The worn leather-bound book sat harmlessly on the table; the cheerful yellow cabinets seemed too bright this time of night. I stared with trepidation from my place in front of the sink, sipping from a bottle of cool water. Jacob had opened a door for me, and I wondered if I even wanted to enter it. Let go of all your logical thinking, the words whispered again in my mind.I had the feeling that once I passed through the door, it would slam shut behind me and there would be no waiting window for me to escape. According to Jacob, it withheld all the answers to the questions he now had stirring around in my head. I just don't know if I could let go of logic— I've always had to be logical. The one to assure Mom that there were no little green men about. Or find her and coax her out of the small spaces she loved to get in while on a high, comforting Allison from her imagination. But curiosity is a hard thing to push down, the more I stared at the book, the more the pages seemed to beckon me. With a heavy sigh, and wet shoes squeaking on the linoleum, I went and opened pandora's box.
The Quileutes have a detailed history of how they came to be shapeshifters and of their enemy the "cold ones." I found myself wanting to read more, not just the pages Jacob had marked, but I didn't dare. What I read felt more like an interesting supernatural myth, I felt overwhelmingly apathetic. Even though while reading there were times that I had to hold my breath. Especially while the storyteller painted a horrifying picture of the perfect predator with ruby red eyes. Vampires, biting into the neck of innocents and wolves chasing after them, ripping them apart, burning the pieces, scattering the ashes as far as possible. Talks of a treaty made between the tribe and the golden-eyed Cullens back in nineteen thirty-six. Who are supposedly good, only drinking, I grimaced at the word, from animals… If this book is to be believed, that means nothing in this place is as it seems. Hell, nothing in this whole world!
I didn't realize how long I had been sitting at the table until I retrieved my phone from the couch where I had tossed it earlier. That cool calm quickly began to fade when the screen lit up and showcased ten missed calls from Alice and three from an unknown number. Alice sent me seven text messages that became increasingly panicked as I didn't answer. They must know something happened, how I couldn't even begin to comprehend. But all I could think about was the red flakes flashing through the dark brown of Aro's eyes. The perfect predator. The abnormalities around the Cullen's seemed glaringly obvious. Oh my God, all those graduation caps! It's not just a quirky collection, you fool, they've worn each and every one of them!
I grabbed the book and Bella's truck keys, and made a mad dash for the truck, all the while checking my surroundings. My breath sounding far too quick, not to mention loud in the silence of the cab, with shaky hands I managed to stick the keys in the ignition, backing out as fast as possible and made my way toward town. I couldn't decide what I wanted to do, either go to Bella who was staying the night with Alice or to go to Jake's. When it came time to get onto the highway that leads out of town, I stayed on the main road and chose to continue toward La Push. I wasn't even sure if I wanted to confront Jacob or anyone. I don't know what I want or what to do at this point— It's just so crazy…
My bottom lip felt sore from the amount of time I've spent biting it, all the while longing for the acute numbness of before. Or better yet, just something normal. God, why me? Why me? What did I do to deserve all this insanity? All I have ever wanted to be was normal. A Mother who would love me and I don't know… make my lunch? Pick me up from school? How about just care that I'm around, that would have been wonderful. Then when I finally achieve something blissfully stress-free and ordinary— I gasp, slamming on the breaks, the tires squealing. The seat belt clenching at my chest nearly knocked the breath from my lungs. I stare in mute dread, at the pale man, standing directly in the beam of my headlights, a scant few inches away from the grill of the truck. Aro wasn't hiding those red irises anymore, they burned a hole into the cab where I sat gripping the steering wheel. The sound of my pounding heart filled every inch of the silence; I barely drew breath through my clenched teeth, cold sweat had descended over my body leaving me shaking like a leaf. My eyes darted to the woods along the left side of the road, I knew about fifty yards through stood the La Push sign and back to the inhumanly beautiful being. Even though my mind screamed it wouldn't work, I threw the truck into reverse. The passenger door groaned open and slammed shut, a flash of white and the truck jumped, sputtered, and died.
I didn't budge, my shoulders were high up around my ears, small gasping breaths filled the air. I tried to rein in the overwhelming amount of emotion and adrenaline surging through me, but it was too much. I couldn't even look at the silent man in my peripheral. Aro slid closer and I slammed myself against the steering wheel to get away, nearly hitting my head on the roof when the horn blared. A high pitch noise I didn't even recognize as myself escaped my lips before I fell to pieces. Sobs tearing from my heaving chest, everything became one big blur as tears poured relentlessly from my eyes. I couldn't even tell what was up or down anymore.
