Dark themes ahead. Read with caution.
Most characters are owned by Stephanie Meyer.
I hope you enjoy the read and would love a review if you find time.
Happy reading
Staring at the Stars
"You know I wont hurt you, that is as long as your obedient of course. You are my property, and I take very good care of my things. You have nothing to fear my sweet."
His words are spoken gently but I don't miss the hint of malice lacing itself within…
Three shadowed figures glide swiftly down a narrow alleyway, the only light coming from the moon and a soft red glow shinning from a small caged window on a door. The metal door would easily be passable to the normal onlooker, but if you where looking it stood out like the entrance to hell it was.
The first figure begins lowering his hood, to reveal his long white hair and porcelain skinned faced. His black eyes find a golden button, that when pushed buzzes. After a moment a loud click sounds signaling entry. The other two men drop their hoods and follow him inside, but before the last man submerges himself completely he gives a brief nod down the alley signaling to distant shadows.
Low fluorescent lights flicker revealing the three men for the beautifully sculpted creatures that they are. The tallest man appears the youngest in the face but his long wavy black hair frames an emotionless, bored and worn expression.
"Marcus."
The blonde man addresses him with a sharp hiss.
"Yes, Caius."
Marcus's voice seems unbothered by the harshness in the other mans tone, but in his dark eyes you can see the slight hint of annoyance.
"Please inform the lady of our purpose here. I need to speak with Aro."
Caius motions to the woman behind a desk whose face is painted with stress and exhaustion but covered well in a mask of makeup. She stands and walks around to the front showing off her skinny frame covered barely by the tight dress she wears. Her brightly colored stilettos click as her cautious steps bring her to greet Marcus.
"Buonasera signori. Desidera?"
The lady's American accent is obvious through her attempt to speak Italian.
Marcus grabs her hand giving it a light kiss and exchanges pleasantries in English. Her face relaxes and she seems relived to not have to try and translate. After a few moments she excuses herself telling Marcus she would return shortly with her boss.
Making his way back to his brothers Marcus nods and waits patiently with them, attempting to ignore the stench and musk that occupies the building. These errands aren't necessarily his favorite but he does rather enjoy the ending result.
"Ahhh, welcome my friends to my humble palace."
An average yet strong built man makes his way over to the three men and shakes each of their hands his tan skin a contrast to their almost transparent complexions. His grey eyes glisten with power peering out from his dark hair that falls a tad past his brow line. A perfectly shaped beard conceals a smile that seems anything but trusting. Following closely behind is the lady from earlier and two men stalkier in structure. From the way they cary themselves, they seem to be guards for the leading man.
"You have already met my darling Shanice."
The man motions to the lady grabbing her roughly by the waist and kissing her cheek. His hold on her is possessive as he continues to speak.
"I'm Jerome, the one you have been in contact with and I am excited to show you the rest of my jewels. So if you will, follow me gentlemen."
He turns around pushing Shanice to the side and walks back into the room from which he came. Shanice stays behind as two of the brothers follow him, Aro stops briefly to squeeze Shanice's hand for a moment and then leaves the girl with a wink.
As they round the corner they come upon a wide open space. The area looks like an old factory warehouse with wall to wall concrete, a tall beamed ceiling, and somewhat damp floors caked with grime. Situated in the middle a line of women are on their knees with four burly men situated behind them. The girls remain motionless, the only proof of life being the slight rise and fall of their breathes and a few trembles surely resulting from the cold air breezing against bare skin. All of the girls wear nothing but undergarments exposing every inch of their bodies.
Jerome walks right to the center of the room and holds out his arms as if he was a ring leader and this was his circus.
"Well here they are my friends. The finest ones I could find. Take a look around, let me know if you want any samples."
The smirk he gives would have sent shivers down any humans spine, but the three men are not human and this poor excuse for a man doesn't frighten them in the slightest.
Aro take a few steps closer and signals for a a blonde girl to rise. She obeys and keeps her eyes cast downward as he briefly brushes her hand. A moment later he excuses her back to the line. He repeats this with a few others as Marcus and Caius just watch. As Aro goes to signal for another woman to stand a piercing scream echoes through the room.
All the girls keep their eyes down but a few flinch at the loud disturbing noise. The men in the room look over towards the back garage door where a tall man is dragging a young girl by her short curly hair. One of the men by Jerome rushes over to help, and after Jerome clears his throat, he turns towards the brothers.
"My apologies, you see this is our training facility of sorts, and that girl arrived only a few hours ago. They always give us difficulties but she seems to be quiet the, ehhh how would you say, eccentric one, if you know what I mean. She will be handled with shortly"
His laugh booms through the room as the screams from the young girl continue but are now muffled by a hand covering her mouth. Jerome speaks again directing the brothers attention back to the girls in front of them.
"Do you see anything that peaks your interest?"
Aro glances down the line of girls and as he does Marcus walks over to his side grazing his fingertips by Aro's hand. The exchange is quick but its enough time for Aro to collect what he needs from Marcus's mind. Looking into his brothers eyes he give a small nod of understanding. He turns his back on the line of girls before him and observes the young girl now being fully restrained on the floor as a needle is inserted into her upper leg.
"I would like to take a look at her"
Aro says, signaling to the girl in the corner. Jerome's eyes narrow as he responds with his grimy smile.
"She hasn't even been warmed up yet, she is merely a pup and has no respect or experience. Surely you want one of these well practiced ladies. I don't offer discounts, and she is of young blood so her price tag will be pretty."
Aro steps towards the man.
"No, as beautiful as all your jewels are, I would much prefer to have an uncut one. Now please, let me examine her."
And with that, the three brothers walk over to the girl restrained on the floor. Aro crouches down beside her and gently brushes the dark curls from her bruised, tear smeared face. Her bangs are plastered to her sweaty forehead and her green eyes are glazed over partially in fear but also as a result from the substance that had just been forced into her. She struggles against the two mens hold, but her attempts are useless as her body is much too weak. Aro grabs her shaking hand and leans down to softly whisper into her ear.
"Do not worry piccola, you are safe. For now."
The girls vision goes black and within a few seconds the room fills with chaos as a dark smoke drifts surrounding the ladies lined in the center. The three men exit with one of their companions from the shadows who now holds the unconscious girl tight in his grasp.