Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of its characters.

Sorry for the wait, I've been really busy. Had a hard time getting on the computer and what not. Anyways, left you with a nice, decently long chapter and a KILLER of a cliffhanger. Sorry about that...

but hopefully it pulls a bunch of reviews!! Not that I haven't gotten nice ones :)

Thanks to everyone who sent long, detailed review on the last chapter, I LOVE the detailed ones. Like, seriously, they're inspirational. I hope I get some more for this chapter!

Most of the trip was silent. The two girls slept for so long that Demetri worried that something was wrong. He was so confused by the human cycles; they'd been asleep for hours! But then he remembered that they had slept for over ten hours at the hotel. Perhaps this was normal...

He didn't like it, but fuzzy, diluted memories seeped into his mind at an irritatingly slow pace. Maybe it was his constant contact with these humans that drew out his own ancient, forgotten human nature. They were trivial things, not something that he cared for. The bite of the cold, the burn of the sun...pain, in measures that he couldn't detect anymore. He was simply aware, on another level, that they had existed for him once.

He remembered watching the sun rise. It was blurry and dark compared to the sun he saw now. Able to stare at the great star without harm, he could now see an infinite spectre of color in the center, casting its magnificence over everything in its reach and beyond. Next to this dizzying beauty, his old sunrise was a bleak, dismal affair. But he remembered it with pleasure he didn't understand.

Trying not to focus too much on his hidden past, Demetri plucked at the threads of mind.

Alec and Jane were catching up, and fast. But the Cullens were nearer, and were thankfully coming towards him. Well, in his general direction; he assumed that the Seer was watching his travels intently. He glanced towards the sleeping girl beside him and sighed. The irritating whine of a police siren broke his calm. He groaned and prodded at Autumn, who shifted and mumbled in her sleep. He hated to wake her like this, but they really couldn't afford to lose any more time.

"Up you go," he murmured, managing to nudge and lift her awake. She muttered something quite unladylike before letting him place her in the driver's seat as he leapt backwards from the window, his long black cloak whipping behind him. She gripped the steering wheel and kept up the speed, fully aware of the necessity of fast travel. She tried not to think too hard of what Demetri was doing to keep the policeman off of their tracks.

Her eyelids almost sagged shut again. Before she could struggle to stay awake, icy hands picked her up gently and cradled her into the warm embrace of the passenger seat. The car didn't swerve a bit as he took the smooth turn one handed, busy patting her into place. She was asleep again in no time.

Now that his thirst was slaked, it was much easier to sit in the car without considering a double homicide. He subtly turned on the radio, waiting for news alerts. He didn't have to wait long.

"The reports are still filing in; someone out there has a serious issue with police officers. Eight have been found dead so far, the details have been marked highly classified. The murderer is not yet known, and police are all now required to travel in groups for personal safety, and to carry their weapons at all times." Demetri chuckled a little at the idea of a gun killing him, turning down the volume a notch. Autumn wouldn't want to know how many policemen he'd killed so far to keep them safe. "The victims have all been found on the freeway, and seem to be traveling a path, though not one that can be determined yet. The idea of barricades has been brought up and discarded; not only would it seriously cripple transportation, it is a useless effort to try to find someone without any leads. State and local governments are tied up."

Well, as long as no one witnessed the attacks (which were much too fast to be followed by the human eye) and as long as his appearance and his license plate remained anonymous, he and his charges were safe.

Demetri closed his eyes again and browsed through the threads again. Opening his eyes and smiling a little, he pulled the handsome car off onto a corner of the highway. He turned off the engine with a twist of the key. Autumn and Eve were still asleep. Gently, he roused Autumn.

"Get up. We have to walk."

Autumn nodded, her eyes tired, and stretched. Demetri was out of the car and opening her door for her before she could reach for the handle. A little startled, but not very, Autumn stepped from the car. Demetri opened the back door and carefully unloaded Autumn's sleeping sister, cradling her gently so that she wouldn't wake. He motioned towards the thick forest trimming the side of the highway, and without a word, the odd group marched quickly into the woods. Though much too slowly for Demetri's taste. They didn't have much time.

"Get on my back," said Demetri softly, "and don't let go." With a sigh, Autumn clambered clumsily onto his back, trying not to wince whenever she banged her knee on his stone hard back. Finally, she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and buried her face in his hair. Demetri felt his spine tingle whenever her warm breath brushed his black hair. He took a deep breath and ran.

