The days went by quickly, and soon it was Saturday. From opposite sides of Sunnydale, two people greeted the day with mixed emotions; a sense of excitement in one, and a feeling of dread in the other. The air itself was charged with the tension that grew in both of them, a tension that had been building all week. The town lay in wait like a volcano on the verge of eruption.
Willow could barely contain her nervous energy. Tonight was the night; she had the necessary ingredients, and she would be performing the spell to rescue Angel from Hell. A nervous smile touched the hacker's lips as she darted around frantically, grabbing the things she would need for the spell. Glancing around the room, she looked down at the list she clutched in one hand, making sure she got everything. All that remained was one thing. Grabbing the bag that contained all her supplies, she raced downstairs, careening into the kitchen and braking just before the fridge. Silently the redhead thanked her wayward parents for not being home this week as she opened the door and very, very carefully removed the sealed bags of blood she had thought to get the other night.
As she made her way to the front door she stopped, glancing back around the empty house nervously. A tiny part of her mind tried to talk her out of this risky, foolish attempt. It sounded a lot like Kat; a notion that made Willow frown. The brunette had been very agitated of late; she barely spoke unless Willow or Xander asked her something, and she spent a lot of time glancing at the moon. A couple of times she had caught the dark young woman staring at her, her eyes containing a hint of fear. It was as if Kat knew something about what Willow was going to do…and maybe didn't approve of it.
Willow's eyes flashed, twin emerald's glittering with determination. Kat or no Kat, she was doing this spell. Her resolve face firmly in place, the redhead turned and marched out the door, slamming it behind her. Hitching the backpack up on her shoulder, she moved away from the house and down the street, heading for the site she had chosen to perform the spell…the place where it all began.
The mansion.
* * * * * * * * * *
Kat stood outside the doors of the high school library, one hand raised to push the door open. Her eyes swirled through a myriad of colors, reflecting the turmoil inside of her. Reaching up to twirl a strand of her dark hair in her fingers, the young woman pondered what she should do. She was fairly certain that Willow would try something tonight, though what she couldn't say. All week she had watched the redhead as the trio patrolled the town, trying to figure out what her motivation was. She had even tried asking a few questions, probing deeper into the mystery surrounding the Slayer, and her connection to the two teenagers.
But Willow was nearly as secretive about herself as Kat was. Sighing, the brunette shook her head; how could she expect anyone to confide in her when she couldn't even tell them about herself? Uneasily she recalled the other day, when she had made excuses for not joining Willow and Xander on their patrol. She couldn't tell them the truth…despite the warnings of her recent nightmares, Kat had become rather fond of the two vampire hunters. She wasn't ready to give up the friendship they were tentatively offering her.
Abruptly she shook her head, eyes darkening stonily as she admonished her foolish thoughts. 'It's only a matter of time before they find out,' she thought bitterly, 'and you'll have to move on.' For some reason that particular reminder made her even sadder.
Glancing at a clock on the nearby wall, Kat noted it was roughly 20 minutes before sunset. 'Cutting it a little close, but this has to be done.' Taking a deep breath, she pushed the library doors open, stepping softly into the room. Her voice was low as she called out, eyes darting about for signs of life.
* * * * * * * * * *
Willow stared at the floor in the middle of the mansion, her eyes riveted to a particular spot. Even though it had been months since Buffy had sent Angel to hell, the stain left by his blood remained. Slowly she lowered her backpack to the ground, sinking to her knees beside it. Her hand reached out, caressing the darkened area of wood sadly. Tears formed in her eyes and she brushed them aside. Taking a deep breath, she offered the blood-soaked wood a shaky smile. 'Soon Angel…very soon,' she thought, hoping he heard her thoughts and drew comfort from them.
Turning, she opened the backpack and withdrew a container of salt. Brushing her crimson hair out of her eyes she bent forward and poured the salt in a large circle around the area she would use to perform the spell. In the very center lay the spot where Angel had left this plane of existence.
Once completed, Willow went about setting up the items needed for the spell. Beside the bloodstain she placed a shallow wooden bowl. The bottom was fairly flat, which allowed her to place her next object in the bowl without fear of it tipping over: a red, tapered candle. Slowly she withdrew another object from the backpack. A simple dagger she had picked up a few days before, its blade was curvy and double-edged, coming to a point seven inches from the hilt. The pommel of the dagger was etched with the Egyptian symbol of healing, an ankh. This had seemed a good sign to the redheaded witch at the time she had purchased the dagger.
Now, staring at the object in her hand, Willow once again felt anxious about what she was planning on doing. Would she really be able to pull this off? Staring at the gleaming metal of the blade, she reached up to run her finger along its edge. Feeling the slight prick of the tip against her finger, the young witch drew herself out of her doubtful thoughts and placed the dagger in front of the bowl and candle. Checking to see that all was in place, she checked her watch to verify the time. Fifteen minutes until sunset. It was time.
Taking a slow, deep breath, the petite witch closed her eyes and tried to still her thoughts. Her breathing began to even out as she focused on relaxing, mentally readying herself for the power of the spell she was about to start. All doubts and thoughts of mysterious brunettes faded out of mind as one face and name became fixated in her head.
Angel.
* * * * * * * * * *
"Mr. Giles?" Not seeing anyone about, she crept further into the room, moving in the direction of his office door. Again she called out his name, "Mr. Giles?" The pretty brunette spotted the light in the librarians' office just a moment before the man himself appeared.
"Why Kat, it's good to see you again. Please do come in. Can I offer you some tea?" Giles asked when he saw the lovely young woman standing before him. He'd rather expected her sooner than this. She'd seemed quite eager to have the information she'd been looking for the last time they'd spoken. 'But before I give her anything,' the older man admonished himself, 'I'm going to get some insight into her motives.'
Shaking her head, the young woman glanced around once more to make sure there was no one else around. As she turned back to face the librarian, she folded her arms over her chest. "No, thank you. I came to talk to you about something," she paused, then added, "and perhaps to ask you a few questions."
"Really." The handsome librarian said, the word sounding more like a statement than a question. If Kat had known what to look for she would've seen a certain gleam enter the mans eye and a subtle shifting of his stance that signaled a change in his entire demeanor. The woman's attitude was a tad off putting and Giles was determined not to give her anything without getting something in return. Therefore, Ripper was about to make himself known. "Well dear, I find I've a few questions of my own for you. Why don't we go into my office." Giles gestured for the brunette to precede him and shut the office door once they were both inside. He walked around his desk and sat down behind it. His eyes fell on the still standing woman and he gave her a look that clearly indicated he wanted her to start the conversation.
