"Little sister." Aro smiled arms open as I made my way to his study.
It wasn't particularly odd for him to call me to his study all be it far more uncomfortable then it once was. There was no reason to expect him to be cheerful about Marcus and I's departure but he was far more agreeable then either of us had expected. Marcus was weary to tell him but the alternative of running was an option I deemed to cowardly. And I could not leave Sulpicia and Athenodora in that way. Besides I trusted my brother to take my happiness into account.
"Brother." I smiled weary but filled with love. "Chelsea said you wanted to see me?"
"Yes yes I know you are busy so I wont take much of your time."
Marcus had gone ahead to our new compound in the south to make sure it was ready for us to move in. It was a small villa far less splendorous then Volterra but it was all the two of us needed. I was tying up the last few ends of being here passing on my duties to Sulpicia and Athenodora. I'd join him in a week and we'd begin our forever together.
"I always have time for you brother." And it was true. Aro gave me this life, even after becoming a Vampire he thought of me. He bought Marcus to me.
"Well, you know while we were human you were my priority of life. I protected you until the very end and after the end I bought you with me."
"And I could never repay you."
"You could try.
My smile faltered and my head fell to the side slightly in confusion. "Try?"
"Don't leave Didyme."
His face fell flat and the happiness that was on his face disappeared without a trace. I took a step back unsure how to respond. Certainly, he couldn't be serious but there was no jest in his countenance confirmed that no. This was no joke.
"Aro…" I said picking up his hands "We wont be gone forever but after nearly losing Marcus in the last battle we don't believe this conquest is worth it. You understand don't you brother?"
The rejection assaulted him much harsher than I expected it to. But there was no way around it I would not lose my husband to Aros ambition.
He sucked in a deep unnecessary breath before a sob broke through his lips and his body shuddered. My mouth fell open and tears that would never shed brimmed my ducts and I slid my arms around his waist as his arms wrapped around my shoulders.
"I've always spoiled you maybe that is why." He said regaining some composure. "Please don't make me do this my darling little sister. Stay."
I pulled back and looked up at him. His ruby eyes shone in the dim light of his study pleading me to change my mind. I don't know what he was referring to but I would take Marcus from here. I gave a sharp shake of the head, standing my ground.
He let out a sigh and nodded his head before shoving me away. The force was not enough to fling me across the room but it was far harsher then any touch my brother had ever laid on me. I was no fool. Aro was a cruel powerful leader with an iron fist. I just never expected that fist to come down upon my own head.
"Marcel" he said quietly. A hooded figure appeared next to him face obscured to even my eye. Before I could look away from him Aro was before me once more and he placed both hands on either side of my face. "Didyme, this is not permanent. And when the time is right I will find you again."
"I do not understand." I said fear lining my voice.
He offered a pinched smile and gave a curt nod. He sighed once more pressed his lips to my hair line as he had so many times since I was a child before gripping my head with what was certainly all his strength and ripping it from my body.
"Maybe throw some water on her?"
"She should've been up by now."
"Should we call 911?"
"There's no blood. Maybe she's fine?"
"She is not fine she fell, hit her head, and knocked herself out!"
I wasn't fine. Janelle was right about that. I squinted my eyes open glad we decided to hike at dawn allowing the light to at least be dimmed even if in the slightest. The silhouettes of my friends came into view my eyes adjusting to the green backdrop of the canopy of redwood trees high above us before their faces formed before me.
I directed my attention to Antonios septum piercing the light catching it with a sparkle that would put my old skin to shame. My old skin…
I sat up straight and took a deep gasp in filling my lungs with air nearly head butting my friends knocking them out the way I've done to myself.
"Delilah! Don't do that, you hit your head!" Antonio kneeled next to me placing a hand on my shoulder to stop me from anymore sudden movements.
"What's your name? What month is it? How many fingers am I holding up?" Janelle shoved three fingers into my face and I shook my head and let out a soft giggle cupping her hand holding up three fingers.
"Three, November, Delilah Jefferson. I did it backwards sorry." I smiled trying to relax her and the reflected smile she offered back told me I was successful. At least a little.
I took a few breaths looking at my hands in my lap trying to calm myself. I couldn't freak out or it would make these two with me panic as well.
"I think she's fine Janelle." Antonio said picking a twig out of my box braid before letting it fall back to rest with the others. "Drink some water." He sad putting my water bottle into my hand.
I took hefty gulps as the memories of dire thirst washed over me in a time where blood would be the only thing to quench it. I couldn't be sure what was more shocking vampires exist or me being one in a past life. I closed my eyes and let my mind drift back to Aros hands as they gripped my head. I could feel the strain on my neck but the pain of those seconds was nothing compared to the steak hammered into my heart that was his betrayal. Pun intended.
"Thanks Tonio." I say wiping the sweat from my forehead and pressing my palms into my eyes until white spots speckled the dark. I had to keep it together until I got home I couldn't fall apart. Not out on a hike with my closest friends. I took a deep breath to steady myself before slapping my mega wot smile on "You guys were right the hiking boots would've been better then the converses. I'll make sure to pack them for out Seattle New Years hike."