Chapter Twenty-Two
Panic closing my throat, I knotted my fingers hard in my hair, drawing my legs up to my chest. Breathing grew increasingly harder, and eventually, I couldn't breathe. I'd been told so often, I knew what to do like instinct. I used the last of the breath I had to cry one word.
"Alice!" I cried as loud as I could, my own voice echoing back at me off the walls, the pain deafeningly evident, even to me and the sob behind the word physically hurt to let go.
True to her word, she was right there. Less than a second after that word left my mouth, the door opened, and Alice was across the room, holding me. Jasper followed her in, sitting beside her. I fought from her arms, struggling like I was caught in a trap, and hugged onto a very surprised Jasper.
She understood now, sighing quietly. Jasper gave me a rather large amount of calming emotion, and it was just enough to let me breathe again.
"Leandra, listen to me." Alice spoke softly, such a contrast to the vision, but I couldn't yet. With my breath returning, I could only use it to cry. Sobbing heavily into Jasper's shoulder.
After awhile, I had to gasp for a breath, which was incredibly hard. Taking that breath, though, was what made my sobs audible again. Trembling violently, I hated that I couldn't let him go, and it was probably bothering him. The last thing I wanted to do was bother him.
At that thought, I suddenly pulled back, nearly falling off his lap. He caught me, righting me with concern in his eyes. I wrapped my arms around my stomach instead, trying to stay in one piece, which was proving difficult as I sat there, falling apart.
I looked over at Alice, and one glance told me she understood exactly what had happened. She knew what was killing me.
The anger flared up again. "I'm done! I'm done with it! I don't want this gift anymore!"
My entire body shook with the cold I still felt, and the devastation choking me, my voice included. I hated how badly this hurt me. It hurt me how much anger and hate I felt. Everything fed itself and kept it going.
I knew as well as anyone that I couldn't just get rid of it, but at the same time, I couldn't take seeing those things anymore. First with Bella, and then with everyone else, I cried harder than I ever had before.
"You're not done." Alice replied gently. "You're not allowed to be. I know. Believe me, I know."
"That's not enough." I was almost pleading now. "Y-You saw.." I couldn't stop myself, despite how much this had to be hurting her too.
They waited, giving me a chance to calm down as much as I could. Which really wasn't a lot. I was still torn, deeply heartbroken over what I'd just seen. Tears only poured faster the more I could breathe, and I still saw it. I couldn't close my eyes. I couldn't squeeze my eyes shut like I wanted to without seeing the bright white of the snowy clearing around me, or the fighting. In the back of my mind, I still heard it. I heard the fighting.
"I made that decision only for the sake of that vision." Alice explained. "All it takes is me deciding not to do what I did, and the rest of the vision changes. All that shows is how easily Aro underestimates us, and it's something he needs to see to influence his decision."
So it was her that made the decision to turn that vision into what it was. I looked over at her, torn between wanting to hit her and plead with her.
"It doesn't have to be that way." I bawled. My voice was far more pleading, and I shook my head with tears renewing down my cheeks. My breathing hitched in emotion, and trembling along with the rest of me. "I can't do it, Alice, please.. Why?"
"Aro has to see that vision first." She stressed. "I know how much it hurts, but I cannot change my decision yet. I promise you, though, that I will. I'm so sorry you saw that." Her hand smoothed the back of my head comfortingly, and I flinched away. I could really do without contact I couldn't see, and she really wasn't my favorite person right then.
"Tomorrow night, we'll be going home." Alice assured me, but that wasn't a comfort. She was trying to distract me, but it wasn't possible.
"Why would you do that, Alice? Why would you do that on purpose? Don't you know how stupid that is?" I cried hard. "Didn't he know how stupid that was?"
She knew who I meant.
With worry, I still felt like I didn't want to continue living. I still felt as crushed as I was in that vision. Even knowing it hadn't even happened yet, I still felt everything I felt in that vision, my heart shattered into a thousand, million tiny pieces that I knew would never heal. The panic, the rage. All of it.
"This is worrying me." Jasper admitted, and I gathered quickly that there were things he hadn't been told. Probably the part where he died too. I looked over at him.
"That vision has to stay the way it is for now." She told me again. "But I swear, it won't end that way."
I wasn't hearing her clearly. Too upset to let myself calm down. The pain of my shattered heart still physically hurt me.
Jasper was trying his hardest to calm me slowly first before trying to steal everything from me like he'd done before. He didn't want to do that again, and part of me understood his hesitation, but I felt his efforts at a slow calm-down, and fought them.
"You can't do that." My voice was so heartbreakingly pained, it hurt even me to hear it. "Alice, please. Don't do it." It was quiet for a few seconds, and I vaguely felt Jasper nod.
He sighed, seeming to brace himself before every last bit of my emotion was stolen.
It took me a moment for my cries to stop, as that had been a physical reaction to the emotion that was now gone, but when my cries did stop, I faced the exhaustion I knew so well. The numbness I knew so well.
"It just keeps going." Jasper muttered, but I knew he had a better hold of them this time.
"It won't end that way, Leandra." Alice repeated now that I could listen. "I promise you."
"It already did." I looked over through left over tears, and saw her expression shift toward concern. She obviously didn't understand how real that was to me. I felt like I should have been covered in bruises. The pain just under the skin. I had experienced everything like I'd actually experienced it, and it had destroyed me.
She could tell me that until the end of time, but to me, it had already happened. Until I could see for myself that Carlisle was actually fine, I wouldn't begin to believe her. Despite the fact that I could see for myself that Jasper was perfectly fine.
That's when it started.
The entire next day I refused to speak. I never said another word, sitting upright to ensure I stayed awake. I couldn't handle seeing that again. I couldn't. Until Alice could change the vision at the last possible second, I wouldn't sleep. I didn't sleep the rest of the night, and I didn't sleep the next day. No matter how tired I was.
I was just there, but not.
It didn't bother me when I overheard Jasper telling Alice that he wasn't helping me anymore. That I was numb now on my own. It didn't bother me to see them bothered. I didn't bother telling them not to bother. I just waited. Going through the motions, because I knew I had to.
It was the longest day of the trip so far, but I spent it in complete silence. When it was time to go home, just passed sunset that night, I wasn't as excited as I was before. I went along with it, but I was so terrified of going back, just to see the things I saw happen all over again. I did hold out a little hope, though, that Alice knew what she was talking about. I had no choice.
I didn't sleep the entire way back, and I wasn't very talkative this time. I hoped Nahuel understood. Neither of them seemed too upset with me. I just kept my eyes down and attempted not to feel cold. I did eventually need to grab my sweater, and that helped, but after spending nearly a month in an oven, the change in the air affected me again.
I didn't count on sleeping for a very long time when we arrived at the exact same moment we had in the vision.
The time of first light. The moment just passed night, right before dawn.
It seemed colder now, even more real, but it didn't bother me this time. I didn't care about that. I was so tired, just completely wiped out, it wasn't a surprise at all to be carried. My eyes still begged to close, but again, I couldn't do that.
I climbed out of the boat, looking over at Alice as she helped me. She read my expression easily.
"Trust me." She insisted gently, but it was so hard to do that. She couldn't even know, because if she knew, she wouldn't ask me to do that. Standing on the sand of the coast, I was suddenly under the impression that there were a few details she didn't have. Things I knew that she didn't.
