Chapter 14: I do love you
(Demetri's POV)
"Demetri!" a voice said panicked as I slowly regained consciousness. I opened my eyes to find Heidi hovering over me looking worried. I sat up slowly feeling like I had no energy; I noticed that I was lying in a bed. I looked around to see that I was in the room Chloe was staying in.
"What happened?" I asked then remembered seeing Nick grab Chloe, "Where's Chloe?" I asked panicked looking around the room.
"We're not sure," Heidi said looking upset, "you've been out for three days. Alec called Aro and told him what happened and that Chloe was missing. We rushed over here to find you unconscious. Alec and Jasper tried to go after Chloe and that vampire, but lost them." I tried to stand up only to have Heidi place a hand on my shoulder.
"You're in no shape to go after her right now Demetri," she said and I growled.
"Let me go Heidi," I hissed, "I have to go after her before she gets hurt."
"They won't hurt her." Aro said walking into the room with his brothers, "if anything they're going to use her as bait."
"I should still go after her." I said and Aro shook his head.
"Not until we can figure out what's going on." He said and I huffed.
"Here," Heidi said handing me a glass of blood which I gladly took. After drinking, I could feel my strength slowly coming back, but I didn't have enough energy to track Chloe. Heidi helped Me walk downstairs where the Cullens, nomads, and my coven were gathered. Peter looked beyond angry as he glared at a wall while his mate patter his shoulder.
"So what do we do now?" Heidi asked when I sat down on the couch. Aro sighed and looked at his brothers for suggestions.
"Jacob and the others are scouting the area to see if they can find anything." Edward said.
"We should inform Athena and Damien about what's happening," Marcus said, "they will want to help." Aro nodded and looked at Felix who walked out while pulling out his phone. Vladimir and Stefan walked into the room. Vladimir stood by Heidi while Stefan walked over to Renata.
"Who ever took her," Vladimir said, "he was good at covering up his tracks." He looked at me, "can you find your mate Demetri?" I glared at him then shook my head.
"Whatever we're going to do," Caius said, "we should do it before this gets out of hand." Aro and Marcus agreed.
(Chloe's POV)
I woke up slowly and when I opened my eyes I noticed that I was in a large bedroom. I quickly sat up remembering what had happened. I ran to the door only to find that there was a locked metal gate in front of the room door. I sighed and looked around to see that the windows also had metal bars on them. I froze when I heard voices on the other side of the door.
"You kidnapped the tracker's mate?!" an Angry voice hissed, "why not just tell the Volturi where we are while you're at it!"
"They won't attack us as long as we have her." I heard Nick say, "besides she's more important than you think."
"To you," the voice hissed, "she's your responsibility now. I sure hope you have a plan to keep the Volturi from attacking us."
"Whatever," Nick huffed and I heard footsteps walk away. I ran over to the bed and sat down when I heard the door knob turn. Nick walked in a second later with a glass of blood in his hand.
"You're awake," he smiled walking over to me, "here." He handed me the glass of blood. I glared at him and refused to take the glass making him sigh. He set the glass on the side table and crossed his arms.
"Where am I?" I demanded, "and where's Demetri?"
"Demetri is back at that farm," he replied, "and you're safe." I continued to glare at him.
"I was safe with Demetri," I hissed, "until you kidnapped me." Nick growled a little.
"Why can't you see that the Volturi are monsters Chloe," he hissed, "they're just using you like they do with all their other guards. They're not a coven. The ancients are just using everyone there."
"You're right," I hissed, "they're not a coven, they're a family. The ancients care about everyone there. They help us and take care of us. Everyone there is there by their own will and anyone can leave at anytime."
"Clearly you've lost your senses," He hissed, "I'm sure you will change your mind though."
"I know that you and your coven are trying to start a war and overthrow the Volturi," I hissed and he froze, "so who's the dangerous one now? I can guarantee that you will lose because despite what the Volturi have done; they're keeping order in our world and that's what people like." Nick rolled his eyes and looked at the door where another vampire walked in.
"Nick," he hissed, "why the hell did you take the tracker's mate?!" I glared at him. I guess word gets out fast when an elite guard finds a mate. I wondered if I'd be better off staying here than coming across one of Demetri's admirers.
"They won't attack us if we threaten to kill her Conner," Nick huffed, "don't worry."
"We're still out numbered," Conner hissed, "even with your gift, we wouldn't be able to hold them off."
