My mother was a tailor, she sewed my new blue jeans. My sweetheart, he was a gambler lord, renowned in New Orleans

::~

Crush. Crick. Crack. Music to his ears. Against the music blaring a few blocks away, it was almost imperceptible to anyone but him. The cover of the Freret Street Festival was just enough cover for him to make his rounds. He'd heard several witches would be gathering at the celebration, and it was the perfect time to glean information from whichever one he could catch. Perhaps then, he could find out why so many werewolves were branding fashionable new rings.

But most of all, knowing he was killing them off one by one gave him more satisfaction than he'd like admit.

::~

They kept to the darkness, a witch on every corner as the monster feasted on flesh. The flesh of the innocent, the true keepers of the balance of nature. It was their task to maintain order, yet wherever there was good, there was malice-accompanied by a vampire. Slowly they raised their hands, lights exploding from the streetlights. As darkness fell and enveloped everyone on the street, they made their move. The wind billowed softly, surrounding the Original Hybrid, almost caressing his cool skin before it began to pick up speed and cut off the circulation of air into his lungs. Klaus dropped his subject, his eyes flashing as he tried to spot the invisible enemy.

"What is this?" He growled, before shards of glass were lifted off the ground and joined the tornado the witches had concocted. Sharp pieces slid across his skin, allowing his blood to flow. He hissed, his arms flying up to shield his face from the oncoming blows. With one resounding clap that carried through the air as the witches ended their attack, the shards of glass dropped all around him and the air became still once again. Klaus lowered his arms, his eyes glowing bright gold as he scanned the street for any attackers. But the witches seemed to have vanished, just as quickly as they had arrived. Holding his hand out in front of him, he watched as the cuts healed, his skin sealing as if nothing had happened. His eyes returned once again to their normal color, as the hybrid realized the threat was over. Underneath his feet, the body he had been feeding on lay cut up, unrecognizable to the human eye. The sound of joyous singing and the thumping of drums reached his ears, as he remembered that the festival was still ongoing-the humans continued their meaningless lives, completely unaware of what had just happened. With another growl, Klaus shoved his hands in his pockets and slinked into the unsuspecting crowd, vowing to find whoever dared lift a finger against him.

The sky was lightly littered with specks of pink and yellow, as the sun began to wake. New Orleans, the city full of life was silent, the streets empty. As the humans began to wake, the creatures that went bump in the night slowly retreated to their dark corners, where they would wait. Four women entered a small house, a vial of blood in each of their hands. As they ascended the stairs, their white robes flowed beautifully behind them, gliding along the air.

"This will give her enough life for a century," The eldest said as she opened the door. Beyond, a sleek black coffin lay in the middle of the room. The sun trickling through the window lit up the room just enough to make it visible. "We must prepare the spell. Mix the blood with wine, it will help her drink."

::~

"You look like shit." She said, her eyes skimming the top of the page of the book in her hands. Hayley was curled up on the couch, and she looked like she hadn't spoken at all. It was a good book, one she would have liked to finish had Klaus not stormed in looking like he was hit by a steamroller. The hybrid was already frustrated, and she really wanted to make sure he was alright, but she knew it would just set him off.

That didn't stop her from teasing him, however. She saw him brace himself and take a deep breath before entering the library, and Hayley hid her smirk behind her book. He went straight for the scotch on the table before he said a word. "An astute observation, Little Wolf. It appears I underestimated the witches." Klaus said with a sneer before bringing the glass to his lips.

"As usual." Hayley tried to pretend to seem disinterested. Klaus scowled at her, and that earned his attention. She set her book down and turned towards him, crossing her legs underneath her. Her gray eyes scanned him from top to bottom. He looked like he had healed, but his clothes were tattered. Whatever had attacked him got away with it, a thought that did not settle well in her stomach. Hayley would never let herself admit it out loud, but when Klaus got hurt it bothered her more than it should have. Maybe it was because of their daughter, and she felt a need to help and protect him too. "What happened?" Hayley asked, tilting her head.

Klaus was prepared to bear the five minutes of sass Hayley gave him and then go to his room and plot, but now that she had given him his attention, he decided to stay in the library a little longer. It wasn't every day she chose to listen to him without it being demanded, and most of the time he made her angry when he did and then there was no way they could talk to each other. Klaus sat comfortably on the couch across from her, the alcohol between them as a reminder of why they were there in the first place. If it hadn't been for that drunken night, maybe their lives would never have crossed paths again.

"I was attacked in the Quarter by our witch friends, I presume." He was antsy, she could tell. He was sitting before her, but his presence was deceiving. He sat there, his fists clenching and unclenching. Klaus was a caged lion, impatient for his next kill. By the looks of it, he did not know who attacked him.

Hayley set her book beside her, her legs crossing delicately underneath her. "Any idea who's head you need to rip off?" She asked fruitlessly. Taking another swig, Klaus sneered.

"If I had little wolf, the blood I am covered in would not be my own. No, they escaped me. But no matter, I will draw them out. Leave no stone unturned, that kind of matter." He set his class on the table in front of him with such force, Hayley was surprised it did not shatter underneath his fingers. The wolf girl picked up her book once again, not wanting to waste her time hearing his grandiose threats.

"Good luck, I guess. Tell me who I need to bite into when the time comes." She sighed, her eyes skimming the page once again. Klaus rose and strode towards the door, a small smile on his lips.

::~

It was said that at the grand cemetery, between the hours of midnight and dawn, the dead danced on their graves. If you listened closely, faint music could be heard wafting from the ancient ruins. The tombstones sang, the leaves shook, as the old ancestors of New Orleans enjoyed their fleeting hours of life.

Of course, this was simply a story. Elaina bright as she was, never believed the tales. The dead walked among them every waking hour of the day. The ancestors rested in peace, making their will through those remaining on Earth. The witch carried her candle delicately in her hand, the flame unwavering. If only her family could see the great service she was doing now. Finally putting an end to those who were a crime against nature. Soon She would be ready to rise.

A slight draft entered the old house, and with it entered the first rays of sunlight. Carefully the young witch placed her candle on the windowsill, soft words leaving her lips. As the sunlight touched flame, it burned with intensity. She would not fail. She would save her sisters, bound by the Earth, from their mission.

::~