Something Wicked
by Jillbone
If Witches Were Horses
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Chapter 4: If Witches Were Horses
Buffy opened her eyes unsure of what woke her at first. "Wakey, wakey, Busy B," Faith said flicking her sister in the forehead one last time.
Swatting the hand away, Buffy groaned. "Stop it." She looked at the clock next to her bed. "God, it's three in the morning. What's the matter now, brat?"
The brunette sat down on the bed looking a little sheepish. "I couldn't sleep. Wanna do a quick patrol with me? Burn off some energy?"
Seeing the look on her sister's face, Buffy threw back the covers. "Fine, but you owe me." Faith jumped up almost giddy and headed to the closet for supplies.
After making sure they were properly armed, the slayers headed into the heart of town where the cemeteries were. Choosing the closest one, they set out looking for some trouble. Never one for prolonged silence, Faith spoke up. "So watcha gonna do about Red? You gonna make a play for her this century?"
Buffy ran her fingers through her hair and sighed. "Come on. You know it's not that easy. There's a lot to consider." Her demon grinned wickedly in her head, knowing she was talking about him.
Nodding, Faith tapped the side of her head. "Like the little guy?" Unlike Buffy, the brunette had come to terms with her demon months ago when she was first called.
"Yeah. Him. You know, I just don't know what to do about him sometimes. Some of the things he wants."
"Well, you know my theory..." Faith trailed off and sniffed at the air. She turned to look at Buffy with yellow eyes.
"What? What is it?" Buffy let her demon take over and tried to sort out the darkness ahead of them.
"Blood. This way."
The slayers jogged silently towards the small copse of trees ahead. As they approached, the smell of blood became overwhelming and Buffy's demon began to become more aggressive. (Smells like somebody's having fun out here tonight. Wonder if they'll share.) (Shut up. I don't have time for this right...) Faith and Buffy reached the clearing and saw the mutilated body of a young girl. (...now.)
Not finding any signs of unlife in the area, the girls let their demons slip back again. A young girl around eleven or twelve lay naked and spread on the ground in front of them. Among other things, her throat had been cut and she had a strange symbol carved on her chest. Buffy and Faith looked at each other. "Ah crap."
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"Giles, I already tried to draw the symbol three times now. Art is not one of my many talents." Buffy shot her watcher an exasperated look as she and Faith looked through books trying to find the mark they'd seen.
Giles sat at the library's sole computer. "I'm trying to find the autopsy report for you to look at, but this blasted machine won't let me do anything." He stopped, frustrated, and started hitting the side of the monitor.
"That'll only make it worse you know," Willow said walking into the library with Xander.
"It's its own fault anyway." The librarian glared at the computer. "All I've figured out so far is how to play solitaire."
Willow's face lit up. (Yes! This looks like a job for hacker girl.) "Scoot over Mr. Giles and tell me what you're looking for." She sat down at the keyboard and cracked her knuckles.
With a sigh of relief, the normally stoic Englishman leaned over the redhead's shoulder. "It seems Buffy and Faith found a body in Restfield Cemetery last night with a symbol carved on its chest. I was hoping to find the autopsy report and a picture of the mark as well."
Buffy looked up from her book and saw Giles' face close to Willow's. She let out an involuntary growl and snarled at him. Faith's head popped up at the sound and she smacked her sister on the back of the head.
"Well done, Willow." All heads turned towards the hacker who blushed from all the attention. "That looks familiar. Yes. I know I've seen that somewhere before," Giles voice trailed off as he headed towards the supernatural section of the card catalog.
Faith shut her book and stood up relieved. "I never thought I'd say this but let's get to class."
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Having finished her assignment early (As usual), Willow decided to use her time in the computer lab to see if she could find out anything about last night's slayage. (Let's see. Keywords: demons, vampires, oooh ritualistic murder. That should find something.) While sifting through the unsurprisingly heavy amount of websites devoted to these topics, the redhead could just barely make out what head cheerleader and resident bitch Cordelia Chase was saying at the computer behind her. "God, have you seen those new girls yet?" Willow's ears perked up at the mention of her new friends.
