La luce della Luna

Disclaimer: Gabriel is mine. Elizabeth is mine. The Cullens? Not so much. All recognized Twilight people are Stephine Meyer's. I'm just playing with them.

Summary: The companion piece to The Stars and The Sun. This is to that as Midnight Sun is to Twilight. All of this will be told from our beloved Gabriel's POV.

Author's note: I am so sorry this one took so long to get out. I've switched jobs and have been super busy with a) pushing out resumes because I had to leave my old job and then b) getting settled into my new job. I'm still working on b... But now that I have a new job, my writer's block is slowly leaving me and I should be able to keep up a bit more with my writing (now that I'm not sending out 20 resumes a day...).

I really hope everyone likes this chapter. It has Carlisle and Jasper in it. Jasper gets to play the part of overprotective vampire a bit. I, again, split up the chapter. This vaguely corresponds to Chapter 15 in The Stars and the Sun...but so will the next chapter. :-)


Chapter 7

Why came I hither but to that intent?
Think you ... a little din can daunt mine ears?
Have I not in my time heard lions roar?
Have I not heard the sea puff'd up with winds
Rage like an angry boar chafed with sweat?
Have I not heard great ordnance in the field,
And heaven's artillery thunder in the skies?
Have I not in a pitched battle heard
Loud 'larums, neighing steeds, and trumpets' clang?
And do you tell me of a woman's tongue,
That gives not half so great a blow to hear
As will a chestnut in a farmer's fire?

Tush, tush! fear boys with bugs.

-Taming of the Shrew

There was but one resounding answer to Elizabetta's statement that I could give. "No," I stated to which the human lady did raise her brow at me in a questioning way, as if to say who was I to defy her? "I will not drink from animals," I told her as I watched the signs and noticed the direction to which we were going. It would seem that Elizabetta wished to head west which was of little matter. As long as she did not head to the city of New York where the Volturi Guard may still linger.

"Why not?" she asked as if she did expect to have the higher argument.

I did hold back but a small hint of laughter for this little treasure did seem to be a walking argument within herself. A weak human but yet she killed a vampire; a woman yet truly I have already seen her will be as strong as that of any man; and she should no fear in my kind though she should. Perhaps she was touched and unable to react in a way that would be appropriate towards a predator such as myself?

"Do you not eat animals?" I asked thinking of how to win this argument without allowing her to have any room to debate much more.

"Yes?" she stated in a way I knew I was to continue. I smiled, already feeling the glory of triumph in my argument.

"If humans eat animals, it is due to their being higher in the order of all life. Vampires are predators created to drink from those that feast upon animals," I informed her though I did hope not to scare the human lady.

Rather than fear, I saw her hands clench the steering wheel as tightly as she might. I noticed the narrowing of her eyes and the decisive look about her. Of course, Elizabetta would not leave it at that; I did not believe she would.

"So does that mean I can eat vegetarians?" she asked rather suddenly; her question being one of which I did not fully understand.

"You are human," I began slowly, as I wished her to explain her question for little sense did it make to me.

"Yes," she replied as if I amused her greatly. I furrowed my brow and rubbed my chin in thought before she did more fully answer. "If you drink from those that feast upon animals," she began in a way to imitate my own manner of speech to which I found peculiar though not unwelcomed. "And animals eat vegetables, then do those that feast upon animals get to eat those that eat only vegetables?"

"Elizabetta," I began as she was being far less than serious upon this matter. Did she not understand that a vampire was a dangerous creature? A soulless demon that preyed upon humans for its nourishment? Though she did seem to know much in theory it seemed little did she comprehend in practice.

"Nuh huh," she interrupted, a smile pulling at those perfect red lips. "It's a perfectly good question. I want to know if I can go eat some animal liberation front member tonight or not," she did tease to which I grew angry thought mostly at myself for I did despise not having the choice to live as humans do and to be this demon creature.

