It'd been two years and those bloody Cullens, the Denali sisters, and their pet dog (thankfully silent and a lot skinnier than before) were leaving. They glared hatefully, eyes pitch black, practically frenzied in their hungry, and the wolf was shrinking away from their ravenous gazes. Unfortunately, Santiago and I were in charge of leading them safely from Volterra with Felix and Afton, and I walked along in front of the Cullens. Felix was behind them, Afton to the right between them and the dog, and Santiago was the left, all of us with stony expressions. Renesmee, Carlisle, Esme, Carmen, and Eleazar had been told to stay away for their own safety and I knew the little puppy was eager to get back to the hybrid.
Suddenly, one of them lunged for the back of my head, but Felix had grabbed them before they'd taken two steps and I turned, expression cold. My power lunged at Alice Cullen, twisting her thoughts hatefully, because Bella was too distracted in hunger to protect her family, and Alice moaned at the pain. Jasper leapt, but I'd already released my power, my hand wrapping around his throat easily, because he was weak from hunger and he snapped his teeth uselessly at me, his eyes wild. We were nearing the edge of the city, taking them to the woods to hunt some animals, and my crimson eyes sparkled tauntingly at them.
"Jasper, be a good boy and you'll be feeding on bear or whatever you lot eat soon enough," I said icily, releasing him and continuing to walk. "Keep up, and, dog, we had Cookie leave some meals at the edge of the forest for you," I added and a whine of anticipation escaped him. "More than you deserve really," I mused, inspecting my fingernails. "All of you, I almost died, properly, because of you, very disappointed," I sighed sadly and Felix grinned at me.
"Just keep your attention on the job," Afton scolded gently and I grinned back at him. He was so serious all the time, but he was still awesome and he was family, so that was all that mattered, because he was family.
We reached the woods and the vegetarians shot between the trees without even a word of thanks, so rude, honestly, after everything we've done to them. The mutt turned human, uncaring about his nakedness as he fell onto the food Cookie had left, and us Volturi left without even a goodbye. I leapt onto Felix's back, laughing now, and Santiago and Afton rolled their eyes at me, my Volturi necklace swinging around my neck. We chattered all the way home, laughing loudly, and I leapt off Felix's back when we reached the castle, wondering if Demetri, Jane, Corin, and Alec were back from their trip to execute someone.
Usually, I went with them, my thought twisting power usually coming in handy in making the victim know they'd done wrong, but the prisoners were being let out and Aro thought I'd like to be there. I would've done, if I could smack Bella around a bit, but I wasn't allowed unless she attacked me and, for once, she didn't, it was Alice. The silly little pixie had lost control, which surprised me, but I didn't voice it, just placed my hand in Aro's to show him the mission went without trouble and he smiled at me proudly. Caius and Marcus merely nodded, dismissing us, and I went to the room I shared with Alec, wishing he'd come back so I wouldn't feel so worried.
The sudden smell of rain hit me the second I opened my bedroom door and I gasped softly, seeing Alec sat on our bed, reading my book. For once, I didn't care as a large grin spread over my lips and I ran to him, throwing my arms around his neck and hugging him tightly. He was used to my exuberance after four years, his lips gently pressing to my forehead, and I smiled, closing my crimson eyes and leaning against him. He was back, he hadn't been killed by the bad guy, he was safe, and I always felt relieved when I first saw him after he'd been away from me.
It was rare that Aro separated us, usually sending us away together, but, occasionally, we had to be sent on different missions and I would worry the whole time we were apart. I don't know if Alec worried, but the way he held me tightly afterwards made me believe he did and he pulled me closer to him now, pulling my hair from the ponytail I'd put it in. His long fingers ran through my hair when it was loose, slowly following the locks of hair down to the bottom of my back, and I rested my head on his shoulder, closing my eyes and taking in a deep breath of his perfect smell.
"I missed you," I whispered and Alec chuckled softly, kissing my forehead again and letting me curl into his side. "Did you have fun?" I asked, looking up at him, and he put down my book, brushing my hair from my face and kissing me softly.
"It was an execution, hardly a fun activity, Lia," Alec replied and I grinned at him. "How was escorting the Cullens? Did Bella attack you?" he spat her name and I shook my head. "Really?" he asked, obviously surprised, and I nodded with a smile at his concern.
"No, it was Alice," I told him and his expression darkened dangerously. "I used my ability on her, though," I soothed him and he still looked angry. "And I had to stop Jasper, but I'm fine and no one touched me," I promised and Alec's expression didn't lighten. "Did you miss me?" I changed the subject, pouting adorably and wrapping my arms around his middle.
