WHEN ELEANOR COULDN'T HELP BUT CRY HERSELF TO SLEEP EVERY NIGHT, THAT'S WHEN SHE MET CORIN.
It had been Demetri's suggestion, Aro had told her, and he couldn't have agreed more.
Oddly, there was a familiarity about her that brought Alice to mind, or perhaps Katie, her human friend – but only in the sense of their slight builds. The truth, however, lay in the depth of emptiness dwelling in Corin's eyes, akin to the profound void within Marcus.
It was clear that Corin was nothing like the outgoing Katie, nor did she possess the charismatic allure of Alice.
In fact, spending time with Corin felt like witnessing a masterclass in boredom. Not that Corin seemed especially invested in spending time with anyone, as far as Eleanor had observed.
So at first, she hadn't really understood the idea.
But then, Corin started spending time with her and that's when Eleanor understood.
The nights no longer echoed with her tears. The haunting dreams of people traversing the great hall had ceased. The anguished cries and the ghastly scenes of children succumbing to their grim destinies no longer plagued her.
She didn't miss Nessie either. Or Katie. The life that had existed before the castle seemed like a distant memory, and while the prospect of returning to it was enticing, reality remained unyielding. Acceptance had woven itself into her existence.
And that was precisely what Corin's gift was all about.
And Eleanor hated Demetri even more for suggesting it.
Because when Corin was gone, when she was back in the tower with the wives, Eleanor could feel it – the encroaching darkness. Her thoughts took a sinister turn, and her nightmares resurged, more vivid and tormenting than before.
It was a cruel manipulation, one that left her without autonomy over her own thoughts and emotions.
And yet, despite the haunting tendrils of those nightmarish visions that had ingrained themselves within her psyche, Eleanor chose to hold onto them.
For they served as a constant reminder of the monster she refused to become.
But then again, when Corin returned, the clarity of her convictions wavered.
"I don't want her here," Eleanor's words slipped from her lips in a low murmur, her focus riveted on the apathetic vampire who observed her training from a distant corner.
"It's the only way for you to quit crying all over the place," Demetri snapped back at her, his tone harsh and impatient.
She hesitated, her thoughts momentarily caught in a whirlwind. Why should she listen to Demetri? But then a pang of doubt crept in. Maybe, just maybe, he had a point. Perhaps his intentions were more about assistance than aggression. After all, her current life wasn't as bleak as it could have been.
In the corner, Corin's lips curved upward.
A sense of confinement gripped Eleanor from within, though the source had become elusive, lost in the maze of her mind. Nevertheless, her purpose was clear—she needed to persevere with her training to secure her place there.
"You're being too straightforward with your attacks," Demetri reprimanded, effortlessly taking hold of her hand and bending it, causing Eleanor to wince in pain. "You're behaving like an inexperienced newborn, lacking control."
As she attempted to land a strike at his side, he intercepted her with practiced ease, his movements almost anticipatory. His arm encircled her waist in a seamless motion, and Eleanor found herself colliding with the ground. Demetri firmly held her back, his hand resting on her neck.
She never thought to admit it, but she missed Alec. The little and friendly vampire gone on a mission assigned by Aro.
"And now your moves are becoming predictable," Demetri taunted, a self-assured smirk tugging at his lips.
She clasped her hands around his unyielding arm, her eyes welling up with tears. "You're hurting me," she managed to say in a strained voice.
His brow furrowed slightly, his grip loosening as he momentarily released her. In that fleeting moment, Eleanor seized the opportunity, swiftly delivering a punch to his face. Her fist clenched and thumbs tucked in, just as Thomas had taught her.
The vampire's bewildered expression elicited laughter from her.
"I can't believe I got you with that one!" she exclaimed, a smile breaking through her giggles.
Of course, Demetri, immune to physical pain, couldn't feel the impact Eleanor had aimed for. Yet, the flicker of surprise in his eyes didn't go unnoticed, leaving her with a sense of accomplishment.
"Well, I must say I prefer your whiny version," he remarked, rolling his eyes. "Corin, you may leave now."
The vampire across the room emitted a light chuckle. "She certainly got you this time," she commented before gracefully disappearing from sight.
