Disclaimers: Night World and its characters belong to LJS. Dorian, Leila, and anyone else belongs to me.
Summary: Ash and Mary-Lynnette. Two new people have arrived in Briar Creek at the same time Ash has come back to visit Mary-Lynnette. The new boy wants Mare. The new girl wants Ash. Problems are guaranteed to occur.
Part One.
The couple made their way down the dark, deserted country road. Stars littered the night sky, sprinkled like icing over a cake. The girl looked up with a smile on her face. Starlight always seemed kind of romantic to her. Living in a city, she had never been able to really see the stars, but here in Briar Creek, there was a good view.
"You're such a daydreamer," the boy beside her snorted. "No wonder you hated life in enclave. You're lucky I brought you here."
The girl sighed, knowing he was right. She had hated it. An entire city run by Night People, where you did what you were told or you were dead. The Night People had no appreciation for things like stars.
But he had finally relented, seeing how awful this was for her, and had smuggled her away. She had been grateful, but he was really starting to get on her nerves now.
She couldn't wait to see what Briar Creek was like. Or who was there.
"I told Rowan we'd get there before dawn, come on, hurry up, they're waiting for us."
The girl sighed, following him, taking her eyes away from the stars. They were going to stay with friends of a friend of his. Rowan Redfern and her sisters. They had run away from the same enclave. She couldn't blame them. She was a little nervous about being thrown in with a bunch of strangers, but that was part of real life. She would just have to learn to adapt.
* * *
Mary-Lynnette sat on her hill, gazing up at the sky. The moon had come out now, and had bleached all the stars. She sighed, wondering what to do now. It had been a year since Ash had left. Rowan had assured her he was coming back. He was supposed to be arriving. But Rowan had also mentioned she was expecting some new guests two. Two more people who had run away from the archive.
Kestrel tried to pretend she wasn't all that interested, but now Mary-Lynnette knew her well enough to see the interest underneath her cool exterior. She picked up her binoculars to see if she could see anything more with them, since the telescope didn't seem to want to play at the moment.
She could see a faint scattering of stars, but couldn't really identify much with the moons silvery glow. She swept the surrounding area, focusing on the back yard of the Burdock farm house.
She could see Jade come out, with another girl she didn't recognise. The girl was small, like Jade, her hair was as black as night. Jade around, seeing her, and waved. Mary-Lynnette felt a little guilty about spying, but waved back.
Jade was making come here motions with her fingers, and Mary-Lynnette was guessing she wanted her to come over to meet the new guests. She put her binoculars down, unsure why she suddenly felt unsure and uncomfortable. She ignored the feelings, packing up her telescope. She told herself it was just paranoia.
Things had gone pretty much back to normal the past year. She had graduated, and was starting college in September with Rowan and Ash. Mark and Jade had remained a couple, of course. He still went gooey-eyed every time Jade was in the room with him.
Some of the boys at school had tried to hit on Kestrel, but didn't seem to be having much luck. For some reason, they seemed afraid of her. Rowan had a job in the town's local bookshop.
She herself...seemed to spend most of the time daydreaming about Ash. She couldn't help herself. She missed him. She wondered how many dragons he'd slain for her.
She put the telescope and her lawn chair in the back of her new station wagon a graduation present from her father and step mother and went over to the Burdock farm house. The door was open.
Normally the sisters were fine with her and Mark going in without knocking. But since there were guests, Mary-Lynnette felt she might as well be polite. She knocked on the door, calling out, "Anyone home?" even though she knew there was.
"Come on, Leila, don't be shy." Jade was pulling the black-haired girl out the living room. "It's only Mary-Lynnette."
The girl - Leila - smiled politely, almost shyly. She was small, her face a sculptor's dream, classic perfection. Her blue eyes shone like jewels.
"Mare, this is Leila, she's going to be staying here," Jade said cheerfully. "Leila, this is Mary-Lynnette, she's a friend of ours."
Mary-Lynnette managed a polite smile in return. She wasn't sure why she felt a little uncomfortable.
"What's going on?" a deep voice said. A voice that set Mary-Lynnette's teeth on edge.
"Jeez, Dorian, could you be any creepier?" Jade snorted. "Mare, this is Dorian."
Mary-Lynnette glanced up at Dorian, deciding she didn't like the guy on set. He was huge, muscular and looked as if he wasn't afraid to use those muscles. He smiled, and there was something very chilling about him. He was gorgeous, she had to admit, but that didn't make her like him anymore.
He scared her. She didn't like the hungry look in his eyes as he shook her hand. He made her feel cold all over.
