Emilio and I both turned around at the same time, startled by the voice, not more than ten feet away. My breath hitched in my throat. He was not supposed to be here. "I thought you were supposed to be in Bulgaria."

Demetri began to walk toward us, but Emilio sidestepped in front of me. Demetri stopped and smirked. "There was a change of plans. Aro decided to send Santiago and Jane with Felix at the last minute while I dealt with a problem close by."

Emilio was rightly confused, and he glanced back at me before asking, "Who is this? Is he the one who did that to you?"

I shook my head. "Not him."

"Lia, let's go," came Demetri's interjection.

Of course, Emilio being Emilio immediately stood up for me. I was proud of him and grateful that he did because it meant that he really had not changed, but he also didn't realize he was speaking to a vampire. That was a fact I did not want to be made known, but Emilio was originally from Volterra, too. He knew the legends, the stories, just as well as I did. "She's not going anywhere with you."

"Emilio, don't, okay?" I told him, quickly grabbing onto the back of his shirt to keep his attention. I then went around him so that I could speak directly to Demetri. I knew I didn't have a choice whether Emilio understood that or not. "Demetri, I'll go with you, but leave Emilio out of this. Whatever you did with his car, undo it."

"The boy comes with us."

"He doesn't know anything. I didn't tell him anything. Just let him go. Please."

"I can't do that." Demetri was across the way from us one moment, and the next, he was behind Emilio, his arm around his throat. My heart stopped. He wouldn't kill him, would he? "He comes with us."

In less than a blink, Demetri was back across from us, and I couldn't say a word. Emilio was in shock, his eyes wide and staring, breathing hard. I knew his brain was working, but it wasn't working fast enough. "How did you do that?" He asked, fear underlying his words.

Shaking my head, I fought back the tears. Aro was not going to take another person I cared about away from me. He couldn't. "Why did you…"

"Let's go," Demetri stated matter of factly.

He turned and began walking away, probably assuming that I would follow him. After all, he was a tracker. He could find me anywhere, and even turning away now, it's not as if we could run. We were trapped, and he knew it. I took Emilio's hand in mind. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I got you involved in this."

A tear fell, and he wiped it away, saying, "I'm not sure what just happened, but I'll protect you, I promise."

Swallowing hard, I replied, "Don't make promises you can't keep," then released his hand and followed Demetri to where this car was supposed to be waiting. I knew Emilio would follow me just as Demetri knew I would follow him. It was a stupid and deadly game.

When I got to the car, which did not surprise me in the least with its luxury appearance, more of a limousine style, Demetri opened one of the passenger doors. It didn't catch me off guard, as much as it maybe should have, as I peered in and saw the person, who at this moment frightened me the most. I sighed. "I should've known."

Aro held out his hand to me to help in, a knowing grin plastered on his face, but only a moment after our hands touched, his face turned dark. His eyes seemed to flash, and I wasn't sure if it was a trick of the light or not inside the car. He released my hand as I sat down in one of the seats, furthest away from him. This car had four seats that faced each other, an ample amount of legroom, and a partition that separated the driver from the passengers. It's not like the Volturi didn't have the money for it.

Aro peered indifferently at me as he watched me sit away before he turned his attention back outside, where Demetri was now holding the door open for Emilio. "Ah, you must be Emilio, Lia's friend. Please, join us."

Although Aro worded it as a request, I knew, and Emilio seemed to know too, that it wasn't negotiable. He got in beside me, the seat straight across from Aro, and Aro's eyes never left his. As Demetri shut the door, I watched the two of them closely, Aro regarding Emilio with a feigned sort of interest, and Emilio appearing very uncomfortable at the attention. I didn't blame him.

"But where are my manners? My name is Aro," he began as he held out his hand to Emilio. It was a formal sort of gesture anyone would give when meeting someone else, but there was more to it, I could tell. Emilio, however, reached out his hand and placed it into Aro's, and where a handshake would normally occur, Aro only held it for a few seconds before letting go. "I can tell you care very much for Lia, but I would like to assure you that I do as well."

"Were you the one who hurt her?" Emilio asked.

I was about to respond to diffuse a situation I could easily see happening, but before I could, Demetri opened the door beside me and got in next to Aro so we were facing one another. A second later, the car drove off. I wondered then who was driving, the partition was closed, and probably for good reason if the person just happened to be human. It wouldn't be the first time Aro had employed human services. His secretary was proof of that.

Aro never chose to answer Emilio's question, and instead, the cabin was quiet. Part of the way into the trip, I finally had to speak up, mostly because I had questions I wanted answered about Demetri not being in Bulgaria. Aro always seemed to be one step ahead of me in some ways, and it was getting old. Did he just assume I would try? Was my acting so awful that he could discern it that easily?