Demetri's jaw tightened imperceptibly, his gaze remaining fixed on Eleanor, an unspoken challenge in his eyes. His hand found its way back to her neck, reclaiming its firm hold. "Attacks shouldn't rely on playing the victim card," he stated, his grip tightening ever so slightly.
Eleanor arched an eyebrow, though her smile lingered. "Why? It certainly seemed to work on you."
Yet, as Corin's absence became increasingly palpable, the smile that had adorned her face gradually dimmed, eclipsed by a cascade of disconcerting emotions. The playfulness dissipated like mist, replaced by a furrowed brow and an escalating tide of unease. Amidst this shift, Demetri smirked.
"Let's see if you can maintain that laughter now," he said, rising to his feet. Eleanor's hand instinctively rose to her neck, a dull ache lingering from the pressure he had exerted. "Again."
⸻
Keeping her whereabouts from the Cullens had been easier than she would have thought.
It wasn't due to their indifference. Eleanor's inbox was regularly filled with messages, primarily from Nessie. Nevertheless, fabricating lies had become almost second nature. Reassurances flowed effortlessly, as she told them that her abrupt departure from her studies was rooted in a personal quest for self-discovery, a journey she had embarked upon multiple times in the past. Instances when she stared into her reflection and saw nothing but the visage of the creature responsible for her mother's death.
And so, her family accepted her explanations with empathy and understanding.
Yet, beneath her façade, a pang of embarrassment lingered. Was she as whiny as Demetri had deemed her? Or naive, pathetic, fool – just a few of the less flattering labels he had assigned her during her time there.
Amidst the complexities of her situation, one aspect caught her attention like a stray ray of sunlight piercing through the clouds – Alice's apparent lack of concern. The vampire, naturally, couldn't perceive her specific circumstances due to her hybrid status. But not even a glimpse of Aro's decisions?
What about Thomas' pivotal choice to raise a newborn army? How had that escaped Alice's prescient eye?
The abnormality of the situation didn't just intrigue Eleanor; it cast a long shadow of suspicion over the entire scenario.
Sure, the Cullens remained scattered in different parts of the world. While Jacob and Renesmee had chosen to settle in Forks, Bella and Edward were somewhere in the depths of South America. Esme and Carlisle had embarked on a new chapter a couple of years prior, setting roots in a quaint, cloudy town in Germany. And as far as she knew, the rest of the family had followed them.
But even with them apart, Alice wouldn't have allowed such a development to slip through the cracks without notifying at least one other family member. In the end, word would have inevitably trickled down, the news making its way to Eleanor's ears. Most likely through Edward or Nessie.
"How are you feeling?"
On occasions when Aro showed rare mercy, he granted her permission to descend into the dark, stifling depths where Thomas was held. The cells, a sinister place devoid of fresh air, exuded a medieval aura illuminated by the eerie dance of flickering torchlight. But despite her aversion to it, she willingly paid for the chance to see him once more, if only for a short while.
"I'm fine," Thomas's voice murmured from a shadowy corner, but the feeble utterance betrayed the stark truth. Eleanor's grip on the bars tightened, a sense of helplessness washing over her as she observed his pallid, almost spectral visage. The man before her was a far cry from the Thomas she once knew – a figure that was hushed, wearied, and broken.
"Thomas," she asked, her voice tight with concern. She swallowed, her throat dry, and closed her eyes briefly before continuing. "Have you been fed?"
The cell's limited illumination found him, his crimson eyes betraying that Aro had indeed honored his commitment to provide him with blood. Yet, confusion twisted his features, a puzzle unresolved.
"Eleanor, is that truly you?" he asked, his disbelief palpable. "What are you doing here? How did you...?"
"What are you talking about?" she demanded, her heart racing with a blend of desperation and concern. Her hand reached out instinctively, yet he recoiled as if repelled by some unseen force. "Thomas, what's happening?"
Could vampires lose their sanity?
He shook his head, his eyes vacant, adrift in a sea of uncertainty. "I don't know," he confessed in a faint whisper. "Everything is so confusing..."
"I promise I'll get you out of here."
In moments of profound anguish, Eleanor grappled with a gnawing question: was retaining Thomas within those grim confines an act of pure selfishness on her part? A selfishness that Aro cunningly exploited to his advantage. Because in the end, Aro had her and she had Thomas. Everyone seemed to win.
Except for Thomas.
