Woo hoo! Two chapters in a row. I'm on a roll now. Don't own Twilight...duh.
Ally POV
I stood in front of the bathroom mirror, looking at my appearance. My new appearance.
It had been two weeks since Marcus saved my life and I was already starting to look like myself again. My body weight had finally broke 100 pounds and I was starting to get my lean shifter muscle back. My skin was still a few shades paler than it use to be, but I was alright with it. It matched my new hair color nicely. Sometime during my transformation, my black hair had faded to pure, snow white. The only black left was in the front. My eyes were no longer chocolate brown, but more of a dark orange color. They got more and more red with each human blood feeding. Marcus thinks they'll turn true red like a full vampire with time.
Oddly enough, all these changes didn't bother me.
I was enjoying my new life. Marcus taught me about what a true vampire was like. I never realized how limited my vampire education was until someone came along who wasn't afraid to tell me too much. He described his home, Voltera, in vivid detail, making me want to see it for myself. With each passing day, the appeal of returning to my family got less and less. This scared me a little.
I was still looking in the mirror when Marcus walked in and stood behind me. He had been amazing during my recovery. Everyday, he asked me if I wanted human or animal blood. After the fourth time, I finally told him I would always want human. At least until I got strong enough to hunt for myself. I wasn't sure if I had it in me to kill a person myself, but I decided to hold that decision for another day. It would be months before I was faced with that bridge.
I turned to him and smiled.
"How are you feeling, Little One?" He asked. He had taken to calling me Little One. I liked the nickname.
"Great." I turned back to the mirror. "I was just admiring the new me."
Marcus took a step closer to me. "I didn't get a chance to get to know the old you, but I have to say, I rather like the new you."
I smiled at myself in the mirror. "I like the new me too." I passed Marcus as I left the bathroom, taking his hand for just a moment, squeezing it gently, then released it. "It will take some getting use to, though. This isn't exactly a hair color I ever imagined I'd have, but I like it."
"I'm happy you are adjusting. Unfortunately, you must now decide where you'd like to go from here. You have quite a bit of recovering to do still, but you are strong enough to travel and we have lingered here for long enough. Even large cities will eventually begin to notice a jump in human disappearances and killings."
I nodded. I'd procrastinated this decision for as long as I could.
Marcus had never pressured me on it, merely reminded me that I would eventually need to choose a place to go next. He even offered up alternatives to both his home and mine, saying he'd take me anywhere I wished to go. It was tempting to just walk away from all of it and see the world, but I wasn't ready yet. I had plenty of time. Physically, I was still underweight and considerably weaker than I was comfortable with. I didn't like the feeling of being too weak to defend myself. Like it or not, I needed assistance and a quiet place to rest. My two options were either go home to my family or spend some time with his.
I sat down the the sofa, curling my legs under me. "I've been thinking about it and I think I want to go home with you. That is, if you're still OK with it."
Marcus sat beside me. "Of course! I'm very pleased you've decided to accompany me back to Voltera."
"It's just that I've been healing so well on the human blood and I really don't want to deal with my family's reaction to it. Also, you're home sounds like a beautiful place to see." I began to blush again. "I've also become rather fond of you. I've enjoyed having you around. I really hope I haven't been any trouble."
Marcus took my hands in his, turning me so I was facing him. "The fates have brought us together. I believe I was drawn to this place solely to find and save you. My venom helped make you as you now are. You are family to me, now and for always."
A few tears slipped down my cheeks. He was being honest with his sincerity.
I had discovered a few days into my new life that I had developed a vampire power during my transformation. I could tell if someone was lying to me. I can't say how I knew, but I can just feel it. Marcus found this fascinating. He spent two full days trying to stump me, but I could always tell the lie from the truth. Even partial lies didn't slip through.
"What's wrong, my Little One?"
I wiped the tears any and cleared my voice. "You're being sappy and I cry easily."
He laughed at my comment and I couldn't help but laugh too.
"So I guess, next stop Italy."
Aro POV
I was feeling almost giddy.
Marcus had called to let me know he was returning and that he wasn't returning alone. He was bringing home the youngest member for the Cullen Coven and with all likelihood, she would be staying with us for the foreseeable future. And if the bond Marcus saw with her was as strong as he claimed, she would ultimately become a permanent addition to our coven and an extremely strong link to the second most powerful coven in the world.
I hated to admit it, but Carlisle's coven was becoming a real concern to me. He always said he didn't desire power, just peace. The fact that his coven had grown to become the second largest in the world was merely coincidence.
I believed my old friend. Carlisle never did have the heart for violence and power, but still, to have a familial link between his coven and mine could be nothing but good for us.
Carlisle was always willing to do whatever it took to protect his family and keep the peace...
To Be Continued...
There ya go. Hope you liked the chapter. Thanks so much to those of you who are reading. I really enjoy hearing what you think. I like knowing that people are reading and liking my efforts. You are all wonderful people. Hugs and Kisses.
