Xanpet 12 b

"Spike…" I frowned in confusion; I hadn´t expected to do something else.

"No worries, Pet," Spike said. "The night isn´t over yet."

I wasn´t going to argue. I wanted to avoid the return home for as long as I could. He helped me down and once again we were walking along the street. At first, I stayed slightly behind him, but Spike pulled me to his side with a knowing smile. I glanced around and was surprised to see tables lining the sidewalks in front of several restaurants and cafés. I hoped Spike didn´t expect me to eat again, because even I had my limits. I brushed my hand over his hip.

"Yes, Pet?"

"What are we doing?" I asked. "I mean, don´t get me wrong I´m glad we´re not headed home yet, but uh, even I couldn´t eat again yet Spike."

"Don´t have to but I thought you might like a coffee."

"Yeah," I said nodding, that actually didn´t sound so bad and I was starting to feel tired. "Yeah, that´d be good actually."

"Well, c´mon then," Spike said, leading the way. "Have you enjoyed yourself tonight?" He asked.

"Yeah," I nodded, then faced him briefly with a smile. "Yeah, it´s been good, Spike."

"You sound surprised," Spike said.

"Well, I am, I guess," I said with a shrug. "I mean, I figured you´d take me out but there´d be some kind of catch to it, ya know."

"No catches, Pet," Spike said.

"Uh, yeah," I said, silently adding a sarcastic ´right´ to that.

Spike led us to seats that were actually fairly close to the passers by on the sidewalk. I grimaced slightly as I sat down, wriggling until I alleviated the cruel press of my pants against my erection. Spike sat near me then spat out sharp orders at the minions. I´m assuming they were going to go get the coffee.

I frowned as I looked at Spike. I wondered if I´d get to come out again sometime soon. It had sounded like it would happen, but would Spike use it to manipulate me into doing something else? Or would he use this to make my life miserable, keeping me inside and reminding me of what he won´t let me have. I glanced out over the sidewalk; the sounds of French chatter turned into so much white noise. I did like it out here. Then again, it was out of my room, so what wasn´t there to like about that? I didn´t look at Spike when I brushed my hand over his. When he didn´t say anything, I glanced over at him then cupped my hand over his hip.

"Something you´d like to say, Pet?"

"Yeah, will I…will you, uh, let me come out again, sometime."

"Of course," Spike said matter of factly and I sighed with relief. The tension that had been holding me hostage moments ago faded away. "As long as you learn manners as we go along," he commented.

"Manners?"

"Of course, you didn´t think that this was all there was to it, did you?" Spike asked.

"No," I sighed. Because I hadn´t; I wasn´t a fool but if this last ´manner´ took me nearly two months to learn, what would the future hold? Depressed, I slunk lower in my chair as Spike set a coffee in front of me.

"What´s wrong now?" He asked with a frown. "That can´t be a shock to you."

"No, it´s not, just…it took me nearly two months for the first one. I figure it´ll be another year before I see the light of day again," I glanced over at Spike. "Er, figuratively speaking of course."

"Of course," Spike smirked with a small nod of his head, then waved at me to have some coffee. The rich aroma was waking me up from here, so I lifted the cup sipped at the hot liquid.

"Mmm, that´s good," I said.

"Glad you like it." Spike looked over at me. "And don´t worry, you´ll be back outside before you know it."

I snorted at that. It wasn´t as if the things Spike was asking me to do would get any easier.

"Trust me, Pet," Spike said.

"Yeah," I mumbled, sipping more coffee.

We got to people watch for a bit; I was surprised when several people came over to talk to Spike. Since they spoke French I didn´t have any input and tended to ignore them. Every once in awhile Spike would introduce me, his hand gripping the back of my neck. They were all vampires. I never offered my hand and Spike never corrected me for it, so I guessed that was fine. Shortly after the last one had left a small hiss escaped Spike. His fingers dug into my thigh and I knew there would be bruises there later.

"Mind your manners, Pet," Spike admonished me, whispering harshly in my ear.

