I looked carefully over my right shoulder as I exited the Volturi's castle. I hadn't been outside in a week and it was the first overcast day. I took a deep breath of the city air and searched the street for anything out of the ordinary. There was nothing. The atmosphere at home had been rather tense lately, what with the most recent war, if you could call it that. Aro was trying to keep it diplomatic, but we were all shaken because this time it was on our turf.
Aro had specifically said to keep close to home; he was especially concerned about Jane and me. We were his two most prized possessions and he would much rather we live than die. I walked slowly down the street, trying to keep my pace human. I had only made it about a hundred yards when I felt a restricting hand on my shoulder. I immediately reacted, spinning around and pinned the stranger against the wall. I felt a light burning sensation I recognized. Within the same second, I released Jane from my grasp.
"Alec, you idiot. You know we're supposed to stay at home." She said, fixing her black cloak and scowling at me. Jane was deep down much softer than she appeared. I knew that, even now, she was afraid of the people who had once tried to burn us at the stake. She was only hard with outsiders, particularly the Cullens.
"My apologies, sister, I didn't know it was you." I apologized, patting her head gently. Although we were twins, I was still a few inches taller.
"Exactly. I could have been a Churelian and you would be dead right now." She hissed.
"But you're not a Churelian and I'm not dead. Well…not really." I countered, grinning. She sighed and put her arm through mine as we walked down to the end of the street.
"Forgive me. It just frightens me that up until two weeks ago, we didn't even know they existed. These Indian vampires…we don't even know what they're capable of. They could be the end of the Volturi. Everyone is still shaken after the Olympian fiasco." She said, her dark red eyes staring straight ahead of her.
"It's alright, Jane. We'll be fine." I said, patting her hand.
"Maybe not. Some of the guards are already deserting us, Alec. Santiago, Corin…" She began.
"Sister, they will come to their senses. Now, perhaps we should return. We don't want Aro and Demetri to worry." I said the magic words. Jane adored Aro, he was the father we'd never had and Demetri was her mate now. Her mood brightened and we turned around, remaining vigilant.
We hopped down the hole and walked past Gianna, who rose and smiled fearfully but remained unacknowledged. Marcus, Caius, and Aro were in the study and had rarely been seen since this entire situation began. We walked to one of the lounge areas. I spread myself out on the couch and grabbed a book that someone had left there earlier. Jane entertained herself by examining the ancient tapestries that we'd seen a hundred times before.
"I doubt it's changed." I said, not looking up from the book.
"What else is there to do?" She said, turning around and pacing.
"I'm sure Demetri is around here somewhere." I sighed, flipping a page.
"In that you are correct, brother." Said Demetri, gliding into the room and putting his arms about Jane and kissing her forehead. "Aro has arranged a meeting with the leaders of the Churelians for later today. It should be…interesting."
"I don't understand why we haven't destroyed them yet." Pouted Jane. Demetri laughed.
"Because, sister, they are not without followers. If we kill them, their army will surely attack with the aim to avenge." I said, looking up.
"How many can they possibly have?" She asked, looking up at Demetri.
"Approximately fifteen." He said, stroking her arm. "At last report anyway." He added.
"That is not so bad." She scoffed.
"You forget, we have no idea how gifted they are." I said. "They are a complete blind spot for us."
"Come, Jane, and walk with me. Let us forget this dreary subject for a while. Excuse us, Alec." Said Demetri, slipping his hand through Jane's and exiting the room. Deep down, I was envious. Jane had finally found someone whose love she could requite and who respected her. I had found no one who I could see myself caressing the way Demetri caressed Jane. Outwardly, I blamed my youth, but inwardly I wondered if there simply was no one out there for me.
"Why so glum, Alec?" Asked Felix, striding into the room and sitting down on the couch opposite me.
"Have you ever been under house arrest?" I replied sarcastically. I placed my book on the side table and stared at the bookshelf.
"No, but I'd find a good way to entertain myself." He said, rolling his eyes.
"I've read practically every book in the castle and even taught myself Hindu. Not much else to do." I said.
"I can think of a few ways." He contradicted, raising his eyebrows then laughing.
"You repulse me sometimes." I said.
"Replied the only virgin vampire." He laughed.
"Whatever." I shook my head and made to leave.
"Well you are, not my fault." He said, raising his hands in defense. "Even Jane and Demetri have done the deed." I shuddered internally at the thought.
"Go away." I hissed, and exited the room. I wandered aimlessly about the corridors, nodding every now and again at some member of the Volturi. After about an hour, I came across Afton, who was hurrying toward me.
"Alec! Aro would like you and Jane to be present at the meeting with the Churelians. Along with Chelsea, Renata and Demetri." He said excitedly but with a hint of the familiar envy in his voice.
"Thank you, Afton. Where is it?" I asked politely.
"The throne room." He said. I turned on my heel and really ran, the walls passing me by with my feet scarcely making a sound. I arrived at my destination and knocked on the door.
