A/N: This chapter is a little shorter than I wanted it to be but I'm still happy with it. I hope its not as sad as the last three. I promise things will get better for Bree. Hey when your at the bottom you only have up to go right? :) I really hope you all enjoy. I wanna thank everyone who reviews and puts my story on alert!! Thanks!!

Shame pulses through my heart

From the things I've done to you

It's hard to face, but the fact remains that

This is nothing new

I left you bound and tied with suicidal memories

Selfish beneath the skin

But deep inside I'm not insane.

I'm not insane, I'm not insane.

Almost Easy, Avenged Sevenfold

Alec POV

I never thought of myself as a cruel man. I'm sure there are plenty of people who would disagree with that. Bree would probably be one of them. Her situation is the first one that makes me feel uneasy. First one to make me feel wrong and even a little ashamed. Of course, Bree's case isn't the first incident I have disagreed on. There have been plenty of times when I thought that we were making the wrong choice but I never felt bad about them. This bothered me the most, this feeling of unfairness. It took me awhile to figure out what this feeling was. When you've been alive for so long feelings tend to just blend into each other. If that makes sense. So when a feeling is so prominent to you, it makes you think. Its been centuries since I have felt guilt. It was because of this guilt that my mind was often on her. I must admit that my mind was a little confused when I first saw her. She was after all very beautiful but I waved it off as lust. It had to be.

It's been almost fifteen years since I've been with a woman. Like I said before I've never been in love, thankfully, but I am a man with certain needs. There's never been a need for love. I've seen the effects of love and let me tell you, they aren't pretty. Marcus is my prime example. He lost Didyme centuries ago but still to this day he's nothing. He died the same day she did. If only I had made it in time to save her things would have been different, he would be different. That was the last time I felt guilt so strong.

It was the battle against the Knights of Gabriel that we lost her. We were sent to deal with a group of three vampires that were killing off villages and cities. It took us only three days before their activities came to our attention. They dressed themselves in pure silver and gold and would call themselves warriors of God. In those three days they managed to slaughter everyone in four major cities. We were still small and trying to keep things in order was difficult to say the least. Only myself, Marcus, Didyme, and Jane were sent to deal with the situation. It was suppose to be Marcus and Didyme last fight with us. They had decided to move on, which wasn't uncommon really, they were after all very much in love.

We never saw them coming. One minute we were feeding and the next we were fighting. We had no chance really, everything happened so fast. We were just overwhelmed by their powers and they simply had the advantage of surprise. It was as if they were just sitting there, waiting for us. I completely blame myself for her death. I was suppose to be guarding us while we feed and I failed. I never imagined that we would get attacked. We were still four days away from the Knights and we were the ones that had the element of surprise not them. So I got complacent and let my guard down. How they found us, I have no idea.

Marcus has never been the same since. That's why I'll never fall in love. I feel sorry for Marcus but I also see him as weak. Weak for allowing himself to lose control of himself this way. That will never happen to me, I'm strong. I'm probably the strongest vampire alive. My power supersedes everyone really. Do I have a big ego? Well of course I do. I know that I could easily take over the Volturi but I don't. I owe Aro my life. I would never betray him but that's a story better left for another time.

During Bree's months of captivity I tried my hardest not to think of her but it was all to no avail. My mind was often on her and the first moment I saw her. I knew it was lust that I felt but still I couldn't shake her off. I also knew that the main reason I was often thinking of her was because I felt guilty. The images her of down in that room, starving and alone, haunted me. I decided that I would try my best to win her over. She would hate us, of this I was sure but I would try to make her happy. It was the least I could do. The least we could do.

My first order of business was getting her a room. We lived underground but it was huge. We had plenty of space and plenty of rooms. Once I found the room I was looking for I made arrangements to have it fixed up. I had the whole works done on it. New paint job, new floors, new furniture, and even a new closet with a whole new wardrobe. Aro was well pleased with the end results. I was no fool, I knew that none of this would matter to her but it was only the start.

