Sebastian

Sebastian's POV

They say that the Volturi are ruthless, merciless, and downright terrifying. I must admit, we are. Then again, it all boils down to perspective.

To me, the Volturi are family.

It's funny how most of the people I've met – and not drained dry – have said that they would love to become a vampire. Immortality is extremely attractive… if you have someone to share it with. Otherwise, you'll be faced with the possibility of spending the rest of your life alone.

Fortunately there was one person who filled the empty void in my existence.

My name is Sebastian Volturi, and here is my story.

I hardly remember my childhood; most of the time I traveled from one place to another. I was a young drifter, you might say. The only clear memory I have as a human was when my adoptive parents came for me. The others were all jumbled, and now, I have made no attempt to seek out my past where I knew I had nothing.

The two vampires who came for me and treated me like their own son were Aro and Sulpicia Volturi.

I must admit that there was one thing that they longed to possess: my ability. My drifting nature – constantly moving from place to place throughout my wretched life – was my strongest characteristic. They believed that it would be an extremely useful vampiric ability – but they admit that at the time, they didn't know it would be very useful.

I have the power of advanced telekinesis. This allows me to move things at will, from items as huge as an entire cruise ship to items as small as an atom.

At first Aro and Sulpicia treated me as their most valued asset, but it was Sulpicia who decided to adopt me as her own. Naturally, Aro bent to his wife's wishes, and I was soon known in the Volturi coven as the adopted son of Aro and Sulpicia Volturi.

In a way, I believe that Aro accepted me as his son because he could parade the fact that he was the father of one of the world's strongest vampires. Through me, he acquired some of his valued guards: Felix, Demetri, and later on, Jane and Alec. However, my initial belief about him being able to boast of my ability was shattered.

I remember him telling me that I was his final and deadliest weapon. A weapon he would use only when the coven's existence was on the brink of destruction. Any other vampire in my position would have grown too egotistical, but I wasn't bothered by it. I never was concerned with rank or power; I only wanted to protect my family and friends.

To Aro, it seemed enough. He knew I was loyal, and as my father, he could read my mind through my facial expressions. He claimed he knew me too well, and I fear he is right. For every emotion I showed, he read volumes of my thoughts without having to touch me like he did other vampires.

He called it a "father's intuition".

Nevertheless I learned to read him as well. I knew he had great ambitions, and that no one, not even I or Sulpicia, would truly be on firm ground with him. He was unpredictable. He could be loving, and then ferocious in a blink of an eye. I think he loved me and Sulpicia in his own way, but when he would be forced to choose between the coven and me and Sulpicia, he would choose the Volturi.

Now how could such a powerful vampire escape the knowledge of the rest of the vampires living in the world?

Well, for one thing, Aro never told me to display the gravity of my abilities. I was then restricted to moving objects such as swords and other menial things. The only time the range and strength of my ability was evident was when the Volturi usurped power from the Romanian coven.

I remember it as if it were yesterday: the smell of the Romanian's fear as they saw their coven members blasted to pieces before their very eyes. And there stood Aro, Caius, and Marcus, looking mildly interested at the bloodshed that was happening. The few vampires who ran away before the battle survived, but those who boldly remained felt the receiving end of my power.

I was never the bloodthirsty type compared to Caius, and my father usually blames it on the time I spent with my mother. Frankly, politics of the vampires bores me, and I would rather spend my time painting or reading. When the need arises, however, I can be as ruthless as my father.

My temper isn't as short as Caius', but the moment it erupts, I cannot be restrained. Aro delightfully enjoys the outbursts I've displayed over the years, because it usually involved me tearing a vampire to pieces. It usually takes two to three vampires to tear another vampire apart, but thanks to my ability, I can definitely manage it on my own.

Once the Volturi had total control, Aro immediately set on establishing a permanent home for us. We soon settled in a grand palace in Italy and watched as our power surged over the centuries. The roster of guards was soon added, and I usually stood near the foot of Aro's throne during important meetings. Somehow, those years of being a "pawn" in Aro's grandiose scheme left me wonder how a life with someone would be like.

