Chapter 6

)()()()()()(

"They are trying to regain your favour and mine," Caius said one afternoon in the studio, standing at an eszial as he painted a simple landscape of rolling hills and mountains from memory. He glanced over to Erika who sat on a bean bag as she sketched in a small sketchbook. "Is it working?"

"Nope," She said, brushing away some of the eraser bits left on her sketch. "They shouldn't have done it and they now know that I'm not to be messed with."

Unlike Caius, Erika didn't have to spend time with the other two kings.

For the past week after the incident of the show of dominance, Erika had refused to stay in the same room as the two dominant mates. She spent the week in the studio, or in the library, or gym. Food was delivered to her room whenever she requested it, and she no longer let the silence bother her.

They didn't look for her and she didn't look for them.

Looking for the strange haze within her body, she found that could manipulate it to a certain degree. She confined the haze to a small box in her mind, tiny and with a padlock. She didn't want it to try and control her again.

Erika spent a few hours with Caius each day, talking about anatomy and different methods of art. She gained knowledge about artists and how they achieved their fame, usually by the chance. Figuring out her drawing style was taking time and a lot of practise of different styles to find which was the easiest and most natural for her.

"I need to ask Alice how the weather will be tomorrow," Erika said mostly to herself before humming softly and getting back to her sketch.

Caius paused his paintbrush before adding more grey paint to his glass palette. "Are you planning any outing with some of the Guard?"

"I want to get some warm weather clothes, and a few more jumpers and hoodies," Erika nodded. "The castle is still really cold in our wing, and everywhere else that doesn't have constant Humans coming through. But outside is boiling."

"We will have to get a heater for your bedroom, perhaps a blanket or two in here also." He gestured vaguely with the paint brush before returning it to the canvas. "How are the joint rings?"

"Surprisingly comfortable," Erika looked at the strange rings on the top joints of most of her fingers and even some on the bottom ones too. "I only really notice them when I'm typing."

"Good. They shouldn't impede your movement,"

"Which of the Guard should I take tomorrow?"

"You will have to ask Marcus that,"

Erika frowned before it fell away into a neutral expression. "Fine. I might be able to get away with only two of the Guard."

"Or he will come with you instead,"

"Even better. I would just ignore him during the whole thing anyway," Erika lifted her sketchbook to show him the sketch of the face she was doing. "How's this?"

)()()()()()(

It wasn't hard to find Marcus the next day, he was with the other two mates in the throne room. It was nearing nine but Erika was awake and had already done a small session at the gym. Her sleep schedule was fucked up already, she fell asleep when she wanted and got up when she wanted. Sometimes it meant she didn't sleep for ages before falling asleep and getting almost twelve hours of rest.

She greeted the two members of the Guard who stood at the door with a nod, walking into the throne room after they opened the door for her. It was still a little strange but she had got used to it after being here almost three weeks.

"Morning," She called as she walked in, getting their attention quickly before they greeted her back and she came to stand near them. "I was wondering which of the Guard I could take with me to town? I need to get some more clothes, Forks' weather is a lot colder than here and I don't have a lot of clothes for warm weather."

"Why do you not order them online and have them delivered?" Aro wondered.

"I prefer to try my clothes on to make sure they fit. And Marcus?" She frowned, crossing her arms tightly. "You owe me a new helmet. I'm serious. Anyway, which of the Guard are free this afternoon?"

"We can take Felix and Afron," Marcus nodded once to himself. "If it is only to the town, we should not need anyone else."

"We?" Erika tilted her head with false consideration. "I thought you would be too busy to come with me, increased amounts of paperwork and all that."

"Unless there are any pressing matters that may need me today?" He asked but Aro shook his head an inch, Marcus turned back to Erika with an even but soft expression. "I would like to come with you, if that is alright?"

He knew she wouldn't be able to refuse this request. If she did, it would be seen as a petty move to stay away from them. Right now, she wanted to stay away from them, from Marcus mostly because she didn't know what he did to her a week prior. But being petty wasn't worth not figuring whatever power he had over her.

"Be there or not, it is all the same to me." Erika waved a hand dismissively as she saw Marcus frown at her words. "I want to go before noon, then we'll have all day. I'm going to get dressed. Get me when you're ready to leave."

