The Deadliest Soulmate

All alone in a dim room the two opposing leaders must decide the fate of humans. What the actual outcome is, is a completely different matter…

Woo! A new story! Some people are probably there groaning 'not another one!', but here is another soulmate couple… with a difference.

Okay, I know that that was a rubbish summary but I couldn't think of a better one without giving too much away. This is yet another story of: if the Night World was real, except that it's a little more realistic than my last one – it doesn't introduce any new characters.

Dedicated to everyone who reviewed for my story: L.J's Secret. I think I might delete that, so if you want to keep it – review for this saying so.

Chapter One
Busted

The building was… different. Not like the usual Daybreak outposts, but Lisa wasn't complaining. Buildings like these were rarely used to hide Daybreakers and the Wild Powers because these houses were way too noticeable.

Lisa shut the blinds of the nearest window after peering out of it to see down the boulevard. The street was empty. And she was the only one in the building. Good. It was safer that way.

A rich neighbourhood, with this house smack bang in the middle – outlandish with large balconies and a steep drive. No vehicles were parked outside; Lisa had arrived here by bus – seeming to be as normal as any human. But she wasn't a normal human; she was an author and the leader of one of the biggest organisations on Earth.

Every Night Person in the world was pining for her blood for revealing the secrets to her readers – but the Night World should've understood that no reader would actually believe–

There was a noise upstairs. A thump in the attic. Lisa stiffened and turned around, a hand still on the windowsill. Someone was… upstairs? She masked her face completely, even though inside she was screaming. How? How could anyone successfully make it through the wards that Aradia, Thea and Winnie had set up around the house? It was impossible… unless it were in actual fact a Daybreaker upstairs…

Or… Lisa thought, a chill running up her spine. Or they were already in the house before the barriers had been erected. Slowly, trying to make as little noise as possible, she made her way over to the large closet that was almost a wardrobe – sitting idly in the corner of the room.

If she could make it there in time… if she could slot herself in with minimal noise… Too late. Heavy footsteps were thudding down the stairs. Bile rose in Lisa's throat and she dived for the closet, wrenching the door open and planting herself inside. Good job she was in a mansion, and the intruder was on the second flight of stairs, not close enough to hear or see her.

Quietly, Lisa shut the door – her heart pounding in her throat and her blood roaring in her ears. A ghoul? She wondered, calming herself a little. No, it couldn't be, the footsteps sounded too controlled – and there was no mad slapping at the walls to get balance. This person had full body awareness.

If only… Lisa realised. If only there had been another way. If only I could've found the fourth Wild Power in time. There would have been no use for the books and I wouldn't be here right now…

The footsteps stopped. Lisa could hear the intruder breathing now. They were in the living room and only a slab of wood was saving her from getting caught. While she'd been thinking, the person had arrived – and so quickly too. She'd switched off and dropped her guard. Lisa was close to tears, even though she was a grown woman. She was trembling with fear. If she went down then the whole of Circle Daybreak would go down with her.

"I know you're in here," said a charming and silky voice – a male voice. Lisa's heart pumped ever faster. She'd never ever heard him speak before, never even been in his presence… but she knew who was in the room with her. Him? Here? Alone?

"Come out, come out, wherever you are." He cooed. Lisa clenched her fists. Telepathy, he was using telepathy! And it was hard to control her hands – she was trying to stop them from pushing open the closet doors.

Why were there closets in every room of each outpost, you ask? For exactly this reason – to hide. And it wasn't working. If he's latched onto my mind, it's only a matter of time until he figures out where I'm hiding. Lisa's stomach lurched. I can't shield my mind; I'm not a vampire. Should I run out, fighting? Or get caught in here and be trapped?

"Lisa…. that's your name, isn't it? Come out, and I promise I won't hurt you…"

He has no idea. Lisa realised. He doesn't know who I am, what I look like… that's because I was careful not to show any photos of myself. He thinks I'm a teenager, I suppose – just like the rest of them. Well, why not?

Lisa straightened her back and leaned forward. The closet was empty, so she hadn't had to push aside any brick-a-brack to get comfortable. If I step out, and he thinks I'm young – it'll throw him completely off balance and I'll have the upper hand. Lisa would've smirked if she didn't fear for her life.

