It had been a miserably busy weekend. Ava Detourne sat at her mahogany desk staring at the stack of papers in front of her. She closed her eyes leaning back in her high back chair giving an irritated sigh.

She thought she had taken care of the Drew family business. She hadn't realized they had more than one lawyer. How could this have gotten past her? Past Vito? Her hand shot out at the stack of papers sending them flying all over the room.

"Where are you?" she hoarsely whispered."Where does he have you now, Vito Cascio?"

She stared at the flames in the fireplace. The light played eerily in her hazel eyes. A hand ran through her raven black hair. As she brought it back down onto the table, she stopped to look at it.

It was pale. Not its tanned color. She sighed and fell back into her chair again. She knew why she was feeling this way. She had not been feeding. The business...her business...was being threatened to be taken from her, and she had not seen Vito Cascio but twice since his return from New Venice.

She rose slowly, knowing that if she rose too quickly , she would fall. She gazed around the room at the scattered papers. Shaking her head, she leaned down to pick up one of the papers.

"From the Offices of Garen, Howard, and Johnstone..."

The head letter threatening to sue her. She sighed and left the office, locking the door behind her. She walked to the double doors, pausing to whisper.

"Andrew, I am going out. Do not tell Vito. Watch the house."

A large figure in the shadows watched her with concern, nodding in acknowledgment he heard her. Ava nodded and stepped outside. Walking in the warm night, she headed to the garage. Moments later, her black ‘67 Mustang was making its way down the long drive.

She stopped several blocks away from the tavern of Rivendell. With the engine still on, she sat in the car smoking a cigarette. After a few moments, she flicked the cigarette, turned off the ignition, and stepped out of the car. Pulling the black Italian leather jacket around her body, she began her walk to the tavern. She hoped to calm her nerves with some quietness here.

The tavern seemed relatively quiet despite the crowds. She smiled politely to those she passed and made eye contact with. Making her way to an empty table near the fireplace, she gazes around briefly to see if she knows anyone. No one. Good. She settled down into a chair, removing her silver cigarette case from the inner pocket of her jacket.

Just as she was lighting it, her eyes caught sight of Emily. She flicked the spent match into the fireplace as she studied the young woman's new look. She shook her head in disbelief. Emily finally caught sight of her and was making her way toward her.

Dressed in a black outfit that curved with her lithe body, and her dark blonde hair now a fiery red, Emily Shaw stopped in front of Ava. Her emerald eyes sparkling brightly despite the darkness of the corner where they were. She sat down smiling.

"Ava! It is so good to see you! How are you tonight?," Emily inquired.

Ava took a drag from her cigarette. "I am well enough, Mademoiselle Emily."

Emily frowned gazing at her friend. She now noticed dark rings around Ava's beautiful hazel eyes. Then, she noticed the piece of paper peeking out of a pocket of Ava's jacket. She sighed softly.

"The monarchy is in danger, "Emily stated.

"The monarchy?" Ava questioned, raising an elegant eyebrow.

"Yes. I am the niece of the Duke of England. The rebels are ridding of the royal blood.," the young woman sighed softly.

Ava sighed softly reaching over to pat the woman's hand. "Should you need anything..."

Emily offered a smile. "No. You have already done enough for me. I am in debt to you, Ava."

Ava frowned leaning back in her chair. "You owe me nothing, Emily. Never say that you do." Her gaze fell on the piece of paper in her jacket and took it out.

"What is that?" Emily asked.

Ava stared at the piece of paper for a moment. "A notice telling me I'm being sued for all I've got."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

Ava managed a weak smile. "There is nothing to be sorry for. It is my fault really. I should have known the Drew family had more than one lawyer."

Emily sat there watching the woman who had taken her in and helped her with the death of her family. She reached into a pocket, taking a key from it. She looked at it before placing it in Ava's hand.

"Take this, Ava. It is to a chest with all I own. The chest is upstairs."

Ava blankly stared at the key. Then, she shook her head, putting the key on the table.

"No, Emily. I cannot do that, nor will I. Everything I have in that house I've worked for. I will not take something of another's."

"But, Ava, you've helped me in so many ways. I owe you," Emily stressed.

