Chapter Five

Zondrea followed Jane, her face completely blank and thoughts that kept shooting back to the exit and Washington. If she had just been seconds earlier, she would have made it out. That thought knawed at her insides.

She was so caught up in her own mind, she hardly noticed that Jane was leading her upstairs again. The walls were lit by firelight, and it spent off spooky shadows that Zondrea ignored. Jane was quiet the whole way up, her blonde hair pulled back tight and a robe make a black velvet was wrapped around her shoulders.

Zondrea was trying to pull herself together. She was determined not to give up hope. She would find a way out, there always had to be a way out. Maybe, she should just tell Aro the truth. It would a lot simpler and she wouldn't be in any trouble. But, then came the risk of him saying no and her practically being on lockdown. She was so frustrated with the whole situation, regretful thoughts about even ever joining the Volturi sinking deep.

"In here," Jane indicated a room that was offset. It was dimly lit, with dark red carpets and two black couches pushed off into the corner. On the other side of the room was a desk and old wooden chair that looked like it could have been from the sixteenth century, matter of fact, it probably was from the sixteenth century.

Caius was standing towards a bookshelf, his fingers idling sliding across their backs as if he were conflicted on which one to start with. Without turning around he said, "Thank you, Jane. You may leave now." And she didn't hesitate, but she did close the door quite tightly behind her, which didn't help Zondrea at all. She felt as if she were being locked up, and being locked up with Caius was one of the worst things she could ever imagine.

As soon as she left, he turned to face her. He smiled slightly, and then went to sit on the couch, gesturing for her to follow. She did so, hesitantly though, her hands hanging stiffly by her sides.

Caius sat down on the on opposite of her. As she sat down she brought her legs up underneath her, folding herself in tightly. His eyes narrowed when she did this, as if he didn't approve of it.

"So, what is it that you wanted?" She asked, no longer able to deal with just the silence and his stare burning into her. Zondrea knotted her hands together, keeping tense, unable to pull off coming off as relaxed.

He took an easy breath, obviously in no rush or hurry to explain. "I wanted to ask you something." He proposed and she looked at him to go on. "I've heard that you've been asking Demetri and Felix about the Cullens quite a bit." He noted and she had to fight from her eyes going big in shock. It was hard, but she managed to keep her calm.

"Where did you hear that from?" She asked, coming off as falsely curious, tilting her head to the side a bit.

He stared at her with an intense gaze. "I overheard Felix talking about it and asked him." Caius answered with ease and Zondrea wished more than anything that she could have used her power right now.

"Well, I was curious about them, seeing as they are a bit of an oddity. But, that's all it was, curiosity." She paused, glancing up at the door for a moment. Demetri still hadn't returned, maybe if she could hurry this up, she could still get out. "Is that all?"

Caius considered for a moment before shaking his head. "You know, Zondrea, there is just something about you that seems to click. You, yourself, are quite an oddity. You're just so intriguing." He explained, still closer to the edge of his seat as she cautiously pulled her feet out from under her.

"You're being ridiculous." She narrowed her eyes. "I'm not an oddity. And, I don't see why you seem to believe you have some sort of control over me, because that is not the case." She broke, all the annoyance and frustration from him piling up and finally coming out.

He laughed in a harmonious way, that may have sound pleasing in a different situation. "Oh, but you see, I do have a sort of control over you. When you came to join us five years ago, you were very...confused. Even though you were two hundred years of age, you still didn't seem to get a grip on what was okay and what wasn't. You knew how to use your power, oh, yes you knew how to use it very well. But, that's how you got everything and got away with it all. Now that you're here and cannot control any of us, you feel as if you don't have power. And you should feel that way. Aro cherishes you very, very much. He would never let you leave, and neither would I." He finished, his eyes blazing.

"Yes, but my question is simply why?" She answered, trying to keep from bursting with rage. What Caius had said was all true, he was the king of manipulation.

"Why? Well, because, as said previously, I find you interesting." Without any warning he shot up and sat down next to her at an incredible speed. His brilliant red eyes met hers as he brushed the back of his hand along her cheekbone. She was frozen again, scared to move away. He was stronger than her when he was protected by a shield.

"And maybe you could see the possibilities." He suggested, moving closer and closer till his lips were only an inch apart from hers. She could smell the lingering and luring scent of vampire on him. Her eyes didn't move from his.

And then something interesting came upon her. She could use this against him. If she got really close to Caius and gained his trust, she could have more freedom. More freedom meant getting away. And there would be no suspicions. At all. It would be the perfect plan.

Feeling renewed with hope, she didn't hesitate to close the distance between them, her hand wrapping tightly around his neck. She could practically feel how intensely pleased he was with this and he didn't take any hesitation to pull her closer.

The only thing that kept her from hitting him over the head or trying to get away was the plan deep inside her head forming. It was absolutely flawless and Caius was making it very simple with how pleased he was by her behavior. It wouldn't take that long, she would give it a months time before he would finally loosen up and she could get away.

The countdown was already starting in her head as she absentmindedly moved her lips against his. This would be easier than she thought.

(A/N: Alright, guys, hope you liked this one. Let me know what you thought in the reviews and I might upload another chapter tonight or tomorrow! Happy early Thanksgiving, by the way!)