A Date with Destiny
Prologue
Later on that same day after she had killed Maya to save Thierry's life and her own Hannah started to dream. She dreamed of Maya killing her year after year and of Thierry who had never given up hope that she would one day be his without fear of Maya. She dreamed of Thierry who had gone through the centuries sad and miserable. Then she dreamed of her killing Maya again and again as if her subconscious could not forgive her for what she had done. "I didn't want to!" Her real self exclaimed to her dream self. "I had no choice she was going to kill Thierry." But the figure just kept coming at her and then seemed to multiply. She began to break out in a sweat.
Thierry rushed into the room, his white blond hair falling neatly over his forehead and his dark eyes full of worry. He had sensed through their link that Hannah was having a nightmare. He sat down on the bed and held her gently until she quieted down and lapsed back into normal sleep. He stroked her cheek, kissed her hair and then gently laid her head back down on the; pillow. He sat beside her for a while just staring at her beautiful face. A small smile forced its way to his lips. I still can't believe she is mine at last, Thierry thought. After a while Thierry got up and left, he had things to do before Hannah awoke.
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~
A few hours later Hannah awoke to find Thierry gone from beside her. Hannah groped blindly for a minute, until she, came fully awake and sat bolt upright. Just as she was about to panic she sensed him just downstairs. She began to get dressed then and as she was pulling a T-shirt over her head there came a knock on her door. "Hannah; are you up?" asked a familiar voice on the other side of the door.
"Come in," Hannah called and finished pulling the shirt over her head as Thierry entered. Instantly Thierry was smothered in kisses and a hug that almost cracked his ribs. He kissed her back passionately all the years of longing going into that one kiss.
"Well I'm glad to see you so enthusiastic," said Thierry, only slightly out of breath. "Why don't you come downstairs and get a late lunch."
It was in that instant that Hannah realized she was starving, "Sure I just now realized how hungry I am," said Hannah.
"Fighting for your life will do that to you," said Thierry, as they walked downstairs arm in arm.
"By the way thank you for holding me when I was having that nightmare," said Hannah, quietly, grateful that he was; there beside her.
"Glad to be of service. I sensed your distress all the way downstairs through our link," said Thierry.
"Yeah I guess killing Maya isn't the smartest thing I've ever done," said Hannah.
"You had no choice so you tell your subconscious that," said Thierry. He couldn't get over the fact that she was finally his now and forever. After all his years of fighting to get her, she was his. He would protect her and allow no harm to come to her or he wasn't Lord of the Night World.
They entered the dark den and Hannah was just about to inquire what was going on when the lights snapped on, "Surprise," everyone shouted at the same time. Hannah was surprised although she supposed she shouldn't be considering the source.
Hannah looked at Thierry and he blushed in embarrassment, "You didn't have to do this for me Thierry."
"I wanted to, now come on there's food over there on the table," said Thierry, leading the way. They both walked over to the table Hannah was patted on the back and hugged along the way. They were all happy that the cycle of terror that had made Thierry so miserable through the centuries was finally over.
"You all didn't have to do this," Hannah said to the crowd, "I'm perfectly happy just knowing that it's all finally over." The crowd cheered and then each one of them handed her a wrapped present. Hannah opened them all and thanked everyone sincerely. Thierry got her a plate of food while she was opening presents and came back to stand beside her. He stood so close he could smell her hair. He just stared at her afraid she would just disappear like some kind of an illusion.
Hannah looked up at him almost shyly and after a moment spoke, "You know I was wondering how you arranged all this so quickly?"
"I have my sources," said Thierry, slyly. He handed her the plate of food and Hannah began to eat, slowly.
"You know I still need to call my mom she'll be frantic by now," said Hannah, between mouthfuls.
"Here's a phone," said Thierry handing her his cellular-phone and taking the plate of food from her, "Call; her."
Hannah stepped into a more private corner and dialed the number. After about 3 rings someone picked up. "Hello," said the voice on the other end. The voice sounded haggard, tired and worried."
"Mom how are; you?" asked Hannah.
"Hannah honey; are you okay? I've been worried sick especially after I got your letter," said the voice on the other end of the line.
"I'm fine mom and I'll be home in a few days," said Hannah, trying to calm her mother down.
"Where are you? Are you all right? Where are you staying? Do you have enough money?" Hannah's mother shot off the questions as rapidly as someone firing a shotgun at a deer.
"I'm in Vegas and I'm staying with a guy by the name of Thierry Descouedres," said Hannah, giving her as little information as possible.
"Are you sure you can trust this Thierry Descouedres?" she asked.
