Hannah got in the car and put her keys in the ignition. You, be careful, Thierry told her through their link just before she started the engine.
Don't worry I will be, Hannah, assured him.
Hannah drove them to school and parked. She headed to the office the children following. She entered the office waiting for the secretary to notice her. "Can I help you ma'am?"
"Yes, I'm here to register the children for kindergarten," said Hannah.
"What are their names?" asked the secretary.
"Andrew, Paul and Lena Descouedres," said Hannah.
"Um here they are. Room 105," said the secretary.
"And where is that?" asked Hannah.
"Straight down the hall. The door ought to be on your left."
"Thank you," said Hannah.
Hannah led them to room 105. "Be good today and I'll; be back to pick you up after school is over. Okay?"
"Okay," all three children said at the same time
"Quit worrying we'll be fine," Andrew assured her.
Hannah left without another word, after watching them enter the classroom.
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~
Hannah got home in the wandered around the house aimlessly wondering what to do with the children gone. They had only been a part of hers and Thierry's lives for a few short months and yet already she loved them dearly. Finally, she set down on the couch and just relaxed.
"It's hard to let them out of your sight after what happened isn't it?" asked a voice across from her. Hannah looked across the room and saw Ash sitting alone his face almost totally obscured in shadow.
"Yes it is," Hannah admitted. "But they need to get an education. I can't mother them forever no matter how much I might want to."
"Yeah," said Ash sounding kind of sad.
"So you and Mary-Lynnette trying to have children?" asked Hannah.
"Yes, we just haven't succeeded yet," said Ash.
"Maybe when you do your children can play with the triplets," said Hannah.
"Yeah, maybe," Ash agreed his eyes a thoughtful greenish gold.
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~
10 years later
Andrew, Paul, and Lena were 15. They entered the house slamming the door behind them. School had just ended for day and it was Friday. So they had the whole weekend to themselves. "Andrew, Paul, Lena Thierry and I would like a word with you," called Hannah from the top of the stairs.
"Uh what did we do?" asked Andrew suspiciously.
"Nothing guys we just want to talk that's all," said Hannah.
"Okay, just let us put our stuff in our rooms and we'll be there," said Paul. The three headed upstairs to Andrew's room. Lena sat on the edge of Andrew's bed dropping her book bag on the floor at the foot. They always seemed to use Andrew's room to talk about something serious.
"So you think this has to do with what happened when we were five?" asked Andrew. They still talked about what had happened ten years ago on and off. When they were younger they had all had the same room but as they had grown they had needed more space so Thierry had given each of them a room of their own.
"Yes I do," said Lena. "Or I think that's at least part of it. This household has a big secret and I think we are about to find out what it is. What happened ten years ago is connected in some way I think."
"Let's go then," said Paul, heading out of the room towards the library.
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~
A few minutes later they knocked on the library door. "Enter," said the voice of their adoptive father Thierry Descouedres.
All three entered and the door slammed behind them as if closed by an unseen force. The three teenagers started then relaxed. "Have a seat guys," Hannah said with a smile to soften the command.
"Now what we are about to tell you is not to leave this room understand?" asked Thierry sternly.
"We think you are old enough and responsible enough to handle this information," added Hannah quietly.
"Okay Thierry, Hannah," all three teens agreed quickly. All three had a feeling that they were about to be told something ominous.
"There is a world that most people don't even know exists. It is called the Night World," Thierry began.
"Night World what's that?" asked Lena.
"The Night World is made up of vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters and witches."
"Wait a minute vampires and all that other stuff ain't real," Andrew protested, trying to see if they were serious, but neither one cracked a smile and their eyes were dead serious—no pun intended.
"Not real you say?" asked Thierry. Thierry leaned forward and suddenly he started to grow fangs and his face took on an even more unearthly beauty. He got even more handsome if that was possible. Thierry sat back and watched as the children he had adopted all those years ago faces go through a number of expressions from shock to denial and finally to acceptance.
"But if you're a vampire how come you can go out into the sunlight?" asked Lena, with a frown.
"You've been reading to many horror books Lena," said Hannah with a nervous little laugh. "Those authors don't know what they're talking about. Its true new vampires are sensitive to sunlight but it won't kill them."
"Look at me I'm a few thousand years old and the sunlight; hasn't killed me yet," added Thierry with a light chuckle.
"I wouldn't have believed it either without proof," said Hannah seeing their expressions which were skeptical at best. "But I kept remembering stuff that had never happened at least not in, this life," said Hannah. "The moment I met Thierry and we touched bare skin to bare skin I knew that I would never again be happy without him."
"But why didn't you tell us all this years ago?" asked Paul.
"Because Paul; the Night World has two very basic laws. Laws that; make up their whole society. One is that you must never fall in love with a human and if you do then you can't act on it. Two no telling human's about the Night World. Both laws if you have been found to have broken either one would mean instant death and the deaths of us as well."
