"Only two laws are enough to rule the entire vampire world?!"
As a college student on leave with a high school diploma, Sophie found the idea utterly astonishing.
The Code of Hammurabi alone contained hundreds of articles. Vampires possessed endless time and nearly perfect memories. They could have revised tens of thousands of legal volumes if they wished, yet they had chosen to establish only two laws.
According to Jane, the Volturi were the true rulers of the vampire world. Sophie reasoned that if the legal code was so brief, they must have invested their efforts elsewhere. Looking at Jane, she voiced her conclusion.
"So the laws themselves are simple, but enforcement is extremely strict. Am I right?"
"Very."
Receiving Jane's approval, Sophie added another note to her notebook.
Most of the belongings from her backpack had either been confiscated or thrown away, leaving only a few notebooks and pens behind.
Now that she had unexpectedly become an entirely new species on Earth, and was fortunate enough to receive personal instruction from one of the royal members of the hidden vampire world, Sophie decided to treat learning how to be a vampire as the beginning of a brand-new field of study.
The phrase revealing the existence of the vampire world sounded far too vague.
Based on her previous habits, Sophie had the distinct feeling that if she wrote a detailed blog post, turned it into an educational video, and uploaded it online for the entire world to watch...
She would almost certainly violate the first law.
To avoid ending up on the receiving end of the words punishable by death, Sophie needed to understand exactly how that law was interpreted.
"If Fabio secretly transformed me, does that count as violating the first law?" Using her own experience as an example, Sophie tried to establish a practical standard for judgment.
Jane paused ever so slightly.
"Aro declared him innocent. So it doesn't count. If Aro had declared him guilty... then it would."
Sophie was stunned once again.
"So... it all depends on Aro's judgment?"
"The verdict must be unanimously approved by all three leaders." Jane explained patiently. "Since Aro possesses the gift of reading thoughts, no one can lie in front of him. Most of the time, he simply announces the final judgment on behalf of Caius and Marcus."
Sophie accidentally forgot to restrain her strength. While taking notes, she pressed down far too hard. The fragile paper tore apart. The ballpoint pen snapped cleanly in two.
Looking up at Jane helplessly, she raised the broken pen.
"My pen broke."
Half of the damaged pen landed on the table with a crisp tap. Jane casually picked up the broken piece. With a slight twist between her thumb and forefinger...
The cylindrical plastic shattered completely into powder.
"For now, use your brain instead." Jane brushed the plastic fragments off the table. "As long as you don't casually use your 'Memory Locksmith' ability, you'll still remember everything we discuss a thousand years from now."
The nickname Memory Locksmith had been something Aro coined on a whim. Jane thought it suited Sophie remarkably well.
After brushing the broken pen into the trash, another thought occurred to her.
"You've behaved well today. As a reward... I'll buy you a few titanium fountain pens next time."
Titanium, after all, was considerably sturdier than plastic.
It soon became obvious that Jane disliked sitting behind a desk writing. She had written barely two or three lines on the blackboard before losing patience altogether. Instead, she abandoned words and began explaining through rough sketches and simple illustrations.
Jane herself had personally participated in numerous large-scale campaigns. From overthrowing the Romanian Coven's rule to eliminating immortal children, she had crossed territories spanning Europe, Asia, and Africa. Her youthful, melodious voice, combined with vivid drawings, transformed history into one fascinating tale after another.
Naturally...
In every story...
Justice was always the Volturi.
Before long, Sophie found herself completely captivated. Having lived for over twenty years, the farthest she had ever traveled was taking a cruise that made a detour to Iceland so she could watch the Northern Lights.
Listening to Jane recount one glorious campaign after another, Sophie couldn't help secretly imagining herself accompanying the Volturi on their next expedition.
East Asia.
Southern Africa.
She didn't care where.
She'd happily treat it as free sightseeing.
"Jane!" Sophie leaned forward excitedly. "When the Volturi go on another campaign, can you take me with you?"
"That depends." Jane's answer remained deliberately ambiguous. "You'll have to prove you're valuable enough."
The library door opened silently. A familiar presence drifted into the room.
Judging solely by the scent, Sophie immediately recognized the newcomer. His aura was almost identical to Jane's.
"Sister."
Alec remained standing in the doorway without stepping inside.
"Sorry to interrupt. Felix is inviting us to spar at the training grounds."
"You mean both of us?" Jane raised an eyebrow. "Has he lost his mind? If she and I fight together... Felix wouldn't stand the slightest chance."
"The kind without using our gifts," Alec clarified. "Demetri's already there. I came to bring both you and Sophie."
"No..."
"Don't refuse just yet, Jane." Alec interrupted with a grin. "Sophie needs strength training. I've watched you hold her hand the entire way here."
He chuckled.
"You can't spend the rest of eternity leading her around by the hand."
Sophie hadn't noticed Alec following them at any point during their walk. The elite guard's ability to conceal his presence was astonishing. Only when he deliberately revealed himself could Sophie detect that he was there.
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