Violet Forsythe has finally found peace.
She successfully escaped a coven of malignant vampires, worked hard to get an education, and has actually managed to pull herself together.
But, as old acquaintances begin to resurface, the life that Violet w...
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I resisted the urge to roll my eyes as I leveled my gaze at Renesmee.
Rat.
Edward narrowed his eyes at me; I didn't care. He only knew Renesmee's hyperbolic interpretation of what happened. Who knew what she told her coven, or how she colored her memories.
It infuriated me that I was being blindsided, and if the Cullens thought they could drag me in front of my whole coven and walk away unpunished, they were sorely mistaken. I was done letting immortals step on me. I wasn't a weak little human anymore - and everyone was going to pay.
"Well?" I snapped at Renesmee. "If you have something to say, you might as well say it to my face. What did you say?"
"Now, now," Aro said gently, "There's no reason we cannot sort through this amicably. No need to be confrontational."
Aro's sentiment made me incredibly suspicious. It was no secret that he loved drama, and he loved sticking it to the Cullens. If he didn't want me barking at Renesmee, one could only assume he had something more...creative in mind.
I shook my head, and gave Renesmee a look of deep disappointment and disgust.
Rat.
"The Cullens have expressed concern about the treatment Renesmee has received by our coven over the past week," Aro said, purposefully grouping the whole coven together despite the obvious origin of the complaint.
Jane drifted down the stairs and stood next to me, exchanging a look of immense irritation with me.
'Here we go,' I thought tartly.
"They claim that she was dragged into danger, manhandled, and insulted," Aro said.
"And tortured," Bella snapped.
My jaw went slack as my mind reeled for a comeback; Jane just smiled.
Bella hissed, which only caused Jane to smile wider.
"Jane told her to leave!" I protested. "Renesmee insisted on following up, time and time again!"
Renesmee had the nerve to avert her eyes, choosing to study the floor instead of being an active part of the conversation that she started.
"And, no offense," I added, lowering my voice, "but I had much bigger things to deal with than Renesmee feelings.
"The world doesn't revolve around you, Renesmee." Jane said coolly.
"How unfortunate," Alec added snarkily.
Renesmee's eyes snapped up to look at Alec, then me, as if she expected me to say something in her defense.
"Bigger things?" Edward said, letting out a bitter laugh, "Sleeping with half of your team is considered a pressing matter these days? The Volturi's priorities certainly have shifted, haven't they?"
Bella gave me an acrid smirk; the rest of the Cullen's just looked uncomfortable.
"That's not what happened," I snapped. I couldn't believe he had the nerve to say that! In front of everyone! My coven, his coven, my mate!
I was ready to rage.
"What do you want, Edward, an apology?" Alec chimed in, to my surprise. I literally just beat his ass, and yet...wow. "Not everyone wants to condemn themselves to a lifetime abstinence like you."
"You're a fucking loser," Jane said.
I glanced at Jane.
Wow. What a poet.
"No, but I expect—" Edward began.
"You know, I'm getting really sick of your holier than thou attitude," I said, cutting him off. "You're not better than us just because we don't act like you."
"Your coven chooses to eat roadkill," Alec said. "Why should we care about your beliefs anyway? Considering how flawed your judgement seems to be."
"Our lifestyle has nothing to do with the way you abused my daughter," Bella fumed.
"Abused!" Jane cackled.
Bella hissed; she didn't seem to appreciate Jane laughing in her face.
"I didn't expect you to have shame," Bella said to Jane, "But I'm sick of you waltzing around, acting as if there are no repercussions for your actions. You will not get away with harming Renesmee."
"What are you going to do about it?" Jane challenged.
Bella took an step toward Jane, but Edward caught her by the arm.
I wished he hadn't. I would've loved an excuse to beat her ass, too.
"It appears we have much to catch up on!" Aro exclaimed, raising from his throne. Despite outward trying to suppress the escalating animosity and drama, glee danced shamelessly in his eyes. "Violet! Please! Allow me to clear this up for everyone," he said shrilly, reaching his hand expectantly.
"I don't want to talk about it," I said defiantly as I remained rooted in my spot. "I hope you don't mind," I said with a biting smile, "Master."
Jane shot daggers at me with her eyes. I didn't care. Aro was a clown and the type of respect he demanded from his own coven was ridiculous; he deserved to be mocked.
Aro stared at me vacantly.
I stared back, mean mugging. I was ready to fight.
I mean, what the hell was he going to do? Make me let him read my mind?
Absolutely not.
Not happening.
After a long moment, Aro let out a shrill, manic giggle. "I understand," he said joyously, before his smile softened and his eyes grew cold. "For now."
I looked away bitterly.
So, this was my future. I get to spend all eternity with my mate, my closest, albeit pure evil, friend, and....THIS guy.
No privacy, no personal space - no relationship would ever truly be my own. Anger bubbled in my stomach before the dejection set in. I knew there was no way out of the Volturi, and even if there was, Demetri would never leave - he enjoyed his work and position too much.
How often does a person get offered that much power? I couldn't imagine that he'd give it up.
"Stop making that face," Jane hissed at me.
I grimaced at her before returning my attention to the Cullens. I noticed that Edward was staring at me intently. He was prying.
"Stop reading my mind," I snapped at him.
"I can't help it," he smirked coldly, "You're thoughts are so loud."
Great. There was no way Edward wouldn't tell Aro about my treasonous thoughts. Anything to make my life miserable, huh?
I stared at Renesmee; our eyes met.
RAT.
She had no idea what she'd inflicted on me by showing up here like a crybaby with mommy and daddy in tow.