The forest rushed by, the sweet smell of pine and dirt a balm to his fear. He didn't fear for himself, of course. He bared his teeth in a grim smile. He could handle himself. Demetri was one of the strongest fighters in Volterra, and he was sure that he could defeat anybody they threw at him. Well, now that he had proven that he could withstand Jane, it was very probable.

No, he feared for the two humans he carried. They were so soft, so vulnerable; Demetri had to be careful holding the girl, because he knew that it would only take a twitch of his wrist to crush her. How could they withstand the Volturi? How could they withstand Jane? When Demetri thought of Jane anywhere near the two...he had to fight back a snarl. Autumn's hands stroked his neck gently when she felt the vibration of a growl in his throat, and he had to swallow the venom that had welled suddenly in his mouth. Her skin, so smooth and fragrant, burned at his throat with the physical heat and the feel of her blood rushing through it.

He slowed when he saw how near the Cullens were. Finally, he was walking at a human pace, even slower, as Autumn slid from his back. He nudged Eve awake, and placed her gently on her feet next to Autumn. The Cullens were generally peaceful vampires, he knew, but he didn't know how welcome he was in their crowd. He already had quite a reputation among the vampire population; he was the reason that vampires feared the Volturi. There was no escape from their ruthless tracker.

So he positioned Autumn and Eve behind him as he approached the clearing in which the Cullens waited, ready to turn at a moment's notice and carry them to safety. He had purposefully positioned himself upwind from them, so that they might know that he was trying to let them find him.

He stepped into the clearing, half-crouched protectively in front of the two girls. He sensed that they held their breaths; but they had nothing to fear. Demetri could probably kill a horde of vampires to protect them, and only four stood in the clearing. Well, five, but their half-breed daughter didn't count. She was nearly as vulnerable as a human. Her werewolf friend, though, stalked the woods around them, and was a much more formidable opponent.

Demetri took in their hostile expressions for half of a second before they all relaxed. Edward, the mind-reader, had obviously scoured his intentions from the moment he was within range, and knew that Demetri wasn't here to hunt. Jasper, the Controller, had perceived Demetri's defensive and protective moods, and calmed himself and everyone around him when he knew that there was no danger here. Alice, the Seer, had watched their immediate futures, and was now smiling broadly at the two humans behind him. Bella, the Shield, had relaxed the instant her husband straightened from his crouch and touched her hand.

Edward walked forward to meet him, his eyes guarded. Though Demetri meant no harm, danger happened to be snapping at his heels. The witch twins followed his trail closely, and whether or not it was worth protecting him was to be determined. But Demetri hadn't come for his protection; he came to find protection for the humans. Edward instantly relaxed and even managed a small smile. He understood the need to protect like no one else. Demetri straightened slowly.

"Demetri. I'm glad we can finally sort this out," murmured Edward, his gold eyes curious. Demetri didn't return the smile, but accepted his hand. Though their survival instincts flinched at the contact, neither yanked his hand back.

Alice could hardly suppress her wide grin, and was on her toes, ready to dance towards the humans at her first chance. Bella was shooting her warning glances; she knew firsthand the torture of being dressed over by Alice, and the scruffy, sleepy humans were irresistible to her fashion-fiend sister.

"I apologize for bringing Alec and Jane with me," said Demetri darkly, "but I'm not asking you to hang around. I can handle them. All I need is for these two to be safe." A faint noise, the loud sound of feet crunching dry autumn leaves, and the werewolf tramped out into the clearing, his dark eyes flashing angrily. Demetri slid back into his crouch at the aggressive approach, his teeth bared in a warning.

"Why the hell should we help you?" snarled the boy furiously, his hands shaking. "Why are you here? Why do you need us to protect them? You're still a leech, you still feed on humans; your bloody eyes ratted you out the second you stepped out here." The bronze-haired girl, the half-human, reached out and stroked his arm. The shaking slowed.

"Jake, you can't turn them away. They're humans, and you can't condemn them by association. Let's hear them out." The werewolf didn't respond, but he didn't relax, either. His black eyes were trained on Demetri, who stared coldly back. But the dog had a point.

"You're right. I still feed on humans," said Demetri slowly, "and I have done nothing to have earned your trust. But they're innocent, and they need protection. They need a defense that I can't provide. The Volturi are after them, and I can't stand alone. With your talents combined, and your Shield, I can only hope that you might be able to protect her."

"Why are you doing this?" murmured Bella, her dark gold eyes troubled. Demetri could think of nothing to say. He stared at the ground for a few moments in thought, and turned slowly to face Autumn. She was scared, her eyes were wide and she was trembling. Demetri reached out a pale, cold hand and gently stroked her cheek. It was silent in the clearing.

