsteps,chest-highbarsacrossthefront.

Kylelookedaround,turningslowly.“Cool.”

“Idon’tseeanyhyenas,”Lancesaid.Hewashavingsecondthoughtsnow.Fifthorsixththoughts,really.Hewasreadytogo.

Almostasifoncue,ahyenasteppedforwardfromthegloomofitspen,

Almostasifoncue,ahyenasteppedforwardfromthegloomofitspen,revealingadark,almostblackmuzzle,fulloflarge,pointedteeth.Itgrowled.Itdidn’tsoundfriendly.NowLancewasmorethanreadytobegone.

“Okay,”hesaid.“Nowwe’veseenit.”Heturnedtogo,butTorwasstandingrightbehindhim,blockinghisway.

Andtheothershadn’thadenough,itseemed.“Itlookscute,”Rhondasaid.

“Ithinkitlookshungry,”Kylesaid.Hesteppedawayfromthebars.HeandTorgrabbedLance,muscledhimupthestepstowardthecage.

“Comeon,Spot!”TorgrowledastheydraggedLanceforward.“Suppertime!”Theyheldhiminfrontofthebars—whichnowseemedconsiderablyshorterandlesssubstantialthantheyhadjustaminuteago.Thehyenagrowledagain,deepinitsthroat.SomeonehadahandonthebackofLance’shead,pushinghisfaceintothecage.Everyonelaughed—exceptLance.

“Ow!”hecomplained.“Stopit!That’snotfunny!”

Xanderheardthatlastpart,andhadtoagree—despitetheraucouslaughtercomingfromtheKyleBrigade,noneofitsoundedterriblyhumorous.Heleaptupthestairsandintothethickofit,yankingpeople’sarmsawayfromLance.HeshovedLanceoutoftheirreach,downthestairs.WhenLancewassafelyaway,XanderfoundhimselfeyeballtoeyeballwithKyle.

“Whydon’tyoupickonsomeoneyourownspecies?”heasked.

Kyleglaredback,notgivinganinch.“What,areyougonnagetinmyface?”

Thehyenainterruptedthestare-downwithanotherlong,lowgrowl.Itraiseditsheadintothelightagain,growlingmore,andthentheywerealllookingatit.Thethingwasnotlovely,butitseyesheldamesmerizingquality,andthefiveofthemfoundthemselvesstaringintothoseeyes.

Barelynoticingwhentheeyesflashedwithaneeriegreenglow.

And,ofcourse,theycouldn’tseetheirowneyes.Flashinganansweringgreen.

Nordidthey,atthismoment,noticethebizarrereddesignpaintedontheenclosure’sfloor.Thedesignonwhichtheyallstood.Theirattentionwasrivetedonthehyena,growlingandmovinginitscage.

onthehyena,growlingandmovinginitscage.

*

Lancetookadvantageoftheirdistractiontomakehisescape.Hestartedfortheexit.Tripped.Hisnotebookslidacrossthedampfloor.Hegrabbeditupagain,hoistedhimselftohisfeet.Buttheothershadheardhimfall,wereturning—weirdly,turningslowlybutinunison—andlaughing.Laughingathim,theirlaughterrisinginpitch,becomingalmosthysterical.

Xander,whohadrescuedhim,wasthelasttoturn,theonlyoneoutofsynch,andLancedidn’tknowwhatheexpectedtoseeonXander’sfacebutitwasn’twhathesaw,whichwasasmile.Hewasn’tlaughingliketheothers,butthesmile—knowing,andwithoutatraceofkindnessorrealhumor—wasalmostworse.

Lanceran.

Later,Kyle,Rhonda,Tor,andHeidistrolledthezoogrounds.Theschoolbuseshadlongsincegone.Theyhadstoodinhiding,watchingthenear-franticsearchforthemselves,punchingeachotheronthearmsandbitingbackraucouslaughter.Finally,Mr.Flutiehadgiventheordertogoaheadwithoutthem—Anotherblackmarkonourpermanentrecords,Kylethought.Horrors!

They’dgethomesomehow.Itwasn’tthatfar.Nothingtosweat.

But—andthiswentunspokenamongthem—noneofthemwantedtoleave.Somethingabouttheplace—thesoundofhoovesscrabblingondirt,therufflingoffeathers,thesharpsmellsoffeedandfurandfilth—drewthem.Keptthemhere.

Theyfeltstrangelyathome.

Theywanderedthepaths,laughingatthelocalslookingintotheenclosures,andthetouristsinfromOhioorOmaha,gettingtheirfirstglimpseatarealCaliforniazoo.Anhourorsoafterthebuseshadfinallygone,theycameacrossayoungcouple,arminarmonabridge,watchingring-tailedlemursscamperaroundanislandenclosure.Thecouplelookedtobeintheirlatetwenties,maybeearlythirties.Middleclass.Hewastallandcleancut,shewassmaller,andcute,inthatred-haired,freckledway.Youngmarrieds,intentonstartingafamily,maybe.Yuppies.Conventional.

maybe.Yuppies.Conventional.

Kylehatedthemonsight.

Hestartedtosaysomethingtotheothers,buthisgazemetRhonda’sandheknewhedidn’thaveto.We’reallonthesamepage,hethought.

Thecouplefacedthecage,theirbackstothepath.Kylesteppeduptothesafetyrailing,nexttotheredhead.

“Likethosemonkeys?”heaskedher.

“Idon’tthinkthey’remonkeys,”shestartedtosay.Theman,thehusband,justglaredathim.

Heidiapproachedtheman,putherhandonhisarmasifhewereanoldfriend.Averygoodfriend.

“Ithinkthey’refunny,”shesaid.“Doyouthinktheycansmellusfromhere?”

“Acrossthewater?”themanasked.“Iwouldn’tthinkso.”Hetuggedhisarmaway,butHeidipersisted.

“Youdon’tmind,doyou,”sheaskedthewife.“DonaldandIgowayback.”

“Myname’snotDonald,”heinsisted.

“It’snot,”hiswifesaid,backinghim.“It’sHenry.”

Heidilaughed.“IthoughtyouweregoingtostopusingHenry,”shesaid.“Don’ttellmeyoutoldheryouwereaprogrammer,too.”

Theman’sfacewascloudingoverquickly.“Listen,”hegrumbled.“Idon’tknowwhatyou’retryingtopullhere—”

“Oh,verygood,”Rhondasaid.“I’dalmostbelieveitifIdidn’tknowyou.”

“Henry,youdon’tknowthesepeople,doyou?”theredheadasked,almostplaintively.

“Ofcoursenot!”

“You’rehurtingmyfeelings,Donald,”Heidiwhimpered.Sheputherhandsonhischest.Hebrushedthemaway.

“Benice,Donald,”Torsaid.Heswelledouthischestandarms,tryingtolookthreatening.“Isthatanywaytotreatoldfriends?”

Thewoman’sheadswiveledlikeaspectatoratatennismatch.Tearsstartedtorundownhercheeks.

“I’veneverseenthesepeoplebeforeinmylife,”Henrythundered.“NowgetawayfromusorI’mcallingsecurity!”

“Ooooh,”Kylesaidinmockterror.“Notthat!”

“Imeanit.”Henrypulledacellphonefromhispantspocketandstartedtopunchinnumbers.

“Isaid,notthat!”KyleslappedHenry’shandfrombeneathandthetinyphonewentflippingendoverend,landingwithasmallsplashinthewaterbeneaththebridge.

Henry’sfaceturnedbrightred.“Doyouhaveanyideahowmuch—”

Kylecuthimoff.“Canit,Donald.We’retiredofyou.Youwanttolietothisnicelady,pretendyoudon’tknowus,that’sfine.Wedon’tknowyoueither.Comeon,guys.”

Hestartedoffthebridge,clompingloudlyonthewoodencrosspiecesashewent.Hedidn’tlookback,butheardtheothersfollowinghim.Behindthem,hecouldhearHenryandhiswifetalking,arguing.

Kylestartedtolaugh.Heidijoinedin.Withinseconds,theywerealllaughingsohardtheycouldbarelystand.Theyfloppeddownonaswatchofgrass,rollingwithlaughter.Loud,high-pitchedsquealsoflaughter,thekindthatwassofunnythatwhenoneofthemstopped,thesoundofitgothimorhergoingagain.

Theywerestilllaughinganhourlater,whenthezooclosed.

CHAPTER2TheBronzewascrowded—likethatwasnews.Whenthere’sonlyonedecentclubintownwherekidsundertwenty-onecanhearmusic,drinkcoffee,dance,andhangout,it’slikelytodrawacrowd.

BuffySummersandWillowRosenbergturnedawayfromthepastrycounter.Buffycarriedacroissantandasoda.Willowsettledforaboxofraisins.She’spreoccupied,Buffythought.Itdidn’ttakeageniustofigureoutwithwhat.AsfarasWillwasconcerned,thesunroseandsetwithXander.

She’dfeltthatwaysincetheywerebothfiveyearsold—alittleyoungforseriousromance,butmaybenotforafirstcrush.Evenatthetime,though,she’dthoughtitwastruelove,recognizingthattherelationshipwasnotallshehopedforonlywhenXanderbrokeherBarbie.

Eventhat,Iforgavehim,shethought,witharuefulsmile.Eventhat.

Butinalltheyearssincethen,whilethey’dremainedsteadfastfriends,thatwasjustaboutasgoodasshegot.Xander,herbuddy.Xander,theguywhowouldcomplaintoherwhenhewashavinggirltrouble.

Neverseemingtorealizewhathecouldhavehad.

“IthoughtXanderwouldbeherebynow,”Willowsaidastheythreadedtheirwaytowardanopentable.

“That’dmakehimontime,”Buffyreplied.“Wecouldn’thavethat.”

“Didheseematallupsetonthebusbackfromthezoo?”

“Aboutwhat?”

“Idon’tknow,”Willowsaid.“Hewasquiet.”

Buffyslidontoaseatatoneofthechest-hightables.“Ididn’tnoticeanything.Butthenagain,I’mnotashyper-awareofhimas,oh,say,forexample,you.”

“Hyper-aware?”Willowasked,takingthestoolacrossfromBuffy’s.

“Hyper-aware?”Willowasked,takingthestoolacrossfromBuffy’s.

“Well,”Buffysaid.“I’mnotconstantlymonitoringhishealth,hismoods,hisbloodpressure—”

Willowknewthatone.“One-thirtyovereighty.”

Buffylaughed.“Yougotitbad,girl.”

“Hemakesmyheadgotingly.YouknowwhatImean?”

“Idimlyrecall,”Buffysaid,gazecasttowardtheceiling.

“Butithasn’thappenedtoyoulately?”

Ashrug.“Notoflate.”

“Notevenforadangerousandmysteriousoldermanwhoseleatherjacketyou’rewearingrightnow?”

BuffyglancedatthejacketAngelhadgivenher.Angel,thetall,dark,mysteryhunkwhoselifekeptintersectingwithhersintheoddestways.Hehadtoldherthatthejacketlookedbetteronher—whichwasn’t,strictlyspeaking,evenclosetotrue.Itwaswayoutofplace,forinstance,withthepalegreendressshewaswearingtonight.Andyet,shehadbarelytakenitoffsincehe’dgivenittoher.

“Itgoeswiththeshoes,”sheinsisted.

“Comeon,”Willowsaid,havingnoneofit.“Angelpushesyourbuttons.Youknowhedoes.”

“Isupposesomegirlsmightthinkhe’sgoodlooking,”Buffyrelented.“Ifthey...haveeyes.Allright,he’sahoney.”Understatementofthemonthclub,shethought.Shedidn’twanttoletontoWillow,though.Thepoorgirlthoughtthewholesituationwasterriblyromantic,buttherewasstillthatSlayerthingtocontendwith.Makesdatingalittlecomplicated.“Buthe’sneveraround,andwhenheisallhewantstodoistalkaboutvampires,andIjustcan’thavearelationship—”

Willowinterruptedwithanexcited,“Thereheis!”

Buffy’sheadswiveled.“Angel?”

“Xander!”

ThenBuffysawhimtoo,wendinghiswaythroughthecrowd,wearingabrownflannelshirtoveradarkT.Alittlemoresomberthanhisusuallook,shethought.Andhedidn’tmovequiteliketheXanderBuffyknew—hesauntered,stoppingnowandagaintolookatwomen,smileatwomen,flirtwithwomen.Okay,sonotcompletelyunlikeXander.Buthewasusuallymorediscreetaboutit.

Finally,hemadehiswaytotheirtable.“Girls,”hesaid.

“Boy,”Buffyreplied.

“SorryI’mlate,”hewenton.“Ijustforgotweweregonnabehere.”HelookedatBuffy’splate.“Hungry,”hesaid,tearingoffachunkofBuffy’scroissantandshovingitintohismouth.

Willowchosetoignoretheless-than-politebehavior.ShehadknownXandersincetheywerefive,soBuffyfiguredthatslack-cutting,wherehewasconcerned,wasalong-ingrainedhabit.

“Xander,youstillwantmetohelpyouwithgeometrytomorrow?”Willowasked.Asshespoke,hedownedaswallowofBuffy’sdrink,withoutatraceofpleasure.“Wecanworkafterclass.”

“Yeah,”hesaid.Then,indicatingBuffy’ssnack,asked,“Whatisthiscrap?”

“Well,itwasmybutterycroissant,”Buffysaid.

“Man,Ineedsomefood,”Xandersaid.Hisvoicecarriedatingeofanger,asifshe’dorderedthepastryjusttooffendhim.“Birdsliveonthis.”

Butapparentlyhewasn’ttooangrytonoticethelookthatpassedbetweenBuffyandWillow.“What?”heaskedwithananxioussmile.

“What’supwithyou?”Buffyasked.

Willowtookitmorepersonally.Shefiddlednervouslywithherraisinbox.“Issomethingwrong?DidIdosomething?”

“Whatcouldyoupossiblydo?”Xanderasked.“That’scrazytalk.I’mjustrestless.”

“Well,wecouldgototheicecreamplace...”Willowoffered.

Xanderraisedhishead,peeringoverthecrowd,asiflookingforsomething.Orjustsurveyinghisterritory.Hescratchedhischest.“Ilikeithere.”

Andasifthewayhe’dbeenactingwasn’tbizarreenough,hebegantosniffBuffy’shair.

“Okay,nowwhat?”sheasked.

“Youtookabath,”heexplained.Although“explained”wasn’tthewordforit,sinceitdidn’tactuallyexplainanything.Hekeptscratchingathisshirt.Fleas?Buffywondered.

“Yeah,Ioftendo.I’mactuallyknownforit.”

“That’sokay,”Xandersaid.

Gee,thanks.GladIhaveyourblessing.Slippingintoannouncer-speak,Buffysaid,“Andtheweirdbehaviorawardgoesto...”

Buthewasn’tevenlisteninganymore.Hisattentionhadbecomerivetedonthedoor.Buffyturnedtoseewhathewassointenton.

Andwasinstantlysorryshehad.

Kyle,Heidi,Tor,andRhonda.Thegood-timegang.

“Oh,great,”shesaid.“It’sthewingedmonkeys.”

TheywalkedthroughtheBronze,makingabeelineforthetablewhereXanderstoodbetweenWillowandBuffy.Xandercouldn’tlookaway,couldn’tblink,andwasonlysomewhatawareofthatfact.HiseyeshadlockedwithKyle’sthemomenthecamethroughthedoor,andtheystayedlocked.XanderandKylehadneverbeenfriends,butnowtheysharedsomething.

Xanderwasn’tsurewhatitwas.

Butsomething,definitely.

TheyreachedBuffyandWillow’stable,eachofthemlookingonlyatXander.Heacknowledgedthemwordlesslyastheywentby,andturnedtokeeptheminsightastheypassed.

Theystoppedatanearbytable—onethatwasalreadyoccupiedbyacoupleofkids.Onewasastockyguyinaplaidshirt,theotherthinnerandfamiliar-looking,thoughXandercouldn’tplacehim.KyleandRhondaleanedonthebigguy’sshoulders,andhistablematesilentlyscootedhischairbackandleft.

“Youknow,”Kylesaid.“Idon’tunderstandwhyyou’resittingatourtable.”

“Yeah,”Rhondaadded.“Shouldn’tyoubehoveringoverthefootballstadiumwith‘Goodyear’writtenonyou?”

Theyalllaughedatthat,Xanderincluded.Hewasstilllaughingwhenheturnedbacktothetable,andcameface-to-facewithBuffy’sexpression,whichsaidshedefinitelydidn’tgetthejoke.

“Kid’sfat,”hesaid.Whatmoredoessheneed?

HelookedatWillowandsawanexpressionofdismay.

Shedidn’tgetiteither.

Thenextday,BuffymetRupertGilesfortheirscheduledsparringsession.

Gilesworebodyarmorandheavy,paddedboxinggloves.Buffyworegloves,noarmor.Butthen,shewastheonedoingthepunchingandkicking.ShewastheSlayer.GileswasalibrarianandaWatcher,notawarrior.HisresponsibilitywastotraintheSlayer,guideher,directher.Watchher.Gettingthestuffingknockedoutofhimbyherwasn’tinthejobdescription,hencethechestprotector.

AndHisTweednesswasoneofthoseveryBritishtypes,shereflected,inwhomtherewasalotofstuffing.

Shethrewaright,aleft,spunandcameoutofthespinwithanotherright,spunagainintoakick,thenleaptintotheair,kickingoutwithbothfeetatonceintohisgloves.Hittinghard,notholdingback.Breathinghard,too.

Sheadvancedonhimagain.Hewavedhisgloves.

“Right,”Gilessaid.“That’senoughtrainingforoneday.”

“Well,thatlastroundhousewaskindofsloppy.Sureyoudon’twanttodoitagain?”Buffyasked.

“No,that’sfine.”Hewasbreathinghardtoo.She’dseenGilesinactionandknewhewasprettytough,foranoldguy.Butstill,hewasoverforty,sowhatcouldoneexpect?“Yourunalongtoclass,”hepanted,“whileIwaitforthefeelingtoreturntomyarms.”

Class.ThatwasthehardpartaboutbeingtheSlayer.Or,oneofmany.ShehadtobetheSlayer;itwasn’tlikeshe’dauditionedforit,likecheerleadertryoutsoranything.Itdemandedalotfromagirl.Shecouldneverjustbeoneofthegang,neverjusthangout.Theresponsibilityweighedheavilyonher.

Iftheotherkidsinschoolwereoutallnight,itwasbecausetheywerehavingfun,orgettingintomischiefofsomekind.Inhercase,itwasjustanothernightonthejob,keepingtheworldsafefromthebloodsuckingundead.AndthenIstillhavetogotoclassthenextday.

AsBuffynearedacornerofthehallway,sheheardacommotionfromtheotherside.Studentsshrieked.Andoveritall,soundingsomewhatstrained,theunmistakablevoiceofPrincipalFlutie.

“Lookout!”hecried.“It’sgottenloose!”

Thereweremoreshrieks.Theydidn’tsoundterrified—anditwasbroaddaylight—soherSlayerhacklesdidn’trise,butshewascurious.Shehurriedtowardthecorner.

“Stopthebeast!”Mr.Flutiecalled.

Thensheroundedthecornerandsawit,dartingstraightforher.Atinypinkpiglet,runninglikeporkchopswereontheschoollunchmenu.Probablyitwastryingtogetawayfromtheridiculousoutfitsomeonehaddresseditin.Vandals,maybe.

Buffybentoverandsnaggedthepiglet,liftingitintoherarms.ThepoorthingwaswearingatinySunnydaleHighfootballhelmetwithpapier-mâchétusks

waswearingatinySunnydaleHighfootballhelmetwithpapier-mâchétusksattachedatthesidesofhissnoutandhadarowofgreenfoamtrianglesstucktoitsback,likeacartoondinosaur’sfins.

Mr.Flutiecaughtuptothem.“NaughtyHerbert,”hesaid.“GaveMr.Flutiequiteascare,didn’the?”

Hedrewhimselfup,addressingthestudentscrowdingthehallway.“Students,I’dlikeyoualltomeetHerbert,ournewmascotfortheSunnydaleHighRazorbacks!”Thiswasmetwithasmatteringofapplause.

“He’ssocute!”Buffysaid.

“He’snotcute,”Mr.Flutieinsisted.“No,he’safierceRazorback.”Hepumpedhisfistsintotheair,andtherewassomehalfheartedclapping.

Buffystudiedthepoor,overaccessorizedpig.“Hedoesn’tlookmean,Mr.Flutie.”

“He’smean,he’sreadyforaction.”Mr.FlutieindicatedHerbert’sadd-ons.“See,herearethetusks,and...ascary...razorback.”Thegreenfins.Nowshegotit.

“You’reright,”Buffyagreed.Sometimesaprincipalhadtobehumored.“Heisafinemascotandwillengenderschoolspirit.”

“Well,he’dbetter—costsafortunetofeedhim.”Hebentdown,spokedirectlytoHerbert.“Let’sgetyoubackinyourcage.”Hereachedforthepig,andHerbertletoutasqueal.Mr.Flutiebackedoff,gesturedforBuffytocarrythenewmascot.

“Thisway,”hesaid.Buffyledtheway,thepigletoinkingcontentedlyinherarms.

WillowandXandersatononeofthestonebenchesscatteredaroundthecampus,hisgeometrytextbookopenonherlap.Hehadanotebookandapencilandwasjottingnumbersandlinesdown,butnotreallycatchingon.Theywereastudyincontrast—red-hairedWillowwearingabrightorangesweateroverapatternedskirt,andXander,dark-hairedandeyed,allinshadesofblackandgray.

“I’mnotgettingthis,”Xandersaid.

“It’ssimple,really,”Willowexplained.Shedidn’tunderstandwhyhispatience

“It’ssimple,really,”Willowexplained.Shedidn’tunderstandwhyhispatienceseemedtobesoshort—asin,nonexistent—today.Butshewaswillingtobeextrapatientwithhimtomakeupforit.“See,thebisectorofavertexisthelinethatdividestheangleatthatvertexintotwoequalparts.”

“It’slikeabigblur,allthesenumbersandangles,”hesaid,notreallyevenlisteningtoher.There’senoughgoingoninmyheadwithoutfillingitupwithlamemathematicaltheory,Xanderthought.IknowthemathIneed.Howfast,howstrong,howmean?Calculationsthatmatter.

“It’sthesamestufffromlastweek.Youhaditdownthen.”

“WhydoIneedtolearnthis?”hedemanded.

“’Causeotherwiseyou’llflunkmath.”

“Explainthepartwherethat’sbad.”

They’dhadthisconversationbefore.“Youremember,”shesaid.“Youfailmath,youflunkoutofschool,youendupbeingtheguyatthepizzaplacethatsweepsthefloorandsays,‘Hey,kids,where’sthecoolpartiesthisweekend?’We’vebeenthroughthis.”

Asshespoke,Xanderrubbedthebridgeofhisnose.“Doyouhaveaheadache?”sheasked,concerned.Shetouchedhistemple,gently,andheshookherhandaway.

“Yeah,”hesaid.“AndIthinkIknowwhat’scausingit.”Hesnatchedthebookoffherlapandtosseditintoanearbygarbagecan.Smilingathisdirecthit,hewenton.“That’sbetter.Itgoesrighttothesourceofthepain.”

“Xander—”

Buthecutheroff.Enoughisenough,hethought.Evenjustalittlebitofthis,that’sstillenough.Nomore.“Look,forgetit,okay?Idon’tgetit.Iwon’tever.Idon’tcare.”Hestoodsuddenly,throwinghisspiralnotebookintoWillow’slap,andstormedaway.

WillowhadbeenfriendswithXanderalongtime,and,frankly,hadthehotsforhimalmostaslong.Shewaswillingtooverlookalotofless-than-polite

behaviorfromhim.Eventhiswillpass,shethought.“Wecanfinishthisanothertime,”shesuggested,buthewasgone,beyondevenhearingher.

Mr.FlutieshowedBuffytoaclassroominwhichacagewassetupforHerbert.

“See,theproblemis,”hesaidastheywalked,“youkidstodayhavenoschoolspirit.Holdon,letmegethisoutfitoff.”HeremovedHerbert’shelmetandfoamrazorback.“Todayit’sallgangsanddrugsandthosemoviesonShowtimewiththenudity.”LookingatBuffy,hequicklyadded,“Idon’thavecable.Ionlyheard.”

Morepassionately,hewenton.“WhenIwasyourage,wecaredabouttheschool’sreputation,theteam’srecord,allthatstuff.”Then,asifherealizedwhathewassaying,heamendedhimself.“Ofcourse,whenIwasyourageIwassurroundedbyoldguystellingmehowmuchbetterthingswerewhentheyweremyage.”Hegaveupthen,andwentintopreparethecageforHerbert’sarrival.

Buffygaveasmalllaugh.“Yeah,”shesaid,moretoHerbertthantoMr.Flutie.Foraprincipal,heisn’talwaysascluelessasheseems,shethought.

ShewasstillstandingthereholdingthepigwhenXanderenteredthehallwaythroughthedoubledoorstooutside.Hedidn’tsayanything,justgavehertheslightestglanceandgaveHerbertaprolongedstareashepassedby.WhichBuffythoughtwasodd,thoughnotnecessarilyanymoresothantherestofhisbehaviorhadbeenlately.

No,whatreallycreepedherwasthatXandergavethepigthewiggins.Herbertsquealed,terrified,andwriggledinherarmslikehewantedtobeathisownpersonalbestatthehundred-yarddash.Itwasallshecoulddojusttohangontohim.HekeptsquealingandwrithinguntilXanderwaslongoutofsight.

WhywouldhebesoafraidofXander?shewondered.Hewasn’tthatwaywiththerestofthekidsinthehall—hadkindoflikedbeingthecenterofattention,itseemed.Sowhatwasitnowthatwassodifferent?SomethingaboutXander?

HarmlessoldXanderHarris?Apig-wigger?Couldn’tbe...

AsuddenstormhadrolledoverSunnydaleduringtheday,unleashingdrivingrainandboomingthunder.Rainhaditsplusesandminuses,butoneofthebigminuseswasthatP.E.hadtobeheldindoors,inthebigoldgym.AndCoachHerrold,nothugeonimaginationtobeginwith,hadalimitedrepertoireof

Herrold,nothugeonimaginationtobeginwith,hadalimitedrepertoireofactivitiesthathecouldthinkupforindoorworkouts,especiallyoncebasketballseasonwasover.

CoachHerroldwasabigmanwithsilverhairandamilitarybearing.Buffyhadheardrumorsthathe’dservedasadrillsergeantforyears,finallygettingoutandbecomingahighschoolcoachbecauseitwastheonlyotherplacewherehecouldcommandblindobedience.

“Allright,it’sraining,”hesaid,marchingupandbackbetweenthetwoassembledranksofP.E.students,resplendentinSunnydaleburgundyandgold.Hecarriedaredrubberballunderhisarm;othershadalreadybeenhandedout.“Allregulargymclasseshavebeenpostponed.Soyouknowwhatthatmeans...dodgeball.”Heheldhisballupinonebigfist,asiftodemonstratetoanyonewhohadn’tcaughtonyetwhatadodgeballlookedlike.“Now,forthoseofyouwhomayhaveforgotten,therulesareasfollows:youdodge.”

HetossedhisballtoBuffy,steppedoutofthecenter,andblewhiseverpresentwhistle.Thetwosidesbackedawayfromeachother,towardoppositewalls,studentsalreadyeyeingtheirintendedtargets.

CoachHerroldblewthewhistleagainandrubberflew.

“Onedown,”someonesaidasthefirstkidwastaggedbyoneoftheredballs.Morewentdownquickly,steppingasidetothebench.Tosurviveindodgeball,youhadtobelightonyourfeet,withthereflexestoavoidtheflyingballs,yetstillfastenoughtograbanythatcameyourwaysoyoucouldknockoutmembersoftheopposingteam.BuffyandWillowhadbothstartedwithballs,butthatonlygavethemostmomentaryofadvantages.

BuffyhadthedistinctsensethatshewasbeingparticularlytargetedbyRhondaKelley,butthatwashardtoknowforsureinagamewhereeveryonewas,bydefinition,atarget.Somepeoplethrewtheballharderthanothers,though,andBuffydodgedacoupleofwell-aimedburnersthatcameuncomfortablyclose.ThenshecaughtaglimpseofXanderwindingupforapowerfulthrow.Beforesheevenhadachancetowonderwhohewastargeting,shesaw—Willowhadjustthrownagoodone,followedthroughonherthrow,andherbackwasmostlytoXander.Hisballslammedintohershoulder,hard.

ThelookWillowtossedhiswayassheslunktowardthebenchalmostbroke

Buffy’sheart.Whatisupwithhim?shewonderedagain.

ButBuffydidn’thavetimetodwellonit.Herlastteammatewasknockedout,andsherealizeditwasjustshefacingdownsixopponents.

Andnotjustanysix.

Xander,Kyle,Rhonda,Tor,Heidi,andLance.BuffyflashedbackontheBronze,lastnight,andthezootripbeforethat.Thisistooweird,shethought.Shefacedthemforamoment,butthen,almostasone,theyturnedawayfromher.LookedatLanceLincoln.Heldthelook.

Lancereturnedit,verynervous.

Kylethrewthefirstball.Hard,atcloserange.Lancewentdownonthewoodengymfloor.Kylescoopedupanotherball,slammedLanceagain.Thentheywereallthrowingballs,poundingLanceintothefloorliketheywantedtonailhimtoit.

Buffyran,acrossno-man’slandandintothemiddleofitall.ShetookLance’shand,hoistedhimtohisfeetandawayfromthepunishingballs.Acoupleofballsbouncedharmlesslynow,butnoonewasthrowinganymore.TheywerejustlookingatBuffysilently.ShecaughtXander’sgaze,staredintohiseyesasifhopingtoseesomethingthere.SomeglimmeroftheXandershehadknown.

Buttherewasnothing.Hewasastranger.Heturnedaway,andhisnewfriendsfollowed.

Gameover.Asatisfactoryclasssession,atleasttooneperson.“God,thisgameisbrutal,”CoachHerroldsaidastheyfiledout.“Iloveit.”

*

WillowwaitedoutsidethegymforXander.Sheleanedagainstabankoflockers,andwhenhecameouthewasaccompaniedbyKyle,Tor,Heidi,andRhonda.Theywerealldressedindark,blacksandbrowns,almostlikeauniform.

“Xander,”shesaid,steppingtowardhim.“What’swrongwithyou?”

Withaglancebacktowardhisfriends,hemovedawayfromthem.HetookWillow’selbowanddrewhertooneside.“Iguessyou’venoticedthatI’vebeen

Willow’selbowanddrewhertooneside.“Iguessyou’venoticedthatI’vebeendifferentaroundyou,lately,”hesaid,hisvoicelowandintimate.

“Yes.”

“Ithink,um...”hepaused,asifsearchingfortherightwords.“Ithinkit’sbecausemyfeelingsforyouhavebeenchanging.”

Herheartskippedabeat.Dependingonhowhemeantthat...

“Well,we’vebeenfriendsforsuchalongtime,”hewenton,“thatIfeellikeIneedtotellyousomething.”Willow’sheartsoared.IsthisgoingtobewhatI’vealwayswantedtohearfromXander?IwantyoutogooutwithmeonFridaynight,hemightsay.Iwantyoutomarryme.Doyoulikebigfamilies?Shewaited,expectant,hopeswellinginher.

Xandercontinued,histoneserious.“I’ve...I’vedecidedtodropgeometry.So...Iwon’tbeneedingyourmathhelpanymore.”

Willowcouldfeelherhopecollapsing,herfacefalling.Shestruggledtoholdittogether.“Whichmeans,”Xandersaid,raisinghisvoicesohisfriendscouldhear,“Iwon’thavetolookatyourpastyfaceagain.”

Hestartedtolaughthen,andtheothersjoinedin.Thegroupofthemsoundedsicktoher,laughingsohardatsuchameanjoke.Willow’sheartsank.Hereyesfillingwithtears,sheturnedandwalkedaway,barelyregisteringthesightofherbestfriendBuffystandingatherlocker.Asshehurrieddownthecorridorthesoundoftheirlaughterranginherears,likechurchbellssummoningmournersforafuneral.

Buffyslammedherlocker.I’mwillingtoexcuseXanderalot,shethought,forWill’ssake.Butthisistoomuch.Shestormeduptohim,lookedhimintheeye.

“Yougonnasaysomethingtome?”sheasked.

Hejuststartedlaughingagain,thehigh-pitched,maniclaughthatheandhisnewfoundchumsseemedtoshare.Theyallcrackedup,andXanderjoinedthem.Theydisappeareddownthehall,onlytheirwickedlaughterlingeringbehindthem.

Itwasanewsensation,strollingthecampuslikeyouownedit.Likeyouwerethebigdogs,andallthepuppiesgotoutofyourway.Xanderlikedthewayit

thebigdogs,andallthepuppiesgotoutofyourway.Xanderlikedthewayitfelt.Hefeltpowerful.Hecouldn’tremembereverhavingbeenquitesoalive.Sensessharp,muscleshoned,mindalert.Andhisfriendshadhisback;KyleandRhonda,Tor,Heidi.He’dstartedthinkingofthemasapack,animalsonthehunt.

I’mnotsurewhatwe’rehunting,hethought.ButI’llknowitwhenIfindit.Hewasconfidentofthat.

Hestopped,andtheystoppedwithhim.Asone.Eachresponsivetotheothers’slightestsignals.

Xandersniffedtheair.Pickedupascent.

“Dogs,”hesaid.

“Where?”Kyleasked.Xandernoddedhishead,andthenledthewayagain,towardthecampuspicnictables.

Atonetable,threeguyswereeatinghotdogsandtalkingmusic.Xanderknewoneofthem,Adamsomebody.Hewasn’timportantenoughtohavealastname.Hewasn’toneofthepack.

“You’reoutofyourmind,”Adamwassayingastheyapproached.“That’snowaytoplayleadguitar.That’sjusthunt’n’peck.”

Xanderstoppednexttothetable,andhisfriendsfannedoutaroundit.Adamsawthem.“Hey,Xander,”hesaid.“You’veseenWretchedRefuse.Whatdoyouthinkoftheguywhoplayslead?”

Thequestionwastooinanetodeserveananswer.Xanderignoredhim,andwatchedasHeidiandTorleanedoverthetable,snatchinghotdogs—nobun,justthemeat—fromtwooftheguys’plates.

“Hey,”Adamprotested.“Hey,whatareyouguys—”Rhondacuthimoff.“Shutup.”

“You’resharing,”Kylesaid,voicelikeice.

“Friendsliketoshare,”Xanderadded.

HeidiandTortookbigbitesoftheir“shared”dogs.

HeidiandTortookbigbitesoftheir“shared”dogs.

“Good?”Xanderasked.

“It’stoowelldone,”Torsaid,tossinghisdogbackontoAdam’stray.Heidithrewhersdownaswell.

“Hey,”Adamsaid.Hesoundedoffended,asiftherewassomereasonforhisexistenceotherthantoprovideforXanderandhisfriends.“Thatisnotcool.”

ButXanderhadalreadycaughtanotherscentontheair.Hisheadsnappedaround,andhestartedawayfromAdamandhislunchcompanionsliketheyweren’teventhere.Theothersfollowed,Kylesteppingupandoverthepicnictableandscatteringlunchtraysashewent.

Xanderledthemintotheschoolbuilding,followinghisnose.Thescentgrewstrongerastheystalkedthehalls,headeddirectlytowardtheirprey.Somethingweak,somethingthatcouldbebroughtdownbythepack.

Orrather,thePack,Xanderthought,suddenlyrealizingthatitshouldbecapitalized.

Thescentdrewthemtoaclassroom.Xanderopenedthedoor,andtheywalkedin.Therewasnooneinside,justacage.Andinthecage,asmallpinkpiglet.Succulent,juicy,tempting.Xanderkneltbesidethecage,lookedatthelittlepig.

“Let’sdolunch,”hesaid.

CHAPTER3Hecouldfeeleverything,everysensation.Thesunonhischeek.Theslightestbreezeflickinghishair.Thesidewalkbeneaththeballsofhisfeet.Hecouldsmellperfumeonagirlallthewayacrossthequad.Hecouldhearwhisperedconversationsablockaway.

Buttherewasnoreasonto.Noneofthosepeoplemeantanythingtohim.Noneofthemmattered.OnlythePackmattered.

Theyroamedthecampuslikeitwastheirbirthright.Xanderreveledinthesidelongglances,thelooksofoutrightfearfromthosetheypassed.Hewasanobjectofterror,hethought,andittastedsweet.Atonepoint,theyconvergedonLance,whocringedandduckedoutoftheirway.Theylethimgo...hewasbeneathrealnotice.

