29: Katie

KATIE'S POVMarch 19th

As we entered yet another unremarkable hallway, I was suddenly aware that this area was much warmer and brighter than the glorified sewer had been. I couldn't stop the shiver that ran over my body, gratefully rubbing my hands up and down the sides of my pants to try and warm them up.

We were corralled into an elevator, where our guards relaxed even further. I tried to observe the features of the vampires around me, but it all felt so overwhelming. Less than an hour ago, I was willing to save Edward as a favor for Bella, and now here we were,  about to die.

Again, I beg the question: why are our lives so complicated?

As we step out of the elevator, we enter into a lobby of some kind. It reminded me of an expensive hotel, with a large, warm  room with a singular reception desk. The whole room is cabin inspired, with mahogany planks lining the walls and groupings of pale couches with small coffee tables.

At the desk was, to my surprise, a human. Specifically, a beautiful young girl with long, shiny brown hair, green eyes, and dark skin. I blinked at her, not bothering to hide my confusion, and considered pulling on Edward's sleeve like an impatient child to get an explanation out of him.

The girl did not seem the least bit alarmed by my reaction. "Hello, Jane," she said politely. Did she know they were vampires? How did she get mixed up here?

Jane responded with the girl's name and a nod, but I was too focused on the small smile the receptionist gave upon seeing Felix. Did she... choose to be here? Knowing what they were?

Eventually, I'm forced to stop staring at the girl, turning just in time to watch another vampire slink from the shadows. He was short, with dark hair and features that closely resembled Jane's. "Alec," Jane acknowledged, kissing both of his cheeks. Twins, maybe?

He looked up, assessing our group. "They send you out for one and you come back with... a few. Nice work," he noted, glancing between Bella and I with wonder.

Jane laughed in response, but the rest of the Volturi— and our group, of course— stayed silent. "So, welcome back, Edward. You seem to be in a better mood," Alec greets.

"Marginally," Edward responds flatly, pulling Bella closer to his side ever so subtly. Bella looked up at him, eyes darting across his face, and I had to stop myself from narrowing my eyebrows at the situation. Now was not the time to be judgmental.

Alec chuckles, looking past Bella at me. "I assume these two were your source of trouble," he teases, in a condescending manner.

I could tell by the way his cheeks moved that Edward was forcing a smile. Then, his smile dropped suddenly, and I heard Felix chuckle slightly.

"Dibs," Felix said casually. My stomach dropped.

Edward snarled sharply at him, body tensing in anticipation. I froze in terror, knowing his territorial nature was just going to prolong our suffering.

"Patience," Alice cautioned Edward, clearly thinking the same thing.

After a moment or two, we are ushered into a stone antechamber hidden away behind ornate golden doors. After I take in sheer size of the chamber, my eyes focus on the thrones lining the wall. Each are about eight feet tall, and many of them were occupied.

The group was murmuring to one another, utterly unbothered by our presence. Many of them were women, dressed in ordinary clothing that would blend into the streets above. But one, an extraordinarily pale vampire, was standing in the center, a long black robe draped on the ground surrounding him.

"Jane, dear one. You have returned, and so soon!" The vampire said soothingly, pleased. His voice was melodic, soft, but carried across the room with ease. I wondered, stupidly, whether or not he ever sang.

He took a few steps forward with so much grace that his movement was almost fluid. I could feel my traitorous eyes widen at the movement, and i immediately turned to Bella, whose mouth had dropped open into a pronounced O shape.

Jane smiled, clearly delighted. "Yes, Master. I brought them back alive, as you wished."

"Ah, Jane. You are such a comfort to me." He clasped his hands in front of him silently, beaming, and turned towards Bella and Edward, who were still linked together.

"And Alice and Bella, too!" He clapped his hands together excitedly, smoothly drifting his misty gaze to me. "As well as... is this Katelyn? Or should I say Katie?" He waited, as if to wait for my response, but I stayed silent. "This is a happy surprise, indeed!"

I was unnerved by how casually he said our names. As if we were all familiar, old friends.

The vampire sent Felix away and turned back to Edward. "You see, Edward? Didn't I tell you? Aren't you glad that I didn't give you what you wanted yesterday? I love a happy ending," he sighed.

Edward nodded. "Yes, Aro, I am," he said, pulling Bella even closer to his side. It seemed like they were fused at the hip. Aro, then. His name was Aro.

"I want the whole story. How did this happen?" Aro looked between our group, but before anyone could respond, his face became apologetic. "Oh. I'm sorry, we haven't been introduced properly, have we? It's just that I feel as if I know you already." He looked between Bella, Alice, and I, as if he was a bad host. "I share some of Edward's talents, but in a more... limited capacity."

"Yet exponentially more powerful," Edward said, turning to explain to Alice. "Aro needs physical contact to hear your thoughts, but while I can only hear what's going on in your head at the moment, Aro can hear every thought your mind has ever had."

