Part 2 - Chapter 13: Heart to Hearts
I had quickly won over the affections of almost everyone there. That was, other than Aro, Caius, Marcus, and Felix. But I had a plan.
"Hey, Marcus, I wanted to ask you a few questions."
I had a devious glint in my eye with my hands clasped behind my back. I bit my lip with a raised eyebrow as he turned around. I'd cornered him the minute I'd known he was alone. He was mourning at the moment. I kept that information safe.
"What is it, Silver?"
I pursed my lips and sighed. "Why did you stay after Aro killed your wife?"
He gasped and bit down harshly.
"Silver..."
I batted my eyelashes innocently. He saw through the ruse. I heard Aro coming down the hall scolding someone. "Let's go for a walk, shall we, Pretty Vampire?"
We 'walked' - vampire walking was like human running - out of the building. Oh, the fresh air was good. I was only allowed out every two weeks. I was under 'partial house arrest' as Diomedes put it. That was just enough opportunity to feed. But now I was out halfway through the house arrest with Marcus. Perfect.
We continued walking in silence for a while. "Marcus, did you come out here to talk or just to walk?"
He sighed and grimaced. "Do you care about my wife or did you just want some time alone with me?"
I half grinned genuinely. "A little bit of both I suppose."
He nodded. "My wife. The beautiful Didyme. She truly was astounding. Aro thinks he pulled the wool over my eyes by killing her. Our love was stronger than his power. But he had to exterminate her. She was similar to you. The milkiest pale skin I'd ever seen. Raven dark hair. And her eyes...they may have been red from thirst, but they also possessed the red of love, passion, warmth. She was happy. And she made others happy. She wasn't the most beautiful of all the beautiful vampires, but she sure was something to me. Chelsea's powers have weakened the tiniest bit lately."
I smiled brightly to myself. He didn't even have to glance at me to know I was grinning.
"And I can blame you for that. But it's nice not to constantly feel that pressure. I knew that Aro killed her because we were going to leave the Volturi. But now...now." His face absolutely lit up as he stopped and turned to me. He took my hands in his still smiling. "Now, I know someone who can get all of us out of here." He looked into my eyes. There was something significantly different in his face. "You, Silver. I have faith in you."
I was silent for a moment. "Marcus..." He looked me deep in the eye. "Silver, you have to. You've done so much already."
I was still quiet. His words hung in the air. He sat us down on the ground. He continued to hold on to one of my hands. "I know that Diomedes feels for you. I believe the two of you could take Aro down."
I bit my lip, formulating a plan in my head. "We need to eliminate Caius first. And I'll get you out. I'll get you out first."
He shook his head. "You need to get everyone out, Pretty Vampire."
"Why do you keep calling me that?"
Pain struck his face for a moment. "I...I called her that for a while. In the beginning. Before we were married. I have this thing that my eyes do...I've been around a very long time. And my eyes had begun to deteriorate at one point. So now...all the ones I love or have positive feelings toward are the most beautiful. And you were attractive to begin with. You are quite the Pretty Vampire...I knew you during your human life."
I gasped. "Marcus...How?"
He chuckled a bit to himself and grabbed both of my hands. "Oh, Silver. I know your real name. And not the one you think you've conjured. Someone's playing tricks on your mind. Someone's implanting false memories into you. The one of your parents-"
"How did you know about that?"
He grinned. "That one, was only partially true. The parents' descriptions were far off. And your name doesn't start with A after all."
"What is it then?" I asked adamantly.
"It would ruin the surprise," he laughed to himself.
"Who's implanting these memories?"
"Who has the power to? And the motive?"
Marcus pursed his lips. "Pretty Vampire, Aro has a place in his heart for you. I don't know why or how, but he has created one. Caius, however, is prone to being ruthless and hateful for all things new. He hates that you are our new addition. He would rather have seen you executed. I think he's your biggest target right now. But don't underestimate Aro. I think you need to have a long chat with him also."
He pulled me up swiftly and kept hold on me. Suddenly, he dropped my hands. "Oh dear, if Diomedes were to see, I wouldn't still be here." He giggled a bit. "Oh well, I'd rather die like that than other ways."
"Marcus, you were changed when you were young, correct?"
He nodded.
"Do you ever wish you could've lived your human life out before transformation?"
He smiled and kissed my cheek before whispering in my ear, "We all say we do. But is mortality so much better when both worlds are the same in prospect?"
He stalked away leaving me alone soaking up his words.
Suddenly, someone had their hands on me.
"Diomedes! What the hell?" I screamed.
"Why did Marcus kiss you?" he angrily inquired.
"Calm down, Diomedes. He was just telling me some very crucial information to my plan. Nothing to worry about."
He plopped down and sighed heavily.
"I think this just about confirms my fears, Di."
"And what are those exactly?" he muttered from the ground.
"You have feelings for me." It wasn't a question, but a statement. He knew I was correct. Everyone did. His jealousy proved that to be enough.
"Silver, do you ever shut up and let people take their time? God, you're so...secondhand impatient, you know that, right?"
He covered his face. "Silver...fine, yes. I have feelings for you."
"Ow."
"Don't be dramatic about it."
I felt that burning pain back again. Even worse than when we occasionally touched. It was excruciating.
"Silver, I...I love you."
The pain shot into every crevice of my body and threw me to the ground. I murmured to him, "Don't tell anyone about this...for now."
