Disclaimer: All Characters belong to Stephanie Meyer. The plot is all mine.
The Cullens seemed to (metaphorically) breathe a sigh of relief. Nearly a week had passed with absolutely no incidents from neither the guards nor the reclusive leader, which is more than Carlisle could have expected.
The 'subordinate' guards, as Carlisle liked to politely refer to the grunts – the large muscly, meaty vampires that were recruited more for their sheer brawn and hand-to-hand combat skills to protect the leader – often grew restless in the inbound captivity within the Cullen Manor. Which in turn caused the blond patriarch to often become uneasy that they might breach their unspoken agreement to refrain from any acts of indiscretion within the town. After all, this wasn't their beloved Volterra Castle. Here, they were limited in space and activity.
And frequently Carlisle feared one might commit a folly. However, it would seem that Demetri and Alec, the two high-ranking Elites, kept the cretinous defenders in line.
Every day, like clockwork, Marcus would go on his nightly meanders after dusk and would return just an hour before daybreak. As promised to Aro, Carlisle kept observing Marcus' behavior before he left and when he returned.
His attitude remained unchanging. He didn't speak, he barely kept eye contact, and he found the walls much more interesting than the people within them. He was the same as Carlisle last saw him many centuries ago.
Carlisle reflected on Marcus' condition from a psychosomatic perspective. When Marcus remained within the Cullen home, often secluded in his provided room or the Cullen library, he would enter a state of withdrawal. Much when a person – more or less a human – would when rendered catatonic. Except Marcus wasn't catatonic per se. He moved around when he deemed it necessary, he fed on his own, and he groomed himself. Other than that he was a hollow shell.
Why Aro decided to push to purpose now in healing his brother was beyond Carlisle's comprehension, unless he asked the person in question directly. Except, with the tone Aro penned his letter, Carlisle shuddered to think what sort of words he would hear from the cunning leader's mouth.
If only Carlisle had kept adequate contact with his old friend. For all one knows, he might have received a different sort of letter with less abrasive expressions and provocative threats – Or perhaps it would have been Eleazar to stand facing this dilemma that Carlisle found himself to be currently in the midst of.
But alas, fate had already dealt its hand and Carlisle must accept the odds. There was no point wasting thought on 'what ifs' and 'if onlys' …
The current question, however, that seemed to be on Carlisle's thought was; what sort of stimulus could rouse Marcus from his endless stupor?
"Alice," Rosalie hissed. "What do you think you're doing? Carlisle is going to be so furious!"
"Carlisle will not be furious, because he is not going to find out! Not unless you tell on me,"
The blond glared at her pixie sister. "If you cross the line then I will be forced to do so – why are we even doing this in the first place?"
Alice sighed. "First of all, its not 'we' that are doing this, its only me – you just happened upon me in a very compromising position."
"Ummm … I'd hate to ruin the sisterly act, but you guys seemed to forget that I am also here," Emmett muttered to the two quarreling girls. All it got him was a second side-glance from the two women before they returned to glaring at one another. At least they weren't staring daggers at him, he thought. So he remained quiet. If anything he was just curious, and not interested in sticking his nose between his wife and his sister.
Rosalie took a deep breath and held her head high. "Alice," she began with her big sister tone. Despite Alice being the elder, age-wise, Rosalie always had a matured outlook than Alice's young naiveté approach. "Be reasonable for a moment. Just think of what you are doing and how insane it looks!" Rosalie tried to reason.
"Precisely, what are you even doing?" Emmett tilted his head in concern.
Rosalie huffed maddeningly, grabbed her mate by his defined jaw, and turned his head into the direction of interest.
"Oh .." Emmett exclaimed in realization.
The Cullen trio were in the school library, hiding behind a few rows of book shelves in the foreign philosophy section, where practically no living soul ever cut through.
There were many tables aligned across the shelf sections, and only two other students were seated in this abandoned part of the library, a freshman boy with headphones on and was playing an online game on his laptop. And a few tables behind him was Isabella Swan, sitting with Her head buried in a book, working on Her English essay. The Girl hadn't noticed three pairs of golden eyes watching Her, as they were a great distance away and hiding behind a cluster of shelves. Their banter could not even be heard by human ears for their voices were spoken in quiet, hushed hisses, and were masked by the ambient noises of the central air system, and the buzzing blue flickering, florescent lights that no one cared to replace.
Regardless of the good doctor's perpetual forewarning, Alice 'saw' Bella going to the library alone to work on the assignment. And being that they shared an English class together, she would pretend to run into Her 'coincidentally' and suggest they work on their report together. It was harmless enough and Alice didn't see any unfortunate nor severe outcome – although the little pixie didn't see herself being deflected by her own siblings.
