Chapter 7
"Cassandra Llewellyn," he mused, looking me over. I was frozen solid. "I have heard many things about you this past year. I can see by your eyes that you are certainly different, but I would like to see just how true the rumors are." He held out his hand and beckoned me forward. I managed to unthaw enough to step hesitantly toward him and placed my palm in his. He bent his head, his eyes closed as every thought I'd ever had drifted before his eyes. I wondered if he could see my human thoughts as well.
A long silence stirred in the air as everyone watched the two of us. It was unnerving, having everyone's attention like that. The urge to shrink into the shadows returned, but I knew it would be a bad idea to even flinch right now.
"So tragic," Aro sighed, finally letting go. I stayed where I was, staring at him cautiously. What was tragic? "You're human life, cut short with one little mishap." Well, it wasn't exactly little. The next time a truck that size ran into me, it was the one that was going to be crushed. "How wonderful that your talent turned out how it did, Cassandra. You seem quite… happy with your life now." He couldn't completely hide the disgust in his voice as he talked about my diet making me happy.
"Yes, I never would have lasted this long, had I had any other," I agreed. "We would have met quite some time ago if I did." He knew I wasn't joking.
"What a waste that would have been." He strolled casually back over to his body guards and sat down in his throne.
"Alright, Aro," Tanya practically growled. "You've gotten your wish; Cassy came to meet you. Now if you'll excuse us, we don't want to keep our families in a state of panic." She turned and took a step towards the door. Felix and Demetri were immediately blocking her path.
"Oh, why leave so soon?" Aro purred and evil twinkle in his eye. "You have a whole week to yourselves here in Italy. Surely you can spare a few extra minutes with us." Stupid mind-reading know-it-all.
My sister turned slowly back to face him, her back ramrod straight. "Very well," she said through clenched teeth. "I suppose a few minutes won't hurt." Kate went to her side, trying to calm her down. It was a good thing Kate was the calm one; a whole war could start if she got charged up, and I knew she'd be more than happy to give Jane a taste of her own medicine.
"A very rare talent indeed," Aro continued, looking at me again, "and a friend of the Cullens, no doubt. She may be a marvelous addition to our little family, don't you think Jane?" Jane smiled in agreement and watched me expectantly. Well, the answer in my head was clear enough. NO! But I couldn't quite form the word on my lips, I was so stunned.
There was a shuffle of movement behind me, and I glanced back to see Tanya and Kate pinned to the ground. Of course, Felix couldn't hold Kate for long.
"Don't do it!" she screeched, lunging towards me. She froze hardly a foot from my body and dropped to the floor, writhing in pain.
"Let her go," I said calmly, panic clouding my mind. How could I sound so at ease?
"Tell Katrina to behave," Aro replied just as smoothly. I stepped over and helped her up, holding her steady as well as restraining her. She wouldn't shock me.
"What do you say?" he asked innocently. "Would you like to be one of us?"
"Thank you, but I'd rather-" my voice cut off as the strangest sensation trailed over my body. I shook my head, trying to clear it, and glanced back up at him. His smile widened.
What was I saying? What had he asked? Did I want to join him? I blinked in confusion. Why wouldn't I want to? This place was so homey, and I felt as if I belonged with these strange red-eyed people.
"No!" Tanya cried. "No, Cassy, you can't! Stay with us! Come back home, to Alaska, to your family, to-"
"And of course her sisters can join her," Aro interrupted, patting a female vampire's hand. My companion's pleas quieted. "Do we have a deal?" I looked back at my sisters; they seemed as confused as I felt. Where did I live? Why would I want to go back to Alaska? There were no opportunities there. Everything I needed and more was here.
But then, didn't I have family somewhere else? Were these two my only relatives? I felt like I fit in, but my eyes were so drastically different from everyone else's.
As I thought about these negatives, the pull toward Aro just got stronger. I couldn't leave! It made perfect sense to stay here, to enforce the law. No rule-breaker should go unpunished.
I looked back up at my new vampire friend; I had kept him waiting for far too long. I intended to answer for all of us.
"Yes master."
