I do not own Twilight! – Italics = Thinking.
The weeks rushed by before the night of the event was quickly upon them. Jennifer wasn't sure if she was more excited about the event or that Emaline would be home just a few days after the event was over! Just in time for her birthday! Just in time for Halloween!
"You must hurry little one! The event will be over before you are ready!" Felix sighed as he stood at the bedroom door, knocking on it lightly.
"Oh for goodness sake Felix, the first guests haven't even arrived yet!" Heidi called out from the bedroom as she sat on the scarlet Chaise that rested in her friend's room while she was getting ready. A gift from Demetri, she remembered, the first that followed was worthy of forever remembering. It made her chuckle; she looked up when she heard the bathroom door open to reveal a vision in emerald.
Heidi stood up slowly and walked to the tiny woman, sending her thoughts into the past for a brief moment. Many memories have been made in the 4 years since she walked her into the castle to see her Master. The mortal that she rooted for proved herself time and time again, effectively tying herself to her coven. She watched her fidget in the floor length dress, a creation of her own, she knew. It held her signature elegance to it. The dress was a vision of Emerald silk paired elegantly with an Emerald lace. She could tell that she was nervous about the dress with how she was fidgeting. The dress was a modest halter, resting just above the swell of her breasts; it was her back that was positively delightful! Her entire back was exposed, ending low and a good bit away from her rump. The dress was fitted through her bust and waist. The silk was complimented with a delicate lacey skirt that flowed effortlessly with its silk counterpart. Heidi may have been a vampire but she could admit she was jealous of her friend's delicate body, a body she never showed off.
"It would seem that you do have some courage in your tiny body after all, my dearest heart." Heidi said when she came to stand behind her, placing her hands on her bare shoulders. Heidi was at least 6 inches taller than her, her body was covered in a scandalously tight sheath of red silk.
"Pft, I'm not the one that makes thousand dollar shoes magically appear on my feet like Dorothy," Jennifer sighed as she turned to look at herself in the mirror once more. "Do you think it's too much? I don't want to come across looking like .."
"Hush you!" Heidi said, placing her finger on her ruby stained lips. "You are beautiful, hold your head high. The ballroom is perfect. You will be proud this night! I insist!"
Heidi watched her laugh with a smile on her face before she turned to the bag she had Felix and Demetri bring for her while she was getting ready. She pulled out a signature black box with a large red bow, watching her friend turn slowly.
"A perfect dress requires perfect shoes." She opened the box to reveal a pair of Christian Louboutin Malls Peacock Pumps. It matched her dress perfectly and the smile she gave her was worth it, "I must admit I had a little birthday fairy help me."
A quick look over and Heidi deemed her ready, she was almost sorry for Demetri on this night. Perhaps she would help him with the frustrations she knew that he would have at the end of this night. She led the way to the door and opened it to see the tall form of Felix in the hall, the slender form of Demetri beside him. Heidi held out her hand and took the trembling hand of Jennifer, pulling her from the room.
For once, Demetri truly had nothing to say. The woman in front of him was not the same woman. It had to be a dream, a siren sent to taunt him, however smelling her scent he knew she was real. It was Felix that swooped in to give her a tight hug before bounding down the stairs, two at a time. Jennifer was pulled along the cobblestone path towards the castle; she saw the small forms of Jane and Alec waiting to greet them. The look on their faces was priceless!
"Man, if I had known it would have been this easy to shock you I would have done this a while ago!" Jennifer teased Jane before standing in front of her and giving her a tight hug. "How are you Jane? It's been quite a while, you have been busy overseas."
Jane stood rigid in her arms for a long while before she sighed, "Come on and accept it! Loosen up! There you go! I knew you could do it."
"Alec," Jennifer said before tilting her head, "Alright team! Let us go and be praised!"
The six of them walked the halls towards the ballroom, a silent watcher following their every move.
Page Break
Caius and Marcus knew something was going to happen this night; Aro was much too happy, much too greedy in his feedings this evening. Their brother, who normally enjoyed taunting his food deliberately killed with no mercy this evening. He was preparing for something. The thoughts began when he ordered Heidi to bring a larger crowd to them today. Heidi was puzzled but nodded her head and turned to her task.
It was his own voice that surprised even himself, "No Children."
Heidi paused briefly without looking at the three kings on their thrones, confusion marring her lovely face as she walked through the halls to the entrance of the castle. This caused the two vampire masters to turn their heads to the youngest of the three.
