Chapter 19 reminder:
"I'm supposed to distract Aro from pursuing you and Jasper, is that right?" I feel cold dread at the thought that she could have seen his plan so clearly.
"I don't know what he wants with you, Bella. I just know what happens if you go. Please don't go! I can't lose Jasper... I love him more than my own life. You have a positive influence on Aro, and Jasper is safe with you in Volterra – that's all I know. Please... if I have to beg, I'll grovel on the floor right now... don't leave, Bella!"
"Okay." She wraps me in her arms so tight I can't even move.
"Thank you! I'll help you any way I can with Carlisle. I owe you a big one." I can feel her shaking, and I realize how afraid she is that I would abandon her.
"Are you going someplace?" She notices that I've showered and changed. I feel unreasonably guilty as I admit I was going to Aro's apartment to sit with his children.
"Do you want me to come with you?" I can tell she's only offering because I agreed to stay.
"No. If Aro touches you he'll learn of our plans. His children can read you as well, so it's better if you stay clear." She kisses my cheek.
"Thank you so much. I don't know how, but I will make this up to you. I promise." She leaves me to get ready to spend the night in the lion's den. I tiptoe across and down the hallway, and he opens the door before I even knock.
"How is Alice?" His question catches me off guard. "Don't look so surprised. I may not be able to read you, but I can smell her on your clothes."
"She's fine. Just to keep things honest between us, she hopes that I'll be able to distract you from pursuing her husband – the man she loves."
His eyes narrow angrily, but then he laughs. "So it's honesty you want? Then perhaps you should come in and begin distracting me. I do believe I could find her immortal beloved, should I put my mind to it." He steps aside and ushers me into the apartment. Armando comes to the doorway of his room and scowls at his father. "Come along, Armando..."
Chapter 20
Distractions
He leads me to the large living room, and I have to wonder what's up The floor is cleared, but for a collection of cushions, sleeping bags, pillows, and air mattresses. I stare, as Arianna and Aurora come out in their pajama's. Armando wears sweats and a T-shirt.
"My children have never had what you call a sleepover, for obvious reasons. It's short notice, but they've each invited a friend for the night. If you're willing to shield them, this could be their chance to enjoy a gathering such as this." Even as I think it over, there's a knock on the door. Each of them has invited a friend, and in minutes there's a party atmosphere in the apartment, with six hybrids and two vampire chaperones.
I'm introduced simply as Bella, and I don't think the visitors guess my minor, undeserved celebrity status. Armando's friend stares a bit too long, then Armando slugs his arm and informs him that I'm old, and a mother. Before things get too crazy, Aro makes use of the big flat screen in the apartment, and I have to laugh at the video's he's chosen: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season One. They break out the snacks and Aurora makes me feel nostalgic when she pops popcorn.
I find a seat on the couch and wrap my shield around Aro's young mind-readers. The show is both dark and teen oriented, and the kids seem to get a thrill watching nasty vampires turn to dust on the end of stakes. Armando's friend has a comment for everything, including how hot Buffy is, and how real vampires would eat her for breakfast.
They're barely through the first few shows, when it gets quiet. Arianna and her friend are the last to drop off to sleep, and I can't help but wonder if it's because my shield has given the older two a much needed respite. I've just settled in with a book, when Aro takes my hand to lead me away from the sleeping teens.
Across the room from them, I take a seat on the small couch, and he sits next to me. "Thank you." His whispered words keep me from moving away from him. "I never had a chance to spend time with them like this. We were never expected to bond with them. They barely had a chance to be children, before they were expected to be adults, and soldiers."
We speak softly, as only our kind can. "Ness also grew up too fast. In a way it was a good thing... I had no idea what it would be like to be a teenage mother. Edward was a good father to her..." I hate to even bring up his name with Aro.
"I know." He smiles. "I have a whole index of his memories to draw upon with my own children. When Aurora became interested in boys, I borrowed his speech about the proper behavior of young ladies and their suitors. Of course your Renesmee was already fixated on one boy. I especially loved the part when he said they had forever, and there was no need to rush into anything."
