"You will continue to go to school for the next week but you will spend the night at my house where I can adequately protect you. I'm sorry about your mother and your friend has not seen your father when she stopped by your house."

"But, why would she stop by my house?"

"Do not ask me questions you do not want to hear the answer to. I would prefer not to lie to you." My heart stopped and I blanched. She must be…cleaning. I felt the prickle of tears beginning to form and Diego was at my side, his arms around my shoulders. "I apologize for upsetting you. Please, don't cry. I'm not equipped to handle tears." I laughed a bit, my tears subsiding.

"I'm fine now. It's just, more of a shock than anything else. I don't understand how anyone could be that cruel and brutal to someone else. Then again, I never was a horror movie fan."

"I'm sorry you had to be introduced to our race this way."

"I've seen worse."

"In which I'm ashamed that I did not find you beforehand. I could have protected you." I smiled at him and lightly laid my head on his shoulder.

"Well you're here now. Isn't that enough?" He pulled away, a rueful smile on his face.

"It will never be enough," he murmured. "But come," he said before his mood could affect me. "Don't you want to come with me and explore your new home? Your friend is bringing your belongings from your home and she will arrive momentarily." I nodded once and he held out his hand. I took it and he pulled me to my feet, smiling as he did so. Of course, I blushed and looked away. His small chuckle took me by surprise but like a gentleman, he didn't comment.

As we made our way out of the room, he stopped. "It looks like your friend has arrived before I expected." He led me into the foyer once again and opened the door. Amber stood on the porch, a few bags of my things in her hands.

"I brought what I've seen you wear and some other stuff I found in your room." She held out the bags and flicked her wrists, floating the bags inside the house. My jaw dropped at her abilities and she smiled innocently. "What? It's fun. Esmeralda…" she trailed off. I stiffened at her new tone. "I was able to make it seem like your house had faulty wiring and caught fire. Your alibi is that you were staying at my house. Everyone saw us together at school today, so it should be easy. I also got something for you. But if it's too much, I'll take it back." She held out her left hand and rolled her hand over to open it. Inside laid my mother's wedding ring, the lone diamond still as beautiful as the day my father had bought it.

"Where…how…" I said as my voice became strangled with emotion. Amber kept her hand extended, waiting for my decision. I lifted my hand and touched the cold metal band and immediately knew my answer. "Thank you." I grabbed the ring and reverently held it in my fist. Diego waved his hand in the air and pulled me closer to him and opened my hand to show me the new silver necklace he had created for me. He slowly took my ring and slid it over the necklace, then pulled my hair away from the back of my neck tenderly. The metal felt cold against my skin but Diego simply hooked the necklace and stepped away from me. "Thank you…both of you. I'm going to stop before I get all sentimental because then it'll just be too awkward."

"That's probably good for Diego's sake," Amber teased. Who knew the school's creepy girl had a sense of humor? Hell, who knew that she was actually hiding such a secret?

"You would be the one to cast the spell of happiness, mage," he muttered.

"There is no such spell," Amber retorted huffily.

"Then what kind of mage are you?" Diego asked again.

"I was taught by Szayel," stated Amber with a smug grin on her face. Diego stiffened and I felt the tension levels rising. Diego grabbed my arm and pulled me behind him, elongating his fingers into talons once more.

"You were taught by a vampire?"

"You're stupid if you think that. I mean, if it was a vampire, why am I alive right now? He's a Carpathian in disguise. He's been that way for centuries and he's known as 'ruthless'. It's an excuse to kill a vampire."

"You guys have undercover agents?" I asked excitedly. "That's so awesome! It's James Bond on crack!" After I said my statement, the tension slowly floated away once more. I guess this type of conversation means I'll have to walk on eggshells to get answers.

"I'll see you at school tomorrow," Amber said with a slight smile. "Remember, I'm the creepy girl." I blushed a bit but she just laughed and waved before vanishing in a flash of white light.

"Now that tonight is over, allow me to show you to your new room." Diego swept his hand, like a gentleman of the old times of chivalry. Of course, I giggled, much to my chagrin. Diego probably sensed my irritation at myself and grinned, but didn't say a word. He's a smart little Carpathian, isn't he?

"Sounds fine by me." He led me upstairs and down a few doors before opening the door on the left.

"Here is your room, Esmeralda. I hope it is to your liking. If not, I'm sure we can find one suitable for your tastes." When he said 'tastes', it sent a shiver down my spine. It wasn't fear, but…elation; a type of thrill adrenaline junkies strive their whole lives to fulfill. I now belonged in a world kept from modern societies, a secret that bonded Diego, Amber, and I in a way that my human friends never fulfilled before. I simply belonged.

