Site last Updated - May 13, 2006

Part Two

Wherever she was, it was dark. Tara knew she'd just opened her eyes, but she couldn't see anything. Not the slightest light flickered through the darkness.

She shivered for a moment, on the verge of panicking, but calmed down when she felt her hand being squeezed. With a sigh of relief she squeezed back, grateful that where ever she was, Willow was with her.

There was a whisper of sound in the air, and then a light blinded her momentarily. Tara blinked, raising a hand to her face. When she could see again, her eyes focused warily on Amy, who stood in front of them, grinning. A spinning ball of white light hung over them all.

"Well, that went well." Amy glared at Tara. "Except you weren't supposed to be along for the ride." She shrugged. "Guess it was 'cause you were holding her hand. Sorry."

Tara shook her head to clear it. "Amy, what have you done?"

Amy just smiled, watching as Willow stared down at the gold pyramid in her hand.

"What is this, and where are we?" Willow asked, looking up at Amy.

"We're in Castle Desiavor. It's in a dimension apart from our own. And that," she pointed at the object in Willow's hand, "that is --"

"A gatemaker, for teleportation." Tara took it from her friend. "You can use it to travel any distance, or even between dimensions, if you have the power and the correct spell." She glared at Amy. "Where did you get this?"

"Actually, I found it among my mother's things. She had such great power. It's too bad she went crazy, really. We could have done great things together."

"Yeah, well, it's just too bad she wanted a second childhood huh?" Willow took the teleporter back.

Amy laughed. "Yeah, well, no chance of that with the Slayer around, right?"

"What do you want, Amy?" Willow almost yelled, getting more annoyed by the minute. "I mean, you didn't bring us here to talk about high school days, did you?"

"You know what I want! I want the Grimoire!" She glared at Willow. "I found it. I know where it's at, I know how to get to it, and I want it."

"So, go get it. I'm not stopping you," Willow said, still puzzled.

"Yes, unfortunately, you are."

Tara stepped between the two of them, hoping she didn't suddenly find herself caught in the crossfire if one of them threw a spell at the other. She still had one hand clutching Willow's, and with the other she stroked the redhead's arm.

"Calm down, Will. We'll figure this out."

Willow smiled at Tara's touch. "Look, Amy. I'm all for you realizing your dream, whatever it is, but I still don't have a clue what you're talking about." Willow glanced around the dimly lit room, searching for a way out. "And you're really starting to give me the willies."

So was the place they were in. Amy's light orb was large enough that they could see most of the edges of the room -- not that there was much to see.

It appeared to be a basement of some kind, with a hard dirt floor, and stone or cement walls. There were remnants of a few tables and chairs around the place, but nothing that spoke of recent habitation.

Nothing human, anyway.

"Look, it's really simple. The book is hidden here in the castle. It's guarded by a few minor demons and traps, but it's here for the taking." Amy folded her arms and looked at the two witches in front of her. "There's just one problem. It's trapped, and spell bound. And it can only be released and opened by two witches." She eyed Tara. "You're completely unnecessary."

Tara winced at Amy's statement. It was a familiar feeling, being told that she didn't matter. She'd learned long ago to let statements like that roll off of her. But this time, it seemed different. Possibly because she knew it was true. Amy didn't need her; she needed Willow, the Willow that cast spells with her for the heck of it.

But that Willow was supposed to be gone. Tara could only hope she'd stay gone.

"Whoa -- hey, there." Willow stepped in front of Tara defensively. "Just back up a minute here. No need to get all snarky. Tara is very necessary, trust me." She gave Tara a slight grin and squeezed her hand. "As for the demons, you should have brought Buffy."

"You don't get it, do you? This isn't about who's got the biggest stake, it's about power. You can only get the Grimoire through magic. Which is what we're going to do."

"I'm sorry, Amy, but I can't help you with the spells." Willow turned to look Tara in the eye. "I made a promise-- "she glanced back at Amy-- "to myself, and I'm not going to break it. Not for you, not for anyone."

Tara smiled at her former lover, proud of her for saying no.

Amy simply smirked at them. "Great. Fine. Okay." She looked around the room. "Well, then, guess you better get used to your new home. You won't be leaving it."

"Do we get cable?" Willow asked while looking around the room.

"Oh, ha. Very funny."

