AN: I do NOT own Twilight or any of its characters; no copyright intended. Twilight and its characters belongs to Stephenie Meyer, my characters belong to me. P.S. Sorry to keep you all waiting, these chapters I am now actually writing. I only planned so far ahead with my story...now its up to me again.
Caius caught Avalon as she fainted, she crumpled against his chest and he quickly scooped his arms under her legs and back. He panicked.
"Brothers, is she-"
He looked wide eyed at Avalon then to Aro and Marcus.
"Calm dear brother, she has merely fainted. The pressure of the day has gotten to her fragile heart. She had what humans call a panic attack," Aro stated softly as he ran his hand down her neck, enjoying the heavy rushing pulse and warm skin against his stone cold flesh.
"Why? She has nothing to fear around us?" Caius asked in frustration. Marcus gave him a meaningful look as he raised his dark brow.
Marcus opened his long arms wider asking Caius to give her to him.
"Be at peace, Caius. Avalon's human, for now. We must try to see things from her perspective, there is only so much the human mind can handle before shutting down to save itself. She will feel better when she awakens," Marcus promised, keeping his deep voice to a soft whisper to not wake their mate.
Avalon was gently passed into Marcus' hold, her face cuddled close to his undead heart, he closed his scarlet eyes in a flutter as her warmth and scent enraptured him. He could feel his heart skip a metaphorical beat and his soul was filled with a warmth of completion that he never thought possible. This feeling was something not even he had felt with his departed wife, Didyme, when she did live all those centuries ago.
"Chelsea. Alec. Demetri," Aro called out with utter joy in his tone.
In an instant all three figures stood side by side in front of their kings.
Chelsea was petite with long, light brown hair, beautifully pale, stood at 5'3'', held deep crimson eyes that looked off curiously at the human in her master's arms, and waited for her orders.
Alec was a beautiful fifteen year old (in appearance) boy with short, deep burnt brown styled hair, incredible pale, and a frame of lean muscle at 5'6'' compared to his own sister's height at 5'4''. He stood patiently for his masters' orders.
Lastly, Demetri stood tall at 6'0'', sinewy and muscular all at once, pale, incredible handsome with tousled spiky cocoa colored hair, deep red eyes, and awaiting order.
Aro's milky red eyes were bright at the sight of his "children". They nearly smiled at how bright and joyful their masters were acting, especially seeing master Marcus smile; he had not been interested or downright affectionate once in the past thousand years or centuries they knew him. He and the other masters held the human close and stared at her as if she was the answer to all their questions, as if she was their most prized gift, and as if she was the most important person in the world.
It was strange. A good strange to see their masters truly happy.
"Chelsea, prepare the best room for our queen, preferably close to Marcus' wing if you would," Aro commanded as he giddily clapped his hands together. Chelsea nodded and bowed.
"Yes, Master Aro." In the blink of an eye, she was gone and Marcus was not far behind her with their unconscious mate. Aro glanced to Alec and Demetri.
"My dear boys, I want you to bring her things here, no doubt that she stayed in a hotel nearby. Demetri, I assume you will have no trouble tracking her previous whereabouts?" It was more of a dare for Demetri to stumble and see if his tracking abilities worked on objects and not people. Aro waited to see him fail again as he and Felix did when they were to bring their mate back unharmed as commanded.
"Yes, Master."
Demetri and Alec loyally bowed to Aro and Caius. Caius growled impatiently as they still stood in the room.
"GO!" And like that the room was empty except for Aro and Caius and a few standing guards.
The candle lights flickered violently as vampires disappeared from the throne room. Aro and Caius followed down the hallways, following the pull and her and Marcus' scent.
The halls barely echoed as the party of two made it to the fast side of the castle where Marcus' wing laid. A set of cream colored doors were open and guarded by Chelsea and Afton.
They bowed loyally as Aro and Caius strode past them into the white and gold marbled room. It was quiet. The only sound was the small ticks of the antique chateau Beaumont clock on the mantle of the newly lit fireplace.
