"I can't believe how cool your parents are with all this stuff," Friday commented.
Shelia shrugged.
"Mum was actually relieved when she found out about vampire slayers," she said. "She almost got bit by one when she was not much older than me, and it's given her nightmares over the years. She just doesn't like Douglas."
"We have something in common."
"I'm not so fond of him either. But he does know an awlful lot about this stuff."
"It's about all they're good for. That and vampire bait."
The girls looked across at Douglas, where he was tied up at a stake, screaming obcenities at them.
"This doesn't sit well with me," Eron said, frowning slightly.
"Sits just fine with me," Friday grinned. "That's something the watchers won't tell you, y'know. They get used as vampire bait a lot more often than they want us to know."
Shelia giggled.
"Okay, you two get going," Friday said. "I'll keep his blood from being sucked dry, and you guys go after our little friend."
"Right."
Eron kissed her softly and Shelia looked away.
"Take care."
"No problem. Give us a yell if you need a hand."
"You the same."
Sheila and Eron left while Friday watched and waited for the first vampires to make their appearence.
**********
"I was wondering how long it would take you to find me," said the vampire as Shelia approached from behind. "I see your arm has healed."
"How can you see anything with your back to me?"
The vampire turned then, and smiled. Shelia started in surprise.
"Aren't you supposed to be -" she cut herself off, realising what the answer was.
"Dead?" the vampire chuckled.
"You're the vampire who tried to kill my mother, aren't you?"
"No, I'm the vampire who saved her."
"What now?"
"He was intruding on my territory."
"We're your territory now?"
"And have been, for eight generations."
"Is that why you seduced my grandmother then?"
"Ha! I did nothing of the sort," the vampire sneered. "She was always getting into trouble, that girl. Kept having to rescue her, and the silly wench... well you know how the story goes."
"No, I don't actually. What's this all about?"
"A curse. Your curse. My curse."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm tied to you and your family, girl," the vampire replied nastily. "I can go out during the day to my heart's content, but I can never abandon your family. No, I'm forced to look out for you and protect you."
"Uh huh, yeah sure. And if that's true, why all the turning? Huh? Tell me that."
"I had to prepare you."
"Oh yeah? For what?"
The vampire smiled ghoulishly.
"My sister and I never really got along. Always fighting. We hated each other and parted ways as soon as we could. So, when I got turned I thought to myself, what better way to get revenge on her but to make her my minion? A great idea, yes?"
Sheila just looked at him.
"Unfortunately for me, sister-dear turned out to be a witch. She had a little problem with my plan and instead cursed me. Said I was doomed to protect her and her line until one was born with the power to destroy me."
Sheila raised her head and the vampire smiled nastily.
"Oh yes, dear girl, my sister was your great-great-great-great grandmother, and I am no longer under any compulsion to protect you, but for your mothers' sake I have to stay here. But once you are gone, and your mother is dead, I will finally be free of this wretched curse!"
On that, he launched himself at her. From the sidelines, Eron watched on impassively. He was there to be Sheila's backup, and right now as it was one on one: vampire verses vampire slayer, he did not believe his assistance was yet neccesary.
The battle was impressive. On the one hand, the vampiric some-many great-uncle had been preparing for this day for generations, on the other Sheila had been rapidly gaining experience as a slayer over the last few months, even when she had been injured.
"Why now? Why not when I first became a slayer?" Sheila demanded during a gap in their fighting.
"I prefer to avoid witches. Such as the one that visited you."
"Willow?"
"If that is her name. Couldn't have either her - or your watcher get the wind up. Of course, I didn't expect Douglas to be such a fool. I may have acted sooner had I known. By the way, Paladin!" the vampire called. "How is your dear wife going, do you know? I hope she's not feeling too overwhelmed. I only sent a dozen of them to spring your childish trap."
Eron started, having not been aware that the vampire even knew he was there. And a dozen vampires on Friday? He knew she was good but...
**********
Friday used her atom manipulation to shift through the wall just moments before the vampire reached her. She danced back a little, then into the waiting arms of another vampire. Unfortuntately for him, her sai-stake was in perfect range and he was quickly dust.
She scampered back to the stake where Douglas's voice had grown hoarse from all his screaming. Ahh, still alive. Unfortunately, there were still eight vampires hanging around. Waiting for her. Friday sighed and re-entered the fray.
**********
Sheila cried out as her stake hit home. The vampire paused and smiled once again.
"I am free..."
"And dust," Sheila panted.
Eron walked over to her solomnly.
"Are you right?"
She nodded.
"Let's go help Day."
**********
Her sai-stakes unretrivable, Friday pulled out her real sais. She stabbed one though the neck of the nearest vampire, it's Order of Light imbuement taking effect and severing its head with ease. The next closest was good enough to duck as she tried to do the same with her other hand. She stumbled and totted over to the stake Douglas was tied against in an attempt to keep from falling. Instead she fell at the base of the stake just as the vampire came upon her. Friday reached out, severed the base of the stake, lifted it (with Douglas still tied on it) and threw it through two vampires within throwing distance. She didn't stop to watch the results, though, as she was too busy dealing with the next vampire.
"Hey, Day, want some help?" Eron called.
Friday glanced over briefly to seet Eron and Shelia enter the scene.
"Sure, why not?"
With them, the battle was over in minutes.
"You didn't call?" Eron inquired.
Friday shrugged.
"Couldn't get to my phone. Besides, nothing I couldn't handle. Already took out most of them before you guys arrived anyway."
"Douglas?" Sheila inquired, kneeling besides her watcher. "Are you okay?"
"No! I'm not okay!" he tried to shout. "I'm a watcher!"
"Well, you would have had a marvellous view of the fighting to watch tonight," Friday said dryly, using her atom manipulation to free him of the stake.
"Oww!" he comlained. "Damn it, I think I've broken my arm, thanks to you."