Blood of Enemies, Blood of Friends
Chapter 40 – Genevieve
The next day Dawn and Shannon decided to have breakfast with Buffy. The two teens were hoping to find out how the search for the gem was going. They knocked on Buffy's door early in the morning. The door opened to reveal a half-asleep Slayer. "What do you two want?" Buffy asked.
"We were thinking that you could go to breakfast with us," explained Dawn. "We didn't get to see much of you yesterday."
"And we were hoping you would tell us more about Faith and Robin's wedding tomorrow," added Shannon.
"And you were hoping I would tell you about the search for the gem," said Buffy.
"Well, we are both involved in the prophecy," said Dawn. "We promised not to get involved, but that doesn't mean you can't tell us what is going on."
Buffy nodded and let the girls into her room. She handed the folder brought by Lorn to Dawn. "Have a look while I go take a shower. Shannon, why don't you order up some room service? When I'm a little more awake, I will tell you what is going on, but don't forget that you agreed not to get involved with the plan."
Dawn and Shannon nodded, as Buffy retreated to the bathroom. When the two teens heard the shower, they sat on the bed and began to sift through the information in the folder. While Dawn read the attached briefing, Shannon looked through the pictures.
"Dawnie, look at this," said Shannon, pressing a picture into Dawn's hands.
"It's the band that was playing at the club last night," said Dawn.
"I bet that's what Spike and Cat were doing there," said Shannon. Dawn nodded in agreement, before turning her attention back to the briefing.
The more Dawn read about the vampire Genevieve, the more she got a feeling of familiarity. She thought back to the vampires that had come through Sunnydale, but none seemed to be the one. She wondered if Spike or Angel had known her and mentioned her. Dawn shook her head. If either knew this vampire, they would have included that information in the briefing.
"What is it, Dawn?" asked Shannon.
"I know this vampire. I don't know why or from where, but she is too familiar to me." Buffy had exited the bathroom in time to hear these words from her sister.
"Dawnie, explain to me what about her is so familiar?" Buffy knew to trust her sister's instincts, but at the same time did not understand how Dawn could know about Genevieve. The vampire was not the least bit familiar to Buffy.
"Maybe it's just the way she's described, the words that are used," said Dawn more to herself than to Shannon and Buffy.
Shannon grabbed the briefing from Dawn and read a few paragraphs, before handing it to Buffy, who read it as well. "I don't see how that is it," commented Shannon. "The way it is written reminds me of Victor's Watcher Journals."
"Reminds me a lot of Giles journals too," added Buffy.
"Watcher Journals?" thought Dawn. "Oh my god, that's it. Does that fact sheet say anything about last names?"
Buffy continued skimming the information. "Yes. It says that Genevieve has been known to go by several names, including Huffle, Moore, and Rayne. Does that mean anything?" Buffy looked at Dawn, who was looking sick. "Dawnie, what is it?"
"Your vampire was a Slayer," Dawn stated in a monotone.
"What?" Buffy and Shannon practically shouted.
"Genevieve Rayne is the Slayer that I have been studying for Wesley's class. Her Watcher was Thomas Moore. Some of his descriptions of her – that's what made me think. Buffy, she was good, reminds me of you. She had three sisters, witches, who helped her. She lived to be 27 years old, one of the oldest Slayers recorded in history."
"This is bad," said Buffy.
"Maybe not," said Shannon, who had taken the information sheet from Buffy. "It says here that she has never been known to kill a human. Maybe she's a good vampire."
"Vampires are not good," stated Buffy.
"Angel and Spike are," noted Dawn.
"But they have souls," replied Buffy.
"Maybe she does too," said Dawn.
"Either that or Dawn was right about her being really good, and she knows how to cover her tracks," added Shannon.
"Either way, we're in trouble," Buffy moaned into her hands. "If she is evil, which we expected, she is more dangerous than we thought. If my some miracle, Dawn is right about her being not evil, then our current plan may backfire. Cat's playing the Voldemort card." After their breakfast arrived, Buffy proceeded to explain the plan to the two teens.
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In the early afternoon, Cat received a phone call from the hotel to inform her that a letter was waiting for her at the front desk. Wondering what it could be, Cat made her way to the front desk. She retrieved the letter and returned to her room. Cat sat at the small table in her room and opened the letter.
Catherine,
I am aware that you seek a certain artifact that is in my possession. We seek the same ends, the prevention of pure evil from entering this world.
I have made a reservation for a party of ten at the Bella Dona Ristorante for eight o'clock this evening. Please bring your friends. We will discuss the artifact at that time.
