Title: To Those Who Wield

Author: CN Winters and Susan Carr

Fandom: Buffy fanfiction, Willow fanfiction, Buffy slash fanfiction, Willow Tara fanfiction

Disclaimers: Joss owns ‘em. I’m just borrowing ‘em.

Rating: NC-17 for grown up stuff like sex, language and violence.

Paring: Will and Tara; Vamp Will and Vamp Tara

Feedback: CN Winters (cnwinters71@yahoo.com) or Susan Carr (skeeter451@mysticmuse.net)

Synopsis: Takes place during season six after Tara and Willow’s break up and Willow’s recovery. We took the liberty of letting Vamp Willow live when she returned to her world just because we can. Anyway, seems Vamp Willow has returned to ‘Buffy’s Sunnydale’ again, this time with her new lover, Tara Maclay, to wreck a little havoc.

Special thanks: To Chris Cook for the ultra-cool banner

Authors note: Be warned. Major characters deaths ahead.

Tara savagely bit into the throat of the young boy in her arms. She drank deeply, continuing even after his struggles ceased and he lost consciousness. Finally, when she could not pull another drop from his still veins, she dropped his lifeless corpse and wiped her lips.

Tara ignored the frightened humans huddled inside the cage as she made her tired way back up the stairs and into the living room. The space looked like it had been through a hurricane. Tapestries hung in tatters, paintings dangled askew on the walls, and debris from broken furniture was strewn the floor. The wall over the fireplace was blackened with soot and the rug that had rested in front of it was reduced to a pile of ash.

Hurricane Willow, Tara thought to herself with a weary chuckle. Her sire was sprawled over the remains of the couch, her head thrown back against the cushions and her eyes closed, but Tara knew Willow was not asleep. For over two days they had been learning spells and casting spells. Tara was amazed at the depths of Willow’s power. It seemed almost a limitless source, but the redheaded vampire was nearly prostrate with exhaustion after pushing herself ceaselessly. However, she had managed to master nearly every spell she had attempted.

Tara was also amazed at her own increased abilities – it was as if the loss of her soul had freed her from any moralistic restrictions her mother’s teaching had placed on her and now her power was free to express itself. And express itself it did, in the most delicious of ways. Sunnydale’s population was at least a dozen citizens less this evening since Willow kept sending her minions out for more subjects to "experiment" on. Tara was more than happy to let Willow play, and each time Willow scored another success, Tara’s admiration – and pride – increased.

"Hey," she said softly, sitting down next to Willow on the couch. The redhead immediately wrapped an arm around her and Tara snuggled comfortably against Willow.

"Hmmm?" Willow hummed.

"Ready for bed?"

Willow sighed, "Got company coming, Kitten." Willow looked around the battered room. "Have to get this placed cleaned up. Can’t have our guests arrive with it looking like this."

Tara chuckled. "Think we have time to paint? It’s gonna take several coats just to cover up the fireplace."

Willow squinted at the wall of soot. "I should make you do it, Kitten."

"Me!" Tara protested, but a chuckle escaped her. "That was your doing, Willow. You’re the one who couldn’t control the tinkerbell spell." Tara laughed again at Willow’s nickname for the astral projection spell.

"That’s a stupid spell, Tara!" Willow said.

"It’s not stupid, Willow," she laughed. "You’re just having trouble mastering it."

"Trouble?" Willow hissed. "Look at the fireplace, Tara! It’s charred!"

Tara glanced to the side and smiled as she remembered Willow trying to astral project and creating a fireball instead. In desperation, Willow had sent the ball into the fireplace where it exploded, filling the room with heat and smoke. Poor Miss Kitty, who’d been sleeping on the mantle, had gone screeching into the bedroom and hadn’t made an appearance since. "Nothing that can’t be fixed." Tara paused. "Willow? You really should rest."

Willow looked at her lover. "I’m alright, Kitten."

