8. TRANSACTION
After Nettie and Lucy were killed Maria became more distant. She saw a pattern developing in her life where the people she cared about would leave her, one way or another. Jasper still tried to please her and began adding numbers to their newborn army once more. It seemed as though things might be returning to normal when one day, there was a knock at the door of the pueblo. The smell of vampire was so thick in the air with one scent in particular being quite familiar, that Maria knew exactly who to expect.
She opened the door and there stood Aro with the rest of his Volturi guard outside behind him. He skin looked even more papery and the milkiness had just about taken over the entire iris of his eyes. Jasper was on alert and stood close to Maria.
"Why hello child! It's been a while, hasn't it?" Aro smiled down at her.
"Hello Aro." Maria greeted somberly. Then she put up her palm through the doorway and waited for him to take it.
"What's this?" Aro pretended to be surprised.
"Just read my thoughts and get it over with. I haven't done anything wrong." Maria just wanted to get this done.
Aro smiled and replied "Well, if you insist." Then he pressed his palm against hers and closed his eyes while absorbing all the thoughts he had missed out on over the years. When he was through and he reopened his eyes- they were dancing with excitement. He began eyeing Jasper and his mind began toying with all the different ways he could use him.
Maria caught on quickly which of her thoughts had perked his interest. "Aro," she interrupted his concentration, "Why don't you and I go for a walk?"
His hand was still touching hers and he could read the desperate thoughts behind her eyes. He smiled once more and complied "Alright Maria, let's go."
"I'm coming with you." Jasper said.
"No, I need you to stay here." Maria shot Jasper a firm look and he knew he wouldn't win.
Maria grabbed her parasol and walked out the door with Jasper standing there watching her leave. Aro began to glide alongside her with Renata clutching closely behind. The rest of the Volturi stayed at the pueblo.
Maria shot a sideways glance at Renata and then asked Aro, "What's with the protection?"
Aro was still smiling and ever so cheerful. "Oh Maria, you've changed. You are not the sweet, innocent girl I once I knew. Time has made you bitter." He let out a chuckle. "Even though you have no plans to do me harm yet, I can't say that I trust your mind not to go down that path." Maria frowned. She knew Aro was right. She had changed.
"Well, that Jasper… He's quite a catch, isn't he?" Aro was getting to the topic that needed discussing.
"Please Aro," Maria looked at him pleadingly, "Leave Jasper alone. He's all I have left. Please don't take him away from me."
Aro's face became thoughtful. "It would be highly irregular for me to just walk away from such a gifted young man. You know that I am always on the lookout for new talent. What incentive can you offer me to leave him alone?"
Maria knew where this was going. She stopped walking and so did Aro and Renata. They were now standing in a cemetery. Maria twirled her parasol in her hands as she tried to contemplate all possible options. There only seemed to be one option that would work. Maria sighed and tried to put on her most seductive face. She reached for Aro's hand and gently caressed it. Then she flattened her palm against his and filled his mind with her thoughts. Aro understood what the tradeoff would be.
He smiled again, "What makes you think that I would be interested in that?"
"Well it's been about a decade since we've seen each other and you look as though you haven't gotten out of the castle much. And if I know you, you're getting tired of just Sulpicia and Renata." Maria said the words as if they were alone. A flash of anger, hurt, and jealousy swept across Renata's face.
Aro laughed. "Perhaps you do know me." He entertained the idea and looked Maria up and down. She looked amazing in her black dress. The corset of her gown was pulling her in and pushing her out in all the right places. His familiar smile creased his face once more. "Well I believe we have ourselves a deal." Then he turned to Renata, "Be a dear and give us some privacy- just don't stray too far away."
Renata's jaw dropped. Her face revealed the anguish she was feeling. Aro opened his mouth as if to say something more but she turned and ran away. He turned back to Maria and smiled at her. "Shall we?" His hand was extended towards her.
She allowed herself to debate it one more time in her head. It was the only way to keep Jasper… She had to do it… For him… And for her... She couldn't bear the thought of losing him too… She had to do this…