I remember that talk he'd had with her. I'm not sure how I feel that Aro has that moment forever in his mind. "Of course I would have used it on Arianna as well, but sadly, it was too late." He looks incredibly sad for a moment.
"Do you know she has been on birth control since she entered puberty? I hoped to take her off of it, but I haven't been able to trust her, or the boys she wants to be with.." He looks at me meaningfully. "Maybe you think I'm overreacting; wanting to avenge the honor of a daughter who's had more sex partners than she can remember. But it's not about her lost virtue..." His intense eyes meet mine. "He came into my home, where she was supposed to be safe. He manipulated her mind, and he took what he wanted from her, with no regard for her life or her dignity. For that I want him dead!" When he puts it this way, I can see where he's coming from.
I turn his way. "That reaction right there tells me you really are a father. There may be hope for you yet." I sigh, knowing the man he wants to see dead is Jasper. "My own dad probably would have reacted the same way if he knew Edward was sneaking into my room every night."
"But he wasn't there to ravish you." I find it so hard to deal with him having memories I didn't share with him.
"My father was the Police Chief. It wouldn't have mattered to him if Edward was there to steal me away, or tuck me in and read me bedtime stories. It was only Edward's supernatural abilities that allowed him to get away with those visits."
"He dishonored your father."
"He loved me, and I loved him. Those times we could be alone together were precious."
"You tried to seduce him... he didn't allow you."
I stand and pace away from him. "I can't deal with you knowing these things." I try to keep my voice down. "It's private, don't you see?" I look at him where he sits.
"There is nothing private in my mind. I've seen it all, times a thousand." He stands and comes closer. "His memories are actually quite nice. They're very innocent and noble. He was so intent on protecting you, he barely realized what you were offering him." He steps close. "He had such strong-willed control. I know I could never measure up. I would have taken what you offered – greedily."
"That doesn't make me feel any better. It certainly doesn't make me like you any better."
He slides his arm around my waist, and pulls me to him. "I'm not trying to make you feel better, or like me. Your husband told you he was a soulless monster, but I'm not. I'm a vampire. I've been drinking human blood to stay alive for hundreds of years. I don't intend to change, and chase fluffy bunnies around the woods. If I want something, I take it." His arm tightens around me. "I want you."
I struggle, trying to get free. "Alright, I can already see this was a mistake. Let go of me, Aro, before I scream and wake up all the kids."
He loosens his hold, but doesn't let me go entirely. His deep burgundy eyes meet mine. "Speaking of fluffy bunnies, where's Carlisle, Bella?" He lets me go suddenly, and I stumble with the impact of his words. He obviously knows he's gone. "Would you like to know what I gleaned from his mind? Would you like to know how he feels about Colette?"
"No." I back away from his taunts. "I don't want to know." I head into the hallway, trying to distance myself from his words, but he follows me.
"I could tell you... for the sake of honesty." He mocks the word. "Tell me, what does the doctor have that I do not?" I stop my retreat and turn to face him boldly.
"He has me."
"Does he now? Or does he have a lovely young hybrid with the ability to heal – the ability to heal and have babies. I could tell you all about her dreams of him."
"No." I advance a step. "Maybe I should tell you about my dreams of him? Maybe I should tell you about how I want to make love with him and share his life with him. With Carlisle I'm enough. I don't have to be his quiet respite or his second choice and consolation prize."
"What about Colette?"
"What about her? She's barely older than your own daughters. If he wanted her, she's been around for two years while I was not. If she couldn't interest him in two years... maybe he just doesn't want her." They were tough words I didn't quite feel. But I wouldn't let him know that.
He laughs softly. "I don't know who you're trying to delude, yourself or me. Even if I can't read your mind, you can't lie to me." He steps away from me. "So, you're in love with Carlisle, now? It must be hard to know he left here without so much as a word to you."
