Chapter twenty seven: Get creative.

Whale watching really wasn't as great as people said it was; especially to thirteen year olds who held no interest in the sea. Delilah didn't mind it, but Ryan had different views. He was positive he was going to throw up at least several times on the damn boat; and Delilah didn't even comfort him! Some best friend she was.

Thankfully, when it came to an end and the experience was classed as unsuccessful - it probably would have been better if they got to see some damn whales - they were allowed to shop as long as they regrouped at the docks to go home. Sadly, their teacher had decided to tag along with their group.

She took them to a small ice cream shop near the cinema; which most of the boys there were itching to get there. And watch what exactly? The only thing showing was old school black and white movies. Though, Delilah secretly believed most of them wanted to go to either A; get away from Mrs. Grenning and her husband - who also was their chaperone - or B; to take their girlfriends and have a quiet makeout session.

Delilah made a safe at the thought. They were sitting at a table outside with an umbrella shading them from the blazing May sun. Mrs. Grenning and her husband were at a table of their own.

"I saw a turtle eat a plastic bag," one of the boys at their table told them. "It was pretty bleak."

"Are they trying to destroy our innocence?" Ryan sighed, face still green from being on a boat.

"Stop whining," Delilah said. "You had fun."

Ryan shrugged. "Anywhere is fun if they had free food."

He leant forward and stole some of Delilah's ice cream sundae and stuck it in his mouth. She shot him a nasty look which he returned with an innocent, but covered in chocolate, smile. The other two at their table, Delilah already haven forgotten their names, exchanged looks of amusement.

"What are you two smiling at?" Ryan asked as he tried to stick the desert spoon on his nose. Delilah had to stop herself from rolling her eyes. Instead, she focused on eating her sundae before Ryan stole more.

Suddenly, she felt someone tapping her shoulder.

"What?" Delilah asked rather sharply. She turned her head to get a look at who was tapping her. Truthfully, it wouldn't surprise her if it was Ryan wanting to go up for more ice cream. If that was the case, she would have no choice but to give him hers. There was no way in hell she was waiting in that line again. "Can't you see I'm busy eating here?"

The mysterious tapper wasn't Ryan, but a boy who she recognized from school. He was in another class, but that grungy ponytail was hard to ignore. She knew that girls liked him almost as much as they liked Ryan - or, how much Ryan believed girls liked him. So far, she was still waiting to see him be asked out on a date once - and she had to admit that he was sort of cute, but she had no time for boys. She was too busy making sure that Ryan didn't get into trouble, not to mention... Boys didn't really understand her. Well, no boy other than Ryan; that is.

"Sorry to bother you," the boy said, laughing. "I was sitting at that table over there. I couldn't help but notice how pretty you looked. That purple flash is cool."

Delilah blinked in confusion, awe and disbelief. A boy actually thought she was... Pretty? She scrunched up her nose. "Shut up."

"Ha," Ryan scoffed, his voice hollow.

The boy sitting beside the girl, god; what were their names again?!, laughed at the mysterious tepper boys confused expression. "Delilah doesn't like boys, Curt."

The boy named Curt took it upon himself to squeeze between herself and Ryan. Delilah's whole body tensed. If her elbow touched Curts, the world would surely implode!

"Shouldn't you be with your own group?" Ryan asked, coldly.

"It's a free country." Curt shrugged, his gaze still on Delilah's face. Probably better than looking at Ryan's, since his was caked in hot fudge sauce. Had he been licking it out of the damn bowl or something?!

"Jesus H. Christ," Ryan muttered. He had heard his mother say that under her breath when something was bothering her, and it just stuck with him ever since. "Can't a girl enjoy her ice cream in peace?" Look dude. If you like her then you'll have to wait cause, F-Y-I, she's marrying Spiderman."

Delilah giggled under her breath. "Batman, actually."

"I thought it was Spiderman?" He frowned at her, not totally ignoring Curt. "You said it was spidy."

Delilah shook her head. "No, you said it should be spiderman... When we were ten."

