A.N. Sorry it's been so long! I've had this written for a while, but I just didn't have a chance to post it before now. winces Sorry. Anyway, I own nothing. Oh, well, I guess I own the characters you don't recognize.

Elyssa and Sabrina came down from Elyssa's room to join the meeting about half an hour before it was scheduled to begin. So, everyone was already there by the time they entered Thierry's huge meeting room. Elyssa immediately spotted Ash sitting with Quinn and a young woman she didn't recognize.

Tugging on Sabrina's sleeve, Elyssa led her over to Ash and tapped him on the shoulder. she said as he languidly turned around.

Well, well. If it isn't the birthday girl, he teased, standing to hug both her and Sabrina. How was dinner?

It was fun. We went to Thierry's club.

Ash smiled lazily. I know. At her questioning look, his smile shifted into a smirk. Poppy told me. That girl just can't stop talking.

Sabrina cleared her throat. Aren't you going to introduce us to your friend?

Quinn rolled his eyes. Really Sabrina, I haven't been out of town that long.

She blinked at him for a moment. Funny, Quinn. With that, she turned to the girl. And do I know you already, as well?

The young woman--she looked twenty at most--smiled at her. Not unless you've been to Salem recently. Massachusetts, not Oregon, she added with a slight frown.

And your name would be? Sabrina prompted impatiently. Elyssa stared at her friend in surprise. Normally, Sabrina was friendly and charming, not hostile, to new comers.

The girl's smile, though, didn't change, and Elyssa got the feeling she had been fully prepared for this kind of welcome. Marissa. Marissa Lightblood.

A witch? Sabrina asked, her tone accusatory.

Marissa conceded pleasantly.

Ash and Quinn looked at Sabrina, then turned to Elyssa as if she had an explanation for Sabrina's behavior. Shrugging helplessly, she tried frantically to undo the damage.

You're from Salem? I thought most of the witch families moved out after the Trials, Elyssa stated, trying to project mere curiosity with no trace of accusation.

Marissa shifted slightly, just enough to make it clear that she was changing her focus, but not enough to cut Sabrina out of the conversation. They did. Most of my family left, too, but eventually some of them came back to settle in Salem again.

That's interesting, Elyssa murmured. Any specific reason for coming back?

Marissa winced, but quickly disguised it as a cough. It housed, at the time, the main circle of Circle Midnight.

Elyssa nodded politely, but Sabrina snorted beside her. Smiling nervously at Marissa, who just stared at Sabrina unflappably, Elyssa glanced around the room. Is this your first Circle Daybreak meeting, Marissa?

No, I'm representing the Salem branch of the Circle. After these two came and set it up, she said, flashing a smile at Ash and Quinn, two years ago, I became the secretary. I wasn't sure how much information on the branch Lord Thierry wanted, so I brought all the minutes from the past year. Smiling ruefully, she hefted the large binder on her lap.

Elyssa laughed a little and glanced around the room again. Thierry was no where to be seen.

Well, I better go find Poppy. Elyssa smiled wryly at Marissa. She hates leaving me alone in crowds.

As Marissa smiled back, Sabrina tensed. But you're not alone, she said to Elyssa before turning back to Marissa. She's never alone.

To Elyssa, the statement sounded almost like a warning, but she just laughed it off, saying, You're right. Thierry and Poppy make sure of that.

Marissa smiled again, but was eyeing Sabrina as if Sabrina were the most fascinating--and bizarre--thing she'd seen in a long time. Grasping Sabrina's elbow, Elyssa waved goodbye to the three of them and wandered off in search of Poppy.

What was that? she muttered.

You saw it, too? Sabrina asked, a fierce edge to her voice.

Saw you bite that girl's head off? Elyssa replied dryly.

No, I mean the way she was staring at you while you were talking to Ash.

Elyssa blinked at Sabrina. No, I didn't notice. So, you're saying you don't like her because she was staring at me? Raising an eyebrow, she added, People are always staring at the birthmark. It just surprises anyone seeing it for the first time.

Reaching up, Elyssa rubbed the mark absently, ducking her head so that her blonde hair fell around her face like a curtain. She'd never really minded the pink line. All her life, the adults around her had made her feel as though it were special, but not ugly or bizarre in any way. So, she really felt almost comfortable with people staring at it.

Almost.

Sabrina shook her head. She wasn't surprised, Elyssa. In fact, it looked as though she almost expected it. She looked...intrigued, but she was studying you. Not your birthmark.

Well, she was definitely intrigued by you, missy. That little show off--what? solidarity?--probably made her feel extremely welcome.

