Chapter 133: Dire Tidings

No outsider was ever permitted to enter the quarters where Sulpicia resided.

Now that Sophie had received her own cloak, however, it signified Aro's formal acceptance of her as a member of the Volturi Guard. With Jane accompanying her, the two of them passed unhindered through layer after layer of security protecting the ladies' residence. If Sophie had to describe Sulpicia's chambers with a single word, she would choose without hesitation: happiness.

The moment she stepped inside, it felt as though she had wandered into a box overflowing with warmth and contentment. Rather than lavish extravagance, the room radiated the comforting coziness of a true home. Sulpicia's two personal guards remained quietly on duty inside. Upon seeing Jane, they greeted her warmly before discreetly studying the unfamiliar young woman at her side. Sophie returned their greetings somewhat awkwardly, unable to help feeling self-conscious beneath the scrutiny of strangers.

Fortunately, the lady herself remained as kind and welcoming as ever.

Sulpicia invited them both to sit beside the table before asking with a gentle smile, "So, Sophie, which gift did you choose?" Sitting closer only intensified that strange sense of happiness filling the room. Even remaining perfectly still was enough to leave one feeling completely content.

Sophie drew the pocket watch from beneath her cloak, allowing the chain to dangle freely. "The music-box pocket watch."

Sulpicia's expression turned subtly peculiar.

"To be more precise," she corrected softly, "it's actually a protective charm."

"A protective charm?"

"Although for vampires, it's little more than a pocket watch."

Even Jane had never heard that story before. The watch's protective properties had always been intended for humans rather than vampires.

Sulpicia explained patiently, "While traveling abroad, Aro once visited a small town where a human craftsman possessed an ability similar to a 'shield.' Every metal object he forged could block a single fatal attack for its owner, whether it was a bullet, a knife, or something similar. After weighing the possibilities, Aro commissioned him to craft the metal casing of this pocket watch as a keepsake, but chose not to transform him into a vampire."

Abilities resembling a shield were not especially rare.

One of Sulpicia's own personal guards standing inside the room possessed such a gift, and Aro himself also maintained a dedicated bodyguard with the same ability. Because of that, the human craftsman never received the opportunity to join vampire society. 

Only his creations remained behind, preserved as mementos within Sulpicia's private collection. Vampires were already nearly invulnerable to ordinary weapons, so throughout the centuries, the watch had never once needed to fulfill its true purpose.

After hearing its history, Sophie had no intention of changing her mind.

She had originally believed it to be nothing more than an ordinary antique. Discovering that it secretly possessed protective properties only made the gift even more delightful.

If I ever end up completely broke someday... she thought mischievously. I'll exaggerate Sulpicia's story online. If I'm lucky, people will drive the price up a hundredfold. Two million euros... I'd be financially free overnight!

Copying Jane's earlier demonstration, Sophie adjusted the hands on the watch. The hidden music box immediately filled the room with a smooth, elegant melody.

"What's the name of this piece?" she asked.

"The Curious One."

Just as they were preparing to leave, Chelsea arrived at Sulpicia's chambers looking for Jane.

As one of the Volturi's female core members, Chelsea was familiar with nearly everyone inside and enjoyed the privilege of entering freely whenever she pleased. Jane promptly found an excuse to send Sophie away.

"Go put Sulpicia's gift safely in your room," she said casually. "I'll come find you afterward."

Without the slightest suspicion, Sophie obediently departed first.

The instant she stepped outside, the overwhelming feeling of happiness vanished completely.

The contrast was so striking that she almost wanted to turn around and walk right back inside.

Sulpicia easily recognized the unspoken understanding between Jane and Chelsea. Whatever Chelsea had come to discuss was clearly a private matter at Jane's request. With characteristic generosity, she quietly offered her sitting room as a place for them to speak in peace.

"Through the emails Sophie sent," Chelsea began without preamble, "I've severed her personal connections. From now on, her mother and her brother will gradually forget that she ever existed. They'll never come searching for her in Italy."

"Thank you."

The very first thing Jane had done after returning to Palazzo dei Priori was investigate Sophie' unauthorized use of the computer. In private, she had painstakingly reviewed every word, every sentence, even every punctuation mark Sophie had typed, confirming that none of it revealed vampire secrets.

But those emails also contained correspondence with her family.

To eliminate any future risk...

Jane had still asked Chelsea to intervene.

Naturally, Sophie knew nothing about any of it.

Nor did Jane intend to confront her.

She had no desire to accuse her precious girl over the small secret acts she had carried out behind everyone's backs. As long as Jane could solve the problem herself, she was more than willing to shoulder the burden alone.

Aro had taught her this long ago.

It was, in his words, a necessary form of tolerance.

One that prevented pointless arguments and needless blame.

"Know everything. Preserve every piece of evidence. Then say nothing until you're prepared to pass judgment. Only then present your proof. Otherwise... behave as though you know nothing at all."

With Chelsea's assurance, Jane finally relaxed.

She had erased Sophie' path back to her former life.

From this day forward, Sophie no longer possessed family or friends from her human years.

The Volturi would become her only home.

Together, their names would one day be recorded forever in the glorious history of the Volturi.

August arrived.

One day, the gates of Palazzo dei Priori were opened by unexpected visitors.

The mate of the Finnish coven's leader arrived carrying Aurora, whose arms and legs had been blown apart in an explosion.

The injured young woman looked heartbreakingly fragile and helpless.

But the one person who should have been at her side...

Her newlywed, fiercely devoted husband...

Was nowhere to be seen.

The Guard was immediately placed on high alert.

Without hesitation, Aro welcomed the two women into the palace. He assigned members of the Guard to care for Aurora while summoning his two brothers, along with the twins, to convene in the tribunal chamber.

As expected...

They had brought devastating news.

"Chino is dead."

The female vampire of the Finnish coven looked utterly exhausted as she delivered the words before the three leaders.

Aurora's husband.

A former member of the Volturi Guard was dead.

Caius flew into a furious rage.

"Who dares lay a hand on Chino?!"

Marcus' expression shifted with quiet surprise before softening into sympathy for Aurora.

"That poor girl..."

Recovering from his initial shock, Aro swiftly requested permission to take the woman's hand and read her memories.

Moments later...

He raised his head.

His expression had become frighteningly cold.

"The vampire hunters have begun their move."

His gaze slowly swept across everyone gathered in the chamber.

When it reached Jane it lingered there noticeably longer than on anyone else.