To Those Who Wield by CN Winters and Susan Carr

Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: Joss owns 'em. We're just borrowing them.
Distribution: The Mystic Muse: http://mysticmuse.net
CN's Caldron http://cnscaldron.tripod.com
Anyone else, just ask.
Feedback: You know we want it...
Author's Notes: 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 goes to Chris Cook of Through the Looking Glass and Artemis for the title graphic at the top of the page. Thanks, Chris!
Pairing: Willow/Tara

Summary: Vamp Willow's back and this time she has a new companion.

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.

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."

"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.

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

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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

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.

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.

"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."

"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.

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

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."

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.

"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.

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

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.

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.

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 at 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.

"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."

"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.

"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."

"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."

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

"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 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."

"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.

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.

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."

"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?"

"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."

"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.

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

"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.

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."

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.

"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 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.

"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?"

As she looked at the five vampires with crossbows surrounding her and her mate, Willow's concentration sharpened to a narrow focus, allowing her to observe details not normally visible. In slow motion she saw one of the vampires tightening his finger on the trigger. She lifted both of her arms and roughly pushed Tara, knocking her to the ground where the blonde rolled into the two vampires standing near her and toppling them like bowling pins. A moment later the crossbow bolt flew harmlessly through the air where Tara had been standing.

Willow swung back around and grabbed the arm of the vampire who had fired and pulled his body close just as another vampire fired. Almost as if she were moving in for a seductive dance, Willow pulled the vampire into a lover's embrace and with her free hand caressed his face as the bolt sank into his back. As he turned to dust, Willow smiled.

Ducking as the third vampire fired, Willow shifted her body to the right as she casually reached out and caught the bolt with her hand. Moving in, she wrenched the now-empty crossbow away from the vampire, dropping it to the ground and grabbing one arm and twisting it behind his back until the sickening sound of the shoulder bone snapping filled the air.

"I don't like you," she pouted. "You made me cranky." With another sweet smirk she plunged the bolt into his back.

Willow turned to the only vampire still standing, who was frantically trying to reload his crossbow. She took a step toward him when she felt the tickle of magic in the air.

"Ignis incende," Tara chanted and rolled away from the heat that rushed forward as the two vampires on the ground suddenly burst into flames.

Willow turned back to finish off the last vampire, but he had already turned and was hastily running down the alley. Before Willow could give chase, he turned the corner and was gone.

"I don't understand, Will," Tara said as Willow took Tara's hand and hurriedly led them from the Bronze. "Why would the Master attack us? We just helped him consolidate his control over Sunnydale."

"That's exactly why, Kitten," Willow explained. "We're the only ones now powerful enough to oppose him. Before, I was strong, but not enough to be a threat. Now, with you by my side…"

Tara thought a moment as Willow broke off. "So my existence makes you a danger to him," she reasoned. "Why doesn't the Master just take me out and go back to the way things were before?"

Willow stopped the rapid pace she'd set and pulled Tara into a close embrace. "He's my grandsire, my love," she said tenderly. "He can see into my heart, and he knows that without you I'm nothing. Were you ever to leave me, I don't think I could go on. I'd find a way to destroy the world and everything in it, including myself. After all, if you're not a part of it, this world has no right to exist either."

Tara smirked. "That has to be the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me, Willow," she laughed. "Demented, but sweet."

"No," Willow said. "The Master made a big mistake in sending those incompetent minions after us. He won't do that again. The next time we won't be so lucky. We'll have to go into hiding while we plan our next move."

"Oh yes, Kitten," Willow said. "Believe me, a vampire won't last too long even in Sunnydale without a few cards hidden up her sleeve. I have many 'safe houses' no one knows about scattered around town."

After resting throughout the day and the next night, Willow mentally linked with Tara as the blonde astral-projected through the daytime streets of Sunnydale. Making her way first to their suite and then to the Watcher's library, Tara drew on Willow's power and teleported magic books and various supplies back to their hideout. By the time Tara reunited with her body, Willow was already deep into a book titled Darkest Magic.

Picking up another book, Tara joined Willow in a small, but comfortably furnished chamber and snuggled in close to her sire.

