𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥 {𝐀 𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐅𝐚𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐜} - 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 [1] ✔️

13. GABRIEL

IT HAD BEEN A FEW DAYS SINCE I FIRST STUMBLED UPON the coven, yet my curiosity had only intensified. Alana's response to my inquiry regarding Ethan's father had ignited a fire within me, compelling me to uncover their hidden secrets. What were they concealing? What had befallen Ethan's father? Was he a creature of darkness like my own worthless father, or had he met a tragic end, leaving Alana to mend her shattered heart?

I knew I needed to delve deeper, and my initial move was to locate the leader, Gabriel. As I roamed the vast mansion, I couldn't help but be awestruck by its magnificence. It was the type of place that would have caused a stir in Forks, with high school students vying to attend a party there. Yet, in this enigmatic British vampire coven, it was just another ordinary day.

The mansion was a labyrinth of opulence and mystery, with its grand chandeliers casting a soft glow on the marble floors and intricate tapestries adorning the walls. Each room I explored seemed to hold its own secrets, whispering tales of the coven's ancient history and the power that coursed through their veins.

As I wandered through the corridors, my gaze landed on a portrait adorning the wall. The painting depicted a group of eight individuals, clad in different hues of black, positioned against a somber grey backdrop. Their ruby eyes shimmered under the illumination, evoking memories of the newborns and Victoria from my history. Yet, there was a peculiar allure to these silhouettes, a mysterious quality that captivated me and refused to release its hold.

Immersed in the artwork, a profound sense of reverence and curiosity enveloped me. It was as if I had been transported back to the innocence of childhood, where every facet of the world was a source of marvel and intrigue. Fixated upon the countenances of the eight vampires, an unyielding determination surged within me, compelling me to unravel their concealed truths and delve into their past.

Suddenly, it struck me like a lightning bolt. The truth sank in, and my thoughts spiraled with inquiries. Gabriel and the Volturi guards were depicted in the painting, with four of them standing out in my memory - the ones that spoke to Victoria about the newborn army. They were the ones responsible for Bree's death, the ones who had interactions with Bella and the Cullens. Why did Gabriel possess a painting of them displayed on the wall? What set them apart from the rest?

As I stared at the painting, a sense of unease washed over me. Gabriel had always been a mysterious figure, to me, but now it seemed like there was a darker side to him that I had never known about. The fact that he had a painting of the Volturi guards, who were known for their ruthless ways, raised even more questions about his true intentions.

I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something sinister going on, something that I had been oblivious to all this time. Was Gabriel somehow connected to the Volturi? And if so, what did that mean for me and the others who trusted him?

I knew I had to confront Gabriel about the painting, to get to the bottom of this once and for all. But as I made my way to his office, a sense of dread crept over me. What if the truth was too much to handle? What if Gabriel wasn't who he claimed to be?

But I couldn't let fear hold me back. I had to know the truth, no matter how painful it may be.

I inhaled deeply, my nerves tingling as I cautiously distanced myself from the captivating painting. Suddenly, a masculine voice resonated through the air, causing me to startle. I pivoted on my heels, my eyes meeting Gabriel's figure in a sleek black suit and polished shoes. A gentle smile graced his pale countenance, radiating warmth.

"Are you alright?" he inquired, concern lacing his words.

My trembling voice directed his attention towards the painting. "I stumbled upon this...this artwork."