"You must be the sister. Freya?"

Freya, who had been toying with her pendant as she looked out the window, turned around, eyes landing on a white haired woman standing across from her. Her eyes narrowed in a suspicious manner as she stared at the other woman, straightening.

Freya's eyes trailed over the older looking woman warily."And who are you?"

"Name's Mary."The wolf said as she took off her jacket, eyes looking around for Hope."I'm a Crescent. Closest thing your niece has to a great-grandmother. Figure she's napping?"

Freya nodded with an awkward smile."That's right."

"And Hayley?"

"She's across the street helping with a..."She cleared her throat as she finally said."family matter."

Mary rolled her eyes at the news."Was that Elijah's idea?"

Freya sighed in an annoyed manner before turning back to the window, just in time for the door to open. In walked Jackson, carrying a duffle bag and wearing a sullen expression.

He nodded at his grandmother and glanced at Freya as he made his way over to the table, placing his bag on top of it.

"Where's Hayley and Hope?"

"Hope's sleeping."Mary smiled softly at him.

"And Hayley?"

Mary's smile fell and she looked reluctant to tell him.

"She's-"

"Let me guess...the Mikaelson's need help?"He asked, making Mary nod."I guess that's why Freya is here?"

Mary nodded again, about to open her mouth only to be cut off when Jackson walked off and made his way up the spiral staircase.

Freya turned around, watching Jackson going up the stairs.

"What's wrong with him?"

Mary sighed, crossing her arms.

"That's what your family has done, girl, strained a marriage."

Freya said nothing, just turned back around to the window.


Present

"How long now?"

The driver of the limo met Alexa's eyes in the rear-view mirror."Around half an hour, ma'am."

"You really didn't have to meet me at the airport, Aya, I can take care of myself not to mention the dozen or so ancient vampires that are following us who are loyal to me."

Alexa snapped her fingers and the limo waiter instantly handed her a glass of red wine. She smiled thankfully at him, crossing her legs as she took a sip.

"Tristan made me promise to keep an eye on you and I, however indifferent to you, keep my word."Aya said before she opened up her handbag and pulled out a paper envelope. She opened it up and pulled out a batch of photos."You need to look at these if you are to be in New Orleans."

Alexa took the photos from Aya and flicked through them. There were a few of Klaus walking around New Orleans with a young looking blonde that wasn't Rebekah.

"This is Camille. Human. Very important to Niklaus Mikaelson that has been taken hostage by first by Lucien now by Aurora."

Alexa smiled and shook her head before flicking to the next picture. It was of a young brunette woman sitting in a bar, looking upset.

"Davina Claire. Previously the regent of New Orleans. One of the Strix's new recruits was guardian of her."She watched as Alexa moved to the next photo, revealing another brunette woman standing with a man."Hayley Marshall-Kenner, hybrid and Queen to the Crescent pack and mother of Niklaus Mikaelson's daughter."

"Who is the man? That is certainly not Niklaus, he's not mysterious enough."

"Her husband, King of the Crescent pack, Jackson Kenner. They live in the apartment across the street from the Mikaelson home."

Alexa nodded as she processed the information, mentally remembering the faces and names of the women the younger female vampire told her. She needed to know who to either watch out for in order to protect herself and her soldiers as well as knowing who to keep an eye on just in case they had to be used against her enemies.

"Huh."Alexa smiled softly as she imagined Klaus with a child."With Niklaus' looks and Hayley's bone structure that child is going to be darling."

She hummed to herself as she flicked to the next photo, one of another young woman with golden hair and eyes that were familiar. She stood with Elijah on the balcony of the Mikaelson home.

"This must be the long lost sister i've heard so much about."She turned to Aya for confirmation."Am I right?"

Aya nodded as Alexa looked at the picture of Freya before saying."Yes. A very powerful witch and she is the reason Tristan is being held without means of escape."

She chewed on her lower lip as she let her eyes trail over the witch who had one of her dearest companions hostage. She suddenly felt the urge to tear the witch's arms off.

Alexa turned to Aya, arching an eyebrow before she asked."So what is your plan?"

"The Strix and Marcel will be dealing with Elijah and we are entrusting you to deal with the cur along with the witch and free Tristan."

"What will you be doing?"

"Searching for the Serratura. I hear that it is in the possession of Niklaus Mikaelson."

"You could be wrong."

Aya nodded before shrugging."I could be but if I am, you must search for it in the Mikaelson home if you have a chance."

A dangerous look flashed in the older vampire's eyes and, although wanting to punish the younger female for daring to command her, she remembered that Aya was loyal and a good friend to Tristan.

