~ Alec ~

"Are we to presume that anything pertaining to Saffiya is off-limits?"

Hamzah shuffled uncomfortably as they waited for my decision. But the question was asinine, so I refused to answer.

Prosper took up the mantle with a sigh. "As far as they will be concerned, Alec and I were attacked on the train, and John received the recent threat as a message on his travels."

Aro's invite to the cousins and their companion, and his decision to keep me in the dark about their visit, had me seething for the last day and a half. The three Kings were well aware of my sister and I's shared disdain for Garrow and Oakley, but we were rational and professional. And I had no right to question the Masters. They always knew best.

However, I did not trust myself around them in this state, and my mate was the only one who kept me under control. At least, I'd hypothesized as much under a strong bias of missing her, and so I let it guide my decisions.

As such, her reluctance to leave the confines of the library today prompted a change of scenery for my task force. None questioned the change, but it was likely they had accurately speculated amongst themselves as to my reasoning. It was a tricky balance, maintaining both power and nonchalance when I was so attached to my mate. I hoped it would be easier once she was turned, especially now that we had set boundaries and were beginning to build a level of comfort and connection.

I ran my hand through my hair, still damp from the shower I'd taken to wash away the scent of my mate in case I encountered the Reserves. They could become suspicious if my scent stood out on her more than any other. I stayed with Saffiya till sunrise, far longer than I should have, but not even Prosper dared say a word about it when I finally took my leave.

Saffiya had taken up residence in one of the side nooks, propped up on the couch. She was staring ahead of her with a contemplative expression, scowling at the wall as if it were the reason for whatever thought was plaguing her. She was positioned directly in my line of sight. An intentional decision on my part, as I had failed to consider the complications that would arise from choosing such a location.

The initial distractions arose as Saffiya drew her leg up closer to her chest, using her knee to balance her book. Her dress slipped higher on her thigh, and absentmindedly, she pulled the skirt back down. My chest rumbled briefly, dismayed by the decision.

The sound drew the attention of the table, which purposefully included only Prosper, Hamzah, Kiara, Talib, and Dorian. This gathering would not be an official meeting, as I preferred not to waste valuable time letting the Reserves acclimate to the situation. It was a simple check-in for updates and introduction for the undesired new members. I nodded, indicating to Kiara that despite the growl, there were no qualms with her words. She continued – something about Paris.

My gaze returned to my mate. Her emerald eyes were already on me with a concerned curiosity. Her emotions read plain as day on her face, a trait I dreaded her losing for the good of the Volturi facade. I nodded again to free her of worry. Her body grew tense for a second before she gave me a soft smile and refocused on her reading.

Dorian concurred with whatever Kiara said, "We have no leads. If we shut down the one base we know of, we may not find another." I was aware that some members of my team sided with the Masters, initially believing that Razin and his threats were of little consequence. None had been so outspoken about their beliefs as Dorian. He had become defensive in light of the news that Razin might have seen our future and avoided acknowledging that he had been incorrect.

"What of Atlas's information? The revelation changes…everything."

Kiara scoffed, "Yes, Razin's rebellion is more of a threat than we believed. But it does not change our current status." Her voice thickened before her statement concluded. She had also grown frustrated with the discovery of Razin's advantage as if we should have deduced it all along.

I had expected such a response to the news and so provided a buffer of time before the cousins' arrival so the team could react to Razin's gift in this context. I needed to ensure their professionalism when our guests joined us.

"We still need more."

Kiara was right. We were at a stalemate, which was precisely why I did not wish to call for a meeting so soon after learning of Razin's gift. The many expeditions to small towns and reconnaissance trips to potential vampire dens I assigned them to visit had unearthed little evidence of Razin's continued activities.

Jane and Maliq were sent to observe the last known base in Bulgaria. I had been rotating team members out to frequent the area for the slim opportunity to corroborate earlier information that Razin frequently transferred between the bases where he held his newborns. After the other bases had been destroyed before our arrival, I decided it was better to stand back and observe this one. At least until we were able to obtain more information.

But the greater insight Atlas had provided regarding Razin's gift was challenging to make use of. Alice Cullen had estimated that we had five months before her vision of Razin providing Saffiya with information on her father came to pass. It had been thirteen weeks since then, and I was no more eager to know the events leading up to the vision than when it was first revealed.

I would never place Saffiya in that situation. It was one of the many reasons I hired John so that he could find whatever Razin thought he could offer to tempt her into meeting with him. But even then, I was not so blinded as to not consider that this future meeting could be behind my back. I tried to use Alice Cullen's vision to my advantage, but my mate was irrational where her father was concerned. Especially now, with the recent passing of her father's friend and the Resistance's message. It didn't add up, and I needed to find the connection before she did.

