The fabric was ripped from her face. Darkness surrounded her. She blinked a few times, nothing was visible. Pressure on her arms forced her into a chair. She heard the locks being forced together. She jerked a little finding the restraint on her chest, waist, forearms and wrists. Her legs were also pinned to the chair from thigh to calf. She inhaled through her nose, the sickly sweet scent of fake strawberries.
"Don't hurt yourself already," Hartford crooned, cupping her cheek. "We've got a long night ahead of us."
Adley fought off the urge to flinch. She quickly aimed left, to where his hand held her.
Her teeth hit flesh, she bit down, hard.
"Bitch!" He smacked her face in response. "The head restraint."
She grunted as something was slid over her face. Her hair yanked as it settled into her hairline and chin. Another lock. A light switch flipped on.
As she'd suspected. She was secured by many belts of metal and leather to a chair she was currently forced into. Her head the newest to be shackled. A mirror across from her showed her pained expression and disgust she felt. Red already colouring her cheek where he'd back handed her.
She glared at Hartford who stood to her left. He looked the same as he had months ago. How nice it'd be to change that for him. She mentally snarled.
A throat cleared, pulling her attention to the right. Another man with dark hair and pallor skin stood. He was lean and shorter than Hartford. His hooked nose and thin lips. He didn't say a word as he tended a metal cart.
Open upon what looked to be clear plastic wrap: Pliers, files, scalpel, a hammer, and nails were laid out.
She stiffened.
"I see you've spotted our tools for today. Don't worry too much sweet one. Not yet. The fun will begin soon enough." Hartford gave a toothy ear to ear grin. "Think of it as pay back."
She gulped.
"No retort? I'm surprised. Your fire gone so quickly. You're usually a bit more feisty than that." He traced a finger over her sore cheek. "Avoid the face Henry I don't want to scar such a pretty girl. Nothing permanent anyways. She may serve other purposes before the end of this."
"Yes sir," the man replied beginning to pour what looked to be bleach into a bowl.
Her eyes widened, following his moves. "Don't look so shocked, sterilization is good. Not when we don't want you infected. No fun if you can't continue to play. We have to allow the magic time to heal fully before we begin each round."
"Your pathetic." She spat.
"There she is." Hartford laughed clapping his hands together. "Aren't you going to try and use your abilities?"
She rolled her eyes. "I'm not going to fall for that. You honestly think, I'm that naive to believe you wouldn't have magic set up to torture me? At least your brother knew not to underestimate the Volturi."
"I told you she was a clever one," He looked to Henry. "Yet gullible enough to fall into my hands."
"How do I know this is real?" She demanded. "You're quite skilled in fucking with people mentally. Too much of a coward to really do it."
He smiled at her challenge. Hartford gestured to Henry.
A scalpel was handed over after being wiped down.
He pointed to her left arm, dark blue surrounded the appendage. Her arm straightened with the restraints in place. He leant in.
"Allow me then, Princess, to show you how real this is." He cut the top of her arm width wise.
"Gah!"
Blood bubbled up to the surface, and quickly poured down the sides of her arm.
Henry handed over a cloth.
Hartford patted the slice. A deep blue encased it, warmth spread over the wound. Once he removed his hand the cut and blood was gone.
She gulped.
"I won't be healing you each time, princess. I've been rude, allow me to introduce our entertainment. This is Henry, he will be the one creating artwork tonight. I only healed you so he could have a clean canvass. He does so enjoy a blank slate." He glanced to his watch. "Now Henry why don't you have some fun. I'm going to get some dinner brought down for the show."
"Scared little bastard! Can't even do it yourself!" She snapped.
He didn't turn.
Adley curled her lips up as she glared at his retreating form. She forced a quick stab of fear. As thought it bounced right off and hit her.
"Ah!"
Ibrahim:
"Hello?"
"Demetri." Ibrahim exhaled, running a hand through his short hair. "Thank the gods, why haven't you been answering your phone?!"
"We were not always in range of cell service. Technology isn't quite up to snuff for the mountains." He replied as if it was obvious. "We've been on a mission."
Ibrahim withheld his frustrated growl growing in his chest. Now was not the time for snapping at Demetri. He could do it later. "Is Master Marcus still with you."
"Yes, of course, where else would he be? If not with you, he is with me."
Ibrahim pinched his nose turning towards the wall of the small office. "Fucking hell."
"What's got your knickers in a twist?"
Of course he asked.
