BUFFYSTEPPEDINTOTHEMAUSOLEUMANDTHEVAMPIRESFROZE.

“You know, I just wanted to start over. Be like everybody else. Have somefriends,maybeadog....Butno.Youhadtocomehere.Youcouldn’tgosuckonsomeothertown.”

BeforeBuffycouldgoon,avoicecamefromtheshadowsbehindher.“You’rewastingmytime,”Lukesaidcalmly.

“Hey,”Buffyretorted,“Ihadotherplans,too,okay?”

Thevampireshovedaheavystoneslabstraightather,butBuffyleapedoveritandjumpedontop.Withoneswiftmovement,sheflippedoverandplantedbothfeet solidly onLuke’s chest. Themomentum caused both of them to fall, butBuffymanaged to get up first, pulling out her stake and driving it toward hischest.Luke’shandshotoutandgrabbeditjustbeforeitmadecontact.

“Youthinkyoucanstopme?”Luke’sfacewastwistedwithrage.“Stopus?”Hesqueezedhisfist.Thestakesplinteredlikeamatchstick.

Victorious now, he loomed over her, contemplating her with gleeful animalhunger.

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THEHARVEST

AnovelizationbyRichieTankersleyCusickBasedontheepisodesbyJossWhedon•

CreatedbyJossWhedon

POCKETPULSENewYorkLondonTorontoSydneySingapore

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’simaginationorareusedfictitiously.Anyresemblancetoactualeventsorlocalesorpersons,livingordead,isentirelycoincidental.

AnOriginalPublicationofPOCKETBOOKS

POCKETPULSE,publishedbyPocketBooks,adivisionofSimon&Schuster,Inc.1230AvenueoftheAmericas,NewYork,NY10020

VisitusontheWorldWideWeb:http://www.SimonSays.com

TMandcopyright©1997byTwentiethCenturyFoxFilmCorporation.AllRightsReserved.

Allrightsreserved,includingtherighttoreproducethisbookorportionsthereofinanyformwhatsoever.ForinformationaddressPocketBooks,1230AvenueoftheAmericas,NewYork,NY10020

ISBN:0-7434-3107-3

POCKETPULSEandcolophonareregisteredtrademarksofSimon&Schuster,Inc.

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER1

CHAPTER2

CHAPTER3

CHAPTER4

CHAPTER5

CHAPTER6

CHAPTER7

CHAPTER8

CHAPTER9

CHAPTER10

CHAPTER11

CHAPTER12

CHAPTER13

CHAPTER14

CHAPTER15

CHAPTER16

CHAPTER17

CHAPTER18

CHAPTER19

CHAPTER20

CHAPTER21

CHAPTER22

CHAPTER23

CHAPTER24

CHAPTER25

CHAPTER26

CHAPTER27

ABOUTTHEAUTHOR

toFrancesWennerwithloveforteachingmehowtoslayallthosecreaturesofthedark

Virginia,1866:ThefrequentdisappearanceoflocalCivilWarwidowsshockedanalreadygrievingcommunity.TheseeventsendedwhenLucyHanoverarrivedintown.

Chicago,May1927:Forty-onebodieswere foundnearUnionStation.Shortlyafterthearrivalofacertainyoungwoman,themysteriousmurdersstopped.

FOREACHGENERATIONTHEREISONLYONESLAYER

Nowit’sstartingalloveragain....

THEHARVEST

PROLOGUE

SunnydaleHighSchoollookeddifferentatnight.Infact,itlookedalmostscary.Classeshadbeenoverforhours,andnowthebuildingslayemptyandeerily

silent,walls gleaming dark in themoonlight. Shadows clung to the stairwells;roomsgapedalongthecorridorslikesomanyabandonedcaves.Whenawindowsuddenly shattered insideoneof them, the echo seemed tohang there forever,even as a hand thrust beyond the broken glass, fumbling with the lock andslidingthewindowup.“Areyousurethisisagoodidea?”Thegirlwhospokelookedaroundnervouslyashermalecompanionclimbed

through,thenreachedbacktohelpher.“It’sagreatidea!”heinsisted.“Comeon.”He led her out into the hallway. It was even blacker out here than the

classroomhadbeen,andthegirlthrewhimatimidglance.“Yougotoschoolhere?”“Usedto,”hesaid.“Ontopofthegym,it’ssocool—youcanseethewhole

town.”“Idon’twanttogoupthere.”Hisbodymovedagainsthers.“Oh,youcan’twait,huh?”“We’rejustgonnagetintrouble,”sheprotested,butheonlypressedcloser.“Countonit.”Ashekissedher,hefeltthetensingofhershoulders,feltherpullawayfrom

him,sawthegenuinelookoffearuponherface.“Whatwasthat?”“Whatwaswhat?”heaskedimpatiently.“Iheardanoise.”“It’snothing.”“Maybeit’ssomething...”“Maybeit’ssomeThing...”hedeadpanned.“That’snotfunny.”Grudginglytheboysurveyedtheirsurroundings.Thehallwasstilldark,still

completely deserted, yet the shadows seemed to have thickened somehow,creeping up on themwhile they hadn’t beenwatching. He could feel the girlcoweringclosebehindhim.“Hello...”hecalledsoftly,teasingly.Silence.“There’snobodyhere,”hesaidatlast,turningbacktoher.Butshestillsoundedfrightened.“Areyousure?”“I’msure.”“Okay,”shemurmured.And then, as her face contorted into a horrible shape, she bared her fangs,

buryingthemswiftlyintohisneck.

CHAPTER1

Buffywaslost.Wanderingthroughaplaceshedidn’tknowanddidn’twanttoknow.Asubterraneanchamber,perhaps,orthehiddenlairofsomehorriblebeast—

this dark, forgotten place of dampness and decay. Shemoved on through thegloom,waryandconfused,tryingtofigureoutwhereshewas,howtofindherwayoutagain.Andyetwhileonesmallpartofhermindknewshewasdreaming—hadtobedreaming—anotherpartwarnedherthatthisplacewasalltooreal,alltoohorriblyclose.Imagesjumpedoutather,thenfadedagainalmostinstantly,leavingonlythe

vaguestofmemoriesintheirwake.Shesawcandlesflickeringoveradeepredpool. . .clawingfingersthroughaglowoffire. . .drawingsofbeastsandthesilveryglintofacross.Demoniclaughterechoedamongcrumblingheadstones—faceless figures stalked her—and then suddenly, startlingly clear, she saw abook,averyoldbookwiththewordVAMPYRengraveduponitscover...From far, far away she could feel herself tossing and turninguponher bed,

tossingandstrugglingevenas thedreampulledherdeeperanddeeper into itsspell.Withoutwarning a shadow rose up behind her, foul and evil, a shadowblackasdeath,roaringthroughherhead,throughherveins—“I’lltakeyou...likeacancer...I’llgetinsideyouandeatmywayout—”Buffy’seyesflewopen.Even in the light of morning, it was as if the nightmare still lingered, the

horrorofit,thedangerofit...Shesatupinbed,blinkingagainstthebrightnessthatstreamedinthroughher

window.Shewasawakenow;shewasperfectlysafe.Thiswasherroom...herhouse...herreality—“Buffy?”“I’mup,Mom.”“Don’twant to be late for your first day!” Joyce Summers called from the

hallway.“No,”Buffymumbledtoherself.“Wouldn’twantthat.”Sheheardtheuncertaintyinherownvoice.Shesatupandstaredaroundthe

room,atthehalf-decoratedwalls,theunpackedboxesstackedinonecorner.

Thenwithasigh,sheforcedthelastdregsofnightmarefromhermindandgotuptofacetheday.

“Now,youhaveagoodtime,”JoyceSummerssaid,watchingBuffygetoutofthecar.“Iknowyou’llmakefriendsrightaway.Thinkpositive.And,honey...”shepaused,soundinghopeful.“Trynottogetkickedout.”“Ipromise.”As her mother drove off, Buffy stood for a moment, sizing up her new

situation. The weather this morning was Southern California-perfect, andthrongs of students were laughing and talking as they crammed their wayleisurelyintoSunnydaleHigh.Well...mightaswellgetthisoverwith.Sighing,Buffy started in, so deep in her thoughts that she didn’t notice the

cuteboyontheskateboard.“Coming through . . .” Xander announced, weaving his way recklessly

throughthecrowds.“Comingthrough...notcertainhowtostop...”Hewas tall and dark-haired,with a look of shaggy indifference about him,

andasheheadedtowardtheentrance,hesuddenlyspiedagirlhe’dneverseenbefore.Shewasshortandpetite,withdarkblondhairandbigblueeyes,andherface

hadthatheart-shapedcutenessthathenevercouldresist.Shewaswearingbootsandareallyshortskirt,andasXanderpassedherhecranedhisneckforabetterviewandcompletelyforgotaboutnavigating.Atthelastpossiblesecondhemanagedtomissthesteps,butonlybyducking

beneatha railing.He landed inaheapon thepavement,andasa familiar faceranuptohelphim,helookedatherwithagrinthatwasallcharm.“Willow!”Xanderexclaimed,pickinghimselfupagain,notatallbotheredby

hisdramaticentrance.“You’resoverymuchthepersonIwantedtosee.”“Really?”Willowaskedhopefully.Shewas consideredplain and totally boringbySunnydale standards; itwas

badenoughthathernosewasalwaysburiedinsomebook,butevenworsewerethe rumors that her mother actually picked out her clothes. Yet a keenintelligence shone inWillow’s soft brown eyes, and her smilewas poignantlysweet—and as Xander came toward her now, she brightened at his attention.Xander,asusual,didn’tseemtonotice.“Yeah,”hesaid.“Youknow,Ikindofhadaproblemwiththemath.”Willowquicklyhidherdisappointment.“Whichpart?”“Themath.Canyouhelpmetonight?Please?Bemystudybuddy?”

“Well,”Willowconsideredcheerfully,“what’sinitforme?”“Ashinynickel...”“Okay.DoyouhaveTheoriesinTrig?Youshouldcheckitout.”Xanderlookedbaffled.“Checkitout?”“Fromthelibrary.Wherethebookslive.”“Right.”Hegrinnedagain.“I’mthere.See,Iwanttochange.”Astheywentinsideandpushedtheirwayalongthepackedcorridor,theysaw

theirfriendJesseapproaching.“Hey,”Jessenodded,andXanderraisedhisarminacasualwave.“Jesse!What’swhat?”Jessedidn’thesitate.“Newgirl!”“That’s right,” Xander confirmed enthusiastically. “I saw her. She’s pretty

muchahottie.”“Iheardsomeonewastransferringhere,”Willowadded.“So,”Xanderinsisted.“Tell.”“Tellwhat?”Jesseasked.Hewastallandganglywithshort-croppedhairand

thickbrows.DefinitelynotoneofthehotguysatSunnydale.“What’sthesitch?”Xanderurged.“Whatdoyouknowabouther?”Jesseshruggedmatter-of-factly.“Newgirl.”“Well,”Xandercamebackathimwithoutmissingabeat.“You’recertainlya

fontofnothing.”

Buffy sat in the principal’s office, across the desk fromMr.Flutie.Hewasmiddle-aged and overweight, slightly impressedwith his own importance, shenoted. As she watched him, he pulled her transcript from a folder, glancedthroughit,thenturnedadirectgazeonher.“Buffy Summers,” he recited. “Sophomore, late of Hemery High in Los

Angeles.Interestingrecord.Quiteacareer.”BeforeBuffy could answer, he smiled and carefully tore her transcript into

fourpieces.“Welcome to Sunnydale,” he announced. “A clean slate,Buffy, that’swhat

yougethere.What’spastispast.We’renotinterestedinwhatitsaysonapieceofpaper.Evenif itsays—”Hebrokeoffandlookeddownagainat therippedpages.Hiseyeswentwide.“Whoa.AtSunnydalewenurturethewholestudent.Theinnerstudent.”Having recoveredhimself,Mr.Flutiecontinued to talkwhilepickingup the

piecesofhertranscriptandarrangingthembackintotheiroriginalshape.

“Otherschoolsmightlookattheincredibledeclineingradepointaverage,”hewenton.“Welookatthestrugglingyoungwomanwiththeincredibledeclineingradepointaverage.Otherschoolsmightlookatthereportsofgangfights—”“Mr.Flutie—”Buffyinterrupted.“AllthekidsherearefreetocallmeBob—”“Bob—”“Buttheydon’t.”Hepulledoutapieceoftapeandbegantapingthetranscripttogetheragain.“Mr.Flutie.Iknowmytranscriptsarealittle...colorful—”“Hey,we’renotcaringabout that!Doyou think‘colorful’ is theword?Not

‘dismal’?Justoffhand,I’dgowith‘dismal.’”“Itwasn’tthatbad.”Mr.Flutiestaredather.“Youburneddownthegym.”“Idid.Ireallydid.”Buffywinced.“Butyougottaseethebigpicture.Imean

thegymwasfullofvamp...uh,asbestos.”“Buffy.Don’tworry.Anyotherschool,theymightsay‘Watchyourstep,’or

‘We’llbewatchingyou,’or‘Getwithinahundredyardsofthegymwithabookofmatchesandyou’llgrowupinjuviehall,’butthat’sjustnotthewayhere.Wewanttoserviceyourneedsandhelpyoutorespectourneeds.Andifyourneedsandourneedsdon’tmesh...”Stillsmilingblandly,heslipped themessilymended transcriptback intoher

folderandslammeditshutwithhishand.Buffyjumped,herownforcedsmilegoingdoubtful.Shefeltdepressedasshe leftMr.Flutie’soffice.Asshepaused there in the

hallway, rummaging through her bag, a distracted student bumped into her,sending her stuff flying in all directions. Frustrated, Buffy knelt down andstartedscoopingeverythingbackup.ForthesecondtimethatmorningshefailedtoseeXander,whowasstandingclosebyandhadwitnessedthewholeincident.Immediatelyhecameoverandkneltbesideher.“CanIhaveyou,”Xanderasked, thencorrectedhimself.“Dyeh—canIhelp

you?”“Oh,thanks.”Hestartedpickingupherthingsandhandingthemtoher.“Idon’tknowyou,doI?”“I’mnew.I’mBuffy.”“Xander.Isme.Hi.”“Thanks.”

“MaybeI’llseeyouaround,”Xandersuggested.“Maybeatschool,sinceweboth...gothere.”“Great.Nicetomeetyou.”Hegavehertherestofherbooks.Shestuffedthemintoherbagandhurried

away.“‘We both go to school,’” Xander shook his head in disgust. “Very suave.

Verynotpathetic.”Then he noticed something on the floor. Bending down to retrieve it, he

automaticallycalledafterher,“Oh,hey,youforgotyour—”Hebrokeoff.Helookedatthethinghewasholding.“Stake,”hesaid.Buffywastoofarawaynowtohearhim.Withapuzzledfrown,Xanderstaredatthewoodenstakeclutchedinhishand.

CHAPTER2

Buffysatinthebackofherhistoryclass,earnestlytakingnotes.Theteacher’svoicedronedonandonwhileshetriedtokeepup.“It’sestimatedthatabouttwenty-fivemillionpeoplediedinthatonefour-year

span.ButthefunpartoftheBlackPlagueisthatitoriginatedinEurope:How?As an early form of germwarfare. The plaguewas first found inAsia, and aKipchakarmyactuallycatapultedplague-infestedcorpsesintoaGenoisetradingpost. Ingenious. If you look at themap on page sixty-three you can trace thespreadofthedisease...”Everyoneopened their books.Buffydidn’t haveoneyet, and as she looked

aroundattheotherkids,agirlinthedesknexttohersleanedover.Shewastallandveryprettyinanexoticsortofway,obviouslyself-assured,andwaswearingakilleroutfitoftightpantsandamostlysee-throughshirt.“Here,”thegirlsaid.ShemovedherbooksoBuffycouldshareit.“Thanks,”Buffysmiled.“Andthispopularplagueledtowhatsocialchanges?”theteachercontinued.

Buffythoughtclasswouldneverend.Whenthebellrangatlast,thegirlfinallyintroducedherself.“Hi,I’mCordelia.”“I’mBuffy.”“Ifyou’relookingforatextbookofyourveryown,there’sprobablyafewin

thelibrary.”“Oh,great.Thanks.Wherewouldthatbe?”“I’llshowyou.”ThegirlswalkedoutintothecrowdedhallandCordeliaglancedatBuffywith

unconcealedinterest.“YoutransferredfromHemery,right?InL.A.?”“Yeah.”“Oh! I would kill to live in L.A. Being that close to that many shoes . . .

Why’dyoucomehere?”“Becausemymommoved, is the reason. Imean, we bothmoved. Butmy

momwantedto.”

“Well,you’llbeokayhere,”Cordeliaassuredher.“Ifyouhangwithmeandmine,you’llbeacceptedinnotime.Ofcourse,wedohavetotestyourcoolnessfactor.You’refromL.A.,soyoucanskipthewritten,butlet’ssee...Vampnailpolish.”Buffyaskedtentatively,“Over?”“Soover,”Cordeliareplied.“JamesSpader.”“Heneedstocallme.”“Frappachinos?”“Trendybuttasty.”“JohnTesh.”“TheDevil?”Cordelianodded.“Well,thatwasprettymuchagimme,butyoupassed.”“Oh,good.”Buffyputahandtoherheartinmockrelief.Theystoppedatthewaterfountain,whereWillowwastakingherturn.“Willow!”Cordeliaraisedaperfectlypluckedeyebrow.“Nicedress.Goodto

knowyou’veseenthesoftersideofSears.”BuffysawtheinstanthurtonWillow’sface.ShestaredatCordelia,surprised

bythegirl’ssuddenviciousness.Willowsoundedalmostapologetic.“Well,mymompickeditout.”“Nowonderyou’resuchaguymagnet.”Cordelia’stonewaswithering.“Are

youdone?”“Oh,”Willowsaidsoftly,instantlyvacatingthefountain.Cordeliasteppedup

toitandglancedatBuffy.“Youwanna fit in here, the first rule is, ‘Knowyour losers.’Onceyou can

identifythemallbysight,they’realoteasiertoavoid.”Shebentdowntodrink.BuffylookedunhappilyatthedepartingWillow,then

followedCordeliaontothelibrary.“Andifyou’renottooswampedwithcatchingup,youshouldcomeouttothe

Bronzetonight,”Cordeliasuggested.“Thewho?”“TheBronze.It’stheonlyclubworthgoingtoaroundhere.Theyletanybody

in,butit’sstillthescene.It’sinthebadpartoftown.”“Where’sthat?”Buffyasked.“Abouthalfablockfromthegoodpartoftown.Wedon’thaveawholelotof

town.Youshouldshow.”They’dreachedthelibrarynow.Thetwoofthemstoppedinfrontofthedoor.“Well,I’lltry,thanks,”Buffypromised.

