13th chapter
A deep sigh left Caroline's lips as she sat at her desk. The last phone call was two hours ago and she just answered the latest email. The tour that day, was almost done, so she had nothing left to do until Heidi would return with those tourists. Despite seeing her again, she didn't have the time to talk to her yet. She pulled out her water bottle and took a large gulp. Her mind started to race again. It was completely occupied with her upcoming turning and she couldn't help but feel frightened with every passing day. Demetri said it could happen any time in February, which wasn't too far way. Caroline shuddered inwardly; she hoped the masters would grant her one wish; that they would take the pain off of her. Though, she was pretty tolerant when it came to enduring pain, she still feared it. Without realizing, her breathing quickened slightly and her thoughts kept circling around her soon-to-happen changing. She wondered who would turn her, as she had to be bitten. She assumed one of the masters would do it, or they probably had someone in the coven, that was only around for that matter.
Her head started to hurt with each thought she had. Caroline hoped, that the masters or someone would finally tell her. Otherwise, she would go mad; she didn't want to walk into the throne room and demand answers, as she knew that would be impropriate. That had nothing specifically to do with them being some kind of royalty, but only her respect for them as individuals and the manners she was taught growing up. Caroline glanced around and listened if someone would be about to enter the room. When she couldn't hear anything, she took her mobile phone and checked her apps. She deleted some spam and unnecessary advertising emails, checked her social media profiles and read a few articles of the newspaper, she had back at her home. Once in a while, she lifted her gaze to check for any disruption or potentially new emails on the computer.
After some time, she heard heels echoing in a hallway, as well as the enchanting bell-like voice of Heidi. She was talking in a language, Caroline couldn't understand, but somehow, she felt as if she understood everything she said. She quickly shook her head and smiled to herself. Heidi's ability was something else, Caroline couldn't believe how easy it was to fall for it and let yourself get carried away. That's how sailors must have felt when they talked about mermaids. She chuckled at her thought as she put away her mobile phone and looked expectantly at the door, that was opened a few seconds later.
The tourists followed their guide eagerly, totally mesmerized by her beauty and her explanations. Heidi smiled and slowly prepared the humans to leave. She knew what she was doing and after a few more minutes, she let the tourists out through the main door. As soon as the last human was out of the castle, Heidi closed the door. Her smile disappeared and she looked over at Caroline, who stood at her desk. Caroline's happy expression faltered as she saw the serious look on the vampire's face. She tilted her head ever so lightly as she watched her walking in her direction. With a low huff, Heidi put her right hand on her hips as she arrived on the other side of the desk. Caroline blinked a few times and looked up at the taller woman. She wanted to ask her, if she did something wrong, when Heidi started to speak.
"How long did I leave you alone? A few weeks?" Heidi narrowed her eyes slightly and looked directly into the human's eyes. "I mean, look what you've done." She made an exaggerating gesture before she concentrated back on the other woman. Suddenly a light smile appeared on her lips. Caroline, on the other hand, didn't know if she should be scared, intimidated or just confused. With furrowed brows, she stared at Heidi. "I assumed to find out, that you annoyed the masters by now or nothing had happened at all. But that I have to find a replacement for you already, because you impressed them, well," she paused for a moment and her smile widened a little in amusement. "That's new." Heidi's expression seemed sort of proud about herself, that she found a talented human for the masters, though she wouldn't admit it.
"News get around fast, I guess," Caroline answered and her whole posture relaxed. "Oh, you have no idea," Heidi intervened. "Gossip is the most important thing we have going on here most of the time. Even the Mistresses seem to talk about you." Caroline lifted an eyebrow and tilted her head at Heidi's comment. "Mistresses?" The vampire mirrored her posture for a moment. "The wives of Aro and Caius. You won't see them often," she explained. As the realization hit Caroline she nodded in understanding. She glanced at the clock on her monitor and once she noticed, that her shift was over, she smiled. "So," Heidi started again, "how does your sensor thing work?" She looked rather curious and Caroline couldn't help but laugh lightly.