"You say the Master was trapped here for decades?" Tara asked, interrupting Willow's concentration.

"Hmm?" Willow said, looking up. "Oh yes. He was finally able to escape shortly before I was turned."

Willow laughed. "It's a church, Kitten," she explained. "The Master was in torment all that time and has no desire to return. Lesser vamps avoid churches like they avoid sunlight, mostly on superstition alone."

"Wiccan," Tara laughed. "That's a lot older than Christianity, too. I kinda like being this close to the Earth. It's like coming home."

Willow kissed her lover gently. "It's our home for the time being, until we can find a way to defeat the Master. He's very powerful, Tara," Willow said, her thoughts turning inward. "We're going to need more power than we already have to defeat him."

"I don't think Rack can provide that much power to us," Tara mused. "Even if we drained him completely."

"No," Willow agreed and then sighed. She was about to return to her book when a noise caused them to both glance up at the chamber door.

"Vampire!" Tara hissed, rising to her feet. "I thought you said they don't come here."

"Other than me, only one other does," Willow said calmly, and a moment later Drusilla glided through the door.

The insane vampire was dressed in a long flowing evening gown and matching leather coat that reached to the floor. Around her neck was a long silk black scarf. In one arm she clutched a small doll with a dirty porcelain face.

Tara hung back as Willow slowly stood up and approached the thin vampire. "Good morning, Dru," she said taking Drusilla's free hand and raising it to her lips for a gentle kiss.

"My Sweet," Drusilla purred. "Miss Edith and I have come to say goodbye for now."

"You're leaving?" Willow asked with a pout. "And so soon? It seems like you've only just arrived."

"I'm off to visit Grand-mummy," Drusilla said, moving to the couch the other two vampires had vacated. She carefully set her doll in the corner and adjusted its position as if to allow the doll the best possible view of the chamber. Drusilla then removed her coat, dropping it carelessly on the floor before taking a seat on the opposite end of the couch, her pose matching that of the doll's.

"Dru," Willow said slowly, sitting next to the other vampire and turning to face her. "Did you warn the Master about Tara and me?"

"Oh yes!" Drusilla laughed delightedly. "He didn't like what I told him about you and your kitten, my Sweet. But no matter…soon you'll both be gone far away and he'll be all alone." Drusilla sing-songed the last two words, and Tara felt the fine hairs on the back of her neck rise up. "And soon great-granddaddy will wake up with the taste of fear and dust in his mouth," Drusilla concluded.

Willow? Tara asked mentally as she watched the couple. She betrayed us to the Master.

Willow broke off the passionate kiss and smiled at Drusilla before turning to her childe. "No she didn't, Kitten," Willow said. "Drusilla serves no one except herself. And while we still have a lot of work to do, I'm feeling optimistic about the future. Besides…" She paused, looking at Drusilla speculatively. "I think I know where we can get what we need."

Drusilla laughed. "Maybe not exactly what you need, my Sweet," the madwoman said. "But enough to get you want you want."

"See, Kitten?" Willow joined in the laugher. "Dru has done us a service. I think she deserves our respect, not our distrust. Don't you agree?

Despite the laughter, the tone in Willow's voice sent shivers down Tara's spine. "Yes, Mistress," she said humbly, feeling a bolt of pleasure emanating from her sire. "My apologies, Mistress Drusilla."

Drusilla ignored her as she looked at Willow, a bright gleam in her eye. Willow smiled at the dark-haired vampire and asked, "Won't you spend the day, Dru? You can't travel until night, and it's been sooo long since we've played together."

Drusilla looked at her speculatively, and then her face broke out in an evil smile. "Miss Edith wants to watch you make your kitten dance among the stars, my Sweet."

A small smirk broke out on Tara's face as she turned to do Willow's bidding. Oh goddess, this is going to be so much fun! she thought to herself and could feel Willow's silent agreement as the redhead once again moved to embrace Drusilla.

Tara slowly woke to consciousness. She was lying on her stomach with her face pressed deep into the pillow. She shifted comfortably, but she let out a hiss as the tender skin on her back pulled and stretched.

