Hale's Town

Chapter 1- All Hallows Eve

The Hale family could do anything-but, if there was one thing they couldn't do... it would be being inconspicuous. The Hales were old money in New Orleans-back to the founding families that had been shipped from France. Rumor is, the Hales had been in the Duke Orleans's personal circle, and been granted free reign over the town. That was how they had established their wealth and power over the city of New Orleans, specifically the French Quarter. For centuries now, the Hales had dominated the French Quarter, especially the 12 bedroom home that has been passed down from generation to generation on Toulouse Street. Each year, the Hales threw a Halloween Ball-only the biggest party besides their Mardi Gras parties.

Right now, Toulouse Street was crowded with people aged from eighteen to forty. The ball was in full swing-women in gowns and dresses that cleverly matched what they claimed to be dressed as for Halloween, men in suits with ties. Everyone had masks on, with strict instructions not to reveal themselves before the strike of midnight. Waiters pranced around with glasses of drinks (many some of Kellan's own recipes, most NOLA favorites, and some specially ordered).

Kol Hale, the third eldest of the seven Hales, lifted his hand with his empty glass, which once held bourbon. A waiter immediately took notice, and a minute later, was passing Kol a full tumbler of bourbon. Raising the glass to his lips, Kol's ice blue eyes surveyed the courtyard at his family home.

Kellan, the youngest Hale brother, was behind the bar, supposedly serving drinks, but it looked like he was only flirting with the girls that pushed their chests to him. As of now, Kellan was favoring a blonde. Across the courtyard, Kennedy was talking to some bloke Kol thought he'd have to have a talk with if he kept his hands on Kennedy's waist that low. Kennedy threw her head back in laughter, her waist-length blonde hair waving as she giggled. A smile past Kol's lips, before he took another sip. His two eldest brothers, Kaleb and Karter were up on the balcony with their respective wives, Victoria and Bella. The baby of the family, Kaleigh, was supposed to be studying for her art history test on Monday, but Kol had seen her sneak past the rest of the family, taking a drink and a dance partner with her, about an hour ago.

Now, one of the prospects was following her every move, strict instructions to get her back inside the house by one, alone, without the boy she had taken with her.

The last of the Hale siblings, Katherine, was dancing with her best friend's brother, Emerson. The two of them had been an on-again-off-again couple since she was a freshman in college, him a first-year grad student. The eldest Leighton, Elijah, was nowhere to be seen, but that didn't shock Kol. Elijah worked more than his own two brothers, and practically lived at Police Department, either covering up their messes, or handling other crimes.

Kol surveyed the room again, looking for Katherine's best friend, Elsa.

"You know, this is a party. Not one of those boring meetings you and your brothers conduct where you threaten people for money and work."

The voice behind him was honey, heaven, and hell all mixed into one.

Elsa Leighton had a knack for pushing my buttons, ever since we were children. As an infant, Elsa had often let her aggression out on me with fits and kicks, as a toddler, she had learned how to punch, as a child, she had learned that words could also hurt. By our teenage years, she had mastered the bitch tactic, and knew how to push me to my limit with just a look, cross of the arms, or a raised perfectly-shaped eyebrow.