Chapter 1: Escape

"Anna, you must get as far away from here as possible, do you understand me?" my father asked, his thick Italian accent making the English words seem foreign. My wet eyes darted back and forth between him, the door and the window. "Sweetheart, you must run as fast as you can and don't ever look back. Go to zio's house and do whatever he says until further notice." I looked at the door again as someone repeatedly smashed their body against it. "I love you, Anna. You know that right?" I nodded and he hugged me tight. "Good, Anna. Do exactly what I told you. Always remember what I told you and never lose yourself." I nodded again and he wiped my tears with a small smile before hugging me again. "Ti amo, Anna." "Ti amo, troppo, papà." The door banged again and he kissed my forehead before releasing me. "Go now, Anna. Go to zio's. Hurry." I hugged him tight one more time before grabbing my pocket knife and my matches and leaping out the window, sending me crashing to the ground. Like a cat, I landed on my feet and looked around before dashing away from the house. My father had mentally and physically prepared me for this day, but not emotionally. Once I am calm, I know I will break down because my father is about to die, and there's nothing I can do about it but run. It took many hours, but I finally made it from Pomarance to Voltera, Italy. It was 2 am when I arrived at the castle in which my uncle, Caius, lived. He and two others, Aro and Marcus, are the leaders of all vampires. Royalty, basically, called the Volturi. They, themselves, are vampires. I knocked on the humongous wooden door and a minute later, it opened and there stood a male vampire I'm guessing was a guard. He was tall and muscular with dark hair, pale skin, crimson irises and a confused frown. "May I help you?" "My name is Anna Marie Russo. My uncle, Caius, lives here." "Is he expecting you?" "No." "And what's the reasoning of this visit?" "My father was just murdered. He told me to come see my uncle." His eyes widened and I fingered the gold lily necklace my mother gave me when I was little. "Felix, what is the problem?" an icy high-pitched voice said from behind him. He turned and opened the door a little more. A tiny, blonde-haired girl with the usual pale skin and crimson irises that looked no older than 13 stepped out from behind him with a cold look of death in her eyes. Even for a vampire, that was scary. "Why are you here?" "My father, Valentino, was just murdered by a clan. He told me to come here." "She claims Caius is her uncle," the dark-haired man, Felix said with a slight glance in my direction. The girl sighed and turned on her heel. "Follow me, girl." I obeyed and ran in after her. Felix moved swiftly behind us after slamming the door shut. We went down an elevator and the girl led the way through a hall and to a set of big wooden doors. She pushed them open and inside was a wide pale room with a few benches set up around the place and a few steps led up to 3 thrones. The 3 were occupied by the leaders of the Volturi, one of them being my "uncle" Caius. He wasn't really my uncle. Just a good friend of my father's. My ultimate godfather, I am the actual only thing, aside from his wife Athenodora, that actually made him happy, regardless of the fact that I am human. It shows Caius makes a few exceptions because he absolutely loathes humans. He never treated me like he did everyone else. He was cruel and merciless to everyone, but kind, calm and forgiving when it came to me (and Athenodora). He looked shocked when he saw me standing there without my big smile that exposed my perfect teeth and dimples or my father by my side, two things I always had before whenever he saw me. "Jane…" Aro spoke in an unsure tone. "Master," blondie said, looking over to Aro. Before Aro could ask the obvious question in his head, Caius stood and walked to me, placing my hand in his. "Anna," he said questioningly. I looked into his crimson eyes and placed my other hand over his gently. "He's dead. He told me to tell you not to avenge him. It would be savage and that's the last thing he wanted of you. Of anyone." He released my hand and stepped back some. "Brother, you know this child?" Aro asked as he stood. "This is Anna. Valentino's child…and Lily's." Shock crossed Aro's pale face as did realization. He stepped forward with a bright smile and Caius moved aside as Aro reached for my hand. I placed it in his and he closed his eyes for a few seconds, reading all my thoughts. "You truly are the daughter of Valentino. Oh, my dearest Anna, you have grown so much, I did not recognize you. Such a beauty you are. Isn't she, brothers?" Caius smirked