"So what do you suggest we do?" Nick asked, "even if we had a huge army; the elite guard could easily kill us off." Conner looked me over then walked out with Nick right behind him. I growled and flopped back onto the bed glaring at the ceiling. I really hope Demetri is alright. I closed my eyes and allowed my mind to drift to a time when I was with Demetri in the garden.
I was sitting in the garden reading when Demetri sat by me with a huff. He stretched out his long legs and crossed his arms. I was dressed in jeans and a long sleeved blue shirt, so I could sit crossed legged on the bench. I kept my attention on my book, hoping he would just leave. Ever since he pretty much forced me to tell him about my childhood; I kept my distance from him.
"When I was a child," he said, "the best stories were the ones your parents told you."
"Good for you." I said not looking up form my book. He muttered something under his breath and looked out at the garden.
"Would you like to play a game?" he asked and I shook my head.
"I'm busy reading." I said.
"Come on," he grabbed my book and I glared at him, "you have all the time in the world to read."
"And I'm using some of that time," I said trying to grab my book back. He held it out of my reach while smirking.
"I'll give you your book back if you hang out with me." He said and I sighed.
"Fine," I said, "what do you want to do?" Demetri smiled then grabbed my hand and walked us to the garage. He walked over to a black Lamborghini Murcielago and opened the passenger door for me. I sighed and got into the car and a second later he was in the driver's seat. Demetri took off and turned on some classic Italian music.
"Were are we going?" I asked and he smiled.
"Aquarium of Genoa." He replied, "the largest Aquarium in Italy. It's a two hour drive though." I sighed trying to hide the fact that I was excited. I looked out the window at the passing landscapes while Demetri drove lord knows how fast. It was eight in the morning when we left and when we parked at the Aquarium, it was about eleven. Demetri led us into the large building and I was amazed by how cool it was.
We spent the whole day in the Aquarium and Demetri told me about all the fish there and I realized that he's smarter then he leads people to believe. We left the Aquarium when it closed and explored the town.
"Better than reading?" Demetri teased as we walked down a shopping mall.
"Demetri!" A bright voice said and we turned to see the source. A vampire in her early twenties walked over to us and threw her arms around Demetri, who looked extremely uncomfortable. She was a couple inches taller than me with long dark brown hair. She was extremely beautiful and I felt a little jealous.
"Nichole," Demetri said with no emotion. Nichole stepped back and smiled a slutty smile.
"It's been a long time," she said, "how are you?"
"Fine." Demetri said and she nodded. This girl flirted with him clearly trying to get noticed; she was also oblivious to my presence.
"So there's an awesome club just a couple blocks away," she said in a flirty tone, "want to come dancing with me?" I held back my eye roll when she said this.
"Sorry," Demetri said grabbing my hand, "but me and Chloe must be heading home now." Nichole finally looked at me and gave me the coldest glare.
"Well maybe when you're done babysitting." She said, "we can hang out."
"I'm not babysitting," he said calmly, "I'm hanging out with this girl who means more to me than you do." Her mouth fell open and I held back a laugh.
"Goodbye Nichole." Demetri nodded then pulled me away. We walked to the car in silence and once he drove us out of town, I spoke.
"So who was she?" I asked and he scoffed.
"Nichole one of my 'admirers,' as Heidi would say." He paused, "ever since she met me at a ball; she's been trying to get me in bed. She's one of many women who've been trying to get me to claim them as a mate."
"Oh," I said and looked back out the window and he sighed.
"It's like living the life of a celebrity," he said softly, "no one care about what you have to say, they just want to be with you because you're rich, famous, and admired by tons of people."
"I care about what you say," I said and he looked at me shocked, "even when you interrupt my personal time." He laughed and turned on the radio.
"I guess I just enjoy annoying you." He smiled and I rolled my eyes.
It's been at least four days since I've been here and Nick has come every day to try and talk to me. I refused to speak to him; he wasn't the Nick I became friends with several years ago. I do remember Demetri telling me that sometimes people change when they're turned; it all depends on who turned them.
"Why can't we just have a normal conversation like we used to Chloe?" Nick asked while he sat in a chair.
"Lets see," I said looking at him from my seat on the bed, "you threatened to kill me, you attacked my friends, you attacked my mate, then you kidnapped me. Why would I want to even look at you?" Nick glared at me then sighed.
"I see your point," he said, "but I'm protecting you form the Volturi, so no harm done."
"I don't need protection," I hissed, "especially from my own coven."
