Hello again! Chapter 4, already? Wow. Thank you to all who have reviewed thus far!

We're about to meet some new characters in this particular chapter, who are all quite significant in their own ways...

Enjoy!

LookAliveSunshine03

WARNING: This chapter contains mature language.

Chapter 4:

Razor-blade smile

It would take Demetri just five hours to find Aro's favourite envoy. Though her siblings also lived in the UK, Hazel lived alone. Demetri had only met her brother and sister a couple of times over the years, but he was thankful Julia was away in Edinburgh right now. Her mind's essence smelt of something like horse radish, all but confirming her rather…unsteady mind.

Michael Lewis, on the other hand, was the more docile sibling. He had been living in Cardiff since their last family reunion, two weeks ago. His trail felt like water beneath Demetri's feet, cool and crisp as autumn on his tongue.

In Hazel's case, it was like following a song only Demetri could hear; a barrage of drums over a swooping clarinet. For some reason, it tasted purple. Very Hazel.

So after a few 'snacks', he endured the five-hour flight to Gatwick airport. Unsurprisingly, it was raining upon landing, and Demetri turned his collar up against the invasive wind, before he caught a taxi down to one of the more rundown corners of London's East End.

Demetri did not like this part of the bustling city. Trapped as it was in an ugly 1960s time-warp, it still seemed stuck in the 1940s in some aspects. The steadfast, red brick walls, the narrow streets, and broken bottles in the alleyways.

As London continued to change and shed its old skin, Hazel was sad about the steady extinction of these kinds of neighbourhoods. When she was human, she had lived in a house similar to one in this neighbourhood, apparently.

Demetri moved towards the one black door in the neighbourhood, keeping diligently close to the shadows. He could have waited for cover of dusk, but the downpour was getting increasingly worse, and he was getting quite drenched.

As it was, Hazel didn't even let him knock on her door before she reached out, grabbed him by the lapels of his leather jacket, and dragged him inside. It all happened so fast, a human would have assumed the battering wind blew the door open before being slammed shut again.

Hazel's voice was a rasp, a quiet tiger's growl. "Christ's sake, get in. What's wrong with you? Swanning up to my front door as bold as fucking brass –!"

She let him go, muttering to herself, and Demetri saw how badly he had caught her by surprise; otherwise he would probably have found her wearing something less…casual than this. He almost smiled. The light in here washed out everything in its weak energy-saving efficiency, but he still found her as striking as ever.

Where Anna was soft in her beauty, Hazel was as sweet as an unsheathed blade. Her scent covered every available surface in her house like a second skin, heady and dangerous, roses and cigarette smoke.

With her ragged asymmetrical hairstyle and svelte figure, Hazel usually appeared more male than female. Not today, though. In a baggy vest-top and sweats, it brought back that night to the forefront of Demetri's mind. Twelve years ago, they had both been lonely, and he just happened to be in the area. Had it meant anything? No. But…it had happened all the same.

Still ignoring him, Hazel snapped her old TV set off, before dumping out the contents of an overflowing ash-tray on the coffee table into the nearest bin. The tray looked expensive, probably stolen from a hotel.

"Have I come at a bad time?" Demetri asked roguishly, when it didn't look like she would stop angry-tidying any time soon.

"You could have called first." Hazel shot over her shoulder, side fringe batting her in the eye. Then she rounded on him, folding thin arms over her chest. "What? Do they not let you have telephones where you are?" She sighed, apparently changing her mind. "Well, make yourself at home, and sit down then, if you must, but this better be worth my time."

Demetri hung up his jacket before doing so, upon her sunken sofa. The living-room was the largest room in her house, but it was filled with the rather unsettling audience of mannequin heads that modelled Hazel's elaborate wig collection all around them.

She was not wearing one now.

Just as she had been that night.

Luckily for her, half-shaved heads were coming back into fashion.

"I would have called, but, regrettably, I don't have your most recent number," Demetri explained. "And this news is too important for a phone call."