"So," Dorian said, trying to start a conversation, but Mary-Lynnette didn't feel like talking to him. She looked around like a trapped animal trying to think up an excuse to escape.
Kestrel came out the lounge then. "Scaring our neighbours already Dorian? You don't waste any time, do you?"
"I haven't done anything," Dorian protested.
He had a point. He hadn't. He just had a disturbing presence. She didn't want to think about what would happen if she kicked this guy in the shins.
"I - I have to go now," she got out, and almost ran out the door. She could still feel Dorian's probing, hungry eyes on her back.
She shut herself inside her station wagon, trying to calm her racing heart. What was wrong with her?
* * *
Ash glanced up at the sky, lounging on the hood of his car, gazing at the star patterns. He could see Jupiter, the king of the planets, high in the sky, with a faint red tinge. He remembered the first time he'd come here to Briar Creek, sitting in this exact same spot with Quinn, after they'd learned that Rowan and co had run away.
The stars may still be the same, they would never change. But he had. He could hardly believe it himself. He wasn't the same person when he'd first come here. His view point had changed a little.
He could see the vague lights from the Burdock farm house. That meant someone was home. But it wasn't home he was planning on going to first.
An image of Mary-Lynnette flashed through his mind, her pretty clear blue eyes, thick dark hair, gentle face, friendly smile. They had parted on good terms. He had promised her he would come back, and he'd kept true to his word. Here he was, one year to the day.
An unexpected bout of nervousness washed through him. What if she had changed too? What if she had met someone else? What if...
He shook his head. Rowan told him Mare was still waiting, and moping. But he wasn't supposed to know that. She had promised not to tell about his visit wanting to surprise Mare.
Get it over with, he told himself. You want to see her, stop being such a wuss and go. This is *not* you. Girls do *not* make you nervous and never have.
Ash hardly ever listened to his inner voices, but this time, he decided to actually act on the advice. Leaving his car where it was he walked down the hill.
The night was alive around him, he could hear the crickets chirping their monotonous song, smell the animals in the woods around him. He'd never taken time to notice things like this and appreciate them before. But Mare's love for the night made him think.
He'd said to her himself, "Even though we're apart, we'll always be looking at the same sky."
As he approached Burdock farm and the Carter's house, an uncomfortable feeling was washing over him. Something he didn't quite understand. Why was he, of all people, getting premonitions?
Premonitions? The thought had never really crossed his mind. It was just...an uncomfortable feeling. That didn't mean he should be worried about the world ending.
Taking a deep breath, he was about to go knock on Mare's door. He looked around, spying a brand new, shiny station wagon, a telescope and lawn chair in the back seat.
And his soulmate in the driver's seat.
Here we go, he thought, and tapped on the window.
* * *
Mary-Lynnette nearly jumped a mile when someone suddenly knocked on the window, pulling her out of her reverie. She hadn't realised she'd been so out of it.
She turned to yell at the idiot who'd startled her suddenly.
But her words died on her tongue. She opened the car door, grabbed the front of Ash's shirt and pulled him into the car with her, hugging him fiercely. The wonderful pinky haze started to fill her vision, as he returned the embrace.
"Did I startle you?" he asked, seeming amused. He reached over and shut the door.
She studied him, realising she had forgotten how good he looked. His ever-changing Redfern eyes were a soft blue at the moment.
"Long night," she said dryly. "So. You came back." Lame, but she couldn't really think of something to say.
"I told you I would," he said, giving her a lopsided smile.
"Any dragons for me?" she asked, feeling her own smile pull at her lips. "You said you'd slay some."
"Actually, yeah."
Mary-Lynnette stared at him suspiciously. He reached into his back pocket and pulled something out. It was a small black velvet box. She looked at him quickly. He handed it to her. She eyed him and took it, opening the box. Inside was a small silver pendant, in the shape of a dragon, holding a multi-coloured crystal in its claws.
"I know it's not the same as a real dragon, they were all put to sleep countless millennia ago, but it's the next best thing, or at least that I could find and - "
Mary-Lynnette smiled, taking the pendant out and fastening it round her neck. "You're waffling," she said. "Shut up. I love it." She kissed him, and felt a thrill of heat and sparks running down her nerves.
"You seem kind of perplexed," he observed, studying her. "Want to tell me what's wrong?" This was the rare, nice side of him. She wondered if he was still as arrogant as he used to be, and this was just the side of him only she ever saw. But if that were the case, would she really object?
She sighed, wondering if he knew about his sister's new guests. All her worries suddenly came flooding back with a force and she shuddered, unsure why. She was nowhere near Dorian. Ash was here, and wouldn't let anything happen to her. He'd proved that when fighting Jeremy Lovett.
