Just a quick note: I used the Illustrated Guide that Myer wrote to describe members of the elite guard. However, I did alter some things. Also my view on the character's appearance is from the movies. Demetri's appearance is the way he looks in BD part two. Sorry if you're not a fan of the movies trust me I'm not. However, I am a fan of the Volturi casting for the movies.
Chapter 13: Preparing for the Volturi Ball
(Alec's POV)
After Raven showed me her past we lied on the grass for a while in peaceful silence. Eventually though Raven had to leave.
That encounter was a month ago. Since that day I've decided to continue to see Raven just to keep her company and give her friendship. We always meet in the private garden. Sometimes she reads to me and Jane when she's there, other times we work on puzzles. During our time together I learned she loves to draw just like me. Now we sometimes bring our sketch pads and just draw in silence. I always sketch cities I've been too and give them to her so she knows what the outside world looks like.
"So about the Volturi Ball," Jane said pulling me from my thoughts, "are you taking anyone?" Once every so many months Aro throws a ball just for members of the Volturi. In other words it's his way of forcing the elite guard to socialize with the lower guard for a whole night.
"I always go alone sister you know that. Why do you ask?" What was my wonderful yet annoying sister up to this time?
"Well," Jane started with clear mischief in her eyes, "I was thinking you could take Raven."
"I will admit that I have thought about it, but Raven's shyness around people caused me to not pursue the matter further."
"Great," Jane said jumping up from her seat on my bed, "it's decided that you will ask her tomorrow." Then she vanished out to the halls of the castle.
Jane's planning something, I just know it.
However, asking Raven to the Ball is a possibility now. After Raven told me who she was the ancients decided to entrust the secret to all the members of the elite guard. The others in the castle just think of her as a guest and that's how it will remain.
After the announcement of Raven's identity, everyone in the elite guard kept asking Jane and me about her. Eventually we resorted to hiding in my room just to avoid interrogations. Every time they went to the private garden to meet Raven she, of course, wasn't there. It was very amusing at first to see their determination then their defeated faces when she never showed. However, after a while it got very old and I decided to tell them that she doesn't like drawing attention. Eventually Caius told them about the night she was attacked and why she hasn't left the castle since then. Although I already knew what happened to her, I still couldn't help but feel useless when Caius told us. I wasn't the only one to feel that way.
"If I had been in the guard at that time the bastard would have never gotten away." Demetri hissed after Caius had left, leaving the elite guard alone in Marcus's library.
"Well you're in the guard now," Felix said after being deep in thought, which I wasn't aware he was capable of doing, "and I don't know how the rest of you feel, but I want to protect Raven so she can see the outside world without fear. I also want to give her friendship."
The rest of the guard agreed with him. Maybe with our help, Raven will be able and willing to see the world without fear and worry of being attacked.
The next morning I went to meet Raven in the private garden. My main purpose was to ask her to the ball. Jane, being the shopper she is, went out last night and bought Raven a modern dress. Jane was using this to put more pressure on me to ask Raven.
"I spent a lot of money on her dress," Jane scolded, "don't let it go to waste."
Despite my begging Jane refused to let me see the dress. The only way I could see the dress is if Raven goes to the ball. Jane also begged me to ask Raven, if she said yes, if she could help Raven prepare for the ball. Raven didn't really need makeup, but I didn't argue with my sister. I enjoy being on her good side.
Raven was just leaving the garden when I ran into her guard John. This guy was really pissing me off.
"Sorry Alec," Raven said stepping around John, "I'm on my way to see my mother and aunts, so I'm afraid we can't hang out today." John had stepped to the side leaning against the wall clearly happy with this news. He smiled smugly at me knowing that he gets to spend more time with Raven than I do.
Maybe I can feed him to those mutts in Washington...
"Oh it's fine," I said hiding my irritation, "but I did want to ask you something."
Raven looked a little uncomfortable; she knew what I was going to ask her.
"I'm not sure Alec; I'm not fond of attention."
"I know," I said, "the only people who know about you are the members of the elite guard. The others just think you're a guest. I won't let them bother you," I paused measuring her reaction, "also the members of the elite guard really want to meet and befriend you."
"Really?" she asked a little surprised, "I'll go then, but only if you promise to stay with me."
"I promise," I said, "and Jane got you a dress. She wants to help you get ready."
"She can come to my room tomorrow afternoon," Raven said, "Now I really have to go Alec, I'll see you tomorrow night."
Raven headed towards Caius's wing with a furious John behind her. As he walked passed me he growled lowly so Raven couldn't hear. I smirked at him knowing I won this round.
Wait... Since when did this become a competition?
