AB/BtVS FF: Nightmares in Waking Life 76/?
TITLE: Nightmares in Waking Life
AUTHOR: 38gnihsurc
RATING: en.sea.xvii, overall
PAIRINGS: All the pairings from the previous two stories---and some new ones, too
SPOILERS: Up until Micah for AB; the whole TV series for the Buffyverse; Alive at Last and Living Underground.
WARNINGS: A little bit of fur... bdsm... the usuals for Anita's crazy, crazy world.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own anyone---except for any original characters that I whip up to do my bidding ;)
NOTE: This story is a sequel to Living Underground.
Previous chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9-11, 12, 13, 14-5, 16-7, 18-9, 20-1, 22, 23, 24-5, 26-7, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32-3, 34-7, 38, 39-40, 41, 42, 43-44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51A, 51B, 52, 53, 54, 55-6, 57, 58A, 58B, 59, 60, 61, 62-63, 64, 65, 66-7, 68-9, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75
PART SEVENTY-SIX
Willow whined and trembled as Asher's hand brushed along the inside of her leg. She hated being so needy, but she couldn't help it; her lover worked her into several frenzies but hadn't yet allowed her any sort of release.
"Easy, ma fifille," he murmured. "You've done so well tonight, taking much more than I've ever given you before. I'm very proud of you.
"And soon, I'll permit you the release you need because it pleases me to watch you break apart."
She nodded eagerly, hungry for him to make good on his promise. She heard him chuckle---she couldn't see because she was blindfolded---and then she felt his hands on her wrists, undoing the restraints that had held her firmly to the rack.
As she sagged forward, a strong body caught her from behind. At first, she thought it was Asher; however upon feeling the fur against her back and the loose, heavy waves of hair on her back, she knew it was Jean-Claude.
Willow tensed. Both vampires rubbed her stomach with their hands. She moaned and then flushed guiltily for enjoying the touch.
Asher's hand struck her thigh.
"No guilt," he scolded. "Nothing anyone else would deem inappropriate is going to happen."
"Yes, sir," she whispered as the sting of his slap faded.
"Bon," he replied. "Take her to the bench, mon corbeau."
The dark-haired vampire scooped her up in his arms and carried her across the room. Willow felt herself being lowered onto a padded leather surface and then she felt her arms being stretched above her head. The vampire's hands moved her thighs apart and her feet to the floor before they pinned her wrists. They were a secure restraint but she still had to struggle for a minute to test her new bonds.
Both vampires chuckled; the sounds danced along her skin and she writhed in reaction.
Asher approached. Willow felt his robe brush her feet as he stopped in front of her.
"Struggle again, ma fifille."
Confused, but too aroused to care, Willow obeyed. As she stilled, Asher's fingers pinched her nipples.
"And again."
As she obeyed, Asher pulled her nipples upwards. She whimpered and arched up, which only inspired Asher to pull more.
"Beautiful."
Willow sagged back into the leather. The pain in her breasts lessened to a faint tingle as Asher released her flesh. He rubbed her nipples gently until she moaned and then he leaned forward and kissed her.
"Master," she breathed against his lips.
"So compliant," Jean-Claude purred.
Asher chuckled. He put his fingers to her lips; she sucked them into her mouth.
"Ma fifille," Asher said quietly, "I am going to feed from your inner thigh soon. Will that be a problem?"
She shook her head. He cleared his throat. She released her oral grip on his digits and spoke: "No, sir."
"D'accord. But first..."
He trailed his fingers down the centre of her body, stopping before her small patch of reddish-brown curls. Willow tried not to tense, but her body and mind had been teased for hours. It had been the longest session she'd experienced, to date, and having to rest and watch Asher with Jean-Claude (as well as having the second vampire as an active witness to her torment) did not detract from her submission.
She'd been so lost in the moment that the first soft blow had been a complete surprise. It was with a different flogger---something small and thin---but on the soft, slick skin between her legs, its size did not matter.
The sting and the throb were nearly equally excruciating. Willow whimpered but she didn't move.
The second strike almost caused her to cry out---had she done something to displease Asher? was her first thought. She didn't understand.
Logic splintered under the three proceeding lashes. Pain blossomed, pleasure bubbled, and then there was nothing but white hot and omigod before blackness drifted in over all of her senses.
Asher's fangs in her thigh chased the darkness away and brought her into another climax of sensation.
He entered her once he'd consumed enough of her blood. Willow's control was gone, eroded by his mastery of her mind and body, and although she'd been in that state before, it had never been so deeply engrained in her before.
Her last orgasm was small---but no less effective.
A silent chant had taken up residence in her mind as the waves of pleasure receded: Yours, yours, yours... It was in her heart and soul; she knew her lover could hear it along their bond because he replied with similar words as she was gathered in blankets and into his arms.
&&&&
When Willow came to full awareness, she felt two pairs of hands on her body. One was carefully combing through and braiding her hair; the other was gently rubbing her back and thighs.
Asher was holding her in the bath, she quickly learned, which meant Jean-Claude was fixing her hair. A quick glance over her shoulder told her that he was still clothed and still dry.
The blond vampire kissed her forehead. "Back with us, hrm?" he murmured.
"I... I guess so."
He chuckled. "The blankets were helpful, but you started to shiver, so I thought a hot bath would be best," he explained after a pause. "You fell so deeply... I didn't want you to go into shock."
"Good thinking," she whispered. She smiled. "Thank you," she added.
"I should be thanking you," he insisted. "You were perfect. You are perfect." When she blushed, he continued talking. "Taking you so far into your submissive headspace was a joy. I'd never imagined you could sink so deep."
"I couldn't do it on my own," she murmured. "I also couldn't do it every day, but... wow."
"Did you mind Jean-Claude's presence?"
"No... not really. I mean... it was kind of putting a toe over the line at the end. I don't want the world to know what we did. But... it made it more special. If that makes sense."