"No, you’re not, Willow," Tara insisted. "You need to rest. If you don’t then you’ll be burned out and you won’t be able to do anything."

"What do you mean by burned out?"

"Everyone has a power source inside them," Tara explained. "You’ve been using yours and we’ve been tapping into each other’s. But that source is not limitless. Go too far and you can exhaust yourself, leaving you helpless and weak. And I know you hate that."

"Is there a way to get more power?" Willow asked.

"There are ways…magic users sometimes exchange power. One will boost the energy level of the other while taking back power in return. I’ve heard of black magic dealers who do something similar. They’ll feed dark magic to users who get high off of it. Those who can’t handle it usually end up addicts."

"Magic as a drug," Willow mused. "Imagine that. What do the dealers get in return?"

"They take," Tara said simply. "Whatever they want. I’m told their clients are willing to pay anything. Those who last any length of time usually end up pathetic shells."

"Hmmm," Willow said thoughtfully. "I’ve heard there’s at least one in Sunnydale. Maybe more, knowing this town. I’ll send Worm out to make inquiries and we’ll pay a visit tonight as soon as the sun sets. Don’t worry, Kitten…we’ll be fully charged by the time our guests arrive. In fact, I think if this dealer turns out to have some promise, perhaps we won’t have to wait for them."

Tara smiled. "In that case, Willow. There’s something else I wanna do right now besides magic."

"What’s that?" Willow asked.

"Play," Tara said and led Willow into the bedroom.

XXXXX

That evening, Vamp Willow and Vamp Tara made their way through the streets of Sunnydale. Willy told them the magic dealer Willow had heard about liked to change his location on a nightly basis, but at last report he was situated down by the docks. Tara assured Willow she could sense the magical emanations so as soon as the sun was down they headed off into the night.

"Any luck, Kitten?" Willow asked.

Tara pointed, "This way."

"Where?"

"Open your senses, Will," Tara smiled. "Can’t you feel it?"

Willow cleared her mind as Tara had taught her and almost immediately felt a powerful radiation of heat near them both. She tilted her head as she looked down the street, her eyes not seeing anything, but her magical senses recognizing the opening. She pushed forward, holding one hand out, the other hand clasping Tara’s and led them through the barrier.

The vampires found themselves in a run-down living room. Magical junkies sat or paced nervously. Willow looked at them with contempt. "Not even worth eating, are they?" she remarked to Tara.

"I imagine they’d taste terrible," Tara replied. "Like any other drug user."

"Unless they used magical drugs," Willow said. "There are humans who will enhance themselves for us in return for the thrill of the bite. It’s quite a rush for both."

"You’ve done it?" Tara asked.

"Not often," Willow replied. "Myself, I prefer a good hunt. There’s nothing like the taste of fear."

"I don’t normally deal in magical drugs, ladies," a new voice interrupted. "However, if that’s what you’re here for, I’m sure something can be arranged. Anything for the Master’s right hand."

Willow and Tara looked at the tall, lanky man who had emerged from an inner door. A couple of the junkies had perked up at his appearance.

"That’s right," Willow said. "If you want to continue to do business in Sunnydale."

"Then why don’t you come in and we’ll talk," he invited, standing aside to allow the vampires to pass.

"Rack! I’m next!" a scrawny, strung out young man no more than seventeen pushed past Willow in an attempt to reach the warlock. The redhead snarled in anger at the rudeness and with a thought, sent the boy flying back across the room and halfway into the wall. Tara smirked at the sound of the boy’s skull crushing against the plaster as the body slid to the floor and the delicious scent of blood filled the room.

"Impressive," Rack said. "And powerful…"

"That’s why we’re here," Tara said. "Shall we talk about power?"

Rack smiled. "Come in ladies," he said again. "I have the feeling this is the start of a beautiful friendship."

