Chapter One

Jane sat down next to Alec, her twin brother. He shifted slightly, apparently uncomfortable with her presence. Jane met Aro's eyes squarely. Something was going on. She could sense the atmosphere but managed to keep her calm façade. Aro smiled at her and she allowed her lips to curve up slightly in response.

"Dear one," said Aro, "The vampire Katrina is coming to Volterra, I want to ask you not to interfere."

"Is this why you called me here, Aro?" she asked, masking the initial anger she felt upon receiving this information.

"Yes, Alec and I want to make sure you don't do anything… embarrassing." Explained Aro.

Jane's eyebrows twitched up. She was hurt that Aro did not trust her, but frustrated that Kate would be nearby and now she was not even allowed to hurt her. The would-be vegetarian vampire had always irritated Jane and Aro's interest in her had given Jane a rare bout of jealousy.

"I will be good." Said Jane pleasantly.

"I am glad to hear it, dear one." Said Aro. He seemed in a hurry, although he always moved slowly and gracefully Jane could sense his haste. Once he was gone, Alec turned to her.

"You are not planning on being good?" he asked. If anybody could see through her lie, it would be her brother.

"Please don't tell Aro." She replied.

He scowled at her, though on his perfect childlike face it looked more like a pout. "Why are you so stubborn when it comes to Kate?"

Jane stood up and started walking away. She could not lie to her brother and the only way to avoid telling him how she felt was to tell him nothing at all. He did not bother to call after her and she wondered if he was on his way to Aro right now. She hesitated, considering if she should intercede but decided against it. If everybody, including the infernal Kate was going to fawn and curry favour with Aro she certainly was not going to do so as well. She picked up her chin and stomped to her chamber, ignoring the queries directed at her. She was considering talking to Marcus when Chelsea's annoying power interfered, making Jane feel content and strangely happy.

She did not have to be angry with Aro. She could be good and make him happy and she was already his favourite.

He let her believe she was his favourite, thought Jane as Chelsea's influence waned. She must be focusing her positive thoughts on somebody else, leaving Jane to feel her own feelings again. She was angry with Aro and with Alec, who was pathetically trying to gain favour, to shove Jane out of her position. Jane had felt this way before, many times, though never as resolved as she did now. She wanted to break the rules. She had an uncontrollable urge to leave Volterra and do whatever was her whim.

Felix intercepted her, interrupting her reverie. "Aro is looking for you." He said.

She sighed. "I will go right away." She was careful to compose her face so that Felix would not read her emotional state. He seemed curious and was waiting longer than usual after delivering such a message, hovering over her inquisitively. She rounded on him. "What else?"

He jumped back. "Nothing." She smiled sadistically and left him. He was so afraid of her it was hilarious. He was just another vampire. He had no special abilities. He was nothing, a mere henchman. She almost told him that but decided against it. Her strength was in silence.

Aro awaited her in the tower. He sat in his splendid throne with Alec at his side. There were a few witnesses assembled and Jane's anger grew. Alec had obviously reported her intentions to Aro, who was now going to embarrass her before a crowd.

"Jane, dear one, come to me." Said Aro, pleasant again. Jane walked slowly forward.

"You wanted to speak to me, Aro?" she enquired.

"Yes. I have a mission for you. Some vampires are forming a rather large coven. You must go and investigate." He explained. "They are located in the United Kingdom and Felix will go with you."

"Surely that is a mission anybody of lower rank can carry out?" she replied, careful to keep a mask of calm.

"Yes it is dear one. I do not want you to get bored cooped up in Volterra for so long…"

"I have lived here happily for many years without complaint in that direction." She replied.

"You must go Jane. These vampires are dangerous, many of them have powers, and you are my most powerful." Explained Aro. He was becoming impatient, but Jane had no intention of relenting.

"You just said it is an investigation, mere reconnaissance. Why the change of heart?" she pointed out.

Aro frowned. He often encountered belligerence from Jane but was not accustomed to dealing with it to this extent. He glanced at his witnesses and Jane thought she saw caution flash across his carefully assembled features. "You are going. That is final."

"I am not. You are trying to send me away so Kate can gain favour without my interference." She accused, glancing at her brother. "Let's get down to the heart of the matter, you do not trust me."

"You are temperamental and I don't want you making mistakes here." Snapped Aro, thoroughly irritated now.

Jane's eyes narrowed, but she would not attack her creator. "We are strong enough without her. We do not need her. She is going to carry information back to her petty coven."

"The Olympic Coven is anything but petty. They are a direct threat." Said Aro.

"Then why furnish them so easily with privy information?" queried Jane.

"If one joins and is happy perhaps more will follow." Said Aro as if explaining to a child.

"They won't join us, they drink animal blood. They are weak-minded and stubborn. They do not belong here." She replied. Many agreed with her words and there were a few murmurs of approval as she spoke. Aro was livid.

"Get out of my sight, Jane." He roared. She complied all too gladly and swept out of his presence with her chin held high. Nobody followed her. She had not expected anyone to. To oppose the founder of the Volturi was foolish and potentially suicidal. She drew her hood down low and kept to the shadows. Parts of the compound were deeply shadowed during the night and she used these areas to sneak to street level. If anybody questioned her, she showed him or her her face. She was moving quickly enough that not everybody knew she was in trouble yet and those that saw her assumed she was on a mission for Aro. Nobody questioned. They all gave way.

She hesitated when she walked out into the cool night air. There were no humans around, but she could sense a few vampires in the dark winding streets. None of them questioned her, sensing only another vampire, they carried on with their duties keeping the town in order. She was challenged only once at the gate, but the fool responsible was quickly dealt with.

She was surprised at how easy it was and at how exhilarating it felt to be free. Since Aro changed her and Alec she had always felt a sense of duty and gratitude. She had wanted to stay. Everything had changed. Now she wanted to go. Moreover, she did. So easily did Jane of the Volturi venture on her own into the night.