Chapter 8
That night at dinner Hannah noticed Thierry seemed a bit nervous. They were having dinner in the room for both Hannah and Thierry were tired from the long flight. The room was one of the nicest ones in the building. It had a nice view. You could see the Eiffel Tower all lit up like a Christmas tree at night. "Thierry, are you okay? You seem a bit nervous," commented Hannah.
Thierry looked up at her, open love and adoration in his eyes. Finally he spoke after a moment, "Hannah, you know I love you right?" asked Thierry.
"Yes, of course I do, Thierry and I love you to more then life itself," said Hannah, taking his hand.
"Well, I was wondering if you would consent to be my wife. Hannah, will you marry me?" Thierry asked, taking a small velvet box out of his pocket.
Hannah opened the box and gasped at the beautiful sight within. It was an exquisite and at least 20-karat diamond ring. The band was; gold as were the prong's holding the diamond in place. The diamond sparkled like a miniature star and as Hannah held it in the palm of her hand the ring seemed to come alive. Thierry kissed her hand and then her lips. As soon as their lips touched, it was like being engulfed in a light so bright that all they could see was each other. She was in his mind and he was in hers. They could read each other's thoughts, feel each other's feelings. And what she felt from him was the most powerful kind of love, pure and true. It was more powerful then, anything she had ever felt in her life. Finally they broke apart, both gasping for breath. "I want a simple wedding now Thierry, nothing extravagant and I mean it this time," Hannah said.
Thierry nodded, grinning slyly. "I mean it," Hannah repeated. "If you go overboard, I might just change my mind." Hannah said it as half a threat, half a joke.
Thierry kissed her then making it very hard to think then for a while neither knew anything except their passionate love for each other.
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~
The next morning
Thierry awoke to find Hannah beside him. He leaned back, closed his eyes and for once, just relaxed. He felt Hannah; snuggle closer to him, so he held still so he did not awaken her. He started to stroke her hair gently, then her birthmark. The birthmark was his shame, his punishment. He would always regret what he had done in that first life, but he loved her just the same. Always had from the first moment he had laid eyes on her.
Hannah awoke suddenly to the feel of Thierry's hand stroking her birthmark. Hannah sat up and Thierry looked at her, lovely. "I didn't wake you, did I?" asked Thierry.
"No, no it's high time I was up anyway," said Hannah. "I don't want to miss seeing the sites."
Hannah stood up and started to get dressed, while Thierry did the same. Paris was chilly that time of year so Hannah put on an old college sweatshirt, with a pair of jeans then a nice blue jacket completed her ensemble. As for Thierry being; a vampire having to dress as warmly as a human might. So Thierry dressed in a pair of jeans, a good pair of walking boots and a white T-shirt, which showed off the muscles in his shoulders quite nicely. A nice leather jacket completed the outfit. So off they went a few minutes later, arm in arm to get some breakfast and to see the sights of Paris. They took a taxi to the Eiffel Tower and to all the museums. They went to Notre Dame and to the Louvre Thierry took her to the best restaurants in Paris and then sometimes they would go dancing. By the time, Hannah got back to the hotel at night she was exhausted.
On their final night, Thierry took her to one of the most romantic spots in Paris. There they just sat staring out at the stars, and then into each other's eyes for what seemed like hours. Hannah had never known anyone to be so deeply in love before. She was one of the few lucky ones to have found someone who would love her till the end of time.
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~
Chapter 9
Thierry finished packing then left on some last minute business, "I'll be back in an hour or so."
"All right, I'll wait for you here," said Hannah, as she to finished packing. She had bought a lot of souvenirs and barely had room for them all. Thierry nodded and left.
Just as Hannah finished packing her carry on bag the door was kicked down and a human and two wolves came in. Werewolves, Hannah's mind supplied, And; no Lupe or any of the others to protect me. Hannah looked around frantically for something silver and found a small letter opener. She picked it up and got into a fighting stance.
