A.N. A couple of notes about the previous chapter:

1) As Charlotte pointed out, frozen yogurt does in fact contain dairy and, thus, is not vegan. Big mistake. Oops. That has been remedied.

2) Sabrina is supposed to be a reincarnation of Chess, not Mary-Lynette. Unfortunately, I seem to have confused everyone in the last chapter. Once again, oops.

Sorry about those mistakes. If you spot any others, please let me know!

Please remember that I own nothing and am not trying to make any sort of a profit off of this story. This is merely a joy ride with LJ Smith's wonderful characters.

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Sitting in a big easy chair with a blanket, Elyssa watched as her kidnapper moved methodically around the kitchen. As he wiped the counter, she realized that he looked a little familiar, but she couldn't place him.

For a kidnapper, he was kinda laid back. Though she lacked experience in the area, she was pretty sure kidnappers didn't usually leave their hostages unbound in the next room with cups of tea and magazines. Of course, her kidnapper didn't exactly have to worry about her running away, given the disparity in their strengths and their location. Where would she run to, the next rock?

Assuming, of course, that she was still in Vegas. The one concession he'd made to fit her hostage state was boarding the windows up from the outside. He could have flown her somewhere. Even driven. She must have been out for hours if he'd taken her anywhere this far away from civilization, for which she was almost positive she could thank a good telepathic blast. So all she really knew was that she knew nothing at all.

Uninterested in the copies of Cosmo and Self on the table next to her, she took a sip of tea--somehow he'd known she preferred brown sugar to white or raw for her Irish Breakfast--and continued to watch him.

He definitely had the glittery appearance of a vampire. All those sleek muscles and the silvery eyes. But, having been around Night Worlders nearly all her life, she also noted the aura of power that surrounded him, which lent to the theory of his being a witch, too.

So, he's a made vampire, she concluded, inordinately pleased with this gleaned information.

So, I'm made, he called from the kitchen. What's your point?

Damn. Ten years around vampires and I let my thought shield down now? Sighing noisily, she took another sip of tea and slouched down in her chair.

Suddenly, he was flopping down in another easy chair across from hers. How's the tea? he asked, folding his hands over his stomach and tilting his head to watch her.

Carefully, she blew on the steaming liquid and took another sip.

That stuff'll keep you up all night, he pointed out, not taking his eyes from her.

She just shrugged and tried to decide whether or not that meant it was still night. Or if it was the next night.

There's a clock over your right shoulder, he said, an amused smile tilting the corners of his near-perfect lips. Allowing herself one glare at him, she glanced over her shoulder and found a clock.

Seven forty five, she muttered. I was out for a long time.

About 22 hours, he said conversationally. I pack quite the mental kick. Sorry about that. Facing forward again, she raised an eyebrow and drank some more tea.

He sighed and raised a hand to scratch his eyebrow. Look, Elyssa, I'm not going to hurt you, so you can relax a bit.

Oh, so we're just here for fun and games, huh?

She was shocked that he had the grace to wince. No. No, you're right about that. Sitting up in his chair, he leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees. I'm not going to hurt you, he repeated, then glanced away, muttering, Though you really have no reason to take my word for it.

Who are you? she asked bluntly, unable to stand anymore of the sympathetic dribble that was falling out of his mouth.

Hesitating, his eyes moved back and forth between hers, studying her. Finally, he offered his hand. Anthony Lightblood.

I know that name. she asked, automatically reaching out to take his hand.

Well, not really anymore. I mean, I'm a vampire now, so why keep the witch name, right? His smile, on any other occasion, would have been infectious.

she started, only to pause. Which questions to ask? How did you get in?

He frowned. You mean, into the mansion? Oh, that's pretty easy once you disguise your life force. As long as you do that, most of the wards don't recognize the threat.

Blinking and nodding, Elyssa decided this was something she had to share with Thierry if she ever made it out of this alive. So, what are you planning on doing now that you have me? she questioned carefully.

he responded with a shrug, picking up one of her magazines to glance at the cover before tossing it back on the side table.

