Before I forget, I would like to give a big thanks to my beta, FallenFaith,
and also to all those who have reviewed. I hope you all enjoy this as much
as I do writing it.
Chapter 4
Lost in the Confusion
Kennedy walked around the small motel they had been staying in, the small towns only form of lodging, kicking aimlessly at the small rocks that littered the ground. So far they had been here for almost forty-eight hours, and were no closer to finding out what had happened. She hated waiting around- her natural restlessness, combined with her slayer need to be doing something left her feeling edgy, and this place had a serious lack of extracurricular activity.
Turning the final corner, she made her way back to the room she shared with Willow, hoping that the woman had finally received the stuff she needed to cast the spell to check how Robin had died. Having the things shipped in had put a cramp in the timetable. Walking in the door, she could hear the shower running, and after a quick glance at the end table, she saw she had been granted not just one, but two things she wanted.
Removing her clothes as she went, she crossed the room to join her lover in the shower.
***
The sheet was twisted around his legs, testament to his restless nights sleep. In his dreams Xander had been thrown back in time, images of Anya brought forth be seeing his friends once more, memories of happier times, and the things he wished he could change. Freeing himself, he stood, feeling closer to forty-four then twenty-four as his body protested.
Grabbing his bag, he moved into the bathroom, turning the shower spray on to hot and leaned against the sink, looking at his reflection as he waited for the water to heat up. Staring back at him was a stranger, a man who he did not recognize anymore. Gone was the jokester, instead there was a man who had spent months all but alone, trying to find who he was. Now all he had to do was not revert back to type when he was around the others and maybe, just maybe, he would find some peace.
With a grimace, he pulled the shower curtain back, stepping under the steaming spray, letting it wash his thoughts away, if even for a moment.
***
As Giles returned from the small café, two cups of coffee and some donuts clutched in his hands, he thought back on what they had so far uncovered. The Faiths clothes, as well as her weapons had still been in the truck. meaning that she probably did not just kill Robin and run, left a hole in the Sheriffs evidence. What bothered him the most was the length of time that they had been missing. He had been so busy trying to get the new council going, and finding the new Slayers, that it never dawned on him that two people he should have kept an eye on had dropped out of sight.
Guilt. That was what was driving him now. He was not holding out any hope that Faith was still alive. He knew she had cared for Wood, in her own way, and she would not have just let him die without s fight. All he could do now was to try and find who, or what, had done this, then he would have the time to let his feeling out.
Ripper was waiting just under the surface, waiting to be unleashed on the person who dared mess with on of his children. Rupert Giles stopped dead in his tracks as he realized what he had just admitted to himself.
***
Buffy paced her room, turning just before she reached the wall, trying to decide what she should do. Tonight they were going to head back to the campsite so Willow could work her magic. She hated this. She thought she had been able to give this life up, spending time with her sister; but it just seemed to suck her back in. The harder she tried for normal, the less she found.
The only reason she was her now was because even though she and Faith would never be best friends, she felt she owed the younger woman something. She had spent the flight over thinking about it, all the mistakes they had all made, and the consequences that brought with it. What she could have done different was easy to see now, but back then she had missed it.
Now, all she wanted was to finish this, one way or the other, she just hoped she could make up for the past.
***
He sat, staring off into the dark recesses of the cave; his eye's were unfocused, and he was joined with the one who served him. His link with her allowed him to see what she saw, and he could not help but grim as she attacked the demon she faced. He could feel the desire for the kill, the bloodlust facing her foe filled her with. He had chosen her well, her dark past was not unknown to him, he had watched her when she had first fallen into her powers deadly call.
His brethren did not know the true power that she had. They only though of her as a way to regain what had been stolen from them. His binding spells allowed him to draw some of the power into himself, and soon, he would be able to do away with those who wished to keep themselves separate. Four thousand years was long enough to fight the good fight. He wanted to take his rightful place in the world.
He smiled wider as he saw the demon fall; the bloody entrails a testament of his creatures fury unleashed.
***
The sun was just starting to fade behind the cliffs as they arrived at the deserted strip of desert, the wind kicking up small dust devils as it swirled around them. Letting Willow move down towards the abandoned fire pit, the others leaned back against the rental car, keeping to their own thoughts of the day.
Laying out her supplies, Willow made sure she had everything before settling down cross legged on the still warm sand. Taking a deep breath, she looked back at her friends, giving a faint smile, before turning back and focusing on her task.
