I hadn't realized that the sun had come up until it started to cast a glare on my coffee table. All night, I had gone through all of my journals, every memory I'd ever written down and I still couldn't find anything that resembled the blonde woman who
seemed to know me. How was that even possible? I had to have some recollection of her? She seemed way to familiar. I had lived 1000 years and I couldn't even remember one person? Growling, I threw my coffee table against the wall and it shattered,
but I didn't care. Tired of the four walls I'd come to call home, I headed to the nearest bar for a drink. It might've been early in the morning but that didn't matter if you were up all night. Plus, it's five o'clock somewhere, right?
Deciding on a little bar in town called Russo's, I walked in and was happy to find that it wasn't crowded. A ton of people would not be welcome in my current state of mind. I'd be more liable to turn them into a meal, and I really hate to eat before I
drink. It lessens the buzz! Taking a seat at the bar, I didn't even look up at the waitress as I ordered a scotch. She set the glass down in front of me and I threw it back within seconds, slamming the empty glass on the bar, requesting another with
the flick of the hand.
"Isn't it a little early for heavy drinking?" I heard the waitress joke in some lame attempt to probably get a tip. She gave me a curt knowing smile.
I was just about to tell her where she can shove her attitude until I saw her. She was the woman from last night dressed as an angel. Only now she wore a t-shirt and jeans. Her dirty blonde hair that was tucked neatly back last night, now hung around
her face.
Well, my luck is finally starting to change.
"Not if you've been up all night." I replied, smiling at her sweetly. "Hey, I recognize you! I saw you at the gala last night."
She looked shocked at my sudden cheery tone, but replied nonetheless. "You do? I don't remember seeing you. In fact, I don't think I know you. Are you new here?" The bartender poured me another scotch, eyeing me quizzically.
"Oh, where are my manners. Yes, I am new. Moved here just a few days ago. The name is Annalise." I stuck my hand out for her to shake and she took it eagerly.
"Cami. It's nice to meet you." She said, smiling back at me. "How have you been here for a few days yet this is the first time I'm seeing you? Usually all the newcomers stop here first."
I laughed, honestly surprised she was still being so nice. "I was getting settled into my new place the first few days and only decided to venture out last night when I heard about the gala. Who was that lovely blonde woman you were with? She looked familiar."
"Oh you mean Rebekah?" She supplied with genuine curiosity. This was going to be easier than I thought.
"Yes, Rebekah! Thank you. I met her briefly when I first arrived and she was so sweet, but I'm just terrible with names. I didn't want to say hi and look like an idiot forgetting her." I lied of course. I'm a 1000 year old vampire and I was great with
names but she didn't need to know that.
After finding out what I needed to know, I made small chit chat with Cami, thinking she could be of use to me while I was here. Being a bartender, she probably heard all the gossip that goes on in this town. She had invited me to come to the annual Dauphine
street music festival tonight and I told her I'd stop by later and with that I left the bar feeling much better than when I had entered.
Now I just need a new coffee table.
-
Once the coffee table was purchased and I had cleaned up the mess I made in my living room, the sun was starting to set and I could hear the music festival beginning. Throwing on a pair of skinny jeans and a plain black shirt, I made my way to the festival,
weaving through the streets of people. Thankfully, I remembered to drink half a blood bag when I got home or else I wouldn't be able to handle this.
Scanning the massive crowds of people, I noticed that the streets were crawling with vampires but there were absolutely no witches out. I had taken note of how many witches that resided here when I first arrived and for there being none out, something
seemed off. I hadn't figured out who was running the vampires yet, as someone usually does, but that was my goal tonight.
Seeing a young girl with a man who was obviously a vampire, I followed them and noticed that young girl was a very powerful witch. I could practically feel the magic radiating off of her. Something about her must've been special if she was the only one
allowed at this festival. I took a spot just far away from them where they wouldn't notice me but I could still keep an eye on them. Pushing my dark straight hair behind my eye, I listened carefully for anything that might be useful.
"So is it everything you hoped for?" The deep masculine voice asked.
"Yeah!" The girl replied, her voice sounding happier than I've heard anyone here sound.
"So we should probably go over the rules." He told her.
"I won't talk to anyone about anything. I won't say anything about witches or vampires or Originals or you. But you said you weren't going to hover." The girl told the vampire with a smile.