So, despite that, she forced a smile.

"Since when did I become your minion?"

"You're not but you are also have people at your disposal, some witches and some vampires."Aya said with a smirk."Use them in order to get what we want. Tristan and the Serratura. How you get them is not up to me."

"I am supposed to risk my people?"

"We are both risking our best soldiers, Alexa. They declared war when they took Tristan."

Alexa nodded, agreeing with the younger female vampire.

It was for Tristan.


Later—Kenner Apartment

"I need to get in there, love."

Alexa clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth, tapping the door with her fingers.

"And you're going to help me because I cannot get in without invitation from the wolf. He's the only one who can invite us in and there's nobody stopping me apart from him because we saw Freya leave earlier."

The woman blinked in a confused manner."How so?"

Alexa smiled to the woman in a fake manner."I'm a vampire, you see, and you're human. I know men, love, and men cannot resist to help a damsel in distress."

The woman, whose eyes were screaming out for help, nodded because she was compelled to obey Alexa. She smiled up at the female vampire, hands in front of her, ready to do whatever Alexa told her.

"How can I help you?"

The female vampire reached into her pocket and pulled out an extremelysharp knife that made the woman swallow nervously.

"I could use this to stab myself but I, love, can heal very fast."She pointed the knife towards the human, the point grazing the woman's chin."But you are human and human blood will confuse the wolf's senses and overpower the smell of the undead. He will see you and I, the lovely bystander, in need of help and will invite us in for shelter."

"Why do you need to get in?"

Alexa, tapping the blade against her chin, answered with an annoyed sigh."I need to get in because I need leverage. Hayley loves her husband and I love Tristan. They have the upper hand right now and I need to gain it. And in order to do that I must take someone near to the hybrid so that she'll surrender Tristan. It's also for a distraction so that the Strix can handle Elijah."

The woman nodded."Okay. Now what-Oh!"

The human, told not to scream by Alexa, inhaled sharply as the female vampire drove the knife into her stomach. She twisted the knife for her own pleasure and the woman slumped against her, eyes wide with pain. She sighed in an annoyed manner again before she kicked the woman's feet out from underneath her, sending her to the floor.

She knelt down beside her, stroking her cheek with the bloody knife before she threw it aside.

"Now to make myself seem believable as a caring bystander who came to your aid."

She reached down, running her hand over the wound spurting blood, Alexa lifted her hand to her face and smeared the blood across her cheek and chin.

"This is your moment, love."She grasped the woman's chin in her hand and turned her head toward her."Scream, cry and pound on the door for help."

Tears formed in the woman's eyes and she stood, hugging herself with one hand to stop the blood and pounded on the door desperately, screaming for help.

Alexa shut her eyes and breathed in and when she opened them, her eyes were shining with tears. She had fake sobbed a lot of times over the years while searching villages for blood when not wanting to use force.

Alexa's lower lip wobbled as she banged on the door with the palm of her hand, yelling."Help us!"She sobbed, fingers printing bloody shapes on the wooden door as she pleaded."Help us, please. My friend has been hurt..she needs help!"

She left the woman to bang on the door and, noticing she was about to lose her footing, she reluctantly wrapped her arms around the human and held her close in a fake comforting manner. The woman was going pale in the face and she was proving true to her acting part as she looked terrified.

"Help me!"She screamed, hitting the door."Please, help m-"

She was cut off when the door opened and there stood, recognizing him from the photo, Jackson Kenner. She found her smile and continued to cry as she held the woman against her.

"What's going on? What's happened?"

Alexa held the other woman close as she responded quickly, still pretending to look traumatized and worried."I found her on the street just outside. Someone attached her! P-Please help her, she's bleeding out."

Jackson, as the boy he was raised to be, nodded kindly and stepped aside."Come in! I'll call someone for help!"

Now invited in, she led the woman in and kicked the door shut, mentally congratulating herself. She stood, letting Jackson take hold if the wounded female and he led her over to the couch. She straightened, eyes on the wolf and the human who was now laid on the couch as Jackson.

"You'll be all right."He said to her in order to calm her down."What's your name?"

Alexa perked up, interested. Yeah, what is her name?

The woman gasped for air, whimpers coming from her lips."Mona. M-My name is M-Mona."

"Okay, Mona, you'll be all right."Jackson said as he pulled out his phone."I'll call for help."

Alexa wandered over to Jackson, who was knelt down beside Mona, and tapped his shoulder.

"I can't let you do that, dearie."

He looked up at her, frowning, confused."What?"