and smoothed my curly blonde hair with a nod followed by Marcus'. They all loved me dearly. I made them each smile with every word I said. In Aro's case, that wasn't much because he basically always smiled, but Caius always scowled and Marcus, well he never changed from utterly bored and unimpressed. "Welcome, Anna! I have not seen you since you were merely 2 years old, when your father was changed. My dear apologies for your loss, caro." I smiled slightly and nodded my thanks. "Grazie, Aro." "You are to stay here, no?" he asked and I nodded. "Wonderful! Jane, dear, go find your brother and bring him here. Felix, take Anna to her room." Felix flitted over to me and grinned. Aro kissed my hand and smiled. "You are your mother's child. You have her curly blonde hair, her striking hazel eyes, her skin, her short stature, her nose, even her voice, but you are your father's child inside. Everything aside from your looks is your father." I smiled and he released me to Caius, who kissed my forehead in that gentle, fatherly way he and my father always did. Marcus stood and flitted to me with grace before kissing both my cheeks. I followed Felix to my room and he made conversation with me, being funny and patient with my human aspects, including my not so fast speed. Once we reached what was now my room, he bowed and in a very proper, prince-like voice, told me goodnight before kissing my hand and walking away. I shut the door before curling up onto the bed and crying myself to sleep.

I woke up to the bright sun shining in my face. I stretched and opened my eyes slowly so they could adjust to the sun because I expected to be partially blinded by it. What I didn't expect was the dark-haired vampire standing in front of me. I gasped and sat up quickly. I opened my mouth to scream, but they came out muffled because he had his hand over my mouth before it was even opened fully. I struggled in his hold and tried to free myself, but he wouldn't let go. "Stop. I'm not going to hurt you," he said. Not believing him because vampires are known to play with their food, I continued my struggle to get free. Suddenly, I couldn't see or move anymore. I was frozen like ice, but I could still feel his cold hands covering my mouth and smell his wonderful scent. "I'm not going to hurt you. Do not scream. Understood?" I nodded and he released me. My screams filled the silence and I quickly got out of bed, trying to run, but he grabbed me by my shirt before I could and tossed me back. I landed in a chair and he was holding me down before I could even think to run. "You insolent girl. I told you not to scream." "Alec, I'm sure you have more patience than such. You're scaring the poor girl." I glanced over to the door and Aro stood there with an exasperated look. The guy released me and stepped back away from me. "Anna, dear, do not be afraid. This is Alec. I have assigned him as your guard." I looked at Alec and he was glaring at me with so much hate, you would think I'd done something to him. All I did was scream out of fear. His expression was fearful, his eyes dark with rage. If looks could kill, I'd be dead in .2 seconds. He vaguely reminded me of the blonde last night. What was her name again? Jane. In fact, they looked a lot like twins. They must be the twins my father always told me about. Yep. Jane and Alec Volturi. The witch twins, everyone in our castle back in Pomarance referred to them as. Well I can see why. The guy took away my senses without even blinking! I don't even want to think of what his evil twin sister could do. Aro stepped over to me and stood me up. "Anna, such a beauty you are, just like you mother. Tragic what happened to her. A great woman lost to savages." I nodded my thanks. "Alec will be with you at all times…safety purposes. Is that fine with you?" I nodded again in approval. "Marvelous then! Alec, try to be a little more sympathetic and understanding. I will be lenient, but I will not be able to speak for Caius. He was ready to rip apart whoever was causing Anna fear. I will not be able to stop him from punishing you next time." Alec scowled, but nodded. I knew he couldn't hurt me, but I was still afraid of what he might possibly do if I irked him enough. I mean, seriously! The guy looks evil. Like he's just waiting for a reason to kill me. Who knew vampires could be so mean? Not that I would ever admit I was afraid of Alec. He'd just use that to his advantage. "Anna, you will go on a tour today, then you may do as you please…as long as you take Alec with you, of course." I smiled for his benefit because he was just trying to protect me, but on the inside, I was cursing him in every language I know, which are a lot