Chapter 7 Discussions at a kitchen table

Mary-Lynette's POV

We were sitting around my kitchen table, Kestrel, Rowan, Jade, Mark and Will. Luke was playing in the sitting room. We were discussing what course of action we should take, during the last two weeks the Redferns said people had been following them and today someone had tried to kidnap Kestrel. They had got a nasty shock when Kestrel bet them up; you don't mess with a Redfern no matter who they are. ''We could just stick together and make sure we are never alone'' Jade suggested.

''Till they send a bigger group and I don't fancy having to be around one of you all the time for the rest of my life'' Kestrel argued.

''Maybe we could ask Ash for some backup'' Jade added.

''Yeah, shouldn't everyone be afraid to go near the Night World leader's sisters, I'm sure if he did something they would run off quickly enough'' Will insinuated.

''We can't just run to Ash with every problem we have, maybe we should just ask the Night World council for protection?'' Kestrel offered.

''Kestrel is right, we can't run to Ash with every problem, he is leader of the Night World now and if he helps us people might think he's abusing his power'' Rowan admitted.

''Then what should we do?'' Jade asked.

''We will go to The Court'' Rowan assured Jade. The Court was the Night World's headquarters, except it was kind of like a small community, they had shops and houses. Most of the soulmates lived there because it was safe and the vast majority were now on the council so they had to live nearby.

''All of us?'' wondered Kestrel.

''Yes all of us, Jade will have to bring Mark and Luke and we can't leave Will and Mare here unprotected'' Rowan snapped, Rowan usually never snapped except for when Kestrel asked stupid questions which was apparently now. Will looked slightly offended at being told he couldn't defend himself but he didn't say anything. One thing he had learned at the party was that humans were not a fair match against Night World creatures, when we were cleaning up they would just lift a bench or something if it got in the way. He also had witnessed Mogread and Quinn mess fight which still caused damage to its surroundings. Will had actually gotten on well with James, and when the Daybreakers were leaving some seemed to have warmed to him.

''So it's settled, we're going to The Court'' Will croaked.

''I guess we are'' I mumbled, I was not looking forward to going; I rarely see Daybreakers and I can usually cope because the occasions are so few and far apart. The Daybreaker I see most see is Ash and any time I've seen him it's been awkward to say the least. The first time was the most awkward after I had broken up with him through a letter, I knew it wasn't the most tactful thing but it was the best I could do at the time. I was not going to cheat. I hadn't move forward with my relationship with Will until I had gotten word back from Mark that Ash had gotten my letter. I had felt terrible about the whole thing but having someone in my life who wasn't constantly calling to tell me he couldn't make it was nice. I knew Ash was off rescuing the world but I couldn't watch my friends getting married and starting families while I was waiting for my prince charming. I also knew it was my fault for sending him away in the first place but I couldn't think about the what ifs because if I did I would always be stuck there and not moving forwards. Seeing him that first time after I had broken up with him I had wondered if I had done the right thing. Ash had left the next day and I had been snuggled up with Will in bed and in that moment I was sure I had made the right decision.

*flashback*

Will and I pull up into the Redferns drive way, we came back from college yesterday. Today was Christmas and we were spending it with the Redferns. I saw an unfamiliar jeep parked in the driveway, I had been worried at first but then a sickening realization hit and I knew it was Ash, I could feel it through the soulmate bond. I had hoped he wouldn't be here because he hadn't been here last year but then I had realized that of course he wasn't going to miss this and let me win, this was his family and he should be able to spend Christmas with them. I sighed as I got out of the car, this was going to be one hard day, fortunately I knew Ash wouldn't bring up the break up, he had too much pride and wouldn't want to show emotional vulnerability. When Rowan opened the door she gave me a sympathetic smile, every step I was taking into the house I was waiting for the dreaded moment when I would face Ash. All too soon Rowan lead us into the kitchen, Ash was sitting there at the table, looking just like a big lazy cat. He stiffened when I came in the room but otherwise there was no sign that my presence was unwanted. ''Why hello Mary-Lynette, long time no see'' Ash emphasised my full name.

''Hello Ash'' I said.

''And who is this strapping young man you have with you?'' Ash grins, I can tell he is enjoying this, watching me squirm.

''This is Will, Will this is Ash, the Redferns brother'' I say trying to keep my nerves out of my voice.

''Erm nice to meet you'' Will said oblivious to the tension. Before any more damage could be done Rowan announces dinner. The whole dinner is awkward, Will doesn't seem to notice and the silence is filled with Jade and Kestrel's chatter. When dinner and desert is finished and we've exchanged gifts we leave much to my relief. That night I lay in bed, thinking about the decisions I had made, I hadn't thought about Ash or the Night World in a long time. As much as I wished I could say that being with Ash was horrible, it hadn't been, it was one of the best times in my life. Though being with Will was better, Will was constant where Ash had been unreliable. With Ash it was like fire but with Will it was nurturing. The next morning Ash had gone home and I felt a flood of relief. There had been no big incident, Ash had just ignored me and Will hadn't noticed the tension between us. I lay snuggled up against Will; I was in a peaceful bliss. There was nothing that could ruin this.

*flashback*

I was packed and ready to go. Soon enough I would be seeing all the other Daybreakers. I had told Rowan there was no need to bring me and Will but she said they might come back and ask us where they were since our scent was in the house. I dragged my suitcase out to the car, Will was already in there and Rowan was driving since I had no clue where to go. Apparently it was on an island and you had to go on a boat to get across. They really were uping security measures. I sighed as I got in the car; this was one occasion I was not looking forward to. I didn't know what Ash had told the other Daybreakers about out breakup but I'm sure it didn't paint me in the best of light.