unwavering.
I lifted an eyebrow in questioning, but she didn't rise to my bait. She stood solidly, unmoveable in her beliefs. I had to admire her morals, even if they weren't what I wanted to
hear right now. "Well I can't," I whispered, looking away from the girl in front of me. She wasn't the one I wished was here right now.
Gazing down the empty corridor, the distance between MaryLynnette and I seemed enormous. Though she was only down the hall, I already found myself missing her. I had no
idea how I'd gone six months without her. It seemed impossible now. I never wanted her to disappear from my life again.
"Hey," Thea said softly, touching my cheek gently to get my attention. I slowly drew my eyes away from what felt like a great chasm that was between me and Mare. I didn't say
anything, just stared at the witch, waiting for her to continue. In truth, most of my mind was somewhere else anyway. "I know this is hard," she said, and I tried my best to focus
solely on her. "I'm not trying to make this any more difficult by pushing you into something you don't want to do. But believe me when I say that telling her is the right thing. She'll
find out eventually and the longer you leave it, the worse it'll be." I couldn't argue with that. I knew that if MaryLynnette ever found out through someone else, or knew that I'd
kept this from her, she'd never trust me again. All my work to prove myself to her would be for nothing.
"We still don't know that she's definitely cursed," I began, trying desperately to come up with a new argument. I don't know why, but I needed any excuse I could think of to delay
giving Mare the dreaded truth. "I don't want to worry her over nothing. I promise that once I know for certain that the curse is real, I'll tell her. You have my word."
Thea didn't looked convinced, and I could tell that she knew I was fishing for time. I didn't care; time was what I needed. And who knew, maybe there wasn't a curse after all. "You
said Winnie would be able to tell, right?" I asked. Very reluctantly, Thea slowly nodded her head agreement, as if it physically pained her to do so.
"Then it's settled. Once Winnie gets back, we'll know for definite. If it's real, I promise that I'll tell her. If it's not, then there's no harm done." I couldn't help but smile at my logic.
I'd thought of a solution, a way to stall, and a way to see if the curse was truly there or not.
The look on Thea's face wasn't what I'd hoped for, but I knew she'd never change her mind, no matter what I suggested. She'd just have to deal. "You know as well as I do what we
both saw. No matter how much you want to believe otherwise, Ash, this thing is real, and it's not going to get better. I just hope you know what you're doing."
"I do," I replied firmly. Deep down I knew she was right, that what my eyes had seen could only lead to one thing, but I couldn't bring myself to give up hope. Until I had firm proof
that some witch had cursed Mare, I wouldn't put that weight on her shoulders. Thea wasn't wrong when she'd said Mare deserved the truth, but I also believed wholeheartedly that
she also deserved peace. The happiness and relief that had radiated off of her when I'd told her nothing was wrong was imprinted on my mind. I dreaded the day that I had to take
that smile away. I'd let her live in that blissful ignorance for as long as possible.
"I don't know much about curses, but if you spot anything out of the ordinary, tell me. If she's unusually tired, or energetic, if you see anything wrong, like unexplained scars or
bleeding, it could be a sign of the magic working into her system. Also any personality changes or mood swings could be signs. Just keep a look out." Thea sighed, seemingly
resigned to follow my lead in this. I smiled gratefully, both for her advice and her cooperation.
"Thanks," I said, "I'll keep my eyes peeled." She nodded her head, offering a small, sad smile. "I know you will," she replied, before backing off down the corridor. I watched her
retreating form as she probably went to find Eric.
I made my way back to the kitchen, eager to keep an eye on MaryLynnette. When I got there, she was talking to Rowan, deep in conversation. She looked well enough, showing no
signs of what Thea had told me to keep a look out for, which was good news, right?
