Chapter Text
The day was brand new when Gianna came into the throne room.
Technically speaking, it was beginning, though the sun was far from breaking through the sky with its rays. The calendar always seemed to breeze by, days bleeding into nights bleeding into each other. Demetri found it difficult to keep up with such rapid changes; he would be doing something for only a moment to find upon finishing that the humans in the castle went to bed and rose from it several times, completing countless little tasks in the meantime. Time was a backdrop piece, an afterthought. It no longer wrapped itself around him like a blanket, gradually suffocating him with age and decay. It simply unfolded around him, a mighty beast rendered powerless.
That was until she came, of course. He could barely keep himself away from her, taking note of her whereabouts whenever he could, noticing every single day coming to an end as she went to bed like every other human they housed. It was agonising, truthfully. He had long forgotten how short a span of twenty-four hours was. It seemed like Bella Swan had only woken up when she returned to her chamber and attempted to sleep again, only to have her nightmares shake her awake after a few hours. He found himself gravitating towards her, watching from a safe distance more often than he would like, trying not to impose his presence on her for too long. She had such little waking time each day...
With such restrictions, it should have been no surprise that his body moved on its own as the sun bathed the streets outside, some invisible force pulling him to her vacant bedchamber. Mindlessly, he wandered until he found himself enclosed by its bare walls, moving like a lost soul gravitating towards the light. The room was still void of any trace of character, a blank canvas his Bella was yet to paint to her heart’s delight. Any personal item inside was a treasure, and he loved a treasure hunt.
Demetri convinced himself she would not notice the absence of a few belongings, were he to take a souvenir every other time he ventured into her room. He convinced himself he was collecting rather than stealing. Could she not get a new pen or a new hairbrush? Those specific items meant nothing to her beyond their practical function. To him, they were small pieces of her, little portions of a calming balm to relieve the burning inside him until he could have all of her to himself. It was barely enough to keep him at bay.
Gianna cleared her throat.
For her, the day would not truly start before a few hours had passed. As it was, she might not even live to see the sun rising one last time.
Her unsteady heartbeat resounding through the stone walls of the room was deafening in such proximity. The compass etched in him came alive, responding automatically to his struggle to locate others around him, for Gianna’s heart drowned out every other sound, even her own laboured breath. He felt everyone in the room first, finding all the others in the compound soon after.
All but one.
It was a constant pain, that missing piece. Fate had been particularly cruel by deciding to send her back to him with that little quirk, though he couldn’t say he didn’t deserve it. Not after what he had done to her when he first had her.
He couldn’t remember Gianna’s presence being this oppressive. Her scent was marred by the heavy smell of her fear, though it had never been tantalising in the first place. Just like herself, it was perfectly ordinary. She stood tall and proud in the middle of the throne room, surrounded by the Guard and their three kings, only barely keeping her high-heeled shoes from sinking into the large grate on the ground. She was good at keeping a calm front, he had to admit. Though her heart beat furiously in her chest, she remained poised and unmoving. She didn’t flinch when cold sweat started dripping from her temples, didn’t move to wipe the droplets from her face. She waited patiently and quietly,chin up, shoulders back. Her composure only fuelled Demetri’s need to watch her kicking and screaming, begging for mercy. Though he tried to be just in his judgement of her, he hadn’t quite managed to rid himself of the anger her actions had provoked. Her reckless disregard of his warnings and wishes left the bitter taste of disrespect in his mouth.
Aro stood from his seat.
“Good morning, Gianna. Thank you for joining us today.” He smiled reassuringly. Demetri scoffed internally. He understood Aro’s need for pleasantries towards the human servants, but it unnerved him all the same on most occasions, and especially on this one.
The human nodded, as if she had any choice in the matter. Across from him, on the other side of the room, Jane rolled her eyes.
“Well, as we are all aware, we are here for Gianna’s periodical appraisal.” Aro looked around as he smiled softly at the guards. “Now, before I let any of you come forward with your opinions and reasons, I would like to bring attention to the fact that Gianna will be twenty-eight years old this year. That is reasonably over the limit we tend to set for our secretaries, and we already have a few candidates lined up to replace her.” His eyes flashed with an evil glint in the otherwise dark room.
