Prologue: February, 2021

"I'm only thankful that we managed to obliterate the trail before it led all the way back to you. The San Francisco Police Department had infiltrated you well." Aro's expression was impassive. "And for that, Veronica, Carlo had to pay the price."

"Yes. I know." Veronica said in her Latin-accented English. She tried her best to look like the grieving widow, but it was difficult not to celebrate. Her stylist Dionne was already stood behind her, braiding jewels into her hair. Carlo had become an increasing liability to the coven and her relationship with Steven had come perilously close to being exposed on a number of occasions.

"I'm assuming that you are now in charge?" Aro asked and deep in the shadows of the room, a man shifted in his seat.

Veronica gestured to the hidden man. "Diego and I have decided to split the responsibility. Diego will oversee the running of the coven, whilst I focus my efforts on rebuilding our, shall we say, business interests."

"A wise move," said Aro. "This is a ruthless society and you need to have your best people in key positions."

"Diego and I think so too and a change of leadership means we can do that. I for one have never cared for dealing with our new recruits. Diego on the other hand," She smiled into the darkness behind. "Has a passion for it."

"So you're not too downhearted about the loss of your mate?" Aro asked.

"On the contrary, you did me a great service today." Veronica ditched the false grief and gave Aro a winning smile. "In fact, the future has never looked brighter." But the smile died on her face when she caught Aro's dark expression in return.

"I'm glad you can smile about things," Aro spat. "I myself cannot. I do not take kindly to cleaning up other people's mess; especially one of such magnitude that I have to take personal control, to make sure that we had done a thorough job. Carlo got greedy, careless and very nearly exposed us all." Aro's deadly glare left Veronica in no doubt of the gravity of the situation. "Do not underestimate humans," he continued. "This is the twenty first century and they are getting smarter by the year. We have people working full time at the Solace Foundation just to keep us one step ahead of them. Carlo was warned repeatedly to safeguard your financial transactions, but he didn't. Instead, he started feathering his nest with acquisitions that got you noticed. The San Francisco Police Department should not have even suspected that vampires exist, let alone have the address of this coven. We have naturally disposed of the officers involved and you would be well advised to move house and quickly."

"We'll do that." Replied Veronica.

"You should also shut down whatever that hideous enterprise is that you run downtown. I've never seen anything so sordid in my entire existence; coming from me, that's saying something."

Veronica angled her body towards the darkness. "Diego?"

"As far as I am aware," Diego drawled. "They did not discover the existence of the den. Besides, it turns a healthy profit. While we recover what we've lost, we might need the money from it to pay the bills."

"He does have a point." Said Veronica.

"Which I concede," replied Aro. "Not paying your bills would result in more scrutiny. Very well, keep it open in the meantime. But as you are looking to re-coup your assets, I have a proposition for you."

Veronica was thrilled. This was what she was hoping for.

Aro crossed his legs. "As you have discovered, humans are getting better at tackling organised crime. In response to that, we are no longer able to operate in the ways we once did and have been developing a strategy. It enables us to legitimately earn money, but to keep the true owners and nature of the business well hidden from human view. We are willing to share it with you. As San Francisco is still re-building from the earthquake, we believe that the city would be perfect for one of our Solace Centers. I understand that the strain of living here these days is considerable and taking its toll on the city's poorest and most emotionally vulnerable. We are not deaf to their cries for help. So here we are." Aro gestured magnanimously.

"The benefit to San Francisco or to any city where there is a Solace Center – and we have three now - is that all of the most unsightly problems in society are comprehensively dealt with. The benefit to you is that for the first time, you will have a legitimate source of income. An income which will far exceed what you've ever had before. Believe me; if someone is willing to deal with society's problem for them, humans are all too willing to pay.

"The success of it has far exceeded even our most audacious hopes. It's all above board, all legal, all taxable – not that you'll be paying much once we show you all the ways you can get out of paying it - and it can be gloriously paraded for all to see. I believe humans call this a win / win scenario." Aro smiled at Veronica and leant forward slightly. Veronica, eager to please, mirrored him.

"So this is the deal," continued Aro. "We will bring over our expertise to help you establish a Solace Center here in San Francisco. We will help you to appoint the right humans to lead it and bring in our own people to manage those bits of the business that we'd rather humanity didn't see. We call it the waste disposal." Aro smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "But before any of that happens the first bit is up to you, Veronica. You will need to go out and sell this to the San Francisco business community, because you will need to secure the investment for the building and funding program. We have examined each country's taxation system and discovered ways that businesses can claim back virtually everything they donate to this project. We've found that it makes getting the really big investors on board so much easier.

"Once the business community are sold on the idea and the vision has been well communicated; we find that the people of the city quickly catch the vision, because there's so much to like about it. The problems of homelessness, of mental illness, drugs, gambling, alcohol and any other addiction or social disease, can be packed away and treated in a beautifully appointed center. In their current plight, I'm sure the people of San Francisco will embrace it. And, because it's fully supported by the business community, there is very little cost to the end user; which makes it doubly attractive. We're doing humanity a service, by taking in their hopeless cases, turning their lives around and sending them out as transformed citizens. Their only obligation is to spread the good news and bring us more people to treat. How easy is that?" Aro grinned. The effect was not unlike death cracking a smile.

