The Mission

Twenty Six

I woke later on. Jane's arms were around me. I felt numb. I didn't really want to talk. I just wanted silence. I wish I can turn back time. Don't get me wrong, I'm so grateful I met Jane, but I did wrong. I did way wrong, and I wish I could turn back time in the aspect of I never did any of this. I can't believe I even came up with what I did to Becca. It was going to be a long day, especially if I start my day off with my mind racing with a million little thoughts. 

I felt movement on my arm. It was Janes hand rubbing my arm gently, "Izzy? Are you awake?" her voice said quietly.

I nodded. 

"Are you okay?" she asked. 

I shrugged, not speaking. 

"What's wrong love?" Jane asked moving her hand from my arm to my face, brushing the hair behind my ear. 

I had to say something, but I didn't know what to say, "I'm just tired... I don't know... I just don't feel good," I said, which was true. My body was engulfed in emotions. Sadness... guilt... regret... hatred... embarrassed. 

"What part of you doesn't feel good?" she said now sitting up. Jane looked worried, "I can take you to the infirmary," she quickly spoke. 

"No... no... not like that. I'm just having... I don't know... guilt... just mental stuff," I said. 

She nodded, "I shouldn't have let you do that. This is truly my fault," she said, "It's normal to feel those emotions"

"It's not Jane. I'm the one who pushed it. From the very beginning, you told me not to, but I didn't listen. My fault. There are consequences for everything, and well, I'm facing mine now," I sighed. 

She pulled me into a tight hug, "It passes, I promise it does,"

"How do you know?" I asked looking up at her. 

"I feel guilt part of the time here because of what I do. I have to have a hard shell. You may see a side of me that you don't want to see. I have been told to... hu- use my gift on people, and as you saw with Felix, it causes pain, and I have to use my gift on people, even if they are innocent. I know that guilt and so does Alec, Demetri and even Felix. Others here I am not sure, but we do. 

"Can't you guys say no? Or leave?"

"It is not that easy around here. Rules are different here. We can't leave, plus Aro is like a father to Alec and me. He saved us from death so our loyalty to him is strong. If I could leave with you, I would, but I can't," she looked down. 

I looked up at her. Death? What does she mean saved from death?

"I have never told you my backstory, have I?" she said when I gave a confused face. 

I shook my head. 

"Do you want to hear it?" she asked. 

"Yes, only if you feel comfortable," I whispered. 

"I would share anything with you. You are my mate remember? You deserve to know everything about me," she held onto my hand. 

"Thank you."

Jane took a deep breath and began, "Alec and I were born only minutes apart. We were born in 0800AD Our mother died in childbirth. So, our dad raised us. My gift started to appear when I was five. It was very hard to control, especially when I had temper tantrums," she smiled a bit, "My father tried to hide it. I was pulled out of school at nine due to my powers becoming stronger. My father tried to protect me. It was before the times of, well, the Salem witch trials, but they still did similar things. People were already getting suspicious because whenever I got angry I would accidently hurt people. Alec and I were bullied a lot. I couldn't control it. I would get mad and yell and the next thing they were toppled over in pain. I tried to control it. I really, really did, but whenever I got mad or scared it would happen. So, our father hid us from the world. We were kept in the house, and we weren't really allowed to leave. It was like this until I was 15. One day our father got sick, and he needed to get some food and well go to the get the doctor, but Alec and I were cornered by a drunk. He went to grab my brother, and I screamed at him and used my gift, just so he wouldn't hurt him. I exposed myself and my family which is how the rumors started. They said my family and I were witches, specifically me," she took a deep breath. "Aro had watched us for a while when he found out about my gift.  He came back periodically to check in on us. He never told us what he was until he changed us,"

I saw where this was going, and it was nowhere good. 

Her voice began to shake, "We had to leave, me and my family, but we couldn't because of my father's illness. They began to blame me and for the illnesses and animal deaths that were happening throughout the town," she paused for a few moments. Her eyes went blank. 

I knew that look from anywhere. It was the face of a flashback. I took her hand to try and ground her. 

She blinked a few times before taking another deep breath, "This went on for a week before they came for me and my family. They accused us. They took My brother, father and me and brought us to be burnt," she looked down and took a few more moments to collect herself, "They tied us up and well,"

"Tried to kill you and your family," I said for her. 

She nodded, "Aro came and saved us. He was able to get to me and Alec in time, but not my father. Aro killed the entire village and turned us," she finished. 

I moved to her and hugged her tightly. She wrapped her arms around me as well and rested her head on my chest. I touched the back of her head, "I'm sorry, you didn't deserve any of that," I said.

She nodded and took a few calming breaths. 

"How old are you?" I asked. 

"Me and my brother were turned when we were both 15," she sighed and looked down, seemingly worried. 

Was she worried that she was younger than me? 

"Always been forced to be the adult... I... I know you are 17 ... but I" she started speaking quickly. 

"Jane, Jane, stop," I said grabbing both of her hands, interrupting her. "You just said you were in 800AD. You are way older than me," Then I began counting on my fingers, "I'm the one who should be worried, you are 1,200 years old," I teased. 

She took it seriously, "Izzy... I... I... Alec and I were always forced to be adults... we..." she looked up at me, her eyes wide

"Stop," I said and cut her off with a kiss. "You are much more mature than I am. You have been through hell of a lot more than I have. I don't care how old you are... I mean if you were like ten... eleven, then I'd be a little... concerned," I paused, "So stop worrying," I sighed. 

She only held on to me tighter. 

"You may be frozen at 15 but you are much more mature and wayyyy smarter than me. You know right from wrong, and I don't yet. I am still learning. You have 1,200 years of experience. I have 17," I held onto her, "Hell, I didn't even know you were 15 until today. I would never have known if you didn't tell me,"

"Are you lying?" she asked. 

I chuckled, "Why would I lie to you?" I tilted my head, "Have I ever lied to you?" 

She looked up at me. Jane had a soft smile on her face, "No, you haven't," she reached her hand to touch my cheek. 

"Thought so," I looked down at her. I tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear. 

"I haven't had a connection to a human... well... since I was a human, and even then, the only one who showed me and my brother compassion was my father. I mean... Aro has... but it isn't the same as a human," 

"I guess you are going to have to get used to it," 

"I guess I will," she closed her eyes and rested her head against my chest. She breathed in and out when I did, and she listened to my heartbeat. 

"I didn't realize how much a craved a human touch until I met you," she whispered and closed her eyes.