Three hours after Demetri rescued Elia outside the city walls
Demetri had been watching over the human, his human, until the dark-haired man who looked just like her finally arrived. He hadn't walked the streets of Volterra since he introduced himself to her and the feeling was still uncomfortable. Having to dodge people walking along the streets, not stay too still. He was just thankful that Elia didn't live near the main square, because he wouldn't be able to handle the tourists.
His human, Demetri sighed at the thought. Elia wasn't his, and she never would be. His confession of devotion only scared her and now he had helped to widen the distance that was conveniently taken advantage of by Alec. Elia wasn't his, and he would have to accept that. Even so, he watched until the man called Andrea helped Elia put ice on her ankle. He was a good brother, he was always there when she needed him, because when he saw her crying in the street he first thought that Elia came from a bad family, but things were not that simple, it was just the fragile human experience. But Andrea was a good person and and Demetri was grateful for that.
It was with this feeling that he finally decided it was time to leave, after all what was the point of standing there going over in his mind what he would do best if she wouldn't accept his help?
Elia knew he had stayed on the street, he said he wouldn't leave her alone until her brother arrived. If Elia wanted him around, she would just have to say his name, but she didn't.
Demetri couldn't remember feeling rejected before, and that was the worst. He barely had memories of when he was human in a distant period in a country he now barely recognized before being taken by Amun... The vampire shook his head when that name came to mind. Amun, he hadn't thought of him for centuries, even when they were face to face on the battlefield... Demetri saw him, but felt nothing, which was strange, but comforting.
It was much better not to feel anything because the opposite of that was feeling his heart being torn apart with no chance of salvation.
But now Demetri had to focus on his surroundings, because someone had followed him when he went to meet Elia, and he knew exactly who it was. He returned to the church, not expecting the person to still be there, but he found Heidi walking in circles, her mahogany hair tied back in a loose ponytail as she bit her marble nails, the only bad habit she had kept from when she was human.
She was waiting for him, she didn't even try to hide. There was a different glow in her red eyes that Demetri thought was jealousy.
- A human? - the vampire said.
Demetri looked at the sky outside, it was already dark and she shouldn't be there, but hunting with Afton and Santiago. Soon it would be another group's turn.
- And a citizen of Volterra, which is extremely forbidden! - she continued.
Heidi glared at Demetri and for a moment he thought she would attack him, by her posture, but Heidi did nothing. What could she do, after all? Take that feeling away from him? It didn't work like that.
- It's complicated - Demetri said. He didn't have to explain himself to her, not everything.
- And she was calling for Alec, am I right? - Heidi took a few steps closer, then backed away, perhaps she realized the threat Demetri posed to her in the same way she was causing him at that moment depending on what she said.
She walked in circles again, biting the last of her nails.
- She called for Alec and yet you went to her - if she were human Demetri imagined that her eyes would be teary - you prefer her to someone who is always by your side!
Demetri didn't want to be rude, but he rolled his eyes, it was enough for the woman to scream, furious. They had already had that conversation once, a long time ago, but in a more friendly way. At that time Heidi suggested that they form a couple, since their personalities matched, but Demetri refused her proposal, which caused several rumors formed by Renata.
- Don't tell others, especially any of the masters – it was all he said, Demetri had no interest in arguing.
Heidi's eyes were black, she was hungry, and Demetri preferred to think that she was acting that way because she was thirsty, he didn't want to disrupt a peaceful coexistence that had lasted for years.
The vampire's expression changed, from anger to contemplation, then to hunter, her eyes still full of jealousy, but she soon changed them to desire. Demetri had seen Heidi charm crowds, human and vampire alike, anyone for the benefit of the clan, but she had never tempted him with this, not even when he had rejected her the first time. She had been confident that she would win him over one day, they had plenty of time.
Demetri let Heidi come closer and hold his face with both hands, her skin was cold and hard, very different from the warmth that radiated from Elia. She also didn't have a beating heart. She stood on tiptoe to kiss him, but Demetri looked away.