The table grew quiet in sullen agreement, the energy dimming as I refused to contribute.

"I am cautious to admit it, but it appears we are void of other avenues to consider." The statement regained my full attention. The entire table was avoiding my stare. All but Prosper, who had voiced what they were all thinking.

I raised my chin, scanning my eyes over the table and patiently examining my team. It put them on edge, and I took advantage. "Kiara?"

"If there is any sign of a newborn army, I cannot find it. No more unusual disappearances, reports of strange sightings, no missing person clusters…anywhere." Kiara hesitated but continued under my stone stare. "It is almost too empty. Even America's southern…" She trailed off when Prosper moved his head to the side. I caught the gesture but would have told her to continue if I cared. Any additional commentary held no active value to our situation at hand.

By the time the Volturi knew the newborn outbreaks were organized, we were only just learning of the rumors spread to undermine our authority. My task force put an end to the rampant newborns, but the mastermind and his intentions could only be deduced from limited information. That, and the rare interactions with Razin's minions.

When it came down to it, Razin had revealed his existence to us. Now that we knew he was still out there, plotting the demise of the Volturi, it made the fact that we had no way to find him quite overwhelming. He had a head start – a fact that would have been glaringly obvious before I sent my team members on desperate fact-finding missions around the world. And now it was a question of how to use Atlas's news of Razin's gift and the future he had seen. It both answered and posed the same question we had been transfixed on for months: what was he waiting for?

Then again, I knew what he was waiting for.

My eyes drifted back to the human as she changed positions and didn't bother to fix her dress this time, unaware that the fabric had slipped even further up to reveal the lacey pattern of her stockings hugging her thighs. A statement piece that had become something of a trademark, apparently.

She was making it impossible to concentrate.

I stared blankly at Dorian, who was unprepared for my attention. "What of Isander?"

Dorian began, his eyes flickering to Talib for support as he began propositioning me, "he wants to see Aro." I leaned back, tapping my fingers on the table. Maliq was usually in charge of handling the prisoner, but Dorian had been given the task in his absence with my sister. "To prove he is not a traitor."

"And?"

"An audience with you might suffice."

To his credit, he held my glare up until the library doors opened with a harsh shove, and our three Reserve Guard members weaved through the library to join us.

"Started without us?"

I should have killed Garrow when I had the chance. Several hundred years ago. And every time since. Oakley was fickle. She would not mourn her cousin for long. Not that I cared much for her feelings – if she ever had any.

Atlas, however, was an undetermined fit with the cousins. The one goal I was most eager for in this meeting would have been a discussion regarding his gift, as it could provide insight into Razin's request for his loyalty and its use. He had not gone into detail during his story, but Aro had not made it known to me. But with my increasing agitation, Saffiya's current actions, and Garrow's insufferable face, time would not permit for a demonstration.

"Look, cuz, the human's here."

Prosper turned to me, prepared for an order to separate Saffiya from them in some way. Selfishly, I shook my head as they claimed the remaining seats at the end of the mahogany table, much closer to Saffiya than I would like.

Talib, however, was not so keen on our guests. His human life had given him an expected standard of respect for all, particularly for the ranking system. I had not cared enough to clarify, but I believed him to be some form of royalty in his country. It was curious that he submitted so well within the Volturi's ranks with such a background.

"If you move within 10 feet of that girl, I will put you through the floor myself."

I assumed Talib was speaking up because I could not. Talib and Percy had warmed to Saffiya enough to take their guardian positions personally. Saffiya was not highly favored among the Guard for both her humanity and her association with me. Even Heidi took her in stride as a human, though she hid it exceptionally well.

Her popularity, or lack thereof, mattered very little to me. Jane and I, and the Masters, were all that Saffiya needed. Unfortunately, she would likely not let go of Demetri and Felix. She would hardly have interacted with the lower guard if she were already a vampire. The Guards, and their opinions, were of little consequence.

Garrow smirked but raised his hands as if to keep the peace. Unlikely, but well enough for now. He'd always had a fascination with humans that I would never understand.

Oakley stepped in to stir up the room as her cousin lost wind. "Heidi told us about your mate, Prosper. A shame, even if it did get you a promotion."

Saffiya's jaw had dropped, but she bit her tongue as Prosper spoke through his teeth, "Thank you." Oakley thrived on the detail and smiled charmingly.

"Speaking of mates," It seemed Garrow already planned to use this as a segue as he tipped back in his chair and focused on me. "Where's that alluring sister of yours? Hasn't found her pairing yet, has she?"