This new piece of information had my palms sweating. I double-checked that my mental shield was up, although clearly that wasn't going to be an issue with Aro if he needed physical contact.

Aro noted my discomfort. "But how convenient to be able to hear from a distance."

The golden doors opened once again, and I snapped my head to watch as Felix returned, flanked by two men in identical robes to Aro's. "Marcus, Caius, look who has returned. Bella is alive after all, and Alice is here with her. So is Katie, Bella's cousin. Isn't that wonderful?"

Marcus and Caius did not seem to agree. Their expressions became stern and thin-lipped. Surprisingly, their lack of interest did not curb Aro's excitement over our arrival.

"So. Let us have the story," Aro smiled. Marcus strode over to Aro's side, touching his palm briefly, his expression unchangeable.

Edward snorted. I looked over at Aro, confused, panic rising yet again. "Marcus sees relationships," Edward said aloud, to nobody in particular. "He's surprised by the intensity of ours. And the intensity of Katie and Bella's."

I refused to let my eyes betray me for the third time today, and forced myself to let my only reaction be a slight frown.

"So convenient," Aro repeated. "It takes quite a bit to effort to surprise Marcus. And it seems you all have." He paused a moment, shaking his head. "Edward, how do you stand so close to her like that? It's difficult to imagine, even now."

"It's not without effort," Edward responded seriously. I just stared.

"But still. What a waste!" Aro added something in Italian, which I didn't bother to follow.

"I look at it more as a price," Edward chuckled dryly, without even a hint of humor.

"A very high price," Aro muses.

I begin to feel dizzy as Aro talks about Carlisle. About his success. It's hard for me to imagine Carlisle knowing Aro and the Volturi, let alone associating with them. It felt like my head was going to explode, expecting my death with this onslaught of new information.

"I'm just... so curious, about one thing in particular, Edward," Aro's tone shifts, drawing my attention back to the conversation. "May I?" He asked eagerly, lifting a hand and gliding a singular step in Edward and Bella's direction.

"Ask her," Edward suggested in a flat tone. My chest contracted. No!

"Of course! How rude of me. Bella... I am impressed that you are the singular exception to Edward's gift. Well, not singular, I suppose," he corrects, barely glancing my direction, "but I was wondering, considering our talents are similar in many ways, if you'd be so kind as to allow me... to see if you are an exception to my gifts, as well?"

Bella sends a panicked glance up at Edward, who nods in encouragement. Clearly, there is no option B— she either does what Aro asks, or we have a problem on our hands. That, or he was sure Aro would not hurt Bella. Either way, I had to agree. She really had no choice.

Bella raised her hand, which was trembling slightly. Aro took a few more graceful steps towards her, reaching out, as if to shake her hand. He held eye contact with her a moment, then two, before his face altered in an indescribable way.

"Interesting," he mused, drifting backward.

I was so relieved I could cry.

"I wonder... is she immune to our other talents? Jane?" Aro's eyes flickered between Bella's and Edward's.

By Edward's physical reaction, I knew this was not good. He snarled sharply, arm raising faster than I could detect. Alice lunged forward to try and restrain him, but he shook her off.

Jane was smiling happily at Aro. "Master?"

The crowd had begun murmuring in discontent, as if Edward's reaction was uncalled for. "I was wondering, dear one, if Bella was immune to you."

Felix had to restrain Edward now, as he was resisting this with a fierceness that was alarming. "No!"

Jane raised a hand quickly, and Edward dropped to the ground, writhing in pain. Nobody was touching him, but it seemed as if he was being rolled over hot coals. While he didn't make a sound, it was clear he was in excruciating pain. "Stop!" Bella shrieked in horror.

I knew, then, that this was Jane's show of power. She would only stop once Bella volunteered. So, I did something stupid.

I took a step forward, drawing attention to myself, and rose my voice. "Try it on me instead."

Aro quirked an eyebrow. "Hm. Well, I suppose that would be an interesting test. May... may I try it out, first?" He didn't seem completely convinced. I didn't care.

"Sure," I choked out, before I could change my mind.

"Jane." Aro called, and Edward stopped writhing immediately. Aro took steps toward me, and when I didn't immediately offer my hand, he reached down and lifted it from my side.

I kept my mind blank. When I saw his eyebrows dart inwards, I pushed a singular thought into his mind. Please don't hurt her.

Aro smiled, amused. "Peculiar. You can also drop your shield, if I am correct. Am I not?"

My gut twists. Yes, I admit through his mind, unable to say it aloud.

"Brilliant. Would you mind letting me into your mind for a moment or two?"

I try not to think about Jacob as I lower my mental shield for a fraction of a second. I snap it back into place, feeling extremely anxious, but Aro is frowning slightly. "Oh, you poor child. I am sorry what happened to your family."

In that short of a second, he had been able to pull that thought from my mind? "It's been dealt with," I say dismissively.

"Indeed. Now, I think that should be sufficient. Alright, dear one. Do you mind?"

