The Day the World Changed: Part III
Volterra, Italy
Aro Volturi sat on his golden throne, his fingers absently caressing the gleaming armrest. For the moment, he allowed himself to relax. The rich scent of blood still lingered in the air, permeating the throne room—a reminder of their recent feast. It had only been three hours since they had indulged, and Aro luxuriated in the satisfying weight of being full. The first few hours after a feeding always found him in a noticeably better mood.
But even in these fleeting moments of pleasure, Aro remained ever watchful. Relaxation had its place, but complacency did not. His eyes, sharp as ever, swept across the vast, ornate room, a silent reminder of the empire he commanded—the world itself. Constant vigilance was key. The past century had been one of relative calm, a time of peace within the vampire world. And while peace often bored his counterparts, Aro saw its advantages. It allowed for the careful pruning of threats before they could blossom into something more dangerous. It was a time for consolidation, for maintaining control without the need for dramatic gestures.
Of course, there were always squabbles. The endless, petty disputes between covens could be tiresome, but they were never of any true consequence—certainly nothing that warranted the full attention or might of the Volturi. Not yet, anyway. And in Aro's mind, that was how it should be. Peace was a delicate balance, and one he intended to maintain... until it no longer served him.
Aro's gaze shifted to his right, where Caius sat, his expression as sour and brooding as ever. Peace had never suited him; it grated against everything Caius held dear. He thrived on the chaos of battle, needed the scent of bloodshed in the air to feel truly alive. Conflict was his purpose, his fuel. Without strife, without enemies to crush beneath his heel, Caius seemed perpetually restless, his dissatisfaction simmering just below the surface. He yearned for rebellion, for war—anything that would give him the satisfaction of watching the world burn, only to rebuild it on his own terms.
Aro, however, knew better. War, for all its brutality, was a blunt instrument. True power, real control, came not from bloodshed alone but from subtlety, from manipulation, from perfect timing. Violence was never his first recourse—though it was always within reach. Aro had orchestrated more than enough bloodshed over the millennia to remind the vampire world of his strength, time and time again. His reputation was burned into their very souls, an unspoken law: never speak out, never act against his rule. The consequences were always swift and brutal.
But strength—true strength—lay in restraint. In knowing when to hold back, when to let others tear themselves apart while he remained untouched at the center of it all, watching, waiting. Caius could never grasp that level of control. He lived for the immediate thrill of domination, while Aro played the long game, always three steps ahead, pulling the strings no one else could see.
Aro's attention shifted to his left, where Marcus sat, staring blankly into the distance, as lifeless as he'd been for centuries. A mere shadow of the formidable vampire he had once been. It was... unfortunate. Marcus had been the only one Aro had ever truly considered a brother. But that was a lifetime ago, before circumstances had forced Aro's hand. He knew better than to linger on the past, no matter how deep his regrets might run. He had acted out of necessity. The stability of the Volturi had demanded it.
Marcus's heartbreak had been a regrettable, if inevitable, consequence—one that weighed on Aro's mind, but only in passing. Sacrifices were the price of leadership, and Marcus's suffering, though tragic, had ultimately secured the strength of his empire. In truth, Marcus's current state made him easier to manage. He had always been a little too reasonable in those early centuries, too outspoken when his plans required unquestioning execution. Now, Marcus was subdued, malleable—a broken relic of what he once was, but useful in his own way.
Aro avoided direct contact with Marcus whenever possible. There was no need to reopen old wounds or be reminded of the cost of his decisions. It was the future that mattered, not the past. His choices had always been for the greater good, ensuring the survival and supremacy of the Volturi. And in the end, the Volturi's rule—his rule—was stronger for it.
Aro allowed himself a rare moment of satisfaction as he surveyed the throne room, his eyes sweeping over his loyal followers. He felt secure—unshakably so. The Volturi's rule, his rule, was eternal. Looking around at his guard, each face a reminder of the power he wielded, Aro's confidence swelled. His dominion was absolute.
But as his gaze moved over the room, something irked him. Several of his guards had their attention elsewhere, their eyes fixed not on him or the grandeur of the moment, but on the small glowing screens of their phones. He watched as they swiped and tapped, absorbed in whatever fleeting distraction the modern world had to offer.
Blasted contraptions. Aro much preferred the days when messages took months to travel, when the world was quieter and more deliberate. Phones, though convenient, were a constant reminder of how much the world had changed—and not always for the better. To him, they were a hindrance to the life he had once quite liked, when power was measured in whispers and letters carried weight, not in fleeting digital notifications.
Aro's sharp eyes scanned the room, catching the subtle shift in his guards' behavior. Murmurs rippled through the ranks, quiet but unmistakable. He frowned. Both he and Caius had always been particularly strict regarding the use of entertainment devices in the throne room—such indulgences were beneath them, especially in this sacred space. Yet here they were, eyes flicking down to the glowing screens in their hands, distracted and whispering among themselves.
