CHAPTER 55
Guests
WAKE UP! I shouted at Lottie through my gift. I nudged her and she shot up from where her head had been leaning against the back of the seat. Her head had rolled back, exposing her neck, Felix staring the entire time at her pulsating neck.
Lottie rolled her neck to get the kinks out. "Are we here?" she whispered.
"Ah! She speaks!" Felix was suddenly in front of her causing Lottie to rear back in her seat.
"Holy shit! Do you have to do that?"
"It's fun," he smiled, genuinely for the first time. He held his hand out to her to help her from her seat, Lottie looking at it gingerly. "I'm not going to bite. Not yet anyway."
"Oh that's comforting," Lottie looked at me, still holding onto my hand.
We had better be nice. No point starting off with them irritated at us.
Lottie stared at Felix who stared intently back. What is with him? Lottie raised her hand slowly, I knew she had put her shield around our heads; we needed to be as exposed as we can but not without putting us at risk of mental attacks so I knew from Lottie's thoughts that everything below the neck was exposed. Lottie's hand touched Felix's and his hand enclosed on hers. "Eeek!" Lottie shrieked as she was suddenly on her feet, Felix towered over her as he brought his face down to her neck. My heart skipped a beat but there was no way that he would kill her, not if Aro was expecting both of us.
He brought his nose to her neck and took in a deep breath in through his nose. "Wow," he closed his eyes. "You smell amazing."
Lottie smiled nervously. "Look at the size of you, how'd your Mother ever get you out?"
Felix grinned, bending back down to Lottie's left ear. "She never forgave me," he whispered.
"Felix," Demetri put a warning hand on Felix's elbow, bringing him back to reality. "Put her down," he half smiled.
Felix ran his big, long finger down the side of Lottie's cheek then smiled. Lottie's heart was racing and I knew that the five vampires would be well aware of that. He brought her hand that he was holding to his mouth where he laid a kiss on her knuckle and then carefully placing her hand to her side.
He liked her. He more than liked her. I shuddered.
Demetri and Felix placed themselves behind us, the white blonde air hostess whose skirt left little to the imagination, opened the main door to the plane. Jane led the way, followed by Kyle then her brother. Lottie and I froze and I felt a gentle nudge at my lower back, I turned round to find Demetri nodding his head towards the door. I found Lottie's hand as we made our way towards fresh air for the first time in eight hours, the setting sun shone down on us making my skin glow. The three vampires in front had covered their heads with the hoods of their cloaks and they were suddenly inside the blacked out limo that was waiting to take us to our possible final destination. It wasn't as hot as I thought it was going to be but the heat was pleasant. I could hear Lottie taking in a deep breath through her nose. I descended the stairs, Lottie directly behind me and I got into the limo; taking the same places we had inside when we headed to Seattle.
But this time Felix sat next to Lottie and Demetri sat next to me, Lottie and I still holding hands; we were not letting go unless we were forced. We sat wordlessly as the limo left the airport and we made our way into Volterra, I looked through the window to see the city itself, encased within walls of stone. I could see the high clock tower in the distance from where I was, with that being the central square of the town, I looked further back and noticed the castle set behind the clock tower. The castle could only be described as a castle! Turrets, walls that had bricked spacing between them for archers, arched windows, stained glass windows; it was beautiful to look at.
What do you think will happen? The city looks claustrophobic. Lottie asked.
I think we are going to get interrogated by Aro. He is theatrical so he will want both of us there so he can read us both.
I have to say, I am surprisingly calm considering Herman Munster over here seems to have a thing for me.
At least he is talking.
For now, I don't think he would hesitate in killing me if he was ordered.
No doubt. But when we are in there we keep your shield around you at all times, at least around that thick skull of yours.
Cheers. I'll do my best to keep it round you. I have been trying to keep it around our heads. As minimal as I can so I don't burn out.
Thanks, but don't worry about me, I can be quick on my feet.
I know but what if this goes horrifically wrong?
It won't. It can't. We have too much to live for. We have to make it work. If I thought we couldn't handle ourselves, I would have shouted for Jacob, putting them at risk.
The car bumped slightly as we entered the main gates of the town. I felt myself naturally lean back in the seat as the limo travelled up the streets, the driver was fast and as Lottie and I didn't have our seatbelts on we were getting flung about the limo, I had to steady myself against Demetri and I could see him trying to not look irritated, Felix on the other hand, enjoyed it every time Lottie fell into him, one time she stopped herself by placing one of her hands on his thigh and the other on his arm. "Sorry," she mumbled.
"Carry on," Felix rumbled a deep laugh. I could see Demetri shoot Felix a look of contempt over our heads. "The ride is a little rough," he smiled down at Lottie. "We will be there soon."
"I wish I could share your enthusiasm," I muttered sarcastically.
The road got steeper and steeper as we got deeper into the city, we suddenly stopped and I realised we were in the town square which was empty, we weren't in front of the town clock, but at a door to an old historic building. "Get out," Jane ordered in her babyish voice.
Lottie raised her eyebrow and I could tell she was dying to say something. "As you wish," I replied.
