Chapter 18: Pain

(Aro's POV)

It's been six months since Violet moved into the castle. Everyone was very happy that Alec finally admitted his feelings and got her to stay. The two have been very happy, but I still hear them arguing every now and then. I sighed as I watched them sitting on a bench in the garden form a tower window. It's nice to have Violet back, but I was conflicted on how to ask her to be my daughter. Marcus keeps trying to give me advice, but it doesn't help. Caius just finds my conflict amusing.

We were in the middle of a discussion about how odd it was that we haven't had any issues from Vladimir and Stefan for a while; when the slamming of a door echoed down the halls. A few seconds later I saw Alec storming past the throne room doors, leaving the castle.

"What do you suppose?" Marcus said standing up. Caius and I followed him to Alec's and Violet's room to find Violet lying on the bed sobbing.

'What did that boy do now?' I hissed in my head as I sat by Violet on the bed.

(Alec's POV)

I had to spend part of the day in the throne room due to some trials that was going on. A coven from Greece was threatening to expose our existence and was being put on trial. Aro finally finished up the trials and allowed us to leave. I went looking for Violet, who was spending some time with Demetri. I found them in the garden laughing and joking around.

"Hi Alec." Violet smiled and I nodded. She turned to Demetri and they stood up, "I'll see you later." She said kissing him on the cheek. I narrowed my eyes at Demetri as he walked away.

"So how was your day?" Violet asked as we walked into my room.

"Uneventful." I replied flatly while sitting on the couch. I heard her let out a frustrated sigh and I looked at her.

"What?" I asked and she crossed her arms.

"Would it kill you to open up and talk to me?" she asked an I rolled my eyes.

"Yes," I muttered still angry that she's been spending so much time with Demetri.

"Oh my God Alec!" Violet yelled making me jump, "why can't you just talk to me for once?!"

"I do talk to you," I replied standing up trying not to lose my temper.

"No you don't," she said, "you just respond to my questions. You never open up to me and tell me how you're feeling!"

"I'm like this around everyone." I hissed crossing my arms.

"Not with Jane." She replied and I rolled my eyes.

"My sister is the only exception." I replied flatly.

"I should be an exception too!" she argued, "I'm your mate; we're supposed to open up to each other. You've seen me cry and you know more about me than I do you."

"So?" I said and she glared at me.

"You've got to be kidding," she hissed.

"What do you want from me?!"

"I want you to start opening up to me," she yelled, "drop the damn act and just be yourself. You rarely laugh and joke around with me." I growled.

"If you hate being with me so much then why don't you go be with Demetri!"

"What does he have to do with this?!" she demeaned

"You're spending more time with him," I hissed, "then you go and kiss him in front of me!"

"It was a kiss on a cheek!" she yelled, "like a brother and sister kiss!"

"That's not the point!" I yelled back, "you're MY mate; you belong to me! You can't go around kissing other guys!"

"Why the hell are you being so possessive?!" she said, "at least Demetri trust me?! You're acting like you don't trust me!"

"If Demetri is such a perfect person then why don't you go be his mate?!" I stormed out of the room and heard her slam the door. I stormed down the hall, past the opened doors of the throne room, and out of the castle. I ran out of Volterra to a nearby town to hunt.

I found a couple women walking down the empty streets. I used my gift on one girl while I grabbed the other and drank form her. I grabbed the second girl when I was done and pulled her into an alley. I released her form my gift and drained her as well.

"What the hell is your problem?!" A voice demanded from my right and I looked over to see Demetri glaring at me.

"Go away!" I growled and he glared.

"What did you do to Violet?!" He growled, "you're not supposed to leave her crying!"

"What happens between me and my mate is none of your business!" I was completely shocked when he slammed me into the wall with a death grip on my throat. The brick on the building cracked around my body. My hands immediately held onto his arm when his grip tightened. I was too shocked to fight him or use my gift. I've known Demetri for at least a thousand years now and I've never seen him this angry; Demetri doesn't lose his temper that often.

"Lister to me boy," he growled, "Violet gave up everything to be with you and you haven't given her anything in return. All she wants is for you to be happy and trust her." I was about to speak, but his growl cut me off.

"You better start treating Violet better," he hissed, "if you ever hurt her like this again then I will make sure that you never see her again." A growl escaped my lips this time.

"She's my mate," I hissed, "I decide her fate." I flinched when his hand tightened around my throat more.

"She decides what her fate will be," he growled, "and by the way you're acting towards her right now; she's most likely going to leave again." We glared at each other before he spoke again.