For what? she asked, examining the cover of the magazine he'd just rejected.

For the guys who hired me to come get you.

Okay, so this wasn't what she had to make it out of alive. And who would they be?

Well, now, I'm not sure.

You don't know, she said incredulously.

It could be any of the Redfern goons. Or even any of the Redferns themselves. They weren't specific.

The Redferns?

They just said told me to get you, bring you here and then they'd come get you.

The Redferns? she repeated in a small voice.

Yeah. The Redferns, he said, obviously wondering at her sanity.

The family that heads the Council? Oh, this is bad.

One and the same, Anthony agreed.

They're trying to get to Thierry, she whispered. She refused to whimper, she had too much backbone for that.

Anthony's eyebrows came together over his blue eyes and he studied her quizzically. Uh, no, he responded, drawing out the single syllable word.

What do you mean, she snapped. Why else would they take me?

Cuz you killed Maya, he said, as if stating the obvious.

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Marissa, we need to ask you a few questions, Ash said, sitting on the couch across from hers in the comfortable living room Thierry had provided for her interrogation.

Confusion caused her forehead to pucker as her eyes flitted back and forth between Ash and Quinn. All right, ask away.

Where were you seated during the meeting tonight? Quinn asked, leaning against a soft rose colored wall near the sofa Ash was inhabiting.

Between Ashley Kentmore from Maine and Jason Lions from Iowa, she said readily.

And they can corroborate that? Ash asked, not unkindly, but with a certain steel that forced her to study him.

In answer to his question, she shrugged and said, I'm sure they can. I was there for the whole meeting. What's going on, Ash?

What time did you enter the meeting tonight? Quinn interjected before Ash had a chance to answer, not that he appeared inclined to do so.

I'm not sure. I think it was about five minutes before it started, she responded.

Five minutes before? Quinn questioned.

Her voice wavered with uncertainty. It might have been ten, I really don't know.

Did anyone see you come in?

Turning back to Ash, Marissa stared at him and tried not to worry. Well, someone must have, but I didn't say anything to anyone on the way in.

And what did you do before coming to the meeting tonight?

What is going on? she asked again.

Ash began, only to be cut off by Quinn in his usual sympathetic manner.

Elyssa is missing, he stated in a cold voice.

Silence reigned in the room for a moment as Marissa turned completely white. Oh, oh Goddess.

You can see why we need these answers? Ash pushed, gesturing with his hands.

She nodded, but her expression was vague. You think I took her? she asked hopelessly.

We aren't saying that, Ash assured her. We just thought maybe you had some information. You say you came in late. She nodded again. Did you see anyone or anything out of the ordinary on your way here?

She shook her head and swallowed. No, nothing.

In shock, she watched them exchange glances. You don't believe me, do you? Their silence was damning. Look, I had nothing to do with this. Lady Hannah is too important to Circle Daybreak. I would never hurt her.

When their expressions didn't change, she turned to Quinn. You're a strong telepath, right? Read me.

He blinked and straightened from the wall.

You heard me. Go ahead and read me. You'll see that I had nothing to do with this.

Quinn glanced at Ash, who just shrugged, then walked somewhat hesitantly over to the young witch in front of him. Waiting patiently, she watched as he reached out to touch her forehead and forced herself not to recoil when she felt the tendrils of thought touch her mind. A few moments later, he pulled back and moved to sit next to Ash.

She didn't have anything to do with it, he said woodenly.

Ash said. He flipped the file he held in his lap closed with excess force and tossed it on the side table next to him.

Not quite, Quinn replied thoughtfully. Marissa, tell us about your brother.

Face registering surprise, she stared at him a moment before responding. What all did you see in there?

He waved his hand dismissively. Doesn't matter. Tell us about your brother.

What do you want to know? she asked cautiously.

Where he is and who he works for.

I have no idea and he doesn't work for anyone right now, she retorted. What's this about? When the vampires in front of her just stared in response, she sighed and leaned back in the couch.

I haven't seen him since July. He has a tendency to disappear for months at a time, you see. Can't really keep a steady job. He's really very talented magically. He can do any spell he wants on his first try. Taking a breath, she shook her head. But he was never really interested in using his powers.