"Yes, mom I'm positive. I've got to go now, but please tell Paul thank you for his help," said Hannah, breaking off the conversation in order to get back to Thierry.
"All right honey I trust your judgment. See you in a few days and when you get home I want an explanation," said the voice on the other end.
"All right mom, good-bye," said Hannah turning the phone off.
Thierry came up behind her and put his arms around her middle, "So is it all settled?" he asked.
"Yes, I told mom I'd be home in a few days, but I'll be sorry to leave," said Hannah sadly.
"Don't worry I swear I'm never going to lose you again. By the way I have a surprise for you," said Thierry.
"Thierry you've given me so much already," said Hannah, resignedly, "So what is it?"
"Here," said Thierry taking a long velvet case out of his inside pocket and handing it to her.
Hannah took it slowly and opened it. Inside was a golden locket with a small ruby in its center. It hung on a delicate golden chain and on the back was engraved, "Soulmates Forever."
By this time all her new friends had gathered. Lupe the half werewolf, half-human, she had also saved Hannah's life. Then there were all the other soulmates and Nilsson and his CIA group. And of course there was Thierry, her soulmate, someone who had live thousands of years in misery always searching for her, but never able to have her for more then a few weeks, because she was killed before her 17th birthday in every life. She kissed Thierry on the lips and then hugged him. Thierry, who had been waiting for her response, smiled and some of the sadness in his eyes disappeared. Everybody cheered glad to see Thierry so happy at last.
"Thank you, Thierry. I love it," said Hannah.
The crowd seemed to melt away until it was just the two of them. They stared into each other eyes for more then a minute. Finally Hannah broke the stare and walked back towards the buffet table. When she got there, Thierry took the necklace from Hannah and opened the clasp. He gently put it around Hannah's neck and then kissed her lips.
"Thank you, for the necklace. Thierry it must have cost you a fortune," said Hannah, looking at him tenderly.
"You're worth it. I would give up my fortune and my life in an instant if I thought it would save your life," said Thierry, seriously.
"That's sweet, but I swear if you die on me after I've just found you, I'll come to the other side and kick your butt," said Hannah, only half joking.
Thierry smiled at her and kissed her lightly on the lips. "I can hardly believe you are mine at last," said Thierry.
"Well believe it, I'm yours now and forever," said Hannah. Thierry smiled again at this and held her tightly. She is mine, the thought just kept repeating over and over.
Hannah turned back to the table to get another cup of punch then the ring Thierry had given her began to glow. Suddenly shots rang out. Ash who; was closest to her pushed her to the ground. There was chaos for a few minutes then Hannah heard a barking sound and finally silence. Hannah rolled Ash off her and then sat up. She looked down at Ash in concern. "You okay Ash?" asked Hannah the concern obvious in her voice. She studied him and noticed a bullet wound in his shoulder. She'd bent to examine it. "You'll heal looks like it went right through."
Ash nodded but didn't say anything. The pain was obvious on his face. Boy he must really be in pain if he doesn't have some kind of sarcastic remark; Hannah thought getting to her feet. She looked around. The once beautiful ballroom was a disaster area. The curtains were in tatters and the walls, floor and ceiling, were riddled with bullet holes. She looked around for Thierry and spotted him lying on the floor a few feet away. She went over to him and then bent down to her knees.
She looked him over for any injuries and then bit her lip at what she saw. He had a wooden bullet in the stomach so close to the heart that it practically gave her a heart attack. If that bullet had gone even an inch to the left he'd be dead. "Hold on Thierry I've got to get that bullet out of you or you aren't going to live much longer and I can't bear to lose you," said Hannah softly. She got up slowly and got a knife off the buffet table. She kneeled back over Thierry and put the knife in the wound trying to get under the bullet. Thierry groaned as Hannah dug and she bit her lip again. Come on, she silently prayed. Come on. Finally the bullet popped out and Hannah sighed in relief. She checked the wound for any splinters then let it slowly close. She sat back with a sigh then got to her feet. Just as she was looking around the room to see if anybody else was hurt Lupe came into the room in dog form Quinn and Rashel, following. They were leading a man with greasy black hair and blue eyes. Lupe for her part kept growling at the man and the man had his hands up in self-defense. Hannah summarized this must be one of the shooters. "Who do we have here?" Hannah asked them quietly studying the man before her.
"He says his name is Gregory Stojcery," said Lupe finally back in human form.
"Now Mr. Stojcery you are in a lot of trouble," said Hannah.
Mr. Stojcery just sneered and said, "And what can a mere slip of a girl do to me?"
