hostcort: Thank you so much! I'm really proud to have gotten to 20!

alexbou ec1637: Thank you, thank you! Well, the answer to that is a wee bit complicated to answer. I am going to do a sequel to My Angel, and it may contain the Victor plot (because I've only planned the most minor things for it), but it's overall, not a major focal point for me, because I actually have something a lot bigger in the works. If you ever go over to AO3, you'll see me raving a lot about the "Second Draft." Basically, I'm going to rewrite all of Beau's story and it will be long... like so many hundreds of thousands of words. And it will be my official take on what his story should be like. And it's going to come out sometime after My Angel ends. Distractions is something I'm using to practice with as well - it's basically just me trying to learn how to write without the crutch of using an existing book. And I'll probably be writing all of this at the same time lol. Sorry for the info dump! I plan on releasing all of the plans I've got for everything with the last chapter of My Angel!

Kuro: Finally!٩(＾◡＾)۶

ninjaofthelibrary: Thank you so much! I'm really happy you think so!

billsazguard: Well, thank you, I will definitely keep that in mind if I ever need something like that done!

We entered a brightly lit, unremarkable hallway. The walls were off-white, and the floor was carpeted in industrial gray. Common rectangular fluorescent lights were spaced evenly along the ceiling.

Overall, it was pretty bland but much better than the doom and gloom of the ghoulish sewer stones we'd been forced to walk through.

Edythe didn't seem to agree, she glowered darkly down the long hallway, toward the three, black-shrouded figures at the end standing next to the elevators. Her whole body was tense as she looked at the shortest of the three - a small boy, with pale features like the rest of us, and blank red eyes.

She pulled me along, and Archie walked on her other side. The heavy door creaked shut behind us, and then there was the thud of a bolt sliding home.

"Good afternoon Jonathon," Diane greeted warmly, from behind us.

"Diane," the boy murmured, giving her a nod. "I was about to come and retrieve them myself… you took quite a while."

"Apologies, we ran into a few complications." She said, getting a snort out of Felicity. I could feel all of their eyes on me.

Edythe's grip on my arm tightened, her fingers like iron bands, and I could hear the faint, barely-contained hiss escaping her lips – a sound that seemed to vibrate through the air, making the tension even thicker. All of the Volturi tensed up, except for the boy, his eyes flickered towards Edythe.

I leaned down slowly, letting her know exactly what I was doing - and I was ready to pull back at the slightest bit of discomfort she showed. But I couldn't see any… so I gave her the smallest, most selfish kiss to her hair, hoping it would keep her calm.

I knew it would burn me later, that I'd have to remember the kiss when she inevitably left me again, but at least it worked. She settled down, leaning into me with nothing but another glowering look at no one.

Jonathan opened the elevator and held it open for us all to pour in. The first two goons that had been waiting with him went first, and then us, followed by Diane, and Felicity. Jonathan came in last, waiting by the doors as they shut. Now that they were all essentially home, they seemed to relax. They all flipped their hoods off, showing their pale complexions more clearly.

Felicity's flowing black hair was mesmerizing, almost enchanting in its elegance, while Diane's was cut short, and styled in a convenient yet beautiful way. Their once fiery red irises now softened, calming under the gentle light that refracted off them. The others lacked this remarkable allure, their beauty more in line with the natural grace that came with being a vampire.

I pressed myself into the corner, Edythe tucked securely under my arm and positioned behind me. I acted as a shield between her and the others, and thankfully, she didn't seem to have a problem with it, though I couldn't tell. Her eyes were locked on Jonathon, but her expression was completely neutral.

I hoped she wasn't trying to hide how uncomfortable it was for me to touch her… it seemed natural to hold her, and it felt like she didn't mind. She didn't cringe away, or ask for space or anything.

It could be that she's just nervous around all our new friends, or it could be that she's just happy I'm not dead, and that's why she clung to me.

Or it could be that she felt guilty that I was a vampire like her now.

It could honestly be anything, but whatever the reason was, I was content with just holding her for a little while longer.

The elevator ride was mercifully short, no one wanted to be in here for very long, being cramped as it was; we stepped out into what looked like a posh office reception area. The walls were paneled in wood, and the floors were a nice dark blue carpet.

