France - Spring 1995

I'd stayed in France since placing that flag, and no sign of Felix yet. I didn't have any idea how often he checked so I shouldn't get my hopes up. Being back here has brought up a lot of nostalgia, and showcasing how time moves differently to the undead. The use of my power had become second nature, an extension of my body. Since returning I'd even crossed paths with some nomads who were like Alistair's friend Carlisle, vegetarians. I still couldn't understand them, it was disgusting. How they could live an immortal life eating that garbage went beyond me.

I had just finished my meal for the night, some backpackers from Spain I think? When I felt a presence to the south of me, they were attempting to be as quiet as possible. The main drawback to my power was I had to look at the person first. I waited a moment before snapping my head and letting my tendrils reach out. It was Felix! He was still 20 feet from me, dressed as stylish as ever. When we made eye contact, he smirked before grinning. We rushed at each other, our bodies colliding sounded like boulders crashing. He swung me around, and we took time to smell each other after so long apart.

We nuzzled into each other, both letting out happy purrs. I felt this rush of happiness being with Felix, being near him. It was hard to describe.

"This pull I feel to you, it's unlike anything I've felt before, even with my own sire"

"I feel the same, since the first night I saw you; we're mates, I know it"

"Mates? That's real?"

"It's not super rare, but still not the most common among our kind to find a mate, the one we're most compatible with"

It sounded crazy that something like that could exist, but I'd never imagine vampires were real unless I was one. We ran back to my apartment, eager to spend time together again. He was shoving me against the wall before the door was even closed, covering my body with his. I was fully consumed by him, my thoughts only on Felix and nothing else. We stayed together for days in our self imposed isolation, no thoughts of anything but each other, not even of food. The conversation inevitably rounded back to what the next step for us was. Felix had a coven, and I didn't particularly want to join a group of people, but I also didn't want to wait years to see Felix again.

"I've been settled here the longest I've ever stayed somewhere. I'm getting restless I suppose. Staying in one spot has never been my strong suit."

"Where will you go?"

"I'm not sure yet, but my plan was to roam about as I'm used to, maybe I'll find another place that calls to me as France has."

"Why don't you come with me?"

I wanted to, I never wanted to be apart from Felix again, but could I do this? Could I go with him and be a part of his coven?

"You don't have to meet my coven or anything, probably best you don't right now, they're quite…nosy. But, there's lots of other areas you could visit instead?"

"Hmm, you just want me closer so we can fuck more, don't you?"

He had a devious smirk on his face "you know me so well, but my home is beautiful."

"I'll come with you, I don't want to be away from you"

"I'll get us a place to stay, just pack what you wish and we can go today."

Our peace was disturbed when the front door burst open, and a man entered. Faster than I could react, Felix was in front of me, growling at the intruder.

"There you are Felix…. Oh…who's this?"

Felix relaxed, approaching the man, "Oh, Demitri, I thought you had headed back already"

"That smell, I recognized it from the last time we were near here. This is the girl you've been seeing these last few years?"

I kept my face blank, keeping back, this man had an intensity I'd experienced with other vampires. I was prepared to trap him at a moment's notice. Felix tried to de-escalate, being his usual jovial self.

"Yeah, this is her. Sophie, this is Demetri. Demetri, this is Sophie, my mate."

I titled my head at him in greeting, not saying anything, not moving closer.

Demetri only showed mild surprise hearing that, looking back at Felix "Congrats are in order then, I was wondering what could keep your attention for so long. So, do…they…know?

"Well, I assume he's known since the first night, can't keep anything from him after all. But, he's never said anything, can't imagine he would care much, she's no use to him."

"I suppose you're right, it's impossible to keep a secret from him, and as long as you get what you need done, no reason to fret over a little stop off. Though, he'll be more interested now, knowing she's your mate."

"We're actually planning to travel back, she's going to stay nearby for a while."

"You're not taking her…home..are you?"

Felix let out a big laugh "Absolutely not! You know how they can be"

"I surely do, don't want to accidentally run into the less than personable ones." He directed his attention at me now, expecting a response.

"Felix mentioned your coven is quite…intrusive"

Demetri smirked knowingly at that, turning to Felix, who looked like he would be sweating if he could;

"Oh, you don't know? He really hasn't told you; how long has he been seeing you now?"

