One day before St. Marcus Day

I leaned back with a sigh in the iron wrought chair, gazing melancholically up at the stars.

The past few days have been like a dream. Learning so much more about architecture than I could at Forks High and getting to see sights not even Esme's occasional lessons could begin to compare to, it was all a dream come true really. And of course, Demetri had become a welcome constant at the end of my day. His flickering smiles and the way he always seemed to be on the edge of smirking before his expression would soften for a moment. I knew that it was highly likely nothing would come out of our short time together, but that couldn't stop my heart from beating a little bit faster and my mood lifting just a little bit higher each time I saw him. And I had decided that, no matter what happened at the end of my time in Volterra, I would enjoy the time I had left with him.

Tonight, however, I somewhat dreaded seeing him again.

'So why are you sitting here where you know he'll be able to find you?'

I mentally batted away the sarcastic voice in my head. It was true, but it didn't stop a tiny part of me from hoping he wouldn't come tonight… and then the majority part of me was relieved when Demetri came into view.

I watched his approach, once again struck by just how graceful he was. He didn't just walk - he glided. There was really no other way to explain how he crossed the garden. His movements were always so smooth and flawless that I would have been constantly reminded of the Cullens if I hadn't forced all memories of them away. The only thing different was that there was an odd quality to his light footsteps, as if he was always on the verge of falling into a predatory stalk. And then I again dismissed the thought; I had clearly spent far too much time with the supernatural to be seeing 'monsters of the night' everywhere.

Not unlike me, Demetri appeared to be deep in thought today and he was missing his casual grin as he observed me. I wondered why but my own thoughts occupied me too much for me to pry into his. So I tried to smile at him in greeting as he approached, as I usually would. But even I could tell it was strained. Immediately, I saw him change too: whatever had been on his mind before appeared to be pushed aside and his keen, dark eyes searched mine intently even as he settled down opposite me.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing." I shook my head, but he was as persistent as I had discovered he could be.

"No, it's something." He tilted his head to view me better. "Don't lie to me, Mia. Tell me."

I grimaced slightly. Over the course of the past few days, I had discovered that Demetri was not only persistent but also very observant. I had always prided myself on my ability to hide my emotions, but it seemed that Demetri could see right through me.

So after a moment I began hesitantly, "My dad called me this morning."

Demetri looked puzzled, as if wondering how that could dampen my mood. I'd already told him about my dad before, and he knew that there were few people I loved more than Charlie Swan even if my dad's inability to talk about emotional subjects and tendency to avoid relationship problems sometimes annoyed me. I was still convinced it was a part of the reason that Bella had never recovered after Edward left; dad had been all too fine with just leaving her and keeping me from upsetting her until she felt ready to talk. Still, I loved my dad and Demetri knew it from the way I talked about him.

"What did he say?" Demetri asked carefully.

I bit my lip briefly before I finally confessed, "A good friend of his died a few hours ago."

Demetri stilled at my words, while I continued dejectedly.

"Apparently, it was a heart attack. My dad called to let me know he was going to his funeral."

"I'm sorry to hear that." Demetri began slowly, his eyes surveying me cautiously. "Do you know what caused it?"

"Not really." I said slowly, shaking my head. "I mean, we all knew Harry had been having some trouble with his heart in recent years. His cholesterol levels were really high. But still… he seemed fine when I left."

Demetri nodded sympathetically.

"My deepest condolences." He murmured. "It must have been quite difficult to not be able to attend the service."

"I probably wouldn't be much use if I was still in Forks anyway. I didn't know Harry or his family that well, and my sister is still with my dad." I admitted. "But… Harry was still my dad's best friend, you know? And it's just so… so strange to think my dad won't be going out fishing with him ever again."

"Life is fleeting." Demetri commented, although there was a somewhat odd note to his voice. I peered up at him curiously.

"You don't believe that it is?" I asked, sensing that was the underlying current to his tone I'd heard. Demetri paused and he seemed to be weighing his words carefully before he spoke them aloud slowly.

"I believe… that life is what you make of it."

I titled my head, not really following. Demetri seemed to sense that but he also didn't seem inclined to elaborate. Realizing this, I decide not to push. I looked back up at the stars before I started to talk again.

"Well, I suppose that's true too, but at the end of the day we're all meant to die at some point." Unless you're a vampire, I added to myself although I didn't dare say that aloud. "But Harry's death… I guess, it just reminded me of that, you know? Reminded me that I could lose my dad at any time. And I wonder..."

I hesitated, because really Demetri's a stranger. But maybe because he's a stranger, I felt more at ease being completely honest with him.

