Chapter Twenty-Six

"How is she?" I asked the moment Aro walked through the door. He smiled, "Blood crazed, as all newborns are. She's devouring an entire group of tourists as we speak."

I sighed in relief. The last three days had been a mess. Aside from worrying about her, Caius had been in and out all hours of the day and night asking for my help. Although, I had a feeling it was more to do with the fact he just didn't want to care for the baby himself. He was so awkward with her; it was obvious he was uncomfortable. Maybe he was afraid he'd accidentally hurt her. Either way, I obliged every time. Aro watched me closely, knowing he'd be in the same position in just a few weeks.

"Can I see her?"

Now Aro frowned, "I'm afraid not, my dear. Her thirst is currently uncontrollable. Allowing you to visit her would put you at great risk."

I only nodded. Of course I understood and it was the answer I had been expecting, but I was still a bit disappointed.

He sat beside me, syringe in hand, "How are you feeling, dearest Ashleigh?"

"I'm fine." He gave me a questioning look as he pushed the blood through the feeding tube, so I elaborated, "I'm exhausted. I'm starving. And I've had enough of this thing."

I indicated the feeding tube, to which he shook his head, "That could be easily taken care of."

"If only it really was that easy," I replied with a groan. He pulled me to him, tucking my head under his chin. Every time he did it, I wished he had a heartbeat I could listen to as I rested against his chest. He smelled nice again. He always did.

Just then the door flew open and Caius strode in, "Brother, you're needed in the council chamber."

"What for?"

"Vladimir and Stefan have arrived."

"Gentleman," Aro purred as he strolled gracefully into the throne room, "how nice of you to come."

The smaller vampire, Vladimir, practically glared, "What is it you want, Aro?"

"Right to the point, I see," he sat in his throne, crossing his leg, "I can appreciate that."

"Well, then?"

"My friends, it seems there has been a surge in newborn creations in your part of the world. Care to shed some light on the matter?"

Stefan scoffed, "Because it is in Russia you assume it is our doing?"

Aro smiled, "I make no assumptions. But, seeing as how you are the leading coven, I thought it would be prudent to speak with you first."

The two guests exchanged a glance, which the Volturi king found rather annoying but wasn't about to allow his face to betray it. He hummed, "I do, however, find it concerning that you had refused my first summons. If you were truly innocent, why would you do so?"

Vladimir laughed, "Why would we wish to help you in your witch hunt, Aro?"

Aro mimicked him, "Oh, dear Vladimir, you misunderstand. I am not seeking your assistance. But, if you'd rather not be left to your own devices…"

He stood, and walked swiftly past them, intent on returning to his mate. The smile he held deepened when the shorter leader called after him, "Fine! We will show you that we have no involvement."

Aro turned around, hand outstretched. Vladimir approached with a weak sneer, placing a hand in his. The dark haired man concentrated, but what he saw made little sense. He hummed in thought.

"You see?" the shorter man asked as he jerked his hand free. Aro smiled, "Indeed, I do."

"We will be leaving now," Vladimir turned and gestured to Stefan, the two of them moving swiftly to the door. Aro faced his brother at the table, noticing he looked confused. He shook his head slightly; he wouldn't speak until he was sure the Russian leaders were no longer within listening distance. But once he was confident they had gone, "They may have unknowingly outed themselves to me."

"How so?" Caius asked, not following at all. Aro tapped his fingertips together, "The coven leaders were clearly present in Lidia's memories, yet she was absent entirely from theirs. Somehow, they are deliberately blocking part of their thoughts from me."

The blond scowled, "How would such a feat even be possible?"

Aro sighed, "I'm unsure. I will need to conduct some research. In the meantime-"

He snapped his fingers twice and Demetri appeared. "Send Natalia to keep an eye on our Russian friends."

Demetri bowed and took his leave just as quickly as he had arrived. She was quite young, and relatively new to the Guard, but she had a talent for remaining discreet. She was also a lovely thing. Before Ashleigh had come along, Aro had intended to take her as a "mate". As such, he made sure to show her plenty of favor. Now that he had won her over, he was concerned what may happen if he were to stop. He snapped himself from his thoughts.

"If you'll excuse me, brother, I must return to my mate."

When Aro returned he immediately sat at his desk and, after retrieving my cell phone, began making calls. He spoke so fast I couldn't make heads or tails out of his words. Then he'd hang up and dial again. Occasionally he'd jot down a note or make a face. But overall it was quite boring to watch. I decided to lay on my side and try to ignore him. The next thing I knew, his arms were around me and he pulled me closer to him, fitting his body tightly against mine. He kissed the back of my neck, "How do you feel, my dear."

I shrugged, "As well as I can, I suppose."

He hummed as he dipped his fingers into the waistband of my panties, sliding his hand forward along it, "Is there something I can do?"

My heart began to race. It had been nearly two weeks since he'd last touched me and I missed him badly. I shifted my legs slightly, so that his hand could slide between them. A content sigh escaped my lips as he lightly rubbed in small circles and I could feel him stiffen. I pushed back against him, which was all he needed. His hand disappeared as he worked on opening his belt. I turned my head to try and look at him. He caught my lips with his, kissing me deeply. He pushed the waist of his pants down and then did away with my underwear.

Aro held her as she slept, her head on his shoulder. Most nights he would entertain himself by viewing her dreams. But tonight he kept to his own thoughts, lightly drawing patterns on the arm draped across his torso. His mind once again drifted to Natalia. Such a sweet thing, with long, honey blonde hair and a heart shaped face. Not long after she joined the Guard, he had begun to prepare her to be his mate. Discreetly, of course. He presented her special assignments, special attention, and even an occasional gift. Carefully, he built up a friendship, if you could call it that, between them. So that when he was ready to collect what he had actually been seeking, she would not refuse. Then, the incident with the Cullens occurred. The hybrid child was brought to his attention. And he had decided to put mating with Natalia on hold, instead searching for a suitable human to gestate his child.

And then along came Ashleigh. His entire world was flipped when he realized exactly what she was to him. He had been given the opportunity to share a biological child with his true mate. He was actually… happy. Genuinely so. His feelings for Natalia had dissipated quickly, but not completely. And he was troubled by it. So he thought, trying to figure out what it was. When he realized it, he shook his head at himself. Indestructibility. Immortality. Aro could readily admit it was difficult to control himself at times. When they were intimate, it was all he could do to hold himself back enough that he wouldn't harm her. As he had once before. Natalia was so much more durable. He could have been as rough with her as he needed and it would not have been a concern. Natalia had seemed to be a bit more… adventurous than Ashleigh, as well. Which was appealing to him, but was also something he could forgo. Perhaps with enough nudging, Ashleigh would be too, one day.

There was also the benefit of not needing to worry about Natalia's health. Vampires couldn't catch diseases or become ill by other means. Humans, on the other hand, well, they could spontaneously die from just about anything. Such fragile creatures, they are. But soon these two things wouldn't apply to Ashleigh any longer either. She'd be immortal and indestructible, just as Natalia is. Aro blew out a breath through his nose. Yes, once Ashleigh's transformation was complete there would no longer be any reason to hold interest in Natalia.

Ashleigh stirred. He held her tightly and kissed her forehead.