Chapter One

It seemed, though I had never thought about it before now, a perfect night to die. A full moon hung low in the night sky and I knew that if it was ever to be it would be now. They had promised me that immortality was perfection, everything I would ever want, so what I am doing is, I suppose selfish. Is it acceptable to have everything you ever wanted then not want it once it was there? To give up the thing that most would kill for? They could have it for all I cared, I didn't want it or need it, and it was nothing to me. Once again I raised my eyes to the sky. Dawn was hours away and I had all the time in the world…

I hadn't thought about it for years, about how I got here, about becoming Marcus. I guess I just took it all for granted in the end. In general 'changing' is a very unpleasant memory to reflect on and as we have no privacy forgetting our human memories is really in best interest. By 'no privacy, I mean Aro. Most clans when they meet him think he's just a sweet vampire with no ulterior motive… I chuckled darkly to myself at that thought. Aro without an ulterior motive? I'd never seen it, and I'd been around him almost two million years. I don't count, it's tedious and I hate things that are useless and take up time. I'm not even sure why, it's not like I don't have time to spare, I barely do anything down here. Running the Volturi is more Aro's calling and don't get me started on Caius, I did mention hating things that wasted time. I stretched leaning back in the chair that was the only item of furniture in my 'bedroom'. I didn't see a point in lavish furnishings I just wouldn't use. The only other thing besides the chair and myself was a huge pile of books that took up the entire left wall. I love reading. It's the only thing I seem to do besides what Carlisle liked to call moping, I call it keeping my peace in my personal space, a bit long winded maybe but I've never really cared for the opinions of others. Someone knocked at my door dragging my thoughts away from my books. This had better be good…

'Enter.'

The door opened silently on well-oiled hinges, I hate things that make stupid noises, and this includes all things that come out of the mouths of others before they've thought about it. A small-cloaked figure skulked through the doorway and stared at me.

'Yes?'

'Aro sent me to…'

Impatient now I replied, 'Yes Alec, if you're here then Aro must have sent you, no-one else talks to you.'

A little harsh maybe but then I hated the thing.

He cleared his throat and began again, 'To ask if you would come and meet the new vampires.'

New vampires? Come to think of it Caius had mentioned that in his latest, and as of yet longest, moan.

'Yes, tell Aro I'll be right there.'

Alec nodded and bowed his way backwards out of the door. Well at least he knew whom to respect, I wasn't Aro, and I would kill him if I got the chance, or found the mental capacity. It just seemed such a waste of energy…

Why did this whole ceremony take so long? I tried hard to be interested at the beginning but there's a line that Aro has stomped on, squashed flat, had his minions attack and then spat out. I just hate formalities, they're useless. Still I sat up straight, and watched with as much polite contempt as I could muster, grinding my teeth so hard they should have turned to dust. Aro nudged me with his elbow.

'Now there old friend, no need to be tense.'

Tense? I'd show him tense.

'Aro, there is no point to this. Can't you see that every vampire of the Volturi is bored with this whole charade?

Aro just laughed.

'You're so dismal all the time, lighten up Marcus.'

I hate that man.

The induction progressed slowly and I could feel my sanity being ripped from my mind as the seconds ticked by. I had almost given up hope of ever being saved but then, late as usual Afton came running in waving his arms around. Afton is probably one of the most undignified vampires I have ever had the pleasure to meet yet I quite like him as far as liking people go, and he had a habit of ruining Aro's precious gatherings. Aro smiled at the young vampire but I could tell he was furious.

'Calm yourself Afton. Here take my hand, what is it that you wish to tell me?'

I watched, slightly interested now, as Afton grasped the offered hand and stood still as Aro processed the images.

'Do you see them?' Afton spoke with a strained voice.

'Yes' Aro replied, his silky voice dark, 'I see them.'

Caius, angry at not being included snarled. 'Who, Aro who do you see?'

'Two female vampires coming this way.'

'What do they want?'

'Peace Caius, anger will get you nowhere.' He thought for a moment then spoke again, 'Dear ones, we have no need to panic, these newcomers pose no threat though they would want us to believe so. It seems we will have to deal with them directly as they plan to expose all of out kind to the humans, who are not ready to receive the news that Gods walk the Earth with them. Do not fret, all is well and will be over with before the sun rises three days from now.'

I sighed. His speeches were always long winded and pretty yet he never did anything himself he always sent someone else to do the dirty work.

'Marcus.'

He turned to me his face a picture of innocence.

'No Aro, I will have nothing to do with this.'

'Not even talking to them for me?'

'Not even that.'

I have a gift, although I hardly use it, and Aro is forever trying to make me help him using it. I can control another beings body using my mind. I get inside their heads and tell their brain what to do and they can only follow my instructions. Aro thinks my gift is marvellous, personally I don't really think much of it.

'Marcus, please, see reason. If you help there would be no reason for them to argue and also no need to fight.'

That hit home.

'Alright, but you have to bring them to me, I refuse to go to them.'

'There's no need brother, they're coming here after all.'

It had been a mistake to agree. I knew even as I said I would help, I knew it was a mistake. I sighed again, letting my shoulders slouch forwards. I only did this when I was alone, it gave a bad impression and I had a reputation as an ancient to uphold, but everyone needed time to just be normal, whatever that was. I could hear the hum of voices in the Venetian streets, humans going about their daily lives in the sun. I used to wonder why they never found something wrong with beings wearing capes when it was clear they were not needed. Humans just don't pay attention. I let my hearing drift a little, searching for the sound of footsteps too light to be human and a foreign scent to match. I hadn't heard anything yet.

Still time, I told myself quietly.

I talk to myself a lot. I'm not even sure why I do it, I just do. It makes the silence more bearable, I think I started during my transformation from human to vampire but whenever it started, it never stopped.

Entirely lost in my thoughts it came as a shock to be called back by the sound of light footsteps about a mile from the place I was standing. I shifted my weight cautiously. Looked like I'll have to get them, they knew someone would be around and they were staying clear of anything suspicious. Oh how I hate effort.