Chapter 2

I had told Aro we needed a new receptionist but he found one so quickly. I waited so exited I couldn't stay still. When she walked through the door I couldn't believe my luck.

A medium height, classically beautiful Italian looking girl, my new best friend. As my eyes locked with hers I grinned exposing my menacing white teeth. Her eyes went wide with shock. I realised that the combined effect of my red eyes and sharp teeth was overwhelming.

"I'm sorry." I whispered and I meant it. The girl had no idea what she had got herself into.

"Everything will be explained as promised," Aro's clear gentle voice rang out in the cool entry hall. I stepped forward, taking a deep breath, not needing air but reassurance.

"I am Ammalia" I introduced myself.

"I'm Giacinta." She announced nervously.

"Young and beautiful." I muttered.

"Excuse me." She frowned.

"Your name means young and beautiful." She blushed.

All of our vivid red eyes were focused on her. I so wanted to reach out a hand and comfort her but I knew that she would flee, screaming.

"So, before we continue," Aro proceeded "I must be certain that you are one hundred percent dedicated to working for us.

If you say you are not you may walk away freely. If you lie or change your mind there will be serious consequences."

Her scent had now permeated the room, setting our throats on fire. My three hundred years of experience made it bearable but Alec and Jane's eyes were bulging with thirst.

"One hundred percent." She reiterated, slightly more confident.

"Good" Aro smiled "Let us proceed to the conference room."

He led the way through tunnels and arches to the room where we discussed our issues.

The room was of a good size. Most of it was taken up by a large oak table. There were three wooden thrones at one end; one for each of them: Aro, Marcus and Caius. Aro's favourites including Jane, Alec, Demetri, Felix and I were allowed to use the other seats around the table. The rest of the Volturi were made to stand. It wasn't really an issue as we did not find it uncomfortable to stand for hours on end.

I saw Giacinta shiver from the corner of my eye. I realised that the airy stone castle would be cold for a human.

"I could get you a coat…" I said looking at the long dark tresses that cascaded down her back.

She looked at me and shook her head fervently. Aro coughed meaningly to show he was beginning the story. The telling of who we were, what we were.

"I was born over three thousand years ago." He started. Giacinta looked confused but said nothing.

I had heard this story many times before but it still fascinated me.

"You can't even try to imagine what life was like three thousand years ago. It was so different. No electricity, no cars, no phones, none of the things you take for granted today. My father was a fisherman and I was after him. I lived alone in a small house and earnt enough money to just get by. One evening I was returning from the lake. It was late and I didn't expect anyone to be around. I felt a tap on my back and I saw a pale faced beautiful man. His skin looked translucent in the moonlight. I was too terrified to scream. What could this man want with me? I tried to run but he just appeared again in front of me. I tried to fight him but when I tried to hit him, he caught my arm and with no effort broke every bone in my hand. Suddenly he bit into my arm and started drinking my blood. I was screaming and trying to break free but he was too strong. A quiet voice came from the bushes. It spoke too quickly for me to understand but the man released me and ran faster than I would have ever thought possible into the woods. I lay there screaming. It felt like a blazing fire was coursing through my body. I could not do anything but wail with pain. I wished he had killed me that was the greatness of my suffering. About two days later it stopped. It stopped hurting. I could move. I wasn't the same I was better. My capabilities were far superior to before. I could run faster than you can imagine. I could uproot a tree without expending any effort and when I touched a person I could see everything they had ever thought."

Giacinta was now looking more and more frightened. y

I kept my eyes focused on her.

Occasionally she would look at me but the turn away blushing.

Mostly she concentrated on Aro; taking in his story, an impossible story.

Aro obviously did not want to scare her or bore her so he finished his tale with four words, the four words that would change Giacinta's life: "I was a vampire."

There was an uncomfortable silence for some time, then finally Giacinta raised her head: "Impossible" was all that she said.

"You would think so…" Aro added.

"Is this a joke?" she asked. I wish it were I thought to myself

"No" Aro said, waiting for it to sink in.

There was another silence, the girl looked up again and Aro simply pushed his throne backwards, lifted it above his head and balanced it on his index finger.

Giacinta gasped.

"But… It…. You…. Blood" she muttered the last word and glanced around the room frantically taking in our red eyes… and then she screamed.