March, 1994
Volterra, Italy
After a year of being around her coven, Eden was certain she knew them all very well.
Aro, especially.
When he was happy, he was very talkative and flamboyant. If he was bored, he liked to toy with people to amuse himself. If he was angry, he barely spoke a word and paced in front of the thrones restlessly. Just like he was doing now.
Why was he angry?
Rosemarie Laveau's secretary would not stop calling the castle. Even though Aro refused her contract, she was continuing to offer more and more money for the capture and return of her daughter.
"Brother, take the contract or I will take it on your behalf," Caius hissed, annoyed. "You heard how much money that insufferable demoness was offering, just as I did."
Aro ground his teeth. "She is demanding us to have a member of a powerful coven, with equally powerful allies, kidnapped from her home. Can you imagine the carnage that would ensue?"
Caius closed his mouth and pressed his thin lips together tightly.
"Need I remind you what coven young Raven belongs to? Shall I remind you how much they hate us already," Aro growled at him. "Brother, I care for you deeply, but you enrage me more often than not."
The blonded scowled. "Have you forgotten that she has more vampires in her pocket than us? If she saw fit, she could call for our heads if we don't submit!"
"Caius, don't be dramatic," Aro said, nervously glancing around the room. "You overestimate her influence."
"You underestimate her influence."
Eden tried not to laugh as the two ancient vampires bickered like teenage boys back and forth, while Marcus stared off into the distance.
Jane touched her hand and leaned in to whisper in her ear. "Should we tell them?"
She nodded.
"You do it, then."
Jane pushed her mate before the thrones and smirked when she recieved a murderous glare.
The two angry kings turned to stare at her, annoyed by her interruption.
"Masters, I have a solution for the contract situation," Eden began, trying not to fidget.
"Go on," Aro prompted impatiently.
"Well, I know Raven and her coven personally. If I told them the situation and explained to Raven that this might be her real mother, I'm sure she would come with Jane and I willingly. The Denali Coven would follow, too," Eden explained.
"I doubt Rosemarie would have the energy to be angry about it once reunited with her daughter. Thus, we've completed the contract without having to kidnap Raven. We're richer and Rosemarie is happy with us."
Aro and Caius glanced at each other and then back at her, impressed.
"You both leave tonight," Aro ordered, looking at them seriously. "This is intricate business. This mission cannot be failed. If anything should go wrong, get the girl to her mother no matter what."
Both Eden and Jane bowed deeply, internally feeling the pressure.
"Yes, Master Aro."
Denali Home, Alaska
When they arrived, they were surprised to find the coven loading suitcases into their vehicles. The golden eyed vampires looked thoroughly surprised to see them and slightly suspicious.
"We apologize for the unannounced visit, but we'd like to speak with all of you present," Eden said, looking around for Raven.
"Okay. I assume whatever you two are here to discuss is important," Tanya conceded. She called the others outside.
Kate crossed her arms. "Raven's not human. Our agreement with Aro is forfeit, so I'm interested to know why you guys are here."
When Victoria and Raven came outside, the teen immediately locked eyes with Eden. Her lips pulled into a bright smile and her eyes widened comically as she took in her best friend's new vampiric features.
"No fucking way! You're super hot," Raven exclaimed excitedly. Victoria wrapped an arm around her waist to hold her back when she stepped toward the vampire. "I would give you a hug, but Vic is scared you'll kill me."
Jane rolled her eyes as Eden smirked, loving the compliment. "I could say the same about you. You're all glowy and shit. Is that a succubus thing?"
"Yeah...I assume that's why you're here right? Is this about the Cohens?"
Eden pursed her lips. "Not exactly."
The Denali Coven listened intently as Eden explained what was going on with Clan Laveau and Rosemarie.
"That's funny because we were on our way down to Louisiana. Alice told us where Rosemarie lives," Raven said, shocking the Volturi guards.
"Wow, this is much easier than I expected," Jane said, smiling a bit. "Aro will be pleased."
Raven rolled her eyes. "From what you said, it looks like Rosemarie won't be so happy when I walk in with a coven of vampires, but if she believes I'm her daughter, I doubt she would try to harm my family."
Eden frowned, thinking about how dangerous this was. "We're coming with you," she stated, receiving a glare from Jane. "What? Raven is still mortal and her family means alot to me, too. We can't let them potentially get hurt just because we want to please the kings and Rosemarie. We should make sure everything goes smoothly."
Jane sighed, nodding. "Fine. We're going."
The Denali Coven looked upon the two vampires fondly. It was obvious they both cared about Raven, and them. If they didn't, they would not have come to inform them of everything that was going on.
Although they didn't trust the Volturi, they knew Eden and Jane were better than their coven.