There weren't any windows, but large brightly lit paintings of the Tuscan countryside hung everywhere on the walls as a substitute.

Dark leather couches were pushed together in cozy groupings, and the glass tables held vases of bouquets. They were honestly really nice… they smelled like sunshine.

In the middle of the room, a high, polished mahogany counter stood as the focal point. The room seemed normal in every way, with nothing out of place—except for the human man seated behind the counter.

He was tall, with dark skin and mesmerizing green eyes. He would have been conventionally attractive anywhere else, but here, in this world of vampires, he seemed an anomaly. How could he be so at ease, surrounded by creatures of the night?

Whatever the circumstances, it dawned on me that I wasn't the only human who had thrown caution to the wind.

He smiled politely in welcome. "Good afternoon, Jonathan," he said. There was no surprise on his face as he looked at all of us newcomers. Not the stunning beauty in my arms, or me, the guy dressed up like a homeless man, both of us glinting dimly in the white lights.

Jonathan nodded. "Giovanni." He said without glancing at the man, walking toward a set of massive double doors in the back of the room. We all followed.

As Felicity passed the desk, she quickly leaned onto it, getting close to the man. "Hey Gio," She purred, running a finger down his arm that was still folded on top. He shot her a beaming smile as she pulled back, and kept up with us.

On the other side of the door, a different kind of reception awaited. A woman stood there, her form-fitting cloak accentuating her graceful figure. Her dark ivory hair cascaded around her, and her full lips curved into a welcoming smile. She greeted us with a nod, "Johnathon."

"Alex," he responded, hugging the taller woman. She gave him a motherly kiss on his brow, to which he finally smiled. Then she looked at us.

"I thought we were only getting one… but you come back with three instead," she whispered, looking at me and Archie. "Good work."

Jonathan laughed - the sound was high-pitched and smooth. "Well, I didn't even get out the door. Diane brought them in."

She gave the woman an approving nod. "Good work all around then."

Felicity just gave her a thumbs-up and a grin. Edythe was scowling at her.

"Welcome back, Edythe," Alex greeted her. "You seem to be in a better mood."

"Marginally," Edythe agreed in a flat voice. I could only imagine how dark my angel must have been, only hours ago.

Alex laughed softly and looked me up and down as I clung to her side. "And you must be Beau… the cause of all our excitement today?" She asked.

I gave her a nod and a polite smile. "Sorry."

"Oh no. No apologies are necessary. We haven't had this much fun in quite a while. It's a nice change of pace."

"Well then you're welcome," I joked, making her laugh. It sounded like a chorus of bells. It was an enchanting sound.

I felt Edythe tense in my grip, and her head nuzzling into my chest. She was hissing again. I was going to guess that she heard something rude in someone's head.

"Patience Edy," Archie whispered. They exchanged a long glance, and I wished I could hear what it was they were saying. I figured, continuing with my guess, that he was telling her not to attack whoever it was offending her, because she took a deep breath, and leaned into me somehow even more.

I quickly put my arm around her shoulder to compensate, still holding her hand.

"Sulpicia will be so pleased to see you again Edythe, and I'm sure she'll be quite happy to see the two of you," Alex said, as if nothing had happened.

"Let's not keep her waiting," Jonathan suggested, holding his arm out for Alex to take. Which she did, smiling as they led the way down yet another wide, ornate hall - would there ever be an end?

They ignored a set of giant golden doors at the end of the hall and instead stopped halfway down. They slid aside a piece of the paneling to expose a plain wooden door. It wasn't locked. Jonathan quickly held it open for Alex.

I led Edythe inside, following after the guards, and instantly took in what I figured was our final destination. It was the same ancient stone as the square, the alley, and the sewers. And it was dark and cold again - which didn't bother me anymore physically… but it was still annoying.

It wasn't a very big antechamber. It opened into a brighter, cavernous room, perfectly round like a huge castle turret… which was probably exactly what it was. Two stories up, long window slits threw thin rectangles of bright sunlight onto the stone floor below. There were no artificial lights. The only furniture in the room were several massive wooden chairs, like thrones, that were spaced unevenly, flush with the curving stone walls. In the very center of the circle, in a slight depression, was another drain.

Unlike the one on the street… This one gave me an eerie feeling.