A male voice spoke up. "The hot ones with all the leather?"
"Yeah, right. Hello? They look like the spokeswomen for Dykes on Bikes." Cordelia's voiced dripped with sarcasm, then lowered to a whisper. "You know they live together, right?"
As she heard the shocked gasps, Willow knew she had to speak up for once. (After all, they did save my life.) Spinning her chair around, she faced the cheerleader. "They're sisters, Cordelia. Not lovers."
Cordelia looked at Willow and sneered. "When I want your opinion, I'll write it down and give it to you, nerd-girl."
The hacker flushed with embarrassment and spun her chair back around. (Why did I even turn around? I knew it was going to turn out like that. It's like I'm a glutton for punishment or something.) Willow went back to searching the web, but could still hear the group behind her. "Sisters? More like a Jerry Springer episode waiting to happen." The bell rang and Willow bolted for the door ready to be rid of Cordelia and her minions.
Jenny Calendar collected the remaining students' assignments and printed out a list of what the class was looking at on the internet. (Damn schoolboard. What do I care if some pubescent teen wants to look at porn. As long as the assignment gets handed in on time.) She scanned the list of websites ready for a laugh. (What's it going to be today? HotBabes.com? NakedChix?) The computer teacher paused and reread the list. (What the...? Demonology.net. Killers4Satan. RitualMurder.com? Shit. I really don't want to have to talk to Snyder about this. Maybe I can just talk to the student myself. Let's see....Willow Rosenberg!?!) Jenny looked at the computer the redhead normally sat at. "Maybe I should keep an eye on her instead."
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Buffy walked into the library after school and heard Faith telling a story to Willow and Xander. Not really paying attention, she sat down at the table to wait for Giles.
"There we were. It was about a hundred and eighteen degrees, B's sleeping without a stitch on, suddenly we hear all this screamin'." Buffy groaned and dropped her head on the table knowing what was coming.
"B goes tearin' outside - stark nude - this church bus has broke down and three vamps are feeding on half the Baptists in South Boston. So she wastes the vamps and the preacher is hugging her like there's no tomorrow when the cops pull up." Buffy started banging her head on the tabletop. (Kill me now.) Faith grinned. "They arrested both of them on the spot."
Xander looked at Buffy, who was starting to do some serious damage to the table, and sighed wistfully. "They should film that story and show it every Christmas."
The blonde slayer continued to hit her head and was trying to devise new ways to torture her sister when Giles walked in. "Buffy, we can't afford new tables. Please stop hitting your head before you break something." Giles settled a book on the table while Buffy tried not to make eye contact with anyone.
The watcher pointed at a symbol in the book. "I knew I recognized that mark from somewhere. "It seems that you and Faith stumbled across the ritual site of a follower of Leviathan, the demon of envy." Looking at the blank stares around the table, he continued. "Moving right along, I feel you four should split up tonight so you can cover more ground. Buffy, take Willow with you and stake out the area from last night. Faith, take Xander with you and patrol the remaining areas of the cemetery in case this person is on the move."
Buffy's eyes darted towards the redhead and her demon chuckled darkly. (Finally some time alone. Let's make the best of this. Maybe we can...) (How many times do I have to tell you 'not now.' Geez, get it under control already.) Her eyes shyly met Willow's. (It will be nice to spend some time together though.)
Faith looked like someone told her to eat dirt. "Why do I have to -" she started to protest when she met a glare from her sister. She sighed dramatically and looked at Xander. "Oh alright, but try not to get yourself killed or anything."
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Faith was patrolling Restfield Cemetery, her demon begging permission to beat Xander unconscious just so he would shut up. (Just let me hurt him a little. Please.) (No. But if he hints at asking me out one more time, I'll think about it.) The demon cheered trying to think of an appropriate way to quiet the hormonal teenager.
"So, Faith, Homecoming is coming up soon, you know. And I was wondering if maybeyou'dliketogowithme?" The last part of his question came out a jumbled mess and it took a moment for Faith to decipher it.
