Sorry for taking so long again! :( It's been sort of difficult lately for me to get a chapter out.
Hope this is okay! :)
And be happy - somewhat - because this chapter is 4,846 words! Almost 5,000!
Even if it did take forever...
Oh well...
Aspen's POV - as always :3
It took a few minutes until Aspen was able to hear the faint sound of footsteps walking toward this room; two pairs of footsteps. She supposed, at the moment, that the only reason she was able to hear the two at all was because of Hugh. He had told her that Ash had recommended it. Apparently, her precious great-however many greats nephew had warned Thierry that she was...noisy.
Hugh had mentioned that it was after he had made the connection with her, and Ash had found out about them.
'Pervert...' She thought in irritation, and huffed as she covered her face with her hands gingerly.
The door that had frustrated her for a while from when she had first been put in the room opened, and two pairs of footsteps entered the room before the door started swinging shut. Aspen ran her hands through her curl-waves and got rid of the last few rats. She'd rather distract herself than really let Hugh get any clue of why she needed to see Ash. It was her concern; not Hugh's in anyway. Her eyes looked to the two that were most vital to her, and she pursed her lips. Hugh was looking at her curiously, but worry was vague in his light gray eyes. Ash, on the other hand, seemed a bit suspicious of her behavior.
"Hugh, I need to speak to Ash alone." She said, her voice quiet as she looked at Hugh blankly. His eyebrows furrowed, but he didn't hesitate before catching the door before it could swing back to touch the frame. "Tell me when I can come back," He said, but now Hugh was looking at Ash. He nodded at the Old Soul, and then Hugh left; the door closed softly.
"What's the problem?" Ash asked immediately, and Aspen held up one finger before concentrating on blocking her mind.
When she couldn't sense anything from Hugh, she sighed in relief.
Her eyes watched her too-many-greats nephew warily, and she frowned. "I need your help; I need to leave." She said, and his eyes widened. "Aspen - you know I can't. You know I wo-" "Ash," she said softly, and her voice was sad. He was quiet, and she took this as a chance to continue speaking.
"I need to leave - for Hugh's sake. Not for mine...you should be able to tell that already."
Ash stared at her, and she looked back evenly.
"Why?"
This was a question that she had anticipated, and she gave a rueful smile. "I don't want to kill him. He may come back sometime later, and I've already bitten him once. It was an accident then, but I honestly don't think the next time I bite him with be an accident. It's really for the better if you actually help me. You know what I'm talking about; don't you? I want to be better, but...here, I can't. My presence is a danger. I'm already beginning to be thirsty, and if he is going to be around me a lot, I don't think it would be best for me to be the way I have been all my life - a bloodthirsty monster with no regrets or restraints - around him, in particular. And don't lie, please. I know that you know what I'm talking about." She said, and Ash had a flash of hurt appear on his expression before he attempted to restrain it.
Then, the pain he had so feebly tried to conceal appeared, and stayed there.
"She wanted me to think...I miss her so much...my precious Mary-Lynnette..." He said, his voice breaking a few times. Ash ran his fingers through his hair before putting a hand on his forehead. His eyes looked at her, and they were a little bit nervous, irritated and most of all, depressed. "Aspen..." He said, and a frown appeared on her face.
"Please...don't use my emotions against me..." He said, looking at her pleadingly.
She didn't give him anything; just a slightly pleading, blank look.
Ash gulped.
"It's one of the only ways I could get you to agree; don't you see it from my point of view?"
"But why so soon?"
That question, sadly, took Aspen off guard and her eyebrows furrowed.
"Sooner rather than later," was the only thing she said, but now she couldn't meet Ash's gaze.
"It's only been a week Aspen, and you only accepted the soulmate connection with Hugh just last night. And don't call me an idiot and a pervert; anyone who has enough experience - like per say, lack of virginity - knows that you and Hugh sealed the deal last night." A shrug was all Aspen gave Ash, and he glared at her.
"You really are such a bitch, Aspen. After having sex with the guy, making him fall in love with you more so than he already had, you're just going to dump him off and leave? And you honestly think that is the best option?" He demanded, and she just shrugged again before pretending to study her nails. "Nothing new; you know I don't believe in that crap, Ash." She said airily, and could feel him concentrating on her mind. She didn't let any signs that she was lying show, and he didn't find anything that he could really use to make her eat her own words.