He could feel her effort to attract him to her web, but he was not a fly, so Heidi walked away, covering her face.
- I hope she chooses Alec - Heidi said before leaving, she had wasted precious hours waiting for him - and that you watch everything.
Four days before Siena
"Rejection, rejection, rejection..."
Demetri marked the spots on the map without thinking much, all the locations were engraved in his mind, the map was not for him.
"Rejected by a human..."
The last attack of the newborns had been in Florence, and it was there that Demetri placed the last blue pin. The black ones marked Stefan and Vladimir's hiding places, they had not come to Italy yet.
"I'm angry and ashamed... That's it, anger and shame..."
Caius was very different from Aro, he was more visual, he needed maps and drawings to make his strategies. Jane was busy writing down everything he needed to know for the meetings and Demetri had the idea of making a map for when the mission began, that way he could divide the action groups more effectively. And more than that, working on the clan's charges was better than sighing in his room all day and having to put up with Renata's complaints because she was his neighbor.
Demetri heard Jane and Alec's voice approaching, she convinced him to come to the meeting this time. Demetri ended up breaking one of the metal pins he was holding, throwing it into the acid pit beneath his feet, covered by metal bars.
He was avoiding Alec and his smirk, and he expected the vampire to gloat about still seeing Elia, but he didn't. Alec didn't seem to care about Demetri anymore, which made him even angrier. He hadn't lost yet, there was no way he could. He hadn't even spent all the time he could have with her...
- I'm busy, that's all - he heard Alec say to his sister, but Demetri didn't understand. He was busy, but doing what? Demetri tracked his steps, he knew he went to Elia's house often, even more now that she was hurt, but there was something different, he went to other places, sometimes far from Italy.
Demetri couldn't mark Alec's travels on the board, but he was attentive to his rival's steps. What was he doing?
"Rejected by a human", the irritating thought came back again and Demetri pressed his neck as if he was in pain.
Sometimes Demetri could see her face in Alec's mind, always smiling, so different from when he was present. He was just a source of information for her, nothing more. And now a creepy stalker.
Jane and Alec suddenly entered the hall, with Jane chattering about her efforts and Alec pretending to listen. He insisted in traveling alone through Europe even after Caius warned him not to do that, but Alec wouldn't listen to anyone. He would listen to Aro, Demetri knew that, but Aro was still busy dealing with his past failure.
If Aro were present, everything would be very different.
Jane quickly went to the tracker's side, carefully looking at the map he had made, as if searching for some error. As for Alec, he just leaned against the table with the expression of someone who didn't want to be there. He wasn't wearing his usual formal clothes, but jeans and an expensive linen shirt, his boots were covered in mud, lately he was always covered in mud when he wasn't with Elia.
- Good news, I have good news - Caius entered the hall accompanied by Gianna, who was holding a black box. His good mood now came from the fact that he had fed yesterday, with an emergency harvest brought by Heidi, not to mention the upcoming battle. Caius loved all of this, even more so now that he could lead alone.
- What is she doing here? - Alec asked. He never cared much for Gianna before.
Gianna will help us with something, at least help me - Caius replied. His ancient eyes glowed neon red while his blond hair swayed as he spoke and he was wearing his black robe for trials even though none had been held for months.
He was still smiling when he suddenly saw Alec's dirty boots, which made him whisper unkind curses, but he wasn't going to be hard on the twins, so he made quick gestures for Gianna to come forward. When Caius pointed to the box, the human placed it in the center of the wooden table. Alec gave Gianna a sharp look, who quickly moved away.
Between Caius, Alec and Jane, Gianna preferred to stay next to Demetri.
- This is a cell phone. - Demetri said.
- Cell phones - Caius corrected him - for the four of us, while I was with Athenodora she told me how this was an opportunity for the clan to move forward, so I think the time has come.
Jane was the first to pick up the small metal device.
- I hate this - she said.