(Jane's POV)
The late afternoon before the ball I headed towards Caius's wing with Raven's dress packed in a box along with shoes. When I reached the doors John was there looking pissed.
"Going somewhere?" he demanded coldly. Two can play at that game.
Giving him my deadly smile I responded with the same tone. "Yes, now step aside before I become very angry." John scowled but stepped aside.
When I entered the wing I suddenly realized that I didn't know where to go.
"Lost Jane?" Lady Athonea asked coming from the wing's entrance.
"Umm..." Why are the wives so hard to talk to? "I'm just looking for Raven's room to help her get ready for the ball."
She smiled, "I was on my way there too. I'll show you where her room is." Then she started walking towards the far tower of the wing.
Throughout our walk Lady Athonea kept thanking me and saying how grateful she was that Alec and I befriended Raven. I'm sure that by the time we reached Raven's room I got at least two thousand years worth of 'thank you.'
"Good afternoon mother," Raven said as we walked in, "Jane nice to see you."
While Raven and her mom had a quick conversation in some ancient language, I took the opportunity to look at Raven's room.
Raven's room was very large and at the top of the tower. The three large windows were covered up by thick dark purple curtains. Her bed was huge and was designed so thick curtains could close around the bed. Her comforter and curtains were also dark purple. The sheets looked like sateen sheets and were black. For those who sleep it would be a perfect bed because it would completely engulf them in darkness.
On the right side of the room was a door that led to a closet. I wondered how big it was. On the left side of the room was the door that led to her bathroom. She also had a huge fire place with a couch and two chairs around it. A few feet from one of the chairs was a large writing desk which looked fairly new. On the opposite side were three large fully stocked bookshelves.
One main thing that caught my eye was an object on her writing desk. Right by a vase of flowers was a glass jellyfish that changed colors. The gift Alec gave her.
"Well," lady Athonea said heading to the door, "I'll let you two get ready and go see my husband." Then she left closing the door behind her.
I bounced over to Raven's bed to lay out her dress and shoes out, "I got you a dress." I said opening the box and setting the dress on her bed. Raven came to stand by me as I pulled out a pair of black open toed heels and a strapless purple dress. "The heels are only a couple inches high so you shouldn't have a problem walking in them."
"It's very beautiful Jane," Raven said running her fingers along the sparkles in the dress.
(Link to Dress)
I turned to her not wanting to waste time "we should start on your hair first because it's going to take a long time." Her hair was so long that I had the perfect style for it, but it would take a while. "Go wash your hair first," I continued pointing to her bathroom, "I'll set up everything."
Raven smiled in amusement but didn't say anything. Instead she nodded and went to shower. Once I heard that she was in the shower I went into her bathroom and started to set up.
Raven's bathroom was huge and surprisingly very modern looking. The design of her bathroom was breathtaking and her bathtub was huge. The door directly to my right, across from the mirror, was the shower and also a steam room.
Right after I had set up, Raven appeared wearing a long black robe. I got a glance at her shower room when she walked out. It was big enough to be another small bathroom.
"What do you need me to do?" Raven asked
I pointed to the chair she had in the bathroom, "Just sit down, do your nails, and let me work." Once she sat down I got to work on her hair while she worked on her nails.
(90 minutes later)
Finally, after what seemed like forever I finished her hair. Before she could see it though, I took her back to her bed and dressed her careful to not mess up her hair. We then went back into her bathroom so I could apply her makeup. I applied black eyeliner, silvery eye shadow, and dark red lipstick.
(Hair)
(Eye shadow)
(Lipstick)
"Amazing Jane." Raven said as she twirled around in front of a full length mirror. I smiled at her wishing I could see Alec's face when he sees her.
"Don't mess up your hair or makeup," I scolded, "Alec will be here soon to get you. With one more smile I left to get ready.
(Alec's POV)
Dressed in my tux with a dark purple shirt on, the only shirt Jane would let me wear, I was on my way to get Raven. The main ball for all the guards starts in three hours; allowing the elite guard time in the ball room before we have to share with the rest of the guard. I was extremely thankful for this tradition because it will be a lot easier for Raven.
When the doors to Caius's wing came into view so did that idiot John. However, instead of stopping me like usual, he just scowled at me darkly. Deciding to play with him, I smirked smugly at him. He growled lowly at me narrowing his eyes. Before I could respond the wing's doors opened.
The second Raven came into view I stopped moving and breathing. This is Jane's doing. I already told her I would remain friends with Raven, but nothing else. Why is Jane doing this to me? She knows what I've been through, so why? I was so preoccupied with my thoughts that I missed the conversation between Raven and John.
"Then I'll see you later at the ball John." Raven said.
John nodded then quickly glanced at me, "will you save me a dance?"