"I'm sure there's an explanation..."
"Oh, I'm sure there is too." His quiet sarcasm cuts me. "I didn't know you were so into denial. But I guess any human who falls in love with a vampire, thinking he would never hurt her has to have a little Cleopatra in her."
"Edward never hurt me..."
"Lying isn't attractive, and neither is revisionist history. The list of your 'hurt' is quite extensive, the only thing you might quibble over is his intention."
"That's all that really mattered to me. He never intended to hurt me, unlike you."
"What about the woods, Bella?" I already know he's seen the memory. I turn away so he can't read my face. "He didn't just leave you to protect you, did he? You never would have let him walk away. He had to break you so you wouldn't hold out hope. He had to tear away everything and everyone who connected you to him. And he had to let you believe you weren't good enough. As sure as any killer, he reached into your chest and ripped out your heart."
"Stop." I whisper, when I really want to scream.
"His abandonment lead you right to my doorstep." I'm startled when I feel his hands on my shoulders. "Bella, you deserve to be wanted by someone who would never let you go. Edward left you, so it should come as no surprise that his sire has left you as well. Think on this my dear; Jasper is in hiding, and Alice is alone. I could pursue her – maybe win her in his absence – but I'm here with you." His hands move over my shoulders and arms in a soft caress. "You're not the consolation, you're my choice."
I turn at that. "Why?" He's too close, and too intent on me. "There are hundreds of women you could choose. Why me?" He again caresses my arms, letting his hands slide down to grasp mine. He laces our fingers together.
"You're very beautiful, but that's not why I want you. You have a powerful ability, but that's not why I want you. Carlisle wants you..." He laughs softly. "...yes, he really does, in spite of Colette's feelings. But that's not really why I want you – just a bonus perhaps." He shrugs at that.
He steps forward, and I back up until I feel the wall behind me. He's uncomfortably close. "I want you..." He's almost nose to nose with me, and his eyes hold mine. "...because you are a good woman. I'm a very good vampire, but I'm not a good man. You're still so close to human, there's a warmth and a softness in you I lack. I see it in the way you defend your family. I see it when you're with my children. I see it in the way your memories still cause you pain. You're good, strong, loyal, and devoted. Love still means something to you. I want that, and I want you."
He lets go of my hands, and his fingers furrow through my hair. He holds me still as he moves in to kiss me. I could resist him but it would mean a real struggle. Instead I resolve to remain still and impassive. His lips brush mine, feather soft. He touches me with the lightest of kisses along my lips, and I refuse to respond. His hands leave my hair and move around me. His ghostlike kisses touch my cheek, and then my ear.
"Please don't resist me, Bella." He moves back to my mouth, trying to get me to respond. I feel the tip of his tongue tease against my lip. I'm impassive, not even breathing. He stops and stares into my open eyes. "Stubborn and loyal as always." He caresses my cheek and holds my face cupped in his hand. "I want you... I'm so jealous of Carlisle right now... Bella please." His words are soft and impassioned. He rests his forehead against mine.
"I've seen us together in her mind. Just once, and so fleeting a thought before she hid it away. But I know I was happy in that tiny sliver of possibility. I'll be good to you, Bella. I'll cherish you, and adore you. I'll never leave, if you just choose me – want me... love me."
He pulls me tight against him, and presses his cheek to mine. "No one has truly loved me for as long as history has been written. Please... try to love me, Bella. Be mine and I will give you the world. Love me and I will give you all that I am." He moves to lock his eyes onto mine. "I'm telling you the truth... please don't reject me. Please... can you just try to love me?"
I can see the naked longing in his eyes. I can feel the openness in his stare, and see his soul laid bare. I know his words come from the heartbreak of his loveless centuries. I feel genuine empathy for him. He moves in to kiss me, and I just don't know how to react.
For Alice and Jasper I try. I close my eyes. The soft brush, the timid, teasing tongue... I breathe and his scent washes through me. It's an old scent, concentrated and sweetened with time. His hand caresses my cheek before his fingers slide into my hair.
