Chapter 4

The witches' coven was located in Austria, near the Hungarian border. It had been an active coven for almost a thousand years, hiding behind the disguise of a nunnery. Its large stone buildings had served as protection from several wars and the fertile soil surrounding it had made the women here almost completely self-sufficient. The fresh air, the breathtaking view of the Alps in the distance and the lush green hills surrounding them made this one of the most magical places Willow had ever seen. But today not even this beauty could ease the sadness in her. The past few hours had been hard and she knew it was about to get a lot worse. She looked up at the sky, now shifting into the golden shades of the sunset. It would be dark soon. It was just as well. This was the kind of thing that seemed to be best suited for darkness.

A gust of wind reminded her of the chill in the air and she pulled her sturdy, brown cloak a little closer. She could have waited inside, but she needed the air, needed time to herself. In the distance she could see them now, the cars looking like little toys. She took a deep breath. They would be here soon. There was a part of her that wished Buffy wouldn't be in one of those cars. She missed her friend terribly but the thought of having to tell her what was to come almost made her nauseous. Buffy had been through so much lately and now this. She started pacing, getting more and more nervous as the cars inevitably came closer. She stopped, annoyed with herself. This was not how she was supposed to handle these things. She had to be strong, for Buffy and for the world. They had a job to do, even Angel knew that. She closed her eyes, opened her mind and let herself be filled by the powers of the earth and sky. When she opened her eyes again, the cars were pulling up to the courtyard. It was time.

Riley was the first one to get out of the car followed by three men she didn't know. He approached her with his usual, gracious smile and they hugged warmly. When she turned to show him inside she noticed Fridha who was standing quietly by the door. Fridha had been at the coven longer than anyone else and even though her powers where substantially weaker than Willow's she had a way of making everyone feel like her grand-children. No one knew how old she was but she had come from Iceland to Europe some time before World War one, to help in the tumultuous times ahead, as she had put it. She had the power of foresight and although she rarely shared her visions she was considered an important member of the coven. Now she greeted Riley the way a grandmother would greet her grandson and quickly ushered them all into the hall.

Xander looked a little dazed as he stumbled out of the car behind them. Willow couldn't help but laugh. Some things never changed and no matter how often he visited her here he always looked like a fish out of water. But that's the way it should be. He was her link to a world without magic, a necessary balance to keep her from losing herself again. He straightened with considerable effort and looked around.

"So, I see the old prison is still standing." he said sarcastically and smiled a little. He never liked it here and always made sure she knew it. But this time there was a pain in his eyes that had nothing to do with the building. She had hoped it would have faded by now, but it was there as strong as it had been at the funeral. They hugged for a long time, neither of them wanting to let go. When the other car pulled up, she let him go with considerable regret, bracing herself to meet Buffy. A large part of practicing magic was self-control and she had gained a lot of that since she got here. But as Buffy gracefully climbed out of the car she had to summon all her strength not to run over there and throw herself around her neck. The knot in her stomach that she had been able to ignore for a while with some magical help now came back with a vengeance, hitting her so hard she almost fell. Xander gave her a surprised look that soon changed to fear. He had an annoying habit of guessing her thoughts so she quickly turned away from him and forced herself to calmly go and greet Buffy.

Buffy watched as Willow approached. Her friend was wearing the customary clothing as usual; a plain, full length wool dress in a strange light-gray color with a simple rope around her waist and a remarkably ugly brown coat that looked like something a homeless person would reject. All the women here wore the same type of dress, only in different shades of gray, which apparently had something to do with the hierarchy of power. According to Willow the dress-code was a necessary part of maintaining the illusion that they were a nunnery. But it still made her feel uneasy. She had never been comfortable here and most of what they were doing she couldn't even begin to understand. But it was Willow's world and she trusted her. Willow had matured a great deal since they left Sunnydale. The awkward, uncertain, slightly geeky young girl that had left the wreckage of their hometown was long gone. She had grown into an extremely powerful witch, respected not just in their dimension but several others as well.