Felix got out, holding the door for Lottie and I, Demetri following then the rest getting out elegantly. The sun had now set so there was no need for the vampires to hood themselves. I looked around the square, the large circular fountain was flowing freely, there were pigeons bobbing around looking for scraps of food. A couple walked by, hand in hand, not even noticing us as they were too involved in each other. I looked at the ornate wooden double doors that Demetri was opening. Jane strolling straight through. "Come," she ordered. Lottie was staring up at the sky and for a moment I wondered what she was thinking. She turned round and scratched her head then pulled her hand away, clutching something then she leaned on the large door handle, still looking up at the sky. "Now!" Jane commanded. Felix turned Lottie by her shoulders and I grabbed her hand and followed them inside.
I heard the door clang shut and I felt the world suffocate me little by little. We followed the little but deadly Jane as she walked ahead of us down a long corridor that was plain with no pictures or windows, the walls were plain concrete making the corridor cold, Lottie wrapped her arms around her. The only thing that was noticeable was the red carpet that hugged the floor. The corridor seemed endless, taking two lefts and a right and after ten minutes we reached the end where what appeared to be an elevator. Jane looked at Demetri who stepped forward to press the button to call the lift. I could swear I could see him roll his eyes. "You could have pressed that yourself," he said clearly. She shot him a look and he clutched his head, gritted his teeth, his eyes rolling to the back of his head, his knees about to buckle.
"Sister," Alec said calmly, laying a hand on her elbow. Jane unlocked her gaze and Demetri composed himself, standing up straight. She turned her head towards me and I was grateful that Lottie was protecting me.
She is at it again, trying to catch you off guard; I am looking the other way. Command her to stop.
I stared Jane in the eye. "Jane, please stop trying to attack me and my friend," I said firmly. "There is no need to try and assert your power."
"I think there is every need," she gave Demetri a quick look so that he understood her meaning.
"Message understood Jane," Demetri growled.
"Wow, I bet its fun to have your ass handed to you," I gave Demetri a fleeting look. I could hear Felix supress a chuckle. I just couldn't help myself, also didn't help that Lottie was thinking it.
Jane glowered at me. "Miss Cullen, I do not think it wise to be cracking jokes in your predicament."
"Just easing the tension," I sang. The elevator door opened with a bing, Jane turned and stepped inside, keeping in the centre at the front, which meant we had to slide past her to get inside. Felix and Demetri stepped in and stayed between us and Kyle, who was now giving us a bloodthirsty look and I could see Felix nudge Demetri then look at Kyle. The elevator moved and I could feel myself going up. Kyle continued to stare; his eyes darting between Lottie and I, bringing his hand to his throat, I could see the flicker behind his eyes as his thirst surpassing any self-control he may have had, his bright red eyes glowing. He elbowed Demetri in the face; causing small cracks travel up his cheek, Kyle jumped over Jane, knocking her to knees, Lottie pulled me back and I put my hand out automatically; Kyle bounced off Lottie's shield and I still hoped they thought it was me as I 'protected' Lottie by having her behind me. He got up from the floor and attacked the shield again and again with his fist; cracks travelling through his fingers and instantly healing over and over, his eyes wide, teeth bared; ready to kill. This happened within a blink of an eye. Kyle abruptly clutched his head as Jane brought him to his knees. He screamed in pain, clawing at his head, his fingers making a screeching sound against his head, scratches forming under his fingers then healing just as quick.
"Contain him, the door is about to open," Jane ordered.
Kyle continued to struggle but Demetri, Felix and Alec pinned him to the floor, I could feel that Lottie let go of the bubble but kept the shield like a second skin around us. Kyle was thrashing about, his eyes wide and focused on us but unable to go anywhere with three vampires on top of him and it seemed Jane had stopped using her gift as he was trying to get away from the three vampires. The elevator door opened to Heidi who looked down at the floor as if she had stepped in muck. "Again?" she shook her head. She looked up at me. "Wow, you are a beauty," she oozed charm. Jane stepped out, Heidi moving out of her way as if Jane smelled and she walked away from the thrashing vampire as if it was an everyday occurrence. Heidi rolled her eyes; I got the impression that the only person that liked Jane was Jane, and maybe her brother. She held her hand out to me. "I won't bite," she smiled. Her violet eyes shone at me, I gathered she was wearing contacts, which I recall from Mom's tales of her human memories that Heidi was a 'hunter/gatherer'; she collected humans for the Volturi and the guard to feed on. I took her hand and with gentle force she glided me over the thrashing vampire who was trying to snap at my ankles. It felt like I was in graceful flight for a moment then I landed safely on my feet into the elegant corridor. She reached over for Lottie who took her hand straight away and she flew over Kyle and the other vampires like a ballerina and landed perfectly on her feet.
"Thanks," Lottie said quietly.
"Do you have control?" Heidi asked the vampires on the floor?
"We will now," Alec said confidently. Kyle became quiet as Alec was using his gift.
