A.N. I'm sorry if this chapter seems a bit underpar. I rushed through the revisions so that I could get it up. Let me know if I've made any huge mistakes. : ) Oh yeah, don't own anything.

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The nearly silent thump thump of the electric helicopter's blades made Thierry's heart beat faster in anticipation. Each beat brought him closer to the cabin a group of Sebastian Blackburn's shifters had spotted in one of nearby mountains, and closer to Elyssa. Or so he hoped.

Poppy tapped him on the shoulder with the hand that wasn't holding her night-vision goggles, and he glanced over to see her pointing down out her window. He nodded and motioned to Nilsson to land as soon as he could. With his own goggles, he saw the rest of Sebastian's shifters approached from the back.

Gloria Acevado's voice crackled in his ear.

Yes, Gloria? he replied, moving the transmitter closer to his mouth.

We've surrounded the house from the west and are in position, sir.

Good. Sebastian? he questioned.

Sir. We're closing in from the east now.

Good. Wait for my signal to do anything. Got it?

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir.

Quickly and neatly, Nilsson set the copter on the ground and the vampires piled out. Quinn and Ash pulled the weapon bags unceremoniously out of the transporter and began passing various weapons to Thierry, Poppy and James. Finally, each hefting a crossbow with both silver and wooden shafts and a back pack filled with other deadly goodies, they began their silent trek towards the cabin.

Is everyone clear on the plan? Thierry asked for the umpteenth time.

We fan out around the house, James said.

Quinn continued, Ash and I will check the back.

And I'm in charge of checking for wards. If there are any in place, I will attempt to dispose of them. If not, mores the better, Poppy added, sounding--as usual--far too chipper for their assignment.

Upon reaching the house, Thierry nodded at Gloria and Sebastian, who led their respective packs to change into their animal shapes. Fan out, Thierry ordered.

Quinn and Ash disappeared around the corner, while Poppy closed her eyes to scan the building for any kind of spell. Her lips moved softly and soundlessly as James and Thierry moved closer to the front of the small building.

A few moments later, Poppy was frowning and her eyes were fluttering open. That's odd. No wards are set up. I'd expect at least one from a witch of his caliber.

Maybe he didn't have any of the necessary materials, James suggested, relatively unconcerned. If Poppy said there were no wards, then there were no wards.

His soulmate was one of the most powerful telepaths in the world and had an uncanny ability to read environments for spells. Any thing from a defensive spell to a mild fertility spell. No way could any spell get past her, James always told himself proudly.

The back is clear, Ash's mental voice rang in their minds.

Let's go then.

At Thierry's signal, Sebastian moved forward in his panther form and took his position a few yards in front of the wooden door. With a low growl, he rushed forward and leapt, putting all his strength behind the impact between cat and door. It splintered with a groaning sound and Sebastian quickly staggered onto all four paws and moved from the doorway to allow the vampires inside.

Three piled in quickly, while more crashing was heard from the back of the cabin. In mere moments, Gloria ran on all fours into the living room with Ash and Quinn right behind her. Where they found James and Thierry both pointing their crossbows at a single vampire holding a magazine sitting in one of the easy chairs.

He was reading a magazine? Poppy thought incredulously, mentally scanning the premises for anymore living beings.

She's in the back room. The one across the hall from where those three came in, Anthony informed them, not moving or changing expression.

Poppy nodded in agreement, and Ash and Quinn turned and ran from the room. The crossbows trained on Anthony never wavered and he never blinked. A few minutes later, the two vampires returned, Ash carrying Elyssa in a blanket while she fervently searched the room. When her eyes landed on Thierry's, her body seemed to go limp and she smiled tremulously at him.

At the sight, Thierry thought his knees would give out. Torn between gathering Elyssa from Ash and slowly strangling Anthony, he was frozen in place as his breathing grew shallow. In the end, neither was an option. James and Quinn moved to quickly incapacitate Anthony while Ash carried Elyssa out the door towards Nilsson and the helicopter.

Thierry? What do you want to do about the cabin? Poppy asked.

Mentally shaking himself, Thierry thought for a moment. Wipe down any trace of our scent or lifeforce. Then leave it be. I want this place watched. If someone was planning to meet Lightblood here, I want to know who it was.

Yes, sir, she said and moved towards the back room. Thierry headed outside to give orders to Gloria and Sebastian while Poppy carefully checked over each room, leaving every piece of broken glass or splintered wood untouched.