"You listen closely boy," he said, "If you continue to treat Violet like this I will make your life a living hell. If she choose to leave' I'll help her get away from you and I will make sure that you never see her again." I narrowed my eyes at him.

"You wouldn't dare." I hissed.

"Try me." He growled. He released me and slammed me against the wall, making the cracks spread further; then walked away while I got over the sight pain he caused. I leaned against the cracked wall and rubbed my throat.

"You allow your jealousy to consume you." I looked over to see Marcus walking towards me with a frown. I ignored him and glared at the ground.

"You have always allowed hate to control your life Alec," he continued, "this is blinding you from what you are doing to those around you."

"Just get to the point." I growled and he sighed.

"Your mate is trying to be there for you," he said, "and yet to direct your hatred towards her without telling her why. You're supposed to open up to her Alec. Tell he what troubles you and you work it out together. You need to trust her Alec; she loves you and only you."

"And yet she prefers Demetri's company." I growled.

"She prefers his company because a sibling bond if forming between them. Does Violet get mad at you when you spend more time with Jane?"

"That's differed." I replied.

"No," he said, "it's the same." I heard him slowly walk away while he continued to talk.

"Think about it Alec," he said, "who does Violet end up with at the end of the day? Who did she stay in Volterra for?" With that he disappeared. I growled and slammed my fist against the wall causing the bricks to crack even more.

I walked slowly along the streets of Volterra wearing a pair of blue contacts. The streets weren't busy, but they weren't empty either. I head a little girl laughing and looked over to see the flower shop. The child that gave Violet that Rose all those month ago was carrying flowers into the shop; they were preparing to close up for the day. I walked into the small flower shop and the little girl, no older than six, stopped to smile at me.

"benvenuto." (Welcome) she smiled. I nodded and looked away listening to her small heartbeat. An innocent child, that's what she was. Today, children are always viewed as innocent; it's frowned upon when people bead them. There will always be someone to help them if they are abused. I would've given anything just to hear someone try to help me and Jane. The Child's voice pulled me from my thoughts.

"รจ la principessa blu con voi?" (Is the blue princes with you?) she asked and I looked at her confused.

Blue princess?...Oh, Violet. I can't believe she remembed us; then again, it's hard to forget Vioelt. I shook my head and she looked a little dissapointed, but then smiled brightly.

"stai ricevendo un fiore per lei?" (are you getting a flower for her?) she asked and I heistated.

"hai qualche fiori viola?" (Do you have any purple flowers?) I asked and she smiled. She dissappeared into a back room and returned with her mom and a violet covered rose in her hand. She gave me the rose and I payed her. I was only a few feet from the shop when I heard small foot steps running towards me. The girl stopped runnign right in front of me and handed me a white rose.

"Prendersi cura della principessa blu." (take care of the blue princes.) She said then ran off. I sighed and walked back to the castle. When I entered and walked down the halls, I recieved a death glare form Jane; but she didn't say anything.

I walked into my room and closed the door. Vioelt was lying under the covers in my bed, her face burried into the pillow. Over the moths, I learned that she liked to lay in bed even though she couldn't sleep. She didn't look up form the pillow when I walked over to her side of the bed and placed the rosed on the side table. I sighed and took off my jacked and shoes then climbed under the covers. I turned her over to face me, but she wouldn't make eye contact.

"Mi dispiace il mio amore." (I'm sorry my love.) I whispered and she moved her eyes up to meet mine.

"I hate you." She muttered looking back down. I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close to me allowing her to bury her face in my chest.

"You have every right to." I murmured. We laid in silence for a while and I softly stroked her hair as she sobbed a little. When she calmed down, I moved my face to be lever with hers. When she met my eyes, I took a deep breath before speaking.

"I need time," I said, "I don't open up to people, not even Aro; so I need time."

"Why couldn't you just say that?" she whispered.

"Because I allowed my anger to get the best of me," I replied, "I'm sorry." She buried her face back into my chest.

"You're full of hate." She muttered and I sighed.

"I know."

One month later

"Call me as soon as you arrive." I said as I walked Violet out of the castle. She was going to Egypt to get some more training from Benjamin on how to control fire. It made me nervous, but I went along with it because I owed her for being a jerk a month ago. A lower guard walked up to us as she kissed me goodbye.

"You better keep her safe." I hissed at the guard and he nodded clearly scared. Violet rolled her eyes and they took off.

