APOV

No.

No, this was not happening.

I recognized that scent, the venom gathering together in my mouth. That sweet, delicious, faithfully tempting smell.

The human.

She was here.

I could smell her. I could smell her over the rest of the humans. Hers was the only one my senses cried for.

Aro had been too interested in her, much more than I imagined.

To make matters worse, there was another with her; a pig headed, loud mouthed, incompetent human.

I cursed every living thing in the world that we were here when she arrived. She just had to be in the feeding crowd, following Heidi's undeniable charisma.

I attempted not to focus on the scent that shrouded me as I carried her limp form to her assigned bedroom, which was, unbelievably, across from mine. Demetri and Felix were tending to her screaming, burning friend, whose screams were so loud, I was tempted to cover him in the fog so that it would cease.

Jane stayed behind, Aro inquiring her about her lack of effect on the human. Aro sent me to take the human to her room, and check up on her every so often. The inconceivable part was that he assigned me to be her guard.

I would watch over her, follow her, protect her, and be covered in her scent every moment of each day.

Cheyenne. Her name is Cheyenne, that insolent voice chided. I clenched my jaw.

God damn it.

It was bad enough that I had to carry her, but oh, she smelled enticing. There was no way she would last through her final human days; not if I had to restrain myself from draining her with every passing moment.

I hate her.

The instincts in my body itched for me to lay eyes on her, and while it was always so simple to fight urges such as this...

This one pulled me as if I was on a leash, snarling and snapping at me. When I could no longer resist, I followed these instincts.

Her face was serene, with no signs of the distress she displayed moments earlier. Her heart beat steadily, wet and thumping, calling to me. Her blood sang to me beneath her skin, the rush of it sounding just as powerful as her voice.

Focus. This is Aro's command.

I forced the venom back down my scorching, aching throat once again.

Her hair was a dangerously close shade to that of Edward Cullen.

This would not suffice. Aro had assign someone else to her. Felix would do; the human was too serious, and with his ignorance, they would surely band together and keep away from me. Or perhaps, Heidi; the two were females, after all.

I strode through the mahogany wood door into her room. The burgundy walls, king sized bed with golden silk sheets and black iron bed post had been Aro's choice. He had them specially imported, which made me scoff. Aro did have pleasant taste, but the way he indulged in this was ludicrous.

I laid her form on the bed, and left the room as quickly as possible, not sparing her another glance. I needed to wash her scent away, and force that haunting voice out of my mind. Her song was echoing and spinning in my head, the sound beckoning me to her presence, giving us the promising illusion of paradise. The way she drew all of us in, especially Aro, was maddening. Aro believed she could be more powerful than Jane and me with the way she could control crowds of people. The way he spoke about it had me wanting to escape to the next country over.

"Her power is so extraordinary," Aro crooned to me, looking over her form in my arms. "I do believe we could have an immortal more powerful than you and Jane. I cannot wait to see how her powers have changed after her transformation. Don't you agree, Alec?" His eyes moved to me, holding power and authority that I could not disobey.

"Master," I started, but he was quick to stop me.

"My dear son, I do realize it is difficult with her scent and the way her blood calls to you," he said slowly. "But that makes it all the more worth to make her your guard!" He grew delighted at the end and clapped his hands together.

My form stilled.

"You see, my son," he said. "She will not be human for long, so do not fret. She will be changed soon. But, I do want to see how you...interact with her. Do make her comfortable here, and take her into town in three days when David has awoken. She is, after all, your mate. Trust me when I say it will be worth your while. I trust that you will not drink from her."

I felt venom flood my mouth as I tried to hide my anger. I was thankful that Aro saved me and my sister- he was the closest figure I had to a father, and I could never be grateful enough-but I could not follow this order.

I also had no other choice. I simply bowed my head.

"Of course not, Master," I said. "I will be very careful."

"Wonderful," he smiled. "Now, please, she must rest. She will need it. Do prepare some towels when she wakes up. I will have Ray bring her a meal."