considering my father knew the day would come when he'd have to send me away, and he wasn't sure where that would be, so he taught me almost every language there is in preparation. Aro grinned back and touched my hair before walking out, leaving me alone with the witch. I turned to him, my smile gone and a scowl in its place. "Look, I don't like you and you don't like me. So why don't we make this easier for both of us by not pretending we tolerate each other. I'll request another guard, you'll leave me alone and we'll part ways and never speak of this again." He narrowed his eyes and I rolled mine. "That isn't considered an answer, no matter how many times you do it." "Get dressed so we can get this day over with. I'd rather not sit in here and stare at the wall all day." "Well, I've been told I'm much better looking than the wall, but fine. Your loss." I walked to my ensuite bathroom and turned back to look at him. "Wanna come in here with me? Just to be safe?" He just glared angrily and I laughed before shutting the door and taking a long hour shower just to piss Alec off. I brushed my teeth and spent another hour doing my hair. I slowly walked out and found Alec glaring at me from the other side of the room. He was sitting in a chair with his fists balled up. I grinned at him then walked into my walk-in closet and shut the door. I looked around for an outfit to where and settled on a short white satin bubble skirt, a plain light pink tank top, a pair of black lace flower printed stockings and a pair of light pink patent leather pumps. My hair was left in its natural curl down my back and I wore only pink lip gloss. I walked out and smiled at Alec. "Cute, huh?" I asked, turning around for him to see. He growled and stood before walking to my door and opening it for me. "Ya know, I actually want to straighten my hair. It'll only take another half an hour." I walked to the bathroom and an hour later, I came out with my natural curl. "I decided to leave it this way after I looked at it straightened. Waste of time, huh?" He growled in response. "Touchy. I'm ready now. Come on, slow poke," I said as I led the way out the room. I walked towards where the main room was and a cold hand grabbed my arm tightly, holding me in place. I turned to find Alec glaring down at me. "We are to go on a tour led by me, not the other way around." I snatched my arm away and continued to my destination, but he gripped me again, harder this time. "Do you not understand English?" "Let go of me." I snatched away again and he gripped me even harder. "That hurts, Alec." "Where do you think you're going?" "I wanna see my uncle, if you don't mind! Is that fine with you or should I just postpone until later? Not that I knew I even had to ask you what you wanted being as though you're protecting me, but whatever." He glared at me, hand still tight around my arm. "Let me go." He obeyed and I walked to the room. They were not there, so I walked around the entire castle in search for someone, pissing Alec off in the process. "Must you be so complicated?" he hissed. I stopped and turned to him, agitated. His crimson eyes were much darker now and he looked really scary. I placed my hand on my hip and huffed. "Look, if you want to leave, be my guest. I could care less. That would actually make me happy to be as far away from you as possible. But regardless of your wants, I will see my uncle before we do anything. Whether you know it or not, the world does not revolve around you and I do not tremble with terror at every glare you shoot me. So just suck it up and stop being a baby about everything." I turned back around and continued my search, finally finding Caius in a room that closely resembled an office. The door was open and he and Athenodora were seated at a table speaking to one another. Athenodora had a book in front of her and every once in a while, she'd glance up from it and look at Caius. I lightly knocked on the door and Caius' scowl quickly turned into a smile as he looked up at me. "Anna, what are you doing here? I figured you'd be hungry and occupied with the tour and things," he said and stood as I walked over to him. He kissed my forehead and Athenodora wrapped me in a tight hug. "I wanted to come see you first…say good morning and see how you were doing." He smiled and gently hugged me shoulders. "I'm well. Did you sleep fine?" I nodded. "Is the room okay?" I nodded again. "Is Alec fine?" I hesitated and glanced back at him with a smirk. "Yeah. He's cool. We just had a slight misunderstanding." Caius' face turned to a mixture of alarm and anger as his crimson eyes flickered to Alec, a fearful expression that topped Alec's any day plastered