Heidi was in front of us in a blink. "If you two ladies come with me," she said with an accent. She was wearing the tightest dress; ever. It matched her eyes and her mahogany hair trailed down her back like a waterfall. There was a receptionist desk opposite the elevator but it was empty at the moment. We walked a short distance, took a left and I looked down the immensely long corridor. The walls were full of portraits of the Volturi and the guard. I passed one of Jane and Alec being depicted of burning at the stake. One of Demetri and Felix in late Roman armour; were they that old? One of Heidi in an elegant Victorian style pale blue dress with dead humans at her feet. The walls were a creamy gold colour, the red carpet covering the floor; just screaming luxurious. I was expecting to walk down the corridor but Heidi stopped outside the first room on the right. "You two will be in here tonight, I am under orders to lock you in. You will find some fresh clothes if you wish to change, toiletries if you wish to shower and there is food in there if you wish to eat," she smiled again. Heidi opened the door, stepping in. "Aro would like you to know that you are completely safe for tonight and that he will meet with you tomorrow morning."
"I have the distinct impression that we won't be so 'safe' then," I said out loud. Heidi said nothing as we followed her in, she stepped out and locked the door behind her, making a large clicking noise. I looked at the room and I had never seen anything so elegant, I was afraid of walking further in and breaking something. The room had plush purple carpets that your feet sunk into, the walls had thick, luscious wallpaper that looked so glossy with a deep cream shine with lightest the gold and silver swirly patterns with a painted gold wooden border that trailed around the centre of the room. There were two double beds one either side of the room, the black wire head boards were against the back wall with golden pillows that covered at least half the bed, they had luxurious thick bedspreads that were the same colour and patterns as the wallpaper, the bedspread touching the floor; and they actually looked really comfy. A beautiful dark wooden dresser that appeared as if it came from the Victorian period; it had lots of little drawers, a beautiful carved framed mirror that was attached to the table and a large wooden chair with a plush velvet pillow, on this table there were brushes, hairdryer and straighteners which I was quite surprised at.
There was a large rectangular window but it had thick iron bars across it. I looked out the window and noticed that we were in a castle; the castle that I had noticed as we were driving here. I couldn't see the town square with the fountain but I could see the top of the town clock and I could see a large courtyard with high walls. There were arches of stone to allow the vampires to walk in the alcoves. There was a large double door that must have been twenty feet high that would allow people to leave the palace, another set of double doors at the top of the courtyard; it was all I could see. The wall with the locked door; there was a table with silver plates with cloches over them, a large silver jug with what I presumed to be juice and tea/coffee making facilities, cereal and a small fridge. There was a door to my left and I presumed that led to a bathroom.
"Wow," Lottie looked around in awe. "I was expecting to be in a dungeon."
"So was I."
"Hey, they have been following us for weeks," Lottie walked over to the bed on the left and picked up a pair of knickers., using her finger to swing them around in the air. "They are in my size. At least I can freshen up."
"Are you going for a shower?"
"I don't see why not, not had a fresh wash since," she did the math in her head. "Yesterday," I looked around the room then I noticed see a small camera up above the table of food. "I can-"
"Lottie!" I stopped her talking, I brought my finger to my mouth. She looked at me with wide eyes. I had my back to the camera so I pointed up to it so that it couldn't see. "Watch what you say," I mouthed quietly.
Lottie scanned the camera and smiled. "Gotcha," she mouthed back. She looked around the room then at the chair, she dragged it over to the door where she put the top of it under the door handle.
"That's not going to keep them out."
"Maybe not, but it would be a good warning if they do."
"Not very much," I snorted.
"Ness! Stop it. Stop thinking negative. We need to keep positive or we are not going home," she grabbed the underwear on the bed and stormed into the bathroom. I could hear her start the shower so I left her to it. I understood that it was just as hard for her, I walked over to the bed on the right wall, grabbed the pillows, throwing them on the floor, kicked off my shoes, pulling the covers back and getting under them, pulling them right over my head. I yanked my phone out and switched it on. Lottie was making a lot of noise so I was confident that I could do this. The phone came to life, I gave it a minute before I could use it and no messages came through. Again I was careful not to touch the screen with my nails and composed my text. Dad, Jacob, we are in Volterra. We are locked in a room, Aro wants to see us in the morning, text me back x. I watched the text go and waited for a reply. I sat and waited, I thought about my Jacob and how much I missed him, his warm hands encircling me, his lips finding my neck.
My phone lit up in my hands; a message from Dad. It's good to hear from you Ness. It must be about ten pm there. Our flight was delayed due to a security risk (not us) Jacob and Keith are going demented, as am I and your Mother. We love you, we love you both. Remember that. In a way I am glad Aro is waiting for morning, that gives us time to get there; we are just boarding now. We didn't text you back for the fear of getting your phone taken from you and being punished for it. Remember to stay strong. We love you; More than my own life. x
I replied back quickly. I love you too. Always. I have to switch my phone off. Tell Jacob and Mom that I love them. xxx
I switched my phone off and slid it in my pocket. I pulled the cover back and wiped my eyes to make it look like I had been crying; for the camera of course! Lottie came out the bathroom, wrapped in a fluffy white towel, her hair wrapped up in a turban. She pointedly ignored me as she took her hair out and ran a comb through it that she picked up from the desk. I walked over to her and wrapped my arms around her shoulders from behind. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to be so cavalier."
