ELEANOR HAD BEEN OUT OF THE COUNTRY MANY TIMES. Growing up and experiencing the formative moments of her hybrid existence confined within a basement had instilled in her a sense of urgency to seize every opportunity, to embrace freedom as if there were no tomorrow.
Edward would often caution her, reminding her that she had an entire eternity to explore the world.
But Eleanor simply couldn't stay still. She loved strolling through bustling streets, teeming with people rushing to their jobs. She found joy in watching sunsets from rooftops and screaming at music concerts. She loved taking pictures of every simple thing she saw, whether it was a stranger's face, a perfect starry night, or the sweet treats she stopped to buy wherever she saw a coffee shop open.
To Edward's disagreement, Thomas hadn't been much help with it. Her protector had encouraged her to travel every corner of the world, to create new memories as the first ones hadn't been too pleasant. Thus, wherever Eleanor journeyed – thanks to J. Jenks' legal assistance – Thomas followed her through the shadows, too stubborn to completely abandon his vampire habits and get on a plane.
Nonetheless, she was grateful to him for being there.
Italy, however, hadn't been a place she had visited before. Perhaps because, deep down, she knew what that country held. It hadn't even been an option when she and Nessie toured Europe together as a gift from Esme and Carlisle for their graduation. It had been disregarded without a word, as though an unspoken fear lingered between the two, preventing them from contemplating setting foot in the same territory as their past enemies.
Yet, as Eleanor stood there, she couldn't help but be captivated by the haunting beauty that surrounded her.
It was a shame that fate had brought her there under less than ideal circumstances.
"Hello. Are you lost?"
She didn't take her eyes off the building rising in front of her, a church perfectly lit by moonlight. "No, just touring," she said softly.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
Finally, Eleanor turned her head to face the source of the voice. Her breath caught in her throat, staring at perhaps the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. Perhaps even more than Rosalie. And Rosalie was simply something out of this world.
But her glowing red eyes made her instinctively flinch back.
"I'm Heidi," she introduced herself, a smile gracing her flawless crimson lips, which almost mirrored the shade of her eyes. Her long cloak swept the ground, adding an air of mystery. "I was told you were here."
Eleanor raised an eyebrow warily. "How did you know?"
It seemed like a foolish question, considering they were the ones who had sought her out in the first place. But when Eleanor planned her entire trip to Volterra she didn't really think about what she would encounter when she arrived. Or how she would contact them.
Asking the Cullens hadn't been an option. She needed to keep everything under cover. It was lucky enough that Alice couldn't see her decisions because of her hybrid status. She couldn't afford to raise any suspicions.
Heidi chuckled, her movements carrying an elegance and grace that would put the world's most acclaimed model to shame. "I was under the impression that you were already aware of our means to locate anyone."
Helplessness clenched within Eleanor, almost causing her to clench her fists. Demetri. Of course they had the means. She looked at Heidi once more, her face so mesmerizing that seemed to hold her in a hypnotic trance.
But as captivating as she appeared, there was an undeniable danger emanating from her. She sighed, tearing her gaze away from the enchanting figure and refocusing on the church. "So, I suppose you were sent to retrieve me?"
"You could say it like that. What kind of hosts would we be if we allowed you to stay in a hotel? Please, you're our guest."
Eleanor felt a slight shiver, recognizing that tone of voice. The sweet tone, feigning concern. The same tone she had detected in Aro. The same tone she had noticed in Demetri.
"Why don't you follow me?" Heidi inquired once more. "There aren't many humans around, but I'd rather not take any chances," she explained. Eleanor wanted to laugh. Even with her cloak, everything about Heidi screamed supernatural. "Here in Volterra, we prioritize the safety of our citizens. Keep that in mind should you need to hunt."
A scoff escaped Eleanor's lips before she could restrain herself. Who did they think she was? Deep down, she knew she shouldn't take their assumptions personally, but she couldn't help feeling offended by the notion that she would be lumped together with them. With murderers.
Her words also slipped out impulsively. "That won't be necessary. I don't need to kill to eat."
Heidi's expression remained unperturbed, a playful smile gracing her lips as if she found her boldness entertaining. "Please, follow me," she beckoned.
Her body hesitated, instinctively recognizing the danger. However, what other choice did she have? Thoughts of Thomas flickered through her mind, urging her to press forward. Reluctantly, she began to move. Heidi led her through a labyrinth of streets and alleys, with such silent swiftness, akin to a shadow, that had it not been for her vampiric senses, she would have struggled to keep pace.
