Troubled Blood

The Volturi suite was once again gathered in the throne room, where there was no trace of the recent feast. Everyone was eagerly awaiting Aro Volturi's speech. He was sitting in the center, all eyes were on him. — I'm sure you can guess why I deigned to convene the council today, — Aro began to speak. — This is the first time in history that a human has managed to damage an immortal in some unknown way. What happened today during the meal with Alec will resonate around the world. — We almost lost a valuable Guardian. You should have killed her right away, — Caius said coldly. Aro didn't react to his statement, only landed his hand on the armrest. His gaze was fixed on the marble floor, where the thin cracks of time were visible. — But he survived. Alec,» Aro's gaze shifted to him, and he straightened involuntarily, ready to listen to his master. — How did you feel when the blood took effect? Everyone looked at Alec with great attention, curious to hear the details firsthand. — It didn't taste any different from normal,» he began, «but after a few seconds I felt my breath constrict, my eyes darken, and my body ache with a pain that reminded me of a cramp. And then there was darkness. There were quiet shouts, and someone shook their head, the symptoms that accompany mortals in times of illness or other ailments. — I see,» Aro said, slightly satisfied, interlocking his fingers together. — Is there anything interesting that you picked up on in her thoughts? — Caius asked. Interesting? They were hardly interested in Estela's past, but it was atypical for the average visitor to the Palazzo dei Priori. A girl on the verge of death was already unusual. — Nothing that would cast doubt on her. The poor girl had decided to fulfill her last will before the disease took her life. Except I didn't get to read all the memories. The effect of the drugs, then? — he asked thoughtfully, as if to himself. — Where did she come from? — A bass baritone filled the room. Marcus, unlike his brothers, usually remained almost indifferent to the problems and issues at such meetings. Today, however, even he was interested in the mortal. Aro smiled inwardly. — From Eastern Europe. — That's where our enemies live,» Caius' next objection sounded like clanking metal. Aro exhaled. Though he was loyal, even respectful of his brother's tough character, because such men made it possible to hold and consolidate power, his excessive skepticism made him slowly lose patience. — Vladimir and Stefan are not yet powerful enough to come against us,» he explained calmly. — My brothers, we need to take care of the future. Today or tomorrow, her kind will come to us again, thus wiping out the immortal race,» Aro spoke so loudly that his voice echoed in the hall. He sounded mysterious and terrifying. — We have been feeding on blood for over a millennium, and there has never been an immortal harmed by a human! I don't think that in such a huge span of time, our victims have only been healthy humans,» he concluded convincingly. — Sir, where should we start? — Alec's voice sounded. It seemed that he was still frightened and in a state of shock, but he held his nerve and was ready to take steps to avoid future «reject blood». — The first thing to do would be to see if it was indeed anemia. Gia will arrange a meeting with the doctor. I'll personally talk to the girl — it's strange that I couldn't see some fragments from her past. It's like there's some kind of veil covering them. — Somebody intentionally foisted her on us for lunch,» Jane grumbled. And she was right. It seemed impossible to call it an accident. But was it just a matter of mortal danger? — We will find whoever did this, Jane,» Aro's promise sounded convincing. — However, my dears, we have other enemies,» he said tactfully. Those present received the news warily: for a long time they had lived in peace and justice, but even today the opponents of the authorities continued to make themselves known. — As you know, Felix and Demetri were in the United States on assignment. They reported that they had found a vampire who was acting out of character in front of normal humans,» Aro paused, «It seems he was trying to convert them by false means. They should be back here with him tomorrow. Everyone began to whisper muffledly, speculating as to who it might be. Whatever it was, now this vampire had serious legal problems. He would soon be brought here for questioning, and then the Volturi would deal with the renegade in a dignified manner. With such news, the meeting was over. When the hall was empty, Aro remained in the same position, thinking. Nothing distracted him from his thoughts: not the muffled sounds, not the excited conversations of the other vampires outside the walls. It seemed that nothing in this eternity could surprise him. But today had convinced him otherwise. Who was she? The mortal who would soon come of age? Someone from the dark canvases of the Middle Ages, with pain in her eyes? Or someone's evil revenge on the immortals, designed to instill fear in their souls? Aro closed his eyes. Her thoughts were filled with despair, anxiety, and no hope. Thinking about the future made her wistful because no one guaranteed that she would recover. However, Estela was still a mystery to the Volturi. Why was her blood harming vampires? No memory confirmed that she had a background of potential abilities. Perhaps it was due to leukemia, which was unlikely since it was not an uncommon