It was clear that Aro was against keeping the woman in her current position for another year. If not for her recent quarrels with Bella, Demetri wouldn’t particularly care for her permanence. He didn’t think twenty-eight was old at all, not for that position. In fact, he believed the only upside of recruiting young girls for such a job was the possibility of keeping them around for longer. Their youth came with inexperience, and was not a good trait in itself. The fact that Gianna survived for long enough to hone her skills should speak in her favour, not against her.
None of that truly mattered to him any more.
He was surprised that the kings even called for him. He had suspected he would be left out of Gianna’s evaluation that year, considering the most recent events. His presence in the room could be yet another indicator that she was to be disposed of.
By him.
Caius’s impatient voice echoed through the chamber. He believed it was a waste of his time to have direct involvement in the choice of secretaries, although Aro insisted they needed to handle it themselves. “She hasn’t made any major mistakes. Not just this past year, but ever. Twenty-eight is young; she could stay for ten or twenty years still.”
Aro’s eyes ran through the guards, landing on the twins. “Jane, Alec?”
“She’s one of the best we've ever had,” Jane declared begrudgingly. “No reason to let her go as of now.”
Alec frowned. “I don’t like her. She is so full of herself for no reason.” He looked at Gianna as if he was about to spit in her direction. “Too proud for someone so unimpressive, and too desperate to cling to this job for as long as possible. She knows she is ordinary and won’t ever be turned. Her bad behaviour will only get worse as she ages.”
Gianna flinched. Aro sighed, turning to Demetri.
“Would you care for an unbiased opinion, my friend?”
Demetri clenched his jaw, looking the human in the eye. Her fear was evident then, as she met his gaze with pupils so wide he could hardly see the green around them. He would be neutral and professional. Everyone in the room was aware of his wishes; there was no reason to voice them. Besides, he hoped being fair to the lowly creature in front of him would grant him a reward.
“She is, indeed, one of the best we’ve ever had,” he agreed. Gianna exhaled, relieved. “It is a hassle for Heidi to train someone new. As long as she makes no serious mistake that would warrant her demise, we should keep her.”
Heidi nodded, thanking him for the consideration. When Aro turned to her, she too agreed with Jane. Alec grew angrier, his dissatisfaction clear on his face only to the immortals in the room. There was no movement of his eyebrows, no crossing of his arms, no sound from him. The only evidence of his growing aggravation was the nearly imperceptible pressing of his lips. By his side, Jane’s smile was equally difficult to catch.
Internally, Demetri rejoiced. The boy outranked him, and his opinion held more weight. Aro looked at his prized child for long seconds, seemingly torn. He turned to Felix.
“She hasn’t done anything wrong,” the Executioner echoed. “But Alec is right. She has started to forget her place. One of the downsides of keeping humans for too long, I suppose. They get cocky.”
Gianna swallowed, the lump that moved down her throat attracting unwanted attention to her neck. The rise and fall of her chest was more pronounced then.
Aro heard Chelsea and Corin, who both shared Jane’s opinion. When her turn came, Renata stood with Felix. The leader allowed Afton and Santiago to make their remarks before finally turning to Marcus.
“Well, brother, what do you say?”
Marcus sighed, his will to put up with their façade nonexistent. “She hasn’t done anything wrong. However, I must say I sympathise with Demetri’s heartache. To placate his pain and distress, I believe he should have her.”
Fighting to keep himself in check, Demetri lowered his head. He could feel all eyes on him.
“Ah, of course. Although I do not think she deserves a punishment.” Aro sat back on his throne. Marcus waved him off.
“It has nothing to do with her. I’m sure she can understand that.”
Gianna winced. It did not look like she understood it at all.
Caius chuckled. “If Demetri truly wants her, I will not stand in his way. She is not irreplaceable; he is.”
Aro’s eyes swept the room, searching his guards’ faces again. Not one of them spoke out of turn, but there were glances exchanged.
“We all agree Gianna should not be punished, then,” Aro declared, a serious expression on his face now. “But do we think Demetri does not deserve a reward for his work?”
Silence. Gianna’s heartbeats engulfed all other noise again until Alec dared to speak.
