Hey readers!! Ugh! I love the reviews I got! They made me so happy. So this chapter dedicated to all of you reviewers!! .Demetri.x, question-marque, PopcornGirl-Eva, Emerald Candle, Infinite101, ladyphoenix1990, europ92, Adids14, dooley dooles, Angelfang, HermioneandMarcus, CheriPL, wolf-fullmoon-times2, IronicallyUnconventional, natsumi456, Noble Korhedron, Nova Rapture... If I missed out on you, tell me! I love you guys. Hope you enjoy this chapter. Cheers!!
Edward's POV
We trudged through the thick snow, heaving our way, almost at the site we needed to be.
We heard a scream.
We froze.
"Is that who I think it is?" Felix concerned voice rang out.
I gulped and nodded, trying to tune out the concern and fear in everyone's voice that rang into my head.
"Let's go now!" I urged everyone to hurry up, taking off.
It was a little annoying being the fastest; I could hear everyone's footsteps behind me. I wanted them to hurry up, Alena needed help! Well, judging from the scream, she did. It was even more annoying that I couldn't hear the thoughts of those inside Ozera's shield. However, it thrilled me greatly to find out that Ozera's shield had a limit. Unlike my beautiful wife who's shield had no barriers as far as we knew.
"TYSON" I heard the ear-piercing shriek again.
I stopped; we had arrived at a large twenty or so story building. I gasped as I realized, what Tyson had meant about Ozera. Outside the building was a shimmering… wall? It looked like the haze that rose off the road on hot days.
Another pitchy scream sounded my head flipped up.
Oh my …
Up on the rooftop of the tall building was Alena, cringing by the edge and Tyson was running back and forth, away from what?
Oh.
That.
I gulped as another figure came into my view.
A werewolf…
I'd never seen one before, only in Carlisle's thick books, but I was smart enough to know what they looked like if I'd ever across them in real life.
Like now… oh how utterly delightful… if only it was…
I would have laughed at Caius's fearful thoughts… if I wasn't just as frightened.
I gulped as watched, slightly mesmerized by this frightful yet extravagant beast that was now trying to desperately shake Tyson off his head.
The next events happened all so quickly, and it pained me to think that I could do nothing but watch, as was everyone around me was thinking.
Suddenly, with my sharp eyes I saw Tyson accidently miss time his footing. I was glad that he was efficiently using a whole bunch of profanities in his head. I'm not sure I would have like Alena picking those up, not that she would be thinking about that in this situation.
I gasped as Tyson's head came off and then his arm…
Another scream…
I ran forward, leaving the others far behind as I saw Alena knocked of the building! She narrowly missed the ledge that was sticking hazardously.
"NO!" I yelled out, rushing forward as she fell the last few inches.
CRUNCH!
I stopped so fast I almost tripped over in shock. Even with my super fast speed that was far more potently faster than other vampires, I couldn't get there in time!
Wheezing out breaths I didn't need, I raced as quickly as I could over to Alena and her heavily bleeding figure. She rolled over and to make matters worse, coughed up a waterfall of blood. I gasped; forcing myself to push away the ever overcoming and sickening yearn for blood. It was literally in my grasp… and flowing so freely…
NO!
I groaned and tried to block my senses, wishing that Alec was here at this moment.
"Stop!" I called out hoarsely to Caius, Felix, Jasper and Aro… those that weren't as used to blood they couldn't have. They all did even Carlisle, Bella and Emmett, all in shock.
Carlisle, after a second's delay, rushed over and knelt by Alena's shaking body, her face was turning white and her mouth was dripping blood, way too much than there should be.
We all rushed over after him, it seemed that I'd underestimated the Volturi and Jasper, they were handling it well.
"Carlisle," Bella's worried voice rang out, "Oh god, this is bad Carlisle, really bad!"
I put a steady hand on my shoulder; I knew how much she loved Alena, even though Rosalie and Alice were the main women in Alena's life.
I unknowingly entered Alena's mind.
I can't think properly, everything's so… hazy. Oh god! Tyson! This is my entire fault!
Her mumblings went on and on in her mind.
My watchful eyes followed Carlisle's skilled hands as he gently prodded her ribs, throat and sternum. Checking her pulse, he frowned.
Alena gasped and screamed when he touched her wrist, "IT HURTS!" She yelled.
He cringed, "It's broken he said quietly.
"Stefan! Vladimir! No more!" Caius' bitter voice rang. It was entwined with a smudge of fear, probably at the werewolf.