"Merci," Jean-Claude said in a quiet voice. "I did appreciate being included... I, too, fear the repercussions... but it was a delight to watch you in such a state of... ah, abandon."
Willow snorted softly. The vampires shared a brief laugh.
Jean-Claude tied something---most likely a ribbon---to the end of a long French braid. Then he put a hand on each of the others' shoulders.
"I will leave you to finish your bath," he murmured.
"Are you sure?" Willow asked.
The Master of the City squeezed her shoulder in another affectionate gesture. "Oui, I am certain," he said gently. "I would, however, be open to returning to your company when it is time to sleep."
"Okay," she agreed.
Once she was alone with Asher, she snuggled up against him. He responded by kissing her shoulder.
"Will... I mean... Anita---"
"We broke no rule," he reminded her.
Willow frowned. "Asher..."
"You love me?"
Her frown melted away. "Yes. Of course."
"Do you love Jean-Claude?"
"Not in the same way... but... yeah. Yes."
Asher rewarded her honesty with a kiss. "We shared something with him... something special. And in doing so, we did not break any rules he keeps with Anita."
"I guess..."
"Do you regret---"
"No," she answered quickly. "But I don't want tonight to get him into any more trouble with her."
"It won't."
"Or us... with her."
Asher rubbed her back. "It won't," he repeated.
"You are a liar," she murmured.
He chuckled. "Only when it suits me," he whispered in her ear. "I'm a demon, remember?"
She laughed softly. "Shuddup."
"As my lady requests," he all but purred.
They fell into a rather comfortable silence. Willow set her guilt aside, and focused on how good, how right it felt between the two vampires. It was different than when she was between Richard and Asher; it had felt like something she'd been missing all her life. Safety, certainty... both sentiments had been concrete and... almost blessed. She couldn't explain why it felt that way. It just did.
She hadn't sorted out her thoughts any more than that by the time Asher deemed her skin "adequately pruned" and lifted her out of the tub.
He wrapped her in several warm, fluffy towels before drying his body. Then he swept her back up into his arms and carried her into the bedroom.
Jean-Claude was reclining in their bed, one of Willow's books about magic in his lap. He smiled at them both and pulled the covers back in silent welcome.
"Merci," Asher murmured.
The other vampire smiled again before returning his attention to the book. Asher set Willow down on the bed before going to a chest of drawers and retrieving a pair of silky pajamas. He dressed her efficiently---she appreciated that because while she wasn't embarrassed by the night's turn of events she didn't want any other lines between them to become blurrier.
Once she was covered, she eased back onto the pillows and waited for Asher to return to them.
By the time he was holding her close, she was nearly asleep.
&&&&
Willow looked around slowly, taking in her surroundings. The forest was beautiful, but the power in it scared her.
She followed a path---an invisible line of energy, put out by a force she could feel but not name---until she saw the door in one of the large trees.
She'd been afraid before, not knowing who or what was drawing her to this conclusion, but this time, she opened the door and stepped inside. Expecting darkness, she had to blink several times against the bright lights in the new setting.
"Thank you for coming."
Willow gasped and turned. A werewolf stood in the open doorway. He was tall and broad---but not as much as Richard in either respect.
"Who are you?" she asked.
"Someone who's been trying to get your attention for a while," he replied. "I'm friends with Rupert."
"Marcus Chao."
The wolfman nodded his head. "I go by Scaramouche, too, but neither are my given name. You can call me Marcus---it's safer."
"Is it safe to talk here?" she asked. "Like this?"
"Safer than any other way."
Willow nodded. When the werewolf took a step towards her, she took a step back.
"I won't touch you," he told her. "I won't hurt you. We just need you to know a few things."
"Can I tell Asher? Or Jean-Claude?"
Marcus shrugged. "If you think it's for the best."
Willow nodded again, even though she was confused by his reply. "Okay, so... so... what do I need to know?"
"She's nearly awake," Marcus said. "She has pull over the felines... over some of the others---over all but a few of the vampires."
"So---"
"You read my note," he interjected. "We're divided. She was put under here for a reason. Some are working for her---under her thrall. They're the ones watching you. Some of us are with them, undercover, but we're hardly enough if she wakes and becomes solid again.
"The current guardian of this place is one of us. But he doesn't have enough power to hold her here when she wakes," he said. "When, not if. He might be able to hold her here, with some help, if she tries for you or Anita."
"What---"
"Before you became Lupa, you were her first choice. That's why she targeted your friend," he explained, cutting off her questions. "Anita's too connected to too many people. But, she doesn't have as strong a hold over wolves... and she learned that Anita's not quite so connected. Plus, she's big on the cat-love."
Willow frowned. "That's why..."
"The hit. Rumours about how she became a panwere... the Unholy Mother wants to add a few more strains of lycanthropy---a few more she has no ties to---"
"Oh god and goddess..." Willow breathed. "She'd strengthen her ties to Anita."
"And make her the even more logical choice," Marcus agreed.
"But..."
"Zeeman's careful with you," he said. "Wolves are your usual guards. Asher probably won't hire one of the big cats. The cats you're around are too loyal or too powerful for her to overpower without their knowledge."
"But Anita's surrounded by leopards and lions more regularly..." Willow mumbled. She mulled over all the information. Something she'd skipped over stuck out in her mind. "When you said 'my friend,' you mean Kennedy?"
"No, Mr. Harris."
Willow frowned. "Xander?"
"He was easy to influence, apparently. His hatred of our kinds made it that way. When he was attacked... infected... it was easier."
She gasped. "What? Infected?!"
"Dunno what strain."
"Oh god..."
Marcus frowned. "Look, I'm sorry I don't have time to sugarcoat this, but---"
"I know. Keep going."
"Rupert, the mermaids, and some of us are watching the back door," he said, "but we're not going to be enough."
"What do you need?"
He shrugged. "As much power as we can get for our side... an end to the traitors among us---because they are, Willow. This isn't what we were trained to be."
"Anything else?"