"It is not natural!" I informed her as I clutched my fists together. For a vampire to forsake their true self and to only live off the blood of animals was to say this life was not a condemnation for our sins but to say this is but purgatory –a middle ground between Heaven and Hell. It was to say that we could still be saved. But how could we when the fires of Hell did burn us from our very tongues as the mere scent of a human passing by?

"Neither is a human killing a vampire," she informed me in such a manner that I did find it hard to think upon a counterargument to her own. Of course, she was human and, being that she was my savior, did I not owe her my very existence? The disgust of animal blood seemed a small price to pay to ensure the safety and what little sanity my savior did have left.

"I cannot promise that I shall be perfect in this measure," I informed her and did catch as she took but a satisfied look upon me knowing well that she had won. Was there a vampire that could go against her in arms or in words? I began to doubt as such for how did one compete with a creature that was not to be? "But I will try."

I caught the hint of a smile grace her face and saw how lovely she did look. Her eyes seemed more jubilant than her lips, the soft green looking ahead at the road as she drove. Noticing her look that I thought smug, I turned to the windshield and did narrow my own eyes. "That does mean I shall not be perfect and may take human blood from time to time," I reiterated, wondering if such a blunt comment would scare her. She knew what we were but did she truly understand it? It had little effect other than to cause the little treasure to roll her eyes and say nothing more.

The minutes ticked by slowly to the beat of the dulcimer upon her small electronic music player –surprised was I to hear the sounds of music from my own time as well as much older upon the speaker system. I had expected something more wild with her but only heard but a few songs that were of this time and this age; I listened intently as the songs switched from one another -14th century to 21st and back again. It was odd how, hearing such things together, I did enjoy them but to have a human who did not grow with the changes of the music to enjoy them as well? It was but another measure to her oddity and probably a mark upon her sanity.

The only other sounds within her vehicle were the consistent beeping upon once every twenty seconds of Elizabetta's mobile phone as well as the soft growls of her pup as the sable fur laid down behind me. I could also hear the repeated sound of the pistons as they rose and fell in the engine of the truck, each repetition almost in time with the soft beating of Elizabetta's heart. The vital sound that was as mouthwatering as it was endearing for it did mean that my savior was but near me and there would I keep her so that she may be safe; for who would allow a human who knew so much and had so little sense as to keep herself away from vampires out upon her own?

But an half hour passed before the little treasure did seem to come out of a trace of some sort. She glanced at her mobile phone as we continued westward along the highway, the beeping of it seeming to finally enter into her consciousness. Gently, she went to pick up the noisy thing whilst she did take an exit onto yet another highway, continuing our westward direction. She looked at the screen in a peculiar manner, having but one hand upon the wheel. Such as that was not that frightened me; it was that, to turn upon the exit so as to merge upon the new highway she wished to go, she used her knee to push the wheel the extra way, hold the wheel for less than a second betwixt her knees, and the re grab the wheel once again with her hand. It was terrifying for it was dangerous and though I had no fear of my own safety, I did of hers.

"Hello?" She spoke upon the phone though there was little question in her green eyes. I watched carefully this human lady's movements for most humans did not seem to drive as she did; 80 miles per an hour down a highway while speaking upon the phone with but one hand upon the wheel and still managing to drive in such a manner that it was little difference than when she had been driving upon the roads at 40 with both hands upon the wheel. I did not think humans could drive like that and to know her reflexes were not quick enough to save her car from some damage if he hand –or knee!- should slip given that she seemed comfortable to use either in order to steer the vehicle…

"Elizabeth, can you please tell us where you are heading? Esme is very worried about you," a masculine voice to ask of her upon the phone. Being a vampire, I am endowed with certain abilities, including the ability to easily hear a phone conversation such as this given my proximity to the little treasure. I watched as my savior's face did crumble before regaining some composure. Whomever she did speak to was someone that not only did know Esme but someone that Elizabetta did seem to like based upon her expressions.

"Ah…," She began but did stop as if she were confused. I could see the very start of water begin to collect in her eyes. "Ah don't know," she continued. It was as if with those words she awakened from some sort of sleep. Her eyes went from an unfathomable sadness to one of determination. I did not comprehend why and looked to follow her gaze. I saw nothing upon the highway other than signs that indicated we were continuing upon our westward journey.

