Woo, this chapter took longer than I expected - but here it is, finally! Thanks for all the awesome reviews; it's nice to know you still enjoy reading my stuff, so I'll try and update a bit quicker next time!

We get more of a look into Anna's state of mind in this one (emphasis on state!), and the effect she has had on Aro...

Enjoy!

LookAliveSunshine

Disclaimer: Obviously I do not own any recognisable characters. Anna and Beth are mine, all mine (mwa haha!)

Chapter 2:

A wake-up call

Her voice was as soft and gentle as Demetri remembered, but there was also that unexpected ring of authority that left you wondering whether you had imagined it or not.

He tried to keep his face composed, when inside he was full of an unpleasant mix of horror and grandeur. This was a very different Anna to the one he had seen leaving Volterra.

Gone was the spark of life behind those large eyes, the vibrant, wild bounce of her dark curls. They were dull and lank, scraped up into a hurried ponytail at the side of her head. She wore a grey sweatshirt that was just a little too baggy for her shape and faded, black jeans.

All in all, she looked about as happy as Aro did, sat, broken, on his throne back home.

"Come in. Make yourself comfortable." Anna stepped aside, and Demetri followed her in.

"Thank you, Lady Anna."

"Please… have a seat."

Was she dreaming? Was Demetri really here, the epitome of the catalogue supermodel brought to life, in their cluttered lounge? It didn't feel quite real, but then, nothing seemed to have much substance of late.

She had been foolish enough to believe that depriving herself of Aro would help clear her head, but for two months now, Anna had found herself drifting through each aimless day, detached and listless as a balloon with nothing to tether her down. It was a very unnerving sensation, so Demetri's presence was her saviour.

He was the messenger, her window into the wellbeing of Aro, and she found she moved with more strength and purpose now, towards the kitchen.

"Would you like a drink, Demetri?" In this light she could see now how dark his eyes truly were.

"Yes. Thank you," he replied with some relief, from the sofa.

Beth came to perch herself on the arm, ignoring him completely. He could smell her sweet, spiky scent, and her apple shampoo. As pleasant as it was, he felt quite trapped. Luckily Anna soon came over, laden with two mugs of blood from the otherwise empty fridge.

Venom trickled greedily into his mouth.

"Here, Demetri." Her eyes were concerned, but full of reprieved warmth. "You look thirsty."

"Yes. Thank you." Taking it, he had the decency to look uncomfortable. "I have only just returned from home. Time…got away from me."

Anna nodded in understanding. Beth's gold eyes swivelled to the ceiling.

How long does it take to kill a poor, innocent human?

Taking a long, lingering slurp of his 'drink', Demetri sighed. "Ah. Thank you, Lady Anna."

"You're very welcome." She swallowed before she spoke again, readying herself for the sting of oncoming remorse. "You have… news from Aro?"

He nodded, his eyes grave. "Yes."

"H-how is he?"

In her corner, quite forgotten, Beth's rigid posture softened. Since their bittersweet parting, Anna had almost refused to speak of Aro at all. Beth had tried to, of course, but Anna had appeared to think it better if she kept it all inside, all that misery, doubt and fear bottled up like a noxious gas inside her… till she fell apart with it.

As frustrated as her sister's self-destructive behaviour made her, Beth couldn't blame her for that. The idea that one could go from an ordinary vampire, to a Volturi Queen in a matter of weeks was just too much to comprehend, let alone make any kind of decision over.

Still, she would have preferred it if she'd confided in her about it, but that was Anna for you. She didn't like to worry her, and consequently, Beth always worried about her.

Demetri set his mug aside. He looked Anna dead in the eye. "You only have to look in the mirror to see what you have done to him."

Beth sucked in a shocked breath. Bastard! Yet she knew he was telling the truth, and this was something she really didn't enjoy admitting.

"Without you," Demetri went on, like she hadn't reacted. "My Master is…distracted. Understand that is something the Volturi cannot afford to happen; we have enemies hiding all over the world, just waiting to find opportunity to overthrow us, and a leader without his mate is the greatest weakness." He paused for apparent emphasis. "He needs you, and therefore, we all need you to come home. For the sake of our coven."

