Witchcraft

Home : Stories by Author : Stories by JodyorJen : JodyorJen- Happyverse Series : Witchcraft

Happyverse Series: Part 10/15

AUTHOR: JodyorJen
EMAIL: jodyorjen@yahoo.com
RATING: NC-17, with a bullet.
PAIRING: Buffy/Spike, Willow/Xander, Dawn/Other, Anya/Giles
DISCLAIMER: All hail Joss Whedon, UPN, the WB, FOX , Mutant Enemy and 20th Century Fox Film Corporation. GO team!
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Part 10: Witchcraft

Tara sat cross-legged on the bed in her room and assembled the components for her spell. She carefully plucked the petals off two-dozen roses and placed them in a small ceramic bowl. A metal dish of coarse salt was balanced carefully on a book, a sewing needle shoved squarely in the center. A handful of votive candles rested on a folded white towel. The witch picked up a plastic bottle shaped like a bear and squeezed out a drop of honey onto her fingertip. She sucked on it as she scanned the items laid out on the comforter. "Oh, damn," she said, her expression crestfallen. She carefully reached over and grabbed the phone next to the bed and pressed the button for the front desk. "Hi, Paulo? This is Tara from the Serenity Suite. Remember me? Yeah, the one who needed the weird stuff? Well, there's one more thing I'd like you to get. Hello? Hello?" She looked at the receiver.

"Thanks, Mrs. Ellenby," said Buffy as she shook the hand of the officiant. "We'll see you tomorrow at seven o' clock." The older lady smiled and left the chapel.

"That went very well," said Giles with a smile. "I'm sure everything will go just as smoothly tomorrow."

"Well, I hope so," she said. "I just hope Tara feels well enough to show tomorrow." She turned to Spike. "Do you think we should go check on her and see if she's feeling better?"

"I'm sure she'll come downstairs when she's up to it, pet," he said as he lightly kissed her lips. He wrapped his arm around her waist. "Well, kiddies, it's time for us to go to the rehearsal dinner."

Dawn stood up. She wore Spike's suit jacket, which trailed down to her hem and covered her hands. She took it off and handed it to him. "I'll go change," she said, responding to his glare. "I'll meet you there."

"It's called the Blue Note and it's in the South Wing," Buffy explained.

"I know, Buffy, I'm not deaf," said Dawn as she exited the room. She wandered down the hall and through the lobby to the front desk and rang the bell.

"Dawnie, is that you?" She turned to see Tara walk up behind her. "You look so beautiful," said the witch.

"Thanks!" said Dawn. She frowned. "What are you doing here? Spike said that you weren't feeling well."

"Well, that's not actually true," the witch replied. "He just doesn't want to worry Buffy. I'm trying to get the components together for a spell and I'm having a little trouble."

The clerk came out and saw Tara. "Hello again," he said with a roll of his eyes. "I'll be with you in a minute." He turned to Dawn. "How may I help you, miss?"

"I wanted to know if anyone left anything for me at the desk," she replied. "I won some money today in the casino and I had to leave before I could get it from the bank."

The clerk looked confused, then brightened. "Are you Miss Summers?"

Dawn smiled. "Yes, that's me."

"Mr. Aurelius kept an eye on your winnings for you. If you wait just a minute, I'll let him know you're here." He picked up a phone and whispered into it as he glanced over his shoulder at Dawn.

"You're not old enough to gamble, Dawn," said Tara in a low voice.

"Don't tell Buffy what I'm up to, and I won't tell her what you're up to," she said archly.

The clerk hung up and turned back to face them. He gave a phony smile to Tara. "And you, miss, how may I help you? More items for your scavenger hunt, I presume?" he said sarcastically.

Tara smiled nervously. "Yes, I tried to call you from my room, but we got disconnected a few times." He gave her a smug look. "I need sage," explained the blonde.

"Sage?" the clerk said.

"I need dried sage," said Tara.

"We only have four star restaurants in this hotel," said the clerk. "I am quite certain that they would use only fresh sage."

"Can you please check? It's very important, " she said earnestly.

