44 | GRAVE EXPECTATIONS |

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ALEC VOLTURI HAD ALWAYS BEEN A MONSTER.

From the brief years of his humanity, where he and Jane were condemned as witches before they ever spoke a word, to his centuries of feasting on the blood of worthless humans and ending the existence of thousands who dared to defy the rule of his coven, Alec was nothing. close to good. He had known of his darkness, relished in it for nearly a thousand years, until he met a girl who was brighter than all the stars.

But he had made her into a monster, tainted her with the devil that was himself. He had ruined her. He hated himself for loving her.

It had become an obsession, the more she drifted away, the more he pulled on her, chaining her to his life in hopes of keeping the light on.

"You have changed, Alec," Jane had said in a horror-struck whisper after an incident in which he had ripped apart five vampires for catcalling after Aurora. And the newborn wasn't even there anymore—she had obliviously gone back to the upper level of the castle to paint.

"This has gone far enough," she said firmly. It's not that she particularly cared for the recently destroyed vampires nor did the masters, but even Jane knew when to stop.

Alec, a caricature of himself, snarled at his twin sister. "I am tired of your possessiveness, Jane. You cannot control my every decision."

The blonde, ever so sadistic and cruel, stepped back from her brother, with disbelief in her eyes. "Alec, listen to yourself," she tried to reason, "look at what you've done in her name," she gestured to the body pieces in disdain. "It's not I who has become possessive."

Alec could admit that was not his finest moment. Even with her missing memory, he had sensed she was figuring out where her heart belonged, and it was certainly not in Volterra. In his mind, he needed to do everything he could to keep her close. She had trusted him already, but she had no choice to.

"Why must we feed on humans?" Aurora was a curious newborn, not that he could blame her. She had lost nearly all her memory, her fire dim as an ember, but still brilliant nonetheless. He sought to revive her.

"It is the way of our kind," he frowned as they took a moonlit walk in the gardens.

"Is there no other way?" A crease formed between her brows. "Just out of curiosity,"

"You are so odd, luca mia," he murmured endearingly while dodging the question.

He had known she was meant for so much more than the guard. She never belonged in the Volturi, never belonged with him. He had even gone back to the ruins of her dormitory, in an attempt to retrieve any salvable trinkets that might jog her memories. Amongst the burnt remains that was her room, he rummaged around, only finding a steel jewelry box intact where he found a delicate gold pendant with a encrusted with a lion, three spades, and a hand.

Alec returned to the castle with a new ruby and gold Volturi necklace for Aurora.

"What does this mean?" Newborn Aurora had asked as Alec clasped the chain. She held the ostentatious V closer to her eye level, admiring the sparkle of the jewels and shine of the metal. It would be heavy on her neck if she wasn't a vampire.

"You're one of us now," Alec whispered lowly, his lips brushing against the shell of her ear, "Forever."

He always had a master plan, his intelligence was his secretly his greatest strength. Sure, he could take away a person's senses, but without his own that ability was futile. No, Alec was clever and calculating—it was why he was the main advisor to the three leaders and not his twin sister, Jane was more of their showstopper and Alec ended the game through his intellect.

"You called for me, masters?"

Alec wasn't in the greatest of moods. He had just come back from Aurora's tower, where he was once an open visitor, he was now rebutted at every attempt to speak to the dark haired vampire who locked the door as if it could stop him from entering.

"We've been meaning to speak to you since you all came back from America," Caius spoke pointedly, not as annoyed as his facial expression conveyed. He always sounded like he had a stake up his—

"—the missions were led by two women, both of whom you are close to, Jane being your twin, and Aurora, your...protégé so to speak."

A master of his emotions—meaning, he seldom let them show—Alec didn't let his ire show of the somewhat condescending tone Aro spoke of his sister and Aurora.

Despite all the favor he showed them, Aro was still a traditionalist. The ancient masters had been indeed wary of allowing women to take the lead of missions despite the modern time and the fact the two were the most powerful members of the coven.

Alec raised his brow. "I apologize if the mission took more time than expected—"

"We don't care about Jane's failed plan," Caius interjected. "We wanted to discuss Aurora."

"Did she do something wrong?"

"Alec, my son, we wanted to formally present our gratitude," Aro said with a wide smile.

"You are the one who brought Aurora to our coven," Marcus added, the ambivalent spectator as always.

"If she had stayed with the Cullens, she would've been theirs, but because of you—she's with us."

"She's powerful, more than any of us could have expected," Caius reluctantly admitted, "All except for you—tell me, how did you know she would be our greatest asset?"

I didn't. "I learned from the best."

"Yes, you did," Aro chuckled, flattered by the vampire's laconic answer. "And now you shall have what you desire most. Chelsea?" He beckoned to the small group of hooded vampires who stood to the side, part of the master's constant protection, until a single female emerged to stand beside Alec.

"Yes, master?" The black hood was lowered to reveal the smiling face of the brunette.

"Break Aurora's loyalty to Jasper Cullen," Aro didn't hesitate to command, whilst flashing a smirk to Alec, "She is much better suited to our Alec."

