Dalton’s words echoed in my head and for a few instants time seemed to freeze. The world was suddenly silent and all I could see was the horrified anguish on Xander’s face. I was aware of movement behind me, but it held no meaning to me. Nor did the sudden pressure of Martel’s hand on my shoulder.

As if in slow motion I saw Xander pull free of Dalton, dodging out of the demon’s reach as he came to my aid. He shoved Martel away from me, giving me a chance to get away. In the first moments I thought he was right behind me, but by the time I made it a few steps away, I realized that he wasn’t following. He was once again trying to sacrifice himself for me. I turned to go back for him, and cringed as I saw Kaelan smashing him to the ground. To my horror I could see blood already seeping through the slashes Kaelan had made in the wedding gown...Xander’s blood. How had Kaelan done that bare-handed? Unless...as I made the realization that Kaelan wasn’t human, his appearance changed, revealing the slick green skin of a demon. A demon who was about to ravage my best friend. Without hesitation, I started back toward him. I couldn’t let Xander...but Kaelan was already abandoning Xander and he was headed toward me, his arm raising to attack as he stormed toward me. Despite my fear, I held my ground. Not that I was much of a fighter and I would likely be trounced, but there was no way I would leave Xander behind.

Kaelan loomed over me, poised to strike and I tensed, bracing myself for the impact. It came, but from an entirely different source. Before Kaelan could hit, Xander tackled me, throwing me to the ground and covering me with his body. I winced as I heard him stifle a cry of pain as he was struck from behind. But he didn’t let the blow faze him. Instead, he tucked his arms around me, clinging to me as Kaelan tried unsuccessfully to pull him away.

All of a sudden, Xander’s full weight crushed down on me, forcing the air from my lungs. My face was pressed tightly to his chest and I was unable to breathe. If he didn’t get off me, I was going to suffocate! On the other hand, if he did get off me, there was no telling what Kaelan would do to me...The more immediate danger was the breathing thing. I began trying to push Xander off of me enough for me to breathe. I felt his arms release me and he began pushing away from me, giving me the air I needed, but still covering me. And then in a flash, he was gone. I quickly sat up and looked for him. Kaelan had him pinned to the ground and was beating him mercilessly. "No!" I started toward the large demon, determined to pull him off of Xander, but movement from the corner of my eye caught my attention and I turned to face Martel, who was headed toward me. Before he could reach me, however, Asa stepped between us. I turned back to help Xander and was surprised to find that someone else was beating me to the punch.

"That one’s mine!" Dalton growled as he grabbed Kaelan and yanked him off of Xander. Kaelan, still enraged, continued lashing out. I watched for a moment as the greater demon and his acolyte began to battle it out. I figured it would be over in an instant—Dalton, of course being a demon should easily overpower his goon. Oddly, Kaelan was almost holding his own. It was obvious that Dalton would win, but Kaelan wouldn’t give up easily...which would provide a bit of a distraction so that Xander and I could escape!

I whirled toward where Xander was sitting a few inches away from the fight, watching it as if he were in a trance. I hurried over to him and grasped his arm. He looked up at me, slightly startled. After a split second he seemed to realize what I was thinking and he lurched to his feet. As we turned to flee, I saw Dalton’s hand suddenly shoot out and grab Xander’s ankle, trying to trip him. I grabbed Xander to keep him from toppling and stomped down on Dalton’s arm to try and get him to release Xander. To my amazement it actually worked. With Xander still somewhat leaning on me, we made our move. Now all we had to do was get past—

Suddenly Asa was beside us and he reached out, taking hold of Xander’s arm. I had the feeling that Xander could easily have pulled away from Asa, but instead Xander halted abruptly and I stopped alongside him. For a moment Asa and Xander stared at each other as if they were silently challenging each other. Asa shook his head slightly, and I saw Xander’s face darken for a moment before he seemed to change his mind and the fight instantly left him.

