Chapter 8: Returning to Athens
(Chloe's POV)
It infuriated me that Demetri wouldn't stop asking me about my childhood. I didn't even tell Athena and Damien about that part of my life. I was sitting in my room reading when Jamie walked in.
"Ready for the castle's latest gossip?" she asked sitting across from me.
"Sure." I replied setting my book aside knowing she was going to tell me even if I said no.
"Well apparently Alec has been temporally let out of the dungeons and he's come up with a plan to find that kidnapped girl."
"What is it?" I asked interested.
"I guess the elite guard is going out to ask for help from other covens." After another thirty minutes of listening to other gossip, Jamie left to go find another friend. I decided to go offer help by going to get Athena and Damien. On my way to the throne room, I came across Alec.
"Um, master Alec." I said and he stopped and glared at me.
"What?" he hissed coldly looking at me with his terrifying eyes. I shifted under his cold glare.
"I heard about your plan on finding that girl and wanted to offer my help." I said quickly
"What makes you think I trust you?" He asked in a deadly tone.
"I trust her." A voice from behind Alec said before I could respond. Demetri appeared next to Alec a second later. "After all she's the one who told me that something was wrong. I was the one who didn't listen."
"Then she's your problem." Alec said and gave me one last glare before walking away.
"Don't mind him," Demetri said when Alec was gone, "he's just upset about this whole thing." There was a dead silence between us for a while and eventually I decided to break it.
"Thank you for your help Master Demetri," I said bowing a little, "I'll be in my room until I'm needed." With that I turned on my heel and walked down the hall. I was half way down the hall when strong arms wrapped around my waist and I was pulled against Demetri's chest.
"Don't call me that." He said sounding a little annoyed.
"What?"
"Master," he replied, "I hate being called that."
"Well I don't want to get into trouble," I said trying to break free from his hold; he only held on tighter. "Now please let go of me." I said and he smirked. Demetri quickly spun me around and pushed me against a wall. His hands held my wrists level with my head against the wall.
"Make me." He said smirking in amusement. I bit my bottom lip and looked up at him. I tried to struggle out of his hold, but he didn't move an inch.
"Strike one." He said stepping closer to me, "two strikes left."
"What happens after the third strike?" I asked nervously. He didn't respond; he just continued to smirk at me. This time I tried to push him away with my leg wishing I still had my newborn strength. Again, Demetri didn't move an inch and I stopped struggling while he took another small step closer to me.
"Strike two." He said. His chest was only an inch from mine. I was several inches shorter than him, so my eyes were level with his lower neck. Because of my position, I could only look up at him through my long lashes. My last attempt, I tried to free my wrists but his hold was too strong.
"Strike three Chloe." I froze as he leaned down to whisper in my ear, "strike three means you're dead." He said then lightly kissed the base of my neck. Demetri stepped away and released my wrists. Demetri tucked my hair behind my ear when it fell in front of my face.
"Knowing how to fight is essential in our world Chloe," he said, "since Afton has been too busy I can teach you, but for a price."
"What would that price be?" I asked crossing my arms.
"Every time you lose, you tell me something about your childhood." I pursed my lips together.
"What about when you lose?"
"I will answer any questions you have about me." I thought for a minute; he clearly wasn't going to let this go.
"Fine." I said after a minute.
"One more thing," he said, "you will stop calling me Master."
"I'll get in trouble if I do that," I said, "can I at least call you sir?" He sighed frustrated.
"I guess I can live with that." He muttered.
I swam with Demetri to Athens Greece. I was really excited to see Athena and Damien again.
"Chloe," Demetri said as we walked up to the house, "I'm not trying to be rude, but are you sure these people are trustworthy?"
"Yes sir. Damien and Athena are like parents to me. They also greatly support the Volturi and their beliefs."
"If you're so close to them then why did you join us?" he asked sounding thoughtful
I sighed, "I was becoming very bored living here and not finding a mate over the years wasn't helping. Last year Damien told me to join the Volturi for a while because they would teach me all sorts of things about the vampire world."
"And was it worth it?" I asked curious.
"Yes. I've made so many friends and even have a crush." I stupidly admitted
"Oh," he said sounding interested, "do tell."
"It's nothing r-really," I stuttered, "oh look it's my home." I quickly ran off feeling his stare behind me.
"Chloe!" Athena ran towards me smiling brightly
"Hello Athena!" I said happily hugging her, "It's nice to see you again."
"Like wise honey," Athena looked at Demetri, "and this is?"
"Demetri," I said smiling.
"Oh," She looked at me with raised eyebrows. I shook my head knowing she was thinking we were together.
"It was so nice to meet you but I need to head to Egypt now," Demetri said nodded towards Athena, "Chloe have fun but remember why your here. I'll see you in a couple days." I nodded and watched him run off without a second glance.
"Welcome home Chloe." Damien said with a bright smile and I hugged him.
"So what's going on?" Athena asked as we walked into the house.
"I'm not really sure," I admitted, "but Aro needs help and wanted to inform covens personally."
"Well we don't have anything to do." Damien said, "so we'll help out."
