I own nothing :/
Anger.
Such a simple word, is it not? However, it has a remarkable tendency to be anything but.
I knew I felt it, saw it, but somehow, I knew that not all of it was directed toward this mysterious man.
You really thought you were fooling anyone? My mind hissed, making me grit my teeth in frustration. I clenched my fists tighter, nails digging into my blood-bare palms. I had failed. Years of careful feeding hours, low-key homes, and seemingly endless panic, I realized, had amounted to nothing. Perhaps no one had been ignorant to my disguise. My nostrils flared at the thought. How could I have been so stupid? Was I truly that simple to read?
In contrast, there was always a possibility that this man had additional help. After all, how else could he have known my location from a country over? It made little sense to think that he simply knew me. Someone had to have provided him with my information, but who? I hardly spoke to anyone, let alone a suspicious looking, crimson-eyed thing.
Extracting myself from my thoughts, I fixed my gaze intently on the man. He raised an elegant brow as mine drew further together. The gesture summoned a malicious growl from my chest.
Before I could blink, searing pain shot through my skull. I cried out at the sudden sensation, collapsing to the floor in agony. It soon spread to the rest of my body, sharp and blazing hot.
Fight it! My thoughts shouted, nearly drowned out by the ringing in my ears. I attempted to obey, only succeeding in lifting myself to my hands and knees. Fingers that I hardly recognized as my own clutched at the stone floor, seeking purchase against the invisible attacker. When they found none, I fell to the side, unable to support my aching torso. Likewise, my skull felt as though it were being ripped from my neck, convulsing under the hold of this pain.
Groaning, I forced my eyes to open. Who was doing this to me?
The raven-haired man was now standing, watching my writhing form. I hated his curious gaze, how it analyzed my movements as a scientist would an animal. A young girl stood beside him, glaring upon me with bright, crimson irises. Was it she who controlled this?
Gasping for breath, I managed to hiss at the pair. The pain intensified, tears springing forth from my traitorous eyes.
They closed almost immediately, though not before I caught a glimpse of the raven-haired man. A frown tugged at his lips as I quivered at his feet, stripped of all dignity. I loathed the feeling, perhaps even him.
Then, just as quickly as it had begun, the pain disappeared. I laid there for a moment, panting heavily in its absence. My body refused to move, weakened by the female's curse. Tears slid down my cheeks as a reminder of its potential.
Hesitantly, I opened my eyes. The female had gone, leaving only the raven-haired man to gaze upon my broken form in wonder.
Broken.
I hated that this was, indeed, what I'd become in just one night. My thoughts, my actions- they were all easily controlled and understood within this short time. What did they intend to do with them, with me? Why was it so important that I be brought to them? Though, I supposed I would find out soon enough. They could tame me now, the little beast who had been dragged into their home.
I couldn't allow it.
And yet, as I attempted to lift myself from the ground, I knew that it was bound to happen, regardless.
"What do you want of me?" I asked angrily, though my voice hardly reached a whisper. I cared little about my façade anymore. It was useless now. The raven-haired man knelt in front of me at an inhuman speed, offering me a hand. I recoiled slightly, in a last attempt to defy him. He sighed, otherwise unmoving.
"Violet, won't you let me help you?"
I scoffed openly now. Had he forgotten the events of the last five minutes? Surely not.
"I don't trust you." I spat, managing to push myself to a sitting position. He watched with only partially concealed amusement. After a moment, his eyes flitted to my left. I risked a glance in the same direction, realizing with dismay that whatever article of clothing I was currently wearing had slid from my shoulder. Frowning, I tugged the dark fabric back into place. Curiosity soon got the better of me, and I allowed my eyes to roam the rest of the garment. As it turned out, I had been put into a dress. It was elegant, with wide sleeves cuffing at the wrists and a hemline just below my knees.
Who had dressed me? It frightened and infuriated me to know that someone had done such a thing as I lay unconscious.
The raven-haired man seemed to realize this. "You were covered in filth, Violet; I wasn't about to allow you to remain that way."
"Why go to such lengths for a prisoner?" I inquired spitefully.
A small chuckle escaped his lips. "A prisoner? Dearest, I think you are mistaken."
I was taken aback by the statement. If I was not to be kept a prisoner, what was my purpose? Given my treatment thus far, I doubted it would be anything good.
Though, the way this man was looking at me indicated something much different. A smile lay upon his lips as he extended one snowy hand toward me. I nearly reached for it.
This could be a trap. Something within me warned.
Withdrawing my hand, I frowned. He seemed so sincere, yet had had no problems witnessing my torture just moments ago. That in itself told me that he was not one to be trusted. However, I was too weak to attempt another escape. Perhaps, if I played along just for a little while…
You truly expect to fool anyone? I asked myself, though the answer was obvious. These beings were not easily duped, I was sure.
I clenched my fists in frustration, remembering his casual comment about…him. Just how had he known about that? And my language? My name, even?
"You still refuse to trust me?" His voice cut me from my thoughts. My eyes narrowed.
"You know so much about me, and yet I know nothing of you. Why?" The words did not sting as much as intended.
The raven-haired man merely donned a look of understanding. I waited, ignoring the scent of a beautiful crimson substance creeping into my nostrils.
"This requires an explanation unsuitable for the floor." he began, standing. I looked at him in confusion, grudgingly taking his offered hand. It was cooler than most; I was sure it resembled ice to a human. However, the skin was solid, like weathered marble.
