PART 4
(18 months later)
"What do you mean we're teaming up with the Night World?" Chloe practically shrieked at Thierry. She had done it. She had found Circle Daybreak, joined them and now was one of their best assassins. But she still hadn't found Connor Redfern, or any of his family. Sienna had disappeared after Chloe left, she was either a vampire or dead, both were as bad as eachother in Chloe's opinion.
Thierry sighed, but showed patience, after 18 months of knowing and working with Chloe he knew how to deal with Chloe's tempers. "Yes Chloe, we've made a deal with the Night World. Whatever this 'thing' is that we're up against, we can't destroy it without their help."
"But isn't there somebody else we can call for help? Maybe raise some people from the dead? That would be better then the Night World. Anything would be better then the Night World." Chloe said.
"You know we can't do that Chloe," Thea said gently. "Nothing good comes of rising people from the dead. They're meant to stay that way."
Eric snorted. "That didn't stop you before." Thea elbowed him in the ribs. "But you shouldn't do it. It's bad." He rubbed his injured ribs.
"Thea's right," Thierry said to Chloe. "We can't raise people from the dead. The Night World is the only chance we have. We've agreed to some terms, and they're going to respect them. Whether we like it or not Chloe, we need them and even if they don't want to admit it, they need us as well. It's only for a little while. And Chloe, since we're going to be working together, don't go and kill any of them."
Chloe smiled innocently at Thierry. "Why Thierry, I didn't know you thought I had so little self control."
"Thierry snorted, not believing the innocent routine. "I know what you're like around Night Worlder's Chloe. Please just for a little while, don't kill anyone."
"Who's she not meant to be killing?" Chase said coming into the room, walking up to Chloe and pulling her into his arms.
"Thierry said I can't kill all the Night Worlder's we're going to be working with." Chloe pouted. "I like to think I have a bit of self control." She leaned back into Chase's arms.
"You don't really when it comes to Night World vamps." Chase agreed with Thierry.
Chloe pulled away from him, pretending to be hurt. "Great, now my boyfriend thinks I'm blood thirsty, can this day get any worse?"
"Thierry looked a bit sheepish. "Actually it can. I agreed that they could all come and stay wit us. Before you say anything about this Chloe, think about this. They're going to be on unfamiliar ground, they're taking a big risk doing this."
Chloe's eyes flared at what Thierry said, but she held her tongue. Chase didn't, his chocolate coloured eyes widened and he shook his head, his black hair falling over his forehead. He brushed it back impatiently. "No way, I don't care if they're not on familiar ground. I don't want them where they might be able to pick up something on the Wild Powers."
"We've already thought of that Chase," Thierry explained. "The Wild Powers and their soulmates have been moved, and I'm the only one who knows where they are. Nothing is written on paper that they might be able to get."
Chase calmed down a bit but you could see that he wasn't happy with the situation. "So when do they get here?"
"Later on tonight," Thierry said. "Their rooms are near ours so we can keep an eye on eachother. That was their request, so don't get your guard up about that."
"Well come on everyone. They're going to be here soon. God, I can't wait!" Chloe said sarcastically. "I think that this is going to be on of the most interesting things I've ever seen."
"You can count on that." Chase said not happy with the situation.
* * * * *
"I really don't like this," Chase said again to Chloe while they were curled up on the couch watching t.v. "I have a bad feeling about it."
Chloe laughed. "You witches are always worried about something. Don't worry, nothing's going to happen."
"And you humans are never careful enough. Seriously Chloe, you need to be more careful. You go rushing into things without thinking about it." Chase hugged her tightly. "I'm just worried about you. I don't want anything to happen to you."
Chloe smiled. "How cute, you're worried about me. I love that." She leaned up and kissed him softly of the mouth.
"Chase smiled, "This is why I say these things. A few nice words, a hug or two and I'm getting my kisses. What more could a guy ask for?"
