Willow had nearly forgotten her foot. She hadn't had to fight, since it was over so soon. But when she defiantly had decided to go with Tara, the remembrance – and the pain – came back.
"Look, Willow, we have a lot to do, so we can't waste much longer. It's nearly morning. You can settle this after the battle,
" Angel said. With how well my Mother's doing, there won't be much of a battle, Tara thought smugly.
"Fine, fine,
" Willow said, exasperated. Damn! Tara thought. She searched her brain for another plan.
"I should go back, then,
" Tara said.
"That would be best,
" Angel said. When Tara had left, Willow spun on them.
"Uh, excuse me?
" she asked, angrily.
"Explanation?
" Cordelia entered the living room from the hall.
"Did I miss something?
" she asked, absentmindedly.
* * *
Catherine was obviously vexed. All her men had gone on the hunt for more, and she kept circling the bonfire. Wesley didn't like the look in her eyes. The flames from the bonfire glistening in her eyes didn't help any. As the flames leaped higher, Oz's ability to hold the wolf grew weaker. He was at a breaking point. His blood felt like it was boiling, there was a deep aching in his stomach. He felt sweat run down his forehead as he tried harder than ever to keep it in. His bare stomach (after Catherine had to use his shirt as a diversion) felt as though the flames were touching it, and it was painful. His skin was blistering. His clear blue eyes where shining with fear. But none of it was what Catherine would do to him. How can Oz stay so calm? This is just typical. We're all going to die and he's being Mr. Joe Cool. I hate not being able to hide stuff. God it's hot. I hope Buffy and everyone's doing okay, Xander thought. By now everyone was angry, stressed and rushed for time. Buffy slammed down her large volume.
"This is useless! Why don't we just call up the Watcher's Council or something, but I'm getting really tired of just sitting here!
" she said.
"Uh, News flash! The Watcher's Council? Help? Yeah – right. Look, it may just be me, but after dating an incredibly dangerous vampire – no offence, you pay my bills – and after the whole mutiny thing, I doubt help is what they're going to offer,
" Cordelia said.
"Maybe I should try the net,
" Willow said.
"Wow, Willow! Where did you get that brilliant brainstorm?
" Buffy asked.
"I was just trying to help!
" Willow yelled.
"I really think…
" Angel tried, but they continued.
"God, Willow, good intentions aren't a necessity if it doesn't actually help,
" Buffy said.
"Like you care! You don't care if they live or die. You don't care about anyone anymore!
" Willow said.
"Oh, yeah, you're one to talk,
" Buffy said.
"What's that supposed to mean?
" Willow asked.
"Well maybe, if you weren't such a cheating little by-ist slut, maybe you would be of more help than just worrying about your own problems which, compared to this, are quite small! I don't even know you anymore and you're my best friend!
" Buffy yelled back Despite the immense pain, Willow rose to her feet and quivered for a moment, getting used to the pain, and opened her mouth.
"Go to hell,
" Willow thought about her comment for a moment and then said,
"Again. I hate you,
" Willow said, trying to push past Buffy. She fell. Her eyes shining with hurt and pain, she sat there, crying.
"Will…
" Buffy tried.
* * *
Giles looked at the group. They were all starving, burning and hurt, but none of them gave up, except maybe Wesley. They were still trying to work their ropes. Oz's wolf problem wasn't as large in day time, at least. His skin was nearly burned. Everyone's was. Wesley had given up already. Figures, the little weasel, Giles thought. Catherine was still pacing. The others finally returned, but they had only brought two. Catherine, luckily, didn't seem to notice. Giles knew that if they could figure out what to do, or even that there was an invisibility cloak, Buffy would be able to stop this thing. But that was only if they could.
* * *
Angel helped her up. Buffy tried to reach out for her, but she pulled away. Willow went to the computer instinctively, and began typing away.
"Not even I've made her cry that much,
" Cordelia said.
"I didn't mean it, alright?
" Buffy asked, bitterly.
"This group is falling apart because everyone is looking after themselves. I don't know what to do,
" Buffy said.
"Well, for starters, that was probably not one of your better ideas,
" Angel said. As they continued to mutter, Willow broke a couple of codes trying to get into the Watcher's Council files. After she had broken the last one, and remembered the password, she was in. She usually, and proudly used to announce this, and everyone applauded or cheered or something. But this wasn't high school. And it wasn't the same Scooby Gang. She looked up Wiccan rituals and opened the files. Luckily, Blood Moon Rituals was one of the categories. Harbinger acts were next, and finally, there were three listed.
"Angel, you probably know more about this than I do. There are three possibilities listed here,
" she said. Angel walked over and looked at them.