"How long did you know?" I said, glancing over at Aro.

The vampire in question turned his attention from Emilio to now look at me. "I told you a while back that you were an easy read, Lia. I know this transition has not been easy for you, though I also recognize that you are fighting yourself. I expected you to try all along once Demetri was gone and you had the opportunity."

"That's why you changed your mind on Demetri going to Bulgaria, isn't it?"

"My dear, making you think he was going to Bulgaria was all part of the plan. I had never intended to send him there with Felix. He is more useful to me here."

Emilio watched our conversation unfold. I knew he was lost, trying to figure out how Demetri had done what he had and my connection with Aro, realizing at this point that Aro was the one in charge and that he was definitely the one who had put the bruises around my throat. I wondered if his mind had traveled further into the past just yet, the stories and legends of Volterra coming back to him. After all, neither Aro nor Demetri wore contacts. Their eyes were their usual bright red, or in the case of Aro's, a dark milky shade of blood.

"So you decided to let me run? Why?"

Aro sighed. "We will discuss this when we arrive back home, not here."

"No, I want to-"

"Liliana, that is enough." His voice was stern, causing a shock throughout my body, effectively ending the conversation.

"Don't speak to her that way." I looked again at Emilio, his eyes just as pointed as Aro's had been.

"You are playing a dangerous game. I'd recommend not saying anymore, for her sake," Aro replied, his voice laced with malice.

I shook my head at Emilio, and before I realized what I was doing, I grabbed his hand and held it in mine. If I could have scooted next to him, I would have, but the seats were separated, keeping me unable to do so. I held it tightly, and I watched as Aro's eyes darkened and stared at our grasp. I didn't care. If Emilio was going to die, I wanted to be as close to him as possible until that time came. At that moment, I hated Demetri more than anything.

Then again, if I had never gotten Emilio involved, if I had just stayed in Volterra, Emilio wouldn't be going to his execution. He had no idea what was going to happen to him, and my chest ached. It physically hurt, a stabbing and tearing pain over and over again, and I wanted to scream. I knew the risk, but I was sure Demetri was in Bulgaria. He would come for me, but not until much later when he returned and Aro told him I was gone. Even if Aro had come to Florence to search for me on his own, he wouldn't have found me at the airport, and the multiple hotels around would have him running in circles until daylight when he would have to recede. We were careful, not even using my name at check-in.

Aro always knew. He was always prepared and ready for anything, and here I was, a simple human with some sort of supernatural gift that couldn't even tell me that I didn't have a chance. Perhaps that was the feeling I felt as I left Volterra. Demetri had been watching all the while. They allowed me to think I had succeeded if only for a short time.

Emilio's hand squeezed mine, and I squeezed back, letting him know I was okay. We stayed like that for the rest of the trip, and when we arrived back in Volterra, my heart sunk. Any moment now might be the moment where I would lose Emilio forever, and I was terrified. This was not happening again. It couldn't happen again. I kept repeating that to myself, but even still, it wouldn't do Emilio or me any good. What was to come would come.

The driver parked the car outside of the Priori. The city was still mostly asleep, so Aro had no worries about anyone being in the Piazza at that time of night. Demetri stepped out before helping me out while Aro opened his door, and Emilio followed him. Demetri unlocked the doors to the palazzo, and we all went inside. Aro had brought me closer to him while Emilio walked behind us, and Demetri walked behind him all the way to the elevator, where we went up and took the very same path Chelsea had led me to the first time I met Aro in the second wing.

We ended up in their feeding hall, where Aro released me and continued walking forward to the chair or the throne he sat in upon the dais. Emilio moved closer to me, and I put my arm around his linking us more tightly together. Aro's glare told me he disapproved, not that it was new news, and soon enough, Marcus and Caius joined us in the room through a door behind the dais. Marcus kept his stare on Emilio and me, which had me wondering what he could see, while Caius seemed angry as always.

Emilio whispered in my ear, "What is going on? Who are these people?"

Aro, having heard, answered for me. "Just as Lia has, you have heard the stories, too. You certainly know what we are after seeing what you have."

I made eye contact with Emilio, his eyes questioning mine for some sort of sick joke happening, but it was impossible to lie to him. He knew. I only nodded my head, affirming for him that it was true, and his breathing grew slightly heavier.