Next thing she knew, there was a sharp sting on her cheek and she was on the floor.
Her gasp of pain and surprise came, and she held her cheek before looking up at Ash. He was glaring down at her, and she felt some blood seeping out of shallow cuts in her cheek. It wasn't enough - but it was enough to piss her off.
"What the...?" She sputtered, wiping her hand on her cheek and looking at it. Then, erasing all anger from her expression, she wiped her hand on her jeans. The blood was even darker on her jeans; it was a familiar sight.
"You deserved that more than anything. How could you even think of doing that to your soulmate, Aspen Zylphia Redfern? Hugh loves you and you're just a cold-hearted bitch to him. You haven't changed at a-" Aspen kicked his leg sharply, and Ash started falling before catching himself on her bedpost. That was enough time for her to get up, and her eyes were burning in the color of magenta, to crimson, and staying in those tints. She back-handed Ash, and he stumbled before regaining balance. "Oh, and this coming from the person who taught me all of that?" She hissed, and he narrowed his eyes.
"I was stupid then; I changed. But you? No - you're just a bitch all-around." He said, and Aspen launched herself at him with a snarl.
Ash caught her by the arm, and began to swing her away before Aspen righted herself and caught him from behind - her foot catching the back of his legs. She gripped his neck as he started falling, then slammed him to the floor.
A small cry of pain came from her family member, and she glared down at him before releasing him.
"Might want to watch what you say around the person who taught you how to fight, Ash." She said in a growl, and he hissed lowly at her words. "I wouldn't consider you much of a person." He said, and Aspen shrugged. "You used to be exactly like me, if not worse. You have no room to talk in this situation, Ash." She said, and he huffed before starting to sit up. She kicked him sharply in the side, and he groaned as he fell back down to being on the floor. "Don't even think about it."
At that moment, the door opened. Rashel the Cat was in front, followed by Quinn, James and Hugh.
"Get out." Aspen hissed, seething at them all before feeling her cheek. The scratches were good as gone, only James and Quinn would know that they were there. Possibly Hugh, but she doubted it.
"What happened here?" Rashel asked, ignoring Aspen's silent threat with her harsh words. "Just telling Aspen the truth about herself." Ash managed, and Aspen got to her feet and kicked him in the side again. A small sound of pain came from him, and she huffed before sitting back down on her bed. The human that she so desperately wished to kill came closer with a bokken. "Don't even think about it, vermin." She spat, and Rashel narrowed her eyes at Aspen. "You know, I'm sure no one would really mind if I killed you right now with this sword, leech." Rashel snapped, the amount of venom in her voice equal to Aspen's own. "Oh my gosh, a lignum vitae play-toy; so scary." She said, her voice sarcastic and she gave a mocking sweet smile.
Rashel just glared.
"Aspen, stop antagonizing Rashel." Hugh cautioned, and her eyes narrowed at him.
"Make me, Hugh. Just attempt to make me." She said coldly, and her eyes when from him back to Rashel. Her eyes had gone from the crimson-magenta tints to turquoise tints, and the silver mixing in.
Hugh raised an eyebrow.
As always, though, he was still calm as ever. No worry showed in his expression, from what she could see from the corner of her eye, and she huffed.
Damn.
Rashel wasn't taking any chances, and had the bokken still pointed toward Aspen, and a small smile played on her lips. The infuriating green-eyed human narrowed her eyes, and Quinn came over to stand behind her. He leaned forward to put his lips at her ear, and spoke very quietly. Aspen was close enough that she could hear Quinn.
"You'd better give up on her now, Rashel. She is very stubborn, and she'll fight you if you don't turn that knife away from her." Quinn breathed, and Rashel turned her head to meet his gaze for a moment. It looked like they were having a conversation - a silent one, of course. Then again, they were soulmates. Quinn and Rashel were probably literally having a conversation in their heads at this very moment. It didn't seem like the odds were with Quinn though, as Rashel looked back at Aspen with a glare. "I don't care," was all that came out of the vermin's mouth.
