Spike finally reached her, knocking her to the floor out of the path of the savage cat.

"That wasn't at all nice, you nasty man," she spat angrily, raking her nails down his face and drawing blood.

He recoiled. "I was only gettin' you out of harm's way," he said and turned to face the tiger. "Maybe I should've just let him eat you whole."

Mailik had returned to human form and was on his knees, head bowed in reverence.

"What in Hell?" Spike sputtered.

The creature that was a vampire but also much more raised his head to look at Drusilla who now stood unsteadily beside Spike.

"She bears the mark of Laibach," he said and placed his fingers to his forehead briefly. "It is true, you do speak for the highest powers and I have no choice but to listen." He again bowed his head.

"I told you he'd try to eat you," Drusilla whispered into Spike's ear. She began to lick the wounds she had just inflicted on his cheek. "But you're not a little mousey, are you? Not my Spike. He's a big dog."

Spike took one of her hands in his, brought it to his mouth and kissed it. "That you did, my love, that you did. You'd think by now I'd have the common sense to pay attention."

They moved toward Mailik, who still knelt in obeisance.