"It's beautiful, Diego," I said breathlessly as I took a look around the room.

"Then I leave you to sleep. It's very late and you must go to school tomorrow."

"For a week," I stated.

"Yes. Say goodbye to your human friends as soon as you can and savor the last days you have with them. I'm trying to repress my Carpathian instincts."

"Carpathian instincts?"

"Yes. I want nothing more than to convert you and bring you back to Mikhail." At my questioning look, he continued, "Mikhail Dubrinsky, our new prince. After this week, we will go to see him and he will decide about your conversion."

"Conversion?" I asked.

"This is not the time to engage in this discussion, Esmeralda. Put all of your energy into this last week of being human. It will have to last through the centuries."

Six days had passed and I had lived like never before. I had done things I wanted to do, trivial things such as trying sushi. Coincidently, sushi wasn't catered to my taste, but Amber seemed to love it. The next on my 'to do' list was bungee jump. Easier said than done. I ended up jumping off of a local bridge, much to Diego's persistent declaration that I shouldn't do it.

Many other things followed, Amber taking part in them as well, and finally the day came. I was sitting in the playground near my parent's home, waiting for Victoria and Catie. Amber was beside me, aimlessly swinging and kicking the sand beneath her feet.

"They here yet?" she asked for the billionth time today.

"Nope," I answered for the billionth time. She then continued to kick the sand, trying to amuse herself. Finally, I spotted my friends coming toward me, both laughing about something. Catie put her hand on Victoria's shoulder and leaned her head on her hand. Victoria, in turn, rested her hand on Catie's head. I felt a pang at the sight. I was going to leave all I've ever known tonight. There would be no more of Victoria's sarcasm and Catie's storytelling. No more sitting on Victoria's couch eating popcorn and watching the Indiana Jones series.

"Hey Esmeralda!" Catie said, jogging over to us. Victoria followed her and when she reached me, she tensed.

"What is it?" she asked, seriously. "What happened to you?" I shook my head. Catie glanced between us, sensing the tension in the air.

"I'm leaving," I simply stated.

"Why?" Catie asked.

"Oh, you wouldn't believe me," I muttered. At her pleading glance, I sighed. "It turns out that the vampires I've been seeing aren't vampires at all. They are Carpathians. Vampires are fallen Carpathians, turned evil and they prey on mankind."

"What?" Catie asked. I sighed and smiled at my new analogy.

"A Carpathian would be Edward, from Twilight. He's the good guy. The vampires would be James. Of course, the book is nothing like Carpathians and vampires from our day and time. Regardless, I'm in danger here. I have to leave somewhere safe where you will not be hurt."

"DAMMIT! THAT'S ENOUGH!" I glanced toward Victoria, already expecting the yelling. "I've put up with this long enough! There are no such things as vampires or Carpathians! You need to get your head out of this nonsense long enough to realize that this is just a fantasy that you've conjured." Amber immediately leapt to my defense.

"She's telling the truth!" she said.

"Shut up, creepy girl," Victoria snarled. "You, Esmeralda, need some serious psychiatric help." I felt the pain of her words seep into my heart and I hung my head.

"What is wrong, mor-forwyn?" My head snapped up at my god's voice. How could he speak to me now? I wasn't sleeping.

"I mean, vampires are myth and legend, but you…you've read too many books for your own damn good," Victoria continued. "I understand the stress from your parent's death and realize this probably helped with your break from reality! Maybe this is the beginnings of dissociative fugue!"

"Actually, dissociative fugue is when you suddenly leave home without warning and begin a whole new life, forgetting the life you had before. She's telling us she's leaving so-" Victoria slapped Catie's arm.

"Shut up! She's leaving us, don't you see that? All because of some delusions she created in her head!"

"Who is hurting you?" my god asked again.

"I've had enough of you," Amber said, stepping between Victoria and I. "She's telling the damned truth." To complete her statement, Amber created a white ball of light in her hand once more and fired it off into a tree to her right. The tree exploded into two pieces and the top piece slowly fell to the ground with a crunching sound. All the while, Amber didn't take her eyes off of Victoria. "I'm a mage, another race you pathetic humans don't know about. She has seen vampires and Carpathians."

"Nobody," I answered, trying to control my volatile emotions. In doing so, I felt my god leave me again.

"There are more races?" Catie asked cautiously. Victoria snapped her open jaw shut and glared at Amber, her rage at my leaving still out of control.

"Hah! There are even werewolves and shape-shifters, and boy, you guys fucked up the information on those races."

"You can't believe this crap," Victoria drawled, staring derisively at Catie. She pointed to the tree.

