Desirable Nightmare

-*- Chapter 27 - (Sherlock's Watson)

'Ash?'

'Hmm?'

'Could you pass my drink?'

Ashlyn grabbed my vanilla latte from the coffee table and handed it to me, not once removing her eyes from the movie.

It was the tenth coffee over the course of a week and three days. Ten days of being on house arrest and occupying myself with annoying anyone who happened to stop by; but mostly it was Ashlyn who bore the brunt of my boredom with movies, music, and idle chatter.

'Thanks.'

She grunted.

Looking at her over the rim of the cup, I smirked and thought of another way I could piss her off. I really shouldn't do it, but damn do those little wrinkles on her forehead and her pout make her hot!

Though the first time I had seen the expression was when I woke up in my bed; spelled bandages soaked in foul smelling ointments wrapped around my body and a killer headache ready to tear my head apart. Apparently I had been in a feverish state for a week, missing out on the Halloween ball and on Sam's tear-jerking reunion with his family and Chris. But, throughout it all, Ashlyn had stayed by my side, patiently holding me down when I had violent nightmares I didn't remember and only leaving when she needed to eat, bathe and drink blood. Not even Phoebe and Tru hung around that much.

The only other regulars were Jesse and Lucianna Tyner, talking about what a Skinwalker is and about Solomon Bane's case. And yet they managed to avoid any sensitive subjects like what The Order stood for and what was written in my mother's journal.

It's not like I want to know why Solomon was going to kill me and what a Souleater is. I thought, unable to withhold a pout.

Ashlyn glanced at me out of the corner of her eye and warned, 'don't.'

'Don't what?'

'Don't do whatever you're thinking.'

'What am I thinking?' I taunted, pleased to notice the small frown puckering her forehead. Damn is she cute.

'How to annoy me some more.'

'Is it working?'

She shook her head and turned to face me fully. 'Fortunately for you, I'm a glutton for punishment.'

'Good.' Swinging my bandaged legs onto her lap, I asked, 'so what's everyone up to?'

'What do you mean?' She cocked her head to the side and started to absently massage my calves.

The zombie bite gave a twinge but nothing more, long since healed of any residue venom.

'Beebs and Tru have been fluttering about like busybodies and keep locking themselves away in their rooms. Carmen, Vick and Eliza don't stop by anymore and whenever I call, they're quick to brush me off.' I frowned. 'Even Sam and Chris are acting a bit shady.'

Pushing my legs aside, Ashlyn crawled into the gap between me and the back of the sofa. 'You think they're avoiding you, don't you?' She murmured, allowing me to curl up against her with our legs semi-entwined.

'I don't know.' Breathing in her soothing scent, I draped my arm over her waist. 'It just feels like it.'

'You know they're busy with school and stuff, so it probably makes it look like they're not giving you much time. That and, because you're stuck in the house.' Running her nails across my scalp, Ashlyn added, 'Besides I'm not ignoring you.'

'No you're not.' Which makes me wonder what the hell is going on. Phoebe didn't call me Sherlock for nothing after all, and right now my sleuth senses were tingling.

'You know it's for your own good too,' Ashlyn said, 'I mean we all know how easy it is for you to stumble upon trouble.'

'Yeah, Lucky and Jesse won't let it alone,' I mumbled, remembering how the Tyner twins had constantly mocked my trouble-magnet ways when I was still bedridden. 'But it's been over two weeks and I feel fine.'

Ash pulled back a bit to look into my eyes. 'Fine translates to?'

Breaking eye contact, I stared at the vine design on her white shirt and mumbled, 'frustrated, irritated, nuisance and energetic.'

'Nuisance?'

'Yeah, every time I ask Beebs or Tru who they're talking on the phone to, they'll clam up and beat a hasty retreat, or they look at me like I'm an annoying child.'

'It's only because they're dealing with the authorities. A lot has to be explained to the Hunter Council about what happened and why The Order are still hanging around.'

'Who?'

Her faint heartbeat picked up speed. Apparently she wasn't supposed to let that slip.

Twisting so I hovered above her, one hand on the back of the sofa and the other on the armrest, I asked, 'what're you hiding from me, AJ?'

'N-nothing.' She bit her plump, lip, canines protruding delicately, as her butterscotch-brownie eyes swirled black.

'Really?' I ducked my head and ran my nose from her chin to her ear. 'You sure about that?'

