A/N: Hey guys. Quick warning, this chapter is a bit dark, though by no means any darker than any of the others.
Let me know what you think.
~Ex
Becoming
Chapter 3
Persuasion
Vampires...
Vampires...
The single word echoed in my head; an insidious whisper that rose in volume until it rang deafeningly and I could hear nothing but Jasper's quiet admission and the roaring thunder of my suddenly racing heart. My vision swam blurrily for a moment, the dark stone walls that surrounded us looming ominously, threatening to close in and crush me at any moment. I closed my eyes against a wave of nausea.
Of all of the scenarios I had imagined, had expected, not once had my naïve mind come up with this. I'd envisioned some sort of telepathic cult, or a chemical-induced genetic anomaly that had spawned a group of super-villains. I had run the colorful gambit, from movies to comic books and back again, and not once had the word vampire drifted to the surface of my mind.
But it should have, I realized suddenly, a too-little too-late montage of images dancing unhelpfully through my head. The stained glass windows in the neglected dining area, the hard-edged velvet tone Edward used when speaking of smelling my blood, and the too-pale faces of the people whose fate I had not shared...
Vampires...
I struggled valiantly with the hysterical laughter that bubbled effervescently in my chest, not wanting to reveal just how close to losing it I was, but it was a lost cause. And truth be told, I felt that I'd maintained a tremendous amount of control, considering what I'd been thrown into.
"Vampires," I suddenly giggled, drawing both of their gazes. I could see that they were well aware of the thin line I tread, like a tight-rope walker teetering precariously.
Edward heaved a quiet sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose as those he was pulling from the very last reserve of his patience. Jasper, at least, looked mildly concerned for my sanity; though that was probably just because I wasn't of any use them without my mind intact.
They let me laugh until my sides ached and fat tears that weren't entirely caused by mirth, rolled down my cheeks, before Angel-face suddenly grasped my arms with his cruel hands, jerking me away from Jasper's side and shaking me roughly. I was dimly aware, through the haze of my pending insanity, that his touch was cold, as was the body that stood scant inches from my own.
"Enough!" he snarled quietly, and the laughter died as swiftly as it'd been born, the gravity of the situation crashing over me in cold waves, drowning any lingering hysteria. I sobered immediately.
"Are you finished?" he demanded coolly. I was surprised to find the heat of a blush rising to my cheeks while I nodded mutely.
He simply arched a skeptical brow as gave me a nudge in Jasper's direction. Strong fingers curled around my elbow, forcibly guiding me to 'the doors'.
And I realized, just then, that it didn't matter. It wasn't those doors, or that room that were the cause of my misery.
It was everything. Every damp stone of this God-forsaken castle, every crimson eye that I was forced to meet. For as long as I was in their custody, I would never be able to escape the encroaching nightmares that prowled along the edges of my consciousness.
I felt my chin rise marginally, though I hadn't realized I'd meant to do so, as Jasper led me into the room, Edward throwing the doors wide before us. Despite my newfound determination, my stomach knotted painfully as my eyes lingered for just a second upon the floor, now scrubbed immaculately clean, where I had found Angela's prone form. I quickly averted my gaze, taking a deep, calming breath and silently notifying my eyes that they were not allowed to stray from the dais just ahead.
The thrones were occupied by the same three men as they had been previously, while a handful of others were gathered behind them. Now that there wasn't an immediate, consuming fear that I might be killed, I was able to see them a bit clearer. I realized that it was not some trick of the light that had made my guards seem so ethereally beautiful to me. Every person in this room, aside from me, was breathtaking. It was the kind of beauty that almost hurt to look at. But the eyes, those bright crimson eyes, they shattered the angelic illusion, a warning that appearances could be so incredibly deceiving. My steps faltered slightly as those self-same eyes, every pair whether onyx or red, swung toward me, some frankly curious, others frighteningly hostile.
The vampire who sat in the middle-most throne stood abruptly, drawing my attention as he exclaimed, "Ah! Sleeping Beauty awakes!" I recognized him as the vampire who had greeted us that first, horrible day. If I had to guess, I'd say that this was their leader, the Aro that they spoke of. He moved with a sort of predatory grace that was, at once, mesmerizing and disturbing. I willed myself to look away, but my traitorous eyes strayed over the soft fall of his long dark hair, and patrician features. He was lean, reminding me of a great cat, and I didn't doubt that he was possessed of similar speed and cunning. He was handsome, though my skin crawled with the silent acknowledgement.
