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Witch's Faith
Spike and Buffy returned to Buffy's house, where Xander and Tara were eating muffins and trying to piece together all the rumors and reports into a good, clear picture of Sunnydale's latest horde of the undead. For a while, the Scooby gang had been having good luck tracking down the members, with the help of information overheard by Spike. But for over a week, the trail had been cold. It was as though the new band of vampires and demons had vanished–except that the death and destruction they were causing continued.
"We think we've found the leader," said Tara. "She's new to Sunnydale. Elise is her name. But she doesn't seem to be a particularly powerful vampire–we still have no clue how she's been so successful."
"I'll keep an ear open for her–the name Elise does ring a bell," said Spike.
Dawn wandered out of her room and sat down to join the excitement.
"Shouldn't you be in bed, sis?" scolded Buffy.
"Shouldn't you be raising a racket at the Magic Box instead of outside my door?" retorted Dawn. She reached for a muffin but the box was empty. Tara split hers with the girl.
"OK, Dawn," Buffy said sweetly, "we could use your help. See these three lists? We need to find every vampire that appears on all three of them."
Dawn peered suspiciously at the numerous pages of illegible names. "You know, I'd really better get some sleep. If you guys can manage to keep it down." She got up, putting distance between herself and something that looked worse than homework.
Buffy shrugged, "Suit yourself!"
"'Night, Dawnie," said Tara.
"G'night. Let me have one more lick of your muffin." Dawn frowned. "I'm just a kid, and even I know that didn't come out right..."
Tara's laugh turned quickly to quiet sadness. It didn't take much to get her thinking of Willow. Why had Willow cut off contact so suddenly and completely? Even Amy hadn't heard from her at all. Everyone was very worried that she had hurt herself with her careless use of witchcraft.
"What say we pick this up tomorrow?" suggest Xander. "I'm beat." He was also looking forward to getting home to Anya.
"Same here," said Tara. "Spike, I'll write down what we know about Elise."
"Who?"
"Elise, the head of these new guys."
Spike was perplexed.
Buffy was exasperated. "Tell me you haven't forgotten the whole conversation we just had about Elise!"
Spike spread his hands and shrugged.
"Your chip is screwy. I just know it."
But Tara had another theory. "Let me check him for spells. We know these guys have some secret weapon, maybe it's some kind of forget spell." Something troubling entered the back of Tara's mind when she mentioned "forget spell," but she couldn't place what it was.
There was no obvious spell on Spike. But Tara had one more thing to try. She ground some plant stalks, boiled them, and told Spike to breathe the steam.
"Buffy!" he said, agitated, "we just let a demon get away back there!"
"Wow," said Tara, "that actually worked! There's your answer. The forget spell isn't on Spike, it's on the gang we're tracking. That must be why we don't get any reports about them any more–except for news of their victims."
"I don't get it," said Buffy.
"They are using some kind of black magic–but if I'm not mistaken it only works on vampires. Demons too, probably. But not on humans... That's why Spike forgot about the demon, and Elise, and we didn't!"
Tara put a lid on the pot. "Take this with you, Spike. Heat it and breathe the steam at least twice a day, just to be safe."
"Nice work!" said Buffy. Good old defensive magic. White magic.
Willow and Faith treated themselves to dinner out–their first actual date. There was a slight risk of being seen by Buffy or the others, but the room service menu was starting to wear very thin. And the pair's plans were going so well that a little celebration was called for. Willow's spell had worked perfectly, and Elise's band was no longer under attack. Elise herself was learning obedience at long last, and her band of vampires and demons had grown in number to thirty.
"Thirty!" said Faith, raising her glass with a smile. Willow joined the toast. She was very much enjoying her taste of power. She and Faith would run this city before long! Or at least, after dark....
Willow had herself nearly convinced that she sought power purely in order to do good and save lives. But Faith had no such illusions. She wanted power for its own sake.
"So, how long before we let Buffy off the hook?" asked Willow. She had fantasies of Buffy–and Tara–begging to join the force she and Faith were building. She no longer thought of it as getting even or turning the tables. Her anger had softened slightly with the passage of time. Instead, she imagined how impressed and jealous her friends would be. No doubt the Scoobies would look down on her methods, Willow thought, as she handed the waiter a credit card she had issued herself illegally online. But you can't argue with results. And together, she and Faith got results.