"Your sisters have a few new house guests," she said finally.
A frown rippled across Ash's features. "Oh? Who?"
"Some girl, I think her name was Leila. And some giant creepy guy." She shuddered.
Ash didn't look too pleased. "Oh joy," he said dryly. "Gee, I can't wait to get home."
Mr. Sarcasm was back too. Mary-Lynette looked at him. "You know them?"
"Leila's okay," Ash said, "she's kind of quiet and shy. But Dorian's an asshole. He's the ultimate vampire, ruthless, predatory, cold as ice, cares for nothing but his own pleasure. He doesn't give a damn about who he hurts."
"Now that description sounds a little familiar," Mary-Lynnette said dryly. She remembered sitting in the living room of the Burdock farm house discussing the goat, when Rowan and Jade had been telling her what Ash was like, and she was trying to figure out a way of saying she'd met him before.
"Hey, I changed," he protested. "I have witnesses too."
Mary-Lynnette looked at him, wondering if it was true or not. She couldn't say it was or it wasn't, he hadn't been back long enough. But she was hoping it was true. "Advice?" she asked.
Ash shrugged. "Ignore him or avoid him. He's not very fond of humans so he'll probably leave in a few days once Leila's got settled. She's his sister."
"Poor girl," Mary-Lynnette muttered. She frowned, wondering how she was supposed to ignore someone like Dorian. Just the thought of him made her shudder. "I guess, he just makes me nervous."
Ash gave her a wicked grin. "I can think of a few ways to make you *less* nervous," he suggested.
Mary-Lynnette looked at him, feeling a grin creeping across her own face. "Oh yeah? What?"
Her kissed her again, and she could feel their soulmate connection sparking, the wonderful white light blooming, joining their minds, linking them together as they were meant to be forever. She hadn't realised just how much she'd missed him and loved him.
"Suggest we move to back seat to get more comfy," Ash muttered in her ear.
"Why?" she asked.
"The steering wheel's digging into my back and it's killing me."
"Oh. Okay."
* * *
The next morning Mary-Lynnette was in a very cheerful mood. She couldn't remember ever feeling this good before. Well, she had very good reasons. Certain parts of her were kind of sore, but Ash told her it would fade in time.
She headed into the kitchen whistling happily. Mark sat at the table eating a bowl of cereal. Their dad had left for work, and their stepmother Claudine was nowhere to be seen.
"You're perky," Mark observed.
Mary-Lynnette headed for the fridge, pulling out a carton of orange juice out and taking a swig. "Very," she said.
Mark eyed her suspiciously. "Do I dare ask?"
Mary-Lynnette closed the fridge, finished the almost-empty carton and tossed it in the trash. "Ash came back last night," she answered, her tone dreamy.
Mark, who wasn't stupid, put two and two together. Mary-Lynnette laughed at the expression on his face. "You didn't..."
Mary-Lynnette grinned. "We did."
Mark shook his head, grimacing. "Where? You didn't come back until late."
"My station wagon. Back seats have some very good uses."
Mark stared at her in utter disbelief. "In a *station* *wagon?*" he exclaimed. "You did it in a *station* *wagon?*" Mark shook his head. "What would Dad say?"
Mary-Lynnette glared at him. "Dad doesn't need to know. Keep your mouth shut." She knew he wouldn't go blabbing to Claudine or her dad that their only daughter wasn't a virgin anymore.
"Know about what?" Jade's voice said cheerfully, as she poked her head around the back door.
Mary-Lynnette sighed. "Never mind."
Jade came in, dragging the new girl Leila with her. Mary-Lynnette felt her good mood chill and goosebumps raised on her arms. Ash had said that Leila was okay. But thinking of her made Mary-Lynnette thing of Dorian, and he still scared her.
"Mark, this is Leila, she's going to be staying with us," Jade continued brightly, ignoring Mary-Lynnette's cold expression. She avoided conversation with the new girl, concentrating on her breakfast.
"You must be thrilled to have Ash back," Jade said.
Now that was something Mary-Lynnette could smile about. "We had a long talk last night."
Mark snorted milk over the table. "That wasn't all you had, though, was it?" he said, shooting her a grin.
Mary-Lynnette gave him a look. "Oh shut up. You're never gonna let me forget this, are you?"
Mark grinned. "Oh no."
Mary-Lynnette shook her head, wondering if she should have mentioned it at all. Now Mark had something he could blackmail her with if ever needed. Jade was looking a little confused, then she got it. "Oh you didn't..."
"Give me a break," Mary-Lynnette muttered, standing up to take her dish to the sink.
"Ash is kind of dreamy," Leila said with a smile.