XXXXX

The steel mesh cage slammed shut with a bang. The librarian turned from the weapons cabinet and looked in confusion at the empty library. The hair on the back of his neck stood up as his skin crawled over the expanse of his body. He recognized the foul stink of dark magic. He reached out to open the door and then pulled his hand back with a hiss. The metal of the cage was red hot.

A moment later the double doors of the library flew open and he watched in horror as the two leather-clad vampires casually strode through and approached the cage. He recognized the redhead even with her black eyes, but not the blonde. Despite his fear, he refused to move to the farthest corner of the cage.

"Well, look at you," Willow purred. "All locked up again. This is becoming a habit for you, isn’t it Watcher?"

"Willow Rosenberg," Giles stated, calmly pulling off his eyeglasses and rubbing them with his handkerchief. "I see you’ve added a new skill to your repertoire. Impressive. It’s still daylight and I didn’t think you’d have enough power or frankly the talent to make it past the wards. How did you manage?"

"Magic," Willow smiled. "I’ve found that with the right companion, one can accomplish anything."

"Indeed," Giles said as he replaced his glasses, his mind frantically trying to formulate a plan out of this trap. "And aren’t you going to introduce me to your new…companion?"

"How rude of me," Willow said, taking Tara’s hand and, raising it to her lips, kissed it gently. "Tara Maclay, may I present Rupert Giles, recently reinstated member of the Council of Watchers, high school librarian, chief pain in the Master’s ass and former demon worshipper."

"How did you…?" Giles sputtered, for the first time his confident attitude shaken.

"Know thy enemy, Rupert," Willow said. "I’m sure you know all about me…or at least you think you know."

Giles remained silent as Tara turned to Willow. "Can I eat him now?" Tara asked.

Willow gave her lover a sweet smile. "Not yet, Kitten. Soon, I promise. He likes to watch and I’m sure he’ll love the little scene we have planned for this evening."

"You won’t get away with this," Giles said approaching the mesh of the cage as closely as he dared. "You think you know magic? You’re nothing but a rank, arrogant amateur. The magics you’re channeling are more ferocious and primal than anything you can hope to understand. If you weren’t already dead, they would kill you in a heartbeat."

"Good thing I’m dead, then, isn’t it?" Willow laughed and hopped up on the counter across from the cage. "Kitten? Why don’t you begin? The others should be here soon."

Giles narrowed his eyes as the blonde vampire sat in a lotus position on one of the library tables facing the entrance. She closed her eyes and as she began to chant, Giles could feel his skin crawling with magical energy. After a few moments, a hush settled on the library and Giles felt as if his eardrums were expanding from the lack of air pressure.

"What are you up to?" he asked, the words fell flat and he knew that any sound would not escape beyond the library.

"Just making preparations, Rupert," Willow answered. "I thought to wait until your White Hats came to us like you planned, but I thought this would be more beneficial."

"They’re here," Tara said suddenly.

Willow smiled in her direction. "Are you ready, Kitten?"

"Yes, my love. You?" Tara asked in return.

"I am," Willow said.

Giles heard a muffled sound from outside the library and the doors began to swing open.

"Kendra! It’s a trap!" Giles shouted, but his words again fell flat and the dark skinned slayer and werewolf walked into the library holding hands. Kendra looked up and, seeing the vampires, stood in front of Oz.

"Go get Larry and the others," she ordered, staring the smiling Willow in the eye.

"I’m not leaving you here alone," he protested.

"Go! And hurry, it’s nearly sundown," she said and pushed him to the door. Oz stumbled to the doors and tried to push through, but they wouldn’t budge. He backed up a step and threw himself again at the doors, but without success.

"Oh, let him stay Slayer," Willow said. "Why should you have all the fun?"

"This will be fun, vampire," Kendra said. "Almost as fun as killing your master will be."

"Your predecessor didn’t think so when he snapped her neck," Willow grinned.