For what kind of existence was he subjected to? Condemned to languish within those confining walls, slowly losing his grip on sanity.
And with each pang of guilt that Eleanor felt, the more she grew certain that he would choose death over an eternity trapped there.
But she couldn't allow that. And so, her selfishness endured, sustained by the tether of promise and hope – the unwavering belief that someday, she would free him from his prison.
And everything would go back to the way it was.
⸻
"Anything else, master?"
Aro's scrutiny lingered on him, a prolonged gaze that would have unsettled a less composed individual. Yet, Demetri's years of mastering the art of concealing his true emotions shielded him from any discomfort.
After an extended pause, Aro finally released his grip on his hand. Though the physical contact ceased, the intensity of the vampire's scrutiny persisted, now tinged with an inquisitive glint.
"That shall be all, Demetri. You may depart."
With a bow of his head, he exited the chamber. Soon enough, Felix's deep voice reached his ears, tinged with a hint of mockery. "Corin mentioned the little one got you this time," the vampire chortled, his grin bordering on taunting. "Struggling to keep up with a half-human, Dem?"
Demetri let out a brief eye-roll. "Feel like putting that theory to the test?" he countered with an arched eyebrow, a smirk curving his lips. "Or shall I remind you of how our last encounter ended?"
The grin on Felix's face faltered in an instant.
"That one does not count."
Indeed, it was an incident that had occurred centuries ago, during the earliest chapters of their shared existence within the castle's walls. Their clash had mirrored the fervor of newborns, battling as if their very existence depended on it. The exact cause of their conflict had faded from Demetri's memory, replaced by the lingering recollection of the excruciating agony Jane's power had inflicted. Naturally, it had taken the intervention of the little princess, Aro's cherished plaything, to quell the combat. Because despite Felix's imposing build, Demetri's unparalleled agility had allowed him to swiftly subdue him with minimal effort.
Since that fiery beginning, their relationship had evolved into a tenuous camaraderie, arguably Demetri's most reliable connection in that place they both called home.
"Believe what you need to for your ego's sake."
The vampire's protests echoed behind him as he pressed forward, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. His steps carried him purposefully to the quarters of the most recent addition. He didn't require his tracking ability; her unique scent lingering in every corner.
"Good morning, Eleanor. Did you have a restful night?"
He didn't flinch when the hybrid blatantly ignored him... As she had done numerous times before. In truth, he found it oddly amusing. There was an undeniable entertainment in observing her struggle to distance herself, to emphasize her divergence from their kind.
Because regardless of her efforts, they were all destined to succumb to the same fate. It was merely a matter of time.
"I thought we wouldn't be training today."
Demetri surveyed the room, which, despite being part of the guard's quarters, bore the distinct mark of Eleanor's presence. It was another subtle attempt to establish her uniqueness. The heavy red velvet curtains remained drawn wide open, allowing sunlight to stream in, its rays poised to touch his skin should he venture any closer.
Following the trail of light, his gaze settled upon the hybrid's face. She possessed a distinct radiance, not quite akin to their kind. While it might go unnoticed by humans, creatures like them with heightened senses could discern a delicate, ethereal glow upon her porcelain complexion. It concentrated mostly on her cheekbones and the tip of her nose.
Still, he couldn't deny that it was her eyes that truly captivated him – emerald pools radiating a natural intensity foreign to the essence of any vampire.
"Actually, I've come to relay a message from our master. He wishes for you to accompany me on an upcoming assignment."
A faint crease marred her features as the word "our" slipped from his lips, but she swiftly brushed aside her displeasure, focusing on the request itself.
"Isn't it too soon for that?"
The underlying fear in her voice was palpable, but Demetri chose not to press the matter. "You've been among us for over a month now. Naturally, Aro deems it appropriate for you to familiarize yourself not only with our customs but also with our responsibilities. Our work."
Truth be told, Demetri wasn't entirely certain about the rationale behind the directive. In his eyes, the task at hand seemed almost elementary. After all, punitive missions had evolved into a monotonous facet of their existence, the initial thrill long dulled by time. What's more, the fact that Aro hadn't even contemplated sending Jane or Alec to accompany him hinted at the mission's lack of complexity.
He knew it wouldn't exceed a day. Two at most.