Ryan frowned at himself and flicked his tongue out over his lips, partially removing some of the sauce. Curt was laughing. "You're cute."

Before Delilah could ask who he meant, herself of Ryan, Ryan answered for her. He bared his teeth that were stained in cherry juice. "Fuck off."

The table went silent. The two on the otherside stared at Delilah's best friend with wide eyes. That best friend hummed a little song and went back to his ice cream. Delilah was the only one unfazed by his coarse grown up late night TV language.

To Ryan, Curt was sitting too close to her and it irked him. Greatly.

Usually, Delilah repelled the boys at her school with her seemingly insane getup and loner personality. She stayed away from places like the courtyards of the school and hid in the library. Ryan took pride in being the only guy who wasn't scared of her, and it was painfully obvious that this Curt guy could muck up his pride.

The swear shock from Ryan settled and Curt went right back into his wooing.

"Do you wanna go out with me?" He asked.

"Uhm..." Delilah tried to shift herself away from him. But any space she created between them, he would just come right back at her with scooting closer. If she were to move anymore, she'd fall off the edge. "No thanks."

"I really like you." Curt said.

"I don't... I mean I-"

Her anxiety and insecurities and god knows how many other problems she had with socializing were playing up, and each of them at the table could see it. Ryan threw down his spoon on the table, showing he wasn't in the mood anymore. Apparently Curt wasn't as clued into her mood as Ryan was.

"If you don't leave her alone, I'm going to call the fuzz," Ryan warned. "Or set Delilah's inner dragon on you."

Inner dragon?! What the hell was he talking about?!

"I think you should do it," the boy on the other side of the table said. "Those nails are deadly."

Fortunately, Curt's gaggle of girls called out for him and he had to leave. Before returning to his group, he flashed Delilah a charming smile.

"Maybe I'll see you around." He talked like the pervy guys in music video's. Ryan didn't like it. So, to be sure he got the message; Ryan replied with making puking noises to him.

Delilah blushed and looked down to her sundae.

"His funeral," the boy said. Then to Delilah, "Why do people never listen to me?"

Delilah wasn't listening. She was too busy reflecting on how... Bravely Ryan had stuck up for her again. He was always there for her.

A solid nudge to her rib almost winded her. She looked to her left, to find Ryan leaning towards her. "You gonna eat that?" He nodded his head to the ice cream.

After what he had just done for her, Delilah shook her head and shoved the bowl to him. He collected his spoon and dug right in.

I stood back and watched as Alec caused a body to go limp. From the struggling hooker desperately trying to claw his hair out and stop him, to the pimp who had been kicking the crap out of her; Alec sure did have an appetite. Not that she was complaining. With him eating well, she was ensured to have a good meal. Sadly, hers had run dry a lot sooner than what she expected.

There was still a quiet ache in the back of her throat, but they weren't finished feeding. Alec had said so. He wanted them both well fed before they returned to the Cullen's, for they would most likely find they'd be left with the remaining few as others go feed. It was like guard duty all over again, except she wasn't watching over newborns anymore. She missed the company of Scott, or Mary, or Damien and Shay... Or Ryan.

Her stomach fluttered with the new pool of blood there. Even just thinking his name sent her into a spiral of smiles. He had kissed her. He had kissed her, and he had meant it. There was none of this 'we'll be best friends' or anything like that. He had pulled her close to him, and let his lips crush against hers.

She was reluctant to admit it, but giddy at the same time, to know that her first kiss was with him. She wanted to ask Alec if it was normal to feel this way about... This sort of thing, but she didn't know how to bring it up. Especially since he was eating. Plus, she didn't believe it was wise to bring up kissing at a time like this.

But she couldn't help it! She felt as though she could fly to the moon and back. The smile he had given her after he had kissed her was one she had only ever seen given to his ex-girlfriend when they were fifteen. Ryan had been in love with her, but that had ended badly. After that... He never wanted to find another girlfriend after her...

But yet, that smile now belonged to her. He had given that smile, the one she was positive that screamed love and adoration, to her.

Her. Demented Delilah, as people would call her at school.