Alec instantly began checking me over for any injuries, pushing my hair back from my face, making sure there were no marks against my skin, and I rolled my eyes at him fondly. When he was finished making sure I was still in one piece, he kissed me firmly, truly making sure that I was all safe and together, and I felt extremely amused. We separated after a moment, small smiles playing at our lips, and I ran a hand through his hair fondly, relishing the feel of the soft hair beneath my fingers. He pressed his forehead to mine, just like he always did after we'd been separated, his way of showing he cared, and I loved that about him.
When you're a vampire, the decades pass you by surprisingly quickly and, before I could really comprehend it, thirty years had gone by. I still looked like a fifteen year old, but I had the mind of a woman, a forty five year old woman to be exact, and I was still very much in love with Alec. Jane and Corin were getting married soon, which I was completely okay with, I mean, I wasn't jealous or anything, not at all, and it's not like Alec and I need to get married, because we were perfectly fine and I was perfectly fine with helping Jane get ready for her wedding. It's not like I want to be picking out the perfect white dress, or choosing the flowers, or the decorations, or making out pretty invitations, and then smugly inviting the Cullens. No, I didn't want any of that.
"Lia? Are you okay?" Aro asked cautiously as I scowled and waited impatiently for Heidi to appear with the tourists. "You seem rather agitated," Aro continued and Sulpicia pulled him away from me slightly.
"I'm fine, just fine, perfectly fine, peachy in fact, just peachy," I bit out through clenched teeth and everyone looked at me with expressions that clearly stated they didn't believe me. Alec just looked at me, dark eyes seeming to see straight through me, and I glared at him, because I was fine, didn't I just say that? I was fine! "I'm fine!" I repeated forcefully, snarling slightly, and he snorted lightly. "You're an arse Alec! "
"Lia?"
"What the hell do you want old man?!" I snapped at the man who'd somehow known my name and I looked at him, my dark eyes widening at the sight of someone I only had blurry human memories of. He was staring at me, his blue eyes, blue eyes like mine used to be, wide and teary, a young woman supporting him with a confused expression, and I couldn't move. "Dad?" I breathed, taking in his much, much older appearance with disbelief.
"Lia, don't," Alec grabbed my arm and I still couldn't move, but dad was trying to push through the crowd and the woman was pulling him back.
"Dad, don't," she hissed and hurt flashed through me. "That's not Lia, Lia died, dad, remember? She died thirty years ago," she protested, looking about twenty five, perhaps a little less or more. Nowadays, human appearances meant little to me, because all they were was food, but this one was my dad and that was different. "Lia's dead, Lia fell down the stairs and broke her neck, it can't be Lia-"
"Human, be quiet," I commanded icily and she snapped her mouth shut, her blue eyes widening in fear. Those were my blue eyes, mine, not hers, and Alec pulled me back sharply when I took a step forward toward my father. "Alec, let go of me," I snapped and everyone was just staring.
"Lia," dad repeated, begging me, pleading with me, and I felt my dead heart break. "It is you, I know my own daughter, my little girl," a tear rolled down his cheek and I closed my eyes tightly, but the smell of salt was sharp on my nose.
"Alec, please," I begged, looking at my mate pleadingly, and Alec frowned, looking to the elders. "He's my father," I whispered and the woman, my sister I suppose, held onto my dad's arm tightly. "You can't stop me," I snapped, shoving Alec forcefully, and he flew back, slamming into Felix and sending them both into the far wall. "I'm sorry," I said.
"Dad!" the woman screamed when I suddenly appeared in front of them and dad stared at me, a shaky, wrinkled hand reaching out to touch my icy cheek.
"You're cold," he whispered.
"I'm dead," I joked weakly and he flinched. "Sorry, daddy, I didn't have a choice," I murmured gently, taking his hand, and he looked so…lost. "You said-" I stopped, feeling a hard lump in my throat. "You said I was growing up too fast, remember? Now, I won't ever grow up, I'll be your little girl forever," I said softly and another tear slid down his wrinkled cheek.
"What did they do to you?" he asked shakily.
"Made me happy," I promised him and he frowned, shaking his head. "Dad, daddy, I'm happy here, and I would've been happy if I'd stayed with you, I'm sure, but things happened and I ended up here and I'm so happy," I assured with a watery smile and he frowned deeper.
"What about your life? Growing up, getting married, having kids? Remember those dreams you had as a kid?" he protested and I chuckled.