Frowning, Sabrina crossed her arms. She didn't seem all that effected by it, she pouted, obviously wishing Marissa had shown more emotion about Sabrina's dislike.

What'd you want her to do, Sabrina? Cry?

Sabrina sighed impatiently. No, of course not. I just wish--

The doors across the room opened and the girls turned to see who was arriving so late. Thierry and a woman walked through the double doors together, talking and smiling.

Elyssa tensed, staring as the girl--no, woman--tossed her long red hair over one shoulder, laughing up into Thierry's eyes.

Uh, who's that? Sabrina asked from beside her.

I don't know, she whispered.

You've never seen her before? A touch of concern entered Sabrina's voice.

Elyssa shrugged, her palms upraised. I don't know. Maybe. Her breath caught as Thierry clasped the woman's shoulder for a moment.

He never touches me, she thought distantly.

Maybe she's just an old friend, Sabrina said reassuringly.

The woman laughed at something Thierry said and laid her hand on his upper arm. And left it there.

A really old friend?

Her hand was still there.

Through the roaring in her ears, Elyssa shook her head, hearing her own voice say analytically, She's not a made vampire, and she's definitely not lamia. So she can't be that old of a friend.

How do you know?

It was still there.

Lamia carry themselves differently. More confident. Something. It's an attitude thing. Really old made vampires have it, too.

So, she could be a newer made vampire, Sabrina insisted hopefully.

She's at least twenty four. You can't be changed after nineteen. Clearing her throat, Elyssa swallowed to try to rid the lump from it. Besides, it doesn't matter whether she's an old friend or a new lover. Thierry doesn't belong to me. He can do whatever he wants. Where's Poppy?

Sabrina blinked at the sudden topic change.

Where's Poppy? I have to find her before the meeting starts.

Sabrina hesitated a moment. Are you sure you want to stay for the meeting? she asked finally.

Elyssa replied absently. Spotting Poppy in a group about halfway across the room, Elyssa walked purposefully in that direction.

Because don't feel like you have to stay on my account. I would be just as happy going to your room. She paused before continuing. Or home, if that's what you want. Or, if you want, I could stay and spy on them while you go to your room.

Elyssa smiled at Sabrina's babbling, explaining, If I leave, I'll have to explain why. She glanced over her shoulder and her mouth dropped open a bit. It's still there, she said with disbelief.

Sabrina looked back in the same direction, while Elyssa once again spun on her heel. What's still where? she asked as her best friend walked off.

Receiving no answer, she just shrugged and followed.

I think we should sit with Ash, Elyssa stated.

Sabrina balked. That would mean sitting with Marissa, and she wasn't sure she liked her. She was sure, however, that she didn't want Elyssa anywhere near the girl. But we always sit up front with Poppy and James. And Thierry, she added silently.

I haven't seen Ash in months. I want to sit with him.

Sabrina sighed.

You can sit up with Thierry if you want, Elyssa suggested vaguely.

Why would I want to do that? Sabrina scoffed, reaching to put her arm through Elyssa's.

Elyssa smiled and squeezed Sabrina's arm gratefully. she called to the tiny redhead.

Thierry was getting ready to start the meeting. Elyssa could tell because he was standing in front of his chair usual chair, waiting for those around him to choose their seats. From her vantage point in the chair beside Ash's, Elyssa saw Thierry glance around in confusion and whipped her eyes around to Ash just before Thierry's dark eyes found her.

Are you happy to be back in Vegas? she asked cheerily.

Of course. The east coast just isn't as exciting.

Nothing can compare to the Strip, she agreed, forcing herself to smile. That bloody redhead was still superglued to Thierry's side. Not that Thierry was making an effort to lose the woman.

Ash's eyes glazed over and Elyssa sighed, knowing he was speaking telepathically. Most likely to Thierry, who--she judged out of the corner of her eye--looked slightly worried about her choice of seat.

Well good, she thought spitefully, and immediately felt ashamed of herself. It wasn't Thierry's fault that she got jealous easily. She didn't even have the right to be jealous, let alone angry, that he'd found a girlfriend.

But what about Hannah? a small voice inside her head asked. I thought she was his soulmate. But just as hope was about to blossom, a horrifying thought came through loud and clear. Maybe she's his soulmate.

Elyssa told herself to ignore the pain tearing through the region of her heart. Great, so now I have to watch him live happily ever after with his soulmate while I pine away for him? Forcing herself not to gasp, she covered her choking sound with a cough. No, no pining. Why would I be pining? I'll be over this...this...crush soon.

 Shuddering, Elyssa closed her eyes and pressed her thumb and forefinger against the bridge of her nose. This cannot be happening.