Yes
Something was going to happen this night; nothing would be the same after this night. As Aro slipped his solid black tuxedo jacket over his shoulders, his head in his musings, his brothers watching him carefully, the cheery sounds of laughter filled the halls causing the three to look towards the doors. Aro was itching to open them and see her, the events of the last two weeks in his mind. They worked well together, Jennifer slowly returning to his side. Her thoughts slowly returning to what they were previously.
It was an early Monday morning when he was almost brought to his knees before her feet, he sometime cursed his gift. The dreams, the most vivid dreams, he was giddy when he began to see them once more. He could only imagine what Marcus was seeing, the vivid colors of their bonds. However, he was moving solely on instinct on this night.
After four years of being patient, watching her, he was quite finished with patience.
The halls were quiet once more when Aro strode confidently towards the doors, a deep voice slowing him.
"I would ask that you be sure before you follow through with whatever you are planning," Marcus drawled towards him, his sharp eyes cutting towards him, "There can be no mistakes brother."
Caius bristled inside as he finally caught onto what he had in his plans, "You knew weeks ago, it's why you didn't fight our plans!"
"Really Caius, you have truly always been so slow in matters such as these," Aro replied, a grin slowly appearing on his face as he walked slowly towards him. "It has always been in my plans to bed her, from the moment Heidi led her into the doors of the castle. Fate has declared that she will forever be ours, but on this night, brothers, she will be mine."
Marcus and Caius watched Aro with calculating eyes, silently hoping that their little mortal mate gave him a run for his money on this night. The two of them remained in the room as Aro swept away from them, trailing the soft vanilla scent of their unsuspecting mate.
"I bet you that lovely Bugati that I own that she knocks him down a few pegs before she gives in on this night," Caius said, not looking over at Marcus.
"That, dear brother, is a bet that I would never take. The two of them are like fire and ice," Marcus replied with humor in his voice. "Come, let's follow and enjoy the show."
The last two Volturi kings followed towards the ballroom but stopped when they approached the still form of Aro, staring at the head of the stair case. Marcus followed his eyes to see the vision before him, in the midst of the crowd. She was currently being swept along the dance floor, Felix leading her effortlessly. Her eyes closed and her laughter ringing lightly through the room.
"Sure you don't want to take that bet?" Caius chuckled before coming to stand beside Aro, fixing a glare on the crowd below him.
Marcus just chuckled again, a strange sound from him after these many years. He stood beside Aro and touched his shoulder firmly, "Good Luck with your endeavors this night, brother." The two of them watched as Marcus swept through the crowd before coming to stand before Jennifer, who just finished dancing with Felix. He bowed gracefully before sweeping her into the crowd once more.
"Now, now Aro," he said as he watched with humor at the shell shocked form of the proud leader of the Volturi coven, "I don't think she'll bite." An unnecessary jab but funny just the same.
Aro came to himself before grinning and slowly descending the stairs. It would seem that a game was afoot.
Page Break
Jennifer finally escaped the ballroom, determined to get some air. For once, she was so glad she actually listened to a secretary. Alexandria was a great help and she also introduced her to a bartender that made a drink from the heavens! A Passionfruit Martini! Oh the yummy goodness!
While very quiet, Alexandria was proficient and kind to her. She truly hoped that she would be with them a while. As she looked into the ballroom, she smiled when she saw her hulking protector, bow towards the taller woman. It made her smile to see her loved ones so happy, she would be good for Felix.
So lost in her thoughts .. and her drink .. she didn't notice the addition to her hiding space.
"It is quite a surprise to see our lovely accountant alone on a night like this." A confident voice drawled at her, causing her to turn to look at the vampire beside her. She had worked so hard at avoiding him for weeks, Damien.
"Shouldn't you be at the party?" She supplied, manners forcing her to respond out of civility. He stood in front of her now and outstretched his hand.
"You dropped this weeks ago," Damien supplied, the delicate golden bracelet held between his fingers. She reached to take it from him with a small thank you. He spoke low once her hand touched the bracelet. "I find it, refreshing to hear that you wouldn't tell the Master about our little talk. Such loyalty is very appealing, especially coming from a mortal female."
"That could change quickly if you don't step back and release the bracelet." Jennifer replied with a cold voice to match the coldness of her eyes.
"So, the kitten does have claws, who would have known?" He said as he released the bracelet slightly and took a step into her body, causing her to step back, "How lovely you are tonight, hoping to impress someone?"
Jennifer had enough, "Look I don't know what your deal .."
