Thank you so much to all those who took the time to drop off a review. Good or bad, I loved hearing your thoughts. I was very curious to hear people's thoughts on Rachel because I love writing the underdog character, and whether you're not a fan of her or do find her intriguing, I think everyone can agree that she's complicated. Of course Sulpicia finding and torturing her brought that level of complicated up to a whole new level, but even before, something wasn't quite right with her. Question is will we find out what's hidden beneath before Aro arrives to kill her? I do hope so. Oh, and I've actually uploaded a chapter that's not at an ungodly hour of the night. Fantastic! Happy New Years, everyone and enjoy!
Chapter 3
"Remember what I said to you last night?"
"You said a lot to me last night," Demetri pointed out, watching the human scoop listlessly at her scrambled eggs.
"About you making me feel okay," Rachel elaborated, staring dutifully at her plate.
"Ah, yes. Somewhat unexpected, but I don't regret saying what I did."
She nodded without thought at this, her eyebrows scrunched up together.
A second later and she released a lengthy sigh, finally meeting his eyes.
"What I said was...weird. I mean prior to then, I hadn't slept in a good forty-eight hours and half the time, I kept expecting you to disappear. I mean, I'd only known you for a few hours, and you said some things that didn't make me feel so messed up about what I'd done. So in that way, I guess that's what I meant by okay. I didn't mean for it to sound so monumental, especially since I think I was crying when I said it."
That same guarded look, disguised within a calm, light green, met his stare and Demetri knew she felt regret for opening herself up so easily.
"People have said stranger things to me. I'll promise not to take it to heart," he agreed.
"Good."
With that, she went back to playing with her breakfast, thoughts seemingly a million miles away.
Demetri, on the other hand, couldn't stop his intent study. Even when she was in the grasps of her most depressed state, he found her facial expressions intriguing. It was as if every single thought she carried, had attached with it a laden weight and one could measure how troubling each thought was just by observing how much weight rested in between her eyebrows or the former dimples of her lips.
This weight only intensified with all of the bruises scattered across her rosy skin.
"You got rid of Sulpicia's body," Rachel suddenly announced, eyes shooting up to him.
Shifting his gaze to his hands to make it seem like he wasn't staring, Demetri nodded.
"My master would not take kindly to still seeing his wife's remains in such a state."
"I see. Thank you."
She didn't inquire as to where he placed the remains, and to be honest, Demetri really didn't want to mention any more.
Realistically, he'd burned every last bit of her, only taking the Volturi pendant off as well as her emerald gown for proof or maybe a keep sake. He hadn't been lying about his explanation. If Aro got a single glimpse of Sulpicia's hacked form, he would most likely take out not only the human, but perhaps even some of his own kind.
He still remembered Caius's rampage when some fool from a Swedish coven, brought humans for entertainment. They were hosting a party two or so centuries ago and one of the humans had escaped, nearly fatally injuring Athendora.
Demetri kept out of Caius's way for a long time in the following years.
And after witnessing that display of fury, he wasn't sure if Aro would react the same way, but he certainly didn't want to risk that chance.
While Rachel slept, he'd successfully completed a hunt, purchased colored lenses to dim down his ruby red to a cinnamon brown, cleaned Rachel's entire bathroom, and even got a bit of casual reading in.
The thinly bound books of poetry he'd noted the night before, were to his surprise, actually written by the human herself. Granted, she was no Shakespeare, but the words held a magic of their own, causing him to wonder about her state of mind when she'd written each line. Within the stanzas, demons chased her, and in some of the endings, she let them claim her. In others, she fought back with a ruthless anger.
But never did she reveal what they were or why they chased her.
It really was infuriating because Demetri thought himself quite the interpreter, especially of ancient texts. He'd often worked with Marcus to help decipher lost languages.
Then again, could he honestly refer to the troubles plaguing a twenty-four year old woman, as intricate text?
"Rachel, I need to ask you something. And I need you to be as honest as you can with me, okay?"
He could tell he'd visibly startled her with the unexpected question, but he felt relieved when he noticed enough of a trust had formed to where she provided him with her full attention.
