Chapter 9: Protect the Innocent

"Why don't you live in a normal looking house?" Aaliyah had asked once they got out of the car. Her brown eyes were wide at the sight and she seemed amazed at the place. Once again, it was unfamiliar to her as she was used to the Bayou.

"Let's put it this way. We had a nice large house with a bunch of different rooms and huge balconies. Then his family decided to take the place from us and then we moved to an abandon building. Long story short, we ended up in this ugly penthouse which I only recently started renovating"

"You complained about this place seven years ago and you are still complaining..." Marcel said looking at Violet who was leaning on the hood of the car.

"Marcel, we are stuck to a one floor, two bedroom loft type thing and I hate it. It's ugly, the way Lucien had it was beautiful and then I don't know what the hell you did to it. At least when I was irritated I got to disappear into a different room in the compound. Now I have to take an elevator"

The banter on the penthouse was something that was never going to end. It wasn't a secret that Violet hated the place and she had already regretted painting the living area a dark purple. It didn't change the look of it and it just wasn't doing the trick for her.

Marcel had bent down to pick Aaliyah up but this time she opted for being carried in his arms. Locking the car up, the three made their way into the building.

"What does renovated mean?" She asked as they were taking the elevator up to the floor.

Marcel looked down at her as she was looking at him. "It means..." He paused trying to think of a way to explain it. "It means to fix things. She didn't like the blue and grey colors I had going before so she decided to paint it purple"

"Do you like purple because of your name?"

It was Violet's turn to look away from the number on the elevator and over to the girl. "You are a very curious nine year old...I have a reputation for liking the color yes but it's not my favorite"

Aaliyah had given her a skeptical but cute look. "Sure...And I'm six and a half, not nine"

Marcel had smirked at her words and held in a laugh. It was funny to him due to the fact that Violet seemed to be met with her match. She had everything on her plate and this was another notch in her belt.

No one else said anything once they reached the floor. Stepping out, Marcel tried reaching into his pants pocket for the keys to the place but it was difficult while holding Aaliyah. "Could I have a little help?"

Turning to him, Violet raised an eyebrow then looked at his pants pocket. She felt that she was in this predicament once and history was repeating. Taking a deep breath, she stepped over and gritted her teeth once she reached her hand inside of his jeans pocket. After what felt like forever, she eventually fished the keys out.

She glared at him once the doors opened and stepped inside. Aaliyah had asked for Marcel to put her down once she saw the large, glass windows that over looked the city. She ran as fast as she could with her bruised ankle over to it. Pressing her hands against it, it was almost like she was a kid in a candy store.

Marcel had another smirk appearing on his face. His eyes trailed over to Violet who was standing right at his side as usual. They both had been focused on the little girl that the silence they shared was peaceful. Violet had looked over for the hundredth time that day and smiled warmly.

"Here's your keys, I'm going to give her a bath" She said which seemed to be the only noise in the place.

As she started walking away, he reached for her hand. "Hey, I'm sorry about the jacket"

"Its fine, all I have to do is wash it. We both know I was being dramatic out there" She hadn't commented on them holding hands until she pulled away.

Stepping over to the window, she bent down to face Aaliyah. "How about we get you out of those clothes and into a nice hot bath?"

She was so interested looking out the window that it took her a moment to respond. Nodding at the idea, Violet held her arms out in order to carry her once again. Marcel had watched them and was growing impressed at the way she was taking control of the situation. Even though she didn't want to do anything, she sure seemed to be stepping up to the plate.

"Hey can you get me one of your t-shirts for her to change in? Mine will probably be too short and yours at least will keep her warmer than mine. Oh and maybe try finding a pair of shorts from me" Violet spoke on her way to the bathroom.

Once they reached the room, she closed the door and put Aaliyah down who wanted to stand once again taking in the scenery. "My home wasn't anything like this...Are you rich?"

Violet had already started the water and was checking how hot it was before looking over her shoulder. "Let's just say we've both had a lot of time to collect a lot of money. And this place was a friends, well enemy well you get where I'm going with this"

They remained silent for a little longer until the water was good to go. "I'm going to be right outside the room for you so just call when you're done, okay?"

She had nodded and put her hand in the water playing with it a little. As Violet was walking away to leave the bathroom, Aaliyah spoke to her.

