The Shadows of the Sun

Chapter Nine

            Now for my walk of doom. Yay. Jane flung the doors open and strode forward. In my mind I was running the other way, but in the unfortunate reality I was stuck. I walked forward with a confident stride. Finn always told me when I was nervous to act like I owned the place or like I didn't care who did. At this rate I didn't even have to act. I didn't care all that much. The only thing I cared about right now was that my brother was safe, and as long as I was here, he was. I sauntered into the throne room walking until I was about in the center, then stopped, those kings could come to me. My two shadows followed me the whole way there and stopped on either side of me. They seemed ready to tackle me at any wrong breath. They didn't seem to like me being in the same room as their leaders with minimal restraint. I kind of liked that I put them on edge. They needed a reminder that they weren't always the most dangerous in the room sometimes. Vampires seemed to think they were on top, but in reality they shared the podium with a variety of others, and some were even higher. Anyway, I didn't mind being that reminder. The party that had been with me bowed low before their masters. Felix and Demetri each put a hand on my shoulder, intending to force me to do the same. I gave a feral snarl as I whipped around my head to glare at them. They stiffened, waiting for an order from the kings. Aro just gave a peel of maniacal laughter. This guy was definitely insane.

"I see she still has her spirit. Good, good." He laughed to himself. I found that comment to be a little rude for some reason. The tone he used offset me as well. There was a sort of childish pleasure mixed with sadism in it. In my opinion, that was not a good mix. I wondered why he was the one they let be in charge. Well, I suppose the vampire community didn't have much of a choice at this point. They were stuck with him and the other two. I hadn't paid attention to them much, but now I gave them a closer look. The man on the throne to the left of Aro's had mousy brown hair and a sad look. He appeared to be utterly bored, but you could see the vacant yet melancholy look in his eyes. The one on the right had very blonde hair and a dangerous expression. His look was one that could go from annoyed disinterest to enraged sadist very quickly. Although, by physical appearance he looked like an angry barbie. As bad of an idea as it probably was, I was tempted to laugh. Luckily Aro spoke again, pulling my attention away from the blonde one.

"I'm not sure we've been properly introduced yet. I'm Aro, these are my brothers, Marcus," he pointed to the brown haired one. "And Caius." He gestured to the blond one.

"I would tell you who I am, but I'm sure you already know." I spoke boldly.

"Ah, I see you know of my capabilities, my dear."

"I had a guess."

"Well, as you have already figured out, I am not the only gifted one here."

"Yes, I gleaned that as well. Long ago actually." Aro laughed at my statement.

"I see. I am also aware you have a gift of your own."

"I do indeed." There was no point in lying.

"And you of course have capabilities that we have never before seen." He pressed.

"Your point?" I felt the two beside me tense. They didn't like the disrespect to their master.

"You, my dear, would be a most wonderful addition to the Volturi guard." I laughed.

"And what makes you think I will join you?" I questioned. I already had a good guess on his answer, but I wanted to see what other blackmail he had on me.

"Well, as it seems you have little to no respect for your own life, we discovered others who you are willing to sacrifice for. You join us and your brother will remain unharmed."

"How am I to know he will not be harmed if I make a mistake?" I questioned suspiciously.

"It all depends on the severity of the mistake made." Aro smiled. Great.