I fixed him with an empty stare. Garrow would see anything else as a sign of weakness.

He grinned deviously, and I had to question his audacity. Perhaps he believed their invitation provided him rights in the castle. This was not the time to remind him that he was the bottom feeder compared to the lowest level of the guard. Besides, he responded better to prolonged exposure under Jane's gift. Any break in my facade fed into his ego.

"I'll take that as a no."

Saffiya moved the slightest inch and caught my eye before I could regret moving against Garrow. The simple glimpse of green gave me the break I needed to ignore the ridiculous vampire and return to the matters at hand.

"You are aware of Razin's mass creation of newborns," I stated firmly, reigning their chaos in as they settled.

Atlas spoke, more composed than the other two. "We are, but our knowledge ends there."

"We know he has multiple bases where he keeps his creations. Likely to train and assess those he wishes to keep, as in any other newborn army. We gained intelligence that Razin moves between the bases. Four of the five we discovered were abandoned before our arrival." They did not need to know why or about the vampire in the cells being punished for the loss. "We have refrained from moving on the fifth."

"You're monitoring it."

"Observing."

Oakley rolled her eyes, inspecting her nails as if she were gifting us with her esteemed presence. "Why not just destroy the damn things?" She was never that bright when it came to important matters. She only excelled in deceit, manipulation, and being a bitch. Jane didn't mind her.

"What can we do to help?" Atlas leaned forward. There was a natural exasperation in the way he spoke, though he exhibited all the symptoms of a genuine offer.

Regarding him briefly, I tapped my fingers twice on the table before pausing. "I do not know."

Even my team was slightly off-taken by my admittance, but the natural break in concentration allowed my eyes to flicker to Saffiya. She was smiling.

"We have an enemy who can supposedly see into the future and claims that the future features his defeat of the Volturi," I summarized. "We do not truly know when, how, what, why, and other than a pseudonym, we do not know who."

Garrow scoffed, "The why is not a difficult hypothesis."

"Enlighten us, Garrow." He swallowed, and the corners of my mouth tilted up with a hint of sadistic amusement as I indulged his opinion. "With your hypothesis."

"Isn't it obvious? Revenge." No one disputed his statement, and the agreement spoke volumes. "I mean, you guys have literally killed babies as punishment."

Across from him, Oakley jerked forward in her chair. Garrow exclaimed loudly, ready to yell at her for kicking him, when she sneered, "Will you get over that brat already?"

"His name was Jebbediah, and he adored me." I dug my fingers into the arm of my chair as Garrow threw his next words to me, "It was worth it, certainly pleased Jane to hear him burn."

My eyes dropped to the table so I wouldn't look at Saffiya. It was unlikely that her distaste for children extended to justify burning them, even if they were immortal. I leaned back in my chair, making my disinterest evident as they settled. "Beyond their attack on three members, involving the kidnapping of Prosper's mate, they have already attempted to target key members of the Guard."

"Who?"

"Myself." This quieted the cousins. "They failed and have not dared to try again."

Atlas was frowning, "They simply gave up?"

"So it seems." My team did their best not to give away any sign that I was lying. I was not about to inform the Reserves that Saffiya was the Resistance's new target. And if her nightmares and growing obsession with that painting were any indication, their methods were working. This was also not a detail I wished to discuss in front of Saffiya either.

Talib pulled together, "They know they cannot defeat the Volturi while Jane and Alec still stand."

"With your insight, Atlas, it is clear that we need more information to counter Razin's plans. Which will be addressed further once my sister returns."

The group absolved into momentary quiet, each mind processing the situation. It was one of those situations where an idea – a novel idea would be a bragging right. A temporarily impossible conundrum.

I scanned their faces, and even the Reserves appeared to have drifted into contemplation on the issue. I had little faith that any of them would think of anything I had not already considered. "If there are –"

"What about non-Volturi vampires?" Saffiya spoke up from her corner. And suddenly, each team member had the back of their head facing me, including the three Reserves. "Or the Reserves again."

Damn it.

Saffiya oft compared the Volturi to mobsters and royalty. Metaphorsnone of us had denied. While I attempted to establish a more discussion based style with my task force, the standards of respect and order were as rooted and formal as possible.

She had never been constrained by this structure, as I had privately encouraged her to contribute well-thought-out or provoking ideas in prior rarely did, usually waiting until we were alone to comment on anything. Once, she'd written a question and passed it to Prosper, but otherwise, she seemed to understand the expectations and was navigating them well.