It's not his kiss that makes me respond; it's his vulnerability. I recognize his need to be loved, and I yield to him. I relax into his arms, and feel his body against mine. I touch him, placing my hands against his chest, where I feel a hum from deep inside him. His tongue teases along my lips, and they part.
It's fire that takes me, as his mouth drinks me in and his tongue seeks a response from me. It's pent up desire and longing and just so much raw need I feel from him, and my hands slide around him and hold him. I tear my mouth from his,gasping, and press my cheek against his.
I feel his hands, gliding through my hair, caressing my back, pulling me against him. I feel like I would fall down if he wasn't holding me up. He is passion.
"Bella... my sweet, sweet, Bella... love me... please." He takes hold of my face and his kiss steals all reason. Our tongues tease and chase and slide together in a dance with no leads.
Her screams slice us apart. We rush into the room to find Arianna thrashing on the cushions, and another scream tears the air. My shield hasn't slipped, which is a wonder. He rushes to her and shakes her gently awake, before pulling her into his arms. The mind readers sleep right through the disturbance, but their guests are all awake.
"It's okay now. Just go back to sleep, she just had a bad dream." I do my best to calm and reassure them. Armando's friend punches his pillow and drops back down. Aurora's friend gets up for a glass of water before she gets comfortable again. Arianna's friend seems concerned, but her tiredness claims her and she rolls away to sleep apart from her.
I hear him, softly whispering to her: "He can't hurt you anymore. You're safe now. I won't let anything hurt you..." I know all Jasper did was drink from her, and that she was willing. But I worry that he's stirred up memories that are preying on her mind.
I kneel beside her and rub her back. I'm surprised when she turns to me and hugs me tight. "Stay with me tonight, please. Hold me so I can fall asleep... like my mother would." I meet his eyes over her shoulder, and she turns to include him. "Will you both hold me?" As if her big brown eyes aren't enough, I hear the tremor in her voice, and it melts me. She's not a young woman, and she's not even a teenager. In this moment, she's only seven, and she misses the mommy she never knew.
I lie down with her facing me, and she clings to me like she was my own child. Aro sandwiches against her from behind, and rubs her back soothingly, while she rubs my back in the same way. She stares at my face, with her head pillowed on my arm.
"Go to sleep, Sweetheart." I kiss her cheek, and she smiles before closing her eyes. I watch as he hypnotically runs his fingers through her curls. I can hear when she falls asleep, in the different way she breathes, and the soft rhythm of her heart.
He props his head on his hand and looks at me. 'Thank you,' he mouths. He reaches out and takes my hand where it rests on my hip. He pulls it to him and kisses my fingers. He then places it on her waist and covers it with his own. It feels like he's sharing his daughter with me. I don't need to read his mind to know he wants me to choose him and be her mother. I close my eyes against the intensity of his gaze.
There's really no reason to move, even though I don't sleep. I don't feel the restlessness I'd feel if I were human and had to spend the night awake and still. For hours we lie with her, only moving when she turns or adjusts her position. Each time I open my eyes, he's watching me. It reminds me uncomfortably of Edward.
With my eyes closed, I'm free to think. It bothers me that I haven't left behind my baser human nature. It's taunting me again, just like when Jacob and Edward competed for me, and I kissed Jacob. This time I kissed Aro. I don't love him – not even a little. But there is a passion and fire between us that took me by surprise. If I chose to be with him, it definitely wouldn't be boring. I can imagine being intimate with him, and that shocks and frightens me. I remember how Alice described their union, and it should disgust me. In fact it does on so many levels. But there's a fascination there as well.
Just like her description of her times with Jasper, Edward and I always made love. We'd had time to experience each other in many different ways, but we were always lovers first. Aro wouldn't make love to me; at least not at first. He would conquer and master me. I've had a taste of his passion, and a part of me longs to feel it again. Maybe it's the vampire within me responding to him. As much as I hate to admit it, I know it would be good between us. Carlisle told me it's always good between our kind, and I'm starting to believe him.
