3. TALENT TEST
Marcus and Didyme followed Aro down the staircase and out of the building. They moved quickly through an overgrown forest until finding an established clearing. Caius, Athenodora, and Sulpicia were already there waiting for them.
"What's going on, Aro?" Didyme asked, surprised by the other guests.
Aro had been wearing a burgundy cloak and was now removing it to hand off to Sulpicia. "You see, sister, some vampires have special talents and abilities. Athenodora here has already told you about my ability. And yes, I did use it on you when you spoke of mother. It was quite wonderful seeing her again through your memories." He began to roll up his sleeves. "We have a war that is coming and I have been searching for other talented vampires to fight on our side but they seem to be few and far between. I am desperate to win this war, Didyme. We cannot allow the Romanians to continue to rule in such wickedness. Then I thought of you, dear sister. Surely you must be like me, since we share the same parents, the same bloodline."
Didyme saw it now. Aro did not change her because he wanted to save her from death and sickness. He changed her because he wanted a soldier.
"So you see, sister, I have been quite anxious to learn what you can do. Do you feel anything, anything different?" Aro asked with all curiosity.
"Of course I feel different," Didyme said. "Everything is different now."
Aro's smile faded away. "Then you will forgive me." At that he began to attack Didyme. The others watched but did not interfere. Only Marcus seemed to be slightly bothered.
"Aro! What are you doing?" Didyme cried out as her brother bit into her arm.
"Fight me!" Aro growled. "Do what you must to stay alive!"
Didyme put her hand to Aro's throat and squeezed. Then she used all her force and threw him against a tree. Aro laughed.
"You are strong," he said, "but no stronger than any other new born." He lunged at her again and tackled her to the ground. His lips pulled back over his teeth and was about to sink them into her throat and tear it out.
At this moment, Didyme focused on her brother. She used her mind and willed him to stop. Her thoughts begged for her life, begged him not to harm her. Aro paused as a peculiar feeling flooded him. It was happiness, unexplainable joy, and love towards his sister. He released her.
"What did you do?" Aro asked, stunned.
"I don't know what you mean," Didyme said as she lifted herself from the ground and brushed off the dead leaves that clung to her.
"That was amazing," Marcus gasped aloud. The whole party turned to him. "Aro," Marcus called to him and held out his hand. Aro walked over to him and pressed his palm against Marcus'.
After a moment, he spoke. "You're right, that was amazing." Everyone looked at Aro now waiting for an explanation. "It seems that you do have a gift after all, sister. Marcus saw the bond between us and he watched it grow exponentially on my side as you lay on the ground. He sees that you have an aura of happiness about you and it spreads to others near you. It makes them… love you."
"Wonderful," Caius said sarcastically. "We can make the Romanians fall in love with us."
Aro smiled. "Now, Caius," he gently chided. Then he turned to Didyme. "I do not know how your talent will serve the revolution, but I am hopeful we will find a way." The crowd dispersed and Didyme followed Aro alone.
"Were you going to kill me, brother? If I had not had a talent to save me?" Didyme asked.
Aro smiled at his sister and placed an arm around her shoulders. "Of course not, dear. You are my family. I would never let any harm come to you." Didyme trusted him and she believed him. As they walked, the conversation turned.
"Why have you chosen Sulpicia for a wife? She seems quite odd."
Aro laughed aloud. "Does she?" He laughed again. "Well it has to do with my talent. Once I've read the mind of someone and heard every thought they've ever had, it's a very intimate thing. They become predictable to me now that I know the tenor of their thoughts. Sulpicia, however, is anything but predictable. She lived in an insane asylum as a human. Some vampire got his kicks out of changing lunatics into us. I believe his name is Richard. He continues his work and I'm sure he'll do this for a very long time." Didyme looked at her brother as his thoughts had wandered from answering her question.
"Yes!" he remembered. "Sulpicia is unpredictable. She keeps me guessing. It appeals to me. Does that answer your question?"
Didyme nodded. "And what about Caius? He is so… unpleasant. Why have you chosen him to be one of your partners in this revolution?"
"Caius can be unpleasant, it is true. But I would not want him as my enemy so I have chosen him to be my friend."
They found their way back to the castle. The siblings went into the turret once again. This time Aro picked up his violin and played an intense song; fast and full of rises, lifts, and falls. He played with such passion. If only Phaedra could see him now. She would be so proud.
The others joined them in the turret. Sulpicia danced around the room and sang nonsense. Caius and Athenodora sat close together on the plush seating. He whispered into her ear and she giggled. Marcus took a seat at one of the thrones. Didyme walked over to him and sat on the ground next to him.
"Here, take my seat," Marcus insisted. She sat in his chair and he kneeled beside her so that they were on the same level.
"He's good," Didyme said, trying to ignite a conversation.
"He is. Not as good as you though," he complemented.
Didyme studied his face to see if he was mocking her. Only sincerity showed through on his expression. "You're too kind, Marcus."
"It's the truth." He paused. "I will never lie to you Didyme. Something about you, more than just your talent; it makes me happy to be near you."
Didyme was happy to be near him as well. She was drawn to him and his innate goodness. Granted she had only met four others, but he was the kindest vampire she knew.