"It's becoming clearer," a feminine voice stated, clearly not upon the phone but nearby it. She was most likely close enough that even Elizabetta's weak human ears would pick up the sounds of this other woman or girl's voice. "I think she's going to a…railroad house near Lake Erie?" the woman girl stated in the background. What surprised me was Elizabetta's reaction upon hearing the woman girl's words; she started to laugh.

"It's a hotel, or was in the 1920's," she answered. Despite the attempt at a laugh, I could still see the pain, the sadness taking form though my sweet savior did try to hide it.

"A hotel?" the masculine voice asked of Elizabetta. She sucked in her lips, biting down upon them, her face turning paler for the moment, before she did answer the man.

"Ah…," She started, her accent coming through. The little treasure began to think better of her words and shook her head but slight, or so it seemed. "Please, Carlisle, don't come lookin' for me," she informed the man. Ah, Carlisle. From what I knew of him through Edward and through legend, it is little surprise that he could bring out such emotion for this human lady for he was often said to be a man of great character. It was clear upon Elizabetta's face that she did love him in a very familial way. "Ah don't want ya or any of your family to get hurt," the little pet did state as she spoke with a slightly higher inflection. I could see the water brimming in her green eyes but it was also clear that she fought against the turning tide in her eyes greatly. She had no wish to cry.

Silence. It was but a few nanoseconds but it spoke volumes on it's own for the male vampire upon the other end of the phone did not speak right away either. Indeed, it was our little treasure that did speak again. "Did Esme," she began but a single tear did escape from her eye. I did nearly wish to rescue it from her face though I knew not why and to at least comfort this lady in some way for it was I that took her from those that she loved. It was through my own actions, my own sins, that I have torn her from her home.

Her breathing hitched slightly as the tear continued it's escape, rolling down her face towards her rounded chin. Elizabetta bit her bottom lip before she spoke again. "Is she headin' home?" her voice did crack out for she was but at a human whisper in volume and her tone held something of worry and sadness in it.

"Esme is on her way to the airport," Carlisle replied in a way to offset any fears that did show in this human lady's tone. "We will see her again in a few hours," he did continue though his tone changed slightly. I recall that Edward had stated that Esme was Carlisle's mate though he used the term wife oft to describe her. If that be true, then his words were more of a relief and a reminder to himself than to add comfort to our little treasure.

Though, such words did bring relief to her for she did sigh upon hearing them and relief filled her face. The tears that had threatened began to recede on their own as calm came over her. Was this one human really truly so caring towards those that saw her as part of their natural food source? Granted, the animal eaters or the chupacabras as they are called in the language of Spain would not see my savior as such nor did I but still! For a human to show such love, such compassion to vampires and for her to save me? It was not out of disgust of Jane that she killed her but out of the need to preserve another existence. I could not help but marvel at such.

"Thank you," she stated softly but with such emotion behind it that it was clear there were many words that Elizabetta wished to express to this male vampire upon the phone.

"Elizabeth, I believe my entire family would be much relieved if you choose to come here as well. None of us find the idea of you traveling with a typical vampire very comforting," Carlisle informed the human lady aft he did clear his throat –a very human gesture no doubt done for her benefit. I did smirk at his words for it did mean that they cared not for my sake but for the sake of the lady. They wished her to be unharmed and this was precisely the reason that I did enter her vehicle as she left the confines to the Cullen house in Ithaca. I would not allow the Guard to hurt her.

"I'm so sorry, Carlisle," she stated in such a way that no one could doubt the truth of her words. The simple English word of sorry did not sound like it could contain a hint of the depth of the feeling she wished to express yet, what sin has she committed again this clan? For all of it was mine and mine alone. Though she did save me from Jane's fire, this simple yet beautiful creature could not stop a vampire.

