Emmett couldn't figure out what it was that these people wanted from him. Obviously they were human, and they were definitely playing with fire. It was the kid who really bothered him. His eyes sparkled with a frightening kind of glee, and he was the one who had pushed the unfortunate girl into a cage with a vampire - for all they knew, a homicidal monster. Emmett was hardly affected by deprivation - he needed none of the fuels or comforts that humans depended upon. But the thirst was a constant ache now, and he was experiencing some lethargy.

The girl was in worse shape. She lounged against the far end of the enclosure, impervious to the wretched silver bars. Emmett mused that even if the silver was plating this thing must have cost a small fortune. A movement outside the cage caught his eye. It was the boy, and for the first time he had moved in close to the cage. He had something in his hand…

Shit! A slender arm reached inside the cage and slashed across the girl's exposed throat. In the millisecond it took Emmett to realize what was happening and move to her side, it was too late. As her eyes rolled back, Emmett cradled her thin body in his massive arms, his mouth moving of its own accord to the sweet bubbling stream pouring out of her ruined throat. The cage, the room, the people faded from his consciousness as he drank deeply, the terrible thirst finally satisfied.

The room came back into focus slowly, and Emmett found himself staring into the eyes of madness. The boy was sitting in a leather recliner, his hands gripping the arms of the chair, and he was laughing. As the father and son laughed and pointed, Emmett suddenly realized that his enjoyment of the long overdue nourishment was embarrassingly evident. He growled ferociously and lunged at the bars, but they continued to hold - and his hands sizzled with fresh blisters as he backed off in a hurry.

Esme met Carlisle at the door. He followed her upstairs to the formal living room, where Rosalie and Alice sat like statues. "The Volturi have agreed to help us search for Emmett," he began. He was interrupted by Esme, her dark eyes filled with fear.

"How do we know if he's even alive, Carlisle?" Her voice was a sob, and Rosalie sprang to her side.

Carlisle shook his head. "I would know, my dear. Our son is out there somewhere." He did not add, "...and I know he is in pain." She did not need to know that, and neither did Rosalie. "And Edward? Jasper?"

Alice answered this time. "Searching, networking, running in circles." She paced around the large room, then suddenly stopped. Her hand went to her throat and her eyes went wide. Everyone in the room froze.

"Silver" Alice breathed. "An enclosure...no, cage. A cage made of silver. And I can hear people talking, but I can't understand them. Russian?"

Carlisle waited, not daring to interrupt her. When it was clear that she would say no more, he clarified. "Not Russian. Romanian. Vladimir. But why? They've been at war with the Volturi for centuries, but never with our family." He realized his question was rhetorical. No one in the room could answer it any more than Carlisle himself could.

Marcus stood, listening intently to his cell phone. In the cavernous hall, Vanhi could hear both sides of the conversation clearly. With a tilt of his head, Marcus indicated that he would take the call outside and that she should follow. He knew that any vampire in the immediate area could hear it as well.

"I don't understand, Carlisle. I know the Romanians hate us, but this just doesn't make sense. What would they want with Emmett?"

"I honestly don't think they have him," Carlisle explained. "But the language makes me think that they may be the key to finding him. I have to talk to them. I would ask you, since you're closer geographically, but…"

Marcus sighed. "You know I'd do anything for you and your family, Carlisle, but they'd never talk to any of us." Vanhi placed her hand lightly on his arm and looked up at her husband.

"They've never met me, Marcus. What can I do to help? If I cross by boat to Yugoslavia, I can get to Romania today."

Marcus was already shaking his head. "And if they find out you're my wife, Vanhi? What then? I'm sorry, Carlisle, but I just can't take that chance."

"I agree, Marcus. I'll get there as quickly as possible. They will help me if they can." The line went dead. Marcus tried to avoid Vanhi's gaze, but she turned to face him, her arms encircling his waist.

"What if it was our child, Marcus? Where would you draw that line? Carlisle is our friend. This is his son. A day...an hour could mean the difference between life and death. Don't you see? I have to try. They don't know me, and they certainly have no reason to hate me."

Vladimir and Stefan heard her coming a mile away. In spite of her haste, Vanhi's colorful sari was spotless. She waited patiently for an answer to her knock - fingering the many bracelets that adorned her arms, removing an invisible speck from the costly fabric. Vampires seldom fidget, so Vanhi was apparently nervous. She straightened as the ancient door swung open and recognized Valdimir immediately. His hair, eyebrows, and lashes were pure white, his eyes a brilliant scarlet. He was dressed entirely in black, which served to accentuate his pallor. She estimated his height to be the same as hers, which surprised her. She had pictured him taller.

Vanhi got right to the point. "I am a friend of the Cullens, and they sent me to ask for your help. Their son, Emmett, has been kidnapped. He is being held in a cage, and they suspect it is in this vicinity. Will you help?"

Vladimir took his time looking her up and down, his gaze finally meeting her eyes. He smiled slowly and finally spoke in a thick accent. "Do you take me for a fool? Or did you really think I would not recognize you, Vanhi Volturi?"