Sometimes I really feel awkward when they compare me to the Victoria they once knew. What's more awkward, is that knowing the fact that she's a criminal known for murdering her own husband. Don't they think I get offended by that? Well, my place is incomparable to Will's. I can't imagine being on his shoes, well not literally, I meant the part where his own mother killed his father.

After Jill said that, I did an awkward cough. Hoping he'd get the message. Will was just in front of him, he's either blind or insensitive. If I were in his position, I don't even want to hear the name of my own mother.

"Were here." Anna broke the awkward silence.

We've arrived at the shore to their private resort and it was almost sunrise. I can now clearly see the whole thing. The mansion was really huge, as expected. The other side had a similar building with the same structural design as the mansion, but it seemed way bigger. I'm guessing that's a hotel, or something for commercial use. The huge swimming pool in front of it was very eye catching, I do wish I'd have the chance to take a plunge into it before going back to the city.

Wow. And I thought Will was bipolar. Seconds ago I was crying nonstop, now I feel like diving into a pool. I laughed, mentally.

We've arrived at the door of the mansion and Anna said she'd like to go on a walk. I asked her if she needed me as a companion, knowing Jack can't go out anymore since the sun is about to rise. She gladly took my offer, and Jack thanked me.

"So, shall we?" I asked Anna, as I lift my arm like a prince waiting for his princess, she laughed and took it.

We strolled along the shore, as I wet my feet with the small waves crashing to the sand. Anna suddenly sat on the sand and I followed, sitting right next to her. She threw a pebble to the sea and sighed heavily.

"Jill hatez me." She said, which surprised me. I didn't know she was this blunt.

"Why are you saying that?" I asked, playing coy. Well, aside from the obvious stares that Jill throws at her, even I have already figured that out.

"I can feel it." She paused. Well, I can feel it too, the tension between Jill and Jack. And yes, also the intensity of Jill's piercing stares. "But Jack won't tell me anything."

"I think you shouldn't stress yourself with that. The baby will have a headache." She laughed but then nodded. "So how'd you guys met?" I asked to avoid the topic of Jill being possibly jealous of her.

"Me and Jack?" She asked and I nodded. "He waz ah one of my witnezzez, when I pledged in a local court in Ruzzia."

"Oh. So how long have you guys dated?"

"I waz juzt... uhm azzigned to be hiz bearer." She looked down, and drew random stuffs on the sand. Her voice was filled with pure sadness. It was heart-breaking to hear.

I involuntarily rubbed her back, when she started sulking. This is so my fault, I shouldn't have asked her that, or even say anything at all.

"I didn't choze to be a bearer." She said behind hiccups.

"Anna..." I really don't know what to say. She's experiencing the nightmare I've dreaded. When, I, supposed to become a keeper and can't choose a branch for myself.

"Why didn't you backed out?" Well, I've asked probably the worst question in this situation. I mentally chewed my own tongue.

"I made a promize..." She stopped crying and wiped her tears. "...to my friend, Lea. That I'll be a keeper and be a part of her world."

I hugged her. "You're so brave! You stood up on your word. No matter how difficult it was. You should be proud of that." I let go of her and touched her belly. "And I think your child will too." She smiled at me.

"Thank you." She said and stood up.

"If you ever need someone to talk to, or someone to let off some steam. I'm just a call away." I told her and joined her again, as she headed back to the mansion.

"I will. You uh leaving now, right?" She asked and I nodded.

"Yes. Later after lunch I guess. I still have school tomorrow." I sighed. I haven't fully enjoyed this resort on my stay here.

"Your life wouldn't be the zame. After that." She said to me with sad eyes.

"Yeah. Well, it began when I met those two freaks." She laughed, I think she already knew who I'm talking about.

"Do you have a name for the baby?" I asked her one of the most common questions thrown to a pregnant woman. But instead of proudly saying the names she thought of, she rapidly shook her head, which made me feel like she's keeping something from me. She stopped walking as her eyes starts to wet again. "Hey, you okay?"

"I can't be with the baby." She said and buried her face under her palms. I hugged her again. Oh my god. Does she mean she'll only be like a carrier of the baby, then she'll hand it over to Jack after labor?

That is so cruel! I mean, I don't hate Jack for this. It's their system I hate!

"Is there a way for you to be with your baby?" I asked her and she nodded, I felt a ray of hope.

