Key: (BOLD + Italic is the Character's Inner Thoughts)

Okay so I know I wanted answers, but first, "Wait, so follow-up question," I said, holding up a finger. "Does this bond thing involve, like... blood rituals? Virgin sacrifices? A chant in Latin?" I ask just to get the important (and crazy) stuff out of the way.

Thomas smirked at me, and wow, I was starting to understand why people did stupid things for love...... I mean friendship.

"No blood sacrifices, and there's only one virgin we're interested in, and it's definitely not for a sacrifice. Just... trust." Trust. Right. I barely trusted Damon not to smother me in my sleep or like randomly hiss at me, and now I was supposed to trust two (very hot and sexy) vampires with my life!?

Before I could spiral any further, Jasper appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame like a Greek god. "Am I interrupting something?" he asked casually.

"Only my existential crisis," I muttered, flopping onto the bed groaning.

"Now now, play nice," he said, striding into the room with a predatory grace that was equal parts mesmerizing and mildly terrifying. "You should be thrilled to know we've prepared a feast to celebrate your... extended stay."

"Extended stay?" I repeated, sitting up. "Is that what they call kidnappings in the vampire world?" I scoffed.

Jasper chuckled, a low, rich sound that made me want to both throw a pillow at him and hear it again (preferably forever).

"Wait," I said, holding up a hand. "What kind of feast are we talking here? Because if this is some secret vampire dinner party where I'm the main course, I'm gonna need a warning to start running."

"No human is on the menu," Thomas said dryly, standing. "It's just... a kind gesture. To make you feel more at home."

I narrowed my eyes suspiciously at them, but followed them downstairs anyways, with Damon trailing behind me like the world's least friendly shadow. The dining room was, in a word, extra. There were candles everywhere, the table was set with what looked like solid gold plates, and the centerpiece was an actual vase of black roses.

"Comforting," I deadpanned, but the smell of actual food distracted me. A servant (yes, a literal servant like this is some movie) brought out a plate of something that looked delicious and very not human, so like the fat ass I am, I started eating like I had never seen food before.

As I started eating, the conversation turned to less horrifying topics—vampire history, which I completely tuned out as my father excitedly talked about his research and ideas. It was almost... normal. Almost. Until Damon, still hovering in the corner like a disapproving mother, suddenly stiffened.

"What is it?" Thomas asked, his tone sharp.

"They're here," Damon said, his voice grim.

"Who's 'they'?" I asked, already regretting it as every vampire in the room stiffened on alert.

"The Volturi," Damon replied. "They've sent scouts. They know."

Panic prickled at the edges of my mind, but before I could fully freak out, Maria stood, her expression calm but deadly (like the true queen she is). "Then it's time we show them why we are a coven to be feared."

Thomas reached out, his hand brushing mine. "Stay close, Lucian. No matter what happens, you're not facing this alone."

At his words, I wanted to argue, to remind them that I was just a human in way over my head (and a really stupid secret witch, but that doesn't matter since I can barely do any magic because I'm pathetic and useless?!). But the looks on everyone's faces, the determination to protect the family they had, stopped me. Because this wasn't just about me (god, am I really that self centered). 

This was something far greater at play, and the last thing I wanted to do was erase the hope I could see in the eyes of battle-hardened soldiers before me, the most dangerous kind of men... those who had nothing left to lose.

A silence settled over us like a heavy storm cloud, anticipation crackling in the air. Footsteps echoed outside, a slow, deliberate approach that sent a shiver down my spine. Thomas's grip on my hand tightened just slightly, grounding me as the doors swung open, revealing the first scout. Cloaked in midnight black, his red eyes gleamed in the candlelight like rubies.

"Lucian," the scout said, his voice like silk laced with poison. "The Volturi extend their most sincere invitation. Come willingly... and no harm will come to your new 'family.'"

The room was deathly silent, the air thick with unspoken threats. Maria took a single step forward, her aura plunging the room into negative temperatures to the point I almost started shivering.

"Then let's make one thing clear," she said, her voice smooth as glass but sharp as a blade. "If you think we will bow to the Volturi... you are sorely mistaken. I BOW TO NO ONE."

The scout smiled, slow and knowing. "Then I suppose we'll see, who bows to who at the end."

And just like that, the war had begun.

The air pulsed with tension, and without hesitation, Thomas signaled me to move behind him. The other vampires in the room shifted subtly, poised like hunters ready to strike. A deep, guttural growl rumbled from Damon's throat.

Before the scout could retreat, Maria raised her hand. "Not so fast," she murmured. "You came into our home uninvited. It would be rude to let you leave without a proper send-off."

The scout's smirk faltered just slightly. "Are you threatening me?"

Jasper stepped forward, his voice dangerously soft. "We don't threaten. We promise." Now this probably isn't the right time, but I'm pretty sure my heart skipped a few beats and it had nothing to do with the threat in the room....(cough Jasper's sexy voice cough).

Before the scout could react, a shadow darted across the room. Damon moved faster than I could blink, pinning the Volturi messenger against the stone wall. His fangs glistened in the candlelight, inches from the scout's throat.

The scout swallowed hard. "This... this is a mistake."

Maria smiled, stepping closer. "Oh, I doubt that."

The war had truly begun, and there was no turning back.

Author's Note:

HAPPY NEW YEAR BITCHES AND BROS AND NON-BINARY HOES (if you get the reference i love you). I know I promised this chapter a while ago, but i got lazy......(cries in shame and begs for forgiveness). 

I hope all of you are having a good 2025 so far (I haven't even locked in yet, please send help), my new year's resolution is to finish this book (hopefully) and to finish Abyss and start my other book (what character's book do we want next?). 

Anyways do we like this style of chapter better or the other ones? Also I hope you guys have a good/night and I will see you guys in the next chapter (hopefully).