I liked having her by my side in these meetings. Saffiya processed events and facts differently than my team members, and I valued her input. I had wanted her beside me today, but she and Prosper insisted it would be too out of place and suspicious.

I wanted to disagree, but the Reserves' presence today meant that any contribution from her would have to be withheld until after the meeting, in private. I could not be seen to value a human's opinion. It would spike their curiosity and lead to an immediate assumption that I considered Saffiya more than I should. If only I had shared this with her prior to the meeting, she might have been more amenable to the arrangement.

Seeing as I had failed to do so, she was unaware that our guests would perceive her contribution as insubordinate. My response could not be based on the quality of her idea but on her status alone, like punishing a messenger for speaking out of turn. Anything less than a fiercely targeted condemnation and viable threat would disappoint and alert the cousins.

I should have planned for this. I should have prepared her better for this meeting and given her some guidelines on how we should interact with each other and others while under the watchful eyes of our unwanted company. My mate was not so naive about what her presence did to the room's dynamics and the individuals within. If only I had thought ahead, even if it was a careful last word when I'd finally managed to wake her from a gentle sleep only hours ago.

Garrow turned a smirk on his cousin, voracity flitting in his eyes like a damn pixie.

And it was my fault, but I could feel the guilt fueling the frustration that had been brewing throughout the day. It all began to meld and harden like lava.

I groaned inwardly as I considered my next move, my tongue pressing against the inside of my teeth. I needed to handle this delicately and run through as many scenarios as possible to analyze each move's likely outcome and potential risks. But I was running out of time.

Hamzah's floppy hair bounced as he looked to Prosper, recognizing the precarious position my mate was placing us in. Whatever method Prosper chose to ease him was not my concern. Appearance was.

And the worst part – it was a good idea. We had not contacted the Reserves for intelligence, only to keep them updated and prepared. The visit with the Cullens intended to remove Saffiya from the castle while the Reserves visited. They were loyal followers, but a dose of fear and an in-person reminder of the Volturi's power further engrained their submissiveness. Gaining information on Razin had not been the central focus at the time.

Garrow, Oakley, and Atlas should have been present during that visit. If not for their good fortune of running into Huda, we might have been chasing them down as potential apostates. A scenario I would greatly prefer to having them with us now. Trust typically coincided with Aro's gift, but Jane and I had known the cousins relatively early in the Volturi's reign, and our reputation had already become a whispered warning for cherished and accidental newborns. Garrow and Oakley basked in the freedom of such power, never overstepping their bounds but merely contributing to the destruction and fear we left behind.

They were not my enemies, but I would not wish to have them as acquaintances.

I kept a monotone feature in my voice, dismissing her as evenly as possible. "The Reserves have already visited and spoken with Aro."

My clipped response caused Saffiya to glance over to the table. She did a double take and straightened when she realized the attention she had inadvertently drawn. Her eyes flashed over each member, save for the Reserves before they landed on me. Rather than going timid, she closed her sketchbook.

My jaw clenched, frustration brewing in my chest as I shot her a warning glance, hoping she understood the gravity of the situation she had unknowingly plunged us into. But she was human and too far away to pick up on the slights I would typically use to communicate under scrutiny.

"Sorry," she said, somewhat sheepishly but not at all picking up on my warning. "It's just that…we know more now. The Kings may have spoken to the right people with the wrong questions. Maybe someone knows who Razin is or what he wants."

All focus had been returned to me, and I hated how she was looking at me. With a genuine satisfaction from her solid reasoning, and if it hadn't just put our secret in danger, I would have been so proud of her. I was proud of her. Astonished that she was able to pick this all up so quickly. Grateful to have a partner so quick-witted and intelligent.

Regretful for the dangers I've exposed her to.

I stared back at her, remaining cold. "No."

I heard a faint snicker from Garrow as I turned to Prosper for some idea of where to go with the meeting and attempted to ignore the Reserves' anticipation for my next move. But my harshness had sparked Saffiya's defiance, and she persisted.

"What do you mean, 'no'?" Her tone was incredulous, confusion cracking in her voice, and I felt a twinge of exasperation. It was followed quickly by guilt because she couldn't read my mind. Even if I hoped she would make the connections between their presence and my rudeness, I had pushed too hard to allow her to overthink my rationale and figure it out.

Her defiance echoed through the room, threatening the façade I was already struggling to maintain. That was the difficulty with Saffiya. She came with her own power, her own natural influence that not many humans, let alone vampires, had. It made her more of a threat than she could imagine. And right now, even Atlas, the Reserves' companion, seemed ready for her to be shut down.