'Y-yes.' Her hands crept around my waist, to spread out across the small of my back. 'No one is hiding anything.'

'Fair enough.' Laying one more lingering kiss at the corner of her lips, I pushed myself up and off of the sofa.

'Y-you're just leaving it like this?' She spluttered, surprised that I had left her in that state without more teasing.

'Yup.' Popping the 'p' I wandered into the kitchen for the unlocked back door. If she wasn't going to tell me anything, I sure as hell wasn't going to abide by their rules and stay locked up in side on a reasonably bright day.

Reasonable being no rain, snow, sleet or storm. I thought, eyeing the egg-white clouds through the windows.

'You know you're not allowed outside.'

She growled, disgusted with the thought of being caged any longer.

'So that include the garden too?' I retorted, as I flicked the lock and swung the door open. Breathing in the cold air of the outdoors, I felt ten times better.

'Hailey, you know what I mean,' Ashlyn sighed, as she followed me out onto the porch steps.

'No, I don't.' Sprawling out, I leant my head back and allowed the wind to tease my deprived skin. 'So please, spell it out for me, before I end up legging it like I've wanted to for the past week.'

'It's that bad?'

'You've got no idea,' I groaned, pressing my hands against my eyes. 'Can you please take me somewhere? A walk to the local shop? Anything.'

'Aw you poor thing,' Ashlyn cooed, as she ran her hands through the back of my hair. 'All cooped up like a house cat.'

'Not funny,' I growled, glaring at her from beneath my messed up curls.

'Come on.' Giving my back a swat, she stood up. 'You're coming with me.'

'What? Why? Where to?'

'No talking, get walking,' She ordered, whilst grabbing my arm to pull me up.

I saluted. 'Yes ma'am!'

'Don't call me ma'am.' She wrinkled her nose. 'Makes me sound old.'

'And that'd make you a Cougar right?' With a wink and a flash of a smile, I sprinted through to the front of the house and skidded to a halt at the locked door.

Hot on my heels, Ashlyn slammed into me, just as I fumbled to flick the lock and wrapped both her arms around me.

'Wait! Freedom! Fre-e-edom!' Yelling at the top of my voice, I fought against her hold, as she grabbed her car keys and slipped on her shoes.

'You're like an overexcited puppy,' she complained, pinning me to her side in an iron grip.

'I'd like to see how you act after being locked up in your house for over a week,' I griped, as she dragged me out to her sleek Chevrolet Impala.

Tempting as it was to wriggle free, I felt inclined to allow her to deposit me in her front seat and strap me in; only so I could watch the worry melt from her eyes at being able to perform such simplistic acts for me.

Who knew that Vampires are naturally maternal?

At the driver's side in a flash, Ashlyn slipped into her seat, then started the engine. 'Ready?' She asked, with the rev of the engine purring beneath her voice.

I gulped, suddenly uncertain whether I wanted to leave the house after all. 'Y-yeah.'

'Good.'
Tires spun and rubber squealed, as we shot out of the drive.

'Ash?' Sinking into the cool leather with a sigh, I rolled my head to look at her.

'Hmm?' Changing gears with vampiric speed, she swung the wheel and brought the Impala into a smooth turn onto the main road.

'Where are we going?'

She winked.

This can't be good.

-*-

'Lacey's? You brought me to Lacey's?'

'I can take you straight back home, you know.'

Rapidly shaking my head, I said, 'no, no its fine.'

Ashlyn shrugged and cut the engine, parking right at the end of the lot; wedged between a beat up white van and a graffiti smeared wall. 'I'm breaking the rule as it is,' She said, 'So be a little more grateful.'

I hopped out of the car, meeting her eyes over the hood and said, 'you know I'm grateful, it's just I thought you'd take me to our hill or something.'

'That isn't what you need right now.' She smirked, dashing around the bonnet to hook an arm around mine. 'Besides, I thought you'd be sick of having just me for company.'

'Nah, I'd never tire of annoying you.' I bumped her hip with mine, and pulled her towards the dimmed café front. That's weird.

Checking her phone, Ashlyn looked around. 'Should be on time….'

Okay now something is definitely up.

'Expecting someone?'

Biting her lip, she said, 'no, why do you ask?'

'Because you look like you are.' Hesitating at the café's door, I scrutinised her guilty expression. 'What aren't you telling me?'

'Uh….' Ashlyn glanced over my shoulder and breathed a sigh of relief. 'You'll find out soon enough.'

