GILES SAID TO BUFFY. He was seated behind the front desk, and the others — including Oz, who had arrived shortly before Buffy ran in, wide-eyed and breathless — were standing around, leaning against it. Xander was sitting on it, rubbing Cordelia’s shoulders as she stood between his knees with her back to him. “Not only is the name Lovecraft familiar, but Phyllis Lovecraft, as well. But I’m not certain why.”Giles stood and went into his office. There were shuffling sounds as he looked for something.Willow turned to Buffy, who stood beside her. “How’s your owie?”Buffy touched the large, discolored lump gently with her fingertips. “Ugly, but painless. Unless I touch it.”“Don’t,” Oz advised.“You look better than I thought you would,” Buffy said, smiling at her.Willow shrugged one shoulder. “A little makeup.”“I didn’t have time for makeup,” Buffy said. Her smile was gone and she frowned, suddenly distracted again, as she had been since arriving.“You okay?”