I was taken home, just like before. Alice said everything had to stay the same. My bed still called to me, even louder when I saw it. The very same as it had been in the vision, but stronger now because I knew what could happen. I wanted nothing more than to hide from it.
I took as much time as I had last time in my room. I even chose the same clothes. Not bothering to change my selection when I held the same sweater. Right down to the same socks. I didn't bother waiting this time, though. Refusing to look to the pile of gifts against the window. I couldn't stand to see that it was exactly the same as it was in my dream.
All the similarities made me want to throw up.
I didn't even blink as Jasper lifted me. I shut my eyes on the run, a slow tear and a sob escaping as I did so. Every beat of my heart killed me a little more.
I visibly trembled this time as I was lowered to my feet in the snowy forest. I looked up, as I had before, to see my family standing there. Perfectly fine. For now. I listened to Aro speaking, waiting for the moment that Alice and Jasper would have to leave me.
Seconds away now. Minutes from the moment I would die all over again. It was even harder now not to just go out there, and beg for things to end differently. I would have given anything at that point.
"I know what I'm doing." Alice assured me in a whisper, taking my cheeks as she had before, looking into my eyes fiercely. "Trust me."
My emotions surfaced for a brief second, and she saw them. She saw the flash of pain in my eyes, the fear, and how much I didn't want to watch what was coming. I couldn't help the silent sob, and my painfully tearing eyes turned pleading. I was so afraid.
"Trust me, Leandra."
I took my eyes from Alice's and watched my family through the trees, staring their way between her and Jasper. Seeing them again, standing and waiting like that bothered me. They had no idea what could go wrong. How wrong things could go with just one simple decision.
Just like before, they walked forward. Leaving me standing there with Nahuel and Huilen. I couldn't do it anymore. I couldn't watch this again.
"Please.." I couldn't help whispering under my breath, my voice a puff in the air. "No more.." I was barely standing as it was. I paid no mind to Nahuel behind me, or Huilen beside him. I didn't care about them.
I was more than tempted to run off, but I stayed. Afraid that if I moved, I would break down just like before, and I really didn't want to do that, so I stayed, and I kept my eyes on Alice and Jasper the further from me they got. I focused on attempting to regain my numbness, but the fear of the situation ate right through it like it was never even there.
I watched Alice closely, watching her and Jasper step across the snow, just like before. Stepping with purpose, and determination. No fear, no hesitation. Nothing was changing! It was all happening just like before.
She and Jasper were stopped, just the same as last time, and she offered her hand. I cried steadily, but did my best to keep silent. My breath trapped in my throat as I tried to hold on.
I did notice something different this time, though. Time passed faster before I even realized it, and suddenly, there was a difference.
Aro managed to hold her hand for longer this time, and when he finally let her go, she took just a single half-step back. Her voice was quieter than I remembered it being before, her words not nearly as harsh.
When she moved, turning her back to him, I gave a quiet whimper, cringing and turning away. I couldn't bear to watch. My panicked mind had already charted a path away from the fight.
Before I could lose it, Nahuel patted my shoulder, and I looked up at him.
"Look." He said in a gentle whisper, and I chanced a glance, through pouring tears and silent shaking sobs I hadn't even realized were there. Aro still stood there, but Alice had moved away from him by several steps.
"There is the difference. The change that will ensure that this will end peacefully." He assured me quietly, over the quiet talking in the clearing. "Don't be scared anymore, young one."
I watched as he walked away, leaving the trees with Huilen beside him. I watched, knowing he was getting his chance to talk. He hadn't gotten this chance before. Like I said I would, I waited. Now cautiously optimistic.
Was he right?
Time now went slowly. Painfully slowly, but my tries to stop crying were a little more effective.
A few nerve-wracking minutes later, when nothing happened, I slowly lowered to my knees. Continuing to watch as Aro turned back around. Alice never kicked him. She never spoke harshly to him, she never pissed him off. The rest of the vision had changed, just as she said it would. Nothing ever happened.
I couldn't let myself believe it.
I even waited, cautiously climbing back to my feet when Aro and his group left. Leaving my family intact. I could sense their relief from where I hid but I still doubted. I stayed still, waiting for Alice's instruction, which didn't come long later.
The group of unfamiliar vampires moved back just enough, and Alice looked right toward me.
"Leandra." She called loud enough for me to hear. Her voice carrying faintly over the snow. "Come here. It's safe now."
I immediately got moving. Forcing myself back to my feet and moving forward. Breaking out of the trees without a single thought.
I nearly tripped in my haste, but I recovered. I ignored the similarity between that and the point in the vision. All that mattered to me was getting to them. I ran as fast as I could over the deep snow. I ignored my emotion, needing to focus on just getting to them.
They watched me, from what I could see through my overwhelming tears, right up until I landed against Carlisle's side and hugged him desperately. I was in instant sobbing tears once again, the relief stealing whatever numbness and composure I might have had. He was here. He was perfectly fine.
Lifting me up into his arms, he returned it, surprisingly tightly. Like he'd really missed me too, which was also overwhelmingly relieving. He was usually careful about showing affection like that, but that seemed to be different now. I might have been a little old to be held like that anymore, but that didn't even cross my mind.
I had to keep looking at him before my mind would believe that he was okay. Every time I did, my tears renewed.
Stupidly, I couldn't stop crying, but I had a feeling they understood.
"We do." I opened my eyes, glancing to Edward standing there. Bella stood with him, Ness in her arms. Bella clearly didn't understand, but Edward obviously knew every reason. I'd forgotten for a second that I shouldn't have been letting the memory of that vision take my entire focus, but again. He seemed to understand, so I didn't worry too much about it.
I had my moment, but it didn't take long to get pulled away and lifted off my feet in a bear hug I returned. I recognized Emmett's arms around me, but I could still hear him yelling at me to get somewhere safe. He'd never yelled at me like that before, and never actually had, but I still felt the pure chaos in every bone in my body.
I cried against his shoulder, but he didn't even seem to care. My heart broke once again, and I couldn't explain it. Everyone was relieved. They were happy, but I wasn't. I wasn't relieved, and I wasn't calming down. Something wasn't right.
"Thank you." The amount of gratitude in Esme's voice had me look over. I sat back in Emmett's arm to look. She was hugging Alice. For everything they left to do, no matter how hard it was for them to do, and probably for keeping me safe.
"Alice." I wasn't sure what made me call her attention, but she pulled back and looked at me. It wasn't the fact that I called her name, but the tone I used. We looked at each other, and I saw the moment her expression changed.
The slightest tension from Emmett, though, told me something was wrong a split second before I was back on my feet, suddenly surrounded by my family so closely, I couldn't see passed anyone. I didn't have to wonder long.
"Forgive me." My blood chilled instantly at the sound of Aro's voice ahead. "I can't help seeing that there is someone I haven't had the pleasure of meeting."
I whipped around, facing forward now. I was terrified all over again. We hadn't waited long enough. Either that, or he'd made the decision to return split second. Just like Alice said he was capable of doing.
I didn't know what to do. Terrified, I looked over at Alice again. She was looking at me while everyone else was looking forward.
"She has no part in this." Carlisle spoke for me. "I wanted to keep her as far out of this matter as I can."
"I can see that." Was Aro's reply. "However, I've heard some rather interesting things about her, and her gift."
"Her gift." Alice repeated. "Not yours, Aro." I didn't trust her tone. She was getting mad. She hadn't seen this coming, but I had.
