The sound of broken glass coming from the hotel room startles the guests passing by.

—Relieved of my duties? Another cup smashed on the wall. —Thank you for your services? This time, the metal tray. —All because of that traitor and that piece of trash!

Padrone rips away the letter with the Volturi seal, his "letter of separation" like they politely put. They abandoned him to avoid being implicated in his failure and now don't even come in person to say he's fired to his face.

He looks around for the number in the pile of disks on his bed, among them, the one with Renesmee's information, still locked up thanks to Mirania. He takes his phone, and the man on the other side of the line picks up after the first ring. He had to mobilize them before the news spread that he was no longer under the protection of the Volturi.

—Kill her now. I want her head. Padrone can't delay this any longer. Mirania will come to them if her little mutt is dead. The Cullens will be easier to find than her and Giannini.

—We have four ready to do it now.

—Any shadows?

—Just one.

—Do it.

—Do we call off the search for Mirania?

—Yes. She'll come once the girl is dead. Kill them all if you can.

—Understood. The line goes silent.

I roll around in my bed before finally giving up and going to the observatory room.

The storage room is dark and empty, and I'm worried about Seth out there with David. A vampire's aggressiveness is at its peak when they hunt, and I hope nothing happens.

I sit down on one of the giant bean bags, observing, until I finally fall asleep, too tired to keep going.

When I open my eyes, the room is dark, but I see Seth there, laying down right next to me.

—You're back! I say, smiling and sitting up. Happy he's ok.

—And you're sleeping here.

—I was worried. How did it go?

Seth looks at me for a moment like he's choosing his words wisely.

—He lost it. When he was hunting. I had a bad feeling about today, and I was right.

—Are you ok? Did he attack you?

—I'm fine. He actually calmed down before we had to fight. Carlisle managed to control him and let him walk around to cool off. He sat by this huge pine tree for hours, mumbling something to himself. When he mentions the tree, I can't control my face. I hope the room is dark enough for him not to notice.

—Were there flowers by the tree?

—Yes. How did you know that? I can't answer him. My mind is racing now. How did he know to go there? Was it a coincidence? Does he even know what those flowers are or what that tree means? I let the urgency of my questions to David retake control of me, and Seth can see it in my eyes.

—No. He says firmly.

—Seth…

—I'm tired. He turns around, avoiding my gaze. The room is dark, but I can see how much my words angered him by observing his body stiffening up.

—I…

—Don't say it. He's controlling his voice not to scream.

—I have to…

He jumps on top of me, making me lay down with his hand on my mouth. I'm surprised by the sudden move and hold his hand, pulling it down, but it won't move. When I look up at his eyes, they break my heart.

—I would do… anything for you. Why must you ask for the thing that would hurt me the most?

He looks like he's about to cry, and I can't take it. I can manage when he gets angry at me, but making him sad… I have no right to hurt him. After everything he did for me and all he means to me, I can't take that look in his eyes.

I reach my hand to him, touching his face, eyebrows, and cheek. He kisses the palm of my hand, still looking like he's about to break in my hands.

I move my body forward, surprising him, and he removes his hand. I get close enough to his naked skin to kiss him on the cheek. —I'm sorry. I won't say it, so, please… I complete the words in my mind, "don't be sad."

He hugs me tightly, and the heat is more intense than I've ever felt before.

I'm very aware of how he feels about me. I've known for a while, and I'm sorry he had to imprint on someone as selfish as me, someone that makes him suffer this way. He doesn't deserve this.

I can't accept his feelings or my own before I finish this. My parents deserve justice. I deserve it, and so does David.

I let go of him once I started sweating.

—This is not fair. You can't just hug me when I'm mad. He's looking away, and in this dim light, I can't tell if he's blushing as much as I am.

—I'll stop if it doesn't work. He doesn't answer me.

—C'mon. You must be tired, and I could use a nap.

I walk him to his room, holding his hand, and make sure he's going to sleep before going to my own. I said I would sleep too, but I was too hungry for that, so I changed clothes and went downstairs.

Alice, Emmett, and Rosalie are sitting on the sofa, looking at me with a grin on their faces. Esme is leaning against the kitchen door, arms crossed.

—What? They don't answer and continue smiling at me. When I finally understand, I can tell my face got all red.

—Cut it out!

Alice's grins changes to a large smile. —Oh, you want us to stop?

—Only if it doesn't work. Emmett joins her, smiling too. Rosalie doesn't say a word, but her smile is the widest of them all when she waggles her eyebrows to me.