Giles noted that the redheaded vampire’s eyes had returned to their normal green color. He opened his mouth to speak, but at a gesture from Tara, he found himself mute. As Kendra approached Willow, Oz rushed to the book cage to help Giles, but yelled in pain as his hands came in contact with the door. Giles could only watch helpless as the drama unfolded before him.

Willow continued to smile as the Slayer launched herself and with a flying kick, sent the vampire tumbling behind the counter. Kendra braced herself, but when the vampire did not reappear, her eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"Looking for me?" Willow asked from behind the Slayer.

As Kendra spun around, she lashed out with her fist, again striking the redhead and sending her flying across the room. Willow slid across the floor and came to a stop against one of the legs of the table that Tara was sitting on.

"You okay, baby?" Tara asked with a smile as she reached down to help Willow off the floor.

"Fine, Kitten," Willow said. "Having fun."

Kendra charged again, but this time Willow nimbly stepped aside and almost casually lifted her knee into the Slayer’s gut. Kendra’s momentum caused her to double over with the wind knocked out of her and with a viscous double handed blow, Willow smashed her fists down on the base of Kendra’s neck causing the Slayer to collapse stunned to the floor. Willow grabbed the woman by the base of her ponytail and yanked her up harshly until Kendra’s face was only inches from her own.

"I don’t like you," Willow said, her eyes narrowing and the humor gone from her voice. "I’m going to take a stand here and say I don’t like Slayers in general. The first killed my Xander and the second was too much of a coward to stake me when she had the chance. But you…" Willow ran one fingernail down the dark skinned girl’s cheek, cutting a path that instantly filled the room with the scent of potent blood. "You come to my town and think you can just take it over, reshape it into someplace nice and disgusting. You want to make this a stupid world, just like that other. But I’m not going to let that happen. Sunnydale belongs to the Master and someday…after we’ve conquered the world…it’ll belong to me."

Willow pulled Kendra’s head back and licked a path up the wildly beating jugular vein as her face switched into its demon form. Just as she was about to bury her fangs into the Slayer’s neck, a low growl came from the other side of the room.

"Time's up. Rules change," Oz said and the two vampires watched in fascination as his slight form hideously began to contort, reshaping itself into something wild and feral. Kendra finally regained her strength and broke free from Willow’s hold, knocking the vampire back and kicking Willow’s legs out from under her. As Willow landed on her back, the werewolf completed his transformation and launched himself at her, his dripping snout aimed for her exposed neck.

"Willow! No!" Tara cried, leaping from the table and deflecting the werewolf away from her sire.

"Damn it," Kendra cried, reaching behind her for the stake tucked into her belt. Before she had a chance to strike at Willow, the vampire raised a hand and Kendra’s face mirrored her surprise as she flew across the room and through the window into the librarian’s office, the wickedly sharp stake clattering across the floor.

Willow looked at her lover who was wrestling with the werewolf. The wolf had the blonde pinned to the floor and Tara was using her new undead strength to keep the fangs from tearing out her throat. Willow could tell Tara was hurt, could smell her blood in the air, but before she could help, Tara muttered an incantation and the Slayer’s stake skittered towards her. Grabbing it, she plunged the vicious weapon deep into the werewolf’s eye and into its brain. The wolf gave a single howl and went still. Tara pushed the lifeless corpse off of her and sat up, wiping a bloody hand across her face. Willow waited a moment longer to satisfy herself that Tara wasn’t too wounded and then she rose to her feet.

Kendra, her exposed skin bleeding from several gashes from the window, emerged from the office and focused on the redheaded vampire. "Now you shall die, vampire."

Willow turned to the Slayer and slowly blinked her eyes. "Bored now," she said calmly, her eyes changing from their cold green into a black darker than the depths of hell.

Willow raised her hands and icy viridian power shot out towards the helpless Slayer. It struck Kendra like a thousand shards of glass, shredding her skin, peeling it back and tearing into the muscles below. The Slayer screamed until she could scream no more, her throat torn, the vocal cords eaten away. And still the power continued to flow out of Willow.

