"How long is this likely to go on?" I asked , looking away from the window and over my shoulder at Carlisle who was reading on the sofa in their brightly lit living room.
"I'm certain until Caius hunts down one or both of them. Or, less likely for him, comes to a strict agreement." He answered kindly. "I know these past three days have felt like years to you, but to vampires as old as Vladimir and Stefan, it hasn't even felt like a minute."
I huffed slightly, returning my gaze to the trees outside of the window. The Cullen's had a good chunk of land which I learned was because of their diet. Esme had sat down with me and explained her family's choice to drink animal blood.
It was pretty amazing and frankly, I wasn't shocked. If any vampires in the world were to make a choice like that and try to spread it, it would be Carlisle and Esme.
Aro and Jane, however were a different story. After returning from the airport, they left the Cullen house for a small trip far out of town which I learned was to find food. Humans in particular.
"They don't approve of our dietary choices." Carlisle had explained "It most certainly isn't as satisfying and Aro sees it as unnatural. He is rather disapproving of my choice."
I tried to push the idea of Aro drinking someone's blood to the back of my mind, but it never stayed there for long. Though, I could also understand a bit. He was old fashioned and considering he'd been alive for an extraordinarily long time, I could see why. It was part of that whole connection with history thing. I didn't exactly approve of it, but when it came down to beliefs, especially during different time periods, I could see where he stood.
Carlisle made them go a good distance away since this is where he lived and Aro agreed. He left the moment we got settled and was apparently going to return at some point today. And although I was slightly disturbed by the purpose of his outing, I couldn't wait for him to come back.
I stepped out onto the front deck and breathed in the fresh air. My mom didn't know I was back yet. With everything going on, I didn't want her involved and so Carlisle, Bella, and Edward had been drafting texts from me on my behalf to make her feel updated. I hated lying to her, but it was for the best.
The temperature was the usual, slightly damp and a little cold, but it was fitting. I took my hair out of the messy bun I had piled on my head and tossed my hair tie on the simple but beautiful table that sat between two chairs on the deck.
I pulled my fingers through my wild hair and looked out onto the main road. It was just visible over the tree line. It was amazing how time away from home could make someone realize how beautiful home was. I listened to the wind and the animals , lost in the woods before me.
That's when the car came into view. A perfectly shiny black car that Carlisle had lent Aro for his trip. My heart skipped to think he was back.
Jane got out of the passenger 's seat first, her black robe from Italy gone and instead wearing jeans tucked into hiking boots and a simple forest green sweater. Her hair pulled back still and her face as gorgeous as ever.
Aro also was far more casual, his long hair blowing in the wind, a black leather jacket over a simple grey T-shirt paired with jeans and black boots.
My eyes were glued to him as I waved from the edge of the deck, my own mind damning me for not putting on shoes before I stepped outside.
With flashing speed, he appeared before me, a smile on his face like he'd been shown the secret to life.
"My dear, Annabelle, how I've missed you." He lightly grabbed my hand and lead it to his lips, brushing a soft kiss onto the back of it. "I am glad to see you are feeling refreshed. I was worried at how tired you were the last time I was with you. We kept you awake far too long."
"I'll say." I agreed, smirking at him which only made his smile widen.
"Deliriously tired or not, you are stunning." He said with a wink.
"You're alright." Jane said flatly, walking past.
My eyes narrowed until I noticed a small twitch on her lips. Flat humor must have been her preferred kind and I appreciated it.
"You too...sorta." I answered, making her turn around, smirk, and go inside.
"How you continue to capture me." Aro breathed, stepping past me, sweeping up my hand and guiding me inside.
"How was your trip?" Carlisle asked, looking up from his book, his eyes directed to our hands and smiling kindly at me.
"Very satisfying, thank you." He answered. "And not. Caius contacted me and he said Demetri has found evidence of the Romanians all over Eastern Europe in sporadic patterns."
I looked at him confused "Doing what?" I asked.
"Unfortunately, my dear, we do not know." He sighed "Though I am certain they will find them. Caius is fearsome and I would not want to be on his radar." He chuckled, Carlisle joining in.
"They should hope he finds them soon. The longer Caius is on the hunt, the worse things will be for them." Carlisle pointed out, standing from his seat.
"Annabelle!" Bella called, gracefully jogging down the stairs, "Esme and I managed to get into your house while your roommates were out for your clothes and stuff. Come make sure we got everything you need for a bit."
"You guys are freaking amazing." I said excitedly, grabbing my water from
the kitchen counter and stepping outside for my hair tie to put my hair back up.
It wasn't on the table nor was it on the ground underneath it. I pushed my hair back slightly frustrated hoping Bella had grabbed some from my room. The way I went through them, I would be surprised if there were any left for her to grab.
I went back inside, running up the stairs and stepping into the guest room I was given to stay in.
Esme stood in front of the open closet, my clothes hanging neatly on the the hangers and my shoes sorted on a shelf. On the bookshelf were my school books, history books, sketch books, and even some notebooks. The vanity had my makeup, all sorted and laid out in front of the mirror.
"Oh my gosh!" I said excitedly and stepped further into the room. The familiarity of my belongings brought an unexpected amount of comfort to me. I looked to Esme who was smiling ear to ear and I couldn't help but move forward and hug her.
"Thank you so much." I said happily.
"Of course." She said kindly "I couldn't imagine you having stay here without anything of your own."
I was overwhelmed by the kindness and I turned to Bella who was also smiling.
"I know this has been a lot." She said kindly.
"Thank you so much, Bella." I said, walking over to her and hugging her as well.
"It's the least I can do." She said quietly. "I'm so sorry about this."
"It really isn't your fault." I tried to assure her. "I wish I could do something so you all wouldn't have to take care of me."
"Trust me, even if you could, Aro wouldn't take even a half step back. " Bella laughed.
I laughed with her for a moment, my stomach doing a back flip. It was crazy how happy just knowing he cared about made me. I stepped over to the vanity thanking god someone had grabbed hairties, grabbing one and pulling my hair back into a rushed bun.
The three of us went downstairs where Jane, Aro, Edward and Carlisle stood seeming to have a casual conversation. The four of them looking over a map that had lines and dots on it.
Something about it hit me in my gut. While I was flitting about the Cullen household, hugging people and losing my senses in Aro's gaze...
I was being hunted.