"I can't put your family in danger. Ah just can't," the little treasure did pled with the other male vampire. Angry arose in me at the idea that he might not accept this lady's apology and ignore her pleadings. This human was my savior and if any did see her as but another human, it was I they would deal with it.

Carlisle's answer was his saving grace for if he has answered any other way than the simple but sad "I understand", if he caused the one who risked her life to save me, an unknown to her, any pain, I would go across the country myself to inflict ten times the pain upon him. For she was a human and he was a vampire, already superior in strength.

But still I saw pain upon her face and upon her motions. Her entire body vibrated with what I could but describe as frustration and sadness –both emotions that wrecked me for I placed them upon her. It is my doing, my sins, that placed her in this position and, for that, it is my duty to alleviate the burden I have placed upon her by keeping her safe from the Guard and, perhaps, getting her back to this clan if they truly do love her as their pet.

"We will always be here for you, Elizabeth. If you change your mind, simply come home," Carlisle informed my savior. Another male did speak in the distance from the phone. His voice was faint –if I held the phone, I have no doubt that I would hear him but with the receiver being three feet from my own ears and being held against the soft creamy alabaster skin of this perfect creature, this sin eater, I heard but a tone that indicated a masculine voice.

"Jasper would like to speak with you, if you do not mind," Carlisle once again spoke and it was to Elizabetta's reactions I did find curiosity. She blinked and looked surprised by the words that this father figure did speak. Whoever this Jasper was, he is not one that my savior expected to speak with.

"Umm, sure," she more questioned that stated for her voice still held the sounds of surprise in it. There was silence for two seconds prior to another, very different sounding, masculine voice speaking upon the phone.

"Elizabeth?" this man asked. I could gather nothing from this single word other than he knew her.

"Hi, Jasper," she stated easily but her visage was something to behold. Her brow knitted in confusion that did not match her tone. Immediately upon speaking did she press her lips, draw them inwards, and bite down as if considering something. What I would not give to have Edward's ability at this moment so that all would reveal itself to me without the need to question my savior with endless questions and, most likely, get little in the way of answers.

"Elizabeth, is he keeping you hostage?" this Jasper asked of her in a very ordered, matter of fact tone. That he cared for her wasn't so much the question as much as his accent –which was deeper than my Elizabetta's- was clearly from the Southern part of the United States of America. His manner of speaking in this single sentence suggested a leader of some kind.

"No," she stated without a moment's hesitation. Her posture relaxed a bit as she understood his question. What was this Jasper's relationship to my savior?

"You are staying away of your own free will then?" this Jasper asked of Elizabetta. His tone changed but slightly, as if he were questioning her judgment- given that she was traveling in close quarters with none but a vampire who did dine off of her own kind, I could understand his trepidation in her answer to a certain extant. As long as he wished no harm to befall her, then I could fault him not.

"I won't let the guards hurt y'all, Jasper," Elizabetta stated with determination that echoed itself in the way her jaw did become taunt once again and the fierceness with which she held the phone. Such as her words had already been expressed in that she wished this Esme to return without her. They did not surprise me.

"I know what they are capable of," she continued but these words did leave me somewhat stunned for again I became curious as to how this single human lady did know of the Volturi and her connection to them. It was beyond question that she knew of them and their ability but was it not through the Cullens that she learned of Volterra's power? It was all I could consider for the Volturi would never let a human leave their service alive.

Quickly did this other male answer her in a tone that I assume was meant to be soothing though I found it grating upon my ears. "Alright, Elizabeth," he spoke as if attempting to call a child though the lady seemed not suspect of it. "Would you please hand the phone to the one that kidnapped you?" Jasper did ask of her next.

I am sure that my expression was very much a mirror of what I saw cross the lady Elizabetta's face for much curiosity and apprehension did I have in talking to this one of my kind that knew Elizabetta and had at least some measure of care for her regard. I knew not why –whether it was through her own assets or for the regard to the one known as Esme- but either way, this Jasper did show some concern for my savior.