Along with the chairs, a handful of people were talking and relaxed in their small groups. They were all speaking about different things that they'd been busy with, tasks or something. I didn't really care.

I watched a pair of pale men in button-down shirts stop in the sunlight, their skin glowing like waves of fire were reflecting off of them.

All of them turned to look at us as we came in. Most of the other immortals were dressed in inconspicuous pants and shirts - things that wouldn't stick out in the streets below. It was strange… I was expecting more villainous apparel or something on everyone - like the cloaks and hoods that the guards wore. It was almost disappointing. Though not entirely; as the first one to speak wore those same robes, but clearly much more ornate with the detailing on the outside of it.

She was a woman, with pitch-black hair, that cascaded down her shoulders like velvet curtains. And her face, it wasn't the same unnaturally attractive looks that the rest of us had. No, she did have the same perfect features, but it looked… more human. Maybe it was the kind look in her eyes that made me feel differently, but she could easily have stood out from the crowd here - she was as different from us, as we were to humans.

"Oh Johnathon, dear one," she sighed with delight, her voice barely above a whisper. "You've come back so quickly. And with so many new faces."

She came forward and gave the boy a hug, much more motherly and warm than what Alex had given him before. His returning beaming smile made him look like an angelic child.

"Yes, Mother." Jonathan smiled, and it made sense now—she had the look of a mother because she was one. "I brought them back, alive, just as you asked."

"You are an infinite comfort for me, my child." She whispered, before turning her misty eyes towards us. Her smile brightened, becoming ecstatic. It reminded me vaguely of Earnest, how he'd look at you with love, but this woman's lips were turned up as if she were excited… like watching your kid open a gift.

"Oh! And you've brought Archie as well!" Her eyes flickered over to him, before turning to me, it was easy to see how quickly her eyes turned to confusion, but her excitement didn't let up. "And Beau! What a happy surprise!"

The way she called out our names so informally, was as comforting as it was weird. Archie clearly was just as uncomfortably confused as I was; I could see the way his charming smile was strained.

She turned to our escorts, saying, "Felicity, my dear, please tell Marcus, and Athenodora about our company. I'm sure they wouldn't want to miss this."

Her eyes kept flickering back to me.

"Of course," she nodded and disappeared back the way we came.

At the same time, Diane came forward, taking the woman's hand, before quickly walking back to her initial spot, keeping guard behind us.

"Thank you dear," the woman whispered, not sparing her a glance.

She was still looking at me… I wanted to ask what her problem was, but I felt like it would be in bad taste. It fortunately didn't last long.

"You see, Edythe?" The strange vampire turned to her with a smile that resembled a fond but slightly scolding grandmother's. "What did I tell you? Aren't you glad I didn't give you what you wanted yesterday?"

"Yes, Sulpicia, I am," Edythe agreed, tightening her grip around my waist.

"I do truly love a happy ending," Sulpicia said, clapping her hands together. "They're so rare for me, and I want to hear the whole story. How did this come about?" She gestured toward me with a sweeping motion. "Archie?"

Her gaze shifted to him, filled with curiosity. "Your sister seemed to think you were infallible, but it seems there might have been some mistakes. More than one?"

"Oh, I'm far from infallible," Archie replied with his usual charming smile, though his hands were clenched into fists behind his back. His eyes kept darting back to Edythe. "As you can see, I cause as many problems as I solve."

"You're too modest young one," Sulpicia teased. "I've seen some of your more amazing exploits, and I must admit I've never observed anything like your talent. It is wonderful!"

Again, Archie's eyes flickered over to Edythe. Sulpicia hadn't missed it either time.

"I'm so sorry, we haven't been properly introduced, have we?" She asked with a bashful smile, scrunching her nose in embarrassment. "It's just that I feel like I know you already and sometimes I get ahead of myself. Your sister introduced us yesterday, in a rather peculiar manner. You see, I share some of your sister's talent, though I'm limited in ways he is not." Sulpicia shook her head, her tone tinged with envy.

"And also exponentially more powerful," Edythe added dryly. She looked at Archie as she swiftly explained. "Sulpicia needs physical contact to hear your thoughts, but she hears much more than I do. You know I can only hear what's passing through your head at the moment. Sulpicia hears every thought your mind has ever had."