I nodded. Whatever, it´s not as if I could say anything when I didn´t understand the language. I did want to meet this vampire, if only because of Spike´s reaction. Less than a minute later, we were approached by a man. I could only see his profile. He had strong features, even from this viewpoint. A squared jawline and straight patrician nose. He was younger looking than me; I´d have said he´d been turned when he was eighteen, maybe younger. He had a tall, lanky build, the undefined musculature characteristic of boys just before they become men. Shoulder length pale brown hair was tied behind his neck. Similar to our previous visitors, his skin was unnaturally pallid and I could see the faint blue outline of a vein at his temple. He said something softly to Spike then turned to look at me after my blatant appraisal of his appearance. I chilled when icy green eyes met mine from across the table. A thin scar arched across his face, spanning the distance from beneath the corner of his right eye, grazing over his cheekbone to disappear into his hairline.

"William," he said. I startled at Spike´s name and the fact that he didn´t sound French. He didn´t address Spike as Master either and he looked at me even though he was talking to Spike. "I presume this little gem is what all the chatter is about."

I jerked away, my hand already rising defensively when the stranger reached towards my face. I resisted when Spike tried to touch me; I´d be damned if I´d let some two bit Master do it. Spike´s hand grabbed mine and he smoothly used the maneuver to bring me to my feet. Spike´s minions moved in closer; I could feel their anxiety.

"Master Adrian," Spike replied calmly. "Meet the newest Pet from the house of Aurelius."

"Newest," Adrian said with a shocked look on his face. "The only, William, if recollection serves."

My ire rose when those pale green eyes swept over my body, deftly stripping me of my clothes. I could feel my muscles twitch under his gaze.

"I see that your Sire´s judgement has improved."

"On the contrary, he´s mine, Master Adrian, though I´ll be sure to pass on your praise to Angelus."

Adrian sighed at Spike´s comment. Adrian reached out a hand toward me again and this time, Spike´s grip briefly tightened on my hand to the point of pain, then loosened. He didn´t want me to move away. A pang of fear shot through me. Why did Spike suffer this low life when he should´ve just dusted him? Adrian´s nostrils flared as he drew close and his eyes gleamed in the low light. I clenched my jaw as a chill finger drew down the side of my face before pressing against the pulse at my neck.

"Well," Adrian said, pulling away from me. "I should´ve known your Sire hadn´t developed a sense of taste. Perhaps you could teach Angelus some…style William."

Oh wow. No talking bad about the Sire. Not only I, but the minions as well glanced back at Spike.

"Master Adrian," Spike replied politely. "My Sire has an amazing sense of style. After all, he made me."

Spike grinned when Adrian laughed at his comment. They were being so damn polite when it was obvious they´d rather rip each other´s heads off. Part of me kept waiting for Spike to spring into action, startling the other vampire before dusting him.

"Allow me to introduce Marie Laure."

Adrian reached a hand behind him and from within the shadows of his entourage emerged a young girl. At first, I assumed she was a vampire as well. Her skin was pale, like milk and dark, auburn ringlets framed her face. She wasn´t beautiful, not in the classic sense. Her mouth was too narrow and her nose was tilted up at the end, but she was very pretty. She wore a dark, green dress. The bodice pressed the fullness of her breasts together and up. My eyes lingered at her chest before moving to her neckline. A vicious scar marred the perfection of her skin, from jawline to collarbone. It looked as if someone had tried to tear her throat out and then let it heal. I wondered if Adrian had done this to her. Adrian gently reached around to pull her hair away from where it had fallen over the scar. Even without vampiric senses I could see her tense at Adrian´s touch and the pulse in her throat beat faster. Not a vampire then; I didn´t understand it. How could she have lived after such a neck wound?

"Beautiful, yes?" Adrian asked, rhetorically. "Perhaps we both have good taste."

Spike shrugged at Adrian´s comment.

"Yes, but it´s unfortunate that she had to be so blatantly marked."

"I find it reminds them of their proper place."

"Really? I find it´s often to remind the Master who owns whom."

Uh oh. Adrian´s eyes narrowed at Spike´s comment before the other vampire laughed it off. His hand tightly gripping Marie´s neck.

"Ah, well, William," Adrian said. "Perhaps when you gain a few decades…"

He trailed off, as if Spike couldn´t possibly begin to understand. God, what a prick. I didn´t like Master Adrian and Spike´s reactions made me feel vindicated in my dislike.

"So, tell me William," Adrian said, turning back to face me. "Have you taught him to…ride? Because if you need some help I´d be more than happy to take him…in hand for you."