After about twenty minutes, she climbed through the ruined door and nodded to Thierry. It's done.

Back to the house, Thierry called. Half of the packs of wolves and shifters turned back towards the mansion, while the other half scattered to take cover in smaller groups. They would be in charge of the stakeout.

At the helicopter, Anthony was still unconscious, while Elyssa was sitting on one of the seats, still wrapped in her blanket. Poppy immediately climbed in and threw her arms around Elyssa, who smiled and hugged the smaller girl back.

Are you hurt anywhere? Poppy questioned, finally pulling back.

No, I'm fine, Elyssa assured her.

Poppy looked a little skeptical but refrained from commenting. Let's get you back to the house then, the tiny vampire said, turning to look at Thierry.

He motioned for everyone to climb in, then followed suit, sitting in the seat next to Nilsson. When everyone was situated, he nodded to Nilsson and let his head of security fly them home.

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An hour later found them all in Thierry's private study, listening to Elyssa recount everything that had happened. All except Anthony, who was still unconscious thanks to Quinn's telepathic punch.

I may have been a bit overzealous, Quinn had admitted, albeit reluctantly.

You think? Ash had muttered, barring the door to the detention room underneath the mansion. After securing Anthony, Ash and Quinn had joined the group in Thierry's study, where Elyssa had been seated on the couch and surrounded by James, Nilsson, Thierry and Poppy.

So, you're saying he was nice to you? Poppy asked, looking bewildered.

Yeah. He made me tea and a sandwich, and he had a few magazines for me to read, Elyssa elaborated hesitantly.

Do you think he brainwashed her? Quinn murmured to Ash, earning a glare from Elyssa.

He didn't brainwash me. It was like, he didn't want to hurt me. He even apologized for knocking me out, Elyssa said, eyes flitting from one pair to another. It was almost like he felt he had to take me.

Like he was forced to? Thierry asked, his deep voice cool and emotionless. Elyssa swallowed and nodded. Did he mention who would be forcing him?

Well, he said that the Redferns were sending someone to come get me, but that he didn't know who.

Did he mention anyone in particular? Poppy pressed, leaning forward in her seat on the couch opposite Elyssa.

He mentioned a couple of names, but he didn't say how they were involved really. Wracking her brain for the names, Elyssa frowned. The first was someone named Soleil. He said that she was too gentle to be a vampire. I think she must have died while trying to change into a vampire.

Poppy glanced at Ash and Quinn, who looked back, but didn't offer any opinions on the subject.

Oblivious to the exchange, Elyssa continued with her story. And then he mentioned someone named Briar, said that he'd become addicted to Briar's life. Like a drug. I think he must have been a vampire, too.

Silence rose in the room to fill Elyssa's ears. Recognizing the looks of concentration of the vampires' faces as indicative of mental conversation, she sighed and settled more comfortably into her couch. She stared down into the cup of chocolate milk she held in her lap, which Nilsson--bless his heart--had sent to the kitchen for as soon as they had managed to secure Elyssa in the study.

Suddenly, Ash, Quinn and James walked over to the couch and each gave her a kiss on the forehead before leaving the room. Staring after them in bewilderment, Elyssa didn't notice Thierry and Poppy heading in her direction until they sat down. Poppy sitting in the small space left on Elyssa's love seat, and Thierry in the seat directly across from hers.

What else did Anthony tell you, Elyssa? Poppy asked, almost hesitantly.

What do you mean? Elyssa asked, furrowing her forehead as she gazed at her foster mother.

Did he mention anything...unusual?

she repeated, raising an eyebrow. What the heck is she talking about? I already told you everything he mentioned about who did this.

Yes, I'm sure you did, honey. But did he happen to mention anything--anything at all--about why the Redferns are after you?

Oh. That. Taking a deep breath, Elyssa nodded her head jerkily. He, um, he mentioned someone named Maya.

Poppy put an encouraging expression on her face.

Elyssa looked away, avoiding both of their eyes. She couldn't tell them everything. She didn't want them to know she was a killer. She didn't want to see the looks of disappointment and disgust in their eyes. Especially not Theirry.

But if anyone would understand, it's him.

Great. The voices were back. Elyssa closed her eyes and willed herself not to rub her temple to alleviate the headache she felt brewing. It would only worry Poppy more, and Elyssa was getting tired of scarfing Tylenol everyday.