"I wonder, if something happened to my dad, what would I do?"

I thought about the terrifying redhead roaming around Forks, trying to get at my twin and who I didn't doubt to be above going after Charlie to get at Bella. And I thought again of the desperate hope I held in my heart ever since Charlie's phone call that Harry really had died of a heart attack; that it wasn't a lie Billy had told to keep Charlie in the dark; that Harry hadn't died because of Victoria.

"If I lose him, I..." I trailed off with a sigh.

Demetri was watching me as I stared up at the sky, falling into silent thought. My feelings on Harry's death were a lot more complicated than I was willing to put into words. There was the sorrow, of course, and the concern as I thought about the poor Clearwaters and my dad who would take Harry's passing hard. And of course, the rest of the Quilettes would mourn the loss of one of their leaders; I pictured Laura, Embry, Jared, Jacob and the rest of my friends, and my heart went out to them.

Then there was the regret that I wasn't there to at least try and do what I could to ease their pain, to help support them. And I would have booked a flight back if my dad hadn't been clear that he wanted me to stay in Italy and finish the course I had been enjoying. Then there was the fear, fear of losing my dad or my mom like Leah and Seth had just lost their father. And lastly the guilt: for being so selfish and thinking of myself at a time like this, for leaving my dad in the first place to face this heartache without me, the guilt that I had been laughing so happily with Daisy earlier that day.

After a moment, I felt Demetri shift beside me.

He didn't hug me, nor did I expect him to. We really didn't know each other that well and I wasn't exactly mourning as I would be if it had been Billy or someone else I knew well. After all, Harry was a nice guy and my dad's good friend but I hadn't known him. Usually my dad and Harry hung out when they went fishing, so I hadn't even really seen the man since I was twelve. That didn't mean I didn't care, I just wasn't in any real pain, and I would probably have been more creeped out if Demetri had hugged me or gotten in my personal space.

But, perhaps because he sensed I could use some comfort, Demetri slowly reached over. I watched as he gently took my hand in his gloved one, and I smiled when he gave it a tiny squeeze. It was weird but as his hand eased mine into his gentle grasp, I felt like the weight on my shoulders lifted just a little. Warmth filled me like not even the hot chocolate I had sipped earlier had been able to, which was kind of ironic as his glove felt almost unusually cold - although I supposed leather probably didn't retain heat too well.

We sat there in silence for once, both staring up at the sky. I had no idea what he was thinking about but I was grateful he was there. My heavy heart felt a little better for having let out some of my worries, and I was glad I had met him and found a friend whom I could confide in beside Daisy while here in this foreign country.

After a long moment, I finally spoke up in a quiet voice.

"Thank you, Demetri."

My voice had been quieter than I intended and I wondered if he'd heard; and then he responded in a voice almost as soft as mine had been.

"Not at all, Mia."

Present

I haven't seen Demetri since the night of St. Marcus Day.

I was gratified when a day passed and I didn't see hide nor hair of him. I was a little less certain how I felt when there was no sign of him for the two days after that as well. When it reached the end of the second day, I was angry with myself for feeling a stab of disappointment. I told myself it was a good thing, and by the end of the week I was almost convinced. I didn't need that monster anywhere near me and I didn't want him near me. If only I could be fully convinced. Not even my daily doses of torture appeared to completely convince me.

The day after St. Marcus Day, I reported Daisy missing; I couldn't exactly tell the police I knew she was dead but I felt her parents should know something at least. My flimsy excuse was that we'd both gone to the palazzo for the festivities, but we'd ended up separated during the night after which Daisy had failed to return to the motel. Thankfully, the police believed me - I probably looked hell enough with the bags under my eyes and my eyes rimmed red with the tears I hadn't been able to stop shedding all night. My classmates were stunned by the news but I shunned them all when they tried to check on me. I already felt enough guilt - I didn't need to add to it by knowing I was lying straight to their faces about what might have happened to Daisy.

The person I couldn't avoid, however, was my dad. He had called immediately once he heard the news that Daisy was missing after the program was forced to share the information with parents. He was alarmed and fretted about my safety but I refused to go home early. I was in equal danger in a city full of vampires who weren't inclined to kill me yet as I was back in Forks with the pack while a vengeful redheaded vampire sought the first opportunity to kill my twin. But Bella was back in Forks as was Edward. And time I could spend away from them, I would take. I wasn't ready to face my sister yet after what had happened.

Unfortunately, the end of the week inevitably came; I finished my exams on Friday and avoided meeting the others afterward for drinks. I instead stayed in, packed, and took a sleeping pill and fell into a dreamless sleep, thanking the stars that at least I hadn't seen Demetri again.

