Chapter Twenty-Five
The Halloween Ball at the Bronze was pretty much in full swing when they arrived. They marched up to the end of line and joined other partygoers waiting to enter the club. Although muffled, they could hear the thrub of the bass from the live band inside and when they stepped through the doorway, their ears where assailed by loud music. The guitars thrummed and the deep bass from the drums and bass guitar vibrated underneath their feet and up through their bodies. The band on the stage was dressed appropriately for their name, The Zombies.
Jack O’ Lanterns sat on many of the tables, serving as both decoration and a light source. Black lights were hung against the walls, illuminating eerie bright yellow and orange florescent paintings. Swaths of cotton string hung from the ceiling in spider web patterns. A neon hotel vacancy sign sputtered over the bar, and Willow grimaced at the mechanical spiders crawling across the counter. A witches cackle rose over the din and she frowned.
They looked around, taking in the various and not so various costumes that people wore.
“Vampires much?” Buffy quipped, noting that a few people were dressed as the evil demons.
“Maybe people are starting to realize they exist.” Xander replied and Buffy gave him a dry stare. “Look, a Native American, a policeman, and oh, there’s honest Abe!” Xander noted, quickly changing the subject.
“Yeah.” Buffy replied sardonically.
“Oh! There’s Spence. Gotta go. Bye.” Dawn turned and disappeared into the crowd towards her date before Buffy could even open her mouth to reply.
The music changed to a mellow number, and couples began moving onto the dance floor. Willow took Tara’s hand and they walked across the floor to join them keeping the leash slack by taking the lead. Buffy and Xander watched them go before moving to an empty set of seats and sitting down.
Buffy and Xander ordered drinks and watched Willow and Tara dance. Tara’s arms encircled Willow’s neck and the leash to Willow’s collar hung loosely from her gloved hand. Willow had her arms wrapped around the blonde’s waist under the coat and laid her head on Tara’s shoulder. Their bodies moved rhythmically to the mellow music, melding into one another. Buffy and Xander noticed that some people watched the two women dancing intimately. Xander had to admit that they were stunningly sexy.
“You don’t suppose they really dig leather… you know, the whole whips and chains thing?” He asked and Buffy gave him a look.
“Yes, Xander. I’ve heard whips cracking and cries of pain and pleasure coming from their room.” Buffy answered sarcastically. “I think when they were drilling yesterday that they might have been fastening some hooks to the ceiling.”
“Say, again?” Xander said, stunned.
“Never mind.” Buffy patted his knee.
The song ended and Dawn came off the floor with her date. Buffy and Xander shifted their gaze to the young girl curious about her date and they didn’t see Willow and Tara move off the dance floor to the stairs that led to the upper level.
Tara held the leash to Willow’s collar in her hand and Willow followed, eyeing the rear of her lover in front of her as they climbed the stairs. Tara led them to a semi-secluded spot near the railing and Tara wrapped her fingers around the cold steel. She looked down, surveying the party below.
Her breath caught when Willow embraced her from behind, her arms slipping around her waist inside her coat and pulling her in tight. Willow rested her chin on Tara’s shoulder and nuzzled her neck.
“Hmm. This is nice.” Tara commented, laying a gloved hand on Willow’s arm and playfully tugging on the leash to gently pull Willow closer to her.
“You feel nice.” Willow answered and buried her face in Tara’s hair, breathing in the clean smell. All she could think about was how much she loved Tara and hugged her tighter. She lowered her hand and rested it on Tara’s belly. Willow’s heart swelled with love and she closed her eyes. She let the feeling flow through her and on down to the hand that she moved to rest over Tara’s lower abdomen.
Tara felt the sensation and inhaled sharply. It was warm and it seeped slowly from Willow’s hand into her skin. She turned in the circle of Willow’s arms and their eyes met. She saw the love that shone in Willow’s eyes and suddenly the whole world dropped away from them. Willow ran her hand through Tara’s blond hair and they leaned towards one another and kissed. It was gentle at first but then became more demanding, passionate, and sultry. Tara threaded her gloved fingers through Willow’s hair pulling her deeper into her mouth.
Willow dove into Tara’s mouth hungrily. The tips of their tongues touched and played over one another. Willow let out a soft moan. She could feel the burn of her arousal and the heady scent that Tara always wore mixed with the smell of leather. It was all intensely stimulating. Her hands moved from Tara’s hips to her rear from inside the short coat, her fingers gliding over the cool leather, kneading lightly and pushing Tara more firmly against her.
It wasn’t until the song changed to one with a loud incessant beat of bass that they realized they weren’t exactly alone and pulled apart. They looked around at the few people that were seated, but no one was staring openly at them. Willow leaned forward and their foreheads touched.
“Wow. That was nice.” Willow whispered and Tara smiled, her mouth parting and breathing hard.
“I find myself always thinking about you.” Willow pulled back a little to look into Tara’s face. “You’re gorgeous.” She smiled cheekily. “Especially during yummy love.” She remembered how it felt to have Tara’s tongue on her skin, licking up warm chocolate and the blissful look on Tara’s face after her orgasms.
