"People always put up walls because of something that happened to them Raven. The reason why they're rude is because they are testing to see who's willing, brave, and strong enough to knock down their walls." ~Antonio~
Chapter 14: Volturi Ball
(Jane's POV)
I was slow dancing with Santiago in the center of the room. The ancients were also dancing with their wives along with Chelsea and Afton. Renata and Heidi were off to the side, by the thrones, chatting. Felix and Demetri were with them having their own conversation. Heidi was constantly glancing at the doors, but she wasn't looking for Raven. No, she was waiting for Alec. She knew that Alec would be nice to her tonight because Raven would be preset, and she was going to take full advantage of that. I internally rolled my eyes at her. Sure Heidi could be nice, but she could also be a major slut.
Suddenly the doors to the throne room opened and a cherry blossom sent filled the room. Everyone except the ancients and the wives looked to the door.
"Go back to what you were doing," I whispered knowing they would hear me, "don't overwhelm her." They all got the message and went back to what they were doing. However, they all moved so they could still see the door. I rolled my eyes. They looked like kids waiting to see Santa.
Raven walked in after a few seconds with Alec right behind her. Thanks to me they both matched wearing dark purple. Yup, I'm a genius. Raven immediately walked over to me with Alec right behind her.
"Glad to see you were able to get ready in plenty of time Jane, "Raven said smiling at me then looked at Santiago, "You're very lucky to have such a beautiful mate Santiago." I looked down embarrassed.
There was a beat of silence even though people were trying to keep up a conversation. Then Felix, being the annoying idiot he is, decided to make a first impression.
"Damn!" Felix yelled his voice echoing through the room causing everyone to stop and look at him, "Jane was right you do look like a goddess!"
Everyone just stared at Felix astonished. Alec and I both gave him a murderous look. What part of 'don't frighten Raven' did he not understand?! I was ready to tear him apart and feed him to wolves, but Raven's laughter stopped me.
"You must be Felix," she said composing herself, "Alec wasn't kidding when he told me about your personality." When Raven spoke it was as if a huge weight was lifted from the room. Although I could tell she was still worried, she was doing an amazing job hiding it. Maybe Felix helped her gain confidence.
"It's so nice to meet you all," Raven continued, "I'm Raven Volturi." Raven walked over to Felix and held out her hand, he shook it gently smiling.
"That's me." Felix said letting go of Raven's hand. By this point Chelsea and Afton had joined the group in the corner.
"It's nice to finally meet you Raven." Chelsea said kindly, "I'm Chelsea and this is my mate Afton."
"Hello." Afton nodded smiling at Raven.
"I'm Heidi and this is Renata," Heidi said stepping forward smiling but glancing at Alec.
"Hello." Raven smiled and shaking their hands then turned to the dirty blonde haired tracker by her. "That must make you Demetri then." She said holding out her hand to him.
"Yes it must," Demetri said taking Raven's hand and placing a soft kiss on her knuckle causing Alec to growl lowly, "glad I have the opportunity to be in the presence of such a beautiful and kind vampire."
Raven smiled embarrassed, "wow, you sure know how to great a woman."
Demetri smiled, "men should always respect women," he said dropping her hand, "that's how I was raised."
Raven smiled brightly, "well I'm sure your woman is very lucky to have such a gentleman."
"Oh I'm still single," Demetri smirked, "if you're available though I guess that would make me the perfect bachelor." Raven laughed and Alec hissed lowly.
"While your offer is tempting," Raven said smiling, "I'm afraid I don't know you well enough yet." Before Demetri could respond Alec had walked over clearly annoyed by Demetri's flirting.
"Didn't you want to dance Raven?" Alec asked holding out his hand to Raven.
"Yes," Raven said taking his hand while walking to the center of the room.
After that conversations resumed while couples danced in the center of the room. I constantly looked at my brother, watching him spin Raven around as they talked quietly. I couldn't help but think how perfect they looked together.
(Demetri's POV)
It's been five hours since the ball started. About two hours ago the room filled up with the lower guard members, who all became curious about Raven. Thanks to the intimidation Alec gives off, no one asked about her or tried to talk to her. A lot of the lower guard members were intimidated by the elite guard, especially the new ones. I remembered I was when I first joined the guard.
Despite how worried and nervous Raven looked, she was doing very well at keeping a smile on her face. Of course she hasn't left Alec's side. The only time when she wasn't with him, she was dancing with her father and uncles.
Raven was exactly how Alec and Jane described her. She was kind, cautious, a little frightened, lonely looking, and sad. Throughout the ball I tried to ask Alec why Raven seamed sad, but he wouldn't say anything. However, he did mention something about Antonio. I didn't understand why because he died years ago in our last battle with the Romanians. I remembered him because he was my mentor when I first joined the Volturi. His death left the castle in a mournful state for weeks.
I was leaning against a wall drinking a glass of blood, enjoying how pissed off Alec would get everyone time some guy tried to flirt or dance with Raven.
"Umm...Demetri, sir?" I looked to my right to see a fairly new member of the lower guard. She looked to be sixteen and was about the same height as Jane. I was supposed to be her mentor but since Afton needed something to do I gave him the job.
