DISCLAIMER: No, Twilight is not mine. I am arguing with Carlisle right now about owning him :D
Chapter Four: The Volturi
CPOV
When I arrived in Volterra, it was night. I wasn't sure how to go about approaching what I had heard was 'vampire royalty.' Did one just walk
into their palace and say, 'Here I am, let's have a chat?' No, I didn't imagine so. I walked to the palace where the ancients lived, and entered. A
pretty, blonde receptionist sat at a dark, wooden desk. I caught her musky scent, and realized with a start that she was human. She looked up
at me, surprised at first, and then smiled. "Hello. I'm Gianna. Are you lost, sir?" she asked politely. I shook my head. "I'm here to see Aro, Caius,
and Marcus. I'm not sure how to go about setting up an appointment," I admitted sheepishly. She nodded briskly. "That's quite alright," she
said calmly, smiling at me in a slightly creepy way. Then I grasped something. Her hand was moving a little too close to mine. She was flirting
with me! She obviously didn't realize what I was. She obviously had no idea that I could kill her at any second. It was a good thing I had
hunted before I came, as I hadn't known what to expect. Had I needed to guess, I most certainly would never have guessed that a human
would be flirting with me. I politely moved my hand away from hers, and tucked them into the pockets of my jeans. She frowned slightly, then
beckoned me. "Come along, Aro said he will see you." I nodded, and she led me to a room that had three ancient looking people sitting on
thrones, gazing at me curiously. Gianna nodded respectfully to each of them, before turning to Aro. "This is Carlisle Cullen," she told him. I was
curious as to how she knew my name, as I hadn't told her. Then I realized that I had given her my driver's license as identification. "Mr. Cullen,
these are Aro, Caius, and Marcus." She pointed to each one in turn. Aro seemed to be the leader of the ancients. He clasped my hand. The
ancients had deep, crimson eyes. I gasped in surprise. Aro seemed concerned. "Are you alright?" he asked, probing my eyes with his own. I
shook my head, and looked away. He seemed to realize what I was thinking. "Our eyes are different shades, are they not, Mr. Cullen?"
"Please, call me Carlisle," I corrected. He nodded. "I like that. It sounds like we're old friends, doesn't it? Alright, then you may please call me
Aro." When I nodded, he continued. "Our eyes are different shades," he repeated, "because, it seems we have different diets."
"You drink human blood," I said aloud, without realizing it. I had only meant to think it. He merely chuckled. "Yes, and it appears that you do
not." He frowned slightly. "Why is that, Carlisle?" I explained the situation to him, telling him my story. When I got to the part about not being a
monster, I told him that I in no way thought he was a monster. He merely smiled, and gestured for me to continue. I did, telling him everything.
From my pathetic attempts at suicide, to the deer and the madness that took me over, he knew it all. When I finished, he was nodding to
himself, looking thoughtful. "Well. That is quite a story. I have but one question," he said, still looking at me thoughtfully. I nodded. "Please,
ask," I encouraged. "It seems that you are averse to your natural food source. I was curious as to why that was." I was surprised. Of all the
things to ask, I hadn't expected that. "I…Well, I'm not sure why I do it," I began slowly. "It just seems to matter to me. I can't stand the
thought of…hurting anybody. I can't do it, I'm not that type of person. No offense, of course, to your lifestyle," I added hurriedly, realizing a little
too late that I might have offended him. He didn't seem ruffled at all. "None at all taken, Carlisle. I'm curious, though, still. Do you have an extra
power?" he asked, interest lighting his features. "Excuse me?" I said. I had no clue what he was talking about. "A power. Some vampires have
extra powers. I, for example, am able to hear every thought your mind has ever had, just by a simple touch. It's quite useful." Something clicked
in my head. "So, wait. When we shook hands…" I trailed off, letting him assume what I was going to ask. He already knew, and by the evasive
look on his face, I could tell that I was right. He had read my mind without permission. That angered me a little. "Are you upset?" he asked. I
only nodded, since I didn't trust myself to speak without yelling. I had a feeling that if I yelled, there would be some consequences. I didn't
want to face them. "Then I apologize, from the bottom of my heart, that I upset you. It was quite unintentional," he said, seeming sincere.
"Your apology is accepted, Aro. Thank you for it," I replied formally. "You're quite welcome. Now, if you like, you can stay with us for a while. We
wouldn't mind, I'm sure." I looked at Caius and Marcus. They hadn't spoken since I'd entered. They hadn't even acknowledged that I existed. I
didn't think there was much they minded. I accepted the invitation warily. I had a feeling that our diets would clash.
(A/N: REVIEW!! DO IT!!! I've got about 3 more chapters of this story typed up, so if you review, I might be persuaded to update faster...Just a thought...)