"What about Athena and Damien?" he asked and I rolled my eyes.
"I still see them," I said, "and they supported my decision on going to Volterra. I wasn't planning on staying there for very long, just long enough to learn some things and make some friends."
"And you've done all that," he said, "so what are you going to do?"
"I was staying with Peter and his mate to learn how to use my gift," I replied.
"And after that where were you going to go?"
"Back to Volterra." I replied and he narrowed his eyes.
"Why?" he hisses, "to be with Demetri?" I didn't respond and he stood up.
"He's just using you Chloe," he hissed, "he doesn't love you and when he gets bored with you, he'll discard you."
"He wouldn't do that," I hissed trying not to show how much his words hurt.
"Yes he will," Nick said walking out to leave then he turned to me, "what do I have to do to get you to trust me?" I thought for a few minutes.
"Let me go," I said, "or don't harm Demetri and the rest of the Volturi." Nick rolled his eyes and walked out.
(Nick's POV)
I walked out of the room Chloe was in and walked down the hall only to come across Conner. I couldn't stand Conner, but since our maker died; he became the coven leader.
"I have an idea." He said and I raised my eyebrows.
"What is it?" I asked as we walked down the hall.
"The only way the Volturi will be able to find us is with the tracker's talent," he said and I huffed.
"So?"
"So the only way to stall the Volturi is by killing the tracker." He said, "and since we have his mate it would be very easy to trap him." I thought for a minute. If we killed Demetri then Chloe will never talk to me again, and her usefulness to Conner would run out. The last thing I wanted was Chloe to hate me; besides, I trusted her more than I trusted my own coven.
"That would only provoke the Volturi," I said, "and the Egyptian coven as well. We don't need Amun coming after us on top of the Volturi."
"What do you suggest then?" he asked stopping to look at me.
"We make him a prisoner," I said, "with my gift he wouldn't be able to fight us."
"And where will he stay?" he asked. This was the part I really hated.
"With his mate." I muttered. Maybe spending time trapped with Demetri will make Chloe see that he doesn't care about her.
"Fine," Conner said walking away, "it's your idea so good luck." I glared at him then turned away.
(Demetri's POV)
I was pacing in the living room and the people around me watched with slight amusement. I could understand why they're a little amused; after all I'm well known for being the calm one in the Volturi. I guess it just must be interesting to see me so impatient. Aro and his brothers decided to just wait until we received word from Chloe's kidnappers. They knew that they would try and use her against us in some way. I hated the idea, but I had to go along with it. I could tell that Chloe was somewhere in Canada and could tell that she hasn't been harmed; which relaxed me a little.
"We have something," Aro said walking in the room looking upset.
"What is it?" I asked and he sighed.
"A letter," he said looking a piece of paper, "saying that Chloe will be unharmed only if you become their prisoner as well."
"What happens if he doesn't agree?" Marcus asked and Aro didn't respond.
"I'll go." I said and Caius stood up quickly.
"Absolutely not," he hissed at me then turned to Aro, "we need him to help us fight when the time comes." I was about to say something; but, to my surprise, Alec stepped forward.
"We could still win without Demetri," he said, "I think he'd be better off being close to his mate if a fight breaks out. That way he can protect her; plus we will have someone on the inside."
"And how do we know that they won't just kill him and Chloe," Caius snapped at his son-in law.
"They won't." Peter said making us all look at him, "I could tell that Nick cares about Chloe. I have a feeling he won't do anything that will upset her." Arguments started up on what should be done. Aro just stood there thinking while listening to the bickering vampires. Finally, he sighed and called everyone one to order.
"Demetri," he said turning to me when everyone went silent, "you may go, just be careful." I nodded extremely thankful that he sided with Alec. It took me only two seconds to find Chloe's location and I took off. When I left I could hear Caius arguing with Aro, but didn't care.
I reached the border of Canada when I started to feel weak. A second later I saw Nick appear with another Vampire. I leaned against a tree to keep from falling as I glared at that damn boy.
"He's your responsibility now Nick." The other vampire said then ran off. Nick walked over to me and grabbed my throat.
"I should kill you for what you did to Chloe." He hissed and I couldn't hold back the confusion on my face.
"What the hell are you talking about?" I asked feeling my strength fade by the minute.
"You're the reason why she was turned," he hissed, "you and the damn Volturi." I huffed and glared at him.
