A/N: All rights go to Stephanie Meyers. I do not own anything except for any characters not originally in the Twilight Saga.
Chapter Four: Marcus
I walk down the hallway to the throne room after being summoned urgently by a strangely ecstatic Aro. Heidi is waiting with Chelsea and Santiago at the door with my robe. I take from them and put it on before walking out to my chair. Aro is smiling as he paces the floor and Caius is watching him closely. I take a seat and that is when I realise that we are about to have an execution for a poor soul. My heart sinks when I think about the poor vampire that either is guilty or not that will be killed today.
"Marcus, did you know that our guards found the nomad that has been causing so much trouble?" Caius asks.
"No, but now I know," I mutter. The doors open and I look to see Jane and Alec walk in first with a new person walking behind them. She is beautiful with light brown hair and blonde highlights, her red eyes glisten as she smiles and walks with her capturers and her eyes stand out against her beautiful tan skin. I stop on the scar that runs on the side of the left side of her face, it ran from the corner of her left eye down to the left corner of her mouth. Something inside of me makes me stiffen when her eyes catch mine and she smiles widely.
"Stand here," Jane says. The child stands where she was told and she looks straight at Aro.
"Please state your name as to why you have been brought here," Aro says.
"My name is Leandra Belle Williams and I am here for many reasons. Why do you think I am here?" the girl says smugly.
"Watch what you say and how you say it," Caius growls. I smile at the girl and then use my gift to see the bond she has with someone. But, when I look, I see that she has a bright and beautiful looking rainbow like bond wrapped around her and it is coming towards... me? I give a small, quiet gasp and then look between Aro and Leandra. A thought comes to my mind when I realise that her name fits her perfectly by her attitude.
"You have been brought here for murdering numerous of innocent humans and for feeding on a human in daylight and on our land. Does that sound correct, Ms Williams?" Aro says.
"That sounds about right. It took you all long enough to find me and bring me here," Leandra says with a small bow. "Also, please don't call me that."
"Why ever not?" Aro asks with a raised brow.
"Because I asked you not to call me that," Leandra says. Felix growls and shifts to charge at her. "Ah, you make one movement towards me and you will go flying into another wall again like before and I will not hold back this time."
"Felix," I say. Felix huffs and then steps back to away from her. Leandra stops smiling as Aro walks over to her. I feel myself want to jump up and tackle Aro, but I know that it will cause a scene. Dimitri and Alec grab Leandra's arms and holds her still. Aro puts his hands on the sides of her face and he looks down at her. Leandra looks at him for a moment and then closes her eyes, as if accepting the punishment she is about to receive.
"You are so beautiful and this a waste with your beauty and your talent," Aro says. He begins to pull and I jump to my feet.
"Aro, wait," I say quickly. Aro growls as he turns to me like everyone else. "She is talented and she could serve a great purpose to us as a guard. Let her serve as my guard and I will keep a close eye on her and will accept any punishments should she act against the pardon I am giving her. I am sure she will serve us well as a member of the guard."
"You saw something, didn't you?" Aro asks quietly, as he walks over to me. I hold out my hand to show him what I saw in her. Aro takes my hand and looks into the memory and then gasps a little. "Interesting and yet none of us have met her before this. Alright, brother, I shall grant the pardon from you, but she will serve as your personal guard and as you said you will take responsibility of her acts against your kindness."
"You have my word," I say and then turn to Leandra.
"You have my word as well," Leandra said. Alec and Dimitri let her go and then step back a few steps. I walk over to her and hold out my hand to help her stand. Leandra refuses and uses her gife to stand her up and she stands before me.
"Welcome to the guard, Leandra Williams," I say with a wide smile.
I watch Leandra as she adjusts to being my personal guard. It is strange for both of us since I have not had a guard and she has never done this of course. I look up when she walks into the room with a stack of papers for me to look over and send to Aro. Her hair is in a simple french braid and it stands out against all the black she is wearing. I hold out my hand to take the papers from her and she hands them over willingly. Her red eyes are a little dull as she stands next to me and waits for me to finish.
"Have you decided about the offer Caius gave you the other day?" I ask without looking up at her.
"No, sir, I am not sure it is a good idea to let me out of the city limits," Leandra says. I look up at her and raise a brow.
"You would be leaving the city, just helping out with bringing in human tourists for our feeding and everything. There is also those you apply to join us willingly to be our blood banks. Caius thinks you might help us better if you were to do that for us when I am busy with other things," I explain a little clearer to her. Leandra remains staring at the floor and she does not say anything. Caius walks into my office with Chelsea right behind him.
"Marcus, do you have the file on Leandra so Chelsea can out it away for when it may be needed?" Caius asks. Leandra does not flinch at the question and I sigh as I stand up and hand Caius the file.
"I actually want it back, there are a few things I would like to add," I say. Caius raises a brow, but shrugs and leaves with Chelsea behind him. I look at Leandra to see she is looking at me with sad eyes and she is a little sad about something.
"Why did you pardon me for my crimes against the law? What makes me so special to ask me as your first personal guard ever?" Leandra asks me. I walk over and I cup her beautiful face in my hands. I trace her scar with my left thumb and smile at her lovingly.
"I saw a talent in you and that you were a fighter. I also saw many things that I like in a woman and that I would like to have at my side as my friend and guard. My late wife was the only person who knew me well and kept me out of the darkness of my mind. You remind me of her and I would like to get the chance to protect you when I could not when she was killed many years ago. You are a talented and beautiful young woman and I did not want your life to end this shortly when it has just begun," I say. Leandra looks at the floor and she walks out of my office without a word. I let out a sigh and then close my eyes to imagine her sad eyes looking at me when I offered her pardon and just now. I begin to realise that I will do anything to see happiness in those eyes and make sure she is never sad like that again.