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Of course, the Mikaelsons were in trouble when Stas finally decided to return to her family. Stas knew all about it because she had sent her informant to keep her updated while she was away searching for a witch powerful enough to cure her infertility.
The night was beautiful in New Orleans. The lights of dozens of clubs managed to spill out on the damp streets and the music seeped through the brick walls. The vibrations emitted from people dancing and jumping in those clubs could be faintly felt by the hundreds of supernaturals that lurked the streets. Yet, despite all of those elements pulling at a one's senses, one element was particularly strong at night— especially for vampires. The smell of mortals' blood. It could lure a vampire from miles away, like a shark, if they were desperate enough.
Stas was informed of a masquerade hosted by elite vampires that were derived of Elijah's bloodline. Elijah was to attend and Stas found it as a fitting time to greet her brother. Stas smoothed out her designer dress, then entered the party.
For the first time, Stas felt uncomfortable as all of the eyes of lustful vampires stared at her in awe. She recognized Elijah's familiar face from afar and approached him. He watched her as she walked toward him. A smile slid across Elijah's typically stale face and he reached out his hand for his sister.
Once Stas was close enough, she grabbed his hand. He pulled her in for a hug, then smoothly transitioned into a classical, yet conservative, dance with her. "I can recognize your blonde hair from a mile away." He chuckled.
Stas smirked. "I was trying to trick you, brother. I guess I shall leave that play to Kol, wherever he is now." Stas snickered. She pulled off her mask to reveal her pale face.
"I suppose you are here because you heard about Michelle..." Elijah commented.
Stas looked up at her brother with frothy eyes. "You know me so well." She light giggled.
Elijah shook his head in disappointment. "I am pitied among my siblings. I am seen as a sociopathic monster." Stas sighed.
"No we don't. We love you. We miss you." Elijah assured.
Stas sharply inhaled a breath through her teeth. "Maybe while I'm here, something will persuade me to stay. But, I doubt it." Stas sniggered.
Elijah rolled his eyes at his sister, and diverted his attention to the mass of people. His eyes scanned over the crowd and instantly stopped when they reached Marcel Gerard. Marcel's eyes met Elijah's and they both stopped what they were doing to stare.
Anastázia's eyes followed Elijah's line of sight and they landed on Marcel. "Is he not supposed to be here?" Stas' eyes lit up as she noted that conflicts were about to arise.
"I should've known." Elijah muttered.
Stas cocked her head in confusion. "This isn't a party. It's an initiation." Elijah mentioned.
Just then, glasses could he heard clinking to gain the attention of the guests. A man dressed in a formidable tuxedo stole all of the guest presence in the room with his stance. He began to speak: "Distinguished friends, welcome. It's so rare that we are able to come together like this... to revel, for one night, in the company of true equals. Now, I'd like to take a moment to welcome a very special guest, Mr. Marcel Gerard." The man pointed at Marcel, cueing the guests to begin clapping for Marcel.
"That's Tristan. The leader of an elite secret society made up of my bloodline called the Strix." Elijah whispered over to Stas.
Stas understood the information and connected it to the information she was informed of by her spy. "Thank you. I'm honored. Thank you." Marcel smiled brightly.
"You know, if Rebekah hadn't claimed Marcel before me—" Stas began to whisper to Elijah, biting her bottom lip.
Elijah jabbed her side with his elbow. "Of course, before we tell Marcel all of our secrets, there's one small piece of business to which we must first attend. We must determine his worth." Tristan smiled cheekily.
Marcel scoffed. "That's funny, I seem to recall you being the one knocking on my door." Marcel mentioned.
"You noticed, Mr. Gerard, that over the course of the evening, someone has managed to take something quite dear to you: your daylight ring." Tristan smiled sideways. Marcel frantically looked down at his hand and noticed his missing ring.
Elijah ignored Stas and continued to watch. "The test is quite simple first you need to deduce that identity of the thief. Then, you are simply to take back what is yours. Although, I doubt the prize will be easily relinquished. After all, despite our refinement, we are a rather violent bunch. In victory, you become one of us. In failure, you meet your death. You have a few hours until dawn. I wish you the best of luck." Tristan explained to Marcel.
Stas gasped quietly and stifled a cough. She suddenly felt the need to help Marcel, despite being quite entertained while watching his face fall into a frantic gaze.
