According to my watch, I had slept for five hours. When I opened my eyes, I found my carry on bag sitting next to the other door in the room, one I had only glanced over before. I sat up slowly before standing, noticing now the sway I was feeling due to the long period without eating, and made my way over to it.

I opened it up to see it led into a very spacious bathroom, all human requirements in place. I decided I would not ask Aro about this. He would probably give me the same answer as with the bed, after all, would vampires have a need to actually use the toilet? Besides that, there was a bronzed footed, clawfoot tub against the far wall, a showerhead hanging above, and an opened ivory curtain that pulled around the edge. On the other wall, a mahogany bathroom chest with marble top and a porcelain sink then a double wide mirror with an antique bronze finish above it. Completing the space was an eight light wall sconce full of reflective crystals with an Etruscan gold finish, a finish I was very familiar with due to it being created here in Volterra.

Leaving the bathroom, I grabbed my suitcase and laid it on the bed, unzipping it to see what exactly Demetri or whoever had packed for me. I found a few sets of clothes, a smaller bag full of toiletries and underneath all of that was a picture, the same picture I brought with me through every move, every trip we took. It was a picture of all of us, my mom, dad, Nonno, Nonna and me right here outside of the city hall in the square. I stared at it never noticing anyone entering the room.

"This was right after we met."

I startled at Aro's voice, my heart pounding loudly. "Don't do that."

He only grinned. "I know one thing I will miss when you finally give in."

Rolling my eyes, I sat the picture on the bed and grabbed my toiletry bag to take into the bathroom. When I returned to the bedroom, Aro held the photo in his hands.

"I very much did not want to give you back that day."

"Why did you?"

"Marcus was very convincing. What would we do with a child running around our halls? No, it was too dangerous for you, and you were too young to be changed. It was best to return you to your grandfather with the knowledge of what we had found. Your grandfather would talk of you to Chelsea constantly, my way of knowing you were well, but you never visited. Your father kept you from that."

"Do you hate him for it?"

Aro sat the photo back down and looked to me. "Should I? You are here now. That is all that matters."

I crossed my arms before saying, "I think I'm hungry now."

"I was beginning to worry about that. It's been awhile since you've eaten." Aro turned and made his way to the door back to his study. "Come, I had Caterina stock the kitchen while you were asleep."

Following him out of his quarters, I looked around for Renata whom I assumed would still be there.

Aro laughed. "She sticks to the shadows to give me as much privacy as possible. That is why I call her my shadow."

I nodded. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course, my dear."

"It's only something I noticed. You seem the type who likes to give orders, and don't deny it because we both know it's true, however, Chelsea kind of comes and goes as she pleases, and I've yet to hear you really order her to do anything. You ask. The same goes for Renata. You must care about them."

"Very much. I care for Renata as I would a daughter in many ways, and Chelsea is a good friend. We go back millennia." I paused as we walked, and he stopped and turned. "What is it?"

"How old are you?

"I believe I was changed around 25, give or take a few years. I've lost track after so long and dates were different when I was human than they are now."

"And how long has it been since you were human?"

"3300 years I suppose."

I swallowed. "Are there vampires older than you are?"

"Yes. Amun from the Egyptian Coven has been around for about 4600 years. He is probably the oldest vampire that we know of in existence along with his mate, Kebi. Does that surprise you?"

"I don't know. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet."

We continued down the corridor to the stairs we had taken previously and climbed them back up to the area where I had seen Caterina. Instead of entering the lobby, we turned down another hall and stepped into a room on the right side. It was an old fashioned style kitchen that had the benefit of modern, stainless steel appliances. The counter held an assortment of fruit, so I went over and grabbed the first one I saw, a red apple.

"There is also fresh food in the refrigerator and a few things in the cupboards," Aro mentioned.

"Okay."

Aro took a seat at the small round table as I made my way around the kitchen, fixing a sandwich while taking a bite from my apple here and there. I joined him when it was finished and took a bite. His nose wrinkled up as he watched.

"What?"

"You'll have to excuse me. Human food smells differently to us than it does to you. To me, it is as if you are trying to eat soil from the ground."

"It definitely does not taste like dirt if that's what you are insinuating."

"And you would know."

I raised a brow at him. "You said that as a statement. Did my grandfather tell Chelsea about the time I tried a mudpie with Emilio?"

"Ah, Emilio, your friend."

"Yeah. I never told-"

Aro answered too quickly, cutting me off. "Demetri."

"Oh."

Nothing more was spoken while I finished my meal, and when I was done, I made sure to clean the plate and set it out to dry. I looked back at Aro who watched me intently.

"Are you ready to go back?"

"I guess."

As we made our way back down the stairs and to his quarters, we were stopped by Demetri who told Aro that an urgent matter needed his attention. Aro sighed his disappointment. "I will return when I can. Demetri, stay with Liliana in my absence."

"Of course, Master," Demetri answered.

I watched as Aro disappeared before my eyes then looked back to Demetri. "What was this urgent matter?"

"It's none of your concern."

"It was just a question. No need to be rude." I turned and continued through the door, Demetri following, shutting the door behind him.

"I retract. It is not a matter to worry yourself over, therefore, Aro will let you know when he returns should he deem it fitting to tell."

I sighed. This was going to be more difficult than I thought. Demetri seemed to somewhat despise me, but I also despised him. I did not know if he knew that I knew that he killed my grandfather, but now being in the same room with him was torture. I had so many questions, none of which I would ask, so I said the next best thing. "Thank you for bringing me my things."

All I received in answer was a nod.

"And thank you for putting in the picture."

"It looked important."

"It is. It's the last photo I have of all of us together. My dad started to change after that, like something had spooked him. He and Nonno didn't speak much anymore. Dad became more pressing on him not telling me the stories."

"But he told you anyway."

"According to Aro, it was because they had already decided it, that this would happen eventually."

Demetri thought for a moment. "I wasn't there that time, but when you saw me, I remember your father's face. The color drained completely. I hadn't made the connection of him being your grandfather's son, or you being who you are. I had never met him before or you. But I did know something was off. Aro said not to worry over it, as long as nothing concrete was seen, and we did not think there was until today. Now I wonder if maybe your father was around back then when Aro returned you. It would only make sense that his reaction was as such."

"Perhaps."

"Lia, I know the situation isn't ideal-"

I cut him off. "Don't start apologizing for playing a large role in this."

"I'm not. You would have come here eventually. What I am trying to say is that while the situation isn't ideal, you have an opportunity most never see. You get the chance to start a new life, discover the world through different eyes, and be in a place where you're accepted for what you can do instead of pushed around and ridiculed."

"What do you know…"

"More than you think. Your grandfather was very open not only about the good things that happened, but also his worries over how you were treated. It was why he was so forthcoming when it came to you joining us one day. He warmed to the idea as the years passed, knowing exactly what you meant to the coven."

"And what do I mean to the coven, Demetri?"

"If you don't know already, you will soon."

"I won't say it."

"You don't have to."

I sat on the sofa, and gazed at the floor before looking back up at my watcher. "Demetri?"

His eyes met mine and he asked, "What is it?"

"Was it quick? Nonno. Aro said it was, but he wasn't there. You were."

"A powdered substance in the drink that put him to sleep and stopped his heart. Yes, very quick, and he was aware of what he was drinking before he did."

"Did you drink…" I could not finish the sentence as my eyes trailed to the floor, but Demetri knew where I was going with it.

"No. Piero was an honorable man. To have drained him of blood would have dishonored him. Aro was always thinking of you."

I looked back up, biting my lip. "If he was really thinking of me, he wouldn't have had you kill him."

A/N: Please review! Thanks!