PROLOGUE
(immortal)

Vivienne Beckett, a young soul cursed to remain at the age of fifteen, longed for a natural aging process, yet the cold hand of fate thwarted her desires. Her heart, once beating with life's rhythm, now lay motionless within her chest, encased in a frozen, lifeless state. Her veins, once carrying the current of life's essence, now lay dry and silent, devoid of the vital blood that once coursed through them.

Vivienne's existence felt devoid of any essence, a hollowness that echoed within her soul. It was as if the curse, in keeping her young, had also stolen away the fullness of her being.

Vivienne had never desired to become a creature of legend, a cautionary tale spun in folktales to deter defiance and imprudent behaviors. Yet, the adults who wielded such stories wielded the power they craved, employing a cruelly ironic method to assert their authority. It was, indeed, a stark reminder of the unfortunate lengths humans would go to feel empowered.

It was in 1805 that Vivienne had taken her last breath as a living, mortal being, marking the moment she had relinquished a part of herself to the unyielding hold of the curse.

In the labyrinthine streets of the low-income districts of Cairo, a girl, no older than fifteen, had found herself mysteriously drawn to this place. Her reasons remained elusive, yet the persistent pull was undeniable. In the realm of unconscious hours, dreams had tugged at her psyche, guiding her towards this destination, each night reinforcing the inexplicable bond she felt to this place.

Yet, in her youthful naiveté, the girl had ventured alone, oblivious to the lurking dangers. It was a world gripped by the dark machinations of slave trading and human trafficking, where the dominant species ruthlessly pursued their cruel desires. Her vulnerability, in her lone journey, made her easy prey for the greedy and repulsive instincts that thrived in this inhumane society.

Vivienne, in her moment of foolishness, had failed to consider the consequences of her actions. The realization of her shortsightedness weighed heavily upon her, a bitter pill to swallow. Indeed, she had been a fool, underestimating the gravity of her choices and the price she would pay for her thoughtlessness.

The instant she stepped into the slums, she was caught in the darkness of the night and taken from safety, and her body was harmed in unspeakable ways. That night, she witnessed death in its most brutal form, believing it to be the end. However, a man had given her a second chance in life, and for reasons unknown, she had survived.

As she grew to realize that her second chance at life would never result in the maturity she had hoped for, her feelings of bitterness and gratitude intertwined in a whirlwind of emotions. Though the circumstances were far from ideal, she could never bring herself to resent the one who had saved her life.

Despite the weight of her newly-imposed curse, Carlisle Cullen, a mentor and guiding figure, had played an instrumental role in helping her adapt to her newfound circumstances. She harbored a deep sense of gratitude toward him, knowing that she could have easily succumbed to despair. In her debt, she considered him far more than just a stranger—he was now a treasured friend.

Over several years, their friendship had nurtured in Vivienne an indomitable hope to press on despite her undead existence. Inspired by Carlisle's company, they set off on a global odyssey, exploring the world together. In time, Carlisle chose to abstain from feeding on humans, though he graciously respected Vivienne's preference to continue doing so. This tolerance and respect for each other's choices further strengthened the bond between them.

While Carlisle made a point to feed on rabbits, Vivienne continued to hunt humans. However, she made a conscious decision to limit her prey to those who she deemed deserving of their fate. As Carlisle went about his work of saving humans, she remained in the shadows, observing his efforts with a mix of admiration and detachment.

As Carlisle dedicated his life to saving humans, Vivienne felt as though she was still on a quest to uncover her own path and purpose.

When Vivienne expressed a strange pull towards the Cairo slums that still held a certain allure for her, Carlisle wisely saw an opportunity for her to seek answers. It was the first occasion that the duo found themselves apart, but Carlisle placed his faith in her and knew that their paths would eventually cross again.

The year 1815 marked Vivienne's unexpected return to a land she had once never thought to revisit. It was a foreign land that had prematurely snatched away her human existence, but she now harbored no intention of seeking vengeance as she had in the past.

As Vivienne glided through the alleys of the slums, shrouded by her robes to protect her vampiric nature from the sun's harsh glare, a strange yet alluring song seemed to envelope her. This invisible pull guided her steps, steering her through the masses who remained blissfully unaware of her presence.