After drawing the sign of the pentagram, she placed the five white candles she had brought on each of the points, lighting each one as she said a short prayer to the Goddess. When that was done, she sprinkled Mugwort over each, watching as the candles started to give off faint wisps of smoke. Satisfied, she stood up and moved into the center of the star.
"To see the truth to know the way."
She faced east, towards where the sun rose as she recited the first line, the first point in the star. Tossing a piece of Faiths jewelry, a bracelet.
"I cast this spell In every way."
To the next point she tossed an earring.
"By the power of three times three, times three ."
This point was a stake, removed from the dark Slayer's weapons chest.
"Give the truth unto to me."
To this point went her knife, the one she had received from the mayor so many years ago, returned after the battle against the first.
As she finished reciting the spell, she turned and faced the final point. Here she did not place anything, for this was the direction that was left open, North, for the truth to reach her. The wind kicked up, and tiny pieces of sand started to graze her skin, swirling around her in a vortex as her friends watched from behind her.
As the vortex started to pick up power, she closed her eyes, waiting for the vision to come, unaware of anything but what she set forth to do. Behind her the others had to take cover, the blowing sand abrasive against exposed skin, and as they shut the door, they could do nothing but wait.
***
Another one. Pretender. Thief. She could feel her approaching, and a low rumble filled the night air as she waited for the one who dared challenge her place.
***
Willow was in total darkness. Not even a sound reaching her ears. She did not know what way was up or down in the void. Moving, she fell over something solid and reaching out, she touched cloth. Feeling around a bit more, she discovered it was a body, curled up in a tight ball, but even as she tried to decide if they were living or dead the body sprung into action, shoving her away.
She flew through the air, falling, falling, with no end in sight, still locked in total darkness until with out warning she was hitting the ground. Looking around, she found she was layingon a street, at night. The buildings dark and foreboding in the wane light of two lamps posts. Hearing the sound of running feet she turned and saw a young girl running right at her, only to pass through her as she stood up.
A familiar sensation tugged at her, all but forcing her to follow after, and she took off. The girl, just a teenager, kept running, casting terrified glances over her shoulder as she did, and Willow found she too was looking to see what was coming, but the street behind her was empty of life.
Turning a corner, she saw the girl as she neared the end of a darkened alley, only to have a figure come hurtling at the girl, taking her to the ground. As they rolled, Willow ran to help, but as she reached out her hand passed through them both. Shocked, she jumped back as the unknown figure hurled the girl against the wall with enough force to cause bones to break, and the girl dropped to her knees.
With a shaking hand, the girl pushed her hair back, reveling a face covered in bruises and blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. Forcing herself upright, she made as though to run, only to have the creature gab her by the throat, holding her off the ground with one hand. As Willow watched, helpless, she saw the dark shape start to glow, mystical energy tracing up and down its arms and legs in an unknown pattern.
As the glow intensified, the figure's right hand seemed to glow even brighter just before they struck out, hitting the girl in the chest, holding her up now by that hand alone. As a soundless scream was torn from her lips, the girl seemed to glow for a minute, and then, finally, it was over.
Willow looked on, helpless as she dropped limply to the grime encrusted ground and the figure turned and stalked over to her. Her eyes opened wide in shock as the figure stopped in front off her, back lit by a feebly light and through dirty matted hair, eyes that glowed with the same eerie light as the designs on the rest of the body looked at her.
'MINE!' a voice growled at her, full of menace and hatred and then she felt something slam into her chest before she blacked out.
***
'The witch tries to interfere.' A voice spoke from the dark. 'This must not be allowed.'
'She is powerless against our magic. She dares not meddle in the dark arts any longer.'
'We must not let them find out the truth. To much is at stake.'
'How would you stop them?'
'We must step up our plans. Send the Slayer out only after the others.'
'And if they run into each other again?'
'We kill the witch and the other two, we can do with out them.'
'The oldest is an abomination already, and the younger will fail when we kill her lover.'
***
Xander watched helplessly as he saw Willow tossed across the desert floor, falling lifelessly and rolling over twice before coming to a stop. Even as she landed, he was out off the door, running towards her, scanning for what had tossed the powerful Wicca like a rag doll, but he only saw the vortex as it wink out of existence.
He was aware of others beside him as he dropped to his knees, finding the erratic pulse on the redhead, breathing a sigh of relief as it seemed to strengthen and return to normal under his fingertips.
Turning her over carefully, he looked up at Giles as he saw the mark on her chest, for, burned right through the cloth of her shirt, was a hand print, a strange blue symbol glowing in the center of it.
***
Hmmmm, this is where some say 'review', I however write for my enjoyment, and not just for reviews, so there will be no begging, just a 'hope you like'.