"Oh, sweet Jordon, don't be afraid, my darling. I'll not harm you; you have nothing to fear." I couldn't even muster up the strength to pull away when Aro's cool hands began to turn my head to face him. Tenderly brushing the strands of hair that clung to my tear-streaked face, he tried to wipe away the tears but more followed in the same path. He hauled me to sit in his lap, cradling me like a small child, the sound of the truck roaring to life made me cry even harder. He shushed me and began to rub my back, "I'm not going to hurt you, sweetling, but we cannot stay so near the shapeshifters. They've killed enough tonight; I have no desire to be their next target."
I don't know how long I sat, blubbering away in his lap, with Aro cooing sweetly in my ear, but when I looked up we were parked in front of the Cullen's the lights of the house's great windows, like a beacon in the night. Some of the panic and hopelessness began to ease off, I felt more able to think rationally. I hiccup, drawing in big gulps of oxygen, feeling faint from the crying jag.
"There, there," he gave me a few light pats on the back before holding up a white handkerchief. "Now blow your nose." I did as I had been instructed and with my hands wiped away the wetness from my face, even though a few tears still leaked out. With gentle fingers Aro tugged at my chin until I met his brilliant red eyes, that had me inhaling a shaky breath. "I will not harm you Jordan. That boy has a grudge against Edward and therefore the entire coven. This Jacob doesn't know not one thing about me or our world. You have nothing to fear from me nor any being should you walk beside me."
Aro tightened his arms around me, with his words came this sense of peace, perhaps from sheer exhaustion, but I didn't fight it. Instead, I laid my head on his shoulder, going so far as to rest my forehead on his neck. There was no pulse, it was disconcerting, to say the least, yet I still didn't move.
After a long time, I finally cut the silence whispering, "my legs are cramping."
"Yes, I'm sure they are," Aro's voice carried a hint of amusement. He opened the door and, very carefully help lower my still unsteady legs to the gravel, all the while keeping one arm around my waist to steady me. "Shall we venture inside?"
"Everyone will know I've been crying." The words were broken by the uncontrollable hiccups.
Aro cupped my face, his thumbs brushing over my cheeks. Although his eye color threw me, his gaze still held that same kindness as before. I felt my muscles relaxing, I swayed into him, my hands going up to grip on to his wrists. "You've had a very trying night, they would understand. However, you have no reason to fret, the only one you will have to speak with is the good Doctor Cullen and he is quite accustomed to tears, I imagine."
Aro slowly led me into the house, I could hear soft voices coming from the living room and the sound of the television playing, but none approached us. Once we hit the stairs, the front door creaked open, I couldn't help but glance over my shoulder at the sound. The same dark-haired man from the beach entered, along with an angelic, light brown-haired girl, both sporting the same eye color as Aro. The man and little girl met my stare and inclined their heads in greeting. As if Aro could feel my shock, he hurried up the pace, forcing me to face forward or risk tripping. How could she be one of them? She couldn't be any older than eleven and that's being generous!
About thirty minutes later, I still sniffed and probably would continue to for a while still. Upon my entrance from the bathroom, Aro stood from his spot on the bed, taking in my wet hair and the hands that restlessly pulled at the hem of his shirt. I didn't consider the fact that I could look directly into his eyes when standing or the fact that I had a large bust when I accepted to wear it. The shirt barely covered my ass. But, according to Aro, my clothes reeked of wet dog… I didn't ask any questions. When noticing my unease Aro being the gentleman that he is, busied himself with a brown paper bag on the dresser.
"Carlisle gave me strict instructions for you to eat very slowly." When I settled myself underneath the bedspread, he brought over a container with bite-size cheese, cashews, and a small bottle of Gatorade. He held up a clear plastic bag with a white pill resting at the bottom. "This is a relaxant, which you by no means have to take, but it's here should you require it."
I took a few gulps of drink before responding, mostly to quench my incredibly dry throat and to hopefully help with the hoarseness. "What time is it?"
Aro briefly checked his watch, "it's a quarter to five."
I winced swallowing the whole cashew by accident. "I'm going to be in so much trouble when Uncle Charlie wakes up and finds that the truck is gone."
