A/N: I was so very cruel last time, leaving you with such a cliffhanger—so here's the next update! It's a shorter one this time—for the sake of chapter congruency with the original storyline—sorry, folks! Forgive me. The next one will be longer, for sure!

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I did not make it to Jonathan; I paid the price of my rebellion before I was halfway to him. As he turned his eyes on me, no longer bored, now alight with sick fascination, I collapsed to the stone floor.

Immediately, I was engulfed in flames. Every cell, every strand of muscle, every bone was blazing with conflagration—my entire being, consumed by the cinders. It scorched my skin, fried my insides, turned my bones to embers.

A scream of agony fought its way into my throat, but I clamped my teeth shut against it, knowing my show of pain would trigger a reaction in Beau. And if he tried to intervene, he would be punished as well.

The flames rose higher, burning hotter. I could practically hear my skin sizzling away underneath the horrible heat of Jonathan's power.

"Please!" Beau's voice rang out above the clamor, echoing back to me from the stone walls surrounding us, "Stop! Please!"

The flames rose higher in response to his cries of pain, at the cost of mine. I clenched my teeth tighter, smothering the screams.

"Jonathan," a soft, disinterested voice called, "That's quite enough."

As quickly as it had come, the pain vanished. The disorientation of it was stunning, and it took me half a second to reorient myself, in the absence of the fire.

When I regained conscious thought, and realized what would happen now, I leapt to my feet, horror-struck.

Beau… No!

I turned my eyes to his face. Archie had Beau's arms pinned to his sides as he struggled uselessly.

In Jonathan's mind, the flames curled around Beau's body, burning brightly.

No! I wanted to cry out, Not him!

Realization dawned, as he struggled, not to cringe from the pain in Archie's arms, but as he struggled toward me, that Jonathan's influence had no command over him. He was only worried for my well-being, and relief flooded through me, anchoring my feet to the floor.

In Jonathan's mind, the flames lifted higher, twisting even more fiercely around Beau—but he still did not react.

A small sigh escaped my lips, and I moved toward them—soothed by the knowledge that Beau was fine.

Jonathan's casual, smug expression had vanished. In its place was a grimace of incensed concentration. He had never had to expel even the slightest of efforts to call someone to his or her knees in front of him. He struggled, now, to pull a reaction out of my love. He would not succeed; I knew this even before Archie reassured me.

He's immune. If you had waited half a second, you would have known that, too…

I went to them, and pulled Beau from Archie's arms. Immediately, his locked around me, pulling me to his chest. My arms wound around his warm, soft waist, automatically, the thumping of his frantic, concerned heart and the whoosh of his breath filled my ears.

Jonathan's top lip curled back from his teeth, and he slumped forward into an offensive crouch. He was prepared to cause Beau pain one way, or another.

Before I could match his stance, Sulpicia began to laugh.

The sweet, child-like sound caught me off-guard, and she rested a light, soft hand on Jonathan's shoulder. Immediately, he straightened.

Yes, very powerful, indeed, Sulpicia thought to herself.

"He must be changed," she decided abruptly. The thought had barely entered her mind before it had filtered into words, and I felt myself stiffen. "There is no other way, no other option… You have indeed fragmented the highest of our laws, Edythe. Something must be done to rectify the situation. When I first learned of your breech, I had assumed he had died—and since there was no consequence in such a situation, I had decided to simply let the broken rule slide… But to know, now, that he remains alive… Well, something must be done."

"Do you not keep humans here, as well?" I pointed out carefully. My argument was thinly veiled, but it was all I had left to fight with.

"Yes—" It was Athenodora who spoke now, tired of my insolence, "But our ultimate fate for them differs greatly from yours, does it not?" She knew I would never end Beau's life in the way they intended to end every human under their instruction. "I doubt your ability to destroy him, if he betrays our secret."

"He's proven himself more than trustworthy," I begged, my eyes turning to Sulpicia, "You know that as well as I do."

"Nor do you intend to grant him immortality," Athenodora continued, ignoring my pleads, "Therefore, he cannot simply be trusted according to your word. He must be vanquished."

"Or turned," Sulpicia reminded her brightly. "But, of course, you must be sincere in your promise." She leveled her gaze at me, and offered me her hand.

I sifted through her mind, intending to unearth her deception. "And if I do intend to turn him?"

She smiled, very softly. "Why then, of course you would be free to return home. Do give my regards to my dear companion, Carine?" She paused. "But of course, as I stated earlier, you would have to mean it."

I hesitated, turning to gaze up into Beau's eyes. So bright, so open, so trusting… Did he realize I held his fate in my hands, again? In the plaza, I'd believed we finally had a forever paradise, stretched out in front of us. Little did I know, an hour later, I would again be faced with the lesser of two evils… To damn his soul, or to lose his life?

How many times had I been faced with this decision?

Whichever choice I made now, his warmth, his softness, the azure sereneness of his eyes, would be gone forever. In one instance—fixed staring and black, pupils dilated in death. The other—a shift between the blackness of thirst, and the disturbing crimson of a bloodthirsty monster…

How could I make this choice? How could I know for certain which would be better?

