In Bloom - Felix Volturi

9. Report

Like everyone else in the room, as soon as Esther spoke, I was completely and wholly drawn into the conversation.

A crime? Who? Who would have the gall to break vampire law and cross the Volturi?

"There have been whispers of a vampire that has been revealing our existence to humans," Esther divulged.

"Humans?" Aro asked. "Multiple?"

"Yes, from the sound of it this vampire is trying to build a commune of sorts; almost like a coven of humans," she said.

I looked at Aro to gauge his reaction, but his expression was completely devoid of emotion. The only hint that I got of how serious the situation was to him was the fact that his expression was frozen in place.

"Followers," Sulpicia said, turning her attention to Aro.

"Yes," he said, "it indeed sounds as such."

"Do you think they're painting themselves to be some sort of deity?" I asked Aro. "Like a cult?" I couldn't imagine any other reason why a vampire would surround themselves with humans like that.

"Let's not jump to conclusions," Aro said wisely. "First, we must do a proper investigation. We must see proof. Then, we will handle the situation as needed."

Sulpicia gave Aro a small nod in agreement.

"Where is the commune, exactly?" Aro asked Esther.

"I...don't know," she replied with deep hesitation.

Aro leaned back in his chair, visibly displeased with her answer.

"But," she added quickly, "I've heard they are somewhere near Budapest."

"And where did you receive this information?" he asked.

"I ran into a small coven in Amsterdam. I'm unsure of who their source is, however."

Aro sat in pensive silence for a long moment, considering Esther's report. "I suppose that's an adequate amount of information for us to launch a proper investigation," he said. "Demetri, fetch Jane for me, please."

"Yes, sir," Demetri replied before stepping out of the room.

The remainder of us, Aro, Sulpicia, Felix, Santiago, Esther, and I stayed put in silence while we waited for Demetri to return. Everyone seemed to be totally at ease except Esther and me - I found the whole situation awkward, and Esther looked like a nervous wreck.

She also seemed to be unable to keep her eyes off of me.

"What?" I asked her bluntly; I admit, I sounded a bit harsher than I intended, but I patience was running low.

"Nothing," Esther replied quickly, casting a nervous glance at Aro. "I just...I've heard about your kind - of the Cullen girl - but...I didn't think you were real." She paused for a moment before adding with a bit of judgment in her tone, "I didn't realize the Volturi condoned it, either."

I didn't appreciate the scornful undertone in her voice, but Aro spoke before I could. Lucky her.

"We don't condone it, Esther," Aro explained, speaking to her slowly, as if she were a child. "But, we do not intend to punish the ones who have already been created."

"Then what do you intend to do?" Esther asked, surprisingly bold.

"We must learn more about the half human hybrids before enacting any official laws on the matter. We never enact laws without being properly educated on the circumstances," Aro assured her.

Aro's words cut through me like a knife. Was that all I was to him? Research?

I was instantly furious, and deeply offended. I wanted nothing more than to reach across the desk and slap the Christ out of him, but I knew better. The guards would get a hold of me before I could reach him and, quite frankly, even if I were successful, I doubted it would be worth the potential repercussions.