"We'll protect them." Edward, the mind-reader, was the one who had spoken. His features were soft; he saw something strikingly familiar in the gesture, and pulled his wife closer to him. Bella, too, was watching with sentimental eyes. The Seer, though, squealed with high-pitched joy, her hands dancing in the air. She loved playing with humans, and couldn't resist so attractive a pair. Autumn was holding her sister tightly against herself, frightened, but Eve was smiling eagerly. She liked these beautiful people, and was elated to be staying with them. Demetri watched soberly as Alice leapt across the clearing and took Autumn's hand, leading her and her sister towards the cluster of Cullens.

"What about you?" said Bella softly, watching Demetri's eyes following Autumn. She saw how it pained him to let the humans walk away. But his cold mask reformed his face, and she shuddered internally at his hostile gaze. Why was he so detached? Had Autumn uncovered the real Demetri? Either way, he was like another person altogether when he looked at her.

"I'm waiting for Alec and Jane," he said sharply, "I don't intend on burdening you or pulling you into my fights. I'm no coward." Bella wasn't sure if this was an insult or not, but either way she couldn't stand the thought of anyone waiting alone for Jane and Alec. Apparently, Edward had similar thoughts.

"Come with us. Autumn needs you, she's scared and alone, and this is an entirely new world for her. Stay with us for a while," he coaxed, quite unfairly dragging Autumn into the topic. Demetri looked torn, and Bella watched in fascination as his expression transitioned between the warm, almost tender look he saved for the red-haired human, and the cold, indifferent look he saved for everyone else. It wasn't that he was scared; more that he wanted time to spend with Autumn, his blood-singer. He wanted time to know her, to watch her sleep, and to get her to love him back. But he also wanted to rid the world of anything that may threaten her.

"There's time for that later," said Edward, sinking a winning hook, "if you die now, you'll never have another chance. Take your chances now, and die for her later." Demetri bared his teeth, but took an unwilling step forward. His entire being shied away from the enemy coven, but he forced himself to cross the clearing. What he wouldn't do for these humans...

"Oh, I have to get their things," said Demetri suddenly, remembering the abandoned car. Glad that he had locked it, he turned and raced back towards the highway. The lean one, Jasper, tagged at his ankles. Together they gathered the luggage and raced back into the clearing, where the rest of the coven stood.

"I'm tired," grumped the half-breed girl, yawning to prove a point. Jacob sighed and rolled his eyes, jogging off into the woods to morph. He came back a wolf, much larger, dirtier, and smellier than Demetri had remembered. He wrinkled his nose in distaste as the girl climbed the massive, hairy back and slumped between the shoulder blades.

Alice lifted Eve and snuggled her like a stuffed toy. She was delighted to have a human child to play with and pamper. The others subtly left Autumn for Demetri to carry, and he was irritated by their obnoxiousness about it. It wasn't like he would kill anyone who touched her...

And yet, when he imagined the handsome, bronze-haired one holding her...his vision flared red.

It faded when Autumn smiled a little and held out her arms. Demetri immediately dropped his cold mask and smiled back, lifting her bridal-style and holding her safely against his chest. The nervous flutter of her heart sent his hands tingling and his throat burning simultaneously. She was so warm...

Demetri saw Edward watching him out of the corner of his eye. Demetri had heard the term 'blood-singer' from Aro before, and knew well what it meant. He had heard it applied to Edward, and he could certainly apply it to himself. It took his utmost restraint to keep from biting Autumn. So Edward, too, must understand the struggle he was, and would continue to, undertake. Edward nodded solemnly before taking off into the undergrowth of the forest. Demetri ran a little behind them, though his speed would have enabled him to catch up to even Edward.

He watched Jane and Alec carefully in his mind. It was a narrow shave; they were within a few hundred miles of the clearing, and would reach it in minutes. Edward slowed down until he was running next to Demetri.

"It's extremely interesting," he murmured, just loud enough for Demetri to hear. "I hadn't realized how tangible the threads were. I've never read your mind while you tracked, you see. It sort of reminds me of a spiderweb, only every end is attached to a person, and every string is a different color...or flavor." Demetri chuckled a little.

"Where are we going?" he asked, though he already had an idea from the direction in which they traveled. Edward nodded, then shuddered.