I saw Aro with Sulpicia, and even Caius and Marcus had their respective mates. It wasn't a stretch to imagine that I soon longed for someone who would take away the loneliness of my existence.

Sometime during the 13th century

"Lord Sebastian?"

I turned, vaguely aware that two women were ogling at me openly. They were some of the newest recruits, and it was possible that they would be dinner. "Yes?"

Katherine, one of the Volturi's newest servants, bowed. "Lady Sulpicia is asking for you."

I sighed, rubbing my temple slowly. I knew I was a little down lately, but was it that obvious? I thanked Katherine and headed to the tower. The guards at the entrance acknowledged my arrival before opening the door. The spiraling staircase that led to my mother's chamber would have shocked any human to the point of exhaustion, but with my vampire speed I was knocking on her door after a few seconds.

"Enter," my mother called.

I opened the door and saw Athenodora sitting on one of the plump couches near the window. She was holding an intricate ruby necklace – a present from Caius, no doubt – while my mother was eyeing me closely from her vanity mirror.

"Mother," I said, kissing her hand. "You called?"

"Yes, of course. I noticed you seemed rather depressed lately. What's troubling you?" she put the mirror down and glanced at me. "You know I don't like seeing you upset."

"Nothing, Mother," I lied.

She laughed. "Sebastian, darling, I've been your mother long enough to know when you've been lying to me. Now tell me what troubles you."

"I think he doesn't want to tell you in front of me," Athenodora guessed. "I shall leave the two of you alone."

Athenodora made a move to leave, but my mother stopped her.

"No, Athenodora. If my son can't tell me with others present, then he shouldn't say anything. He knows full well that I can always take my case with his father," she said imperiously.

My shoulders drooped in defeat. I knew that when she brought up my father, I was a gone goose. My father had the power to read a person's thoughts with a single touch. Everything a person has ever thought would flow straight from their mind and into his. A powerful and dangerous ability.

"Very well, Mother, if you insist," I conceded. She and Athenodora giggled girlishly, and if I could blush, I would have. They sat down on their personal couch and I pulled up a chair. I felt like I was facing a jury; I would have rather faced my father, Caius, and Marcus.

"I'm looking for a mate," I blurted out quickly.

My mother and Athenodora's smiles widened.

"Finally." Athenodora said, placing the necklace around her neck and clasping it shut.

"Have you found a suitable woman yet, Sebastian?" my mother asked at the same time.

I shook my head. I hardly went out of Volterra, and the few times that I did the only women I saw were whores and desperate aristocrats who wanted me in their beds just for my looks. I wanted someone who loved me for who I was, and not because I was the son of Aro and Sulpicia Volturi.

"It would be a boost if she had a useful ability," my mother said thoughtfully. "We should tell your father."

"What? No – no!" I protested. "Please, Mother, I want to do this at my own time. Just because I'm looking for a mate doesn't mean I have to have one now."

She nodded. "But don't expect me to keep this from your father," she warned, wagging a finger at me.

"When did the two of you ever keep secrets from each other, Mother?" I replied, smiling at her despite myself.

"True," she mused. "Now run along, Sebastian. Visit your father in the throne room if you have time."

I nodded and stepped out, closing the door behind me. Since I had nothing to do but continue painting, I headed in the direction of the throne room. The doors were open, which meant that there was no important meeting being held. I hardly attended such functions; like I said, vampire politics bores me. I only go when my father tells me personally, and when he does, then that means he has something special prepared.

The throne room was almost empty; Marcus was sitting on his throne, a glazed look in his eyes. A guard was nearby, and I heard footsteps approach. I turned and came face to face with Felix, who is said to be the strongest vampire in the world.

"Seb," he greeted, grinning like an idiot. Despite his menacing appearance (some vampires said he looks like a charging bull when provoked); he can be rather loose and fun. He was also a massive flirt.