Of course, my selfishness desired greatly to agree to the inevitability of his change—but it had been months since the matter had been spoken of. In all his time without me, his mind may have been changed. There was a great possibility he didn't want a life of immortality anymore.

"Mean it," he murmured—and the depth of emotion in his eyes was astounding. "Please."

I stood very still, trapped in the depth of his gaze. How could I know, for certain, that I was making the correct choice?

Was death worse than denying him access to the paradise he deserved?

What good could come from committing such an atrocity to fulfill my own desire to be with him forever?

Was I willing to risk Beau hating me forever for what I'd done to him?

But I could not even bring myself to think of letting him die. Here, now, tomorrow, ever.

Could I mean it with enough sincerity to convince Sulpicia, even though I could not discern a clear answer now?

You have to mean it, Archie reminded me, Or she won't believe you.

It was clear. The moment she touched my hand and saw that I was less than resolute, she would shake her head. Half a second after that, Fern would snap Beau's neck as she brought her lips to his throat. He wouldn't have time to see it coming, to even take a breath to prepare himself…

The pain of the vision nearly buckled my knees. I was so distracted by the agony that it took me a moment to tune in to Archie's memories now.

The inside of an aircraft, the whispered conversation as the sun rose behind the window shade… "I've just about made up my mind that I'll just do it. I'll change you…" And the ensuing image of the reunion he would have with Jessamine in the face of his musings. He hadn't pieced together the correlation then, but it was clear to him now.

The zip of a dark sedan, snaking away from Volterra's castle walls at sundown, our aircraft landing on the tarmac of the SeaTac airport, our family greeting us in the terminal… These three glimpses were more resolute than any of the other visions I'd seen in his head today.

I'll do it. I'll change him. She'll believe me, he thought.

He'd made the decision I couldn't—and I would forever be grateful to him. Regardless of the outcome, my brother would be the key to our escape from here. I refused to think of what this decision meant for Beau's future—I would deal with that when we were free of this awful place, when Beau was safe at home.

"I'll do it," Archie spoke up then, striding forward. With one agile jump, he leaped onto the platform. The guards tensed, but Sulpicia warded them off. "I'll change him. Have a look."

He held out his hand and Sulpicia, her greed unhidden, grasped his hand.

Her eyes closed, and her slim shoulders hunched beneath the heaviness that was Archie's inner workings.

The curiosity of the past pushed aside for now, he threw himself into the future, and what he saw occurring.

Beau, viridian eyes sincere with apology, speaking to Jessamine…

Beau, dressed in bright yellow robes, accepting his diploma from Principal Martin…

Beau, writhing and screaming in pain as I held him through the change… Outside, a summer sunset would glow…

Beau—skin hard and luminous pearl, crouched on the bough of a pine. Powder-blue button shirt ripped, feral red eyes fixed hungrily on whatever he was tracking below…

Images of the future littered the atmosphere of Archie's mind like constellations, as he worked himself free of the premonitions, and opened his past to Sulpicia.

And then the memories paraded at a blinding rate through Archie's mind. Most of his human recollections were dark and indistinct—only the tenor of pain and loneliness apparent. The soft, proud face of a young woman with long, flowing black hair—arms held out to receive. His mother?

Another face—a beatific young female vampire with pale, braided flaxen hair and ruby red eyes. Concern on her face. The connotation of gifts, and well-kept company…

"It has to be now," she said, "There's no time to run."

The repeating of events and memories I already knew of—Archie's awakening to his new life, his discovery of the vegetarian lifestyle, acquiring money and non-descript places to live through gambling, various discreet jobs and his stock market predictions, working toward finding Jessamine—waiting with great expectation of her readiness—and then their journey together as they traveled toward our family… Our many returns to Forks, and the Spring that ensued when I met Beau…

"Either she'll kill him herself—or he'll become one of us one day."

The entire occurrences of what had followed, the confrontation with Joss, the near change that had occurred in the ballet studio, the summer spent in bliss, the macabre birthday party, our leaving.

There was a very brief collection of flickering images—how Archie had distracted himself in the time we'd been apart over the last few months. The city of Biloxi, Mississippi, an old man's face, and the ache of homesickness.

Again, I saw Beau leap from the cliffs, and his and Archie's reunion at the house.

Their conversation in the darkened living room, the night Beau had almost drowned… The hollow panic in his face when Archie suggested he leave again.

The progression slowed, a shimmering image appearing. Beau snored softly on the couch, Archie and Charlie sat together in the tiny kitchen. Charlie nursed a cup of coffee while Archie sat in the chair across from him, an untouched glass of water in front of him.

"I'd never seen the kid like that before… It scared me something awful. Renee wanted him home, even came to get him. I thought we were gonna have to commit the poor kid…"

The events that had led us here, and then finally, the band of Sulpicia's power subsided as she released her hold on Archie's hands, and lifted her head.