"Of course." Was Aro's reply, but I had a feeling he was only trying to keep them calm. I stepped around Emmett within the tight group, and landed just behind Carlisle. I needed to see, no matter how much Emmett didn't want me to.
I recalled Aro's face immediately from my nightmare, but meeting his eyes now terrified me all over. Even from this distance. There weren't very many with him this time. Maybe a handful, but I did recognize the main members of his guard.
"This is it." I whispered, unable to help it as I looked over at Alice. "Alice, there was more. There was no right way."
I didn't even think about the fact that Aro could hear me.
"May I?" I could hear the smile in Aro's voice, but looking at him again confirmed it.
"What do you want with her?" Emmett actually spoke. Probably causing more tension. I glanced up and over as Esme approached my other side. Without prompting, I reached over and took her hand. I felt her hand close in mine, and I couldn't help remembering those last moments with her in the vision. Remembering that as clearly as any other memory, I looked again to the man responsible with a glare and fresh tears pooling in my eyes.
"Only to meet her, of course." Aro answered honestly. "Why, with our most recent discussion, it's my responsibility to ensure the safety of our kind. I need to be sure the human is trustworthy."
"She has never spoken a word to anyone." Carlisle replied evenly. "Nor will she ever. She has my highest confidence."
"Mine as well." Edward spoke firmly, but he was biting a lot back.
"It's not my intention to harm her." Aro assured them. I sobbed anyway. "But I am afraid I must insist."
All I had to do was meet him? If it was that easy to keep this peaceful, I'd have to set aside whatever fear I had, and just take those steps forward. I looked at Aro from around Carlisle's side, doing everything I could to be brave for just a little while longer, but I felt sick.
Aro was looking right at me, and I really didn't miss how excited he was to see me. I briefly thought about how much he must have heard from Alice or Edward. How often had we talked about what was going on with me? How many times had they been the ones to give their thoughts on it? If Aro heard every thought they'd ever had, then he knew everything they knew about me.
Including the discussion I'd had with Alice just the night before. All the things I told her about what I could know, Aro now knew. It was no wonder why he was so eager to take my hand, and see for himself the proof of what I was saying. It was no wonder why he risked coming back.
I couldn't stall much longer. I sensed it. I hesitantly glanced over at Edward, and he looked at me at the same time. I could see that I was right. I was exhausted in every way, but I wasn't done yet. Hesitantly, I released Esme's hand, only to cling tight to Carlisle's arm.
I forced myself to look up at Carlisle. He looked at me in a way I'd only seen once before. He looked at me now the same way he'd looked at me the day I had almost died. The day of Jack's trial.
The fear there in his eyes only held back by the forced calm, he kept his expression as neutral as he could but I saw it. I could feel it just as clearly as I felt it that day, but it wasn't news to me that I was facing something that could potentially kill me.
I knew he could see my fear as well, but I held tighter to his arm as his hand held mine tighter.
I took as deep of a breath as I could before I looked forward and forced my feet to move through the snow. I was shaking so hard, I was surprised I could move at all. Especially when Carlisle refused to let go and he came with me. His presence, the memory of what happened was enough to force myself to keep going. To face this when I really wanted to run away. He didn't have that memory. He didn't know, but that memory would always be burned into my brain.
As I approached as closely to Aro as I was brave enough to, I felt extremely exposed as my heart pounded painfully in my chest. I was terrified, and only partly because I knew every vampire in the clearing could hear how scared I was. I was facing a lot of them, but it was Aro I focused on. He was my biggest threat.
As soon as I approached him, Aro slowly crouched down to look me right in the eyes. Probably to try to make this easier on me. I knew exactly what he was doing, but I couldn't refuse this.
"It's so wonderful to meet you, young one." He spoke quietly, softly, and I really didn't want to reply, but I had to say one thing.
"Please." I managed to gasp out in a whisper. "Don't hurt my family." I couldn't bear the thought of putting myself through this, only to lose them all anyway.
As badly as I hated showing my vulnerability, I knew it didn't matter. I needed my family, and he was threatening them all. My eyes closed in shame, squeezing tears free as Carlisle gently smoothed the back of my head.
"I don't believe there is cause to harm anyone." Aro replied, and I looked at him again. "But I must be sure."
"I won't say anything to anyone." I caught a sob, shaking my head. "I swear."
"Then you have no reason to worry." Aro smiled in reply. I swallowed nervously and I glanced around at his guard, noting how I knew them all already. The vision I'd had provided me with all the information I needed on all of them. I knew their names. I knew what they could do.
Felix was the big one. That was a given.
The one to Aro's right, behind him, was Caius. I knew his personality like I'd known him all my life. Caius had been the one to send someone, Demetri, to collect me from the middle of the fight.
Demetri, standing beside Felix and glaring down at me, had been the one to kill Jasper. I distrusted him most, besides Aro.
Marcus was the one standing directly beside Aro, seeming bored and only mildly interested in what was going on around us.
"You're sure this is the one?" Caius asked quietly. Obviously, they had been talking about me.
"It is her." Aro confirmed quietly. His eyes studied me. I remembered what I was told about him. He knew my gift, and he wanted to be on my good side. Maybe that was why he came back with only a handful of his group, but so much was already against him.
I knew his personality already.
"Leandra, is it?" Aro prompted. Hesitantly, I swallowed against the fear again, and I nodded.
"I just wanna go home." I almost plead again.
"I've seen some interesting things regarding you, child." He murmured, his tone oddly calming. He seemed perfectly friendly. It only confused me, and my confusion only worked in his favor. Was he really that bad?
"I know." I said, my tone just a bit stronger. "From Edward and Alice. More from Alice. You saw what I told her before she could even show you the vision she had about your future. Right?"
It was still cold, and suddenly, I felt it again. My cheeks and my nose burned in the cold, flushing probably brightly. I would have given anything to have kept my numbness. It sure chose one hell of a time to resurface. Perhaps reacting to the threat I was now under?
"That's right." He smiled, seemingly impressed, and I watched him slowly offer his hand to me. I knew what he wanted. "May I?"
He wanted me to prove it. To prove to him that I was the one he was looking for. The one from their thoughts. Despite seeing for himself that I was the same one, he needed to see for himself.
"Am I allowed to say no?" I asked quietly now. "I don't like you." He chuckled.
"I admire your honesty." He said. "But.. If you choose to refuse today, I would unfortunately have to keep trying. To be certain." I knew he'd do it, too. I'd just have to get it over with.
He continued to hold his hand out patiently as I studied him, unsure. As okay as I was with Edward knowing every thought I had, I wasn't sure about this complete stranger knowing every single one of my darkest thoughts. I whined my hesitation.
"Do it, child." Caius eventually barked behind him and I jumped, whimpering quietly. Retracting the hand that had hesitantly been reaching for his.
"Patience, brother." Aro corrected quietly. "Humans, especially human children are timid little things."
He held himself there. Waiting. I held my hands to myself, nervously smoothing my coat. I knew the threat I faced. I knew how much danger I was in just by being this close to him. I could feel it, and I knew by the warnings I'd been given. The only thing keeping me standing here was Carlisle right behind me.
I looked away for a moment, looking up at Carlisle very briefly. He was watching me, leaving this up to me. I appreciated that.
