Chapter 1
Trent Raven scowled at the pavement, watching pieces of hail bounce off. It was no night to be out. Rain at first, then sleet, and now sleet and hail. Yecch. She would go on the bus or taxi, but it was too dangerous. She didn't want to get killed before reaching Circle Daybreak, or risk some nosy vampire finding out what she was doing.
It was Las Vegas at 11 PM. Not the most comforting place in the world, especially in the rain. There were bums and burglars around every corner, but Trent didn't care. She didn't have to worry about little things like the thug two feet taller and wider than her giving her a once-over. She was dressed nicely, and no doubt he thought she had money on her. Trent ignored him.
Give me the purse, lady! It was that damn thug, holding a gun to her face. Trent sighed. These guys never seemed to get it. Get out of here, you sad bastard. I'm not giving you anything. The crook began to sweat and shook his head threateningly. Give me your damn purse or I'll shoot! She rolled her eyes. In a flash she jumped five feet in the air and uncurled her right leg in a vicious kick to his head, sending him slamming back into a dumpster. She shook her head in disgust and resumed walking.
A half hour later she reached Thierry's mansion. She looked skeptically up at it. It looked like just another rich boy's Playhouse-which it was, really. Nervously she took out a cigarette and lit it, inhaling gratefully. Being half vampire, she couldn't get addicted, but it still calmed her down. Her mind buzzing with doubts, she knocked at the gate. A vampire with flame-red hair answered, her blue eyes suspicious-who would be here so late. Yeah? What do you want?
Trent blew a haze of cigarette smoke. I need to see Thierry.
You can't just waltz in here and do that, you know. And anyway, he's not here.
Then I need to see whoever's in charge.
The vampire raised a delicate eyebrow. And who are you?
Who are you?
She looked annoyed. That doesn't matter. I want to know your name, or I won't let you in.
Trent took another long puff on the cigarette. Trent Raven. You mean to say you haven't heard of me? I'm shocked. I thought every vampire who's not a hermit would have heard of me by now.
The vampire's jaw dropped open. You're Trent Raven? The Trent Raven? The Trent Raven who- she realized the rest of that sentence was not very tactful, and stopped. Come on in. She opened the gate and walked up the walked inside. Trent followed.
Here.....why don't you sit down? I'll get Thea and Hannah....I guess they should talk to you.... she sat Trent down in the kitchen and went to get Thea and Hannah.
Trent looked around the kitchen, nervous in spite of herself. What if they wouldn't accept her? She tossed her jet-black hair and tried to bring to surface her usual attitude of disdain and conceit. It worked somewhat-she was less nervous, anyway.
Hannah hurried into the room, followed by a breathless Thea. Hannah stopped and stared sharply at Trent. Trent Raven? she asked slowly. Trent nodded and gave her an unsettling grin. That would be me. Hannah gave a curt nod and she and Thea sat down. Now, what exactly brings you to Circle Daybreak?
Trent took a last puff on her cigarette and stubbed it out, chucking it into the trash can. I'm fucking tired of being hunted constantly day and night, wondering if today will be my last day alive. I've avoided the Council and just about the whole Night World for three years now, I've managed to give them the slip every time and even kill a few, but sooner or later someone is going to catch up with me. Someone like Ash? a wicked little voice snickered in her mind. She squashed it ruthlessly. So I guess you could say that I want protection. It kills me to say it, but I'm scared. You can only miss being staked by half an inch so many times.
That's one reason I'm here. The other reason is I want to join you. You've all heard stories of my powers: I'm one of the best telepaths living, stronger than most everybody, faster than anyone, and all the perks of vampirism without the bloodlust. And I've been exercising these powers as hard as I could for the past three years, trying to stay alive. I can be a spy, assassin, fighter, you name it. But you know that I'd be useful. So I'm asking you to give me a shot. Trent held her breath. Please say yes, she begged silently. If you don't, I don't know where I'll go.
Hannah and Thea looked at each other, unsure of what to do. Well... we can't promise anything with Thierry gone....but sure, you can definitely stay, and I'm almost positive Thierry will want you with Circle Daybreak, Hannah said warmly. Welcome. Thea will lead you to a spare room.
Just then, five laughing Daybreakers walked in, Ash in the lead. He stopped dead upon seeing Trent, his expression combining fury with rage, disbelief, and just a touch of horror. he hissed.
Trent's hands balled into fists. Rage clawed up her throat, and she fought the impulse to jump on Ash and tear his throat out. Hello, Ash, she said in her absolute sugary sweetest voice. Did you miss me? He stared at her for three long seconds, then turned abruptly and stormed out of the kitchen. Trent watched him go, her heart pounding in her ears. What the Hell was he doing here? So Ash is a Daybreaker? she asked suddenly, and everyone jumped at her harsh tone. Thea nodded nervously. He joined about five months ago. Trent sat silently, struggling with the unwanted memories that threatened to surface. She was not going to think about that tonight-nor ever again. Still, pictures of her past were forming blurrily in her mind.
So how about that room? she said abruptly to Thea, trying to shake herself out of her reverie. She treated the room to another dazzling, unsettling smile. Thea nodded, grateful to release the tension in the room. Of course. Come on. She walked out of the kitchen, Trent following.
Thea tried to make conversation several times on the way to Trent's room. So, where do you know Ash from? Silence. She tried again. What do you think of Thierry's mansion? Silence. How do you like it here in Las Vegas? Awful weather we're having, huh? So, do you like Circle Daybreak so far? Finally she gave up and lapsed into silence once more.
