Chapter 43 - A Different League

Before Caius leaves the next morning, he hands me my schedule. I excitedly open it to see:

8:00 am - 10:00 am | Independent Study

10:00 am - 12:00 pm | Combat Training

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | Vampire History Lesson

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm | Volturi Diplomacy Lesson

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm | Independent Study

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm | Italian Lesson

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm | Progress Session

Hmm... I think, other than the Progress Session, which Caius says is some sort of meeting with him, Aro, and Marcus each day, everything is very similar to my human schedule in the castle. I guess I am still new here, but I was really excited to have some new responsibilities added onto everything else I was already doing. Maybe if these "progress sessions" have anything to do with gauging my progress in the other classes, I'll eventually be able to prove myself and build up my schedule a bit more.

At least training should be interesting, I think when 10:00 finally rolls around. I head over to the training room to see that I'm the first to arrive.

"Is everyone else usually fashionably late?" I joke to Felix as I walk to where he's standing, looking more serious than usual, in the center of the room.

"I've gotten word that your training will be individual," he tells me, and I freeze.

"Why?" I ask, shaking my head.

"The masters care deeply about appearances," he explains, "They don't think it's a good look to have you training with the lower ranked guard members. I sigh in disappointment. It looks like I'm going to have to bring it up with them myself, and insist if I have to. I guess that's what I can use my "independent study" time for today, to come up with a convincing argument as to why it's a good idea to train with the others.

"What time do the level 7 members usually train? Maybe if I can find a way to work it into my new schedule I'll be better prepared to request it."

"The level 7 class is usually from 10 pm to 12 am," he says. Wow, that's super late, then again I'm still thinking from a human perspective of time. I guess for vampires it doesn't really matter. But anyway, I keep that time at the back of my mind as our lesson begins.

* * *

Four hours later and it's finally the "independent study" time of day I've been anticipating. I head to the library and find a table to brainstorm quietly at. What's one thing that the Volturi always say they expect? Loyalty. Demetri even said that loyalty is the backbone of the Volturi. Therefore, training with the other guard members, despite their ranks, will strengthen that. I also need to train with a variety of other guard members to practice my shield and strengthen my fighting skills. The fight with Athenodora was a lot bigger than just the one-on-one training Felix and I would be doing every day. I have to be prepared for more. I write all that down.

In the time I'm there, a few other vampires wander in, presumedly to find a book, but I frown to see them hurry out with a bow when they see me here, as if they're worried about disturbing me.

At 3:50 on the dot, Antonio arrives, smiling when he sees me at my table.

"Well, Piccola, you're here early today, aren't you?" he chuckles, looking down at the list of points I was able to think of.

"Well, I had free time, so I thought I'd put together a little speech to give to Caius, Aro, and Marcus today to convince them to let me train with the other guard members," I explain, turning the paper around for him to read. "What do you think? Is it a lost cause? Will it convince them in the slightest?"

Antonio studies the paper for a minute before turning back to me. "I don't think it's entirely a lost cause, but you're dealing with the three most stubborn vampires in existence. They'll need more than logic, they'll need to see how this benefits them."

"That's why I included the loyalty part. Isn't that enough?" I ask.

"Hmm," he starts, pulling out the chair across from me and sitting down. "It's a good start, but with the Volturi, everything is about appearances. Loyalty is important, but you need to show them how it makes them look stronger. You training alongside the others could affect the way they see the masters' leadership and cohesion. The masters likely don't want your weaknesses to be shown to the other guard members either. While your intentions are good, showing your weaknesses might not be seen as a good look. Before, it was easy to blame it on your humanness. Now you've lost that excuse," he gives a half smile.

I furrow my eyebrows, realizing this will be a lot more difficult to navigate than I thought. I had planned to bring it up today, but I think I'll have to think about things a bit more. Felix said the other level 7 guard members usually train at 10 pm. Maybe I could swing by the training room at that time just to see what group training actually entails so I have better context for my argument.

