Chapter 35: How Sweet, Fresh Meat

Dear Originals Trio,

I know you are probably sick of these letters but I needed some information. I need to know if any of you know about these vampires called The Strix. According to sources, a guy named Tristan is the leader and they all are Elijah wannabes (Joking, don't take it offensively). Marcel is in with them and I haven't been brought in on the info. I highly doubt I'll get a message back but I just need to know some stuff (I'm guessing that one of you has to know them)

Violet, P.s-He doesn't now I'm snooping so sh…

Caleb Parker was waiting in line at Rousseau's for coffee and he had already been waiting for ten minutes. He reached for his phone in his pocket to text Gia that he was going to be late. They were both going to the swamp to take care of the coffins and he didn't want to get on her bad side. He wasn't going to admit it but she did intimidate him considering that she could kick his ass if she wanted to. Once Caleb finally got his order, he rushed through the line of people and made his way outside. He didn't know why he dressed in jeans, a shirt and a jacket if he was trudging through the swamp…Right; he left his jacket sitting on a chair inside. Huffing lowly, he turned to walk back inside and instead.

"Hey! Can't you see where you are going?"

Since he was being in such a big hurry, Caleb didn't pay much attention and smacked right into a girl coming out the doors. He had spilt his coffee all over her dress and he had been embarrassed to his core.

"I was just going in for my jacket and I didn't even see you coming out…I'm so sorry"

She looked down at her dress then looked up at him, her pale skin turning a shade of pink due to her anger. He believed that she was a witch because of the way she dressed; she looked a lot like a coven member. The mysterious girl smiled faintly and moved out of the way for a couple coming out.

"Its fine, I could find this dress in another store. It's been a long day and I haven't had the best of luck today, I'm Elyse and you look like you came from an Emo band back in 2004"

Caleb laughed but honestly didn't mean to. He really didn't think he looked that bad and he wasn't going to be caught wearing eyeliner anytime soon. Maybe it was his clothes or his jagged hair, he honestly had no idea. Elyse was a beautiful girl with fair skin and ginger colored hair. They both almost had the same blue eyes but hers were more of a sapphire color. She wore a plain black flapper like dress and that's when he caught the ring around her finger. Elyse took note of that and smiled once more.

"Hate to say it but you could be less suspicious when trying to figure out if I'm a vampire or not"

"Sorry I was just wondering" He trailed off and looked away reaching for his phone again.

"Well what were you wondering wonder boy? This is New Orleans so being like you isn't anything but unusual…Maybe I'll see you around sometime. I'd stay and chat but I think I'd like to not smell like coffee the rest of the day"

She waved him off and he read a text message from Gia telling him to hurry up. When he looked up, the girl was gone and out of plain sight. Caleb had no other choice but to leave and find his way to the swamp. When she stepped inside of the restaurant, she looked for the person who was waiting for her. She found him sitting in a corner and Elyse walked over.

"So you talked to one of the new vampires, make a good enough impression?"

"I think so, I'm sure he'll be on my trail for a while. Everything is good Lucien"

Violet had been staring at bottles of wine for the last twenty minutes. She had secretly given Freya that letter and had been waiting for Marcel to show for their so called date night. He was probably off doing some business with Hayley or the new found family as she called it. Hoping up on the table, she tapped on it and stared at the bottles, it was going to make her eyes bleed.

"So I get to meet the right hand man, or I should say woman. My name's Aya, I'm sure you've heard about me…"

Violet turned her attention Aya would had opened the doors to the wine cellar and she hoped no one was going to barge in. Unfortunately, she did know Aya and it was nice to put a face to a name…It wasn't like she was going to be competition. Perking an eyebrow, she didn't move from the table.

"You're one of those fancy vampires who invaded the city if you're looking for Marcel he isn't here so you could interrupt me at another time"

"I'm not here to see him; I came here to see you at Tristan's request"

Violet had only known the name Tristan after Hayley told her in exchange for more wolf information. Apparently she was qualified enough to be a member so she didn't quite understand what the Strix were all about. Marcel didn't know why they came to him but this was her first time meeting any of them.

"Tristan, so you do errands like any good dog would. What does he want with me? If I was invited to join, my offer would be at no, I'm not a fan of being prim and proper"

Aya smiled and took two steps closer, her heels clicking on the cement. "I know all about you Miss Badeaux. I know about you leaving, your ripper tendencies in which you easily fade back into them. Your relationships, your human family you had, and the life you've led. He sent me here in hopes that you weren't bitter on the party incident that happened"

"He sent you here to make sure I wasn't angry about Hayley's little venom? You're joking right?"

Violet scoffed and rolled her eyes. She could have made a better cover up than what she came up with. There was no way that some self-respecting vampire would send another over just to check up on a girl who wasn't invited to a gala.

"Look, I could sing it's my party and I'll cry if I want to but I wouldn't have attended anyway. So you can run along and tell this Tristan if he wants to talk to me he can do it himself"

Violet offered a red lipstick smile. She then made a motion to shoo her away, it was Aya turn to smile and laugh lightly.

"Considering you are one of Marcel vampires, I thought you'd have more manners. Perhaps I should cut out your tongue so you can learn your lesson"

She glared over at her and she just got off of the table. Violet slipped her jacket off preparing herself for a battle. Aya held her arms out and she scolded herself for wearing one of her favorite dresses. But Violet was never one to back down from any challenge whether it be a vampire, werewolf or even hybrid.

"You do know that I am far more older than you, but do I do love a good challenge"

Violet zipped over and grabbed her around the throat but Aya already had something in mind. Snapping her wrist, she raised one of her hands and blew into her palm which made Violet jump back holding her eyes in pain. She yelled and rubbed them and Aya just enjoyed the scene. Tiana had just jogged down the stairs and into the cellar looking between them. Violet was just swinging her hand out and growling as if she was a wolf. Once Aya picked up on her, she moved over to Violet, twisted her neck and reverted back when Tiana came closer.

"I've already caused a scene as it is so tell her that Tristan sends his condolences when she awakes"

Tiana grabbed her limp body from the ground as Aya disappeared. Marcel had walked in a few minutes later apologizing until he saw them and Violet still unconscious. So much for a date night.