)()()()()()(

Instead of going into the nearby town as Erika had wanted, Marcus had the car drive them to a larger city a few miles more away. It was bigger with several miniature shopping centres within the coves of streets.

The weather was warm but not hot enough to suffocate any of the business men as they shopped.

Marcus left his cloak at the castle, as did Felix and Afton. She didn't want to admit it but the black suit and red shirt looked amazing on his pale skin and dark hair. Marcus and the two guards wore sunglasses that hid their eyes, and Erika even wore her own pair because the sun was still harsh to her eyes.

How they kept their skin from glittering was a mystery to her.

While she refused Marcus' hand when he offered to help her out of the car, she did allow him to open all of the doors for her. She refused to touch him or Aro, but especially him since he was the one that forced her.

It was too hot to wear most of her clothes from Forks, but luckily she had some clothes she used to wear when she went out of state during spring break. There wasn't much to her outfit; a dark maroon romper with a deep V neck and no sleeves. It was tight but had loose shorts, accenting her figure while keeping her cool.

She went for matching dark red sandals and plain makeup, only putting some dark grey eyeliner and a dash of mascara to accent her eyes. She had her hair down, letting the dark blonde and red hair move freely as she walked.

"Felix, go park the car and join us afterwards. Afton, you follow us," Marcus said in English for Erika's convenience. "Where would you like to go first?"

"Hmm… Oh!" Her eyes lit up at the sight of a proper coffee shop.

It was small, tucked between two larger clothing stores. It was a little more eco friendly compared to the shops she saw in Forks and other towns, but it was cute and Erika was thirsty. Marcus trailed after her, keeping within arms reach as she stepped up to the counter.

"Un grande latte con caramello," She asked the beautiful woman at the cashier.

Marcus looked at her from the corner of his eye. "I did not realise you spoke Italian."

"I don't," She smiled and paid for the iced caramel latte in the reusable cup. They walked out of the shop before Erika would explain. "The more I see of Aro's mind, the more I remember. I've already got a decent memory but the practical use of language within his mind allows me to remember Italian better. I'm mostly fluent in Latin anyway."

"You are fluent in Latin?"

"I did just say that," She sipped at her coffee, loving the bitter sweetness on her taste buds. "My mum taught me when I was younger. She was into all of these mythological things so she thought I had to know Latin if I wanted to be like her."

"I asked Jane about the conversation you had with her," He said. "But she was reluctant to say anything about it. Strange, considering she does not question what we ask of her."

"I haven't spoken to her since I told her about my mother," She hummed. "I suppose it is a good thing that she didn't tell you. Means I can tell you when I want."

Marcus tilted his down a little, looking at her from the corner of his eye as they walked, "Or I can ask Aro."

"And he would lose my trust then and there. He may know about my past but he knows he isn't allowed to speak of it. Do you want me to lose trust in you all so quickly?" She could see the dark red hue in his eyes when he tilted his head. She didn't comment, only grinning in a way that made him curl his lip before Erika sipped her coffee obnoxiously.

He hummed in knowledgement at her concealed threat.

Marcus steered them nearer to a wall, completely stopping there where they wouldn't be in anyone's way. Going for the inside pocket of his suit jacket, he took his phone out and flipped open the leather case he had on it.

He handed her a card.

"This is yours."

The card was metal and black in colour, cold and beautiful with her name in raised letters.

Erika Swan Volturi.

"You kept my last name on here," She smiled softly at that. She liked that, she was her father's daughter and she liked how the card reflected it. Even if her mates tried to take everything and force her into being a perfect lady for them, she would always remember that she was her father's daughter. She was a Swan through and through.

"You are a Volturi but you are also a Swan. We cannot take something you cherish away from you, even if it is only a name."

She nodded. "What's the limit?"

"Unless you plan to buy a country, which is possible, you can spend to your heart's content,"

Erika ran her tongue against her teeth, thinking if she should actually take the money or use her own. She decided. If she was staying with them when she didn't particularly want to, she was going to get whatever she wanted to entertain herself.

"Oh, I will."

)()()()()()(

Luxury brands really liked white and black for their bags.

