It was after ten when she awoke the next morning and the first thing she thought about as she opened her eyes was calling Ash. She dialed the hotel's number quickly and got an answer on the second ring. It was the twenty first century so all the phones had video screens. "May I help you," asked the voice on the other end of the screen.

"Yes would you please ring Ash Redfern's room for me please?" asked Maria, politely, anxious to talk to him.

"One moment please," said the operator, on the screen.

A second later the phone started to ring and was picked up almost immediately. "Hello," said Ash's voice on the other end of the line. It sounded a bit anxious to Maria's ears.

"Hi Ash," said Maria.

"Maria it's about time you called!" exclaimed Ash on the other end of the line. He looked the same as he had 63 years ago Maria observed. Same ash-blond hair, same eyes, that seemed to change constantly, same grace of movement. He hadn't changed much over the years Maria decided at least not on the outside. It was what was inside that counted.

"Well sorry, but I just woke up five minutes ago," said Maria, a bit sarcastically.

"Okay, okay," said Ash, just happy to hear from her.

"I'll meet in say an hour at your hotel," said Maria. "Have breakfast ready."

"Okay," said Ash, agreed quickly. When he hung up he called room service and ordered breakfast for Maria.

~~~A New Life~~~

Maria's car pulled into the hotel parking lot and parked. She got out, locked the doors and headed for the lobby. "Can I help you miss?" asked the doorman trying not to snicker at the ancient car she had pulled up in.

"Yes I'm here to see Ash Redfern," answered Maria, politely.

"Is he expecting you?" asked the doorman, for her could hardly believe someone as wealthy as Ash Redfern would go out with her class of people.

"Yes he is," answered a voice from behind the doorman. The doorman moved out of the way as Ash exited the building. He hugged Maria, kissed her gently and as soon as he touched her sparks flew. He then led her into the building. The hotel he was staying at was one of the fanciest hotels in town. The carpet was a rich royal blue and extremely thick. The wallpaper was also blue, but lighter and had red flowers all over it. The desk at the end of the lobby was made out of a solid piece of dark oak and the man behind the desk was impeccably dressed. His short, black hair was slicked back and his blue uniform was so clean that you probably could have eaten off of it. "Harold my good man I don't want to be bothered for the rest of the day unless it is very important," said Ash and the way he stressed very meant it had better be a matter of life and death.

Ash flipped the man a coin as the clerk answered, "Yes sir."

Ash led Maria to the old fashioned elevator ant let her step inside first then followed her. The elevator started to rise just as Maria observed, "Nice digs you're staying in Ash. You've come up in the world."

"Well a hundred and thirty some years will do that for you if you're smart," said Ash, grinning slightly.

Maria just shook her head and didn't comment. They exited the elevator and entered Ash's hotel room. Ash had a suite of rooms. He had a sitting room, a bedroom, and a bathroom, with a Jacuzzi tub. And in the sitting room was a table set for two filled with an assortment of food. Ash pulled out a chair for her and Maria sat down to the feast in front of her eyes. Ash took the opposite chair and pulled the silver lids off the food. There were eggs Benedict, fresh squeezed orange juice, toast, fruit, bacon and ham. "You keep feeding me like this and you're going to have a fat girlfriend," said Maria, only half jokingly as she began to eat.

"You're the one that wanted breakfast," said Ash, taking a bite of eggs. Ash had learned to like human food over the last hundred years or so and he had to admit some human food was quite good.

"Yeah, but not a feast," said Maria, sipping her orange juice. "So what are we going to do about us?" Maria asked finally after she had eaten a little bit of everything.

"I don't know," said Ash pushing his food around his plate. "I'm eternally glad I found you, but what we are going to do about it I just don't know."

Maria looked at him and noticed his forlorn expression. "Ash, don't look like that. I'm not going to leave you and I can tell that's what you're thinking. But I do need to finish high school at least."

Ash looked up and Maria saw some of the sadness go out of his expression, but some of it was still there as well.

"Maybe you can come live with me?" asked Ash hopefully. "After; you finish high school of course."

Maria looked at him and sighed, "I don't know, maybe once I turn eighteen and finish high school, but we have plenty of time to think about that, as long as you're going to be town for awhile."

"Actually, I came here on business, but I'm sure I can get Daybreak to give me some time off once I tell them the reason," said Ash.

"Oh so you're still with Circle Daybreak? That's good," said Maria.

"I've been with them ever since you I met you in the last life. Remember the good times we used to have with Circle Daybreak about 60 years ago?" asked Ash, his eyes changing to almost white as he remembered.

"Yeah," said Maria her expression turning sober as she remembered. Suddenly the phone rang and they both jumped at the noise. Ash picked pushed a button and the desk clerks face appeared on the screen, "Harold I thought I told you I didn't want to be disturbed."

"I'm sorry sir, but it's a Thierry Descouedres and he says it is very important." And the way he stressed very important Ash knew he had better answer it.

"All right put him through," said Ash sighing, in annoyance. Thierry's face appeared on the screen a minute later. "Okay Thierry what's so all blasted important that it couldn't wait," asked Ash to the man on the screen.

"Sorry Ash, but you know Seth," said Thierry on the other end of the line.

"Yeah," answered Ash.

"Well he's on your trail and my sources tell me he's out to get you," said Thierry.

"So what else is new," answered Ash, sarcastically.

"Yeah, but this time he has help, very powerful help. So watch yourself and your soulmate too."

Ash looked at Maria in surprise he hadn't told Thierry he had found his soulmate yet. "How'd you know I had found my soulmate?" asked Ash the surprise registering on his face.

"Let's just say news travels fast," said Thierry, grinning. "If I were you I'd take your soulmate and disappear for awhile."

"Maria can't just disappear she has her last year of high school to finish and a dad to think of," said Ash.

Maria came into view of the screen and said, "Hi Thierry it's nice to see you again."

"It's nice to see you to Maria I just wish it was under better circumstances," said Thierry.

"Me too Thierry, me to, but Ash is right you know I can't just leave my dad and I do have a whole semester of school to finish."

"You can always make up the school time and as for your dad, it's better if you got away from him for a while. He holds a grudge against you and Ash both and you know how dangerous he can be. I'll send a plane for you. It will be waiting at the airport," said Thierry.

Maria sighed nodding she did know how dangerous Seth could be. "All right, but only if we can get my dad to come along and if we do that we'll have to tell him about you know." She didn't want to mention the Night World over the phone in case it was bugged.

Thierry sighed, "I really would prefer if you didn't have to do that, but I'll leave it to your judgment. Do as you think as best." He signed off and the screen went blank.

As soon as the screen went blank Maria got up and hugged Ash fiercely, "Oh Ash what are we going to do?"

"First off, we're going to get out of here," said Ash, throwing some stuff into a suitcase. "Then we are going by your house to pick up some stuff for you and then we are getting on that plane and getting out of town for awhile."

"You think that is seriously going to help?" asked Maria. "Don't you remember what he was like 130 years ago?"

"Yes, I do remember and if anything his resentment of us has grown over the years and he has a major vendetta against both of us, but particularly against me. So it is better if we get as far away from here as possible." Ash finished packing, grabbed her hand and they headed towards the elevator.

"Ah, Ash don't you think it would be a better idea to take the back way out instead of heading towards the main lobby where they can see us?"

"You're right of course," said Ash. "We'll take the backstairs."

