Imelda stayed in bed for days, too depressed to go out. Clive and Jackie left several messages on Imelda's machine. But she had yet to contact them. She was just too exhausted…ever since the Wicca Convention. She wondered if she dreamt her encounter with Amy, and if the connection she was making with Raphael's eyes were really true.
Willow's visit was unexpected. But not altogether unwelcomed.
"Willow?" asked Imelda. "How'd you find me?"
"Clive gave me your address. Don't freak out or anything. I'm not some nutty serial killer. I just want to help."
"I don't need any help, Willow. I'm just feeling under the weather."
"I hate to break it to you, Imelda. But if you're expecting drizzling, you're actually in store for a thunderstorm. Could I come in so we can talk a little?"
"Sure," said Imelda, as she let Willow in. "Can I get you something to drink?"
"No, I'm fine. I don't know if I'll be staying long. I have to go to Europe again for my friend. Kennedy's going to be pissed at me," said Willow.
"Kennedy?" asked Imelda.
"I'm getting personal again. Let's re-shift gears. What you encountered with Amy was real," said Willow. She decided to forgo the gentle approach, given that Amy could be a potential threat to Imelda.
"Excuse me?" asked Imelda. She started to regret letting Willow into her home.
"The supernatural stuff you described was actually supernatural stuff. Amy's a witch, and so am I."
"Okay, I'm not following you," said Imelda.
"It's better if I show you," said Willow. She levitated in the air. Imelda backed up against the wall in fright.
"Did Clive put you up to this?" asked Willow. "Clive…Jackie…this isn't funny. You could lower the wires holding Willow now."
"They're not wires, Imelda," said Willow. "Okay, don't hate me for what I'm about to do."
"What?" asked Imelda. With a chant, Willow sent a whirlwind through Imelda's living room that decimated her furniture.
"Oh my god, what the hell…" Before Imelda could finish her sentence, Willow gave another chant and the furniture reassembled itself like they were just store bought.
Imelda couldn't do anything but sit down. "Okay, I'm a believer."
"I still can't believe this," said Imelda. "For the past few days, I thought I was losing it. What Amy did just didn't seem right to me. It would be the second time that…"
"That what?" asked Willow.
"That I lost my senses for a certain period of time. I was date-raped a few years ago. I was slipped a roofie," said Imelda.
"I'm so sorry that happened to you," said Willow, as she squeezed Imelda's hand. "The same thing almost happened to a friend of mine. Did you report the guy to the police?"
"I didn't have to. He was found murdered not long after I was rushed to the hospital," said Willow.
Willow kept holding Imelda's hand, but stayed quiet.
"I know what you're thinking. It's pretty convenient that the guy ends up dead the same night. I've been struggling about that for the past few years. On one hand, I'm glad that he's dead because he won't hurt another girl. But then, I feel guilty because I thought he was a nice guy, and I can't shake that first impression."
"I don't want to bring up bad memories for you, Imelda. But that night, when…do you recall making any kind of wishes. Like…you wished something bad would happen to the guy who was harming you?"
"I…I don't remember. I might've wished for justice. But…honestly, Willow, I can't remember much about that night," said Imelda, "I've been trying to stay busy with family and friends. I've tried not to get myself in compromising situations. So when this whole thing with Amy happened…"
"It was like you were vulnerable again," finished Willow.
"Yes," said Imelda. "She showed me things about Raphael, Willow. Things that I never would've learned. And I think he's not dead."
"You're right. He's not dead. He's immortal," said Willow.
"Wait, so not only does witchcraft exist, but immortality too?" asked Imelda.
"I hate to break it to you, doll. But it's all real…vampires, witches, demons…"
"So, if Raphael still exists, which of the three is he?"
"Well, the good news is that he's choice number three—which allows for some gray areas," said Willow.
"Okay, that's a start. Where do you think Raphael is on the gray spectrum?"
"Uh, I think he's more towards the middle to the right," said Willow.
Imelda pondered it for a moment. "You're telling me that he's more towards the dark side, aren't you?"
"Yup," responded Willow with strained cheeriness.
During their conversation, Willow received a phone call. She took her call in the kitchen area for privacy. Imelda could still hear some of the call.
"Xander, Amy's going to outsmart the Wiccan Slayers that we have. Her mother was the Darth Vader of witchery. Remember that whole 'Freaky Friday' deal in high school?"
Imelda could see Willow pacing back and forth. "Put Buffy on the line, Xander."
Willow paced some more.
"Buffy, what do you mean Giles has gone AWOL? Okay, you're really starting to worry me. Giles doesn't go off the grid. Not when he worked so hard in helping us create our headquarters."
