𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒔 

𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒉 𝒊𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒌𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔

⁂

Juliette Swan had never felt more inadequate in her life.

Staring into the bathroom mirror, her reflection felt foreign, human, in all the ways that seemed to matter the least. Every vampire she had met so far had been beautiful, sculpted, and flawless.

By comparison, she felt out of place.

Ugly.

Wrong.

Insecurities she had never knew existed within her tumbled into her mind.

Her fingers were knobby looking, knuckles pink and nails short.

One of her eyebrows was thinner than the other, though she blamed that on her dad after the great pre-prom plucking disaster.

Coming to terms and accepting the idea of being a soulmate was difficult when she couldn't stop thinking about what Caius had said.

She wasn't what he was expecting.

The thoughts consumed her, chewing away at her being with every glance on a reflective surface. How could she accept the bond when she didn't meet their standards. She wasn't just human, she was human in a mundane, forgettable way.

Her confidence was further dragged away when she reminded herself she'd never had a boyfriend.

There was Sam when she was in high school, and random frat boys in California. But those didn't count. Especially when none of them had anything in common with the vampires.

Even if she stood a chance, the idea of dating, or whatever this was, men who had been alive for thousands of years made her want to laugh and cry at the same time.

Was it even dating?

Were they courting her?

Trying to get inside her head?

She could barely keep up with the notion of dating a guy who was older than her by a few years, let alone by a millennia.

A nervous laugh slipped past her lips as she tried to imagine proceeding with them as a "normal" relationship.

Hey, so what's your favorite movie? You probably remember when moving pictures were invented, huh?

The absurdity of the thought made her press her fingers to her lips, stifling another laugh. How was she supposed to navigate this when the guys she was dealing with had lived through the rise and falls of empires.

They had already seen everything, experienced everything. There was nothing left that Juliette could bring to impress them.

While she was 95% sure they had never attended a college party, she didn't think balancing a shot glass on the top of her head would amaze them.

She could picture herself sitting across one of them at dinner, while they stared at her, unimpressed. Hear Caius scoffing at her, rolling his eyes as if her existence was the greatest inconvenience to his time.

Juliette's fingers itched to call Dr. Cullen, but the little bit of pride she had left held her back. She couldn't embarrass herself more by asking for dating tips.

Before she could spiral, further, a soft knock on her bedroom door interrupted her, snapping her back to reality.

Juliette met her own eyes in the mirror, biting her tongue as she contemplated ignoring whomever was at the door and pretending she wasn't in her room.

Another knock, firmer than the last, hit her door.

A beat of silence and then she heard a voice call out.

"I know you're in there, your heart sounds like a rabbit."

Juliette knew that voice.

"I'm letting myself in."

The wide-eyed creepy doll girl.

Jane.

Juliette braced herself as the door creaked open, her fingers gripping the sink tighter.

Jane appeared in the doorway. Like a ghost, porcelain skin, eyes wide and unblinking as they fixed on Juliette.

"You look... distressed." Her voice was calm, unsettlingly so, as she let herself into the room. "Considering your situation, that's understandable, I suppose."

Juliette tried to push aside the embarrassment of having been caught spiraling, but Jane's eyes were like a spotlight, illuminating every insecurity she was trying to hide.

"What do you want, Jane?" Juliette asked, forcing her voice to sound even.

Jane blinked, owlish, and her lips twitched into what could have become a smile or a sneer.

"You remembered my name?" She asked, head tilting to the side as she traced her eyes over Juliette's face.

Not for the first time since meeting her, Juliette wondered just how old Jane was. She was barely five foot, if that, almost a head smaller than Juliette. With the way she looked now, she seemed so young and small. Juliette almost wanted to reach a hand out to touch her face, to feel the stone like skin, just to remember this was more a monster than a child.

"You're a very memorable person, Jane." Juliette told her, a touch exasperated.

That was an understatement. While it didn't hurt, sometimes she still felt the phantom of Jane's ability itching under her skin.

A small, childish, smile turned at Jane's mouth. "Thank you."

The expression was unsettling and oddly out of place, almost like a scene from a horror movie.

