Disclaimer – I do no own any of the characters except for those that aren't recognised in the nightworld books written by the goddess L.J.Smith. But then if you wanted to read a work of fiction you wouldn't have come to this site.

Author's note: Okay I hope you like this chapter I didn't just want this story to be horror I wanted to give some insight into Ash and Mary-Lynnette. I'm sorry it's not that good, I didn't realise how much harder writing fanfiction would be than writing my own stories. It's harder to write descriptions and to get in character. Thanks to everyone for the reviews, keep them coming. Calisia girl

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Ash pulled Mary-Lynnette too him as the car turned through the gates and up the drive to Thierry's mansion. Even in the dark, with the floodlights and it's handsome decor it still had a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Mary-Lynnette turned to see Maggie and Delos, it was as great and exiting just as she'd pictured it, yet still she felt a tug for home. Brier Creek where she could go out and see the stars, it wasn't as good here; the stars were harder to see because f the city lights, the only constant thing was that they would never change wherever she saw them from. It was just as Ash had said; they'd always be looking at the same sky.

Mary-Lynnette thought of Maggie, her first and closest friend at the mansion, and smiled. She then thought of Rashel and the unlikely friendship that had sparked between them.

There were plus sides to being here, she thought, and Ash wasn't the only one.

-Glad to hear that- said a voice in her mind.

Ash.

-Go away- she replied, -I told you to stop pocking your nose around where it's not wanted-

-Since when is a guy not aloud in his soulmate's mind-

-Since I said so. Do you want me to kick you again?-

-Are you asking permission this time, that's a first.-

-Shut up-

-Okay- he said as he pulled her into his arms and nibbled at her earlobe. The soft pinky haze, which Mary-Lynnette thought she'd never get used to, engulfed her. Fighting it she whispered, "not here," and then cursed silently as Ash's laughter echoed around her head.

-Look around you, do you think anyone mind's- Mary-Lynnette glanced around, Rashel and Quinn wear already entwined and looked like they had been for a while, Maggie and Delos were whispering quietly together.

-You always have to be so cocky don't you- she snarled.

-It's one of the things you like about me.-

-Year right!-

-Come hear- he said tugging playfully at her mind. Mary-Lynnette felt her shields falling; she knew she couldn't fight him for much longer. She'd just have to let him win.

-I always do- he laughed at her.

-Not always-

-Just when you're concerned-

-Humph-

"Shut up and be happy," he whispered before clouds engulfed them and the kiss they shared grew more meaning and gave out more emotion.

It seemed to soon when Ash pulled away, "come one," he whispered, "time to go."

"What," mumbled Mary-Lynnette, "no fair."

"We're here, but then you didn't notice that did you."

"Shut up, it wasn't because of you so don't let it go to your head." She said, as she walked faster to catch up with Maggie and Rashel.

"Sure it wasn't," he shouted from behind her.

"Urggh, him and his big head, they're so annoying," Mary-Lynnette grumbled.

"I know what you mean,"laughed Rashel, "Quinn has his moments too."

"As does Delos."

"But we couldn't live without them."

"It's all very well saying that, just don't let them hear you," Maggie said smiling.

"Too right." Mary-Lynnette said as they huddled together, she glanced casually over her shoulder, "I think we were lucky, I don't think they heard us."

"So we all ready for tomorrow."

"Urgh, Maggie don't remind me, I was hoping to forget about it," complained Rashel.

"Shopping; so much fun," laughed Mary-Lynnette, "not."

"It's bad enough you have to wear a dress to the ball, let alone the fact you have to go out and buy it."

"Tell me about it," Maggie said.

"Oh well, I suppose it's best to get it over and done with. I don't think Quinn's ever seen me in one, a dress I mean."

"I know, Ash proberly cringes in horror at me and a dress in the same sentence."

"Well we'll just have to look totally ravishing and beautiful, won't we," laughed Maggie, "and prove them wrong."

Laughing the three girls entered the mansion, Mary-Lynnette glanced around, she had never seen anything like this place and she was sure she never would. She remembered how Ash had laughed at her expression as she had walked through the door.

It was the place of dreams, a place you only visited while reading a book. Each piece of furniture had been lovingly chosen, and seeing how long Thierry had been alive and all the places he had visited it wasn't hard to realise how it had accumulated.

She loved it, from the endless library, the lounges, the kitchen, the tower with it's telescope and the out-door pool. It was more than just a vast mansion; it was a home.

Mary-Lynnette barely realised when it was just her and Ash in the corridor, she fumbled blindly in her pocket for the keys to their rooms and smiled fondly; everything was perfect.

She took a moment once she had opened to the door to look around. Everything looked so different in the dark; there was only a glimmer of light from the dying sun from the half closed window and the furniture casted gloomy shadows on the wall.

Mary-Lynnette grinned as she clicked on the lights and the room in front of her transformed. It was a living space, and it was clearly lived in. A little too messy in her opinion, she'd have to speak to Ash about tomorrow, but now it could wait.

"Tea or Hot chocolate," Ash asked as he headed other to the kettle.

"Do you have to ask," answered Mary-Lynnette as she kicked off her shoes.

"Hot chocolate it is then."

She turned to their bedroom yourning, "bring it to me in here, I'm shattered."

"That's the problem with mortals, she tire to easily." Called Ash.

"Shut up, vampire, she shouted from the dark as she shivered. Why am I so freaked out she thought, as she turned on the lights, I was fine before.

Then she saw them.

They were roses. Blood red roses and harmless enough, that was if you didn't see the pool of glistening red liquid they stood in.

Mary-Lynnette walked closer, numb as if in a dream. She couldn't think, her breath slowed almost disappeared completely.

She'd never seen the vase before, it was delicate and detailed and she stared at it transfixed. It took her awhile to see the images it bared, and when she did she wished she hadn't, they were horrifying, ghastly, something no normal mortal could imagine. She blinked as if expecting it to disappear and shuddered when it didn't.

Her eyes twirled around the room, taking in each little detail; seeing if anything had changed.

There on their bed, enfolded in the arms of the teddy bear she'd had all her life, was a crisp cream envelope.

She barely realised what she was doing, as she picked it up. As she unsealed it, her hand sliding under the seal, the seal the author had licked.

Inside it was a clean cream piece of notepaper. The words written carefully and precisely in a blue fountain pen; the letters curved as if each one was a piece of artwork crafted to impress.

"Ash, "she whispered, her voice quivering in the air; a small quiet uncertain note, there then gone.

"Ash," she whispered again shaking. And then he was there, his arms wrapped around her as she stood beating heart almost s slow it almost slipped away. She felt faint and tired, her fear was numbed away until all that was left was an empty core.

She just wanted to sleep, to stay forever in her soulmate's arms. She never noticed as he rested her on the bed never once letting go. Panic and fear stricken on his face.

Never noticed as he lay there clutching her to him for hours, never sleeping.

The white card discarded on the floor, it's words facing upwards for the world to see.

'A blood red rose,

Picked for you,

Let it's thorns prick your skin,

Show my love for you.'