"I swear to you, if you fall, after I catch you, I will end your very life myself." Aro threatened, standing at the base of the tree I was climbing.
He had told me nearly a dozen times I was far too adventurous for such a "frail creature." But that hardly stopped me, especially while fluctuating between being frustrated by being locked up and being worried about two Romanian vampires hunting me.
"Will you really though?" I teased, looking down at him with a smirk.
He looked at me, his brow furrowed, clearly irritated that I called his bluff. "You say that with much more confidence than you should." He warned, but a smile on his lips all the same.
We had been back in Connersville for nearly a week and during this time, Aro and I had become so close I could hardly imagine feeling natural without him. We spent our days talking; learning about one another quickly and with enthusiasm. I had never opened up to someone so quickly.
"Hey!" I called down. "I think I see Carlisle!" I had learned the familiar flash of color that went along with vampire's speed.
The Cullens had gone off hunting in the woods while Jane and Aro stayed with me. Unlike the visitors, the Cullen family was able to hunt on their land. Not only because of the low risk, but as Aro explained to me, this area was considered territory belonging to Carlisle's coven and so they controlled hunting and other activities.
"More than likely you do." He laughed. "I will never understand his ability to feed on beasts alone. I tried it once and I never felt so...wrong. Not to mention disgusted."
I rolled my eyes at him and started to come down from the tree. Dropping in front of Aro who placed a gentle kiss on my lips. I really had moved forward with him emotionally much faster than I had expected. Carlisle however explained that it was rather normal given our bond.
Aro smiled at me, his eyes a calm red and his face beautiful and practically radiating light. We stood there until a ringing came from his pocket. Taking out the cell phone I had been shocked he had, he saw the name of Caius and darted inside.
"Do you think they found anything?" I asked Jane who was sitting on the deck.
"Doubtful." Jane sighed "I'm not sure why they are making Master Caius run all over the place. They know we can track them. Not only that, but the only real safe zone they have for now is Romania...until of course we can prove they're after you."
I nodded in understanding. I liked Jane. She was a straight shooter and funny when she felt like it. She took her job very seriously and was more observant than most people I had met combined. She and Bella weren't exactly the best of friends, but as long as they kept conversation simple, they were fine.
That's when I noticed Jane move slightly. "Go inside." She instructed.
"What's going on?" I asked, looking around as if I would be able to see whatever it was.
"I smell something." And with that, she was gone, nothing but the small flash of color I saw when they took off.
I took a breath, trying to calm myself down. This wasn't the first time they thought someone could be near. Usually it was a mistake or wind had carried a scent from someone passing through. That didn't stop my heart from pounding though.
I took no more than two steps forward before I saw a flash to my left, leaves blowing slightly from that direction.
I had to calm down. The Cullens and Jane were out in the woods. It was probably one of them and it wasn't like anyone was going to get through that many people.
I turned my attention back to getting to the house when I saw another flash. This one so close I could feel the breeze in front of me. I took a sharp breath in through my nose and swallowed.
That's when Jane returned, standing right in front of me. My heart settled seeing it was only her.
"Just another nomad. Only a lot closer this time." She informed.
"Good." I answered and she smirked a bit.
"I know you can't hear him, but you can calm down a bit. Master Caius has just informed Master Aro that he's seen Stefan in a village in Krakow. Which means the Romanian coven is still in Eastern Europe."
That settled my stomach a bit. Not only were they in Europe, but Caius had found them.
"What now?" I asked Jane but I instead was answered by Aro.
"Now, Jane and I fly to Poland and meet with Demetri. Caius and I plan on dealing with this matter once and for all." He said darkly.
I froze and looked to him.
"You're leaving?" I asked. My voice sounded small, even to me. I knew eventually he would but I didn't like the idea of it being so soon.
"Caius cannot pass judgement alone. Given the circumstances, the must face a full trial and I must be there to reveal their thoughts for myself. It is the only way we can avoid accusations of corruption." He explained, taking a step forward and holding out his arms.
I took the invitation, walking until I found him, my face pressed into his chest as his arms wrapped around me.
"Jane, dear, please gather our things. Marcus has already handled our transportation." He instructed, his hand stroking my hair.
"Annabelle, you need not worry." He breathed "This is a good thing. You will be safe and I will return to you. Then we can plan our lives together however it is you want it." He kissed the top of my head as I nodded against him.
"Carlisle! Perfect timing." Aro greeted as the Cullen family emerged from the woods. "It seems the Romanians have been plotting I'm Krakow hoping we wouldn't go looking for them and if we did, we'd assume them in Romania."
Carlisle nodded and came up to the deck, putting a strong hand on my back. "Annabelle, you will still stay here until everything is handled. Aro is going to deal with the issue and then you'll be able to get back your life."
"Okay." I managed out and Aro shifted me from his arms into Carlisle's.
"I will be gone only a moment of our time together, my love." He assured me, kissing my forehead once again. "Take this in my absence." He slipped off a large red and silver ring that graced his right ring finger and slid it onto mine.
It was slightly too big, but not enough it would slip off without any force.
And like that he was gone. He and Jane together leaving in Carlisle's car to fly to Poland. Only his heavy ring holding me in a sense of security.
"He will be back soon, Annabelle." Carlisle encouraged, taking a step back from me, his firm hands still resting on my shoulders.
"Let's go inside and I'll make you something to eat." Esme added, kindly "And of course Bella will help." She teased making me laugh a bit.
We all started filing back into the house, Bella patting my back on her way past and Edward giving me a confident smile.
I stood on the deck for an extra moment, letting the cold air hit my lungs and the wind sting my face a bit. Not even two hours ago I was climbing a tree and now the man I had fallen for quicker than anything was gone. Hunting down two vampires who posed a threat to me.
I turned toward the house when out of the corner of my left eye I saw a flash. Nearly identical to the ones I saw earlier. I shook it off, knowing it had been Jane I had seen before. I missed them both already.
I looked to the chair she had been sitting in earlier, right next to the small table. Sitting on it, exactly where I thought I had left it was my hair tie from a few days earlier.