"Little one! There you are!" Felix said before coming to her side and glaring at the vampire beside him, "Damien."
"I was simply returning something to Jennifer, that she dropped weeks ago. It would seem that I have been unable to find her lately to give it to her," Damien said, giving her the bracelet while stepping away and walking to return to the ballroom. As he passed Alexandria, he winked. "Nice seeing you again, Alexandria."
The two were quiet before Felix looked at her with a cocky grin, "I am beginning to realize that not only are you trouble but trouble comes to look for you."
"Hey now!" Jennifer said, smacking him on the shoulder, "I was out here minding my own business!"
"A likely story." A new voice interrupted them; sending Felix in a bow before he left to return to the party once more, she hoped he was searching for Alexandria.
Jennifer stood still in shock, as she watched Caius approach her slowly. "Can I help you sir?"
Caius let out a long sigh, "I must admit that I do deserve that."
"I'm confused," Jennifer looked around for something to pop out and fear factor her immediately.
"I am causing that quite a bit lately." He said as he watched her look at him like he completely lost his mind, "I will be taking Emaline to the Gala event for the Monet exhibit in Florence, I am extending this invitation to her mother."
To say that Jennifer was speechless would be correct, "I always seem to be the last one to know about your outings with my daughter, however since I am pretty sure that this has something to do with her birthday that will be missed, I will let it slide from both of you. As for me going, I'll pass, I have been to my fair share of Gala events in my life. I haven't liked them before, and I am sure I wouldn't care for them now."
He waved her off, "Keep the invitation in mind, this outing could be much different."
Jennifer swallowed slowly as he watched her with heated eyes before turning sharply and leaving her to her thoughts. "Such a weird night."
A pair of firm arms pulled her into an equally firm chest, startling her briefly. "Oh for the love of God!," She screeched, unable to turn around. Her captor laughed deeply as he held her close before letting her turn to face him. His. hands lingering the delicate skin of her back. The confident face of Demetri met her, happiness shining in his red eyes.
"You have escaped me most of the night, Jennifer. I am beginning to think that you haven't missed me at all." He said with a look of mocked hurt on his face.
"Oh I can imagine you have been missing me dearly, seeing as how you and Heidi have disappeared together quite a few times this evening." She grinned back at him, while letting him hold her close. Yep, Passion Fruit Martini's. That's her story and she is sticking to it.
"I must say, jealousy becomes you quite nicely." Demetri said while pulling her back to him when she started to move away. He was dancing with fire, he knew. But she was so very lovely this night, in the dress she crafted and a lovely smile on her face, too busy in his thoughts to notice that they had been joined on the balcony.
"Demetri," A harsh voice said, causing the hunter to pause and slowly release the woman in front of him. Much to her dismay, the carefree and playful mood vanished quickly from his face as he continued to look at her, "
"E' tempo per voi di lasciarsi andare." (It is time for you to let go)
Jennifer could only watch in confusion as Demetri backed away from her before turning and walking bristly away from them. Aro slid slowly to her side, taking her in for what seemed like the first time tonight.
"You have managed to evade not only Demetri but myself as well," Aro questioned, looking down at her lovely face, "Tell me, do you still fear me?"
Her heart seemed to have lodged into her throat, he was too close. For the last few weeks he was always too close. Too close to think, too close to work. He even seemed to haunt her in her dreams .. her wild and extremely vivid dreams.
"Thank heavens he can't see into my head, he would be horrified"
"Lovely night, Jennifer." Aro stood next to her while taking in everything about the party, "I am most impressed with what you have accomplished. It truly is a most enchanting night, don't you think?"
He cut his eyes too look down at her again; her lovely cheeks were a deep shade of red. The hands holding the delicate martini glass where shaking.
"Thank you Master Aro," Jennifer finally gathered the courage to say," I'm glad that the party turned out as well as it did. I was worried there for a moment or two. But it seems like everyone is having a blast."
"And you, my dearest, are you having a "blast"?" Aro responded, chuckling when she laughed loudly before moving one of her hands to cover her mouth.
"Promise me that you never say that again!" Jennifer laughed for a few moments before drinking the rest of her drink, a tray appearing beside her almost immediately to take her drink away and replace it. She looked over at the powerful vampire beside her who was watching her closely, "It would seem that as soon as I finish a drink, one is waiting for me. I wonder if there is a plot to get me drunk."
"Now my dearest, you are the one that hired the staff for this party." Aro chuckled at her before coming to stand closer to her, his cold fingertips coming to touch her arm softly. "I am not to blame for the proficiency of the help."