"I'll be as honest as I can, Demetri."
"Good," he remarked, offering her a reassuring smile. "Now, I'm unsure if you recognize this, but I'm not quite sure how to interrogate you. More or less, you are a bit...conflicted. The troubles you carry, I think, have been with you even before encountering Sulpicia. But I need to know if you at any point, regret killing her. You felt guilt right before ending her life. Admittedly, this isn't very common when one is in your position, but I understand it. A part of you still hoped that maybe this was all a badly conceived nightmare and that you didn't have to murder another human being to stay alive. However, I also recognize that once she was dead, you claimed to have carried no remorse, knowing it had to happen. When meeting my master, you will have to choose which emotion to stand by. Either your regret or that fight or flight instinct leading to your survival. He will not tolerate the back and forth answer you gave me because as normally calm as he is, he will not exactly have the luxury of being in a neutral mindset. You murdered his wife. I can only imagine the grief he'll be experiencing."
She watched him the entire time, eyes unmoving, frown in place. And yet, he knew she'd soaked in every word.
"I understand how I can be seen as conflicted," she exhaled slowly, lips twitching up momentarily. "Your master, by the way, sounds awful."
Demetri kept his mouth in a straight, tight line following this statement. Awful wouldn't even begin covering it.
"Now that I've had a chance to sleep and really come to terms with what I've done, I think I've settled on this. My guilt and regret rests in the fact that I had to murder another human being to stay alive. I accept that it had to happen and this acceptance is easier because Sulpicia was truly a horrifying person, but like all humans, it's still a bit difficult to grasp that we are capable of murder when pushed to the point of extinction. I've never been pushed to that point, and hope to never be again. Part of me wonders if I could have just kept her down long enough to call the police and explain what happened-,"
The vampire internally frowned, knowing this action would have without a doubt, led to the human's death. The only way Sulpicia wouldn't be a threat anymore would be to do exactly what she had done.
"-but something inside me knew that wasn't an option. That will take me a little while to get used to, giving in to such a strong desire to end someone else's life, but I'll deal because I know the consequences of not doing it would have been far worse. And that's what I'm going to be facing your master with. Conviction. I had to do it and I knew it couldn't be me, especially after realizing how casually Sulpicia disregarded life. If the guy doesn't understand that his wife is a complete psychopath, than I doubt he ever knew her at all."
There were many words Demetri wished to say, but he held back, of course. The most prominent one, though, circulated around the unfortunate fact that if the time called for it, Aro could be just as equally psychotic.
Honestly, he didn't know what to feel about her final stance. The conviction made sense, but Demetri knew Aro wouldn't find it nearly as compelling as he did.
"Something dreadful is going to happen to me, isn't it?"
Broken out of his trance, Demetri found Rachel's eyes.
"What makes you think that?"
She offered him a lop sided smile that clearly showed his innocent facade was nothing but a bluff.
"I might be wrong, but it seems like you're trying to find ways to where the punishment against me could be lessened. I think you know what your master is going to do and it's bad enough to where it has even you feeling sorry for me."
Demetri wanted to smile, but the reality of her words were so truthful that he didn't even feel like forcing one out.
"That bad, huh?" she observed, her smile still in place. "Gosh, I'm in for it now."
"You will not be so carefree come this evening," he scolded evenly.
"Right now, there is so much on my mind that I can't even begin to think about what's going to happen to me tonight," she revealed with a shrug. "I mean, he's not going to kill me outright in cold blood, is he?"
The vampire successfully kept all emotion off his face, and a frustrated sigh left Rachel's lips as a result.
"Will it at all involve me having to fight for my life again?" she asked, smile weakening. "Because as much as I sometimes hate myself, I wouldn't ever want to have my life ended prematurely. Nevermind that it's cowardly, but it'd be incredibly ironic for something amazing to come along just as I offed myself. And I'm not letting that bitch irony, win again."
Despite his hope to convey the seriousness of her situation, Demetri couldn't help smiling lightly at this. This was sounding more like the woman who wrote the poetry in her books.
"Most women I know call each other bitches," he observed. "It takes only a truly unique individual to label irony as the bitch."