The hair on the back of Kat's neck stiffened, and she darted a glance to the door, as if debating whether or not she could make it out before he was after her. A predator herself, she recognized the same qualities in others…and right now the man she'd previously deemed a harmless, cultured librarian looked like he was on the hunt. Mr. Giles wanted something from her, and from the looks of it he would get it before he answered any of her questions.
Kat's eyes darkened and narrowed, emerald slits that threatened with less practiced subtlety than Giles' 'Ripper-mode.' Unfolding her arms, she leaned forward, placing her hands on the desk as she glared at the librarian. Her voice came with a low growl as she spoke. "Look Mr. Giles, I realize I haven't exactly been forthcoming about my intentions with you and your little slaying gang, but this is not the time to get into it." Even as she spoke she could feel the sun sinking closer to the horizon. Her tattoo felt warm on her back as she continued. "Right now that little redheaded witch of yours is getting herself into all sorts of trouble, and if she isn't stopped something bad is going to happen."
* * * * * * * * * *
It was time. Slowly the redhead opened her eyes, staring unseeingly at the wick of the red candle. Her lips opened and she began to speak, her voice not entirely her own; some otherworldly element added cadence to her words.
"Sakhmet, Daughter of Ra, I beg thee hear my plea. Thy guiding light is fading; night's dark cloak descends. I stand alone to hold back the encroaching darkness. I ask you, goddess of light, lend me your strength that I might combat the forces of evil and right the wrong that was done here. Light my way and guide my feet upon your path. Let your sheltering light aid me and protect me in my quest; that none may do harm within this circle so long as your blessed flame burns..."
As Willow prayed, her eyes remained fixed on the wick of the candle. A rush of air filled the room, teasing her hair wildly about her face; the air was dry and hot, like a desert breeze. Her eyes seemed to take on an inner brilliance, fire radiating from those twin emerald orbs. One dainty hand rose of its own volition, fingers extended toward the tip of the crimson taper. Suddenly the breeze in the room shifted, whipping her hair in front of her face. The air seemed to grow hotter, expanding from behind Willow in both directions, encompassing the young girl within.
Without taking her eyes off the candle tip, Willow could feel the energy surging out from behind her, licking a path around the line she drew on the ground. In her mind's eye she could see the line glow, a deep red that pulsed like a heartbeat. It encompassed the circle, and the candle sputtered to life with a snap of the girls' fingers, a flame greedily leaping up on the end of the wick. It flickered in the breeze that stirred inside the manor, yet never went out. Slowly the wind died down, and yet the flame continued to dance on the candle, drawing Willow's gaze into its depths.
Strength and purpose surged through her body, burning through her veins in a powerful elixir. She had done it; she had been granted Sakhmet's protection for her foray into Hell. Licking her lips, she lowered her hand, trembling inside with the effort to focus on the second half of her casting. This would be much harder than setting the path; now she must reach out onto the path and draw something from the shadows. Drawing a deep breath, she prepared for the next step; retrieving Angel.
* * * * * * * * * *
Angel wasn't alone; he was never alone. Even as he knelt in the dark depths of Hell he could feel his demon and others pressing close on all sides, taking almost physical pleasure from his pain. His arms were pulled out to each side and raised slightly so as to cause the greatest discomfort, and held in place with heavy iron chains. Blood oozed from the many cuts and scrapes that marred his chest and back. His cheeks were stained scarlet from the many bloody tears the vampire had shed as his demon flayed his back time and time again with many cruel implements of torture, for what seemed like an eternity.
One of the demons leaned forward, licking the sweat and blood off of Angel's back. He stiffened slightly, recoiling from the demon's touch and shuddering. His head bowed forward, chin resting on his chest which was slick with blood and sweat. He couldn't take much more of this; it already felt like centuries since he had been cast into Hell. Desperately, the dark-haired vampire prayed to all the deities he knew of for a miracle; for some way out of this never-ending nightmare.
* * * * * * * * * *
Giles mouth opened in shock. A split second later he bolted from his chair, fear for his young charge cutting through the shock of Kats statement. "WHAT?" he roared at the emerald eyed girl, "What is Willow doing and how in the bloody hell do you know about it?" He'd known Willow was up to something, she didn't lie well and he'd caught on to her nervous tension during the week. 'But what is the girl up to that would sound an alarm to this woman who hardly knows her.' The librarian thought. He reigned in his growing panic and glared back at Kat, waiting impatiently for her answer.
"I'm not sure what she's up to; all I know is that it has something to do with dreams…or something like that," Kat was having a hard time concentrating, her back began throbbing with a painful heat as she forced herself to continue. "How do I know she's in trouble? Well, see, it sort of relates to some dreams of my own…" Wincing, the young woman arched back, reaching behind to touch the small of her back where her tattoo was located, it felt like it was on fire. Touching the spot gingerly, she hissed and brought her hand back; her fingers were scalded, and her back was searing hot to the touch.
* * * * * * * * * *
Her course was set, but the most difficult part was now at hand, though Sakhmet was known as a healer, a benevolent goddess, she required a blood sacrifice for a favor of the magnitude Willow was about to ask of her. The crimson haired witch picked up the dagger and placed it against her palm.
"Goddess Sakhmet, Daughter of Ra. You have blessed the path I am about to take. Now, with my blood as sacrifice I beg of you, open the way through the dimensions, remove all obstacles that stand between me and the souled demon whose blood was spilled in this place before my circle was cast."
Willow drew a deep breath, held her palm and the dagger over the bowl, directly over the flame of the candle. A quick slice and a gasp of indrawn breath, and the witches' dark blood dripped from her hand, over the undying flame of the candle, and into the ceremonial bowl.
* * * * * * * * * *
'What's going on?' The dark-haired young woman thought, looking at her fingers, then at Giles. A sick feeling came over her, and she glanced toward the window, noting with dismay how close the sun was to the horizon. 'Sunset…damn it's too near sunset.' A growl issued from the girl's throat as it all came together in her mind. "It's too late; she's already started, and it's too damn late!" The last few words spat out in a vicious snarl, she spun around and raced for the door before Giles could say a word, the back of her shirt riding up to expose the tattoo to his eyes. It was an angry red, pulsing like a heartbeat as she ran from him.
"Kat!" Giles shouted as the girl ran from his office. Before she exited the library he saw what was paining her. The hieroglyph tattooed on her lower back was ablaze with a throbbing red glow. He ran after her, chasing her through the school and out onto the front steps where he had to stop to catch his breath. "KAT!" The highly confused librarian called out one last time. The brunette was across the street by now, heading into the park. As he watched her sprinting away from him the sun sank below the horizon and before his eyes the fleeing woman seemed to shimmer and crouching down, she transformed.
