Act 1


 

 

Starring:

Lacey Chabert as Skye Talisker, Stephanie March as Bonnie Terea and Helen Shaver as Becca Giles.

Guest Starring:

Christine Taylor as Elana Velmont, Hayden Christensen as Marcus Steel, Navi Rawat as Dana and Michelle Rodriguez as Kadin Van Helsing

Fade In:

Ext.

Abandoned Building – Dark Cell – Early Morning

A tiny drop of water teetered from the roof before it finally fell, landing on the top of Kadin’s head. Her eyes started to flutter as the drop of water made its way down the side of her face.

The hunter let out a pained groan as she slowly slipped back into consciousness. She cracked her neck to stretch the sore muscles and felt the lingering effects of the sedative.

She lifted her hand to try and soothe the ache only to find it shackled to the floor beneath her. She looked down at the steel chains and tugged. She winced at the sharp pain that shot through her wrist, then groaned, dropping her hand back to her lap.

“That’s just…perfect,” she sighed, dropping her head back against the wall.

Cut To:

Int.

Watchers Council – Holding Cells – Morning

“Dana,” Dr. Millenti called out, through the small window in the door of a padded cell. “How are you doing this morning?”

The psychologically-impaired slayer said nothing at first, but then nodded to her breakfast tray. “I don’t like cereal,” she said.

Dr. Millenti moved to open the door. and Skye took a step back to give him more access. Slowly, they both walked inside.

“We’ll see about getting you something else after we’re done here,” he told her.

“Come to shoot me up?” she asked.

“No,” he answered, holding up his hands. “You won’t require your medication for at least another hour. I wanted to bring Skye by again this morning. You remember Skye, don’t you?”

Dana looked up. “Certainly…Hello, Skye. How’s the shiner?” she asked with a smirk, pointing to Skye’s eye.

“Nearly gone,” Skye replied. “Thanks for asking.”

Dana then turned to Dr. Millenti. “Maybe next time when I tell her not to stand so close, she’ll listen, huh?”

“And perhaps you’ve learned that any further outbursts like that will result in the loss of your walking privileges,” Dr. Millenti reminded her.

“Oh yes,” Dana sighed, as she began to rock back and forth. “A short walk around the backyard on a tether like a dog. It is always the highlight of my full day.”

“You look like you’re getting agitated,” Skye remarked. “With the swaying and such.”

“If you had to live in a ten-by-ten rubber box with no sunlight, how do you think you’d feel?” she countered.

“That’s what Dr. Millenti and I are trying to do – get you out of the ‘box’,” Skye replied.

Dana laughed suddenly, loudly and hysterically and Skye seemed unsure of what to say. Finally, the slayer calmed down. “Don’t you get it? We all have boxes. We all try to break out. But we never do…we just trade up boxes. Just like you.”

“Care to explain?” Skye asked.

“You know exactly what I mean. Everyone, every creature that breathes knows…even those that don’t breathe know. Ones like you,” she said, again pointing at Skye.

Dr. Millenti gave a frustrated sigh. “Skye isn’t a demon or a vampire, Dana. We went over this last time. Not every new face you see is out to harm you.”

Dana stood up quickly and Skye flinched. The reaction made the slayer smile slightly.

“Relax, docs,” she said, looking at Skye and Millenti. “I’m just stretching my legs. Still plan on giving me my walk today, don’t you?”

“At this point, yes,” Dr. Millenti answered.

“Well then,” Dana began, with a grin that made Skye shiver, “I guess I’ll have to promise to be a good girl.”

Cut To:

Int.

Watchers Council – Lobby – Morning

Kennedy was headed for the door when the sound of Rowena’s voice stopped her in her tracks.

“Where you off to in such a hurry?”

Kennedy didn’t turn as she answered calmly, “There’s something I gotta do. I’ll be back by lunch.”

Rowena watched as the slayer left in silence, a look of concern on her face.

Cut To:

Ext.

Outside Kadin’s Cabin – Morning

Kennedy slowly brought her bike to a standstill. She reached up and removed her helmet as she cut the engine. She let out a sigh as she scanned her eyes over the exterior of the cabin.

“Well, here goes,” she said.

Cut To:

Int.