“Good.I’llseeyouatgymandyoucantellmeabsolutelyeverythingthereistoknowaboutyourself.”Cordeliaturnedandwentoff.Buffy,slightlythrownoffbytheideaofgiving

herwholelifestory,allowedherselfanironicsmile.“Thatsoundslikefun,”shemumbled.Sheenteredthelibrary,surprisedattheeleganceofit,thedarkwoodpaneling,

thestreamingsunlightacrossthefloor,theshelvesandshelvesofbooks.Ashortflightofstairsleduptoasecondlevelofstillmorebookcases,andwithitslargeoaktableandcozystudylamps,theroomhadacuriouslywarmcountry-housefeeling.Theredidn’t seem tobe anyone around.As shepausedbeside the checkout

counter,shehappenedtonoticeafoldednewspaperlyingthere,anarticleonitsfirst page circled in red. The headline stated “Local Boys StillMissing,” andbesideitwasablurrypictureofthreeboys.Buffywanderedfartherin.Shepeeredaroundabookcase.“Hello...isanybodyhere?”Without warning someone touched her shoulder. Startled, she spun to face

him.“CanIhelpyou?”themanaskedpolitely.HespokewithaBritishaccent,and

hisexpressionwasoneofquietintensity.Buffy breathed a sigh of relief. “I was looking for some, well, books. I’m

new.”“MissSummers,”themansaid.“Goodcall.IguessI’mtheonlynewkid.”“I’mMr.Giles,thelibrarian.”Buffystudiedhimforaninstant.Tall,slender,witharefinedsortofelegance,

dressedinEnglishtweedsandwools,apinstripeshirtandtie.Kindeyesstaredbackatherfrombehindthinwire-rimmedglasses.“Great.”Buffysmiled.“Soyouhave,uh—”“Iknowwhatyou’reafter.”Heturnedandledher tothecheckoutdeskbythedoor.Buffycouldseehis

officejustbehindit,butMr.Gilesobviouslyhadn’tmeanttotakeherthere.Shewatchedcuriouslyashepulledabookoutfrombeneaththecounterandslidittowardher.Hugeandleatherbound,itboreasinglewordingiltuponitscover.VAMPYRItwasthebookfromhernightmare.ConcernfloodedBuffy’sface—andwithit,alookofwaryunderstanding.She

steppedbackfromthedesk,buthergazeremainedonthelibrarian.“That’snotwhatI’mlookingfor,”shetoldhim,hervoicegoingtight.“Areyousure?”“I’mwaysure.”Mr.Gileshesitated...gaveanalmostimperceptiblenod.“Mymistake.”Hereplacedthebookunderthecounter.“So,”hecontinuedsoftly,“whatisityousaid—”Hestaredoutintotheemptyroom.Buffyhadgone.

At almost the same moment Buffy left the library, two other studentshappened to be discussing her while they changed their clothes in the girls’lockerroom.“Thenewkid?”onegirlsaid.“Sheseemskindofweirdtome.Andwhatkind

ofnameisBuffy?”Sheturnedasanotherfriendcalledtoher.“Hey,Aphrodesia.”“Hey,”shesaiddistractedly.“Well,”Aurasaid,pickinguptheconversation.“Thechatterinthecafisthat

shegotkickedoutofherlastschool,andthat’swhyhermomhadtogetanewjob.”“Neg,”Aphrodesiareplied,butAuranodded.“Pos.Shewasstartingfights.”Aphrodesiaopenedherlocker.“Negly!”“Well,IhearditfromBlue,”Aurainsisted,tuggingopenherowndoor,“and

shesawthetranscripts—”Shenevergottofinishthesentence.Withoutwarningsomethingflewoutofthelocker,andAphrodesiascreamed

as the body of a dead boy collapsed on top of her. His eyes were wide andstaring, as though they had witnessed something truly horrible. She didn’trecognizehim,andshehadnowayofknowingthathe’dbrokenintotheschoolwithhisgirlfriendlastnight,withtheromanticintentionofgoinguptotheroofofthegym.All she could dowas keep on screaming as the body sprawled at her feet,

gazingupatherfromthefloor.

CHAPTER3

Willow carefully sorted through her packed lunch. Healthy as usual. Andtotally boring.Shewas so involved that she didn’t notice anyone approachinguntilavoicespokebehindher.“Uh,hi,”thevoicesaid.“Willow,right?”Willowstartedandturnedaround.“Why?”sheaskedsuspiciously,andthen,

seeingwhoitwas,“Imean,hi.Didyouwantmetomove?”“Why don’t we start with ‘Hi, I’m Buffy,’” Buffy suggested, sitting down

beside her. “And then let’s segue directly into me asking you for a favor. Itdoesn’t involve moving, but it does involve you hanging out with me for awhile.”Willow’s expression was doubtful. “But aren’t you . . . hanging with

Cordelia?”“Ican’tdoboth?”“Notlegally.”“Look, I really want to get by here,” Buffy explained. “New school . . .

Cordelia’sbeenreallynice—tome,anyway—butIhavethisburningdesirenottoflunkallmyclasses,andIheardarumorthatyouwerethepersontotalktoifIwantedtogetcaughtup.”Willowbrightened.“Oh,Icouldtotallyhelpyouout!Ifyouhavesixthperiod

free,wecouldmeetinthelibrary—”“Ornot,”Buffydeclinedatonce.“Or,youknow,wecouldmeetsomewhere

quieter.Louder.Thatplacekindofgivesmeawiggins.”“Ithas thateffectonmostkids. I love it, though.It’sagreatcollection,and

thenewlibrarian’sreallycool.”“He’snew?”“Yeah, he just started. He was a curator of some British museum. Or the

BritishMuseum,I’mnotsure.Butheknowseverythingandhebroughtallthesehistoricalvolumesandbiographies,andamIthesingledullestpersonalive?”“Notatall!”Buffyinsisted.ThegirlslookedupasXandersaunteredoverwithJesse.“Hey.Areyouguysbusy?”Xandergreetedthem.“Canweinterrupt?We’re

interrupting.”“Hey,”Buffysmiled.“Heythere,”Jesseanswered.“Buffy,thisisJesse.”Willowmadetheintroductions.“Andthat’sXander.”“Oh,me andBuffygowayback,”Xander said casually. “Old friends, very

close. Then there was that period of estrangement, I think we were bothchangingaspeople,buthereweare,andit’slikeoldtimes,I’mquitemoved.”Buffystaredathimhalfamused,halfamazed.“Isitme?”Jesseaskedhim.“Orareyouturningintoababblingidiot?”ForasplitsecondXanderlookedalmostembarrassed.“It’snotyou.”“It’snicetomeetyouguys,”Buffysaid.“Ithink.”“Well, we wanted to welcome you, make you feel at home,” Jesse replied

gallantly.“Unlessyouhaveascaryhome.”“And to return this,” Xander added. He produced the stake that had fallen

earlierfromBuffy’sbag.“TheonlythingIcanfigureis thatyou’rebuildingareallylittlefence.”“Oh.No.”Buffy’smindworkedswiftly.“Thatwasforself-defense.Everyone

hastheminL.A.Peppersprayissopassé.”Xandernodded,asthoughnotquiteconvinced.“So.Whatdoyoulike,what

doyoudoforfun,whatdoyoulookforinaman?...Let’shearit.”“Ifyouhaveanydark,painfulsecretsthatwecouldpublish,”Jessesuggested.“Gee,”Buffy’s tonewasmildly sarcastic. “Everybodywants to knowabout

me.Howkeen.”“Well, not a lot happens in a one-Starbucks town like Sunnydale,” Xander

confessed.“You’rebignews.”“I’mnot.Really.”“Arethesepeoplebotheringyou?”CordeliasuddenlyappearedbehindJesse,

alookofpuredisdainonherface.Buffyglancedaroundinsurprise.“Oh!No.”“She’snothangingoutwithus,”Willowhastenedtoexplain,whileJesseonly

lookedsmittenatthesightofher.“Hey,Cordelia,”Jessesaid.“Oh, please,” Cordelia dismissed him in disgust, turning her attention to

Buffy.“Idon’twanttointerruptyourdownwardmobility.IjustthoughtI’dtellyou that you won’t be meeting Coach Foster, the woman with chest hair,becausegymhasbeencanceledduetotheextremedeadguyinthelocker.”Buffystaredather.“What?”

“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”Willowstraightened,lookingalarmed.“SomeguywasstuffedinAura’slocker,”Cordeliaexplained.“Dead,”Buffyrepeated.“Waydead,”Cordeliaconfirmed.“Sonotjustalittledead,then,”Xanderadded.Cordeliagavehimoneofherlooks.“Don’tyouhaveanelsewheretobe?”“Ifyouneedashouldertocryon,”Jesseoffered,“orjusttonibbleon—”“Howdidhedie?”Buffybrokein,hergazestillsteadyuponCordelia.“Idon’tknow...”“Well,werethereanymarks?”“Morbidmuch?”Cordeliawaseyeingher as though shewere somekindof

alien.“Ididn’task!”AbruptlyBuffystoodup.“Uh,look,Igottabook.I’llseeyouguyslater.”“What’sherdeal?”Cordeliaasked,soundingannoyed.Buffytookoffhurriedlytowardthegym,leavingtheotherstostareafterher

inbewilderment.

CHAPTER4

Buffywentstraighttothegirls’lockerroom.Unfortunately,Mr.Flutiewasjustcomingout,closingthedoorbehindhim.“Oh!Buffy!”Heregardedherinsurprise.“Uh,whatdoyouwant?”Buffy tried to keep her voice casual. “Um, is there a guy in there who’s

dead?”“Wheredidyouhearthat?”Mr.Flutieaskedquickly.Then,“Okay.Yes.But

he’snotastudent!Notcurrently.”“Doyouknowhowhedied?”“What?”“Imean,”Buffyfumbled,“howcouldthishavehappened?”“Well, that’s for the police to determine when they get here,” Mr. Flutie

replied. “But this structure is safe,wehave inspections, and I think there’snogroundsforalawsuit.”“Was there a lot of blood?” Buffy couldn’t help asking. “Was there any

blood?”Mr.Flutiegaveheralonglook.“Iwouldthinkyouwouldn’twanttoinvolve

yourselfinthiskindofthing.”“Idon’t,”Buffyassuredhim.“CouldIjusttakeapeek?”“Unlessyoualreadyareinvolved...”Mr.Flutieinsinuated,andBuffyshook

herhead.“Nevermind.”“Buffy,” the principal went on, relenting a little, “I understand this is

confusing. You’re probably feeling a lot right now. You should share thosefeelings.Withsomeoneelse.”Givinghimawansmile,Buffynoddedandbackedaway.Shehadnointentionofgivingupsoeasily.Rushing from thebuilding, shewentquickly around the sideof thegym. It

waseasylocatinganotherdoortothelockerroom.Shetwistedtheknob,butthedoorwaslockedtight.Buffylookedaroundtomakecertainshewasalone.Withonequicktug,she

pulledthedooropen,splinteringthelockintheprocess.Thenshegaveonelast

glanceoverhershoulderandslippedinside.Shesawthebodyatonce,lyingonthefloorstretchedoutbeneathablanket.

Hesitantlysheapproachedit,feelingcertainshewasn’tgoingtobeatallpleasedwithwhatshefound.Slowlyshefoldedtheblanketdownfromthecorpse’sheadandshoulders.Grim frustration floodedBuffy’s face. She stared down at the body, nearly

seething.“Oh,great!”sheexploded.Thereontheboy’sneckweretwodistinctbitemarks.

Momentslater,anexasperatedBuffystrodebackintothelibrary.“Okay,what’sthesitch?”shedemanded.Gileswasstandingon thesecond level,completelyengrossed inabook.He

lookeddownasshestarteduptowardhim.“Sorry?”heasked.“Youheardaboutthedeadguy,right?”Buffyretorted.“Thedeadguyinthe

locker?”“Yes.”“Well,it’stheweirdestthing.He’sgottwolittleholesinhisneck,andallhis

blood’sbeendrained.Isn’tthatbizarre?Aren’tyoujustgoing,‘Ooooh...’”Gilesletoutasigh.“Iwasafraidofthis.”“Well, Iwasn’t! It’smy first day. Iwas afraid that I’d be behind in all the

classes,thatIwouldn’tmakeanyfriends,thatI’dhavelastmonth’shair.Ididn’tthinktherewouldbevampiresoncampus.AndIdon’tcare.”“Thenwhyareyouhere?”Thatstoppedher,butonlyforamoment.“TotellyouthatIdon’tcare,”Buffystammered.“WhichIdon’t,and...have

nowtoldyou.So,’bye.”She retreated and started for the door, feeling a little let down by her

undignifiedexit.“Willheriseagain?”Gilesasked.Buffystoppedinmidstride.“Who?”“Theboy.”“No,he’sjustdead.”“Canyoubesure?”Buffyshookherhead.“Tomakeyouavampiretheyhavetosuckyourblood

and thenyouhave to suck theirblood. It’s awholebig sucking thing.Mostly

they’ll justtakeallyourbloodandthenyoujustdie—whyamIstill talkingtoyou?”“Youhavenoideawhat’sgoingon,doyou?”Gileschallengedher,hiswords

tightlycontrolled.“Doyouthinkit’sacoincidence,yourcominghere?Thatboywasjustthebeginning.”Buffyturnedbackandlookedupathim.“Oh,whycan’tyouleavemealone?”“BecauseyouaretheSlayer.”She froze.All theclever things she’dbeen ready to say tohimstuck inher

throat.ShewatchedasGilescomedownthestairs,hisgazeverysolemn.“Intoeverygeneration,aSlayer isborn,”Giles intoned.“Onegirl, inall the

world,aChosenOne.Onebornwiththe—”Buffyjoinedhimthen,thetwoofthemspeakingtogether.“—thestrengthand

skilltohuntthevampires—”UntilGilesbrokeoff,lettingBuffyfinishthewordsalone.“Tostopthespread

oftheirevilblahblah,I’veheardit,okay?”Buffythrewathim.Gileslookedtroubled.“Idon’tunderstandthisattitude.You’veacceptedyour

duty,you’veslainvampiresbefore—”“Well,Ihavebothbeenthereanddonethat.AndIammovingon.”Giles considered this amoment, thenasked, “Whatdoyouknowabout this

town?”“It’stwohoursonthefreewayfromNeimanMarcus.”Motioning her to wait for him, Giles disappeared into a back room and

continuedtotalk.“Digabitintothehistoryofthisplaceandyou’llfindthere’vebeenasteady

stream of fairly odd occurrences. I believe this area is a center of mysticalenergy.Thingsgravitatetowarditthatyoumightnotfindelsewhere.”Hereappearedwithastackofbooks.“Likevampires,”Buffyconcluded.Shetriedtomovepasthim,buthepulledabookfromthepileandhandeditto

her. It resembled thevampirebookhehadshownherearlier, andwhileBuffystareddownatit,hecontinuedtoheapmorebooksintoherarms.“Likewerewolves,”Gileswent onquickly. “Zombies.Succubi, incubi . . .”

Heleanedcloseintoherface.“Everythingyoueverdreadedunderyourbedandtoldyourselfcouldn’tbebythelightofday.”“What,didyousendawayfortheTimeLifeseries?”Gilesactuallylookedabitsheepish.“Uh,yes.”“Didyougetthefreephone?”

“Thecalendar.”“Cool.”Then,rememberingheragenda,Buffystated,“Okay,firstofall,I’ma

vampire slayer,” transferring the books back into his arms. “And second, I’mretired.Hey,Iknow!Whydon’tyoukillthem?”Giles’ssmileseemedrathersurprised.“I’maWatcher.Ihaven’ttheskill.”“Oh,comeon.Stakethroughtheheart,alittlesunlight—it’slikefallingoffa

log.”“TheSlayerslays,”Gilesexplainedpatiently.“TheWatcher—”“Watches?”“Yes.No!”Gilesrecoveredhimself.“He—he—trainsher,hepreparesher—”“Preparesmeforwhat?”Buffywasreallyangrynow.“Forgettingkickedout

ofschool?Losingallmyfriends?Havingtospendallmytimefightingformylife and never getting to tell anyone, because it might ‘endanger’ them? Goahead.”Hergazewaschallenging.“Prepareme.”Sheturnedonherheelandleft.Gileswentoutafterher.Bothofthemhadbeensointentontheirdiscussionthatneitherhadnoticed

theshadowyfigurelurkinginthestacks.ButnowXanderemergedslowlyintothelight,amixtureofamusement,excitement,andtotaldisbeliefuponhisface.Helookeddownat thecopyofTheories inTrig thatheheld inhishands,andthenhelookedbackatthelibrarydoor.Foralongtimehislipsmovedwithoutasound.Andthenatlasthisvoiceechoedoutintothesilence.“What?”

Gilescontinued to followBuffy through thehallwayas itbeganfillingwithstudentsonceagain.“It’sgettingworse,”Gilescalledafterher.Buffy stopped and whirled to face him. All too conscious of the crowds

aroundthem,shetriednottosightooloudly.“What’sgettingworse?”“The influx of the undead,” Giles murmured, moving her over against the

wall.“Thesupernaturaloccurrences. It’sbeenbuildingforyears,andnow . . .there’sareasonwhyyou’rehere,andthere’sareasonwhyit’snow.”“Becausenowisthetimemymommovedhere.”Shestartedtowalkawayfromhim,butheputuponearmtostopher.“Something is coming,” he insisted. “Something is going to happen here

soon.”Buffypulledhisarmdown.“Gee,canyouvaguethatupforme...?”ButGiles’svoicehaddroppedevenmore.Buffyhadtostraintohear.

“As far as I can tell,” he explained, “the signs point to a crucial mysticalupheavalverysoon—days,possiblyless.”Buffygavehimanarrowstare.“Comeon.ThisisSunnydale,”shereminded

him.“Howbadanevilcantherebehere?”

CHAPTER5

Nighthadfallen.And yet itwas always night in this dark and evil place, this secret, hidden

placewhereeventheflickeringcandlelightcouldnotquitepenetrate theheavyblackness.Shadowsslidacrossdamp,crumblingwalls,oozingintocornersandcrevices,slitheringsilentlyovertheblank,staringfacesofbrokenstatuary.And thehumanfigures, too, resembledstatues—strange,soulless reminders

of death and decay—as they knelt upon the ground, their faces bent insupplication.Anominouschantingroseandfellaroundthem...roseandfell...echoing

onandonthroughthechamber.Lukekepthimselfapartfromtheothers.Apartandwellaheadoftherest,an

imposingfigureevenuponhisknees,hiseyesandsenseskeenlyalert.Hewaslargeandpowerfullybuilt,withwidenostrilsandnarrowlyangledreptilianeyes,thicklips,andajuttingbrow.Toaninnocentonlooker,hemighthavepassedfora youngman in his twenties—yet the truthwas, Lukewasmuch,much olderthan that. His clothes reflected long-ago and long-forgotten eras, but spokedefinitivelyofnone.The chanting became louder now . . .more intense. Luke gazed for a long

whileintothecalm,thicksurfaceofadarkredpool.Apoolofblood.“Thesleeperwillawaken,”Lukepronounced.Hisvoicewasdeepand resonant;his facewasavampire’s face.Hisbreath

smelledofgraveyardsandrottingcorpses.“Thesleeperwillawaken,”Lukesaidagain.“Andtheworldwillbleed.”Slowlyhedippedhisfingerintheblood.“Amen.”And as the candles guttered wildly, the dismal ruins around him were

illuminated, but only for one brief instant—the ruins of a church long buriedbeneath theearth.Stanchionsandarches leanedatbrokenangles,sheetedrockpushedinfromallsides.Theshinypoolofbloodspreaditselfthicklyoverwhatoncehadbeenanaltar.Thechantingswelledinvolume.

It filled the chamber with devotion and despair, trembling every shadow,everyheartbeat.Andthefaithfulwaited.

CHAPTER6

Buffy stood in front of her bedroom mirror, agonizing over her fashionstatementof theevening.Holdingupanoutfit thatwasshockinglyscanty, shespokealoudtoherreflection.“Hi!I’manenormousslut!”Somehowitwasn’tquiteright.Shereplaceditwiththesecondoutfit,thisone

amuchplainerversion,andtookanothercarefullookatherself.“Hi!WouldyoulikeacopyoftheWatchtower?”Stillnotright.Frustrated,shethrewthembothdown.“Iusedtobesogoodatthis,”shegrumbledashermothercameintotheroom.“Areyougoingouttonight,honey?”Joyceaskedher.“Yeah,Mom.I’mgoingtoaclub.”“Willtherebeboysthere?”“No,Mom,it’sanunclub.”Hermotherignoredthemildsarcasm.“Well,justbecareful.”“Iwill.”Buffycouldsensetheconversationeasingintoseriousterritory.Bothsheand

hermotherregardedeachotheralittleuncomfortably.“I think we can make it work here,” Joyce insisted. “I’ve got my positive

energy flowing. I’m gonna get the gallery on its feet—we may already havefoundaspace.”Buffytriedtosoundenthusiastic.“Great.”“Andthatschoolisaverynurturingenvironment,whichiswhatyouneed.”“Mom...”“Oh,nottoonurturing.Iknow.You’resixteen;Ireadallaboutthedangersof

overnurturing.”Joycehesitated,thenaddedtruthfully,“It’shard.Newtownandall.Forme,too.I’mtryingtomakeitwork.I’mgoingtomakeitwork.”“Iknow.”“You’reagoodgirl,Buffy.Youjustfellinwiththewrongcrowd.Butthat’s

allbehindusnow.”“It is,” Buffy reassured her. “From now on, I’m only hanging outwith the

living.I—Imean,thelively...people.”

