Disclaimer: The Night World is the work of L.J Smith. Only the story is mine and a few extra characters. Alexa, the clichéd villain- she's mine.

16

Alexa smirked at her plan. She hadn't told Mary-Lynnette and Ash anything helpful. She had been careful to tell them part of the truth mixed with lies and things she was certain that Circle Daybreak already knew. She knew her lies would be discovered fairly soon, but by then it would be too late. She would already have Ash.

She sauntered out of the kitchen with a cup of tea, after emptying her potion into it. Deceptively sweet, she walked over to a vampire she had learned was called Nilsson with the drink.

"Hi. I've noticed that you are always working all the time. I thought you'd appreciate a drink." She said slowly and seductively.

Nilsson looked at her with surprise. "I shouldn't drink on duty. I don't have time for a break."

"Come on… what would one little drink hurt? How can you focus without having the occasional drink?"

Nilsson looked at her uncertainly for a moment, and then took the drink from her. "Uh…thanks." He lifted the cup to his lips and drank deeply.

Alexa took the cup from him as his face leveled out, more impassive than before.

"Now…" She whispered in his ear. "This is what I want you to do…"

Ash stroked Mare's hair tenderly. In her sleep, she looked so beautiful. She smiled in her dreams and snuggled closer to him. Ash didn't complain, wrapping his arms around her contentedly. He shut his eyes, breathing in her scent.

Then the door crashed open. Mare sat up with the sheet wrapped round her, startled awake. Ash's eyes flickered open, so dark they were fathomless. He was very pissed off.

Then his expression flashed to surprise when he registered who it was.

Mare spoke first with amazement. "Thierry! What are you doing bursting in here at this hour?" She looked at his face. "What's wrong?"

Thierry's face was full of fear and worry. If he was the type of person to scream, he would have. But instead, he had lost control of his composure.

"Hannah's been kidnapped!"

Ash sat up, careful not to knock the sheets off him or Mare. "What! Who by? Surely not…Maya?"

"No. Not Maya." Thierry said impatiently. "Nilsson."

Ash looked at him as though he was raving mad. "Nilsson? He wouldn't do this."

"He wouldn't…unless…" Mare gasped, clapping a hand to her mouth in shock. "He is under control like you were Ash."

Ash nodded, thinking that her theory made sense. "But who…"

Thierry answered his question for him. "Alex has assumed responsibility; turns out she wasn't who we thought she was. But she is threatening me with Hannah's safety. If she doesn't get what she wants…" He put his head in his hands.

Mare looked at him. "What does she want?"

Thierry looked at her apologetically, and said simply. "Ash."

"ASH!" She bellowed.

"It's the same woman. Who took Ash the last time."

"Well she's not getting him. That crazy bitch…" Then she realized. "Oh. Hannah." She looked desperately torn. She really liked Hannah.

Ash made the decision for her. "I'll have to go."

Thierry nodded his thanks, though was ashamed to ask for this from Ash. Especially since he had most of his best people out of town on missions.

Mare hugged him. "As soon as we get Hannah back though, no-one is stopping me from landing the first punch."

Ash grinned.

Thierry smiled hesitantly. "I'm sure your sisters will want to have a piece of the action. They already know." He grimaced. "Alex- or Alexa as she claims she really is- is waiting downstairs."

Ash nodded determinedly. Then he realized something. "Could you let us get dressed?"

Thierry nodded, embarrassed, but grinning. He closed the door behind him, leaving Mare blushing furiously.

Alexa was downstairs laughing manically. They had agreed to her demands. Soon. Soon Ash would be hers. That Mary-Lynnette didn't deserve him. Besides, Alexa always got what she wanted.

Ash came down the stairs, followed by a Mary-Lynnette who was being restrained by her brother and blood sisters.

Alexa found it amusing. "Well…" She said absently. "He could have worn something a little more revealing. But I suppose I can sort that out later…"

Mare almost managed to break free from three vampires and her brother. "You…" She shouted.

"Uh uh uh." Alexa tutted. "Wouldn't want anything to happen to dear Hannah would we?"

Mare stopped, but continued to glare furiously.

Ash looked at her to reassure her, and walked next to Alexa.

Alexa walked out the door, beckoning for Ash to follow.

Thierry ran up to her. "What about Hannah?"

Alexa grinned. "I lied. She's a good insurance policy to make sure that Ash complies. Seeing as my potions don't seem to work…"

She slammed the door as Thierry charged at her.

A car revved then sped away.

Mare was not amused. In the car, Ash wasn't either. This woman apparently had a thing for him. He shuddered to think what she would do…

Xanthia Nightshade- Well… so you might have something to do… here's the next chappie.

Morrigue- One of life's great mysteries, men, really. Thanks for the compliment.

Tessadragon- Thanks for being honest. To be truthful, I think I will be wrapping this particular fanfic up soon. I'm running out of ideas, and there are only so many times you can put Ash in danger!

Undeveloped Story- I hope your surgery went well and typing will stop being painful… Please don't sic Hunter on me! This fanfic has to end somewhere, and as I said to Tessadragon, there are only so many times I can put Ash in danger! You should try writing a fanfic on Hunter though. I think it would be quite funny! There was a hint of Ash and Mare interaction in this chapter…