I nodded once, and departed. I needed to break something.

And break something, I would.

I would break the human. To her breaking point. If Aro wanted this human in the castle, then I would surely make him believe she was much too weak to be one of us.

I would not be defied; I knew who I was, and weak was not part of my description.

CPOV

When my heavy eyes dragged themselves open, there was darkness. I couldn't see anything. My mind worked slowly, trying to remember where I was, and what happened before I decided to take a nap.

Wait.

I blinked. When did I take a nap? I combed back through my mind, trying to recall the day.

That's when I realized.

I hadn't taken a nap at all. I blacked out.

It all flooded back to me, being trapped in the big spacious room that was made of marble. I remembered the leader vampire asking for my hand. I remembered David trying to save me from them with his useless threats.

Most of all, I remembered the beautiful face of the boy who said he hated me. And, more so above that, I remembered the traumatizing sight of Demetri's teeth sinking into David's-

I shot right up, whipping my head around in the darkness.

Where was David? Was he hurt? Was he already turned? Were they torturing him?

"She's awake," a voice said from my left, which made me jump. Light suddenly filled the room, my eyes shutting on their own accord.

I didn't recognize the voice, but it was definitely male.

"Sleep well?" another voice asked. I didn't recognize it either, but I saw the forms that matched the voices when my eyes finally adjusted.

Felix and Demetri.

"I wasn't sleeping," I said. "You turned my best friend into a vampire!" I threw the heavy comforter off of me and got up out of the bed, ignoring sudden wave of vertigo that washed over me. I stormed over to them, swinging my right arm at Demetri's face. He caught it easily, not even blinking.

"It was only an order," Demetri replied diplomatically, pinning my arm to my side. His red eyes were sizing me up. "I wouldn't have changed him myself, trust me. But you...I could change you." His cupid-like lips curved into a grin, and I wanted to slap it right off his face. But, given his strength, I knew it would be no use. Anger seethed through me as I tried to think of something I could do.

"Oh, shut up, Demetri, she doesn't wanna be around perverts," Felix said, rolling his eyes. He held out his hand to me. "I'm Felix, by the way. I think we're gonna be great friends." He grinned, showing perfect white teeth that glistened in the light. I looked at his hand, then him, glaring as tears blurred my vision.

"I don't want to be your friends," I said lowly. Felix lowered his hand, his eyes widening while he pursed his lips.

"She's feisty," he said seriously, and then grinned widely. "I like her!"

"Where's my friend?" I said loudly, yanking my arm from Demetri's grip. "Tell me where he is!"

"I'm afraid we cannot do that," Demetri answered. "We have strict orders. Once he awakens as one of us, he won't be able to handle himself. It is only in your best interest that we keep you separated until he is tame enough to be in your presence."

I couldn't believe this. Not only was my best friend a vampire, but I wouldn't be able to see him for God knows how long. My heart sunk, and I suddenly remembered Travis.

Oh crap, Travis. Oh, no. Oh...oh...no.

What would he be doing? He had to be worried sick. I knew he had to be freaking out, losing his mind. His sister and best friend were missing, of course he would be!

I began to panic, my breath coming in heavy pants as my mind reeled with the possibilities.

Would Ned tell Cassie? Would they call the FBI? Was there a search party going around?

I didn't know. And I would never know, because Aro's soul-crushing news followed right behind these thoughts.

We wouldn't be able to leave again. We were never allowed to see anybody associated with us; not since we were going to be vampires now.

Vampires.

I didn't like the sound of that. I already lost one loved one. Now I was losing them all.

My chest heaved with a sob as I fell to my knees. My hand clutched my chest tightly, as if that would stop it from shattering. The realization blanketed heavily over me, bringing with it a new, fresh wave of grief.

"I think we upset her," I barely registered Felix saying.

