Hello, lovely people!

Welcome to the final instalment of 'The Immortal Coil Saga.' I hope you enjoy it!

LookAliveSunshine03

WARNING: Contains some strong language.

Chapter 1:

A Frenchman's advice

2nd January 1992

Life for Hazel Lewis was, in a word, peachy. Well, not entirely; the Volturi demanded a lot from her family. Aro sent them hither and yon to keep an eye on immortals he coveted most; Julia was travelling in secret today to Cairo, while Michael trekked through Denali.

It should be the other way around, he kept moaning. Aro should know Jools hates the heat.

It's a test of her loyalty, Mikey, Hazel thought bleakly, and Michael groaned.

Aro may live to regret that…we may live to regret that.

Possibly. But who are we to question Master Aro, eh?

While she waited for work, Hazel prowled her home streets, enjoying the wild nocturnal raves that sprung up like defiant weeds. The stink of human rebellion made Hazel deliciously nostalgic. Mikey had taken to this new grunge music like he had been waiting for it his whole life, and Hazel had to admit it was growing on her.

Maybe this decade won't be so tedious, after all, she thought, adjusting her long, bleached wig in the mirror. Someone was rapping on her front door. Anticipating a package from Julia, Hazel spun around to answer it.

Partially hidden from the sun, a surprised Frenchman stood on her doorstep. "Zut." Antoine Jean's eyes lit up, his elaborate moustache spreading further across his face. "I did not think to find you again so easily, Hazel."

His past remained a mystery to her, but Antoine's proud bearing and predilection for tight trousers suggested he came from a time where a man's calves were expected to be admired.

Antoine was also a blissfully married man, but Hazel could still enjoy the view. "Oh, Antoine." She swooned. "Your accent makes anything erotic."

"Aha!" Antoine leapt forward and warmly embraced her, his facial hair tickling her cheeks as he kissed them. "This hair! It's different. I like it. So much more feminine."

"Get off!" Hazel laughed, dodging as Antoine went to tug at her wig. "You rascal. You've made my day, but what brings you so far from home? Where's Sabine?"

"Ma moité is here, keeping Anna company," Antoine replied, using the French term for "other half."

He bowed as Hazel let him in, sitting on the sofa at her insistence. "Ah, I did not know you had guests." He chuckled, and Hazel was puzzled until she saw him looking at her mannequin heads above her fireplace.

"So, who is this Anna, Antoine?" she said. "Perchance, is she single?"

"Ah, Hazel…" Antoine clasped his hands together, a gesture reminiscent of Aro when feeling exceptionally contrite. "Our Master is not happy with me."

"What?!" Hazel landed beside Antoine on the sofa. "No. I don't believe you. Surely, you're his best recruiter. You found us, swee'eart."

By accident, Michael's voice remarked.

Nothing but chance, and your carelessness, Hazel, Julia sneered, mimicking the way Antoine dropped the first letter of her name.

Hazel tried not to scowl. Shut up, both of you.

Antoine was smiling. "And what treasures you are." Then his moustache drooped. "But Aro grows impatient for who I found for him, long ago."

"Oh?" Hazel propped her head on her hand, resting her elbow on the sofa's head cushion, and waited.

"I found Anna before the Great War." Antoine's hooded eyes glazed over. "But she was too young. I wanted to wait until she was old enough. Naturellement, I saw what she would become." He sighed wistfully.

Hazel itched at her wig. "That special, eh?"

"More than I can say to you. But Anna was going to be sold to a vulgarian who treated his horse better than his women."

"Then I hoped you treated him in kind," Hazel said softly.

"I did not even savour his blood," Antoine spat in his mother tongue, moustache bristling. "Alors. Forgive me, but I must smoke."

"A terrible habit, mon ami," Hazel smirked. "One that I will happily join you in." She dragged her ashtray closer on the coffee table, reminded of the crack at the bottom of the dish. She would have to find a new one soon.

They smoked together in silence for a time. Antoine's choice was a smaller, more delicate version of a cigar. The smell made Hazel ache for her father. "So, what happened next?" She prompted.

Antoine blew a cloud of smoke. "There were complications. My associate was – how do you say – attracted to Anna. He did not want Anna to fulfil the destiny I had seen."

