Chapter 9: Introductions

A/N:

Well, I don't have much to say here apart from thanks to Krystal (yet again! I feel like I should be awarding you with the most loyal reviewer award or something! You know what? I am going to. And the next award goes to… KrystalINSANEGirl, for being the most loyal reviewer that has stuck around to see this story out! Haha, there you go Krystal :P) and thanks to mj-a4evaxx for reviewing again, I should give an award to you soon as well! Thanks for sticking with me, in the review part anyway. Some of the people that reviewed may still read this so, thank you if you are!

I forgot this, again, in the last chapter:

DISCLAIMER: L J Smith owns The Night World, its dialogues, plot-lines and character names. All other plot lines, characterizations, and details belong to the author: xForbiddenLoveBitesx.

Ash

I felt an odd sense of buoyancy as I led Mary-Lynnette down the staircase and to the open-plan living area. The feeling had me grinning like an idiot – again, I'd really have to contain that smile, it seemed to catch me out – as I opened the doors to the living area. The doors – like all the doors in the mansion – were gigantic wooden double panels, all with some intricate pattern swirled and carved into the timber. The living area had a large table in the middle, chairs dotted near it. A 42-inch flat screen TV made itself known against the backdrop of floral and spotted designs, two sofas placed directly in front, both able to hold four people. Solitary armchairs were discarded haphazardly around the sofa, all faded and worn, in need of an update. Further down the plan, into what would be another room, was a generously stocked library. All four walls were covered in towering shelves with thousands of books stacked on them, covering every inch. I watched Mary-Lynnette's face take on a look of wonder as she regarded the library, her eyes widening and her lips parting. She looked back at me with a smile on her parted lips, eyes twinkling. I just gazed at her awe-struck face, savouring every moment, until someone cleared their throat purposely. I turned to glare at the person responsible and saw what I hadn't through my moment of serenity. Every primary member of Circle Daybreak was sitting patiently on or at the table, some trying to mask their amusement.

I huffed. "You could have just shouted at me mentally," I reasoned, looking to Mary-Lynnette who had adopted a look of embarrassment since I had last looked at her.

"We did," James replied, smirking slightly. "Apparently you were too absorbed," he snickered.

"It was so unbelievably cute," Poppy gushed, a hand to her heart. "That we didn't want to disturb you."

"Well someone did," I said, shaking my head in annoyance at the interrupter.

"Sorry Ash, we just wanted to get these introductions finished today," Morgead smirked, to which Jez hit him over the head. "Ow," he complained. Jez shot him a pointed look and he turned to Mary-Lynnette and flashed an apologetic grin.

Jez rolled her eyes and advanced towards Mary-Lynnette. "Jez Redfern," she introduced, holding out her hand. Mary-Lynnette shook it politely, smiling a little, visibly relaxing. "Sorry about that idiot," she indicated with her head over her shoulder at Morgead. "My Soulmate can be a bit of a pain," she explained.

I snorted and said under my breath, "A bit?" Apparently my mutterings were not quiet enough as Mary-Lynnette closed the few inched I had left between us and kicked my shin in reproach. My hand flew to my attacked leg as I hopped on the other, glaring playfully at her. She raised an eyebrow in a silent challenge. I just smiled my most flirtatious smile at her until she looked away, her ears tinged with strawberry pink. When I looked back at our audience everyone apart from Poppy and James had a look of astonishment on their faces.

Thea was the first to speak, "Did she just kick you?" she asked incredulously.

Rowan laughed from behind me and replied, "Yes, she did. She did that the first time they met…"

Jade finished her sentence with, "And several times after," They both laughed as they reminisced.

Thea no longer looked shocked but took on a look of amusement. "Well, who knew all it took to change Ash Redfern's ways was a swift kick to the shins?" she asked rhetorically as she smiled. Stepping closer to us, she looked Mary-Lynnette in the eyes for a few seconds then, obviously satisfied with what she saw; she enveloped her in a hug. Mary-Lynnette tensed at first contact but melted into the embrace as Thea continued to hold her. Thea let go first, smiling softly, "My name is Thea Harman, I can see we are going to be great friends," she said ominously as she returned to her seat next to Eric.

Eric held up his hand in a gesture of greeting. "Eric Ross," he smiled as he introduced himself, trying to make her feel more comfortable. "I'm Thea's Soulmate."

The skin in between Mary-Lynnette's eyebrows puckered ever so slightly and I picked up on the confusion through her thoughts. I leaned myself closer to her and lowered my mouth to her ear. "She's a witch," I explained simply, watching in fascination as she shivered slightly as my breath hit her skin. I straightened again and watched as Mary-Lynnette shifted her weight from one foot to the other in discomfort. I walked over to one of the discarded armchairs and picked it up effortlessly, placing it in front of Mary-Lynnette to sit on. She frowned a little before obliging, sinking into the comfort of the chair.