"Alice, you need help – professional help." Emmett muttered as he rubbed the back of his head awkwardly while eyeing the Swan Girl.
Alice snarled. "Don't talk to me like I am crazy, Emmett!"
The burly vampire interrupted his petite sister. "Really? Well, when you find a suitable euphemism for this ... this … weird fixation you have on that girl, then be sure to let me know."
"It's not like that," The brunette countered.
"Then what is it like?" Rosalie challenged in return. She arched a perfect blond brow. "Give me one good reason, Alice – because so far all I am seeing is my sister being rather selfish and putting her own priority ahead of her own family!" The blond vampire growled, practically vibrating on the spot.
Emmett reached over and placed his large hands on his wife's trembling shoulders. He feared that one wrong word from Alice and his mate would not hesitate to lunge at their surrogate sister in public broad daylight.
"Ok … ok .. fine," Alice whispered. Her shoulders slumped and her posture deflated. "I'll tell you why …"
Emmett noticed his mate stopped trembling slightly, but attempted to rub her back soothingly until she relaxed instantly under his fingers. He would have been smug about it but now wasn't the time.
Rosalie folded her arms in front of her. "Well, I'm listening. And it better be good."
Emmett's ears perked up as well and his fingers paused in stroking his wife's shoulders.
Alice sighed. "I saw Her … Bella – She .. she is going to join us."
Rosalie's eyes widened. "When you say 'join us' you mean …" she trailed off.
"Yes! She is going to become like us. One of us!" Alice gushed. "Oh Rosalie, she is going to be remarkable! And it's not just me that's going to love her,"
"You are going to bond with her too! She is going to be like a sister to you in a way that .. t-that… you and I couldn't be," The pixie smiled sorrowfully.
Rosalie's eyes softened at her sister's expression. She reached over and clasped Alice's hand. "You are all the sister I need, you silly girl."
Alice rolled her eyes. "I know that – we will always be sisters in our own special way." She winked. "But, Rose, you are so going to adore Bella, and she in turn is going to love you, and look up to you like a real big sister."
Rosalie felt a heavy lump in her throat. Alice's comment seemed to hit a soft nerve with the blonde immortal female. Rosalie vaguely remembered bits and pieces from her human life – mainly the two little brothers that time and mortality took away from her.
If there was one thing Rosalie Lillian Hale looked fondly upon from her previous life, despite the bitter ending – was how she delighted in having little siblings that she could dote upon. And in spite of Alice's guileless personality, she was far more independent than her appearance let on. And thus never filled the maternal void the blonde female always sought after.
Upon hearing Alice's disclosure, Emmett also began to see Isabella Swan in a new frame of mind. Another little sister. His colossal Herculean heart instantly melted. The few times he passed the Girl in the halls between classes, or the few times he stealthy observed Her from across the canteen. He couldn't help smirking at Her sarcasm, Her unique humor, and Her eccentric personality that seemed to make humans smile senselessly around Her. In that moment, Emmett couldn't contain the slight goofy dimpled grin that stretched on his sculpted face.
Seeing the sentimental longing in Rosalie's eyes, and the darling grin on Emmett's face, Alice knew she got them. It was a swift hook, line, and sinker. And there was absolutely no shred of guilt in her conscious.
Rosalie leaned beside the sleek and polished bonnet of her scarlet red convertible Jaguar. Her body faced Alice, and vise-versa, as the girls pretended to be engaged in a conversation when in reality their focus was on the impressive cherry red Chevy truck across the parking lot.
Emmett's massive white Jeep was parked beside them, with the hulking vampire sitting behind the wheel as Jasper was about to take the passenger side seat next to him.
In a very casual move – though previously strategized by the three vampires – Rosalie leaned over her shoulder at the white vehicle and nonchalantly spoke to the two men in it. "You fellas go on ahead. Alice and I need to do some shopping before we head home."
Emmett arched a brow but said nothing – he was already aware of the real agenda. However the unknowing blonde man beside him was perpetually ignorant to the scheme stirring among his siblings. And the rest of them just hoped their emotions wouldn't betray their blasé performance.
And it seemed to have worked – for now. "Have fun." Jasper shrugged.
"We will." Alice smiled.
Literally within seconds the white Jeep sped out of the campus lot and disappeared down the road.
Alice, being the big bundle of electric excitement that she was, nearly skipped over in the Girl's direction, who was standing next to the open door of Her truck and going through Her purse looking for something.
"Whoa there. Wait a minute!" Rosalie held Alice by her elbow before she could take another step.
Alice groaned petulantly. "But She could leave any second!"
"Listen to me, Alice!" Rosalie's tone was sharp and cut through her sister's bell-like soprano. "Don't get ahead of yourself. And don't be reckless. You still need to remember that we are entertaining less than unsavory company – Em and I are only giving you one opportunity to make this happen."