I was surprised at the thoughts in Caius' mind. He actually cared about Alena and really didn't want her to die. Well… Alena had the surprising affect on people.
"Caius! See what we have here? Have fun fighting this!" Stefan laughed in glee.
Caius' mind was a jumble of fear and curses.
Carlisle stood up next to Caius, "If it's a fight you want, it's a fight you'll get! But not today!"
I smiled, Carlisle was always thinking for the good of others.
I tried to seep my mind into the Romanians, but I couldn't. I bit back a growl of frustration! I'd really had it with Ozera!
"Alright," Vladimir agreed, "In a week, for Bleddyn."
I watched my father nodded, "You're not going to win."
"We'll see about that!" Stefan hollered, mock twisted deep in his words.
The walked away, and we took that as our cue to start leaving.
Jasper cringed, and pleaded to move faster in quiet tones, "Carlisle, I don't think she's going to make it." He said, forcefully hinting that we should leave.
Bella murmured a few words to her and then Alena asked the question I'd been dreading most to her from her.
"Where's Demetri?" She wheezed out.
I cringed.
Demetri was still in there. He was still under the mercy of Stefan and Vladimir. I would have gone to get him, but that was a suicide mission. Demetri would be able to keep things in hand for a little while. He was still alive, he had to be! Or none of us would ever be able to look Alena in the eyes in the passing years to come.
Carlisle picked her up and we all started our swift descend back home to Forks. About a thirty meters down the road, a sweet incense burning smell lingered in the air…
"Where's Demetri!" She yelled again.
I paused mid-stride, waiting for Carlisle to be the brilliant man again and come up with the answer we were all dreading to hear.
"He's…He's," Carlisle paused, "They still have him." He sighed.
I cringed as words of fear, anger and pain entered her mind. It was as if nothing else existed to her but Demetri. At that moment, she didn't care if she lived or died. She cared about Demetri.
"What?" She whispered, unable to believe it.
"I'm so sorry," Carlisle sighed in sadness, "They have him."
No, no, no, no, no! It's not supposed to be like this! NO! Her thoughts screamed out.
And then she blacked out.
-----
For two days we ran, as fast as we could. It was amazing that Alena's heart was still beating. It was so strong her heart. Her mind was just as active as it was if she were awake. Her mind was constantly asking questions, wanting to know the answer. She was so inquisitive. So prying… So Alena…
Finally, the house came into view. Everyone could smell the blood from even a mile away. Most were dashing away, thoughts of trying not to turn around and bite her in their minds. I mentally reminded myself to thank them after. Everyone followed pursuit of the others, and pretty soon it was Lia, Tanya, the Volturi and my family inside. Nobody else had hunted for the days we were gone, worrying to much. Now there was blood. A lot... They wouldn't have been able to control themselves.
Esme's shocked face was at the door, her hands pressed hard into the frame.
Oh god! My poor girl! What happened!
Her motherly thoughts piercing into my mind, I winced, once again wishing I could have run faster to catch her.
"Oh, my goodness! Carlisle what happened!?" She gasped.
I rushed past her, but not before placing a quick reassuring hand on my mother. I went over to the long coffee table that was in the lounge room. It looked long enough to fit Alena's figure on it. Swiftly clearing the papers that were on it, I motioned for Carlisle to place her on the table.
"She fell off a building." He hurriedly explained to everyone as he placed her on the table.
"How tall was the building?" Esme gasped.
Carlisle shook his head, "Twenty stories or so. Can somebody pass me a wet towel?"
Bella dashed into the kitchen and in the next second I heard the faucet being turned and water streaming out. In the next second, she rushed back out, conveniently handing Carlisle the towel and took her place next to me. I wrapped an arm around her thin shoulders.
Her figure convulsed suddenly and coughed.
I tried not to breathe but it was difficult as everybody's thoughts were seeping into my mind and I had to experience their thirst front row seats. It was so difficult!
Carlisle skillfully rubbed the wet cloth up and down her body, cleaning the dry blood off her. He threw the towel in a nearby metal bucket and lit it. The stench of burnt blood and cloth hit the air like a pungent fragrance.
Alice frowned and stepped forward.
"Carlisle! I can still smell blood."
I frowned as I read her thoughts the second before and sniffed as she said that. She was right; there was other blood, fresh blood. Not dried blood not burnt blood. Fresh blood. Somewhere was still bleeding.