“I am?” Tara gave Willow a lopsided smile that always melted the red heads heart.
“You are.” Willow confirmed with a short nod before leaning in and kissing Tara’s neck with wet lips. Tara moaned and dipped her tongue into the redhead’s ear, caught up in Willow’s desire and she wished that they were at home, making love. Her eyes focused on a more private area of the balcony and she gently pulled Willow’s arms from inside her coat.
Tara smiled at her, tilted her head, and an idea formed. “Come here, sweetie.”
Tara took hold of the leash and led her to a more secluded area on the balcony. With a gloved hand she pushed Willow back against the wall and leaned into her, inserting a leg between Willow’s leather clad ones. Willow looked around briefly before winding her fingers in Tara’s hair. More people were coming up to the balcony, but where Willow and Tara were, back near the rear wall, it was quieter and more secluded.
“No one’s watching.” Willow told her, pleased that they could at least enjoy voracious smoochies in this small section of the balcony that afforded them a great deal of privacy.
“Hmm, good.” Tara pulled down Willow’s hands and clipped the leather wristbands together. Stunned, Willow glanced down at her now manacled wrists.
Tara took the leash and looped it over the clips, connecting them to the leather collar. She captured Willow’s mouth, effectively cutting off any protests. She pushed the edges of Willow’s leather coat aside, slid her fingers into the waistband of Willow’s pants and teased the top button free.
“Tara!” Willow pulled back and her eyes darted around briefly. Doing this in the privacy of one’s bedroom was one thing, but in public… well, she felt some hesitation, but couldn’t deny that her pulse rate increased when Tara made that daring move.
Tara stopped and looked around. “We’re alone, sweetie.” She said and dipped her head, capturing Willow’s mouth again before moving across the red head’s jaw to her ear.
“I would love to see you like this in just chaps and boots.” Tara whispered, her voice thick with desire. “…no vest and no pants underneath.” She slipped an arm under the long leather coat, circling Willow’s waist and shielding Willow’s body with her own. With her other hand, Tara’s fingers deftly pulled down the zipper and she brushed her fingertips over red curls. Willow moaned into her mouth when Tara kissed her again.
“That can be arranged.” Willow breathed against Tara’s lips, forgetting about her hesitancy and where they were for the moment. All she could think about was how good Tara smelled and how gentle her fingers were.
Tara smiled through the kiss and tugged Willow’s pants down slightly with both hands. She slid a gloved finger inside and Willow’s eyes popped open and went wide. She gulped when Tara pulled back, breaking the kiss. Willow arched her back and dug her fingers into her palms when the leather digit rubbed up against her. She looked into Tara’s face and their gazes held. Their faces were flushed and both were already breathing hard. Willow wanted so badly to rake her fingers through the blonde hair, but her bound hands prevented her from doing so and Tara’s body had her pinned against the wall. All she could do was receive the pleasure that Tara was giving her, and she did so gladly. Tara withdrew her finger, gliding it back across her clit, making Willow thrust her hips outward, and brought it up to her lips. It glistened wetly and Willow’s eyes widened even more when Tara inserted the finger into her mouth. Willow finally blinked and gulped again.
Tara couldn’t believe what she was doing. It was as if another part of her awoke and took over. She swirled her tongue over her gloved finger, tasting the mixture of Willow’s essence and the leather from her glove. She looked into Willow’s eyes, and saw her own hunger smoldering there. Smiling, Tara took her finger and trailed it down over Willow’s lips before leaning down and kissing her. Tara zipped Willow’s pants back up and slipped the button back through the button hole. Willow whimpered in disappointment.
“Just a preview of what’s to come baby,” Tara whispered and kissed her lightly on the lips.
Down below, Dawn and her date wove through the crowd and made their way to where Buffy and Xander where sitting, sipping on drinks.
“Guys, this is Spence.” Dawn introduced the young man standing next to her. He wore a gladiator costume over an athletic frame, his curly blonde streaked hair hung down over one side of his face and a pair of light blue eyes blinked at them. He held a gladiator helmet in the crook of a muscular arm.
“Spence, This is Xander and my sister, Buffy.” She introduced him. “Where’s Anya? And where did Willow and Tara disappear to?” She asked and they looked around.
A dark prince entered the club and steered the woman at his side towards the bar. Pulling his black cloak tighter about himself, he ordered a drink and handed the glass over to his companion. As she drank the contents, his eyes scanned over the crowd and rested on Buffy, chatting amiably with her sister. He continued scanning the crowd, not seeing what he was looking for, but sensing it instead. His eyes roamed upwards towards the balcony and his lip curled.
“There you are.” He hissed softly to himself.
Across the room, Xander spotted the vampire at the bar and leaned in towards Buffy.
“I don’t believe this.” Xander exclaimed.
“What?” Buffy asked.
“Dracula.” He stated.
“What about him… them…?” Buffy swung her head around.