"Well, the Power of Three might make sense, click on that, see what is says,
" he said.
"Seven prisoners are used in the ritual, although they are not killed during the ritual, the "Harbinger" or witch casting the spell usually does like to take a couple of victims. The seven victims have to have been touched by a supernatural magic at one time or another. There are three spell-casters. The Harbinger, who is in charge, and two witches who are either related in blood or magic. If there is a witch in the three who is not related, she must… show her loyalty. But it doesn't say how,
" Willow said.
"Well, so we know who "The Three" are. But if you don't show your "loyalty", they can't do the spell, right?
" Cordelia asked.
"You think Tara's one of the Three? Willingly? And that she's just trying to be my… well, you know… just to have me participate?
" Willow asked. They nodded slowly.
"I don't believe this! I trust Tara. And I love her,
" Willow said.
* * *
"That was all I needed, my dear,
" Catherine said, staring into the pool's reflection of what had happened.
"Should I go, then?
" Tara asked.
"Yes, but make sure you don't make it obvious you have. You're so smart. I know you'll find a way,
" Catherine said. Tara smiled and nodded. She began to head out of the ritual circle. The fire crackled even though it was near ten. The sun was nearly at its highest point in the day and it was hot. On top of the heat from the fire, it was brutal. Catherine was keeping completely cool with whatever spell she'd cast. Despite the pressure, he remembered something. It was even hard for Oz to form a thought during the conditions, but he did. Something he had learned. It wasn't really telepathy in the sense that it wasn't some hokey gimmick, but it was close. If this worked, he wouldn't be talking into whoever's mind, he'd put an idea or form a feeling in the person. It was really interesting. He closed his eyes and tried. It was hard. Not only with the pressure of keeping the wolf in, especially on the one day it was the hardest, but also the heat and the pain. On top of it all, he had only tried it about two times. The first time had failed and the second one succeeded, so this effort was about fifty-fifty. What is Oz doing, like, harnessing his chi? This is not the time for meditation. I'm being helpful – by uselessly panicking, Xander thought. At least this isn't like the time I had to be hanging above a big weird pit upside-down. I hope this ends the same way, though. Xander was not exactly enjoying himself, but he was probably doing worse than almost everyone in the circle. He had worn all black while they were trying to find the ritual circle and was deeply regretting it. The sun was growing closer to its destination at the top of the sky, and time was running out for everyone.
* * *
Willow had printed out the plans for that particular ritual and the group was overlooking them. There was an imaginary circle line with seven captives held around it. There was a large fire in the middle, and three positions for the witches to go around the fire.
"It looks like this could be easily done in Miller's Woods. Yeah, no question. That's practically exactly on the opposite side of town where we found the bloody concert shirt and… shoe,
" Buffy said.
"So maybe she was trying to lead us off track,
" Willow suggested.
"Will, I'd love to believe that…
" Buffy started.
"Let me get this straight, you think the boy who I used to love more than anything is dead, and my current… significant other is the murderous witch capable of this?
" Willow asked.
"Yeah,
" Buffy said.
"Now, okay, what are the chances that they'd kill one of our group when there are seven of us?
" Cordelia asked.
"Cordelia and Willow are right. There's no reason why this wasn't just to lead us off the trail. And they wouldn't kill a member of our group if there was a set seven of us,
" Angel said. Willow looked odd for a second, deep in thought, her eyes bore into nothingness.
"How could she have known, though, that Wesley or Oz was here when she first started the ritual? Or any of us that weren't part of the original group who sent her into that vortex?
" Willow asked.
"Uh, Tara?
" Buffy asked.
"Let's say for a moment that she was part of this, how would she know about Wesley? I mean, Tara never saw him arrive, right?
" Willow asked.
"So how do we know that there wasn't another person intended to be at that circle, but she substituted for Wesley?
"
* * *
Tara rounded the curb and was stopped by Riley.
"Taking care of business?
" he asked.
"None of your business. You're supposed to be up in the woods, aiding my mother,
" Tara said.
"She gave me leave. I get a
"lunch break
", if you will. And, as long as you and I both are working for Ms. Madison, it is my business,
" he said.
"I don't think you have to spend your break skulking around and following me. Thank you very much,
" Tara said.
"And she's my mother. I don't work for her. I'm second in command, technically.
" Riley shrugged and walked the other way. Tara had to hurry. She was already running thin on time. She rushed up the walkway to his apartment, and stopped at his number. She knocked impatiently. Someone came to answer the door. It was the vampire. She didn't like him, mostly because like the slayer he had this weird probing ability.
"Something went terribly wrong. It was a spell I did. Willow needs to help me stop it,
" Tara said.