"Why does Aro want me? David shouldn't have to pay for this! He didn't do anything! It was an accident that he came here. If Aro wants me, then David should go. He doesn't deserve to be...damned because of me," I yelled through my sobs, looking up at these stupid, evil angels that had stupid, perfect faces, and would always have stupid, perfect faces.

I wouldn't age anymore. I would be forever nineteen. I would have to feed from humans, and I could never have the life that I dreamed of.

I wanted kids someday. I wanted to get married. But it was all shot now. It was wiped away, and I was thrown onto a wrecked course. If David could go free, then I would be happy. I would make him swear not to tell anyone. I wanted him safe. David was a free spirit, and I wanted him to stay that way.

"Damn, she really loves him," Felix said as if he was shocked at that. He looked sideways at Demetri. "Look at her, Demetri!" He swung his abnormally huge arm out at me.

Oh, shut up, Felix!

"Damned? You think we're damned," Demetri added with a chuckle. "Even if you told that to Aro, he wouldn't let him go. Both of you know we exist now. It's a law. The Volturi have laws. Once a human is exposed to the nature of vampires, they must either choose to become immortal or be put to death. It's the only way to protect us."

Protect us? What would they even need protection for? They were their own bulldozers!

My anger only seemed to grow the more Demetri spoke.

"And you're too good to be put to death," Felix cut in.

"You don't need protection! Look what you did! You hardly had to touch me to hold me still!" I exclaimed, wiping my eye harshly with the back of my hand. "David was right, this is..." I shook my head.

"Bullshit? Some days, I wish it was," Felix finished for me, raising a dark eyebrow. "But, it's real, Cheyenne. And, the sooner you accept that, the easier this will be."

"Surely some deal can be made," I ground out. "I don't care what it takes, I want him out of here."

"You can't convince Aro. He's set on having both of you here," Felix said. "Whatever you offer him, he will pass it up. I mean, he's been rambling about you for hours, and Alec is-"

"Alec will be here soon," Demetri interrupted him, giving him a look. "We have food coming for you. You can freshen up in the bathroom, if you like. There are towels and a closet full of clothes that Heidi bought for you. We also took the liberty of buying you all your toiletries."

The last thing on my mind was a shower. I just wanted to know where David was. My stomach was twisting and turning at the thought of food. My life was slowly melting and crumbling into a pit of rubble and dust, and it was my fault. I couldn't blame David; he wasn't the one Aro truly wanted.

All I could do was shake my head now, unable to speak another word.

"Right," Felix said, returning his glance. "We're sorry for this, but we'll make you as comfortable as possible. It was nice to meet you." He moved toward me, reaching his hand out, and I instinctively slapped it away, staring at him hatefully.

It felt like slamming my hand in a car door, but I ignored it.

He stepped back fluidly, holding said hand up in surrender.

They both gave the other a look before leaving the room, sauntering out gracefully. As the door shut, I sat there on the floor, covering my face. How did this turn out so wrong in a mere matter of minutes? The only person I knew that would make this eternity bearable is being restrained from me. Who was I to stay with, then?

A knock sounded at the door, and my head shot up. I strained my ears, waiting for a voice on the other side, but nothing came. I stayed frozen in my spot, waiting for the door to open.

When no one spoke and the person knocked again, I forced myself from my spot on the floor and cautiously opened the door.

A young man with brown eyes and a long-ish beard stood at the door in a chef's suit, including the signature white hat. He couldn't have been older than twenty six, and was heavily built, standing at about six feet tall. He was holding a tray that held a plate of what looked like grilled cheese and a steaming bowl of tomato soup. In the corner was a glass of water. He looked professional, but the other thing that dawned on me was that he was human. He didn't have red eyes or pale skin. He looked normal, like me.

"Hey, I'm Ray," he said casually. He didn't sound foreign like I was half expecting. He was American, with a southern accent, actually. "I've been ordered to leave your meal with you."