"Go ahead, Leandra." Edward would have known just how much I needed encouragement, but I had no doubts everyone else had an idea as well. He was the only one to speak up, though.
Vaguely, I recognized this feeling from the dreams. It wasn't quite as obvious as everything else, but this was its own feeling. There was no mistaking.
I briefly considered trying to make a run for it. I knew better than that, though. This wasn't some human I faced. I didn't have a chance, but all I wanted was to just get away. I didn't want to be here. I didn't want to be faced with this.
"You saw? The very same vision Alice saw?" Aro asked quietly, probably trying to prompt me into choosing without pressuring me. I had to admit, he was good.
"I saw." I mumbled in confirmation, nodding.
"Please. Show me."
I looked at him hesitantly, distrust in my eyes.
"If I show you.." I mumbled. "Can I go home?"
"I promise you that I'll consider it." That was as much of a yes as I was going to get. I was human, after all. A human that knew everything about their secret. That fleeting thought made my heart sprint a little faster.
I sighed, trying to calm down.
"But you'll see everything." I whined, announcing my embarrassment. "Everything is a lot."
"I've seen many minds, child." He smiled a little. "There's no need to be embarrassed." He had no idea. Maybe he'd gotten a glimpse from Edward, but first hand was a little much.
"You'll change your mind about that." I mumbled. I sighed, defeated as I swallowed that nervousness and stepped half a step forward. Close enough to reach him, but still close enough to hold onto Carlisle's arm with one hand. I was afraid, but holding onto him somehow felt like I was protecting him.
Slowly, I brought my hand to Aro's. Patiently, he removed the glove covering my trembling hand. I'd forgotten about that, so I wasn't that bothered. I resisted every urge to flinch my hand back the second the skin of my palm touched his, and he closed his fingers over my whole hand, trapping it securely.
Two things seemed to happen simultaneously.
He pulled my hand closer, nearly tugging me off balance. I had to release Carlisle's arm to catch myself on Aro's sleeve, and I had a vision at the exact same moment his other hand closed over mine. Like I was suddenly dropped into a box, everything around me was no longer there. The vision was brought painfully forward, and there was no way I could refuse to see it.
There was no hiding from it like my mind had been doing. I was wide awake, but I wasn't in the snow anymore. Even underneath everything, I felt the splitting pain in my head. Underneath everything, I sensed Carlisle directly beside me. I heard him speaking to me, and I heard myself cry out as tears instantly poured from my eyes, but again, I wasn't there. I couldn't tell him what was happening.
Something about Aro's gift, the way he held my hand had my gift automatically work. Aro was able to see this vision in real time, instead of just a memory of it. I was no longer alone in my own head, which was the weirdest feeling in the world.
I knew that what I was seeing, he was seeing as well. I was not prepared for it.
Myself, much older. Fifteen, perhaps sixteen. Standing beside him and staring around at piles of burning bodies strewn across the dark, grassy ground. My heart broke, but in the vision, I didn't care. I knew from the sight that it wasn't my family, so that was a relief at least, but something about that vision disturbed me. I was happy about it. It pleased me to see the destruction, the absolute devastation that I knew I had helped him cause.
This vision was also different than my normal ones, as I saw myself. Instead of my point of view, I was seeing these things from another. Seeing the entire scene instead of only what my eyes would see.
Instead of just the scene, it was also silent knowledge to me, and Aro as well, what the intentions of those around us were. Their true loyalties, because their intentions directly affected everything about the vision in very striking detail. I knew who to watch, and because I knew who to watch, Aro knew who to watch.
Quite a number of them were there for the protection, others considering leaving any day. It was also clear to us both what our intentions were. Mine, being loyal to him. His, using my gift to ensure he never faced a situation like the one today ever again. The thing he hated more than anything in the world, was to be proven wrong. Especially in front of those who respect him.
I gasped, as he gasped, releasing my hand. His eyes were wide, as he studied me. As soon as it registered that I had my mind back, half a second later, I collapsed.
"Leandra?" Carlisle was trying to get me to look at him, but it was taking me a minute to catch up. What the hell had that just been? I was colder, trembling harder now. My stomach rolled with the pain in my head, squeezing me until I couldn't breathe. I prayed I wouldn't throw up. I felt how pale I was.
I sobbed again, quieter now and covered my forehead with my palms. It hurt to have a vision just taken from me like that, but the pain was easing, and I could start to think again.
"What was that?" Emmett snapped, but I barely heard him. "What happened? What did you do to her?"
No one answered him.
Somewhere under the pain, I realized that that vision hadn't lasted more than a few seconds, but in it, it felt endless. I had past and present details to a tee. I knew exactly where I'd been and I knew where I was intending to go, and because of that, I knew all that about Aro too. Because I knew, he knew I knew. There was so much information packed into a few seconds of actual time, that connection was blinding.
"Well?" Marcus finally asked quietly. "What is your decision?"
"Give me one moment." Aro almost snapped, turning his head sharply to look back at him. "Please."
He looked to me again, amazed. I knew I couldn't have retained half as much information as Aro did, so he could understand even more about my gift than I could.
I fought to catch my breath, feeling like I'd been punched in the stomach, but I was just as amazed, swallowing my pain through left over tears. One foot at a time, I managed to stand back up.
After searching for months for a way to make my gift work, here he was. Making my gift work just like that. As easy as taking my hand. I was still frightened, deathly afraid of him, but now I was curious.
He hadn't killed me yet, or even seemed like he wanted to. He didn't seem at all like the person I saw in my vision. That one was sick, sadistic. Conniving. This one was calm, patient.
He seemed as if he admired me, just as much as he seemed to admire Renesmee. Like I was just as fascinating to him, if not more so. Despite the fact that I was only human.
The pain was easing a lot faster than I was used to, which was the only reason why I considered trying it again. It finally felt like I understood myself. Like I'd just fallen back into step after being lost for months. It was an answer I didn't know how to look for.
"Be careful." Edward warned me from the group. "Leandra, please be careful."
Oddly, I ignored him. I ignored the fact that Edward was the only one besides Aro or me that knew exactly what had just happened. I probably should have listened to him.
"May I?" Aro asked me again, and I hesitated only a few seconds this time. I sniffled, clearing my hair from my face as I stepped a little closer. Very curious. "Bear with me, child, as I attempt something."
"We do not have much time, brother." Caius hissed to him before I could manage to place my hand in his. "I highly suggest-"
"Patience." Aro snapped again over his shoulder. "I do not want to ruin this opportunity. I need to be sure." Aro's eyes landed on me again, and this time, I willingly moved closer. "My apologies, child."
"Leandra." I muttered, and he seemed a little surprised that I corrected him. I didn't particularly like being called 'child'.
"Of course." Aro murmured, his impatience at the others not at all directed at me. He held his hands open once more, and though I still trembled violently, I reached up, tucking my hair behind my ear again before I placed my palm against his. He closed both hands gently around mine, and once more, I was given a vision.
Exactly the same, but this time, it focused on my cooperation much more than before. Giving both of us a better look at me beside him. I saw that my own intentions were pure, and I intended to stay with him. To provide him visions for as long as he needed me to. That's what he needed to know. I was okay.
Abruptly, however, the vision changed. And at first, I couldn't figure out what it was I was seeing, or how it had changed. The vision became clearer, like fog lifting and bringing it into focus, and I saw that this was me once again. There was a massive difference between my cooperative nature before, and this me.
