Paris, France
November 14th, 2010

It had been two years.

He hadn't gone back to Forks. He couldn't face the Cullens after what had happened. He hasn't seen or heard from the Volturi since. He hadn't seen or heard much from anyone really.

Demetri had become something of a drifter since escaping his former masters. He had spent some time in Istanbul, Shanghai, Buenos Aires. Places where he could lie low, sniff out a job or two.

Eventually however, he came into contact with Allegra, the leader of a group of gypsies. She offered him a place among them. He accepted, pondering the idea of being able to live the simple life. Same old dream...

But, he still found himself haunted by sleepless nightmares. The past refused to die and leave him alone. He could still see the betrayal and hurt in Alice's eyes. The Volturi had taken her away from him, destroyed her, and corrupted her for their own purposes.

And that made him angry.

But, there was no rest for the wicked. An ironic expression, seeing as he couldn't sleep.

So, he remained as withdrawn as he could, even amongst the closest people he had to friends. So, as the other gypsies drank, danced, and swindled, Demetri chose instead to take in the beauty and serenity of the night. They were currently staying in Paris. He had been there before, and he had always admired the views.

"Another nightmare?" Demetri turned around to see Allegra, a meek but strong chocolate-haired woman approach him. She and the other gypsies were unaware of his vampirism, and she equated his lack of sleep to consistent bad dreams.

"It's fine." Demetri replied. "Go back with the others."

"Please, signor, if it's something you'd like to talk about..."

"I said go!" Demetri shot back coldly, shutting her up. "Just go..."

Clearly hurt, Allegra began to walk back towards the party, but not before turning towards Demetri once more. "You know...I truly wish I could set you free. But your prison...it's in there. And...you really don't trust anyone do you?"

Demetri tensed. Those words...he'd heard them before.

He finally faced her, his eyes somber. "Go back to the party, Allegra. I'll be along." As she began to depart, he called to her once more. "And, Allegra?"

"Yes, signor?"

"Thank you. For everything."

She smiled a broad, warm grin. "You're welcome, my friend."

She left, and Demetri spared one last look to the bright full moon before following suit. But suddenly, a voice rang out in the darkness. He was not alone.

"Oh, how the mighty have fallen. But then I suppose, people do get so sentimental about their pets..."

Demetri turned to see that a shadowy figure, cloaked in the dark of night, had appeared before him. The figure chuckled. "Hello, sweetheart."

His theatricality was pointless. Demetri already knew who he was. "So, finally found me, did you?" He sighed. "Whatever took you so long?"

"Been busy. Out and about. Got into trouble. It was lovely."

Demetri couldn't help but chuckle. "Same. Are you here to kill me?"

No response.

"Well..." Demetri said, closing his eyes. "Make it quick."

"For someone who can live forever," the figure mused. "You seem quite ready to die."

"When you can live forever, what do you live for?" Demetri retorted.

"What about...a second chance?" The figure proposed. "How would like to see her again? Alice? For her to know the truth? For her to no longer be confined to the guard? I can make it happen..."

Demetri considered this. "You can't. Nobody can."

"You prepared to fully believe that?"

Demetri paused, thinking it over, then answered. "What's your price?"

"A job." The figure explained. "You carry out one last job, you get your happy ending."

"What kind of job?"

The figure pulled a folder from his jacket, which in better light, Demetri could make out to be that of a fine Westwood suit. "Remember Joham?"

Demetri nodded. "The scientist. Experimented with immortal children."

"Well it turns out your pal Zeus was working for him. I was able to pick up what appears to be a pretty substantial lead. Follow it, find him, kill him, and I'll get you a way back to her. You have my word."

Demetri scoffed. "Your word?"

"You know I wouldn't go through the exhaustion of finding you and not killing you, if I wasn't serious."

Silence. He wasn't bluffing.

"So..." The figure said slyly, holding out the folder. "Interested?"

After a moment's hesitation, Demetri took the folder, inside containing his last mission. And his last chance. Finally, he spoke.

"I'm listening..."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The End of ROLE OF HONOUR

Demetri Volturi Will Return In
DEATH IS FOREVER