Disclaimer: I am not Stephenie Meyer. I do not own any of the Twilight characters. I only own Juliet.
AN: Thanks so much for reading and reviewing my story! You guys are awesome! Here's chapter 6 (it's a long one) hope you like it. There will be another update next weekend.
CHAPTER VI – CHANGED
The invisible vice that is clamped around my stomach begins to loosen a bit. Since Juliet did not say no, this gave me hope. For the rest of the hour we stood in silence, neither of us making eye contact and I did not press her further. I knew what an insurmountable decision she had to make in just a short time. The felting hour ended too quickly and soon enough I heard Aro and Caius approaching. Involuntarily my body tensed and straightened its stupor. I could feel Juliet's body stiffen as well; I wished my anxiety was not so obvious. We both stared at the doors waiting for Pluto himself to enter, which he did in his usual dramatic fashion.
"The hour has arrived I'm afraid. Child, have you made your decision?" Aro delivered his question with an inappropriate smile. Caius, predictably, stood at his side looking perturbed.
"Yes, Sir. I…I chose to be become…like you."
It did not surprise me that Juliet would not put a name to her request.
"Really?! I am pleased to hear that you have amended your previous choice."
Caius growls with disgust. Aro ignores Caius and moves towards Juliet with one hand stretched out. Immediately I place myself in front of Juliet.
"No! I will give her immortality."
"Curious?" A smug grin appears on Aro's face as he stops in silence contemplating my response. "As you wish, brother. Of course, you will not mind if Caius and I remain as witnesses."
This was not a question, I had no choice. It did not surprise me that Aro would not trust me to go through with the act. I nod in agreement. Slowly I turn to face Juliet. Her eyes are wet with pools of tears that will not fall. Her cheeks are flushed with fear and her hands are shaking with uncertainty. I feel a pang in my chest and I resist the urge to clutch my absent heart.
"Juliet, the act itself will be over quickly, but what follows, the transformation brings forth pain as the venom spreads throughout the body. The conversion will last two to three days. Do you understand?" Juliet simply nods.
Determined to be precise, without warning, I quickly engulf her neck and bite her. Immediately upon contact, Juliet's tears fall down her cheeks. As soon as I taste Juliet's blood my body is inflamed with ecstasy. Instantly, all my senses are ignited. Her scent fills my nostrils as I listen to her accelerated heart pumping the blood even faster, making the flavor sweeter. I taste the bitter, sweet tears as they coast down her neck entering the creases of my mouth. The mixture of her essence and blood is so tantalizing. My eyes roll back as I close my lids savoring the ribbons of blood that flow down my throat, coursing throughout my veins. It's as if her blood contains a siren that is beckoning me to devour every last drop. No! I must stop. I scream at my flesh willing it into submission. I muster all of my self-control and release my grip. While she is still in shock I quickly bite both her wrists, hoping this will make the venom spread more rapidly causing the transformation to end sooner. As I hoped, Juliet faints from the loss of blood and I collect her into my arms.
"Good. You may take your leave now." Dismissing me with the wave of his hand, Aro and Caius part away giving me room to exit.
With great haste, I leave this forsaken room and head to my chambers. I know Juliet will awaken soon by the burning the venom causes. Gently I place her on the bed and put a pillow underneath her head. Moments later the inevitable occurs as Juliet awakes screaming in agony as the invisible fire envelops her body. All I can do now is watch; helpless and worthless. I can give her no relief, no escape. The passing hours are excruciating as she cries out to me for help; to kill her; to put out the fire. The madness of guilt begins to eat away at me. What have I done? How could I have wished for this? With each passing hour, my feebleness becomes more apparent. My resolve weakens and I reach my breaking point. Watching Juliet go through the change has resurrected memories, memories that I cannot bear. My cowardice thoughts get the better of me and I flee the room. All I can think of is that I need to get away, far away.
Felix POV
My eyes are fixated on the empty wall in the direction of the west wing. Even though it is like the buzzing of a bee, I can hear every cry Juliet makes. Her torment fills me with sympathy and my feet burn to run to her aide. But, what really infuriates me is having to stand here idle at Aro's side like a lap dog. Of course I know why Aro demanded my presence. To keep an eye on me and keep me away from Juliet.
"By the gods! Will that creature ever shut up!"
"Be still, brother. You know very well the human cannot control herself. Queen's Rook to h8."
Caius growls softly with agitation as he tries to concentrate on the chess board.
Repulsion; that is what I feel right now as I stand here aimlessly watching Aro and Caius play their stupid game. "My Lord, may I take my leave?"
Aro does not acknowledge me in the slightest, rather continues studying the board as Caius makes his move. Taking more time than necessary, Aro finally answers me but his eyes never leave the board, "For what purpose?"
Unsure how to answer, instead I approach Aro and clear my throat. Slowly, Aro pries his eyes away from the board and makes eye contact. I hold out my hand, to which Aro gladly accepts. Momentarily he closes his eyes as he reads my thoughts then an impish grin appears on his face but quickly vanishes. As he opens his eyes, he releases my hand and addresses me, "Do you comprehend the consequences of the path you are about to take?"
"Yes."
"Felix, I will not be able to intervene again."
"I understand."
Giving a heavy sign, Aro grants my wish. "Very well. Off with you."
"Thank you, my lord." Bowing, I exit backwards, then once at the doors I fly away to Juliet.