Abandoned Building – Dark Cell – Same Time

Kadin lifted her head at the sound of the slowly opening door. A bright stream of light filtered in, and she squinted her eyes.

“Come on,” a deep, cruel voice growled. “Kael is ready for you.”

A figure dressed in a black cloak, similar to the one her captor had worn, walked into the cell and bent down to unlock the chains attached to the hunter’s wrists. As soon as she heard the final click, she reacted.

Kadin reached out and grabbed the man by the hood of the cloak, flipping him over her head. She quickly sprang to her feet, wrapping the chain around her bare foot. The man began to stir, and she turned abruptly, kicking her foot out and sending the chain rapidly spiraling towards his head.

The heavy metal collided sharply with his skull with a sickening crack.

Kadin stood in her pajama bottoms and tank staring down at the unconscious figure, sweat dripping from errant strands of hair hanging down over her eyes. She breathed deeply for a few seconds, then blinked several times and shook her head.

The hunter looked around blearily before stumbling towards the open door. She stopped at the doorway and lifted a hand to her head, shutting her eyes tightly.

Flash:

The same images of the werewolves and their deaths flashed in and out of her mind.

Flash:

Kadin opened her eyes and shook her head once more. She braced herself against the door for a moment, before finally managing to stumble from the cell.

Cut To:

Int.

Kadin’s Cabin – Living Room – Moments Later

“Hey, Kadin?” Kennedy knocked lightly on the front door as she slowly swung it open. “Anybody home?”

She peeked around the edge of the door, but found the living room empty. She let out a long sigh and stepped into the room, letting the door swing shut behind her. The slayer’s eyes scanned over the contents of the room. There were random, scattered piles of clothes, among the rest of the clutter. Kennedy smiled as she stepped over the piles, making her way to the bedroom.

Cut To:

Int.

Kadin’s Cabin – Bedroom – Moments Later

Kennedy approached slowly, clearly hesitant to just walk into Kadin’s bedroom. She reached up and knocked loudly on the door.

“Kadin? You in there?” When she received no answer, she pushed the door in and peeked around the side. That’s when she noticed the broken glass and blood-stained sheets.

“Damn,” she muttered, as she walked over to the shattered window and picked up a piece of blood-stained glass.

She sighed and dropped the glass to the floor, her eyes landing on the rolled piece of parchment. She quickly reached down and picked it up, her eyes scanning over the words.

“Double damn,” she announced grimly.

Cut To:

Int.

Abandoned Building – Main Room – Moments Later

Kadin stumbled into the main room adjacent to her cell and collapsed to the floor. She took in a few deep breaths and braced her hands against the hard cement, trying to pull herself back to her feet. The remnants of the tranquilizer were still coursing through her body, resulting in a loss of most of her strength.

“It’s amazing,” a deep voice suddenly sounded throughout the well-lit but windowless room, causing the hunter to lift her head. “The human will to survive.”

A man in a black cloak, more elaborate than those the others had worn, slowly approached the fallen woman. He motioned to a hooded man beside him, who then entered the cell and dragged the unconscious guard from the room. Once they were alone, the man knelt down beside Kadin and studied her intently, his eyes glowing yellow for a split-second.

“I have always wondered what it was that drove you to do things that would seem impossible to accomplish. Even in the face of absolute hopelessness, you always manage to find that last shred of strength to force yourself to go on.” He paused for a moment to stare Kadin down. “What is it you humans call that?”

Kadin remained quiet for a few tense moments, staring back at the man without wavering. “Humanity.”

The man let out a little huff and smiled. “If I were a person of humor, I am certain I would find that quite humorous coming from you, Ms. Van Helsing.” He slowly stood up and folded his hands behind his back. He stared down at Kadin menacingly. “Given that your actions in the past were, one could say, less than human?”

“So says Kael, the mysterious cloaked kidnapper,” Kadin deadpanned. She pushed herself to lie back against a nearby wall. “Who, I’m sure, didn’t bring me here to talk about my past and how it makes me feel.”

The man laughed. “No, of that, I am certain.” After a short pause, he walked over to a small table and chairs hidden in the darkness. He reached out and lifted a duffel bag from the top of the table. With a quick toss, he threw the bag at Kadin’s feet.