Tara shifted to the other side, but stilled as she felt Willow's cool hand on her back.

Tara hugged the pillow under her and sighed in contentment. Willow returned a moment later, and Tara felt a warm, wet cloth gently placed over her back.

"I'm very proud of you, Tara," Willow said as she tenderly cleaned the shallow cuts on the blonde's back. "I've seen vampires older than you wither after a night of play with Drusilla."

"I wanted to make you proud, Willow," Tara said, instinctively understanding that their play was over for now. "And despite her insanity, Drusilla could be a powerful ally."

Willow carefully dried Tara's back with a fresh towel. Out of the corner of her eye, Tara could see the bloody cloth Willow had tossed aside. The sight of it stirred her loins as she remembered how slowly Drusilla traced the complex pattern on her back with her razor-sharp nails. The pain had been exquisite, but what followed afterwards had been indescribable. The taste of Drusilla's powerful blood was second only to her sire's, and the ecstasy of drinking from them both had overloaded her senses, and at one point she passed out from the sensation.

"She can be," Willow said as she began to smooth salve over Tara's back. "Right now, though, she is off to visit Darla, and hopefully she'll keep her distracted until we can get away."

"The Master's oldest childe," Willow explained. "I've only met her once. She's fiercely loyal to him."

"What do we do, Willow?" Tara asked. She sat up and turned to face her robe-clad lover.

"Drusilla gave me an idea," Willow said, wiping her hands on the towel. She leaned over to the night table and picked up an book. Opening it, she point to a passage and handed it to Tara.

Tara quickly scanned the book. "This is to be used between twins," she finally said, looking up. "I don't know about you, but I don't have a twin."

Willow's eyes glittered playfully. "Oh, yes you do, Kitten. And I'm sure she's as intriguing as you are, not like the disappointing frump my counterpart is."

"A while before I first saw you on campus, I had a little adventure, Kitten. It was the same night Xander was dusted and the Master killed the Slayer. I was pulled into a different world, a stupid world that was just like ours except the Slayer had killed the Master instead of the other way around."

"You mean a parallel universe," Tara said. "Like if you're driving and you turn left and get killed in an accident, another universe exists where you turned right and lived."

"Exactly," Willow said proudly. "Except in that world, the Slayer came to Sunnydale before the Master escaped his prison, and Xander and I were never turned."

"You met the other you there?" Tara asked, a bit of awe in her tone. "She brought you there with magic?"

Willow nodded. "Her and a vengeance demon looking for her power center. Apparently the fool lost it here, and she tricked the other me into casting a spell, but instead of the necklace they got me."

Willow's eyes squinted as Tara seemed to drift off into her own thoughts. "Kitten," she warned.

Tara would have blushed if she could have. "Sorry, Mistress," she said. "I was just imagining what it would be like to taste your blood hot from your beating heart."

Willow smiled warmly. "I nearly did," Willow admitted. "But the bitch shot me with a tranquilizer."

"Nope," Willow smirked. "Seems my human self has more compassion than I do...or maybe I just turned her on."

Tara laughed along with Willow. "That must have been it," Tara said. "Was I there?"

"No, they were still in high school, so you probably hadn't come yet. And Fuzzy was with that werewolf you took care of."

"So, what's the plan, Willow?" Tara asked. "Shift dimensions and steal their power?"

"Exactly," Willow said. "It might take us some time to prepare, so we'll probably need to get out of Sunnydale for a while, but that will work to our benefit – the stronger our counterparts are, the more power we can take. And by then they'll be together, so it'll make the spell easier."

"Kitten, if she's anything like me...and from what I saw, other than the evil thing, she's exactly like me. All she has to do is take one look at your counterpart and it's hello, gay now!"

Tara smirked. "Then I'm sure my counterpart was as instantly smitten, because with me, it's gay forever."

"I've never tried them," Tara mused. "I suppose they could be fun to play with."

"Oh yes!" Willow exclaimed. "Puppy was so much fun...Xander too, but he was all with the dominating. All take and no give."

"And they're both gone now," Tara said sympathetically. "We'll find you a new toy, my love."

