Things That Go Bump In The Night 5
Disclaimer : This is all Joss Whedon's world and belongings, Im just playing in it for a while....
Feedback : Your feedback is still welcome !
Chapter 5 :
" So, " Devon began after Willow had left the dorm room to get ready for bed, " what happened when the MaClays came out here ? "
The three had been chatting and catching up for a couple of hours, but Devon had waited to ask Tara about their family. It wasn't that she didn't want Willow to listen in ; she assumed the red headed witch knew all about it ; but there were a few things she was certain Willow and the others didn't know, and she wanted to keep it that way for the moment.
" What we thought would happen, " Tara answered, closing the spellbook she'd been flipping through and twisting around in her desk chair to face her cousin.
" They tried to take you away, " she asked, though it sounded more like a statement of fact.
" Yes, " she hesitated, " there's something else about it though, Devon. "
" I know that face, " she said furrowing her brows and moving closer to the delicate blond, " that's the ' I'm - about - to - drop - a - bombshell - on - you ' face. "
Tara smiled wanly, " I am, and you might want to sit down for it. "
Devon flashed her famous wry, half smile and sat, " Only because you asked me to. What gives ? "
" I don't know where exactly to start, so I'm just going to say it. "
" You're scaring me a little here, Precious, " she quipped, using her nickname for Tara and masking her worry with a jovial tone, " what happened at Maclay October fest ? "
" It's all a lie, " Tara blurted.
" What is ? "
" The family curse. The women in our family. We don't have demon in us. "
Devon locked eyes with Tara and stared at her mutely. Her cousin's words repeated through her head, echoing. She didn't have a response and could only stare, feeling the shock and confusion sliding over her. ' How could it NOT be true, ' her mind pondered.
Tara told Devon everything that had happened, leaving nothing out. A hint of shocked pride and wonderment entered her voice when she described the exact moment her friends had stood up for her. When they'd accepted her completely and enfolded her into their inner circle. Appreciation surged through Devon as she listened. If anyone deserved the love and acceptance, Devon believed, it was Tara.
" They've been lying to us all of our lives, " she concluded, " just to keep us under their control. We're not demons, Devon. Not at all. "
" How did Bethany take the news ? "
Tara hesitated again, and took a deep breath, " she was angry. "
A light flashed in Devon's eyes, " Good. She should be. "
" No, Devon. She was mad that we called them on the carpet about it. She left with them. "
" She's still following them around like a puppy, " Devon asked incredulously, a slow anger beginning to burn, " What the hell is her problem ? My own sister ! How can she be so blind ? "
Tara patiently waited for Devon to calm down. Her cousin was her polar opposite. She was the quiet one ; the candle. Devon was the flame. ' Perhaps it's why we're so close, ' mused Tara, ' our differences complement one another. '
" I think she's in denial. Everyone processes information differently, Dev. She's believed them nearly her whole life. I don't think she knows how else to think. Her whole way of life has been changed. "
Devon looked away from Tara and stared at the floor. Though she was happy for Tara in her newfound freedom, she still felt confusion and frustration. And shame. She felt the cold stab of shame. She ran a hand through her hair creating angry spikes, and Tara watched as they lazily fell back into place. She knew that Beth wasn't the only thing on Devon's mind, and that somehow this revelation was not a comfort to her. Yet she didn't push. As always, she would wait for her cousin to open up. She didn't have to wait long.
" How, " she asked Tara, her voice choked and quiet, " does it explain me, then ? "
Tara was mildly taken aback. She hadn't thought of it. She and the rest of the Scoobies had been so happy that her family legend was a hoax, that she hadn't thought of Devon's condition, or the source of she and her mother's magick.
Tara supposed there was no mystical force defining her magick. She figured that one either had the inclination for it, or one didn't. Yet, she was from a school of thought that nearly anyone could cast a spell. But not everyone could be a witch.
" I don't know, " she shrugged sympathetically, but paused whn a thought came to her. She brightened, " Maybe we should ask Mr. Giles ! He's a watcher, or well, um, " she shook her head, " he was. But he has a massive amount of volumes and texts explaining nearly every mystical force. I'm sure he'd be glad - "
" No, " Devon cut her off sharply, her eyes snapping back to her cousin's.
Tara flinched. Her whole body seemed to, as well. In their entire history together, Devon had never really snapped at her. She took into consideration that her cousin was upset, but it had hurt her just the same.