on his face. "Don't worry. We cleared everything up." "Yes. Aro informed me of this…misunderstanding. I do hope everything was settled properly." I nodded with a smile and his scowl slipped away a little. "Good. Go on to eat then to your tour. Demetri or Felix shall take you." "Wait. Don't we have to talk about what's gonna happen now?" "No. There's nothing to discuss. You will remain here until you wish to leave. You have your room thanks to Aro, you have clothes thanks to Heidi, Chelsea, Athenodora and Sulpicia, transportation and now, a home, if you accept." "Really? Thank you so much, uncle. I greatly appreciate it. Thank you, too, Auntie Dora." She nodded with a smile and I walked out with Alec right behind me. "Lead the way to the kitchen, mighty guard." He growled and walked quickly down the hall. In order to keep up, I would have to jog, but since I could care less, I walked my normal pace. He turned to me after a while and scowled. "Is it so hard for you to try to keep up?" "Well, yeah because you're running, not walking." He narrowed his eyes and walked down the hall, a little slower. "See? Now was that so hard?" I said sweetly. He growled, but didn't turn around. We entered the huge pretty kitchen and there was a human guy cooking. He turned to me and smiled bright. I grinned back and walked to him, extending my hand. "Hi. I'm Anna. What's your name?" "Vincent," he said as he shook my hand, surprised I even spoke to him. His light green eyes lit up and he looked genuinely happy, then Alec cleared his throat and ruined everything. Now what vampire has to clear their throat and what for? Vincent let go of my hand and went back to work on my breakfast. I glared at Alec and huffed. "Must you ruin everyone's day, Alec?" I said in an annoyed tone. "Is that like your number one priority in life? To make everyone else's life miserable?" He just stared at me with one eyebrow raised. "For a royal princess, you aren't very irreverent. You're rather self-righteous," he said. I rolled my eyes. "Says the guy who thinks humans are worthless pieces of sh-" "Whoa! Language, Anna," Felix said walking in with who I'm guessing was Demetri. "He started it. Tell him to stop trying to ruin my morning," I said calmly as I turned to Vincent and started to help with the cooking. "Back at our castle in Pomarance, we had a chef named Rosaline, and I would always help her cook. I love to cook. I used to want to be a chef. You know, move to America and get the proper degrees to start my own business. Maybe a catering company for weddings and parties. Become my own person…away from the castle where no one knows I'm royalty and will treat me like everybody else. Does that sound too farfetched?" I asked, turning to Vincent and leaning against the counter. He thought about it for a while as he fixed up my plate and smiled. "No, madam. I think it's a wonderful idea." I beamed and clasped my hands together. "Really? Oh my goodness! Rosaline said it was nice, but I couldn't leave my kingdom behind and my father was kind of wary about me leaving the continent and all, to go to America, of all places. But he was close to forbidding it when I told him my places were either L.A. or New York. Big place, lots of people and away from home, not a good mixture for his liking." "I say you follow your dream. After you've eaten breakfast, of course," he said as he handed me my plate with a smile. It was my favorite: strawberry banana crepes. But these were HUMONGOUS and smelled delicious, causing my stomach to growl. "Vincent, I think this is the beginning of a very beautiful friendship. Mind if I call you Vinny?" He laughed and shook his head before commencing to cleaning. "Oh, you don't have to do that. I could do it myself. I am the one eating. You cooked, so I should clean." He ignored me and continued to clean and I ate my food and talked to Felix and Demetri about my life back in Pomarance and the fun moments Caius and I had before. Everyone was completely shocked at the fact that Caius smiles. I continuously told them that he's a really nice and genuine man, just quick-tempered. "Honestly, give him something innocent and downright adorable, such as myself, and you have a smiling Caius." "True, Felix. How could anyone scowl at such a pretty face? She's like a little doll." "That's why I'm trying to figure out what's that fools problem," I said nudging my chin in Alec's direction, who stood against a wall looking at us. His crimson eyes locked with mine and fear slowly began creeping up, but I swallowed it back down. "All he does is scowl at me. The only time he smiles is when I'm hurt. I tripped on the way here, and he was laughing his butt