The two most popular examples of the vampire slayer are Buffy Summers and Anita Blake. Each is thought to embody feminine power at war not only with the demons and the forces of darkness but also with the patriarchy that is the paradigm of power in both the demon and the human worlds. Because of this, both are thought to be deeply feminist texts. However, we argue that Buffy is the only one of the two to provide a truly feminist understanding of power. This is because the Anita Blake character acquiesces to the patriarchal structure of power – simply becoming a female patriarch while Buffy becomes the instrument through which all who possess the potential of empowerment are, in fact, empowered. The difference is striking. Anita Blake is a female patriarch who consolidates power and wields it as her masculine triumvirate counterparts (Jean-Claude – Vampire Master of the City, and Richard Zeeman – Ulfric of his werewolf pack) would within their own bailiwicks. Buffy fundamentally rejects the patriarchy, first in teenage rebellion against authority, then in subversion of the power-wielding patriarchs (the Initiative and the Watchers’ Council) to her will, and ultimately in the rejection and destruction of the very hierarchical structure of power through the ultimate act of shared power (and shared self-determination) by partnering with Willow to empower all.