* * * * * * * * * *
Willow watched, unblinking, and when the blood had nearly covered the bottom of the bowl she continued her prayer. "Sakhmet, my offering is complete. As my blood mixes with the blood of the one I seek, I beg of thee, I pray to thee.
BRING HIM FORTH!" With the last sentence exhaled on a shout of desperation Willow moved her bleeding palm from its place over the bowl to the old bloodstain beside it. A single drop of blood hung from the witches' hand for a moment, then fell to the ground, mixing with the blood of her lost friend.
* * * * * * * * * *
As Kat crossed the street the pain in her back increased intolerably. A trembling began in her knees and she fell to the ground, shaking like a leaf. 'No,' she thought frantically, raising her head to gaze at the last rays of sunlight as they disappeared over the horizon. 'It's happening too fast…the spell is triggering my change too quickly.' Fear coursed through her veins, spreading like wildfire as the transformation took her. Her eyes narrowed to mere slits, the pupils swirling and changing into something resembling cat's eyes. Bowing her head to submit to the whims of her goddess, Kat closed her eyes and let the fire sear through her blood, altering and reshaping her body. Bones snapped and readjusted in her body as it nearly doubled in size, clothing ripped at the seams and fell to the ground in useless rags. Naked flesh was quickly with black fur as it sprouted all over her body; the whimper that had lodged in the back of her throat emerged now as a growl as the transformation was completed. Where Kat, dark-haired young woman had knelt but a moment before, a sleek black panther now stood, eyes flashing red in the fading light.
* * * * * * * * * *
Like a bonfire, the flame on the candle roared to life. The air itself intensified, charged by the power drawn by the redhead's words. Underneath her hand the ground shook, pulsing like an erratic heartbeat. The wood melted away, forming a portal where the bloodstain had been. Light swirled in the depths of the portal, blue and silver tinged with red electricity. Willow felt her fingers sink into the portal; straining, reaching out to the one she was trying to pull back…
* * * * * * * * * *
Suddenly, the demons surrounding the wretched vampire hissed, stepping back from him in fear and agitation. Feeling warmth caress his cold, tortured body Angel lifted his face upward, wincing as he opened his eyes and met with a blinding light. Blue and silver light pierced the depths of Hell, tinged with red electricity as it bathed the vampire in its intense light. It caressed him like a long forgotten lover, bringing with it feelings that soothed his aching heart; intense friendship and undying courage. An image appeared in the vampires mind, that of a young woman with deep red hair and eyes as green as the grass of his homeland. She was kneeling inside a sacred circle and one bloody hand hovered over a swirling portal, then she reached into the eerily lighted tunnel and Angel knew the portal above him for what it was: the miracle he had prayed for; a way home.
Slowly he tried to reach up toward the light, discovering in astonishment that his bonds were broken. Joy and hope suffusing him and giving him strength, Angel stood up and tilted his head back to gaze at the portal, a small smile touching his lips. Dainty fingers reached out from the other end of the portal, reaching out for him. He lifted his hand, straining to touch those welcoming fingers…
* * * * * * * * * *
As she reached into the portal, Willow felt something grab her wrist tightly. Panic welled up inside her for a moment before she felt a rush of emotions coming from the other side of the portal: intense fear, beloved friendship, and unwavering trust. Somehow, she knew it was Angel. Twisting her wrist to capture his, she gritted her teeth and pulled with all her strength, at the same time sending her emotions to the one below: hope, friendship, and happiness. Her lips quivered and her body shook with the effort to drag him out of the portal. It was as if Hell itself was holding onto him, refusing to let go.
* * * * * * * * * *
One of the demons, forgotten at that moment by the vampire, apparently recovered from its discomfort long enough to lunge at him. Desperately Angel reached upward, wildly grasping for the hand that was extended toward him. His hand clamped around her wrist at the same time the creature grabbed him by the waist, trying to drag him bodily away from the portal. Panic rose in his throat, and the vampire twisted in the demon's grasp, kicking his legs with all his might in an attempt to get free. On the other end of the portal, he felt himself being tugged closer and closer to the shining surface of light.
* * * * * * * * * *
Her shoulder burned with the effort to maintain a good grip, her bleeding hand sticky with the blood that pooled underneath. Biting her lower lip, she threw herself backward in one final heave…and as she fell a large bruised and battered male form emerged from the seething portal, still holding tightly to her wrist. Both figures collapsed on the ground, the portal closing with a rush of air behind them.
Willow stared up at the ceiling, gasping for air. Sweat beaded on her face and she turned to peer at the figure lying beside her. A slow, tremulous smile touched her lips as she got a good look at his features. A tear fell down her cheek, staining the wood as she whispered faintly:
"Welcome home Angel." That was her last coherent thought as the poor witch passed into the realm of slumber, drained of all energy.
* * * * * * * * * *
Finally, in what seemed like one desperate lunge, Angel felt his arm being jerked nearly out of its socket. The force behind the pull dislodged the demon on his back, just long enough for Angel to be dragged into the portal. The light became searing, and as he felt himself emerge on the other side, the vampire passed out in exhaustion. He never heard Willow's whispered welcome back, never felt his demon readjusting itself to its confinement in his body once more. But even in his unconscious state he knew his torment was at an end, and he smiled.
* * * * * * * * * *
Shaking its fur, the mighty cat raised its head, staring off into the distance as if searching for something. It felt a presence far ahead, and an urge to get to it as quickly as possible. In a flash of movement it was off, bounding out of sight as silently as the other predators that occupied the town of Sunnydale.
Confounded, Giles stood on the steps of the high school, his mouth agape at what he'd seen in the deepening twilight. Needing to confirm what his mind was telling him, the librarian walked across the street to the spot where the girl, Kat, had been replaced with the largest black panther he'd ever seen.
Spotting the rags that were all that was left of Kats clothing, he bent down and scooped them up. Looking closer at the ground he also saw the change from the shoe prints made by a young woman's sandals to the paw prints of a large predator. 'My God, it was real.' The man thought.
After taking note of the direction the panther had gone Giles made his way back to the library, Kats clothing still in hand. Entering his sanctuary he placed the rags and torn sandals on a chair, then sat down at his desk and opened the bottom drawer, where he'd placed the information he'd gathered for the young woman who; it now seemed, was also a panther. Opening the folder Giles started what would undoubtedly be a long night of research.
* * * * * * * * * *
Silently the dark cat raced through the darkness, enjoying the feel of wind as it ruffled the cat's black fur. Its heightened senses detected other supernatural creatures nearby, making it easy for the panther to navigate around them without much fear of discovery. Normally it would be hunting those things right now, bloodlust raging in its veins; however, a more pressing urge spurred the big cat onward. It grew stronger, beckoning the shadowy beast and spurring it onward.
