Chapter 18 Red

In the center of the firelit circle stood an enormous lion, jaws gaping hungrily, its mane stained black. On his back sat a woman, her skin jetty black, a tangled web of inky hair haloing her head. She was dressed in roughly tanned skins and a long string of misshapen pearls. Her red eyes flicked around the room taking in the destruction until they lit on the two adepts. A wide, innocent smile crossed her fearsome face. Willow dropped the rune-covered bone into a pile of blood and feathers.

Her voice was a soft, gentle sound, like the peal of temple bells. Thou summoned KrodharaitDevi? A low wall of undulating flame sprang up around the perimeter of the room, scorching the walls and floors. The temperature outside in the lobby dropped and the scent of sandlewood overpowered the noxious odor of decay.

Willow looked at Giles and scooted away toward the outer periphery of the ruined room. The figure leveled her ruby gaze at Giles. He seemed transfixed.

I made a mistake... Lady..uhm, he began a quick stuttering apology to something that wasn't in the mood for excuses. I was calling the Opener of the Way. I merely wanted to..

The bell voice sounded more like iron bells nows, Know that I am She who Destroys, daughter of Khaos, Kronos and the Protogenoi. I am called Sakti, Kali, Ishtar, Tarahumara..

The long red tongue curled from her fanged jaws like a snake and the Destroyer leveled her iron lance at the foolish sorcerer and his consort. Your witch is young and stupid, she said with idle scorn.

Willow drew herself up to her full height, red hair blooming like a rose and screamed in fury, May mighty Khronos draw near, Aion, I adjure you, slough off this feeble... Dark Khnum, Ptah, Atum ur, umh...by Anapnos, by Aer... Pride made her foolish. She'd made her last mistake. A long black finger flicked out idly, slamming her into the piled up furniture, unconcious. Giles took a step toward the creature.

I looked toward the others. What do we do now?

Watch for a chance, Buffy replied, Anyanka, do what you can. Ayn nodded her head in agreement. If we were all real lucky, Giles was going to royally piss off this demon-goddess and one of our problems would be solved.
Giles was smart, though. He prowled around his circle, looking for Andrew's bone, figuring he could get rid of the Destroyer magically. The Destroyer watched him, a smile curving the corners of her red lips.

You, man-thing. You follow the way of the demon. You should be glad I am here.

Lady, I only wished to open the Hellmouth to drain it's power for a moment. Not unleash the Chaos gods.

A moment? She laughed, a clanging of brass bells, You amuse me, man. I give you a choice. Slough off the feeble chains of your unworthy Master and worship Me.

His breath came quickly as desire chased fear across his face. Unnoticed, Willow began to stir, crawling nearer to the lion and the alien creature that rode it.

Give me your pledge, man.

He looked rueful and for a moment, quite sad.
Most Glorious One, I regret my soul is promised elsewhere. I cannot break my vow. Perhaps.... He sank to one knee and lowered his huge head in repentance.

Willow had crawled within a finger's breadth of the lion's hindquarters, and reached a bloodied hand to grasp the matted fur. She mumbled a few words through cracked lips, then tried to stand. Her eyes were as black as the velvet robe that hung in tatters around her. She thrust her hand toward the Destroyer and released a surge of magical force.

The ruby eyes widened in pleasure, childishly reveling in the splash of black-shot power that showered down ineffectually. The creature thrust out her scarlet tongue in the witch's direction, uncurling it like a long, red ribbon.

Willow's body became a radiant sun--her bones outlined in a brilliant blue, bright as diamonds. Then, there in the Lady's hand sat a gleaming white pearl. Through the nacre, Willow's terrified gaze peered out at the crowd surrounding the circle. The Lady drew the pearl toward her and fastened it to the golden chain looped around her neck, still smiling sweetly.

Unnoticed by me or her demon guardians, Dawn had slipped into the room and run to stand beside her sister. She pointed at the fireworks coruscating around the circle.
she called in her childish voice.

tbc
AN: Music for this Chapter is from the Plunkett and Macleane soundtrack, composed by Craig Armstrong.