Marcus nodded. "We need you---"
"I'm already---"
"We need you here. To hold her here."
Willow frowned. "Marcus, I'm not that strong... I've felt her power. It made me scream---and I've been pretty desensitised over the years to all things scream-worthy."
Marcus took a step towards her. "You are the strongest witch I've ever heard of---and I've been alive a lot longer than you."
The redhead shook her head slightly. "I... um... thanks?"
He chuckled.
"When you said you need me here, you mean.... physically here."
"Yes. Quickly and quietly---when the time's right."
"First, I can't... just up and leave my family," Willow protested. "Asher and Richard---Jean-Claude, Anita... oh, god, Jason, Nathaniel, Faith, and---"
"And the second?"
"I'm Lupa and Asher's human servant---I can't go quickly or quietly anywhere!"
"First, would you rather they---and you---die? Because if she gets her way and gets into Anita's body, you'll all be her first order, if the takeover doesn't do it for her."
Willow scowled. "And the second?"
Marcus snorted before speaking, sounding more amused than she thought he should. "Second, with enough juice, you can go anywhere you want."
"Like... if I feed off enough people."
"A good way to incapacitate some bad guys, dontcha think?"
Willow sighed. "How long do I have to decide?"
"It'll be a while before they make their move," Marcus replied. "Not enough puzzle pieces are in place yet. She's not strong enough yet."
"I... this is a lot to dump on me all at once..."
"I know," he agreed. "Which is why I'm here now."
She nodded slowly. Then, she asked, "Would I have to stay here forever?"
"Only until she's neutralised. We can probably find someone with the potential to take over, we just need time."
"They might never let me leave," she whispered.
"Only if they know you're leaving."
"Fuck."
Marcus snorted again. "We'll all be fucked if she wins, Willow."
&&&&
When she woke, she did so nearly instantly, but without jolting to awareness. Her eyes opened after finishing her conversation with Marcus---one of the Harlequin that was on their side in the slow-burning war---and she inhaled slowly.
"Everything alright, mon colibri?"
Willow turned her head to see Asher and Jean-Claude watching her intently.
"As alright as things can be," she murmured. She made her lips curve into a small smile. "Did I sleep all day?"
"It's still late afternoon," the blond vampire replied. He reached out and brushed his fingers against her cheek. "I tried to reach you in dreams, but couldn't find you," he admitted, "I was worried."
With another slight turn of her head, she kissed his hand. She felt a dull ache in her chest at the thought of not waking up with him for a long while. How could Marcus think she'd willingly abandon those in her heart... she didn't want to think about it---but she couldn't not think about it at the same time.
"Willow?" he prompted.
"I'm here," she promised. "I... don't know why you couldn't get me to dream." She thought of what they'd done the night before and smiled. "Maybe you tired me out too much," she purred teasingly.
Asher smiled and leaned down to kiss her forehead. "What are your plans for the night?"
"I'd love to do nothing," she admitted.
"That could be arranged."
She chuckled. "I wish."
"Why don't you take the night off, both of you?" Jean-Claude inquired. "There is a lull---we should take advantage of it, no matter how brief."
Willow sighed. "We should be preparing..." she argued, thinking of her dream-conversation. "I need to talk to Dawn and Faith and---"
"Tomorrow night," Asher interjected.
Willow looked from vampire to the other. Asher seemed calm and determined; Jean-Claude seemed slightly uneasy, but she wasn't sure why.
"Can we curl up and watch movies?" she asked.
Asher smiled. "Whatever you want," he agreed easily.
Willow found herself smiling back at him, his pleasant mood seemingly contagious.
After a few kisses with Asher, she found herself being hugged by Jean-Claude. She returned the hug easily; she was glad for the physical comfort.
When the vampires left her to prepare to feed, she stayed in bed, mulling over the conversation she'd had with Marcus.
The dull ache increased in intensity. Willow sat up and rubbed at her chest absently as she looked around the bedroom. Her gaze fell upon the little touches that spoke of her family---clothes and books that migrated into hers and Asher's living quarters, mostly, as well as photographs and trinkets---and she sniffled and blinked rapidly in an attempt to keep tears at bay.
"What happened?"
Willow gasped. Jean-Claude returned---more likely he'd doubled back before feeding or else she had been sitting for too long---and was watching her with a critical eye.
"I..."
The Master of the City sighed and stepped up to the bed. He studied her for a few minutes and then asked: "Do you need your familiars?"
Willow quickly shook her head. "No, I'm fine---"
"Are you planning on leaving us?" he inquired. His eyes softened. "Did I overstep last night?"
"No!" Willow exclaimed. She threw herself at the vampire and hugged him close. After a quick but affectionate kiss to his cheek, she spoke. "You didn't do anything wrong---last night was great, Jean-Claude."
He kissed the top of her head after cradling her closer. "You seemed to be committing the room to memory... almost as if you wanted to remember it---"
"I was looking... and thinking how lucky I am to have this family," she explained, choosing her words carefully. "I don't want to leave. Ever."
"If there is anything we need to discuss..."
Willow lifted her head. "I... of course, I'd come to you," she murmured. "You're wouldn't be kept out of the loop."
"D'accord. You know... you can be very practical when it is required of you," he said, "and if there's something you must do, you do not have to shoulder the responsibility alone."
Willow narrowed her eyes. "What are you talking about?"
"Resignation, ma chérie. I saw resignation in your expression."
"Jean-Claude..."
"When it is time," he insisted in a firm voice, "I would like to be of assistance to you in any way possible."
Willow nodded. She didn't trust herself not to tell him about her dream; in that moment she understood what Marcus meant when he'd answered her question about keeping their conversation a secret. Telling would relieve herself of the burden, but it might not be the best thing to do.
"You are not alone," he reminded her.
"I don't know if that makes it better or worse," she mumbled.
"I know," he whispered.
"You should go feed."
"Will you be alright?"
She nodded. "Yeah. Yes. I'm going to give my brain a break and enjoy tonight... and put off figuring everything out for a little while."
