SIGHTSEEING

A/N: Longer update to show how much I appreciate my adoring fans. This is all for you and I will continue to do my best. Updates of other stories will hopefully be there tomorrow.

I had been trying so hard not to engage and simply remain b0red and uninterested. However, the magnificence that was Rome just got the better of me. I just couldn't help but point out all the places that I wanted to see and interrupted Mr. Vampire so I could ask a question.

The whole day had been him filling me on the culture and history; all the while correcting my Italian.

His compliance to whatever I asked me startled me. At first I had been reluctant in asking for anything but it seemed to grow easier, every single time.

"You should smile more"

His gentled voice and words took my off guard, making me jump slightly. My fingers then lowered the disposable camera as I craned my head towards him. The second my eyes met his, his own diverted as if in shame or embarrassment.

Maybe he wasn't so bad.

"Thank you for today" I murmured and walked after him as we trailed down the steps that led to the Trevi fountain.

Trevi fountain…to actually see it – and not from a brochure.

He leaned back down, his breath against my left ear as he replied, "You are most welcome"

After this, he began to walk by me and I caught the boyish smile that stretched his lips. It seemed like I wasn't the only one because several – if not all women or girls nearby had their gazes fixed onto his every step.

Somehow, his attention was never drawn away from me and that…pleased me. "So, the Trevi fountain was actually built in the 15th Century as a way to mark the ending of the Aqua Virgo" he continued on with his historical facts as we approached the fountain.

"Legends have it that if you throw a coin in the fountain-"

"Let me guess" I interjected, stepping in front of him to block his path. "You find the love of your life?" I swooned playfully and actually smiled when he returned it.

His smile fell slightly but only to correct me. "Actually, it ensures a return to Rome" he informed me and suddenly placed his hand onto the small of my back when leading me down the steps.

"Not bad" I shrugged.

"Second coin is what can lead to a new romance" he explained and I blinked when he flipped a coin in his hand and then took my hand. His warm touch was gentle as he placed the coin onto my palm.

After gulping, I shook my head clear of the intense gaze that darkened when remaining on mine. "Second coin?" I questioned, perplexed by the history and the need that was sparked with his closeness. It also didn't help that his proximity made it easy for me to become intoxicated by his musky cologne.

"And the third coin means that you will find matrimony"

When he leaned in again, I stepped back and looked towards the fountain. "Wow"

"Are you superstitious?" he quipped with a light amused tone.

I shook my head, still adorning an easy smile. "No" I glanced at him and then back to Italy's grandeur. "..but I'd do it anyway" I sighed happily, turning back to him. "A trip to Rome wouldn't be complete without throwing an obscene amount of money into a fountain"

He smiled and continued spouting off different facts and pointing out the various buildings in the distance as he spoke. Being here seemed to put him at ease and there was a newfound peace within him. He had even gone to the extent in complying to my request and taking off the heavy tuxedo coat.

"You know so much about Rome" I commented.

He smirked again and I caught the warmth in his gaze as he spoke of the city. "That's because I'm older than Rome" he teased with a glint in his eye.

"It must be wonderful to have lived through history" I said, finding comfort in simply being here with him.

Elijah shrugged and his mood visibly darkened. "I suppose"

"You don't sound pleased" I mused, reading his sullen expression.

Something tormented him and his eyes grew wild with despair. "Living all those years meant that I lived through the wars. It meant me watching humans grow more brutal, dishonest and greedy" he seemed to only grow angrier with each word. "Just when you think that peace can be prevailed, somewhere else has declared battle"

"A bit hypocritical don't you think?" I retorted, not able to help the snarky remark from tumbling out of my mouth. "Claiming you want peace when I'm your hostage" I challenged, arching an eyebrow.

"I didn't-" he paused, suddenly apprehensive and the storm within only raged further. His hands raked through his hair nervously as he angrily muttered, "I don't want to do this" he gritted through clenched teeth.

I stopped and reached up to hold his hand. This made him stop too and he reluctantly lifted his head to look up at me. "You are either a really good actor or you're not the person I thought you were"

"All I ever wanted on this earth was peace with my family" he whispered with a certain vulnerability edging it's way into his voice.

"Where are they?" I murmured.

He withdrew from me and took a step away. "Dead" he answered dejectedly. "Took me a long time to understand that it was my brother's doing" he revealed and began to trail down the steps, rushing ahead of me.