Her milky eyes cleared as he sighed softly, dreamily. "Ah, such captivation," she breathed, "Thank you, dear Archie."

Archie smirked. "No problem."

"To witness what you've witnessed," Sulpicia marveled, "Especially the events that haven't occurred yet!"

"But they will," he prompted.

"Of course—it's quite clear," she acknowledged. She lifted her eyes over Archie's shoulder, to where Beau and I stood. She was about to grant us our freedom, an opportunity I was grasping at tenaciously, when Athenodora spoke.

She was not convinced. "Sulpicia," she cautioned. I don't trust them to depart!

"Oh, Dora," Sulpicia responded, smiling softly over her shoulder at her sister, "Do not stress yourself with worry. Think of the possibilities—they do not join us today, but we can always have faith that things may change…" She faded into daydreaming, imagining what she didn't know would be impossible.

My impatience was getting the best of me. "Is that all, then?"

There was a hum, like the gurgle of a stream, of thoughts—growing closer. I could only summarize what this must mean, in correlation with the surrounding occupants' readiness for mealtime, and the setting of our conversation.

"Yes, of course," Sulpicia said, "I see no reason to detain you any further."

I wasn't the only one who heard the approaching group of humans. Some of the vampires in the room shifted impatiently. Fern sighed, irascible.

So hungry… she complained. And now I don't even get to taste the boy…

"Oh, Fern," Sulpicia chided tenderly, "Patience."

Their order had arrived, and judging by the bloodbath Archie saw in the near future, we needed to go.

"If that's everything, then, we'll be on our way."

"I must ask that you wait below until nightfall—you would understand, after today's events, why we would exercise a little extra caution. It should put enough space between us—we cannot be totally responsible for our instincts once the meal begins, and I would hate to put your precious Beau in harm's way."

"Yes," I agreed, and spun toward the door, seizing Beau's wrist. It was time to leave, and leave now.

"Just one more thing, dear," Sulpicia called, motioning with one hand for Fern to step forward. Another of Archie's visions came to fruition as she unfastened her cloak from around her neck and held it out toward me. "The breeze is a little chilly for the humans today. Take this to appear less conspicuous."

I seized the cape without question, Archie's thoughts growing anxious.

We need to go, Edythe. Now.

"Ah, it suits you," Sulpicia said longingly as I slung the wool cloak over my shoulders, "You would make an excellent addition to the guard… I'll keep my offer open, as long as it stands."

"It could be awhile before I accept," I replied flatly.

Sulpicia smirked. "Noted."

I stiffened, hearing the door to the antechamber open.

Time to go, time to go… Now!

"You'd best be going now. Didymus, please escort them to the waiting area."

Didymus nodded, and moved toward us. I didn't need anymore urging than that. I gripped Beau's wrist and pulled him toward the door swiftly.

"Not gonna make it," Archie muttered tersely under his breath as we towed him through the door. "Not gonna make it…"

"What's happening?" Beau demanded lowly, his voice hoarse with panic. We didn't answer.

We made it to the antechamber, where the guests flowing through the small wooden door hindered our exit. Their eyes were alight with mysticism and delight, completely unaware of the end that would soon meet them.

Didymus lifted her arm, motioning for us to get back against the wall to allow the humans' passage. The group paraded by, one after another, and my tension grew. I searched for the slightest opening in the crowd, rigid with anxiety. From where Beau pressed against my side, I knew the instant he realized what was going on. His entire body went stiff, and his heart skipped a beat.

The instant I saw a break, I dragged him through the door, out into the now empty hallway. Though Beau didn't resist my escort, he glanced back just before the small wooden door closed behind us.

The only other occupant of the hallway was a tall, young looking male vampire—dressed to impress, and with blue contacts in his eyes, tinting the red irises an odd purple color.

He noticed Beau and recounted the occupants of his findings quickly. Did I miss one? he wondered, and then realized, No. He wasn't a part of my group. He noticed the dark grey cloak around my shoulders and speculated over the possibility of an addition to the guard.

"Welcome home, Horatio," Didymus said in greeting. Horatio waited, expecting a further explanation from her regarding my attire. "A successful trip?"

"Quite," Horatio agreed as Didymus gestured us ahead. His eyes flickered past me once more before he decided he was too thirsty to follow his line of intrigue any longer. "Are you coming?" he asked Didymus when she started past him.

"In a moment," she said, smiling, "Save a few for me."

I pushed Beau forward, hurrying for the doors, but I was not fast enough.

Behind us, the wailing, moaning, screams of the dying echoed to us down the corridor.

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A/N: The picture that rose into my face when I pictured Archie's creator was Emilia Clarke, hair braided Game-of-Thrones style. I've always been fascinated by A/J's origin slash love story. It has a dreamlike, destined-to-be aura, and I've read a couple different fics, but none that are as accurate as I hoped. If any of you know of some good Alice/Jasper Archie/Jessamine ff, send them my way, please!

I'll talk to you guys again soon!