For what was originally going to be a one shot is now a lot longer than previously intended. This is so going to get me into trouble because I haven't updated three of the other stories that I know I should have. Happy reading…

Disclaimer: Don't own but wish I did. Still can't wait until Strange Fate comes out, apparently it's November 2nd. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Smoking is Bad for your Health Chapter One – Fate Screwed Up…Again!

"Jez, you know, Old Souls aren't really beyond 'stupid human things.' We're as human as anybody. And we…I mean, and I…"

Even recalling those words, Hugh Davis knew they sounded not only stupid, but foolish as well. Why hadn't he told Jez he loved her? It was the perfect time, the last chance he might have gotten to tell her how he felt about her. Hugh Davis was in a very pensive mood. His fair hair was blowing in the mind, the longer parts at the moment almost hiding intense grey eyes that people often said had unbelievable depth. It wasn't surprising really when you remembered you'd lived twelve times already. He was on his thirteenth lifetime. Again this wasn't unusual if you were an Old Soul. He limped grimly, his leg reminding him of the werewolf attack that had cost him his family.

Deep down, Hugh knew why he hadn't done it. She was destined for another, her soulmate. Even an Old Soul, who had seen so much more than even some of the oldest vampires in the world, knew it was foolish to try and change what the old powers determined. But was it possible to tempt fate, to defy the world? Was it possible that the old powers, the soulmate principle, had screwed up?

He knew Jez cared for him. Hugh could see it every time she looked at him. It was there, hidden away beyond the silver in her eyes that mingled with the blue.

Old Souls seemed to have a purpose. Even Lady Hannah had a soulmate. Was it possible there was one for him too? There must be. The soulmate principle ruled that there was one person meant for another and that when they met, there was an unbreakable connection, a mystical bond.

After weeks of solitude, Hugh had decided to journey back to the Circle Daybreak headquarters, specifically to the home of Thierry Descouedres and Lady Hannah. He needed to get back to work and he needed work to distract himself, from Jez's silvery blue eyes, her wicked smile and the aura of honour and determination that always surrounded her. Not that he could really see an aura - that was a witch thing. But he imagined if he could see it that would be what it held.

It was a long drive back to Las Vegas and luckily, uneventful. Hugh called ahead to headquarters to notify them of his arrival. In Thierry's mansion there was always something to do, new people to meet. Plenty of distraction, which was what he wanted.

He finally reached the gates of the mansion. They were unmistakeable for delicate roses were entwined throughout them. Hugh had never seen such exquisite artistry in architecture but then and again, he knew Thierry could afford whatever he wanted. It came with being a vampire who had a few thousand years under his belt. Hugh often wondered if Thierry ever tired of living. He would never ask him though; it was not the kind of thing you asked to make conversation. He supposed the only person who might know that answer was Lady Hannah, but he couldn't really ask her either.

The sound of static mixed with voice at the intercom finally shook Hugh out of his reverie. He had sat there for the last two minutes lost in thought without ever driving through the rose gate. Frustrated with himself, Hugh shook his head slightly and drove down the driveway. After a quick stretch he headed inside.

Hugh was greeted first by Thea Harman, a witch he had met several months ago. She was one of his favourites in Circle Daybreak, for she cared about everyone and treated humans as equals. Some of the newer members of Daybreak were still having what Thea would call 'issues' with the idea.

'Welcome back Hugh!' Thea squealed, hugging him. 'Are you all right? You seem more soulful than usual…' She said it with a hint of mischief in her soft, brown eyes

Hugh smiled, acknowledging their joke about the look he often got when he was thinking of some of his past lives or was severely distracted.

'I'm fine Thea, just a little tired from the trip back'.

The one good thing about being an Old Soul was that most people couldn't catch a little fib when he told one or were determined not to believe Old Souls were capable of lying. Thea was one of those people.

'Ok then Hugh, but before you turn in you must meet my sister, Blaise - well cousin really but she's like a sister to me – we grew up together. She used to be in Circle Midnight but my cousin was clever enough to see what side was the right one. And she is clever; sometimes I get the impression she knows more than all of us and she certainly knows more than what she tells.'

Thea spoke in such praise and awe of her cousin that he couldn't help but follow her upstairs to one of the many rooms. He was yet to see Thierry or Hannah but surely meeting Thea's cousin would do more good than harm for she was sure to be something like Thea, seeing as they had grown up together.

Thea opened the door and as Hugh followed her, all he saw was red. Not a subtle red, a deep bold crimson. Even the walls were painted with it. The room was vast and the trimmings had been done in black. Hugh, trying to adjust to his new surroundings, barely heard Thea speak.

'Blaise, there's someone here I'd like you to meet'.

