Liliana felt numb as they traveled toward her former home. She blocked everything she could—bonds, emotions, pain, hunger but it didn't make her feel any better. Not really. She was broken and lost wanting nothing more than to run back to her mates to convince them that she could fix all of this somehow.

"I'm still not sure this was the smartest decision," Sebastian spoke from the seat across from her, pulling her attention from the view outside the window.

Her eyes darted over to him in annoyance. Maybe she should have gotten someone else to come with her. She'd become rather used to people doing what she said and having everything constantly questioned by the man was getting on her nerves. "For the third time, if the kings wish to find us, it would be a simple matter, particularly with Demetri in their ranks. I am not going to fly commercial when the Volturi have private jets at their disposal. Besides, the airlines would have frowned at my carry on." She gestured at her sword laying across the seat beside her. "Now, please shut up. I'm tired and need a nap." Why he seemed so concerned with the kings being able to find them when they were the ones that had sent her away in the first place, she had no idea.

She closed her eyes and leaned her head back on the seat.

After a long stretch of silence, he spoke. "We can't sleep."

She simply hummed in agreement and didn't speak to him again until the plane landed. Fortunately, it was full dark so they could do what she'd come here to do without waiting for nightfall.

Lily stood and brushed the wrinkles from her clothes. "Welcome to Chicago, Sebastian."

His brows shot up. "Chicago? I thought we were going to see your family."

"We are. This is the first stop. We'll run from here to Forks. I could use the fresh air." The Cullens were family and she was making her way there, but there was someone else she wanted to see right now. Garrett was roaming the streets around here somewhere picking off criminals and Lily needed to find him. It shouldn't be too hard. She was hoping she could convince him to travel with her. She wasn't a fool, she knew that her position and her mates warranted a need for more protection. And she needed people she could trust. She'd never feel safer than she would having Garrett and Jasper at her back.

She glanced over to Sebastian. "I wouldn't talk when we find my friend. He still holds a bit of a grudge from the war. Doesn't care for Brits much."

He frowned. "Which war?"

"Revolution." With that, she adjusted her bag and sword on her back and darted toward the middle of the city. She knew the areas where he preferred to hunt. It shouldn't take her long to find him from there. Once they arrived at the seedier part of town, she made her way to a rooftop. After scanning for the old soldier visually, she settled on a wall and closed her eyes to focus on her other senses.

Lily wasn't certain how long she'd sat there before she heard the whimpering plea.

Oh, god. What are you? Please don't kill me.

And then that familiar voice responded saying it wasn't personal. Garrett was playing with his food. Minutes later, she stood at the entrance to the alley with Sebastian hovering behind her. Garrett stilled when he heard them approach. "Long time, no see, soldier."

He whipped around at that and looked her over from head to toe. Raising slowly to his full height, he tilted his head and licked his lips. "Liliana Montgomery. Haven't seen you in an age, girl."

"Sebastian, why don't you dispose of what's left of his meal while Garrett and I have a chat?" It sounded like a suggestion but the guard was smart enough to realize it was anything but.

Her eyes followed him as he moved deeper into the alley before flicking back to Garrett. He walked toward her then, closing the distance between them. She sighed. His demeanor wasn't cold, but was definitely chillier than she was used to. By now she'd expected to be wrapped up in a bear hug while he pestered her with questions about her life and the Cullens. Perhaps it was time and distance along with her change in status. Or perhaps it was the invisible thing that seemed to be affecting her relationships with everyone.

"What are you doing here, your highness?"

"You call me that again and I will kick your ass," she responded automatically. She ran a hand through her hair. "I need your help."

He shifted his weight and crossed his arms over his chest. "What makes you think I'll get involved in Volturi business? You should know me better than that."

"It's not Volturi business. It's my business."

His head tilted back as he laughed. "You are the Volturi, Liliana. I may keep to myself. Doesn't mean I don't know what's going on."

"I kind of figured that out when you called me 'your highness'." She was frustrated. There was a time not so long ago she wouldn't even have had to ask. He would have jumped at any chance to help her. "I need someone I can trust at my back, Garrett."

That caught his attention. "What about your shadow?" He gestured to Sebastian with a tilt of his head. The guard stood a short distance away leaning on the wall looking irritated at being left out of the conversation.

She shrugged. "He's been kinder than some but I don't know him. Not like you and Jasper."

"So, the major will be joining us?"

"I assume so. I haven't asked him yet."

He huffed a laugh. "That boy has never been able to say no to you."

The corner of her mouth kicked up. "There was a time you didn't either."

When he continued to internally debate her request rather than agreeing, she sighed again. She didn't like what she was about to do. She'd wanted his willing help. "You swore to me once that you would help me anytime, anyplace."

"Hmm. I suppose I did. Let me gather my things and we'll go."

Relief flooded through her tinged with just a bit of hurt at his clear irritation at the reminder. She clenched her teeth against all the words she could say and gave a quick nod. "There is just one more thing," she said and motioned for Sebastian to come over. "Introduce yourself."

"Hello. Name's Sebastian."

Garrett scowled. "Really, Lily? A Brit? No wonder you need my help."

***

The trip to Forks was far different than she would have imagined. Garrett, who would ordinarily be regaling her with tales she'd heard twenty times over, had to be coaxed into any and all conversation. Meanwhile, Sebastian was pouting. There really was no other word for it.

Garrett refused to allow the guard within ten feet of either of them maintaining he 'didn't have to be up her ass' to guard her properly. When Sebastian tried to get her to overrule Garrett's edict, she'd simply stared at him. Sebastian was her guard. She'd even go so far as to say they were friends. But Garrett was family and one of the few people she'd allow to make decisions when it came to her safety without her input. Even if their relationship was strained from what she was used to, she still trusted him implicitly.

The closer they got to Forks, the more hyper Garrett became. By the time they hit the edge of town he was literally bouncing on his feet. The sight made her grin. When they reached the house it was quieter than she'd expected. She thought Alice would have seen Garrett's decision to accompany her and they'd be waiting.

Even though she still considered it her home, Lily knocked on the door. Walking unexpected into a house full of vampires was never a good idea. Garrett stood beside her while Sebastian stayed further back. Rose answered the door. The wide smile that covered her face when she spotted Garrett faded around the edges as she turned her attention to her sister.

"Liliana. You shouldn't have come here."