Someone sighed from the group and all eyes turned to look at the person that made the sound. David smiled back sheepishly. "I just wish I could do that," he admitted.

Gillian rolled her eyes. "You can," she pointed out, pointing at her Soulmate's toned biceps.

"Yeah but not that effortlessly," he replied, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Well, I could make you a vampire so you will be able to," I offered, knowing full well what the answer would be.

David paled somewhat and responded with, "No thanks Ash, I'm okay with staying human."

I shrugged my shoulders, a smirk on my mouth. "Your choice, David," I said.

Mary-Lynnette smiled graciously at me, grateful that she didn't have to ask for his name or species herself.

Gillian swung herself down from the table and made her way to Mary-Lynnette. She smiled kindly at her, offering her arms out, inviting a choice. Mary-Lynnette hesitated for two heartbeats then smiled back widely, stepping forward to wrap her arms around Gillian's tiny frame. Both girls pulled back at the same time, a friendship forming in their eyes. "My name is Gillian, I am a witch, and David is my Soulmate," she introduced, still smiling comfortingly at Mary-Lynnette. She made her way back to the table and nudged Maggie meaningfully on her way past.

Maggie rolled her eyes at Gillian. "I was going to introduce myself next anyway," she insisted, locking her brownish-orange eyes on Mary-Lynnette, smiling just as Thea and Gillian had. She repeated the action Gillian had and Mary-Lynnette giggled as she stood there, arms outstretched. "Come on Mary-Lynnette, I can't stand like this forever," she complained teasingly. Mary-Lynnette immediately stepped into the embrace and Maggie smiled. "Maggie Neely, human," she said once they had both let go. She moved to sit back down on a chair next to Delos.

"I am Delos Redfern, Prince of the Dark Kingdom, a vampire and Maggie's Soulmate," he said.

Maggie rolled her eyes again, but this time at her Soulmate. "You just had to drop the 'Prince of the Dark Kingdom' thing in there, didn't you?"

"It is my official title," he argued back.

I watched as Mary-Lynnette lifted one eyebrow as she turned her face towards my own. "Just how many relatives do you have?" she asked incredulously.

I shrugged and replied, "Way too many to count."

"I'll bet."

When Mary-Lynnette had returned her attention to the group Keller looked at Mary-Lynnette and smiled. "My full name is Raksha Keller, but everyone calls me Keller. I am a shapeshifter."

Mary-Lynnette nodded and fixed her eyes on Galen next to her, silently asking him to introduce himself.

"My name is Galen Drache," he said, a twinkle in his golden eyes. "I am also a shapeshifter and Keller's Soulmate."

Rashel regarded Mary-Lynnette with calculating eyes. I knew the look was not one that compromised Mary-Lynnette's safety but I still narrowed my eyes at her in warning. She looked abashed when she caught my stare and apologised in her thoughts. Mary-Lynnette narrowed her eyes, having caught the little interaction. "I am sorry Mary-Lynnette, I find it difficult sometimes to let go of the past," she explained, but held her head high still, never one to back down.

Mary-Lynnette smiled kindly at her and replied, "Its okay," she turned to me then, "Everyone has trouble letting go of the past but they get there eventually."

"Thank you, Mary-Lynnette. My name is Rashel, I am a human," she smiled at Mary-Lynnette gratefully and I could see, in that vulnerable moment when she let her wall down accidentally in her mind, that although she wasn't entirely able of giving up her past, she was trying.

Quinn began to speak then, getting tired with this everlasting conversation. "I am Quinn, I am a vampire."

Mary-Lynnette gasped and Rowan, Jade and Kestrel hissed behind her. They all moved to stand protectively in front of her, eyes glowing silver. "Are you the same Quinn that came to collect Ash six months ago?" Her small voice from behind the three girls asked.

"Yes," Quinn replied. "But a lot has happened since then, all of it revolving around Rashel. Rowan, Jade, Kestrel," he implored. "I am the same man I was, that has not changed, but I will not hurt Mary-Lynnette."

Rowan searched his face and relaxed her posture but didn't move from in front of Mary-Lynnette.

"Rowan, do you really think I'd let him be in the same room as Mary-Lynnette if he was going to hurt her?" I asked her.

Rowan looked at me for two seconds, weighing the options in her head. She finally moved from in front of Mary-Lynnette, smiling apologetically at Quinn. Jade followed Rowan slowly, never taking her eyes off Quinn as she did. Kestrel narrowed her eyes at him, glaring threateningly.

I rolled my eyes at them and moved closer to Mary-Lynnette's chair, I knew what I had promised my sisters was true but I wasn't chancing it today, or ever.

Mary-Lynnette looked up at me with trustful eyes and smiled delicately. She rose slowly, never taking her eyes off my own and I saw her intentions before she had to make them known. I stepped behind her and sat down on the chair, sinking as she did into the soft upholstery. Almost immediately after I had settled, Mary-Lynnette clambered back onto the seat and into my lap. She squirmed for a few minutes, searching for comfort. Her back relaxed against my chest as she relaxed, leaning her head back on my shoulder. I wrapped my arms around her waist as she did this, taking comfort in the fact that, this way, I could keep her safe. She twisted her head to meet my eyes then, a smile on her lips and a small laugh escaping them.

