Disclaimer: I do not own characters, expect for my own OC. Based purely off of the genius of Stephenie Meyer.
Note: It's been a while since I've written a fanfic so please R&R. I'd love to hear any comments or suggestions! Again sorry about the length of the prologue, hopefully I made it up with chapter one
Chapter 1: The Summons
As I stared out over the rooftops I saw the last of the sunlight disappear. I often snuck away to watch the sun set from one of the many towers of the castle. I found that I needed to get away from them all sometimes, to be alone, so that for those few moments I would have nothing to fear. I turned to leave the tower, I couldn't be gone long or I would be missed. When I had first come to Volterra I had spent all my days alone, wandering throughout the castle. I had always loved this castle, even after five years it still surprised me, I could always find something new.
As I descended the stairs and reached the main part of the castle I knew I was being watched. Most of the time my guards lurked in the shadows, unseen and unheard, but they were there, their red eyes glistening. Time had not made me immune to these vampires; they still chilled me to the bone. I walked silently down the corridor, keeping my eyes on the flawless ancient marble floor until I reached my chambers. I gently opened the huge oak doors, just enough for me to slip inside, the room was dimly lit, there was just enough light for me to determine that I was alone in the room. I closed the door behind me and crossed the room to the large wooden wardrobe. Everything in my room was made of rich, dark cherry wood, hung with lush red velvet curtains and embellished with gold.
I always tried to remember how lucky I was, not only had the Volturi spared my life, they had cared for and protected me. I had a beautiful room which over looked a quiet part of the city, and for the most part, I too was treated as some sort of royalty. I opened the wardrobe and pulled out a black cashmere shawl to pull around my exposed shoulders. The one downside of living in a castle full of vampires is that it's always cold.
I pulled the shawl tight around my shoulders and relished the warmth of the soft fabric against my skin. I walked back towards the doors as I heard a faint knock. I pulled the one door open just enough to greet whoever was on the other side. Her large red eyes peered up at me from her porcelain face, her expression the same as always, impassive.
'Good evening Lyana, you have been summoned to the great hall.' Jane's voice was as impassive as her facial expressions. She never once broke eye contact, and she never blinked. Since the castle was a haven for vampires loyal to the Volturi, they had never had any reason to act like humans. Not blinking was the least unnerving habit they tended towards.
I tossed my shawl on the chair next to the door and slipped out into the hall pulling the door shut behind me. All the while Jane continued to stare at me; her crimson eyes, though rich and vibrate were dead. Vampires were not animated by life, and their eyes only reminded me of this fact, there was no emotion behind them, no thought process, just a crippling thirst. She turned and began to lead the way down the corridor. It was dark and the only sound as we walked was of my footsteps on the cool marble floor. We reached the end of the corridor and descended down the winding marble staircase, turning at the bottom into the vast open cavern of the great hall. The entire hall seemed carved out of grey marble, and just before the walls curved into the dome-shaped ceiling, a line of Latin text ran along the perimeter, though I had never asked what it meant. A few Volturi guards stood along the walls, and at the far end of the hall the three brothers sat on ornately carved wooden thrones.
These three ruled the entire vampire world from this hall. It seemed too often that their guards would return to the castle bringing with them vampires who had risked exposure. They were dealt with quickly, and were never shown mercy. So why was it that I still lived? Perhaps it was because I was so insignificant, so weak, that I never posed a serious threat to this secret world they lived in.
Jane found her place beside Alec against the wall, and I was left in the middle of the great hall, in front of my keepers. I felt every muscle in my body tighten as all three pairs of eyes focused in on me. Though he rarely ever smiled, Aro always sounded so pleased to see me, and he was always such a gentleman. He rose and descended the few stairs from the platform where they sat. He was graceful as he floated towards me, his arms outstretched, welcoming.
'My dear Lyana, how is it that you look more beautiful every time I see you.' His cold fingers gently held the back of my hand to his lips. I felt a chill run down the length of my spine as I attempted to smile politely back.
'Good evening. I believe you sent for me.' I tried to keep the words even and calm, despite the way my heart was pounding erratically within my chest.