Watching Felix and Afron carry half a dozen bags each was hilarious. They didn't struggle with holding them, they were Vampires and absurdly strong. It was harder to keep the boxes balanced than anything else. Those boxes usually held jewelry, or sunglasses, or shoes, so those boxes were put into other bags to let them be carried properly.

Erika glided from shop to shop, picking and trying on whatever caught her eye. surprisingly, she was actually quite picky with what she actually brought. She always prefered to try everything on to make sure it fit. If it didn't, she could ask it to be tailored to her if she liked it enough.

She was never concerned for the price tags that day. She usually kept an eye on what she brought, being careful to keep within her budget but this time the sky was the limit.

Erika Swan wasn't a big fan of jewellery. She wore the same things all the time; the same two rings, the one on her left thumb and the one on her right middle finger, the same pair of gold earrings that were soviet era from her mother's mother, and the same silver bracelet that graced her right wrist while her smart watch was on her left.

Besides getting a couple of dainty necklaces, she didn't get any more jewellery purely because she didn't want to.

)()()()()()(

At around two thirty, Marcus refused to shop anymore until Erika had eaten something even though she protested that she wasn't hungry. It took everything in her power to not just refuse to eat outright because it was Marcus asking her, she had to be responsible and actually try to not be a selfish bitch.

They got into a small restaurant with a beautiful roof terrace which overlooked a large part of the city.

Erika sat at one of the tables with Marcus, a plate of pastries and cakes next to her as she sipped on an iced lemon water through a straw. A pouf was in front of her, Erika's feet laid on it as they hurt from so much walking today.

Marcus had a wine glass full of blood, Felix and Afton also had the same thing. The Vampire community was dense in Italy for being such a sunny country, though it was smaller groups of no more than two or three that travelled together through the country. But near places like Voltera with a stronger community with larger numbers, it allowed locals protection from visiting Vampires if they served such, ah, products that Vampires would prefer.

Erika sat on the right side of the table, legs on the pouf while she tapped her left hand on the table. Marcus sat on the other side, both of them more or less facing the scenery they were near.

A small mass of shadow and fur sat on Erika's lap, purring away as she scratched the cat's head.

"Out of all the felines there," Marcus said, watching as Erika made kissy noises at the cat in her lap as she ate a small cake. "You choose the feline with anger issues, an attitude, and the tendency to attack hands."

"You said I was lonely," Erika grinned cheekily, petting her new companion and making her stretch her little paws out. She was barely out of her kitten stage, acting like a teenager with how much she slept so far. "You're my baby now, Ducissa. You've got a job to do now. Someone has to keep the kings on their toes while I can't."

Ducissa was a fluffy mainecoon cat that was more shadow than fur. Her black fur seemed to absorb more light than was possible, giving off an appearance of being a void than a cat. Sassy little thing tried to bite Marcus' hand as soon as the man tried to pick her up, and he would soon regret picking the cat up because when she saw it, Erika was entranced by the feisty creature and declared it hers.

Erika refused to leave the place without the cat. Ducissa didn't attack Erika's hands as the woman rubbed the cat's chest, tugging the firetruck red collar around Ducissa's neck until it was comfortable and not too tight.

"So," Erika began, turning her gaze from the sight of the rooftops and walkways to Marcus. "How does that work?" She gestured vaguely to him. "The not diamond skin thing. I've seen Alice in the sun, why aren't you the same?"

The side of his lip curled up as he untucked the V pendant from under his tie. "Aro had the forevision to have these crafted a couple centuries ago. The pendants are charmed so that wearers can go into the sun and not be exposed to the light. It protects us skin from the sun by a very thin layer of Magic."

"Magic?" She shook her head in disbelief. "You can't be telling me that Magic exists?"

"It does, but in small quantities," Marcus said, his right hand gently holding the wine glass even as he took off his sunglasses and tucked them into the inside pocket of his jacket.

"What kind of Magic? You have to be more specific than just Magic because it would depend on other factors, intention, function, desires…" Erika trailed off near the end as she thought and leaned back into her chair with a hand in Ducissa's fur and another plopping a grape into her mouth. "Who has Magic?"

"Our gifts are rememnses of Magic we had as Humans," He gestured vaguely. "Aro liked to know what people thought, delving into psychology and philosophy, or the early stages of them. He had a knack for knowing what people were trying to hide from him, and when he was turned, it manifested into his gift."