"Thank you Antonio, you probably just saved me from falling flat on my face at my progress session after this," I laugh, opening my Italian book to the page we left off on.

"I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I'm happy to help," he says before starting the lesson.

* * *

On my way to my progress session, Antonio's words keep echoing in my head, "Everything is about appearances." I shouldn't rush bringing up what I want without fully understanding the stakes. This isn't a debate class after all; they aren't going to want to hear me bring this up day after day. The way I see it, I have one shot to get this right. If I don't, I could lose my chance. I sigh. At least I have all the time in the world.

The double doors of the council room open as I approach, and I step inside to see Caius, Aro, and Marcus already seated and waiting for me.

"Anna," Aro greets, with his signature smile, "Welcome. How has the day treated you so far?"

"Busy, but productive," I say honestly, keeping my voice friendly, but polite. If I have any chance of getting what I want, I hope giving myself more of an air of professionalism helps.

Caius's gaze flicks over me, but instead of saying anything, he lets Aro continue.

"Excellent," Aro says, as I take my seat next to Caius, "Tell us, how have you found your lessons? Are they challenging enough?"

"They've been helpful. I've been focusing on refining my shield control in training, and I'm absorbing everything I can in my other lessons."

"Good, you will surely excel in all areas," Aro grins.

"I intend to," I reply, meeting his gaze, but I can't help but grin a little at his confidence in me.

"Has your shield made any improvements?" Caius asks, looking curious, but I know he's also asking on Aro and Marcus's behalf.

"Yes," I smile, "I was able to snap my shield perfectly skin-tight around both Felix and I without a second thought, and it left neither of us vulnerable."

Aro's grin grows bigger, "Care to demonstrate?" he asks, gesturing around the table. I purse my lips. I'm sure he only expects me to demonstrate with one other person, since that's all I've been able to do before, but an idea pops into my head. If shielding one other person was so easy today, I can't imagine shielding everyone here would be too difficult. As soon as my mind pushes the command out, my shield expands around the table, and snaps perfectly around all of our bodies. I grin.

"Magnifico!" Aro exclaims, his eyes glimmering with excitement as he looks around the room at all of us. I pull the shield back and glance at Caius, whose grin looks just as full of pride as mine is. "And tell us, Anna, have you explored how far you can stretch this gift of yours?"

"I only had Felix with me in training today, so we didn't have the chance to see its full potential, unfortunately," I meet all their eyes, hoping my little seed plants. "So shielding all of us right now was a gamble I'm glad I took."

When the session ends, Aro rises, "Anna, your progress today is a testament to your dedication. We're pleased with your efforts."

Marcus gives me a slight nod, and Caius stands up and walks with me to the door. As we step out into the hall, his hand brushes mine. "You're doing well," he says quietly, pushing a strand of hair away from my face.

"Thank you," I smirk, reveling in the moment. I kind of wonder what my chances of success would be if I were to talk with Caius alone about my training sessions. After all, I should be able to talk to my fiancé about anything, right?

"I'll see you tonight," he says, leaning down to kiss me goodbye. I watch as he walks away. Nah, I think. I want him to hear the best argument I've got too. Right now, my plan will stay between Antonio and I until it's perfect.

* * *

I manage to keep myself busy for the rest of the evening studying some books from the library about the Volturi's rule and strategies they've used for conflicts in the past. I also reread past chapters and peek ahead at future chapters of my textbooks for my classes with Marcus. I need to know everything about Caius, Aro, and Marcus's mindset on every decision they've ever made.

When 10:00 rolls around, I clean up my table and head over to the training room. It looks alive inside as everyone groups around Felix to get the rundown on what they'll be doing today. I try to keep myself out of sight as I watch through the windows, but I know that since I can smell Felix's scent, he can definitely smell mine. Regardless, he starts class.

Training with Felix has always felt intense, but manageable. Watching this though, I feel like I've been pulled into another world entirely. The guard members aren't just fighting, they're flowing effortlessly, combining strength with fluidity, with a speed I can now fully perceive now that my vision can keep up. Every move is calculated, precise, and almost trance-inducing in its deadliness. Pairs clash with sparring weapons, before transitioning into hand-to-hand combat. It's mesmerizing, like watching a perfectly choreographed stage performance.

