Chapter 107: The Black Room

Inside the darkness, the passage of time became impossible to grasp.

The jacket Sophie had soaked in the river had long since dried, but it still carried the earthy scent of damp soil. Fortunately, vampires no longer perspired. Otherwise, the sour smell of sweat mixed with muddy water would have humiliated her beyond words in front of an entire room full of vampires. It was a small blessing, but one she found herself genuinely grateful for.

The guards stationed inside the Black Room carried out their duties with unwavering discipline. Their responsibility extended only to the newborns confined inside the cages, and Sophie, who remained outside those cells, technically fell beyond the scope of their supervision. 

Taking advantage of that loophole, she quietly curled up in a corner, keeping as inconspicuous as possible while silently counting every shift change. It was the only way she could estimate how much time had passed inside this lightless prison.

The newborn vampires imprisoned in the Black Room were permitted only the smallest amount of fresh blood. The restricted diet weakened them considerably, making it easier for the guards to keep them under control. Left with little choice, Sophie reluctantly followed the same routine, drinking only enough blood to sustain herself. She had asked the guards more than once whether someone could escort her out of the room, but the answer never changed. The Captain of the Guard's orders were absolute. Until Alec himself, or one of the leaders, granted her pardon, no one would release her.

Nearly ten shifts had come and gone.

Yet the summons from Caius that Sophie had been desperately waiting for never arrived.

Did I miscalculate? she wondered bitterly. Was Moonheart Grass not nearly as important as I thought? Another possibility soon crossed her mind. Or perhaps Caius has been delayed by something and isn't even at the Volterra palace anymore.

The architecture of the room itself was unnervingly ingenious. Not only was it nearly impossible to locate the entrance or exit once inside, but the entire chamber seemed completely isolated from the outside world. Sophie couldn't hear anything beyond its walls, nor sense the slightest trace of activity elsewhere in the palace. 

Calling this place the Black Room is far too gentle, she thought grimly. Prison would be a much more honest name.

Whoever had designed this chamber clearly understood newborn vampires frighteningly well. It suppressed nearly every advantage their heightened senses granted them. Sound, light, even supernatural gifts seemed muffled within these walls. Had she not been trapped here herself, Sophie might have sincerely admired the architect's brilliance.

The tenth shift arrived.

By then...

Sophie had almost counted herself into despair.

Apparently, Caius had silently approved Alec's decision to imprison her here.

Some leader he is.

Absolutely useless.

Am I really going to stay locked in this place until my newborn period ends?

The thought made her stomach tighten. Spending every day surrounded by mindless newborns that knew only how to roar and snarl, along with emotionless guards who obeyed orders like machines, felt unbearable. If I ever get another chance... she silently vowed, I'll run without looking back. I'll leave this outdated palace, this ancient family, and never return.

Today's shift change felt...

Different.

There were fewer guards than usual.

And they were moving...

Far more slowly.

Ever since Sophie had been thrown into the Black Room, every rotation had been executed with flawless precision. The departing guards and incoming replacements always completed the exchange in a matter of seconds, moving with the seamless coordination expected of the Volturi. Never once had they appeared this deliberate or... respectful.

A dangerous thought suddenly surfaced.

Keeping close to the wall, Sophie lowered her presence as much as she possibly could.

She still wasn't wearing shoes.

After all, they had fallen into the remote valley outside London when Caius had thrown both her and an entire chair from the helicopter.

Ironically...

Her bare feet now made moving in complete silence much easier.

Gliding across the room with effortless grace, Sophie slipped behind the cluster of guards and cautiously peeked over their shoulders. They weren't simply waiting for the next shift to arrive. They were receiving someone. Every movement carried an unmistakable air of solemn respect.

Receiving...

Not replacing.

Whoever was about to enter was someone important. An irresistible idea began taking shape in Sophie' mind.

If I slip out while everyone's attention is focused on welcoming that distinguished guest...

Wouldn't I be able to escape? Then I'd simply run as far as I possibly could. And never return to the Volterra palace again.

She no longer owed the Volturi anything significant. Jane's necklace had already been returned to its rightful owner. The Moonheart Grass had been entrusted to Demetri.

Whatever obligations remained between them had effectively been settled.

If the Moonheart Grass proves useful someday, Sophie thought quietly, I only hope the Volturi remember I contributed something before deciding whether to hunt me down. And if it turns out to be useless...

Well, then that isn't my problem anymore.

Taking advantage of her relatively small stature, Sophie crouched low behind the departing guards and quietly followed their formation.

Beyond the doorway stretched another sea of darkness. The lack of light ensured no one could be betrayed by their shadow.

Then...

A familiar scent reached her. Sophie froze instantly.

Instinctively, she held her breath. A heartbeat later, she remembered that vampires didn't breathe. Holding her breath accomplished absolutely nothing. At the center of the room sat an elaborate chair.

Its appearance felt strangely out of place.

For vampires, standing or sitting made virtually no difference. Their immortal bodies never tired, and remaining perfectly still was comfortable enough regardless of posture. Sophie herself had only been sitting cross-legged in the corner because she wanted to avoid the endlessly screaming newborns while making herself as invisible as possible.

The departing guards filed neatly out of the room until not a single one remained.

Yet only...

Two people entered. Sophie had already reached the doorway.

If she moved quickly enough...

If she shamelessly squeezed through before anyone noticed...

If she stopped hesitating...

She really might be able to slip away unnoticed. Once outside, she could chase after Garrett or perhaps visit Garrett's friends, Carlisle or Siobhan.

Surely...

One of them would be willing to take her in. The last guard in the departing line stepped outside. A faint scraping sound echoed softly as stone shifted against stone.

The door closed.

Not even the narrowest crack remained.

Sophie stayed frozen against the wall beside the entrance, standing as stiffly as though she had been sentenced to punishment.

The person seated in the chair faced away from her.

The distance between them wasn't far.

Without accepting her brother's help, the woman calmly removed her hood herself, revealing a cascade of brilliant golden hair that seemed to glow even within the darkness. Her voice carried its usual casual indifference as she asked,

"Why didn't you leave with everyone else?"

Sophie' entire body stiffened.

She had no idea whether Jane had discovered her attempted escape or whether those words had been directed at someone else entirely.

Beside the chair, Alec remained perfectly silent. Not a single word escaped him.

So...

Who exactly had Jane been speaking to?

Jane gently squeezed Alec's hand, signaling for him to leave her alone. The arrangement had already been decided before they came here. Although the injury to her leg made walking difficult…

It did nothing to interfere with the use of her supernatural gift.