I walk up the steps to the front gate to the "White House" of Volterra. I look at my watch and see that it is five.

"I see Ты made it on time." I turn around and see Will, with a smirk in his eyes.

"Just take me already so Jake, and Micah can go." I walk towards him and he latches his right hand around my left arm.

"Aro is going to want to lay it all down before anyone is set free." His grip tightens, and I cringe in pain.

We walk through the front door and take the service elevator down to the main hall.

"Ah," Aro greets us as we walk in. "you have arived at last." Will let's go of my arm and Aro swiftly kisses my right hand.

"I'm not here for charm, I'm here to bargain." I pull my hand away without dropping my gaze.

"Ah, yes. Felix, bring out our other guests." he looks toward the door and I see Jake enter, bound by something too strong for him to break.

"Nessie, what are Ты doing here?" Jacob has worry lines all across his forehead. And he seems shocked to see me.

"I-" I start but Aro cut's in.

"She is here," He pauses and puts his hand on my shoulder. "to set Ты free." He grins with menace, I am sure he is thinking of the, well the payment I used to send him.

"Aro, Ты have what Ты want, just let them go." I turn to him and start to open my mouth, but he speaks instead.

"No, no, I still have bargaining I want to do." He walks over to his chair and sits down in front of me.

"Now, it seems as though our monthly payment was becoming too much for you. We did have a deal Ты know, so." He stops and narrows his eyes. They pierce through mine.

"I-" I start but this time Jake interrupts.

"What monthly payments?" He looks at me then Aro, and then back to me.

"I...I was-"

"She was sending us monthly shots of her blood. Ты see, as she сказал(-а) it, she couldn't pay the bill's, we gave her the choice, she took the job." I look at Aro and then turn to Jake. I see the pain in his eyes.

"You were sending them your," He stops and swallows his words. "your blood?"

"Jake," I plead with him. "I couldn't find a job, and soon I wouldn't be able to feed Micah if I didn't do it. They offered to pay me in advance. Jake, I needed the money."

"Yes, but Ты also need to live!" His face is pain stricken now that he realizes that I probably won't end up comming Главная with them.

Aro cuts in, "If Ты please, I would like to continue our talk." I turn back to him and lower my hands to the side.

"The monthly wait was getting too hard to bear, and when Ты stopped sending the blood, well, Ты broke a contract. Ты see now, you, have to pay."

I look down as he continues.

"You will live here in a nice cell and give us daily blood, along with access to you. Ты see there are some of us without mates, who enjoy some, fun, now and then." I can feel Jake become tense. "And in return your family will be set free."

"Done." I say stifly.

"Not done. She is not, your sex toy." I can hear Jakes voice becom hard.

I turn to him and see his eyes, pleading with me. "Jake, go." I say quietly. My eyes swell up with tears, but I don't let them fall, for his sake.

"No, I won't let Ты do this!"

He turns to Aro and begs, "What, are the other choices?"

"If Ты refuse this offer then your son," He looks to his left and I follow his gaze to see Micah walk in, held by Alec. "will be, our Далее treat. It would be a shame to see such a lovley boy go."

Micah looks up and his eyes brighten when he sees me. "Mommy!" He tries to run to me but is held back by Alec.

"No!" I stop, "don't hurt him. Let them go, and take me." Aro nods slowly and soon Micah and Jake are being pulled from the room.

"Nessie!" I turn and watch as the doors shut, while Jake shouts and struggles.

I reach out my arm, but drop it as they close.

I look at Aro and he motions towards the door as he speaks. "To your room?"