Soon the black cat slowed in its pace, a dark building looming up in front of the creature. Sniffing the air cautiously, the panther detected the presence of a human…and one of those things that it despised. Its hackles rose and the big predator hissed in anger, fangs glinting in the light of the rising full moon. Moving closer to the side of the house, it sniffed around for a way in.
Sliding through a broken window, the panther landed with a soft thump on all fours. Slowly it stalked through the house, eyes gleaming with a feral light as it sought out its prey. As it came to the main room of the house, the fur on the back of its neck rose once more, and the cat growled menacingly, baring its fangs. In the center of the room lay two still forms, surrounded by some pulsating red light. As the large animal watched, one of the figures stirred, rousing itself long enough to raise its head and look right at the beast. It was the one that reeked of death; the long hated enemy of this animal.
Hissing and spitting, the panther leapt into the air, ready to pounce on its weakened prey…only to yelp in surprise and pain as it encountered the protecting wall of the sacred circle that Willow had cast. Electric fire coursed through the black cat's body and it fell backwards, slumping to the ground before the edge of the circle. As darkness came to embrace the panther, it glared its hatred at the enemy which lay beyond its reach.
* * * * * * * * * *
Angel blinked at the scene he awoke to, confusion and fear warring in him as he watched the giant beast slump into unconsciousness. He had tried to stand, but the spell and torture had combined to leave him severely weakened. Moving his arms, he struggled to sit up, shaking with the effort it took to raise himself a couple of inches off the floor. Finally he collapsed back on the ground, closing his eyes and sighing. Whatever it was, it couldn't hurt him or Willow right now; he would just have to deal with it after he got some sleep.
As the exhausted vampire slipped back into oblivion, the candle in the center of the room continued to burn with an almost ethereal light.
* * * * * * * * * *
Giles sat in his office, carefully studying the information on Egyptian curses Willow had printed up for him to give to Kat. "Bloody hell." The librarian muttered under his breath. He'd found nothing in the printouts about transmogrifying curses, nothing that would give him the faintest clue about the woman/panther. He shut the folder and leaned back in his chair, removing his glasses and pinching the bridge of his nose as if to ward off a headache. Giving up on his search for information about Kat, he decided to concentrate his efforts on trying to find out exactly what Willow may have been up to that had alarmed the brunette woman.
After retrieving his spell books from the locked cabinet that also contained the watchers diaries and his more obscure and valuable books of prophecy, Giles again sat at his desk and began looking through the books, trying to figure out what sort of dangerous spell Willow would have tried.
Hours passed by unnoticed, so engrossed was the librarian in this search. Finally he closed the last volume. Sighing tiredly he thought to himself, 'Rupert, think! What could that girl have been doing that may have been dangerous for her? As far as I know she hasn't done any casting since the soul restoration she attempted for Angel. She hasn't been sleeping well; maybe she attempted a spell to aid her sleep. But no, I don't think any of those spells could be considered dangerous.' The exhausted man made himself a cup of tea and left his office, walking into the main part of the library. He glanced around the room as if the library itself could tell him the answers to his questions. Giles noted that it was about an hour till sunrise; he'd been researching fruitlessly all night.
All of a sudden he spotted Willows computer. "Of course!" The watcher cried. He realized now his mistake. Willow would have kept notes, or some clue of what she was doing on her computer. He rushed over to it, skidding to a halt before the foul piece of machinery. "Now listen you," Giles spoke aloud to the monitor. "You don't like me, and I certainly don't like you, but Willow may be in danger so we're going to have to work together on this. I promise, if you give me what I want I will never touch you again." He sat down before the computer, thinking idly about what a nonce he must look like, speaking to a machine. He turned it on and waited for it to boot up.
The background picture on the monitor showed Buffy, Willow, Xander, Cordelia and himself sitting at the table in the middle of the library. He smiled, remembering that Jenny had come in one day and taken that picture. Giles looked over the icons on the desktop, double clicking on the folder icon titled Willow. It was filled with various documents and sub folders, none of which he thought might be useful as they appeared to be homework assignments.
'Hmm, maybe something on the internet?' Giles thought. He closed Willows folder and tentatively logged himself onto the net. After a few minutes of searching, he found the email program and managed to open it. Glancing at the subject lines on each email he deduced that there was nothing of interest there and closed the program.
'Alright, that was pointless. Let's try that surf program thing.' He thought. Another search got him into the web browser. 'Now what was it she did whenever she wanted to search the coroners' files? Ah yes, favorites.' He opened the pull down menu for Willows favorites folder, smiling slightly when he saw that it was neatly organized into categories. Demons, Newspaper, Miscellaneous, Possibilities, Public Offices, Warez, and Witchcraft.
Most of the folders held no interest to the librarian. He honed in one the one labeled Possibilities first. It turned out to be his lucky break. Inside the folder were links to sites that, though varied in type, all but one held to the same theme: inter-dimensional travel. There were scientific papers, spells, and rituals, to open portals between the dimensions. But the one anomaly to the theme caught his attention; it was labeled Prayers to Egyptian Deities. He clicked the link and the web page loaded for him. It was filled with text relating to Egypt and the deities of the ancient Egyptian culture. At the bottom of the title page were links to several different deities, the links were marked by hieroglyphs along with the name of the God or Goddess. Giles studied the hieroglyphs closely, until his eyes rested on the link to the Goddess Sakhmet; the hieroglyphic name of Sakhmet was the same as the tattoo on Kats back.
Immediately Giles clicked the link. He knew very little of this goddess, but he was certain this page held at least some of the information he needed to find out just what the hell had happened tonight. He read through the page, noting phrases like divine vengeance, Lady of Pestilence, and healer. To the librarian, this goddess seemed to be a warrior for justice; she would lend her aid to warriors in peril if their cause was good. There were links to a few prayers and spells to invoke the aid of the goddess. He clicked on the link to a ritual spell called Light the Path. As he read through the ritual his eyes widened in fear for his charge. He knew now what she had done. Giles jumped out of his chair and ran for the door, stopping only long enough to grab a stake; he had to get to the mansion.
Giles drove, as fast as his Citroen would go. As the town flew by him the librarian went over what he knew. 'Willow always said the second attempt at the restoration worked. She believes in her heart that Angel went to hell with his soul intact. Even after all that Angelus has done to us she couldn't leave him there, not if he had his soul. Foolish girl, there's no way to know for sure the restoration worked.
He was close to the mansion now. But he was going to be too late. The sun was rising. He kept going, he had to know. His thoughts continued to plague him, making him press the gas pedal to the floorboards, urging him to go faster, to find whatever he would. 'If she's done this, and he's Angelus, she could be dead already. If she attempted it and failed, she could be in hell right alongside him.'