Her roll of the eyes only served to increase his grin.
"Don't you have to be an asshole somewhere else?" she mumbled in defense, refusing to meet his mirthful features.
"Tsk, tsk. Insulting your companion for the day? I may just have to take a rain check," he teased.
"No, I want you to come with me," she insisted, releasing all irritation. "From your trepidation about tonight, I have a feeling I need to enjoy Isla del Sol as much as I can today and for the most part, I'd like not to be alone this time around."
It still puzzled Demetri greatly how the human could go from being amused to somber in seconds. Then again, didn't he promise himself to indulge her? Especially with what he knew would be greeting her upon returning home?
"Yes, of course I'll come," he promised.
"Alright. Just let me get changed. With the sky looking as grey as it is, you don't know what kind of weather is coming," she remarked offhandedly. "In fact, I'm surprised it hasn't snowed yet. The west has been getting pounded with it."
He watched her dump her uneaten breakfast in a trash before washing the plate and venturing into her bedroom.
Luck was on his side to have the weather in a heavy overcast, but he had overheard from a convenience store television that the sun could just as easily return later in the day.
Hopefully, that would be far, far later, especially if he was going to a place called Isla del Sol. What were the chances that the human's favorite place to go included the word sun?
"Irony...thy are indeed a bitch," Demetri murmured thoughtfully.
ABJABJABJABJABJABJ
"I do so hope we meet once more in the coming years," Aro mentioned pleasantly, extending a hand. "You and your coven are quite the attraction."
Sobojan grabbed the hand with obvious distrust, but offered the Volturi vampire a grateful nod. "Of course, Aro. I am sorry our visit was cut short so soon. Hopefully all is well?"
Aro only nodded, that same content grin never leaving his face as their hands dropped.
"Nothing to fret over, Sobojan. Just as a residential procedure, though, when shall I check in on your coven again?"
Behind him, Sobojan sensed his companions tense up. And the impulse to simply roast the man alive before him, increased to an unhealthy degree.
But he forcibly restrained himself, knowing he'd have to accept the uneasy peace they had or suffer the consequences of having his entire coven destroyed.
"I do not see why you must check in on us as if we are unruly children," Mila hissed suddenly from behind. "Our youngest is over three centuries. We know how to contain our thirst."
With a grim anxiety, he watched Aro's eyes find Mila. Inside them, or so Sobojan thought, he noticed some sort of politeness, crack.
Which confused him as he'd never known such an insufferably patient vampire in his entire life.
"Sobojan, I only ask this out of mercy," Aro coolly regarded. "Do control your companion or else she does not leave this room alive."
The threat was spoken calmly, collectedly, but with as much venom as one could inject in a sentence without barely raising their voice.
"Quiet, Mila. We are nearly out of here. Do not test Aro's patience. It does not appear as if it is with him today."
He could almost hear the metaphorical grumble in their telepathic link. Yet another reason why their departure needed to be made now.
Yes, Aro was aware of his own ability to produce and control fire.
But he had little idea that every single one of his coven members, seven if including him, carried an ability. Not one of them would ever be safe again if this deadly information was discovered. He even dedicated three entire months of training before venturing to Volterra, just to prepare everyone for Aro's familiar intrusion of the mind. It was excruciating work, but the memories had to be concealed by force so the truth wouldn't be brought into the light.
Mila's impatience certainly wasn't making anything easier.
"I don't care if they are our elders, it's not fair that they can check up on us whenever they feel fit. That's not a government, Sobojan. It's a dictatorship."
Of course he agreed, but with all of the eyes trained on him, Sobojan acted as if he were regretful.
"I am quite sorry, Aro. Mila offers her sincere apology, even if pride permits it."
Again, that anger wove into the airwaves inside his mind, but he chose to ignore it.
"There is something intriguing about them all," Caius unexpectedly noted, his gaze falling on each vampire. "You are sure only their leader carries a gift?"
Not a single member of his coven appeared nervous, and for that, Sobojan was thankful. They knew just as well as he, the repercussions of having their gifts brought to light.