"A smack in the head maybe?" Chloe asked sweetly. Chase just laughed and went back to kissing her. After Connor, Chloe thought that she'd never trust any man again, but then she met Chase. He was different than Connor; Chloe could see that right away. Where Connor had the bad boy look in his eyes, Chase had the boy next-door look. And that was fine for Chloe. It was just what she wanted, and she was what he wanted as well because about a month after she had moved in they started dating and have been together ever since.
Yes, this was love. Chloe loved Chase.
"Oh, how sickingly sweet." A voice said mockingly from the doorway.
* * * * *
"What do you mean they're here already?" Thierry asked Nilsson from behind his desk. "They're not supposed to be here until later on tonight."
"Well sir, it looks like they're early." Nilsson responded. "From asking the ones that are here, nearly all of them have arrived. I've sent some people to keep an eyes on them and some others to show them to their rooms."
"What about Chloe?" Thierry asked tentatively. "Does she know that they're here yet?"
"Not to my knowledge, but if I'm correct she'll be finding out soon enough." Nilsson said. "If I might say so sir, I wouldn't like to be in your shoes after she finds out."
"I agree. Hell, I don't want to be in my shoes." Thierry said placing his hands on his head.
"You mean you didn't tell Chloe who was coming from the Night World? God, Thierry, she's going to kill you when she finds out." Hannah scolded him.
"Let's just hope it's painless." Thierry muttered.
* * * * *
"Connor Redfern," Chase said getting up out of the chair. "Long time no see. Well it could have been longer, but I guess Fate's just being a bitch."
"Chase Harman," Connor said in the same tone. He looked over Chase's shoulder to where Chloe was still sitting. He smiled slightly, ~Miss me? ~ He sent into her mind.
Chloe gasped reeling back as if he had physically touched her. She jumped up from the couch, "I have to go see Thierry." She mumbled, moving past Chase and walking to where Connor stood. He just stood in the doorway for a while, not moving. Chloe got impatient. "Are you going to move or not?" He smiled and moved out of the way. But before Chloe could move she got another shock. Christian and Sienna had been standing behind Connor just out of sight, but now that Connor had moved Chloe could see them now.
"Sienna," Chloe said as calmly as she could. "Haven't seen you in ages. How's life been?" Now she was getting sarcastic. "And Christian, turned any innocent humans into vampire's lately?"
Chase was looking between the four, confused. "I think I missed something here. Does someone want to fill me in?" When no one said anything he got impatient. "Okay someone tell me. Chloe?"
She kept looking at Sienna but answer Chase's question. "I knew Sienna at my old school. We were best friends, then something happened, I left and Sienna stayed."
"Why don't you tell him what the 'something' was Chloe?" Connor said leaning against the doorframe and folding his arms over his chest. When Chloe didn't say anything, Connor smiled. "Then I'll tell him. The 'something' that happened was between Chloe and I. We got… shall we say a bit physical. For times to be precise."
Chase looked at Chloe shocked. "Why didn't you tell me this?"
Chloe looked at Connor furiously, then turned to Chase. "Because it doesn't matter now. This bastard made me believe that he was my soulmate, I thought that he was. Then the morning after I find him bragging to his friend and saying that with a bit of training I could be the best! So I left, joined Circle Daybreak and when this is over I'm going to kill him."
Connor clutched his chest, acting wounded. "You can certainly try to kill me little girl, but I don't think that you'll get very far. But hell, I'm looking for an excuse to drink your blood again. I can still remember the taste," he licked his lips, "So sweet, never had anything that good before."
"Stop it Connor." Sienna said coming forward. She looked at Chloe, her eyes pleading, "Can I talk to you Chloe? Privately?"
Chloe shrugged. "Why not? This day can't get any worse that it already is." She led Sienna to one of the numerous lounge rooms in Thierry's house. "So what do you want Sienna? I have a lot of work to do."
Sienna looked around, a bit nervous. "I just wanted to talk to you. Wanted to see how you were, what you've been up to. But I guess it's obvious isn't it."
"I should say the same for you. So what's it like being a vampire? I'm surprised the council didn't kill you after you were made."