She arched an eyebrow, observing the woman gracefully slip through a drain. Not only had she been clueless about how to contact the Volturi upon her arrival, but she had also failed to envision the manner in which they resided.
Entering through a drain had certainly never crossed her mind.
Nevertheless, she followed Heidi's lead and plunged into the void, descending through the narrow black hole. The descent was brief, and upon landing, she stumbled slightly, struggling to maintain her balance.
Amidst the darkness, Heidi emitted a soft laugh, her movements guiding her forward. "If I didn't know who you were, I might mistake you for a fully human."
The only sounds that could be heard were those of her footsteps on the wet ground and the racing beat of her heart, which grew increasingly frantic with each passing second. Doubts crept into her mind, questioning whether it had been wise to venture there without notifying any of the Cullens.
Heidi's voice broke the silence once more. "And you have an exquisite scent, truly captivating." Eleanor nearly halted in her tracks, her body slightly trembling. The vampire chuckled. "Relax, it's merely an observation. It's intriguing, I must say. The perfect balance between the scent of the most delicious food and the most beautiful perfume," she sighed. "Demetri was right."
Deciding not to inquire about anything Demetri had said, Eleanor remained silent.
When she thought the dark tunnel was endless, they finally came to a much more decent room. Lighted and warmer than the cold drain. Then Heidi led her to an elevator. The bright red-eyed vampire looked more relaxed now, pulling back the hood of her cloak and exposing her flawless face and lustrous mahogany hair. Eleanor wondered how it had been possible not to notice her at the meeting in Forks years before. She seemed hardly unforgettable. But she supposed that given the circumstances of that encounter, noticing her hadn't been a priority.
The elevator ride was brief, leading them into a reception area that exuded a polished and elegant atmosphere.
Eleanor wrinkled her nose, inhaling a sudden and cloying scent that filled the air with an overwhelming sweetness.
"My love, took you too long."
She didn't need to guess the source of that intoxicating scent. It could only belong to him.
Heidi playfully rolled her captivating eyes, leaning closer to Demetri and bestowing a soft, lingering kiss upon his lips. Eleanor quickly averted her gaze. "I had to slow it down, you know," she said once they broke apart.
"Of course," Demetri retorted, his smug smirk widening, revealing a flash of pearly white teeth. "Hello Eleanor, pleasure to see you again."
She would have liked to say that she didn't feel the same way, to invoke her confidence and answer indifferently, without fearing for the consequences. But the memories of her nightmares flooded back—this was the same monstrous being who had murdered Irina Denali and nearly taken Thomas's life. It made her shudder, wanting to run from him as far away as possible.
Nervously, she nodded silently, unwilling to risk drawing attention to herself as she did the last time.
"Let's not keep Aro waiting," Heidi suggested, her hand intertwining with the vampire's as they moved towards a sturdy wooden door.
The room they entered was vast, far larger than any of the previous reception areas they had passed through. Its ambience was both beautiful and unsettling, devoid of artificial illumination. Eleanor had to allow her eyes to adjust, as the only source of light came from the moon's ethereal glow seeping through narrow slits in the windows, casting delicate patterns of rectangles across the floor.
And again, it was cold.
"My dear Heidi, you've returned!"
Eleanor's throat tightened as she instantly recognized that voice. Her gaze fixed upon the small group of individuals gathered at the center of the circular room. Several faces were familiar.
Aro, of course, stood at the forefront, his characteristic enthusiasm evident as he approached Heidi. Meanwhile, Marcus loomed nearby, exuding an air of disinterest. Caius, on the other hand, remained seated upon one of the wooden thrones behind them. His eyes bore into Eleanor with the same contemptuous glare she had endured seventeen years ago.
She supposed it should come as no surprise that they remained exactly the same. They were immortal beings, after all. But it was inevitable to think about it when she had changed so much. Nessie had changed. The Cullens changed every day to better adapt to society. Even Thomas was trying.
But there was the answer. The Volturi didn't need to change. They just remained hidden, lurking in the shadows as if they were some kind of demons.
Well, they were.
"I brought our guest just as you requested, master," Heidi smiled as Aro deposited two kisses on each of her cheeks.
"And you have done exceptionally well," he praised. Then his clouded, milky eyes shifted towards her. "And look at you my dear Eleanor! Time has done wonders with you. How fascinating! I don't think I will ever cease to be amazed at the new discovery of our kind."
Eleanor struggled to conjure a smile, but she managed to speak with a composed tone. "Greetings, Aro. It has indeed been quite some time."