All three children gulped at this but did not respond.
"Some vampires could kill a thousand humans without a qualm," said Thierry. "A lot of vampires think of humans as vermin and food. I'm the first ever made vampire, but actually the second vampire that came into existence." Paul, Lena and Andrew sat back thinking; back to that long ago conversation they had overheard when they had been kidnapped nearly ten years ago.
"There are two kinds of vampires the born vampires and the made vampires," said Hannah. "The born vampires are the ones who can grow up if they want or stop aging or have children. The made, vampires were made by other vampires. The, made vampires after they are turned can't have children. The process seems to burn them out and you can't turn anyone over 19 into a vampire. Their body can't seem to take the change and they die."
"Have you ever heard of the soulmate principal?" asked Hannah suddenly changing the subject to something more pleasant when she saw their expressions. When all three shook their heads she said, "The soulmate principal is like find someone so perfect for you it's like a key in a lock—a perfect match. Once you have found your soulmate you are never entirely happy again if something happens to them."
"Hannah and I are soulmates," Thierry added. "Hannah is also an old soul." Before they could ask he explained. "An old souls is just a human who keeps coming back century after century life after life. A different body, but basically the same soul even, the same memories. Memories, that are hidden somewhere deep in the subconscious."
"Do you want to take a break?" asked Hannah seeing their shell shocked expressions.
All three shook their heads. "All the people that work here are made vampires aren't they?" asked Lena.
"Most of them," Thierry agreed with a nod.
"And when we were kidnapped ten years ago?" asked Andrew.
"Ah so you remember that do you. Well, that had to do with a very evil vampire. He wanted me to give up my seat on the Night World council. I would have done it to, except that I knew he would probably still have killed you even if I had," said Thierry. "I managed to rescue you with a little help from Circle Daybreak."
"He was trying to take over the Night World council," Hannah added.
"Circle Daybreak?" asked Andrew with a frown trying to understand.
"Circle Daybreak used to be just a witches circle, but now it's for human, vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters and anybody who wants to help the Night World and the humans get along," said Hannah.
"Oh and the reason you were able to adopt us without half the Night World coming after you?" asked Paul.
"The only reason no one has come after Thierry for adopting human kids is because he is a very powerful figure in the Night World. He is after all the oldest living vampire now that Maya is dead."
"Maya was the first ever vampire she's the one that changed me. Only problem was that she was very evil," said Thierry.
"She kept killing me before my 17th birthday in every life, because she wanted Thierry for her own. This is the first life we have managed to be together," Hannah added.
"Why don't you take a break and we'll discuss this later? If you have any questions come too either Thierry or myself."
"And don't mention what you have been told to anyone if the wrong person heard about it we could all be dead."
"Just one more question how many soulmate couples in this house?"
"Let's see there's; Quinn and Rashel. Quinn; was made into a vampire by Hunter Redfern back in the 1600's and Rashel used to be a vampire hunter. She was known as the cat. Then there's Ash, and Mary-Lynnette. Ash is a born vampire and Mary-Lynnette is human.
"Don't forget Delos and Maggie," said Thierry. "Delos is a direct descendent of Hunter Redfern and Maggie is human."
"Then there's Thea and Eric," said Hannah. "Thea is a witch, a Harmon and Eric is human. There's also James and Poppy. James is a Redfern on his mother's side and Poppy is a made vampire."
"Also Gillian and David," said Thierry. "Gillian was a lost witch and David is human," said Thierry.
"What about Keller and Galen?" asked Hannah. "They don't technically live here though. Keller is a shapeshifter, a panther and Galen is a shapeshifting prince, a leopard," said Hannah.
"And Jezebel and Morgead—Jez is also a Redfern, but half human. And Morgead; is a made vampire. Well that just about covers it," said Thierry.
"Four Redfern's? I'm assuming they are all related?"
"I wondered when that would come up," said Thierry with a smile. "They are related, but very distantly."
All three teens got up to leave but Paul paused at the door, "And the rings?"
"For protection anybody who belongs to the Night World who sees the rings will know not to mess with you. You see the rose is the symbol for all, made vampires. And if you own one that means somebody very powerful is protecting you. They have protection spells on them too," Thierry explained.
"Oh," was all Paul said before he too left.
"Do you think we did the right thing telling them?" asked Hannah quietly as soon as Paul had closed the library door.
"They had to find out sometime Hannah. So yes, I think we did the right thing," said Thierry. "It's, better coming from us then them finding out on their own."
"I hope you are right," said Hannah softly. "I hope you are right."
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~
In Andrew's room the triplets were discussing what they had been told. "So what do you think?" asked Paul.