Hermotherlookedrelieved.“Okay.Youhavefun.”

*

Shedecidedonthetightslacks,thepowderblueshirt,andtheknittanktoptogounderit.Shedecidedtoputherhairupontopofherhead.AndthenshedecidedtowalktotheBronze.As Buffy left the safe lights of the suburbs behind, she soon found herself

enteringthedesertedcitystreetsontheedgeoftown.She turned a corner, wondering how much further she’d have to go. The

sidewalk stretched endlessly before her, camouflaged in shadows, and herfootstepsechoedhollowlyinthedark.Shecouldn’tgetthatday’seventsoutofhermind,allthepeopleshe’dmet,allthestrangethingsthathadhappened.Lostinthought,shecontinuedalongthepavementuntilslowlyitbegantodawnonherthatshewasn’talone.Therewasanothersoundoffootstepsnow.Footstepsbehindher...footstepswalkingwhereshehadwalked...Buffywhirledaround.Shecouldseeafigurestandingthere,shroudedinblackness.Justfarenough

awaysothatshedidn’tfeelquitecomfortableconfrontingit.Thefiguredidn’tmove.Andthoughshecouldn’tactuallyseeitsface,shehadthedistinct,unsettling

impressionthatitwaslookingstraightather.Turningquickly,Buffywenton.Thefigurefollowed.Buffypickedupspeed.Shecouldhearthefootstepsagain,sureandmeasured

behindher, takingtheir time.Withatwingeoffear,sheturnedthenextcornerandwentevenfaster.Thefigurekeptcoming.Nothurryingatall...keepingadiscreetdistance.On impulse, Buffy ducked into an alleyway, quickly assessing her

surroundings.A large pipe spanned the enclosure some ten feet above her.Aclusterofsmellygarbagecansblockedtheotherend.Withonesmoothmovement,Buffyswungherselfupontothepipe,herbody

poised inabandstand.Shewaited for the figure to turn into thealleyway,andthenshedroppeddownonhimwithoutwarning,herlegslockedoverhisneck.Throwingherselfback,shetippedhimover,thenrolledandslammedhisbodyontotheground.

Hewasonhis feet instantly,butshegrabbedhimand threwhimupagainstthewall. As she closed in, she suddenly realized hewasmaking nomove toattackher.Insteadheputuphishands.“Isthereaproblem,ma’am?”theyoungmanasked.He seemed faintly amused at the situation. Buffy eyed him suspiciously,

gettingagoodlookathimforthefirsttime.Hewasstrikinglyhandsome.Tallanddark,withprominentcheekbonesand

thick hair, and an unmistakable aloofness in his deep-set eyes. Yet there wassomethingelsethere,too—glowingfarbackbeyondhisgaze—astrangesortofknowing thatmadeBuffyfeelslightlyuncomfortable.He’dmovedswiftlyandeasily during their scuffle—with a fighter’s grace, she’d noted—but now hesimplystoodtherelookingbackather.“There’saproblem,”Buffyshotback.“Whyareyoufollowingme?”Hisvoicewascalm.Matteroffact.“Iknowwhatyou’re thinking,butdon’t

worry.Idon’tbite.”Itwasn’tatallwhatshe’dexpectedtohear.Shetookastepbackfromhim,

herfaceperplexed.“Truth is, I thought you’d be taller,” the young man went on. “Or bigger:

musclesandallthat.You’reprettyspry,though.”“Whatdoyouwant?”Buffydemanded.“Samethingyoudo.”“Okay,whatdoIwant?”Theamusementlefthisface.“Tokill’em.Tokill’emall.”Buffy felt a split second of surprise. “Sorry!” She announced, recovering

herselfneatly,doingherbestimpressionofagame-showhost.“That’sincorrect,butyoudogetthislovelywatchandayear’ssupplyofTurtleWax. . .whatIwant...istobeleftalone.”Hegazedathersteadily.“Youreallythinkthat’sanoptionanymore?You’re

standingatthemouthofhell.Andit’sabouttoopen.”Slowlyhe reached intohis coat.Whenhewithdrewhis hand again, hewas

holdingwhatappearedtobeasmallsortofjewelrybox.“Don’tturnyourbackonthis,”hewarned,throwingittoher.“You’vegotto

beready.”Buffy’schinlifteddefiantly.“Whatfor?”“FortheHarvest.”Heturnedfromherthenandstartedbackthewayhe’dcome.Buffycalledout

afterhim.“Whoareyou?”“Let’sjustsayI’mafriend,”hesaidquietly.“Well,maybeIdon’twantafriend,”Buffyanswered,exasperated.Hissmilewasstrangelysecretive.“Ididn’tsayIwasyours...”Buffywatchedhimgo.Shesawhisshadowfadingintoalltheothershadows,

andthenshecarefullyopenedthebox.Itwasacross.Smallandmostdefinitelyanantique.Attachedtoalongsilverchain.Sheglancedupquickly.Themysteriousyoungmanhaddisappeared.

CHAPTER7

Agood-sizedcrowdmilledaimlesslyaroundtheBronze.Itcertainlywasn’tafancyplace,Buffysawatonce—infact,itwaskindofa

dive—but therewasanappealing sortof earthinessabout it that seemed togowiththehigh-school-and-oldercrowdstandinginline.Nostandardsofcoolnesshere either, she noted—just a simplematter of paying four bucks and gettingyourhandstampedifyouwereoldenoughtodrink.Shemovedherwayuptheline,scanningaboutforafamiliarface.Therewas

nooneheresherecognized.Inside,theplacewasdarkandnoisyandabsolutelypacked.Abandblastedwildly from thestageup front,yet thecrowdsseemedrelativelywellbehaved.A lotofkidswere squeezed into thecoffeebarat theback,whileevenmorewatchedtheactionfromthebalconyabove,loungingattablessetfortwo.Buffypushedherwaythrough,stilllookingaroundforsomeonesheknew.A

good-lookingguycaughtherattentionandwaved,smiling.Buffysmiledandwavedback,thensuddenlyrealizedtheguywaswavingto

someonebehindher.Embarrassed,she loweredherhand toherhead, trying topretend she’d been fixing her hair. Shewas relievedwhen she finally spottedWillowatthebar.Thegirlwasshylyorderingasoda,andBuffyhurriedovertojoinher.“Hi!”Buffysmiled.“Oh,hi!”Willowlookedsurprisedandpleasedatthesametime.Andveryout

ofplaceinherPeterPancollarandsweater.“Hi.”“Areyouherewithsomeone?”“No,I’mjusthere.IthoughtXanderwasgonnashowup...”“Oh,areyouguysgoingout?”“No.We’rejustfriends.”Willowthoughtamoment,thenadded,“Weusedto

goout,butwebrokeup.”“Howcome?”“HestolemyBarbie.”AsBuffygaveherastrange look,Willowexplained,

“Wewerefive.”“Oh.”

“Idon’tactuallydateawholelot...lately.”“Whynot?”“Well,when I’mwithaboy I like, it’shard forme to sayanythingcoolor

witty,oratall...Icanusuallymakeafewvowelsounds,andthenIhavetogoaway.”Buffycouldn’thelplaughing.“It’snotthatbad.”“Itis.Ithinkboysaremoreinterestedinagirlwhocantalk.”“Youreallyhaven’tbeendatinglately.”“It’sprobablyeasyforyou.”“Oh,yeah,”Buffynoddedalittleforlornly.“Realeasy.”“Imean,youdon’tseemtooshy.”“Well, my philosophy is—” Buffy broke off. “Do you wanna hear my

philosophy?”“Ido,”Willowsaideagerly.“Lifeisshort.”Willowfixedherwithasteadygaze.“Lifeisshort.”“Notoriginal,I’llgrantyou,”Buffyshrugged.“Butit’strue.Whywastetime

beingallshy?Whyworryaboutsomeguyandifhe’sgonnalaughatyou?Youknow?Seizethemoment.’Causetomorrowyoumightbedead.”“Oh...”Willowsmiled.“That’snice...”Buffy’s glance went quickly around the crowds. As she spotted someone

movingaboutonthebalconyabovethem,herbrowcreasedinafrown.“Uh,I’llbebackinaminute,”shepromised.“That’sokay,”Willowassuredher.“Youdon’thavetocomeback.”Smiling at her friend’s self-effacing attitude, Buffy said again,more firmly

thistime,“I’llbebackinaminute.”Shewasn’t sure ifWillowheard.The girl’s headwas lowered and shewas

murmuring to herself, “Seize the moment . . .” while Buffy took off againthroughthecrowds.Itdidn’ttakeherlongtofindthestairs.Shepushedherwayupandontothe

balcony,thenmanagedatlasttosqueezenexttotherailingthatoverlookedthestage.She leanedthere trying toappearcasual,noteven lookingatGiles,whocametostandjustascasuallybesideher.“So,youliketopartywiththestudents?”Buffyteasedhim.“Isn’tthatkindof

skanky?”Giles’s tonewaswithering.“Right.This ismehavingfun.”Hecontinuedto

gaze down upon the stage. “Watching Clown-hair prance about is hardly my

idea of a party. I’dmuch prefer to be homewith a cup ofBovril and a goodbook.”Buffy rolled her eyes. “You need a personality, stat.” “This is a perfect

breedinggroundforvampireactivity,”Gilesadmonishedher.“Dark,crowded... besides, I knew you were likely to show up. And I have to make youunderstand—”“ThattheHarvestiscoming,Iknow,yourfriendtoldme.”Gilesseemedcompletelythrownoffbythisremark.HeshotBuffyananxious

glance.“Whatdidyousay?”“The...Harvest,”shesaidcarefully.“Thatmeanssomethingtoyou?’Cause

I’mdrawingablank.”“I’mnotsure....Whotoldyouthis?”“This guy.” She could still see him in her mind, could still recall their

confrontationinthealley.“Dark,gorgeousinanannoyingsortofway.Ifiguredyouwerebuds.”“No . . .”Gilesmumbled, frowning.“TheHarvest. . . .Didhesayanything

else?”“Somethingaboutthemouthofhell.Ireallydidn’tlikehim.”Theywerebothstaringoutoverthefloornowatthekidsdancingandpartying

totheloudrhythmoftheband.“Lookat them,”Giles’s toneborderedonannoyance.“Throwingthemselves

about...completelyunawareofthedangerthatsurroundsthem.”“Luckythem...”“Orperhapsyou’reright,”heconceded.“Perhapsthereisnotroublecoming.

Thesignscouldbewrong.It’snotasthoughyou’rehavingthenightmares...”Atthementionoftheword,Buffy’sfacesuddenlyclouded.Shegazeddown

atallthehappyfacesbelowherandsaidnothingatall.

CHAPTER8

Cordeliastoodofftoonesideatasafedistancefromthewrithingcrowds.Shestoodtherewithherusualfriendsandherusualairofdisdain.“Mymomdoesn’t even get out of bed anymore,” she announced, sounding

bored. “The doctor says it’s Epstein-Barr. I’m, like, ‘Please, it’s chronichepatitisoratleastchronicfatiguesyndrome.’ImeannobodycoolhasEpstein-Barranymore.”Shestiffeneda littleasshesawJesseapproaching.Hewalkedrightpast the

othersinhergroupandturnedhissmilestraightonher.“Cordelia!”“Oh,yay,”Cordeliareplied.“It’smystalker.”“Hey,youlookgreat.”“Well,I’mgladwehadthischat—”shebegan,butJessecutheroff.“Listen,I,um,doyouwannadance?”Cordelia’stonewaswithering.“Withyou?”“Well,uh,yeah.”“Well,uh,no.”She tookoff,her loyal entourage in tow,while Jesse stood therehelplessly,

alonewithhispain.“Fine,”hesaid,managingatlasttomustersomedignity.“Plentyofotherfish

inthesea.Oh,yeah.I’montheprowl.Witnessmeprowling.”He looked around at the room full of people, appraised the situation, and

officiallybeganhisprowl.Up above on the balcony, Buffy stood watching him disappear into the

crowds.ShewasstillshakenbyGiles’scommentsaboutthenightmares,andshecouldfeelherdefensesstartingtocrumble.“Ididn’tsayI’dneverslayanothervampire,”shetriedtorationalize.“I’mjust

notgonnagetwayextracurricularwithit.IfIrunintoone,sure...”“Butwillyoubeready?”Gilesaskedearnestly.“There’ssomuchyoudon’t

knowaboutthemandaboutyourownpowers.Avampireappearstobeanormalperson until the feed is upon him.Only then does he reveal his true demonicvisage.”

“You’relikeatextbookwitharms!”Buffyexploded.“Iknowthis!”Gileschose to ignoreheroutburst.“Thepoint is,aSlayershouldbeable to

seethemanyway.Withoutlooking,withoutthinking.Canyoutellmeifthere’savampireinthisbuilding?”Buffyhesitated.“Maybe?”“Youshouldknow!Eventhroughthismassandthisdinyoushouldbeableto

sense them.”Gilesdrewabreath,hisvoiceencouraging.“Try.Reachoutwithyourmind.”Buffy looked down at the mass of swinging, swaying bodies. Slowly she

furrowedherbrow.“Youhavetohoneyoursenses,”Gilesinstructedher.“Focusuntiltheenergy

washesoveryou,tillyoucanfeeleveryparticleof—”“There’sone,”Buffysaidquickly.Giles stopped. He peered down over the railing, completely nonplussed.

“What?Where?”Pointing,Buffytriedtoshowhim.“Downthere.Talkingtothatgirl.”Inonefarcornerstoodagood-lookingyoungman.Hewastalkingtoagirl,

but fromwhere theywere standing, neitherGilesnorBuffy could reallyget agoodlookather.Giles castBuffy a doubtful look. “But you don’t know—”he began,while

Buffyvehementlyinterrupted.“Oh,please!Lookathisjacket.He’sgotthesleevesrolledup.Andtheshirt..

.dealwiththatoutfitforamoment.”AgainGileslookedperplexed.“It’sdated?”“It’scarbondated!Trustme—onlysomeonewho’sbeenlivingunderground

fortenyearswouldthinkthatwasthelook.”“But...youdidn’thone...”Buffy scarcely heard him. She leaned farther out over the balcony and

murmured,“Oh,no...”Thevampirewasstillchattingwith thegirl in thecorner.Onlynowhewas

motioning her to comewith him, and as she finally stepped into view, a sickfeelingofdreadroseinthepitofBuffy’sstomach.“Isn’tthat—”Gilesbegan.“Willow.”“Whatisshedoing?”“Seizingthemoment,”Buffythrewbackathimasshestartedforthestairs.Foronebriefinstantshecaughtaglimpseofthem—thevampireandWillow

—moving toward the back door near the stage. She fought herway down thestepsandthroughthemobsacrossthefloor,butwhenshelookedagain,Willowhad disappeared. Worried, Buffy scanned the room, then headed for thebackstagedoor.Shefeltasifsheweremovinginslowmotion;theclosershegotto the stage, the more crowded it seemed to grow. In frustration, she finallymanagedtowrestlethroughtherestofthewayandshoveopenthedoor.Theshockofthedarknesstookherbysurprise,butonlyforasecond.Itwas

empty backstage, cool and strangely muffled. There was no one about, andBuffy moved slowly, cautiously, along the postered brick walls, ready foranything. She passed an old chair propped in a corner and on impulse, shesnappedoffoneofitslegs,holdingitclosetoherlikeamakeshiftstake.Afterthe noise and crush of bodies inside the club, the place seemed vast andmysterious.Atlastshefoundtheexitdoor.Itopenedintoanalley,butthis,too,was deserted, andwith a growing sense of danger Buffy headed back for themaindoor.Shedidn’texpecthimtobethereassheturnedthecorner.WithlightningspeedBuffygrabbedtheshadowyfigure,threwhimupagainst

thewall,thenheldhimthere,twofeetofftheground.Shestaredfiercelyintothevampire’sface...Andrealizedtoolatethatitwasn’tavampireatall.Cordeliahungthereinhergrasp,wearingthesamedumbfoundedexpression

thatherotherfriendsworeastheytroopedoutofthebathroom.“Cordelia!”Buffystammered,while thegirlcontinuedtohangthere,gaping

ather.“Excuseme . . . couldyoube anyweirder?”Cordeliaburst out. “Is there a

moreweirdnessthatyoucouldhave?”Sheepishly, Buffy let the girl down and lowered the stake discreetly to her

side.“God,”Cordeliasneered.“Whatisyourchildhoodtrauma?”Buffy tried to recover herself. She faked a cheerful expression and asked

brightly,“DidyouguysseeWillow?Didshecomebyhere?”“Why?”Cordeliashotback.“Didyouneedtoattackherwithastick?”Witharedfaceandshakennerves,Buffyquicklyretreated,leavingCordelia

andherentouragestillgazingafterherindisbelief.“Excuseme,”Cordelia grumbled, pulling her flip phone from her purse. “I

havetocalleveryoneI’veevermetrightnow.”Buffyhurriedbacktothestagedoorandletherselfintotheclub.Shespotted

Gilesatonce,waitingforheratthefootofthestairs,andshewentovertojoinhim.“Thatwasfast.”Gileslookedrelieved.“Welldone.I’dbestgotothelibrary.

ThisHarvestis—”“Ididn’tfindthem,”Buffysaid,herfrustratedglancegoingaroundtheroom.Gilesstaredatherasthoughhe’dmisunderstood.“Thevampire’snotdead?”“No,butmysociallifeisonthecriticallist.”“Whatdowedo?”“Yougoon.I’lltakecareofit.”“Ishouldcomewithyou,no?”Gilesoffered,butBuffyshookherheadathim

andstartedoffagainthroughthecrowds.“Don’tworry,”shesaid.“OnevampireIcanhandle.”She didn’t really see Jesse as she brushed past him. She had her mind on

other,more important things, and Jessewas too busy talking to a girl even tonoticethatBuffyhadgoneby.“Whatdidyousayyournamewas?”Jesseaskedagain,hopingthis timehis

luckmightchange.Shedidn’tlookfamiliartohim.Definitelynotfromclass. . .notevenfrom

campus.Thoughofcourse,hehadnowayofknowingthatshe’dbrokenintotheschool lastnight.That she’dbeenonadatewithacertainyoungman . . . thesameyoungmanfounddeadjustthisafternoon,stuffedinsidealocker...“Darla,”thegirlanswered,smilingathim.Shehadareallycuteface,andJessesmiledback.“Darla.Ihaven’tseenyoubefore.Areyoufromaroundhere?”“No,butI’vegotfamilyhere.”“HaveImetthem?”Darla’ssmilewidened.Herteethwereprettyandwhite.“Youprobablywill,”

shepromised.