Maybe I need to see a shrink, Elyssa suggested to herself tiredly. Unexpectedly, the image of a red-haired man flashed up in front of her mind's eye. That's...Paul. His name is Paul. But how did I--



Poppy's voice dragged her back from her thoughts and she stared at the vampire in confusion for a moment. she asked, trying to remember what they'd been talking about.

Did he tell you anything else?

Paul?

Poppy said slowly. Are you sure he didn't hurt you, Elyssa?

Oh, right. Elyssa laughed a little. I'm fine. Really. Just a little tired.

Tell them. They can help you remember.

Help me remember what? Elyssa desperately thought back to the cool voice.

Who you are.

Who I am? Elyssa whispered in confusion.

What was that? Thierry asked, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees.

Elyssa's eyes flew to his as she realized she must have spoken out loud. She opened her mouth to tell him it was nothing, but something made her snap it closed again and bite her lip. Locking eyes with him, she couldn't seem to look away, instead she found herself searching his dark eyes for something. She wasn't even sure what she was looking for.

His voice was so gentle and quiet--so Thierry--and she wished despairingly that she didn't have to tell him. Because she suddenly understood that she did.

He said, she began, but her voice trembled, so she stopped to clear her throat. He said that I killed her. Maya, I mean.

Poppy and Thierry both froze and then Thierry's head fell onto his clasped hands for a moment. When he lifted it again, his expression seemed even more gentle, but also determined.

Tell me everything he told you, Elyssa.

Neither of them seemed to be judging her, so she nodded and set her glass on the table between them. He told me that I was an Old Soul. Unawakened, obviously, she added, gesturing at herself. That my first life was during the caveman days.

She stopped to take a deep breath and frowned. I thought he was crazy, but then I kept getting these flashes. Of...me...doing different things, in different times. But it wasn't like I was seeing myself, she explained, trying to make them understand. It was like I was seeing it through my own eyes. As if I were actually there.

He said that Maya was after me in every life. That I'd done something to piss her off and she kept finding me and...and killing me. Elyssa swallowed and blinked her painfully dry eyes. Until about a hundred years ago.

Did he happen to mention why she was killing you? Thierry asked, eyes locked on his white knuckles where his fingers were gripping each other.

She shook her head, eyes falling to her own lap where her right hand was nervously picking at the nails on her left. He said that he didn't know why. That her journals don't mention me very often.

Poppy echoed, throwing a look at Thierry, who was so focused on Elyssa that he didn't spare her a glance.

So what did he know about these journals?

Elyssa sneaked a peak at him out from under her lashes, then quickly looked away when she met his eyes. Anthony said that Maya mostly wrote about you. Poppy tensed beside her, but Thierry didn't even blink.

He called you her little obsession, Elyssa said to her hands.

I see. The resignation in his tone surprised her, but Elyssa didn't dare look at him again.

She couldn't bring herself to tell them every thing Anthony had mentioned about Soleil and his survivalist's attitude. She felt it would betray him somehow, and, despite the fact that he'd kidnapped her, she didn't want to do that.

Poppy, why don't you go check on Ash and Quinn? See if Anthony's recovered enough to talk.

Elyssa's eyes snapped to Poppy, who looked a little reluctant, but stood anyway, then back to Thierry. He was staring at his fingers again, as if they held the answer to some question she hadn't heard. Watching Poppy walk across the room, Elyssa sent her a worried look as her foster mother reached the door. The only reassurance she received was a tiny smile through a crack in the rapidly closing door.

Then silence once again took over the room, leaving Elyssa to fret over what she was supposed to do now. Thierry seemed to have something very important to say, but whatever it was, he couldn't seem to force himself to begin. Finally, Thierry took a deep breath, cleared his throat, and began.

Elyssa, do you know why I started Circle Daybreak?

The question startled her into looking at him. Um, I'm not really sure, she said, frowning. I guess I always assumed that it was because you had a conscience.

He smiled slightly, as if he couldn't help it, and nodded. That's part of the reason, I suppose. When she just stared at him, he sighed and unclenched his fingers to reach up and rub the back of his neck. I think I'm doing this wrong.

This? she wondered, focused on his strong fingers massage his neck. And such a nice neck it was. Attached to strong, solid shoulders and arms. She'd always felt so safe when he held her, knowing nothing could touch her when Thierry was nearby.

Mentally shaking herself, she came back to reality. Thierry had never held her. Well, except in her dreams, and those were just fantasies.

