Chapter Two – Meetings both Real and Unreal
Adam Sinclair had spent the early afternoon finalizing his plans to fly down to London and meet with Dawn Summers. They were covering the visit as a last minute invite to Sir John's New Year's celebration. Since both Adam and Ximena had made arrangements to be away during those days it meant minimal disruption to their professional lives.
Of course going to London meant canceling their previous New Year's plans. Noel McCloud, his second in the Hunting Lodge, understood the need, although Adam had still not explained why Sir John had requested his and Peregrine's presence. Adam was not entirely comfortable withholding information from Noel. But Sir John had been very clear that this meeting was to be kept confidential. Even from his fellow Huntsman. Adam had no intention of betraying the trust the senior Adept was showing him.
Unfortunately keeping things quiet meant Adam could not do the usual background checks on Dawn Summers that he would normally perform. As Chief Inspector of the Lothian Border Patrol Noel would normally have done all the checks on Dawn Summers and Guardian Research. Keeping him out the loop meant Adam could not call on his services.
Peregrine had managed to learn a few additional tidbits about Guardian Research. They had been founded a little over four decades earlier by Quentin Travers. They had built up a solid reputation in the community. They had extensive knowledge of all varieties of antiquities. They did seem to have a particular fascination with books, scrolls and all manner of written works. There were rumors about the size of their private collection. Guardian sponsored archeological digs on several occasions. Most of the materials recovered went into their private collection, was sold at auction or was donated to museums.
Dawn Summers had been named CEO a little over a year ago according to the company's website, taking over the position from a Dr. Rupert Giles. There was no real biographical information available on the site beyond the fact that she was born in America and graduated Oxford with twin degrees in Ancient Languages and Mythology. The site did not indicate what year she graduated. A woman not wanting to give away her age, Adam assumed.
That was all Adam could learn without making more direct inquiries. The kind that can draw unwanted attention.
He did have other sources of information available. Sir John had indicated helping Dawn would call on his position as a Healer. And that meant he there was another way for him to learn more.
Adam was seated comfortably in his favorite chair by the fireplace in the library. Ximena was seated by his side. He focused his attention on the flames dancing in front of him. Allowing his mind to be drawn into the complex dance, the play of light and shadow.
He released his hold on the world of the outer senses and plunged down into the world of the Inner Planes. It was a journey he had made many times before. He found himself in familiar surroundings.
Adam focused his mind and called for the being who served as his patron in his service to Light. A great beam a light appeared in front of him. His patron had long ago surpassed the need for a physical form.
Words came to him, flowing directly into his mind.
"Why do you summon me, Master of the Hunt?" the entity inquired.
"An ally has asked for my aid in my capacity as a healer," Adam replied his head. "To help a person who holds a hidden power within her. I seek knowledge of her gifts so that I may be properly prepared to aid her."
There was a long pause. It almost seemed to Adam as if his patron was thinking long and hard about his answer. Something that had never occurred before. Finally Adam heard a response echo through his mind. "Such knowledge is not known to me, Master of the Hunt."
Adam reacted with shock. "How can that be?" he asked.
"The power you seek was ancient before even I first entered this world," came the reply. "Powers are reawakening Master of the Hunt. Old ones are making their presence felt again."
"Old ones?" Adam inquired. "I do not understand."
"Much is hidden, Master of the Hunt," came the reply. "Even from my vision. Those who stayed apart seek to rejoin the fold. In the end all magic flows together."
Adam bowed his head. "Then how am I to help?" he asked. "From what I have learned my charge has much experience, perhaps even more than my own."
The entity in front of him paused and Adam could have sworn he felt something he had never felt before when communing with his patron. Amusement. "Your charge is unique, Master of the Hunt, and holds more surprises than even you can realize. I have told you all I can. You will find the answers. Paths unwalked for millennia are re-opening."
There was a gentle push of power and Adam soon found himself awake in his library.
"Adam?" Ximena spoke from the chair next to his. "Are you ok?"
"Quite alright my dear," Adam answered.
"Did you find the information you were looking for?" she asked.
"I am afraid I found only more questions," Adam replied. "I suppose I shall just have to be patient until we arrive at Sir John's tomorrow."
"Dinner will ready in a few minutes," Ximena said. "You just relax for now. You can worry about mystical charges tomorrow. Tonight you're all mine."
