Chapter 221
Buffy and Spike made a deal over the phone. Buffy and Tara would meet Spike and Conner at the cave. Tara would undo the original spell Spike and Conner would revive Darla and Dru. Then, after the four of them walked out of the cave, Dawn would be released. The possibility of Dawn being hurt brought everyone together at the highschool library. Buffy, Giles, Xander, Willow, Jenny, Wesley, Angel, Fred, Daniel and Justine Holtz, Gunn, Doyle, even Faith. The plan required that there be very few of them at the cave, but they all wanted to help. If the plan failed, they wanted to be ready. Buffy spoke to Giles and Tara privately about their plan.
Giles: Based on what Holtz said I researched this council, the concillium mortuum, the council of the dead. They were as cloe to a vampire government as there has ever been. For over a thousand years they ruled the vampire underworld. The Master was once on the council, then he rebelled, wanted vampires to embrace their roots and destroy the plague of humanity. The Master won and trapped his enemies within the cave where they would wither into skeletons.
Buffy: And Holtz used it on Darla, and then Drusilla.
Giles: I don't like the idea of Darla or Drusilla being freed. But that is nothing compared to ten very old and powerful vampires being unleashed into Sunnydale.
Tara: But they just want to revive their mother and girlfriend right?
Giles: If we believe them. But once the blood is in the cave, it could get to the others.
Tara: If I can break the wall I can put it back up again.
Giles: Maybe. But the first spell will take a lot out of you. Also, I believe Spike and Conner waited until now because they had to. This spell requires a specific astrological allignment, to put up the wall or break it. If you can't put it back up tonight, we may not have another chance, and the first spell will take a lot out of you.
Buffy: I have a plan, one to trap Spike in the cave as well. Spike will probably bring Dawn into the cave. I'll sneak in and free Dawn before he can revive them. Tara can still break the wall if I fail to save Dawn.
Giles: It's a good plan. We can keep all the vampires trapped without the wall actually coming down. But it will put you in danger.
Buffy: I'll take my chances.