This story continues somewhere in season six after my last story, ‘The House That Jane Built’, and you may want to read it so you can follow what’s going on in this one. You can read it from my site at www.awebcreation.com/buff...ction.html
DISCLAIMER: WILLOW AND TARA from BUFFY: THE VAMPIRE SLAYER and the scenes depicted here are REGISTERED TRADEMARKS of Joss Whedon/Mutant Enemy, Inc., WB, UPN, Fox, and all that jazz. *NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED*
Subtext Disclaimer: This story is about Willow and Tara, two women who love each other. Anya, Buffy, Giles, Dawn and Xander make an appearance. And, yes, there is violence, just like in the show. Oh, and if you are under the age of 18, you might want to consult with a parent or legal guardian before reading this or maybe it’s best that you don’t read this at all.
Rating: NC-17, for nudity, sexual situations, and violence. This is my first attempt at writing some smut… with some action and suspense… and maybe some leather in between. And, no I'm not revealing who gets to be the 'Mistress' until later. I think I'll just tease for a bit...
Hallowed Nights
Written by: Allyson Heisey, aheisey760@aol.com
Thanks to my beta reader, Desiree who took the time to read this and catch the little stuff that I tend to overlook and for her bravery in asking questions.
Chapter One
It was a cool summer night and the full moon shone down on Sunnydale. Lamp lights gently flickered to life along the streets, basking the dark asphalt and sidewalks in pale light. All the stores were dark and quiet except for one, The Magic Box.
Buffy, Tara, Willow, Xander and Anya sat at the round table across from the store counter. Their mood was somber and Tara rubbed her hand up and down Willow’s back soothingly. Willow slept fitfully the night before and Tara had woken several times to wake her from the nightmares. Towards morning though, Willow finally drifted off to sleep but Tara stayed awake. She cradled Willow’s head in her lap and stroked the long copper colored hair in an attempt to soothe her lover’s frayed nerves. She could only imagine what Willow must be going through.
Two days ago they had embarked on a trip to the beach and had a wonderful time. The Hellmouth was forgotten as they relaxed in the sun and surf. On the way home, however things took a drastic turn. They were deluded into believing that they had run out of gas and were conveniently stalled near an elegant estate. What they didn’t realize until later that night was that the house was built upon a foundation of evil. To describe the house as being ‘haunted’ would have been an understatement. It was possessed and controlled by an evil demon from another dimension. This demon also thrived on magical souls and then sacrificed them. The sacrificed souls were used to further the portals reach into other dimensions.
The demon wanted Willow and Tara’s magical essence and their souls. This was something that the Slayer couldn’t defeat. The demon was magical, a changeling and only magic could bring it down. When it became obvious that the demon was about to take both Willow and Tara’s power, the red head embraced her dark magicks. The end result was that she defeated the demon and saved them all, but for a price. While under the thrall of the demon and her own magicks, she killed an innocent.
Eventually, Tara broke through the darkness, and brought Willow back. She brought her lover back whole, but with a shattered soul. Willow was free of the dark magicks, but its power remained. How Willow chose to use that power was up to her. She could use it for good, but in her present state Willow could easily slip back into the darkness with just a simple thought. Giles, having experienced this himself, made a call to his old mentor in England.
“I’ve just spoken with a colleague in Bristol. The coven will help Willow.” He said and set the phone back into its cradle. He glanced over at the group that was looking at him expectantly. He cleared his throat, pulled a handkerchief from his rear pocket and proceeded to clean his glasses before continuing. “Willow, we must leave as soon as possible. I’ll book us a flight in the morning.”
“In the morning? Like tomorrow? What about Tara?” her voice held a note of panic and she looked over at her partner.
“Yes, tomorrow.” He replied and Willow shifted her gaze back to his face.
Tara reached for Willow’s hand and grasped it tightly. Anya, Buffy, Dawn, and Xander shifted their gazes from Willow and Tara to Giles and then back again, not sure what to say or do. Giles walked out from behind the counter. “Willow, the magicks inside you are very powerful.” He stopped before the table and spoke directly to her. “You need help in controlling them.” Giles sighed and his gaze softened. “Tara can’t come with you. You can’t have any distractions.” He shifted his gaze to Tara. “I’m sorry.”
