Chapter three: Only children.

All the hard work I had put into place had gone out the window. I had managed to go a full five months, give or take, without thinking of her. Without caring. Without anything. And now, here I was in the very state she was in. There was a part of me that longed to go find her, and yet there was also a part of me that didn't wish too. Why would I want to look upon her face again? Of course I'd be gazing upon pure perfection again, but that would only bring back the fact I had given her my all; and it still hadn't been enough.

I refused to relive that torment. She had stated she never wished to see me again, and so I was keeping it that way. I would do as she wished and keep my distance. I'd merely come here to do my duty and then return back to Italy; where I truly belonged.

The morning light was erupting over the horizon, and thankfully it was a day promising sunshine. Meaning we could either two things. A; stay in doors and wait until it either got cloudy, or B; wait until it the night returned. Truthfully, I wished for option A. I had been on the move all night with travelling, and I just wished to stay within once place for a certain amount of time. That way I could somehow get my head around the fact I was so close, yet so far, from the girl who had gotten away.

Corin was proving to be useful, which surprised me greatly. She was thorough, and didn't say much. She spoke when she was spoken too, and gave her input when it was needed. To add to my own surprise, I found that I could possibly grow to enjoy working alongside her in the future. She proved to be exceptionally hard working when we past through Seattle. She did her job in cleaning certain things up while we commenced with our investigation. Currently, with the gathered information; we were resting in an abandoned warehouse in the middle of nowhere going through it.

In Seattle, a total of eighteen missing human's had been reported missing, but there could be more that were unreported. In Florida, there were ten. Chicago, fifteen. And now, in the state we were currently in, Alabama, there were a total of twenty four missing humans reported over a small span of two months. This was definitely no mere coincidence, for as soon as people stopped going missing in one city a number of days would pass and it would pick up in another. The numbers here continued to rise as the days past. Now faced with the information before us; it was perfectly clear this was indeed some workings of an immortal.

"Perhaps they are in a blood frenzy?" Felix suggested in a blatant tone.

That was a high possibility. A very, very high one. When vampire's didn't settle down into one particular area, they moved around at will. But when they did settle, they could become severely territorial. Meaning we could possibly be standing in the territory of the criminal as we spoke; for it's numbers continued to peak. It could have moved around, trying to get a feel for how each place was, and decided to stay within Alabama.

But there were also many other possibilities. When it came to vampire's, the gateways of possibilities never ended. They were unpredictable creates, and would do as they pleased if not given the right guidance or fear in abiding the law.

"Even so," Jane began to answer. "A frenzy at this rate is far past the allowed rate. They are drawing a outstanding amount of attention with their reckless behaviour."

Again, I agreed with Jane on this one. Although it had all the makings of a 'frenzy' so to speak, it was by far the largest case of numbers we'd come across. Even those who had a freaking death wish wouldn't go this extreme... Would they? Eh, who cared. They were gonna die anyway.

"Have you picked up on any scents at all, Demetri?" Corin retorted, trying to pry the conversation off the subject we were currently on. A blood frenzy, quite a high possibility. But, none of them seemed to be willing to speak what we were all thinking.

Newborns, perhaps? Eating their own body weight in blood because they can? It wouldn't be the first time we had to deal with a few rogue newborns. One's who didn't understand the rules, nor cared for them for that matter. Idly, my mind wandered to that Monica as an example. The perfect specimen of an example.

"Unfortunately not." Demetri mused somewhat bitterly. I presumed that any scent Demetri failed to track would just remind him of the one he had failed to follow in Volterra. He was getting over it, but I knew he never stopped keeping an eye out for it. He was silently searching still. It would take a good few centuries for him to be fully over it; but he would get there.

"Then perhaps this menace has moved on?" Jane suddenly suggested, her eyes casting over each and every one of them. Not me, however. Merely because I wasn't in the current circle around the table with the already gathered information. I was sitting on some ragged old sofa, taking no interest in the matter. If I was needed, then I would move. But presently, Jane was calling the shots and she didn't need guidance. Not that I would somewhat give guidance, I usually agreed with Jane's course of action and went along for the ride. The more suffering the better, if you ask me.

"Can we afford to be so sure of that, Jane?" voiced Demetri, his brow arching towards her. "Until we are certain, I believe it's best to stay within the current place of activity. The last reported missing person was only three days ago. If they had moved on, we would be hearing of the missing people in another state."

