Trust

Trust is earned
But once violated
It's difficult to regain

When do you trust?
Who do you trust?

You trust with your mind
You trust with your heart
You trust with honor
You trust with pride
You trust with expectations
But is putting trust in someone worth it?

Tell me, is it?

I've tried to trust
But ended up with betrayal
And cannot allow it to occur again

I opened my mind
Opened my heart
But only received
A shattered heart
Now I know not to trust so easily

Alisha Ricks

Chapter 8: Dancing Under the Stars

(Alec's POV)

It was finally seven in the evening. After a long, somewhat weird day thanks to Marcus, I was making my way to the private garden to set up for her arrival.

I was dressed in one of my more formal outfits which I would usually wear to the Volturi Balls. Like all my other outfits I was dressed in a black suite with a dark purple shirt on underneath.

Once I reach Raven's usual spot in the garden by the pond I got to work immediately. First I turned off the lights in the garden to allow the stars above to show up more. Then I began setting the thirty other glow- in- the dark glass jellyfish that I went back to that store to get. I placed them in a large circle then placed the purple roses I had next to each one so they were eliminated by the light of the jellyfish.

When I was done I plugged in my IPhone into the speakers I brought and turned on the playlist I specifically created for tonight. Soft dance piano music echoed though the garden after it turned on.

"What's all this?" a soft voice said from behind me.

I turned around to face her then really with that I didn't. Like always she was dressed in a renaissance dress. However, this dress was way more formal looking and the blue color just made her glow with beauty.

(Dress)

Raven giggled for a moment, "you should close your mouth Alec, unless you were planning on looking like a cod fish."

My mouth is open? I quickly shut it feeling like an idiot and making Raven giggle again.

I watched her memorized at she slowly and cautiously made her way to stand by me in the middle of the circle I created. When she was toe to toe with me I could finally see that I was only about two inches taller than her.

"Are you going to teach me how to dance Alec? Or are you just going to continue to stare?" she asked staring up at me through her long lashes.

"Dance," I said holding out my hand to her, "Although I prefer to continue staring." I continued truthfully. If she had been human I knew she would be blushing judging by the look on her face.

She placed her hand in my and after days of wishing, I finally got to hold her in my arms. I noticed her skin was just as cold as the ancients proving that she herself was very old. Just like all vampires her skin was smooth and hard, but I couldn't help but noticed she felt very fragile as well.

For the next three hours I taught her some slow ball room dancers along with some slow waltz dances. She was a very fast learner which made it easier for me. He seemed to love it when I twirled her around then tilted her backwards in my arm. I think it's because she was able to see the stars the stars from that position.

My favorite part was just being able to hold her and being able to put my arm around her small waist.

After our last dance I turned away from her to turn off the music. When I turned back around she was gone. I looked down to see her lying in the grass watching the stars.

"I just saw a shooting star." She said as I came to sit by her cross legged.

"Is that so?" I didn't really care about the stars because her eyes were sparkling red with joy, but that small sadness was still there. "What did you wish for?" I asked

"That's for me to know." She said standing up and I followed. "Thanks for a wonderful evening Alec, it was one of the best I've had in years."

"Can I walk you back?" I blurted out not ready to say goodbye.

She nodded and linked her arm through mine as we walked towards Caius's wing of the castle. When we reached the wing doors I noticed that the lower guard John was there and when he saw Raven's arm linked with mine he scowled at me looking ready to attack. I gave him me well know evil smirk.

'That's right,' I thought, 'give me a reason to kill you because I've been aching to do it since that first day.'

"Thank you for walking me back Alec," Raven said standing in the partially opened wing door. I nodded and turned to leave. "Oh and Alec," she said stopping me as I turned back to face her, "I wished that you and Jane will find love and true happiness in this world." She smiled at me then disappeared into the wing with the large doors slamming behind her.

'She wished for Jane and I's happiness?' I thought while sitting in my room a few hours later. No one has ever cared about us, not until Aro came to save us.

For the first time in my life I actually felt loved, but I quickly pushed away those feelings. No one loved me except for Jane and she was the only person I loved and could love.

When those humans burned us alive so many years ago they also burned away all my love and trust I had left. Which wasn't that much due to my father. Those humans made me into what I am today, a cold heartless monster who, since the day I woke up to this world, refused to allow any emotions to control me.

I'm so confused right now with all the emotions running through me. The last time I felt this way it cost Jane and I our lives. I can't afford to feel this way, I just can't. So I made my decision.

I can't continue to see Raven anymore; I need to return to the Alec Volutri the world knows today. I need to return to the monster I am to protect Jane. I just can't afford to go through this again, I can't afford to trust anyone but my sister.