- Open your eyes - Alec said calmly, he had already taken too long trying to get Elia to let go of the collar of his coat. The human had held on to him too tightly, especially after feeling the momentum and speed of the run. Now, standing on solid ground, Elia kept her eyes closed.
- Isn't there anything scary there? - the human asked cautiously. Alec found it a little funny about her, how she seemed fearful, but careful at the same time with him. If she had been really scared, she wouldn't have even spoken to him again.
- Only if you find Catholicism scary - Alec replied.
The vampire poked Elia on the head, and she finally opened her eyes, coming across the stone building that stood hidden among the trees and mountains, protected from the rest of the world.
Elia said nothing, just followed the boy into the building. She let him go in first, and Alec smiled, because she still hadn't completely ruled out the possibility of him being a demon, but when she saw that Alec had managed to enter sacred ground, she quickly followed him.
- What do you think?
- It's kind of sad, empty like this - Elia started walking around the place, touching the walls and the old wooden benches. When she seemed to be close to a dangerous place, Alec pulled her back.
He took her to see the stained glass window, which on sunny days gave the place an almost ethereal atmosphere.
- It's not as beautiful on rainy days like this - Alec said.
- I think it's wonderful - Elia replied, mesmerized by the colors of the window.
Alec let her watch the window a little longer, as if he was afraid of disturbing her. He knew they had only known each other for a short time, but time worked differently for him. Jane would call him hasty and reckless, but Alec had already made a decision: he wanted Elia to stay by his side.
A distant chirp finally pulled Alec and Elia out of their thoughts, and the human smiled as she saw a long-haired gray cat approaching them.
- I brought him earlier for you - Alec said as Elia bent down and held out her hand, letting the feline decide whether or not he wanted to be petted - but he doesn't like the rain.
- He's right, but only because he has fur - Elia smiled, the cat let her pick him up - I think the rain is beautiful when I'm indoors, watching it through the window, then I listen to music and end up falling asleep.
- You dream... - Alec said in admiration, but Elia ended up interpreting it as a question.
- I like to dream - the human said - don't you?
- I'm dreaming right now - Alec whispered, low enough for the human not to hear this time. Maybe it was still too early to make any kind of request. What if she got really scared? Or refused to see him? What if she ended up getting closer to Demetri?
Alec eventually settled Elia near his favorite window, letting her talk about what she wanted while his mind struggled with the various what-if possibilities. He never imagined that one day he would desire the company of another person, and he hated the feeling. If he turned Elia here and now, she would hate him forever, but if he waited any longer, the differences between them would become more visible in the eyes of others.
- You're not listening - Elia said suddenly.
- What? Of course I am.
- Your mind is far away from here, I can tell.
Alec blinked, perhaps for the first time that day. How did she knew?
- Sorry, your messy hair distracted me a little.
Elia stopped petting the cat, handing it to Alec, then tried to fix the hair that wasn't even that messy, but Alec felt proud that his distraction had worked. He leaned forward a little, delighted at how her black eyes matched his own. He no longer wanted to have red eyes and therefore be different from her.
Alec couldn't take it anymore, and ended up asking the question that bothered him the most:
- The letter I saw in your room last night... - Alec stopped when he noticed that Elia's expression changed, she stopped combing her hair with her fingertips - Who is Claudio?
Alec feared he had ruined everything, especially when Elia sighed and avoided looking at him.
- He was my boyfriend - Alec was surprised when she started talking again - but I broke up with him.
- Why? - the second question came out sharper than the first.
- Because nothing was working out and I was afraid of taking him with me.
Alec didn't understand, he wanted Elia to keep talking.
- I didn't want him to end up like me, he's too good for that. That's why I came to Volterra, to get away from everyone for a while.
- But he doesn't want that - the vampire still didn't understand part of what Elia had said.
- No - Elia sighed again - he doesn't want to, he sent the letter because I don't answer the phone, but I'm not going to change my mind, I'm not going back now, that's why I threw away the letter.
Alec gritted his teeth to contain his anger, even though he knew it was childish and unrealistic. Expecting the human he chose to have had no life before him was too much of a dream, not to mention that Elia was older than him. Not everyone was like Master Aro, not everyone had the wisdom to choose an orphan. At least the cattle helped calm him down.
- Oh, wait - Elia opened her backpack and took out her phone, pointing it at Alec.
- What are you trying to do? - he asked, stepping away.
- Taking your picture, of course! - Elia smiled, then lowered her phone, disappointed - The quality isn't very good, I'll bring a camera next time.
Alec nodded, he thought he knew that word, maybe he would have to take some lessons with Renata about technology, if she stopped avoiding him.
Things improved after that conversation ended, and Elia went back to talking about her interests that Alec had been so eager to uncover. Everything was fine until Demetri interrupted them.
"Insolent".
That was what Alec thought as he left the church. He didn't want to leave Demetri alone with Elia, but after what he did in his first attempt to talk to the human after envying Alec's audacity, the vampire didn't feel so threatened.