For once, I agreed with Demetri. If it had moved on; we would have heard. What I didn't agree with him on however... Was staying put. Truth be told, I wanted to get the hell out of Alabama. Hell, I wanted to get the hell out of America for that matter. To know that I was currently on the same soil as her did things to me that I refused to even comprehend.

"Mm," Jane nodded, her eyes flicked down to the pages in front of her. "Given the location it's proving to be a problem, because there are current residents here active."

Jane was voicing what we all were thinking, but refused to mention. Trust her to be the one to break it out there. For the first time since I'd been in that room; I knew eyes were turning to me discreetly. My hand resting on the arm rest began to clench.

"You're forgetting their diet, Jane." I pointed out ice like.

"It doesn't take much to make a immortal go savage, Alec." Felix answered for her. Jane glanced to him, then back to me in agreement with the larger males words.

Were they truly suggesting what I believed they were? Turning my attention to them, rather than watching the many dust particles roaming around in the air; I could see all their eyes on me. The same looks upon their face, the same train of thought.

"But that wouldn't explain the activity in the other cities," I pointed out, unable to contain the frown coming to my features. They couldn't be serious. They just couldn't.

"Perhaps, but in this case brother... It's better to be cautious and seek out every lead than go with comfort."

No, no. I refused.

"We should go to the Cullen's, Alec. We need to be sure."

"No." I snapped, knowing full well my voice was like acid and my eyes were like daggers. I kept my eyes on hers for five seconds before looking away and continuing my distraction with the dust particles. My jaw was clenched firmly, and the hand on the armrest was fully clenched also.

Was she forgetting what I had gone through? I didn't wish to see her! I didn't want to be reminded of everything we had gone through together! I didn't want to re-live that pain of her leaving me! I didn't want to look at her face, and know that I was not able to walk over and kiss it. No. No, it wasn't happening. I would rather be tied to a stake and burnt to a crisp like I had once come close too.

Over. My. Dead. Body.

"Alec-" Jane began, but I cut her off.

"I said no Jane." She was not fighting me on this. I was putting my foot down. We were not going there.

Jane let out a heavy sigh and her eyes fell to the pages in front of her. Each of them, one by one, turned to look away from me and set their attention back upon my sister. Clearly looking for a new game plan, since I had ruled the previous one out. But could you blame me?! Would you happily waltz into the girl who crushed you into pieces home? I wasn't going. It was final. Renesmee didn't wish to see me, and I certainly didn't wish to set eyes on her either.

I kept telling myself that. I didn't want to see her, though I knew full well I did. That I longed to lock eyes with her once again, to be lost in the moment in her beauty and grace. To be surrounded by her purity and innocence. But I knew that I would never allow myself that sweet torture, because that was what it would come too. When it came to this, my head was stronger than my heart. I knew I couldn't face her, no matter how much I wanted too.

"Then we wait," Jane continued. "If we do not hear of any missing people in the next week; then we move on."

There was a small murmur of nods and agreements. After that, they dispersed around the warehouse. The person I presumed to come sit at my side didn't. Jane continued to stand at the table and go through the sheets of paper, probably looking for anything she had missed.

Corin was talking to Felix by a set of metallic stairs. He was leaning against them with a smug smile on his chops. The person who took the liberty in coming to me was Demetri. He stared down at me, hands at his side. I didn't so much as look up.

"May I?" He gestured to the sofa with his hand.

I flicked my eyes to the side of me, then away again. He took that as an agreement and sat himself down. His hands brushed out his cloak as he settled himself back.

"I've been meaning to speak to you for a while." Demetri began, but I gave no response; nor any inkling that I was actually paying attention.

"That girl in Volterra... When I was escorting her out, she was asking about you."

I might've asked who he was meaning, but I knew full well. The shattered glances she would throw my way somewhat explained it. What did peak my interest was the fact she had the audacity to actually question one of my fellow guard members. Not to mention the curiosity built in wonder what she could have asked.

I didn't speak though, but it didn't stop Demetri from going on.

"She asked if you were Alec, to which I informed her you were."

Well, of course I was. Aro had addressed me a few times in front of her. Had she been so dense that she hadn't heard? Well, I supposed she could have zoned out in fear when Aro had been addressing me. Paralyzed with fear? That was a possibility.

