I stared at her. She was tiny. She looks only about 30 pounds, and 30 inches tall. Her mother cradled her in her arms, trying to protect her from the unseasonably cold winds of this chilling Los Angeles evening. She wore tattered and much too large clothing, and her wispy blond shoulder-length curls had dirt laced through them. She was caked in a layer of grime and smelt horrid (though no where near as badly as her mother). Her lavender eyelids were closed, long light brown eyelashes cast a faint shadow down her pale face.
Out of all the gorgeous children I had seen, I chose her. this obviously homeless child that was covered in filth.
"I found her." I whispered to Dragon and Dugan, who were dressed as business partners and standing off to my right, pretending to have no relation to me. Dugan followed my line of sight, and gasped. I don't know if he gasped because she is so gorgeous or because of her standard of living.
"Excuse me, ma'am," I said, tapping lightly on the mother's shoulder, startling her. Her turquoise eyes were tired and weary. She gave me a gentle smile.
"Yes, dear?" She asked, whispering as not to wake the angel in her arms.
"I saw you and your daughter and.. I was just wondering if you two need a place to stay for the night. Its freezing out here, and you both look like you could use a nice long bath and some food." I offered.
"Oh my! That is awfully kind of you, but we could never be such a burden to such a sweet young girl." She said politely though I could see longing in her eyes. Who knows how long its been since shes had a decent meal!
"It would be no burden at all. I would be honored to have you stay with me. Please, for your child's sake, she looks so cold." That was it. I had found the key. This mother was willing to do anything for her daughter, and I was soon leading her back to our nice hotel room.
I explained to her that I was on a business trip, hence the hotel. She asked about my age, at which point I stood up as tall as I could and told her I was 25. She didn't believe it, but she was too exhausted to ask anymore questions.
I allowed them to bathe, providing a change of clothes that I had hurried out and bought while they were in the bath.
I also ordered tons of food from room service. They stuffed their face until I could have sworn they would burst. The mother, who told me her name was Gloria, thanked me repetitively, but the daughter, who I had found outs name was Faith, said nothing.
Gloria fell asleep quickly, but Faith remained awake, her big sapphire blue eyes staring at me as if they could see into my soul...no pun intended.
"Is something wrong, Faith?" I asked her kindly. "Would you like me to turn the lights off so you can sleep?"
"I'm scared of the dark.." She said sweetly, having a slight lisp. Her voice was pure and innocent and made my dead heart flutter. I couldn't imagine having to sleep on the cold harsh streets and being afraid of the dark.. Talk about facing your fears..
"I promise, there are no monsters in here." I said, crossing the left side of my chest with my index finger. She smiled at me, a square-toothed and dimply smile, and I smiled back.
"Why are you so beautiful?" She asked me suddenly, seeming to forget her fear of the dark and take a random interest in my appearance.
"That's a secret," I said mischievously. She would be finding out that secret very soon though.
"I don't like secrets. Please, you can tell me, I won't tell anyone, I promise!" She pleaded, crawling onto my lap since I sat on a small red chair at her bedside.
I ran my hand through her damp hair, and then leaned in closely and whispered, "Its because... I'm a vampire."
She gasped and pulled back, staring at me incredulously.
"Its okay, its okay. I'm a good kind. I would never ever hurt you." I soothed her worries.
"How can vampires be good?" She asked, her tiny little blond eyebrows scrunching together in confusion.
"Well.. For one, I don't harm humans in any way. And two, I'm sort of like the queen of the vampire world. And I have a plan to make every vampire the good kind."
"You're a queen?" She is awe-struck.
"Yes. And my husband is king. And right now we are looking for a pretty little girl to become princess." I said, tapping her button nose lightly, hoping she took the hint. She didn't quite, but the response was still great.
"Oh me! Me me! I want to be a princess!" She was getting excited now.
"But remember, this is vampire princess. Not fairytale princess. It would be different." I warned her.
"Would I be beautiful like you?" She asked.