After an eternity, the power stopped and the Slayer’s mangled form slumped to the floor, the exposed bones barely held together by shredded cartilage and sinew. Willow stared at the Slayer’s body, only turning away when she felt her lover join her.

Tara pressed her body close to Willow’s and leaned in to lick away the small trail of blood dripping from her sire’s nose. "You didn’t leave much to eat, Sweetie."

Willow smiled, her exhaustion evident in her eyes. "Next time, baby," she said, wrapping a tired arm around her lover. "That’s the pesky thing about Slayers. There’s always another."

The couple leaned together for a victory kiss barely hearing the doors to the library opening and the sound of cheerful applause.

"Well done, my dear! Oh very well done," the Master applauded as he and Drusilla entered.

Willow and Tara slowly broke apart, Willow standing on her own, but keeping a hand clasped with Tara. "Thank you, Master," Willow said, a victorious smile on her face.

"Oh that is a nice sight…a true work of art," the Master said, looking down at Kendra’s shredded corpse. "And the werewolf, too. But what of him?" he asked pointing to Giles.

Willow turned around to the cage. She took a step forward and smiled watching the librarian sweat. She took a deep breath as she grinned.

"I smell your fear White Hat. That’s smart. So buckle up Rupert," Giles stepped back as Willow opened the cage. "You say I’m an amateur but I think you need to see that I’ve gone pro."

With a mighty tug on his lapel she threw him clear outside into the library’s center. He lost his footing and slid to a stop on his backside to Tara’s feet. The blonde picked him, keeping a tight hold on him. "You’ve got one of two choices," Willow told Giles.

Giles looked to the Master and Dru, both of whom wore large grins, as Willow stalked back toward him. She didn’t stop until she was inches away from his face. "Now she’s gonna kill you. No choice in that." Willow paused giving him a ravenous grin. "But... she can let you stay dead...Or... Bring you back, to be like us."

Giles reared back and spat in Willow’s face. At first she did nothing but smirk. Then methodically from top to bottom she wiped her eye. "It's not such a good idea for you to piss me off," she said as the smile scurried from her face. "Kill him!" she told Tara with a nod.

Without hesitation Tara sank her fangs into him and drank deeply.

"That’s alright, my sweet," the Master soothed Willow. "You’ve done much good for one evening. Don’t let one failed…" The group turned to the noise of Tara tossing his lifeless body to the ground, " and dead watcher get your spirits down. You’ve won here my dear. For all of us."

"He tasted funny. Like...scones," Tara told them.

"The English usually do." The Master then laughed cheerfully as he rejoined Drusilla. He took the tall vampire’s arm in his and looked fondly at her. "So my dear, what shall we do for my two lovely children to show our appreciation?"

"Miss Edith thinks it’s time for a party under the stars with candles and paper streamers and lots of lovelies to feast on," Drusilla said.

"Then a party it shall be," the Master said. "Come my dears…let’s get you two cleaned up while we make arrangements. This is your night. We damned the world. I say we party."

Willow and Tara joined in the laughter as they followed the fiendish couple outside of the quiet library that now resembled a slaughterhouse.

XXXXX

"So how long have we been sitting here?" Willow asked. She looked around the large, vacant area of the production floor.

"An hour and 45 minutes," Tara answered, looking at her watch. "I don’t think the Vamps are gonna show." Tara heard Willow give a deep sigh and looked over. "Nervous?" the blonde asked.

"Frustrated," Willow answered. "One way or another I’d just like this to be over, ya know?"

"Yeah. I’ve got exams coming up. It’d be nice to study something besides spell books and if I’m lucky enough, graduate in May. Oh and getting rid of the evil undead us would be nice," she teased.