"I wonder what would happen to mine," Erika hummed to herself for a second. "I don't know if I mirror the abilities used on me, or if I am a copycat of them. Is there a way to find out?"

"We used to have a Guard that could sense abilities, he will be visiting next week," Marcus waited for Erika to acknowledge this but she just stared into space with a certain alertness that told him she heard what he said. "We thought it best to know your gift before anything else at the moment. There could be limitations while you are Humans that you won't have when you are a Vampire."

"Alright," She shrugged, a little uncomfortable at the mentionings of her being a Vampire. Erika knew it would happen but she didn't like to think about it at the moment. "Anything else?"

"You suddenly seem uncomfortable," He mentioned. "Why?"

"I don't like the mention of my turning," She was close to mumbling her words. "It's going to happen but I still haven't processed it yet."

"There's nothing to fear about it," He clasped his hand around hers, caressing her knuckles with the softest touch that made her want to lean back and forget her trouble.

The haze was back.

There but less harsh than last time, wanting to keep her calm and not suffocate her reasoning. It wanted to help ease her anxiety about the turning, reassuring her that all of them would be together when it would happen.

Battling down her fears from the last time this tactic was being used on her, she just let him hold her hand as it kept down her anxiety. She hated the feeling of rocks on her chest, the way she could feel her heartbeat and how there was almost nothing she could do about it.

What was this bond between them? It scared her with how much she didn't know about it. They could have been lying about the bond, using another type of gift to manipulate it and her. That uncertainty scared her more, and she didn't know to believe the three men or be hesitant to what they told her.

She shoved the thought into the back of her mind, where Aro wouldn't be able to see or find it.

"I know that but Death is something all Humans fear,"

"It is a survival instinct of Humans, it helped them survive for so long,"

"That and the stubbornness to refuse to die," Erika laughed lightly, suddenly stopping as she sneezed before she looked on with wide eyes. "Fuck."

"What is the matter?"

She shook it off, faking a smile. "Nothing."

She had caught an illness already.

)()()()()()(

Erika had a cold.

She always knew she was sick before she could actually feel it.

She would always feel bad mentally a day or two before the first symptom would occur, her mind not letting her creative side out without extreme amounts of caffeine in her system but she would crash after only a couple hours. Then a headache would force itself into her head.

This headache didn't want to leave and she kept getting chills. The headache would lessen after a couple painkillers but the chills and shivers would stay until she got a fever in the next twenty four hours.

She already had bad circulation, her feet and hands going either too hot or too cold easily. And getting a cold wasn't going to help her. Wearing thick socks would help but it didn't always work.

Erika had taken the thick duvet off of the bed, bringing it over to the sofa where she could just curl up and watch TV. That's what she did when she was sick or knew she was going to be sick. Watch TV for hours on end because she didn't like to be busy when her body was trying to recover from whatever virus had decided to take root in her.

She had made a sort of nest on the sofa, pillows and blankets around her as she sat in it with the duvet around her shoulders. Ducissa laid on the bed by herself, taking up as much space, which wasn't actually a lot, in the middle of it.

Sweatpants and a hoodie were her choice of clothes. Comfy with practicality. She also had very fuzzy socks on, the kind that were like slippers. Hers were Christmas socks, purple with red toes and heels, and even had Merry Christmas written in white with white stars.

They were her only socks that had grips on the bottom. She didn't fancy slipping and sliding around right now.

"Come in," She called out when a knock at the door sounded, only because she was not getting off of the sofa any time soon. "Hi Caius. Something the matter?"

"You did not add to your drawing today," He said, walking to the sofa where she turned so she faced him. "You did not even touch the sketchbook. Why is that?"

"I'm not feeling the best," She did a half smile to reassure him. "I'm getting a cold."

He was by her within a blink, placing his hand on her forehead before disappearing. He was gone for about five seconds before he reappeared with Aro and Marcus by his side. Her head pulsed unpleasantly, not because of them but because of the growing headache she was still getting.

She pulled the blankets closer, narrowing her eyes. "What did he tell you?"

Marcus stepped forward, watching her reaction as he reached closer. She sighed when he placed his hand on her forehead. The headache seemed to lessen when he put his hand on her skin and she very much welcomed the natural painkiller.