"I think they are telling the truth. For one thing Thierry and Hannah are basically very honest people. Besides, I don't see either one of them could come up with a story like this to say their lives," said Lena.
"Besides, the show of teeth was very convincing," said Andrew. "And also if Thierry wasn't good then he would have killed us long ago, but I know he loves us."
All three were silent for a few moments considering. "You know, I know Thierry and Hannah and didn't say anything, but I think they could turn us into vampires if we wanted," said Paul, finally breaking the silence.
The other two considered Paul's statement for a moment. We would be as strong as twenty men," said Lena.
"We would live forever. Well as long as we didn't get stuck with a stake that is," said Paul. "We would never get sick and die of some nameless disease." They knew he was talking about their mother, who had died of cancer when they were three.
"We would be in perfect control of our bodies, able the see better, hear better and perfect physically," said Lena.
"But guys we would have to drink blood for a living," Andrew protested as they kept naming the good things about becoming a vampire.
"Would that be so bad for all we would get? After all we wouldn't have to kill to feed. Just take enough to satisfy our hunger;" said Paul.
"But guys we would become blood sucking monsters," said Andrew.
"Thierry isn't a monster and neither is; Uncle's Ash, Quinn and Delos."
"But guys, we would live forever while our friends died one by one," said Andrew.
"I wonder how Thierry handles it?" asked Paul thoughtfully.
"Or Uncle Ash?" asked Lena.
"What about Uncle Quinn and Uncle Delos?" asked Paul.
"They're probably used to it. We could probably get used to it to if we had to," said Lena.
"Well we have a few more years to decide. So let's not rush it all right," said Andrew.
"Okay," the other two agreed.
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~
The next day all three; teens had their own specific plans. Andrew and Paul were just going to hang around the house while Lena had a date.
Lena was just headed out the door when Hannah caught her. "Going out?" Lena only nodded. "Have you done your homework?"
"I'll do it when I get home okay?" asked Lena.
"You promise?" asked Hannah.
"Yes, I promise," said Lena.
"Have a good time then. Do you have enough money?" asked Hannah.
"Yes I do," said Lena.
"See you later then," said Hannah.
Hannah watched from the front door as Lena's boyfriend Carlos drove up the driveway and Lena got into his car.
"So how you doing today sweetheart?" asked Carlos. He reached out and touched her cheek tenderly.
Lena did all she could not to flinch at his touch. Carlos thankfully didn't notice. Ever since her parents had told her about the soulmate principle she had felt a yearning deep within her soul to find her own soulmate.
"I'm fine Carlos," said Lena.
"You okay? You sound kind of depressed," said Carlos glancing at her in concern.
"I'm fine—really," she added when he looked like he didn't believe her. "My brothers and I just learned something about our family and it's given us a lot to think about is all."
"Oh what did you learn?" asked Carlos. "I always thought your family was kind of weird."
"Sorry I promised I wouldn't tell and I keep my promises," said Lena, taking no offense when Carlos called her family weird. He was only speaking the truth, although he had no idea how close to the truth he was.
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~
Not more then half an hour later Lena came into the house slamming the door behind. Then she ran up to her room crying. Andrew was the only one that saw her. "Hey what are you doing home so soon? Didn't you have a date?"
"Just leave me alone," said Lena entering her room and slamming the door behind her.
"She must have broken up with Carlos," said Andrew with a sigh. "She goes through more boyfriends then anyone I know," he muttered to himself.
Lena threw herself down on her bed and cried. Why was it always, her? She asked herself. Ever since she had been told about the soulmate principal she had felt a longing deep within her soul to find her own soulmate. And Carlos wasn't it.
Someone entered her room a few minutes later. "Lena honey you okay?" asked the voice of her mother Hannah Descouedres.
"I'm fine Hannah," said Lena. Hannah looked like she didn't believe her. "Really," she added.
"You broke up with Carlos didn't you?"
"Yes," Lena admitted.
"You'll have other boyfriend's sweetheart," said Hannah.
"I know, but one of the reason's we broke up is because we got to arguing about what you had told us," said Lena. "I said I couldn't tell him because I promised. Then he said I always considered your family weird and that wouldn't have been so bad except that he insulted my whole family. I slapped him across the cheek and ordered him to take me home."
"And the reason you did it," said Hannah softly, "Is because you know he is not your soulmate."
"How did you know?" asked Lena in surprise.
"Because what I see in you is what I saw in myself when I was younger," said Hannah. "A nameless yearning—a yearning that cannot, be explained in normal terms. A yearning that can only be quenched when you find the one person that is exactly right for you."
"That's it exactly," said Lena amazed at Hannah's perceptiveness. "Will I ever find that one person that is exactly right for me?"
"Now that you know about the Night World it is almost unavoidable. Don't worry sweetheart you'll find him someday."
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~