10. Welcome to The Guard
We were greeted outside the city by a guard member that looked like he was of South American heritage. "Hello. I am Santiago. You are the small Cullen, correct?"
"Was," I corrected, dully.
"And you are?" Santiago asked Elizabeth slowly.
"Elizabeth. I need to speak to someone named Aro. I heard he could help me." I think my eyes may have widened because Elizabeth looked at me. "Are you okay, Bree?"
"Dude," I whispered then I cursed. "I forgot that Aro would know everything the second he touches me."
"What?" Elizabeth asked.
I looked at Santiago. "Can't avoid it, can I?"
He shook his head. "If you have something to do with the Newborn in Boston, no."
"There's a Newborn in Boston?" I gasped. "Dang!" There was only one person it could possibly be…
"Bree!" Elizabeth called from a few feet away. "Come on!"
I ignored my surroundings as we walked to wherever we were going. I was too busy thinking that my head was about to be no longer attached my body. The next thing I knew a voice was breaking me out of my thoughts.
"Bree, my young friend, are you alright?"
I smiled nervously at Aro. "I'm really sorry, dude. It had been so long since I had a human, I forgot to burn him."
"No harm done. Your family is has already handled it, apparently."
"They're not my family," I said, physically pushing away from him. "Not anymore. I'm done with them." I looked around me. "Where's Elizabeth? Did I miss something?"
Aro hung his head. "I wanted to speak to you first, Bree. Elizabeth's story is interesting. Do you believe it?"
"It's not my place to say, dude. Can't just see it my thoughts anyway?"
"I know what happens when you are upset. We don't have to want to hurt you." He smiled, seeming sincere. "What do you need from us, Bree?"
I took a shaking breath, something a vampire didn't do very often, and spoke without thinking. "I want a place in the guard. I need a place to belong. I know you don't like my last coven, but I'm different now. Please. I need the connection. I'm cut out to be a nomad. Please." I sounded desperate, and I was. "I know I'm always welcome with them, but right now…"
"Is Carlisle aware that you came here?" Aro asked softly.
"Alice probably told him the second I told you. I've tried not to think about where I was going to go. It's kept me from hunting, so I'm a little weak." I looked toward the door, on the verge of running. "I promise I'll stay out of city, but I need it. It'll give you some time to deal with Elizabeth and think about it."
Aro's smile widened. "Of course, child. Please tell Elizabeth to come in as you leave."
I nodded and practically ran from the room. "You're next," I whispered to the blonde vampire. "He knows everything I do."
Then, in what seemed like a flash, I was in the forest outside of the ancient city. Instead of finding a human, I killed several deer. It took less time and I didn't want to think about it anyway. Alice probably saw it and relayed it as if it was good news.
I snorted at the thought, a small amount of blood coming through my nose. The pain barely registered.
Sometime later, Felix and Demetri (didn't know why they were so good at finding me and really didn't care) found me. "What is this?" Demetri asked. "I thought you were one of us."
"Old habits die hard, I guess." I stood. "What do you want?"
"Prove it." Felix's words were sharp and confusing.
"What are you talking about?"
"Aro say he's seen it in several people's minds but we don't always believe him," Demetri half-explained.
"I still don't know what you're talking about."
"You've told us you were."
"Oh, that." It should have been obvious. "Sure." I reached above and broke a smaller branch. "Um, I'm not good at doing this without being upset, but I'll try. Hold this."
Demetri took it, almost like he was holding a wand.
"Dude, I can't move it if your fingers are in the way."
He balanced it on an open palm. "What now?"
"Quiet!" I hissed, not taking my eyes off it.
It started floating and Demetri jumped several yards back. The stick floated for an intense 30 seconds and then crashed to the ground.
"Welcome to the guard," Felix said, also wide-eyed. "You've passed the test."