"Miss, I have already wasted time with housekeeping and room service getting salt, honey, rose petals, and a needle. I don't really have time to indulge any more of your whims," he said as he shuffled through papers on the counter.

"Am I losing my mind, Paulo, or did you just tell a guest in my hotel that she is not worthy of your attention?" said a cold voice. Tara and Dawn turned to see a man standing behind them.

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Aurelius," stammered the clerk. "I had no idea you were there."

The man turned to Dawn. "It is a pleasure to see you again, Miss Summers." It was the man who had helped her in the casino this afternoon. He had changed into a black silk shirt and leather pants, and his long hair was pulled back tightly into a braid.

"This is your hotel?" she asked him. She watched him, hyperaware of his masculine presence.

He looked down at her with a shadowed expression. "Yes, it most certainly is." He handed her a small golden key. "Your winnings are in box 717. Here is the key."

"Thanks," she said as she stared into his eyes.

He leaned closer to her, never breaking her gaze, and then abruptly turned to face Tara. "So, Miss."

"M-m-Maclay," stammered Tara. She blushed. "You can call me Tara."

"You need sage, correct? Well, I just happen to have some in my apartment." He led them down the hallway, and turned down several corridors. He scanned a security badge on several doors. They entered a small elevator and descended. The door opened into a large stone foyer. Niches in the walls held ceramic masks, and there were vases of fresh flowers placed on columns. They followed him through an archway and into a dining room that was filled with low tables and couches, a large fresco on the wall of a seascape. They entered a sparkling kitchen. The cabinets and fixtures were made of a brushed metal. Aurelius swung open a pantry door to reveal a large collection of herbs in heavy glass jars.

"Is there anything else you need for your spell?" asked the man.

"Wow, you could open your own magic shop," gaped Dawn.

"How did you know it was for a spell?" asked Tara curiously.

"Well, either that or you're going to have a very interesting night with your lover. The honey and roses sound like fun, but the salt and needle sounds a little painful," he said seriously.

She laughed. "Well, actually, if you have some sandalwood incense and a mortar and pestle, that would be great."

He pulled a bag of ground incense from a drawer along with charcoal tablets and a small metal cauldron. He gave her a box of long fireplace matches. After he searched through a few cabinets, he came up with a small marble mortar and pestle.

"So what kind of spell are you doing?" asked Dawn.

"I need to undo a love spell," said Tara.

Willow and Xander sat stiffly in their seats, faced away from each other. Buffy stared at her watch, while Spike tossed back a glass of red wine. Anya attempted to build a tower out of sugar packets.

"This is a really lovely restaurant," said Giles as he attempted to break the awkward silence. The décor was Art Deco, in shades of silver and blue. They were seated near the stage, and they had a good view of the band, who were dressed in forties style in white dinner jackets and black pants.

Buffy stood up and pushed back her chair. "I'm going to go get Dawn. It shouldn't take this long just to change her clothes."

"I'm sure she's just checking on Tara. You know the bit, she loses all track of time," said Spike as he took her hand in his. The band broke into a slow standard. A woman in a blue satin gown stepped up to the microphone and began to sing. "Come dance with me," he said, as he led her to the dance floor.

Giles stood up and extended his hand to Anya. "Would you do me the honor?" he asked formally. She smiled and followed him.

Xander and Willow looked at each other. He leaned over to whisper in her ear. "I can't. There is no way that I can hold you in my arms and not show everyone exactly how I feel about you."

"They'll think it's weird if we don't dance," she whispered back.

"They'll think it's even weirder if I make love to you on the dance floor," he whispered.

Dawn and Aurelius walked down the hall to her room. "It was really nice of you to get those things for Tara," she said. They walked very close together, and the spicy scent that he wore made Dawn breathless. Her fingers accidentally brushed his thigh, and she saw a muscle jump in his jaw.

"It was my pleasure to help your friend," he said softly as he stared at her.

"I really have to hurry up," she said. "They must be wondering what happened to me."

He frowned. "Yes, your wedding party will be waiting." They stopped outside her door. He took the key from her hand, and the brush of his fingers made her heart race. He inserted the key in the door and
pushed it open.