"She's heard your story."

Against my will, my head turned to look at him. What did he mean by 'story' exactly?

My expression must've been enough for him, since Demetri went on to explain in some detail.

"The story between two rival clans. Our coven, and the Cullen's. Being joined together through a force of love. You and Renesmee. Apparently Alec, you are the modern day immortal Romeo and Juliet. She asked if it was true, for she took great interest in that story."

My jaw clenched tightly. His voice provided me with the information that he was testing the waters with voicing her name. He was trying to see how far he could push me before I snapped and he got a reaction. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction. He would see that I didn't care. That I no longer had any ties to that coven, nor that story.

"And you said?" I decided I'd humor him, rather than give him the reaction he was looking for. By going along with it, he would see I was a lost cause. That the Alec he had known when I was in relations with Renesmee was gone.

"I expressed that it was a lot more complicated than a feeble love story." Demetri explained, shifting in his seat. "The girl had just lost her coven members, I didn't wish to enhance her suffering to learn that her favorite love story has come to an end, when I myself am lost as to it's current situation."

I finally looked away, my expression returning to it's blank look.

"Has it come to an end, Alec?"

What sort of a question was that? What thoughts were running through his head that would give him the idea to ask such a thing?! You wouldn't go up to someone without a leg, and ask them if it was truly gone; would you? No. You could see full well that it was gone, and there was no hope of getting it back. Sure, you could replace it; but it would never, ever be the same. The same went for my situation. I could replace Renesmee, if I saw fit. Not to float my own boat and be arrogant, but I wasn't what you would consider an average joe. The only reason I had never gone out to pursue a mate was because I didn't want one. I never saw the need to have someone other than my sister. Plus, my reputation would hardly make it all too easy for someone to accept me into their lives.

But the truth was, I didn't want to replace her. Because it wouldn't be the same, no matter how hard I and whomever I replaced her with tried. I would always be reminded of the girl who had gotten past my barriers of never wanting a soulmate, who ignored the reputation and the bad name I bore. She had awoken things inside of me I hadn't even known could be awoken. Things I believed to be dead. And now... They were dead. Not merely in the slumber they had been when waiting for the remarkable day I met the strange, outgoing, forward and completely nuts Renesmee Cullen.

The cavity where my unbeating heart rested ached for the first time in months. I was reminded of that phenomenal pain I had been in when she left me; I was reminded of when it truly ended and when I realized it was completely gone.

With nothing else I could reply back with, I glanced towards Demetri with a cold, hard and blank look. The eyes looking back at me were cautious and wondering. This was his attempt at trying to get through to me, wasn't it? As well as getting a reaction out of me, Demetri was trying to be there. He was trying to see through the walls I had surrounded myself in. Much like the walls I once had up oh so long ago. There had only ever been one person strong enough to break those down, and she had gone. The difference between then and now; the walls were twice as strong, and twice as high.

"Yes. It has."

Pushing myself up off the sofa; I walked away from the taller male. I could feel his eyes on my back, watching as I walked away from any chance of redemption. I didn't want to talk about this. I didn't want to re-live it all, and I certainly didn't want to talk about it with him. Whatever was on Demetri's agenda, a heart to heart was not going to happen. He would be the last person I ever went to for advice on women. Be it because of his constant games with them, or because I viewed his opinions invalid to my situations.

What would he know about heartbreak anyway? I once viewed myself as a heartless, sadistic monster. But, I had been proved wrong. I did have a heart, and I still did. The ache that it was currently giving proved that. But Demetri? He had never been in love in his immortal years. Perhaps once, when he had been human. He must've loved his wife and child; thus why he scoured the earth in search for some probably fake cure. But the Demetri we all knew now? He prized himself in being the Casanova of our world. He played with women and their emotions. He played with Heidi and her emotions. Why would I wish to take advice from someone who had no idea what I was going through? None of them did. None of them understood the turmoil I felt every single time I heard her freaking name!

I passed Jane and made my way to the large open door of the warehouse. All eyes were on me again, but none of them spoke a single word. They just watched in silence as I evacuated the premises and stood outside in the vast morning sun.

