Days passed without any news. Tanya accepted that she would have to stay here for a while before she could talk to the Volturi. At least that meant that the situation regarding her family wasn't seen as very urgent. With so much free time spent in a small room, she had more than enough time to think about things. To think about Clara, to be exact. And to wonder.
What was a creature like her doing here? Even in the short minutes she'd spent with her, she had seen that Clara was good. Pure. Nothing like the people who normally worked here.
Every time she let her mind wander, her thoughts went to this unresolved mystery, and every time she caught herself, she stopped thinking about it, reminding herself of her mission. To go back to wondering later.
Her thirst grew. One evening she decided to go hunting.
The sound of her footsteps echoed off the marble-covered walls, as she knew that she would soon be tasting fresh air in her mouth. The air inside tasted like it had been the same for centuries – which was probably the case. She felt the tension of feeling locked up get less and less.
And at the same time, a different kind of tension was creeping up on her. She knew the receptionist could be sitting at her desk. Her working hours were probably quite long. Guests often arrived at night. She wondered when the human staff even slept.
Why was she feeling tense about seeing her? What didn't she want to face? How fragile this innocent human looked in this hostile environment? Probably. Years of vegetarianism had made her way too soft. She'd seen so many humans die. One more human who probably would shouldn't affect her like this. She walked on with determination. The hallways she had to walk trough were long, but it only took her mere seconds. She did slow down her pace as she got closer to the exit. She didn't want to scare anyone with her speed.
A voice in the back of her mind said that her speed probably wasn't the scariest thing anyone had seen around here, but she ignored it. Nothing wrong with being polite.
Clara's desk came in sight as the hallway curved towards the exit. She was there. She was concentrating on a pile of paper on the desk in front of her. Her long brown hair fell around her face and touched the paper. She frowned in concentration and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.
Tanya slowed down even more and almost came to a standstill, as she stared at Clara. The girl looked like a small fairy, glowing brightly in this dark space which was possessed by vampires. She belonged in a different world.
Tanya came a bit closer, quiet as a fox approaching its target. She wasn't sure why she was drawn to this fragile human. She should just walk outside. But she kept moving in Clara's direction without knowing what was pulling her there.
Clara was still focused on her papers, her lips moving slightly, forming the words she was reading. She took a pen and almost started writing, then she put it against her lips with a thoughtful expression.
Tanya witnessed her silent beauty in awe. She wasn't sure she'd seen beauty as pure as this in her too long life. She didn't want to break this moment of serenity. What was it that compelled her to take care of this girl? Just as she was contemplating leaving before Clara noticed her, Clara looked up and was obviously startled by Tanya standing there like a statue - but she quickly composed herself.
"Is there anything I can do for you?"
"No," Tanya answered automatically. "I was just... on my way to go hunting." She took a few more hesitant steps toward the desk.
Clara seemed to relax a little. "Okay. When do you think you'll be back? My shift ends in three hours. That's the time the doors close."
As if doors would hold any visitor back. They both knew it was just a formality to have a reception desk. The Volturi were nothing if not traditional.
"I'll make sure I'm back by then. I won't go far."
Clara smiled at her dazzlingly. "All right. Is there anything you need in your room?"
"No, thank you. I have everything I need."
They were both looking at each other. Neither of them said anything, but it was not an awkward silence. Expectation filled the air. Just like the sweet scent that came of Clara's throat. Tanya swallowed and took a step back. "I should go."
Clara nodded wordlessly and stared after Tanya as she took off into the dark night.