In this vision I was the same age as I was in the last vision, and obviously immortal. But in this vision, I was curled in the corner of what looked like a cell. Glaring heatedly at him, daring him with my crimson eyes and threatening growl to step closer. I felt like an animal. I was both frightened and dangerous, given his reluctance to step closer. This me scared me. It unsettled me, not liking what I was seeing.
Again, it was clear to both of us my intentions. We both knew that the moment an opportunity presented itself, I would kill him and run. I wasn't there of my own free will, and I knew that bothered him. I wasn't pleased, not at all, and a very large flight risk. He didn't like that.
Once more, mid vision, the vision changed. Back to what it was before. My full cooperation, and obedience. Standing beside him as if I didn't belong anywhere else.
Slowly, he released my hand, and as soon as I was back to the present, I winced again at the violent migraine that had renewed. I pressed my palms to my forehead once more, as if that would ease it, and lowered forward until the backs of my hands were against the snow. Whimpering a cry through clenched teeth.
My head ached so intensely, tears escaped my eyes. The pressure was unbelievable, but what I had seen and experienced in that vision was overwhelming and terrifying in itself.
I still tasted the hatred in my mouth. The indescribable tension throughout my body, which shook me now. I strongly preferred the cooperative me, versus the angry me.
Aro rose to his feet, obviously thinking hard while I attempted to recover enough to open my eyes. Not at all concerned by the fact that I was obviously in blinding pain. Carlisle kneeled beside me, trying to get a look at my eyes, but I couldn't focus yet.
"I've come to a decision." Aro finally said. "We will leave her." I heard the sighs of relief from my family.
"What?" Caius demanded.
"We will leave her today." Aro repeated. He looked at me. "Right now, her mind is clearly not ready for a gift like this, and taking her will only risk her life unnecessarily."
No kidding. I thought my head was going to explode.
"But I must propose an agreement." He continued. "It would be a crime not to."
He was going to offer something?
I was listening, and he knew it.
"Absolutely not." Edward was the one that spoke up. His tone almost broke through to me, but Aro crouched down in front of me. I had no choice but to look up at him.
"My offer is peace." He told me gently, which captured my full attention. "From this moment on, you will belong to me."
I felt my heart drop. I wasn't so sure about that, but he continued in the same gentle tone. "In five years, I will return to collect you."
"Like hell!" Emmett growled, and that gained my attention. It pulled me out of my daze, and I looked back at him, now standing closer to us in the group. I had no idea where this had come from, but I did know I needed to say something.
"Emmett." I called, trembling. "Shut up."
I managed to get back to my feet, Carlisle supporting me gently, despite his own tension.
"Leandra, don't you fucking agree to that!" Emmett again, and for a second, his tone distracted me again. He was absolutely livid. I looked back again, longer this time. The looks on their faces made me start to rethink this. They meant everything to me, and every single one of them were very unhappy with this.
"In exchange.." I looked to Aro again as he continued. "In exchange for your cooperation, my dear, your family will have five years of peace, and as long as you continue giving me your cooperation, for the rest of their existence."
My eyes widened a little. This shouldn't have been a surprise to me. I knew his reasons as well as I'd know my own. He was using my attachment to my family, my desperate need to make sure they remained okay to ensure I would agree, and I knew the moment I agreed, that was it.
I knew he was only offering this for his own selfish gain, but that didn't make it any less tempting. I had to consider the other hand, though. What would he do if I refused?
"Don't do it-" I ignored Emmett's next attempt as if he hadn't even spoken.
"Tanya's coven too." I added in reflex. "And everyone else here." That was steep. My voice sounded heavy, almost desperate. He was offering something I could have taken in a heartbeat. I had to push it further.
"Agreed." Aro nodded.
Jasper spoke next, his tone considerably more tense than Emmett's had been before. They knew I was heavily tempted by the offer Aro held in front of me. "Leandra, stop-"
"And the wolves." I added again, cutting him off. "All of them."
"Alright." Aro nodded again.
"Do you promise that nothing like this will ever happen again?" I asked. "I need to know that what I'll be agreeing to will stick."
"Leandra!" Alice was warning me now. "Stop. You don't know what-"
"You have my sincerest word." He told me firmly.
"Don't you fucking-" Emmett again.
"Leandra." Carlisle's firm voice right beside me interrupted Emmett before I could, but it only solidified my next answer. The moment he spoke, it brought forward the memory of how bad it hurt to lose him. The moment he spoke, I remembered what it felt like to be shattered so completely, and tears started again.
A sob tore free, and I looked at Aro again. The pressure of my emotions was just as bad as the pressure was in my head, the intense amount of physical and emotional pain was overwhelming, and I was just desperate to make it stop.
"You have my word." Aro told me again, his tone even more persuading. "You get five safe, wonderful years with your family here, before you come to me, and be treated like royalty."
I had to admit, I couldn't even imagine what that would be like. I'd always had a hard time imagining any length of time passed the next day. I'd learned to live in the present, one day at a time, so Aro's deal really didn't sound like a bad one.
"Give her more time to decide." Carlisle tried again, his tone firmer. "Aro, it's the least you could do." Aro stood up to speak to him, but I spoke up first.
"I don't need more time." I mumbled, and they both looked down at me.
"Yes you do." Carlisle replied, and I looked over. Carlisle held my gaze, shaking his head. Telling me not to accept, but that only pressured me more. Seeing him clearly like that was the opposite of helpful. Especially when he crouched.
"Don't do this." He murmured, despite Aro standing right there. "You are under no obligation to agree to this."
"You didn't see." I whispered in reply. "I saw. I can't lose you again." He could see it. The new shattered bit of me that drove me to the very edge. He saw it easily. "I would give anything to keep that from happening. I owe you my life."
It was true. More true than anything I'd ever said before. Somewhere behind me, I knew they were all telling me to rethink my decision, but instead, I looked away from Carlisle, right to Aro again.
"Okay." I mumbled, and I found myself nodding. "I agree. You have my word."
"Dammit, Leandra!"
"Emmett, shut up!" I finally glanced away from Aro for a brief second, before looking back. It hurt my voice to shout it that loud, but the determination in those three words couldn't be denied.
It was either go with Aro in five years, or be taken now, and not give my family the peace of mind they'd so thoroughly earned. I would rather have my family for as long as I could, even if the thought of ever leaving them someday broke my heart. But the promise Aro made was too good to turn down.
The vision still fresh in my mind scared me enough to find his offer very enticing. Even through the hisses of unhappiness I heard from my family and their group.
Aro smiled.
"Wonderful." He nodded, looking up again. "Carlisle." I chose to keep my eyes down on my trembling hands. My tears were still falling, and in the cold it made my face uncomfortable, but I couldn't stop it.
I looked back almost shamefully at my family, and I really hated the looks on their faces. Even from this far away, I could see I'd hurt them.
Aro continued.
"Because of her gift, she no longer applies to the human category, so as it stands, you are forgiven for being honest with her. I may look the other way as long as you give me your word. No more humans, Carlisle."
I looked to Carlisle, pleading with my tearing eyes. All he had to do was agree, but that seemed to be too much. He couldn't. He was angry. In reflex, I reached up and took his hand. He gripped mine in return before he looked down at me sharply, but I just shook my head.
I asked him silently to let me do this. It wasn't exactly up to him, though, and I saw he understood that. His eyes were set in a tense way, but there really wasn't anything he could do to change my mind.