I love Carlisle, but it still feels so new and fragile. I rest next to Arianna, remembering how he'd held me and nursed me back to life. I remember his soft, sweet kisses that promised so much more. I think about what our life looks like if we're together. I want Carlisle. I love Carlisle. I just don't know why he left. How would he feel if he knew I kissed Aro? I don't imagine him as the jealous type, but would he see it as indecision or betrayal?
She shifts again, and snuggles into my arms as if we're lovers. I'm surprised my temperature doesn't bother her. As a result, he moves closer too, reaching around her shoulders to touch me. He strokes my arm, and occasionally touches my face.
In the morning, I slip away from them, and head for the kitchen to make breakfast. Their guests are awake first, and they seem surprised to see a vampire who can cook. I make stuffed french toast with thick slices of Italian bread, and then make my own fruit topping. I envy them that they can eat real food. I think it's a compliment when they say it's almost as good as fresh blood. It reminds me I'll need to hunt in a day or two.
Aurora and Armando are both in good spirits, and I actually see Armando smile for the first time. He looks like Aro when he smiles. All three of his kids thank me for helping them through the night, and I'm invited to come back any time I want.
"We've got a meeting at noon." Aro's words in my ear startle me, as he comes up behind me and drapes his arm over my shoulders. I watch Armando's smile disappear at his familiarity.
"Good. I'd like to dash over to my room and change, and then maybe you'll allow me to borrow your children for a couple hours." I duck from under his arm and set about quickly cleaning up the kitchen.
"May I come with you?" He looks at me expectantly.
"With the kids, or...?"
"Across the hall – I want to talk to you."
"Not a good idea." I rush around, replacing plates and wiping counters.
"Then when?" He catches me around the waist as I hurry by, and holds me close. "Where?"
He makes me nervous being so close. "Okay, fine. But not until the sleepover's finished and the kids are gone. You can't just leave a mixed group of teenagers alone."
One by one the guests leave, and Aro tells his three where he'll be. We walk to my borrowed apartment, and I feel almost trapped as he closes the door.
He walks toward me in slow measured steps, while I back away. I try to stammer out a refusal that won't hurt his feelings. "Aro, I don't think this is going to work between us. I'm just not..."
And then I'm crushed in his arms, and he's kissing me with the passion of his fabled Italian reputation. A low growl escapes his throat as he presses me against the wall and plunders my mouth with his own. I feel washed away in the roaring tide of his lust and need, and I imagine there will be an impression of my body in the wall when I move away.
His kisses are ravenous, possessive, and fierce, and for long moments I can't speak, let alone turn away. His hands tear through my hair, tangling in the mass and using it to hold me still for his feast. I fight for control as I feel my will slipping away. I tear away from his mouth and turn my head, but he merely continues his assault along my cheek to my ear. He sucks the lobe of my ear, before he continues kissing down my neck.
Right at my jugular, he bites me. Not hard enough to break the skin, but a sharp nip that makes me cry out. He continues to kiss, and suck, and lick my neck, moving steadily down. He stretches the collar of my knit shirt, and I feel his mouth skate across the top of my chest.
"No... please stop... " I can't seem to gather the strength to fight, and part of me wants to let him keep going. Clearly this isn't Carlisle who would stop and ask permission. I feel as if he's about to shred my top to open me up to his oral exploration.
"No! Aro Stop!" He raises his head and stares at me. His lips are kissed red and he looks like he's starving and I'm his next meal. "I can't do this!"
"Bella, please..." He tries to kiss me again, and I duck away from him.
"No. Aro I can't do this... I don't love you."
"So what does love have to do with passion? What does love care about how good we could be together? I want you! You inflame me... I will make you scream with pleasure." It scares me, because I have no doubt he would.
