Disclaimer: Twilight belongs to Stephenie Meyer, and her only. I however own my original characters.

Chapter 20 — Contempt

"Go on," my long-lost sister encouraged me, pointing towards the writhing little girl that was screaming on the floor in agony. "Have mercy on the human."

Insecurely, I scanned the faces surrounding me for help. Somewhat expectedly though, I received none. The Masters eyed me with peaked interest, the guard too frightened to step in as after all a Master's wife had started this. Jane and Alec stood almost inanimately behind me, entirely at my sister's will. Alike Eve, whose desperate cries for help continued echoing through the throne room, I helplessly dropped to the floor at the sudden realization that I was alone with this.

What were my options with this? Allow Eve to change and inevitably get her killed, eventhough only indirectly? Allow Amber to bring in many others like her, only to repeat this torturous procedure endlessly until I finally surrendered? No, that could not be an option.

Kill Eve now and end her suffering? There was no other way, was there? The little girl's death seemed inevitable. If only I could have cried, rivers of tears would be streaming down my face now. How dare Amber put me in a situation like this? How dare she?

"Why are you doing this to me?" I demanded, my tone helpless. She smiled in reply.

"No, Ruby. Why are you doing this to yourself? Just do it. Please, cherry. Her life was forfeit the second she set foot in this room."

"You don't get to call me cherry anymore."

An inexplicable feeling of contempt filled me at her words, additionally to the desire to simply throw myself at her and rip her cursed little head off. Remembering how I had thought of the Volturi as gracious when I had seen them on the battlefield, I shook my head in disbelief at my own naïvity.

I had wanted this, had I not? Had I not delivered the command to be a part of this Coven and turned into one of them myself? In a way, Amber was right. I had known what becoming a vampire would entail, had known of the true nature of the Volturi. The Cullens had warned me, and now they were dead.

And I was stuck with this.

If I was strong, I would try to use my gift and release the twins from my sister's control. I would run towards Eve and try to suck Amber's venom back out, like Carlisle had done to me. I would stand tall, not showing them the conflict that was arising inside of me. Or I would take Eve and run, hoping they would never find me and the soon-to-be immortal child.

But was I truly strong?

The truth hit me with full impact in that moment, and it was shattering. I would never obtain the bravery to stand up against my sister, or the Volturi entirely. My opponents were too powerful for that, and I knew it. The outcome of this situation would very likely determine the rest of my immortal life, and eternity was a long time to have the Volturi as one's enemy.

So, really, it was either Eve's or my life on the line.

"Eve," I whispered desperately, eyeing the little girl, "You tell me what to do."

Eve did not answer. Her high-pitched shrieks of pain continued to ring in my ears while she completely and utterly ignored me, only once presenting me with a hopeless glare. Her tiny body turned and twisted itself in an attempt to make the fire vanish, but for naught. This pain was more than she could handle, and her fight was hopeless.

There was only one way to help her now, as bizarre as it was.

Feeling numbly sure of the inevitability of my decision, I apathetically stood up then, slowly walking towards Eve. She did not even acknowledge my presence, the poor thing; the pain entirely overpowered her senses, leaving her at my mercy.

I tried to ignore the expectant stares of my audience as I cowered myself next to the girl.

"Hey there, Eve" I said sadly, trying to keep my voice as confident and trustworthy as possible for her sake while trying to ignore the burning pain in my throat. "I'm gonna make the pain go away now." I looked away. "I... I'm sorry. I really am."

All of a sudden, Eve's screams died down. She hid the pain for me, panic filling her big, emerald eyes. Tears were running down her face. "I- I d-d-don't wa-anna go, p-pretty girl" she whispered.

"But you will," I said. "And you'll go right to heaven."

A pregnant, expectant silence followed, and Eve closed her eyes in thought. Seconds later, she opened them again. Then, unexpectedly, she nodded.

"D-do it" She finally ordered me, her voice shaking. "T-take the p-pain away."

"You won't feel a thing."

As quickly as possible, I took Eve's warm hand into mine, hovering over wrist. I was about to finally take her life when I noticed her unnaturally quick, frightened heartbeat.

"Shh, shh" I said, hoping to be able to calm her down, caringly running my hand over her cheeks.

When she had calmed down for a moment, I bit down.

I evidently caught Eve by surprise, and an uncontrolled, agonized sound escaped her lips as my teeth pierced through her skin. I drank eagerly, thirstily feasting on the ambrosia I had so long desired, hoping this torture would be over as quickly as possible for her. Within seconds, her feeble attempts to fight me off died down.

And the blood was good. So, so good.

I hastily wiped it of my lips when I was finished, standing up and eyeing the little girl one last time. She looked content, blissful even. As absurd as it was, I could not help bit envy her.

A weary smile on my lips, I turned around, only to see mixed emotions on the faces of the Volturi. I ignored them. Closing my eyes and focussing on my gift, I took Amber's manipulative mind control from Alec and Jane, confused expressions filling their faces as they were brought back to consciousness.

Then, without thinking, I took Alec's hand and bolted.

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