Instead of intruding on the conversation between my soul mate and my sister, I looked around the kitchen for other friendly faces. To my disappointment, neither Rashel nor Quinn
were in sight. I made my way over to Hannah who was chatting animatedly with Illiana. "Hey," I said, tapping her on the shoulder. She turned around in her seat, offering me a big
smile. She didn't seem to mind that I'd interrupted. "Hey, Ash. I was going to come and talk to you earlier, but you disappeared. How's MaryLynnette? After seeing her last night in
the state she was in, it's a little unbelievable that she's up a raring to go so soon."
I knew Hannah's words were harmless, but they sent my mind into overdrive. Wasn't too much energy one of the symptoms Thea had described? Was it a sign of the curse? I shook my head to rid myself of such thoughts. I was just being overly paranoid. MaryLynnette had never been one to sit still whilst everyone else was up and doing something.
"Yeah, she's good. Thea said she looked worse than she was because of all the blood. But yeah, I was surprised to when she said she wanted to come down so soon, but then again,
she's stubborn. Not even a vampire attack can keep her down."
Both Illiana and Hannah laughed goodnaturedly at that, and I smiled along with them. "So," I began, returning to the reason I'd originally come over here for. "Where're Quinn and
Rashel? I thought they'd be here." In fact, I was a little hurt that they hadn't shown up to meet MaryLynnette.
"Oh, I thought you knew," Hannah said with a frown. "Know what?" I asked sharply. Was something wrong? I should have known there'd be a good reason why they didn't show.
"There's been a lead on the last wild power. Someone called in saying they'd spotted the blue fire, and Thierry sent Quinn and Rashel to go check it out. Keller, Winnie and Nissa
have gone to confirm the reliability of the source, whilst the other two are scouting for a location." I raised my eyebrows in surprise that I hadn't heard about this sooner. A lead on
the last wild power was big news.
"You were so busy with Mare that no one thought to fill you in, sorry," she added, seeing my confused look. I gave her a reassuring smile. "It's okay. I was just wondering where
they were, that's all."
With that I left the two girls to return to their conversation. Looking around, I didn't know what to do with myself. My feet seemed to work of their own accord as they took me to
the back door and out into the garden.
The morning sun bounced off of every leaf, petal and stem, giving the garden a heavenly effect. The blooming flowers and fish filled pond were new additions to the mansion
garden. Upon finding out that she couldn't leave the mansion, Illiana had discovered a new hobby for gardening. Unlike Jez, who'd put all of her efforts into escaping the confines of
the house, Illiana had put her energy into making a rather glorious sight with the plants. I wasn't any Alan Titchmarsh but even I could tell that she'd done a hell of a good job.
"Hello, brother, fancy seeing you here. I never thought you were one to appreciate the fine art of floriculture." I turned to see my least favourite sister leaning against the
brickwork of the house, her golden eyes staring me down.
"I could say the same about you, Kestrel. I'm surprised you're even here. Aren't there any unsuspecting humans you should be preying on right now?" I quirked an eyebrow in her
direction. She shook her head, her blonde hair falling around her in a veil. A rueful smile played at her lips as she replied. "You would think so wouldn't you? But it turns out all the
fun is happening here. What with MaryLynnette getting attacked
, and then that curse and all. I wouldn't miss all of this drama for the world."
Immediately I felt my body stiffen at her words, every muscle standing on edge. "How do you know about that?" I asked harshly, taking a threatening step towards her. Thea had
said she'd told no one, how the hell had my sister found out about the curse?
My reaction seemed to be exactly what Kestrel was looking for, as a small victorious smile lit up her face. She straightened up at my advance, turning from a casual posture, to a
ready one. Kestrel and I had been in too many fights to think that this wouldn't end in confrontation. Unlike normal siblings, we both knew that neither of us was against using
violence.
"Touchy subject?" She asked, her voice sweet and full of innocence. The dangerous glittering of her eyes gave her away though. There was nothing innocent about my sister; she
didn't know the meaning of the word. Out of all of my siblings, she was the most like me.