“I understand.” She turned to Willow. “He’s right, sweetie.” Tara’s heart dropped when Willow looked at her with sad green eyes. “This is something you need to do on your own.” Her mouth shifted into a lopsided grin. “And I would be a distraction.”
Willow returned it with a knowing but sad smile.
“I agree with Tara. No more witchy Sabrinas.” Xander added and Willow shot him a beseeching look.
“Will… you were really scary looking. Scarier than the boogie monster that used to hide under my bed.” Xander said, trying to mollify his friend.
Buffy and Dawn looked at him with puzzled frowns.
“Well… he didn’t really exist, but to me he did… when I was a kid.” Xander explained.
“Oh, they exist.” Anya said blandly and everyone paused to stare at her.
“I know.” Willow said softly, bringing everyone’s focus back to the matter at hand. “I have to do this.” She sighed and squared her shoulders. “I’m dangerous with all this power, I get that.” She looked down at Tara’s hand, clasped in hers.
“How long will she be gone?” Buffy asked.
“I don’t know.” Giles replied and slowly put his glasses back on.
Willow met Buffy’s gaze when the slayer’s blue eyes shifted to her face. She swallowed when she saw a glimmer of tears in Buffy’s eyes and Tara squeezed her hand.
Chapter Two
Willow inhaled deeply, breathing in the forest air, damp with morning dew and pine. She pushed a lock of stray hair from her face, tucking it sternly into the woolen cowl that covered her head and then straightened the folds of her cloak. She brushed specks of dirt from her suede pants with gloved hands.
Willow stood at the top of one of the many hills surrounding her. Her eyes roamed casually over the stunning landscape, the old scenery reminding her of stories straight out of medieval times. She heard Giles’s boots crunching in the underbrush behind her and she sighed. Her thoughts went back six months earlier, just before she arrived at Giles’s home in England.
After receiving the news that she would be departing the next morning for England, she and Tara spent most of the night making love and talking.
“Baby, I don’t want to leave you.” Tears stung in Willow’s eyes as she looked into Tara’s face.
“Oh, sweetie, you won’t be.” Tara whispered and cradled Willow’s face in her hands.
“I’ll be back. I promise.” Willow swallowed and pulled Tara into her arms. The feel of the blonde’s warm naked skin against her own, felt blessedly comforting.
“I know. I’ll be here, waiting.” Tara whispered into her ear.
She could still feel the wetness of Tara’s tears on her fingers. Her heart swelled at the image of Tara’s face, the soulful eyes, the full lips, and the smile that always lifted her spirits. She brought her fingers to her lips, remembering how soft Tara’s were upon her own and how her tongue teased, and licked before capturing them. She would be returning home tomorrow and a small smile appeared on her face, but disappeared when Giles’s voice penetrated her thoughts and brought her back to the present.
“I know it’s not fair. Life isn’t fair, Willow.” He stopped beside her, slightly winded from the climb. “God knows we’ve suffered more than most because of what we do.” He moved over to a large boulder and sat down. “But we go on. Life goes on, with or without us.”
Willow knelt down and brushed her hand across the ground, sifting through the mulched mixture of decomposed leaves, pine needles and bark. She tilted her head and pressed her fingers into the damp earth. When she pulled them away she uttered a spell and a small sprout broke through the dark earth, reaching for the warmth of the sun. It grew and the stem thickened, bearing leaves and small buds. The buds blossomed, then burst into a colorful array of flowers. She looked over at Giles who watched as they bloomed, his expression peaceful.
“I still hurt, Giles.” She whispered, her brows furrowing into a painful frown.
“I know. You’ve experienced something quite traumatic.” He paused. “You’ve killed a human being. You’ve tasted blood and the power that comes with it. You held a person’s life in your hands, and then you made a decision, conscious or not, and snuffed it out.”
Willow’s eyes brimmed with tears, she stood up and looked away.
“That’s your conscious speaking, it shows that you value life and that you have the capacity to love.” Giles stood up, moved to her side and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
“I don’t want that to ever happen again. I don’t want to hurt anyone, especially Tara.”
“You’ve done very well, Willow. The coven has been of great assistance to us. You’ve mastered control over the magicks, but you’ll have to continue to work at it.” He paused and looked at her thoughtfully. ”Um… speaking of Tara, I meant to ask before… how was she able to control the dark forces within you?”