"I know." I want you to turn around, put you hand out to the camera and I will kill it.
Ok. I did as she asked. I turned around, walked towards the wall with the camera, put my hand out; the camera crushed and disintegrated, clumps of it falling onto the floor. "There may be another one." I looked around the room, along the walls, the tables. "Nothing," I took the comb off Lottie and combed her hair, my free finger touching her neck. We keep talking like this. I think we share one of the beds tonight.
Agreed. There could be someone outside the room. Earlier on I put some of my hair on the entrance we came into.
Is that what you were doing!
Yeah. Thought it would help. "So, are we playing hairdressers?"
"Looks like," I picked up the hairdryer and started to dry her hair. I tipped her head forward so I could get more body into it. Once I had finished I ran the straighteners through it. "Ok, I am going for a shower, I could use one. Will you be ok?"
"Yeah. I'll holler!" she smiled.
Lottie had dried and straightened my hair and we hung up our towels. "Now I really feel like a prisoner," I muttered.
"In luxury of course," Lottie smiled.
"How can you see the good in everything? Out of curiosity?"
"After what I went through as a child, how can I not?"
"Your accident?"
"Yeah. Dad always looked on the brighter side of life, even when he was dying. Something he always felt and it rubbed off on me, so yeah, Mum and I didn't get on but I had Dad. When I moved here; I had Gemma then you and your family and now Keith. There are people worse off than me and I am grateful to be here. If I can't be upbeat or sarcastic then I would just cry. We have hope yet."
"That we do."
Lottie wondered over to the other bed to look at what other clothes we had. She picked up something grey, shaking it out. "What is this?"
I looked at it then it clicked. "It's a grey Volturi cloak, it's what they wear."
Lottie dropped it as if it was infectious. "Ew. No thanks," she giggled. She picked it back up and laid it on the bed, there was another one which joined the discarded one. There were pyjamas but we decided to leave them where they were and sleep in our clothes in case we had to get up quickly, it was nice just to be refreshed though. We made the bed a bit more comfortable by removing all the pillows and sleeping with one each, it was definitely getting chilly. We had already eaten some food and we were getting really tired. "Do you think it will be safe to sleep?"
"I don't know. We will find out."
I woke up with a start; I did not sleep well. Lottie was sound asleep next to me, I looked at the clock that was above the door which said it was almost six am. "Lottie, wake up." She snorted then woke up and blinked. "It's almost six."
"Really?" she yawned.
"Yeah, let's get some breakfast, we don't know we will eat next."
"Ok," Lottie swung her legs out and stretched and I could hear various body parts pop as she did so. I got up and switched the kettle on. Lottie went to the bathroom to freshen up and I made us both coffee and had two bowls of cereal ready for us. We ate and drank in silence, waiting for the inevitable. I had this feeling of impending doom. I did my thing in the bathroom and walked out to find Lottie re-straightening her hair so I followed suit. There was nothing else to do. I moved the chair out of the way of the door, Lottie and I sitting back down on the bed after brushing our teeth. "So now we wait."
I exhaled. "Now we wait." I got back under the covers and I switched on my phone. I waited for it to spring to life and I sent message to Dad. Where are you?
A few seconds later. 30/45 min. Are you both ok?
Yes, scared.
The reply was instant. Be safe xx
I switched my phone back off, I managed to get it back in my pocket as the someone put the key in the door and it swung open to show Heidi dressed in her grey cloak. "Hello ladies," her voice smooth as butter. "Aro, Caius and Marcus are ready to see you," the smile dropped from her face. Lottie and I stared at each other. "Now please, they do not like to be kept waiting," she ordered. Lottie and I slowly got up from the bed, we took hands again and I knew that Lottie had the shield up over our heads, just the minimum but it was enough.
What do I do if Aro wants to touch me? Lottie asked. We left the room and walked down the long corridor, hand in hand, Heidi walking elegantly in front of us. This wasn't the way Mom came in years ago, but the way that she might have left.
Lottie was on my left but I tried to stare straight ahead. Hopefully he won't, I have an idea, unfortunately it may involve suicide.
Well that doesn't sound like fun.
I will implode him so that he can't. If it goes horribly wrong…
I can't shield you when you do that cos when I do it stops you from doing it.
Don't worry about me, look after yourself.
No!
Yes!
I still can't use my powers as 'me' unless they figure it out before you do your thing.
Just be careful, you are human; do what you need to do. Now you need to let me do the talking. Dad said he could be just over thirty minutes so we need to stall. I could feel myself gearing up, adrenaline pumping and I was found that although I had felt this all along, I was really feeling angry now. How dare they take us from our homes, what right did they have? Heidi opened the large double wooden doors that had been carved with intricate patterns. I noticed the doors were not just wooden, but the wood was covering steel. Lottie stopped suddenly, I turned behind me. "Best get it over with," I encouraged. Lottie nodded.