"Christians' fathers on the council." Sienna explained. "He was happy because Christian turned me instead of going to Daybreak. But it's good being a vampire. It takes a bit of getting used to, but I like it." She paused for a little while. "Look Chloe that's not what I wanted to talk about."
"What did you want to talk about Sienna?"
"About what happened the day you left. I went looking for you, but you weren't in Connor's room, I had just assumed that you were with Connor so I went to find him. He was shocked when I asked where you were and we all looked all over the house. Connor finally went to your house and found all of your stuff gone. You should have seen him Chloe, he looked terrible. He went to all of his contacts to find out where you were. And when he found out that you worked for Circle Daybreak, he went into a rage and swore he'd get you back…"
"Shut up Sienna!" Chloe said walking to the window. "I don't want to hear it! I don't care what he went though. What about what I went through? Do you have any idea how I felt when I heard him talking about me? No you don't. So I don't want to hear about what he went through!"
* * * * *
Connor and Chase just stared at eachother from opposite sides of the room. "Wee, can't you just feel the love in thus room." Christian said sarcastically.
"I'm going to see Thierry," Chase said. "Don't go anywhere." He said to Connor and Christian walking out the door.
"I take it you're not going to do as he said." Christian said to his brother.
"Not a chance," Connor said to him. "You think I'm going to let a little witch boy tell me what to do? Do you know where they went?"
"Yeah," Christian sighed, "This way. You know, you really need to get a grip on yourself man, if you handle this the wrong way, she's going to run."
"Not if I have anything to do with it." Connor said determined.
* * * * *
"But you need to know Chloe," Sienna said. "You ran out on him, and he was angry about that. You should have waited to hear what he had to say."
"Waited!" Chloe snapped. "After what I heard him say about me, waiting around was the last thing I wanted to do. He's a playboy Sienna, he was then and he is now. Nothing is going to change that."
"Not true," Connor said from the doorway. Chloe spun around to see him and Christian standing there. He closed the door and walked towards her. Christian stayed at the door, blocking her only escape. "You should have stayed so I could explain what was really going on."
Chloe was angry. "Why should I have stayed around after what you were saying about me? I'm sorry, but that's not something I do."
"If you weren't eavesdropping, then you wouldn't have heard what I said and we wouldn't be in this situation." Connor said getting angry himself.
"If I hadn't been eavesdropping, then I would be in blissful ignorance as to what happened between us the night before. Admit it Connor, you screwed up, and there's nothing you can do to change that." Chloe snapped at him, turning away and looking out the window. She was so angry that she didn't even notice Connor walking up behind her. But she did notice when he placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her around to face him.
"Actually there is something I can do to change it." He tilted her chin up and Chloe noticed that his canines had grown.
"Wait!" She yelled, but she was too late. Connor sank his fangs into her neck. The pain gave way instantly to pleasure. Chloe let her head fall back on her shoulders and she felt Connor bite deeper and puller her closer. It took her a while to realise she was in her mind again; it was like the first time. The first time. Chloe remembered, her eyes flew open and she tried to pull away, but Connor wouldn't let her.
~If you fight it'll hurt. ~ Connor said into her mind.
~Let me go! ~ Chloe yelled mentally, ~this isn't real, it never was and it never will be~ now let me go! ~
~No! ~ Connor growled. ~We're soulmates. Meant for eachother. Nothing's gong to change that. You're mine! Not that little witch boy's. Mine! ~ He pulled his fangs out of her neck and looked her right in the eye, he took a knife out of his pocket and made a small cut at the base of his throat. He put her mouth to the wound, and after a little while he felt her sucking. "And it's time you realised that." He said out loud.
Chloe felt Connor's warm blood start running down her throat. She couldn't help swallowing, it tasted so nice. She couldn't describe it. It was almost like a kiss, sweet and warm. Connor hadn't let her drink from him last time they were together. He had drunk from her and now she knew what it was like. She was lost in her own world when Connor pulled her away from his throat. Chloe made a sound of protest, but Connor wouldn't let her go back.
"I can't give you anymore or I'll be too weak against an attack." Connor explained, gently hugging her. "Besides you'll be getting dizzy soon anyway."
