The Innocent

"The Innocent" is the third story in the Tales of the Slayers graphic novel. It was written by Amber Benson, with art by Ted Naifeh, colors by Dave Stewart, and letters by Michael Madsen.

Summary
Set in 1879 Paris, the story is told from the point of view of Claudine, the Slayer. Alongside her Watcher and lover, Jean, who is also a member of the sans-culottes, Claudine hunt down a vampire over the walls of Notre Dame. Watcher and vampire fall, but Claudine saves Jean from death, only to fall herself. The vampire is nailed to a fence but manages to free himself, though Claudine slays him.

Afterward, Jean sends Claudine after another vampire, whom Jean describes as an "aristocratic tyrant who feeds from the poor" and who lives in an apartment in the Rue Saint-Denis. Claudine enters an alley, climbs a wall and enters into the apartment's library, where she finds her target. The aristocrat runs but is staked by Claudine, who discovers he's actually human. Before dying the aristocrat begs her not to kill her children. In shock, Claudine comes face to face with the man's three daughters and a woman. Claudine tries to leave, only to trip over the body of the aristocrat and gets covered in blood.

Claudine finds Jean in a bar with two of his comrades and takes him out to confront him. He admits he knew the man was not a vampire but that he deserved to die for being an aristocrat, and his plans to send Claudine, his "Angel of Death," to hunt down the rest of the aristocracy that hides from Madame Guillotine. Claudine spits on him and leaves.

Next to a bridge, on which a couple hugs and a caged carriage with three prisoners passes, Claudine, with her face still covered in blood, reflects on the nature of evil.

Characters

 * The Maiden
 * Unidentified Watcher
 * Saint Just
 * Reverend Father

Behind the scenes
The Rue Saint-Denis is a real street in Paris and one of the city's oldest.