"You're miserable, Emmett. I really think the only way you will ever be able to move on, is if you to take a trip to New Orleans. Maybe take Edward with you for support."

And that's how I ended up here. Stuck on an almost eight hour flight between Edward and some overweight gelatinous blob with an odor that could knock out a moose. I was hardly able to contain my excitement when the captain announced we were heading into our final decent.

With some thoughtful planning, we we're able to schedule our flight so that we arrived in New Orleans around eight in the evening. Traveling at night was our only option afterall, since there was still the matter of us 'sparkling' in the daylight. I really hoped that this wouldn't hinder our ability to find her.

But even if I did find her, then what? I'm sure she's still furious with me for letting her walk away. And what excuse do I have for that?

None.

"C'mon, brother." Edward smiled as he clasped me on the shoulder on our way out of the airport. "It's a beautiful evening. Perhaps Lady Luck will be on our side."

"Ha!" I scoffed, shaking my head. "That bitch has been against me since Rosalie died."

Edward nodded his head but didn't say much after that, and I felt almost guilty for being in such a sour mood all the time. But what did he know? Sure he had lost Bella, but he still had Renesmee. I should have fought for Evie, instead of being such a coward. I should have fought to the death for her. Because, so far, a life without her, has been no life at all.

I trailed slowly behind Edward as he strolled down the streets of New Orleans, and was actually surprised by how lively they were. We stopped once for directions, and a moment later we had rounded the corner street for our hotel, but unfortunately, that was as far as we got.

"What in the world do you think is going on?" Edward asked.

I could only shake my head in bewilderment as I took in the large crowds gathered on opposite sides of the street. I honestly had no idea.

"It's Mardi Gras!" Someone answered as they tossed a few colorful beads our way. "And you're just in time too," they explained with a drunken slur. "The parade is about to start."

Edward shot me a horrified look and as the music grew closer, we frantically tried to shove our way past the hordes of people-- but it was no use. So if you cant beat 'em, join 'em, right?

At first it was just a twitch, but as the band passed by, I found myself grinning from ear to ear as I tapped  along with 'The Saints'. The floats grew closer and the crowds tightened up, cramming in to every space available. When suddenly I was surrounded by the overwhelming stench of wet dog.

Another look of panic flashed in Edward's eyes and I knew he had caught the scent too. But oddly enough, if they smelled us they made no indication of knowing what we were. I guess they just didn't care, or maybe this was just a normal, every day occurance. Whatever it was, I couldn't help but wonder if they somehow new Evie.

"I hear the Alpha has finally chosen a new Queen," I overheard one of them say as I stepped closer.

"Yeah. Well it doesn't matter," the other one spat. "Those two will never replace Jackson and Hayley--"

Hayley. I was sure I had heard that name before. Perhaps these shifters really did know where Evie was. I was about to open my mouth when suddenly somebody shouted.

"There she is!"

I turned my head and gazed up at the float coming down the street as the Grand Marshall announced the King and Queen of the Mardi Gras Parade. I was uncertain at first, but as the float came closer my dead, unbeating heart sunk into my stomach.

"Just-- just look away," Edward suggested, glancing back at me warily.

But I wouldn't. I couldn't. It just wasn't that easy.

With my heart torn in pieces, I watched as Evie waved gracefully to the crowds beneath her. She was elegant, dressed to the nines and all in white-- as was the monster behind her. But she looked happy. She looked like she belonged. 

My heart broke a little more as Klaus' arms tightened around her possessively. The warning glare planted on his face was enough to threaten anyone who would dare take what was his. At the same time, Evelyn's eyes swept over the crowd towards me, and for a moment I thought I saw the smile fall from her face. But I was sure it was just my imagination. There was no way in a crowd of a million faces she would be able to pick out mine.

The parade continued, but I eventually turned away. The sea of scantily clad flesh doing nothing to help my sudden feeling of claustrophobia. I had to get out of here. In fact, I was starting to question why I had come at all.

I flashed away with Edward hot on my heels, and I couldn't have given a shit less about exposing us. 

"Emmett!" Edward called from behind me. "Emmett, stop!"

But I was inconsolable.

"I knew we shouldn't have come," I angrily ranted. "But stupid Carlisle insisted. And did you see how happy she was?" I asked. "Did you!?"

"Easy, brother. Easy," Edward replied soothingly as he placed a palm against my chest. "And she might of seemed happy on the outside, but trust me. That look she got once she saw you--"

My head snapped up.

"You think?" I questioned. So he had seen it too.

"I know," he smiled reassuringly. "And the Emmett I know, also doesn't give up that easily."

"Maybe. But I already lost her one--"

Suddenly, excruciating pain erupted inside my head as I fell to the ground. I looked up just as a tall, dark skinned man with curly hair headed towards us with his hands outstretched. From beside me, Edward began screaming as he gripped both sides of his head. What the hell was this guy doing to us?

"I think you boys are a long way from home," the man said. "Which means you're probably up to no good."

As he lowered his hands, the pain in my skull went away. Judging by the silence of Edward, I assumed the pain must have subsided for him too.

"So, do you want to tell me what business you could possibly have here in the buyou," the man challenged. "Or should I go back to the torture method."

"No! P-- please," Edward struggled to speak as he slowly stood up. "We'll tell you anything you want."

"Way to be a bad ass," I snickered, but in all honesty, I probably would have told him whatever he wanted too.

"We're looking for a friend of ours," Edward began. 

He had always been better with negotiations. It was probably do to the fact that he could read their minds, but there was just something about him that made people like him. Trust him.

"Perhaps you know her?" he pressed. "Her name is Evelyn-- Evelyn Webster."

"You mean Klaus' girl?" 

With a raised eyebrow, an amused smirk tugged at his lips as he waited for us to answer. I eyed Edward suspiciously, but he nodded anyways.

"Yeah, that's her," I snarled, nearly choking on the words I was about to repeat. "Klaus' girl."

"Well now I know you're up to no good."

Clapping his hands, the man extended his hand before introducing himself. 

"The name's Vincent," he told us with a smile. "And any enemy of Klaus', is a friend of mine."

"Oh, we're not enemies--"

"You're here to steal back your girl, aren't ya?"

"Well, yeah. But how could you--"

"Then trust me," he exclaimed, instantly stopping me short. "You ain't friends of his. So tell me, how do a couple of pale, sparkly, nearly frozen vampires plan to break into one of the most secured compounds on the planet?"

Edward gave me a sideways glance before answering. How did this guy seem to know so much about us anyways?

"Well uh, we hadn't thought that far ahead yet."

"Hadn't thought that far, huh," Vincent smirked before rubbing the back of his neck. "Well then I guess it's lucky for you, I came along."

"Yeah," I frowned. "Real lucky."

Vincent chuckled as he turned and began walking back down the alley. 

"Where-- where is he going?" I asked shooting Edward an alarming look. "Do we follow?"

Edward shrugged. "How should I know?" 

"Come on!" Vincent turned slightly as he hollared back at us. Shaking his head, he let out another chuckle as we hesitated to follow. "We've gotta go get you two fitted for a tux."