Hey guys :)) boy, I'm ridiculously exhausted. But I decided you guys deserved another chapter because of your INCREDIBLE reviews. I mean, I was flattered. There were so many! And I see some of my lurkers have come out and started reviewing. Welcomeee friendsss!!! :)) lol. I must say, I LOVE the fact that you guys leave me lengthy reviews! They make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside :))

To those of you who were wondering...I'm going to quote Gym Class Heroes in saying...

"I like girls, they like me, they look so good they in they seven jeansss." :))

Yeah, girls are amazing, I'm gonna have to agree with thinkingofblue and riahpebbles. You guys made me smile! I'm not too much into labels either--they're for barcodes and what not--but if you wanna classify me, I'm bi. But I have my doubts...sometimes I think I'm just full on lesbian ;)

orgy123: OHEMEFFGEE. ITS YOU!!! Ohmygod. OHHHHMYYY. I feel quite starstruck. I've followed all of yours fics and loved EVERY SINGLE ONE. Oh geez oh geez oh geez you don't know how excited I got when I saw your review :)) Thank you so muchh you're AMAZINGG!!!

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THIS CHAPTER IS DEDICATED TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU BECAUSE OF ALL YOUR AWESOMENESS!!! Please keep up the reviews, they really REALLY make my day. :))

***

When I finally woke up, I honestly couldn't make heads or tails of my thoughts. Hazed and blurry, all I could do was look around. I was in a semi-comfortable bed with a generic, floral print bedspread. The walls were a soft copper color, and there was a single lamp sitting on the bedside table.

I was in a hotel.

How did I get here?

Then, it all came rushing back to me so fast that I had to lay back down. Arthur's broken, wounded expression; the Davies clan split into hunting parties in an effort to surround Carmen. I remembered clutching Kyla's hand for dear life, my human death grip not seeming to bother her in the slightest. I cried myself dry, then fell asleep resting my hot forehead against the icy glass of the sleek, tinted window in Jake's Nissan.

Icy. Like Ashley's fingertips.

Ashley.

I recalled her threatening snarl as she lunged at Patrick, straining helplessly against Jake's iron grip. The almost pained look in her eyes as she kissed me for the last time. The way she said 'I love you.' The way she smelled, the way her shoulders slumped the slightest bit when she turned away from me.

Everything. And I felt the looming pressure of tears pricking the back of my eyes.

I reminisced on the warm atmosphere as we had entered Ohio. Jake had checked us into the hotel nearest to the airport. Kyla carried me inside without difficulty, murmuring quietly to Jake as she tucked me in. Sleep evaded me without fail.

That was the last of my memories from the previous evening, and I sat up again, wiping all remnants of sleep from my tired eyes. I rose stiffly, stretching each leg out, and flexing to regain feeling.

It felt like I had been sleeping in the same position for days.

The glaring green numbers of the bedside clock told me it was three, but there was no indication of night or day. I drew back the thick curtains across the room that were obscuring the possible streams of light, however I was met with blackness.

Three in the morning.

I tensed, and scratched my arms, my fingers coming into contact with the fuzzy material of Christine's sweater. I looked down, and realized I was still wearing her clothes. I scanned the room in search of my duffel bag, and when I had located it, opened the zipper.

Oh my God.

Oily tears welled in my bloodshot eyes as my senses were assaulted full force with the unique scent of Ashley. Well, of course I was going to smell her all over my clothes; she had basically packed for me.

I missed her so much.

I selected a pair of dark jeans, and a comfortable, baggy black sweater. I shed Christine's clothes, and took my time folding them delicately, trying to busy my mind. I wrapped myself in all that was Ashley as I dressed, and felt remarkably more relaxed.

All I was missing was her physical presence.

"Spencer?" Kyla's soft melodic voice floated through the door as she stepped inside.

"Hey," I smiled weakly, and zipped the Ashley-scented duffel bag closed.

She looked me over, a film of concern covering her wide, amber eyes. "You look rested. How are you feeling?"

I deliberated for a moment. How was I feeling, really?

I sucked in a deep breath. "I'm alright." My voice was hoarse and faint from lack of use.

"I took the liberty of ordering some food for you," Kyla said cheerfully as she took my hand, and led me into the living room.

I liked Kyla a lot. I already considered her my sister, and she made me feel really safe in the absence of Ashley. I was thankful for that; right now, she was the only thing keeping me sane.

I dug hungrily into what I thought was a roast chicken sandwich, but I couldn't even taste it. I was starving, so I was sort of just shoveling food down my throat.

Yeah, I'm a hearty eater.