Aro seemed to accept Carlisle's silence as agreement anyway, and he nodded. At his nod, I felt my clock start ticking.
Aro now turned to speak to his small group. "We've found something irreplaceable today. They are not to be bothered for the duration of these five years. Am I clear?" Every one of them murmured in agreement, but Caius studied me.
Aro offered his hand to me in goodbye, and I reached up without hesitation this time, placing my palm against his once more. He gently sighed, and I stood close to him without even noticing. I didn't get a vision this time, but I knew by the way he continued to hold my hand, that he was seeing something else.
This must have been the part where he saw my thoughts.
While Aro was viewing every thought I ever had, I glanced back in Carlisle's direction, and the discomfort bordering anger I still saw on his face as he watched Aro and I told me that I would have a very hard time saying goodbye in five years, but looking further, I knew agreeing to five plus years of peace for them was exactly the right move. If I could provide them that, to never have to face this again, I would. I'd always agree.
I sniffled quietly, turning my eyes to Aro again. Waiting patiently for him to get through with whatever he was seeing.
It took almost a full minute before Aro released my hand. As soon as he did, he only moved to hold my fingers rather than my hand, which I took as a sign of respect. He stared at me with an expression that almost bordered fear in its amazement.
He held my gaze firmly as he slowly crouched again in front of the spot I stood, nearly falling to his knees, which surprised me. If I could move, I would have looked away, but the admiration in his expression held my attention because I'd never seen it before. Not to this extent.
"You've seen the very worst in humanity." He spoke gently, almost quietly, and as much as what he said wanted to make me look away, I still couldn't. "You've seen things no one is ever meant to see, despite your tender age."
I looked down briefly. He didn't need to remind me.
"My dear.." He said, bringing my attention back up to him. "Forgive me. I must admit, I'm a bit speechless."
"I know." I muttered, feeling the heat of shame fill my face. "I'm sorry."
"Please don't apologize." He shook his head slowly. "I have been moved. You've earned my respect, and you have my word. You will want for nothing. You will never feel unwanted again. For one such as yourself, that is the very least you deserve." I didn't know what to say to that. "I will see you again in five years, my dear."
I took a shaky breath, and though I still hated him, and though I still feared him deeply, I nodded. He held my gaze for just a few seconds longer, and he was about to say something else, but something caught his attention and he looked sharply to the side. I followed his gaze, much slower, and I blinked in surprise as Felix suddenly returned, dragging someone with him. I hadn't even seen Felix leave.
I stepped to the side, letting Felix pass by, accidentally bumping into Carlisle. My surprise was loud at his return, and who he had in his grasp. My eyes went wide.
"Mikah?" I captured pretty much every person's attention. My family had no clue I'd been talking to him, but now, apparently they were meeting.
Mikah grunted at the position he was held in. Forcing a pained laugh. "Hey, princess."
"He's been lurking for awhile. He got annoying." Felix explained, and Aro nodded.
"Don't hurt him." I requested quietly. That was really all it took, which surprised me.
"Let him go." Aro waved his hand at him, and at once, Felix released his arms.
"Who the hell is that?" Emmett barked from his spot. I heard the tension even over the snowy distance.
"Uh.. Hi." Mikah chuckled, looking to Carlisle. "Nice to finally meet you."
"Guys, this is Mikah." I admitted almost shamefully through a sniffle, gesturing to him. "He's my friend."
"I'm sorry?" Carlisle asked, looking down at me. I kept my eyes down.
"Mikah." Aro greeted him, and he looked over. "You seem to mean something to her."
"I-Uh.." Mikah spoke, now nervously. As if he knew full well that who he was talking to was pretty important. "Well, I've been keeping kind of an eye on her. Well, more like checking up. If I'm crashing some kind of party, I'm sorry-"
"Have you now?" Aro cut him off, interested.
"Have you now?" Emmett asked, quite a bit less pleased.
"Allow me?" Aro requested, holding his hand out to Mikah. He seemed puzzled, but he gave him his hand.
"How long?" Carlisle asked me quietly. I didn't reply. I hadn't really anticipated having to tell them yet, and the fact that it was happening now of all times was a little overwhelming.
"I see." Aro nodded in thought half a minute later. "Thank you." Mikah nodded and took a step back. Standing carefully to my other side. I could tell he didn't know what to think, but it wasn't like I could explain everything right that second. Especially considering I'd just basically signed the rest of my life away, and he was a factor I'd never even considered.
Aro was quiet, and I looked over at Mikah.
"What are you doing here?" I asked him in a whisper.
"I came back to check on you." He returned in his own whisper. "Bad timing?"
"Very bad timing." I hissed, looking at Aro again. He was still in thought. I could only imagine what he was thinking.
"You will continue watching over her." Aro finally spoke, looking right at Mikah. "From now until I return for her, you'll be the one to give me periodic status reports."
"Wait." Mikah laughed nervously. "Um.. I don't even know-"
"Wonderful." Aro nodded as if he agreed. "Consider yourself a passive third-party. I expect you'll do just fine."
"But-"
"Now is when I must make my leave." Aro looked at me again. "I so look forward to seeing you again, Leandra. You will be spectacular."
He paused only long enough to meet my eyes once more. I didn't know what to say, but I was stuck. There was something more there, but before I could even begin to figure out what it was. My head was still spinning, but suddenly, he and his group were gone. Leaving just us here.
I stayed frozen for only a few seconds. Almost disbelieving in what just happened before I was suddenly surrounded. Carlisle kneeling on my level, turning me to face him. The others, all around us, choosing to stand. Forcing a void between me and Mikah.
I heard the moment Emmett started barking questions at him, but I was a little bit numb.
"What did you just do?" Carlisle asked me firmly. "Why would you do that?" It was like I couldn't hear him, so he reached up, and took my face between his hands. Forcing me to focus, and it worked.
What had I just done?
The moment I met his eyes, I started to cry. Hugging onto his neck as I had done earlier. He sighed heavily, the disappointment clear in the sound as he returned my hug.
"I'm sorry." I cried into his shoulder. "I'm so sorry. You didn't see. You don't even know.." I closed my eyes. I didn't want to see the snow anymore. There was nothing he really could have done. My heart was still broken, and this agreement felt like the only way out from under it.
He pulled back after a moment, looking at me again firmly. I only then noticed that Esme was kneeled beside him, looking at me as well.
"This agreement will not stand." He stressed.
"It has to." I cried, shaking my head. "I made it. I don't wanna leave, but I will if it means you'll be safe."
"Leandra?" Mikah called, and that reminded me. I finally looked away, looking toward a very nervous Mikah. "I don't mean to interrupt, but if you wouldn't mind.."
With a rough sniffle, I fought to clear the tears from my eyes and I forced myself to turn away. I'd nearly forgotten about that side of things. I pushed my way between Emmett and Rosalie to stand between them and Mikah.
Carlisle followed me, standing with the rest of my family.
"It's okay." I told them, wiping my cheeks with my sleeves. "Don't be mad at him."
"One of you better start explaining." Emmett snapped. "Because he's about to die."
"You can't do that." I pointed out. My voice was still thick with emotion, but that wasn't a problem. If anything, it probably helped.
He scoffed. "What have we told you about bringing home strays?"
