Italy was everything I expected and more. Less than a week after mum had given me the money I was flying out. I'd chosen to travel to Florence to view the artwork, it was after all the birthplace of the renaissance. Not to mention the history, much of my degree was taken up by the House of Medici and their ruling, I found it so fascinating that I chose the topic for my dissertation. They of course began in Florence but the reign soon spread to the entirety of Tuscany which is how I ended up in Volterra. I had to do an in-depth study and for some reason the town had just called to me. It was as spectacular as I had imagined it to be, the food, the people, the architecture. I checked into the hotel, dumped my bags and immediately went out to explore. First stop was a bakery that made the most delicious pastries I've ever tasted in my life.
After buying a couple for later I headed to the Piazza, the weather was glorious so I just sat on the edge of the fountain and watched everyone go about their day. Two young girls no older than 6 chased each other around the fountain over and over but eventually their parents managed to stop them and they were quickly whisked away. My eyes then fell on a group of women sat outside the café in the corner of the Piazza, all wore gorgeous sundresses. I soon found myself smiling as one animatedly told a story to which the others burst into laughter.
My thoughts were however interrupted by a melodic voice. Searching for the owner my eyes fell on a stunning woman with long brown hair, her legs went on for miles, or at least seemed as though they did under the royal blue dress that clung to her body. She was surrounded by a group of about 30 people, with ages starting from as young as around 6 if I had to guess. Before I had chance to think I found myself on my feet, drawn towards the mysterious women. As I got closer I could see even more clearly her inhuman beauty. Listening to her speak I quickly gathered that she was leading the group on a tour that would be heading into the castle, seeing no issue with me joining I tagged along at the back of the group as they went inside.
Walking through the door I immediately noticed the flawless architecture. Seeing the condition of the building you would think it was built yesterday, the only thing that would give away its age would be the layer of dust that coated the walls. The women I now knew as Heidi led us deeper into the castle, occasionally sharing details about the building and its history. As we continued walking I felt a jabbing pain begin to radiate throughout my skull, not dissimilar to a brain freeze. I took deep breaths in an attempt to push it away, but as I followed the group it only deepened, I had never felt anything like it. I thought about turning around and getting back into the fresh air, but just as I was about to ask Heidi for directions she stopped in front of a set of huge wooden doors. "And this is the best part of the whole tour, the Great Hall."
The pain in my head grew worse as the doors were flung open. "Welcome to Volterra!" A voice called but I could not tell who spoke as every figure before me blurred, I could only make out dark cloaks and pale skin but nothing else. Then there was screaming, and blood so much blood, I could not fathom any of it only the excruciating pain that had me crumbling to floor. It felt like someone was jamming a hot poker through my skull over and over until my brain turned to mush. I screwed my eyes shut as the blurring shapes and the smell of iron in the air made me dizzy. Suddenly a hand wrapped round my upper arm and pulled me up onto my feet, the pain in my head grew ten-fold with the movement and I could feel myself slipping away to darkness, I had no will to fight, not if it meant the pain would go away. Without warning whoever held me up slammed me against their body, crushing me against them as their second hand wrapped around the side of my neck. The last thing I heard was a deep baritone yelling. "Alec, stop!"
Aro's Point of View -
All eyes turned to Marcus as his words filled the room. My brother barely bothered to talk most of the time so to hear him shout across the room to stop Alec from feeding had all of the Guard in shock. "Brother." He said holding out his hand for me to take, the look on his face was earnest, he'd seen something, something important. I dropped the body I was holding having already drained it, and reached for his hand. Marcus was gifted, he could see connections between people. Often, he would describe lines connecting people together, different colours meaning different relationships. The image I saw was of me and the girl Alec was holding, between us was a twisted golden line. The word mate filtered through Marcus's head and I immediately locked eyes with him, checking if he was certain. He gave me a small nod and I dropped his hand, speeding across the room to where she was.
Alec looked at me warily as I approached, unsure of what was going on. "Do not worry Alec, everything is fine. May I take her?" He of course placed her into my open arms without question, even though I was sure he must be desperate to feed. I found myself uncaring at that moment, too concerned with the girl I was holding. I scanned her body for injury but found none, she was beautiful. Not how I had imagined her to be but beautiful all the same. Her skin was tanned, her face and shoulders slightly red from too much time in the sun, causing freckles to bloom on her cheeks. Blonde hair was piled on the top of her head but loose ringlets fell at the sides. I wished desperately that she would wake up so I could see her eyes, I could only imagine how exquisite they would be. I ran my thumb over her cheek looking into her thoughts for the answer I wanted; her name. I found it easily, unsurprised to learn it was as lovely as the girl who owned it. Milena. My Milena.
