On day two of my life I got to meet a new friend. I'd already met her through Aro's thoughts, but it wasn't the same as meeting her in person. Sulpicia was amazing. You had to be pretty sharp for Aro to put up with you for too long; it gets so monotonous listening to a mind that never thinks. And Sulpicia's mind worked fast, even for a vampire. She'd reach conclusions and make connections too quickly for anyone to mark her train of thought, which made for interesting reading for me. I liked this stepmother of mine quite a lot.
Though she had no talent for it, she was a fair hand at reading faces. It made for communication between us much simpler. She could tell what pleased me and what didn't. She quickly learned I didn't like being bounced, played with, or cuddled like other babies. Instead she told me bedtime stories. Though of course, the only magic involved was our own particular brand of vampirism. Most of them were historical accounts, both human and vampire. She particularly loved the Romans – their legends, government, and culture. It was no wonder, since the Romans came into power not long after the Volturi did ("not long," of course, meaning a few hundred years after). It had been a pity, she reflected, when they went into decline, and though she was reluctant to admit it, the fall of the Roman empire had inspired the Romanian revolt. Vampires liked to pretend they were above human wars and conflicts, but really the two species constantly affected one another. Great movements within the vampire world, or even pitiful squabbles, could have innumerable repercussions on that of the humans. On the other hand, vampires depended on humans for their innovation and ability to adapt. Vampires had benefited greatly in the past half-millenium from the discovery of America, which provided them with another outlet for finding food, and also this past evolution of technology. So of course the Romanians felt they could take control, after seeing the uncivilized Vandals sack Rome. Why not a well-collected force on an unsuspecting Volturi?
Though of course I'd already heard most of these stories in Aro's mind, she gave me a chance to see them objectively, thoughtfully, with more in mind than mere entertainment or whether it could be used to an advantage. She meant for me to learn, and she could see me reach conclusions and make connections as she told them to me. She was teaching me how to think.
I could feel my muscles developing, too, and within a couple days I was sitting up all by myself. It felt very adultlike, which pleased me a great deal. I would try to walk and talk as soon as I could, too, because I hated being hindered by my juvenile invalidity. I knew I was only a baby, but I belonged in the world of the ancients, and I wanted to catch up as quickly as I could.
Though my hand rested on Sulpicia's face, she still murmured her stories aloud. It kept her mind from going off track. I liked hearing her commentary behind them, too, and so all of her words held much more meaning than any mere lecture could. But at one point her thoughts trailed off after light steps echoing through the room. Had it been only one vampire, she would not have been able to pick it up, but about six or so made it barely detectable. She knew they were using the tower's secret passage reserved mainly for the wives and their bodyguards, though occasionally Aro or Caius would find a use for it. (Marcus had avoided the wives' tower for millennia.) She could guess what Aro was using it for now. A couple faint scents permeated through the weak points in the wall, and one of them was Gianna's. They were trying to let her get as close to me as was safe.
Should she let on that she knew? Her eyes flickered to my face, and she was certain that I knew. Would I insist on being taken to Gianna?
It was awfully tempting, but I knew it would be foolish to risk my life that way. Also, the only way to make such a request was cry, and I was trying to refrain from that as much as possible. The less the others saw me acting like a baby, the better.
Nonetheless, I looked to the one-way glass disguised as a mirror from which my mother was watching, and tried to get myself in the best view of it. Of course, Sulpicia caught on to what I was doing immediately. I'll oblige you, darling, but we aren't coming any closer to that mirror. This encounter worried her. Even with six other vampires to hold her back, the one-way glass served as no more than a flimsy screen between Gianna and me.
As she held me in full view of the glass, we heard a small gasp through the wall. Gianna's? In any case, it was now obvious we knew they were there. So I couldn't resist waving to the mirror while I smiled broadly. I liked my reflection in the mirror; my hair had grown darker and more thickly around my head, and the expression on my face was much older than my body. I heard reactions then, too – some startled, some awed. I would have liked to read their minds, but that of course was impossible.
I was as yet unable to speak, but I wanted to show my mother I loved her. I could make a few crude attempts at sign language, or maybe blow her a kiss. They still seemed incredibly juvenile to me. I settled for making it as simple as possible. I pointed into the mirror, then brought both hands to my chest. Then I made a little heart with my hands.
That's how I knew every single vampire behind that curtain was female, because every one of them, depite their rigorous training and discipline, couldn't help but let a little "awwwww" escape. As if I'd done that little trick for them. Honestly, would the ridiculous patronizing ever end?
"I love you too, Julian," said a quiet voice. My mother. Hearing her say that made all the patronizing worth it.
What I wouldn't give to read her mind at that moment! How I'd love to see her, and have her hold me for the first time. My desire was so strong that I couldn't help but whimper. I wanted my mamma so badly.
By then the bodyguards felt that was enough, and they all slunk back the way they came, whisps of invisibility. My longing pined after them. Sulpicia held me closer to her, and my hand rested on her neck. She supposed she was a little jealous of Gianna, of how strongly I felt for her. But that was understandable. She tried not to pay attention to it.
Aro found us then, bursting into the room to embrace us both. "Hello, dear ones," he said, his voice light as an aria. "How fare you today?"
I grasped his finger in response, and we communicated silently while Sulpicia began chastising him.
"Did it even occur to you that you should be here while Gianna was visiting, to make sure your son didn't come to any harm?"
"The force I assigned was more than enough to keep her in check, Sulpicia. And Demetri has just returned from his scouting trip. I had to debrief him."
He was excited about what Demetri had found. His plans for me were definitely underway. I was excited too, excited to be useful for once.
"Everything is set," Aro continued to tell her. "All we have to do is wait."
Wait for me to grow up, that was. And that was where Sulpicia would come most in handy. She would make sure I was ready to fulfill any duties I might be assigned. I would always have to be careful of my enemies, both political and physical. I had prowess among the guard, with my ability to know every secret available, but I would always be behind in speed and strength. I had to learn ways of stealth and subtlety.
I liked the image of my adult self, strong and able to take whatever came at me. I was hungry for it, even. I eagerly anticipated these challenges, teeth bared and smiling.