Wow u people sure are persistent….i can't imagine the last time my stories were reviewed so quickly. Anyway this chapter brings out a little more feeling between Alicia, Aro, Alec, and Marcus, plus a bit more sparks between Alicia and Sulpicia. She starts to slowly get used to her surroundings but later on she will make a decision that could impact those around her. Please enjoy and try not to be too persistent cuz I do have other stories to take care of.
Enjoy!
Alicia had been at the Volturi castle for almost a week. She had been distant around most of the guard other than Alec, Jane, and Heidi. Athenodora had tried to get close to her but every time Sulpicia would interfere so that made Alicia sure to keep clear away from the woman. Caius kept badgering Aro to make her talk but it was obvious she was mentally fragile; Marcus kept giving her strange looks but she ignored it and avoided him every time.
Alicia was walking through the corridors towards the gardens since it was cloudy outside; she hadn't been out in a while and wanted to get some fresh air until she heard someone following her. She turned and saw it was Marcus, she picked up the pace and ran outside into the rose bushes only to run smack into Marcus; he grabbed her arm and pulled her into a brush and she stood with her back against the wall.
"Forgive me if I scared you Ali, but you've been avoiding me and we need to talk."
"…..What for…?"
"About your secret…Alicia." Alicia flinched and tried to run but again ran into Marcus's chest.
'Faster than I thought.' "Let go…" he had a good grip on her arm and she couldn't break free.
"No, we need to talk. But not here…" he carefully but roughly pulled her inside the castle and almost dragged her into a small living room and pushed her onto a couch. She made a move to run but the look he had told her to stay put.
"What do you want?"
"Ali, I know who you really are."
"How did you…?"
"I can see relationships; I know you're Aro's daughter. Alicia's eyes widened in question. "I was there on the day of your birth, the night Evelyn was turned." She kept staring at him. "Aro came and told me about the affair he had with your mother…"
"She was his lover? I thought they were married?" Marcus blinked a little and smiled lightly.
"Your mother told you that to protect you. Aro was married to Sulpicia at the time, and he was…..in heat…"
"In heat? He's a vampire…"
"We have our moments…he met your mother on a trip dealing with some rule-breakers and she happened to appear afterwards."
"It was a one-night stand…" Alicia sounded angry but Marcus calmed her placing his hand on hers.
"It's not what you think…"
"Not what I think?! He used her!! I'm a freak accident!" she felt hot tears rolling down her cheeks and her hand balled into fists. She felt her heart jerk with madness but didn't move from her spot. Marcus sat down next to her placing his arm around her back.
"He didn't use Evelyn Alicia, I know it sounds bad but it gets better. Aro loved your mother, loved her enough to lie to Sulpicia and say the trip would take almost a year to finish. That's when he contacted me here…" Alicia looked at him with tearful eyes.
"He needed you? For what?"
"He trusts me, trusts me enough to let me know he had an affair with a human and got her pregnant with his child. I went and met up with him at your mother's cabin, sometime later you were born, and I promise you Aro looked as if he could die of happiness right then and there."
"How can I believe you? He never stuck around to protect me!!" Alicia stood up and walked towards the large curtains covering the window.
"Alicia…"
"Don't!! I don't want to talk about it anymore!!! He may have loved Evelyn but he obviously didn't love her enough to stay with her and me!!" Alicia slammed her fists into the wall making two holes in the wall biting her lip ignoring the sting of the venom.
"You're a full vampire…"Marcus stated coming up behind her. "I can smell it…"
"Yes…I was half vampire before but as you can see now I'm a full breed."
"How?"
"…….I don't really remember………just that…one minute I'm doing my….usual work and the next….a sharp stab to my neck…."
"Venom…"
"I felt pain…and then I'm stuck the way I am now…….."
"I see…Alicia you have to tell him."
"No!! It's obvious he doesn't need a daughter, he's got Jane and Alec what does he need me for?"