Mary-Lynnette felt cold again. She didn't know why but she decided she did not like these new people. "He's taken," she snapped, and stormed out.
* * *
Leila frowned, wondering what could have upset the other girl. An uncomfortable silence hung in the room. Mark and Jade were exchanging glances.
"What's her problem?" she asked, nodding in the direction Mary-Lynnette had gone.
"Mare and Ash are soulmates," Jade explained.
"Oh." Leila couldn't help feeling a little disappointed. She had liked Ash. He had seemed okay, if a little arrogant. Breathlessly sexy. But she wanted him for herself. And now this little human girl was in the way.
No problems, though. Leila felt a calmness sweeping over her. She'd just get Dorian to take care of her.
* * *
Dorian stood outside in the sunlight, watching the sleepy town of Briar Creek. Despite the late hour and bright sunshine, no one seemed to be about. He shook his head and dropped the cigarette he'd been smoking, lighting another one. He sighed, knowing he would be relieved to get back to the enclave and real life.
He didn't particularly mind leaving Leila here with Rowan and her sisters, she'd be alright with them. He frowned a little, it wasn't Leila he was worried about. It was those stupid humans. Telling humans about Night World was forbidden.
And with damn Ash Redfern back on the scene. He sighed, irritated. He didn't want Leila getting involved with a jerk like Ash, but couldn't stop her from doing anything when he wasn't there.
A car engine caught his attention and he saw a shiny new station wagon pull up outside the General Store. He watched the girl getting out, the human girl Mary-Lynnette. She was quite pretty for a human and would make a nice companion.
He might have to see about taking a souvenir of Outside back to the enclave with him.
* * *
Mary-Lynette parked her new station wagon in front of the Briar Creek General Store. Their step mother Claudine had gone into the next city with their father, and had left a list of things she'd asked Mary-Lynnette to pick up for her.
It was a typical day in Briar Creek, sun shining brightly, with not a soul on the streets. And yet, as she headed into the store, she could feel the burning heat of eyes on her back.
Glancing around, she could see only Bunny Marten, behind the counter, smiling at her as she walked in. She nodded faintly, and went about the shelves, getting what she need. Heavy footsteps sounded behind her, and she dropped the box of eggs she was carrying.
"Her you go."
She looked up in surprise to see Dorian handing them to her. He must have caught them on the fly. She was vaguely impressed with his reflexes. She took the eggs, feeling a little shy around him.
"Uh, thanks," she said, not able to think of much else to say.
He gave her a stunning smile, his ever-changing eyes glowing a warm green. "Didn't mean to startle you."
"It's okay," she said. She felt nervous and shy. Dorian was imposing. His darkness didn't fit in the small town of Briar Creek, which was human and sun shiny, and all good things, with the odd vampire thrown in.
But Dorian wasn't right here. She didn't say anything as they headed up to the counter. Dorian was studying. "Do I have something between my teeth?" she asked lamely.
"No," he said with a smile. "You're just looking very pretty this morning is all."
She put her purchases on the counter, seeing Bunny's eyebrows raise at Dorian and her mouth open in a silent "Wow" when he wasn't looking. Mary-Lynnette tried to hide a smile. Bunny was a hopeless romantic.
"Thanks," she said weakly, brushing her dark hair out her eyes. She nodded her thanks to Bunny after she'd paid.
"Let me," Dorian said, and before she could do anything he'd taken her bags and was taking them out to her car. She felt embarrassed and awkward, but a wave of relief when she saw Ash heading in their direction.
Ash scowled at Dorian. "What's going on?" he asked, slipping his arm around Mary-Lynnette's shoulders.
"Nothing," Dorian said, matching his scowl. "I was just helping her with her shopping." He smiled faintly at Mary-Lynnette, glared at Ash and stalked off.
Mary-Lynnette let out a sigh of relief. Ash eyed her, almost suspiciously. "What happened?" he asked. "Seriously."
Mary-Lynnette was feeling better already, just being in his comforting presence. "Nothing. He really was just trying to play gentlemen. He just gives me the creeps is all."
Ash snorted. "Ignore him."
Mary-Lynnette nodded. She wondered if Dorian might have his eyes on her. But it didn't matter. He would never win her over. She had Ash. And Ash was all she wanted. "I'm feeling better now," she said brightly. "Kiss me."
"So that's how this relationship is gonna work?" Ash said with an eyebrow raised, a smile playing about his lips. "You're just gonna order me around?"
Mary-Lynnette grinned. "Pretty much."
Ash sighed. "I was afraid of that."
Before he could say anything else she pulled him close and kissed him, feeling the light of their soulmate connection spark, and put all her worries out her mind.
