Chapter Three:Royal Quarters
Leslie fell into a comfortable routine by time she had been at the castle for a week. Her leg, which turned out to be just badly sprained healed nicely, since Felix carried her everywhere. She sat with Gianna. The young woman kept an eye out for her, and made sure she had whatever she needed.
That lasted up until the first Saturday after her capture. That day, Felix took her back to the main hall. Leslie nodded her head to the elders in respect. "What is it?"
"We need you to carry a message for us." Caius said. He stood up, clasping his hands behind his back. "You will be escorted by Alec and Demitri. We're aware you do not know you way around the area yet. Gradually, you will be expected to navigate your own way. So it is in your best interest to pay attentiion."
"Yes, Caius." Leslie had already dropped her arrogant, disrespectful airs. She felt Demitri grab her wrist. He was not as gentle as Felix. She actually flinched. "Okay, okay, I'm coming." Leslie had been waiting for a dismisal.
"Let's move faster, shall we." He let go of her wrist. "Alec."
"Come on." Alec came to her side. "We'll have to make up for lost time. This should have been delivered hours ago. You'll need to be getting up faster in the morning."
"I have been trying." It was true, too. Leslie found herself doing everything she could to keep the Elders happy. She didn't say much to any of them. She went into her dark room without complaints when it was time for them to eat. She didn't even try escaping.
"Try harder." Alec muttered. He pulled his hood up as they got into the elevator. Leslie stood between him and Demitri. The other was staring straight ahead when he spoke.
"Don't think about trying to run. According to those books you had, you know that I am an amazing tracker. I will be able to find you no matter how far you try to run."
Leslie swallowed a lump that had formed in her throat. She had been contemplating leaving, but not for good. She had only wanted to call her friends, and family. They needed to know she was okay. "Wasn't planning to run." She spoke barely above a whisper, and stumbled slightly when the elevator jolted to a stop.
"Good." Demitri put his hood up. Alec followed suit. "Stay between us or ahead of us. No falling behind. Keep your mouth shut, and your eyes open." Without another glance at her, Demitri led them out of the elevator.
Alec guided her so that she was walking between them as they exited the actual building. The light almost blinded her. She could just imagine what it did to the vampires she accompanied. "Watch your step" For a few minutes, Alec held on to her sleeve, not trusting her, apparently. He didn't say much to her, and neither did Demitri.
They had only gone a few blocks when she heard the tolling of the clock. It was noon. She glanced over at the fountain, and watched as people threw coins in. She wanted to be that free again. Teenagers rode mopeds through the streets, tagging each other. She stopped long enough to watch a mother and her daughter walk together, talking about going home.
"Leslie, come on." Alec was at her side, tugging at her. He didn't have to tug too hard. Alec was stronger than she was. She went colliding into him. He caught her, setting her upright.
"What did I tell you before we left? I said to keep up. You're going to draw attention to us. Now come." This time, Demitri himself took her by the hand, and walked off with her. "I don't suppose you realize the peril you put yourself in every time you go against one of us."
"I just stopped. I can't walk endlessly like you can." She winced then, his grip tightening.
"You learn to do it Build up that stamina." He began to pull her more urgently. "We're wasting time." They went down another staircase, and into a dark pub. "Alec, hold her. I'll be right back." He shoved Leslie in Alec's direction.
"You really shouldn't annoy Demitri." Alec told her, as he guided her over to a booth. He gently nudged her to get in. He sat on the outside, boxing her in. "He can get pretty nasty."
"I wasn't trying to annoy him. I really was tired. You guys walk much faster than I do, and it's hot as hell outside. I can't be expected to travel like that in this kind of weather."
Alec raised an eyebrow at her, pushing his hood back. "But you are. You've been taken in out of pity, not because they want you here. They could change thier minds at any time. You could die tonight, and they wouldn't think anything of it." Alec's burgandy eyes glittered, the dim lamp reflecting off them. "Do you want that to happen? Because I really don't."
Leslie studied Alec. She figured he was just trying ot make her say something that the elder were wanting her to say. They were looking for an excuse to kill her. They didn't want her to succeed. "I don't, and I won't let it happen."
"Then stop resisting us. You have to do better than this." Alec did something then that she had not expected. He put a calming hand on her shoulder. "You seem like a nice girl that was in the wrong place at the wrong time. That's why Felix wanted you spared." He looked her directly in the eyes. "I read some of the books Aro confiscated. They're fascinating. Will you tell me more about them? Tonight, when everyone has gone off on their own?"
"You hate me." Leslie was stunned. Alec was talking to her as if he wanted to be her friend. What was going on here? She didn't trust him. She started to pull away.
"No. That's not true. Listen. Around the Elders, and in Volterra, I have to keep apppearances. Jane is like that all the time, but I am not. Just because we are twins does not make us the same in personality. Never forget that. I want to be your friend."
"I..."
Leslie didn't get the chance to reply, because Demitri returned with someone else in tow. "Leslie, give Mr. Booker the parchment from Aro."
Leslie dug in her pocket,and found it. It was a little soggy from sweat. Demitri frowned deeply, but said nothing. "I hope it isn't ruined..."
"For your sake, it had better not be." Leslie watched, her fingers crossed as the man looked over the document.
"It's fine." The stranger said. "Tell Aro it will be done immediately."
"Of course." Demitri looked at Leslie. "What do you say, Leslie?"