I found shade under a tree, and let myself rest there. If they weren't going to leave me alone inside; then I would take myself out of the situation of being bothered. If they had nothing better to do than quiry on my current situation, then I saw no need for me being in that large space.

They could speak to me when it was something of importance and value, and didn't concern my inevitable heartbreak.

As the hours ticked by, none of them came to bother me. Thankfully. The peace and quiet was what I needed, with the occasional car passing down the road and passing the abandoned warehouse. I wouldn't have expected them to stop anyhow, seeing as it was in the middle of nowhere. You couldn't be too careful on who you stopped for these days, especially with the current ongoing disappearances.

So far, all that seemed to be happening, was plotting and waiting. Corin and Felix set out to see if they could dig up any information; which no doubt they would. Whatever it was about Corin, she was dedicated in her work. I presumed Felix enjoyed being around her due to the whole addictive contentment thing. Personally, I'd never been exposed to it. I'd made sure she never once touched me with that drug like gift. I didn't need extra help in feeling content being in the Volturi; I already was. The Volturi was my home, and it always would be.

It did make me wonder how the wives were doing, however. Sulpicia and Athenodora. Corin was mainly used to sit up in the tower with them; making them feel happy with their basically situation of being stuck inside a tower for most of their lives. I presumed they would still be content with being there. Perhaps even Aro and Caius were visiting them while Corin was on her mission?

I scoffed with such a thought. As if Aro would actually take the time away from his duties to keep his wife happy. Business came first with the Volturi, that was how it went. Relationships meant nothing unless they were some benefit to the coven.

Which of course brought the wonder up as to why Aro had been so 'sorry' as to the end of Renesmee and myself. I didn't see how our relationship could benefit the Volturi, other than the fact it might've caused the unofficial feud going on between the both of our clans. Aro's mind was a dark and twisted place, one that I didn't ever envy Edward in having the ability in seeing into.

As the sun said it's goodbye, turning the skies above a rich orange color; the two figures of the departed guard members came back. Corin side by side with Felix, slowly making their way back from the horizon. However, when they should have turned to the left and re-enter the warehouse; they came to a stop.

"Alec," Corin voiced while Felix stood impassively at her side.

I turned to look at the wild haired female dressed in black. Corin was an average looking immortal. One that would probably blend in with the human's rather easily. I presumed she wasn't entirely attractive in her human years, and the transformation bumped her up to 'average.' She seemed thrilled with the results anyhow, so I wouldn't comment. Besides, she had Afton; so why would she seek out to impress anyone else? That was Heidi's job. Her hair was like a bush out around her face. Wild and very, very curly. The pale skin was tight against her facial features, and to my eye; the small indents gave me the impression that she had severe acne as a human; or the freckles had just been too dark for the transformation to remove completely.

Her head was only at Felix's bicep, meaning she wasn't entirely short nor was she what you would consider a munchkin. Close to it, though.

"You may wish to come inside for this."

I rolled my eyes. Truthfully, I didn't wish to do anything. Not in this state. Over the past five months I had done nothing but work and fulfill my duties. But on this soil? On this land? I didn't give a crap about work. I didn't even wish to be here!

But with Corin's words, I could count on this not involving Renesmee - hopefully - and so I should take part. It was still my job, no matter how much I didn't want to work at that precise moment. I pushed myself up off the floor and followed the two immortals inside.

Jane was still hunched over the table, reading through the papers. Demetri was beside her, helping her I figured. Every now and then he would point to something, and she would shake her head. At our arrival; their eyes darted up and spaced out between each of us.

Going into her pocket once at the table, Corin produced another set amount of papers. Her lips in a firm line, while Jane twisted the paper around to look at it. Demetri craned his neck to look also.

I moved around the table to get a better look.

"Two weeks ago in Seattle..." Jane mused, glancing up towards Demetri and arching an eyebrow. "That was when Elliot and his coven were there, and the activity followed only to stop and return here. Thus they must still be here."

Demetri reached out and slid the paper closer to himself to peer down at it. His features turning into a frown until he delivered a nod.

"What about the first person reported in Seattle? Do you have that?" Demetri asked.

Corin held out another piece of paper, forcing Demetri to take a look again.

"Four months ago." He mused. With Demetri haven taken a look, I reached over and pulled the paper. Not just one piece, but a number of pieces all stapled together. The page on the front was none other than yet another missing persons poster.

