Chapter 31

Many assumed that the Volturi king merely wanted power. The raven-haired vampire had heard so many rumors about himself that he could simply laugh at how absurd it was. He had been used to be called a soulless monster who had no capacity to love. No one had seen his affectionate side after all, as Aro had appearances to keep up.

Yet there was his head of guard whom he treasures the most.

His thoughts devoured every bit of her memory. It was quite distracting after all, as his restlessness could be felt by his fellow kings. Marcus had not said a word yet the raven-haired vampire knew that he was aware of their bonds slowly drifting and tightening. He cannot help but love her. He burned with envy every time she spent with the burly vampire. The Volturi king could not help the treacherous feeling of envy even if he tried not to. He could not keep the whispers from his mind that told him that he wanted the blonde vampire all to himself.

And the desire grows stronger, broader than the truth he desperately tried to hide.

He could not stop his heart from desiring her. His heart and mind were at crossroads of who should be the one in charge. He had been aware of the bond the moment he had changed Jane. He had kept quiet she was slowly adjusting in the world of had chosen to ignore it in order to protect the blonde had remembered a certain time where he and his sister had spoken during the aftermath of the battle between the Volturi and Romanians.

"Alec will be the head of guard?"his dark-haired sister just asks.

The Volturi king faces his sister as she had confronted him in his private study. Caius had already left with an unconscious Jane and the raven-haired king knew Athenodora would be waiting for her husband and the blonde vampire. He smiles at a passing thought of the three of them passing off as a family.

His silence was merely enough for her to realize what he was about to do. He had impulsively thought of a marriage of convenience in which he can assure the blonde vampire's safety yet he was slowly deciding against it. Didyme could read her brother's action like an open book. She let out a not much needed sigh and he instantly knew that the raven-haired woman was mediating her emotions.

"Do you even think marrying her would keep her out of harm, brother?"Didyme questions. "Do you think locking her up in a tower, being a damsel in distress would do her good? Or are you simply symphatizing towards her as this was simply all your fault? She was abducted, Aro! And deflowered by some vile predator!"

The outburst displayed by his sister shocked the raven-haired king. Didyme was not the one to openly hate or exhibit negative emotions. He immediately understood that Didyme was not disagreeing out of blue. Aro knew her sister was intelligent enough to weigh the severity of the situation. He did not even realize until then that his sister had blamed him until it dawned upon him.

"Do you even think i want that to happen? It is what it is, Didyme. It's already done and there is nothing we can do." He argues in return.

The last thing he'd ever want was to argue with his sister. He may have been smooth and nonchalant with his argument yet he could not deny that it was his sister who finishes their argument. They did not need to argue in times where he had a lot to prepare and think about.

"What do you want me to do?"he simply asks. "It's not like i could not disregard her talents, Didyme. She is subjected to the prying eyes of every vampire because of the power she held. It's not as if i could control that!"

"Find someone who you could lose and live through it. Cease your hold on the girl i treated as my daughter. Because trust me, if she falls: heads will roll."

No one knew he had married Sulpicia in order to appease Didyme to keep her charge out of harm. He had realized that she was right after all, perhaps not having her too close to him was much better after all. In the dark, the Volturi king can't help but realize that he cannot flee from the truth. There was no use denying it because the raven-haired Volturi king already lost in the wars of the heart. He can't help but wish the oceans would part. For a life with her was merely a mere fantasy and never a reality.

A miracle perhaps?

"Master?"he had heard the unmistakable voice of Charmion. "You summoned for me?"

The Volturi king spun around to face one of his high ranking guards. Charmion could briefly see hesitation in the eyes of her master. She did not know why the raven-haired Volturi king was hesitating to give out his command. The woman then realized that it was a command that concerned a certain guard, thus explaining his hesitation. She had remained silent as Charmion did not wish to displease her master.

Finally deciding, the Volturi king spoke in low tones. His command was something that the female vampire did not expect. In such a dangerous tone, the Volturi king delivered his command:

"Cease her bonds with Felix at once."

A million thoughts rang in her head.

Renata did not know if she should let her conscience keep listening. She was well aware that several boundaries were lost because of this childish rivalry she had with Jane. Nothing lost but something definitely was missing. Sulpicia looked at her charge with disgust. By one look, she could tell that Renata was beginning to falter as she was tormented by her conscience.

"You cannot falter." She simply tells her. "We've passed the point of no return, Renata. There is no going back, because we had done enough that would brand us guilty."