"Mistress Adley. She got a call from Master Marcus' phone. Only it wasn't him. It was that son of a bitch Hartford Aster. He said he had captured Master Marcus. I've been trying to find you and others for the past three hours. I'm in the compound with Cassandra and Dr. Kim."
He threw himself into the empty chair behind an empty desk. His long dead heart was falling to his stomach where he hoped it would suffer a swift death. Master Marcus would not make this a swift death. The more he pondered on the idea of Master Marcus finding him, his dead heart he swore was going to start up again only to escape and turn to dust.
Focus. He slapped himself.
"Does Master Marcus have his cell phone?"
"Master Marcus? Do you have your phone?" Demetri repeated. There were a few whispered words. "No he doesn't. Did you lose it, sir?"
Another few murmured words. Confirmed.
"Fuck. Explains how the bastard was calling from the phone. You may wish to call off the mission for today. We've got a code Red." Ibrahim breathed.
A code he'd never wished to utter. One the older guards said was uttered only once before. In the time of battling for control of the Vampire world. When Master Marcus' first wife was declared missing and ultimately found burning. He closed his eyes. Venom threatening to spill from his eyes.
"Before I repeat those words, Promise me you are one hundred percent certain. The consequences cannot be contained once I do." Demetri's words ice cold.
"Code Red." Ibrahim cringed away from his cell phone. The roar that followed was deafening.
There was some clattering and arguing before the line settled. He waited momentarily for Demetri to retrieve his phone.
"You lost my Mate?!" The deep timber unexpected. "Ibrahim, how did you lose my mate? If any harm comes to her or the children. I will make sure you wish for death."
The line went dead. Ibrahim dropped the phone. He ran his hands over his head. He groaned standing from the chair. He exited the small office finding Cassandra, Abdul, and Dr. Kim with the twins on a couch.
Abdul approached hands in the pockets of his tan trousers. "How long until you are mounted on a wall, my friend?"
"Yesterday."
"Is Marcus with them?" Cassandra asked following a step behind the vampire.
"He was never out of Demetri's sight. He's perfectly fine. Did you get a hold of Master Aro, or Caius?" Ibrahim requested.
A knock echoed on the heavy metal doors of the fortified living room they were in. Dr. Kim stepped in front of the bouncing chairs that held the twins. Her brow became heavy. The room stilling in the process.
Abdul went to the screen. In a few hit buttons the doors opened.
In swept Master Aro and Master Caius. Both dressed in large capes and military styled suits. Blazing dark eyes scanning the room. Each settled in on Ibrahim. He pulled on his collar.
"I see the Italian coven was reached. They've arrived by teleport circle." Cassandra stood to greet the men intercepting the growing anger.
Ibrahim stood at attention, waiting. The urge growing to disappear for a little while so not to become the target for a small bit.
"I hear a Code Red has been issued?" Master Aro responded. The same animosity within his words.
"Yes." Ibrahim confirmed.
Master Aro was at his side immediately, taking his hand with no false formality seeking consent. Eyes glazing over briefly. His brother came closer as well.
"When was Adley last seen? What caused her to leave like this? I want explanations now." Caius demanded.
The door banged open once more.
"Not without me." Marcus stormed into the living room a shadow cloaking the area as the people inside stood a bit taller and tried to shrink out of his way.
Dr. Kim shot him a look as one of the babes cried out, startled from their quiet playtime. Ibrahim looked to both, seeing lips quiver.
Marcus' black gaze settled in on him. Marcus stepped into his line of sight. "Begin!"
Dr. Kim picked up Thea who began to fuss from her chair kicking her feet enough to move it. She carried the baby over to her father. August was scooped up by Cassandra, and handed to him as well.
Two bottles appeared thanks to her.
Dr. Kim guided the father by the shoulder to the couches. The two brothers followed like shadows sitting in one of the other free couches set into a half circle. Ibrahim stepped up to the side of the one closest to the twins.
"Focus on them while you listen." Dr. Kim suggested before sitting beside him.
Ibrahim let a small breath go seeing Master Marcus distracted. It'd give him some time to disappear from the room if needing to escape.
"Each second is another further from our sister, start now." Caius threatened crossing his leg over his other.
Ibrahim flinched, before he launched into the story. Starting from that morning how he'd watched Adley struggle the last few days with nightmares and her past. He told them of the call. How she stormed out like a bat out of hell and basically in a trance raced off.
"She was not herself when she left the twins." Dr. Kim expressed. "My niece has made impulsive choices but never like this. She has never been so foolish. One of her biggest fears was making a mistake in snap decisions. It triggers her."