Both brothers stayed quiet as they observed Marcus gently stroking the side of Avalon's unconscious face. She was still slightly flushed but looking much better now that she was resting and breathing comfortably. Marcus stood at her bed side hovering ever so slightly; he was nearly as still as a statue.
His eyes dark like obsidian and filmy. The natural scowl that had made residence on his lips for centuries was gone. Instead, he held a small, almost uncertain smile.
"She almost never made it into our arms…" Marcus sadly stated.
Aro appeared suddenly on Marcus' side, gently holding his hand. Caius scowled at the thought.
"But she did, on her own agenda. She ignored the Cullen girl's warning and still came." Aro smiled joyfully.
Curiously, Aro reached his hand out and brushed his fingertips along Avalon's wrist that laid at her waist. She twitched lightly under his cold skin, her nose twitched and her brows scrunched together but she remained asleep.
A soft smile overcame Caius' neutral scowl. He sat on the bed beside her in an instant and gently laid his head ever so softly on her stomach; his white mane spilled over her torso and a soft purr of content could be heard by Marcus and Aro. He gently grasped Avalon's limp hand and held her wrist to his lips, letting her warmth soak into his flesh. Venom pooled in his mouth at the scent and possible taste of their mates blood.
"Her heartbeat is like the most beautiful symphony," Caius stated softly and ran his thumb over her wrist's pulse.
Aro enjoyed this bonding tie, no matter how unorthodox it seemed in human terms. He glanced to Avalon's messenger bag that lay on the night stand beside Marcus and smirked knowingly.
Dr. Abernathy was a very intelligent woman indeed. He had seen that she had hidden the bones in her bag, fully understanding that Felix and Demetri wouldn't know of their disappearance as there were many part of the skeleton that were already missing from the beginning. She hid the pictures quite well so they wouldn't suspect a thing.
Aro enjoyed intelligent women.
"We know nothing about her, Aro. We must discuss later what you have seen." Caius angrily sighed, causing both of his brothers to shake their heads at him.
"And she knows little about us too, brother. We have all the time in the world to get to know our mate. Till the marrow, we will let her sleep in peace. Chelsea." Aro commanded softly.
The lovely and petite brunette stoically bowed and waited at their sides.
"Please change her into some garbs more comfortable to rest in and clean her up. The last thing she would want is being undressed by men she does not know, yet." Aro humorously added that last bit as Caius' scowl deepened in anger.
"Yes, Masters."
Reluctantly, Marcus, Caius and Aro exited the room to let their mate sleep. They had much to plan for her arrival.
I felt horrible. More specifically, it felt like I had sky dived over a cliff the height of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai and forgot the parachute.
Clenching my fists, I rolled off my stomach and glanced around the room. I was confused. I shut my eyes at the blinding sunlight peeking through the heavy curtains of the closed balcony.
'Where am I?' I thought with a frown.
My stomach dropped as I realized what had happened last night. I was in the Volterra castle. The room was elegant and made for royalty, the colors of snow and gold.
'No! It wasn't a dream!' I nearly jumped out of my skin as I tried to climb off the king sized fluff that was a bed…only to painfully land stomach side sown on the cold marble floors. I groan quietly.
There were vampires afoot, they could possibly hear me if I'm too loud. I kick relentlessly at the tangled mess I'm in, groaning as I try to untangle myself from the silk sheets and the stupidly thick duvet.
I stiffen as a small cough reaches my ears, right behind me. I look up and see a smirking giant. Felix.
I yelp and shuffle as quickly as I can under the large bed. Watching the black, Italian leather made shoes slowly guide over to my bedside, I hold my breath and back as far away in the corner as I can. Praying the shadows under the bed will hide me from him.
"My lady, please come out. I did not mean to startle you. I heard noises and assumed you were awake." I shivered and shook my head.
"No! Please, leave me be! I want to go home!" I yell out. I can't believe I am hiding under a bed like a frightened child.