"I love him." My voice is barely a whisper. "I can't be with you if I love someone else." His face is a kaleidoscope of emotions, and I wait to see which one will win out. Finally he smiles warmly. He carefully steps toward me. He takes my hands in his, and kisses both of them.
"I can wait. Love is fickle, and it's easily trampled, and it withers and dies in the shadows of disappointment. I will stop pursuing you when you exchange vows. Until then, I'm going to make your choice very difficult." He holds my hands and leans in close to my ear to whisper in a low gravely voice. "I know you want me, Bella... I can smell your arousal." With a teasing smile he lets me go, and moves to the door. I'm glad he can't read my mind, and I'm grateful I can't blush.
"You can come for the children anytime. I won't interfere." He bows to me in a very courtly manner, then he disappears.
I collapse into a chair. The man sure knows his way around a kiss. Carlisle where are you when I need you?
I duck into a quick shower without wetting my hair. I'm wrapped in a towel when Alice knocks on the door.
She rushes into the room almost in a panic. "Tell me you didn't sleep with him!"
"What?"
"I've been seeing visions of you all night, doing... god Bella, just tell me you didn't!"
"But I did sleep with him." I'm joking, but she whimpers and collapses into a chair, holding her face in her hands. "Alice, it's not what you think. It was a sleepover with his kids. I didn't have sex with him, if that's what you're asking."
She jumps up in agitation. "My god, all night I was worried sick that I'd sent you to him as some kind of sacrificial lamb. I thought you just kept him calm, I didn't realize he would move to make you his lover and mate!" She hugs me tight. "I'm so sorry I've made such a mess of things." She pulls away and looks closely at me. "Did he try anything? I swear if he did anything inappropriate with you, I'll..."
"He kissed me." We stare at each other, and I'm painfully aware that it was only days ago that she was having sex with him. She falls back into the chair, still staring at me.
"I didn't invite it, but he's very... overwhelming."
"I know." Her whispered words make me feel dirty that we both have the same knowledge of him. "Do you want him?"
"I'm in love with Carlisle. But Aro is just so... passionate and magnetic. Part of me really did want him, at least physically. But no, I don't want him, at least as long as there's a chance for Carlisle and me."
"Be careful, Bella. Aro will use that little sliver of an opening to pull you in. He knows how to get what he wants, and if he wants you, there's not a wall high enough that he won't climb it." I feel uncomfortable talking about Aro with Alice. I duck into the bathroom to change into the council colors.
When I come out to brush my hair, I ask her, "Have you heard from Carlisle?"
"No. But I did hear from Rosalie. She's the one who called him home. She and Garrett went back to Denali, and found the whole complex was destroyed. It was some kind of explosion, and Eleazar was badly injured." I drop the brush and she takes my hand. "Bella, she thinks it was a suicide attempt. They found him chained in the ruins, and they didn't think he was even still alive."
"Oh no... that poor, sweet man." I sink down on the bed near her, and just feel like weeping and screaming until all the pain is out of my system. But that would take years. "Alice, is this war ever going to be over? It's no wonder vampire wars go so fast, it takes the rest of the time to clean up all the damages." She moves to the bed beside me and we just hold each other
I pull away and look at her as I begin to understand. "Alice... if he went to take care of Eleazar, then he didn't leave because of me. It also means he didn't take Colette because he wants to be with her. She's the only one who can heal him!" Even knowing what Eleazar might be going through isn't enough to dim my hope.
"You really love him?" She looks at me with skepticism. "I mean, doesn't it make you feel weird? I've always thought of him as a father figure, and then there's Esme..."
"I know." I nod at her concern. "I know it's a little weird, since I loved Esme too. I don't want to take her place, and I'm not trying to replace Edward..." It's really hard to explain to her how significantly things have changed between us. "When we were on the island, things changed. I saw him less as our patriarch, and more as... a man."
I smile sadly and take her hand. "We've all lost so much in the war. It seems like a miracle that we can piece together something good out of the ashes. I think the hardest part for me has been accepting that Edward's never coming back."
