Chapter Two: Spellbound

Leslie spent the remaining hours of her first night as captive pacing the dark room. Her food, which had only consisted of bread and cheese, had been mostly left untouched. The room had no windows, so she had no idea what time it wasn't she finally went to bed.

She was awakened by pounding on the door. "Time to get up."

"You're kidding..." She mumbled, burrowing deeper into her covers. Though she was certain she was still trapped by the Volturi, Leslie preferred to keep her eyes closed, and in dream land. It was short lived. Someone entered the room and closed her door.

"You do not want to keep them waiting." Through her sleepy fog, the girl recognized Alec's voice. It wasn't as harsh as it had been the night before. "Come. Felix will be here momentarily to help you." Finally, Leslie sat up, eyeing the boy.

"I can't go to them dressed like this. I look terrible." Well, she assumed she did. Alec had left the door cracked so that a little bit of light streamed in.

"You'll be getting clothing later." Felix's voice spoke up. "Alec, leave us. I can take it from here." Alec nodded, backing up slightly. Felix lit an oil lamp that Leslie hadn't known was there. He closed the door. "You must not mind him. He's been irritable today. Heidi is late with our meal."

Leslie shuddered, remembering what their meals consisted of. And I'm supposed to be one of them in three years? That's never going to happen. I'll make sure they kill me first. She didn't like the idea of taking human lives for their own food. She had admired Carlisle for that. "I see...." Felix reached out a hand to help her out of bed. She took it. "Felix, they wouldn't really... change me...?"

"It's hard to know what they will and will not do." His tone was soft then. "I'd advise you to put it out of your mind just now. You have a long while before their decision is made." He held out one of their red robes for her to put on. "It's chilly this morning."

"Th-thanks...." Felix was surprising her. She tried to remember from the books if he had ever been kind. Leslie slipped into the robe. Though it was soft, it was heavier than it had looked on the others the day before. It was also longer than she expected. Without another word, Felix picked her up, and they left, returning to the dreaded main hall.

***

"I do hope you found your sleeping arrangements agreeable." Aro greeted her as Felix set Leslie on her feet. He held on to her wrist to steady her. His grip was not as firm as it had been the night before. Leslie supposed he trusted her not to run off now.

"They were fine, thank you." Leslie remembered her manners. She had the feeling that would go a long way with the Volturi elders.

"Excellent." Aro nodded his approval. "That color does suit you well, my dear. We will have a fresh supply of clothing in here soon. We will have them suited to your needs, if you would like."

"I would, please." Leslie found herself feeling less nervous as she stayed in their presence. It was a curious feeling. That's when she caught sight of someone who had not been present in her previous meeting with the elders.

"I see you have caught sight of our Chelsea. She was out on business when you came around last night." Aro told her. He beckoned the young woman forward. "Chelsea, I'd like you to meet Ms. Leslie Harmon. She will be staying with us from now on."

"It's a pleasure." Chelsea smiled at her. Leslie thought it was a false smile. The Volturi did not want another human around. At least, not one that was as young as she was. "Will she be staying in the usual place?"

"No. This one is privileged. We must find out everything about her, absolutely everything." Aro eyed her then. "You will be reporting to Gianna shortly. I would require that you hand over your backpack."

"My backpack? There's nothing there of interest. Just an old sweatshirt, and some tourist guides." Leslie remembered then. Aro would know better.

"And no less than four tomes that recount all of our histories. I want that backpack." Aro's voice became less casual then. "Do not forget that I have had contact with you, and I will know every memory you have had from your early childhood on. I know you have been toting those books around." He turned to Jane. "Go and fetch it. Now."

"Of course, Aro." Jane passed Leslie, smirking. Leslie got the idea that Jane was enjoying the way that the newcomer was being admonished. She decided to ignore her. She felt Felix's grip on her wrist tighten in a warning.

"Now, Leslie dear, there will be no more lying between us, will there?" It wasn't a question. Aro was in front of her now. He reached out his pale hand to touch the side of her face. "You have been given plenty more freedom than anyone we have held here before. Do not make me regret it." He dropped his hand then, turning to Caius and Marcus. "Marcus, I believe you wanted to talk to her?"

"Yes." Marcus sat up straighter in his throne, and crooked a finger at her. "We do not take humans lightly. Perhaps you know that already?"

"Yes, of course." Leslie nodded once. Felix was still standing behind her, making sure that she did not topple on her bad leg. "I did not mean any disrespect."

"Of course you didn't." Marcus sat back. "You had a friend with you. A girl?"

"Avery." Leslie's blood ran cold then. Surely he wasn't about to suggest that Avery had seen anything. "She went back to our hotel."

