The night had been eventful. I had forgotten what it was like living with them. Vampires. They never sleep. The constant sound had been annoying!
Back home, I lived on an estate. A whole damn wing to myself. My inner circle lived with me…but, I was to never be disturbed after ten pm!
It was now morning and true to Jasper's word we were all up at the crack of dawn. Sleep still clung to my joints. We were outback near the river on their property.
"As you all know, Fate, is my ex-wife. No. We're not. And no. We won't! Despite, my thoughts, she will be helping us. Which is great! Because. She was essential! In my day during the southern vampire wars. We can do this. We will walk out of this and then, she leaves!
Ok, now that's out of the way, let's pair off. Fate, you're going to rotate between partners. I need to assess your skills."
I tried not to snicker at his poor attempt of a pep talk. Or was that to put rumors to bed? Whatever. Oop. I'm gonna mind my business. Alice refused to even look his way.
"Oh, Emmet."
"You sure short stack? I don't want to hurt you."
"That's real cute. Come on."
I stretched and prepared. Emmet ran out about a good twenty feet from where I stood. I took a defensive stance once ready and nodded my head to alert him. He took off at me. He wasn't particularly fast by most standards, I imagine it has to do with his weight. His bulk isn't great against the wind.
He hit me like a boulder. We were sliding back. My shoes were weighted which allowed my feet to stay firmly on the ground. Once we stopped I immediately chopped him in the throat and landed a punch to the gut. The force shot him flying into the air.
I flitted through time, moving at speeds comparable to light, grabbed his ankle, and flung him deep into the earth. A crater was left in the shape of his body. Once Emmet dug himself out he started laughing. He had enjoyed the entire thing. He's definitely an adrenaline junkie.
"Well, fuck me! That was awesome! Where did you learn to do that?"
"I've studied fighting styles all over the world. Araki Ryu, Bojuka, Krav Maga, And Aikido to name a few. " He looked ready to go again but Whitlock cut him off.
"I want you with Edward."
Jasper didn't offer any praise. He also didn't critique, so. Edward and I were a pair. While he chose Mary. She was kicking his ass too. I felt bad but couldn't help but almost laugh. Is this domestic violence? Omg, somebody help him. I quickly realized my being nosy was a mistake!
Shit, Edward was fast. Incredibly fast. He moved with such precise movements. His telepathic abilities only made him that much more lethal. He knew,exactly, what you were going to do. Maybe, even before you did! Every single thought in your mind open to him. I got something for him.
The best way to handle that is to shut everything down. While we were sparring, I actively began closing the walls of my mind.
Creating a mental palace of sorts. The exact moment it was complete, it was evident that Edward relied on his gifts. The look that crossed his face was the equivalent of an engine sputtering to a stop. I was able to overpower him.
Ooo, the sheer rage her felt at that. This time, I did laugh. I forgot how fun this could be. Fucking with people, it was something I frequently did in the past. Yeah, I was an asshole, but some of them definitely deserved it!
"You cheated!"
"So what. You lost. You think a newborn is going to omit using their gift? Fight fair? Listen closely, ok? There is no such thing as a fair fight in war! "
"How do you do it? How can you read her mind?"
Instead of answering, I helped him up from the ground and squared up once again. This time I gave him tips. We continued like that until Jasper switched us. I was now partnered with Carlisle.
The others were, Edward and Rosalie. Mary and Emmet. Esme and Jasper. I shook my head. I kinda feel bad for the way I treated her at first. She really tries to mother them. Like, him too. She was currently taking it easy on him. He needed it.
I couldn't help but smile as Emmet tried to cheer Mary up by play fighting. She's not wrong about my love for him. But I'd never take him from here…
Despite my easy going last time, I was struggling. It seems I've found another that I can't quite beat. Carlisle was all defensive. He used my power against me. I matched his stance, even mimicked his movements but I still wasn't enough.
We sparred consistently. Carlisle avoided my every advance. As I tired myself out he got the upper hand. We went a few rounds and finally, it was time to switch yet again.
Jasper was my last opponent of the day. In the past, this was a frequent occurrence. Jasper would drill us. Trying to expose any possible weakness. The ones that couldn't keep up weren't there the next morning. We fell into a comfortable rhythm, he would lay a hit, I would get the next one.
"I noticed you staring at me. What's wrong now?"
"We really doing this?"
I asked as Jasper tried to hypnotize me, I noticed we garnered a few eyes. I'm not sure if it's because of what he's doing. Or my skills. Many still view me as a threat.