He stalked toward me, and I felt my heart begin a rhythm so swift that I feared it might burst. I took two small steps back, instincts fairly screaming that I needed to escape, to flee the presence of this creature as swiftly as possible. There was something in particular about his cardinal gaze, the utter lack of humanity there, that terrified me beyond reason. But there was no where to run, and though I'd rather be locked in a closet with Jane than have to face this man, I had no choice.
I bumped into the solid wall that was Jasper as my feet continued their steady retreat, and his hands curled lightly around my shoulders as he nudged me forward.
Aro tutted quietly, his toothy smile less reassuring than I was sure he was attempting to be. "There's no need to be frightened, my dear," he soothed.
I was ready, this time, when the inappropriate laughter ascended, and I tamped down on the urge mercilessly. I exhaled shakily, my head moving slowly back and forth. Did he think I was stupid? That standing here, in the midst of creatures that drank human blood to survive, I didn't realize just how close to facing my own mortality I was? "You're lying," I murmured reproachfully.
I wasn't sure what I expected in response to my accusation, but gleeful laughter was not it. The man nearly giggled, for God's sake. He clapped his hands together and I jumped nervously at the jarring sound.
"Quite right, dearest. Quite right indeed. There's no point, I suppose, in pretending when you're quite aware of what we are. I overheard Jasper's depressingly understated announcement just now, and I'm rather disappointed that he chose not to play it up a bit. Evil soulless vampires capture an innocent young girl for reasons unknown... Ah, but I suppose theatrics are unnecessary at this point, considering what you've seen, hm?"
I felt sick as his amused, musical voice washed over me, loosening the tenuous safeguards I'd placed upon memories that were too fresh and painful to relive just yet.
I grit my teeth against my roiling my stomach, looking at the man with disgust written flagrantly on my face. "Rest assured," I hissed, "that I know precisely what kind of monster you are, regardless of theatrics." Anger, dangerous, impulsive anger, was creeping over me, threatening to wash away all of the well-meaning sorrow and fear.
Several of the onlookers laughed at my words, and Aro grinned patronizingly. "Ah, Isabella." The way he caressed my name as he spoke it repulsed me. "I'm afraid that you don't." And then he was before me, invading my personal space in less time than it took for me to blink. I was unable to suppress the sharp gasp that choked its way out of my throat, and I stumbled back, colliding with Jasper yet again. I was trapped. Aro reached up and trailed his fingers lightly over my cheek, and I shuddered, jerking my face away in disgust. "But you will, very soon sweetling."
He swept away from me dramatically, smiling at his small army of vampires.
"What we have here, my children," he announced importantly, "is the newest addition to our happy family." Quiet murmurs of dissent whispered through the room, before Aro silenced his minions with a raised hand. "I know, she looks like nothing more than a feeble human now, because, of course, she is --" More laughter. "--but soon, Alice has assured me that this mere slip of a girl will be the greatest defense the Volturi has ever possessed."
I wanted to protest, to cry out against the insanity that my life was unraveling into, but the words were lodged behind the sudden lump in my throat.
Upon the dais, a young woman stepped forward; her short, dark hair sticking up in organized disarray. She was teensy, from the tip of her pixie nose, to her tiny feet and her smile was impish, hinting at more than a bit of mischief. She looked like the kind of girl I could've been friends with, if not for the fact that her eyes were burgundy and she was a blood-drinking fiend. You know, the minor details make all the difference.
She came to stand beside the throne that housed an angry looking blonde man.
"And it's not just her defensive abilities we'll be able to hone and wield, I've seen that she will be an amazing offensive weapon as well. She will rival Jane and Alec," her voice was melodic, yet the words she spoke made it jangle discordantly in my ears.
Aro's grin was positively jovial. "And until our guest has become acclimated, I want all of you to be on your best behavior. Our little Isabella will be changed within the year."
Where none of the previous conversation was able to shake me out of my stupor, this did it.
"Change me?" I choked out; stepping forward, despite my mind's silent, screaming protestations.
He whirled to face me, a flurry of flowing robes that momentarily disoriented me. I blinked, only to find his face close to mine.
"Yes, pet, change you. You didn't think that we would allow one of our most prized possessions to remain so weak and fragile, did you?"
I wanted to scream at him. I wanted to tell him that I hadn't thought about it at all, actually. I hadn't thought that on my trip to Italy I would be captured by delusional, homicidal vampires, intent on using some imaginary skill I seemed to possess!
Instead, I felt myself swaying on my feet, my legs threatening to collapse as all of the blood drained from my face. "Change me..." I breathed, frowning as I felt Jasper's hand at my elbow, steadying me. I jerked away from his touch. "You mean, make me like you?"