"The mating bond can cause one to act in illogical ways. Especially if a mate is in danger." Aro replied. "I must see this from everyone. Cassandra, your hand."
She was at his side immediately offering a hand. He dazed out, was silent for a moment before he requested the same of Dr. Kim.
"Each tale is eerily true." Aro hummed. He took his brother's hand. "Yet you in fact we're with Demetri and a few others."
"She demanded the books we took from the Asters. Aro, I did not give her the originals. Merely copies. Ones once enacted on will not work." Cassandra advised.
"Good," Caius replied sitting forward clasping his hands together.
"Demetri can you find Adley?"
"I've been trying since the Code Red was uttered." He responded. "As of yet, no luck. I can sense her tracks here and leaving, but I have yet been allowed to follow the lead."
"Ibrahim, you and Demetri, please follow the scent as far as you can. Be cautious do not act without calling us in or a plan. We are dealing with a master illusionist." Aro ordered, face grim.
"Yes Master."
"Why were you apart from your mate in the first place?" Aro turned to Marcus.
"The Cullens required our help finding Bella, she'd gone missing." He replied.
"Has anyone called the Cullens recently or seen them recently?" Caius drawled.
"No, we had no reason to doubt what we saw or heard." Marcus sighed.
"I will call them." Aro stood sweeping to the office.
Aro:
"Dr. Cullen,"
"Carlisle, my friend. How are you and your family?" Aro greeted.
"We are quite well. Thank you for asking Aro, yourself?" He hesitated.
"I have seen better days, some things have come up, alas, such is the job. Justice never settles."
"You do not usually do phone calls, friend. What concerns you?"
"How is your newborn doing? Is she taking to this life?" Aro questioned.
"Bella has been adjusting, she's quite the natural to this life. Not used to her strength, Esme was not happy to find the bed frame of one of the beds on our island destroyed. I reminded her of her days." Carlisle chuckled.
Aro faintly smiled at the memory of Carlisle's young wife. "So she is home with you?"
"Edward and Bella are currently taking a trip to Brazil. That is what I was told anyways. They wanted to do some cave exploring. Why?"
A smart man, Aro pushed his hair behind his ear.
"She is not missing?"
"No. She has been accounted for by her husband just this morning. Why my friend, has Bella done something?"
"No your children have not. This time." Aro sighed. "Your children, where are they?"
"Emmett and Rose, are camping in the mountains in the Olympic area, at this time. Esme and I are on the isle. Alice and Jasper went to New York to visit some old friends."
"No one is in your home then, here in Forks?"
"No one should be there, outside of Emmett and Rose. They should be back in three days."
Aro cussed in his mother tongue. "It seems we've been sent a fool by some powerful enemies. I wish you a good trip Carlisle. Thank you for clarifying."
"Aro before you go, do you require our help? It will be no more than twenty four hours for us all to be home."
"No, time is of the essence right now. However, when you do return I suggest having a few barriers put around your properties. I will have Cassandra reach out." He replied. "We will talk once this is over."
"Alright, if you ever do friend require help. We are here. Good luck."
Aro snapped the cell phone shut. He exhaled deeply despite not needing to do so. He stood a little slower than usual. He exited to the living room.
He met the gaze of each of his brothers. Caius was on edge, knee bouncing. Marcus held his children to distract him. He was thankful for Dr. Janet Kim for offering something for him to hold onto. The man was merely a wrong sentence a way from ripping the cities in the state apart to find his Mate. Aro could never blame Marcus for doing so. He'd burn the world himself for Sulpicia.
He school his features closing the office door. "It seems we've all been had. Bella Cullen is in Brazil with her husband doing some exploring. She was never missing."
Marcus' eyes flashed red, a growl building in his chest. Each twin let little whimpers go.
"I will make them pray the gods help them."
"Peace brother, do not rush off in haste. We will go as one."
"That warlock will rue the day he wished to fuck with the Volturi." Caius stood.
Adley:
Adley hiccuped as a stray tear dropped from her puffy eyes. Her cheeks burned and body on fire.
Hours or days she didn't know how long she'd been strapped to the chair. Her bottom long numb to the wooden chair. It was the least of her concerns.
Blood splatters on the mirror stared back at her.
Her fingers swollen as Henry had snapped them into unnatural shapes.
Reality was fuzzy around the edges.