"Chloe already knew she was going to be turned," I hissed, "Athena and Damien had plans to turn her when she was in her twenties. However a nomad came to the Volturi and informed us about her. I was willing to wait until she was twenty, but my orders were to only give her a week." Nick looked a little surprised and I continued, "I also helped Chloe when she was younger; if it wasn't for me, she'd probably be dead or living in the foster system."
"Why did you help her?" he asked glaring at me, "why would help a human? What was in it for you?"
"Nothing," I hissed, "the girl needed help and I gave her what she needed." Nick growled at me and I felt the last of my strength disappear.
"You have other motives," he hissed, "and I'm going to find out what they are. I don't believe that you love her; you're just using her." I stared at the kid in front of me. What was his problem? I did love Chloe, and last time I check; I didn't realize that she was the girl I helped until I started to talk to her. I felt his hand tighten on my throat and used what strength I had left to speak.
"You kill me and Chloe will never look at you again." I said before loosing consciousness. When I started to wake up, I was being walked down a hall and I could pick up Chloe scent, which made me relax.
(Chloe's POV)
I was lying on the bed when the door opened again. I looked up just in time to see Nick Pushing Demetri into the room. I quickly ran over to Demetri and helped him over to the bed.
"Before you go getting any ideas tracker," Nick hissed, "I don't intend on giving your full strength back, so you won't be able to escape." With a one last glare, he left while locking the door.
"Are you ok?" Demetri asked sitting up a little looking over me. I laughed a little and sat next to him.
"I should be asking you that." I said and a small smile formed on his lips. He sat up and gave me a quick kiss before he had to lie back down. I laid next to him and he wrapped his arms around me.
"What happens now?" I asked and he sighed.
"Don't know," he said, "I'm just glad you're safe." I smiled and leaned up to kiss him. When I broke the kiss he pouted a little.
"I sure wish I had my strength right now." He said smirking and I rolled my eyes.
"We're prisoner and you're thinking about sex," I said, "that makes me feel so much better." He chuckled a little and pulled me back down for another kiss. Eventually I broke the kiss and rested my head on his shoulder.
"You know I love," he said after a moment of silence and I looked up at him confused.
"I know," I said, "what's wrong?" He sighed and touched my cheek.
"Nick thinks I'm using you," he admitted and I huffed.
"Nick's lost it." I said and he sighed.
"He truly has," Demetri said, "I do love you, but how do you feel?" I thought for a moment and sighed.
"I love you too," I admitted, "I just feel like we moved forward a little quickly." Demetri nodded.
"I'll blame that on the vampire instinct," he smirked and I laughed, "what do you want to do then?" he asked looking at me.
"I think we should get to know each other better." I said.
"Well I think I know you very well." He replied with a dirty smirk and I smacked him on the shoulder.
"Ow," he said then sighed, "I guess I asked for that." We fell into silence for a long time and I could tell he was thinking about something.
"Do you still want to be my mate Chloe?" he asked after a while. I looked up at him and smiled.
"Would I have let you bite me if I didn't want to be yours?" I asked and he smiled sitting up.
"I guess not," he said, "so that's a yes?" he asked and I nodded.
"I love you enough to be your mate," I said, "and we will have plenty of time to get to know each other."
"I agree." He said then kissed me deeply. Some of his strength must have come back because he pushed me onto the bed and hovered over me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled my body closer to his. He groaned lowly and wrapped his arms around me.
"Ti amo," (I love you) Demetri murmerred breaking the kiss for a second. I smiled and brought his lips back to mine.
"Don't they give you anything to do?" Demetri asked as he sat in a chair whlie I looked out the window.
"Nope," I replied and went to sit on his lap. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed my forehead.
"This sucks," he said, "we can't even have sex." I rolled my eyes. The night Demetri got here, we were close to losing our clothing; but Nick walked in and forbid us from doing those activites. I galred at him as he walked out and Demetri agreed to his terms.
"We don't want to anger our captors," he said when Nick left, "we'll just have to go along with everything unil Aro decides to make his move."
"What do you want to do then?" I asked and he sighed. Our current position reminded me of the first time he took me to his room and made me tell him about my childhood. I looked at the book shelve and got up to grab a book.
"Would you like me to read to you?" Demetri asked and I smiled. I sat in his lap while he wrapped one arm around me and held the book with his free hand. The book I pick up was Sense & Sensibility by Jane Austen. I fell in love with how Demetri read the book. I didn't usually like to be read to, even as a child; but there was something about Demetri's voice that made me like him reading to me. Towards the middle of the book, Nick walked in with a glass of blood.