Alec rolled his eyes, inwardly thinking, No way Cadet Obvious.
Alice huffed and shook her head in defiance, "Not from the towels! It's still running. Still fresh, it's coming out somewhere." She muttered the last part quietly as to not scare Alena.
Carlisle frowned and leaned closer to her body and inhaled deeply.
"You're right. She has internal bleeding. She's not going to make it."
We all stiffened.
I know how you feel about taking away someone's life Edward. But she's a daughter, a sister and a friend to all of us. We can't loose her when we can save her.
I forced myself to nod, trying to force myself to accept this consequence. I sighed, knowing that if she had gotten out okay, Aro would have forced the vampire law against us, making us change her anyway.
She drew in a sharp breath, wincing as her fragile ribs complained back.
"Honey, listen to me. There's nothing else I can do. I have to change you or you'll die."
I bit my lips, trying to tune out of her thoughts of fear, pain and strangely... anticipation.
She nodded.
Carlisle nodded, "I'll get Alec to ease the pain. Hopefully, you won't be able to feel anything."
"Uh-uh" She managed out.
"Ready darling…?"He whispered.
She nodded and instantly coughed up more blood. The tense feeling grew even more.
"Do it." She whispered in daggered breaths.
Carlisle let the venom pool into his mouth and nodded. Leaning lower, he grazed his teeth on her neck and then sank them.
She gasped in shock and then let out an ear piercing scream.
I winced as her chest rose up and then slumped down, everything still and quiet.
Then she screamed again, her arms thrashing all over the place. Her legs kicked at everything. Jasper rushed over and helped Carlisle hold her down.
"Alec!" Jasper hissed, his hand down like an unmoving vice-grip against Alena's thrashing figure.
Alec blinked and his mind concentrated on having her stay still, her figure paralyzed.
A misty haze, coming from his direction, crept closer to the Alena.
"Can't you make it go any faster?" Rosalie hissed.
Alec stopped and eyed her, "Oh, and I supposed to you could do this?" He retaliated. Rosalie rolled her eyes.
I sighed, "Alec, excuse her."
He nodded and his paralyzing skills finally settled on Alena and her moaning and struggling figure stopped.
Everything was quiet and Jasper and Carlisle let go of her spread out arms.
I stealthy crept into her mind.
And as soon as that was done… I wish I hadn't.
Her thoughts were a tumbling of agony and fear and pain.
Agony thoughts were filled with thoughts about the fire that was now consuming her. Her bones were changing, locking in place. The venom sealed her wounds. It was burning inside her… burning her up... burning her through.
Fear thoughts were filled for Demetri. Was he okay? Were they hurting him? Would he live?
Pain…
That hurt me the most.
The only painful thoughts she had was that we didn't get him out. That he wasn't here right now. She needed him.
It made me feel so guilty.
Poor Alena…
--00oo00oo00--
Alec's POV
As my power settled on her, it still felt like it hadn't. It still felt like she was thrashing and moving. I felt my lower jaw tremble as I saw tears slide out of her unmoving form and down her cheeks. I felt guilty as I saw the bruises on her wrist that were fading. I should have been there. Chloe was my life- yes, but without Alena, I wouldn't have met Chloe. I'd owed it to Alena to have been there for her.
I sighed and slumped on the couch. Catching the scent of Chloe, I looked towards the back door. She was back, her frazzled hair blowing in the constant wind. Her fearful and concerned face looked into the room.
I remembered to the events that happened just before Alena had set foot into the house.
Flashback
Chloe and I were sitting on the couch, knees touched. Her eyes were on a book in her hand. It was one she'd found in Alena's room. The Winters Tale... I smiled; it seemed that Chloe took a great fascination in Shakespeare. I watched as she took her hands away from the book, keeping her eye contact with it. I took my gaze off her face and onto the book, my mouth almost dropping open. The book was floating in the air. She lifted up her finger and pointed it at the page, biting her lip in concentration. She moved her finger as though she were turning the page. It turned.
I coughed a gasp.
Her look shot to mine and the book started to drop. At the last possible second, her hand shot out and she caught the book.
"That was close." She murmured.
I laughed quietly, "Nice job."
She smiled and nodded, pulling the book closer to her chest, "I love this play."
I chuckled, "Yes, Shakespeare did a good job with that play. He's quite a nice man. A little strange, betwixt sane and insane, but fine in any other sense..."
It was completely silence.
I heard little chuckle from Felix who was sitting on the couch across Chloe and me.