Willow could barely contain her nervous energy. Tonight was the night; she had the necessary ingredients, and she would be performing the spell to rescue Angel from Hell. A nervous smile touched the hacker's lips as she darted around frantically, grabbing the things she would need for the spell. Glancing around the room, she looked down at the list she clutched in one hand, making sure she got everything. All that remained was one thing. Grabbing the bag that contained all her supplies, she raced downstairs, careening into the kitchen and braking just before the fridge. Silently the redhead thanked her wayward parents for not being home this week as she opened the door and very, very carefully removed the sealed bags of blood she had thought to get the other night.
As she made her way to the front door she stopped, glancing back around the empty house nervously. A tiny part of her mind tried to talk her out of this risky, foolish attempt. It sounded a lot like Kat; a notion that made Willow frown. The brunette had been very agitated of late; she barely spoke unless Willow or Xander asked her something, and she spent a lot of time glancing at the moon. A couple of times she had caught the dark young woman staring at her, her eyes containing a hint of fear. It was as if Kat knew something about what Willow was going to do…and maybe didn't approve of it.
Willow's eyes flashed, twin emerald's glittering with determination. Kat or no Kat, she was doing this spell. Her resolve face firmly in place, the redhead turned and marched out the door, slamming it behind her. Hitching the backpack up on her shoulder, she moved away from the house and down the street, heading for the site she had chosen to perform the spell…the place where it all began.
The mansion.
* * * * * * * * * *
Kat stood outside the doors of the high school library, one hand raised to push the door open. Her eyes swirled through a myriad of colors, reflecting the turmoil inside of her. Reaching up to twirl a strand of her dark hair in her fingers, the young woman pondered what she should do. She was fairly certain that Willow would try something tonight, though what she couldn't say. All week she had watched the redhead as the trio patrolled the town, trying to figure out what her motivation was. She had even tried asking a few questions, probing deeper into the mystery surrounding the Slayer, and her connection to the two teenagers.
But Willow was nearly as secretive about herself as Kat was. Sighing, the brunette shook her head; how could she expect anyone to confide in her when she couldn't even tell them about herself? Uneasily she recalled the other day, when she had made excuses for not joining Willow and Xander on their patrol. She couldn't tell them the truth…despite the warnings of her recent nightmares, Kat had become rather fond of the two vampire hunters. She wasn't ready to give up the friendship they were tentatively offering her.
Abruptly she shook her head, eyes darkening stonily as she admonished her foolish thoughts. 'It's only a matter of time before they find out,' she thought bitterly, 'and you'll have to move on.' For some reason that particular reminder made her even sadder.
Glancing at a clock on the nearby wall, Kat noted it was roughly 20 minutes before sunset. 'Cutting it a little close, but this has to be done.' Taking a deep breath, she pushed the library doors open, stepping softly into the room. Her voice was low as she called out, eyes darting about for signs of life.
* * * * * * * * * *
Willow stared at the floor in the middle of the mansion, her eyes riveted to a particular spot. Even though it had been months since Buffy had sent Angel to hell, the stain left by his blood remained. Slowly she lowered her backpack to the ground, sinking to her knees beside it. Her hand reached out, caressing the darkened area of wood sadly. Tears formed in her eyes and she brushed them aside. Taking a deep breath, she offered the blood-soaked wood a shaky smile. 'Soon Angel…very soon,' she thought, hoping he heard her thoughts and drew comfort from them.
Turning, she opened the backpack and withdrew a container of salt. Brushing her crimson hair out of her eyes she bent forward and poured the salt in a large circle around the area she would use to perform the spell. In the very center lay the spot where Angel had left this plane of existence.
Once completed, Willow went about setting up the items needed for the spell. Beside the bloodstain she placed a shallow wooden bowl. The bottom was fairly flat, which allowed her to place her next object in the bowl without fear of it tipping over: a red, tapered candle. Slowly she withdrew another object from the backpack. A simple dagger she had picked up a few days before, its blade was curvy and double-edged, coming to a point seven inches from the hilt. The pommel of the dagger was etched with the Egyptian symbol of healing, an ankh. This had seemed a good sign to the redheaded witch at the time she had purchased the dagger.
Now, staring at the object in her hand, Willow once again felt anxious about what she was planning on doing. Would she really be able to pull this off? Staring at the gleaming metal of the blade, she reached up to run her finger along its edge. Feeling the slight prick of the tip against her finger, the young witch drew herself out of her doubtful thoughts and placed the dagger in front of the bowl and candle. Checking to see that all was in place, she checked her watch to verify the time. Fifteen minutes until sunset. It was time.
Taking a slow, deep breath, the petite witch closed her eyes and tried to still her thoughts. Her breathing began to even out as she focused on relaxing, mentally readying herself for the power of the spell she was about to start. All doubts and thoughts of mysterious brunettes faded out of mind as one face and name became fixated in her head.
Angel.
* * * * * * * * * *
"Mr. Giles?" Not seeing anyone about, she crept further into the room, moving in the direction of his office door. Again she called out his name, "Mr. Giles?" The pretty brunette spotted the light in the librarians' office just a moment before the man himself appeared.
"Why Kat, it's good to see you again. Please do come in. Can I offer you some tea?" Giles asked when he saw the lovely young woman standing before him. He'd rather expected her sooner than this. She'd seemed quite eager to have the information she'd been looking for the last time they'd spoken. 'But before I give her anything,' the older man admonished himself, 'I'm going to get some insight into her motives.'
Shaking her head, the young woman glanced around once more to make sure there was no one else around. As she turned back to face the librarian, she folded her arms over her chest. "No, thank you. I came to talk to you about something," she paused, then added, "and perhaps to ask you a few questions."
"Really." The handsome librarian said, the word sounding more like a statement than a question. If Kat had known what to look for she would've seen a certain gleam enter the mans eye and a subtle shifting of his stance that signaled a change in his entire demeanor. The woman's attitude was a tad off putting and Giles was determined not to give her anything without getting something in return. Therefore, Ripper was about to make himself known. "Well dear, I find I've a few questions of my own for you. Why don't we go into my office." Giles gestured for the brunette to precede him and shut the office door once they were both inside. He walked around his desk and sat down behind it. His eyes fell on the still standing woman and he gave her a look that clearly indicated he wanted her to start the conversation.
The hair on the back of Kat's neck stiffened, and she darted a glance to the door, as if debating whether or not she could make it out before he was after her. A predator herself, she recognized the same qualities in others…and right now the man she'd previously deemed a harmless, cultured librarian looked like he was on the hunt. Mr. Giles wanted something from her, and from the looks of it he would get it before he answered any of her questions.
