Disclaimer: I am not Stephenie Meyer. I do not own any of the Twilight characters. I only own ones I have made.
Author's Note: Again, many thanks to all who have read and reviewed my story. I really appreciate it!
CHAPTER III- Getting Acquanted
My mind is pregnant with worry. I know exactly what Aro will demand of me at first winter; destroy Juliet or give her immortality. I cringe at both scenarios and my stomach tightens. I decide to take advantage of each day and try to find an alternative. Pushing my unpleasant thoughts aside, I begin to concentrate on Juliet as we walk back to my chambers. I listen to her breathing, her soft heartbeat and light footsteps. She is so delicate, of course all humans are compared to our kind, but Juliet might as well be made out of porcelain to me. I still cannot comprehend my attachment to her. Even more confusing is that I do not crave her blood nor feel the need to end her life; on the contrary I want to protect her. Of course I hunger, but it seems after millenniums of self-sufficiency, I have learned to control the monster within me. But my temper is another demon entirely.
"Marcus?" Juliet's voice is hesitant and echoes as we enter the foyer leading to the west wing.
"Yes?" I answer without facing her, in truth I have not looked her in the eye since before breakfast.
"What will…I do here…until winter?" I hear the slight tremble in her voice as she stammers her question.
"You will be confined to the grounds, namely the west wing. Otherwise you may do as you wish." I hated giving such diminutive replies, but conversing aloud is still new to me. Juliet says no more even though I feel her body tense radiating heat.
As we return to the room I cannot help but hover at the doorway. As I anticipated Juliet sits upon the edge of the bed folding her hands neatly in her lap, and for the first time in hours, our eyes meet. Her blue spheres seem to thaw every knot in my body and a sense of release washes over me. I hate the affect she has on me, this weakness that I feel, it repulses me. Leave now while you still have your wits about you!
"You will need clothes. I will be back."
"Marcus!" I wanted to ignore her call, but I couldn't. I stand frozen in the doorway with my back to her; my only response is cocking my head to the side. "Will you be back soon?"
Oh, hell! I wanted to hate her, to reject her, to let loose the demon inside me, but I just cannot. Her voice sounds so innocent and helpless. I cannot deny her, but at the same time I cannot accept her. I quickly answer "yes" before disappearing.
Over the next few months a routine had been established. Everyday I watched over her without her knowledge, visiting her once a day leaving her alone for the remainder, and every night I watched her sleep making sure to leave before she woke. Yes, interaction was few and in between, but this was all I could handle. Unfortunately, I still had my duties as one of the masters of Volterra. The occasional treaty meeting demanded my presence and local administration had to be overseen, but every second I had free I made sure to watch over Juliet. Even though Aro gave the command that no one was to enter the west wing, my worries would never be quashed. As I went about my daily rounds, I heard Juliet weeping in the library. At the sight of her lamentation I felt as if I had been stabbed through the chest. I froze in place at the side entrance of the library staring like an idiot. Truth be told, I was still afraid to touch her or even be close to her. I was so lost in thought I did not notice the presence of another until it was too late. Felix! Not five feet away from her there Felix stood. His voice purring with seduction.
"Why do you cry?" Clearly startled, Juliet quickly stands up from where she sat upon the ground and slowly backs away.
I was about to pounce on him until I hear Juliet speak, "Stay away from me." Her voice is clear and strong, but I knew she was scared, yet not an ounce of fear was present.
"Whatever you say." Felix backs away till he is against the wall across from her, and then leans against it casually putting his hands in his pockets. What game are you playing Felix? Or, are you simply the puppet? Caution gets the better of me, what if Aro is testing me? Of course Felix knows of my presence. He'd have to be deaf, blind and void of all senses not to. So, he either wished death by my hand or he was under orders from above. I decided to remain hidden from Juliet's eyes and watch.
"Leave." Juliet's voice is commanding as she stares at Felix.
"I will, just not right now." Felix's voice is filled with arrogance.
"What do you want?" Juliet's eyes tighten as if trying to decipher his thoughts.
"Well, this is a library." Felix's voice and body language give off a casual, non-threatening vibe. Yes, he is a talented predator.
"Yes, but not the only one."
"How do you know that? Have you ever left the west wing?" Felix's tone is laced with confidence.
Juliet simply glares at him in silence.
"That's what I thought. So, are you going to tell me why you were crying?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Why should I tell you? I don't know you."
"True, but that can easily be cured. Let's start with names, since we weren't introduced the first time we met." Felix winks after ending his statement just as he did when he first met her. His sugary words make me feel sick to my stomach.
Again, Juliet wisely holds her tongue.
"Fine, I'll go first. I'm Felix." Unraveled by her coldness, Felix gestures to Juliet fishing for a reply.