Elyssa, I can tell you all about Maya and why she hated you so much. Even why you had to kill her in the end. I can explain everything. Eyes wide, she stared at him in fascination as he met her eyes.

Do you want to know? he asked hesitantly, almost as if he were afraid she would actually say no.'

she whispered.

She knew him so well. Well enough that she recognized the forced smile he sent her as the false reassurance it was meant to be, saw the fear that fed his tension until he looked ready to bolt.

But he didn't bolt. He stayed right where he was, though he dropped his gaze back to his hands.

And when his fingers began to clench again, he pulled them apart and smoothed down his jeans, leaning back in his chair. Then he looked at her and seemed to relax a little.

I guess I should start at the beginning then, he said, smiling somewhat ruefully as he ran a hand through his blonde hair.

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Reviewers:

EarthDragonette-As usual, your review is a booster shot for my motivation! I just kinda fell in love with Anthony. I couldn't let him be just another evil vampire, he was too awesome. And I promise the teasing will soon be ended on the Elyssa front. Thierry's feelings for Elyssa are totally fluffy. :D I mean, he totally worships her. (Wouldn't that be nice? :p) Yeah, the uber updating energy is MIA over here. I hope it's on its way to you. Thanks for reviewing, and good luck with II.2!

lotuspath-I just love Anthony. I think he will be the subject of my next fic. (wiggles eyebrows) Haha. Maybe I'll have Samantha jump in front of a bullet for Elyssa, trying (vainly) to redeem herself for...whatever it is she did!!! Or maybe Elyssa should just zap her with the phone, which, like any good cell phone, doubles as a stun gun.

tanya-Thanks so much for your review! I was feeling really bogged down about the last chapter, but your review helped a lot. I'm so happy you're still enjoying the story. Yay! I agree, Thierry is vastly adorable. And so brooding. What is it about brooding men? Samantha...I'm not sure what's going to happen with her.

Yav-Well, they have her, but now Thierry has to get her to remember everything! Yeah, Anthony really isn't a bad guy. He's being blackmailed AND he's grieving. That'd make anyone go a little wacky and resort to desperate measures. I'm hoping that everything will be wrapped up with Elyssa's memory troubles in the next chapter or so. Thanks for reviewing!

incarnated-soul-I'm glad you like Anthony. I love him. About Thierry: She's always remembered on her own before, so he's never really been in the position of having to actually explain anything. Then, I guess he didn't know when she'd be able to handle the news. I think he just kept telling himself that when she was ready, she'd remember. (shrugs) Thanks for reviewing! I'm glad you like the story!

Charlotte-Thierry's an interesting character to write, especially in the situation he's found himself. I see Anthony as a lovable guy who's balancing on the line between villain and hero, so I'm trying to write him that way. Thanks for your review!

deborah-Hi! I hope you're having a good holiday. Thanks for reviewing! Keep reading!

Fimbrethil-Yay! I'm so glad you like the story! I hope you like this chapter as much as the others! :D Thanks for your review!

Aglaia di Willow-Thanks for reviewing! I still can't believe she's being so stubborn about remembering! Jeez, woman! (shakes fist) Yeah, poor Ash. I always got the feeling Mary-Lynette was supposed to be an Old Soul. I mean, Ash says that Hannah reminds him of Mare. That they're both wise. Eh, eh? Anywho, I'm still trying to figure out how to bring her in. (scratches head)

Blaze-Thanks for the review! Haha. I don't think Mary-Lynette would take kindly to cleaning up other people's messes. She'd probably end up emptying her dustbin onto Ash's head...Wait...That sounds exactly like something she'd do. :op Alyssa, that's pretty. I like it with the A. My parents went with a traditional (yet original) spelling of my name: Kaitlin. They changed it from a C to a K. As for Strangefate (the tenth book), supposedly L.J. Smith wrote a letter saying that she was hoping to give her publisher the manuscript by Spring 2003. But it still has yet to be published, so I don't know if the letter was a fake or what.

happy accident-Haha. I really liked your theory about the fourth Wild Power, though. It totally makes sense. I'm so glad you like Anthony! I feel somehow less strange knowing that others love a man with a dark side, too. He didn't appear in this chapter too much, what with being knocked unconscious about a fourth of the way through. But you might be happy to hear that he should appear either in later chapters, or in the next story I write. I just can't give him up...(sighs) And Samantha, I'm sure, is up to her ears in traffic tickets, she doesn't seem like the sort to be a responsible driver. She just didn't have anything to do with Elyssa's kidnapping.