Hi guys! I think you probably don't remember me, it had been what... a month? I swear I have good reasons. There have been some complications in my personal life. Writing was always fun for me, but suddenly it became a burden. I had to finish a chapter. When I finally did, it looked like crap. So I decided you deserved better than ruining the story. I wrote another chapter of Alec's point of view, because I kind of knew the direction of that story. It worked out better, not only because of the direction, but because I had dealed with some of those personal problems, I promis you I'll return to DTD as soon as possible! Love, Emma

I tensed, her steady breathing continued, she didn't wake up. "Whenever you are ready Alec" Demetri said impatiently. "It's not me" I said irritated "She is probably so tired she is sleeping…" Well that was unexpected… "Should we wake her up?" Demetri asked, a little hesitant. I shook my head immediately, she looked so peaceful, so sweet

"She'll wake up, and when she does, she will be ready" It was a lame excuse, but I just didn't want to disturb her. She looked so sweet and innocent. My mind kept repeating it, her face, so beautiful. I stood beside her, observing her face. I listened, her heart was still struggling, she absolutely needed to rest. For me it was like I had failed, I tried so hard to keep her alive, and still she was struggling to survive.

Demetri moved closer too, he stared at her for a while, he inhaled deeply. Automatically I did the same, and her sweet, precious aroma filled my mind. It was a good thing we both had some self- control, we were both thirsty. Our black eyes proved that. Demetri thought exactly the same "Maybe we should hunt soon…" Was he tempted by her blood? Maybe he was right, I didn't want to risk killing her accidently, but I didn't want to frighten her with my blood-red eyes. She would be extremely startled

"You can go hunt if you wish" I said, my eyes never leaving Lilly's face "But I want to stay here, maybe she wakes up" That was the other reason to stay here, if she woke up and we weren't here. What would she think? She would start to panic, scream maybe. That French woman could come in and she would go mad. No one here could help her then, they simply couldn't understand each other.

Demetri pulled an eyebrow "You truly are dedicated…" and he chuckled. Well, that was of course the other way to look at it. I would have called it obsessed. Demetri sighed and straightened "I think I'm going to see if I can pick up a trace from Jane an Felix, you know" I nodded, he could go wherever he wanted, I did not expect him to find them, they were racing towards Volterra at full speed. On the other hand, Demetri was very fast, Jane was slow, just as I was.

"Should I send some food for the girl?" He asked, I shook my head. "No, I'll call for someone if she needs it" To be honest, I could use some time alone, I preferred it that way. Think things through again, and again, and again. And if she woke up… I didn't want to scare her. Demetri was the one who had kept her captive, only for a short time, but still. I didn't want her to be frightened of us, of me. But she should fear me, I was dangerous. Yet least of all she had to fear me and Demetri.

I waited patiently beside her bed, her heartbeat grew steady, I was relieved. She wasn't in danger anymore. It was quicker than I expected. Didn't it usually take longer to recover from something. Maybe she hadn't been sick, or in danger. She moved sometimes, little sounds escaping her throat. Not words, she wasn't speaking, but more like soft squeals. It was the most adorable thing I had ever seen.

After only an hour, Demetri returned. He closed the door with a bang "Oops" he muttered "I didn't find a trace off…" "Shhhhh" I said, eying Lilly, her eyelids were fluttering. She was waking up, Demetri blinked in surprise. My eyes were glued on her face, what was she thinking right now? Waking up… strange surroundings. She blinked a couple of times, a little disoriented, she looked towards the window, observing the room. She must be confused, she would notice me sooner or later. I wasn't sure what to do, what would a normal human do. I thought of something I hadn't done since forever, I coughed

She turned around swiftly, her eyes met mine and I felt a sudden warmth enter my body. Those beautiful eyes… "Finally, you're awake" I tried to make my voice as comforting as possible. She gasped softly, recognition on her face. She knew who I was, she remembered something. She was thinking for only a second, but for me it seemed to last hours. Her beautiful peaceful expression that I had observed for so long turned into horror. I suppressed a growl, what the hell had Jane done? What hadn't she told me, nothing could explain that terrified look.

