Chapter 1- The News

It was a normal day at Aunt Opal's house, that is until the mail came.

"Rowen, Rowen! There's a letter from Ash" Jade exclaimed, with Mark her soulmate trailing close behind her into the living room.

"Really" Kestrel asked coming in the back door after feeding the goats. We decided to keep them to remind us of Aunt Opal (and for feeding purposes) who had been staked last year by a rogue vampire in the area

"Well open it up and read it to us then" I sighed.

"Dear girls" Jade read "It is sad for me to inform you that our great-great-whatever grandfather has passed away. Hunter Redfern is no more."

"That's good, isn't it?" Mark asked. Kestrel shrugged and looked at me

I bit my lip, thinking. "That depends on what it means for us... and who rules us now..."I trailed off.

"Shhh, there's more" Jade scolded, "a-hem. Due to his passing there will be a council meeting to decide who should lead the vampires now. The meeting will take place next Friday and I would very much like for you three to be in the city for support and because you never know one of you might be chosen to rule. Also, I would greatly appreciate it if you brought Mary-Lynnette with. If it helps convince her let her know that I have slayed a few dragons but not as many as I would have liked to. Mary-Lynnette will know what I mean. Looking forward to seeing you all soon. Your brother, Ash"

Jade turned to look at me but, I didn't know what to say. To think that finding his soulmate would change Ash so much. I mean hey, I'd seen slight changes in Jade and Mark but nothing this... drastic.

"So should we go? Or should we just completely ignore the letter?" asked the always optimistic Kestrel.

"I don't know it certainly doesn't sound like Ash but maybe..." I started, hesitating; unconvinced "he really has changed."

"I don't think it sounds like him either but, look at Jade she's changed as well" Kestrel agreed, voicing what I had thought earlier.

"You know who I think it sounds like? I think it sounds like the old Ash, the one we grew up with. So, maybe he's just changed back" argued Jade.

I sighed but didn't argue it wasn't worth it.

"Wait; shouldn't we go get my sister?" Mark asked, clearly confused.

I hesitated (again) but, I honestly didn't know what to say to him.

"No" Kestrel growled "until we decide what we're doing no one goes anywhere. Understood?" Kestrel snapped menacingly, glaring at Mark the entire time. Mark took a step away from her, knowing she wasn't really what she appeared. For Mark and Mary-Lynnette knew what most people didn't, they knew that my sisters, my brother, and I were vampires. They also knew about the Night World.

"Back off, it was just a suggestion. Though I do agree with you that we shouldn't let anyone know about this" I pointed to the letter "until we decide what we're going to do but, all the same you don't need to get so defensive about it.

"Thank you" Mark mouthed at me. I gave an inconspicuous nod of my head in response. Always happy to help. God, I need to get a life. Focus Rowen I chastised myself.

"Look, I think we should go" Jade imputed "but if you guys don't want to go whatever I fully understand. Either way Mark and I are going, even if it's by ourselves. Besides I think it would be nice to see Ash again, it has been almost a year, and I think that Mary-Lynnette will agree with us" `us meaning Jade and Mark` "when we tell her"

Mark`s head whipped up at the mention of us but now he and Jade were facing each other and just grinning.

"Yeah, whatever. Like I'm gonna let my baby sister run around Las Vegas with some 16-year-old boy" Kestrel teased.

"I am not a baby. You're just old." Jade yelled at Kestrel looking pretty ticked off. Kestrel didn't reply just stood there glowering at Jade.

"Stop it you two please," They both turned to look at me. "Kestrel, Jade is not a baby. And Jade Kestrel is not old. Unless you are trying to inconspicuously tell me that I am really old seeing as I am the eldest then stop." Jade looked down at her feet guiltily and I heard a mumbled apology.

"Next time, just ignore her, alright?" Jade nodded and smiled. "Anyways, I think..." I hesitated looking at Kestrel "that we should go." Mark grinned, Jade stuck her tongue out at Kestrel, I glared at Jade, and she stopped but Kestrel... well Kestrel looked furious.

"Does that mean we can go and tell Mary-Lynnette now?" Mark asked, hopefully.

My sisters and I looked at each other. Jade nodded, I shrugged, but Kestrel, once again causing trouble shook her head furiously.

"No, we already decided it doesn`t sound like him maybe it`s a trick message. Besides Ash always gets what he wants, he deserves a little disappointment too." Kestrel.

"But, that`s not fair to Mary-Lynnette" Jade.

"I think Mary-Lynnette should decide" Me.

"I agree with Rowen." Mark. "So, can we go tell my sister now?"

I nodded. Mark was beaming as he and Jade linked hands and turned to walk out the door. I started to follow but Kestrel stopped me.

"I don't think this is a good idea" she whispered to me, looking at our sister and Mark's retreating backs, angrily.

"You're just jealous that you don't have a soulmate" I whispered back. I yanked out of her grasp, grabbed Ash's letter and walked out the front door, Kestrel shooting daggers into my back(with her eyes) the whole time.

Hey guys. I hope you liked the sneak peak. Alright now here's the deal should I continue or should I just quit. I am not posting the next chapter till I get at least 3 reviews. Thanks.