Throbbing fire scorched her arms and legs. A knife was protruding from her abdomen. Each breath paining her. She'd heard the sickening snap of her wrists and ribs from each hit. Blood trickled down her ripped shirt from a gash. Henry had punched her before stabbing her. He stabbed the other side where the knife was.
She'd not gone without reason. She'd bitten his arm hard when he got within vicinity of her mouth. She could feel skin between her teeth. She wanted to vomit but had no way to do so.
"Giving in so easily? It's only been two hours lovely. Hartford gave me permission to do anything to you." He traced a hand down her neck.
She didn't have the room to flinch away.
"Not that kind of stuff. Pity. A pretty bitch like you. I do like my girls like you."
"Scum!" She spat with a raspy voice. She'd screamed herself hoarse.
Pain erupted from her temple.
"Shut it."
Adley let her eyes fall shut. The pain coursing. Her heart hammered.
Darkness teased her from afar. Not willing to envelop her. He began to pull at her broken fingers.
"Gah!"
Adley stared down at her own body.
Her dark eyes glazed over. No spark of life in sight. A bruise forming on her chin and lip. Her temple swelling.
She tried as best she could to ignore the swelling in her fingers and feet. Blood covered her T-shirt and pants. Her hair. Her once long hair was cut bluntly just below her shoulders.
The door opened.
Hartford came in. A glass of wine in hand. He finished it before handing it to Henry.
Who put it under a rag and smashed it. He began pulling glass shards out.
"Adley dear, I'm back. Come now. Wake up!" He slapped her face.
Hartford turned.
"Henry, why isn't she responding?"
"I'm not sure. She stopped screaming twenty minutes ago."
Adley rushed forward. 'I'm here'
No words followed her thoughts. She stared at herself slumped in the restraints. She screamed. Nothing.
What was this? Where was she? What was she?
Hartford sighed. "Hold off on the glass. It's more fun when she's conscious. Allow me to hurry it up."
Blue pulsed around her. She watched as the wounds began to close stitching themselves over, and the knife removed. He cleared her up.
Her stomach churned. This was his sick plan? Fix her up, and do it all over again? She screamed, stumbling forward. Nothing followed.
A pull yanked her back. She grunted. Staggering she pushed back from the growing call back to her slumped over body.
No! No! I don't want this! No!
Adley turned and headed for the door. She heard a grunt from herself but she didn't look back.
No!
She needed to find Marcus. Hartford would continue this unless she's found.
Her hand going to her chest. Mates… Marcus had said something about Bonds… Connecting them? She tried pulling back.
Sand grains falling through her fingers.
blackness surrounded her.
"Gah!"
Adley gasped as the pulse shocked her body. The mirrors remained. Only the chair was gone.
Her wrists were tacked to what she noted was a St. Paul's cross. Used in BDSM. Her stomach churned. Gnawing at itself rumbling. How long had it been?
"Good morning princess, do try and not slip away from us." Hartford cooed grabbing her face in his hand squishing her cheeks and lips together. "Honestly do you think you'd get away so easily? We're just beginning to get to the good stuff. Henry lets up the show!"
Henry appeared with a shard of glass in hand.
She screamed.
Marcus! Marcus! Marcus!
She chanted. Mentally pushing with her might to exit herself. The pain burned over and over as Henry repeated the same work he'd done previously. Double fold. No scalpel this time. She screamed but nothing helped.
Her body shaking only held by the restraints. Her right hand already broken.
She stumbled out with the last scream. She smiled turning to face herself and Henry. No time she reminded herself. no time.
Adley put her fingers to her temples. Marcus… Marcus!
A vibration slowly began to spread across her. White lights began to fill her vision. She allowed it to drag her through.
Darkness followed.
Swallowed whole she was submerged. A vortex suctioning her round and round. Something foreign and familiar to a whirl pool. Only she couldn't get her head above water.
She was turning and turning in her place.
Soon enough darkness dissipated. She was left facing a familiar room. A living room she'd seen when in the compound with the twins.
Marcus was holding their babies rocking them. She could see his once golden aura dampened to a grey. Dark black threatened his neck and chests. She rushed to him. No. No. No. Memories of how he was the first time she'd seen him, sat upon the throne.
She tried with her might to cup his cheeks. Nothing. She slipped through him.
'Marcus! Come on! Please! I need you! I need you.' She screamed.
Why didn't she just tell him what'd she'd been feeling. Then maybe they would've figured this out sooner.
She screamed. Nothing moved. No air left her. She wasn't here. Staring at her little family. She fell to her knees. No sound followed.