He walked into my room like it was his own, and set the tray down on the small coffee table perched on the right side of the room. I scanned said room for the first time, taking it in. It was nicely decorated with dark, burgundy walls, a fancy king sized bed, walk-in closet, and book shelf against the wall, but at the moment I didn't care. I could care less.

"Thanks," I said blankly, forcing my feet to move to where my meal awaited. He turned and stuck his hands in his pockets, clearly in no hurry to leave.

"So you're the new human?" he asked. "I've been here not even a year and it's all fine and dandy. What's your name?" He stuck out his hand, which was half the size of Felix's. I was just baffled.

Fine and dandy?

What was fine and dandy about living in a castle with bloodthirsty vampires that selfishly sought to protect their own existence that didn't even need protecting since they were practically invincible? Oh, and who trapped humans like us into living an endless, horrific immortal life?

"Cheyenne," I said warily, shaking his hand and then pulling it away. I had no reason to take my anger out on this guy. It wasn't his fault that I was here. "You're American."

He just laughed at me.

"Yeah, I am," he said, chortling. "You think I was Italian or something? Psh, come on. Americans can cook, too."

"Ray. Shouldn't you be fulfilling your duties elsewhere?" Someone asked from the doorway.

I knew that voice. That silky, deep, perfect voice.

My heart instantly took off at the sound. I turned my head, and there stood Alec himself with an empty expression on his handsome face.

Handsome doesn't even cut it.

Ray took his hands out of his pockets, instantly straightening his spine.

"Yes sir, I apologize," he replied formally. He looked to me and tipped his chef hat before leaving the room. I gave him a nod in return and I was left alone with Alec.

Crap. This was it.

My pulse quickened with no sign of slowing down, my body turning stiff as the door closed behind Ray. I stood, paralyzed with fear as I contemplated all the things he would possibly do to me.

He's going to kill me now, I thought. He hates me. He'll probably break my arms, or eat me, or scream at me, or-

"Aro sent me to check on you," he spoke musically, giving me a once-over. "I see you are well."

He strode right into the room, and I watched him oh, so carefully with my eyes. It almost seemed involuntary to watch him like this; I couldn't tear my eyes away.

Well, of course it is, he's freaking gorgeous.

Not the time! He hates you!

"Does my presence appeal to you, human?"

I looked at him, confused. He stood a good handful of feet away from me, staring at me with a smirk. I didn't say anything, because that smirk had me floored. He was too beautiful for human eyes. Was he able to hear my heart beat?

Well, of course he can, he's a vampire, the new voice in my mind continuing to interrupt me.

He frowned, his black cape flowing around him.

"I expect an answer from you," he ordered, the smirk disappearing.

"Just like I expect to get out of here?" I blurted suddenly, my anger sparked at his tone. I had zero control over what spilled out. "Because, if that's the case, then we're both not getting what we want."

He was in my face in less than a second, his red eyes narrowed into slits. He grabbed the top of my arm, and I tried unsuccessfully to hide my wince. He was really strong, and his hand was just as cold as Felix's. My arm was hurting in protest of his grip.

"Let me remind you of who has the upper hand, human," he growled. "And let me remind you how so easily I could do away with you. When I speak to you, you respond, and you will respond in a way that pleases me. When you are told to do something, you will do it. I was not pleased with the way you spoke to my Master or with your silly performance. You are just as low and worthles as your friend. Now, I ask again. Does my presence appeal to you?"

I tugged my arm away at his comment about David, matching his glare now. He didn't know anything about David. I could smell Alec, though because he was so close to me. It was the best thing I'd ever smelled. The closest thing I could compare it to was...berries. Cold, sweet, icy, tart berries, but not the artificial scent you found in candles or candy. This went deeper, beyond a level I could describe. All I knew was that it was unlike anything I would ever smell again. I was sure of it.

My heart was beating even faster now, and I was sure my arm would have a bruise on it tomorrow. But for Alec, for someone who looked eighteen, he acted much older. I braced myself, trying to ignore his smell.

