Chapter Four

Zondrea wished she could have done something else besides stand there and let what happened happen. Now that she was back inside, safe from the rising sun, her mind was racing, and it wasn't stopping anytime soon.

After Caius had realized they had almost no time to get inside, and with citizens already waking up and wondering the streets, he had ushered her back inside. She did as he said, too shocked to do anything else.

Once they had gotten back inside, Caius had taken her back to Demetri, saying he had something important to do, although he wouldn't say what. She had stayed silent, hands still by her side, and her head still buzzing from what had happened and the amount of blood she had consumed. How many humans had the two of them murdered that night? She had lost count after the first five.

As this thought came to mind, she put her head in her hands, squeezing her eyes tightly shut. Zondrea could feel Demetri's gaze on her, but she ignored him and soon enough he looked away, glancing back at his new book.

She had to leave, and soon. She didn't want to stay here anymore. She didn't want to have to kill innocent humans that didn't need to be killed. They had their owns lives, their own families, and she had taken that away from them, for her own selfish needs.

America, that's where she had to go. To the Cullens, where they would feed on animals. The coven could teach her their ways, and she could learn to be decent and not want to murder every human she ever saw. But, the only problem was, how as she going to get out?

Being with the Cullens and staying there wouldn't be much of a problem. Bella was a shield, she recalled Felix saying, which would block off Demetri's tracking abilities. They would never be able to find her, it would be like she had just disappeared. But, still, how in the world would she escape? Demetri was still watching over her like a hawk, especially after the praise he had gotten from Caius earlier.

There had to be some way to get out. Maybe if she talked to Aro, or told Demetri she wanted to go hunting. Even then, though, he would have a shield with him so she wouldn't be able to use her abilities and who knows if she is even faster than him. Besides, if she got caught trying to run away, she would just be in more trouble when she got taken back. Zondrea fought away a instinct shiver when she thought of how angry Caius would be, especially after what had happened.

Zondrea wanted to bang her fists against the walls in frustration. She hated how she was practically being held captive here. She should have the ability and freedom to leave. She was an old enough vampire that she didn't need to be a worry for the Volturi, she knew how to hunt and hide her tracks.

But, then again, with Aro, he would be too upset to let one of his most gifted go. Would he even let her go? If he did, it wouldn't be easy. But, if he didn't, he would probably know how difficult she would become.

Zondrea sat on the table, back against the wall, as she pondered through these thoughts. There had to be a good solution somewhere. The main part would just be getting out and hurrying to the ocean. That would be the only difficult part, and then when she was in Washington, everything would be absolutely fine.

"Zondrea," A voice interrupted her plans. She glanced up to see Demetri standing over her, the book he had been reading was face down on the table across from her. He looked a bit put off and annoyed, but somewhat curious. His dark eyes were set in a narrowed way, and she realized how dark his eyes were and the bruises beneath them.

"Yes?" She asked, keeping her voice steady as she spoke, not wanting anything to come off as wrong.

"I know you went on a little rampage with feeding tonight, but I haven't gone in a while, and we haven't had any tourists lately." He explained, hands on his hips in a sassy way.

Zondrea nodded for him to go on, listening very carefully to his words. "And, I'm starving. I need to go and either I bring Felix in to take my place or you come with me."

She thought for a moment before saying something she hadn't even planned on. "Or you could just go. Even take Felix with you." She suggested and immediately he narrowed his eyes even more, suspicion coming off very strongly.

"Oh come on, Demetri. It's not like I plan on going anywhere. I have nowhere to go. Besides, you can just tell that new secretary to not let me out." She argued against his glare.

Demetri seemed to consider for a moment, his face softening with the more time that passed by. "Promise?" He asked, his lips set in a straight line.

"Of course." She responded, a feeling a lightness and hope spreading throughout her chest.

"Fine, but if you dare try anything, Zondrea, Caius will be furious. And not just with you, but also with me. Gosh, if I wasn't as talented as I am, I'm sure he would rip my head off." Demetri sighed and then nodded before saying goodbye and flying out the door of the study.

Zondrea let out a relieved sigh, feeling proud of herself for being able to convince him. She waited, still sitting on the table and listening to the noises around her. She could feel when Demetri and Felix left the building, she could slightly hear the small talk they made between each other before leaving.

This was her chance, the chance to escape and leave. She hopped up, and then jumped down from the table, her feet landing noiselessly. For the first time, she was actually happy that she had fed so much that last night, so she wouldn't be hungry on her journey to Washington and be tempted to feed on humans there.

Her hand crept to the door handle and pulled it open, stepping out into the hallway. No one was around, she could feel that. She heard voices murmuring from the grand room and a quiet tone by the receptionist desk, but apart from that, everything was clear.

She didn't waste any more time, she hurried to the exit. Her feet found their own path, noiselessly creeping throughout the building with ease and precision. Her legs moved down the stairs, ears still listening for anyone coming.

Her whole body was tensed with fear. What if someone heard her? She could hear the voices in the grand room, so does that mean they could hear her passing throughout the halls and heading to the exit? Maybe, if they could hear, they would just think it to be someone else.

Zondrea came up to the exit, seeing the receptionist. Her eyes had been downcast to the piece of paper laid out in front of her, but when Zondrea entered she glanced up confused. "Demetri told me not to let you leave." She warned in a voice full of false authority.

Zondrea smiled in a flattering sort of way. "Oh, did he? Well, actually I told him I would be out in a bit to go hunting with them. I suppose they just went to get a head start." She told the girl, who was now nodding, but still looked a bit off.

"Right, but I still don't feel safe with you leaving." The women said slowly, but Zondrea had hardly been paying any attention to her. She could hear footsteps coming their way and knew she might be in trouble.

Both of the girls turned to see who was entering at the same time, and to her relief, it was Jane. Well, it wasn't much of a relief, but it was better than who she had been scared of seeing. Jane's eyes immediately went to Zondrea, the red dull. "Caius would like to speak with you." She announced and Zondrea felt as if she had been kicked in the stomach. Her only chance to get away, and now Caius was calling for her.

"Of course," Zondrea responded with ease and formality. With a wistful glance at the exit, she turned and followed Jane out of the room and down a different hallway, all of her hopes spiraling down.

(A/N: Alright, as usual, let me know what you thought about it in a review. I know this one was a little short, but it was kinda like an intermission sort of thing, except I'm definitely not in the middle of the story yet. But, I should be updating by tomorrow or then next day. But, probably tomorrow since I'm on break! Go on and review!)