"Alice has already taken it back to your home; Chief Swan will carry on with his regular morning and set off in the noble pursuit of enforcing the law. Whereas the fair Jordan woke to feel rather under the weather, so she went to see Doctor Cullen, who decided her far too sick for school. So, he put the maiden up for a day in bed, where the willing servant, Aro could cater to her every whim. All's well that ends well."
I realized at the end of his little tale that I had been grinning, it fell quickly however as the realism of my situation set in. I chewed at the food that just seemed to grow bigger in my mouth, swallowing hard to get it down. Nausea began to churn my stomach; I screwed the top back on the bottle and closed the lid on my food. Aro is right though, Jordan certainly isn't feeling very well.
"You should try to eat a bit more, sweetling, it was but a meager portion. Carlisle says it will help with the faintness."
"If I eat anymore, it might all come back up," I confess, wringing my sweaty palms.
With a sad look, Aro pressed his cool palm to my forehead and my cheek, I couldn't help but lean into the touch, it felt so good. "Would you like the medication?" I bite my lip thinking about it for a long moment. Part of me wanted to say no, but the calm was beginning to wear off again, probably due to being overtired. I nodded yes.
…
Aro stretched out in the armchair of Carlisle's guest room, his cellular phone beside him at the desk, crimson eyes fixed on his mate's sleeping form. The poor dear had a very shocking night. Aro clenched his jaw, that shapeshifter had made himself into a nuisance, he sincerely hoped the boy's leader would punish him harshly for such disobedience. Yet, his plans would still be efficient, very little would need to change.
Once holding her in the truck the mating bond had eased much of her fear, Jordan had just been overwrought, understandably so. Although not as potent as Corin's gift, Jasper's influence did prove useful in helping to soothe her. When she woke from her drug-induced sleep, he would explain their situation, no matter how much Jordan might wish to avoid it. His mate loathes confrontation. Two days ago, Aro had indulged her fear by allowing Jordan to hide away whilst he dealt with her Uncle, perhaps that had been a mistake. Charlie would not have been so taken aback by the idea, had she been more forthcoming with her talent and talked to him beforehand. No matter now for it is finished and Aro had no doubt she would accompany him to Italy. But he did ponder if this trait would carry on with her into her new life or if he could help overcome her trepidation.
A breathy sigh drew Aro from his thoughts, he wondered if perhaps he filled her dreams. If he were able to dream, Jordan certainly would have overtaken his. He moved silently to stand beside the bed, toying with the idea of peeking. It had been ages since he witnessed the human mind whilst dreaming. It had been during the time he first found Sulpicia. It's what convinced him that she would be useful.
Growing up an orphan, Sulpicia had yearned for power and control over her own life, to not have to beg for table scraps or the kindness of others. Aro changed her life, gave her everything she wanted, it did not take long for Sulpicia to fall for her perceived savior. She had been a good ally… and wife. There are parallels between the two women, both crave love and attention from being denied, the same loneliness.
Aro reached out and brushed a wayward strand from Jordan's face, taking a moment to caress her warm skin. However, Sulpicia lacked Jordan's tender heart, that girlish joy could still burn brightly inside his lovely one. So, contagious and empowering in the knowledge that it is he who brought her such happiness. He went back to his chair, with a smile. He hadn't the need to take this bounty of uninterrupted time to go through her mind. Jordan's fate had been sealed to Aro's the moment Alice had shared with him that extraordinary vision. He had only ever wanted one thing in his long life, and he thought he surely had achieved that goal in abundance. Just as he thought he truly understood mating, having seen into the strong bonds with his brother's gift. Aro had been woefully unprepared for the tidal wave of overshadowing love that washed over him, which shifted his entire perceptive.
He snatched up his phone as soon as the device's glass screen became aglow. "Yes?" Aro spoke hardly above a whisper, not wanting to wake his mate.
"I have done as you asked, master."
"Wonderful, wonderful. Pray tell how does the little bird fare today?"
"Wishing to take flight, yet unstable from prolonged exposer."
"Well, then allow her free to roam, whilst keeping a close eye, of course."
"Yes, master."
"Thank you, dear one."
Aro reclined back in the chair, allowing a moment to bask in the thoughts of a bright future. The pieces were falling into place exactly as he hoped.
Author's Note: I've got to say that while going back and reading the scene where Jordan tries to get away by throwing the truck in reverse... All I could hear was PUT IN REVERSE TERRY! If some of you haven't seen the video I highly recommend watching it for a laugh. Thank you all for the follows favorites and reviews. I appreciate every single one of you and hope you are all doing well during this pandemic.
