"This is going to hurt," He said. As if she didn’t know. The two blond ones came over and were instructed to hold her down. The shorter one had a look of pity in his bright green eyes. The other one just grinned like a madman, staring with his cold blue eyes. Her maker straddled her for more leverage, and grasped the blunt end of the steak firmly and began to pull. She screamed a scream that would wake the dead and rang the ears of the three men around her. When it was finally out, she was told never to go hunting alone. The wound had instantly closed.

"That was stupid of you," Gangrel said, sitting beside her on the couch. "You’re new. Next time you get the hunger, take one of us with you. We can spot the hunters." He gestured to the steak lying on the table.

"Well, some of us can." Edge remarked, grinning at Christian, who threw a candlestick at him. Gangrel caught it with the quick move of his arm, barely seen.

"Edge, Christian, take Gabrielle upstairs, will you? I have some work to do." He kissed her as the brothers led her upstairs.

"Lucky you, staked on the first night out. Good to get it over with, right, Christian?" Edge loved tormenting his younger brother.

"Will you shut up?" He glared at this brother in mock anger, and his eyes softened as he looked towards Gabrielle. Her short brown hair danced with highlights as the candlelight hit it. She looks like an angel, he thought.

"Well, Gabrielle, you get your own room. Its right here." Christian led her to the doorway. The door was huge, solid wood, painted black. He opened the door for her, as Edge leaned against the doorframe. Christian gestured for her to go in, and she did.

A huge bed, with a red velvet canopy, was stationed in the middle of the huge room. She stood, open mouthed, gawking at the sheer magnitude of the room.

"Big, isn’t it?" Edge whispered into her ear, noting her reaction.

"Yea…Are you sure its mine?" She said, still in awe. Edge laughed softy.

"Its not ours. Unless…." Edge walked over to the bed and pulled the canopy away, revealing black silk sheets. He glanced suggestively at her. She pretended not to notice this, and walked around, surveying the rest of the room. There was a huge walk in closet, and a door to her own bathroom. There were more red curtains on the east wall. As she drew them aside, a wonderful view of the city was visible. It was her first good look at New Orleans.

"But why is there an east window? The sun…"

"Rises in the east. That’s the point. So you can enjoy the beautiful sun rises with someone special." Edge moved near to her by the window, and stared at the view, then at her. She was confused.

"Ah, the sun does not kill us." Christian broke his silence, and stood near the window as well. "The sun will never harm us, much like that steak earlier." His eyes drifted over the horizon, and then he looked at Gabrielle. "Enjoy the sunrise. About two hours until you see your first sunrise over the French Quarter. I’m going to rest. I’ll see you soon, Gabrielle." He stalked out of the room silently, leaving her and Edge alone. She closed her eyes as she heard the door close.

"Its beautiful out there." She opened her eyes to see Edge staring out the window. "Look, over there. That’s the Notre-Dame Cathedral. Ever been there?" His eyes returned to her.

"No. I’ve never been to New Orleans before last night." She walked over to a dark red chair, and sat down, easing the burden the night had left with her.

"Well, we should explore it sometime. Not tonight. You’ve been through too much." He sat down on the chair across from her. "Next time you go hunting, take me. I know all the best places."

"What did you mean before. What you said to Christian." She asked just to make conversation and satisfy her own curiosity. He laughed a little before answering.

"Christian. Well, he’s not used to being one of us yet. He’s very, well, I don’t think he’s ever gonna get used to being one of us. He never defends himself when the hunters attack. He’s been staked five times so far. That’s why he pity’s you."

"Don’t the hunters know it doesn’t do anything?" she asked in astonishment.

"The hunters are stupid. They don’t know anything about us, the new ones." He laughed again, but it seemed forced.

"Well, I am quite tired after my, um.. ordeal tonight." She said quietly, even though she didn’t want him to leave. He grinned and began to rise from his seat.

"Hey, I can take a hint." He shrugged and started to walk away, but she called out.

"Can you just do me this one favour?" She asked nervously. Still grinning, he replied,

"And what would that be?"

"Just for tonight, lay with me, and hold me." Her eyes lowered. "I really don’t want to be alone." He looked stunned, and after a while, answered her.

"Yes, sure, I - just let me take a shower. Mind if I use your bathroom?" She shrugged, and as he disappeared into the bathroom, breathed a sigh of relief. Gabrielle put on the pajama set that had been laying on the bed, and climbed under the cold sheets. He joined her, and just held her, nothing more. She slept in his arms, until he woke her up, so they could watch the sun rise, together.