"Alright. Alright." The little pixie replied, practically bouncing in her spot and only half listening to the blonde's instructions.
That in turn irked Rosalie to put more venom into her words. "And the minute I think this has gone too far – I am going straight to Carlisle."
That seemed to sober up the short-haired brunette as she turned to look at her sister. "I … I understand."
"Good," The blonde responded satisfactorily. "Now go talk to Her, you little freak." She joked and nudged Alice's shoulder.
Rosalie didn't have to tell Alice twice. It took every bone in the little vampire's body not to run at super speed in a parking lot filled with dozens of students – but she still ran at an acceptable human speed.
When the little pixie reached the Swan girl, who was still giving Her back to the petite immortal, she adjusted her jacket and smoothed her clothes. Alice didn't know why she was suddenly getting nervous, but then she remembered that it was because she had been fantasying about talking to the Girl for a while. And now the moment was finally here!
Bella didn't seem to sense Alice's presence behind Her. And that prompted Alice to think of something to say to grab Her attention. But what should she even say? The little pixie didn't know.
For all the daydreams of conversing with Isabella Swan, Alice never took into consideration of how their first conversation would be initiated, and what would the first words be.
Yet upon a quick second of consideration, it suddenly became obvious to the little vampire. For as Alice's iconic role model Coco Chanel once said 'Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance.' – then what better way to make a good first impression than to be as charming as she could possibly be. (And it couldn't hurt to score some friendship points) After all, Alice should make up for all the lost opportunities, right?
Despite not needing the air, the little pixie took a deep breath anyway. 'Simplicity. Simplicity. Simplicity.' She repeated in her mind like a mantra.
"Hello, Bella." She greeted.
Isabella straightened Her back, and slammed the driver's side door of the truck shut before She slowly turned around. There was a very noticeable rigidness in Her movements.
Her big brown doe-like eyes met the interest of a sparkling golden stare. Alice smiled.
"Hi," Bella replied.
"I came over to introduce myself. I'm Alice. It's nice to finally meet you." Alice extended her hand to the Girl. In anticipation of this moment, Alice always wore gloves to mask the coldness of her skin.
Bella eyed her hand for a moment – which in Alice's speedy little head was too long of a moment – before She finally clasped and shook the proffered hand. But all too soon Bella released Her grip and let the hand fall back to Her side.
Trying with all her might, the little pixie attempted to not think too much into that gesture, and held the radiant smile on her lips.
"I know who you are." Bella began. "You're Edward Cullen's sister." The grin faltered from the pixie's pale face.
But she was quick to think on her toes. After all, if there was ever a time she was grateful for vampire quick wit, it was now. "Yes, I am. I feel like I should apologize on his behalf. You kind of met him on a … bad day, I guess."
"Bad day?" Bella arched her eyebrow and twined her arms in front of her chest. "If that was a 'bad day' then I should be grateful I didn't cross him on a worse day."
Though Bella spoke with a calm and soft tone, there was a hint of acid to Her words. Was She displeased?
For once, Alice was speechless. She could hear Rosalie's gasp, mirroring her own shock, from the other side of the parking lot.
Alice bit her lip, feeling a fragment of guilt. "Then let me make it up to you. I swear, we Cullens are not as how the students see us," She joked.
A metaphorical light bulb practically flashed in Alice's mind. "I have a great idea – since you are new to this town, how about I show you around? There's this street strip that has a row of little boutiques that sell the cutest outfits and jewelry." A shopping trip sounded like the most perfect solution to break the ice.
"Alice! This is NOT what we agreed on." Rosalie hissed all the way from beside her car. The little pixie heard her loud and clear. She just chose to ignore her sister.
"I'm sorry, but I can't. I already promised Angela and Jessica I would meet them in Port Angeles." Bella replied.
"Oh … I see. How about tomorrow then?" Alice tried to be hopeful.
"I'm spending the day with my dad – I should probably go, I don't want to keep Jessica and Angela waiting." Bella got into her car and started the engine.
She rolled her window and gave Alice a reserved smile. "I'll see you around."
Alice nodded. Too stunned to speak. She stood there and watched the red truck reverse out of the parking spot and disappear away from the pixie's sight.
She heard someone approaching her. Rosalie.
"What the hell just happened?" The brunette whispered.
"If I am not mistaken, and I am usually not – I think you just got rejected, Alice." Rosalie replied. Stunned, not as much as Alice, but stunned all the same.
"I cannot wait to tell Emmett." The blonde couldn't hold her snigger.
Alice turned and stomped in the direction of their car. "Can we just go home, please?"