“I am sure you will find these more suitable.” For a moment, he stood staring at the hunter before quietly heading towards the only exit.

Kadin reached out and unzipped the bag to reveal its contents. “My gear?” she asked, lifting her vest from the bag. She looked over to the cloaked man. “Why would this be more suitable? More suitable for what?”

The cloaked man stopped in mid-stride. He turned his head to the side slightly, but his eyes did not meet Kadin’s. “Your judgment,” he answered in a low voice. Then he turned and left the cell, locking the door behind him.

Kadin remained silent for a few moments, staring down at her hunting gear. She bunched the material tightly in her fists, her eyes shining in the darkness.

Cut To:

Int.

Watchers Council – Lobby – Late Morning

Faith was just passing through the lobby on her way to the gym when the front door swung open and Kennedy walked in.

“Hey Slick. What’s got you up before noon?” Faith teased with a smile, but it soon faded when she was met with the other slayer’s worried expression. “What is it?”

Kennedy didn’t reply. She pulled the parchment paper from her jacket pocket and walked over to place it in the other slayer’s hand.

“Trouble. Big trouble.”

Cut To:

Int.

Watchers Council – Library – Moments Later

Rowena was reading from a book and making notes on a pad next to her when the two slayers burst into the library. Faith quickly walked over and slapped the parchment down in front of her.

“For me? You shouldn’t have,” Rowena quipped.

The slayer just shook her head. “Just read it.”

Rowena complied. She picked up the paper and unrolled it. Her eyes scanned over the words for a few moments before she looked back up at the two women. “Kadin? Kidnapped?”

Kennedy stepped up next to Faith and nodded. “Looks like it, and by some whacked-out werewolves no less.”

“W-werewolves?” Rowena asked.

Kennedy nodded at the paper. “‘Stand trial for your past crimes against our brethren?’ Unless there was some other demon breed she had it out for besides werewolves, I’d say they’re our best bet.”

“True.” The blonde nodded. Her eyes once again scanned the parchment intently, this time focusing on the silver crest at the top.

“So?” Faith interjected impatiently. “What are we gonna do about it?”

Rowena sighed as she rolled up the paper and placed it on the table. “What we always do, Faith. We’re gonna rescue the damsel and save the day.” She looked a little nervous, then quietly added, “But I’m afraid this is something we’re gonna need the Coven’s help on, and seeing as how I’m the last person on the planet the High Priestess wants to see…” Her eyes trailed over to Kennedy.

The slayer threw her hands in the air and objected, “Hey, second to last person here.”

“I’ll go,” Faith sighed. “In fact, I think this calls for a full Council meeting. Gather the troops, that sorta thing. I’ll meet you back here once I’ve got ’em all rounded up.” The other two women watched as she made her way from the room.

Kennedy sighed and took a seat directly across from the head watcher. “So…” she began cautiously, “Willow still not speaking to ya either, huh?”

Rowena scowled at the other woman, then sighed. “Well, she’s not not speaking to me, entirely. Last night, I was in the kitchen making some warm milk, you know, because I couldn’t sleep.”

Kennedy watched the other woman in silence.

“Anyway, I offered her some, said that I had plenty to share and that it might give us some time to talk.”

“What happened?”

“Well, she didn’t want the milk or the talk, but she did tell me what I could do with it.” She looked up at the slayer, clearly uncomfortable. “It…gets kinda graphic from there.”

Kennedy chuckled.

“Willow’s not exactly the best woman to piss off. She does lots of things well, including holding a grudge. Not that I can really blame her.” Rowena raised a brow, but Kennedy just shook her head. “I mean, it’s nothing personal or anything, but if my girlfriend went behind my back to purposely defy me…” She trailed off, dropping her eyes to the table.

“Yeah, well,” Rowena sighed, “Her refusal to do the spell meant a week longer on her suspension according to the World Council vote, so…I guess I’m just gonna have to get used to Willow being mad at me for a very, very long time.”

“I don’t know about that,” Kennedy replied. “I mean, how mad could she be?”

Cut To:

Int.

Watchers Council – Willow’s Apartment – Same Time

Faith barely had time to duck as the book flew through the air and hit the wall behind her head.

