Back again with chapter 2. Pwease be nice and review and tell me what you think!

Disclaimer: If you want a good disclaimer go back and read and review chapter one if you haven't already…which you might want to do if you haven't because this chapter won't be as cool…

Chapter 2 – The White Lily; An Exclusive Club for Redferns and Harmans with Human Soulmates

After hours in Las Vegas, there was no real place to return to aside from grandma Harman's store. Even though she was gone, her students kept it running and for Blaise it was a place to relax. There was also the fact that she'd left one of her best carving knives here and she was sure it was in the store.

Just being back here bought back memories of the last school year. For some reason, she felt ashamed of what she'd done. Blaise figured it was Thea getting to her but somehow she wasn't so sure. Surely one run in with a random human couldn't change the way she'd felt about them all her life…

Getting out of the car, she went round back, smirking faintly at the Black Dahlia that had been crudely spray-painted on the door. It looked a real mess, even for a symbol of the Night World. Not that she was really affiliated with the Night World anymore but it was still an easy way of communicating without general human interference. That and she was still fond of the necklace she'd made of silver and black diamonds. It clung to her neck like a choker and in between the silver she had set black diamond tiny flowers shaped like dahlias. In the centre was a larger one that could be more clearly seen. She knew it looked great on her; she was wearing it right now in fact. The silver bought contrast to her eyes and the black diamonds bought a shine to her smoky hair. Sure the diamonds had been hard to come by, but it was worth trading in the maserati for them.

After the seceding of the witches, security was even tighter at the store but it wasn't much trouble for Blaise to get in – she and Thea were set to inherit the store when they turned eighteen. However, when she went into the store she found something less pleasant than her favourite carving knife; she found Thea instead.

'Looking for this?' Thea smiled. She held the silver handled knife in her left hand.

'Of course I was. I didn't have a chance after I was sent to the Convent' She smirked. 'You knew I'd be here of course'

'We are sisters after all, Blaise. I think though, while we're here we can talk'

'Something on your mind Thea?' Blaise said, giving her cousin a knowing look.

'You know what it is' Thea said, suddenly impatient.

'And what if I don't want to talk about it?' Blaise retorted, not only buying time but incensing Thea as well.

Thea huffed, 'Then you're not nearly as smart as I thought you were. You're almost eighteen. The Inner Circle is more than keen on continuing the Harman line. And you're the oldest Harman girl left. There's a lot of expectation on your shoulders, the first being that you settle down, practice witchcraft peacefully and respectfully and continue the bloodline.'

Blaise eyed Thea shrewdly, insulted 'You don't think I intend to continue the Harman line, Thea?

Thea felt a bit guilty at that look 'I don't know what to think when it comes to you Blaise. I'm worried about you. If you don't make it look as though you're even interested in settling down, the Inner Circle will find someone for you.'

'So much for women ruling the Harman clan' Blaise said sarcastically.

'That's not the point!' said Thea exasperated, 'They'd be willing to force you because you've caused so much trouble. They might not consider any witch good enough for you. You could end up with a vampire.'

'Better a vampire than a human,' Blaise said stubbornly.

Thea gave Blaise a patronising look. 'You don't seriously think that do you? Men rule in the world of a vampire. It's always been that way. Why not be smarter than that? You have a soulmate waiting for you – a way out. Besides that, Hugh is a good person, a pure soul.'

'You think someone like that is a perfect match for me?'

'I don't know, Blaise. You think I can decide fate? Just think about it, ok?'

Blaise didn't reply and Thea knew it was the end of the conversation.

They drove back in silence, the jeep ripping up dust on the road.

For all her smarts, Blaise hadn't considered the Inner Circle. True there wasn't a new Maiden yet. But the Maiden wasn't going to be chosen until after the Summer Solstice, after her eighteenth birthday. She wouldn't have anyone to call to her side, unless Thea became the new Maiden of the witches. But she couldn't rely on Thea. She would have to come up with a new plan.

Hugh was undecided on what to do. He wanted to go and find Blaise but Thea had assured him it would be better if she bought Blaise back. Maybe it was a witch thing.

After sitting for a moment, he heard a noise outside. Thea and Blaise were back in the jeep; he could sense it. It was probably to do with his and Blaise's connection, Hugh thought.