Alec stopped breathing as the command sank in, the brevity of the accumulating horrific act dawning on him

"No problem, master," she nodded unquestionably. She closed her eyes in preparation.

"No." Alec shook his head sharply, his hand extended towards the female as though he was seconds away from taking her senses away. "I beg your pardon, but do not do that, Chelsea," he said defiantly, his fingers twitching with his power, ready to stop her at all costs.

They all looked at him again, confusion on their faces as they couldn't comprehend any reason Alec would protest.

"You want Aurora, why would you stop me from helping her become yours entirely?" Chelsea questioned, her brows furrowed in confusion. Everyone knew the newest coven member had rejected Alec for lack of better words. Seldom knew the true reason, but those with abilities like Chelsea, Marcus, Aro and those of more importance in the coven.

Chelsea was talented with manipulating people's relationships as she saw fit—or as her masters commanded her. Before Aurora, Chelsea was their greatest asset besides Jane and Alec.

Aro stepped closer with a frown. "I read your thoughts, my boy, I see the solution, why stop it?"

Alec had to collect himself. He wasn't an idiot and he was a master at the game Aro wanted to play. "It wouldn't be as fun if she came to me so easily," he answered smoothly, his lips turning up into a wicked smirk. "I like a challenge."

"Oh, I see," Aro nodded, his confusion slightly abated.

"You always did like your games," Caius remarked with a cold chortle. "She is rather feisty." The white haired vampire licked his lips and Alec fought to remain stoic.

Marcus's milky red eyes bared into Alec as if he could see right through him. "You deserve a reward."

"Well," Aro continued with tilt of his head, "once you tire of her disobedience, allow us the pleasure of assisting." The master returned to his throne, a little crestfallen by the turn of events. He disliked pointless ventures.

"And I am beyond grateful of the opportunity. Thank you, masters. I will consider it." He bowed his head and exited the throne room.

Alec Volturi spent the rest of his free time in the following weeks planning his devious scheme.

➖

Jasper Whitlock Hale had never been scared of anything until he met Rory Aden.

It didn't matter that he was the one who had killed hundreds, fought in wars, and thirsted for the very blood that ran in her veins, Jasper was absolutely terrified of her. With her bright eyes, kind smile, and being the only person whose emotions he couldn't detect—she was formidable and unpredictable. She was unlike any other person he had ever met, she was infallibly brave with the purest heart of any soul that ever roamed the earth.

"I like to donate my art pieces to children's hospitals," Rory said softly when Jasper asked what she did with all the paintings she had made.

"You could sell your work for thousands of dollars, I know some dealers that could set you up."

She shrugged. "Sure, but I'd rather my art bring a smile to someone who needs it than have it displayed in some gaudy mansion or expensive museum," Rory wrinkled her nose.

"You are truly an enigma," he shook his head in admiration of the human girl he loved.

"You're a sparkly vampire," Rory retorted. "It's why we work."

She was an angel, and no one deserved the light she brought to the world.

"Sweetheart, why do you eat Esme's food? You know it sometimes makes your stomach cramp," Jasper raised his brow as he placed a pill on Rory's tongue to ease her stomach.

She was feeling lazy that day and no one could blame her for taking advantage of her very attentive boyfriend. She plopped back down on the leather couch of his bedroom, her favorite quilt swaddling her despite the heat of the summer.

"It makes her happy to cook for me," Rory shrugged. "And she's getting better, I promise."

"I love you so much," Jasper sighed as he settled beside his cocoon of a girlfriend.

There was nothing more Jasper missed than the summer they spent together. No drama, no vampire nomads hunting them down, and no school. He held heaven in his arms every night.

"Happy birthday, baby!"

It was August 21 and Rory and Jasper were having dinner—the former eating pasta and the latter casually sipping a glass of dark red liquid—in the balcony of their hotel room overlooking the pacific ocean.

The wavy haired blond raised his brow at the package Rory had pulled out from nowhere and thrusted into his hands. "A present?"

She rolled her eyes. "Yes, that's generally what is given to someone on their birthday." She was giddy as she bounced her leg up and down excitedly. "Open it."

He tossed her a humored look and tore the wrapper open to reveal a book on the civil war. He raised his brow, but Rory motioned him to open the book to the page bookmarked by a crimson ribbon.

"It's—"

He blinked again at what the page presented him. His breath caught his throat as he looked from it to the wonder that was Rory Aden before him.

"It's you! Human you!"

The black and white, carefully cared for image, shocked him. He had forgotten he had taken a photograph before, in his full uniform and serious expression. His eyes were light and his skin was a darker shade of grey in a tale-tell way that made it obvious he had spent long days in the sun of the south.

"This is me, as a human," Jasper stated in disbelief.

"Yup." Rory nodded promptly, beyond proud of her find. "Major Jasper Phillip Whitlock." She shook her head, "The irony kills me," and Jasper laughed freely.

He admired the photograph again. "How?"