(Unknown POV)

"Here she comes." David said walking up with Lucas. I glanced out over the large clearing to see the Witch Boy's mate with a guard. They were walking slowly while they chatted. I looked at David.

"Block her gifts," I said standing up then looked at Lucas, "you kill the guard." They nodded and we ran towards them. The guard heard us and told her to run, which she did. David and I went after her while Lucas fought her guard.

"Let me go." She yelled when David grabbed her.

"I've heard so much about the witch boy's soul mate." I said walking up to her and she glared.

"Who are you?" she asked and I smirked.

"I'm Ethan," I replied, "and I believe that you're going to help me destroy the Volturi." She glared at me.

"I believe that you're crazy if you think that I'm going to help you." I smiled.

"Oh I wasn't asking," I replied and looked over her; how did the witch boy get a girl like her? I looked back up at her and continued, "I've done some research into soul mates. I read that if the girl is hurt, then her mate feels it as well."

"So you're going to kill me?"

"No," I replied, "I'm going to make your mate suffer and relive an old memory." With that Lucas appeared and used his gift on her. She immediate lost consciousness and David carried her back to our hideout.

She woke up just as we entered the dungeons of our hide out. David pushed her into a cell and I smirked at its other occupants.

"Here's some company," I said and they glared at me, "hope you don't mind Vladimir, Stefan."

(Vladimir's POV)

With one last smirk Ethan walked off and Stefan walked over to the girl.

"Are you alright?" he asked then froze.

"What?" I asked noticing.

"The witch boy's scent is all over her." He hissed and then we noticed a mark on her neck.

"I think this is the boy's soul mate that we've heard so much about." I said and she moved away from us.

"Why are you here?" she asked.

"Long story short," Stefan said, "Ethan wanted our help to destroy the Volturi."

"We didn't believe he could accomplish it," I continued, "so we said no."

"And he threw us in here." Stefan finished.

"Why don't you want to help him?" she asked and we stared at her.

"We want to be the ones to destroy the Volturi." I finally said.

"Not some power hungry idiot." Stefan finished. She sighed and sat down leaning against the wall.

"Why are Vampires so consumed with hatred?" she muttered to herself.

I was reading a book that Ethan threw in for us while Stefan glared at the girl, who we learned was named Violet. I knew he was curious about her, but glared at her so his curiosity wouldn't show. I was annoyed that Ethan kidnapped her. I might hate the Volturi and the witch twins, but kidnapping the boys soul mate is something I would never do.

"Ok!" the girl shouted making us jump, "stop staring at me and just say what you want to say already." She was looking at Stefan who was shocked by her outburst. I watched as my friend slowly walked over to the girl and sat down. Within seconds they were deep in conversation. It surprised me because Stefan wasn't one to talk for this long. I listened in on their conversation very interested in this strange girl. She sounded like such a free spirit, so I was surprised that she's committed to the witch boy. After a few hours, Ethan walked in with his two minions. They opened the cell door and Lucas pushed us to the other side of the cell. We watched as they chained her wrists behind her and locked them to the bars.

"Just what the hell are you doing?!" I growled when Ethan pulled out a pack of matched.

"I heard that soul males can feel everything their soul mate feels." He said lighting a match, "shall we test that?" Stefan and I growled as Lucas and David restrained us. Ethan lit a match and placed the fire right on her arm. Violet screamed and I struggled against Lucas. He put out the match only to light another one. This time though, he allowed her lower legs to catch on fire and her screams echoed through the dungeon.

"Stop this now!" Stefan yelled and Ethan smirked at us. After another minute, David put out the flames and they released her from the chains. She fell to the ground sobbing while they left. When they were gone, Stefan and I ran over to her. I took off my jacked and rolled it up so she could use it as a pillow; Stefan looked over her injuries.

"She will heal," he said, "but the process would be faster if she could get some blood." I growled when David walked in with a bucket of water and a rag. He set them by the bars and left without a word. Stefan walked over and soaked the rag in the water. He poured water over her burns and she relaxed a little.

"I'm going to kill that bastard." I muttered and my friend agreed as he tended to the girl.

(Alec's POV)

I watched from my usual spot in the throne room as a trial took place. The usual, a newborn that broke a law. I haven't heard from Violet yet, which made me a little nervous. The pull in my chest form her absence was an annoyance, but I could ignore it. I watched as Demetri and Felix killed the newborn and flinched a little when I felt a sharp pain in my chest. I looked over at my sister thinking that she was, for some reason, using her gift on me. However, she was too focused on what Demetri and Felix were doing. Gianna walked into the room making us all look at her.