"Of course," Raven smiled oblivious to my low hiss towards John. He didn't miss it though. When Raven turned her back on John, he copied my smug smirk. Yup he's going to die, and soon.
When Raven linked her arm through mine I didn't notice. Instead I was too busy planning out how to kill John. The mutts in Washington are sounding like my best bet. I get rid of John and those puppies get a chew toy. Sounds good to me.
"Are we leaving Alec?" Raven asked pulling me from my planning to murder John.
"Yes." I said then begun leading her towards the throne room with one last scowl at John. We walked slowly, even for a human, down the hall. With every step we took Raven seamed to get more anxious and worried. I had to pry her hands from my sleeve a few times to avoid having my jacket being torn by her nails.
"Maybe if I told you about the members of the elite guard you'll feel better about this." I said worried about my only formal jacket. Raven looked at me with clear worry and nodded.
"I'll start with Felix." I started, "Felix is the only member of the elite guard that doesn't have an ability. However, he is extremely strong and a quick thinker. Aro turned Felix about one hundred years ago. He earned his position in the elite guard when his quick thinking and strength saved Aro's mate from a newborn attack. Felix very professional when it comes to being a guard member, but when he's off duty he's like a kid. Felix is very outgoing and carefree. He has a special talent at making people feel happy." I paused to let her think for a moment.
"Chelsea is the oldest guard member; she's almost like a mother figure to all the guard members of the Volturi. Her ability is similar to Marcus's, but instead of seeing relationships she can form or break them. Chelsea is like the peace maker in the Volturi. She is the person to stop fights among guard members and she's like a counselor at times. Many members of the Volturi go to her for advice on all kinds of problems. Her mate, Afton, will also be at the ball but he's not a part of the elite. His ability is a mental shield, but he can only protect himself not others." Trying to tell Raven about these people made me wish that I actually took the time to get to know them. All the members of the guard have always tried to reach out to me, but because of Maria I kept myself closed off to everyone except Jane. In fact the only time I talk to them is about missions, the only person I actually willingly got to know was Demetri. When I think about it I actually consider him as a very close friend.
"Heidi's ability isn't very specific, but she is more appealing than other vampires. It's like there's a pull to her that all humans can't resist. This is why Heidi is the person who brings meals to us. The only reason why she's in the elite guard is because she wanted to be and threatened to leave if she wasn't included in the elite. Heidi loves to shop and decorate, which is why she's in charge of the huge balls that Aro throws for the vampire world." Heidi has always annoyed me because of her desperation to get me in bed so I didn't want to talk about her for very long.
"Renata," I quickly continued, "is Aro's personal body guard. She's also a shield like Afton, but she can project it to people around her. Renata is very shy at first, but I heard that once you get to know her she's very outgoing. Her great uncle, Luca, asked Aro to make her a part of the elite if he was to allow her to join the Volturi. Luca turned her when she was twenty about one hundred and fifty years ago. Despite the distance between the two, they are very close. Aro gives Renata a month off once a year so she can visit him." I paused for a minute to give Raven more time to think.
"Demetri is a skilled tracker. Once he's met someone he can catch the essence of a person's mind and track them anywhere. He joined the guard about a hundred years before Jane and I. Demetri was born in Greece about four hundred years before Jane and I were born. He was turned at age twenty one by the leader of the Egyptian coven, Amun. About three hundred years after he was turned Aro learned about him from a nomad. However, when Aro went to meet him, Amun wouldn't let him get anywhere near Demetri. Fifty years after that encounter, Demetri got fed up with Amun's possessiveness and left to travel the world. When he came to Volterra Aro offered him a position in the guard and he accepted. He gained the title of elite guard when he tracked down Romanian spies. Felix is Demetri's best friend and they sometimes refer to each other as brothers. He's not only a loyal guard member, but a loyal friend as well. I think that's why I've always been able to get along with him. Demetri is very truthful and trustworthy. Like Felix he is very serious when it comes to his duties, but he's very laid back the rest of the time. The best part about him is that he never causes trouble and is very talented at staying away from it. Demetri also has a talent to be very calm in intense situations. The best part about him is that he's a very good listener, like you."
The doors to the throne room finally came into view. "Feeling a little better?" I asked looking at Raven.
"A little," she said trying to smile a little, but worry was still written all over her face.
"You'll be fine," I said once again prying her fingers from the sleeve of my jacket, "the members of the elite guard promised to not overwhelm you. If you start feeling overwhelmed then tell Jane or me and we can take you to the balcony outside for a breather."
"Ok." Raven said looking a little relieved. When we reached the doors I could hear the ballroom music playing.
"After you," I said opening the door for her.
Raven took a deep breath, planting a smile on her face and walked in.