One of the werewolves came towards her snapping, snarling and growling. Hannah hit him in the ear with the silver hilt of the knife and the wolf yelped in pain. The wolf's fur was all black except for a couple of silver streaks down its back. The other wolf approached her and Hannah hit him on the side the head. This wolf's fur was a dark brown, mixed with white. As Hannah fought she did not notice the man edging his way around her side and behind her. By this time, the room was in shambles and the pretty rose rug was covered in blood. As she was getting ready to strike again, the one in man's form hit her in the back of the head and Hannah knew no more. "All right, help me with her," said the man. The two werewolves transformed and grabbed Hannah under her arms. They began to drag her towards the door.
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~
A half hour later
Thierry approached their room and stopped. The door was cracked ever so slightly, but it was enough to make him start to worry. He approached the door slowly and silently. He opened it the rest of the way ready for anything, but all he saw their room in shambles and no Hannah. "Hannah, Hannah?" he called out frantically. Someone has kidnapped her, I just know it; Thierry thought.
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~
While at the unknown location
Hannah awoke to a terrific headache. She tried to get up, but found her hands tied behind her back. "I wouldn't do that if I were you," said a voice. "The rope will just cut into your wrists if you keep struggling."
"Who are you? What do you want?" shouted Hannah, for she had not been gagged.
"Me?" responded the man in a voice, of deadly calm. The man had hair as black as pitch and his face had a scare across one cheek. His eyes were black and cruel. "I'm your worst nightmare. As for what I want, I want to make Thierry Descouredres feel pain. For one thing, he broke the law of the Night World by falling in love with a human," he said the last word spitefully, as if humans were nothing more then tools to be used then thrown away.
Hannah didn't respond, Thierry's been in love with me since before there was a Night World, She thought. She wasn't going to volunteer any information, however. Unless they figured out she was an old soul all on their own, she certainly wasn't going to tell them. Thierry, where are you? She thought, testing the ropes again. She would try to contact him as soon as she was alone, but she was not sure if their link was strong enough for the distance.
The man continued as if he had never stopped, "And after that I want to see Thierry Descouredres and you dead."
Hannah gulped slowly, but said nothing. Thierry where are you? She thought again.
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~
At that very moment Thierry was searching the room for any clues, hoping they had left some behind. Finally he came across a tuff of hair and a little blood, "Werewolves, I should have known," Thierry muttered while all the time praying that the blood wasn't Hannah's. "They've taken her probably for revenge against me or possibly they know she's my soulmate and want to kill her because of Night World law or maybe both," he said, quietly to himself. "I've got to find her, but if I were a bunch of werewolves where would I take her?" Thierry got up off his knees and began searching the room again for any clues. After he finished he made some calls, gathering up a team to rescue her once she was found.
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~
Chapter 10
Back at the unknown location
The man with the cruel eyes had finally left, but he had left one man to guard the door not that she was going anywhere. Hannah tried to concentrate and clear her thoughts. She thought of Thierry. His face, the way his white blond hair fell over his forehead, how his eyes were dark and full of love. Suddenly she got a response, Hannah? the mental voice was full of worry.
Yes, I'm here all though I'm not sure where here is, Hannah responded. The mental connection was weak, but it was there.
Are you all right? Thierry asked, sending a wave of worry and concern her way.
Yes just a little beat up. Thierry, the ones that kidnapped me were werewolves or at least two of them were, sent Hannah, through their weak link.
What do they want? Thierry asked. Hannah could sense he was trying to suppress his anger and stay calm.
He wants us both dead for breaking Night World law, but I don't think that's the only reason, it's just a suspicion I have, said Hannah.
Thierry seemed to mentally nod; I'll be there as soon as I can. Just, don't do anything to tick them off.
But how are you going to find me? Hannah asked.
Don't worry, I have my sources, said Thierry. Thierry then broke the connection after sending her a wave of love and comfort. Hannah leaned back closed her eyes and thought of Thierry.
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~
Back at the hotel
Hours later
Thierry was pacing around the ransacked room when there, came a knock on the door. "Come in," Thierry ordered gruffly. The door opened to reveal Quinn and Rashel. They stepped inside along with Lupe, James, Poppy, Thea, Eric, Gillian, David, and Ash. Ash closed the door since he was the last to enter and they all looked around the messed up room.
"As you know, Hannah has been kidnapped and I need your help to find her," said Thierry after a moment.
Thierry looks terrible, Thea thought. Thierry's white blond hair was all messed up and his dark eyes had circles under them. He looked as if he held in a barely controlled urge to rip the room apart.