"Just over 6 years I think, what didn't he tell me?" I looked at Felix, who suddenly seemed quite shy

"That we aren't part of any coven, we're members of the Volturi"

"You're…part of the Volturi?" I said, more to Felix. I was a ticking bomb, that stupid lovable idiot. I felt a flash of fear, but mostly anger. Alistair would be laughing if he knew. I was panicking, sure that the kids I ran into hadn't forgotten what I'd done. The man I'd been sleeping with and who is apparently my mate, let something this important slip by

"Yes, they're all I've ever known. I've been with them for centuries now; Aro is my sire."

"I…Felix…I can't go with you"

"Why, why would you not want to be together"

"I…after I left last time, I ended up in Voltera. Things didn't go well."

" ."

"I don't know why, but I followed a bus to the city. Once I realized where I was, I tried to leave quickly but these..kids? Or maybe they were teens cornered me. They were trying to take me to the castle but I was just barely able to get away. I know I'll be in trouble If I go back."

"Wait, kids? You had a run in with Jane and Alec…and got away?"

"I don't remember if they said their names but possibly?"

A look or realization dawned on Felix's face "You're the girl, the girl Aro has been looking for"

I must have looked confused because he continued, "We were away when it happened, but we were told to be on the lookout for a woman with some crazy power. She was able to best Jane and Alec, two of Volturi's most feared guards. I would have never guessed it was you, apparently no one got a good look at your face, all we knew was it was a small woman.."

"So… what now? Are you going to drag me back? Are they planning to lock me up? Kill me?" I could feel my power start to bubble up, I couldn't imagine harming Felix, but I didn't want to die.

Felix grabbed my shoulders, grounding me;

"No Sophie, nothing like that. Aro wants you, he was impressed with what he saw. Aro..appreciates vampires with strong and interesting powers, he'll want you to join him; join us."

I could feel myself just barely calming down, assured by Felix I at least wouldn't be killed on site.

"Besides, you're also my mate, no one will touch you." He pulled me close to him then, and I could breathe in his calming scent. I calmed down further, most of the panic gone, my head was clearer. I couldn't help the irritation I still felt at Felix for not telling me. I pulled away to look at him, hands on my hips.

"Felix, you sweet, stupid man. When did you think would be a good time to tell me?"

"Uh well…"

"Hmm, never right? Probably let it be unsaid for the next thousand years yeah?"

"Well you see, you didn't recognize me that first night and I know it could be intimidating so I just maybe let it slip, but for sure I was going to tell you, soon."

"Hmm, I'm sure." I let out a sigh, "I have packing to do, I'll be ready to leave shortly."

"So...you're still coming?"

"That's the plan. Don't have much of a choice now anyway."

"Okay, we'll be waiting here!"

Demetri was more than amused, not having this level of entertainment in a century. Volturi's most vicious fighter was reduced to a stuttering mess by his 5 '2 mate. If only Santiago could see this as well.

"Some woman you have," Demetri said, enjoying his friend's embarrassment.

Felix playfully shoved him, embarrassed by what Demetri saw but also happy he could have his best friend, brother in arms, meet his mate.

We left soon after and traveled through the day, something I usually avoided but they were able to supply me a robe like their own to wear. The journey was quick, only making a small stop to feast as Felix and I had neglected to do that for days. I decided there was no use hiding my powers any longer, choosing to put on a little show for the boys. We had come upon a small family in the countryside. They were outside, sitting for dinner. I had the boys stop before attacking.

"Wait, I'll show you something" They were intrigued, not knowing what I had planned. I formed an idea quickly before sending my power forward. I focused on the father only, putting him under in seconds. There was a shift in his demeanor, as he looked at his family differently. He picked up a knife and stood.

"What did you do to them!?" He was pointing the knife at what appeared to be his two teen children. They were confused, and scared.

"Dad, what are you doing?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Harold, what is happening?" The wife said, grabbing his arm. But as soon as she touched him, the man stabbed her with the knife.

"Don't touch me! Not after what you did!" The kids were speechless, covering their mouths with their hands, cowering. The dad turned his attention back to the kids, moving closer to them.

"Where are they!? What did you do, you sick freaks!" He grabbed one of them, throwing them to the ground and climbing on top of them.