A quick glance of her piercing green eyes was all I was afforded upon the question. She bit her bottom lip prior to speaking again to which I though upon biting those deep pink lips of hers as a lover would. "Um, sure," she stated. Her words were hesitant but her actions were not. She tossed the phone in the air as if such a thing were not breakable or damageable. Of course, I caught it but she ignored any motion I did make and placed both hands upon the steering wheel as she continued to drive to some unknown location beyond that of an older hotel.

"Pronto?" I greeted this unknown male vampire upon the phone within my native tongue. I was unsure of what to expect but I did see our little treasure's lips curl slightly into a smile as she choked back a laugh at my expense. I was about to smile back at the precious human lady when the voice upon the other end of the line did speak.

"I don't care who you are but I will tell you who I am. I have lived through a century in the Southern Territories and survived. I have zero problem with using some of those same skills I learned in all those years of fighting on you if you even consider pulling a hair off her head, do you understand?" Jasper informed me. The Southern territories were infamous the chaotic fighting over the human population of Mexico currently. The media did blame the massive amounts of murder and beheadings on such things as drug lords though those of us in the supernatural world knew far better.

Perhaps some of the death and destruction that reigned upon the humans in the central Americas was part of the illegal trade routes but most of it was due to an overzealous vampire or three that had not been careful about their kills. They killed openly and easily for who would go up against Santa Morte? The Volturi did nothing as long as the humans placed most of the blame upon their own kind and not to the true culprits.

If this Jasper had lived through the constant fighting for a hundred years, then he was either an excellent fighter or a commander if not both. Either way, he was instantly something to be feared for no one survived such destruction as that that occurs within the South without having killed many and having survived many attempts at being killed. Suddenly, I did not seem so dangerous to the little treasure if she did know of one that was a veteran of the South; for I was nothing more than a nomad upon this day and age. Even a veteran of the South, one who did survive the constant infighting and blood, and was now taken to the drastic change of a vegetarian diet, was one that was quite dangerous; far more so than myself. I was nothing more than a simple handgun to Elizabetta's life yet this Jasper was more of one of the modern machines such as a bomb or perhaps a tank. Yet, she knew him and did not seem fearful upon the phone.

"I would never consider…" I began hesitantly for I did wonder again at the relationship between this veteran of the vampire wars and my sweet savior. I would not harm her but would he?

Jasper interrupted me before I could even fully form another thought. "If you do consider, even for a second, hurting her, we will know and I will come after you myself. I will rip your head from your shoulders with my bare hands, mount your head to the wall so you will no only see your burning remains and smell the smoke of your ashes, but you will see the pain and suffering you have inflicting upon our family by taking Elizabeth away from us. Is that clear?" he asked this time in a very calm, smooth voice as the cold calculating killer he must have been and still was. There was but one answer I could give as the anger boiled in me at the thought of ever hurting Elizabetta.

"I swear upon my existence, if I dare to harm the one that did save me, you may do with me as you like. I will not take her life," I informed him, attempting to not raise my voice as I spoke to this Southern veteran. I did see Elizabetta raise her brow at me but I did pointedly ignore her, wishing not to scare her any further. If she did see my visage upon this moment, the anger that boiled beneath my skin at the idea of hurting her –the bloodlust was not gone but to hurt the one that saved me was to make me into a far worse monster than I had already become upon the many centuries since my death- I feared she would not longer feel any form of safety in being near me. I needed her to feel safe if only so that we way outrun the Guard and preserve her life. No one would take her life from her.

Jasper did not answer me immediately. Rather, I heard the feminine voice in the background again speak to him, stating that she did not see any harm befall Elizabetta by my hands. I was unsure of what to make of that but given what the same voice had stated earlier, I was curious as to the extant and exactly the scope of this female vampire's abilities. If she could see where my savior did head without knowledge of where Elizabetta did head herself, and she saw no harm befall my savior then was this woman a guardian angel? But when did angels mix with demons? Was it only out of the need to protect one so precious as our little treasure?

