The next morning I woke up early, as the sun was filtering in through my curtains. I got up and decided to head to the girls room. I opened the door and frowned when I registered a large package on the floor outside. I frowned and picked it up, heading back inside to investigate it.

I set the box down on the bed. It was black, tied with a deep crimson ribbon. There was an emblem in gold on the box lid, obscured by the ribbon. I eyed the box warily, almost fearful that something monstrous would erupt from it and attack me. I reached over and tugged slowly at the ribbon. It fell loose. I could see now that the gold symbol was in the shape of an owl. I lifted the lid. Inside was a dress. It had a pale gold bodice, covered in green beading that formed intricate patterns, and a deep green skirt. There was a pair of matching green shoes, jewellery and on top of the dress an envelope with the same owl symbol. I opened it and found a card inside.

Elena
8pm tonight.
Tristan

It took me a minute to realize what was going on. My initiation to the Strix. Ah… fuck. I was hoping I'd have a little bit longer to mentally prepare for this. Tristan had put things together quickly… like, really quickly. It was almost like he'd been expecting me to say yes.

I had the rest of the day to prepare and I decided not to waste that. I had no idea what was going to happen but I wasn't going to risk being at a disadvantage. I got dressed, retrieved a garter belt from the pile of lace things and tucked it into the box along with a letter opener. I left the room, got the girls up and headed downstairs. Tristan was in the dining room, in conversation with an unfamiliar woman. I assumed she was helping him get things ready for the evening.

"Hey, is Aya around today?"

"Yes, she is, why?"

"I want to train with her."

"Alright then…" he smirked slightly, clearly seeing what I was up to. "Aya!"

Aya appeared at the door. She looked at me.

"I had a feeling you'd be wanting me today. Come on then."

She led me to the training room. The girls sat in the corner and I took my spot opposite Aya.

"You know that things are going to get rough tonight?"

"Of course. I want to be ready. No holding back."

"I never do."

We started training. I put every ounce of my effort into it. I wanted to be ready. Aya worked me harder and longer than before and I could tell she wanted me to be ready as well. We worked until I was drenched in sweat and everything ached and kept going.

It was only when the sky began to darken that we finally stopped. I was exhausted but I hid it. I didn't speak, just nodded to Aya. I led the girls, who had been brought food, up to their bedroom. I wanted to make sure that they were safely out of the way before anyone arrived. I helped them change into their pyjamas and tucked them into bed.

"You two need to be very good tonight. Stay together, stay in bed. Promise me?"

They both nodded. I kissed their heads and left the room. Time to get myself ready. I could hear things being set up downstairs, voices and the faint sounds of instruments tuning.

I went back to my room and ran a hot bath. I figured it would help with my aches and make them easier to handle. I undressed, got in the bath and closed my eyes. Tonight would be rough but I was determined. I'd get through this.

I focused on my breathing. If there was magic inside of me, now would be a great time for it to materialize. Come on… come on Elena… magic time!

Nothing happened. I sighed and got out of the bath. I had to get ready. I dried off and did my hair before going over to the box on the bed. I put on my underwear, slipped on the garter and tucked the letter opener into it. I was armed and ready. The noises from downstairs were getting louder. People were starting to arrive. I sighed and put on my dress, finishing up with my make-up. I ignored the jewellery that Tristan had provided and instead wore Ansel's pendant. I needed the courage it provided.

I could do this. I had to. That was what I had to keep telling myself.

I left my room as the clock struck eight. I made my way to the stairs and descended slowly. Tristan really had gone all out. Everyone was dressed in their finery and there were performers dotted around as well as servers with trays of drinks. People were dancing and having a good time. They barely acknowledged my presence which relieved me. I'd been worried that there would be an immediate change to the atmosphere upon my arrival, a sign of the impending doom to come.

I made an effort to mingle and act relaxed, moving between the open rooms. I took a drink and pretended like I was just another person having fun. In reality though, I was on edge and hyper vigilant. I remembered what Tristan had said about the initiation, that they took something important off you during the evening. I kept my eye on anyone who came too close, making sure that they didn't touch me. I knew if they took something off me, I needed to be able to identify who had done it. I wondered how long they'd keep trying for and if they'd eventually give up when they kept failing.

"May I have this dance Elena?" Tristan asked, approaching me. "You've been a bit of a wallflower all evening."

"I suppose one dance wouldn't be too bad."

I set down my glass which I'd been nursing through most of the evening. I took his hand and let him lead me onto the dance floor. He placed a hand on my waist and we gently swayed to the music.

"Are you having a good time?"

"I'd probably enjoy it more if I wasn't trying to keep an eye on one hundred plus people, any of whom could be trying to steal my stuff."

"You'll do fine Elena, I have faith in you." He smiled and spun me. "You're skilled. You can use your skills to get through any trial."

"Well that makes all the difference." I laughed softly. "Is Aurora here tonight?" I could imagine that she'd be more than happy to steal from me.

"No, she's resting." I knew Aurora would never willingly stay away from the party and I remembered a comment Lucien had made in the past.

"Is resting code for pumped full of vampire sedatives?"

"It is."

"Well at least that's one thing I don't need to worry about tonight."

The song came to the end. He bowed and took a step back. He picked up a glass from a tray and tapped on it, calling for silence.

"Ladies and gentlemen."

Everyone gathered around him, all wearing similar expressions of excited anticipation. I bit my lip and hovered nearby.

"Tonight we have a new member who hopes to join our illustrious ranks. We have artists, authors, warriors. People from all walks of life, all uniquely skilled. We have all fought hard to be here, we have all been tested and been successful. Elena," he turned to me. "Tonight while you've been here, one of our number has taken something of great value to you. Or should I say… two somethings."

My heart plummeted to the pit of my stomach at that. Surely he wouldn't.

