"Elphie I'm scared," Galinda whimpered into her friend's shoulder. Felix and his companion Demetri had led them into what appeared to be an old castle turret. It was completely made of chilly stone and filled with equally chilling immortals. They looked up hungrily at the visitors.
"There's no need to be frightened dear," cooed an older looking vampire in long, black robes. "I understand no rules were broken; therefore you have nothing to fear."
"That's Aro," Alice introduced in Elphaba's ear. Her tone did not imply that there was nothing to fear. The green girl held Galinda tighter against her. Two more vampires in rustling, midnight robes chose that moment to ghost in. "Caius and Marcus," Alice continued, nodding her head at each as she named them.
"Isn't this wonderful?" Aro asked his companions. "Bella is alive after all, and Jane has also brought new friends to see us." Here his cloudy, crimson eyes zeroed in on the two witches.
"They are friends of ours," Edward explained in a tense voice. It was nice to see that he at least recognized the two of them; so far the bronze haired immortal had had eyes only for Bella. Aro breezed forward and gently held out a hand to the green girl.
"May I?" he requested curiously. Elphaba jerked her arm away.
"I can assure you that my skin does not feel any different from any other human's," she snapped.
"That's not what he wanted," Alice informed her. "Aro can read thoughts through contact."
"Oh." Warily the witch extended her palm. Aro eagerly brushed his papery fingers across it. It immediately became clear to Elphaba that his power far surpassed Edward's. While the younger vampire had not been able to use his gift on the Ozians, Aro had no such inhibitions. The magic of his power surged through Elphaba's system and she instinctively pulled away.
The dark haired immortal was wide eyed; astounded by even the brief glimpse he'd had into her thoughts. "Such power," Aro breathed, blinking. "Would you mind giving us a demonstration?" Elphaba glanced at Alice, unsure. She received an encouraging nod.
Taking a deep breath the green girl released a flaming, emerald fireball at one of the far walls. It burst into a flower of flame before dissipating. Murmurs erupted from the crowd of assembled vampires. "Impressive," Caius observed casually from his throne.
"Indeed," Aro agreed. "Jane dear, could you…" Edward tense beside Elphaba and she expected a full out assault. Instead the witch felt a sudden stab of magic strike the faint shield she unconsciously cast around herself. Instinctively Elphaba pushed back against the attack and it quickly withdrew. Jane glared daggers at her. "Wonderful," Aro commended, applauding.
"We would like to be leaving soon," Edward interjected coldly. "No rules have been broken."
"You speak incorrectly, dear boy," Marcus reminded in a similar tone. "Humans have been witness to our race. They must be killed."
"Or turned," Aro added. "We would happily welcome any of these girls into immortality."
"Especially the green one," Caius agreed.
"Well what do you say Miss Elphaba?" Aro queried brightly, rushing ahead with excitement. "Would you accept a place among the Volturi?"
"No," Galinda whispered. Elphaba recoiled at the very idea.
"I'll have to decline your offer," she hissed.
"Such a shame," Aro sighed. "Such a waste." He flicked a finger, indicating that Felix and Demetri should move in. Edward and Alice prepared for a fight. It was easy to see where this would go. The fight wouldn't last long; they would all die.
"Wait!" Elphaba exclaimed, stepping out of Galinda's arms. "If I join the Volturi will you let them go?"
"Elphie no!" Galinda cried.
"Yes," Aro replied. "But you must let us change you; right now." The green witch swallowed.
"Ok."
"No!" the blonde called, again flinging her slim arms around the witch. Alice gently encircled Galinda's waist and pulled her away. Elphaba now knew that the two young vampires would be her allies. Edward loved Bella enough that he would let this happen to save her. Alice had likewise loyalties.
The green girl stepped hesitantly forward. Aro met her halfway between the two parties. He softly took Elphaba's arm and brought it to his face. Then, in a movement so fast she almost missed it, the vampire sunk his teeth into her arm.
A shriek tore the air, but it came from Galinda's throat. Elphaba stoically clenched her jaw as the venom began to burn. She stiffly allowed her body to respond to the pain by falling. The witch landed awkwardly and curled into a tight ball. A groan of pain finally escaped her lips as she started to convulse.
Alice allowed Galinda to wriggle free of her grip at that point. The blonde kneeled heartbrokenly at her friend's side, totally oblivious to the dangerous vampire only inches away. "Elphie," she sobbed, reaching out to touch the tortured witch.
"Get away from me!" Elphaba nearly screamed. "Get away; you don't need to watch this."
"But Elphe…"
"Get away!" the green girl shrieked. Galinda flinched but did not leave her friend's side. It was at that point that the venom made contact with Elphaba's magic. They reacted like some chemical solution and suddenly green flame engulfed the witch's body. Galinda jumped back while Aro watched with sick fascination.
Moments later the smoke cleared to reveal a paler skinned witch lying breathlessly on the floor. Her green complexion had been toned down, thought not completely lost. Fierce, wild beauty sharpened every line of Elphaba's face. Somehow she looked harder and more powerful. The green girl's eyes flashed open suddenly. They were a vivid, feral red.
She rolled sideways, away from the blonde, and into a crouch. "Get away!" Elphaba snarled in a razor blade voice. Her expression burned with sudden thirst. Alice swept a stunned Galinda into her arms and led the way out. Edward followed with Bella.
/
"Welcome to the Volturi Elphaba," Aro greeted, grinning. "I did not expect your magic to speed up the change. What an interesting phenomenon."
"Yeah," the witch snorted, gliding to her feet. "Interesting." She stretched lightly, feeling more magic than ever before ripple through each and every muscle. "Is there another way out of here?"
"Why?" Aro wondered suspiciously.
"I don't think things would go well if I passed my friends while leaving," she explained, casually moving her hand through a ray of sunlight streaming through the windows. Her skin glowed faintly but did not sparkle.
"What do you mean leaving?" Caius wondered suspiciously.
"I mean I'll be getting out of your Oz forsaken city as soon as possible," Elphaba responded. "And you're going to let me go unless you want to get blown halfway around the world."