"So smart."
Willow chuckled weakly. "I don't know about that."
"I do."
&&&&
After a few days, Willow was able to almost pretend her dream-meeting hadn't occurred.
Keeping herself busy was a crucial part of the process; she buried herself in research of the science (and magic, she learned) of the lycanthropy detectors, she spent time at Feral Byte, and she gave her remaining hours to the people she loved.
Nathaniel, Laura, and sometimes Bill offered their services as testers each time she made progress on a device to protect wereanimals.
Some obstacles were easy to tackle. The institutions that provided silver bracelets for their members to wear were the easiest to foil; the metal could be coated in a potion that did not alter the appearance of the jewelry and the potion's effects would last for at least a week.
The potion recipe and dipping instructions were distributed by Micah, and by contacts he trusted to those outside of their community.
When Willow saw a couple customers she knew to be wolves at the café wearing the bracelets, her sadness was accompanied by a small sense of pride at the rebellion.
The school devices---though not in place yet in St. Louis---were more difficult to circumvent. Willow had yet to find the right solution, but she hadn't given up yet---and Micah was sure she'd find a solution soon.
"Seriously," he told her one afternoon, as they walked together from Feral Byte to the coalition office, tailed by their guards, "I know you'll get it. Don't push yourself too hard."
"But---"
She stopped talking. But I don't know how much longer I'm going to be here was what she'd been about to say.
She didn't want to leave, but if she was one of the few who could help keep the Deeper Well intact, she didn't think she could stay if circumstances became so dire that the mystical place was in jeopardy.
Micah reached out and squeezed her hand. She squeezed back.
"I really am grateful for the work you've been doing," he said quietly, "but you look sad. Did something happen?"
"Sad?" she echoed.
"Yeah."
Willow nudged him gently. "I'm okay. Really... don't worry about me."
"Too late for that."
"Well, I guess I'm just thinking about how lucky I am," she said, being very careful to say only truthful things. "And it's making me a little..."
"Emotional?" he supplied.
"Something like that," she agreed. Looking for a change of subject, she asked: "How's Kennedy doing?"
"I think she's a work in progress," he replied honestly. "Some days are better than others. She spends a lot of time with Merle or Noah if she's not with me... some of the other dominants, too.
"They seem to think she's recovering, but she's not talking about what happened to her when she was infected... and, that... worries me."
"When she feels safe and loved, she opens up. Once she stops being a dummy, she'll tell you," Willow assured him.
"I'd ask you to talk it out of her."
Willow sighed. "Asher---"
"Would say no," he cut off her sentence. "That's part of why I won't ask."
"The other part?"
He shrugged. "I know what biding time feels like," he replied. "I did it when we were Chimera's victims. And sometimes... she looks like how I felt when I was waiting."
"For what?"
"For Anita."
Willow smiled. "I meant---"
"Oh. Well, you. To get you alone... to keep you to herself."
Her smile faded into a sad sigh. "I hoped she'd move on."
"It's going to take some time," he reminded her.
"Asher not wanting me to be around her isn't helping to speed things along," she pointed out.
"It's not about time," he said when they stopped at an intersection to wait for the lights to change. "And I think Asher's right on that one. Keeps the feedings what they are---reparations to the kiss---and not a way for her to get into your good graces."
"You think?"
He nodded. The light changed and they headed for the other side of the street.
"I think Asher likes rubbing her nose in the fact that her access to me is limited," Willow commented.
"After the attitude she gave you two and Jean-Claude, you're not too far off the mark," Micah conceded. "But that's only part of it."
"Yeah," she agreed.
Micah smiled. "So," he said while putting a friendly arm around her shoulders, "what's the plan for today?"
Willow returned the embrace, slipping her arm around his lower back. "Hanging out with you, then buying some magic supplies, then going home. You?"
"Hanging out with you, getting some work done, then going home and curling up with the pard."
"Nice."
He hummed in agreement.
They held onto each other until they reached the coalition office, where a couple of people were standing outside. They didn't seem threatening to Willow, but Micah still put himself between them and her---despite Noah's disapproval.
They made it inside quickly, pausing only to nod in greeting to the people on the sidewalk. Patrick stayed near the door and Noah went to check the fire exits. Willow looked at Micah; he seemed tense, the ease in his body gone.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Smelled gun oil," he told her.
"So that's why Noah's pissed at you?"
Micah smiled a little. "I'd heal, you---"
"Not if they were silver bullets!" Willow exclaimed.
"Not taking that chance," he said.
"We're bad protectees."
Patrick snorted.
"That's enough from the peanut gallery," she shot back.
Her guard chuckled. She smiled.
"You're okay?" Micah asked.
The question took her by surprise. "Sure. Why wouldn't I be?"
"Well, the gun---"
"You just smelled the oil," she reminded him. "Maybe they're hunters? Maybe they were at a shooting range?" She shrugged. "No sense in freaking out about it."
"Alright."
"Are you okay?" she asked.
He shrugged.
"Micah..."
"We have enough to deal with," he admitted. "And I don't like the idea of you being in the line of fire."
"Same here," she said. She hugged him. "We're going to be okay. I won't let what's-her-name hurt you guys."
"What are you planning?"
"Micah, please don't ask me that."
He sighed and pulled back enough to look at her. "You don't want to lie to me."
She nodded.
"I can respect that. Is it dangerous?"
"I don't have enough information yet," she answered. "Right now, all I have is a blurry watercolour of an idea, and I don't want to involve anyone until I know more."
"Willow---"
She turned to Patrick. "I will talk with you when I know more," she vowed. "And I'd appreciate it if you don't run to Richard."
"Now I know it's serious," Patrick said. "Something he'd try to stop---"
"It's... not entirely like that," she injected. "I've already got Jean-Claude trying to ask the right questions, and I'm not very good at tap dancing. Please, guys."
Micah gave her a little squeeze. "Okay, fine, but I want you to know I'm always available to listen."