Now, where did I put that battle ax? Lol
***
Chapter 4
Lost in the Confusion
Kennedy walked around the small motel they had been staying in, the small towns only form of lodging, kicking aimlessly at the small rocks that littered the ground. So far they had been here for almost forty-eight hours, and were no closer to finding out what had happened. She hated waiting around- her natural restlessness, combined with her slayer need to be doing something left her feeling edgy, and this place had a serious lack of extracurricular activity.
Turning the final corner, she made her way back to the room she shared with Willow, hoping that the woman had finally received the stuff she needed to cast the spell to check how Robin had died. Having the things shipped in had put a cramp in the timetable. Walking in the door, she could hear the shower running, and after a quick glance at the end table, she saw she had been granted not just one, but two things she wanted.
Removing her clothes as she went, she crossed the room to join her lover in the shower.
***
The sheet was twisted around his legs, testament to his restless nights sleep. In his dreams Xander had been thrown back in time, images of Anya brought forth be seeing his friends once more, memories of happier times, and the things he wished he could change. Freeing himself, he stood, feeling closer to forty-four then twenty-four as his body protested.
Grabbing his bag, he moved into the bathroom, turning the shower spray on to hot and leaned against the sink, looking at his reflection as he waited for the water to heat up. Staring back at him was a stranger, a man who he did not recognize anymore. Gone was the jokester, instead there was a man who had spent months all but alone, trying to find who he was. Now all he had to do was not revert back to type when he was around the others and maybe, just maybe, he would find some peace.
With a grimace, he pulled the shower curtain back, stepping under the steaming spray, letting it wash his thoughts away, if even for a moment.
***
As Giles returned from the small café, two cups of coffee and some donuts clutched in his hands, he thought back on what they had so far uncovered. The Faiths clothes, as well as her weapons had still been in the truck. meaning that she probably did not just kill Robin and run, left a hole in the Sheriffs evidence. What bothered him the most was the length of time that they had been missing. He had been so busy trying to get the new council going, and finding the new Slayers, that it never dawned on him that two people he should have kept an eye on had dropped out of sight.
Guilt. That was what was driving him now. He was not holding out any hope that Faith was still alive. He knew she had cared for Wood, in her own way, and she would not have just let him die without s fight. All he could do now was to try and find who, or what, had done this, then he would have the time to let his feeling out.
Ripper was waiting just under the surface, waiting to be unleashed on the person who dared mess with on of his children. Rupert Giles stopped dead in his tracks as he realized what he had just admitted to himself.
***
Buffy paced her room, turning just before she reached the wall, trying to decide what she should do. Tonight they were going to head back to the campsite so Willow could work her magic. She hated this. She thought she had been able to give this life up, spending time with her sister; but it just seemed to suck her back in. The harder she tried for normal, the less she found.
The only reason she was her now was because even though she and Faith would never be best friends, she felt she owed the younger woman something. She had spent the flight over thinking about it, all the mistakes they had all made, and the consequences that brought with it. What she could have done different was easy to see now, but back then she had missed it.
Now, all she wanted was to finish this, one way or the other, she just hoped she could make up for the past.
***
He sat, staring off into the dark recesses of the cave; his eye's were unfocused, and he was joined with the one who served him. His link with her allowed him to see what she saw, and he could not help but grim as she attacked the demon she faced. He could feel the desire for the kill, the bloodlust facing her foe filled her with. He had chosen her well, her dark past was not unknown to him, he had watched her when she had first fallen into her powers deadly call.
His brethren did not know the true power that she had. They only though of her as a way to regain what had been stolen from them. His binding spells allowed him to draw some of the power into himself, and soon, he would be able to do away with those who wished to keep themselves separate. Four thousand years was long enough to fight the good fight. He wanted to take his rightful place in the world.
He smiled wider as he saw the demon fall; the bloody entrails a testament of his creatures fury unleashed.
***
The sun was just starting to fade behind the cliffs as they arrived at the deserted strip of desert, the wind kicking up small dust devils as it swirled around them. Letting Willow move down towards the abandoned fire pit, the others leaned back against the rental car, keeping to their own thoughts of the day.
Laying out her supplies, Willow made sure she had everything before settling down cross legged on the still warm sand. Taking a deep breath, she looked back at her friends, giving a faint smile, before turning back and focusing on her task.
After drawing the sign of the pentagram, she placed the five white candles she had brought on each of the points, lighting each one as she said a short prayer to the Goddess. When that was done, she sprinkled Mugwort over each, watching as the candles started to give off faint wisps of smoke. Satisfied, she stood up and moved into the center of the star.