Willow frowned, not sure how much to reveal without compromising what Tara told her in confidence.
“She’s experienced it before, Giles.” Willow answered slowly.
“How so?” he queried.
Willow hesitated and exhaled heavily.
“I don’t mean to pry, but I’m awfully curious. She knew exactly what to do.” He paused. “I remember one time she was in the shop reading one of the dark magic books and I made a comment to her about it.” He paused briefly. “She didn’t answer, but when she looked at me, her eyes… they conveyed so much without her even saying a word.” He chewed on his lower lip.
“Her eyes are like deep pools of liquid. You either drown in them or you look right into her soul.” Willow said as a trace of a smile formed on her face and her eyes shone with longing.
“Yes… yes… well, um, I didn’t quite see that, but um… what I do know is that when her family came to visit on her birthday, it was revealed that her mother was a witch, and a very powerful one.” He took off his glasses and rubbed his eye with a finger. “I’m curious why Tara isn’t drawn to the dark magicks. I suspect something happened fairly early in life to make her wary of it.”
“When the spell she cast went wrong, Tara was careful in how she used her magic after that. She respected its power. I didn’t. I let it control me and I paid the price.” She paused in painful reflection. “We both did.” Willow sighed. “The other thing is that her mother was heavily into the dark magicks and the power consumed her until there was nothing left.”
“I see.” He looked out over the landscape. “Now I understand.”
“Understand what, Giles?” Willow asked and he turned back to her.
“What I saw in her eyes was fear, Willow.”
Willow swallowed and looked away, hiding the tears that had formed in her eyes. The pain made heart ache and her stomach twisted in knots from the guilt.
Chapter Three
Willow walked down the corridor between the airplane and the airport. She smiled when she sighted her friends, but her gaze traveled over them quickly and locked on to the one person she longed for, Tara.
The blonde stood riveted, her mouth slightly open in surprise when Willow emerged from the airport tunnel. She knew it was Willow, but Willow looked different and felt different. Tara could sense the power that radiated from her lover. It was brighter, calmer, controlled, and more subdued than when she left. Willow’s copper tresses had grown and curled slightly at the ends. Tara’s eyes traveled over her partner’s body and she swallowed. Willow was still thin but she had gained back some of the weight she had lost and walked tall with new confidence. Her black boots made no sound as she moved towards them. A simple white shirt was tucked into black leather pants which rippled with each step and a long light grey leather coat swirled down around her ankles.
“Holy moley!” She heard Xander exclaim under his breath and glanced over at him.
Tara shifted her eyes back to her lover and met the deep green ones that were locked on hers. She blinked at the liquid softness that pooled there. Willow’s eyes were full of emotion; anxiety, happiness, sadness, and regret.
When Willow approached she greeted Buffy, Dawn and Xander who hugged her enthusiastically while Anya looked on. Slowly they pulled back and Willow turned to Tara.
Tara smiled and tears sprung into her eyes. All it took was one step and Willow gathered her up. They hugged tightly and Willow squeezed her eyes shut against a flood of tears.
“Tara,” She whispered and breathed in the sweetness of the blonde’s hair.
“I’ve missed you, Will.” Tara said softly and caressed a soft lock of red hair before trailing her fingers across Willow’s shoulder. She inhaled the rich scent of leather and her fingers cooled as they slid over the smooth material.
“God, I’ve missed you so much.” Willow whispered back.
Reluctantly, they pulled apart and gazed at one another momentarily.
“You look good, Will.” Buffy said over Tara’s shoulder.
“Thanks.” Willow replied, her gaze remaining on Tara’s face.
“Well, Will… I have to say, likin’ the new look.” Xander piped in.
Chapter Four
Buffy and Xander carried Willow’s luggage upstairs to her bedroom while Willow and Tara followed with smaller bags.
“I could’ve sworn, Will, you had fewer luggage when you left.” Xander complained.
“I did.” She smiled up at him. “I got more as I collected more stuff.”
“More stuff? Like what?” Dawn asked.
“I brought back a little something for everyone.” She smiled mischievously.
“That was thoughtful, Will.” Buffy said.
They stopped inside Willow and Tara’s room and set some of the luggage down. Tara moved behind Willow and set a suitcase down by the bed.
