I'm in the middle of so many stories and since this one receives the least amount of attention from reviewers, my updates are frequent. But, I did mention to concoct this. Stir, boil, and enjoy.

Chapter 10

"I had nothing to do with it."

The words alone were said in a melodious, arrogant tone that nearly made Jenna see white. It was only the slight reminder that the vampire could easily slaughter her, which prevented a full on attack. So, she stood a safe distance away. But not for her safety. For his.

"Although," he continued on, brown eyes wide and intrigued, "this is very interesting. Sculptia has always been more tender toward humans. I attribute it as someone who has never quite buried their human life upon the transformation."

"Do not get sentimental on me," Jenna growled, blue eyes narrowed. "Tell her to back off from Davie."

"I am not completely stupid," Aro voiced, approaching her. "This is an opportunity to be embraced. Your former play mate has eloped with my dullest of ex wives. A blessing in disguise, I say."

And it was the self satisfactory smile he shot her, that did it in the end.

She lunged at the vampire with a shriek, but Aro easily sped away.

All of this trajectory force forward would have ended up with Jenna's body going through a glass table, if not for the vampire. With a movement far too fluid to ever be mimicked, Aro grabbed on to her elbows just as she was ready to dive into the glass.

Instead of simply releasing her, Aro pulled her back to him.

"You were tempting me tonight," he reminded, arms slipping around her waist. A silence followed as Jenna felt the cool trail of Aro's nose from her neck down to her jaw bone.

"Release me," she ordered, attempting to diverge her anger into beating the vampire silly.

"I'm afraid I cannot do that," he replied into her hair, lips ghosting over her creamy skin. "My patience can only be maintained for so long."

Jenna tried not to shake as one of his arms snaked up to her hair and softly released the bun. All stone muscles greeted her back, but she tried with all her will not to think about the vampire's body.

"He told me he loved me," Jenna argued, eyelids flickering as Aro's skilled fingers massaged soothingly at her scalp.

The same fingers that earlier in the night were-.

Fighting back the mutinous thoughts, Jenna allowed herself to be pulled through her living room. The vampire didn't force her as much as he maneuvered. Like a backwards ballroom dance.

"I did hear that," Aro admitted, stopping her body. "So I will let him live...for now."

Relieved, Jenna attempted to turn, but Aro methodically kept her body in place.

"I won the bet," she declared. "You have to leave."

"Leave your boy alone, yes. But you? I do not recall discussing this."

For some reason, the fight inside Jenna died. Not because she was weak willed, but because of the vampire's persistence. He was like a Wal-Mart greeter who trailed you through the store, reminding you of the low prices. But no matter how many times you say thank you or that you're not interested, they keep on pestering you.

Aro was her Wal-Mart greeter.

"What will it take for you to leave me alone?"

The vampire paused, hands wrapping back around her waist.

"You really do not feel this attraction?"

"Of course not! I've been trying to tell you this all along!" she exclaimed, refusing to glance back.

"Hmm," he purred, "perhaps it is wishful thinking. You may not be Vlad's descendant after all, despite your natural set immunity to my thrall."

Her body was still. She didn't know what was running through Aro's mind, but the vulnerability of her position made her ashamed. The very same hands gripping on to her hips had murdered hundreds of humans and here she was, actually aching to feel more of them.

That's the dark side of a vampire's seduction.

"Not even a flicker of a connection," Aro mused.

"Are you referring to your powers or our relationship?"

The vampire chuckled, suddenly burying his pale face into her shoulder.

"How could I not keep a woman with such a beautifully sharp tongue?" he murmured. "A woman so elegant and charming and one that smells so delicious."

His compliments broke down her defense for a moment.

Davie certainly never said anything like that before.

"If you find me all of these things, then you're severely under-cultured."

"Or perhaps too much culture has forced me to skip over those I should have previously acknowledged. How was it I was not aware of your presence in the world prior to your tour of my palace?"

"Too busy eating and ruling," she offered tiredly.

"Two things you disapprove of?"

Grumbling, Jenna grabbed on to his arms and flung them off. To her surprise, Aro let her.

"We've gone over this so many times I'm starting to get an aneurysm. You murder humans for fun. There are alternatives, but you choose to do this willingly. I don't condone this and I'll never offer myself a chance to love someone who does."

For the first time, Jenna thought she was getting through to the lead Volturi. Or that could be further wishful thinking.

"What if I was to stop killing humans?"

Jenna stared at Aro as if a pair of testicles magically sprouted out of his forehead.

"You can't," she argued. "You have to survive somehow."