Lambs to the slaughter. She half smiled at me then it vanished. My head snapped back to Heidi who cleared her throat. I gripped onto Lottie's hand; my left in her right and I held my head high as we entered the large, circular room with a high arched ceiling but the ceiling being flat at the top but almost like a dome. Looking at the room, it was a little different to how Mom described it; I bet it was one of the turrets I could see from the car. There were four large stained glass windows around the top half of this room. Each window had a version of the Volturi brothers and the fourth was all three of them, making light shine down in different colours. The walls were made of thick stone bricks, just under the windows there was a ring of smooth marble with the Volturi emblem at each quarter and Latin sayings between each emblem, the floor was also made of marble. Further back there was a raised area of three steps, also made of marble where what looked to be three thrones, there were three pillars behind them and there was a door behind the pillars leading to another room. Aro, who was sitting in the centre, looking thrilled to see us as if we were old friends. Caius who was on the right (Aro's left) of Aro was interrogating me with his milky, crimson eyes. Marcus just looked bored although he did turn his head to grace me with a look for a moment. Jane, Alec, Demetri, Felix and Kyle were standing on the right of the room; Afton, Chelsea, Corin, Renata and Santiago were on the left, Heidi walked over to their group. Aro and Caius's wives stood behind their respective husbands.
Aro got up from his chair and glided towards us, the guard on high alert. "Dearest Renesmee, you are looking very beautiful," he brought his hands together to his mouth. "So much like your Mother and Father," he moved forward, he offered his hand for me to take.
Lottie and I instinctively took a step back. Hand up Ness. Lottie warned.
I put my hand up in front of me and Aro looked like he walked into a patio door. He stumbled back momentarily and the guard got into crouching stances. "Oh ho!" he looked at his guard. "These girls are not a threat, please," he waved them away and they straightened up. "Dearest Jane did inform me of your power Ness. How remarkable that as you have grown, your power grows also. You are the opposite of your lovely Mother, a physical shield. How fantastic!" he looked around as if he wanted agreement from his audience. "And you brought a friend!"
"I did not bring my friend, as you know Aro; you had us kidnapped," I said bluntly. "Let's not beat around the bush."
"Kidnapped? I merely wanted you to carry out the invitation I sent to you on your birthday, my dearest one," his milky crimson eyes widened at his lie as he bowed his head a little.
"You want my Mother, Father and Alice, Jane practically admitted that."
"Did she now," he smiled as he turned his head towards Jane who actually looked down at her feet. "Now, why don't you let your guard down and come let me see what you have been doing since I last saw you," he said smoothly, changing the subject.
"No thanks. You have seen us; we would like to be on our way."
"Felix," Aro clicked his fingers. Felix stepped forward, reared his fist back and punched the barrier.
Not going to cut it, Lottie laughed inside her head.
The sound boomed around the domed room, Felix bringing his hand back, shaking out the pain, he looked at Aro. "Interesting," he nodded. "Jane, Alec."
"Master, my gift doesn't work, I have tried," Jane pulled a disgusted face.
"Oh no doubt my dear but I would like to see you try."
"As you wish," Jane looked at me, narrowing her eyes.
Wow! She is really going for it! Lottie tittered.
Really?
Oh yeah! It's like hundreds of little jabs, it isn't painful though.
Jane stamped her foot. "Master! It is not working!"
"Alec," Aro clicked.
Alec said nothing as a few seconds passed and I could see the cloudy haze move over to us like a shadow. My gums feel weird again. If you concentrate on my shield then you will be able to taste it too.
I closed my eyes and concentrated on how Lottie projected her shield, for a second my tongue felt numb! I then lost concentration. That feels so weird.
"It doesn't appear to be working master," Alec said calmly.
Aro was practically bouncing on the balls of his feet. "Well my little hybrid. You have an amazing gift. Have you considered joining our dearest family?"
"Never," I answered quickly.
Aro shook his head. "What do you think Caius?"
He narrowed his eyes at me. "This abomination should have been wiped out four years ago," he spat. "She has now proven she can be of harm. She should be killed. And the human."
Aro moved back and held his hand out for Marcus to take, he held out his hand out automatically like a limp fish and they barely touched. "Thank you dear brother," Marcus turned his head and rested it on his hand, Aro floating over to us, his black cloak billowing behind him. "Marcus thinks you are one of a kind, not to be killed. He stands by the decision he made all those years ago. Renesmee, why won't you let me see your thoughts?" he asked like a little child.
"Because they are not yours to see."
"But you are here as my guests, you should at least allow me a peak."
"No," I said resolutely.
Aro tried to change tack. "I watched your antics a few months ago."
"Antics?"
"Oh yes. We do watch television, we like to keep ourselves updated with worldly news. You both saved lives from a school shooter."
"That was Lottie. Her Father was in the army, she knew a lot about strategy, plans and weapons. She saved them."
"Surely with a gift like yours you would have saved people that way, it was you was it not, taken hostage?"
"You weren't there."
