My body is pulsing with exhaustion each step is an ache to my chest. It feels as if there are a thousand spiders crawling up and down my body, pinching and nipping at all of my nerves. I want to scream but I know that only a pathetic whimper will come out. I feel a cold touch tickle my hand like a passing cat's whisker. I flinch, "Sorry," Alice murmurs from beside me.

"What are you sorry about?" I whisper in a forced voice that feels as if its murmuring from sludge.

"That you're so affected and that I startled you," her trilling voice soothes making me want to puke.

I look up at the baggage corral feeling calm as the repetitive motion lulls me into a sort of sick calm as if it is hypnotizing me, "Whatever," I say with a shrug as I look at the distance trying to locate my vintage red suitcase.

I look over at Bella tapping her foot with impatience as if the pathetic motion will make the luggage come faster. Which it…

'A there is my bag,' I think and I can feel my lips upturn with a ghost of a smile.

I can see my mother come from the washroom and she sighs, "Have they come yet?"

"Just about," Bella states as she bites her bottom lip making it look even more red.

"I will be at the car rental then," my mother informs us. I don't look at her. I can't. I can feel her sympathetic smile from our distance. I look down at my black shoes on the pristine light floor instead and study my blurry reflection. As if the bright lights on the waxed surface reveals my aura or something.

"Thanks Alice," I hear Bella murmur as she rolls her navy blue suitcase.

I look over at the full baggage cart and I almost quake with laughter at the sight they are piled high with pink suitcases that are clearly Alice's.

She looks at me with her topaz eyes glimmering with life, "What? I need to look my best. Fashion is the best weapon it can stop your enemy in their tracks, with blinding glamour or grotesque disgust which is an excellent distraction for a surprise attack."

"Is that our weapon of choice then, feather boas," I quip.

"No," Alice states, "you'll see."

"Hmmm," I hum, "I think I will stick with my jeans thanks. They have been dependable since the Gold Rush you know."

"Blue jeans Hazel, I always thought leather would be more your style. You know car woman," Alice says as she jostles my shoulder with hers as she pushes the baggage cart.

I open my mouth to retort and shut it when I see my mother approach, "We have a car it's spot is A3 spit number 21."

We arrive at the car and I see Bella exclaim, "A Lamborghini, really."

"We are creatures of luxury," my mother breathes.

I honestly have no idea how we are going to pile in all of Alice's suitcases. My mother though seems to have a gift of some sort for finding a place for everything to fit, "Or everyone," my demon whispers.

"I thought you were gone," I mutter under my breath.

"Not gone Hazel. Never gone, just quiet," the sweet voice states.

"Is that supposed to be comforting?" I ask with a barbed whisper.

"For some," it replies and I can feel and hear the shrug of indifference in its voice.

"Hazel," my mother calls, "get in the car," she tells me with confusion painted on her face like a canvassed sunset.

"Right," I whisper, "the car."

We drive down small streets that show signs in a different language. I don't know what I was expecting from Italy, but it was not this. Not this quaint world that ripples with energy from a dark past. I feel a pull, a strong pull. Happy. I feel happy here.

"So what's are plan with the Vampire Illuminati," I ask.

"Well, we are going to go to a hotel and then we need to wear red cloaks to blend in. These vampires are very old and they are smart. Especially Caius. We need to smart, more than that we need to be careful, they can't find out about Bella…and you Hazel…they can't find out about you," my mother explains as she looks at me through the rear view mirror. I evade her loving gaze.

"Why not?" I ask.

"Because they will take you away from me, my love."

"Why'd you bring me here then?"

"Because we need your help!" Bella snaps.

I have no reply to that. Alice tickles my hand again and I don't have the strength to flinch.

We arrive at the hotel that is covered in a façade of brick and marble. I step out of the car, "It doesn't smell like gelato or lasagne," I murmur as I think out loud.

"What?" Alice asks with an endearing smile.

"I always thought Italy would smell like chocolate gelato or lasagne and it doesn't…" I explain as I feel a blush heat my cheeks.

Alice laughs and to my tired ears it sounds like a chittering bird that makes my internal demon cover its ears with disgust.

I don't remember a time when I have ever felt so light.

"We have to go," my mother murmurs looking at the sky.

I wonder what she sees.

I don't give myself time to admire the lavish hotel room that we are sharing with two bedrooms. There is a pull and it is to uncomfortable to dismiss as if even thinking of ignoring is like drinking a potent poison.

I turn to my mother in our room and I see her drape her head in a red hooded cloak.

"You need to do the same Hazel. Time is of the essence," she states in a voice breathing haste.

"Shouldn't Bella and I stay here?" I ask.

"No, it's too late for that," she states and I tremble at her cold tone.

"We don't have a plan do we? Or you, we are just going to barge into there not knowing the consequences," I predict with knowingness.

My mother looks up at me with a smirk, "Fortune favours the bold." And her burgundy eyes are red.

I have no reply as I drape the long red cloak over my jeans and black t-shirt, "Looks like we don't need your feather boas after all Alice," I quip.

Alice turns around from talking to Bella in the living room and her face glows with light, "You look really good Hazel," she beams.

I roll my eyes.

I feel as if we need a soundtrack or something when we arrive at Volterra it is like the Vatican except for vampires who are under ancient rules. Loyalty guides my heart. Loyalty that was not chosen but inherited.

My mother struts with strength and Alice follows our little hoard behind.

My mother opens the doors with such a dramatic air as if she is parting all of the seas of emotion.

"A Marsella," a seductive voice purrs.

"Caius," she nods.

"You have returned."

"Returned no. A member of my coven is in your care and I would like to bring him back on peaceful terms."

Caius chuckles a deep rich purring laughter, "I didn't think I would ever hear the words vampire and peaceful in the same sentence."

"You don't want to fight me Caius I am hungry and strong. You couldn't control me and fight me before so why would you want to now."

"I always liked a good gamble."

"Jane! Finish them," he orders with a sneer.

I can't, I can't be here I feel the hatred wafting off of this vampire as if it is candle.

"STOP!" I roar.

"What about a trade you can have me for Edward Cullen," I propose as my heart beats with truth and necessity.