I ran through the forest as quickly as I could. I tried to distract myself from my plan by noticing the air rush past my face and the trees flying past me at seventy, maybe eighty miles per hour. None of it was new - none of it impressed me - the way it would a mortal. My thoughts were attracted back to my sickening plan. On the one hand, I had a plan to save Elizabeth, Luke and the others from a fate no one could predict, yet I knew that any outcome would involve the Volturi. My experiences among their ranks had taught me that was not something to look lightly on. As long as I could beat Carlisle's car to London, and as long as I could find something truly remarkable, Elizabeth could be safe; because of me.
The forest thinned considerably as I neared the outskirts of London. I had to jump through gardens and scuttle through alleyways to stay out of the way of any human audience. Before long, I had no choice but to slow my pace to something that looked remotely human and jog along the high streets of Wembley and other busy parts of North London. I didn't even know exactly what I was looking for – but I knew I would know immediately when I saw it. My plan was to offer a compromise to Aro and the other Volturi leaders. It wasn't the best solution in the interests of the greater good, but it would save Elizabeth. That was what mattered to me now.
Carlisle had explained to me that Edward had found his soul mate in his wife, Isabella, but that whilst she was human she was also his 'singer'. The scent of her blood sung to him; he was compelled to be near her at all times. He found her completely irresistible. I compared the feelings that must have provoked to the night of Elizabeth's prom – when I was so close to her and something didn't let me leave to hunt. I was engulfed by selfishness which meant I would rather be near her and endanger her life, than miss a few hours of her scent to hunt bland deer in the park. I remembered holding her in my arms in the stairwell of the grotty car park, and how hard it was to suppress my thirst then. I remembered being so close to her in her house – in her room – and I marvelled at my own self restraint. I then remembered how easy it was to walk away once she had angered me. I wasn't in love with Elizabeth Canterbury; she was my singer.
As the realisation sank in, I stopped in a cluttered alleyway between two tall office blocks. I heard a familiar crash on the fire escape stairs attached to the office block beside me. Fury built up inside of me. Alistair was here.
"You had no right to follow me, brother." I warned him. He leapt down to ground level and landed with so little noise a human wouldn't have heard it.
"I followed you to help you, Kristian. Carlisle explained to me about the singer." He said. I said nothing. "Do you have a plan? Or were you running away?"
I turned to face him, bearing my teeth. He had no idea what I was going through.
"Of course I have a plan!" I barked.
"Calm down!" Alistair ordered me. "I can help you! My God, you're almost as stubborn as the alpha kitty." He smirked.
"I'm going to propose an exchange for Elizabeth." I murmured.
"Wanting to compromise with the elders is a death wish, Kristian." Alistair warned me.
"Edward did it; why can't we?" I protested. Alistair kicked litter across the floor in frustration. "We need to find an alternative human." I explained.
"That goes against everything we've worked for, Kristian. We've been protecting humans across Europe for over four months!"
"Well it's about time you felt what it's like to make a compromise." I scorned.
Alistair sulked away from me, his eyes closed. I couldn't have defeated him in an argument that easily.
"Explain to me what you're looking for, Kristian. What sort of human?" He asked. He faced away from me still.
"We need to find a human who is talented." I said, "Someone who is unique; but who won't be missed by society." I added. Maybe Elizabeth would forgive me quicker that way.
"If we've got that much choice..." Alistair muttered. "I'll see what I can do. I'm not exactly designed to track talents." He sniggered sarcastically.
My brother was a miracle.
It was about twenty minutes before Alistair raised his head and turned to me sharply. His eyes didn't focus on my figure; it was as if he was looking at a distant place in his mind. He'd found something.
"Kristian..." He stuttered, panicking.
"What?! What can you see?!" I shouted, shaking him by the shoulders.
"She's in a bar eight streets west from here." He said; his face expressionless. "I have to go there, right now." Alistair started to run at full human pace down the street, drawn like a magnet to whatever he had seen. I had no choice but to follow.
We stopped just outside of a small, dingy looking bar. I was reluctant to go inside, but Alistair had already marched in; nostrils flared. The walls were all completely black; there were no windows. The walls were decorated with fairy lights and black and white pictures of classic metal bands. It was a long room which curved around. There were black leather wingback chairs in groups around small tables, chez lounges along the walls, and plenty of bar stools.
There was only one person in the bar, making things a lot more convenient. A woman, who couldn't have been older than 19, was sat on a bar stool, hunched over a cocktail glass. She was a tall, elegant woman. Her straight hair reached her waist; a stunning, pure black. The top layer of her hair was pinned back with a sharp silver hair pin. She subconsciously played with the cocktail stick that was left in her glass. Alistair did not hesitate to sit on a bar stool next to her and she snapped out of her trance. She quickly examined him; head to foot; with her chilling ice blue eyes.