Then Asa turned toward me. "Trust me," he requested in a hushed voice. Trust him? Trust one of Dalton’s thugs? Why should we...and yet as I looked into his eyes I saw his sincerity. He wanted to help us. But why? Instinct was telling me to accept Asa’s help, but that was absurd—he was one of Dalton’s men! Although--despite the fact that he followed whatever orders Dalton gave him--he did seem to be helping us...I sighed and nodded, indicating that I would trust him. What other choice did we have, anyway?

Asa let go of Xander and reached for me, pulling me close to him and placing his arm across my throat as if he were choking me...except that there was no pressure. "If this is going to work you have to act like you really are scared of me," Asa whispered into my ear. "And the boy can’t know or all is lost..." It didn’t make sense, but for some reason I believed in him. "Just act like I’m threatening you and choking you..." I did as I was told, hoping that Xander bought my feigned fear. I could tell by the look of distress on my best friend’s face that he bought it hook, line, and sinker. And from the look in his eyes, he was out for Asa’s blood.

My mock terror turned to real fear as Dalton appeared behind Xander, who was too focused on me to notice the demon’s approach. I wanted to call out to him, but Asa stopped me. "No...you mustn’t interfere..." I couldn’t bear to watch as Dalton grabbed Xander from behind, lifting him from the ground and clamping his hand over Xander’s mouth. My best friend’s terror was obvious, but I had the suspicion that at the moment he was more scared for me than for himself. I wanted so badly to assure him that I was okay, but I couldn’t. Whatever Asa’s reason was for keeping Xander in the dark, I had the feeling it was very important to follow Asa’s guidance on that matter.

"Martel will take you to the chamber...I will be right behind you," Asa whispered as the smaller thug...demon approached. "I won’t let him hurt you, but you must act afraid or Dalton will know something is up..." He released me into Martel’s custody. As Martel picked me up and started carrying me toward the side entrance, I glanced back toward Kaelan. He was lying in the gravel where Dalton had left him...not moving. Was it too much to hope that he was dead?

I glanced back at Dalton and realized that the demon was watching me. I had to do something to convince him that I was scared. I felt horribly guilty as I screamed out to Xander as if pleading for his help. I knew he would be tearing himself up over this as it was, but...I knew I had to be convincing so that Dalton wouldn’t suspect anything. Not that some of the fear wasn’t real...I still had some qualms about putting all my faith in Dalton’s attendant. Please don’t let me be making things worse...I would never forgive myself if I inadvertently sealed Xander’s doom by placing my trust in the wrong person. But it was a done deal, so I allowed Martel to carry me to the torture chamber.

Once we were there, Martel dropped me to the ground and stood over me, smirking. Feeling unnerved by his gaze, I glanced around the room. Except for the fact that there were now a few torches to dimly light the room and a circle of unlit candles, it was just as it had been before—the weapons lining the walls...the horrible rotting carcasses...my bag! I must have dropped it when Kaelan had knocked me out! It looked as if someone had opened it and possibly gone through it. But if they hadn’t taken anything...if I could get to it...But first I had to distract Martel somehow. I looked back up at him. To my astonishment, his back was turned. This was too easy...

I rolled to my feet and made a dash for my bag. I didn’t even come close to reaching it before Martel grabbed me from behind. He shoved me toward the wall farthest from the exit...and my bag. Before I could regain my balance enough to turn to face him, he picked me up again and in a split second I found myself pressed against the wall. Pinning me with his body, he grabbed my right arm roughly, trying to force it toward a manacle that hung there. I fought against him the best I could, but he was much stronger and in a moment I was chained to the wall. Please let Asa be coming to help me...