What could I possibly do against these vampires?
A deep sigh reaches my ears from the giant. A murmur in Italian escaped him, no doubt cursing my childish behavior.
"I must go report to our kings that you have awaken. Would you like me to get you anything to eat?" I freeze. My kings?
What is this, 15th century England? Hell no.
But…maybe I could distract him long enough to escape from the balcony. What is the hardest breakfast to make or at least the most time consuming? Think! Think!
I hesitantly say, "Ham and Cheese Strata, please?" I wait for him to sigh and complain. It was a time effort meal… but he didn't.
"Yes, my lady. May you please come out from under the bed first? You will not be harmed by anyone while you are here." I grunt and lay my head on the cool marble.
"No…" A large exasperated sigh escaped Felix. I nearly scream as a black leather covered hand suddenly appears in my limited view and grabs the bottom frame of the bed.
Light floods my vision again and I silently scream as the whole fucking bed is lifted up on its side legs. I can hear the pillows on the bed shuffle and fall to the floor and the creak of the mattress moving from its center. Felix raises a dark brow at my curled in figure.
My lilac eyes widen even more as he just waits there, holding the king sided bed and thick marble bed frame with little effort. Like he was holding a balloon.
'God damn vampires…'
"Please, come out. I promise we are not going to harm you. My job is to serve you till the masters' say other wise. I would like not to be reprehended for scaring you under a bed." I twitch at his slow smile. He was enjoying this, I just know it.
I slowly sit up from my stomach crawl and inch out from under the space of the bed. Felix silently lowers the giant bed back to the floor and nods at me. He crouches and puts both his gloved hands out towards me.
He was offering me a hand up?
"I don't bite…much." I flinch at his answer. His eyes are bright red. Very, very red. His ghostly skin lightly shimmers against the filtered sunlight entering the room.
I hesitantly lay my hands in his and he effortlessly pulls me to my feet.
"I shall get your food and inform the masters that you are awake. Please understand that there are two guards outside of your doors if you have any questions. I shall be back." Felix bows his head lightly at me then walks to the double doors. I catch glimpse of another large male in black standing in front of the doors. He lets Felix pass and closes the doors behind him, not looking at me at all.
I immediately look around the room and spot my bag on the elegantly carved nightstand. I stumble to it and freeze for a second. It felt very cold in the room, it was very drafty. I look down and feel my eyes widen.
'Someone undressed me!?' I grab the side of the long, billowy white night dress. It was very reminiscent of the 19th century nightwear women wore. It clenched around my bust line and under my shoulders. Leaving my shoulders bare. The sleeves were long and draped over my hands ridiculously, the skirt was obviously meant for a taller woman as it dragged nearly a foot past my feet...pooling on the floor. It even had a bow tied at the front!
I felt like a child. I felt violated.
I shake my head. I'm wasting time! I practically skid across the floor and put my bag over my shoulder. I search into its pockets and find my phone.
"Oh thank god," I whisper. Keeping in mind of the guard outside my door. Luckily there was enough power left in my phone. Just under fifty percent power left for me to put my plan into action. I searched the around the room and found a signal by the burnt out fireplace. I pressed the small Youtube app I never really use and searched for heartbeat videos. There were plenty to choose from.
I set for a calm heartbeat video and ran to the balcony doors. I moved the curtains aside and opened the French glass doors. Peaking over the stone railing was a mistake. I had to be up at least twenty feet. I looked outward and saw the balcony was facing a vast, beautiful garden. Shame I wasn't going to be able to see it much longer. At least if I jumped from this height I knew a Ficus or a poorly place bed of flowers had my back.
My fingers twitched impatiently as I could not grab and twist the sheets into a rope fast enough. I held my breath to slow my heartbeat down enough so that it would mesh with the video's own; I pressed the play button. A soft heart beat echoed the room softly. I placed the phone gently on the fireplace's mantle.
I had ten minutes to get out before the video ended. I slowly inched my way out and softly pulled the curtains back, shutting the doors behind me.