The small smile that had been on the Redfern's lips turned into a smirk.
"Quinn should know; he threatened me before - with wood - and well...I was close to leaving a scar. But then, he got away. One of his friends distracted me, and to this very day, the thing is dead. All because of Quinn. No regrets, or guilt - poor thing. It was a human, too. Had her under mind control. And drugged - that was why her blood was off." Her smirk grew as the anger did the same on Rashel's expression.
"What?" She snapped, and Rashel glared back and forth between Quinn and Aspen.
A small laugh came from the blond Redfern, and she ducked her head when Rashel swung at her. Then, the small laugh caused her to go into a full-out fit of laughter.
"And yet, you trust Quinn? Lovely; this is just rich." She said, choking back her laughs.
Ash was just now sitting up with the help of his cousin, James. A content smile came to her lips when Ash winced, and Aspen sighed, rolling her ever-changing eyes. She ran her fingers through her hair, and watched her too-many-greats nephew get up from getting attacked by her.
"Just be quiet!" Rashel snapped, clenching the wooden sword even tighter in her grip.
Raising an eyebrow, she shrugged and then started humming. She was planning on just annoying the vermin further more if she couldn't kill her.
Much better in comparison to death, she supposed.
"Aspen...really?" Ash said, glaring at her as he shook off her hits. She nodded, and hummed louder to annoy everyone else in the room. Of course, there was still that one person who was impassive to everything that she did - including this. And who might that person be? A wild guess would be right if it was Hugh Davis.
Hugh was watching Aspen, calm but slightly solemn. His light gray eyes looked at her, and she could see him pleading to speak. Alone. In their minds, right now.
A sigh was all she gave, and she took down her wall.
Aspen...why are you doing this? What happened? Why did you hurt Ash?
She was silent, but he heard her thoughts loud and clear. And it pissed him off - immensely.
How could you do that to me? You wouldn't leave, would you? WOULD YOU?
It would've been for the best; but there's no chance of me leaving now that you know that I was planning to. It's nothing Hugh - it's for my own personal reasons.
And it's about me.
It wasn't a question.
Yes.
Why would you leave me?
Aspen thought back to...last night. She felt like blushing, but she ignored the feeling and went to a certain part. She had bit his lip - he had bled. It had tortured her not to suck him dry - of his blood - right then and there.
At the thought of his blood, she felt her fangs start to push themselves out before she forced herself to stop.
Because of that? Hugh demanded, and she turned her head toward him in reality, and gave him a pained look.
Yes, because of that. I haven't fed lately, and they're not going to give me much. I'm used to killing - a lot. So, that means a lot of blood. Yours is tempting me; far too much. Leaving is the only solution I can see to prevent that from ever happening.
No.
Too bad.
Aspen! Don't do it; there are a lot of ways that could remedy this problem for you.
Like what Hugh?
He winced at her outburst, and she frowned at seeing that.
Sorry.
It's...fine.
Still...sorry.
We could work this out, Aspen. You don't have to leave me...
He sounded so sad, and it almost broke her heart. Quickly, she looked around for a resolve that could possibly still involve her leaving yet not.
Sadly, she knew she would have to stay.
"Hugh..." She said, in her mind and aloud as she gave him a hard look.
"Consider it." He said, not letting her dismiss the idea of leaving completely like she would've.
"No."
It was a heavy word, and he flinched a bit at the ringing in his ears at the loudness of it in his head.
Please.
The pleading tone killed her - metaphorically, of course. And Hugh could feel how much it hurt her to deny him when he was being so...vulnerable. It was a rare thing that no one else had seen directly except for Aspen and Hugh, himself.
By now, everyone was looking at them curiously, or in irritation.
The irritated was only Rashel, and possibly Quinn. Aspen couldn't be sure - she was listening to Hugh and was distracted by him.
Hugh took this moment where Aspen wasn't able to fight back, and tried to convince her.
Just think about it; you could stay here with me, and be happy. You'd be around Ash - you know he wouldn't be mad at you for too long. You could be happy here, and have a normal life and help everyone out. You could be happy here, and not have to worry about too much. You could still hunt down the bad people, and help us out. Just...