Ava shook her head, closing her eyes. She felt weak and sick. Suddenly, her body slumped, seeming to shrink in the chair she sat in. Emily's eyes widen in alarm.

"AVA!" Emily rushed to Ava's side. "Ava. Wake up."

Ava's face turned pale suddenly in response. Emily's eyes widened even more. She looked around frantically for someone to help her, but she didn't know anyone else here. With a determined look, Emily took Ava in her arms and headed out of the tavern.

Salvatore Donetti rounded the corner of a building just as he saw Emily carrying someone and heading toward the woods. He frowned in concern. Silently, he followed, staying close to the shadows. Yet, Emily knew he was there.

Salvatore, it's Ava. Emily's voice caressed Sal's mind.

Salvatore didn't answer. Emily finally stopped in a clearing laying Ava on the ground gently. She laid her hands on the woman's arms, and a strange energy flowed from Emily to Ava. Salvatore watched from a few trees behind the girl, knowing it would not work. Nothing happened. Ava lied there still. Her chest rising and falling slightly. She moaned softly.

Emily frowned in confusion. Salvatore came silently behind her and kneeled on the ground beside her. He laid a hand upon Emily's forearm.

"She has not fed for days, Emily. She needs blood."

Emily stared at Ava's body for a long moment. Eventually, she removed a dagger from her side and brought it to her wrist, sliding it across the delicate flesh. Blood welled around the wound as she brought it to Ava's lips.

"Drink, Ava."

Salvatore snagged Emily's wrist, but not before a few drops of blood touched Ava's pale lips. Emily looked up at Salvatore with tears in her eyes. Salvatore brought her wrist to his lips kissing it to seal the wound.

"No," he whispered. "You cannot do that. If Ava should find out, she will be enraged. Her pride and honor will be disgraced by that."

"But I owe her my life, Sal," Emily replied, staring at Ava.

"Not like this you don't. Please, Emily. I will take her back to her home. Vito will care for her."

Emily's emerald eyes suddenly became hard, and her crying abruptly stopped. She stood up not looking at him. Her breathing came in controlled breathes.

"It's his fault she's like this, Sal. Don't take her back."

Salvatore sighed, bowing his head. "Emily, Vito Cascio loves Ava. It may not appear that way, but he does. They share one of the most sacred things of the vampire. They are blood bond. He knows she is suffering."

"Then why doesn't he do something?" Emily implored, her anger slightly controlled.

"I cannot tell you that, Emily. Perhaps you should ask Vito...or Stone."

Emily turned to face him. "He will pay for doing this to her. Both of them."

Salvatore looked at her sternly and with concern. "No, Emily. You mustn't confront them. They are two of the most powerful men known." He walked to her taking her hands in his. "Promise me you will not."

Emily looked down at Ava's body. Ava's lips were moving silently. She rushed to her side, kneeling down. She brushed hair from Ava's hair from her brow. Then, gingerly cradled the woman's head in her lap.

"We're taking you home, Ava," Emily whispered.

Ava's eyes opened slowly to slits. A faint, weak smile formed onto her lips as soon as she sees who was around her. She moaned softly, her head lolling to one side.

"You take care...of her...Salvatore...or...I'll have your head..." her voice was barely a whisper.

"Shhhhhh, Ava," Emily choked back a sob. "He's taking you home."

Salvatore sighed sadly as he leaned down to take Ava in his arms. He gazed at Emily for a moment before heading out of the woods. Emily stood there. The wind causing her hair to whip at her face. Silently, she turned back to the tavern.

He watched the city lights of Boston as the limousine came over the hill. A slightly saddened sigh came from him as he looked at the unconscious woman in the seat across from him. His voice was low, almost too inaudible to hear, but the driver did.

"Her home is on the other side of Boston, Trev," Salvatore Donetti stated.

The driver looked in the review mirror to his master. A concerned look flashing over his face for a brief moment. He nodded in response.

Salvatore reached across to the other seat to gently touch the pasty white face of the female lying there. How different she looked now. The woman stirred as he touched her face. A soft moan coming from her and a name.

"Vito."

He quickly pulled his hand back. A strange look came over his face as he nodded whispering, "Soon, Ava. Soon. We are almost to your home."