Large gasps of air filled my lungs as I inhaled with relief. Grasping the sheet, I scowled and pulled the stupid sleeves back, quietly hiking down the sheet. I was not meant for physical exercise. I'm a doctor, not a bloody gymnast. I gasped as my bare foot caught the edge of one of the stone that made the castle's walls.
It cut my foot and I nearly lost my grip on the sheet. 'Ow.'
'These are some quality sheets, how has it not ripped yet?' As if I had tempted fate, I could hear a miniscule straining rip beginning from where I tied the sheet to the rails.
Got to move!
Scaling down the wall was not that bad, until I ran out of sheet; leaving me with an eight foot drop. I took a deep breath and let go.
I landed feet first and hissed. The cut on my foot was burning and I slipped onto the grass as I tried to stand. I looked down and groaned.
Blood smeared the grass… BLOOD smeared the grass.
'I don't have time for this! I am bleeding in a castle full of vampires! Run!' I pulled myself up and cringed as I put weight on my ankles… they hurt from the drop. I grabbed the side of the dress's long skirt and began running through the garden, feeling the glare of the sun on my back.
'Run! Run! Run! Run! Run! Run!'
Those kings are going to be pissed. Those guards are going to be even more pissed. I spotted the walls surrounding the garden, they were tall. Very tall. I could possibly hike up one of the trees closest to it and scale off of it and down the other side of the wall; praying it had vines of some sort to climb down on.
Not a second after I put those thoughts into my head, I began running to the farthest cultured trees. My chest suddenly burned; I was snapped back with my legs flying in front of me by an invisible force. I landed painfully on my back, spread out on the ground. My back arched as my chest felt like I had tried to gouge my heart out with my bare hands.
I gasped in shock.
'Double ow…'
I curled in on myself a little and pant out for the much needed air. It…it was like yesterday. When Alice tried to get me away from the city… The distance was so much shorter now.
It was like a rope was connected to my heart and only allowed me at a certain distance before it caused me physical pain. I squinted as I opened my eyes to the bright sun.
Something warm and wet touched my lips, it tasted like iron. I cringed at the horrendous taste. Cautiously, I touched under my nose. Lo and behold, I had another nose bleed.
'What is going on!?'
I felt the pressure releasing slowly and began to panic. They were coming!
Standing up, I turned and saw the high balcony doors open. Aro, Caius and Marcus were all perched there, standing elegantly and dominantly... they did not seem happy.
To say Caius seemed a little angry was an understatement, he looked absolutely furious. Aro held a neutral expression and Marcus seemed…sad. I felt horrible but I was not taking my chances.
*With the Volturi Kings*
The court room was silent except for the soft weeping of a distressed, ragged looking vampire. Marcus, Aro and Caius sat still as stone in their thrones; their eyes were dark and cold as they listened to the female vampire cry.
"Your coven was comprised of a bunch of free roaming newborns that recklessly wondered into high population areas to feed without care. They had called too much attention to us. You were their supposed coven leader; you have failed. On top of this crime, they attacked, injured and nearly killed our mate, your queen, in a blood frenzy. You are accounted as responsible. You are a liability." Caius snarled viciously.
The dark haired beauty shook in fear and agony as Demetri twisted her arms higher behind her back.
"Please! I swear I didn't know my coven would chase after that human, let alone your mate!" Marcus frowned at her lucid and unworthy words "that human", and Aro held a malicious smile on his lips.
"That is your fault, my dear. You changed them, knowing there was a possibility that you could not reign them in. You know the laws."
"Please, I won't do it again! I won't turn anyone!" She begged.
"There are no options for those who break the rules. What shall we do now?" Aro smiled sweetly, leaning back in his chair with folded hands.
Marcus boredly watched as the female withered in pain. He glanced to Aro and sighed. He tired of Aro's games sometimes. He laid his head on his hand, wanting to finish this trail so that he could see Avalon. Their mate.