“He never faltered. If making no major mistakes is any merit, then what of his exceptional work? He goes above and beyond each time. Just on the last mission, he found all the escaping newborns and their creator. The redhead was especially slippery, I’ve heard.”
A general murmur ran along the ranks. Raising his head just enough to catch a glimpse of his companions, Demetri saw them nodding in agreement and suppressed a smile.
“She was exceedingly good at escaping,” Jane noted. “He still caught up to her.”
“He has been consistently outstanding in all his years here,” Caius offered, an evil snicker stretching his lips in sadistic joy.
Aro rested his face on his hand, lazily lying across his seat. He addressed Marcus again.
“Will this not affect Isabella’s adaptation?”
Marcus shook his head. “Isabella does not care for her.”
Sighing again, Aro studied Gianna’s face. There was a certain sardonic disappointment on his own.
“Ah, dear Gianna. You had quite some time to make friends in here, and it seems like you made none. What a shame.”
Gianna gasped, her hands closing into fists. With a twirl of his cloak, Aro descended from the dais, followed by his brothers. As he passed by the human, he stopped, a translucent hand elegantly resting on her shoulder. Gianna jumped at the contact.
“Thank you for your service, my dear. I hope you do understand this is nothing personal on my part, hm?”
Her eyes darted to Demetri, returning to Aro’s face just as quickly.
“Master, please…” she whispered with difficulty, her voice rasping through her throat. “If I do not deserve any punishment, would you reconsider…?”
“Ah!” Aro clapped, making the human jump again. “I have been outvoted, child, as you have seen for yourself. This is out of my hands now.” He glided towards the doors, where Caius awaited him. Marcus had already made his exit. “You may still plead with Demetri, of course.”
With that, he left the room, prompting the guards to follow him out. Alec didn’t move immediately.
“Can we watch?”
Jane huffed. “Let him be.” She tugged at his sleeve, pointing to the door with her chin. Her brother frowned, but left the room as well, throwing a last longing glance at Demetri and Gianna over his shoulder. When the last vampire disappeared and the doors clicked shut, Demetri crossed his arms and smiled.
“Alone at last.”
In those few seconds that had Gianna standing in front of him in terrified silence, hands still balled into fists, his mind raced with all her possible reactions. Would she plead her case, as Aro suggested? Would she cry and beg? Would she just close her eyes and accept her fate? If he were honest with himself, he would admit that he wanted her to talk. He wanted her to demand why he was so cross with her, and he wanted her to know exactly why he would deny her the quick, peaceful death she so obviously deserved. He knew this; she did deserve a dignified passing. She lasted far longer than most other secretaries and barely ever walked out of line. They owed her as much.
He wanted her to know that she ruined her well-deserved good death at the very last moment, doing something entirely preventable. He wanted her to know that she almost got it.
So, he was most satisfied when she did ask.
“What have I done to you?” Her coarse voice was still barely above a whisper. “I can’t think of any offence that could make you hate me like this.”
He moved with supernatural speed, stopping within arm’s reach of her. His sudden appearance made her take a step back, trip and fall. They were both on top of the grate now. He crouched down by her side.
“I have warned you to be nice to Bella.” He whispered as well, watching sheer confusion take over her features. “No guessing game, no expecting you to think at all. You still chose to be a stupid, stupid creature.”
He knew she disregarded his warning entirely as soon as she heard it months ago. He believed she was doing what Alec accused her of: forgetting her place, being too confident in her position as their secretary. Challenging him. Right then, as she looked at him like she had never heard such words in her life, he realised she just never grasped the urgency in them.
“This is all… because of her?”
His smile faded. She didn’t choose to be stupid, after all. She simply couldn’t help it.
“I was perfectly clear. Do you feign ignorance now that you are about to face the consequences of your actions? Do you pretend to have never disrespected me?”
She shook her head. “I didn’t think… I couldn’t know it was this serious. I didn’t mean to disrespect you.”
He paused, brow furrowed with confusion. Perhaps he hadn’t been clear enough. That realisation did nothing to diminish his annoyance, but it did make him reconsider his course of action.