-- Genevieve
Cat reread the letter several times. She was thoroughly confused. The vampire Genevieve wanted to prevent the First from coming into the world. She also knew of the entire group who had come to Vegas. Cat did a quick headcount and realized that counting the two teens and Spike, there were nine of them. A reservation for ten must mean them all and Genevieve. Cat shook her head to clear it. She needed to talk to Buffy.
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Everyone gathered in front of the hotel an hour before dinner. Buffy and Cat had discussed the letter from Genevieve at length and decided that they had no option but to meet with her. The other adults all wanted to go as well. After several hours of pleading by Dawn and Shannon, Buffy had agreed to allow them to attend the dinner. A crowded restaurant ensured not only Genevieve's safety, but the safety of Dawn and Shannon as well.
The group entered the restaurant and were seated. Spike sat on one side of the empty chair, and Buffy sat on the other. After several minutes a black haired woman walked to their table and took the empty seat.
Genevieve was an attractive woman. She was average height, had very light skin, black hair, and piercing blue eyes. She was dressed in a long black broomstick skirt and a blood red wrap-around top. Nestled at the base of her throat was a large blood red stone on a thick gold chain. Cat gasped, realizing that the woman was wearing the gemma sanguinis.
Before Genevieve could address the group, a waiter walked over to the table to take their drink order. Genevieve spoke to him. "I will have my usual. William here," she motioned to Spike," will have the same. Also, bring two bottles of red wine for the rest of the table."
Dawn and Shannon smiled. Buffy caught the waiter's attention. "The two girls will have sodas," she said. Dawn and Shannon frowned.
"I believe that introductions are in order," said Genevieve. "I am Genevieve Rayne." Everyone around the table introduced themselves to her. She spoke again. "I have much to tell you, but let us first place our dinner orders. Once our food arrives, we will have plenty of time to talk."
Everyone silently looked at his or her menu. When the drinks were served, Spike was happy to find that he had a goblet of blood. "You must come here often," he commented to Genevieve. She smiled.
Everyone placed his or her orders. When the first course was served, Genevieve began to speak. "I have kept myself hidden for centuries. I think that it is now time for me to tell my story."
"I was born in a small town outside of London in 1702 to a pureblood wizarding family. I was the youngest of four girls, each one year apart. My sisters Annabelle or Annie, Eleanor or Ellie, and Minerva or Minnie were all proper witches. At eleven year of age, they each received their letters to Hogwarts. Though many families are all sorted into the same house, this was not the case with my sisters. Annie, who was always the one who had no fear, was a Gryffindor. Ellie, who could con anyone into anything, was a Slytherin. And, Minnie, who was one of the brightest witches of our age, was a Ravenclaw. Of the four of us, I was always considered the sweet one. Therefore it was assumed that when I entered Hogwarts, I would be sorted into Hufflepuff."
"That's why you've used the last name Huffle," whispered Dawn.
Genevieve nodded. "Yes, it is. Unfortunately, I never got the opportunity to be sorted. My magic was never as powerful as that of my sisters. In fact, as a child, the only magical aptitude I showed was prophetic dreams. I am sure that Buffy, Faith, and Shannon can all attest to having Slayer dreams prior to be called." The three Slayers nodded, and Genevieve continued. "I never received a letter to Hogwarts. I was terribly disappointed. My family was humiliated to find that their youngest daughter was a squib."
"As you know, Slayers have magical abilities, like any witch. However, what you may not know is that these abilities do not show themselves until the Slayer is called. I was only thirteen years old when I was called. Slayers usually come from muggle families. The Watcher's Council did not know that I was a potential until after I was called."
"Sounds familiar," mumbled Buffy. Genevieve gave her an empathetic smile, as the next course of their meal was served.
"So there I was at thirteen. I finally had magic, but it was too late to go to Hogwarts. My family wasn't sure what to do with me. That was when Thomas showed up at our door and explained my calling. I'll never forget that day. I had a crush on him instantly. He was young for a Watcher even then, just 21." Genevieve shook herself out of her reverie.
"Thomas trained me hard. He was insistent that I was going to live. When my sisters were home during their summer holidays, they would help me train and help me patrol. At first Thomas insisted that the Slayer was supposed to work alone. He soon realized that help would keep me alive longer."
"I wouldn't still be here without my friends," said Buffy. Genevieve may be a vampire, but Buffy could not help but empathize with her. Buffy was beginning to understand why Dawn said that Genevieve reminded her of Buffy.