"What?" I questioned her and the silence.
Her mouth dropped open.
"You said… '…he's a nice man. A little strange and betwixt sane and insane, but fine in any other sense…'"
I nodded slowly, trying desperately to comprehend her thoughts.
"You talk as though you've met him." Chloe laughed nervously.
I bit my lip, "I have."
Her eyes grew wider, "What-but- that's impossible! No one's been alive that long and is still living!"
The pressure on my lips grew harder as I tried to find out a way to tell her how old I was.
"I… I have been alive that long. Longer than he has been in fact."
She gasped, "What? But that's—impossible!"
Her eyes were large and wide with fright. Several objects removed themselves from their respectable placed and flew in a tight circle around her head.
"How old are you?" She whispered.
I sighed; there wasn't really another way to tell her.
"I'm over a thousand. I stopped counting after a thousand."
Her mouth dropped open and the objects that were floating around her head dropped to the wooden floor, clattering loudly.
"What? But you look like you're seventeen!"
I grinned guiltily, "I haven't aged since the day I was turned. Neither has anyone else. Neither will you. We are forever frozen at our age right now. We don't die like normal people."
Her face was a mask of horror.
I quickly placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry." I whispered.
Her face frowned as she looked at me, "You're sorry?"
I nodded slowly back, maybe I'd misread something.
She scoffed and laughed, "You're sorry about living forever? What are you talking about? This is so cool!" She squealed.
My mouth dropped open, "I beg your pardon!"
She laughed, "I don't age! That's wonderful! I don't have to worry about aging! How cool is that!"
I was at a complete lost for words.
She grinned, "Wow! How old are the Cullens?"
I forcibly closed my mouth and licked my lips, "It ranges from three-hundred and down. The Cullens children repeat school every time they move as part of a charade."
She snorted in laughed, "Hah! Suckers! That's gotta be annoying." Then she suddenly clapped her hands over her mouth.
"I said that out loud, didn't I?"
I nodded in answer to her question and she cringed, "Whoops."
Then suddenly, she froze and the copy of the play fell out of her hands. This time she didn't try to catch it. It fell to the floor.
I frowned and then was suddenly knocked off my feet as she pushed me away and ran towards the front door. Felix frowned, jumped up and rushed after her, grabbing her wrists and locking them behind her back. She snarled heavily and tried to burst out the door.
I sprang of the floor and was by her side in a second. Brushing a finger over her face and receiving a snap in return, I recoiled slightly back.
"What!" I hissed.
She growled and inhaled deeply, a low alluring moan emitting from her perfect lips.
I scowled at her for a few seconds before inhaling the air myself.
Blood! Lots of it!
I gasped and immediately sent my power of to her. It soon touched her and her smell was cut off. She seemed to relax for a bit.
"Chloe, dear, go, out into the woods! Run!" I hissed urgently.
She nodded, realizing that she didn't want to kill anyone. She darted out of Felix's ironclad grasp and out the backdoor.
End Flashback.
Chloe looked at Alena, her face a mask of sympathy and pain. Walking over to me, she intertwined her hands with mine.
"Oh, poor Alena!!!" She whimpered as she buried her head into my chest. I unlatched one of my hands from her grip and drew it around her head securely, holding her head against my chest.
"She's going to be okay." I bolstered her.
I felt her nod in my chest and I held her tighter, keeping my eyes on the unmoving figure of Alena.
--00oo00oo00--
Alena POV
Oh god.
Fire…!
Fire…!
Fire…!
It was burning! Scalding! Heating! Scorching! Flaming! Singeing! Charring! Searing! It hurt so much! Nothing that had ever happened to me could ever compare! It hurt so, so much! There was so much pain and so much fire! I wouldn't even compare my broken leg, my wrist, let alone falling off a building to this. I would do those again, thousand times over than be in this pain! I unknowingly opened my mouth and let out another scream. I'd been doing those often. Unknowingly, only knowing when the sound pierced through my mind. I could tell my human body was fighting back, fighting defiantly against the venom that was surely spreading through my body.
One side was telling me to fade into the darkness; everything would be easier over that side. Another side was telling me to stay strong. I couldn't be sure if that was an actual voice on the outside, or if it was my imagination. That side was harder, it had so much pressure. I could actually feel my heart beating faster and faster.
I tried to gasp, to let out the pain, I tried to scream. But nothing happened. I felt like I was going to burst inside. It was so hot! Burning! After a terrifying moment, I calmed down as I realized that it was probably Alec. Oh, members of the Volturi were so talented…
Volturi.