The male vampire upon the other side of the phone let out a breath before he spoke again. "You will take care of her and make sure she comes back to us in perfect human condition. You will make sure she has everything she could need from a place to sleep at night that is safe and clean to a decent meal three times a day. You will make sure that the Guard do not get anywhere near her and that you will keep her safe until you can get her out to Washington State," he informed me as if he did give me orders. There was a bit of irony in one who did fight for the blood now ordering to preserve it's very essence in this human lady.

"Si, claro. I will burn myself before any harm comes to her," I stated truthfully. I would fight to save my savior if it was needed. If it did mean that I would burn again then so be it if her life was preserved. All else meant very little if the one who did save me, a demon of the lowest from, from death did die herself.

Upon the periphery of my vision did I see a taken back look upon Elizabetta's face. I stated nothing as Jasper again spoke. "Good. Hand the phone back to Elizabeth," he did stated. I held the black phone with pink strawberry stickers upon it up for Elizabetta's reach as she drove upon the highway westward.

"He would like to speak to you again," I did stated, worried now that this Jasper may scare my savior and ask her to run from me. I hoped the Guardian Angel the Cullen Clan did have would know that I was our little treasure's best protection from the Guard since no other could help without risking their very existence. My own was currently forfeit if the Guard did catch me so it meant very little; yet, what I did have, I owed to this human girl.

"Jasper?" she asked as she took the phone and yet also managed to turn the truck again. I watched in horror once more as she held the phone within her right hand, plugged it into the lighter socket with her left, and used both her knees this time upon the wheel in which to steer the car straightly. Or, rather, as straightly as she could upon a turn with neither hand upon the wheel. Even as a vampire, I had no such wish to cause harm to myself for to be so careless with the car that did hold violate explosives within the tank was to risk your existence. Of course, a vampire would not swerve the half an inch as she did until the phone again was corded.

"Elizabeth, if he hurts you or threatens to hurt you, I want you to come this way instantly," he began upon the other end of the phone as my savior, thankfully, took the wheel again with her left hand. What struck me as curious was that she began to smile as he spoke, as if she found this Jasper amusing in some way. "Try to get away from him. Do you understand?" Jasper did ask of her. His voice was still like that of a commander but his tone was more careful and non-threatening.

Elizabetta rolled her eyes upon Jasper's statements and quickly came with her own comeback. "If he hurts me or threatens to hurt me, I'll just flame throw him," she shrugged as she drove. I tried not to smile at the idea of this strange little human speaking to a Southern veteran in such a manner as well as my own knowledge that there was a great deal of truth in her statement.

"I'm not joking, Elizabeth," Jasper stated most emphatically upon Elizabetta's declaration.

Her face fell which made me instantly angry at this unknown vampire. How dare he cause the slightest hint of pain to the one whom he did decidedly state no pain should come to. Sighing, my little treasure did speak again. "I know, Jasper," she nearly whispered upon the cellular phone. She straightened her back prior to speaking again and this time her voice was rushed, hurried, as if some unknown horror did surround us. Checking, I did not see the Guard near us and doubt they would find us this quickly despite Demetri's ability.

"Please, just give your wife a hug and tell her we'll have that shopping trip soon. Try to keep everyone focused on Victoria for now, please? I promise I'll be okay. I hate the idea of anyone worrying in the slightest over me," she pleaded with him. If he did not accept my savior's pleas, if he did not placate her given our current situation, I would be the one to remove his head from his shoulders. He would cause her no more pain.

No statements or declarations, no orders or demands were given. Silence filled the other end of the phone as the male vampire did not speak. I watched Elizabetta's perfect red lips as she sucked the bottom one beneath her front teeth to bite upon as she waited in the silence. Her face became paler as we waited for his answer. What was it to him to focus upon someone named Victoria –friend or foe I knew not- as well as to hug his mate? Hardly a request that seemed unseemly in the slightest.

"Alright, Elizabeth," Jasper replied in defeat. He could not get the precious pet to return to her home as long as she feared the Guard; something I knew I had an advantage on.

