~ Chapter ten ~

I was left waiting three days until Aro finally came. Was it possible to become insane in just three days? Because that's exactly what I was doing in those three days – going slowly but surely insane. I didn't have a single happy or uplifting thought. Three days was the time it took for the Change. Three lonely days with only Felix for company. And, worst of all, three days of becoming thirstier.

So when Aro came into my room, flanked by Guards, I wasn't in the best mood possible.

"Phoebe" he greeted me with a smile. I glared in reply. "Come" he gestured to the door. Reluctantly and slowly, I got up and followed him.

I could sense two hearts beating frantically, and I was frightened when it made me crave blood, and become thirstier but still I was dragged down endless corridors. Aro flung some double doors open grandly before studying my family, who were writhing in pain.

"They are going to be superb!" he exclaimed happily. I could hear the countdown of their last breaths, their last heartbeats. There wasn't much longer to go…I still had the chance to change my mind. I couldn't kill them though; I didn't have it in me.

Far too quickly their hearts beat their last, first Eve and then my mother and then my family were, like me, vampires. I didn't know whether it was a curse or a blessing, but at this moment in time, it was definitely a curse - Aro would try his best to get them on his side, see the Volturi as 'good'.

I watched with anxious eyes, holding my breath as Eve's eyelids fluttered. She sat up quickly and stared at us with big, round eyes. I repressed a shudder when I saw the colour and the fear behind them. After a silence that went on forever, she finally spoke in a high soprano voice, completely different to her human one.

"How the-? Who the-? What happened? I can't remember anything" she shook her head, dazed.

"You are a vampire Eve" Aro began.

"…Seriously?! No way…you are kidding, right?"

"I'm afraid not. Actually, I do not mean that, being a vampire is brilliant. For me, at least. I'm sure you shall love it, my dear Eve" Aro smiled kindly.

"Who are you all? And what is that…burning? My throat…" her hands flew to her throat, which she gently massaged.

"In due course, my dear. When your mother awakes I shall reveal all."

"Mother…" she said slowly. "Mother…" she repeated. "I'm afraid I have no idea what you are on about".

"Your mother… wait a minute, let me try something" Aro glided towards her and touched her temple. She recoiled as soon as he touched her skin, which was also the same second that he removed his hand. "Interesting… like little Alice you remember nothing of your human life… Ah, she awakes". My mother now began to stir. She too sat up, dazed and confused. Aro immediately went to her. "Hmm… again, interesting. Flickers. You two come with me and I shall explain all. Guards, go and fetch Alice, please". He glided out of the room, one arm around Eve, the other around my mother. Several of the Guards dashed out, returning with a calm, emotionless Alice, who wasn't catching my frantic eye.

I lost track of time so I had no idea how long it took Aro to 'explain' things but when he returned, he seemed happier than ever before.

"Sweet Alice!" he hugged her warmly, absorbing her thoughts. She scowled fiercely but replaced her carefully emotionless face when Aro pulled her back. "Ah ha, that makes sense. Very interesting…"

"Will you please just tell things as they are? I'm sick of your riddles and I've only been with you for three days!" I yelled, finally letting the pressure and the anger take control of me.

"Something caused your outburst, dear Phoebe?" Aro turned to me, surprised.

"YOU!" I was about to explain every single reason why I hated him, but stopped myself just in time. Truthfully, I didn't want to upset or anger him for fear of what it might result in, in the future. I wanted to shout and scream and bring the castle down like a little child but I knew I shouldn't. I wanted…to kill him. "And your riddles. Just, please, tell it straight. What is 'interesting'?" I added meekly.

"I wouldn't be an evil genius villain if I told you everything. Figure it out; it's rather simple if you think about it. I'm surprised we haven't noticed before" he grinned.

Try as I might, I could come up with no possible solution.

"Doesn't seem simple" I spoke finally.

"A shame – I assumed you more intelligent. Anywho, Guards! I require Eleazar to see what powers my newborns possess. Crocifissa can only work if she knows the power".

"Have we heard from Demetri yet?" Caius asked.

"Alas, no. I suspect he is having difficulties. You yourself know how fast werewolves can run and how similar the shape-shifters are to them. Nonetheless I shall contact him". He exited the room along with several Guards, leaving Eve, my mother, myself, Caius and a few Guards. Caius smiled nastily.

"How does it feel to be powerless, Phoebe?" he asked smoothly.

"I should imagine like you feel everyday" I retorted.

"Smooth move. Except I won't be 'powerless' for very much longer. You see, we don't really like any vampires that are not like us in our ways. So we have a plan. We're going to use you as a gateway for collecting powers and then when you have all of the powers, we shall slaughter the rest. Then, we shall use Zeus to inflict your powers on ourselves and then slaughter you. Pure genius. My idea, of course. You don't know how frustrating it is to see all of these worthless vampires like you with all of these amazing powers and to stand there and have nothing" he hissed in my ear. I stared at him in horror. He cackled.

"No…"

"Oh yes" he smirked.

When Aro arrived back, he saw my horrified face. "What's the matter Phoebe?"

"I told her our plan," Caius told him solemnly.

"Ah…no need to look like it's such a bad thing. It's for the best" he said in a soothing comforting tone. I however was in shock. "Phoebe…" he sounded worried now. "What is it that distresses you exactly? It's not all bad"

"She just doesn't like any part of it" Caius answered for me.

"Well, she has no choice in the matter really. If only you had been co-operative, it would all have been so much simpler" Aro replied sadly, with a sigh. "Take them to their quarters" he ordered.

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