Hazel frowned. "I've always wondered, exactly how does your ability work, Antoine? These destinies you can see, are they set in stone, so to speak, or can they change?" She watched her old friend while flicking more ash into her tray.

Antoine thought for a moment, curling his moustache around his finger. "The visions are flashes…like Polaroid pictures, yes?"

"Okay." Hazel sniffed. "And what destiny did Anna show you?"

"It may not matter." Antoine sighed. "She is not – she may never be ready. Her powers are too strong."

Hazel blew smoke. "So, train her."

"Ah, we have tried, Sabine and I." Antoine pushed the remains of his cigarillo into the tray. He looked sheepish. "But our powers are too precious to lose."

Hazel scowled. "Because she is that…magnificent?"

"Perhaps." Antoine sighed. "Forgive me. It is not your burden, ma cherie. Where are your brother and sister?"

Hazel tried to tease more out of Antoine, but he refused to yield, true to his usual form. So, they chatted a bit more, and Hazel found herself admitting she was at a loose end.

"Aha," Antoine smiled, suddenly more animated than ever. "You need a holiday, non?"

"Oh, perhaps," Hazel teased. "What do you suggest?"

"I hear that Prague is a marvellous place for tourists," Antoine said, waggling his eyebrows.

Hazel raised hers. "I've never been to Prague, but…I will consider it."

"Bon." Antoine appeared satisfied, rubbing his palms together. "Where are your brother and sister? Are they here?"

"No." Hazel frowned, stubbing out her cigarette. "Does our Master not keep you informed at all, swee'eart?"

"It is difficult." Antoine sighed. He looked almost weary now. "Letters can be easily intercepted, you know. Tell me. Is Julia well?"

Hazel had to shrug, even if it shamed her. "Our Masters demand much from us."

Antoine nodded sympathetically. "Chelsea can help, yes?"

"No." Hazel breathed through her nose as her old friend looked surprised. "Believe me, we tried that, Antoine. Julia was having none of it."

"Ah." Antoine pursed his lips, and Hazel thought he was going to argue. "I understand completely, ma cherie."

Now it was Hazel's turn to be surprised. "Shit, Antoine. You're our Master's favourite."

"Maybe I was. Once. Before I promised our Master…"

"Anna," Hazel said with a dramatic flourish. "To what end?"

But Antoine's mouth closed. "I must go," he said quietly. "Sabine will worry. And Anna…mon Dieu…" Antoine got to his feet, dusting down his trousers. "I'm sorry, cherie. May I ask you a strange question?"

Hazel frowned. "Of course, swee'eart. You know me. The stranger, the better."

"Anna is a delicate woman. Should I send her to Aro?"

Hazel cocked her head. "You make the girl sound like a parcel. It depends on whether she is willing, surely?"

"She knows nothing about what I have planned. I feared what it would do to her." Antoine looked down at his feet.

"There's your answer then." Hazel stood up. "Do whatever you have to do to make her comfortable before giving her the news. She needs a friend, most likely."

Antoine's shoulders slumped. "Yes. She does, ma cherie. But I do not know where to begin."

"Who says you have to do anything?" Hazel said with a small smile. "Anna must have a brain, the appropriate social skills…?"

"It is more than that," Antoine said gloomily. "The friend would have to be willing to understand Anna's circumstances. She is complicated."

"Hah!" Hazel scoffed. "How just like you to demean a woman so politely. It sounds like you need to be willing to understand her first." Hazel slowly shook her head as Antoine's lips pursed sheepishly. "Maybe I should pop over and say hello?"

"No." Antoine's voice was sharp. He rose abruptly. "Forgive me, but I really must go."

Hazel frowned. "Oh, Antoine, no. I didn't mean to upset you."

Antoine kissed both her cheeks. "You haven't, cherie. But Sabine worries."

"And so does Anna, I assume. Just…" Hazel sighed. "Don't be a stranger."

"Never." Antoine smiled roguishly. "Bon chance."

Hazel closed the door behind him, wondering what he meant, while blissfully unaware that it would be the last goodbye she ever gave her old friend.

To be continued...