CHAPTER9

Cloisteredwithinthemolderingwallsoftheirsanctuary,thedisciplescontinuedtheirritual.Itwas a ritual as ancient as evil itself, and slowly, slowly, the impassioned

voicesroseasone.Soontheceremonywouldreachitslong-awaitedclimax.Andwherethischurchhadonceresonatedwiththeheartfeltvowsofthevirtuous,theonlysoundsthatfilleditnowwerethesemockingprayersofthedamned.BesidethealtarLukesuddenlylookedup.Hestaredforamoment,eyeswidewithreligiousfervor,andthenhebeganto

backaway.Asthoughinobediencetohissignal,theothersalsobeganmovingback,theirvoicesquiveringwithexpectancy.Still,Lukeprayedabovethepool.Withoutwarning,aheadthrustupfromthe

bloodydepths,andLukestarted,staringinwonder,takingyetanotherstepaway.Theheadcontinuedtorise,andwithit thetall,elegantfigureofakinglong

sleeping,hismassivebodygleamingwithdark,richblood.TheMasterwasthemostpowerfulofallthevampires.BornHeinrichJoseph

Nest some six hundred years ago, he was dressed completely in black, bothfrighteningandawesometobehold.Hisfacedidnotresembleanythinghuman;he was as much demon as man. His regal bearing spoke of invincibility—commandedreverence,submission,andundyingloyalty.Ashesteppedforward,extendingonehand,Lukegraspeditwithhumbleandutterdevotion.“Master...”Lukemumbled.AgaintheMastermovedforward,hisfacestillcloakedinhalfdarkness.Luke

withdrewseveralrespectfulpacesandtheMasterlookedaboutforamomentasthoughconsidering.“Luke.”“Master...”“Iamweak.”“CometheHarvest,you’llberestored,”Lukepromised.“TheHarvest...”“We’realmostthere.Soonyou’llbefree.”TheMasterwalkedpastLuke.Oncemorehe reachedouthishand,but this

time,ashedidso,theairbeforehimbegantorippleslightly,formingasortofmysticalwallthatenclosedhim.Abruptlyhepulledbackhishand.“Imustbeready,”theMastersaid.“Ineedmystrength.”“I’vesentyourservantstobringyousomefood,”Lukereassuredhim.“Good.”Then,asLukestartedout,“Luke...”Lukestoppedatonce.“Yes?”“Bringmesomething...young.”

CHAPTER10

Willowwasdefinitelyhavingsecondthoughts.As she and her date walked along through the dark, she could feel herself

growing increasinglynervous.Hehadn’t saidhalf a dozenwords since they’dleft the Bronze, and there was just something different about him that hadn’tbeensoobviousbackthereinallthenoiseandbrightlights.Andallthepeople,shethoughttoherself.“Sureisdark.”Shemadeafeebleattemptatconversation,butitdidn’tmake

herfeelanybraver.“It’snight,”herdatereplied.“That’sadarktime.”Willownodded.“Night.Traditionally.”Theywalkedfarther.Againshetriedtostartaconversation.“Istillcan’tbelieveI’veneverseenyouatschool.DoyouhaveMr.Chomsky

forHistory?”Theboydidn’tanswer.Hejustsuddenlystopped.Willowglanced arounduneasily. “The ice-creambar’s down thisway,” she

directedhim.“It’spastHamiltonStreet.”Shewatchedashishandreachedout,asitfirmlytookholdofhers.“Iknowashortcut,”hesaid.Andthenheledhertowardthecemetery...intothedarknessofthewoods.

Buffycouldn’tfindWillowanywhere.Withgrowinganxiety,shehurriedaroundfromthebackoftheclubandsaw

Xandercomingdownthesidewalk,hisskateboardtuckedunderonearm.“You’re leaving already?”Xander asked, butBuffywasn’t in themood for

chatting.“Xander,haveyouseenWillow?”“Nottonight.”“Ineedtofindher.Sheleftwithaguy.”“WearetalkingaboutWillow,right?”Xandersoundedimpressed.“Scoringat

theBronze.Workit,girlfriend.”

Buffywasoblivioustohishumor.“Wherewouldtheygo?”“Why, you know something aboutMr. Goodbar that she doesn’t?” Xander

pretendedtohaveasuddenbrainstormandrubbedhishandstogether.“Oh!Hey.Ihopehe’snotavampire.’Causethenyou’dhavetoslayhim.”Thistimehegotherfullattention.Withalookofsurprise—andundisguised

annoyance—sheturnedbacktostareathim.“Was there a school bulletin?Was it in the news? Is there anybody in this

townwhodoesn’tknowI’maSlayer?”“Ionlyknow thatyou thinkyou’reaSlayer.And Ionlyknow that ’cause I

wasinthelibrarytoday.”“Whatever.”Buffywaspainfullyawareof thepassingof time.“Just tellme

whereWillowwouldgo.”“You’reserious.”“Wedon’tfindher,there’sgonnabeanotherdeadbodyinthemorning.”Xanderhesitated,studyinghersolemnexpression.Itdawnedonhimthenthat

shewasn’tkidding.Thatshewas,infact,verydeadserious.“Comeon,”hesaid.

Willowhadpassedthepointofnervousness.As she and her date continued on through thewoods, she realized shewas

easingintoquietpanic.Hermindspunhelplesslyasshetriedtofigureouthowshe’dmanagedtogetherselfintosuchascarysituation—andhowonearthshewasgoingtogetherselfoutagain.“Okay,”shesaidatlast.“Thisisniceand...scary....Areyousurethisis

faster?”Still her date said nothing. She couldn’t be certain, of course, but every

instinctwarnedherthatthisprobablywasn’tthewaytotheice-creambar.Andthen, as he suddenly stopped, she realized theywere standing outside a smallmausoleum.Confused,Willowstaredatthecrumblingentrance.Awellofthickblackness

yawnedbeforeher,andacoldchillcreptupherspine.“Hey,”herdatespokeatlast.“Youeverbeeninoneofthese?”Willow tried to keep her voice from shaking, tried to sound assertive. “No,

thankyou.”But he was moving in on her now, pulling her hair back from her neck.

Holdingherintimately...holdinghermuchcloserthanshewantedtobeheld...

“Comeon,”hetemptedher,hisvoiceteasing.“Whatareyouafraidof?”Andthenhepushedherthroughthedoorway.Willow stumbled in, terrified. She couldn’t see a thing and she blinked

rapidly, trying to adjust her eyes to thedark.After several agonizing seconds,shewasable tomakeouta small roomwithcarvedstonewalls.Ahuge tombtook up most of the center, with a stone figure of a man lying on top of it.Behindherwasthedoorshe’dcomein;aheadofherwasamuchsmaller irondoorthatwaslockedshut.Willow spun around. She could see her date now, his silhouette filling the

entrancetothemausoleum,blockingherescape.Herheartthuddedfranticallyinherears.“Thatwasn’tfunny.”Shetriedtosoundcalmandincontrol,buthervoicewas

dangerouslyclosetotears.Theboydidn’trespond.Insteadhesteppedcloser,hisfacebathedinshadows.

Willowcircledawayfromhim,tryingtogetclosertothedoor.“IthinkI’mgonnago,”shetoldhim.“Isthatwhatyouthink?”There was no playfulness in his voice.Willow heard the danger there and

instinctively took a step back, and then another. And then she turned andsquealedassheranstraightintoDarla.Darla seemed tobe appraising the situation.She looked first atWillowand

thenatWillow’sdate.“Isthisthebestyoucoulddo?”Darlaaskedhim.Theboy’svoicesoundedslightlydefensive.“She’sfresh.”“Hardly enough to share,”Darla returned,walking casually down the steps

andacrossthefloor.“Whydidn’tyoubringyourown?”“Idid.”Darla indicated the doorway just behind her.AsWillowwatched in fearful

confusion,averydazedJessestumbledin.“Hey,waitup,”JessecalledtoDarla.“Jesse!”Willowhurriedovertohim,relieved.Hewasclutchinghisneckand

lookedslightlyfeverish.Intruth,hedidn’tseemparticularlyawarethatWillowwaseventhere.“I think you gave me a hickey.” Again he spoke to Darla, who pointedly

ignoredhim.WillowwatchedasJessetookhishandfromhisneck.Shecouldseebloodon

hisfingers,bloodonhisthroat.Shegazedathimforamomentindisbelief,thenlookedattheothertwofiguresbehindher,hereyesgoingwide.“Igothungryontheway,”Darlashrugged.Willow tookholdof Jesse,pullingdesperatelyonhis arms. “Jesse, let’sget

outofhere.”“You’renotgoinganywhere,”Darlainformedher.“Leaveusalone,”Willowtriedtosoundforceful,butDarlaadvancedonher

soswiftlythatshedidn’tevenhavetimetobackaway.“You’renotgoinganywhere,”Darlamuttered,“untilwe’vefed!”As she spat out the lastword, she thrust her face right intoWillow’s.And

before Willow’s horrified eyes, Darla’s face began to change—to shift andslitherintosomethinggrotesque—rottingskin,teethgleamingrazorsharp,agrinthatwasasravenousasitwasevil—Willowscreamed.Shestumbledbackwardandfell.Throughahazeofterrorshecouldseeherdatelaughingnow,circlingher slowly, his predator’s face every bit as hideous and repulsive as the girl’shadbecome.Willowknewshewasgoingtodie.Shewatchedasthecreaturesclosedinon

her, knifelike fingernails reaching out, mouths drooling, eyes glisteninghungrily.When thevoicesuddenlyspokeoutbehind them,she thoughtat firstthatitwasn’t—couldn’tpossiblybe—real.“Well,thisisnice,”thevoicesaidpleasantly.BuffysteppedintotheroomwithXanderfollowing.Everybodyfroze.“Alittlebare,”Buffyobserved,runningonehandacrossthedustytomb,“but

adashofpaint,afewthrowpillows—callithome.”“Whothehellareyou?”Darlagrowled.“Wow,youmean there’sactually somebodyaroundherewhodoesn’tknow

already?”Buffy tossed back. “That’s a relief. I’m telling you, having a secretidentityinthistownisajobofwork.”AsBuffy held their attention,Xandermoved in between the two vampires.

Nothinghadquitepreparedthecreaturesforthisunexpectedturnofevents,andtheyslowlyloosenedtheirgripsonWillowandJesse.“Buffy, we bail now, right?” Xander prompted, but Willow’s date had

managedtorecoverhimselfalittle.“Notyet,”hesnarled.“Okay, first of all,what’swith this outfit?”Buffy baited him. “Live in the

now, okay? You look like DeBarge.” Then turning to Darla, she added,

completely unperturbed, “Now, we can do this the hard way, or . . . well,actually,there’sjustthehardway.”Darlastoodherground.“Finewithme.”“You sure?” Buffy persisted. “It’s not gonna be pretty. We’re talking

violence,stronglanguage,adultcontent.”Even as she spoke, Willow’s date rushed her from behind, charging with

lightning speed. With one graceful motion, Buffy whipped a stake out frombeneathherjacketandstuckitoutbehindher.Therewasadullpuncturesoundasthecreatureimpaledhimself.Hestopped,eyesroundwithsurprise,andthenhethuddedtothefloor.Buffyneverevenlookedathim.Ashehittheground,hisbodycrumbledtodust.“Seewhathappenswhenyouroughhouse?”BuffytoldDarla.XanderandWillowwerespeechless.Alltheycoulddowasstareatthecold,

emptyfloorwhereabodyhadlainonlysecondsago.Darla,ontheotherhand,waswide-eyed andwary, but definitely not cowed.Shemoved slowly aroundBuffy,preparingtofightthegirlherself.“Hewasyoung,”Darlasaidindisgust.“Andstupid.”“Xander,go,”Buffyordered.“Don’tgofar,”Darlaechoed.Without warning she lunged at Buffy. Buffy met her head-on, parrying

Darla’sblowswithmartialartsprecision,whileXanderherdedtheothersout.Thethreeranasquicklyastheycouldthroughthewoods,WillowandXander

half dragging, half carrying Jesse.No one spoke. Theywere all still trying tocopewiththerealityofwhatthey’djustseenbackthereinthemausoleum.Buffy...theSlayer...AsBuffygotinanothereffectiveblow,Darlahitthegroundpainfully.Buffy

wasn’t jokinganymore.Shewassweatyandbreathless,andall thehumorhaddrainedfromherface.“Youknow,Ijustwantedtostartover,”shesaidpeevishly,plantingonefoot

onDarla’schest.“Belikeeverybodyelse.Havesomefriends,maybeadog...butno.Youhadtocomehere.Youcouldn’tgosuckonsomeothertown.”“Whoareyou?”Darlaglaredupather,furyinhereyes.“Don’tyouknow?”ButbeforeBuffy couldgoon, a pair of hands suddenlygrabbedherby the

throatandliftedherbodilyfromtheground.“Idon’tcare,”Lukesaidslowly.

She hadn’t sensed him behind her.As Luke stepped from the shadows, hisenormous bulk made her seem tiny and insignificant, and Buffy realized theoddswere now dangerously against her. Luke tossed her into the air with noeffort at all, hurlingher agood fifteen feet.She landedbadly andhit thewallwithherface.LuketurnedonDarla,whowasstrugglingtogetup.“Youwere supposed to be bringing an offering for theMaster,” he berated

her.“We’realmostatHarvest,andyoudallywiththischild?”“Wehadsomeone.”Frightenednow,Darla tried todefendherself. “Butshe

cameand...shekilledThomas...Luke,she’sstrong.”Lukefixedherwithacontemptuousstare.“Yougo.I’llseeifIcanhandlethe

littlegirl.”BuffywastryingtoliftherselfoffthefloorwhenLukeclosedinandgrabbed

her.He’dcountedonherbeingstunned,butshewasreadyforhimthistime.Sheknockedhis armsaway, thenkickedhimsmartly in the face. It senthimbackjusta little,butherecoveredhimselfalmost instantly, landingasolidpunchtoherjaw.“Youare strong,” Lukemuttered.He slammed her back to the ground and

gaveathroatylaugh.“I’mstronger.”ButBuffyhadnointentionofgivingup.Wrestlingawayfromhimatlast,she

gottoherfeetandcircledslowlyaroundthetomb,keepingitsafelybetweenherandLuke.“You’rewastingmytime,”Lukesaidcalmly.“Hey,”Buffyretorted,“Ihadotherplans,too,okay?”Lukeshovedat the lidof the tomb.As theheavystoneslab flewstraightat

her, Buffy leaped over it and jumped on top.With one swift movement, sheflipped over and planted both feet solidly on Luke’s chest. The momentumcausedbothof them to fall,butBuffymanaged togetup first,pullingoutherstakeanddriving it towardhischest.Luke’shandshotoutandgrabbed it justbeforeitmadecontact.“Youthinkyoucanstopme?”Luke’sfacewastwistedwithrage.“Stopus?”He squeezed his fist. The stake splintered like amatchstick in his powerful

gripandhepunchedBuffyviolently,knockingherbackward.“Youhavenoideawhatyou’redealingwith,”hesnarled.Victoriousnow,hestoodoverher.Hisvoicelowered,andhebegantointone

thesacredtext.“Andlikeaplagueofboils,theraceofmancoveredtheearth.Butonthethird

dayofthenewestlightwillcometheHarvest...”Buffy hovered on the very edge of consciousness. Her head spun in slow

motion,distortedthoughtsflashinginandoutofhermuddledbrain.SheseemedtoseeGilesstandingbackinhislibrary,poringoverhisancient

bookswithgrowingconsternation.Hewasstaringdownatonepageinparticular—anoldengravingwhichdepictedacruelandviciousmassacre...“...Whenthebloodofmenwillflowaswine...”Lukewenton.Thepeopleintheengravingwrithedaboutintheirownblood,andinthevery

centerofthemallstoodacreaturebearingathree-pointedstaruponhisforehead,feedingoffawoman...“...WhentheMasterwillwalkamongthemoncemore...”AsLuke’svoicedronedsteadilyon,theimagessuddenlyshifted.NowBuffy

could see the crumbling ruins of an old church; she could sense an awesomedangeremanatingfromafigurebathedindarkness.“...TheworldwillbelongtotheOldOnes...”Lukerecited.

Willow,XanderandJessehurriedthroughtheforest.“We’llgetthepolice,”Willowgasped.“It’sjustafewblocksup—”Willow’svoicebrokeoff.Thethreeofthemstoppedandstared,expressions

ofutterdespaircreepingovertheirfaces.Threevampiresstoodwaitingforthem.Evenasthethreefriendsbackedoff..

.evenastheysuddenlyrealizedthatDarlawasrightbehindthem...

Buffy forced her eyes open. She got unsteadily to her feet, all the whilekeepingherwarygazeonLuke.“...andhellitselfwillcometotown.”Lukefinishedatlast.Buffytriedtomovesideways,togetawayfromhim—buthestruckherwith

savage force. Helplessly she flew backward and landed inside the tomb. Shelandedharduponherback,allthewindknockedoutofher.Sheturnedherheadslowlytothesideandsawthewithered,decayingcorpseofthetomb’sowner.Shecould tell shewasbadlyhurt.Shecouldn’t seeLukeanymore,couldn’t

see anything but the damp,moldywalls of the tomb, though she strained hereyes desperately through the darkness. He could be anywhere, she realized.Anywhere...Slowly, achingly, she liftedherhead.Shewas really frightenednow—more

frightenedthanshe’deverbeeninherlife.Verycautiouslyshepeeredoveronesideofthetomb.

Nothing.Onlysilence.Withherheartwildlyhammering,Buffytriedtolookovertheoppositeedge.Lukejumpedoutofnowhere,roaringtriumphantly,fillinghervision,filling

theroom,throwinghimselfintothecryptontopofher.She triedfrantically to fighthimoff,buthepinnedherwithnoeffortatall.

And thenhesimplystareddownather,contemplatingherwithgleefulanimalhunger.His teeth dripped a thick string of spittle. She could feel it sliding over her

cheek.“Amen,”Lukegrinned.Andthenheboredownonher.

CHAPTER11

ThroughahazeofterrorBuffycouldseeLuke’smonstrousface,hislipscurledback fromhisgums,his fangsbaredgreedily,movingcloserandcloser toherneck.Shetwistedandfoughtwithallherstrength,butherstruggleswereuselessagainsthim.Withonequickslashofhisfingernails,Lukepulledhershirtopen,justwide

enoughtoexposeherthroat.Buffygasped,bracingherselfforthequick,searingstabofhisteeth—butinstead,Lukeletoutashriekandjumpedback.Buffy stared at him, her mind reeling in confusion. Smoke was streaming

fromhishand,andhewasglaringathispalm,eyesblazingwithfuryandshock.AsBuffy’sowngazeloweredtoherchest,shesawasilvercrosslyingthere—

thecross that themysteriousguyhadgivenher earlier thatnight.Somehow ithadslippedfree fromher insidepocketandcome incontactwithLuke’shandduringthestruggle.Buffywasted no time.With a burst of renewed energy, she kicked atLuke

withbothlegs,sendinghimflyingfromthetomb.Beforehecouldrecover,sheleapedoutandranforthedoor.Thebeatinghad takena toll onher—muchmore than she’d realized,Buffy

thought glumly. Now as she tried to run through the woods, she was all tooawareof the lightness in her head, the rubbery feeling inher legs, thepainfulheavingofherchest.Shestumbled through thegraveyardasfastasshecould.Whenshefinallyreachedtheoppositeedgeofthetrees,shestoppedandlookedbehindherinthedirectionofthemausoleum.Shewasalone.Nobodyseemedtobefollowingher...noteventheshadowsweremoving.AndthensheheardWillowscream.“No!Nooo!Get—off—”Adrenalinepumping,Buffyracedtowardthesoundofherfriend’svoice.As

sheburstuponthescene,shecouldseeWillowontheground,wrestlingwithavampire.ThecreatureheldWillowmercilesslyinhisgrasp.HewasjustgoinginforherneckwhenBuffysurprisedhim,causinghimtolookup.ItwasjustthechanceBuffyneeded.Withoneswiftkicktohisface,shesentthevampiresprawlingbackward.He

gaveagruntofpain,thenstaggeredtohisfeet,holdinghisnoseandtryingtogetawayfromher.Buffystood thereasecond,catchingherbreath.Allhersenseswereat their

most alert now, and she furiously scanned her surroundings. She heard acracking sound followed by unmistakable scuffling, and again she took off,leavingWillowstill sitting thereon theground,her eyeshugewith fright,herbodytrembling.Shesatawhilelonger,pullingherself together, thenat lastshegotupandfollowedthepathBuffyhadtaken.It didn’t take Buffy long to find what she was looking for. Almost

immediately she caught sight ofXander, his unconscious body being draggedaway by twomore vampires. As they sensed an unwelcome presence behindthem,thevampiresslowlyturnedaround.It wasn’t Buffy they saw, suddenly appearing through the trees. It was

Willow.AsWillow realized thatXanderwas inmortal danger, she seemed tochangerightbeforetheireyes,herexpressionfiercelythreatening.Thevampiresturnedbackagain,butBuffystoodthereblockingtheirescape.