Archie's eyebrows rose, and Edythe inclined her head.

Sulpicia didn't miss that either.

"But to be able to hear from a distance…" Sulpicia sighed, gesturing toward the two of them, and the exchange that just took place. "It would save us from so many headaches."

Sulpicia looked over our shoulders. All the other heads turned in the same direction, including Jonathon, Alex, and Diane, who still stood silently behind us.

I was the first to turn though. Felix was back, and behind him floated two more blacked-robed men and women. Both looked a lot like Sulpicia, one even had the same flowing hair, though hers was a nice burgundy-type brown. The other was an older-looking man, with light brown hair. Their faces had identical paper-thin skin.

The trio from Carine's painting was complete, unchanged by the last three hundred years since it was painted.

"Marcus, Dora, look!" Sulpicia called. "Beau is alive after all! And he's one of us! And Archie is with him! Isn't that wonderful?"

Marcus looked as if wonderful would be his last choice of words, seemingly utterly bored like he'd seen too many millennia of Sulpicia's enthusiasm. The other though gave a strained smile, as though she was trying to be nice, but obviously too stressed to care.

"Yes, that's quite nice Sulpicia," Dora whispered, gliding past her and taking her seat on their thrones. Their lack of interest didn't deter Sulpicias joy even a bit.

Marcus paused beside her, and he reached out for her hand. His eyes were trained on me, giving me an unnerving stare.

At first, I thought he was trying to take it, but he just touched her palm briefly and then let it drop to his side. But no one said anything.

I could feel Edythe tensing… shaking. I quickly looked down at her, and she was looking at me as well; horror in her eyes.

"Edythe," I whispered, quickly unsure.

"Thank you, Marcus," Sulpicia said, her tone suddenly full of pity.

I realized a second late, that Marcus was showing her his thoughts.

The man glanced at me with a fleeting, almost melancholic expression, but it quickly shifted back into his usual bored mask. With a fluid motion, he glided over to rejoin Anthedora on his throne, flanked closely by two of his guards.

For a few moments, silence hung heavily in the air, every eye still fixed on me. Archie, who looked both confused and irritated by his own lack of understanding, mirrored my own feelings of being in the dark.

"What?" I finally asked. It looked like Edythe was trying to explain, her lips parting as though to talk, but no words came out. It looked like she was crying… but without tears, it was hard to tell. Either way, it made me want to hug her tighter. So, I did. And I prayed that whatever it was, wasn't too horrible. Because she looked as if her world was crumbling around her.

Sulpicia seemed to see the same thing in her and took pity. "My brother can see relationships, Beau. It's his gift… and when he looks at you, and dear Edythe together… he sees a brokenness. In you." She said it with a quiet, awkward tone. Like a doctor giving a patient bad news.

But I still didn't know what that meant. "Broken how?"

Sulpicia sighed. "How to describe without a visual." She paused, gathering her thoughts. She folded her hands together in front of her and pursed her lips.

"He sees it in shapes… and in feeling. And to put it into clarity, he sees your half of the relationship in pieces. And each and every one of them… burns… I suppose you could say."

Oh.

Well, that's a little embarrassing to have out in the open. But it wasn't the most tragic thing to hear. I'd already known that I broke a while ago.

I let my eyes fall back onto Edythe, who wrapped her arms around my torso, squeezing me tight in a hug. For her comfort, or mine, I wasn't sure - but it would have to go on the list of things I'd talk to her about. Because I knew she'd take the blame for this as well.

She'd blame herself for my hell.

Gently… as gently as I could be. I took her chin in my hand and very slowly made her look at me again.

I gave her the most understanding and forgiving smile I could because it was all I could offer right now.

But it made her only shrink into herself more. She tucked her face back into my chest, and I let her. I wrapped both of my arms around her shoulders, as she hid away from everyone's stares, still trembling.

It reminded me of a conversation I had with her once… that we were meant to be partners… back when she was still in love with me. In one of the many conversations, we had about me becoming an immortal… how she shouldn't always have to be Superman.

I guess I was getting a taste of taking care of her for a change. However, it didn't fill me with any satisfaction, getting to experience what our relationship could have been.

