"Carlisle who is this?" Alice asked. She was in Carlisle's study helping him unpack some boxes. It had been three weeks since she, Edward and his human mate Susan had returned from Italy, saving Edward from the Volturi. The Cullens had finally moved back to Forks to be close to the human and resume their lives.
Carlisle walked over to the painting Alice was looking at." Who's, who?"
"This person right here." Alice pointed to a robed figure with a hood covering most of their face that stood behind a man seated on a throne. "I know Caius , Marcus, Aro and the other members of the guard but I don't know this one. I don't even recognize the robe."
"You didn't see her while you were in Voltera?" Alice shook her head. "I'm not surprised. She was probably standing right in front of you the whole time."
This confused Alice. Even though the situation was tense she had made sure to know who every vampire in the room was so that she could determine the danger they were in. "She wasn't there. I saw everyone in the throne room not only in my vision but when we were actually there."
"You wouldn't have seen Death's Shadow." Carlisle told her.
"Death's Shadow?They are real?" Alice went wide eyed. "Do you know them?"
Carlisle grimaced thinking of the few times he met the woman. "She is very real. I had seen her a few times while living in the castle but sightings were rare. I actually talked to her one time though."
"What is she like? I always thought she was just a myth the Volturi used to scare people to stay in line." Alice asked.
"She was..."Carlisle thought about how to properly word his thoughts. "Scary."
"You were scared of her?" Alice was beyond surprised. She had never known Carlisle to be scared of anything.
Carlisle shrugged. "Oh yes we were all very scared of her. Death's Shadow is an enigma. Not much is known about her. I honestly believe even the kings don't know her origins. I often wondered why she even was there. She spoke to no-one. So when she spoke to me I was very intimidated. She was polite though and asked many questions about surviving on animal blood."
"What are her powers?" Alice asked. "Every story I heard of her was something different. That's why I think most of us don't believe she exists."
"No one knows exactly and when the kings brought Eleazar in to analyze her it didn't end well. Aro went missing for a week and when he returned he ordered that she was to be left alone. No one knows what happened to him but when he came back he looked haunted." Carlisle told her.
"What the Fuck?!" Alice exclaimed. "She kidnapped Aro?How was she allowed to live?"
"There was and is no proof she kidnapped him. Just that he was gone for a week and when he returned everyone was under orders to leave her alone. If you ever go back to Italy or are around the royal guard don't bring that up, it isn't something that is talked about." Carlisle warned.
Alice was growing more amazed by the woman the more Carlisle spoke. "You said she was probably in front of us the whole time, what did you mean?"
"One of her abilities is to blend in like a chameleon. She could have been standing right next to you and you would have never known it." He explained.
"I wonder if I could have visions of her." Alice focused her mind.
Carslise smiled. "I doubt it and even if you did, you wouldn't know it was her."
"What do you mean?" Alice asked.
"No one has ever seen her face. She wears different masks. The reason she is called Death's Shadow is because the one she wears the most is a skull one." Carlisle pointed to the painting."I guarantee that the artist never saw her and just painted some random person."
Alice stared at the hooded figure beyond curious as to what the woman looked like."Why is her robe color different? Isn't she a member of the guard?"
"The kings like to brag that she is but no she isn't an official member of the guard." Carlisle said. "That's what was so confusing about her. What no one could understand. Why was she even there. She was obviously more powerful than any of the vampires in the castle. I wouldn't be surprised if she could kill all of them by herself but she didn't strive for political power. She seemed content to just be. The robe just allowed her to blend in better. The black of it becoming a part of her legend."
"She sounds so mysterious. I would love to meet her." Alice mused. "Do you think I could ever get the chance?"
Carlisle chucked. "I find it funny that you of all people are asking questions about the future. As to if you could meet her, I don't know. I don't think anyone really has a way of getting in touch with her and if they do I doubt they advertise the fact."
"Maybe I'll ask Eleazar. He might have more information." Alice said.
"Alice I want you to be careful. Death's Shadow isn't someone you want the attention of. She is very dangerous." Carlisle warned her.
"Pfft." Alice scoffed. "I won't provoke her. I just want to meet her."
Carlisle looked unconvinced. "Alice…."
"Carlisle it will be fine." Alice assured him. "I'm not going to do anything more than ask around about her. Chances are I won't learn anything."
Carlisle sighed knowing he wouldn't be able to stop his daughter. "Just be careful. I don't want anything happening to you."
"I'll be fine I promise." Alice kissed his cheek and left the room thoughts firmly on Death's Shadow. The woman intrigued her. Alice always loved solving mysteries and this was the biggest one she had ever come across. This one she would have to actually do the leg work on to find out facts and wouldn't be able to cheat by using her gift. She shivered when a small thrill shot through her body at the thought.