Disclaimer: I own nothing except for my own OC. The rest belongs to Stephenie Meyer.
Note: Thanks for everyone whose been reviewing, I always appreciate the feedback!! I apologize for how long it has taken me to update, and I will have chapter 12 up much faster, I promise! Thanks again to my beta KittenEm :) Enjoy!!
Chapter 11: Sapphires and Emeralds
It had been a couple of weeks since the awkward conversation between Edward and myself in his car, and I had been doing my very best to avoid him whenever possible. At first I had felt an overwhelming sense of disgust (with myself) and despair. There had been an opportunity for me to be with a man who deeply cared about me, and was actually able to verbalize those feelings. Instead, I was adamant to remain with the man who I had been sleeping with for years, who would never have those feelings for me, let alone verbalize them.
I had still heard nothing from Caius, therefore I felt it absolutely necessary to keep myself busy constantly, or else risk the nausea and panic that would ensue. I had come to enjoy long hikes through the forest that surrounded the Cullen's house. The rich, green scenery always kept my mind completely occupied, and I found myself hiking for miles each day. I enjoyed the freedom I had here; the freedom to leave the house and be able to be completely and utterly alone, to go and do as I pleased. Unfortunately, this constant rainy and dreary gray world was beginning to get on my nerves and I missed the golden, warm sunshine of Volterra.
It was approaching dusk as I slowly made my way back through the forest towards the house. I had been gone for several hours, and the looming darkness had driven me to turn around and head back. The more days that passed, the more I found myself wondering if I was ever going to go back to Volterra, or if they had grown tired of me and had decided to pawn me off on Carlisle.
I sped up my pace as the canopy of trees began to block out more and more of what little daylight remained. I had never left hiking so late in the day before, and was fairly confident that hiking through a forest in the dark was not a very good idea. Unfortunately, the sun was setting faster than I could walk, and I knew that it was still a fair distance to the house.
A twig snapping just behind me made me stop instantly. I stood there frozen for a moment, listening, but all I could hear was the faint sound of rain drops hitting the leaves above my head. I quickly resumed my pace, now slightly frightened by the prospect of what might be lurking in the forest when the sun went down. I felt myself stifle a scream as another twig snapped, this time just a few feet to the right of me. It was already too dark to be able to see very far through the tree trunks, but I stood very still again for a moment or two and pleaded desperately with my eyes to see as best they could.
'A bit late to be hiking, isn't it.' The voice drawled out of the dark from somewhere beside me. The voice was all too familiar, but I still felt a loud startled gasp escape my throat, as I located a pair of gleaming red eyes, far closer to me then I would have liked.
'Have you been following me this whole time?' I should have sounded as happy to see him as I felt, but I hissed the words at him, still recovering from my shock.
'Well just your hike today.' Finally Demetri took a few steps towards me and I was finally able to see the body that accompanied the eyes. A small smirk played at his mouth as he approached me. 'I'm here to fetch you, and bring you back to Volterra.'
I felt an overwhelming sense of relief rush through my body and I couldn't resist my sudden urge to hug him. Since he had never really been overly affectionate, like most of the vampires I lived with, he remained awkwardly still, gently tapping my back.
'Has the Lithuanian coven left then?' I couldn't help but wonder if there had been anymore problems with Ayla since I had been away.
'I think it best if we discuss this back at the Cullen's house.' I nodded in agreement and followed Demetri silently for a while, as we walked quickly through forest.
Finally my curiosity got the better of me, 'Any news from Volterra? I've been gone so long.' My words were slightly ragged as I tried to keep up with him. Thankfully, he stopped, turning to look at me for a moment, his face laced with hesitation.
'Well we have a new visitor now. But you can meet them when you get back.' Even though he was over a thousand years old, he was still a terrible liar, and I could instantly sense he was keeping something from me. Unfortunately, the fact that Demetri, of all people, would be nervous about telling me something was not a comforting thought.