Willow breathed in Tara’s scent and closed her eyes. Slowly she turned and took Tara’s hands in her own. They looked at each other and the world around them faded away.
Sensing a change in the room, Buffy turned to Anya, Dawn and Xander. “I think I’ll check my messages, see if anyone loves me. Anyone want drinks?” She nodded towards the door, a subtle message that only Anya and Dawn understood.
“Um, we’ll be down in a minute.” Willow replied, her thumbs circling the skin on Tara’s hands.
Buffy pulled a clueless Xander by the sleeve and followed Anya and Dawn out the door.
They trotted downstairs and into the kitchen. Buffy picked up the phone and listened to her messages while Xander slid his jacket off and slung it over a chair. He moved to the refrigerator and helped himself to a beer.
Willow and Tara stood for a moment staring at one another, hearts pounding. Tara’s mouth quirked in one corner in a lopsided smile that Willow always found very sexy. Willow’s breathing quickened and she was sure Tara could see the rapid rise and fall of her chest. Tara reached out and took Willow’s hand and pulled the smaller woman towards her. Their bodies collided and their lips met in a passionate kiss. Tara’s tongue glided over Willow’s lips, seeking entrance and Willow’s mouth parted. Her tongue slid inside and Willow captured it, sucking gently and then releasing. She took Tara’s full upper lip into her mouth and teased it with her tongue, before darting inside. Her arm reached out, blindly searching for the bedroom door and shoved it closed.
Willow turned them around and walked Tara backwards towards the bed. With her foot she pushed the suitcase out of the way and it tipped over with a loud thud.
When the bedroom door slammed shut and the suitcase thudded to the floor in Willow and Tara’s room, Xander’s eyes shot upwards and his brows creased into a frown. Buffy ignored the sounds coming from upstairs by pouring herself a drink but Dawn grinned like an imp. Anya raised her brows, confused by everyone’s reaction.
“Well, looks like they’re getting reacquainted with each other. You know, getting ready to have sex.” She said in her direct, matter of fact tone. Buffy raised her brows and Dawn snorted in an attempt to stifle a laugh. Xander glanced at Anya before speaking.
“Thank you, An. You just took us to a very visual place.” he said.
“Which I’m sure you enjoyed.” She snuck the barb in sideways.
“Okay… I think this is where I make a hasty exit.” He responded quickly. Buffy looked at him and shook her head. She decided that Willow and Tara deserved some privacy.
“You know what?” Buffy said, startling everyone. “I’m suddenly in the mood for ice cream.”
“Me too.” Dawn chimed in, reading Buffy’s thoughts.
“Xander, get your jacket. We’re going out.” Buffy stated.
“Oh. Right.” He hastily grabbed his jacket and shrugged into it as they all filed out the kitchen door.
Chapter Five
Tara’s hands encircled Willow’s neck, raking into the red hair and pulling Willow further into her mouth. She stopped moving when the back of her legs hit the bed. She slid her hands down over Willow’s arms, pushing the long coat to the floor. She trailed her fingers over the silky material of Willow’s shirt. She could feel her heart beating wildly and the passion that laid dormant during Willow’s absence awakened and roared back to life. Her fingers squeezed and kneaded, eliciting sounds of pleasure from Willow. She parted her legs and gasped when Willow slid a knee between them. She pressed downward, grinding her hips, and her fingers dug into Willow’s back. Tara embraced the new power that she felt in Willow, a strong but gentle magick that shone brighter than ever before. She caressed Willow’s tongue and forgot about the world around them.
Willow was lost in the sweetness of Tara’s lips and probing tongue. She moaned and grasped Tara’s hips, pulling her closer, crushing their bodies together. Her heart beat frantically and heat rushed into her face. She brought her hands up and hastily pulled Tara’s shirt up over her head, trailing a hot line of kisses down her neck to the valley between her breasts. She brushed her tongue lightly against the fine hairs and over the swelling creamy white skin on either side before tossing the garment to the floor. She felt Tara’s moan rumble through her chest and she brought her mouth back up, capturing full lips once more.
All that mattered was that deep primal need to be together as one. There was nothing else and no one else as the world rapidly slipped away. Their lips sought out one another, hungry and full of need.