"Well, you'll have to forgive us, but we're not staying. You can teleport us back to the restaurant." She glanced at Tara. "Or better yet, send us directly to the dorm, please."

Amy shook her head, grinning all the while. "Sorry, no can do." She pointed at the teleport device still in Willow's hand. "That's preprogrammed. It will only activate when the spell is completed."

Tara sighed. "And how do we complete the spell?"

"We find the book, of course."

"You mean... we all stay here until the book is found?" Willow asked.

"Yes."

Tara looked at Willow. "I think we're in trouble."

Willow's face paled. "I think you're right."

===========================

"Tara, this is gonna turn out bad, I can feel it." Willow whispered. "I really don't want to do this."

"I don't think we really have a choice, Will."

The trio had left the room they'd teleported into, and were currently walking down a dark, dank corridor. Amy, the witch light still burning in the air above her, was consulting a diagram she'd pulled from her small purse. Tara and Willow were lagging back, whispering quietly to each other.

"If we want to get out of here, we need to find the book. That's the only way to activate the teleport gateway."

"Yeah, but you heard her. The only way to get the book is to do a spell. That's magic. You know, the stuff I don't do anymore?" Willow's voice was strained.

Tara glanced at Amy in front of them. Seeing that she was still preoccupied, the blonde slid an arm about her former lover's waist and leaned closer to her.

"I'll handle the magic. You can be my anchor this time. Okay?"

Willow leaned into the hug, letting her eyes shut briefly. Basking in the warmth of her friend. "Yeah, I can do that." Willow turned to face Tara. "If it's something you don't want to do, just tell me. I'll figure another way out of it." She looked around the dark hallway. "I'm sure I can find another way, maybe."

Amy stopped suddenly and turned towards them. "And this is test number one." She tapped on the door she next to her. "We need to unlock this. It's the stairway to the first floor."

"Test? You didn't mention any tests." Willow said, looking from Amy to Tara and back again. "Maybe we should study first. I do way better on tests after a good study session."

"First floor?" Tara gestured around her. "If that takes us to the first floor, then w-where are we now?"

"The dungeon. It's the only place in the castle not guarded against teleport devices." She folded the paper and put it in her pocket. "And I did mention tests. A few traps and demons and such. Nothing serious, just nothing that can be done single handedly."

"Oh, I didn't think those were tests, just -- obstacles?"

"Obstacles, tests -- what's the difference." She pointed at the door handle. "I think a simple unlocking spell will do it, don't you?" Amy glared at Willow. "Well, get over here. We have to say it at the same time."

Willow's face showed worry. "But I can see how they would be tests. Seeing as how if we fail at them, then poof, no more exam. Right?"

Tara let one hand rest on the small of Willow's back. She waited until the red head looked at her, then smiled, and stepped forward.

Willow gave a slight grin, but her eyes were still showing fear.

"W-willow won't be doing magic with you, Amy. She's sworn off it, remember?" Another step. "W-which means, I guess it's a good thing I was holding her hand. Since I'll do the spells in her place."

Amy's eyes widened, then narrowed. She turned an accusing gaze at Willow. "You never told me your ex was a witch."

"Well, you never asked." Willow stated. "Besides, that's not the most important thing about Tara; she is way more than just a witch. She is kind, and loving, and caring, and sweet, and special, and -- and stopping with the babble now." She stared down at the floor.

Tara smiled at Willow and reached out to touch her chin. Willow looked up and smiled back. Then Tara turned to Amy.

"Ready?"

Amy shrugged. "Fine. Let's do it. Together, on the count of three, right?"

"Right."

"Uh, wait!" Willow interrupted them. "Do we know what is behind that door?" She looked at Amy. "I mean, do we need to be in full ready attack mode when it opens? Cause if so, what are we going to fight it -- them -- with?"

"Oh, please." Amy rolled her eyes. "If there is anything on the other side of that door, one of us will just throw a spell at it, and it'll go poof." She smirked. "But, if you're scared, you can just stay behind us, okay? We'll protect you from the big bad nasties."

"Ok, I'm sorry, I'm just a little jumpy is all. I'm sorry," Willow apologized softly.

Amy counted, and she and Tara said the spell at the same time. There was a soft click, and Amy reached for the handle, turning it easily.

"See? Nothing to it." She threw open the door, and stepped forward.

And screamed.

~~~~~~~~~~

Continue to Part Three

 

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