TWILIGHT : THE BLOOD INSIDE YOU IS THE BLOOD INSIDE ME
Chapter Thirteen
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 is accepting her new existence, even with the small doubts she may still harbor. But a new arrival has her mind in turmoil. Does she push her own ideas, or obey the law of the Volturi, and Aro's own wishes?
Aro/OC, Felix OC Guard Malia
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Aro had insisted Charlotte go into the village and buy anything she wanted. Clothing, shoes, jewelry. It felt odd to her, because she had always had to work hard for her money. Now Charlotte had it, as much as she wanted. Spending it would not be easy. It wasn't hers, yet it was. She asked Malia to join her, with Felix tagging along more as a body guard than an advisor on fashion. He was reluctant, but knew it was at Master Aro's order.
Who knows, he thought, maybe it would be nice to get out of the compound for a while. And Charlotte was not like the masters. She was more relaxed, treating the Guard as friends. Some of them anyway. He had noticed Jane's complete disregard of Charlotte and her standing in the coven. It wasn't wise of Jane to cross Master Aro, even if her position was a strong one.
The day was cloudy, with possible rain later in the afternoon. A car was brought around to the back door to pick up the small party. All three of the Volturi were wearing long sleeves and sunglasses, with Malia chattering excitedly, so much so, Charlotte felt like she was back home with one her girlfriends. Life had been so simple then. Work days, with weekends off. Then movies, lunch or supper out with friends, and yes, shopping trips like this. Stop thinking about the past and concentrate on the future, Charlotte thought.
Once the car had dropped the trio off in town, Charlotte led her bodyguards on a merry chase for clothing. She still had the pretty things she was given in the beginning, at Aro's orders. Later, Malia had been responsible for getting items made by the seamstresses hired by the coven. Now it was time for Charlotte to do the choosing herself. And nothing in black.
"Are there ever any events that require fancy dresses?" Charlotte was taking one gown after another off a wall rack, perusing each one before putting them back.
"Sometimes, the Volturi's business partners are invited for parties at the compound. It placates them by showing the Volturi as being influential in the international business world. Not that it isn't true. But spreading money around doesn't hurt," Felix explained. "It's probably one of the very few times humans are safe at the compound."
"Do they know that..."
"No! There are only a few privy to that knowledge. They live under the constant threat of death if they reveal anything. So yes, Charlie, you will be needing at least a few gowns. But anything else you need...oh, look. You should purchase a few scarves and hats, for daytime outings. Maybe a couple more pairs of sunglasses," Malia suggested, searching through some items lying on a counter.
Charlotte let Malia point her in the right direction for everything. Clothing of the finest material. Handbags made of leather, not pleather. When she visited a jewelry store, she gasped seeing all the beautiful pieces. She mostly wanted earrings, so chose a set of diamond studs, and a few dangling pairs set with sapphires and rubies, hoping Aro wouldn't mind. She also spotted a watch she liked. Her other had been destroyed in the accident, but she never felt another one was necessary, so didn't bother asking for one. "I do believe this is more than enough, Malia. Besides, poor Felix is bored." She smiled at the Guard, who stood straight, his eyes scanning everyone and everything.
"He's is not very discreet, is he? He looks very much like the Secret Service." She laughed when Malia gave her a quizzical look. "America's president's body guards back home. Oh well, I've been distracted enough, but now the scents are becoming a bit much. We should get back before I drink someone."
When the car arrived to pick them up, Felix and Malia grabbed some of the packages Charlotte had been carrying and gave them to the driver. Malia smiled, remembering the first months of her change. She was actually surprised at the self-control Charlotte was exhibiting now. It was unheard of for a newborn to be able to wander among humans so easily and not create a scene.
The trio entered the car for the ride back to the compound. "I'm sorry, Felix. I know this wasn't the most exciting assignment," Charlotte said.
"It's alright, Charlie. Protecting Master Aro's mate is an honour."
"And by the way, I'm sorry about yesterday." she said to both her companions. "I asked Aro not to punish anyone since it was my doing. But it was fun, thanks to both of you. I hope we can relax together again sometime.
