“When he came for her, I hated him. He was a strange old man who wanted to take my sister away from me, because she was special and I wasn’t. I didn’t understand then…he explained that she was chosen, born with a gift, and meant for great deeds in her lifetime…While she packed her bags, I climbed out the window into the back alley to sit by myself. Suddenly, the old man called out from the window above. He wanted to speak with me, but I just told him to piss off. And then he did the most extraordinary thing—he leapt from the window without using the ladder and landed crouched, in front of me. I had never seen anyone do that, and I couldn’t help but question his ability. He only smiled and replied, “A Watcher scoffs at gravity. Once you learn to put your back into it, you will be able to do that as well. I can teach you, William. Just like Susan. I can teach you.” And even though I considered myself a man without the need of another parent, I put my trust in the kindly stranger and was eternally grateful that I would not be alone…”
~From the diary of William Wells; March 8th, 1676
~*~
The following morning, Elizabeth breakfasted formally with William and Giles. Awkward silence hung heavily over the little table. Purposefully she tried to catch William’s gaze, but he seemed to avoid her eyes as he studied his plate with scientific scrutiny. The thoughts of each person were clearly invested in different worlds. Elizabeth could only begin to guess what troubled William so, while her own focus remained on the bizarre dream she’d had the night before. Susan. I doubt it means anything. I’m living in her home, wearing her clothing…Naturally she should linger in my thoughts. Throughout her young life, Elizabeth had occasionally experienced vivid dreams that felt so real, she often wondered if they could mean something more. Her encounter with Susan, or what she imagined to be Susan, had her curiosity and suspicions swirling. Desperately she wanted to question William and Giles about the former Slayer—about her appearance and personality to see if it were possible…and perhaps Giles would be interested to hear about the dream, or vision, or whatever it might have been. But she knew she could never bring it up to them. Both men still grieved at the loss, and Elizabeth thought it best not to open wounds that might just be beginning to heal.
Giles cleared his throat, causing Elizabeth to startle as her thoughts were snapped back into the present. William dropped his spoon.
“There is a erm…project I’ve been working on for sometime now. William is aware of it, but I would like to bring it to your attention as well, Miss Elizabeth, since I could use your help.”
“Of course,” Elizabeth replied, “I would be happy to help however I might be of use.”
“Well it should be fairly simple if all goes as planned. Basically I have been researching and formulating a spell—or, uh ritual—that might consecrate that vile piece of land. I’ve been trading with natives for the last several weeks, and I think I finally have everything we would need.”
“You think I could assist in some way?” Elizabeth asked, her curiosity peaked.
“Yes, actually. If you would be willing…I understand the notion of this sort of ritual might be at odds with certain Christian beliefs.”
“Oh that doesn’t bother me. If it could cleanse that place somehow, prevent whatever is there from spreading, I would be eager to take part.”
“Is that really necessary?” William broke in sharply, speaking to Giles, “One thing slips up in that goddamn spell of yours and everything goes to hell. She’s got no experience with magics. Bloody stupid decision to throw her into this, if you ask me.”
“I did not ask you, Will. It’s her decision whether or not to take part, and besides that, with the sort of preparation we’ve put into it, the risk is minimal. The spell is quite simple, but it does require a certain type of energy—a yin and yang if you will. One male and one female to represent both halves of Spirit. Youth also lends strength, so under my instruction, I think we’d have the best luck with the two of you performing the ritual together.”
“I would agree to that,” Elizabeth responded lightly.
Without a word, William stood abruptly from the table to clear his plate, sending his chair scraping harshly across the floor; and then he strode outside, the door nearly slamming behind him.
“William!” Elizabeth called as she rose to go after him.
Gently, Giles placed his hand on her forearm. “Let him be, Elizabeth.”
--
The day dragged on, and even as afternoon faded to sunset, William still did not return. Elizabeth had spent long hours helping with chores about the cabin, and Giles had even allowed her to flip through some of his books on magic. Even though she found the reading fascinating in its discussion of the ability of all people to use natural power for good purposes, Elizabeth worried, anxiously watching the door.
“Perhaps we should look for him. Twilight is approaching,” she commented anxiously.
“There’s no need to worry. William is fine on his own. He does this sometimes—wanders about without announcing his comings and goings. He’ll return in good time,” Giles replied calmly while he put on his cloak.