My feet cannot carry me fast enough as her screams grow louder by the second. Then, as I approach the foyer I stop dead in my tracks as reality sets in. Marcus! Surely he would be guarding her, like always. With stealth, I climb up one of the supporting beams overhead and strain my ears for Marcus. Within minutes my questions are answered as I hear him running up to the rooftop exiting the premises. I laugh to myself: What a milksop! His stupidity shall be my gain. I seize the opportunity laid before me and enter Marcus' chambers.
As expected, I find Juliet laying on the bed writhing in agnoy. Her face is covered in sweat and contorted from the pain. Quickly I go to the water basin on the dresser and wet a cloth. Cautiously I walk towards Juliet. Even though I know in this state she most likely will not notice my presence, I do not want to chance starling her. Carefully, I place the wet cloth upon her forehead and begin to wipe her whole face. Eventually her body registers the wetness of the cloth and her eyes begin to open. They are bloodshot and clouded; the venom is destroying her nerve endings. Her eyes scan the ceiling above her then she turns to me. Right away I can tell she is disoriented. After wiping away the sweat, I replace the cloth in the basin. Then, pull a chair next to the bed.
"I know you probably can't hear me very well, but I mean you no harm."
As predicted, she doesn't acknowledge me. The pain has clouded her senses. Quickly, I take out the vile of morphine that I had Gianna bring to me from my pocket and give her a high dose. I know the fever will eventually burn up the morphine, but it should help. To my great joy, Juliet's cries gradually quiet down to whimpering then to heavy panting. Blinking rapidly, Juliet begins to relax her eyes and focuses on me.
"I just gave you some morphine, for the pain. It won't last long, but it should help some."
Juliet doesn't speak, but I didn't expect her too. I remember when I changed. The fire never subsides early; you have to endure the entire trial. She probably still feels the flames, but most likely the morphine has numbed the bond shattering feeling of your insides exploding. I wet the cloth again and wipe her face. Her once vibrant sapphire eyes are now dulled to a gray color. Again, I feel unexplained sympathy for her.
"So, strange. I remember when my mother used to care for me this way. I was ill a lot as a child. Funny how the tables turned when I became a young man. I nursed my mother till she died."
Juliet stares at me blankly as I candidly tell my pathetic human story. I don't know why I'm being so forthcoming. Maybe it's because I know most likely she won't remember any of this. Yes, that must be it. Her gray eyes stay focused on me but her face is unresponsive. Suddenly I realize how I will never see those cerulean eyes of hers ever again. Feeling a sense of loss at that realization, I sigh heavily as I continue to dab her face with the wet cloth, then I move the cloth to her arms.
"When my mother was ill I used to sing to her. Mother always said I had a great voice. I know it would have pleased her greatly if I had made a profession in singing, but it was not meant to be. Shall…shall I sing for you?" Immediately I feel foolish. What the hell is she going to say?
As I look to Juliet, her eyes begin to roll back and her lids close. She is going unconscious. Good. Hopefully she will be able to sleep. Again, I feel the itching to sing to her. Rationalizing that she will not remember, I give in to my shameful desire. Recalling my mother's favorite Italian lullaby, I softly serenade to the sleeping Juliet. I continue to dab her with the wet cloth as I sing. I am shocked at how content I feel singing. It is not till now that I remember I have not sung since I was a human. But, this blissful moment has come to an end as my ears pick up Marcus' footsteps descending the stairwell. I look to the window and see that the morning sun is rising. Quickly I return the cloth to the basin and leave. I remind myself that I will have my moment with Juliet soon enough, but now is not the time.
Marcus POV
I take my time descending the staircase. Feeding has agreed with me and my nerves have settled. Now my tension is replaced by angst. I gave Juliet my word that I would remain at her side and now when she needed me the most what did I do, I left. Quiet! Do not allow yourself to be weak. As I struggle with my fractured thoughts, I suddenly realize Juliet is no longer screaming. Dread fills my mind and I rush to the chamber. Immediately upon seeing her lying unconscious relief washes over me. Good, she has managed to sleep. Following my relief my senses pick up a foreign scent. Felix! Even thinking his name erupts my anger. I scan the room for signs of his presence. His scent is heavily concentrated by the bed. What was he doing here? No, I cannot be distracted now! Forcing myself to put aside my quarrel with Felix, I resolve to focus on Juliet and quietly take my seat on the large armchair by the doorway to keep watch; as I have done so many times in these past months. Unfortunately, her slumber does not last long and she awakens moaning in pain.
Over the next two days Juliet endures the torture of the change. However, as the venom slowly begins to disperse throughout her body, her cries lessen by each passing hour. My eyes marvel as her body transforms into a hardened skeleton and her skin's pigmentation pales to a translucent state. I watch as all her human markings and blemishes begin to fade away. I see that the small cluster of freckles that once masked her face have now vanished; any symmetrical differences in her limps are erased; the small crescent scar on her left elbow has disappeared; and lastly, I realize as I gaze at her closed lids, never again shall I see her once brilliant sapphire eyes. A heavy sigh escapes my lips as I contemplate the reality of her choice.
In the last hours of the transformation, Juliet becomes still and silent. I feel myself becoming anxious as I know this is the end and soon Juliet will awaken as a newborn vampire. Within an instant the wait is over as Juliet's eyes flash open and she immediately crouches with her back against the wall while still on the bed. Her crimson eyes burn at me with hunger, showing no sign of recognition. Her face is grimaced in a feral snarl, her lips moist with venom, as she hisses with rage. Her posture is that of a wild animal; devoid of all humanity. Her hands are shaped into claws ready to tear flesh. Seeing the reality before me, I cannot help but think: This not my Juliet. What have I done?!