* * *
Summary: Ash and Mary-Lynnette. Two new people have arrived in Briar Creek at the same time Ash has come back to visit Mary-Lynnette. The new boy wants Mare. The new girl wants Ash. Problems are guaranteed to occur.
Part One.
The couple made their way down the dark, deserted country road. Stars littered the night sky, sprinkled like icing over a cake. The girl looked up with a smile on her face. Starlight always seemed kind of romantic to her. Living in a city, she had never been able to really see the stars, but here in Briar Creek, there was a good view.
"You're such a daydreamer," the boy beside her snorted. "No wonder you hated life in enclave. You're lucky I brought you here."
The girl sighed, knowing he was right. She had hated it. An entire city run by Night People, where you did what you were told or you were dead. The Night People had no appreciation for things like stars.
But he had finally relented, seeing how awful this was for her, and had smuggled her away. She had been grateful, but he was really starting to get on her nerves now.
She couldn't wait to see what Briar Creek was like. Or who was there.
"I told Rowan we'd get there before dawn, come on, hurry up, they're waiting for us."
The girl sighed, following him, taking her eyes away from the stars. They were going to stay with friends of a friend of his. Rowan Redfern and her sisters. They had run away from the same enclave. She couldn't blame them. She was a little nervous about being thrown in with a bunch of strangers, but that was part of real life. She would just have to learn to adapt.
* * *
Mary-Lynnette sat on her hill, gazing up at the sky. The moon had come out now, and had bleached all the stars. She sighed, wondering what to do now. It had been a year since Ash had left. Rowan had assured her he was coming back. He was supposed to be arriving. But Rowan had also mentioned she was expecting some new guests two. Two more people who had run away from the archive.
Kestrel tried to pretend she wasn't all that interested, but now Mary-Lynnette knew her well enough to see the interest underneath her cool exterior. She picked up her binoculars to see if she could see anything more with them, since the telescope didn't seem to want to play at the moment.
She could see a faint scattering of stars, but couldn't really identify much with the moons silvery glow. She swept the surrounding area, focusing on the back yard of the Burdock farm house.
She could see Jade come out, with another girl she didn't recognise. The girl was small, like Jade, her hair was as black as night. Jade around, seeing her, and waved. Mary-Lynnette felt a little guilty about spying, but waved back.
Jade was making come here motions with her fingers, and Mary-Lynnette was guessing she wanted her to come over to meet the new guests. She put her binoculars down, unsure why she suddenly felt unsure and uncomfortable. She ignored the feelings, packing up her telescope. She told herself it was just paranoia.
Things had gone pretty much back to normal the past year. She had graduated, and was starting college in September with Rowan and Ash. Mark and Jade had remained a couple, of course. He still went gooey-eyed every time Jade was in the room with him.
Some of the boys at school had tried to hit on Kestrel, but didn't seem to be having much luck. For some reason, they seemed afraid of her. Rowan had a job in the town's local bookshop.
She herself...seemed to spend most of the time daydreaming about Ash. She couldn't help herself. She missed him. She wondered how many dragons he'd slain for her.
She put the telescope and her lawn chair in the back of her new station wagon a graduation present from her father and step mother and went over to the Burdock farm house. The door was open.
Normally the sisters were fine with her and Mark going in without knocking. But since there were guests, Mary-Lynnette felt she might as well be polite. She knocked on the door, calling out, "Anyone home?" even though she knew there was.
"Come on, Leila, don't be shy." Jade was pulling the black-haired girl out the living room. "It's only Mary-Lynnette."
The girl - Leila - smiled politely, almost shyly. She was small, her face a sculptor's dream, classic perfection. Her blue eyes shone like jewels.
"Mare, this is Leila, she's going to be staying here," Jade said cheerfully. "Leila, this is Mary-Lynnette, she's a friend of ours."
Mary-Lynnette managed a polite smile in return. She wasn't sure why she felt a little uncomfortable.
"What's going on?" a deep voice said. A voice that set Mary-Lynnette's teeth on edge.
"Jeez, Dorian, could you be any creepier?" Jade snorted. "Mare, this is Dorian."
Mary-Lynnette glanced up at Dorian, deciding she didn't like the guy on set. He was huge, muscular and looked as if he wasn't afraid to use those muscles. He smiled, and there was something very chilling about him. He was gorgeous, she had to admit, but that didn't make her like him anymore.
He scared her. She didn't like the hungry look in his eyes as he shook her hand. He made her feel cold all over.
"So," Dorian said, trying to start a conversation, but Mary-Lynnette didn't feel like talking to him. She looked around like a trapped animal trying to think up an excuse to escape.