"Thanks for escorting me," she said, as she gazed up into his eyes. He stared back down at her, enraptured.

"We have to say goodbye," he said huskily.

"I have to go," she said breathily.

Tara's eyes were closed and her head was thrown back. She glowed from within, a vessel for a power much greater than her own. "Almighty Ma'at, move through me," she intoned. "Let only the truth be revealed. Let false love and artifice be cast aside, and true passion reign. May all choose freely, bound only by their desire. So mote it be." A loud boom resounded as huge waves of energy poured forth from her hands.

The band played a Cole Porter tune as Giles slid the strap of Anya's dress down her shoulder. He nibbled on her neck. "You know," he softly, "I always did want to just throw you down on the floor of the shop and take you." He licked her earlobe and ground it between his teeth until she gasped.

"I never really thought about it until you kissed me," said Anya. "You always seemed so buttoned down and passionless."

He bit down hard on her shoulder, making her moan. "Still waters run deep, love," he said, as he drew his fingers down the curve of her back.

Buffy and Spike kissed languorously. Their bodies moved gently to the rhythm of the music as they swayed together contentedly.

Xander and Willow slow danced. Her eyes were shut as she rested her head on his shoulder. He ran his fingers through her hair. Their faces beamed with happiness.

The singer held the microphone as she crooned. "It's witchcraft," she sang," and I've got no defense for it, the heat is too intense for it, what good would common sense do."

Dawn and Aurelius fell inside her room, locked in a passionate embrace. His hands swept through her chignon and her hair tumbled around her breasts. He carried her to her bed and swept her suitcase to the floor with one arm. She fumbled with his shirt, as he slid her dress over her head.

Willow and Xander kissed hungrily as Giles swept Anya into his arms and carried her out of the room.

Upstairs, Tara walked out of her room and entered the elevator. As it descended, she looked through the glass wall, and saw people kissing, embracing and screwing everywhere. "Oh, no," she said, as she repeatedly stabbed the button for the penthouse floor.

Spike and Buffy stopped dancing when the band took a break. They looked around and saw the chaos that had descended when they were lost in each other. The room was filled with couples in various stages of coupling. "What is going on?" asked Buffy. "Why does weirdness follow us wherever we go?" She turned to him, her expression plaintive. "Can't I have just one good day?"

"It's just a spell, baby," said Spike soothingly. "A spell someone has royally messed up." He kissed her. "Stay here," he said. "I think I know what to do. I'll fix this mess, and then we'll have a really good time."

"Spike!" she yelled at his back as he ran out of the room.

He ran down the corridor and passed Anya and Giles having loud and energetic sex against a wall. "No one told me it was national have a shag against the wall day," he muttered. "I'm starting to feel left out."

Dawn's hands clenched the long silken tresses that swirled over the white flesh of her thighs. She arched her back and screamed as she came. Aurelius slid up her body and closed his mouth around her nipple.

Xander's hands stroked Willow's shoulders. Their tongues intermingled as they kissed deeply. Suddenly they were torn apart. Buffy stood between them, clearly upset. "Stop it right now. You guys are wigging
me out," she said adamantly.

"I love you," said Xander as he gazed at Willow. "I love you too," said Willow. They bent towards each other to kiss, but were pressed back by Buffy's hands on their shoulders.

"This is some kind of karmic retribution for the engagement spell, I know it," said Buffy. "But I didn't have anything to do with that, and I don't have anything to do with this." She looked up at the ceiling. "Any deity that may be listening, feel free to restore normalcy anytime now. I'll wait."

Giles and Anya were pressed together, still gasping from their encounter. "We really shouldn't have done that," said Giles. "You're engaged and pregnant, and I'm older, I know better." His collar was torn open, his glassed haphazardly shoved in his shirt pocket.

"I'm not really pregnant," said Anya breathlessly, "it was a charm that I was using to fake it so that I could marry Xander."

"You are a wicked, manipulative demonic wench," said Giles as he stared down at her.

"And you want to take me again," she said coyly.