He took a deep breath, then breathed out in a large sigh as he looked at me from the doorway.
Please.
Aspen frowned deeply, and Hugh looked at her hopefully. Hugh...
"Uh...whats going on?" A voice came from behind Hugh, and it was Poppy when the blond vampire looked to the doorway behind Hugh.
It didn't take Poppy long before she was grinning.
"Weird coupling." She commented, before skipping over to where James was and helping him - somewhat reluctantly - make sure that Ash was alright.
I agree. Aspen thought nastily, and Hugh looked at her with a hurt expression.
"You know, Hugh; I actually feel bad for you. Having Aspen in your head all day must be, and if it's not, will be torture. I hope she doesn't kill you." Ash said, shooting a warning glare at Aspen. She just raised an eyebrow without saying anything.
"She won't." Hugh said, and met her gaze from across the room. A smirk came to her lips, and then she forced herself to look away.
It hurt to do that.
With a sigh, Aspen then traced imaginary lines along her wrist and shook her head. "No guarantees." She said tiredly, and then pursed her lips before pretending to scratch at something on her wrist.
You wouldn't. Hugh said with a final tone in her head.
You don't KNOW me, Hugh FUCKING Davis! She spat in her mind, and Hugh clutched his head as he stumbled into the threshold of the doorway. Aspen was now glaring at him dangerously, her teeth bared. His eyes flashed to her face, and she met his gaze to be met with a shock.
Everything; she could see everything.
Her breathing stuttered and she then hissed furiously, and turned her head away from him and covered her face with her hair.
"Just leave." She whispered, dragging herself to the headboard of her bed.
"Ya right, leech. Like we're going to -" Rashel started, but then Quinn huffed. "Rashel...come on." He said, and the vermin looked at him in disbelief. "John -" He raised an eyebrow, and her jaw was then taut. "Fine." She said coldly, and then went to the doorway and left the room with Quinn on her heels.
James, Poppy, Ash, Hugh and Aspen were the only ones left now. James and Poppy steadied Ash, however opposed Poppy seemed to be about it. Aspen decided that she would ask Ash later if he would ever talk to her again without being cold about it.
"We'll leave you three to discuss your issues; and check back in later to make sure you're still alive." Poppy said, flashing a smile at the grimacing Redferns before grabbing James' hand and skipping out of the room with him right behind her.
The quiet air was tense, and the three - 2 Redfern vampires, and an Old Soul - stood still before Aspen made the first move.
"Why, Ash?" She asked, looking at her to-many-greats nephew with a soft, hurt gaze.
He looked at her in a glare, but answered her anyway in a tone that didn't have her flinching but more so feeling guilty.
"Because, I had to leave my Mary-Lynnette; it hurt both of us to do it. I'm not letting you do that, and make the same mistake that I did." He said, and she frowned.
"And you didn't even let me have a say in this." Hugh said, and Aspen now noticed that he had closed the door.
She shrugged.
"The less you know about it, the less you feel about it." She said, and Hugh looked at her in anger and disbelief. "No, Aspen - that's anything but what would've happened. You know that it would've pretty much killed us both." He said sharply, and she just shrugged again.
"I've gone through pain, Hugh, and I'm sure you have too." She said plainly, and sighed. "Losing someone else that was important in my life isn't a big thing. I already suffered that two - or lets see, three times. Cassius, Dad, and then Ash. One more person wouldn't rip my heart out; soulmate or not." Aspen said, playing with a strand of her hair like she did when she was was younger.
She did this when she was nervous; or trying to lie.
Ash noticed this, and gave her a look.
The truth was, losing one more person could very well be the last thing to happen to her. She was already fragile enough - emotionally, of course - and if the already gaping hole in her heart tore anymore, she would probably kill herself or something. Just to rid herself of the pain.
It was selfish; but what other choice did she have?
She was Aspen Zylphia Redfern - she had every right to be selfish. Or at least, thats what she used to believe.
Being here for only a week changed so much about her already.
"I'll let you two discuss this." Ash said, glaring at Aspen before heading to the door, opening it and then slamming it behind him.