"Alicia, Jane, Alec, Demetri, and I are the only ones who know about you. You can't keep this a secret forever."
"I know that…."
"Then what are you going to do?"
"I don't know. I don't know when or how he'll find out; I just don't want anyone else to blab this out."
"We won't, you have to do that yourself. It's entirely up to you; whether you want to keep this secret or you can let it all out and see what happens." Marcus left the room but before he walked out he looked back at Alicia. "You may not see it now Alicia, but there's more to Aro than what meets the eye, human or vampire." He left and Alicia knelt down by the curtain and started crying again, dry sobbing this time. She sat down for a few minutes before frantically rubbing her eyes.
'Dammit Alicia, what good is crying anymore?!' she straightened up and left the room just walking to wherever she could to get away and blow off her anger. 'He's going to find me, I just know it. I can't stay here long, I have to make a plan.' She kept pondering over and over in her head until she ran into the last person she wanted to see right now.
"Oh it's you…looking for Aro?" Sulpicia was really getting on Alicia's nerves.
"No. I was just walking."
"Really? I caught you looking at Marcus, Alec, and Demetri funny. I bet you're thinking if you can't have Aro you can at least have his brother or part of the guard."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"I think you do, your little act doesn't fool me. This whole innocent girl routine is really old; those scars I bet came from foreplay right? You like it rough?" Alicia's hands balled into fists again wanting to punch the bitch but she held her ground.
"You don't know a damn thing about me. I don't know what your problem is but I haven't done anything to you or anyone else here. Now if you don't mind, I'd like some time to think for myself." She pushed past Sulpicia and walked off only to be pushed against the wall with Sulpicia's angry red eyes staring her down.
"You watch your tongue around me girl! I'd kill you if I could but sadly my husband is intrigued by you so I can't. if I find you trying to tear apart my life here or anyone else's then I won't hold back, I will make you suffer but you'd probably enjoy it wouldn't you?" Alicia pushed Sulpicia off her and ran at vampire speed straight into her room and locked the door. She lay down on the bed and shoved her face into the silk pillow letting the tears fall but she didn't sob.
There was a knock on the door a few minutes later, but Alicia didn't bother to get up and answer it.
"Ali are you in there?" she stayed quiet. "It's Demetri, Alec and Jane want to see you in the throne room." Alicia wiped her face and went to the door not bothering to fix her messy hair. She unlocked and opened the door looking at Demetri. "Follow me please…" she followed closely behind covering herself with the long black cloak like a blanket. When they reached the room Jane ran up and embraced Alicia and Alec just smiled.
"You ok Ali?" Jane asked noticing her grim look.
"Yeah…just had a run in…with Sulpicia." Jane and Alec exchanged looks and led Alicia out into the bathroom, the only place unoccupied at the moment.
"Did she hurt you?" Alec asked concerned.
"Just pushed me against the wall that's it; called me a whore, she thinks I'm some cheap floozy off the street trying to get dirty with all the Volturi men."
"Damn that woman…" Jane growled.
"Sometimes I can't understand how Aro fell in love with her, the same with Caius and Athenodora." Alec grumbled.
"Is Athenodora the same as Sulpicia?"
"No, out of the two she's the sweet one. She's the only one who can actually make Caius happy, physically and emotionally." Demetri laughed and Alicia smiled slightly.
"So what's going on?" All three vampires exchanged looks; Jane looked at Alicia.
"We overheard Caius and Aro talking about you. Caius wants to interview you, alone." Alicia's eyes widened.
"What? Why?"
"He's really suspicious about you, Aro wants to let you heal a little more but Caius won't listen to reason. He thinks you're a spy for another coven…"
"That's not true…"
"We know that but he doesn't, he's going to ask you all kinds of questions, probably about your family and life. Mainly he's worse than Sulpicia…" Alicia was beyond worried; if this was all true then it could mean trouble. Alec came up and held Alicia's hand giving her a little comfort.