Juliette cleared her throat, "So... why are you here?"

Jane's eyes narrowed, her smile fading just as fast as it had appeared.

"The kings are waiting for you." She paused, her gaze flicking to the mirror, then back to Juliette. "Though I can't imagine why they'd be so invested in a human."

The comment stung, sharper than Juliette wanted to admit.

She didn't respond immediately, but when she did, her voice was small. "I don't know either."

Jane's head titled slightly, her eyes still hard, but calculating. "Hmm."

Juliette's breath caught. The appraisal in her eyes left a smothering vulnerability.

"Come," Jane said abruptly, turning towards the door. "They won't wait forever."

A snort tore out of Juliette unwillingly. "Was that a vampire joke?"

"I wouldn't waste my time on petty humor." Jane cooly called back.

Juliette didn't believe her.

With a harsh exhale, she followed Jane out of the room. Rabbit, in Jane's words, heart racing.

There was something almost endearing about Jane, beneath the unsettlingly exterior.

She had to run to catch up with the girl, who had not slowed down or stopped.

"Do you know why the kings want to see me?" She felt compelled to fill the quiet between them, feeling more anxious in the silence.

Jane's eyes didn't stray from the path ahead. "Not exactly. Could be important, they don't call on just anyone."

Juliette chewed on her lip. She wasn't just anyone, not anymore at least.

"Do you know much about... mates?" Juliette asked quietly, almost whispering, as if afraid to be overheard.

Jane's steps faltered for the briefest moment, and she glanced up at Juliette with an expression that was strangely innocent, bright red eyes darting over Juliette's face like she was trying to piece together a puzzle.

"I know it's something... special," Jane said the word with a sneer. "Something rare."

Her voice then took on something more curious. "But I don't really understand it."

Juliette blinked in surprise. "You don't?"

The girl shook her head, thin dainty brows furrowing slightly. "I was never told much about it. I know that mates exist, but it's not something I've seen happen up close before."

Juliette could see the wonder in Jane's eyes now, a flicker of childlike inquisitiveness that seemed to fight with the deadly aura she carried.

"Is it strange?" Jane asked suddenly, eyes even wider. "To have three of them as your mates?"

Juliette swallowed hard, unsure of how to answer. "I'm not sure yet," she admitted softly. "It feels overwhelming. And... confusing."

Jane nodded, resolutely.

"I'd like to see it," Jane murmured, almost to herself. "To see what it's like when it happens."

Juliette's brows furrowed. "See what?"

"The bond," Jane replied, voice barely hiding a hint of fascination. "I've never seen someone fall in love before."

Juliette felt a strange twist in her chest at Jane's words. It was almost sweet, in an odd way, to hear Jane speak of the ordeal in that way.

"I'm not sure it's something you can watch happen," Juliette told her, trying to not sound patronizing. She didn't think Jane would appreciate being spoken to like a little child.

Jane gave a small shrug in response. "Maybe not, but I still want to see it."

She wasn't sure how to respond to that, so she just nodded.

They continued down the same long, dim hallways she had been down before with the male guard member. From her memory, they were almost there.

"Thank you, Jane." Juliette said, suddenly.

Jane sent her a befuddled look, almost disgustingly so. "Pardon?"

"Just, thanks." She didn't bother to explain that in her own way Jane helped distract from some of her anxiety.

"You humans are strange." Jane declared, walking a step faster to be ahead of her.

A small laugh left Juliette's mouth, shaking her head slightly. "Whatever you say."

Juliette hesitated as they reached the door, hand hovering over the smooth, polished wood. The silence beyond it was thick, making her heart pound a little harder in her chest. She stole a glance at Jane, who stood off to the side of the door, watching her.

"Good luck," Jane said, her voice lilting in a way that almost made it sound like she truly meant it.

She gave a tight nod, pushing the door open and stepping inside.

The room was much like she remembered, dimly lit by the various candles, almost stiflingly imposing, and occupied by three vampires.

They looked... odd. Odd in the way someone would react to being told to act natural.