Hazel's face was a cynical twist. "Well. You'd better spit it out, then." She hit the sofa, purposely jostling him, and the longest side of her hair brushed against one sharp cheekbone, which she flicked irritably away. Pulling out a lighter, smoke soon filled the air as Hazel lit a cigarette.

Demetri watched all this in fascination. "Are your…siblings well?"

Hazel rolled her eyes, taking a long drag. "Well, Michael is looking for his Mr Right, and Jools is – is Jools." Through her smoke-screen, he saw her mouth turn down as she struggled to find the right words.

"You haven't asked her to stay with you?"

Another short and irritable pull. "'Course I have. The more time she spends alone, the worse she gets – but will she come and find either of us?" Hazel gave a hard, bubbling laugh. "My association with you scares her away, and she doesn't want to cramp Michael's style. Honestly, it's enough to drive me bat-shit…" She laughed again, though it sounded like she was in pain.

Demetri murmured. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"No more than I am, I'm sure." Hazel took another puff, exhaling away from him. "Anyway, enough about that. You have some news for me."

"Master Aro is to marry again."

She raised one eyebrow, unimpressed. "Good for him. But why's that worth coming all this way to tell me?"

"Hazel, you misunderstand." Demetri sighed. "Sulpicia is dead."

She blinked three times, coughed once. "Well. That is definitely news."

He frowned. "You don't seem shocked."

"Oh, I am." Hazel laughed as she leant to tap her cigarette against the ashtray. "Shocked that she didn't die sooner. Don't tell me keeping a wife as prisoner wouldn't end tragic, sweet'eart. Oh! But I'm forgetting! You aren't allowed to have that kind of free thought, eh?" Her smile was a razor-blade, fondly mocking him.

Demetri chuckled. "Don't you want to know who our new Queen will be?"

"Alright. Who is the lucky lady?"

"Her name is Anna. She would very much like to meet you. "

"Huh." Disinterested, Hazel took another drag.

Demetri smiled at her teasing. "Hazel, she knew Antoine Jean."

That made her eyes light up. "Oh." Along with more smoke, it came out of her mouth in a wandering song-note. "Perchance, is she the Anna?"

"That depends." Demetri gave a delicate cough. "Who are you referring to?"

"Oh, you would hear Antoine talking about her like she was the Virgin Mary, reincarnated," Hazel explained offhandedly, flicking ash. "I've haven't directly met her myself, of course, but to me she sounded not all there, if you get my meaning. Some past trauma. I don't know."

Demetri nodded. "You… saw her at the Ball, didn't you?"

She grinned, remembering. "I did. Must have caused quite the stir in that dress, I must say. Poor Aro. Even Mikey couldn't take his eyes off her. The little red-head, too."

Hazel's eyes bored into his, and Demetri felt trapped. She knew.

"She is Anna's companion," he replied steadily. "Rescued by Antoine and Anna."

"Hm. And where's she?"

"Elizabeth is… travelling." As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he immediately winced inside. Where had Elizabeth come from? He hadn't called her that for months. "She'll return for the wedding."

Hazel heard his hesitation, and leaned forward hungrily. Scrunched up her eyes, like he was a dirty window she wanted to see out of. Demetri recognised this action, and held her gaze with an air of boredom that she saw straight through.

Whatever she saw past it, it left her smiling, shark-tooth-sharp. "This Elizabeth must be quite a girl."

He twitched. "Why would you say that?"

Hazel snorted. "Christ, do I even need to answer that? Antoine only ever saves people if he sees something worthwhile. He told me so." It hadn't been the answer Demetri had expected, but that didn't matter. He saw a sudden spasm of sadness flicker across her face. "Have you…heard anything from him?"

"I..." He didn't know what to say. He knew Hazel owed a lot to Antoine; to learn that her employers had been forced to destroy him...

She read the sorrow in Demetri's eyes. "Is he doing alright?"

"It is…a long story."

Her expression soured, and she savagely mashed out her cigarette so she wouldn't have to look at him. "Alright, fine. But you'd better tell me on the way to the airport. Tell me everything."

Demetri sighed, nodding. "I'll do my best."

