superficial | twilight

46 - In At The Deep End

Jacob looks around as he walks down the halls of Volterra, the hairs on his arms and neck stood on end. He hates this more than anything but he has no idea what else to do. Caius paid a visit after the funeral and seemed to get through to King a bit, but he could only stay a day or two. The moment he left... She left too. Physically and emotionally.

Now, he's at a loss of what to do. How do you control a 23 year old with no willingness to live anymore? You snitch to her vampire brother and his vampire coven - hopefully they'll help.

"Ugh, I could smell you the moment you got here." Alec mutters as Jane enters the large throne room with Jacob, said man rolling his eyes.

"Hi Alec, so lovely to see you!" He says sarcastically, flashing a smile.

"Leave." Caius orders as he swans in, cloak flowing behind him gracefully. Jane and Alec are gone in a second, leaving Jacob and Caius stood on either side of the room. After a moment Caius goes closer and they share a 'bro hug' very briefly. "Hello Jacob. I assume this is important if you couldn't wait for me to respond to your messages?"

"Just a little..." Jacob nods putting his hands back in his deep jean pockets. "I wouldn't be here unless it was urgent, necessary."

"I figured." Caius nods. "Is it King...?" He asks slowly.

"Yeah..." Jake nods small. "I wanted to be honest from the start but Esme had faith she'd snap out of it. If anything, it got worse. I'm not exactly here with everyone's blessing, but right now this is between us and her - her brothers."

Caius nods once. "Before I loose my mind, just tell me she's safe."

"I wish I could." Jacob says, frowning as he takes a deep breath, watching Caius tense. "She's a mess. She's reckless, stupid with her behaviour. She drinks way too much... I think she's even taking something more. She'll go anywhere there's a party. The outfits I've seen her in... I should have locked her up."

"Why didn't you call sooner." Caius demands, angry.

Jake rolls his eyes. "Like I said - lots of opposition. The twins have faith she's okay, Esme does. Alice said she'd see if King was doing anything stupid but King knows how to cloak herself if and when she wants to."

"Well, where's Elijah?" He crosses his arms.

"I'd like to know that too. Maybe Demetri could head out?" Jacob asks.

Caius is silent for a moment. "Yes, I suppose we can spare him for a few days. Where was King last?"

"Spain - Ibiza." Jacob huffs. "Full of walking STD's and sleazy drunk guys with accents."

"Give me an hour to sort things here, I'll meet you at the village gate." Caius says, walking off moments later.

Jacob sighs and rolls his eyes, following Jane out as she appears again. He doesn't say farewell, he just heads to his car; he honestly didn't want to come. But for the last 4 months King has become a different person. The weeks following their father's death were hard for them all, but King took on a whole new personal. Before long, she was barely sober when anyone saw her. And then she started coming and going as she pleased, looking for parties and chances to let loose. He's wanted to step in, intervene, stop her, but everyone's always talked him out of it.

'Jasper and Edward will know if she's unsafe.'
'Alice will see if she needs help.'
'She'll get bored soon enough, let her party herself out.'

If she isn't there for them to keep an eye on her, how are they to know? If she wants to be reckless, she can do it at home - not 1000s of miles from anyone who can help her if she needs it.