"You already are beautiful, but yes, beauty comes with it. And speed and strength. And immortality. " I listed the perks of vampirism. I thought about leaving out all the bad things, but I knew that would come back to bite me later. So, with a sigh, I listed some consequences. "But, you would have to leave your mom. And even though you wouldn't hurt humans, you would be tempted to.. And if you hurt too many humans, you will be punished harshly. Do you understand?" I stared at her evenly, and a flicker of doubt entered her eyes.
"I would leave my mommy?" She whimpered, glancing at her sleeping mother.
"I could be your mommy..." The urge to cry overcame me. My heart gave a painful squeeze as I realized that no matter what, she would never love me like she loved her mom.
"You're my mommy now?" Her confusion gave me a sliver of opportunity. I jumped on it.
"Yes. I am your mommy. And I love you more than she ever did." I said, pointing at the woman on the bed. It was like an evil green monster was controlling me. It was horrible. I'm a villain.
"I love you too mommy!" Her trivial young mind accepted that I was her mommy immediately. I smiled, picked her up, and began walking out.
"Where are we going?" She asked.
"We're going back to my castle, where you will become a princess. But first, lets go find a place to stay and get some sleep. Then we'll go shopping tomorrow, and then to Italy." I said.
"Italy?" She asked.
"Its a country on a different continent. It is magnificent, you'll love it." I promised.
Dragon and Dugan were in the hall outside my door.
"Get rid of the mom and erase every memory she has of me." I whispered to Dugan, too quiet for her to hear. He gave a slight nod. I heard him open the room door as the elevator closed.
Faith and I slept (well she slept, I listened to her mumble in her sleep) at another hotel that was very close to the previous one. It was nicer though, and she was very well rested when she awoke in the morning.
I took her to a huge, luxurious shopping center at around noon. I knew that after her change, it would take a long time to get her to the point to where she could be around humans (if she ever got to that point) and I wanted to satisfy my very human-like urge to take my daughter shopping before she turned blood-crazed.
The clothes in the window are so inviting…I take a small step in, just to take a peek and see if it has the things I want, when suddenly the shop-a-holic I could faintly remember I used to be sprung to life. I ventured farther in, examining with lust the designer lines for all ages, shoes that are to die for, purses that Alice would go crazy for, cosmetics that I don't need yet want, sparkling jewelry with priceless gems encrusted in them, and so much more.
Faith is nestled into my arms, and I see her look around in wonder, eyes wide, obviously never having been in such an extravagant place.
She focuses on a very expensive necklace, a silver chain with diamonds lining it and a medium sized Aquamarine gemstone in the middle, surrounded by another band of slightly larger diamonds.
I carefully set her down, though she didn't seem too happy about it, and picked up the necklace. I placed it on her small pale neck and watched as she looked at it in fascination, tilting it back and forth as the diamonds made rainbows on her skin. The blue gem in the middle brought out her eyes, while the diamonds enhanced their sparkle.
"Pretty…" She whispered.
"Do you want me to buy it for you?" I asked. She gasped and looked up at me, then jumped directly into my arms, giving me a tight hug, and then pulled back.
"You are the best mommy in the world!" She exclaimed, and then collapsed back into my arms, her mouth right next to my ear as she whispered, "I love you."
"Not as much as I love you." I said, tickling her sides until she was in a fit of laughter, struggling against me. I had to be extremely gentle with her, handling her as if she is a delicate glass feather. She is so fragile, the slightest flick of my fingers could kill her. I remembered the time I had lost control the night before my wedding and nearly ripped Bella's head off. I couldn't afford to lose control like that around her, even after shes a vampire. She'll probably still be pretty breakable, as far as vampires go.
After I bought the over-priced necklace, we headed off into the kid section, where I took her on a shopping spree that could put Paris Hilton to shame.
"Put this one on!" Faith, looking absolutely beautiful in her new white and light pink dress, with a large bow in her pale-blond hair, a shining necklace hanging on her throat, and tiny flip-flops, said, gesturing to a long elegant red dress.