The downside of sleeping pills was that I was now wide awake early Saturday morning. My flight wasn't until that night - which I now regretted. At the time, I'd intended to try to maximize the free time I could have to spend more time in Volterra - and I was sick of staying inside. I hadn't wanted to go outside after Daisy's death, everything reminding me too much of her and (more importantly) Demetri. But now, I find that if I don't go out, I'll probably drive myself crazy.

'What's the worst that can happen?' I reason with myself as I got dressed slowly. The day is gloomy so I wrap up warm and remember an umbrella. 'And really, this is probably the last time you'll properly get to see any part of this city. Might as well make the most of it… Might as well see what I can before my time comes too.'

I pause at my own thoughts. I realize I've grown more numb to the thought of my imminent death than I thought. I wonder as I leave my room if I should be worried. But, it's not like worrying is going to get me anywhere.

'What's the saying again? Live today like it's your last so you don't have regrets? Guess now, I just have the knowledge that my last is at most in one year.'

I glance up absently as I walk out of the model; and I skid to a halt at the sight before me. My mouth falls open in shock and I can't move my eyes from the tall, dark-haired vampire leaning against a dark grey Mercedes.

"What… What…?"

I'm unable to fully formulate my question, too stunned by Demetri's sheer audacity to show up so blatantly in front of me. He doesn't look the slightest bit fazed by my inability to speak and instead he speaks in a perfectly neutral voice.

"I know you're leaving tonight... and I would like to give you the tour I promised you."

I recover my use of my tongue at that.

"And why would I ever agree to that?" I demand, torn between incredulity and anger.

"Because I don't intend to give up until you do."

"I'm not going with you." I answer determinedly.

But Demetri just stares right back at me with no intention of backing down. For a moment, we're locked in a silent battle of wills that I know I'll lose. He's a god-knows-how-old vampire who's probably used to being patient as he watches the decades pass. I am an impatient eighteen-year-old girl who can't keep still for even an hour. But my pride still makes me try to hold out as long as I can before I finally can't hold my silence any longer.

"Why are you even here?" I demand.

"I believe you are wrong in your decision." Demetri answers, his dark eyes - red hidden beneath dark blue contacts - boring into mine. "And I intend to spend the next year persuading you to choose differently."

"I won't." My answer is instantaneous.

"You might."

"I think I've told you before that I don't ever lose." I snap.

"And I recall I told you that I don't either."

He's so calm, and I hate that; I'd almost rather he was the cold - no, chilling - man I'd seen after my meeting with the Volturi. This Demetri is too close to the one I liked. And it's all the more painful for that.

Looking for something to crack him and make him leave, I spit at him, "Right. And you're not doing this because your master sent you?"

Demetri hesitates again and my eyes narrow with new fury.

"He did, didn't he?" I growl, but Demetri shakes his head.

"No. Master Aro is…" Demetri searches for the right words, "aware that I intend to… pursue you. And as I've said, I do not deny that Master Aro would be pleased if you choose a life of immortality. But it is not for Master Aro that I am here."

"Then why won't you leave me alone?" I ask impatiently, still skeptical that he's here of his own volition. Now that I know for certain Aro is interested in me too, I can't help but think that he's using Demetri to manipulate me. And I curse Edward and Bella again in my head for getting me caught up in their messy problems. Again. "I doubt your interest in my powers is the reason you'd take a puny little human on a tour of Volterra."

"If you will recall in your limited human memory, I was not aware of your powers when I made my offer." Demetri shoots back at me, which makes me pause.

I grudgingly realize he's right - Demetri had clearly had no idea what I could do until I'd thrown the metal grate (and smashed a couple thrones). And clearly he'd had no idea I had any connection to the Cullens and to the vampire world in general until Edward (damn him again) arrived in Volterra. And yet, Demetri had still stuck around me, a puny little human. But…

"Why?" I ask aloud, staring at Demetri, confused. "Why would you care?"

Demetri doesn't answer that one; instead, he opens the passenger door of his car.

"We won't have much time to see the best sights of the city if you don't get in now."

I purse my lips and consider my options. I could just go with him, but I am disinclined to humour him. Or worse, make him think he's winning. But somehow, I doubt he'll let me walk away. And we're in an empty street so unless one of my classmates happens to wake up early in the next minute (very unlikely), Demetri could probably throw me in the car and drive off within the blink of an eye. Or worse, simply carry me off and who knows where he'll take me then or how I could possibly try and get back.

