Chapter 7

Showtime

Leah did her best to spend the following days not thinking about immortal children or vampires of any kind. But, of course, the harder she tried not to think about the vampires, the more she did. Well, it was one vampire in particular.

Leah found herself spending hours at a time dwelling on Demetri. She replayed his story over and over in her head. She could hear Carlisle's words and she struggled to match images with the story. Then, she would think about the incident with the immortal child. Demetri slamming her into the concrete with force enough that her spine cracked, but then carrying her so gently back to her hotel. Leah couldn't help, but wonder what Demetri thought about everything that happened. He had seemed genuinely grateful for that time she covered for him which led her to believe he must like her to some extent. Not that she cared if he liked her. She certainly still didn't like him. Sure, it had been nice of him to carry her back, but he was the one who had injured her so badly in the first place. Thoughts like this would go on and on in Leah's head.

In good news, Leah wouldn't have to return to Forks until after the wedding. She enjoyed escaping from the rainy, depressing place. She liked not having to see Sam every day of her goddamn life laughing away with Emily, wiping frosting off her nose and that kind of cutesy crap.

She also didn't have to see memories of Harry at every corner. In Forks, especially on the reservation, Leah saw him everywhere she went. He was in the drug store, at the super market, standing outside their house. By the hospital, that was the worst. Leah would only need to glance at the hospital before Harry's cold, lifeless face flashed in her vision. Harry dead. Dead Harry. It still tore her apart to think about. Sometimes, she didn't even believe it. Even more incredible than him being dead was how he actually died. Leah couldn't even go there. Not yet. That was a dark, ugly part of her mind that she hoped she would never have to look into again.

Felix and Demetri had been gone a week when the Volturi decided to come calling again. Aro phoned Carlisle and requested a meeting with Jake, Leah and the rest of the pack. Once again, Leah found herself packing her stuff for Volterra. Carlisle and Emmett insisted on accompanying them. Jake and Quil were particularly annoyed by the whole situation. They were supposed to leave that day back to Forks, but now they were on their way to talk with a bunch of vampires. Leah knew the distance between them and their imprintees was becoming painful. They didn't have to phase for Leah to know exactly what was going on in their heads. For Jake, it would be Renesmee haunting him and, for Quil, it was Claire. Leah wondered how much longer they would be able to stand being away. She herself had not imprinted, thankfully, but she had seen how intense it was through Jake and Quil.

Leah considered the idea of imprinting as the group made their way to the train station. It could be a good thing for her she supposed. It would ensure she would never hurt over Sam again, but she didn't like the kind of reliance Jake and Quil had on their loves. Suddenly, you depended on this person, really depended on this person. They were your life, no, they were life itself. You had to be everything that person wanted or needed. Imprinting took away choice. Leah knew that only too well.

Carlisle had timed their arrival at the train station perfectly. They waited hardly a minute before a black train announced its arrival with a loud screech.

Leah stood up to board. Just then a gust of wind blew in her face. It brought a strange scent with it. It was like nothing Leah had ever smelled before and, yet, she felt she had known it forever. She looked wildly around for its source, but the train rolled across blocking her vision. She ran into the cart and to the other side. Pressing her face against the window and breathing in deeply, Leah searched desperately for anything to explain the scent. The train jolted to a start and, just as it was gaining momentum, Leah caught a glimpse of something.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Jake demanded.

"Didn't you see it?" Leah asked, a strange elation rising in her stomach.

"See what?" Jake was looking at her as if she had just grown two extra heads.

"The wolf! It was on the platform on the other side of the train!"

Now Jake was looking at her is if she had no heads. "Are you feeling alright, Clearwater?"

"I have never encountered a wolf in Italy before," Carlisle added frowning towards Leah, "besides yourselves."

She let out a growl of annoyance, "Seth, Quil, Embry, one of you saw it, right? Or smelled it?"

They looked between each other and then back at her with concern. "I might have smelled something," Embry offered hesitantly. Emmett chortled and murmured something to a bewildered looking Seth that made Seth relax and laugh.

Leah took to glaring out the window. She was certain she had seen a wolf on that platform, a large strangely scented wolf.

This time, they didn't wait around. Carlisle led them through the narrow streets of Volterra right up to the fake sewer grate. One by one they descended into the dimly lit corridor below.

They entered the room with the human woman. She stood and offered to help them with a huge, stupid grin. Leah couldn't bear to look or listen to her so she focused on the back of Carlisle's sparkling, blond hair as he conversed with the woman. She brought them to an elevator where they all boarded and descended another couple of floors.

Leah felt her muscles tense as the elevator jerked to a stop. The smell of vampire nearly intoxicated her senses. Carlisle and Emmett led them into a room surprisingly warm and lit brightly by a number of lamps. Candles gave off sugary scents and the set up of armchairs and couches looked rather comfy. But Leah hardly noticed the pleasantries of the room. Her eyes were drawn to the ten vampires gathered around a coffee table, occupying the comfortable couches.

Instantly, Leah recognized Aro, Marcus, Caius, Felix, Demetri and Ellie. She studied the other four and realized the two smallest of them to be Alec and Jane, the devil twins. The boy, Alec could paralyze with some sort of weird mist and the girl, Jane, could torture any person causing them incredible pain. Leah remembered discussing their abilities with the Cullens last year in preparation to fight them. The last two, hulking guards of Felix-ish size, she could only vaguely recall into memory.

Aro stood looking, if it were possible, even more delighted than the last time she had seen him. "Look who has arrived! Just in time, also. Demetri has gathered some information I think you would all be very interested in." He smiled and gestured towards the last couple of couches.