"Tell us what happened," Quinn said, he was the first to break the silence.
"I went out to do a little business. I wasn't gone more then an hour, but when I got back the room was ransacked and Hannah was gone," said Thierry.
Quinn's black eyes flashed at the thought of what they might be doing to that nice, sweet girl and to think he used to be like that. "Any clues?" asked James. He had light brown hair and thoughtful gray eyes and right now his eyes looked like storm clouds.
"Only a tuff of fur," said Thierry. "That and a little blood which I'm praying belongs to one of the werewolves and not Hannah.
"So it's werewolves that did this," said Ash, his eyes changing from blue to black in an instant.
"Yes, Hannah managed to contact me telepathically and confirmed my suspicions. She doesn't know where she is though she was unconscious for the ride," said Thierry.
"So you don't even know if she is still in the city?" asked Poppy. Her hair was a tangle of reddish-blond curls and her green eyes were flashing with anger.
"I'm afraid not, though I suspect she is or else she wouldn't have been able to reach me, telepathically, since our link does have a limited distance, but that still leaves us a lot of ground to cover," said Thierry. He continued to pace as he spoke.
"Why don't we make up a list of possible hideouts like abandoned buildings, warehouses, places like that," said Rashel. Her black hair; hung down her back and her eyes were a mad and blazing green.
"Good idea Rashel," said Thierry. "The sooner we get started the sooner we can find her."
They started going over plans then and as soon as they had an idea where she might be they broke into different groups and the search began.
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~
Rashel and Quinn drove up to the warehouse distract. They left the car and went the rest of the way on foot. You know it really makes me mad that people would do this to such a poor innocent girl, said Quinn, telepathically to Rashel. And when we find them I'm going do something they're going to regret—if they live.
Rashel seemed to mentally nod and then Quinn fell silent as they continued to search the warehouses. Rashel agreed with Quinn's statement wholeheartedly. For whoever would do this to such a sweet girl deserved to be punished. Rashel and Quinn were soulmates. Rashel was a vampire hunter and Quinn, was made into a vampire by Hunter Redfern back in the 1600's.
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~
While in another part of the warehouse section
Gillian and David stopped their car and started searching on the opposite end of the warehouse district from where Quinn and Rashel were. They too started searching on foot. A few minutes later they came up on a warehouse and peered in the dirty window. What they saw was Hannah tied to a chair, apparently unconscious. Gillian and David quietly left and went back to the car to call Thierry.
Gillian picked up the phone in the car and dialed a number. It was answered on the first ring, "Yes?" asked a voice.
"We've found her, I repeat, we've found her," said Gillian into the phone. Her white blond hair fit her head like a silky cap, and she had violet eyes. Those eyes at the moment were flashing in anger at the thought of what they had done to Hannah.
"Where?" asked the voice.
"In the warehouse district," said Gillian, giving him the address from memory.
"Don't do anything until help arrives," said the voice on the other end of the line.
"Affirmative," said Gillian hanging up the phone.
"Now all we can do is, wait," David muttered, leaning back in the car seat and closing his brown eyes.
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~
Chapter 11
It had taken them all nearly a full day to locate the place and then they had called it in. Everyone just hoped Hannah was okay. They had all arrived after Gillian and David had called it in, half an hour to the minute. Rashel and Quinn were the first to arrive since they were the closest to it. Then Thea and Eric and then the rest of them arrived almost at the same time. When Thierry arrived; with Ash and he looked worse then when they had seen him an hour before. They all crept quietly forward, Gillian and David leading the way since they were the two that had found it.
Thierry gave the orders, quietly and Ash, Gillian, David, James, Poppy, Thea and David all surrounded the building while Quinn, Rashel, Lupe and Thierry entered. Thierry broke the lock using his vampire strength. Thierry motioned with his hands and all of them spread out each going in a different direction.
Lupe moved off to the left, walking as silently as a wolf. Thierry went right also moving silently. Quinn and Rashel took the middle. Quinn's sight was good in the dark, as was Rashel's. They both moved silently not making a sound. They were each ready to fight at a moment's notice.