I want to dig a hole and bury myself in it forever. Stupid vampire hearing.

—Stop it!

—Maybe she needs "the talk." Esme joins them, and I can't take it anymore.

—I swear to God I'll run out of this door right now!

—Come and eat. Esme says, entering the kitchen, —And Alice, I'll need that book after all.

—No, you don't! Everyone, just stop saying words!

All of them smile at me again. —And smiling!

I run to the kitchen and shove down the sandwiches in my mouth.

—You'll choke. Esme gives me a glass of water. —Don't be so embarrassed; they are just teasing you. She conveniently left herself out of that statement.

—Carlisle told me that David sat by the tree you put your parents' flowers on. Her words make me slow down. —You were right. We need to make him talk.

—There is a limit to how much he'll share in front of everyone. Information is the only reason we keep him here. He'll only be honest when he trusts us.

—Can we even do that?

—Where are Jasper and Carlisle?

—Taking to Edward. We'll have to visit some of the places he put on that list.

The following days are like the same day repeating itself over and over. They take David to hunt; he fails and comes back depressed, so I talk to him with Seth right beside me. He's easy to talk to, although he's much older than me. He's about the same age as my dad but looks eighteen, like us.

He enjoys talking about all kinds of things, but today, we are discussing video games, and he's also obsessed with vintage stuff like Seth and the others. Embry and Quil are watching us talk this time.

—And that's why RV games are better. I listed all the obvious reasons RV beats vintage, but they are never convinced and keep ganging up on me.

—What are you saying? Have you ever played Sonic? Or Mario?

Seth pushes me with his head, and I can read the "I told you!" in his eyes.

—Don't start with the plumber again. He jumps on turtles, so what?

—He's a man on a mission! Embry and Quil look like they agree with him.

—He rides a frog!

I can almost hear them gasp. —You dare call Yoshi a frog?

—Diving into deep space and shooting Aliens in the head. That's a good game.

—And I thought my thirst for blood was bad! He laughs loudly, and I see a chance to ask him more serious questions. I like talking to him, but I never forget why I'm doing this.

—How is that going, by the way?

—Painfully slow. I can only think about blood all day; I'm going a little crazy here.

—Even now?

—No. These talks help. You are more fun to talk to than vampires. You brood about the past.

—You hunting tonight?

—Yes. Is Dr. Cullen back?

—No. Rosalie and Emmett are out too. Seth hits my arm, looking angry at me.

—What?

—He doesn't want you telling me there are fewer people in the house.

—Like he's going to do something. Drinking animal blood took a heavy token on David. He couldn't fight one, let alone four of us.

—He can't trust me. I'm sitting down on the ground with Seth, and I can feel him quietly growling at David's words, so I decided to cut the conversation short today.

—Well, I don't know about you guys, but I could use some sleep. See you tomorrow?

—I'll be here. Sleep well.

—Thanks.

When we go back to the house, I'm so ready to sleep, but I still want to take care of a few things, so I don't take too long listening to Seth's usual complaints.

—Don't tell him that!

—He's a vampire. He knows only Alice and Esme are here.

—You let your guard down too much.

—You are right here next to me. There is no danger. I'm going to bed, you?

He doesn't answer for a moment. —I'll wait for the others to come back.

—You're not tired? You watched him all day.

—I'm fine. They should be here soon. He's looking away from me for some reason.

—All right then. Goodnight.

—Goodnight.

I change into comfortable clothes in my room, just shorts and a T-shirt, before starting working with Eve again. She projects all my notes and drawings on the closet, and I start moving them around. If no one tells me, I'll find it myself.

I gathered all the memories in my head of David and what Mirania left behind to try and connect the dots. I also, shamefully and very sorry for it, hacked Jasper's notes and added them to my own. I could almost hear my father reprimanding me when I cracked his password using what he taught me after running an IT company for over a hundred years.

I want to help them find Padrone, and although I'm not sure how much I can help, I can't make things worse just by trying.

Jasper got all the numbers of disappearances in the cities on the list David gave us and drew a map with the highest numbers first. I feel something is off about how he put these down, but I still can't put my finger on it. Disappearances numbers can't be everything. If it were that easy, humans would've found us already by the patterns; no, it's more than that.

A shadow catches my eye, and I turn around, ready to scream, but the cold fingers over my lips stop my voice from coming out. David has his hand over my mouth and one finger over his, asking me to be quiet. He types in something on Eve and points to it.