"Aro, you know what you are going to do." Aro smirked and nodded his head at the honey blonde beside his throne.
"Jane."
Jane looked down sadistically at the pathetic vampire on her knees in front of them.
"Yes, master."
Loud screaming echoed the room as Jane ripped her head off, silencing the air once again. Demetri joined in, tearing her arms off and helping Jane turn the vampire into literal pieces of flesh.
Caius held a smirk on his reddened lips, thoroughly enjoying watching the vampire die. He lightly picked off a speck of invisible dust off his black, velvet suit. He lightly tapped his fingers over his chair's armrests.
But like Marcus and Aro, he was growing impatient quickly. How he wished Avalon was awake already.
As if the universe granted his wish, the large doors opened quickly. Felix walked in and bowed with respect to his kings.
"Masters, Lady Avalon has awaken."
That was all Caius needed to hear.
In a heartbeat, he sprung from his chair and raced down the halls. Marcus and Aro not far behind him.
He suddenly stopped alongside Aro and Marcus as they paused when a harsh tug pulled at their chests. The last time this happened… their mate was moving away from the growing bond's distance. Aro hissed in recognition and Marcus scowled in confusion. They wasted no time and rushed to their love's room.
He ignored the sight of Santiago and Renata bowing from their guarding positions and opened the cream colored doors.
Caius scanned the room frantically but did not see her.
"WHERE IS SHE!?" Caius roared furiously and grabbed Renata and Santiago by their necks, hiking them a few inches in the air.
"You had one simple job to guard Avalon's room! Imbeciles!" He spat and furiously tossed them down the halls, Jane, Alec, Felix and Demetri dodged as the two thrown vampires slid passed them in black blurs.
Marcus sniffed the room and followed the pink thread connected to his red one. His eyes followed and saw it lead out the balcony. He stiffened.
That fall could possibly kill her.
Aro elegantly walked into the room and immediately his eyes directed to the sound of where the heartbeat echoed in their ears. Gently, he picked up the white rectangular device and smirked at the video. It was a video of the soundwave of a calming heartbeat. He pressed the off button and the room became a grave yard of silence.
Oh…she was good. He was right to appreciate her intelligence from the beginning.
"Brothers, our mate is a devious little genius." Aro held up the phone and smirked wider.
"Brothers, there she is." Both Aro and Caius snapped their heads in Marcus' direction as he ripped open the glass doors. Walking onto the balcony, the three kings heard her rapid heartbeat, groan of pain, and smelled their mate's scent… her blood.
Her blood was a steady scent among the mass amount of differing flora of their gardens.
Marcus, Aro and Caius glanced closely at her in worry: she was bleeding from her nose again, and her foot appeared to be wounded by the amount of red staining her bottom foot and ankle.
She laid on her back, the white dress she was dressed in hiked up her thighs as she tried to stand. Her brown hair fanned over her flushed face. She seemed to sense them as she glanced up with large, frightened eyes. They were nearly pastel in color as she visibly paled at she spotted them looking down at her.
She turned quickly and ran towards the high walls. She nearly tripped as the dress billowed behind her.
Caius growled, leaning over the balcony, white locks whipping around him like a wild animal and scarlet eye darkened to a near black.
Crack!
Caius' grip on the stone balcony met their ears as he bared his teeth in frustration.
*Not with the Volturi Kings*
I ran away towards the tree and scaled it as quick as I could, slipping and grunting in pain as my bloody foot hit the bark again and again. My grip on the tree turned into a full force hug as I sat on one of the low branches, it still was about ten feet above ground.
I screamed in shock as the three kings stood in front of the tree I was perched on in a blink. I raised a brow as I saw they were…shimmering like pearls in the midday light.
"Mia cara, you are a very smart woman. Where do you come up with such clever ideas?" Aro asked with a growing smirk. He held up my phone in his hand and lightly shook it at me.
