Dark Blood - A. Volturi

Chapter 8

"Oh? You may regret that sentence in the future. Especially if I put a bounty on your head."

Jade isolated herself in her room, locking the door behind her. \

So Jade Volturi was supposed to be Alec's soulmate. That ruined her entire plan. You see, Jade Volturi was actually dead. She was just impersonating her. She was actually a vampire who could impersonate a dead vampire, and her name was Raven. Raven Corvenn, the same Raven who can impersonate anyone who's dead. She had to keep her secret, and make sure no one found out.

Why? Raven always needed a strong coven to join, but when as herself, everyone hated her. And after finding out Jade died before she could meet her soulmate, she knew this was the perfect opportunity. Capture Alec's heart, join the Volturi, then eventually worm her way to the top. But first, she had to get through the little heartbroken hybrid, and her facade of care. Really she was just a ruthless vampire who longed for power. And this is how she was going to get it.

Alec's POV

Alec moved silently through the halls of the Volturi castle, his steps muffled by centuries of practiced stealth. Something about "Jade" didn't sit right with him. Since Aro's grand revelation, her behavior had become erratic, suspicious even. And Alec was nothing if not attentive to cracks in the facade.

His crimson eyes narrowed as he approached her quarters. The door, slightly ajar, emitted the faintest trace of movement inside. He slipped through the gap like a shadow, silent and invisible, his curiosity piqued.

Inside, she stood by the grand window, her back to him. But it wasn't Jade Volturi who stood there. Her form had changed—the dark, onyx hair that framed her face in waves so perfectly had been replaced by a cascade of hazel brown locks. Her stance was rigid, defensive, and her pale skin seemed almost spectral under the moonlight.

Alec's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Impressive," he drawled, his voice cold, slicing through the stiff silence like a knife.

The woman spun around, crimson eyes wide with shock, though she quickly masked her panic. "Alec." Her voice, taut with tension, betrayed her unease.

Alec took a single step forward, his gaze scanning her with icy precision. "You're not Jade Volturi," he said, each word deliberate and sharp. "You're someone else entirely. You're Raven Corvenn, the shapeshifter from death."

She stiffened but said nothing, her silence confirming his suspicions.

"Clever, I'll admit," Alec continued, circling her like a wolf toying with its prey. "Impersonating a dead vampire. That must be your little trick, isn't it? A pity you didn't do your research better. Jade Volturi may have been dead, but her soul was still bonded. Did you really think no one would notice? Did you really think I wouldn't notice? I couldn't feel the pull. I knew you weren't her. But I had to do a little investigation, and here's my proof."

Raven—her carefully constructed mask now shattered—straightened her shoulders. "And if I did?" she said, venom dripping from her words.

Alec tilted his head, his lips curling into a smirk that was more predatory than amused. "What happens now? Do I expose you to Aro? Watch as he tears you apart for your deception?"

Raven clenched her fists, but her glare didn't waver. "You could," she said coldly, "but you won't."

Alec arched an eyebrow. "Won't I?"

"No," Raven said, a sly smirk forming on her lips despite the tension. "Because I know what you're thinking, Alec. Exposing me now would disrupt Aro's perfect little plan. And you, above all, hate chaos."

Her words hung in the air, a gamble that could tip the scales in either direction. Alec stared at her, his calculating mind piecing together the possibilities. She was right—Aro's plan hinged on the delicate facade of the bond. Tearing it apart prematurely wouldn't serve him.

"Clever girl," Alec murmured, his smirk deepening. "You understand the game."

He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "But make no mistake, Raven. I know who you are. And if you misstep, even once, I'll enjoy watching Aro tear you apart. Or maybe, I'll tear you apart myself."

Raven's smirk faltered for the briefest moment, but she quickly recovered. "You don't scare me, Alec. "

"Oh? You may regret that sentence in the future. Especially if I put a bounty on your head." Alec smirked sadistically, enjoying every second she cowered away. Everyone knows how you ripped apart families, torn apart friends, and killed ruthlessly." Alec continued to poke at her, listing of everything she's done. "More than one person would want you dead."

As he reached the door, he paused, casting a glance over his shoulder. "You'll keep up your little charade, Raven. For now. But don't mistake this for mercy. It's a leash. A boundary."

The heavy door clicked shut, and the pressuring silence of the room scared Raven. She stood frozen, her chest rising and falling with unnecessary breaths—a lingering habit she despised in moments like this.

No one was supposed to know. But...

He knows.

Her mind spiraled in a thousand directions, each replaying the encounter with Alec over and over. His words, his smirk, the cold calculation in his crimson eyes, the venom in his voice—it was like standing before death and finding it staring back at her. He hadn't exposed her, but the threat felt as if she might be exposed any second.

Raven turned back to the window, gripping the edge of the sill so tightly her knuckles turned bone white. The moonlight illuminated her true form—the one she had hidden beneath layers of deceit and stolen identities. Hazel-brown hair fell over her shoulders in uneven strands, a far cry from the polished, regal appearance of the beautiful "Jade Volturi."

Her carefully constructed plan, years in the making, now felt as fragile as glass. Alec's gaze had pierced straight through her. The boy was cold, ruthless, and far more intelligent than she had anticipated. She had underestimated him—a mistake that could cost her everything.

The torment twisted deeper, thorns to her unbeaten heart. She clenched her jaw, willing herself to stay composed, but her thoughts betrayed her.

He could tell Aro. He could destroy me. And then I would be killed.

Raven's crimson eyes flickered with something she hadn't felt in centuries: fear. Not the tortuous kind she used to manipulate her prey, but raw, suffocating terror. For centuries, she had perfected the art of survival. Of escape. She had taken on the faces of the dead, wormed her way into covens, and left before the truth caught up to her. But this time, it was different.

This time, the game was personal.

She ran a trembling hand through her hair, her mind racing. She couldn't afford to slip. Alec was giving her rope, but it was a leash, as he had so coldly reminded her. Every step, every word, every glance would be scrutinized.

Her reflection in the glass seemed to mock her. The proud, ruthless vampire she had once been was now reduced to this—a cornered prey pretending to be a sadistic predator.

But the fear couldn't last. It couldn't, right?

Raven let out a shaky breath, forcing herself to stand taller. Fear was a weakness, and weakness had no place in her life. If Alec wanted a game, she would give him one. He might have the upper hand now, but Raven Corvenn never played fair.

Her lips curled into a bitter smile as her thoughts sharpened.

If Alec thought he could control her, he was wrong. She would find a way to turn this situation to her advantage. She always did.

For now, she would stay in the shadows, playing the part of the grieving Jade Volturi. But one day, she vowed, Alec would regret toying with her.

One day, she would regret that. Because a new ability found would bring unmatchable strength. From the real Jade Amber Volturi.

A/N: Merry Christmas! I hope you liked this chapter, and dear readers, this is my gift to you!

Love,

Jade