"That convinces me." She turned toward me and walked over to my swing, kneeling by my side. "Why are you leaving exactly?"

"Carpathians are born one half to a whole. The men lose all emotions and colors 200 years into their lives. They spend the rest of their lives searching for the woman to complete their soul. I'm one such woman." Catie sat silent a moment, contemplating.

"Go. This is an opportunity not many people have, I can tell. Go and complete the heart of a Carpathian. Have great sex while you're at it." She instantly hugged me, her tears spilling out of her eyes. "Promise me you'll see me sometime with your man in tow." Her light humor had a positive effect and I laughed softly.

"I promise, Catie." I stood when she let me go and turned toward Victoria, who had calmed down. Her gaze was fixed on the destroyed tree and I could tell she was deep in thought.

"The vampires were coming after you, weren't they?" I nodded.

"They wanted me to complete their own soul…damn, that sounds corny." As I wrinkled my nose in slight disgust and Victoria chuckled at my attempt at humor.

"Then I guess you've found a Carpathian?" I nodded again. "Like Catie said, go. If that's what it takes for you to be safe, go. I don't want to be selfish and kill you because you're unprotected." She stopped for a moment then reached into the back of her jeans. "Here's your protection," she said, locking her mischievous eyes with mine and slapping a condom into my hand. I sighed and blushed at the same time, causing Victoria to laugh. She quickly hugged me and just as quickly released me. "Go now, before I changed my mind. And you better tell your Carpathian friend that if you get hurt, I'll feed him his nuts for lunch." I tucked the condom into my back pocket and Amber slid over to my side. She began to chant as her hands moved gracefully in the air. I felt a slight tingle and closed my eyes.

"Welcome," Diego said, causing me to open my eyes. I was once again at his house and Amber was by my side.

"I'll come by later, but I must relay this information to Szayel. I'll meet you at the Carpathian Mountains." With another chant she disappeared, leaving me alone with the handsome Carpathian.

"With the sun setting soon, I'll be able to help transport you to my private jet. We'll travel that way and arrive in Romania within a couple hours."

"A private jet? Sweet!" I cried, pumping my fist in the air. He smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. I sobered instantly.

"What troubles you?" Diego asked, catching on to my mood swing.

"You. You can't feel joy." He shook his head.

"I could, but I cannot. I am not your lifemate."

"What do you mean, you could?"

"I am able to read your mind, if you permit me to."

"Do it," I said instantly. His eyes locked onto mine. "I may not be proud of what I've done, but you're taking care of me and you saved me from the vampire earlier this week. You deserve to feel, so read my mind. Now," I stated. He stared me down but I kept my gaze steady and unwavering.

"Is this what you wish?"

"You would know if you read my mind." With a slight grin, he closed his eyes and immediately I felt the presence of another in my mind. However, it was pleasant; wherever Diego went, a warmth spread. It was initially weird and awkward but after our minds fully merged, I smiled at Diego. He took a deep breath and crushed me to his chest tightly. He slowly let his breath out and opened his eyes. I felt his wonder and gratitude as a well of emotions spewing out of his heart. It was phenomenal and so utterly powerful that my knees buckled. Diego was there to catch me of course.

"You have no idea of the gift you give me," he murmured lowly into my ear, keeping me close to him. I shivered in reaction.

"I can feel it too," I said. The emotions were still heady and raw, exploding between the two of us. All good things come to an end and this ended as he clamped down on his emotions.

"Come. We must go to our jet. My limo is waiting outside." I wrapped my arms around his right arm and he smiled down warmly at me. He walked outside into the night and into the limo. I slid in beside of him, not willing to release him just yet. I mean, this was still like a dream to me.

"Trust me. This is no dream of yours."

"I can tell this is going to be a challenge," I said. "What if I'm watching a porno?" He looked taken aback for a second.

"A lady shouldn't talk of such things," he said, staring me down. However, I could feel his mischievousness and I grinned. "Of course, I'll be happy to educate you on such matters." I slapped his arm.

"Behave, will you?" He smiled, totally unrepentant.

"I believe you started this conversation?"

"Well…yeah, but…you know." Diego threw his head back and laughed a hearty laugh, one that was full of mirth. As I watched, his eyes locked on mine and I saw the amusement lurking in their black depths. He pulled me on his lap and cradled me to his chest, nuzzling my neck.

"You are such a treasure, Esmeralda. I envy your lifemate."

"You will until you find your own lifemate."

"Then you'll just have to become second," he shot back.

"I'm so easily tossed aside?"

"Unless you want to provide some relief to my manly needs." I blushed and slapped his chest. He laughed again and pulled me against him, just savoring the feel of emotions paired with human contact.