"Great." I smiled. We spent the rest of the day playing games and catching up. Athena kept asking if I have a crush on anyone, but I lied and told her I didn't. When night time came, we ran off to Volterra.
"This place is so beautiful Chloe," Athena said as we walked to the guest rooms in Marcus's wing.
"It is," Damien said looking around then to me, "but how do you like it?"
I smiled, "I love it. I've learned so much, been to so many places, and made so many friends here and all over the world."
Damien nodded, "Athena also tells me that you're crushing on someone in the guard."
"W-what," I stuttered, "no I'm not."
I was but I wouldn't tell either of them. Damien is that father who, once he found out, would embarrass you to no end. Before he could respond we heard talking coming from behind us. I turned with my family than felt like one of those excited teenagers meeting a celebrity. Coming down the hall was Demetri with the Egyptian coven. I've always wanted to meet the leader of that coven. He's one of the oldest vampires in the world other than the Romanians.
"Chloe," Demetri smiled, "this is my former coven and maker Amun."
I smiled like an idiot, lucky for me Damien and Athena have meet Amun before so they reacted a lot quicker.
"It's nice to see you again Amun, Kebi." Athena said smiling. Damien smiled and shook Amun's hand.
"We were on our way to the guest rooms," Amun said smiling, "would you care to join."
Damien nodded, "so were we so I guess we're going the same way."
"You go ahead," Athena said, "I'd still like to see Chloe's room." She smiled that 'we are going to talk about boys' smile.
I nodded, "is that ok sir?" I asked Demetri.
He smiled, "of course it is, just remember when everyone else arrives you will need to be in the throne room."
"Ok," I smiled, "my room is this way." I quickly led Athena way from the group who continued to walk to their rooms with Demetri.
Once we were in my room I showed Athena around before sitting with her cross legged on my bed. I haven't seen a room that belonged to the elite guard, but I heard that they're four times larger than the lower guards' rooms. Our rooms are like college dorms, but not as small. There's still enough room for a medium desk and a book shelf. However there's not enough room for any couches. My TV hangs on the wall opposite of my bed.
"This is cozy," Athena said looking around again.
"Ya," I replied, "I'm hoping to make it into the elite guard though. They get so much in this castle including large rooms."
"You'll make it someday." She said, "remember they all had to work for their positions too." I nodded and smiled at the woman who turned me four years ago.
Before I could speak she continued, "so he's cute and a perfect gentleman too."
"What?"
"Demetri," she smirked, "you like him."
"I- well he's a friend." I said fiddling with my fingers.
"Oh don't try to lie to me Chloe," she chuckled, "I pretty much raised you and I know when you like someone." She rolled her eyes, "it's so obvious that you like him."
I didn't respond and the minutes ticked by as I played with my dress. Before Athena could continue to tease me a knock came at my door.
"Come in."
Demetri opened the door, "Chloe we're needed in the throne room," he looked to Athena, "can you find your way to the guest rooms or should Chloe show you." He asked.
She jumped up, "oh I can find my way you two go and do what you do." She smiled at me then left. Demetri and I walked down the hall in silence for a while until he spoke up.
"So do you know Alec?"
I nodded. Who doesn't know him, he's pretty much a legend in our world along with his sister, "yes sir, why?"
"Well the girl that was kidnapped," he said looking ahead, "he's completely in love with her but won't admit it."
"Oh," I said, "why?"
Demetri shrugged, "he's just a stubborn kid." I noticed that Demetri is the only one in the world that's brave enough to call Alec a kid. I wonder why he does that.
"So what are you talking about exactly?" I asked curiously
Demetri smiled down at me and, had I been human, my heard would've picked up double time.
"I have a plan," he said smirking, "when we get Raven back and she's recovered from this event, I'm going to force Alec into a confession of his feelings."
"How?" I was curious now.
"I'm going to continuously flirt with Raven until Alec either explodes from jealousy or admits to her how he feels."
"Oh," I murmured, "that's a good plan, but are you not afraid of Alec killing you?"
Demetri chuckled, "oh I'm not worried about that."
"Well good luck then." I smiled opening the doors to the throne room.
"You too," he said, "with your crush I mean."
My eyes widened as he walked in. Does he remember everything?
Thankfully though it's not obvious to him.
I hope...
"We'll see you around Chloe." Athena smiled as I led her and Damien out of the castle. Aro had informed the covens that the kidnapped girl was very important to the Volturi; however, he wouldn't say why. The covens agreed to keep their eyes and ears opened and would inform Aro if they hear anything that can help us find her. After I hugged my family and said goodbye, I walked to the main garden to find Riley.
"Hay Chloe." He smiled brightly at me
"Hi." I replied, "what are you up to?"
He shrugged, "nothing really."
"Do you want to play a game or something?" I asked and he smirks.
"How about hide and seek?"
"You're such a child," I said rolling my eyes, "but ok I'll hide first."
"If I find you in ten minutes," he said, "I get to tickle you until you beg me to stop."
"Then I'll find a good hiding spot." I replied running off with a smile.