"Well… sorry you all had to see that," I whispered, casting a glance back at Sulpicia. I wasn't sure—was it unsettling for them to witness my broken state? Did Marcus sense it in me at all? Was that why he seemed so sad? I would be, too, if I had to endure every broken heart I came across.

I mean, I felt the pain of it every single day… but I thought I had a handle on it. I was used to it. Could he see through it so easily, my daily torment?

Sulpicia shook her head. "No, young Beau… don't apologize… you have remarkable strength standing there, so close to her, even as you feel what must be monumental sorrow." She said it like it was a question - one that would be too impolite to ask about, but obviously held too much curiosity to not comment on.

"It's not so bad," I whispered. I clung to my angel more tightly, even though it pained me to realize that her embrace was caused by guilt. I intended to savor every moment of it while it lasted.

"Well, I won't linger on the topic. My apologies for being rude." She said, looking bashful again, and letting the pity slip from her eyes. "Let us move onto a more prominent curiosity… You're one of us now? I had been led to believe you were human. Archie's visions were quite clear."

Archie quickly piped up before I could speak, giving Edythe and me a worried glance, but keeping his focus on Sulpicia. "As I said, my visions are far from trustworthy, and in this case, I was wrong once again."

She didn't say anything for another moment. "But how long has he been an immortal for?"

Her gaze shifted back to me.

"I've been a vampire for about a month now," I said, rubbing Edythe's back.

Everyone froze. Again, I had every eye on me.

I was really starting to hate it here.

"That's not possible," Sulpicia said, shaking her head. "I saw it in my guards' minds. You maneuvered through that courtyard with expert precision. You avoided the sun's exposure and didn't use your strength or speed to get ahead. You were, and still are, completely in control of yourself."

I gently tapped my finger against my head. "That's because of my ability. It keeps everything out."

Sulpicia quickly understood the implications.

"You mean that you do not have the blood lust like the rest of our kind?" She asked breathlessly.

I shook my head. "No. I still feel it, I just have the option to ignore it."

"Remarkable," she whispered, looking at me with wonder. "And you have this, in addition to keeping out the abilities of others?"

"Yes," I said simply. As pleasant as this woman seemed, I wanted to leave.

"You are truly a wonder Beau. Carine is fortunate to have you in her coven. The amount of restraint, natural and otherwise, is astounding with her family." There was an obvious note of envy in her voice.

"I'm not a part of her coven."

Yet again, she looked confused. "What?" She asked, looking from me to Archie, who was giving me a heavy look of agony, and then to Edythe in my arms, who was shaking still. "What do you mean?"

"They…" I had to grunt to get it out. "Well, they left me some time ago." It hurt too much to say it out loud. I could ignore it as much as I liked, but bringing it up was still a pretty crappy feeling.

"They're unwilling to accept you?" She asked, the most amount of shock yet, appearing on her graceful features.

I just shrugged. I wasn't sure, and I honestly didn't want to try and find out.

"That's inconceivable," she said, her eyes darting between her siblings, who observed me with keen interest. "It's evident how valuable an addition you'd be. To reject you would be a folly I can't imagine Carine committing."

"Well, whatever her reasoning may be, I'm not going to push to be a part of her family. Not if they don't want me." I was barely able to say it clearly, my voice taking on a hint of shakiness.

It was silent again, as Sulpicia turned to her siblings, looking between Marcus, and Athenodora.

At the same time, I heard the quivering, begging choking sound of my name. "Beau." Edythe gasped, hugging me tighter, crushing me to her body.

"It's okay," I whispered, kissing her head. "It's totally okay. You're okay." I rubbed her back as she held back sobs. She was breaking down. And it was killing me to see her in this much pain. To know that the amount of guilt crushing her was causing her to cry… it hurt almost as bad as knowing that she was gonna leave me soon.

After a few tense moments of silence, Sulpicia gave us back her attention, seemingly finished with her wordless conversation.

"Beau, I believe we're almost done here… and then you can be with your beloved." She nodded toward her with a hint of pity. "But first, I have just two quick questions. I promise they'll be brief." She fixed her gaze on me, waiting for my consent.

"Of course," I said, nodding. As long as we got to leave here alive, then I'd take it.

