Cassandra: Part Eleven
by Kelli Brown
Angel was concerned. “What’s going on?”
“I just got some information that Spike is planning an attack on the Slayer and her friends tomorrow night.” Replied Cassandra.
“Where?”
Cassandra started to explain. “I was told that somehow Spike was going to plant some evidence to make Buffy think that some demon or something is in town. I was told that the Slayer and her friends would do a great amount of research concerning it. Spike somehow knows where they do all of their research, and he is going to attack in force tomorrow night.”
“How did you find this out?” Angel asked.
“I conned it out of a young fledgling of Spike’s.”
“Did he say how many are going to attack?”
“He said around twenty.” Answered Cassandra.
“We need to tell them immediately so they can have time to prepare. Where are you?”
“I’m at a payphone on the north side of town.”
“Meet me at the alleyway across the street from Sunnydale High. Do you know where that is at?” Angel asked.
“Yeah, I’ve seen it while I was walking. Are we going to approach them together?”
“Yes, I need Buffy to know that she can trust you. Also, if what your source said is true, we will need all the help we can get.”
“Angel, I didn’t come to this town to get involved in the fighting. However, I just can’t stand by and watch more people get slaughtered.” Cassandra said in a low voice.
“So, you’ll help?” Angel asked.
“Yes, I’ll help. Meet me in the alleyway. I’ll see you in a few minutes.” With that being said, Cassandra hung up the phone. [ I sure hope I know what I’m doing. ]
* * *
Sunnydale High School, Library: 11:35pm:
After her patrol, Buffy entered the library to find Giles. “Hey Giles.”
Giles looked up from the book he was studying. “Hello Buffy, how was patrol?”
Buffy plopped down in the seat across from Giles. “Something weird happened.”
“What happened?”
“I found four vampires doing some sort of ritual in the cemetery.” Answered Buffy. “Before I broke up their little party, I heard some of what they were chanting. They were saying something about calling on someone named Varchonus. I remember them saying, ‘I evoke you Varchonus. Come to our earthly realm.’ Or something like that.”
Giles’ eyes widened. “Are you sure they said ‘Varchonus’?”
Buffy shook her head. “Yeah, that’s what they said. Does that mean something to you?”
Giles suddenly got up and moved toward the stacks. As he grabbed books, he started explaining. “Varchonus is a powerful demon that is controlled by whoever summoned it. If these vampires had summoned it from the demon dimension, they would have complete control over it. Varchonus would do their bidding.”
“They didn’t have time to summon it. I dusted all four of the vamps before they could finish the ritual.”
“That doesn’t stop any other vampires from doing it. If any others found out about what those four were trying to do, other might try again. If they succeed, we could be in serious trouble.” Said Giles. “We need to research just in case someone actually succeeds in bringing Varchonus forth.”
Buffy rolled her eyes. “Do you have any idea how much I hate research?”
“Buffy, this is deadly serious.” Said Giles. “We will need help. Call up Willow and Xander, we will need their help with the research.”
Buffy gave Giles a mocking salute. “Yes sir.”
* * *
Alleyway across from Sunnydale High: 11:45pm:
Cassandra arrived at the designated meeting place to find Angel waiting for her. “Hello again Angel.”
“Hello.” Angel greeted politely. “We’ll go in through the front door. Wait outside the library door until I call you.”
Cassandra nodded. “Lead on.” After they started walking across the street, Cassandra asked, “What makes you think they’ll trust me?”
“I think I can convince them to trust you. I think that Buffy believes that you do have a soul. Nevertheless, don’t be surprised if she isn’t very friendly.”
Cassandra chuckled. “Yeah, she doesn’t quite know what to think of me yet.”
The undead duo reached the outside of the library. Looking through the small window, they noticed that along with Buffy; Giles, Willow, and Xander were there as well. It looked like they were researching. “I’ll wait out here.” Stated Cassandra as Angel walked through the doors.
