Something Darker (Book Three)

XII. Comeback

I jerked my arm away from Renesmee and stumbled backward, almost tripping on my suitcase.

"Are you okay?" Renesmee asked anxiously.

"Yeah, sorry," I said, being careful to keep my voice even. I didn't want anyone out in the car to think anything was amiss. "I tripped."

"I didn't m—"

"I'm almost done packing," I said, forcefully cutting her off. I gave her a serious look and hoped she got the message.

'Don't mention this. Ever.'

Renesmee meant well, but she had a big mouth; and I wasn't ready to talk about...well, everything.

I'd forgotten so much, so regaining my memories was incredibly disorienting. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know what to think.

I didn't get the opportunity to dwell. Just as I was jamming my suitcase closed, Jane came barging into the room.

"Hurry up," she commanded me. "We need to leave. Now."

"What? Why?" I asked as I fumbled with the zipper of my suitcase.

Jane darted across the room and zipped up my suitcase for me before marching out of the room with it in tow.

"Hey!" I called as I raced after her across the front lawn. My suitcase was already securely tucked into the trunk of the Jeep by the time I finally caught up with her.

"What's going on?" I asked, catching her by the shoulder.

"Aro called," Jane said sternly. "We've been assigned a mission that needs to be dealt with immediately. Get in the car."

That sounded bad.

Really bad.

I compiled without further comment, making sure to keep my face as blank as possible so she wouldn't catch the recognition in my eyes.

I had a strong feeling that I was about to get dragged into a whole lot of Nothing Good, but, even though I was mentally a wreck and still human, I was with my coven.

So, if Jane asked me to jump...

Well, shit. How high?

Jane climbed into the car after me, where we joined the rest of the group, although Demetri was in the driver's seat instead of in the back.

It took me a fraction of a second to realize that there wouldn't be any room for Renesmee on our trip.

"Not so fast!" Renesmee exclaimed as she forced the car door open. just as Jane tried to slam it shut. "I'm coming with you."

"No," Jane said icily.

"I'm not leaving Violet alone with you people until she gets her memory back!" Renesmee proclaimed.

"We don't have time for this," Alec said flatly.

"Get in the car!" I yelled at Renesmee.

"Vio—" Renesmee began as a smile spread across her face.

"Now!" I said, throwing my arm out to beckon her forward.

Renesmee took my outstretched hand and hastily climbed into the cab, before Jane snapped the door closed and we sped off, leaving my old life, a life I'd built all on my own, behind in the dust.

* * *

Jane didn't offer me any more details about the impromptu mission, even after we were settled into the coven's private jet, and I couldn't come out and ask her without tipping her off about the return of my memory.

I was still so disoriented by recalling so much; I needed time to process everything, if that was even possible.

The silver lining was that it had been so long since everything went down, so it was easier to act fresh than I expected. The memories were softer, and worn around the edges from age.

Even when we were off of the ground, Renesmee and I still had no idea where we were going, or what we were getting into.

I probably should've been more unnerved than I was at that moment, but I suddenly had a ton of baggage to sort though, and I had Renesmee to take care of - since clearly no one else was going to do it.

I just didn't have any mental bandwidth to spare.

The jet, of course, was incredibly luxurious - sleek and modern; although I could never imagine the Volturi travelling without style. The fuselage was small, but there was still plenty of room for six people to stretch out.

Well, maybe "plenty" was a bit generous, but regardless, we had room to breathe.

Felix and Demetri sat across from each other at the front of the fuselage, Jane and Alec sat huddled together in a few seats closer to the middle, and Renesmee and I sat together closer to the back.

I had to admit, it wasn't horrible.

It was so wonderful to have Renesmee again. She was a breath of fresh air; she was a ray of sunshine in a dense, dark forest. She was so easy to love, and our friendship picked up easily, almost as if no time had passed at all.

'Hey,' I heard Renesmee's thoughts when she took my hand in hers. 'Are you okay?'

I gave her a small nod and smiled. I was glad she seemed to have understood my silent request back at the house. I was better off keeping my cards hidden from my companions until I figured out what I wanted to do.

'Are you upset about me showing you my memories? I'm sorry I didn't ask.'

"It's okay," I mouthed to her, tilting my head slightly so my hair would fall and block my face from the direction of the twins. "I promise."

'Okay, good,' she smiled before releasing my hand.

We sat in silence for a while before Renesmee took my hand again.

'I hope you don't mind my input, but...I know you don't remember Alec, but he loves you. If you remember anything, I hope it's that.'

"Thanks," I mouthed silently.

'I don't know what happened in Italy,' she thought, 'but the Volturi soldiers seem...different with you. They seem unusually invested. Protective. I don't know. I don't know. They're different.'

I shrugged. Of course I knew why. I was incredibly powerful, and they couldn't afford to lose me. But, I couldn't tell Renesmee that.

'I wonder what it is. Even Jane. Especially Jane. She hates everyone but her brother, but she fought for you. I wonder if she finally accepted you as his mate.'

I sincerely doubted that.

"I don't know," I mouthed. "We will see, soon enough."

'Yeah. I think you're right. We'll get to the bottom of this. But, you know, if you change your mind about joining the Volturi you can tell me. I'll help you. We'll figure it out.'

"Thanks," I said silently.

I appreciate the sentiment, but I made a promise to the coven leaders. Also, I really didn't want to give Demetri a reason to kill me.

'Just something to think about,' Renesmee thought before releasing my hand.

Yes.

It certainly was something to think about.