'Cristina?'

There was silence. Then a quiet voice answered.

'Yes?'

'I-I know what you are.'

There was even more silence. This was a time where I wished she was alive and breathing, at least I knew that she would be listening.

'It's okay though. I-I don't mind. I just wish you'd said.'

More silence.

'We can still be friends. I know all about it now. I got nosey. I went into father's study when he was out and found a book.'

'Then you know what happens to people like you. The Volturi are already looking for me...'

'The what?' I was clueless again. Just when I thought I had finally got into the vampire world and managed to understand what was going on I was thrown off course.

'The Volturi,' she paused. 'How come your father never told you what he was? Surely your mother would have...'

'My mother was probably a vampire too. I told you how she died.'

'You're in more trouble than I am.' Cristina said simply.

'How did you get found out? I mean you were always so careful.'

'Hm too careful. I never went anywhere. A vampire saw me a while back and tracked me, I'd only moved there around 1 week before you did. I made a name for myself in such a short period of time as you saw. But then you came along. You made it impossible for him to find me.'

'So why am I in trouble?'

'Your father moved you to Volterra where that vampire that tracked me – Demetri – lives. He lives in that castle there. That's why I was surprised you even moved to Italy. Your father is probably in trouble with them and you will be too. Your father won't lie; he'll say that you're friends with me. He'll be too afraid.'

'Great. Now my father really will be killing me.'

'Contributing. Look, I need to get away from here. If they can't find me you won't get into as much trouble.'

'I'll still die you mean.'

'Well they might be forgiving,'

'Doubt it. From the way you're describing them they seem pretty heartless.'

'Ruthless too, especially the twins. I'd love to tell you more, you seem so clueless but I need to run. They've probably sent Demetri to find me already.'

'He'll catch up with you if he can track you...' As much as she'd terrorised me, I couldn't picture the image of Cristina lying dead somewhere. Then carelessly burnt or her head horribly ripped off. The image of my mother came into my mind.

'Wait. Crissy you said that he couldn't find you with me nearby. Come and stay with me. I live at the big house at the end of the road.'

'More specific?'

'I don't know the sign came off years ago, no one's bothered to fix it. I live opposite the huge market.'

'Okay, I'll be there in 5 minutes.' Then I heard an intake of breath. 'Thanks. I was horrible to you and now you're being so nice to me.'

'I don't want you dead.'