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"I forced out the last words of my life, a prayer to the grove and Danu, and continued in my mind
when breath failed me, until death took me. I prayed that my life and my knowledge not be lost, that I
could continue to serve and that I not be a monster as my maker was. As he offered his blood to me, I
made my life a sacrifice to Balance. As I faded away I could hear him laughing; he was so self assured
in his arrogance."
"And they answered my prayer, the spirit of the grove, Danu, Gaia if you prefer, and Balance."
"When I woke little more than a day later, just after sunset, my maker was astonished. I was still me. I
wasn’t a mindless monster. He hated me. I wasn’t as bloodthirsty and evil as he was. He flew into a
rage, beat me nearly senseless, raped me, and left me there hungry, bleeding and in pain, while he
went hunting. I crawled from the cave and somehow found my brother Druids. I told them about
Aurelius, what he was, what he had done to me, and what he planning. I told them he was laired in the
caves."
"He must have returned to the cave and found me gone before we could return and wait there to
destroy him. In the nights afterward there was no sign of him, not even a rumor. I believe he moved on
to another small village or town and turned another man that was to be known as The Master. From
what I know of The Master, he must have pleased Aurelius greatly."
"My brother Druids contacted the Companions and they came for me. I was adopted into Khyle’s
family and we bonded, we’ve been together ever since."
Gorge paused his tale telling for a moment, and looked at Spike. He took the hand of the man glued to
his side, and said. "This is my mate Khyle, and the one who has borne me two wonderful children;
Tomas and Sinjin. He is also Xander’s Uncle. Xander’s real father was Khyle’s brother and my
brother-in-law."
Khyle said quietly to Spike, who looked by now like some anime cartoon character; his eyes were so
big they seemed to take over his whole face. "I’m happy to meet you Spike. I gather that you’re a
childe in the line of Aurelius?"
Spike nodded eyes still round and he blinked, answering in a dazed absent kind of way. "William the
Bloody, favored childe of Angelus, favored Childe of Darla, favored Childe of the Master, favored
Childe of Aurelius. Then he seemed to come to himself and really look at the older vampire. "You’ve
never hunted, never killed?"
Gorge paused for a second before answering. "I won’t say I’ve never hunted, because I have. I won’t
say I’ve never killed because I’ve done that too. But I’ve never hunted and killed humans for food,
which I believe is the answer you wanted."
Khyle looked at the two vampires, made a decision and stood up slowly groaning ", I hate to be the
one to interrupt the explanations this time, but I think the humans amongst us need a break before we
continue. We still have various body functions that need attending to."
"Gods, yes," Tomas chimed in ", I’m about to burst, but I didn’t want to miss anything. I also need a
quick shower, and food. My stomach thinks my throat is cut."
"I could live with that," yawned Sinjin. "Anyone else?"
There was chorus of groaning agreement from the other humans and one demon. "Dad, if you don’t
mind, we’ll take showers and cook something before we come back and finish this up? Spike, do you
mind?"
Spike shook his head, and getting no protest from the parental unit, all the humans made tracks to the
various bedrooms and bathrooms, leaving Gorge and Spike alone in the den. "Do you want a shower
as well, Spike? It’s not as if we’re on a schedule here. We’ve got plenty of time, and it might help you
relax."
"Na, I’m going to wait and the doss with the boy when we’re done here. I’ll get a shower then. But I
do want to check on him. Do you want to see him?" Spike asked as he rose out of his chair.
"Yes!" Gorge answered eagerly almost before Spike stopped speaking. Spike raised an eyebrow at the
older man. "Come on then." And walked off leading the way to the Xander’s room with Gorge almost
treading his heels. "Hold up, mate," Spike chuckled ", I don’t reckon he’s gonna disappear before we