Vacherie, Louisana
Laveau Plantation
Before they arrived at the plantation, Eden made a phone call to announce the nature of their arrival, just to make sure Rosemarie's guards didn't try to attack them.
"Wow, this is beautiful," Raven muttered under breath as they drove down the long driveway.
Hearing her from the car in front of them, Eden and Jane smirked to themselves.
Once they all parked and stepped out of their respective vehicles, the four vampire guards were growling and glaring at them. They looked ready to attack at any moment.
Raven had prepared herself for this mentally, and she wasn't going to stand for any animosity toward her coven.
As soon as she sensed danger, she stepped through the line her family had formed around her with Victoria right on her heels. She glared right back at them with an annoyed expression. When they saw her, they stared in surprise.
"I'm Raven and this is my coven. There isn't going to be any of that today," she stated sternly, her eyes connecting with each of them fearlessly.
"Are we clear?"
The guards nodded, dumbfounded by her domineering aura. "Of course, Mademoiselle," Hélène said, studying the teens eerily familiar facial features. "Please, follow me. She has been awaiting your arrival."
Walking through the extravagant, historic mansion, Raven held Victoria's hand to keep herself centered.
She could feel the weight of the history of this place and the significance the plantation held. She could feel the anxiety, excitement, and fear thrumming through her body as she realized that she was about to meet her mother. The woman who birthed her and gave her the gene that made her what she was today.
If she turned out not to be her daughter, she couldn't imagine the disappointment she would feel.
"It's okay to be nervous, love, but don't worry. We all have your back," Victoria whispered to her, squeezing her sweaty hand affectionately.
"Thank you," she murmured gratefully. "I love you."
"As I love you."
Raven wanted so badly to kiss her then, but it was too late.
As soon as they entered the throne room, hazel locked onto hazel. The intensity of both their gazes could be felt by all in the room as they assessed each other with hope and curiosity.
Raven was in shock by how familiar Rosemarie Laveau was, while the older woman was in awe by how beautiful the teen was. She could sense the strength in the young succubus from across the room and pride swelled in her bosom.
"Mon cherie," she whispered.
It took Rosemarie a long moment to notice the vampires behind the teen, but when she did the smile on her face faded into a scowl.
"Hélène, why did you let these vampires into our home," Rosemarie hissed at her mate in Creole.
"My love, they are your daughter's coven! They are her family," Hélène said defiantly.
Rosemarie growled. "Escort them out. Now."
At this point, Raven stepped forward with confidence and unwavering determination.
"No, they will stay or I will leave," Raven replied in perfect Creole, shocking the two women.
Victoria moved with her when she stepped closer to the dais. She couldn't believe how fearless and confident her mate was.
Rosemarie stood up from her chair, staring at her with a look of absolute adoration on her face.
"When you say it like that I cannot argue," she said, smiling widely. "You still speak our mother tongue?"
Raven blinked in surprise. "My friend was Haitian. He taught me French, but accidentally taught me Creole in the process. Was Creole...your daughter's first language?"
"You are my daughter, and yes it was. Your father and I wanted you to speak the language your ancestors spoke here on this plantation and even before, in Haiti."
The Denali Coven watched as Raven released a shaky breath, taking in knowledge she only dreamed of knowing. Hearing this brief cliff note of her family history was overwhelming when she knew absolutely nothing before.
"But...how do we both know that I am your daughter? Is there any way to know for sure," Raven said, trying to reign in her excitement lest she be let down.
Rosemarie approached her and her coven slowly, eyeing her family with distrust as they shifted behind their youngest covenmate. She eyed Victoria who held her daughter's hand so comfortably. She couldn't help noticing the consternation on the teen's face when the redhead reluctantly let go.
"You were born here on July the fifth, 1975. It was the hottest day I have experienced in my many years here. I birthed you at 5:52 a.m. with the help of Hélène and your father, Étienne, who kindly has allowed me to have this moment with you by myself as to not overwhelm you," Rosemarie said confidently, watching the awe on her daughter's face grow.
Raven smiled tearfully. "Ètienne...My dad is still alive."
"I named you Ardenne Corinne Laveau after your grandmother. You were nine pounds and three ounces, with my eyes and your father's nose. You had rosy pink lips and that beautiful little mole under your right eye. You also had a small birthmark on your right shoulder blade, shaped like a crescent moon. The same one I have."
When Rosemarie finished, she looked at her daughter with an expectant expression.
Victoria caught Raven as she stumbled a bit. She was overwhelmed by the confirmation that this woman was indeed her mother and this place was where she was born. Knowing that she had been loved and cherished was like a balm to the battered child that still lived within her.
Without thinking, Raven closed the distance between herself and her mother and pulled the stoic woman into a tight embrace. She didn't hesitate to wrap her arms around her daughter as decades of pain and longing ceased to gnaw at her any longer. Everything culminated into this one moment of absolute peace and contentment.