The sound he made was reminiscent of a purr as he dragged his frigid fingers down my arm, his expression curious. "Yes, dearest, just like me. You will be magnificent; our Alice has shown me, and now, as you shield your thoughts from me, so effortlessly, despite the terrified racing of your little heart, I recognize the truth of her vision. I cannot wait," he murmured, his eyes suddenly greedy.
I was too stunned to pull away as his fingers descended to my throbbing hand, a sympathetic noise heard from beneath his breath.
"And what have we here?" Despite my repugnance, I couldn't deny that the icy touch of his fingers felt good against the burning, inflamed skin of my hand. Aro gazed at the jagged, bruised mess the appendage had become, and his head snapped up, crimson eyes darkening. "It appears as though my edicts were not followed. I wish to apologize, sweetling, on behalf of your guard. Though we do our best to remain civilized, many of us are still prone to the urges of our baser instincts."
His glance alighted first upon Edward, and then Jasper and I followed the gaze curiously. Edward appeared irritated, while Jasper maintained that perpetually unaffected mask. Nothing seemed to faze him.
"I assure you, Master, that we were more than mindful of our strength when dealing with the girl," Edward argued testily.
"Oh?" Aro questioned, his now black eyes dropping to inspect the extensive damage.
Pain spiked up my arm, and with it came nausea. Though I couldn't begin to fathom why, I found myself responding in a trembling voice, "No. It wasn't them. I did it."
This gave him pause. His thumb stroked the back of my knuckles slowly, as light as the touch of a feather, and despite my better intentions, I was lulled into a rather calm state. His onyx gaze caught mine and held fast, and he murmured quietly,
"Why, little one?"
The answer was voiced before I even realized I was going to respond.
"Because, I'm alive and they're not. Because I'm weak, helpless, and I hate myself for it."
He hummed quietly, and we stood that way for several seconds, his gaze probing mine for the answers he could not glean from my brain.
He finally looked away, and I blinked several times, coming back to myself. Dammit! I hated that they could do that! If I really had this special ability they kept speaking of, I vowed that I would learn how to use it to protect myself from that...that Dazzling thing!
Aro had turned toward the spiky haired girl, "You saw this?"
She nodded slowly. "It was necessary, Master."
He turned back to me without so much as a word to the girl, but I thought I saw a flash of annoyance in his gaze, which was shifting back to its 'normal' crimson.
He smiled then, and I couldn't help but wonder if he knew just how creepy that expression truly was.
"So, Isabella, what have you to say, in response to my offer of immortality?" He carefully released my hand, and it dropped limply to my side.
I glanced at the floor, willing myself to be strong, willing myself to say the words that I knew needed to be said. I knew what Aro was doing. These pleasantries and his false concern, as though I weren't a prisoner here, being held against my will.
I tried to recall the angry rants I'd come up with, as I'd sat in that cell for who knew how long, speeches that I intended to spout off at the slightest provocation. But they were gone, all of those furiously accusing words, and what came out now was simply,
"No, thank you."
If his expression was anything to go by, the words took Aro as much by surprise as they did me. He frowned thoughtfully, seeming at a momentary loss for how to respond.
"No, thank you?" he repeated eventually.
It was oh so tempting to laugh and brush my words off with a swift, "I'm kidding, go ahead and make me a vampire," but I'd never really been one to take the easy way out.
I nodded slowly, half expecting punishment for my disobedience, but unable to summon the appropriate fear at such a thought.
"Yes, that's right." I was proud that my voice rang clearly across the chamber. "No, thank you."
He drew back slightly, tilting his head to one side as he pondered me, his expression unreadable. "I see. You understand, of course, that we do not offer condolences and a consolation prize if that is your decision? The only other option is death, and I must say, the thought of wasting such talent is not a pleasant one," he sighed heavily as though to prove how the idea burdened him, but I was quite certain that he'd just as soon save himself the trouble and be rid of me. He swayed toward me gracefully, his cold hand abruptly finding my throat and wrapping around the slender column. His fingers tensed slightly, and though he was barely restricting my airway, I could sense the incredible strength he possessed; the damage he could truly do should the whim strike him. I hardly dared to breathe as he smiled slowly, unpleasantly. "Is that what you would prefer, Isabella, that I kill you?"
Ah, my near-constant companion, fear, had finally returned, bringing with it the rapid acceleration of my heart and the telltale tremor that shook through my limbs.
Still, if my choices were only these two, I didn't see that there truly was a choice. And so, I nodded faintly.