If Father and the other lords didn't set a rule against any of the Volturi leaving the grounds unwarranted, he would probably be spending time at the different pubs near the palace, picking up whores and seducing any woman he liked.

"Felix," I said. "Where's my father?"

"Right here, Sebastian," my father said from my left. He looked regal; he had a stylish silk shirt and breeches. He looked very much a lord, but he carried himself like he was king.

"Father," I said seriously. He was looking at me with one of his bemused smiles; he obviously heard something that was to his liking.

"I've had a rather interesting chat with your mother, Sebastian," he said, placing one hand on my shoulder and leading me inside. "A very interesting chat."

"She's told you already?" I asked, surprised. "I just came from her room!"

He smiled slowly. "News travels fast, especially when it concerns my son. They say you want to wait, but what if we find a lovely young woman for you? Would you consider her then?"

I hesitated.

My father looked at me questioningly, and when I didn't respond, he took my hand. "Ah."

"Father, you must understand," I told him.

"I do. Your standing as my son has always been kept secret. Why should it bother you now?" he asked. "I believe that I can read anyone's mind and tell you if her feelings are true. You forget your father is a powerful man."

"Forgive me, Father. I didn't intend to insult you." I looked at him warily, but he was still smiling.

"No need to ask for forgiveness, my son. We shall resolve this matter of taking a mate in due time. Now, I have something to ask of you. I have been hearing reports of twins in a nearby town who are showing extraordinary gifts. Pay them a visit and see if they are worth our attention," he said, before sitting down on his throne.

Marcus had hardly glanced at us, but I could see his eyes moving all over the throne room.

"Shall I take someone with me?" I asked.

My father shook his head. "No. This has to be subtle as always, Sebastian. Stay there for a few hours, and then get back. I expect you here the same time tomorrow night."

I nodded my head in assent before leaving the throne room. Felix had assumed a position near the door, but he relaxed as I gestured for him to follow me.

"So? Are you going now?" he asked me.

"Yes. Find Katherine for me, would you? Then tell her I need lodgings in Siena quickly. These twins sound interesting," I instructed him as we walked.

Felix grinned. "I think you're hoping one of the twins is a girl."

My mouth twitched. "Possibly. Father did mention of a woman he has found for me. Maybe she is the one." I looked at him. "Felix?"

"Hmm?"

"When do you plan to find Katherine?"

Felix stopped before chuckling. "Seb, girls usually find me."

"Felix?" Katherine's voice echoed down the stone hallway.

Felix threw me one of his what-did-I-tell-you? looks before heading in the direction of Katherine's voice.

I shook my head and made my way into my room. It was huge, naturally, and had a four poster bed with curtains. I didn't use it a lot, but it helped keep up appearances whenever a visitor arrived late at night and began snooping about.

I walked over to my trunk and took out my thick black traveling cloak with a "V" silver clasp (a present from my mother), and a few clothes. These were long enough not to show an inch of skin, and I decided that the shoes I was wearing would suffice.

I placed these in a small traveling bag and went out. Before leaving I headed to my mother's chamber and said goodbye. She patted my hand before turning back to her sewing. Her hands swiftly passed through the cloth and she had created another embroidered handkerchief for my father.

"Be careful, Sebastian," she said as I left the room.

"I will," I assured her.

I passed the other rooms in the castle until they became a blur, and I only stopped when I spotted Felix and Katherine near the huge wooden doors.

"Arrangements have been made, my lord," Katherine told me, smiling covertly at Felix.

"Thank you, Katherine. Don't stay up too late with Felix," I said, causing her to blush.

Felix winked at me, and I stepped out onto the night. As I ran towards the village, I couldn't help but feel euphoric. It was as if there was something good waiting for me in the village, something that I've been waiting for so long.

I didn't know just how right I was.

Author's Note: There may be inaccuracies, misplaced facts, and all that jazz, and I apologize in advance. Feel free to drop in any comments. I'll try to do a short video for this one, so keep your eyes peeled on the update corner in my profile.

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