"Christ, dad, that was forty years ago," I laughed, running a hand through my hair. "I'm better now-"
"Why?! Because you can't die?! Because you'll look like a child forever?!" dad yelled and I stopped, gritting my teeth in anger. "What makes this life so much better than a normal one?! One where you would've come home?! One where you'd grow up and be normal?!"
"Who wants to be human?!" I spat and he looked at me sadly. "Okay, so I can't have kids, I'm going to look like a fifteen year old kid forever, but I'm happy and that's all that matters," I said stubbornly and he snorted lightly. "Look at you," I said spitefully. "Old, wrinkled, dying, bit by bit," I sneered. "And then there's us, vampires," I spoke the title proudly, a smile spreading over my lips. "We're perfect, dad, we never die, we're faster than anything you've ever seen, stronger than you can imagine, and the things some of us can do would give you a heart attack," I smirked and dad shook his head.
"You were better off dead," he murmured.
"I used to believe that too, in the beginning, when I first came here, but I'm not, dad," I said softly, suddenly feeling gentle again, and I carefully touched his wrinkled cheek. "Dad, I may not be able to have kids or grow up or whatever else you want me to do, but I am happy and I have a family," I said quietly, smiling. "I have a good life, well, eternity."
"I named my daughter after you," the woman stated, sounding sick.
"Why? I don't even know you, and you don't know me," I snorted and she looked horrified. "Besides, there's only one me and no one can replace me, right, Alec?"
"You threw me into a wall," Alec snarled.
"I've done worse, and you know it," I replied dismissively, waving a hand, and Alec snarled again. "Aro, can we make it easier on them?" I asked, looking up at my master pleadingly, and he looked back for a moment, before nodding.
"Alec, take Lia's father's and sister's senses away," he ordered, voice distant, and that usually planning something for the family. Last time he had that voice, we went mountain climbing and Jane and I kind of shoved Felix down Mount Everest...from the top. "Lia, you don't have to drain them if you don't want to," he said and I shook my head.
"No, it's okay," I murmured and my sister stared at me, tears filling her eyes, as Alec moved to my side and slid a hand into mine, linking our fingers together. "What's your name?" I asked just before Alec took away their senses and she gulped.
"Donna," she whispered and I looked at dad sharply.
"I wanted another you," he said simply and I flung my arms around his neck, hugging him gently. "I love you, Lia," he was crying and I took his face in my hands.
"I love you too," I murmured, kissing his cheek softly. "Do you want a happy memory before you die?" I asked as Alec took away Donna's senses and dad nodded. "Okay, close your eyes, Alec will take away your senses," I soothed and dad looked at Alec, eyes suddenly icy.
"You take care of her," he snapped and Alec looked surprised for a moment, but smirked in usual Alec fashion and made me roll my eyes.
"I will," Alec said simply and I smiled.
"Daddy, I can take care of myself, and Alec's an arrogant arse," I teased and Alec smirked at me. "Take away dad's senses, Alec," I sighed, but smiled at dad before he closed his eyes and I knew his senses were gone by the way his body tensed slightly.
Feeling my heart break slightly, I pushed a happy memory of when I was child into his head, gently tilting his head to the side, and I sunk my teeth into his neck, continuing to give him the memory of my eighth birthday. We'd driven all the way down to Cornwall just so we could get some of the ice cream I wanted and it'd been my favourite birthday. He died smiling, at least, looking peaceful, and Donna was crying silently, mouthing the name Lia over and over again, my name, yet her daughter's name. I killed her quickly, not bothering to give her a memory, because I didn't know her, and I had a feeling she'd named her daughter for dad more than she had me.
Their blood wasn't satisfying, yes, it filled me up, but it didn't taste as good as other blood and it left a slightly bitter taste in my mouth. I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, watching the others feed silently, and the bodies were quickly disposed of in the pit. Alec finished quickly, leading me out of the hall, and the dry sobs escaped me before I really knew it, Alec's arms closing around me tightly. I clutched him in a vice grip, sobbing into his chest, and he whispered soothingly into my hair, kissing the top of my head and holding me against him. I couldn't lose him, I couldn't, after thirty years, I wouldn't know what to do, and that frightened me, the thought of being lost.
Next chapter's the last, and I always planned on drawing Lia's father into the story to say goodbye somehow. I was going to make the Cullens release a bigger thing, but I couldn't manage to make it fit and I don't think they'd retaliate after what had happened.
Thanks to Leila'xx, SecretReader2, Mahlisya, Awesome-Pixie-Vampire, and AngelCullenxxx for reviews.