"Too much! I deeply regret not bringing you here earlier," he lamented. From the shadows at the back of the room, a low hiss echoed, piquing Eleanor's curiosity. She focused her gaze, trying to discern the small figure concealed within the darkness. Could it possibly be Jane? "But enough of that! You are here now, and I am eager to learn of all your experiences during this time."
As soon as he finished those words, he extended his hand toward her. Again, she felt a surge of uncertainty, a vulnerable realization that she was about to lay bare her memories, thoughts, fears, and desires once more. And this time, there was no one to offer encouragement; she stood alone.
With a slight tremor, her hand reached out to meet his. As Aro delved into her mind, Eleanor discreetly scanned the dimly lit room over again. The darkness made it challenging to see beyond the reach of the moonlight, and it didn't help that the only sound was the sound of her breathing. If Thomas was there, she couldn't tell.
Aro's voice filled the room, "So, you have been living with young Edward and Bella," he stated, his gaze fixated on their joined hands. It wasn't a question; it was an observation. "Oh, young Renesmee! As loving as ever."
Living with Edward, Bella, and Renesmee had been the most logical decision once things had settled down. She deeply adored Nessie and a unique bond had already formed between her and Edward, whom she had grown to see as an older brother figure.
While her love for them was sincere, deep down, she acknowledged that they hadn't been her initial preference. However, Thomas continued to struggle with embracing a more human-like lifestyle – the very existence Eleanor had yearned for. Thus, the vampire had encouraged her to reside with the Cullen-Swan trio, assuring her that he would always be present in her life.
And true to his word, he had never been far away.
Aro's voice carried a tinge of disappointment as he remarked, "Still adhering to the same diet, I see. I cannot help but wonder... Have you ever contemplated the possibility that this may be the cause of the weakness in your talent?"
Eleanor raised her eyebrows. "Perhaps... But as you can see, I have no need to really use it."
A glimmer of hope sparked within her. If Aro realized that her talent was not as extraordinary as it seemed, that she had never truly explored its potential, and that it held more limitations than practical applications, then perhaps, with a stroke of luck, his interest in her would diminish.
Then she and Thomas could finally return home.
"It is truly a shame... Such a remarkable ability left untapped," he lamented, shaking his head slightly. His raven-black hair moving like the shadows lurking behind him. "Nevertheless, it brings me joy to see our old friends are faring well. Ah, Carlisle! How I miss him dearly."
"Aro," Caius interjected, a trace of impatience etching his face. "Get to the point."
The vampire's carefree smile adorned his face. "Patience has never been a virtue shared by my brothers," he remarked. However, his smile gradually faded, replaced by a more serious expression. "Yet, we must come to the crux of the matter. I regret to be the bearer of distressing news, my dear."
There was the feigned concern. Once again, Eleanor could feel her heart quickening its pace.
"I summoned you here because I am acutely aware of his significance in your life."
Dread coursed through her veins.
"But the law is the law. And this is an issue we simply cannot ignore."
Her hand immediately slipped from Aro's firm grip, her fingers recoiling as if burned. The suddenness of her movement drew the attention of Heidi and Demetri, who swiftly positioned themselves behind their leader, their impassive expressions shifting to alertness.
But despite their proximity, Eleanor's distress was too overpowering to be swayed by any sense of intimidation. There was a far greater threat in the words of their leader.
"When you delivered the message..." Her voice quivered, her words barely audible, as fragmented memories of Demetri's visit just five days prior resurfaced. "You insisted that I come to see him. Why is he here? What does it have to do with the law?"
"Because Thomas broke the law," Caius blurted out sharply.
The words hung in the tense atmosphere, echoing in Eleanor's mind as she struggled to comprehend their significance. Her lips parted, forming a silent question, but the initial shock left her momentarily speechless.
"What...?" Her voice trembled, disbelief etched on her face as she stared at Caius, eyes pleading for an explanation. "That's impossible... It can't be true... He would never..."
Her faltering words trailed off as the harsh reality began to sink in. The law, the one unwavering principle that governed their existence, forbade the exposure of their supernatural nature to humans. Thomas had instilled this fundamental knowledge within her, emphasizing its gravity and the severe consequences that awaited those who defied it.
"No," she protested, shaking her head vehemently. "No, he couldn't have broken the law. I know he understands..."
"My dear, I understand your disbelief. The truth was as shocking to me as it is to you," Aro said, shooking his head with a stricken face. "But the evidence is undeniable. Thomas himself has confessed to his transgressions. Thankfully, Demetri was able to locate him. Now, we must confront the consequences of his actions."