Members.
Demetri.
He wasn't here.
He was there. Not here. I knew it seemed, sounded so selfish. But I needed him right here, right now. And he wasn't here. They didn't save him. They didn't get him out. He was still there. Under the mercy of the merciless Romanians, no pun intended. He was my undead angel. My only reason for existence, my only reason for loving and living… But he wasn't here. That hurt.
The fire was burning hot than ever, I could feel it moving around my body, it was scalding everything. I was immensely tempted to fade into the darkness, the easier side. But the other voice inside my head was getting louder and louder.
Don't fight the fire.
It repeated those four words over and over again. A soft voice, a musical voice… Was it mine? Surely not… or maybe it was.
But, all of a sudden, I found the voice growing steadier than its whisper, louder. It was gaining control. Maybe it was the fire itself talking to me. Whatever it was, I found it easier to follow. I felt my body slowing down, giving up the fight. It was giving into the fire, the voice. It had seemed like such a long time for my body to put up with the fire, but now, it seemed so short.
I felt the fire growing hotter; I didn't even think that was possible! It was burning, hotter and hotter! Sweeping its way up and down my body, from the top of my head down to my toes, it was scorching hot. Burning me alive… I tried to scream again, but nothing came out, I didn't even feel my mouth open. I had to get rid of the pain somehow! It was too much!! I had to release it!
ALEC, STOP! I yelled in my mind.
Then, it broke through.
This time, I heard it as soon as it came out, realizing that it was my scream straight away.
One, one ear piercing scream… for a long time I just screamed, trying to rid myself of what felt like an everlasting pain. I felt my voice box break, my throat crush. My chest rose of the hard substance underneath me, rising to the roof. Then it stopped.
Everything but a yearning burn in my throat disappeared.
My figure slumped back on the table.
It was gone.
Gone, gone, and gone. Never returning… The only mark of it, the only remnant of it… was the burning feeling in my throat. I was still. Completely still, not moving an inch... My time of thrashing and screaming was through. It was over. It was done. I was done. My heart slowed down and for the last time ever, it gave way to one more beat. The last beat it would ever have. I was dead.
But then again, in some strange unscientifically, unexplainable way… I was alive.
I listened.
I could hear crickets chirping. Taking a small breath, a group of scents and fragrances hit me like a tidal wave! I could smell oil, wood, blood, every molecule in the air!
"Carlisle!" I heard a familiar voice shriek.
Then a weight was beside me on the table. That voice! That voice was much too feminine for Alec or Jasper. Not high enough to be Alice… not silky enough to be Rosalie, not gentle enough to be Esme. I almost gasped as I realized whose body the voice belonged to.
Chloe!
She didn't even smell human! That only left one possible answer. She'd been turned! Oh, I was so happy but worried as well. Happy that I could have my best friend in this world with me for, hopefully, forever, but I was also worried about how she took this.
I forced my eyes open.
Oh wow.
Everything was so clear! It was like I was watching a high definition TV screen. I could see everything! Every little detail, every little speck! It was so clear!
I saw a beautiful girl hovering above me. Her bright blonde hair and blazing red eyes were gazing happily at me. Flawless skin that was pale too also came with the vibrant hair.
"Oh Alena!" She shrieked and pressed her body against me to give me a tight hug.
For a moment, I was scared. For a moment I forgot everything, forgot who was hugging me and where I was. I snarled and jumped up, knocking her off me in an instant. Her eyes flashed with surprise and anger as she up righted herself and went into a defensive mode. I found it quite easy to copy her actions and I growled.
"Alena!" Another high-pitched noise cried out happily!
I swiveled my head quickly, turning my body so I could see the person who had spiky black hair. Her golden eyes were glimmering in the fluorescent light. A male that was standing next to her came closer. I growled my defense instantly up.
"Emmett." The honey blonde male spoke up. And then both rushed over to me and to my back, securing both of my arms behind my back.
I snarled and struggled profusely, trying to get out of their grip. Then, another two males were in front of me. A tall blonde one and an auburn haired one... They were both exquisitely beautiful, as were the others.
"Alena, it's okay. We're your family, remember? I'm Edward, this is Carlisle. You have to remember us." The auburn haired vampire spoke.
