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."