"I assure you no talent was overlooked," Aro remarked, a faint annoyance sliding into his voice. "And they really must be off, regardless."
"Yes," Sobojan agreed, sending the raven haired man a nod. "Again, thank you Aro. You may check in with us in another year."
"Seven months sounds perfect," Aro decided happily, flashing him a smile. "Do enjoy your journey back."
Sobojan bowed, knowing his coven would follow the same formality, no matter how reluctant.
And with a final scrutinous glance from Caius, Sobojan and his coven were ushered out of the room.
"I still believe there is something strange about them all," Caius acknowledged suspiciously. "Why is it they are not staying with us for the next three days as was initially promised? You know their leader wants nothing more than to hide his coven away."
Aro didn't speak for a moment, throwing off the false grin he'd been bearing.
Marcus watched him with an unnerving intensity, and for once, Aro just wished he'd return his gaze to a book or manuscript. He was in no mood to be studied by the quiet man.
"What troubles you, Aro?"
"Many things, Marcus. Though, I am honestly at a loss of where to start."
"You know your troubles will be met with understanding."
Reluctantly, Aro lowered his head, knowing he had to inform his brothers of what had happened.
And yet, he did not quite trust himself to stay as collected as he'd been for the past few hours.
"Demetri finally called me with news of Sulpicia," he began steadily, turning to face both men.
"Is that not good?" Caius wondered in confusion.
"No," he mentioned, back stiffening up. "Demetri informed me she is dead."
Even Marcus's normally blank features couldn't keep back surprise while Caius openly showed his with widened eyes and an open jaw.
"And," Aro continued dutifully, clasping his hands behind him, "I know him to be right. He told me the color of the gown she wore and found our pendant upon her chest."
"How did this happen?" Caius demanded, his anger storming into his eyes.
At this, Aro had to contain the need to release a mad chuckle. It'd sound unnerving even to his own ears.
"Demetri claims it is a simple human woman. Perhaps the gift Sulpicia hunted so adamantly for."
The very thought still sent Aro into a dangerously dark mood about his wife's carelessness and the lack of protection she'd had.
"A human woman?" Marcus inquired with a vague interest.
"A human woman overpowering Sulpicia?" Caius interrupted. "That is impossible!"
"Oh, it is very possible, brother," he nearly laughed with bitterness. "Should you forget so easily the human who nearly injured your wife so many centuries ago?"
A violent, unforgiving anger settled itself in Caius's hard gaze.
"I thought we would not repeat those events aloud again," he threatened.
"It is the only way for you to see that humans are not always as defenseless as we make them out to be," Aro defended, feeling little remorse about bringing Athendora into the conversation. "And the more unaware we are, the deadlier their power is. As much as I loved Sulpicia, I cannot deny that she never recognized strength held a multitude of faces. The most deceiving being patience. Sadly, I can almost envision her demise and the confidence she held prior to it."
"Regardless, you are hiding your pain remarkably well," Marcus observed. "And with your release of the Albanian coven, I am to assume you have made ulterior plans?"
"I have," Aro agreed, finally displaying a most unsettling smile that showed off a great number of teeth. "In a few hours, the three of us along with Felix, Alec, and Jane, will be on a jet to New York. Demetri is currently holding on to our dear little murderer. For the moment, he is not to kill her. I would personally like to partake in this pleasure."
"We will be killing her?" Caius expressed, lips twisting up.
"Not right away," Aro corrected. "There is a reason I am taking Jane with us, after all."
If possible, the excitement in Caius's eyes grew.
"You wish to truly hurt this human, don't you?"
"Why should I not?" Aro snapped, finding Marcus's eyes. "She has slaughtered my wife. My wife! I have only been able to get myself by in these past hours by imagining what to do with this filthy abomination. And I assure you, tonight will not be a merciful evening."
Marcus stared back at him as if he hadn't heard the proclamation.
"How terrifying it must have been for the human," he pointed out, "to have met Sulpicia. Forgive me, because I do not wish for you to feel I am indifferent to her death. Your loss becomes my own, Aro. And yet, the human will see her actions as survival and nothing less."