Finally,somethinginterestingcaughthisattention.Theysatonalowwallonthesecondfloor.Theirbacksweretohim,butthatdidn’tmatter.Ifhehadn’trecognizedthem,hestillwouldhaveknowntheirvoices,theirsmells.BuffyandWillow.Helistened.

“I’veknownhimmywholelife,Buffy.Wehaven’talwaysbeenclose,but...he’snever...”Willow’svoicecaught.SheturnedtofaceBuffy,tearsrimminghereyes.

“Ithinksomething’swrongwithhim,”Buffysaid.

“Ormaybethere’ssomethingwrongwithme,”Willowcountered.

“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”

“Comeon,”Willowsaid.“He’snotpickingonyou.He’sjustsniffingyoualot.Idon’tknow,somaybethreeisn’tcompanyanymore.”

“Youthinkthishassomethingtodowithme?”Buffyasked.Knowingtherewasonlyonethingthatcouldmean.She’dknownXanderhadhadacrushonherpracticallysinceherfirstdayinSunnydale.Butthatdidn’tmakesense—he’dhavetoknowthatbeingmeantoWillowwouldn’tgethimanywherewithher.

havetoknowthatbeingmeantoWillowwouldn’tgethimanywherewithher.

“Ofcourse.”

Buffyshookherhead.“No,”shesaidfirmly.“Thatstilldoesn’texplainwhyhe’shangingoutwiththedodepatrol.”Shesliddownfromthewall.“Something’sgoingon.Somethingweird.”ShestartedpastWillow.

Herfriendturnedtowatchhergo.“Whatareyougoingtodo?”

BuffyturnedtofaceWillowoncemore.“Gonnatalktotheexpertonweird.”

ThatexpertcouldonlybeGiles,whoshefoundinhisusualhaunt,theschoollibrary.

He’dbeencataloguing,shefigured,becausehewascarryingaclipboardandoneofthoselittlecardsfromthecardcataloguewithhimashemovedfromplacetoplace.

Whilehewascataloguing—shedidn’tknowifthatwastherightverb,butguesseditwoulddo—shewastalkingandfollowinghimaround.Andfindinghimsomewhatlessthansympathetic.

“Xander’stakentoteasingthelessfortunate?”

“Uh-huh,”Buffysaid.

“There’sbeenanoticeablechangeinbothclothinganddemeanor?”

“Yes.”

“Andspendsallhissparetimeloungingaboutwithimbeciles?”Gilesopenedacardcataloguedrawer,lookedintoitasifhe’dlostsomethingthere.

“It’sbad,isn’tit?”

“It’sdevastating,”Gilesagreed.“He’sturnedintoasixteen-year-oldboy.”Gilesshutthedraweragain.“Ofcourse,you’llhavetokillhim.”

“Giles,I’mserious,”Buffysaid.

Gilescrossedtheroomtoanothercabinet.“SoamI,exceptforthepartaboutkillinghim.”HelookedatBuffyandstopped,asifrealizingthatheowedhera

killinghim.”HelookedatBuffyandstopped,asifrealizingthatheowedheramoredetailedexplanation.“Testosteroneisthegreatequalizer;itturnsallmenintomorons,”hesaid.“Hewill,however,getoverit.”

“Ican’tbelievethatyou,ofallpeople,aretryingtoScullyme,”Buffyargued.“There’ssomethingsupernaturalatwork.”Shegrabbedsomebooksfromontopofthecabinet,shovedthemtowardGiles.“Getyourbooks!Lookstuffup!”

Gilestookthebooksfromherhand,replacedthemintheirproperspot.“Lookunderwhat?”

“Idon’tknow,”Buffymoaned.“That’syourdepartment.”

“Theevidenceyou’vepresentedmewithissketchyatbest,”Gilessaid.Buffycouldfeeltheargumentbeinglost.

“Hescaredthepig!”sheinsisted,withasuddenflailinggesture.

Gilesgaveheraget-reallook.

“Well,hedid.”

“Buffy,boyscanbecruel.”Lecturing,now.“Theytease,theypreyontheweak.It’sanaturalteenbehaviorpattern.”

“Whatdidyoujustsay?”

“Uh,what?”Gilesstammered.“Um,theytease—”

Buffyinterruptedhim.“Theypreyontheweak.Iheardthatsomewhere.”Thensherememberedwhere.Thatzookeeper.“Xanderhasbeenactingtotallywiggysincewewenttothezoo.HimandKyleandallthoseguyswentintothehyenacage...OhGod,thatlaugh—”

“AreyousayingXander’sbecomingahyena?”Gilesasked.Hedidn’tseemtogivehertheorymuchcredence,consideringsomeofthethingstheyhadbeenthroughtogether.

“Idon’tknow,”Buffysaid.“Orbeenpossessedbyone.NotjustXander,allofthem.”

Gilesshookhishead,tuggingonhisear.Hestillisn’tbuyingit,Buffyknew.“Well,I’vecertainlyneverheardof—”

ThenWillowchargedintothelibrary,clearlyupset.Nowwhat’sXanderdone?Buffyfoundherselfwondering.

“Herbert,”Willowexclaimed.“Theyfoundhim!”

“Thepig?”Buffyasked.

“Dead,”Willowreplied.“Andalso,eaten!PrincipalFlutie’sfreakingout.”

BuffylookedatGiles.“Testosterone,huh?”

Heavoidedherglanceandheadedforthestacks.

“Whatareyougonnado?”Willowaskedhim.

“Getmybooks,”heanswered.“Lookstuffup.”

Mr.Flutiefoundthemloungingonapicnictable.DuFours,Kelley,Hauer,andBarrie.Hekneweachofthemwell,onapersonalbasis.Hewasveryfamiliarwiththeirpermanentrecords.Thesewerethekindofkidseveryprincipalhadnightmaresabout,theoneswhoonlycametoschoolbecausetheyhadtoandlivedtomaketroublefortheadministration.Theyweren’tstupid,buttheywereaggressivelyunteachable.Youcouldn’tmotivatethembecausetheyonlyunderstoodpowerandmoney,andahighschoolprincipaldidn’thaveenoughofeither.

“Youfour!”heshouted.

KyleDuFourslookeduplazily.“What?”

Hewastooangrytobeataroundthebush.“Oh,don’tthinkIdon’tknow,”hesaid.“ThreekidssawyououtsideHerbert’sroom.You’rebusted.Yeah.You’regoingdown.”

“HowisHerbert?”RhondaKelleyasked.

“Crunchy,”HeidiBarrieresponded.Theothersbrokeintocacklinglaughter.

Norespectatall.Hecouldn’ttakeanymore.“That’sit.Myoffice,rightnow.”

Norespectatall.Hecouldn’ttakeanymore.“That’sit.Myoffice,rightnow.”

Theyjustsatthere,lookingathim.Thelaughterhadfaded,buthecouldfeelthechillinessoftheirstares.“Now!”hedemanded.

Kylegotupfirst,andtheothersfollowedhislead.Mr.Flutiemarchedthemaheadofhimself,towardthebuilding.“You’regonnahavesomuchdetention,”hethreatened,“yourgrandchildren’llbestayingafterschool.”

*

HangingoutinthelibraryhashadonepositiveeffectonBuffy,Willowthought.Ithadtaughtherhowtodoresearch,whenitneededtobedone.Likenow.Willowlovedresearch,butgettingBuffytogetherwithabookwassometimesachallenge,andothertimeswasnotevenintherealmofpossibility.

Buffysatonthestepsleadinguptothestacks,ahugefolioacrossherlap.Willowsatatatable,readingoneofherown.ShelookedupwhenBuffyspoke.“Wow,”Buffysaid.“ApparentlyNoahrejectedhyenasfromtheArkbecausehethoughttheywereanevil,impuremixtureofdogsandcats.”

“Hyenasaren’twell-liked,”Willowagreed.

“Theydoseemtobetheshmoesoftheanimalkingdom,”Buffysaid,bringingthebookdowntoshowWillowapicture.

“Whycouldn’tXanderbepossessedbyapuppy?”Willowasked.“Orsomeducks?”

“That’sassuming‘possession’istherightword,”Buffysaid.

“Oh,I’dsayitis,”Gilesoffered.Heemergedfromanotherpartofthelibrary,yetanotherbookinhishands.“TheMasaioftheSerengetihavespokenofanimalpossessionforgenerations.Ishouldhaverememberedthat.”

“Sohowdoesitwork?”Buffyasked.

“Well,”heexplained,“apparentlythere’sasectofanimalworshippers,knownasPrimals.Theybelievethathumanity—consciousness,thesoul—isaperversion,adilutionofspirit.Tothem,theanimalstateisholy.They’reable,throughtranspossession,todrawthespiritofcertainanimalsintothemselves.”

throughtranspossession,todrawthespiritofcertainanimalsintothemselves.”

“Andthentheystartactinglikehyenas.”

“OnlythemostpredatoryanimalswereofinteresttoPrimals,”Gilessaid.“Soyes,thatwouldfit.”

“Sowhathappenstothepersononcethespiritisinthem?”Buffyasked.

“Ifitgoesunchecked?”Gilessaid.Insteadofanswering,hehandedBuffythemassivevolumehecarried.

Shelookedatthepageheshowedher,horrorcreepingoverherfaceasshedid.Sheslammedthebookshut,putitdownonthetablenexttoWillow,andheadedforthedoor.“IgottafindXander,”shesaid.

Willowreachedforthebook,tuggedittoherself,flippeditopentothepageGileshadshownBuffy.Anoldengravingonthepageseemedtoshowafeastofsomekind.Butthemaincoursedidn’tlooktoWillowlikehyenachow,orevenrawpiglet.Itwashumans—missingarms,legs,evenheads,alldepictedingraphicandgorydetail.Ewww,shethought.IhopeCavalryBuffy’snottoolatetosavetheday.

Buffyfoundtheclassroomtowhichshe’ddeliveredHerbertbefore.Thedoorwasopen.Inside,thecageMr.FlutiehadboughtforHerbertwasbentandtwistedapart;theheavywirelookedasifanimalshadbeenatit.Inaway...

Theyarestrong,shesaidtoherself,movingaroundthewreckage.Thefloor,sherealized,waslitteredwithstrawfromthecage—andsomethingelse.Shebentover,pickedoneup.Itwasalmosteightincheslong,alittlebiggeraroundthanherfinger.Brokenattheend,asifsomethinghadsnappedit—orbitit,maybeinsearchofmarrow.

“Pigbones,”shesaid.

Sheputitbackinthemessonthefloorandstoodtoleave.Therewasnothingmoretolearnhere.Sheturned...

Andtherehewas,rightbehindher.Hisfaceheldamaliciousgrin.

“Xander.”

Hedidn’tspeak,justtookastepclosertoher.Shesidestepped,togoaroundhim,buthemovedtoblockher.Obviouslyhewasn’tgoingtojustletherpass,soshetriedanotherapproach.

“Thisisridiculous,”shesaid.“Weneedtotalk—”Onlyinsteadoftalking,sheleaptathim,handsathisshoulders,drivinghimbackward.Hewentdown,andshelandedonhischest,drivinghimintothefloor.

Hejustlaughed.“I’vebeenwaitingforyoutojumpmybones,”hesaid.

ThefourperpsstoodinMr.Flutie’soffice,andhepacedbeforethem,infrontofhisdesk.“Ihaveseensomesickthingsinmylife,believeme,butthisisbeyondthepale,”hesputtered.HewasstillenragedbytheviciousattackonHerbert.“Whatisitwithyoupeople?Isitdrugs?Howcouldyou—apoordefenselesspig...”

Thenherealized,withsometrepidation,thattheyweregettingcloser,andhecertainlywasn’tmovingtowardthem.Studentsshouldbekeptatarm’slength,hebelieved.Andlongarms,atthat.Butthesefourwereapproachinghim—encirclinghim.Andtheyhadstartedtomakestrange,almostsubvocalnoises—meaningless,animalsounds.

Hefoughttokeephisnervesundercontrol,hisvoicefrombetrayinghisfear.“Whatareyoudoing?”hedemandedastheysurroundedhim.

Xandergrowledananimalisticsnarlandheaved,catchingBuffybysurprisewithastrengthshedidn’tknowhehad.Hebuckedheroffofhimandspunherover,sothatshewasonherback,lookingupintohisface.Hepinnedherwriststothetiledfloor.

“Getoffofme!”

“Isthatwhatyoureallywant?”heasked.Shetriedtohurlhimoff,buthewasstrong—evenforher,theSlayer.PrettymuchconfirmsGiles’stheory,shethought.Shegaveanextrapush,testingherself,really,toseeifshewasholdingbackbecausehewasXander,afriend.Ahyena-possessedfriend,maybe,butafriendjustthesame.“Webothknowwhatyoureallywant,”hewenton.“Youwantdanger,don’tyou?Youlikeyourmendangerous.”

“You’reintrouble,Xander,”Buffytried.“Youareinfectedwithsomehyenathing.It’slikeademonicpossession—”

thing.It’slikeademonicpossession—”

Xanderignoredher,cuttingheroffasifshehadn’tevenspoken.“Dangerousandmean,right?LikeAngel,yourmysteryguy.Well,guesswhojustgotmean?”

Whentheyactuallytouchedhim,Mr.Flutielosthiscool.“Now,stopthat!”heshouted.“You’reonlygonnamakethingsworseforyourselves.”

Hemovedawayfromthem,behindhisdesk.Rhondafollowedhimbackthere,butatleastkeptherdistance.KyleandHeidifilledinthespaceontheotherside,sohewastrappedbehindthedesk.Panicwasbuildinginhim,buthewasstillinchargeofthesituation,heknew.Hewasstilltheauthorityfigure.Heheldthetrumpcard,anditwastimetoplayit.

“Okay,I’lltellyouhowthisisgoingtowork,”hesaid,straighteningouthisdarksportscoat,tryingtolookcasual.“I’mgoingtocallyourparentsandtheyaregoingtotakeyouallhome.”

Hereachedforthephone,butTorwastherefirst,pressingthereceiverdownagainstthecradle.Afteramoment,though,hehandedthereceivertoMr.Flutie.

“Thankyou,”Mr.Flutiesaid.

Trumpcard.Whenallelsefails,callthe—

Rhondaswattedthetelephonefromhishandandtheunitcrashedagainstthewall.

“Sorry,”Rhondasaid.

“Thatisit!”Mr.Flutieyelled.HespunawayfromRhondatogoaroundthedeskandleavetheoffice.Authoritywasonething,butthesekidswerebeyondanythinghecoulddo.He’dbeenuncomfortablefromthestart,butthathadescalatedquicklyintofearandwasnowjustahair’sbreadthfromabjectterror.AquickcalltotheSunnydaleP.D.,though,andthey’dbesomeoneelse’sproblem.

ButKyleandHeidiwerestillonthatsideofthedesk.AshenearedKyle,theboyleanedforwardandunleashedahideousroar,soundingmorelikeawildbeastthanahighschoolstudent.Mr.Flutie,startled,fellbackintohisswiveling

beastthanahighschoolstudent.Mr.Flutie,startled,fellbackintohisswivelingdeskchair.

“DoyouknowhowlongI’vewaited?”Xanderasked.“Untilyou’dstoppretendingthatwearen’tattracted—”Ashespoke,hereleasedonewrist,caressedherblondhairgentlywithhishand.Thewayaloverwould.

Buffytookfulladvantageofhisdistraction.Withthehelpofherfreehand,shewasabletothrowhimoffherandscrambletoherfeet.Hestood,andcametowardheragain,barelyevenbreakingstrideinhissentence.

“UntilWillowstopskiddingherselfthatIcouldsettlewithanyonebutyou—”

“Idon’twannahurtyou,Xander,”Buffysaid,backingawayfromhisrelentlessadvance.

Butitwasbluff,andsheknewit.Shecouldn’tbringherselftoreallyhurtXander.Shejusthopedhewouldn’trealizethat.

Hedidn’t.Helunged,slammingherbackwardintoavendingmachine.Someone’slong-lostchangeclinkeddownintothecoinreturn.

“Nowdoyouwannahurtme?”Xanderasked.“C’mon,Slayer—Ilikeitwhenyou’rescared.”Shestruggledagainsthimbutheheldhertight,sniffingtheairaroundher.“ThemoreIscareyou,thebetteryousmell.”

ThenXanderstoppedtalking,forcedhisheadinbetweenBuffy’sjawandshoulders,andbegantosavagelykissherneck.

RhondaandHeidiweretouchinghim,fingersrunningacrosshisarms,hisneck,hisshoulders.Touchingbetweenprincipalsandstudentswasamajorbadthing,inMr.Flutie’spersonalrulebook.I’mnotsurethisexactsituationiscoveredintheEducationDepartment’sguidelines,hethought.Butinconcept...

“You’reaboutthisclosetoexpulsion,people.”Herose,tryingoncemoretoforcehiswaythroughthefourgruntingproblemcases.“ButI’mwillingtotalktotheschoolcounselor,andwecandiscussoptions—”

Heidishovedhimbackintohischair.AndthenTorleaptuptothesurfaceofhisdeskandsquattedthere,snarling,lookingforalltheworldlikeajunglecreaturereadytospring.

“Getdownfromtherethisinstant!”Mr.Flutiecommanded,puttingeveryreservehehadintonotfallingtothegroundandbeggingformercy.He’dtaughtschoolandhadbeenaprincipal,foryears,buthe’dneverbeensoscared.

Rhondaclosedinontheothersideofhim,fingerssplayedfarapart.Sherakedhernailsacrosshischeek.Hefeltthemcuttingintohisflesh.

“Oh!”hecalledout.Hetouchedthetornskinanddrewhishandaway,seeinghisownbloodonhispalm.“Areyouinsane?”

Thestudents’gruntsandgroansintensifiedastheyclosedin,asifdrawnbythescentoffreshlyspilledblood,orthesightofMr.Flutiefinallygivingintohisterror.Theseweren’tjusttroubledyouth,theyweresomethingmorethanthat.Somethingmuch,muchworse,hethought.

AndthenTorattacked,springingfromthedesklikeacat,snarlingandvicious.HedroveMr.Flutiebackintohischair,andbeforeheknewit,theotherswereonhimaswell,andtheywerelaughinghysterically,laughingandclawingandtearing,andthelastthingheknewbeforehelostconsciousnesswasthathehadbeenwrong.Hehadalwayscontendedthattherewerenobadkids,onlytroubledones.Butthat’swhatthesekidswere,justplainbad,andtherewouldbenoreasoningwiththem,nodetentionorexpulsionthatwouldstraightenthemout.Itdidn’treallymattertohimanymorebecause,iftheywereevergoingtobecomeproductivemembersofsociety,hewouldn’tbearoundtoseeit.

CHAPTER4Schoolhadlongsinceletout,anddarknesshaddescendedonSunnydale.Willowsataloneintheshadowedlibrary,atoneofthecomputerworkstationsGileshadreluctantlyagreedtoallowinhissanctuary.Onthescreenbeforeherwasvideofootageofapackofhyenas.Theywereterrifyingtowatchastheysavagelytoreattheirprey,awildebeesttheyhadbroughtdown.Shehadalwaysthoughtofhyenasasscavengers,butitturnedouttheywerefiercepredators,huntinginpacksandgoingaftertheweak,theinfirm—easytargets,inotherwords.

Notbraveanimals,necessarily.Butdeadlyones.Andnotthecutejokesterstheyhadbeenmadeouttobeinthecartoons.

ThedooropenedandBuffyentered,draggingaheavyloadbehindher.“Hurryup!”shecalledtoWillow.“We’vegottalockhimupsomehow,beforehecomesto.”

Notjustanyheavyload,Willowrealized.“Omigod,Xander—whathappened?”

“Ihithim,”Buffyanswered.

Therewasalockingbookcageinthelibrary,forrarerbooksandmanuscriptsandsomeofGiles’socculttomesthathedidn’twanttofallintothehandsofthewrongpeople—like,anyonebuthimselfandmaybetheSlayerettes.Buffyheadedforthecage,Willowalongside,lookingforsignsofdamageonXander.Onlythetiniestpartofherwasvengefulenoughtohopetherewasatleastagood-sizedbruiseorbump.Hewasoutcold,butshecouldn’tseeanysignsofimpact.

“Withwhat?”sheasked,openingthecagedoor.

“Adesk,”Buffyreplied,haulinghimintothecage.“Hetriedhishandatfelonysexualassault.”

“Oh,Buffy,”Willowsaid,horrified.“Thehyenainhimdidn’t—”

“No.No,butit’ssafetosaythatinhisanimalstate,hisideaofwooing

“No.No,butit’ssafetosaythatinhisanimalstate,hisideaofwooingsomebodydoesn’tincludeaYanniCDandabottleofChianti.”Buffycameoutofthecage,closedthedoorbehindher,turnedthekey.Shejingledthekeysinherhandasshecrossedtoadesk.“There,thatoughtaholdhim.Where’sGiles?”

“Hegotacalltosometeacher’smeeting,”Willowtoldher.Buffytookabigswallowfromabottleofwater.Beatingupyourfriendsmustbethirstywork,Willowguessed.“Whatarewegoingtodo?”sheasked.“Imean,howdowegetXanderback?”

Thatdidn’tseemhighonBuffy’slistofconcerns.“Rightnow,”shesaid,“I’mworriedaboutwhattherestofthepackareupto.”

Gileswalkedinjustthen.“TherestofthepackwerespottedoutsideHerbertthemascot’scage.Theyweresenttotheprincipal’soffice.”

“Good.That’llshow’em,”Willowsaid.ThelookonGiles’sfacewasn’treassuring.“Diditshow’em?”

“Theydidn’thurthim,didthey?”Buffyasked.

“They,uh,atehim.”

Willowsankintoachair.

“TheyatePrincipalFlutie?”Buffysaid.

“Atehimup?”Willowadded.

“Theofficialtheoryisthatwilddogsgotintohisofficesomehow,”Gilessaid.“Therewasnooneatthescene.”

Willowfoundthebrightspot—Atinyone,butbrightjustthesame,shethought.Hoped.“ButXanderdidn’t—hewaswithyou,”shesaidtoBuffy.

“Oh,”Gilessaid,seeingtheunconsciousboyinthecageforthefirsttime.“Well,that’sasmallmercy.”

“Giles,howdowestopthis?”Buffyasked.“Howdoyoutranspossesssomeone?”Buffy,asusual,waslookingforsolutionswhileeveryoneelsewasstillfocusedontheproblem.ItwasoneofthethingsWillowlovedaboutherfriend,theSlayer.

friend,theSlayer.

“I’mafraidIstilldon’thaveallthepieces,”Gilesreplied.“AccountsofthePrimalsandtheirmethodsareabitthinontheground.Thereissometalkofapredatoryact,buttheexactritualis...”Heshookhishead,andpickeduponeofhismassivebooks.Heflippedtoacertainpage,andcontinued.“The‘MalleusMaleficarum’dealswiththeparticularsofdemonicpossession,whichmayapply.”

Heputthebookdownonthetable,flippingafewmorepages.“Yes,oneshouldbeabletotransferthespiritstoanotherhuman—”

“Oh,thanks,great,”Buffyinterrupted.“Anyvolunteers?”

“Oh,”hesaid,hisvoicesmall.“Goodpoint.”

Buffywenton.“Whatweneedtodoisputthehyenabackinthehyena.”

“But,untilweknowmore—”Gilesbegan.

Buffywasontosomething,anidea,andWillowgotalittlethrillfromwatchingherdogitstrail.“Betchathatzookeepercanhelpus.Maybehedidn’tquarantinethosehyenas’causetheyweresick.”

Gilesseemedtocatchon.“Weshouldtalktohim.”

Propelledbyherownenthusiasm,Buffystartedforthedoor,thenstoppedagain.“Oh,wait,”shesaid.“Somebody’sgottawatchXander.”

Willowstood.“Iwill.”

“Areyousure?”Buffyasked.“Ifhewakesup—”

“I’llbeallright.Go.”Willow’svoicewasfirm.Sheheldherhandout,andBuffyputthecagekeysinit.

“Comeon,”shesaidtoGiles.Theyleft,andWillowwasaloneagain,inthedarklibrary.

ExceptforXander,stilloutcoldinthecage.Shetuckedthekeysintothepocketofherskirt.

Jessamynwalkedthroughtheparkalmosteverynight.TheSouthernCaliforniaclimateletherdothat,notlikewhereshe’dmovedfrom,inMichigan,wherethewinterswerelongandkeptherinsidemostofthetime.Here,theeveningwascoolbutrefreshing,andshelikedthewalk,thefeelofthegrassunderhertennies,thebounceofthebabyinhisbackpack,movingandbreathingandsometimesgurglingagainstherback.Thesewalkshadhelpedherkeephersanity,staycenteredafterhavinghim,andshethoughthelikedthemtoo.

Buttonight’swasdifferent.

Therewerebuildings,notahundredfeetaway.Peopleinthem,havingdinner,watchingTV,reading,bathingtheirkids.

Here,beneathshadowscastbymoonlightonthebushes,fouryoungpeoplesleptonthegrass,huddledagainsteachother.Theylookedlikepuppiesinabox.

Only,notsocute.

She’dgivethemawideberth.Theylooklikehighschoolkids,Jessamynthought.But,strangeones.

Suddenly,eyesflashedsilverinthemoonlight.

Theywereawake.

Moving,theirmusclesfluid,likeliquidbeneaththeirskin.

Andevenworse,growling,lowthroatysoundsundertheirbreath.

Lookingather.

And,sherealized,lookingatthebaby.

Twoboys,twogirls.Shewasn’tsurewhichlookedmeaner.

Forgetthewideberth.Shebackedaway,backtowardthebuildings,towardthedirectionfromwhichshe’dcome,untilshefeltshe’dputsomedistancebetweenthem,andthensheturnedandran.

Afraidtheywerecomingafterher,paddingsilentlylikewolves,sheriskedaglanceoverhershoulder.

glanceoverhershoulder.

Buttheyweren’tthere.Theyweresettlingin,asiftheirnaphadbeeninterruptedbuttheyweregoingbacktoit.Alreadylosinginterestinher.

Shehadlikedthesewalks,throughthepark.

Sheknewsheneverwouldagain.

“Willow.”

ItwasXander’svoice,fromthecage.Willowpausedthehyenavideo.Which,sheadmittedtoherself,ismorbidlyfascinating.Ifyucky.

Sheturnedtofacehim.“Howareyoufeeling?”

Hetossedherawrygrin.“Likesomebodyhitmewithadesk.”Helookedaroundthecage,registeringwherehewasforthefirsttime.“WhatamIdoinghere?”

Awkwardquestion.“You’re...resting.”Awkwardanswer,too.Shewalkedtowardthecage.

Xanderrose,hookingthecagescreenwithhisfingers.“Youguysgotmelockedupnow?”

“’Causeyou’resick.Buffysaid—”

“Oh,yeah,”Xandersaid,disgusted.“Buffyhadherall-purposesolution:punch’emoutandknock’emdown.I’dlovetoseewhatshe’ddotosomebodywhowasreallysick.”

“That’snotfair,”Willowargued.“Buffy’ssavedbothourlives.”

“Beforesheshowedup,ourlivesdidn’tneedthatmuchsaving,didthey?”Xandersaid.Hehadapoint,shehadtoadmit.Shecouldn’trememberatimeherlifehadbeeninimmediateperilofbeingsnuffedout,beforeBuffy.Sincethen,therehadbeenseveraloccasions.“Weren’tthingsalotsimplerwhenitwasjustyouandme?”

“Maybe...”Butthenagain,therehadalwaysbeenstrangedeathsand

unexplaineddisappearancesinSunnydale.Thetownwasonahellmouth,afterall.Buffyshowinguphadn’tmadeitworse.WillowandXanderhadjustbecomeinvolvedalittlemorepersonally—Butbychoice,sheremindedherself.WevolunteeredforScoobyduty.It’snotlikeshedraftedus.

“Whenwewerealonetogether,”hewenton.Shelikedthesoundofthat—hopedshedidn’tlikeittoomuch.“Willow,”hesighed,“Iknowthere’ssomethingwrongwithme.Ithinkit’sgettingworse.Ican’tjuststandaroundwaitingforBuffytodecideit’stimetopunchmeoutagain.Iwantyoutohelpme.Iwantyou.”

Shereallylikedthesoundofthat.“Iamhelpingyou.”

“You’redoingwhatyou’retold.”

“Buffy’stryingtohelpyoutoo,youknowthat,”Willowcountered.“Or,Xanderdoes.”

“Yeah,Buffy’ssoselfless,alwaysthinkingofus.Well,ifI’msodangerous,howcomesheleftyoualonewithme?”Xander’svoicewaslowandwarm—almostasifthecagebetweenthemwasfadingaway,andtheyweretheonlytwopeopleintheworld.

Whichwasprettyclosetowhatshe’dalwayswanted.

Tooclose...

“Itoldherto.”

“Why?”Xanderasked.

“BecauseIknowyoubetterthanshedoes,”Willowanswered.“AndIwantedtobeheretoseeifyouwerestillyou.”

“YouknowIam.Lookatme.”Shedid,andshesawXander.Theboyshe’dknownmostofherlife.Theboyshehadalwaysharboreddreamsofbeingwith.Ofdating,marrying,growingoldwith.“Look,”hesaidagain.

Shemovedclosertothecage,wantingtotouchhim,smoothhishair,kisshischeekwhereitwasredfrombeinghit.

Whichwaswhenhelunged,shovinghisarmthroughanopeninginthecage’sdoorway.Reachingforthekeysdanglingfromherskirtpocket.

Shejerkedback,avoidinghisgrasp.

“NowIknow,”shesaid,withresignation.

Xanderlostallpretenseofintimacy,offriendship.Hepoundedatthecagewithhisfists.“Letmeout!”hescreamed,furyinhisvoice.“Letmeout!”

Thezookeeper’sofficewasbiggerthanBuffyexpected.Heseemedtoknowhisstuff.Therewerediplomasandcertificatesofhonoronthewall,aswellasphotographs,Africanmasksandweapons,andothermemorabilia.Inthecenteroftheroomhehadalighttable.Transparencieswerelaidontopofit,andthelightfrombelowshoneupthroughthem,makingthemeasiertosee.

ForGiles,anyway,whoseemedtoknowwhathewaslookingat.Theyweremeaninglesstoher.

“...thestudentshavebeenpossessedbythehyenas,”thezookeeperwassaying.Hismannerwassomehowreassuring,hisvoicelevelandcalm.

“Yes,”Gilessaid.

“Areyousure?”

“We’rereally,reallysure,”Buffyreplied.

“Youdon’tseemenormouslysurprisedbythis,”Gilessuggested.

“ThezooimportedthosehyenasfromAfrica,”thezookeepersaid.“Therewassomethingstrangeaboutthemfromdayone.Ididsomehomework.Thatparticularbreedisveryrare.Totallyvicious.Historically,theywereworshippedbytheseguys—”

“ThePrimals,”Gilesoffered.

“Yeah.Creepyguys.Nowtheyhadritualsfortakingthehyenas’spirits,butIdon’tseehowthatcouldhavehappenedtoyourkids.”

“Wedon’tknowexactlyhowtheritualworks,”Gilessaid.“Weknowitinvolves

“Wedon’tknowexactlyhowtheritualworks,”Gilessaid.“Weknowitinvolvesapredatoryactandsomekindofsymbol.”

“Apredatoryact.Ofcourse.Thatmakessense.Wheredidyoureadthat?”

Gilesseemedtosenseakindredspirit.“DoyouhaveShermanJeffries’sworkoncultsand—”

Gilescangoonfordayswiththisstuff,Buffythought.Bettergetbackontrack.“Boys!”sheinterrupted.

“Sorry,”Gilessaid.

Thezookeeperglancedathiswatch.“Look,Ithinkwemayhaveenoughinformationsothattogetherwecanpulloffareversetranspossession.”

“Whatdowedo?”Buffyasked.

“Yougottagetthosepossessedstudentstothehyenacagerightaway,”hesaid.“I’llmeetyouthereandwecanbegintheritual.”

“Well,wecanguaranteeyouoneofthem,”Buffysaid.“Butthere’refourmoreandwedon’tknowwheretheyare.”

“Iwouldn’tworryaboutthat,”thezookeeperexplained.“Afterhyenasfeedandrest,theywilltrackthemissingmemberoftheirpackuntiltheyfindhim.Theyshouldcomerighttoyou.”

BuffycaughtGiles’sglance.“Willow,”shebreathed.

Xanderpacedinthecagelike—Okay,whydenyit?Likeacagedanimal.Willowwaskeepingherdistance,now.He’dmadehismove,andshehaddodgedhim,andnowthekeystothistrapwereacrosstheroom.

Tomakeitworse,shewaswatchinghyenavideo,overandoveragain.Hecouldseethescreen,hearthelaughterofthepackontape.Hecouldalmostsmelltheblood,tastetherawflesh.Butjustalmost.

“Willow...”hesaid.

Sheglancedoverhershoulderathim.“I’mnotlistening.”Turnedbacktothe

screen.Shedidn’tevenwanttolookathim.Well,that’sokaywithme.Idon’twanttolookathereither.Justwantthatkey.

Anotherboywouldn’thaveheardthefaintestscufflingsoundsfromoutsidethelibrary,wouldn’thavecaughtthescentontheothersideofthewindows.ButXanderwasn’tanotherboy.Hewassomethingelse,now.Somethingmore.He’dbeentransformed.Heheard,hesmelled.Andthescentwasfamiliar.

Whenheheardthevoice,thatwasfamiliartoo.Soft,taunting.

“Wil-lowww...”itsaid.

ThePack.

CHAPTER5Theyhadcomeforhim.

“Wil-lowww...”ThevoicebelongedtoKyle.Xanderhadknowntheywouldn’tjustlethimrotinhere.Theywerehisfriends.Hisrealfriends.Notthelosershe’dgrownupwith,orBuffy,theso-calledSlayer.ThePackweretheoneswhoreallycaredaboutwhathappenedtohim.

“Xander,shutup,”Willowsaid.

“Wil-lowww...”Kylecalledagain.

Xandersawhershoulderstenseassherealizedthevoicewasn’this.Shedidn’thavetimetoreactmorethanthat,becausesuddenlytheywerecrashingthroughthelibrarywindows.Glassrainedontothefloor.

Sheleaptfromherseatandranoutthedoor,likethecowardhe’dlongsuspectedshewas.

Hekickedatthecage.Anxioustobefree,ontheprowlagain.

Theycameforhim.ThePack.Theytuggedatthecage,theircombinedstrengthbreakingtheheavywirescreen,tearingandbendinguntiltheyrippedthedoorfromitsveryhinges.

Xanderwasfree.

ThePackcametohim,surroundedhim.Theysniffedeachother,touchedeachotherthewaymembersofaPackdo.

Yes,hewashome,withthem.

But,herealized,shewasouttheresomewhere.Willow.Looseontheschoolgrounds.Shewasscared,butshecouldstillbedangeroustothem.TothePack.Shehadtobefound,andstopped.

Xanderledthehunt.

Willowturnedacorner,rantothefirstclassroomdoorshesaw.Grabbedtheknob.

Locked.

Oh,no,shethought.Shecouldhearthesoundsfromthelibrary,knewthecagehadbeenbreached.Knewtheywereontheirway.

AndtheyatePrincipalFlutie.AndevenHerbert.

Xander’swiththemnow,butXanderisn’treallyXander.

Iftheycatchme...

Shecrossedthehalltoanotherdoor.Thisoneopened.Shedartedinside,shuttingthedoorquietlybehindher.Whoknowshowwelltheycanhear?

Orsmell?

Insidethedarkenedroom,shethreadedherwaybetweenthedesks,crawledintothefootwelloftheteacher’sdesk,andpulledthechairintopositioninfrontofher.

Itwasn’tmuch,butitlookedlikethebestshecoulddo.

Attheintersection,thePacksplitup.Kyle,Rhonda,andToreachwentindifferentdirections.HeidifollowedXander.

Hesmelledtheair.

Iftherewasonethingheknew,afteralltheseyears,itwasWillow’sscent.

Thatdoor.

Heidisniffed,maybecatchingittoo.

Xanderopenedthedoor.

Theroomwasdark.Quiet.HeandHeidiwalkedamongthedesks,alert.Sniffing.

Willowremainedcrouchedunderthedesk.Sheknewsomeonewasintheroom.

Willowremainedcrouchedunderthedesk.Sheknewsomeonewasintheroom.Notellingwho.Sheheardsoftfootfalls.Someonebreathing.

Thenfootstepsreceding,andthedoorclosing.