"To see the truth to know the way."
She faced east, towards where the sun rose as she recited the first line, the first point in the star. Tossing a piece of Faiths jewelry, a bracelet.
"I cast this spell In every way."
To the next point she tossed an earring.
"By the power of three times three, times three ."
This point was a stake, removed from the dark Slayer's weapons chest.
"Give the truth unto to me."
To this point went her knife, the one she had received from the mayor so many years ago, returned after the battle against the first.
As she finished reciting the spell, she turned and faced the final point. Here she did not place anything, for this was the direction that was left open, North, for the truth to reach her. The wind kicked up, and tiny pieces of sand started to graze her skin, swirling around her in a vortex as her friends watched from behind her.
As the vortex started to pick up power, she closed her eyes, waiting for the vision to come, unaware of anything but what she set forth to do. Behind her the others had to take cover, the blowing sand abrasive against exposed skin, and as they shut the door, they could do nothing but wait.
***
Another one. Pretender. Thief. She could feel her approaching, and a low rumble filled the night air as she waited for the one who dared challenge her place.
***
Willow was in total darkness. Not even a sound reaching her ears. She did not know what way was up or down in the void. Moving, she fell over something solid and reaching out, she touched cloth. Feeling around a bit more, she discovered it was a body, curled up in a tight ball, but even as she tried to decide if they were living or dead the body sprung into action, shoving her away.
She flew through the air, falling, falling, with no end in sight, still locked in total darkness until with out warning she was hitting the ground. Looking around, she found she was layingon a street, at night. The buildings dark and foreboding in the wane light of two lamps posts. Hearing the sound of running feet she turned and saw a young girl running right at her, only to pass through her as she stood up.
A familiar sensation tugged at her, all but forcing her to follow after, and she took off. The girl, just a teenager, kept running, casting terrified glances over her shoulder as she did, and Willow found she too was looking to see what was coming, but the street behind her was empty of life.
Turning a corner, she saw the girl as she neared the end of a darkened alley, only to have a figure come hurtling at the girl, taking her to the ground. As they rolled, Willow ran to help, but as she reached out her hand passed through them both. Shocked, she jumped back as the unknown figure hurled the girl against the wall with enough force to cause bones to break, and the girl dropped to her knees.
With a shaking hand, the girl pushed her hair back, reveling a face covered in bruises and blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. Forcing herself upright, she made as though to run, only to have the creature gab her by the throat, holding her off the ground with one hand. As Willow watched, helpless, she saw the dark shape start to glow, mystical energy tracing up and down its arms and legs in an unknown pattern.
As the glow intensified, the figure's right hand seemed to glow even brighter just before they struck out, hitting the girl in the chest, holding her up now by that hand alone. As a soundless scream was torn from her lips, the girl seemed to glow for a minute, and then, finally, it was over.
Willow looked on, helpless as she dropped limply to the grime encrusted ground and the figure turned and stalked over to her. Her eyes opened wide in shock as the figure stopped in front off her, back lit by a feebly light and through dirty matted hair, eyes that glowed with the same eerie light as the designs on the rest of the body looked at her.
'MINE!' a voice growled at her, full of menace and hatred and then she felt something slam into her chest before she blacked out.
***
'The witch tries to interfere.' A voice spoke from the dark. 'This must not be allowed.'
'She is powerless against our magic. She dares not meddle in the dark arts any longer.'
'We must not let them find out the truth. To much is at stake.'
'How would you stop them?'
'We must step up our plans. Send the Slayer out only after the others.'
'And if they run into each other again?'
'We kill the witch and the other two, we can do with out them.'
'The oldest is an abomination already, and the younger will fail when we kill her lover.'
***
Xander watched helplessly as he saw Willow tossed across the desert floor, falling lifelessly and rolling over twice before coming to a stop. Even as she landed, he was out off the door, running towards her, scanning for what had tossed the powerful Wicca like a rag doll, but he only saw the vortex as it wink out of existence.
He was aware of others beside him as he dropped to his knees, finding the erratic pulse on the redhead, breathing a sigh of relief as it seemed to strengthen and return to normal under his fingertips.
Turning her over carefully, he looked up at Giles as he saw the mark on her chest, for, burned right through the cloth of her shirt, was a hand print, a strange blue symbol glowing in the center of it.
***
Hmmmm, this is where some say 'review', I however write for my enjoyment, and not just for reviews, so there will be no begging, just a 'hope you like'.
Now, where did I put that battle ax? Lol
***