I yelped, as hands snaked around my waist and dragged me backwards through the doorway. 'What the hell?'

Spinning me around, Phoebe's familiar laughter stopped my struggling, as she set me back onto my feet. 'Sorry, but that was too much fun,' she cried, grinning from ear to ear.

Glaring at Ashlyn and Phoebe, I asked, 'what the hell is going on?'

'Um.' Sharing a conspiratorial look with Ash, she grabbed my hand and said, 'I'll explain later, but first you need to change.'

'Why?' And what happened to the table and chairs?

'No asking, more changing,' Phoebe ordered, dragging me towards the girls' bathroom doors.

'Fine.' Casting one last look at Ash, I staggered into the room.

'Good.' Sliding her wand from the holster on her back, she lit the room with a flick of her wrist.

Blinking rapidly, I had to do a double take. 'What the hell?'

Instead of the wooden cubicles, I was faced with a dressing room of all things. A wrack full of clothes stood on the furthest wall, as a couple of Lacey's overstuffed armchairs circle a coffee table in the centre. A mirror and vanity table spanned the length of the other wall, stools perched at periodic spaces in front of it.

Carmen poked her head around one of the chairs. 'Finally! I thought you'd never come.'

'What do you mean?' I asked, looking between the two.

Phoebe grinned and skipped to the clothing wrack, flicking through skirts, shirts and frilly dresses. 'Now we've only got twenty minutes, so I want this to be as perfect.' Tapping her lower lip, she spun towards Carmen. 'Think you can handle the make-up and hair?'

'Sure thing.'

'Uh, guys?' Pressing my back against the door, I found it locked.

Sneaky little Witch.

'Don't worry, its all for your benefit.'

I didn't like the sound of that in the slightest.

'Yeah,' Carmen piped up, 'I wouldn't say it if it weren't true and believe me this is all for you.'

'So sit back and let us work our magic,' Phoebe said, as she spelled an Ipod and speakers into existence.

To my surprise, my band started to crash through the speakers.

Now why am I getting the feeling that something big is about to happen?

I didn't protest, as Phoebe led me to the vanity table and sat me down. Nor did I protest, when Carmen threw my hair up into a top-knot and did my make-up; hiding the three jagged scars across my cheek. All the while I kept my mouth firmly shut, listening to their mutters and my band playing. The songs tugged at my heart, filling me with homesickness and the urge to hop onto the next plane to L.A.

Carmen paused in applying my eye shadow and asked, 'What's wrong?'

'N-nothing.' Plastering on a false smile, I knotted my fingers in my lap.

'Hails, don't lie,' she murmured, stroking a wayward curl behind my ear.

'It's just…. I feel like going back to L.A for a while, take a break from all of this.'

She froze, the eye shadow brush nearly in my eye. 'What for?'

'To see her pride, right Ghost?' Phoebe said, from her seat at the coffee table.

'Yeah.'

'Wait till after tonight before you decide,' Carmen advised, as she finished up my make-up. 'And you're done.'

'Why should I wait?' Standing up, I stretched out my legs.

'Just wait,' Phoebe said, without looking up from sewing a length of plaid material draped across her legs.

Scanning it and the hat perched on the table, the bulb finally went off.

'Oh, no. Hell no!' Pointing at the girls, I cried, 'I'm not dressing up in that.'

'Why not?' Holding up the dress that wouldn't reach past my knees, Phoebe asked, 'Don't you like the design?'

'No!'

She pouted. 'But I thought you like Sherlock.'

'Not when I have to dress up as him!' Pinching the bridge of my nose, I fought to control my breathing. 'Please tell me what's going on, right now.'

Dropping the dress and its matching capelet onto the coffee table, Phoebe said, 'I can't tell you because it'll ruin the surprise. So just trust us, okay?'

When you put it like that.

They pouted and chorused, 'Please!'

'Fine!' Throwing my hands into the air, I sunk onto the nearest stool. 'But I swear if I look like an idiot, then I'm going to kill you.'

'You won't, I promise.' Relieved I wasn't about to break my way out, Phoebe glanced at her watch. 'Five minutes…. Carmen, could you go see if everything is set up? I'll take it from here.'

'Sure.' Flashing me a charming smile, Carmen slipped out of the room.

A blast of shouts and mingled smells entered, before the door swung shut.