"Nothing." I replied honestly. "You never told me anything about that, but he's my friend. Remember the vampire I met that day awhile ago? After being stuck with Ken?"
"This is him?" Emmett asked, and I nodded.
"He was there the night of the fire." I explained further. "He came back, and found me to check on me, and found the house on fire. He caught the guy that did it." I glanced over at Mikah, waiting for him to continue.
"I came back today." Mikah picked up perfectly. "I was a little nervous when I found out she'd been gone, so when I picked up her scent again, I thought I'd come find her. Then, I saw everyone was a little busy, so.."
Emmett gave me a flat look. "Shorty, are you color blind?"
"What?" I frowned. It took me a second before I understood. "Oh, I don't care. He doesn't bug me about what I eat."
"I never meant her any harm." Mikah offered gently, which seemed to help. "I never will. If that helps any."
They were quiet now. Obviously considering it.
"Can I just ask one question?" Mikah asked.
"Sure." Carlisle sighed.
"Who was that?" Mikah asked. "And what kind of reports does that creep want?"
"That was two." Emmett glared, and I looked up at Mikah apologetically. I felt bad that he was dragged into this. I'd never expected it. I vaguely noticed that it was strange that I had no clue he'd been there. I never saw him in the vision I had of today. I should have.
"We have a lot to discuss." Carlisle replied. "I suppose you should follow us home."
I didn't miss the look Emmett gave Mikah while gathering me into his arms. Mikah, of course, stepped back, but I could see he was slightly amused.
Emmett took a moment to hug me again. I'd definitely missed his hugs, because they enveloped me. Having gotten used to him by then, being squashed was no longer a worry of mine.
That slight relief was squashed, though, a moment later as he sighed heavily.
"Shorty, what did you do?" He was extremely disappointed, but no matter how bad I felt, I couldn't find regret anywhere.
I felt tired and sore, the cold still biting me in a way I was having trouble recovering from, but in a way, I was glad I wasn't hot anymore. Despite my discomfort, I was grateful for the cold.
I wasn't set on my feet until we were in the house. I immediately started toward the fireplace, though. Pulling my coat off in one swift motion.
Only a few of my family had followed us inside. The rest probably staying outside to talk to the rest of the group of vampires.
"Are you crazy?" I jumped, startled at Emmett's tone. "Do you even know what you just agreed to?" I ignored him at first. I was having trouble thinking straight, like my mind was still overwhelmed. Which it definitely was. Not only that, but as I started to warm up, a lot of my tension left with the cold.
"Give her a minute." Alice defended me. "You have no idea what she's just been through."
"No one does." Edward joined us.
"You do." Emmett barked at him. "Care to enlighten us?" He didn't reply at first, probably looking at me.
The fire in the fireplace, though, had stolen my whole focus. It wasn't demanding answers. It wasn't mad at me or disappointed in me, or accusing me of making the wrong choice. It wasn't expecting anything of me. It was only warming me. I shivered as I watched the flames.
"If you think we're going to honor that, you've got another thing coming, shorty." He turned and headed from the room. He was so mad.
It wasn't up to him.
"Remember what I said before?" I asked quietly, knowing he could still hear me. Sure enough, he returned. This time with Esme in tow.
"And what would that be?" He asked, still irritated.
"I don't wanna go, but I will." I finally looked away from the fire. "I'll do whatever I can do to make sure nobody gets hurt."
He sighed. "Shorty, that's ridiculous."
I didn't reply. It wasn't ridiculous to me. It meant everything to me.
"I'm not going along with this." He said again.
"Yes, you will." I countered. "Because I made the agreement. Not you. It's my choice. Not yours."
"You're just a kid." He said. "You can't make agreements like that."
"Too late." I replied. "I already did. He doesn't think I'm too young."
"He doesn't know you." Emmett pointed out. "He doesn't even see you. He sees something he can use."
I looked down. I didn't know how to make him see my reasons. I glanced over at Alice briefly, but her expression was sad. She understood, but she hated it just as much as Emmett did.
Shaking his head, Emmett turned and walked out. Out the side door, so I stood up.
I followed him outside onto the porch, choosing not to pay attention to the other's eyes on us for now. One at a time was the best I could do right then. I stepped out after him, watching as he sighed heavily and leaned on the porch railing.
He was having a hard time with this, but the truth was, so was I.
I didn't want to have to leave, but I had no choice. It was the only option I had. Right now, though, I had to be stronger than Emmett was. I had to be the bigger person if I wanted to keep from arguing about it. I sighed heavily now, and stepped forward. Ducking under his arm and hugging onto his side, waiting until he returned it before speaking again.
"Can we not fight about this?" I asked. "I don't want to spend the next five years fighting with you." He was quiet, but he sighed.
"For now." He agreed after a few seconds. "Just because I missed you so much."
I stayed there, hugging onto him as tightly as I could. I was too happy to see him to stay mad. Two days ago, I'd been under the impression that I'd probably never see him again.
"What did he see, shorty?" Emmett asked a minute later. "That made him want you so much?" I bit my lip, stepping back and looking down. "Because as far as I know, Aro himself doesn't just go around claiming humans as his when they're older like cattle."
"Alice or Edward haven't told you?" I asked, looking up at him. Although, thinking about it, they wouldn't have had a chance.
"No." He said. "No one will say anything." I nodded, sighing.
"I'd rather tell everyone at once. So I don't have to say it again."
"They're all inside." He told me. "Already waiting for an explanation."
Glancing back at the door, I sighed. I wasn't looking forward to this. They needed to know my reasons and why I wouldn't be changing my mind. I wanted to get it over with. The sooner they understood, the sooner I could come to terms with it.
Emmett obviously didn't want to rush me, so I moved first.
He followed me back inside. I kept my eyes down as he moved to Rosalie's side. I didn't need to look up to see that the room was packed, because I could feel all the attention I suddenly had, but I could only imagine how much exhaustion they saw in me.
I had to take a moment, stepping slowly to the chair, and leaning on the armrest tiredly. I was ashamed, but not sorry. Taking a breath, I closed my eyes briefly, before looking back up sadly.
"It took.." I trailed off for a second, trying to find the right words. "It took staying by myself for so long to start to really get what I can do. It's more than you thought before. It's more than I even thought before."
"What can you do?" Rosalie was curious, and it showed in her impatient tone. I took another moment to think.
"I can see what's going to happen, and what could happen. The possibilities, along with what actually happens." My tone was quiet, almost a regretful hint to the sadness underneath. "I can see the decisions people make, and I can see their reasons behind those decisions. I can see every.." I paused, looking for the word. "Intention, I guess, and how they really fit into the vision. I know when someone is lying to get their way. I can tell when they're being truthful, or when they aren't as truthful as they should be." I sighed, sitting in the chair. "I didn't know that before.. I just barely figured it out yesterday. That's before he even saw the vision I had today."
"You had a vision today?" Jasper asked, surprised.
"More like.. He gave me one." I frowned. "I don't know how to explain it."
"The moment Aro took her hand, she had a vision." Edward explained quietly. "Instantly. The moment his gift started to work on her, hers worked with him. It was an instant connection to give him a vision in real time, instead of only seeing it after it happened like he would have with Alice."
"Well, shit.." Emmett sighed, turning. He wasn't happy about this.
"The second time he took her hand, it was to test her. To see what she was capable of."
"She obviously passed that test." Rose muttered, shaking her head a little.