Gathering her strength, she lunged forward, slapping the doors open so they swung on their hinges dangerously. She landed in the living room on her feet, and stood up to her full height – long blonde hair falling about her shoulders Note. Sorry, I don't know what L.J looks like because I've never seen her picture, her eyes narrowed.

The man before her was surprised, she could tell. His hawk-yellow eyes were darting about wildly, his auburn hair seemed to rise on his forehead. He certainly was as beautiful as they had all described.

"You… you're not–" he began, and then he laughed and folded his arms, gaining his self-control. It didn't matter if she wasn't young – what difference did it make? She was vermin. And vermin of the worse kind… who knew about the Night World.

Lisa smiled sweetly – she still had the advantage. She jumped backwards, ducked through the alcove that led into the dining room and ran as fast as she could to the back door.

"Oh no you don't!" the intruder cried, chasing after her.

Lisa didn't take any chances. She grabbed hold of the badge on her collar and pressed it – hard. "L.J to HQ. Come in. I'm being chased. Send help. Repeat. Send–" she didn't get to finish. Strong arms grabbed her from behind, two hands latching like vices onto the sleeves of her leather jacket. She was thrown onto the ground, dazed. The white noise in her ear only told her that the transmission had been brought to a close.

Lying spread-eagled on the floor, the sharp features of the intruder floated above Lisa and taunted her. His hands pressed down on her arms, never touching her skin – as she was dressed head to toe in black. Black sweater, jacket and jeans – even boots to match. He smiled, showing his lamia fangs. Lisa twisted about, trying to get away.

"You wrote about me, little author." He smiled. "Tell me why."

Lisa tried to move away from him, but it was no use, he was pinning her to the tile floor of the dining room. She gave him an icy glare and refused to answer.

"You're a lot older than I imagined you to be. How old are you… twenty… thirty?"
"None of your business!" Lisa hissed, which won her a slap round the face.

"Don't patronise me, Lisa." The man warned, still keeping a lazy, careless tone. "Do you honestly know who you're talking to?" he cocked his head on one side and smiled. "Who am I?"

Lisa frowned. "You're the man who planned to take over the Night World. You tried to kill countless soulmate couples – including your foster-son and his new girlfriend."

"Quinn? A vermin-lover? My son? Clearly you have your facts twisted."

Lisa growled and tried to squirm out of his grasp again. She failed. Finally, deflating, she stared him right in the eye. "You're the man who's trying to destroy the world. You're Hunter Redfern." She said, dramatically.

Hunter grinned triumphantly. "Thank you. I'm flattered – truly." He smiled and lowered his head, so he and Lisa were breathing the same air – their faces only millimetres apart. "Now, Lisa Jane Smith, you are going to tell me all I want to know, or I'm going to subject you to the rightful punishment of someone who tells humans about the Night World. Understand?"

Lisa smiled sweetly. "How about, you ask me a question – and if I can't answer it, I'll stay silent?"

Hunter frowned, his golden eyes turning bright yellow. "It doesn't work that way, human," he growled. "If you don't tell me, I might just have to slit your throat."

"Lucky me." Lisa grimaced, looking away. Help was on the way, she could feel it… And Hunter would be caught at last. If she could keep him talking long enough…

"So, how's your daughter?" Lisa said politely, referring to Lily.
Hunter froze immediately, catching her thought, but he didn't seem upset – just infuriated. "Dead," he hissed, furiously. "Because of your hybrid Wild Power."

"Really? I shall tell her that, she'll be pleased." She noted, thinking of Jez and how she'd disintegrated an entire building with the blue fire.

Hunter roared in fierce anger and lunged, his teeth digging into Lisa's neck. Lisa let out a gasp of surprise and tried to throw him off but it was no use. The pain that erupted through her body sent a spasm shooting up her leg as Hunter tapped into one of her nerves. Oh God, this is it. I'm really going to die. She had no idea it felt this way when someone was unwilling. Pain wasn't the word for it. It was torture – almost like being raped.

She screamed, feeling blood trickle down her neck and drip onto the floor. Before she blacked out completely, she wondered why and how. How could Hunter have known where she was? And why did he come alone? Then there was nothing but darkness. Lisa fainted.