She squeezes my hand. "I'll try to be supportive. At first, it really bugged me when I saw a vision of you two together on the island. It made me even more angry at you." She sighs long and deep. "Everything really has changed."
"Thank you for sending him to me. He saved my life – you both did." I smile. "It seems he's been putting me back together in some way ever since I met him. I had no idea it would take the world's best doctor to fix my broken heart. I really do love him, Alice." She puts her arms around me, and I remember how much I've missed my friend.
"We need to get you a phone, so you can keep in touch with him." I remember I'd left mine in Denali, and it was probably a melted blob of plastic now. "I think they're going to be gone at least a couple weeks. So you'll need to be able to call him. And you need to make sure Aro knows he's wasting his time with you."
"But if he gives up on me, he'll go after you and Jasper."
"I know where Jasper is, and he's safe for now. Don't worry about me, Bella. Aro's a smart man, and you should never underestimate him."
"I know he's smart. He knows what we did. He made sure I knew he's figured out our parts in the cover-up too. He's really mad at Carlisle for lying to him. Jasper somehow convinced Arianna that he was Vito, the boy she has a crush on. She doesn't remember Jasper at all."
She gasps. "Oh my god! He's been working on doing new things with his ability. He saw how you and Nessie were able to practice and make your talent better. He was working on ways to help the hybrids with their horrible memories, and he'd discovered he could overlay a new image through hypnotic suggestion and his ability." She stares at me, understanding suddenly dawning.
"Bella, he really didn't seduce her!"
"He did drink her blood, though." I feel like I need to be fair to Arianna. "I also think she's having nightmares about it. I'm not saying he did anything worthy of nightmares, but maybe he triggered a bad memory."
"I know what he did was wrong. But he really could have killed her. I mean it would have been easier for him to kill her, and it would have punished Aro even more. And it would have been simple to make it look like he'd slept with her first. Actually, he wouldn't have even needed to fake it."
"Maybe that's what's keeping Aro from hunting him down – he knows it could have been worse. I'm just glad Jasper and Carlisle are both away from here. I'm pretty sure the reason he's interested in me is because it will hurt Carlisle."
"No... he's wanted you for a while now. We're kind of interchangeable in his reasoning. He wants me for my mind, and he wants you for the lack." She giggles. "Not that you don't have a mind, but he can't read you. If it weren't for Jasper, he would come after me, and there wouldn't be anything to stop him. But he knows how I feel about my husband, and even a physical relationship with him couldn't change that."
"But if he attacks Jasper..." I can't help but remember how easy it would be for him to remove that one barrier.
"If he attacks him, he knows he'll probably lose me forever. He's quite devious in going after you. If he wins, he steals you away from Carlisle, and he gets in a dig at me since we're friends. He also gets access to one of the most formidable powers among our kind. But all those benefits aside, he really does want you. You're single now, and he won't ever have to hear your thoughts about how much you loved Edward or Carlisle. It's hard for him to find someone with a mind he can tolerate."
She laughs. "You know it's funny, but your shield drove Edward crazy. He wanted so much to know what you were thinking all the time. But Aro is just the opposite. He doesn't want to know at all what's happening between your ears. He's from a time in history where women really were chattel. He's still not used to the idea that women are more than pretty playthings for men, or powers to be collected."
It's my turn to laugh. "I think his children are challenging his beliefs – especially his daughters. Arianna's been used in just that way, and Aurora is so bright it's frightening."
"You're right about that. I actually feel more sympathy for Armando. He's got Edward's ability, but he doesn't have Carlisle's guidance. Aro really should be doing more to help him learn to control his power, but he's too busy judging him."
"Oh, that reminds me, I'm going to help them practice with their powers today. I want to get them out of that apartment for a while. Is there a music room here? I want to see if I can give Armando something to occupy his mind, besides someone elses thoughts, drugs and alcohol."