"I lied earlier, I know what I am. I'm a wolf" Violet had blinked once and thought it over. So she wasn't in the dark as she believed she was.

"Not yet you are but you come from a line of them. Can I ask you a question?" She waited until Aaliyah said it was okay. "Do you know what I am? And what Marcel is?"

The girl had laughed a little finding it funny. "You're vampires, that's why you live here. I may be six and a half but I know a lot. My Mom and Dad talked"

Violet had nodded before slipping out of the room. She saw Marcel digging through a dresser trying to figure out where her clothes were. "Shorts are in the bottom drawer...She knows about us and herself"

"So I heard considering you had the door cracked open" After grabbing the clothes he walked over and held them out to her. "I was thinking we should give her a few days before asking anything major. She seems like she trusts us enough"

Violet agreed. "And very curious. I just hope this doesn't backfire on us or anything"

She was going to continue until she heard the gentle voice call out which was her cue to go back in.

Helping Aaliyah get dressed, she grabbed a hair brush and led her back out into the bedroom. "You can stay here tonight. Your room can be the other one but Marcel and I have to fix that one up a little bit"

She nodded and walked over to the bed but sitting down on it. "This is way bigger than my bedroom at home...Am I ever going back there?"

"Do you know exactly what happened out there today?"

Violet asked right as Marcel reentered yet again. He didn't say anything and just wanted to listen and make sure everything was okay.

Aaliyah had looked down at her hands and then lifted her ankle to look it over. "Are my Mom and Dad dead?"

Violet's breath had been taken from her and Marcel closed his mouth shut as he was going to say something. They both had been hoping that Aaliyah wasn't that familiar even though the dead bodies were a dead giveaway and what happened. She didn't need to be put in that mess nor did she need to see it at her age. There weren't any words to say because they didn't want to tell her anything but she probably already knew.

"It's been a long day, why don't you get some rest?" Marcel finally said to break the silence. Violet bobbed her head in her direction thinking it was a good idea.

She set the brush on the nightstand and told her that if she wanted to get a little more comfortable there she could. Aaliyah climbed into the bed fully and pulled the covers up but Marcel had helped tuck her in. Violet left one of the lights on for her before they left the room.

Violet shut the doors quietly while he walked over to the bar to get two drinks. "It's been a long day is the understatement of the year. Did I think six months ago I would be in this predicament, no"

Leaning on the bar counter, she swiped the glass from his hand before he was able to give it to her.

Marcel took a drink before talking. "Tell me about it. I just came back to life from a witch spell into werewolf business that I don't have any part in for once"

She had taken her jacket off and realized that her clothes were in the bedroom. Violet didn't want to go back in there to disturb her so she sighed before moving over to the couch. "You might want to change your muddy shirt" She commented as he sat on the couch on the opposite side of her.

He took a moment to look down at himself forgetting about the whole ordeal. "My clothes are in the bedroom. Speaking of, you take Sofya's old room"

She disagreed and took another drink. "No, you take it. Though there isn't a bed in there anymore, it's just a bunch of new furniture that I was going to use. I want to stay out here just in case she needs me" Marcel smiled a little and laughed a little at her comment. "Now what are you laughing about? I'm too tired to argue with you"

He threw his hands up defensively. "Who said anything about arguing? I just find you confusing after all this time. Here you are complaining that we took this little girl in and then it's you who is taking care of her"

Violet's eyes looked over his head direction and then she rolled them. Marcel knew he got his point across but she wasn't going to admit it. "I grew up with my brothers and sisters and when my Momma died I had to take care of them because I was the oldest. I just..."

"Your Motherly instincts are kicking in" He joked and in return got a glare so of course Marcel got another laugh out of the situation. "We're going to have to do all we can for her"

"I still don't see why we have to keep her" She commented lowly before taking another drink.

"She's isn't an animal Violet, she needs someone to fight for her because she has no one. Her family is dead, her pack is dead and she only has us. I fought for Davina and I'll fight for Aaliyah because she can't fight or fend for herself"

Violet knew that everything he was saying was the truth but she just didn't want to be put in the situation. They were going to have to act like parents to a girl that they didn't even know. She didn't have an instinct in her body like Marcel was saying to take over. Sure she took care of siblings but that was forever ago and in her human years.