He sighed. “I believe you.” He watched her exhale and relax the muscles in her arms. She tried to stand up, but he held her neck and pushed her back down, causing her head to hit the metal. “That doesn’t grant you a good death, I’m afraid. I will, however, make this shorter than I planned to.”
She cried out, pressed against the grate on the floor. Her green eyes fell closed, her face scrunched with horrified anticipation of what was to come. Demetri could feel only vestiges of his boiling anger. He felt bitter now. Knowing the human didn’t deserve his revenge tainted whatever enjoyment he intended to take from it. He would keep his word and make it quick, and at least Bella wouldn’t have to deal with the woman any longer.
His hand tightened around Gianna’s neck, her own hands flying to try and get him off of her in a reflex. Heidi would have to recruit and train someone else, after all.
He had to make sure to be clearer this time.
Demetri stood outside his private quarters with his head low, petrified, as if he had fallen victim to Medusa. His eyes met the ground but saw nothing, his other senses enrapturing his attention completely. He had been gone for less than a week, and yet found himself in a most surprising and disquieting situation upon arrival.
Outside, Edward and Alice from the Olympic Coven awaited permission to enter Volterra. Demetri emptied his mind of any thought of Bella, more to avoid any conflict than out of courtesy. Though he liked to think of himself as a polite man, he had to admit that Edward Cullen did not instigate in him a desire to be courteous. If anything, his lack of manners and unwarranted possessiveness over someone he abandoned inspired the opposite. Still, he had decided to make an effort.
Inside his chamber, seemingly asleep, was the person who made it impossible.
He could hear her slow, rhythmic breathing. Following the trail of her scent, put off by his inability to trace her in more efficient ways, he ended up at his own doors and froze. It would be absolutely impossible not to anger the mind-reader with his thoughts if he opened the doors and actually saw her there, especially if she was lying in his bed. Just picturing what he would find was enough to send him into a spiral of hungry, frenzied thoughts.
He felt a familiar presence quickly making its way to him and blinked.
“She’s been sleeping in there for about three days,” Alec whispered with a satisfied smirk. Demetri lifted his head, lips parted with stunned incredulity, and frowned.
“Does she know you are aware of it?”
Alec shook his head. “Why trouble her with that knowledge?”
Demetri scoffed. He could have laughed, but the situation was so absurd that he was unable to produce any sound. He was sure she could feel something, though certainly not as strongly as he did and not as well as he could. He imagined it would take her much longer than this to seek any type of comfort in him, and seeing that she already did so evoked in him a violent need to consume her that he was unprepared for.
“The Cullens are here,” he said, though Alec surely already knew. The boy nodded.
“Master Aro didn’t want to let them in before you arrived.” He tsked. “Such awful timing.”
The smirk never left his lips. He was evidently having his fun with the whole ordeal.
“I should let her rest.”
Alec shrugged. “Should you? I rather think you should go in. It’s your room, after all.”
They stared at each other in silence, Alec’s eyes shining with mirth. He wanted to see the world burn for his entertainment, of course, and Demetri wouldn’t get from him any encouragement to turn around and choose peace.
It served him just as well.
“It is my room,” he agreed, extending his hand to the handles. “I had a long trip and could use a bath.”
Alec’s evil contentment was almost palpable. The boy was more than ready for the chaos that would ensue.
Without reflecting any further about what would happen, Demetri pushed the doors open and entered his quarters. The anteroom looked undisturbed, but the overwhelmingly sweet smell of her blood hit him with full force. The air was heavy with the scent of her hair, her skin, her clothes; everything he owned was permeated by the smell of her. He knew he should hold his breath, should try to avoid its oppression, but he couldn’t bring himself to avoid the bliss of getting engulfed by her. The sound of her breathing was louder now. How did she come to willingly step inside his room and sleep in there, of all places? He would never be upset with her for it, but could she know that?
Alec must have had something to do with it. It is not beneath him to orchestrate all of this for fun.
He might have cared in any other situation.
Not in this one. At that moment, nothing else mattered.