Vampires are coming to the house. I'll get you out of here. I nod to him, and he removes his hand, moving to the windows to look outside. My heart is beating fast, but I'm calm, waiting for his instructions.

He opens the door and looks outside before typing on Eve again.

I'll have to carry you, or they'll hear us.

I nod ok and let him carry me. He runs through the hall and towards the garage, running to the woods. I didn't see anything for a while until we stopped, quite far away from the house. I'd never seen that part of the woods before; I could even hear the river behind us.

—There was a shadow among them. He looks back one more time to make sure no one is following us.

—Shadow? Does he mean the vampires?

—That's what we called the vampires that can hide their scent. They are not very powerful but good for quiet jobs. Padrone created them.

—Is he attacking the house? Are the others back yet? Is Esme fighting them? What about Seth and Alice?

—He's removing loose ends.

—You mean me?

—Yeah, but this is too rushed. I was sure he was coming down with an army, but there were only four. Something must be wrong.

I'm worried about Esme and the others, but being there might distract them.

I should've grabbed a coat before jumping out, the air is cold enough to make me shiver, and the damn mosquitos are eating me alive!

—Did Esme ask you to bring me here? Thinking about it, it feels strange that he would be the one to come and take me. How did he pass through them, and how did Seth let him bring me here alone?

—No. I noticed it before them and brought you here. There was no time. This is not good.

—So, no one knows I'm here? They'll think something happened. We have to go back. I can't believe I just let him bring me here. Is he even telling the truth about the attack?

—Not yet. He turns back, looking towards the direction of the house, I suppose. —They are still there. When-

—When what? I get closer, listening. He turns around and walks towards me, making me step back.

—You're bleeding. I can see the gleam in his eye starting to intensify.

—No, I'm not. I look down at my own body, but I can't see anything. My thighs and arms are exposed, and I'm barefooted, but I didn't brush against anything or feel any cuts.

—Yes, you are. I can smell it. He keeps walking towards me, now much faster. I back away until I hit a tree, losing balance and taking my eyes off him long enough for him to get way too close.

—David… He exposes my neck, and his cold fingers make the hair on my body stand.

—Right here… His finger is over one of the mosquito bites I scratched. My nails must've made it bleed a little. Now his cold breath is in my ear. —I can hear it too, your heart.

—David, remember what Carlisle taught you. I should calm my heart down and make the blood run slower, but I can't do that with him so close to me. He's pressing his body against mine, breathing in my ear. I'm grabbing onto the bark and looking for a way to talk him out of this like the first time.

—You have so… much. Just give me a sip, just a taste. His lips rub against my neck, and I can't control my arms. I squeeze them between us, trying to push him away.

—You won't be able to stop.

—I'll be gentle. He puts his nail on my neck, and I can feel it sting as he opens a small cut. The blood is running hot down to my shirt, and my heart is beating out of control, pumping even more out of my body.

—It hurts. I hope he'll hear my fear, but he seems ready for his sip now. His hand is going up my back, pulling me even closer. He places his other hand around my waist and whispers again.

—It's all right… He still won't listen, and the blood won't stop flowing. I can feel it down my chest, under my shirt.

—They'll kick you out.

—You mean, Seth will kick me out. His low laugh has a touch of sarcasm when he says Seth's name.

—Carlisle too.

—I won't tell if you don't. He'll bite me any minute now. I have to say something to stop him.

—What's the reason, David? Carlisle's words pop into my mind, and I ask about the thing that was supposed to help him keep control. It works; he stops and looks at me. —Remember the reason.

He looks at my face, and I feel like he's out of his trance now, but he comes closer again like he's going for my face this time.

The loud growls distract him, and he looks away. It's Seth. He's right there, coming out of the shadows. His eyes are more like a wolf's than I've ever seen, glowing with anger in the moonlight. His fur is standing up and trembling in the light. This is different from the day David arrived; I can't see him behind those eyes.

David removes his hands and wants to step back, but I hold him by his shirt. If he moves away from me now, Seth will kill him, and I won't be able to stop it. —Don't. He'll kill you.

David nods at me, and I move him slightly behind me, making sure Seth can't get to him.

—Seth, you found us. I need to keep calm, so he'll listen. The growling is still intense, and he won't even look at me.

—He brought me here because he heard the vampires coming. He was… too hasty and didn't tell anyone. Seth steps closer to us, his eyes still on David. I never felt afraid of Seth, but I'm not so sure he's in charge inside of that animal right now. I need to bring him forward before he does something he regrets.