She nodded and snuggled into him a bit. "Okay," she murmured.
AUTHOR: 38gnihsurc
RATING: en.sea.xvii, overall
PAIRINGS: All the pairings from the previous two stories---and some new ones, too
SPOILERS: Up until Micah for AB; the whole TV series for the Buffyverse; Alive at Last and Living Underground.
WARNINGS: A little bit of fur... bdsm... the usuals for Anita's crazy, crazy world.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own anyone---except for any original characters that I whip up to do my bidding ;)
NOTE: This story is a sequel to Living Underground.
Previous chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9-11, 12, 13, 14-5, 16-7, 18-9, 20-1, 22, 23, 24-5, 26-7, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32-3, 34-7, 38, 39-40, 41, 42, 43-44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51A, 51B, 52, 53, 54, 55-6, 57, 58A, 58B, 59, 60, 61, 62-63, 64, 65, 66-7, 68-9, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75
PART SEVENTY-SIX
Willow whined and trembled as Asher's hand brushed along the inside of her leg. She hated being so needy, but she couldn't help it; her lover worked her into several frenzies but hadn't yet allowed her any sort of release.
"Easy, ma fifille," he murmured. "You've done so well tonight, taking much more than I've ever given you before. I'm very proud of you.
"And soon, I'll permit you the release you need because it pleases me to watch you break apart."
She nodded eagerly, hungry for him to make good on his promise. She heard him chuckle---she couldn't see because she was blindfolded---and then she felt his hands on her wrists, undoing the restraints that had held her firmly to the rack.
As she sagged forward, a strong body caught her from behind. At first, she thought it was Asher; however upon feeling the fur against her back and the loose, heavy waves of hair on her back, she knew it was Jean-Claude.
Willow tensed. Both vampires rubbed her stomach with their hands. She moaned and then flushed guiltily for enjoying the touch.
Asher's hand struck her thigh.
"No guilt," he scolded. "Nothing anyone else would deem inappropriate is going to happen."
"Yes, sir," she whispered as the sting of his slap faded.
"Bon," he replied. "Take her to the bench, mon corbeau."
The dark-haired vampire scooped her up in his arms and carried her across the room. Willow felt herself being lowered onto a padded leather surface and then she felt her arms being stretched above her head. The vampire's hands moved her thighs apart and her feet to the floor before they pinned her wrists. They were a secure restraint but she still had to struggle for a minute to test her new bonds.
Both vampires chuckled; the sounds danced along her skin and she writhed in reaction.
Asher approached. Willow felt his robe brush her feet as he stopped in front of her.
"Struggle again, ma fifille."
Confused, but too aroused to care, Willow obeyed. As she stilled, Asher's fingers pinched her nipples.
"And again."
As she obeyed, Asher pulled her nipples upwards. She whimpered and arched up, which only inspired Asher to pull more.
"Beautiful."
Willow sagged back into the leather. The pain in her breasts lessened to a faint tingle as Asher released her flesh. He rubbed her nipples gently until she moaned and then he leaned forward and kissed her.
"Master," she breathed against his lips.
"So compliant," Jean-Claude purred.
Asher chuckled. He put his fingers to her lips; she sucked them into her mouth.
"Ma fifille," Asher said quietly, "I am going to feed from your inner thigh soon. Will that be a problem?"
She shook her head. He cleared his throat. She released her oral grip on his digits and spoke: "No, sir."
"D'accord. But first..."
He trailed his fingers down the centre of her body, stopping before her small patch of reddish-brown curls. Willow tried not to tense, but her body and mind had been teased for hours. It had been the longest session she'd experienced, to date, and having to rest and watch Asher with Jean-Claude (as well as having the second vampire as an active witness to her torment) did not detract from her submission.
She'd been so lost in the moment that the first soft blow had been a complete surprise. It was with a different flogger---something small and thin---but on the soft, slick skin between her legs, its size did not matter.
The sting and the throb were nearly equally excruciating. Willow whimpered but she didn't move.
The second strike almost caused her to cry out---had she done something to displease Asher? was her first thought. She didn't understand.
Logic splintered under the three proceeding lashes. Pain blossomed, pleasure bubbled, and then there was nothing but white hot and omigod before blackness drifted in over all of her senses.
Asher's fangs in her thigh chased the darkness away and brought her into another climax of sensation.
He entered her once he'd consumed enough of her blood. Willow's control was gone, eroded by his mastery of her mind and body, and although she'd been in that state before, it had never been so deeply engrained in her before.
Her last orgasm was small---but no less effective.
A silent chant had taken up residence in her mind as the waves of pleasure receded: Yours, yours, yours... It was in her heart and soul; she knew her lover could hear it along their bond because he replied with similar words as she was gathered in blankets and into his arms.
&&&&
When Willow came to full awareness, she felt two pairs of hands on her body. One was carefully combing through and braiding her hair; the other was gently rubbing her back and thighs.
Asher was holding her in the bath, she quickly learned, which meant Jean-Claude was fixing her hair. A quick glance over her shoulder told her that he was still clothed and still dry.
The blond vampire kissed her forehead. "Back with us, hrm?" he murmured.
"I... I guess so."
He chuckled. "The blankets were helpful, but you started to shiver, so I thought a hot bath would be best," he explained after a pause. "You fell so deeply... I didn't want you to go into shock."
"Good thinking," she whispered. She smiled. "Thank you," she added.
"I should be thanking you," he insisted. "You were perfect. You are perfect." When she blushed, he continued talking. "Taking you so far into your submissive headspace was a joy. I'd never imagined you could sink so deep."
"I couldn't do it on my own," she murmured. "I also couldn't do it every day, but... wow."
"Did you mind Jean-Claude's presence?"
"No... not really. I mean... it was kind of putting a toe over the line at the end. I don't want the world to know what we did. But... it made it more special. If that makes sense."
"Merci," Jean-Claude said in a quiet voice. "I did appreciate being included... I, too, fear the repercussions... but it was a delight to watch you in such a state of... ah, abandon."
