Loyalty, Determination, and Knowledge (On Indefinite Hiatus)

Anyone up for a super short chapter? Don't worry, I'll get another one up soon. I PROMISE!

_____________________________________________

Alec’s POV

            I leaned against a wall, regaining my sanity as the panic died down. Betrayed, shocked, confused, angry. Those were some ways to describe how I was feeling. How could she? Why would she? Words were one thing. We fought and argued all the time. We were siblings! That’s what siblings do! But this? I slumped to the ground, landing in a puddle of water. I looked around, getting a feel for my surroundings.

In my rush to escape I had successfully driven myself to the farthest possible place for the castle without leaving Volterra. I was under the city streets, in the sewer systems, and the only light came from tiny slits from a drain gate above. There was no way an innocent walker could possible come by and find me and I told Jane not to follow. So who else was I at risk of being noticed by? Cassi might come but I wouldn’t mind that. I actually craved her presence, the soft, sweet reminder that things had been worse and this would eventually just flutter by.

“Cassi,” I whispered, my voice turning into a soft sigh as it echoed through out the stone. I felt surprisingly calm as I thought about her. She probably felt awful, wherever she was. She’d blame herself, that’s what girls like her did. Still, she would’ve come to apologize by now, wouldn’t of she? What was she up to in the castle? Perhaps she was talking to Jane. Yes, let Cassi work through things with Jane first. I’m sure she’ll get a lot further than I would. I shook my head. I didn’t even want to think of my sister. I wanted her to be wiped from my thoughts.

A noise made me jump to my feet. No matter where I was, even in my own home, I had to be fully aware of my surroundings. Who knew when an enemy might attempt to infiltrate us from within? I recognized the sound of feet splashing in the water. I could hear the steady rhythm of just on pair moving ever closer. I shifted around, hiding behind a corner so that I might see my unwelcome guest before they saw me. My sister’s scent reached my before I actually saw her. I held back a hiss. I told her not to follow me.

She sighed, crossed her arms, and leaned against the wall I had sat next to only moments before. “I know, I know, you told me not to follow you but you’re probably going to be glad I’m telling you this as soon as I got the information. But first, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. Alec, we shouldn’t have done that. You’re my brother and if this silly girl is what it takes to make you happy, then fine, be happy. I just don’t want to lose you.” I didn’t respond. Revenge pumped in my mind, telling me to use my power on her. I shoved it down. If she was willing to sacrifice whatever she was sacrificing to have Cassi around in order to make me happy, then I wasn’t going to turn away from her in a fit of childish anger. I always hated to admit it but Jane and I were examples of why immortal children were not to be created. Even as mature as we were, we still threw fits.

“My apologies, too, Sister. You’re right, we shouldn’t be doing this.” I came out from around my corner, grabbed her by the wrist and embraced her. We pulled back simultaneously and gave each other a feather-light kiss on either cheek, almost as if we had rehearsed the movement. “Now, what did you need to tell me?” I asked, pulling back and leaning against the wall beside her. She sighed again, as if this was the last thing she wanted to do.

“Cassi, well, she said she was leaving.”

“What!” I almost shouted, shocked. “Why? Why didn’t you stop her!”

“How could I? She appeared, told me, and then disappeared before I could even say a word! I wish I could’ve, Alec, but I couldn’t. It was impossible.” I growled, closed my eyes, and pinched the bridge of my nose. I had to remember that it really wasn’t any of Jane’s fault. Cassi was stubborn and once she made a decision she kept through it. I had seen her around enough in my childhood to know that.

“Why did she say she was leaving?” I asked, calming myself and looking my sister directly in the eye. “Did she say where she was going?”

“No! She didn’t tell me anything. She just left!” I glared at my sister, worming out the truth. “Alright, she said she just wanted to make sure that we were okay and that she hadn’t meant to cause any of this. She said she wasn’t coming back.” I hissed between clenched teeth, my fingers digging into my palm.

“We have to find her.”

“How are we going to do that? She can teleport anywhere she wants. Even if we did find her, she’d probably just disappear the second she sees us.”

“Jane, I’m not going to let her go.” She huffed irritably, obviously she still didn’t want Cassi around much.

“Aro would probably let us look for her.” I nodded and then tilted my head to the side. Jane was right, hunting down Cassi would be nigh impossible, even if Demetri helped. Aro would let us look, but for how long? And there was no guarantee that we’d find her even if we tried. I spent over a millennium without her presence, I’d be alright for a week. I hoped.

“We’ll ask tomorrow,” I muttered, my decision made. Jane peered at me, as if attempting to read what lay behind my eyes, but I hid it well. I’d just have to wait out the week.

“Patience is a virtue,” I heard my mother say from memories so long ago.