"I'm more skilled in magic than she is. Maybe I should help,
" the vampire, Angel, said. At once two very strong, very different urges came over Willow. One, was the feeling that she needed to go with Tara. The other was that she might be in danger if she did. She weighed the conflicting feelings. The one Catherine designed with magic was stronger, and, technically, Willow's soul belonged to Tara and Catherine, but the other one… had love in it. Had caring. But, as always, Willow had this new ambition, new strength, and she believed that if there was danger to come, she could handle it. Tara, remembering Willow's ankle, knew that it would not be good for the ritual. She figured her mother could quicken the healing process. But, Tara decided it couldn't hurt to relieve a little pain for now. Surprised her ankle didn't hurt as much, Willow limped over to Tara.
"I guess since I'm a witch the healing process is faster or something,
" Willow said. Uh, huh. Sure, Buffy thought. Buffy knew she should let Willow go, but if Willow was captured, since she was the most important piece to Catherine's unfinished ritual, it wouldn't matter in what order or time the other three were captured. Willow and Tara walked out the door. Tara shut it behind them.
"Shouldn't we go to your dorm?
" Willow asked, confused, when they were going the opposite way from the University.
"No, no. I decided that the woods would be a better place. You know, with the free, electric air, and the peace,
" Tara said.
"Oh, that's different,
" Willow said cautiously. Tara wondered if Willow's hesitation would affect anything in the way the spell would work. But she also knew her mother had been a witch since forever, and doubting her would do nothing but make her resent Tara's ignorance. Despite how pure evil Tara was, she was still very naïve. After about fifteen minutes, they approached the entrance to Miller's Woods. Willow was cautious. They entered through to the clearing, and then, she dragged Willow through the cloak. Willow gasped for air. She had been tricked, but seeing most of her friends like… that. It was horrible. She felt like she was going to puke or cry. Maybe even both. She was shaking, and Tara went and whispered something to Catherine. The pain completely left Willow's foot. She tried to run, but she was frozen. Trapped in that one spot. She didn't know what to think. Willow, who could think in desperate situations like that, couldn't even process a word. She looked all around. I was right. He isn't dead. Buffy thinks she knows so much… Willow stopped her train of thought. Okay, think. Protection spell won't work. You can't fight like a slayer. Right, I think that I'm gunna die. She tried desperately to think of a plan. There had to be something Catherine hadn't thought of. She looked around. Oz, Wesley, Giles and Xander looked desperately at Willow. She tried to mouth that she couldn't move. All hope left Xander's eyes. Willow tried to think of any spell that would be useful. If she could complete the other spell she was doing at Giles' from where she was, she could win this thing.
* * *
"I don't know what we're going to do. This is massively stressful. Okay, think. Think,
" Buffy was saying desperately. She paced around the room. Riley entered Giles', trying to sway Buffy into thinking he was trustworthy.
"Angel!?
" he spat.
"Smooth. Oh, yeah, you could care less,
" Cordelia said. Buffy looked worried.
"Riley…
" she tried. She tried to rush for him, but Angel kept her back.
"Angel!
" she protested. Then, she relaxed her fists and remembered why Angel was doing this.
"Riley, I will smash your face into the back of your brain if you take one step near me,
" Buffy said. He tried to think of an idea. He grabbed Cordelia and put the knife near her throat. Cordelia made a face.
"Look, you and me both know that knife won't hurt me. Send me to your little witch leader's cub scout meeting up in the woods, probably. So get your back-stabbing, stupid farm-boy hands off of me, so Buffy can kick your ass,
" Cordelia said. He loosened his grip on Cordelia. Then, she began to get away, when he made a small cut on her shoulder with the knife.
"Hey, I paid for that jacket,
" she said, as she was swept away into a wispy nothingness. Buffy delivered a kick into Riley's skull. He flew back, and landed on the broken door. While he was staggering to get up, Buffy said,
"We can't kill a human, but we can strap him down in a chair and interrogate the hell out of him,
" she offered.
"Good plan,
" Angel said, walking over to Riley. He leaned over, got up, and kicked him in the stomach, making sure he'd be out for a while.
* * *
Willow thought she could hear something. Like a whisper. I small, far-off one. But she couldn't hear it with her ears, it was more like she was hearing it in her head. She looked around desperately, hoping it would go away. Willow… Willow… It sounded sad, almost helpless. Despite his efforts, Oz had failed his mind-melt thing. Obviously, since Willow was here. But he was pretty sure he could hear someone. Although Catherine wasn't even opening her mouth and her minions had been commanded to stay silent. Pretty soon everyone in the circle could hear their names being quietly called. It got louder, and less sad, less helpless. Even with their fears of who the voice was, they knew it wouldn't hurt them.