Something familiar about the citrus and musky undertones of the scents made me pause. It's awfully like Merry's.

'Done!' Holding her needle in the air, Phoebe giggled and tossed me the finished items. 'Hurry up and put these on, we don't have much time.'

Grumbling obscenities under my breath, I did as she asked. The soft plaid clung to my torso and thighs, a pale brown in colour, that matched the capelet tied around my neck and the hat on the dressing table.

With a little adjustment of the brown belt and the dipping neckline of the dress, I finally looked up. 'What do you think?'

'Brilliant!' Squealing like a schoolgirl, Phoebe rushed to grab a pair of black heels. 'Just put these on, we're running on schedule.'

Schedule? Deciding I didn't want to know, I pulled on the heels and winced when I rose a couple of inches. I'm already tall enough, but these will make me huge!

Clicking her tongue, Phoebe perched the hat on my head for a second, then tossed it aside. 'Nah, it looks fine like this.'

'You sure?'

'Yup.' She grinned. 'Damn you're looking hot!'

Staring at the long stretch of tanned legs peeking out from under my dress and the way it clung to my every curve, I winced. 'Beebs, I don't wear this sort of thing.'

'Oh hush! You look beautiful.' Whipping out her phone, she snapped a picture. 'Better than I even imagined.'

Turning to look into the mirror, I finally realised what it felt like to be a hounded model. 'No.'

'What?'

'No way am I going out there in this.'

'But I worked so long on this!' Giving me her best pout, Phoebe clashed her hands under her chin. 'Please wear it for me. Please!'

'No.' Starting to untie the capele, I added, 'I'm not going out there wearing this and that's final.'

'Bu-bu-but….'

'I'm sorry but I can't wear something like this. You know that.' Dropping the belt onto the vanity table with the capelet, I turned to my cousin with an apologetic shrug. 'I'm really sorry.'

'Fine.' Puffing a strand of hair out of her eyes, she whipped out her wand. 'I suppose I can change it a little.'

'Thank you.'

'Yeah, yeah….' Squinting one eye, she stepped back a little and pointed the wand at me. With an incoherent phrase, sparks flew out of the tip of the wand.

Keeping firm, I felt the dress strip away, leaving me in my underwear, to only reform into a much better costume. A black pencil skirt clung to my legs, stopping just past my knees, as a white mandarin-collar blouse hugged my torso and arms, tucking into the waist of the skirt; a waistcoat with a black plaid front synched in the white material around my waist, and from its pocket hung a miniature magnifying glass.

Smoothing out the material once the sparks died out, I grinned and rolled up the sleeves of the blouse. 'Now this is better.'

'You look like a teacher,' Phoebe grunted, glaring at her new creation.

'But a hot teacher,' I retorted, marvelling at my new look in the mirror. Instead of a hooker, a sophisticated girl with smoky-turquoise eyes stared back at me.

'Okay, enough ogling yourself, and more moving.'

'Why?'

'Because we're running late.' Propelling me to the doorway, Phoebe tapped her T-shirt and jeans, mumbling under her breath. Sparks encased her and in less time than it took for my clothes to change, hers merged into a pure white gown, as her black curls tumbled around her shoulders; as an afterthought, she spelled an apple into her hand, one side red and one side green. Her lips a natural red, she looked the spitting image of Snow White.

'Wow.'

'Thanks, now mush!' Opening the door, she shooed me through.

'Damn, you're impatient this….' My voice died in my throat.

What the hell?

Lacey's innards had been transformed into a Halloween ball; ghosts and skeletons drifting above the crowd and pumpkins and black cats included. Around the stage multicoloured fairy lights illuminated the band-free instruments, gleaming softly, as the crowd of endless characters and creatures filled the dance floor. The bar had become the buffet table; punch filled with fake eyeballs and teeth, plates staked with any kind of chocolate, vanilla and lemon iced cakes littered the spaces between the trough like punchbowls, with random savoury foods tucked onto the edges.

Searching the crowd, I couldn't help but wonder how I didn't figure it out sooner.

'Pretty sneaky right?' Phoebe giggled, as she hooked her arm through mine.

'Very.'

She winked, then turned to the crowd and whistled.

Instantly everyone's eyes were on me.

'Welcome everyone to Hailey's Halloween ball!'

Cheers and claps broke out like an infectious wave.