“Mr. Giles,” she began carefully, “Is there anything…Is William all right? Did he mention anything bothering him?”
“Oh it’s nothing, I’m sure. Only one of his moods,” the older man answered absently, “I must be off now to start the night’s hunt. You’ll be fine on your own, yes?”
“Yes,” she sighed as she watched Giles take up his staff and step into the evening, leaving her alone with her thoughts and worries.
Elizabeth seriously considered just going out herself to find William, but remembering the last time she’d attempted something similar, she thought better of it. So instead she simply plopped down into the rocking chair and waited for him.
--
After sitting up late until her eyelids began to droop in weariness, Elizabeth fell into bed and resigned herself to William’s absence. Her sleep was heavy and dreamless, though at some point in the early morning hours a noise brought her to abrupt wakefulness. She blinked her eyes open in the darkness when she heard the door close softly and floorboards creak under a careful, booted footfall. William’s silhouette showed clearly in the silver moonlight that pooled in from the window. She watched him hang his hat and cloak, pause for a split second to glance in her direction, and then slowly and quietly walk up the stairs.
Elizabeth waited a long while after she heard the door to his room close before sitting up in bed. Her heart pounded in her chest at what she planned to do. I have to talk to him. He’ll just keep avoiding me if I don’t.
Pulling the quilts back, she climbed out of the cot, lightly padded out of her alcove, and slowly ascended the staircase. Once her hand grasped the doorknob, she hesitated briefly before turning it softly. In the darkened room, bathed in moonlight and etched with patches of long shadows, William lay in bed curled on his side away from the door with the quilt pulled up to his chin. His shoulder rose and fell slightly with the soft, even breaths of light slumber, and he did not stir at the gentle rustle of her movements. She chewed her lip in nervous contemplation and almost turned and left, telling herself that she would simply ask to speak with him tomorrow. But instead, her feet took her to the intended destination. Gingerly, heart still racing, Elizabeth lifted the edge of the quilt that shrouded his body, and still not believing what she was doing, crawled into bed behind him.
Lightly, under the covers, she ran her fingers from his shoulder down his arm. And then drawing gradually closer until her chest was flush against the warmth of his back, she draped her arm over him, her palm resting on his breast. His hair tickled her nose, and she breathed in deeply, relishing the exquisite pleasure of holding him in her arms. Finally, her intrusion caused him to rouse. Mumbling nonsense of half-sleep, he nuzzled back against her body, sighing peacefully. He took her hand and raised her palm to his lips, tenderly kissing her skin.
“Missed you,” he mumbled.
“I’m here,” she whispered.
“Good dream.”
“No, William, I’m really here.”
“Wh—huh?”
Once he broke further into consciousness, he quickly fumbled away from Elizabeth and hurriedly sat up in bed as though he’d been doused by a bucket of ice water. He studied her in the dim light as though he still didn’t quite believe he wasn’t dreaming.
“What are you doing?” he demanded groggily, rubbing his eyes, “You gotta go downstairs. Rupert—“
“Is away for the night. Where have you been all day?”
“Nowhere,” he muttered, “Just riding. Thinkin’.”
“William,” she said, sitting up fully to face him, “I don’t understand what I did to turn you away. If I did something wrong, you must tell me.”
Even in the darkness, she could see his eyes soften and his shoulders start to droop.
“You…nothing. Elizabeth, I—I meant what I said. And being with you, it’s more than I ever….”
“Then tell me what’s upsetting you,” she prodded gently.
He sighed heavily and raised one hand to rake through his bed-tousled curls.
“Lotta things. When I say I wanna do right by you…I just don’t know if I’m right for you. What we did—I think it was a mistake. Not your mistake—mine. I should’ve controlled myself. I shouldn’t have…it was taking advantage of you. Treating you no better than a…”
“That doesn’t make any sense. I wanted it just as much as you did. I asked you—“
“Yes, but…I don’t fancy myself a great man, Elizabeth. I do this here,” he said, gesturing vaguely with his hand, “Because it’s right. Because Susan would’ve wanted it. But I haven’t led the best life…And you, you’re so sweet, so pure; it’s one of the things I love about you. I’ve never been with anyone like that…I don’t think I have the right to take it from you. Your…innocence is something I shouldn’t take. The ramifications of it are just—“
“It isn’t taking if it’s something I give willingly,” she said softly, “I heard you. Arguing with Mr. Giles about me. What he said to you about ruining my life—is that the reason you have this guilt?”
