"About what?" Asked Buffy, her voice tinged with pain. She glanced towards the others, her heart sinking as she saw that Willow and Tara were still unconscious whilst Xander was drifting in and out. He was lucid one minute and oblivious the next.

"About how powerful your Watcher really is," continued Hutchings, "or could be if he allowed himself to be. I could almost taste the magic within him … but he’s blocked it, erected a strong mental barrier. It will be interesting to find out why he did that." Buffy frowned and Hutchings smiled once more. "Oh, yes, I am expecting him. He’s not strong enough and I’ve no doubt he knows it … he’ll come and he’ll throw his life away in a gloriously futile gesture."

"Giles is strong enough," replied Buffy softly, "you think a little depression will stop him?"

"Depression?" Hutchings raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I’ve upped the stakes since then. Mr Giles has two options with the spell I cast earlier. Either he will realise what’s going on and neutralise my spell or he won’t … in each case the outcome is the same: your Watcher will be exhausted … both physically and mentally. There is no way he can win."

"I’ve never heard of a Hathorian Demon before," frowned Anya.

"They’re very rare," replied Giles, flicking through a book. "Watchers in the past have confronted them."

"And won?"

"In some cases, yes."

"How?"

"By preparing themselves … spending days in meditation … clearing their minds. These demons are adept at finding any weakness and playing upon it. The Watchers had to be completely at peace with themselves … and physically fit as well. Here we are," said Giles, pointing at a passage in the book, "the demon can be defeated by ‘one whose love and devotion is pure and does not waver’."

"That’s you," replied Anya succinctly. She sighed at Giles’ blank expression. "You’re in love with Buffy and that’s certainly never wavered."

Giles gazed at Anya in astonishment. She could be incredibly perceptive at times and yet incredibly naïve as well. It was a combination that irritated, annoyed, amused and fascinated Giles. It’s never dull with Anya around, he thought with a slight smile.

"Y …yes," he replied, realising the futility of arguing. "I will try and shield myself with my faith, trust and … love for Buffy. It should give you the time you need." Giles dropped the book on the table and walked to the back of the shop. Taking the large, double-bladed axe from the wall, he handed it to Anya. "I should be able to distract him long enough for you to get the others out. Now, you must get them outside … while they are still near him he can feed off them, draw strength from them. Ignore what I’m doing … get them out."

"You’re exhausted," remarked Anya. "You’ll never do it. Why can’t I just slice his head off?"

"Because he’s protected," replied Giles. "This is the only way … now, come on."
 

"I must say," remarked Hutchings as he straightened up, admiring the complex chalk outline on the floor, "I’m rather disappointed."

Buffy didn’t reply and Hutchings glanced briefly towards her. She was glaring at him with such anger and hatred that he began to chuckle.

"Oh, hold those thoughts," he grinned. "I can make good use of them."

Buffy sighed, letting the anger drain out of her. She took a few deep breaths to try and calm herself.

"So," she said, deciding that her best option was to keep him talking for a while, "why are you disappointed?"

"I’m disappointed in your Watcher," replied Hutchings. "I rather thought he’d be here by now."

"Terribly sorry to keep you waiting." The firm, confident voice echoed around the room. Hutchings swung around, watching with a smile as Giles strode into the storeroom. Buffy’s face lit up, her eyes drinking him in. He was here, he was alive. Her smile slipped as she saw the exhaustion evident behind his confident façade. No, she thought, he can’t do this … Hutchings was right … Giles isn’t strong enough.

"Giles," she said urgently, "you have to leave, you have to …"

"Shhh," replied Giles, briefly touching a finger to her lips as he walked past her. His eyes narrowed as he saw the slumped postures of Willow, Tara and Xander. Taking a deep breath, Giles turned to face Hutchings.

"Well?" He asked, putting an arrogant tone into his voice. "Shall we proceed?"

"Certainly," replied Hutchings, his attention now completely focussed on Giles. "This will be interesting."

Giles closed his eyes, focussing his thoughts, chanting softly under his breath. He was aware of Hutchings doing the same, he could feel the build-up of power in the room. It tingled around him, charging the atmosphere and Giles braced himself, preparing for the onslaught that was to come. Giles concentrated on the love within him, keeping Buffy at the forefront of his mind, allowing his emotions to wash over him. It had to be enough, he thought.

Anya waited impatiently outside the storeroom, casting occasional glances inside, waiting for her signal. Giles closed his eyes and Anya immediately sprang forward. She gasped as she saw the four figures chained to the wall. Her attention was drawn to Xander, who was slumped against his chains. If he’s hurt you, she thought …

"Anya!" Buffy’s stage whisper almost caused her to drop the axe. "Quickly!"

Anya immediately set about trying to free Buffy, swinging the axe in dangerous arcs that had Buffy almost cringing against the chains. It seemed like an eternity to Buffy and she kept casting worried glances towards Giles who seemed to be swaying on his feet, the pained expression on his face causing her heart to lurch. Finally, she was free, manacles still attached to her wrists and the chains dangling from them.

"Right," said Buffy, grabbing the axe from Anya, "let’s get the others free and you can tell me what the hell Giles thinks he’s doing."

Giles was hanging on in desperation, trying to shield himself from the waves of hatred and anger emanating from Hutchings. A groan escaped his lips and sweat dripped from his face as he tried to keep Hutchings incessant probing at bay. He was searching for a weakness, for a chink in the mental armour that surrounded Giles. Panic swirled briefly through Giles as Hutchings increased the power of his probes. He swayed backwards, his mental shields weakening before he steadied himself, thoughts of Buffy causing a surge of love that shored up his battered mental defences. He felt Hutchings pull back slightly and relief flooded through him before the realisation struck that Hutchings was merely gathering strength for another, stronger assault. Giles braced himself, taking deep breaths, preparing his barriers and fervently hoping that he could combat the dual enemies of Hutchings and his own exhaustion for a little while longer. The wave came almost before Giles could completely prepare himself and his face twisted in agony. The pressure was immense and Giles felt as though his mind was being squeezed tighter and tighter. He tried to fight back, tried to concentrate on his love for Buffy but it suddenly seemed intangible, out of reach. His shields were breaking down, the exhaustion he’d fought for so long now taking its toll and Giles fell to his knees, clinging desperately to the last shreds of his tattered barriers.

***to be continued***