For a split second that I stopped struggling and in that split second I remember everything. Carlisle, Esme, Rosalie, Emmett, Alice, Jasper, Edward, Bella, Renesmee, Jacob, the Quileute, Chloe, the Volturi, the Romanians, the Volturi, the Amazonians, the Egyptians, the Nomads, the Irish, the Denali's.
I stopped struggling and slumped into the uncomfortable grasp.
"Edward," I murmured, "I'm okay. I'm so sorry."
He frowned in concentration and then nodded.
"Jasper, Emmett, its okay. She's not going to attack."
The grip on me was gone in an instant allowing me to straighten up. I turned around to look at Chloe.
"I'm so sorry." I whispered meekly to her.
She grinned and rushed over to me in less than a second and covered me in a hug. I instantly wrapped my arms around her as well.
"I was so worried. You were crying!"
I sighed and bit my lips, "Sorry, I had so many things on my mind. How long was I out?"
Chloe shrugged, "Three, almost four days."
My eyes widened, "That's a long time!"
Carlisle chuckled behind me, "We were worried for a moment, and you've been the only one who taken just about four days to change. But Edward always reassured us that you were still alive… erm… undead."
I smiled, "Wow. Four days? It seemed so short!"
'Time flies when you're having fun.' A voice said wryly. I spun around to face Emmett.
"You thought it was fun? That was by far one of the worst experiences I've ever had!" I said exasperated.
Emmett frowned, "I didn't say that out loud."
I stopped.
"You didn't?"
Edward chuckled and joined Emmett, so that he was facing.
"Alena, you know how we've always said that you were so curious. All the time… Always wanting to know what people were thinking, and wanting to tell people what you thought."
I gasped, finally comprehending what my power was.
"I… I can hear people's thoughts?"
Edward smiled, "Yes, but it's quite more elevated than mine."
I frowned, "Elevated? How?"
Edward looked absolutely excited with this information he had.
"For one, not only can you hear other people's thoughts, you can put your thoughts in others, so they can know what you're thinking. And if you really worked on it, you could control people. Put your thoughts in theirs, modifying your tone and whatnot so that they think that their brain or consciousness is telling them to do whatever, when it's really you."
I gasped, "Really? But--! Wow! That's amazing."
Edward grinned, "Yes little miss nosy."
I rolled my eyes, "That's not funny."
Everybody laughed, and I found myself joining in. But then I stopped.
"We have to go back." I said, decisively and quietly.
The laughter died down.
Carlisle sighed, "The Romanians are expecting us in three days."
I bit my lip, "I can't just leave him there! Who knows what they're doing to him!"
I felt everyone tense. I felt a low grumble rise from my chest.
"We have to leave!" I complained, my voice growing in pitch.
I saw Aro nodded, "We will. But remember, you just 'woke' up. You need to feed."
I bit my lip, inside I'd been denying it, but now that he'd mentioned it, the burning sensation in my throat grew ten times in force.
I sighed, "Now that you mention it, I do feel a little… peckish."
Edward scoffed, "From your thoughts that would be an understatement!"
I narrowed my eyes at him and tried to put my thoughts in his.
Shut up.
From the narrowing and then laughter in his eyes, I knew it had work. I felt a spasm of joy as I tested out my power. I was so happy with it! I couldn't have asked for anything better.
"You'll get annoyed with it soon. Trust me," Edward chuckled, "Now let's go."
Jasper followed behind. I followed Edward out the back door and over the yard. I bit back a whoop of happiness. I'd never crossed the yard so fast. I felt so… fast, so strong, and so lively.
I heard a laugh behind me from Jasper.
"It's nice to hear you're so happy."
I stopped laughing. I was happy, at the moment. But then again… I wasn't. Not without Demetri. The world was several shades darker with out. I really needed him here. I felt so, so, so incomplete without him.
"What's wrong?" Jasper asked as we finally reached the forest cover. The snow crunched under my foot, a soft wet dewy smell filled my nostrils.
I sighed, "Nothing."
Jasper rolled his eyes, "I'm not stupid, and I also hope you haven't forgotten my power."
I sighed, "Right. Um, just don't worry."
We then caught up to Edward who had a sad smile on his face. I imagined reaching out into Edward's mind. I wanted to see what he was thinking. Then, before I knew it, I could hear all the thoughts of his that was running through his mind at this moment.
She's worried about Demetri.
I let out a sigh, "No crap."
Edward shook his head and narrowed his eyes, a small smile playing with his lips, "It's rude to invade privacy."
I raised an eyebrow, "Look who's talking."
He grinned, "You know, I think I finally know what everyone feels like when I read their mind."