Hugh immediately came over to the bed, and sat by Aspen. "Look at me." He said softly, and she shook her head. "No." She muttered defiantly, sounding like a child. The old Aspen was chastising the now vulnerable Aspen.
'You're so weak! Don't back down, don't let him - belittle you like this!' The old, vicious her snarled in her mind, and she shook her head.
Hugh sighed quietly, and then reached toward her. His hand stroked her cheek lightly before tracing her jaw. Then, he cupped her opposite cheek lightly with the tips of his fingers brushing lightly against her cheekbone. She didn't resist when he turned her face toward his own, and his light gray eyes met her color-changing ones. Right now her eyes were drifting back and forth between lavender hues and red hues. Hugh leaned toward her, and she shook her head slightly as she looked down. "Don't." She murmured, and he chuckled lightly. "I'm not." He said, and then he leaned his forehead against hers.
"Look at me."
This time, Aspen actually looked at him. The intensity of his gaze shocked her, and her breathing hitched again as a lump formed in her throat.
It was like he was trying to see her soul - and she could feel him searching in her mind.
"Why?" He breathed, and she didn't ask what he was asking.
She knew.
"Everyone around me somehow gets hurt - and I don't want to screw up your life more than it's already messed up. You're a human, Old Soul or not. You're not supposed to be interacting with creatures that aren't human." She said softly, and she felt his lips lightly brush against hers as she spoke.
"And what if I don't care?" He wondered, and searched her eyes. His mouth quirked up into a small smile, and she felt a little smile of her own form. Hers, though, was a bit teasing and playful.
"Well, then Hugh; that's just too damn bad." She said thickly, and raised a hand. Lightly, she pushed at his shoulder. He didn't move, and instead used this time to maneuver his other arm to wrap around her and bring her into his lap.
Hugh chuckled, and then ran his thumb gently across her cheek. "Well, then you might want to rethink your plans, Aspen. Because I honestly don't care." He said, and she could hear and see he meant it.
All of the sudden, she was angry.
How dare he want to mess up his life for her? Was he stupid?
"How many times must you ask that, Aspen? No, I'm not stupid. And you wouldn't think I was either if you knew how long I've wanted to find something like...this." He said, and brushed his lips lightly along her cheek bone.
Little bits of electricity ran through her, and she closed her eyes tightly. "Fine, you're not stupid. But you are definitely stubborn. Does my dear Jezebel Redfern know that you're the exact opposite of what you appear? Because, you're not really the perfect little angel. You're stubborn, sarcastic, more so a smartass - I would say, and very impatient. Oh, and persistent. And seductive, and let's not forget using that to an advantage when possible. On me, of course, but it's still the same." She said, and felt his kiss her eyelids gently.
"No; only you know that I'm like this, really. Ash got a small dose of my impatience." Hugh said, and Aspen felt his warm breath against her skin - on her cheek, near her lips - before his lips were placed there. He was very close to kissing her.
She was quiet as he gently kissed her features; her forehead, her cheekbones, her jaw. It went on before she sighed. "Hugh -" She started before he actually moved his lips to hers. Her speaking had caused the slight brush of his lips against hers to actually be a kiss.
Pulling back a bit, she opened her eyes and looked at him.
"I'm sorry." Aspen said sincerely, and he knew what for. For all the trouble she had caused; and that she wasn't changing her mind.
Hugh looked at her somberly, and then sighed.
"Why?" He said, asking her why she wasn't changing her mind silently in their conjoined thoughts.
She didn't answer with anything but a shrug.
Hugh huffed, and then shook his head as he got up. "Just talk to me when you think different." He muttered, hurt, as he turned and went toward the door.
Aspen remained silent as he opened the door, and then slammed it behind him.
As soon as it was closed, she felt the lump restrain her breaths as she hyperventilated. It wasn't until a few minutes later that she realized that she wasn't hyperventilating; she was sobbing while holding back tears.
At that, tears came from her eyes and she just curled up in a ball.
If Hugh wanted her to keep to that, then she probably wouldn't be talking to him anytime soon - if it was ever.
Aww...I can't believe I made Aspen cry :'( And sha...sorry if this sucks and its like...a month late xD
I just had issues and had to deal...and school sucks x.x
Hope it was good enough :)