Hannah, we're coming, hold on, Thierry sent silently. Hannah didn't respond so she was either unconscious or . . . No, he refused to think about that possibility. Thierry crept quietly forward and stopped suddenly when he heard a sound. He stepped into the shadows and stayed completely still, straining his hearing for any sound. Suddenly, Thierry heard footfalls; coming his way and a tall man walked right by him without even seeing him. He pounced on him, quietly and before the man could yell for help Thierry punched him in the jaw. The man went down without a sound. He tied the man up and pulled him out of view. Then he moved on trying to stay in the shadows.
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~
While in another section of the warehouse
Lupe moved fast and came up on no resistance until she reached an intersection. There she saw a guard, but he was facing away from her. Lupe moved up quietly behind him and quickly put her arms around his throat. She twisted his neck in a certain way and he slumped; unconscious. Lupe moved on.
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~
Quinn and Rashel moved quietly and like the others came up on little resistance. I don't like it this is to easy, Rashel told Quinn telepathically.
I know it is a bit too easy isn't it? Let's just hope it's not a trap; responded Quinn.
Rashel did not respond, but gave him a worried frown as they continued on. Finally they all met they came to a door inside the warehouse and Thierry kicked it down ready for anything. What he found amazed him. There were five people in the room and they were all unconscious except for the leader whom Hannah was fighting. Hannah was fighting like a mad woman. Hannah had somehow managed to break free and had gone berserk. Hannah didn't look up as they entered for she was concentrating too hard. Sweat stood out on her forehead and ran down into her eyes. Quinn started to step forward, but Thierry held him back. This is something she needs to do on her own Quinn, do not interfere. Quinn nodded, but he didn't look happy. Neither did Rashel and Lupe. Finally Hannah landed a punch that knocked the man flat and unconscious. Hannah stood panting for a moment at the exertion until she finally looked up. "Thierry," she said, as they both took a step towards each other at the same time. They hugged and then kissed not caring who was watching. Finally they parted and the others came over to congratulate her.
While the others where congratulating Hannah, Thierry went over and picked up the leader of the gang by the shirt. He lifted the 300-pound man easily and his eyes started to flash blood red. When Thierry saw that he was awake he said in a soft, but deadly voice, "I swear if you ever come near Hannah again, you will not be so lucky. I suggest you put out the word on the street that if anyone comes near my soulmate again with the intention of harming her, they will not live to regret it, understand?"
The man nodded to afraid to speak as Thierry's grip on his shirt loosened. He dropped the man back to the floor and gestured to the others to follow him. They went outside and everyone cheered Hannah's courage when they found out who had defeated the villain.
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~
Later that night at the hotel
Hannah sat in bed, drinking champagne. Thierry had insisted that she stay in bed for at least 24 hours. The room they had been staying in was still a mess so Thierry had gotten another one—this one not quite so breathtaking. Hannah didn't mind being waited on hand and foot it was very rarely, she was this pampered.
Thierry sat beside her with a pensive expression on his face. Hannah sat the champagne glass down on the nightstand and looked at him, "You're wondering how I defeated those men, aren't you?" asked Hannah, quietly.
"Well actually, yes I was," said Thierry, looking at her lovingly.
"I just started to remember all we both had to go through just to be together and that made me mad. So I started thinking like Hana of the Three Rivers would have thought if she was alone and her life was endangered. It took me quite a while to get those ropes off, but when I did watch out. Boy, were they surprised when they found me gone, then I jumped two of them from behind," said Hannah. "Then the leader came in after hearing the noise and I had to fight him to save my life."
Thierry laughed just glad she was okay and kissed her. "You know you had me; scared stiff?" asked Thierry, after awhile.
"You scared? What about me? I was so scared I think I gave myself gray hair," said Hannah.
Thierry pretended to look at her hair and then said, "Oh, I see a few gray hairs back there on your pretty head."
Hannah looked at his serious expression and then he broke into a grin showing he was only kidding. Hannah grinned to and swatted him on the arm, "Oh you, stop that." After another few minutes, Hannah started to feel giddy from the champagne. She leaned back on her pillow and closed her eyes. She was asleep instantly. "Hannah?" Thierry called out, softly. When Hannah didn't respond, Thierry gently tucked her in and turned off the lights. He lay there for a; long time thinking, before he to finally fell asleep beside her.
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~