A/N: DxGRAYxMAN: Good guess, but no. I don't really like the rain. Any cold, wet thing... ;)
In those discouraging days
I always missed the mark
When we were comfort and close
I would neglect to keep
Oh, you safe and unexposed
A portrait of time repeats
This moment now replaced
With an empty wish to give
I give, I gave
I gave my everything
For all the wrong things
In this cold reality I made
This selfish war machine
Oh, this has become hell
How can I share this life
With someone else?
I promise you
There is no weight that can bury us
Beneath the ghosts of all my guilt
Here in the dark side of me
Chapter 22: Invested Parties
Bella POV:
"I already told you, I don't know where they are. The Volturi keep their tracks covered."
"See, I previously made the mistake of believing this lie once before Toshiro. I'd suggest you tell me the truth this time, or, let's just say there'll be consequences." I leaned down to the quivering mess of a man I had just thrown against a nearby wall.
I had sought out Toshiro a few weeks back. Street nomads like him knew all sorts of information, including sensitive material on Volturi whereabouts. The guards would threaten them to keep these secrets, men like Toshiro with no powers were easy to persuade.
He had given me the same line he was giving me now about knowing no such things. But a run in with another nomad gave me other ideas.
Alistair was much more compliant for me. He obviously understood just what I was willing to do for my goal. His unique ability was extremely helpful, but it led me back to London again. Toshiro was quite a bit more involved than I originally thought. Still a mere pawn, but a knowledgeable little pawn.
"They'll kill me. They'll kill me if I tell you anything."
"They're going to kill you no matter what! If you don't have a power, you are of no use to them. Anyone not in their guard is just used until they decide you're not worthy to be kept alive anymore." Toshiro continued to shake his head, cowering in fear. Oh what I wouldn't give for Edward's or Aro's power right now.
Well, at least I know how to torture someone. It really helps that I know exactly what hurts the most from personal experience. Jane can fuck with people's minds all she wants, eventually real bodily harm is the way to go.
"I'm sorry it had to come to this then." I truly was sorry about getting into this mess, but unfortunately I didn't have much of a choice. My leads were running low.
I had gone through the Irish, French, and Amazon covens in the past couple weeks. Each had little bits of information, all leading me to various nomads. So eventually I just decided to seek out every nomad I could find. I had exhausted all my tips, especially if I wanted to keep up my low profile, staying just underneath the radar from both the Volturi and Colt's division.
"The Egyptian coven!" Toshiro screamed out after I had forcibly removed several of his fingers. "That's where they're headed next!"
"Why?" I pried on, needing all the information I could get before disposing of the evidence.
"Th-there's a vampire they want. Gifted. Very powerful. They're trying to get him."
"Does he have a name?"
"I-I don't know. Their leader Amun is very protective of him." I nodded satisfied and stood up from my work.
"Thank you." I picked him up again and took ahold of his neck. He knew what was coming next. I couldn't have him running off and telling the Volturi in the hope that they'd grant him into the ranks.
"You think yourself so pure and self-righteous. But you're wrong. You're just like them." I only hesitated for a moment and frowned at his supposed insult.
"I don't. And I'm not like them. I'm much worse."
About an hour later I was dusting my jeans off from the scum of the alley, and Toshiro was long gone. I started a slow stroll and thought about catching a quick dinner before making my way South towards Egypt. Of course Aro was after more power.
But something caught my eye. Subtle and calculated movements in the shadows, wanting to make themselves unknown. The stench of vampire filled my nose and I smirked despite the situation.
Someone really had the bright idea to get the drop on me?
"I suggest you come out now. Unless you'd like to die painfully." I called out to the alley before slowly approaching it, avoiding any wandering eyes. Almost immediately, I felt two vampires behind me. Not in a threatening manner though, so I didn't attack right away.
"That was quite a show you put on back there. Your reputation precedes you Miss Swan." The one who spoke was male, his accent heavily Eastern European. I racked my brains quickly to remember any covens around that area. My smirk only grew and I turned around to face them.
"The Romanian coven, I presume?"
"Indeed. Or, what's left of it." The other one answered me. I sized them both up just in case they had other ideas, but I'm pretty sure that was not their intention of seeking me out this evening.
"How did you find me?" This question was very important to ask first. If they could find me, that meant there were other much more interested parties that possibly could.
"The Volturi may have taken all our power, but they did not take our wit. We've been waiting for you for a long time Miss Swan."