Safe.

She’ddoneit.Nowshejusthadtofindhelp.

Sheshovedthechairback,cameoutofherhidingplace.

Xanderwaswaiting.Heidihadmovedon,buthe’dstayedhere,convincedshewasintheroom.Iftherewasonethingheknew...

Shestartedwhenshesawhim,gasped.Hegavealittleroarandlungedather,acrosstheteacher’sdesk.

Sheevadedhim,andran.

Hegavechase,butsheupendedachairasshewent,andhetrippedoverit.

Hitthefloor.

Shereachedthedoor,flungitopen.

IntoHeidi’sarms.

Willowscreamed.

Heidigrowled,forcingthegirlbackintotheroom.WhereXanderwaited.

Thishadbeenalongtimecoming.

Heidimadeafinetarget.TotallyfocusedonWillow,shedidn’tevenseeBuffyswingthefireextinguisheratherhead.Themetalmadeasatisfyingclangagainstherskull,andshecrumpled.

GilestuggedWillowtosafety,outinthehall.

Relativesafety,anyway.

TherewasstillXander.

TherewasstillXander.

Hechargedthedoorway.Buffybroughtthefireextinguisherupagain.Butitwasafeint.Hedodgedtheextinguisher,andshekickedout,catchinghiminthechest,knockinghimbackward.

Twiceinonedayshe’dhadtoindulgeinsomeXander-bashing.Notwithoutitscharms...

Buttherewasanoiseinthehallway,attheintersection.TheotherthreemembersofXander’spack,convergingthere.TheysawBuffy,Willow,andGiles.Charged.

“Run,”Gilesshouted.

Theydashedintoanotherclassroom,andBuffyslammedthedoorshut.Sheheldtheknob.

Ontheotherside,shecouldfeelthemyankingit,tryingtoturnit.Theypoundedontheheavywoodendoor,growlingangrily.

Afterafewmomentsofthat,thebarragestoppedandsheheardtheirfootstepsmovingaway.

“Ithinkthey’regoing,”shesaid.

“Theycouldbefakingit,”Willowsuggested.Buffyunderstoodherfriend’sfear—shefeltterribleforhavingleftWillowaloneinsuchavulnerableposition.Shecouldn’tbeeverywhere—butthatdidn’tpreventherfromfeelinglikesheshouldbe.

ShetriedtoreassureWillow.“No,they’rehungry.They’llbelookingforsomebodyweak.”Whichisnotus.“I’mreallyreallysorry,Willow,”shecontinued.“Ididn’tknowthey’dcomeafterXander.”

“It’sokay,”Willowsaid.

Gilescaughthisbreath.“Wemustleadthembacktothezooifwe’regoingtostopthis.”

“Yeah,andbeforetheirnextmeal,”Buffysaid.“That’smyjob.”

“Individually,they’realmostasstrongasyou,”Gilesprotested.“Asagroup—”

“They’retough,”Buffysaid.“ButIthinkthey’regettingstupider.YouguysgotothezooandI’llbringthemtoyou.”Sheopenedthedoorandwentoutintothenight.

HopeI’mright,shethought.

Visitingfriendswassupposedtobefun,RichAndersonbelieved.ButtheywerebarelyoutthedoorbeforeMelissastartedinonhim.

“Ididn’tsayshelookedbetterthanyou,”heinsisted.“Isaidshelookedbetter.”Okay,lame.Buthehadtomakeaneffort.

“IheardwhatIheard,”Melissasaid.Shestoppedonthewalk,lookeddownathersonshovingaTwinkieintohismouth.“Joey,chew,”shesaid.“Youhavetocheworyou’llchoke.”

LittleJoeynodded.

Theyallgotintothesport-utilityvehicle,pullingtheirdoorsshutbehindthemselves.Hecouldn’twaittogethome.Maybebythenshe’dhavemovedon.

“Idon’tseewhywehavetohavethisconversationeverytimeweseethem,”hesaid.

“Ididn’tstartit,”Melissaanswered.Hervoicedrippedicicles.Maybeshewouldn’tmoveonsoquicklyafterall.

Richpattedhispockets.“Damn,”hesaid.“Wherearethekeys?”

“Huh?”sheasked.

Andthen,astheysatthereinthesuddenlyquietcar,theyheardit—asoft,femininevoice,calling.

“Jo-eeey...Jo-eeey...”

TheAndersonslookedateachother,thefightforgotten.Whatwasthat?Whowasthat?

SuddenlyaheadappearedoutsideJoey’swindow—lookingdown,fromontop

SuddenlyaheadappearedoutsideJoey’swindow—lookingdown,fromontopofthecar.Theheadroared,andthenthereweremoreofthem.Theywerealloverthecar,bangingonitwithfists,growlingatthemthroughthewindows.Richclickedthelocksshut—justintime,sincetheyweregrabbingatthedoorhandles.

Therewerefourofthem,hethought,buttherecouldhavebeenmore.Itwasdark,andtheyweremoving,bangingonthecarhereandthenjustassuddenlypressingtheirfacesagainsttheglassthere.ShakingthebigSUV,androaringlikewildbeasts.Melissawasscreaming,andintheback,Joeyseemedpetrified.

“Hey!”Richshouted.“What’sgoingon?”

Surelysomeonewillcallthecops,hethought.Allwehavetodoiswaitherewiththedoorslocked,until—

Oneofthemsmashedthroughthebackpassengerwindow.NexttoJoey.Armsreachedin,grabbedfortheboy.Heheldontohismother.

“Joey!”Melissascreamed.

Thecarwasrockingbadlynow.Itwaslikeanightmare—growling,animal-liketeenagersoutside,callinghisson’sname.Morewindowswerebroken,andhandsreachedatthemfromeverydirection.TheAndersonsheldeachother,panic-stricken.Whatdotheywantwithus?Richwondered.Whatdotheywantwithmyson?

Well,theyweren’thardtofind,Buffythought.Notexactlykeepingalowprofile.

Thescreamsandsoundsofbreakingglasshadalertedherfromacoupleofblocksaway,breakingthroughthesuburbanstillnesslikefirecrackersinchurch.Closingin,theroarsandsnarlsofthepackhadconfirmedhersuspicions.ShecameuponthemastheyweretryingtodragsomeonefromtheSUV—probablygoingforthekidfirst,astheweakestmember,shethought.Butthe’rentsmightbenext—neitherofthemlookedallthatstrongorconfident,either.

Shejumpedintothefray,grabbingthejacketofoneofthem—shecouldbarelytellwhichwaswhich,especiallysincethey’dalltakentodressinginthesamedarkcolors—andhurlinghimtotheground.Orher,shecorrected.

Thenshejumpedtothetopofthevehicle.Kylemetherupthere.Shekicked

Thenshejumpedtothetopofthevehicle.Kylemetherupthere.Shekickedhiminthejawandhesailedoff.

Throughthesmashed-insunroof,shesawXander,halfinandhalfoutofawindow.

“Didn’tyourMomteachyou?”sheasked.“Don’tplaywithyourfood!”

Heslidfromthecar,facingher.Shelookeddownonhimfromherrooftopperch.Theothersbackedhimup.

“Comeon,”Buffysaid.“Youknowwhatyouwant.”

Shejumpedfromthecar,ontheoppositesidefromthem,andran.Behindher,sheheardtheirawfulhyenalaughter.Andtheunmistakablesoundsofthemgivingchase.

Theywerecoming.

*

Thezoowasdarkandquietwhentheyarrived.ThezookeeperhadleftGiles’snameatthefrontgate,andtheoneguardondutylookedtoosleepy,orotherwiseuninspired,toquizthemtoomuchontheirerrand.He’dtriedtohandthemamapshowinghowtogettothezookeeper’soffice,butWillowhadtoldthemanthey’dbeentherebeforeandknewhowtofindit.Theguardsaidsomethingabouthowdarkthepathswere,butsheshowedhimthebigflashlightshe’dcarriedwithherfromGiles’scar.Theguardstoppedtalking.

Ofcourse,thezookeeper’sofficewasn’ttheirrealdestination.

Thehyenaswere.

Withinacoupleofminutes,theywerethere.Shecouldsmellthesharpmuskfromoutsidetheenclosure.

“Thepathwaytothehyenapit,”Willowsaid,winded.“Where’sthezookeeper?”

“Hemustbeinside,”Gilessaid,duckingundertheyellowtape.“I’llgoinandpreparethings.YoujustwarnuswhenyouhearBuffyandtheothersapproaching.”

Hewentdownthepathway,andwasswallowedbythedark.Willowgrippedherflashlightalittletighter.

Surroundingthezoogrounds,therewasawideswathofthickvegetation—Jungle-like,really,Buffythought.Sheranthroughit,shovingasidehugehangingleaves,dodgingtreetrunks.Sheguessedtheideawasthatthejunglereducedtheanimalsounds,forthoseoutsidethezoo,andmaybemadethenoisefromSunnydalemorebearablefortheanimals.

NotthatSunnydalewasareallynoisyplace.Buteverynowandthenthereweresirens,ordemonshowling,orhyena-possessedteenagersjumpingoncars.

Sothesoundproofingthingwasprobablyallgood.

Exceptforthepartwhereshewasrunningthroughthetreesandbrush,andthehyenakidswererunningbehindher.Chasingher.

BecauseonethinghyenasknewhowtodobetterthanSlayersdidwasrunthroughthebrush.Morepractice.

Shewasmakinggoodtime.Theyweremakingbetter,judgingbytheleavesandunderbrushcrashingbehindher.

Shejusthopedherleadwouldholduntilshegotthemwheretheyneededtobe.

Gileswalkeddownthepathway.Itwasquietinside,anddark,andabitrank.Therewasmoretapeacrosstheentryway.Hewasn’tsureexactlywhathe’dbeenexpecting,butheknewonething.Thiswasn’tit.

“Doctor...?”hetried.“Zookeeper—?”

Ascufflingsoundcaughthisattentionandheturned.Thezookeeperhadcomeinbehindhim,fromanotherentrance,possibly.

Onlyhewasn’tdressedlikeanyzookeeperGileshadeverseen.

“Oh,ofcourse,”hesaid.“You’reintheMasaiceremonialgarb.Areyouotherwisepreparedforthetranspossession?”

Thezookeepersteppedintotheglowfromlightsinsidethehyenaenclosure.Hisfacewaspaintedblueandwhite,inabizarrepatternthatGileshalf-recognized

facewaspaintedblueandwhite,inabizarrepatternthatGileshalf-recognizedfromthetextshe’dporedoverinthelastfewhours.Arobe,ofafabricthatexactlymatchedtheblueofhisface,coveredhisbody,andbeneaththatheworesomekindoftights.Atoneankleandonewristheworebonebracelets.Hecarriedabigstick,astafforclubofsomekind,whichhetossedfromhandtohand.

Thewholeensemblewasmorethanalittledisquieting.

“Almost,”themansaid.

Gilesnoticedthestrangeredmarkingsonthefloor.“Right,”hesaid.“Thesacredcircle.You’dneedthatto...”Hewassuddenlyconfused.“Well,thiswouldbeherewhenthechildrenfirstcame.Whywouldyou...”

Itdawnedonhim,allatonce.Hegaveasmalllaugh,andturnedtofacethefright-maskedzookeeper.

“Howterriblyfrustratingforyou,”Gilessaid,“thatabunchofschoolchildrencouldaccomplishwhatyoucouldnot.”

Thezookeeperheldhisgaze.“Itbotheredme,”hesaid,matteroffactly.“Butthepowerwillbemine.”

Gilesknew,finally,thatthemanwasbeyondhopeofreasoning.Heneededtogetaway,towarnWillowandBuffybeforeitwastoolate.Hestartedtobolt.

Butthezookeeperwasfaster.Hesteppedin,swingingtheclubone-handedintoGiles’sstomach.Gilesdoubledover,andthebluemanwhippedtheclubaround,broughtitdownonthebackofGiles’shead.Gileswentdown,unconsciousontheflooramidthestrangesymbolspaintedthere.

Thezookeeperdidn’twasteanytime.Hegrabbedthelibrarian’sanklesanddraggedhimoutofsight.Hisplanswerecomingtoahead—thelastthingheneededwasasparecorpseonwhatwastobethestageforthegreatestmomentofhislife.

Theywerecloserthanever.Buffycouldhearthembreathing,behindher.Notevenpantingwiththeexertion,which,shehadtoadmit,wasgettingtobeabitofastrainonher.

Whatwasworse,was,theywerelaughing.

Whatwasworse,was,theywerelaughing.

Thathystericalhalf-insane,high-pitchedhyenalaughter.

Evercloser.

Sheranharder.

Willowheardthecrashingastheycamenearer.IthadtobeBuffy—notlikeanyoneelsewouldbedoingthejogging-for-healththinginthemiddleofthenightinaclosedzoo.

Gileshadsaidtowarnthem,soshepassedunderthetapeandrandownthewalktothehyenahouse.

“They’realmosthere!”shecalled.“Giles...?”Noanswer.“Giles?”

NoGiles,either.Theonlyonetherewasthezookeeper,andhelookedweird,allinbluewithhisfacepainted.ButWillowwasusedtoweird-lookingcreatures—atleastthisguywashuman.“Wherearethehyenasforthetranspossession?”sheaskedhim.

Hecockedathumboverhisshoulder,gesturingtothecage.“They’rerighthere,inthefeedingarea.Stayclear,”hewarned.“Theyhaven’tbeenfed.”

“Where’sGiles?”

“He’slayinginwait.”

“They’realmosthere,”Willowsaid,fightinghardtokeepthepanicfromhervoice.“Shouldn’tyoubringthehyenasout?”

Thezookeeperpickedupalongstripofleather.“Whenthetimeisright,”hesaid.HegrabbedWillow’swrists,startedwrappingtheleatheraroundthem.“I’mgonnaneedyourhelp.”

Well,ithadseemedlikeagoodideaatthetime.

Butnowthepackwasrightonhertail,andBuffywasn’tquitetothehyenahouse,andifevenoneofthosepossessedkidshadthepresenceofmindtomakealeap,theycouldprobablycatchher.

She’dwrestledXander.Sheknewhowstrongtheywere.Iftheybroughtherdown,asapack,they’dtakeher.JustlikeshewasoneofthoseantelopesorwhateverthattheywerebrunchingoninthetapesWillowwaswatching.

Shewasclose,though.MaybeGilesandWillowcoulddosomething.

Like,burywhateverscrapsthepackleftbehind.

Sheburstthroughtheyellowtape.“They’rerightbehindme!”shecalled.

Please,Giles,shethought.Belisteningforonce,andnottalking.

“That’sBuffy!Getready!”Willowsaid.

Thezookeeperhadtiedherwriststightlytogetherwithhisstrap.Nowhepulledsomethingfrombeneaththeflowingbluerobehewore—alongknifewithaveryshinyblade.

“Here,”hesaid,likehewasgivingherapresent.

“Whatisthis?”

“Thepredatoryact,remember?”hereplied.Hemovedbehindher,holdingherinonearmandbringingtheknifetoherthroat.

“Oh,right,”Willowsaid.Talkingwashardwiththebladepressedagainstherskin.“You’llpretendtoslashmythroatandputtheevilinthehyenas?”

Helookedherintheeyes,buttherewasnothingreassuringinhisvoice.“Somethinglikethat.”

Itwasclearnowthathewasn’tkidding.Norwasheontheirside.

Buffyburstintothehyenahouse.Therewasastrange-looking,blue-garbedmanholdingaknifetoWillow’sneck.AndWill’shandsweretied.TherewasnosignofGiles.Justtomakethingsmorecomplicated,Willowshouted,“Buffy!It’satrap!”

Buffystoppedinhertracks.

Which,cometothinkofit,mightnothavebeenthebestidea,sincethepackwasstillrunningfullspeedbehindher.

stillrunningfullspeedbehindher.

Xanderplowedintoher,throwingonearmaroundhermidriffanddrivinghertotheground.Thentheotherswereonher,handstearingather,teethgnashinghungrily.

“NyumbaYaSanaa!”thezookeepercalled.Sherecognizedtheedgeinhisvoicefromthefirsttimehe’dspokentothemoutsidetheenclosure,andrealizedthat’swhotheblueguywas.

Everybodylookedathim.ExceptBuffy,who,becausethepackwasn’tlookingather,lookedatthem.

Theireyes,afterall,wereglowinggreen.Itwasthekindofthingthatcaughtyourattention.

Allofthem—Kyle,Heidi,Tor,Rhonda—eyesflashingliketrafficlightssayinggo.Sheriskedaglanceatthezookeeper,andhiseyesflashedthesameweirdglow,asifinresponsetothem.

Andshesuddenlyunderstoodwhatitmeant.Thiswholethinghadbeenasetup.SomehowthehyenaspirithadaccidentallygoneintoXanderandtherest,whenthisguyactuallywanteditforhimself.Sohe’darrangedforeveryonetobebroughtbackherewhenhewasready.

Nowthehyenawasoutofthekids,andconcentratedinoneman.Whowanteditthere.

Hewasgoingtobetrouble.

Asifforgettinghowtousetools,thezookeeperdroppedhisknife,grabbingWillow’sheadbetweenhishands.Heroaredlikeawildbeast.Heleanedtowardher,baringhisteethlikehemeanttoripintoherflesh.

“Willow!”ItwasXander.Soundinglikehimself.Sheneverthoughthisvoicecouldsoundsowonderful.HepushedawayfromBuffy,launchedhimselfacrosstheroom,andslammedintothegrowlingzookeeper.Theybothwentdown,butthezookeeperregainedhisfootingquickly.WhenXandercameathimagain,heswungabackhandedblowthatknockedtheteentooneside.

WithXanderoffher,however,andtherestofthepackwatchingthefight,Buffy

WithXanderoffher,however,andtherestofthepackwatchingthefight,Buffycouldstand.Shedid,thenlaunchedakickatthezookeeper’spaintedjaw.Sheconnected,hard,andhefellback.Inasecondhewasupagain,andchargingher.Shestoppedhimforamomentwithaleft,andwhenheattackedagain,shegrabbedhisrobesandusedhisownmomentumtothrowhimoverhershoulderanddownontothehardstonefloor.

Hewaspowerful,though.Mostmenwouldhavebeenoutcold,buthejumpedupandcamebackformorewithananimal-likegrowl.

Sosheusedthesametrick,intheotherdirection.Graspinghisrobes,turning,spinning,bringinghimoverhershoulderanddown.

Exceptthatthistime,becausehewascomingatherfromtheotherway,“down”meantintothehyenapit.

Hescreamed.

Hereappearedagainamomentlater,tryingtohaulhimselfoutbythebarsofthecage.Buttherewasaferociousgrowlingbehindhim.Hescreamedagain,inpainthistimemorethanfear,andwasdraggeddownfromthebars.

Hewasoutofsight,butthegrowlingcontinued.Andevenworse,crunching,gnawing,gnashingofteeth.

BuffycaughtaglimpseofKyleandhisfriendsastheyranoutofthehyenahouse,horrified.Shedidn’tblamethem.

Shetookanotherlastlookinsidethecageandwassorryshehad.Ifthezookeepershadrulesagainstfeedingtheanimals,shewassurefeedingthezookeeperstotheanimalsmustbeanevenworseviolation.

Whensheturnedaway,unsteadyandalittlequeasy,shesawXander—wholooked,atlast,liketheplainoldXandereveryoneknewandloved—untyingWillow’shands.

Adooropened,andGilesstaggeredintotheroom.Heputahandtohisglasses,tryingtogainhisbalance.“Uh,”hesaid.“DidImissanything?”

Wheredoesagirlstart?

Thenextdaywasoneofthosebright,sunnydayswhenitreallybecomesclear

Thenextdaywasoneofthosebright,sunnydayswhenitreallybecomesclearthatsummerisjustaroundthecorner.Buffy,Willow,andXanderwalkedacrossthequad,headingforclass.Buffywasenjoyingthesunshine,and,strangeasitseemed,enjoyingbeingwithXander.

“Iheardtheviceprincipalistakingoveruntiltheycanfindareplacement,”Willsaid.

“Itshouldn’tbehardtofindanewprincipal,”Buffysaid.“Unlesstheyaskwhathappenedtothelastone.”

“Okay,butIhadnothingtodowiththat,right?”Xanderaskedforthemillionthtime.

“Right,”Buffyagreed.

Theystartedupanoutsidestaircase.“Youonlyatethepig,”Willowadded.

“Iateapig?Washecookedandcalled‘bacon,’or...”Xanderputhishandtohisforehead,inobviousdismay.“OhmyGod.Iateapig?Imean,thewholetrichinosisissueaside,yuck.”

“Well,itwasn’treallyyou,”Buffyassuredhim.

“Well,Iremembergoingonthefieldtrip,andthengoingdowninthehyenahouse,”Xandersaid.“Nextthingsomeguy’sholdingWillowandhe’sgotaknife.”

“Yousavedmylife,”Willowsaid.

“Hey.”Xanderstoppedatthetopofthestairs.“No-bodymesseswithmyWillow.”Heputhisarmsaroundher,drewherintoahug.

Shewasn’t,Buffynoted,inanyhurrytobreakitoff.

“ThisisdefinitelythesuperiorXander,”Buffyannounced.“Acceptnosubstitutes.”

Xandertouchedhislips,hischest.Buffythoughthewasmaybegoingalittleoverboardonthehandlanguage,but,incomparisontothehyenabit,decideditwasnotworthgettingworkedupover.“Ididn’tdoanythingelse,didI?Aroundyouguys?Anythingembarrassing?”

youguys?Anythingembarrassing?”

“Naah,”sheassuredhim.

“Notatall,”Willowadded.

BuffytookWillowbythehand.“Comeon,”shesaid.“We’regonnabelate.”

WillowlookedatXander.“Seeyouatlunch.”

“Cool,”hereplied.“Hey,goingvegetarian,huh?”Hegavethemabroadsmileandtwothumbs-up.

Hewasprettysuretheywerebuyingit.

Good.

Itfeltgreattobehimselfagain.Hepreferredthat,herealized.Butsometimes,youhavetopretendalittle,keepyourownsecrets.Forthesakeofyourfriends.

Heturnedandwalkedafewsteps—straighttowardGiles,whowascomingrightforhim,lookingcrispinafreshsuitandtie.

“I’vebeenreadinguponmyanimalpossession,”Gilessaid,“andIcannotfindanythinganywhereaboutmemorylossafterward.”

“Didyoutellthemthat?”Xanderpointedtowardthegirls.

Gilesleanedclosetohisear.“Yoursecretdieswithme,”hesaid.

Thatshouldhavebeenenough.ExceptGilesknew.AndheknewGilesknew.ItmightbebettertoletBuffyknow,thanGiles.Hecouldtrusttheman,hewassureofthat.Butstill...

“Shootme,stuffme,mountme,”Xandersaid.

Gilesclappedhimontheshoulder.Co-conspiratorstotheend.Xanderwalkedawayfromhim,handsontopofhishead,asembarrassedashecouldremembereverhavingbeen.

Therewasabrightsidetothis,heknew.

Hejustdidn’thavetheslightestideawhatitwas.

Theclosesthecouldgettoitwasthatthingscouldnotpossiblygetworse.Notallthatbright,afterall.Hewassurethatifhecouldgetoverfeelingsomortified,he’dbeabletofindabetterone.

The“if”thing.

Hewenttoclass.

INTERLUDEXandercontinuedheadingoutoftown.Thewindrushedpasthim,theblackstripofroadappearedmagicallybeneathhisheadlights.He’dleftthezoofarbehind,andhadanactualdestinationinmindnow.

Hegavethecaritshead,steeringwiththelightesttouchpossibleonthewheel.Itwasalmostlikethecarknewwheretheyweregoing.

Afteranotherfewminutes,hecouldsmellsaltwaterintheair.

Muchhadchangedsincehislittleadventureaspartofthecaninefamily.He’dheardtheoriesthattherateofchangeacceleratedwitheverypassingyear—thatthedifferenceinthewaypeoplelivedbetween,say,theyear500andtheyear1500wasnothuge.Butinrecenttimes,thingshadbeenadvancingatamazingrates.Thepeoplewhowerealivein1800wouldbarelyhaverecognizedtheworldof1900,andwouldhavebeentotallydumfoundedbythetime2000camearound.

Anyway,thatbusinesswiththehyenaspiritshadbeensophomoreyear.He’dbeenyoungandfoolishthen.Ashematured,heknewthechangesinhislife,thevarioustransformationsthatamanwentthroughashegrewolder,wouldbemoresubtle,butultimatelymoredefining.

And,hehoped,theywouldhavelesstodowithcaninesofanykind.

WhenBuffyshowedupintownandeverythingchanged,XanderrealizedthatSunnydale—andhislife—hadseemedprettyconstant,unchanging,before.Allthoseyearsofpeaceandquiet,growingupinanidyllicseasidetown,andthen...

Andthenthingsgotinteresting.Andfrightening.

TheworstwaswhenBuffydied.

Shehad,literally,beenclinicallydead,heknew.Ifshehadn’t,thenKendra,thenewSlayer,wouldn’thavebeenactivated.Butshewas,andthatmeantthatBuffy’sclosecallhadbeenalittlemorethanjustclose.

Buffy’sclosecallhadbeenalittlemorethanjustclose.

Xanderhadbeenthereforherthattime,though.Hehadadministeredmouthtomouth—whichhestillthoughtaboutwithadegreeofenjoymentfromtimetotime.Angelstoodhelplesslyby,watching,whileXanderbreathedlife-givingairintoherlungs.Andshehadcomeback.

Therehadbeensomanyotherthings,happyandsad,momentousandtiny.BuffyhadfallendeeplyinlovewithAngel,andthenbeenterriblyhurtwhenheturnedbadagain,afterhavingbeengoodforsomanyyears.Thatwholegoodvampirebusiness,itturnedout,hadbeentheresultofagypsy’scursethatrestoredthevampire’ssoul—andtherefore,hisconscience—tohim.Strickenwithguiltoverthethingshe’ddoneintheinterveningyears,Angelhadtriedtoliveasoneofthegoodguys,battlingvampirenastieswheneverhecould.ThatwastheAngelBuffyhadfallenfor.

Unfortunatelyforthatrelationship,thecursewaslifted.Soullessagain,Angelflipfloppedbackintofangsandforeheadguy.HekilledMissCalendar,whowasGiles’sgirlfriendandamemberofthesamegypsytribethathadcursedhim.AndBuffyvowedtotakehimout.

Xanderpulledthecartoastopintheparkinglotbythebeach.Hejumpedout,notbotheringwiththedoor.Fromthisspot,hecouldheartheroarofthesurf,buthecouldbarelyseethewater.

Hehikeddownthepath,tothewidestretchofbeach.Thereitwas,avastcarpetofblack,spreadingbeforehimlikevelvetonwhichsomeonehadscatteredahandfulofdiamonds:thefullmoon’sshimmeringreflectiononthewater.

Thingshadbeenquitedifferentforhim,aswell.Suchas,datingCordeliaChase.Thathadcomeasashocktobothofthem—asurprisethatwasn’tentirelypleasant,butfarfromallbad.Ithadstartedwithaninnocentkiss—okay,notsoinnocent,butstill.Thenitgrewintoanillicitaffair,keptsecretfromeveryoneintheschool.Finally,thetruthhadcomeout,andpeoplegrewtoacceptit.EvenWillow.

AlthoughitwasprobablyeasierforWillowtoacceptnowthatshehadOz,rockguitaristandteenwerewolf,whodidthewholeMichaelLandonroutineateveryfullmoon.

AnddatingCordeliahad,atleast,provenmorepleasantandsatisfyingthanhisshort-livedromancewithAmpata,whoturnedouttobeanancientIncan

short-livedromancewithAmpata,whoturnedouttobeanancientIncanmummy,reanimatedandravenous.

Theslayinggighadbecomemorecomplicated,too.BuffyhadkilledtheMaster,buttheAnointedOnehadbeenaroundtomakethingsdifficultforher.UntilSpikeandDrusillacametotown,andSpikekilledtheAnointedOne.BetweenSpike,Drusilla,andthenewlyevilAngel,theranksoflocalvampireshadbecomeverydangerousindeed.

Xanderkickedhisshoesoff,removedhissocks,andpushedhistoesintothecoldsand.Hestuffedthesocksintohisshoesandcarriedthemdowntowherethewavesscouredthesandsmoothandhard,letthefrigidwaterwashuparoundhisfeet.ForaCaliforniaguy,herealized,Idon’tspendalotoftimeintheocean.

Andthat,suddenly,broughtbackawholenewsetofmemories.Hebackedawayfromthewater,hurriedbackuptotheparkinglot.Therehestampedhisfeetonthepavementtoshakethesandoff.Leaningagainstthecar,hetuggedhissocksbackon,thenhisshoes.Hetiedthemandgotbackbehindthewheel.

Hefeltbetternow.Fromthisvantagepoint,theoceanlookedcalmandsafe.

Anddistant.

Thewayhelikedit.

CHAPTER6Therewasnothingtropicalaboutthebeachthatnight.Orevensubtropical,Xanderthought.Downrightcoldismorelikeit.

Troublewas,heseemedtobetheonlyonewhofeltthatway.Everywherehelooked,kidswerehavingfun,dancingandtalkingandgenerallycarryingon.

Okay,theyweredressedinsweatersandjacketsandhuddledaroundbonfires.Butstill,theyseemedtobeenjoyingthemselvesdespitetheelements.

SunnydaleHigh’sathletesweren’texactlyonafirst-namebasiswithvictoryparties,somaybetheconceptofholdingthemincomfortablesurroundingswasstillunfamiliartothem.

“AllI’msayingis,itwasastupidideatohaveavictorypartyatthebeach,”Xandersaid,warminghispalmsoverafire.HeworeastripedsweateroveraT-shirt,butthatwasn’tnearlyenough.“It’sofficiallynippy.Sosaymynips.”

Cordelia,whowasheremoreorlessashisdate,andhislongtimebestbudWillowstoodatthefirewithhim.

“Ithinkit’sfestive,”Willowsaid.“It’sapartywithnature.”

“Well,it’stheteam’schoice,”Cordeliaadded.“Itwastheirvictory.”

“Team?Swimteam.”Xanderchuckled.“HardlywhatIcallateam.TheYankees...AbbottandCostello...theA...Nowthosewereteams.”

“Jealous?”Cordyasked.

“No,”Xanderreplied.Hereflectedfurther.“Yes.Butnomorethanyes.Imean,lookatthat.”Heindicatedastudentpartwayacrossthebeach—tallandmuscular,withclose-shavenhair,wearingonlyaHawaiianshirtinspiteoftemperaturesthatXanderconsideredarctic.

“DoddMcAlvy,”hewenton.“Lastmonthhe’sthefreakwithjicamabreathwhowaxeshisback.Hewinsafewmeetsandsuddenlyheinheritsthe‘cool’gene?”

“Well,allIknowis,mycheerleadingsquad’swastedalotofpeponlosers,”Cordeliaargued.“It’sabouttimeourschoolexcelledatsomething.”

“You’reforgettingourhighmortalityrate,”Willowoffered.

“We’renumberone!”Xandershouted.LeaveittoWillowtofindthecogentargument.Xanderdidaslowturn,butthestudentsaroundhimseemedoblivioustohissuddendisplayofschoolspirit.Or,hethoughtmorbidly,schoolspirits.

Perchedonarockbythewater’sedge,Buffystudiedthemoon’ssilverreflectiononthedarkwaterofthePacificOcean.TheleatherjacketAngelhadgivenherkeptmostofthechilloff.Shestillworeit,eventhough...well,eventhough.

Thepartyroaredaroundher,asoblivioustoherpresenceasthecreaturesatthebottomofthisseaweretothechunkofrockthatorbitedhighabove.Butlikethosecreaturesandthemoon,everystudentherehadbeentouchedinsomewaybyBuffy.Ifitweren’tforher,theHellmouthwouldbeafarmoredangerousplacethanitwas.

Anditwasprettybad,evenwithheraround.

Theyneverevenknowthedangerthey’rein,shethought.Andthat’showshewantedtokeepit.Eventhoughitalsomeantthattheyneverknewhercontributiontowardkeepingthemfromharm’sway.

“Beautiful,”avoicefrombehindhersaid.“Isn’tit?”

CameronWalker.Sheknewhim,ofcourse,butnotatallwell.Hewasamemberoftheswimteam—oneofthebestswimmers,fromwhatshe’dheard.He’salsogoodlooking,shethought.Tall,powerfullybuilt,withaneasysmileandcurlybrownhairinsteadoftheshavedlookfavoredbysomeoftheswimteam.NoAngel,maybe.Butthen,whois?Andbesides,Angelwasevilnow,whileCamwasjustajock.AndAngel,soullessornot,wasstillavampire.MaybeanormalguyisjustwhatIneed,togivemealittlebreakfromtheslayingandall.

“Yeah,”shebegan.“It’sjustso—”

Hecutheroff,andwenton,staringoutatthesparklingsurface.“Eternal.Ourtruemothergivingbirthtonewlife,anddevouringold.”Hemovedaroundandsatontherock,nexttoBuffy.Whenhecontinued,hewaslookingather,notatthesea.“Alwaysadaptableandnurturing,yetconstantandtimeless.”

thesea.“Alwaysadaptableandnurturing,yetconstantandtimeless.”

“Boy,”Buffysaid,surprisedatsuchpoeticlanguagecomingfromsomeoneshehadalwaysseenasjustanotherathlete.“Iwasjustgonnagowith‘big’and‘wet.’”

Camerongaveapolitelaugh.“Meandsomeoftheotherguysontheteam,wecomeoutonceaweektotraininit.See,weswimagainstthecurrent.”

“Funny,that’showIfeelmostofthetime,”Buffysaid.Sheturnedtohimandusedherbestsportscastervoice.“So,CameronWalker.You’vejustwonthestatesemifinals.Whatareyougonnadonext?”

“I’mgoingtohangoutwithBuffySummers,”hereplied.“Gettoknowher.”

Whoa.That’sno“I’mgoingtoDisneyland,”shethought.

“Hey,pausethattapeforasecond,”shesaid.

“Nopressure,”Cameronsaid,clearlytryingtoputheratease.“Ijustlikebeingaroundyou,that’sall.”

Italmostworked.Shelookedathisfaceforamoment,hisall-Americangoodlooks,andthenturnedaway,towardthesea.Considering.

“Somebodyhelpme!”sheheard.Backfromthethickoftheparty.Thevoicecarriedanedgeofgenuinepanic,andtheSlayerwasinstantlyonherguard.

Upthebeach,shesawDoddMcAlvyholdinganotherstudent’sheadintooneofthebigstainless-steeltubsfilledwithicetokeepthedrinkscold.Thestudenthadaredsweatshirton,butBuffycouldn’tmakeouthisfaceuntilDoddlethimupforair.ItwasJonathonLevenson,oneofthosebrainykidswhowereneverquitesmartenoughtoavoidbecomingsomeone’starget.Hecameupgaspingandchoking.

“C’mon,Jonny,”Doddshouted.Heknewhewasperformingforanaudience.“Yougottaholdyourbreathlongerthanthatifyoueverwanttomaketheteam.Hey,somebodytimehim!”HeshovedJonathonbackintotheice-coldwater.

Buffymadehermove.ShecameupbehindDodd,caughtholdofhisshirt,andyankedhimbackward,offJonathon.

“Hey!”Doddshouted.

TuggingonDodd’sshirtdrewhissleeveback,andrevealedatattooBuffyhadn’tseenbeforeonhisupperarm—asharkwithaninsanegrin,frontfinsdrawnintotightfists,acigarclenchedbetweenhisteeth.

“Nicetat,”Buffysaid.“What,theyranoutofTweetyBird?”Shegavehimashoveandhewentface-firstintothesand.

“Hey,what’syourproblem?”Doddasked.

“Haditcomingtoyou,bro,”Cameronsaid,abroadsmileonhisface.HestoodbehindBuffy,backingherplay.

DoddregainedhisfeetandstartedtosteptowardBuffyandCameronlikehewantedtocontinuethealtercation.Beforehecould,though,hewasinterceptedbyanotherswimmer,GagePetronzi.

“Chill,dude,”Gagesaid.HewaseventallerthanDodd,wearingahighturtlenecksweaterthataccentuatedhistotalskinheadcut.“Abunchofusaregonnatakealittlenightdipdownthebeach.Youin?”

“Whatever,”Doddsaid.HeshotBuffya“die,freak”look,thenallowedhimselftobeledaway.

BuffyturnedtoJonathon,stilldrippingwetandshiveringinthebrisknightair.“Hey,”shesaid.“Let’sgetyouatowel.”