"Come in, Alec." Aro called from within. I entered and strode over to Jane's side.
"Did I miss anything?" I whispered so only Jane could here.
"No, they'll arrive in seconds." She murmured. I heard Demetri and Chelsea's voices outside, welcoming our guests. Jane tensed when she heard Demetri's voice. In came three olive skinned women with black hair the color of the night sky. They were beautiful, all of them. One's hair was cut to chin length and she looked more severe than the other two. The one in the middle had her hair out and down to her waist while the third's hair was braided down her back. The were all dressed modernly but their style had hints of Indian origins.
"Welcome, ladies, to our humble abode." Said Aro, rising and then resettling.
"Thank you, Aro. I can see that the rumors were true, you are quite welcoming." Said the one in the middle with the flowing hair.
"It appears that while you know of us, we know so little of you. I believe introductions are in order. These are my brothers, Caius and Marcus, and some of my friends, Chelsea, Demetri, Renata, Alec, and Jane." He gestured to each one of us before resettling himself on his throne.
"Pleasure. I am Lakshita, and these are my sisters, Jayati," She gesture to the one with the short hair, "and Kamika."
"Wonderful, please take my hand so that I may know more." He said, approaching the women and holding out his hand. The woman, Lakshita, took it and glanced reassuringly at her sisters. After a few moments, Aro released her hand, still welcoming. "So Jayati, you are able to build a mind connection through a psychic blast?" He asked, generally interested.
"Yes." She said curtly. "But I need to be alone with the person."
"And there is a link between you and each one of your, shall we say, family?" He pursued.
"Yes, but it is a risky procedure and some of the results can be weaker or stronger depending on the subject's personal free will." She shrugged. My thoughts dashed to Corin and Santiago.
"Mind control?" Asked Caius, impatiently but partly fearful.
"No, I can read what they're thinking at any moment of the day. It's a link, but it, the connecting procedure, can be painful for them." Jayati answered, eyes still fixed on Aro's hands.
"And Kamika, you are able to reverse a gift?" He said. Jane flashed me a fearful look. I understood her thoughts; she could turn our gifts on ourselves.
"Essentially." She replied in a high-pitched voice. "If someone tries to say read my mind, I could shield against them and read their minds. I can turn it on and off." She smiled at Aro and I froze.
"Excellent, excellent." Said Aro, rubbing his hands and turning back to Marcus and Caius. "We have here, gentlemen, a talented bunch."
"Can you clarify exactly what business it is you have here in Volterra?" Asked Caius, a little defensively.
"Oh a little of this and a little of that." Shrugged Lakshita. "To meet the famous Volturi and their friends, to get to know your charming city. In fact, we have already met some of your friends, lovely people." Caius and Aro froze but Lakshita continued. "We, that is my family and I, may stay awhile. Get to know the territory a little, mix with the locals, meet some more of your friends."
"Well perhaps…" Aro began, still smiling.
"Oh my, would you look at the time. Sisters, we must go. As you can imagine, our family and friends will be getting anxious. I can only imagine what these people here would do if you were harmed. We will go now." They backed away slowly, and then turned and exited the room. I heard every warning and double meaning in her sentence and so, it appeared, did everyone else. My personal assessment of Lakshita was that she was Aro's female counterpart in everyway.
"Well, Aro?" Demanded Caius, rising from his seat.
"They are ambitious, they see themselves where we sit now, brothers." He said, the smile draining from his face.
"The upstarts!" Snarled Caius. They began to pace while Marcus continued to sit, looking completely at ease.
"Do they plan to attack?" Sighed Marcus, as though he could care less.
"No, not yet. They haven't exactly decided. They will try pick off some of our less loyal friends one by one until they are ready. Chelsea, we will need your gift." Said Aro, throwing her a glance. She nodded.
"Yes, master." She said submissively.
"We will need more guards in the wives' tower." Said Caius, staring at the ceiling. He then paused, open-mouthed. "I did not like the way they were looking at Alec and Jane." Caius grabbed Aro's hand.
"Yes, brother, it has come to that." Whispered Aro gravely.
"I will place a call to the Coutants." Said Marcus, rising and striding out of the room.
"What?" Asked Jane, for once out of the loop.
"It would appear that our new friends are in the mood for two more acquisitions." Snapped Caius.
"Never." I said, shaking my head in disgust.
"You two are our best offensive weapons, and right now we are on the defense. You will need to pack, we are sending you to France to live with our more domesticated neighbors, the Coutants." Said Aro sadly.
"Master…" Jane choked, kneeling before Aro and taking his hands. I was too numb for words. For the first time ever, we were going to be completely separated from our family.
"No, my dear, you will not be alone. Demetri will go with you." Demetri's head snapped up. "It will not be for so long."
"But…" I began, finding my voice and walking over to Aro and Jane.
"You leave in two days. There will be fog on Wednesday and that will help get you to the airport safely. Au Revoir, my children, good luck." And with that, we were told to make ready for the journey.