Malia grasped Charlotte's hand. "I never would have pictured you as mate to any of the masters, Charlie. You're too...different." She leaned closer and whispered. "They're so set in their ways. But I'm glad you're here."
"We've never seen Master Marcus so...interested," Felix chimed in.
"Interested?" Charlotte asked. She had known Marcus prior to her accident, but everyone seemed to indicate to her he had changed, a lot, since her arrival.
"Yes, in anything at all." The two Guards looked at one another and nodded.
"You've given Master Marcus a reason to live his existence again, Charlie. It hasn't been easy for him, and sometimes, I think Master Aro doesn't care how much Master Marcus suffers."
Charlotte listened to the Guards whom she counted her few real friends, hoping Aro never read them. Weren't such thoughts dangerous, and hell, now she was a danger to them as well if he ever chose to read her. She only hoped she held enough sway with Aro should anything hit the fan, so to speak. She had so enjoyed dancing with her friends, she hoped they might be allowed to join her again some time. Not that Charlotte didn't enjoy dancing with Aro and Marcus, but neither enjoyed the kind of music she did. It had been pleasant being with Felix, in a way one can only dance when one has a partner. And Malia and Demetri seemed to be enjoying themselves too. So different from the grim visages they had to wear most of the time.
Once she had emptied the packages, laying everything out on the bed, Charlotte began to put everything away. She looked up when the door opened, to find Aro coming through the outer room to the bedroom.
"Ah, cara, you are back with your purchases." His eyes perused what his mate had considered good enough for her to buy, but he frowned. "Is that all you bought?"
Charlotte placed her hands on his chest and kissed him deeply. "Yes, Aro. It's enough to start, and I have to admit, I felt funny spending your money."
Aro laughed aloud, taking her in his arms. "Charlotte, money is not important except as another way to hold power. Humans are so easy to buy."
"You don't think too much of humans, do you?" She let Aro go, and finished putting everything away. She never heard an answer to her question. Standing behind him as he worked at his desk, she showed him her open hand.
"I did buy these earrings, diamonds, sapphires and rubies. I felt terribly guilty doing so, but they were so beautiful."
Aro tsked at his mate, trying to reassure her. He stood and held her chin, explaining to her, again as he would a child. "Charlotte, my dear, you never cease to amaze me. A human mate would cherish your frugality. I have no such desire to see you without whatever pleases you. But I know how you may repay me for your guilty feelings." He drew her closer, burying his face in her neck, inhaling her scent, one that never failed to excite his desire for her.
"Aren't you working?"
"It can wait," he answered, already drawing sounds from her as he kissed her throat.
Charlotte responded to her mate's desires, matched by her own. Their coupling was passionate, fulfilling, and lasted for over two hours. Charlotte laughed, her hand resting on Aro's bare chest, relaxing after the last round. "How wonderful that we don't tire. This could go on and on, but you have somewhere important to be."
Aro kissed her hand. "More important than this, cara?"
"Yes, you have a meeting to attend, remember?" Aro turned onto his side, slowly mouthing Charlotte's breast. "You were saying?"
Her hand tangled in his long hair, holding him fast to what he was doing. "I wasn't saying anything" She was loath to let him go, but said, "No, you have a meeting, Master Aro. You'd better dress, unless you want everyone to see what I have and they don't." Aro growled and got up from the bed.
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Charlotte finished in the bathroom and returned to the bedroom to find Aro already attired in his typical black suit.
"Please, cara, dress quickly. We must be at the West throne room. There is an important matter that must be taken care of," Aro said.
"This is the meeting you were telling me about?" Charlotte went to the wardrobe and pulled out a plain black dress. She let if all over her naked form, then slipped on the black pumps. "I must be there as well, Aro?" She pulled the Volturi necklace out of her dress, straitening it over her chest.
He gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Of course, you are my mate."
"So what's so important, that we have to drop everything like this?" Charlotte slipped on earrings, giving her hair a last brushing.
"A matter of a judgement, my dear. Come, we'd better go. I want you to join us so that you will be a witness to Volturi justice. You may watch, but do not interrupt," Aro warned her, his eyes holding her gaze a second longer than necessary.