I ran after him, suddenly more perplexed as he left my head reeling. "Then why are you helping him?" I questioned, tugging at his arm slightly. "Why help him break the curse?" I quizzed, not finding sense in any of his words.

He kept his pebbled gaze ahead, refusing to meet mine. "I am not going to help him"

I stopped, growing more and more confused by the minute. "What do you plan to do?" I stumbled after him again, wanting – no, needing to understand his motives.

"I plan to kill him" he stated, calmly and emotionless. "During the sacrifice, he will be most vulnerable and at that moment…" he trailed off but I understood.

My humanity derailed me and I found myself arguing, "…but he's your brother"

"Half-brother" he spat out in disgust.

I reached out for his arm again, making him stop once again but still refuse to look at me. "Love is what tethers a bond" I argued.

Elijah grew angrier, "It can also break it" he pointed out stubbornly and I felt lost for words. Why was I even refusing him? Shouldn't I encourage him to destroy the man that had caused all this? The man that was hell-bent on killing me?

"I need to go check into the Quirinal Palace" he suddenly informed me.

I blinked up in surprise and curiosity, "Why?"

"I'm meeting up with someone"

"Okay" I nodded and polished off the last of the pretzel before wiping my hands down my jeans and showing him that I was ready to go.

"No, no" he shook his head with a small smile warming him. I was startled when his hand then lay on mine as he huskily whispered, "You can stay"

"You t-trust me?" I stuttered in surprise. Would he actually leave me to wander about alone? Maybe it was a test – that seemed more likely than a kidnapper deciding to just dump their hostage. What game was he playing?

He crossed his arms and furrowed his eyebrows when giving me a silent warning. "I'm sure I don't need to remind you of the consequences" he threatened and I nodded. "When I come back we can do have dinner at El Duende" he murmured, in such a sultry and alluring voice.

The same voice that changed every time he spoke Italian. If I thought his English accent was irresistible…

"You need to stop doing that" I scolded.

Somehow, he was sincerely taken back with my frustration. How could he not comprehend what he was doing to me when I had suspected he had been doing it on purpose? "What?" he asked.

Well if he didn't know then I certainly wasn't embarrassing myself by telling him.

"Nothing" I bowed my head and took a deep calming breath.

He lowered his voice again and assured me, "I shall be back soon" he said and then took a small step towards me with an intention that was quickly dissipated. Understanding now clouding him as he stepped away and when I looked in his direction, he was already gone.

I pushed through the crowd, suddenly feeling lonely, rather than free and happy. I would have thought that once they were gone, I would be able to roam around but the thought paled in comparison to what I had experienced with my tour guide.

-XxxxxX-

One hour, twenty minutes and I was still here.

My once disheartened feelings, however, did seem to wear off when I was perched on the edge of the fountain and looking down at the crystal blue ripples. If I looked deeper, I could see all the copper and silver coins at the bottom. There were so many that you could hardly see the white marble floor of the fountain anymore.

I fished for the coin that Elijah gave me. Looking at it now, a laugh left me - sarcastic and joyful as I carelessly flung it in the water. Hopefully, I would get a return trip to Rome.

…how could I?

I would be dead any time soon and here I was making dreams for the future.

No coin could make it all disappear. No wish or hope could save me from the hell that I was pushed into succumbing.

…and even if I could…live?

How would I?

All I wanted, if I got out of this was revenge.

Blood for blood.

The darkening thoughts matched the shadows that now began to loom over the night sky. I glanced around, wondering if the city would clear but the crowd seemed to have doubled. Probably because the city now had beautiful lights streaming across the streets.

I gaped at the splendour and even took a few more pictures.

However, this again was gone when I saw how everyone had coupled up. They were all cuddling or holding hands and kissing or whispering sweet nothings into each other's ears. A few were throwing coins which I could only assume was for matrimony.

I rolled my eyes at the sickening sight and stood from the fountain. I pushed through the crowd again and tried to make my way towards the small shop that Elijah had taken me to.

When I got there, I found that it was already closed and a frown now marred my face. I spun around and leaned back onto the door.

Now what?

My answer came from my left as my peripheral vision caught sight of the cloaked figure that had suddenly appeared. "Isabella…" the unfamiliar voice cooed.

My eyes widened and I readied myself to scream, only it was clamped down by a cold hand.

I was then pulled away into the darkness.

A/N: Cliffhangers, gotta love them. What did you think?

Question: Who is the mystery person?