He frowned, feeling the unhealthy warm of her skin. She seemed drowsy, tired and a little paler than normal.

"You are running a low fever," He said. "Why have you not told us earlier? We could have done something to prevent it."

"It's a cold, Marcus. It's normal. I usually get a bad one once a year. It seems like this extended travel has quickened it." She yawned and rubbed a hand down her face. "I'll be fine in a couple days."

"That seems like a long time for a cold."

"Well, first it needs to actually take hold and make me feel like shit before my body can start to fight it off." Erika suddenly sneezed into a tissue with an almost angry grimace afterwards. After wiping her not yet snotty nose, she dumped the tissue into the wastebin she had on the ground next to her. "The one time I leave the castle, and I'm ill already. Great."

She reached for a mug of hot milk and honey, sipping at it as it helped the scratchiness that was her throat. It started to irritate her early in the day but now as it reached evening, it got worse and she couldn't ignore it.

After putting the mug back down, she rubbed both her hands down her face, closing her eyes and trying to will away the headache that plagued her. It didn't work so she just leaned back into the sofa cushions of her couch and sighed to release some tension.

Erika knew they were still there, watching her with their faces being disfigured by the concern that was rarely seen.

She scoffed a little, hiding her laugh behind it as she told them, "I'm ill, not on my deathbed. I'll be fine."

"You do not seem fine," Caius said.

"Headache and a sore throat aren't pleasant,"

"Have you taken any medication for it?"

She shook her head. "I don't take medication or painkillers unless it's serious."

It was Aro's turn to place his head on her forehead. Erika barely got a glimpse of his thoughts before he tugged it away and frowned.

"You are in a worse condition than you say you are, Erika," He scolded, which only made her frown. "You should be in bed, asleep instead of watching the television."

"If I wanted to sleep, I would… Fine." Erika picked up her duvet around her, keeping it over her shoulders as she almost waddled over to the bed with the size of it. She plonked it down and fixed it, quickly discarding her fuzzy socks before climbing in. Sneezing once more, she groaned as it hurt her throat. Marcus handed her the mug. "Thanks."

Ducissa jumped onto bed, nudging Erika until she moved and the feline could fit in the crook of her elbow and arm.

"I don't need to be babysat," She said after a minute of them carefully watching her. She sniffled. "I've only got a cold, it won't kill me. Hell, if I'm ever on my deathbed you've got my permission to change me. Otherwise, not yet. Go back to work, you're all busy."

"We are never too busy for you," Caius said.

"You've got a race to rule and laws to keep. If I get any worse, I'll go to the doctor," Erika said, referring to the human doctor that was working for the Coven. "If I get a cold now, I won't get it later."

He nodded, putting the sketchbook and set of pencils and rubbers onto the side table. "If you feel up to it later. You do not like missing any practise."

"Thanks,"

Caius left after cupping the back of her head, a soft but concerned smile on his lips before he put a quick kiss on her forehead. She didn't like the way her eyes fluttered at the simplest of touches from them, wanting to lean into it more for even the tiniest bit of contact. She didn't like the way she wanted more.

He left after a last lingering look. Aro excused himself when his phone went off, sending her a smile and a promise to visit later in the day. It brought a smile to her lips but she didn't know why she was glad to know he would be back later.

"Marcus," Erika said, watched Ducissa as her hands were buried into the feline's dark fur. She had a harsh question, she somehow knew it was. She knew it was a hard question to even ask, something in her telling her she was being stupid to even come up with it. But she had to know the answer. "How do I know our bond isn't fake?"

Marcus froze, staying expressionless as she looked up. He noticed the determined look on her face, one that refused to let any emotion through but he could vaguely feel her uncertainty and unease.

"Why do you ask?" He asked, keeping his tone calm to try and reassure her.

"It's been on my mind since yesterday," She admitted, shuffling her legs until she had her legs cross under her. Ducissa stayed and now lounged in her lap. "Corin can make people feel content, and Chelsea can manipulate relationships. While I know my control is amazing, it's not impentiable. How do I know what I feel isn't fake?"

"Why would you question the bond?"