"How do you know about the curse?" I repeated in a hiss. When she didn't answer, clearly enjoying keeping me in the dark, I felt something in my mind snap. I may have been
trying to rid myself of the old Ash Redfern, but Kestrel seemed to bring out the worst in me. Grabbing her arm in a vice like grip, I snarled in her face. "Kestrel, answer me."
Whatever pretence of civility she'd had disappeared the second my hand touched her arm. Baring her fangs, she looked truly terrifying. If I hadn't grown up with such displays, I may have been scared. Letting out a catlike hiss, she wrenched her arm forcefully out of my grip. "I don't take orders from you," she said, leaning into my face. "I don't take orders
from anyone."
I took a step back, trying to force my anger back into its cage. Getting frustrated and angry would get me nowhere. "Kestrel, please," I began, starting on another route. "Just tell me where you found out about that. Who else knows?" I urgently looked towards the back door, nervous of who could be listening. She snorted a laugh at my worry. "Calm it, Ash. I
overheard you and Thea talking earlier. You never did learn how to keep your voice down."
I sighed in nervous relief. I was glad that the curse wasn't a widely known thing that someone had told Kestrel. But on the other hand, if she had overheard, who else had?
"Did you really have to be so stubborn in giving me your answer?" I asked, shaking my head at Kestrel's antics. She laughed, returning to her leaning position against the wall. "I
couldn't resist the opportunity to see you all wound up," she said, her tone surprisingly light after what had just went down. But that was the thing about mine and Kestrel's
relationship, it didn't take long for things to get violent, but it also returned to normal again incredibly quickly. Well most of the time it did.
Mimicking her relaxed posture, I took a seat opposite her on an ornate garden bench. Leaning forward and resting my elbows on my knees, I looked over to her. "Did you really
follow me out here just to taunt me, or was there something else you wanted?" I asked, raising my eyebrows.
She gave me a shocked expression, crossing her arms over her chest. "I was out here first I'll have you know, you're the one stalking me if anything. So no, there's nothing I want,
although taunting you was fun. We should do it again sometime," she said, flashing me a smile.
I shook my head, half in amusement and half in exasperation. What went on in Kestrel's head really did baffle me. The day I called snarling in my sister's face whilst she hissed and
bared her fangs 'fun', was a day I would sincerely regret.
"So if you didn't come out here in hope of having such marvellous company, why are you out here? Are you here to admire the florithingy?"
"Floriculture," she supplied, after my failed attempt at remembering the word. "And not that it's any of your business, but I'm out here on such a divine morning because you
Daybreakers are surprisingly against smokers." She brandished a pack of cigarettes, pulling one out and lighting it up.
I didn't even bother to ask about the new development, I assumed she'd picked the habit up while I'd been gone. This sort of thing from Kestrel really didn't surprise me anymore;
she was always looking for a way to show that she was more powerful than humans. This latest fad was just a new way to rub her perfect health in their faces.
Blowing out a puff of smoke, she looked up at the mansion she was leaning against. "What's up with all this, anyway?" She asked, returning her attention back to me. "I never
thought that this was your type of scene. Smokey basements with dodgy poker games: yes. Large mansions with a load of dogooders: no."
I shook my head in disbelief. "You knew that I was trying to prove myself to Mare. This is part of that, and I surprisingly get on very well here. You didn't think I'd really be able to
do it, did you? You didn't believe that I could change."
She gave me a sympathetic face, but looked in no way guilty for her doubts in me. I hadn't expected a pat on the back from my sister, but I'd at least thought she'd had a little faith
in me. "I've known you too long, Ash," she said, tapping on her cigarette, the embers falling to the floor. I winced; Illiana would not be happy about that. Kestrel was unfazed as she
continued. "I've seen what you were like first hand, I know what you're capable off. People don't just come back from that sort of thing. You may have everyone else fooled, but I
remember what you've done."