Willow slipped her hands behind Tara’s back and unclasped the bra. This too, she slid down Tara’s arms to join the shirt and coat lying in a heap on the floor. She held Tara’s breasts in her hands and her fingertips trailed over the silky skin. She looked up and met Tara’s gaze. The blue in her eyes had deepened and were slightly lidded with lust. Willow’s mouth suddenly went dry and she licked her lips. She moved her hands down and freed the top button of Tara’s jeans. She watched Tara’s face as she slowly pulled the zipper downward. She pushed the pants down over full hips and Tara slipped out of her shoes and then stepped out of her jeans. All that was left was a pair of panties.
Tara could feel her want and knew that Willow could see it in her eyes. She could feel the painful throbbing between her legs and she tried in vain to ignore it. She brought her hands down to caress the soft leather pant leg that rubbed between her own. She ran her hands up Willow’s thigh, across the slim hips to the firm roundness of her rear. She squeezed the soft mounds and Willow pressed her knee more firmly against her.
Then without warning, Willow spun Tara around and pressed up against the blonde’s back. Her lips and tongue tasted the skin along Tara’s shoulder. She let her hands roam freely over the front of Tara’s body, gliding over hills and valleys.
“I want you.” Willow whispered and settled a hand over Tara’s lower abdomen and breathed into the soft blond hair. She pulled at the desire that was burning at her core and sent it to the hand that rested on Tara’s belly. A soft glow emanated from her fingers and Tara gasped from the stimulation that only served to intensify her arousal.
“Oh… oh.” Tara moaned and her head fell back to rest on Willow’s shoulder. She shuddered when Willow breathed into her ear.
“I love you, Tara.” Willow whispered.
Tara covered the hand resting over her stomach with her own and energy surged forth, joining them.
The glow of the magicks surrounded them, pulsing and throbbing. It consumed Willow and Tara with desire so hot that it flamed pure white. Their erratic breathing gave way to panting and their skin hummed with the emotional and physical intensity of it all.
Tara snaked her other hand up behind her, along the back of Willow’s neck and into the red hair. Willow traced a path with her fingers down over Tara’s hip, slipping inside the silk panties and into the heat between her legs. Tara panted heavily as the erotic heat ebbed and flowed through her. She could feel it coming and like waves in the sea, crashed over her. She cried out softly and Willow cradled her, pulling her close so that their bodies spooned together. Tara felt the smooth leather brush up against the back of her legs, cooling her heated skin. Willow’s small breasts pushed into her back and a light sheen of sweat covered their skin. Tara turned in the circle of her lover’s arms and leaned in to capture Willow’s lips in a deep passionate kiss. Hastily she unbuttoned the silky white shirt, slipped it down Willow’s arms and flung it aside. Her hands reached behind Willow’s back and released the bra and threw it to the floor. She trailed her fingers downward to a lush backside, digging into the two mounds of flesh through the leather, and pushed Willow against her. She felt Willow’s breasts press against her own and she relaxed, taking comfort from the warmth and feel of Willow’s body against hers.
Willow leaned forward, pushing Tara down onto the bed. She climbed up and settled herself between the blonde’s legs. Curling her arms under Tara’s shoulders she rocked her hips and Tara instinctively wrapped her legs around Willow’s. They kissed deeply, passionately, and their bodies moved against one another. Gasping, Tara broke away and with a slanted smile, rolled them over so that Willow was beneath her.
“My turn.” She whispered huskily.
She scooted down and pulled Willow’s boots from her feet. She climbed back up onto the bed and knelt between Willow’s legs. She slipped her fingers underneath the waistband of the leather pants and slipped the first button free. With deliberate slowness she moved to the next one and then to the next. She trailed her fingers along Willow’s thighs, enjoying the feel of the smooth material under her skin. With a few short tugs, the pants were removed and she tossed them on the growing pile of clothes. Next, she hooked her fingers under the panties and pulled them down and tossed them aside. Slowly, she pulled her own down and stepped out of them. She smiled coyly at Willow before dropping the silk undergarment. Climbing back onto the bed again she covered Willow’s now naked body with her own. She gazed down at her lover and smiled cheekily. Her heart jumped when Willow’s pink tongue darted out to lick dry lips. Leaning down, she teased Willow’s mouth open, her long hair falling forward and brushing over Willow’s shoulders.