"I'm sorry if I startled you; my name is Alistair and this is my brother Kristian." Alistair began.
"It's fine. It's nice to have some company. I'm Lilia." The woman acknowledged, tossing a strand of hair from in front of her face. She had a broad Texan accent, which I hadn't expected because she was so pale. Her voice was quite high pitched; it reminded me of a siren or harpy. "My, your eyes are amazing." She stroked Alistair's ego. He giggled like a schoolboy before she turned to me. "It's nice to meet you too, handsome." She smiled. She was dressed in a strange corset and a knee length black skirt. The corset, although a rich navy blue, was heavily decorated with black lace. She stood up, hitching her skirt up as she hopped off of the stool, flashing a bit too much thigh for Alistair to handle. He took a deep breath inwards, tossing his head backwards instinctively. "Can I offer you two some drinks?" The woman asked.
"No, thank you." I quickly replied.
"You sure? It's been a mighty hot couple days." She reminded us, letting herself through the bar and pouring herself another Malibu and pineapple cocktail.
"We're fine." I assured her.
"So what brings you to a downtown bar at half nine in the mornin'?" She asked Alistair, cocking her head to one side, raising her eyebrows and pouting her lips. Alistair was in no fit state to respond, and I couldn't understand why. She didn't smell that good.
"Actually, we were hoping to find you, Miss." I explained.
"Lil' ol' me?!" She sounded surprised but pleased at the same time. "And why would that be, exactly?"
Alistair pushed himself off of the bar stool rather abruptly and moved to stand behind me. He was struggling with something – possibly her talent - which I hadn't detected yet. Alistair began explaining before I had chosen the best way to begin.
"You're a very talented young woman, Lilia." He said through his teeth.
"Is something wrong?" She asked, beginning to panic at Alistair's defensive stance and tone of voice.
"No, no." I assured her.
"I need some air." Alistair announced, but just before he left he muttered into my ear as a warning, "Succubus!"
In an instant, images of mythological succubi flew through my mind. I pushed them aside to concentrate on their traits. Seductive; that was all I could come up with. I was running out of time to save Elizabeth. I began my explanation.
"My brother and I need your assistance, Lilia." I began. "You can help us save our friend's life."
"Me?!" She sounded more shocked this time, the little colour she had in her face drained from it.
"Yes – you see – and there's no easy way to say this – and I'm running out of time..." I stumbled over my words. "Would you accept immortality; immense speed; sharpened senses, and unbelievable power, if I told you I could grant you all of that?"
"Are you some sort of salesman?" She scowled at me, leaning forwards on the bar. I guessed it was unintentional, but she threw her chest forwards, distracting me for a second.
"No! Look – I'm going to spit everything out, and I'm going to hope to God you'll help me. Me and my brother – we're vampires. We don't kill people – well – Alistair might occasionally but that's off topic. We have a human friend – Elizabeth – who some other vampires are hunting because she can control the weather with her emotions. The only way we can save her is handing over a replacement person; someone who's just as remarkable, and more selfless, than Elizabeth is." I stopped, knowing I'd said too much.
"Right, I got to the bit where Alistair ate people." She said.
"Elizabeth is an amazing friend of mine – if you can take her place – if you can become one of us instead of her – you'll be talented beyond belief – and Elizabeth can go back to her life as a mortal." I finished off.
"You're having a laugh – right?" She said, not impressed with my story. "Get out of my bar – the sign said on the door we're not open anyway."
In one fluid movement I jumped onto the bar, pinning her back against the spirit bottles behind her. I had to be immensely careful to control myself, but it was the only way she would believe me. I lowered my mouth to her neck; not breathing; as a warning.
"What the hell ARE you?!" Lilia screamed.
"You're lucky... I'm not exactly a conventional... vampire." I said, proud of myself for remembering my catchphrase. "Now, are you listening properly this time?" She didn't respond. "Good." I chuckled. I spoke directly into her ear. "I can grant you immense speed, shocking good looks, and the chance to live forever. Will you cooperate with me?"
Lilia's eyes lit up brighter at hearing every gift of the vampiric curse. I'd obviously left out all of the drawbacks. I tried to ignore my conscience as it screamed at me what I was doing was selfish and manipulative. Lilia pushed herself forwards away from the wall and I backed away, perching on the bar. She asked confidently, nodding in agreement.
"What do you want me to do?"