They had no choice but to go forward. It was their only way after all. The shield looked at the raven-haired vampire with a doubtful expression. Renata cannot decide of what's wrong or what's right. The lines between the truth and the good had been blurred by the actions of the past. She was conflicted on which way should she should go. The good or what Sulpicia wanted?

Renata did not know.

'The Volturi is nearing it's golden age, and i want you to be the one successful beside my husband."

And that was what she was for the raven haired woman, a toy or perhaps a tool for power?

Renata wondered what would have happened if she hadn't been the girl Sulpicia wanted her to be? What would the Volturi wife think of the woman she considered to be her daughter. Would she be pitied or dishonoured for not being the perfect tool of power Sulpicia needed her to be?

And if chances are that the shield would fail to earn the position of the head of guard. How could she ever be forgiven by the person who had helped her rise to the top? She kept on asking herself what love would still be given from the raven-haired woman if Renata was to fail.

"Don't make mo go to extreme measures in order to have you be on the top. I can go as far as killing Jane in order to mask for how dim-witted you are."

Sulpicia's words stung yet was not like how it used to. The shield had been accustomed to her mistress' complaints and harsh criticism.

"Sitting here and depending on me doesn't do anything, why do you keep on making the same mistake?"Sulpicia scoffs.

"Will you beat Jane and Alec at this rate?"Sulpicia closes the book as she quizzes her charge on various topics.

The Volturi wife thought it would be best if Renata's education was up to par with the education Jane and Alec spent years studying with the kings and the wives. In order to groom her for being a leader, she needed the same quality education the twins received prior to getting their positions.

"Do you think you can be the head of guard with your actions?

Renata looks at her mistress and fumbles with her hair. She did not dare to admit yet the conversation regarding the position of head of guard terrified her. She wanted the position for her mistress yet she did not want the responsibilities that comes with it. Having a high position seems fun yet dealing with the public was a chore.

The shield's consciousness changes into another memory. Everything was coming back to her as she was at crossroads on what she needed to do. She knew far too well that the title of head of guard rightfully belongs to Jane. After all those years she spent under the shadow of their master's favorite,

"If Jane managed to do it, you also can!" Sulpicia said enraged. She grabs the shield by the shoulders and stares right through her. "Is this the best someone who was backed by a Volturi wife can do?"

Renata could only inhale sharply as Sulpicia went on and on about striving and doing much better. The shield had tuned out her mistress in order to mediate her feelings. it would not do her good if she let the Volturi wife's words hurt her knowing Sulpicia merely cared about her.

She did not mean to hurt me, the shield convinces herself.

"I did everything to make you the best. Renata, you are not satisfied with being a member of the Elite guard, are you?"

Sulpicia's question had pulled the shield out of her train of thought. Plastering a smile on her face, she spoke:

"Of course." She said with a hint of determination in her voice. "I'll be the second in command like you wanted me to."

Renata seems to be a very well mannered, bright, and considerate woman. But it was all a lie after all due to the high expectations Sulpicia had set around her, it was as if she was afraid of failing. The shield acting all perfect was a way of defending herself from the shock she'll receive when she will fail.

If she had been the head of the guard, Sulpicia would not be angry anymore. The price of perfection was nearly taking her sanity and driving herself mad. How could she possibly stay sane, after the environment that was thrust upon her?

"How can you frame him?" She just asks.

Renata had just recovered when she pieced the facts that it was Sulpicia's doing to get Alec stripped off his position. She did not know if Sulpicia prided herself in pissing Athenodora off by bringing down the witch twins the fair-haired woman treasure the most. Or was it Sulpicia was merely impatient?

"I did it for you."The Volturi wife merely tells her.

"F-For me?" She asks and stares at her mistress with a livid gaze. "All this powerplay? You nearly had Alec killed, you made me sabotage the head of guard. I don't get how this is all for me!"

"I'll never forgive you if you lose to that child." Sulpicia said icily, her crimson red eyes drilling holes on the back of her charge's head. "You better be the head of guard, even if the need to kill Jane arises just to make it to the top."

Renata avoided her mistress's gaze. The actions of the shield cannot be justified however they were all doing their job to survive in this lonely and cruel coven life. If her master ever found out about the schemes Sulpicia was planning, she knew he could never forgive the two of them. In such way, Renata was also responsible as the one who executed Sulpicia's plans, she wil be carrying that guilt for so long.

Her regrets will follow her to eternal rest as there could only be the one who will be triumphant, and it had to be Renata in order to appease Sulpicia. Though she was unwilling, Renata would obey the whims of her mistress. After all, who would love her above all else?

It was quite a rarity for the Elite Guard to be sent on a mission with all four of the main guards.