Like any Night Person, she seemed to appear from the shadows. She was absolutely gorgeous but this wasn't unusual for Night People and Hugh was so used to it he barely even noticed it these days. But this Blaise – she was something else. She had beautiful curves and dark smoky hair that swirled, witchlike around her. But it was her eyes that stopped Hugh's heart. They were a dark, smouldering grey but they seemed to shine with some inner light. It wasn't just the glimmer of ancient magic you saw in the eyes of most witches. There was something else. It was like she was at peace with herself and the world because she knew where she stood but she also knew how to go further than anyone else. And it looked as though she'd already achieved that…

'Earth to Hugh!'

It was Thea calling him. 'This is my cousin, Blaise Harman!' She added in a whisper to Blaise, 'Don't worry, he's an Old Soul – they tend to do that often'

'It's all right', Blaise said softly. 'The fact that he didn't notice me isn't the problem'. Her voice was luring.

Thea looked reproachfully at her cousin. 'Don't even think about it Blaise – you can't do that here! You shouldn't have done it at all!'

'It's Ok little sister; you forget that I like a challenge. 'That' she said, indicating Hugh, 'would be easy pickings'.

The two cousins glared at each other, whilst Hugh watched. He was completely lost. Blaise seemed nothing like Thea at all. All his senses told him to back off, that Blaise Harman was dangerous but he couldn't get enough of her. His latest thoughts of Jez Redfern at that point were flying out of the window of his mind's eye at light speed. It was scary but exciting at the same time.

'Listen Thea…Blaise. I don't know what you're fighting about but I'm sure we can sort this out'-

'Don't worry about it' Thea said shortly, cutting Hugh off. 'You really don't want to know or be involved in this. And you certainly don't want to sort this out!' She groaned in frustration at her cousin and practically raced out of the red room.

Hugh could only stare in shock. He'd never once seen Thea angry in the slightest. Today he witnessed the equivalent of a temper tantrum. It was then he realised he was alone with Blaise and she was already close to him. She reached out and caressed his arm giving him a pitying smile.

'You don't really want me' she said and added 'besides, you're already half gone. Where's the fun in'-

But that was all Blaise got to say. She stopped abruptly and was looking at Hugh as though she'd never touched a guy's arm before. All Hugh saw was shock and surprise in those grey eyes. Blaise hadn't known what was coming. That was all he registered before they fell into each other's minds…

What are you doing in here?

The sound of Blaise's mind was filled with accusation. And it was hard for Hugh to sift through the clouds of smoke that was the very essence of Blaise.

Haven't you guessed? Hugh answered 'It's the soulmate principle'. It's the connection of our minds. Can't you see the silver cord?

Blaise laughed. Really laughed. The smoky clouds flashed with lightning-like sparks.

You don't really believe that do you? Do you have any idea who I am? What I do? The idea of a human soulmate not only makes me laugh, it also disgusts me. Look into my mind Davis, whilst you're here and discover the truth. I don't like humans and I don't like you.

You're not a very good liar Blaise Harman. I see the truth that's smothered in fog at the deepest corners. You're a good person Blaise and a good witch.

I'm not sure you've quite determined who's telling lies. Get out of my head and don't come back!

There was something like a physical wrench and everything faded…

They were in the red room again. And he was holding Blaise in his arms. She came to and she was not happy. Blaise disentangled herself from Hugh and glared at him. He'd seen parts of her mind. It was probably the first time Blaise Harman had let a human escape her wrath and remained silent. Hugh took his leave…unsure of what to do next.

It was hard to sleep that night. All Hugh could see was the smoky form of her mind. It was beautiful beyond words. All that was in there. The self-assurance and the smoke was her way to allude, manipulate and control. And that was what she did naturally – controlled. He'd seen quite a lot and she knew he seen it – not much really got past her. The ancient art of witchcraft and how she'd used it. Names kept flashing into her head – Kevin, Randy and more. All the humans she had toyed with for fun. She herself wasn't sure what she got out of it. But all the awful things; they were part of her and Hugh was sure she couldn't help it – it was in her nature. Just like vampires fed to survive, Blaise bewitched boys for her own sense of self-assurance and control. It really couldn't be helped. As much as Hugh tried to deny it all he loved her anyway.

There were good things too. She still loved and cared deeply for her family, especially Thea. She always came through for family and she wasn't naïve. Blaise understood things, knew things about the world and accepted it no matter the outcome.

And she had seen into his mind. What did she think of him? It was hard to tell. Even though he was human, Hugh instinctively knew she could shield her thoughts well for a witch. Things happened so quickly that it was hard to take in so much at once. He had to talk to her tomorrow…

The morning came and went and Blaise was nowhere to be seen. From what he had heard, Hugh gathered she was gallivanting around Las Vegas, which wasn't unusual because Las Vegas was her home. He sensed however, that she was purposely avoiding him. Instead, he found Thea, who parted herself long enough away from her soulmate, Eric to have a private chat with him when he asked her.

'Something wrong Hugh? I'm sorry about yesterday. I really love Blaise but a lot of her ideas upset me'

'I know'-

'Know what? Thea asked incredulously 'her ideas?'