Kat's eyes darkened and narrowed, emerald slits that threatened with less practiced subtlety than Giles' 'Ripper-mode.' Unfolding her arms, she leaned forward, placing her hands on the desk as she glared at the librarian. Her voice came with a low growl as she spoke. "Look Mr. Giles, I realize I haven't exactly been forthcoming about my intentions with you and your little slaying gang, but this is not the time to get into it." Even as she spoke she could feel the sun sinking closer to the horizon. Her tattoo felt warm on her back as she continued. "Right now that little redheaded witch of yours is getting herself into all sorts of trouble, and if she isn't stopped something bad is going to happen."
* * * * * * * * * *
It was time. Slowly the redhead opened her eyes, staring unseeingly at the wick of the red candle. Her lips opened and she began to speak, her voice not entirely her own; some otherworldly element added cadence to her words.
"Sakhmet, Daughter of Ra, I beg thee hear my plea. Thy guiding light is fading; night's dark cloak descends. I stand alone to hold back the encroaching darkness. I ask you, goddess of light, lend me your strength that I might combat the forces of evil and right the wrong that was done here. Light my way and guide my feet upon your path. Let your sheltering light aid me and protect me in my quest; that none may do harm within this circle so long as your blessed flame burns..."
As Willow prayed, her eyes remained fixed on the wick of the candle. A rush of air filled the room, teasing her hair wildly about her face; the air was dry and hot, like a desert breeze. Her eyes seemed to take on an inner brilliance, fire radiating from those twin emerald orbs. One dainty hand rose of its own volition, fingers extended toward the tip of the crimson taper. Suddenly the breeze in the room shifted, whipping her hair in front of her face. The air seemed to grow hotter, expanding from behind Willow in both directions, encompassing the young girl within.
Without taking her eyes off the candle tip, Willow could feel the energy surging out from behind her, licking a path around the line she drew on the ground. In her mind's eye she could see the line glow, a deep red that pulsed like a heartbeat. It encompassed the circle, and the candle sputtered to life with a snap of the girls' fingers, a flame greedily leaping up on the end of the wick. It flickered in the breeze that stirred inside the manor, yet never went out. Slowly the wind died down, and yet the flame continued to dance on the candle, drawing Willow's gaze into its depths.
Strength and purpose surged through her body, burning through her veins in a powerful elixir. She had done it; she had been granted Sakhmet's protection for her foray into Hell. Licking her lips, she lowered her hand, trembling inside with the effort to focus on the second half of her casting. This would be much harder than setting the path; now she must reach out onto the path and draw something from the shadows. Drawing a deep breath, she prepared for the next step; retrieving Angel.
* * * * * * * * * *
Angel wasn't alone; he was never alone. Even as he knelt in the dark depths of Hell he could feel his demon and others pressing close on all sides, taking almost physical pleasure from his pain. His arms were pulled out to each side and raised slightly so as to cause the greatest discomfort, and held in place with heavy iron chains. Blood oozed from the many cuts and scrapes that marred his chest and back. His cheeks were stained scarlet from the many bloody tears the vampire had shed as his demon flayed his back time and time again with many cruel implements of torture, for what seemed like an eternity.
One of the demons leaned forward, licking the sweat and blood off of Angel's back. He stiffened slightly, recoiling from the demon's touch and shuddering. His head bowed forward, chin resting on his chest which was slick with blood and sweat. He couldn't take much more of this; it already felt like centuries since he had been cast into Hell. Desperately, the dark-haired vampire prayed to all the deities he knew of for a miracle; for some way out of this never-ending nightmare.
* * * * * * * * * *
Giles mouth opened in shock. A split second later he bolted from his chair, fear for his young charge cutting through the shock of Kats statement. "WHAT?" he roared at the emerald eyed girl, "What is Willow doing and how in the bloody hell do you know about it?" He'd known Willow was up to something, she didn't lie well and he'd caught on to her nervous tension during the week. 'But what is the girl up to that would sound an alarm to this woman who hardly knows her.' The librarian thought. He reigned in his growing panic and glared back at Kat, waiting impatiently for her answer.
"I'm not sure what she's up to; all I know is that it has something to do with dreams…or something like that," Kat was having a hard time concentrating, her back began throbbing with a painful heat as she forced herself to continue. "How do I know she's in trouble? Well, see, it sort of relates to some dreams of my own…" Wincing, the young woman arched back, reaching behind to touch the small of her back where her tattoo was located, it felt like it was on fire. Touching the spot gingerly, she hissed and brought her hand back; her fingers were scalded, and her back was searing hot to the touch.
* * * * * * * * * *
Her course was set, but the most difficult part was now at hand, though Sakhmet was known as a healer, a benevolent goddess, she required a blood sacrifice for a favor of the magnitude Willow was about to ask of her. The crimson haired witch picked up the dagger and placed it against her palm.
"Goddess Sakhmet, Daughter of Ra. You have blessed the path I am about to take. Now, with my blood as sacrifice I beg of you, open the way through the dimensions, remove all obstacles that stand between me and the souled demon whose blood was spilled in this place before my circle was cast."
Willow drew a deep breath, held her palm and the dagger over the bowl, directly over the flame of the candle. A quick slice and a gasp of indrawn breath, and the witches' dark blood dripped from her hand, over the undying flame of the candle, and into the ceremonial bowl.
* * * * * * * * * *
'What's going on?' The dark-haired young woman thought, looking at her fingers, then at Giles. A sick feeling came over her, and she glanced toward the window, noting with dismay how close the sun was to the horizon. 'Sunset…damn it's too near sunset.' A growl issued from the girl's throat as it all came together in her mind. "It's too late; she's already started, and it's too damn late!" The last few words spat out in a vicious snarl, she spun around and raced for the door before Giles could say a word, the back of her shirt riding up to expose the tattoo to his eyes. It was an angry red, pulsing like a heartbeat as she ran from him.
"Kat!" Giles shouted as the girl ran from his office. Before she exited the library he saw what was paining her. The hieroglyph tattooed on her lower back was ablaze with a throbbing red glow. He ran after her, chasing her through the school and out onto the front steps where he had to stop to catch his breath. "KAT!" The highly confused librarian called out one last time. The brunette was across the street by now, heading into the park. As he watched her sprinting away from him the sun sank below the horizon and before his eyes the fleeing woman seemed to shimmer and crouching down, she transformed.
* * * * * * * * * *
Willow watched, unblinking, and when the blood had nearly covered the bottom of the bowl she continued her prayer. "Sakhmet, my offering is complete. As my blood mixes with the blood of the one I seek, I beg of thee, I pray to thee.