Phoebe waited until they had died down a little, before continuing. 'now, I know everyone knows how Hailey's actions are usually stupid and dangerous, however, somehow she managed to pull of saving Sam's life and catching the notorious Solomon Bane.'

Damien, Carmen, Eliza and Vicky stood in the front of the crowd, clad in costumes fitting for their supernatural gifts; they cheered and clapped, pride shining in their eyes.

I took a mocking bow, earning a few wolf-whistles.

'Which is why we decided to fly all the way from Los Angeles to see our baby girl.'

'Merry?'

'You bet, and not just me either.' Standing at centre stage, Merry beckoned the rest of my pride to join her.

Duncan, Teagan, Sebastian, Schuyler, Cris, even Caleb stood under the fairy lights in matching black suits and trilby hats. Cris held onto Merry's trouser leg, waving madly with his free arm, as Schulyer placed a hand on his shoulder and Sebastian off to his side. Caleb stood behind Merry and grinned, winking at me, then wrapped his arms around her. Duncan and Teagon jostled one another, as they beckoned me to join them.

'Get on up here!' Merry called, causing the sea of Supernaturals to part.

'Go on,' Phoebe murmured, gently pushing me forward. 'Enjoy your party.'

'Thank you.' I murmured, giving her a quick hug.

Damien grinned and clapped me on the shoulder, as I made my way through the crowd, keeping by my side, with each random congratulation I got off of strangers and friends.

But where's Ashlyn? I thought, after glimpsing Elric and Nikki in the tides of people reaching out for me.

Duncan waited until I reached the stage steps to leap down and scoop me up into a bone-crushing hug.

Returning the favour, I clung to him, burying my nose into his shaggy black hair.

'I missed you,' he mumbled, nuzzling my neck.

'I missed you too.' Gently disentangling myself from him, I stroked his stubbly cheek.

'Hailey!' Barrelling into my chest, Crispin clung to me, as his blond hair tickled my neck. 'I missed you.'

'I missed you too,' I cooed, holding him on my right hip. 'But how did you guys get here?'

Duncan grinned and led me up the steps, whilst the rest of my pride moved behind their respectful instruments; even Caleb swung on a bass.

'Beebs called us and said you needed your pride. So we came,' Crispin answered, giving me a gap-toothed smile.

'Really now? I'll have to thank her after I wring her neck.'

'I resent that!' Phoebe shouted, from Damien's wolfish arms.

Sebastian stood off to the side, his bass slung across his chest and a tender smile on his lips. When his brown eyes met mine, he winked and said, 'it's good to see you again.' Though, as he adjusted the bass, I caught a glimpse of bruises on his neck.

'What happened?' I asked, ready to rip the perpetrator apart.

Caleb winced and scratched the back of his head. 'It's my fault really, Seb was just protecting me and Merry.'

'What from?' Starting to panic, I tightened my grip on Cris.

'Later,' Sebastian murmured, with a relaxed smile. 'We're here to enjoy the night.'

'Yeah and you're joining me up front, baby girl,' Merry interjected.

Dropping Crispin to his feet, I took the microphone she offered me. 'So what're we playing?'

'Something new you thought up,' Merry answered, pushing aside the urge to hug me like she usually would.

'And that would be?'

She whispered the first verse into my ear, as the boys tuned their instruments.

'Yeah, definitely wringing her neck too,' I muttered, wondering how Kate had managed to sneak that song out of my notebook.

'Don't be too hard on them, baby girl,' Merry said, 'they're only trying to help.'

'Which is why I will….holy shit.'

I've seen hot people, wondrous sculptures and paintings, beautiful sights, and yet not one could compare to how Ashlyn looked. I thought she looked good in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt but now she looked staggering.

She stood in the doorway behind the bar, with Lacey by her side and seemed as enraptured with me, as I was with her. She was dressed in a pair of high-waist ash-grey trousers, held up by a pair of black suspenders and a white blouse, with a sinful neckline and its collar flicked up. An untied bowtie was draped around her neck and a miniature top-hat perched on her red curls, causing me to drool at the sight of the entire ensemble.

Hell she looks so…. Unable to finish that thought with the look in her butterscotch-brownie eyes, I knew she felt the same way about me.

'Hailey?' Merry nudged me. 'Hailey you in there?'

'Give me five more minutes,' I mumbled, caught by Ashlyn's sinful smile.

'And leave our adoring fans waiting? You know better than that,' Teagan chided, with a cheeky grin.

