Prologue

In the heart of the forest, on the eastern side of Sunnydale, a clan of hooded figures gathered around a fire. They were all sitting on the ground but one. He sat on a large tree stump. When he spoke, his voice was deep and forceful.

"Our sources have concluded that the Slayer is here at the Hellmouth. What should we do about her?"

"What do we know about her?" asked another, his voice crackling with evil.

"Not much, but our sources indicate that she has only recently discovered her calling. Her Watcher, is the son of Roger Wyndham-Pryce and only a couple of years out of the Academy himself. He's been forced to use their nighttime hunts as training sessions," a third figure added.

"The son of Roger Wyndham-Pryce?" asked the leader. "We can be sure that this young Watcher will be every bit as ruthless and cold-blooded as his father. His Slayer is surely being trained in a number of fighting techniques. This will be a very difficult hunt."

He rose from the stump and paced in front of the fire a few moments before asking, "What are her weaknesses?"

Cordelia walked into the cafeteria, her doctor-prescribed lunch in hand. She was breathing easy today, and a broad smile graced her lips as she walked across the cafeteria, confident that every male there had his eyes on her miniskirt.

She had been absent from school for the last few days, tending to Mitch and making sure that the spell had left no permanent scarring. After all, the race for May Queen was coming up, and she had to think of how he would look in their photographs.

Now that she was back in school, she felt like her regular self again, except with enough power in her fists to significantly hurt someone, like Jared. Apparently, he had been absent from school all week. Cordelia had been sure to tell everyone she knew about Jared's underhanded deeds and his plans to seduce her while Mitch was in a coma.

All in all, it had been an excellent day. Chemistry with Mitch had been a dream, and they'd made plans to go out that night. Mrs. Miller had given her an 'A' on her English paper, and the school gossip mill was buzzing with the news of Cordy's fist meeting Jared's jaw. Fear, awe, and loathing raced anew through the student body at the sound of her name. And that was just the way she liked it.

Cordelia caught Aura's eye, who waved her over, but she also caught the sight of a new girl sitting at their table. She strutted through the sea of students, ready to strike.

As Cordelia placed her lunch on the table, the new girl stood up, awestruck. "You must be Cordelia. I'm…."

"I didn't ask," Cordelia said sharply, turning to Aura and Harmony. "What's this about?"

A look of fear shot through Harmony, but Aura just looked defiant. "Andromeda is the new cheerleader on the squad."

Cordelia arched an eyebrow. "Great name."

Andromeda opened her mouth to speak. "Thanks," she said before being cut off by Cordelia.

"Need I ask who the new head cheerleader is, Aura?"

Aura gave a smile and went back to her lunch while Cordelia sat, surveying the new addition to her table. She had blonde hair, and a little shorter than Harmony's, but she was as tall as Cordelia herself. What Cordelia couldn't see was what made Andromeda so special that she could hang with her.

"So what makes you think you can just sit here?" Cordelia asked.

"Excuse me?" Andromeda asked as she took her seat.

"I don't think I stuttered," Cordelia said pointedly.

"We invited her," Harmony offered. "She really doesn't know anyone, and…"

Cordelia cut her off. "So we're the welcome wagon now? Hmm…let's survey the cafeteria and see who else we can invite. Oh, look! There's Jesse. Let's wave him over right now!"

"What's wrong with you? Harmony and I say she can hang with us."

"Wow. I guess there's nothing left for me to do but step aside and let you take over."

Aura glared at Cordelia. "You're not queen anymore. You gave that up weeks ago. You don't even bother to come to class."

Harmony leaned over and said softly to Cordelia, "Yeah, where've you been?"

"Yes, Cordy, where have you been? We've been meaning to ask, but oh yeah, you don't see you anymore."

A sudden realization hit Harmony and she grabbed Cordelia by the arm. "Oh. My. Goodness. Have you been forced to get a job?"

Horror washed over Cordelia's face as she pulled her arm away from Harmony. "Are you insane? If that ever happened, I'd leave Sunnydale."

"It's Wesley," Aura said with a devious grin. "The one that came on campus a few weeks ago."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Cordelia said coolly.

"Sure you do," Aura continued. "You know, the cute one with the glasses?"

Cordelia glared. "I know who he is, Aura. I just don't get the reference."

"What are we referencing?" Mitch asked, pulling a chair up to the table.

"My acting coach. Aura thinks I'm cheating on you with him," Cordelia added, tilting her head to the side.

"I never said that!" Aura exclaimed, a blush creeping up her cheeks.

"You think I resigned as head cheerleader to spend more time with him," Cordelia said with a smirk.

"Well, after dancing with Jared the way you did at The Bronze, what else could I think?" Aura accused.

"I did that to prove that he was behind Mitch's illness," Cordelia said, sitting forward in her seat.

"Guys, you're making a scene!" noted Harmony as the other students stopped their chatter and listened to the girls argue.

"Shut up, Harmony!" both girls recited in unison.

Cordelia stood up, accidentally knocking Andromeda's elbow. "Let's finish this right now, Aura. You thought I hurt Jared? Just wait until I'm finished with you."

Aura stood also, and faced Cordelia. "Let's go, Queen C."

As the girls stared menacingly at one another, Mr. Flutie, the school principal, walked up. "Cordelia, Aura, is there a problem?"

"Aura thinks she can tell me how to live my life, and I'm getting ready to show her that I'm fully independent," Cordelia stated, not bothering to look at the rotund administrator.

Mr. Flutie stepped between the two girls. "I think it's best to separate you two. I'm sure you both have classes to attend."

Neither girl moved. They continued staring until the principal spoke again. "Maybe a day or two out of school will help you cool off?"

Cordelia shot Aura a cold look, then glanced at Mr. Flutie. "That's not necessary, Mr. Flutie. I have History. Are you coming, Mitch?"

Mitch hesitated before speaking. "Actually, I promised Mr. Flutie that I'd show Andromeda around campus."

"Fine," Cordelia stated sharply as she stormed out of the cafeteria, leaving a very scared boyfriend, best friend, and principal behind.