I noticed as Marcus reached out and touched his hand to Aro's, which gave Aro pause. It was amazing how something so simple began to play itself around in my mind. Why did it seem like Aro was being told something right now? His facial expression changed, nearly confirming my hypothesis. Was that what he could do? Could he know what people were thinking simply through touch? I couldn't be sure until I asked, but that would make sense. Was that why he constantly wanted to hold my hand. Could he have known my whole plan this entire time?

Aro nodded at Marcus before narrowing his eyes at Emilio again, yet suddenly speaking to Demetri. "Demetri, please escort Lia to her room and remain with her. I will be there shortly."

Aro began to walk towards Emilio as Demetri took my other arm and began to pull me away from my friend. "Aro, wait. He didn't do anything. Just leave him alone!" I was beginning to cry now, and I couldn't stop. He wasn't doing this. He couldn't do this. He wasn't doing this…

He didn't stop as Demetri all but dragged me from the room, and as the door closed, I saw Aro grab Emilio by his arm, pulling him in closer before forcing his head to the side. My scream was mixed with Emilio's sound of pain, and the fight in me was gone. I was rendered still.

Back in my room, I sat on the bed. My mind wasn't working anymore. Demetri sat in the chair nearby and watched me. I couldn't move. I felt frozen to the spot. Emilio was dead. It was my fault. He was dead. My fault. Dead.

I wasn't sure how much time had passed by the time Aro entered the room and dismissed my guard. I felt him sit down next to me and gently wrap his arm around me before pulling me into his chest. It didn't register at the moment about what he had just done. The comfort received from his current action was enough. All else was currently obsolete.

"Liliana," he spoke to me softly. I couldn't reply. "You made this inevitable. I was not left with a choice."

Aro reached out to take my hand, and I quickly pulled it away. "You can read minds, can't you? By touching my hand, you can read my mind. I saw Marcus… your expression. That's what you can do, isn't it? That's how you knew."

"Yes."

"Marcus was upset when he found out you hadn't told me. Now I know why." I paused and swallowed back the choking sensation in my throat. "If you knew, why did you let me go?"

He sighed. "You were going to run anyway."

"And it made you angry. That's why you did those things before I left, or is that really who you are? Is that really how you want our relationship to be, locking me up in a dark room, choking me, telling me to obey your every order like I'm some sort of slave? Is that what you actually want, or were you so frustrated that you just took it out on me instead?"

I was looking at him now, my voice rising with every word. His face was unreadable. I tried not to flinch as he reached up to touch my neck, where he had left the bruises. "This was never my intent, Lia, but I could not understand why, no matter how often I tried to show you my love, you would still want to run from me. Your mind was broken and shattered so often as you continued to fight with what you wanted. If you were truly to run, I merely wanted to give you a reason to do so."

It was difficult to believe what I was hearing, but coming from Aro, it almost made sense. His logic, his reasoning, was so far-fetched that I had trouble entertaining the idea that everything he had done had been calculated to a fault. There was a good chance time had made him mad.

"The bond we have is there; it isn't going to go away. It may change over time, yes, but you will always be fighting the pull you have to me just as it pulls me to you. A part of you will always be drawn to me, whether that be through love or care." Aro left his hands on his lap now as he continued to speak, an urgency there to keep himself still. "I am aware of what happened with Emilio and how you feel for him, and though that love is real, it is much like what I have with Sulpicia."

Hearing Emilio's name on Aro's lips sent more tears dripping down my cheeks. How he could even speak his name to me after what he just did… What did it matter? Emilio was dead. What was the point in talking about how I feel now? "Can you stop? Please."

"I am not angry with you, Lia. I'm not even disappointed. I was perhaps at first, but I spoke with Marcus before coming here, and I understand now. I'm rather impressed with how well you pulled it off."

"You understand?" I scoffed.

"I am trying to," he replied. "I am used to getting what I want and when I want it. I am also used to not having my authority questioned as you incline to do with me on a daily basis. I am trying to reason with myself what would be best for both of us, yet I admit that I am not used to thinking of anyone besides myself. Selfishness may be my worst trait, and it has cost me dearly in the past. I will not sacrifice your life as well."

"I want to be alone."

Aro nodded but did not move. "Give me your hand."

"Why, so you can invade my thoughts again for the hundredth time?" I responded back sarcasm leaking through.

"I want to make sure you are not a danger to yourself before I leave you alone."

"You could just ask."

"Would you tell me the truth if I did?" Aro questioned with a frown. I said nothing. He knew I wouldn't, and I knew I wouldn't. He sighed. "As I thought. If you do not wish me here, I will ask Chelsea to remain with you instead."

"No," I answered, shaking my head. Aro's frown deepened, but before he could say anything, I put my hand on top of his, sharing with him my current thoughts. When I took my hand off of his, I stated, "My choice from now on, okay?"