'Fine.' Managing to tear my eyes off of her, I focused on my band mates. 'You guys ready?'

'When you are,' Caleb replied, as he stood off to the side with Sebastian and Crispin holding onto his trunk-like leg.

'Okay then.' Spinning around to face the crowd, I announced, 'hey we're The Driven and we'll be playing a couple of songs for you tonight, that alright?'

'Hell yeah!' Damien hollered, over the cheers.

'Alrighty then! Let's get some butterflies in this room, shall we?'

At my glance the band threw themselves into the opening rift; Duncan swaying and fingers tripping up and down the guitar neck. Bobbing alongside him, Teagen played the chords, with Caleb and Seb's bass matching his every note. Schulyer bobbed his head three times, then started up a jaunty beat.

Here we go!

Turning to face Merry, I sang the first verse.

I know you feel this too, that tingling fire we,

Can't decide to accept, nor deny

We fight it and hate it, but know it's right

When the past is over it still hurts to let go

But I know,

Oh, we know it's right when….

Merry winked and accompanied me on the chorus, like we were back in L.A. Our boys kept up the quirky beat, dancing around and singing along with us.

You can see the light, that wasn't there

You can hold me and care, when I'm so scared

You can heal the hurt, that's still in me

Even though I bitch and moan I still know

That you and me are meant to be,

Oh, oh we know it's right when.…

You give me butterflies, with just one touch

You give me butterflies, with just one word

You give me butterflies, with just one smile

You give me butterflies, with just one look

And I can't decided, I can't decide

When to sleep tonight

I can't deny, I can't deny

This feeling inside….

Duncan stepped up to my side for his guitar solo, gyrating his hips and grinning like a madman. His brown eyes upon me, he flicked his head and pressed his back against mine.

Grinding with him until the solo was over, I laughed and stepped up to the front of the stage, meeting Ashlyn's gaze over the raucous crowd.

She smiled, as I sang the rest of the song to her.

Everyone danced to my music, shouting out the words they remembered from the chorus and our names if they didn't. Carmen and Kate started to break-dance in the middle, making complete fools of themselves in their matching dresses of red velvet and Victorian style.

Swinging an arm around Merry's shoulders, together we sang the last verse.

So hold me baby and you'll know

I won't ever let you go

The past is the past and I know its so

So tell me baby, that you still love me

Cause I can't decide, when to sleep at night

And I can't deny, oh I can't deny

This feeling inside….

Caleb hooted and strummed the final chords with Sebastian, as Schuler slammed his sticks onto the cymbals; Duncan and Teagen drew out their final notes, running their calloused fingertips up and down their guitar necks, until the music faded into the cheering crowd.

Crispin stopped jumping around like a lunatic and clung to my legs, grinning from ear to ear. 'You're amazing!'

'Thanks, buddy.' Bending to press a kiss to his hair, I added, 'but I couldn't do it without you guys.'

'Really?'

'Really, really.'

'Aw, don't go sentimental on us, baby girl,' Merry commented, over the crowd's shouts for more.

'Well I'm going to be worse after I've grabbed my girl,' I retorted, as I dropped down from the stage. Jeeze, no wonder I don't like heels. I thought, nearly falling over with the sudden pressure on the tiny heels.

'Finally got around to it then, eh King?' Caleb asked.

'Sure thing, but don't call me King, makes me sound like a guy.'

'But I have good reason to!' He protested, 'I mean pride's have kings not alphas. So technically your our King, right guys?'

'I hate to say it, but I agree with monkey-man's logic,' Teagan said, ducking away from Caleb's club fist.

'We'll discuss this later, guys, Hailey needs to get her girl,' Merry interjected, before a full out scuffle could ensue.

'Sure do.' Tossing Merry the spare mike, I allowed the crowd to swallow me.

'Oh my god! You're amazing Hailey!' Carmen gushed, as she and Kate ambushed me in a double-hug.

'Thanks, I'm glad you liked it.'

'Think you can hook me up with the drummer?' Kate asked, licking her lips at the sight of Schuyler.

Looking between the springy haired, shy, boy and the flirtatious Vampire, I winced. 'Uh, sorry but he's with Teag.'

To prove my point, Teagan wrapped his arms around Schuyler and kissed his cheek.

'What about the other one?'

'Who, Duncan?' Meeting his eyes, I smirked. 'I'm sure he wouldn't mind.'

He rolled his eyes and turned his back on us.