"I need sleep...It's been a long day" She said finishing her drink and placing it on the glass coffee table. She made herself comfortable on the couch but glanced over at Marcel. "You taking the room or what?"

He shook his head getting more comfortable. "No, I'll stay out here and keep you company just in case you need something"

Morning had finally hit New Orleans and it began like any other morning...For anyone not caught up in wolf drama. The bayou had been normal like any day except for the massacre that decided to happen the day before.

Some of the wolves had gone out into the swamp to see what was left. They were the ones responsible for the massacre and they were extra careful not to leave anyone left…Little did they know that they actually did.

"I want everyone to spread out around here" Bradi had ran a hand through his gelled brown hair standing next to a body. He wasn't sure who they were nor did he care to know. "You guys can go left, you two go right and I'll stay out here"

Mara and Celestia were among the wolves that were assigned to start checking everything. It was a bittersweet feeling knowing that they had done this but most of them weren't bothered. The Crescent and North East Atlantic had been raging a war from the beginning of time leading it back to Esther and Mikael. It seemed like the war would never end as they all hated each other for what reason?

"Anyone saw Dakota this morning? I tried calling him but I didn't get an answer" He asked the two girls while roaming through the bodies.

He knew that Mara hadn't as they were together all that time. It left the red headed wolf to answer. "I don't keep tabs on anyone but now that you say that no. He's probably shacked up in that fancy place with your vampire"

"Someone sounds bitter" Mara commented.

Bradi had scratched the side of his head thinking of what she said. Dakota had been keeping his parade with Violet under wraps for the last six months. He didn't wonder if things were turning in a way he didn't want. He didn't want Dakota to screw everything up by falling completely in love with her. He had promised nothing would come out of it but it wasn't a for sure fact.

"Is that what he has been doing? Staying with her?" Bradi was unaware and it looked like Celestia had tripped up on her words. There was a line of keeping distance but Dakota already crossed it. He seemed puzzled at the thought of it all. "I just hope he knows what he's doing"

"He knows, he's not going to betray us if that is what you are thinking. He isn't that stupid even though it may seem like it" Mara was only kidding but she got a few laughs from a few of the wolves.

"Any news on Marcel yet? His whereabouts?"

A wolf that was passing by them had spoken. "Last I heard his in NY with that Mikaelson chick so I don't think he'll be around"

Celestia cocked her head towards him. "Funny because I heard he was dead"

Aaliyah had opened the doors from the bedroom gently and peered through the crack. She had momentarily forgotten the night before and where she was. It took her a minute to realize she was with the two people that saved her yesterday.

Both Marcel and Violet had been sitting watching the news that was reporting something about people being murdered in the swamp. They hadn't noticed that she had woken up because they were trying to collect any information that the news report was saying.

"Did they find him yet?"

Her delicate voice had made them jump and turn in her direction. Marcel quickly shut the TV off before she could see anything they were reporting.

"Hey you…How did you sleep?" Violet asked shifting her eyes towards him for a moment.

"It was scary…I don't like these windows. I've never been so high up in a building before. I'm a little hungry"

"What is your favorite thing to eat in the morning?"

Aaliyah had quietly moved over to the sofa that Violet was sitting in and seemed to really ponder the question. Her face had lit up when she thought of something, it was something that she had been doing since they picked her up yesterday. She could look sad but a split second later she seemed at peace with herself.

"My Mom used to make me pancakes with blueberries all the time. Can you make those?"

It was hard not to smile or even fall in love with her from the beginning. She was cute whenever she asked a question as if she was curious about everything. After all most six year olds were but it was something they weren't used to.

Violet looked over at Marcel. "I'm going to change and I'll go run to the store to pick up some things because we really need food in this place now that there is a human here" He had agreed with her and said it would be best for him to stay here with her because she couldn't go with Violet. She looked back toward the little girl. "What do you like to do? I'll pick up some things for you to do in here"

"I like to color and paint. I did a lot of that at home. Do you think they have that at the store you're going to?" Aaliyah asked staring at Violet once she got up.

"Don't worry, I've got this whole situation handled" She said walking into the bedroom in order to change out of yesterday's clothes.

Marcel had sat opposite of Aaliyah before calling out to Violet. "I'm actually a wolf" She whispered to him with a little smile mocking Violet for the human comment.