Kestrel came out the lounge then. "Scaring our neighbours already Dorian? You don't waste any time, do you?"
"I haven't done anything," Dorian protested.
He had a point. He hadn't. He just had a disturbing presence. She didn't want to think about what would happen if she kicked this guy in the shins.
"I - I have to go now," she got out, and almost ran out the door. She could still feel Dorian's probing, hungry eyes on her back.
She shut herself inside her station wagon, trying to calm her racing heart. What was wrong with her?
* * *
Ash glanced up at the sky, lounging on the hood of his car, gazing at the star patterns. He could see Jupiter, the king of the planets, high in the sky, with a faint red tinge. He remembered the first time he'd come here to Briar Creek, sitting in this exact same spot with Quinn, after they'd learned that Rowan and co had run away.
The stars may still be the same, they would never change. But he had. He could hardly believe it himself. He wasn't the same person when he'd first come here. His view point had changed a little.
He could see the vague lights from the Burdock farm house. That meant someone was home. But it wasn't home he was planning on going to first.
An image of Mary-Lynnette flashed through his mind, her pretty clear blue eyes, thick dark hair, gentle face, friendly smile. They had parted on good terms. He had promised her he would come back, and he'd kept true to his word. Here he was, one year to the day.
An unexpected bout of nervousness washed through him. What if she had changed too? What if she had met someone else? What if...
He shook his head. Rowan told him Mare was still waiting, and moping. But he wasn't supposed to know that. She had promised not to tell about his visit wanting to surprise Mare.
Get it over with, he told himself. You want to see her, stop being such a wuss and go. This is *not* you. Girls do *not* make you nervous and never have.
Ash hardly ever listened to his inner voices, but this time, he decided to actually act on the advice. Leaving his car where it was he walked down the hill.
The night was alive around him, he could hear the crickets chirping their monotonous song, smell the animals in the woods around him. He'd never taken time to notice things like this and appreciate them before. But Mare's love for the night made him think.
He'd said to her himself, "Even though we're apart, we'll always be looking at the same sky."
As he approached Burdock farm and the Carter's house, an uncomfortable feeling was washing over him. Something he didn't quite understand. Why was he, of all people, getting premonitions?
Premonitions? The thought had never really crossed his mind. It was just...an uncomfortable feeling. That didn't mean he should be worried about the world ending.
Taking a deep breath, he was about to go knock on Mare's door. He looked around, spying a brand new, shiny station wagon, a telescope and lawn chair in the back seat.
And his soulmate in the driver's seat.
Here we go, he thought, and tapped on the window.
* * *
Mary-Lynnette nearly jumped a mile when someone suddenly knocked on the window, pulling her out of her reverie. She hadn't realised she'd been so out of it.
She turned to yell at the idiot who'd startled her suddenly.
But her words died on her tongue. She opened the car door, grabbed the front of Ash's shirt and pulled him into the car with her, hugging him fiercely. The wonderful pinky haze started to fill her vision, as he returned the embrace.
"Did I startle you?" he asked, seeming amused. He reached over and shut the door.
She studied him, realising she had forgotten how good he looked. His ever-changing Redfern eyes were a soft blue at the moment.
"Long night," she said dryly. "So. You came back." Lame, but she couldn't really think of something to say.
"I told you I would," he said, giving her a lopsided smile.
"Any dragons for me?" she asked, feeling her own smile pull at her lips. "You said you'd slay some."
"Actually, yeah."
Mary-Lynnette stared at him suspiciously. He reached into his back pocket and pulled something out. It was a small black velvet box. She looked at him quickly. He handed it to her. She eyed him and took it, opening the box. Inside was a small silver pendant, in the shape of a dragon, holding a multi-coloured crystal in its claws.
"I know it's not the same as a real dragon, they were all put to sleep countless millennia ago, but it's the next best thing, or at least that I could find and - "
Mary-Lynnette smiled, taking the pendant out and fastening it round her neck. "You're waffling," she said. "Shut up. I love it." She kissed him, and felt a thrill of heat and sparks running down her nerves.
"You seem kind of perplexed," he observed, studying her. "Want to tell me what's wrong?" This was the rare, nice side of him. She wondered if he was still as arrogant as he used to be, and this was just the side of him only she ever saw. But if that were the case, would she really object?
She sighed, wondering if he knew about his sister's new guests. All her worries suddenly came flooding back with a force and she shuddered, unsure why. She was nowhere near Dorian. Ash was here, and wouldn't let anything happen to her. He'd proved that when fighting Jeremy Lovett.
"Your sisters have a few new house guests," she said finally.