But the longer I watch, the more unease creeps in.

How would I even train with them? I think, squeezing my hands into fists. The techniques they're using are ones I've never even seen before, let alone practiced. Felix never taught me any of this. When he pinned my arms behind my back and caught me in a chokehold, his methods were simple compared to what I'm looking at now. What these guard members are doing is on another level entirely.

One vampire twists mid-air, avoiding a hit by mere inches before using that same momentum to flip their opponent onto the ground. Another pair wrestles fiercely, and within seconds, one has the other in a neck hold so tight that their opponent is forced to tap out. Even their taps are strategic, controlled, and barely noticeable.

I swallow hard. This is more than just skill, this is experience. They know how to anticipate movements, and how to exploit openings before they even appear. It's all instinctual for them, and I'm nowhere close to that. As the session continues, Felix steps into the center of the room, barking commands. The guards immediately shift into new formations, fighting in groups of three now. It's organized chaos. I can barely keep track of their methods, but they seem to work all the same. Why did Felix put me in level seven? I wonder, I wouldn't belong here.

A loud clash pulls me back to the present, and I watch as two guards engage in what looks like the final move of their play. Their movements are so deliberate it's almost like they're reading each other's minds. One disarms the other with a flick of their wrist, catching the weapon mid-air and pressing their hand against their opponent's throat in one fluid motion.

Frustration bubbles to the surface. I was so excited to prove myself, but watching this, it's clear that I have a long way to go. But why wouldn't he be up front about that? I question. I mean... I was hopeful I'd make it past level one, but to begin with I wasn't expecting anything as high as level seven in the slightest. Why would he lie?

I turn away from the doors and lean against the stone wall, my mind racing as I wait for the session to finish.

When 12:00 finally flashes on the screen of my phone, I wait for the guards to file out, and like the others I saw last time, they give me respectful bows as they pass by. They make their way down the hall calmly, as if they hadn't just been engaged in a whirlwind of deadly plays for two hours straight. I stay pressed against the wall outside the entrance until the last guard member shuts the door behind her.

When I open the door again and walk in, Felix is putting a stray weapon back in its spot.

"Anna," he says, turning around, "I should have known you'd stop by."

I cross my arms, standing at the edge of the training circle. "Yeah," I start, "It was incredible. And I'm nowhere near their level." I pause, studying his face for a reaction. "So why did you say I was in level seven?"

He lets out a sigh, "Anna, your progress has been-"

"Don't sugarcoat it," I interrupt, my voice sharper than I wanted. "I know I've progressed, but you and I both know I've never practiced anything like what I just saw them do."

He hesitates, his expression looking conflicted. "The masters have their reasons."

Of course. Felix himself would have no reason to lie to me. "What did they tell you?" I ask. I can't tell if it's anger or hurt fueling my tone.

"It's not my place to question their decisions, or reveal them," he says, meeting my eyes apologetically.

I nod. I know Felix is caught between a rock and a hard place here, and I don't want to make him feel worse about something that's completely outside of his authority. "I understand," I tell him, "I guess I'll see you tomorrow then," I try to smile, but I know it looks just as insincere as it feels. Felix gives me a reassuring pat on the back and I start my long walk back to Caius and my wing of the castle. I need some time to think before I face Caius again, so I walk at a pace that would annoy even my human self.

I caught a flat out lie that has nothing to do with my desire to train with the other guard members. There's no way that just asking about it will give me a disadvantage when I eventually ask about training with the others, right? It's a completely different conversation. All I want to know is why I'm being told I'm at level seven when I'm not.

I open the door to see Caius already inside, sitting on the couch with a book in hand.