"Pressure, much?" Beth muttered, mulishly. It was the first thing she had said in a surprisingly long while.

Anna quelled her with a glance, moving to sit on the edge of the coffee table, clutching her mug to her chest. Her fingers were trembling.

The ever-present ache in her heart responded with a mighty roar. She winced.

Demetri noticed this. "You feel it too," he said, quietly. There was sympathy in his voice. "My Master has been acting the very same way."

Anna's eyes fluttered shut around the rim of her mug, as she emptied it. I know. Somehow, I know.

"Why torture yourself over it? Why torture him?"

Beth hissed. "You think she's enjoying this?"

"No, I –"

Anna put her mug down with a gentle clunk. She met his gaze levelly. "You know why I left him, Demetri; I did this because I did not wish to let him down. I wasn't ready. He…Aro, does not deserve a Queen who is afraid." She swallowed, her expression distressed.

"And are you still?" Demetri prompted. "Are you still afraid?"

She paused, as if deciding. "I do not know anymore."

Beth made a compassionate noise. "You would have to be an idiot not to be scared, Anna."

So brutally honest, with just the right amount of kindness to lessen the blow; Beth was good at that. Her tone made Anna laugh a little.

But there was no smile on her sister's face.

"This is your wake-up call, Anna. Since we left Volterra, you've not exactly been yourself. It isn't…healthy." She took a breath, dreading Demetri's reaction over what she was about to utter. "And I think Demetri's right. I think it's time we went back."

She could feel Demetri staring at her. Sorry, ego.

Anna voiced his astonishment. "You think so? Really?"

Unspoken utterance: But you hated it there.

And boy, did she know it. But she had promised Anna that on their return to the Volturi, she would try to make a better impression on the Guard, for her sake. After all, Beth did not want to make any enemies out of her future in-laws…even if they all seemed dead-set on casting her out.

She wasn't sure why. Maybe it was because of her differing diet? Or because she couldn't keep her mouth shut when it really called for it…

"Yes," Beth said, firmly. "You need Aro, just like they need you…apparently."

She dared a look at Demetri. His brow and nose were wrinkled as if he smelt a rat. But the fierce challenge in her eyes told him there were none to be found this time.

I did not anticipate this. He had been under the impression he would need to negotiate around her more than Anna, and she was actually agreeing with him?

Perhaps she is not so selfish and hard-headed after all.

"Is that settled, then?" He said, slowly. "You will come? Both of you?"

Beth was nodding, but it was Anna's answer that mattered most. Desperate hope was blossoming in his chest, like a small, delicate flame, so easily stamped out.

"Yes, Demetri," Anna's voice was clear and strong. A new light flickered in her eyes. "We will come. In a month's time, we will return to Volterra."

"Hallelujah." Beth threw her arms up, just as her stomach sank to the soles of her socks. Demetri's shoulders sagged with visible relief.

"I shall tell him the good news." He literally bounced to his feet, like an excited school boy. "My Master will be so glad to learn of this."

Thanking Anna once again, he let her show him out. Beth gave him a half-hearted wave.

"Have a safe trip." No one was sure whether she was being sarcastic or not. Not even her.

So now I guess I have to pack again…

Switching the TV on, she dallied in a little light-hearted eavesdropping. Anna and Demetri were talking in low voices out in the hall now, and he couldn't seem to stop thanking her for seeing sense at last. She was just as modest as ever, of course.

Beth wondered if that would change when she became Queen.

No way. She'll be happy. That's what's most important.

"Will you give this to him?" Anna suddenly asked, perhaps a little…nervously? Beth heard a rustle of paper, and immediately understood.

She was giving Demetri a picture of Aro; one of many, hidden, scattered away in numerous places around the house. Obviously she kept one in the pocket of her jeans. Beth found herself pressing her lips together to stop herself sighing over such a sentiment. Anna rarely showed her artistic talent off to anyone, so this clearly meant a lot.

"I will, my Lady. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Demetri. Take care."

Then he was gone, carried off by the icy wind blasting into the house to make one of the most significant calls of his long life.

Oh, wow, I cannot WAIT to post the next chapter - Anna and Aro will be reunited *squee* Stay tuned!