*TRIGGER Warning* (If you need additional information, please send me a message.)

Thanks so much to my lovely beta, KJ. She is seriously amazing. All mistakes, however, are mine because I don't leave stuff alone. :D

Disclaimer: All things Twilight belong solely to Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter Eight

EPOV

As my fingers glided gracefully across the ivory keys, I noted an unresolved tension in the melody. With an impatient exhale, I paused to study my composition. I removed the worn pencil tucked behind my ear and added a chord after the fourth bar. Starting at the beginning, I played through the piece once again, but I was still dissatisfied.

Deciding to take a break, I stood from the piano bench and stretched. I walked to the arched window that overlooked the small courtyard and let my gaze drift out into town. The day was ending. The last remains of sunlight streaked faintly across the western sky as shopkeepers closed and street vendors packed away their wares. I opened the window, and my room filled with the scent of yeasty bread browning inside the oven of a local eatery.

As I watched the pedestrians stroll along the cobbled pathways, I noticed a couple walking hand in hand. There wasn't anything extraordinary about them, but I quickly became enthralled by the way the man regarded the woman. His expression was so loving and tender. I didn't need to read his thoughts to know she was his entire world. An unfamiliar pang of loneliness coursed through me as I wondered if I would ever experience such emotions.

A knock on my door snapped me from my musings. Whoever waited, blocked their thoughts. I assumed it was Felix, the guard my father had assigned to watch over me since I was a child. No matter how often I argued that I no longer needed a babysitter, my father always refused to reconsider. Of course, I knew the real reason my father kept him was so he could get a daily report about my affairs.

"Come in." I sat at my desk and turned on my laptop. Heaven forbid Felix find me dallying at the window being unproductive.

"Brother."

At the sound of my sister's shrill, grating voice, I cringed as a ripple of disgust passed through me. Jane was the most irritating and vile creature. A single moment in her presence was a moment too long. Twenty-two years older than me, Jane was my father's first successful hybrid child. Even though we had both stopped physically aging at the age of twenty-one, I was sure Jane stopped maturing emotionally much earlier than that. Her behavior often resembled that of an adolescent.

"Jane. To what do I owe the pleasure?" My tone held a mask of indifference.

Instead of responding, she slithered around my room, picking up various objects. Unlike her cold and stuffy chamber, my space was relaxed and personalized. Shelves lined each wall, holding not only books, but also a collection of vintage albums and sports memorabilia. Along with my baby grand piano, a king sized bed and plush, velvet sofa completed the decor.

"Maybe I just wanted to visit my baby brother." She smiled in my direction as she wrapped her hand around my prized Babe Ruth autographed baseball. My breath hitched knowing with the slightest pressure she could easily turn it into dust. I watched as she ran her long, bony finger back and forth across the signature. "You do so love your human trinkets. Don't you?" Her eyes flashed as I read her thoughts. Wonder if you'll love this as much without the inscription.

Standing, I bolted across the room and grasped her wrist, forcing the ball to drop from her hand into mine. I thinned my lips. "What do you want? We both know I don't enjoy playing your little games."

She ran her fingernails down my chest. "How would you know? We've never really had the opportunity to play."

The cheeseburger and fries I had for dinner rolled in my stomach. It was no secret that she desired me sexually. It made no difference to her that we were half siblings. "And we never will." Shoving her away, I gestured toward the door. "Now, if you don't mind, I was busy before your interruption."

Ignoring me, she plopped down onto my bed, leaning back on her elbows. "Father has summoned us."

I ran a hand through my hair. "Why didn't you say so to begin with?"

She shrugged. "I thought I had. You better hurry and change." An audience with my father required formal attire. Unlike my sister who always dressed as if she were attending a funeral, I enjoyed wearing comfortable clothes. She eyed my jeans and licked her lips. My skin crawled at her perusal. "No need to be modest. You don't have anything I haven't seen before."

"Yes, Jane. I'm quite aware of the many men you've spread your legs for—the tales of your whoredom are quite legendary." Instead of being insulted, she threw her head back and cackled hysterically like a deranged hen.