Ryan McKenzie

The picture provided was of an average age looking boy. Although the picture was in black and white, the tones gave away features easily. Dark brown hair, dark eyes - probably brown. Normal cheekbones and fine full lips curved into a smile. His arm was around an older looking lady, perhaps his mother; I wasn't too sure.

Name: Ryan McKenzie.

Age: 18.

Last seen: Leaving a friends house in the early hours of the morning to return home. He never showed up.

Jane, Demetri, Felix and Corin were discussing something, but I continued to read on; ignoring the personalized plea for his return by his mother. Stating that she would give any ransom for her son's safe return, for she just wanted her 'baby' back.

I flipped the page and noticed in the top hand corner of the page was the police logo. Automatically, I looked up towards Corin. "You stole this from the police?"

She arched a brow at me, a cheeky smile forming on her lips. "Perhaps. Don't go calling them on me though, Alec."

I ignored her attempt at a joke and returned my attention to the stolen police report. However she had gotten inside unnoticed was no concern to me. She'd gotten the information, and it could prove helpful. This wasn't just the human's problem anymore, and with how recent the disappearance were; it could stand crucial.

"It seems they are linking it with the disappearances here." I muttered, scanning my eyes briefly on the page.

"Mm, these human's are getting smarter as the centuries go by." One of them muttered, but I didn't pay attention to who.

I stopped at a certain point of information that caused my eyebrows to furrow deeply.

The information given about his Ryan boy stood out on the paper to me.

Only child.

I put the paper down and leant over, taking another set of papers and lining them beside his. The others were somewhat oblivious to my little comparing act going on. With four lined out beside Ryan's, my eyes narrowed all the more.

All of them were only children. Each and every single one of these people had no siblings what-so-ever. Some didn't even have family, and the ones that did; it was rare for them to have both sets of parents.

"Alec?" Jane questioned, her attention now on me completely. "Have you found something?"

I pursed my lips while running my index finger down a page on the previous one, that had been two weeks ago. A mere girl with the name Veronica.

"They are all only children. Most have dysfunctional families and are in their teenage years." I looked over the many faces, then glanced towards Corin once more. "Was this the last one in Seattle? Two weeks ago?" I tapped my finger on Veronica's face.

Corin shook her head and leant over the table. There, she flicked through the pages and brought one to the top; in full view. "He was reported missing a few days after Veronica. He was the last one there. One week ago."

Damien Shade.

Age: 19.

Last seen: Working. Store was found still open, but owner not there.

I flipped the page and began on his information, my eyes finding the thing I had been looking for. Surprisingly, it wasn't what I had expected, but more or less went with my recent findings.

Older brother - Adopted.

Whether he was adopted, or his brother was; it still classed him biologically as an only child. Meaning each and everyone of these cases were lone siblings. There had to be a reason why, right? Some link in there that made it all tie in together. Who would go after only children at such a vast rate? An immortal wishing to adopt as many lone kids as possible so that they would all be some big messed up family?

Well... That sounded somewhat familiar.

"When was the most recent here?" I then asked Corin, who once again began to shuffle through the pages. Finding what she had been looking for, she pushed the page forward.

I stared in awe of the picture before me. The date given had been the previous night. This girl had gone missing only yesterday; which proved that they must still be within this territory.

Shay Logan

Age: 17

Last seen: Returning home from grocery shopping.

Only yesterday, and what struck me most was the fact it hadn't just been in any part of Alabama. But in... Mobile. Where she was.

"This one, along with three others on the same night. But this is the most recently reported." Corin stated, her face impassive as she spoke. "Before these, the previous lot were three days ago."

"Ale-"

"No. I know what you're thinking." I snapped my head to glare at Jane. Was she truly trying to suggest this to me again? I gritted my teeth tightly, and shook my head. "We are not getting into this again, Jane."

"Then what do you suggest we do?!" She rose her voice, a hand slamming down onto the makeshift table.

"We wait!"

Jane and I continued on to glare at one another. Neither of us showing any sign in giving up, and we probably wouldn't have... Until Demetri spoke up.

"That may not be such a bad idea. Now we have figured out some timeline that this criminal strikes, we could wait. And when we presume they will strike; I may be able to pick up some sort of trail in the midst of it all. That would mean we would have to leave here and be in the city, but I'm sure we can find some ground to wait in for the time being."