'Doesn't look very interested,' Carmen remarked.

'Yeah, he's not always like this though, he's quite forthcoming once you get to know him.'

'Oh, good.' A wicked glint in her eyes, Kate snagged Carmen's arm and pulled her to the foot of the stage.

'I was beginning to think you were never going to find me.'

'T-technically you found me,' I stammered, feeling Ashlyn's body pressed against my back.

She chuckled and snaked her arms around my waist. 'Touché.'

Turning around, I found myself an inch taller than her. God I love heels.

Her smile widening, she said, 'you were stunning on stage.'

'Only on stage?' I teased, as I cupped her cheek and ran my thumb across her porcelain skin.

'I won't lie to you.' Her lips twitched mischievously. 'But you do look beautiful every time I lay my eyes on you.'

Cue the fuzzies. Butterflies erupted in my chest, bringing on an uncontrollable grin. 'Really?'

'Mmhmm.'

'Then to me in waking and in sleep, you look breath-taking.' My eyes dropped to her red lips, then back up to her eyes.

She blushed and bit the corner of her lip. 'Really?'

'Really, really,' I murmured, before dipping my head to kiss her. Teasing her lower lip out from between her teeth, I wrapped my arms around her waist, as hers travelled up to my neck.

Sighing, she molded herself to my front, kissing away the world.

Parting from her lips felt like torture, but I still managed to. With my eyes half-closed, I rubbed my nose against hers, breathing in our mingled scents.

'What're you thinking?' She whispered, as we rocked gently to my band's song.

'The bet we made a few weeks ago.'

'Oh?' Her eyes on my lips, she licked her own.

'Yeah, so I want to ask you a question.'

That got her attention.

Big butterscotch-brownie orbs upon mine, she smiled tenderly and swept her knuckles across my cheek. 'Anything.'

Here goes nothing…. 'Ash will you be my-'

'-Ah-hem!'

I'm going to kill them….

Lifting my head, I found us surrounded by Augustus, Percy, Jesse and Lucianna. They all wore matching satin shirts and trousers, all black with mandarin collars and a dragon embroidered across the left breast, curling around their sides and the sleeves.

Well at least they dressed up. I thought.

Her enjoyment of interrupting me was short lived by Jesse who cuffed her over the back of her head. She scowled and readjusted her chocolate curls.

Percy stepped forward and smiled sagely. 'I'm terribly sorry, but we have a problem.'

'What problem?' I narrowed my eyes, really wishing I could wipe the smirk off of Lucianna's face.

She cocked an eyebrow and retorted, 'a problem best said in private.' She pointedly looked at Ashlyn.

Oh hell no!

Wrapping an arm around Ash's shoulders, I said, 'whatever you have to say, can be said in front of Ash.'

'Thank you.' She kissed my cheek and snuggled into my side.

Lucianna rolled her eyes and gestured to the exit. 'Shall we take this outside? Before the lovebirds get distracted again.'

Percy nodded. 'I think it prudent.' Then with a toss of his long grey peppered hair, he led us through the crowd.

Nobody stopped us, scared of the stony expressions on the members of The Order, or too entranced with Merry's voice to notice we even left.

Breathing in the crisp evening air, I faced the semi-circle of The Order members and held Ashlyn closer to my side. 'So what's the bad news?'

Please say It's not troublemaking.

Augustus and Percy shared a concerned look.

'Solly's managed to escape London's branch of the Council,' Lucianna said, surveying the sliver of starry sky.

'Escaped?' Ashlyn repeated, 'but how?'

'It would seem that Solomon has managed to find very influential friends.' Reaching into his breast pocket, Augustus handed over a photograph. 'This was taken early this morning at three, fifty-two.'

Staring at the grainy faces, I made out Solomon's in amongst the men in crisp suits. 'Who're they?'

'Edvard, Viktor, Pierce and Nicholas. The finding fathers of the Valentine Brothers,' Ashlyn muttered, all compassion leaked out of her eyes.

'And they are?' I turned to look at her, but Lucianna spoke instead.

'Kings of the Vampires, dark rulers from the ancient city of Greece, and apparently Solomon's sugar-daddies.'

'So what do they want with me?' Though I had a cold feeling that I already knew.

Jesse stepped forward, and answered for The Order. 'They want you Hailey.'

'Preferably dead,' Lucianna added.

And here I thought I shirked the trouble-magnet.