The drive to Voltera was beautiful, I always wanted to go to Italy. The rolling hills of Tuscany seemed to go on forever. It really was a shame I was to anxious to take it in properly. In truth I wasn't even all that scared anymore. People fear the unknown- I know my fate. When I was going to meet James last year I thought dying in the place of someone you love was a good way to go. So wouldn't it be wrong to be fearful to die if your death had even the slightest possibility to save seven people you love?

Thats how I spent the ride through the countryside. Thinking of ways to take the blame onto myself. It wouldn't be a lie. E-Edward tried to keep me from the truth. I was relentless. Even when he saved me. He told himself, and his family that he only did it because if my blood spilled in the parking lot he would not be able to stop himself from exposing them for what they are. When I finally did discover what they are it was from local tribal legends. The Cullen's never told me their secret. This way of thinking was basically dancing on the line between truth and lies, but it was my best shot.

The city of Voltera was unbelievably ancient to my American eyes. I spent a whole minute in wonderment before my nerves overcame me. Then all I could think of was how close we were and the pounding of my heart. Victoria hadn't spoken to me in hours. So when she broke the silence it almost made me jump out of my seat.

"We will be there in a minute. Do not speak in till you are spoken to."

I didn't bother to reply I had no intention to anger them. When we parked she put her visor down and put blue contacts in making her eyes an odd shade of violet. I guess anything is better than bright red. The walls around the city provided enough shade for her to almost walk freely. We went down an empty alley where she lifted a man hole.

"I'll go first and catch you, it's pretty far down- for you."

"O-okay."

Trusting a vampire that has wanted my head for almost a year to catch me after falling god knows how far was not easy. I had to keep telling myself that she wants me alive to deliver to the kings, but would it matter if I was unharmed? I sat with my legs dangling in the hole.

"Are you ready?" My voice cracked slightly.

"Yes." I said a small prayer and dropped. Landing in stone arms was painful but nothing was broken.

Once back on my feet she jumped up and replaced the cover extinguishing the little light- turning the tunnel we were standing in into darkness. My mind went to trivial thoughts of spiders and rats. Never mind the no doubt hungry vampire that moved so quietly I coudn't tell where she was. That is in till she picked me up and started running. It was cold and damp. I clung to her shoulders hoping she can see because if she ran into a wall at this speed I'd be squashed between a rock and a hard place.

She came to a sudden stop and put me down there was a door it opened to a small room with two figures standing in front of double wooden doors. The only light; a lantern hanging from the far wall. Their faces and bodies were covered by black cloaks. They pulled their hoods down at the same time- two perfect faces. One was much younger and more attractive than the other, maybe a year or two younger than me when he was turned. The other was very tall and built, he reminded me of Emmet. Size wise anyway.

"Alec, Felix." She nodded to them.

"What is your business here? Why did you bring a human to the castle?" The younger one asked.

"I need to see the kings, I come to report a crime."

"Very well, come. I will see if they have time to meet with you. Carry her I do not wish to walk at her pace."

He didn't say it in an offensive way. The way he looked me over made me uncomfortably aware that I hadn't showered or brushed my hair since before my doomed trip to the meadow. His eyes lingered on my face making me blush with embarrassment and my heart beat speed, he smirked.

Victoria carried me down stone corridors following behind him. I tried to keep track of which way we went even tho it would do me no good. The hall way opened into a large office like space. With a receptionist and all. A human receptionist at that. I wondered if they were planing on changing her, if not her fate was not pretty. Much like mine is looking at the moment. On the other side of where we came from were gigantic double wooden doors. They had to be over a story tall. A beautiful leaf and vine design carved around the boarders of the polished dark wood.

"You can sit," he nodded towards a waiting area where there were chairs and sofa's.

Victoria sat as ridged as a ruler at the very edge of a maroon chair. It was beautiful with elaborately carved wooden legs. I sat much the same way on a cream colored sofa. My legs bouncing up and down, fidgeting with my coat sleeves, and wringing my hands. If my heart beat any faster it would pop out of my chest. This was the quiet before the storm. I was trying hard not to lose it. To take deep breaths and try to calm my heart.

~Flashback~

"Is that Carlisle?" I asked, stepping closer.

"Yes," Edward replied, eyes looking past me to the painting." He lived with them for a few decades."

It was almost like the painting came to life I half expected someone to move.

"He described them as very refined. No respect for human life, of course." He seemed to be studying the men depicted. "But a respect for the arts and the sciences at least. And the law, above all the law."

"Vampires have laws?"

"Not very many, and only one that's regularly enforced."

"What is it?" I stared unseeing at the painting.

"That we keep the existence of our kind a secret. We don't make spectacles of ourselves, and we don't kill.. conspicuously-" I did not want to think about the kinds of punishments vampire kings would subject rule breakers to. "unless of course, you want to die."

~End Flashback~

Everything was on fast froward. It seemed not even a minute passed before the huge wooden doors reopened and Felix- or Alec; I'm still not sure which, was calling to Victoria to come in and bring me. I stood on shaking legs, took two last deep breaths, and willed my legs to be still. I held my head up and walked forward. It felt much like I imagine it would feel to walk to the gas chamber- or the hangman's noose.