My legs wobbled as he pulled me to stand. This did not distract me from the slightly distant look that occupied his features for a moment, however; I was reminded of the exchange with Demetri a while earlier.
After a few seconds, life returned to his face. "Interesting." he murmured, eyes meeting mine. I squinted at him in suspicion. What had just happened?
He smiled then, leading me to the couch I had occupied minutes before. I hesitated before lowering myself onto it, holding his gaze as a precaution.
The connection was broken seconds later, as he seated himself beside me with astonishing speed. Had I been human, I wouldn't have been able to follow his movements.
"I suppose an introduction is in order." he smiled as I shot him a withering look. "My name is Aro Volturi."
I doubted I would be able to forget such a name; it sounded regal, exotic…menacing.
"It is a pleasure to meet you….Aro." I replied, words dripping with sarcasm. Though it had always been my understanding that one should address new people formally, I figured this case was an exception.
Disregarding my offense, Aro smirked. "I'm sure it is."
Quite. I thought coolly, raising a brow. He merely continued, unwilling to pursue this pointless banter. Well, I decided, that made two of us.
"I am the leader of this coven, as you might've guessed." he met my eyes. Mine may or may not have widened a fraction; I couldn't be sure.
The leader? I supposed the notion had been dwelling in the back of my mind, though until now, I hadn't taken the time to consider it. It made sense; the respect he received from those guards, the simple fact that he possessed guards…
I felt that I was beginning to catch on. However, I wasn't about to wait for an answer.
"And how, may I ask, do you know so much about me?" I questioned, frowning as he shifted, fingers brushing my knuckles in the process. Surely, that was no accident.
As his gaze became distant, I wondered what purpose his touching me served. Was he testing my trust, anticipating my recoil? No, that would make little sense; he'd done the same thing with his guard, who would most certainly not withdraw from his hand. If anything, they would revel in the attention.
"Most likely." he chuckled, removing his cool fingers from mine. I blinked in shock.
Was he replying to my thoughts?
"How did you…" I began, placing my traitorous hand in my lap. I needn't have asked; Aro's expression confirmed my suspicions.
Dumbfounded, I stared openly at him. "You read thoughts?"
"Through touch, yes." he replied, nodding once. My breath stopped short as I considered whether this was a bad thing.
Of course it is! Part of me insisted. He knows everything. Every secret, every touch, every thought; they're all his.
My eyebrows drew together, realizing just what had been heard by this strange man. All of the foolish decisions I'd made, the most private moments between he and I, my efforts to escape afterward…
Him.
Aro knew about that, obviously. Up until now, I'd assumed there was some sort of communication between the two. Now that I knew about his ability, there was a chance that they'd never even met. Granted, the possibility that they had remained, but at this point, nothing was sure.
If the former was true, and he simply knew by touching me, would I feel any different? Any less hostile?
I felt drained. Drained of trust, and of energy. The glass of crimson bliss had not moved throughout the entire ordeal, mocking me with its tempting aroma. My canines extended once more, throbbing with need. Their sharp tips dug into the flesh of my lip, painful and numbing all at once.
"Violet," Aro said softly. I turned to look at him, unsure. "You need to drink."
"I need," I shook my head, albeit warily. "To know something."
"And what is that?" he asked, seeming genuinely curious. I felt as though I were in a dream, words spilling from my mouth even before I thought them.
"Did Tristan send you to find me?"
Recognition dawned on Aro's features as I spoke. An eternity passed as I awaited his answer.
"No, he did not." Aro finally admitted. "As far as he is concerned, I know only what you do. Until last night, I was unaware that your kind even existed."
Though my relief was tangible, I felt tears gather in my eyes. Frustrated, I asked, "Then why are you doing this?"
The question was a partial sob. I looked away, fists clenched. Warm tears had begun to descend on my cheeks, another irritating sign of weakness on my part.
"Am I some sort of novelty for you to stare at?" I inquired bitterly, staring at the wall to my left. It regarded me with cool indifference.
Aro, however, did not. "No." he said firmly, flitting into my line of sight. I wiped hurriedly at my face, despising the fact that he'd seen me cry.
"Don't you see?" he continued, surprisingly sincere. "You no longer need to run, Violet. We can protect you here, if you'll allow it."
I wanted to believe him- so much- but could I afford to put my trust in this man? Considering how much he knew already, it shouldn't have been this hard.
"I don't know." I whispered, eyes searching his for something, anything, to tell me which was the best decision.
"We can be trusted." he insisted, almost pleading. "Will you at least consider joining us?"
His voice was soothing, full of promise and optimism. It was then that I made my decision; I had nothing more to lose.
Taking a deep breath, I nodded. "Yes."
His eyes betrayed his joy. "Are you certain?"
Summing up what little bit of energy I had left, I met his stare determinedly. "Yes."
Okay, the wait for this chapter was ridiculous. I apologize! On the bright side, I attempted to make it as long as possible *hopeful smile*. Thanks to all of you who reviewed the last chapter: Kassandra203, Supernatural freak 36, KaylahDemi (I'll go back and revise the first chapter, try to make it less confusing. Thanks!), Frostwyrm Queen, and Savysnape7. I'm so thankful for your feedback :)
In other news, I now have a Twitter, and would LOVE to hear from you all :) The link is on my profile, if you're interested.
Did you like it? Hate it? If you would be so kind as to leave a review, it would mean so much. Thank you for reading!