"The first question is simply to satisfy my own curiosity." She glided closer, extending her hand. "I'm intrigued by your ability and would like to see if you're as immune to me as you are to Edythe, considering how similar our talents are."

I regarded the hand with a hint of distrust, but she quickly flashed a reassuring smile, that world, at least somewhat. It was enough to make me feel that, if it came down to it, I was probably stronger than she was.

"I don't mind." I very gently laid my palm in hers. Her skin was hard, but it felt brittle - shale rather than granite - but was surprisingly warm to the touch.

Her filmy eyes looked up into mine, and it was impossible to look away. They were mesmerizing in an odd, not-so-unpleasant way.

Sulpicia's confident look altered as I watched. The confidence she had, just a second ago wavered and became first doubt, then incredulity before she calmed it into her naturally friendly mask.

"So very interesting," she said as she released my hand and drifted back. Her expression turned thoughtful, and her eyes flickered between the three of us. Then abruptly she shook her head.

"A first," she whispered to herself. "I wonder if you are immune to our other talents… Alex, Jonathan?"

"No!" Edythe snarled suddenly, waking up from whatever nightmare she'd been trapped in. Her eyes flashed angrily at Sulpicia. I quickly made sure to keep hugging her, making sure she couldn't escape my iron grip.

Jonathan and Alex looked at Sulpicia. "Yes ma'am?" Jonathan asked.

Edythe was snarling now, the sound ripping and tearing from her, glaring at the three of them with hate. The room had gone still, everyone watching her with amazed disbelief as if she was making some embarrassing social faux pas. I saw Felicity grin hopefully and move a step forward.

She froze though, when Edythe's grinding purr was suddenly interrupted with my own deep growl… the same sound I'd made back home, in front of Archie and Jules. Felicity's eyes flicked up to me, and they lit up with even more excitement.

Sulpicia glanced at her once, and she backed off, her grin turning to a sulky expression. I slowly let my rumbling ease back into silence. But Edythe hadn't stopped her threatening roars for a moment.

Sulpicia spoke to the two guards. "I was wondering my dear ones, if Beau is immune to your abilities as well."

Edythe was trying to push out of my grip now, but I kept a tight hold. I kissed her head again, but it did nothing to calm her.

Jonathan turned toward us with a mesmerized grin.

I honestly didn't know what the hell this was. I didn't know what their abilities were, but they must be pretty bad if Edythe was freaking out like this.

What I did know was that this was what Archie had been talking about. This was why he wanted me to hold onto her.

But unfortunately, before I could fully realize that, and make sure that she didn't do anything reckless, she ducked down, slipping out beneath my arms. The next second she had her hands on my chest and shoved me back - which only moved me about a foot, but it was enough for her to launch herself at the smaller boy.

It all happened in the span of a second, before any of us could react, or jump between them before Sulpicia's bodyguards could tense, Edythe was on the ground.

No one had touched her, but she was on the stone floor, writhing in obvious agony. A fraction of a second and I had her in my arms, too frantic to think, or realize what was causing her pain.

But then it clicked—just a moment more for everything to fall into place as my gaze fixed on the boy. I recalled what Archie had said about formidable gifts, the way everyone had acted nervously around Johnathon, and why Edythe had thrown herself in front of him to protect me.

All I could see was red.

I was on my feet again, and in the same way, Edythe had tried it, I started running at the monster. His eyes flickered towards me. Edythe's cries stopped. His look turned to terror.

And then I felt a hand on my shoulder before I could even move a foot away.

"Don't let her go," Archie frantically said, looking at our still-connected hands. Okay… so, he hadn't been talking about Edythe before. He'd meant I had to hold onto her, so I wouldn't tear this guy's head off. I assumed to make sure the rest of them didn't end us in retaliation.

That was what my rational mind was telling me. The beast who wanted blood though, wanted revenge… to utterly obliterate the thing that had dared cause her pain.

The only reason I didn't shrug Archie off of me, was because I knew it would mean putting my angel at risk.

I was breathing hard, my chest rising and falling with slow rage, but with monstrous effort, I slunk back, looking down at Edythe as I kneeled next to her.

"Edythe," I whispered, putting a hand on her cheek. She was looking at me with perfect clarity, sheer relief in her eyes. She was okay. I quickly helped her up to her feet, wrapping my hand around her waist.

