Web of Lies, Seeds of Doubt (Part One)

The smell of ozone lingered in the air. Threads of spider web on Redy and Faith [Alanna] slowly dissolved. Pepper's hair still smoldered from the lightning blasts the small dragon had blasted across Spike's crypt. Young Buffy [Kammy] stood by with her sword drawn.

Negotiations, however, were going well.

"It doesn't happen that you know something about a new vamp in town, do you?" asked Redy.

"Maybe," shrugged Pepper, "how much is that worth to you?"

"Aha! Maybe...." replied Redy.

Pepper had been out hunting in the form of the giant spider when the Slayers and the dragon had found her and the usual rage and fury had resulted. Then, during a pause in the fighting, Redy had offered Pepper a deal, an exchange of information, with free threats and insults of course. Pepper was never one to let an opportunity like that pass by.

"Okay, I'll tell you what I know....but in exchange I want something too," offered Pepper.

"What might that be?" asked Faith.

"A grimoire, a magic book of spells about shape shifting. I can naturally shift into a spider, because that is what I am. But I want more.. more forms... "

"We could wrap you in toilet paper," said Redy,"I'm sure it would make a great mummy."

Buffy smirked.

Pepper ignored the barb, "So, do we have a deal? A book for information?"

"I don't like the sound of that," said Buffy.

"Do you know where this grimoire is?" pressed Faith.

"No idea or I wouldn't ask you..." Pepper thought for a moment "Okay, tell you what....you keep an eye out for my book..."

"For your book?" interrupted Redy.

"...and as a gesture of good faith..." Pepper looked at Faith and cleared her throat, "I will give you this information for free."

Faith jumped at the offer. "Done.. it's a deal."

"Wait," cried Buffy, "What's a deal?"

Before Buffy could offer objections, Pepper started to tell them about the vampire returning to town and about what she knew about the demon god Genous. It didn't matter to Pepper that they knew. She owed nothing to any of these other demons. It was more important that she find out about the grimoire. It may not exist. It may be only a rumor but Pepper didn't have the resources these Slayers had to find such a thing. She didn't expect them to give her this book. However, if they found it, then she at least knew who she had to kill to get it.

When she had finished answering their questions, Pepper turned to the small dragon. "You are a feisty one..."

"Who me? 'Says the vamp,'" laughed Redy.

"I like your style. Are you sure you don't want to switch sides?"

"Don't like me too much," warned Redy, "It could kill you."

"You know, they will kill you when you get bigger...." Pepper said with a sly smile.

Redy laughed again.

"You will scare them you see," added Pepper.

"Be sure, they won't be alive then. None of you will be. Dragons are made for eternity and they grow slowly." offered Redy.

"They kill what they are afraid of," continued Pepper. "Once they realize what you really are...."

"Then they could kill you too, you know," countered Redy with a smile.

Pepper shrugged. "They try...only you made a difference."

Young Buffy interrupted, "What is she talking about Redy?"

"Well, I think I've said enough," finished Pepper.

Redy glared at Pepper.

Pepper looked at the dragon, "I will see you around Redy..."

"That's for sure."

Pepper nodded at Faith and Buffy. "Bye Slayers."

"Spidey," said Buffy.

Pepper walked out of the crypt. She didn't let it show, but it took all she had to turn her back on the dragon that had burned her.