A frown rippled across Ash's features. "Oh? Who?"
"Some girl, I think her name was Leila. And some giant creepy guy." She shuddered.
Ash didn't look too pleased. "Oh joy," he said dryly. "Gee, I can't wait to get home."
Mr. Sarcasm was back too. Mary-Lynette looked at him. "You know them?"
"Leila's okay," Ash said, "she's kind of quiet and shy. But Dorian's an asshole. He's the ultimate vampire, ruthless, predatory, cold as ice, cares for nothing but his own pleasure. He doesn't give a damn about who he hurts."
"Now that description sounds a little familiar," Mary-Lynnette said dryly. She remembered sitting in the living room of the Burdock farm house discussing the goat, when Rowan and Jade had been telling her what Ash was like, and she was trying to figure out a way of saying she'd met him before.
"Hey, I changed," he protested. "I have witnesses too."
Mary-Lynnette looked at him, wondering if it was true or not. She couldn't say it was or it wasn't, he hadn't been back long enough. But she was hoping it was true. "Advice?" she asked.
Ash shrugged. "Ignore him or avoid him. He's not very fond of humans so he'll probably leave in a few days once Leila's got settled. She's his sister."
"Poor girl," Mary-Lynnette muttered. She frowned, wondering how she was supposed to ignore someone like Dorian. Just the thought of him made her shudder. "I guess, he just makes me nervous."
Ash gave her a wicked grin. "I can think of a few ways to make you *less* nervous," he suggested.
Mary-Lynnette looked at him, feeling a grin creeping across her own face. "Oh yeah? What?"
Her kissed her again, and she could feel their soulmate connection sparking, the wonderful white light blooming, joining their minds, linking them together as they were meant to be forever. She hadn't realised just how much she'd missed him and loved him.
"Suggest we move to back seat to get more comfy," Ash muttered in her ear.
"Why?" she asked.
"The steering wheel's digging into my back and it's killing me."
"Oh. Okay."
* * *
The next morning Mary-Lynnette was in a very cheerful mood. She couldn't remember ever feeling this good before. Well, she had very good reasons. Certain parts of her were kind of sore, but Ash told her it would fade in time.
She headed into the kitchen whistling happily. Mark sat at the table eating a bowl of cereal. Their dad had left for work, and their stepmother Claudine was nowhere to be seen.
"You're perky," Mark observed.
Mary-Lynnette headed for the fridge, pulling out a carton of orange juice out and taking a swig. "Very," she said.
Mark eyed her suspiciously. "Do I dare ask?"
Mary-Lynnette closed the fridge, finished the almost-empty carton and tossed it in the trash. "Ash came back last night," she answered, her tone dreamy.
Mark, who wasn't stupid, put two and two together. Mary-Lynnette laughed at the expression on his face. "You didn't..."
Mary-Lynnette grinned. "We did."
Mark shook his head, grimacing. "Where? You didn't come back until late."
"My station wagon. Back seats have some very good uses."
Mark stared at her in utter disbelief. "In a *station* *wagon?*" he exclaimed. "You did it in a *station* *wagon?*" Mark shook his head. "What would Dad say?"
Mary-Lynnette glared at him. "Dad doesn't need to know. Keep your mouth shut." She knew he wouldn't go blabbing to Claudine or her dad that their only daughter wasn't a virgin anymore.
"Know about what?" Jade's voice said cheerfully, as she poked her head around the back door.
Mary-Lynnette sighed. "Never mind."
Jade came in, dragging the new girl Leila with her. Mary-Lynnette felt her good mood chill and goosebumps raised on her arms. Ash had said that Leila was okay. But thinking of her made Mary-Lynnette thing of Dorian, and he still scared her.
"Mark, this is Leila, she's going to be staying with us," Jade continued brightly, ignoring Mary-Lynnette's cold expression. She avoided conversation with the new girl, concentrating on her breakfast.
"You must be thrilled to have Ash back," Jade said.
Now that was something Mary-Lynnette could smile about. "We had a long talk last night."
Mark snorted milk over the table. "That wasn't all you had, though, was it?" he said, shooting her a grin.
Mary-Lynnette gave him a look. "Oh shut up. You're never gonna let me forget this, are you?"
Mark grinned. "Oh no."
Mary-Lynnette shook her head, wondering if she should have mentioned it at all. Now Mark had something he could blackmail her with if ever needed. Jade was looking a little confused, then she got it. "Oh you didn't..."
"Give me a break," Mary-Lynnette muttered, standing up to take her dish to the sink.
"Ash is kind of dreamy," Leila said with a smile.