Both of our eyes separated and went to Demetri.

"Very well. But if we do not see, hear nor pick up on anything when Wednesday comes-" It was Sunday, so precisely three days. "We will have no choice but to go there." Jane decided, her eyes moving over each and every person around the table.

Reluctantly, I nodded my head in agreement.

"Alright. So, when do we leave?" Felix asked, running a hand over the back of his neck.

"Now." I answered. Jane locked eyes with mine, and I could see that she knew exactly why I had voiced that. Being in the middle of the city as soon as we could, it could possibly bring up the chance we could catch them sooner. Thus, catching them sooner - the sooner we could return home.

She nodded, and as soon as she did; Corin began to pile the many information pages into a pile in one swift swipe. With that; we took off. The last destination of the girl going missing being our new playground. Mobile, Alabama.

The current living area of my ex beloved.

—xXx—

The house was... For once, silent. It was strange for it to be like this, for there was usually always at least a bit of noise going on. But... There was nothing. Not even the faintest of moans from the attic, nor the sound of movement from the basement. All was calm, and it was surprisingly peaceful.

At least it would be until he returned home. The small outing for hunting wasn't at all long especially when it was just a select amount of people. For once in the whole of the few months he had been here; Lilianna was finally allowing him to take some responsibility and become one with their small family. He was no longer one of them. The pawns. The ones she merely had intentions of using. But he was one of them, in the family, a valued member. Even though he could be extremely annoying at times with his habits. He was the one taking the newly awoken newborns out for feeding. They seemed more than happy to go with him, and truthfully; she understood why. He was a nice guy and didn't take much seriously. He'd let them have their fun within reason. No tight leech that was usually wound around their throats.

She would never forget the day he had been brought back into her life. It had been one of surreal emotion and confusion. Although she was sad to see what had become of him, and that he was no doubt damned to the same fate as the rest of them; she couldn't shake the feeling of joy at the fact she had her best friend back. The only person who would truly understand and know her.

It had been a day like any other, but boy was it turning out to be one she enjoyed thoroughly.

Lilianna had brought in another round of newborns three nights ago. Each of them that came in were to go upstairs in the attic. As soon as they finished their transformation; they were to be moved down the the basement where they'd wait until they were examined.

Lilianna didn't just want any ole' vampire's. The ones with gifts were her choice. If you didn't have a gift... You died. It was as simple as that, and so far out of the countless bodies she had brought back - there were nine gifted ones, and they were still downstairs waiting. Lilianna had plans on letting them upstairs with them; once they could control themselves. But that didn't mean they were as important as what Mary, Scott, Delilah and Lilianna were. They were the leaders. But rather than make it feel like a prison for these newborns, she was going to let them roam around the house when the next lot had awoken and it was their turn to wait downstairs. This next lot, of seven, would go under the same 'test' be it may. Mary didn't like it, but that was to be expected. After all, she was the purity in all this. She still got guilty when she had to feed. Scott so far, well he had been rather impassive. He went along with his orders and didn't say much on the subject. But she could see the hesitance in his eyes everytime he was to go check upstairs.

She didn't like being in Seattle again. It was full of temptations, ones that she had to keep at bay. This was his home. It had been where she grew up, lived her short life, and lost it all one night. The temptation to go find Ryanwas too much but what kept her at bay was the fact she had to stay be Scott's side. He was her lifeline. He kept her hidden and with that security she could continue to live. She didn't even want to imagine what it would be like if she didn't have Scott. How dangerous it would be and how paranoid she would become in not knowing if she'd be found and killed for something she didn't do.

Presently, Scott was sitting on the sofa in idle conversation with both Mary and Lilianna. Mary was sitting crossed legged beside him, while Lilianna was at the other side of the room on a desk chair. A lone chair was where Delilah sat silently listening, watching... Thinking.

Just the usual thoughts, really. Of betrayal. Of hurt at the fact someone she believed to care about her would do something like Lilianna had and yet here she was, acting as though it hadn't happened. Delilah hadn't voiced the fact she had seen it all. What could she say? 'I came out looking to help you when I was told not too, but I overheard you tell Alec it was me that ruined his relationship.'

That wouldn't go down well at all. Not in the slightest.

"Delilah," her head snapped around to land on Lilianna. "Go see to the others."