disease. This girl seemed to be a half-orphan, though her relationship with her absent father screamed that she was completely orphaned. No scraps relating to her mother remained in her memory. Judging by the barely surviving memories and the almost dispelled image of a young woman, she had disappeared when the girl was three years old. The Volturi slowly rose from his throne and left the hall. His throat rumbled, whether from renewed hunger or confusion. It was as if he were moving on the fly. Aro opened the door of the room and found Estela standing at the window, clutching at the bars. Still trying to make unsuccessful attempts to get out. Her heart thudded. She turned around abruptly and froze. In the pitch darkness, Estela couldn't see her guest, so she fumbled with her hands for the lamp beneath her. The faint light touched the man, outlining his white face with eyes glowing like red-hot charcoal. Pale, dead men's white skin. Though vampires had never been associated with anything living. The one Aro had come to see, though, thought she'd long thought herself dead, too. Estela, without noticing it, sat down. She didn't know what to expect from the vampire this time, but she was afraid to do anything wrong, and her knees were trembling with anxiety. Aro followed her example and sat down in one of the chairs as well, crossed his legs. Taking in his image, he spoke: — You were at your best today. That's not possible with your nature,» he began. The contrast from the way he had taken the lives of the people in the throne room hours earlier to the polite tone in which he addressed her was disconcerting. Instinct pushed all thoughts of him in a positive way to the back of her mind and forced the girl to the burning issue at hand: — I know nothing. Let me go,» Estela replied in a trembling voice. The Volturi glittered with eyes that read mockery, and she realized that it sounded pathetic. — It's impossible. You've gotten too much attention today,» he dismissed the expected plea. — No one in this place wants you alive, so it's in your best interest to do whatever I ask. Estela froze. She was astonished to hear the mysterious man speaking to her with aristocratic courtesy, but at the same time his voice had a hint of harshness in it. Demands? What did he want from her? She wasn't fit for ordinary use, was she? Instantly Estela realized how colossally her life had changed in the last twenty-four hours. Just the other day she'd been strolling the streets of Florence, enjoying the sight of grand buildings and iconic landmarks, but she'd fallen into this trap. Surprisingly, this trip to Italy had been her innermost dream — despite having to drop out of school due to illness, Estela had managed to study in a class with a focus on artistic culture, which she instantly developed an interest in. Art roused deep and strong feelings in her. She soon became well-versed in masterpieces from different eras, especially the Renaissance. She never hoped that this dream would come true — with her illness, such trips were dangerous, and there was no one with whom Estela could go. As it happened, she had fallen out of normal life — with headaches, nosebleeds, and bruises on her body, she had no time for everything that would have surrounded a normal schoolgirl — studying, socializing with her peers, dreams and ambitions. She was particularly broken by the changes in her appearance. She had lost weight, and her figure had lost its roundness, and instead had become distinctly angular and emaciated. The blush had gone from her white face, making it pale and haggard. The dark hair had turned into rat tails, and had to be cut short. But that was not the worst of it. With each passing day, Estela lost the will to heal. She couldn't talk to her father about it, he'd just twist his finger at her. Her relationship with him was already strained because of his wild lifestyle. If it hadn't been for her grandmother's death, Tomáš would never have come into her life. But sometimes it seemed to her that he did it out of self-interest. A few days before the fateful flight to Italy, Tomáš told his daughter that the medication was not helping in any way. There was no remission, but Estela's condition did not worsen either. For about six months it was stable. He suggested that she stop the treatment to see if her condition would improve. At the same time, he needed money for another binge. Resentment and anger at him filled her mind — not only had he barged into her life only when it was profitable, but he'd taken advantage of her dire situation. On the other hand, Estela mentally agreed with him, the ailment was no longer progressing, but it was still making itself felt. It was reassuring to know that she wouldn't have to endure unpleasant procedures anymore, she would regain her senses for a while. But the conflict with her father had awakened her to leave him, however briefly, as he had once left her. So she decided to go to Italy. Who knew she should have left Volterra off her list of places to visit. The guidebook said the city was rich in history, architecture, and interesting excursions… And now she was standing in front of a dangerous non-human creature who had unknowable thoughts in his head. In amazement, she dared to look up at him as she simultaneously discovered the gap from the ajar door. Realizing that this was her last chance, she rushed desperately to the opening, hoping that her gaunt and angular body would get through and