We sat in silence. Jake's arm was draped across Kyla's shoulders as they watched the news, perfectly still and beautiful. Then, I noticed that they looked completely blank.

Their eyes were empty. Dead.

"Kyla?"

"Yes?" her head snapped toward me, eyes fearful, almost as if she was afraid she had done something wrong.

"What are we doing?"

"Waiting for Raife's phone call." She chewed on her lip slightly, glancing at the small silver cell phone perched precariously on the armrest next to her. She was nervous.

And I understood.

"He should have called by now," I stated, my voice a strained whisper. "How long has it been?" Kyla sighed quietly, leaning her head back against Jake's arm. She decided to dodge my question.

"It means that they don't have any news."

I swallowed, suddenly losing my ravenous appetite as I gingerly pushed the plate away. I closed my eyes, allowing my chin to rest against my chest. I was massaging my temples therapeutically when I felt a muscled hand on my shoulder. I looked up, and was met with Jake's kind eyes. He was sitting beside me on the floor.

"Spencer, please don't fret about anything. You're going to be absolutely fine; nothing can hurt you here," he chanted in a soothing voice. I immediately fell victim to his useful gift, easing off and breathing deeply.

"I know."

Jake frowned. It occurred to me that a frown sort of suited him. He didn't look angry; he almost looked puzzled, broody almost.

It was a trademark facial expression most kids at King High had become quite familiar with. I had just never taken the opportunity to look up close.

And the view was magnificent.

"You're frightened," his voice was quiet as he rubbed circles into my shoulder. I tried desperately to fight back my tears.

"You heard Patrick." My voice quavered, and I tried to keep it steady as I spoke in hushed tones. "Carmen is lethal. If anything happened to any of your family, Raife, Christine, Glen…even Madison…how could I live with myself? I wouldn't be able to. Ashley shouldn't be risking her life for me…I love her too much to--"

"Spencer," Jake's tone was authoritative as he cut me off, and I bit my tongue. "You're worrying about things that are wholly unnecessary for you to be anxious about. We are stronger than you think. There are seven of us, and two of them. Ashley is fighting for you, and our only true fear is losing that battle. Losing you."

I wasn't convinced. "But--"

This time it was Kyla who interrupted me, coming to sit beside me on the floor, and caressing my cheek with her cold fingers. Her touch was feather-light; I could hardly feel it.

"Ashley's been alone for years, Spencer. After living with her for so long, we see what you don't. The impact you've had on her life. It's like night and day, and none of us want to have to look into her eyes if she loses you. There will be nothing there."

Kyla and Jake put their marble arms over my shoulders, and I leaned wearily against Jake's. Even as the calm spread over me, I couldn't help but be entirely afraid for Ashley's life.

As much as I loved Jake and Kyla, there was no one's embrace I wanted to be in right now more than my girlfriend's.

The hours passed, and I flipped through the television channels. I fidgeted, and stared off into space at regular intervals. Needless to say, Kyla and Jake were dealing with the suspense a lot better than I was. When I couldn't stand sitting around anymore, I stood and ambled back into my vacant bedroom, purely for something to do.

Maybe I could sleep my troublesome feelings off.

Maybe I would dream of Ashley.

I didn't realize Kyla had followed me until I turned to get into bed. She licked her lips nervously, shooting me an apologetic glance as I slipped under the comforter. She sat cross-legged next to me, and we watched each other.

I was aching to ask her so many questions. Too many questions.

But I refrained.

"Kyla?" I asked. She cocked her head, her dark eyes telling me she was listening. "Where are they right now?"

"Raife and Ashley are leading the tracker as far north as possible, then they plan to turn and ambush her. Meanwhile, Glen and Madison are heading west with the other female in tow. The idea was to separate them; two on one. Should either of them turn around, one pair will head back to L.A. and guard your father. I believe things are going smoothly at the moment, especially if they haven't called."

A wave of relief washed over me. Well, okay. Maybe it wasn't a wave.

But still. I felt a little better

"What about Christine?"

Kyla blinked several times before she answered. "She's in L.A. keeping watching over everything. They're all just fine, Spencer." We shared a small smile, and I leaned up on one elbow to get a better view of her.

Kyla was every bit as beautiful her sisters. Her entire being seemed to dance even as she sat perfectly still in front of me.

"If I ask you a question," I began hesitantly, keeping my gaze firmly locked on her, "will you answer me honestly?"

"I will always tell you the truth," she assured me earnestly.

She meant it. I knew she did.

"How…how do you become a vampire?" My voice was nearly inaudible as I looked up shyly through my lashes at her.

The way Ashley had looked at me so many times before, minus the shy aspect.