He continued to watch her as they drove through Boston. His mind wandering over the past centuries of his search to find her. He found her not months ago, but he had been too late. Ava Detourne had joined a organization in which was much too dangerous for him to challenge. Now, she was in love and completely devoted to the one who had trained her long ago...Vito Cascio. Somehow, deep in the recesses of his mind, Salvatore knew she loved Vito, but never had he thought Vito would return those feelings.

His gaze remained on the beautiful woman. Yes, she was beautiful, despite her weakened state. Waist length raven black hair framed her face and body as she lied on the seat. Her face would be a dark color, an indication of her Italian background, had she not let herself become so weak. Beneath the eyelids were hazel eyes that changed color with her every mood. Her lips were full, sensuous, and red. Her body lithe, yet definely toned. He remembered watching her dance. How graceful, fluid, and supple her body moved. Not matter what she did.

The car began to slow as it approached the long drive to the gate of her estate. Salvatore took his gaze off from Ava's form to watch the large mansion come into view. It was quiet all around him. Too quiet. Occasionally, he could make out one or two forms in the black shadows that played across the grounds. Guards. Both of Ava's and Vito's resources. This place was as dangerous as the worst parts of Boston.

His mind suddenly flashed to Emily. The English beauty he had come to know and...he paused in his thoughts. Could it be possible? Did he love Emily? A soft smile appeared on his lips as the thought came to him. He nodded thinking of all he had done for her.

"Yes," he quietly admitted to himself, "I had planned to use her to get to Ava and Vito, but that has changed." He sighed. "I must find Emily immediately and tell her."

The limousine stopped in front of the mansion. The driver quickly stepped out opening the door for Salvatore. The Italian man stepped out gracefully and looked up. Yes, this was Ava's home. He could see her taste in decor in it. No lights, except one in two windows on the second level of the main part of the mansion, were on.

He gently and carefully took Ava in his arms. Again, she moaned Vito's name; her face contorting into an expression of anguish and pain. Salvatore paused before climbing the steps to the door. He would not be greeted too kindly here. He had intruded on all of this.

He climbed the stairs. One of the large oak doors opened slowly. A small Spanish woman dressed in grey maid like clothes stood at the door. Seeing her mistress, her eyes widened and she ushered Salvatore inside.

"What has happened to her?" Maria whispered hoarsely, looking nervously to the stairs.

"It is not my place to say, Madamoiselle. I have come to bring her here so she can be taken care of," Salvatore replied.

Maria studied him a moment; then, she nodded. She looked up looking to her left. A large man standing well close to 6'7" stepped out of the shadows. His eyes were a piercing blue. His hair as black as Ava's. He silently walked to Salvatore, gingerly taking Ava in his large, muscled arms. A low grunt came from him as his eyes narrowed at Salvatore.

Salvatore gazed after the man carrying Ava for a few moments. Then, Maria touched his arm lightly. He looked down at her.

"You had best leave, Senor. Master Vito does not take too kindly to unexpected guests," her voice was kindly and motherly.

Salvatore smiled softly and nodded, "Of course, but please, do me a favor. When Madamoiselle Ava is better, do not tell her who brought her here."

Maria nodded in slight understanding as Salvatore exited the mansion. She watched as a carriage drove up to the limousine. A man rushed out, carrying a yoing woman in his arms. Salvatore's face fellinto one of sorrow. Taking the womanin his arms, he stepped into the limousine. Maria stood in the doorway watching the limousine drive off. She was not the only one.

In the lighted window, stood the figure of Vito Cascio. His dark eyes glowing a soft red.

Andrew Natana climbed the stairs gazing sadly at his mistress in his arms. He turned left, heading toward the northwest wing of the mansion. He knew Vito would be in Ava's room awaiting them.

One of the mahogany wood doors to Ava's room was open. In the sitting room stood Vito Cascio standing in front of the fireplace. As Andrew stepped in, Vito's low voice floated to his ears.

"Put her on the bed, Andrew, and leave us alone until I send for you."

Andrew fought the urge to growl at the man. How he hated Vito. He did nothing for no one but Ava...until Vito came back that is. Andrew would only listen to Vito because that is what his mistress wanted.