This and the negative emotions were beginning to outweigh my desire to protect both her and her feelings. "The Masters do not have time to humor a silly human's uneducated theories," I hissed, my words a warning laced with barely contained anger.

Her jaw dropped, and her eyes flashed. "You –"

"Saffiya, sit down and shut up."

My reprimand hit her like a lashing, and she dropped back onto the sofa. The words hung in the air, a declaration of supremacy that resonated with the others. I was forced to keep a cold demeanor as I watched Saffiya's expression shift from rebellious to hurt. But I couldn't falter; I had to maintain the illusion now that she had accidentally pulled at the strings, even if it meant hurting her in the process.

I could feel the weight of the room's attention on us, and I turned to Prosper once again with a conflicting nonchalance, indicating that the meeting should proceed.

"Because your plan is going so well."

Her hands flew to her mouth as if she hadn't intended to say it aloud. The unintentional jab hit a nerve, and vexation coursed through me. The challenge lingered, a spark daring to ignite a bigger conflict.

The scratch of my chair being shoved back was joined by an identical screech as Prosper cut into my path before I could move from the table.

He stood taller than me, but he immediately shrunk under my scrutiny. Our sudden movements seemed to click for Saffiya, a little too late, but my attention had shifted to Prosper. Saffiya was safe from my gift. Prosper was not. Yet, he served as a barrier, almost daring me to move towards her. His actions created a palpable tension, yet another direct challenge to my authority could not go unanswered. And yet, he stayed.

Then, I saw it. A flicker of genuine fear crossed his features, a fear of my famous volatility and poor control in regard to my mate. That he could contemplate I would be so rash made my stomach turn, leaving me livid. I held onto my restraint by a bare thread, a twitch in my jaw the only indication of a deeper emotion as my glare locked onto Prosper's. I needed to control myself, and I had to get her out of here before she said anything we couldn't walk back from.

His hand slapped the table, searching for a grip to ground himself as my gift enveloped him. Several task force members, including Atlas, jerked back at the suddenness. Garrow and Oakley grasped onto their much needed release. Prosper dropped his head immediately, finally yielding to my authority but murmuring a plea intended for the table. "Please, Alec. She doesn't know any better."

I frowned, because she did. As did he.

His words caught me off guard, but they resonated within the room, the simple act carrying a heavier weight with the table. My team would never expect Saffiya's safety to be in question with me, but his malingered concern had them checking in with each other to see if they had missed something. If Prosper feared for Saffiya enough to stand in my way, to challenge me in front of the Reserves, then perhaps there was a real threat to the human.

The dissonance played well with the Reserves, who very much believed I was going to teach Saffiya some cruel lesson. Her humanity made it all the more entertaining for them. Garrow's mocking grin and his cousins' sinister amusement were evidence enough.

With great effort, I tore my gaze away from Prosper and looked down the length of the table. Saffiya's wide eyes were fixed on me, her confusion a mirror of my own tumultuous emotions. Though hers were written all over her face. She had not heard Prosper's plea on her behalf.

"Time for her to learn," I growled, lowering myself back down.

Saffiya's lips parted as if to speak, but I knew my mate well enough to know the following words out of her mouth would not be an apology or anything close to docile. Thankfully, Prosper did as well.

He managed a much gentler voice than I could have used. "Hold your tongue, Saffiya."

She did, sinking back into the couch and crossing her legs in a submissive hunch as if to protect herself from us. My gut clenched. She began to play with her fingers as her gaze lowered, curls falling on either side of her face. I only looked away as Garrow and Oakley, unprompted, spoke again, and her jaw clenched at their words.

"Must be some human…" Garrow murmured in his cousin's ear. Oakley sent me a smug smirk. I pointedly ignored them.

"These 21st-century women really have no fear, do they?"

"No fear," Garrow added, "no discipline, and no–"

"Moving on," I cut off in a singular tone. If they continued, I wasn't sure whether the cousins would goad me into exploding first or if Saffiya's temper would erupt before mine.

"Alec's right. We have already spoken to the Reserves," Hamzah suggested somewhat timidly, getting us back on track. His attempted flattery was enough to let his words take the attention away from Saffiya while still pushing her idea along. "So, maybe we do need to speak to vampires beyond the Reserves."

Kiara frowned, exchanging a look with Prosper as if to dismiss him, "You mean chase down the random nomads and covens without complete allegiance to the Volturi."

Dorian shook his head adamantly, "We could accidentally tip Razin off if we ask the wrong vampires."

"So, we ask the right one," to his credit, Hamzah stumbled on, "Is Finneas back in business?"