"Yes," I whispered. "I would much rather you kill me."
This seemed to amuse him. He drew back slowly, and I shuddered as his thumb caressed the faint hollow beneath my chin where my pulse raced wildly.
"Ah, mortals and their misbegotten principles," he laughed. "Alas, I'm afraid the decision is not yours to make, cara mia, it is mine. And what shall I decide…?" He tapped his chin thoughtfully, and I peered at him spitefully from beneath my lashes. As though we both didn't know that if he wanted me dead it'd have been done long ago. "I believe… I shall make you one of us! There! You may rest easy knowing that the my mind is made up."
The finality of his words was a bitter pill that I had great difficulty swallowing. This couldn't be it. They couldn't just make this decision for me and expect that I would obey their wishes without fight.
"I won't do it," I suddenly growled, stepping closer yet. My hatred for these monsters grew by the very second; it nearly rivaled the hatred that I felt for my loathsome weakness. "With what you've done, to me, and my friend and all of those innocent people. I won't! You cannot make me!"
The man upon the furthest throne yawned quietly and I felt rage shake through me that he should be bored with this. This decided my fate, my life!
Aro had begun to circle me slowly, a vulture hovering over its dying prey, and I struggled not to look at him; not to give him the satisfaction of knowing that having him out of my sight made almost crippling terror shoot through me. My instincts warred with my pride, but the latter had had so few victories of late that I kept my gaze straight ahead. When he spoke, his lips were near my ear and his cool breath brushed over my skin. Revulsion shuddered up my spine.
"You will change your mind, my dear. We are very persuasive," he murmured, and I saw his hand in my peripheral vision, gesturing toward the group behind the dais. Jane stepped forward immediately, a young man at her side. I swallowed the bile that suddenly burned the back of my throat, but I stood firm, shaking my head.
"There is nothing you could say or do…" I reaffirmed.
His laughter was eerie, and I couldn't stop myself as I finally turned to face him. His blood-red eyes met mine and I half-expected the complacent warmth to embrace me.
But the manipulation never came, and I felt Aro's hand brushing over my tangled hair almost lovingly.
"Nothing, you say?"
It wasn't the truth, and we both knew it, but I couldn't bring myself to back down now. All I had shown them thus far was weakness. I remained stoically silent.
Aro nodded to the young man, little more than a child really, who stood beside Jane. Seeing them together, I realized that they must be twins, with their similar faces and equally twisted little grins.
"This is Alec, Isabella," Aro murmured near my ear as the boy stepped forward.
Alec smiled coldly, nodding in my direction. "It grieves me that we must meet under such circumstances," he said by way of introduction.
Taunting them was not a good idea, and I knew this. Still, my tongue seemed to take on a life of its own. "Because we'd just be the best of friends, otherwise, wouldn't we?" I snapped, rolling my eyes.
He simply chuckled, watching me intently. I stared right back, wishing that my 'power' was the ability to kill with a single look.
Aro laughed. "I've begun a bit of a collection, Isabella." I kept my eyes on Alec, terrified of what was coming, but knowing I was well and truly helpless to stop it. I silently vowed not to show them my fear; my pain, regardless of what they chose to inflict. "What do I collect, you might ask," Aro continued conversationally. "It's simple really. I collect vampires. But not just any vampires. I am only interested in those with special skills-sets, talents that ensure my and my brothers' position of power in the Volturi." He leaned around my shoulder, so that he peered at Alec and Jane as attentively as I did. "And these? Why these are my trophies; the most prized of any of my children. I saved them from being burned at the stake, you know," he reminisced.
"Did you? How very sweet," I commented icily.
He was unfazed, smiling in response. "Yes, it was, wasn't it?" He paused for a moment before continuing. "Would you like to know why I hold these two in such high regard?"
"Not particularly," I murmured noncommittally, knowing that my words of disinterest would do nothing to save me from whatever grisly demonstration he had planned.
"Mmm, but I intend to inform you anyway. Alec?"
I stared at the boy, hoping my eyes didn't show the desperation I was feeling, hoping they weren't pleading for his nonexistent mercy.
And then he was gone.
I realized, as my head moved futilely from side to side, that everything was gone.
I uttered a small, confused sound, despite my better intentions. Was I waking in the darkness of my hotel room, and everything had been a nightmare? But no, my hand still burned and throbbed, and my stomach cramped and knotted. Had I closed my eyes against whatever inevitable torture they intended to inflict? I blinked slowly. No.
My breath rasped in and out of my lungs as I began to hyperventilate, the answer tearing through my brain viciously, leaving incoherence in its wake.