"Let the bitch stew. I wonder if she even bothers to go patrolling anymore, with us doing her job for her!" Again, Faith's vision was different from Willow's. Her interest in Buffy was revenge, pure and simple. That desire was very clear in Faith's mind–even if the reasons for revenge weren't so sharply focussed. Buffy had hurt Faith badly–body and soul–but when Faith fantasized about beating the Slayer into oblivion, deep down inside she knew it was revenge for more than that. It was revenge for her childhood. For her Watcher who had died slowly in front of her eyes. For the betrayal by her next watcher, Gwendolyn. For the sick, abusive mother Faith would never see again, and the father she never knew. For the loneliness. The insecurity. The fear. For the years in prison. And for every crime Faith herself had committed against others. Somehow, putting a stake through Buffy would make all of that go away. And besides, if she didn't get to Buffy first, the other Slayer would surely get around to attacking her with the same intent.
That night when they met with Elise, the vampire was terrified. "I know who is after us now! And she knows who I am!"
"Who?" said Faith, irritated but taken aback by the normally brazen vampire's display of panic.
"The Slayer! And if you'd been watching her like you promised, you'd know it!"
The vampire was on the ground twenty feet away, moaning in pain, before Faith even knew why she had kicked her. The Slayer. Not Buffy. Not the other Slayer. The Slayer. Even now Faith stood in Buffy's shadow!
"Buffy's hunting her!" said Willow, astonished. She had imagined Buffy completely baffled by recent events–if she even knew about Elise's gang at all. Perhaps Buffy even took her anger out on Tara for not having Willow's strength. That would be justice. To think that the Scoobies were on top of the situation without her help was infuriating.
"Your spell," said Faith, "it wasn't meant to work on humans. All along, the only good it's been doing is to interfere with the rumor mill!"
"We need to stop Buffy," said Willow. The thought of losing everything Faith and she had built was intolerable. And Buffy needed to realize just how much power she had given up when she turned her back on Willow.
Faith nodded in agreement. Although her idea of "stopping" Buffy was considerably more destructive than Willow's...
Willow had to break into the Magic Box to get the book she needed. No other copy could be obtained in time to be of any use: few people had any need for magic relating specifically to Vampire Slayers. But the Magic Box had an excellent library on the subject.
Armed with a forget spell in case she discovered anyone she knew, Willow opened the lock with her mind and slipped inside. She located the heavy volume and vanished back into the night as quickly as possible. She left no signs of a break-in, and the book was one she couldn't remember anyone ever actually using. So no one would discover it was missing until it was far too late to help Buffy.
When this spell was prepared, the Slayer would be unable to kill anything or anyone for several hours. Maybe even a day. That should be enough of a scare to make her back off!
Now... where to buy two dozen dove's heads at this time of night?
"Willow? Willow?! Say something!" Faith was becoming quite unnerved. Willow lay on the bed naked and completely still, eyes closed, not responding even when the Slayer shook her roughly.
The spark of light that had flown out of the witch's mouth hovered in front of the Slayer, and Faith kept her distance. Finally it darted back into Willow's mouth and the girl's eyes opened. "Faith, I can't talk when my sprite leaves my body. Not even telepathy. I can't move, but my body can still feel. My sprite can too–and it can see and hear. I can touch you with it. I'm going to do it again and I want you touch me this time. This really is going to be nice... give it a chance." She really wanted to share this with Faith. It had allowed her and Tara to be close in the most amazing ways.
"You're crazy! How can you stand to leave your body helpless like that?"
"I'm pretty much helpless around you, anyway, Faith," Willow pointed out.
Willow's sprite darted out of her mouth and hovered in the air once again. Faith reached out and brushed it with her fingers. It was warm and tingly. Willow nuzzled the slayer's fingers and Faith smiled. "You can hear me?" Willow's sprite bobbed up and down and did a quick loop in the air in answer. Incredible.
Faith cupped her hand around the sprite and brought it to her face. The tiny glowing core was formless and mysterious and very... very Willow.
Willow floated cautiously off of her lover's palm and gently brushed Faith's cheek. Faith's eyes closed partially at the sweet caress. Willow grew bolder and kissed Faith's lips. Faith's mouth opened involuntarily and Willow slipped inside. She gently caressed Faith's tongue, and the Slayer responded, running her tongue over the little bundle of energy. It really was like a strange, magical kiss.
But all of a sudden, Faith became uncomfortable with this intrusion. She tried to spit Willow out but it didn't work. Suddenly angry, she bit down hard on Willow's sprite. That worked–with the spark clamped tightly in place, Faith felt in control again. It wasn't solid, but the harder she bit down the more it resisted. The core seemed to be about the size of a pea–but it was pure energy, not matter. She put her fingers in her mouth and pulled Willow out, flinging her away as if disgusted.
Willow drifted dejectedly back toward her body, but Faith softened. She scooped the witch out of the air. "I'm sorry. That was nice. I just have to get used it. Did I hurt you?" The sprite waved back and forth, which Faith took as a "no."