Aro kept my fingers in his grasp as he turned, leading me up the stairs towards Marcus and Caius, who had remained seated. As we approached them he let go of my hand as he reclaimed his seat between his brothers. I took this opportunity to steal a glance at Caius, whose eyes had not left my face since I entered the hall. Unlike his brothers, his eyes were almost black, with the slightest hint of burgundy to them, he hadn't fed. His eyes held mine for just a moment and I felt a wave of heat rush through my body making my knees feel weak and planting my feet to the spot. He glanced towards Aro, and I quickly lowered my gaze, before I too returned my attention to Aro.
'Yes, I guess I did.' His voice was soft, smooth, and as unnerving as ever. 'There will be some guests arriving to Volterra in the days that follow, and they will be staying with us for some time. These guests may not value you the way we do, so you are not to wander throughout the castle unattended. We would hate for any harm to come to you.' Aro glanced first towards Marcus, the Caius. 'I hope you understand my dear.'
I smiled politely as I gazed up at Aro, 'Of course my Lord.'
His eyes flashed enthusiastically, 'Excellent! Now unless you have anything you wish to discuss with us, you are free to leave.'
I bowed my head ever so slightly, to demonstrate my respect for them, before I turned and walked swiftly from the great hall. I didn't need to turn around to know that Jane also swept from the great hall, and remained a few feet behind me. I reached my room and slipped through the door, closing it behind me. I leaned back against the door and let a deep breath escape my lips. It felt as though I had held it the entire time.
After a few moments I finally found my feet and walked towards the large marble bathroom that adjoined my room. After I had filled the large tub with hot water, I undid the back of my floor length black silk dress and let it skim down my body to the floor. I stepped out of it and slid gracefully into the tub, enjoying the warm water against my skin, and gently inhaling the sweet smell of the rose water I always added.
When I was done I reached for a large white towel and used it to remove the excess water from my waist length, chocolate brown hair. After I had dried off and changed into my long slivery white night gown, I turned down the oil lamps which lit my bedroom and slipped into the warmth of my bed.
As I lay in the darkness I wondered about these visitors to the castle. I had only recalled there ever being visitors one other time. However, the fact that Aro had felt the need to warn me about their presence worried me. Finally I drifted off to sleep, but it was uneasy as I saw Caius's dark eyes over and over again in my mind. It had been days since we had last been alone together, and my body felt heavy with apprehension as I waited night after night. I hated myself for letting it worry me, for the way it caused so many questions in my mind. Why had he stayed away so long? When would he come to me? Would he have fed by then?
Finally, after a handful of restless hours I decided to give up on sleeping. I slipped from the bed and reached for my black shawl before I cracked open my door ever so slightly. I don't know why I peered into the hallway as though I would suddenly be able to see the guard who watched over me. But when I saw no gleaming red eyes as an indication that I was being closely watched I slipped from room and made my way down the blackened corridor.
I passed the great staircase and finally I came to a large oak door, I slowly pulled it open and squeezed through, closing it behind me. I knew this way through the castle, so the fact that it was pitch black didn't bother me much and I made my way up the narrow winding stone passageway. Finally I saw a small whisper of light creeping through the closed door. I hesitated with my hand on the door knob, taking a deep breath. I quietly turned the handle and pushed the door open slowly as I stepped into the dimly lit room.
I had witnessed death before, without doubt, yet it never seemed any easier. My breath stilled in my chest as he tossed the body to the floor. A small amount of blood oozed out of the gaping hole in her neck and onto the elaborate Persian rug, her eyes remained open and glassy, as they bore into me. I stood paralyzed with fear and shock, and finally the fear won out and I turned on heel and fled back down the stone staircase.
As I pushed my door shut, a few tears escaped my eyes and I quickly brushed them off my cheeks. I crossed the room quickly to the glass doors that led onto the balcony. I gazed out over the city begging myself to forget what I had just seen. It was as though I didn't have enough reasons to fear Caius. The cool wind stirred my hair, and a few more tears ran down cheeks and fell to the ground. But the image was burned into my mind; his eyes rich and red from his feeding and the single drop of blood that had run down from the corner of his mouth.
He was a monster, he had drained the life from that girl, and I shuddered as I considered the very real possibility that one day he would drain the life from me as well.