PROLOGUE—HURT

It hurt. Every vein in my body, every muscle, every fiber in my being thrashed about in a pain so immense I have no words for it at all. My limbs thrashed without my permission, and still I kept them in some measure of control.

I had to.

The level of the pain increased, and some one screamed. Me? I didn't know, and couldn't find it in myself to care.

My heart and my gut shrieked at me, to change. To change into a form better equipped to deal with this pain. To deal with the stench that made my nostrils burn. To deal…with them.

But I couldn't change. If I succumbed, all would be lost.

"He's too strong," said the tiny twelve-year-old, her red eyes lifting from mine. "Pity."

Her dark-haired brother tsked. "What will we do if the mutt refuses to change?"

"Aro wants him to change so we can send his body back and call her here. You know Master's will be done."

I groaned at the mention of her, trying in vain to get up. My muscles seem to have turned to water. They couldn't…I won't let them psych her into bringing her to this hell-hole.

The blonde smiled, then sighed. "If he doesn't change…Decisions, decisions."

They turned in an almost orchestrated swish of identical black cloaks, and were gone in a blur my human eyes couldn't track.