Drusilla.

All through the melee he had tried to keep Mailik 's attention away from her. She was too weak even to defend herself, too...

Spike's thoughts faltered as he saw that Dru had left the relative safety of the booth and was walking toward them.

"Drusilla, get back!" he barked at her.

Mailik purred. Then he lunged for her. The demonic beast landed in front of Drusilla and pulled back one its front paws, preparing to swipe at her.

Spike scrambled to reach her.

The monstrous tiger reared back its great head and roared. Drusilla clapped happily, then tossed back her head and roared as well, her long black tresses trailing down her back.

The tiger did not complete its strike. Slowly it brought its paw down and leaned closer to study its prey. It sniffed Drusilla's face and she began to giggle.

"That'll be enough of that, puss," Spike heard his lady love say as she placed her hand on its muzzle and pushed the large face away, as though playing with a simple house cat.