"No I certainly was not. But it interested me. And your friend," he peered round at Lottie who I knew would be staring defiantly back. "And what is your story Miss Willets?"
"I don't have one," she said clearly.
"Your Father was a Major General in the British army, your Mother owned a pharmaceutical company and both are deceased. You had an accident when you were eleven, only just surviving and left you with extensive scarring. You moved to Forks when your Father had a stroke for a second time and died. Your Mother dying a few months later and now you are one of the richest teenagers in the world," he recited. Lottie kept quiet; they had certainly done their homework. "You don't have much to say Miss Willets."
"Why are you bothering with the human Aro, you should kill her!" Caius ordered.
"You can't kill her!" I shouted.
"Oh yes we can!" Caius stood up from his chair and was suddenly next to Aro. "She knows about our existence, she must die or be changed."
"No, she is an imprint of one of the wolf pack. She knows by default."
"Ah!" Aro clapped his hands together like an excited child. "Loopholes! How I love loopholes!" he interlaced his fingers. "And these shape shifters have a very interesting dynamic. I am afraid Caius that Renesmee is right."
"But!" Caius stood there composed but you could tell he was seething.
Aro held his hand up to silence his brother. "I meant that she knows by default. I never said anything about keeping her alive," he leaned forward to me. "But things change, you know that Renesmee."
"My family will come," I threatened.
"Oh I do hope so, I would love to see them again," Aro clapped his hands together.
"I know you want them as part of your guard."
"And whatever gives you that impression?"
"Because you are a collector. You want Mom and Alice more than anything else. You know they would never join you," I sneered. "They will make sure that every vampire in existence will know what you have done. You may find yourselves overthrown."
"Nonsense!" Caius spat. "No one in three thousand years has been able to overthrow the Volturi. And anyone that has tried has died in the process," Caius's tiny cruel smile emerged on his lips, turned on his heel, his cloak floating in the air and he was back at his throne.
"But the fact that they know is enough to spread doubt," I whispered. Aro's face flickered knowing I spoke the truth.
"Be that as it may my dear. No one would ever try and overthrow us," Aro smiled a little too sweetly. "We could debate all day, but come now, let me see," he held out his hand again.
If you are going to implode, I can't protect you Ness. Lottie thought quickly.
It's fine Lottie, I need to do this. "Ok. You asked for it," I dropped my hand and the barrier disappeared. Aro put his hand out to test the barrier and I let go of Lottie's hand and stepped forward.
"Oh I have been looking forward to meeting you my dearest child. You amazed me the moment you touched my cheek four years ago. I have searched for others like you but they stay well hidden. We eliminated Joham two years ago, spared Nahuel and his sisters, none of them had special gifts, merely half vampire," he dismissed as if it was nothing. "I have thought about creating a child of my own but the thought of having a child only half vampire didn't really sit with me too well," he smiled showing me his teeth. "But then I weighed up the pros and it would possibly have a gift like mine. But it was decided against it in the end," he looked a little sad. Frankly I was relieved, a hybrid with a Father for Aro, I dread to think.
Aro held out his hand and I prepared myself as I took it, I touched his hand which almost looked translucent and I imploded every memory I had on him making Aro fall to the floor in pain as he clutched his head with his free hand. He tried to remove his hand but I grabbed it with mine and I kept going; I watched him suffer as he screamed out loud, arching his back in agony, his free hand digging into the cold marble floor. I kept going, happy to have him under my power considering what he had done. I could feel my lips curl into a hard smile; lost in my little world - it was only Aro and I until I felt hard hands grip the tops of my shoulders and another set pry my hands from Aro's. "Enough!" Demetri shouted.
Aro stayed on the floor as he shook his head then he was on his feet. "That was interesting," he actually blinked a few times as if he was trying to blink away the pain. "Jane," he clicked is finger again. Jane sneered, taking a few steps forward as she looked at me; I was waiting for the pain but it didn't come, Lottie must have shielded my head just in time. "ARGH!" Jane stamped her foot again, she raced forward, ready to take me out but I grabbed Demetri's hands, using him to lift myself up, kicking her in the face with both feet, making her fly back as she slammed back against the wall.
"Nessie! GO!" Lottie shouted. I took this to mean that she lifted her shield from me.
I still had a hold of Demetri's hands and imploded on him, making him fall to the floor. I bared my teeth and growled, kicking Demetri in the chest. "Stop!" Aro commanded. I swivelled on the balls of my feet to find Aro pointing his finger at me. "I will have your friend killed!" he threatened, his cool and 'nice' demeanour gone. I stopped in my tracks to find Felix holding Lottie, his left arm around her waist, the other around the front of her chest resting on her shoulder.
The sight brought me to a stop, I breathed deeply, my chest heaving up and down, my hands shaped like claws at my sides. "Well," I snarled. "I saw that going differently in my mind."
A strong hand gripped the front of my neck from behind, almost choking me. "Nice," Demetri snarled in my ear. He tightened his hand and jerked me back. "But not clever." I hissed making Demetri tighten his grip on my neck.