They were at the throne room within seconds of leaving their chambers, most of the Volturi already assembled around the room.
Charlotte was about to go stand next to Malia and the others, when Aro led her to a smaller, less ornate chair sitting just at the bottom of the stairs near Marcus. She pointed at herself, her eyes questioning Aro. He nodded.
He looked down at his mate, his fingers touching her cheek. Once he saw that she had been seated, he turned and walked up the stairs to stand before his own chair. He glanced at Marcus, then Caius before taking his seat.
Demetri left the room for a moment, the returned with a young girl, his hand holding onto her arm tightly.
Charlotte looked at the girl, who was clearly frightened as she scanned the room, her newborn crimson eyes wide.
Aro spoke first. "This newborn attempted to contact her human family. That was her first transgression. Her sire has not yet been found, but that will be another matter. For now, this newborn is under the age of acceptance and must be destroyed. It is the judgment of this court..."
Charlotte stood suddenly, turning to stare at her mate, her eyes questioning the proceedings she was hearing. "Wait!" She rose from her chair and walked over to the girl. Her eyes met with Demetri's to see him giving her warning, the shaking of his head imperceptible. Charlotte ignored his warning.
"What's your name?" Charlotte lifted the girl's chin with a finger.
"Sarah. Why am I here? I haven't done any..."
"Shhh...how old are you?" Placing a hand on the girl's shoulder, Charlotte tried to comfort the girl.
"I'm fourteen years, four months, Signora," the girl replied, her hands trembling. Charlotte remembered when she had trembled before the Volturi masters.
Charlotte looked at Jane, and smiled. "Nearly fifteen years." She turned to look at Aro. He knew how old Jane and Alec were when they were changed. She walked over to the stairs, standing at the bottom, looking up at her mate. "She is almost fifteen years, Master Aro," she told him, adopting the courtesy title, since she was speaking to him as leader of the coven.
"She is too young. And we offer no second chances," Jane said pointedly at Charlotte.
Ignoring Jane, Charlotte continued with her impassioned plea to Aro. "Is this Volturi justice? She never had a first chance! Frightened, alone, and where did she go? To find her family. Are you really surprised? And blaming the girl for what her sire did to her is not justice, Masters. Find him, punish him if you must, but let the girl live."
Jane stared at Charlotte, her crimson eyes challenging the recent arrival to the coven. "You speak boldly for a newborn," the expressionless young blonde vampire said quietly.
"I spoke boldly when I was a human. I don't need to be a vampire to speak my mind, Jane."
Aro's smile was not a pleasant one. He had told Charlotte not to interrupt, and here she was defying his order. Marcus' expression, on the other hand, was one of satisfaction. This was part of the reason he supported the addition of Charlotte into the ranks of the Volturi.
"I find it strange that one who was changed at so young an age, can't bring herself to relate to another in the same position," Charlotte told Jane, challenging her as well.
Jane looked to Master Aro for permission, permission that never came. She looked around the room, confused. Master Aro had always looked to Jane to mete out punishment. He not only allowed his mate to interrupt the proceedings, but to speak as well. Giving her opinion over that of the masters was an insult to their wisdom and authority.
Charlotte went over to retrieve the girl from Demetri, who felt his friend was in for it now.
"Aro, she is almost 15 years, shy by 8 months. But she can be taught. Look at her. She's not a child!" Charlotte stood the girl in front of her and tightened her hands on her shoulders. "Let me take care of her. You can find out if she has any gifts or talents, while the rest of us teach her what she needs to know. Don't just throw her existence away."
Charlotte saw that Jane was confused by Aro's lack of action against her, and gave the young Guard a smirk of satisfaction. But Aro didn't seem to be hearing her pleas. If he was going to destroy the poor thing, she wasn't going to sit by and watch.
"I will not participate in this tribunal of Volturi injustice." She gave the room of assembled vampires a glance, then left, the breeze of her departure the only thing left behind.