Willow snorted softly. The vampires shared a brief laugh.
Jean-Claude tied something---most likely a ribbon---to the end of a long French braid. Then he put a hand on each of the others' shoulders.
"I will leave you to finish your bath," he murmured.
"Are you sure?" Willow asked.
The Master of the City squeezed her shoulder in another affectionate gesture. "Oui, I am certain," he said gently. "I would, however, be open to returning to your company when it is time to sleep."
"Okay," she agreed.
Once she was alone with Asher, she snuggled up against him. He responded by kissing her shoulder.
"Will... I mean... Anita---"
"We broke no rule," he reminded her.
Willow frowned. "Asher..."
"You love me?"
Her frown melted away. "Yes. Of course."
"Do you love Jean-Claude?"
"Not in the same way... but... yeah. Yes."
Asher rewarded her honesty with a kiss. "We shared something with him... something special. And in doing so, we did not break any rules he keeps with Anita."
"I guess..."
"Do you regret---"
"No," she answered quickly. "But I don't want tonight to get him into any more trouble with her."
"It won't."
"Or us... with her."
Asher rubbed her back. "It won't," he repeated.
"You are a liar," she murmured.
He chuckled. "Only when it suits me," he whispered in her ear. "I'm a demon, remember?"
She laughed softly. "Shuddup."
"As my lady requests," he all but purred.
They fell into a rather comfortable silence. Willow set her guilt aside, and focused on how good, how right it felt between the two vampires. It was different than when she was between Richard and Asher; it had felt like something she'd been missing all her life. Safety, certainty... both sentiments had been concrete and... almost blessed. She couldn't explain why it felt that way. It just did.
She hadn't sorted out her thoughts any more than that by the time Asher deemed her skin "adequately pruned" and lifted her out of the tub.
He wrapped her in several warm, fluffy towels before drying his body. Then he swept her back up into his arms and carried her into the bedroom.
Jean-Claude was reclining in their bed, one of Willow's books about magic in his lap. He smiled at them both and pulled the covers back in silent welcome.
"Merci," Asher murmured.
The other vampire smiled again before returning his attention to the book. Asher set Willow down on the bed before going to a chest of drawers and retrieving a pair of silky pajamas. He dressed her efficiently---she appreciated that because while she wasn't embarrassed by the night's turn of events she didn't want any other lines between them to become blurrier.
Once she was covered, she eased back onto the pillows and waited for Asher to return to them.
By the time he was holding her close, she was nearly asleep.
&&&&
Willow looked around slowly, taking in her surroundings. The forest was beautiful, but the power in it scared her.
She followed a path---an invisible line of energy, put out by a force she could feel but not name---until she saw the door in one of the large trees.
She'd been afraid before, not knowing who or what was drawing her to this conclusion, but this time, she opened the door and stepped inside. Expecting darkness, she had to blink several times against the bright lights in the new setting.
"Thank you for coming."
Willow gasped and turned. A werewolf stood in the open doorway. He was tall and broad---but not as much as Richard in either respect.
"Who are you?" she asked.
"Someone who's been trying to get your attention for a while," he replied. "I'm friends with Rupert."
"Marcus Chao."
The wolfman nodded his head. "I go by Scaramouche, too, but neither are my given name. You can call me Marcus---it's safer."
"Is it safe to talk here?" she asked. "Like this?"
"Safer than any other way."
Willow nodded. When the werewolf took a step towards her, she took a step back.
"I won't touch you," he told her. "I won't hurt you. We just need you to know a few things."
"Can I tell Asher? Or Jean-Claude?"
Marcus shrugged. "If you think it's for the best."
Willow nodded again, even though she was confused by his reply. "Okay, so... so... what do I need to know?"
"She's nearly awake," Marcus said. "She has pull over the felines... over some of the others---over all but a few of the vampires."
"So---"
"You read my note," he interjected. "We're divided. She was put under here for a reason. Some are working for her---under her thrall. They're the ones watching you. Some of us are with them, undercover, but we're hardly enough if she wakes and becomes solid again.
"The current guardian of this place is one of us. But he doesn't have enough power to hold her here when she wakes," he said. "When, not if. He might be able to hold her here, with some help, if she tries for you or Anita."
"What---"
"Before you became Lupa, you were her first choice. That's why she targeted your friend," he explained, cutting off her questions. "Anita's too connected to too many people. But, she doesn't have as strong a hold over wolves... and she learned that Anita's not quite so connected. Plus, she's big on the cat-love."
Willow frowned. "That's why..."
"The hit. Rumours about how she became a panwere... the Unholy Mother wants to add a few more strains of lycanthropy---a few more she has no ties to---"
"Oh god and goddess..." Willow breathed. "She'd strengthen her ties to Anita."
"And make her the even more logical choice," Marcus agreed.
"But..."
"Zeeman's careful with you," he said. "Wolves are your usual guards. Asher probably won't hire one of the big cats. The cats you're around are too loyal or too powerful for her to overpower without their knowledge."
"But Anita's surrounded by leopards and lions more regularly..." Willow mumbled. She mulled over all the information. Something she'd skipped over stuck out in her mind. "When you said 'my friend,' you mean Kennedy?"
"No, Mr. Harris."
Willow frowned. "Xander?"
"He was easy to influence, apparently. His hatred of our kinds made it that way. When he was attacked... infected... it was easier."
She gasped. "What? Infected?!"
"Dunno what strain."
"Oh god..."
Marcus frowned. "Look, I'm sorry I don't have time to sugarcoat this, but---"
"I know. Keep going."
"Rupert, the mermaids, and some of us are watching the back door," he said, "but we're not going to be enough."
"What do you need?"
He shrugged. "As much power as we can get for our side... an end to the traitors among us---because they are, Willow. This isn't what we were trained to be."
"Anything else?"
Marcus nodded. "We need you---"
"I'm already---"
"We need you here. To hold her here."