Her gaze was immediately drawn to a male figure who seemed to be around the same age she'd been when she was transformed into a vampire. His smile, which radiated a vibrant light, was directed toward the people nearby. Just behind him stood an older man, their presence captivating her attention.

The young man's performance held Vivienne's undivided focus as he executed a series of tricks. However, her keen eyes discerned that his so-called "magic" was much more than mere sleight of hand. His abilities were real, and indeed, Carlisle had once mentioned that such gifted individuals genuinely existed. She watched him, captivated by the display.

An unexpected surge of protective instincts towards the young human male stirred within Vivienne. It was a perplexing sensation, and even more puzzling considering her limited understanding. However, in her thoughts, she couldn't shake the memory of Carlisle's words. They echoed in her mind, reminding her of the danger that loomed for this human if others like herself and the Volturi discovered his unique abilities.

Vivienne's senses detected the presence of another immortal in the vicinity, and she turned to see a pair of eyes mirroring her own — deep and blood-red. The two of them regarded each other silently, and in that instant, she didn't sense any immediate threat from this unknown immortal. In a hushed tone, he discreetly instructed her to meet him at a specific address. Despite being caught off guard, she maintained eye contact, silently accepting the invitation with a nod.

The red-eyed immortal glanced towards the human male, and Vivienne's gaze also shifted in that direction. She could sense a personal connection between the two, and it seemed that somehow their interaction involved the young human.

As the applause rang out, signaling the end of the performance, Vivienne skillfully navigated her way through the departing crowd with swift and purposeful steps. Her destination, previously whispered to her by the red-eyed immortal, beckoned, and she made her way towards it with a focused determination.

She moved with calculated stillness through the designated rendezvous spot, coming upon the immortal she had met earlier. He stood there, his eyes fixed on the heavens overhead. The shade provided ample cover, and they felt safe enough to forego their cloaks for the moment. Staying veiled, Vivienne lowered her hood and spoke in a measured tone, "It's quite risky inviting a stranger like me so close to your coven." The words hung in the air, carrying a clear warning laced with subtle curiosity.

He turned to face her and smiled, revealing the reason behind his earlier words, "You were in my coven territory, which raises a red flag," he stated. His voice carried a deep accent, and his English, while rough and somewhat disorganized, was just understandable enough for her to grasp his meaning.

She spoke apologetically, "I apologize for my intrusion, but something tells me you know I didn't come here to cause trouble," Vivienne said softly.

The man nodded in understanding and faced her directly, "You've noticed the human I've been watching for years," he confirmed.

"Ah, yes, the gifted one," echoed Vivienne, nodding in acknowledgment. She then folded her arms and added, "I was drawn to the human, but I certainly didn't mean to alarm you."

He bore his eyes on her for a moment and then let out a breath," I want to bring him to my coven as he would be a very special addition" He revealed to her.

She furrowed her brows and let out a breath," Willingly? Or through force?" She asked with her tone growing hostility

"Willingly," he asserted. "I will not strip him of his human life without his consent." His response was clear and firm, conveying a sense of respect for the human's agency and choice.

"How can I be certain of it?" Vivienne inquired, raising an eyebrow skeptically.

"I dare say, but do you care for the human?" he responded, prompting her to frown.

In response, she declared, "I may not personally know the human, but I feel a strong desire to ensure you do him no harm."

"Benjamin," the man stated.

Vivienne tilted her head slightly in confusion, questioning, "Pardon?"

"The human's name is Benjamin," the male explained. "The young boy has tragically lost his mother at a young age, and he has been passed through relatives for most of his life. His uncle is the final relative who has taken him in." He paused for a moment before continuing, revealing the reason why he felt compelled to share this information with the woman standing before him.

He could immediately sense that the woman was Benjamin's mate, recognizing her as a valuable presence in his life. This realization held significance, as Benjamin was a gifted individual and thus an important commodity.

Vivienne's voice held a tone of pleading as she spoke, "Tell me more."

In response, he smiled, lowering his head slightly in a subtle bow, and introduced himself. "I am Amun. I lead the Egyptian coven in these parts, along with my mate. However, I will keep her name undisclosed until I feel I can fully trust you."