Is he Daybreak or Night World? Ash asked gently.

She swallowed. Neither. He doesn't have the kind of will to choose a side.

Who is he friends with? At her blank expression, Quinn elaborated, Any of the Redferns?

Oh, no, she denied hurriedly, then winced. No offense, Ash.

None taken, he answered, almost automatically.

But you say he disappeared a few months ago? Quinn pressed, leaning forward.

Well, yes, but as I said, he has a tendency to do that every so often.

Ash put in.

Floundering for words, Marissa shook her head. I really have no idea.

Did he know about this meeting? Quinn asked.

No, he wasn't Daybreak. How would he-- She stopped and blinked. Well, I did have it written in my planner. Sometimes he goes through it to schedule a lunch or something. But, I didn't have the location written down. Shaking her head, she turned back to Quinn. Why are you asking so many questions about Anthony?

Because he introduced you to a witch who works for the head of the Redfern family.

she asked, confused. How do you know?

I saw the meeting in your head, Quinn said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.



Who did he introduce her to? Ash asked urgently.

What all did you see in there? Marissa repeated, a little more forcefully.

Ignoring Marissa's question, Quinn turned to face Ash directly. Briar Raimes.

The expletive that slipped from Ash's mouth was creative and made both Marissa and Quinn blink. Ash shot to his feet and was out of the room before either of them could say another word.

Where is he going? Marissa asked, jerking her thumb over her shoulder.

Beats the hell out of me, Quinn responded, standing to follow his partner. I'm sorry, Marissa, but you're gonna have to stay here.

All right, she said as the dark-haired vampire fled the room in pursuit of Ash.

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So, you're saying you don't know anything about Elyssa's disappearance? Poppy questioned doubtfully.

Of course I didn't! Samantha heatedly returned. How could you think that?

Where were you before the meeting tonight? James inquired calmly, ignoring her accusation.

I met up with Thierry in the front hall as he was coming in the house. We chatted for a couple of minutes and then we headed towards the meeting room, where you caught up with us.

And before that? Poppy questioned forcefully.

Samantha tossed her red hair over her shoulder and glared at the tiny vampire. I was in my room. And no, I don't have any witnesses, she added with asperity.

Gee, that's too bad, Poppy replied sweetly.

Oh, yes, I can see you're devastated.

Smiling innocently, Poppy laced her fingers together and laid her hands on the table in front of her. Well, I never was good at hiding my dislike for people.

As Samantha's eyes narrowed, James cleared his throat and cut into the conversation. Look, Samantha. We know that it must have been someone close to Elyssa who let the kidnapper inside. We also know that for the past week, you've been trying to get close to both Thierry and Elyssa. Particularly Thierry.

Leaning back on her plush sofa cushion, Samantha crossed her arms, eyes still narrowed. What exactly are you implying, James?

Did you want to get Elyssa out of the picture? Poppy asked bluntly. I mean, you did know that Elyssa is Thierry's soulmate. That must have put a real cramp in your burgeoning relationship, right?

Does Thierry know that you've got me here? Samantha demanded. I can't believe he knows you're making these ridiculous accusations.

Are they ridiculous? Poppy asked thoughtfully.

Yes, Samantha, James answered. Thierry knows we have you here.

Surprise registered briefly on her face before she rallied, raising her chin. You're wasting your time here. I had nothing to do with Elyssa's disappearance and I certainly haven't been trying to develop any relationship besides business with Thierry.

Been a little touchy feely for businesslike, haven't you? Poppy tilted her head to the side, widening her silvery green eyes.

Samantha regarded her with disgust. We used to be quite close, if you think back to when Elyssa lived with Simon and Marla. Pain flashed in her eyes, but she blinked and the expression disappeared. The only thing Thierry and I have ever had in common was Elyssa. At most, we're friends. At the least, we were joint caretakers for a time.

A knock on the door interrupted them and Poppy stood to answer it. Seeing Ash and Quinn on the other side, she stepped into the hall after flashing a look at James. What'd you get?