BRING HIM FORTH!" With the last sentence exhaled on a shout of desperation Willow moved her bleeding palm from its place over the bowl to the old bloodstain beside it. A single drop of blood hung from the witches' hand for a moment, then fell to the ground, mixing with the blood of her lost friend.
* * * * * * * * * *
As Kat crossed the street the pain in her back increased intolerably. A trembling began in her knees and she fell to the ground, shaking like a leaf. 'No,' she thought frantically, raising her head to gaze at the last rays of sunlight as they disappeared over the horizon. 'It's happening too fast…the spell is triggering my change too quickly.' Fear coursed through her veins, spreading like wildfire as the transformation took her. Her eyes narrowed to mere slits, the pupils swirling and changing into something resembling cat's eyes. Bowing her head to submit to the whims of her goddess, Kat closed her eyes and let the fire sear through her blood, altering and reshaping her body. Bones snapped and readjusted in her body as it nearly doubled in size, clothing ripped at the seams and fell to the ground in useless rags. Naked flesh was quickly with black fur as it sprouted all over her body; the whimper that had lodged in the back of her throat emerged now as a growl as the transformation was completed. Where Kat, dark-haired young woman had knelt but a moment before, a sleek black panther now stood, eyes flashing red in the fading light.
* * * * * * * * * *
Like a bonfire, the flame on the candle roared to life. The air itself intensified, charged by the power drawn by the redhead's words. Underneath her hand the ground shook, pulsing like an erratic heartbeat. The wood melted away, forming a portal where the bloodstain had been. Light swirled in the depths of the portal, blue and silver tinged with red electricity. Willow felt her fingers sink into the portal; straining, reaching out to the one she was trying to pull back…
* * * * * * * * * *
Suddenly, the demons surrounding the wretched vampire hissed, stepping back from him in fear and agitation. Feeling warmth caress his cold, tortured body Angel lifted his face upward, wincing as he opened his eyes and met with a blinding light. Blue and silver light pierced the depths of Hell, tinged with red electricity as it bathed the vampire in its intense light. It caressed him like a long forgotten lover, bringing with it feelings that soothed his aching heart; intense friendship and undying courage. An image appeared in the vampires mind, that of a young woman with deep red hair and eyes as green as the grass of his homeland. She was kneeling inside a sacred circle and one bloody hand hovered over a swirling portal, then she reached into the eerily lighted tunnel and Angel knew the portal above him for what it was: the miracle he had prayed for; a way home.
Slowly he tried to reach up toward the light, discovering in astonishment that his bonds were broken. Joy and hope suffusing him and giving him strength, Angel stood up and tilted his head back to gaze at the portal, a small smile touching his lips. Dainty fingers reached out from the other end of the portal, reaching out for him. He lifted his hand, straining to touch those welcoming fingers…
* * * * * * * * * *
As she reached into the portal, Willow felt something grab her wrist tightly. Panic welled up inside her for a moment before she felt a rush of emotions coming from the other side of the portal: intense fear, beloved friendship, and unwavering trust. Somehow, she knew it was Angel. Twisting her wrist to capture his, she gritted her teeth and pulled with all her strength, at the same time sending her emotions to the one below: hope, friendship, and happiness. Her lips quivered and her body shook with the effort to drag him out of the portal. It was as if Hell itself was holding onto him, refusing to let go.
* * * * * * * * * *
One of the demons, forgotten at that moment by the vampire, apparently recovered from its discomfort long enough to lunge at him. Desperately Angel reached upward, wildly grasping for the hand that was extended toward him. His hand clamped around her wrist at the same time the creature grabbed him by the waist, trying to drag him bodily away from the portal. Panic rose in his throat, and the vampire twisted in the demon's grasp, kicking his legs with all his might in an attempt to get free. On the other end of the portal, he felt himself being tugged closer and closer to the shining surface of light.
* * * * * * * * * *
Her shoulder burned with the effort to maintain a good grip, her bleeding hand sticky with the blood that pooled underneath. Biting her lower lip, she threw herself backward in one final heave…and as she fell a large bruised and battered male form emerged from the seething portal, still holding tightly to her wrist. Both figures collapsed on the ground, the portal closing with a rush of air behind them.
Willow stared up at the ceiling, gasping for air. Sweat beaded on her face and she turned to peer at the figure lying beside her. A slow, tremulous smile touched her lips as she got a good look at his features. A tear fell down her cheek, staining the wood as she whispered faintly:
"Welcome home Angel." That was her last coherent thought as the poor witch passed into the realm of slumber, drained of all energy.
* * * * * * * * * *
Finally, in what seemed like one desperate lunge, Angel felt his arm being jerked nearly out of its socket. The force behind the pull dislodged the demon on his back, just long enough for Angel to be dragged into the portal. The light became searing, and as he felt himself emerge on the other side, the vampire passed out in exhaustion. He never heard Willow's whispered welcome back, never felt his demon readjusting itself to its confinement in his body once more. But even in his unconscious state he knew his torment was at an end, and he smiled.
* * * * * * * * * *
Shaking its fur, the mighty cat raised its head, staring off into the distance as if searching for something. It felt a presence far ahead, and an urge to get to it as quickly as possible. In a flash of movement it was off, bounding out of sight as silently as the other predators that occupied the town of Sunnydale.
Confounded, Giles stood on the steps of the high school, his mouth agape at what he'd seen in the deepening twilight. Needing to confirm what his mind was telling him, the librarian walked across the street to the spot where the girl, Kat, had been replaced with the largest black panther he'd ever seen.
Spotting the rags that were all that was left of Kats clothing, he bent down and scooped them up. Looking closer at the ground he also saw the change from the shoe prints made by a young woman's sandals to the paw prints of a large predator. 'My God, it was real.' The man thought.
After taking note of the direction the panther had gone Giles made his way back to the library, Kats clothing still in hand. Entering his sanctuary he placed the rags and torn sandals on a chair, then sat down at his desk and opened the bottom drawer, where he'd placed the information he'd gathered for the young woman who; it now seemed, was also a panther. Opening the folder Giles started what would undoubtedly be a long night of research.
* * * * * * * * * *
Silently the dark cat raced through the darkness, enjoying the feel of wind as it ruffled the cat's black fur. Its heightened senses detected other supernatural creatures nearby, making it easy for the panther to navigate around them without much fear of discovery. Normally it would be hunting those things right now, bloodlust raging in its veins; however, a more pressing urge spurred the big cat onward. It grew stronger, beckoning the shadowy beast and spurring it onward.
