- ""You're dead.""
- ―Riley to Edward and Bella
Riley was one of the first the first vampire created by Victoria when she formed an army to attack the Cullen family and Bella. He got Bella's scent for the newborns, and was the one that led the Seattle newborn army. Riley was told by Victoria that she loved him, but this was just a lie to get him to be on her side. During the invasion, he stayed with Victoria and was killed by Seth Clearwater during the battle between the Cullens and the newborn army. He acted as Eclipse's secondary antagonist and was always in the presence of his "mate", Victoria, the main antagonist of both New Moon and Eclipse.
Biography
Eclipse
- Main article: Eclipse
Riley's painful transformation
Riley was among the first humans, if not the first, that Victoria changed into a vampire to form her army. She needed an older vampire to help control the newborns and keep her involvement in the army to a low. To get him to work with her, Victoria told him that she loved him and convinced him to serve her faithfully. He corralled the other new vampires and told them what their mission was and what they were supposed to do.
Riley was also the one who came into Bella's room to retrieve her scent, through her clothes and other objects lying around her room. This was because he was the only mature vampire being able to withstand the smell of human blood besides Victoria. If any newborns had come there, Charlie would have been killed. Thankfully, Riley spared him. In the film, he leans over the sleeping Charlie, silently considering killing him, but immediately flees when he catches the incoming scent of another approaching vampire, as well as Bella entering the house.
When Riley faced Edward on the mountain's clearing, Edward tried to persuade him to give up the fight by revealing to him how Victoria truly felt about him (she didn't love him; her mate was James who was killed in Twilight), and that he was meant to serve as only a distraction to Edward while Victoria would attempt to kill Bella. However Victoria's hold on him was too strong. Riley tried to attack Edward, but Seth got to him first. Despite his newborn strength, Seth managed to use the surprise attack to continuously bite off pieces of Riley's body, rending him immobile. In the film, the final scene of Riley depicts him screaming for Victoria's help while she looks on in disgust as Seth tears at his shoulder before dragging him off screen for the kill.
Riley brought many troubled high school and college students to Victoria in the dark where she could change them without them actually seeing her. This was because Victoria did not want Edward Cullen to read their minds and realize she was behind the entire plot. Riley remained a tool of Victoria's until his death during the battle.
Riley was originally from Forks, Washington, the same town that the Cullens and Bella live in.
Personality and traits
Riley attacking edward
Riley is described as being around Bella's age when he was changed, with vivid red eyes and shining blond hair. He was muscular, tall and handsome and used his new found vampire strength with little tact, like most newborns. He fell in love with Victoria, but she lied to him and he died fighting alongside her.
After Victoria changed him, Riley became nothing more than a menace just like the sadistically dangerous and psychotic vampire, Victoria, until they both died attempting to kill Bella. Riley was very loyal to his ally and lover, Victoria. Riley had a strong loyalty to her and remained loyal to her even when Edward raised suspicion. Riley's fatal flaw was his love for Victoria, which would eventually kill him.
Powers and abilities
Riley, like all vampires in the Twilight series, possessed immortality, strength, speed, endurance, agility, durability and beauty.
Relationships
- Main article: Relationships
Victoria
Riley's love: Victoria
- Main article: Victoria
Victoria turned Riley into a vampire to command her army of newborn vampires. Victoria also lied to Riley, telling him that she loved him. In truth, she simply said that so that he would follow her more devotedly, and was still in love with her former deceased mate, James. Victoria was only using Riley as a tool to get revenge on Bella Swan and Edward Cullen for James' death. Edward attempted to help him realize the truth, but his loyalty to Victoria was so strong that he refused to listen. Moments before his death, Riley desperately called out to Victoria, who took no notice of him.
Etymology
"Riley", a name of Old Irish origin, means "courageous" or 'valiant". This could refer to Riley's valiance and courage when fighting with the Seattle Newborn Army. The name can also be translated as "rye clearing". Rye is a hardy and sturdy wheat, again referring to Riley's strength and courage. It is also where Riley fought Edward and Seth.
Appearances
Film portrayal
Xavier Samuel
Xavier Samuel was cast as Riley in the film Eclipse. Riley is described as a "good-looking college student who joins the plot of villain Victoria to murder protagonist Bella."[1] In the films, Riley was given the last name "Biers" and a new DOB, 10 April 1990, to make him the correct age for the film's release, as opposed to when the book was set.[2]
References
- ↑ Tanner Stransky (2009-07-17). 'Twilight' third pic 'Eclipse' begins casting with Australian unknown Xavier Samuel. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved on 2009-07-19.
- ↑ Twilight Lexicon | David Slade Tweets Xavier Samuel Photo | October 30, 2009
External links
Template:Twilight Saga