Alec didn't want to admit it, but he really needed to talk to Jane. If the tracker came back in a deplorable state it meant something had happened, and it couldn't be good. Still, just to keep Demetri from savoring the fact that he was right, Alec took a small detour on his route to the castle.
Once he had returned the cat to one of the restaurants near the piazza, Alec pulled his hood over his head and walked like a normal human to Elia's house. It was difficult to do this all the time and he had to stay alert until he reached his destination, luckily the rain was slowly clearing people off the street.
As he moved away from the city center, the streets became emptier, but Alec remained in control. When he arrived in front of the human's house, he made sure it was indeed empty, then, looking around to make sure no one was noticing, he forced his way in by breaking the doorknob after making sure that no one was inside.
Alec had been thinking about the letter addressed to Elia all last night, there was a fifty percent chance that it was nothing, but he was still worried, and after what she had revealed to him, he saw that he had reason to be. Boyfriend, Elia had a fragile human boyfriend who should disappear soon if he wanted to be safe.
At least hearing Elia say out loud that she hadn't changed her mind and that she had torn up the letter made Alec calm down a little. Still, he wanted to know what the human had written.
Alec followed the human's scent until he found her room, which looked a little different from the day, but still messy. Alec didn't know if that was a concern or not, since his human life was very different from the one Elia lived. He didn't know what it was like to have the love of a family other than Jane or the Volturi.
The vampire went to Elia's desk eager for knowledge of something that did not belong to him, but she said she had torn up the letter, so he went to the little trash can under the desk and there it was! The stamp and parts of the letter thrown in the trash! Alec gathered up all the pieces he found and tossed it into his pocket with a smile on his face, feeling ecstatic. He was about to leave the human's room when he felt something under his feet. Alec walked around the room again, feeling the touch of each stone under his shoes, then left. leaving the human's house almost untouched.
He was back at the castle before Demetri, meeting an anxious Jane in the great hall. Caius was already there, of course, but the good mood that accompanied him after visiting his wife seemed to have been short-lived this time. He rested his head on one hand, looking worried, leaning against his sacred throne. One of his feet tapped incessantly, just as Jane chewed on her stone nails.
- Where have you been? - Jane asked as soon as Alec stood next to her, she was still wearing formal attire that showed off her temporary leadership position.
Alec hesitated, he hadn't thought of an excuse this time since Renata hadn't spoken to him since he sent her into battle.
- I can't believe you were chasing wild animals again - Jane patted his chest, trying to remove the cat hairs that had stuck to the fabric.
- Have Felix and Santiago returned? - he asked, quickly changing the subject.
- Yes, and we've already been told about the situation, we're waiting for Demetri.
Alec nodded, a little relieved, first because Caius didn't scold him for being late, and second because if Demetri wasn't back it meant he wouldn't find out about his sneaking into Elia's house. Unconsciously Alec put a hand in his coat pocket, feeling the torn pieces of paper in his fingers.
It wasn't long before Demetri arrived, with the red eyes already back, and the sight of his clothes made Caius sit up straighter in his seat. He hated lack of decorum, but they didn't have time for that.
- How many were there? - Caius began his interrogation, his milky eyes glowing a bright red, like the eyes of rabbits, even though his last meal had been months ago, a testament to his advanced age.
- Thirty, all newborns, but we were unable to estimate the difference in months of creation.
- Any special ones? - Caius leaned forward as he asked the question, his blond hair bouncing around his pale face. That question was important, because it could change everything.
- No, sir, all strong, but for reasons of human blood, uncontrolled and careless.
- A nest near La Cetina - Jane looked at Caius - it's very close.
- Maybe the previous group that Felix and I dealt with split off from this one, it's a possibility - Demetri wondered.
- And why so many? - Alec questioned, finally realizing how bad the situation was - Are they waiting for one to suddenly become special?
Caius continued to think, until he raised his hand, causing the voices in the hall to cease. There was a reason Caius had come alone, and he did not want to lose that advantage.
- Someone is playing with us - the elder vampire said, his feet finally stopping hitting the ground - are you sure there were no traces of Vladmir and Stefan?
- Not in the first group, they weren't that new, in the second it's possible, but I didn't have time to check since they attacked too quickly - Demetri lowered his head, aware of his mistake - even so, I think I should go see Vladmir and Stefan.
- Not in the first group, they weren't that new, in the second it's possible, but I didn't have time to check since they attacked too quickly - Demetri lowered his head, aware of his mistake - even so, I think I should go see Vladmir and Stefan.
Alec smiled, Demetri was volunteering to leave, this was an opportunity.
- Letting them leave after what happened in the United States was a mistake, we should have killed them first – Demetri continued. Unlike Alec, he saw the situation as a matter of safety for the clan and the city.
- I think we should see Aro first.
Jane's words made the other three stare at her.
- He is the main leader - Jane continued - and this is an important issue, with Aro back we could...