"Aro has made his decision," Caius dictated. "A right one, at that. I will personally go find our terrible three and inform them of our departure."
With that, he swiftly marched out of the room.
"I cannot tell for what prospect he is more consumed by. The injustice of my wife's death or anticipating the murder of this human."
"It does not have to be murder," Marcus expressed.
"Doesn't it?" Aro retorted tightly. "You sit in your place and listen to the news as if a common human met their death and not one of our own. As nurturing as your wisdom is, brother, I find myself astonished at your dismissiveness."
Marcus slowly moved to his feet and Aro almost thought he'd depart as Caius had.
But instead, he offered a final few words.
"How forgetful you remain that it was at your hands my mate was killed," Marcus reminded neutrally. "And yet, I have made no action against you."
Aro kept up a cruel silence, unwilling to admit nor acknowledge his past action.
"As unnecessary as killing this human is, I somehow am content to know that your anger is not nearly as black as it should be with the death of your wife," his brother commented. "I would know this pain personally. And rather than be disappointed by your actions, I find myself more perplexed by these circumstances. Make no mistake, I am sorry for your loss, brother. Her companionship gave you great pleasure. But I know your pain will fade quicker than even you will realize. For the moment, my curiosity rests in the reason why."
And before a final word could be said, the vampire exited the room.
Aro only watched the closed doors, unable to pin point just exactly what he felt.
As angry as he knew himself to be, and Aro knew Sulpicia's death reawoke a vengeance inside him he would not submerge, he also felt confusion regarding Marcus's claim that he should be even angrier than he was.
Of course Aro always perceived Marcus as a far more sensitive being, his emotions more prone to experiencing suffering.
But that pain he had witnessed inside his brother for so many centuries after Didyme's death, was indeed real and ever reluctantly, Aro understood that what he felt at this very moment wasn't nearly as agonizing or wounding.
Yes, Sulpicia was gone.
For millennias, she'd been his companion. His wife. His partner. His beautiful seductress. The one who embraced the thought of smashing their blood stained lips together and enjoying the true, liberating nature of what they were.
Knowing that he'd never have that type of relationship again, saddened him greatly. Even if their relationship had had their differences, Aro always counted on Sulpicia to return to him.
Now, she couldn't ever again, all because of a human.
Oh, yes, that pain was there, throbbing at his undead heart. But did it consume his every sense? Deprive him of the ability to think?
No, it did not. And Aro didn't know how to feel upon deciphering this troubling realization. That his pain should have been far greater, but wasn't.
Then again, perhaps it would reveal itself upon reaching the place where his wife had lived her last seconds.
With a soft growl, Aro made his way to the doors, plans in mind already for what would come in the evening.
"It does not have to be murder."
Forcing his feet into an unwanted pause, Aro allowed Marcus's words to replay over in his head. And an anger steadily built up as to why he indulged in the thought of sparing the human at all. That would accomplish nothing.
"I must bestow only the most cruelest of pain," he decided coldly into the empty room. "My dearest would have expected nothing less."
The issue now was deciding how to engage in such vengeance and for how long.
ABJABJABJABJABJABJ
"Do you ever fear this machine will lose a few screws and you will fall to your death?"
Rachel's grip on the bar, tightened, knuckles turning white.
"T-thanks for that," she chattered.
Demetri nodded with a grin, risking a glance outside the contraption he sat in.
They currently hovered in the air, fifty feet above the ground in what was known as a ferris wheel. Demetri had only seen them in pictures before, but he couldn't deny a faint admiration upon entering their seats. It was something Heidi would find an unexpected interest in hearing. Riding inside a machine so large and menacing, yet able to feel soothed at the same time.
In fact, she'd be intrigued to hear that he himself had actually traveled to an amusement park. Admittedly, this was the last place he thought Isla del Sol could be. He'd been half expecting an island itself or perhaps a spa with those annoyingly fluorescent lights that made him squint.
But no.
The human had brought him to an amusement park settled near a harbor.
Their current view really was perfect from such a great height, successfully allowing them to observe the imposing skyscrapers of the city as well as the pools of cobalt blue lakes speckled along the way.