Willow frowned. "Marcus, I'm not that strong... I've felt her power. It made me scream---and I've been pretty desensitised over the years to all things scream-worthy."
Marcus took a step towards her. "You are the strongest witch I've ever heard of---and I've been alive a lot longer than you."
The redhead shook her head slightly. "I... um... thanks?"
He chuckled.
"When you said you need me here, you mean.... physically here."
"Yes. Quickly and quietly---when the time's right."
"First, I can't... just up and leave my family," Willow protested. "Asher and Richard---Jean-Claude, Anita... oh, god, Jason, Nathaniel, Faith, and---"
"And the second?"
"I'm Lupa and Asher's human servant---I can't go quickly or quietly anywhere!"
"First, would you rather they---and you---die? Because if she gets her way and gets into Anita's body, you'll all be her first order, if the takeover doesn't do it for her."
Willow scowled. "And the second?"
Marcus snorted before speaking, sounding more amused than she thought he should. "Second, with enough juice, you can go anywhere you want."
"Like... if I feed off enough people."
"A good way to incapacitate some bad guys, dontcha think?"
Willow sighed. "How long do I have to decide?"
"It'll be a while before they make their move," Marcus replied. "Not enough puzzle pieces are in place yet. She's not strong enough yet."
"I... this is a lot to dump on me all at once..."
"I know," he agreed. "Which is why I'm here now."
She nodded slowly. Then, she asked, "Would I have to stay here forever?"
"Only until she's neutralised. We can probably find someone with the potential to take over, we just need time."
"They might never let me leave," she whispered.
"Only if they know you're leaving."
"Fuck."
Marcus snorted again. "We'll all be fucked if she wins, Willow."
&&&&
When she woke, she did so nearly instantly, but without jolting to awareness. Her eyes opened after finishing her conversation with Marcus---one of the Harlequin that was on their side in the slow-burning war---and she inhaled slowly.
"Everything alright, mon colibri?"
Willow turned her head to see Asher and Jean-Claude watching her intently.
"As alright as things can be," she murmured. She made her lips curve into a small smile. "Did I sleep all day?"
"It's still late afternoon," the blond vampire replied. He reached out and brushed his fingers against her cheek. "I tried to reach you in dreams, but couldn't find you," he admitted, "I was worried."
With another slight turn of her head, she kissed his hand. She felt a dull ache in her chest at the thought of not waking up with him for a long while. How could Marcus think she'd willingly abandon those in her heart... she didn't want to think about it---but she couldn't not think about it at the same time.
"Willow?" he prompted.
"I'm here," she promised. "I... don't know why you couldn't get me to dream." She thought of what they'd done the night before and smiled. "Maybe you tired me out too much," she purred teasingly.
Asher smiled and leaned down to kiss her forehead. "What are your plans for the night?"
"I'd love to do nothing," she admitted.
"That could be arranged."
She chuckled. "I wish."
"Why don't you take the night off, both of you?" Jean-Claude inquired. "There is a lull---we should take advantage of it, no matter how brief."
Willow sighed. "We should be preparing..." she argued, thinking of her dream-conversation. "I need to talk to Dawn and Faith and---"
"Tomorrow night," Asher interjected.
Willow looked from vampire to the other. Asher seemed calm and determined; Jean-Claude seemed slightly uneasy, but she wasn't sure why.
"Can we curl up and watch movies?" she asked.
Asher smiled. "Whatever you want," he agreed easily.
Willow found herself smiling back at him, his pleasant mood seemingly contagious.
After a few kisses with Asher, she found herself being hugged by Jean-Claude. She returned the hug easily; she was glad for the physical comfort.
When the vampires left her to prepare to feed, she stayed in bed, mulling over the conversation she'd had with Marcus.
The dull ache increased in intensity. Willow sat up and rubbed at her chest absently as she looked around the bedroom. Her gaze fell upon the little touches that spoke of her family---clothes and books that migrated into hers and Asher's living quarters, mostly, as well as photographs and trinkets---and she sniffled and blinked rapidly in an attempt to keep tears at bay.
"What happened?"
Willow gasped. Jean-Claude returned---more likely he'd doubled back before feeding or else she had been sitting for too long---and was watching her with a critical eye.
"I..."
The Master of the City sighed and stepped up to the bed. He studied her for a few minutes and then asked: "Do you need your familiars?"
Willow quickly shook her head. "No, I'm fine---"
"Are you planning on leaving us?" he inquired. His eyes softened. "Did I overstep last night?"
"No!" Willow exclaimed. She threw herself at the vampire and hugged him close. After a quick but affectionate kiss to his cheek, she spoke. "You didn't do anything wrong---last night was great, Jean-Claude."
He kissed the top of her head after cradling her closer. "You seemed to be committing the room to memory... almost as if you wanted to remember it---"
"I was looking... and thinking how lucky I am to have this family," she explained, choosing her words carefully. "I don't want to leave. Ever."
"If there is anything we need to discuss..."
Willow lifted her head. "I... of course, I'd come to you," she murmured. "You're wouldn't be kept out of the loop."
"D'accord. You know... you can be very practical when it is required of you," he said, "and if there's something you must do, you do not have to shoulder the responsibility alone."
Willow narrowed her eyes. "What are you talking about?"
"Resignation, ma chérie. I saw resignation in your expression."
"Jean-Claude..."
"When it is time," he insisted in a firm voice, "I would like to be of assistance to you in any way possible."
Willow nodded. She didn't trust herself not to tell him about her dream; in that moment she understood what Marcus meant when he'd answered her question about keeping their conversation a secret. Telling would relieve herself of the burden, but it might not be the best thing to do.
"You are not alone," he reminded her.
"I don't know if that makes it better or worse," she mumbled.
"I know," he whispered.
"You should go feed."
"Will you be alright?"
She nodded. "Yeah. Yes. I'm going to give my brain a break and enjoy tonight... and put off figuring everything out for a little while."
"So smart."
