𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐫𝐚 {𝐀 𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐅𝐚𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐜} [2] ✔️

18. THE TRUTH

AS I ASCENDED THE STAIRS TO THE ROOFTOP, my body was filled with anticipation. I had no idea what I would find up there, but I knew it would be something special. And I was right. When I arrived, I saw Dad sitting there, as peaceful as a monk in meditation. He was gazing up at the night sky, his eyes fixed on the twinkling stars above.

I couldn't help but marvel at his stillness. He was like a statue, his back straight and strong, his legs crossed in a perfect lotus position. His arms rested on his knees, as if he were in the midst of a yoga practice. I approached him slowly, not wanting to disturb his reverie.

"Dad," I said softly, and he turned to look at me. His eyes were open, but they seemed to be focused on something far beyond me.

"Hello, Violet," he said, his voice calm and serene. He turned his gaze back to the sky, and I followed his lead, looking up at the stars.

I wanted to say something, to ask him what he was doing up here, but the words wouldn't come. Instead, I simply asked, "What are you doing?"

He smiled, a small, contented smile. "Just what I always do when I'm upset or angry," he said. "Looking up at the stars. They always make me feel calm. Such beautiful things, the stars are."

And as I sat there beside him, looking up at the glittering sky, I knew that he was right. The stars were beautiful, and they had a way of making everything else seem small and insignificant. For a moment, I forgot all my worries and fears, and I simply sat there, basking in the glow of the night sky.

The stars twinkled like little fireflies, suspended in the vast expanse of the bluish-black sky. And there, in the distance, a crescent moon hung low, casting a gentle glow over us. I couldn't help but wonder if Ayla felt relieved that it wasn't a full moon.

But my thoughts soon turned to my father and the Romanian Coven. Their animosity towards each other had persisted for thousands of years, and yet, only one of them had moved on.

I took a seat beside my father, hoping to find some solace in his presence. "Dad?" I whispered, and he hummed in response. "Are you sure about all of this? About it being a mistake?"

He shook his head, a deep sadness etched on his face. "Yes and no," he replied, his gaze fixed on his feet. "It's complicated, especially given the situation I'm in."

I turned away from him, lost in my own thoughts. The stars and the moon continued to shine above us, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is still beauty to be found.

"I assure you, Dad, we are not fighting," I calmly explained to him. "We are simply having a conversation."

"I am well aware of that, Violet," he replied, his eyes fixed on mine.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration at his lack of understanding. "And?" I asked, my golden eyes piercing into his.

"Well, it was bad enough that I didn't join when it was voluntary," he replied, his voice laced with a hint of regret. I scoffed, getting up from the roof. "Violet, if it were to happen, it wouldn't just be a war. Do you understand? It's not like anything we've ever seen before."

I couldn't bear to hear him talk like that. "Stop talking like that!" I yelled at him. "If the Volturi want a fight, that's their problem, not ours!"

"It's not just fighting, Violet," Dad rose to his feet as well. "It's dying. Much like this conversation."

I couldn't help but feel a sense of anger at his words. "Tell that to the Romanians," I muttered quietly, and somehow, he heard me. He walked over to me, his eyes filled with concern.

"You're still too young, Violet," he said, his voice softening.

"So is everyone else," I barked at him. "I've heard from Bella and Jacob that seven boys are turning into wolves because of our presence."