The crowds were nearly non-existant, the cool temperature having kept them all away, but Demetri found that he preferred this. It made it easier to concentrate not only on his thirst, but on the human beside him.
Upon entering the park, Rachel claimed it wasn't uncommon for adults to travel inside as well.
However, after witnessing a rare delight sparkling inside her teal eyes as they threw random objects at milk bottles to attain overly stuffed animals that personally unnerved him with their massive, beady eyes, or as she hungrily devoured a sugar packed dessert known as an elephant ear, Demetri understood that underneath her explanation, the reason she liked coming to the park was to feel like a child herself. And not in that annoying way where he felt as if he were babysitting.
No, it was more of an excuse to be innocent, even though she'd passed that point in her life long ago.
They'd been at Isla del Sol for a little under three hours, and by far, the ferris wheel was his favorite. It calmed him as well as easily created conversations with the woman despite their unorthodox relationship.
Rachel had actually known the human who'd operated the wheel, a balding, elderly man named Artie and the two had settled on a thirty minute interval of constant rotation, lest another person came along who wanted to board.
"Did you know Sulpicia?"
Knocked out of his musings, Demetri rotated his head toward her as their cart descended once more, the breeze ruffling back his hair comfortably, but serving to force the human further into her windbreaker.
"I did."
She kept her bottom lip trapped in between both teeth, and Demetri noted the innocence she'd retained for the past few hours, slowly seep away. Now, they would be back to discussing the mortifying part of life and he reluctantly forced himself into this mindset.
"Did you know how insane she was?"
This time, Demetri didn't know how to answer. For the most part, he'd been honest with the human, his only lie sprouting about what was to be done to her later in the evening.
But he knew how she was looking at the situation, and to deny he knew her insanity seemed an insult somehow.
"You knew."
The words weren't accusing nor said in terror.
Just acceptance.
"Well, since our little relationship or whatever this is, expires in a few hours, I need to know this," she decided, settling both hands in between her knees. "Demetri...did you know Sulpicia was going to hurt me?"
"I did not," he responded honestly. "In fact, I was countries away, unaware of Sulpicia's plans. My master phoned me to begin a search for her after she hadn't returned home in over a week. It was my understanding that she would have been back for her anniversary."
Almost instantly, Demetri regretted mentioning this part. While the human retained the conviction of survival, he also knew some regret still lingered inside of her regarding her actions.
"Her anniversary?" she repeated, surprised. "How long were they going to be married for?"
"Personally, I think it doesn't matter nor should it be something you should dwell on. Just remind yourself what would have happened had you not fought back."
She wordlessly gazed out towards the city, expression sealed tight.
"Correct me if I'm wrong," she began, "but it seems like you understand what I had to do. In a way that isn't expected of you. And in a way that would get you in trouble with your master were he to get word of your...softness toward me."
"You are correct," he admitted, fixated on her face.
"And tonight...when your master finally comes...I'll be on my own, won't I? All of this activity and words we've shared, it's going to have to be forgotten about. Tucked away, right?"
Demetri quickly tore his eyes away, unsure as to why such heavy guilt struck him at her words. Of course he knew it would eventually lead to this. The human would be handed over to Aro and Aro would do as he wished with her. Sulpicia was a Volturi member. An instant death sentence would be placed on the individual held responsible for her death.
But when Demetri replaced the term 'the human' with Rachel, suddenly, his duties seemed deceitful. All of the comforting words he'd said to her, the companionship he'd offered, what he'd learned made her laugh or frown...it wouldn't matter in the end because she would be suffering such an agonizing death he knew she didn't deserve.
And he was leading her there.
"Yes," he answered, helpless to say anything else.
"Okay," she mumbled, blinking a few times. "Then I guess I'll answer your question from last night. When you wanted to know how I first met her. But...I don't want to talk about the torture. Right now, I'm just barely holding on to the good time I've been having and I really can't afford to prematurely get rid of it."
"That's understood," he accepted.