Fed up with her antics, I used my telepathic powers, causing the door to fly open with a resounding 'thud'. Gritting my teeth, I hissed and then said, "Get the fuck out."

She got up and condescendingly patted my cheek. "Tsk-tsk. Such a nasty temper."

As soon as she left, I slammed the door, more upset with myself than her. I knew better than to get worked up over her immature behavior. After changing into a suit, I headed to the throne room. Jane waited outside in the hallway. There were certain protocols about how we were to enter. As the male heir, I entered first, much to Jane's chagrin who believed she should lead since she was the eldest. Once we both entered, Father stood from his throne, welcoming us. I approached first, taking a knee to kiss his ring finger. Then by placing my hand in his, I gave silent permission to read my thoughts. Visions of my day spent composing at my piano, studying Russian philosophy, and eating a rare cheeseburger with a glass of red wine flickered through his mind.

With a low hum, his eyes met mine. Reading his thoughts, I could see he was unimpressed by my activities and angered by my absence at the feeding. "We missed you at today's feast. Tourists from Canada. But I see you enjoyed your burger." He spat the last word from the corner of his mouth.

I knew I needed to pacify him. "Forgive me, Father. I was so busy with my studies that I lost track of the time. Of course, I would have much rather dined with you."

He stared at me in silence before finally nodding. "Next time, I'll send Felix to fetch you so you don't forget."

I bowed. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, Edward. I would do anything for my children." His words sounded more like a threat than an assurance. With a flick of his wrist, he waved me away as he glanced over my shoulder. "And my lovely, Jane. A rose among the thorns." She giggled like a child, slipping to her knee. After she kissed his ring, I watched as he read her thoughts. Flashes of the feast bombarded his mind. Jane grinning as she terrorized a mother and her young child for over an hour during the feeding. Jane's visit to my chamber, including her perverse attraction to me, also darted through her thoughts.

Father calmly cupped Jane's cheek. "Dear, how many times have I spoken with you about playing with your food?" He scolded her as if she were a toddler.

She lowered her chin. Her bottom lip quivered. "I'm sorry, Father. I'll work on it."

His thumb gently brushed the side of her face. "I know you will." When he looked at me, I knew he wouldn't address Jane's sick conduct—as usual, he would ignore it. "Edward, what is this unhappiness? Why must you be so unkind to your sister?" And why did I only learn about this from Jane and not you?

"Father, I'm a grown man. She needs to learn to respect my privacy."

"I agree. But both of you need to remember family comes first." Lifting Jane's chin, he said, "That means you must respect your brother's space. And as for you," he glared at me, "you must treat your sister as a lady. There is never an excuse for raising your voice." I nodded brusquely. "Now, enough of this talk. Join me."

Three ornate thrones were located on a marble platform in the center of the large rotunda. Father sat in the middle one while I sat to his right and Jane to his left. The stately room was only used for official business, typically involving some aspect of the Volturi law. "Children we've gathered today under special circumstances. Afton has requested a private conference. He said he has urgent information about a delicate matter."

My curiosity piqued. Even though I didn't know Afton well, I couldn't imagine what information of significance the vampire who served as a member of the maintenance department had to share.

Clicking a hidden button on the arm of his chair, Father said, "Gianna, you may send in our guest."

Accompanied by two of my father's personal guards, Afton came into the room and knelt before us. "Mio signore, Principe, and Principessa."

Father gestured that he may rise. "Afton. We have granted you an audience. What information do you want to share with us today?"

Pulling at his collar, Afton shuffled his feet back and forth. "You see, mio signore. Ten or so years ago, a friend from the United States visited me. While he was here, he overheard a conversation about your desire to procure a certain...product."

My father's eyes widened. I placed my hand on his forearm and confirmed his suspicions. The product Afton was referring to was a female with type Rh Null blood. Before Afton continued speaking, Father lifted his hand, commanding silence, then he dismissed the guard from the room.

Father's successful impregnation of two human females was viewed as an anomaly within the vampire community, and he allowed everyone to believe this was due to his ultimate supremacy over our kind. Only a select few knew the truth. Fruitful reproduction between a vampire and human could only occur if the human was a female with Rh Null blood—a type so rare only 12 people had been reported to have it since its discovery in 1903.