Dorian shrugged, throwing an arm over the back of his chair, "It's likely. He still has a year or so before we go looking for him again. Officially."

"Finneas?" Oakley questioned.

Kiara scoffed, sending Oakley a condescending look. "I would have expected you two to be our experts. You're his ideal customers."

"Finneas runs the Blood Club," Dorian cut them both off. I was not the only one put off by their bland banter. "It is a popup, live blood bank. In theory and practice, it works well enough as a safe haven and watering hole for vampires. But because it does have the potential to threaten our existence, the Volturi have a backroom deal to let him have his little clubs for a few years before we shut him down. He opens again in different countries and cities. Never the same place twice."

The concept intrigued Garrow, who leaned in. "Sounds like the perfect place to get that information you wanted."

Dorian clarified, "We do not know where he is operating out of now – if he is."

"Hamzah," I cut the other vampire off. Hamzah nodded, listening intently. "Find him. Then find any weak point or services we could provide."

"Er…where do I start, sir?"

The silence attracted Saffiya's attention again, her head tilting to the side as she seemed to calm down from the previous interaction. I could never be sure just how much she was taking in from these meetings. But I was sure I did not want this conversation to be of interest. I did not wish for her to bring morality into the discussion. Our kind cared little for human lives. It was so ingrained in us that she would never walk away satisfied with such a topic.

I nodded to Prosper, allowing him to offer Hamzah more guidance to speed along the topic's highlight. "Begin with DRC, Venezuela, and Romania."

"Germany, Romania, and the Netherlands," Kiara suggested instead.

Prosper frowned, somewhat harsh in his disagreement, "No. Focus on the others."

Kiara was not one to back down, and Prosper's tone had been biting. In response to the challenge, she argued, "he sources the blood in those countries, but Finneas has a history of trafficking humans into Germany and the Netherlands. He follows the trends."

"Which is why he would not use those countries again. Start with the source." Prosper argued. Amaya shook her head, somewhat startled by his passion but ultimately annoyed as she turned to me for a final ruling, opting out of an argument and, apparently, did not think it was necessary to provide further reasoning.

I lifted my shoulders to indicate disinterest, wholly eager to discontinue the conversation as Saffiya eyed the table with a harder stare. "I agree with Amaya. Brief me when you're ready, and we can determine an inducement for Finneas in return for something useful on Razin. Work with Renata and Demetri. Next matter –"

"I'm sorry," she clearly wasn't, "did he just say you're going to work with traffickers?"

"Not directly," Hamzah tried to cover, leaning back to address Saffiya as she sat with her arms folded over her chest. "We just…"

"Don't stop them?" Hamzah rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. Saffiya's head swiveled to me, outraged, but I shook my head once, an intended promise to answer her questions later. The skin on her forehead bunched, and her lips pursed, but she conceded. I allowed a small breath of relief to slip through. And then a most undesirable voice decided to chime in casually.

"Relax, sweetheart, nobody misses a few humans. Especially not the runaways."

"That's not true."

"Yeah? Where's your search crew?" He laughed snidely, not bothering to look at her even as he sat nearest the couch from his seat on the side end of the table.

I could see the futile look on her face as she concentrated less on his insult and solely on how to express her outrage. It was fascinating to watch her mind process her limited options as her irritation grew. She knew she stood no physical chance, but she didn't seem satisfied with any verbal responses springing to mind. We already knew she had no qualms about attacking a vampire, so as soon as her eyes flashed with success and her hand wrapped around the decorative statue on the side table next to her, I was moving. She settled for a classic, and I did little to interfere with the object as it shattered against the back of Garrow's head.

Garrow's snarl came out like a roar, and Saffiya's entire form went stiff. He spun on her, already bent and poised to leap, only to see I was blocking his way. He hissed at me as if I'd stolen his next meal. The fury rolled in my chest at a third sign of disrespect until I could even it out in my head. I swallowed and straightened up, unable to hide the rise and fall of my chest as I waded through the emotions.

The entire table was avoiding me as if even chancing the passing of my glare would guarantee a swift end. Atlas shoved Garrow in the arm before Garrow's eyes flickered behind me, and I hissed at the audacity.

Instantly, Garrow's fangs sank back into his gums, his lackadaisical facade finally giving way to his fear of my retaliation. If anything, his cousin – by venom only – had more right than him to act so entitled, but he was filled with brass stupidity. I would relish the opportunities to bring him to his knees in the coming days, especially as his ego attempted to rebuild itself from this. But, for now, I had a cover to maintain.

I looked down at Saffiya, who was staring up at me with wide eyes, still processing my quick response. However, specks of defiance still dashed across her irises at the less than satisfactory punishment for Garrow. I disguised my amusement at the obvious desire for retaliation, still rather upset with her.