The masters had tasked them with a delicate mission of gaining information on the coven that had created an immortal child. It was not awkward as they had worked together for several times already. However Demetri and Alec could sense the tension between the blonde vampire and burly vampire.

Alec was not aware of any misunderstanding his sister had with Felix. He had not pestered his sister as he did not want Jane to be uncomfortable specially they were with the person involved. The last thing he would want was the head of guard losing her cool on a mission so delicate. No one knew that the Volturi was secretly investigating about the matter, as it could rise panic amongst all covens.

Immortal children, like all vampires, are mentally and physically frozen at the age when they were transformed. These small children continued to exhibit childish behaviors after the transformation, such as impulsive acts, tantrums, irresponsible behavior, and a general lack of caution. Because restraint is nearly impossible for someone that young, it is said that an immortal child's tantrum can kill people.

The mission went on smoothly as expected. The four vampires had gotten valuable information from simply observing the vicinity of the accused. Jane remained silent as usual as they made their way back to Volterra. Felix looked visibly uncomfortable as well. Deciding that he could not keep the silence for quite some time already, the burly vampire spoke:

"What is wrong with you, Jane?"he asks and pulls her hand.

The blonde vampire stopped in her tracks. Jane let out a not much needed sigh before facing the burly vampire. She had met his eyes and she could only greet him with an aloof nature. Her gaze hardened upon seeing him, there was an unexplainable feeling of dread that settled in the pits of her stomach.

"What are you talking about?" Jane asks.

Felix inhaled sharply. He knew it in himself that he should've known better. The burly vampire knew he should have left his feelings with her all alone. That the truth just goes to show that they were slowly manipulated to drift apart.

"Jane, you're behaving oddly. What is with this behavior? I don't think I can recognize you. What's happening to you?"he asks in concern.

"I am assuring you that nothing is wrong with me. I am fine." The head of guard tells him yet Felix was not convinced.

Jane was not convinced of what she had said either. Everything is coming into it's rightful place, she was slowly crushing her ability to love. A person like her did not have the capacity to love. Therefore the blonde vampire knew she should be content. She did not need to have someone worrying if she would go soft. It was a win win situation for the both of them. If she falls, then all of them will be dragged with her.

"Call me by my name, Jane. Don't treat me as if like i was a random stranger." Felix pleads and he grabbed her shoulders. "You love me right? Snap out of this!"

They were a couple, yes. But he had noticed that Jane was slowly drifting away from him. For a moment, he immediately understood that their bond was already broken. For Jane to treat him like a stranger, it was already too much to handle. The blonde vampire was his everything. The burly vampire had grown to love and cherish the presence of Jane yet things had turned for the worst.

Life is far from fair, he kept reminding himself.

"I cannot." She said icily. "I do not remember who you are and what you are to my life."

She never claimed to be proud. The blonde vampire began to feel undervalued and uncomfortable whenever his presence was near. Knowing far too well that the one who makes the decisions regarding themselves is not them, but Charmion. Jane beginning to get terrified of the days when she wont feel anything at all. The lovers, former to be exact, was in a mutual understanding of what had transpire. No words can measure what they felt.

Was it reckless of him to fall in love with the woman his master cherishes the most?

Was it reckless of her to fall in love knowing far too well that she was a soulless monster?

Was it a rash and impulsive decision of him to even think he could change her feelings? Was she only staying because of the bonds that bound the two of them?Was it evident everyone else, yet he was the one kept in the dark? That he had willingly bought into a lie. She was never fated to stay by his side. The burly vampire fooled himself once, their master had fooled and manipulated them twice. There is simply no time for love in a coven like the Volturi.

"You are becoming a monster." He quietly remarks and fell to his knees as he had burned with her under the guise of her powers. The head of guard spared no thought of punishing him for insulting her.

She had let the two of them to burn. The time had come that she felt nothing for the burly vampire. Felix was no longer a concern of hers. Bonds had been broken, she felt nothing but anger. Was it because she loved him? Perhaps not, resorting to manipulation had angered her even more. It was the loss of trust within her that flamed her indirect anger.

In his solitude while held under her powers, he silently concedes. Oh, the plague of love and war, his cries will be hollow yet despondent. Regardless of how he succumbs to anguish, her suffering may yield no recompense. With an unrequited love for the blonde vampire, his heart is unable to go. Was this their master's punishment? For loving someone he should not have.

This hopeless banter must be or vanish into thin air.

Aro did not expect to his head of guard storming into his study, a few moments after the Elite Guard came home.

