Chapter 4

Aro

There was a collective hiss at the names of our foes from Rome. Alexandra tensed and looked around the throne, probably trying to judge whether we would attack her or not. She gazed up at me questioningly. I shushed my guard members. She has power, but she was still not a threat. They obeyed and Alexandra continued.

"Why did you bring me here Stefan? And where is my sister?"

"Calm yourself child—I will explain it all to you in due time."

"No. You will explain it now!"

Stefan looked at Vladimir and shrugged. "You are now a vampire. You will have a thirst for blood, as all vampires do, but I know that you also have a special gift. And to be so blunt, I want you to use it to my advantage."

Alexandra took a deep breath, trying to sort out what she had just been told. "Maybe I will help you, but I want you to finish answering my questions—where is my sister?"

"I am sorry child, but the vampire who rescued her and his mate ran away with her last night. They always wanted children. We tried tracking them, but it was to no available."

"Damn!"Alexandra swore. A porcelain vase on the table exploded. She looked them in the eyes, "I have one more question. My only friends were burned as witches the night you rescued me—did you rescue them?"she asked, looking hopeful.

"It must be my Alec and Jane," I thought, "no others named Alec and Jane were burned as witches that I know of, and the chances of it not being are too slim…"

"I am sorry child, but we did not. We sensed other vampires present, and we are not on good terms with them."

Alexandra looked interested. "Other vampires? Who?"

"Vouturi," Vladimir swore.

"Never mind that," Stefan quickly said, "let's tend to that burning in your throat, then we may discuss your powers."

The image faded. Alexandra looked up at me. I stared hard into her eyes and motioned for her to come closer. She sighed, rolled her eyes, but nodded. She had a hard look in her eye, but all the same walked to me and held up her hand. I clasped my own two hands around it. Suddenly I was hit with a flood of memories, strong one—those were recent, while some that were very faint showed human children—two girls and Alec and Jane. My Alec and Jane. I was careful to show no emotion of my face; I examined her mind for a little longer, then let the girl's hand drop.

"Is everything satisfactory?" she asked, a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

Stupid girl, did she want to annoy me? I could have here killed. "Everything is fine," I replied delicately.

"Good," she said, a steel glint in her eye, "now it is time for you to uphold your end of the deal, tell me what you know of the vampires I am searching for—Alec, Jane, and Lucy." Her voice and ready fighting stance persuaded me from arguing with her.

"Very well," I sighed. "I cannot help you entirely, but I can give you some information. I know the whereabouts of Jane and Alec."

"Where are they?" she quickly asked, the hope and excitement visible on her face, though she tried to hide it.

"They have been with me since I rescued them—I practically am the Volturi."

"Well, then may I see them?"

I smiled, I had nothing to fear. If she was a friend nothing would happen, if she was a foe Jane would take care of her. But it pained me slightly to have her know that I had them.

"Jane, Alec, come you have a visitor!" I called.

They came in running at vampire speed. They paused, glancing from Alexandra to myself, looking slightly unsure, and the Jane ran straight to Alexandra. They collided with a bang. I was shocked—Jane was hugging Alexandra! In all my years of caring for the twins, Jane only showed affection for Alec, and that itself was very minimal.

"Oh Lexi," Jane said quietly, while hugging her fiercely, "I knew you didn't abandon us."

"Oh Janie," Alexandra whispered. "Lucy and I would never do that to you two. You guys were our family. I've been looking for everyone for a very long time." She looked up. "Hey Alec," she said cautiously.

Alec walked over slowly, looked at Alexandra, and said "Hello Lex."

"Alec, I—"

"Lex, it's okay. Jane and I saw what you showed everyone. We trust and believe you. I mean, we obviously would, we're you're friends. And honestly? I mean, we knew your father beat you two, but killing you guys—that was a horrible thing to hear."

I was shocked. Firstly, how could I have missed the fact that Jane and Alec had friends? And how did those stupid Romanians know that we grabbed Jane and Alec, when we didn't know they were there?

"Alec, Jane," I sweetly said, "how is it that I have never before heard a mention of this lovely girl?

"Master," Jane answered, "forgive us. I thought that Lexi and Lucy had something to our burning. I tried to bury my happy memories and become a feared vampire, as thinking of my friend would make me a weaker vampire—I would have vulnerabilities."

Alec nodded and said "It was best no to open an old wound. My apologies Master."

I nodded. It made sense after all. There were memories of humans in Jane and Alec's minds, but I had never paid attention to them before. And Jane would indeed stash the memories deep into her brain—she hated feeling weak. And did I really expect a sentimental feeling from Alec?

"There is not much more I can tell you, as I do not know the whereabouts, nor have I heard of a vampire named Lucy. I'm sure that Alec and Jane will be willing to tell you about their vampire existence, so I encourage you to talk to them. I do, however, wish to hear more of your story tomorrow. I invite you to stay here, temporarily. You are most welcome."

Alexandra nodded, containing her excitement of finding her friends. "That is very generous of you Aro."

"Jane and Alec will show you to a guest room," I said with a wave of my hand as they dismissed. They walked out of the room all of them talking so fast that I could barely understand what was being said. I sighed and turned to talk to Marcus and Caius. We now had a new problem to discuss.