“Whydon’tyoumindyourownbusiness?”Jonathonshotback.“Icanhandlethiswithoutyourhelp.”Hestormedoff,angry—misplacedanger,Buffythought.ItshouldhavebeendirectedatDodd,notather.Butthereyougo.People.

Itwasalmostenoughtomakeagirlpreferbeingwithsomeotherformoflife.Like,say,vampires.

“See,”shesaidtoCameron.“It’sfuntohangoutwithme.”

Headingdownthebeachtowardthesurf,Gagesaid,“Man,Ican’tbelieveBuffy.”

“Man,thatgirlgivesmethecreeps,”Doddagreed.Hetookafewmorestepstowardthewater’sedge,andthenstopped.Thewavesrolledinandpulledaway,andhefeltsomething.Atugging,deepinsidehim.Anurgetobecome...

Gagehadgoneonahead.Suddenly,hebecameawareofanodor—no,callitwhatitwas,astench—rippingathisnostrilslikepoisonedfishhooks.

“Ahh,dude,”hesaid,makingaface.“Whatisthatfoulness?”

HelookedbacktowhereDoddhadbeen,buthisfriendwasnolongerinsight.

“Hey,Dodd!”hecalled,turningathree-sixty.Nosignofhim.Hehadjustbeenrighthere...“Dude!”Noreply.Hegaveashrugandjoggedofftowardanothergroupofpartyers,fartherdownthebeach.

Theroarofthesurf,thisclosetothewater,drownedoutthescreamsandthewet,tearingnoise.Andinthedark,Gagemissedentirelythepileoftatteredclothingandsomethingelse,softandglisteningredinthemoonlight,stillsteaminginthecoldnightair.Hadheseenit,andgonecloseenough,hewouldhaveseenafamiliarHawaiianshirtmixedinwiththeother,messierbits.Andcloserstill,hemighthaveseenthedecorationononeoftheflatsurfaces—atattooofagrinning,two-fistedshark,chompingonastogie.

Buthedidn’tseeanyofthat,nordidhesee,notsofaraway,theshadowofafiguredashingintotheopeningofalargewaterpipe.Thepipecarriedwatertothesea,anditledawayfromthebeach.

TowardSunnydale.

CHAPTER7“Okay,goodpiecharts,everyone,”Willowsaid.Shewalkedupanddownbetweentherowsofdesks,lookingatthescreensofthestudents’computers.Shereallyenjoyedthisstudentteachingthingshe’dbeenaskedtodo.

Enjoyeditalmostasmuchasshehatedthereasonshe’dbeenaskedtodoit.WillowwasreplacingMissCalendar,whohadbeenmurderedbyAngel.Shethoughtshe’dneverforgiveAngelforthat,andrememberingtheteachermadeWillowalmostregrettheteachinggigaltogether.

Butnotcompletely.

“Good,”shesaidasshepassedtheirdesks.“Allgood.”

“Thanks,”oneofthekidssaid.“Kids,”shethought.AsifI’manyolderthantheyare.

“Nice,“shesaidtoanother.

AndthentherewasGage.

TowardthebackoftheclasssheriskedaglanceatGagePetronzi’sscreen.Hemaybeagreatswimmer,shethought,buthiscomputerskillsleavealittlesomethingtobedesired.Like,ifhecouldswingajobatthesuper-market,he’dbetterplantobeabaggerratherthanachecker.Theconceptofusingtechnologyforgoodinsteadofevilseemedtobebeyondhim.

“Gage,yourpiechartislookingalotlikesolitaire,”Willowsaid.Sheleanedcloser,tookabetterlook.“Withnakedladiesonthecards.”

“What’syourpoint?”Gageasked.

“Nopoint.”

Thebellrang.Chairsscuffedbackacrossthefloor,studentsgatheredbooksandheadedforthedoor.Gagemovedwiththem,asifhecouldn’twaittogetoutofclass.

PrincipalSnyder,Mr.Flutie’sreplacement,pushedinsidetheclassroomdoorasthestudentswentout.Hewasshort,almostelfin,withawide,baldinghead.Hisgraysuitwasthree-piece,bothvestandjacketbuttoned.

HemetGagejustinsidethedoorway.“Niceworkinyesterday’smeet,son,”hesaid.“Nowlet’sgoforit.”

Gagewentaroundhim,outoftheroom.Willowhesitantlyapproachedtheprincipal.

“Uh,hithere,”shesaid.Thenadded,“Sir.”

“Rosenberg,”hesaid.“How’stheclass?Everythinginorder?”

“Well,actually—”

“Great,”heinterrupted.“I’vebeentalkingtotheboard.We’vebeenhavingtroublefindingacompetentteacherthislateintheterm.Doyouthinkyoucancontinuesubbingthroughfinals?”

Willowcouldfeelherfacebreakingintoawidesmile.Itwassogoodtobeappreciatedforthejobshewasdoing.“Oh,sure.Iliketeaching.”

“Isn’tthatnice,”Mr.Snydersaidwithoutatraceofsincerity.“You’reateamplayerandIlikethat.Ateamplayerwantseveryoneontheteamtosucceed.Wantseveryonetopass.”

“Uh,yeah,sure.”Willowwasuncertainwherethiswasgoing,anduncomfortablewithgettingthere.

“Iunderstandthere’saproblemwithGagePetronzi.”

Vastrelief.“Oh,good,thenyouknow.Well,yeah,”shesaid.“Besidesthebehaviorproblem,hewon’tdohomework,andhistestscoresare,well,actuallyhedoesn’thaveanytestscoressincehenevershowsupwhenwehave—”

“I’mnotinterestedinanyofthat,”theprincipalinterruptedagain.Thiswaslookinglikeatrend.Ormaybeahabit.“I’minterestedinwhy,”hewenton,hisvoicestern,“whenthisschoolisonthebrinkofwinningitsfirststatechampionshipinfifteenyears,youslapacrucialmemberofthatteamwithafailinggradethatwouldforcehisremoval.Isthishowyoushowyourschool

failinggradethatwouldforcehisremoval.Isthishowyoushowyourschoolspirit?”

“Yes,”Willowsaid.“Well,Imean,no.Imean,I’mjusttryingtogradefairly.”

“Gageisachampion,”Mr.Snyderinsisted.“He’sundermorepressurethantheotherstudents.AndIthinkweneedtocuthimsomeslack.”Heheadedforthedoor.

Nowsheknewwheretheconversationhadbeengoing,beyondanydoubt.Andshedidn’tlikeit.“You’reaskingmetochangehisgrade?”

Hestoppedinhistrack,swiveled,camebackintotheroom.“Ineversaidanysuchthing,”hesaid.Hisvoicewaslowanddeliberate.HestoppeddirectlyinfrontofWillow,almostasifstaringherdown,ordaringhertoflinch.“AllI’msuggestingisthatyourecheckyourfigures.AndIthinkyou’llfindagrademorefittingtoanathleteofGage’sstature.Perhapssomethingina‘D.’”

HeleftWillowaloneintheclassroom,hergoodmoodshattered.

XandercouldbarelybelievewhatWillowwassaying.Actually,hecouldbelieveit—PrincipalSnyderhadbeenaroundlongenoughtomakehiscontemptforanyoneundertheageofthirtywellknown,thatXandercouldbelievejustaboutanything.Butstill...

“Justlikethat?”heasked.“Heactuallytoldyoutoalterhisgrade?”

Theywerecomingdownfromthesecondfloor,Cordeliabetweenthem,heandWillowflankingher.Cordylooked,hehadtosay,terrificinaveryshortblackskirtwithasleevelesswhitesweater,acoupleofblackstripesaroundhermidriff.

“Exactly,”Willowreplied,bringinghisattentionbacktothesubjectathand.“Exceptforactuallytellingmeto.Buthemadeitperfectlyclearwhathewasn’ttellingme.”

Theyhitthefirstfloor,madearightturn,headedtowardclass.“Thatiswrong,”Xanderdeclared.“Big,fat,spankingwrong.It’saslapinthefacetoeveryoneofusthatstudiedhardandworkedlonghourstoearnourDs.”

Cordeliacontributedherownbrandofupliftingdialoguetotheconversation.“Xander,Iknowyoutakeprideinbeingthevoiceofthecommonwuss,butthe

“Xander,Iknowyoutakeprideinbeingthevoiceofthecommonwuss,butthetruthiscertainpeopleareentitledtospecialprivileges.They’recalledwinners.That’sthewaytheworldworks.”

Hetriedtoignorethefactthatthegirlspeakingwasalsotheonehewasdating.Afterall,shewasstillCordelia,eveniftheybothhadexperiencedsudden,andrecurring,lossesofjudgment.“Andwhataboutthatnutty‘allmenarecreatedequal’thing?”

“Propagandaspoutedoutbytheuglyandlessdeserving.”

“IthinkthatwasLincoln,”Xanderoffered.

“Disgustingmoleandstupidhat,”Cordysaid.

“Actually,”Willowpointedout,“itwasJefferson.”

“Keptslaves,remember?”

XanderwasalittlesurprisedbyCordelia’sgraspofAmericanhistory,butkeptthattohimself.“Youknowwhatreallygratesmycheese?”heasked.“ThatBuffy’snotheretosharemymoraloutrageaboutswimteamperks.She’stoobusybeingoneofthem.”

CameronWalker’smidnightblueFordMustangpulledintotheschoolparkinglot.LunchwithCamoff-campushadbeen—well,“interesting”wasn’texactlythewordforit,becauseitwasn’t.Or,hewasn’t.Maybe“enlightening,”shethought,hermindwandering.

“Idon’tknow,adolphin,”Cameronwassaying.Rather,continuingtosay,sincehehadbeentalkingnon-stopforbasicallytheentirelunchperiod.Andthethingofitwas,shecouldn’trememberasinglethinghehadsaid.“Adolphinintheocean.Because,youknow,whenI’minthevastnessoftheocean,it’slikeI’mneveralone.YoueverhearofawomannamedGertrudeEderle?”

“No.No,Ican’tsaythatIhave,Cam.”

Herresponsewasprettymuchjustanopportunityforhimtodrawabreath.Hedidn’tactuallylistentoher.Shefelthereyelidsgettingheavyashedronedon.“FirstwomantoswimtheEnglishChannel.Samething.Shewouldtalktoit.She’dcarryonentireconversationswithit.SometimesIdothat.OnceIwasout

She’dcarryonentireconversationswithit.SometimesIdothat.OnceIwasout—”

“Listen,Cam.”Sheinterruptedhim,fearingforhersanityifhewentonanylonger.“Thanksagain.I’dforgottenhowniceitistojusttalk...orinmycase,listen,withoutanyromanticpressure.”

“Hey,I’mnotaboutpressure,”hesaid.“Ijustwantyoucomfortable.”

“I’mcomfy,”shesaid.“I’msocomfyI’mnoddingoff,actually.Whichiswhy—”

Histurntointerrupt.“Areyouwearingabra?”Hisgazeroameddownthefrontofhersleevelesstop.

What?shethought.“What?”

“C’mon,”Cameronsaid.“Imean,tellmeyouhaven’tbeenthinkingaboutthiseversincelastnight.”

Buffyreachedforthedoorhandle.“WhatI’mthinkingaboutisthatIshouldprobablygetoutofhere.”

ButCameronknewthecarbetterthanshedid,andhepunchedtheelectronicdoorlockbuttonbeforeshegotherdooropen.Thelockschunkedshut.Herhandledidn’twork.

“Relax,”hesaid.“I’mnotgoingtohurtyou.”

Well,duh.Sheknewthat.ShewastheSlayer,afterall.IfbeingkilledbytheMasterdidn’tslowherdown,aneagerswimmerdidn’thavemuchchanceagainsther.“Oh,it’snotmeI’mworriedabout.”

Cam,though,seemedtolikethesoundofthat.“Youlikeitrough,”hesaid,reachingforher.

Shecaughtthereachingarm,yankeditforwardtopullhimoffbalance.Withherotherhandshegrabbedthehaironthebackofhishead,slamminghimbackagainsthisseat,andthendrivinghisfaceforwardintothesteeringwheel.ThehornhonkedasCam’shonkerhammeredit.

“Ow!”hescreeched.“Oh,youbrokemynose!”

“Ow!”hescreeched.“Oh,youbrokemynose!”

Justthenshenoticed,asCameronheldhisfaceinhishandsandmoaned,PrincipalSnyderlookingintothecar.“Unhappy”wasthekindestwordshecouldthinkofforhisexpression.Hegavehertheuniversal“comehere”fingerwag,exceptthatinthiscaseitwasmoreofa“comehereandmeetsixweeksofdetention”gesture.

Later,inNurseGreenleigh’soffice,thestockywomanpreparedanicepackforCam’snose.Preparedinthesenseofslammingitdownonacountertopwithenoughforcetosoundlikeasmallexplosion.SheputtheicepackonCameron’sface,andheflinched.Therewasalreadyabandagewrappedaroundhiswrist.

Buffywastooconcernedwithdefendingherselftocaremuchaboutwhathewasgoingthrough.

“Iwasn’ttheattacker,PrincipalSnyder,”shesaid.“Iwastheattacked.”

“That’snothowitlookedfromwhereIwasstanding.”

“Idon’tknowwhathappened,”Cameronaddedhelpfully.“Imean,firstsheleadsmeon,thenshegoesschizoonme.”

“Leadyouon?”Buffyasked,astonished.Doeshereallybelieve—?“WhendidIleadyouon?”

“C’mon,”hesaid,moretoMr.Snyderthantoher.“Imean,lookatthewayshedresses.”

Whichwasn’t,shethought,reallysobad,wasit?Areasonablytight—butnotexcessivelyso—sleevelessblackV-necktop,ashortwhiteskirt,blackboots.What’swrongwiththis?

Thedooropenedandanothervisitorenteredthecrowdednurse’soffice.CoachMarin,theswimcoach.Hewasabig,sturdyman,white-haired,cladallinSunnydaleHighburgundyandgold.Schoolspiritpersonified,shethought.Ourfirstwinningcoachinyears.Cometosoothehiswoundedwarrior.

JustwhatIneed.

“Coach,”Mr.Snydersaid.

ThecoachpushedpastSnyder,approachedCam.

“Howwedoing,Cameron?”heasked.

Cameronmovedtheicepackaway,heldhisnoseoutforthecoach’sinspection.

“CoachMarin,”PrincipalSnydersaid.“Howbaddoesitlook?”

ThecoachexaminedCam’snoselikeageneralinspectinghistroops.“Well,luckily,it’snotbroken.Butitsureashell’sgonnastingforafewdays.”

“Imean,ourchanceofwinningthestatechampionship,”theprincipalsaid,clarifyinghispriorities.HedrewCoachMarintooneside.“Canwestilldoit?”

“Oh.”Marinsaid.“I’mgonnaneedCambackatahundredandtenpercent.He’sthebestswimmerIgot,nowthatDodd...”Hetrailedoff.

“WhathappenedtoDodd?”Buffyasked.

“That’snoneofyourconcern,”Mr.Snydersnappedather.“You’dbetterhopethatboy’snosehealsbeforethemeetthisFriday.”

CoachMarinleftthem,wentbacktowhereCamsatontheexaminingtable.“Walker,”hesaid,“Iwantyoutohitthesteamroomassoonasyou’redonehere.Trytokeepthosesinusesclear.”TurningtoNurseGreenleigh,headded,“Youtakecareofmyboy,Ruthie.”

“Ialwaysdo,”thenursereplied.

ThenCoachMarinaddressedBuffy.“Andyou,trytodressmoreappropriatelyfromnowon.Thisisn’tadanceclub.”Helookedherupanddownonce,andstalkedaway.PrincipalSnyderfollowedthecoach.Camjustsatonthetable,theicepacknearhisfacenotquitehidingthebigunpleasantgrinthere.

*

“SoI’mtreatedlikethebaddie,”Buffytoldherfriends.“Justbecausehehasasprainedwristandabloodynose,andIdon’thaveascratchonme.Which,granted,hurtsmycasealittleonthesurface.Butmeanwhile,hegetsawaywithitbecausehe’sonthe‘aren’twethemost’swimteam,who,bytheway,ifnoone’snoticed,havebeenactinglikerealjerkslately...”

one’snoticed,havebeenactinglikerealjerkslately...”

SheslowedherrantlongenoughtorealizethatGiles,Willow,andXanderwerealllookingupatherfromtheirvariousbooks.Willwasseatedbehindatable,Gilesleaningonitnearher,andXandersatontopofthetable,abigbookopeninhislap.Itlooks,Buffythought,morelikestudyhallthanthelibrary.Well,sheamended,itactuallydidlooklikealibrary,shejustwasn’tallthatusedtoitbeingusedasone.

“So,”shelaughedsoftly.“Anythingnewwithyouguys?”Shesatinachairattheendofthetable.

“Thankyoufortakinganinterest,”Gilessaid.Asalways,hisBritishaccentmadeeverythinghesaidsoundso,well,English,orsomething.“Apparently,someremainswerefoundonthebeachthismorning.Somehumanremains.”

“DoddMcAlvy’sremains,”Willowadded.

“Vampires?”Buffyasked.

“No,”Gilesreplied.“Hewaseviscerated.Nothingleftbutskinandcartilage.”

“Inotherwords,”Xanderoffered,“thiswasnoboatingaccident!”

“So,somethingrippedhimopenandateouthisinsides?”Buffyasked,incredulous.

“LikeanOreocookie,”Willowsaid.Theotherslookedather,butnoonespoke.“Well,”shewenton,“exceptfor,youknow,withoutthechocolateycookiegoodness.”

“PrincipalSnyder’saskedthefacultytokeepthenewsquietfornowsoasnottoundulyupsetthestudents,”Gilessaid.

“For‘students,’read‘swimteam.’”ThesarcasmwasevidentinXander’stone.

“So,we’relookingforabeastie,”Willowexplained.

Gilespickedupthethread.“Thateatshumanswhole,exceptfortheskin.”

“Thisdoesn’tmakeanysense,”Buffysaid.

“Yeah!”Xanderagreed.“Theskin’sthebestpart!”

Buffyshrugged,asin,mypointexactly.“Anydemonswithhighcholesterol?”

Gilesturnedandgaveheralook.

“You’regonnathinkaboutthatlater,mister,andyou’regonnalaugh,”Buffysaid,pointingathimforemphasis.

Shehopeditwastrue.

CameronWalkersatinthesteamroom,hunchedover,elbowsrestingonhisknees.Thewarmhealingmistsoothedhisachingmuscles,buthisnosewasstillbotheringhim.Hetippedhisheadback,touchedhisnosewithhisfingers,drewthemaway.Noblood.Theskinhadbeenbroken,butatleastthebleedinghadbeenstopped.

Hethoughtheheardanoise,somewhereoutsidethesteamroom.Helistened.Nothing.Hebegantorelaxagain—

Andthedoorflewopen.Cameronstarted.

“Okay,son,”CoachMarinsaid.“Ithinkyou’vehadenough.Timetohittheshower.”Thecoachdisappearedthroughthefog.

Night.Theschoolwasasclosetosilentasbigbuildingseverget.Xanderheadeddowntheemptycorridor,jinglingchangeinhishand.Hewasparched,andhiseyeswerecrossingfromallthereadingthey’dbeendoing.Whywasn’ttheresomekindofUnabridgedDemonicDictionary?“Toomuchresearch,”hesaidashewent.“Needbeverage.”

Hewaslookingatthecoinsinhispalm,counting,sohewasn’tlookingattheintersectinghallway.

WhichwaswhereCameronWalkerwascomingfrom,alsonotlooking.HeslammedintoXander,scatteringhiscoinsonthefloor.

“Hey,watchit,”Camsaid.

XandergaveCamanawedexpression,asifhavingencounteredroyalty.“Oh,forgiveme,yourswimteamliness.”Hesquattedtopickuphischange.

forgiveme,yourswimteamliness.”Hesquattedtopickuphischange.

“Loser,”Cameronsaid,continuingonhisway.

“Likingthenose,Cam,”Xandersaid.“Goodlookforyou.”

Camstopped,turnedbacktofaceXander.“Meaningwhat?”

“MeaningBuffymustnotbeonyourlistofprivilegesafterall.”Camclosedwithhim,armscrossedoverhischest,butXanderheldhisgroundandlaughed.“Man,Iloveitwhenyouguysmesswithher.”

Cameronshookhisheaddismissively.“You’reluckyI’mhungry.”

“Oh,thecafeteria’sclosed,”Xandersaid,drippingmocksympathy.

“Nottome.”

Heheadedinthatdirection,leavingXanderstandingintheintersection,wonderingwhatitwasaboutswimteammembersthatmadethemthinktheywereputontheplanetfortherestofhumanitytoserve.

*

Thecafeteriawasdark.Moonlightstripedthewalls.Warminglightswarmedemptystainlesssteeltrays.Nofoodtobeseen.Cameronwalkedthroughthebigroom.Therewouldbesomethingaround,maybebackinthefreezers.

Butouthere,therewasanastysmell.“God,whatisthat?”heaskednooneinparticular.

Nooneanswered.

Xanderstoodbeforethesodamachine,facedwiththeeternaldilemma.Somanychoices,onlyonemouth.“Grape,orange.Orange,grape.”

Andfromthedirectionofthecafeteria,abone-shillingscreamsplitthesilence.

Sodachoiceswouldhavetowait.Heran.

Thecafeterialookedemptywhenhegotthere.Lightsoff,nobodyhome.

Butsomebodyhadscreamed,andGagehadbeencomingthisway.Xanderwent

Butsomebodyhadscreamed,andGagehadbeencomingthisway.Xanderwentin.

Henoticed,prettyquickly,thattableswereupended,chairsscattered.Thecustodiansdidn’tusuallyleavetheplaceinthiskindofshape.Whichmeantsomethinghadhappened.

And,fromthesmelloftheplace,thatsomethingwasn’tinthecategoryofgoodsomethings.Thesmellwasrank.Fetid,even.

Hecamearoundoneoftheoverturnedtablesandsawit.Asteamingpileofsomething,clothingandskinandgenerallybloodyickiness.Mostofitwasunrecognizable,buttherewasahandthatstilllookedlikeahand,fivefingersandeverything.

Xanderfeltnauseated.Heputahandoverhisnoseandmouth,bothtoblockoutthesmellandtokeephimselffromgettingsick.“OhmyGod,”hesaid.“OhGod.”

Hehadtogethelp.Buffyandtheothersareinthelibrary,hethought.Icouldbethereinlessthanaminute,ifIleftrightnow.EspeciallyifIrun.

Runningwasdefinitelyintheplan.

Heturnedtodojustthat,butthenhedidn’t.

Becausewhenheturned,hefoundhimselfface-to-facewithamonsterfromhisworstnightmares.

Itwasgreenandcoveredinscales.Ithadteeth,lotsofteeth,andhangingdownbesideitshorribleopenmouthwerewhiskers,fishwhiskerslikeacatfishhas,whichisthereasonit’scalledacatfish,otherwiselookingnothinglikeacat.Itshandsendedinfingerswithbigclawsonthem.Itstoodalmostaheadtallerthanhim.

Itscreamed.

SodidXander.

CHAPTER8Cordelia,itturnedout,couldsortofdraw.Which,whoknew?Xanderhadthoughtherskillswerelimitedtocheerleading,cuttingsarcasm,andpersonalgrooming.Butthereshesat,sketchpadonherlap,pencilinherhand,sketchingoutacreaturethatboresomeresemblancetothethinghehadencounteredinthecafeteria.

Emphasison“some”resemblance.

“No,themouth’salotbigger,”hesaid.“Anddownward.Likethis.”Hedemonstrated,turninghisownmouthdown.“Withmoreteeth.”

Shedroppedthepadandpencildownonthetableandstood,impatienceinhervoice.“I’mdoingthebestIcan.”

“Isthatwhatyousaw,Xander?”Gilesasked,tryingtodefusethings.

“Yeah.Ithinkso.Prettymuch.”

Gilesdrewthenextpartout.GivingXandertimetodecide,yesorno.“Areyousure?”

“Well,itwasdark.Andthethingwentthroughthewindowsoquick.AndIwasalittleshockedwhenIsawitand...”

“Goahead,sayit,”Cordyprompted.“Youranlikeawoman.”Thatbitingsarcasmtalent,comingthroughagain.

“Hey,”Xanderprotested.“Ifyousawthisthingyou’drunlikeawoman,too.”

Thelibrarydoorswungopen,andBuffyandWillowcamein.

“Buffywasright,”Willannounced.“Accordingtostatistics,DoddandCameronwerethebestswimmersontheteam.”ShehandedGilesacomputerprintout.

“Firstandsecond,actually,”Buffyputin.“Whichmeans,ifmytheory’scorrect,thatGagePetronzi,thethirdbestswimmerontheteam,wouldbethenextitemonthemenu.”

onthemenu.”

“God,thisissosad,”Cordeliasaid.Xanderwassurprised.Atouchofhumanity?“We’renevergoingtowinthestatechampionship,”shecontinued.Falsealarm.“IthinkI’velostallwilltocheerlead.”

Xanderliftedonehandintotheair.“Raiseyourhandifyoufeelherpain.”

Gilesignoredthemboth,studyingtheprintout.“Ifyou’resayingthesekillingsaren’trandom,”hesaid,“itwouldsuggestsomeone’soutforrevenge.”

“Andraisethepossibilitythatsomeonebroughtforththisseademonfromwhenceitcametoexactthatrevenge,”Buffysaid.Then,asifhearingherownwordsforthefirsttime,shelookedatGilesandadded,“‘fromwhenceitcame?’I’mspendingwaytoomuchtimearoundyou.”

“Whowouldhatetheswimteamthatmuch,though?”Xanderasked.“Besidesme,Imean.”

Willowhadathought,whichsheexpressedbyraisingherhandandsaying,“Ooo.”

Buffyencouragedher.“Willow?”

“Jonathon!HewasbulliedbyDoddtheotherdayonthebeach,remember?”

“Hedidsayhecouldtakecareofthingshimself,”Buffysaid.“It’sagoodcall,Will.Youshouldquestionhim.”

Willowwasalittletakenaback,butsmiledquickly.“Really?Me?”sheasked,thengotintoit.“I’llcrackhimlikeanegg.”

“Meanwhile,”Gilessaid,hisover-the-glassesgazelandingonBuffy,“Ithinkswimmernumberthreemightbenefitfromyourwatchfuleyeandprotection.Discreetly,ofcourse.”

“I’monit,”Buffysaid.

“Whataboutme?”Xanderasked.“WhatcanIdo?”

“Well,”Cordeliasaid.“Youcouldgoouttotheparkinglotandpracticerunninglikeaman.”

likeaman.”

Xanderfoldedhisarmsoverhischest,defensively.Thereweresomethingsshewasjusttoogoodat.

GagePetronzisatinthestudentlounge,feetuponatable,hisattentionrivetedtoahandheldvideogame.

OrsoBuffyhoped.

Itwasthenextday,andtheloungewasfullofstudents.Butitwasn’tsofullthathewouldn’tbeabletoseehersittingthere,ifhelookedup.Shewasnotexactlyinconspicuousinherbrightpurpleshirtandblackpants.Sheheldamagazineinfrontofherface,flippingpagesnowandthentomakeitlooklikeshewasreadingit.Butmostly,shewatchedGage.Thelastthingsheneededwasforoneofthosecreaturestosnatchhimrightoutfromunderher.

Helookedup.Sheturnedawayquickly,lockinghergazeonthemagazine.Whenshethoughtitwassafe,shesnuckanotherglancehisway.

TheinterrogationtookplaceinWillow’scomputerclassroom.ShehadJonathonsittinginthefrontrow,hergooseneckdesklampturnedandaimedintohiseyes.She’dseenenoughmoviestoknowhowthisworked.EvenBasicInstinct,butthen,shethought,thatdidn’tre-allyapplyinthiscase.

“So,Jonathon,”shesaid,inherbestinterrogativevoice.“Youtriedoutfortheswimteamtwiceandnevermadeit?”

“I’masthmatic,”herepliedsimply.“Icouldn’tkeepup.”

“Youresentedit,didn’tyou?”

“Maybe.”

“YouhatedbeingpushedaroundbyDoddandtheothers.”Andwhowouldn’t?shethought.

“So?”

Foramoment,shethoughthehadherthere.Butthenshepulleditout.“So,youwantedrevenge,didn’tyou?”Andagain,louder,rightinhisface.“Didn’tyou?”

Thiswasthepartwheretheyalwaysbrokedownandconfessed.

Jonathonblinkedbacktears.“Yeah,okay?Idid!”

Success.

Norubberhosesevennecessary.

Thisgrillingthingiseasierthanitlooks.

“So,”shewenton.“Youdelvedintotheblackartsandconjuredupabeastfromtheocean’sdepthstowreakyourvengeance.”

Helookedatherlikeshehadgoneinsane.

“Didn’tyou?”

Heshookhishead,clearlyconfusedbytheturnshehadtaken.“What?No,Isnuckinyesterdayandpeedinthepool.”

“Oh.”Hershouldersfellindisappointment.Then,realizingwhathehaddone,shemadeaface.“Eew.”

CoachMarinandPrincipalSnyderenteredthebuilding,walkedthroughthecrowdedschoolhallways.CoachMarin,asusual,worehisschoolcolorslikeabadgeofhonor.Theprincipalwasdressedinanothergrayvestedsuit,althoughtheshirtandtieweredifferentpatternsthanthedaybefore.

“Thisissuchablow,”thecoachcomplained.“Soonerorlatertherestofmyboysaregonnafindout.HowcanIaskthemtoswim?”

“It’saterrible,terribletragedy,”PrincipalSnydersaid.Theyturnedintothestudentlounge.“Weallfeelyourpain,Coach.Idon’tknowtwofinerboysthanCameronand...thatotherone.”Hestoppedthecoach,pointingwithonefingertoemphasizehispoint.“ButIknowthey’dwanttheirfriendstogoonandwinthatstatechampionship.It’stimetothinkabouttheteam.”

“Well,Idon’thaveafullteamasitis,”CoachMarinsaid.“Ifwedon’tfindsomeonebythisafternoon’stryouts,wewon’tbeeligibletocompete.”

“You’llfindsomeone,”Mr.Snyderassuredhim.“Allhehastodoisweara

“You’llfindsomeone,”Mr.Snyderassuredhim.“Allhehastodoiswearabathingsuit,right?”

Thetwomencontinuedthroughthelounge,outofearshot.ButXander,sittingatanearbytable,hadheardenough.

Gageleanedoverthepooltable,intohisshot.Heworehisteamjacket,goodoldburgundyandgold,overawhitesweater.MusicfromthePAalmostdrownedoutthesharpreportofthestickhittingthecueball,thecrackasthecuerolledintoitstarget.

Hewasplayingalone.

Sittingatthepastrybar,Buffywasalsoalone.Herhairwaspulledintoabun,securedbyachopstick.Sheworeallblacknow,thebettertoblendintotheshadowsoftheBronze.

Butitwasn’tworking.

Gagefelthergazeonhim,lookedup.Sheglancedaway,leftthebar,casuallystrolledtoaspotbehindoneoftheI-beamsthatsupportedtheroof.

Butshewasn’tentirelyhiddenbehindthebeam,andhespottedherthere,too.Hetossedhisstickontothetable,leftthegame.

Shestartedtomove,comingaroundthebeamtokeephiminsight.

Andwalkedrightintohim.

Shetriedtogoaroundtheothersideofthebeam,buthemetherthereaswell.

“This‘meandmyshadow’act?”Gagesaid.“It’sgettingold.Whatdoyouwantfromme?”

Caughtoffguard,shetriedtothinkonherfeet.“Well,um...It’salittleembarrassing,butsee...I’maswimgroupie.”

“Uh-huh,”Gagesaid.Notbuyingit.

Buffydugherselfindeeper.“Ohyeah.There’sjustsomethingaboutthesmellofchlorineonaguy.”Shereachedforsexy.“Ohbaby.”

Hesaid“Mmm,”andturnedonhisheel.

Hesaid“Mmm,”andturnedonhisheel.

Shechasedafterhim,gotinfrontofhim,andbroughthimtoastop.“Okay,okay,”shesaid.“Okay,obviouslymysexappealisonthefritztoday,soI’lljustgiveittoyoustraight.There’ssomethinglurkingaroundmakingfilletsoutofthepopulaceandIthinkyoumightbenext.”

Hewasnomoreconvincedbythisstorythanhewasbythelast.“Uh-huh.Andyouthinkthatbecause—”

“Well,it’salreadyattacked...it’salreadykilledsomepeople.”

“You’reonetwistedsister,youknowthat?Camtoldmeaboutyourgames.Gofindsomeoneelsetoharass.”Hepushedpastherandwentoutthedoor.Shehadblownit,bigtime,andcouldn’tevenbringherselftofollowhim.

Evenoutside,hecouldn’tshakethecreepyfeelingBuffygavehim.Gageshookhishead,tryingtoclearit.“Whatapsycho,”hesaid.

Hehadbeentalkingtohimself,butnowhenoticedsomeoneelseinthealley,atallguyinadarkcoat.Handsome,butpale.Theguymusthaveheard,becausehespoke.

“GottabetalkingaboutBuffy,”hesaid.

“How’dyouknow?”Gageasked.

“SheandI...hadthisthingonce,”thestrangerexplained.“Biggestmistakeofmylife.”

Nokidding.“Mycondolences,dude,”Gagesaid.

“She’sarealheadtripper,”theguywenton.Gagewasstartingtobealittlefreakedoutbythepersonalwaythisguywastalkingtohim.Afterall,they’djustmet.Actually,theyhadn’tmet.

“Tellmeaboutit.Girlthinksshe’sGod’sgiftorsomething.”

“Whoisshe,theChosenOne?”thestrangerasked.

“Exactly.”

“Youknow,”theguycontinued.“Whatshereallyneedsisforsomeonetoknockherdownafewnotches.”

“That’dbesweet,”Gagesaid,likingtheconcept.“Anyoneinmind?”

“You’reinluck,myfriend...”

Gageturnedbacktoseewhyhewasinluck,buttheguywasn’twherehehadbeen.Hecouldstillhearthestranger’svoice,though,continuing.

“Justsohappens...”

Andthentheguywasinfrontofhim,eventhoughitdidn’tseemlikeanyonecouldmovethatfast.Andhewasdifferentnow.Hisforeheadwas...thicker,somehow.Andridged.Itmadehiseyeslooksmaller,beady.Andhisteethwere...well,fangswastheonlywordthatcametomind.

“I’mrecruiting.”

Gagetriedtoscreamastheguylungedathim,growlinglikeananimal.Gagemanagedtogetoutacoupleofhoarseshouts,puthisarmsup.Buttheguybatteredawayhisdefenses.He’sstrong,Gagethought.Thentheguymovedin,grippingGageinanunshakablegrasp,andthenGagefeltthestranger’steethbiteintohisneck.Theyarefangs,hethought,astheysankdeepinhisflesh.“Hey,getoff!”heshouted.“Help!Getoffofme!Help!”

Buthealsorealizedthatthestrengthofhisshoutswasdiminishingwitheverypassingmoment.Ifnoonehadheardyet,noonewaslikelytonow.

BuffylefttheBronze,feelingverymuchdefeated.Shecouldn’texactlywatchdogGageifhedidn’twanttobewatchdogged.Buthewasnextuponthefeedingfrenzylist,shewassure.Shedidn’twanttheskinsofanymorestudentsleftlyingaround,emptiedoutlikeoldgrocerybags.Especiallywhensheknewwhothenextvictimwouldbe.

Sheheardastrangledcry,maybebecauseshewaslisteningfortrouble,ormaybejustbecauseshewastheSlayer,andthatwasthekindofthingshedid.

ItsoundedlikeGage.Anditsoundedlikehewassayingsomethinglike,“Help!Getoffofme!Help!”

Getoffofme!Help!”

Sheran,aroundthecorneranddownthealley.

Andtherehewas,sprawledoutontheground.Standingabovehim,someonedressedindarkclotheswasspittinglikehe’djusttastedsomethingtrulyick-inducing.

Shespunandlashedoutwithakick,knockinghimbackawayfromGage.Herespondedwithafamiliargrowl.Vampire.Sheyankedthechopstick—sharpenedtoapoint—fromherbun.Herhairfelldownaroundherface.

AndsherecognizedAngel,finally,atthesamemomentthatherecognizedher.

Sheheldthechopstickattheready.

“Why,MissSummers,”Angelsaidwithacoldsmile.“You’rebeautiful.”

Beforeshecouldfigureouthowtorespondtothat,hereacheddown,liftingGageaseasilyasonewouldachild.Angelthrewthelimpswimmerather,andtheybothwentdowninatangleoflimbs.Bythetimeshehadregainedherfeet,Angelwasrunningawayintothenight.Shedidn’tbothertogivechase.