“Buff…” His face changed and he swallowed. Sensing his distress, Buffy followed his line of sight.
“That’s him.” Xander stated and they stared at the figure who looked for all the world exactly like the count who turned Xander into a bug eating minion and almost seduced Buffy into joining him in his dark world.
“So, he’s back.” Buffy sighed, recognizing him and knowing that there seemed to be no way of dealing with him forever.
“He’s the real deal?” Dawn asked, stunned.
“It’s always real.” Buffy reminded her.
“That’s Dracula? He’s…” Dawn whispered.
“Dead.” Buffy cut in.
“Wow. Charismatic and handsome. I can see why you fell for…” Dawn continued.
“Zip it little kitty.” Buffy said, stepping in front of Dawn and Xander when the Count approached, an attractive woman by his side. Buffy gave the woman a cursory glance, noticing her likeness to Morticia from the Adams Family. The Count stopped and a brief silence fell between them.
Up on the balcony, Willow’s body stiffened and Tara pulled back when she sensed the sudden change in her lover’s demeanor.
“What is it? Did I do something…?” Tara asked.
“No… no. Not you. Something not right. I feel…” Willow slipped from the wall, made her way to the railing and Tara followed her, giving the leash slack. Together they looked down and saw someone walking towards Buffy, Dawn and Xander. When the figure approached, Buffy stepped in front of her friend and sister, and Willow and Tara knew something was wrong.
“He doesn’t belong here.” Willow whispered and Tara glanced at her sharply. Willow turned towards the stairs and she followed, trotting down the steps and into the crowd.
Omius stroked the hand on his arm absently while gazing at the slayer. He was amused when Buffy protectively stepped in front of her friends. Suddenly Omius morphed into his demon form, his red and black speckled skin glistening purple under the club’s dim florescent lights. The woman didn’t have time to notice the change in his features before he unfurled a hand and wrapped it around her throat. She gasped and clawed, and the rising blood from the deep gashes caused by his talons seeped out from between his fingers. Just as Buffy moved in to help, he bit into the woman’s neck, sucking on the bloodied welts. Instinctively, Buffy stopped, stunned by what she just saw. Omius lifted his head, his lips and teeth stained red and kissed the woman. He probed her mouth open with his tongue and released another piece of his dark soul. He pulled back and after a brief glance over his shoulder at Willow and Tara coming down the stairs, he turned his gaze to Buffy. His mouth curled into a cruel smile and then he spoke.
“Slayer, hear me, and hear me well.” He propped the unconscious woman tight against the side of his body.
“Tomorrow, you and the witch will meet my Master.” He said.
Suddenly the woman shifted, changing into demon form. She opened her eyes, looked up at Omius and then at Buffy. Her yellow eyes were dead, yet they were hot like the sun and shone like liquid gold.
“The Master? But he’s dead. Right?” Xander asked, looking quickly at Buffy and the demon laughed at him.
“What? You thought there was only one?” he laughed. “There are many Masters, human.” He said sarcastically.
“I like her.” The woman said, moving away from Omius and walking towards Buffy. Before she could take more that a few steps, Omius caught her by the hand. A cold chill ran up Buffy’s spine when her gaze met his. His eyes were golden also, but flecked with red and the irises were narrow like that of a feline.
“No child, not here.” He said and curled an arm around her waist, pulling her back against his side.
“But, I’m hungry.” She glanced around. “And look at all the yummies.” Her arm snaked up and she caressed his face with lazy strokes from her fingers.
“We must go.” The demon said and lifted his arm. Buffy stumbled backwards, as if pushed by an invisible hand, and Xander caught her. The demons winked out of sight just as Willow and Tara came running up.
“Buffy! Are you okay?” Willow asked, laying her hands on her friends arms and helping her stand back up.
“Hello, Will. We were wondering what happened to you.” Xander said, his eyes pausing at her bound hands.
“Sorry, I was a little…” Willow stuttered and held her hands out to Tara.
“…tied up.” Buffy finished and Willow turned several shades pinker than she already was and laughed nervously. Tara quickly undid the bind, freeing Willow’s hands and then removed the leash from Willow’s collar.
“Okay, what was that?” Spence asked, finally finding his voice, and backing away from the group.
“Oh, that? He was just… doing an act.” Dawn improvised and looked at Buffy for help.
“Yeah… you know, magic. Like in a disappearing act. See that all the time as a matter of fact.” Buffy added and grimaced at her babbling.
“Right. Nothing to worry about.” Dawn gave Buffy a hard stare before turning back to her date. “Hey, a song. Let’s dance.” Dawn took his hand and hurriedly led him away to the dance floor.
"After one take, Joss did say, 'Can we have one that's less like you're going to sleep together in about five minutes?'" - Alyson Hannigan
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! That's just quality entertainment.
*runs off to look for another story 
I knew the 'Dark One' dude would start his trouble sooner or later but i really wanna c em kick his ass, Jessica too and along with all his lil minions... Lookin forward to seein it all come down and them having a scooby victory bash! 