Eleanor's eyes locked onto Demetri, her gaze filled with a desperate need for confirmation. The vampire, keenly aware of her silent plea, responded with a smug smirk, his expression dripping with provocation. It was evident to her that this was his way of exacting revenge for their past encounter in Forks.
Regret swelled within her for ever having offered him an apology. Now she only wished she had the courage to hurt him, watch him fall to his knees again.
But it was all too much to process. Each word that escaped Aro's lips felt like a thunderclap inside her head, reverberating through her thoughts and tightening her throat with an overwhelming sense of suffocation.
Thomas couldn't have broken the law. Because if he had, that could only mean one thing...
Struggling to find her voice, Eleanor extended a trembling hand towards Aro, her desperation palpable. Heidi and Demetri immediately tensed, assuming a defensive stance, ready to intervene at a moment's notice. Aro gestured to them, indicating there was no immediate threat.
The leader gently grasped her hand, absorbing her unspoken questions. "He was discovered amassing an army of newborn vampires, intent on claiming territories," Aro revealed, his tone laced with disappointment. "Regrettably, such behavior has plagued our kind in the past, but I never anticipated it from him. You must comprehend the grave level of exposure and chaos such actions can instigate."
"Territories?" Eleanor whispered with effort.
Aro regarded her with a mixture of sympathy and understanding, but she couldn't fully trust the genuineness of his expression. "Yes, my dear. To hunt. Thomas was assembling an army to safeguard his hunting grounds from rival covens, and in doing so, they attracted unwanted attention. We had no alternative but to intervene and address the situation."
But Thomas had made a genuine effort to embrace the vegetarian diet. Eleanor had insisted on it, and he had earnestly promised to adhere to it. She had witnessed the transformation in the hue of his eyes—a testament to his commitment.
"Are you sure you knew him that well?"
Aro's voice pierced through her like a dagger, leaving her speechless and incapable of offering a response. The weight of his statement settled upon her. We had no alternative but to intervene and address the situation. Her hand quivered uncontrollably within his grasp, mirroring the tremors that now consumed her entire being. It couldn't be true. It simply couldn't be.
Aro, as if seeking to provide solace, attempted to assuage her distress by tenderly caressing the back of her hand. Yet, his touch only intensified her unease, sending shivers down her spine. "No, my dear. He is not deceased," he assured her. "Thomas still exists."
A feral growl rumbled in the background, emanating from Caius, his displeasure unmistakable. "Regrettably," he added with disdain.
Eleanor parted her trembling lips, her voice emerging strained and choked. "He... he is not?"
Aro let out a dramatic sigh. "The natural course of action would have been to eliminate him alongside with his created army. But then my brothers and I pondered the profound bond you share, the esteem you have for him. And the esteem we have for you!"
A derisive sound came from the background. Likely Caius expressing his disdain.
Unfazed, Aro pressed on, "Marcus has witnessed the depths of your mutual bond and loyalty. And, based on your thoughts, it appears that such devotion remains steadfast. How truly devastating it would have been to deliver news of a more tragic nature instead of summoning you here," he mused, shaking his head in feigned concern. "I cannot fathom the anguish you would have endured."
Eleanor couldn't either.
"Thus, we devised a resolution—a solution where Thomas will not face the termination of his existence, yet still be held accountable for his transgressions," Aro unveiled, his tone brimming with calculated intent. "He shall remain confined within our cells—deprived of freedom, yes, but secure in his continued existence. Consider it a sort of benevolent offering, a testament to our profound regard for you. Your potential continues to astonish us!"
However, Eleanor couldn't shake off her skepticism. The Volturi had never been known for their generosity. Regardless of how much Aro boasted about his admiration for her abilities, it was hard to believe that their respect alone would lead them to flout their own rules.
Aro's smile expanded into a smug expression. "Perhaps you're somewhat right about that," he acknowledged, his voice carrying a hint of amusement.
Her throat felt parched as she reluctantly voiced the question. "What's the condition?"
His clouded eyes bore into her and he responded calmly. "Join us."
⸻
Hi, how are you? I hope well.
First, thank you so much to the readers who keep commenting and giving love to the story!
Now, what did you think of this chapter? Were you expecting what happened with Thomas?
Before you ask, yes, Demetri and Heidi here are kind of a "thing" (Don't worry, I don't plan on making her a crazy ex for it) We'll see how it develops...
See you in the next chapter!