"Good. First, I just want to mention that I'm still confused as to why she picked me. I mean, before she entered my life, I didn't bother anyone. I'll admit to being a bit lonely, sure, but I didn't mind it. I never pestered anyone or flaunted myself in places I didn't belong. I stayed inside my apartment for the most part, living a sheltered existence that suited me just fine. I really was a no one in the safest way possible," she explained. "But for some reason, Sulpicia knocked on my door."
"She was pleasant at first?"
"Yes, but I found her suspicious right away. I didn't have any friends, no boyfriends, and I'd lost contact with my family over three years ago. But there she stood, asking to be invited in. I only did it because she seemed intent on talking to me. She said she had information I'd be interested to hear."
"What was it?"
"She never said. From the moment she entered my apartment, she actually pestered me about who I was. Really insignificant questions that quickly had me knowing something was off about her. About a half hour later, I asked her to leave. Her questions were getting really...personal. But of course, this is when she broke the charade. From then on, it went down hill."
A moment of silence settled between them, and Demetri found himself looking up, studying the ashy clouds above. In some spots, it looked like the sun wanted to peek through, but the stubborn grey refused this entry.
"I think a lot of it was psychological torture from what she said," Rachel recalled. "Granted, I've heard it all before, but it felt awful to have those wounds torn open once more. She never quite got me to feel suicidal, but I accepted on the second day, to appease her, that my existence was nothing compared to her own. And I think she was a very vain woman to force that sort of confession from me."
"That does sound like her," he mentioned, disgusted by the woman all over again.
"And, she had a particular fascination with my body."
Demetri's eyebrows rose as he flicked his eyes back toward the human.
"Whatever for?" he questioned, puzzled.
"I don't know," she admitted, shrugging. "She told me with each cut that she was successfully keeping all men away from me. That each time I would look at myself in the shower, I would feel ashamed and disgusted with what I saw. She wanted me to feel worthless and she wanted to mark my body in a way that would horrify me."
Ignoring the rumble of anger inside him, Demetri took a casual scan down the human's form. The cuts he knew to be located beneath her clothes, did not smell as fresh as they had the night before because they probably had a chance to heal somewhat.
And yet, even though he hadn't seen them, he knew those scars would be on her forever.
"She must have been livid when she realized she could not break your spirit," Demetri finally commented.
An unexpected chortle passed through her lips and the vampire internally relaxed at the smile she shot him.
"You have no idea. I don't think I even knew what real spirit was until I felt myself fighting back against everything she said and did. It was like my mind made the decision for me. It said you are not going to let this bitch take away who you are with a few flicks of a knife. And the more she insulted me, the more determined I got. I could tell she didn't understand what her words were doing and I took advantage of this when the time came. I remember being so angry that I had gotten myself into the situation. Angry at her for intruding on my life when I had done nothing to her. Just...anger."
"I am glad you knew how to handle it. Not many release their anger in beneficial ways."
"Well, anger and I are old friends. His visit has been long overdue."
"I honestly never saw you as an angry person," he admitted. "You appear far too composed and mature to let such an emotion guide you."
"That's funny because it almost sounds plausible the way you say it. Unfortunately, I'm not as unmarked by it as it would appear. I have had anger issues in the past with people and a lot of times, myself. But I choose not to deal with that anger by exploding, at least not anymore because it solves nothing. Instead, I kind of keep it built up or I write it out. I'd almost forgotten how empowering and out of control it feels to be led by such an unforgiving emotion. Which is another reason I'm even more nervous about tonight. This time, your master will be in the grips of anger."
"Don't be nervous," Demetri insisted. "Don't even think about it. Enjoy your time now."
Again, she smiled, but he felt disheartened at the lack of any real conviction.
For the next fifteen minutes, they busied themselves with enjoying the wheel's constant, soothing rotation, intent on plunging them down, causing a tickle to develop in both of their tummies, before slinging them back up, a vast clash of wilderness and industrialization displayed before them.
Demetri wanted to imprint this memory to mind. With so many centuries of staying cooped up in Volterra, this experience was quite literally a breath of fresh air. A moment so unlike any he'd ever experienced. A so very simple pleasure that didn't include death or blood.
