Disclaimer: I am not Stephenie Meyer. I do not own any of the Twilight characters. I only own Juliet.

AN: Thanks so much for the reviews and pm's!! Here's chapter 5; hope you all enjoy it. :D

CHAPTER V- DECISIONS

Marcus POV

After the guards managed to split Felix and me apart, we were immediately escorted to the main tower. Of course, I knew were being ushered to Aro's chamber. With guards in between us and at our sides, Felix and I enter the windowless room. Soon Aro appears from a concealed passage door next to one of the large tapestries. For once, he was not wearing his classic dim-witted grin which gave me hope that he would not take Felix's actions lightly. Aro's obvious dark mood merely spurred my anger further. But, to my surprise, Caius soon followed behind Aro. What is Caius doing here? Felix respectfully bows his head as Aro and Caius approach us. Of course, Aro begins the assessment.

"I have been informed of the events that took place in the study room, and of the…human's presence. Felix, is it true you did not submit to Marcus' claim of territory?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Forgive me master, but last I checked it's been years since Marcus claimed anything."

Immediately my rage boils over and I lunge to attack Felix, but the guards in between us are ready for an assault. True to form, Felix just stands there glaring at me, silently egging me on. I go into a frenzy which requires the guards plus Caius to restrain me.

"Be still, brother!" Commanded Aro. Very rarely does his voice rise in anger, but his appropriate chiding catches my attention. "I said…be still!" With great effort, I obey. "Felix! You will speak with respect towards your lords or else you will never speak again. Capire!?"

"Sì, mio padrone." Felix bows his head for good measure. He's lucky he still has a head!

"This is your only warning. I will not tolerate such defiance." After reprimanding Felix, Aro sends him away with the flicker of his hand. As it was in the old days, Felix walks backwards, head bowed, until reaching the doors and exiting. Aro then dismisses the guards. Once I am certain that everyone is out of hearing range I let my true thoughts be known.

"Is that all you will do, brother? Strike his hand!"

"As you once said, do not push me, brother." Now Aro's anger confuses me. "Do not once allow yourself to believe my anger does not rest with you as well."

"I?"

"Yes, you! You bring that human into the very midst of the coven and you are surprised at the outcome?"

"You should have drained her life when I told you to!" Caius now felt the need to speak. I am surprised he's held his tongue for this long.

"Marcus, it is time for you to make your decision."

"Now? It is only fall!"

"I know what season it is. But in light of recent events Caius and I agree that is time for you to put an end to this…pastime of yours."

"No."

"Spoiled child!"

"Caius, be calm. Marcus, be reasonable. Felix's outburst is only the beginning. If the human remains unchanged in this environment any longer worse will happen. You know this."

-Silence-

"I will not allow dissension to corrupt our coven. You must choose now or I will choose for you."

-Growl-

"Bring the girl here, now, today. Caius and I will wait."

-I leave in silence-

There was nothing more to say on the matter. I could not argue with Aro; I cannot deny the truth. Something worse was inevitable. Already Chelsea has complained of feeling 'strained' as she controls the emotions of the coven. My cowardly resignation sickens me. I feel a lump in my throat as I open the door to the bedroom where I know Juliet awaits me on the other side. Just as I thought I could not feel worse about my hand being forced, there she sits on the bed holding a glass of milk looking more child-like than ever before. The lump in my throat swells and I swallow hard.

"Juliet, follow me." I fear my tone came off harsh, but it is too late for apologizes now.

As expected, Juliet quietly submits placing the glass of milk upon the nightstand and coming to my side. I can see the confusion in her eyes, but I do not attempt to relieve her worries, for it would be in vain.

In silence I lead the way to Aro's room where I must chose Juliet's fate. I open the chamber doors and enter first, leading Juliet to the center of the room where Aro and Caius stand waiting for us. I stop a few feet away from my brothers and Juliet remains by my side. Immediately, I hear her heart beat becoming more rapid and her breathing labored. She knows.