"It's ok, he doesn't have any special abilities so he can't figure you so easily." Jane tried to sooth Alicia but she was still tense.
"Don't worry; I'll be right outside if you need me." Alicia nodded and followed Alec into another room where Caius was waiting.
"Thank you Alec, you may leave." Alec nodded and patted Alicia's shoulder before leaving. Alicia stood tall and stiff as Caius stared her down.
"What is it you want sir?" she asked timidly.
"If you have something to hide I suggest you give up now."
"What do you mean?"
"Your little innocent act doesn't fool me young one. I know you didn't come here accidentally…" Alicia looked straight at the man.
"I didn't intend to come here. It just happened yet I don't know why or how." He glared at her.
"Where are you from?"
"I don't know…I never knew the name of the place."
"How did you escape?" he was getting impatient.
"I-I'm not sure…"
"What are you sure about?!" he started raising his voice. Alicia was getting scared; his glare reminded her of him.
"I don't remember everything, just one minute I'm in his room and the next I know I'm being chased by wolves and brought here."
"Then think dammit! Try and remember who you are, why you're here, and who is after you?!!" Caius had Alicia by her forearms and she started pushing at him as he shook her.
"Let me go...!"
"You have to try and remember, and if I have to force it out of you then so be it!"
"Let go! You're hurting my arms!"
"Think first, the minute you remember something I'll let you go!"
"No! Stop master please!! Please!" Tears were pouring from Alicia's eyes at the force on her forearms. He kept squeezing her arms as they started cracking and she screamed loudly. A loud thud stormed through the door and Caius ended up against the wall pinned by Aro. Alec came running in and sat next to Alicia who crumpled on the floor in a fetal position.
"I almost had it out of her!"
"Caius you were out of line there, when I said you could talk to her I didn't mean you could be rough with her! Now she's scared out of her mind…"
"You're letting your guard down Aro! She could be a spy or traitor working with another clan!"
"That's for me and everyone else here to decide. If she is a spy we'll find out but right now it seems she's too afraid to say anything more. You almost ripped off her arms!"
"I was trying to help her remember!"
"And her screaming didn't give you the idea you might be hurting her?! From now on if anyone wants to speak with Ali it will be with my permission only! And if I find out anybody else has harmed her I will take matters into my own hands, is that understood!!" Aro's hand was over Caius's neck about to yank it off and Caius just nodded with a nasty glare. "Alec take Ali somewhere else, but don't let anyone speak to her until she's ready to do so."
"Yes Aro…" Alec helped Alicia up and took her out into the corridor and back into her room. "Are you alright?"
"I will be…he hates me…"
"No I think he's just concerned on who you are. Wouldn't be the first time he's overreacted over something so little…" Alec's hand started rubbing her back and Alicia started to relax. "Did he say something to you?"
"No, just kept badgering me about my identity." "I called him master…" Alec's eyes widened and his arm went around Alicia's shoulders.
"Because he got rough?"
"Yes…I don't know why it just came out."
"What did he ask you?"
"Where I came from, how I escaped, who I am, nothing I remember much about."
"What do you remember? Your mother?" Alicia thought for a few seconds and more tears flowed down her cheeks.
"I don't remember much, except what Marcus told me. I just remember her smile, her laugh, but barely a bit of her voice. I hardly remember her face."
"Hey it's ok, my parents died when Jane and I were very young. Sometimes I can't remember what they looked like, but I still try and remember otherwise I'm afraid I'll forget them. Jane's the same way…"
"But do you ever wonder why you became what you are now? Why your life is the way it is? Or do you ever wonder why your parents died and someone else suddenly takes you away to a strange place, and you're scared everyday of that person, wondering if you'll ever get out." Alicia was distraught; Alec suddenly took her into his arms and hugged but hesitantly. Alicia relaxed instantly in those strong arms, but she felt a strange feeling come over her as they sat there.
