Dark Blood - A. Volturi

Chapter 6

Jade led Shadow to the throne room, urgency clear in her eyes. When they arrived in front of the doors, she knocked.

"Come in," A voice came from behind the great doors.

Jade pushed open the doors, stepping in. "Master. I think we should tell Shadow what you told me," Her voice cracked a little, and her composure wavered slightly.

"Ahhh, yes. She deserves to know. Shadow, after discovering your bond, we found a deeper truth to it. Alec has a bond as well," Aro spoke up, a mischievous grin in his eyes.

Jade took a step back, her eyes wide. "W-who is he bonded to, Master?" Shadow could tell she didn't know.

"You, Jade. He is bonded to you!" Aro clapped his hands together and smiled creepily.

What is wrong with his smile? Jade's first thought was, until the revelation sunk in. "No... no... I HATE HIM!" She screeched, anger in her eyes and venom in her voice.

Meanwhile, Shadow had fallen to the floor, her body shaking as she sobbed. Alice and Rosalie burst in, both of them wide eyed. They rushed to Shadow and picked up the weeping hybrid.

Unnoticed by anyone, Jade had run out of the throne room and into Volterra, leaving no trace.

"Shhh... it's okay, Shadow. We'll get through this together,"

The throne room was in silence after Jade's outburst, save for Shadow's broken sobs echoing around its walls. Aro watched the scene unfold with an expression of amusement, his twisted satisfaction evident in every curl of his lips.

Alice stepped forward, her gaze sharp. "Aro," she said coldly, "you've played your hand. Whatever game you're running, this isn't the end for us."

Aro tilted his head, his grin unfaltering. "My dear Alice, I merely revealed the truth. It's not my fault that bonds bring... complications." His voice dripped with mock innocence, his hands still clasped together.

Rosalie crouched beside Shadow, her hands steady as she helped her to her feet. "We're done here," she declared, her tone resolute. "We'll figure out what to do without your meddling. We can overpower you if we want."

"You're free to try," Aro replied smoothly, spreading his hands. "But remember, bonds are not easily broken. They shape our destinies, whether you like it or not."

Shadow let Rosalie and Alice guide her out of the room, her legs trembling like jelly beneath her. As the heavy doors closed behind them, the suffocating pressure of Aro's discovery lingered.

Alec's POV

Alec stood frozen in the shadowed corner of the throne room with Jane, unnoticed by anyone else. He'd heard every word, every cry of anguish that had escaped Jade's lips.

She hates me. The thought stabbed through his chest like a blade.

His bond with Jade had come as a shock even to him. It had revealed itself the moment he felt Shadow's bond ignite, as though their connection had triggered something buried deep within him. But Jade's reaction was worse than anything he could have imagined.

She screeched like I was a monster.

He clenched his fists, his jaw tightening as he tried to suppress the pain that surged through him. Pain, and something darker—resentment. Why did fate curse him with a bond to someone who would rather die than look at him?

As the room emptied, leaving only Aro and himself, Alec finally stepped forward. His voice was low, steady. "Master. You knew this would happen."

Aro turned, his expression unreadable for the first time. "Ah, young Alec. I simply uncovered the truth with Marcus. How others choose to react is beyond my control."

Alec's lips curled into a sneer. "Liar. You wanted this chaos. You wanted her to break."

"Perhaps," Aro admitted, his grin returning. "Or perhaps I simply wanted you to feel something. After all, bonds are a powerful motivator, aren't they?"

Alec said nothing, his glare cutting into Aro before he turned and stormed out of the room. He needed air, space to think—and maybe something to destroy.

(End of Alec's POV)

Shadow stumbled down the hallway, flanked by Alice and Rosalie. Her heart felt as though it had been torn in two, the weight of her own bond with Alec compounded by the knowledge of his bond with Jade.

"How do we fix this?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

"We find Jade first," Alice replied firmly, scanning the corridor ahead. "She's alone out there, and she's not thinking straight."

"She doesn't want to be found," Rosalie muttered. "You saw how she ran. She'll fight us if we push too hard."

Shadow wiped her tears, forcing herself to stand taller. "We have to try. She's my friend, and I won't let her go through this alone."

The trio moved through the quiet streets of Volterra, calling out for Jade. It wasn't until they reached the city's outskirts that they spotted her, standing on a high balcony overlooking the darkening valley.

"Jade," Shadow called softly, her voice carrying a mixture of hope and desperation.

Jade turned, her eyes filled with venom that would never leak– and anguish. Her eyes were wide and wild, a mixture of anger and despair burning in them. "Go away, Shadow," she hissed. "I can't do this. Not now. I didn't want to do anything to hurt you. And I don't want this bond,"

Shadow stepped closer, her hands raised in surrender. "Please, Jade. I know this is unbearable, but we'll figure it out. Together." But even she couldn't believe it herself. Inside, her heart was breaking. It was slowly killing her lively self.

Destroying her.

"Together?" Jade laughed bitterly, shaking her head. "You don't get it. He's bonded to me, Shadow. Me! I'll never be free of him, no matter how much I hate him."

"You don't have to face him," Alice interjected. "Not if you don't want to. We'll find a way to break the bond, Jade. I promise."

Jade's lip quivered, her resolve cracking. "You don't understand... this changes everything." She buried her face in her hands, her sobs muffled. "I just wanted to help you, Shadow. I didn't want to cause anything else,"

Shadow reached out, placing a tentative hand on her shoulder. "You're right. It does change everything. But we'll face it together, Jade. Please, don't shut us out."

Jade hesitated before finally nodding, her shoulders sagging in defeat. "Fine," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "But I'm not going near him. Ever."

A/N: Ooh. Drama. It's also kinda sad. I really like the dynamic this is headed to. It's just so, sad though. Anyone think that Jade might end up loving Alec? Or if Shadow will end up with him? I honestly am still just going with the flow. Hope you enjoyed it!

Love,

Jade