Adrian had been pissing me off, but when he reached out and stroked his palm over my erection I shot into the territory of ballistic.

"Hands off, you undead prick!" I shouted furiously, smacking his hands away. There was no way he felt threatened by me and if I´d had a stake he´d have been dust. Fucking prick touched me. Not an accidental thing, the man grabbed my cock. Fuck! Where was William the Bloody now?

"Ooh, feisty William. I´m surprised your Sire allows you to flaunt such a poorly trained creature," Adrian sighed. "Then again, you are Angelus´ childe. I suppose it´s too much to expect you to teach it manners properly."

Manners my ass, he´d be–oh fuck. Manners. Fear shot through me, but not enough to kill the anger I felt. I turned to look at Spike. Cold blue eyes stared back at me. Spike calmly nodded towards the minions and an instant later, a burly vampire came to get me. He tried to grab my arms but I pulled away.

"Whatever."

My face was red and I glared at Spike because he hadn´t done anything to put this vampire in his place.

"I´m going, I´m going."

I shook off the minions again and stalked over to where they had been standing. I could see Spike from here, but I couldn´t hear what they were saying. I glared at him even from this distance, hoping he could feel how angry I was.

I was startled when Adrian pointed toward me slightly then nodded toward Marie. Spike simply smiled, then moved forward wrapping one of her auburn curls around his finger, pulling it taut before freeing it to spring back. Why the hell was Spike touching Marie? I glared at Spike when I saw his hand ghost over her breasts before he reluctantly shook his head no. What the hell did Spike think he was doing? We should just go. I didn´t understand what the hell was going on and I really wanted to give Spike a piece of my mind. I´d already messed up, so whether he let me or not was a moot point.

I watched as a few moments later Spike made his farewells and then walked over toward me. The minions left at his approach and as soon as he was close enough, I opened my mouth but before I could say a word Spike spoke first.

"I´m very disappointed in your behavior pet," Spike said.

"But he was–"

Spike growled at me, his vampire features dominating. It was only for an instant, but I went speechless.

"You will be punished for your disobedience."

"Bu–"

"Speak out of turn again tonight, Pet and I´ll be sure to give you a practical demonstration of why I began using the name Spike."

Spike wasn´t kidding. He was royally pissed at me right now. The best thing I could do was shut up and try to talk to him later. Just then the coach rolled down the road, stopping nearby. Spike didn´t wait for me, or pull me up to walk by his side. I walked silently behind him; he still helped me into the carriage. As soon as we´d settled in, I could see he was tense. His shoulders set rigidly; he turned his head away from me. I glanced at him several times over the course of our journey; I don´t think he looked at me once during the ride back to the mansion.

My anger dissipated during the drive home, leaving me deflated. Why didn´t Spike defend me? Why did he let Adrian touch me? Spike´s anger cast a pall over what had been a great night out. Despondently, I wondered if I´d ever get to go out again.

I took my cue from Spike once we´d arrived back home and only as I stepped down from the carriage did I notice that the minions seemed just as tense as Spike. Guess they were worried about Spike´s anger towards me bleeding into their lives.

I sighed, and Spike cast an evil look my way. Worriedly, I straightened up and tried to look attentive. I followed Spike up the stairs; he was still furious. I could hear him growl occasionally and his eyes had been yellow just now. I hadn´t meant to piss Spike off; I´d just reacted. I was still mad that he hadn´t done anything though, that he´d just taken what Adrian had dished out.

"Welcome home, Sir," the same butler that had been there earlier greeted Spike as he opened the door.

I came in behind Spike and the butler quietly closed the doors behind us. I frowned, staring at the floor, trying to figure out how to talk to Spike.

"Kneel," Spike commanded sharply. My head shot up and I cast a furtive glance toward the butler but as soon as Spike took a step toward me I dropped to my knees as gently as I could. I knew I reeked of fear and when Spike got close enough, it took me three tries before I could garner enough courage to reach out and touch his hip. Spike looked down at me and I glanced up when he didn´t give me permission to speak.

"Why are you going to be punished, Pet?" Spike asked.

"Cause I..I broke the uh, your um, rule."

"Remember that," Spike said coldly. "Now, stand up and strip."

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