"Stand," I ordered curtly. Saffiya pursed her lips, and I knew she was pissed I was taking sides, but I hoped she would at least bite her tongue.

"But he –"

My patience was gone, and our cover was splitting, so I clasped my hand around her upper arm and hauled her to her feet, my grip stronger than I planned.

"Alec–" she began to protest, her voice catching in her throat as I scowled at her. Mixed emotions welled up in her eyes, but neither of us broke. My name echoed from the table, and it brought me from her. Our moment had lasted too long.

"You may remain, Alec." Prosper offered, "I can handle the human."

I growled, "You had your chance."The table's collective attention followed us, but I was resolute in maintaining the appearance of a cruel but apathetic leader as I guided her out of the room.

Garrow's droll tone echoed behind us, "Little spitfire, she is."

"You have no idea," Dorian let slip bitterly.

I loosened my hold as we entered the corridor but forcefully regained it when she tried to shove me off, yelling in the second before the door closed, "Don't touch me!"

She crossed her arms in the middle of the hallway, trying to face off opposite me. Percy, who was standing guard outside, pointedly looked away from the scene. Releasing Saffiya's arm, I pressed a finger to my lips and lightly pushed her through another door across the hall to add another layer of privacy. So long as we didn't raise our voices too much, we should be fine in here.

I shut the door with more force than necessary, still managing the anger in my own system. "What is it about the word dangerous that you do not understand?"

She ignored my words entirely, something new pissing her off even more and flipping my emotions on their head.

"I get that you guys have this reputation or whatever, but if I'm supposed to just tag on to it, can I at least be known for something like not letting people manhandle me anymore!" She paused her rant as she processed the new room, well, new to her. It was simply one of the waiting rooms, lavishly designed with opulent red and black Volturi elegance. Nothing special. And she would have centuries to take it in later.

I cleared my throat, my amusement only riling her up again as her curls swung back over her shoulder as she turned on me again. "Especially you. Just because you make my brain all fuzzy, does not mean you can just put me places –"

I spun her around, and her breathing hitched as her back met the wall. I pressed my chest against hers, tilting her head up to appreciate the dilation of her eyes.

"My mistake, my darling," I murmured lowly, tracing my thumb along her bottom lip. I knew full well that I was working on borrowed time. I was still expected to return, and her physiological reactions were enough to make my point. But I wanted – no, needed more of her. "I was under the impression that you liked being under me." Her eyelashes fluttered as my lips hovered over hers, her body caving into my touch, and then that little whimper slipped past her soft lips.

That sound.

"Fine," she mumbled. I nipped her nose with the concession. She gasped, making to push me away, but I had already stepped back with a smirk. "You win, you bast…" At my raised eyebrow, she bit the inside of her cheek with a skipping heart.

I brushed her hair behind her ear, tapping her cheek so she wouldn't accidentally hurt herself. Unconsciously, she released it and leaned into me, her warmth radiating into me as if seeking a chilling winter. My hand dropped from her waist to the lower curve of her back, bringing her away from the wall. Her lips caressed mine sweetly, and shortly.

"I can see why you don't like them." She commented, and I chuckled under my breath, resting my forehead against her temple. She was so impetuous, so opposite of myself, and I adored every second.

"I am sorry I snapped at you. It was unfair of me." Her curls shook with her head, breathing me in so naturally, I don't think she even knew she was doing it. My thumb rubbed back and forth over her spine as if adding on to my apology where my words failed. She shivered and sank deeper into my chest. My darling, Saffiya.

Saffiya tilted her head up, and I watched as she processed the events, running them back in her mind. "I know why you did it. Just…not in time." She was constantly processing, always understanding. Always thinking ahead so she could respond on instinct. "It was a good idea. Even if Hamzah gets the credit," she scoffed with a hint of playfulness.

"He played it off well." Her brows furrowed into a frown, and I longed to ease her distress. "It was a good idea. If you had spoken to me privately, I could have implemented it. But if I had pursued it without Hamzah's follow through, the cousins would think I value a human's ideas."

She separated from me, her eyes darkening at my words.

"You know what I mean."

Her voice came out soft, taking me at my word and proposing a new theory in our privacy. And distance. "There has to be more to this 'future' than Atlas knows. It's in those details that we could find a way to change it." I nodded. I had already considered this but found it difficult to know how to proceed, as with everything else. "He was watching us. Atlas."