off." Felix laughed loudly and Demetri just composed his face to hold his in. "That is not funny! Thank you, Demetri for not laughing. That's why you're my favorite." Felix shut up then. I grinned and giggled. "Yeah! Who's laughing now?" He stood and took my fork quickly. "Hey! I need that!" He turned to Vincent and glared. "Don't give her anymore silverware." Vincent smirked and nodded before handing me another fork. "Thanks, Vinny. I'm going to report that you were antagonizing the princess, Felix. Anyways, back to the conversation. I can't figure him out. I mean, I'm freaking adorable. Everyone loves me, but he hates my guts, and I haven't even done anything yet. We've known each other for less than two hours, for crying out loud! I never knew vampires could be so mean." Alec grinned and raised an eyebrow. "I don't hate you, Anna. I simply adore you. You're beautiful and speak your mind." I narrowed my eyes as Aro walked in. "Good morning, Anna, dear." "Morning." He placed a hand on my hair and I looked up at him. "I hope the room was okay." "It was perfect." "And breakfast?" "Amazing! I recommend you definitely keep Vinny around. He's the best." Proud to have made me happy, Aro smiled and requested a word with Felix and Demetri. They followed him out and Vincent left to go find some rags to clean with, unfortunately, leaving Alec and I alone. "You know, it's not very nice to play with other's emotions like that," I said with a frown. He smiled and moved over to me, propping himself against the counter beside me and folding his arms over his chest. He looked down at me, amusement in his red eyes, and I glared up at him, anger in my pale hazel ones. "I'm not joking. I'm serious. You intrigue me so." I rolled my eyes and looked away from him, glaring down at my half eaten crepe. He nudged my chin with his finger and I instantly swatted it away. "See? So complicated. I love it. And you do not fear me, which is new and annoying, yet refreshing." I rolled my eyes again and repeatedly stabbed my crepe. He moved my hair from my face and I stabbed him with my fork, not causing any damage to his skin. I can't say that much for the fork, though. The entire thing bent out of proportion. He laughed and moved behind me slowly. He bent down and moved close near my ear, nestling my hair in the process. "You'd make such an intriguing vampire. If I wasn't ordered not to harm you and content on enjoying your human ways, I would change you myself right now," he whispered, his cool breath making me shiver as well as the wonderful scent radiating from his skin. "I hate you," I whispered, my voice cracking. He laughed and played with a strand of my hair. "No you don't." I got up from my seat and stormed out, hearing his laughter as I did. What right did he have to mess with my head like that? And what right did he have to tell me how I felt about him? I can't stand him! I'd rather have Satan as my guard than him! Totally engrossed in my mind rant, I didn't notice I'd gotten lost. I froze and looked around, scared. I continued walking and came to a humongous library that beat public ones any day. My mouth fell open a little as I walked in awe, looking at all the books around. "Wow," I whispered. I walked through the rows slowly, running my finger along the millions. I found one that interested me and curled up on a couch in the back. I sat there for a while, in another world that the book created, not paying attention to the outside. This would explain why I almost fell off the couch from leaping when someone touched me. Whoever it was caught me and I looked to see Alec grinning at me. "Don't do that!" I swatted his hands away and grabbed my book before walking away to find another spot. I sat at a table and laid my head down, returning to where I'd left off. Alec walked over and sat beside me, just grinning with a raised eyebrow. Irritated and not being able to completely ignore him, I sighed and looked up at him, death on my mind. "What do you want?" I hissed between clenched teeth. "I'm just observing." "Well, stop it. It's annoying." He didn't obey my request. I growled and got up, moving to another couch close to where I was before. He just followed me and did the same thing. I went into one of the thousand rows of books and sat on the floor, crossing my legs and gently placing my back against the shelf. A little while later, he appeared again. I didn't even bother to move. I just tried to ignore him. But then he started playing with a piece of my hair, twisting it around his finger and gently tugging it every once in a while. "Please stop bothering me," I whined, sadness on my face. He smiled even more, causing his beauty to become