Oh, lovely. It was her turn.

"I'll do it." Scott tried to interject. He didn't like the thought of Delilah being near a group of newborns. It made him uneasy. Delilah knew it was just the fact he was protective and she took comfort in it. But if she was going to spend the rest of her life hiding behind him, she wanted to be at least somewhat independent. She could do this.

"I got it." Delilah said with a shake of her head. Scott watched her cautiously as she stood from the seat and exited the room. She climbed the stairs and walked along the hall. Then reaching up, Delilah pulled down the hatch for the attic. The ladders came shooting down and landed with a gentle thud at her feet. She set on up, first peeking her head up. Sets of red eyes all glistened back at her. Delilah climbed up and stood just above the hatch.

Her eyes wandered over each of the faces looking back at her in the dim light.

"Is everyone awake?" Delilah asked aloud, causing a few of them to flinch at the clear voice. She couldn't blame them. Waking up to this life was something to get used too. The better eyesight, the better hearing - practically making everything louder - the perfect smell, and not to mention the inevitable urge to rip a persons throat out. This was why Lilianna liked to separate the already turned immortals from the ones turning. There was still blood in their bodies, even with the venom soaring through.

There was no reply given, so she did a body count.

One, two, three, four - all in huddled in the corner.

Five, six - sitting in the other corner.

Seven - crossed legged in the middle of the room.

Why were the rest of them huddled away in fear and confusion, yet this one just sat in the middle of the room uncaring. This new immortal had his head bowed, so Delilah couldn't see his face. Was he alright?

"Boy?" Delilah tried calling out to him, her eyes narrowing.

The boy slowly raised his head, and Delilah was sure if her heart had been alive; it would have burst with the amount of emotions going through her. Although the facial features were more mature looking, along with the added piercing on his eyebrow, Delilah could see who it was instantly. No matter the change in looks, she would have been able to pick him out in a crowd anywhere. It was him.

"Delly?" The harsh voice asked in confusion.

"Ryan."

He wasted no time in getting up and rushing over; his impeccably strong arms wrapped around her tightly. She winched, because jesus christ did it hurt, but she said nothing. She just held onto him tightly, and refused to let go. Her Ryan was back, her Ryan would help her, her Ryan was going to be with her forever.

And from that day, Ryan had been with her. At her side, mocking her, joking with her, trying to make things lighter. Of course the last thing she would have allowed was for him to be left down in the basement with the other un-named ones. Lilianna didn't care for their names down there, but Ryan wasn't going to be one of them. He was going to be with her, in the upper level of the house. Live with them, or Delilah would go down there with the rest of the un-named. She wouldn't leave him again. After a long, hard, grilling debate on letting him come with her; Lilianna gave in on the terms that he had to have a gift.

Which, he did. But that was another story altogether. The deal came to letting him stay downstairs for another few days while he settles into his new life, and when she went down to evaluate the gifted ones from the ungifted ones; she'd find if he was of use.

Even if he wasn't gifted, Delilah would have fought for him and it had almost come to that. She had gone down to visit him again the next day, sat with him and explained what was going to happen. Ryan was took over with panic. He was positive he didn't have one, and thus he would die before he got a chance to live. His words were 'I don't wanna die when I've just found you again.'

She knew how he felt. She didn't want to lose him again either. That was when it happened. Another immortal came over, Delilah recognised him as one of the last immortals to wake up from Ryan's group. He was muscular, probably seventeen but not older than eighteen. His skin was a dark black, while his eyes were a burning red. Simple clothes, the typical jeans and shirt with sneakers.

"What was that?" The boy asked, a frown on his face. "You're considering fighting to let him live, even if he doesn't have a gift?"

"It doesn't concern you, Lee. You've got your electrokinesis, so shove off." Ryan warned in a snarl.

"Or what? What about the rest of us down here that aren't gifted? There are people we love down here that aren't gifted!"

Delilah knew in that instant that it wasn't himself he was concerned about. It probably wasn't anyone other than the girl sitting in the corner casting glances his way. She knew that look. She had seen Mary give Scott that look countless times. He was worrying about his mate, who was obviously, ungifted.

"Lee, is it?" Delilah stepped in, her eyes bearing right into the males. "I understand your worry but Ryan is different."

