Chapter 18


Hourak could see Groma caring for Kaia from inside the cave. Men and women were whispering to each other, pointing at the women just outside the cave entrance. He was crushed. As leader of the clan, he had to protect the clan above all others, no matter how wrong it felt.

He knew that he was losing the clan’s medicine woman and her replacement, but what tormented him now, was that his decision was causing him to lose a friend. Groma had been a valued member of the clan for many years. She was smart, compassionate, and loyal. And it was her loyalty and compassion to her child, was the reason she was leaving. He respected her for it, and the fact that she had respected him and his decision. She understood the difficulty of his choice.

Hourak rose and walked to the entrance as the clan members hushed, hoping to witness something dramatic. He commanded the sentries to let him out, then guard the entrance as soon as he was with Groma.

He sat by his longtime friend, with moist eyes. He knew there was nothing he could do, he could not allow Kaia back in. The other Elders would never allow it.

“Groma, my friend, where will you go?” Hourak looked to the ground, trying to think of anything he could do to help.

Groma held Kaia’s hand, and quietly said, “Kaia knew Kahn would hurt her, and she found us a new home. She knew we would need to leave at some point, and she prepared everything.” Groma looked to Hourak, “Fear not for us. The spirit guide, I believe, has given Kaia the gift of sight. She knew to protect herself and me. She is strong, and she is smart, and together we will be fine.”

“Will you tell me where your cave will be? I am old and may not be able to travel far, but knowing will ease my worries. You are family to me. You and Kaia both.”

“I will draw you a map. You will have no medicine woman here. If you need me, and the clan will feel comfortable to come to me, I will help them. My loyalties are to my child as well as the clan. Now and till the spirit guide calls me home.”

Hourak, shocked by Groma’s offer, decided he would speak with the Elders, beg for an exception to be made.

He collected himself, and stood to return to the cave. “Thank you, Groma. The clan has been blessed for all the years you took care of us, and I will fight to have you and Kaia returned to your home.”

Groma smiled. “Thank you, Hourak, but it is our time to move on. The Elders would never believe anything you could tell them about Kaia not being a blood drinker. They have been looking for an excuse to be rid of Kaia since the day I found her, and now they have one. She was never respected by the clan as you or I have been. I know my child, and my place is with her, should she become a blood drinker or not. Our destiny was set many years ago.”

He returned to the cave, upset that Groma didn’t want to stay, but awed by her conviction to follow what she considered her destiny. Life would be hard for these women, but he would watch out for them any way he could.



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Tara packed the large basket, checking and checking again to make sure she didn’t forget anything. She was as ready as she would ever be.

Spike was waiting by the door for her, his expression was worried. “Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you? I can get Xander and Anya to come over and sit with the girls. They will be safe with the wards.”

“No, Spike. I need to go alone. And I will be safe. I enchanted this map. I can check on Willow location and movements and it shows me the where to find the Oracles.” She held up the map of Sunnydale and pointed to the two glowing dots. “See, she is still at the mansion. And it shows me where the entrance is to find the Oracles. I will be back as soon as I can, Spike, try not to worry.”

Spike took her empty hand and squeezed it. “Be safe, Tara. I'll be here, waiting for you to come back safe and sound."

She squeezed back. “I will. Wish me luck.”

He opened the door for her, “Good luck, Tara,” and he watched her walk down the street.



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Tara followed her map about a block from the house on Revello Drive, and made a right into a neighbor’s back yard. The map indicated that she was to turn left into the back yard. The yard was fenced, but the gate was unlocked. She quickly and quietly entered, hoping there wasn’t a dog in there.

The map pointed her to her final destination, the swimming pool. The water was lit up and very inviting, but there was no visible entrance to any mystical realm that she could see. Tara walked around the pool, wanting to make sure that was where she was supposed to go. The glowing dot on the map informed her it was. The entrance was in the deep end of the pool.

I need to get to the bottom of the pool quick, so my gift doesn’t get ruined. I guess the diving board is the answer… Tara walked to the end of the board, clutched the large basket to her chest. “Ok, here we go!” With a single bounce, Tara dropped into the pool feet first, and plunged toward the drain.



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The cool water was shocking, but not nearly as much as the fact that as soon as she reached the bottom, she found she was no longer in the pool. She was in a white room, and completely dry.

There were tall Grecian type columns forming a large circle, and she was standing in the middle.

“Hello? Is there anyone here?”

There was no answer. She set her basket down and began to walk out of the circle, when two beings appeared before her. They looked like humans, but their faces looked as if they had been painted with silvery-bronze paint with odd blue designs etched on their skin, and their eyes were solid blue. One appeared to be male and the other female.

“Come before us, lower being. What have you brought us?” They said in unison.

Tara remembered there was something specific she was supposed to say. Come on, brain, work!

“I come before you, seeking guidance and direction…” She couldn’t remember the rest. Flustered, she spoke to them directly.

“I come before you, with my gift, as a friend of the Slayer. She is missing and I’m here to ask for your help in finding her.” Tara lowered her head, fearing she had ruined her chance with them.

The female spoke. “Tara, you are a warrior of good. You were only allowed to enter our realm because of this. Before we discuss why you have come to us, please show us your gift.”

For the first time since she and Dawn had decided what to bring, Tara had her doubts. Please let them like what I’ve brought.

The large basket was opened and a red and white checkered cloth was removed and spread on the ground.

The male Oracle whispered something inaudible to the female as they watched Tara.

From the basket she produced several metallic objects and placed them on the blanket.

The Oracles marveled at their gifts. Such lovely objects they had never seen before. They were pleased, very pleased.

“What do you call these beautiful things, may we hold one?” The female held out her hands to Tara.

Oh my God! They think these are their gifts!

“Yes, please join me. There is more to show you.” Tara sat on the cloth and began to pull more items from the basket and placed them on the cloth.

The Oracles approached the cloth, and sensing no danger, decided to lower themselves to her level, both in status and physically, and sit with her on the floor. Their curiosity getting the better of them, they each picked up a piece of silver and turned it over in their hands.

“These are quite lovely, we’ve never received anything like this at all.” The male said as he looked at his distorted reflection on its surface.

“They are warm, and smell nicely. Tara, what do you call these beautiful objects?” The female asked Tara, curious and excited.



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Willow had been at it for hours, and had done nothing but anger the demons she had called on for assistance. She was not only becoming worried she wouldn’t be able to bring Buffy back, but what had the demon meant when he said she may have already paid a price.

She dragged her bruised, bloodied, and dark veined body to the bedroom and climbed into the large bed. She was exhausted, and scared. Scared she had actually messed up, scared she had hurt her friend, and scared she may lose everything. I’ve got to stop thinking like that! I haven’t done anything wrong, I just haven’t found the right spell yet!

As she was drifting off to sleep, her mind visualized her magic bringing a tanned, happy Buffy back, all her friends thanking her, praising her skills.

However, her dreams quickly turned to nightmares, as the giant horned demon appeared again. He laughed loudly and then slaughtered her friends and family in front of her. She was powerless to stop him, like her magic was gone. As she screamed out in her sleep, waking herself, she heard him say, “You were warned…”

Shaking and covered with perspiration, she got out of bed and got back to work.