Aro's intrigue deepened as his gaze settled on Felix, the head of the guard. Of all his guardsmen, Felix was the last one he'd expect to be found clutching his phone while on duty, yet he too had his phone out. Normally disciplined and unflinching, Felix now wore a look of confusion that Aro rarely saw on his face. This wasn't mere idle distraction. Something unusual was happening, and it piqued Aro's curiosity far more than any breach of decorum.
Aro's voice cut through the murmurs in the throne room, smooth yet laced with a dangerous undertone. "Felix," he began, his words deliberate, "what has caused you—and, it seems, most of the guard—such a lapse in proper decorum?"
The subtle threat hanging on the edge of his question was unmistakable. A glint flickered in Aro's eyes as he watched his guards stiffen, the weight of their failure pressing down on them. In unison, they hurriedly slipped their phones back into their pockets, each movement tinged with apprehension. They had displeased him, and they knew the consequences for carelessness in the Volturi were never light.
Felix, normally the epitome of discipline, was no exception. He stowed his phone with the same haste, before striding toward the dais and dropping to one knee before Aro, head bowed low in deference. The silence in the room was palpable as all eyes turned to the head of the guard, waiting to see how he would answer.
As Felix knelt before Aro, he considered his words carefully. What he had just seen had only raised more questions than answers, and he knew the uncertainty of it would displease Aro. He had never been in a position like this—delivering news that could shake the very foundations of their world. Lifting his head, he finally spoke, his voice steady despite the gravity of what his words would impart.
"Forgive me, Masters. There has been an incident in America. I'm not entirely sure of the full scope yet, but it may be a case of exposure. And if it is... I'm afraid it cannot be undone, as the entire world is watching it as we speak."
Felix's words hung heavy in the air, charged with the weight of all they implied. Aro remained seated for a moment, his expression unreadable. Internally, though, his mind moved swiftly. Exposure. That single word sent a ripple of unease through his thoughts. It was the one threat that had lingered in the back of his mind for centuries, the one scenario that could unravel everything. He did not doubt their strength; if war with humanity came, he was confident they would prevail. But the cost—the time, the energy, the sheer chaos of bringing the entire world under his heel—was something he had always avoided considering.
"Show me, now!" Aro commanded, his voice sharp and absolute as he raised his outstretched hand. Felix wasted no time, swiftly rising to place his hand in Aro's. The moment their skin touched, Aro was flooded with Felix's memories, which he sifted through quickly until he reached the last few minutes, discovering what had caused Felix and the rest of the guard to forget their station.
What he saw on Felix's phone, however, left him just as perplexed as Felix. Slowly, he withdrew his hand, his expression unreadable as he processed the information.
"Well?" Caius's sneering voice sliced through the silence, sharp and angry. "What has happened, Aro? Who do we have to kill?"
Aro glanced briefly at his hot-blooded brother but refrained from speaking his mind in front of the guard. "To my office, brothers," he said instead, his tone calm but laden with unspoken urgency. "There is much to contemplate."
Without waiting for further questions, Aro stood, watching as Caius sprang to his feet, practically bristling with pent-up energy. Marcus, as expected, rose more slowly, his movements almost reluctant. Together, they departed the throne room in a flash.
When they arrived, Aro wasted no time. He strode to the cabinet on the wall, swiftly opening it to reveal the hidden television. The screen blinked to life as he switched it to CNN International. But instead of the urgent news he was expecting, a commercial for Cialis filled the room. Aro's lips twitched in mild disdain. This, he thought, is what humanity has devolved into—advertisements for their most base desires.
"Well, Aro?" Caius barked, his impatience sharp as ever. "What are we doing here—"
Aro's eyes remained fixed on the screen, though his tone carried a hint of warning. "Patience, brother. If what I saw was real, you'll know soon enough."
Caius huffed but fell silent, his fingers drumming against the armrest. The room was tense, the atmosphere thick as they waited. Mercifully, the commercial ended, the familiar "Breaking News" logo spinning into view before the feed cut to the newsroom. Across the bottom of the screen, a headline scrolled in bold letters: 'Superhero Among Us?'
Caius growled, a low, menacing sound from deep within his chest, but Aro silenced him with a wave of his hand, his eyes narrowing as the anchor began to speak.
"Repeating our top story this hour, an extraordinary and unprecedented event unfolded just moments ago in Los Angeles, leaving the world stunned and raising questions about the limits of human capability.
At approximately 9:30 a.m. Pacific Time, a powerful explosion devastated the Federal One Financial Building, plunging the downtown area into chaos. In the aftermath, a mysterious figure emerged—an unidentified woman who, eyewitnesses say, displayed astonishing abilities as she rescued hundreds from the crumbling building.
Footage captured from the scene shows the woman, who is now being referred to as Starshield, defying gravity as she moved through the air, pulling individuals from danger and lowering them safely to the ground as if by magic. Experts estimate that she may have single-handedly saved over a thousand lives.
Speculation is swirling about her true identity and origins. Some witnesses have described her as a guardian angel, while others have suggested that her abilities may indicate extraterrestrial involvement. Theories are circulating rapidly, but no official explanation has been provided at this time.