unbearable and he touched my cheeks where my dimples were. "Oh my gosh! You are so annoying!" I slammed the book shut and walked out, storming to my room and slamming the door shut. I plopped down on my couch and reopened the book to where I'd left off and slowly drifted into the world again. I looked up at the door, expecting to see Alec, but found Demetri with Felix trailing behind him. Felix grinned and leaned against the doorframe. "Alec annoying you?" he asked knowingly. I glowered and huffed "You have no freaking idea. What's up?" "You're scheduled for a tour, principessa," Demetri said with a smile. His smile faltered a little and I sighed. "He has to come, doesn't he?" Demetri smiled in understanding, his eyes sad and he nodded slowly. I groaned and stood. "You think Aro will give me another guard?" Felix laughed loudly and Demetri smirked before shaking his head. "Fine, I'll ask Caius." They looked a little confused since they didn't even know Caius smiled unless someone was being killed or tormented. Let alone smiling at a human. I mean, come on. He loathes ALL humans, except my mom and me. He adored my mom and adores me. I followed them out to the hall, where Alec was leaning against a wall, just waiting. I narrowed my eyes and he scowled back. That's weird. Why wasn't he being all nice like before? "Aro got on him for allowing you to repeatedly leave without him. He's pissed," Felix explained. I smirked and he growled. I threw him a dismissive hand in response and allowed Felix and Demetri to show me around the castle while Alec sulked along behind me, pure anger and hatred radiating from his skin. I just ignored him and happily skipped along behind my tour guides, who made everything okay by making jokes and just being nice in general. Once the tour was over, I went back to my room and plopped on my bed to read. Alec stood by the window and stared out it, as if in deep thought. After a while, I kind of felt bad for getting him in trouble. I looked up at him curiously, wondering what he was thinking. "Are you really mad at me?" I asked in a quiet voice. He ignored me and continued to stand still. I sighed and sat up on the bed, sitting cross-legged now. "I'm sorry about getting you in trouble. I didn't know it was that big of a deal." "As if Aro would have assigned a highly trained and talented vampire to a pathetic human for no reason at all," he growled through clenched teeth, not even looking at me. I looked down at my folded hands and wrung my fingers. "I guess you're right. I wasn't thinking." "No, you weren't thinking because if you were thinking, then you would have had a little more sense in that brain of yours to remember I am your guard. I am to make the rules as to where you go, when you get there and how you get there, not because I wish to control you, but because I was ordered to do it by a higher power and I intend to comply." I sat silently and moved my hair behind my ear, still looking down. He appeared in front of me and my head snapped up in fear, my eyes wide. He glared at me, his eyebrows smushed together and his mouth set in a deep scowl. "So, from now on, you do not make a move without notifying me. Do not think of moving without my knowing of it. Do not even breathe without my knowing. And don't try to escape somewhere or be devious behind my back. If you do, you will suffer the consequences. Understood?" "You don't control me! You have no right to tell me who I can hang with, where I can go or at what time I can do things! You don't own me! I can do what I want, when I want!" The hiss he threw my way shut me up completely. "Do you want to end up like your mother? She was the same way. Stubborn and self-righteous. She didn't listen to your father when he tried to keep her alive and look where she is now. In the grave rotting. Do you want to be next? The men who killed your mother are the same ones who killed your father and are after you. If you won't listen to me, how can you expect me to protect you when they come for you?" I didn't respond. "I believe I asked you a question, girl." "You can't," I mumbled. "Do not mumble." "You can't," I said clearly as tears burned my eyes. "You will do as I say, or you will die. Am I understood?" he asked. I glared at him and turned away before mumbling a low 'yes'. He grabbed my chin hard and forced me to look back at him, his eyes angry. "Am I understood?" he repeated, pronouncing the words more. "Yes!" I said, angry tears rolling down my face, burning my cheeks. "Let go of me." I snatched my face from his hand and lied down on my bed, my back to him. I heard him move behind me and then pages flipping. I fell asleep after a while of being there.