The Shadows of the Sun

Chapter Eight

              I woke up moving, and that freaked me out a little. Okay, a lot. My freak out also startled the tracker who dropped me in surprise. I tumbled to the ground, landing in pain. I struggled up, squinting in the bright light. Of course my sword was gone, and I felt as though I had been hit by a truck, or maybe a train, possibly both. I was still in my clothes, stained with blood that wasn't mine and some that was, but someone appeared to have cleaned me up some. My face was free of blood and my arm was bandaged. I didn't even notice it had been injured.

"Demetri, what the heck was that?" Jane demanded.

"She startled me." He admitted sheepishly. I rolled my eyes at him. He was startled? I was very startled. The last thing I remember is barely escaping three werewolves alive, then I wake up moving with no clue where I am or who I'm with.

"Well, I have reason to be startled. You can hear my every heartbeat, you could have known minutes before I actually woke up that I was in the process of waking up." I snapped.

"That's the problem, there was no in between. One second you were passed out, next you were jumping up." He exclaimed, frustrated. Interesting.

"It doesn't matter. We must continue on." Jane said quickly. I sighed through my nose, regretting it a little as the scent of vampire hit me head on. They didn't smell as bad as werewolves, but they didn't smell good. They wouldn't let me run for some reason or another, and I refused to be carried like a child. Surprisingly they negotiated with me a little and we settled on me riding on Demetris' back as long as I promised to not choke or kill him. I rolled my eyes but agreed. Finn, I was doing it for Finn. Then we were off. No matter how much the bitter wind stung my face I refused to lower my head or hide it in his shoulder. At least I had some shred of pride left. I would definitely need it. It would be awhile before I was free again. I didn't know what their plan was for me, but I knew it would not be something I would want to do. I knew it would take every ounce of self-control not to run. I had to wait until I could do something to keep Finn safe and out of it as well. I would not drag him into my mess, especially when he had no way to protect himself against them. I prayed that the werewolves had let him alone. I hadn't seen in a couple of months for fear I would lead others right to him. It seemed that was useless now and I should have spent all the time I could have with him. No use looking back and regretting I suppose. I just had to find a way to shape the future for the better. I could at least try. I had to. There was no other option, and that was the reality. I would do what needed to be done until I couldn't anymore. I would keep going until the end. Like I said before, what other choice is there? I was certainly not one to give up. I had to either give up or keep going. I chose the second, so I did. I couldn't do much planning, but I knew that I would keep fighting tooth and claw. I would not let them put me down. I would wait for the right time, then I would be out of there, and, if I did it right, they would never see me again. I would protect Finn and myself. Somehow. I had no clue how right now, but eventually I would figure it out, I hope. The journey lasted far longer than it should have. I was getting bored and tired quickly. I wanted to just put my head down, but still, my stubbornness, or pride I suppose, won out. I would keep my head up until the bitter end, and it was proving to be bitter all right. I felt my sense of dread rise as we got closer and closer to the cold stone castle. It was dark there, I was a creature of the sun. It was cold and I needed warmth. The vampires there were just like the castle they resided in: ancient, cold, hard, unyielding. I would have to learn to survive there. I would not thrive, but I could scrape by until I was free again. Light would overcome the darkness eventually. We got to a plane quickly, it might have even been the same jet I woke up on. This time I was not stuck in that room. I sat in the seats, as far away from them as I could. They mostly ignored me except for the occasional suspicious glance to make sure I wasn't doing anything I shouldn't be. I wasn't, I was bored, but I knew better than to do something stupid. That would not help me right now. I had plenty of time to do very stupid things later, and I'm sure I would. I never quite seemed to learn. No matter how hard I tried I could not keep myself out of predicaments like this. I leaned my head against the back of the seat, I was so tired. Maybe a quick cat nap, I can sleep very lightly when I choose too. My eyelids drifted closed just for a second.

A cold hand touched my shoulder. The feeling was unnatural, so unnatural it startled me awake, causing me to leap up with a knife at the ready, slightly unsure as to where it came, knowing only that I needed it. Well I thought I needed it, instead I was faced with four semi-alarmed and amused vampires. Demetri frowned at me, it seemed he had yet again drawn the short straw of awakening me. Jane looked at me blandly, all hints of surprise gone from her marble features.

"We have arrived." She said shortly before striding off to do whatever it is she was going to do. Demetri frowned at me and held out a hand. With an angry snarl I placed my new knife in his outstretched palm. He tucked it away in the endless fold of his dark robes. The door was opened and I stalked out after Demetri. Felix was close at my heel, making sure I didn't run. These vampires really were dim weren't they? I obviously wasn't going to run now that they threatened my brother. That was just stupid. I debated whether to be offended that they thought me that stupid that I would still try, or that heartless that I didn't care if my own brother was killed so I could save myself. Either way was bad, but they would soon realize I had no intention of running, at least not yet. Aro would see my plans, and he would know I planned to run. I had to make sure that he stayed as unaware of my plans as possible, a feat that would be almost impossible to pull off. If there was a way I would find it, and that was that. We came upon a dark car with even darker tinted windows. Felix got into the driver's seat while Jane took the passenger seat. I was stuck in the back between Alec and Demetri. It was uncomfortable to say the least. They didn't seem to notice though. To make it even more awkward, the ride was dead silent. The only sound was my own breathing, as the vampires weren't in need of oxygen. I wasn't scared of our destination, but I was exactly looking forward to it. I would be stuck there for a while. I would have to gain their trust enough to let me out, and I wasn't doing a very good job of that right now. Although, with Aro being a tactile telepathic, they may realize I wasn't going anywhere with a threat to Finn. After all, he was all I had left, even if I was unable to see him for a while. I had barely seen him since the Volturi found out about me. I was too scared I would lead them to him. I suppose that worked out well in the end. Now I wish I had spent more time with him while I could. There would be more opportunities though, I would make sure of it. I refused to die with that sort of regret. It was only about an hour before we arrived at the castle. The vampires handed off the car to another vampire to park, and headed straight for what I assumed was the throne room, me in tow. They kept their hands off me this time, but they monitored my every breath. What they expected me to do while surrounded, I didn't know. I didn't even have a weapon. Stupid Demetri managed to find them everytime; that was beginning to get on my nerves. I had gotten so used to having them, it was like walking around without a shirt. I felt exposed and vulnerable. I did not enjoy this feeling when I was surrounded by extremely dangerous creatures that had taken me hostage. After much mental griping, we arrived at the large door that I recognized as the doors that lead into the throne room.