She tells me where the music room is, and also says she'll try to push the meeting back a bit so we'll have more time. We leave the room, and she heads back to her apartment, and I head to Aro's door.
He opens the door to me, and I feel uncomfortable just looking at him He isn't beautiful like Edward, Jasper, and Carlisle, but he is strikingly handsome. He carries himself with an air of authority that just demands attention. He's dressed all in black, but for a blood red tie. He barely steps aside for me to come in, forcing me in close proximity as I pass.
He leans in close and inhales. "Mmm, my two favorite scents, Bella and Alice." He puts his arm up, blocking me in the narrow hallway. "Actually, I think I prefer the aroma of Bella. Maybe it's because I have borrowed memories of how sweet you taste – I'm talking about your blood, of course." His little teasing grin makes me wonder what other memories he's prying into.
"Aro, I thought you said you wouldn't interfere. Is it still alright if I take them out for a bit?"
"It's still alright. I'm not interfering, I'm giving Arianna a little more time to get ready." I growl a warning as I pass him.
I hurry the slow teens along, and I feel like a mother duck as I lead them out of the apartment. They're shuffling, slouching, and sashaying behind me, in descending order according to their ages. The music room is empty, and I can only assume that musicians are more likely to be busy at night, and sleep during the morning hours.
I know the hybrids are good at memorizing, though they're not as good as vampires. I help Armando with the piano, since I know the beginning lessons. While I'm at it, Aurora has discovered a sax someone has left behind. As Armando bangs on the keys, she squawks on the horn, and Arianna adds to the noise chorus by banging on a drum set.
Just as I'm about to shout for them to stop, Armando grins at me. "You're right, I can't hear anyone's thoughts!" I get the girls to leave the instruments alone for a bit, while he learns his first scale. After watching him miss several notes, Aurora sits down and plays the most overplayed song ever: Heart and Soul.
Armando leaves the piano in frustration. "It's bad enough she's better than me, but I can hear her bragging in my head!" Arianna doesn't help as she taps out the beat on the drum set.
"Why not try the sax?" I don't want to see him give up so easily. "You might stink, but we already know she can't play it." To help them out, I shield their minds, and he tries the sax. He doesn't stink, he squawks at it, but he doesn't give up, and I locate a beginners book. It takes two hours, but I manage to get them both to play a basic scale. When I let down the shield they mess up, but then they learn to concentrate on playing.
The first time they get it right, I hear someone clapping from the doorway. It's Aro. "That was impressive. But I thought you were going to work on controlling their powers."
"I am. They have to block out each other's thoughts if they want to play the right notes. They can't shut it off, but if they think about something that takes a lot of concentration, they can tune it out. Armando's doing really well since the sax is a hard instrument to master." I want to make sure to say good things about him, since I'm certain he doesn't hear very many positive comments. "Arianna's got a good sense of rhythm, and Aurora already knows a little piano."
"Will you be able to work with them? I mean if it helps them with their control." He seems so polite and agreeable when it comes to his kids.
"I can work with them a bit, but they really need someone who knows music."
"I'll look into it. I came to find you because the meeting starts in twenty minutes." He looks at his children and his smile is genuine. "I would be so proud to have them become talented musicians. Italians are known for music... among other things." He looks at me knowingly, and against my will, I remember his assertion that they're passionate lovers as well. I glare at his grin.
A/N: This story is so much fun to write! Because I don't speak even a teeny bit of Italian, I decided to spare you my attempts at adding in words and phrases that would have to be looked up and defined anyway. Suffice it to say, many of the conversations happen in Italian. As I write some of Aro's words, I can't help but hear Bruno, from Dancing With the Stars in my head.
I'm really beginning to like Aro. He may be a devious killer, but he doesn't try to pretend he's something he's not. Bella could do worse.
As I post this, I'm working on chapter 23. I'm going to fight real hard to finish this in thirty chapters. I didn't answer the reviews last chapter; though I appreciated every one. I'm just trying to get this story written.