Jane's appearance did not change at all, but I could sense a sharp threat approaching through my warning system. The frequency made my ears ring slightly, and I was only able to hear a few seconds later, but nothing else happened. I wasn't in any pain. I certainly wasn't writhing on the ground. That's when I noticed Aro was chuckling. "Ha, ha, ha! This is wonderful!"

Jane scowled, turning her attention back to him. Her frustration was evident.

"Don't be put out, dear one. They confound us all. It is truly remarkable that it occurs in not one, but two from the Swan family. Genetics, perhaps." Aro turned to Edward with a playful expression. "I have no idea how you endured that in silence, Edward. I had Jane try it out on me, once, just out of curiosity."

Edward's glare was full of disgust. Whether for him or for Jane, I had no clue. "What to do with you all now," Aro sighed, as if it was troubling him greatly.

Edward, Alice, Bella, and I all stiffened. This was the moment we were all waiting for. Whether or not we were all about to die. "Do you suppose that you've changed your mind? About joining us?" Aro asked hopefully.

Edward, to his credit, hesitated. Both Felix and Jane stiffen before he says, "I'd rather not."

"Alice?" Aro Asher hopefully, not discouraged by Edward's refusal. "Would you care to join us?"

"No thank you," Alice replied politely.

"Girls?" Aro asks, turning to Bella and I. At first, I think he's joking, but as the silence drags on, I realize he's serious.

Caius breaks the silence with an outraged, "what?"

"Caius, surely you see the potential. Can you imagine the possibilities if either of them were to become vampires?"

Edward was trembling in anger. I was too shocked to do anything but laugh quietly. "No thank you, Aro."

"No thanks," Bella affirms quickly.

Aro shakes his head stubbornly. "Such a waste of talent."

Edward shook his head. "Join or die? Is that it? So much for our laws."

Caius shook his head in return. "They know too much. You have revealed our secrets to them."

"Katie knew because of another vampire clan. That was not our doing. And you all have plenty of human servants here who know the truth. How is that any different?" Edward protests.

"Because, one day, when they are no longer useful to us, they will be sacrificed to sustain us. That has never been your plan with either of these girls. Are you prepared to kill them if they betray our secrets?"

"I wouldn't—" Bella begins to protest, but Caius continues.

"Nor do you intend to make either of them one of us. Therefore, keeping them alive is a vulnerability. However, that also means that only her life needs to be forfeit. You and Alice may leave, if you wish, Edward."

Edward just bares his teeth.

"That's what I thought." Caius' smugness was irritating.

"Unless," Aro interrupted, "you plan on making Bella immortal."

Edward pursed his lips unhappily. "And if I do?"

Aro smiled, happy again. "Well, then, you are good to go home. But I am afraid you will have to mean it."

Caius frowned. "We have no proof this is his intention, brother. Besides, what about the other girl? Is she expected to become a vampire, too?"

Aro locks eyes with me again. "I read her mind. She has had plenty opportunity to give up our secret, and has not. She has secrets of her own to maintain. Besides, Edward is not emotionally attached to her and would be able to dispose of her, if necessary."

While he doesn't elaborate, I know he saw the werewolf pack in my head. That's the only reason for his reassurance I won't give up the vampire secret— it's not the only supernatural kind I have found myself entangled with.

"Mean it. Please," Bella begs Edward.

Edward's lips tightened. He held her stare for a long time before turning back to Aro. His expression was defeated.

Alice stepped forward suddenly, offering her hand to Aro. He took it gingerly, eyes scanning the ceiling for a moment, and turned to her with a bright smile. "Wow. That was entirely fascinating. To see the things you've seen— and those that have not occurred!"

"But that will," Alice clarifies.

"Yes, certainly. There is no doubt about it. She will be one of us."

Caius pouted like a small child. "Aro," he complained.

"Do not fret, brother. We will meet them again. Besides, I am curious to see how Bella will turn out as one of us."

The thought almost made me back out. I consoled myself with the thought that Alice's visions were subjective— Edward could make up his mind now, and could change it tomorrow, when we were far away from here.

"Are we free to leave?" Edward asked, grasping Bella's hand with determination.

"Yes. But please do wait until after nightfall. After all, accidents do happen. And take one of these cloaks. You are quite conspicuous," Aro sighed, waving a servant forward. When the cloak was draped over his shoulders, Aro tilted his head. "It suits you."

"We will visit you," Caius promised. "To make sure you follow through. The Volturi do not give second chances."

"Of course," Edward says.

Aro waives a hand and two guards open the golden doors, making room for all four of us— Bella, Alice, Edward, and I— to exit.

I notice a large tour group, consisting of somewhere around thirty to forty people, rounding the corner. A woman points out the medieval architecture as a man snaps a photo of a painting on the wall. They seem like American tourists, if their accents indicate anything.

"Welcome, guests! Welcome to Volterra!" Aro says in his sing-song way, soothing and lulling. The guards usher us out quickly, murmuring in Italian to one another.

The doors behind us close just as the screaming begins.