" I'm sorry, Precious, " she said quickly and sincerely, " I didn't mean to bite. Not at you. I just don't want anyone else to know. I mean, " she paused, scooting forward to the end of Willow's bed, " it couldn't have been just a flat out lie. It had to be based in something. Maybe they started it because of me. "
" I don't think so, " the blond shook her head, " because they told both of our mothers that they were part demon too, and that was before our time. "
" I can see it being a hoax with your mom, but not mine. She didn't stick around very long, Tara, but we all know what she was. "
" And Beth ? "
Devon shook her head, " Not like me. She's a carrier. So is my dumb ass brother, Cole. I'm the only one who - " she didn't finish.
" There has to be another explanation for it, " Tara stopped, then corrected herself, " Not about Beth and Cole being carriers, but about the family hoax. "
Devon looked at the floor again, " I wish I knew what it was. I'm not evil, I'm not even sure what I am. But I am something. Something not, " she paused, her voilet eyes trailing back up to the caring blue ones watching her, " normal. "
Tara took a deep breath and steeled herself. Devon had shot her suggestion down right away when she'd mentioned Giles, but she wanted to help somehow, " What about Willow ? "
" Willow ? "
" She's amazing at research, and she's very understanding. Not to mention the fact that she has truckloads of experience when it comes to these kinds of things. I know she would be happy to help. "
Devon considered it for a moment, " She probably would be, " she chose her words carefully, then smiled mischieviously, " but that would entail actually ' telling ' her. "
Tara knew Devon was using levity to brush it all under the rug and change the subject. A trait Devon was famous for. Normally, Tara would let her do it and follow, but not this time. She was determined to settle this once and for all. She had recently been freed from the rest of the MaClays, and she would be damned if Devon would be emotionally imprisoned by them any longer.
" And we should. She can help us, Devon. I know that. There's no reason to hide. Not with all we've been through, and you know that because I've told you almost everything. Willow won't judge you. "
This raw determination was a somewhat new endeavor for Tara. She had been so shy and timid growing up, for the most part ( although, hardly ever with Devon ) but had recently seemed to find her voice. She spoke up more often, and credited that mostly to Willow and the Scoobies. Growing up she'd had Devon, but it had seemed to be the two of them against the world. Now, there was strength in numbers.
Devon watched her cousin, amazed, and a quiet pride filled her. So much that it burned pleasantly in her chest. She'd missed having Tara around. Though Tara had been quieter when they were kids, she'd always been there. A soothing reminder. They'd each been each other's shoulder to lean on. It had been so long since they'd been together like this, that Devon had nearly forgotten how easy it could be to share her burden. Normally, it was something she didn't like to do. She could handle her own problems and refused to have anyone else feel the pressure of them. Yet Tara had never allowed Devon to handle it all on her own. She may have pushed less when they were younger, but she still had tried nonetheless.
Though she was impressed with Tara's insistance, she was still wary, " I can't Tara. I just can't. I think I'm just going to have to accept the fact that I'm different, and that I always will be. No one can know about this, Precious. "
Tara drew a breath to protest, but stopped suddenly when she heard the familiar click of the door as it opened. Willow breezed into the room with a welmcoming smile on her face.
" Hi Baby, " she smiled at Tara, then nodded at Devon, squelching a smile as she sprung up off of her bed, " Devon. "
Devon nodded back to her, the tips of her ears red, as Willow dumped her toiletries in her dresser drawer, still suppressing the urge to giggle. Devon had gotten up so quickly when she'd come into the room that it seemed as if she'd found an " EJECT " button on her bed. Willow straightened and faced them both.
" What can't anyone know, " she asked, then added quickly, when she saw Tara's eyebrows raise and the lightening quick flash of horror cross Devon's face before she hid it, " I couldn't help overhearing a little when I was coming in. "
" Uh, " Devon fumbled, " no one can know, um, about how thankful I am to you all for helping Tara out and scaring the MaClays off. "
' Can you get any more lame, MaClay, ' she asked herself, mentally smacking herself in the forehead.
Tara just blinked at Devon and Willow took a brief moment to scrutinize the voilet eyed cop. She knew she wasn't telling the truth. That the cousins had been talking about something else. It wasn't her business, however, she concluded, so she wouldn't push.
' But I wish they'd let me in on it. '
" Ok, " she said, then changed the subject, " have we heard from Buffy yet ? Anything new on the Gramorkra demon ? "
.....From his spot in the woods he stared at the window where she was. She was surrounded by others, but he would bide his time. She who was a killer. There had to be retribution. A reckoning. It would take time, but he would catch her and make her one of his own. A servant. He would take all of them. Starting with the red head. Her power was so strong that he craved it. Desired it. With her at his side, they would be unstoppable. Not even the killer could stop them. Not that she would when he was through with her. She would be their servant. If she resisted, she would be a fine and tastly meal. Nothing would stop him. Nothing at all.
