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Witch's Faith
I'm so sorry, Tara, thought Willow. She felt sick, not only with the magical toll being taken on her body, but with guilt at breaking her promise so soon–again. Willow was in her car, not shopping as she had claimed, but parked in a dark alley preparing spells. Powerful potions, incantations ready to be completed quickly if necessary, and magical energies stored within herself–where she hoped she would be able to control them. She prepared spells that could freeze a person on the spot. Spells that could sap strength, induce sleep, cause blindness, or cause excruciating pain. Spells that could start fires or smash through walls. No matter what the consequences, she would fight with every power she could summon. She would protect both of the Slayers in tonight's battle. From each other, if necessary. And from the Oracle that had ordained one of their deaths. She prayed to every god she could think of that her secret magic would not be needed.
It was getting dark. Faith's plan had been to light the fire that would start the spell against Buffy, and then attack at 4 AM. But the spell could work any time tonight, so it was a safe bet that Faith would have changed the plans after being betrayed by Willow.
The attack could come any time after dark–Willow needed to get back to Buffy's house. She hadn't prepared every spell she would have liked, but she would have to make do.
Buffy was pacing nervously around the house, peering out every window. She felt she might scream at any moment. It was unnerving to know that battle was coming–and that she would be unable to slay. Taking that primal ability from her–that satisfaction no ordinary human would ever understand–was an infuriating violation. But she would have her strength and speed. She could cause some mayhem while her friends did the slaying.
Xander carried an ax and guarded the back door with Anya, who clutched her own ax–an absurdly large selection–nervously. Spike watched the front, with a short sword. Tara had taken over the kitchen, and had protective spells ready. But she also had a crossbow slung over her shoulder. And of course, everyone had a pile of stakes handy. Everyone except Buffy. She wanted to patrol outside the house, but had finally been persuaded it was too dangerous. So she stayed indoors and paced.
Tara was surprised that Willow had not offered to help with the magic. But Willow must have decided that doing any magic at all would be too much temptation, and Tara was glad for that. Instead, Willow had volunteered to survey the scene from upstairs, with her own crossbow and supply of stakes.
The most important thing was not to let Faith get inside. She might not try that now that she knew the Scoobies were warned. But if she did, she could invite her vampires inside, and then there would be nowhere to run to. Buffy made it clear to the bow-wielding witches that Faith must be shot on sight. And in fact, Willow was ready to shoot Faith herself if necessary–in the leg perhaps–to stop something worse from happening.
No one spoke, and the tension mounted as the evening grew darker. They waited an hour. Two hours. Three. Midnight came and went.
Faith waited in the darkness a block away. Elise should be here by now!
Elise arrived ten minutes late. The plan had enough elbow room for that, but Faith made a point of kicking the diminutive vampire to the ground in punishment. She had all nine demons and twenty-eight vampires with her–two more recruited just this week in trade for valuable information. They all waited silently for their orders. Faith was impressed at the discipline Elise had achieved with them. Perhaps punishing her in front of the band was counterproductive. But to hell with it–Faith was in a truly shitty mood. She gave Elise another kick and then let her get up. Elise glanced curiously at the cardboard box under Faith's arm. Extra arrows for her bow, perhaps.
"All right, you've done your part. Get back to your crypt." Faith did not plan to risk Elise in the battle–she was valuable for more important tasks than combat. Elise glared and left–but not before gesturing to her troops to follow Faith. It wasn't necessary–but it stated what it was meant to: that Faith needed her. "Let's move," barked Faith, "and remember, the red witch is mine. Anyone who touches Willow dies... slowly."
A short while later, thirty-seven murderous beasts had surrounded Buffy's house, as close as they could get without leaving the shadows.
Concealed some distance away, Faith gave a whistle and the attack began. The vampires rushed to the house all at once. Would Buffy and her friends stay inside and hide? No. They would simply have left if their plan was to run away. And Faith knew Buffy would never run from her.
Buffy's friends stayed close to the doors so they could retreat quickly, and at first, they were winning. Crossbow bolts from several directions felled four of the attackers before they got halfway to the house. Then Spike led out onto the lawn and Tara followed. Now they had to pay more attention to self-defense, and with so many attackers it was difficult to get a clean shot at the heart of any one of them. Spike was strong, but neither he nor Tara had Buffy's reflexes. Faith could not see the back of the house, but she heard Buffy's voice–still familiar after so long–and knew she was assisting whoever was back there. Xander or Willow, most likely.
Faith set down her cardboard box, opened it, and took out a book of matches. Then Buffy rounded the corner of the house, kicking a demon into the path of Spike's sword. The sight of Faith's archenemy after all this time had an immediate and extreme effect on her. It was a good thing she wasn't close to the battle, because the rage boiling up inside her was almost paralyzing. Her lips curled into a snarl and she glared at the Slayer, her muscles shaking and the lust for blood filling her heart.
Buffy had been given everything Faith had been denied. This beautiful home, loyal friends, a loving mother and sister, a caring Watcher... She was the ultimate Slayer, while Faith was the failure. Buffy couldn't even stay dead! And while Faith would be forever alone, Buffy had Willow as her ally once again. Dear, sweet Willow, who should have been by Faith's side! Faith wished she could kill the blonde Slayer more than once.
"I hate you Buffy!" Faith screamed, not even realizing that she was bawling until the tears blotted out the sight of her enemy. Nobody noticed her outburst over the sounds of battle. She dropped the matchbook into the forgotten box, pulled her longbow off of her back, and loaded a razor-tipped arrow. Still hidden in the shadows, Faith tried to aim for Buffy's heart. But her tears and her furious shaking made it impossible.
This was weakness. A Slayer must be strong–in control at all times. Especially in combat. Faith wiped her eyes impatiently and tried to steady her hands as she sighted down the deadly projectile's shaft. She wanted one clean shot. Instantly fatal. Hold still, you bitch! She watched as Buffy grabbed a stake out of habit and tried to plunge it through the chest of a vampire. The vampire died in a burst of gray dust, and Buffy froze in surprise.
All at once, Faith's expression was calm. Her eyes were sharp, and her aim was steady. She was strong.
She pulled the trigger, and the sharpened bolt buried itself in its victim's heart with a sickening thud. The dark Slayer would never be the same again.
End of Volume I: Witch's Faith
Continue to Volume II: Two Loves – Episode 8 – Hunted.
"Buffy?..... Buffy!?" Willow's legs were weak with fear for her friend, and crushing guilt threatened to overwhelm her.
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