"Here," he said setting the blood on the table by us. He glared at Demetri who returned the look.
"Why only one glass?" I asked and Nick turned around to walk out.
"Guess you'll have to fight over it." He said and closed the door.
"I hate that boy." Demetri growled and handed me the glass of blood which I gladly accepted. After calming down, Demetri continued to read and I handed him the glass. He smiled and forced me to drink the rest of the blood which I had saved for him. After a couple minutes of arguing with him, I gave in and finished the glass.
"I'd rather you have the blood," he said putting the glass back on the table, "I have more than experience going without blood than you do."
"I didn't mind sharing," I muttered and he chuckled.
"Sarò bene piccolino," (I will be fine) he said and I sighed.
"So," I said then trailed off and he raised an eye brow.
"So?" he copied my tone.
"Can I be honest with you?" I asked.
"Always."
"Ok so I acted annoyed when you spoke to me in Latin that night," I said, " but I actually loved it, even if I couldn't understand you." Demetri smiled and gave me a quick kiss.
"Glad you appreciate the dead language." He said then went deep into thought. I played with his coat button while he thought.
"Subito cecidit vobis, ut maneat vobiscum in aeternum Nunc cogito." He finally murmured in Latin; I smiled and looked up at him.
"Translation please?" I said and he smiled.
"Mi sono innamorata di te in modo imprevisto, ma ora ho intenzione di essere con voi per sempre." (I fell for you unexpectedly, but now I plan to be with you for forever). He said in Italian. I smiled brightly and kissed him. I heard the book fall to the ground and he grabbed my neck with the hand that held the book. I moaned when he slipped his tong into my mouth. He broke the kiss and smiled.
"I will get you out of here safely," he said seriously and I smiled. I wanted to say that 'we will get out of here safely,' but I knew he would just argue. Demetri leaned down and nibbled my neck where his mark was making me giggle like a little girl.
(Nick's POV)
I watched from the room next to where Chloe and Demetri were. There was a two way mirror that connected the two rooms together so we can watch prisoners. I expected them to be fighting by now, especially over the blood. However, I was shocked when Demetri forced her to drink the blood. I expected him to take it so he would have the strength to fight when the time came.
I watched as Chloe said something and he raised an eyebrow. Chloe said something to him and he went deep into thought for several minutes. Chloe played with a button on his jacket looked completely relaxed. After a while Demetri said something making Chloe look at him confused. She responded in some way and he spoke again with a small smile. Whatever he said made Chloe smile brightly and kiss him. Demetri dropped the book and placed that hand on the back of her neck.
Demetri broke the kiss and said something to Chloe making her smile a little. I watched as he leaned down and nibbled her neck where his mark was, making her giggle. Conner walked into the room and took one glance at them then looked at me.
"So now that we have the tracker," he said, "what do we do now?" I shrugged and looked at him,
"You're the leader." I said and he thought. A smile touched his lips as he thought of something.
"We could use him to find out where the Volturi are," he said, "we can ambush them taking them by surprise." I rolled my eyes.
"What makes you think he will help you?" I asked.
"Oh I think he will," he said, "when the life of his mate is on the line." I glared at him as he walked out of the room. I looked back at Demetri and Chloe. Chloe was squirming and laughing while he tickled her. I walked out of the room and caught up with Conner.
"Remind me again why you want to kill off the Volturi." I said and he looked at me.
"They're evil," he said, "or did you forget that they killed Fane, our mentor and creator." I remembered, but I also remembered that he would disappear for weeks with no explanation.
"Did he do something to provoke the Volturi?" I asked and he stopped and glared at me.
"No," he hissed, "Fane didn't do anything and the Volturi went and kill him. Or did you forget that?" I paused and watched him walk away. As far as I knew, Fane didn't break any laws; he told us that he was just traveling and trying to find coven members. When he never came back we asked around to see if anyone saw him and found out that the Volturi killed him; however, they didn't know what his crime was.
"I didn't forget." I muttered. I trusted Fane because he did save me from a newborn vampire; and like Conner, I vowed to kill those who wrongfully killed him. My only dilemma was Chloe, I didn't want her to get involved in this; I defiantly didn't want her to get killed. I let out a frustrated sigh and ran out of the house to hunt. I was in the middle of the forest when I was caught off guard. Before I could react, black mist surrounded me and I lost my senses.