"There are many vampires who choose an alternative lifestyle. Moments prior to meeting you, I'd have dismissed their methods as nothing but fear of their own nature. But I suppose they sacrificed the rich taste for a certain reason."

Shaking her head, Jenna breathed out in confusion.

"You'd really be content with munching on a fawn for dinner?"

"Of course not!" he laughed, shuddering at the image. "Human blood is not a delicacy I am willing to give up. However, since my thrill of hunting is being met daily when we meet, the taste of human blood could be substituted from blood banks."

Why in the hell am I even entertaining the thought of this? He's killed people! And what are the chances he'd stick to his word?

"I don't believe you. And like I said earlier, I'm not trying to change you."

"You already have, and it is now your responsibility to help me with my transformation. Into someone you would find desirable, strong, and just as elegant as yourself."

Crossing her arms, Jenna studied the vampire for an intensely long second.

"Go find somebody else," she replied. "I'm tired and the prospect of you changing yourself for a human is laughable."

Raising a brow, Aro's smile fell.

"Sometimes you sound just as cold as Caius."

"Well maybe he has a point. Vampire-human relationships aren't acceptable because of...well, whatever reason you determine."

Just when she was sure the vampire would attempt to murder her for insubordination, he surprised her.

"Perhaps you are right. It is a big world and now that I have opened my eyes to those who've previously gone by undetected, the choosing have the potential to be very satisfying. And a man of single status is highly regarded in this society."

"Good," she coaxed, "that's good. You'd be surprised how many women you're missing out on."

Aro's grin returned, but Jenna felt the slightest unease by it. Like she'd just unknowingly agreed to something shady.

"I am eager to find out."

With that, he scanned her one last time, eyes doing their melted puddle of goo routine, before strutting out of her living room, and eventually, the front apartment door.

Only when Jenna was sure complete solidarity surrounded her, did she finally relax.

Did I really just get Aro, basically the King of all vampires, to stop pursuing me? Damn, damn, damn. Why does this feel way too easy?

AJAAJAAJAAJA

A full two days passed by, thankfully uncompromisable by a flamboyant vampire ready to feel her up.

This brightened Jenna's days, but ultimately, guaranteed nothing. He'd waited six months before approaching her last time. Two days were less than a fraction of that time.

I can only hope he found some cheap Megan Fox knock off.

Around the apartment, she busied herself with a tedious routine of cleaning, studying, and attempting to reach Davie. The latter was the only one she'd been unsuccessful in.

She didn't want to worry about her ex-boyfriend who didn't even have the decency to inform her that the spark was no longer there. However, the man was in "love" with a vampire. How well could that situation play out?

During this musing on the second day, Jenna was staring off into space when the phone beside her erupted into a ringing.

Shaking off all thoughts, the blonde sighed and answered.

"Guess what?"

"What?"

"Geez, Jeffrey Dahmer. Why so down?"

Rolling her eyes, Jenna stretched her arms in front of her.

"Just a bit on edge," she admitted, comforted by Hanna's phone call. The woman could get her through a pregnancy without so much as a painful peep, just by relaying a rendition of a Richard Pryor comedy show.

"Tired. Haven't gotten much sleep lately," she continued.

"Oh. How'd the Davie seduction plan go?"

"It didn't. He met someone else in Italy and they've been going out behind my back."

"I've got a pitchfork ready to stick up his ass...just in case you need it."

"I think a pitchfork would be too merciful. But at least I can move on now to my future."

"That's great. I was worried you might try to whore yourself out."

"Not this time around. How've things been with you?"

"Well...I'm glad you asked. Ray wants your phone number."

Sighing, Jenna rubbed at her eyes.

"What'd you say?"

"That the virgin in you would guard the number with your life."

"Smooth."

"I thought so as well. But that's not the best part. I think I met someone."

Intrigued, Jenna couldn't help but smile. The last time Hannah had used those words, her "someone" was an illegal immigrant who also happened to be a drug lord from Colombia. Needless to say, their relationship went up in smoke.

"Is he Colombian?"

"Ha, ha. That's hilarious," Hannah deadpanned. "Actually, he's far different than any men I've ever gotten to know. He's really...mature."

"Porn star?"

"Doubt it. Too gentlemanly for that. Although, I'm just waiting to unleash my inner sex demon onto him. He appears like he could very well use it."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"The guy's paler than a leukemia patient. And I don't mean that in a mean way. My little sister was diagnosed when I was younger. But I needed something to compare it too."

Scrunching her brows, Jenna's smile faltered a bit.

