Narrator's POV

Caius entered the castle with the young girl unconscious in his arms. He had left the castle with intentions of bringing back their next meal, but instead what he had found was rare. Humans usually never showed signs of gift due to their mortality. It simply wasn't possible because their bodies were as weak as sticks. One hard push and they snapped, but this human was different. Her mind and body had worked together to give her control over one thing that destroyed our kind.

However, her control seemed to be limited. Her body still showed signs of damage from the flames, she wasn't fire proof and mentally she couldn't handle it. Her body soaked up all available energy to make the flames out of thin air, in a way it was a mutation that would make most people fear her if she used it differently. This girl was a weapon, a weapon that would be a thousand times stronger with immortality.

Felix came strolling casually down the hall. He walked up to Caius with a lifted brow, "Did a meal try to escape?" he asked as he noticed no signs of panic.

"Not exactly," Caius answered, "More a meal that has proven itself worthy not to die." A gasping breath escaped Carly's mouth as her eyes lazily opened. She glanced back and forth at the two vampires, while she felt fear deep inside, she masked it as she spoke, "I'm not an it, I'm a she," she answered with a cracking yet caustic voice.

Felix chuckled as the girl spoke. "Did you have a nice nap?" he asked in a confident tone. Carly rolled her teal eyes to give him a piercing glare. "Shut up," she replied as her hand went up to her head to caress the throbbing pain she could feel.

While he was surprised, Caius kept an unimpressed gaze. While most humans would have automatically screamed, this one seemed to use sarcasm. "Take her to a cell; nobody is to harm her unless it is required for discipline. Don't feed her or talk to her, we'll use isolation to break her in," He handed the girl to Felix.

Carly let out a dark and bitter laugh, "What are you? My mother?" she said.

Caius let out a furious growl, "You are not allowed to speak to me like that. Do not think I won't kill you."

"Then go ahead and kill me. Go ahead and torture me," Carly answered as her voice became more confident, "Trust me, there are worst things then death and pain."

Caius gripped her throat as he pulled her face to look at him, "I said, you are not allowed to speak like that to me." Carly let out a pant as she tried to breath. Caius grasped tight enough for her air to cut off as Carly's eyes rolled back.

Caius nodded to Felix as he headed off to the throne room to discuss his new weapon with his brothers.

Carly's POV

I woke up to darkness and a hard floor. It was very clean for a cell, polished and smooth as if they wanted their prisoners to feel welcome. Yet strange at the same time because a prison wasn't supposed to look like this.

I reached out my hands until I felt a smooth plastic shape, grasping it quickly as I held it up to my face. I could hear a sloshing sound as my hands shook with fatigue. They had left me with some kind of liquid, yet I was afraid to try it. I didn't know if it was water or some type of poison and I wasn't taking chances.

I let out a shuddering breath as I realized one thing; I was utterly and completely alone. There was absolutely no one here to comfort me, promise me that being alone was okay. It was one of my only fears; while it was irrational to some people it made perfect sense to me. When you're alone anything can happen, you have no control or help at all. Everyone was afraid of being alone; most didn't acknowledge it like I did.

I bit my lip to keep a sob from coming out, I couldn't show them I was afraid. I had to stay calm and trick them, make them believe I didn't care at all.

The person I want most with me was David; he was the only person I truly loved. Yes, I had friends, but it wasn't the same thing. Friends weren't there to make you feel safe; they were there to make you enjoy brief moments of life. David was a guardian he protected me and he sheltered me. That was something an acquaintance couldn't offer.

It was funny because while David was my parent, I couldn't bring myself to call him dad. He never asked me to so I felt bad about it, but calling him dad felt like replacing my real dad and I couldn't do that. I wiped a tear off quickly as I heard quiet steps approaching my cell.

I backed up until my hands touched a rough brick wall. I used it to stand up by sliding along it, a few treads from my dress caught on the bricks, but I didn't care it wasn't important.

My eyes stayed glued to the door as it slowly creaked open with no sound. I held my breath in anticipation, waiting for someone to appear. Stinging pain in my hand distracted me as it continued to remind me I could attack this creature right now and end this. But I knew one rash decision could end in my own death.

I stood still, with an unwavering expression as a man appeared by the door. He wore a black suit which was a sharp contrast to his ancient white skin. His black hair looked very smooth and graceful, it intrigued me, but I didn't want to touch it. All I could do was stare at his cloudy red eyes, they were so mesmerizing to look at, but I was easily snapped back to reality as he reached for my hand.

I pulled back with swiftness as my eyes glanced at the floor. "Don't touch me," I mumbled. I stroked the floor wishing it was dirty so I had something to do. I needed a distraction to keep my temper from getting out of hand.