~~~A New Life~~~

Four men approached the Cutler house and the front door was kicked in as if it were made of paper. "Hey what is this?" exploded Fred Cutler as he came in from the kitchen at the noise. One of the men grabbed him and slammed him against a wall. "Where is your daughter? Where is Maria Cutler?" asked a big man with long, dark blond hair and black eyes. For; this was Seth the vampire that hated Ash with a vengeance.

Fred Cutler just shook his head and croaked out, "Even if I did know I wouldn't tell you."

"Then Mister Cutler I'm afraid I will have to kill you. If you answer me I might be tempted to spare your miserable life."

"I don't know where she went," muttered Cutler.

"Ah, boss," one of the men tried to interrupt.

"Not now," growled Seth. The man said no more for he did not want to cause his boss's wrath.

"And if you did?" Seth asked Cutler, his eyes turning a blood red.

"I wouldn't tell you," said Cutler almost unconscious by this point for Seth was crushing his neck in one huge meaty hand.

"Then Mr. Cutler you will die," said Seth, his teeth beginning to extend. Seth leaned down as fast as a striking snake and bit into Fred Cutler's neck drinking every drop of blood that ran in Fred Cutler's veins. Fred Cutler's last thought as he died was for the safety of his only daughter. And all that was left of Fred Cutler was a body without a soul.

~~~A New Life~~~

"Ah Ash what are we going to tell my dad?" asked Maria as she sat beside him in a rented black sports car headed towards her house.

"I don't know, but we better think of something for we need to get on that plane and fast."

~~~A New Life~~~

Maria nodded they were going off for parts unknown in Thierry's private jet that he was sending for them. They approached Maria's house five minutes later and Ash set the car on the ground in front of the house. Maria got out slowly she could sense something was wrong. "Ash something is wrong here," said Maria.

Ash looked at her and nodded, "I'll go in first don't follow me unless I say it is safe and if I'm not out in five minutes get out of here don't come for me or anything. And I mean it Maria," said Ash looking at her, sternly.

Maria nodded although she had no intention of following his instructions for if anything happened to him she would rather die by her own hands or someone else's she didn't know. But she could not live without him that much, she did realize.

Ash approached the building as quietly as a stalking cat and entered a minute later. It seemed like forever before he called her into the building. She approached the house and entered to immediately smell the stench of death. She entered the den and gasped at what she saw. Her father lay on the floor not moving. "Is he... is he...de...ad," Maria stuttered.