"You ok?" Alec whispered still clutching Alicia.
"I think so…thanks Alec."
"Anytime Ali, do you want to go see Jane now?" Alicia let go and nodded. Before they got up Jane walked in and sat down next to Alicia.
"Feel better?"
"Much, thank you Jane."
"Aro's calmed down now, I don't know where Caius went off to."
"Probably to Athenodora, you know how he gets when he's pissed."
"No kidding. Sulpicia's getting worse though, she's the one who suggested Caius talk to you in the first place." Alicia didn't break down this time, just clenched her fists and growled.
"Why? Why does she keep doing this?" Jane and Alec just shook their heads. "I haven't done anything to her, why is she such a bitch?"
"It's her personality, she really loves Aro but she's so jealous of every other woman around him, even me." Alicia looked surprised at Jane.
"You?"
"It's because Alec and I are his adopted children, but sometimes Aro gets a bit carried away around us. When Sulpicia first came here, she thought I was one of Aro's whores but he set her straight."
"Well you did have a crush on him that time."
"Yeah but I got over it." Alicia giggled a bit at the two.
"It's like she hates every woman around him."
"She'll get over it though; just have to put up with her every time she comes around." Alec hugged Alicia from behind and she liked that, until there came another knock at the door.
"Come in." Alicia looked and saw the large vampire with dark hair step inside. "Hey Felix…" Jane waved slightly.
"Hello Jane, Aro wants to speak to you Ali. Says it's important but be careful, Sulpicia's with him." Alicia nodded and followed Felix out of her room and towards Aro's study. As they walked through Alicia gazed at all the portraits of vampires that lived or had lived in Volterra, including one with a blonde man and his family, but it looked newer than the others.
"Stay close young one, you can get lost very easily in a place like this." Alicia followed quickly behind the brawny man until they came into a large office-like room but it looked as if no one had ever been in it. Aro stood behind the desk with Sulpicia; Alicia didn't make eye contact with Sulpicia but kept looking at Aro.
"Thank you Felix, please leave us." Felix nodded and left shutting the doors behind him. "Feeling better Ali?"
"Yes sir." Alicia nodded. Aro walked over and placed a hand on her shoulder; luckily Alicia managed to block out most of her memories, so Aro couldn't see what happened earlier.
"I'm sorry about Caius, he won't bother you anymore. I didn't expect him to be so forceful…"
"It's fine sir. I didn't really give him reason to not be forceful."
"You just need more time to clean up is that it?" Aro asked softly.
"Yes, but I won't need much more time."
"Very well, Sulpicia don't you have something to say to Ali?" Sulpicia rolled her eyes and walked up to Alicia reluctantly.
"Forgive me young one, I'm sorry for the way I've acted towards you." Alicia could tell she was lying.
"Its fine miss, I understand." Sulpicia didn't seem to buy that.
"Really? Then why do I sense a hint of sarcasm in your tone?"
"Sulpicia—" Aro tried to stop her but she didn't listen.
"No Aro! I can't understand why you're being so soft with her! This girl is a total stranger in our midst and she must be found out immediately!"
"Sulpicia we've discussed this, she's a victim not a criminal!"
"How can you be so sure?"
"We've seen her memories, she's been abused her entire life and I'm willing to let her stay as long as she needs to."
"How do you know those weren't fake?!"
"If they were then I would've seen so, Ali you may go." Alicia didn't wait to be told twice, she just ran out of the room and outside into the garden. It was cloudy out, but it started raining quickly as Alicia hid under a large statue in the roses. The rain soaked her everywhere, but it only hid the tears as she broke down with the lightning and thunder, screaming and yelling 'why?'.
Hope you liked it cuz it took me a week to get it finished. I know you guys love the story but keep in mind I still have more stories to worry about, and relax I'm not abandoning this story anytime soon k? So please tell me what you think and I'll think about what to do for the next one; and if you have any ideas please let me know. Later!!