Arrive, clean up the problem, erase any evidence and swiftly return to Volterra. Perhaps indulge in a hunt along the way, if he deemed it necessary. Or simply for the sheer pleasure of it.
However, involving Eleanor added a layer of complication that he couldn't ignore. Her presence had the potential to disrupt the efficiency of the operation, for the hybrid wasn't simply a whining mess, but also exhibited a peculiar lethargy and set of needs that he, over his extensive immortal existence, had grown largely incapable of comprehending.
"Okay."
She didn't seem sure of the idea. And it wasn't just her; Demetri himself harbored reservations about this arrangement.
Yet, with Aro's command as their guiding force, what alternative did they possess?
"We will be leaving soon."
And with that, Demetri prepared to leave her chamber. But then, something caught his attention. Something that made him frown momentarily.
Eleanor's scent, as expected, permeated the room. It possessed a captivating allure, capable of tantalizing his senses and stirring a primal hunger within him. Yet, her vampiric essence, mingling with her human aroma, acted as a counterbalance, ensuring he wouldn't succumb to his instincts to attack. It was a fortunate circumstance indeed, for if she had been an ordinary human, Demetri estimated she wouldn't have lasted more than a single afternoon in the castle.
Yet, that was not the source of his concern. It was the other scent that mingled with hers, distinct and recognizable, though despised by him. There was no secret about his utter intolerance for the creature associated with that scent.
And yet, there it lingered, unmistakable, in her chamber.
"Anything else?"
Her voice brought him out of his contemplation. There was no trace of alarm on her face, so he dismissed that she was aware of this revelation.
He, however, couldn't let it pass.
"No, that will be all."
As he exited the hybrid's chamber, his next destination became clear. His jaw clenched tightly as he advanced with a deliberate, human-like pace, gathering civilization necessary to deal with what was to come.
Throughout his countless centuries of existence, Demetri had witnessed the arrival and departure of innumerable individuals of their kind. He had personally eliminated countless adversaries and witnessed the demise of many others. Yet, on rare occasions, a select few had managed to earn his tolerance, evoking even a flicker of sorrow within him when they chose to depart from the guard. Eleazar had been a prime example of such a case.
On the other hand, certain departures, like that of Carlisle Cullen with his vexing sense of morality, had brought him nothing but relief.
And for a time, he had found solace in his surroundings. Heidi's presence made everything more bearable. Felix provided pleasant company. He even find occasional amusement from provoking Jane's menacing temperament.
However, it was undeniable that Aro's recent acquisitions had the potential to disrupt his inner tranquility.
And he wasn't referring to Eleanor, because even she entertained him in her own peculiar way.
"Can you explain to me why your scent was in the girl's room?"
Finding him had not been difficult. Finding the location of others was specifically his job. But still, he was highly predictable.
"I live here as much as you do," the retort emerged from the shadows, a voice steeped in both defiance and exasperation.
"Master Aro explicitly commanded you to maintain your distance from her. Should I refresh your memory of that directive?"
A bitter laugh punctuated the words, amplifying the undercurrent of tension between them – a tension that only served to deepen Demetri's disdain for the creature before him. "What does it matter?" the vampire scoffed, an edge of possessiveness tainting his tone. "The girl belongs to me. Aro has promised."
"That wasn't the agreement," Demetri asserted firmly. "Until Aro executes his intentions for her, you're to remain at a distance."
In an abrupt surge of motion, the vampire lunged forward, a feral growl accompanying the attack. Demetri's reflexes were equally swift, intercepting the assault and forcefully pinning him against the wall, fingers coiled around his throat.
"Sooner or later, I will put an end to that beast," the vampire hissed through clenched teeth. "And neither you nor Aro will be able to stop it. You need me."
Demetri regarded him with a mixture of disgust and determination. "I advise you to refrain from referring to her as a beast, for she possesses more civility than you could ever hope to attain," he stated firmly, releasing his hold but remaining vigilant. "However, if you are indeed correct about one thing, we do need you. So please, comply with the commands given to you, and in due time, you will receive your reward."
"I want her dead now," the vampire persisted, his voice dripping with venom. "You don't understand..."
Demetri responded with an exasperated roll of his eyes. "And I have no interest in understanding either," he interjected, meeting the vampire's gaze with indifference. "I simply carry out the orders I am given. And you would be wise to do the same."