Without really looking, she shut down the computer and took of her neckerchief. She stood up and but the piece of clothing in her bag. She wanted to answer Heidi, but as she looked at the vampire, she realized, that she had her eyes glued to her still lightly tormented skin on her throat. Heidi furrowed her brows and Caroline let out a deep sigh. The bruise had already some yellow-brownish color, it wouldn't be long until it disappeared completely. Those on her arms and nails were at the same stage and by then, Caroline was so used to see them, she didn't care anymore. She wondered though, if Heidi knew how she got them. Did the other guards do gossip about that as well or did maybe the masters tell her themselves?
For a short while, Caroline looked into the purple eyes of Heidi, her contact lenses were almost completely destroyed by her venom. She let out a deep sigh and decided to answer the asked question. "I don't know how it works, honestly." She looked at the vampire with a sheepish smile and Heidi concentrated back on her, instead of the bruise. Caroline walked around her desk right next to the stunning woman. She looked at her invitingly and both started to walk next to each other. When they got into the hallway to Caroline's room, she spoke up again. "Sometimes, I get strange dreams that feel real. When I wake up, I can remember the most important parts, but some other things are blurry or even altered." She shrugged at her words and looked at the person next to her. "But it must be related to me in any way. I didn't have any of those dreams for strangers, at least I don't think so." Caroline laughed lightly. "I do get those dreams for people close to me or as in your case," she continued and made a gesture with her arms to include the vampires in the place, "those I swore loyalty to, which affects me in the end as well."
Caroline's expression got serious, she started almost blankly at the way in front of her, when she remembered that one specific dream. A slight shudder went through her whole body. "Those dreams were always about some rather minor dangers, when I, personally, was affected. But that last one was different," she started in a low voice and her right hand almost automatically moved to her throat. She gulped hard at the thought. Caroline didn't realize that they arrived at the door to her room, until Heidi laid her hand on her shoulder. She twitched under the sudden touch and looked at the other woman. "Sorry," Heidi excused herself and smiled warmly. She knew what happened in the throne room, she got some first-hand information from some guards who were present that day. She also knew, that it must have been hard for Caroline, especially under those circumstances, but what Heidi impressed more, was the staring-duel she had with Aro. That was the point, everyone was talking about. Not her gift, not the way she tried to fight of Felix or the fact that she accepted the offer despite everything; it was her almost stubborn acting that was talked and frowned upon equally.
"Do you want to come in?" Caroline looked inquiringly at the vampire. She didn't want to force her, but she would love to have a normal conversation. Heidi smiled at the other woman and nodded at her. "I'd love to." Once inside, Caroline made herself a coffee, while Heidi took a seat on the couch. Shortly after, Caroline joined her with a cup of milk coffee in her hand. She put the cup on the table and took off her jacket and placed it next to her. "Internal affairs, huh?" Caroline asked and lifted a brow with a questioning look on her face. She clearly wished; she had known earlier. Heidi laughed lightly. "Well, we wanted to use something unsuspicious. Imagine being new and uninvolved and the first thing you read is 'feeding day' or something like that." Heidi smirked and crossed her legs in an almost too elegant manner. Caroline had barely time to think about her soon-to-be diet, when she eyed Heidi's movements and somehow, her self-confidence sank a little as she was remembered over her imperfections in comparison. Though, she wondered if that was, what Heidi's ability induced as well. Once her mind was back to the topic of abilities, she took her chance.
"What kind of abilities do the other members possess?" Her eyes screamed of curiosity as she met Heidi's gaze. "Well," Heidi started and sorted her mind. "You are already aware of Aro's and my gift. Marcus can see the different bonds between individuals. Don't ask me about it, though. If you are curious, you should ask him yourself," she continued and smiled slightly. Her eyes wandered through the room and she put her hands in her lap. "In the guard we have most importantly inflicting pain, taking away all senses, tracking, manipulating bonds, physical shield, extremely enhanced speed and brute strength."
