TWILIGHT : THE BLOOD INSIDE YOU IS THE BLOOD INSIDE ME
Chapter Twelve
This is a fictional story based on the Twilight Series, of which I own neither part nor parcel. Just borrowing the Volturi temporarily. No references to the Cullen family, sorry. (I'm late to this fandom. I do research online since I haven't committed the films to memory, and hardly recall the books. So I'm sorry if canon is upended a little.)
Charlotte feels a little lost, unsure of her place in the coven. She begins to think she will end up no different than Caius' mate, Athenodora, locked away from the rest of the world. Her friends are Guards and at least have a purpose.
Aro/OC, Marcus, Caius, Malia, Demetri, Felix
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Charlotte knocked quietly on Marcus's door. When the door opened, she smiled at seeing her savior's welcoming face. Hugging him tightly, Charlotte said, "It's so good to see you again, Uncle Marcus."
"Come in, child. I've been wanting to speak with you, now that you are finally one of us. How are you feeling this morning?"
Charlotte flopped down on the stuffed couch, sighing. "What am I supposed to be doing, Marcus? Everyone, well, almost everyone, has welcomed me to the family," she said, air quoting the word 'family', "but I have nothing to do. I worked in advertising back home. Not an executive yet, but I had my own office. That meant I got to meet with the big wigs a lot of the time." She sat back into the cushioning. "I'm afraid Aro will never let me, as his mate, do or be anything useful."
"What do you want to do, child?" Marcus sat beside his young ward, patting her hand, knowing she would be useful, but not in the immediate future.
"For one thing, I need to take foreign language lessons. Italian, of course, and German, Spanish, and French, to start. Maybe later Russian, Chinese and Japanese. I learn things easily. And god knows I have the time."
"I will see what we can do to satisfy your thirst for knowledge, my dear."
"You intimate that I'll have a purpose, just not when and what it will involve," Charlotte reminded Marcus. "I just want to stay busy when Aro is not available. So what do I do? He said go shopping, buy stuff." She huffed. "What am I, a 'Real wife of Volterra'?
"I only see the relationships as they're forming, not what they bring about. Be what you are, Charlotte. That is what the coven needs. What it will need."
"I have another question, Marcus. Aro told me about vampires that drink only animal blood. I was wondering how that would work, if I chose to go that route." Charlotte leaned into his side, drawing comfort from his presence.
"Child, you would hurt Aro deeply, if you choose to ignore the heritage of the life he has given you. Don't do that. Give yourself time. The doubts will vanish eventually. Besides, human blood is richer and provides more nutrients. They are nourishment to us, Charlotte." Marcus put his arm around her. "Aro told us that you theorize that we are superior humans, the next step up in the evolutionary line, if you will. Yet we live side by side with humans, unlike species that are replaced by their betters. You can look at them as being lower on the food chain..."
Charlotte huffed in frustration. "No, it's not like that, Marcus! We should be working side by side with humans. Oh, never mind. Aro doesn't give my ideas much credence either. He would rather keep the vampire species hidden away in the dark depths of history, as they have been for thousands of years."
Marcus smiled indulgently at Charlotte. "I understand your Utopian world view, my dear, but it is not the Volturi way."
"That's what everyone keeps telling me. The Volturi way. Ok, that aside, what about these vegetarians, as Aro calls them. Where are they? Are there many of them? Do they ever visit here?" Charlotte threw out the questions faster than Marcus could answer.
Marcus suppressed his grin. Her curiosity would drive them all insane, Caius had warned them recently. 'Questions, questions, always questions. She never stops!,' he had said, more amused than annoyed. "Very well, child, but do not tell Aro I mentioned anything to you. If he reads you..."
"It'll be too late by then! What will he do to me, spank me? Now tell me, Marcus." She kicked off her shoes and got comfortable next to the older vampire.
"There are groups scattered all over the world. Many in America," he mentioned, knowing she was an American, and from California.
"Really? Where? You've met them personally?" Marcus saw the light of interest in Charlotte's eyes.
"We had a confrontation with one such group in Northwest America awhile ago. Nothing came of it. I doubt Aro will approve of you discussing them with me."
Charlotte was frustrated that the Volturi lived with secrets. Wasn't she one of them now? Wasn't she entitled to know more of their past and current world connections? Good grief," was all she could say, crossing her arms.
Marcus knew her frustration. "Be patient, my child. Aro is your mate now. He will share with you what you need to know.
"Marcus, I view you as the wisest of the masters. Caius I see as the impulsive one. And Aro...Aro is sweetly arrogant. If he lets you see past the arrogance, you'll find all the things I fell in love with. He and I will fight, and we will disagree. But if we fight, it means he's listening to me. So I prefer we do argue at times. It's healthier."
"And you call me wise, child." He leaned over and kissed her cheek. Perhaps I will tell you more about these 'vegetarians', but not just yet. Change must be gradual, if you understand my meaning."
Charlotte's smile broadened. She knew getting these ancients to see modern ways would be next to impossible, but she was not going to be the only one to change. They would have to as well. And she wasn't giving up on them yet.