Willow chuckled weakly. "I don't know about that."
"I do."
&&&&
After a few days, Willow was able to almost pretend her dream-meeting hadn't occurred.
Keeping herself busy was a crucial part of the process; she buried herself in research of the science (and magic, she learned) of the lycanthropy detectors, she spent time at Feral Byte, and she gave her remaining hours to the people she loved.
Nathaniel, Laura, and sometimes Bill offered their services as testers each time she made progress on a device to protect wereanimals.
Some obstacles were easy to tackle. The institutions that provided silver bracelets for their members to wear were the easiest to foil; the metal could be coated in a potion that did not alter the appearance of the jewelry and the potion's effects would last for at least a week.
The potion recipe and dipping instructions were distributed by Micah, and by contacts he trusted to those outside of their community.
When Willow saw a couple customers she knew to be wolves at the café wearing the bracelets, her sadness was accompanied by a small sense of pride at the rebellion.
The school devices---though not in place yet in St. Louis---were more difficult to circumvent. Willow had yet to find the right solution, but she hadn't given up yet---and Micah was sure she'd find a solution soon.
"Seriously," he told her one afternoon, as they walked together from Feral Byte to the coalition office, tailed by their guards, "I know you'll get it. Don't push yourself too hard."
"But---"
She stopped talking. But I don't know how much longer I'm going to be here was what she'd been about to say.
She didn't want to leave, but if she was one of the few who could help keep the Deeper Well intact, she didn't think she could stay if circumstances became so dire that the mystical place was in jeopardy.
Micah reached out and squeezed her hand. She squeezed back.
"I really am grateful for the work you've been doing," he said quietly, "but you look sad. Did something happen?"
"Sad?" she echoed.
"Yeah."
Willow nudged him gently. "I'm okay. Really... don't worry about me."
"Too late for that."
"Well, I guess I'm just thinking about how lucky I am," she said, being very careful to say only truthful things. "And it's making me a little..."
"Emotional?" he supplied.
"Something like that," she agreed. Looking for a change of subject, she asked: "How's Kennedy doing?"
"I think she's a work in progress," he replied honestly. "Some days are better than others. She spends a lot of time with Merle or Noah if she's not with me... some of the other dominants, too.
"They seem to think she's recovering, but she's not talking about what happened to her when she was infected... and, that... worries me."
"When she feels safe and loved, she opens up. Once she stops being a dummy, she'll tell you," Willow assured him.
"I'd ask you to talk it out of her."
Willow sighed. "Asher---"
"Would say no," he cut off her sentence. "That's part of why I won't ask."
"The other part?"
He shrugged. "I know what biding time feels like," he replied. "I did it when we were Chimera's victims. And sometimes... she looks like how I felt when I was waiting."
"For what?"
"For Anita."
Willow smiled. "I meant---"
"Oh. Well, you. To get you alone... to keep you to herself."
Her smile faded into a sad sigh. "I hoped she'd move on."
"It's going to take some time," he reminded her.
"Asher not wanting me to be around her isn't helping to speed things along," she pointed out.
"It's not about time," he said when they stopped at an intersection to wait for the lights to change. "And I think Asher's right on that one. Keeps the feedings what they are---reparations to the kiss---and not a way for her to get into your good graces."
"You think?"
He nodded. The light changed and they headed for the other side of the street.
"I think Asher likes rubbing her nose in the fact that her access to me is limited," Willow commented.
"After the attitude she gave you two and Jean-Claude, you're not too far off the mark," Micah conceded. "But that's only part of it."
"Yeah," she agreed.
Micah smiled. "So," he said while putting a friendly arm around her shoulders, "what's the plan for today?"
Willow returned the embrace, slipping her arm around his lower back. "Hanging out with you, then buying some magic supplies, then going home. You?"
"Hanging out with you, getting some work done, then going home and curling up with the pard."
"Nice."
He hummed in agreement.
They held onto each other until they reached the coalition office, where a couple of people were standing outside. They didn't seem threatening to Willow, but Micah still put himself between them and her---despite Noah's disapproval.
They made it inside quickly, pausing only to nod in greeting to the people on the sidewalk. Patrick stayed near the door and Noah went to check the fire exits. Willow looked at Micah; he seemed tense, the ease in his body gone.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Smelled gun oil," he told her.
"So that's why Noah's pissed at you?"
Micah smiled a little. "I'd heal, you---"
"Not if they were silver bullets!" Willow exclaimed.
"Not taking that chance," he said.
"We're bad protectees."
Patrick snorted.
"That's enough from the peanut gallery," she shot back.
Her guard chuckled. She smiled.
"You're okay?" Micah asked.
The question took her by surprise. "Sure. Why wouldn't I be?"
"Well, the gun---"
"You just smelled the oil," she reminded him. "Maybe they're hunters? Maybe they were at a shooting range?" She shrugged. "No sense in freaking out about it."
"Alright."
"Are you okay?" she asked.
He shrugged.
"Micah..."
"We have enough to deal with," he admitted. "And I don't like the idea of you being in the line of fire."
"Same here," she said. She hugged him. "We're going to be okay. I won't let what's-her-name hurt you guys."
"What are you planning?"
"Micah, please don't ask me that."
He sighed and pulled back enough to look at her. "You don't want to lie to me."
She nodded.
"I can respect that. Is it dangerous?"
"I don't have enough information yet," she answered. "Right now, all I have is a blurry watercolour of an idea, and I don't want to involve anyone until I know more."
"Willow---"
She turned to Patrick. "I will talk with you when I know more," she vowed. "And I'd appreciate it if you don't run to Richard."
"Now I know it's serious," Patrick said. "Something he'd try to stop---"
"It's... not entirely like that," she injected. "I've already got Jean-Claude trying to ask the right questions, and I'm not very good at tap dancing. Please, guys."
Micah gave her a little squeeze. "Okay, fine, but I want you to know I'm always available to listen."
She nodded and snuggled into him a bit. "Okay," she murmured.