Faith took Willow into her mouth again, and kept control of the kiss this time. She bit Willow often, holding her in place to run her tongue over the tingling energy. She could tell it felt as good to Willow as it did to her.
Faith ejected Willow into her palm and unfastened the front of her bathrobe. She pressed the sprite against her left breast. It was a wonderful, warm sensation, and Faith allowed Willow to glide over her body. She lay down beside Willow's body and directed the sprite where she wished, moving it with her hand from one nipple to the other, and occasionally letting Willow roam freely.
Faith sat up to inspect Willow's body. The girl was breathing normally. She almost seemed to be asleep. Faith pulled the girl's legs apart and saw that she was very aroused. She pushed her fingers between Willow's lips and rolled her clitoris back and forth. Willow's body gasped and her back arched slightly. So... she could still move, react... she just couldn't control her reactions. Faith ran her hands over Willow's body and felt it tremble as the sprite looked on. She pinched Willow's nipple and watched it stiffen. The Slayer's pupils were wide and her breath was fast. This was the most erotic experience she could ever remember. She could do anything to the girl... She began kissing and nipping Willow's breasts. Normally Willow would flinch a little at this, but not now. Not unless her sprite returned to her body.
The sprite began exploring Faith's body again, but Faith wanted complete control. She sucked Willow into her mouth again and held her in her teeth. Willow was now blind to what Faith was doing. All she could see was a hint of the inside of the Slayer's mouth, illuminated only dimly because Faith's pressure, while painless, was smothering her light.
Faith's mouth was occupied, so she relied on her hands. She squeezed and stretched Willow's flesh with increasing roughness, and the witch's body responded delightfully. When she finally turned her attention back to Willow's dripping genitals, the girl was already very close to orgasm. Faith did not want to open her mouth, but she brought her mate to climax using the pressure of her closed lips. There was something intensely erotic and yet very innocent about the screams that escaped Willow's lips as her hips jerked and quivered. It was sexual passion with all voluntary expression–and repression–removed.
Faith let Willow free and licked her lips. She needed her own release, and grabbed the sprite out of the air. Gasping with anticipation, she brought Willow's sprite down to her own swollen sex, and mashed her hard into the slippery flesh. Willow tugged Faith's lips back and forth and pressed against her tight clitoris. But as always, Faith wanted control. She used her fingers to press Willow against her and move her where she wished. She was masturbating with her lover's soul.
Willow felt herself enveloped by the hot, wet softness of Faith's body, and moved expertly to bring the Slayer pleasure. Then she made a terrible mistake. She squirmed inside of Faith to stimulate her from within.
Faith cried out at this violation. She tried to reach in and grab Willow, but her vagina did not let her fingers in far enough. The sensations inside her were intense, perhaps pleasurable even, but they were intolerable. They were entirely out of Faith's control.
Faith grabbed Willow's body by the throat and started choking off her air. "Get out of me!"
Willow emerged at once and darted back to her mouth. She opened her eyes, choking and gasping. Having sex with Faith was proving to be a very dangerous activity. She knew the apology would come next.
"I'm sorry, Willow," Faith said, right on cue, and kissed Willow gently.
"It's OK," said Willow. "I'm still learning the boundaries with you. I shouldn't have done that."
Faith still badly needed to finish what they had started, but she wasn't sure she ought to simply pick up where they left off–not after half-strangling her lover.
"I'm fine, Faith. That was a scare, that's all. Let's get back to business!" She began exploring Faith's body with her hands.
Faith smiled fondly at Willow. It was so strange to have someone actually understand her–and still want to be with her! For the thousandth time, Faith was filled with unspoken gratitude towards her new friend. "May I try something with you?"
"Anything," said Willow. And she meant it.
Faith went to the refrigerator. She had already introduced Willow to the pleasures of food and sex. Yesterday, in fact, Willow had not been permitted to eat anything except off of Faith's body. Willow wondered what Faith would ask of her now.
Faith pulled out a large jar of pickles. Willow frowned. Faith dumped the entire jar into a bowl and Willow's frown deepened. She was trying to connect pleasure with a dozen dill pickles in her mind. Faith washed the jar and put the bowl of pickles back in the fridge.
"Come to me, little Willow!" Willow started to rise, but Faith motioned her to lie back down. "Come to me..."
Willow's sprite emerged and Faith took it in her hand. She kissed it, slipped it into the jar, and screwed the lid on tight. Willow had learned to enjoy being at Faith's mercy, but this took her by surprise. She was suddenly more helpless than she had ever been in her life. Faith could do anything to her, and she couldn't so much as say a word in response!
Then Faith took a metal pen and stabbed tiny holes in the lid. Willow was unable to smile, but she was amused at the gesture. The sprite had no need to breathe–Willow's body took care of that–but it was thoughtful anyway. The holes were far too tiny to let her escape, though. At least they would help Willow to hear.