'Thea, I think Blaise is my soulmate'.

'Goddess! You're serious? Are you sure – that can't be right! Blaise having a human soulmate is like Blaise forgetting how to whip a love spell…Are you really sure?' Thea was looking like he'd said the sky was about to fall.

'I have almost no doubts' Hugh said confidently. 'I saw her mind. It's complicated and I think I made her mad. She's definitely avoiding me today'.

'Don't worry', Thea said simply. 'Blaise likes being mad. It's what she does'.

Hugh was getting used to the idea that Blaise was a force of nature that shouldn't be reckoned with. But he had to try anyway.

Blaise was cruising the streets of Las Vegas. She couldn't stay in that mansion at the moment. Not after last night…

And what had happened last night? As much as she wanted to deny there was a connection she couldn't. Blaise was too smart for that.

Goddess I'm in trouble Blaise thought. But she had seen into his mind. He wasn't just a human. He was good and brave and understanding. It wasn't that he hadn't cared about the things she had done, he had. He understood why she had done them. That her philosophy in life was that pretty much no one, including herself knew what they really wanted, so she may as well have everyone and have fun along the way.

It wasn't that she was some sort of skank. Blaise was frustrated that she was never quite sure even though she knew on the outside, people saw her as the complete opposite. She vented out that frustration by never giving many human boys what they wanted - a girl whose looks could kill and a girl that knew what she wanted. For all of Blaise's self confidence and self-assurance, ancient power and of what life and witchcraft had to offer she was still unsure of her future. And that was it, really. She was talented. She knew she was. It wasn't a self-centred thing - it was simply the truth. She didn't know why she knew things, why she could remember spells and poetry with such accuracy or why she seemed years ahead of the other maidens in her circle. But her talents suited her purpose, which was why even the very thought of a human soulmate made Blaise smirk with irony.

But it wasn't long until that smirk turned into a wince of defeat as she tried to stop the pinpricks of warmth at her eyes. Stupid, Blaise thought. She was Blaise Harman, brilliant spell caster, seductress who would never be attached to any guy. Certainly no werewolf, (gross) shape shifter (not much of a step up) and certainly no vampire, who could rule her as he pleased. And certainly no witch who would worship the ground she walked on. She needed someone who would see her for herself, not her beauty or her bloodline. No Night Person or human for that matter could ever understand her on that level. Sure, she planned on having kids – but only to continue the Harman line. There was no way she was going to attach herself to one guy for the rest of her life.

She had lost control. Blaise stopped Eric's jeep (having conveniently forgotten to tell him that she was borrowing it) at the side of the road. She hadn't cried like this since she was little. Crying showed weakness and vulnerability. Blaise was many things but she wasn't weak or vulnerable.

Anyway, his mind was so different to hers – clearer than crystal. He knew what he wanted; he wanted her. There was nothing to be done about that. Blaise knew from past experience that it was pointless to mess with the soulmate principle. Even the most powerful of magic and spells would be rendered powerless. But if she was destined to be his soulmate, well that was fine. She didn't have to do anything about it. It was a very rare thing to actually find a soulmate and people without them, the majority of the world…well they lived without them and lived their lives without a second thought. She would too. It was useless, Blaise knew. What a cruel trick the goddesses were playing on her. Why did the old powers give her soulmate? She couldn't love a man the way he wanted her to and she couldn't and wouldn't love the one they had given her.

Eric hadn't been happy when he found out Blaise had 'borrowed' his jeep. In fact, he was furious. Not that Thea could blame him. The last time she had seen Blaise drive a car (a maserati), it had looked like she'd been involved in an accident.

She was worried about Blaise. She knew her cousin had gone to figure things out, if what Hugh had said was true. And he almost always told the truth. He thought she didn't know when he told a fib or two Thea was clever enough not to let on that she knew. Either way, Hugh would never lie about anything as serious as this. Blaise with a human soulmate was laughable but it was a really a cruel irony that, if Thea really was being honest with herself, she thought Blaise deserved. It would do her good to finally settle down with someone and Hugh would set her straight. But Blaise was stubborn. Thea had no doubt that Blaise could and would defy the Old Powers. She only hoped it wouldn't get her into trouble.

However, what Blaise didn't realise is that they were both nearing their eighteenth birthdays and as the oldest of the direct descendants of Hellewise, she would be expected to marry and continue the Harman line. And if Blaise didn't choose someone, the Inner Circle would do it for her. She didn't really blame the Inner Circle. With only four Harman girls left in the world, they had to continue the female line. Blaise would have to agree or she'd be back at the Convent in a flash.

Author's Notes

This is an incredibly long chapter for me. Usually they're less than half of what I've written. Hope you liked it and if that was the case, please send me a review to tell me so! Oh also, let me know if there are any grammatical errors – I have edited extensively but nothing beats a beta reader, that of which I do not have.