The party was still in full swing when I arrived at the ballroom doors. The blood flowed filling the air with its sickly sweet sent. Couples danced in complicated patters as they battled their lashes with teasing flirtation. I quickly walked to the center of the floor, my eyes scanning the familiar faces. Gwen was no where to be seen and I could only faintly smell Esme in the distance. Where had everybody gone? I was unnoticed in the crowd, my steps made no noise as I crossed the floor. I moved through the shadows. It was imperative that I found Gwen before she found me.

Dracula's outcropping was empty, the wooden door behind the throne looked bolted shut. I spun slowly under a crystal chandelier and searched every face, inspected every every glance, and examined all conversations I could hear. It all seemed in place. The Vultori had to be in the castle and, if Dracula and most of the Cullen's were missing, they had to be planning something. But where were they? I thought popped into my mind, as loudly as if someone had spoken the words right in my ear.

I closed my eyes and centered my being, planting my boot-clad feet firmly on the marbled tile floor. I took a deep, relaxing breath, a human habit I had not been able to shake, and slowly began to send pulses of power originating from my head through my body, radiating on the floor. My arms began to shake as I kept stretching my powers, searching the castle. I quickly discarded the presence of the people dancing and drinking in the ballroom and instead searched the more obscure halls and back rooms.

Alice and Jasper were still in my room, examining the wreckage. I could feel Alice trying to use my possessions to inspire visions. It was no use. Rose and Emmett were walking with other members of Dracula's inner circle but I couldn't tell where they were headed. The club was empty of any importance. I could feel the human hearts beat with determination. I almost lost my concentration, the breath quickly escaping from my body. I was using my powers as radar and could feel each presence, alive and dead, as clearly as if I could see them.

Finally, I reached Dracula, not far from the library I liked to frequent. Edward and Carlisle were close in how vicinity. I smiled, but the rush of satisfaction was short lived. I felt his presence behind me immediately.

"Demetri." I didn't move, scolding myself mentally for not noticing him sooner. I could sense him smile. Smelling his thick cologne filling the air. He took steps towards me, "we've been looking for you. You haven't reported back in a few weeks, it makes us nervous. Where is the team?" He already knew the answer.

My eyes darted around me but I couldn't find an exit. It didn't matter anyway, he would be able track me. We had been friendly, and though my regular mental functions were blocked, he could still sense my power exertion. It had been a useful trick when I had wanted to give him directions when we wanted to be discreat.

I watched Jane and Alec approach. I had to think quickly. I still hadn't figured out what to believe, I wasn't familiar with the new characters who had just recently entered my life. I hadn't even been a great judge of the people I had worked with for the past few years. I had been betrayed by those who I believed would protect me.

I relaxed my body and turned for Demetri. I smiled, forcing my lips out of their firm line- it took effort. I reached for his hand.

I chose self preservation, a trait I only understood once my life had changed. I chose to protect myself. I would survive.