"Indeed….not clever," Aro smiled although it didn't touch his eyes. "Interesting display my dear but come now. You really think you can take us with just that little talent of yours. You wouldn't last a minute. Although I liked the fact you kept that little secret; secret. I like your attitude Renesmee. I would like to offer you a place in my guard."
"Never!" I struggled against Demetri's hold around my throat but I was kept firmly in place.
"It is a very interesting way of keeping your thoughts away from me. But I think it's time I spoke to your human friend, seeing as you are no longer attached by the hand and therefore you can no longer communicate" my eyes widened. "Oh my dear," Aro shook his head. "You didn't manage to keep everything from me! Oh no! I know that you can hear thoughts of others by touching quite like myself, except I can pull out ev-er-y-thing," Aro dragged out the last word. He would have said if he thought Lottie had power because he was that sure of himself so I presumed he still thought it was me. I caught Lottie in the corner of my eye. He glided over to Lottie who was struggling in Felix's arms but he seemed to be enjoying it. She wouldn't have been able to protect me when I was inflicting pain on Aro and Demetri, and we were still keeping up the pretence that it was me. I hoped she was taking care of herself, after all; she was human and breakable. Aro held out his hand. "Now dear."
Lottie looked at his hand then she looked up at Aro; unblinking. "You can suck my purple end," she said calmly.
"That is no way to speak to your master!" Caius stood up from his throne. Aro smile waned slightly but he looked intrigued.
Lottie looked confident as she continued to struggle in Felix's arms. "None of you are my masters. I am my own master and you shall do well to remember that."
Marcus turned his head towards us as Felix grabbed Lottie's wrists, she struggled, red marks forming on her wrists but it was useless; I knew she was just shielding her head, using the minimum amount for now. "Insolent human!" Caius shouted. "How dare you speak to Volturi in that manner! You will die today," Caius promised.
"I hope one day you choke on the shit you talk. We shall see who is going to die today," Lottie spoke to Caius. She was losing her cool and to be honest I couldn't blame her.
Aro kept his smile on his face, I tried to pull away from Demetri but he tightened his grip on my neck. "Now Miss Willets," Aro warned politely. "You will behave yourself. I will look at your thoughts and memories whether you give me your permission or not. Felix."
Felix straightened out her arms by force, I could see her wrists turning purple. Aro touched her hand; he stood for a moment then focused his eyes on Lottie. "Now, you surely can't be another shield?"
"I am brain damaged," Lottie replied quickly, good girl! "See?" she turned her head to show Aro her scars. "You should know this seeing as you have done your research," she said sarcastically.
"Mmm, I should still be able to hear your thoughts and memories. Jane?" he clicked his fingers. Oh crap, I hope she had a plan! Jane's head whipped round to Lottie and I knew she was trying her hardest to incapacitate her. Lottie yawned pretending to be bored. Felix chuckled, still holding her wrists. "Nothing?" Aro asked although he knew fine well, he glided back to his brothers and sat down on his chair. "Maybe she is too damaged," he said more to himself. "Caius, what do you think we should do with Miss Willets?"
"She should die. She knows too much."
"No!" I shouted. "She knows by default."
"You have no voice here Miss Cullen, but you might if you joined us."
"No chance."
"Your Mother and Father will when I threaten your life," Aro narrowed his eyes slightly. "Marcus? What are your thoughts?"
Marcus looked at both of us, separated at either side of the room. "They should be let go. Four years ago, my two brothers went looking to destroy and acquire, it is no secret we do this," he said in his whispery voice, but addressing everyone. "I never agreed for you to do this Aro, Caius. We should only associate with humans when we are thirsty. I have advised this before but my warnings go unheeded."
"Marcus!" Caius exclaimed.
Marcus held up his hand. "I have kept my silence long enough. Aro, Caius you both know my feelings about this yet you chose to ignore me. This will only cause great unrest amongst our kind. The Cullen coven are nearing as powerful as us and that is what you fear Aro. You fear that there is going to be a coven that will best ours. That they will come and overthrow us? Carlisle and his family are peaceful people. They do not wish to do what you fear but you do not see this. What you are doing now is madness," Marcus rose from his throne. "For centuries I have wished for death after the murder of my beloved," he pointedly glared at Aro. "But it does not come.
"Marcus, that is a separate issue," Aro looked a little perturbed.
"It is the only issue in my life," Marcus chided. "Yet you seek to keep me here. Leave them be Aro, Caius. Let them live their lives, they have committed no crime," he sat back down.
"They have committed a crime, live on international news. The events that took place should have been allowed to take their natural course, yet the half breed intervened with her powers," Caius argued. "She should die, along with the human."
