2. Change
Demetri hunted because he felt like he needed to. Heidi fished but he needed the fresh air. He saw the nude woman near the ocean, on her knees. Her raven hair fell like a waterfall down her back. Her pale skin shimmered in the sunlight. She smelled of jasmine and blossoms he thought, breathing in her scent. She smelled like… Anya but it couldn't be her. It couldn't be.
Anya turned her head and looked at Demetri, her eyes crimson red. Her mouth opened but she closed it again. Instead, she jumped in. He followed after her. She kicked when he caught up to her. Finally giving up, it seemed she went back up to the surface.
"What do you want, Demetri?" she spat.
"Anya, what has happened to you?" Her eyes welled up with bloody tears. Demetri put his hand to her cheek.
"Don't cry, Anya."
"I'm not crying," she spat away his hand. He pulled her into his arms, holding onto her tightly. She didn't want him to let her go. She finally calmed down and they swam back to land.
"I killed him, Demetri."
"Killed who, Anya?"
"My husband, I killed him when I changed." He didn't answer but touched her arm. She leaned against him.
"Anya, I want to take you to Volterra," he said quietly.
"Why? Are they going to kill me?"
"No, Anya. My family won't hurt you." He sounded certain but he wasn't positively sure, was he? She stared at him.
"Anya, I won't let them hurt you."
"I don't want to go," she whispered. "They'll use me just like he did," her head was down between her knees.
"Anya, what did he do to you?" he touched her back.
"…He raped me, Demetri. Over and over again for his amusement." Demetri clenched his fist.
"I'm glad you killed him, Anya. The bastard deserved it and much more. I would've tortured him, making him beg me to stop." And she knew he would too.
"Don't take me to them, Demetri. Please," she whispered. He held onto her wrist, seeing the fear in her eyes. He let go of her, immediately regretting it.
"Anya, I love you." She didn't answer.
""You still love me?" she murmured.
"Of course I still love you, Anya. I was foolish and ignorant for not understanding why you had to leave me. I just…I couldn't bear it." She hugged him then, her naked body pressing against his.
"Anya," his voice husky against her ear. She shivered and planted a kiss on his lips. He kissed her back with force, hungrily. Her hands were in his hair. He lay her against the grass and just kissed her from her lips to her neck all the way down to her stomach. He hovered there, unsure if she was all right with what he was going to do next. She didn't move so he pulled away from her. She leaned up and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I love you, Demetri."
"Do you trust me, Anya?" She blinked once; it wasn't what she wanted to hear.
"Yes, of course I do."
"Then come with me, Anya. Come to Volterra with me."
"Demetri…"
"Please, Anya. They'll love you." Reluctantly, she nodded once. He smiled and in one smooth movement stood up, picking her up in his arms. She laughed for the first time in centuries.
They were almost there; she stood behind Demetri in fear. He squeezed her hand once, her golden hair covering her face. The doors opened and he guided her to the throne room. There were three chairs and she knew who they were. Everyone knew who they were in the vampire world. Marcus, Aro, and Caius. Aro stood up and walked down the steps to greet them.
"Ah, Demetri. You've brought a friend home," he looked at Anya.
"Master, this is Anya."
"Hello, Anya." Aro greeted her.
"Aro," she nodded her head once. He put out his hand to her. She looked at Demetri once and put her hand in Aro's.
"Interesting talent you have, Anya," he chuckled. Anya is silent.
"Would you try it out for me?" he asked. She stood still, unmoving.
"On Demetri, perhaps." She looks panicked.
"He can withstand it, I'm sure."