“No. I just think he might be right.”
“Well he’s not right. Listen to me, William,” she said, gently cupping his cheek with her hand, “I love you.”
He stiffened. “You don’t hafta say that. I mean if you don’t, it’s okay. I understand. Better to be honest before I screw up again.”
“This is me being honest.”
“…But before, you didn’t—“ he began thickly.
“It’s overwhelming. And terrifying. Putting it into words wasn’t easy for me. I merely needed a little time.”
“Time’s somethin’ I can give.”
He closed his eyes and lifted his hand to cover hers.
“I wish…I wish I could quit this. The whole vampire hunting gig. I wish we could get the hell outta here.”
“One day,” she whispered, scooting closer to kiss his forehead.
Their bodies melted down into the mattress until they lay facing one another in a close embrace. William kissed her slowly, lazily, his tongue lightly grazing her lips and gently seeking entrance to her mouth. After uncounted minutes of leisurely exploration of lips and tongues and teeth, he broke their kiss and ran his fingers through her loose golden hair.
“Stay with me tonight,” he whispered.
“But Mr. Giles—“
“Screw Mr. Giles.”
Elizabeth sighed contently, resting her head under his chin so that her nose was buried in the nape of his neck. He pulled the quilt up over her shoulders.
“Warm enough?” he asked.
“Mmm-hmm.”
“Sleep now, luv.”
And so she did.
--
Momentarily, Elizabeth felt disoriented when she woke in the strange bed; but once she cuddled against the warm body beside her and blinked her eyes open to see the familiar room lit with the dull grey of early morning, she remembered. Very carefully, so as not to disturb him, she disentangled her limbs from his and was abruptly assaulted by the chilliness of the air. He didn’t wake, but as she slowly rose, he turned in his sleep and curled over the warm, empty place she’d left behind. Oh, how she wanted nothing more than to remain snuggled there till afternoon, but she knew she must go before Mr. Giles chanced to stumble in on them. William’s eyes fluttered behind closed lids as a slight, serene smile graced his lips.
“What are you dreaming, my love?” she whispered, reaching to brush errant curls back from his forehead.
He looked so soft, so young, and for the first time, Elizabeth wondered exactly how old he was. After brushing a gentle kiss over his cheek, she reluctantly left the room, bound for her cot beneath the stairs.
--
“Are you positive that you understand everything? I can come along and observe from outside the circle—should you have any questions or any difficulties arise—“
“Jesus Rupert. We’ll be fine! It’s only a cleansing—kid stuff. Won’t take more than half an hour.”
“Well, you made quite a fuss over it earlier.”
“Yeah, but…I think we can handle it now.”
William raised a mischievous brow to Elizabeth when Giles looked away. She knew he had multiple reasons for not wanting the older man along. Time alone together was precious; and they were willing to take anything they could get. Four nights over the past week, William had managed to sneak downstairs into Elizabeth’s cot. He would come long after midnight and leave just before dawn. Sometimes they engaged in whispered conversations about books and loves and travels all night long; and other times, he would arrive quietly and simply hold her until she fell asleep. When she woke again, of course she’d find him gone. Tip-toeing around Giles did bring a sense of heart-pattering excitement, but Elizabeth wished that they could act and speak openly about the way they felt. Naturally that was impossible. Even if Giles did approve of their courtship, the sort of behavior they enjoyed would only be appropriate for a married couple. But Elizabeth was beginning to hope that maybe…just maybe their future might hold that possibility.
“Very well. Miss Elizabeth, do you need me to run through the steps once more?” Giles asked fretfully.
“No, thank you, sir. I think I understand.”
“Do you have all the supplies in your sack? Maybe you should check once more, just to be sure.”
“She’s sure, mate,” William huffed as he opened the door, beckoning Elizabeth to follow.
She glanced back to Giles sympathetically.
“Fine fine. Go on,” he sighed, shooing her out. “But if any complication should occur—“
And with that, William kicked the door shut.