"When each of my sisters graduated from Hogwarts, they began to help me in my Slaying full-time. We faced so many things together – the four of us and Thomas. I should probably mention that my feelings for Thomas grew over the years from a simple schoolgirl crush to true love. When I was seventeen, we were married secretly. The Watchers Council would never have approved."
"Stupid council never approved of anything," mumbled both Buffy and Faith.
Genevieve giggled. "I am glad to hear that things are beginning to chance. It is a shame that it took the entire council blowing up to make those changes."
"So you know everything that has gone on recently?" asked Anya. "How is that?"
"I have always kept tabs on the current Slayer, or in your case," Genevieve indicated Buffy and Faith, "the two current Slayers. Initially, I just wanted to make sure that I stayed out of their way. Over the years I have occasionally stepped in to help, anonymously of course, when needed. I must admit, I was surprised and delighted, when I found out what you did last year. No girl will have to be in this alone again."
"This is the part I don't get," said Faith. "Even if you once were a Slayer, how is it that as a vampire you are fighting evil?"
"Quite simply, I have a soul. I always have."
"But how?" asked Xander.
"How many of us are there?" asked Spike.
"To Spike's question, I only know of three. The two of us and Angel. To Xander's question, let me finish my story." The group again fell silent.
"With the help of my husband and my sisters, I battled vampires and demons until I was 27 years old, an unheard of age for a Slayer. Then one night Thomas and I were battling a master vampire. Thomas was knocked unconscious. I focused more on my husband than the fight. The vampire got the upper hand and bit me."
"When Thomas regained consciousness, he found me dead on the ground. He took my body home and called me sisters. They decided to resurrect me, much like your friends did for you, Buffy. None of my sisters were powerful enough to perform the spell on their own. They used the gemma sanguinis," Genevieve touched the stone," to combine their powers and return my soul to my body." A look of sadness passed across her features. "They did not know that I had been turned. And so, I stand before you a vampire with a soul."
"The hardest thing was watching my sisters and my husband age and die. I was with Thomas until he died in 1769 at the age of 75. I have never lost track of my family. We never had children, but I have kept tabs on all of my sisters' descendents. That is how I know that you have not followed in your father's footsteps, Catherine. You are a descendent of my sister Minnie on your mother's side."
Cat gasped. Genevieve chuckled. "All of Minnie's descendents are academics like you. Unfortunately, some of Annie's descendents are not so reputable. I believe that some of you have met one in particular, a wizard named Ethan."
"Ethan Rayne?" asked Buffy. "But how does he have the last name?"
"It was not uncommon that if a family only had daughters that the eldest daughter's second son would be an heir to the mother's family and take that name," explained Genevieve. "Does anyone else have a question, before we move on to discussing the gemma sanguinis?"
"I do," said Robin. "How is it that an ensouled vampire who was once a Slayer is now the lead singer of a vampire rock band?"
Genevieve laughed. "Living for three hundred years can become a tad boring. I sing simply because it is fun. As for the band, I wouldn't want to work with humans because they might find out my secret. So, I recruited three harmless vampires."
"Harmless," snorted Xander.
"You do not think that William was the only vampire to receive a government issued chip," replied Genevieve.
"Why do you keep calling me William?" asked Spike.
"I have only ever met you as a man with a soul. Why would I call you by a nickname brought about by the actions of the demon before you regained that soul?"
"Hey, I'm still the big bad," said Spike defensively.
"Of course you are," said Genevieve, as she patted his shoulder in an almost motherly fashion.
Everyone had finished his or her dinner. They ordered deserts and were served, before discussing the gem.
"Would you please explain to me why exactly you need the gemma sanguinis," requested Genevieve.
By unspoken consensus, the group decided to trust Genevieve. Cat explained the prophecy to her. "So you see why we need the gem to prevent Voldemort from gaining the power of the First evil," said Cat in conclusion.
"I do see." Genevieve reached behind her neck and unclasped the necklace. She handed it to Buffy. "May I please request that you return it, when you are finished. It is my last memento of my sisters' love for me."
"Of course," replied Buffy.
"And if I can ever be of any help to you, send me an owl," Genevieve added. "Now, if you will excuse me, I am due at the club for a show tonight. Dinner has been placed on my tab." She stood. "It has been a pleasure to meet you all."
Genevieve turned to leave. Spike jumped to his feet. "Why don't I accompany you to the club?"
"That would be wonderful," she replied, and the two ensouled vampires left the restaurant.
"That was almost too easy," commented Robin.
"It's about time something went our way," said Buffy.
"Well, I think we should head back," said Faith. "I want to get a good night sleep, since we are getting married tomorrow." Everyone headed back to the hotel.