"Yes, we're returning to the rest of the family," he admitted, "we don't like to be apart in times like this. I'm sorry, it's just so...frightening, I guess, to see you tracking them so easily. To know exactly...exactly where they are, at all times." Edward swallowed compulsively. Demetri smiled.

"Well, it's a good thing I'm on your side, then, right?" he half-joked, and they laughed a little. But Autumn's racing heart, the frantic rise and fall of her chest, wiped the smile from his face. It was hard to laugh when she was so scared. He knew that he scared her, that his very presence terrified her...and it killed him to think of it. It enraged him that Edward knew, too. But Edward shook his head, and spoke so softly that it was impossible for Autumn to hear.

"She doesn't hate you, I don't think. She doesn't even fear you. I've never seen anything like it; she's pushed away from you by some innate sense, by some survival instinct. I don't know...she didn't fear me, or Bella, when she saw us. She feared Jasper more than any of us, and I don't know why. I don't know why she is pulled to some, and pushed by others." Edward sighed deeply. "Unfortunately, she's pushed by you. But, I think you've grown on her, so much that she even fights her natural instincts to avoid you. But she's still pushed by you. I don't understand her at all."

Demetri didn't reply. Of course. Of course he would be one of the few who naturally repulsed her. Edward might be generous and use the word 'push,' but Demetri had seen it in her eyes. He knew what it was, and he didn't have to ask Jasper to tell him.

But...why was she fighting it? She had no reason to. He had stormed into her life, stolen her from her home, and threw her into an unfamiliar place with people of the likes she had never imagined. She had no reason to like him, none whatsoever. But, for some reason he was growing on her. And the fact that she naturally disliked him, the fact that he had ruined her life, disappeared to the much larger glow of his satisfaction. There was hope, then.

His train of thought was interrupted by a larger commotion. Alec and Jane had reached the clearing, and were now pacing wildly. He could assume what had happened; they had caught the scent of the Cullen coven, and were now unable to decide what to do. They knew that Demetri had left with the Cullens, so he was now out of their reach. Alec and Jane stood no chance against them, stripped of their powers. They would be demolished. He could imagine some phone calls, a few frustrated screams. Sure enough, the threads in Volterra were moving anxiously. But Demetri wasn't worried. Jane and Alec wouldn't dare follow them alone, and with their best fighter gone, the Volturi would have to plan their next move carefully. And that would take time.

Time that he now had to share with Autumn. Soft, gentle, joyful, beautiful Autumn. Demetri couldn't stop the smile that broke out over his expression, and held her closer. She didn't like his icy touch, so he took advantage of necessity to enjoy it. Maybe it was wrong, but he didn't care. They were safe, and he would fight till the death to ensure that. Everything was fine.

Finally, after almost fifteen minutes of running at top speed, they reached the rest of the family in northern Canada, nearly in Alaska. It took a few minutes to explain, but soon everyone was in on the situation. Demetri stood a little ways apart from the family, next to Autumn, who was still uncomfortable with the strangers. But they were welcomed in with open arms, and soon Autumn was smiling again.

"It's good to know what all this is about! Welcome to the family, Autumn," said Esme, the motherly one, pulling Autumn into a hug. Autumn, surprisingly, laughed and hugged her back. The family crowded around her, and Demetri didn't mind that no one approached him. He had trained a hostile air about himself, and was used to being avoided. It did irritate him, though to see Autumn so calm around everyone else. Well, almost everyone else.

Jasper stood back, like Demetri, and watched his family greet their new members. Autumn seemed to shudder whenever she glanced towards Jasper, much like she used to towards Demetri. He just didn't understand it. Jasper saw his confused expression, and pulled him aside.

"I think I know what Edward meant. And I think, looking at who she is singling out, I know why. She likes Edward and Bella, she likes Esme, and she particularly liked Carlisle, because they're morally healthy. They're good, safe people to be around, and they're the most kind, generous people I know." Jasper leered a little. "You're more like me than you might have assumed. The only thing that ties you to humans, and the preservation of them, is her. If she wasn't here, you know that you wouldn't be here either. You'd go back to being a cold-blooded killer, like you once were. Well, if Alice wasn't here, I think I would, too."

The two stood together, both lean and quiet, watching the coven fawn over Eve.

"Edward thinks you're like him because you've found your blood-singer. But, personally, I think you're more like me," said Jasper softly, "you'd never make the right decision without the right reward." Jasper's eyes turned cold. "And she'll never love you, until you're a little less like me."

Autumn couldn't stifle a yawn, and Esme immediately responded.