"Yes?" I asked tilting my head towards her. She tucked a loose strand of her long blonde hair behind her ear. Her long red dress matched the color of her eyes.
"Umm..." she shifted nervously, "I'm not sure if you remember me, I'm Chloe from the Greek coven."
"I remember," I said, "did you need something?"
"Well the truth is I don't know who to talk to." She said fiddling with her dress.
"Why not tell Afton, as your mentor that's what he's here for." I stated.
"I wanted to, but I think he's busy with his mate."
I scanned the crowd for him, but couldn't find Afton or Chelsea. I used my gift and could tell they were back in Aro's wing.
Oh...
"What's troubling you then?" I asked returning my attention to Chloe trying to distract myself from whatever Afton and Chelsea were doing.
"Well you're the best tracker in the world right?" she asked playing with her hair now. So she's starting off by stating the obvious?
"Yes, I suppose," I said trying not to intimidate her more than she already was, "why do you ask?"
"I was just wondering if you noticed anything strange around the castle recently." Chloe looked down unsure, but her comment caught my attention.
"Not really, no." I said quickly using my gift to make sure we didn't have any uninvited guests. Like I expected, we didn't. Chloe glanced towards the dance floor and I followed her gaze. She was looking at Raven, who was talking with Alec and Felix.
"What's troubling you?" I asked causing her to look back at me.
"I don't know, it's probably nothing." She muttered.
"Nothing could turn into something Chloe."
"It's just sometimes I get these feelings when something is going to happen. Recently I've had this bad feeling and it got worse when I saw that girl over there with Master Alec." She gestured towards where Raven and Alec were a few moments earlier.
Chloe was clearly worried about what she was feeling. I looked back to the crowd and noticed that Raven was standing in a corner alone. Jane and Santiago along with everyone else she would be comfortable with were out dancing. When I located Alec I understood why Raven was alone. Heidi had made her move and dragged Alec out onto the dance floor knowing he wouldn't refuse in Raven's presence. I looked back to Chloe and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"If it makes you feel better Felix and I will patrol the castle grounds tomorrow and I will tell the ancients about this." I retrieved my hand and placed down my empty glass on a nearby table, "now if you'll excuse me I need to go see someone." Chloe nodded and left to the dance floor while I made my way towards Raven.
"Did Alec leave you?" I asked already knowing the answer.
Raven looked up and smiled, "Oh, no," she said, "Heidi wanted to dance with him."
I nodded knowing that's not what she really wants, "Then perhaps you can dance with me." I said holding out my hand. Raven smiled and took my hand as I led her to the dance floor.
After a few minutes of dancing in silence, Raven spoke. "So Alec tells me you're his only friend in the guard other than his sister." I frowned.
"I don't think that's true," I said looking at Alec who was desperately trying to find an excuse to get away from Heidi, "I mean everyone in the elite guard considers him a friend, they just don't talk to him as much as I do. He always puts up walls around him and acts rudely towards everyone except Jane."
"If he puts up walls and acts rudely, then why do you continue to talk to him?" Raven asked, "I mean people usually put walls up to keep others out."
I smiled, "now that's not always true." I said.
"What do you mean?"
I thought for a moment, "I've always believed that the reason why people put up walls is not to keep other out, but to see who's strong enough to knock down their walls." Hurt flashed in Raven's eyes for a moment. "Did I say something wrong?" I asked worried.
She shook her head and looked down watching our feet as we continued to dance.
After a few minutes my vision became surrounded in darkness. I was going to blame Alec at first, but I quickly realized that his gift didn't work this way.
When my vision returned I was standing in a small lounge. I saw a sixteen year old human Raven sitting on a couch. Next to her was the vampire Antonio brushing her long hair.
"Antonio," Raven said gaining the attention of the vampire with her, "why are you always so nice to people when they clearly want to be left alone?"
"People always put up walls because of something that happened to them Raven. The reason why they're rude is because they are testing to see who's willing, brave, and strong enough to knock down their walls."
When my vision returned, Alec was standing by me. I quickly glanced around and noticed that Raven was now dancing with Marcus. I blinked a couple times dazed.
"What were you and Raven talking about?" Alec asked.
"Worried about something Alec?" I asked smirking, then noticed that a lower guard was dancing and laughing with Raven. "Who's he?" I asked.
Alec hissed, "John her personal guard." Alec sounded very annoyed.
"Something the matter Alec?" I teased, "jealous that Raven is having a good time with someone that's not you?"
Alec growled lowly, "No, I don't care who Raven is with. I'm just a friend. Besides I don't get jealous."
My smirk turned into a smile, "wrong again," I said amused, "I believe I sense major jealousy coming off you kid."
Alec snapped his head towards me annoyed, "I'm not. I don't get jealous and I only see Raven as a friend." He turned and stormed off in the direction of his sister.
"Denial is always the first sign of jealousy Alec." I chuckled. Alec's growl towards me confirmed what I said earlier and also confirmed my suspicion.
Alec is so in love with Raven. He may not see it now, but it's clear to me and others around him. I glance at Master Marcus who was listening to our conversation. His smile and nod towards me confirmed my suspicion.