“Hey! Easy, Red. I’m just the messenger.”

“Yeah, well…message that.” Willow turned away from the other woman and started to fill the coffee pot in her kitchen. “As of today, I’m still suspended. How can she expect me to help if I’m not even supposed to be involved? And why the hell isn’t she here asking for my presence?”

“Look, Willow,” Faith started, taking a cautious step closer to the witch. “Whatever it is between you and Blondie, that’s your business. I offered to come here. Now as for the rest of the crap, I get it. You couldn’t do something you felt was wrong. But maybe you should have let someone in the Coven who was willing to do the spell do it. We voted and you lost. You can’t be a sore loser.”

Willow stopped pouring the coffee and set the pot back down onto the counter.

“Reminding me of recent events is not helping your ‘messenger only’ argument.”

“All I’m saying is maybe you shoulda gave permission to the Coven to do the spell, but you yourself wouldn’t do it on the grounds you found it unethical. That’s all I’m saying.”

Willow folded her arms across her chest. “Did you need anything else?” she asked shortly.

“Me, no. But Kadin’s in real trouble right now, and she needs our help. She needs your help.”

Willow sighed, but didn’t look over at the other woman. “Fine,” she said. Then she looked over and raised her cup, pointing it at the slayer. “But I don’t have to like it.”

Faith raised her hands in mock defense. “Hey, whatever you say. Just as long as you put down the cup. No more projectiles my way, all right?”

Willow smiled through her scowl, then dropped the cup back onto the counter. “You’re lucky I like you now.”

“Well, what can I say?” Faith smiled. “I’m a very likable girl…After a few years, I grow on ya.”

Willow smiled. “Sorry about the whole book at your head thing. I’m really trying to work on that.”

“Hey, no sweat,” Faith replied casually. “You might be a bad-ass magic momma, but you still throw like a girl.”

Faith barely managed to duck as a spoon was thrown straight at her head.

Cut To:

Int.

Watchers Council – Conference Room – Minutes Later

Rowena handed out photocopies of the parchment, then tossed the original into the center of the table. The remaining Council members all leaned forward in their seats to look at their photocopies.

Xander spoke up first. “Where was it?” he asked.

The watcher nodded in Kennedy’s direction. “Kennedy found it in Kadin’s cabin. She went there this morning and found the place trashed.”

“It was just lying there?” Vi asked, intrigued. “I mean, what kind of criminal mastermind leaves the number-one clue behind for the finding?”

Rowena shook her head. “It appears that this was not a kidnapping that was supposed to be kept secret. It’s almost as if they wanted us to find it. Like they were sending us a message.”

“And what message would that be, exactly?” Dawn chimed in from her seat across the table.

“We’re not sure, really,” Rowena sighed, shaking her head. “It appears that whoever these people are, and whatever their intentions with Kadin are, they want us to –”

“Butt out,” Faith finished for her.

Rowena looked over and nodded. “Yes, in a manner of speaking.”

“But we’re not going to, right?” Skye asked. “I mean, I know no one here is waiting to give Kadin the Ms. Sociable 2005 award, but she’s still our ally, isn’t she?”

“O-of course she is,” Willow nodded emphatically. “Yeah, maybe she needs to work on those people skills, but she’s still a good guy. One of us.”

“Then it’s settled,” Xander finally added, slapping his hand down onto the table. “Operation Rescue Kadin is officially underway.”

“I think we should just stay out of it,” Kennedy spoke softly.

“What?!” nearly everyone asked at once.

The slayer just nodded as she pushed her chair back to get up to leave. “You heard me, but it’s up to you. If you do decide to go, just leave me out of it.” She turned and quickly left.

The room suddenly grew quiet, and all of the remaining Council members looked around at each other.

“Okay, did anyone else besides me find that odd and mildly disturbing?” Xander lifted his hand slightly and looked around.

Everyone looked around uncomfortably until Rowena cleared her throat. “Well,” she smiled nervously, “I believe we have a plan to formulate.”

Willow scoffed as she pushed back her chair and stood up. “Faith can fill me in. I’ve got some stuff to do.”