"Look at me child," he said in a soothing voice. I could feel his eyes glued to me, curious as they tried to understand my purpose.

"Why?" I asked with a soft voice. "Why should I?"

I could hear a light, amused chuckle. "Caius is right, you are stubborn."

I closed my eyes letting out an exasperated sigh, "A trait that can help you survive if you use it correctly, or kill you if you go too far." I dug my fingers into my leg as I finally looked up at him again out of curiosity.

"That's a wise thing to say for a girl as beautiful as you are," he commented as he seemed to be trying to win my trust. I wasn't convinced, I would never be convinced.

I narrowed my eyes as I opened my mouth to speak again, "I'm not smart, I have experience." I balled my hands in fists as I begun to feel a familiar heat in the center, I had to control it.

His voice became gentle, "You seem insecure, is this careless attitude a way to mask a scared creature underneath?" He bent down to my level keeping his eyes straight in my position. "You don't have to hide it, I know how you feel." He paused for effect. "I've seen it all."

"I'm not hiding anything," I answered calmly, "As far as I'm concerned, you're all idiots."

He kept a still composure as he decided to try a different approach, "You know, the plane you were on was meant to go to California." I gritted my teeth together as I felt rage flow through me.

"My guard specifically chose that flight for our meal, you just happened to be on it." He pointed out coldly. A tear began to slide down my cheek as I closed my eyes, I stayed completely still, unsure how to answer him as I shook my head wanting him to leave me.

Instead, I felt his hand under my chin as he steadied it to keep it from moving. He lifted my head up in a position as if he was studying my face, his coolness seemed there to soothe me, yet it had the opposite effect. I glared at him as his eyes closed in soft concentration. "Get out," I whispered as my voice shook with resentment.

He ignored me as he continued to focus on something that I couldn't see or hear. I ripped my head out of his hand as I stood up, "Get out!" I yelled as I let my emotions take control. He couldn't take back what he said to me, letting me live without knowing would have been better than informing me. My body stayed in a rigged position as I waited for the isolation that I was afraid of, yet I wanted it so bad at this moment.

I waited until I heard the clicked of the door locking in in place before I slid down to the floor letting out a sob. Everything that had happened was their fault, it was never mine. I didn't make any mistakes, they did. I paused as something popped into my head I hadn't thought of yet, where was my phone? I began to pat my dress, searching.

Aro's POV

I heard soft sobs as I exited the cell and entered the hallways. This girl's thoughts were almost hysterical; anger seemed to override many of them. I could tell that she used this tactic to hide her fear. She was a strange one, like so many extraordinary talents are.

Her name was Carly Smith, and she was born in a peaceful Colorado town. Many of her thoughts on the surface involved the art of dance—it was all she did most days. However, it was a cover, a shield for her memories that boiled underneath.

Her brother had been turned into a vampire when she was six, which caused her to lose both her parents. This was her first vampire memory, and unfortunately for her, it wasn't the last.

I placed a relaxed hand on the doors giving them a quick shove as I entered the throne room. My brothers sat on their thrones, waiting for my assessment. Caius looked up with an impatient expression. He was free to choose who he wanted in the Guard, but I made the thorough evaluations of who came in.

"What do you think?" Caius asked as he stood up ready for an answer. I made a motion for him to sit down as I eased into my chair.

"You've made a very interesting choice for a guard…did you know that she hates you?" I inquired with an amused tone. "In fact, she hates all of us, every vampire in existence if such a thing is possible." I chuckled at the idea of it. It made sense of course, for prey to hate their hunter.

"That can't be possible. How long has she known about the secret of our existence?" Caius asked.

"Long enough for a strong hatred to set in, at the young age of six. This, in my opinion, is far too early for a human to find out," I said softly, voicing my train of thought.

Caius set his jaw tightly as he paused considering what I had said. "Did you find out who told her about us?" he asked, clearly in the mood for punishments.

"That vampire has been dead for years, Brother. She beat you to it," I answered quickly. "There's nothing left to kill."

"How could she have done that?" Caius said as his voice became more interested. He looked at me with an imploring, nay, demanding gaze.

"She had a…chance encounter, and she acted on revenge because that vampire turned her younger brother. She was very injured from the fight, but she managed to do it," I explained.

Caius growled, "A human killing a vampire?" he shook his head then dropped the subject.

I nodded then gave my final assessment, "Overall, if turned she would be a very strong asset to our coven. She's already physically fit for a human and her gift shows promising if turned. However, she would be very hard to control, and she most likely won't listen to you or pay you an inkling of respect."

Caius grinded his teeth as he heard the last part. "Then I'll need to find her weakness, something that will make her obey no matter what."

I thought for a second then smiled, "She seems to love her stepfather quite a bit."