- There is no main leader - Caius intervened, and Alec had never seen him address Jane with such anger - I am as much a leader as Aro and Marcus, and both are unable to decide right now, I thought you would understand that more than the others, Jane.
Alec and Demetri looked at each other, because Aro's return was not good for them, especially for Elia. If Aro knew they were meeting with a human he would demand punishment.
- I'm sorry, master - Jane looked disappointed in herself, and Alec put a hand on her back. As much as he disagreed with his sister, he didn't want her to be sad.
- Sir - Demetri said, and Caius grunted in irritation, but the tracker continued anyway - the Guard needs to feed.
Caius tilted his head to the side, then pointed at Demetri.
- You disobeyed an order, your eyes are red and you tell me you need more blood?
- If Felix and I had not fed despite the prohibition we would have died against the newborns. Santiago had a hard time, he can attest to that.
- But unlike you, Santiago knows his place - Alec let the comment slip, it was more premeditated than unintentional actually.
Caius agreed with Alec, but was also aware that Demetri, on this matter, was right.
- If a war is approaching, we need blood - Demetri didn't give up. Alec didn't remember when he had become so talkative. First he exposed himself to Elia in a public square, now he faced Caius... What was happening?
- Very well - Caius said after a moment of silence - tell the others that they can go out to feed, but in pairs, in distant countries, we don't want to draw attention, then Heidi can return to the usual system. After everyone is satisfied, we will talk again, but watches must be kept.
Demetri seemed satisfied, Alec disappointed. He didn't want to have to leave Volterra now, nor be interested in a distant battle, he wanted to stay at home.
- What is that look on your face? - Jane asked, she was a head shorter than Alec, who only now realized that Caius was no longer in the room.
- I was just thinking that I didn't want to eat now, I like my eyes this way.
Jane didn't understand, but Alec glanced quickly at Demetri before leaving the great hall alongside his sister. The tracker seemed to have something to talk to him about, but Alec didn't want to hear it.
They passed the human's desk which once again seemed occupied with something too human for the twins to care about. Then they reached the furthest parts of reception, the entrance to the most deserted tunnels, where only vampires were allowed to walk. It was darker on this side of the castle, since they didn't need light, but there were some yellowish lamps along the way.
The Guard's rooms were divided by ranking, the more important, the deeper underground. The first runners were for Felix, Santiago and other members focused on physical strength. Renata and Demetri shared the third hallway. Heidi and Corin a little below. Alec and Jane shared the last hallway before the masters' area.
No human had ever descended so far underground, as they would not even be able to breathe.
The distance between one hallway and another was huge for privacy reasons.
Alec and Jane had always lived together, even with the changes that took place in the Guard. Unlike the squares of Volterra, there were no children laughing down there. Only stones.
Jane was still restless, probably thinking about whether she should break Caius' order or not, since he was always her biggest protector after Aro, but Alec wasn't very interested in that matter. Even with his sister following him, he had a job to do.
- I'm right, aren't I? - Jane said, occupying a chair that Alec kept for her in his room - We had to talk to Aro.
- Probably, but that's not up to us - he dragged everything he had on the desk to the corner, then started taking the stolen pieces of paper out of his pocket.
Alec didn't sleep or had a partner, so a bed was unnecessary, but he liked having a couch where he could stretch out and read.
Jane seemed worried at first, but after she realized that her brother was intrigued by something else, she got up and went to the desk to watch what Alec was doing.
- What is that?
- A letter.
- And why is it torn?
- Because someone tore it up.
Jane slammed her hand on the table, causing some of the pieces of paper that Alec had already arranged to become out of order again. She hated it when Alec shied away.
- I took this letter - Alec said, calmer than that - it was already torn up, but I want to know what's in there.
- Please don't tell me that Renata made you interested in gossip about humans too.
- It's just a distraction - Alec assured - I'm just curious.
Jane grunted something, but Alec didn't understand.
- These pieces are wrong - she pointed to the papers - let me help you.
Jane was faster than Alec, especially at learning, she always had been, even when humans. It didn't take two minutes for Jane to finish combining the torn pieces of paper.
- Here - Jane said, proud of herself, she waited for a reaction from Alec, who didn't seem so excited - do you want me to read it?
Alec was going to say something, but he lost his courage.
- No - said the vampire, avoiding looking at the scene.
Jane was quiet, then read everything in silence. Alec felt like an idiot for being afraid of mere words made of ink.
- What do you think? - He asked after Jane finished reading.
- About what?
- The letter, you are a girl, Jane - Alec approached his sister, placing the other chair next to her, still avoiding looking at the content of the letter - would a girl like those words?
Jane looked away, staring at the letter again. Alec didn't know how she was feeling.
- I guess I haven't been a girl for a long time - she reached out her hand to touch her brother's face and Alec wondered if she knew what was happening to him - you should ask Renata.
Alec let Jane go, as he didn't want to talk anymore. He looked at the walls of his room. Despite the artificial light from the lamps, it wasn't real. There were no windows there.