Kyla looked down at her hands, palms lying open on the bedspread. She maneuvered herself onto the pillow next to me, and finally met my questioning stare.

"Ashley wouldn't want me to tell you that."

I couldn't possibly feel irritated with her. She kept her promise; that was the truth. I huffed silently, keeping my expression carefully ambiguous.

"She'll be infuriated with me," she sighed. I sensed Kyla wanted to tell me, she really did. But it wasn't her place.

Family loyalty and all that…everything my mother never stood for.

"Please, Ky," I whined, using her nickname. "I promise I won't tell Ashley."

I watched as her iridescent eyes softened. She caved.

"Keep in mind I can only tell you the mechanics," she said, tracing invisible patterns between us on the comforter. "I've never actually seen or done it myself, and I don't recall how it happened to me."

She looked up, searching my face. I was positively shaking with excitement, and nodded eagerly for her to continue. She averted her gaze back to her dancing hand, and scrunched her brows together.

"We're the world's most skilled predators as I'm sure Ashley has told you. We have an unnecessary amount of…'weapons' in our arsenal. Strength, speed to rival the fastest car or animal, and extremely sensitive perception. Then, there are those like Jake, Ashley, and I that have extra abilities. And as I'm sure you understand, we are physically attractive to our…other people."

I was too busy thinking of Ashley's beautiful face and flawless, curved body to catch the fact that Kyla almost said "our prey."

Good save.

"We have another needless piece of artillery: our venom," she continued, curling her lips back to show me her blinding, perfectly white teeth. "It works very slowly, spreading through the body, leaving our prey in too much pain to escape, creating an easy kill. However, if the venom is left to spread…the victim will feel as though death is a much better option. The conversion itself consumes a few days, depending on how close the poison enters the heart. Within that time frame, the casualty will endure the biggest bout of suffering possible for a vampire, next to death by our own kind, of course."

I shivered. "Ashley told me that it's very hard to…to stop. I don't think I understand."

Kyla smiled in the way that you would grin sympathetically at an innocent five year old. "Once we taste the blood, it's extremely difficult to keep from feeding. It's all very unpleasant, both for the vampire, and his or her prey."

I was enveloped by my thoughts. I thought of Ashley back in 1918, dying of the Spanish Influenza in a cold, dank hospital. I imagined a light sheen of sweat covering her burning skin as she fought to stay alive. Then, my mind flickered to her writhing form, thrashing about and crying out in pain as the fatal venom spread through her veins.

And I thought of her angelic features, and how much I wanted her with me.

Without warning, Kyla gasped and sat up, staring off into space. Jake burst into the room, and gathered her into his arms. I jumped out of bed too, hurrying into the living room after them. Kyla's mouth was agape as she sat motionless on the couch. Jake placed a paper in front of her, and closed a pencil within her grasp.

"What do you see?" he asked intently, his voice low.

"She's not following Ashley and Raife anymore," Kyla's voice was quiet, and running at an unnervingly fast pace as she articulated each syllable. The pencil in her hand danced fluidly across the paper. I watched, completely absorbed in her actions. "I see a room. It's dark, with many mirrors. The floors are wooden, and…"

"What is she doing?" Jake asked methodically, as if he had asked her this question a million and one times before. His arm was slung gently around her shoulders.

"She's running a VCR. Or trying to. I don't know where she is, though. It's too dark to see." Kyla's voice was trancelike.

I watched, hypnotized. It was all very fascinating.

"Is she in the mirror room?" Jake leaned forward a little, on red alert now.

"Yes. There's a VCR there too, and she's bending down, playing with the buttons. She's waiting for something…a decision hasn't been made yet." Kyla's darkening eyes came back into focus, and she dropped the pencil, breathing heavily and leaning against Jake. He kissed her head affectionately, and I pivoted my gaze to the drawing, not wanting to intrude on their moment together.

I gasped. It couldn't be.

"Spencer?" Kyla asked curiously, sitting up. I timidly withdrew the sketch from the table, interest flooding my mind.

"I know this place. It's my old ballet studio; I used to take lessons there when I was a kid." Jake and Kyla exchanged an undecipherable glance, and I let the picture fall back to its place. I rubbed my arm, not knowing what to do.

"She's going to avoid Raife and Ashley," Kyla concluded. She reached for her silver cell phone, and as if on cue, it rang.

My heartbeat sped up. Could it be Ashley?

"Raife," Kyla breathed she lifted the phone to her ear. I released a sigh I didn't know I had been holding.

I was glad their father was alright.

