Queen of his heart
Chapter 2: meeting Gramps
The elevator ride seemed to take forever, when they finally reached the thirty ninth floor the other four clandestine people were weighting. The large oak doors swung open of their own accord and they stepped thought. In front of them stood three tall, imposing, statuesque men. The first was a tall smiling man with skin even paler than Demetri's, if that was possible. It looked almost paper thin and delicate. Not to far behind him were two other equally pale men, one with snow white hair the other with dark, nether of them was smiling.
"wonderful! You came, I am so glad you did. This is just wonderful!" the leader beamed. "welcome little Tessa." beside her Demetri took a knee.
"my liege." he murmured while staring at the floor.
"come now old friend there is no need for that. We are all family here, no need for the formalities." not sure what was going on Tessa gave a little curtsy, the men looked like royalty. They ware long robes of midnight blue and gold. Their necks were adorned with glittering jewels, and they stood tall, looking down on every one. "now see what you've done." he said gesturing towards the bewildered girl.
"Tessa," Demetri began. "this is Lord Aro, leader of… well lets just be vague and say us for now. We can get to the specifics later." he held out his hand in a sweeping mouton towards the still smiling man that stood before her.
"yo." she nodded in his direction. Obviously not felling his enthusiasm.
"my dearest." he extended his arms and moved slowly towards her, clearly unsure of how welcoming she would be for his hug. Tessa stood completely still allowing him to wrap his cold hard arms around her. While she did not return the hug she didn't pull away either. "It seems I have been weighting an eternity to meet you." he told her pulling away.
"yeah me to, I guess." she mumbled almost incoherently. Her smile was tentative to say the least. He sat gracefully on a nearby couch moving his arm in a sweeping motion, encouraging her to do the same. Her lees than elegant execution would have been laughable were it not for the fact that laughing at her was forbidden, still Tessa caught Demetri's eye and noted the humor there.
"I'm sure we have much to talk of, you have many questions." she nodded in agreement. "you want an explanation of how we are related but that story will take more time than we have…you have work in a few hours do you not? For now you will have to take me on my word and believe that we are kin." Tessa just continued nodding. "now my dear about your living situation. You will find that your bank account has been…well, its been replenished shall we say. There will no longer be any need for you to where dirty clothing." Tessa held her hands up.
"I don't want or need your money first of all, second of all for your information I put these cloths on because they were right there and I was half asleep. As for my living situation, I am perfectly capable of caring for my self and I happen to like where I live, thank you very much." her voice was dripping with disdain.
"I am only trying to make your life more comfortable until you can take your rightful place by my side." he told her as if it should have been obvious. Tessa rubbed the bridge of her nose. "I can see that this night has been to much for you. Perhaps we should meet again at a more convent time. I have you phone number, I will call you on the marrow to plan a more joyous family reunion." one of the other two leaders stepped forward laying his hand atop Aro's as it rested on the couch. "For now Demetri will escort you home, thank you Marcus. He has informed me that the two of you will have a strong bond."
"if you had my number why did you not just call me in the first place?" she demanded, her head ach getting worse by the minuet.
"I didn't have it before, when you allowed me to touch you I took the information from your mind." Tessa's hands went to her ears protectively, as if to block any more information getting out.
"you read my mind?" she asked, shock showing on her pretty face.
"I'm sorry I should have explained it to you and asked permission, I always forget the human courtesies. When touch you I can read your thoughts, past and present." he explained as if every one could do such things.
"yeah ok, really can't wait to wake up and tell the girls about this dream." she told herself.
"I think perhaps Demetri will stay near you for the night, to ensure you do not do any thing…unusual whilst believing yourself to be asleep."
"come little one, we have a long night ahead of us I fear." Demetri held out his hand to her before she could protest, or anger Aro further. Again she refused his hand looking at it instead like it were a dangerous snake, or maybe suspecting that he too had a gift. His smile darkened.