Finally, Faith set the jar on the nightstand beside Willow's body, and peeled the paper label away. She wanted Willow to watch.
Faith used Willow's limp body like she had never used anyone before. She moved the girl into new positions, touched her wherever and however she wished, and took satisfaction from Willow's involuntary responses. Willow felt every touch, every little bite, every time her limbs were pulled into a new pose. And she felt her second slow, sweet orgasm as Faith fingered her lovingly. But she could do nothing about it but watch.
Faith did not let Willow out to help her reach her own climax. She wanted Willow to be a part of it, but not actively. The Slayer pressed her sex onto Willow's face and rubbed against her slowly... and then faster, harder. As Faith's passion built toward an unbearable peak, she watched Willow's lovely, limp features pull back and forth, her skin becoming slick with Faith's juices. Willow felt this intimate contact and wished desperately for control of her mouth–even just her tongue! She watched Faith's tortured expression through the glass and heard Faith's muffled moan as she came.
Faith curled up around Willow's body, smiling contentedly up at the sprite in the jar. Willow spiraled madly around the container, begging to be released so she could return Faith's embrace. Faith relented and unscrewed the lid, letting the witch return to her body. Willow hugged the Slayer tight. "That was wonderful, Faith!"
Willow covered the pot after adding the final ingredients. The potion from the stolen book was now complete, and in exactly seven days it would be ready to use against Buffy. Willow never tired of the thrill of magic, but putting a spell on a Slayer was especially satisfying. In the back of Willow's mind she felt just the tiniest bit worried, though. Buffy might be in danger if they weren't careful. Willow wanted Buffy afraid, not seriously injured.
Willow had been eyeing another spell from the same book, and now the temptation was too great. She would use it to set her mind at ease about Buffy.
This spell was little more than a chant, although a long one. It could only be performed by one who had touched the Slayer, and it could only be performed once every hundred years. It would summon a creature referred to only as the Oracle, who would foretell the future of the Slayer. Assuming that nobody had used the spell in the last century, it should be a simple matter to reassure herself of Buffy's safety.
Faith would be gone for hours, tracking down vampires based on Elise's tips. So Willow got started. She drew a simple diagram on a piece of paper, placed her hands on either side of it, and read the chant from the book. It took nearly ten minutes, but finally it began to work! Willow's pulse raced.
Smoke was drifting up from the paper, and slowly coalesced into a strange, inhuman head. The Oracle could see the future and tell it to the one who summoned it. But it had neither eyes nor a mouth.
The demon's voice was a rattling whisper like fast-boiling water. "The fate of the Slayer is yours to know."
"Tell me," said Willow, humbled by the power she had called forth.
"Knowing the future will not help you."
"I want to know!"
"Very well... The Slayer is divided. It is an abomination which must be righted. There should not be two Slayers!"
Willow felt stupid. She had no idea whether she would be seeing Buffy's fate or Faith's! "I want to know Buffy's future."
The creature seemed not to hear her. "The fate of the Slayers is written. Soon there will be not two, but one!"
"What do you mean? Is one of them going to lose her powers?"
"No!" The creature let out an evil cackle and was sucked back into the drawing on the table.
"Come back! What can I do?!" But there was no answer. The spell was done, and could not be used again for a century.
Willow was terrified. Would Buffy die from her spell? Or would Buffy kill Faith? She could not comprehend the loss of either Slayer.
She stayed up for hours, reading the entire book in a panic, trying to discover whether the Oracle's prophecy was truly fated, or if it could be changed. Nothing in the book provided that answer.
When Faith finally came home, Willow ran to her and embraced her, crying. Faith held her and ran her fingers through the witch's red hair. "What's the matter?"
"I'm... I just worry about you."
Faith was deeply touched. A tear dripped down her own cheek and she rocked her lover gently on her feet. "Don't worry about me. I'm the Slayer, remember?"
A short while later, the girls lay in one another's arms, each thinking how lucky she was to have the other. Willow had come to a realization. It was something she had not admitted to herself for a long time–because of Tara probably–but it was true. It could not be denied.
"Faith... I love you."
Faith's breath caught in her throat. She could think of no answer, so she just continued holding the witch in silence. Or, rather, an answer had come to her, but she did not speak it aloud. It was an answer that astonished and frightened her.
Continue to Episode 6 – Enemies.
Willow came face to face with the reality that she and Faith had not truly been working towards the same goal. She had to persuade Faith to take a less extreme course. She had to. She clung desperately to the feeling in her heart that Faith was not truly evil. She might be the only person in the world who believed that. But she would make the Slayer she loved see reason, no matter what it took.
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