Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight related, yadda yadda and all that good stuff.
This story will post daily (first full chapter tomorrow) and will complete next Saturday.
Killerlashes makes magic with the crap I give her.
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Seven Days – Prologue
"Don't move." The voice was low in my ear, the hand tight on my throat.
I rolled my eyes and shoved as hard as I could, sending the body across the alley and into the brick wall. The concrete cracked and a cloud of dust billowed out around the vampire.
"Sorry handsome, you're not really my type." I smirked as he got to his feet and turned to walk away. He was seriously putting a damper on my evening.
"Cullen!" he called, and was in front of me before I could blink.
Can't let him leave. Have to wait for Aro.
"I have no intention of speaking to Aro," I spat. "You can tell him that."
"He has an offer for you," he explained.
"Again, I have no interest. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some business to tend to."
"I'm ordered to kill you if you leave." His face was grim, but I laughed.
"Oh, you can try."
I was against the wall before I could register what was happening. His thoughts were a jumbled mess, too worried about Aro to actually try and kill me.
A new set of thoughts flooded my head and a high-pitched laugh sounded from behind us.
"Now, now, Demetri. I'm here, there's no need to kill our Edward."
Demetri loosened his grip on me and I pushed him away, smoothing my shirt and glaring at him for good measure.
"You've been busy, Mr. Cullen," Aro's voice was breathy and soft and…weird. I could tell his skin was different; it was so pale it looked translucent, like ancient paper, so he seemed incredibly fragile, as if a strong breeze would crumple him. Yet from what Carlisle had told me, I knew he was incredibly old and very, very powerful.
"If you do come in contact with him – and you will – don't touch him. Whatever you do, Edward, remember that, please?"
I hadn't paid much attention to Carlisle when he had said that, but now, as the vampire in question stood before me, it was all I could think about. He made his way to me, vivid red eyes and crisp black wool, Death in a made-to-measure suit. Aro held out his hand, his thoughts abnormally blank.
I eyed his hand warily and shoved my own in my pockets in refusal.
"Carlisle has taught you well," Aro chuckled dryly. "It seems you've been, ah... taking things into your own hands, dear boy."
I shrugged. "I do what I have to do."
Idiot.
I turned to Demetri, whose eyes widened in shock. I tapped my head in a silent reminder – mind reader. He rolled his eyes and strolled to the end of the alley to keep watch, because apparently two men in designer suits would draw a crowd.
"Your work does not go unnoticed, Edward. Which is why I'm here," Aro said, stepping toward me. I shifted my feet, afraid for the first time all night. "I'd like to make you an offer."
"I have no interest in joining you," I retorted.
Aro smiled. "Your ability is uncanny. You would be most useful."
"I won't – "
"You will. Or you will die. You cannot keep doing these things and continue to go unpunished. We will stop you."
I didn't respond, but if my heart were still beating it would have been going a mile a minute.
"You have seven days, Edward. Choose wisely."