"Yes," Kyla paused, glancing my way. I shifted nervously from foot to foot. "The tracker got on the plane, and I saw her going to that room."

I was lost. Utterly lost.

I just wanted to talk to Ashley.

Kyla answered my silent prayer, and held the phone out to me. I snatched it, and pressed it to my ear.

"Hello?"

"Spencer," Ashley's symphonic voice flooded the receiver. I couldn't quite discern her tone, but that didn't matter.

"Oh, Ashley! I've been worried sick."

"I told you not to think about anything but you," Ashley sighed in defeated frustration, and I giggled like a little girl.

The sensation I experienced just by listening to her breathing on the other line was enough to make me swoon and faint.

"Where are you?"

"Outside of Vancouver," Ashley's voice was quick, almost rushed. "We lost the tracker. It looks like she boarded a plane…but we're not sure where she's headed. She's just out of my hearing range."

The information seemed very meaningless in contrast to the heart-stopping sound of her wonderful, velvety voice.

"I know. Kyla saw her."

"She won't find you, though. You're completely safe," Ashley said confidently.

"I'm fine," I agreed. "Is Christine with Arthur?"

"Christine and Madison are both keeping watch on him. The tracker's significant other--the female--went near the house while Arthur was at work, but she's stayed away ever since. She's been through the city though…digging for your scent anywhere she can. But I'm sure we've outdone her; she can't find any trace of you."

I sighed into the phone, relief mixed with a dull ache in my heart.

"I miss you so much, Ashley," I whispered.

"As do I, Spencer. I feel like…like you've taken half of myself away with you."

I smiled secretly, reveling in the fact that she missed me just as much. "You can have it back soon if you come and get me."

"As soon as I possibly can. But I will eradicate everything that endangers you first."

That was a lost cause considering most things on the planet pose a threat to my unstable coordination. But I wasn't going to argue.

"I love you," I admonished. Her melodic chuckle sent shock waves down my spine, warming every part of my body. I could practically see her nose-crinkling smile in my head.

"Despite all the trials and tribulations that I've put you through? You truly are implausible, Spencer Carlin."

I laughed. Normally, I would have pouted, but her playful banter was doing wonders for my mood at the moment.

"I love you more than you'll ever know," Ashley said, her silky voice tinged with impossible softness. "I'll come for you soon."

My smile was a mile wide. "I'll be waiting."

Dial tone.

I held the phone to my ear for several moments afterward, then snapped it shut.

"Spencer?" I looked at Jake. "Where is your ballet studio?"

I furrowed my brow. "Just around the corner from my mother's house. I used to walk there after school…" I trailed off, comprehension suddenly dawning on me.

Carmen was there, and she could have my mother.

"It's here in Ohio?" he pressed.

"Yes," I replied inaudibly. I felt the color drain from my face. "Jake, is that phone safe?" He mirrored Kyla's confused expression, and looked back at me.

"It traces back to L.A., if that's what you mean. It doesn't reveal where we are."

"Can I use it to call my mother?"

Jake deliberated, then nodded. I was already dialing the house phone. "Make sure you don't mention where you are."

As soon as I heard my mother's answering machine, fresh tears sprang into my eyes.

I hadn't spoken to her since she kicked me out, but just because the circumstances were dangerous didn't mean I let go of my anger.

I tried to keep my voice lighthearted, yet still imperative.

"Mom? It's me…Spencer," I hesitated, debating whether I should hang up. "Please call me back at this number; it's an emergency. Don't leave the house until you talk to me! I need to talk to you right away, so please, please, don't ignore this call. I…bye, Mom."

I hung up. The message didn't sound too convincing, in my opinion, but how would you speak to your homophobic mother a year after she kicked you to the curb?

I fruitlessly attempted to pay attention to the weather forecast. But I couldn't. I couldn't focus on anything. My mind kept flickering from Carmen, to Ashley, to Carmen, to my mom, to Ashley, to the Davies family, then back to Ashley.

Jake and Kyla remained completely serene, staring blankly at the TV, not feeling the need to do anything like me.

Not feeling pressured to run screaming out the door, or pace, or drum my fingers on the glass table in front of me.

I focused on watching Jake and Kyla's stone, statuesque faces. I memorized the slopes and planes of their facial structures, just as I had shamelessly committed Ashley's to memory.

As if I would never have a chance to again.

I fell asleep taking in the colors of their timeless eyes, and didn't register I was in my bed until I felt Kyla's cold arms around me as she carried me into my room.

That night, I dreamt again.

I dreamt of Ashley.

I needed her back.

***

R&R PLEASE!! :))

SPASHLEY FOREVER&&EVER!!