Adam smiled. "Very well."
The following afternoon Adam was maneuvering their rental car through the countryside. Ximena was by his side. Peregrine and Julia were in the back seat. They were discussing the idyllic winter scene outside.
Soon the car pulled up to a massive iron gate that marked the entrance to Oakwood estate. Flanking the gate were two magnificent stone lions.
As they made their way up the long driveway the main house finally came into view. Julia let out a little gasp.
"It's magnificent," she said. "How long has the General's family lived here."
"They've owned the property for around five centuries," Adam replied. "I believe this house was built sometime in the late eighteenth century. I'm certain Sir John or Caitlin will be quite happy to give you the complete history of the house."
"I don't want to impose," Julia said.
"I doubt it will be much of an imposition," Adam answered. "Sir John will most likely keep Peregrine and myself quite busy for the next couple of days. Sir John will be fine arranging other activities for you two."
Adam pulled the car to stop and the four got and made their way to entrance of the house. Peregrine pulled the cord to ring the bell. Linton answered the door in his usual prompt manner. He quickly ushered the four into the main library where Sir John rose to greet them.
"Adam," Sir John reached out to grasp Adam's hand. "It is good to see you. And you as well Peregrine."
"A pleasure for me as well Gray," Adam replied. "Permit me to introduce my wife Dr. Ximena Lockhart and Peregrine's fetching bride, Julia."
Sir John shook hands with both women. "A pleasure ladies. Dr. Lockhart, my apologies for being unable to attend the wedding. Previous obligations forced me to stay near London."
"Quite alright General," Ximena replied. "And please, call me Ximena."
"Of course," Sir John said. He nodded towards Julia, "I insist that you both call me Gray. Please have a seat," he motioned with his had to a young woman seated at one of the library's comfortable chairs. "This is my great granddaughter Caitlin."
"I had expected Ms Summers to be here when we arrived," Adam said as he sat down.
"Dawn was delayed," Sir John said. "Some issues with their Passau office I believe. She called earlier. She should be arriving in about an hour. That gives us time to talk. I have not had the pleasure of getting to know either Ximena or young Julia."
"So how's Willow doing?" Dawn asked.
"Bout as well as can be expected," Kennedy answered from the passenger seat. "She's not liking playing the babysitter. Although she does see a lot of potential in that girl."
"You could have gone up there with her you know," Dawn said.
"I hate playing babysitter even more than she does," Kennedy said. "Besides I need to keep things running here. I'm still trying to get the teams in Europe organized. Faye's got her group down, but we're short handed in a couple of areas and Robin won't be sending me any more fully trained Slayers for a couple of more months."
"You'll get it sorted out," Dawn said. She maneuvered the car through the gates and up the long driveway to the main house.
Soon both women were being ushered down the hall of Oakwood manor towards the library by Linton.
Linton announced the two as they were walking in. "Sir, Dawn Summers and Kennedy Winston have arrived."
Peregrine looked up that two women as they entered. He was surprised at how young they were. They were even younger than he was.
The first woman to enter looked to be in her early twenties. She had long light brown hair. Peregrine's had to blink as his Sight took hold. He could clearly see the woman, but something else was there. He couldn't describe it. It was like nothing he had ever really seen before. There was a blur surrounding her. It had a slight green tint and at times it seemed as if she was fading out of view. Replaced instead by energy. The vision was fleeting, lasting only a second.
The second woman came into view and Peregrine saw much more familiar images from her. She walked with confidence and radiated control. Her hair was long and dark. Peregrine's Sight saw other things though. Superimposed over her features was another woman's face. Dark skinned with tribal tattoos. That image faded out and was replaced by an oriental woman's then another woman's face followed by another's. They were all young and the one that came to the surface most often was that of the first woman he saw. The tribal girl who radiated power and some danger.
Adam rose to meet the women. He too was surprised by how young the two were. "Ms Summers I presume."
Dawn noticed the look of surprise on people's faces. "Dr. Sinclair. Nice to meet you. Just Dawns fine by the way."
"Please call me Adam," Adam answered. He motioned with his hand to others. "This is my wife, Ximena, my colleague Peregrine Lovat and his wife Julia."