Using her vampire speed, she elbowed him in the face as she grabbed his phone with her other hand, pocketing it quickly. She sauntered over to Mona and, using her nails and her vampire speed, she slashed the human's throat. She choked, gasping for air as she bled out before slowly taking her last breath. She turned back to Jackson, who was still on the ground, looking surprised..

"You're not the smartest, are you? This is New Orleans, sweetheart, you can't trust anyone apart from your nearest and dearest."

"Get out."

"I will, once you do as I say. If you do, I won't hurt you or anyone who-"

Jackson growled, jumping up and punching her across the face, making her stagger backwards. She quickly recovered, kicking him square in the chest, catching his fist when he moved to hit her again.

"I tried to be nice."

She smirked, twisting his fist, snapping his wrist and stomping on his knees, breaking even more bones. She then pulled out a syringe filled with Wolfsbane and injected him with it in the neck. He cried out and, desperate to gain the upper-hand, he hit her with his other fist before he fell to the ground because of his broken bones.

"Whoooo!"She giggled, rubbing her healed cheek, as Jackson hit the ground again."Can you believe that in my thousand years, of living i've never fought a wolf? But, let me tell you, it's not all Aya cracked it up to be. With the wolfsbane in your system, you'll slowly lose your ability to fight back."

Jackson clambered backwards as he healed.

"Who are you?"

"Oh, i'm sorry! I'm Alexa Allore."She smiled, curtsying."Best friend of Lucien Castle and Tristan de Martel. I have come to save the latter who is being held hostage by your cur of a wife and the Mikaelson's."

She opened her mouth to add something but was stopped when she heard a coo.

Alexa froze before she slowly turned around, eyes landing on the toddler standing up in her playpen, chewing in her fingers, as she watched.

"Ohhh, look at the child!"She squealed, clapping her hands."I love children!"

She flashed over to the playpen and kneeled down in front of Hope who had followed her around in her playpen. The child, upon sensing that Alexa wasn't there to harm her, gave the thousand year old vampire a smile as she popped her fingers back into her mouth.

"You must be Hope. I've heard about you."She smiled over at the toddler, finger running along her chubby cheek."You are beautiful."

She reached out to pick the child up but was stopped when a warning growl hit her ears.

"Get away from her!"Jackson demanded, snapping his bones back into place."If you touch her, i'll-"

Alexa turned to him, standing slowly, looking offended."I'm not a monster. I don't hurt children and, darling, even if I wanted to, you wouldn't be able to stop me. I'm just here to save my friend and collect something if I should happen to come across it."

She reached down and grabbed Jackson by the hair, picking the werewolf up by his dark locks. She smiled down at Hope who, looking as if she thought the two were playing, giggled and clapped her hands before her attention was taken by her teddies.

"Jackson, what's ha-"

The sound of flat shoes making their way down the spiral staircase caught her attention and she turned around just in time to see a middle aged looking woman standing a few meters from her. She had clearly heard the commotion and her eyes quickly glanced towards Hope who was sitting down with her teddies.

"Who the hell are you?"

Alexa ignored her question and smiled politely."You must be the step-grandma."

"That's right."She nodded, showing no fear of the vampire as she stepped closer, despite Jackson's protests."And i'm also Jackson's grandmother and if you think you're gonna come in here, hurt my family and get away with it, you got another thing coming."

"I don't think it, love, I know."

Alexa walked over to the kitchen, grabbing a paper towel and rinsing it under the tap before she dabbed at the blood on her cheek and chin. She tossed it into the trash when she noticed her clean skin in the mirror, turning back to Mary.

"You vampires...such hubris."Mary spat, following the female vampire."You think you can waltz around, do anything you please, kill or use anyone you want without a damn consequence."

"I've earned hubris."She whispered before she gestured to Hope who was staring at them."And i'd watch my tone of voice, love, there's a child in the room."

Mary looked at Hope, who had grown bored and was now sitting with their back to them, playing with her wooden knight in her own made up game. Mary stepped in front of Alexa's view of Hope, crossing her arms over her chest protectively.

"Leave."Jackson said, still snapping his bones into place as he looked up at his grandmother."I'll deal with-"

"You haven't done much with helping. This is between me and her, Jackson, stay out of it."She demanded before looking back at Alexa."If you touch that child-"

"How many times?"Alexa sighed in irritation."I don't harm children. I've only come to harm those who refuse to do as I say and, as you can see, your grandson refused me. I'm a nice enough person, love, just don't get in my way."

"I don't like vampires and neither do my family."Mary hissed, eyes flashing."So unless you want an entire pack coming after you, girlie, I suggest you leave right now."

"Are you commanding me?"Alexa giggled, hand over her chest, although her eyes darkened in a warning manner."Because if you are, love, I won't react well."

