Author's Note: Well, apologies for both the delay and the fact that this chapter drags a bit for the most part. The two go hand in hand, really – I tried to make it not drag, and in doing so took longer, but failed miserably x.x Oh well, this can just be one of those chapters.

Anyhoo, hope you enjoy, and please do leave a review and let me know what you think!

Hunted by Darkness
Chapter 3

It felt as though it had been an eternity since the evening of their arrival in Volterra, but whenever Serena checked the date, she found it had really only been a few days. The days had dragged, likely due to the fact that both she and her father had entered an entirely new lifestyle, requiring a great amount of adjustment from both of them.

Serena and her father had always been very close to one another, to the point they seemed inseparable at times, and now it seemed they only saw each other at meal times. That alone had to be one of the biggest adjustments to be made, though Serena's father constantly reminded her it was for the best – he wanted to give her as good a life as he could, and a job opportunity like this one didn't come around every day.

And so Serena had worked very hard at coping with the situation. She wasn't really a shy person, though also wasn't one who would walk up and get things going, and instead she had hoped the locals, especially those who lived in the same household as she was presently residing, would take an interest in her, giving her some people to spend her days with and help her adjust to her new environment (she didn't dare leave the house on her own, fearing she'd get lost somewhere).

Something about the whole situation still didn't feel quite right, though. She felt as though everywhere she went she had eyes watching her, but every time she'd turn to look, nobody would be there, or, in the case there were someone there, they'd be occupied with something else. She hated the feeling – it made her feel as though she were always being watched from behind by people who refused to get to know her. It was a bit rude, really, though she hated to mention it to anyone, even her father. Instead, she did her best to keep to herself, finding new ways to entertain herself during the day, always looking forward to those times she was able to see her father.

Unfortunately, this was one day which had bogged Serena's father down so much he didn't have time to stop for lunch, so she was sitting alone in the most secluded corner she could find in the dining room, picking away at a salad. There was no chair, and so she was sitting on the floor, but she didn't mind. She preferred to keep to herself rather than to endure the inane babble of the others in the household, who were sitting at the table with their lunch and locked in conversation. It would have been nice to join them, but she knew she'd only get the same feeling of unease – the feeling she was being watched. Even now she felt that way, but at least she could see nobody was actually looking at her from her current spot, which helped to ease her a little.

"You look like you could use some company."

The voice startled Serena so much she jumped so high she was nearly on her feet. She didn't need to look to see who it was that had spoken, though she couldn't fathom where on earth he'd come from without her noticing.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." The man in front of her frowned as Serena looked at him, confirming precisely what she'd expected – it was the man who'd played guide for her and her father the day they'd arrived.

Serena forced herself to smile a bit. "It's alright. I'm just not used to having people see me around here." She gestured to the floor beside her. "Would you like to sit?"

"Only if you don't mind." The guide replied. "I would hate to trouble you."

"No trouble at all." Serena smiled. "I admit, it would be nice to have some company, and a familiar face makes it all the better."

The guide frowned as he sat beside her, being careful to not sit too close and overwhelm her. "It sounds to me like you're not overly happy here."

Serena shrugged. "I'll adjust." One look at the guide's questioning stare, however, made her continue. "It would just be nice to have someone to spend my days with, though it seems nobody cares to notice I'm here."

The guide's frown deepened. "That's a pity, really. I would have thought everyone around here would have better manners than that." He paused. "Then again, I suppose it was also I who told you some of the others around here weren't as welcoming towards young ladies as they should be."

Serena chuckled. "It's not such a bad thing, I suppose. I don't mind solitude, I just…" She hesitated, catching herself before she admitted to her feelings of unease. "Never mind."

The guide looked at her for a few moments, as though trying to decipher what she was thinking, though let the issue fall. "Well, signorina Spintori, how would you feel if I were to keep you company throughout the days? I must say it is a shame to see someone such as yourself stuck within these walls all the time, especially if she is alone." He smiled softly at her. "Take it from someone who knows, it gets quite dull after a while."

Serena was taken by surprise at his words. She most certainly hadn't expected him to suggest something like that. In fact, she found herself questioning why he would make her such an offer. He'd seemed concerned when she'd met him, certainly, and he seemed concerned now, but there was something else there too. Something she couldn't quite place her finger on.