“Oh,”Gagesaid,gettingtohisfeet.Hewasbleedingfromthebite,butotherwiseokay.“WasthatthethingthatkilledCameron?”

“No,”Buffyassuredhim.“Thatwassomethingelse.”

“Somethingelse?”heasked,surprised.

“Yeah,unfortunatelywehavealotofsomethingelsesinthistown,”shesaidflatly.“G’night.”

Butshehadn’tgonemorethantwostepswhenGagecalledout.“Hey!Walkmehome?”

Theywalked.

*

SunnydaleHigh’sOlympic-sizedpoolwasindoors,surroundedbywoodenbleachers.Inyearspast,thosebleacherswereseldomused,evenduringthe

bleachers.Inyearspast,thosebleacherswereseldomused,evenduringtheswimteam’smeets.Butthisyear,withthestatechampionshipwithingrasp,theywerejammedformeets,andevenpracticesessionsdrewspectators.

ThespectatorstodayincludedBuffy,Willow,andCordelia,althoughtheyhadadifferentagendathanmostofthecrowd.

Theteammembersstoodattheedgeofthepool,looseandrelaxed.Theyallworeswimcapsandgoggles.CoachMarinshouted,“Swimmers!Takeposition!”andtheswimmersdroppedintotheirstartingcrouches,readytodive.

Heblewashort,sharpblastfromhiswhistle.Suddenlytheairwasfullofswimmersinmotion.Theyhitthewater,eachinhisownlane,andstartedreachingout,cuppingthewaterintheirhands,propellingthemselvesthelengthofthepool.

CoachMarinwalkedalongsideastheywent,shoutingoutwordsofencouragement.“Keepitgoing,keepitgoing,”hesaid.“Allthewaytotheend.Allthewaytotheend.”Herepeatedhimselfasiftheyweresmallchildren,ormaybebigoneswhowerenotallthatbright.Butthenagain,Buffyreflected,shehadspentquiteabitoftimewithCameronWalker,whosheknewforafactwasnoEinstein.Somaybealittlerepetitionisagoodthing.

“Breathedeep,”thecoachsaid.Confirmationoftheory.

Gagestoppedswimminginthemiddleofthepool,scannedtheaudience.WhenhesawBuffy,hewaved.Shegavehimalittlehandwaggleinreturn.

Butthecoachspottedhimtoo.“Gage,youwithusornot?”hedemanded.“C’mon,let’sgo!”

Coincidentally,BuffyhadbeentellingWillandCordy,betweenthehandfulsofpopcornthatweretoday’slunch,abouttheeventsoutsidetheBronzethenightbefore.

“Hejustspititout?”Cordeliaasked.“IthoughtAngellikedblood.”

“Heusedto,”Buffyagreed.

“Maybehiseyesweretoobigforhisstomach?”Willowsaid.

“OrmaybetherewassomethinginGage’sbloodAngeldidn’tlike,”Buffy

“OrmaybetherewassomethinginGage’sbloodAngeldidn’tlike,”Buffyoffered.“Say,forexample,steroids.”

“Thatwouldexplainalltheirbehavioralchanges,”Willowsaid.

“Andthewinningstreak,”Cordeliaadded.

Willowtookthelogicalnextstep.“Somaybewhateverisintheirbloodiswhat’sattractingthiscreaturetothem!”

“Anyluckresearchingourfishmonster?”BuffyaskedCordy.

“Zippo.Wecouldn’tfindanyseademonsthatmatchthedescriptionthatXandergaveus.NotthatChickenLittle’smuchofawitness,but—”Cordeliastoppedinmidsentence,distractedbysomethingdownattheendofthepool.

“Oh,”Cordeliasaid,eyeswidening.“Oh.Oh,my.That,girls,ismykindof...”

Buffyturnedtoseewhatthegirlwaslookingat.Aswimmerwalkedtowardthepool,strong,muscularlegsleadingtoatiny,tightSpeedo.Aboveit,anarrowwaistflaredtoastrongchest,broadshoulders,powerfularms.

Goggleshungathisneck.

Abovethat,Xander’sface.

“Xander?”Willowsaid,astonishmentringinginhertone.

“Xander?”Cordyechoed.HearinghisnameseemedtoremindXanderofwhathewaswearing.Or,notwearing.Hescrambledforakickboard,helditinfrontofthelittleswimsuit.Behindhim,forwhatgooditdid,heheldhisyellowswimcap.

Thegirlsclimbeddownfromthebleachers.

“Whatthehellareyoudoinghere?”Cordeliaaskedhim.

Xanderwhisperedhisreply.“I’mundercover.”

“You’renotundermuch,”Buffyobserved,stiflingagiggle.

“Getoutofherebeforesomeoneseesyouimpersonatingaswimteammember,”

“Getoutofherebeforesomeoneseesyouimpersonatingaswimteammember,”Cordeliainstructedhim.

“Idon’tdoimpersonations,”Xanderprotested.“Itriedoutfortheteamlastnight.Imadeit.”

“Really?”

“Yeah,”heexplained.“IfigureIcankeepaneyeonGageandtheotherswhenBuffycan’t.”

“Whenyou’renude?”Willowasked.BuffygaveWillowasmack,andshecorrectedherself.“Imeanttosay‘changing.’”

Atweetfromthecoach’swhistlecuttheair.

“Harris,”CoachMarincalled.“Youcanflirtonyourowntime.”

“Okie-dokiecoachie,”Xandersaid.Hebackedawayfromthegirls,tossedthekickboardbacktowardthepileitcamefrom,andjoinedtherestoftheteam.

Cordeliaseemedalmostinawe,butBuffycouldn’ttellwhetheritwasofhimorofherself.“I’mdatingaswimmerfromtheSunnydaleswimteam,”thecheerleadersaid,almostdreamily.

“Youcandiehappy,”Buffytoldher.

Cordydidn’tseemtohear.ShewastoobusywatchingXanderadjusthisgogglesashestoodwithhistoesatthepool’send,preparingtodivein.

“WhataboutJonathon?”BuffyaskedWillow,tryingtogetbacktotheearlierdiscussion.“Heinvolved?”

“Oh,no,”Willowanswered.“Hejust,uh...hesortofpeedinthepool.”

“Oh,”Buffysaid.

Xanderdove.

Buffyrealizedwhathewasdivinginto.“Oh,”shesaidagain.Thistime,though,hertonewasmuchmoredistressed.

Xanderdidn’thavealotofexperiencewithsteamrooms.Forthatmatter,sittingaroundanykindofroomwithabunchofguyswearingnothingbuttowelswasprettynewtohim.Thefactthatnoonewastalkingmadeitthatmuchworse.Alongsilencecouldbeuncomfortable.Along,nakedsilencewasdownrightunbearable.

Sohefilledthespace.“Don’tyouguysgetclaustrophobicinhere?”heasked.“Imean,what’sthedeal?Youperspirealot,youcan’tbreathe.Orread.Imean,youcould,butthepageswouldprobablygetallwet...”

Inthelockerroom,justoutsidethesteamroom,therewasadrainleadingintothesewersystemthatranbeneaththeschool.Overthedrainwasagrate,acoupleoffeetsquare.Normally,thegratejustsatthereinthefloor,asgratestendtodo.

Butthiswasnot“normally.”Andalsonotnormalweretheclawed,scalyfingersthathookedthroughthegrate,liftingitoutoftheway...

Buffypaced.ShepretendedtoreadaNoSmokingnoticeonthecorridorwall.Thenshegotsoboredsheactuallydidreadit.Thenshepacedagain.Finally,sheleanedagainstthewall.

Morefinallythanthat,Xandercameoutofthelockerroom,awhitetoweldrapedoverhishead.Ifhe’sgoingfortheLawrenceofArabialook,shethought,hehasn’tquitegraspedtheconcept.

“Yougottalovethisundercoverdeal,”hesaid.“Twentyminutesinahotroomwithabunchofsweatyguys.”

“Where’sGage?”sheasked,gettingrighttobusiness.

“Idon’tknow.Hewasrightbehindme,puttinghissneakerson.Butthey’renottheVelcrokind,sogivehimacoupleofextraminutes.”Xandertappedheronthearmashewalkedoff.“Tag,you’reit.”

Backtowaiting.

Insidethelockerroom,Gagewasindeedtyinghisshoelaces.Ashefinished,henoticedaputridodorcomingfromsomewhere.Hesniffed.Nothisshoes.Heraisedhisarms,checkinghimself.Nope.Hewasshower-fresh.

Heleftthebench,walkingthroughthedesertedlockerroom.Itsmelledlikeawalrushadcurledupinsideoneofthelockersanddied.

Thedisgustingodorwasevenmorepronouncedatoneparticularbankoflockers.Hesniffed,followedthestinktoaspecificlocker.Heopenedit.

Buffywasbeyondbored,andgrowingedgy.Howlongcouldittakeforoneswimmertotieapairofshoes?Maybethechlorinedoessomethingtothementalprocesses,shethought.Orthesteroids.Fastinthewater,slowonland.

Shewasonhermillionthpacewhensheheardhimscream.

“Oh,God!”Gagecalled.

Sheshovedthroughtheswingingdoorsandranintothelockerroom.Hewasstillscreaming,panicinhisvoice.“Help!Helpme!Helpme!”

Whenshecamearoundthebankoflockers,therehewas.Andthere,also,wasoneofthefishmonstersXanderhadseen,closinginonhim.

BuffyshovedGagebackoutoftheway.Hehitthelockersandslidtothefloor,terrified.Helookedlikehewasinpain,butBuffy’sfirstconcernhadtobethehuge,slimycreaturefromthedepths.Shefacedit,readyforittomakeitsmove.

ButGageletoutanotherscream.Somethingwasverywrongwithhim.Themonsterwasn’tattacking,soshetookacalculatedrisk,andleftitalone.Ifitwantstotangle,itknowswheretofindme.

Gagewascurledintoalmostafetalpositiononthefloor,hisbackagainstthelockers.WhenBuffyapproached,hereachedoutforher.Heseemedtobeinbig-timeagony.

“Gage?”sheasked,concerned.

Hescreamedagain,convulsing.Hisshirtwasopen,andheclutchedhischest.Foodpoisoning?Buffywondered.Heartattack?

Orsomethingworse.Hiswholechestseemedtobeheaving,skinrippling.Hedughisfingersintohisownflesh.Then,grabbinghisskininbothhands,hepulleditapart.She’dseenthatdoneondoctorshows,butthosepeoplehadthingslikeinternalorgansandribcagesbeneaththeflesh.NotGage.

thingslikeinternalorgansandribcagesbeneaththeflesh.NotGage.

Stillmoaning,heheldhisownhandupandlookedatit.Buttheskinofhishandfelloff,likeadiscardedglove,assomethingwetandslickpushedupthroughit.Thesamestuffforceditselfthroughtheholeinhischest.

Buffyrealizedwhatwashappeningjustbeforeitrosetoitsfullheight.OneofthefishmonsterswaseruptingfrominsideGage.Itsloughedoffhisskinlikeasheddingsnake.EverythingthathadbeenGagewasnowanemptysackonthelockerroomfloor,andahuge,andapparentlyunfriendly—gillmonsterwaslookingatBuffy.

And,likemostnewmonsters,itwashungry.

Itlungedforher.

Shebackedupastep.Andfelt—orrather,smelled—therankbreathoftheotheronerightbehindher.Whoops!

Shewassurroundedbysealife.Mykingdom,shethought,forafishhook.

CHAPTER9Bothcreaturesgrowled.Thiswasnotasimplefish-familyreunion,then.Theirintentionsseemedhostileattheveryleast.

Buffydidn’twasteanytime.Shegaveoneaquickkick,anditreeledback.Continuingherspinshelashedoutwiththesamefoot,catchingtheotherbeastinthechest.Itslegsflewoutfromunderitandithitthefloor.Shesnatchedupametalgarbagecan,hurleditatthefirstone.Itswattedthecanawayasshewouldafly.

Sheneededaweaponofsomekind.

Therewasalacrossestickinacorner.Shehadneverreallyunderstoodlacrosse,butsheunderstoodalongsolidobjectwithtwoendsthatcouldbeusedtojabandstrike.Shegrabbedthestick,swungitintotheheadofoneofthecreatures.Itroaredinpain,fellaway.Sheswungagain,drivingithomeontheother’sskull.Then,spinningaround,shetookacoupleofswingsworthyofMarkMcGwireintotheribsofthefirstoneshe’dhit.It’sfeelingthepain,shethought.

Thisjustmightwork.

Whichwaswhentheothermonstercaughtherfrombehind,burieditslongteethintoherarm,liftedherintheair,andslammedherintoabankoflockers.

Buffywasdazed,justawareenoughtoknowthattheywereabouttofinishheroff.

Buttheydidn’t,becausethenCoachMarinwasthere,helpingherupanddraggingherawaytosafety.

And,asifscaredofafairfight,thetwocreatureshitthefloor,slidingtowardthestill-opengrate.Theydovehead-firstdownthedrain,andweregone.

Thelasttimeshe’dbeeninNurseGreenleigh’soffice,itwastobereprimanded.Thistimeitwastobebandaged.ShesatinthesameplaceasCameronhad,afewdaysearlier.NurseGreenleigh,dressedinherwhitenurseclothes,lookedlikeshehadnevermovedawayfromthisspot.

likeshehadnevermovedawayfromthisspot.

“Idon’tthinkthatthis’llneedstitches,”thenursesaid.“Butyoumightwanttohaveyourfamilyphysiciantakealookatit.”

“Howareyou?”Gilesaskedher.

“I’mdefinitelyfeelingtheburn.”

CoachMarinflankedGiles.Thelibrarianturnedtohim.“Well,thegoodnewsis,itwouldappearnoneofyourteamactuallydied.”

“Butthebadnewsis,they’remonsters,”Buffyadded.

Thecoachseemedgenuinelyupset.“Howcouldthishappen?”

“Areyousayingyoudon’tknow?”Gilesasked.

“Well,youworksohard,youstartwinningsuddenly...youthinkit’sjustyou,you’reinspiringtheboystogreatness.Butinthebackofyourmind,youstarttowonder.”

Gilesdidn’tseemconvinced.“Youneveraskedtheboysiftheyweretakinganything?”

“MaybeIwasafraidto,”thecoachadmitted.

Afterschool,Xander,Buffy,andWillowmetinWillow’scomputerclassroom.Willowsatinfrontofoneofthemachines,whichisfitting,Xanderthought,becausesheactuallyknowshowtousethem.HeandBuffywerefeelingtheirwaytowardthetwentiethcenturywhileWillhadalreadyjumpedintothetwenty-first.

“There,”Buffysaid,pointingtosomethingonthemonitor.

Willowread.“‘DoddMcAlvy...torntendon.GagePetronzi...fracturedwrist...depression...headaches—’”

“It’sallhereintheschoolmedicalrecords,”Buffypointedout.

“Allsymptomaticofsteroidabuse,”Willowagreed.

Xanderfeltlikehewasstillastepbehind.“Butissteroidabuseusuallylinked

Xanderfeltlikehewasstillastepbehind.“Butissteroidabuseusuallylinkedwith‘Hey,I’mafish?’”

“Theremustbesomethingelseinthemix,”Willowsaid.“Butthepointis,theboyswereobviouslydrugged.”

Buffyadded,“AndNurseGreenleightreatedeachandeveryoneofthem.Shemusthaveknown.”

“Ifsteroidsarethatdangerous,”Willowasked,“whywouldtheydothattothemselves?”

Sonaive,sometimes,Buffythought.“Theyneededtowin,”sheexplained.“Winningequalstrophies,whichequalsprestigefortheschool.Youseehowthey’retreated.It’sbeenlikethatforever.”

Xanderjumpedin.“Sure,thediscusthrowersgotthebestseatsatallthecrucifixions.”

“Meanwhile,”Buffysaid,“I’mbreakingmynailsbattlingtheforcesofevilandmyFrenchteachercan’tevenremembermyname.”

WhichXandercouldactuallyseeanupsideto,aroundreportcardtime.Buthekeptthattohimself.“Sowhat’sthedrill?”heasked.“GetNurseGreenleigh?”

“Let’sthrowthebookather!”Willowsaid,maybealittletooenthusiastically.

“Sheprobablywenthomefortheday,”Buffysaid.“Ithinkitcanwait.Xander,whydon’tyouseeifyoucanfindoutwhattheseboysaretaking,oratleasthowthey’retakingit.Powder,pills,syringes—”

“I’mlooking-aroundguy.”

“Whataboutyou?”Willasked.

“Gilesisloadingupthetranquilizergun,”Buffyreplied.“We’regoingfishing.”

ThegroundbeneathSunnydalewashoneycombedwithsewerpipestallenoughforapersontowalkthrough,butnastyenoughthatonlytheverywiggiestpersonwouldwantto.

Buffysupposedthatthesamecouldbesaidofanycity.Butwhenit’sSunnydale,shethought,everything’salittlecreepier,anddittoforthesewers.ShewasgladshehadherWatcherwithher.Andmoregladthat,whileshewasarmedwithonlyaflashlight,Gileswascarryingabigoldgun.Hewasloadedforbear,asthesayingwent.

Onlyinthiscase,morelikeloadedforbarracuda.

Theybothsawitatthesamemoment,amotionjustbeyondthebeamofherlight.Sheraisedit,shiningitatthemovement.Gilesbroughtthegunup,cockedit,sightingalongitslength.

Butshetouchedhisarm.Onlyabigrat.Ooky,buthardlysupernatural.Itbelongedhere;theywerethetourists.Theykeptlooking.

Andastheyturnedacorner,movingdeeperintothedripping,malodorousdark,neithernoticedashadowyformwatchingfromthefarendofthetunnel.Watching,andwaiting...

Backinthesteam.Xanderwasgettingusedtothenearlynakedbodiesofhisteammates,andthesmalldegreeofmodestythatpaper-thinwhitegymtowelsprovided.

Thelackofconversationstillbuggedhim,though.That,andthefactthat,withoutconversation,informationwashardtocomeby.Sohedidhismonologuethingagain,hopingtoelicitaresponsefromsomeone.

“Ifeelgood,”hesaid.“Lovingthisswimming.Hadsomecarrotjuicethismorning,alittlewheatgermmixedin...wokemerightup.Nothinglikeit,huh?Breakfastofstatechampions,youbetcha.”Hepumpedhisfistforemphasis.

Hemightaswellhavebeeninaroomfullofcorpses.

Except,cometothinkofit,he’dalreadydonethat,andtheyweremuchmorelively.

Subtletyisn’tgoingtoworkwiththiscrowd,hethought.Timetobemoredirect.

“Okay,so,whendowegetournextdose?”

And,bingo.Paydirt.

Sean,sittingcatercornerfromXander,spokeup.

“Whatdoyoumean?”

“Who’scarrying?”Xanderelaborated.“Ineedalittlesomethingtoimprovemyperformance.Givemeanedge.Rrrr,”hegrowled.

Seanlookedaway.

Xanderdecidedhe’dbeenrightaboutthesubtleapproach.Theseguysneededtobehitoverthehead.“Thesteroids?Wherearethey?”

Thistime,Seanlaughed.“You’resoakin’init,bud.”

“Huh?”Xanderasked,notquitefollowing.

Seantookadeepbreath,blewitout.“Aromatherapy,”heexplained.“It’sinthesteam.”

CoachMarinwalkedbrisklyaroundthepool,movinglikeamanwithamission.Behindhim,NurseGreenleighrushedtokeepup.“Thishasgottostop,Carl,”shesaid.“Thosepoorchildren.”

Heglancedbackather.“What,areyouaquitter?There’snoroomforquittersonthisteam.”

“Doyouevenunderstandwhat’shappening?Listentoyourself!”

“We’reveryclosetoperfectingthis.Wejustneedtoadjustthemix.”Hereachedastaircaseandheadeddown.

NurseGreenleighkeptrightonhisheels.“Carl,youcan’tbethinkingofcontinuingtoexposetheseboys.”

“They’regonnabethebest,”thecoachinsisted.“Idon’tacceptanythingless.”Atthebottomofthestairs,heturnedintoapumproomthatranbeneaththepool.Insidewasashortstaircase,andheclimbeditsthreestepstoaplatform.

“They’regonnabemonsters!”thenurseargued.“Carl,please.Don’tmakeitanyworse.You’vealreadylostthree.”

worse.You’vealreadylostthree.”

Shewasstillrightbehindhim.Hestoppedsuddenly,andturnedtoher.“Lost?They’renotlost.”Hegrabbedherbyherupperarms,gaveamightypush,andshovedhertowherethereshouldhavebeenagrateinthefloor.

Butthegratewasmovedtooneside,andtheholewasopen.

Withashriek,shefellthrough.

Andsplashedintoadank,filthygrotto,aboutoneflightdown.Thecoldsmellywatercametoherwaist.

“Carl!Whatareyoudoing?”shedemanded,tearsinhereyes.

Thesewers!

Hesmileddownfromabove.“I’mjustlookingaftermyboys.Theymaybeoutofthegamerightnow,butthey’restillateam,”hesaid.“Andateam’sgottaeat.”

“Carl!”shecalledagain.

Buthesimplypushedthegratebackintoplace.“Youquitter,”hesaid.Thenhedisappeared,andsheheardhisfootstepsreceding.

Shebackedthroughthewater.Therehastobeawayoutofhere,shethought.Thewatermustcomefromsomewhere.She’dfindherwayout.Shewasnopushover.Andwhenshegotout,she’dmakeCarlMarinpay—

Whichwaswhenshefeltclawedhandsaroundherankles.Shewasonlyabletoletoutashortshriekbeforeshewasyankedunderthewater.

Withinafewmoments,thesurfacewasplacidoncemore.

CHAPTER10Xanderpacedthelibraryfloor,nervous.Hewasn’tordinarilyanail-bitin’guy,butthiswasnotanordinarysituation,andheworriedthemtothequickashewalked.

“They’reabsorbingthesteroidmixturethroughthesteam,”Gilessaid,asifhewastellinganyonesomethingtheydidn’talreadyknow.

“Notthey,”Xandersaid.“We.Me.Weneedtofindanantidote,don’tyouthink?Theclockisticking,people.”

Willowwasinachairnearby,lookingappropriatelyworried.BuffysatIndianstyleonatable.Cordelialookedgorgeousonthesteps—notespeciallyuseful,asshewasn’tmixingchemicalsoranything.Butcute,justthesame.

“Iwouldn’tbreakoutthetartarsaucejustyet,”Buffysaid.“It’snotlikeyouwereexposedmorethanonce.”

Xanderlookedather,willinghertoacceptreality.

“Twice?”sheasked.

“Threetimesafishguy.”

“Oh—whoa,”Willowsaid.

“WhatamIgonnado?”Xanderasked,makingeveryattempttoavoidactualwhining.

“You,you,you...Whataboutme?”Cordeliasaid.“It’sonethingtobedatingthelame,unpopularguy.It’sanotherthingtodatetheCreaturefromtheBlueLagoon.”

“‘Black’Lagoon,”Xandercorrected.Hisanxietywasapparentinhistone,whichevenherealizedwasvergingonsnappish.“ThecreaturefromtheBlueLagoonwasBrookeShields.Andthankyousomuchforyoursupport.”Hesankontothestairbelowhers,headinhishands.

Hewasdoomed.

“Ithinkwe’dbetterfindtherestoftheswimteam,”Buffysuggested,“andlockthemupbeforetheygetintouchwiththeirinnerhalibut.”

“Yes,good,”Gilessaid.“Wealsoneedtoknowexactlywhatwasinthissteroidgassothehospital’stoxicologylabcandevelopanantidote.”

Mynewfavoriteword,Xanderthought.“Antidote.”Itwaslikemusic.

“Well,I’lltalktoNurseGreenleigh,”Willowoffered,risingfromherchair.

“You’rereallygettingintothisinterrogationthing,”Buffysaid.

Willowsmiled.“Thetrickisnottoleaveanymarks.”Sheheadedouttofindthenurse.

“Onthatnote,”Buffysaid,“IthinkI’mgonnagohavealittletalkwiththatcoach.SomehowIdoubtthatallhe’sbeengivingtheseboysisinspiration.”

Xanderwatchedhergo.Giles’stalkofanantidoteaside,heremainedconvinced.

Anyminutenow,hethought,I’llbebreathingthroughgills.

Thepumproomwasanunpleasantplacetovisit.Itwascrowdedandcloseandsmelledlikegreaseandsweat.Notasbadasthesewers,butstillnotBuffy’sideaofanidealspottopassthetime.

WhichmadeitperfectfortalkingtoCoachMarin,becausehewasnotheridealpersontopasstimewith.

“You’vegotquiteanimagination,missy,”hesaid,leadingherupashortflightofstairs.

Hewasrightaboutthat.“RightnowI’mimaginingyouinjail,”Buffysaid.“You’rewearingabigorangesuitand—oh,look!Theguardsarebeatingyouup!”

“Youdon’thaveanyproofthat—”

Shecuthimoff.“Tellmewhat’sinthesteam,”sheinsisted.Heknows—hehas

to.Shehadnodoubtofthatanymore.

And,amazingly,hetoldher.“AfterthefalloftheSovietUnion,documentscameintolightdetailingexperimentswithfishDNAontheirOlympicswimmers.Tarpon,makoshark...Buttheycouldn’tcrackit.”

“Andyoudid.Sortof.”Buffywasastonishedthattheswimcoach,notagentlemanknownforoverexercisinghisbraincells,couldsucceedwherewhoknewhowmanySovietscientistshadfailed.ChalkoneupforAmericaningenuity.Butonequestionremained.“Why?”

“Whatkindofaquestionisthat?”heasked.Heseemedtogenuinelynotgetit.“Forthewin.Tomakemyteamthebesttheycouldbe.Doyouunderstandwehaveashotatthestatechampionship?”

“DoyouunderstandthatIdon’tcare?It’sover.There’snotgonnabeanyswimteam.”Whatdoesittaketogetthroughtosomepeople?shewondered.

Andstillhecouldn’tbuyaclue.“Boy,whentheywerehandingoutschoolspirityoudidn’tevenstandinline,didyou?”

“No,Iwasinthelinefor‘shredofsanity.’”

AsBuffyspoke,CoachMarinturnedawayfromher,towardacabinetofsomekind,reachedintoadrawer.Whenheturnedback,hishandwasfullofblackmetal.Agun.

Fromhervantagepointitlookedlikeabigone.Mostlyhole.Fromwhichabigbulletcouldcomeblastingoutatanytime.

Shefinishedherthoughtanyway.The“sanity”line.Notevenashredhere.“Whichyouobviouslyskipped.”

“Getinthehole,”thecoachdemanded.Hegesturedwiththeguntowardabigsquareholeinthefloor.Thegratethatshouldhavecovereditwasofftotheside.

Shedidn’tmove.Hewouldn’treallyshoother,wouldhe?

Butthenagain,shethought,he’sbeenbusyturninghisswimmersintogilledcreatureswhohideoutinsewers.Notthekindofguyyouwanttounderestimate

whenhe’sholdingagunonyou.

“In,”hecommanded.Whenshestilldidn’tgo,hebarked,“Now!”

Shesatdownontheedgeofthehole,legsdanglingintothecooldarknessbelow.“Thisisn’tover.”

“In!”herepeated.

Shepushedoffanddropped.

Thewaterwasnastyandcold,butnotdeep.Shesubmergedwhenshehit,butsurfacedagainquickly.Wipinghereyes,shelookedupatthecoach’ssmiling,insanefacethroughthehole.Hewavedthegunather.

“YouthinkIdon’tcareaboutmyboys,”hesaid.“ButIdo.Theycountonme.”

Somethingmovedinthewateraroundher,andshestarted.Thefishmonsters?Somethingelse.Bigandwhiteandred,floating.Italmostbumpedintoherasitdriftedpast,andittookheramomentoflookingatittorealizewhatitwas.

ThecorpseofNurseGreenleigh.

Ormostofit,anyway.

Buttherewerebigchunksofhermissing,whichwaswheretheredcamein,stainingheronce-whiteuniform.

Buffyfeltherselfontheedgeofpanic,butknewshehadtokeepittogether.“So,what,”shesaid.“You’rejustgonnafeedmetothem?”

“Oh,they’vealreadyhadtheirdinner,”heexplainedpatiently,likesomedementeddaddy.“Butboyshaveotherneeds.”

“Noone,”Cordeliasaid.“WillowandGilesmust’veroundeduptherestoftheswimteam.”

Theywereatthepool,buthadn’tbeenabletofindanymoreofXander’steammates.Although,Cordeliathought,ifXanderdidalittlemoresearchingandalittlelesspawingathimself,wemighthavehadmoreluck.

“Doesmynecklookscalytoyou?”heasked.

“Doesmynecklookscalytoyou?”heasked.

“Ofcourseitlooksscaly,thewayyou’vebeenrubbingitdrylikeanidiot.”Don’tboysknowanythingaboutskincare?shewondered.Moisturize,don’tirritate.

Xanderstoppedoutsidethedoortotheboys’lockerroom.“Ineedtolookinthemirror,”hesaid.“Waithere.Butfeelfreetocomeinifyouhearmescream.”

Hedashedinside,andshebrieflyconsideredgoingintothegirls’lockerroomtocheckherselfinthemirrorthere.Butno,shethought.Therewasmoreatstakeherethanmakingsureherhairwasjustsoandherskinwasn’tinanydangerasaresultofXander’sparanoia.Thestatechampionship.Shecontinuedaroundthepool.

Anyway,hewasn’tgonelong.Sheheardadoorclosebehindher.“Anygillsyet?”sheaskedoverhershoulder.

Butinsteadofjoiningher,therewasahugesplashinthepool.Thetangofchlorinefilledtheairasthecalmwaterwasdisturbed.“Xander,whatareyoudoing?”

Shelookedintothewater.Hewasswimmingfast,ablurofmotionandbubbles,andatfirstshecouldn’tgetagoodlookathim.

Butthenhisstrokesbecamesmoother,andherushedthroughthewaterlikea...

Well,likeafish.

“Xander?”

Becausehewasafish,orafish-man,anyway,allgillsandspikesandfinsandscales,andhewaskindofadarkgreen,andthisjustwouldn’tdoatall.

Ohno!

“Oh,myGod,”shesaid.“Xander...it’sme.Cordelia.I—Iknowyoucan’tanswerme,butGod...thisisallmyfault.Youjoinedtheswimteamtoimpressme.YouweresocourageousandyoulookedreallyhotinthoseSpeedos.”

Whatawaste!Icouldjustcry!

Hewentonswimming,andtherewasnowaytotellifhecouldhearher.Butshefeltshehadtosayitanyway.“AndIwantyoutoknowthatIstillcareforyou,nomatterwhatyoulooklike,”shebravelywenton.“Andwecanstilldate—ornot.Imean,I’llunderstandifyouwanttoseeotherfish.”

Shecrouchedbythewater’sedge,wantingtomakesureheunderstoodwhatshewassaying,whilestillkeepingherdressdry.“I’lltrytomakeyourqualityoflifebetter,whetherthatmeanslittlebathtoysorwhatever—”

“Uh...”someonesaidinherear.Shegasped.“That’snotme.”

Xanderstoodbesideher,pointingatthecreatureinthepool.ButifthisisXander,andhe’shuman,thenwho’s—

Theseabeastlungedatthem.

“OhmyGod!”Cordeliashrieked.“Ohhh!”

Theyran.Throughherpanic,Cordeliawaspleasedtonotethat,atleast,Xanderwasrunninglikeaman.

Gilesclosedthedoorofthelibrary’sbookcagebehindthefiveswimteammembershehadherdedintoit.“Staycalm,chaps,”hesaid.“Eitherwe’llfindaneffectiveantidote,or,uh...”Withoutafollow-up,hethrewthebolt,lockingthemin.“Staycalm.”

Willowcheckedherlist.“Everyone’saccountedfor,exceptSean,”shesaid.

XanderandCordelia,hurryingintotherelativesafetyofthelibrary,overheard.“IthinkwecansafelysaywefoundSean,”Cordeliapointedout.“Hewasinthepool,skinless-dipping.”

“Where’sBuffy?”Xanderasked,figuringitwasabouttimeshestartslayingsomething,already.

“Shehasn’tcomebackyet,”Willowreplied.

Which,toXander,wasjustalittlebitmorethandisturbing.

WhereBuffywas,wasstillinthedisgustingwaterofthetunnelbeneaththepumproom.Therewerenoisesallaroundher.Waterdrippingfromabove,lowgrowlsfromhereandthere,unidentifiedsloshingandsplashing.

“Great,”shesaidtoherself,turningslowlytoseethem.“Thisisjustwhatmyreputationneeds.ThatIdiditwiththeentireswimteam.”

Theywereclosingin,sheknew.Shegaspedatanearbysplash.Thewaterwasbeingstirredup,butsofarshehadn’tactuallyseenanyofthem.Theyhadn’tattacked.Buttheywereoutthere,andsheshouldhavebeencirclingherwagonsexceptthatshewastheonlywagonshehad.

Inthepumproom,XanderfoundCoachMarin,kneelingonthefloorlookingatsomethingbeneathhim.Xandercouldn’tseewhatitwas.ButsinceBuffyhadbeenonherwaytoseethecoachlasttimeshe’dbeenseen,heknewitwasn’tsomethingniceandsunny.

“What’sup,Coach?”heasked.

CoachMarinswungaround,startled.“Oh,uh,Harris.Howareyoufeeling?”Hesmiled,allcasual,likeafouryearoldcaughtintheact.

“Alittledry,”Xanderreplied.“Nothingalemonbuttersaucewon’tcure.”Heleftallpretenseofhumorbehind.“Where’sBuffy?”

Thecoach’sgazedriftedtohisside,toafifty-gallondrumthatstoodnearhim.

Or,moreaccurately,tothepistollayingontopofthatdrum.

OneofthecreaturesbrokethesurfacenexttoBuffy.Sheletoutacryasitdoveather.Shecaughtitsarms,turnedwithit,anditsailedharmlesslypasther.

Butithadafriend.

Thisonecameupbehindher.Shetriedtopushitawaywhenthefirstone,stillunderwater,grabbedherlegsinitspowerfulgrip.Ityankedherunderthesurface.

Shetastedthefoulwater.Itstunghereyes.

Shekickedandfought,strugglingnottoswallowanyofthewaterasitheldher

Shekickedandfought,strugglingnottoswallowanyofthewaterasitheldherdown.Shecouldfeelthething’steethgrazeherleg,tryingtofindpurchase.Musteringallthestrengthshecould,shekickedagain,jerkedherlegfree.

Shebrokethesurface,grabbedthemonster.

Hurledhimagainstthewall.

Anotherlungedforher.Shecaughtitsoutstretchedarms.Thewatermadejudoharder,butshepivoted,broughtitoverhershoulder.Slammedhimintoanotherwall.

AboveBuffy,CoachMarinwentforthegun.Xandersawhimmakethemove,andgrabbedthecoach’srightarmwithbothhands.Thecoachwasstrong,buthedidn’thaveanyleverage.Xanderdid.HebroughtCoachMarin’sarmup,anddroveitdownagain,hard,ontheedgeofthebarrel.Thecoach’shandspasmed,releasingthegun.

Xanderpressedtheadvantage,spinninganddrivinganelbowintoCoachMarin’sjaw.Theoldermanfellback.

Buffywasgettingtired.Movingthroughthewater,fightinginit,washarderthanfightingonland.Itopposedherwitheverymotion.

Thefishguys,however,thrivedinit.Nomatterhowmanytimesshepunchedthemorthrewthemorkickedthem,theycamebackformore.

Shewouldn’tgodowneasy.But,asthreeofthemsurroundedher,edgingcloserwitheveryheartbeat,shefinallystartedtothinkthatshemightbegoingdown.

“Buffy!Hurry!Yourhand!”

ItwasXander,stretchinganarmdownfromtheopeninginthepumproomabove.

Buthewasasfullyextendedashecouldget,anditwaswaytoohightojump.

Foranynormalgirl.

Buffyhadn’tbeennormalforalongtime.ShewastheSlayer.

Shesubmergedherself,coilingherselflikeaspring.

Shesubmergedherself,coilingherselflikeaspring.

Andlikeaspring,shesprang.

Uncoiling,shootingupoutofthewater,justasthethreegill-thingscameather.

ShecaughtXander’swrist.Hehadhers.

Butwashestrongenoughtolifther?

Oneofthecreaturesjumpedup,catchingherleg.Thentheyallstartedleaping,clawsrakingherfeet,hercalves.Shekickedthemaway.