"Dad! Dad what are you doing, please stop!" The one he was on cried. The other then tried to push the dad away, but he slashed at them with the knife, cutting them across the chest. Everyone's senses were heightened, you could smell the fear on them. I decided to end it, the wife would be dead soon and they always tasted better when still alive. I drew back my power, the father was disoriented and the children terrified. I turned back to the boys;

"Lets go" and ran to grab one of the teens first. After we were finished, Demetri and Felix looked at me differently. Demetri gave me a calculating look;

"Well that was certainly unexpected, got a bit of a sadistic streak don't you? You'll fit right in"

I acknowledged his words with an eye roll "They taste better that way". I turned to Felix to see what he had to say. He was looking at me with awe and something else, something primal.

"I knew you were brilliant, but not how much." He pulled me close, devouring my mouth with his. I could feel how turned on he was. "And, that was crazy fucking hot". Demetri broke our bubble,

"Hey, lovebirds, can this wait till we get to the castle. I don't really want to see this shit."

I glared at Demetri and Felix just laughed, pulling me along with him. The journey was short from there, and soon we were back in the city I'd run away from. After entering a non-descript door and walking down dusty tunnels, we were in an elevator. It was strange to suddenly be in what looked like a fancy looking lobby, but knowing I was beneath a castle. Even stranger, was the very alive human at the front desk. Felix noticed me staring;

"We always employ a human for that job, they hope to be turned into a vampire"

"Or we eat them" Demetri added, smiling

They led me down long hallways until we reached a pair of large doors. Felix grabbed my hand, whispering into my ear "the throne room". Demetri threw the doors open and led us in. It was a large cavernous room, with three thrones elevated above everyone. People in cloaks like ours lined the walls, all in different groupings of colors. The man in the middle throne stood, holding his hands out;

"Ah, Demetri, Felix, you have returned. And you brought a guest"

Demetri didn't say anything as he approached the man, simply letting him grab his hand when close enough. The man was silent, and looking off into the distance. I observed the other two, the blonde to one side looked bored and annoyed. The other, with long black hair, looked tired, and not present. Our eyes met briefly and he seemed to perk up, examining me and Felix more closely. The middle one seemed excited now, dismissing Demetri who went to stand to the side. He clasped his hands together, as he descended his throne.

"To think you were right under our noses this whole time. Felix's little mate, the one we've been searching for" He was standing in front of Felix and I, when he held out his hand to me. I understood what he was asking, not sure what exactly he could do though, I placed my hand in his. He looked like he was watching something only he could see, and it was over in seconds.

"My, what an interesting life for one so young. And such a devastating power, Alistair must have sensed something special for him of all people to turn you."

That seemed to perk the other king's interest enough to speak up "Really Aro, Alistair of all people turned her?" the blonde one spoke.

"It would appear so, still reclusive as ever but decided to gain a childe. Maybe he was feeling nostalgic" Aro responded, smiling gleefully. He turned his attention back to me;

"Dear Sophie, from your thoughts I saw you're intending to stay?" He asked, already knowing the answer.

"Yes, I intend to stay with Felix, wherever he goes, I'll go"

Aro clapped his hands together once "Splendid, I do love when everything works out. Now for the final matter, Jane, please come over here"

A young girl walked from the shadows over to us, and I recognized her from that night I was here last. I tried not to let my body tense, not knowing what Aro had planned.

"Jane, this is Sophie, Felix's mate. You've met her already, just barely a few years ago now. I'm sure you haven't forgotten" Aro said looking at Jane, he had the same smile on his face, I couldn't tell what he was trying to do. Jane turned her attention to me now, she had a look I'd seen before. She wanted to kill me, to make sure I was gone forever.

She was staring me in the eye "Pai-" she began to say, but It was a quick draw and I drew first. Before Jane could trap me in her power, I trapped her. To every vampire in the room, they experienced something for the first time. Seeing Jane scream and look terrified. I watched her fall to her knees, screaming and pleading about something happening to her, to her brother.

"Oh, so much like our Jane, so truly..sadistic of you. That's enough for today" Aro said, looking like a kid on Christmas. I could see Felix relax next to me, having been tense since we entered.

"Sophie, come. I can show you to my..our room"

"Please do"

I walked behind him, exiting the doors we had entered through. My fate was sealed, but I had Felix with me now, so it might be worth it. I grabbed his hand as he led me deeper into the castle.

Authors Note:

Christmas came early! (because I last updated this fic around Christmas of last year lol). I have the writing bug again, fueled by my new One Piece fic I put out recently. Hoping to keep the ball rolling, have some inspiration for this story and a rough idea where I want it to go. Gonna try and get it to spread to my other neglected stories. Thanks everyone that's stuck around and enjoys what i write 3