Hi everyone!!!! I am so sorry once again for not updating in a while, as my sister explained, my life in college has been really BUSY!!!!! She helped me update the last chapter, but I decided to squeeze in a new chapter, while I have a little bit of time on my hands!!! More is coming, James and Poppy will make an appearance and I will focus a bit more on Quinn and Rashel. Please review, I really enjoy reading your wonderful advice and comments!!! Hope you all had a happy Valentines Day!!! Love, Twinkle Fairy. :D


"What is your PROBLEM?" Mary-Lynette's voice was loud and piercing. She was speaking rapidly; her words flew out like high speed arrows from a strung bow. Ash winced on the couch as he stared sheepishly up at his soul mate's livid face. "I am amazed by your actions!!! He is your cousin, and yet you still antagonize him. I love you to death, but sometimes you drive me insane. He has come here desperate for our help, and yet you still act like a three year old who was told he couldn't have a grape flavored Popsicle!"

Ash could feel the heat coming off of her body, it his him like waves that beat the rocks in a storm. Her blood was beating quickly and he could see her usually rosy cheeks flushed with red blood. She is so beautiful when she's angry, Ash smiled to himself. Goddess, I love her so much. He longed to make her happy, he wanted to explain to her the terrible danger that they were in, but she wouldn't care. Ash knew that Mare cared little for her own personal safety whenever people she loved were involved. We make a fine pair, I care for nothing in this world but her and she cares for the well being of just about everyone else.

At that moment Ash knew that he had lost.

"Mare, I'm sorry," Ash stood up and walked toward Mary-Lynette, stroking her hair and peering into her soft eyes. "You're right, I was acting childish, and I shouldn't have said those things to Quinn. I'll go apologize to him later, I promise" Ash cast his eyes downward. "But, you have to understand. It is no longer safe here. Hunter Redfern will be coming here at any time now, and he will be thirsting for blood. The only thing Redfern cares about is keeping his position in power; he hates mortals with a vengeance because they have forced the Nightworld into hiding. As he sees it, the whole world should exist in a period of darkness. The humans will be at the will of the vampires. He will use you as a slave, and when he tires of you…. He will kill you. I cannot allow that to happen."

After Ash spoke there was a long pause. They stood together for a few moments listening to the sound of the wind in the trees; the room was flooded with sunlight that illuminated the red tones in Mary-Lynette's dark hair. After a while Mary-Lynette spoke, pulling up Ash's downcast face so that it was level with her own. "Just because this is the way things are doesn't mean it is how they should be! I don't want to live in a world full of darkness and hatred. I couldn't—" her voice cracked and tears threatened to fall from her eyes. She was very afraid, not for herself, but for her family and all the innocent people who would be unable to defend themselves against such a force. Ash stroked her face, catching the tears from her eyes before they could stain her face. When she had calmed down, she continued, "Ash I couldn't live in a world like that, and I refuse to lie down and watch that… monster hurt them!"

Ash marveled at how swiftly his soulmate could change from being terrified to battle mode. She looked at him expectantly, waiting for his response. Her cheeks were once again blazing and her eyes had a fire behind them. Before she could react Ash bent down and kissed her with all his heart, he poured every ounce of love into their kiss. Mary-Lynette could feel him, she could sense his fear, his anger, his defiance, but she could feel his love and devotion for her in every nerve of her body. After a few moments they broke apart and rested in each other's embrace.

"We have to leave," Ash whispered into her ear. "We can no longer stay in this house." Mary-Lynette gave him a questioning look.

"Where can we go? I don't understand…."

"James…. We have to go and visit my cousin James, he lives across the country, but his soul mate was a human who he turned into a vampire. He is sympathetic to our cause. Plus, everyone in the Nightworld knows that James and I…. well we have a serious 'love-hate relationship.' It is the safest place I can think of." Ash replaced his worried look with one of resolve and determination. He looked like a lion that was ready to duel a tiger. With that he began whistling the song 'Here Comes the Sun'; sometimes he thought that the Beatles could make a song to fit any situation.