New Witch Old Flame

Chapter Twenty-Five

"Feel the power coursing through you, Dawn." Meg said. "The energy is all around you, in the Earth, and in the air. Draw it into you. Feel it fill your body with light. Feel the energy pulsating through you. Can you feel it?"
"Uh-hun," said Dawn, an intense look of concentration on her face.
"Good, now on the table is a large red book. I want you to see the book in your mind's eye. Feel the weight of the book in your mind. Feel the cover, and the binding. Now I want you to feel the book getting lighter and lighter. In your mind's eye, I want you to see the book rising up off of the table. Concentrate Dawn, you can do it," said Meg.

Dawn's body trembled with the effort, and beads of sweat dripped off her face. Meg stared intently at her, almost willing her to lift the book. On the table, the book began to tremble, and it slowly lifted up off of the table and dangled in the air. Meg grabbed the video camera and caught the journey of the book on tape. As she taped, the front door of the Summer's house slammed, and at the same instant, the book crashed to the table.
"Did I do it?" asked Dawn, opening her eyes.
"Yes you did, Dawn. Congratulations. You managed to levitate the book. Here, I taped it for you," said Meg, passing her the video camera. "Now I want you to view your performance and tell me what you see."

Dawn took the camera and replayed the tape. She watched herself critically, making note of every facial expression. When the tape was finished, she turned towards Meg.
"I screwed up," she said. "I wasn't concentrating enough and when the door slammed, I lost it."
"Well, first off, you didn't screw up as you put it. But you are correct, you were not focused enough, but Dawn, what you did was wonderful. We've barely started working together and you were able to do this," said Meg, encouragingly. "The focus will come with time."
"I want to try it again," said Dawn.
"You may want to, but you are not going to," said Meg. "What you did was hard work, and it took a lot out of you, even if you don't realize it. What I'd like you to do is take that book you were levitating, and start reading it."
Dawn reached over and picked up the book and hefted it in her hands.
"Funny, it didn't feel half as heavy in my mind," she said as she turned the book over and looked at the title. "The Way of the Witch," she read. "I don't suppose you have the Cliff Notes for this?" she asked hopefully.
"Read," said Meg firmly. "I have to go to my office at the University. I have a meeting with one of my students. Tara is going to be home if you need anything."
"I'm old enough to stay home alone, Meg," said Dawn in exasperation.
"I never said you weren't, I meant if you needed if you needed any help with anything in the book. She's already read it."

"Oh," said Dawn, her face flushing. "Sorry. Thanks again for all your help, Meg. I'm having a blast."
"You are more than welcome, Dawn. I'm enjoying the time I spend with you as well."
"You know, ever since my mom, well ever since she died," said Dawn. "Well, it's been hard, not having someone to talk with."
"What about your sister?" asked Meg.
"Oh, no, Buffy's great. She is always there, but you know, she has that whole saving the world thing going on, and I just really hate to bother her, or the other scoobies with stupid stuff."
"Well, Dawn, I will always be more than happy to listen to what you are calling stupid stuff," said Meg.
"Hi!" said Buffy, walking into the room. "Dawnie, Janice is on the phone for you."
"Can't you take a message? I'm in the middle of something here."
"I tried, but she said it was really important," said Buffy.
"I have to be leaving anyhow," said Meg to Dawn. "Go speak with your friend. I hope it's nothing urgent," she added, looking at Buffy.
"Oh, I'm sure everything will be fine," said Buffy with a smile. "We'll see you later, Meg. Will you be home for dinner?"
"I don't quite know yet, Buffy. I'll call," said the older woman as she gathered her belongings.

"Buffy, she wasn't there," said Dawn, holding up the cordless phone. "And when I called her house, her mom said she was out."
"Hunh," said Buffy. "That's weird. Listen, do you want to come down and train with me this afternoon?"
"N'ah," said Dawn. "I have some reading I want to do."
"Okay," said Buffy, trying to mask the worried expression on her face. "But if you change your mind, either come down before dark, or give me a call, and I'll send Spike for you."
"Yes, Buffy," said Dawn, her voice laced with exasperation. "And I won't talk to strangers, I'll look both ways before I cross the street, and I won't invite any strange vampires in. I promise."
"Sorry, I'm in over protective mode today," said Buffy. "I'm going to head out now, I have a few things to do before I teach my first class."
"My sister the teacher," said Dawn.
"Yeah, who'da thunk it?" teased Buffy.
"And there in lies the reason why you are not teaching high school English. Good luck with your class today."

Buffy watched as Dawn grabbed her book and ran lightly up the stairs. She slipped out the front door, dialing her cell phone as she walked.
"Xander," she said. "I'm on my way over to Spike's crypt. Willow's going to meet us there. I'll see you in about fifteen minutes."
Buffy punched a button on the phone and disconnected the call. Twirling a stake through her fingers, she cut through the cemetery to the planning session in Spike's crypt.