Many nights and no few arguments later, Arra and Demetri had returned to Volterra. Demetri had attempted to spare no expense, offering to rent cars or jets, anything to hasten the trip. Arra flatly refused, she may have conceded to a dress, but she was a creature of the wild. She had no desire to be trapped in a tin can, even if she could punch through the roof of it.

As was her custom, she was talking to Mika telepathically. The conversations were becoming increasingly one sided, she would share what she learned with him and he would say nothing. "Very determined," she thought. "Will stop at nothing to bring me back, curious always, definitely a killer..."

Mika interrupted her stream. "Don't fall in love too soon." His advice was dry and mocking.

"Mika, how could I love such a charming mystery when you're such an enigma," Arra replied. "Also shut up. This information has been gathered in strictly professional ways." Irritated, she cut off the conversation to avoid an apology. She hoped he would force one through her block, but it wouldn't happen. Mika Ver Leth was an emotional void.

"You were blushing." Demetri noted. "What does Mika say?"

Arra was about to snap. How dare he eavesdrop on an inaudible conversation? "If you've been alive as long as you claim, surely you would have learned some manners."

"And if you were alive as long as you claim, you would have learned a poker face." His eyes were bright scarlet. Arra wouldn't have been surprised if, while she had been talking to Mika, he had fed. He may have disposed of any court worthy evidence, but Arra knew the signs.

Another sign she could read was the prominent one welcoming her to Volterra. The sky above the city was lightening, the stone buildings beginning to bleach white. Demetri had cloaked himself in dark grey and was well camouflaged in the predawn, but her eyes could pick out anything that moved. He didn't move much, he was staring up the hill where a lone figure was quickly descending. Arra tensed, noticing that as the person approached they seemed to grow to super human size. Vampires were burly, but the hooded figure could have easily taken anyone in the mountain.

"Message for you Demetri."

Arra's charming guard extended a gloved hand. "Thank you Felix. You may leave now unless this message needs an urgent reply."

"Just follow Aro's instructions." Felix's voice was chilling, but the large man seemed surprisingly eloquent. "He is looking forward to your return this evening."

"Tell Aro that I will be delighted to share his company once again." Demetri bowed and pocketed the note. "Now if you'll excuse us, Arra is sensitive to sunlight and day returns yet again."

"Of course Demetri," Felix returned the bow without lowering his eyes. Now that Arra had been mentioned, she felt his appraisal. Exposed in her leather travelling clothes, Arra wished that she too had a cloak. She made eye contact with the big man and waited for him to submit. This tactic was tried and perfected in her two centuries; there had been many men on the mountain who had stared at her.

As Felix began his jog back up the winding road to the keep, Arra turned to her companion. "I think I will accept the offer to stay in a hotel today." She managed to sound like a noble woman commanding a servant and was pleased when Demetri gave her quizzical look. She should have practiced throughout the journey she thought. Tonight would be a night to remember. A night when she wasn't a huntress but a diplomat, not a gymnast but a general. Finally, Arra Sails would prove herself.