And no matter what tragedy united this human's and his own path, he knew he wouldn't like to have spent his time upon the ferris wheel with anyone else but Rachel because she too recognized the incredible beauty in such a small moment in time.
"Oh!" she suddenly exclaimed as they ascended up into the atmosphere once more. "Look!"
He followed her pointed finger up towards the sky.
Quite suddenly, a rush of panic spilled open inside him as he watched the clouds weakly part and allow the stray rays of sunlight to descend upon the world below.
Nervously, he tried shifting in his seat, wishing he'd have thought to bring a coat with a hood, but he was very well trapped in his position. And the only way down would be to risk exposing what he was. So, grudgingly, he stayed rigidly in his seat.
The clouds kept on parting, unaware of Demetri's growing unease, seemingly rebelling against each other as more sun lighted the graying world below.
He felt an unexpected warmness strike him on the face just as their cart paused at the highest peak of the ride. And again, he cursed irony as the malevolent bitch she was.
"Um...Demetri," Rachel spoke up, one hand coming to wrap cautiously around his bicep, "you're...uh, sparkling."
Demetri only kept his eyes averted from her own in a paralyzing embarrassment, silently cursing as the sun continued to shine on down.
"You sparkle," she repeated carefully, this time as if trying to deduce a problem.
"So it would seem," came his tight reply.
"Huh," she mused, shaking her head as her eyes traveled over his beaming, lighted skin. "That's unexpected. But cool."
Furrowing his brows, the vampire turned his attentions back toward the human.
"Cool?"
"You learn something new about people each day. Artie can swing one of his legs over his neck. My landlord knows how to throw knives. You sparkle. It's not a big deal."
His relief was so staggering that he couldn't help but explode in laughter, the cart shaking with his amusement. Of course she would find it endearing rather than weird, and he liked her all the more for that.
"May I?" she inquired.
After his mirth had calmed, Demetri nodded, watching her outstretched hand with a far more calm body.
Her fingers brushed over his cheek ever so carefully, but the contact soothed him in a way he hadn't felt for a despondently long while. A contact he couldn't even quite explain the importance of.
It simply felt right - carefree, especially with the soft smile playing on her lips.
"You are without a doubt, the strangest man I've ever met," she announced gently, dropping her arm. "And I know that tonight, we won't be on the same side anymore. But I do genuinely want to thank you for giving this day to me. And letting me clear my conscious of what I've done."
Demetri absorbed the human sadly, the bruises and markings just as apparent as the unbroken spirit still existing inside her eyes, even if she hid it so very well.
Again, that guilt rustled uncomfortably inside him, angrily scolding him for willingly sending a woman to a death she really didn't deserve. Scolding him because the story resting beneath her gaze, would not be one he would ever get the luxury of hearing, perhaps finally shedding light on the poems she wrote.
Ever so briefly, his cursings shifted to Aro for marrying such a merciless bitch. For allowing her to kill and slaughter without limit. Letting her gain the notion that the world would part in two for her footsteps, so long as she displayed her blatant and arrogant strength.
All of those instances of greed and gluttony led to the meeting between Rachel and Sulpicia, and he faintly wondered whether this was always meant to be Rachel's fate. To go through whatever troubles she had and survive against all odds, just to be tortured once more and murdered.
"You're welcome," was all he responded with, offering her his opened palm, still shining brightly underneath the dying sunlight.
As the truth of what he was doing, slowly started to settle in, Demetri knew that guilt would not wave from his insides. And even after the human's death, it would still sit, caged and delirious, taunting him with the knowledge that he could have saved her, even if damning himself in the process.
Rachel slipped her cold hand in his without caution, and for the moment, Demetri allowed himself to bathe in the temporary peace of this moment, knowing the human was doing much of the same.
Next chapter and the Volturi finally arrive! Too bad Demetri's gotten so attached to Rachel, eh? Also, next chapter will be the first time I'll be writing from Rachel's POV. I feel because I haven't yet, as an audience, you guys might feel a bit disconnected from her. Whether you do or not, she will primarily lead narration and heck, it might be the last chapter with her in it. Let me know your thoughts in a review!