"So good to see you again, dear child!" Aro gives her a toothy smile as he welcomes her in a cheerful tone. His acting abilities are far superior to my own. "Introductions! This is our brother, Caius." True to nature, Caius gives a sincere snarl as his acknowledges Juliet's presence. I feel Juliet slightly shiver in response. "Pay him no mind. Caius is always…abrupt. Down to the task at hand, my dear, I am afraid we must revaluate your visit with us. I know we agreed till first winter, but, I fear certain…affairs have forced my hand. Marcus, have you made your decision?"

As soon as Aro addresses me, the two scenarios flood my mind. My senses go numb and my voice is silenced. What am I to do?

"I see." -heavy sigh- "Cauis, what say you?"

"We don't have room for another."

"Pox on you Caius!" My anger gets the better of me. Caius has no right to refuse Juliet.

"Peace brothers. Now Caius, of course we have room." Aro feigns his best soothing voice as he attempts to soften Caius' prickly demeanor.

"Do not patronize me! I am not a newborn to be nursed!" Apparently, Caius was in no mood to be cooperative.

More words are exchanged and soon we begin to quarrel. Caius always knows how to aggravate me and Aro plays the devil's advocate. Aro's devious words poison my patience. Eventually our verbal skirmish is interrupted by Juliet yelling, "Excuse me!" Who knows how long she must have tried to get our attention, or maybe she only cried aloud once, but for the moment she has the floor.

"Excuse me, but…don't I have a say?"

All three of us glance at each other before Aro speaks up. "Forgive us. Of course, how stupid of us, what say you child?"

"I…I wish to be…to have my life taken, please."

I hissed at her incredulous request. "You cannot be serious!" I did not try to mask my emotions on the matter.

"Be still, Marcus. She speaks truth. Juliet has the right to make this decision. That is, unless you have…" Aro wisely does not finish his sentence as I glare at him. "I thought not."

"Very well, let it be done already." Caius groans in irritation.

"No!" I yell defiantly.

"Come now, Marcus. Be reasonable." Aro was playing the mediator now.

"I wish to discuss alternative options." My refusal would not be quelled.

"There is none!" As expected, Caius was more than willing to challenge me.

"Peace, I pray you peace!" Aro's voice begins to rise.

Once again our bickering was silenced by Juliet shouting, "Please! Please, I only ask for it to be quick and done with, now." Tears began to fall down her cheeks and I feel an aching in my chest. No, I cannot allow this. I will not abide her giving up her life.

"Brothers, leave us awhile and I swear I will give you a decision."

Caius is about to rebuff, but Aro stills his tongue with a gesture of his hand. "Very well. You have one hour." Aro leaves the room and Caius reluctantly follows. Once they are absent, I calmly address Juliet.

"Juliet, I know what just happened, what is occurring is incomprehensible, but I implore you to reconsider." Her eyes grow wide with shock, but before she speaks I continue. "Please, give me ear, there are alternatives…"

"No! I won't be a monster! To…feed off people is…"

"Yes, I know. But there is an alternative. Please, listen. Not all of our kind feed off humans. There is a minority of our kind that feed off animals."

"Animals?" I could see the apprehension in her eyes.

"Yes. I speak the truth. Juliet, I have not nor will I ever lie to you." I did not hold back in my pleadings. I had to amend to her decision, I just had to. After giving a more detailed explanation and giving an example of the Cullen clan that lived in the Americas, I began to see her reevaluating her thoughts.

"Okay. I believe you, but…to be changed into a…"

"A new person. A new life, Juliet. Just think you can start over. And you will be strong."

"Strong?"

"Yes; not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. You never become ill, never grow old and never be vulnerable. And, if you chose, you will be free to leave."

"Leave?!"

"Yes. No one has claim over you, Juliet. You have made no allegiances. You could leave and travel the world, or, if you wanted, seek out the Cullen clan. They would welcome you. They would be kind to you."

"They would?"

"Yes. I swear it. They would be loving towards you. Like a real family."

"A real family." It was not a question, but rather Juliet whispers the words as if they were a prayer.

"Juliet, please reconsider."

"Alright. I will. I will…think about it."