- Me too - Caius replied - but it can be a good way for us to communicate from a distance. I want to make it clear that this operation needs to be confidential, we will not do another large-scale attack like the last time.
- Because we were humiliated last time - Alec said as he picked up the black cell phone in the middle.
Those words would have been enough for Caius to have someone executed, but he just smiled at Alec, which sent shivers down Demetri's spine.
- Gianna saved our numbers there, and hers, in case of emergency - the strangely young looking ancient vampire looked at the secretary - it's a safe line, but it shouldn't be used irresponsibly.
Demetri picked up the last device. He saw humans with it all the time and knew how to use it. His first thought was to call Elia, but he didn't even have her number. He felt stupid.
- That means...
- It means that one of you must be present on every mission we set against these newborns, and against the big prize.
Jane smiled and Caius stroked her hair like a proud father.
- But I want to make it clear that I want to be present when Stefan and Vladimir have their heads ripped off - Caius continued - this will show that the Volturi still are the highest authority in our world.
Alec nodded, but then left the meeting without saying a word, taking the device with him.
Demetri looked back at his map and the pins he had placed. He had marked Vladimir and Stefan's current location; there was simply no pattern between their location and the attacks, which meant it could be another individual, perhaps a nomad, or several of them. What became clear after the failed incursion into the United States was that there was a lot of discontent with the Volturi, and this needed to be addressed soon before it spread.
He had already said this to Caius, but the elder was convinced that the Romanian clan was guilty. There would be no trial this time.
- I can't wait to start - Caius said, lost in his own violent desires - let's just let them act one last time before attacking.
While Elia was in Siena
Alec didn't return to the castle in the days that followed, but he spoke to Jane on his cell phone, which was enough for Caius to confirm his safety.
"He's essential to the mission and he better be ready when I call him," he said to Jane, who just listened in silence. Demetri wanted to ask her if she knew anything, but he also didn't want her to be alarmed enough to tell her brother anything.
What if Alec was just busy buying gifts for Elia? What if they already had a plan to be together for eternity? What if Heidi's words had cursed him forever?
Demetri buried his head in the scrolls he had been reading without any reason for the past few days. The clan's library was vast enough to entertain a human for a lifetime and great for hiding. Demetri had been there for the past few days. He saw Elia leave, of course he did, she was right when she was alarmed by him watching her, he just couldn't stop, which wasn't normal!
Demetri saw Elia leaving on a trip with her family, she didn't need him, she hadn't even bothered to tell him. He only knew she was in Siena because he had tracked her there.
For a moment he was grateful that the clan didn't have a mind reader like the one in the United States. He imagined how annoying it must be to have to read such ridiculous thoughts.
The tracker would have remained standing there if he hadn't started hearing hurried footsteps followed by lighter ones.
- I don't want to go in. - Demetri soon recognized Master Marcus' voice, weak and lifeless, as if he were tired. It had been a while since he had seen him. Apparently, he had been secluded in his chamber for a long time this year.
- There's no one here, I promise - Renata replied, but as soon as she entered the library she saw Demetri, frowning - no one important.
Demetri let her talk to the master alone, she was still angry because he had threatened her the day they were on a mission. Demetri didn't apologize, and Renata now spent her days avoiding Demetri or complaining about his presence to everyone. And now that Alec had also abandoned her this contributed to Renata becoming even more unbearable. Felix was constantly running away from her.
It would be rude not to greet Marcus, so Demetri let himself be seen by him. When Marcus still walked around outside of the castle at night, it was Demetri who accompanied him to make sure he didn't do anything that threatened his own life. Demetri felt sorry for him, especially when he looked at his young face. It was too cruel to live like this.
Marcus wore clothes prepared by Athenodora and Sulpicia, or so Jane had said once. He needed constant attention and supervision, and everyone in the Volturi Guard rushed to not perform any of these tasks.
- Okay - Renata sighed, running her fingers through the books on the shelves - what do you want to read today?
Marcus took advantage of her distraction to try to run away, but Demetri ran in time to stop him.
