Hello, lovelies...

For those of you who have stuck with me for awhile, you are well aware of my talents at procrastination. Apparently, a pandemic is the only thing to make me take a moment and upload! (What's even sadder is this story has been posted before, so I don't need to do much writing lol.) I hope you enjoy. We delve back again into the tragic story of Aster Dawson. I will be posting the rest of the story throughout this week while I'm in quarantine.

*blows kisses*


September 8th,

I'm so tired. I'm usually a well-organized person, but my whole sleeping schedule is thrown off. What time is it? What is the weather outside? The dates themselves aren't a problem, but that's only temporary, I'm sure.

At any rate, remembering won't erase the circles from my eyes. My room has a tiny mirror near the door. It hangs precariously on a nail, and shows just enough of my face to disgust me. I can see the dark bruises on my neck, left by cruel fingers, and my arms are in a similar condition. Thank heavens my skin is slightly darker, or they would stand out even more.

Ugh. I'm being evasive again. I'm avoiding what happened last night. "What now?" you ask wearily (and yet, who is reading?). Yes, I know. You'd think I'd had enough for one day. But vampires never sleep, and neither shall I if they want me. And he wanted me. Literally.

It must have been pretty late. My stomach was cramping, naturally, after such ill treatment, and I was about ready to go to bed. Then the knock. "Come in," I said dully.

Aro opened the door, his white fingers stark against the wood. "Good evening, Aster," he breathed. His voice was strangely appealing, even for a vampire.

I held out my plate towards him. "See? I've been a good girl, haven't I?"

He laughed. "That you have."

"Good." I patted the cold pillows. "Now let me go to sleep."

"Not yet, my dear," he said softly. He caught my hand, drawing me back to the center of the room. I sank into a chair, fighting the hot words that bubbled to my lips.

"Look at me, Aster."

I stared up at him. I swore I would never look at the color red again.

"My brothers have presented me with a dilemma," he began, pacing a little. "You do remember them, don't you? They sat beside me on the stone dais."

How could I forget?

"They are concerned, as am I, that you don't fully understand your purpose here, or why we chose you out of the rest of your family. Do you understand, Aster?"

I shook my head.

"Of course not. Nor do I blame you." He knelt suddenly, his head level with mine. I flinched as his fingers touched my arm. He smiled at my reaction. "Don't fear me," he said. "I will not hurt you."

"It isn't that," I said quickly.

His smile grew wider. "Ah, you think I wanted to hear your thoughts? Well, you were right, my dear. You might as well grow used to it. I will touch you when and how I please, whenever it suits me." He rose again, walking around my chair.

"What is it you want?" I demanded. "You say you can read my thoughts, well then why ask at all?"

He chuckled. "Merely, my dear, because I haven't asked yet. If you don't know what I wish, then how can I know your answer?" He kicked another chair into place before me, settling himself in it. His face was strangely excited as he watched me. "Shall I come straight to the point," he began, "or do you have anything you want to ask me?"

"What?"

He gestured around him. "You're a human, in a strange place. Your first few days have been difficult. Do you have any questions?"

I rolled my eyes. "Can we just get on with it? I don't see my time here being long, anyway, so what's the point?"

Aro laughed. It was a frightening sound. "I cannot fool you," he said merrily. "But that is a good thing." He leaned forward. "We—meaning all the vampires you've seen here—are not as bloodthirsty as you seem to think. We have other purposes, as well."

"That's good to hear."

He smiled. "We keep the laws. The vampire's laws. No human can be aware of our existence unless we desire it, and we do not allow unmitigated killing. We maintain order. We are called the Volturi."

I didn't want to talk to him, but I did. "The Volturi? Isn't that like 'Volterra'?"

He shrugged, unconcerned. "It is a similar Latin or Italian root. It does not matter. But you must understand that this is not an ordinary coven of vampires."

"Coven?"

He smiled at me indulgently. "That is the term we use for a group, or pair, of immortals. The Volturi are unique in that they have special talents. Mine, for example." He gestured to himself. "I read thoughts. Jane and Alec, the young twins you saw, can create illusions. Felix has the power of strength, Heidi her beauty. Everyone here has a purpose, and we use them accordingly."

"But…" I was confused, trying to keep up with all this. "What does this have to do with me?"

That smile again. "But it has everything to do with you! You have gifts, Aster. Wonderful gifts. The Volturi would like to use them, to our benefit."

I gaped at him. "Gifts? You're crazy."

"Oh, no, my dear girl. Not at all. Do you remember my brother, Marcus?"

"The tall one?"

"Yes, love. He first drew my attention to you, which is why I wanted you to stay."

"But how…?"

"Marcus can see relationships; how people interact with one another. It was obvious from the start you had no real affection for your so-called 'family.' You lost your parents. You have no siblings. Nothing to hold you down." His teeth flashed. "You were the perfect choice for us."

I leaned back in my chair, stunned. He was right, of course. I had nothing. I meant nothing. No one would miss me, were I to die…

"But you will not die, Aster," he said sweetly. I gasped, wrenching myself away from him, out of the chair. The room was too small. I pressed my hands to the wall, trying to breathe.

"Oh, Aster," he sighed. I could feel him behind me. His hands touched my shoulders.

"What do you want?" I moaned. "Just tell me what you want from me."

His lips were hot against my ear. "Join us, Aster," he whispered. "You are an intelligent girl, and you have incredible potential. Join us, and you will have a purpose."

I turned around, then immediately wished I hadn't. His face was inches from mine; hypnotic, persuasive… "What?" I croaked. "You mean, as a vampire?"

"Of course."

I shook my head. "No… never. Never."

Aro pulled away, clucking his tongue. It was clear he'd expected this. "Ah, well," he said lightly. "There is no great hurry. You will have time to consider."

He pushed the chairs away from him, walking towards the door.

"There's nothing to consider!" I snapped. "Do you hear me? I won't join you!"

He turned around, blowing me a kiss. "Good-night, Aster," he said softly. The door closed behind him, and I slumped down against the wall.

New items for the list:

- live in covens

- are ruled by laws

- are going to kill me, no matter what