Aro pondered both points of view, he looked between Lottie and me, I stole a quick glance at Lottie who was giving Aro a steely glare. I cast a glance around the room; the guard were charged and ready for bloodlust. Jane was almost bouncing on the balls of her feet like and excited child, Kyle stared at Lottie with bloodlust in his eyes, Felix looked excited for some other reason, I couldn't see Demetri on the account of his hand around my throat, Alec looked bored, the other vampires were excited to see some action. Aro got up from his throne again and glided over to stand in front of us. "I have made my decision. Caius is right; although your face was never shown but we know it was you that caused the fire and explosion to pacify, which means suspicions have been aroused in Forks," he looked at me as if I was a naughty child. "This means you are unable to keep our existence a secret. You must die or be changed to a full vampire," my eyes widened at his decision, Aro turned to Lottie. "You my dear, are of no use to me. You appear to be a normal human and a damaged one at that," he turned to his guard. "One of you can have her," he dismissed with his hand as he walked back to his throne. "Miss Cullen, you can witness the death of your friend."
"Aro," a deep voice broke through the building tension.
"Yes Felix," Aro stopped and turned.
"I want her."
"You may have her."
"Not like that. I want her as a mate."
"You will bloody not!" Lottie shouted as she struggled in his arms. Felix clamped his right hand over her mouth. She tried to talk through the gag, her eyes wide but defiant.
"Felix?"
"I like her Aro; I want her for a mate. She is a feisty one," he smiled as Lottie proved the point as she tried to get out of his grip, banging herself against him, flailing like a ragdoll. Why wasn't she using her power? Was she waiting for the last possible minute? Hoping that my family came? I was hoping too. It would mean her secret would be intact.
Aro thought for a moment, his hands clasped in front of him. "Are you willing?" he asked Felix.
"Oh yes master," he was grinning now, he moved his hand that was clamped around her mouth back to around her neck.
"Aro, brother, you cannot be serious?" Caius asked with distain.
"Why not brother? In my recollection, Felix has never asked for anything in his time of serving for us. I don't see why not," he said indifferently.
"But she is impudent, insolent, irritating, disrespectful and quite frankly ill-mannered."
"Thanks," Lottie replied, Caius scowling at her insolence. She smiled with a determined look on her face that meant she hadn't quite given up just yet. My heart was pounding, was this really happening all because we saved lives? Aro chuckled at her boldness...No, it was an excuse; Aro always wanted me in Italy, he was counting on Dad and Mom to save me, to walk into his trap, to become one of them, I was merely bait but if I could be one of them then that was an added bonus, they thought Lottie had a power and they now thought they were mistaken. They were just going to kill my friend like swatting a fly, and now Felix wanted her as a mate! It was absurd! "Miss Cullen, you are about to watch your best mate become one of us, then you have a decision to make," Aro smiled at me then looked me over. "You don't seem that upset my dearest one, I mean, you may die," he chuckled.
"I could squirt out some tears if you think that will help," I scoffed.
"This is no laughing matter Miss Cullen," he nodded at Felix.
"Thank you master."
"You may start in here, then take her to a room, stay with her while she burns," Aro instructed. "She can join the ranks even if she doesn't have a gift, bring her back to Chelsea, she will ensure that you are bonded."
"Thank you master, Santiago," the vampire he called nodded once. "I may need you to help me break from her."
"I will be there for you Felix," the Spanish vampire nodded.
"As will I," Demetri spoke up behind me.
I looked over to Jane; she had a furious look as she tried to speak but Alec took her hand and shook his head once in warning, I noticed that Alec was able to calm his sister.
"Well, I had a worst case scenario in my head and this seems to be exceeding that," Lottie chuckled.
Caius looked at her in disgust. "This is no laughing matter," he spat. "You stupid girl!"
"You should be careful how you talk to people mate," Lottie blew him a kiss.
Caius's mouth formed a cruel line. "Idle threats." Lottie smiled.
"Felix," Aro nodded who stood where he was but he turned his head to me, waiting for my reaction. I watched as Felix swapped his grip on Lottie, his right hand replacing the left which was holding onto Lottie's left wrist and he put his left hand over her mouth, moved Lottie's head with the hand clamped over her mouth, over to the right side with care so that her neck was exposed. Lottie's jade green eyes met mine and I could tell she was smiling behind her gag.
"I am sorry that this will hurt, but I will be with you all the way," he promised. Lottie's left wrist that Felix still had a hold of, was now going purple with bruising, Lottie's free hand limped to her side as if she was giving up, Felix brought her wrist up to his mouth and softly kissed the back of her hand. Felix kept a hold of her wrist, brought his mouth down to Lottie's pulsating neck; his teeth bared, shining different colours from the light coming in from the stained glass windows above us as he moved to bite down on Lottie's neck…
AN- Suspense! What is going to happen? I need lots and lots of reviews! they make me happy! LETS SEE IF YOU GUYS CAN GET ME TO 600 REVIEWS! I MAY POST THE NEXT CHAPTER EARLY IF I DO! X
pps - I have just realised i have made a slight mistake. I have said Nessie is getting 3 months after her proposal, and a little spoiler; it will be a little later than that (revealed in later chapters), BUT SHE WILL BE GETTING MARRIED!Thank you to nicolem3806 for noticing that so I have rectified it and I have changed it in chapter one so I deeply apologise. it was an oversight, won't happen again! SORRY! I do hope I haven't put anyone off my story and I hope I keep my readers and you keep on enjoying the story. I am really annoyed at myself for missing that so no one is berating her self more than me! Sorry again! x