Today was the day Bree was to be released from her cell. I was actually nervous but I had no idea why. I felt silly and immature. I hated myself right now. There was no reason for me to feel this way. I told myself that today was just like any other day but when Aro asked for me to go get Bree's food, I was just a little too excited.

Bree's POV

"I'm here to take you to your room, Bree. You no longer have to stay here. Your free," he said softly. "Come, I'll show you to your room." He offered his hand to me.

Free? I'm free? Is he joking? "Free?" I choked out. My voice sounded so foreign to me. I even jumped at the sound that came out. When was the last time I heard the sound of my own voice.

"Yes Bree. I'm here to take you to your room. You have paid your debts and your now free to go. Come." With this he extended his hand out to me. I wasn't sure what to do so I just stood there. I knew that time was passing by but I still didn't move and neither did he. While being locked in this hell whole I made a promise to myself that I would take revenge against those who did this to me. This wasn't the LAW, this wasn't punishment, this was just plain torture. Those around me would and will pay for this.

"hmm….Bree I know this might all seem very wrong and confusing. All I can offer you is this. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for what I did and didn't do. Please believe me when I say that form this point on I will protect you with my life. No harm will come to you." He spoke so softly.

His words shocked me. Not because of what he said but because when I looked at him I actually believed him. He seemed so sincere I didn't know how to respond. Was he lying? What were his reasons for all this? "Why?" I managed to choke out yet again.

With this his eyes saddened and he looked down before answering. "I have been dead for a very long time. I know how it feels like to be locked up. I know how it feels like to be tortured and hurt."

That was all he said and I guess that was all he needed to say.

"You have no idea what your saying. I can care less if your sorry or not. I am not seeking your pity because your pity means nothing to me. I don't need your protection. I can take care of myself," I spat back. With that I squared my shoulders and walked towards the door without bothering to look at him. I meant every word I said. I would not be needing anyone's protection or pity. I was strong, of this I was certain of. During my time of imprisonment I had more then enough time to think and I knew why I wasn't killed. Of course it was me that controlled Jane and the rest. Now I just had to be able to focus and control that power.

I stopped once I reached the door. I was beyond scared, I had no idea what lead beyond. Whatever was about to come my way I was going to met it head on. I felt stronger then ever before. I looked up at Marcus and was completely stunned. He was handsome. What was I looking at before? He had long jet black hair which was tied in a nice loose ponytail. He had a strong jawbone but his skin was that stood out; it was so thin almost translucent. He was wearing a black robe of some sorts so I couldn't see his body. He was easily 6'0 maybe 6'2.

He stared at me for a second before speaking, "You will follow me. Please do not run or fight. I do not want to chase you or hurt you. You will have a quick snack and afterwards I will be taking you to your quarters where you will then clean yourself up. You will patiently wait in your quarters for further instructions. Do you understand?"

I couldn't believe it. Is he actually bored? I couldn't be sure but it sounded as though he was indifferent. Did I miss something?

"I understand," I curtly answered.

As soon as I was done answering we began to move. We were walking down a dark hallway with many doors on each side. This must be some sort of prison. We came to the end of the hallway where another closed door awaited us. He banged on it three times and it opened immediately. I didn't recognize the vampire who opened it but he didn't seem surprise by the sight of me. The moment we went through the door the smell of the human consumed me. My mouth began to water immediately and a low growl left my lips.

I looked around and found what I was looking for but something else caught my eyes as well. If Marcus was handsome then this creature was simply exquisite. He had short dark brown hair with full lips. He was shorter than Marcus but not by much, he was easily 5'8. He also had much softer features then Marcus. He was almost angelic and painfully beautiful. I knew I was gawking but I couldn't help it. From the looks of it he was just as shocked by what he saw. The moment his eyes locked onto mine they widened with genuine surprise. He was staring at me with such intensity, if I had a heartbeat it would be beating erratically right now. His gaze left my face were it proceeded to go down my body and back up to my face again. His eyes unexpectedly softened as he examined me closely. He was about to examine my body once more but this time I followed his gaze. I was taken aback by what I saw. I was covered in black grime, dried blood, and dirt. My clothes were stiffened and tore at some places. I no longer had shoes on and I had some bite marks on my arms mostly likely self inflicted. I could only imagine what my face might look like. I looked back up and found that he was no longer staring at me instead his eyes looked down. He clearly looked upset but of why I wasn't sure. Suddenly I felt my anger begin to creep up on me. I didn't need this beautiful creature to feel sorry for me.