"You hurt her soulmate she has the right to see you dead for what you did," said Ash coming over and standing behind Hannah. James and Poppy did the same all three with their, teeth bared.
"I'm usually against killing," said Hannah softly. "But if Thierry dies I'll make an exception in your case and everyone here can tell you I mean what I say."
"She does and can do what is necessary so you had better answer her," said Quinn his tone belligerent. Mr. Stojcery just continued to sneer and did not answer.
"Quinn, Rashel can I have a word with you? In private," she added.
"Mr. Stojcery is acting far too cocky for someone who could be dead in the next few minutes," Hannah said when they were far enough away to be out of hearing range. "He's acting as though he has an ace up his sleeve. Could you please check out the rest of the house to make sure we don't have anymore unpleasant surprises waiting for us?"
Quinn and Rashel nodded not surprised that Hannah had thought of it after all they had been thinking along similar line themselves.
Hannah Snow has more steel in her spine then she has led anyone to believe, said Quinn mentally to Rashel.
You didn't see her take; that bullet out of Thierry's stomach, but I did, Rashel said.
She did that? I'm impressed. Now you go left I'll go right. Rashel seemed to mentally nod and they headed off in separate directions.
"Now Mr. Stojcery either you answer my questions or I let my friends here have you. And I will not stop them if they want to rip you apart. And I can tell you right now if I left you alone with just Lupe and no one else for just five minutes their wouldn't be enough left to fill a thimble, much less a coffin."
The man did not answer still; thinking Hannah couldn't really do anything to him. "All right fine he's all yours. Just don't kill him Thierry will want a word with him when he wakes up," said Hannah, deliberately turning her back on him as if to say you mean nothing to me and calmly walked away.
Hannah walked out to the hallway and then sat down back against the wall and cried. Finally after a few minutes her tears were spent and she got up and went back into the ballroom. She looked around and saw Thierry trying to sit up looking around frantically for something. She summarized that he was looking for her. She ignored Mr. Stojercy; and went and knelt by Thierry putting her arm around his shoulder. "How are you feeling?" asked Hannah, softly.
"Better now that I know you are okay," said Thierry, relaxing back against her.
"Ash knocked me out of the way and got a bullet in his shoulder for his trouble," said Hannah.
"Is he okay?" asked Thierry instantly concerned.
"He'll live—although he probably want to disagree with me at this point—the bullet went right on through. You weren't so lucky you got a wooden bullet in the stomach," said Hannah.
"Did anybody else get hurt?"
"No I think everybody else ducked in time," said Hannah. Thierry nodded and tried to stand up. Hannah knowing he wasn't going to stay down helped him to his feet.
Thierry walked over to where the prisoner stood Hannah by his side holding him up. "Now you listen to me, I want to know who hired you; and you better tell me the truth if you want to live to see tomorrow understand?" asked Thierry lifting the 200 pound man easily even in his weakened condition. Stojcery nodded his courage finally depleted and Quinn led the way to the conference room. Quinn pushed the prisoner down into a chair and then sat beside him. Rashel sat on the other side. Rashel threw a knife from hand to hand. Her intent was clear. Don't try to get away I; won't miss. Quinn sitting on the other side crossed his arms and his intent was also clear.
"As I told them my name is Gregory Stojcery and I don't know who hired me. I got a call over the phone that offered me a great deal of money if I would come and shoot up the place. The guy on the phone didn't care if anybody was hurt."
"Well check out your story Mr. Stojcery until then put him in a room and lock him up," Thierry ordered. After everyone had left Thierry sat back and sighed. He needed blood and he needed it badly for he had lost a lot with that injury, but he didn't have time to go and hunt.
"Here," said Hannah offering him her neck.
"No Hannah I can't . . ." Thierry protested.
"Yes, you can, you're not going to be good to anybody if you don't feed and I'm the only person around," said Hannah.
Thierry nodded and he leaned down carefully. He kissed her soft neck again and again until his control broke and then his teeth sank into the tender skin of her neck. He drank again and again gulping in time to her pulse. Finally his teeth retracted and he sighed. "Thank you." He hadn't really drunk, as much as he needed to, but he was afraid if he took to much he would hurt her.
"Your welcome," said Hannah giving him a kiss.
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~
The next day Thierry was in bed at Hannah's insistence. He was still a little weak though he was feeling a lot better than he had yesterday. Hannah had wanted him to rest and; get his strength back.
Just, as he was about to fall asleep somebody knocked on the door. "Enter," Thierry called. The door opened and Rashel and Quinn entered.