Soon the black cat slowed in its pace, a dark building looming up in front of the creature. Sniffing the air cautiously, the panther detected the presence of a human…and one of those things that it despised. Its hackles rose and the big predator hissed in anger, fangs glinting in the light of the rising full moon. Moving closer to the side of the house, it sniffed around for a way in.
Sliding through a broken window, the panther landed with a soft thump on all fours. Slowly it stalked through the house, eyes gleaming with a feral light as it sought out its prey. As it came to the main room of the house, the fur on the back of its neck rose once more, and the cat growled menacingly, baring its fangs. In the center of the room lay two still forms, surrounded by some pulsating red light. As the large animal watched, one of the figures stirred, rousing itself long enough to raise its head and look right at the beast. It was the one that reeked of death; the long hated enemy of this animal.
Hissing and spitting, the panther leapt into the air, ready to pounce on its weakened prey…only to yelp in surprise and pain as it encountered the protecting wall of the sacred circle that Willow had cast. Electric fire coursed through the black cat's body and it fell backwards, slumping to the ground before the edge of the circle. As darkness came to embrace the panther, it glared its hatred at the enemy which lay beyond its reach.
* * * * * * * * * *
Angel blinked at the scene he awoke to, confusion and fear warring in him as he watched the giant beast slump into unconsciousness. He had tried to stand, but the spell and torture had combined to leave him severely weakened. Moving his arms, he struggled to sit up, shaking with the effort it took to raise himself a couple of inches off the floor. Finally he collapsed back on the ground, closing his eyes and sighing. Whatever it was, it couldn't hurt him or Willow right now; he would just have to deal with it after he got some sleep.
As the exhausted vampire slipped back into oblivion, the candle in the center of the room continued to burn with an almost ethereal light.
* * * * * * * * * *
Giles sat in his office, carefully studying the information on Egyptian curses Willow had printed up for him to give to Kat. "Bloody hell." The librarian muttered under his breath. He'd found nothing in the printouts about transmogrifying curses, nothing that would give him the faintest clue about the woman/panther. He shut the folder and leaned back in his chair, removing his glasses and pinching the bridge of his nose as if to ward off a headache. Giving up on his search for information about Kat, he decided to concentrate his efforts on trying to find out exactly what Willow may have been up to that had alarmed the brunette woman.
After retrieving his spell books from the locked cabinet that also contained the watchers diaries and his more obscure and valuable books of prophecy, Giles again sat at his desk and began looking through the books, trying to figure out what sort of dangerous spell Willow would have tried.
Hours passed by unnoticed, so engrossed was the librarian in this search. Finally he closed the last volume. Sighing tiredly he thought to himself, 'Rupert, think! What could that girl have been doing that may have been dangerous for her? As far as I know she hasn't done any casting since the soul restoration she attempted for Angel. She hasn't been sleeping well; maybe she attempted a spell to aid her sleep. But no, I don't think any of those spells could be considered dangerous.' The exhausted man made himself a cup of tea and left his office, walking into the main part of the library. He glanced around the room as if the library itself could tell him the answers to his questions. Giles noted that it was about an hour till sunrise; he'd been researching fruitlessly all night.
All of a sudden he spotted Willows computer. "Of course!" The watcher cried. He realized now his mistake. Willow would have kept notes, or some clue of what she was doing on her computer. He rushed over to it, skidding to a halt before the foul piece of machinery. "Now listen you," Giles spoke aloud to the monitor. "You don't like me, and I certainly don't like you, but Willow may be in danger so we're going to have to work together on this. I promise, if you give me what I want I will never touch you again." He sat down before the computer, thinking idly about what a nonce he must look like, speaking to a machine. He turned it on and waited for it to boot up.
The background picture on the monitor showed Buffy, Willow, Xander, Cordelia and himself sitting at the table in the middle of the library. He smiled, remembering that Jenny had come in one day and taken that picture. Giles looked over the icons on the desktop, double clicking on the folder icon titled Willow. It was filled with various documents and sub folders, none of which he thought might be useful as they appeared to be homework assignments.
'Hmm, maybe something on the internet?' Giles thought. He closed Willows folder and tentatively logged himself onto the net. After a few minutes of searching, he found the email program and managed to open it. Glancing at the subject lines on each email he deduced that there was nothing of interest there and closed the program.
'Alright, that was pointless. Let's try that surf program thing.' He thought. Another search got him into the web browser. 'Now what was it she did whenever she wanted to search the coroners' files? Ah yes, favorites.' He opened the pull down menu for Willows favorites folder, smiling slightly when he saw that it was neatly organized into categories. Demons, Newspaper, Miscellaneous, Possibilities, Public Offices, Warez, and Witchcraft.
Most of the folders held no interest to the librarian. He honed in one the one labeled Possibilities first. It turned out to be his lucky break. Inside the folder were links to sites that, though varied in type, all but one held to the same theme: inter-dimensional travel. There were scientific papers, spells, and rituals, to open portals between the dimensions. But the one anomaly to the theme caught his attention; it was labeled Prayers to Egyptian Deities. He clicked the link and the web page loaded for him. It was filled with text relating to Egypt and the deities of the ancient Egyptian culture. At the bottom of the title page were links to several different deities, the links were marked by hieroglyphs along with the name of the God or Goddess. Giles studied the hieroglyphs closely, until his eyes rested on the link to the Goddess Sakhmet; the hieroglyphic name of Sakhmet was the same as the tattoo on Kats back.
Immediately Giles clicked the link. He knew very little of this goddess, but he was certain this page held at least some of the information he needed to find out just what the hell had happened tonight. He read through the page, noting phrases like divine vengeance, Lady of Pestilence, and healer. To the librarian, this goddess seemed to be a warrior for justice; she would lend her aid to warriors in peril if their cause was good. There were links to a few prayers and spells to invoke the aid of the goddess. He clicked on the link to a ritual spell called Light the Path. As he read through the ritual his eyes widened in fear for his charge. He knew now what she had done. Giles jumped out of his chair and ran for the door, stopping only long enough to grab a stake; he had to get to the mansion.
Giles drove, as fast as his Citroen would go. As the town flew by him the librarian went over what he knew. 'Willow always said the second attempt at the restoration worked. She believes in her heart that Angel went to hell with his soul intact. Even after all that Angelus has done to us she couldn't leave him there, not if he had his soul. Foolish girl, there's no way to know for sure the restoration worked.
He was close to the mansion now. But he was going to be too late. The sun was rising. He kept going, he had to know. His thoughts continued to plague him, making him press the gas pedal to the floorboards, urging him to go faster, to find whatever he would. 'If she's done this, and he's Angelus, she could be dead already. If she attempted it and failed, she could be in hell right alongside him.'