I sighed, "Good."
Edward sighed and ran a hand through his hair, "Please cheer up Alena. We'll get him out soon enough."
I nodded and brushed some stray hair behind my ears, "I hope so."
Edward smiled, "Now, can we focus on hunting. Every second thought you have revolves around blood."
I sighed and nodded.
I ran after Edward, Jasper taking the rear. Edward slowed down so that he was in the same stride as me. He looked at me and grinned, "Just let your senses take over." He urged.
I frowned and thought into my mind with him. Where do I start?
He smiled, "Started with your sense of smell… breathe in."
I nodded and took a deep breath.
Fragrances filled my nose. I found a fragrance of fur and fat and blood.
"Close your eyes and just follow your nose." Edward urged.
I nodded, closing my eyes. My feet started to trek through the dense forest. I followed the blood that was hidden under all the fat, flesh and fur.
"That's it..." The smooth and low voice of Jasper sounded.
I smiled to myself, now that I was a vampire, everything sounded so much more musical and melodic than when I was a human. I found myself yearning for Demetri's voice. If Jasper and Edward's voice were so much richer to my newfound vampire senses, my ears, Demetri's would be… heavenly.
I lifted my head higher, opening my eyes and started to run, I followed the dense blood smell and ran, ran towards it.
Then another smell came into play.
It was blood, yes.
But it was better, sweeter, richer…
It was human.
"ALENA! NO!"
I heard those two words before I completely changed my course and turned northwest to the delicious smell.
I ran, fast as I could. I could see the humans, a male and female that was camping in the snow. They were packing up and I could hear their lovely human thoughts. I could smell their gorgeous human blood. It was so sweet, it was so warm, and it was so beautiful!
I paused for a second, breathing deep, trying to taste the succulent scent on the tip of my tongue. I took a step forward, the tips of my tongue curling up in a cruel smile.
WHAT?!
The whole scene in front of me was wiped away!
I was on the floor, a few meters off. I snarled, feeling my face plummet into the snow. It tasted disgusting!
"Alena! Stop!" Jasper's hard civil war voice spat out.
I groaned and struggled against the ground that I was flat upon. His knee was on my back and his hands locked around my wrists that were stuck behind my back.
I tried to look up, and when I had my head up, I saw Edward crouched in front of me. I couldn't smell the humans anymore. Edward replayed the scene in his mind and I watched with him. Jasper and Edward had finally caught up to me. Jasper ran into me, throwing me a few meters away. I growled. Then came up behind and locked my arms behind my back.
I spat out snow that was in my mouth.
"Let go of me Jasper!" I moaned, wanting to back and just latch my teeth on those warm throats…
"Enough of those thoughts." A stern voice reprimanded me. I shrank back.
Edward looked me straight in the eye, "Alena, stop thinking about it. Think about anything else, you have to. You don't want to become a monster."
I stopped.
The blood. I wanted it badly, yes it really did! But was it worth it? Worth all the shame and pain I might experience later in life. No. I would feel like a hypocrite, encouraging everyone to not feed on humans. And there I was, wanting the blood of two innocent humans.
Was it worth it?
No.
It wasn't.
My hazardous breathing slowed and I stopped breathing all together.
Edward, I think I have it together now. I think.
Edward nodded and smiled, "Take a breath."
My lower jaw trembled and I reluctantly took a deep breath. I had no craving. But the burning sensation in my throat was still evident.
Edward smiled, "That's it. Now we'll take you hunting for deers or elk or something."
I nodded.
Edward stood up, dusting his pants off and nodded to Jasper. The uncomfortable pressure was released off my hands and I felt free. Getting up slowly and dusting me off, I turned around to Jasper.
"Sorry." I muttered.
He shook his head, "Don't worry about it, I'm actually glad."
I frowned, "Why?"
He grinned, "Because you're actually acting like a newborn. With Bella… it was so confusing!"
Edward laughed along with him, "Bella is one amazingly strange creature."
I cracked a small smile.
"She is."
Edward sighed and once again jerked his head in the direction from where the smell of elk was wafting from.
"Ready to try again?"
I swallowed a pool of venom and nodded, "Sure."
He nodded and ran forward; I looked at Jasper who nodded. Smiling softly back, I ran, following Edward. I ran past the trees, faintly remembering the times of Edward, Jasper and Emmett carried me on their backs. They'd gone too fast for me to clearing see the scenery I was passing. But now that I was a vampire, I could see everything in the utmost clearest detail. It was beautiful!