They reached Trent's room and Thea handed over the key. Trent grunted a thank you. As she was unlocking her room, Thea couldn't help herself. Why are you so cold? she burst out, I mean, you act like you don't even hear me! Would it kill you to be just a little bit more friendly? Trent froze, turning to stare at her. Thea's mind was full of cheerful, annoying little thoughts: frustration at Trent for being so unfriendly, dreamy thoughts of her soulmate, and optimism about Circle Daybreak's chances for the upcoming war. Hardly a dark thought in there. Trent shook her head at the poor girl's naivete before promptly shutting the door in her face.
Trent was dreaming, strangely enough. She never allowed herself to dream-too much ugly stuff sitting in the subconscious. But she was dreaming tonight, and it was not a nice dream, not at all.
She was drunk, and everything was blurry. Ash was smirking in front of her, his eyes changing every second. He whispered in her ear, asking her something, she didn't know what. She nodded, not sure what she was agreeing to, but too nauseous to think about it.
Dimly she realized he was leading her up the stairs, into a room. They were alone, and some far-off clear part of her mind wondered why. Hadn't they come to this party with some other people? The rest of her mind was busy trying to stay conscious.
Then all of a sudden everything became crystal clear, her senses were in overdrive and everything was in perfect detail. They were in an old bed, and Ash was on top of her, whispering sweet nothings in her ear. Only they weren't sweet-they were scary and monstrous. He was too heavy on top of her, she could smell the alcohol in his breath, she could see the individual strands of his hair, she could feel him ripping off her shirt, could feel the pain of his teeth in her neck, could feel her blood being drawn against her will, could feel everything-
Trent sat straight up in bed, gasping for breath. It had happened just like that in reality, only then she couldn't wake up. She pressed shaking hands to her eyeballs, trying to burn out the pictures that were etched there. She had stopped dreaming about it a year ago, but seeing Ash again had brought it all back. She lay in her bed shaking for the rest of the night, too scared to go to sleep.
It was eleven in the morning before Trent plodded downstairs for breakfast, already dressed in jeans and a black tank top. She had not slept all night except for that one dream, and huge bags-more like suitcases-were hanging underneath her eyes.
Everyone else was already at the dinner table, chatting and quite awake-everyone except Ash, that is. He looked like he'd had even less sleep than Trent, and was staring moodily into his cereal, his mind plainly somewhere else. He looked up when Trent entered, and their eyes locked in a glare. Trent could feel the hate coursing through her veins, and she could feel Ash's anger quite clearly as well-he was broadcasting to the whole room, which had gone suddenly quiet at Trent's appearance.
Poppy couldn't stand the tension. She had to say something. Hi Trent! I'm Poppy. Come on in, and have some breakfast. She grimaced inwardly-she sounded like Pollyanna.
Trent turned away from her staring contest with Ash and gave Poppy a disconcerting smile. I'd love to, she replied menacingly, reminding Poppy forcibly of Pre-Mary-Lynette-Ash.
Trent grabbed a bowl and a box of Fruit Loops, eating gratefully, ignoring the curious stares of the Daybreakers. She hadn't eaten in about two days.
Poppy cleared her throat, determined to make conversation. So, Trent, what brings you to Circle Daybreak? she asked with a warm smile. Trent grinned savagely. I'm being hunted by just about the entire Night World, she said, her ice-blue eyes shifting to Ash's seat. I've heard all the stories of how Circle Daybreak helped those in need. Again, she looked at Ash, who was glaring at her. Also, I figured I could be pretty damn useful. Poppy smiled. Well, I'm sure Thierry will let you join, she said warmly.
James wasn't quite so friendly. He was watching Trent with narrowed eyes, wondering why she was provoking his cousin. Her eyes were chips of ice, blue and cold as Antarctica. When she looked at him, shivers went down his back and he had the uncomfortable feeling that she knew everything about him-which, if the stories about her telepathic powers were true, she probably did. Why are you being hunted? he asked suddenly.
Trent stared at James, a long, calculating look, and then her gaze shifted once again to Ash, who was seething. She gave another dazzling smile. I honestly don't know, she said.
Trent stared at Ash, who glared right back, his breath coming quickly. What's the matter, Ash? Do you not like to think about it? Are you pretending it never happened? she thought at him, knowing he could hear. He glared at her. You were as much at fault as I was, he shot back. And in case you're forgetting, you almost killed me. Trent laughed in her mind. So that's what you're telling yourself? That it was my fault, that you got hurt more than me? Tell me, Ash, do your fellow Daybreakers know? Have you chosen to enlighten them, or are they still in denial about the monster you really are? Ash gave her a final glare, then got up and stormed out of the room. Everyone stared after him, then looked nervously at Trent. She smiled bitterly and drank her orange juice.
When she finished a half hour later, an annoyed James followed her out of the kitchen. He caught up with her on the balcony. What is your problem? he snapped. Do you cause discomfort and chaos everywhere, or is that just our special treat?
Trent slowly turned to stare at him. His mind was full of angry thoughts about her and worried thoughts about Ash. He couldn't understand why she was being so cold. Trent laughed silently, and turned to go. James called after her. Why do you have to be so awful to Ash? he burst out. I don't know what he did to make you hate him, but he's changed now! We've all forgiven him, why can't you?
Trent whirled around and grabbed James by the front of his shirt, pinning him against the wall. She had had enough. You think you know him, you think he can change, but you're wrong, she hissed. James struggled, but she was too strong for him. You think the worst he did was kidnap your girlfriend, you think he can be forgiven. Well, you're wrong! I know, I've experienced the worst he can do firsthand. He'll never change. He's a monster. She let go, and James stood against the wall, breathing hard. He opened his eyes. She had disappeared.