He thrust forward, and they both moaned. "And I'm taking you again," said Giles hungrily.

Spike banged on the door to Tara's room. She opened the door. Her hair surrounded her head in a nimbus, and she glowed with mystical energy. "I'm done waiting around. Let's fix this thing now," he said, unfazed.

Aurelius kissed Dawn gently on the soft skin of her neck. She moved under him enthusiastically, running her hands over the contours of his chest and abdomen. "You're so beautiful," she whispered. "I want you, all of you."

"It isn't right," he said, "we shouldn't do this."

"I don't care," she said. "I want to feel you. I want to know what it's like."

"But the wedding," he said. "You're-" She cut him off and closed her mouth over his as she slipped her tongue inside his mouth.

Buffy tied Willow to a chair with a tablecloth. Xander was on the opposite side of the table, similarly restrained. "You'll thank me later, really," she explained. "You'll be forever grateful to me for preventing you from making complete idiots of yourselves." She looked around. "I wonder where Giles and Anya went?"

"-Spelinatre!" recited Tara. The passionate screams and moans that had filled the air stopped abruptly.

"Let's go see if that did it," said Spike.

Aurelius was poised over Dawn as he prepared to thrust inside her. Suddenly, there was an overwhelming silence. He scrambled off the bed. "I can't believe that I lost control like that," he said angrily as he tugged on his pants. "I don't know what came over me."

"I'm not sorry," she said with a smile. "Come back here."

"No, you're not thinking clearly," he said. He stared at her with his serious dark eyes. "You have plans. You can't just let yourself be swept away."

"Do you not want me?" she said as she peered up at him through a tangle of brown hair.

He paused and looked away. She lost her temper. "Fine! Get out!" She threw his shoes and shirt at him. He grabbed his things and left. He stood outside the door and stared at it, as he heard her begin to sob.

"I'm going to go take a very hot shower and burn all my clothing, " said Anya as she adjusted her dress.

"I'll be in the bar," said Giles as he walked away.

"I'm going to get Spike," said Buffy as she untied Xander. "You two try to find Giles and Anya. I'd really like to try to salvage one of the most important evenings of my life. Then I'm going to find out who cast that spell and kick their ass." She stalked out of the restaurant.

Xander came over to Willow's chair and untied her. He took her hand in his. "I love you, Willow. Always. No matter what."

"Love you too." She smiled up at him. "Go find Anya, and I'll find Giles." He bent and kissed her gently and then turned and walked away.

Aurelius walked through the lobby of the hotel, making his way back to his apartment. "You filthy cur!" He looked up just as Spike pounced on him. "You said that you wouldn't be here for the wedding." Spike hugged him hard and pounded on his back.

"I was supposed to be in Rome," said Aurelius, "But my plans fell through." He smiled warmly at the blonde.

"All for the best, man. You have to come to my wedding tomorrow. You have to meet Buffy," said the other man.

Aurelius took a step back. "Spike, that is not a good idea. You want to be mainstream, not have any vampires around. I know the score. No need to throw me in the mix."

Spike looked at him earnestly. "But you're my friend, Marcus. She's never met any of my friends. She'll like you, I know she will."

He looked away. "I have plans tomorrow. I can't be there."

"This whole wedding is thanks to you. I never could have afforded this. Can't you take a couple of hours and share it with Buffy and I?" asked Spike.

The other man stared at the ground. "I think it's best that we not meet. There is no place in her life for someone like me."

"Too late," said Spike. Aurelius looked up into a very beautiful and totally unfamiliar face.

"This is my Buffy," said the vampire proudly. "Buffy, this is Marcus."

"You're the hotel friend Marcus?" she asked. "The one that owns this place?"

"Yes, that's me," he said, perplexed.

"Thank you so much for giving us the wedding," she said sincerely. "I hope you'll come." She looked up at Aurelius and smiled. "In fact, why don't you come to dinner with us tonight, too?"

Spike grabbed his arm. "You can't say no to a lovely lady. That much I know." The three of them walked down the hall together.

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JodyorJen - jodyorjen@yahoo.com