"Aro was able to see the different outcomes of different decisions, by changing his mind mid-vision." Edward continued. "He had far more control over it than she did, and he saw exactly what Leandra saw, as she saw it. While he holds her hand, and uses her gift, it's like he has the gift himself. Their gifts are made for each other."
"Thank you." I mumbled, appreciating the help. He obviously knew how to explain it better. He glanced to me, before looking back to Carlisle. Explaining directly to him now.
"By using her gift through his own, he can choose to see who really belongs there, and who doesn't." Edward paused. "When he takes her, there will be no more secrets among them. Aro will, truly, know all." That didn't seem like news to them until Edward spoke again. "Anyone, anywhere. All he would have to do, is have the want to check up on anyone, and take her hand. She'll see what he wants to see, and he'll see it through her."
I was a little surprised. I hadn't even considered that far ahead, but Aro clearly had, and Edward was able to see it as Aro realized it. I looked down, though. I hated this feeling so much.
"This creates a problem." Carlisle sighed, shaking his head. The disappointment in his eyes had lightened when he looked at me, but I didn't like the concern that replaced it.
"It doesn't have to be a problem." I said, standing again. "I just need you to let me keep the agreement I made with him. If it keeps you out of trouble with them forever, I'll do anything it takes."
"Think of it as immunity." Edward added bitterly. "Because we'll be providing him with everything he's ever dreamed of."
"She might be giving herself away, but I'm sure as hell not going to let it happen." Emmett was still mad, and it bothered me so much. I didn't know how to make it better. I felt small again. Defeated.
"I still have five years." I murmured, sadly optimistic. "Five years is a long time."
"Maybe even time enough to figure out how to get you out of this stupid agreement." Rose commented sharply. "You're not property."
"I know I'm not." I said. "But-"
"Then don't act like it." She barked, and I closed my eyes, sighing as I looked down. "You're worth more than that to us, if you haven't figured that out yet. You're not something to be traded. What were you thinking?"
"I was thinking about how much it hurt to lose you anyway." I replied quietly. "I couldn't watch that again. You don't know.. You can't even.." I sighed, falling back into the chair. I'd never felt so defeated before, and my quiet voice reflected that. "There was nothing.. Nowhere.. And I saw it.." It was silent for several seconds. Rosalie clearly not knowing how to respond to that.
"It was bad." Alice defended me gently. "I suppose this is partly my fault." I frowned a little, looking over at her.
"If anything, it's my fault." Emmett replied. "I should have stopped her."
"Wait." I mumbled. "It's no one's fault."
"That wasn't an option." Edward reminded him.
"Fault hardly matters right now, I think." Jasper pointed out, which I appreciated. "The question is how do we stop it?"
"You don't." I replied. Were they not listening?
"Leandra, you have no idea what you agreed to." Esme's voice was so sad.
"I know." I argued. "I know it sucks, but it was the only choice I could live with."
"Aw, shorty." Emmett sighed eventually.
"It's not something I can just.. Ignore." My tone was still defeated and small. "I've spent the last couple of months trying to see something that will help me prevent what that vision showed me, and now that I see a way to, I'm not about to let the chance just walk away. I do get why you guys are mad at me, but at least you'll be around to be mad at me." My eyes burned in tears that wanted to fall, and I looked down to try to hide them.
I sat there in the silence for a few minutes. Knowing there was no way to get out of this even if I wanted to. I still had five years. I couldn't even begin to imagine what my life would be like in five years.
I knew this wasn't the end of it. Not by far, but this was the last I would probably be scolded for it. From now on, I'd only be told of possible solutions. I knew they wouldn't just sit back and let it happen, but at least for right then, I really hoped they would just drop it because I knew better than anyone the impact of the choice I had made.
"Where's Mikah?" I wondered, suddenly remembering.
"He needed to take a walk." Emmett replied. "Until we get to know him better, his contact with you will be limited at best."
"How are you supposed to get to know him better if he's not supposed to be around me?" I pointed out, and he smirked.
"I have my ways." He narrowed his eyes. "Go take a shower, shorty. You smell like Brazil." I couldn't help smiling a little at the joke as I stood.
"And when you get out.." Jasper said. "We need to discuss your unhealthy fascination with highly venomous creatures." I actually laughed a little at that one on my way to my bedroom. He must have been referring to the snake I was playing with when Alice came back for me. That could also apply to Mikah, which was also amusing.
I took my time. I had a lot to think about.
I managed to get the dirt off of me, but my skin stayed darker from the tan. That would fade in time, I knew, but it didn't look too bad on me. I was still accustomed to shorts and tank tops, so I chose to wear that instead of my normal warm pajamas.
I met my reflection while I brushed my teeth, and barely recognized myself. I didn't overlook the fact that I still felt like I'd finally found my footing. Like I finally understood what it was all supposed to be for, and I felt a million times better. I'd probably never admit that part out loud, but that didn't make it any less true.
I came back out, my wet hair braided down my back, feeling just a little bit more human. I was clean, at least, and the cooler air was a very relieving feeling. Unlike the constantly damp and hot air of Brazil.
The living room had mostly cleared, leaving just Emmett and Alice in the room.
"Nice." Emmett commented, gesturing to me. I was confused at first, until I looked down. Realizing he was referring to the key I still wore. He must not have seen it before I left.
"I never take it off." I replied, sitting on the couch. "I haven't since I got it."
"She wears it all the time." Alice confirmed and Emmett smiled a little. Falling beside me, I yelped as he suddenly scooped me up, hugging me tightly.
"Remind me to punch Jasper." Emmett said, cuddling me and holding onto me as I struggled a little to get away.
"You know our reasons." Alice sat in the chair. I resigned myself to the cuddling, sighing in defeat.
I looked up as Esme and Carlisle entered the room, followed by Jasper, and looked down. I knew what I did was extremely shame worthy, but I couldn't make myself regret it. It was over, and as long as I stuck to my word when I was sixteen, it always would be.
One major problem, however, stood out to me. I couldn't even look at Carlisle anymore. Not without remembering the vision Alice's decision had made me see. I couldn't. Not without feeling the pain and the heartbreak I felt then.
I knew that would eventually change, but I would never be the same after that. Not ever.
Another problem I saw coming, was the sense of detachment I felt already. I was already preparing myself to let them go when I had to leave. I didn't have the same feeling I had before. I still cared about them, more than anything, but I was detaching myself in preparation for the moment Aro returned for me.
I didn't belong there anymore, and as crushing as that realization was, it was going to stay that way. I wouldn't lift a finger to change that. It was the right thing. It was the only way. The vivid images in my head would always be there, and I would use it.
I would trade myself for my family any day.
END
A/N: There we have it. I suppose we'll have to see if I can find it in me to fix up the next story. I've been working on the first chapter, and it sure seems promising. Even if it makes me want to smack her.
THANK YOU! To all my readers and reviewers that have stuck by me through this entire series. I don't think any of you know just how AMAZING I think you are! It's because of you that I was able to get a break from reality now and then.
As I mentioned before, there is another story to this series. Another two, actually, plus quite a few others. I just have to commit myself to finishing it, but I'm not promising anything to anyone. I'm in the process of trying to fix myself, which is surprisingly hard to do when I've got someone else's entire shitty life in my head at the same time.
BUT! I will say that it's a possibility. I just don't know exactly when. (:
Until next time, my beautiful readers!