"Tristan… you promised…"

"I don't know what you're talking about. Now, if I were you I'd get a move on, this is a bit of a time sensitive test." He looked at the clock. "You've got till… dawn, I'd say."

"You are so fucking dead…"

I ran upstairs. Surely he wouldn't have. He couldn't…

I reached the girls room and opened the door. Their beds were open and I felt like I was going to throw up. I was doing this to protect my twins and they'd been put in more danger because I'd been stupid. I should have known that if Tristan wanted to take something valuable off me, something as valuable as a daylight ring would be to a vampire, he wouldn't take something I wore. He'd take my girls.

I gritted my teeth. I stormed off downstairs and through the main hall. Everyone was watching me with interest, eager to see what I'd do next. The building and the grounds were huge. If I was going to find them, then I'd need to enlist a little bit of help. They wanted me to use my skills? Well I was going to use my fucking skills.

I went out to the garden, taking off my shoes so that I could move quicker. I stepped onto the damp grass and looked up at the full moon. The Strix gathered at the doorway, looking a little confused by my actions. I put one hand on my throat, running my fingers over the curve of Ansel's pendant. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and howled loudly and clearly at the sky. I heard a murmur run through the group behind me. I ignored them, took another breath and howled again.

I heard the pad of footsteps on grass and a soft gasp from behind me, followed by a faint growl. I opened my eyes, expecting to see Ansel. He was stood there but behind him were a handful of other wolves, watching me with golden eyes. I smiled and turned to Tristan who was stood at the door.

"You want me to use my skills? I guarantee that if my children are harmed Tristan, if you break your promise… these wolves won't have to go far to get their dinner." I ran my eyes over all the vampires assembled. The wolves echoed my sentiment, growling softly. I turned back to Ansel and knelt down. I stroked him softly. "Find them."

Ansel nodded, barked once and sprinted off, the wolves following him. I watched them quietly, listening intently. After a few minutes, one of them let out a howl. I took that to mean that he'd found the scent. I grinned. That was my boy.

I hurried over to where the wolves had gathered. They were a little way into the woods, by a small cabin. Smoke came from the chimney and I could see candlelight through the window. I went over to the door and kicked hard, knocking it down.

"Mama!"

I couldn't help but feel relieved. They were both there and both seemed to be unharmed, sitting at a small wooden table next to an old fashioned stove. A huge hulking man was stood nearby. I felt my nausea and nerves start up again but I pushed it down into the pit of my stomach. I didn't wait for him to react, to give him a chance to attack. I pulled the knife from my garter, darted forward and pressed the knife to his chest, directly over his heart.

A slow applause came from the door. I looked over and saw that Tristan and his company had followed me.

"Well done Elena. That was incredibly quick. Very… skilled. You better finish him off then." I considered for a moment. My daughters were watching me, eyes widened. I noticed a plate of cookies in front of them, their teddy bears tucked in their arms. They weren't hurt. They weren't even scared. But if they saw me kill a man?

"No."

"What?" said one of the vampires.

"No. You all bring your own skills right? You're all talented? Well I'm merciful. I'm not going to punish someone for doing what their leader told them too. Although I might have to stab him while he sleeps, his lackey doesn't deserve death." I released the man. "Unless he's going to try and provoke me?"

The man didn't move. I went over to the girls and gave them a friendly smile, offering my hands. They got up obediently, taking my hands. Ansel slipped past the vampires and gave Lilah's hand a quick nuzzle. The four of us headed back outside. Ansel stayed at our side, ready to attack if any of the vampires decided to try and stop us. None of them did. They parted like the red sea and let me through.

I took the girls back to the house. Ansel stopped outside. I nodded to him and he scampered off into the trees with the other wolves he'd brought forward. I smiled to myself before heading back inside. I took the girls upstairs and back to their room. They seemed perfectly calm, clearly not upset by their pseudo kidnapping. I was still angry at Tristan, but it was waning a little. He hadn't intended to hurt the girls. He just knew that they were the best way of getting me to show what I could do.

I kissed them softly and tucked them back into their beds. I didn't want to leave them again, I didn't want to face the vampires who were probably furious about how I messed with their little game. I'd have to keep the knife on me.

I went to the door, took a moment to compose and prepare myself before stepping out onto the hallway once again. I'd only gone a few steps when I ran into Tristan's chest.

"Elena!"

"Tristan," I said curtly.

"I wanted to apologise… I… I know that it was cruel but I knew there was no way of doing the test otherwise. The rest of them would never have accepted you if the stakes weren't the same. I didn't even want to take Lilah. I promised to leave her out of things and I intended to keep that promise. She refused to be separated from Blair though and, well, who are we to refuse the will of Elijah's only daughter?" He gave me a sheepish smile.

"Don't play Tristan. It doesn't suit you. You knew what you're were doing. And yes, you should probably sleep with one eye open. But the girls are alright. You didn't harm them. They weren't even scared. I understand why you did it, even if I hate that you did it."

He touched my cheek lightly.

"Please forgive me?"

"I'll think about it."

"Would you come back for the rest of the party at least? You passed the test, we have to welcome you officially."

"Do I have to?"

"No but… I'd appreciate it."

I considered for a moment before nodding slowly.

"Alright. I suppose." He smiled brightly and took my arm. We started down the hallway when a tremendous bang came from downstairs. Tristan froze and pressed me back into the shadows of the hallway. It had fallen silent downstairs and I tensed, waiting to see what happened. A moment later, a furious voice ripped through the silence.

"TRISTAN DE MARTEL!"

A/N: I appreciate that the past few chapters (particularly the last one) have been a bit short so I worked really hard to try and get this one to a decent length and get it up tonight (despite wanting to sleep so badly as I'm on the early shift at work. ENJOY!