Rosalie sighed, following behind the petite vampire. All the while thinking that perhaps they had underestimated just unconventional Isabella Swan truly was.
She was intriguing in an unorthodox way – Edward couldn't see into Her mind. And She was also his Singer. And She just shot down Alice, which is usually hard to do because Alice always got her way.
Rosalie was not stupid. It wasn't just because Alice could be charming with only her delightful personality. They were alluring predators, with a natural infused desirability to attract their human prey – male or female, the dazzle of their nature did not set apart one nor the other.
All through the ride back to Cullen manor, Alice remained silent in the passenger seat, staring out the window. She could feel Rosalie occasionally stare in her direction but she was in no mood to acknowledge her sister in that moment. Outside, the day was extremely cloudy and dark, a sign of an approaching storm. It was in the middle of January after all.
The little pixie pressed her forehead against the car window, cool glass to stone cold skin. She wished Bella to stay safe tonight.
Thunder was beginning to sporadically crackle in the grey sky when Rosalie's Jaguar pulled into the Cullen home garage. With one swift motion of the wheel, she easily parked her ride next to Emmett's Jeep.
Alice was still refusing to talk when they walked into their home from the small hall that connected the garage to their ground floor living area.
Emmett was lounging on the couch, flipping exceedingly fast through the channels. Human eyes would have painfully throbbed with the speed the channels were flickering at. Their vampire vision, however, had no such problems. Though it didn't make it any less annoying.
Jasper was sitting in the wingback with a large book in his hand. He instantly looked up when the girls walked into the house. "You ladies are early." He stated. His southern twang seeping slightly into his voice.
"We didn't find anything we liked, so we came home." Rosalie answered coolly. She gracefully sat next to her husband, as Alice sat on the floor beside Jasper's legs. "Unless we are going to Seattle to shop, I think I will adhere to ordering online. Right, Alice?"
"Sure." Alice spoke yet her expression showed she wasn't fully focused on the conversation.
Just as Jasper was about to inquire on her somber disposition, they were interrupted when the plethora of black robes the Cullens were accustomed to seeing for the past week, descended from the stairs.
Demetri as usual was leading the group at its head. His ruby eyes met the young Cullens sitting in the living room, and he smiled enigmatically. "Good afternoon, ladies. And gentlemen." He nodded elegantly to the Cullens.
Alec stood beside the tall strapping vampire, but said nothing. He always left the talking to Demetri.
"Can we help you with something, gentlemen?" Jasper rose from his chair and placed the book on his seat.
"Your generous hospitality is more than enough. We were merely going on our usual excursion." Demetri spoke offhandedly pretending to adjust the sleeve of his coat.
"But its not even night time." Emmett switched the television off and rose from his chair as well. His topaz eyes darting straight to the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked to the outside scenery.
Demetri lazily lifted his eyes to the outdoor view as well. "One could hardly tell with the sky being clouded so heavily. Furthermore, I was never under the impression we were restricted to a certain curfew."
He slowly dragged his eyes to meet the hulking Cullen. A glint of a challenge in his bloody irises. "Well, were we on a curfew that we were foolishly not made aware off?"
The Cullens stood not knowing what to say without their leader around. Carlisle was still at the hospital. And when he first crossed their path that first day when they went out, he decided from then on to return home earlier than usual before they left. Because the leader of the coven being absent from his residence for longer than required wouldn't bode well with his status prestige. The Volturi would never understand that his career in saving lives was important. Because for every life the good doctor saved, the Volturi probably killed ten more.
When Demetri received no response from the young Cullen members, he grinned egotistically. "I thought so."
With a suave turn of his polished shoes Demetri, Alec, and the guards turned toward the front door, the silent Leader right in the core of their cluster, their dark cloaks bellowed behind them as they left.
They vanished in the northern direction. Alice morbidly realized that it was also in the same direction as Port Angeles.
A/N: I know what all of you are waiting for and I've been building up to that very special moment. It's coming sooner than you realize. *Whispers softly in your ear* I promise. So don't for get to review your thoughts!
Also The Mute now has its own Pinterest board! I already posted some pics, and of what I imagined Marcus in my mind to look like while writing this story. No offense to "movie Marcus", but "book Marcus" is slightly younger, possibly hotter. The only thing I liked from "movie Marcus" was his hair. But that's just my opinion. For those who are new, you can find the link in my profile.
Side Note: This story is meant to complete the "holy trinity" of the Volturi brothers' stories I uploaded thus far. Since I have a slight OCD, I just had to make a Marcus story. So if there is any dissatisfaction about the shortness of the chapters compared to my other stories, please know this isn't my most serious work. And also, longer chapters means longer time to update. I have been working on the next chapter of Temptation and because it's such a long one that it's taking forever!