"Marriage." She was able to say it in between hiccups. And I inhaled deeply, that ray started to fade.

I have no idea if Jack is the committed type, or if there's something going on between him and Jill. I seriously can't put this puzzle together. But I sure think Jack won't just take the baby away from its mother. I know his a nice guy, I'm 99.9% sure of that. The remaining percentage? Well, that's the percent of my guts telling me he's secretly a douche, which I'm hoping he's not.

"Let's just get inside. I think the baby had enough vitamin D." I said and she nodded. The sun's rays has gotten stronger now, and I sure think wearing black won't help with the heat. "How about some ice cream for breakfast?" I suggested, which made her laugh.

We went straight to the kitchen when we arrived at the mansion. The chefs there weren't that surprised to see us, knowing that the other two – Tristan and Will – was a step ahead of us and is now munching on some sandwich in the counter.

"Well, well, looks like we've been breached." Tristan said.

"You guys are under arrest for eating breakfast without us. Put your hands on the air..." I said and Tristan cut me off.

"...act like we don't care." He laughed, but then he tapped his hand on a stool beside him. "Sit down already." We laughed, including the chefs.

Well, Anna can't seat on the high stool, so we decided to eat on the dining table. The helpers gathered an array of breakfast foods, which is far more than enough for the four of us. Tristan and Will continued eating, it seemed like the sandwich was only their appetizer.

One helper brought a bottle of wine, and this time I know it's not simply wine. "Would you have some princess?" Will asked, but sounded more like a dare.

I squinted my eyes. Let's see if my phobia is really gone. "Yeah, but just a smidge." I gestured the amount of wine with the use of my fingers. The helper did put on the exact amount I wanted. I studied the red liquid in my glass, and there was no more weird feeling in my stomach while I smell and stare at it. My phobia's gone!

But honestly, it's still gross though, I can't help but think whose blood this belongs to. "Can I have juice instead?" I asked and they laughed.

"Wow. I didn't know being brought up as a human, makes you have higher tolerance to blood." Will said as he easily gulped the blood in his glass.

I shrugged. "I just can't drink something I'm unsure of. Like if the owner of this..." I paused and held my glass up. "... has clean blood."

"Of course it's clean. They'd obviously check the blood donors first." Tristan said with the duh tone he always nails. "So don't be a pussy and try it."

I flashed him the holy finger but actually gave in to curiosity. So I took a sip and well, the taste was indescribable. It feels like a drink I can't get enough of, like a drug. I kept drinking, until the last drop.

"Holy shit." And again my thoughts were summed up into two words. I can't believe it, this is what I've been missing my whole life! "Can I have a full glass? Wait, just hand over the bottle." They laughed even the helper.

"Easy there tiger." We all turned when we heard Divina's voice, as she entered the dining hall. She pulled a chair and sat in front of me.

"Jill filled me in the details about you're, uh, suppressed craving." She said and gestured the helper to get her a glass.

"It's a good thing we have a resident hypnotist." I said with a wink and she laughed.

"I'm glad you're taking this pretty calmly." She told me, as she lightly touched my hand. I smiled at her, trying to hide the fact that I was a step away from going crazy a few minutes ago.

"I can't imagine how you survived for years without supplement." Will joined the conversation. I only replied with a dumbfounded expression. I have no idea what he's talking about.

"Vampires are born with a severe case of anemia. That's why we need extra blood as supplement to what we lack. Well, aside from the half-bloods who can survive with minimum dosage." Divina explained, which gave me an idea to their - I mean our - weird cravings. So blood was a need more than a want.

"So that's what's inside the small vile you guys were drinking that time at the condo. The medicine." I asked the two boys for confirmation to my guess.

"Yep." Tristan simply said. "We only need a bit, or we'll get hyper active. One vile a day, that's the rule."

"Uhm rules really are meant to be broken." I pointed at Will who refilled his glass again. "I think that's Will's third glass."

"Occasional drinking is fine princess." He simply said, then winked at me.

"Will. That's enough." Divina said with that motherly strict voice. "Marvin don't give him anymore of that." She said to the helper who's standing idly on the side with a bottle in hand.

"So how'd you survive years without supplement?" Tristan asked the question I hoped was long forgotten.

"Honestly. I don't know." I said the truth, plain and simple.