Ruin My Life ↡ Caius Volturi

Chapter Eight

delicate flowers are blown open by the wind, which in turn blows away the dead petals as well.

CHAPTER EIGHT©

Mania | Caius

"Mania, you're glowing again," Seth said.

As Seth placed the plate of food in front of me, I couldn't help but notice the familiar glow emanating from my skin once again.

It was a strange phenomenon that had been occurring more and more frequently since my heated confrontation with Caius the day before.

Even now, the orange tattoo-like markings were creeping up my arms, pulsing with an otherworldly energy.

"I'm sorry, Seth," I sighed, running my fingers along the intricate designs. "Since my fight with Caius yesterday, I just haven't been able to control it."

Seth studied me thoughtfully, his brow furrowed. "Do you think it's because you feel guilty for hurting your mate?" he asked gently.

It was a perceptive question - Seth always did have a knack for cutting right to the heart of the matter.

I shook my head quickly. "Nah, that can't be the reason. He deserved it," I insisted, thinking back to Caius' manipulative behavior.

Caius had pushed me to my breaking point, and I refused to feel remorse for defending myself and standing up for what I believed in.

But Seth wasn't so easily convinced. "Nah, you're definitely feeling guilty, so I suggest you go over there and do the one thing he asked you to do yesterday and let Carlisle check you," he said firmly.

I bristled at his tone, narrowing my eyes. "Since when were you the boss of me, Seth?" I challenged, not appreciating his presumptuous attitude.

"Since I realized I grew up in a house with two equally stubborn sisters," he retorted, a wry smile tugging at his lips.

"I'm not stubborn," I shot back petulantly, even as I knew deep down that he was right.

Stubbornness was a family trait - one that Leah and I had both inherited in spades.

"Leah says that all the time, and look at what's she's doing with her life. Nothing. It's just wasting because she's stubborn and so are you," Seth said bluntly.

"I heard that," Leah's voice called out from the living room, making us both jump.

"I wanted you to hear it, duh," Seth replied unapologetically.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at their sibling banter, but Leah's next words gave me pause. "For once, Mania, our little brother is right," she sighed, and I could hear the reluctant resignation in her tone.

Glancing between the two of them, I knew I was outnumbered. As much as I hated to admit it, they had a point.

My stubbornness and refusal to back down had gotten me into trouble more times than I could count.

And if even Leah was willing to concede that Seth was right, then I knew I couldn't keep ignoring their advice.

"Okay, fine, I'll go," I relented with a heavy sigh, "but it's going to be hard controlling this." I took a deep breath, focusing inward as I let my powers surge through my body.

The glowing orange tattoos reappeared, and my eyes shone with the same vibrant hue.

Seth reached out, gently tracing the intricate markings crawling up my arm. "I think you have even more tattoos now," he observed, wonder evident in his voice.