I stayed in the room a while longer, and my mind kept wandering to what his went to when I said what I did. What sort of choice was it that he had to make in the past that caused him to appear like that, to lose his composure for a moment. I could think of nothing immediately and let it fall into the recesses of my mind for a later time.

After calming myself down more and knowing that I could go out and face him, I left the room to find Demetri sitting on the sofa with a book. When I walked out, he glanced over at me and then returned his attention to what he was reading. He looked stiff sitting there, an ankle crossed over the knee, his back flat against the cushions, shoulders down with no tension whatsoever, yet everything on edge as if he could pounce at any moment. I wondered if it was comfortable or normal.

A few days previously, when we had talked at the park, he had sat just as stiffly on the bench as we talked. His demeanor also seemed much different then. He was curious about me and what I had to say, even if it was only to report back to Aro what I had said. Now, it was hard to tell if he wanted to talk to me or if he despised me in some way.

I took a few steps closer to the sofa before saying anything. He looked up at me again, his eyebrows raised wanting to know what I needed. "What are you reading?" My voice still was not proper and came out softly, but he understood what I asked.

"Meditations."

"What is that?"

"I'm surprised you've never heard of it. It's considered by many to be one of the greatest works in the field of philosophy," Demetri answered.

"I can't say I have much interest in philosophy, sitting around thinking about life and what it means."

"Philosophy is not simply answering the question 'what is the meaning of life.' Philosophy is also the study of ethics, values and reason. It involves critical thinking about matters to give a logical argument for being. Marcus Aurelius studied stoic philosophy. In terms you will understand, it teaches one self-control instead of acting out on their emotions. Happiness comes from wisdom, and we can only control how we ourselves behave and react. Perhaps you should read this. You may find it useful."

I wanted to roll my eyes at him but forced myself not to. "Right. Emotions aren't bad you know."

"No, but they are when you let them control you. It is important that you have them in your control before you become like us."

"Why's that?"

"Because your emotional state will be heightened. It is important to learn how to turn it off when necessary," he replied.

"It doesn't matter. I never said I was going to be like you."

Demetri turned back to his book and began reading again. "You should talk to Aro then."

This time, I did roll my eyes. I walked back over to Aro's desk for no reason except to create some space between Demetri and I. Nothing had changed on it, not that there was any time for Aro to have moved things around after he left since it was so abrupt. I looked back over at Demetri. "Is there anything to do in here?"

"Read. There are at least a hundred or two books around you. Take one."

"Are there any books I might actually recognize?"

"I doubt there is anything of what you would call contemporary or modern. I do hope you know Shakespeare."

"Who doesn't?"

"Fourth shelf from the left, third row," Demetri said inclining his head as he did over to the shelves of books that lined the wall. "He has a collection of Shakespeare there you might enjoy. There is also Moliere as well as Sophocles, Aeschylus and Euripides if you're interested in some of the Greek plays."

"No Aristophanes?"

He peered up at me after I asked and smiled. "Good. You're aware of some of the greats then, and no, no Aristophanes. Aro had no interest in him. Apparently, if you know anything of his plays and his love for satire, he had written in a character based off of Aro himself. Aro was angered by this piece and threatened him to destroy it. The play was performed but has since become lost amongst many plays of that era. Aro has refused to touch any work of his since."

I stood there slightly shocked at thinking that Aro knew these people at one point in history. That astounded me. It still had not set in with me on how old Aro really was. It was hard for my mind to accept, and I grew curious. "Can I ask you something, Demetri?"

"Hm?"

"How old are you? Not when you were changed, but how long has it been since you were born?"

"I'm much younger than Aro if that's what you're wondering. I've been a vampire for just over 1000 years, but an exact time, I could not tell you."

"Was Aro the one who changed you?"

Once more, Demetri turned away and poured his attention back into his book. "No."

With his reaction, I decided to not bother him any further and went to the right shelf to find a book to read. Aro did have quite a collection of plays, so I grabbed the first one of Shakespeare's that I saw then sat down in a chair across from Demetri. I glanced up at him another time before opening the play and immersing myself in its content.