"You can call me girl." I laugh to myself at her answer.
Felix snickers as he retorts, "Girl! Fine, have it your way. But I rather like little girl better. So, little girl, why were you crying? Did you read a romance story that pulled your strings? I bet that's it. You look like the type. Let me guess was it Romeo & Juliet?" Felix begins laughing at his own joke.
Again, Juliet's response is silence; her jaw is clenched and her mouth pursed.
"So, little girl, do you mine if I browse the bookshelf?"
"Like you said, it is a library."
"Ha! Indeed." Felix walks slowly, even for a human, to the bookshelf that stands next to him. He looks ridiculous as he struts across the room. Stalling for time he begins running his fingers along the backs of the books. Juliet cautiously moves backwards maintaining the space between them. Unbeknownst to her, she's actually walking closer to where I await in the shadows.
"What do little girls read these days, huh?" His tone is mocking.
"I don't know." Juliet's response is curt and detached.
"Really? Well that proves my theory."
"Which is?"
"Girls don't read anymore. Not that they've ever read much at all to begin with. But over time the female mind has waned and only has room for the superficial. Don't you agree?" Felix is desperately trying to get under her skin now; trying anything to get her to react passionately.
Juliet remains constant in her quiet, aloof demeanor, but her eyes burn at Felix.
"If you don't respond I'll have to take your silence as a yes."
Juliet keeps still.
Felix is clearly agitated but takes the encounter in stride, "Fine, have it your way. Aro was right; you're not much of a talker." Felix retrieves a book before exiting the room. "See ya around." Carrying the book in hand Felix winks at Juliet as he exits the room.
Once I am sure Felix has gone, I approached Juliet. She is frozen in place with her back to me. "Juliet?" As soon as I say her name she spins around facing me leaping towards my body wrapping her arms around my waist. I stand there in complete shock. What am I to do? My body stiffens at her touch; I do not dare return her hug. The warmth of her body seems to almost burn my skin as the pounding of her heart echoes throughout my ears. Juliet begins weeping almost immediately and her grip tightens around my waist. She begins to suck in deep intervals of air before finding her voice. "Don't…don't leave me again. Please stay with me." The pain in her voice is almost tangible. Her desperate plea makes me feel as if a sword has been thrust through my back. How selfish I have been! I did not even consider how solitude would affect her.
Mustering my self-discipline, I gently pull her away from my body till we are face to face. "Forgive me. I shall remain at your side from now on."
Her dull, drenched eyes begin to sparkle. "Thank you."
Realizing my hands are still holding her arms, I begin to let go, but she catches my grasp. I fall limp as I see her take one of my hands hostage. Her eyes are filled with a child's curiosity as she examines my hand. I feel my eyes widen with shock and I can only imagine what expression I am making.
"Are you always cold?"
"Yes."
It has been a millennium since I allowed a female to touch me. But for some reason the demon inside me does not attack, does not command me to destroy her, rather it lies dormant. Her cerulean orbs stare at me making my very center quake with emotions that I have not felt since…my wife. Juliet quickly picks up on my uneasiness and slowly releases my hand. As we stare at each other in silence, my eyes notice the change in light through the window.
"It is getting late. You should retire."
Juliet nods her head in agreement. I take the lead back to the bedroom. The walk back to the chamber is awkward, to say the least. After entering the room, instinct gets the better of me and I hover at the doorway. Juliet continues towards the bed and I wince as Juliet takes off her sweater, afraid to see her marked arms, but luck is on my side. The bruises on her arms are almost invisible now and I let out a sigh of relief. Juliet places her sweater on the chair next to the bed, then pulls back the covers and sits up on the bed.
"Do you sleep, Marcus?"
"No. Our kind does not sleep."
After giving my answer Juliet lays down on the bed pulling the covers to her chest. Her eyes remain open staring up at the ceiling.
Her behavior confuses me still and I cannot hold my tongue, "Aren't you afraid?"
Juliet slowly sits up making eye contact, "Should I be?"
"Yes! True I spared your life but to what avail? Keeping you hostage? Condemning you?"
"Condemning me?"
"We have laws. Once we are exposed to a human, it must be destroyed or given immortality. A decision must be made. That is what Aro meant by until winter."
"I understand." Her eyes become heavy with thought as she takes in all that I have just said.
Nothing more is said and Juliet lies back down upon the bed, shifting her body to one side preparing for sleep. It seems the appropriate time for me to take my leave. As I reach for the door, once again, Juliet calls to me.
"Marcus? Please stay."
Sighing heavily I reluctantly agree. "Very well."
I take a seat in the large armchair besides the entrance. I can see Juliet watching me making sure I obeyed. Once satisfied with my resting place, she closes her eyes to sleep. And, I remain there all night.