'Who, Demetri?' My voice was stern as he turned and continued walking, obviously not wishing to divulge such information to me. 'Demetri!' I was practically jogging at this point, in order to keep up with him. After a moment he stopped again, far too abruptly and I stumbled into him. He looked down at me; his eyes looked reluctant, even in the moonlight.
'Her name is Chloe. Believe me, her stay is quite temporary.' The name didn't mean anything to me, and I was fairly positive I had never heard her mentioned before.
'Who is she?' But he didn't answer me; instead he just waited, watching me, as the information slowly sunk in. I hadn't realized I'd moved at all, but suddenly I felt myself thud softly on the forest floor as I fell to my knees.
'I'm sure it's nothing; a passing fancy. To be honest, I'm not sure he likes her very much. Besides, he sent me to bring you back. He wants you home.' Demetri looked uncertain as he waited for some sign of life from me.
'So he can kill me. You know Caius doesn't like loose ends.' I felt all the blood leave my face as I knelt there, paralyzed by shock and fear. I don't know how long I knelt there, but eventually I awoke a few hours later and I was in my bed, Esme perched beside me.
'We were worried about you.' Her voice was gentle and smooth, and I could feel her cool hand against my cheek. 'Alice says she hasn't seen Caius hurting you in any way. You shouldn't be afraid; I know you're anxious to go home, although you will be deeply missed.'
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It must have been a good while later when I awoke next. I felt the gentle hum of an engine beneath me, through the supple leather seat.
'We're landing soon Lyana; you should put your seat belt on.' I couldn't sum up the strength to find Demetri. Instead I did up my seat belt and let myself fall back into oblivion.
It wasn't that I was tired, but the news had sucked all the energy from me. I didn't know why I was even going back. It seemed obvious to me that Caius had already moved on, and it had only been a couple of weeks. I wanted to sleep through it all, but mostly I didn't want to deal with the situation that loomed over me.
I awoke finally, back in my own bed. The sun outside my window had just set, and darkness was beginning to creep through the room. I forced myself out of the bed and into the bathroom. I hoped a bath would relax me and help me think rationally.
When I had pruned up nicely I got out of the tub and dried off. I let my damp hair hang loosely around my shoulders in soft curls to dry, and walked to my wardrobe to slip on my favourite black satin dress.
I should have been excited to be back, to see Caius. But Chloe had ruined my reunion for me; and I found myself already hating her for it. A soft knock at my door made me jump, pulling me from my thoughts. I crossed the room, pulling open the large door. On the other side Jane's impassive red eyes gleamed back at me.
'Welcome back. Aro wishes to see you in the great hall.' I slipped out into the hallway and followed her silently through the dark corridors. I wanted to ask her about this new girl, but Jane and I had never been close, or even considerably friendly. I knew she would not reveal any information to me, especially not without specific orders from Aro.
All too quickly she was pushing open the large, polished oak doors, letting me walk into the large cavernous marble room on my own. I slowly approached the three brothers, who sat in their regular seats at the far end. They looked exactly the same, and I wasn't sure why I had expected them to look any different. Marcus acknowledged me briefly with a slight inclination of his head, before he resumed his normal look of indifferent boredom. Aro had an enthusiastic smile plastered to his face, his hands clasped gently in his lap. And Caius, my heart began beating wildly in my chest at the sight of him, his eyes were a magnificent shade of crimson as he stared intently back.
I could have timed it, how long it would take before Aro rose, gently descending the stone steps towards me, his arms outstretched. It was like clockwork, though it still made me smile, as his voice chimed out through the hall.
'Oh my dear, we are so thrilled to have you back.' He reached for my hand, bringing it gently to his lips. He continued to hold my hand in his for a moment, his eyes focused on my own. 'I'm glad you enjoyed your stay with Carlisle and…the other Cullens.' I knew his hesitation was in regards to my ordeal with Edward. He held my hand as he led me closer towards the other two, leaving me right at the bottom of the stairs, before resuming his seat. 'But I see that Demetri has been kind enough to inform you about our little guest.' His eyes flashed dangerously, and I hoped Demetri would not be in trouble.