Authorities have not yet commented on Starshield's actions or the potential implications of this unprecedented rescue. However, her heroism has already sparked global debate, with many hailing her as a new kind of hero for the modern age, while others are left wondering about the implications of her abilities.
Stay tuned to CNN for more on this developing story. At 8:00 p.m., we will host a special roundtable discussion on today's events and the mysterious woman known only as Starshield."
Aro muted the television, leaning back slightly as he regarded his brothers. "What are your thoughts, brothers?"
Marcus, to Aro's surprise, was the first to respond. He rarely bothered to engage unless absolutely necessary. "Is she even a vampire? She was in direct sunlight, and I didn't see her sparkling like we do. Truthfully, she seemed too powerful to be one of us," he mused, his tone flat, though there was a faint undercurrent of curiosity.
Aro raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Marcus's rare display of interest. He then turned to Caius, whose expression was nothing short of venomous.
"Caius?"
But before Caius could answer, the screen shifted, now showing Starshield giving what appeared to be an impromptu interview, the camera zooming in on her masked face as she floated above a crowd of reporters. Caius's growl reverberated through the room, his fury barely contained.
"She's one of us," he spat. "Forget the sunlight—look at her face, her features, even with that ridiculous mask. She's a vampire, Aro! How could we have missed one so powerful?" His voice hardened, barely masking his outrage. "This cannot be allowed to stand. She must be brought to Volterra and put on trial immediately!"
Aro's mind raced, though this situation presented a rarity even for him. He had encountered countless vampires with extraordinary abilities, but nothing like what this "Starshield" had displayed. The sheer scope of her power, the brazenness of her public display—it was unprecedented. He couldn't deny the threat she posed, but more than that, he couldn't ignore the potential. If he could bend her to his will, she would become an invaluable asset.
He agreed with Caius. There was no other course of action. She would face trial, and after that, only two paths would remain: submission or destruction. Aro's lips curled into a cold smile. She would kneel before him, and she would call him master. It was the natural order of things—no one with a power like hers could be allowed to roam freely unchecked.
"I agree, brother," Aro said smoothly, his tone carrying the weight of finality. "She will be forced to join us, or she will be destroyed. There are no other options for one who has caused such a blatant violation of our most sacred law."
"Demetri!" Aro's voice echoed with authority, and within seconds, Demetri appeared before them, bowing his head with practiced deference.
"Yes, Master?" Demetri's voice was calm, respectful, as always.
Aro regarded him for a moment, though Demetri's stance gave nothing away. "Have you seen the news reports?"
"Yes, Master," Demetri replied evenly.
"Good," Aro continued, his tone sharpening. "You are to go directly to Los Angeles. Find this foolish vampire and bring her to me. Take Felix, Jane, Alec, and five guardsmen with you. If she refuses to come willingly, tear her apart and bring me the pieces, but do not destroy her. She will soon be a member of the guard, whether she desires it or not. Start with diplomacy, but if she shows any sign of defiance, I want her pacified immediately. Is that understood?"
Demetri nodded, unwavering. "Yes, Master. We will leave immediately."
With that, he bowed once more before disappearing as swiftly as he had come, moving with the efficiency and focus Aro expected from his finest tracker.
Aro rubbed his hands together absentmindedly, his mind already racing with the possibilities of what could be achieved with a vampire of her abilities under his control. A grin tugged at his lips, mirroring that of Caius, whose thoughts, even without physical contact, Aro could guess were running along the same lines. The potential was staggering. What exactly was she capable of? Watching the news report, it had been difficult to discern the full extent of her powers. Never had he seen a vampire who could fly, and how had she made those humans float to the ground with such ease? The talent was extraordinary—wasted, of course, on rescuing humans.
Aro's thoughts drifted further. Did she possess defenses against other vampires? Perhaps he could finally replace Renata and that pitiful shield of hers, a prospect that intrigued him greatly. She had called herself Starshield—surely that was a hint that her abilities revolved around some form of protection, perhaps even a more advanced shield than any he had encountered.
With a flick of his fingers, Aro turned the sound of the television back on, eager to see what more he could learn. Exposure remained a concern, but for now, he was thankful that her display had been so far removed from what humans associated with vampirism. It was unlikely anyone would guess her true nature. Still, every detail gleaned from these reports would prove useful. The real question was how she had eluded the Volturi's gaze for so long and become so powerful. A power as advanced as hers suggested she must be ancient. Yet not one vampire whose memories he had taken had even hinted at meeting or hearing about someone with abilities like hers.
No matter. Once she was in his presence, once his hand met hers, all would be revealed. Every secret, every weakness, every pressure point would lay bare before him. And once he knew where her vulnerabilities lay, Aro had no doubt he could mold her to his will, just as he had done with so many before her.
Looks like Bella's headed to Italy. I wonder who she'll meet...
It feels good finally getting this chapter out. We'll see Starshield again, but the focus of the story going forward will be on Bella and Edward.
So, what did you all think? There aren't many Twilight stories where a vampire comes out to the world like that. Interesting times await us as we see how both humans and vampires react.