Martel backed away from me, eyeing me...lasciviously. I felt sick. What had I gotten myself into by trusting Asa? What if he didn’t get here before...what if he didn’t come at all? Had I put my faith in the wrong person? How could I possibly help Xander while I was...I tried not to think about what could be happening to Xander. If Asa wasn’t on our side; if he had tricked me into cooperating just to get me out of the way so that Dalton could get Xander and...Stop it! I tried to block those thoughts—they were unproductive. What I needed to concentrate on was getting myself free so I could go help him. I pulled at the chain, testing its strength. There was very little chance of me being able to pull the chain free; it was much to secure. I turned my attention to the cuff that bound my wrist. It was tight, but perhaps I could get my hand through? I thought about how Xander had pretty much mutilated himself to get free of his shackle. Perhaps it would be better to find a way to pick the lock...?

Martel chuckled at my endeavor. I glared at him, which only seemed to further satisfy him. "I’m going to go retrieve Kaelan...you will be here when I get back," he sneered. Don’t count on it. He shook his head, amused, then turned and stalked from the chamber.

As soon as Martel was out of sight, I turned my attention back to the cuff around my wrist. There had to be a way to get that open...or a way to get my hand through. Again I looked around me to find anything that could be of use. There was nothing within reach...except maybe if I stretched really hard I could get my hands on one of the swords! And do what? Cut off my own hand? Don’t be stupid, Willow...you’ll only bleed to death and what good will that do? Still it wouldn’t be a bad thing to have a weapon...

I froze as I heard a loud thumping noise from somewhere above me. Somewhere upstairs. Xander? I paused to listen for any indication of what had caused the noise. I heard a few smaller thumps, and then silence again. I waited, in case there was anything more, but there was nothing, so I turned my attention back to my predicament. Getting the sword...I strained to extend my reach just a little farther. It wasn’t to be...there was no way I could—

I had to get that sword. I pulled against the chain and reached as far along the wall as I could...just a few more inches...I strained to extend my reach just a little farther. It wasn’t to be...there was no way I could—

Suddenly, the cuff opened and I toppled over, not expecting the release. I scrabbled to my feet, grabbing the nearest sword from its sheath and whirled to face...Asa. I relaxed slightly. He had kept his word. But why was he helping me?

Asa stepped cautiously toward me and I lowered the sword, allowing him to approach. He reached out and took my hand, pressing some sort of key into my hand. I looked at him curiously. "My room is the first one you’ll reach when you go back out the passageway..." he began in a hushed voice. "There is a servant’s passage that leads from my quarters to a staircase. Go down into the dungeon. There is a grate on the floor. There is a ladder there that will take you down safely. Don’t go into the water, but stay on the ledge...there is a tunnel that will lead you out of the quarry unseen. Go now or Dalton will--"

"What about Xander? I won’t leave without him!"

"I’m afraid you can’t help h—"

"I won’t leave him," I repeated.

Asa’s eyes lowered. "I’m sorry, but there’s no way he can leave unless--" He stopped abruptly and held up his hand in a motion for me to be silent.

Unless what?! I wanted to scream at him, but I kept quiet, waiting for his explanation. It didn’t come. "Get ready to run," he hissed as he broke away from me, hurrying toward the entrance. He snatched up my bag and grabbed something from inside, dropping the rest. The jar of holy water? I hurried up behind him. I couldn’t leave until he told me what would have to happen for me to get Xander away. Unfortunately I didn’t have the chance to ask—Martel and Kaelan rounded the corner and were on their way into the room.

Asa didn’t hesitate; he swung his arm, smashing the jar of holy water in Martel’s face. The smaller of the two demons made a choked screaming sound and collapsed to the ground, clutching the sizzling flesh. Asa swung his arm down, slamming Martel’s head against the ground, rendering the demon unconscious.

Kaelan was stunned by the surprise assault for only a moment. Asa took that moment to grab one of the torches from the wall. He turned to me just long enough to spit out the words, "Run, child!" Then he rushed the larger demon, holding out the torch as a weapon.