"Scared you'll get distracted and lose?"
He uses his gift. To slow my thinking down, make me falter. It always worked. Mainly because I'd get lost in his eyes. He'd end the fight by smirking, making his dimple pop, and then say. 'I'm sorry Ma'am, I just like looking into the ocean.' He's such a corny fuck.
"When will you learn white boy. Besides, nothings wrong. Accept the fact she just kicked your ass. Something going on?"
He shut up. But not because I pissed him off. I could always read his face. But now? He seemed to just be watching my movements. There was no winner to this fight.
While we spared. She watched us intently. Mary genuinely believed I was here for him. From the way he's been acting, it's not hard to see why.
"Good."
"Oh I'm more than good and you know it."
"I'm proud."
Just as stupid as he's always been. A love besotted fool! I shook my head at his open display of praise. Despite that… I couldn't help but feel. I don't know what. Ugh, god I hate emotions! Thankfully, that was all that was said.
We packed it up for the day. I wasn't ready to go back, especially after that. Besides, I needed to scout the land. Yeah, I lied. I've been here for more than a few months…
Just watching them from afar, but I've never checked out the place so close up. Most of my work was through private investigators. Humans could blend in, especially since they spend so much time around them, most humans go completely unnoticed.
I mapped out a timeline of events. The year Isabella arrived James was killed, and within the first few months Victoria arrived. Soon after.
She was a guest in my home for the entire year. I felt for her. I've grown weak in these long years, members have noticed. it's unfortunate. I'm less quick to kill and much more lenient.
I ruled, California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and lastly Texas. I receded the territory of Mexico long ago. As queen, I have a court.
These would be my inner circle. Under them, Lords or Sheriffs.
These were the specific high-ranking men and women under my rule that oversaw a territory within my jurisdiction.
Under them would be the knights. These were the right hands of the Lords.
Finally the soldiers. These were the newborns.
Victoria took quick haste to have my loyalists killed by the ones she was able to turn. The army we would be facing might have some of my soldiers. However, most would be ones completely loyal to her. They will all die! Then once I'm finished with that. I'll hunt down every single vampire that dared to snatch my crown!
There was no reason for it. None at all! Every single one of them had been there of their own volition. It's not like they were held hostage.
Each one was paid handsomely! With land and money. All the blood they desired. Well, within reason. We held many businesses across my kingdom, including the ports. Why? Why would they jeopardize all of it? For the ability to kill!
That's why they turned on me. I admit, yes it's the age of humans, but to be honest, I lost the taste for blood spilling.
No humans need die at our hands, we have alternatives. The kill, the blood, it does something to you.
Changes you.
You begin to lose yourself… We need their blood, so. I mean yes, we could drain animals, but, it's not very filling. I'm not sure how they do it. Drink bland, unseasoned. Humph. Anyways, I have some scouting to do.
Rumor has it, Victoria is in Seattle. Just before I allowed myself to be known to the Olympic coven. Mary had a vision. Aro sent his mutts after her, forcing her to act. I have to give her some props, not only had she planned out my demise, but she's using my resources to attack her true enemy. That Cunt!
Edward had been the one to lay waste to her mate so in return she seeks to rip into Bella. That just happens to be a plus for me. Jasper being a member of their coven, I have gotten them to help me in my cause. I just love when the stars align!
I came across a scent. A vampire was in town! I've been uniquely familiar with the scents of all the Cullens. This wasn't one of theirs. I followed it until I reached a home that had an overwhelming scent of Bella.
He had been here! The one Victoria had been using as a mask. She's been hiding her choices behind his to stay out of Alice's visions. Riley biers. Some kid originally from Forks, Washington. Yeah, they really pissed her off.
I tried to follow after him but eventually lost the trail. I circled back to the Cullens residence to notify. To say the least, it had already been known. As soon as I was in sight I was accosted by Edward.
"Did you catch him?"
"No! Now get off me!"
"Why were you at Bella's? What was Riley doing there?" His grip tightened as he barked his questions at me. My patience was wearing thin.
"He stole something. He wants her scent. It's a tactic used similar to search dogs. Flood the nostrils of a newborn with the scent of the enemy, as soon as they catch a whiff, it's like a frenzy."
Despite my compliance, he still refused to let me go. His worry about the human overrides his sense of danger.
"How do you know so much about us? How long have you been watching?" His teeth bared. Threatening me.