Dawn nodded at each person as they were introduced. "This is Kennedy Winston. She's one of our field people."
Dawn and Kennedy sat down. Dawn smiled at the continued look of surprise she was getting. "From the looks on your faces I'm guessing you were all expecting some middle aged woman with graying hair and glasses. You really should have warned them Gray."
"I have spent the past few months being befuddled by you and your friends," Sir John said. "I wished to share the experience with others. Now that the introductions are over I suppose we should be getting started. Caitlin if you don't mind, you can give Ximena and Julia a tour of the grounds."
"Of course Gray," Caitlin answered. "Ladies if you will come with me."
The three women left the room, leaving Dawn and Kennedy with the three older gentlemen.
"Now that we have privacy we can begin," Sir John said.
Adam looked at Dawn. "Gray has only told us that you have power hidden within you. He did not say what the source of that power was. You can begin by telling us a little more about this power."
"Ok," Dawn began. "First thing you need to know. Outside of Gray and Kennedy, only six other people know what I'm about to tell you."
"I understand Dawn," Adam replied. "Peregrine and I will tell no one what we learn here this day."
"Good," Dawn said. She looked at Peregrine. "From what Gray has told me and what we have learned you have the gift of Sight."
"Yes," Peregrine answered. "I can see a soul's past lives reflected on a person. I can also with concentration see the echoes of past events where they occurred. It was difficult to learn how to use that gift, or to even see it as a gift at first. Adam helped me learn to use my Sight."
Dawn nodded. "What do you see when you Look at me?"
Peregrine paused and focused his vision. "It is difficult to describe. I can see you clearly in front of me. But there is something else. There is energy around you. For a moment I thought you were fading out. But I think I am wrong about that. It's more like you don't exist entirely in this plane. Like there is something behind you that you are connected too," he paused again. "Normally when I look a person I see the faces of their past lives."
"But you don't see that with me," Dawn said.
"Not exactly," Peregrine answered. "I can see two images. Both women. Let me get my sketch pad." Peregrine pulled his sketch pad out of his case and began to draw in earnest. He kept his attention on Dawn. After a few minutes he stopped and handed the pad to Dawn.
Dawn took the pad and smiled when she saw what was there. Her face was in the middle. Off to the right was the image of her sister. To the left, she stopped and brushed her hand across the picture. "Mom," she whispered. She blinked and looked at Peregrine. "Can I keep this?"
"Of course," Peregrine replied. "You said one of those women was your mother."
"Yes," Dawn replied. She held the picture up so everyone could see it. "This is my sister, Buffy and this is my mom, Joyce Summers. I need to make a copy of this for Buffy. We don't have very many pictures left of the three of us together. We lost almost everything when Sunnydale went bye-bye. The couple we have are copies we got from our Aunt. Those are from when we lived in LA. Nothing from after we moved. Buffy is going to love this."
"I don't understand," Peregrine said. "As I said, usually I see a soul's past lives. I've never encountered anyone whose soul reflected the images of people who were still alive and are themselves separate souls."
"Mom," Dawn paused. "Mom died a few years ago. Cancer. Buffy is still alive. She's in Cleveland right now. She's was hoping to be able to be here for this meeting but too many things are going on right now."
"But how then can I see them reflected in you?" Peregrine asked.
"This is where we get to the weird part," Dawn said. "Up until eight years ago I didn't exist."
"What?" Adam asked.
"I didn't exist," Dawn said. "Or more precisely I didn't exist in this form. I was and I suppose I still am something called the Key."
"What is the Key?" Adam asked. "And how can it be you?"
"What the Key is, is the million dollar question," Dawn replied. "We don't know. That's what we're trying to find out. As to how it can be me," Dawn stopped. She really didn't like talking about this stuff. "Eight years ago a very powerful demon, a true Hellgod, who had been banished to this plane, was looking for a way home. She needed the Key. The Key was with a group of monks, called the Order of Dagon. Glory began to hunt them and pretty much wiped out the Order. In order to protect the Key, the few still alive sent it to my sister, the Slayer, to be protected."
"I understand up to this point," Adam said. "Buffy is the Slayer. But what does that have to do with you?"
"The Order wanted to hide the Key and make certain that Buffy would protect it," Dawn said. "So they cast a spell to transform it from energy into something else. That something else turned out to be me."