To be continued........
Disclaimer : This is all Joss Whedon's world and belongings, Im just playing in it for a while....
Feedback : Your feedback is still welcome !
Chapter 5 :
" So, " Devon began after Willow had left the dorm room to get ready for bed, " what happened when the MaClays came out here ? "
The three had been chatting and catching up for a couple of hours, but Devon had waited to ask Tara about their family. It wasn't that she didn't want Willow to listen in ; she assumed the red headed witch knew all about it ; but there were a few things she was certain Willow and the others didn't know, and she wanted to keep it that way for the moment.
" What we thought would happen, " Tara answered, closing the spellbook she'd been flipping through and twisting around in her desk chair to face her cousin.
" They tried to take you away, " she asked, though it sounded more like a statement of fact.
" Yes, " she hesitated, " there's something else about it though, Devon. "
" I know that face, " she said furrowing her brows and moving closer to the delicate blond, " that's the ' I'm - about - to - drop - a - bombshell - on - you ' face. "
Tara smiled wanly, " I am, and you might want to sit down for it. "
Devon flashed her famous wry, half smile and sat, " Only because you asked me to. What gives ? "
" I don't know where exactly to start, so I'm just going to say it. "
" You're scaring me a little here, Precious, " she quipped, using her nickname for Tara and masking her worry with a jovial tone, " what happened at Maclay October fest ? "
" It's all a lie, " Tara blurted.
" What is ? "
" The family curse. The women in our family. We don't have demon in us. "
Devon locked eyes with Tara and stared at her mutely. Her cousin's words repeated through her head, echoing. She didn't have a response and could only stare, feeling the shock and confusion sliding over her. ' How could it NOT be true, ' her mind pondered.
Tara told Devon everything that had happened, leaving nothing out. A hint of shocked pride and wonderment entered her voice when she described the exact moment her friends had stood up for her. When they'd accepted her completely and enfolded her into their inner circle. Appreciation surged through Devon as she listened. If anyone deserved the love and acceptance, Devon believed, it was Tara.
" They've been lying to us all of our lives, " she concluded, " just to keep us under their control. We're not demons, Devon. Not at all. "
" How did Bethany take the news ? "
Tara hesitated again, and took a deep breath, " she was angry. "
A light flashed in Devon's eyes, " Good. She should be. "
" No, Devon. She was mad that we called them on the carpet about it. She left with them. "
" She's still following them around like a puppy, " Devon asked incredulously, a slow anger beginning to burn, " What the hell is her problem ? My own sister ! How can she be so blind ? "
Tara patiently waited for Devon to calm down. Her cousin was her polar opposite. She was the quiet one ; the candle. Devon was the flame. ' Perhaps it's why we're so close, ' mused Tara, ' our differences complement one another. '
" I think she's in denial. Everyone processes information differently, Dev. She's believed them nearly her whole life. I don't think she knows how else to think. Her whole way of life has been changed. "
Devon looked away from Tara and stared at the floor. Though she was happy for Tara in her newfound freedom, she still felt confusion and frustration. And shame. She felt the cold stab of shame. She ran a hand through her hair creating angry spikes, and Tara watched as they lazily fell back into place. She knew that Beth wasn't the only thing on Devon's mind, and that somehow this revelation was not a comfort to her. Yet she didn't push. As always, she would wait for her cousin to open up. She didn't have to wait long.
" How, " she asked Tara, her voice choked and quiet, " does it explain me, then ? "
Tara was mildly taken aback. She hadn't thought of it. She and the rest of the Scoobies had been so happy that her family legend was a hoax, that she hadn't thought of Devon's condition, or the source of she and her mother's magick.
Tara supposed there was no mystical force defining her magick. She figured that one either had the inclination for it, or one didn't. Yet, she was from a school of thought that nearly anyone could cast a spell. But not everyone could be a witch.
" I don't know, " she shrugged sympathetically, but paused whn a thought came to her. She brightened, " Maybe we should ask Mr. Giles ! He's a watcher, or well, um, " she shook her head, " he was. But he has a massive amount of volumes and texts explaining nearly every mystical force. I'm sure he'd be glad - "
" No, " Devon cut her off sharply, her eyes snapping back to her cousin's.
Tara flinched. Her whole body seemed to, as well. In their entire history together, Devon had never really snapped at her. She took into consideration that her cousin was upset, but it had hurt her just the same.