"We can do this, Willow," Tara said confidently. "It'll be hard, but if it helps us defeat the Master, it'll be worth it."

"His days are numbered," Willow said darkly. "Right now he thinks the house he's built will protect him, but soon it will all fall apart."

Willow sat dejectedly on the couch, holding the remote control in her hand and casually flipping channels. Her attention was not on the television; instead it was focused on the dining room table, where Tara, Buffy, and Dawn were researching. Outside the window, the last of the day faded into night, and the meager streetlights provided dim illumination against the creatures of the night.

The front door opened, and Xander and Anya entered, both carrying large shopping bags from the Magic Box. Xander tossed Willow a small wave, but Anya ignored the redhead as she dumped the contents of her bag in the center of the table. She turned off the television and silently approached the table, still keeping her distance.

"There you are, everything on your list," she said and handed Tara a piece of paper. "Here's the bill. Thank you for your patronage. Please shop at the Magic Box again."

"Thanks Anya," Tara said, taking the other bag from Xander and gathering into the bag the supplies Anya had dumped. "Will you help me with this, please?"

Tara paused until she had finished with the supplies and tightly rolled up the top of each bag. "I need to make some protection charms for us."

"For you, you mean!" Willow said, anger and tears in her eyes. "I saw what was there, Tara…hazel wood, cat's eye, and a hagstone. Classic wards against black witches. You're protecting yourself from me."

"I advised her to make sure she carries a piece of iron with her just in case," Anya said cheerfully.

Tara closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Willow," she said calmly. "We're up against two very powerful and evil witches," she said. "I need all my strength and concentration to cast the spell to send them permanently back to their dimension. Believe me, we can use all the help we can get. It's not personal, okay?"

"Everything's personal," Willow mumbled and walked away, disappearing into the kitchen.

The Scoobies watched the scene silently, each uncomfortable. Tara finally looked at Buffy and asked, "Can we use your bedroom?"

Buffy turned to the witch, her face scrunched up in confusion. "Oh, for the spell!" she said hastily. "Sure, help yourself."

The two women headed for the stairs, leaving Xander staring at their departing forms.

"Huh?" Xander said, his attention turning. "Oh, just thinking about them doing a spell, that's all."

Buffy rolled her eyes. "I'm going out for a quick patrol," she said. "You hold down the fort and please, keep your mind out of the gutter, okay?"

"Sure, Buff," Xander said, sitting next to Dawn and pulling an open book toward him.

After the Slayer left, Xander and Dawn read silently for a bit, and after hearing Dawn sigh for the third time, Xander finally looked up.

Xander watched as the teenager left, but then looked up startled as she came crashing through the door a minute later.

"I thought maybe she went outside to get some fresh air, but the backyard is empty, too."

"Damn!" he said, opening the door and looking out as if he didn't quite believe Dawn.

"Xander!" they both heard Anya calling from the living room. They turned around, Xander absently closing the door behind him.

"We were casting the spell," Anya explained. "She's very good, you know…I wish she wouldn't put herself down all the time and say Willow's the better witch because she isn't."

"Anya, please!" Xander said, putting his hands on her shoulders and giving a small shake. "Willow's missing, too."

"She is?" Anya said. "Anyway, we were casting the spell, then there was a flash of power and I was knocked backwards. When I looked up, Tara was gone."

"Yes," Anya nodded. "I guess the vamps took them both then. You know Xander, I think they are much more powerful than we thought and certainly more powerful than Willow and Tara. It takes a lot to teleport away two witches."

Anya shrugged. "I can try a locator spell, but I doubt it'll do any good. If I were them, I'd put up a shield strong enough to block anything I can do."

The Slayer distractedly dusted a fledgling vampire as she strode purposefully though the cemetery toward Spike's crypt.

"Sure about that?" Spike's smooth voice cut through the night, and Buffy turned toward it. The vampire was leaning on the stone sill of the entrance, his pose as usual cocky and confident. He lifted his hand, and the lighted end of his cigarette glowed as he sucked back the smoke.

"Where are they?" Buffy asked as she approached and crossed her arms in what she hoped was a menacing pose.