My eyes went black. I narrowed my gaze at Edward, he flew away from me. His body landed onto the glass coffee table, the shards shooting out in all angles.
"Don't ever put your hands on me! I'm not here to answer your fucking questions. Oooh, fuck. I came for one reason. That's to drag that redhead back to her coffin. We clear?"
My head whipped towards another, glaring right into jaspers thirsty coals.
"I didn't hear you."
My hands glowed black. I rolled my finger in a circle. Time spun backward. He was now unharmed and the table has never broken. Mary's mouth opened to scold me. I really hope you do. Try me. Edwards's voice rang out taking my attention from her.
I'm sorry. Jeez, that hurt!"
"Sounds like a personal problem, I warned you."
I pushed past Edward with my nose held high in the air. I went in the fridge and grabbed a steak, eating as I spoke. I sprinkled some seasoning on it as I explained.
" I was going to scout Seattle when I came across his scent and found Bella's room rifled through. Lost him around a body of water, I think he swam to evade me. As for watching you, I've been here for months. I needed as much information as I could obtain. "
Jasper hid a smirk. He seemed pleased I knocked Edward down a few pegs. I've noticed there's some favoritism from Carlisle. He bounces back and forth between them. Hmm, interesting. Bella was long gone. My bad. That's probably how he found out. He must have caught our scents.
"I'd advise you to stay here. No reason causing trouble before we're ready."
Jaspers tone brought me out of my thoughts. It was familiar. Flashbacks threatened to burst. Even as I tried to calm down my emotions threatened to spill. I calmly explained my reasoning.
"Jasper. You and I both know they aren't prepared. This might be the best time to do it. We should move now. Catch them off guard."
"They would have the home advantage. No! I forbid you!"
"Or what? What will you do?"
Jasper didn't back down. Now, I'm trying to be a better person. I decided to just push a bit, maybe he'll get it. My hair and eyebrows glowed with black flames. My glowing eyes glinting in the light.
"You don't intimidate me Destina. You go against my order you will regret it."
"I don't take orders from you anymore!"
"Jasper, can you come and help me?"
Alice called after her husband. He looked over to her, looked back at me, and then left. Thank fucking god!
"I apologize for my sons and thank you for fixing the table. "
Esme moved into the kitchen. I sat at the counter to finish my steak. I felt weird standing next to her. She scooted closer as I ate.
"What do you want." My tone harsh and commanding.
"Just wanted to check on you. You seem stressed."
"I'm sorry, you're genuinely being kind. That's not something I see every day. "
" I'm just observant. You must be quite desperate, coming here I mean. The situation with Jasper. Let alone losing everything you've worked for."
"Unfortunately. I don't even know why. Honestly, Im tired. But I've put so much into it…walking away feels like getting spit in the face. "
"The power?"
"Of course."
"What you chose over love. It's the same decision every woman must make, family or success. Are you sure it's worth it?"
"I've heard about your story. The tragedy you've faced. Yet you still choose love? Why?"
"When I felt the life leave my child, I had lost all will to go on. I still think of my son, but yes I've gained a family. One filled with love. Do you believe you are unlovable? "
"How much am I paying for this therapy session?"
This made her laugh. She touched her hand to her chest, her fingers toyed with a locket a sad smile spread across her face.
" His name was Elijah. He had yet to reach a year old when he developed Pneumonia. The years after…I had been sullen and angry at Carlisle for forcing me to live without my son. I eventually forgave him. Point is, maybe you should try it. Not for him, but for you."
She walked away from me. My stomach now turning. Memories of my past threatened to spill. I hate these. I call them slips. It's like I get stuck. I threw out the rest of the steak. The remains draining into the kitchen sink. I patted my bra and took a sip out a vial. The liquid helping to soothe me.
After cleaning myself up I found an apology letter in my room. It was from Jasper.
-Destina. Destina…, even as I write this it's still odd. I never knew this name but it seems to fit you more than Fate. The meaning behind your name is beautiful…and full of pain. Much like my love for you.
I can't take back what I did, but I'm sincerely sorry for cursing you like this. We could go round and round who did what in our marriage. That doesn't matter, what does is that I hurt you.
I never intended to do so. You were right to react the way you did. You don't take orders from me anymore. I loved you and now I release you.-
Tears fell from my eyes. The first ones that have fallen in centuries. I hadn't even realized how much this had hurt me. A deep wailing echoed into the night as the pain rolled out of me in waves. I curled up onto my side clutching my face into a pillow. My eyes fluttered shut and slumber drug me down.