Willow just grinned. "Yep that’s the Scooby mentality. Try to lead a normal life and dust a few vamps when you can. And yeah it’s hard playing catch up at school," Willow told her. "Of course my lack of studies was self-inflicted," she added feeling a bit embarrassed. "B-but I know what it’s like to fall behind, regardless."

"How’s that coming along?" Tara asked. "Your studies I mean?"

"Well, a few of my instructors thought I was dead or in the hospital. Even they know that Willow Rosenberg doesn’t just blow off a class," she answered with a grin. "I’ve missed a lot of school this past month."

"You’ve changed a lot lately."

Willow nodded "And before you say it, not all of it was good. I realize," Willow replied, cutting off any argument Tara might begin.

"You said it. I didn’t."

"Yeah I know," Willow answered feeling defensive at Tara’s caustic comment. But she took a deep breath to steady her nerves. "I’ve messed up a lot of things in my life. Yours too," Willow added, her voice softening.

"I’ll survive," Tara told her.

"I know you will. You’re strong. A lot stronger than me," Willow admitted.

"I don’t think that’s true. I think we’re both strong Will. It takes a lot to walk away from magic and y-your doing a great job so far."

"So far…meaning it won’t last, right?"

"That’s your choice," Tara told her. "And m-maybe I shouldn’t say it but there might be a chance you can do magic again. Just not any day soon is all," Tara shrugged.

"Any chance you might come back?"

Willow didn’t look at Tara as she spoke the question. As soon as it left her lips she regretted it but now it was out there and she couldn’t pull it back in. She waited for the boom to drop.

"Again, not any day soon," Tara replied.

Willow kept her head down trying to hide the small grin. Well at least that’s not a no, she mused. "And again, I know," Willow answered. "B-but thanks for keeping the door open. I mean you could just walk away and not care anymore. You’ve got no ties here – I mean Dawnie yeah but still. It’s not like she’s blood kin."

"Well, you’ve seen my blood kin," Tara chuckled. "The best families are those we make. So even despite everything Will, even if we never…you know…You gave me something I never had. A true family and self respect."

"Glad I’m good for sumthin’ then," Willow replied with a grin.

"You’re good for lots Will. Don’t ever doubt that. You can doubt your sanity, your heart or even your mind at times because we all do," Tara told her, meeting her eye to eye. "But don’t ever doubt that you have no purpose. You’ve touch countless lives, mine included and I’m a better person because of you. But I just…I can’t…"

"Be a pawn," Willow finished. "I get it. I do. Gods, know it’s taken me long enough to realize that but I do a-and I’m gonna make it up to you I swear. Even if you…if you move on and find someone new I…"

"I’m not looking Will," Tara answered. "There isn’t anyone I want in my life right now…Do you honestly think you’re that easy to replace?"

"Well, you know when Oz left the first time I never got so much as a postcard."

"Yeah and when he came back I almost became a mid-afternoon wolf snack."

"I’m really sorry about that," Willow told her sincerely. "Yet another screw up. I should have told him about you, us, but I-."

"That’s not the point Willow. He could have just walked away but he couldn’t replace you that easily. So please don’t think for a moment I’m going to join the local GLADD chapter or some lesbian potluck and find me a new honey. It’s not like that. Even if you think it was nothing for me to walk away, like I told you, it was the toughest choice I ever had to make. But it was one I made for both our sakes."

Willow didn’t add any more she just nodded to Tara’s watch. "The time?"

Tara looked down at her wrist. "Two hours."

"This isn’t happening tonight," Willow said standing up and dusting off her back side as she reached her hand down to help Tara to her feet. She smiled inward when Tara didn’t flinch and reached up to take her offered hand. "Let’s get out of here."

As the pair walked outside they stood for a moment and saw Buffy come out of the shadows to greet them. What they didn’t see however were the two vamps watching from the other side.

"So much for them coming alone?" Tara remarked.

"Of course," Willow answered. "The righteous Slayer can’t be leaving Fuzzy and Frumpy all alone with us."