"Thank you, Sir." She followed Alec out of the booth. She glanced outside. The sky had suddenly darkened, and it was pouring. Leslie looked down at what she was wearing, sighing. She was going to be soaked.
"Here." Alec was taking off his robe, and handing it to her. "I don't need to worry about becoming ill. You do."
Leslie took the robe wordlessly, putting it on. Then she followed the two vampires out. Alec grabbed her hand when they reached the top of the staircase.
"You didn't do half bad." Alec told her quietly. Demitri was a few paces ahead of them. "Next time, you should put the documents somewhere they're not going to get moisturized though."
"I didn't know." Leslie shivered. The rain was soaking through the cloth robe, and she stupidly wrapped it around her closer. "I'm sorry."
"Stop apologizing. Just do better." Demitri stopped outside of the castle. "I won't report that to the Elders. After all of this, you've done well, Leslie. I think you will work out eventually. Just take into consideration that we won't be so lenient every time." He went inside, leaving her alone with Alec.
Even though it was raining, Leslie fell to her knees. Tears streamed then. She had suspected they were not far off. She had been brave from the time she'd woken up in their odd infirmary. Leslie was suprised when Alec pulled her to her feet, and hugged her close. "I'm going to get myself killed, Alec. I can't be brave like Bella... I've always been incredibly stupid, and cowardly."
"I disagree." She felt him run a hand through her rain soaked hair. "You're braver than most humans I have encountered." He pulled her way from him so that she was looking him in the eyes. In the rain, his eyes didn't seem so red and dangerous. "I meant what I said. I want to be your friend, Leslie."
"H-how can I trust you? After everything you've said to me?"
"Give me a second chance." His head snapped up. "Please." He turned towards the alleyway entrance to Volterra Castle. Leslie followed his gaze. Jane stood there, her arms crossed in displeasure. "I can protect you from being hurt."
"Alright." Her body was shaking uncontrollably, and she realized that she was starting to feel numb from the cold. "We s-s-should go inside. I... I can't move. My body.. it's numb..."
"I agree." Alec led her inside, passing by Jane.
"She's turning you soft." Leslie heard Jane say to her brother as they passed. Alec made no reply to his twin, but kept her steady in the dark path that lead to the staircase. "She's only obeying you so that you let your guard down. She wants to escape."
Leslie bit her lower lip to keep from say anything. She was taking Alec's earlier advice not to provoke his sister. She wanted to tell Jane that it had been Alec that approached her, not the other way around. Just as they were getting to the elevator, Jane grabbed her by the arm. She felt an intense amount of pain coarse through her. "Ahh!" She writhed, while Alec's twin held on to her, smirking slightly.
"Jane! That's enough." Alec shoved his sister backwards, while Leslie collapsed, still writhing with lingering pain. "That wasn't called for!"
"I'm not going to be fooled by her pretenses! I've been watching her, dear brother. She is only being obedient because she thinks we'll lower our guard! It's not honest loyalty, like everyone else thinks." Jane turned her deep red eyes to Leslie, kneeling to her level. She used a finger to tilt her chin up so that Leslie had to look at her. "Is it, Leslie? Be honest, dear. Alec can handle it."
"I want to succeed here, Jane. I want to make them love me. I want... " She looked up at Alec. He was staring at her with an expression that she hadn't expected to see. It was pure kindness, and love she saw in him now. "I want to earn your respect and your trust." She found she was only speaking to Alec now. The boy leaned down, pulling Jane away.
"Leave her alone, Jane. Don't let me catch you hurting the girl again." Alec pushed the elevator button. He wrapped Leslie in what she knew was meant to be comforting hug. But he was cold. That, mixed with the cold rain, made her even colder. She shuddered. Alec remembered his own temperature then, and just settled for petting her hair.
"I don't believe this!" Jane all but screamed. 'You can't have her! She's human, Alec! And she's quite a few centuries younger than you!"
"Calm down, sister. You're going to cause a stir." He nodded towards a line of tourists that had entered. He gently led Leslie into the elevator. Jane followed sullenly, though her eyes were full of hatred. She glared at Leslie. Alec turned Leslie's face away from Jane's stare. "Do not let her bother you, dear one." He whispered this into her ear. His breath made Leslie tingle.
When they were safely away from Jane, she looked up at him. "You and your sister have an interesting relationship. It's not really dealt with well in the series of books you talked about. There are a lot of things left out, actually, about the two of you."
"I see." Alec led her to her room. His mood lifted suddenly. "There is another reason why Demitri and I had to take you out." he watched him pull out a key, and unlock the door. The room was flooded in light. "Welcome to your new suite."
"My...?" Leslie walked in, feeling overwhelmed with emotion. "I didn't earn this... the light, I mean. I've been rude, and unruly, and... ."
"Frightened." Alec supplied, his voice soft. "And you have done everything we asked the best way you know how. That's saying something for your bravery. Many in your shoes wouldn't have made it past thier first week here. Felix and I fixed it up for you." He held out the key. "This is yours."
Leslie took the key, and pocketed it. For the first time since coming to Volterra, she suddenly felt welcome, and wanted. She gazed around at the work Felix and Alec had put into the room. "Do the Elders know?"
"Yes. In fact, Marcus himself suggested it." Alec smiled at her bewilderment. "Well, go on. Explore it. I need to report to the Main Hall. Stay here until we call for you. Just in case Heidi comes back." He closed the door behind him. It was the first time that Leslie didn't hear the lock turn.