The chains rattled first, metal scraping against marble. Then came the scent—venom, blood, something burned.
They dragged him in. Shackles dug into raw wrists, his broad shoulders scarred and bruised. Honey-blond hair hung in filthy tangles, but it was his black, empty eyes that made Bella’s breath catch.
“Major Whitlock,” Aro purred, “your new charge has arrived.”
The vampire in chains didn’t bow. He just stared.
Then—he laughed.
“Babysit a human?” His voice was gravel and steel.
A slow, cruel smile curved his lips.
“Oh, darlin’… you have no idea what you just signed up for.”

The ring on my finger felt like a shackle.
“You’re being unreasonable, love,” Edward’s voice held that particular tone that made my teeth clench. He stood by my desk, perfect and immovable as a marble statue.
“Angela’s birthday party is simply too risky right now.”
“Too risky?” I spun from my bookshelf. “It’s at her house, Edward. With her family. Just a small gathering of friends—friends I barely see anymore because there’s always some reason why it’s ‘not safe.'” “The situation with Victoria…”
“Is over. She’s dead.” I grabbed Angela’s invitation, waving it like a flag. “This is the third time this month you’ve stopped me.”