Mary pursed her lips before she forced a smile."Yes, I suppose I am commanding y-"

Alexa's hand moved quickly in a blurring motion.

With all the strength she could muster, she swiped at Mary's neck, taking the Elder werewolf's head with her.

Jackson let out a horrified, window shattering, scream as he watched his grandmother's head tumble to the floor, rolling away from her body.

"NO!"Jackson wailed, reaching out for his grandmother as her headless body collapsed to the ground."Oh, no...she can't-"

Alexa turned back to the kitchen and grabbed a towel, wiping her hand free of blood as she watched Jackson scramble over to his grandmother and hover over her headless body. Bloody was streaked along the wooden floor from the head extraction from it's shoulders and she slowly walked over to the wolf who had angry tears spilling from his eyes.

He raised his head and looked up at her, clearly not amused.

"Why?"

She pretended to ponder his question."I can't let it get out there that I take commands, can I? I told her – you either do as I want and nobody will get hurt or we can do it the hard way."

She flashed over to Jackson, curling her fingers in his dark hair and pulled him to his feet as she pulled out his phone from her pocket with her free hand.

"Let's make a call that might just save your life, shall we?"

He struggled against her as she yanked his head back, walking him towards the balcony doors, kicking them open. She quickly found Hayley's number and called it, bringing the phone to her ear as she waited for an answer.

"Now, you keep quiet until I tell you otherwise or I might just start picking off your friends one by one, love."

She smiled to herself when she heard Hayley's voice and she sound relieved."Jack? Finally, i've been worried. You've been gone for-"

"Sorry to disappoint, dearie, but it's not your delicious husband."

"What? Who the hell are you?"

"My name is yet to be revealed but know that i'm standing on your balcony right now."She responded with a purr, pulling tightener on Jackson's hair."And, let me tell you, going by how i've just tore your grandmother in law's head off of her shoulders, i'm not a nice person."

"Y-You did what?"Hayley replied, clearly troubled by the reveal of Mary's death as her voice turned emotional."Y-You're in my apartment?"

"You just got that?"Alexa laughed, looking into the room where Tristan was being held, noticing that he was trapped by a boundary spell going by the salt around him."I know that the news of her death is shocking but I thought you would've been more concerned by the fact that I have your husband and daughter mere inches from me."

"What?"Hayley's voice suddenly turned dangerous at the mention of her loved ones.

Hayley suddenly appeared on the balcony across from her, dropping her phone onto the ground below them. Alexa did the same and when Hayley moved to jump across, she held out her free hand, stopping her.

"Now, now, love, do you think you can move fast enough to stop me from slitting your husbands throat with my nail?"She challenged, proving it by curling her fingers back in Jackson's hair and forcefully pulling his head to the side."You see how he's not moving because he knows i'm superior? That's a sign on just how old and quick I am."

"If that's not proof enough, let me convince you."

She snapped her fingers and, all of a sudden, a dozen male and female vampire's appeared on the roofs of either buildings. Hayley looked around but stayed still, knowing that she was outnumbered.

"Beware of the numbers, Hayley...be smart."

Hayley's fingers curled around the railing, her eyes flashing amber.

"Listen to me, you little bitch, if you or any of your little minions touch my daughter or my husband, i'll tear your poisonous heart from your chest."

"Don't worry, love, I won't touch your little girl, she's not apart of my plan."She giggled, nails running down the side of Jackson's face before she dug them into his cheek."Your husband on the other hand? I'll consider letting him go if you do me a favor."

Hayley's jaw clenched as she smirked."You have friends? So do I? Better friends, in fact. Elijah Mikaelson."

Hayley was silent for a moment, clearly expecting Elijah to appear.

Alexa giggled."Silly girl. I have Elijah Mikaelson distracted at the moment thanks to the Strix."

The two went quiet for a second to hear the sound of Elijah fighting on the floor below. Hayley's smirk fell and she returned to looking angry.

"You're apart of the Strix."The hybrid stated.

She shrugged."They're sort of a friend of a friend."

"What do you want?"Hayley asked, tempted to jump over to the other balcony.

"I want Tristan de Martel and if I don't get him..."She pressed her sharp nail down on Jackson's cheek, scraping it across, scratching him deeply."something nasty will happen to your husband."

Hayley frowned, confused."If you're not Strix, who are you?"

She yanked Jackson's head back, lips brushing his ear as she said."Why don't you tell her, my darling?"

"Go to hell."

"Tell her or i'll pluck your tongue from your mouth."

He growled, panting for air as he looked at Hayley."Alexa! The bitch's name is Alexa."

