I had never met Renata before. However, it wasn't hard to identify her when we entered the throne room. Aro was talking in a low voice to Demetri and Jane. Besides them, Renata was lingering close behind Aro.
Renata was not much taller than me, I guessed she was around five feet. She had gorgeous black hair that flowed down her back past her tiny waist. However, when she turned towards me, I had no words to describe her face besides dead. Her deep red eyes were sunken deep into her face and her lips were drawn together in a thin line. I had a feeling that with her as my babysitter, these few weeks were going to be extremely dull.
However, Renata was always where Aro was. And there was no way Aro would want me around when he had his top-secret meetings with Caius and Marcus. Hopefully, this would mean I'd get a bit of freedom.
"This is Alice," said Heidi to Renata. "She'll be under your guard until I'm back. Keep a good eye on her." I could hear the underlying threat in her tone. Renata just sighed in reply. Heidi didn't spare a glance as she ran off.
It was then I noticed Aro curiously staring at me. "Well, Alice," he said. "I've been meaning to discuss an issue with you," he smiled creepily.
"Issue?" I asked blankly, sounding like an ignorant five-year-old.
"You see," he said, "As I expect Heidi to have told you, several members of our guard have recently left to Latvia to control the newborn situation there have there." I nodded, still confused. "I feel as if this would be a marvelous opportunity for you to display the true ability of your powers, don't you think so?"
It was as if ice water had been injected into my body. This entire plan had depended on Aro not asking us any favors. What he was asking was impossible. To help the enemy would be an ultimate betrayal to the Cullens...to my family.
"Alice?" Aro asked. "Are you alright?" There was no concern in his tone.
"Yes," I stammered. "Yes. Sorry, I was just...daydreaming."
He stared at me for a second. "As I was saying," he continued, "I would like you to make sure that everything will go smoothly for Demetri, Jane, and Heidi. After all, I can't risk losing them, can I?" He grinned in a way that made me shift uncomfortably.
"Of course not," I muttered. I sighed and let my mind focus on the three of them. The scene around me changed until I was seeing their future.
What I saw horrified me. One at a time, Jane took her turn inflicting pain upon them, while Heidi and Demetri made sure the other seven or eight didn't escape. Slowly, Jane smiled cruelly and stepped towards the young vampire writhing in pain. Grabbing him by the hair, she twisted until his head snapped off.
My gasp brought me back to the throne room. Aro was watching me, one eyebrow arched up in curiosity. I panicked- should I lie or tell the truth? Which would benefit me more? "Everything is...well," I stuttered.
"Do you mind if I have a look?" he asked, extending his hand towards me.
I clasped my hands behind my back. Saying no to Aro would mean losing his trust completely. Saying yes would mean he'd find out about the plan and Bella and I would most likely end up dead before the end of the hour.
Aro's face was just twisting with impatience when the scent of human filled my nose. Renata, Aro and I turned towards the door to see a human girl, no more than eighteen or nineteen, standing there. She looked extremely flustered. What was a human doing in the Volturi castle? "Master Aro," she said, bowing slightly, "there is someone here to see you."
Aro sighed dramatically. "Who is it, Cara?"
Cara blushed. "The Japanese vampires, Master."
Aro sighed again. "Very well. I'm coming."
Cara nodded and left. Aro gazed at me for a long moment before gliding to the exit. Renata followed him without paying me any heed. I took this chance to have some time to myself.
Firstly, I decided to explore the castle. I hadn't had a chance to do that yet, and besides, wasn't it useful to know the enemy's lair? Esme would most definitely have some questions about the architecture, I thought with a smile. And Jasper, of course, would want to know all about its history.
The thought of Jasper caused my smile to melt away. How was he doing, I wondered? I wished I could talk to him. He would've known what to do. I suddenly had the feeling that this was all a big mistake. There was still time for me to screw up. It would be my fault if anyone got hurt- not Bella's, mines. I just hoped that this would be all over with soon.