Caius was stiffly leaned with a hip against a desk, a closed book in his hand as he looked at the cover. Marcus was sitting in a chair, arms crossed, seemingly doing nothing. While Aro, the least inconspicuous, was standing stiffly in the middle of the room.

"What are you doing?" She asked, blinking at Aro.

"He was pacing from wall to wall," Caius told her, flipping the book over to ponder the back.

Aro sent a sharp glance to Caius, his composure faltering for the briefest of moments.

"I was thinking," he said smoothly, though his tone carried a faint edge. "Sometimes movement helps focus the mind."

Juliette raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "Uh huh."

"You took your time getting here," Caius cut in, setting the book down on the desk with a thud. "We've been waiting."

"Well, excuse me for not sprinting." She quipped.

Her pulse quickened with a flash of uncontrolled fear, but Caius merely narrowed his eyes, the corner of his mouth moving in a mix of irritated amusement.

Marcus, still seated, let out a soft hum that might have been a chuckle. His lips moved as if speaking, but Juliette heard no words. His eyes lingered on her, tracing over her.

A light clap of Aro's hands drew her attention back. "Now, now, Caius. It takes no small amount of courage to face us."

Juliette could feel her bravado fizzling away. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay steady on her feet.

"I'm assuming you want to talk about my phone call with Carlisle," she said, cutting straight to the point. "About what he told me."

"Precisely," He confirmed, "We imagine it has left you with some questions."

"And doubts," Caius muttered under his breath, though not quietly enough for it to go unnoticed. The other two men in the room sent warning glances, but said nothing.

She nodded, nerves squeezing in her throat.

"It has," she admitted lowly. "I'm really trying here, trying to make sense of it all and what's expected of me."

Her voice wavered, but she pressed on. "It's overwhelming, to say the least."

She fidgeted her fingers together, trying not to pinch at the skin.

The man before tilted his head slightly, as if to appear understanding. "That is perfectly natural, mio cara."

Juliette's jaw tightened as she contemplated her next words.

She exhaled slowly out of her nose, not looking at any of them. "Carlisle told me it's something you can't ignore, that's not a choice."

"That is true," Marcus replied, "The bond is absolute."

She heard a scoff and knew it belonged to Caius.

"And yet, here you are, standing before us, questioning it."

Juliette bristled, eyes meeting his, a viper like response ready to shoot out of her.

Aro raised a hand, she supposed it was to silence both of them.

"Caius, please," he said, voice firm. He turned back to Juliette, tone and face softening. "We do not fault you for your hesitations."

She glanced between them, "Out of everyone in the word, I just don't understand why it would be me."

The room fell silent for a moment.

Simmering in her own thoughts, she would have almost rather face Caius and his taunts instead of their silence.

She felt like an idiot for even asking. It was obvious they were just as surprised as she was to be involved in this.

Marcus was the first to speak, sounding almost reverent. "The bond is not about logic or reason. It chooses not based on what we desire, but on what we need."

Juliette frowned, eyes dropping to the floor. "That doesn't make it any easier to accept."

Nor was it very comforting to the ridicules taunting her mind.

They waited for her to speak, the silence not as suffocating as it was a moment before.

"And what if I'm not ready?"

"Readiness is a luxury one does not often have. However," Aro's face was unreadable. "luckily for you, we have all the time in the word to help you understand, to wait."

Juliette glanced at Marcus, then Caius, whose sharp eyes had not lessened in the slightest. "And if I decide I can't do this?"

The room seemed to grow colder. Caius's lips pressed into a thin line, and for the first time since meeting him Marcus's eyes lost their warmth. Aro, however, remained calm, though his smile did not reach his eyes.

"That," Aro spoke in manufactured placidness," is a path you will not take."

She blinked, rapidly, confused. "What does that mean?"

"It means that you have no choice in this matter." Caius told her, stepping closer with snappy taps of his shoes against the marble. "This is as much a part of you now as your own heartbeat. To deny it would be like denying your own existence."

Her hands clenched at her sides, nails digging into her palms. "So, I'm just supposed to... accept it? Just like that?"

It felt more than unfair and, admittedly, anticlimactic.

