Disclaimer: I don't own anything Stephenie Meyer does.
Chapter 11: Round 3
"Do you mind, Cathy?" Aro asked putting his hand out.
Well here goes round 3!
I removed my shield and put my hand out. Great the third time today. Happy birthday to me. Aro smiled at my thoughts. I wonder if he saw my feelings for Demetri. Well he did now if he didn't already. This day just keeps getting better. Most people on their 21st birthday would be getting drunk but here I am in a room full of vampires where at least two wanted me dead. I heard Edward laugh and Aro smiled again. He removed his hand but still remained in front of me. I put my shield back in place before Edward could read anymore of my thoughts.
"Hmm…interesting. Demetri come here please," Aro said.
"Yes master," Demetri said appearing next to Aro.
Aro reached out and touched Demetri's arm. Aro looked deep in thought. I hoped he wasn't angry. He didn't seem like it but it was hard to tell with Aro. He wasn't one to show his emotions. Aro removed his hand from Demetri.
"Hmm…very interesting, Marcus what do you see?" Aro asked looking at his brother.
"There is definitely some kind of bond but it is too early to what kind of bond," Marcus explained. I probably liked Marcus the most since well he hasn't ever threatened to kill me.
I was blushing and Demetri seemed pretty embarrassed too. It's like these vampires did not know the meaning of the word privacy. I understand why the wolves would get so annoyed with them. I guess in all honestly I was only annoyed with Aro, Caius, Felix, and Edward since they all invaded my privacy somehow.
"Dear do you mind sharing your thoughts? You seem to be upset about something. You want to share your thoughts with me?" Aro asked.
"Didn't you just read them?" I snapped. I heard some hisses but they stopped abruptly after Aro waved his hand.
"Didn't you just read them, master?" I corrected myself.
"Yes I did Cathy but it seems you may be unconsciously blocking some memories from me. Like when I just looked at Demetri's I saw he helped you clean but I didn't see it in your memories," Aro explained, "And I see your upset about something other than the incident with Felix and Caius but I can't see what.
"Oh really?" I asked surprised.
"Yes so would you mind showing what is bothering you?" Aro asked.
"Ah..well ok master. I don't like having any privacy in my life. I'm kind of starving due to my "fast". I am exhausted and as you already know assaulted twice. And this could possibly be my worst birthday ever, tied with my 16th birthday I had the flu," I explained, "but at least this time I got a present"
Demetri smiled as I touched the necklace he gave me. I returned the smile and felt a lot better. The combination of getting it off my chest and having Demetri smile at me made me realize the good things in this situation.
"Yes I suppose we should make sure you have no serious injuries. Carlisle do you mind going with Cathy to her bedroom to check on her injuries?" Aro asked the doctor of the Cullen family.
"Of course not Aro. Can Esme come with me?" Carlisle the hansom blond Cullen asked.
"Of course and Demetri you may go with them," Aro said with a genuine smile.
Demetri picked me up and we left the room with Esme and Carlisle close in tow. They went a little faster than human pace making it to my room in less than ten minutes. Once in my room Demetri sat me down on my bed and sat down next to me. Carlisle and Esme stood in the room smiling.
"Hello Cathy my name is Carlisle and this is my wife Esme," Carlisle said in a cheery tone. I smiled at both of them.
"I will have to ask you to take off your sweatshirt so I can examine your arms," Carlisle explained.
I reluctantly removed my sweatshirt. Esme gasped and Demetri clamped his fists together. His face was full of rage and he looked ready to kill. I put my hand on his shoulder and he untensed a bit. Carlisle began touching different parts of my arms. I gasped in pain everytime he touched what I like to call the ring bruises.
"Alright Cathy well everything will heal just fine. Just don't lift anything heavy for a week," Carlisle said with a smile.
"Okay thanks so much. Do you want me to show you to your room?" I asked.
"I am sure we can find the others," Esme said smiling.
"O.K nice meeting you two," I said.
"Nice meeting you too," Carlisle said and with that they left. I noticed they left at human pace probably since they were used to being around humans. I was left with just Demetri. Not that I was complaining.
"Cathy why didn't you tell me the truth about what happened with Caius?" Demetri asked.
"I wanted to but it wouldn't of helped. I didn't want you fighting with him," I explained.
"Fine but then you should have told Aro," Demetri said.
"Why should I have told him? I'm just a tool. He doesn't really care about me. Chelsea could not even bind me to you guys. He just keeps me here for protection," I said angrily.
"Calm down Cathy! Aro does care for you. You may have been just a tool for him at first but he really does care for you now. And as for Chelsea binding us, she only uses the power when we first join then we want to stay here. Well besides Jane and Alec who like being with the wolves and the Cullens," Demetri explained.
"Sorry I didn't mean you were forced to be here. And Aro did have the apologize. I still don't trust him though," I said.
"I never said you should trust Aro," Demetri said with a smile. I returned the smile.
"Demetri…ah you know when Marcus talked about the ah bond. I ah know it was ah strong but do you ah think of me as ah best friend or ah something more," I said stumbling over my words.
"I know a way I can answer that," Demetri said.
Demetri put his hands on the sides of my face and leaned in and kissed me. I returned the kiss. This was nothing like when Caius kissed me. Caius' was slimy and rough. Demetri's was silky and gentle. It was perfect.
"Oh," said a voice from the door.
Demetri and I quickly jumped apart. Alice and Jane stood by the door smiling. I was definitely blushing now.
"Ah, master Aro said to get you ready for your party," Jane said grinning.
"My party?" I asked confused.