She almost felt as giddy as she had when she first experienced holding his hand, or have him stick up for her. No, in fact; she was willing to bet she felt more giddy than ever before. Was this what love felt like?

"Still hungry?" Alec asked, pulling her from her train of thought. Her smile didn't fall from her face.

Gingerly, she nodded her head. "Starving."

Alec scoffed and leant down; picking up the body he had just drained and throwing it over his shoulder. He picked up the pimp and held him under his arm. "Any idea's on how we should dispose of them?"

Why was he asking her? He was the talented one at this. Didn't he dispose of people for a living? She might have asked that, if she didn't value her life.

"Nope." She mused as she followed after him, carrying her own meal behind her.

"How did you dispose of them before?"

Well that was a simple answer. "We just hid them in the ocean or lakes."

Alec stopped in his tracks. He turned to face her and he arched an eyebrow curiously at her. "Where's your creativity?"

"Who says I was creative?"

"I'd have thought you were. That color in your hair says so."

If she had have been human, she would have blushed. "That was Ryan's idea... Not mine."

Alec parted his lips and gave a soft chuckle. "Ah, I see. Well then, off to the lake we go."

He didn't waste time in how quickly he ran along. Delilah had to rush to keep up with him. She was fast, but she hadn't ever moved at this pace carrying someone before. How the hell did he do it? He was carrying two?! Granted, when climbing up a wall; he would throw one up and climb with one hand; then throw the other down as he pulled himself up.

It went on and one until finally they came to a clearance of water. Alec moved under the bridge, and she followed. There, he removed his cloak and tossed it to the side. She watched him with curious eyes. He didn't want his cloak getting wet, evidently. Well, now to think of it... She didn't want her jacket to get wet either. It was one that he gave her.

Delilah shed her jacket slowly, and watched as Alec took hold of his two bodies and began into the water. Adding to how strange it was to strip off, Delilah kicked off her shoes and set them beside her jacket. Quickly, she hurried on under after him; dragging the body behind her.

Alec was swimming swiftly down to the bottom. A hand dragged a body down with him, while the other he shoved down. When it would rise up to meet him again, he'd shove it even further and swim, shove, swim. Eventually, at the bottom; he used a bolder - yes, a bolder - to told them down.

Delilah held tightly onto the arm of her last meal and watched as he poked around for a certain spot. Why didn't he just leave them like that? They were secured, weren't they?

Another bolder was removed, and Alec sent a solid punch to the ground. It shook under them, even under the water, and created a crack in the Earth's underwater ground. Air bubbles spat out of it as the water emerged in and took it its place inside the hole. He snapped his eyes towards Delilah and held out his hand for her.

She knew what he meant, and quickly shoved the body in his direction. He caught it quickly and set on placing it down into the hole. To make herself useful, she swam over to the other two and brought them closer to him also. One by one, Alec stuffed into the makeshift crater; and then he shoved the rock over it.

Well, that was one way of making sure they wouldn't resurface.

Alec motioned his hand for her to swim upward, and she nodded quickly. Both of them kicked off the floor and sped through the water to the surface. First thing she did was take a lungful of air, even though she didn't need it. Alec didn't. He just strolled out and sat himself under the bridge.

He looked... Different like this. His hair clung to his face, his eyes were a brighter red than she'd ever seen, and his pale skin was soaked with droplets. Not to mention the fact his shirt was clinging tightly onto his body. He shook his head and ruffled his hair more, while she made her way to sit across from him.

"We'll head out hunting again after it's a little darker." Alec explained. "We were lucky to even find them. It's rare for those types of people to be out at this time."

Those types of people being hookers and pimps, right? She guessed so. Sheepishly, Delilah nodded and brought her legs to her chest. She knelt her chin onto her knees and let out a deep sigh through her nose.

Alec glanced at her for a moment and held that gaze for half a second before he looked away and scoffed.

If it had been before all this, before their talk in the warehouse, Delilah wouldn't have asked him. But she felt comfortable enough around him now to actually talk without being spoken too first.

"What's so funny?"

Alec shook his head gently while letting out a little chuckle. "It's nothing."