The world around him felt the most vivid he could remember as he contemplated opening the second set of doors before him. He believed nothing could ever compare to the first time he saw her, the impossibly strong hand of Fate ensnaring his heart and squeezing it, juicing it dry and discarding the pulp as if it were nothing. He thought he had felt it all, that nothing could surpass the very mortal feeling of air leaving his lungs and choking him, the lightheadedness her touch had caused him in the library. He should expect it by now, to be knocked out again and again whenever she crossed his path as the invisible golden threads of destiny pulled them together for eternity.
He was not prepared. Not the first time, not now. He would probably never be.
His steps were slow, deliberate. He traced his next moves in his mind as he walked to his inner chamber. He would open the doors, get his clothes from his wardrobe, walk to the bathroom and close the door, all very quietly so as not to disturb her. He wouldn’t stop to watch her sleep; a single glance as he moved through the room would have to suffice. Surely he had enough self-control for that. When his fingers closed around the second pair of door handles and he pulled them open, he was already not so certain of that.
As he had pictured, there she was, wrapped in his burgundy bedsheets, her tangled hair sprawled over his pillows. His heart clenched at the sight. He baulked, mesmerised. She wore her usual clothes, a wool jumper and a pair of denim trousers, nothing that looked comfortable enough for sleeping. If he hadn’t heard from Alec that she had been sleeping in there for three days now, he would have imagined that she had fallen asleep by accident as she walked about the room.
He had anticipated her struggle to fall asleep in his absence. He had, after all, purposefully imprinted his own scent on her bed to soothe her into sleep. He had expected to come home and find her worn out by sleep deprivation, with her long hair in knots without his daily care.
What he didn’t expect was to find her deep asleep in his bed as if she owned it.
It is hers, I suppose. Everything in here, as it’s mine, is hers as well.
Did she know it? Demetri had to admit, as much as it pleased him to have her there, he was puzzled. He was tempted to wake her up to discover her reasoning, but couldn’t bring himself to. She looked much too comfortable and peaceful to be awakened.
She looked entirely his in there, as well. His Bella, his soulmate, in his room, asleep in his bed. All his and no one else’s, no matter what the Cullen boy did or didn’t do during his visit. And if she was already seeking him out like this, soon she would be in his arms, and he would know the feeling of her lips on his. All caution forgone, he pictured her slender, pale hands disappearing into his hair, her frail frame pressed against him as he carefully held her, her soft lips moulding themselves to his. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes to keep himself from walking over and touching her.
Soon.
Sooner than he dreamed possible, at this pace, and now his fingertips tingled, anxious to reach out and claim what was rightfully his. Crafted for him, sculpted from the same handful of clay, sparked into life by the same breath of fire. Oh, and how he longed to unravel her, to find out exactly what about her was so similar to him, uncover every single way in which she was perfect for him. He wouldn’t stop until every little crevice of her was explored and he knew her obscure mind like the palms of his own hands. He couldn’t be at peace until they were one again, as they once were before they were made flesh.
Heidi’s voice called from the corridor and he was surprised he didn’t feel her approach.
“We have a red,” she declared urgently and went away. There was no sound of heels hitting the floor, indicating that she ran on her toes.
He gave Bella a last longing glance before he turned around and locked both doors, running as well. He had not heard those words in quite some time. There hadn’t been any need for them, as Volterra hadn’t been truly threatened in a long while. The heart of vampire civilisation lay undisturbed for centuries, their domain established and undisputed. If not for his flawless memory, Demetri was certain he would have forgotten his training for such occasions at that point.
We have a red.
Their code for an invasion.
At the centre of the subterranean corridors, he joined another seven guards. Assuming his position in the second line of defence down the sewers, he caught Alec flashing him a smile from behind Santiago.
“What assortment of filthy thoughts enraged the deer drinker?”
Jane scowled by his side. Demetri sighed.
He couldn’t consider that a real invasion. A single vampire in a fit of jealousy was a tantrum at most, but he had to follow their protocol nonetheless. He shook his head, more annoyed than angry or worried. They would have to stand guard until the compound was completely swept for threats and await clearance. Scanning out the area with his gift, he fulfilled his part of the procedure.
“Clear.”
Santiago nodded, leaving Alec’s side to pass on the message. Another large guard took his place to protect the twins. Demetri knew that near the underground access to the streets, Felix already had Cullen in his grip.
