This is a short one, only one more chapter to go after this.

Chapter Seven: Forgetting

Hearing Anya scream like that almost caused Tara to freeze up, but she knew that if she did that, Anya was as good as stew-meat. Tara didn't even have time to truly formulate a plan or strategize; she simply had to act.

With a forefinger Tara began to furiously draw symbols in the air. "Anya," she shouted, "if you can huh-hear me, DUCK!" Then Tara clapped her hands and a sound like thunder roared through the burrow, the force of a strong wind flying at about shoulder height from where Tara stood to the back of the room. She heard various grunts, a clattering, and then silence.

Rummaging through her purse, Tara pawed through a variety of magic supplies and spell ingredients she often carried with her. It was hard to tell what was what in the total darkness, but she finally located a small vial which she knew contained a dark red liquid. She uncorked the vial and flicked her wrist, sending the potion out in a spray, then said, "Lux!"

Suddenly the darkness was alleviated by a series of twinkling white lights like fireflies hovering near the ceiling. This didn't provide a great deal of illumination, but enough for her to see the four figures lying on the floor near her. The three rabbit-creatures and Anya. At first Tara thought her warning hadn't been early enough and her friend had been knocked unconscious along with the three demons, but then Anya coughed and sat up.

"What was that?" Anya asked, and it was clear from her voice that she was impressed.

"A spuh-spelled called Hammer's Blow, incapacitates enemies," Tara said, reaching out a hand to help Anya to her feet.

"I'll say. It's not lightning from your fingers, but not too shabby. How long will they be out?"

"No more than an hour."

Anya stared down at the three rabbit-creatures for a moment, then she kicked Jax hard in the side, a satisfied smile curling her lips.

"Never heard the suh-saying about kicking a man when he's down?"

"That's the best time to kick him," Anya said. "When he can't kick back."

"You have a vuh-very interesting way of looking at things," Tara said with a smile.

"So what are we going to do with these guys? Once they wake up, they'll be on our trail again. I vote we send them to another dimension. Worked before."

"Not too well, they came back, remember? Besides, I don't think I have that kind of puh-power."

"What about Willow? She sent Olaf to the troll dimension."

"Well, I'd ruh-rather her not find out about this if I can help it."

"Understood. So what options does that leave us?"

"For starters, let's get them in the cuh-cage."

It took a good twenty minutes, but working together Tara and Anya finally managed to drag all three creatures into the back room and deposit them in the cage. It was a tight squeeze, but they fit. On a workbench in the corner Tara found another lock, a bit rusty but seemed sturdy enough.

"Now what?" Anya asked. "Just leave them locked up here? They'll get out eventually, and they have our scent."

Tara stood in thought for a moment, chewing on her bottom lip. Finally she said, "I know of a spell that can alter their muh-memories. I've never performed it before, but I think I might be able to get them to fuh-forget ever seeing or smelling either one of us."

"Sounds great, I say you go for it."

"Well, there's something I nuh-need for the spell."

"Not a problem, I'll run back to Rack's—"

"NO!" Tara said forcefully. "Go to the Magic Box."

"But what if Giles asks questions?"

"Anya, I have complete cuh-confidence in your ability to be sneaky."

"Thanks. Okay, I'll do it. What is it you need?"

"It's a fuh-flower. Called Lethe's Bramble."