"They look so yummy." Marietta purred, laying on the rough with her head propped on her hands. She kicked her feet and hummed as she watched the humans walk beneath them.

Astrid crossed her arms and stood over the child. Marietta had thrashed her way to the town, having no discretion in her mindset. Astrid hoped they ran into one of Benito's men, she would gladly hand the newborn over. It would be saving her the pain.

The older vampire looked over the streets and held her nose up, inhaling deeply. Their scent was faint but one of his men had been in the area. She turned her back to the streets and surveyed the trees surrounding it, looking for any sign that they were being watched. It was silent and lacked the smell of vampire. Astrid looked down at Marietta.

"Let's move on."

She pouted, "I don't get a snack, at least?"

Astrid bared her teeth and Marietta quickly stood, although she made a point in giving Astrid a loathing look. It took imaging Maria tearing Astrid apart to not rip Marietta's head apart. She shook her head and jumped off the rooftop, heading straight for the trees. She led the way to the next town, a good fifteen minute run, and ignored Marietta's complaint of nothing happening. She wanted to close her ears and shake her head to get rid of her annoying voice. Astrid knew vampires were supposed to sound beautiful to lure humans but it must have missed Marietta and her squeaky voice.

The night was painstakingly long. They surveyed every town in their area before finally Astrid led them back to the farm. She was relieved when Marietta dashed somewhere else and finally allowed Astrid peace and quiet. She reported to Maria of the lack in vampires and the woman snarled before turning away. Astrid took her chance and escaped to a tree, sitting cross legged and watching as more patrols returned. By daybreak everyone was back with reports of not seeing anyone. She wasn't shocked, Benito would be aware of his missing man and preparing for battle.

Major walked in the yard with his newborn. The man was trembling beside him, his eyes downcast as Major reported the same as everyone else. Maria frowned and spun on her heel, stomping to her room as usual. Major looked up and met Astrid's eyes. He sat next to her on the branch, placing his hands in his lap and gazing down.

"Anything?"

"Nothing. I could smell that they had been there but not for a while." She shrugged.

Harry walked beneath them with Maggie, the two laughing over a joke. The newborns gathered in the center of the yard and praised each other on their first patrol. She could tell that a couple had lost it out there by the blood on their clothes and bright red eyes. She assumed if she hadn't been with Marietta she too would've killed.

Peter hung upside down in front of them, boyishly grinning, "Hello. Having a chat without me again?"

"We were just saying how annoying you are." Astrid snarked.

He pouted, "But I'm your favorite annoying one."

She nodded in agreement as her eyes fell onto Marietta as she pressed her body against a rugged man. They smiled luringly at each other before disappearing. She shook her head.

"Where's your pet?" Major mockingly looked around.

"You have a weird obsession with me and Char. I'm slightly worried, Major." Peter raised an eyebrow.

Major eyed him and reached his hand up, breaking the branch that was holding Peter. He yelped and fell, using his nails to hold onto the tree trunk. He glared haughtily up at them. Astrid covered her mouth as she smiled, shaking her head at their antics.

"It's weird for you to have a steady girl, that's all." Astrid commented.

Peter climbed up the tree so he was at their eye level, "I have a feeling about her, that's all."

Of course, his gift. He wouldn't be so dependent on her if it wasn't for the nagging feeling she would give him something.

"And all the other feelings." Major murmured.

Peter snarled, "Shut up."

Major raised an eyebrow and leaped off the branch. He landed gracefully and looked up at them before heading towards the barn. Astrid and Peter exchanged looks before darting to his side, smelling Robert from ten feet away. Major opened the doors and Peter gleefully entered, rubbing his hands together as he took in the weak man. He was slouched over in the chains, his head at his chest. He was missing all of his fingers.

"Oh boy, I've been waiting for ya'll to include me." Peter said, grabbing Robert by the hair to gaze into his face. Robert gave a pitiful growl low in his chest.

Astrid stayed in the back as the men had their fun with Robert. Major played with Robert's emotions, putting him on a rollercoaster to get something out of him. The man didn't budge. Peter began to cut his toes and Robert screamed yet still kept his mouth shut. Major snarled and raised his fist, punching him in the face. Robert's face cracked and groaned but Major continued, adding more strength with each hit. He was frustrated in the lack of answers.

Astrid turned her head at the sound of a fight beginning in the yard. The newborns were egging each other on, laughing as one was pushed to the ground. She turned back to the men with indifference. No doubt Maria wanted a show after the lack of information. Peter and Major stepped back to gaze at Robert before looking at each other and nodding in agreement to stop. She knew that soon enough Robert would crack. His starvation hadn't fully kicked in yet.

Astrid waited for Major before she opened the door. They would come back again tomorrow night.

"No!"

Peter snarled at Charlotte's scream. Astrid turned to take in the fight, watching as Marietta viciously scratched at Maggie. Maggie wasn't as strong and stumbled back, holding her hands in defense. She kicked her leg out and Marietta took advantage, grabbing it and twisting hard. Maggie fell to the ground, clawing at the ground as Marietta dragged her closer.

"You think you're too good for us? Huh? You and your freaks hang out together but won't speak to the rest of us?" Marietta grabbed Maggie by the hair, baring her neck to the crowd. They eagerly awaited what she would do.

Astrid walked forward but Major held her by the forearm, pulling her back. He gazed at the fight before looking down at Astrid, shaking his head. She frowned in objection. Astrid had killed Harriet and Charles but she could help Maggie. She tried to shake his hold but he brought her closer, holding her to his chest.

"This needs to happen, Astrid. Maria hasn't forgotten that you were in the woods with them. If she sees you save one of them she'll kill you for plotting against her." Major reminded her.

Astrid relented. Major never intervened in fights and it would be strange if Astrid took pity on one. It would be weakness in Maria's eyes. Peter looked at them before appearing beside Charlotte, holding the blonde back from helping her friend. The seven watched in horror as Maggie was torn to pieces by Marietta, the thirty clapping and growling. Astrid shook her head and turned around, instead taking note that Maria was looking out her bedroom window. She was smiling.

Astrid looked in time to see Marietta tossing the limbs into the fire. Charlotte was sobbing in Peter's arms, Harry holding Elizabeth and Roosevelt. The vampires around them turned their gazes at them as well, snickering at the show Charlotte was putting on. Peter was telling her to control herself in her ear but it seemed to be going nowhere. Marietta held her arms up in pride, smiling wide as she faced Astrid and Major. She gave a bow.

"Did you like the show, ma'am?" Marietta asked.

Astrid understood now. She made Marietta weak in front of the rest and now she had to prove herself to the others. Astrid held her head high and nodded, her lips pursed with restrained anger. She was highly aware of Maria watching.

Marietta's smile grew and she jumped into the arms awaiting her. The crowd dispersed from the show and they returned to their usual activities. She saw couples getting together, either sneaking into the woods or fucking right in the middle of the yard. She curled her nose in disgust and scoffed, choosing to return to her tree. Marietta had put her in such a bad mood she didn't feel like speaking to anyone. The brat would once again be at her side tomorrow night.

Major glanced at her but his attention was taken by a young brunette sauntering up to him. No words were exchanged as she ran her hands down his chest and gave him a luring smile, her fingers grabbing his wrist and tugging him towards the woods. Major stared at her before glancing at Maria's window - she had disappeared. He grabbed the newborn and wandered into the woods.

Astrid crossed her arms and slouched on her branch. Peter took Charlotte to the side to speak lowly to her, rubbing her hands as he comforted her. Astrid stayed alone, listening as the others enjoyed their night.