It wasn't long before the door opened and a grim looking Thea came in, followed by haughty, irritated looking Blaise. She spotted Hugh and instead of saying something nasty, like he thought she would, Blaise did the unthinkable and completely ignored him. She acted as though he wasn't there and stormed off to her room. It was like a storm had suddenly entered the mansion.

Hugh instinctively followed her up the stairs. They were back in her room again.

'What do you want now?' Blaise eyed him with utmost suspicion.

'A chance to talk to you, get to know you better, Blaise. Surely I deserve a chance?' Hugh looked at her with pleasing, open eyes.

'You're a human you don't deserve a chance!'

'I don't think you really believe that. Your own cousin, in fact quite a few of your cousins have human soulmates. I've talked to Thea; she says that while you haven't gone round handing out friendship bracelets, you respect them. Why can't you show it for me? You don't think humans are capable of loving do you?'

'You're wrong, Davis', Blaise mused. 'Humans are quite capable of loving anyone and anything. Your kind is much more sentimental in those ways. Humans just aren't capable of loving me'.

Blaise smiled sweetly but it was strained and false and they both knew it.

Hugh couldn't believe what he'd heard. Before he or even Blaise knew it he had her around the shoulders, telling her, 'You can't believe that Blaise! Everyone deserves to be loved, no matter what they've done'

Blaise stared right into his electric grey eyes and said coolly 'You don't know what I've done…' She resisted the urge to laugh in his face.

Hugh couldn't take it anymore. 'I'm not just any human, Blaise. I'm your soulmate. You can accept it or you can deny but you'll know the truth' Blaise already in his arms, he kissed her fiercely.

It was the sweetest kiss Blaise had ever known. She didn't see Davis being so bold. So gentle, yet so demanding. She couldn't believe she was sharing it with this demanding Hugh Davis, who would not give up on her.

I won't ever give up on you Blaise.

The connection, the silver cord. Her deepest thoughts weren't private anymore and that was what scared her. She wasn't in control anymore and that shook the very foundations Blaise built her life on. I can't do this, Blaise realised with shock. I have to forget this.

I don't deserve this

Yes you do! You deserve so much more Blaise, Hugh countered. He could feel her doubt and all he wanted to do was hold her and wash it all away.

This has to stop!

The voice that was Blaise's mind had reached a raw anguish and Hugh couldn't help but let go. It was what she wanted. There was a shattering in her mind and the smoky clouds that filled her head were dark and stormy.

Would they ever be clear? Hugh wondered.

They were back to reality…again. Blaise's face was streaked with tears but she wouldn't let Hugh see. Instead she was fumbling with something in her pocket. She scooped a strange, lime green powder into her fingers and whispered 'Go to sleep'.

That was what Hugh did. He wasn't sure if it was the spell or Blaise telling him to do so or both but he turned reluctantly and went to his room to sleep feeling dazed, not noticing that every mirror in Blaise's room, every window or piece of glass was smashed so severely it was like the room was filled with sand.

It was only the next morning, that Blaise and everyone else in the mansion realised the extent of the damage. All of the rooms within a ten-metre radius had received some of the blow, with all the rooms losing mirrors and windows just not to the extent of shattered sand.

'She didn't purposely do that, did she? Eric asked Thea. It was a fair question, considering the room Eric and Thea shared had been in that ten-metre radius.

'No, she didn't. It was like a complete loss of control in her power…or a growth in it perhaps. It's not like her though. Blaise has always been in perfect control of her power. It's been written in the ancient scrolls that a witch can release her true powers when she or he finds their soulmate. It could well be true. My healing powers have only gotten better since you've been with me but it could just be the maturing of my powers'

'If that's the case though, Blaise has a lot of power she hasn't unleashed – that kind of power seems almost unbelievable'

'Not really, Eric. Getting closer to the millennium, the abilities of the Night People are becoming sharper and more powerful. I don't think it's that though. Back in the days of Hellewise, we were so much more powerful. Over the thousands of years, the dilution of blood has led to a downfall in the height of our powers.'

'So it's possible that witches may even gain back their true power at the millennium?'

'Of course', Thea smiled knowing Eric could see the answer in her mind.