She went to meet Willow and the two friends hugged but she immediately felt that Willow was hiding something. She tried to make eye-contact but Willow avoided her. A cold lump of ice formed in her stomach and her mind began to race with all kinds of terrible scenarios that her friend might want to keep from her. As much as she trusted Willow as a friend she knew that their friendship came in second after her mission here at the coven. But she kept up appearances, as grown-ups do, making small talk and exchanging pleasantries. Willow inquired how the trip was and if anyone had been hurt and Buffy told her about Spike. It was almost a relief to shift their focus from each other to Spike who was just getting out of the car. His face was still so swollen his features were indistinguishable and even though he had a new shirt on it was full of spots of tried blood. Willow turned towards the front door to get him some help but an old woman wearing an almost black dress had already summoned the healers and they where coming down to help him. Deanna looked like a trapped animal as she emerged behind him still chanting. But as soon as she saw Willow she relaxed considerably and although their greeting more resembled that of a soldier greeting a general, there was clearly a lot of mutual trust between them. She found herself almost envying Deanna. As much as she loved Willow, everything between them was always so incredibly complicated these days.

Buffy was almost glad when Willow had left her and Xander alone in one of the large greeting rooms of the castle, while she tended to Spike and the others. It was a plainly decorated room, sparsely furnished, with beautiful tapestries covering every inch of the stone wall, keeping out the cold. The large fire-place gave plenty of warmth and together with the hundreds of candles that stood everywhere there was a soft, almost magical light in the room.

Xander had quickly made himself comfortable on a large couch, happily chewing his way through one of the hefty sandwiches a stern looking woman had placed on the table, along with a large pitcher of warm wine. She however wasn't hungry. She couldn't even sit still. Instead she paced restlessly in front of the fire-place. It hadn't taken her long to notice the tingle in the back of her mind. Angel was here. As messy as their relationship was, it would take a lot for him not to greet her. Combined with Willow's obvious concern, her mind was racing with horrifying possibilities. When the massive door slowly opened her heart nearly jumped out of her chest. But it wasn't Angel. Xander put down his second sandwich and leapt up from the couch to greet his old friend.

"Hey, there you are!" Turning to Buffy he noted cheerfully, "Look, Giles is here!" It was clear he believed everything would turn out just fine now that Giles was there.

Xander gave Giles a big hug, almost crushing the man. Giles hugged him back, returning Xander's affections, but his eyes were locked on Buffy. If Willow had at least tried to hide her feelings of despair, Giles didn't bother. His eyes revealed so much sadness and pain it practically took her breath away. Her knees threatened to give out on her so she sat down on one of the large armchairs, focusing her attention on the fire. Giles walked up to her, kneeled and put a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry…" he said with a voice overflowing with love and compassion, then he hesitated a second before adding, "…about Dawn." She could have hit him. To pretend that any of this had anything to do with Dawn was insulting and cruel.

"What's going on?" she said with a lot more anger in her voice than she had planned. Pain passed over Giles' face as he slowly rose and turned from her, staring into the fire.

"Catherine will explain everything soon." She immediately regretted letting her anger get the best of her. Right now all she wanted was for him to put his arms around her and tell her everything was going to be all right. But she didn't move.

After a few very slow minutes there was a knock on the door and a young girl walked in. She wore a dark gray dress, a sign that she stood rather low in the power but she looked as serene as if there was no evil in the world at all. Even her voice seemed completely without fear, a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere in the room.

"The High Priestess will see you now. If you would follow me please." she said calmly then, without waiting for a reply, simply turned and left the room.

Xander realized he had been holding his breath. The scene between Buffy and Giles had terrified him and watching them now, quietly following the girl through gloomy hallways, his heart was racing a million miles an hour. He hadn't noticed it before, but Dawn's death had clearly built a wall between them all. Now there was a threat on the horizon, possibly the worst threat they had ever faced and they were more divided than ever. Had the demon already won?