"I don't know, it's not really my style…" I said, but decided 'what the heck?' when I saw her disappointed face, and her little pout that could make me do anything for her.
I find my size and head to the changing room while she waits outside.
I don't look in the mirror, knowing she will want to see it before I do.
"You're pretty, mommy." She said, smiling and looking at me as if I really am a princess out of the fairytales..
I glanced in one of the full length mirrors of the hallway. The strapless silky red dress flowed to the floor, with tiny sparkles imbedded in it, hugging my curves and making me look much older than fourteen.
"You're prettier," I said, loving the way she beamed, and stroked her necklace.
We spent hours shopping, moving along from casual to fancy, from strappy high heels to plain sandals, from ordinary chains to large diamonds, ect. In my peripheral vision, Dragon and Dugan were always visible, doing a very good job and not looking like they were following us.
The people working there stared at me with amazement when I would pull out my many different credit cards and purchase such expensive things for such a little girl, especially since I am obviously so young myself.
By closing time when the manager kicked us out, Faith had turned in to just as much of a shop-a-holic as I am.
The parking lot was deserted, and if there had been a sun in the sky it would have been gone by now.
"Are you ready to go back to my palace?" I asked her, smiling. She nodded, then yawned, rubbing her eyes sleepily.
"You're tired." I said lamely. I wasn't used to having a human around to tend to.
I picked her up and hugged her softly as she lightly pressed her lips to my cheek. I felt like a real mother already. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the thrill of that sweet little moment. Then I snuggled her into my arms, trying to make her comfortable though she was laying on rock. She fell asleep quickly, her slow, deep breaths an amazing sound in the still night.
"Destiny!" Dragon said quietly behind me. I turned slowly, as not to wake my darling.
"We have plane tickets already. Lets go." He seemed in a rush to get back to Volterra. I was too, though. I can't wait to turn Faith.
The airport wasn't very busy since it was quite a late hour, and we boarded our plane without a problem. Faith was up and down the whole ride, and I entertained her with stories of the Cullens and my adventures with them and Alec, Jane, and Dustin.
"Alec is my daddy?" She asked at one point.
"Yes. And you will love him. He is kind and funny. I can't wait for you to meet him." I smiled at the thought of reuniting with my love.
"When will I meet him?" She asked, her eyes glinting with excitement.
"He should be back soon. By the time you wake up from your change to a princess, he'll be here. Does that sound good?" I was a little scared about her transformation. It would be painful and I wasn't sure how her meek body would handle it. Or how I would handle seeing her writhe in agony for three whole days..
"How do I change into a princess?" She asked the exact question I'd been avoiding.
"It may sound strange, but I have to bite you.. It will just be a little love nip though.. And then... It'll hurt.. And I wish it didn't have to hurt, but it does.. I'm sorry." I said. She didn't really say much, just fell asleep into a restless sleep.
As we arrived in Volterra, I realized how much I had missed it. This place really was my . The ancient, towering buildings, the cobblestone streets, I love everything about it.
I brought Faith inside, and she was amazed at the beauty of the place.
"It really is a castle!" She exclaimed as we entered the throne room. A few hours after our arrival, and it was time to preform the transformation. I brought her up to a guest room, the room Edward and Bella had stayed in during their visit here.
I wanted to be the one to change Faith, though I wasn't sure if I had the control. But I wouldn't feel like she was actually mine unless it was my venom running through her veins.
"Are you ready to become a vampire, Faith?" I asked. She nodded hesitantly. I didn't give her time to think about it. I launched myself at her, and slid my teeth into the tender flesh of her jugular. She cried out. And I sucked. The taste of her blood was delicious and sweet.... I didn't want to stop. I didn't see a point in stopping..
"Mommy?.." She whimpered out weakly. And I stopped. Just like that, my teeth were outh of her. And I had no urge to drink anymore.
One simple word had stopped my bloodthirsty frenzy.
I love Faith so incredibly much already.
And in just three days, she will be officially mine.