"No, come on. Tell me."

Alec hesitated before he brought his eyes back to her. "The way you're sitting is how Renesmee sits..." Again, he paused for a split second. "And how Grace used to sit."

—xXx—

If I were to concentrate hard enough and picture the small freckles on her cheeks, her eyes being green instead of red, and get rid of that purple flash within her bangs, I could see Grace. Huffing a sigh out of boredom, readying herself to complain on how boring I was and how she didn't understand how Jane - someone who she classed as severely fun - could be related to me, someone who would much rather sit under the shade of a tree and relax.

It was clear to me now why Lilianna would have chosen this girl to play the role of Grace; but then again it always had. Small characteristics that Grace had were in this girl. Even some characteristics that Renesmee had were in this girl. It was quite plausible that if Lilianna had come to me sooner - and Delilah would have been alive back then - I might've joined her coven. If it was close enough to when I had believed Grace to be dead but still clung on to the memory of her, I might've even found myself swooning over this immortal.

Delilah was very beautiful, but she was nothing compared to the woman who claimed my heart two years ago. Not even Grace could compare to Renesmee now, and the more I thought about her words to me in that warehouse; the more I found myself wanting to fight back.

Wanting to fight Lilianna on what she had done to us, and to reclaim Renesmee as my own again. I wanted to salute my views on her having a better life with a firm middle finger and take what I'd always felt was mine. Even when I said she wasn't, I still believed deep down that she was.

That she always would be.

And the fact we continuously found ourselves in situations that were somehow intimate didn't help. The kissing, the cuddling, or the sweet nothing whispered didn't help me in this predicament. It didn't help me in trying to do what was right. But that was one of the things I had faced a long time ago, wasn't it? I did what I thought was right, even when it probably wasn't. I didn't care, nor did I feel for anything else but my coven's view on what was right.

I didn't care about what anyone else thought on what I thought was right.

I wasn't good, and I rarely did the right thing when it came down to my personal life. So why was I suddenly trying to change that? I had stated to Renesmee that I would never change, despite how much I wanted too; but in saying that... I was trying to change myself. Truth be told, I may appear as a selfless moron to her, trying to do all this for her benefit, when I really, really wasn't. I was selfish, and I did what I wanted. And this certainly wasn't what I wanted. It never had been.

Delilah must have brushed off my comment, for she looked down to her feet and mumbled something completely different.

"Are you worried about tomorrow?"

"No." I wasn't worried. I was terrified because Renesmee would be there. I prayed to god that Jacob had managed to talk some sense into her, otherwise it truly would be a stressful day. "There's nothing to worry about."

"Isn't there?" She looked up again. "It's a war..."

"I've been in war's before." I smirked.

"Yeah, I can tell with all those battle scars," she said sarcastically with a roll of her eyes.

Well, someone was getting a little ballsy, wasn't she? If I could recall the moment I'd first encountered Delilah in that alleyway; she would never have dreamed of speaking to me the way she was. I was glad she felt comfortable enough to speak like this, but there was a part of me that longed for that scared little vampire to come back. I presume it was merely to fuel my ego. I wouldn't lie... I was used to taking pride in the fact my name brought fear into the pit of vampire's stomachs.

"I'm worried." Delilah whispered. "I'll be fighting against my..."

"Your coven." I nodded. "I know. You can walk away from this at any point, Delilah."

Delilah tucked her legs in tighter to her chest. "I know, but I don't want too. I don't know... It might be different if I had..."

Her words trailed off, but I knew where he was going with it.

"Your family here with you." I finished for her with an understanding smile. "I'd feel the same if I didn't have my sister alongside me. However, you can take comfort in the fact they will be."

Delilah let out another sigh. "That's what's worrying me."

I frowned a little and was unable to stop my head from tilting. A droplet of water rolled down my nose. "Why's that?"

"Because... You know what most of us could do, right? Remember Mary's gift..."

I had to think for a second. I could vaguely remember her skimming over the basics, but I more or less listened in on the more offensive type. It was something to do with manipulating the mind, that was all I could recall. I nodded none the less.

