Chapter Four

The scent of blood is the first thing that hits Spike after the female scream in the smokey shop, “Red, you alright?”

“I’m fine,’ Willow calls back, “but I think something happened to Anya.”

“Anya!” Spike calls and when there’s no response he calls again, “Anya!”

“Radura!” Willow calls and as smoke clears Spike and Willow realize that they are the only ones in the shop, Anya had disappeared in the smoke.

“Bloody hell!” Spike exclaims.

Willow’s face is ashen, “we need to call Xander.”

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“Let me go you son of a bitch!” Anya screams fighting against the overly strong man holding her.

“It would be wise for you to remain silent.” The man’s voice is slow and thick.

“I won’t be silent, where the hell are you taking me?” Anya demands.

“To see Lady Kirra,” the man returns. “She’s been waiting for you.”

“What does she want with me?” Anya’s energy is spent by down and she stops fighting the huge, strong man.

“She requests your presence.”

“Some request,” Anya snorts.

“She knew you would not bring your child to her willingly, so she sent me to retrieve you.”

Anya’s eyes go wide realizing fully for the first time that this wasn’t just some random kidnaping they had been after Willow. “I think you’re mistaken.” Anya comments, stalling for time.

“I do not think so. Lady Kirra told me where to find the woman who is to give birth to the child that we need to complete the ritual, you are that women.”

“What ritual?” Anya asks, almost afraid to know what the child will be used for.

“I think that is best left to be a surprise.”

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“Where do we start look?” Xander is nearing hysterics by the time he gets back to the singed magic box. “I don’t even know where to start looking.”

“We’ll find her Xander,” Willow assures, “we just have to do what we normally do, research.”

“Research what luv?” Spike asks, “we didn’t get a look at anything.” Willow glares at Spike and within seconds Spike’s cheek catches on fire, “bloody hell Red!” Spike quickly smothers the fire with a yelp of pain.

Willow’s eyes go wide, “I didn’t mean to...I mean I didn’t seriously put any magic into doing that...It was just a backhand though...I...” Willow’s babble trails as the two men’s thoughts are momentarily taken off of Anya and focused on Willow.

“What just happened?” Xander questions.

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“This isn’t the right woman!” Anya kneels before a woman who sits on a thrown her dark hair flowing about her and her red eyes glowing with anger.

“You said she was at the shop you sent me to,” the man who’s voice had been strong and unwavering before wavers now.

“Yes!” Lady Kirra roars, “but this is not the woman.”

“I saw no other woman.”

“Could that be because of all the fire you set *my* store on?” Anya questions, realizing that the woman before her knew that she was looking for Willow, Anya adds, “and if you hadn’t’ve made *my* store all smokey you would have found the right woman.”

“Smoke does not hinder Unakio’s sight,” Lady Kirra snaps, “what have you done with the other woman. I picked up on the essence of the witch at your shop ...she’s a tricky little witch, but I’ll find her. She can’t hide from me forever.”

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