A/N: Thanks to:

Night-Alice: :p I love my cliff hangers. Thank you though! Hopefully you like this chapter...

ernesdo: You never know... Guess you'll just have to read and find out

starr1095: ooh... Perhaps I shall have to add him eventually, or maybe in one of my sequels. Hopefully you don't kill me after reading the end... Thanks though! :)

PARAMOREforeverPARAMORE: Sorry... I don't really write as much as I should. I shall try to fix that though. Enjoy the chapter and hopefully I shall update quicker than last time...

ashmattack22: Thank you! Can't tell you if you're right yet. Guess you'll have to read and see...

mj-a4evaxx: Haha I'm glad people like cliff hangers. :) They're much to fun to write!

Enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 22

Mary-Lynette's head was a mess. Complete chaos ensued the instant her chest starting hurting. She was vaguely aware of Ash helping her from the room and carrying her up the stairs. However, most of her mind was occupied with strange images and colours. Flashing rapidly, they made her dizzy and nearly faint. Focusing on the small yet familiar voice she could hear, she managed to stay awake. It was calling to her, trying to talk to her. She didn't have the strength to talk though. Trying to control the fire within her took everything she had. As Mary-Lynette began putting her energy into dousing the flames in her chest, the haunting visions took over her mind. They were strange, but not totally unfamiliar. In fact, she seemed to recognize most of the people and places. Her and Ash standing in the forest exchanging blood for the first time. Jeremy attacking Ash. The memories were warped and twisted though. When they were exchanging blood, Ash did not stop. He just kept drinking and drinking until she felt herself going limp in his arms. Cackling maniacally, Ash cast her body aside and walked away, leaving her to die. Jeremy attacking Ash and Ash pleading for him to stop. Asking him to attack her instead. Mary-Lynette tried to scream, tried to run away. She found her mouth had a foul-tasting cloth in it and her hands were bound behind a tree. Ash Jeremy moved closer, Ash followed as if he were hoping for scraps once Jeremy was finished with her.

Jeremy lunged forwards and the world went black.

Ash stopped dead in his tracks. Someone was standing just down the hall, watching him. He couldn't tell who it was, but he didn't really want to find out. Turning on the spot, a voice called out to him.

"Ash! Wait!"

Damn it! The figure knew his name. Turning back around to face it, he saw the figure separate into two. The two shadowed forms then began to move towards him. Still trying to reach out to Mary-Lynette with his mind, Ash was unable to determine who was advancing upon him with telepathy. Scared with the idea that Lily may have come and brought an accomplice, Ash was frozen with fear. He wasn't in the greatest position to fight someone off. Mary-Lynette was in his arms, and he was completely unarmed. No weapons whatsoever. Holding his ground, Ash decided that he wouldn't give up. He would protect Mary-Lynette at all costs. Holding his soulmate close, he prepared to set her down and fight.

"Ash. Don't run. It's us."

Wait a second. He recognized that voice.

"Lord Thierry?" he asked.

"Yes." the taller of the two figures said as they emerged into the limited light in the hallway.

"Lady Hannah." Ash breathed a sigh of relief.

"Who else?" she laughed.

"I thought maybe you were Lily." Ash explained, ashamed of his thoughts. What would Lily be doing in the mansion?

"Nope. Just us. What's wrong with Mary-Lynette?" Hannah asked, sounding genuinely concerned.

"She passed out." he said, not wanting to give too much away.

"You'd better let us help." Thierry observed. "You might need it."

Ash nodded curtly before heading towards his room once more. Thierry opened the door for both Hannah and Ash to pass through before entering the room himself.

"So what happened?" Thierry asked once Mary-Lynette was on the bed. His voice rang with authority. The kind which Ash dared not defy.

"I'm not totally sure, to be honest." Ash began. "We were downstairs talking when I suddenly sensed that Mary-Lynette was in pain. I looked over at her and she was trying hard not to show the pain, but she was struggling. While everyone was distracted with Maggie's story we quietly left the room. I've been trying to reach to her mentally, but she's really confused feeling and her chest seems to hurt too bad for her to respond. When we were heading to the room, we ran into you guys. She must've passed out along the way."

Both Hannah and Thierry nodded. Placing a hand on Mary-Lynette's, Thierry asked "May I?"

