Ruthless and Ivory (Twilight Fan Fiction)

Chapter 22: Greatness

Chapter 22 - Greatness

A roaring crowd. The walls seem to vibrate with the rumble. I fear. Aro pulls me by my elbow. I grip the wool blanket thrown over me when I stepped out of the cement room. My knuckles white with the effort to find comfort in something. Anything. A lifeless object of fabric is my companion, my shield.

I feel him watching me. I look up from the corner of my eye and he is. He smirks. In any other circumstance the smile tugging at his lips would seem kind, reassuring, gentlemanly gazing at a beautiful woman with admiration.

Sick bastard. I don't know where he's taking me.

My steps falter. My bare feet are cold. I'm dizzy and he catches me. My skin burns. I pull away. Only to bump into a black clothed man. A hitched breath and I aim the other way. They're everywhere.

We've been walking through a maze of dark corridors. The walls cement with fire sconces illuminating intricate molding and architecture. The high ceilings are vaulted with sculpted figures of angels and demons with bows and arrows.

This is what Charlie traded me for. Cold. Darkness.

"Just a little while longer. We're making a detour first, then off to bed," he murmurs. I don't know what he means. His arm curls around my shoulders. I can't catch a step to pull away. "I just couldn't wait to show you any longer," he continues.

The crowd gets louder from afar. And they seem to be celebrating. A party with no music. Just voices intermingling with others. I blink.

My attention perks when we turn a corner and there, standing on either side of the walls are a line of black clothed men. They face forward not looking at anyone but keeping guard as the crowd continues to roar beyond. Their posture stiff and militant. Each with the same uniform and tight buzz cut.

A spark shoots up my spine. Fear creeps in further. Where are we? I look up at him and then back. I feel so exposed, like death is near and I'm walking right into his trap.

Just when this thought finishes, his palm rubs my arm in a gesture to keep me warm. It travels to my shoulder then my neck. His fingers seem to have a mind of their own. I flinch away when he caresses my cheek there. This only sends me reeling into a wall of soldiers. Aro pulls me to the crook of his arm again.

I try to hide my gasp. We walk and they turn to follow us as a show of respect that their master is there and grazing them with his presence. Their right eye covered with a metal patch. The center of the gadget translucent like red stained glass.

One by one, they turn as Aro and I walk pass them. Not but a second before we walk by, a head turns. I watch. The stare and choreographed movement is disturbing. Aro barely notices with a nod.

But nothing so much like the thundering roars of people. Eerie. I want to turn back an run away. Everything in me wants to find a familiar place. I think of Charlie, of where he is.

But I want vengeance from him, I remember. My hazy brain. I am most definitely alone.

My throat closes. I want Edward. I hide my trembling chin under wool.

The corridor seems endless and with every step I'm anxious. A set of enormous double doors appear and we stop. I can barely hear my thoughts with the cacophony of people, shouting, hollering, calling.

Aro turns to me. "Stand right here, I'll just be a moment." I don't respond. He nods with the grin still on his lips. He turns away. A set of soldiers reach for the knobs and pull.

I gasp. A breeze makes my eyes flutter...

Oh God.

There are hundreds. An army in black roars loudly. With wide eyes and a gaping lips, I stare, shocked. My eyes filling with visions of an underworld in a massive run down expanse.