"Bree you must feed," said Marcus, finally breaking me from my daze. I had forgotten anyone else was around us. I meant to take a quick glimpse at Marcus but was surprised that he staring intensely at the beautiful vampire with a frown. The other vampire seemed unaware of Marcus scrutiny. I looked towards the ground trying to regain my composure. What just happened?

I only needed a second before the smell of the human hit my nostrils once more. I slowly made my way towards it and let my eyes fall upon the human. He appeared to be in a deep slumber, he looked as though he was in his late thirty's. He was tall and from the looks of him, he was a body builder. It was only me and him now and that was all I could see, my prey. I let my instincts take over and it was all over just as fast as it began. I felt my eyes roll towards the back of my head. He was the best thing that has happened to me yet.

"Follow me," ordered Marcus.

He lead me through a set of double doors to the right of the room. I allow myself to take a glance back at the vampire that left me breathless. He still held the dead human in his hands and he was still looking towards the ground. It looked as though he was in deep thought. Then without warning he looked up. What he did next shocked me to stillness. He smiled at me. It was a small smile but still a smile. Was he being funny? I had to stop and turned towards him. He took a small step forward but then he also stopped. I had no idea what he was up or what he was thinking. It was all so bizarre.

"Bree?" asked Marcus from behind me.

I turned back to look at Marcus. He was about ten feet away from me and had a look of puzzlement. I looked back towards the other vampire and was stunned to see that him and the dead human were both gone. I didn't see nor hear them leave. Did I just imagine all that? Maybe I've become delusional. I quickly made my way to Marcus. We walked through a long hallway but we made no turns. Every time we came across another hallway I tried to peek through it but I saw nothing, just doors. There were no sounds not even a whisper. No one else lived here? Finally after a couple of minutes of walking we came to a halt.

"This will be your room for the time being. If you decide to stay with us then this room will permanently be yours. You are not to leave this room without an escort. You have clothes that fit you in the closet which is located to the left of this room, please change and be ready. You will have visitors here to met with you at exactly 7pm. Do you have any questions?" asked Marcus. He was still acting so weird. We were still standing outside the door, we hadn't even entered the room yet.

"No," I replied. He opened the door for me but still didn't enter the room. I entered the room alone and quickly heard the door behind me close and lock. I stood still for a minutes unaware of what do next. After a short while I allowed myself to examine the room further. I was astonished at how beautiful and large the room actually was, yet anything was better than my old 'room'. The room had no bed instead it had a very large white couch in the very middle of it. It looked wonderful on the mahogany floor and black walls. Behind the couch was a wall covered in books. The whole wall was just a huge bookcase. In front of the couch was a 55'inch TV. and to the right of the room was a lovely piano. There where paintings all around the room and lamps on each side of the couch as well. The room wasn't flashy it was simply, classic and I loved it.

I made my way to the door on the right thinking that it was the closet Marcus spoke of but it wasn't. It was a bathroom. The bathroom was just as large as the room. There was a tube in here that looked more like a Jacuzzi. I walked in to have a closer look. To the left was a one small sink with huge mirror that covered half the wall. Light bulbs outlined the large mirror. To the left of the small sink were different types of lotions and soaps. Why the need for lotions? To the right of it were different types of make up.

I came up to the mirror to take a closer look at the make up but what I saw instead completely and utterly shocked me. I couldn't believe that the person staring right at me was actually me. It had to be someone else. This creature couldn't be me. My dark black hair was like hay and all tangled up. Parts of it was stiff and covered in grime. None of this compared to my face. It was black and covered in small scratches. The creatures eyes widened and a small sob escaped its lips. This couldn't be me.