Caroline nodded at Heidi's explanation; never in her life she could have thought about all those possible abilities; except the strength maybe. She hummed slightly, still deep in her thoughts. "So, nothing I would want to test out, personally," she said in amusement; a light but slightly nervous chuckle left her throat. Heidi leaned over in her direction. "Oh, don't you worry, most of them are easygoing. If you show them manners, there's nothing to be afraid of," Heidi replied in a reassuring way. Caroline shifted slightly in her seat and fiddled with her hands on her jeans, her eyes roamed over the ground behind the table in front of her. "I've heard about this newborn-thing," she started nervously and Heidi straightened her posture. "What can I expect, once I'm turned. Will I be a brainless, blood-driven creature? Or will I still be myself?"
Heidi watched the human for a while, thinking how she could tell her nice and simple. She took an unneeded breath and sighed. "That depends on your terms of turning. Does it happen against your will; did you prepare your mind beforehand; as a human, have your actions been rather calm or impulsive? There are so many factors, but the way you approach it by now, should ease your fear of being a 'brainless, blood-driven creature'." A slight smirk appeared on Heidi's face as she repeated Caroline's words. "Okay, so I will still be me, in some way?", Caroline asked to clarify. Heidi nodded and looked around for a while, seemingly in her thoughts. After a short while, Heidi turned her attention back to the other woman. "I need to leave, but we will talk again soon," she said and stood up. Caroline took a sip from the coffee in her hand and put it back on the table. She stood up as well and walked Heidi to the door. Heidi laid her hand on the handle, when she turned around once more; a small smile was on her lips. "It might also help if you talk about your turning with the one who will do it. It is a, well," she stopped and looked distinctively in the other woman's eyes. "It is a rather intimate process, as you will probably be bitten in your neck. Most of us were turned either against our will or to save us from dying. But you will be turned in consent, it might help to feel at least a little comfortable around the other one." For a few seconds both women looked at each other, before Heidi smiled again. "See you around," she said and opened the door to leave. It took Caroline a moment to realize that Heidi was gone after what she said to her. While being deep in her thoughts, she closed the door and turned to get to her bedroom to change her clothes.
Caroline didn't know who would change her, she assumed it would be Aro, but it was just a presumption. Her cheeks flushed quickly while a knot twisted in her stomach. 'You will probably be bitten in the neck'; 'a rather intimate process' those words kept spinning in her head and without realizing, her hand felt for her neck. She felt uncomfortable, letting anyone so close to her. Caroline went back into the kitchen to make herself something to eat, but her mind wouldn't let go of what Heidi told her. She had to know, who would change her.
The following days, Caroline couldn't help it but thinking about her conversation with Heidi. Even during her work, her mind was occupied. It changed from the fact, that she didn't know, who would change her, to the different abilities that were in the guard. She believed, that the tall man, that held her during that fateful day in the throne room, must be the one with the strength. He just looked physically extremely intimidating, so it would fit perfectly. He knew that someone named Alex or similar to that, could lift the pain from her, so maybe he would be the one to take away the senses. And, furthermore, she knew that Demetri was a tracker, as he stated so himself.
Suddenly his words echoed in her mind, 'I would find you anywhere, little doe'. She immediately shuddered at the thought. Even if she decided to run away one day, he would be sent after her and there was no way she could escape from him. They had her on a tight leash and she could do nothing about it. Her breath grew uneven as she realized how dangerous his ability was. If Aro wanted someone, he would send out Demetri to find them and since it was his ability, he probably didn't have to rely on his senses to find that person. He could stalk anyone. A cold shiver ran down Caroline's spine at the thought; suddenly she felt watched and tensed in an instant. Maybe that was the reason, she felt some sort of danger around him. Even though her 'little gift' didn't warn her about him; he was dangerous all the same. Caroline gulped hard at the thought and she wondered if she should be more careful around him.