Hayley's eyes widened in realization as she connected the name to the information Elijah had told her earlier that day. Alexa smiled when the noticed that Hayley had heard of her. The female vampire held on tighter to Jackson as Hayley's eyes flashed angrily.

"You can't have him."

"Did I stutter?"Alexa asked sarcastically, letting go of Jackson who, before he could escape, was held onto by two male vampires roughly. Alexa's fingers curled around the railing so tight that her knuckles turned white."Give me my friend, love, and all will go according to plan. I can't kill you because you're the mother of Niklaus' child and I don't fancy running for the rest of eternity but i'm certain that he won't be bothered if my friends here kill Jackson."

When Hayley didn't speak or move, Alexa turned to her vampires, Louie and Jadon.

"Boys?"

The pulled syringes out of their jackets and both of them injected Jackson with it, causing him to cry out.

"Wolfsbane."Alexa stated as Jackson coughed in pain."I injected him with it earlier and, since he is only an enhanced wolf, love, he'll pass out soon or just become really weak, I haven't the faintest idea."

"You want Tristan?"Hayley sneered at her."Come and get him. Fight a hybrid, fight me."

"I'm sorry, love, i'm a lady. I don't fight unless I have to, like with your husband here earlier and, like you already know, i'm very cruel when I want to be."She clapped her hands, gesturing to two male vampires and pointing at Hayley."But, please, feel free to fight with Pete and Killan."

Hayley backed into the Mikaelson home as the two male vampires jumped down in front of her, baring their fangs. As they cornered her into the home, she jumped across to the Mikaelson balcony, just in time to see Freya walking into the room. Hayley didn't have time to help the witch as one of the male vampires kicked her out of the room into the hallway, the other following.

"Who are you?"

Alexa straightened from her stance and rolled her eyes."I'm getting tired of answering that. Undo the spell on my friend here."She nodded towards a barely awake Tristan.

"I doubt that'll happen."Freya clenched her fist, causing Alexa to cry out, staggering backwards.

The female vampire cried out in pain just as another female vampire flashed into the room, slapping Freya across the face. Freya, unable to tame both of the old vampires, fell backwards against the wall, breaking the spell she had on Alexa.

Alexa flashed forward, grabbing the witch's arms and pinning them behind her back. She held out her hand towards the other female vampire and she passed her sire a knife which she held to Freya's throat.

"Undo the spell, love, or i'll undo you."

Freya hissed at her in anger."You dare lay a hand on me?"

"Undo the bloody spell!"

Freya, shaking angrily, whispered a few foreign words and Alexa, knowing by the witch's heartbeat that she wasn't doing something else, smiled.

"Thank you."

Alexa brought down the knife and stabbed the witch in the stomach before tossing her aside.

Freya fell to the ground, groaning painfully."AH!"

Alexa ignored her, kneeling down in front of Tristan after untying the ropes around him, hissing as vervain burned her skin. She slapped his cheek lightly as his head slumped forward.

"Tristan?"She tapped his cheek again."Tristan!"

His eyes opened, exhaustion in them as he lifted his head and a tired smile appeared on his face as he met her gaze.

"Alexa, my darling."He whispered before he let out a breathy laugh."I must be dreaming but, if I am, it is such a lovely dream to have if die sometime soon."

She laughed, shaking her head."You beguile me with your words, love, but you are not dying. Aya called me, told me you were in a spot of bother and I came to help."

"You came for me?"

"Always."

He smiled softly before he let his arm wrap around her shoulders as she pulled him to his shaky feet. The male vampire followed her out of the room, passing by a knocked out Hayley as they made their way down the stairs to the first floor. Her vampires followed her having let Jackson go, trailing after her as they made their way through the Mikaelson home toward the exit.

"The mangy cur...she bit me."

She nodded, already knowing that."I hear that Marcel, your new friend, has Niklaus' blood. He is close by and you'll get it from him."

She looked up when a group of vampires, who she knew as Strix, stopped in front of her with Aya leading him.

"I couldn't find the medallion, I had no time, but I Carla got it from the sister."She passed the male vampire to Aya who steadied him, snapping her fingers and Carla handed her the medallion.

Aya smirked, impressed, pocketing the coin."You did good...you'd make a good Strix."

Alexa pursed her lips, shaking her head."I prefer being the matriarch of my own family."

She gestured to Tristan, worried.

"Take him to Marcel, he has the cure to the bites."

Tristan lifted his head, asking."You're aren't coming?"

She walked towards him, hands coming up and cupping his cheeks.

"I'll catch up."

She nodded to Aya who returned it before leading Tristan out of the Mikaelson home.