1984 Italy
ROBIN'S POV
Back to basics this time. No wigs, no colored contacts, no fake accents. Just me, my natural white hair, and my striking pink eyes. Why? Because when the Volturi summon you, you don't show up looking like an undercover Bond girl. It's all about authenticity—or at least, the appearance of it.
Now, why am I in Italy, you ask? Well, technically, the Volturi kings could be considered my investors. I don't just sit around on a throne of sass, you know. I've been keeping busy—traveling, researching, collecting information, and testing products for my long-term project. What's the project? Oh, just the small matter of trying to unravel the secrets of vampire biology and hybrid sustainability. No big deal.
On the side, I've been doing their dirty work—taking out problematic vampires. Think of me as a supernatural bounty hunter with morals. My targets? Vampires who can't keep their fangs to themselves, or who go around causing more trouble than a drunk toddler in a glassware shop. I only "end their life insurance" if they're irredeemable.
Don't come at me with the "Who are you to judge?" spiel. I'm Robin Liesha Cullen. Hybrid, yes, but still rocking a moral compass that leans toward human logic—most days. If a vampire is just out here snacking responsibly, fine. But if they're torturing, killing for sport, or exposing our kind, I send them packing. And by packing, I mean straight to Rob (you know, the afterlife administrator).
But enough about my extracurriculars. The kings have finally had enough of me dodging their calls—well, summons. To be fair, they've been pretty lenient, probably assuming I'm still mad about the whole NJ incident. Spoiler alert: I am. But they've played their trump card. An ultimatum.
So here I am, walking into Volterra like it's just another Tuesday.
~~
The Throne Room
The Volturi throne room is every bit as dramatic as you'd expect. Dark, gothic, and so pretentious it makes Versailles look modest. Aro, the biggest drama queen of the trio, stood in the middle, hands clasped like he was about to host the vampire version of The Bachelor. Marcus, my secret ally, was off to the side, looking like someone had just told him his Netflix subscription expired. And Caius? Caius looked like a gold statue of judgmental entitlement.
I didn't speak as I entered. I never do in front of the kings. Instead, I signed a casual greeting: Long time no see, drama club.
Aro's grin widened, and he immediately began signing back. Yes, the Volturi kings learned sign language for me. Sweet? Maybe. Creepy? Absolutely.
"Robin!" Aro signed, his movements theatrical enough to win him an ASL Oscar. "How delightful of you to join us. Your silence has been... noted."
Show off, You know I can hear right? Trying to appeal to me?
Was busy, I signed back. Saving the world, one idiot vampire at a time.
Caius, ever the charmer, interjected with a smirk. "Saving the world? Or saving Rosalie? We hear she keeps you very busy."
I rolled my eyes and signed, She's my mate, Caius. Not a full-time job.
He leaned forward, his pale eyes gleaming with mischief. "Speaking of Rosalie, I've been meaning to tell you—she's welcome to join us. , my mate and yours, would get along, we all could Eternity is a long time, Robin. Why not... diversify?"
I froze, my fingers hovering mid-sign. Are you suggesting a quad? A foursome? Are you planning to leave all the work to me since your mate clearly isn't being satisfied las t I heard from her while she was giving the 'I have not cummed in centuries, please fuck me' look
Marcus, who'd been brooding in the corner, actually snorted. He quickly covered it with a cough, but I caught it.
Caius's grin didn't falter. "I'm merely offering options. Long-lived beings have... different perspectives."
The skin is thick on this one as always, does age make their marble like skin do that?
Yeah, no thanks, I signed, shaking my head. Hard pass. But I'll keep the suggestion in mind for my next life.
Aro, ever the master manipulator, decided to jump in before Caius could make things any weirder.
"My dear Robin," he signed, his expression equal parts regretful and patronizing. "I understand you've been... displeased with certain actions taken in the past."
Oh, you mean the part where you nearly got NJ killed? Yeah, I'm still not over that.
He looked genuinely pained, which was laughable coming from someone who probably invented gaslighting. "It was never my intention to harm her," he signed, his movements slow and deliberate. "I merely wished to test her potential."
Right. Because nothing says 'potential' like traumatizing my adopted daughter.
He hesitated, then signed, "She was never in any real danger. I would never allow harm to come to her."
You're full of it, Aro. I signed it slowly, making sure he got every word.
Marcus, still broody, looked like he wanted to say something, but he kept quiet. Probably for the best.
"I admit," Aro continued, his fingers moving with practiced ease, "that my methods may have seemed... harsh. But my intentions were noble."
I stared at him for a long moment, letting the silence stretch. Finally, I signed, Fine. Let's say I believe you. What now?
~~
After the audience ended, Marcus pulled me aside.
"How's she doing?" I said in a whisper after sensing that we were out of everone's hearing range, pretending to admire a nearby tapestry.
"She's alive," he signed back, his expression as stony as ever.
I nodded, keeping my face neutral. "We'll find a way to get her out."
Due to what Alice saw in her vision, It might be harder and will take a bit longer to do since we want to do it as peacefully or less casualty as possible, but I swear, it will happen.
He glanced at me, just for a moment, and I saw a flicker of hope in his eyes. It was enough.
~~
Caius and the Persistent Proposals
As I made my way to the exit, Caius caught up with me.
"You know," he began, switching back to spoken words, "you're wasting an opportunity here."
I sighed. "Caius, unless you've suddenly become a Rosalie cosplayer, I'm not interested."
I was being nice, even if he did, his features aren't my type, and I knew him enough to want to vom from simply thing of ever seeing him naked.
He chuckled, a low, amused sound. "You think too small, Robin. Eternity is about embracing possibilities."
"Yeah, and my possibility is a monogamous relationship with a blonde goddess. Deal with it."
Truth be told, I thing there's a possibility of monogamy not being true.. Rosalie had been hinting some stuff, but I'm not sure if I actually heard some of those comments, or I just was hearing my fantasy...
~~
Final Thoughts
As I left Volterra, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. Aro was as manipulative as ever, Caius was as insufferable as ever, and Marcus... well, Marcus was the only one I could trust.
But I wasn't done. Not by a long shot.
Because if there's one thing I've learned in my long, complicated life, it's this: Nobody gets away with messing with the people I care about. Not even the Volturi kings.
~~
AN: where any of yah wondering why the chap didn't start with an AN? Well, just no updates on life aside from the usual life be lifin...
Hah... I got a new review! My heart went doki doki from anxiety, but then i saw it was a decent non toxic(it's fine to give a negative review if it's objective and not just some emojis or profanities). Also, thanks for the comments and power stones, please keep em coming.
Advance chaps in the patreon and kofi. We have a new novel there. 😇
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