Something Darker (Book Three)

XI. Reminder

"You know, Alec. If you need someone to prove to Violet that you and her used to be together romantically, you could've asked me," Renesmee said from the passenger seat as we pulled out of the coffee shop parking lot.

Felix took over the driver's seat after we got back to the car - Renesmee had abused her privilege behind the wheel by driving like a lunatic - and we were on our way back to the house where I lived so I could collect my things.

Jane was a hardass, but strangely, it didn't take much convincing to get her to change her mind and let me go back to the house for a bit and pull myself together before our trip back to Italy.

Maybe choosing her over her brother was the right move after all.

"I appreciate your offer, but your assistance isn't necessary," Alec said without much inflection from the seat behind her. I was pushed into his lap again by his sister, which was...you know. Strange. Considering he had just professed his feelings for me and I rejected him.

But, what could I do?

Plus, Alec was actually being a really good sport about the whole ordeal. Maybe it was because he knew me already, so he knew the kind of person I was. I didn't want to hurt his feelings, I was just being honest. I had a strong feeling that he understood that, even without saying it out loud.

"I could show her my memories of you two, though. It would be so easy," Renesmee said.

"He said it is unnecessary," Jane said with a hard edge in her voice.

"She's just trying to help," I said sympathetically.

"My brother and I shouldn't have to repeat ourselves," Jane said haughtily.

"Yeah, but—" I stopped short when Jane gave me a cold look.

'Yeah, I made the right choice, not crossing her,' I thought as I quickly shifted my gaze away from her.

When we arrived back at my house, Renesmee went in with me to help me pack - upon my insistence, of course. I felt bad about the prospect of leaving her alone with the Volturi soldiers. Their disdain for her was evident. I figured it was better for everyone if I kept Renesmee close to me.

Jane didn't seem pleased with the idea of me wandering off with Renesmee, but the sun was beginning to shine, and having Renesmee go indoors with me was better than me going alone. If I tried to run, Renesmee could catch me.

Unless she tried to run with me.

But, Jane didn't seem bothered by us being flight risks, I guessed. From what I understood of Demetri's gift, which Jane had so generously explained, I couldn't blame her. He'd hunt us down in a heartbeat.

Regardless, Renesmee and I were sent in with strict instructions to make it quick, so I didn't waste any time making my way back to my shared bedroom to pack. Luckily, there weren't many people back home yet. Some were still out from the night before, and the few that made it home were still passed out cold.

Once Renesmee and I got to my room, I got straight down to packing. I didn't actually own much stuff, so I knew the whole process wouldn't take longer than thirty minutes, tops.

"So..." Renesmee trailed off as she sat down on an empty bed.

"So, what?" I asked, keeping my eyes down as I hastily began tossing clothes into my large suitcase.

"You really turned down Alec for Jane's sake, huh?"

"It wasn't personal," I said flatly.

"But he's your mate. You're destined to be, so why fight it?" she asked.

"I have no idea what you're talking about and, to be honest, I don't have any interest in it, either. So, do me a favor and keep it to yourself."

To me, it sounded like Renesmee was about to open a whole can of worms, and I very clearly didn't have time for that.

"You're telling me you don't feel anything toward him right now?" Renesmee prodded.

"I'm sorry, are we in middle school?" I asked. My words came out harsher than I intended.

"No," she said defensively as I continued to go about my packing. "But, he's your mate! You have to feel something."

"I'm too busy trying to avoid my inevitable death. Do you remember that part? When you came crashing into my life, screaming about how I was going to die?"

"Well. Sure, but..." Renesmee said slowly, sorting through her thoughts. "According to the vision, Demetri won't kill you until after you turn, so you still have some time."

"Thanks! That's super helpful!" I replied sarcastically.

"Look! I showed up! I changed the course of history. As far as we know, he won't kill you anymore."

"Unless I join your coven, right? Like you said? Because I already told Jane I'd join hers, so I should be off the hook."

"I guess," Renesmee said. "Unless you change your mind."

"I won't," I said sternly.

"Why? You'd love it in Forks!" she said with genuine optimism. "You'd like it much more than that cold, dark castle in Volterra, that's for sure."

"How could I join your coven if my 'mate'," I said, making air quotes, "is in the Volturi."

"I don't know. That's just what I saw," Renesmee said plainly.

"No, that's what Alice saw. Not you. What if you're interpreting her vision wrong?" I pointed out.

"What other reason could Demetri have to bow up and jump on you?" she asked defensively. Her feelings seemed wounded by the insinuation that she could be incorrect.

"I don't know," I huffed, exasperated. "Why don't we just ask him!"

"Alec seemed convinced that he's a genuine threat to you," Renesmee said skeptically.

"But Jane didn't," I said stubbornly. "Which twin do you believe?"

"Neither!"

"That's helpful."

"Alec has your best interests at heart. He always have," Renesmee insisted. "Jane hates you. I mean, the only reason she hasn't killed you yet is because of her brother. He protects you, even when you don't realize it."

"Jane's weird, okay? I'll give you that," I said, growing annoyed. "But I'm not under the impression that she hates me, much less wants to kill me."

"Look," Renesmee said sharply before stomping over and snatching my wrist.

Then, the strangest thing happened.

Memories flooded my mind.

Memories of me, but they weren't my own.

I could see myself, laughing and confiding with who I assumed was Renesmee, from her point of view.

I could see Alec and me, exchanging warm looks and sweet smiles at dinner at an Italian restaurant. I could see Jane, glaring and hurling insults at me.

And Renesmee showed me the long conversation we had over cake on my eighteenth birthday.

I relived it. Every miserable moment of it.

And then,

I remembered everything.