I sigh and get into the car. And I try not to notice Demetri's triumphant smirk before he shuts the door after me. He's in the driver's seat before I can even blink, and by the time I've got my seatbelt on (with Charlie being a cop, he's always been extremely strict about safety) we're already pulling away from the motel.

I glance out the window to avoid looking at Demetri, taking advantage of the fact that he seems content for now to drive in silence. The windows are tinted basically black, so much so that I briefly wonder if it's even legal to have them tinted so darkly. Barely any light enters the car and I'm certain that even if someone pressed their noses against the glass they would barely be able to see anything inside. My mind instantly goes back to the last time I was in a car not unlike this one: when Carlisle and Esme had whisked me away to avoid James and Victoria, while Alice and Jasper took Bella and-

"You're not usually so quiet."

I grimace. So much for silence.

"Well, I hadn't realized before that you're a blood-sucking killer." I mutter, but of course he hears me perfectly. Demetri sighs.

"It's who I am." He answers without any abashment or remorse. I'm thrown again by his cavalier manner, so different from the Cullens who still hold on dearly to their humanity.

"You do not condemn a person who eats animal meat any more than you think higher of a person who eats only vegetables. So why do you condemn us?"

"It's not just what you eat!" I exclaim, turning to face him. He tilts his head to meet my gaze, though he keeps an eye on the road. "It's how you and your, your coven act! It's how you lured an entire group of people in for slaughter! It's how you stood by and let my friend be taken away, knowing that she would be killed, that she was going to be eaten and you couldn't even be bothered to warn us - to warn me!"

My voice has risen into a yell as my anger returns with every word that escapes me, clouding my judgement.

"It's the fact that you're nothing short of a murderer and a monster!"

"I don't pretend I'm not, at least if I look at myself through your human eyes." He interrupts me quite calmly, not looking the least bit offended by my words. I'm incensed by his attitude, by his utter lack of regard for Daisy, and I open my mouth to say as much but he cuts me off before I can even speak this time.

"But what makes you think that I am a monster simply because I did not warn your friend? You have been given your own ultimatum; do you think your friend would have escaped the same had she been spared from our usual meal time?"

I flinch, despite myself, at his description. Demetri pretends not to have noticed as he continues in an even tone.

"Do you truly think it would have been a kindness then? And you seem to have mistaken something: you have been allowed some grace, some leniency, because master Aro is fond of Carlisle Cullen with whom you have a connection. Your friend would have been offered no such privilege."

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" I ask incredulously.

"No, I am simply stating facts."

I glower at Demetri. "I still wish she'd had the choice. And don't lie to me. The reason your master didn't kill me on the spot isn't because of Carlisle. Not entirely."

"Your gift likely does intrigue him." Demetri replies without missing a beat and his face remains so impassive I'm a little taken aback. I'd expected him to deny it. But it seems that my discovering his true nature has only made him even blunter than he'd been before when he'd had things to hide from me.

"There are very few cases where a gift manifests so potently in a human. There is no doubt your gift will be powerful once you are turned."

I bristle at his statement; at his assuredness that he'll be able to change my mind.

"I'm not going to turn."

"So you say." His tone is bland, but I can sense the underlying, steely determination. A new fear hits me. I swallow.

"If you try to bite me," I say as strongly as I can but even I can hear the tremor in my voice. "I swear I'll find someone who'll kill me."

His hands tighten on the steering wheel and he looks straight back at me.

"I will not turn you against your will, Mia."

I despise the way he says my name in his velvety voice. And I absolutely hate myself for shivering at the way it makes me feel both hot and cold at the same time.

"But you are a fool if you think I'll simply stand by and watch you disappear. You may choose not to fight for your life. I am not so weak. And I will persuade you to remain where I can always find you."

I frown. I want to argue with him, but something about his words hits me as odd.

"What do you mean?" Another thought hits me and I demand suddenly, "Are you going to keep me locked up here in Volterra? Is that what you're doing, kidnapping me to lock me up in some dungeon somewhere?"

"No." Demetri seems almost surprised as he examines me briefly with a questioning look. "Did young Edward not tell you what I can do?"

"There wasn't exactly a lot of time to chat." I point out. I leave out how sour I'm feeling toward my sister and her boyfriend but Demetri seems to figure it out anyway. Thankfully, he makes no comment on it aside from raising a brow before moving on.

"I am gifted." Demetri explains to me, finally answering my earlier question. "I am what our kind calls a tracker."

*A/N As part of my summer special week, updating every day this week with an extra chapter this month for some of my stories! Hope you enjoy this small surprise and happy summer but stay safe!