ButthatthreatenedtobreakXander’sgrip.Shetightenedhersonhisarm,andhebegantopullherup.

Themonstersweren’tgivingup,though.Twoofthemgotgripsonherfeet.Sheshookthemoff.

“Holdon!“Xandercalled.“Comeon!”

“Pull!”Buffycried.

And—miraculously—hewasliftingher.Themonstersgrowledferociouslyasshewasraisedbeyondtheirrange.ShecaughtXander’supperarmnow,practicallyclimbinghimtogetoutofthathole.

Finally,sheclearedthefloor.Putahandonittohelphaulherselfout,thenherlegswerefreeandshewasonherhandsandknees,chokingandspittingoutthewretchedwater.

“Ohhhh...”shesaid,tryingtocatchherbreath.“Thanks.”

“Justdoingmypartforourteam,”Xanderreplied,shakingalittlewithrelief.Nottomention,exertion.Oughtahittheweightsmoreoften,hethought.

Buffycoughedagain,shookthewateroutofhereyes,andlookedupjustintimetoseeCoachMarinswingingapipewrenchdownonthebackofXander’sskull.

Xanderslumpedtothefloor,unconscious.

AndBuffykickedout,sweepingthecoach’slegsoutfromunderhim.Themanwenthead-firstthroughthehole.

wenthead-firstthroughthehole.

Shesnaggedhislegashewent.

“Helpme!”hebellowed.“Helpme!”

ButCoachMarinwasnotasmallman.Hehadmomentum,andhehadweight,andhewasthrashinglikeawoundedbuffalo.

Shelosthergrip.

Hesplashedintothewaterbelow.

Buffyflattenedherselfonthefloor,extendingherarmdown.“Grabmyhand!”shecalledtohim.

Hedidn’tevennoticeherthere.Couldn’thavemadetheleapthatshedid,anyway,sheknew.Buttherewasnootherwaytoreachhim.

“Uh,boys?Boys!”thecoachsaid.Darkshapesclosedinonhim.“No,no,boys!”

Andthentheywereonhim,allofthem.Hedisappearedinaburgundyandgoldblurbeneaththewater,beneaththescalesandfinsandgillsofhisstarswimmers.

Hischampionshipdaysarebehindhimnow,Buffyrealized.

Xanderstirred,joiningBuffyattheopening.Helookeddown.“Thoseboysreallylovetheircoach,”sheobserved.

Somedays,Xanderthought,youhavetoconsideryourselfluckyjusttobewalkingaround.Hisheadwasstillsore,andtherewasatenderswellingtherefromthepipewrench.

Butonthebrightside,hestillbreathedthroughlungsinsteadofgills.CoachMarinhadusedahandtoolonhim,buthadnothadachancetousehisgun.Hehadn’tbeeneatenorotherwiseviolatedbyanyfishmonsters.

Andtoday,hewassittinginthestudentlounge,fullydressedanddryasabone.HisSpeedodayswerebehindhim.

HisSpeedodayswerebehindhim.

Tomakeitevenbetter,sittingonthecouchnexttohimwasCordelia,andacrossfromthem,WillowandBuffy.Threelovelyladies,oneguy...couldn’taskforabetterratiothanthat.

“Let’ssee,”hesaid,reviewingtherestofthedayahead.“I’vegottotakeamake-upchemtestatthree,andthenI’mmeetingsomeoftheguysforplasmatransfusionsatfive.It’sturnedintoquitethebusyafternoon.”

Buffygracedhimwithhersmile.“Thefunneverstopswithyou,doesit?”

“Gilesseemsprettyconfidentthatthetreatmentsaregonnawork,”Willsaid.Whichwasgoodnews,ashewasn’tquitesurehowtotellhisparentshewantedtotradeinhisoldbedforanoversizedsaltwatertank.

“TurningintoaCreepyCrawlywasn’tinmy‘TopTenlistofthingstodobeforeIturntwenty,’”hepointedout.

Cordeliaturnedtohim.“Iwantyoutoknowthatyou’vereallyprovenyourselftome,”shesaid,withunexpectedtenderness.“Andyoudon’thavetojointhenewteamnextyearifyoudon’twant.”

Forwhich,hethought,myeternalgratitude.And,bytheway,nokidding.

“I’dbejustashappyifyouplayedfootball,”shecontinued.

BuffyandWillowexchangedlooks.

Gilesenteredjustthen,savingXanderfromhavingtodoorsaysomethingterribletoCordelia,fromwhichtheirrelationshipmightneverrecover.

“Thepeoplefromanimalcontroljustleft,”Gilessaid.“Ourcreatureshaveapparentlymadeadashforit.Sotospeak.”

Which,Xanderthought,isaboutascloseasGilescomestomakingafunny.Comedy,thelibrarianseemedtobelieve,wasapurelyColonialinvention.

“Doesthatmeanwehavetohuntthemagain?”Willowasked.

Buffyansweredher.“No,Idon’tthinkso.Idon’tthinkwe’llbeseeingthemanymore.”

anymore.”

“Wheredoyouthinkthey’llgo?”Gilesasked.

Buffylookedintospaceforamoment,asifshewereseeingsomethingtheotherscouldn’t.“Home,”shesaidsoftly.

Thesurfrolledingently,wavesfoldinguponthemselvesandbreakingaswhiteandfrothyasacappuccino.Thebeachwasquiettoday.Studentswereinschool,touristsgonefortheseason,nosurftospeakofsothesurferswereelsewhere.

Sotherewasnooneontheshoretolookoutbeyondthebreakingwaves.Iftherehadbeen,thatpersonmighthaveseenadarkformbreakthewaterandtakeafinallookbacktowardSunnydale.Almost,anobservermighthavethought,asifsayingalastgoodbye.

Then,theblackshapeturnedtothevastnessoftheocean,anddoveintoit,strikingoutforthetracklessdistance.Andifthatobserverhadbeenespeciallysharpeyed,heorshemighthaveseenasecondshape,andathird.

Alldoingthesamething.

Swimmingouttosea.

Goinghome.

INTERLUDEItwaslate—waylate,Xanderknew.Hisparentshadprettymuchgivenupworryingaboutwhenhewasgoingtocomehome,sohewasn’ttooconcernedaboutthat.Buthe’dhavetomakeittoschoolontimetomorrow—today,hecorrectedhimself.Andit’dbeeasierifhegotsomesleepratherthannosleep.Eventhoughthenighthadbeenaneventfulone,hefiguredatthispointhecouldprobablymanagetodropoffifhecouldgethimselfinthegeneralvicinityofabed.

Hepulledthecaroutofthebeachparkingareaandheadedbacktowardtown.Eventhoughitwasreallycoldnow,unpleasantlyso,heleftthetopdownbecause,hey,itwasaconvertible,afterall.Andwasn’tthatkindofthepoint?

Xanderfiguredhisparentsprobablytoldthemselvesallkindsofstoriesaboutwhatitwashedidwithhisfriendsatnightthatkepthimouttoallhours.Itsaddenedhimthattheyprobablybelievedthetypicalteenagestuff.Butatleasttheycoulddealwiththat,intheirheads.Iftheyknewwhatwasreallygoingon—thathe’dalmostbecomeafishguy,forinstance,orbeenabductedbythevillainousvampSpike,orturnedintoavampirehimselfbyawaywardwishofCordelia’s—they’dprobablybealotmoreworriedandsometherapistwouldbecashingtheirpaychecksasfastastheycouldearnthem.

Sohekepttheminthedark,andletthembelievewhatevertheywanted.

Anothersignofmaturity,hefigured,wastakingintoaccountthefeelingsofothers.Especiallywhenthoseothersraisedyouandkeptaroofoveryourhead.

AndXanderhopedthatallthechangeshe’dgonethroughwereatleastsomewhereneartheroadtomaturity,ifnotrightsmackonit.Therecameapointwhenyougottiredofthewholehighschool,adolescence,postpuberty,your-voice-and-body-have-changed-but-everybodystill-thinks-you’re-a-useless-kiddeal.

Ofcourse,notallthechangessincetheDayoftheFishhadbeenhis.

SlayerBuffyhadbeenthroughsomeofherown.She’dhadtosendAngeltoHell,forstarters.Which,admittedly,fromSunnydalewasn’tthatfaratrip.But

Hell,forstarters.Which,admittedly,fromSunnydalewasn’tthatfaratrip.Butshe’ddoneitrightasWillowhadcompletedaspellMissCalendarhadleftbehindonacomputerdiskthatwouldrestorehissoultohim—whichmadeitanactofsupremelybadtimingwithwhichBuffyhadahardtimecoping.

She’dlefttown,changedhername,andworkedasawaitressinsteadofaSlayer.Personally,Xandercouldn’tseeit.He’dwatchedwaitressesputupwithsomeprettyobnoxiousdiners.Butthosewaitresseswouldn’thavebeenabletodecapitatesaiddinerswithasinglekick.And,asmuchashecaredforBuffy,Xanderwasthefirsttoadmitthatpatiencewasn’talwaysherstrongsuit.

ShehadeventuallymadeherwaybacktoSunnydale,though,andtheSlayeretteshadreassembledaroundher.They’devenbeenjoinedbyFaith,yetanotherSlayerwhowasactivatedwhenSpike’sfriendDrusillakilledKendra.ApparentlytherewasabuginthiswholeSlayersystemthatcouldn’taccommodatethefactthat,whileBuffyhadindeeddied,shehadn’tstayeddeadforallthatlong.

Faith,asfarasXanderwasconcerned—well,especiallynow,butevenbefore—hadfitintotheScoobyGangbetterthanKendrahadanyway.ShemoreorlessadoptedGilesasherWatcher,andBuffygottohaveapeershecouldbondwith—prettyunusual,consideringthatthewholepointoftheSlayermythologywasthattherecouldbeonlyone.

Justtocomplicatethingsfurtherforher,AngelhadreturnedtoSunnydale.Again,thereturnticketfromHellwasnotsohardtoget,itseemed.It’dbeenhardforBuffytotrusthimagain—harderstillfortherestofthem—butitseemedthatMissCalendar’sspellhadworked,andhewasthecoolandwaytoo-good-looking,ifsomewhatdrawntodark,Slayer-attractingclothes,Angel.

Xandermadeonemorecircuitofdowntown,makingsurethetownreallywasquietforthenight.OnefinalpatrolintheBatmobile.Allthecitizensappearedtobesnugintheirbeds.

DrivingpastUncleBob’sMagicCabinet,wherehehadlastseenWillow,remindedhimofhernewhobby.ThewholesoulrestorationspellcastingthingintriguedWillowtothepointthatshetookupwitchcraft,and,despitetheoccasionaloops,wasturningouttobenothalfbadatit.

AftermostofalifetimeofknowingWillow—sincetheywerefive,anyway—theirfriendshiphadfinallyexpandedtoincludetheaspectoflust.Whichwas

theirfriendshiphadfinallyexpandedtoincludetheaspectoflust.Whichwasawkward,asXanderwasstilldatingCordeliaandWillowwasseeingOz.Theytriedtokeepthemselvesapart,evengoingsofarastoworkonaspellthatwouldkilltheattraction,butstill,OzandCordyhappenedupontheminmid-kiss,anditwasanunpleasantscene.

Likeitwasourfaultorsomething,Xanderthought.ImprisonedbySpikeintheFactory,theybothbelievedtheyweregoingtodie.Weneverwouldhavekissedifwethoughtweweregoingtohavetolivewithit.WhoknewthatOzwouldbeabletosmellWillowandfindthemthere?Whoknewhe’dhaveCordeliawithhimwhenhedid?

Cordyjustcouldn’tseethekissingpart—okay,somemightcallitmakingout—astheresponsetoalife-threateningsituationthatitsoclearlywas.Shethoughttherewasmoretoitthanthat.Sometimes,itjustdidn’tpaytoberescued.

Theupshotofitwasunpleasant,primarily,becauseforawhilethere,XanderhadhadtheoptionofquietingCordeliabyplantinghislipsonhers.Withoutthatfreedom,hersharpmouthreturnedtoitsoldhabits,whichincluded—highonthelistofhabits,infact—makingthosearoundhermiserablewithhersarcasticandinsultingcomments,andpassingjudgmentonthosewhodidn’tliveuptoherownstandards.

Which,byherdefinition,was—well,everybody.

Oz,notsurprisingly,turnedouttobealittlemoreunderstandingthanQueenCordy.HeandWillowhad—eventually—renewedtheirrelationship,leavingXanderaswingingsingleagain.Only,heobserved,withoutsomuchoftheswinging.

Aslandmarksofpersonalgrowthwent,Xanderfiguredturningeighteenwasoneofthebiggies.Thatlifeevent,itseemed,wasalittlemoretroublesomeforSlayersthanforthegeneralpopulace—asifthewholebitaboutnotgettingtohaveareallifebecauseyouspentpracticallyeverynightfightingevilandbadnessandsuchwasn’tbadenough.Onthebrightside,notthatmanySlayerslivedtobeeighteen,soitwasseldomaproblem.

ButBuffydid.AndtheWatchers’CouncilhadthisrulethatwhenaSlayerhitthatmark—passingherprimeSlayeryears,Xanderguessed—theyputherthroughatesttheycalledtheCruciamentum.

throughatesttheycalledtheCruciamentum.

Nicenameforabirthdayparty.

Whatitmeantwasthatshehadtofacedownaparticularlybadvamp,withoutherpowers.Shecouldusewhateverskillsshehadlearnedovertheyears,butshehadnoextrastrength,lightningreflexes—allthestuffthatbeingaSlayerhadgivenher,wasgone.

Andthekickerwas,theSlayerwasn’tallowedtoknowanyofthis.Shewassomehowsupposedtofigureitoutasshewent.

Theideawasthatavampirewouldbelockedintoahouse,andtheSlayerwouldbelockedinwithhim,andonlyonewouldcomeoutalive.Butthisvampireescapedthehouse,andtookthebattletoBuffy’sownhome,threateninghermom.Atthisturnofevents,GilesdefiedthecouncilbytellingBuffywhatwasgoingonandhelpinghertrackanddefeatthevampire.ThecouncilwaspleasedwithBuffy’spowerlessperformance,butnotsomuchwithGiles’sdefiance.Theykickedhimoffthecouncil,leavingBuffyWatcherless.

Niceguys.

Sunnydalewasasleep.Xanderknewthatheshouldjointhem.Hepulledthevehicletothecurbinfrontofhisparents’silenthome.Openedthedoor,climbedout,closeditasquietlyashecould.Thecarwouldbeheretomorrow.Itwasn’tlikehehadtogetallhisdrivingdoneinonenight.Hehadalifetimeofdrivingaheadofhim,heknew.He’dhavehisowncar,oneofthesedays.Thiswashislastyearofhighschool.He’dbeenthroughplentyofchanges,butprettysoon,therewouldbethatbigone,theleapintotheworldofadultcaresandresponsibilities.Manhood.Maybe,someday,marriage-hoodandfatherhood.Andthenhe’dhaveateenager,andhisteenagerwouldstayoutmostofthenight,drivingaroundtowninborrowedwheels.AndwhentheadultXandersawhiskidatthebreakfasttablethenextmorning,insteadofgivinghimthefifthdegree,he’dhavetomakesureherememberedtosmile,pathisoffspringontheback,andsay,“Congratulations.”

Xanderwentinsideandtiptoeduptohisroom.Inspiteoftheday’sevents,SunnydaleHighwasstillstanding,andwouldbewaitingforhiminaveryfewhours.Hemeanttobethereforit.

CHAPTER11Thecavernwasfullofsmokeandsnarls.Buffycouldn’ttellwhowaswhere—shecouldhearthedemonsbutnotseethem.Whichmeanttheycouldn’tseeher.

Whichcouldhavebeenagoodthing,exceptthatshewasn’talonehere.SheneededtoworryaboutGiles,herWatcher—well,formerWatcher,sheremindedherself—andWillowandXanderandFaith.ThoughFaith,beingaSlayertoo,couldprobablytakecareofherself.

Butthepointwas—focus,shetoldherself—thereweredemons,nastyones,andtheyneededtobedealtwith.She’dalreadytakenoutacouple.Butevenonestillwalkingaroundinthefogwasplentydangerous,especiallytoherfriends.

Throughthemist,apointoflightmovedintothecave.BuffycouldbarelymakeoutWillow,carryingacandle,chesthigh.WillowspokeafewwordsofLatin,andblewouttheflame.

Asuddenwindsweptthroughthecavern,andthesmokecleared.

Thedemonwassuddenlyvisible.Therewasjustoneofthemleftstanding,Buffysaw.Herskinwasasteelybluishgray.Shewasmany-horned,withlongpointedears,andamouthfulofbigunpleasantteeth.Iftheyhadbeautypageantsindemonland,thisonewasnotgoingtobeawinner.

ProbablynotMissCongeniality,either.

Buffychargedher.

Shecaughtthedemonjustasshewasturningaround,slammingintoherandknockinghertotheground.Thedemon’sstrengthwasenormous,andittookeverythingshehadtoholdherdownwhileGilesjoinedher.ShewassuddenlythankfulforherSlayerpowers—herrecentexperimentatlivingwithoutthemhadn’tturnedoutsowell,andthisuglybeastwouldhavealreadyrippedherheadoffanddecoratedthewallofhernestwithitifshehadbeenplainoldmortalBuffySummers.

Gilesgrabbedthehideousthing’sarmandtheyliftedhertoherfeet,backup

Gilesgrabbedthehideousthing’sarmandtheyliftedhertoherfeet,backupagainstthecavewall.ItsstrengthwastoomuchforGiles,though.Shehurledhimintothefarwall,knockingthewindoutofhim.

Buffyheldon,pressedthedemonagainstthewall,andshoutedtoFaith.

“Now!”

Faithraisedaceremonialbroadsword,andcoveredthedistanceinafewswiftsteps.Shedrovetheswordintothedemon’sheart.Thecreatureletoutalongdeathscream.

WhenFaithwithdrewtheblade,itwasredwithblood.Buffyletgo.Thedemonplungedforward,dead,andlandednexttoGiles,whoregardedthecorpsewithhorror.

“Ithinkthatwasthelast,”hesaid.

Willowcameintotheopencenterofthecavern,stillclutchingtheextinguishedcandleinitselaborateholder.

“Will,areyouokay?”Buffyasked.

“Yeah,I’mfine,”Willowreplied.“Theshakingisasideeffectofthefear.”

BuffyhelpedGilestohisfeet.Hewasn’thurt,justalittledazedbytheferocityoftheattack,shethought.

“Thankyou,”hesaid,stillatadbreathless.

“Well,ifitwasn’tforthatcloudingspell—”BuffygesturedtoWillow.

“Yeah,”Willowsaid.“Itwentgood!Nothingmeltedlikelasttime.”

“Thesebabeswerewickedrowdy,”Faithsaid.“What’stheirdeal?”Allthedemonsthey’dencounteredherewereclearlyfemale,whichwas,inBuffy’sexperience,alittleunusualinthedemonworld.Feminisminaction?Demonicsuffragettes?Gileswillknow,shethought.

“IwishIknew,”Gilessaid.Heturnedoverthelast-killed,lookedintoafaceonlyaplasticsurgeoncouldlove.“Mostofmysourceshavedriedup,sincethecouncilrelievedmeofmyduties.Iwasawarethattherewasanesthere,but

councilrelievedmeofmyduties.Iwasawarethattherewasanesthere,butquitefrankly,Iexpectedittobevampires.Thesearenew.”

“Andimproved,”Buffyadded.

“Yes,I’msorry.Ishouldhavebeenbetterprepared,andIshouldneverhaveallowedWillowand,uh...and,uh...”hetrailedoff.

Asheetofcardboardshifted,overagainstafarwall.Everyonetensed,suddenlyonguardforanotherassault.Butthecardboardcontinuedtoslide,andthenXanderappearedfromunderneathit.Hepushedhimselfunsteadilytohisfeet,breathingheavily.

“I’mgood,”Xanderassuredthem“We’refineoverhere.Justalittlebitdusty.”

Heclimbeddownfromthepileoftrashinwhichhe’dbeenhiding.“Goodshow,everyone.Justgreat,”hecontinued,clappinghishandstogether.“Ithinkwehaveahit.”

“Areyouokay?”Willowaskedhim.

“Tiptop,”hesaid,notveryconvincingly.“Really.Ifanyoneseesmyspinelayingaround,justtrynottosteponit.”

“Xander,oneofthesedaysyou’regonnagetyourselfhurt,”Buffysaid.

Faithputinhertwocents.“Orkilled.”

“Orboth,”Buffywenton.“Andyouknow,withthepainandthenthedeath,maybeyoushouldn’tbeleapingintothefraylikethat.Maybeyoushouldbefray-adjacent.”

Xanderwasclearlyhurtbytheimplication.Buffyfeltbadforhim—butnotasawfulasshe’dhavefeltifhe’dbeenphysicallyhurtduringthefighting.“Excuseme?”hesaid.“Who,atthecrucialmoment,distractedtheleaddemonbyallowinghertopummelhimaboutthehead?”

Faithdidn’tseemtoshareBuffy’sempathy.“Yeah,thatwasrealmanlythewayyoushriekedandall,”shesaid.

“Ithinkyou’llfindthatwasmoreofabellow,”Xanderprotested.

Buffychangedthesubject.“Whatshouldwedowiththetriohere?Shouldweburnthem?”

Willowpipedupatthat.

“Ibroughtmarshmallows!”shesaidwithawidesmile.Theotherslookedatherinastonishment.“Occasionally,”shecontinued,“Iamcallousandstrange.”

Gilestriedtosteertheconversationbackontrack.“Iexpectwecanleavethem,”hesaid.“I’mmoreinterestedinfindingoutwhattheyare,andwhetherwecanexpectmoreoftheirkind.”

“Ihopenot,”Buffysaid,rememberingtheirincrediblestrength.“They’rewaytoofit.”

“Isay,bring’emon,”Xanderannouncedloudly.

GilesputahandonXander’sshoulder,attempting,Buffythought,toleadtheyoungmanbacktosomethingresemblingreality.“Xander,”Gilessaid,“Ithinkinthefuture,itwouldbebestifyouhungbacktotherearofthebattle.Foryourownsake.”

Xanderwrinkledhisforeheadandspokeinahigh-pitchedvoice.“Butgee,Mr.White.IfClarkandLoisgetallthebigstories,I’llneverbeagoodreporter.”

“Hmm?”Gilesasked,clearlynotgettingit.

“JimmyOlsenjokesareprettymuchgonnabelostonyou,huh?”Xandersaid.

“Sorry,”Gilessaid.

“It’sokay.”

Theyleftthecavern,leavingthethreedemoncorpsesthatlitteredtheground,andwentoutintothenight.

CHAPTER12Thenextdaydawnedcrispandclear.ItwasJanuary.Less-than-superbowlgameswereover,buttheSuper-bowlloomed,andfootballfeverhadswepttheschool.Xander,hangingoutonSunnydaleHigh’squad,longedforthefeeloftheoldpigskininhishands.

NotenoughtohavetakenupCordelia’ssuggestionlastyearthathejointheteamoranything—thoseguysgothurt.Hedidn’twanttospendhissenioryearinacast.Buttherewassomethingaboutthisseasonthatmadehimwanttofeelthestingofitinhishands,watchaperfectpassspiralingfromhisarm.ThatoldYchromosome,actingup.

Andthereweresomeguystossingaballaroundthequad.Hecouldhearthesmackoftheballagainstfleshastheycaughtit.

“Hey!Doug,”hecalled.“Tossmeone!”Xanderbouncedupanddown,plaidshirttailsflappingwheretheydangledoutfrombeneathhisbrightredsweatshirt.

Doug,astockyguyinaletterjacket,wasactuallyontheteam.HeshotXanderalookandthenthrewtheballtoLes.

“Les,man!”Xandershouted.“I’mopen!”

LestosseditbacktoDoug.

Andnowtherewerecheerleaderswatching.

Thisisgoingtogetembarrassing,Xanderrealized,ifnoonethrowsmetheball.

“Buddy!”hecalled,unabletopreventanoteofdesperationfromcreepingintohisvoice.“Doug,righthere,man!Righthere!Doug,please!”

Dougrelented,threwahighpasshisway.

“Allright,”Xandersaid,runningtosnagtheball.“It’sallme—”

Butitwasn’t.

Theballbouncedoffhisfingertips,andlandedinthelapofastudentnamedJackO’Toole.Well,Xandercorrectedhimself,nothislap,exactly.Morelike,hislunch,knockingoveracanofsodaandsquishingasandwich.

And“student”wasn’tevenreallythewordtobeusedinreferencetoO’Toole,sinceitcarriedthatconnotationofstudying,whichwassomethingJackseemedtomakeeveryeffortnottodo.Hewasasenior,andhadbeensoforthreeyearsthatXanderknewof.Neverquitepulledtogetherthegradestomoveon,butdidn’tseeminterestedindoingthedrop-outthingeither.

Maybehewasafraidthatwouldleavehimwithoutanacceptablenumberofpeopletoterrorize.

Jackstoodupfromtheremainsofhislunch,footballinhand.Hewasunshavenandoldenoughforittomakeadifference,withshort,lightbrownhair.HeworeadarkbrownleatherjacketoveraplainwhiteV-neckedT-shirt.Amedallionhungfromaleatherthongathisneck.Fromtheglarehewasgetting,XanderknewhehadjustwrittenhisownnameatthetopofJackO’Toole’slist.Hetriedtodefusethings.

“Boy,Iamsosorry.Doug’sarmiskindalikespaghetti,we’reallsoverysadforhim.Isyourlunchokay?”

“Whatareyou,”Jackasked,“retarded?”

“No,”Xandersaid,stammeringalittle.“IhadtotakethattestwhenIwasseven,alittleslowinsomestuff,mostlymathandspatialrelations,butcertainlynot‘challenged’oranything.CanIgetyouanothersoda?”

“Ioughttocutyourfaceopen,”Jackhissed.Ifhe’sdoingClintEastwoodinDirtyHarry,Xanderthought,he’sgotitdown.

“Hey,hey,whoa,”Xandersaid.“Itwasanaccident.Cooldown.”

Jacklookedhimoverwithanexpressionsomewherebetweenamusementandmenace.“Youwannabestartingsomething?”heasked.

“What?Startingsomething?LikethatMichaelJacksonsong,thatwasalotoffun...”Hedidalittledancestepashesang.“‘Toohightogetover—yeahyeah.’Remember...thatfunsong...”

Jackdidn’tseemimpressed.“Igetmybuddiestogether,we’regonnakickyourasstillit’sabrandnewshape.”HepushedtheballintoXander’shands.“Nowgetouttahere.”

Xandergot.

Asheheadedbacktowardthequad,Dougcalledtohim.“Yo,man!Theball!”

Xandertosseditbacktohim,allinterestinfootballgonefornow.Cordeliawasstandinginfrontofhim,havingseenthewholeexchange.Great,hethought.It’salwaysbettertohaveyourlowestmomentsobservedbyyourex.

“Boy,ofallthehumiliationsyou’vehadthatI’vebeenwitnessto,”Cordeliasaid,“thatwasthelatest.”

“Icould’vetakenhim,”Xanderinsisted.

“Oh,please.O’Toolewouldmacrameyourface.He’sapsycho.Which,”sheadded,“isstillalotcoolerthanbeingawuss.”

“Whyisit,”Xanderasked,glancingatJack,“thatI’vecomeface-to-facewithvampires,demons,themosthideouscreaturesHelleverspitout,andI’mstillafraidofalittlebullylikeJackO’Toole?”

“Becauseunlikeallthoseothercreaturesthatyou’vecomeface-to-facewith,”Cordeliaexplained,“Jackactuallynoticedyouwerethere.”

Thiswas,Xanderreflected,oneofthosetimeswhenitwaseasytorememberwhyheandWillowhadformedtheIHateCordeliaClubwhentheywerekids.“WhyamIsurprisedbyhowcomfortingyou’renot?”

“Itmustbehardwhenallyourfriendshave,like,superpowers,”Cordywenton.“Slayer,werewolves,witches,vampires.Andyou’relikethislittlenothing.YoumustfeellikeJimmyOlsen.”

Remarkablyastute,hethought,consideringthewhothatitwascomingfrom.“Iwasjusttalkingto—”hebeganwithachuckle.Buthecuthimselfoff.“Hey!Mindyourownbusiness.”

“Ooh,Istruckanerve.TheBoyThatHadNoCool.”Xandercouldn’thavesaidwhy,afteralltheseyears,hestillfelttheneedtodefendhimselfagainstCordy’s

why,afteralltheseyears,hestillfelttheneedtodefendhimselfagainstCordy’sverbalattacks.Somedeep-rootedinsecurity,maybe?Whateverthereason,hedid,eventhoughitwasalwayshopeless.

“IhappentobeanintegralpartofthatgroupandIhappentohavealottooffer.”

“Oh,please.”Shestartedtowalkawayfromhim.

“Ido!”

Shespunaroundonhim.“Integralpartofthegroup?Xander.You’rethe...theuselesspartofthegroup.You’retheZeppo.”

Hegotthatreference,unfortunately.TheMarxBrothernooneremembered.Gummohadbetterlines.EvenGroucho,Harpo,andChicoforgotheexistedhalfthetime.

“‘Cool,’”Cordeliacontinued,throwingalooktowardwhereJackO’Toolestillworkedonwhatremainedofhislunch.“Lookitup.It’ssomethingthatasubliteratethat’srepeatedtwelfthgradethreetimeshasandyoudon’t.”

Sheturnedawayagain,leavingXandertohisverbaldefeat.Asshewent,heheardhersaytoherself,“Therewasnopartofthatthatwasn’tfun.”

Xanderignoredthelunchonhiscafeteriatray.Spaghettiwithsomekindofmysterymeatsauce,aroll,anapple.Hecouldsmellit,butthatdidn’tmakehimespeciallywanttoeatit.

HesatwithOz,wholistenedwithinfinitepatiencetohisrant.

“But,it’sjustthatit’sbuggin’me,”Xanderwassaying.“Thiscoolthing.Imean,whatisit?Howdoyougetit?Whodoesn’thaveit?Andwhodecideswhodoesn’thaveit?Whatistheessenceofcool?”

“Notsure.”Ozsaid.Succinct,asusual.Guyevengottochangehisnametosomethingcool,Xanderthought.AlmostnooneevenrememberedthathewasreallyDannyOsbourne.Oz.Succinct.Andcool.

“Imean,youyourself,Oz,areconsideredmoreorlesscool.Whyisthat?”

“AmI?”Ozpoppedapotatochipintohismouth.

“Isitaboutthetalking?”Xanderasked.“Youknow,thewayyoutendtoexpressyourselfinshort,noncommittalphrases?”

“Couldbe.”

“No,”Xandersaid,suddenlyseeingthelight.“You’reinaband.That’slikeabusiness-classtickettocoolwithcomplimentarymojoaftertakeoff.Igottalearnaninstrument.Isithardtoplayguitar?”

“NotthewayIplayit.”

“Okay,”Xandercontinued.“Butontheotherhand,eighthgradeI’mtakingflugelhornandgettingzerotrim,sotheinstrumentthingcouldbeamislead.Butyouneedathing.Onethingnobodyelsehas.WhatdoIhave?”

“Anexcitingnewobsession,”Ozreplied.“WhichIfeelmakesyouveryspecial.”

Xanderdidn’tmisstheimpliedsarcasticquotemarks.“Nowwiththemocking,whichIcanhandlebecauseIknowI’mrightaboutthis.I’monthetrack.Justneedtofindmything.”

“Itseemslikeyou’reoverthinkingit,”Ozofferedwithashrug.“Imean,you’vegotsomeidentityissues,it’snot—”

“—theendoftheworld,”Gilessaid.

Buffylookedathim,amazedthathehadevenraisedtheidea.Hewouldn’thavesaiditifhedidn’tmeanit,though.Thecouncilmayhavefiredhim,butonlybecausehewastryingtosaveherskinwhenherCruciamentumwentallkerflooey.Asfarasshewasconcerned,hewasstillherWatcher,andshetrustedhimcompletely.

“Cantheydothat?”sheasked.

Theywereintheschoollibrary,whereGileshadbeendoingsomeresearchintothedemonsthey’ddefeatedthenightbefore.Itwas5:20,schoollongsinceover,sotheyknewtheirconversationwouldn’tbeoverheard.

“Theyseemfairlycommitted,”hereplied.“TheSisterhoodofJheisanapocalypsecult;theyexistsolelytobringabouttheworld’sdestruction.And

apocalypsecult;theyexistsolelytobringabouttheworld’sdestruction.Andwe’venotseenthelastofthem.Morewillfollow.”

“Andthey’reinSunnydaleforwhat?DemonExpo?”

Gilestookoffhisglasses,gaveherthesternlook.“Buffy,thisisnolaughingmatter.”

“Hencemynolaughing.”

“I’msorry,”Gilessaid.“IknowI’mnolongeryourofficialWatcher,but—”

Thelibrarydoorswungopenwithasqueak,interruptinghim.

“Hey,”Ozsaid,bywayofgreeting.

“Hey,”Buffysaidback.Fullmoontonight;she’dalmostforgotten.

Ozwalkedpastthem,intothebookcage.

Gilesglancedathiswatch.Darknesscameearlyontheselatewinterdays,Buffyknew.“Um,”Gilessaid,“you’recuttingitabitclose.”

Ozclosedthecagedoorbehindhimself,startedtoshakeoffhisjacket.“Well,youknowme.”

Buffywentbacktothetopicathand,namely,theendoftheworld.“Well,doweknowwhythey’rehere?”

“Ithinkso,”Gilessaid.Hereachedforabookinwhichhe’dfoundsomebitofdataorother.“BasedonsomeartifactsIfoundwiththem,andtakingintoaccountthecurrentastralcycle—”

Shecuthimoff.“Giles,Idon’tneedtoseethemath.”

Heputthebookbackdownonhisdeskandsaid,verymatter-of-factly,“TheyintendtoopentheHellmouth.”

Sohewasn’texaggeratingwiththeapocalypsetalk.“TheHellmouth.Theonethatopens—”

“Abouttwentyfeetfromwhereyou’restanding,”Gilesfinished.

“Abouttwentyfeetfromwhereyou’restanding,”Gilesfinished.

Shelookedatanemptyspotoffloor.Empty,fromthisangle.Frombelow—notsomuch.

Andinthecage,afullytransformedwerewolfOzgrippedthecage’swirewithclawedpaws.Almostasifsensingthefearintheroom,hethrewhisheadbackandhowled.

“Andifitopens?”Willowasked.

Itwastheendofschool,thenextday.Anothercold,sunnyone.Theywalkedtogetheronthegrassinfrontoftheschoolbuilding.Aroundthem,otherkidswereheadinghometodohomeworkorwatchTV,goingtotheirafterschooljobs,planningdatesandparties.

NosuchluxuryfortheSlayer.

“DoyourememberthedemonthatalmostgotoutthenightIdied?”Buffyasked.Spokencasually—shereallyhadlargelyputitbehindher.

“EverynightmareIhavethatdoesn’trevolvearoundacademicfailureorpublicnudityisaboutthatthing,”Willowassuredher.“Infact,onceIdreamedthatitattackedmewhileIwaslateforatestandnaked.”

“Well,it’llbethefirsttocomeout,”Buffysaid.“AndGilessaysitwon’tbetheworstbyalongshot.Theworldwillbeoverrunwithdemonsunlesswestopit.”

“Doweknowwhenthisissupposedtohappen?”

“Gilesistryingtonarrowitdown,”Buffyanswered.“Ifyou’reupforit,we’reheadingintodeepresearchmode.”

Willowsoundedpositivelyeager.“I’dbeoffendedifyouhaven’talreadycountedmein.”

“Thanks,Will.There’ssomethingaboutthisone...itscaresme.IneedmyWillow.”

“Youdon’thavetobeafraid—”

Atwhichpoint,bothgirlsjumpedoutoftheirskinsatthemanichonkingofacar

Atwhichpoint,bothgirlsjumpedoutoftheirskinsatthemanichonkingofacarhorn,rightbehindthem.

Theyspun,adrenalinepumping.

Xander.

But,Xanderinacar.

Andnotjustanycar.Oneofthoseboatsfromthefifties,allchromeandfinsandsheer,gas-guzzlingmass.Aconvertible,noless.Mintgreen.Theradioblared.

Xandersmiledbehindhissunglasses.“Yougirlsneedalift?”

“Whatisthis?”Buffyasked.

“Whatdoyoumean,whatisit?It’smything!”Xandersaid.

“Yourthing?”Willowrepeated.

“Mything.”

Buffymadeaface.“Isthisapenismetaphor?”