"You're out late," he says, raising an eyebrow when he notices my expression. He sets his book down and speeds over to me, lifting my chin up so my eyes are forced to meet his. His other hand slides around my waist, pulling me closer. "What's wrong?" he asks. His eyes search mine with concern. I hesitate, attempting to look away, but his grip on my chin tightens slightly, keeping my focus locked on him. "Anna," he says softly, but there's an unmistakable edge of command, "tell me what's wrong." The feel of his hand caressing my waist, and then up my spine ignites a fire of desire in me that almost makes me want to shove the emotions I came here with away. But before I let myself get too entangled by the sensation, I speak up.

"Yesterday, Felix put me in level seven. Practice today went great, but when I snuck out to see the level seven class's training, it was very obvious that I'm nowhere close to their level. They were in a completely different league. I haven't even seen half the techniques they were using."

His expression darkens slightly, but he doesn't let go of me. "Go on," he says, his tone still measured.

I pull back just enough to create a sliver of space between us and let my words tumble out. "Why am I being told I'm at level seven when I'm not? I just want to understand."

Caius's jaw tenses. "Your training is tailored to your needs," he answers.

"What does that mean? What does that have to do with pretending I'm at a higher level than I really am? Just say I'm at level three, or whatever I really am, and tailor my training to my needs like normal then."

"You don't need to train any higher than what we deem necessary. You don't need to train to the guard's level ten, so your level ten will be when you reach the amount of training that is necessary for you."

"What do you mean I don't need to train to level ten? Just because I have a shield doesn't mean I don't want to learn how to fight. Like you said, the castle is the safest place to learn how to do that. When a bigger battle than Athenodora comes up, I want to be prepared," I tell him.

"You will fight in no battles. Ever." Caius says, his voice rising slightly before he reins it back in. "Your role here is not like the others, Anna."

I shake my head, letting my frustration boil over, "If I'm going to be a part of the Volturi, I need to be prepared for the worst."

He closes the gap I made between us, his height making his presence feel towering. His voice drops to a low growl. "Be happy I agreed to let you train at all."

His words hit me like a blow, and for a moment, I'm too stunned to respond. I think back to what Athenodora said to me that time she visited my room, "I'm sure the last thing you want is to be a little battle token locked up, only to be taken out when they have a need for you, right?" I flash back to my visit with Sulpicia earlier too, "I worry that old habits will still die hard. A sense of control is deeply rooted in all of them." Caius's eyes are blazing, and he's looking at me as if he's daring me to further challenge him.

"Just tell me why you've made this decision." I demand, not backing down from his glare. He looks away from me, and for a moment, I think he's going to argue, but instead, he exhales slowly, his expression softening just enough to show conflicting emotions.

"Because I almost lost you once," he bites out, "Do you know what that was like? Suddenly sensing your blood from across the room? Seeing you being rushed out to who knows where by someone who stood by Athenodora? Immediately being delayed from following by a waterfall of forgotten memories distracting me? Do you have any idea what it was like watching you dying in front of me and not knowing if you'd have the strength to let me change you in time?" My breathing stops as his words burn themselves into my mind. He's afraid for me. I take his hands, not knowing if that will comfort him, but it's worth a try.

"Whether I ever see a battle or not, for me to be the safest I need to have all the training I can get," I say softly.

"Enough," he says, his tone softer, but final. "This is not up for discussion."

I stare at him, my heart sinking, but I know I won't get anywhere tonight when our emotions are still heightened. He turns away and I feel a pang of sadness. He wants to protect me, but in doing so, he's holding me back. Without another word, I step past him and head to the bedroom, my thoughts swirling. If Caius won't let me train the way I need to, then I'll have to find another way.

Author's Note:

Hey everyone, thank you always for reading, voting, and commenting! These next couple months are a mix of the busiest time of the year at work, and then my vacation time when I'll hopefully be traveling. Because of that I probably won't be able to upload as consistently until my schedule calms down in March. I'll try to write and upload when I can of course, but I may have to skip weeks here and there. I just wanted to let you know in advance since in the past I've had a habit of disappearing from this story. This is not one of those times, haha! My goal for 2025 is to finish this story (and start another completely original story that I'm super excited about), so fingers crossed!