"Oh, poor thing, you're tired! Well, you'll have to accept our apologies, we're not really attuned to the human cycles. Don't worry, dear, we'll get you back to our house in no time." She lifted the tired girl, and the rest of the family picked up the luggage. It would be about an half an hour's run at this rate to make it back to Washington. Carlisle turned to Demetri, and held out his hand gingerly. Demetri shook it.

"It's good to have you on the right side," said the young doctor, "if you'd be so kind as to lead the safest way? We'd like to make it around Jane and Alec without confrontation, if you don't mind. Edward will run with you." Demetri nodded. Of course, Edward was only sent because they didn't have full trust in him not to run them right into the twins, but he wasn't surprised.

He took off, Edward at his side. The family would follow their scent trails easily. Demetri tracked Jane and Alec quickly, and took the direction further east. Better not to take any risks. Edward didn't comment, but ran a little faster, a smile playing about his mouth. Demetri was a lethal predator, but that didn't mean that he didn't enjoy a little fun once in a while; and he did so pride himself on his speed.

He picked up the pace, and noticed Edward doing the same. His brow furrowing, he leaned forward to decrease wind resistance, and Edward leaned even more, gaining a few inches. Then, Demetri ran.

Like twin bullets, the two rocketed through the forest, dodging trees easily and leaping bushes. They went faster and faster, kicking up enormous dust clouds in the whip of the wind behind them. The trees blurred by faster and faster, until they were hardly visible. In fact, Demetri lost focus for a second, and ran straight through a tree. Not that it slowed him in the slightest, but it exploded in a frenzy of splinters and branches, falling to the earth with a crash that was out of their hearing range by the time it sounded.

They reached the house in a matter of minutes, less than half the expected time. Edward had technically made it over the stream first, but Demetri took a well-measured bound, and had landed almost on top of Edward, grabbing the bronze-haired boy's legs as he kicked off and launching him back into the forest behind him. Edward had returned quickly, knocking Demetri to the ground. For the next few minutes, they fought ferociously, snarling all the while but wearing huge grins. Chunks of torn-up earth were scattered about, and there was a small crater a few feet back.

When the family caught up, Edward was pushing Demetri into the ground, but a loud crack sounded as Demetri broke a few of Edward's ribs between his crushing hands. Emmett, the big one, raced over and pulled them apart.

"What the fuck are you two playing at?" he yelled angrily, his ham-sized fists bunching. Edward touched his side briefly as the ribs knitted themselves. "First, you two rocket off. We could see the dust from miles away! We had no idea what the hell you two were doing!!"

But the rest of the family was laughing. Even Autumn was giggling and smiling. Rosalie stepped forward and touched her husband's shoulder.

"Emmett, they were just having some fun. You should know that more than anyone." Edward scoffed and dusted himself off.

"The only reason Emmett is bitching is because he couldn't keep up. He's just jealous that he was stuck carrying luggage." Emmett snarled and threw a swing at Edward, but the latter dodged it neatly and scampered off towards the house. Grumbling, Emmett picked up the bags again and followed.

Jacob held back, and whined a little. Edward turned and sighed.

"Well, if your pack is already here, they might as well know." The big brown wolf barked and grinned quite wolfishly, and the slender girl on his back rubbed her eyes sleepily.

"Shut up, Jake, I'm sleeping," she mumbled as several wolves trotted into view. Demetri drew back, his teeth bared, but made no other movements. They headed straight for their leader, Jacob. A few looked curiously at Demetri and the human pair. One, more so than the rest.

Meanwhile, a few yards from the horse-sized wolves, Edward's stomach plummeted, and his expression was slowly eaten with horror. Pure, unadulterated, breath-taking horror. Jasper was at his side immediately, and of course Bella. Alice, who was always with Jasper, joined him, but no one else. They were all preoccupied with the humans and the wolves to notice the shattering look in Edward's eyes.

"What's wrong? What's the matter, Edward?" whispered Bella, frightened by his expression. She had seen it before, and it had been when Alice had left them to deal with the Volturi alone. It was complete and utter despair, total helplessness. He turned his haunted eyes towards his family, and when he spoke, it was in a hoarse whisper.

"It's...Seth. He's imprinted on Autumn."

BAM!! How's that for a cliffhanger?

Now, review! Review! Click that tiny button in the corner that is my distinct brand of heroin! Haha if I can assume that everyone reading this has read Twilight, I will assume that you will all understand the joke.

And not chide me for my 'use of drugs.' I'm clean, no worries :D