Mary-Lynnette felt cold again. She didn't know why but she decided she did not like these new people. "He's taken," she snapped, and stormed out.
* * *
Leila frowned, wondering what could have upset the other girl. An uncomfortable silence hung in the room. Mark and Jade were exchanging glances.
"What's her problem?" she asked, nodding in the direction Mary-Lynnette had gone.
"Mare and Ash are soulmates," Jade explained.
"Oh." Leila couldn't help feeling a little disappointed. She had liked Ash. He had seemed okay, if a little arrogant. Breathlessly sexy. But she wanted him for herself. And now this little human girl was in the way.
No problems, though. Leila felt a calmness sweeping over her. She'd just get Dorian to take care of her.
* * *
Dorian stood outside in the sunlight, watching the sleepy town of Briar Creek. Despite the late hour and bright sunshine, no one seemed to be about. He shook his head and dropped the cigarette he'd been smoking, lighting another one. He sighed, knowing he would be relieved to get back to the enclave and real life.
He didn't particularly mind leaving Leila here with Rowan and her sisters, she'd be alright with them. He frowned a little, it wasn't Leila he was worried about. It was those stupid humans. Telling humans about Night World was forbidden.
And with damn Ash Redfern back on the scene. He sighed, irritated. He didn't want Leila getting involved with a jerk like Ash, but couldn't stop her from doing anything when he wasn't there.
A car engine caught his attention and he saw a shiny new station wagon pull up outside the General Store. He watched the girl getting out, the human girl Mary-Lynnette. She was quite pretty for a human and would make a nice companion.
He might have to see about taking a souvenir of Outside back to the enclave with him.
* * *
Mary-Lynette parked her new station wagon in front of the Briar Creek General Store. Their step mother Claudine had gone into the next city with their father, and had left a list of things she'd asked Mary-Lynnette to pick up for her.
It was a typical day in Briar Creek, sun shining brightly, with not a soul on the streets. And yet, as she headed into the store, she could feel the burning heat of eyes on her back.
Glancing around, she could see only Bunny Marten, behind the counter, smiling at her as she walked in. She nodded faintly, and went about the shelves, getting what she need. Heavy footsteps sounded behind her, and she dropped the box of eggs she was carrying.
"Her you go."
She looked up in surprise to see Dorian handing them to her. He must have caught them on the fly. She was vaguely impressed with his reflexes. She took the eggs, feeling a little shy around him.
"Uh, thanks," she said, not able to think of much else to say.
He gave her a stunning smile, his ever-changing eyes glowing a warm green. "Didn't mean to startle you."
"It's okay," she said. She felt nervous and shy. Dorian was imposing. His darkness didn't fit in the small town of Briar Creek, which was human and sun shiny, and all good things, with the odd vampire thrown in.
But Dorian wasn't right here. She didn't say anything as they headed up to the counter. Dorian was studying. "Do I have something between my teeth?" she asked lamely.
"No," he said with a smile. "You're just looking very pretty this morning is all."
She put her purchases on the counter, seeing Bunny's eyebrows raise at Dorian and her mouth open in a silent "Wow" when he wasn't looking. Mary-Lynnette tried to hide a smile. Bunny was a hopeless romantic.
"Thanks," she said weakly, brushing her dark hair out her eyes. She nodded her thanks to Bunny after she'd paid.
"Let me," Dorian said, and before she could do anything he'd taken her bags and was taking them out to her car. She felt embarrassed and awkward, but a wave of relief when she saw Ash heading in their direction.
Ash scowled at Dorian. "What's going on?" he asked, slipping his arm around Mary-Lynnette's shoulders.
"Nothing," Dorian said, matching his scowl. "I was just helping her with her shopping." He smiled faintly at Mary-Lynnette, glared at Ash and stalked off.
Mary-Lynnette let out a sigh of relief. Ash eyed her, almost suspiciously. "What happened?" he asked. "Seriously."
Mary-Lynnette was feeling better already, just being in his comforting presence. "Nothing. He really was just trying to play gentlemen. He just gives me the creeps is all."
Ash snorted. "Ignore him."
Mary-Lynnette nodded. She wondered if Dorian might have his eyes on her. But it didn't matter. He would never win her over. She had Ash. And Ash was all she wanted. "I'm feeling better now," she said brightly. "Kiss me."
"So that's how this relationship is gonna work?" Ash said with an eyebrow raised, a smile playing about his lips. "You're just gonna order me around?"
Mary-Lynnette grinned. "Pretty much."
Ash sighed. "I was afraid of that."
Before he could say anything else she pulled him close and kissed him, feeling the light of their soulmate connection spark, and put all her worries out her mind.
* * *