"We do not expect you to accept anything immediately." Aro said, voice still infuriatingly calm. "But in time, you will come to see that this is not a burden."

The words fell away from her ears, like they weren't real. But she kept her thoughts to herself. This didn't feel like the time to argue, for once.

Later though, she might reconsider.

A little smile flickered on the corner of her mouth at the idea of chasing down Caius just to start an fight with him. There weren't many things these days that lit her candle, but she was coming to find that their exchange in the library did.

Not that she would ever allow him to know. That secret would be buried with her.

Just as fast as a smile could appear, she frowned.

She was starting to acknowledge she most likely wouldn't get buried, ever, especially with the way the men before her spoke.

"If that's all, can I go back to my room?" She asked quietly.

She could feel the way their crimson eyes raked over her, their curiosity almost palpable during her shift of emotions. The moment Aro started to nod his head at her question, she spun around and left. A blush started to burn her ears at her rudeness, but she refused to slow her escape.

Jane was absent from the corridor, instead another nameless vampire stood. He was nondescript, handsome, and didn't utter a single word as he trailed along a path for her to follow back to her room.

Her head spun the whole way back.

Immortality was scary, maybe even scarier than the possibility of being tied to them forever. There were so many expectations of her, assumptions, yet no one was stopping to ask if she wanted any of this. 

Juliette didn't know if she even wanted answers to any of it. Didn't know if she wanted to live forever, especially after spending more than twenty years knowing she would die one day. 

The moment her bedroom door closed, she let out a heavy and coarse sigh. The tension eased out of her shoulders, the space offering a modicum of comfort. She crossed the room to her bed, where her phone laid.

Opening the device, her finger hovered over Bella's contact name. She still hadn't changed the name and didn't want to bother with it as she pressed down.

The phone barely rang before her sister answered.

"Jules!" Bella's voice came through, sounding relieved and cheerful. "You're alive! And still human, I assume?"

Juliette's eyebrows crinkled, eyes squinting at her wall. "What do you... Alice?"

Just as she was cursing the girl in her mind, Bella stammered in the phone to clarify.

"No, no, sorry, I badgered Edward into telling me what's going on." Her sister sounded apologetic. "The Cullen's were acting so weird whenever I asked about you, and really everything about you staying in Italy just didn't add up."

"I had thought the same thing when they set their terms." Juliette sighed, sinking down into her bed. "Never would have guessed this though."

Bella hummed, "Well, I mean... at least we'll have each other, right? Immortal sisters? That's kinda cool."

"Sure, if you're into eternal family bonding," Juliette quipped. "Do you even realize what we're getting into? Forever is a really long time."

Bella laughed softly, and it grated on Juliette's nerves. She was starting to feel a buildup of resentment towards her little sister, anger for getting them into the mess.

"Come on, Jules, it's not all bad." Her sister stated, sounded wistful. "And hey, we won't have to deal with wrinkles or gray hair."

Juliette snorted. "Oh, well in that case, sign me up for a bite ASAP."

She liked to imagine that the vampires she knew were most likely eavesdropping had to remind themselves she was being sarcastic.

There was a lull in the conversation before her sister spoke again.

"So... about the soulmate thing." Bella sounded awkward and almost painfully curious. "You and... them. Is it, like, all three of them?"

As soon as the words left Bella's mouth, Juliette's face burned all the way down her neck. "Bella, please don't."

"No, seriously!" Bella insisted, sounding far too amused. "How does that even work? Do they take turns? Do they all just... I don't know, hang out? Or do you get a favorite? Like, a mate MVP?"

"Bella!" She groaned, burying her face in her hands. "I don't even know if I like them, let alone, ugh, just stop."

The laugh Bella let out was unrestrained and full of the joy only a sister could find.

"Sorry, sorry! I'll stop." She promised, though Juliette didn't trust it. "But seriously, you're in such a... unique situation. It's like a paranormal love triangle, but worse."

"Worse is definitely the right word," She muttered. "They're more like a dysfunctional power trio that's decided I'm their newest shiny toy."

And once she wasn't so new and shiny, they would lose interest.

Bella seemed to pick up what