Itwaseasytotakethembothout.Withonequickpunch,Buffyknockedthemofftheirfeetandtheyscrambledtogetupandgetaway.Buttheydidn’tscramblefastenough.Grabbingabranchfromanearbytree,Buffysnappeditoffandhelditinher

handlikeastake.Shechargedonevampire,nailinghimneatlythroughthechest,whiletheotherfledforhislife.WillowranuptoXanderandkneltbesidehim,cradlinghisheadinherarms.

To her relief he seemed to be coming to, and after blinking a few times, hefrownedupather,tryingtogethisbearings.“Xander...areyouokay?”Willowaskedsoftly.“Man...”Xanderstillseemedalittledisoriented.“Somethinghitme...”Buffy walked a few paces, peering hard through the trees, her expression

solemnandworried.“Where’sJesse?”For the first timeWillowseemed to realize that Jessewasmissing. “Idon’t

know,”sheshookherhead.“Theysurroundedus—hewasreallyweak...”“Thatgirlgrabbedhim,”Xandermumbled.“Tookoff.”“Whichway?”Buffydemanded,butXanderlookedblank.“Idon’tknow.”Buffystared into thenight.Shehonedallhersenses, reachingout, straining

throughthedarkness—buttherewasnothing...Nothingatall.

Buffy’sheartfeltheavyandsad.“Jesse...”shewhispered.

CHAPTER12

Thingscertainlydidn’tlookanybrighterthenextmorning.Eveninthepeacefulcalmoftheschoollibrary,afeelingofdoomhungthick

in the air. No one had gotten any sleep, and Jesse was still missing. Buffycouldn’t rememberwhen she’d been so sore; her body ached all over and herbrain felt numb. She’d had to hide her injuries from hermother, so now sherummaged throughGiles’s office for somemakeshift bandages.Giles stood atthe railing on the upper level of bookshelves and tried to give Xander andWillowanexplanationforwhatwashappening.“Thisworldisolderthananyofyouknow,”hetoldthemsolemnly,spinninga

globe foremphasis.“Andcontrary topopularmythology, itdidnotbeginasaparadise.Foruntoldeons,demonswalkedtheearth.Madeittheirhome...theirhell.”WillowandXanderbothlistenedintently,theirexpressionseverybitasgrave

asGiles’sown.“In time they lost their purchase on this reality,” he continued, carrying an

armload of books down the stairs, “and the way was made for the mortalanimals.Forman.Whatremainsof theOldOnesarevestiges.Certainmagics,certaincreatures...”“Andvampires,”Buffyadded.She emerged at last from Giles’s office, wrapping a bandage around her

forearm.Xanderstoodup,clearlyagitated.“Okay,thisiswhereIhaveaproblem,see,becausewe’renowtalkingabout

vampires.”Hefrowned.“We’rehavingatalkwithvampiresinit.”“Isn’tthatwhatwesawlastnight?”Willowasked.“No,thoseweren’tvampires,”Buffyquipped.“Thosewerejustsomeguysin

thunderingneedofafacial.Ormaybetheyhadrabies—couldabeenrabies.Andthatguyturningtodust...justatrickofthelight.”SheignoredthelookXandergaveherandregardedhimwithtotalunderstanding.“That’sexactlywhatIsaidthe first time I saw a vampire. I mean, when I was done with the screamingpart.”“Oooh...”Willowmurmured.“Ineedtositdown.”

“Youaresittingdown,”Buffyremindedher.“Oh.”Willowgaveavacantnod.“Goodforme.”“Sovampiresaredemons?”Xanderwenton,whileGilesagaintriedtoclarify.“Thebookstellthatthelastdemontoleavethisrealityfedoffahuman,mixed

theirblood.Hewasahumanformpossessed—infected—bythedemon’ssoul.”GileshandedXanderoneoftheheavyvolumes.“Hebitanother,andanother...andsotheywalktheearthfeeding.Killingsome,mixingtheirbloodwithotherstomakemoreoftheirkind.WaitingfortheanimalstodieoutandtheOldOnestoreturn.”

EvenasGileswasspeaking,twovampireswerereturningtotheirlair.Far below the earth,where themorning sunnever reached,Luke andDarla

dragged Jesse along the dark, dank tunnel toward the church. Jesse staggeredbetweenthem,hisconsciousnessslowlyreturningatlast—andashiseyesgrewaccustomedtotheblackness,terrorrosesickeninglyinhisthroat.Helookedatthetwoinhumanfacesoneithersideandthenatthemouthofthe

tunnel theywere pulling him through. They seemed to be inside an old pipe,hugeandcrackedandslimywithmold.Astheyhauledhimtherestoftheway,hefelthimselfbeingpropelleddownapileofrocksandontoacold,dampfloor.Hiseyeswidened inalarm.Achurch? It looked likeachurch—orwhathad

oncebeenachurch—andyetthiswasafoul,evilplace;hecouldfeelitineveryfiberofhisbeing.Jesselookedaround,astrangesortofwondermixedwithhisfear.Hecould

seenowthathewasstandingbeforeanaltar.Analtarandwhatappearedtobeathickredpool.And then from the total darkness, something moved. Moved and gathered

itselffromtheendlessshadowsasitslowlyemergedandcametowardhim.TheMasterregardedhisservantswithacold,imperiousstare.Heturnedhis

gazeonJesse,andthenatlasthespoke.“Isthisforme?”“Anoffering,Master,”Lukerepliedhumbly.“He’sagoodone,”Darlaadded.“Hisbloodispure.”TheMaster’svoicewasquiet.Cunninglyinnocuous.“You’vetastedit.”Realizinghermistake,Darlasteppedbackinfear.TheMasterbestowedhera

tauntingsmile.“I’myourfaithfuldog.Youbringmescraps.”“Ididn’tmeanto—”Darlastammered,buttheMastercutheroff.

“Ihavewaited.Forthree-scoreyearsIhavewaited.WhileyoucomeandgoIhave been stuck here.” His voice rose, tremblingwith his power. “Here, in ahouseofworship.Myascensionisalmostathand.”Hebrokeoff.HeclutchedDarla’sfacebetweenhisfingers.“Praythatwhenitcomes...”hesnarled,“I’minabettermood.”“Master, forgiveme,”Darlabeggedhim.“Wehadmoreofferings,but there

wastrouble.Agirl.”Lukenoddedaffirmation.“Therewasagirl.Shefoughtwellandsheknewof

ourbreed.It’spossiblethatshemaybe...”TheMastercalmlyturnedtohim.“ASlayer?”

“ASlayer,”Gilescontinuedtoexplain.“Andthatwouldbeawhat?”Xanderaskedhim.“As long as there have been vampires, there has been the Slayer,” Giles

recited.“Onegirlinalltheworld—”“Helovesdoingthispart,”Buffyinterrupted.“All right,”Giles conceded, speeding up a little. “They hunt vampires, one

Slayerdies,thenextiscalled,BuffyistheSlayer,don’ttellanyone.”Hestoppedanddrewabreath.“Ithinkthat’sallthevampireinformationyouneed.”“Exceptforonething,”Xanderspokeup.“Howdoyoukillthem?”“Youdon’t,”Buffycorrectedhim.“Ido.”“Well,Jesse—”“Jesse’smyresponsibility.Ilethimgettaken.”Xanderfrowned.“That’snottrue.”“Ifyouhadn’tshownup,”Willowaddedloyally,“theywouldhave...taken

us,too....DoesanybodymindifIpassout?”“Breathe...”Buffyorderedher.Willownodded.“Breathe.”“Breathe,”Buffysaidagain,andthentoGiles,“Thisbigguy,Luke,hetalked

aboutanofferingtotheMaster.Idon’tknowwhoorwhatthatwas,butiftheyweren’tjustfeeding,Jessemaystillbealive.I’mgonnafindhim.”Calmernow,Willowofferedasuggestion.“Thisisprobablyadumbquestion,

butshouldn’twecallthepolice?”“Andthey’dbelieveus,ofcourse,”Gilesreplied.“Wedon’t have to say vampires,”Willow stammered. “We could say there

was...abadman.”Buffyshookherheadconsolingly.“Theycouldn’thandleitiftheydidcome.

They’donlyshowupwithguns.”“You’venoideawheretheytookJesse?”Gilesaskedher.“Ilookedaround,but...soonastheygotclearofthewoodstheycouldhave

just—”Buffymadeaquickmotionwithherhand.“—whoom.”“Cantheyfly?”Xanderlookedsurprised.“Theycandrive.”“Oh.”Willowtriedtothinkback.“Idon’trememberhearingacar.”“Well,let’stakeanenormousintuitiveleapandsaytheywentunderground,”

Gilessaid.“Vampires really jam on sewer systems,” Buffy agreed. “You can get

anywhere in town without catching any rays. I didn’t see any access aroundthere,though.”Xandershrugged.“Well,there’selectricaltunnels.Theyrununderthewhole

town.”For a moment Giles considered this. “If we had a diagnostic of the tunnel

system,itmightindicateameetingplace.Isupposewecouldgotothebuildingcommission—”“Wesodon’thavetime,”Buffycuthimoff.“Uh,guys?”Willowsaidtentatively.“Theremaybeanotherway.”

CHAPTER13

“ASlayer...”TheMasterponderedthispossibility.“Haveyouanyproof?”Lukeansweredhimwithasneer.“Onlythatshefoughtmeandyetlives.”“Verynearlyproofenough,”theMasterconceded.“Ican’trememberthelast

timethathappened.”“Eighteenforty-three.”Lukelookedalmostembarrassed.“InMadrid.Caught

mesleeping.”TheMastergaveavaguenod.“Shemustn’tbeallowedtointerferewiththe

Harvest.”“Iwouldneverletthathappen.”“Youneedn’tworry.Ibelieveshe’llcometous.”Ashistwoservantslooked

athimquestioningly,theMasteradded,“Wehavesomethingthatshewants.IfsheisaSlayerandthisboylives,she’lltrytosavehim.”LukewalkedovertoJesse.Hishideousfacesplitinamacabresmile.“I thought you nothing more than a meal, boy,” he chuckled.

“Congratulations.You’vejustbeenupgradedto‘bait.’”

TruetotheMaster’sprediction,Buffywasevenatthatmomenttryingtoplanarescue.“Thereitis,”Buffysaideagerly.Willowsatatthecomputerwhileeveryoneelsegatheredaroundher.Showing

onthescreenwasacompletemapofthecity’selectricaltunnels.“This runs under the graveyard,” Willow explained, pointing to one in

particular,butXandershookhishead.“Idon’tseeanyaccess.”“Soallthecityplansarejustopentothepublic?”Gilesasked.“Uh,well,inaway,”Willowfrownedalittlesheepishly.“Isortofstumbled

ontothemwhenIaccidentally...decryptedthecitycouncil’ssecuritysystem.”Xander’sfocusremainedonthescreen.“Someone’sbeennaughty...”“There’snothinghere,”Buffysoundeddisappointed.“Thisisuseless!”“Ithinkyoushouldeaseuponyourself,”Gilesconsoledher,butBuffyturned

onhim,obviouslydistressed.“You’re the onewho toldme I wasn’t prepared enough. Understatement. I

thoughtIwasontopofit,andthenthatmonsterLukecameoutofnowhere—”ShebrokeoffabruptlyandXanderglancedupather.“What?”Xanderasked.But Buffy was remembering the scenes from the past night playing out

perfectlyinhermind.“Hedidn’tcomeoutofnowhere,”shesaidexcitedly.“Hecamefrombehindme.Iwasfacingtheentrance.Hecamefrombehindmeandhedidn’tfollowmeout.”Shelookedat theother threefacesaroundher.“Theaccesstothetunnelsisinthemausoleum.”“Areyousure?”Gilesstraightened.“ThegirlmusthavedoubledbackwithJesseafterIgotout,”Buffywenton.

“God,I’msomentallychallenged!”Xander steppedback, ready for action. “Sowhat’s the plan?We saddle up,

right?”“There’sno‘we,’”Buffycorrectedhim.“I’mtheSlayerandyou’renot.”“Iknewyouweregonnathrowthatinmyface,”Xandergrumbled.“Xander,thisisdeeplydangerous.”“I’minadequate.That’sfine.I’mlessthanaman.”Xanderturnedhisbackonherandwalkedoff.Withasympatheticglancein

Xander’sdirection,WillowappealedtoBuffy.“Buffy,I’mnotanxioustogointoadarkplacefullofmonsters,butIdowant

tohelp.Ineedto.”“Thenhelpme,”Gilesrepliedwithouthesitation.“I’vebeenresearchingthis

Harvestaffair.Seemstobesomesortofpreordainedmassacre.Riversofblood,hellonearth...quitecharmless.Iamfuzzyonthedetails,however,anditmaybethatyoucanwrestsomeinformationfromthatdreadmachine.”Hepaused,glancingfromoneuncomprehendinglooktoanother.“ThatwasabitBritish,wasn’tit?”headmitted,embarrassed.Buffysmiled.“Welcometothenewworld.”“IwantyoutogoontheNet,”Gilestranslated.“Oh!”Willowbrightened.“Yeah.Sure.Icandothat.”“Then I’m out of here,” Buffy announced. “If Jesse’s alive, I’ll bring him

back.”Gilessteppedforward,hisgraveexpressionsoftening.“DoIhavetotellyou

tobecareful?”Buffymethiseyesforalongmoment.

Andthenshewentout.Sheheadedacross theschoolgroundstowardtheoutergate.Itwasstanding

wide open, but before she could go through, Mr. Flutie suddenly appearedbehindher.“Andwheredowethinkwe’regoing?”Mr.Flutiegreetedher.“We?”Buffywasallinnocence.“I?Me?”Mr.Flutiegaveherapatronizinglook.“We’renotleavingschoolgrounds,are

we?”“No!I’mjust...admiringthefence.Thisisqualityfencework.”“Because if wewere leaving school grounds on our second day at a new

schoolafterbeingkickedoutofouroldschoolfordelinquentbehavior—”Theprincipalpaused,drawingabreath.“DoyouseewhereI’mgoingwiththis?”Buffy’smindworkedquickly.“Mr.Giles!”sheburstout.“What?”“He asked me to get a book for him,” Buffy explained. “From the store,

’cause I have a free period and I’m a big reader—did it mention that onmytranscripts?”Mr.Flutiestaredather.“Mr.Giles.”“Askhim.”ButMr.Flutiesteppedaroundher,closedthegate,andlockedit,fussingthe

wholetime.“Well, maybe that’s how they do things in Britain; they’ve got that royal

familyandallkindsofproblems.ButhereatSunnydalenobodyleavescampuswhileschool’sinsession.Areweclear?”Buffykeptherfacepleasant.“We’reclear.”“That’s theBuffySummersIwant inmyschool.Thesensiblegirl,withher

feetontheground.”Theprincipalsmiledbeforeheturnedandwalkedaway.ForabriefmomentBuffygazeddownatherfeet.Thenshetookaleap,sailed

easilyoverthefence,andlandednimblyontheotherside.Shethrewonequicklookbackoverhershoulder.Andthensheran.

*

WillowandXander left the library andwentout into thehall.Thebell hadrungandstudentswerealreadyfilingintotheirclasses.

“Murder,death,disaster,”Willowmumbled,makingalistinhernotebookastheywalked.“Whatelse?”“Paranormal, unexplained.”Xander thought aminute, then asked, “You got

naturaldisasters?”Willowgavehimanod.“Earthquake,flood...”“Rainoftoads.”“Right.”“Rainoftoads.”Xander’stoneborderedondisbelief.“Aretheyreallygonna

haveanythinglikethatinthepaper?”“I’llputitonthesearch.Ifit’sinthere,it’llturnup.Anythingthat’llleadus

tovampires.”Xanderlookedgrumpy.“AndI,meanwhile,willhelpbystandingaroundlike

anidiot.”“Not likean idiot,”Willowsoothedhim.“Juststanding.Buffydoesn’twant

yougettinghurt.”Shecasthimasidelongglance,thenaddedinamuchsmallervoice,“Idon’twantyougettinghurt.”They’d reachedWillow’s class.The twoof themstood sideby sideoutside

thedoor.“This is just toomuch,”Xandersighed.“Yesterdaymy life is like, ‘Oh,no.

Popquiz.’Today—rainoftoads.”“I know,” Willow agreed, looking around at all the other students. “And

everyoneelsethinksit’sjustanormalday.”“Nobodyknows.It’slikewe’vegotthisbigsecret.”“We do. That’s what a secret is. When you know something other guys

don’t.”Hergentle sarcasmwas totally lostonXander.“Right,”hesaid.“Well,you

bettergettoclass.”“Youmean‘we.’‘We’shouldgettoclass.”“Yeah.”“Buffywillbeokay,”shereassuredhim.“Whatever’sdownthere,Ithinkshe

canhandleit.”“Yeah,Ido,too.”“SodoI.”Butdeepintheirhearts,neitherofthemreallybelievedit.

CHAPTER14

Buffymadeherwaythroughthegraveyardoncemore,backtothemausoleum.Exceptforthefeeblelightanglinginfromthedoorway,itwasjustasdarkin

hereasithadbeenthepastnight,andBuffymovedcautiously, inchingfartherandfartherintothegloom.Hereyeskeptacontinualwatch.Everysensewarnedher that a presence lurked nearby, but the shadows closed thick about her,revealingnothing.Shereachedtheirondoorontheoppositesideoftheroom.Shetriedit,butit

waslocked.Standingthere,sheloweredherarmstohersidesandletoutalong,slowbreath.Withoutturningaround,shesaid,“Idon’tsupposeyou’vegotakeyonyou?”Foramoment,nooneanswered.Andthenhermysterious“friend”steppedfromtheshadows,afaintsmilein

hiseyes.“Theyreallydon’tlikemedroppingin,”heanswered.“Whynot?”“Theyreallydon’tlikeme.”Buffycouldn’thelphersarcasm.“Howcouldthatpossiblybe?”“Iknewyou’dfigureoutthisentrywaysoonerorlater,”hesaid,changingthe

subject.“Actually,Ithoughtitwasgonnabealittlesooner.”“I’m sorry you had to wait,” Buffy retorted. “Look, if you’re gonna be

poppingupwiththiscrypticwise-manactonaregularbasis,canyouatleasttellmeyourname?”Anothersilence.Then,“Angel.”“Angel.”Shewaited for a last name.Whenhedidn’t respond,Buffy added

somewhatoffhandedly,“It’saprettyname.”“Don’t go down there.” The warning was calm, matter-of-fact. Buffy

shruggeditoff.“Dealwithmygoing.”“Youshouldn’tbeputtingyourselfatrisk.TonightistheHarvest.Unlessyou

canpreventit,”hisvoicedroppedtoawhisper,“theMasterwalks.”StubbornlyBuffyheldherground. “If thisHarvest thing is such a suckfest,

whydon’tyoustopit?”“BecauseI’mafraid.”Itwasananswershehadn’texpectedandwasn’t the leastpreparedfor.The

unashamed openness of his confession caught her completely off guard. Shestaredathim,athisfacesilhouettedinthedimlight.Shekickedthedooropen.“They’llbeexpectingyou,”Angelsaid.“I’ve got a friend down there—or a potential friend.” Almost as an

afterthought,Buffyjoked,“Doyouknowwhatit’sliketohaveafriend?”Angel didn’t answer. Buffy paused, a note of gentleness creeping into her

voice.“Thatwasn’tsupposedtobeastumper,”shetoldhim.“Whenyouhitthetunnels,headeast,towardtheschool.That’swhereyou’re

likelytofindthem.”“Yougonnawishmeluck?”AgainAngelwassilent.Buffygazedathim,thenturnedabruptlyandheaded

intothedarkness.Angelwatchedhergo.He stood there for a long while without moving, and his face held quiet

concern.“Goodluck,”hesaidsoftly.