"And what's in it for us?" Asked Diego. "What's this 'waste disposal' you speak of?"

"In any treatment program there are those who, let's say, fail to respond to treatment. Or, in the case of the homeless, there are those who we can't send home or who refuse our offer of help. We can't help them, but neither do we want them back out on the streets where they will most likely come to harm. So we dispose of them. The more people we treat, the more disposals we have and the less the city vampires need to hunt for their food. The food comes to them. It is quite wonderful in every way."

"And it works well?" Questioned Diego.

"Perfectly! We have centres in Italy, Bulgaria and we have just finished our first year of operation in the United Kingdom, where it's been a particular success. As you know, the drug problem in that country is out of control and they don't even have the excuse of an earthquake. The financial institutions and even the Government themselves, were fulsome in their generosity. What made the difference was getting the Prime Minister on board. Once he decided that it was a good idea, every restriction was miraculously lifted. You would do well to emulate the team there. Pick the biggest and ripest cherries first and the rest fall into place beneath them.

"Establishing relationships is key. Don't just ask for their money, get to know them. Get to know their families and find out what makes them tick. Humans respond so well to that kind of thing. Then, once their reservations about you are gone, you'll find it so much easier to get their support. But it takes the right amount of charisma for that to happen. It's about pairing the right vampire to the right potential investor. The men target the men and the women target the women." Aro treated Veronica to another blast of his cadaverous smile. "It was my idea. I'm old-fashioned like that."

Veronica picked up her tablet computer and selecting an icon, loaded a recent issue of San Francisco Life magazine and turned it towards Aro.

"Helen Mitchell, San Francisco's Person of the Year for the fifth year running. Are you saying that I should go after her?"

"Oh no my dear, we don't go after anyone anymore. The charm offensive has to start right now. The Solace Foundation is about winning friends and influencing people; a cliché but an undeniable fact of doing business with humanity. They mustn't get the slightest idea that we're a threat to them." Aro paused for a moment and looked Veronica over.

"I am glad that you already have a stylist, because that would be my first recommendation. If you are to approach the business community, you will need to fit in and with all due respect, that doesn't mean looking as you do now. Perhaps it's escaped your attention that that the women here don't walk around in ball gowns, unless they're actually attending a ball - and there are precious few of those I hear. Let her help you to blend in with human businesswomen. You will need to fix your hair in a contemporary style and get used to wearing make-up. I am pleased to report that we have finally perfected a coating that enables us to be out in sunlight. What's more, we can tailor it to your previous human skin tone. There's no further need to go around looking like an albino. We've rigorously tested it, in the height of summer and in the world's busiest cities. Nobody notices a thing."

Aro gave a nod in the direction of the tablet that Veronica was still holding.

"It's interesting that you mentioned Helen Mitchell. Getting San Francisco's wealthiest and most-connected woman involved would help enormously in bringing in other investors. But there's a personal angle to her and I'm surprised you're not aware of it."

"I'm sorry, but I don't know Ms Mitchell." Veronica replied.

"I'm not suggesting that you do. But you did know her ex-husband."

"Mitchell?" The name brought Diego out of the shadows. "Daniel Mitchell?"

"The very same," replied Aro. "Who I now understand has made a home with Edward Cullen's family. No doubt he is worming his own way into humanity, in the insidious way that every Cullen does."

"Daniel is still alive?" Diego asked.

"How sweet, your favourite did not perish after all." Veronica said acidly. "Please, give Diego Edward Cullen's number and save us all from this moping that he does. We weren't to know, when we let him go, that Diego was in love with the man."

"I never got around to telling him." Diego admitted.

"He wasn't into you," she snapped. "Anyone could see that." Veronica turned her attention back to Aro. "So Helen Mitchell has no idea what happened to her husband? I wonder how much that would be worth to her?"

"Oh, I can assure you that Helen Mitchell does not care one bit what happened to him. He was discarded like a used Kleenex years ago. But his daughter might be interested in finding out."

"He has a daughter?" Said Veronica. "Oh how sweet." The insincere smile was back. "I hate children."

"I suggest that you grow to love them and quickly; especially Madison. I have observed that becoming friends with the child, is sometimes a very good way of exerting pressure on the parent. You may find that getting Madison onside means that you have a better chance of getting your hands on her mother's money. And here I must confess a rather personal interest in the young Miss Mitchell. While getting hold of Helen's millions would be wonderful for the Foundation; if you could, in the process, get some leverage to prise open the Cullens, I would view it as a personal favour. They have long been an irritation and every so often I get the urge to scratch it."

"You want us to go after the Cullens?" Clarified Veronica.