"Well, she used that to keep us loyal to begin with. Made us think that her way was the right way, and she sorta... Made us act how she wanted, until we began to do it without even realizing. Mary's gift can pretty much change a way someone thinks... And if Lilianna were to use it in the right way for her own use... She could have already turned them all against me."

I could see why that would worry her. In fact, I understood completely. She feared being on that battlefield and having to battle against one of the ones she loved dearly.

"Delilah," I spoke to get her attention. It worked, for she looked back up to me. Keeping her gaze in mine, I lowered my voice by an octave, trying my best to sound calm, collected and as though I knew what I was talking about. "That is a very logical worry. Honestly, I'd think of you as dimwitted if you didn't fear that possibility, but may I point out... If she had already done that, why would Ryan have come to you today?"

Delilah opened and closed her mouth.

"Why would he still be dead set that he is with you, no matter what you chose to do?"

She repeated to open her mouth, but closed it yet again.

"Lilianna is a smart woman, I'll give her that. But she hasn't thought this through completely. I wouldn't be surprised if that thought hadn't even crossed her mind yet. She seems to have a lot to deal with now, especially now that the pressure is on for tomorrow."

"But what if..." Delilah didn't have to say it.

"Ryan seems to be the sort of person who can handle himself. You should stop worrying so much and concentrate on what you wish to do, and how you are going to do it."

If Delilah wanted to argue, she didn't. Instead, she fell into a silence that lasted 30 minutes. It didn't bother me, for I was comfortable in the silence. Relaxing into it and allowing myself to dry in the humid late afternoon that was slowly moving into early evening. It wouldn't be long until I could take her hunting again, then we would be able to return to the Cullen's estate.

Maybe when I saw Renesmee my views would change again? Maybe seeing her face would make me decide that this was the best thing. Then again, it could go the other way and make me certain I would have her again, no matter what.

Either way, I was a little thankful when Delilah stole me from my thoughts.

"Alec?"

I glanced towards her and raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"

"I... Uh-Nothing. Sorry."

"Delilah, you don't have to hide anything from me. You can talk to me."

Delilah had an inner battle going on inside of her. I could see it. She was fighting with whatever source of thought it was keeping her from speaking her mind. I'd much rather it that she did... Despite missing the shy girl who wouldn't speak to me at all. Things would be easier if she just spoke her mind. They'd move along quicker.

"Do you think... It would be easier if you just... Went with her?"

I had to suck in a breath.

Would it be easier if I just went along with what Lilianna wanted me too? If I just packed up, handed in my Volturi necklace and went with her? It probably would be, yes. In fact, I was somewhat certain that there would be none of this if I had just put my hands up and surrendered to her wishes. It wasn't much she was asking for, really. She only wanted me, and perhaps my sister. Jane would never leave the Volturi, or Aro. There was no doubt about that; but I had thought about it. I was willing to give up everything once before... But that wasn't for the same reason.

If I had chosen to leave the Volturi to be with Renesmee, Aro might've accepted that. It was doubtful, but there was a possibility. After all, he had allowed Eleazar to move on and be with Carmen.

But there was an issue of want with that. Eleazar had wanted to leave the Volturi, but I didn't. I never intended to ever leave my coven due to my utmost loyalty and respect for them. I was proud to be a Volturi member, even despite other immortals views on us. I was Alec of the Volturi. Without them, I wouldn't be who I was. I wouldn't be where I was today, and I wouldn't have met the people I had.

Not only did I owe my life to Aro and my coven, but I owed everything to them. Saving Jane and I from death, keeping us together and changing us so that we never leave one another again, to me ultimately meeting one of the most amazing women I had ever met in my lifetime.

"It might be," I gave a truthful answer. "But I wouldn't go with her. Not after everything she has done."

"If she hadn't... And she had just come to you?"

I shook my head gently again. "She still isn't what I want, Delilah."

"Or who you want..." She slid in with a gentle smile.

That was true. No matter what; Lilianna was no Renesmee, and she never would be.