"What can I do for you Rashel, Quinn?" Thierry asked.
"What do you remember of what happened in the ballroom?" asked Rashel quietly.
"Not much it's kind of hazy," Thierry admitted. "Why?"
"Then you didn't see what I did," said Rashel. Thierry raised a quizzical eyebrow in a question. "It was Hannah who took that bullet out of your stomach.
Thierry looked shocked then proud. "I figured it just went right on through."
"She knelt over your unconscious form and checked out the damage," Rashel explained. "She bit her lip at what she saw and knew she had to take it out or you would die. So she got a knife off the buffet table and dug into the wound knowing you would die if she did not. She managed to get the bullet to pop out. Then she tried to deal with Mr. Stojcery, but he acted as though she couldn't do anything to him so she left him to us. Then she went out into the hallway and cried. I know because I followed her." Rashel; fell silent and watched Thierry's expression; change from shock then surprise and finally stunned disbelief.
"Send Hannah in here to see me would you," Thierry said as they were turning to leave. "Oh and one other thing find the person or persons who did this. I want them found and I want them found fast."
"We've already thought of that," said Quinn speaking up for the first time. "So far we can rule out Nilsson, Lupe, Hannah and the soulmate couples." Thierry looked surprised at the mention of Hannah, but he supposed they had to check out everyone.
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~
A few minutes later Hannah knocked on the door and entered quietly to find Thierry awake and watching her. "Hannah," he said softly still incredibly weak
"Thierry," said Hannah sitting on the side of the bed and giving him a kiss.
"I wanted to thank you for what you did," said Thierry.
"And what's that?" Hannah inquired innocently.
"You know perfectly well what I meant," said Thierry with a weak half a smile. "But if you insist I'll tell you. I wanted to thank you for pulling that bullet out of me. If you hadn't I probably would have died."
"I did what had to be done. I couldn't let you die. I'd be lost without you."
"And I'd be lost without you," said Thierry quietly rubbing her cheek gently. "You just be careful you hear. I can't protect you right now and I'd die if you got hurt."
"I'll be careful, but only if you promise to do the same."
Thierry nodded and Hannah kissed his cheek again then lay down beside him and soon they were both fast asleep.
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~
The next day Hannah was walking down a dimly lit corridor heading to see how Thierry was doing when she heard a slight whisper of sound behind her. Hannah tried to turn to see what it was but was stopped when a hand with a knife went to her throat. "Don't say a word if you value your life human scum. You will do as I say and I just may allow you to live." The voice was no more then a whisper.
"What do you want?" asked Hannah, trying not to feel scared. "How did you get past the wards surrounding the house?"
"That is my concern and none of your concern. Now shut up and go to Descouredres room."
"And what do you intend to do to Thierry?"
"Why kill him of course. Any Night Worlder who would allow humans not to mention half-breeds to live in his house deserves to die. After all it is the law of the Night World."
"No; I won't allow you to harm Thierry or anyone else," said Hannah who used strength she didn't even know she had and elbowed her captive in the stomach risking getting her throat cut in the process. Her captive grunted in pain as well as surprise and her grip on the knife wavered for just an instant. An instant to long as it turned out for Hannah whirled around and punched her assailant in the face. The attacker dropped the knife and went down. Hannah grabbed the knife and calmly grabbed the girl from behind pinning her wrists so she couldn't get away with an effect. "Now we will see what Nilsson wants to do with you and I am sure Thierry would like a word as well."
The girl for that was who she was struggled but to know avail for Hannah's grip was tight—so tight it was almost painful. "Let me go human," said the girl.
"Why so you can kill a man I love more then anything and also harm my friends? I don't think so."
"Love?" the girl scoffed. "There is no such thing. Just money and power are all that matters."
Hannah shook her head sadly, but all she said was, "March."
The girl was wearing nothing but black. Her hair was all dirty and sticking up all over the place and was as black as her outfit. Hannah led her down to Nilsson and the others without comment
When she got down into a more occupied part of the house she encountered Ash who helped bring the girl downstairs after Hannah had explained the situation. "You okay?" ask Ash as soon as the girl was in the arms of Nilsson.
"I'm fine Ash—really," said Hannah. "It just makes me so mad that someone would want to harm the man I love—not to mention my friends."
"I can understand how you feel," said Ash. "I wouldn't want any harm to come to Mary-Lynnette, just like you wouldn't want any harm to come to Thierry. Now you had better go see him and see how he's doing."
Hannah nodded and turned to head back upstairs and to Thierry's room.
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~
