Note: This is a little back story of my character Carrie. I hope it explains her motivation to go after Coraline.

I was born Carissa du Noailles, in 1774, in Versailles, France.

My family, the Noailles, and Coraline's had been intertwined long before the storming of the Bastille in 1789. We were both relatives of King Louis XVI, but my family had been allowed to stay in the royal palace of Versailles, while Coraline's had been relegated to a town house in the village. They had always been jealous of that, and of the importance of my grandmother to the Queen.

When the Reign of Terror began, vampires weren't the only ones to meet the guillotine. I watched three generations of women in my family executed for trumped up treason charges. I was young and had caught the attention of Coraline's brother, Lance. He pitied me for my disability, and I'm sure my full bosom made it easier to overlook it. He and his family were not executed, and somehow escaped the critical eye of the people and Robespierre. Lance said he would help me. When he took me into his home, raped me while Coraline laughed, then turned me into a vampire, I wished to God I had been beheaded along with my grandmother, mother, and older sister.

And so I understood fully the horror of having a monster for a sire. I had empathized with Mick, for I knew what Coraline was. But I kept my secret from him and Daryl, for by the time we had met Mick ten years ago, he had said Coraline was dead. I had no knowledge of the "cure" she and her family had used. It explained a lot. It explained how Coraline and her brothers, all vampires, had escaped execution. There had been nothing that could have saved my family.

And so I became what amounted to a servant in their household, where once I was a respected young woman at court. And despite my new-found strength and ability to communicate, Lance was still my sire, and I had to submit to him and his brothers in all ways imaginable. We couldn't stay in one place for long, but travelled and stayed for a time in cities all over Europe. This was my life for 125 years.

When Coraline left for America, in 1919, Lance instructed me to go with her as her maid and companion. But once we got there, her jealousy and disgust compelled her to cast me out, and I was forced to make a life for myself. But I was finally free. I grew stronger despite my initial poverty, and ended up working in the fish market at the docks. It was smelly work, but I had access to ice, and later, a freezer all my own.

When Beth came to me, she finally confirmed for me something I had suspected but could not have proven fifty years before: Coraline had known about Daryl's turning. She had known, and had done nothing. She had let this beautiful man suffer and left him to die, or worse, become a rogue vampire. When I had gone to her, she had lied to my face.

"Caressa, I'm very surprised to see you still in the country, let alone in Los Angeles. Lance will be interested to know your whereabouts." She always knew just what to say to twist the stake.

You and your bastard brother can both go to hell. But before you go, I have a question to ask you. What do you know about an abandoned turning down at the docks three days ago?

"Why, I don't know what you mean, cousin." She flipped her cigarette away with a flick of her red-tipped fingernails. She blew smoke in my face, almost as if by accident. "Has he gone rogue?"

No. I saw to it that he was taken care of. It's funny though. I could have sworn I smelled your scent around him, along with the scent of the vamp who bit him.

She laughed. "You think I would be at the docks? Now why would I be at such a low, nasty place, when I could be here in the hills in my beautiful home?" If you were to look up condescension in the dictionary…

Well, you don't need to worry about him; he's mine now.

She fixed herself a martini and regarded me as she would a spot on her dress.

"It was nice of you to track me down to let me know. So, cousin, what are you up to these days?"

None of your damn business. Despite what you and your family have done to me, I'm managing quite well. Stay out of my life, bitch. I caught her sudden movement out of the corner of my eye. She had pulled her arm back to slap me across the face. I caught her wrist in time, and held it firmly away. She was older than me, but I immediately knew I was stronger. She had lived a life of ease, and it showed.

I laughed. I'm not a young vamp you can push around anymore Coraline. You'd be well to remember that. I yanked her arm behind her back and looked deeply into her eyes. I could actually see a touch of fear there. We were both on the verge of changing. Stay away from what is mine. You won't be taking anything more from me ever again.

I shoved her away, and was pleased to see her stumble on her two-inch heels. That was the last time I had seen her. Until now. A taxi had dropped me off in front of the brightly lit town house, and I stood a moment in the darkness of early morning, remembering all that I had suffered within those opulent walls. The family still owned it and several were currently in residence, as I had discovered in my research. I had a feeling that if Lance had taken Coraline anywhere, it would be here.

I kept my distance, knowing full well they would sense another vampire outside their home. I would bide my time, and rebuild my arsenal. I missed my weapons I couldn't carry on the plane. I needed blood too after the long flight. It would have to be tomorrow night, I thought in disappointment. But I had waited fifty years; one more day would make no difference.

I walked through the empty streets of Versailles, until I found the inn I was looking for. The owner was a vampire, and I knew I would find blood and a freezer there. I felt a twinge of guilt when I thought that by now Daryl would have found me gone. I would call him when the job was done; any sooner, and wouldn't be able to stop myself from telling him everything, which would compel him to hop the first flight after me. He knew very little of my past, and nothing of my association with Coraline and her family. This knowledge might have led to his death. There was no way I would allow him to be hurt by anyone ever again. That, after all, was why I had come back to France.