'Yes my lord.' I wanted desperately to look at Caius, but I resisted, keeping my focus on Aro.
'Excellent! Jane has brought her down; we thought it best that the two of you meet, sooner rather than later.' I turned at the sound of the large oak doors opening. The girl who walked through them could barely have been eighteen; she was about my height with long, sleek fiery red hair. Her eyes were seductive and a beautiful, intense shade of sapphire blue, but her beauty was somewhat diminished by an unnecessary amount of makeup, which I found to be inappropriate.
She was wearing a very short, incredibly snug, forest green dress which clung revealingly to every inch of her. The neck plunged low, revealing a disturbing amount of cleavage that was as pale as her long, slender legs. She was pretty alright, and I was appalled by the similarities between us. Not wanting to seem as though I was threatened in any way, I straightened my shoulders bit, pushing out my chest, while gently tossing my head to let my long chocolate waves tumble around my shoulders.
She stopped beside me, and I raised my chin indignantly, her crisp sapphire eyes meeting my smoldering emeralds.
'You sent for me, Master.' She purred.
'Yes. Chloe this is Lyana. Unfortunately she's been out of the country for the last little while, so you two have not yet had the pleasure of meeting.' I cast her one last frigid glance before returning my attentions to Aro and Caius.
Aro watched us for a moment and when he realized I had no further intentions of speaking, or looking at Chloe, he waved her away dismissively. 'That will be all.' I tried not to look smug as I heard her footsteps leave the hall.
Caius had been watching me the whole time, and I tried to hold his gaze, looking strong and confident. But inside I felt cold, as waves of panic and despair washed through my body, chilling me to the bone. I felt tired again, but I had slept for so long, perhaps the fatigue I felt was emotional. It felt like I had been worn down, like there was nothing left to help me carry on. And although my head was screaming at me to stay quiet and wait till I was dismissed, I felt my chest begin to heave; my entire world crashing down on me.
'Was there anything else you needed to see me about?' The words were breathless, barely louder than a whisper. All three pairs of eyes were observing me, even Marcus, and Aro studied me curiously for a moment.
'We just wanted to welcome you back. But it seems you are tired from your trip, you may leave us if you wish.' I turned on heel to flee the hall, walking as quickly as my legs could possibly carry me. Once out of the great hall I ran, not stopping until I had reached my room. Unfortunately, someone was waiting there for me.
She stood with her arms crossed, her eyes narrowed and her lips pursed. I could have screamed, and I would have if I had thought it would make her leave me alone, but it wouldn't. I had no patience for this girl, and I found no strength to pretend otherwise.
'What do you want from me?' My words were harsh, bitter even and I could feel my hands ball into fists at my side.
'I just thought you should know you won't really be needed around here anymore. I'm with Caius now, and I'm all he needs.' Her smirk made my cheeks flare with heat; anger causing the blood to boil up beneath my skin.
'Listen to me, Chloe. I've been here for quite a while now. About five years to be exact, and I've been close to Caius for three of those years. You've been here for what? Two, maybe three weeks? So I'll believe that when I hear it from his mouth.' I pushed past her, pulling open my bedroom door, hesitating there. 'I really don't need anymore problems, if Caius wants you then I'll respect that, not that I have much choice. But until he sends me away I'm not going anywhere.' After I had said my peace I slipped into my room, shutting and bolting the door behind me.
I threw myself across the bed, burying my face in the sheets, as I tried to fight off the scream that was bubbling up inside me. I lay there for a while, in the dark, calming myself. I felt a cold hand press lightly against my shoulder and I gasped, turning to face my silent visitor.
Don't forget to review!! ...please :D
Last Note: For anyone whose interested, me and KittenEm collaborated on a oneshot for the 'I Get Off In Volterra' contest. So for any Aro lovers, be sure to check it out!! (It didn't let me put the link in properly, so you will have to get rid of the spaces...sorry!)
www . fanfiction .net/s/5665850/1/Ad_Vitam_Aeternam