"The Egyptian Coven?" she whispered, realizing the significance.

Amun looked at her, his expression betraying surprise, "You know of the late fate?" She nodded in response, confirming her knowledge of the tragic history.

Amun's initial instinct was to harm Vivienne, out of concern that she might be associated with the Volturi. Yet, to his surprise, he found no need for suspicion. Instead, a sense of trust began to emerge.

Despite not possessing any extraordinary gifts, Amun was one of the oldest immortals, possessing the wisdom to discern that Vivienne was innocent and bore no ill intent. Moreover, his newly heightened interest in Benjamin played a significant role in his decision not to take any negative actions against her.

"Vivienne Beckett," she shared her name, meeting his gaze.

Amun's question followed, "Vivienne, would you mind telling me about your lost fate?" There was a clear reference to her transformation into an immortal.

"I traveled from another land to this place 10 years ago," she began, her voice laden with a mix of fragility and strength. "I was abducted by a slave owner—the details are too grim to recount, but you must know how it ends." Her tone grew increasingly quiet, and it had been 10 years since she had spoken of her final moments as a mortal.

Amun's expression changed as he realized the horrors she had endured, his feelings shifting from realization to disgust and anger. He had not expected the young woman to be so youthful; she was indeed a youngling among immortals.

Amun seemed almost amazed, asking, "You can be around all these humans?"

Vivienne nodded her head, explaining, "My thirst for blood is reserved for the corrupt; it's always justified." She maintained a determined stance, her words and tone conveying a sense of moral certainty.

After being meeting Amun and later discovering Benjamin as her mate, Vivienne felt compelled to stay with his coven. A few months later, Benjamin had been transformed into an immortal but remained hidden from the world. The only ones aware of his existence were the coven members: Amun, his mate Kebi, and Vivienne.

Vivienne felt a deep sense of dislike for the isolation her mate was enduring, but she could not risk his life falling into the clutches of the Volturi. So, she stood faithfully by his side for five long years. However, she couldn't help but notice the subtle signs of pain on her mate's face, a longing for a life beyond the constraints and restrictions they lived under.

Amun, too, began to notice Vivienne's behavior, and it filled him with dread. He feared that her presence was exerting a profound influence on Benjamin, possibly leading to his desire to leave the coven. This realization led him to a troubling conclusion: Vivienne was the source of the problem.

Benjamin's anguish stemmed from his decision to isolate his own mate from the world outside the coven's walls. In response to this realization, Amun reached a drastic conclusion--he decided to expel Vivienne from the coven.

...

"NO! I CANNOT LEAVE HIM!" Vivienne's voice echoed through the deserted streets, her anguish evident in her desperate plea.

"You must, Vivienne," Amun implored with a mixture of frustration and anger. "Can't you see how much it pains him? He can't take it. He will be destroyed!" Amun's voice carried a firmness, convinced that the separation was necessary to protect Benjamin.

If he had known the consequences of tearing apart the mates, he might have reconsidered his decision, for it awakened a dark power within Vivienne.

The intensity of her rage consumed Viviennes soul, manifesting in a piercing scream. With a force invisible to the eye, she hurled Amun across the empty road, sending him crashing to the ground.

Amun's body slammed into the pavement, the impact sending shock waves through his being. He couldn't believe what had just happened, the unexpected display of power from Vivienne shaking him to his core.

Amun barely had time to react, as Vivienne raised her hand and a dark green light appeared in her palm, its color almost indistinguishable from black. Just as the light was hurled towards him, he managed to dodge it narrowly, the ground near him succumbing to the power's impact, sizzling with a fierce heat.

Amun's expression hardened as he observed the nearby plant life wither and disintegrate, the power from Vivienne's hurled attack stripping away its life with terrifying efficiency.

Vivinne let out a soft groan as she struggled to harness more of her power. Suddenly, she gasped, realizing the full extent of what she had done. Reaching up to touch her face, she felt a warm liquid—blood—trickling down her cheek.

She stared, bewildered, at the blood trickling from her cheek. She could hardly believe it—her own blood, flowing from her body, a sight that should have been impossible for an immortal.