"Of course." Ash said. He watched as Thierry closed his eyes so he could concentrate.

"I can't seem to reach her mind." he said after a minute. "You would probably have a better chance. Try to find out what's wrong if you can."

Nodding, Ash held one of Mary-Lynette's hands in both of his. Reaching with his mind, he called to her.

Mary-Lynette.

Mary-Lynette, what's wrong? Please tell me?

Though he couldn't hear anything, Ash could tell that his soulmate was distressed. Probing deeper into her mind, he could sense more than distress. She was in physical pain.

"It's her chest." he finally managed to say aloud. Being connected to Mary-Lynette mentally meant he felt her pain. He couldn't feel it to the same extent which she did, but it was still unbearable.

"What about it?" Hannah asked anxiously.

"Well she's in extreme pain. I don't know if there's anything I can do to help her right now." Ash fell to his knees beside the bed, too filled with grief to stand. He allowed his head to rest against the side of the bed. A sign of defeat.

"Ash, you can't give up." Thierry's voice was full of compassion. "She needs you now more than ever. Just keep your presence in her mind so she knows you're here with her."

Ash nodded, raising his head to look at Thierry as he spoke. Keeping Mary-Lynette's hand in his, he re-entered her mind. Keeping a noticeable but unobtrusive presence, he made sure that she knew he was there. He was scarcely aware of Hannah sliding onto the bed and taking Mary-Lynette's other hand. Thierry soon joined her, putting an arm around Hannah's shoulders and taking Mary-Lynette's hand as well. Rubbing Hannah's shoulders, Thierry looked into her eyes, comforting her with his mind.

There was a light breeze swirling around the funeral procession as they slowly made their way through the graveyard. The casket was a deep mahogany and was decorated simply. Small designs of flowers and stars were carved in the corners and on the edges of the rectangular box. The coffin bearers were struggling to hold back tears as their carried the coffin on their shoulders towards the newly dug grave. The coffin was placed on the grass just beside the gaping hole in the ground as a large group of people surrounded it. Tears flowed freely down the faces of many. Others looked as though they were about to cry. Some of the onlookers were biting their lips in an attempt to keep the water in their eyes. Others still had murderous looks upon their faces. Almost as if everyone else was to blame for the death. Like the world was their enemy. As everyone stood, a man stepped forwards and they turned to look at the man. His voice was heavy with grief as he began to speak.

"Heart disease is a terrible tragedy. But it unfortunately is one which cannot be helped." the man broke off as he began sobbing slightly into a handkerchief. He sounded as though he didn't truly believe what he was saying. As he started to speak again, a voice spoke up from the back of the crowd.

"Like hell it is!"

The crowd slowly parted as a boy with ash-blonde hair pushed his way to where the man was standing. The boy was dressed in all black and had a black iris pinned to his front. His face was tear-stained and tears were pouring from his eyes.

"This could have been prevented! You know what I'm talking about!" the boy accused the man. The crowd looked astonished. The death had been a tragedy. What was this teenager talking about? They knew he was attached to the deceased, but they were still confused.

The boy dropped to his knees in front of the man, draping his body over the coffin. Sobs could be heard coming from him as the wind picked up, swirling the recently fallen leaves. The man walked up behind the boy, placing a hand on his shoulder. The boy hit it off.

"It's going to be okay. But there's nothing we can do. She's gone." he said matter-of-factly.

At that moment, the boy exploded with rage. Screaming, he remained draped over the coffin. Suddenly and without warning, he sprung up. Tackling the man, the two fell to the ground. The boy's eye's turned silver and two razor-edged teeth were exposed as he let loose another scream of rage. The wind howled around the two as the boy leaned down towards the struggling man. Looking down upon the pulsing spot of blue in the man's neck, he prepared to bite down upon it.

A/N: Well there you have it. Please don't get mad about the ending, I just had a random moment of inspiration and felt like it was the way to end the chapter. Any ideas as to what's going on?

As always, your reviews mean the world to me and I love opening my email and finding them!

Happy Writing!

So you know I did not kill Mary-Lynette. I wasn't thinking when I wrote this and didn't consider how you guys would read it. So sorry! I understand if you hate me and don't want to keep reading. I was essentially just leaving you with a cliff-hanger.

Once again, I'm so very sorry.