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Charlotte ran to the garden, collapsing next to the pond. She grabbed at the Volturi necklace Aro had given her, but stopped short of tearing it off. Instead, Charlotte perused the pendant, wondering what the symbolism was in the design. No, she knew what it meant. It meant control, punishment, and death. For the first time since she had been brought here, she felt hate burning inside her. It was difficult to separate Aro and her friends from the Volturi as a whole.
Why wasn't anything turning out right. She wouldn't be surprised if Aro was furious with her right now, but damn it, was she supposed to sit back and let a young girl be destroyed? They all talked about the "Volturi way", but this was her way. Charlotte assumed that had the girl some useful power within her, Aro would have been merciful, and inducted her into the coven.
Charlotte felt a breeze blow behind her. She turned, expecting to see Aro and his blood red eyes glaring at her. Instead, it was Caius.
"So the tribunal is over?" Charlotte asked, huffing.
"Sister, why do I always find you here when you're about to be burned at the stake?" He sat beside her, laying a hand on hers. "God's blood, girl, what happened? Has Aro beat you yet?"
She glanced at him, frowning, "Of course not!"
"He wanted to, you know. Marcus talked him out of it."
Gazing at him, she expected to hear him say he was joking. But he didn't, giving her only raised brows and a shrug. "Where is Aro anyway?"
"I don't know, Charlotte. Aro was pretty angry at you for embarrassing him in front of everyone."
"I was pretty angry myself, Caius." She stood and began to pace. "She's just a child, but old enough. If she was going to be killed, I wasn't going to stand by and watch, as if I approved."
Caius squeezed her hand. "Sister, Aro is proud, proud of our ways and our laws."
"I know, and I told him that if I couldn't accept all of him, I deserved no part of him. But this was not justice, Caius, When I was human, I was for the death penalty, in extreme cases where there was no doubt as to guilt. But this, this was like...a rape trial, where the female is being blamed for something the male does to her. Find the sire, tear his throat out, or whatever it is you do to punish the guilty. Sarah does not deserve death."
Charlotte felt badly if she had humiliated Aro. As leader and one who enforced the law, he expected obedience. In truth, he was still a man, albeit an unusual man, one to whom she'd sworn to devote her love. "I never meant to embarrass him or challenge his authority. I'm not sorry for what I said, Caius, but had I the chance to do it all over, I would have said things differently." She bit her lower lip in nervousness. She had to find Aro and apologise, not for what she had said, but the manner in which she'd displayed her anger.
Caius gave Charlotte's hand one more squeeze. "Go find him, sister. He loves you. I don't think he could stay angry with you for long anyway."
"Yes, I will. Thank you, Caius." She kissed his cheek and flew off to find her mate.
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Charlotte stood before a silent Aro, her head held up. She was not cowering before him, but merely wanted to show her remorse in what she looked at as her too passionate call for change. "Aro, I'm sorry if you're upset with me. I felt I had to say something on Sarah's behalf, since no one else was."
Aro's hands were clasped together, his anger mostly dissipated by now. "What shall I do with you, my dear? Your display in front of Marcus and Caius, and the rest of the coven did not show proper respect."
"I know. Caius told me you wanted to beat me, but Uncle Marcus talked you out of it."
Hiding a smile behind his steepled fingers, Aro walked around Charlotte. "So true, my dear, so true. However, since such methods have little effect on us, the desire alone accomplishes nothing."
Charlotte felt Aro behind her, his hand playing with her hair. His fingers entwined themselves in the glossy locks, slowly tugging until Charlotte's head was bent back. He licked her neck and inhaled her delicious scent. He held her body tightly against his, asking, "And how should I punish you, my sweet?" His honeyed voice emphasized the 's' in the word 'sweet'. Releasing her, Aro walked away, leaving Charlotte to wonder what he was thinking.
"Aro, I am sorry. I couldn't stay and watch you destroy the girl..."
"She has not been harmed," he succinctly informed her.
Charlotte inhaled, her hand at her throat. "What?"
"I allowed her to live, and to stay here with us. She will be taught. And as you feel she is capable of learning, you will be the one to teach her. If you had remained instead of stomping off, you would have heard my judgement."