"No," I spat. "Sorry that I don't live up to your standards. So, go ahead. Kill me, eat me, break anything. Do whatever you've been dying to do. It won't make a difference. I didn't ask to be here."

I heard the strangest, animalistic noise come from deep within his throat. It scared me, allowing fear to creep into my veins.

But, I felt him release my arm, the icy temperature of his skin seeping deep into my bones. He leaned in close to my face, his eyes in dangerous slits.

"Oh, believe me, human," he sneered. "If it was up to me, you would have been dead long ago. I am going to remind you that each of your actions will have consequences. So, be free with your tongue. I will show you just how much you will come to regret it."

And then he was gone.

~~A few hours later, 4:00 p.m. Three and a half hours after arrival~~

I stared out the window that this room held to the outside world. It was still daylight, and I was lost in thought about my brother and David. My heart hurt for them both; Travis, because I hated how he must be feeling. It broke my heart to imagine him searching for me, knowing that he never would. David, because he was becoming a vampire and it was my fault. I was coveted by a powerful vampire leader, and he was using David as a pawn.

I wanted to scream and cry it all out. I wanted to bust out in tears for losing not only my father, but now my beloved brother; my only flesh and blood left close to me. What would Aro do now? Pretend we both died? Put it in the news? My stomach twisted at the thought.

The view outside my window had a pretty good view of the town. I couldn't see any people from where I was, but I could see the shops and the cobblestone. It was all very small, but as I stared at it, I wondered if Travis was still there. My vision got blurry with tears again and I blinked them away.

No. I wouldn't cry. I would be strong for David and Travis. I had to be. It's what they would have wanted.

I heard the door open after a short knock, and Heidi sauntered in gracefully, wearing dangerously high heels. She was placing some extra clothes in the closet that was much too large for me. She came in after Alec threatened me, telling me she heard the whole conversation. She went on to introduce herself, and let me know that she had arranged my entire wardrobe. I didn't protest, because I didn't want to be rude, but I had already taken a peek inside said closet and wished I hadn't.

"I apologize for Alec," she said again, her voice flowing like heavy wind chimes. I could see why David chose to follow her into the bloodbath that was disguised as a tour. "He is quite uncomfortable with this whole bodyguard position. He is used to eating humans instead of protecting them."

I discovered from Heidi that Alec had been ordered by Aro to be my guard. He was to guard me, escort me places, and check on me frequently. It was the worst idea in my mind, because we weren't getting along very well, and he hated me; but I wasn't about to complain about that. It didn't matter what happened to me now. I was thrown into a new life that I didn't even want, and I would have to deal with this group of people for...well, eternity.

Heidi reminded me of Cassie in a way; her clothes were stylish, but her looks were way different. Long, thick, mahogany hair waved down her back and she was nearing six feet tall with those heels. Her dress was bright red, but her lips were plum. She had a perfect, heart shaped face, and full, plump lips. Did she put Cassie to shame?

It was a tie, in my mind. Cassie was a different type of beautiful than Heidi; it would have been null and void to compare them to one another.

I couldn't find it in me to be mad at her, despite the purpose of her gift. She informed me that her physical beauty was used as a tactic to draw their prey in. It was sick, twisted, and wrong in every possible way. She was, in part, to blame for this, but it just seemed so useless.

I turned my head back to the window, staring blankly at my lost freedom.

"Did you have your family with you?" she asked after a minute of silence.

"Yes," I snapped, tears stinging my eyes. I couldn't tell if she was trying to put salt in the wound or not.

"It's not so bad here, you know. Give it time. I think you will come to like us after a while. If it's any consolation, I'm sorry for your loss."

"Yeah, no thanks to you," I spat, hot, angry tears spilling down my cheeks. I shook my head to myself.

She didn't respond to that, instead changing the subject.

"If you seek entertainment, just call. Even a whisper, and we'll hear you," she said indifferently.

"And don't worry about Alec," she added.

I heard the door click shut.

That was when I finally let myself sob.