CHAPTER15

The tunnelsspread likea forbiddenmazebeneath thecity.Darkand twisting,theyraninalldirections,andasBuffymadeherwaycarefullydownaflightofsteps,shewonderedifshe’deverfindherwayoutagain.Shestoodforamoment, takinginhersurroundings.Damp,fetidairwashed

overher,and therewasafarawayechoofdrippingwater.Whenaratscurriedacross her foot, Buffy didn’t even flinch. Instead she squared her shoulders,choseonetunnel,andstarteddown.Shemovedslowly,hersensesgropingintoeverycrackandcrevice, through

every thickbankofshadows. Itwasaperfectbreedinggroundfor theundead,shethoughtgrimly—andsheknewtheycouldbeanywhereatall,watchingher,waiting.With themurky blackness flowing over her, she continued along thetunnel,heartpoundingwildlyinherchest.Shecametoacornerandturned.Thisnewpassagewayseemedtobeempty,

but still she hesitated amoment longer, ears straining through the eerie quiet.Oncemoreshestartedforward,everynerveonedge.Shethoughtsheheardsomethingthen.Spinningaround,shesneakedbackthe

wayshe’dcomeandpeeredaroundawallintoyetanothertunnel.Shadows,butnothingmore.Avaguehumofindistinctnoise,butnothingshe

couldreallyidentify.Buffypulledherheadback...Andrealizedhewasstandingbehindher.Foronehorrible instantshefroze.Herbodytensed,preparedforattack,and

shewhirledaround,rightintoafamiliarface.“Didyouseeanything?”“Xander!”Buffyexploded.“Whatareyoudoinghere?”“Something stupid. I followed you,” Xander didn’t seem at all contrite. “I

couldn’tjustsitaroundnotdoinganything.”Buffystaredathim,notknowingwhethertolaughorscream.“Iunderstand.

Nowgoaway.”“No!”“Xander,you’regonnahaveto!”

“Jesse’smybud,okay?”Xanderinsisted.“IfIcanhelphim,thenthat’swhatIgottado.”Shepaused,weighingthesincerityofhiswords.“Besides,”Xanderadded,“it’sthisorchemclass.”Buffysighed.Without furtherargument, theycontinueddown the tunnel, reaching theend

andpausingtolisten.Therewasnothingaroundthenextcorner.Relieved, they turned into still anotherpassageway, their eyes searching the

shadows.Theykeptclosetoeachother,bodiestense,readyforanything.“Okay,” Xander said, trying to prepare himself. “So, crosses, garlic, stake

throughtheheart.”“That’llgetitdone,”Buffyassuredhim.“Cool.Ofcourse,Idon’tactuallyhaveanyofthosethings.”Buffy gave him a look, then immediately handed him a cross. “Good

thinking.”“Well,thepartofmybrainthatwouldtellmetobringthatstuffisstillbusy

tellingmenot to comedownhere,”Xanderdefendedhimself. “Ibrought this,though.”Heproduceda flashlightandflicked iton.Thebrightbeamof lightstabbed

throughthedarkness,illuminatingseepingwallsandoozingpuddlesunderfoot.“Turnthatoff!”BuffyhissedwhileXanderscrambledtodoso.“Okay,okay,”Xandercomplied.“So,whatelse?”“Whatelsewhat?”“Forvampireslayage.”Buffysighed.“Fire,beheading,sunlight,holywater...theusual.”“So,”Xander’svoicesoundedalittleweak.“You’vedonesomebeheadingin

yourtime?”“Oh,yeah.Therewas thisone time, Iwaspinneddownby thisvampire,he

playedlefttackleforthevarsity—Imean,beforehewas...wellanyway,he’sgotoneofthosereallythicknecks,andallI’vegotisalittleX-Actoknife—”ShebrokeoffabruptlyasXandergapedather.“You’renotlovingthisstory,”sheaccusedhim.Xandermanaged to suppress a shudder. “Actually,” hemumbled, “I find it

oddlycomforting.”

CHAPTER16

Inthelibrary,Gileswasonaquestofhisown.Withhisancienttextsspreadoutuponthetable,helookedcloselyfromoneto

another,readingpassages,ponderingtheirvariousmeanings.He’dbeenatitforsome time now, and the look on his facewasweary but still determined. Hepicked up yet another of his volumes, consulted it, and suddenly discoveredsomethingquiteinteresting.Gilespeeredcloselyatoneparticularpassage.Andthenhebegantotranslate

italoud,softlytohimself,fromtheoriginalLatin.“‘Fortheywillgather,andbegathered.Allthatistheirsshallbehis....From

theVesselpourslife.’”Gilespaused,repeatingthoughtfully,“Pourslife...”Hestudiedtheengravingonthefacingpageofhisbook.Thepictureshoweda

hideousman-beastwithhis hand extended, commanding a throngof villagers.Allofthevillagerswerebleeding.Belowthem,inwhatmighthavebeenhell,ademonglowedwithpower.Gilesleanedcloser.Hisbrowfurrowedinconcentration.Uponthebestialone’sforehead,acrudesymbolhadbeendrawn.Astarwith

threepoints.Giles squinted behind his glasses, peering intently at yet another passage.

Oncemorehebegantoread.“‘Onthenightofthecrescentmoon,thefirstpastthesolstice,itwillcome.’”Hestraightenedup.Realizationdawneduponhisface.“Ofcourse,”hemumbled.“Tonight.”

“ArewegoingtotheBronzetonight?”HarmonyaskedCordelia.Theywereincomputerclass—definitelynotoneofCordelia’sfavorites.And

today—likeallotherdays—even thougheveryoneelsewasworkingdiligentlyontheirassignments,devisingprogramswasthefurthest thingfromCordelia’smind.NowsheglancedoveratHarmony,herclasspartner,whowasalsostruggling

tomakesenseoftheirproject,andHarmonyrealizedthatCordeliahadn’theard

herquestion.“No!”Cordeliaburstoutintotalfrustration.“It’ssupposedtofindthesyntax

andmatchit.Or,wait...”Harmonykepthereyesonthekeyboard,typingslowly.“Arewegoingtothe

Bronzetonight?”sheaskedagain.“No,”Cordeliaretorted.“We’regoingtotheothercoolplaceinSunnydale.”Harmonygaveherablanklook,andCordeliasighed.“Ofcoursewe’regoingtotheBronze!Fridaynight,nocover.Butyoushould

havebeentherelastnight.”Harmony didn’t ask what had happened. Instead she just frowned at their

program.“Ithinkwedidthispartwrong.”“Whydowehavetodevisetheseprograms?”Cordeliaaskedirritably.“Isn’t

thatwhatnerdsarefor?”SheglancedatthedeskbesidethemwhereWillowwassitting.“Whatdidshedo?”shemumbled.Harmonycranedover to look atWillow.Thegirlwasobviously lost inher

ownworld,whateverthatcouldpossiblybe.ShewasbringingthingsupontheNet andwas completely engrossed in herwork, typing intently, scrolling, andsearchingforGodknewwhat...HarmonyshruggedandlookedatCordelia.“Uh,she’sdoingsomethingelse.”Cordeliaglared.Sureenough,thenerdgirlwasbusyatthenextterminal,her

foreheadcreasedintotalconcentration.Cordeliadismissedherwithasneerandwentbacktoholdingcourt.“Okay,” she said to Harmony, trying half-heartedly to focus on their

assignment.“Andthen‘PatternRun,’right?Or‘GoToEnd.’That’sit.”Harmonylookedcompletelylost.“Maybe...Ithink...”“Well,whatdoesthebooksay?”Cordeliawaspracticallyoutofpatience.As

Harmony lookedup the procedure,Cordelia tried oncemore to interest her insomegossip.“Soanyway,”shewenton,“Icomeoutof thebathroomandshecomesrunningatmewithastick,screaming,‘I’mgonnakillyou!I’mgonnakillyou!’Iswear.”“Who?” Jared asked.Hewasoneof the cutest guys in class, andhe leaned

eagerlyfromhisdesknowtolisten.WithsmugsatisfactionCordeliarealizedshe’dfinallyhookedanaudience.“Buffy,”shetoldhim.“Thenewgirl,”Harmonyechoed.Jaredlookedpuzzled.“What’sherdeal?”“She’scrazed!”Cordeliasaid.

“Did you hear about her old school?” Harmony asked conspiratorily.“Booted.”“Iexhibitnosurprise,”Cordeliadeclared.Jaredleanedcloser.“Whywasshekickedout?”“’Causeshe’sapsycholoony,”Cordeliasaid.“No,she’snot.”The voice was totally unexpected. It spoke out firmly and calmly, and the

otherthreeturnedtolook.Willow sat staring at them. Cordelia stared back. No one—no one—ever

contradicted Cordelia, and it took an endless moment for the reality of thesituationtoactuallysinkin.“What?”Cordelialeveledherwithanicygaze.“She’snotapsycho,”Willowsaid.“Youdon’tevenknowher.”Cordelia’svoiceroseindignantly.“Excuseme?Whogaveyoupermissionto

exist? Do I horn in on your private discussions? No. Why? Because you’reboring.”Hurt flashed in Willow’s eyes. She lowered them quickly, then stood and

gathered somepages that had comeupon theprinter.Cordelia and the othersturnedbacktotheirprojects.“There.”Harmonysoundedrelieved.“Ithinktheprogram’sdone.”Cordelianodded.“Finallythenightmareends.Nowhowdowesaveit?”Willowwasjustgoingoutthedoor.Sheglancedbackandsaid,“Deliver.”“Deliver.”Cordeliastaredatthescreen.“Whereisthat—oh!”ShespottedthekeymarkedDEL.Shetappeditsmartlywithonefinger.Therewasalongpause.Cordelia and Harmony kept their eyes upon the computer screen. They

watchedas theirprogramfaded, thenmeltedaway . . .while theirownsmilesmeltedintoutterbewilderment.

CHAPTER17

“They’reclose,”Buffysaid.They’d been walking quite a while without speaking. Tunnel after tunnel

melted into nothingness behind them, and their uneasiness continued to grow.Therewasnocomfortablebanterbetween themnow.Theairwasheavy, thickwith a dark, dangerous expectancy, and Buffy frowned as she scanned theblacknesswithworriedeyes.“Howcanyoutell?”Xanderaskednervously.“Nomorerats.”Itwasn’texactlytheinformationhewantedtohear,butXandersaidnothing.

Theypassedthroughseveralmoretunnelsbeforehespokeagain.“Overthere.”Hestopped,pointing.“What’sthat?”Ahead of them was a small, gloomy side chamber. They could just barely

makeouttheoutlineofadoorway,butpastthat,nothing.Afteraquickglancebehind them, the twowalkedcloser.Xanderpulledout

hisflashlightandplayeditslowlyovertheentrance.Thelightshonefaintlyjustbeyondtheopening.Overthemotionlessshapeof

abody,lyingfacedownontheground.Xanderdrewaquick,suddenbreath.“Jesse!”“Oh,no...”Buffymurmured.ShestartedforwardasXanderkeptthelightfocusedonher.ReachingJesse,

sheheldoutherarmstohelphim.Jesseleapedatherwithoutwarning,aheavypipebrandishedinhisfist.Ashe

preparedtobringitdownonherhead,Xander’svoicerangout.“Jesse!”Jessestopped,amazed.“Xander?”With a look of sheer relief, Jesse dropped his weapon. He walked slowly

towardhisfriend,meetingXander’shugwithoneofhisown.Afteramoment,Xanderpulledaway,holdingJesseatarm’slength,lookinghimover.“Jesse,man,areyouokay?”“I’mnot okay on an epic scale.” Jessemade a frail attempt at humor. “We

gottagetoutofhere!”

Hepointedtohisleg.Aheavychainheldhimfasttoametalringinthewall.“It’scool!”Xanderassuredhim.“Buffy’sasuperhero!”At thementionofhername, thesuperhero frownedand ranonehandalong

Jesse’srestraints.“Holdon,”shesaidgrimly.Taking thepipehe’ddropped,Buffysmashed the lockon theshackles.The

sound of it reverberated back and back through the labyrinth of tunnels, andXandercringed,fixingherwithadoubtfulstare.“Youthinkanybodyheardthat?”hemurmured.From the corner of her eye Buffy thought she saw something moving just

outsidethechamberdoor...severalblackindistinctshapesshiftingwithintheshadows.Shemotionedtheotherstofollowherout.“Theyknewyouweregonnacome,”Jessetoldheranxiously.“Theysaidthat

I—Iwasthebait...”“Oh,nowyoutellus,”Xandergrumbled.“I’veseentheirleader,”Jessewenton.Hedidn’thavetoelaborate;asBuffy

andXanderwatchedhim,thelookofsheerhorrorinhiseyessaidalltherewastosay.QuicklyBuffy led theway back through the tunnel. Thenwithoutwarning,

shefrozeinhertracks.XanderandJessecouldseethemnow,too.Thedeep,murky,shadowythings

movingattheotherendofthepassageway...“Oops,”Buffysaid.Jesse’svoicequiveredwithfear.“Oh,no,no...”“Doyouknowanotherwayout?”Jessethrewheradesperatelook.“Idon’t,uh,maybe?”“Comeon,”Xanderordered.Turning, the three of them hurried in the opposite direction. They began to

run,andastheycametoajunctionofseveraltunnels,theychoseoneandheadedinside.Theydidn’texpecttoseetheeyesthereaheadofthem,gleaminginthedarkness—theydidn’texpectthewhisperedsoundsoflaughter.Inrisingpanictheyswungbackagain,untiltheyreachedyetanotherintersection.“Wait, wait,” Jesse paused breathlessly. “They brought me through here!

Thereshouldbeawayup.Ihope.”Noonestoppedtoargue—theysimplyran.Amomentlatertheyfoundthemselvesinasmall,murkychamber.Toolate,

they saw the vampires closing slowly in behind them—too late, they realizedthere was no other way out. In mounting horror, Buffy and Xander lookedaroundforanescape,buttherewasnowheretogo.Buffyracedbacktothedoorway.Shecouldhearthevampiresstalkingcloser

andcloser, and sheglanced frantically ather friends. “Idon’t think this is thewayout!”“We can’t fight our way back through those things,” Xander’s voice was

shakingasmuchasherown.“Whatdowedo?”“I’vegotanidea,”Jessesaid.HewasstandingrightbehindXander.Butastheothertwoturnedtolookathim,hewasn’tJesseanymore.Hisfacewasrepulsiveandtwisted,aninhumanface,anunholyface.Hiseyes

werecoldandpassionless,andashesmiledatthem,hispointedteethgleamedthroughthedarkness.Buffy and Xander were too shocked to answer. As they stared at him

helplessly,Jesse’ssmilewidened.“Youcandie.”

CHAPTER18

Inpainfullyslowmotion,XanderbeganbackingawayfromJesse,whileBuffy’smindraced,tryingtothinkwhattodo.AssheglancedatJesse,thenbackagaintothedoorway,shecouldhearthevampiresclosinginonthem,couldseetheirshadowsslitheringalongtheoutsidewalls.“Jesse...”Xandertriedtoappealtohim.“Man,I’msorry...”Jesse regarded himwith a triumphant sneer. “Sorry? I feel good,Xander. I

feelstrong.”Evenastheytalked,Buffywasgrabbingatthedoor,tryingdesperatelytoshut

it—butthethickmetalhadrustedbadly,jammingitopen.“I’m connected,man,” Jesse slowly advanced onXander. “To everything. I

canhearthewormsintheearth.”Xandermanagedaweaknod.“Well,that’saplus.”“Iknowwhat theMasterwants. I’ll servehispurpose.Thatmeansyoudie.

AndIfeed.”“Xander!”Buffyshouted.“Thecross!”Xander didn’t hesitate. Gripping it tightly, he thrust the cross in front of

Jesse’sface.Jessestoppedinhistracks.Hisuglysmilebegantofade.Withallherstrength,Buffypushedagainstthedoor.Atlastshecouldfeelit

givingwaybeneathher,eversoslightly—butshecouldalsohearthevampires,theirmeasuredfootfalls,theirmuffledlaughteralongthepassageway.Theywerepracticallyattheentrancenow,andintheflickeringshadowsshecaughtquickglimpsesoftheirfiendishgrins.Theywerecertainoftheirvictory.Itwasonlyamatterofseconds.“Jesse.”Xandertriedagain.“Man,we’rebuds.Can’tyouremember?”“You’relikeashadowtomenow,”Jessesnarled.Xandermovedtowardhim,crossinhand.“Thengetoutofmyface!”Jessewas furious.He stumbled backward asXander forced him toward the

doorway.Withalast-ditcheffort,Buffyheavedatthedoor.Shecouldseethevampires

massedtogetherinthecorridor.Gettingnearer...nearer...Jesse lashed out, knocking the cross from Xander’s grasp. He grinned

victoriously—butonlyforaninstant.WithoutwarningBuffygrabbedhimfrombehindandhurledhimoutof the room,knockingvampiresover like somanybowlingpins.Xanderstoodstaringindisbelief.“Helpme!”Buffycried.Recoveringhimself,Xanderrushedtoheraid.Thetwoofthemwedgedtheir

backsagainstthedoor,strainingforalltheywereworth.Atlasttherewasaslowgroanoflooseningmetal—andthen—blessedly—thedoorslammedshut.Thearmshotinwithoutwarning.Gropingandgraspingfortheirfaces,tryingtopullthemout.Buffy jerked the door open slightly, then slammed it again till the arm

withdrew.Thistimeshemanagedtoboltthedoor,andasshedidso,sheturnedtolookatXander.He was as breathless as she was. Still stunned over what had happened to

Jesse.“Ican’tbelieveit...weweretoolate.”Aresoundingthudshudderedthedoorbehindthem.Thevampiresweretrying

tobreakitdown.“Weneedtogetoutofhere,”Buffysaidgrimly.“Thereisnooutofhere!”Another thudshook thedoor to itsveryframe.Horrified,Buffycouldsee it

beginning to buckle on its hinges. She glanced around,mindworking swiftly.Therewereoddsandendsofassortedjunklyingabouttheroom,andshestartedpickingthemup,flingingthemaway,searchingforsomeotherrouteofescape.Xanderwasalsoscanningthearea.Ashiseyesdartedquicklyoverthewalls,

hesuddenlyspiedsomethinghighupintheshadows.Itlookedlikeanairvent.Justahintofgratingbehindametalsheet,practicallyobscuredbythedarkness.“What’sthat?”heasked,gettingBuffy’sattention.Buffylooked, too.Shethrewdownaboxshewasholding, thenuseditasa

footstooltotryandreachthevent.Shepeeledawaythesheetofmetal,revealingthegratebehindit.Herheartgaveahopefulleap.Itwasindeedanairvent.Anditwasbigenoughtoclimbthrough.Usingherbarehands,Buffytriedtopryopenthegrate.Shetriedtoshutout

thesoundsofthevampiresbehindthem,thethuddingandpounding,thescreechofbreakinghinges...XanderglancedworriedlyfromBuffytothedoor.Itwasoffitshingesnow,hecouldsee—justenoughforavampiretoputhis

fingers through, just enough for a vampire to get a really good grip—Buffy

rippedthegratinglooseandflungitaside.“Comeon!”sheshouted.Avampireshotoutoftheairvent.Itsrottingarmcamestraightather,andthe

scalyfingersclosedaroundherhead.Behind them, the door burst wider. A vampire’s face squeezed through,

grinningattheminsmugtriumph.Buffy yanked the vampire out of the vent and hurled him to the floor. She

jumpeddownontopofthecreature,pinninghim,andyelledatXander,“Go!”Xander didn’t argue. He raced past her and climbed up on the box just as

Buffy sank a stake into the vampire’s back. Fumbling the flashlight, Xanderaimeditintothevent.Empty.Theventseemedclear,atleastfornow.With one last look at Buffy, Xander crawled inside the vent and began

worminghiswaytowardsafety.Inthedistance,hecouldhearamuffledcrashasthedoorbrokedownatlast.