They finally arrived at the chamber of the High Priestess and the girl knocked firmly then opened the door to let them in. It was dim inside, the only light emanating from the large fire and several candles along the walls. At the far end of the room was a massive oak table with ten chairs. At the head of table the High Priestess Catherine Romanov was sitting on a throne-like chair, watching them closely as they came in. She was a beautiful woman, her age more visible in her eyes than on her face. It was a little unclear just how old she was but she had been around during the Russian Revolution, so she was at least a hundred. She had a slender body and elegant but pale features and her posture was regal. Even though her white dress was as plain as the other women's, she made it look like a bejewelled ball gown. Her long, thick, chestnut brown hair was neatly folded into a simple braid that rested along her chest.

Next to the High Priestess, Willow seemed more like the eager servant looking up at her mistress, than the powerful witch she was at any other time. She gave Xander a small comforting smile but it didn't really make him feel particularly comforted. He didn't like anyone who made his friend look that small. Spike didn't like the High Priestess either, but his motives for disliking her were a little vaguer. Tonight he had placed himself as far from the women as he could get, at the other end of the table. He looked a lot better than when they last saw him, though. The swelling had subsided and his cuts and bruises were completely healed. But for some reason he was shooting murderous glares at the High Priestess. She on the other hand didn't even seem to be aware that he was there.

It wasn't until they had made it half way across the room that Xander noticed Angel. He was practically hidden inside one of the two huge chairs that were placed in front of the fireplace. Xander hesitated. His instinct was to go and greet him as the friend he considered him to be. Angel was the only one Xander had shared his feelings about Dawn with. But tonight something was very wrong. Buffy barely gave Angel a glance as she calmly walked up to the table and sat down with her back to him. And Angel just sat there as if carved in stone, his face utterly unreadable. Then he noticed Kaya. She was huddled up on the floor with a vacant expression on her face, her eyes red and her cheeks streaked with tears. He stared at her. Kaya had always seemed so indestructible, despite her delicate features, but seeing her now she seemed broken. He was still staring at her when the voice of the High Priestess cut through the silence.

"I'm glad to see you all made it back safe. The retrieval of the amulet was an important step in defeating Dacq'ilion and we couldn't have done it without your help." She gave Buffy a smile that could be interpreted as either condescending or compassionate depending on your mood. Buffy was in no mood to play nice. Her voice was as dry as sand when she replied,

"I'm glad you approve. You have to excuse my curiosity but what exactly would the next step be?" The High Priestess looked at her like a scientist looking at a specimen under a microscope.

"As soon as we have established the location of the passage into the demon-dimension we will send our bravest warrior inside to vanquish him." The silence was palpable. There was no doubt who she wanted this warrior to be and even Spike looked a little paler than usual. But Buffy's voice was strangely calm as she kept meeting Catherine's gaze without flinching.

"Vanquish him how?"

"With a potion."

"You really believe you can kill one of the world's most powerful demons with a potion?"

"Considering the source, yes."

"Source?"

"It was given to me by the Powers That Be, they're as eager to stop this as we are."

"And how will this potion get to Dacq'ilion? He has summoned a great deal of demons to defend him, if I'm not mistaken."

"Yes, he has. But the potion doesn't have to be in the same room as Dacq'ilion, simply in the same dimension. In fact it will kill all demons in that dimension."'

"So how do I get in?" Buffy still hadn't looked away but now Catherine did. She gave Willow an unreadable look then turned back to Buffy.

"You don't, dear child. This is Angel's fight." There was a hint of true regret in her voice, as if she for a moment actually understood the turmoil that must have raged in the Slayer's mind. Buffy's face however gave away nothing. Xander, on the other hand, couldn't hold it in anymore.

