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Stefanie didn't even bother to notify Giles and Jenny when she left the apartment. She simply gathered together her weapons, crossbow included, and exited as quietly as her waning powers of stealth would allow her. She figured it was better to make a clean break rather than have to see their sad faces all over again.
It didn't take her long to find the correct warehouse where Lorenzo and his team had set up shop in. Even standing outside, she could clearly sense the presence of four vampires within, one of them (she presumed Angel) in pain. Stefanie found her way in through a back entrance, eyes alert for an attack as she advanced. Briefly, she prayed that there wasn't another creature like Venus who she wouldn't be able to sense. Then, rounding a corner, she caught sight of the cage.
Stefanie put one hand to her lips to cover the gasp that was issued from them. She had caught Angel at a very bad moment apparently, as he lay writhing on the floor, his face contorted in agony. She quickly looked to make sure no one was around, then went to him, saying his name softly to alert him.
Angel looked up at her weakly, eyes widening when he saw her. "Stefanie," he whispered in relief. "Thank God... How's Buffy? Is she alright?"
Stefanie's eyes widened, knowing instantly that they hadn't bothered to tell him. Reaching into her bag for a stake, she said, "Buffy's in the hospital in a coma... Since the night they took you." She paused a moment, handing the wooden stick to him through the bars. "I'm going to need your help... Where's the key?"
"Lorenzo has it, in his chambers, most likely," he answered. "You won't be able to get it unless you kill him first." Angel paused, throwing an anxious glance around the room, then hid the stake she had given him under his bunk. "Hide in the loft before they come up here. With any luck, they won't know you're here until it's too late."
Stefanie offered him a brave little smile, reaching for his hand and giving it a firm squeeze. "I'm going to end this," she promised, then turned and headed for the ladder that led up to the balcony.
While she waited, she removed the crossbow from her pack, loading it with at least four bolts. Then, she remained where she was, maintaining a vigil over the ground level of the factory. After a long while, Cordelia and Tessa appeared out of nowhere, approaching the cage to check on their prisoner.
A flood of memories hit Stefanie from the moment she had cordelia in her sights. Now was the perfect time to make the kill, but she found herself unable to send the bolt flying. Wiping tears from her eyes, Stefanie took aim again, this time at Tessa, who, fortunately, had no fond memories connected to her.
Tessa screeched as the arrow pierced her, turning slightly to look at Stefanie with hatred. Then, she collapsed to the floor, every ounce of skin, muscles, and tissue melting away until only a skeleton remained. The slayer felt an unexpected wave of terror at the sight. She had heard rumors that vampires exceeding four hundred and fifty left some sort of substantial remains behind when killed, but had never witnessed it until now.
Her hesitation was nearly the death of her; Stefanie almost didn't see Cordelia coming. In a panic, the slayer grabbed another bolt, not bothering to load it. By this time, Cordelia had already vaulted onto the loft, scrambling over the railing in her attempt to get at Stefanie.
So fixed was she on the arrogant vampiress in front of her, Stefanie didn't realize Lorenzo was behind her until it was too late. He grabbed the arrow from her hand, snapping it in two like a twig, then seized the crossbow and threw it towards the ground level below.
"Welcome, little slayer," Lorenzo whispered in Stefanie's ear, one arm wrapped around her throat. "We've been expecting you. Just didn't imagine it would be this soon. Shame you didn't take enough time to plan your strategy. It will cost you." He paused, glancing briefly at what remained of his mistress, then at Cordelia. "I think we should let her watch her friend die for it, don't you agree, my pet?" he said.
That was the signal Cordelia had been waiting for, indicating that she was to go retrieve Buffy from the hospital. "My pleasure," she responded, turning to go.
Stefanie tensed up when Lorenzo began stroking one side of her face, almost lovingly. "I admire you for your courage, but unfortunately, it won't be enough to save you now. Come daybreak, you'll be just another casualty in the long line of slayers."
Stefanie's eyes burned with hatred at this. "Shame you won't be around to gloat over it," she hissed.
Lorenzo merely smiled. "Ah, you're a feisty one, I see... Would have loved to have you in my little family. But then, I do in a sense." He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a mere whisper. "It was one of my girls that made your brother what he was. Of course, I had no idea he'd brought you over to our side, or I would have killed him myself."
Stefanie froze at this, shaking her head in disbelief. She refused to be associated with this vile creature, but something told her that Lorenzo spoke the truth. And, just knowing that her line, her brother's line, could ultimately be traced back to him was the last straw for her.
In a rage, she grabbed at the arm around her neck, lifting it to her face and biting into it. Having caught him off guard, she had a few seconds in which to feed before he pushed her away. Stefanie was up a second later, pulling a stake from her pack. She rushed at the vampire king, intending to drive her weapon into his chest. But her countered her blow, knocking her against the railing. The stake flew from her hand at the impact, falling to the floor and skidding away to who knew where.
Seeing Lorenzo approaching, Stefanie swung herself up into a handstand on the platform railing, kicking him upside the head in the process. She then propelled herself onto the first story below, landing on her feet in a crouch. With wild eyes, she looked around for her crossbow, but saw no sign of it. Instead, she stood and ran before Lorenzo could jump from the platform after her.
After a few feet, Stefanie stopped and turned back, searching for the vampire king. But, he too had vanished in a matter of moments. Fearful now, she scanned the room once over, then slowly made her way towards the cage, knowing that her only weapon remained with Angel. Every inch of her was tensed for an attack as she walked.
It came faster than she could blink. As Stefanie passed beneath the far end of the platform, Lorenzo landed behind her, getting in at least three hits before she had time to react. She blocked the fourth blow, then, grabbing him by the hair and jacket, flipped him over onto his back.
Stefanie moved to pin him down with her foot, which turned out to be her first mistake. Lorenzo grabbed her by the legs, yanking them out from under her so she landed heavily on the concrete, knocking the wind out of her.
Stefanie lay there in a daze, groaning softly and aware that her head was spinning. Lorenzo could have easily finished her then, but he seemed to have other ideas in mind. Standing, he delivered a sharp kick to her lower chest, breaking one of her ribs, she was sure.
Moaning loudly, Stefanie curled up, holding herself. But it was only the first of many hits Lorenzo inflicted on her. And, before long, the pain became too intense for her, and Stefanie blacked out...