Charlotte's smile grew as Aro continued speaking, until she could restrain herself no more. She moved over to her mate and hugged him. She stepped back to peer into his eyes. She saw no anger, no animosity, nothing but love. "Did you do this for her or for me?"
"Does it matter, cara? She is safe, thanks to your concerned defense. But be sure she is aware of all she must know to live by Volturi laws. You wanted something to do, and now you have that. She is to stay in your old room. You may visit her in the morning, and get to know her." He held up a finger. "One chance."
Charlotte smiled, and placing a hand on Aro's neck, she leaned in and kissed him. Resting her forehead against his, she whispered, "I love you." Then she giddily hugged him again. "I love you so much."
Aro picked up his mate, and carried her to their bed. They made passionate, love in various positions, and taking up most of the afternoon, before deciding to take a break.
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Aro sat next to Charlotte on their bed, propped against the headboard. He was no longer irritated with her. How could he stay angry with his beautiful mate for very long? He loved her opinionated personality, but he wished she had been a bit more circumspect when in front of most of the coven. Marcus had talked him out of giving Charlotte even the slightest punishment. But he knew that telling his mate the girl would be spared, for now at least, would make her happy. He'd give her the opportunity to teach the young vampire in the ways of the Volturi, and of vampires in general. One step out of line, and she would be executed.
Aro shook his head at her fiery temper, loving her all the more for it. But he knew she had probably hated him, however briefly. All was peace between them for now.
Charlotte at his side, Aro reassured her the girl would be given the second chance she accused the Volturi of depriving her. "You are right, my dear. She was changed against her will. She deserves another chance. We will find her sire, however, and destroy him. Felix, Demetri, Jane and Alec are preparing to go even now. Sarah has given Felix details to help them find the traitorous fool. Now, are you happy, my dear? Your words touched me, and Marcus felt we should not act in haste." Placing two fingers under her chin, he lifted her face up to his. "You have already made a difference, cara. If you were not here, we would have killed her already."
Aro continued reading one of the books he had left on his desk from the previous day, until he felt a hand dancing over his chest, interrupting him.
"Aro, if Jane's gift of pain is just an illusion, wouldn't it be possible to convince oneself that the pain is not real and therefore, one would remain untouched by it?"
"It would take a powerful mind, with a great deal of self-discipline needed to do that," Aro warned. "No vampire can withstand Jane's power. A mere human might even die from it. The only ones I have seen capable of remaining untouched by Jane's power have natural shields to block her. She has never used it against me, but I suppose she could, if she wanted to."
"As much as I try to befriend her, I keep doing the opposite. I don't think Jane will ever forgive me after today."
"You have friends among the Guard, Charlotte."
"And none has the power to really hurt me. However, she could, and decide to accept the consequences later."
Aro's eyes unfocused as he relived the memory. The time Jane had taken it upon herself to teach Charlotte a lesson, he had felt not only the hurt of betrayal, but the anger of a devoted mate. "She would not dare! She knows I would rend her to pieces."
Charlotte touched Aro's cheek, forcing him to look at her. "Please don't rile yourself up, my heart. Jane is important to you. Perhaps you should show her how much. After all, she told me you've been like a father to them, she and Alec. Reassure her that I am not trying to take her place with you, but that I am just another person in your heart. And there is always room for more of us, no?"
"You're far too human for your own good, cara. A newborn who has control over her needs. Yes, Malia told me you two discussed that. And still attached to your human thoughts and beliefs. Unprecedented. Cosi raro." Aro kissed Charlotte, murmuring words to her, some she understood, others she didn't. But she approved of what he was doing to her, all the while he was speaking.
A/N : I have read in various film articles that Jane and Alec were changed at age 12y by Aro, who considered them old enough, but some say 15y. I decided to go with that since Jane just doesn't look 12y to me. I could not find any canon info on what the Volturi considered too young to be allowed to live.
Caius keeps insisting I get him involved with Charlotte. No, dude, Aro will rip your head off. I had to delete an entire scene with him flirting terribly with her. I don't always care for characters telling me what they want.