No! You have to tell me how to get Xander out! I grabbed a second torch and moved to help him. To my horror, Kaelan, already engulfed in flames from Asa’s first strike, grabbed the small man and pulled him into the fire. Asa cried out in pain, dropping his torch to the stone floor as his clothing caught fire. No!! I moved up behind Kaelan and swung my torch, hitting him across the back. He bellowed and started to swing toward me, ripping the torch out of my hands but the damage was done—he was fully ablaze. I dodged away as he tried to grab for me. He tried to step toward me, but stepped on Asa’s discarded torch and fell...backward...into Asa. They crashed to the ground, Kaelan on top. No! I had to help Asa or he’d burn to death! I dashed forward and, using the flat edge of my sword as a prod, tried to push the burning demon off of my ally. The demon, apparently unconscious, perhaps already dead, gave little resistance and I was able to roll him over, releasing Asa.

Unfortunately the man wasn’t moving. He was no longer on fire—Kaelan falling on him had likely smothered out the flames—but it was obvious that it had done a lot of damage. His pale skin was blackened and cracked. Oh, Asa...I knelt next to him, checking for any sign of life. His eyes flickered open. I’m so sorry, Asa...

"I know, little one," he rasped. "Go...now..."

"I can’t just leave y—"

"Shhh...child."

I stared down at the dying man. Why had he done this for me? There had to be some way I could help him. There had to be a way to repay him...and, oh God, he still hadn’t told me how I could get Xander—

"’Til death...part..." Asa was muttering and I could barely hear him. Was he reciting wedding vows? Why would he...? His eyes were glassy and it was obvious that he was fading quickly. His breath was coming in short gasps. "Th...re...in..." Therein? What are you trying to tell me? His head lolled toward me and he gave me a pleading look. Oh, Asa, I’m sorry...if there was anything I could do..."My...Kat...rina," he gurgled, his eyes began fluttering. Katrina? Who...? Did she have something to do with why he was saying the vows? His wife perhaps? I glanced at the ring on his hand.

"I’ll find her, I promise," I whispered, taking his hand.

"The...r’n...g...go...child..." All at once he went completely limp, leaving all my questions unanswered.

"Thank you, Asa," I whispered, giving him one last look. I ran my hand over his face, closing his eyes for the last time. "Rest in peace." When this was over, I made a mental note to come back for his remains so that he could be buried. But there was no time to worry about that now. I released his hand and it dropped to his side. I heard a slight pinging and saw that the ring had slid off his finger and was rolling across the floor. I scooped it up and slid it into my pocket. Katrina would want it...and I would find her for him. I owed him that much.

I glanced over to where Kaelan had fallen. He was very obviously dead and the fire had pretty much burnt itself out, since the stone floor had prevented it from spreading. Which left Martel...who was still slumped on the ground near the entrance and appeared to be unconscious. His face had pretty much been melted away by the holy water, but I could tell that he was still alive. Which meant that I needed to get out before he woke up. But I needed a few supplies--just in case. I grabbed the scabbard I had discarded and slid the sword back into its sheath. With a length of leather rope I quickly strapped the sword to my waist. I looked around for anything else that could prove useful...My bag only had stakes left in it now that Asa had used the holy water, so I decided to leave it—somehow I didn’t picture the small wooden spikes to be much good against Dalton. Other than that there was really only a few other swords, a few...torture devices...nothing that looked particularly helpful. Except perhaps a torch; Asa’s escape passage might be dark. I grabbed one up as I hurried past Martel into the passageway.

I was almost to the little door when I heard groaning behind me. Martel was waking up! I had to get out before he figured out what was going on! I pushed open the little door and looked out to make sure the coast was clear. Seeing no one, I scurried out into the hallway and shut the door behind me. Asa’s room—the first one...I slid the key into the lock and in a moment had the door open. I started inside, but froze as I heard something from upstairs—a familiar scream. Xander! Oh, God...what was Dalton doing to him? Forgetting about Asa’s stupid escape route, I dashed up the stairs, slowing to a halt as I saw the back of Dalton’s form filling the bedroom doorway up ahead. I stayed back until Dalton disappeared totally into the room. Now what do I do? I can’t fight him...