"She could kill you, you know..." Delilah then whispered. "I... I sorta don't want you to die. You're not how I expected you would be."

Again, that was a possibility. I could lose my life, although it was highly doubtful. There was always that small percentages that stood where I could potentially lose it all; but in the end... Renesmee was worth it. She always would be.

"I'll take that as a compliment," I chuckled in return. "I won't die. I'll put up a good fight."

Delilah's smile grew wider towards me.

"However, if I were... I don't need this life, Delilah."

She blinked in confusion. To spare her the breath on asking why, I quickly finished my sentence.

"I don't need this life... I just needed something, or someone good enough to die for."

And I had found her. I found her two years ago when I was forced into her life, and my world came crashing in around me. I was brought face to face with reality, that things weren't all darkness and betrayal. There was hope out there, and Renesmee had and still very much was mine.

The younger immortal sighed deeply and rested her chin onto her knees. She let out a solemn breath and fell back into her silence. Was this silence the time she'd reflect on my words? Honestly, I would rather that she not dwell on them. I wasn't giving advice, I wasn't telling her how she should view things. These were my views, my opinions; and it was them that got me here today. Sitting under a damn bridge playing babysitter to an ex-coven mate to someone who wanted the love of my life, and my family, dead.

Before my thoughts could turn anymore bitter and resenftful, Delilah spoke up from the silence again.

"You know that head removal trick you taught me?" Delilah asked.

I nodded for my answer.

"I think I'd like to go over it one more time... Just to be sure."

"If you wish." I quickly stood from sitting under the bridge. She did the same and shook out her body. Preparing herself, more or less. Something I taught her, and I was surprised she managed to remember; for I'd said it three days prior from now.

If you aren't tense, you are able to move a lot quicker and be more agile.

I crouched myself down onto the floor and let my hand brush over the first. She did the same, mimicking my actions completely.

If you get the chance, test your surroundings. The environment may be able to work as an advantage.

I took a quick inhale of breath and shot forward towards her. She was quick to spin out of the way; using my back as some sort of ramp.

Try and take them by surprise, but if they move before you do; look for a weak spot and use it. This could be a quick decision on who lives and who dies.

I was impressed with her quick 'ramp' thinking. That had been something she picked out on her own; rather than myself having to pinpoint it for her. I swiftly turned and surprisingly, her arms wrapped themselves around my head; flipping me over and twisting our bodies around. Her arm was around my neck, while her hand was pressed onto my head; readying to swiftly remove it.

"You did well." I praised. "You didn't need to go over that at all."

Delilah gave a giggle and ruffled my hair as she pushed me away. I recomposed myself and straightened out my now dry shirt.

"Your footing was a little off, however. Keep it tight, otherwise I could have taken off your leg and that would have been the end of it."

Delilah nodded her head viciously. "Keep it tight. I got it."

I broke a smile and wandered across to my cloak. Picking it up and slipping it on over my shoulders, I turned to find her doing the same thing.

"We'll go over this more at the estate. I may let you try a different competitor this time."

"The big guy with all the muscles?"

"Felix?" I arched an eyebrow. "If you feel up to it, then I'm sure he'd be more than willing to play."

Delilah laughed and slipped on her shoes. "Where are we going now then?"

"Hunting. Our dishes should be ready by now."

Delilah glanced up to the sky, and grinned as it twisted into a dark shade of night. It was more than past the time the fish came out to play, and we had our poles at the ready. Flicking my hood up over my head, I smiled sinisterly towards Delilah. All she could see was my lips, but that was more than enough for her to smile back.

It was time to go fishing.

And fishing we did.

Delilah ate like a champ. She probably satisfy her urges for at least a few days, and she did it in a way I never had expected. Instead of stalking the victims, like I usually did, she blatantly walked up to them with her head hung low and mumbled something about being 'inexperienced' and 'wondering if a few of the ladies could help.'

The pimp didn't so much as bat a freaking eyelid at her. He just asked if she had the cash, and when she said she did; and it was waiting in the car with her boyfriend - a term I knew she was using for me, and that would have probably sickened me; despite knowing she meant nothing of it - around the corner, he sent four girls with her.