However she shrugged these feelings aside, thinking them to be just a few more in her string of unease, and smiled at him. "I'd be delighted. Admittedly I would like to get out once in a while, though fear I haven't the slightest idea where I'd be going or how to get back once I got there." She paused. "Though if we're going to be spending some time together, I do believe some introductions are in order." She looked at him pointedly as she spoke the last sentence.

"My apologies for my rudeness, Signorina." The guide bowed his head as he spoke. "You may call me Hector."

"Hector…" Serena repeated the name, trying to decide if it suited him or not. She couldn't help but wonder how someone such as himself could have such a name while speaking Italian flawlessly, though she decided it was probably best not to scare him off by delving too deep into his personal life and history. "Well, Hector, it's a pleasure to meet you." She smiled again.

"And it is a pleasure to formally meet you as well, Signorina Spintori." Hector reached forward and gently took her hand in his, pulling it to his lips, and kissing it gently.

Serena didn't pull her hand away, though she frowned. "Please, there is no need for formality. If I am to call you Hector, then I must insist you call me Serena."

"Very well then," Hector said softly as he released Serena's hand. "Serena."

The two of them sat in silence for a few moments, Hector staring off into space while Serena watched the people sitting at the table. Was it her imagination or had they suddenly become more preoccupied with each other, rather than with staring at her, since Hector had joined her? She shook the thought from her head. No, it was impossible. Nobody was watching her. She'd just been cooped up within these walls or far too long, and needed some air.

"Might I be able to trouble you for a walk around outside?" Serena asked, looking at Hector. He'd offered to do such things, certainly, but she still hated to bother him. "I think I could use some air."

"It would be no trouble at all." Hector smiled at her again. "I think I know the perfect place to go. Somewhere away from people, with plenty of room to breathe."

"That sounds perfect!" Serena couldn't help herself – her enthusiasm was rising, and her voice was doing the same. The people still at the table glanced over at her briefly, before returning to their conversations.

Hector nodded and rose to his feet, extending a hand to Serena, which she gratefully accepted and allowed him to pull her to her feet.

"I might suggest wearing a cloak, however." Hector warned as they made their way from the dining area. "The sky is greatly overcast today, and I'm afraid it may rain at any time." He paused in his steps, looking at her. "I do hope you're not prone to catching cold."

Serena shook her head. "Not at all. Though if I were at least it would give me a reason to stay in bed while alone, rather than wandering aimlessly around."

"You needn't worry about such things anymore." Hector chuckled. "That's what I'm here for."

"I don't wish to trouble you…" Serena frowned as they began walking again. "Though I will admit I greatly appreciate your offering to do this."

Hector waved a hand, as though brushing the comments aside. "It is nothing but an honour to keep you company, signorina."

"Serena."

"As a member of this household it is my duty to make you feel as welcome as possible. I would hate to see you waste away in here, alone, without company." Hector ignored Serena's correction.

As the two of them continued on, they said nothing. Serena was once again looking around at the items within the hallways – it seemed she saw something new every time she wandered around – trying to decide just how old the building they were in was.

She couldn't help but shriek, however, as a man stepped out in front of them, causing them to stop. Hector wrapped a protective arm around her as she shrieked, and stared the man down.

The man seemed to pay no heed to Serena, however, nor did he seem to notice Hector's stare. Instead he stepped towards him, leaned over, and muttered a few quick words to him. Hector turned to look at him with concern, replying back just as softly and quickly, leaving Serena unable to hear what was being said. The man merely nodded once in response before turning and walking away again.

Hector signed. "I'm afraid our walk will have to wait a while, Signorina. I have been called away for a while." He glanced down the hallway, looking at the man's retreating back briefly, before turning his gaze back to Serena. "Allow me to escort you to your chambers. I'm afraid now is not a very good time for a young lady such as yourself to be wandering around alone and unescorted."

Serena's eyes burned with questions, though she kept them to herself as she allowed Hector to escort her to her room. She couldn't help but notice he seemed a little more protective of her than he had previously, keeping one hand firmly on her shoulder as he glanced quickly down the hallways they passed, never leaving her side until she was safely locked inside her own room. Unfortunately the moment he left her side was also the moment the feeling of unease returned to her, stronger than ever.

There was something strange about this place, she was sure of it, though she could not fathom what it could be, nor was she entirely sure she wished to know.