"Have you all lost your mind?" He stared at Willow in bewilderment. "Will, you can't be serious? You're really going to sacrifice Angel? Just let him die like that? I mean that is what we're talking about here isn't it? The potion will kill every demon, including Angel?" Giles put a hand on his arm to silence him and he stared at his old friends in shock. Was this what they had come to? Willow was starting to look a bit nauseous but she ignored him and went on explaining, speaking very rapidly,

"I'm sorry, Buffy, but only a demon can pass through this gate. And only a demon would be allowed to take on the Challenge of the Twilight and he has to win the Challenge in order to get inside the dimension. Only then will the potion have effect. I am so sorry Buffy but Angel is the only one who can do this! I really wish there was another way, but I promise you we have thought of every other possibility and this is the only thing that stands a chance of working." Willow inhaled quickly, suddenly realizing she had been holding her breath. Buffy just looked at her, calm as the dead. Instead it was Spike's turn to break the silence.

"Bloody hell! If a demon is all you need, I'll go. I'll do this bloody challenge thing and toast those demons. Angel can do a lot more good here than I can. I should be the one to go." The High Priestess actually winced, then gave him a rather cold smile.

"That's very nice of you to offer, dear but the Challenge isn't as easy as a few Taraga demons. Besides Angel has already been invited and it is doubtful they will let anyone in without an invitation, demon or not."

"What do you mean he got invited?" Spike looked at her suspiciously.

"The demon he hunted in New York this week told him last night that he was expected. Well actually the invitation was addressed to Angelus but since they reside in the same body Angel should have no problem getting in by posing as Angelus." The High Priestess hesitated for a moment. When she continued she was speaking directly at Buffy. "I am aware it is a risk and it might fail. So we need a second front. The Slayer still has an important part to play here." Buffy wasn't looking at anything, her eyes glazed over, lost in her own thoughts. Xander, however, was so angry he could hardly think. He had just lost Dawn and now he was suppose to accept losing one of his closest friends. He was shaking all over and even though he wasn't sure his legs would hold him he had to get out of there.

"This is crazy!" he spat, giving Willow a hard stare, "I can't listen to this anymore!" Then he angrily stomped out of the room.

Angel quietly knocked on the door. His hand felt like it weighed a ton and everything around him was vague and blurred, as if he was dreaming. He wished he was. There was no noise from inside so he slowly opened the door. Buffy was standing with her back to him, staring absentmindedly into the flames. She didn't seem aware of his presence so he took a few steps closer, but as he reached out for her she flinched and pulled away. He clenched his fist, trying hard not to scream as the pain tore through him. When she turned their eyes met and for a moment he was back fifteen odd years ago when he still could hold her without excruciating pain or mind-numbing fear. He wanted to put his arms around her and hold her tight but he knew that would only make it worse. He wanted to tell her how he felt, how much he loved her but no words would be enough. So they just stood there, looking at each other, knowing this might be the last time they were alone together. A tear made its way down her cheek and he couldn't bear it any longer. He opened his mouth, not sure what words would come out but she quickly lifted her hand to stop him and shook her head. Her eyes said all that needed saying. She understood. This was inevitable. They were never meant to be. He nodded, letting her know he understood too. They barely moved for what felt like an eternity, struggling to endure the pain, immersed in each others love, saying a silent goodbye. Then he slowly turned around and walked away.

Buffy watched him leave and as he closed the door behind him she heaved a sigh of relief. Having him so close, knowing she would soon lose him for good, was more painful than she had thought possible. But somehow it all made sense. Their Romeo and Juliet saga would finally have its traditional ending. She had been a Slayer longer than any other and lately Spike's stories about the two slayers he had killed tugged at her memory. He had been sure the only reason he had been able to defeat them was because they wanted to die. It hadn't made any sense to her, not until now. She would watch Angel die, again. Then she would die too at the hands of one of the many demons they were sure to face soon after. With her gone a new Slayer could be called and the wheel would continue to turn for all eternity and she would finally find peace. She breathed deeply, feeling strangely at ease. Turning to the bed she climbed up on the high mattress with some effort and then, with a deep sigh, allowed her exhausted body to rest. Drifting into a restless slumber she didn't notice the tears slowly rolling down her cheeks.