I let my eyes turn back to Johnathon. "Don't do that again," I whispered with as much menace as I could possibly relay.

It must have worked because he took a step back, and bowed his head.

"My apologies," Sulpicia said, sounding regretful as she pulled our attention back to her. "But it seems you've answered my question."

I gave her a nod. "And your second?"

She said she had two. I hadn't forgotten, and I wanted to get out of her. Now.

"Well, it is a question for all of you. Edythe, dear one, have you reconsidered our offer at all?" She asked hopefully, looking at her. "Your talent would be an excellent addition to our little company."

Edythe's face was set in stone, and she hesitated. From the corner of my eye, I could see Felicity grimace.

But she shook her head, politely saying, "I'd rather not, but thank you."

"Archie?" Sulpicia asked, still hopeful. "Would you perhaps be interested in joining us?"

"No thank you," Archie said.

"And you, Beau?" She asked her hope at the highest peak. "After all, you said you had no coven… you would make a fine addition to our family."

I saw, once again from the corner of my eye, Johnathon flinch.

I thought about it.

Sulpicia was right. I didn't actually have a coven to call my own. I had no immortal friends besides Archie, and I wasn't sure how often I'd get to visit him in the future centuries.

Where would I go after Charlie died?

Where would I move on to after Jules withered away?

Once I was truly left alone in this cruel world, what would I do? Travel? Wander aimlessly, a solitary figure, like a ghost, with only my insanity for company.

And would I even have that? I wasn't sure if the illusion of my angel would return after this.

I didn't like how badly that scared me. Not having that comfort.

Eventually, I responded softly, "I'll need to think about it." I genuinely did. And with all the time in the world to ponder, it wasn't going to hurt anything.

Sulpicia clapped her hands together excitedly, as if I had said yes, and said, "Oh, thank you for considering! Please, do visit us anytime. We haven't had anyone live with us outside the guard since Carine's visit."

"Of course I will." And I did mean it - I would need friends eventually if I wanted to escape hell for a little while. "Are we free to go now? I think Carine is waiting to hear from Edythe and Archie." I gave her the friendliest smile I could.

"Oh. Well, I'm afraid she will have to wait just a bit longer. You are free to leave, but please wait until after dark, if you don't mind too terribly."

"Of course," Archie said for us. I cringed at the thought of having to wait out the rest of the day down here.

"And here," Sulpicia added, motioning to Felicity with a finger. She came forward at once, and Sulpicia unfastened the gray cloak the lithe vampire wore, from her shoulders. She tossed it to Edythe. "Take this. You're a little conspicuous."

Edythe slipped out of my arms reluctantly and put the long cloak on, leaving the hood down. As soon as it was fastened around her shoulders, she wrapped her arm around me again.

"Thank you," my angel reluctantly muttered.

Sulpicia sighed. "It suits you."

Edythe just nodded and rested her head against my chest once more.

"We'll wait below… thank you," Edythe said, repeating her stoney thanks.

"Goodbye, my young friends," Sulpicia said, giving us a cheerful wave as Diane gave us a gesture to follow. We all headed out through the door we'd come in through, seemingly being the only exit, by the looks of it.

We'd made it out alive, and unscathed it would seem.

How unfortunate for me.

Authors note / Behind the scenes:

Hi gang!

So, here we are again, getting so close to the end.

For this one, at the last minute, I made a change to how I was planning on doing this chapter.

Initially, I was gonna do what everyone else had, and make the Volturi menacing, and imposing, and deadly. But... the more I thought about... the more I wanted to go into a different direction.

This was originally gonna be really tense, but so much so, that it took away from the emotion that I wanted Beau and Edythe to go through. And on top of that, it's setting up for a much more heartbreaking scene later on - which I only realized that I could do when I started writing. It was a really duh moment for me. (If you all want I can give you a couple of the deleted scenes where it was tense... like I almost had Beau killing Johnathon lol).

It was fun to write, but I am excited to finally let Beau and Edythe talk in the next couple of chapters... after a couple of hiccups of course haha.

I hope you all enjoyed it. Much love!

Also, please do check out my profile! I've got a lot more stuff with Beau in there!