Leah couldn't help, but stare at him and wonder if he were thoroughly insane. She had not come all the way to Volterra, again, to sit around and chat with a bunch of bloodsucking vampires. But, along with everyone else, she followed Carlisle's lead and sat on the couch between Embry and Emmett.

She looked quickly around and was surprised to find nearly every set of eyes focused on her, including all three pairs of the Volturi leaders'. She set her face into a determinedly blank expression.

"Demetri, if you would," said Aro.

Demetri swiftly rose to his feet. His eyes met Leah's for an instant. They were red. Blood red. Leah blushed slightly remembering the last time she had seen him.

"I spoke with you, Carlisle, before I left about the intent of my mission."

Carlisle nodded, "I remember."

Demetri turned to the pack and Emmett, "I left last week because we received word about Joham, you are familiar with his story, I believe?"

Leah vaguely remembered, but Jake let out an impatient sound.

"The crazy scientist vampire who makes others like Renesmee. Thinks he's creating some super race. Yeah, we remember him," said Jake dully, but Leah could hear the pain in his voice when he spoke Renesmee's name.

"We got a tip off he was up in Russia. I found him out past St. Petersburg far in the North. He had two of his creations with him. I have reason to believe that one of them is very new; it appeared hardly ten years old. As for the remaining, two I don't know the location of and Huilen remains in South Africa. Also, Joham had another vampire with him. The vampire appeared extremely submissive and, I believe, Joham is training him as a sort of protege."

"Now that you have seen Joham for yourself, my friend, what course of action do you believe we should take?" Aro inquired.

Leah was willing to bet every dollar she had ever owned this "course of action" Demetri would propose had already been discussed between him and Aro. Heck, maybe it had already been discussed among the entire Volturi. This was a show. Only a show, for the entertainment of her pack and the Cullens.

"We need to speak with Joham, of course, and ask of him why he did not consult us before he began this experimentation. And, if my suspicions are correct, he can not be allowed to train others to follow in his example. We'll have an epidemic on our hands. Also, I, myself, am rather curious as to what purpose this 'supreme race' is meant to serve."

"As we all are, I'm sure," Aro agreed, nodding. He turned to Carlisle, "We wished to consult with you before forging our next course of action. You are all better acquainted with this species Joham has created. In fact, more than your consultation, we request your assistance. We believe Joham would be more disposed to speak with us peacefully if we were to go to him together. It is not our desire to destroy his family, but we fear his hostility as suggested by his attempts to keep his experiments a secret. Would you consider this proposition?"

Leah narrowed her eyes at the leader of the Volturi. She highly doubted their presence would effect the Volturi's actions at all. Doubtlessly, Aro had already decided Joham's fate. So why ask for their help? Leah puzzled over the Volturi's request while the others considered Aro's words.

"I speak for myself when I say I will take your proposal under consideration," said Carlisle carefully.

"Excellent, excellent I am delighted to hear it. And what say you, Jacob Black, alpha of the wolves?"

"I don't understand why you need our help if Doctor Cull can go with you." Said Jake.

Aro frowned, "We thought, when dealing with multiple species of the supernatural, we should enlist in the help of all other supernatural beings. The Volturi govern the world of the vampires, but these creatures are not vampires. I, for one, don't believe we have the right to, alone, decide their fate."

Leah translated his words to meaning "we don't want any shit for sticking our noses in places we shouldn't but we figure if we add some Cullens and some shape-shifters no one will bother us." The Volturi were clever about how they presented things, very clever, she would gave them that.

Jake, frowning deeply, rubbed his forehead while he spoke. "We will consider it. Tonight, meet us up on the street and we'll talk again." He rose to his feet. Leah, Seth, Quil and Embry rose in unison not a second after.

"You have not been excused," said little Jane fixing them with a cold stare.

"We don't need permission to exit a room," Leah retorted.

Every shape-shifter and vampire in the room tensed. Demetri, somehow, disappeared and reappeared beside her, arm, outstretched in front of her protectively. Before Jane could lash out, Aro put a hand on her shoulder.

"It's okay, pretty one, they are young and know no better. You are free to take your leave." He raised his hands, palms up, and the rest of the Volturi stood. The doors were thrown open and there was chatter as people exited.

"What did you do that for?" Leah demanded under her breath at Demetri.

"I don't know what you're talking about it," He said his face the perfect display of confusion.

"I don't need you jumping in between me and Jane."

"I was merely preventing a bloodbath," Demetri stated calmly.

Leah snorted, "Why? I bet you would have loved that. Oh, and thanks for the show." She turned on her heel, and, refusing to look back towards him, strode out of the room.

Their short conversation rang in her head. As her anger abated, she felt worse and worse for her words. He had no right to come between her and her fight, but, it was true, if Jane had attacked Leah her pack would have jumped to her defense. It would have turned into a slaughter. Not in her favor. Of course, he had set himself up for such a retort when he used the word "bloodbath."

Watch the vocabulary next time, leech.

Leah decided not to dwell on it any longer. It didn't matter really. Why should she care if she insulted a member of the Volturi? Because he carried you back to that hotel and comforted you when he had no obligation to. Leah gritted her teeth, unable to shake the conversation or her guilt.


Hey everyone so sorry I haven't updated in forever! My computer's hard drive self destructed and I lost everything for awhile, but LUCKILY i got it all back.

And to answer Florreke's question that wasn't entirely Demetri's real story he was from Greece not Egypt, but he was changed by Amun and became a part of the Egyptian coven for awhile

Thank you for the reviews!