"I'm not really one for school sanctioned events, Xand-man, but thanks anyway." The slayer really hoped this would end the subject finally. (How much more direct can I get?) she thought.
Xander looked momentarily crestfallen, but recovered quickly. "Well...how's Buffy's school spirit? Think she'd want to go?"
Faith sighed. (Looks like I'm going to have to be blunt as usual.) "Look Xander, there's something I should probably tell you about me and Buffy -- about slayers in general. We dig chicks, ok?" Xander looked back at her slightly confused. "We like the girl on girl loving. You know, the Sapphic action." He still looked confused. "We're gay, Xander. We're gay."
Slowly, comprehension dawned on the boy's face. "Oh. Ohhh. Both of you?" Faith nodded. "All slayers? Ever?"
"Yep. As far as Giles can tell, it's something the Powers That Be came up with as the ultimate form of birth control. I mean, can you really see a Home for Unwed Slayers? This just makes everything easier."
Xander's heart fell a little at the thought that both slayers were now off the market for him. Then, his face lit up. (Maybe I can talk them into investing in a video camera for me.)
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Across the cemetery, Buffy and Willow were about to call it a night and head back to Giles when Buffy stopped, pulling Willow up short beside her. "Do you hear that?" She cocked an ear and signaled for the redhead to be quiet. "There's something up ahead."
She dragged Willow behind a tombstone as a woman in black passed directly in front of them. As she saw the woman's profile, the redhead gasped lightly. Buffy pressed her hand firmly against her friend's mouth as the woman looked around for the source of the sound.
The blonde slayer became less focused on her surveillance and more on the feel of Willow's lips against her skin. She was so focused that she missed the woman leaving the area. (I knew they'd be soft, but wow...)
In the meantime, Willow was beginning to wonder if Buffy was trying to suffocate her. Not seeing the woman in black, she decided to risk speaking again. Well, as best she could with a hand over her mouth. "Shme's wone, Uffy." When the hand didn't move, Willow licked at it hoping Buffy would get the hint.
(Oh my god. She just licked me!) The slayer removed her hand as if it had been burned and stared dazedly at the redhead. Her demon came to the forefront, overloading on sensation. (Wonder if she'd like to lick anything else while she's at it.)
Willow tugged at Buffy who was staring between her hand and Willow's face. "I'm so sorry Buffy, but I needed to breathe and you wouldn't listen and the lady had already left and why are your eyes yellow?" The slayer shook her head and the color disappeared from her eyes. (Maybe it was a trick of the light.) "Anyways, Buffy! I know who that woman is! That's Amy Madison's mom. We used to hang out at her house all the time in junior high."
Buffy pulled out her cellphone and hit the speed dial for Faith. "Faith, we got a lead on the Big Bad...Meet us at Amy Madison's house...Xander'll know the way. Just hurry." She flipped the phone shut again and stood. "Ok, Wills, which way to Amy's house?"
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Peeking in through the front window of the Madison house, Buffy couldn't see any movement at all. She could hear muffled voices coming from the second floor, but couldn't tell how many people were in the house. (Dammit. Where's Faith? I can't wait on her all night. I'm gonna have to do something soon. There may be an innocent civvy in there.) The slayer leaned over and whispered in Willow's ear. "Wait here for Faith and fill her in on the situation. I'm gonna go around back and try to find a way to sneak onto the second floor." She saw the redhead start to protest and cut her off. "Don't argue right now. We don't have time. Just stay out of sight and wait for Faith."
Buffy stood and made her way towards the back of the house looking for a way in. Spying an open window on the upper level, she braced herself and jumped up to rest on the ledge. Her demon sensing nothing, she quietly entered the Madison house and tried to pinpoint where the voices were coming from.
"Why are you doing this to me?"
"I won't let you waste your youth anymore, Amy. If your not going to use it, I will."