I hung my head in shame, letting my hair cover my face so that she wouldn't see the look of guilt that resided there. I knew I could never make up for the things I'd done, or for the
person I used to be, but I was on the right path now, even if Kestrel didn't believe it. But then she'd never had a soul mate; she didn't know what that sort of connection could do to
a person.
"You're wrong," I replied, still not lifting my head. I didn't trust the emotions that would be showing in my eyes. "I have changed," I continued. "I'd do anything for MaryLynnette,
and for her I can leave behind whatever it is I've done. You may not believe people can change, but I've seen first hand how others here have turned their life around."
There were a few minutes of silence as we both pondered our own thoughts. After what felt like forever, I heard feather light footsteps as Kestrel came to sit on the bench next to me. I tilted my head to look at her, and found her eyes boring into mine. Her expression wasn't cold exactly, just closed off. It wasn't a look I was used to on her, but I'd noticed it
a few times when I'd first showed up at Briar Creek.
"Jade and Rowan may have forgotten," she began, and I perked up a little, interested in what she had to say. "They may have even forgiven you, but to me it's still crystal clear why we were on the run in the first place. They've overlooked the reason you showed up in Briar Creek, to drag us back to the Island, kicking and screaming. You are the reason we
lived in fear, looked over our shoulders at every turn, jumped at every shadow. I won't forget that. I'm not as forgiving as they are and I'm sure as hell not as accepting of this
"new you". I'm not fooled by this charade, and I'll be watching you."
I closed my eyes, resting my head in my hands. If there was one thing I regretted more than anything, it was causing my sisters to live in terror, but I'd moved on. I knew Rowan
and Jade had forgiven me, Jade especially, but I still felt guilty. Kestrel had every right to be mistrusting.
"Look, Kestrel, I mean it when I say all of that's behind me. I promise that I will never let anything happen to any of you. You're safe," I said, willing for her to believe me.
She tapped me lightly on the shoulder, pushing herself up from the bench. "Yeah, you keep telling yourself that," she muttered walking back to the door. I watched as she
disappeared back into the house, leaving me slightly hollow inside.
After staring at the closed door for what
must have been a half hour, I found the motivation to go back indoors. More than ever, I felt as if I needed MaryLynnette by my side.
The kitchen was almost empty when I got back in, only David and Eric stand at the sink, mucking around whilst doing the washing up. I rolled my eyes at their childish behaviour as
I passed them. "Do you know where MaryLynnette is?" I asked, running a hand through my hair. Hopefully she'd seen sense and gone back to bed.
"Uhhh, I think she's in the living room," Eric replied, only half taking notice of what he was saying. He was far more interested in using a plate to shield himself from David's attack
of soapy water. "Thanks," I muttered, turning to leave. Before exiting I called over my shoulder, "You do realise Hannah will actually kill you guys if you make too much of a mess."
Their worried mutterings faded into background noise as I made my way to the living room.
Upon entering, my eyes immediately began their search for Mare. It wasn't hard to spot her, as the room wasn't too busy. Delos and Maggie were lounging in the corner, whilst
Morgead was aggressively flicking through channels on the TV. He was pressing the remote buttons so hard that I was sure he was going to break it.
My eyes, as if guided by some hidden force, gravitated towards where MaryLynnette lay on the couch. I idly wondered where my sisters had gotten to, and found myself getting a
little angry that they had ditched her. After last night, I would have thought they'd be more cautious about leaving her by herself. Of course she was safe while at the mansion, but
still.
As I drew nearer to my soul mate, I could see that she'd rested her head against the armrest of the sofa, and her eyes had drifted closed. I smiled smugly to myself. I
needed to rest. Was that because of the attack and the left over remedies in her system, or was it because of the curse?
I gently settled myself down beside her, trying not to wake her. At the movement her eyes fluttered open. "Sorry to wake you," I said softly, reaching out to tuck a stray lock of
hair behind her ear. I let my hand linger on her cheek for a moment longer that necessary, savouring the touch. She leaned into my palm, using my hand as a pillow. A content sigh
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