"Why were you trying to leave, amore?" I glance to Marcus. He looked genuinely hurt that I was trying to escape. I felt my nails dig into the rough bark of the tree.
"Why wouldn't I!? How would you feel waking up in a mysterious castle with strangers, sorry vampires, watching you like a hawk? Not to mention someone undressed me." I slowly stood on the branch, hoping to get higher up the branches. I pushed some of the thick green leaf covered branches out of my way.
All of the three men stepped closer as I wobbled on the branch.
"B-back off!" I yell, even more nervous now.
"This castle isn't mysterious- it's our home; your home. We have our coven watching this place to protect you. We are going to protect you. And we had one of the female guards change your clothes," Caius calmly stated.
"So not comforting and for your information, I don't need protection. I can take care of myself; I always have. I am not one to coddle." Aro's smile grew.
"Mia amore, please come down from there. You are going to fall and hurt yourself." I glance to Marcus then to Aro and Caius.
"My home is in Seattle. Not in some ancient castle with guards and royalty…I'm not royalty. I'm some simple woman who wanted to do some good in the world." I frown. A small smile made its way onto Marcus' lips.
"You are so much more than royal; you are more than you think you are, sweet one. Your home is with us. We are your mates and you are ours. The link that grows between us is not yet strong enough for you to be too far away, you will hurt yourself if you try to run away without one of us near you." I really didn't like the sound of that.
"Link? Is that why I can't leave this place without being tugged back like a bitch on a leash!? I want my freedom back!" I growl at them with restrained fury. Not sure where this sudden anger is coming from, but one thing I knew for sure was that I didn't like being held against my will.
The kings flinched at my words. Maybe I was too harsh. I felt anguish hit me in triple intervals… but it wasn't my own. I think I'm feeling their emotions!
"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you. I'm confused. I'm scared. I don't know what's going on, I feel like I'm losing my mind- I mean vampires exist! You call me your mate, yet I have no clue what that means. I am feeling things I shouldn't, some of which aren't even my own. I feel like a prisoner…" I ramble on only to sigh out in defeat.
Marcus stepped forward right below where I stood.
"We can explain it to you, if you gave us the chance. We can explain everything but you must trust us first. We would never harm you nor will we allow anyone else to touch you. You are the safest being in the world. Please, amore, come down." I gulp at his soft voice. It was warm, like hot chocolate. It was promising and honest.
What's the worst that can happen? Best case scenario, they tell me the truth and let me go…maybe I get a kiss from them. Worst case scenario, they kill me and life goes on.
"Do you promise you won't let your guards eat me?" I sounded like a deranged lunatic.
They chuckled in unison. Aro held out his hand.
"They will not touch you." I raise a brow as I inch my way under a branch that stood in my way. I asked another important question.
"You won't eat me either, right?" Caius smirked and his eyes darkened with lust.
"Not unless you want us to." I violently blush and look away from his devious face. It's like being back with Leon in college when he thought he was straight.
Marcus glanced over to Caius with a less than impressed expression. A chuckle was his only response.
I take a deep breath and cry out as the branch I pushed away slapped me in the face, knocking me off the tree. I knew I wasn't going to hit the ground the second I fell; cool arms surrounded me in midair and I opened my eyes to see a deep ebony surround my vision. My violet eyes slowly followed up the expensive Armani suit to the crimson tie and silky raven colored hair till I reached pale skin, a strong jaw line with a large smile and then the blazing scarlet eyes. Aro.
"Ciao again, tesoro."
I gulp.
AN: Hehehe. Alrighty then. Let me know how you all think so far! Am I keeping in character with the kings well enough? I am trying to give my character a backbone now that she is realizing what is at stake with being in the Volturi's hands. Should I continue to build up her confidence and inner strength but still keep her kindness? Hmm. If you have any personal ideas for future chapters let me know! I thank everyone who is following, favoring, and commenting on my story, THANKS! It means a lot to me to know people are actually enjoying my work and waiting for more! Keep up the comments, they are awesome! See you all in future chapters. Tata!