[ XIX ] Chapter 19

Over the next few days, I continued to train with Felix and Demetri who eventually warmed up to me. Caius still remained oblivious to my fighting sessions—I think he had his suspicions though—and I was all too happy to keep him in the dark as long as possible.

Currently, I was sparring with my new. . . buddies you could say. I slammed Demetri into the ground just as he raised his hands in a show of defeat. Grinning from ear-to-ear, I helped him up just as I felt the whoosh of air and heard Felix's heavy footsteps as he tried to attack me from behind. I took advantage of Demetri's hand in mine and threw him into the giant. They crashed to the ground in a tangle of limbs.

"Fuck!" Felix hissed.

"You taught me many things already, Felix." I chirped, rocking back and forth on my heels as they stood, glaring at each other. "You focus on your big build and strength, and Demetri focuses on speed and agility."

"How do you know me so well? I feel exposed." Demetri gasped in mock hurt. I rolled my eyes and let a small giggle escape my lips.

"I make observations."

Felix patted imaginary dust off of his black pea-coat before looking over to Demetri. "C'mon. If we don't get going now, Jane will have our heads."

Get going? Where? Curious, I tilted my head. "Where are you going?"

Demetri shrugged. "Same old same old. Go clear a bunch of newborns somewhere in the US. Seattle most likely. God, these nomadic vamps are just making more work for us by creating the New Ones." Felix nodded in agreement. "Apparently, Felix here is worried about Jane using his power on him." The tracker winked and I snorted.

"Please, she would use it on anyone if she had the chance."

"Touché. Farewell, Genevieve." Demetri saluted me before disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Felix started to mutter under his breath as he followed his buddy.

When they left, I decided to go back to my room to check up on Rosalie, all the while hoping that Caius wasn't there. I bounded down the hallway in a light manner until I ran into a beautiful woman. Not as beautiful as Sulpicia, but still beautiful. "Oh, I'm sorry!" She gasped, placing a hand on her not-too-shabby bosom.

Her voice was like wind-chimes; sweet, gentle and musical. "No, I'm sorry. I was rushing down the halls." I muttered as I straightened my posture. The aura of this woman made my senses on high alert.

She smiled. "Are you Genevieve?"

I blinked at her. Where did she learn my name? "Uhm, Yes. I think you have me at a disadvantage here. You seem to know me, but I don't know you." Oh my god, Genevieve. Your manners are so— Shut. Up. I snarled mentally at my subconscious. For some reason, lately, she hasn't been very cooperative.

"Oh, yes, I'm Athenodora." The woman curstied. One of the old ones I think. No shit Sherlock.

"It's nice to meet you, Athenodora." I nodded.

Athenodora grinned, revealing bleach-white teeth. What is it with these perfect vampires? "The pleasure is all mine. Please, will you join me in my room? I wish to get to know you better." The Volturi and their impeccable manners.

With a slight nod from me, she turned gracefully, her blonde hair getting caught in the wind. I followed a few paces behind her, suspicious. In fact, all of the vampires here in this castle made me think that they were plotting something. Like Sulpicia. I smiled at the thought of her.

"How old are you, Genevieve?" Athenodora queried in a airy voice. I looked at her and rolled my eyes as I saw that she didn't even turn around to face me while she led me through the maze of a castle.

Counting the years in my head, I answered her a few moments later. "Uhm, around a millennium and a half."

"Ah." She murmured. "So young. . ." I heard her whisper the added comment under her breath.

Before I could ask her what she meant, she started up a flight of stairs. Pausing at the foot of it, I looked around. It seemed as if this staircase only led to one door. Hurrying to catch up to the beautiful vampire, I heard her murmur. "It's alright, Santiago. She won't hurt me." What surprised me when I came into view was a guard stationed outside of Athenodora's room.

Was she someone who was regarded highly? As the guard scrutinized me, Athenodora took her chance and dragged me into her room with my wrist in her grip. "My Lady!" Santiago sighed as his mistress closed the door in his face.

Athenodora's room was all mystical colors; burgundy and silver mixed together in one. Heck even some gold things were strewn about in some places. "Come, sit." She ushered me onto a chair beside the window where the Italian sun hit me in the face.

Athenodora sat on a chair across from me and clasped her hands in her lap. I decided to start the conversation. "So, Athenodora—"

"Please, call me Athena." The beautiful vampire murmured, interrupting me. "I don't wish to be formal with you."

I nodded slowly, unsure of where this was heading. "Aro has informed me about a new pet he acquired when the Cullens came." Athenodora spat out the Cullens' name as if it were poison. "I assume it was you?"

"Yes—" I started, but I was cut off again.

"You do not seem to be a vegetarian. Did you ever try and change your diet to animal blood during your stay with the Olympic Coven?" Whoa, this woman wasn't going to let me speak out too easily. Oh well.

Crossing my legs, I placed my intertwined hands in my lap and started fiddling with my fingers. "I've tried it. . . but I couldn't change my diet. The animal blood tasted like plastic."

Athenodora raised a perfectly trimmed brow. "I've heard it tasted like dirt."

I shrugged. "It's the same thing. All in all, it tastes disgusting."

"Enough of this dreary conversation about animal blood." She sighed, sounding bored. "Can you tell me about the outside world? Sulpicia and I hardly get to exit our towers."

She knows Sulpicia? and what did she mean by towers? Does she mean her room? "Why can't you exit your 'towers'? Are you two criminals or something?" Granted, I don't really believe that Sulpicia would commit a crime. . . and she is Aro's mate. . . okay this doesn't make any sense.

Athenodora laughed, shaking her head and leaning forward. "No, no! It is only because of our safety."

"Safety?" I was totally lost.

"Ever since Marcus' mate, Didyme, died, Aro and Caius saw what it did to Marcus and decided to lock us up. In fear of becoming like that as well." She shrugged. "I, myself, think it is preposterous."

I furrowed my brows. Did Caius have a— Wait. Hold it. Marcus' mate passed away around a millennium ago, Aro's mate is Sulpicia. . . and Caius. . . no. my face must've contorted into something akin to horror for Athenodora nodded, confirming my worst fears.

"If I am correct at what your thoughts are. Yes, I am Caius' wife."