"And, please, tell Emmett that Ginsie misses him. I have a feelin' he'll like that," she continued to inform him, as if she were the one to give orders; though her voice did faulter at the end. How many vampires did exist in this clan or was it multiple clans that did exist around this one human girl? Was she the power to bind us to each other? I knew of Carlisle, Edward, and this Esme from Edward many years ago. Three was large but not unheard of. Or, beyond this Jasper and his possible mate, was this Emmett human as well? Had the Cullens taken to having humans as part of this clan? And what was this Emmett to my Elizabetta?

"I'll tell him," Jasper replied to her gently but with sadness; most likely that his plan to have her come home had not worked and she would not endanger those that she loved. That she must know how dangerous this Jasper was and yet she still feared the Guard did at least allow me to know that Elizabetta understood the situation to be a grave one indeed. Of course, that did assume she knew of Jasper's origins or that he did tell me the truth upon the phone though I could think of no motive to lie about having fought or not fought within the Southern wars…

As my own eyes turned to Elizabetta, I saw her face become near ashen and her eyes start to tear again. Humans were so betrayed by what they felt without anyway to control their physical reactions to their emotions. I envied her in a way. "Goodbye, Jasper," she said softly before she pulled the phone from her ear and hit a single button to which all sounds from the other side of the line did cease. Again, she bit her lip but harder than when she had been talking upon the phone and it was clear that she was fighting back the tears once more as they threatened in her perfect green eyes.

I could not help but to think that the Cullen clan must mean to turn her. What other reason would you keep a human around but either as food in the future or to be turned at a later date, much as the Volturi do? She would loose her perfect green eyes for ones more brilliantly red than my own but she would have no fear of crying. It was clear it was something she feared; though whether it be of crying before me –a strange vampire of whom she had known but a few days or even hours- or whether it be of allowing to show the emotion of the depression she was in, I knew not but I was curious to discover this fear's cause.

If she was turned, her face would not turn that perfect pink as she became flushed with anger as I had already seen her do. The soft pink along her slightly jutted cheekbones accented beautifully with her already pale skin and dark locks. She was already beautiful. So the Cullens must have offered her immortality rather than beauty of which she has.

Immortality was not something that I would have chosen myself. To outlive your child and your child's children for generations to the point that you no longer know of each branch that did spring from your single seed was not something I would wish upon most. It had been my personal hell, my condemnation for my sins –to live and see all I did love die for I had killed one precious in the eyes of God. Then, to add to my sins, I must kill for my food and drink the blood of that which I came from. I became Death and Death would not take me.

If not beauty –for which she had- and not immortality –for who would wish to leave those they loved behind- then… The moment I thought upon it it struck me hard. Those that she loved were the Cullen clan. A group of immortal vampires had taken this young lady's heart. It was no lover or mother that called her upon not hearing from her nor did she call any other than a group of vampires. Perhaps she did not have anyone other than this clan in her life and that is what they offered her – a life with those that loved her. Did not even the Southern Veteran refer to their keep as her home?

"You love them," I did speak to Elizabetta as she drove ahead. Her mind was clearly distracted for it took her a moment to respond. She nodded, her mind still mostly elsewhere but it was clear in her soft green eyes how much she did love them as she replied, "They are all I have here besides Miss Ginsie."

My thoughts confirmed, that the Cullen clan was her family –a strange pick but I was not dealing with a normal human either and, given her talents for destroying our kind I do suppose that have a clan of vegetarian immortals as her own was far better than most alternatives. No one should be alone except the damned such as me.

Seeing her again fight the budding tears, I began to wonder what this strange human lady might having as her passing thoughts upon this drive to some unknown old hotel. I do suppose she must sleep and if she wished to do so at an older hotel that brought her comfort then I would have no objections. I would keep guard over her to make sure the Guard did not catch my frail savior.

Thinking upon the words that Jasper did speak onto me and still seeing the fight in Elizabetta's eyes, I spoke once more. "They love you too," I informed her. It had been clear in their worry that such a human as this Elizabetta did have a grip upon their hearts and minds. I fear the protective need I have over her –the need to hold her from all harm- but hope that once her life is safe and the Guard will bother her none more, that I may return to my wanderings of New York and leave her to the hands of those that love her and can protect her; though if they could not protect her from herself in this instance then would they be of much help in the future?