Her skin prickled when she felt Willow’s hands brush up her back and rake into her hair. She shifted her hips and Willow pushed back into her. Leaving Willow’s mouth she trailed kisses down her neck and stopped to tease her breasts. Her arousal returned when she heard Willow moan. She moved further down, across the taut stomach and into fiery curls. Willow whimpered, pushed against her and Tara obliged. She wrapped an arm around Willow’s leg and held on. Her tongue dove and licked through the sweet moistness and her fingers provided the fullness Willow desired. Summoning her magic, Tara allowed her passion to seep into Willow. Willow gasped at the powerful sensation as Tara’s essence flowed into her. The muscles in Willow’s legs tightened and Tara watched as Willow’s mouth opened, crying out silently. Willow’s body moved with the rumbling orgasm and her eyes fluttered open to gaze at Tara. They were slightly unfocused, but heavy with emotion. When Willow’s body calmed, Tara crawled up beside her and placed a gentle kiss on her lover’s lips. When she pulled back, tears rolled freely down Willow’s face.
Chapter Six
Below ground in a dark and dank cavern, a tall robed figure was hunched over a wide brimmed bowl. A long taloned finger dipped into the dark liquid and stirred it before bringing it to his mouth and licking it clean. He lifted his head when one of his minions entered the room.
“She’s returned, Dark One.” The minion droned.
“Yes. I can feel her.” The tall figure turned and looked at his servant. “Come, it is time.” He instructed.
The minion relaxed his facial muscles and the ridges over his forehead and his pointed canines, all characteristics of a vampire, faded. He climbed the steps, walked across the platform and knelt. He raised his bowed head and looked up into the face hidden beneath the cowl. What he saw made his cold body turn even colder. The red face was mottled with black specks and when it smiled there was no warmth. Several long teeth protruded from its mouth, reaching almost to his chin. Several small horns protruded from his forehead and his ears were long and pointed. The eyes were black and deeply set, giving his entire face a skeletal look. He dipped a silver chalice into the bowl and offered it to his servant.
“Drink and receive the spirit of The Dark One, ‘O loyal servant.”
The vampire cradled the cup in his hands, raised it to his lips and drank. His body stiffened and the cup clattered to the ground. Jerking and twisting violently, his limbs cracked and elongated, morphing into a duplicate of the being that stood by silently.
When the transformation was complete he stood up and waited for further instructions. His ears pricked at the sounds all around him, sounds he could not hear before. Water dripped somewhere nearby and he turned his head at the sound of scratching. A large black water bug crawled across the dirt floor and disappeared into a crack in the wall. His nose twitched as various smells assailed his nose. The earth beneath his feet smelled damp and musty, and the thick red liquid in the bowl had an acidic, metallic smell to it, and he licked his lips unconsciously.
“The time is close at hand.” The Dark One paused and strode to the opposite side of the room and opened a large, ancient tome. “The power of the witch and the strength of the slayer shall complete the cycle.” He turned and continued speaking, holding the book in his hands. “With the witch’s power, we will invoke the dark spirits from below and with the slayer’s strength, we shall set them free.”
“Yes, ‘O, Dark One.” The servant chanted.
“You know what to do. Bring the witch and the slayer to me.” The Dark One said and the servant turned and left the cavern.
To be continued...
"After one take, Joss did say, 'Can we have one that's less like you're going to sleep together in about five minutes?'" - Alyson Hannigan
Edited by: allyson12 at: 10/17/02 6:14:08 am
I Loved the start! It was sad when Will had to leave 
But it was the right thing to do to get better! W/T's reuniting was perfect!! Loved the whole thing, well except 4 this 'Dark One' dude! He's trouble! 
Can't wait 2 read more!! 
. More clues on the Dark One will be coming up in a few chapters.
As long as she doesn't get angry she's alright, hmm... well if that Dark person goes after Tara, Willow is bound to angry I dare say. Then again, whats soooo bad about Dark Magic ? It's more what you DO with it I think.... avoiding soapbox here 
I read the previous one couple days ago b4 the whole ezboard break down but didn't have time to reply, sorry!! And it definitely was AWESOME!!! All the Leather! 
I thought I was gonna die but then popped in here today and read the new update... MY GOD!!! 