“They weren’t even filthy,” he answered Alec. The boy laughed.
“So it doesn’t even take much to piss him off.”
Jane shoved him. “I knew this was your fault.”
“This is Demetri’s fault.” He shoved her back. “Going after women who are spoken for.”
The guard in front of them sighed, crossing his arms. Demetri himself tuned out their bickering, listening in for any confirmation that the so-called threat had been neutralised. Soon enough, Santiago was back to inform them.
“We’re required in the throne room.”
Jane’s irritation gave way to anticipation. Though they knew they should take this as seriously as any other attack on the castle, Demetri couldn’t blame his companions for their dismissal. Edward Cullen barging in by himself was hardly a real threat. If anything, it was a source of entertainment at most.
Alec seemed to think so, at least.
In the throne room, the entire guard was assembled, as well as a few passing visitors. If he didn’t know better, Demetri would have thought they were expecting Heidi with the next batch of humans for them to feast on. As it was, Heidi herself was already there, no group of tourists in tow. She stared at the hundred-year-old teenager held captive at the centre of the room, face contorted with distaste. Using his gift again for good measure, Demetri confirmed Alice Cullen was still outside, at the edge of town. Making his way to the dais, he stopped at the last step of the stairs, bending one knee and lowering his head. Aro rose from his seat and descended to take his hand.
Aro’s gift brushed against his thoughts as if they were the pages of a book, gently touching each one and abandoning them as soon as he saw it was not the exact one he was looking for. All the obsessive musings over Bella Swan were dropped immediately, as if they scorched him, and Demetri mentally thanked his master for his discretion. The faintest trace of a smile appeared in the corner of Aro’s lips.
“Such discipline, my friend,” he praised Demetri amusedly. “I once thought dear Edward had admirable self-control, but now I would say yours is more impressive.”
Edward growled, thrashing against Felix’s arms. The guard pushed him down, forcing him to his knees and falling to the floor with him. When Aro dropped his hand, Demetri stood up and assumed his position among his peers. Cullen glared at him, his usually golden eyes dark as tar. Remembering how soundly Isabella Swan slept in his bed and how stunning her milky skin looked against his red bedsheets, he smirked at the teen.
“Stay away from her!”
The roar was more desperate than intimidating, especially seeing as he couldn’t break free from his captor, as much as he tried. Surprised murmurs erupted from the immortals around him.
“Quiet!” Caius barked, and the whole room fell silent. Edward locked his jaw, a loud crack echoing through the suddenly quiet chamber.
“Ah, Edward, how unfortunate that your visit took such a turn.” Aro glided over to him, unceremoniously taking one of his hands. Felix reangled himself to allow Aro easier access. Unlike his quick search of Demetri’s mind, Aro seemed to take his time to read each and every one of the vegetarian’s thoughts, uncaring of his privacy. Edward could see and hear his own thoughts from Aro, as well as Aro’s reflections about them, which made for an interesting spectacle. The Cullen child looked as if kicked in the guts, his frown growing deeper with each passing second.
“How very unfortunate,” Aro repeated before letting him go. From his throne, Marcus sighed dramatically.
“It can’t be,” Edward told him, surely answering an unvoiced thought.
“And yet, so it is,” Marcus retorted in his monotone.
A strangled sound escaped Edward's lips as he fought Felix’s death grip in vain one more time. Demetri couldn’t smile any more, not even to spite him. The pathetic scene irked him beyond what words could convey. Edward Cullen’s acid arrogance always made for displays of rudeness and a lack of decorum that were yet to cause him trouble, but only due to his sire’s long-lasting effects on Aro. Demetri couldn’t fathom that the petulant child would speak and behave in such a way in the presence of the kings and remain unpunished. Certainly, this time he wouldn’t walk away unscathed. Not after trying to break into the castle. Carlisle’s charm couldn’t possibly save him from the due consequences of an offence of this magnitude.
Demetri wondered what Bella could have seen in such an unrefined brat, but she was still very young, and the Cullens were the first immortals she had ever met. They merely shone too bright for a human that had been enveloped in dark ignorance from birth. She had no means of distinguishing the skyglow of artificial fluorescent lights from the brightness of stars.