“It’smythingthatmakesmecool!”Xanderexplained.“Youknow,thatmakesmeunique.I’mcarguy.Guywithacar.”

“Howcanyouaffordit?”Willowaskedhim.

“UncleRory,stackinguptheDUIs,lettingmerentthisbadboytillhe’smobileagain.”Xanderturnedthemusicdown.

Buffyfishedforsomethingtosayaboutit.Allshecouldcomeupwithwas,“Well,it’snice.”

“Couldyousoundalittlelessenthused?”Xandersaid.

“Sorry.”

“Evil,”Willowoffered,bywayofexplanation.

“Big?”Xanderasked.

“Biggest,”Buffysaid.“MaybemorethanIcanhandle.”

Xanderpulledofftheshades,suddenlyserious.“Thenwe’llhandleittogether,”hesaid.“YouknowI’mhereforyou.JusttellmewhatIcando.”

“Taketwoglazed,twocinnamon,couplecreme-filled,andajelly,”Xandertoldthedoughnutshopclerk.Theairinthelittlestorewascloyinglysweet.“No,no,let’sroundthatouttofourjellies.”

MaybeCordeliawasright.IamtheZeppo.

ThebiggestevilBuffyhadeverfaced,andhisjob?Fetchdoughnuts,Xander.Keepoutofthewayoftherealsoldiers,Xander.

Heresentedit.Butnotsomuchthathewouldn’tdowhathewasasked.Anarmyfightsonitsstomach,orsomethinglikethat.IftheSlayerandherSlayerettesneeddoughnuts,thendoughnutsthereshallbe.

Therewas,herealized,onlyonethingthatcouldmakethisworse.

Andthenshewalkedinthedoor.

“Ooh,someevilgoingon?”Cordeliaasked.“Itmustbebigforthemtoentrustyouwiththisdaredevilmission.”

“Cordelia,”hesaidingreeting.“Feelfreetodropdeadofawastingdiseaseinthenexttwentyseconds.”

“AgainIstrikethenerve.”Shesoundedquitepleasedwithherself.Whichwas,afterall,herusualstateofbeing.“Iamasurgeonofmean.”

Hetookhisboxofdoughnutsandwalkedoutthedoor.“I’mkindabusyrightnow,okay?”

Cordelialethimgetallthewaytohiscar,parkedinfrontoftheshop,beforeshestoppedhim.“Right,Buffyneedsyourhelp.Canyousay‘expendable’?”

“Youthinkyouknoweverything—”

“IthinkIknowyou,”shesaid.

“That’salaugh.”

“That’salaugh.”

“Oh,what,”Cordeliasaid.“Yougotashinycarandnowyou’resomeonenew.Likeanybodycaresabout—”

Shewasinterruptedbyablondgirlwalkingupthesidewalktowardhim.Andwhatablond.Youngandbeautifulandmostdefinitelyhot,withafigure-huggingsweaterthatshowedplentyoffigure.Luckysweater,Xanderthought.

Andshewastalkingtohim.

“Isthatyourcar?”sheasked.

Heloweredhisvoiceanoctave.“Whyyes,itis.”

Shelookedatthevehicle,admiringly,andsaid“’57ChevyBelAir,283C.I.D,solidlifter,fuelinjectedv8?”

Heknewshehadthenameright,anyway.Therest,hewasn’tsosureabout.Itwasn’tlikeUncleRoryhadgivenhimacrashcourseoranything.“Uh...verypossibly.”

“Howdoesshehandle?”

“Likeadream,”hereplied,stillbarelybelievingthisgoddesswastalkingtohim.“Aboutwarm,stickythings.Wouldyouliketogoforalittledrive?”

“Youbusy?”sheasked.

Right.

ThedayI’mtoobusytospendtimedrivingaroundtowninaclassicconvertiblewiththeprettiestgirlwhoeverjustwalkedupandstartedtalkingtome...

Well,justburyme,’causeI’llbedead.

“Justgottadropthisstuffoff,andthenI’ddescribemyselfas‘expendable.’”ThatlastwasforCordy’sbenefit,andhewatchedhertomakesureshecaughtit.Shedid.

Heopenedthedoorfortheblond.Shesatdown,andhecloseditbehindher,everthegentleman.Insteadofgoingtohisowndoor,hesteppedoffthe

everthegentleman.Insteadofgoingtohisowndoor,hesteppedoffthesidewalkintothebackseat,putthedoughnutboxdown,andthenclimbedintothedriver’sseat.

Itdidn’tgoquiteassmoothlyashehadenvisionedit.

Shedidn’tevenseemtonotice.

Hername,itturnedout,wasLysette.

Shelikedcars.

Andthatprettymuchdefinedher,asfarasXandercouldtell.

TheywereattheBronze.Itwasdarkout.Shewastalking.

Still.

“...andthen,youknow,IstartedseeingDavePeck.HadaThunderbird,enginecompletelytrickedout,buttheupholsterywaskindashot,sothenIstartedseeinghisfriendMike,nottheMikewiththeMercedes,theMikewiththeMustang,an’82,v6,youknowthelook...”

HisonlysalvationwasrememberingtheexpressiononCordy’sfacewhenhe’ddrivenoffwithLysette.That,atleast,wasworthsomeamountoftorture.

Maybenotthismuch.

Butsheissuchthebabe.

Evenso,whenhespottedAngelcomingintothecrowdedclub,itwaslikeseeingsalvation.

“Angel!”Xandercalled,practicallyleapingoffhisstool.Hewavedthevampireover.“Buddy.Friendbuddy.Youwanttositandtalk?”

“I’mlookingforBuffy,”Angelsaid,inhisusualbrusquemanner.

You’dthinkaguywouldlearnsomeetiquetteinalmosttwohundredandfiftyyears,Xanderthought.

“Library,lastIsaw.”

“Library,lastIsaw.”

“Something’shappening,”Angeltoldhim.“I’veseenportents—”

Nonewsthere.“Theapocalypse.They’reontopofit.”

“Idon’tthinktheyknowwhatthey’redealingwith.”Angelsoundedgenuinelyconcerned.

“Let’sgothere!”Xandersuggested,feelingthelifelineslippingfromhisgrasp.“Andtellthemthat.”

“No,”Angelsaid.“It’sbestyoustayoutofharm’sway.”

“ButIcouldhelp...”Xandersaid,butAngelwasalreadyatthedoor.Thelifelinewasgone.

Asiftoconfirmthat,Lysetteasked,“Hey,youwannagoforanotherdrive?”

Hewalkedhertothecar,parallel-parkedatthecurbclosetotheBronze’sfrontdoor.“Youknow,it’snotlikeIhaven’thelpedbefore,”heexplained.He’dfinallyturnedtheconversationawayfromcarsandtowardhimself.Although,I’mnotentirelysureshe’slisteninganymore.But,ohwell...it’snotlikeIwaslisteningtoher.“I’vedonequalityviolenceforthosepeople,dotheyeventhinkaboutthat?”

Hispretenseatchivalrygone,hesimplyopenedthedriver’ssidedoor.Shegotin,scootedover.Hesteppedinbehindher,slammingthedoor.

Hecrankedtheignition,threwthecarintogear,andstartedtopulloutoftheparkingspace.

“Imean,theyactlikeI’msomesortofklutz—”

Hehadn’tgonetwofeetbeforethecarstopped.

Butnotbecauseofanythinghehaddone.Atleast,anythingintentional.

Itstopped,becausethat’swhattendstohappenwhenonerunsintoanothercar.

Whichiswhathehaddone.Therewasaloudcrunchingofmetal,andthetinkleofglasshittingtheground.

ofglasshittingtheground.

“OhGod,”Xandersaid.“Areyouallright?”Arhetoricalquestion,sincehecouldseethatshewasfine.

Hegotoutofthecar,andLysettefollowed.

“OhGod,”hesaidagain.“Staycalm.Littlefenderbender,it’snot—”

Thedriver’sdoorofthecarhehadhitopened,andthedriveremerged.

JackO’Toole.

Homicideinhiseyes.

“—theendoftheworld.”

CHAPTER13Ozstoodinhiscageandgrowled.

“He’scranky,”Willowsaid.

“It’sagoodnightforit,”Buffyagreed.Theysatinthedarkenedlibrary,withjustenoughlighttoreadby.Thetablebeforethemwaspiledhighwithbooksthey’dgonethroughlookingforinformationthatmighthelpavertthecomingapocalypse.

“Can’tdogssensewhenthere’sanearthquake,andtheybark?”Willowasked.“Orcowsliedownorsomething?”

Buffyignoredher,readingoutloudfromthetextinherlap.“‘SisterhoodofJhe.Raceoffemaledemons,fiercewarriors.’Eew.‘Celebratevictoryinbattlebyeatingtheirfoes.’Theycouldn’tjustpourGatoradeoneachother?”

Gilesstormedintotheroom,mumblinghalftohimself.“Councilwouldn’teventakemycalls,”hesaid.Hesoundedfurious.“Idiots!”Then,tothegirls,heasked,“Anythingusefulinthebooks?”

“Notwildly,”Buffyreplied.Sheclosedtheoneshe’dbeenreadingfrom.

“WestillhavethebooksofPheriontogothrough,”Willowpointedout.

ButBuffydidn’twanttoreadmore.Shewantedtobedoingsomething.Anything.

“I’mgettingitchyfeet,Giles,”shesaid.“Wedon’tturnupsomethingsoon,I’mgonnahitthestreets.MaybecheckoutWilly’s.”

“Fine,”Gilessaid.Hewasheadedforthedoorhimself.

“Whereareyougoing?”Willowaskedhim.

Gilestookhiscoatfromahook,begantuggingiton.“Um,totryandcontactthespiritguides,”hesaid.“Theyexistoutoftime,haveknowledgeofthefuture.Ihavenoideaifthey’llrespondtomyefforts,butIhavetotry.Allweknowis

havenoideaifthey’llrespondtomyefforts,butIhavetotry.Allweknowisthatthefateoftheentireworldrestsonit.”

Hecamebacktothetable,lookedattheopendoughnutbox.

“Didyoueatallthejellies?”heasked.

“Didyouwantajelly?”Buffysaid.

Hesoundedhurt.“Ialwayshaveajelly.I’malwaystheonethatsays,‘Let’shavejellyinthemix.’”

“We’resorry,”Willowsaid.“Buffyhadthree.”

Buffygaveheralook.Rattedoutbymybestfriend.

“Nomatter,”Gilessuggested.“HaveXandermakeanotherrun.”

Buffyspokefirmly.“No.Xander’soutofthis.Henearlygotkilledlasttimewefought.Thiswholethingwillbeeasierifweknowhe’ssafe.”

*

“Oh.Gosh,Jack.Areyouokay?”Xanderasked,tryingnottosoundpanic-stricken.Helookedatthecars.Hiswasfine,butJack’shadabrokentaillightandsomedamagetothefender.“Iamreallysorryaboutthat.Yourcarcameoutofnowhere.”

“Iwasparked,”Jacksaid.Hisvoicestillhadthatsinisterhushtoit.

“Exactly,”Xandersaid.“Look,Icancoverthedamages.Idon’thaveinsuranceinthestrictestsenseoftheword,butIhavealittlemoney...theimportantthingisthatwe’reallallright,andwecanworkthisoutliketworeasonable—”

TherewasthefaintesttingasJackwhippedhisknifefromitsscabbard.Hehelditupinfrontofhimandthebroadbladecaughttheglowfromthestreetlights.

ItwasthebiggestknifeXanderhadeverseenoutsideofapiratemovie.

“—frontiersmen...”

“Wheredoyouwantit?”Jackasked.Likeitwasaforegoneconclusionthat

“Wheredoyouwantit?”Jackasked.LikeitwasaforegoneconclusionthatXanderwouldtakeitsomewhere.

“What?”

“Wheredoyouwantit?”Jackrepeated.

“I’mfairlycertainIdon’twantitatall,”Xandersaidabruptly.“Butthankyou.”

“Wow,coolknife,”LysettesaidfrombehindXander.Hewasbeginningtoregreteverhavinggivenherthatfirstride.

“Yeah,greatknife,”heagreed.“AlthoughIthinkitmaytechnicallybeasword.”

“She’scalledKatie,”Jacksaid.Hemoveditbackandforth,lettingthelightplayacrossitsblade.

Herblade,Xandercorrected.

“Yougaveitagirl’sname,”Xandernoted.“Howveryserialkillerofyou.”Tothegirl,hesaid,“Lysette,Ithinkweshouldbegoing.”

ButJackgrabbedhim,turnedhimaround,andheldtheknifeagainsthisface.Hecouldfeelthesharpedgeonhischeek,notquitecutting.Shavingtheday’swhiskers,though.

“Areyouscared?”Jackasked.

XanderwasprettysurewhatanswerJackwantedtohear.“Wouldthatmakeyouhappy?”heasked.Hecaughtthecrackingsoundofhisownvoice.Affirmative,hethought.Scared.

JackmovedthecoldbladebackandforthacrossXander’scheekandneck.Takesgoodcareofher,too.Niceandsharp.“Yourwomanlookingon,youcan’tstanduptome?Don’tyoufeelpathetic?”

“MostlyIfeelKatie,”Xanderansweredsincerely.

JackpressedthebladealittleharderintoXander’sflesh.“Youknowwhatthedifferencebetweenyouandmeis?”

“Again,Katie’sspringingtomind.”

“Again,Katie’sspringingtomind.”

“Fear,”Jacksaid.“Whohastheleastfear.”

“Andithasnothingtodowithwhohasthebig,sharp—”

JackwhippedtheknifeawayfromXander’sfaceandslappedthepommelintoXander’shand.NowXanderhadthebigsharpknife.Jacktookastepback,motionedXandertowardhimwithbothhands.Givinghimaclearshot.

“Comeon,”heprompted.

Xanderfeltthecomfortingweightoftheweaponinhishand.TriedtopictureplungingitintoJack’sbullyingheart.Justlikestakingavamp,hethought.

Buthecouldn’tdoit.Differenceis,avampire’salreadybeendeadonce.

“Iwannagoforadrive,”Lysettewhined,uninterestedinthislatestturnofevents.“I’mbored.”

“Oh,gee,”Xandersaid,lookingawayfromJackforamoment.“I’mreallysorrymylifeordeathsituationisn’texcitingenough—”

JacktookadvantageofXander’sdividedattention.HegrabbedXander,slamminghimbackwardontotheChevy’shood.SnatchingXander’shand,heturnedit,pushingthepointofKatie’sbladeupagainstXander’sthroat.Xandercouldalmosttastethesharp,oiledsteel.

Fromtheoutside.

ThenabrightlightshoneinJack’seyes.“Hey!What’sgoingon?”avoicedemanded.ThethugletXandergoandbackedaway,Katiesuddenlyvanishing.

Xanderstraightenedandsawapoliceofficerapproaching.HetrainedaflashlightonJackandtookinthescene.

“Nothing,”Jacksaid.“Justrasslin’.”

“O’Toole.Whatasurprise.”Thecopknewhim.Guessthatfigures,Xanderthought.Then,toXander,hesaid,“Heattackyou?”

Sayyes!Xanderthought.WithaknifethesizeofRhodeIsland!

Buthecouldn’tdoit.He’ddefusedJackbefore.Heknewhecoulddoitagain.Theguy’snotallbad,hethought.Bettertostayinhisgoodgraces.GettingJackarrestedwouldjustaggravatehim,andhewouldn’tstaylockedupforever.

“No,”hefinallysaid,givingtheofficerabig,we’sall-just-friends-heresmile.“Justblowin’offsteam.Twoguysrasslin’.Butnotinagayway,”hehastenedtoadd.

“Doitsomewhereelse,huh?”thecopsaid.Heleftthemalone.

WhenXanderlookedbackatJack,herealizedJackwasjuststaringathim,grinning.

“What?”

“Thatwasallright,”Jacksaid.“Couldanarkedonme,didn’tdoit.Decentofyou.”Hepaused.“Ilikeyou.”

SuddenlyXanderwasn’tatallsureifbeingfriendswithJackwasbetterorworsethanbeingenemies.“Yay?”

“Youtwowannahavesomefun?”Jackasked.

NowLysettewasinterested.“Like,withdriving?”

“Yeah,”Jacksaid.

Xanderknewthishadtobeabadidea.Whathedidn’tquiteknowwashowtogetoutofit.“Whatdoyouhaveinmind?”hestalled.

“Iwasonmywaytogettheboys,”Jacksaid.“Gonnacruisearound.”Hegesturedtowardtheconvertible.“We’lltakeyourwheels.”

“Whataboutyourcar?”Xanderasked.

Jackgavethedamagedvehiclealonglook.“Itain’tmine.”

JackclimbedintotheChevy’spassengerseat.Lysetteslidinbesidehim,inthemiddle.Xandersatbehindthewheel.“Great,”hesaid,withoutenthusiasm.“Whereto?”

“Whereto?”

“Gonnagettheboys!”Jackannounced.

“Yeah.Great,”Xandersaid.“Wherearetheboys?”

Itjusthadtobe,Xanderthought,somethinglikethis.Hadto.

Theywereinthecemetery.OneofSunnydale’smany.Jackstoodnexttoagrave,wavingachickenfootoveritasherecitedanincantation.Xanderwouldn’thavetakenhimforastudentoftheBlackArts,but,somuchforstereotyping.

“Hecallsforth,thespiritofUurthu,therestless,nooneshallspeak,”Jackwassaying.“Heshallarise!Hearme,thebloodoftheEarthshallrestorehim—”

Hedroppedthechickenfoot,drewKatie,andslicedopenhisownpalm.Bloodfromhishanddrippedontothegrave.

“Andheshallarise,”Jackcontinued.“Shallarise!”

Didn’tseemlikemuchofaritualtoXander,whohadseenoneortwodooziesinhistime.Lysettedidn’tseemtooimpressedeither—boredtodistractionwasmorelikeit.

Butresultswerewhatcounted,intheritualbusiness.Andthisonegotresults.Someone—presumablythe“he”ofwhichJackhadbeenspeaking—arose.

Twofistsshovedtheirwaythroughthegrave’shard-packedearth,followedbyacrewcut-coiffedhead.Asheclawedhiswayupfromtheground,Xandersawthathe’dbeenburied,inaquestionabledisplayoftaste,inaletterjacketwithabigSunnydale“S”onthechest,andadirtyT-shirt.

Andthat,sometimebeforebeingburied,he’dbeenshotinthehead.Therewasabig,puckeredbulletholejustoverhislefteye.

HelookslikeMoose,fromthe“Archie”comics,Xanderthought.Well,ifMoosewasreal.Andhadbeenshot,andthenburied.

“Buddy!”thedeadguyshouted.

Jackspreadhisarmswide,ahugesmileonhisface.“Bob,youbighideous

Jackspreadhisarmswide,ahugesmileonhisface.“Bob,youbighideouscorpse,comehere!”

BobthrewhimselfintoJack’sarmsandgavehimabigdead-guyhug.

Lysette,nolongerbored,gaveablood-curdlingscreamandranforherlife.

“I’llcallyou—”Xandercalledafterherdisappearingform.

Jackandhisfriendwerestilldoingthereunionthing,laughingandpoundingeachotherontheback,thewaymanlyguysdid.Evenmanlyzombies,itseemed.

“Man,youraisedme!”Bobshouted.Hisnormalspeakingvoiceseemedtobeashout.Xanderwonderedifthatwasasideeffectofhavingspenttimeinthequietofthegrave.ButBobwasabigside-of-beefkindofguy—Xanderfiguredquietandlow-keywerealienconceptstohim.

“Itoldyougrandpappycouldworkthatmojo,”Jacksaid.“BigBobisbackinaction!”

Bobpumpedhisfistsintheair.“Yes!”heshouted.ThenheandJackbuttedtheirheadstogetherinabondingritualXanderwasn’tfamiliarwith.“D’ahh!”Bobgruntedastheycollided.HegrabbedJack’sarms.“Ican’tbelieveyouraisedme!Thatissoawesome.Youarethecoolest!”

Xanderfiguredthiswashisbestopportunitytomakeagetaway.“MaybeIshouldletyouguyscatchup—”

JackpointedatXanderwiththeknife.“Bob,thisisXander,”hesaid.“He’sourwheelman.”

Ihaveajobdescription,Xanderthought.DoesthatmeanI’mhired?Because,retiringsoundslikeagoodidea.

BobtookasteptowardXander,gavehimafriendlypunchintheshoulder.Didn’tquitedislocateit,butitknockedXanderbackacoupleofsteps.“Hey,”Bobsaid.

“Howdy,”Xanderreplied,withagrimaceofpain.

“Dude,wherearetheotherguys?”BobaskedJack.“Wegottagoget’em!”

“Dude,wherearetheotherguys?”BobaskedJack.“Wegottagoget’em!”

“Absolutely,”Jackagreed.

“Allright,”Bobsaid.

Jackstartedwalkingtowardthecar,Bobfollowing.

Xanderstayedbythegrave.“Are,um...areallyourfriendsdead?”heasked.Notreallywantingtoknowtheanswer.

Jackobligedhimbynotanswering.“Xander,let’sroll.”

Xanderbroughtuptherear.

“HowlongIbeendown?”Bobaskedastheywalked.

“Eightmonths.Ihaddawaittillthestarsaligned.”

“Oh,eightmonths!Man.Igotsomecatchin’uptodo.”Bobstopped,jammedafingerintoJack’schest.“‘WalkerTexasRanger.’Youbeentapin’’em?”

“Everyep,”Jackassuredhim.

“Allright,”thezombiesaid.“We’regonnagettheguystogether,we’regonnaparty,man.”HeslappedXanderontheothershoulder.IfXanderhadanyfeelingatallleftinhisarmsbytheendofthis,he’dbehappy.“Thisisgonnabeanighttoremember,”Bobwenton.“Yeah!”

“I’msensingthat,”Xanderagreedquietly.

“ThebloodoftheEarthshallrestorehim,andheshallrise.”

Jackwasrepeatingthesamesceneatanothergraveyard.Hewas,Xandernoted,evenmoreefficientwithpractice.

Ahorribleheadpushedupthroughthedirt.Thisone’sskinwasalldiscolored,missinginpatches,toastylooking,likehe’dsurvivedaterriblefire.

Only,withoutthesurvivingpart.

“Dudes,”hesaid.

Andtheywereofftothenextcemetery.AsXanderpeeledawayfromthecurbwithascreechoftires,Bobwavedhisfistsintheairandscreamed,“Beeeeer!”

*

GilesstoodinRestfieldCemetery,alightedcandleinhishand.Torcheswerelitandjammedintopolesbeforethedoorofamausoleum.

GilesspoketherequiredincantationinLatin.“Donotdenyme,spiritguide!”hesaid.“Letthewisdomofthosewhohavepassedbeshowereduponme!”

Abovethemausoleumdoor,abrightcloudwasforming.Fromwithinthecloudadeepvoiceboomed,alsospeakingLatin.

“Thesesecretsbelongtotimeandthedarkregions!”thevoicesaid.“TorevealthemwouldbringChaosdownuponthelivingEarth!”

“Thebeastmustbefought,”Gilesinsisted.“Ouronlyhopeliesinfindingitsweakness!”

“Seeknot!Disturbusnolonger!”Thecloudblewawayonasuddenwind.Thetorchesandcandlewentout,leavingGilesaloneinthedark.

Inmorewaysthanone.

Xandersawtheendofit.Jackandhispalswererepeatingtheirritual,afewgravesover,andhe’dwanderedthiswaywhenheheardGiles’svoice.“Giles,”hesaid,relievedtofindsomeoneheknew.Andwho’salive.“Hey,what’sgoingon?”

“Oh,Iwasjusttryingtogainaccesstothespiritguides—notgoingverywell,I’mafraid,”Gilessaid.Hesoundedfrustratedashegathereduptheequipmenthe’dbroughtwithhim.“Whatareyoudoinghere?”

Xanderwasn’tsurehowmuchhedaredtosay.Itwasn’tjustthatJackwasdangerousandscary.Althoughthatentersintoit.Itwasalsothathe’dbeenhelpingJack,evenifsomewhatunwittingly.XanderknewhowmuchGilesdisapprovedofWillow’soccasionalforaysintospellcastingonherown.

Gottafigureraisingthedeadisevenworse,inhisbook.

“Oh,wewerejustraising...someheck.”

Jack’svoicecalledfromtheothergravesite.“Xander!Let’sgo!”

XanderrealizedthatGilesmightbehislastchancetoleavethesezombiesbehind.IftherewasawayhecouldlatchontoGiles,withoutconfessingwhathe’dbeenupto...“Listen,doyouguysneedanyhelp?”

“Hmm?”Gilesasked,distractedbyhisownworries.“Oh,no.Thankyou.Probablybestifyoustayoutoftrouble.”

“Notmuchchanceofthat,”Xandersaid.

Jackandhisbuddies—includinganewone—stoodbesidetheChevy.“Xander!”Jackyelled.“Motor!”

“There’ssomethingdifferentaboutthismenace,”Gileswenton.“Somethingintheair.Thestenchofdeath.”

“Yeah,Ithinkit’sBob,”Xandersaid.

“Wemayallbecalledupontofightwhenithappens.”

Xanderwasgettingalittletiredofthis“nobodytrustXanderwiththeinfo”thing.ButmaybeGilesisn’tinontheconspiracy,hethought.Worthatry...“Whenwhathappens,exactly?”

“Comeon!”Jackwasgrowingimpatient.

AndGilesdodgedthequestion.“I’dbettergo,”hesaid.“Hopefully,weshallhavetimetoprepare.Allweneedisafewweeks.”

“Tonight?”Buffyasked.

“Beforesunrise,”Willyanswered.“That’swhattheysaid.”

Willy’sAlibiRoomwascompletelytrashed.

Notthatitwasparticularlystylishinthefirstplace.Callingitadivewouldbekind,Buffythought.Itwasthekindofplacedemonsandseriousdrinkerscametoseekoblivion,company,andbruisedknuckles.She’dheardaboutlegendary

barbrawlsthathadtakenplacehere,butshewasprettysurethattonight’sdamageratedprettyhighevenbyWilly’ssomewhatflexiblestandards.

Willyhimselfwasabloodymess,crumpledonthefloorbehindthebar.Hiscashregisterwasdowntherewithhim,bothsurroundedbybrokenbottles.Therestoftheplacewasinthesameshape:furnituresmashed,mirrorsbroken,lightfixturestornfromtheceiling.

“Whydidtheydothis?”Buffyaskedhim.

Willysoundedmoreupsetthanshehadeverheardhim.“TheywerelookingforAngel.”

“Angel,why?”

“Saidtheywerecomingafteryou,too.Saidnothingcouldstandintheirwaybecausetonightwasthenight.”Hecoughed,clutchedhisbleedingchest.“Ahh,man.”

Buffywasworriedaboutthebarkeep.HewasatransplantedeasternerwhohadneverquiteacclimatedtosouthernCalifornia.Hisdarkhairandpaleskindidn’tlooklikethey’deverseenthesun—notbecausehewasavampire,butbecauseheworkednightsandsleptdays,shefigured.

Willy’swasn’taplacesheandherfriendshungoutin—youweresupposedtobetwenty-onetoevengetinthedoor,foronething.Andmostofhisregularsweredemonsandotherundesirables.Willyalwaysmadeperfectlyclearthathisowninterestswerehisnumber-onepriority,andhisassistance,whenhegaveitatall,usuallycarriedasteepprice.Butshedidn’twishhimanyharm.She’dcalled911assoonasshe’dfoundhim.“Theambulanceisonitsway.”

“Look,kid,”hesaid.“Myclienteleain’texactlynunsandorphans.ButIneverseenanythinglikethesedemons.”

Comingfromhim,astatementlikethatcarriedsomeweight.Butshewantedtosoundconfident.“I’mgonnastopthem,”shepromised.

“ThatHellmouthopens,they’regonnabetheleastofyourproblems,ismytrainofthought,”hesaid.“IfIwereyou,I’dgofindAngel,gosomewherequiettogether.I’dbethinkingabouthowIwannaspendmylastnightonEarth.”

TheradiowasblastingasXanderdrovethroughthenormallysubduedstreetsofSunnydale.Dickie,theburnvictim,andParker,whohadbeendrowned,satintheback.BothDickieandParker,atleast,hadbeenburiedinthetraditionaldarksuitsandties.

Jackrodeshotgun.Bobstoodinthemiddle,betweenDickieandParker,fistsraisedtothesky.

“Let’sgetsomebeer!”hewailed.

Parkerhadhisownideas.“Let’sgopickupsomegirls,man.We’llhangoutTacoBell,getsomegirls,gocruisearound.”

Theyalllaughedatthat—butthen,Xandernoted,theyallthoughtprettymucheverythingwashilarious.Asideeffectofbeingreturnedfromthedead,hefigured.

“Iwannabakeacake,”Dickiesaid,toanotherroundoflaughter.

“Hey,weneedsomebeers,though,”Bobinsisted,takinghisseat.Thebigguyhadaone-trackmind.

“Ican’tbelieveyougotshot,man,”Parkersaid.“WasitthemJackals?”

“Areyoukidding?”Jackresponded.“Wewipedthemoutaftertheythrewyouoffthebridge.”

“Oh,man,”Parkersaid,voicequakingwithemotion.“Youguysarethebest,man.Imeanit.”

“Itwasaliquorstore,”Bobtoldthem.“LittleArmenianguy,runstheplace,hehadagunbehindthecounter.Hey,weshouldgokickhisass!”

“Yeah!”Parkerscreamed.

“Yeah!”Bobechoed.

Xandercouldn’tbelievehewaschauffeuringabunchofzombiethugsaroundtown.Myfolkswouldhavemylicenseiftheyknew,hethought.NottomentionwhatUncleRorywoulddoiftheseguysleftsomekindofresidue,embalming

fluid,anythinglikethat,onhispristineseats.“Ifyouguyswantmetodropyousomewhere,that’s—”hebegan.

“No,”Jacksaidsharply.“You’rewithusnow.”

“Yeah,man,”Parkeragreed.“You’reontheteamnow,baby.Woohoo!”

“Whatarewegonnado?”Bobasked.

“Well,I’veheardsomeinterestingsuggestions,butI’mgonnahavetogowithDickie’s,”Jacksaid.“Let’sbakeacake.”

Thispronouncementwasmetwithachorusofcheersandcatcalls.Xanderhadtorethinkhisearlierposition.Abunchofzombiethugswithaninterestintheculinaryarts.

Hewasprettysurethenightcouldn’tgetanyweirder.

JackhadXanderpullupoutsideahardwarestore.Thegangpiledoutofthecar.“Youstayhere,”Jacksaid.“Andkeepthemotorrunning.”

“Thistimeofnight,”Xandersuggested,“I’mprettysurenothing’sopen—”

Bobthrewsomethingthroughthestore’splate-glasswindow,shatteringit.Thedeadguyspushedtheirwayinthroughthebrokenglass.

“Oh,”Xandersaid.“Butofcourse,they’realwaysopenforcrime.”Hekepthishandsonthewheel,eyesinfront.Hedidn’twanttoseeanymoreofthisthanhehadto.

Buthecouldn’tbringhimselftonotlook.

“Okay,nowI’minvolvedincrime,”hesaidtohimself.“I’mthecriminalelement.Havingacarsureiscool.”

Acrossthestreet,heheardabelljingle,andafamiliarvoice.

“Thankyou!Sorrytowakeyou!”

ItwasWillow!Thenhesawher,comingoutofashopdoorway.UncleBob’sMagicCabinet,thesignoverthedisplaywindowread.Therewasamanatthedoor,lockingupbehindhimself.“Noproblem,”theguysaid.

door,lockingupbehindhimself.“Noproblem,”theguysaid.

Xandergotoutofthecar.“Will!”hecalled.Hefeltawaveofreliefwashoverhim—butjustassuddenly,itpassed.

Andyou’regoingtotellherwhat,exactly?heaskedhimself.Shewashisoldestfriend;hewasn’tgoingtogethermixedupwiththeunder-the-hillgang.Theyhadn’tbeenviolentyet—towardhim,anyway.Butitwasapparentthattheyhadthecapacity.

Willowcameacrossthestreettowardhim.“Xander.Whatareyoudoinghere?”

“Nothing,”hereplied.“Certainlynotcrime!”Heglancedbacktowardthehardwarestore,makingsuretheguysweren’tcomingoutyet.“Whataboutyou?”

Sheheldupthepaperbagshehadcarriedfromtheshop.“Ineededsuppliesforaprotectionspell.BuffycalledfromAngel’s.It’shappening,tonight.”

Themysterious“it.”“Andthatthingthat’shappeningwouldbe...?”heasked.

“I...Ican’tsay,”Willowstammered.“Buffy’llneedthis.”Shestartedtorushoff,thenstoppedherself.Shecamebacktohim,threwherarmsaroundhisneck,squeezinghimtightly.“Iloveyou,Xander,”shesaid.Thenshereleasedhimanddartedoffintothedarkness.

Xanderwatchedhergo.Therewasdefinitelysomethinggoingon,andheknewhehadtobethereforBuffyandtheothers.HehadtogetawayfromJackandhisgang.“Okay,that’sit”hesaid.“I’mgoingto—”

HeturnedandwalkedstraightintoJack.

“Whereyougoing?”

“Look,”Xandersaid.“Something’sjustcomeup.”

“Youwannabailonme?”Jackaskedquietly.“Isthatit?”

Justthen,theotherscameoutofthestorecarryingshoppingbags.“Wegotthecakemix!”Dickieannounced.

“Wheredoyouwannabakeit?”Parkerasked.

“Wheredoyouwannabakeit?”Parkerasked.

“Xander’slookingtoleave,”Jacktoldthem.

“Noway,”Bobsaid.“Weneedawheelman.”

“Xanderdoesn’tfeelhe’spartofthegroup,”Jackexplained.Theotherguyscircledaroundhim.

“No,”Xandersaid.Idon’twanttobepartofthegroup.Buthedidn’tthinkthey’dappreciatehearingthat.“I’mkindofbusy...”

“Hedoesn’tfeellikepartofthegroup,”Bobsaid,“becausehehasn’tbeeninitiated!”

Xanderdidn’tlikethesoundofthatatall.Whatkindofterriblehazingritualwouldtheseguyscomeupwith?Wouldhehavetobreakintoastore?Killsomeone?Notelling.

“Doyouthinkhe’sready?”Jackasked.

“Ithinkhe’searnedhisstripes,”Parkersaid,drapingadisfiguredarmoverXander’sshoulderlikeadearfriend.Hesmelledkindoflikeacoffeepotthathadbeenleftontoolong.“Isaywelethimin,boys.”

Outnumberedandsurrounded,Xanderpastedabigfakesmileonhisface.“Great.Iwannabeinthegang,sure.”

“Allright,yeah!”Parkersaid.

“That’sthespirit,”Jacksaid.

“WhatdoIgottado?”Xanderasked,dreadingtheanswer.

JackwhippedKatiefromhersheath,heldherupinfrontofXander’sface.Xandercouldseehimselfreflectedintheblade.Hedidn’tlookhappy.

“Yougottadie,”Jackhissed.

CHAPTER14ParkerhadafirmgriponXander’scollar,andBobpressedagainsthimfromtheotherside.Hewasn’tgoinganywhere.

JackturnedtheknifefromsidetosidebeforeXander’sface,asifadmiringthewaythelightplayedacrosstheexpanseofblade.

“Allright,guys,”Xandersaid.“Let’sjusttalkaboutthis.”

“Youwannabeinthegang,don’tyou?”Parkeraskedhim.

Xanderanswerednervously.“Yes,butI’mnotdyingtobeinthegang.Ifyougetthe...thepunthere.”

Bob’ssenseofhumorseemedlimitedwhenitcametozombiegags.“What,areyou—you’retoogoodtobedead?”hedemanded,realangerinhisvoiceforthefirsttimesincebeingraised.HegrabbedXander’sjacketinbothhammyfists,pulledhimuptohisownbroad,bullet-scarredface.“Yougotaproblemwithdeadpeople?”

Xanderthoughthesawanout.“WhataboutJack?Jack’snotdead.”

Wrong.

JackliftedhisT-shirt,revealingaflatstretchofbellymarredbymultiplebulletholesstrunginanunevenline.

BobreleasedXander,wholookedattheroundentrywoundswithtrepidation.

“Driveby,”Jackexplained.“Threeweeksago.”

“Ohboy,”wasallXandercouldsay.

“Grandpappyfoundmybody,”Jackwenton.“Iwasn’tgonetenminutesbeforeheraisedme.It’sarush,man.”