Once the guard exited, Father leaned forward, anticipation glistening in his eyes. "Sorry for the disruption. Please continue."

Afton rubbed the back of his neck and cleared his throat. "James—my friend—dedicated all his time to finding this…product for you, and two days ago, he finally succeeded."

My father clapped his hands together and laughed with glee. "So you're telling me that James has a specimen in his custody?"

"Yes, sire. He sent me this paperwork as proof." He handed an envelope to my father.

Father removed a document. From his thoughts, I could see it was a hospital report. Isabella Black appeared to be sixteen years old and living in Washington State. According to the report, she had recently sustained several injuries.

"Sixteen. Perfect," my father mumbled as his thoughts drifted to the woman I assume had been Jane's mother. This was the first time I got a glimpse at this part of Father's past—he had always been so careful to conceal it from me.

A woman in her late forties with the same ice blonde hair as my sister, screaming in agony as she was injected with a drug.

The same woman, at least thirty pounds lighter. Her skin sallow and her eyes sunken...lifeless.

The woman, belly round with child, sitting in the corner of a room and staring blankly at the wall.

The woman hanging from the rafters, dying as Jane was ripped from her womb.

I gasped, capturing Father's attention. He frowned. I wanted to spare you from that unpleasantness. Your sister is never to find out. I nodded. Jane's mother had a difficult pregnancy. I didn't locate her until she was older, so she had to endure numerous experimental fertility treatments. And she was so sickly...we had to force her to eat throughout her confinement. It was a miracle they both made it to the seven month mark. His nostrils flared with anger. Then for that woman to attempt to murder my child...especially after everything I did for her! I can't explain how betrayed I felt. I was frightened. The doctor wasn't sure if the lack of oxygen would affect poor Jane's development, but fortunately it didn't.

I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from snorting. Knowing the tragic circumstances of Jane's birth explained so much about her behavior. Desperate to get the answers of my own, I rested my hand on my father's arm. And my mother?

Later. First, let me learn more about my sweet Isabella. With the wonderment of a child opening a Christmas gift, he pulled a photo from the envelope. His anticipation quickly turned to outrage, however, as he studied the picture. When an image of a girl being kept in a small cage like an animal passed through his mind, even my own gut twisted with a sudden rush of pity.

Scowling, Father showed the picture to Afton and demanded, "What is the meaning of this?"

"Mio signore? I-I don't understand."

"Why is she being kept in such conditions?"

"I'm not sure. James thought it was best so she wouldn't escape."

Father pinched his nose and exhaled, afterward he flashed a blinding smile and asked for forgiveness. "Mi scusi. I let my emotions get the best of me. Thank you for bringing this wonderful news to my attention. As soon as you give us the location of the girl, I will make sure you are rewarded for your service."

Afton fell to his knees and kissed my father's shiny, Italian loafers. "Oh, thank you."

After Afton shared the contact information, Father stood and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Jane, precious."

Jane buzzed with excitement. Looking in Afton's direction, she said, "Pain."

The vampire collapsed on the floor, writhing in agony. Father sat back down and picked up the envelope, handing it to me.

"How dare they treat the mother of my future child in such a manner? Edward, you must go to Washington and retrieve my sweet Isabella. End the monster who has done this to her."

Taking the envelope, I nodded.

As Afton continued wailing on the floor, Father called in his guard. "Finish him and incinerate the body."

"Yes, sire."

"Also, have my jet readied. My son is leaving the country within the next hour."

AN:

I want to share two books that I recently read and think some of you might enjoy. They are both by TL Swan—The Stopover and The Takeover. They are available for free on Kindle Unlimited if you subscribe.

Does anyone have any good recommendations?

Also, we have several fandom authors with new releases—Cece, April, Lizzie, ZN, Jo, Rose, Lara, and Ciara—just to name a few! All of these ladies are incredibly talented. If you haven't already, check them out on Amazon.

Thanks again to everyone who is reading and for all the kind reviews. I appreciate each of you tremendously.

As always, much love to K, Kay, Lizzie, Mandy, and Gail. I couldn't do it without you.

Until next time,

HE