Chapter Two: Leandra
Felix remains close to me as we walk the streets of the little town of Nurenberg in Bavaria, hoping to find a clue of this newborn. I stop when I see a few locals walk by us to the pub and I smile at the memory of being to enjoy things like that. Felix nudges my shoulder and I catch the smell of pine and something else. We follow the smell to see there is someone standing over a body, a human, and the human is trying not to scream. The person turns and I see the red eyes of a newborn.
"Well, it would seem you have been causing us trouble, little one," I say with a smile.
"Who are you?" the newborn asks. Felix walks around the newborn as I walk towards them.
"Do not be afraid, darling," I say with a smile and my arms up in surrender. "I am here to teach you how to control your new gifts."
"No! The last person I trusted to say that made me into this monster!" the newborn panics. Felix jumps at the newborn, but loses the newborn in a puff of smoke. I smile at the possibilities this newborn may just have. Slowly, I look around in hopes of catching some evidence. A small dirt cloud forms to my right and I throw up a wall of cobblestone and the newborn exclaims when they hit the wall. "What are you?"
"I am your new teacher," I say. "What is your name, child?"
"Marius," the newborn says. I extend my hand to him with a soft smile to show I am not the enemy.
"Well, it would seem you are going to fit in back home," I say sweetly.
Aro, Caius, and Marcus greet us in the throne room and Aro has a wicked grin on his face. I bow to them and walk over to stand next Marcus. He takes my hand in his to kiss the palm of it with a smile of relief that I kept my promise.
"Tell me what you have learned from the child, Leandra," Aro asks when he turns to me. I motion for Marius to step forward and he obeys.
"It would seem that he is able to become invisible, brother," I say with my head held high. "There may be more to him, but I am unsure."
"Are you sure?" Caius asks me plainly.
"He is but a child," Marcus notes. Aro walks over to Marius, but he panics and runs over to me.
"Please leave me be," Marius begs.
"It seems the child is attached to you, sister," Aro says.
"Marius, remain calm," I say kindly. Marcus lets my hand go so I can lead Marius over to Aro.
"What can you do that will make you a great asset to our little family?" Aro asks. He takes Marius's hand and takes a moment to dig into his memories. I keep a hand on Marius' back to let him know I am still here. "Ah, you are a little shapeshifter?"
"What do you mean?" Marcus asks quickly.
"He is like the wolves that were with the Cullens, but this is one is more...like the child," Aro says softly.
"The twins?" Caius asks. I remember that one of the Cullens was with a woman that was pregnant with his child, but she was neither wolf, human, or vampire. They are a mix of the three in a way. I stiffen at the thought, thinking of Layla and what she will become when Aro learns the truth.
"Yes, like the twins that vouched for the Cullens at the trial years ago. You will a wonderful member of our family, should you wish to live," Aro says with a smile and releases Marius' hand.
"Brother, let him stay and I will keep an eye on him," I say.
"Ah, just like your mate in begging to protect the newborn," Aro says. "He does not deserve to live after all the trouble he has caused us. We were nearly exposed once more due to his appetite."
"Please I did not have anyone to teach me! She can teach me and I will behave, I swear," Marius begs. He falls to his knees with his head down and Aro lifts his head when he realises that Marius is treating Aro like a god or a king.
"Lea, can you teach this child?" Caius asks me, knowing the answer already.
"Yes, he will be my responsibility," I say with a small bow to Aro.
"I will hold you to that, Leandra," Aro says sternly. "You are all dismissed."
"Yes, master," the guards and I say in unison. Felix and I lead Marius to Layla's room where Myra and her are playing a game of cards.
"Mama!" Layla exclaims once I walk into the room. I smile as I pull her into a big hug and kiss the top of her head. Marcus enters the room not longer after and pulls me into his arms as well. "We were worried about you while you were gone."
"I am home now and I have brought you a friend," I say. Layla releases me and looks at Marius with a smile. "Marius, this is my daughter and your mistress. Layla, this Marius and your new guard."
"Like you and papa have Auntie Myra and Uncle Felix?" Layla asks.
"Exactly, mien Schatz," I say with a smile.
"You know German?" Marius asks.
"I lived there for a time," I say with a smile.
"Boy, I am trusting you with my daughter and if you cause trouble then I will make your life hell," Marcus growls.
"Darling, he is just a boy," I say.
"We will teach him how to be a guard, sister," Myra says with a smile. "But it would seem he is hungry."
"I cannot eat regular food," Marius notes.
"Welcome to being a vampire," I say with a small wink. "Come, we will show you how to eat like one."
"May I come?" Layla asks. Marcus takes her before she get too far and shakes his head.
"She is like me," Marius notes. Felix locks the door quickly with a soft growl.
"Marius, no one knows what my daughter is and we plan to keep it that way. That is why I want you to protect her," I say sweetly. "You two are special and I am going to make sure you both are safe in this world filled with people who do not like things or people that are not normal."