"You fucking better." She stormed out of the room, and he was on the phone straightaway to Aro.

Something has happened to Antoine Jean. Fear squeezed Hazel's insides, and she had to clutch the stair railing for support.

Suddenly she wasn't alone inside her head. What? Michael's genial voice blew through her mind like a spring breeze, soft and gentle, familiar as home. She could almost feel his arms around her shoulders. Hey. It's alright.

It is not. The Volturi have need of our talents again.

I thought as much. Why else would Demetri be visiting you? Unless –

No, Mikey. Get your bloomin' mind out of the gutter.

You mean your head?

Shut your mouth.

It is shut. Makes no difference. I can still talk to you. His laugh danced through her, bringing a rare smile to her face, despite her. If the Volturi need you, you better get packing, slag!

Awright, you poof. I am.

Oy! No need for that kind of language, my girl.

You sound like Dad. And you started it.

I'm finishing it. Julia's voice was a fog-horn in Hazel's head, crackling like static. Her brother and sister winced at her volume, anticipating her mood.

Hello there, Jools! Michael called cheerily, after a palpable pause. Where've you been?

Nowhere special was her gloomy reply. Blackpool.

Oh! Fabulosa! Didn't we go there when we were –?

I can't remember. Hazel, are you going somewhere? They could see her squinting frown, curious and wary.

Yeah. As I speak, Demetri is calling his Master.

What's the occasion? Michael asked. Why do they need us?

Aro's wife is dead…and I think Antoine is, too.

Jesus, Hazel. He wheezed in shock. How did it happen?

Does it matter? We're all dead, Julia hissed, and Hazel heard Michael sigh.

It hasn't been confirmed but…I think Aro killed Sulpicia.

Her siblings cried out in unison. That's a dangerous thing to think, Michael gasped.

I don't care, because it's probably true, Hazel spat.There is another woman. A powerful one.

What a surprise, Michael mused sarcastically.

That's what I though. And Aro is going to marry her. She was one of Antoine's, and she wants to meet me, apparently.

But… what about Antoine? Did Aro kill him?

I don't know yet. I'll tell you when I find out, yeah? Spread the word about the marriage in the meantime.

Yeah. Okay.

Don't keep us waiting, Jools said, before they felt her withdraw again.

They waited. She's talking to us less and less, Michael's voice was an exhale.

I know. Hazel gave a brittle laugh.

Do you…want me to check up on her?

No. She would hate that, and you're busy, Hazel smiled. How is it going in Edinburgh?

Not good. Any eligible bachelor is either straight or human.

Shit.

Nah, s'okay. Human is better than nothing.

Getting his deeper meaning, Hazel was gobsmacked. Christ, Mikey. Does that mean…are you thinking of -?

Maybe. I don't know. Michael sighed. I've… never asked you how you did it.

Oh, Mikey. Mikey, you know it was one of the hardest decisions I had to make. But –

We wanted you to do it.

Yeah. But what you're thinking is – you would have to meet a human, get them to trust you, and then get them to consent –

I know, babe. That's why I'm putting it off.

Last resort?

Yeah.

Good. I've taught you well. Downstairs, Hazel heard Demetri say goodbye to Aro. Time for me to go.

Okay, babe. Michael smirked. Which wigs are you going to take with you?

None of your fucking business.

His laughter followed her down to where Demetri was waiting. She didn't feel as exposed now, wearing distressed jeans and a blood-orange jacket covered in zips, and her 'war paint'. Without a word, she snatched up three random wigs, stuffing them into her bag, and shoved her feet into her best, battered boots.

"Let's go," she muttered impatiently.

He kept quiet, until she had locked the front-door behind them. The rain was quick to batter them heartlessly like fists, and the humans were too preoccupied with staying on their feet against the wind to notice them.

"Do they know? Your brother and sister?" he asked quietly.

"They do. Yes. Are you going to tell me what happened to Antoine?"

"Yes. Very well," Demetri murmured into his hood, and began the story.

What do you guys think of the Lewis triplets so far? Anna will meet Hazel in the next chapter...