I was blind.
Panic flared hotly in my chest, and I desperately scrubbed my hands over my eyes.
"How… What are you doing?!" I demanded, hating how small and dismayed my voice sounded.
I could hear Aro's cruel smile in his words. "Alec, here, has the ability to completely cut off the senses. Sight, hearing, balance…"
The floor seemed to shift beneath my feet, a dull ache beginning behind eyes as white noise rang in my ears. Before I realized I needed to catch myself, my knees rapped sharply against the hard, cold floor, pain spiraling through my legs. I leaned forward on my uninjured hand, panting softly.
"Certainly you can see how this might be useful when used against our foes," Aro continued, as though we were discussing the weather.
I didn't respond, knowing that the point the proved required none. I knelt, stationary, on the ground, staring blankly into the darkness.
"And Jane," I immediately stiffened, biting back the desperate plea that sprang to my lips. "You are familiar with her power, are you not?"
A helpless nod was all that I could manage, and I tensed, waiting…
"Good, good." For a moment, relief flooded through me, like a cool breeze. I remembered one of my guards chastising Jane for using her power on me while I was still human; for the irreparable damage she may do. Perhaps Aro would--
The pain tore through me so swiftly that for a moment my brain was unable to register what was actually happening. Oh God, it was worse, so much worse than I'd remembered. An inferno of agony tore through my limbs, burning through my very veins, scorching every nerve in its path. My throat ached with unuttered screams, and it was only a matter of seconds before the trembling arm that held me up collapsed, sending me sprawling onto the damp stones. I tasted blood in my mouth as my chin hit the ground, but the dull ache of my teeth grazing my tongue was nothing, nothing, compared to what I suffered.
I curled in upon myself, clutching my knees to my chest as though I could somehow protect myself from Jane's gaze, from her power.
It seemed to go on for hours, though I knew it could not have been more than a few seconds. Aro was right, I would agree to anything, anything at all if he were just to stop this. The cries that were lodged in my throat finally escaped, and tears that I'd been desperately holding at bay trickled from the corners of my eyes. Even through the deep red haze of pain, I hated myself for allowing them to get the better of me yet again.
And then, it stopped. As quickly as it'd begun, it was all over. I rolled onto my back, gasping as I wiped burning tears from my eyes, which were functioning once more. Every muscle in my body trembled and ached, as though I'd just run miles, and exhaustion swept through me. I'd have never guessed that being tortured would be so tiring.
Aro tutted sympathetically from above me, and my blurry gaze locked on him. The hatred I felt for this man was a living, festering thing inside of me. He crouched next to me, pale fingers capturing one of the tears that insisted on continuing without my consent. I watched in disgust as he brought it to his lips, tasting the physical manifestation of my pain, before smiling. I grit my teeth, wishing with everything inside of me that I had the power to kill him.
"So you see, dearest Isabella, though I do not require your consent, there is nothing I will not do to ensure it. Your power will be mine to wield."
I looked away, my head lolling listlessly against the floor. There was really nothing more to be said.
Aro seemed to understand my defeated silence, for he murmured,
"You were far easier to break than I had anticipated, sweetling. Even for a mortal."
The words prodded something within me, some dark, slumbering animal that did not appreciate the sudden wakening. I jerked upward swiftly, despite my sore muscles, grasping the front of his robes in my fingers.
"You will never break me, monster. Never. You may add me to your collection, you may even get me to agree to it. But someday, someday when you least expect it, I will take great pleasure in killing you," I growled from between clenched teeth. I smiled coldly. "After all, I'll have forever."
Several of the bystanders had stepped forward at my verbal attack, but Aro waved them away dismissively. He seemed pleased. I couldn't imagine why a death threat was cause for amusement, but I was fresh out of the strength necessary to question him.
"That's better," he murmured, pulling my clenched hands away from his shirtfront and smoothing the wrinkles from the fabric. He rose to his full height. "Now then, Alice, if you and Edward would take Isabella up to her room and attend to that hand?"
"Yes, Master," Alice acquiesced, rushing forward and lifting me from the ground as though I didn't have at least twenty pounds on her. The room began to spin as she moved, and I closed my eyes against the motion.
I was aware of very little as we moved through the castle; we ascended several sets of steps, and neither of my keepers spoke. Alice finally laid me on something soft, her cool hand fluttering over my brow, her voice quietly assuring me that the worst was over.
As the sweet escape of darkness consumed me, I was surprised to find that I believed her.
A/N: Is it odd that I have a strange thing for DarkAro? :P
Hit the review button and let me know what you think.