- So close - Marcus sighed, he refused to walk, so the tracker had to force him to take small steps towards one of the chairs.
- I know I'm not as fun as Alec, but it's just for today! - Renata stamped her foot - That little brat even abandoned Master Marcus, can you believe that?
The question was directed at Demetri, who would consider it as an indication that they were friends again, maybe.
- And Heidi also disappeared - Renata continued looking for a good book - they were putting together a puzzle here one day, but I don't know where it is.
- We can play chess - Marcus said, his hair had been brushed by Renata and tied in a braid.
- No, that's boring.
Demetri began to wonder how long he had been hiding in the library, since he hadn't even noticed that Heidi had left the castle. In fact his mind had been foggy since he followed Elia's car outside the walls.
Suddenly Marcus smiled, and his laugh was strange to Renata and Demetri, making the shorter vampire hide behind Demetri for a moment. They had never heard that sound before, and even though the elders in the clan said that Marcus used to be happy, to them it was like an old tale. No one believed.
- You look different - Marcus pointed at Demetri - strange.
- We all know he's weird and friendless - Renata walked behind Demetri, finally choosing a book from the shelf that contained newer books. Caius had been collecting books about vampires as an inside joke and Renata was particularly fond of a young Italian author.
- He's in love - Marcus shrugged when Renata sat next to him showing the cover of the book she had in her hands, then his expression became dark and sad again - I'm sorry.
Renata didn't say anything, and Demetri was grateful. She hadn't told anyone about the human he observed during his vigils. Maybe they really were still friends.
Demetri couldn't stay there any longer, not after what Marcus had said, until his cell phone vibrated, which was unnoticeable to the vampire who was trying to get Marcus excited about her favorite author. He left the library to read the text message Alec had sent him. Demetri left the library to read the message away from those two. It was a short text from Alec.
Siena. Danger.
Alec didn't just send the text to Demetri, no, even Gianna was informed, because the situation wasn't good at all. This wasn't a combined attack, but a desperate action for food and some cars were caught in the middle.
Some were still on fire when Alec used his gift to control the newborns. Not talking, not feeling, not seeing... They didn't even know they were dying when Alec cut off their heads.
He threw the pieces of the bodies into the fire. Alec didn't like fire, so he only got close when necessary. The group was small, only five, so he managed on his own, but there were only four heads and those were the first ones Alec threw into the fire.
"Melt," Alec thought, "quickly."
The drivers of both cars were already dead, and the third was gone. Alec then ran to the stone ruins far from the road before any human could see him, to see the body that was still resisting. Elia was badly injured and the bite on her neck had been deep, but what worried Alec the most was the wound on her head. There was an opening on the side, and blood was flowing non-stop. When Alec got too close, he thought he saw the girl's brain exposed. He didn't want to touch her, he was afraid the poison wouldn't act fast enough.
His fingers were stained with her blood, and Alec tasted it. It was sweet, it was good, soon the poison would corrupt it.
Alec didn't even have time to get out of the way when Demetri arrived, the other vampire pushed him away from the girl as if he was guilty of something, as if he had bitten her, which Alec didn't. He looked back quickly to see that there were other members of the clan looking at the damage, and Caius was among them, after all it was too close to Volterra and he was eager for action.
Demetri didn't even care about what was happening on the other side of the field, he just screamed in pain as he hugged the girl he loved. Alec watched the head carefully, afraid that Demetri would damage it even more.
When Demetri saw the bite, he immediately looked at Alec.
- Did you kill him? - Demetri asked.
Alec took a moment to answer until he realized that he wanted to know if he had killed the one who bit Elia.
Alec quickly nodded. He had killed many that night.
Demetri then turned his attention to the human in his arms. Elia's head had stopped bleeding and Alec couldn't tell if that was a good thing. Her heart was beating slower and slower and he pulled out the Volturi necklace he had taken from her bag before pulling Elia out of the car, placing it back around his neck.