Rowena kept her face quiet as she watched the witch leave the room, but she couldn’t quite hide the pain in her eyes. She and Faith shared a brief mutual look, then Rowena sighed and turned back to the papers in front of her. “Shall we begin?”

“Just a second, Ro,” Faith interrupted. “I think Slick really needs to be here for this.” She pushed her chair back and stood up. “You think you can hold off for a few minutes? Give me a chance to talk to her?”

Rowena eyed the other woman cautiously, but finally nodded. “Sure. If you think you can get her back here.”

Faith smiled smugly. “Hey, this is me you’re talking to. I’ll have her back here in no time…with or without her consent. Just don’t start without me.”

Rowena watched as the other woman darted from the room. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

Cut To:

Int.

Watchers Council – Slayer Gym – Moments Later

Kennedy was pummeling a punching bag. Her fists flew in rapid succession, pounding against the bag until she was nearly out of breath. Gradually, she came to a stop, then stepped back, placing her hands on her hips to take in a few deep breaths. Her eyes remained focused on the bag as she stood in silence for a few moments.

Her hand suddenly flew up and landed a massive punch in the bag’s dead center, sending it flying backwards and crashing into the wall.

“Feel better?”

Kennedy turned to see Faith leaning against the doorway of the Slayer Gym, her hands crossed over her chest. “Go away, Faith.”

The older slayer just shook her head with a sigh. “See, now I thought you knew me better than that, Slick.” She walked over to the nearest bench and took a seat. “Ken, you should know by now that stoic slayer stuff doesn’t work on me. Hell, I invented it.”

Kennedy sighed and stepped back, looking down at the other woman. Faith remained firm, lifting an eyebrow in response.

“You did, huh?” Kennedy eyed the other woman.

“Yep,” Faith replied with a smile. She reached over to pick up a nearby towel and extended it to the other slayer.

Kennedy sighed and took it, wiping down her face. “You aren’t going to leave till I spill, are you?”

“Not a chance,” her friend replied. “So the quicker you squeal, the quicker you get rid of me.”

Kennedy smiled sadly. “You know what? I’m not really sure what it is. I mean, it’s not like Kadin and I are…”

“Involved?” Faith asked gently.

Kennedy looked over at the other woman in disbelief.

“What?” Faith replied defensively. “I can’t be insightful and comforting?”

“It’s not that,” the younger woman said, shaking her head. “I just wasn’t expecting you to be so nice about this. I mean, I know how you feel about Kadin.”

Faith huffed in frustration. “Good point. Let’s forget it.” She started to get up, but a hand on her arm stopped her.

“Hey,” Kennedy replied before dropping her hand. “I appreciate that you care. I really do.”

Faith sat back down and nodded. “Well, I do, you know. Best friend duties and all that. And even if I don’t like her…you do. ‘Sides, I figured I had some repaying to do.” She smiled at the other woman.

“You don’t owe me anything, Faith. That’s what friends are for.”

“Well then, since we’re such good friends,” Faith added with a smile, “you won’t mind tellin’ me what’s got you so worked up about all this. Or maybe underworked is a better word. Wait, is that a word?”

Kennedy remained silent for a long moment before finally sitting down.

“It’s not that I don’t like her,” she began slowly. “In fact, that’s the problem. I do. It seems like everyone I let get close either leaves me for someone else or just leaves me altogether.”

Faith reached out and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Slick, you know that’s not true,” Faith said. “I mean, it wasn’t like that with Red. Rowena came along way after she gave you your walking papers, and Mia didn’t leave you…just the Council.”

“What’s the difference?” Kennedy asked, defeated. “Willow may not have left me for Ro, but she left me because I wasn’t what she wanted, and Mia may not have said it outright, but we both know it wasn’t just the job that she couldn’t handle anymore.”

Faith opened her mouth for a moment, but just shook her head with a sigh.

Kennedy nodded with a light smile. “You know, this is one of those times I would gladly admit I’m wrong, but judging by your lack of speaking, I’d say we both know I’m not.”

“Okay, so you’ve had some bad luck on the romantic front, right?” Faith retorted, sounding like she was becoming slightly annoyed. “You just gonna go through life keeping yourself locked away from any kind of emotions or whatever? You gonna brood around like…well…Robin?”

Kennedy started to object, but was abruptly cut off.