Aro stared at me for a moment, most likely thinking about giving up even a sliver of control to me when it came to reading my mind, but he did finally, and reluctantly, agree. "Come, I will escort you there."

"I know the way."

"I realize that the hatred you are feeling for me right now seems warranted, but Lia-"

Cutting him off, I said, "I don't want to talk about it, okay? Please just respect that. I am trying so hard right now not to go crazy. You've read my mind. You know I'm telling the truth. I can't be in the same room with you right now, so please, just leave me alone and let me go by myself."

I waited, but Aro finally stepped aside, allowing me to pass, and I quickly left the room and took the elevator to the upper floors where I could go to the tower for some air. The sun would be rising soon. I always loved the sunrise, and it had been a while since I last saw it. The cool air of the morning hit my flushed face, and the tears that dropped dried on my cheeks.

There was no hope left. I would be trapped here forever, end of story. I thought about my grandfather. Did he foresee this coming? Aro told me weeks ago that my grandfather knew the lengths he would go to have me, which is why he agreed to plan everything out. Was that true? Is this really what Nonno wanted for me?

I wished I could speak with him again, just one last time, now that I knew everything, to understand what was going on in his mind. Maybe he did it because he realized there was no other choice. Maybe he was truly as trapped as I was, not having a choice but to make sure that preparations were set for me to be with Aro one day. The way it was now, I would never know.

Then there was Emilio. As angry as I was at Aro for killing him, I was more angry with myself. I would say even to the point of absolute self-hatred at that moment. If it wasn't for me trying to run, he would still be alive. He'd be safe. He'd be back in Siena, back at medical school studying to become the life-saving surgeon he always wanted to be. I ruined that for him. Aro might have been the weapon, but I was the one who pulled the trigger. I was the dangerous one. My choice killed him.

The sun was beginning to rise above the horizon, the sky a mix of pinks, oranges, and purples. It was beautiful here. No tall buildings were blocking my view like they did in Dallas or when we were in New York. Here, the land was open and wide with winding hills across the landscape. Volterra was home, but now, that home had been destroyed.

I heard a soft sound behind me, so I turned around to look thinking Aro had maybe decided to check on me anyway. I was thankful that I was wrong, and the one who came up wasn't necessarily unwelcome. Alec took a pause before continuing over to me and sitting down beside me. "There's usually no one up here at this time."

"You didn't go with your sister?"

"Aro required me here." Alec went silent while he turned to look at me. A moment later, he spoke, saying, "It was foolish to run."

I couldn't help but give him a soft smile. He seemed so innocent, though I knew he wasn't. Alec had been alive much longer than I had. "I know, but I needed to know that I tried. Still, I didn't expect what happened. Demetri was supposed to be gone, and Aro, he... he said nothing to me about what he could do."

The two of us sat there at the top of the tower, watching the sunrise slowly but surely. Eventually, it reached a point where it touched Alec's hands, and they started to glow. He quickly hid them in the sleeves of his cloak. It wasn't unknown to me what sunlight did to their skin at this point, but it wasn't a topic of much interest to any of them. Many seemed to despise that aspect of themselves.

"It's hard when she's away," Alec eventually said.

I turned to him. "Jane?"

He nodded. "We're usually together. We have been forever, but she hates the sun. She won't come up here with me. She says she hates the sun, that it reminds her of fire and burning, but I don't mind it. All I see is darkness, and the sun, although not a friend to my kind, is a welcome relief from the dark and all the shadows." Alec shifted how he was sitting so he was facing me better. "Why do you like the sunrise?"

I shrugged. "It's pretty. I like how the colors rise over the trees and decorate the clouds. Looking at a sunrise gives me hope because it's the start of a new day. It means the end of long, lonely nights. The world keeps spinning, and here we are. It reminds me of that, a chance to try something new."

"We never sleep, you know, so if you ever get lonely again at night, come find me."

We continued to watch in silence until the sun was high in the sky. Alec then stood, and I followed suit. "I should probably go back down. Alec?" The young vampire looked up at me, and I continued, "It was nice watching the sunrise with you."

His expression beamed as we went down the stairs and out of the tower. It really had been nice. It was like watching with Emilio again when we were children, and for that period of time, the guilt and the shame had disappeared.


A/N: Chapter title from the song by Bob Dylan of a similar/the same name. Maybe I should just say Friday or Saturday. This week was overwhelmingly busy, but I'm only a few minutes late. Hopefully, you enjoyed this chapter. I would love to get your thoughts, so drop me a review and let me know! Thanks!