I let her feast on three of them, while leaving the other one for myself. While she ate, I made sure each of them were under my gift. Paralyzed and unable to feel anything or know what was going on. As soon as she was finished, I took my final feed of the day.

But we weren't done. Instead, Delilah went back for seconds; and this time, she took the pimp himself. She was growing to be a little more creative than before, since when I offered to take the five bodies to the lake and add them with the other three; she refused. She had a better idea, so to speak.

I sat back on the ledge of a building watching as she carried one by one into a bottom floor, cannabis smelling abandoned block of flats. Once each of the bodies were inside, Delilah stepped out and stood there for a matter of seconds.

From what I could hear, she was whispering.

She was counting.

A small glint twinkled within her hand and caught my attention. I tilted my head, finally realizing what she was planning on doing. She flicked the liquid fueled lighter and tossed it into the door. She must've turned the gas on in there, for the place went up with a large bang.

Flames rose out of the windows, and lights began to switch on from surrounding flats. All I needed to do was blink once, and she was at my side.

"Was that creative?"

I chuckled. "It was a start."

She grinned in pride and crossed her arms.

"So, do we get to go to the Cullen's now?"

Why was I getting the sudden feeling that she was... Excited about this? I should have asked, but I already knew the answer. She wanted to prove to me, if not me then herself, that she could handle Felix. He was a big brute, after all. Intimidating, large and very skilled at what he did.

But, if she wanted to give it a shot... She would have to learn the hard way. Felix wasn't one to go easy on anyone, even if they were girls. He viewed it as sexist if he were to treat them any different. A statement that I couldn't call him a moron for, because it was true.

"We do." I nodded my head. "After you."

She didn't need to be told twice. Delilah was off before I could get my breath out. She rushed over building tops, leaped over alleyways, climbed up across fire escapes.

I couldn't help but believe that she had taken my words into account. She was no longer worrying as much as she did, and she was concentrating on the now. It was a breath of fresh air seeing her like this after all that had gone on. I was so used to seeing the timid, scared little traitor vampire who wasn't sure what she could do; and now she was energetic and deciding to think for herself. She wanted to fight with us, and fight she was going too.

Maybe... Just maybe, I'd bring up letting her live with Aro after all. She had been a grateful asset to us, and I'd be lying if I didn't enjoy her company. Those who were loyal to her had great gifts that Aro could recruit, and in order to him to possess them; he would need to take on this girl also.

In that moment, I decided I was going to have a long hard think about speaking with Aro about our choice on letting Delilah and her select few coven mates live. If not talk to Aro straight away, maybe I could hear what Renesmee had to say on the matter? It would give me another excuse to talk to her, after all.

Yes... I think I'd do that, then make my decision.

"You're slacking, Alec!" Delilah laughed as she leaped off a roof's edge and onto the hard ground below. "Try and keep up!"

I probably should have warned her to keep it down; but I didn't want too. She was acting as though she had already won. As though we had already won; and that she was what we all wanted to be in the end. Free.

I picked up the pace and ran at a steady speed beside her. Every now and then when I'd look to my side to her, I'd notice she'd close her eyes and relish in the feeling of running. I didn't have to be Edward Cullen to know what was going through her mind.

She was imagining what it would be like if this were how things were from now on. Her running freely, with the sound of footsteps at her side - probably imagining what it would be like if it were her coven members and not me, obviously - and not a care in the world. The reason I knew this was because... Well, I once wore that look too. Back when I had been a fragile human, and craved for more.

I craved to know what it would be like to live out there, with no rules, nothing holding me back, and with the world under my feet. I wanted to be free, I wanted to live life to it's fullest... Truthfully, I just wanted to live. I wanted to have a life, and not just live an existence. I felt as though I deserved that after everything my sister and I went through, but even then... We were denied to the right to everything else, why wouldn't we be denied the right to live?

They had tried to take our lives, they tried to take everything from us; but in the end... We all got what we deserved. My village, my family, the few people I cared for were slaughtered for what they were going to do to Jane and I. They had to pay for the crimes of others, despite them never doing anything wrong themselves. They didn't have a choice.