Apparently he was the one I should be following. If he was commanding a witch, I was assuming he was the one in charge. Keeping my distance, I saw Cami come in and the man who was with the little witch started having a conversation with her. I had made
the right decision in choosing her as my newest friend. I finally saw the vampire walk off, which opened up a spot next to Cami and the girl. Luck really was on my side today.
"Cami!" I exclaimed, walking over to her and the girl.
"Annalise! You actually came." Cami sounded surprised while the girl just looked apprehensively at me. "Davina, this is Annalise. She just moved here and I met her this morning and invited her to come."
"Hello!" I said sweetly as I gave my hand for Davina to shake. "It's so nice to meet you."
Davina shook my hand and said a quiet you too before turning back to the band. I noticed her staring at one person in particular and decided to use this to bond with her. I didn't need a powerful witch as an enemy. Not my first week in town at least.
"What's his name? Hot guy with the fiddle." I asked her with a smirk.
She blushed immediately. "Tim. I'd knew he'd be here. He always performs at these kind of things."
"How long have you two known each other?" Cami asked, intrigued by Davina's crush as well.
"Since we were 10." Davina told us shyly. "I had to leave school and didn't get to say goodbye, so I was hoping to talk to him tonight."
"Why don't you go talk to him after he's done playing?" I suggested, nudging Davina's shoulder.
Davina smiled and the three of us sat together and listened to the rest of the set. When they were done, we all started to look for Tim but he was no where to be seen which was very odd.
"Well he couldn't have gone far. He just got off stage a minute ago." I said, looking through the people and trying to spot him. "I'll go look for him."
This was the perfect opportunity to try and find the vampire the two of them were talking to earlier. I had forgotten about my mission while I was hanging out with Cami and Davina. During my years as a vampire, I hadn't had many friends, constantly having
to move around with Dahlia. She has been my only friend for years. At first, I tried to make friends with the witches but they all thought I was an abomination and tried to kill me. Trust me, that didn't go over real well. That only has to happen
once for me to learn my lesson. After that, I tried to be friends with vampires but once they found out the truth, they hated me as well or just wanted to use me for my magic. Being the only vampire witch hybrid turns out it isn't as fun as it sounds.
Lost in my thoughts I was about to turn a corner when I spotted the vampire I was looking for being approached by a priest. Hiding in the shadows, I listened to the conversation.
"Marcel." The priest said, looking very angry.
"Father Kieran. Welcome back!" Marcel greeted. "I wasn't sure when you'd be coming home."
"I can tell, judging by what's going on in my church attic." Father Kieran explained.
"Oh. I didn't think you'd mind. Lord knows I've done you a favor or two." Marcel said with a hint of irritation in his voice.
"The sister Rebekah, I saw her earlier, snooping around the church, asking about the attic. She doesn't know I take vervain." Father Kieran told Marcel. I would have to see what was so special about this attic.
"No disrespect for the grieving process, for you and your church, but just so I know, are you here to help, or are you just gonna drop in with criticism?" Marcel was getting angrier by the minute.
"Never forget, Marcel, that you live in this city by the grace of those that know your secret and tolerate you." Father Kieran had balls, I'd give him that.
"And this city thrives because of me and my people. Anytime you need a reminder of that, just let me know." Marcel threatened.
Father Kieran had nothing else to say to that and just walked back the way he came. I was about to do the same thing when I heard Marcel's voice again.
"You can come out now. I know you were listening." Marcel announced to the darkness I was in.
Smirking, I slowly walked out of the shadows. "Hello, Marcel. Lovely to meet you."
"Who are you?" He demanded, now standing inches away from my face.
"Easy now. You have to buy me a drink before you get that close." I teased, taking a step back.
"I won't ask again. Who. Are. You." Marcel spat out, his eyes changing, trying to intimidate me. Hunger and rage mixed together in his almond colored eyes.
Laughing, I was amused at how he was trying to scare me. "You're going to have to do better than that."
Next thing I knew, his hand was at my throat and I was against the brick wall that was behind me. "How did you get into my city without me knowing?" He growled at me.
I feigned losing oxygen, but just couldn't keep up the facade for long. I laughed again and in one swift motion, I had him pinned against the wall he had me on.
"Don't toy with me. I'm much stronger than you'll ever be." My voice had become deadly and I was about to continue when I heard footsteps approaching us. "Looks like we'll finish this later, Marcel."
Leaving him with that, I sped off back to my apartment, wondering just how long it would be until I was found. No matter how long, I was going to have fun while I was here.