“That’s no way to live, Kennedy,” Faith said bluntly. “‘Cause if you go through this world constantly afraid or pissed off, you’ll never find happiness. I know that may sound clichéd…but if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that you’ve gotta take chances. That means live in the moment, but don’t take your eyes off what the future holds.”

“Wow,” Kennedy smiled. “I knew you were complicated, but that’s deep.”

Faith shot a playful scowl at the other woman before grinning. “Well, that’s me. Deep ‘n’ all that. But allow me to go a step deeper, if I may,” Faith said teasingly. “If this was any other werewolf hunter chasing evil demons, would you help ’em? Or are you just avoiding this situation because you’re too close to the problem?”

Kennedy gave a slight grin but looked away.

“I see. Yet another Council member lettin’ her personal life get the better of her work life…Look, I think we both know the answer is yes, you’d help, so let’s stop wastin’ time by sittin’ here and go back to the meeting so we can help Kadin. I asked Ro to hold off till I got you back in there.”

Kennedy smirked. “Confident, aren’t we?”

Faith smiled as both women stood up from the bench. “Hey, you’re talking to the master of manipulation here. I knew it wouldn’t take much to get you back in the game.”

“Oh, please forgive me. I shoulda known better than to try and outwit your slayer charms.”

Faith placed an arm around Kennedy’s shoulders as she led her from the room. “And don’t you forget it.”

Fade To:

Int.

Watchers Council – Conference Room – Later

Faith looked incredulously around at the occupants of the conference room table of gatherers, and Andrew, who was busying himself with a serving cart.

“So that’s it?” She threw her hands in the air in disbelief. “That’s the big plan? Sit on our rear ends and research?”

Rowena sighed. “As a matter of fact…yes, it is.”

Faith scoffed and folded her arms over her chest, mumbling under her breath. She looked over at Kennedy, as if expecting her to also be upset, but she found the younger slayer only quiet and calm.

Rowena attempted to ignore her. “For now, anyway. We’ve just started to gather information here. Without any solid knowledge of who or what these kidnappers may be, I can’t send any slayers out there. At least, not yet.”

“Well, that’s comforting,” Faith commented.

“Hey, I’m looking out for you and your girls.” Rowena reached out and opened a watcher’s journal on the table in front of her. She flipped through the pages until she found what she was looking for. She turned the book around and slid it to the middle of the table. “Right now, this is the best lead we’ve got. The crest is the same as the one on the parchment.”

Faith leaned over the table and pulled the book closer to herself. She looked at the drawing of the elaborate crest and said, “The Order of Knights Argentum? What the hell does that mean?”

“Something very old,” Rowena replied. “As in Van Helsing old. Roughly translated, it’s –”

Before she could finish, Kennedy chimed in. “The Order of the Silver Knights.”

Everyone turned and stared at her in silence. She looked back at them defensively.

“What?” she objected. “I know stuff. I’m not allowed to know stuff?”

“Stuff, yes,” Vi said calmly, “but actiony slayer stuff, like punching and kicking and fighting. Not smart watcher stuff like centuries-old history and archaic languages.”

“Fine,” Kennedy relented. “Kadin, mentioned them once before, okay?”

Dawn slid forward in her chair in an attempt to forestall an argument. “Why don’t we just be glad that we have this new piece of information and take comfort in the fact that we now have an idea of who and what we are dealing with here.”

“Don’t get too comfortable,” Rowena warned. “The who and the what we’re dealing with is kinda the problem.”

The room fell silent, and Rowena almost looked surprised that she had their attention.

The blonde shook her head and continued. “What I mean is, these Argent Knights are not your everyday, run-of-the-mill kind of kidnappers. They’re not holding Kadin for a five million-dollar ransom that they want wired to an offshore bank account somewhere.”

“Yeah, they didn’t really strike me as the type,” Kennedy added. “I mean, if what they wanted was money, why take Kadin? Why not Willow or Rowena, or both?”

“Hey!” Rowena objected.

“No, Slick’s got a point,” Faith added with a nod. “If they wanted money, they would have taken the people in power, the people most pivotal to our operation. Not some…” She trailed off, as if she were trying to think of an appropriate descriptor.