The little treasure's eyes blazed when I informed her of the clan's love for her. The soft green turned harder and deeper, like that of emeralds. Though her eyes were angry, the rest of her face was not and I knew not the cause of her anger. I began to smile a slight bit in apology for whatever offensive I may have committed for I wished no harm to come to her and felt saddened that such a comment as one of love regarding those that she did love would cause such rage in her. Was it only her fear that harm might come to them? As soon as she saw my sad little attempt at a wordless apology, Elizabetta turned her head back to the road before us and continued on our drive; her knuckles white as she held the steering wheel tightly.

Her lips puckered slightly as her jaw became set while the strange little human looked forward toward the road. She seemed to want to keep her anger, to hold on to it for I did see it falter in her eyes only to reflare again and again. Her eyes would narrow as she focused upon her anger and her jaw would flex slightly. She allowed for no softening in the ridgity of her muscles.

I began to question as to why the Cullen clan might fall for a human. What did they think of her? She was no pet, despite my earlier thoughts, and the worried tones were more of those of parents to a child or perhaps an older sibling to one that is younger. It was almost as if they saw her as something other than human. Perhaps, they did.

"I think I can see why," I added in thought as I raised my hand to my chin upon looking still as Elizabetta's visage. I wished to gauge her reaction and learn more about this strange creature that had a clan of vampires so enticed by her. "It most certainly is not everyday that a human kills a vampire only to save another," I teased lightly.

"I didn't realize you were a vampire at the time," she muttered as she drove though nearly all the anger she had been holding did leave her. Her shoulders slumped and her eyes began to soften.

However, it was more her words that interested me this time. So she hadn't known of what I was upon that night at first glance. She knew only of what Jane was and that the mind witch was hurting another. Though I doubt that my being a demon or not had little affect upon her judgment, still, I asked.

"Would it have made a difference in your judgment?" I questioned with my deep curiosity seeping through in my tone. Again, I watched the emotions play upon her face. She pressed her lips together as she stared ahead at the road and I saw a hint of anger again flare in her eyes as she thought upon it. Her silence was clear; it was Jane she wished to destroy for Jane was the bringer of my destruction. She was Death for my kind and took a sick pleasure out of it but continuing the pain until she was tired of her game.

"I did not think so," I stated with a smile and did sit back against the leather seat as I awaited what I knew would happen next. Elizabetta's knuckles again turned white and her eyes turned a piercing green. If looks could kill then no one would be safe when this green eyed lady was turned into a monster like myself. What struck me as odd this time was how she gazed towards the center consul as if something she wanted was there before looking back at the road.

"I could have cared less who Jane was attempting to dispose of. To quote Texas: She needed some killin'," she stated angrily but only her lips moved. Her jaw stayed in its ridged state and did not flex as she spoke.

"To that, I think you would find little argument," I informed her. Jane had long amassed a reputation as a vampire to be feared along with her brother, Alec. The witch twins was one of the very long list of names and I had seen there abilities in tandem for myself many centuries ago. When I had been for a visit to Volterra, I had seen Jane use her ability at random, with nothing more than an annoyed look at this vampire or that. She used it as a spoilded child might use their power over all that served them. Thinking upon Volterra, I did modify my statement to Elizabetta. "Outside of Volterra, claro."

She nodded as the anger again fled her face though her body remained ridged as she drove. I was curious if this was the way our entire journey might be until I could formulate a plan to keep Elizabetta safe and have the Guard leave her alone. As long as they did not follow her, as long as they did not hurt her, all would be well. My own existence meant very little other than my new found distraction I had found in this strange human pet. And to that, I must thank Jane for in trying to kill me, she brought me a new fascination to which I think I may again have found a purpose in this existence –protect Elizabetta at all costs.


Author's Note: Like it? Hate it? Please tell me!