Ash shook his head. Marissa wasn't in on it. She let Quinn read her and he says she's clean.

Poppy smiled bitterly. Dead end.

That's what I thought, but Quinn picked something else up in her mind, Ash said, forestalling Poppy's hand as it reached for the doorknob.

Quinn crossed his arms over his chest. Her brother is involved with the Redferns and had access to the meeting time.

How did he--

It was written in her planner, Ash interrupted, shaking his head at the idiocy.

Rolling her eyes in exasperation, Poppy threw her hands in the air. Oh, for the love of--

We know, the men said in unison.

Ash shook it off and held out a piece of paper. We need to know if Samantha's met either Anthony Lightblood or Briar Raimes.

We've been keeping pretty close tabs on Raimes since he showed up on our radar last year. He was involved in some pretty gruesome stuff, Quinn informed her. So, we'll go check out if he has any connections in the area while you chat up Miss England in there.

Raimes? You think he has something to do with this?

Of course he does, Ash said evenly. He's an honorary Redfern.

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Maya? Who's that? Elyssa asked as her head swam. I killed someone? How the heck did I miss that memo?

Anthony stared at her in disbelief. Maya Redfern? The oldest vampire?

She's related to Ash?

Goddess, don't start that again, Anthony groaned, head falling into his hands.

Sorry, but I have no idea what you're talking about, Elyssa replied, setting her cup down on top of the magazines.

Disbelief translated into dawning recognition. You haven't Awakened yet? he asked incredulously.

Elyssa's eyebrows came together. What are you going on about? Awakened from what?

I mean, I'd heard the rumors, but I never actually believed them. You're seventeen, right?

She nodded speechlessly.

You always remembered by this age, he murmured, his look still incredulous. Then, shrugging philosophically he added, Course, you were always dead by seventeen, too.

Elyssa's breathing was starting to grow shallow again. The words Dead by seventeen written on a scrap of paper flashed in front of her mind's eye. Her head began to ache and she rubbed her temple distractedly.

I don't understand, she said softly. How could I have been dead before? I'm not an Old Soul.

Of course you are, Anthony said matter-of-factly. And in your last life, you killed Maya Redfern.

Elyssa shook her head in denial, her headache growing worse with every word he spoke. However, Anthony didn't notice and just kept talking.

She'd been gunning for you since your first life. We don't really know much about that one. It was before writing you see. The caveman days and all that.

An image of large meetings, and a wise-looking old woman speaking to her.

We have her some of her personal records, but she didn't learn to write until much later, and I've heard that her records are incomplete. For example, we don't know when you popped up next or how you died in the first place. But it was a big world, and she had a lot of places to search, so she might have missed the first few lives.

Gathering berries with a woman who strangely resembled Sabrina. Weaving grasses to build baskets.

No one knows much of anything about your lives up until the last one.

Holding onto a bedpost as someone pulled on the strings of her corset. Each picture came with a throb to her temple, causing Elyssa to wince and dig her fingers into the chair arms.

That's when you finally killed Maya. And, as we all know, vampires don't come back.

Oh, Isis, Goddess of Life, guide me to the other world.

So, the Redferns are understandably pissed off. I mean, a human bested the first vampire. The most powerful vampire. Anthony shrugged again. I think you scare them.

But not you? she asked breathlessly.

Finally, concern appeared on Anthony's face. Not really. Are you all right?

Fine. Just fine. Taking a deep breath through the pain in her head, she tried to align all the facts he was telling her. So, what you're saying--and please correct me if I'm wrong--is that I'm an Old Soul that's been around off and on since caveman days. She paused to wait for confirmation.



Who somehow pissed off the first vampire and set off a battle that spanned a multitude of lifetimes.



But then, about a hundred years ago, I--a human--finally killed Maya. The most powerful vampire in the world.

Sounds about right, Anthony agreed with an amused smirk.

Great. Just great.

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So you've never heard of either of these two men.

Well, yes, I've heard of Raimes. He caused some problems for us a while back in London.

What kind of problems? James asked interestedly.