"I fell fine though." Chloe mumbled into his chest. She breathed in his scent, it was masculine, musky, she liked it. Chloe burrowed her head into his chest and closed her eyes. She felt like she could go to sleep right there.
"What's going on in here?" A rough male voice said from the doorway.
* * * * *
"Thierry!" Chase said barging into his office. "What is going on here? Why is Chloe's ex-flame here?" When Thierry didn't say anything Chase yelled, "Tell me!"
"Sorry Chase, I just thought that Chloe would be here before you. But as to why Connor is here, it's simple. He's strong. We need him to fight with us, not against us. So you and Chloe are just going to have to deal with it. Where is Chloe by the way?" Thierry asked.
Chase flopped down onto the couch, emotionally drained. "Talking with Sienna. I have the feeling they're catching up on girl time. What am I going to do Thierry? Chloe and Connor are in the same house together. From what I gather before, that isn't going to be a very good thing."
"What do you mean by that?" Thierry asked. "Bad as in they might kill eachother or bad in they might try and jump eachother?"
"The last one." Chase moaned. "God Thierry, I could sense it. As much as Chloe hates him, she wanted him. She's my girlfriend Thierry, I don't want to loose her to some Night World thug."
"You need to let her make her own decisions, Chase. "Theirry told him. "She's a big girl now, she's allowed to do that."
"I know," Chase responded. "That's what I'm worried about."
"Why?" Thierry asked confused. "I would think you'd be happy that Chloe knew how to look after herself. She'll be able to handle Connor."
"That's what bugs me. Her and Connor have a history together. Sure it may have only been for one night, but she thought that he was her soulmate. Feelings like that don't just go away."
Hannah laid her hand on his shoulder "Neither would feelings for you Chase. Connor betrayed her. She's not going to forgive him that easily, if she forgives him at all."
"I know, but I'm still worried about her." Chase insisted.
* * * * *
Chloe jumped away from Connor, fast. She turned towards the door to see who asked the question. She was expecting to see Chase, but she didn't. She didn't know who this man was. He looked like he was in his late 20's with dark blonde hair and blue, blue eyes. He was looking at her very strangely.
"Dad," Connor said, pulling Chloe closer to him. "I thought you were till upstairs unpacking."
"I was, until I felt you and your brother were up to something. And I ca see that I was right. So who is this lovely lady? Who I can't help but notice doesn't work for us, so she must work for Daybreak. Any particular reason she's sucking on your neck son?"
"This is Chloe, dad." Connor said, making introductions. "Chloe, this is my father Jasper Redfern. And to answer your other question dad, she's my soulmate."
"So you plan on turning her and what? Join Daybreak? Bring her to our side? I must tell you, if what I've heard about Chloe is true, she'd be brilliant on our side."
Chloe squirmed, trying to pull away from Connor, but his grip just tightened. "No he's not, I'm not going to be turned into a vampire and I'm not joining the Night World. So leave me alone!" She felt really dizzy and stopped moving, putting her hands on her head. She didn't notice Jasper move over to her side.
Jasper pulled Chloe away from Connor and looked into her eyes. "How much blood did you give her?" He asked his son.
"Enough to replace what I took." Connor responded in a clipped voice. "I know what to do dad. I wouldn't take any risks with Chloe."
"Let me go." Chloe said, but to no avail. Jasper picked her up and placed her on the couch, making her lie still when she tried to get up. She gave up fighting him after a little while. Fighting only made her dizzier.
"Why is she like this?" Sienna asked, coming up to stand by her former best friend. "Was I like this? Is she going to be okay?"
"She'll be fine." Jasper said. "You were like this too, very weak aster the first exchange. But don't worry Chloe," Jasper said smiling softly at her, stroking the hair off her forehead. "It won't be like this with the other exchanges."
"Of course it won't. Because there won't be any other exchanges." Chase said walking into the room with half of the Daybreaker behind him."
TBC
Hope you all liked it. Feedback is worshipped and makes parts come sooner.