"Master Aro," she said, "Amun is on the phone; he's wondering when Violet will arrive." The room went silent.

"Violet should've been there by now." Aro said sounding worried. I was about to speak, but fell to the ground and screamed. Fire erupted in my chest and spread though my body.

"Alec!" Jane said panicked and I grabbed her arm as the fire spread. Images of being burned alive flashed through my mind and I let out another scream as the pain continued. I heard commotion around me as people were trying to figure out what was going on. Suddenly, the fire vanished and I stilled. I was in too much shock to even respond to all the questions around me. However, I froze when Marcus spoke.

"Someone must have set Violet on fire." He said and the room went silent. I breathed out when Demetri spoke.

"She's alive," he said, "I can't tell where she is, but she's alive; for now."

"Call up covens around the world," Aro demanded, "we need to find her!"

Three days later

I was surprised at how many covens showed up in Volterra the second news got out about Violet. They Cullen and Egyptian coven were obviously there. Along with the Denali coven, the Irish, and a few nomads that met her. A couple mutts were also with the Cullens. I stood in my usual spot with Jane trying to put on my usual act, but it was getting harder and harder to hide my worry.

(Vladimir's POV)

Violet's wounds had completely healed thanks to the blood they brought us. Stefan and I gave her our glasses of blood to help her heal more. That was two days ago. Violet ran behind us when Ethan came down with Lucas and David. Stefan and I growled at them when they entered the cell. Lucas and David restrained us while David chained up Violet like last time.

"Don't you dare!" I growled trying to struggle; he only smirked.

"I wonder how long Alec will be able to take the pain before he starts to beg for death." He said before lighting a mach.

(Alec's POV)

I listened to the conversations around me. No one has seen or heard form Violet. Fire erupted though me again and I fell to the ground screaming. Jane yelled my name like last time and I grabbed her hand.

"What's happening?" I heard Carlisle's voice form right next to me. I barley heard Aro explain because the fire continued to burn me. I tried not to yell, but I couldn't stop the scream. I vaguely heard Carlisle ask his two sons to get Jasper out of the room. Within seconds, the flames vanished and I froze, panting unnecessary breaths.

"She's still alive." Demetri said sounding upset.

"Get Alec to his room." Aro commanded and Demetri helped me to my feet while I held onto Jane's arm. We only got a few steps before the flames erupted through my body again. I fell to the ground screaming and heard Jane sobbing.

The flames continued and I felt like I was back at the witch trial. I couldn't hold back any more. I screamed and begged for the flames to stop. I was holding onto Jane's arm so tightly that I could hear her sleeve tear under my hold.

"Can't you do anything?" I heard someone say over my screams. The fire continued to burn me and I continued to beg someone to make it stop.

(Carlisle's POV)

I watched Alec while Aro talked. He was trying to put on the 'witch twin' act, but I could tell her was worried. Bella was also very worried about her best friend. Suddenly Alec fell to the ground screaming and Jane fell to the floor next to him yelling his name. The room went silent as people stated at the twins in shock.

"What's happening?" I asked running over to them. Aro explained the soul mates and that whoever kidnapped Violet was setting her on fire. I noticed that Jasper fell to the ground and asked Edward and Emmett to help him out. Alice followed them clearly worried about him. After a minute, Alec's screams stopped and he stilled. Aro looked at Demetri asking an unspoken question.

"She's still alive." He said. Aro asked Demetri to help Alec to his room and I walked back over to my family. I watched as Alec held onto Jane's arm while Demetri helped him up. They only got a few steps before he fell to the ground screaming again. I stood there feeling useless as he screamed in pain. The whole room froze when he started shout.

"Please put the fire out!" he yelled, "make it stop, please!" I heard the fabric of Jane's sleeve rip under his hold and watched her sob for her brother.

"Can't you do anything?" Amun asked and I felt Esme burry her face in my shoulder and sobbed for the boy. We all stood there not able to do anything as the boy screamed. After a few minutes, what seemed like hours, his screams dies and he froze.

"She's still alive." Demetri whispered and Aro fell into his seat looking pained. Then I froze at what I saw in front of me.

Jane had wrapped her arms around her brother his face buried in her shoulder. That's not why I was shocked. What shocked me was that he was shaking.

The infamous Alec Volturi was sobbing in his sister's embrace.

Author's Note:

As you just read, I got inspiration for continued this story. :)