'Maybe some of us - maybe all of us. Back in the days of Hellewise, witches were powerful enough to change the weather. Maybe Blaise will be one of the ones to balance out witch power.'

'Maybe' said Eric, 'But why couldn't it be you, Thea? You know what to do with power. Blaise is…well Blaise is Blaise to put it simply'.

Eric gave her a confused sort of grin.

'I know Blaise can be reckless'-

Eric smirked knowingly at her.

'-but she's a good person. She does care even if she doesn't show it and deep down she's a true Hearth-Woman'

'Thea, you give our cousin far too much credit' said a new voice from the doorway.

'Ash!' Thea cried with pleasure. She hadn't seen her vampire cousin in weeks and ran forward to hug him.

'Can't you save your witch sentimentality for your soulmate?' groaned Ash, stuck in one of Thea's bone-breaking hugs.

'Sorry', apologised Thea. 'It's just so good to see you, you're looking well!'

'Don't I always?' Ash simpered.

It was true. Ash being tall with ash blonde hair and ever-changing eyes always looked good. Being an ageless vampire also had a lot to do with it. But there was something extra, something good-

'Speaking of soulmates' Ash interrupted Thea's thoughts, 'My soulmate, Mary-Lynette – she's decided on joining Circle Daybreak; we're going to be together. Her brother and my sisters are coming too', he added as an afterthought.

'That's great Ash,' Eric said, joining the conversation. 'You do look happier than last time'.

'Thanks, but that's not what I came here to tell you, there's something more important. It's about Blaise. Mind you, the other news was pretty good too'-

'Ash!' Thea and Eric yelled together exasperated, cutting off Ash's ramble.

'Ok, Ok! You won't like it though. For one thing I was spying on the Inner Circle meeting last night'

'What on earth were you doing that for?' Thea said sounding vaguely annoyed.

'I'm getting to that!' Ash hissed. 'They were having a meeting and I was there at the time (not that they knew) but then they mentioned Blaise so I kind of stuck around…And it's serious, Thea!'

Ash really did sound worried for his witch cousin.

'If Blaise hasn't chosen anyone to settle down with by the Summer Solstice, aka around the time of your birthdays, they're going to choose for her. And not just anyone, either. They're looking at betrothing her to the second House of shape shifters, the oldest son. To strengthen the shape shifter-witch alliance I'm sure'

'Thank you for telling me this, Ash. Maybe now she'll get her head together and just'-

'What are you on about Thea?' Ash asked incredulously. 'I told you this because you're the only one who can talk some sense to her - but is she in some sort of trouble?'

Thea remained quiet, so Ash gave her a patronising look. 'Do I have to read your thoughts?'

'Do I have to shield mine?' Thea countered.

'Fine' said Ash, getting slightly frustrated, 'I'll just read his'. Ash indicated towards Eric.

'Oh fine', said Thea giving up.

She told Ash everything and he listened with open ears.

'So, maybe we should start a club or something. Members only and you have to be a Harman or Redfern with a human soulmate. More exclusive than the Black Iris anyway' Ash joked.

'Come on Ash, this is serious!' Thea emphasised but she still liked the idea of a soulmate club…

'Thea, your cousin is far too influential on you' said Eric randomly linking with her mind.

'Not all of my ideas are bad ones' said Ash stubbornly, as if any of his ideas were good as long as Thea approved them.

'We'll call it…the White Lily'

It was Eric's turn to give Ash a patronising look.

'We'll have to tell her…and Hugh', Eric added.

'Maybe together', Thea added on again. You'd be surprised how much she likes you and listens to you, Ash.'

'Yeah I know. Possibly because we've both been so nice to humans. Anyway, let me know when you're telling her and until then I'll make sure I don't get her mad' he said, eyeing the shattered windows and mirrors with a mixed look of admiration and wariness.

But then and again, Ash thought to himself; Blaise likes being mad.

Author's Notes

Well another chapter finished. Send me a review and I'll start writing more but I'm gonna do it regardless so you may as well review! Oh wait that wasn't a reason. OK just do it and I won't stake Ash!

Ash: Hey!

Don't worry it's just a threat to the readers!

Ash: Oh Ok…

So review or I'll stake Ash!

Ash: I don't think she's joking - she's sharpening the stake!

(Hides the stake) I am not!