"What now?" Tara asked, obviously frustrated.

"Oh don’t fret, Kitten. We’ll meet them soon enough but on our terms and not the Slayer’s. Let’s get back to the crypt and kick around a few ideas." Willow pulled Tara into a deep kiss and then returned to watching the trio leave the factory grounds. "Once we finish our task, Sweet…a celebration is definitely in order."

"Anything you wish, Mistress," Tara replied with a sexy smirk, letting her lover lead her away by the hand.

XXXXX

The impromptu Ball the Master had thrown together for Willow to celebrate the defeat of the Slayer appeared as though it had been in the planning stage for months. Of course many a demon was glad to help out in raiding Sunnydale of its humans to pay tribute to the Master’s right hand. Those that weren’t on human round-up detail graciously and whole-heartedly offered to decorate the Bronze for the auspicious occasion.

Willow had diverted what could have become a long, drawn out battle and word of her deed (and that of her companion’s) quickly spread like wildfire through the Sunnydale demon ranks. A few even went so far as to say that perhaps the right-hand was more powerful than the Master himself but only in trusted company. If word got back to the master of their thoughts they knew they would be kissing daylight.

The Master saw to it that Willow’s favorite band, Dingoes Ate My Baby, were the featured act and blood flowed like wine through the club. Even the Master himself seemed relaxed and a bit carefree. Willow herself could say she felt as sense of relief. This was what being dead was all about and she felt like she could take on any foe as she escorted Tara on her arm through the crowd of celebrating undead. So wrapped up in their joy of the moment they didn’t see Dru talking to the Master aside, urging him to a secluded place. But when Willow looked up she did notice his throne vacant in the club.

"Why not have a seat? See how it fits?" A vamp said to her as he watched her looking at the empty space.

"It’s not my throne," she told him. "It belongs to my Master. Your Master as well and you’d be wise to stop that type of chatter."

He suddenly looked nervous. "I was just kidding, Willow."

"Do I know you?" she asked.

He offered his hand in greeting, "No, David’s the name."

Willow took the hand but instead of shaking it she bent it with a twist, breaking it off and tossing it back to him. "Then that’s Ms. Rosenberg to you," she told him. "Disgrace the Master with such talk again and you’ll lose more than a hand."

In shock he staggered away and Willow looked back to the see Dru leaving the Master’s side as he nodded to her. "Something’s wrong," Willow told Tara and without waiting for a response pulled her with her toward the Master.

"Is there trouble my Sire?" Willow asked as she approached.

"Oh nothing to concern yourself with my dear," he told her with a grin. "I assure you, it will all be taken care of before dawn. So just relax. Make merry with the night. You’ve done well and you’ll be rewarded well, I assure you."

"Well if you don’t think it improper I’d like to be leaving shortly. I’d like to celebrate with Tara alone, if you catch my meaning."

The Master gave a wicked laugh. "Oh to be young and always hungry for all that this world has to offer. Don’t worry my dear. Feel free to celebrate in anyway you see fit. You’ve earned it."

"Thank you, Sire," Willow nodded. "May I bring you a drink before we go?"

"That’s quite alright. You go. Enjoy!"

"Thank you again, Sire," Willow said with a short bow this time which Tara also gave as they turned heel.

Once they were out of earshot Willow turned to Tara. "We need to get home. Now."

"Why Willow? He said everything was fine." Tara was truly confused as Willow led her out of the Bronze and down the back alley.

"For him, yes. But for us? I don’t think so."

"Why?"

"Well for starters he ‘assured’ me twice – it’s never a good sign. Means he’s not certain or he’s planning something I’m not to be a part of. I’ve been at his side long enough to know how he thinks."

"Baby, I have to say it so please don’t get angry but…I think that Slayer might have spooked you a little. You seem a bit paranoid."

At that moment five vamps surrounded them armed with crossbows and Willow turned to Tara, deadpan. "You were saying?"

Continued