I raised my eyebrow. "Don't think this means I'm needy," I warned.

She laughed fully then and I had to smile at the joyous sound. "Wouldn't dream of it," she said as she laid her head back on my shoulder, looking to the group to continue.

The only people left were the two that we needed to speak to most, one an Old Soul that had seen such darkness and suffering its a wonder she still smiles through the day and the other a Lord, in every sense of the word, who had suffered greatly too, everyday in his immortal life an endless stretch of pain. Until now. Until he was re-united with the one thing that he had to loose, time and time again, until his Soulmate finally lived in the present and ended a cycle as old as the human race.

Hannah stepped forward with a smile on her face that reached her clear grey eyes. She stood in front of the chair and addressed Mary-Lynnette. "I have already had the privilege of meeting you, Mary-Lynnette, although it was for a shorter period than I would have liked. I hope, with all my heart, that you are well again and that you never have to go through such suffering again. I also hope, however long or short it may be, that your time here is as comforting and enjoyable as your own home is," she said formally. "I would like you to stay," she tagged on at the end, her grey eyes becoming sad. "I would like the chance to get to know you better."

I saw Mary-Lynnette smile out of the corner of my eye, a warm smile that promised friendship. "It's a good job I'm staying for a while then, isn't it Hannah?" she teased. A chagrined look crossed her face then, as she backtracked. "If I can stay here, that is," she amended.

Thierry stepped forward then, smiling warmly. "Of course you are welcome, Mary-Lynnette, it's the least I can do. My name is Thierry Descoudres, Lord of the Nightworld," he introduced. Turning to the others in the room, he dismissed then with a wave of his hand. They all dispatched immediately, but Poppy, Gillian, Maggie and Thea all looked at Mary-Lynnette before they left, seeming to have a silent conversation with her and, one by one, Mary-Lynnette nodded in acknowledgement as they passed. When they had all left and the door was shut tightly behind then, it was only me and Mary-Lynnette, Thierry and Hannah, my three sisters and Mark. Thierry was still smiling as he pulled up a chair in front of us. "Now, what was it you wanted to tell me?"

After a lot of explaining and new shades of red being revealed on Mary-Lynnette's skin I didn't even know existed, the requested had been asked and we sat patiently for the verdict. Thierry sat back in his chair and cast a sideways glance at Hannah, who had been listening intently with him. Simultaneously, they smiled at each other. Hannah's was one of kindness but hinted at some excitement she was trying to conceal. Thierry looked almost as happy as she did, grinning as she laughed.

"What?" Mary-Lynnette asked, bewildered by their joy and laughter.

Hannah looked back at Mary-Lynnette. "I'm just overjoyed this means you're staying," she said, then indicated to her Soulmate next to her. "Because we all know what he's going to say."

Thierry turned back to Mary-Lynnette as well then, fixing us both with his old dark eyes. "You are sure this is what you want?" he asked.

Mary-Lynnette nodded confidently and answered, "100%." I smiled at the determination and conviction in her voice.

Thierry hadn't moved his eyes from with our faces as he raised an eyebrow. "I am sure that all I want to do is keep her safe. If this is how I get to fulfil that, than the rest is just an added bonus," I answered.

Thierry smiled at the sincerity in my voice and Hannah reached out to squeeze my hand, still rested on Mary-Lynnette's stomach. She then looked Mary-Lynnette straight in the eye and held her gaze for what seemed like an age, calculating her decision. She grinned after a while, satisfied with what she saw. Mary-Lynnette squirmed in my lap then, pushing on my arms, as she tried to get up. I reluctantly let go of her and watched as she stood and walked the short space to Hannah. Hannah got up out of her chair almost immediately and surged forwards, both with their arms outstretched as they reached each other. The hug lasted for several minutes, all of their shared happiness seeming to envelope them and kept them there, in their little bubble of peacefulness. When they let go, Mary-Lynnette turned to me and gave me the most genuine, contented and radiant smile I had ever seen on her face. She was truly happy.

I chuckled as Rowan, Jade, Kestrel and Mark all assaulted her with hugs, Mary-Lynnette seemingly getting more ticked off at them as they continued to hug her for longer than necessary. She came and stood by my side after she was sure she would not be attacked with affection again and grinned. I tilted my head to the side as I asked, "When do you want to do this?"

Mary-Lynnette's expression grew sober then – and made a show of pondering the question – before she smirked and replied, "How does tomorrow sound to you?"

A/N:

Chapter 9 people and…no doors to end with! Haha, I don't do the door thing on purpose, it's just good suspense filler.

Whoa, I have 17 reviews for this? Thank you!

See you next Saturday people…

xForbiddenLoveBitesx