"You told me you were the youngest major in the army, even with the lies, so I was curious. Did some research. Asked some questions. Lots and lots of emails." Rory rambled on while Jasper felt his heart swell in adoration. "They wouldn't let me have the original image—some bullshit on the Smithsonian didn't allow civilians to have pieces of history—but there was a rare, discontinued book it was copied in. Negotiated a bunch with this old lady on craigslist. Convinced her I was some civil war professor. Honestly wasn't sure if it would even be you, but I had a gut feeling."

"You swore that the bite changed your appearance, but you literally look about the same," Rory finished, comparing human Jasper to the vampire she sat in front of. He was just as handsome back then as he was now, only she imagined his eyes weren't a golden shade of honey.

"What color were your eyes?"

"Green," he was still taken aback by the deed, while her smile only brightened. "How could I ever repay you? This means so much to me..."

"Just tell me that you love me and we're good," she leaned up as Jasper kissed her forehead and whispered the three words.

Even in the dawn of her betrayal and dalliance double agency, Rory always had good intentions in the end. It was why Jasper couldn't be angry at her anymore. He had spent so long apart from his soulmate, all he wanted was her back. When you lose the one you loved, nothing stood in the way of getting them back.

"She left to protect us. To save us." Alice repeated again when night fell.

Everyone was gathered in the house, Carlisle and Bella back from the Black's home after they were both sure Jacob would heal as expected. The shifter was beyond pissed at receiving the news of Rory's betrayal. But it didn't match the chaos that was the Cullen's emotions.

"To save us from the Volturi?" Carlisle frowned deeply.

"Yes," Edward spoke up, unexpected for the vampire who had been suspicious of Rory since she had come back, "When we went to Italy, the Volturi made it seem as though all was forgiven for allowing humans to know our secret. Rory convinced them that we should be let go because we promised to change Bella and Rory was already a vampire. But they wanted to punish us still. Rory was meant to find evidence that would incriminate us at any cost. Obviously she didn't."

"We never should have trusted her," Rosalie sneered, bitter that she had believed her family was healing again.

Looking over at her brother who had barely said a word since arriving back to the main house, Jasper was a mess. Although, losing your mate again and again was difficult, but he was taking the news better than expected though, maybe it was because he had more time to prepare for Rory leaving. Either way it still pained him. And Rosalie hated seeing her family members in pain—part of her sympathized with Rory, but she was more overprotective over Jasper and those she had spent majority of her life with.

Esme patted Rosalie's shoulder soothingly, "I know she didn't intend to hurt us. It's Rory. It's not her fault she lost her memories."

Carlisle wrapped his arm around Esme's waist.

They were sad as well, but they still viewed Rory as one of their daughters. The couple wanted to understand the reasons Rory had done what she did.

Bella sighed. "Actually, she recovered them the day she left." She had wanted to stick to the promise she made Rory, but Bella knew it was the right time for everyone to know the truth. She was already overwhelmed by Jacob's injury and her recent engagement, she was tired of all the secrets and hostility between those she loved.

That tidbit shocked those who didn't know Rory's memory had come back. They were surprised Rory hadn't fully betrayed them in the name of revenge for how the they had left the previous fall. The messy ordeal would've left anyone with a taste for payback.

Rosalie frowned. "Are you positive she isn't going to turn her back on us?"

"Yes, Rory is helping us," Alice said in an exasperated tone.

Emmett sucked in a breath. "I wouldn't if I were her." He imagined how much pain and loss Rory had went through. Having her memories back was probably not a walk in the park.

"Before the Volturi came, Rory came back," Edward revealed. "Just in time as she stopped Victoria and Riley. She saved Bella and I and then killed Victoria. She warned me about the Volturi coming before Alice had a vision so that I would tell the pack to leave as soon as possible. She also told me that she had to go back with them or else the Volturi would condemn us to death and I had to act as though I knew nothing or they would know."

Jasper sighed, breaking his silence for the first time since Rory had left with the Volturi. "She could've just explained everything and we would've helped her," he shook his head as he thought of his unnecessarily selfless soulmate, "She's always so intent on saving others before herself, we could've been spared of of this drama."

Emmett looked around at his family. "Y'all, we might have communication problems."

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Rory always lived in dualities.

She was both innocent and a sinner. She was both weak and strong. She was both dead and alive.

She had lived two lives in only a matter of just over eighteen years. One, of her humanity, was filled with tragedies and loss, but it was where the greatest love of time had blossomed. The last six months of her life, immortal and bloody and memoryless, was more than eventful. She had gone through so much change, and had learned more about herself in the last month than a normal eighteen year old woman would expect to.

Memories were a funny thing. Feelings, emotions, were one of the only things Rory could rely on to steer her in her new life. She may not have remembered who she was, but she knew to listen to her gut. To protect to innocent even if those around her couldn't care less. To respect life, even if she took some along the way. She had thought she lost herself, but some things could never be truly forgotten.

She had realized that she was neither angel nor devil. She was simply Rory.

And that was enough.

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we love different perspectives!! kind of a filler chapter but whatevs

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