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Aro sat on the great bed, reading tomes dating from the 1700s, while Charlotte sat next to him, perusing one she had picked up from his pile. Opening the old text very carefully, she sighed. "It's in Latin!"
"Many are, my dear. I'm sorry that English was not the primary language hundreds of years ago, as it is now.
Most were in French or Latin, neither language known to her, but she managed to understand at least, what the book was about by the drawings within it. She explained to Aro that Marcus was going to help her obtain lessons, Italian to start with.
"È meraviglioso, cara! I heartily approve." Aro gave her a kiss, to which Charlotte smiled.
"Thank you, love. I'm happy you don't mind. I've always wanted to learn foreign languages. And if possible, I'd love to be able to read these books of yours. But reading a language and speaking it are two different things."
She continued browsing through some of the books, until she came to one manuscript. She recognized the drawings immediately. "You have one of Master da Vinci's works! Oh my god, this must be priceless!" Holding such a precious book containing the writings and drawings from so brilliant a mind would have moved her to tears, were she able to cry. "Aro, how is it that you've never offered immortality to the best minds in human history? Da Vinci, Einstein, Galileo, Newton, Mozart, Franklin. The list goes on."
"How do you know I had not?" he answered.
"Oh? So what happened?" Charlotte sat cross-legged, looking at Aro, waiting for the story.
"We had offered several figures, those as high-minded as we were. We were refused," Aro explained.
"Why? Immortality wasn't attractive enough?"
"Eternal damnation was not. You have to remember, cara, as you yourself have pointed out, religion ruled the populace back then. Our offers fell on deaf ears. Some fled once they knew about us. Others had to be killed. Master da Vinci almost agreed. But he repented, thinking he was breaking God's laws. He later died, presumably of a stroke." Aro said no more, assuming Charlotte knew what it was he hadn't articulated aloud
"Oh. Such a waste." Charlotte went back to perusing the book. She wondered if things had changed enough in the world that such offer to the brightest minds would have a greater possibility of acceptance. Something to consider, she thought.
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The parlor was empty of anyone when Charlotte entered the sunny retreat. Before she could sit down, Caius suddenly appeared. "I may never get used to that. But thank you for playing chess with me, Caius." Charlotte started setting up the board, adding the gold queen to her set of pieces. "I need to practice that speed-run. Unfortunately, I've run into a few walls, not being able to stop in time. How long did it take you to become proficient at it?"
Caius laughed. "You'll do fine. You are very amusing, sister. But for today, I thought I'd give you the opportunity to 'let me win' again," he responded, tucking his loose hair behind his ears. "You have questions for me, Charlotte?"
"Why do you ask, even though the answer is always yes, as you well know," she reminded him.
Caius held her chair for her, then sat himself down opposite her. "Frankly, I'm surprised you're not with your new mate. Usually newborns hunger for everything, all the time." He peered up at her, smirking at her suggestively.
"Very funny. Aro had to leave for a few hours. I'll pounce on him when he gets back, I promise. I'll tell him it was at your insistence." She grinned, moving her King's pawn up two squares.
"If you ever tire of my brother..." Caius moved his Queen's pawn up one square.
Charlotte was honestly shocked at his words. "Don't even joke about that, Caius! Remember the last time he was jealous of our friendship. You don't have to give Aro the idea there could possibly be more than that."
"I'm sorry, Charlotte. It was a poor jest. I know how you feel about my brother."
Moving her knight forward, Charlotte said, "You and Marcus are here," she said, tapping her temple. "...in my mind always. But Aro is here," she said, placing her right hand over her heart. "Nothing will change that."
"I know. You've already adopted Aro's habit of clasping his hands together."
Charlotte looked down. It was true. Her hands were clasped while she had been studying the board. "Oh well, there are worse habits to mimic.
The pair continued their game until Charlotte moved a piece, calling out 'check!' Caius stared at the board, incredulous. He had one piece to move, but deduced her next move would mate his King. Sitting back against his chair, he smiled. "I concede, sister. You win, this time."
Charlotte stood, moving to Caius' side, giving his cheek a kiss. "It's that lucky Queen you gifted me." She pulled her i-pad from her jeans pocket, running through her 1980s pop music list, and found what she wanted. "I feel like dancing, Caius. Aro hates this music, but I love it. If you want to join me, feel free." The music began, "The Safety Dance" by Men without Hats. She felt it had just enough energy as to make it fun to freeform dance to. She had often listened to it while she exercised.
The music began and Charlotte moved around the room, clapping in the air when the singer did. Caius gave her a frown. "I know it's not court music, but who cares. It's fun. Come on!", she called, holding her hands out to him.
When Caius shook his head, she made a turn around the parlor, spinning to the beat. Just then, Malia came into the parlor and asked Caius what was going on when she saw Charlotte moving around the room.
"She's dancing. I know. It is absurd..." Before he could finish his thought, Malia joined Charlotte. The two friends held hands, circling each other, laughing together. Caius leaned his cheek on his fist, his elbow resting on the table. He was puzzled by the display. Where did Aro find this one? He hadn't, thank you, Marcus, he thought. But they looked happy.
Demetri came in and seeing Caius, asked " I heard music, Master Caius. Where is it coming from?"