An hour or so passed before Aro came back into the room. At least I assume it was about an hour given that I was nearly halfway through the play I was reading. I did not look up when he entered, but I noticed Demetri stand and put away his book before he and Aro conversed again shortly in another language, one that was not English or Italian.

When Demetri left the room, Aro made his way over to me, and I sighed as he asked, "What are you reading?"

"Hamlet. It was the first one I saw, so I grabbed it."

"'Doubt thou stars are fire; Doubt that the sun doth move; Doubt truth to be a liar; But never doubt I love.' It is a favorite of mine, I confess."

"Oh, look here," I said pointing to a line on the page. "'One may smile, and smile, and be a villain.' I guess that says all I need to know."

"But you forget in Act 2 where Hamlet says, 'for there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.'"

"And to me, it is a prison," I finished the quote for him.

I did not expect the ache in my chest when he frowned, but it was there nonetheless. "I want this place to feel like home. I want you to be at home with me, to be happy. One day."

Aro stepped aside after speaking and went to his desk where I saw him pull out a large bound book from one of the drawers. I watched as he opened it up and began writing. I tried to go back to reading, but my mind had no interest in the words any longer, and my attention kept being drawn back to the quill in his hands. I found it strange that he would use such an instrument when pens were easier and more readily available, but remembering who he was and where I was made me realize that it really was not that strange at all. Quill and ink would be normal for him.

"What are you writing?" The words were out of my mouth before I knew what I had said, but once I spoke, they were out there and his focus jumped back to mine as our eyes met.

He smiled gently. "I am writing about the events that occurred today. The journal is where I keep my thoughts on all that occurs in the world and on matters that I may have to attend to in the future. It is good to know all the facts before making a judgement."

"So it's like a diary?"

"I suppose so."

"What did happen today that you were gone for so long?"

"It is nothing that should worry you for now. Small matters that I can have the guard attend to if the need arises."

"The guard?"

"Yes. There is still much I need to explain to you. You have met many of them already. Demetri, Chelsea and Renata are all part of what is called the Volturi guard. While my brothers and I make many of the decisions that affect our kind, the guard enforces these laws for us to keep peace and balance between our worlds. It is for the protection of all."

I nodded. The laws that say humans should not know vampires exist because if they do, they have to die, those laws. The laws that took my family away from me. I had to try, so I said, "Right. About your laws, I may not be able to leave here, but I need to contact my parents. They have to be wondering why I didn't check in last night. I'm used to calling them." That last part about calling them every night may have been a slight lie. Normally my mom and I would at least send a text, but would Aro even know what a text was?

Aro narrowed his eyes at me as I said this. "You call them every night? Hm." It was once more that I wondered if he could somehow understand everything I was thinking, but he did not push it. "Yes, I do think it might be appropriate for you to call your family and tell them that you will be staying in Europe for some time. They can simply think you are traveling."

"You have a plan for everything, don't you?"

"Not everything." Aro sat down the quill he was using before adding, "I think I would like to introduce you to the rest of the guard. It may be good for you to get to know them. Of course, you can tell me when you feel comfortable enough to do so. Though, I think you would like to spend time with Renata. The two of you are around the same age, at least the age she was changed, and she does seem to have taken to you already. The two of you could be friends."

"Friends with your shadow? I don't know. The stalker vibe throws me off a little."

At this, he laughed. "You could always spend more time with Demetri if you prefer."

I paused. "On the other hand, Renata sounds great."

"I am glad you have reconsidered. And Lia? You may call your parents in the morning."

I nodded and with that, Aro went back to writing in the journal, and I went back to the tragedy that was Hamlet. 'There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.'

A/N: Quotes and title are from Shakespeare's Hamlet. If you've read other stories of mine, you have probably seen Hamlet quoted before. I studied this play line for line, word for word, for an entire semester in college for one of my theater classes. Needless to say, I know more about it than I probably ever should, but it has since become one of my favorites to perform and discuss.

Please review! It's why this chapter came out so fast. :)