"Alena."
I stopped mid-stride.
It was Demetri!
He was standing there, by some trees! He smiled and walked forward. I drew in a sharp breath and then stopped breathing at all.
"Demetri?" I wondered out loud.
He smiled.
I stuttered, "But what? How…?"
"Alena?" Another voice called out. I looked to my left. Jasper.
I looked back in front of me, Demetri was gone!
"No! What?" I stated in confusion.
Jasper walked closer to me, his hands slightly raised.
I gasped, "No! I just saw--"
He still wasn't there!
"Alena? Jasper? What wrong?" Edward came back into view.
I frowned, "But I just…"
Edward raised and eyebrow and I felt a penetrating force deep in my mind. He was reading my mind.
"Alena, as much as I hate to say this, but… I think it was your imagination. The Romanians still have him."
I sighed and hung my head in shame, "Yes, I know."
Edward shrugged, "I'm sorry."
Looking back up, I shook my head, "Don't be. Come on, let's go. This is my first hunt after all." I tried to sound enthusiastic.
Edward grinned and nodded, "Yes, let's go."
Once again I followed Edward, we found some elk.
"Just watch me first." He called out.
I nodded and watched as he gracefully leapt off the large boulder he was standing on, right on an unsuspecting elk. It shrieked in fear but then cut off in a gurgle as Edward smoothly snapped its neck. Sinking his teeth into the skin, I heard a faint sucking noise as he drained it of the blood.
I leapt off the small log I was on, and chased a rather large elk. It had caught my scent and had reared and took off. Fortunately, the pumping of its legs was no match for my speed. But I guess it was a good thing, the blood was now pumping around his body, making me mouth water for the animal even more so. I caught up to the elk quickly and tackled it to the ground. Sinking my teeth past the fur, past the skin, past the flesh, fat and so on, I finally reached the artery that I was aiming for. It was warm and the texture tasted a bit rough, but after I drained it, I decided that it'll do.
I got up and looked up to see Edward and Jasper laughing at me.
I frowned and looked down.
"Oh, dear god." I murmured.
Looking at the same outfit I had since the kidnapping, it had spatters of blood all over it.
"Well this is just perfect." I said, distaste evident in my voice.
Edward laughed, "No, don't worry about it. I'm sure Alice has an array of clothes back at home for you."
I nodded, "That's good."
After another elk, we headed back to the house. As soon as I walked through the door, I was met with a chorus of snickers.
"Shut up." I sighed, a tiny bit of humor mixed in.
Alice grinned and took my hand leading my up to my room.
"Here, I thought you wanted something simple for when you come back." She smiled softly.
I nodded and looked at the bed, a pair of dark jeans and a black and white top was place on it.
"Thanks." I murmured.
She grinned and the left the room.
Slipping into the clothes I started to think. Last time that there was a big threat of a battle, Bella had been recently changed, she had to been trained… trained to extent her power from beyond herself to around numerous amounts of people. If she could do it, why couldn't I? Edward had talked about me being able to control people. I just had to place my thought into theirs, modify the voice to make it seem like their own and hey presto! They would bend to their own will… or my will technically. Aro and Edward could train me. Maybe I could get some newborns out of Ozera's shield and then have them join our side and revolt against the Romanians. A million ideas were bouncing around in my head. Alec and Chloe could train as well. Alec could work on his speed and Chloe, on her aim and amount of force. I started to smile as the plan started to form into my mind. We would need to be ready. The war was coming upon us. I opened the door and ran swiftly down the stairs. The only thoughts in my mind was about training and obliterating the Romanians. I found Aro and placed my hand on his face. He stood absolutely still. I read his mind while he read mine. Edward walked forward.
"It's hard work, are you sure you want to try?" He asked quietly.
I sighed, "If it's going to help get Demetri out and kill those bastards, I'm up for anything."
Aro grinned slyly, "You have a brilliant mind. Which we will need to strengthen… when would you like to start training?"
Emmett grinned and jumped up from the couch, walking over and cracking his knuckles effectively. He grinned largely at me.
"Yes little sis, you need to be trained in some fighting skills."
Aro smiled and the rest of the Volturi guard joined his, their looming figures threateningly looming about me.
"We'd be more than happy and obliged to teach you fighting skills. When would you like to start?"
I looked over at the small crowd and spotted Jane, her small smile broke out into a grin.
I grinned callously back.
"Now."
