11

The third floor is where payments or donations are made. For humans, like the Black family who hires a vampire, they pay with liquid gold—their blood or plasma.

I'll be donating nearly two pints of the good stuff once every twenty-eight to thirty days until my contract is up. It could be worse, I suppose. I would have to donate blood twice a week but my plasma is worth more.

If all goes well and I get what I'm asking for, it'll be more than worth it.

According to the leech who tested my blood, my plasma will sell for top dollar.

The fourth floor, the one my ex-wife apparently frequents, is a whole different story. The Eternal Life program is for everyday humans who want to become a vampire for shits and giggles. You're tested for special abilities that could potentially benefit the world, and if you're approved, you give up the first fifty years of your second life, working for V.C. as payment.

I guess it isn't that bad, considering you'll live forever.

After I found out and confronted Gianna, she admitted that she wanted to be frozen before she turned the big 4-0.

Apparently, you can't screw your way to the top at Volturi because it's crunch time, and last I heard, my ex-wife is still human.

Part of the fourth floor is also dedicated to humans who are mated to vampires. Your bond is tested, and then, and only then, are you approved to willingly suffer the three-day burn.

My dad is one of those humans. He and Mom were tested, and he was approved. He was turned shortly after Alice and Angela turned five. It only took him six months to acclimate to the diet, probably because he was a doctor in his human life and around blood all the time.

It can take up to five years for a new vampire to gain control of their blood lust. Mom took a while because she wanted to be safe before returning to her old life. She didn't want to risk putting our lives in danger. Dad is apparently an anomaly.

He's happy to spend fifty years of his afterlife working at the hospital where he'll probably continue working long after his Eternal Life contract is up.

The fifth floor is where you meet with the heads of V.C., and they match you with your vampire.

"I truly hope you find everything you're looking for in our program. Thank you for your services, your donations, and your support."