If I could find a way to lure him out of the room...but then I’d have to find a way to get back into the room without him knowing about it...Martel was waking up...surely he’d be up to alert Dalton about my escape! So if I could find a place to hide, then when he went to go look for me...but where? The servant’s closet perhaps? But then how would I know for sure when they were gone? I cautiously moved down the hall, stopping outside the bedroom door to listen. I could hear Dalton’s low chuckling and a small whimpering noise that I presumed to be Xander. What is he doing to you? It took all my willpower not to charge blindly into the room. But that would probably only get me killed, so instead I gripped the sword’s handle and peered into the room.

My heart lurched as I took in the scene. Xander, who looked more frightened and helpless than I’d ever seen him, was bound to the bed’s headboard. Despite his chained arms, he was attempting to get away from Dalton, who was sliding up behind him, pulling him back. The demon had ripped the back of the wedding gown open and had apparently been cleaning the caked blood from the wounds that slashed across Xander’s back, but now was just...running his hands over Xander’s bared skin...and...I couldn’t watch. I moved out of the door way. I could hear Xander’s terrified sobbing and the sound of material ripping. There was nothing I could do to help him that wouldn’t get me killed...but I couldn’t just let him suffer like that...I started pulling the sword from its sheath. I’m coming, Xan...I won’t let him--

"Dalton!" I heard Martel bellow from somewhere behind me. He was coming upstairs! I had to hide! There was no way I’d make it back to the servant’s closet before Martel made it upstairs...perhaps the door just beyond the bedroom? I hurried past the doorway, praying that Dalton hadn’t looked up and hadn’t seen me. Without hesitation, I pulled open the next door and ducked into a little bathroom, pulling the door shut behind me.

Okay, I can wait until they go looking for me, then I’ll go in and break Xander free...as long as they don’t look in here...but what if they...they’ll see the torch light under the door! I had to put the torch out! I could just dunk it under water...but then it wouldn’t re-light if I needed it later...not that I have a way to light it, anyway. I was about to do it when I thought of a second option. Smother the flames with a towel...I snapped up one of the linen towels and quickly beat the flame out, leaving me in total darkness. Now I just had to wait until they went looking for me.

"The prisoner is gone," I heard Martel informing Dalton. I strained to hear what else was being said, but couldn’t catch any of it. The next thing that I was clearly able to hear was Dalton’s infuriated bellowing and the sound of breaking glass...and a second crash...

"She won’t ruin this!" Dalton snarled. "You’re mine!" I closed my eyes, trying not to imagine what was happening in the other room. I could hear Xander’s frightened whimpering and I felt my heart breaking. My hand tightened on my sword, but I knew it would do me no good. Even with a sword I stood no chance against two demons. Xander, I’m so sorry...I felt tears rolling down my cheeks as I listened to the sounds coming from the other room. I can’t just sit here...I have to help him! But there was nothing I could do! Why couldn’t I be like Buffy? She could fight them...why hadn’t I just gone to get her? Because you never would have made it back in time, I reminded myself, forcing myself to return to rationality. Wynn told me I had to stay in control...the time to act would be apparent. But what if I already missed our chance? What if—stop it, Willow! You’re not helping anything thinking like that.

Suddenly I heard Dalton bellow an obscenity. I tensed. What had happened? Surely he hadn’t...I pressed my ear to the wall to try and listen. At first I couldn’t hear anything, but then I heard the demon’s chilling voice saying, "Mine." I’d had enough. Forget being rational. Never yours, I silently contradicted, drawing the sword from its sheath. You can’t have him. I rose to my feet and moved toward the door.

"We’ll find her," I heard Martel’s hushed voice.

"We better," Dalton growled in return. "I need a fresh kill for the ritual." They were already in the hallway! My hand froze on the knob. They were going to go looking for me! This was going to be my chance to free Xander and I’d almost blown it. I just needed to wait a lit