He, um, broke into one of our offices. Not our headquarters, luckily. He stole a number of files. We're fairly certain he was also behind a number of member deaths last December.

What files? Poppy urged.

I don't know, I wasn't given an inventory. We don't really have any important information stored in our outposts. The most that was done about it was a shut down of that particular office and a change in meeting times and places.

Could one of those files contained information on this week's convention? James suggested, watching Samantha's face carefully.

Confusion and worry caused her forehead to pucker and her blue eyes to cloud. I don't know. I can't imagine we'd keep such an important piece of information in an outpost, but I suppose it's possible.

Samantha, why did your Circle send you, in particular, to Vegas for the convention? Poppy asked without inflection or accusation.

The young woman swallowed and met Poppy's eyes. I asked to be the one sent. I missed Vegas, missed my family. I don't get home from England much and my mother hates to fly. After this week, I was going to spend a month back home.

And why have you been so intent on getting close to Elyssa?

Samantha paused and smiled wryly. When I came back to Las Vegas, Thierry confided in me that he was worried about Elyssa, she said, reaching up to scratch her forehead. He told me that she'd seemed sad lately. She and I used to be close, so I thought I might be able to help. I never thought she'd have forgotten me.

Thierry asked you to do this? Poppy asked doubtfully.

Samantha clarified. I just wanted to help, but...she didn't seem all that interested.

You're right, Poppy agreed. She wasn't.

Will you agree to being read? James asked.

Depends on who's doing it, Samantha retorted, eyeing Poppy warily.

Smiling sanguinely, Poppy muttered, You should be so lucky.

How about Quinn? James offered, glancing between his soulmate and their suspect. Is that all right with everyone?

Fine with me, Samantha practically snarled.

Poppy agreed.

Oy, James thought, earning a swift kick from his soulmate.

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Reviewers:

EarthDragonette-Thanks so much! You outlined the exact characteristics I've been striving for in my story, all of which I was worried I wouldn't be able to pull off. Let me know if I'm leaving any loose ends untied, though!

You know, I'm a little confused about Sabrina myself. I started out writing her as a reincarnation of Chess, but then I reread my last chapter and she seemed like a reincarnation of Mary-Lynette, and now I'm confused. (sighs) I think I'll just keep her as Chess. I really want this story to focus on Elyssa. Who knows, maybe I'll do a sequel with Mary-Lynette! :p I definitely love those two enough to try to write a whole story around Ash and Mare.

laura-Thanks for reviewing! Isn't Ash just wonderful? He's such a complex character. He and Mary-Lynette are my favorite couple. : ) I think Sabrina is Chess. That's what I intended, but then when I reread my last chapter, she did seem a little like Mary-Lynette. Sorry, I didn't mean for it to get so confusing.

Charlotte-Crap. I totally forgot that frozen yogurt has dairy products in it. I even changed it from ice cream to frozen yogurt so there wouldn't be discrepancies! (slaps forehead) Thanks for pointing that out. :p So, yes, I meant for her to be vegan, but slipped up. Whoops. Thanks for the review!

tanya-Thanks for your review! Well, Chess is an Old Soul in the books, but it never mentions whether or not she becomes an Awakened Old Soul. I definitely want the story to be about Elyssa. With Sabrina's flashbacks, I was trying to imply why Elyssa has been getting headaches. Obviously, I didn't succeed in my quest for subtlety. :p I decided not to make Samantha the culprit. She was just too easy to hate already. Hope you enjoy the next chapter!

Terriah-Yeah, Sabrina is Chess. When I first started writing, I remembered that in Soulmate Thierry mentions that Chess was with her in nearly every life, so I thought I would accommodate. :p But I seem to have been a little bemusing in the last chapter on that subject. Whoops. Sorry.

happy accident-Hi! Thanks for reviewing my story. I'm really glad you're enjoying my story as much as I enjoy yours. Isn't Thierry being frustrating? I mean, come on! I absolutely adore Ash. He's my favorite character in the whole series. He's just , you know? I hope you keep reading and keep enjoying! : )