"Brother, they are asleep surely they should be placed down?" Aro suggested coming to sit beside him.
Marcus growled in response. She wanted to cry seeing the bruising under his black gazed she wanted to be there beside him.
"If I do, I will rip this city apart until I find her." He vowed. "Only fire will stop me."
"Have you tried following the bond?" Aro hedged.
Marcus' black gaze flitted up to his face. "It was the first thing I tried. They are concealing her. Somehow."
"I am certain Demetri will find her. There is no hiding from him."
Adley stood. Demetri!
Demetri! Demetri! Demetri!
The white surrounded her once more. A weaker pull yanked upon her chest.
Trees vibrant evergreens coated in many layers of white. Snow fell down in swarming flurries. The Olympic highway she recongized. Cars rushed by not seeing the few vampires scouted around, concealed by the thick old trees and under brush. Demetri stood. He was paused phone to his ear.
She saw Jane and Alec standing stone faced holding hands. They had hoods pulled up looking identical from their black boots to the murderous glares. Her chest clenched. She made no impact on the snow around them.
She approached Demetri. His body stiffened. She stepped into his line of sight. Pupils swallowed his red irises. His shoulders relaxed only slightly.
"What are you doing? How?" He questioned.
'You see me?' She tilted her head.
"My gift hooks onto the mind of everyone I meet. The longer I know you the deeper and stronger the connection roots. Lady Adley, I've been having difficulty finding you. Alas, this could be why. If you're not with your body." A ghost of a smile flashed on his face.
The other vampires surrounded him.
"What are you talking to?" Jane demanded, a warning growl in her words.
"Lady Adley, she's projected herself out of her body."
"Why? Why would she do that? How?"
"Stress most of the time forces a soul out. Torture." He replied not taking his gaze off of her. "Can you last a bit longer for us to gather our people, my Lady? We will not be long."
'It depends on how long he keeps up the torture. It hurts. Right here.' She gestured to where her chest should be. 'It's pulling me.'
"Your body wants its soul back. It is difficulty the soul can project." He replied. "Felix, call Master Aro. Remain please."
Demetri lunged forth taking hold of her hand firmly.
'How?!'
She squeezed his hand. Solid. He was solid! She didn't slide through. She wanted to cry.
"My gift will lead me to someone if I hook onto the soul. Hence why I am the best tracker." He said. "Let me hold onto you."
She took his hand tighter. She exhaled.
Demetri explained the situation to the three leaders. Adley watched on as he never let go of her hand.
Her twins were taken to safety to her Aunt and Cassandra.
Marcus' constant growling reverberated in her chest pulling. She wanted so desperately to reach out. The journey though, it was like wading through deep waters. She was treading to hold tight to the current reality.
"Where is she currently?" Marcus demanded searching around.
'Right in front of you.' She snipped. 'Sorry, this is draining me a bit.'
"She's right near me here Master. She' cannot push herself long or she will snap back to her body." Demetri advised.
"Let us make haste, the longer we wait, the more I fear Marcus will keep his promise to rip this state in half looking for his mate." Aro clasped his hands moving forward.
Cassandra came through one of the compound doors a large bag in hand. "Twins are distracted by their aunt. I know I won't be much help, here. A few objects that will dampen any spells or concealment charms. There are a few pieces that will deflect a bit of magic. Not all of it, but enough. These objects are illegal so keep them hidden. I don't feel like losing my magic."
"Thank you," Aro nodded.
Adley sighed, her soul getting heavier. A pang bursting from her. She was drowning in heavy waters.
"Let us go, she cannot remain if we do."
Adley held tight to Demetri, in the middle of the forest two miles in from the main dirt road. An old farm house stood. It's outer wood flaking away of its white paint. The windows old and frosting up in the cold winter. Many feet of snow surrounding them.
She exhaled, non existent breaths. The pressure was lightening.
"Adley, you need to find your body and lead us through. Close your eyes. And hone in. I will hold you." Demetri whispered.
She closed her eyes forcing the world away.
Pain tore through her. Throat hoarse. Screams echoed around. Hot metal pushed into her arms.
She flinched.
She could see Henry inflicting hot branding irons into her pink flesh he'd peeled—
'Basement behind a cylinder of cement. There will be a book case, rip it off the hinges and find me. There is a maze of rooms. Please help me!' She screamed.
"Calm Adley, you aren't in yourself right now. Don't snap yourself back." Demetri advised.
She nodded.