He did not expect that she would be reporting to him so soon as Jane would normally take a few hours off in order to clear her head and adjust to her surroundings once more. Here she was, right in front of him and was absolutely seething. Caius sat on the other end of the room, minding his own business.

The blond king got up as he sensed the tension between the two vampires. He had left the room without any word.

"My dear..."he starts.

Jane gazed at him with an expression mixed with loathing and vulnerability. At that moment, he had no idea what was to transpire of their conversation. The raven-haired king had no idea what the blonde vampire was feeling at the moment. Aro could sense the tension that engulfed both of them yet he chose to remain calm.

"What have you done?"she asks emotionlessly.

Her eyes remained downcast to the ground as she spoke in low tones. Unfortunately, the raven-haired king had no idea what Jane was up to. He schooled his features, attempting to calm her. The last thing he wanted was a screaming match between the two of them. Jane always won when they argued, he was not having that.

"You can tell me what's wrong."Aro said in a kind tone.

"What have you done to me..."His head of guard states, her eyes now met his.

In her eyes, anger and sadness could be seen. He had figured out why she was acting so strange, the Volturi king deduced that Charmion's powers took it's effect and Jane had found out about it. Aro could not understand why she was salty about it when as far as he knew: Jane was aware of Charmion's doing.

"Tell me, Jane." The raven haired king coaxes her. He wanted to get to the bottom of this. "I know you know you can trust me, dear? Speak your mind," Aro had extended his hand in order to ask for her hand.

She had given her hand to the raven-haired Volturi king. Aro had grasped her hand tightly yet with such gentleness he could muster. Her mind instantly told him what her lips could not speak. In her mind, he had seen and heard every thought that transpired in her head.

"You are such a greedy man." Jane seethes.

He was taken aback from her words. Aro had looked at his head of guard with a dejected expression. Jane bore a mask of apathy and she seemed not to care that standing in front of her was her master. Seeing no response from the Volturi king, Jane continued.

"I wish i'd listened to Didyme when she offered me to leave."She said in regret. Despite the anger he felt that radiated from her, hurt could be seen in her eyes. Jane was more hurt than she was angry. "She was right. I was the toy, a pawn, someone you needed for your perfect little army. To me, you were my everything, yet you always took away the persons i cherish."

"Jane, you do not understand."he attempted to argue.

So she'd found out. The raven-haired Volturi king was not prepared for her this conversation at the moment. He was reminded how smart the blonde vampire was as she was able to decipher what was hidden between the lines. Aro knew she was blinded by her anger and pain. He attempted to rectify the situation yet his head of guard beat him to it.

"What's next? You are taking me away from my twin brother?"Jane accuses him. "You took away all the persons that mattered to me. Didyme would still be here if she wasnt unhappy. You made Charmion break the bond between Felix and I. He cared about me, Aro!"

"I could not let him get close to you!"he snapped back in response. "I am burning with envy every time he happened to grow closer to you."

Silence engulfed the two of them as the ever so composed raven-haired Volturi king snapped. His head of guard took a step back from him, fearing him perhaps? He did not want her to fear him. The awkward silence was slowly driving a wedge between the two of them.

"What? You told me that i can have any guard i want. Do not act as if you own me!" Jane spat back and her voice falters. "N-Nobody owns me. Nobody owns Jane, not even you Master Aro."

"I did everything to please you. It was not just my power. I put in all of my efforts but why did you not apprec-"

"I am to be wed in a few days. You will bury this silly infatuation to the deepest depths of the earth. We shall never speak of this matter ever again." His gaze hardened as venom dripped in his voice.

Seeing no progress in their conversation, the raven-haired vampire spun around and began to retreat back to the castle. A light rainshower splatters on the grass and they were both soaked wet.

"You must love me."

"I am all yours, Jane." He said quietly. "I had always been yours and it was foolish of me to deny that for so many centuries. You are my weakness, my dear. Do not question why i could be able to do things for your sake."

He had pressed her against the wall. Of once, eternity erases time as she could not fathom how a moment can stand so still. As her master drew closer, the blonde vampire did not anticipate his movements. The taste of an action so forbidden, their distance so close yet so far. Her stomach twisted in turmoil, is it what it seemed?

She did not know.

The master had claimed the lips of his head of guard. A kiss that felt like fire yet they were willing to burn in return. A moment of hesitation filled Jane yet she quickly disregarded everything. Little shivers of pleasure ran down her spine as he had wrapped an arm around her waist. It felt so right yet morally wrong all at the same time.

A woman and a man, no more and certainly no less.