Theysayskydivingisarush,too,Xanderthought.Andskiingdowntheslopeof

Mt.Everest,that’sbeendescribedasarush.Thosekindsofrushes,Xanderdidn’tfeelanyurgencyaboutexperiencing.

Sameforthisone.

“Let’skillXander!”Dickieurged.“It’llbefun!”

“Yeah,man,”Parkeragreed.HishandwasdrapedonXander’sshoulderinafriendlywayagain;he’drelaxedhisgriponXander’scollarwhenBobhadgrabbedhim.“Youcouldbeafull-fledgedmember.”

“Comeon,Xander,”Jacksaid.“Takeitlikeaman.”

“Allright,enough!”Xanderinsisted.Thiswasn’tgoinganyfurther.“Youguyshavehadyourfun.Butyouforgotaboutonething.”

Theyallstoodaround,waitingforhimtoenlightenthem.

Buttherewasno“thing.”Therewasonlytheslimmesthopeofcatchingthemoff-guard.

Xanderbolted.

“Gethim!”Jackshouted.

Therewasaclosedcoffeeshopacrossthestreet,theEspressoPump,withoutsidetablesandchairsbehindalowwall.Thewallhadopensections,blockedatnightbychains.

Xanderhadspentplentyofafternoonsatthosetables.Heknewthelayout.

Heduckedunderoneofthechains,racingontothepatioarea.Thezombiescameinontwosides,underthechains,andastheydidXanderleapttooneofthetables,thenbackoverthewall.

Fortunately,hehad,asJackhadinstructed,lefttheenginerunningintheBelAir.

Astheguyscamebackoutfromthepatio,Xanderjumpedintothecar,slammeditintogear,andpeeledoffdownthestreet.

Theywatchedthecarturnacorner,anditwasgone.Nowaytochaseitonfoot.

Theywatchedthecarturnacorner,anditwasgone.Nowaytochaseitonfoot.

“Damn!”Bobsaid,furious.“Theregoesthewheels.”

“Hetookallourstuff,man,”Parkersaid.

One-trackDickieadded,“Iwannabakeacake!”

“It’sallright.We’llgetmore,”Jacksaid.Thevoiceofreason.“Thenightisyoung.”

Theyheadedbackintothehardwarestore.

Blocksaway,Xanderwasstillbreathinghard.Hecouldfeelhishearthammeringinhischestandthroatandtemples.Therewasn’tanythingaboutthefeelingheliked,exceptforthefactthathishearthadn’tbeencutoutofhischest.

“I’dsaythat’sprettymuchenoughexcitementforoneevening,”hesaidtohimselfashegunnedtheengine.Themoremilesbetweenhimandthe“boys,”thebetter.

Hedidn’tevenslowdownforthecorners.Thestreetswereempty.Hescreechedaroundone,headedforthepark.

AndspottedFaith,lockedinmortalstrugglewithoneofthosegrotesqueblue-skinnedladydemonsliketheonesthey’dfoughtacoupleofnightsbefore.

Well,thattheothersfought,whileIhid.Butstill...

BuffyandFaithhadsaidtheyweretoughcustomers,eventhen,whenthewholegangwasalliedagainstthem.ThisonewastakingonFaithallbyherself,andseemedtohavetheedge.

AsXanderpulledoutoftheturn,thedemonhadFaithupagainstawirefence.Faithgottwohandfulsoffenceandkickedoutwithbothfeet,andthedemonwasknockedseveralstepsbackward.

Intotheparkinglot.

Xanderflooredit.

ThedemonmadeasatisfyingthuddingsoundasthefrontendofthebigChevy

ThedemonmadeasatisfyingthuddingsoundasthefrontendofthebigChevyplowedintoher.Shewasthrownbackintothegrass.

Xanderbackedup,jerkedtoastop.

“Getin!”heshouted.

Faithgotin.

Thedemonwasalreadyregainingherfeet.

Xanderthrewthecarintogearandracedbackoutintothestreet.

Theyweren’tgoingtobeatthatdemontonight.Butitcouldn’toutrunthem.

Havingacarsureiscool,Xanderthought.Thistime,hemeantit.

FaithhadaroomattheDowntownerMotel.Shehadn’tbeenintownlongenoughtofindpermanentdigs,butshe’dalreadyprovenherselfaloyalandhelpfulallytoBuffy.Eventhoughshewasn’tstrictlyneeded,sinceoneSlayerwasusuallytraditional,itneverhurttohavetwo.

Xanderpulledintothemotelparkinglot,crankedthecarintoaslotinfrontofRoom3.Theydashedfromthecarintotheroom,lockingthedoorbehindthem.Xanderpeekedoutthroughthewindowblinds.

“YouthinkDemonMamafollowedus?”heasked.

“Naw,”Faithsaid.Shestrippedoffherjacket.Beneathitsheworeatightblacktanktop.“We’recool.”Shewinced.“Thebitchdislocatedmyshoulder,though.Holdme.”

Xanderwasn’tquitesurehowshemeantthat.Sure,shewasabeautifulgirl,andshelookedgreatinthatskimpytopandtightpants.Butthey’dneverbeenalonelikethisbefore,inamotelroom.Couldshe...?

Hewenttoher,armsouttogiveherahug.

Andshebreathedalittleannoyedhuff,tookhishand,positioneditonhershoulder.Shepressedherownhandagainsthischest,andwrenchedhershoulderbackintoplace.

Thesoundwaslikesnappingabranch.Xandercringed.

ButatleastIknowwherewestand,hethought.

“That’sbetter,”Faithsaid.

But,oddly,shedidn’ttakeherhandawayfromhischest.Instead,shebeganmovingit,gently,ineverwideningcircles.

“Shereallygotmewoundup,”Faithsaid.“Afightlikethatandnokill,I’maboutreadytopop.”

“Really?”Xanderasked,swallowinghard.“Pop?”

Bywhichshemeans...?

Herlefthandcameupbehindhishead,strokingthebackofhisneck.“Youupforit?”sheasked.

Andherrighthanddroppedlower,deftfingersunbuttoninghisshirtasitwent.

“Oh,I’mup,”heagreed.“I’msuddenlyveryup.”

Shemovedclosertohim.Herlipswereparted,andhecouldfeelherbreath,hotonhischest.Shesmelledgood.Likesweat,butalsolikesoapandshampooand,well,female.

Hefelttheneedtoclarifyhismeaning...orisitjusttheneedtobabblesenselessly?“It’sjustthatI’veneverbeenupwithpeople,before.”

Shepressedherlipsagainsthis,shuttingoffanyfurtherconversationforamoment.

Helikedit.

Alot.

Shebrokethekiss.“Justrelax,”shebreathed.“Andtakeyourpantsoff.”

“Thosetwoconceptsareantithetical,”hepointedout.

Shekissedhimagain,akissthatgavehimthewillingnesstotrytooverlookany

Shekissedhimagain,akissthatgavehimthewillingnesstotrytooverlookanyapparentcontradictions.

Sheyankedhisshirtandjacketdownoffhisshoulders,throwingthemtothefloor.Kissedhimagain,hardandlong.

Shespunhimaroundandhurledhimtothebed.

Ashewatched,spellbound,sheclimbedontop,straddlinghim,andpeeledherownshirtoff.

“Don’tworry,”shesaid.“I’llsteeryou’roundthecurves.”

Hewondered,briefly,whyhe’dnevercomeupwiththiscaranglebefore.“DidImentionthatI’mhavingaverystrangenight?”heasked.

Thentherewasnomoretalkingforawhile.

Afterwards,sheledhimtothedoor,openedit.Hesteppedoutside,shirt,jacket,andshoesinhishands.

Shehad,atleast,givenhimtimetopullhispantson.

“Thatwasgreat,”Faithsaid.“Igottashower.”

Sheshutthedoor,lockingitbehindher.Apparentlyshehadn’tbeenthinkinglong-termcommitment.

Oreven,short-termconversation.Didn’tgirlsliketotalkafter?Gooutforbagels?Makeweddingplans?Oristhatallamythperpetuatedbythemoreexperiencedtoscaretherestofusawayfromjoiningtheclub?

Brightside,atleastI’vestillgotthecar.

Insidethebookcage,Ozsnarledandgrowled,leapingagainstthedoor.

“I’veneverseenhimlikethis,”Willowsaid,worriedaboutherfriend.

“It’stheHellmouth,”Gilesexplained.“Hecansenseit’sgoingtoopen.”HehandedWillowthetranquilizerrifle.“Bereadyjustincase.”

Gileswenttothecagedoor,shovedhiskeyintothelock.

Gileswenttothecagedoor,shovedhiskeyintothelock.

“Now,don’thesitate,”hesaidasheturnedit.

Willowraisedtheguntohershoulder,sighteddownitslength.“Doit.”

“NowOz—”Gilesbegan.Heopenedthedoor.

AndOzslammedintoit,drivingGilesbackintothewall.ThewerewolftookasinglestepintothelibraryandWillowpulledthetrigger.ThetranquilizerdartflewintoOz,itsimpactknockinghislegsoutfromunderhim.Hehitthefloorwithawailofpain.

Buthewasonhisfeetagaininlessthanasecond,andcomingforWillow.

“Again!”Gilescried.

Willowtriedtoshoveanotherdartintoplace.Herfingersfumbled.ShebackedupasOzleapttothetopofthetableinfrontofher.Hewasreadytopounce.

He’dkillherinaflash.

Gilescameupbehindhim,throwinghisstrongarmsaroundOz’swolfenform,andrestrainedhim.

Hecouldn’tholdOzforlong,though.

Finally,thedartslidhome.Sheliftedtheweapon,aimed,fired.

OzwentlimpinGiles’sarms.Thelibrarianputhimdownonthetable.

“We’vegottomovehimbeforehewakesup,”Gilessaid.

Willowknewhewasright.IftheHellmouthopened,therewouldn’tbeanygoodplacestobe—butlockedupherewouldbetheworstplacepossible.

Shestrokedhisfur.“Sorry,”shesaid.“Ihopeyou’renotmadatmeinthemorning.”

Xanderwasconfused.Hetuggedonhisclothesintheparkinglot,standingnexttohiscar.She’dthrownhimoutthedoor.Itwasnothingbutaphysicalrelease,forher.

forher.

Butatthesametime,hefeltgreat.Fantastic.Triumphant,even.

Okay,maybeshehaddonemoreconqueringthanhe,inthisinstance.Butstill...

Hefeltgreat.

Heopenedthedoor,gotintothecar.

Lookedathimselfintherearviewmirror.Hedidn’tlookanydifferent.

Buthewasdifferent,andheknewit.

Everythingchanges.

Then,intherearview,hecaughtaglimpseofDickie’s“ingredients,”stillinthebackseat.Hereachedback,gotthebag,broughtitupfrontwithhim.Rustledthroughit.

Abigcanofkerosene.Acoiledlengthofwire.Anine-voltbattery.Analarmclock.

“Hey,”Xandersaidtohimself.“They’renotbakinganycake.”

Hedrovebacktothehardwarestore.Thestreetwasempty.Thesmashedoutwindowgavesilenttestimonytothefactthatthezombieshadbeenhere,butotherwisetherewasnosignofthem.

“Longgone,”hesaid.“Probablyloadedwithsupplies.Gottathink.”

Hethoughtforamoment.“Ican’tbelieveIhadsex.”Wrong,Xander.Notimeforthat.“Okay,bombs,”hesaid.“Alreadydeadguyswithbombs.Oh,man,I’moutofmyleague.”Hepoundedonthedoorwithhisfist.“Buffy’llknowwhattodo,”hesaid.Hesteppedonthegas.

“Idon’tknowwhattodo,”Buffysaid.

SheandAngelwereinthegardenofhismansion.She’dtakenWilly’sadvice,afterall.FindAngel,hehadsaid.

Notsurprisingly,Angelhadalsobeenlookingforher.Hehadaknackforknowingwhenhewasreallyneeded.

Tonight,he’sreallyneeded.

Theywerelitbycandles.Afireflickerednearby.

Anyothertime,Buffythought,thiswouldallbedevastatinglyromantic.

“Thenletmedecideforyou,”Angelsaidgrimly.“Icanfacethisthing.”

“Youcan’t!”

“Look,”heargued.“IcanatleastbuyyouenoughtimeforWillow’sspelltobindit.Buffy,thisisworsethananythingwe’veeverfaced.Honey,it’stheonlyway.”

Shewasafraidthathewasright.Buthecouldn’tbe.Shewouldn’tlethimbe.

Angelwastheonlyman—ifthedefinitionof“man”couldbestretchedalittle—she’deverloved.Andthey’dbeenpartedtoomanytimes.

“Ican’twatchyoudieagain,”shetoldhim.

Hestrokedhercheekwiththebacksofhisfingers,tenderly.“Iloveyou.”

Sheraisedahandtohis,helditagainstherface.

“Iloveyou,”Buffysaid.

“Nothingcanchangethat,”Angelassuredher.“Notevendeath.”

Shethrewhishandawayfromher,backedawayfromhim.

“Don’ttalktomelikethat!”shesaidangrily.“YoumaybereadytogobutIamnotreadytoloseyou.Okay,thisismyfightandifyouwon’tdoitmywaythenyou—”

Xanderclearedhisthroat.Hestoodinthegardenentryway,feelingbadforinterruptingwhatseemedtobeaveryheartfeltdiscussion.Buthedidn’tknowwhereelsetoturn.

Theybothwhirledtofacehim.Hefeltsuddenlylikehewasunderaspotlight.

Notthemostpleasantfeeling.

“Hey,I’vegotthis...”hestammered.“Um...there’sthis,uh...it’sprobablyabadtime.”

Fromtheexpressionsontheirfaces,heknewhewasright.

“CanIhelp?”heasked.

Buffygavetheslightestshakeofherhead.

“Okay,”Xandersaid.Heleftthemtotheirargument,andwentupthegardenstairstowardthestreet.

“Igottaworkthisout,”hesaidasheclimbed.“Ijustgottafigureoutwhatthey’dbelikelytobomb.”

GilesintonedtherecitationintheappropriateLatin.

“Earth,wind,fire,andrain.AllfourpowersIbeseechyou.Protectusfromfreshevilunleashed...”

Ashespoke,hemovedaroundamysticalcirclepaintedonthelibraryfloor,lightingcandleswithalongoneheheldinhishand.

Willowinterrupted,comingbreathlesslyintothelibrary.

“Okay,”shesaid,asGilescontinuedwithhiscandlelighting.“Ozismoved.HecouldbarelywalkafterthatmickeyIgavehim,butwemadeit.”Sheputthetranquilizerrifledownonthecounter.“Ishegonnabeallrightthere?”

“Anywhereissaferthanhere,”Gilesassuredher.Hetossedheranunlitcandle.“Helpmewiththecandles.”

“We’redoingthebindingspellfromtheHebron’sAlmanac?”Willowasked.

“Yes,butonceit’sready,you’retostaybackandletmefinishtherecitation,”Gilesreplied.Shestartedtosaysomething,buthecutheroff.“Don’targue.Iwantyousafe.Whoknowswhat’sgoingtocomeupfrombeneathus?”

Willowknelttolighthercandlefromanalreadyglowingoneonthefloor.

Andbeneaththelibrary,fourformsmovedintheschool’sboilerroom.Dickieworkedinsideabizarreconfigurationofwiresandpipes.Attachedtoitallwasadigitalalarmclock.

AsDickieconnectedtwowires,thealarmclockflashed9:55.Then,amomentlater,thedisplaybeepedandchangedtoread60:00.Therednumberswerebrightinthedimroom.

Dickielaughed.

Thedisplaychangedagain,to59:59,andbegantobeepdownthroughtheseconds.59:58.59:57.

“Thisisgonnabelarge,”Jacksaid.

“Oh,yeah,”Dickieagreed.

Hedidlovetobake.

CHAPTER15Agitated,Xanderdrummedonthewheelwithhisthumbsashedrovethedarkstreets.Wheretoturn...?

“Giles’llknowwhattodo,”hesaid.“He’swaymorecalmthanBuffy.”

AndGilescouldusuallybefoundattheschoollibrary.Unlesssomethingbigwasbrewing.

Liketonight.

XanderrealizedhehadnoideawheretolookforGiles.He’dstartwiththelibraryanyway.Then,ifthatdidn’tpanout—

Hecamearoundacorner.Therewerefourguyswalkingdownthemiddleofthestreet,aheadofhim.Goingthesamedirectionhewasgoing.

Fourdeadguys.

Theboys.

“Okay,”hesaidtohimself.“Ineedaplan.”AndIneeditnow.

Ashepulledupbehindthem,hesloweddown.

“Hey,”Bobsaid.“Ourwheels!”

Theypartedashedrovebetweenthem,cruisingataboutthespeedthey’dbeenwalking.Lettingthemthink,Xanderhoped,thathewasgoingtoallowthembackintothecar.

Theylaughed.

Xanderreachedoverthedoor,grabbedParker’sarm.

Gunnedit.

“Hey!”Heheardbehindhim.Hekeptgoing,throughanotherturn.Leavingthem

“Hey!”Heheardbehindhim.Hekeptgoing,throughanotherturn.Leavingthembehind.

ExceptParker,whogrippedhishand.Hisdead,crispyfacewascontortedinfear.Parker’sfeetscrabbledalongtheroadasthecarracedaway.

“Stop!”Parkerscreamed.“Comeon,man,stop!”

ButXanderkeptgoing.Hisplanwasworking.Itwasaspurofthemomentthing,alast-ditchattemptataplan.Butsofar,sogood.“Where’sthebomb?”heasked.

Parkerdidn’tevenhesitate.“It’sinthehighschool!”

Xanderfoughttocontrolthebigcarwithhisrighthand.Itweavedfromsidetoside.Iftherehadbeenanytrafficthey’dhavebothbeendead.

“Intheschoolwhere?”hedemanded.

“Thisreallyreallyhurts!”Parkerallbutcried.Sothedeadcanfeelpain,Xanderobserved.Goodtoknow.“It’sinthe—intheboilerroom!”

Xanderstruggledtokeepthecargoingstraight.LookingintoParker’seyesinsteadoftheroad,heusedhisbesttough-guyvoice.

“Allright,”hesaid.“NowI’mgonnaaskyouthisonce,andyoubetterprayyougettheanswerright.HowdoIdefuse—”

Buthehadveeredtoofartotheleft,andajuttingmailboxcollidedwithParker’shead.

Themailboxstayedwhereitwas.

Parker’sheadstayedwithit.

Xanderwasholdingaheadlesscorpseinhislefthand.

Heyelpedandletgo.

“Iprobablyshould’veleftoutthatwholemiddlepart,”hesaid.Hemadealeft,andheadedtowardSunnydaleHighSchool.

Behindhim,theotherthreeranfullout.“He’sheadingfortheschool!”Dickiecalled.

“That’sit!”Jackreplied.He’dhadenoughofthiskid.

Xanderwasgoingtopay.

Xanderburstintotheschoolatadeadrun.Healmostpassedthedoorthatsaid“BasementAccess:DoortoRe-mainLockedatAllTimes,”buthebacktrackedtoit,grippedtheknob.

Locked.

Sometimesyoujusthadtobelievethesigns.

Andthroughthesameoutsidedoorhe’djustenteredcameJack,Dickie,andBob.“Thereheis!”Jackshouted.

“Where’saSlayerwhenyouneedone?”Xanderasked,takingoff.

Buffystoodinthelibrary.RankedaroundherwereAngel,Willow,Giles,andFaith.

Theylookedoninaweandhorror.

Thebeastwashugeandterrible.Multipleheadssnappedandgrowledonlong,stalk-likenecks.Tentacleswavedintheair.Thethingwasnearlyastallasthelibrary’shighceiling.

Mysticallightningflaredintheroom,theonlyillumination.

IthadcomefromtheHellmouth.WhatterrifiedBuffywastheideathattheremightbemore,orworse,stilltocome.

TheonlyoneholdingaweaponofanykindwasWillow,whogrippedaspike-headedmedievalmace.

“MyGod...it’sgrown...”Gilessaid.

HerWatcher’sfearfrightenedBuffyallthemore.

Dickiestoppedoutsidethelibrary,drawnbythestrobesoflightshowing

Dickiestoppedoutsidethelibrary,drawnbythestrobesoflightshowingthroughthedoor’sroundwindows.Helookedinside.Fivepeoplewerestaringatamonsterthelikesofwhichhehadneverimagined.Evendyinghadn’theldsuchterror.

“Wow!”

ButJackwasstillonXander’strail.“Comeon,man!”heshouted.Dickiefollowed.

Theycamethroughdoubleswingingdoorsintoanintersection.NoXanderinsight.

“Whichway?”Bobasked.

“Hecouldn’thavegottenfar,”Jacksaid.“Let’ssplitup.”

Theydid,eachtakingadifferentarmofthehallway.

Bobdescendedastaircase.Hungonthewall,behindaglasspanel,wasafireax.Hedroveabigfistthroughtheglass,yankedtheaxfromitstethers,lookedatthesharpblade.

“Goodforchopping,”henoted.

Xanderranintothedarkenedstudentlounge,dodgingtablesandchairsashewent.Hehadtofindawaytotheboilerroom,andhehadtodoitfast.Funnyhowaguycanspendfouryearsinaplaceandstillnotknowhowtogettosomethingassignificantas,say,aboilerroom,whenheneedsit,hethought.Whoknowswhenyoumighthavetoboilsomething?>Heracedupthetwostepsintotheelevatedseatingarea.

Butaformroseupoutofthedark.BigBob.Carryingsomethingthatwhistledwhenheswungit.

Xanderbacksteppedawayfromtheswingingax.Hisfootmissedthestepbehindhimandhewentdown.Atthebottomofthestairshehitatable,upendedit.Helandedonthefloor,winded.

Hetriedtoscrambletohisfeet,butBobwasthere.Heswungthebuttendofthe

axhandleintoXander’sjaw.Xandersawabrightflash—notstars,likeinthecartoons,butclose—andfellagain,backpressedagainstoneofthetables.

Bobraisedtheaxoverhishead.

“NowthisiswhatIcallfun,”hesaid.

Heswung.

Onlyonechance.

Xanderrolledoffthetable,justbeforetheaxfell.Itsbladebitintothetabletop,stuckthere.AsBobstruggledtofreeit,Xanderpunchedhimintheface,thengrabbedhisletterjacketandslammedhimdownagainstthetabletop,hard.Dazed,Bobdroppedtothefloor.

Xanderyankedtheaxfreeofthetable.Hestood,forjustamoment,withtheweaponinhishands.LookingatBobonthefloor,aneasytarget.

Oneswing.

Andhey,he’salreadydead.WhatdoIhavetolose?

Buthecouldn’tbringhimselftodoit.Choppinganunconsciousvictim—evenawalkingdeadone—justseemedwrongsomehow.

Besides,he’salreadydead—whatifhejustgetsupandcomesafterme,anyway?Beheadinghimmightjustmakehimmad.

Inthiscase,trappingmightbemoreefficient.Xandercrossedtoasodamachine,standingnexttothewall.Heshovedtheaxhandlebehindthemachine,forleverage,andpushed.Themachineswayed.Xandergrunted,pushedharder.

Thesodamachinetoppledforward.

Withawetthump,Bobdisappearedbeneathit.

Dickiecameintothelounge,drawnbythenoise.

Hesawthemachine,sawBob’slegsstickingoutfromunderneath.

Xandersteppedfromtheshadows,fireaxinhishands.

Xandersteppedfromtheshadows,fireaxinhishands.

Forgetthe“talksoftly,bigstick”bit,hetoldhimself.Talktough,andcarryabigax.Muchbetteradvice.

“Shouldalearnedbynow,”Xandersaid.“Ifyou’regonnaplaywithfire,yougottoexpectthatsoonerorlater—”

Dickieran,backoutthedoorthroughwhichhe’dentered.

“Iwasn’tfinished!”Xanderyelledathisdepartingform.

Hegavechase.Asheran,hesaid,“Notetoself:lesstalk.”

Buffysailedbackwardthroughthelibrarydoors,blowingthemopen.Shelandedtwentyfeetaway,onthehardtilefloor.Tentaclestwitchedandquiveredinthedoorway.Smokepouredfromtheroom.

Thisisn’tgoingatallwell,shethought.

Shepushedherselftoherfeet,shakingherhead.Gatheringhercourage.

Thecreaturewastoostrong.Itwasgoingtobehardtogobackinthere.

Butitwasalsonecessary.ShewastheSlayer.Shedidwhatshehadtodo.

“Faith!”shecalledassheheadedbackintothefray.Atleastshewasn’t,currently,theonlySlayer.“Gofortheheart!”

XanderwasrightonDickie’sheels.Stillcarryingtheax.Dickiemadeacoupleofsharpturns,goingdownanarrowhallway.Xanderrightbehind.

Amomentlater,Xandercamebackoutofthehallway,runningevenfaster.Behindhim,Dickiewasturningupthejuice.

BehindDickie,threeshe-demons.Theuglyblue-grayones,allhornsandteeth.

WhatwasitBobhadsaid?“Anighttoremember?”Isn’tthatalsothenameofamovieabouttheTitanic?

Encouragingthought,Harris.

Xandermadeaquickrightandduckedintoapatchofshadow.Dickiemissedtheturn,though,andranstraightintoaclassroom.

Classroomsonlyhadonedoor.

Thedemonsfollowedhiminthere.Xanderheardsnarlingandspitting,andsawDickiepressedupagainsttheblindsoverthewindowintheroom’sdoor.

Dickiescreamed.Badasthatsoundwas,itwasn’tquiteasbadasthesoundsofbitingandchewingthataccompaniedit.Thedemonsweren’tmuchontablemanners.

Twodown,Xanderthought.

Hetookadeepbreath.“Okay,boilerroom—”

Hebegantoheadforit,butbeforehe’dgonemorethanastepthewallexplodedinfrontofhim.Ahuge,eyelesshead—eyeless,butnotmouthlessortoothless—burstthroughtheplaster,attheendofathicksnake-likeneck.Itsensedhim,turnedtowardhim.Ihatetobeinsensitive,Xanderthought,butyou’reBuffy’sproblem.Ihaveworriesofmyown.

“—otherway,”hesaid.

Heran.

Theax,itturnedout,madeiteasytounlockthebasementaccessdoor.Xanderclompeddownthestairs,axreadyjustincase.

Heopenedthedoorintotheboilerroom.Itwasnarrow,filledwithstrange-lookingmechanicalequipment.Theboiler,Xanderpresumed.Therewasanotherdoor,withanilluminatedexitsign,acrossfromhim.Onthatdoorwasasignthatsaid“KeepDoorClosedatAllTimes.”

Whichmakesyouwonderwhyit’sadooratallthen,hethought.Ifyoujusthadawallthereyoucouldsaveyourselfthetroubleofmakingthesign.

Thebombwasinthecenteroftheroom,rightwhereParkerhadpromisedjustbeforebeingdecapitatedbytheU.S.Mail.Itsatatopadarkgreenfifty-gallonmetaldrum.

“Hello,nasty,”Xandersaidtoit.Heclosedthedoorbehindhim.Examinedthebomb.

Which,ofcourse,heknewnothingabout.Hewascapableofreadingadigitalclock,though.“Lessthantwominutes,”hesaid.“Dumbguy.Littlebomb.Howhardcanitbe?”

Somethinghithimonthebackofthehead.Heblinkedwiththeforce,thenfelthimselfbeinghurledagainstatoolcabinet.

Ribsaching,headthrobbing,hepulledhimselftohisfeet.

JackO’Toolestoodthere,breathinghard.

“Itjustgotharder,”Jacksaid.

“I’mnotleavinghereuntilthatthingisdisarmed,”Xandervowed.

“ThenIguessyou’renotleaving.”

JackswungatXander.Xanderdodged.Jackcameathimagain,fistsflying.Xandertookacoupleofhits.Ontopofalltheotherpunishmenthe’dtakentoday,though,hebarelyfeltthem.

ButthenJackhadhimupagainstawall.HewhiskedKatiefromherhome,broughthertowardXander.XandercaughtJack’sarm,tryingtoholditback.TheknifehoveredaninchfromXander’sface.

Gettingreallytiredofthatknife,Xanderthought.MaybeifJackdatedgirlsmore,hewouldn’tfeelsoattachedtoKatie.

“I’mgonnacarveyouupandserveyouwithgravy,”Jackthreatened.“Youpissmeoff,boy,nowyoupaytheprice.Firsttheeyes,thenthetongue,thenI’llbreakeveryoneofyourfingers—”

“Yougonnadoallthatinforty-nineseconds?”Xanderaskedthroughclenchedteeth.

Jackturnedtolookattheclock.Xanderjerkedhimselffree,slammedhisfistsintoJack’smidsection.WhenJackdoubledover,Xanderdrovehimintoawall.

Jackcamebackfighting.HepunchedatXander,missed,butcaughtXander’sjacket.HeflippedXanderoverandthrewhimtothefloor.

Xanderregainedhisfooting.HestoodbetweenJackandbothdoors.

Theyfacedeachother,Jack’sgazedartingbetweenthebombandtheexitsignandthedoortothestairwellXanderhadcomedown.

“Iknowwhatyou’rethinking,”Xandersaid,panting.“CanIgetbyhim?Getupthestairs,outofthebuilding?Secondstickingaway.Idon’tloveyourchances.”

“Thenyou’lldietoo,”Jackrasped.

“Yeah,lookslike,”Xanderagreed.“SoIguessthequestionreallyis...whohaslessfear?”

“I’mnotafraidtodie,”Jackremindedhim.“I’malreadydead.”

Xanderwasn’tbuying.“Yeah,butthisisdifferent.Beingblownupisn’t‘walkingaroundanddrinkingwithyourbuddies’dead.It’s‘littlebitssweptupbyajanitor’dead,andIdon’tthinkyou’rereadyforthat.”

Jack’sbreathingwasragged.Helookedatthebomb.Atthedoor.Madeafeinttowardonedoor.

Xandermoved,sohestayedbetweenJackandthewayout.

Anywayout.

Theclockbeepedofftheseconds.

“Areyou?”Jackasked.

Xandersmiled,suddenlymorecalmthanhehadanyreasontobe.Heknewtheanswer.He’dspentthelastfewyearstellinghisfriendshewasn’tafraid,thathewaswillingtohelpbattlewhatevertheHellmouththrewatthem.Swallowinghisfear,pretendingcouragewhenhefeltnone.

Tonighthadbeenalifetime.Everythinghadhappenedtohim,andhewasstillstanding.

Hewasn’tbluffinganymore.“Ilikethequiet,”wasallhesaid.

Hewasn’tbluffinganymore.“Ilikethequiet,”wasallhesaid.

Thebattleinthelibraryraged.MembersoftheSisterhoodofJhehadjoinedtheHellmouthcreature.Weaponswerewielded—swords,axes,Willow’smace.Butthecreaturewasn’tphased.

IthadBuffywrappedinatentacle,holdingheroffthefloor,almostuptotheceiling.Shegrippedanaxtightlyinherfists.

GileswasspeakinginLatin,screamingtobeheardabovetheroar,slashingatthethingashedidso.“...andallthevesselsoftruth!”Theritualwordsfinished,heshouted,“Now,Buffy!”

Overhead,sheslammedheraxdownintothetentaclethatheldher,againandagain,feelingitbiteintohellishfleshandsinew.Hotbloodsplashedherhandsandarms.

Xanderwaited.Hefeltcentered,atpeace.

Theclockbeeped.Secondsflashedbyinredcrystaldigits.

00:12.

00:11.

Jackwasawreck.Twitching,nervousgazedartingaroundtheroom.

00:05.

00:04.

Jackreachedintothemechanism,grabbedawire.Tuggedonit.

00:02.

Theclockwentdark.

Whenthebuildingdidn’tblowup,Xandersaid,“Goodboy.”Hiscalmwassuddenlygone,asherealizedwhathehadrisked.HewalkedaroundtostandbesideJack.Hisvoicetrembledalittlewhenhespoke,butstill,hespokewithauthority.“Idon’tthinkIwannabeseeingyouoncampusanymore,Jack.”

Jackdidn’tanswer.

Xanderkepthislegsfromturningtojellyandlefthimthere,withtheuselesscollectionofpartsthathadoncebeenabomb.Hewentthroughthedoorhehadcomein,backupthestairstowardtheschool.

WhenXanderwasgone,Jacksaid,“I’mnotgoinganywhere,Harris.”Hecrossedtotheotherdoor,ignoringtheKeepDoorClosedatAllTimessign.Heturnedtheknob,pulleditopen.“Andthefirsttimeyouturnyourback—”

Ozleaptthroughthedoorwithaferociousroar.

Jackscreamed.

EPILOGUETheyspokequietly,sittingatapicnictableoncampus.Theywereoutofthesun,intheshadeofaspreadingtree,andthedaywascool.

Butbeautiful.

Giles’slefthandwasbandaged,andtheleftsideofhisfacetorn,gashedbyunearthlyclaws.Hisrighteyewasblackened,thebruisereachingallthewaybacktohistemple.Buffy’srightarmwaswrappedinabrightbluesling.AbutterflybandageoverWillow’srighteyeheldhereyebrowtogether.

Theirwoundswerenothing.

“EvenaftertheHellmouthwasclosed,”Willowobserved,“youcouldhearitscreaming.”

“ButAngel’sgonnabeokay?”Ozasked.

“Hewasonlyoutforafewminutes,”Buffyreplied.“Longestofmylife.”

“I’llneverforgetthatthing’sface.Itsrealface,Imean,”Willowsaidquietly.

“Yes,”Gilesagreed.

BuffylookedatthemanshewouldalwaysconsidertobeherWatcher.NomatterwhattheWatchers’Councilthinks.“Idon’tknowhowyoumanaged...itwasthebravestthingI’veeverseen.”

“Thestupidest.”Gilessmiled,embarrassed.“Buttheworldcontinuestoturn.”

“Noonewilleverknowhowcloseitcametostopping,”Willowsaid,lookingaroundher.“Neverknowwhatwedid.”

Whichis,Buffythought,thewayit’ssupposedtobe.

Xandersawhisbestfriendssittingtogether,approachedthetable.Hestillhadn’ttoldanyoneaboutlastnight.Thebomb,theboilerroom,thezombiegang.They’dhadproblemsoftheirown,heknew.“Guys,”hesaid.

They’dhadproblemsoftheirown,heknew.“Guys,”hesaid.

Theyalllookedupathim.

“Xander,”Willowsaid.“Boy,you’reluckyyouweren’tatschoollastnight.Itwascrazed.”

Maybehewouldn’ttell.Drivingaroundafterward,he’dcometosomeconclusions.Oneofwhichwasthathecouldholdhisown,nomatterwhatanyonebelieved.Andtheother,moresignificantone,wasthatitreallydidn’tmatterwhatanyoneelsethought.Whatwasimportantwasknowinghisowncapabilities,hisowndepths.

Soheswallowedit.Hewouldn’tsayanything.“Well,uh,givemethequietlife,”hesaid.“I’mgonnagrabasnack.Anyonewant?”

Giles,Buffy,andWillowshooktheirheads.Ozjuststareddownatthepicnictable.

“Oz?”Xanderasked.

Ozlookedathim.“No,”hesaidfinally.“I’moddlyfulltoday.”

“’kay,”Xandersaid.Hewalkedawayfromthetable,ahalf-smileplayingacrosshislips.

Hefeltgood.Hefeltconfident.Thesmilegrew.

AndherecameCordelia.

“Oh,look,it’smisterexcitement,”shesaid.“Onanotherlifeordeathdoughnutmission?Orarewecruisingforbimbosagain?Givingthemlessonsinlackofcool.”

Xanderkeptthesmile.And,herealized,theconfidence.Hejustlookedather.

Smiling.

“What?”sheasked.

Hesaidnothing.Heknewthesmilesaiditall.

“What?”sherepeated.Hervoicehadmoreofanedgetoitthistime.

Hewalkedaway.Takinginadeepbreath.Anall-is-right-with-the-worldbreath.

Smiling.

“What?”Cordeliademandedagain,behindhim.

Shewashatingthis.

Hewaslovingit.

Smiling.

ABOUTTHEAUTHORJeffMariotteisaco-ownerofthespecialtybookstoreMysteriousGalaxy,senioreditorforthecomicbookpublisherWildStormProductions/DCComics,andwriterofmanycomicbooks,includingtheseriesDesperadoes,andtheoccasionalnovel.He’scurrentlyworkingonBuffytheVampireSlayer:TheWatcher’sGuide,Vol.2withNancyHolderandMaryelizabethHart.HisnextnovelwillbeGen13:TimeandChance,cowrittenwithScottCiencin.HelivesinSanDiegowithhisrapidlygrowingfamilyandsomeanimals.He’swaytoobusy.