A group of fourteen guard and the three kings descended upon the farm house. Wind blowing around them, snow came harder. The conditions turning into white out. It was enough to conceal them from being detected.
The first warlock approached from outside. He was two steps away. In a flash two guards had him kneeled down in the snow. Caius made no noise as he cupped both his cheeks. A smile breaking on his face. He yanked left. No screams. His blue eyes went misty. They dropped the body in the snow. Limp, neck twisted unnaturally.
Marcus wasn't held back. Two guards right behind him. Extensions of his arms. He ripped the doubles doors off the hinges. Tossing the French styled doors in each direction. A snarl ripping through him.
In two blinks she watched her mate rip the throats out of two warlocks who had been in the foyer.
She flinched as blood sprayed across the light blue walls. Marcus didn't bat an eye while tossing them aside like trash.
A few more shot spells from the stairs that greeted them in the foyer. Marcus accepted them. A growl ripping from his lips. He flashed up the stairs tossing them to the ground.
She cringed seeing them fall right in front of her. Demetri held tight guiding her soul aside despite the fact she couldn't feel them.
The two warlocks had no time to catch their breath. Aro crushed their necks. He continued on.
She watched wide eyed as Marcus didn't bother with the doors or any stealth methods they had discussed. He ripped the doors off hinges and tossed items and people out of his way. Hands squashed throats, he pushed them feet away.
He made no time of the stairs. He bulldozed through the walls of the basement. his brothers close behind, the guard followed half downstairs the rest culling anyone upstairs.
She followed, the pull on her chest easing as they got closer to the library. Marcus went straight through the few tables and warlocks in the library room.
Aro and Caius each killed the men tossing the limp bodies aside. Their mission focused solely on one thing. Her.
She hurried with Demetri. Through the walls where dust from the dry wall barely had time to settle below.
Marcus smashed the bookcase down. The cement came down as if he was simply opening a door.
'Holy fuck…'
She'd forgotten how strong vampires were. He'd not used his true strength in quite some time.
Marcus barged through the steel doors some effort given as he pulled tossing it down the hall way hitting one of the warlocks on duty to watch over them.
The security was lacking. That or they had just been murdered.
Adley stiffened. The last door revealed Henry. He turned towards them scalpel in hand.
Blood spread over the room. The hard wood coated by a few pools of blood. The mirror splattered and crusted from hours. Her body slumped, brown eyes wide but misty. Mouth held closed with a gag. Metal restraints on her arms and legs. Her head held by belts.
Red fogged her vision.
She screamed.
Marcus flashed to Henry.
He tossed the man through the one way glass. Hartford dangling gasping for air. being held by Aro. Aro's fingers clawing into his neck. He kicked but it was useless.
Marcus took Henry by the ear ripping it from his head.
"Gaaaaah!" Henry screamed.
Marcus slammed him on the floor ripping his left arm back, snapping and breaking filtered through the room. The screams cut off right in the midst.
Demetri stepped in front of her. "I can end the pain,"
Adley's throat grew close. She met his darkened gaze. "Mistress while he is distracted…"
She nodded. Adley turned from the sight before her. Demetri went to her body, pushing on her neck.
Adley leant forward vomiting up the fluids in her guts. A Bucket in shaky hands.
Bright fluorescent lights beamed down on her. Beeping machines hooked up to her. A dull burning from where she put pressure on the bucket hit her.
"What?" She rasped.
The curtain pulled around her. Dr. Ramirez stood to the side taking the bucket from her. His red eyes studying her.
"You are awake," he greeted.
"Everything hurts…" she grunted trying to get comfortable on the hospital bed. Her heart rate rising alerted on the machine. "Why does it hurt?"
"Careful, Lady Adley," he warned.
"Demetri killed me, I remember. Why do I still hurt?!" She cried.
A door opened, followed by a few brisk steps. The curtain was pulled clear to show Marcus, Aro, and Cassandra.
Marcus rushed to her side, he cupped her cheek as gently as he could. The icy skin offered some relief to the burning there.
"Why am I still in pain?"
"Because they used an experimental black magic." Cassandra spoke up stepping into her field of vision. "A few things were fixed when you died. Your teeth returned, nails, and skin is left without scars. On your forearms, and left cheek. They used a magicked blade to cut a few symbols into your arm and accidentally cut your cheek. They are scabbing over but they won't close. I've tried many spells and remedies. Nothing is touching it. I'm sorry. You will need to trust your body…"
"I'm not supposed to be permanently hurt…" She whimpered, tears falling down her face.