Hecouldhearthevampirespilingintotheroom.Atthelastpossiblesecond,Buffyjumpedup,clawingatthewall.Then she pulled herself into the air vent and hurried afterXander,with the

vampiresclosebehind.Crawlingon all fours in the darkness,Buffy andXanderwere awareof the

creaturesfollowing,squeezingtheirrottingbodiesonebyoneintothenarrowairvent,keepingcloseontheirtrail.Theyhadnoideahowfarthey’dgone,butsuddenlythetunnelopenedintoa

muchwiderspace,andthetwoofthemspottedaladderleadingup.Highabovethem,thefaintestglowofsunshineshowedthroughagratingatthetop.XanderglancedoverhisshoulderatBuffy.“Up?”“UP!”Hestartedclimbing,Buffyrightbehindhim.Reachingthetop,heopenedthe

grating, thenhoistedhimselfoutonto thedesertedstreet.He turnedatonce tohelpBuffy.Hishandclosedtightlyaroundhers,andhebeganpullingherfree.She’dalmost cleared theopeningwhen somethinggrabbedher.She felt the

scaly,pointed fingers clamparoundher ankle as thevampire tried todragherbackintothehole.Instinctively, Buffy strained upward.With Xander’s arms tight around her,

shepulledharder,forcingthehandintotheafternoonsunlight.Thefingersbegantosmoke,and therewasahorriblestenchofburningflesh.Afteranagonizingshriek,thehandtwistedbackintothedarknessandBuffyrolledout,slamming

thegrateshut.ShelayonthegroundbesideXander.Neitherofthemspokeandneitherofthemmoved.They only lay there, side by side, stunned and shaken, trying to catch their

breath.

CHAPTER19

TheMasterroseslowlyandsilentlyfromhischair.Hisfacewasgrimandhiseyesweredangerouslyhard.Severalvampiresstooduneasilybeforehimandhetookhis timewith them,

toyingwiththeirfear,allowinghispitilessgazetolingeruponeachoneinturn.“She escaped,” theMaster spoke at last. “Shewalks freewhen I should be

drinkingherheart’sbloodrightnow.Careless.”ThevampirecalledColinatlastfoundthecouragetospeak.“Master,wehad

hertrapped,”hetriedtoexplain,buttheMasterstoppedhimwithaglance.“Areyougoingtomakeexcuses?”theMasterhissed.“Youareallweak.It’s

beentoolongsinceyoufacedaSlayer.”Heconsideredamoment,thenadded,“Butit’snomattertome.She’llnotstoptheHarvest.ItjustmeanstherewillbesomeoneworthkillingwhenIreachthesurface.”HetookastepclosertoColin.HeleaneddownintoColin’sface.“IsLukeready?”theMasterasked.Colinnodded.“Hewaits.”TheMaster seemedpleasedat this.Hegesturedvaguely toanothervampire

whokepthisheadlowered.“It’s time,” the Master said. “Bring him to me.” Then, almost as an

afterthought,“AndColin,youfailedme.”Hisvoicepurredwithgentlemalice.“Tellmeyou’resorry.”Colinfeltastaboffear.“I’msorry...”hewhispered.“There,now.”TheMasternodded.“Thatwasn’tsohard.Oh,holdon—”Hejabbedhis fingerviciously intoColin’s face.Colingasped inpainashis

eyeballsuddenlypopped,squishingdeepinitssocket.TheMastersmiledathim.“You’vegotsomethinginyoureye.”

CHAPTER20

Gileswas still poring intentlyoverhisnotes.Whenhe suddenly realized thatsomeonehadenteredthelibrary,heglancedup,hisvoicehopeful.“Buffy?”Willow shook her head, looking apologetic. “It’s just me. So there’s no

word?”Giles’sfacefell.“Notasyet.”Helookedverytiredashetookoffhisglasses.“Well,I’msurethey’re...great,”Willowoffered,tryingtoreassureherself

asmuchashim.“Didyoufindanythingofinterest?”heaskedher.Thegirlsatdown,spreadingoutthecopiedarticlessohecouldsee.“I thinkmaybe. I looked throughtheoldpapers,aroundthe timeof thatbig

earthquakebackin‘Thirty-seven.”Willowplacedherfingerononeofthepages.“Andforseveralmonthsbeforeit,therewasarashofmurders.”“Great!”Gilesstraightenedandputhisglassesbackon.“Imean,notgreatina

goodway....Goon.”Willowobligingly began flipping through the articles. “They sound like the

kindyouwerelookingfor.Throats,blood.Months,andnotevenaclue.”“It’s all coming together.”Henodded.And then,with an anxious glance at

Willow,“Iratherwishitweren’t.”

Thetimewasdrawingnearer.TheHarvestwasathand.Darla lit the last row of candles at the back of the church. Solemnly she

steppedawayfromthem,clutchinghertaper,andattheexactmoment,anothervampirecompletedhisownrowoflightedcandlesalongtheoppositewall.Theflickeringlightcastastrange,sicklyglowoverthecongregation.Thetwolinesofcandlesextendedallthewaytothealtar,totheplacewheretheirMasterstoodwaiting.The chanting had begun again. Yet not quite a chanting . . . more a low,

primalwhisperthatmadethebloodturncold...

Lukesteppedforwardanddrewoffhisshirt.HesteppedforwardtothealtarandknelthumblybeforehisMaster.When theMasterheldouthishandLukekissedit,andwhentheMasterturnedhisopenpalmupwardLukekissedthataswell.And then very gently, Luke took hold of the Master’s wrist. He lifted it

delicatelytohismouth,andhesankhisteethdeepintothearteriesandveins.The Master winced. He shut his eyes and felt centuries of time flowing

throughhim.AsLukecontinuedtofeed,herearedbackhisheadinanagonyofdeliciouspain.“Mybloodrunswithyours,”theMastersaid.“Mysoulisyourprovince.”“Mybodyisyourinstrument,”Lukemurmured.Luke pulled away.TheMaster took one drop of blood fromhis ownwrist,

thentouchedittoLuke’sforehead,paintingathree-pointedstar.Hefacedhisdisciplesandspoke.“Onthismosthallowednight,weareasone.LukeistheVessel.Everysoul

hetakesshallfeedme.Theirsoulswillgrantmethepowertofreemyself.”Asmilespreadacrosshisface.Hiseyesnarrowedwithkeenanticipation.“TonightIwillwalktheearth...andthestarsthemselveswillhide.”

BuffyandXanderdraggedthemselveswearily into the library.AsGilesandWillow stared open mouthed at their disheveled appearance, it was painfullyobviousthatnothinggoodhadcomeoftheirsearch.Still,Willowcouldn’thelpasking.“DidyoufindJesse?”sheasked, thoughdeepdownshewasprettysureshe

alreadyknewtheanswer.Xanderconfirmeditwithatersereply.Hewouldn’tevenlookather.“Yeah.”“Worse,”Buffyechoed.Sheploppedheavilyintoachair,herfaceamixtureofangerandregret.“I’msorry,Willow,”shesaid.“Weweretoolate.Andtheywerewaitingfor

us.”Willowshookherhead.“Atleastyoutwoareokay.”“Idon’t likevampires,”Xanderburstout.Heaimedhis foot at a trash can,

kickingitinfrustration.“I’mgonnatakeastandandsaythey’renotgood.”BuffyturnedtotheWatcher.“So,Giles,yougotanythingthatcanmakethis

dayworse?”“Howabouttheendoftheworld?”herepliedcalmly.“IknewIcouldcountonyou.”

“This iswhatweknow,”Gileswenton.“Somesixtyyearsago, averyold,verypowerfulvampirecametothisshore,andnotjusttofeed.”Buffy sat down at the table. She rested her chin on her hands. “He came

’causethistownisamysticalwhoosit?”“Yes.TheSpanishwhofirstsettledherecalleditBocaDelInfierno—roughly

translated:Hellmouth.”Gilesbeganpacing.“Asortofportalfromthisrealitytothenext.Thisvampirehopedtoopenit.”“Bringthedemonsback.”“Endoftheworld,”Xanderclarified.“But he blew it,” Willow picked up the story. “Or, I mean, there was an

earthquakethatswallowedabouthalfthetown.Andhim,too—oratleasttherewerenomorevampire-typekillingsafterward.”Gileslookedthoughtfulashepulledupachair.“Openingdimensionalportals

istrickybusiness.Oddsarehegothimselfstuck.Likeacorkinabottle.”“AndthisHarvestthingistogethimout?”Xanderasked.“Itcomesonceinacentury.Onthisnight.”Giles stood and crossed to a chalkboard where he’d rendered several

mysteriousdiagrams.Hebegantodesignseveralmoreasheexplained.“AMaster candrawpower fromoneofhisminionswhile it feeds.Enough

powertobreakfreeandtoopentheportal.TheminioniscalledtheVessel,andhebearsthissymbol.”Hepaused,pointingtoasketchofthethree-pointedstar.“So,” Buffy made an attempt at cheerfulness. “I dust anyone sporting this

look,andnoHarvest.”“Simplyput,”Gilesresponded,“yes.”“Anycluewherethislittleget-togetherisbeingheld?”“Well,thereareanumberofpossibilities—”BeforeGilescouldfinish,Xanderbrokein.“They’regoingtotheBronze.”Theroomwentsilent.Theyallstaredathim.“Are you sure?”Willow looked surprised, but Xander simply shrugged his

shoulders.“Come on, tasty young morsels all over the place. Anyway, that’s where

Jesse’sgonnabe.Trustme.”“Thenweneedtogetthere.”Giles’svoicewastense.“Thesunwillbedown

beforelong.”Thefourof themheadedout thedoor,butBuffysuddenly turnedinanother

direction.

“Igottamakeastop,”sheexplained.“Won’ttakelong.”“Whatfor?”Gilesasked.Buffygaveasecretivesmile.“Supplies.”

CHAPTER21

Duskwasalreadybeginningtofall.ThelastbloodredraysofsunlightstreamedthroughBuffy’swindow,andthe

roundballofsuneaseditselfloweruponthehorizon.“Buffy?”JoyceSummerscalledfromthehallway.Buffyheardher,butshedidn’trespond.Shejustkeptrummagingthroughher

closetashermotherfinallyenteredthebedroom.IfyouareborntobeaSlayer,Buffyreasoned,youhavetolookthepart—youcan’twearjustanyoldoutfittotheHarvest...Thebrownjacket,shedecided.Theleatherone.Definitely.“You’regoingout?”hermotherasked,standingbehindher.Buffy heard the frown in hermom’s voice. She tried to keep her own tone

casual.“Ihaveto.”Therewasapause.Thenhermothersaidjustascasually,“Ididn’thearyou

comeinlastnight.”Buffythoughtquickly.“Iwasquiet.”This time the silence wasn’t pleased. And it bordered dangerously on

disappointment.“It’shappeningagain,isn’tit?”Joycesighed.Buffystoppedrummaging.Shestraightenedup,turned,andfixedhermother

withalevelgaze.“Igotacallfromyournewprincipal,”Joycewenton.“Saysyoumissedsome

classestoday.”“Iwas...runninganerrand.”Buffysmiledbrieflyandturnedbacktothecloset.Shepulledoutanoldtrunk,

opened it, and began going through the contents. She could feel hermother’seyesboringintoherback.“Wehaven’t finishedunpacking,andI’mgettingcalls fromyourprincipal,”

Joyceworried.“Mom,Ipromiseyou,it’snotgonnabelikebefore.”Anedgeofdesperation

creptintoBuffy’svoice.“ButIhavetogo.”“No.”

Buffycouldn’tbelievewhatshewashearing.“Mom...”She glanced up at the window, at the thickly spreading darkness. Joyce

awkwardlystoodherground.“The tapes all say I should get used to saying it,” she explained to Buffy,

soundingalmostdefensive.“No.”“Thisisreally,reallyimportant,”Buffysaidpleading.“Iknow.Youhavetogooutorit’llbetheendoftheworld.Everythingislife

ordeathwhenyou’reasixteen-year-oldgirl.”“Mom,Idon’thavetimetotalkaboutit—”“You’vegotallnight,Buffy.You’renotgoinganywhere.Nowyoucanstay

uphere and sulk if youwant. Iwon’t hold it against you.” Joyce took adeepbreathandputbothhandsonherdaughter’sshoulders.“Butifyouwanttocomedown,I’llmakeussomedinner.”Sheleft,closingthedoorquietlybutfirmlybehindher.Buffystaredafterher

foramoment,thenshookherheadandreacheddownintothetrunk.All her special things were in there—photographs, letters, her diary,

mementoesfromherchildhood,aTeenBeatmagazine...Shegropedalongthebottom,thenlifteditout.Noonebutsheknewthatthe

trunkhadafalsebottom.Andnoonebutsheknewaboutthesecretcachethatlaybeneathit—thestakesandcrosses,thehost,thegarlic,thewidemouthedjarofholywater.Quicklyshegatheredeverythingupandstuffedthemintoabag.Then, almost reverently, Buffy withdrew one particularly deadly looking

stake.Itfitinherhandasifitwerepartofit,anormalextensionofherarm.Thissheslidcarefullyupintohersleeve.Shegotupandwenttothedoor.Shepressedherearflatagainstthewood.Foralongmomentshestoodthere

andlistened.Thenshetiptoedtothewindowandopenedit.Andcrawledoutintothenight.

CHAPTER22

“Seniorboysaretheonlywaytogo,”Cordeliasaidwithpracticedennui.Shewasholdingcourtagain—thistimeattheBronze—andhergroupieswere

gatheredadoringlyaboutherattheirtableonthebalcony.“They’re just a better class of person,”Cordeliawent on. “The boys in our

grade? Forget about it. They’re children. Like Jesse—did you see him lastnight?”Sherolledhereyesinhalfamusement,halfdisgust.“Thewayhefollowsme around . . . he’s just like a little puppy dog—you justwant to put him tosleep.”Sheleanedforward,eyeswidewithsuperiority.“Seniorboyshavemystery,theyhave...what’sthewordI’msearchingfor?

Cars.”Besideher,Rainestartedtospeak.Cordeliainstantlyinterrupted.“I’mjustnotthetypetosettle,”sheexplained.“IfIgointoaclothingstore,I

always have to have themost expensive thing, not because it’sexpensive,butbecauseitcostsmore.”AgainRaineattemptedtospeak.AgainCordeliacutheroff.“Hello!”Cordelia flashedhera lethalstare.“MissMotormouth—canIgeta

sentencefinished?Oh!Ilovethissong!”With friends in tow, she jumped up and headed down the stairs. Within

minutesshewasdancingawayintothemiddleofthecrowd,smuglyconsciousofthemalestaresuponher—nottomentiontheenviousglaresfromthefemalepopulation.Sheknewshelookedfantastic.AtthedoorJessewalkedin,butnottheJessethatCordeliahadonceknown—

andloathed.ThisJessewasanewman.Therewasacool,subtleswaggerinhisstep—alookofsupremeconfidencein

hiseyes.HisgazewentstraighttoCordelia.Andhesmiled.

Outside the entrance to the Bronze, things were relatively quiet. A fewstragglers lounged against thebuilding, laughing and talking, but the sidewalkwasdeserted.At first, no one noticed them coming—the eight shadowy figures strolling

leisurely up the street. Their faceswere bathed in the dim glow of sputteringstreetlights,andnoneofthemsaidaword.NotevenLuke.

Jesse made his way slowly through the crowds, circling Cordelia, his eyesneverleavingherface.Shedidn’tnoticehimatfirst.Itwastheburningintensityofhisgazethatfinallyalertedher,andthenwhenshesuddenlyrealizedwhoitwas,shestaredathiminsurprise.Therewassomethingverydifferentabouthim.Somethingshecouldn’tquitefigureout,butsomethingstrangelyseductiveall

thesame.Aslowsongwasplayingnow.Cordeliastoppeddancingandheadedoffthefloor.Suddenly hewas just there, closer than ever, standing right in front of her,

blockingherway.Smilingavague,knowingsmile.“Whatdoyouwant?”Cordeliademanded.Shewasn’tfoolinganyone.Notevenherself,andcertainlynotJesse.Without

awordhetookherhandandledherbackontothefloor.“Hey!”Cordeliaobjected.“Hello,caveman-brain!Whatdoyouthinkyou’re

doing?”Heturnedtoher...gaveheranirresistiblesmile.“Shutup,”hesaid.She’d never have guessed he was such a great dancer. Guiding her to the

centerof thefloor,Jesseheldherandstartedmovinginperfectrhythm,barelytouchingher,hisbodysuggestiveandsensuous.Cordelia’s heart raced wildly. She could feel her resolve beginning to

crumble.“Justthisonedance...”shemurmured,andpressedclosetoJesse.

Theysawthebouncerbeforehesawthem.Hestoodatthefrontentrance,allauthorityandmuscle,andtriedtostopthem

astheyheadedforthedoor.“IneedID,”hetoldthem.

They wouldn’t answer and they wouldn’t stop. The bouncer wasn’tparticularlyfondoftrouble,sohetriedraisinghisvoice.“Hey!NobodygoesinsidetillIsee—”Lukehadno timefor threats.Hegrabbedthebouncerandheldhimface-to-

face,grazinghimcoldlywithhiseyes.Thebouncerdidn’tseemquitesobravenow.Infact,Lukecouldfeelhimshaking.“Getinside,”Lukegrowled.Once through the door, the vampires began spreading out, each of them

headingforanexit,whiletwostayedbehindtocloseoffthefront.Darlatookthedoor that led backstage. Another vampire made his way to the bar, swunghimselfover,andstoodinfrontof theexit.Asanotherpushedhiswaytowardthebalcony,Lukeclimbedupaloneontothestage.Darla checked her door once again,making certain itwas secure.Then she

openedafuseboxonthewallandflippedtheswitch.Immediately the main lights and music went off. Surprised gasps and

murmurssweptthroughthecrowd,andaseveryonelookedaboutinconfusion,avoicecalledoutfromthefrontoftheroom.“Ladiesandgentlemen,”Lukeannounced,“there’snocauseforalarm.”A single beam of light still shone onstage. Confident that he had their

undivided attention now, Luke stepped into the spotlight and faced thebewilderedcrowd.“Actually,”hislipstwistedinamockeryofasmile,“thereiscauseforalarm.

Itjustwon’tdoanygood.”He saw their expressions of revulsion and disbelief. He felt their waves of

weakness and growing panic coursing through his veins. He thrived on it—thrivedonallofit—itonlyservedtomakehimstronger.A terrified couple tried to get out.Luke grinned as the vampire at the door

teasinglyshookhisheadat them.His facewasas revoltingasLuke’s,and thecoupleshrankaway.Cordeliawasstaringupatthestage,Jesse’shandsstillonhershoulders.“Ithoughttherewasn’tanybandtonight,”shesaidblankly.ShelookedbackatJesse,recoilinginhorroratthehorriblechangeinhim,at

thehideous sightofhis face.She tried to struggle,butheheldher tightlyandpulledherbackintothedarknessbeneaththestairs.Itwastime.

*

“This is a glorious night,” Luke proclaimed. His predatory eyes hungrilyscannedtheseaoffacesbelowhim.“It’salsothelastoneanyofyoushalleversee.”Therewasatense,uncomprehendingmomentofsilence.ThenLukecommanded,“Bringmethefirst!”Hewatched,sneering,asthebouncerwasthrustonstage.“What do you guys want?” the young man asked earnestly. “You want

money?Man,what’swrongwithyourfaces?”Luke grabbed him by the scruff of the neck, squeezing any further

conversationoutofhim.“Watch me, people!” he shouted. And then to the struggling victim in his

grasp,“Theirfeariselixir.It’salmostlikeblood.”Withoneexpertmotion,Lukebitintotheyoungman’sneck,suckinghislife

outinhuge,wetgulps.Hecouldfeelawarmredhazeenvelopinghim...couldsensehisMastergrowingstrongerandstrongerwitheverysip,thepoweroftheagescoursingthroughhisMaster’sveins,radiatingthroughhimlikedivinelight...Lukecontinuedtofeed.After severalmoments longer, hepulledhisheadbackand flung theyoung

man’sbodyaway.“Next!”heroared.