"That's what you think, anyway." Marcus' stare was intense. "Your friend came here, when you two were separated."

No! Leslie's mind screamed the words. They wouldn't have hurt Avery. Avery didn't even like the Twilight Saga. She loathed it, in fact. "That's impossible. I saw her. She was heading for the hotel."

"Are you calling us liars?" Caius stood up fast now, glaring at her. "The girl came here. Jane and Alec drove her away, if only because we might use her later. That will depend on you."

Suddenly the indication of the words slammed into Leslie. It was a threat. They were threatening to hurt her friends if she didn't reform. "I... I understand, completely." She nodded firmly. "You will not need to use her for anything."

"That's not for you to decide." Caius snapped. He returned to his seat, his stare never leaving her. Leslie looked away. She heard someone snap their fingers then.

When she looked up, Gianna, the receptionist was standing the doorway. The young woman seemed nervous. "I'm.. I'm ready for her, if you want to turn her over."

"Of course." Aro turned to Leslie. "Do not trifle with us, Leslie, dear. We would hate to see such spirit go to waste." He nodded to Felix. "Help her out, if you would." Aro turned his back to them, and Leslie resisted the urge to stick out her tongue. As it was, she knew she was treading on thin ice.

***

Felix must have realized how close the girl was to snapping because he was quick about moving her. "What did I tell you? Keep your mouth shut, or you're going to get yourself into real trouble."

"They threatened my friend." Leslie replied softly when they were safely out of the main hall. "I wasn't going to let them hurt her."

"You don't have the power here. They do." Felix replied. His voice was rough then. "If you want to survive among us, you're going to learn to be obedient, no matter how ridiculous their requests are. That's just how it is. I can't keep protecting you."

"I didn't ask you to." Leslie glared at him. "All I really want is to go home."

"Like that's going to happen." Chelsea's voice said then. She had evidently followed them. "Gianna, I'll return her to you shortly." When Gianna and Felix got off the elevator, Chelsea pulled the lock. Leslie positioned herself into a corner, far from her. Chelsea moved in closer. "Listen to me. You want to prove that you're not worth killing. The most you can hope for now is to be changed. They won't let you leave them alive. You know too much now."

Leslie inched farther back, even though she was already against a wall. "I... I don't' want to be here. I don't. I want to go home, to my friends, and family."

"We are both for you now." Chelsea's voice changed. It was almost melodic, convincing. "You don't need to worry about anything anymore." She let her hand stroke Leslie's cheek, much like Aro's had moments ago. "We will provide you anything you need."

"But only if I do their will." Leslie's voice echoed in the small space. It sounded strangely subdued. She shook her head, trying to break free of whatever spell Chelsea was casting over her.

Chelsea frowned. She apparently realized that Leslie was trying her best to resist her. "You will be treated well here. We want you to succeed, so you can go on to greater things when you are older, Leslie. The errands you will run will be to your benefit."

"My benefit....." Leslie echoed. She smiled. "Okay." She didn't know why she was smiling. She had just agreed to be an obedient slave to the royals of the vampire world. Leslie relaxed against the wall, and Chelsea pulled the elevator back into motion. The woman kept an eye on her throughout the rest of their trip to Gianna's desk.

"Good girl." Chelsea said as the elevator doors opened. "Gianna, honey, your assistant."

"Yes, ma'am." Gianna came over, and assisted Leslie to the desk. She waited for the doors to elevator to close, before she spoke to the girl. "You've found yourself in a world of trouble."

"No trouble at all. I'm going to be well taken care of." Leslie smiled with confidence. "Aro wants me to succeed so I can do bigger, and better things when I am older." Leslie didn't notice the disapproving look Gianna gave her, as she prepared her first assignment for her.

***

"She is frail." Alec stood against the wall, next to Felix. His hands were in his pocket. "I give her a week before she's begging them to kill her."

"Don't be so sure." Felix replied. Alec looked up at him. "She will be fine."

"Did you see her eyes? They're intensely green, and that raven hair...." Alec blinked at his own observations. Why did he care what she looked like?

Felix smirked a bit. "You like her?"

"No! She's far too weak." Alec glared at him. "Though, she is pretty. I will give her that."

Felix shrugged, folding his arms. It was apparent he didn't believe a word Alec said. "If you like her, that's okay. She might need a friend."

Alec scowled at the tile floor then. Perhaps she does. I doubt she'll even talk to me now, after everything I've said and done to make her nervous. Alec decided he would so something about her living conditions when they were dismissed. If she was going to be a prisoner, at least she could be comfortable in her room.