"Yes I'm afraid so," said Ash, looking at her and shaking his head, sadly. Then he was by her side and hugging her tightly to him. Maria just relaxed into his embrace. She would have liked to stay there forever, but she knew she couldn't. Finally, he let her go and said quietly, the anger evident in his voice. "A vampire did this. Every single drop of blood was drained from his body.

"Seth," growled Maria, in a low dangerous voice. Ash looked at her and saw the dangerous glint in her eyes.

Maria burst into tears and dropped to her knees beside her father's corpse. "I will avenge you dad. That I promise you," Maria whispered, she silently placed a kiss on her father's forehead then rose and silently began packing. There was nothing to hold her here now. She would go with Ash and she would avenge her father's death, even if it was the last thing she did.

~~~A New Life~~~

An hour later, they were on their way. Ash had his cell phone in one hand talking to Thierry and was driving with the other. "They murdered him in cold blood Thierry," said Ash, into the phone anger evident in his voice. "It was Seth that did it. Every ounce of blood was drained from her father's body."

Thierry was understandably sympathetic. "How is Maria doing?"

"Okay for the moment, but she had this very dangerous glint in her eyes when she saw her father's corpse. I'm afraid she is going to do something, extremely stupid if I let her out of my sight for even a minute," said Ash.

"Like going to challenge Seth on her own?" Thierry asked.

"Yeah and it has me worried," said Ash, glancing at Maria's sleeping form a bit worriedly. "Oh and Maria asked me to tell you that she wants protection for her friend Lynn and her family. Maria and her are; extremely close and she's afraid that Seth will go after her if he finds that out."

"Alright, give me the address and I'll send a few people down to keep an eye on her."

"Maria also asked me to tell you that she thinks Lynn is a lost Harman," said Ash.

"Oh?" asked Thierry, sounding extremely interested.

"Yeah, Maria says that Lynn can sometimes see things that come true and even cause stuff to happen when she loses her temper," said Ash.

"Sounds like a lost witch all right," said Thierry, sounding thoughtful. "Which; means the ones following her ought to be extremely careful in case she strikes out at the ones trying to protect her accidentally."

"Yes," said Ash and he was about to add something else when Maria awoke. She had been listening to the conversation while half asleep.

"Let me talk to him please," said Maria, gesturing for him to hand her the phone. Ash handed it over reluctantly. "Thierry, Lynn would never hurt anyone on purpose it's not in her nature," Maria told Thierry.

"I know Maria we'll do our best to protect your friend," said Thierry, soothingly.

"I know Thierry, but if you just give her a message from me and tell her what's going on she'll believe you if I give you the password we use."

"Okay what is it," asked Thierry.

Maria told him and he wrote it down. "Would you tell her for me that I'll contact her as soon as I'm able?"

"Of course," said Thierry and hung up. Thierry sat back in his chair and glanced at his soulmate who was sitting by his side.

"So, Ash found his soulmate again? I'm glad he has not been a very happy person the last 60 years or so," said Leigh. Thierry had just found his soulmate Leigh a few years ago after Hannah had died of old age. Leigh had all of Hannah's memories and was a vampire as well. Thierry had, had to turn her into one when Ridge Redfern had run her off the road and nearly killed her and she would have died if Thierry had not been there to save her.

"Maria thinks that her best friend may be a lost witch," said Thierry. "And from what Ash has told me I agree with her."

"Which; means she could be dangerous. If she thinks her life is in danger she may react on the spur of the moment and not even realize what she is doing," said Leigh.

"Exactly," said Thierry, looking at Leigh with such a loving expression that Leigh blushed under his gaze.

She returned his look and then leaned down and kissed him on the lips and Thierry responded instantly to the kiss, deepening it until they both broke apart, breathless.

"I'll send Quinn and his soulmate," said Thierry. Quinn's soulmate Rashel Jordan had died years ago and then about a year ago he had found her again and he was a lot happier then he had been when Rashel had died

"That's good," said Leigh, nodding approvingly at his choice. "But don't you think you need more the two? After all Seth is extremely dangerous."

"What about James and Poppy?" asked Thierry looking at his wife.

"Aren't they away at the moment?" asked Leigh.

"That's right they are," said Thierry. "Well, we need to figure out someone else to send," said Thierry, looking thoughtfully at Leigh.

"What about the werewolf that just joined Circle Daybreak? What's his name?" said Leigh, trying to remember.

"Tim?" asked Thierry. "Is that who you thinking about?"

"Yes Tim, why don't you send him," said Leigh.

"Do you really think he is up for the kind of responsibility this mission will bring? I've heard some very negative things about him."

"How are we ever going to know what he is up for if we don't give him a chance? Besides, you know that most night people consider werewolves second class citizens."

"Alright, Tim is then I just hope your faith in him doesn't get the girl hurt," said Thierry. He didn't say or killed because he didn't want to think about what could happen.

~~~A New Life~~~