"Pale?"

"Yep. I asked if he tanned, and he said life was too short to waste time getting cooked by a ball of hydrogen. Has a sense of humor."

"That's good," Jenna replied, feeling her smile return. "When can I meet this new love?"

"How about tonight? He said he can get reservations anywhere, anytime. I think he was trying to hint that he's loaded."

"Just don't mooch."

"I don't mooch," she defended. "Happily indulge in, yes. Mooch, no."

"Where do you want this sting operation to go down then?"

"Well...I'm thinking Applebee's. Family friendly and affordable-ish. Plus, I insisted he bring a date for you."

"What happened to Ray?"

"Ray is last year's news. I knew I'd lure you to come with, so I hope you're ready to have one of his friends enthrall you tonight."

"You're supposed to make this sound comforting."

"I was supposed to make the effects of a black widow attack, comforting. I think I paralyzed that woman into developing a severe case of arachnophobia."

"She certainly was weary of you afterward."

"It's just a spider! The woman owns a great, huge golden retriever at least ten times larger and furrier than a spider. He could attack at any time when provoked. I don't understand why she picks a tiny spider to be afraid of."

Jenna held back her thoughts on the situation. She herself carried a deep fear of spiders herself. Back when she comforted Delilah inside the Volturi palace, she wasn't joking. Spiders frightened her far more than vampires did.

"What time?"

"Eight. Dress sexy."

"Your definition of sexy scares me."

"That is why I haven't ever asked you to become a part of my nudist colony."

"I'm guessing you're the only member."

A pause met her ear before Hannah mumbled something.

"See you at eight, Jenna. Remember - sexy!"

"Wouldn't dare dress otherwise."

With that, their conversation ceased and Jenna became fidgety again. When left alone with her thoughts, she found that they did little to relieve her.

AJAAJAAJAAJA

By the time she followed the sidewalk to Applebee's, Jenna was in a bit of a sour mood. Initially, she didn't mind Hannah's surprise set up for her. Even welcomed it to keep her mind elsewhere.

But she remembered that an effort would be required to get the man to like her, and this was a very depressing thought.

Maybe because I secretly enjoyed how naturally Aro took a liking to me despite my never having done anything to garner that sort of attraction.

And those were the exact type of thoughts she hoped tonight would erase. If not, she would question her sanity and maybe tear out her hair.

Entering the restaurant, Jenna meandered through the throng of waiting customers with their light up hand held devices that indicated when they'd be seated.

"I'm looking for a Hannah Worthington."

"Follow me," the waitress answered dutifully.

Sighing, Jenna swerved into another path, suddenly contemplating the pros and cons of sprinting while she still had the chance.

But the waitress was determined to get through the crowd and she didn't want to dishearten the woman.

"Jenna! You came!"

Hearing the squeal before actually seeing her friend, Jenna prepared a smile.

However, it froze in place when the waitress moved out of the way and the blonde was able to pick out the man whose hand was wrapped casually around Hannah's shoulder.

Everything inside the restaurant died for a full minute. Audio. Sight. Movements. It was like a slow motion Ice Age.

"This is Arthur," Hannah announced, her sharp voice bringing Jenna back down to Earth.

Jenna met Arthur's gaze and frowned.

"Arthur," she repeated carefully. "Aren't you a bit old to be dating someone as young as Hannah?"

"Jenna!" Hannah scolded with a laugh.

Arthur shook his head good naturedly.

"Not to worry, Jenna. I intend to date Hannah because I feel like I've missed out on women like her."

Barely keeping back a growl, the blonde girl glanced at the booth seat opposite from them. She'd completely forgot about her date.

Son of a bitch.

"That's Alex. Beautiful, huh?" Hannah introduced.

Glancing between the two pale men, Jenna searched her friend's eyes. Hannah was stuck in a situation far more dangerous than she could imagine and even though the thought of bolting had sounded appealing, she'd never forgive herself it something happened.

"Alright then. I guess I'll sit down," she announced.

"What a wonderful idea!" Arthur exclaimed

What the hell are you playing at, Aro?

She even kept her grin when Alex immediately took ahold of her hand.

"So...Miss Polyanna...tell me something interesting about yourself," Alex asked.

I have the urge to rip out your spleen, Alec.

Shrugging, Jenna studied the table and felt a small smile stretch over her lips.

"I believe vampires exist."

Just in case it wasn't clear, Arthur is Aro and Alex is Alec. And wth is Jenna doing, speaking of vampires at Applebees? For shame! Let me know your thoughts in a review!