Devoured Soul • Edward Cullen

[6]

Anthea had separated herself away from the group, still within the trees, clothed in tight black pants and an Italian leather jacket that now seemed extremely ironic. The rest of the witnesses seemed to understand why she remained hidden, almost every vampire knew Aro's infatuation with the brunette and his desire to have her back in his claws. Which was why no one found her actions cowardly and instead stayed anxiously silent.

It was almost as if she could feel them, like they were already too close to her, like Aro was breathing right down her name. She never thought she would actually ever be here, about to face her maker, the man who had been hunting her for centuries. That had turned into this monster that had done nothing but ruin things and survive.

Surviving.

That's all she was good at. It had always been 'run first, think later' with her, survival of the fittest and all that. He had been the only one to even come close to dampening her speed. He was the only thing she had ever considered actually living for in her 500 years of existence. This was why she didn't find it all that strange that she was indeed still situated in her current position.

She was about to face the creatures she had been on the run from for all those centuries. For what, to save his family? No hers, not theirs, his. His new wife and their child that she hated with all of her non existent heart. But the golden part, the sweeter part of her ushered her quietly that this was what was meant to happen. Not for her to be with Edward, no for her to not be so that he could be happy, so that he could live.

Which was why she was here, which was why she was allowing her death to happen.

"The redcoats are coming, the redcoats are coming." Garrett murmured almost excitedly as he all but bounced in his spot beside his newly found mate, Kate, who clung to him tightly.

That was when Anthea saw them. The sea of black that moved like a hive. She had never seen them all together like this, only ever small hunting parties. Aro was in front, with Caius and Marcus just a step behind him. They stopped at a few yards away from them, rustling to a graceful stop.

He hadn't seen her yet, Anthea concluded from her spot within the tree line, noticing how his beady red eyes had yet to show any sign of recognition.

"Aro, let's discuss things like me used to, in a civilized manner." Carlisle suggested, taking a step forward in front of his family.

"Fair words, Carlisle. But a little out place, given the battalion you've assembled against us." Aro hissed, his voice sending shivers down Anthea spine. It hadn't been long enough since she had last heard that voice.

Anthea was distracted after that, focused on keeping herself hidden even if it was only for a short while. She wasn't ready for him to see her yet, which was why she reached out, burning the memories of her further out of Edward's brain so that when his hand was grabbed by Aro, she would not be found so plainly.

Chaos happened quickly after that. Renesmee was discovered to not be an immortal child and the death of Irena Denali happened promptly after. Her sisters made a lunge right afterwards.

This was it. She appeared out of the tree line, causing everyone to freeze and go silent.

"Anthea, oh my dear Anthea." Aro breathed, awed at the sight of her.

She kept her head held high as every eye fell on her as she gracefully made her way across the frozen expanse of land, sending Bella a subtle smile as she took her place in front of the Volturi leader.

"Nice to see you Aro, it's been a long time." She stated, her smile forced and her words meaningless.

"I see you've come to your senses and have stopped running; a wise decision." Caius hissed from behind his brother and suddenly Anthea wanted to gorge his eyes out.

Aro ignored his brother and grabbed the brunette's hand without another word. Ruby eyes widening in awe as he watched the many centuries of her life flash behind his eyelids.

"I almost forgot how memorizing your gift is after all these years. But I do have to say that your love for Edward is one of the most spectacularly heartbreaking thing I think I've ever had the chance to witness." He stated after releasing her hand.

Anthea kept her face void of every and anything, seemingly unfazed that her entire life had just been played out like some sick comedy for the man whom she despised so entirely.

Edward on the other hand was an almost comically obvious wreck. He had seen everything. He had seen her selfless thoughts, her loving thoughts. He had seen her having to destroy her own happiness by telling him to leave. He saw everything and then everything came back.

And suddenly, he remembered, that she was everything.