--
Once they slipped into the woods, Elizabeth pulled up the hood of her cloak as a barrier to the wind. Their breaths formed cloudy puffs in front of their mouths; and the air felt thin, almost tingly. Moon and stars were shrouded in heavy grey clouds.
“Cold, luv?” William asked, noting Elizabeth’s attempt to bundle up.
“A b-b—bit,” she chattered in reply.
“C’mere,” he said, opening his arm in invitation.
She knew he’d take any opportunity to hold her close, and she smiled as she huddled into his side. Walking in this manner slowed their pace significantly, but neither of them felt in a dreadful hurry to return to the cabin. As they approached the end of the trail, Elizabeth felt the familiar chills coursing over her spine. This place absolutely made her skin crawl. Reluctantly, they stepped onto the plane of barren land; and suddenly, it felt twice as difficult for Elizabeth to draw a breath in the paper-thin air. She panicked at the choking sensation, clutching onto William desperately. The field, just as she feared, was much more terrifying cloaked in darkness and fog than it had been in the falling light of afternoon. The sensation felt similar, she imagined, to being swept under a murky stream—silent, chilling, and isolating.
“I hate this. I hate it,” she whispered.
“I know, sweetheart. So do I. But we’ll get out fast, yeah? Just do it and go.”
Elizabeth nodded and unwillingly parted from him to dig through the supplies in her sack. William drew a large circle in the ash with his boot while she squatted in the center, removing each object and placing it before her. Once he had the circle constructed, he sprinkled sea salt in a ring around them and struck a match before taking a seat on the earth opposite Elizabeth. In the flickering orange light, she could see William’s fingers trembling, revealing his own unease. After he lit the small white candle between them, Elizabeth grasped the bundle of sage, garlic, and thistle, holding it in the smoke above the tiny flame.
“Do we say it now?” she asked shakily.
“No, hang on. Do you have the jar and rose thorns?”
She nodded, passing him a glass jar and a leather pouch. William turned the pouch inside out, leaving the thirteen thorns in a pile between them.
“Aright. I’ll drop one in at a time while we say it. Gimme your hand.”
Elizabeth offered her free hand, and he grasped it tightly. Reaching for the first thorn, he held it briefly before dropping it into the glass jar and nodding to Elizabeth. Her voice quavered as she began.
“In the name of God and Goddess, we bid thee part.
We consecrate and clear this space,
Thou demon presence, be no more!”
For each thorn, they softly repeated the blessing, the speaker alternating for each repetition. Afterwards, William sealed the jar.
“Now what?” she asked.
“Now we bury it,” William replied, already digging in the ash with his fingers.
Something felt dreadfully wrong. Elizabeth knew it intrinsically before she saw any evidence. They were being watched—the sensation of malicious eyes in the darkness, everywhere. Though it was very slight, Elizabeth sensed a stirring; a movement below them, almost a rumbling far beneath the earth. Over William’s shoulder, the fog gradually began to part; and something dark and inhumanly tall slowly stepped forth from the swirling mists. It was hard to make out any details, but its eyes clearly burned red.
“William—William!” she tried to scream, but the only sound that fell from her lips was a hoarse croak.
“Almost done, luv. Just gotta make sure it’s deep enough.”
Did he not feel it? The shaking—how could he not?!?
Grabbing his shoulder, Elizabeth pointed numbly. Run. Run. We should be running now. The thought was so clear, and yet her body would not—or could not, comply. Finally, he turned at her insistence and saw it. Scrambling to his feet, he stepped in front of Elizabeth and squinted into the fog. She stood behind him, grasping onto his cloak.
“What is that?” she squeaked.
“I don’t know.”
“Did we—did we make that happen?”
“Uh. Don’t know.”
The entity moved with a dream-like slowness, and Elizabeth could not entirely ascertain whether or not it was real.
“Elizabeth. Run. Now,” he instructed firmly.
“No! I’m not leaving you here!”
“I need you to get Rupert. Tell him to get out here. You stay in the cabin.”
“Not without you!”
She wrapped her arms tightly around his waist to emphasize her point. The thing grew clearer as it closed the distance between them. It must have been at least ten feet tall; and its body was incredibly large, appearing tough and solid like rock. Two giant horns swept out from either side of its enormous head. Elizabeth screamed till her throat grew parched.
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