Shadows of Fire
*Chapter 9*
The storm hit. And it's left quite a lot of damage behind.
Though I believe most has turned out to be necessary, and helpful.
Spike is no longer being controlled by the First.
Ethan, a threat we didn't know existed, has been eliminated.
Willow now knows she can use her powers, and not fall off the deep end.
There's still danger. But she isn't as afraid to use her skills.
Giles has told me the spell Ethan performed was to take his Shadow away.
He didn't succeed. And now Giles says his control is better.
Something Giles is very happy about.
The balance is back. At least that is what he said.
Now it's time to fix the other unbalances…
They found the spell while I regained consciousness.
Gotta love that Slayer healing.
The potentials have been moved to Xanders' apartment.
They didn't feel safe with Spike any longer.
Nothing I say is going to make them believe they are safe.
And they shouldn't be here while the spell is performed anyway.
I convinced Dawn to go with them.
That wasn't a very fun conversation. She really wanted to help with the spell.
But she can keep the girls calm and busy. And keep an eye on Andrew.
Anya and Willow are setting up for the spell in the living room.
Giles is giving instructions and going over everything again.
"What can I do?" I'm feeling kinda useless just sitting here.
"You're supposed to be meditating." Giles scolds.
"I did! I keep falling asleep…" I trail off from his look.
So... I watch Spike as he gathers weapons from the chest.
He's going to search for the place the Bringers and First are hiding.
Says he has some ideas. Demon contacts of his and some from Anya.
I'd love to go with him. Do some slaying. Get out of this house.
Away from the magic.
I really don't want to do this.
Spike looks up at me from his crouched position.
He gives his silent understanding and strength, through that look.
He'll support whatever I do.
But I know this is what has to be done.
He gets up and moves toward the door.
Looks at me one last time.
Lifts his eyebrow in question.
I smile reassuringly at him.
"Good luck. Come back in one piece." I tell him.
I'll be fine. He'll be fine. We'll all be fine…
He looks to the others and then back to me.
Nods his head and goes out the door.
I close my eyes and begin to clear my mind.
Try to do some meditating until it's time…
~
It's amazing how much has happened in such a short time.
In a few hours everything has changed.
I've changed again.
Regained control of my power.
The same can be said for Willow.
The power is in her. And she can use it without fear of loosing herself.
Spike has his own freewill back. Frightening as that may seem.
The fear of him being used as a weapon against us is gone.
The confidence Buffy has in him worried me.
But he's a powerful ally and done more to help us than I know.
The bond between them still scares me.
I've seen them exchange silent conversations. Simple gestures and glances.
They know one another so well. It's unnatural.
But obviously something that neither wants to loose.
Their connection is one that no one else is going to understand.
Least of all me…
"We're ready Buffy." I shake her shoulder gently to get her attention.
The spell is set up and we're prepared to begin.
Buffy seems to have finally meditated some.
It is always best before spells of this magnitude.
She opens her eyes and gets up from the couch.
"This spell is complex but we'll be doing most of it."
She nods her head.
"You'll be in a trance. There's nothing to fear."
"I'm ready." She simply says.
Willow and Anya light the candles as Buffy lies down in the circle.
"Let's begin."
~
*Chapter 9*
The storm hit. And it's left quite a lot of damage behind.
Though I believe most has turned out to be necessary, and helpful.
Spike is no longer being controlled by the First.
Ethan, a threat we didn't know existed, has been eliminated.
Willow now knows she can use her powers, and not fall off the deep end.
There's still danger. But she isn't as afraid to use her skills.
Giles has told me the spell Ethan performed was to take his Shadow away.
He didn't succeed. And now Giles says his control is better.
Something Giles is very happy about.
The balance is back. At least that is what he said.
Now it's time to fix the other unbalances…
They found the spell while I regained consciousness.
Gotta love that Slayer healing.
The potentials have been moved to Xanders' apartment.
They didn't feel safe with Spike any longer.
Nothing I say is going to make them believe they are safe.
And they shouldn't be here while the spell is performed anyway.
I convinced Dawn to go with them.
That wasn't a very fun conversation. She really wanted to help with the spell.
But she can keep the girls calm and busy. And keep an eye on Andrew.
Anya and Willow are setting up for the spell in the living room.
Giles is giving instructions and going over everything again.
"What can I do?" I'm feeling kinda useless just sitting here.
"You're supposed to be meditating." Giles scolds.
"I did! I keep falling asleep…" I trail off from his look.
So... I watch Spike as he gathers weapons from the chest.
He's going to search for the place the Bringers and First are hiding.
Says he has some ideas. Demon contacts of his and some from Anya.
I'd love to go with him. Do some slaying. Get out of this house.
Away from the magic.
I really don't want to do this.
Spike looks up at me from his crouched position.
He gives his silent understanding and strength, through that look.
He'll support whatever I do.
But I know this is what has to be done.
He gets up and moves toward the door.
Looks at me one last time.
Lifts his eyebrow in question.
I smile reassuringly at him.
"Good luck. Come back in one piece." I tell him.
I'll be fine. He'll be fine. We'll all be fine…
He looks to the others and then back to me.
Nods his head and goes out the door.
I close my eyes and begin to clear my mind.
Try to do some meditating until it's time…
~
It's amazing how much has happened in such a short time.
In a few hours everything has changed.
I've changed again.
Regained control of my power.
The same can be said for Willow.
The power is in her. And she can use it without fear of loosing herself.
Spike has his own freewill back. Frightening as that may seem.
The fear of him being used as a weapon against us is gone.
The confidence Buffy has in him worried me.
But he's a powerful ally and done more to help us than I know.
The bond between them still scares me.
I've seen them exchange silent conversations. Simple gestures and glances.
They know one another so well. It's unnatural.
But obviously something that neither wants to loose.
Their connection is one that no one else is going to understand.
Least of all me…
"We're ready Buffy." I shake her shoulder gently to get her attention.
The spell is set up and we're prepared to begin.
Buffy seems to have finally meditated some.
It is always best before spells of this magnitude.
She opens her eyes and gets up from the couch.
"This spell is complex but we'll be doing most of it."
She nods her head.
"You'll be in a trance. There's nothing to fear."
"I'm ready." She simply says.
Willow and Anya light the candles as Buffy lies down in the circle.
"Let's begin."
~