It was fortunate that the vampire had long ago lost all trace of sanity. His unquenchable thirst for vengeance and the all-consuming pain that propelled him had driven him to a state of borderline madness. And yet, this very insanity worked in their favor, because the more Demetri dissected Aro's intricate plans, the more he perceived a looming derangement that, if unveiled, could corrode their meticulously upheld reputation.
Additionally, there was another stroke of fortune, and it lay in Eleanor's own weakness. Or, at least, that was the conclusion Demetri had arrived at. He had only seen her unveil her power on two occasions, and he himself had been subjected to it firsthand years ago. Nonetheless, those instances had left a lasting impression, leading him to believe that she might be among the most powerful vampires, or half-vampires, to ever exist.
But, of course, she didn't know that.
She remained oblivious to her own potential. Unaware of the immense strength that coursed through her veins, and oblivious to the arsenal of resources she could harness to outwit them all.
And Aro understood this truth. Of course, his unique ability to delve into the depths of minds had ensured as much.
The emerald-eyed hybrid grappled with her own vulnerabilities – the weight of her weakness, the resentment she harbored towards her own kind, the desperate desire to embrace her human side and repress her supernatural nature.
A nature that held within it the most formidable of gifts.
And from Demetri's vantage point, it seemed that Eleanor was destined to remain oblivious to her latent power – a gift she should rightfully harness to its fullest extent.
This fact troubled him. Why? He wasn't sure of the reason for it. But there were moments when he felt the inexplicable urge to grasp her shoulders, shaking her into recognizing the potential she carried.
Yet, the unsettling part was that he experienced these feelings at all. The fact that Aro had detected it earlier in the day only exacerbated his unease. Because Demetri knew that the peculiar, lingering gaze his master had cast upon him was undoubtedly linked to this very sentiment.
But he was sure he would never act on that impulse. If anything, maintaining Eleanor within the confines of her fears and insecurities was a calculated effort to prevent any unforeseen revelations.
"You seem tired."
Heidi was already in his room when he arrived. A sly smile tugged at the corners of his lips as she gracefully closed the distance between them, her lips swiftly finding solace against his neck.
And it was also fortunate that he was good at lying.
Otherwise, Aro wouldn't have selected him to play a role in a plan that could easily crumble at any moment.
"I thought vampires couldn't get tired," Demetri playfully contradicted, his hands instinctively finding their place at her slender waist, drawing her closer into his embrace.
He felt the soft curve of her smile pressed against his skin. "Well, I certainly hope not, because I plan on stealing you away for a few hours," she breathed against him.
Demetri let out a resigned sigh, his mind momentarily drifting to wistful thoughts. There were fleeting moments when he pondered a life outside the confines of the Volturi, where it would be just him and Heidi, free to forge their own destiny.
"I was waiting for you to say days."
Heidi's laughter danced in the air, a soft melody. "Are your new babysitting duties truly exhausting you?" Her playful jest prompted a grimace from Demetri. Two pairs of emerald eyes began to form in his mind, then swiftly he dismissed them, perplexed by their intrusion. "But yes," Heidi continued. "It has to be hours. Tomorrow I'll leave. The fishing won't do itself, you know."
But it was there, precisely, that the raw reality of their circumstances snapped him back to the present.
Neither of them loved each other enough to risk their positions. To sever the ties that bound them to the familiar comforts of their coven.
So for now, whatever they shared, whatever emotions they had, had to be enough.
"Then consider me at your disposal, love."
⸻
HI!
I think it has taken me a little longer to update this time, but nevertheless here we are!
So, a few things have happened here. First I introduced Corin. I have a lot of fun introducing new guards and mostly imagining what they are like, since there's not much information about some of them. And well, in my head, Corin really grew bored and tired after all those years of using her gift to please others.
Then whe have the appearance of a new character... Who is it? What does it have to do with Eleanor? I'll leave you to it...
Another thing that has been clarified is about Eleanor's gift. Because when I write, I also yell JUST USE YOUR GIFT and that's it! But it's not that easy, especially as Demetri deduced. She really isn't able to visualize herself beyond a purely human existence, and that fully affects her.
Maybe, a few things will have to happen for her to finally wake up...
See you in the next chapter! Where will Eleanor and Demetri go?
Bye!