Chapter 83

Luciana had become a perfect fit as a member of the Volturi. Her sneaky gift, that Aro loved more each day, provided them with another valuable accessory. Weeks before, he had sensed Jane was becoming jealous of his daughter's role in their group, and so to keep the core in tact, he had increased Jane's responsibilities. It was something he knew she appreciated, and even gave her the order to make sure Luciana stayed in line. She enjoyed the power, and Aro's tactics worked.

Sulpicia had been made aware of the new girl in their group, though now she looked far too old for her to have even the most remote of suspicions that the child could be Aro's. It was a thought he was certain would not have passed through her mind regardless.

"How many do we have?" Caius asked.

Aro stared at him, knowing he was referring to how many believers there were in the rumor they'd spread about the Cullens being a danger.

"Seventeen as of now," Marcus told them both.

"They're all practically begging for a shot at vampire royalty," Aro said with a smirk.

"Doubtful anyone will have what it takes," Jane said smugly.

"Is this really justified?" Marcus asked. His voice was quiet and raspy.

"Yes," Caius and Jane answered at the same time. Aro turned to Marcus, but let the others' answers stand without responding himself.

"Each of us should go find someone tonight," he instructed, "Find someone to join our... team."

"You mean bite someone?" Alec asked.

"That's exactly what I mean," Aro told him with great enthusiasm, "We have our greedy allies, who would eat each other for a chance to get on our good side; to get on the inside of these walls." He raised his hands, "But if we bring in a few of our own who know nothing about the Cullens, or about our world in general, they'll be loyal to us like no other."

"You're not suggesting some kind of army?" Caius asked, suddenly concerned.

Aro smiled, "Oh, no Caius. I'm talking about a handful of easily manipulated newborns. No more than one apiece." He looked at each of his followers, "You'll all be responsible for the one you choose. Think of it like.. like an intern." He laughed to himself.

Caius smiled, looking around for similar expressions. He caught the looks for Felix and Alec, who both accompanied his feelings.

Aro looked at Luciana, "You, my dear," he said gently, "You don't have to do this part."

"But I want to," she insisted.

He shook his head, "You haven't been alive long enough to know the patience and tricks to control someone."

A sort of pout formed on her face, and it was apparent she wasn't happy by his decisions.

"It's for your own good sweetheart," Aro explained, "But you can accompany me if you'd like."

"It would be good for you to learn," Jane said firmly.

"Okay." Luciana said.

Jane smirked at how easily the child listened to her.

Aro held out a hand, nodding to Jane with approval. He knew his personel, and the little things it took to keep his plans in order. A simple head would satisfy Jane, and giving his daughter the opportunity to help him stalk out a potential victim would both please her, and teach her to do it herself one day.

Luciana grabbed her father's hand, "Be on your way," he suggested the rest of them, "Hunt first if you'll to in order to stop your thirst. Choose wisely." He and Luciana disppeared from the walls of their underground lair.

The rest of the Volturi looked heavily thrilled at Aro's orders. Marcus was the only one who thought the planned attack would be unjustified, with not true cause to go after the Cullens. The way Aro backed down the last time had Marcus not only fearing for his life, but the way of life as their kind knew it. Things had gone smootly for decades, or centuries, even. It was because they remained a justified group. What Aro was orchestrating did not feel legitimate, as their plans had in the past. He tried to keep his feelings on the matter to himself, hoping his body language and lack of enthusiasm didn't give him away. He knew how powerful the Cullens could potentially be.

Out on the early morning streets, Aro and Luciana waited, watching as the stray people in town who were finally heading home lingered on roadways. Most of them were unworthy and unimportant in their human lives, and Aro had no bother for any of them. A good meal they would make surely, but to accompany them as an asset in battle, hardly.

"How about her?" Luciana asked, as yet another half drunk woman in high heels passed them, nearly tripping on her own feet and completely unaware that they were nearby.

Aro shook his head, "We need someone more useful."

The two of them waited patiently before a solid looking younger man in nice clothes passed by. A woman called after him with a hint of desperation in her voice, longing for his approval.

"Shut up!" he called sternly.

Aro looked at him and shuffled through his mind for where he might have seen him before. He and Luciana looked on, as he continued to argue with the woman.

The woman began to cry and the man shook his head, "You're really pathetic, you know that?" he bellowed.

"Why do you do this to me?" she sobbed with her hands on her face.

"Because you deserve it. You're nothing to me."

"I'm your wife. We're here on vacation. It was supposed to be-"

"Whatever it was supposed to be, you ruined it," he barked.

She continued to plead with him until the back of his hand landed solidly on the side of her face.

Aro's thoughts were triggered and he knew now where he had seen the man, or at least someone who looked very simliar. It was in Carlisle's thoughts, deep in his thoughts, somewhere pushed far, far back to a place he rarely thought of anymore. The man on the street was modern day dead ringer for his wife's previous husband in her human years. Charles. The feelings in the pit of Aro's stomach were similar to that of someone who just bet thousands of dollars on black in a casino roulette game. The man who stood before him taunting the woman on the ground, heightened his joyous angst, like the white ball spinnning around the number wheel before finding it's place on a black section of the game board. He let a laugh slip through his mouth and looked at Luciana.

"Can we?" she asked.

Aro could not hide his excitement, thinking this man could surely be a mental edge in their battle, if nothing else. He was ruthless, he was threatening, he was perfect.

"Well?" Luciana tapped her foot.

"Leave the girl," he instructed, "He'll be a perfect pawn for our chess game with the Cullens."