Caius pointed at the two women, his expression one of superiority over the silliness he was witnessing.
"It looks like fun." Demetri joined the pair, and linked his hands with theirs.
Caius threw up his own, feeling above all this frivolity. "I'm leaving. Thank you for the game, Charlotte," he shouted over the music. "I will see you later." He left the parlor, shaking his head.
It wasn't long before Felix, looking for Demetri, found him with his fellow Guard, Malia and...Master Aro's mate? He stood watching, his hands on his hips. He wasn't much of a dancer, but with Charlotte's encouragement, and a new song, he reluctantly joined it. Charlotte had chosen "Gloria" by Laura Branigan because of the great beat the song had.
Charlotte held her hand out to Felix, while Malia and Demetri paired up. The vampire couples danced opposite each other, laughing and smiling. Charlotte admired the grace the vampires exhibited in their movements. Felix would take her hand and twirl her around while she sang along with Ms Branigan. She wondered if he some experience with 1950s dancing, but here in Italy? Would it have been similar to teenage life in American cities during that time?
Everyone was having a great time, until with no forewarning, Aro walked into the parlor. His expressionless gaze took in the foursome enjoying themselves to the music, that is until they saw him standing there, and instantly stopped.
Charlotte turned off the i-pad and slipped it back into her pocket. "Hello, my love. You're home," she greeted him with a light kiss to his lips.
"Yes, I am," he replied, his eyes moving over each of the other three vampires in turn.
Charlotte whispered in his ear. Aro waved the three Guards away, which they did in typical speed run. "Don't be angry with them, Aro. We were just having a bit of fun. I had finished beating Caius at chess, and just felt like dancing."
"Caius approved of this?" Aro raised his brows.
"No, not at all. In fact, he left in disgust, I think. The others came in and we just started...dancing." She waited for him to berate her, but he didn't. He gathered Charlotte in his arms and nuzzled her neck. "I come home expecting to be welcomed by my mate, and instead I find her dancing with my best Guards," he intoned. "You do not cease to astound me with your ways, cara."
"Well, now that you are home, maybe we have some 'dancing' of our own to do." She pulled at his tie, loosening it, then unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt. She slipped her fingers inside, caressing his smooth skin. Aro needed no more encouragement. He threw his mate over his shoulder and sped to their chambers.
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Aro had been thinking about this moment all day while at his meeting with the Volturi's business partners. They were ignorant of the nature of their host, only that their business always proved profitable. For now, business was the last thing on Aro's mind. He tossed Charlotte on the bed, and unsnapping her jeans, began to slide them down her hips, throwing them on the floor. He removed his jacket and kicked off his shoes and socks. She hadn't chosen to wear shoes, so Aro hovered over Charlotte, slipping off her underwear, and tasting deeply of her lips, his hands resting on either side of her. He nuzzled her neck, inhaling her unique scent. Smiling when he heard her sounds of pleasure, Aro pinned her down.
"Cara, this is for you alone. Lie back and enjoy what I have to give you." He straddled her bare legs, and began to unbutton her shirt and opened it, before sucking at her hardened nipples. "Sei bellisima amore mio." Aro's lips kissed Charlotte's body, ghosting over her belly, before reaching her thighs.
Charlotte gasped. Surely he wasn't planning on giving her oral pleasure. On the other hand, he had existed for so long, he probably had experience in many ways of physically pleasuring a woman. She did as he told her and lay back to enjoy his ministrations.
Charlotte's body trembled, this time not in fear but in anticipation. None of her past dates had done this for her. It was all new and wonderful.
Aro took his time giving special attention to his mate's pleasure, satisfied at every gasp. When she cried out, his name on her lips, he knew he was gratifying her needs.
Charlotte panted, barely able to talk, but she managed to cry out, "God, Aro!", the fingertips of one hand at her mouth, touching her lips as she threw her head back. She felt that her body was no longer her own to control. Her mate had all the control now
Once she had reached her peak, Aro waited until her hips stilled. His mate was so responsive. Some women proved to be too tense and embarrassed to allow themselves to enjoy what he had to offer. And it had been a long time since he had found one he wanted to please so much. Climbing up her body, Aro leaned over Charlotte and kissed her.
Charlotte whispered. "You are an incredible lover, Aro. How am so lucky a woman to have you?"
In response, Aro took his mate, marking her as his own. He felt his mate all around him, her legs and arms encircling him. "Cara..." he managed to say before pleasure rose and broke over his own body. After both had sated the other's needs, neither wanted to move.
Aro was still inside Charlotte while he murmured in her ear, "Ti amo più della mia vita. I love you more than my life." He rolled them over onto their sides, kissing her throat.
"I love you, my heart, now and forever" Charlotte kissed Aro deeply, her hand resting on his cheek. Giving up her humanity was worth all of this.
A/N : I hope no one found the dancing scene too silly. I love music and dancing for exercise. I thought Charlotte would want to share her love with the vampires whom she sees as friends.
Since fanfiction doesn't seem to like blatant sex scenes in our writings, so I have been told, I posted the spicier version at AO3, same writer and story title.
Thanks for your continued reading.