I had to ask her, what did they do "What do you remember" I tried to sound sweet, comforting again. She looked dazzled for the tiniest moment, but she composed herself "I'm not … entirely… sure" She hesitated. I sighed, wasn't she sure about the pain? how much torture she had been through? This was troublesome. She continued "The party, you were there, and Maxwell… He asked me to marry him. I said yes, and then in the dark, screaming…" Her voice trailed off, and she shuddered

Thank god, I thought to myself. Jane spoke the truth, she wasn't really hurt by them, just by the horrifying things she saw. Which I had to explain now, to deal with it. My plan would work, I was the best liar I ever knew, and being irresistible to humans made lying easier. They believed the smooth voice and the gorgeous looks. This would be a piece of cake. "That explains things, the first part of it all happened. I don't really know what you remember, but I'm Alec, and we danced at your party. I wanted to get to know you and you agreed to meet me outside. So when I went out to meet you, I saw Maxwell with you, he was all panicked. He said something about you having a seizure and he looked really worried" I lied smoothly, I already knew she remembered me, and that she remembered our dance. But I had to play my part well, to make it look like I thought she was confused, and needed help.

It seemed to work, she was frowning, doubt on her face. I held back a smug smile, it was working. Time to continue, before she thought about it too much. I had to make her believe me "He was really worried, you know, so me and my sister Jane agreed to help you when he asked. We know a very skilled doctor and it looked like you were seriously in danger. Maxwell agreed that it was best for your safety that you would come with us so that the doctor could take a look at you" The whole doctor thing wasn't really realistic, but what did she know about the world. She would believe me

I held my breath and looked at her face. Almost shocked, she stared at me. She was frightened, she knew… I failed, she was afraid of me, I had messed up. She didn't believe me and wanted to get the hell out of here. I wanted to break something in half, the wall perhaps? I was extremely frustrated, I had made things incredibly difficult for myself. She opened her mouth to speak, or to scream "Am I crazy?" She whispered in fear

I couldn't help but laugh, relieved I answered her "No, no, no of course you aren't. But you probably have some virus or something. He just wanted you to be safe." The boy was very protective of her, it would work. She frowned again, something bothered her. "Were is Maxwell now?"

That was not a thing I had prepared. But my mind was quick and I almost answered immediately "Maxwell is back at your home, he agreed that it would be better if he stayed. Don't ask me why, but he even told us to come with you" She looked around, she didn't know about the us part. She noticed Demetri. I tensed a little, this was it. What would she think when she saw him here.

She was quiet for a second. Suddenly, a warm smile came across her face. I knew we had won, she believed. "So where is this doctor anyway?" She asked. What was I supposed to say to that? In Italy? Overseas? London? I looked at Demetri, what was wise? He spoke before I could think it through "Well.." He hesitated "In Italy…" it would have been fast for a human, like a sudden explosion. But for me, it was shock, fear, doubt and disbelief all into one exploding into a soft scream, in slowmotion "What!". It wasn't loud enough for someone outside of the room to hear.

I knew what she was thinking, she thought we were the crazy ones now. Her face was like an open book to me. I had to convince her, to soothe her "Easy, we have a very fast way of traveling, in fact we will arrive in a couple of days" She shook her head in disbelief and amazement. She stood up from the bed and tried to walk towards the door. "Where are you going?" I asked, whatever she planned, she wouldn't get far. "Back home" She shouted

So she wanted to leave us, that wasn't possible. Demetri knew this and within a second he was in front of her. "That's not possible. We are in France right now, we have our orders to think about." That was obviously meant for me, the law claimed her now. He was making that clear, if she didn't already know before we woke her up, she did now. I couldn't fight it anymore, I knew that "Alec, you have to put her under again."

I sighed and concentrated on my gift. Sometimes I wished it would work faster, I had to stare at that confused look on the pretty face. That soft, beautiful voice that said "What…" Before her expression turned blank. I could feel her again, in the back of my head. I sighed again, it was time to move on. To Volterra.