She allowed me to touch her again, so I wrapped my fingers around her wrist and pulled her back. I turned her chin so she would meet my gaze. "He does not know anything." But I trusted her instincts, particularly when it came to individuals, so I made a note to keep an eye on Atlas.

Saffiya was never convinced. Her suspicious nature was no doubt nurtured by her father and his corruption. This mindset would be valuable in our world, but for now, I eased my thumb over the frown lines between her eyebrows. She wrinkled her nose.

I needed to return.

"Have you eaten?" She groaned, sending me a glare, and I chuckled, "Only checking. I will have Prosper collect you once we are finished."

I could see her lips move when she thought I wasn't looking, realizing the lack of sound was her petulantly mimicking my farewell. It took everything in me not to lock the door and kiss her senseless. Almost everything.

"One more."

I took her waist, catching her entirely off guard as my mouth collapsed onto hers. Her breath caught before her brain filled her in and she giggled against my lips, so I growled and brought her closer. Her mouth moved with mine as her hands began to wind around my neck, encouraging me to deepen the embrace.

I needed her. Praised her for merely existing. I yearned for the day she would feel our connection as deeply as I did once she was fully turned and our forever was set. I had never imagined vampire mates felt everything this deeply. I considered it as simple as human love, but it was so much more necessary. I had found my life. Only for her to be my blood singer…blood…I stiffened, releasing her and taking a step back.

Before she could ask, I shook my head, my voice rough. "Don't move."

My eyes scanned her up and down, looking for anything out of the ordinary. I ran my hands down her shoulders to her palms, inspecting every inch of skin I could see. Her heart was steady, as steady as it ever was in my presence. Bracing myself, I lowered my nose to her neck and breathed in deeply.

Her heartbeat increased, her carotid pulse following suit as she tried to relax. The pulsating movement on her neck that was slight to humans was the most evident to me, and I drew back to run my thumb alongside her windpipe, over the artery.

She quietly waited for me to tell her what was going on, patient for once. But the pad of her thumb was circling the tip of her index finger as she willed herself to remain so.

I took her hand, stilling the motion as I slipped my fingers between hers. My thumb subtly moved to the base of her wrist, testing her pulse again.

Her voice was soft, and I knew my sudden switch had unnerved her, "What's wrong?"

I stepped away.

"Nothing." I pointlessly tried to convince her with a quick smile before I pressed my lips to the inside of her wrist. Her eyes followed me as I left the room, but I did not dare to look back again.

Talib and Percy stood dutifully outside, and they hid their concern well as I took another deep breath in the hallway. I tested the cleared air, but it only confirmed my discovery.

Saffiya's blood no longer had a scent.

~•~•~•~

A/N: Super long note, please read it when you can. I'll still bold the main points.

First off, I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

So, I doubt anyone from the early early days of this story is still around (end of 2020, yeet), considering it's nearing four years since I started writing this story. But, if you are (hello!), you might remember (or maybe it's in an early author's note, I don't know) that I started writing this story because I fell out of writing and wanted to get back into it. I purposefully chose a 'simple' plot mimicking the first Twilight book so that I could ease back in. I thought basic and easy, done in 20 chapters. I was a dumbass, but I digress.

This book started out as a learning experience for me, and you have all played such a huge part in making this story come alive. Which is why I am requesting some feedback.

On anything, but specifically regarding Razin and the Resistance. Because it's been almost four years since I started this, Razin's plans and every step since have undergone the most changes. I think I've been pretty solid in keeping track of what happens, but I know I overcompensate and unnecessarily repeat things in these chapters where he gets a lot of attention because so much has shifted and I'm worried I just drag you guys along.

So, this is me genuinely checking in with you and asking for feedback and thoughts on the plot, what you think of the Razin storyline, if you think it's boring or too confusing, or if you enjoy it and want to know what happens, or even if you don't really care.

My brain is so filled with every idea and scenario I've ever had for this story, and the muck is causing me to really struggle and write slower. I would love to get any insight into the story from your perspectives as readers. If you do want to note anything, you can leave a review, message me, or if you want to be anonymous for any reason you can hit up my tumblr (awriterwithnostory).

If you do offer some feedback, whether it's two words or a sentence, I am grateful, but by no means feel any pressure to do so. Either way, your comments throughout the text actually give me a lot of useful feedback. More than you could know. Comments that are singularly emoji's have inspired an entire scene – no joke. I believe the best feedback comes through unintentionally, so if you hate Saffiya or think something is dumb, feel free to say so. You're not gonna hurt my feelings, and even if you do, I'm a big girl.

I could have made this shorter. Did I? No, no I did not. I will keep this up until I feel a little more settled, but for now, thank you for reading!

Ro