* * *
Sunnydale High School, Library: 11:55pm:
Xander and Willow had just arrived and were given research assignments when Angel walked in. “Angel? What’s going on?” Asked Buffy. Angel did not make a habit of just stopping by the library for no reason. Usually when he showed up, it meant trouble.
“There’s something going on. Spike is planning something.”
“Is it about some demon named Varchonus?” Asked Buffy.
“You think some demon is coming?”
“Yeah, I caught four vamps in the cemetery trying to summon him. We figured that others would try again, so we’re trying to find his weaknesses. Do you think Spike is behind it?”
Angel sighed. “I got some information. All of that was just a trick to make you think that some demon was coming.”
“They wanted to make Buffy think that Varchonus was coming?” Asked Giles. “Why?”
“Spike’s planning an attack tomorrow night. He wanted all you in the library at the same time. He is sending in around twenty vampires to kill all of you at once.” Angel answered seriously.
“Oh no!” Exclaimed Willow.
“So, Spike told those four vamps in the cemetery to make it look like they were raising up Varchonus?” Xander asked.
“Yes.”
“Angel, how did you find out about this?” Asked Buffy.
“Cassandra.” Angel simply answered.
“She found out about this and told you?”
“Yes, actually she’s here with me. Cassandra, come in.” Angel called out.
As soon as she was called, Cassandra entered the library. The entire group just stared. Seeing her was not something that they had expected. Cassandra thought that she actually felt the tension in the room go up a few notches.
“Why did you bring her?” Buffy asked Angel.
Cassandra smiled. “Well hello again to you too, Buffy.”
Angel answered Buffy. “When the attack happens, we will need all of the help we can get. I asked Cassandra to come.”
Buffy asked, “How do we know we can trust you?”
Angel answered. “If you trust me, you can trust her. Buffy, you told me yourself that you believed she was telling the truth about her soul being returned.”
“Yes, I know, but I’m still not sure about her.”
Giles joined in on the conversation. “There is a way we can be sure.”
All heads immediately looked in Giles’ direction. Willow was the first person to talk. “How?”
“All day I’ve been researching ways to tell if someone has a human soul, so we could see if Cassandra was telling the truth or not. I found a test.” Giles answered while digging through a few of his books.
“There are tests to find that out?” Asked Cassandra.
“Yes, according to this book. The test involves mixing a few ingredients while saying a certain chant and then applying the mixture to your skin. The mixture will turn black and burn your skin if you don’t have a human soul.” Answered Giles. “If you do have a human soul, the mixture will turn a greenish color and won’t burn you.”
“If that’s what it is going to take to get you people to trust me, then so be it. You are going to need help with Spike tomorrow night and you need to trust me so I can help you.”
The group then got to work on the test. Giles mixed up the ingredients and chanted a few lines in Latin. The mixture was done. When Giles poured the solution onto Cassandra’s arm, everyone waited in anticipation. After about thirty seconds, the mixture turned an ugly green color. “Well, now we know for sure.” Spoke Giles.
“So, it’s true? You have a soul also, just like Angel?” Asked Willow.
Cassandra looked over to Willow and smiled. “Yes dear, it is true.”
“Weird.”
Cassandra then sat down at the table across from Xander and Willow. “So, I know Buffy and Angel’s names. What are everyone else’s?” She asked with a friendly smile.
“I’m Willow, this is Xander.” Willow pointed to Giles. “That’s Giles.”
Cassandra nodded. “Nice to meet you all.”
Warily, Buffy sat down in the seat next to Cassandra. “What all did you find out about tomorrow night?”
Cassandra answered. “According to my source, about twenty vampires are supposed to attack tomorrow night. They are betting on the fact that all of you will be here at the same time. Spike wants all of you dead, not just you, Slayer.”
Buffy rolled her eyes. She was not loving the fact that this vampire was helping, but she could not deny that her help was greatly needed. She decided to get this started. “Well, it looks like we have defense strategy to plan.”
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