In time.
Edward Cullen growled again, throwing himself in Demetri’s direction. Felix’s strong arms prevented him from moving even an inch, firmly securing his neck and binding his hands behind his back. Kneeled behind him, the guard chuckled.
“This is a capital offence,” Caius declared, inflamed. “He should be executed for this.”
Aro shook his head, a troubled expression on his face.
“What do you say, brother?” He asked Marcus.
“I believe banning him from entering the city would be enough. Alice Cullen must be exempt from this measure.”
“Well, yes, of course.”
Aro nodded to Felix, who got up and pulled Edward to a standing position with him. “I must say, I am very saddened by this turn of events, Edward. Would you like to say something in your defence?”
“I just...” He closed his eyes forcefully, as if in profound pain. Recollecting himself, he opened them. “Let Bella go. Let her come with us, we will turn her. There’s no need for her to...”
“No,” Caius’ grave voice interrupted his plea. “That discussion is over.”
“She is not safe in here,” he insisted. “She is needed back home. Her family...”
“They will have to do without her regardless, my dear,” Aro interjected. “You certainly don’t mean to turn her and stay in Forks, do you?”
Edward looked down, defeated. His blazing eyes fell on Demetri again. “She is not for you,” he spat. “You’re wrong. She is good, not for someone like you. Do not taint her with your touch.”
Some of the immortals burst into laughter, while others were more discreetly amused. If anyone had been confused about what caused his tantrum, that confusion was cleared now. Demetri himself couldn’t laugh, stunned into silence by the sheer audacity of the vampire in front of him.
You do not get to tell me what to do, Cullen. She has always been mine. I will touch her as much as I please, and she will like it .
Edward growled once again, his death glare losing none of its intensity. Renata quickly assumed her position by Aro’s side, eagerly touching his shoulder. After a few moments of silence, Edward’s head fell in silent resignation. Aro took it as a sign that he would behave himself and ordered Felix to release him.
He was wrong.
As soon as he found himself unbound, Edward made a beeline for Demetri, teeth bared. Close as they were, Demetri didn’t have any time to think, acting on pure instinct and muscle memory. When Edward tried to close his hands around his neck, he ducked and slid behind him, going under one of his extended arms. Grabbing the limb as he passed by, Demetri twisted it and pulled it, his right foot making contact with the boy’s back. The loud metallic sound of the arm being ripped from him muffled his screams as he fell to the floor, squirming in pain.
The occupants of the room moved in synchrony; as the Guard tightened the circle around the kings, their guests moved closer to the walls to give them space. On the corner of his eye, Demetri caught Renata’s distressed expression, her small hands attached to Aro’s robes as if glued, and his anger finally emerged from the depths he usually restrained it to. He threw the arm at Edward with ferocity, readying himself to rid him of the rest of his limbs, but Aro spoke again.
“That is enough, Demetri.”
He bowed and straightened his posture, still furious. Spotting a gap between Corin and Afton, he cautiously merged into the circle. By Jane’s side, Alec shook with soundless laughter, having the decency to disguise it only when Caius raised an eyebrow at him. Seemingly oblivious to the exchange, Aro called the other twin.
“Jane, please go tell Alice she may join us.”
“Yes, Master.”
Felix held Edward again, though now there was scarcely any need for it. His arm lay discarded on the floor, the one attached to him restrained with ease. Felix’s other large hand held the vegetarian’s neck, and through his pain and humiliation, he still found it in himself to stare Demetri down with hatred and utter another feeble warning.
“If you touch her, you’re gone.”
Demetri did laugh this time. His fury had subsided as the situation was controlled, and seeing that none of his friends were in danger, he found the declaration quite humorous. There was nothing Edward Cullen could do but bark from his confinement.
She craves my touch. What kind of monster am I to deny her such a simple joy?
The boy fought his captor in vain, yelling in anguish. When he was taken away, Demetri was still smiling.
I will be returning to my room while you’re removed from the premises.
A loud, sorrowful howl echoed throughout the building, growing fainter with each passing second until it faded out into the distance.