To say that her head was fuzzy was an understatement and he was still standing much to close. She looked at him and truly took him in for the first time this evening. The form fitting black tuxedo with was truly perfect for him. It was a sin for someone to look so very good. "I must say, you do look dashing tonight Master Aro."
Aro laughed with glee, "I haven't been called "dashing" in centuries! I wonder if you know what being dashing means my dearest."
Jennifer watched him when he cut his eyes to look at her, there was an edge to his playfulness these days. To be frank with it, he was just being plan weird lately. After the "talk" in the office weeks ago, it gradually progressed. He was always there were she turned a corner, he insisted on being the one that she spoke to in regards to plans for the party. She was used to his oddness but this was different, he was much to close.
"Yes," she replied quietly, drawing his attention towards her,"I know what it means to be dashing. My father is a very dashing man."
"Most interesting," Aro chimed, "You have never spoken of your father in any light, only the tyranicle actions of your mother. However, I am most certain that you deserved a strong hand while growing. If you are anything like you are now."
"Now, I was a perfect daughter!" Jennifer scoffed with a smile on her face. She drank her drink slowly before sighing and looking up in the sky. "My father is strong and kind. He never said much but when he did just you had to listen. There were no other alternatives. He was the one backing the decision to keep Emaline. It was the first time I saw a true smile on his face, and I knew that it would be alright. He knew I could do it and that's all that mattered."
"A wise man indeed." Aro remarked, while looking at her.
"You are both wise men," Jennifer came back, tilting her head to look at him. Whether it was the drinks or the party, for the first time she truly felt close to this powerful vampire king. Almost like an friend, maybe something more. The banter between them always seemed to pull her closer to him. All three kings seemed to have parts of them that ended up reminding her of her father. The skills to have a quick wit and throw a little fun in there from nowhere.
Well, maybe not all of the kings, she thought as she sighed. Cauis was an ass, an incredibly sexy ass but an ass none the less. He was more like her mother, oh that would do nicely.
Jennifer finished off her drink, and placed it on the tray that magically appreared. She shook her head and waved off the server when the next one was offered. She was getting much too fuzzy and things were becoming much too real. It wasn't good for her to harbor these feelings and she definately wasn't going to act on them.
No amount of alchohol would give her that much courage
Aro watched closely as she finished her drink and started to think. He could always tell when she started to think, watching her for this long helped in this. Thinking led to doubt in her case, doubt wrapped in insecurity. She truly was remarkable but at times he wished he could just force those doubts out of her pretty little head. As per the norm, he deliberatly waited for her to drink a few drinks, waited for the night for wear on and as always, he waited for the time to act.
A tiny hand covered her ruby painted lips, hoping to cover up a yawn.
A confident grin slowly appreared on his face, as he came to stand beside her.
"I often forget that mortals tire most easily in the dead hours of the night." Aro, chided as he took in her tired and hazy eyes. Jennifer sighed and placed her hand on her hip.
"Now, I will have you know that I am not too old to hang with the cool kids!"
Placing his hands up in defeat, he grinned as he walked to stand in front of her. His lean form invading the personal space that she intentionally places between them on a daily basis, a foolish move but indearing nonetheless. "I said nothing of the sort. I think it is time for you to gracefully bow out of this little party. I must say that you have earned a well deserved rest."
All Jennifer could do was stare at a crisp white shirt covered in most likely the most expensive fabric she has ever felt. If only she could get her hands on a bolt of that, maybe Caius would get off her back then about the suit. Does it come in different colors?
He smells extremely good
Jolting herself out of that train of thoughts, she took a deep breath, "Yep, that is a great idea!"
She began to turn towards the ballroom when a strong hand on her upper arm stopped her, she looked up at the arm attached to that hand with slight curiousity.
"Come, Mia cara. I will be your escort this evening," Aro said before pulling her towards him as he turned to leave through the ballroom with her in tow. Of course she looked like she was going to object, such a foolish woman. "And before you begin to tell me whatever is in your pretty little head, I will have you know that in the end,"
Jennifer could only stare at his back as he led them quickly through the ballroom to come to stop in front of the doors entering the castle halls. He turned and gave her a look that shot a pulse of something very dangerous through her body before he continued, "I always get what I want."
Jennifer could only stare as he pulled her out of the ballroom and out of the castle.
"I'm sure this is a bad idea."
AUTHIR NOTE: Rewrite! MM