"Is that so?" I was still wary of them. They were much older than I and I wasn't sure if they had any gifts.
"Ah yes. How rude of us. We forgot to introduce ourselves. I'm Stefan, and this is Vladimir." They both dramatically bowed and I fought the urge to roll my eyes.
"Well Stefan and Vladimir, what can I do for you this evening? I'm afraid I can't spend too long chatting, I have places to be and people to see."
"Oh we know." Both their eyes lit up in an almost crazed way. "The great revenge trail. You've waited so long, but really, not nearly as long as some."
"I'm not like the others." I muttered annoyed. These Romanians were some real slow talkers and I would much rather be on the road.
"You are an impatient little youngling." Stefan circled me, now he was the one sizing me up and down. But he had a look of slight disgust on his face while he did so, one that was mirrored on Valdimir's as well. It irritated me to no end.
"What?" I finally barked after a prolonged silence.
"I'm afraid we're slightly disappointed in you Miss Swan." Vladimir scoffed, I growled lowly as a warning. "We mean no disrespect, but you are probably the only hope of defeating the Volturi after all these years, and you're so…..weak."
"Excuse me?" My slight rage temporary blinded me and someone flashed by my body, cutting my side open with a blade. "Fuck!" I went to lunge at them, but they had both retreated with their hands up in surrender, the knife dropped.
"You see? Weak." Stefan smiled slyly as I leaned against the wall trying to recover from the hit. It was deep, but small. It would heal in time, still hurt like a bitch though.
"Sorry but I can't really do much about the fact that I'm not made of fucking marble!" I spat at them. Did they really have to stab me to prove their obvious point about my body not being indestructible?
"No. Of course not. But that's not exactly what we meant." Stefan moved in slowly, peering over to check on my wound. "How long will that take to heal?"
"I don't fucking know. A couple hours or so."
"And it hurts, doesn't it?" I only glared at Vladimir's question. Of course it fucking hurt. The bastard stabbed me! "One simple movement has left you crippled."
"Make your fucking point, or so help me –"
"You'll what? Not like you can do much now."
"You'd be surprised." I growled and flashed my canines at them.
"No need to make things messy Miss Swan. Or, messier than they already are." They both snickered and I growled again. No wonder why the Volturi wanted to kill them all.
"Now, if you were to switch diets, how long do you think that cut would take to heal then?" I narrowed my eyes at them. So that was their play.
I knew the Romanians were most famous for not hiding their vampirism with the world. They found the feeding of humans to be natural and nothing to be ashamed of. But then the Volturi came along and changed the rules.
"A bit less."
"And it would hurt less too, wouldn't it?"
"I'm not changing my diet. No matter what you say. Sorry to waste your time." I said through gritted teeth. My patience was pretty much gone at this point. They'd insulted me, attacked me, and questioned my way of life. Definitely outstayed their welcome.
"Don't make such rash statements Miss Swan."
"If your goal is to defeat the Volturi, then you have to drink human blood. You don't stand a chance without it. We're quite invested in your success Miss Swan, but we need a winning horse to back up."
"Even if I was willing to believe that crap, I already told you I won't. I can't kill the Volturi if I have no control over my own mind and body." A small part of me knew they were right. I was weaker than any human drinking coven. But I was also right about my control, blood has never done me any favors.
"You always let the blood control you, young one. Control it, and the Volturi don't stand a chance."
"That's nice. Catchy little statement you got there. But it's easier said than done."
"Because you give into your cravings too easily. You need to feed, and then stop yourself right when you want more. How do you say, ah yes, practice makes perfect." The old vengeful gleam in their eyes was back. I stood up from the wall, my curiosity getting the better of me.
"What do you mean?"
"Pace yourself."
"And have something to focus on to keep your control. Whenever you feel the blood tempting your mind, think of your revenge instead. Only that will hold power over the temptress."
I felt my mouth involuntarily water at the prospective. But no, I couldn't do that. Torturing and killing nomad vampires was one thing, but killing humans, that was another.
"No. I won't kill anymore helpless innocent humans. Not this time." It seemed like they expected this answer from me, each not dropping their disturbingly creepy smiles.
"Who said anything about killing humans?" Vladimir tossed something at me and I luckily caught it with my reflexes. But they both disappeared after the throw, nowhere to be seen.
Confused as hell, I looked down into my hands and saw that I was holding a warm medical bag full of human blood.
"Fuck."