I did wonder what must've gone through their minds during the Volturi's slaughter. I wondered whether it was quick and painless... I wondered if they got a chance to see what was going on or had a single clue why it was happening. Did they accept death? Did they... Open their arms to it? My village, for the most part, held some severe religious people within it's walls. My mother, included. Did they face their ends with a smile, knowing that despite they'd be paying the ultimate price for something they didn't do; they would be rewarded for their bravery? That they would not be punished for their part in not just Jane and myself's attempted murder, but the countless other people put to death under the suspicion of witchcraft?

I wasn't religious in the slightest. But if there was a God, and there was some paradise that the good went too... I knew my mother would be there now.

But would she be looking down at us with a smile on her face? After everything? I'd turned my back on who I was... I was a sadistic, evil monster. I had become everything those villagers thought I was and worse. I took the lives of innocent people without even blinking, and I enjoyed it. There was no changing who I was now; but there had been a little redemption brought to me.

And what was I doing? I was running away from it. I deemed myself as unlovable, just as those villagers had seen me as. I deemed myself as a monster, just as they had. I deemed myself as... Unworthy of Renesmee's love, because of my past, because of who I am, and because of my irrational fear letting people in, only to have them leave me.

Jane was the only person to have ever stuck by me, and even then I watched as she rathered to spend time with Grace. I watched as my mother was torn from my arms as I was dragged to the stake. I watched as they tried to take Jane from me that day...

And now, I was watching as I let Renesmee slip away from me aswell, because of some belief that I'd drilled into my brain of not being worthy. Of being unlovable. Of being... Unwantable.

I was the only one standing in the way of us. I could see that now. I was the only stopping myself from possibly having what I'd always wanted. I was the obstacle I had to overcome, which sounded easy; but to me...

It was easier said than done.

The estate walls of the Cullen's came into view; causing Delilah to speed up. I wasn't entirely sure why, but I had a feeling it was something to do with what I had said to her. That I wouldn't be able to cope without Jane by my side; as Jane was my only reason now a days.

Without her, I doubt I would be able to handle this. Knowing there was someone I once cared about... Threatening the girl I loved. Jane was what kept me together, and the strength of giving Renesmee the life she deserved, even if it wasn't with me. No matter how much I wanted it to be...

I climbed over the wall behind her, and watched as she walked on up to the door. On the inside, I could hear talking. I could hear the roughness of deeper voices, I could smell the scent of wet dog, and I could hear the gentle slightly-faster heartbeat of Renesmee.

Delilah opened the door silently and stepped aside as I approached. In any other circumstance, I might've let her enter first. However, this wasn't just any circumstance anymore. Bowing my head, I wandered on inside with Delilah closely behind me.

It was time to relieve some of the stress and let the Cullen's go hunt, and few Volturi members feed. Dusk was setting in, and it wouldn't be long until the hours ticked by and we'd be faced with our problem.

I stepped into the main living area; and frowned as all eyes shifted from Renesmee on the sofa, holding water.

"Something wrong?" I asked, glancing around to each of them.

"I suggest we give these two a moment. Come, we'll discuss our hunting schedule." Aro announced as he stood himself up and made his way past me. One by one, everyone slowly followed; even the few dogs in here. I wanted to ask where the hell Demetri, Felix and Jane were - but I decided against it.

Renesmee didn't look to good.

Delilah had been escorted out by Aro, so she was in safe hands for now.

"Is everything alright?" I asked, tilting my head.

"Leah's pregnant."

"Ah, so she's told you..."

Renesmee's eyes snapped up to mine. "So it's true? You knew about this?"

Why couldn't I shake the feeling that I probably shouldn't have said that...

A/N:

Sorry for the delay guys; but here is your reason! I managed to finish off two chapters; and I'm slowly coming to grips with the next one!

Hopefully you won't be waiting long for the next one.

Leave a review, and I'll give you a cookie?

I'll see you soon guys.

Take it easy, I love you all.

-C.H