"The witchy bitches?" he shrugged. "Gone. Typical vamps, they didn't leave a forwarding address."

Buffy slipped past him, trying to ignore him as he leaned closer to sniff at her hair. She looked around at the softly candle-lit space.

Buffy paused as she felt his lean body pressing against her back. "What about downstairs? Didn't you mention they enjoyed your play area?"

"That they did," he purred. "God, I always suspected your best friend was a wildcat, but under that shy exterior Blondie is just as savage, and I'm sure Red has the scars to prove it."

Buffy moved away, her face wrinkling up into disgust. "Don't let a couple of perverted vamps influence how you see our Willow and Tara. I'm sure they're nothing like them."

"Ha!" he laughed. "I'm sure they're exactly like them, Summers. You just don't want to believe it."

"Too right," he agreed, once again moving into her space. "And that's just the way you like me, isn't that right?"

Buffy closed her eyes as he once again put his arms around her, this time pulling her close against him. "No," she whispered, her mind trying to deny the urges her body was demanding.

"Yes," he corrected. "You can't hide it from me, Buffy." He slid one hand down her body until he was cupping her warmth. Buffy groaned as he gently squeezed her mound through her linen slacks. "You like it when I'm disgusting."

He deftly unbuttoned her pants and slid down her zipper, a small smile quirking his mouth when he discovered she wasn't wearing underwear. His long fingers slid through her wetness. She shifted slightly to allow him easier access, her breath catching in her throat as he rubbed against her clit.

"You like it because you can allow yourself to be disgusting, too," he said, his other hand massaging her breast through her silk blouse. "When you're down on your knees and you're sucking my cock, you like the way that makes you feel."

"No," she gasped, her eyes closing as his fingers entered her eager opening and began pumping. With a dexterous move, she pushed her slacks down her hips so they pooled at her feet in a billow of cloth. Rising on toes, she began to move with him, her hips thrusting as if trying to take his entire hand inside herself. "No," she said. "I don't like it."

"Yes, you do," he said reasonably. "You like it when I fuck you in your ass so hard you scream from the pain, and when I drink your sweet blood, you scream even more as you come. Isn't that right, Buffy?"

The Slayer was beyond speech as her muscles clamped down on his fingers, trapping them inside her as her body spasmed. Spike held her tight against himself as she cried out. He flicked his thumb against her clit, massaging roughly until she cried out again.

After a moment, her body relaxed slightly, and she turned in his embrace, her hands fumbling with his jeans.

"Off," she said, her voice husky. As she struggled with his pants, he pulled off her silk blouse and then his own t-shirt. She pushed his pants down, pulling them off along with his boots in one smooth motion. She kicked off her own shoes then stood up and pressed him back until he was lying on the hard stone of the sepulcher. As she followed, she straddled him and with a smooth move, sheathed herself on his jutting erection.

"Oh yeah," he said, his eyes rolling back in his head from the pleasure. "Just like that."

"You got it, Slayer," he said, and the two of them lost themselves in each other for the rest of the night.

Willow groaned as sensation slowly crept back into her body. The first thing she became aware of was a cool breeze blowing across her, gently ruffling her bangs, causing them to tickle her forehead. Painfully, she pried her eyes open to find she was staring at her lap. As she looked up, she heard a groan.

"Tara?" she asked, finally realizing that her hands were tied behind her back to a post firmly embedded in the ground and that there was a warm body behind her.

"Kingman's Bluff," the sound of her own voice answered. Willow twisted around and saw her doppelganger approaching. The light of a large bonfire silhouetted her lithe body.

"We like the atmosphere," the other Tara answered. The vampire seemed busy with the preparations. Willow looked at some of the items and felt her stomach drop.

"Tara," she whispered in a frightened voice. "They're not doing the akor tures spell."

"Very good, Frumpy," Vampire Willow said, finally having reached the bound couple sitting on the ground. She squatted down, the soft creaking of her leather pants reaching Willow's ears. "And you're right. That spell was just too boring. Kitten and I have something much more exciting in mind."

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To Those Who Wield

by Susan Carr and CN Winters

Copyright © 2005