"Why? Just because you know him doesn't mean he's anything more than the rest of us."

"But to me he is!" Delilah stood from the sofa she was currently sitting on with Ryan. One that Scott had brought down a while ago. "Lets get it straight. I don't care what happens to you, all I care about is him."

Because she needed him. She needed him more than what anyone else would ever come to understand. "So stop complaining to me, because I have no say in who lives or dies. All I can do is stick up for the people I care about, and he is one of them. You best go back to your little girlfriend over there and cherish the time you have for her; because eventually it's going to come to an end and there is nothing I can do about that."

Lee started up at her in confusion and anger. Delilah to no notice and turned to look at Ryan.

"I'll be back in an hour. Let me talk to Lilianna."

Ryan nodded, sinking back into the seat. With that, Delilah began to walk to the stairs.

"I'm not letting you save him, and not her! I'll kill you before you get the chance!"

It all happened so fast, Delilah was stunned. She could hear buzzing; and as she turned around she could see the boy rushing towards her. Electrical currents zapping through his skin. That was the buzzing. His dark skin came to life with the flashes of blue and whites. As a newborn, he was much stronger than she was. Faster too. All Delilah could do was stand there, frozen on the spot.

That was until Lee was thrown to the other side of the room; that split second Ryan was above him and holding his throat. They were snarling at one another, but before Delilah to take a step forward to stop the confrontation; a large cracking noise erupted through the basement and Lee's body fell while his head stayed in place under Ryan's hand. In awe, Delilah watched as Ryan stood up, dropping the head and turning to look at Delilah. He had protected her. He had saved her. But that wasn't what she was in awe of. She was in awe of the fact the specs of light that had been travelling through Lee's body now ran through Ryan. He had taken his gift.

Ryan had been confused after that ordeal; yet none of the newborns said a thing about it. They kept silent, but Delilah believed it was out of fear of him. When Lilianna had come down to test them all; the numbers fell from a sixteen... To twelve. Ryan being one of them. She had kept to her promise and allowed him to come upstairs, and in the following next few days; the others were allowed to come up and lounge around also. Then after an initial month or so, they moved locations.

Which brought us to the present. Alabama. Lilianna didn't know about Ryan's ability to absorb others gifts; she merely believed that it was just the electrical current. And truthfully, that was how Delilah wanted to keep it.

If she knew what Ryan was capable off, who knew what she would do with it. Delilah continued to sit in silence while Scott and Mary talked. Lilianna was in her 'office.' There were a few newborns here and there that hadn't gone hunting - not because they didn't want too, but because Lilianna picked who went hunting and who took them - some sitting watching the TV, others talking to one another. Ryan would be coming home soon, and the moment he did; she would be relieved, but she would also be enforced to endure his annoying banter with the others around him. Confusion on why it was so silent upstairs, and downstairs set in. Never had she found any newly transformed immortals so silent. So, giving into her curiosity; Delilah stood up and moved to go to the basement door.

"Oh, say hi to t-shirt guy for me!" Mary chipped up, causing Delilah to look over her shoulder. Just at that moment, Ryan walked through the door with his herd behind him. The scattered out and made themselves at home, while Ryan made his way to her side.

"What's up?" He questioned the look on her face. When had Mary gone down there? That's all that she could think.

"Who?" Delilah questioned in confusion.

"T-shirt guy... He has this cool t-shirt that says it's a t-shirt... He's really nice."

Delilah didn't get a chance to react; for in that instant Ryan had thrown the door open and rushed down. All Delilah could do was quickly follow. Scott and Mary had the same idea, for they came bounding down after them.

Ryan stood in the middle of the room looking at the scattered bodies in the room. "Damien?!"

Who the hell was Damien?!

Then from the corner of the room, a dark musky voice piped up.

"Oh, hey buddy.."

Delilah, Mary, Scott and Ryan's eyes turned to look at the figure sitting with his knees to his chest and his arms lazily lounging around them. He looked tall. He looked thin. He was beautiful. Black hair, red eyes, paper white, chiseled jawline, and an expression that made Delilah's blood run cold. He was emotionless.

Ryan reacted in the way that was expected. He was by Damien and hugging into him. It became clear to Delilah then that this boy meant something to Ryan, and thus the whole ordeal with fighting to keep him alive would be relieved. Was she ever going to get a damn break?!