Chapter 14 starts now! And yes its short with a cliff hanger. The worst kind of chapter?

Thierry's house was Christmas. Over a hundred people crushed into the grand foyer, wearing elaborate and beautiful clothing making the atmosphere fit a royal gala instead of a Christmas party. People hat shut of the snow machine so the room was now only slightly color then the night outside, but the hundreds of guests didn't really notice or care about the temperature. They were all overjoyed to be with each other, gathering around the giant tree and hiding glittering boxes under its lowest branches and smiled warmly at the thought of the receivers opening the next morning. Some played piano, while others sang slightly out of tune Christmas carols. And amidst all the joy and warms of the glittering room, something dark lurked outside, something that now Cassandra would allow free axis into the party.

Sneaking away in the holiday chaos was the easiest part of her plan; the hardest had to be pulling back all the magic that she had placed into the gates to keep naughty night world officials, and uninvited guests out. Cassandra could only imagine the others that had disintegrated along with the vampire trespasser she had felt from the window. But now all the magic would return back to her and give her the power she needed to help her father.

She could nearly feel his presence next to her, hands on her shoulders whispering to do it, to take it all back, to help him finish them. And she would, she would finally help her daddy.

"I'm doing it." Cassandra called into the darkness and clutched her eyes, filling the soft sting of new power coursing through her veins. But then it went harder, faster the pain growing subtly more and more painful until Cassandra wanted to cry out. But she would keep silent, because her father was watching from not so far away. Finally, the magic subsided and Cassandra could pull back her arms, only slightly numb with power.

Cassandra smiled out into the night. "I'm done, Daddy. You can come do it now."

But only silence came back for her answer, so with a sigh she nodded and slipped back into the party as if she had been there all along.

. . .

Mary-Lynnette was Cinderella. Everywhere she went, eyes turned to her and her gorgeous yet ostentatious dress.

It's you who's gorgeous. Ash had thought holding onto her hand as they walked down the

Stairs, that sparkled like gold. But I couldn't agree with you more on the dress.

And Ash was right, with her hair pinned up in a spiky bun that allowed small stands of her dark hair hang loose and her necklace she was beautiful. Thankfully everyone had seemed to forget about her panic attack with Lily the day before and were all enjoying the party as much as she was. Ash held her hands and pulled her to dance, even though she barely had considering the low options of dance partners in Briar Creek. But with Ash leading her, she looked like a pro swirling around in her red silk. This would be the greatest Christmas she had ever had.

"Mine too." Ash whispered into her ear, instead of thinking it privately as they spun around again.

Mary-Lynnette smiled and crushed her lips against Ash's, glad to be together for this moment, and wouldn't care if time never moved again.

With a sigh she leaned up into Ash's ear, whispering how she needed to go to the rest room and disappeared hastily up the stairs, wondering why she had picked the sudden time for a bathroom break, considering she hadn't had to go a few blissful moments before.

The moment she disappeared up the stairs, someone pulled the plug on all the lights and the room was thrown into complete and utter darkness.

There were a few noises of confusion, a sigh of pure and bitter in-convince as if it were some ones poor timing that had caused the darkness. Then as suddenly as it had come, the lights unsteadily blinked on, except that there was a new guest into the room.

Leaning against the closed doorway, red hair glistening under the glorious Christmas was the one and only, Hunter, Redfern.

Sorry this HAD to be short, I just want you to know...dun Dun DUN, Bad guy in the house and there is going to be more badness. Lol I'm writing chapter 15 as you read this, or if you're a slow reader it might already be posted. IDK I'm not physic. But that would be so awesome if I was! But none of you can be. You'll cheat on the ending of the story….cheaters. Lol Review!