DISCLAIMER! I own nothing, save the main character, Elanor. Even Spark does not belong to me, but a very good friend of mine. Some characters belong to J.K. Rowling, and others to Stephenie Meyer.

Preface:

I never thought I was beautiful, or stunning; never thought I was any better than anyone else in the world. So why was I chosen to have a life like this; a life ever-lasting? Why was I the special person allowed to live through the feeding, allowed to live for the rest of eternity, with a best friend? What was so special about me, that I could have everything?

Ch. 1: History 101

I sat anxiously on the plane. Italy! Who would have guessed that I could go to Italy, and for almost nothing! I couldn't help but smile to myself as I looked out the window. Sure, I was going to educational purposes. I'm a freshman, enrolled in the New Jersey College for Women, the first in my family to be in college. Four of my classes were going to Italy; Art, History, Architecture, and Foreign Cultures. In Art we were studying landscapes, and what better place to study landscapes then one of the most beautiful countries in the world? I personally could envision a beautiful setting, the sun descending in the sky, a gondola drifting in the river. In Architecture, we were studying Italian-style buildings. In Foreign Cultures, we were obviously studying Italian culture, and in History we were studying Vampire history. We were headed to Volterra, specifically. Volterra was the main 'vampire-ish' place. Though, who believes any of that? I mean, vampires, come on.

I'm definitely the luckiest girl in the world. I'm not extremely pretty, but I've got some looks. I've long golden hair that I usually wear straight, and my eyes are a blue that seems like they're a crystal-tinted blue. I'm average height, average weight, possibly slightly under. I'm not wealthy, or particularly genius, but I have a love of knowledge and I am constantly testing my strength, pushing my limits. I managed to get a scholarship that paid for the majority of this trip. The rest I had to take out of my savings; savings I'd been keeping to take my half-brother, Edward, on a trip to New Zealand. But he told me, so long as I brought him back something wickedly-awesome, that he'd forgive me for going to Italy.

I can't help but sigh as I look out the window again. I can see us getting close. Edward and my relationship is definitely an awkward one. For years, Edward's mother and father, Elizabeth and Edward Masen, tried conceiving a child, but to no avail. They decided to ask a friend of theirs to help them out; my mother. They asked her if she would carry a baby for them, and she said she'd be happy to. A few months after my mother conceived me, my father told my mother that his wife was now expecting. Sadly, they couldn't afford to take care of two children, so they would have to choose. My father and Elizabeth decided to keep Elizabeth's child, since he was completely biologically related; which is okay with me. My mother told me she didn't think she would have been able to give me up anyway. I was born six months before Edward; six months exactly. Now I am 18, and loving every minute of it. In truth, I love every minute of my life. My biological father and I are fairly close, and I even get along well with Elizabeth. My mother, rest her soul, passed away a few months ago; about a month before I got accepted into N.J.C.W. She died of natural causes or something along those lines. Sure, I miss her, but you can't live life mourning those you lose; death is a part of life.

"Elanor! Look! We're starting to land!" says the girl next to me, whose name I think is Sarah. She's pointing out the window, which I'd turned away from not two minutes ago. "Aren't you excited?"

Sarah was going to be my roommate in Italy, because we needed to have 'buddies' with us at all times. I tried not to roll my eyes when they told me. Why insult us by calling us buddies, why not just call us 'volunteer babysitters?' But hey, it's not my place to judge. After all, I'm here, in Italy, for virtually nothing. We got off the plane and, with talkative Sarah by my side; we headed out into the city of Volterra. We found our hotel, checked in, and found our rooms. Professor Callaghan, my History professor, told Sarah and I that we were allowed to tour the city by ourselves and that we needed to be back by 11 o'clock.
As Sarah and I walked through the ancient, and quite breathtaking, city, Sarah talked aimlessly; with me nodding at what I thought were appropriate times; apparently they were for she didn't seem to think any where out of place, at least, not that she let on. I'm not quite sure how, but we ended up in a rather large group, that was being led on a 'special tour' of one of Volterra's oldest buildings. The tour guides were quite beautiful, almost godly. I'm pretty sure Sarah said something along those lines too; I know for a fact she noticed because she stopped talking.

We followed the group as these strangely beautiful people led us into an ancient looking building. It was almost like we were going underneath the city. Just as we entered into a receptionist-looking place, I felt the atmosphere change. My senses went into overdrive, and suddenly I knew something that no one else consciously knew. We weren't going on a tour; we were going to be slaughtered. I wasn't sure how, or why, and I didn't care. I started looking around to find a way out, for both Sarah and I. I looked over at Sarah, and saw panic on her face. I took her hand and squeezed it reassuringly. "Don't worry." I whispered. "I'll make sure we get out of this…" 'Somehow' I added in my thoughts.

We were led into a rather large room, with many more godly-looking people who were standing around. There were three papery-looking people who were standing slightly back from everyone else. I couldn't help but look at one of them, the one in the center. I felt eyes on me, from everywhere in the room. I refused to feel panic. Concentrating on my breathing I watched as one, kinder looking, man whispered something to the god in the middle; at this point, I was convinced the three in the middle were gods.

The group I'd been herded in was told to stand in a straight line. The three gods looked at each of us individually. One of the gods looked utterly bored; another looked vicious; the third, the god in the middle looked like he was the nicest…and he couldn't keep his eyes off of me. I glared back; it was the only way I knew the fear wouldn't seep into my facade of bravery. He stood up and spoke, his voice fairly intriguing, in and of itself, looking at me the entire time. "What is your name?"

My eyes narrowed as every head turned toward me. I was fairly pleased with my reaction; surprised, almost, at how calm I was staying. "Elanor." My voice was strong, sturdy, and rung almost like a bell throughout the quiet room.

I seemed to please the middle-god; he smiled briefly then nodded to one of the people by him, who proceeded to walk towards me. He reached a hand out, staring at my eyes, to grab my arm, but I pulled away from him and glared. He took a step back. I felt Sarah shudder next to me. "I'm not going anywhere." I said venomously. The god smiled lightly again. "Alright, then stand here, next to me." He motioned to the empty spot next to him. At this, I couldn't disagree; I couldn't find a reason not to. I walked forward, confidently, feeling eyes on me as I moved. I stood next to the god, and glared at him.

I heard a menacing growl, and everything went black. The last thing I saw was the look of terror on Sarah's face.