The Madam Vampire addressed her fellow vampire in near perfect English apparently for the benefit of Xander as she leveled her gaze on the human. “How lovely to see you again *darling* William. It is always a pleasure to be in the presence of one of the original line particularly after so long, and with your own pretty pet I see. What a pity he is flawed, such fragile creatures… still I am sure he has his uses.” There was no warmth in her eyes as she leveled her gaze at Xander. He had the odd impression of being watched by a deadly snake and a sudden urge to grab Spike’s hand and pull them both away. Xander shivered under her serpent’s gaze and was grateful to feel Anton’s reassuring touch on the small of his back, and calmed a little as Spike politely continued to converse with the female in her preferred tongue of German.
The sound of the dinner gong the proceedings shifted to the ballroom and the more formal part of the evening. The room had been set up as an enormous board room, a circle of tables with all members seated to face the centre. An obvious space had been left to for the ‘guest of honor’ and his consort to the right of Anton.
Xander was sitting as close as possible to Spike without being in his lap. His left leg was draped over the top of Spike’s right, the other leg wound entangled underneath. Spike’s right arm was around Xander’s shoulders, while his left hand petted and caressed his consort. Xander’s left arm was around Spike’s waist while his right slid inside the vampire’s coat to rest easy on the taut torso muscles. Far from feeling embarrassed by the odd position in a room full of vampires, the lone human felt reassured. He was made even more confident by the affection flowing between them through their mating link.
Anton began proceedings, Xander surprised that he began in English.
“We gather today to ascertain the worthiness of the named successor to the leader of the clans of Europe, the Master of Masters. The original Aurelian lineage has precedence, William the Bloody has agreed to the challenges. His full blood brother Connor – created of Angelus and Darla – is very young and yet to be trained educated fully in Vampiric Law. Something that now named proxy Sire, I will address in due course.
“Should you agree to William the Bloody leading our clans, it will be his right to share power with his brother Connor or hand over power to him with approval from the clan masters’.
“Your fellow Masters mark that you have been chosen but three contend your claim - two on the grounds of your soul, one on your Siring. Three of our delegates have queried your worthiness on the grounds of your American interests, a further three contend your ability to lead on the grounds of your ensouled status, and one challenges your *human* consort and his loyalty.
At the challenge to Xander, Spike’s grip on his consort tightened and his growl was heard across the room, but was not permitted to speak until permission was granted by Anton.
Alenka grinned broadly. If she could only convince the three other clans of her power over Spike’s mate then his weakness would be apparent and his claim to the ruling position would be lost Ivan would then be able to ‘tidy up’ any loose ends. But she began slowly. The hunt was just as much fun as the kill after all.
A large vampire from on of the French clans, spoke up in his native tongue, “Why don’t we get the easy things out of the way Anton??” He gestured toward Spike falling into game face and snarling, “This… ex-patriot from England has wandered between continents… living on another for the time the previous master ruled. And his Sire was worse! Why is it we are now to bow to this vagrant?!”
Anton answered him, very deliberately in English, “Because all others eligible have been eliminated, but more than that. William the Bloody has survived….” Anton went on to detail Spike’s lineage, age and status. He made mention of the early exploits of Spike, emphasizing his influence along with that of others in his direct line, finishing with detail of the financial success of the Aurelian estates, and Spike’s part in the recent success with the initiative in Italy.
A smaller red headed vampire in full game face snarled at Anton, then stood pointed a crooked finger at Spike and yelled, “He’s a traitor!! He ran with the Sunnydale Slayer… and then took her little friend here as a lover! He’s weak and unworthy as a vampire… let alone to lead the clans!” The speaker half stood and spat across the room in Spike’s direction. He missed.
Anton replied with his usual calm, “The situation on the Hellmouth was unique and to survive, with an Initiative chip, surely an extraordinary and testimony to his strength! I wonder have you killed *two* of the original Slayers? Did you survive the hand of Angelus and Darla as Grandsires, or run with the mad seer Drusilla? Have you fought a God or eliminated the Turok’han and faced the First? Have you been burned to dust and resurrected? Or suffered the Nabbucco trials and won? Did you face the hellions of the Black Thorn and survive? I would take care who you name weak.”
The other vampire growled loudly then stood and screamed, “I will not be ruled by Ensouled filth!!” while launching himself over the tables to land directly behind Spike. He launched himself at the still seated Spike but miscalculated the Master Vampire’s speed and barreled headlong into the back of the chair.
Faster than Xander’s eye could track, Spike had grasped the back of the back of the other vampire’s neck and hauled him to vertical again. This was followed by the smaller, and according to his current captive, ‘weaker’, blonde effortlessly removing the other’s head with a speedy twist and tug on the neck. The room was silent as the dust settled.
Anton finally spoke and Spike took his seat again. “I am sure William the Bloody would be happy to engage anyone else who queries his weakness….” Silence reigned for some time, until one vampire who reeked of age, stood and addressed the group in a heavy German accent.
“I have no doubt of the strength of William of Aurelius… anyone who is of the old Master’s line and who has survived Angelus must have of physical fortitude beyond measure. But my protest is made on the grounds of his lack of *European* knowledge. He is not schooled in our ways. He has lived in America for too long, he is *British* by birth…” Spike muttered under his breath “English, I’m bloody well English!!”
Anton interjected, “It is right that we test the traditions, error will mean loss of standing.” then proceeded to test Spike with a variety of questions pertaining to Vampire Law using an ancient dialect of Czechoslovakian. There were only three around the table who fully understood William the Bloody’s prompt and fluent answers.
Anton’s last question related to Spike’s understanding of the relationships between all the clans.
“Shall I tell them their place in their own tongue, Sire.” Spike looked up to the Immortal with faux innocence as he questioned.
Anton grinned, answered, “By all means William.” Then sat back to listen as Spike proceeded to go around the table using the native languages of each delegation, giving their relationship to the Aurelians and a justification as to why they should bow to him.
Alenka smiled sweetly as Spike addressed her, though Xander noticed that the good humor never reached her eyes.
As Spike finished the round, there were many in the group who were obviously beginning to relish the idea of following William the Bloody.
It was time. Alenka stood fluidly and addressed the group.
“Do you really think it is necessary to further test the Master Vampire? Is it not obvious that he is powerful and capable?? My concern is the loyalty and the resilience of his Consort. After all, if there is a weakness, then it must be his *human* consort. Humans are always so deliciously unfaithful…. unreliable….. edible.”
Spike was immediately in game face, growling menacingly, but Anton put a calming hand on one arm while Xander held the other hand and sent reassuring, loving messages through their link.
Anton addressed the female vampire, “What are you proposing?”