by FIRESIGN » Mon Oct 20, 2008 2:33 pm
CHAPTER SEVENTY-SIX
“There’s gotta be another way…and I know where I can find it…” Willow said, heading out of the doorway.
“N-no!” Tara said, reaching out to grab her wrist, trying to hold her back.
But Willow was too fast. She sprinted off, disappearing into the woods…
She ran as fast and as far as her legs would carry her – paying no attention to the branches slapping and scratching her. Her lungs felt as if they were going to explode, and she stopped momentarily, bending over and placing her hands on her knees, attempting to catch her breath. Slowly, the burning in her lungs eased. As she stood upright, she realized where she was…it was the springs…their hot springs.
Meanwhile, back at the cabin, Tara was a crumpled mass – sobbing uncontrollably. Maggie rushed to her side and cradled her, stroking her hair lovingly as a mother would a child.
“Shhh…it will be alright, child.” She whispered as she held her close.
She cast a glance toward Logan, who was standing there, watching – not sure what to do next. Maggie motioned for her to follow Willow.
Logan was the perfect combination of Willow and Tara’s genetics. She had acquired much of Willow’s stature and most certainly, her cognitive abilities – but had Tara’s demeanor and athletic ability. She wasted no time in running after her red-headed ancestor, and in a matter of moments, came upon her at the springs.
Willow was snapped out of her daze by the sounds of someone approaching. She turned and prepared to cast, but lowered her hands when she saw Logan step out from behind the trees.
“What are you doing here?” Willow asked, returning her gaze to the springs.
“Gran sent me.” She said, crossing over to Willow’s side. “Do you know what you’re doing to Tara? She’s back there crying her eyes out.” Logan said, obviously miffed at Willow.
“I can’t let her put herself or our baby in danger. There’s other ways to do this…easier ways that don’t involve having her anywhere near him…near Kaliphicus.” Willow said, maintaining her gaze.
“You know, I don’t mean to hurt your feelings or anything…but have you learned anything at all from what happened in the past? You go down that road again and you’re going to lose everything…including Tara and the baby. Not to mention, you’re putting me and Gran and everybody else in the family in jeopardy. Your little short cuts? That’s what made some of the people in our family have problems with the dark magicks.”
“Now just wait a frilly-second here!” Willow said, her temper rising at the girl.
“No! You need to hear this! You say you love Tara more than anything…but yet you’re doing the one thing that she begged you not to do! Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”
The girl was right, and Willow knew it. She had hurt Tara yet again…had almost broken her promise to her.
“You’re right…” she began, only to be interrupted by a disturbing, yet familiar voice.
“Well…well…well…what have we here? Two tarts for the price of one! Looking for me, little one?” Duncan said, looking to Willow.
“Logan, run!” Willow yelled, as she raised her hands and began to chant. But the young woman did not, and chose instead to stand her ground. She grabbed Willow’s hand in her own. As their hands made contact, a rush of energy flowed through the both of them and the two, together, continued the chant.
“I bind you three times three. No more destruction wilt thou do to me. Around I bind you three times three, and if these things continue to be, then back upon you three times three, till totally vanquished you shall be. By the powers of three times three. By Earth and Fire, Air and Sea, I fix this spell, then set it free. ‘Twil give no harm to mine or me, as so I will, so mote it be!”
Just as they finished the chant, the vines from the trees surrounding Duncan came to life, snaking their way around the Warlock, pinning him in place. Knowing that the binding spell, although powerful, would not hold Duncan indefinitely, Willow spun on her heel, still holding Logan’s hand in hers, and ran back towards the cabin. Within moments, the small stone house was in site. Maggie and Tara were still outside.
Willow ran to Tara, taking her hand and pulling her into her arms.
“Come on…we’ve got to get into the house…quick!” She said, pulling Tara towards the doorway.
Logan helped her grandmother to her feet, leading her inside. She picked up the board lying next to the door, sliding it into the stays, locking the door in place.
“W-what’s going on?” Tara said, seeing the fear in her love’s eyes.
“Duncan…at the springs…we bound him…won’t last for long…” Willow said, trying to catch her breath.
“Are you a-alright?” Tara asked, running her hands over Willow’s body, checking for wounds. “Did he h-hurt you?”
“No…I’m fine…we’re fine…and I’m so sorry, baby…I don’t know what I was thinking…obviously, I wasn’t…I…” Willow was caught mid-babble by Tara’s lips on hers.
“Hate to interrupt you two…but hey, big-bad warlock heading this way…” Logan reminded the couple.
“Right…protection spell…” Willow started, only to be interrupted by Maggie.
“No, we need to finish him here and now.”
“With what? No disrespect, Gran, but we’re talking some major dark mojo here!” Logan said.
Tara mused at how much Logan could sound like Willow at times.
“Elemental banishing spell...Tara…do you have the components?” Maggie asked.
“Y-yes…but I d-don’t think that it is going to be p-powerful enough.”
“It wouldn’t be coming from just one of you…but with the four of us…it should, at the very least, leave a very bad taste in that bastard’s mouth!”
Maggie said, with a wink.
Meanwhile, back at the springs, Duncan was mumbling under his breath, finally wiggling loose from the binding spell that had been placed on him moments earlier.
“Those bitches don’t know who they’re dealing with!” He said, running down the path towards the cabin, his black eyes glazed over with fury.
To Be Continued...