"It's in my nature to question things!" Erika snapped. "Do you think I want to question everything in case someone is ready to betray me or kill another of my family? I'm paranoid all the time, even more so when I didn't have my memories. For almost six years, I was depressed and paranoid. It got so bad that I turned suicidal at eighteen. I don't want to be lied to or hurt. So tell me, is the bond real or is it something you're saying to manipulate me with?"

"Why would we manipulate you?"

"If you have me under your thumb, you have my sister. If you have my sister, you have the Cullens,"

"If we wanted the Cullens, we would have them," Marcus said, a cold tone going into his voice. "We couldn't care less about your sister. She is worthless to us but her gift is useful. It is the only reason Aro was interested in obtaining her. We didn't want her to stay so we could manipulate you or force you into anything. We wanted her because of her powers, it could have benefitted the Coven."

Erika mumbled something under her breath, something so low and so jumbled that even Marcus couldn't hear.

"If you are going to say something, say it clearly, Erika,"

"I said, that's probably why you wanted me to stay. Couldn't get one Swan so you go after the other," Erika leaned back, wanting to collapse into the bed and just hide away for the next century.

Marcus was on her within the next moment, forcing her hands by her head as he leaned over her. He was mostly sat on the bed, in the space next to her but he leaned over her to glare at her.

"Get off me."

"You are not listening,"

"I'd listen better if you weren't touching me."

"You would listen better if you knew when to be quiet."

A series of expressions went over her face.

Shock.

Disbelief

Slight disgust

And finally rage.

Erika had all of those emotions come up in the bond, Marcus noted, before she settled on rage and almost… hurt?

Marcus didn't expect her to start thrashing in his grip, fighting him like he was an enemy and she was a warrior. She dislodged Ducissa carefully, making sure the feline was out of harm's way as she tried to get a foot onto his chest and push him away. It didn't work but it was worth a try.

Marcus sat back as Erika coughed. She went into a fit of coughs, chesty ones that burned her throat just a little. She had to sit up to keep from hurting herself more, curling up as she let the last few coughs wreck through her system before she collapsed back into her pillows with a groan.

"You should have taken the medicine," Marcus frowned at the state she was in, the pained expression on her face was something he did not like.

"I'm fine," She waved him off. "Just fuck off and leave me alone."

"Erika, we were having a conversation,"

"And I say it's over," Erika moved the duvet closer to her, getting under it a lot more as she got comfortable. "We can continue it when I'm not feeling like my head isn't about to explode and my chest doesn't want to collapse."

He didn't want to leave her alone, not when everything in him told him that she was hurt and needed comforts. "A mate heals quicker within their partner's presence."

"And?" Erika gave him a blank look. "So what?" She just turned to the other side, facing the wall as she pulled the covers closer. "I just need some sleep. I'll be fine."

"Erika…" He said her name like a prayer and she almost gave in.

Almost.

"I'm exhausted, mentally and physically." She laid her head down, refusing to look anywhere but at the wall. "I don't want to fight. I've not got the energy for it, so just leave me alone. I need my rest."

"You would rest better if one of us were with you. But it seems like Aro and Caius are indisposed at the moment, so you will have to accept my presence."

"I have to accept?" She suddenly sat up, a nasty sneer on her lips. "I have to accept, Marcus? No, I don't have to. Get out and leave me alone."

Marcus stared at her, watching her tense form curl around Ducissa as the feline purred into her chest. He nodded once to himself. "I'll check on you later."

He began to walk away, not pausing until he was outside the doors and was closing them. His heart pulled at her next words, feeling the pain she was experiencing.

"I don't need them, baby," She addressed Ducissa, sniffling between sentences. "I don't need anyone."

The next sniffles weren't from her cold, rather from the new tears that now dripped her face.

There was a newfound anger in him. He wanted to help but he couldn't, not when she was like this. She was ill and it made her weaker, more resilient to help and more likely to do something foolish. If he wanted this conversation, he needed to wait until she was better.

Marcus couldn't have this conversation alone with her. He would need Aro and Caius with him, to help him convince her that they weren't lying to her. Maybe even needing Doctor Cullen's help since Erika knew him.

Marcus couldn't be alone at the moment, feeling the urge to burst back into Erika's room to comfort her and tell her she wasn't alone.

She would never be alone as long as they lived.

)()()()()()(