"No, you don't have to worry. Buffy, it's not like Warren can accompany Amy in public. Okay, look I better go. I have a friend here that I'm helping. I'll be there soon."
Willow hung up the phone.
"Wow, it sounds like you have a lot going on with your friends," said Imelda.
"'A lot' doesn't even begin to sum it up," said Willow. "When our town got swallowed up, it forced us to start all over again. But I needed a break, you know. I wanted to visit my family and regroup a little."
"I don't want to be selfish or anything, Willow. But you said that my relative may be a not-so-nice demon," said Imelda.
"Oh no, you're not being selfish at all. I'm the one being selfish. I came here bearing information, but I've veered off my noble path. I think you're relative might be a Vengeance Demon, Imelda."
"Vengeance demon?" asked Imelda. It wasn't sounding good.
"A vengeance demon grants wishes to people that feel like they've been wronged," said Willow.
It didn't take long for Willow's explanation to register in her mind. "And I've been wronged."
"I'm not saying that you called Raphael, Imelda," said Willow. "But we have to explore the possibility that he maybe got drawn to you."
Imelda let the words sink in. "I want to meet him. What do I have to do? Make another wish?"
"It doesn't exactly work like that. Your wish needs to have darker undertones," said Willow.
"Then, what do I do? I need to know about Raphael.
"I can do a spell to conjure Raphael's presence. But if I do that, you're going to have to be careful. Vengeance Demons pick up on the slightest tinge of anger or despair. We can't take the chance that Raphael won't try to exploit that in you."
"Okay, I won't let that happen," responded Imelda.
"I'm really serious about this. You have to be a clichéd cucumber, the coolest of britches…you get the picture," said Willow.
"Okay," said Imelda.
"I'm going to need you to close your eyes and concentrate. Think about the images that
Amy unlocked in your mind," said Willow.
Imelda followed Willow's instructions. She concentrated until Willow's voice sounded like a distant echo. She could barely make out Willow saying something in Latin.
"Willow?" asked Imelda, when she opened her eyes. Only, Imelda was standing alone in her bedroom. Looking out the window, it turned from dusk turn into night within seconds.
Imelda turned and screamed with fear as a demonic looking creature with blue eyes stood at the bedroom door. The creature's body and face began to change shape. Imelda was surprised at who stood before her.
"I suppose we should talk," said Raphael.
"You were there that night…weren't you?" asked Imelda, as she approached Raphael. "I remember your eyes. You were the paramedic that took me to the hospital."
"It was me, yes," said Raphael, as he looked directly into Imelda's eyes. His eyes looked like they belonged to the loneliest boy in the world.
"Why didn't you ever approach me before?" asked Imelda.
"You didn't need me before. I appeared because of what was done to you," said Raphael, solemnly.
"So, is that why he ended up dead that night?" asked Imelda.
"Yes. I granted your wish," said Raphael. Imelda began crying.
"I tried to make it seem like an accident…so that people wouldn't be suspicious of you."
"Who are you?" asked Imelda, looking at Raphael through tear-filled eyes.
"I'm Ignacio Rafael Flores. I was your great-grandmother's youngest brother," replied Raphael, looking at Imelda directly.
"Why don't they acknowledge you?" asked Imelda.
"It's a long story. I was different, then," said Raphael, "They were scared of me. The family."
"Why?" asked Imelda.
"I'm a vengeance demon, Imelda. Better known as Raphael the Vengeance Demon in certain circles. The vision you saw with me in the river…that was when I died. My spirit…it couldn't accept death and what was done to me. So, I was recruited."
"Recruited by whom?" asked Imelda.
"That detail doesn't matter. But, in our culture, demons are the same as devils. Because of that, our family would rather forget me than acknowledge me."
"How did you know I needed you that night?" asked Imelda.
"I felt your pain. I knew that you wouldn't be given justice. So, I intervened. Vengeance demons are prohibited from associating with family members, but…somebody helped me find a way around that rule."
Imelda hugged Raphael. He was taken aback by the gesture. It had been a long time since a human showed him affection.
"I'm glad I found you," said Imelda through tears.
Raphael didn't know what to do but extend his arms around Imelda.
"Did you make contact with the girl?" asked Roden.
"Yes. She knows everything now about Raphael," said Amy, "You know I never disappoint."
"Splendid," said Roden, "So we just have to wait. My Slayer will be ready to strike when the time is right."
"Slayer?" asked Amy, "They are so tiresome to me."
"I'm sure you'll like my Slayer…Lady Genevieve Savidge. She'll be poised to take over, and change the cosmos," said Roden.
"Still not impressed," said Amy, rolling her eyes.
"She may be the key to ridding us of a common slayer…Buffy Summers," said Roden.
"All right, now you got my attention," said Amy