"Not in so many words, just find me a reliable way in. Going after them en masse is not recommended and I've found that the best way is to pick off the weakest first. These strange creatures, abominations to name of vampire, have created children and consort with animals. You will remember, that when Edward's daughter Renesmee wandered too far from their home and into yours, they came out in force to reclaim her. They too have their millions and perhaps a well-placed ransom demand may unlock the vault. Get Helen Mitchell and you'll be doing humanity a favour. Get the Cullens and you'll be the same for vampires. Oh look, another one of those lovely win / win scenarios." Aro gave a little shiver of delight. "I do love being back in business!"

Aro rose from his chair. "Now, if you'll excuse me, my flight leaves shortly. I will have our people contact you and give you details of how to proceed. In the meantime Veronica, I suggest that you read up on the San Francisco business community and allow your stylist to take you shopping. I shall send you over a consignment of the skin covering. You will need to airbrush it on like car paint and keep it out of your eyes, it stings." Aro winced. "Accompany me to the door would you?"

Aro and Veronica departed, leaving Diego and Dionne alone in the room.

"Do we know where this Edward Cullen lives?" He asked Dionne.

"No." She replied.

Diego snarled. "Edward Cullen has my property." He shifted from one foot to the other as if uncomfortable about something. "Do you… know how to use a computer?" He asked hesitantly, picking up Veronica's tablet. "I've never gotten around to learning." He admitted.

"Me either."

"This was one of the big deficiencies of Carlo's leadership. He did not invest in helping us to keep up with the modern world. That's how the SFPD got in and nearly took us down. He should have been more strategic about creating vampires with the right skills and experience. It's OK having strength in numbers, but you can't create an empire off the back of a bunch of hobos. I got lucky when I created Daniel. Not only was he the most beautiful man I'd ever seen, but he had skills in that area, skills that we now need. I'm going to hunt him down and bring him back." Diego stalked from the room with a renewed sense of purpose.

Dionne agreed with Diego, but not because she wanted Daniel back in any strategic capacity. When Daniel had left, the last bit of light had gone out of her life. Daniel had been the only one who'd ever cared about her. He'd shielded her from some of Diego's worst excesses and his intrinsic goodness had shone through, regardless of how he himself was treated. Diego wasn't the only one who hadn't gotten around to telling Daniel that he was loved.

Dionne knew that Daniel had a daughter; he'd talked about her frequently. Dionne couldn't help but wonder what she looked like. She found herself idly speculating whether Madison wanted to know what had happened to her father? Dionne picked up the tablet computer. She didn't really know how to use it; she only had an idea of it from watching Veronica. She touched the screen to bring it back to life and looked at the cover photograph of Helen Mitchell. Dionne felt a stab of hatred for the woman. How could she let Daniel go? She stroked the screen, flicking the pages of the magazine until she found the article. Jackpot! There was a picture of Helen and Madison together. The girl was Daniel's daughter and no mistake. She was a tall, willowy girl with long, straight brown hair. She was a couple of inches taller than her mother and had eyes that were the very image of her fathers, but blue. Dionne quickly read the article and committed the image of Madison to memory. She was seventeen this year and Helen was planning a big event for her daughter's birthday. Dionne wondered whether it would be possible to track Madison down and meet her?

Dionne had never thought of doing anything so rash before, but could she manage to do it? She had never once stepped out of line in this coven. It was something you didn't do, because the ultimate sanction was incineration - although there was worse that Diego could do to you before he got onto anything as merciful as burning. But however much she loved him, she would never wish this hell hole back on Daniel. Could she find the courage to escape and warn him about Diego? He was worth doing something rash for and for a moment Dionne let herself fantasise that she and Daniel could be together. Perhaps Madison would be so grateful for Dionne's help in finding her father, that she'd insist that they became best friends. A friend! Her non-existent heart soared in the sunlight for a moment and then crashed and burned. Dionne's shoulders slumped with the weight of reality. She was a gutter-dwelling vampire, there was no way she could have a friend. What was she thinking? It was hopeless. But she was so profoundly lonely, even in a big coven like this. Fifty years of solitude and abuse stretched out like an abyss behind her and suddenly she felt every second of it. Why did she stay here? Why did she let Diego do what he did? Why did anyone? Because Diego ruled this coven with fear and nobody got out alive; unless you were Daniel. He'd simply walked out of the door with Edward Cullen. Dionne sighed and placed the tablet back on the table and walked out of the room.

As she got to the doorway she paused, just at the point where Daniel would usually have stood, waiting for Carlo's orders. She pictured him standing there; the beautiful man in the filthy rags. Rags that meant he had never progressed off the bottom rung of the coven's ladder. Dionne should have done more for him; but she was scared of Veronica and Carlo and was even more scared of Diego. There was only one thing for it; she needed to find Edward Cullen!

The trouble was that she had no idea how to find another vampire; they were hardly listed in the phonebook. Did phonebooks even exist these days? Dionne wasn't sure; she'd been a vampire for so long that she was out of touch with modern society. But the mere thought of being with Daniel again galvanised something inside her and made her connect to the last vestiges of goodness. She had to try to find him, whatever it took. But she needed help. She needed someone who could help her search for him. The more she thought about it, the more she realised that Madison Mitchell was the perfect person to contact. Maybe the human was her ticket out of here?