Wasteland

Disclaimer : I own Twilight... In my fantasies, that is. In reality Stephenie Meyer does. I'm only borrowing them.

Volterra was exactly as I had always pictured it ; stunningly beautiful, but reeking of something more sinister. It was as if the stone walls had absorbed the blood of all the humans who had met their end as vampire meals, and left the air within the city smelling of death. I frowned at the ground as I walked quickly through the deserted streets. I couldn't say I really was in a hurry, but at the same time, I couldn't wait for what I had planned. How I hated such conflicting feelings.

The moonlight shone brightly above me as I wandered the empty streets, looking, waiting. I knew they would eventually come to me. The Volturi may preach they only existed to act as guardians, to enforce the laws of the vampire world, but anyone with two eyes and common sense could see through their lies. But then again, I understood how most would turn a blind eye; wasn't it easier to believe lies?

I thought of Alice and wished I could lie to myself now.

The city's beauty held no appeal to me as I walked, feeling more and more frustrated as time passed. I knew they were bound to notice me sooner or later, and would react, but that didn't mean they had to be so bloody long about it! A low snarl escaped my lips as I paced down the street, running my fingers through my hair in frustration.

They didn't keep me waiting for much longer, and I was grateful for that much, at least. I felt their curiosity coming in waves towards me before my eyes had even spotted them. I stopped walking, waiting for them to make themselves known.

"You're part of that strange family." A small childlike voice stated, some distance behind me.

I turned around slowly, deliberately, to face Alec. Like his twin sister when she had showed up at the battle with the newborns, he was also accompanied by four other members of the guard. I nodded once, forcing myself to make my posture appear more relaxed. I couldn't help but feel defensive, vulnerable, as they stood there and stared openly at me.

"I seek an audience with Aro."

Alec's eyebrows rose. "Is that so? What about?"

I repressed an annoyed growl, inclining my head politely instead. "It's a matter of private affairs, I'm afraid."

He didn't get pissed, unlike his sister, instead looking at me with curiosity for a moment. "Very well. We'll lead you to him." He turned around and started walking away. One of the guards I didn't recognize looked at me warily for a short moment before following the rest of the group. I followed, keeping some distance between us.

I didn't pay attention to my surroundings as we ran to our destination. The ancient city held no interest to me at the moment. Any other time, I was sure I would've loved visiting it, learning more about it then I could read in books, but I wasn't here as a tourist.

I was here as a desperate vampire wanting nothing more than to stop existing.

Before long, I was led to the middle of a wide, ornate hall leading to massive doors sheathed entirely in gold. The entire place screamed wealth enough to make the richest of men jealous. Much to my surprise, Alec ignored the huge doors, and after pushing aside a piece of paneling, revealed a rather plain wooden door.

The small boy walked in, followed by two of the vampires and the other two stayed back. I looked at them warily for a moment before realizing they were waiting for me to go in first. I obliged, feeling myself getting defensive as they followed me. Old habits ; I didn't like having someone behind me, not knowing what they would do.

"Jasper!"

I blinked and frowned slightly at the enthusiastic voice calling my name before I had even fully stepped in the room. Aro was sitting on one of the massive wooden chairs in the room, looking perfectly at ease. He was dressed in the same fashion as Bella had described him to me ; long, pitch-black robes, the same style I had seen portrayed on Carlisle's painting in his study. His milky red eyes stayed on me as he rose more gracefully than I could've thought possible from his seat.

"Dear boy, what a pleasure it is to finally meet you!" He smiled, his emotions practically screaming with the delight he felt. Had I been human, it would have no doubt made me feel sick to my stomach. It was an uncomfortable emotion to deal with; the total opposite of what I was feeling.

I was about to ask how he knew me when I remembered that not so long ago, it had been Edward standing in my place. Aro had no doubt learned all about me through Edward using his particular gift. Much like my brother, he could read people's thoughts. With a mere touch, he could know each and every thought a person has ever had.

"Oh, but I do apologize! Here I am, rambling on! Please, come in, and tell us the purpose of your visit."

I looked around the room briefly, noting the other vampire present as they looked back at me. Aro's ever present company. The king and his court. It was embarrassing enough to have to beg for death without having an audience present. I bit back a curse and looked back at the ancient vampire before extending my hand.

He smiled, nodded, and took it in his. I gritted my teeth, suddenly feeling vulnerable like never before as he read my thoughts. It was as if someone had reached in and pulled my memories from the darkest places of my mind, replaying them before my eyes, but too quickly for me to tell them apart. Only the same strange feeling you have when you know you're forgetting something, but ignore what exactly, lingered when he finally let my hand drop.

He seemed amused as he considered me for a moment. "Well, then. Are all "vegetarian" vampires suicidal? Or does it only run in the family?" He chuckled at his own comment, shaking his head slightly and tsked at me. He didn't give me a chance to reply and went on, changing the subject. "I've learned about your abilities when I had the pleasure of meeting your brother before, but seeing your own thoughts on the matter was quite another thing. Clearer, I might say."

His expression turned thoughtful. "I don't suppose there's a chance you would join us? Your talents would, without a doubt, be a great addition to our humble group. ." He held up a hand, silencing me as I was about to answer. "Think on it. You were brought up, and lived for nearly a century feeding on human blood, like we're supposed to. Don't you miss it? Don't get me wrong, Carlisle is a dear friend of mine, but going after one's nature is not something I so easily approve of."

His words cut me to the core as he brought up my painful past, but he went on. "Don't bother lying to me, I've seen it in your head. Try as you might, you never really fit in with your family, did you? You still miss the taste of warm human blood."

The thought alone only intensified the thirst I realized I was feeling. I shook my head, not wanting to think about it. It had been close to a week since...the incident, and I had not fed since the day before it. It hadn't really crossed my mind; all I could concentrate on was the overwhelming pain, my constant companion in the agonizing hours passing by.

I could feel eyes on me, and I managed not to glare at the other vampires present before returning my gaze to Aro. "With all due respect, I didn't come here to join another family. I came with a completely different sort of request."

He held his hands together in front of him and shook his head sadly. "I'm sorry, Jasper. I'm afraid I simply can't grant your request." He suddenly laughed loudly. "Ha. Ha. Ha. This is feeling very familiar!"

His laugh turned into a low chuckle as he shook his head.

I frowned when I suddenly felt him become even more pleased as his expression became thoughtful. What was he planning? "May I know the reasons behind your rather quick refusal?" I asked as politely as I could. Monster or not, I couldn't seem give up on my good manners.

He grinned at me, and at that moment he reminded me of a delighted child who had been given a new toy. A three thousand years old child. "Why, I wouldn't want to disappoint my newest daughter, of course!" He seemed even more pleased at my confused expression before he called out in a loud, sing-song voice. "Oh, honey! Why don't you come in?"

I whirled around, facing the way I had come in, not knowing what to expect. Almost immediately, the door opened and a small figure practically danced in. For a moment, the whole world seemed to stop as I found myself looking down into familiar eyes.

Alice.

Of course I couldn't kill Alice. XD I love her too much. And I could never bring myself to hurt Jasper that bad. I love him too much.

And I do apologize for the very cliched "the whole world stopped" sentence at the end. XD; My mind failed to think of anything better.

But why, oh why, is she with the Volturi? :o Find out in the next chapter!

On a totally different matter...

I do believe someone promised me cookies if I didn't kill Alice? ^-^ Gimme.

Again, thanks to everyone who read and reviewed! You guys are awesome! ^_^