Usually only one person, a young woman, was sitting in Box 3, enjoying the performances at the Opera Garnier. Tonight, Erik could see two figures in the box in front of and slightly below his. A young man about the same age as the girl was also there. He had never really paid attention to the girl when she was alone but tonight she stood out. As did the boy next to her. They complemented each other rather well. They were like the sun and the moon.
The girl was Elsa Altshul, a veterinarian who worked nights at the largest hospital in Paris. She was very pale wore her dark blonde hair loose, and her eyes were an abnormal shade of hazel.
The boy at her side was Adolf Schneider and Erik didn't know that he was a violinist who played in the orchestra until he overheard him tell Elsa that he had the night off and could watch the performance with her. Adolf was as pale as Elsa. He was rather small-faced and his raven hair fell below his shoulders (usually worn as a ponytail). His eyes appeared to be green.
Erik assumed the two were friends. They did not look at all alike so siblings or even cousins was out of the question, and it would be quite a shock if they were dating; she wore the Star of David around her neck and he wore a silver crucifix. But Elsa and Adolf were dating. They had been for over one hundred years.
"Look at that delectable display." Elsa murmured, running her tongue along her teeth as she pointed to a small, blonde ballerina on the stage. "I want her."
"I can smell her from here. She's healthy. It would make a nice change from the drunkards you've been hunting."
"Now, Adolf...you know we cannot always mindlessly kill people who have families awaiting them at home."
After the performance, Adolf led Elsa to the alley on the Rue Scribe, where most of the performers exited the theatre. The ballerinas lived in the Palais Garner but often had a smoke in the alley after performances. Elsa stood in the shadows, having trouble restraining herself as the singers and dancers exited few by few, drinking and laughing.
Two ballerinas emerged at last, Elsa's prey and an older redhead. She waited quietly as they smoked and gossiped.
"Emilie, I'm going to get a bottle of Brandy. Do you want anything?"
"No thank you, you go ahead. I'll join you in a few minutes."
The redhead went inside and shut the door. It was almost completely dark and Elsa had only grown thirstier. She took a step and Emilie jumped.
"Hello?" She called out.
"Your friend is very irresponsible letting you be out here alone, Emilie."
"Sh…She'll be back here in a minute."
"No, she won't. She said she was getting a drink and you said you'd join her. Don't lie to yourself."
Emilie rushed to the door but Elsa took hold of her scarf and pulled her back. She wasn't even able to scream before Elsa covered her mouth and propped her against the brick wall.
"Such a small thing…and you do smell delightful!"
Elsa was fascinated by the heartbeat of a human who was fully aware they were going to die. She bit into the girl's neck. Her blood was healthy and sweet.
"Adolf, you're missing out. Come finish her."
He stepped out of his hiding place and bit into Emilie's arm to finish her blood.
"Mmh…you're right, dear. Young girls are the best kill there is."