CHAPTER23

TherewasnooneoutsidewhenBuffyandtheothersfinallyreachedtheBronze.Buffystruggledtogetthefrontdooropen,butitwouldn’tbudge.“It’slocked,”shetoldthem.Gileslookedalmostsick.“We’retoolate.”“Well,Ididn’tknowIwasgonnagetgrounded!”Buffyalmostyelledathim.“Canyoubreakitdown?”Xanderasked,butBuffyshookherhead.“Notthisthing.Youguystrythebackentrance.I’llfindmyownway.”“Right.”GilesglancedfromXandertoWillow.“Comeon.”“Guys!”Buffycalledouttothem.Thethreestopped.Buffyhandedthemherbag.“You get the exit cleared, and you get people out,” she instructed them.

“That’sall.Don’tgoWildBunchonme.”“Seeyouontheinside,”Gilespromised.As they took off around the building, Buffy began circling in the other

direction.Herexpressionwasgrimandshekepthereyesontheroofabove.ItonlytookaminuteforGilesandtheotherstoreachtheback.Xandertried

thedoor,butittoowaslocked.Theylookedaroundfranticallyforsomethingtoopenitwith.“Damn!” Xander exploded. “We’ve got to get in there before Jesse does

somethingstupiderthanusual.”“Xander,”Giles stoppedhim, “Jesse is dead.Youhave to remember that if

youseehim.”And then inakindervoice,“You’renot lookingatyour friend.You’relookingatthethingthatkilledhim.”

TheMasterwasevenmorepowerfulnow.His whole being seemed to glow with energy and light, with indomitable

strength,witheternallife.Hesteppedoncemore to themysticalwall thatconfinedhim.Heplacedhis

handsagainstitandbegantopush.Slowly...slowly...thewalldisintegratedathistouch.Veryslightlynow..

.butsoon...“Almostfree,”hemurmured.Heshuthiseyesandhisvoiceragedthroughouthissanctuary.“Yes!Givememore!”

*

Lukeobeyed.Flushed with power, Luke triumphantly dropped another body and looked

aboutathishostages.Theywerereallyterrifiednow,anditexhilaratedhimtoseeit.Withthetwo

corpses lying before them, the reality—and the utter hopelessness—of theirplight had begun to sink in at last, and he could hear screams and pitifulwhimpersfromthecrowd.Inacornerunderthestairs,DarlawasfacingoffwithJesse.Hestillheldonto

Cordelia,andhewasdeterminednottogiveherup.“Thisone’smine,”Jessechallengedher.Darlahadnotimeforhisgames.“TheyareallfortheMaster,”shetoldhim,

grabbingthestunnedgirlfromhisgraspandheadingtowardthestage.Jessepaused,disappointed.“Idon’tgetone?”They didn’t notice the upstairs window opening . . . the window by the

balconywhereanequallyobliviousvampire stoodwithhisback to it.NoonesawBuffyslipinandnoonesawherstandingthere,sizingupthesituation.“Ifeelhimrising!”Lukeshouted.“Ineedanother!”Buffystaredatthethree-pointedstaronhisforehead.“TheVessel...”shemurmuredtoherself.Butthistimethevampireondutydidhearher.Asheturnedandgrabbedher,

Buffy felt herself beinghauled to themiddleof thebalcony, another potentialofferingforLuke.Luke was still unaware of her intrusion. “Tonight is his ascension,” he

informedthehorrifiedonlookers.“Tonightwillbehistoryatitsend!Yoursisaglorioussacrifice.Degradationmostholy.”Hestopped,hisevilgazeslidingfromonefacetoanother.“What,novolunteers?”hemocked.AndthenDarlaemerged,holdingCordelia.“Here’saprettyone,”shesaid.“Nooo . . .”Cordelia struggled,but tonoavail.Asshestarted tocry,Darla

draggedhertowardthestageandhandedherovertoLuke.The activity had momentarily distracted Buffy’s captor. With one quick

movement,sheslippedfromthevampire’sgraspandthrewhimoffthebalcony.Helandedonhisbackrightinfrontofthestage.Theroomplungedintoshockedsilence.“Oh,I’msorry,”Buffysaid.“Wereyouinthemiddleofsomething?”Lookingup,Luke’sfacecontortedwithfury.“YOU!”“Youdidn’tthinkI’dmissthis,didyou?”Buffytossedbackathim.TheangerdrainedfromLuke’sexpression.Hislipscurledinadangeroussmile.“Ihopedyou’dcome,”hesaid.

CHAPTER24

Thedoorwasopenatlast.Wieldingametalpipe,GilesburstthroughthebackstageexitwithXanderand

Willowclosebehind.At the samemoment, a vampire rushedBuffy from the side.Grabbing him

easily,shetossedhimintothehookahpit,wherehetriedtoscramblebackup.Buffydidabackwardflip,sailedthroughthehole,andlandedontopofapooltable.Therewasacuelyingthere.Withonesimplehandspring,shegrabbeditandlandedneatlyonherfeet.Avampirecameatherotherside.Withoutlookingathim,shejammedthecueendintohisheart.Therewasa

soft soundofpunctured flesh, andwhenBuffy released thecue it stayed rightwhereitwas.“Okay, Vessel-boy.” She stared straight at Luke, challenge flashing in her

eyes.“Youwantblood?”Shesteppedforwardas thecuerose into theair. It lookedcuriously like the

armofaguardgate,andinthenextsecond,thevampire’simpaledbodythuddedtothefloor.“Iwantyours,”Lukesnarledather.“Onlyyours.”“Thencomeandgetit.”Seeingherchance,CordeliatriedtobreakfreeofLuke’sgrasp.Heflungher

roughly away just asBuffy leaped at him and slammed her fist into his face.Lukewasshockedatherstrength.Hestumbledbackinpain.Almost instantlyhecamebackather.Buffyduckedandmethis faceagain,

thistimewitharoundhousekick.Shewhippedoutherstakeandtookaim,butheblockedherwithablowtoherface.Badlyhurtnow,Buffyskiddedintothecorner.ThestakefellatLuke’sfeet.Asthecrowdpanickedandshovedinalldirections,thebackstagedoorburst

open.Xander stumbled out and nearly fell, but recovered himself at once.Hetookaquicklookaround,sawthattheimmediatevicinitywasfreeofvampires,andinstantlybeganherdingpeopleout.“Comeon!”heyelled.

Asfastashecoulddirectthem,Xandermovedthepanickycrowdthroughthedoor.Willow and Giles waited backstage to push everyone safely toward theexit.Lukewasclosingin.Buffykickedhimfiercelyinthechest,sendinghimbackagainstthewall.He

landedhard,andseeingherchance,shewentinforthekill.ThenshespottedXander.Hewastoobusygettingpeopleouttonoticethevampireathisback.Buffyturnedtothedrumkit,kickedthecymbaloffitsstand,andcaughtitin

midair.ThevampirehadreachedXandernow;shecouldseeXander’s lookoffearasthecreaturegrabbedhim.BuffyhurledthecymbalFrisbeestyle.Sensing something, the vampire turned, his eyes wide, as the cymbal flew

straightathisneck.Xanderheardthesliceandduckedaway.His eyes followed the trajectory of the severed head as it sailed across the

room.“Headsup...”Xandermumbled.BuffybarelyhadtimetoturnbeforeLukegrabbedherfrombehind.Hisarms

closedaroundherandheliftedherinacrushingbearhug.Xander started toward her, but a shriek stopped him in his tracks.Whirling

around, he saw Jesse dragging Cordelia farther below the stairs. As Cordeliascreamed and struggled, Jesse threw her to the ground and knelt above her,pinningherwithhisweight.“Holdstill!”Jesseorderedher.“You’renothelping.”Xandercameupbehindthem.Hestoodlookingdown,clutchingastakeinhis

hand.Hecoulddo it right then,he thought tohimself, couldend it right then,justplungethestakethroughJesse’sback,straightintoJesse’sheart...“Jesse,man...”Xanderbeggedhim.“Don’tmakemedoit.”Jesselookedup.Hisgrinwasanythingbuthuman.Helookedlikesomething

fromthedregsofanightmare.“Buddy...”Jessesaid.

Buffy twisted uselessly in Luke’s grasp. She could feel him squeezing andsqueezing—everythingaroundherspinning,fadingtoblack...Shecoughedandchoked,gaspeddesperatelyforair.Fromsomedistantplace

shethoughtshecouldhearLukelaughing.

“I’ve alwayswanted to kill a Slayer,” he confessed.He sounded proud andsomewhatamused.AndthenBuffyheardsomethingelse.Somethinginsideofherbeginningtocrack.

CHAPTER25

Thepanichadreachedfullproportionsnow.Backstage, people were still rushing out, and Giles shouldered his way

throughthem,shoutingtoWillow.“Comeon!We’vegottoopenthefrontaswell!”Heheadedforthedoor,movingagainstacurrentofhystericalpeople,trying

to reach the main room. Darla came out of nowhere, leaping upon him anddiggingforhisthroat.Gilestriedtousehisstake,butitknockedoutofhishandashetoppledtothefloor.

XandertookastepbackasJesseroseandfacedhim.“Jesse,Iknowthere’sstillapartofyouinthere,”Xanderinsisted.Jesse looked exasperated. “Okay, let’s deal with this. Jesse was an

excruciating loser who couldn’t get a date with anyone in the sightedcommunity!Lookatmenow!I’manewman!”To prove his point, he grabbed Xander and hurled him against the wall.

XanderslidbackdownagainandfellinaheapbesideCordelia.“See,” Jesse sighed impatiently. “The old Jesse would have reasonedwith

you.”

GileswasnomatchforDarla.While Willow dug frantically through Buffy’s bag for a weapon, Giles

continuedtostruggle,alltooawarethathewaslosingthebattle.Darlaheldhimflatagainst the floor,andashestaredupather,her teeth loweredmenacinglytowardhisneck.“Getoffhim!”Willowcried.DarlaturnedatthesoundofWillow’svoice.Somethingwethitherfullinthe

face,andsherealizedtoolatethatshe’dbeendousedwithholywater.Screaming, she brought her hands up to her cheeks, smoke pouring from

betweenherfingers.Gilespushedheroffandstaggered tohis feet,prepared toconfronther.But

Darlawasalreadystumblingoutoftheexit,herfaceascorched,sizzlingmaskofagony.

Uponthestage,itlookedasifBuffywaslosingherownbattle.HerbodywentlimpinLuke’smercilessgrasp.Herheaddangledforwardlike

aragdoll.Luke lookeddownather, smiling.Wildelation rushed throughhim,andhe

utteredhishumbleprayer.“Master,tasteofthisandbefree.”Hislipspeeledback...mouthopeningwide.Heloweredhishead,leaningin

forthekill.Buffyhithimsohard,hedidn’trealizewhathadhappened.Hefelttheback

ofherheadassherammeditupintohischin,andtheunexpectedimpactnearlyknockedhimoffhisfeet.“How’dittaste?”sheaskeddefiantly.Despite her bravado, she was still weak. She managed to grab the cymbal

stand,holding it out likeaweapon, andat the same timequicklyassessed thestagetotryandformanotherplan.Thenshenoticedthewindowatthebackofthestage.It hadn’t been that visible before, because someone had painted the entire

windowpaneblack.Buffylookedatthewindow.ShelookedatLuke.

JessepickedXanderupagainfromthefloorandshovedhimagainstthewall.Hedidn’t have time for all these interruptions, theseold reminders thatmeantnothingtohimnow.Heglaredatthiseasypreythathadoncebeenafriend,andcoldfuryetchedhisnewface.“I’msickofyougettingintheway,youknow?”herailedatXander.“Cordelia,she’sgonnaliveforever.You’renot.”Musteringhiscourage,XanderheldthestakeuptoJesse’schest.Hisfacewas

determined,butJessecouldseethatitwasalsoveryscared.Jessecouldn’thelpbuttaunthim.“Oh,right!Putmeoutofmymisery!You

don’thavetheg—”His words gagged in his throat. He felt the sharp, quick thrust and looked

downathisstomach.Apanic-strickengirlhadslammedintohimfrombehind.She’dbeentryingto

escapeandhaddrivenhimforward,rightontoXander’sstake.JessestaredatXanderinshockedsurprise.

Gasping,dying,hegrabbedontohisoldfriend.XanderwatchedstunnedaswhatoncehadbeenJessedisintegratedintoapile

ofdust.Hescarcelyhadtimetoreactbeforetwovampiresgrabbedhim.

Buffyswungthecymbalstandat thesteadilyadvancingLuke.Hedodgediteasily,bestowingheranevilgrinintheprocess.“Youforget,”hesneered.“Metalcan’thurtme.”Buffydidn’tflinch.“There’ssomethingyouforgotabout,too.”Shesawhissplit-secondpause—theflickerofdoubtonhisface.“Sunrise,”shesaid.Shehurledthestandthroughtheplate-glasswindowatthebackofthestage.

Glassshatteredeverywhere,andas thewarmlightstreamedinoverhim,Lukescreamedandraisedhishandstowarditoff.Thenhestopped.Hisexpressionwascompletelybaffled.With lightning quickness, Buffy drove her stake though Luke’s back. He

archedforward,hismassivebodytwistedinunbearablepain.“It’sinaboutninehours,moron,”Buffyremindedhim.ItwasthenthatLukerealizedthelightfromthewindowwasn’tdaylightatall.

Onlyastreetlight,shininginfromthedeep,safedarkness.Withagaspofamazement,hestumbledforward.He could feel his life draining . . . draining . . . andwith it the life of his

Master.Itwasasiftheywereoneandthesame:Lukestaggeringacrossthestage—theMasterstaggeringforwardinhislairasallthebright,vibrantenergybegandrainingfromhim, too.Lukecouldfeel theMaster’ssuffering—hisanguish—theMaster reachingout,doublingover, justasLukewasdoubledover, justasLukewasfallingandcrumblingtodust...Inthoselastbriefsecondsofawareness,Lukecouldseeeverythingending—

centuriesofhope,centuriesofwaiting,thelastvestigesofpowermeltingawayfromtheMasterasthatmightyonefellweaklytohiskneesandgropedblindlyforhelpthatwouldnotcome...Fromfaraway,Lukeheardhisstrangledcry.“Nooooo . . .” theMaster gasped, and as he touched themysticalwall that

entrappedhim,itwasonceagaintoostrongtoescape.Furyanddespaircrossedhisfaceashegazedupatit.Ascreamofdefeatwelledupinhisthroat.Throughamysticalhaze,LukegazedupandsawBuffystandingbreathlessly

overhim.Andthentherewasnothingmore.

CHAPTER26

Xanderstruggledfiercelywithhiscaptors.Thetwovampiresholdinghimhadmomentarilyshiftedtheirattention.Their

eyeswerenarrowed,focuseduneasilyonwhathadbeenhappeningonstage.TheysawBuffystaringdownatthespotwhereLuke’sbodyhadbeenonlya

moment before. Then they watched as she turned her gaze slowly anddeliberatelyonthem.Theyregardedherexpresssionforonefractionofasecond.Thenwithoutaword,theydroppedXanderandboltedforthedoor.Xanderwas justpickinghimselfupagainwhenGilesandWillowcameout

frombackstage.HeandBuffymettheminthemiddleofthedancefloor.Gilesglancedaround,anoteofreliefinhisvoice.“Itakeitit’sover.”“Didwewin?”Willowwasalmostafraidtoask.Thefourofthemlookedaboutatthecarnagesurroundingthem.Mostofthe

crowdhadmanaged to escape by then, but a few still remained, some sitting,somewandering,allofthemstunnedandsilent.“Well, we averted the apocalypse,” Buffy saidwearily. “You gotta give us

pointsforthat.”ShelookedoverandsawadazedCordeliastill inaheaponthefloorwhere

Jessehadlefther.Foronce,Cordeliahadnothingtosay.“Onething’sforsure,”Xandersighed.“Nothingisevergonnabethesame.”

OutinfrontoftheBronze,vampireswerefleeinginpanic.Asthelastofthemretreated down the street, Angel stepped quietly from the shadows and stoodtherealone,gazingafterthem.Heturnedslightlyandstaredattheentrancetotheclub.Andthenhesmiled.“Shedidit,”hemurmured.“I’llbedamned.”

CHAPTER27

ContrarytoXander’sprediction,thenextdaydawnedasitalwaysdid.Andeverythinglookedamazinglynormal.ThewarmCaliforniasunshineenvelopedSunnydaleHigh,andinthefountain

quad the routine was exactly the same. Students milled about laughing andtalking,andCordeliaheldcourtwithherfriends.“Well,Ihearditwasrivalgangsfightingforturf,”shesaiddramatically.She

glancedaroundatall theeager faces,heradoring fansclinging toeveryword.“Anyway,Buffytotallyknewtheseguys,whichistooweird.Ican’trememberanythingtoowell,butI’mtellingyou,itwasafreakshow.”“Oh,IwishI’dbeenthere,”oneCordelia-wannabesighed.Crossing the quad in the opposite direction, Buffy and her own friends

happenedtooverhearCordelia’splay-by-play.WhileBuffyhidasmile,Xanderturnedtoherinexasperateddisbelief.“Well,what exactlywere you expecting?”Buffy chided him,whileXander

gaveanindignantshrug.“I don’t know! Something. The dead rose!We should’ve at least had an

assembly.”“People have a tendency to rationalizewhat they can,”Giles reminded him

gentlyashejoinedthemoutsidethebuilding,“andforgetwhattheycan’t.”Buffynoddedinagreement.“Believeme,I’veseenithappen.”“Well, I’ll never forget it,” Willow said emphatically, giving an inward

shudder.“Noneofit.”Gileslookedpleased.“Good.Nexttimeyou’llbeprepared.”“Nexttime?”Xandersoundedsuspicious,whileWillowechoed,“Nexttimeis

why?”Giles gave them a tolerant smile. “We stopped the Master from freeing

himselfandopening themouthofhell.Doesn’tmeanhe’llstop trying. I’dsaythefunisjustbeginning.”“Morevampires?”Willowcroaked.“Not just vampires.”Giles stopped and turned to face them.His expression

wasverysolemn,evenforhim.“Thenextcreaturewefacemaybesomething

quitedifferent.”Buffyrolledhereyes.“Icanhardlywait.”“We’reatacenterofmysticalconvergencehere,”Gileswenton.“Wemayin

factstandbetweentheearthanditstotaldestruction.”Xandershookhishead.“Buffy,thisisn’tgood.”“Well,Igottalookonthebrightside,”Buffytoldthemcheerfully.“MaybeI

canstillgetkickedoutofschool.”ShesmiledatGilesandstartedoff,theothertwohurryingtokeepupwithher.“Hey,that’saplan,”Xanderwasagreeable.“’Causealotofschoolsaren’ton

hellmouths.”“Maybeyoucouldblowsomethingup,”Willowsuggestedhelpfully.“They’re

reallystrictaboutthat.”Buffyconsideredthiswithashrug.“Iwasaimingforasubtleapproach,like

excessivenotstudying.”Watchingthemgo,Gilesshookhishead.Hearchedoneeyebrowandsettledhisglassesmorefirmlyuponhisnose.“Theearthisdoomed,”hesighed.

ABOUTTHEAUTHOR

Richie Tankersley Cusick loves to read and write scary books. Richie enjoyswriting when it is rainy and gloomy outside, and likes to have a spookysoundtrack playing in the background. She writes at a desk that originallybelonged to a funeral director in the 1800s and that she believes is haunted.Halloweenisoneofherfavoriteholidays.Shedecoratestheentirehouse,whichincludes having a body laid out in state in the parlor, life-size models ofFrankenstein’smonster, thefigureofDeathtokeepwatch,andscarycostumesforHannahandMeg,herdogs.Aneighbortoldherthatapreviousownerofthehousewas fearedbyallof theneighborhoodkidsandnoonewouldgo to thehouseonHalloween.

Richie is the author ofVampire, Fatal Secrets, The Locker, The Mall, SilentStalker, HelpWanted, TheDrifter, Someone at theDoor, Summer of Secrets,Overdue, Starstruck, and the novelization of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, inadditiontoseveraladultnovelsforPocketBooks.ShelivesoutsideKansasCity,wheresheiscurrentlyatworkonhernextnovel.