" I'm sorry, Precious, " she said quickly and sincerely, " I didn't mean to bite. Not at you. I just don't want anyone else to know. I mean, " she paused, scooting forward to the end of Willow's bed, " it couldn't have been just a flat out lie. It had to be based in something. Maybe they started it because of me. "
" I don't think so, " the blond shook her head, " because they told both of our mothers that they were part demon too, and that was before our time. "
" I can see it being a hoax with your mom, but not mine. She didn't stick around very long, Tara, but we all know what she was. "
" And Beth ? "
Devon shook her head, " Not like me. She's a carrier. So is my dumb ass brother, Cole. I'm the only one who - " she didn't finish.
" There has to be another explanation for it, " Tara stopped, then corrected herself, " Not about Beth and Cole being carriers, but about the family hoax. "
Devon looked at the floor again, " I wish I knew what it was. I'm not evil, I'm not even sure what I am. But I am something. Something not, " she paused, her voilet eyes trailing back up to the caring blue ones watching her, " normal. "
Tara took a deep breath and steeled herself. Devon had shot her suggestion down right away when she'd mentioned Giles, but she wanted to help somehow, " What about Willow ? "
" Willow ? "
" She's amazing at research, and she's very understanding. Not to mention the fact that she has truckloads of experience when it comes to these kinds of things. I know she would be happy to help. "
Devon considered it for a moment, " She probably would be, " she chose her words carefully, then smiled mischieviously, " but that would entail actually ' telling ' her. "
Tara knew Devon was using levity to brush it all under the rug and change the subject. A trait Devon was famous for. Normally, Tara would let her do it and follow, but not this time. She was determined to settle this once and for all. She had recently been freed from the rest of the MaClays, and she would be damned if Devon would be emotionally imprisoned by them any longer.
" And we should. She can help us, Devon. I know that. There's no reason to hide. Not with all we've been through, and you know that because I've told you almost everything. Willow won't judge you. "
This raw determination was a somewhat new endeavor for Tara. She had been so shy and timid growing up, for the most part ( although, hardly ever with Devon ) but had recently seemed to find her voice. She spoke up more often, and credited that mostly to Willow and the Scoobies. Growing up she'd had Devon, but it had seemed to be the two of them against the world. Now, there was strength in numbers.
Devon watched her cousin, amazed, and a quiet pride filled her. So much that it burned pleasantly in her chest. She'd missed having Tara around. Though Tara had been quieter when they were kids, she'd always been there. A soothing reminder. They'd each been each other's shoulder to lean on. It had been so long since they'd been together like this, that Devon had nearly forgotten how easy it could be to share her burden. Normally, it was something she didn't like to do. She could handle her own problems and refused to have anyone else feel the pressure of them. Yet Tara had never allowed Devon to handle it all on her own. She may have pushed less when they were younger, but she still had tried nonetheless.
Though she was impressed with Tara's insistance, she was still wary, " I can't Tara. I just can't. I think I'm just going to have to accept the fact that I'm different, and that I always will be. No one can know about this, Precious. "
Tara drew a breath to protest, but stopped suddenly when she heard the familiar click of the door as it opened. Willow breezed into the room with a welmcoming smile on her face.
" Hi Baby, " she smiled at Tara, then nodded at Devon, squelching a smile as she sprung up off of her bed, " Devon. "
Devon nodded back to her, the tips of her ears red, as Willow dumped her toiletries in her dresser drawer, still suppressing the urge to giggle. Devon had gotten up so quickly when she'd come into the room that it seemed as if she'd found an " EJECT " button on her bed. Willow straightened and faced them both.
" What can't anyone know, " she asked, then added quickly, when she saw Tara's eyebrows raise and the lightening quick flash of horror cross Devon's face before she hid it, " I couldn't help overhearing a little when I was coming in. "
" Uh, " Devon fumbled, " no one can know, um, about how thankful I am to you all for helping Tara out and scaring the MaClays off. "
' Can you get any more lame, MaClay, ' she asked herself, mentally smacking herself in the forehead.
Tara just blinked at Devon and Willow took a brief moment to scrutinize the voilet eyed cop. She knew she wasn't telling the truth. That the cousins had been talking about something else. It wasn't her business, however, she concluded, so she wouldn't push.
' But I wish they'd let me in on it. '
" Ok, " she said, then changed the subject, " have we heard from Buffy yet ? Anything new on the Gramorkra demon ? "
.....From his spot in the woods he stared at the window where she was. She was surrounded by others, but he would bide his time. She who was a killer. There had to be retribution. A reckoning. It would take time, but he would catch her and make her one of his own. A servant. He would take all of them. Starting with the red head. Her power was so strong that he craved it. Desired it. With her at his side, they would be unstoppable. Not even the killer could stop them. Not that she would when he was through with her. She would be their servant. If she resisted, she would be a fine and tastly meal. Nothing would stop him. Nothing at all.
To be continued........