“Freelance monster hunter,” Kennedy finished for her.

Faith considered the phrase and then shrugged in agreement.

“Well, who are these Silver Knights, and what do they want?” Xander asked.

Rowena looked over at Faith and Kennedy, but none of the three said anything.

“Okay, I’m seeing the thoughtful stares and the deep, penetrating eyes, but I’m not hearing any words,” Xander laughed nervously. “A little help here?”

Finally, Kennedy turned to the group and said, “Werewolves.”

“What?!” Dawn exclaimed.

“Justice werewolves, to be exact,” Rowena said. Then she reached out to flip the pages in the book, stopping on a page consisting solely of a detailed illustration. “Here, see?”

Everyone leaned over the table to get a better look.

Xander looked down at the drawing for a moment in deep thought. “I-it looks as though they’re…they’re not, are they?”

“Tearing that man limb from limb?” Skye added, suddenly looking a little sick. “That’s a big time ewww.”

“Well, it seems our watcher was very thorough in his notes,” Rowena commented. “He made sure to capture the moment quite vividly.”

“I’ll tell you what it seems like,” Faith added. “It seems like these silver whackos are hell-bent on exacting their own form of vengeance on anybody who crosses them, and judging by the looks of it, it ain’t no slap on the wrist.”

“You can tell all that by one little picture?” Vi asked.

“It’s not just the picture,” Rowena explained. “The notes under the picture here describe the Order’s centuries-long devotion to protecting its own best interests. You know…you spill our blood, and we’ll spill yours.”

“Eye for an eye,” Dawn added.

“So what is it with these ancient people and blood all the time?” Skye said disgustedly.

Rowena studied the picture for a moment longer. “It actually makes sense when you think about it. In their time, they didn’t have the medical advancements that we have today. They believed that many of the fatal diseases were solely caused by problems in the blood. After all, it is the true sustainer of life.”

“So naturally, to them, everything in life linked to blood.” Vi sounded as if she was just figuring something out.

The watcher looked up and nodded. “Precisely.”

“And what?” Faith continued. “Now they’ve come here to Cleveland to take out some kind of vengeance on Kadin for all the harm the Van Helsings have caused them?”

“As I said,” Rowena began. “This is one of the things we don’t know.”

“It might not be for the sins of her bloodline,” Andrew suggested as he placed the coffee pot in the center of the table. “Just for her own life, which, let’s face it, probably has been pretty vengeancey in its own right.”

Everyone was silent for a moment as they considered Andrew’s words. Finally, Kennedy spoke.

“I think Andrew’s pegged it. I mean we all know what Kadin was up to when she first came to Cleveland,” Kennedy said softly. “She wanted to kill Camille, and possibly Oz. She was on a personal revenge kick of her own…to kill off every single werewolf she ever came into contact with.”

“And as far as we know, with the exception of Oz and Camille,” Faith added slowly, “she succeeded.”

“And therein lies the bad,” Xander pronounced ominously.

“Indeed,” Rowena said. “Therein lies the very bad…So, who’s game to jump into that mess without knowing everything first?” Rowena looked around. “Any takers?” When no one said anything, that’s when Rowena closed the volume in front of her. “Right, that’s why we hit the books first.” Without adding more, she tossed it to the middle of the table.

Cut To:

Int.

Watchers Council – Library – Later that Afternoon

Kennedy sat at a table with the watchers’ journal open before her. Her eyes were fixated on a detailed drawing in one of the many volumes before her. There were six werewolves surrounding a man trapped in a circle between them. The look on his face was one of absolute terror as he stared back into the faces of the beasts.

Kennedy sat up in her chair and studied the drawing for a moment more, then started to turn the page. She stopped when she saw the picture change. The man was gone from the circle, replaced by a girl. And with her was a familiar young woman, with dark hair and all-black clothing. Kennedy’s eyes widened slightly as she watched the figures on the page begin to move.

A bright light shone from the book as the six werewolves in the picture came alive, howling and circling the two figures. The woman dressed in black looked over to the other with concern on her face. Concern became shock as the dark-haired woman saw the girl begin to change.

Kennedy watched in rapt fascination as the girl in the picture slowly transformed into a werewolf.

Black Out

 

End of Act One

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