Feeling Ash's hand on her shoulder, she looked up at him and smiled. The concern on his face didn't fade, though. Are you all right?

Yeah, it's just a headache. Liar, she said to herself.

Sabrina muttered on her other side. Elyssa jumped, having forgotten that Sabrina was sitting their, chatting with Quinn. Turning so Ash couldn't see, she glared at her friend, silently reminding her about vampires' acute hearing.

Ash rubbed her shoulder gently and smiled at her. Just let me know if you need to leave, okay?

Ash, come on, I'm seventeen. You don't have to take care of me. Smiling to soften her words, she squeezed the hand on her shoulder. Besides, I live right upstairs, remember? Thanks, though.

Thierry stood and the room suddenly fell to complete silence. Good evening, everyone, he said, smiling around the large circle. Welcome to Vegas. I hope everyone's trips were all right. Murmurs of agreement filled the room.

Since many of you are new to the Vegas circle, we thought we would go around quickly and have the regulars introduce themselves. Considering you all know who I am, polite laughter filtered out of the crowd, let's move on to the next person.

As Thierry sat down, Poppy, who was seated on his left, stood and waved. Hi, I'm Poppy Rassmussen, and I've been with Circle Daybreak for almost 110 years now.

Light applause followed and James stood next. Hi everybody, welcome to Vegas. I'm James Rassmussen. Poppy and I joined together, so I've also been here for over a century.

Elyssa hated speaking in front of crowds. She'd never gotten over her childhood shyness and looking around the circle now, as someone else stood up--she couldn't tell who through the pounding of her heart--all she could see was a blur of faces.

She didn't realize that her breathing had increased until Ash reached over and squeezed her hand. You'll be fine, kiddo. Just say your name and that you've been here for ten years. Then sit down.

His whispered advice calmed her a little and she took a deep breath. Ten years, she whispered. Right. Ten.

Beside her, Ash stood. Hi, I'm Ash Redfern. Most of you probably met me when Quinn and I were coming around to let everyone know about the expansion of Circle Daybreak and helping to form new branches. I've been part of Circle Daybreak for about as long as James and Poppy.

He sat and smiled at Elyssa reassuringly as she stood. she said, reaching up to nervously push her hair behind her ears. I'm Elyssa Clark. Suddenly, the room froze. Or at least, that's what it felt like as she lowered her left hand. Every new person in the room was staring at her with what appeared to be shock written all over their faces. Um, I've been here for almost ten years, she said uncertainly, and sat down quickly.

Unbalanced from their reaction to her small speech, Elyssa glanced at Thierry and found him sitting with an almost fiercely calm expression. His eyes were in turmoil as they met hers and she furrowed her eyebrows at him to ask what was wrong.

Everything's fine, Elyssa. Don't worry about it. His voice in her head was strong and comforting and she wished he'd keep talking because everyone was still staring and Sabrina wasn't standing up.

Quinn jumped to his feet. I'm Quinn and, as Ash said, you've probably already met me. And you probably all had a conversation or two with us or one of our agents. The smile Quinn turned on the crowd was almost threatening and the room stiffened again before visibly relaxing. Anyway, I joined Circle Daybreak over a hundred years ago, just before Ash did. Welcome to Vegas.

Elyssa stared straight ahead as she felt Ash and Quinn exchange a look over her head. Sabrina was still stiff next to her. Turning to Thierry once again, Elyssa saw him staring at Gloria Acevedo, the current speaker, as if her speech were the most fascinating thing he'd ever heard. She knew that he felt her eyes, but he studiously avoided them, leaving her to wonder what in the world was going on.

Reviewers:

Charlotte-Thanks for reviewing before you left! I like Sabrina, too. She's kinda fiesty. Reminds me of my best friend. She was indeed supposed to be a reincarnation of Chess! Yay! I wanted to get that across without having to spell it out, and I was worried about that one. Thanks again!

Akasha11-It's just so cool that there's actually someone named Redfern out there. Hehe. And you got to dance with him? Awesome. (Did he seem vampiric at all?) I wish my last name were cool, like Redfern.

MerlinHalliwell-Thanks for the review! I think I have the basic plot all figured out now, so hopefully you'll be finding out soon.

thelotuspath-Man, I'd love to have a teleportation device...AND something that did my makeup for me. As I said, I like the way your mind works. : ) Hehe, you'll never guess who the person trying to seduce Thierry is. (Or IS she trying to seduce him?) mwahahaha!!!

Terriah-Thierry is so losing control. He probably thinks he's going insane, too. Poor guy. He's so sweet, you hate to see him in such turmoil. sigh But it is kinda funny to see a man numerous-millenia-old losing his cool over his seventeen year old soulmate.