—Seth, are you listening?

—I don't think he's in there… David is still behind me, very aware that if he walks away, he's done for.

—Seth… He won't answer me. No nod, no look, no movement. He walks towards us, one step at a time, like he's stalking prey; vampire prey.

David reaches for my shoulder, calling my name; the worst idea he had today. Seth jumped forward, and he is just a few steps from us now, his hot breath on my face. David seems too scared to stay still, but I raise my hand to him one more time and point to the wolves surrounding us.

—Don't… move.

They seem to be all there, waiting for Seth to make the first move. Why won't they do anything if they can hear him lost inside that wolf? Vampires are the enemy, I guess.

—Seth, you can't attack David. I… don't have a good reason why; I just don't want to see you fight. I want to get out of here. Please. He still won't look at me, so I gather my courage and reach my hand towards him to touch his face, feeling the top of his snout as it trembles in anger. My fingers are just centimeters away from his teeth, but I don't care. I just want to get out of here with him.

His eyes finally turn to me. —Please, I'm freezing. Can we go? I see the glow subdue and how he recognized my request. He nods once, stepping back and sitting down so I can hop on as we practiced before.

—Don't move. The others will be here soon. I don't look back at David and just get on top of Seth. He turns away, running beyond the river without looking back. Esme and Alice pass by us, and I can only hope she saw me nod to her, saying I was all right.

We go far beyond the forest to an open field where the stars are easy to see. I get down, and he goes back to normal.

—Where are we?

—Our territory. He's talking about the wolf's territory, just like the forest belongs to the Cullens. He's looking down, his hands in fists, but not like he's angry.

—Are you all right? I ask. He gets close, pulling my hair back, looking at the cut David made. —He didn't drink it; he controlled himself.

—If you can call it that. His voice is sad and painful for me to hear.—I hate to admit, but he saved your life.

—So it was true. They came to the house. What happened?

—One of them passed by us, I have no idea how, and got to your room. I thought I was too late; I thought I had lost you.

—He said they could hide their scent. He's still looking at the cut, but it's much more complicated than that. I can feel his suffering like it's scratching on my skin, and I don't know what to do to make it better.

—I'm sorry. I say, putting my hand on his face, feeling somehow guilty for his suffering. I don't know what to do, so I just take the blame in a desperate attempt to make him feel better. He looks at me, confused. —I… feel like I did something wrong. I naively let him take me out of the house without ensuring it was safe. I shouldn't have been so stupid.

—No, you didn't. I'm just… tired. His words hit me like a slap. He's tired. Tired of running around after me all the time. Of having to watch me every day because of the imprinting. Tired of having to do all the work and have me scream at him for worrying about my safety. I take a step back, feeling the pain of the invisible slap.

—I'm sorry. I wish I could fight alone, but my stupid powers are useless. I don't want to be a burden to you because of the imprinting. If I could at least control it, then…

—Whoa, what?

—…I could at least run, but I promise I'll find a way around it, so please, please don't walk away, I swear I'll-

—Anne, I'm not tired of you! He holds me by my shoulders, breaking my flood of words. —I'm tired of not being able to protect you. I let you get hurt too many times, and I don't know what to do. I would die if anything happens to you, and it's not only because of the imprinting!

I am breathing heavily now after jabbering without a pause. —So… you're not saying you're leaving because I'm… too much?

—I never thought that. Not even once. Were you thinking that?

—I… No. He's looking even more confused now. —…Yes. I hate being helpless; it's what killed my parents.

—You didn't kill your parents; that mad vampire did. And you're not helpless because you can't fight! You basically saved yourself in Rome and talked a vampire out of killing you twice! You're just… amazing.

—If you haven't come for me all those times, I would be dead long ago. You didn't let me get hurt; you saved my life.

Pouring out all this truth into the open like this made me dizzy and relieved at the same time. My biggest problem is keeping things bottled up until I can't take it anymore and explode, just like now. I torture myself inside my own thoughts without even noticing before it's too late and they are about to pop. I'm physically tired now after relieving all this pressure from my shoulders.

—You really ok? He's looking at me, trying to calm down, and this time, I can finally say I am.

—Yes. I'm just cold. I was being serious about freezing.

He opens his arms and puts them around me. —I'm a million degrees all the time. Take what you need. I kept in that position, enjoying the heat of his skin long after I stopped being cold.

—We should go back… He says, almost too quietly.

—In a minute. I don't want to let go, not yet.