Heading down the hallway towards the voices, Buffy paused outside an open bedroom door. Through the crack in the door, she could make out two figures: the lady in black from the cemetery and a teenage girl tied to a bed. (Shit. Faithy better get her ass here before I have to go in there.)
The girl tied to the bed began to struggle. "I don't understand, mom. What's wrong?"
Mrs. Madison laughed and walked slowly towards the bed. She tied a small gag around the teen's mouth. "You don't need to understand. I gave you your chance. Now it's my turn." Turning back to the other side of the room, the woman lit a candle and began to chant. "Leviathan, hear my call. From the unworthy..."
(I guess now's as good a time as any.) Buffy stepped into the room with a grin. "Is this a private party or can anyone join?" Knowing that she'd thrown the woman off balance, she stepped closer to the girl on the bed. "So, is this some sort of medieval torture thing or has someone forgotten the safe word again?"
"Who are you? A friend of Amy's no doubt. Trust the little bore to spoil my fun. Oh well, might as well kill two birds with one stone. So to speak."
"Actually, I'm Buffy, the vampire slayer. Maybe you've heard of me? No? That's ok. You won't forget after this." Buffy swung at Mrs. Madison's head, missing when she ducked down behind a chair. "Come on. Don't make this harder than you have to." The blonde pushed the chair out of the way as the witch suddenly stood.
"I wouldn't dream of it, dear." Buffy never saw the knife in the woman's hand until it was too late. Feeling a sharp pain in her shoulder, she could see the hilt sticking out. "This is my favorite shirt, bitch." With her left leg, she swept the woman's feet out from under her and punched her in the face on the way down. Mrs. Madison was unconscious before she hit the floor.
Loud footsteps pounded down the hall and Faith, Xander, and Willow burst into the room. While the other two teens tried to regain their breath, Faith looked calmly at the prone woman on the floor. "We're here to save you, B."
"Little late for that. Guys, untie the girl on the bed and Faith and I will do something with her," Buffy said pointing at the woman on the floor.
As Willow and Xander untied the gag from Amy's mouth and began to work at the knots binding her to the bed, the slayers checked the room for some way to secure her mother. As they checked the closet, neither girl saw Mrs. Madison stand up her eyes now jet black with power. However, everyone turned towards her at the first sound of her voice.
"I shall look upon my enemy..."
Buffy looked at her sister and motioned slightly towards the three teens by the bed. Faith nodded and inched her way over.
"I shall look upon her and the dark place will have her soul..."
Not knowing how to save everyone, Buffy's eyes darted around the room spotting a large mirror on the dresser next to her. (Bingo!)
"Corsheth! Take her!" A bright light sped from the witch's fingertips towards Buffy as Faith leapt to cover Willow and Xander shielded Amy on the bed. Buffy placed the mirror in front of her and the light was reflected back to Mrs. Madison. A bright flash filled the room and threw all of the occupants backwards.
Coughing, Buffy sat up and looked around. "Everyone okay?" Hearing affirmatives from the side of the bed, she looked where Amy's mother had been. (Empty. Great. Well, at least she's not here anymore.)
Amy stood in the center of the room and looked at the four teens. "I guess I should thank you guys?" She broke off confused and glanced helplessly at Willow.
The redhead leaned over and put her arm around the girl. "Oh. Oh yeah. This is Buffy and Faith. They're, uh, they're kinda like superheroes." The slayers cringed at this description not liking the attention.
Eager to change the subject, Faith blurted out the first thing that came to her mind. "What was up with your mom? She like a psycho or something?"
Buffy jabbed her sister in the stomach for her lack of tact. "Jesus, Faith. Brain damage much?"
Amy shrugged. "It's ok. Mom went off the deep end three years ago when dad died. I always knew she was a witch. I just kinda thought she was the harmless kind." She looked around the room again her eyes never settling on a particular thing. "What am I gonna do now?"
Buffy looked at the ground for a minute feeling guilty. (She's orphaned now and it's our fault. Hope Giles doesn't kill me for this.) She raised her head to look at the girl again. "Only one thing we can do. You're coming home with us."