He walked through the sitting room, carrying Ava gingerly into her bedroom. Slowly and gently, he laid her on the bed. Her face was a pasty white, and perspiration sprinkled her brow. Andrew's face became a boy's face suddenly full of fear and worry. He was about to reach out to touch her face when Vito's voice came from behind him.

"Leave."

The expression on the large man's face became stoic suddenly.. His brilliant blue eyes flashing red for just a moment. He turned around looking at Vito for a few moments before brushing pass him into the hall, closing the doors behind him.

Vito did not look back to Andrew as the man left. Instead, he stared at the bed where Ava lied. He watched her chest rise and fall in shallow breaths. Her figure seemed fragile and lost in the large canopy bed. How child-like she appeared.

The fierce look in Vito's dark eyes became soft as he stepped toward the bed. Ava moaned softly, and her face contorted into an expression of anguish. Vito stopped to watch; a bit of concern in his eyes.

"Vito...Vito..." she moaned softly. Her pale hands clenching and raking at the bedspread. "I can't reach him. He won't let me near him now. Why did he leave?"

He stood there in shocked silence. His thoughts trying to figure out what she refers to. He watched her as she started to writhe in the bed as if fighting someone off. His hands clenching into fists when he realized she was referring to his leaving to New Venice.

"No! Damn him! Why does he do this?" she screeched. Her hands snapping up as if holding someone off her.

Vito rushed to her side, grabbing her hands. This only caused her to fight more. A low growl came from deep within Ava's throat. She was dreaming, but it was giving her an incredible strength. He held tight to her wrists while she moaned and started to sob. Blood tears slowly slid down her beautiful pasty white face.

Vito's eyes frantically searched her face. His eyes sad now. His mind filled with every thought in her mind. Flashes of her nightmares in his mind. This was their bond. The blood bond they had shared. He was angry at her for not feeding for days...or had it been weeks? Yet, he knew why she hadn't. It was because of him. Despite her cruel Sire and her fierce training, Ava had retained most, if not all, of her humanity. She worried for Vito. That is why she had not fed. To her that did not matter. It was Vito's safety and well being that concerned her the most.

Her tears were staining the white satin pillowcases. Her sobs wracked her body, and she began to cough violently. Her fingers suddenly clasped onto his wrists.

"Vito..."

He sighed, not daring to let go of her hands. They were cold, and it burnt. Like severely cold ice. He didn't flinch though. Slowly, he sat down on the bed and leaned down to whisper in her ear.

"Calm, My Love. I'm here."

Ava's body stiffened suddenly. She gasped for air as if emerging from beneath water. Her body slowly relaxed, and then, her eyes slowly opened to slits.

"Vito?" her voice was barely audible. It was weak.

He nodded. He would say nothing now about her not feeding. That would have to come later. Furthermore, he would have to lie to her about Emily. He saw Salvatore Donetti take the girl with him. Vito knew that if Ava found out, all hell would break loose.

Ava stared up at him with glassy slitted eyes. The hazel of her eyes unnaturally dark. Her body seeming to shrink with each passing minute. Slowly, reluctantly, Vito let go of her wrists. Using a nail, he slit his wrist and brought the bleeding wound to her now white lips. Ava moaned a protest, but as soon as the coppery liquid touched her tongue, a moan of ecstasy escaped her.

With shaky hands, she took hold of Vito's wrist to hold it to her mouth. Vito winced slightly, but feeling her feed made wave after wave of ecstasy wash over him. Yet, as she fed, he began to grow weak.. A groan escaped him. Ava's color returned slightly to her face. A soft growl came from her. The light in her eyes brightening. Suddenly, her eyes snapped fully open. She wrenched Vito's wrist from her mouth. Vito groaned again, slumping against the post of the bed.

She licked the blood from her lips, and then, took his hand, licking the wound lightly to seal it. She crawled over to him, wrapping her arms around his neck, kissing him softly.

"Forgive me, Vito, please. Forgive me," she murmured in his ear.

"Stop it," he answered lowly. He slumped even more.

She sighed, knowing all he wanted to do was rest. She helped him undress and into bed. His eyes closed as soon as his head hit the pillow. She leaned down, brushing her lips very softly against his.

"I love you, Vito Cascio, " Ava whispered.

A low murmur came from him. She smiled sadly, and curled up next to him. His arm moving to hold her close against him.