Her daughter, their daughter, was alive.
"Mon cherie, how I've missed you," Rosemarie whispered tearfully, burying her face in her daughter's long, unruly curls. "When they took you away from us, we thought we would never see you again, but here you are. You found us."
Raven pulled away, confused. "Took me away? What do you mean?"
Darkness passed over Rosemarie's face as her mind went back to the day that her daughter was taken away from her. The memory would never leave her brain.
"In 1970, I took over as Mistress of the North American clans by popular demand. I was chosen by every clan, except Clan Odair," Rosemarie began, looking off into the distance.
"When I made the decision to outlaw excessive killing of humans for the pursuit of immortality, Clan Odair openly rebelled against my decree. As Mistress, it was my duty to punish them. I wasn't experienced enough to realize that being lenient was not the correct decision."
Rosemarie took a deep breath to steady herself. She could feel her rage rising as she relived that fateful day again.
"You were three years old when they came. Clan Odair and their allies stormed our home in the dead of night. They knew they stood no chance against my mates and my family, so they distracted us and stole you from your crib and fled. When we found that you were missing, we...I...lost my mind. I had to do something."
Raven could feel her mother's distress. The Denali could blatantly see the haunted expression on her face, and they knew what she was going to divulge next.
Rosemarie's jaw clenched as she remembered the grief and rage that overtook her. It was hard to recall the days that followed Raven's abduction, but she would never forget her act of revenge.
"Shortly after their ambush, I called upon every ally I had and we hunted them down without mercy. Josefina, being the cowardice leader that she was, hid herself and her family away, thinking they would never be found. She was wrong."
Rosemarie smiled a bloodthirsty smile as she remembered the carnage that ensued.
"Where is my daughter," Rosemarie demanded, her tone deadly calm. "Tell me, and I will let you and your family live."
Étienne gripped her daughter's neck tightly, threatening to decapitate her.
"I don't know! You killed the man who took her," Josefina said, her eyes pleading. "Please don't hurt my family! Please!"
Rosemarie glanced at her mate and watched as he ripped the young girl apart. Josefina's agonized wailing irritated her to no end. She so willingly stole her daughter and yet, she couldn't handle her own child being harmed.
"One child down, three more to go," she said, glaring at the woman. "Continue to lie to me, and your clan will be a distant memory. Your name will only be remembered as a cautiounary tale, a warning, to all that may have treason in their hearts. It is your decision."
"The year you were stolen from us was the year of blood. It stained my hands until I couldn't recognize them as my own anymore," Rosemarie murmured, looking away. "But I would do it again."
Raven tentatively took her mother's hand into her own and stroked the back of it with her thumb. The older woman smiled gratefully and kissed it.
"Now that I have found you, I will never let you go," Rosemarie said adamantly. She glanced at the coven behind her daughter and curled her lip.
"Your friend, Eden, told me these vampires raised you. How did that come to be?"
Raven couldn't help but chuckle at her mother's overprotectiveness. She was not a stranger to it and she understood the woman's concern. A human being raised by vampires was unheard of and highly dangerous.
The teen smiled at her mate lovingly and took her hand. "I don't remember being taken, but I do know that I ended up with a very abusive human couple for a good while," she said, watching her mother shake with unbridled rage.
"However, by some miracle, Victoria found me and saved me from them. If it wasn't for her and eventually the Denali Coven, I would not be alive today. So please, be nice."
She frowned. "What would make a vampire take on a human child?"
"Victoria is my mate," Raven said reverently, her expression full of adoration and love.
Rosemarie tilted her head and leveled Victoria with her scathing gaze. The redhead did not back down. Instead, she lifted her chin proudly.
It was hard enough to finally have her daughter back, having lost decades of time with her. Being face to face with her daughter's mate was even worse.
She felt protective. She needed to know who this woman was that held a special, reserved place in her child's heart, but that could wait. For now, she was just happy to have her daughter home. There was time to interrogate Raven's mate later.
"And the Denali Coven took me in to save me from a very bad man that wanted to harm me because they knew I was her mate. They raised me. They are my family, just as you are," Raven continued, smiling softly at her mother.
Rosemarie sighed, nodding to herself. No matter how untrusting she was towards unknown vampires, and no matter how protective she felt towards her daughter, she couldn't deny that these vampires were her family as well. They took care of her child and protected her when she could not.
"Any family of yours is family of mine. Make yourselves at home," Rosemarie conceded, bowing in respect toward the Denali Coven. "We have a deer and wild hog infestation on our land. Feel free to take advantage of that. Eden, Jane? You know what to do."
"Thank you, Mistress Rosemarie," Tanya said before smiling at her youngest covenmate.
"Come, Arden- Raven. Let us find your father before he loses his mind."
With that, the matriarch took Raven's hand and lead her away.