outpace the cunning man. And to confirm her musings, Estela felt him at her side in a split-second, which caused her extreme surprise. Cold fingers wrapped around her torso, preventing her from stepping further into the room. The tight grip clenched her ribs and seemed to crack them, but a second later she felt the painful contact of her spine with the hard floor. A paralyzing pain shot through her entire back that made it impossible for her to get back up. Aro sighed. He'd overreacted. This was a fragile, also on the verge of death girl, not a tough vampire. After watching for a second, he made sure she was starting to regain consciousness and decided to sit her down in the chair. Estela felt his cold hands slip under her knees and shoulder blades. Everything shimmered kaleidoscopically in her eyes, and a dark spot blurred in the center of her eyes, coming closer and closer, blasting her with cold. Finding herself abruptly in a sitting position, she felt her blood rush inside her, temples began to pound, and vapor appeared on her skin. With that rhythm, the thought that she should have been extremely careful was chanted in her as well. Meanwhile, Aro pursed his lips as he looked at her: hair disheveled, eyes red again, streaked with burst blood vessels, eyelashes clumped together. Despite all the darkness in her thoughts about life, her instinct for self-preservation did not fail. He bent his head to her left temple and inhaled. A unique scent that carried notes of youth and the femininity present in her, but none of the rot that accompanied the nature of her blood. «Belladonna,» the Volturi smirked to himself, comparing this situation to a well-known plant that caused physical and mental disorders in humans. — I need you alive. Don't make me do otherwise. I have to find out what you're suffering from. As Estela heard this, she began to regain consciousness: objects took shape, and the dark spot in front of her became Aro. When she realized what had been said, she only had the strength to say the following: — You know what I'm sick with, don't you? You don't need to find out,» she wondered at the same time how he had managed to find out. — You're wrong. It has nothing to do with what happened in the hall today,» his voice sounded heavy. There was a brief pause. — I'm going to have to take this,» his palm deftly snatched up the phone. It wasn't getting any reception here, though. — I need to get in touch with my father. — As far as I know, he's not that concerned about you. Estela raised a startled look at him. What he said amazed her. And then it burned. How could he possibly know that? Even if she had contacted Tomáš, there was nothing he could do. She pulled her eyelids open and saw either death itself or the cruelest man she'd ever met leaning over her. A slight smile touched Aro's face and his eyes lit up with a crazed spark. Estela now lost control of all attempts to escape. — How do you know? — Oh, these questions again…» Aro rolled his eyes from the fatigue of the monotonous response. — With a touch of my hand, I can read every thought, no matter if it's of a human or a vampire. Now she realized how he knew so much about her. The deepest corners of her thoughts and memories had been revealed to him. She wanted to sink deeper into the chair and disappear. Estela had learned about vampires a couple hours ago, and now she was learning that one of them had read her whole like a book. — It's odd that it's important for you to contact your father and not your mother. She doesn't care for you that much? — he asked as if nothing had happened. He knew that the father wasn't that concerned about his daughter's whereabouts, and the mother was probably long gone judging by the fact that her memories of her were almost non-existent. She wanted to reapply the escape attempt, but her mind told her that it would be too risky, and possibly even fatal. Better to obey this dangerous creature. — She disappeared when I was three years old,» she surrendered. — Oh, my child, you probably don't remember much about her anymore,» he said sadly. — I have memories,» Estela murmured quietly. These words struck like thunder. It was another confirmation that something inexplicable was happening. How could she remember it if he hadn't read a single thought about it? Was she really lying? If so, why? But the Volturi had a trump card to check everything. — And how did you remember her? Estela was alarmed by her interlocutor's questions. Why would he be interested in details of such a distant past in her life at a time like this? But now she didn't want to test the vampire's patience with her own experience, so the answer didn't take long. — My mother was a tall and dark-haired woman with striking facial features. I can't explain it, but I think she was rebellious and possessive. Don't ask me why. The Volturi was touched by such a frank answer. That she spoke the truth was striking. In his long life, Aro had perfectly learned to read from his face what emotions those around him were feeling. He could see that Estela was already truly wary of him and slowly realized that she was in a completely alien environment, incomprehensible to the human mind. There was no need to check on her unnecessarily. But the question as to why not a single episode related to her mother came to her mind remained open. — You're easy to contact. I wouldn't even talk if I were you,» Aro said with a touch of irony. She looked at him in amazement. Aro's pale eyes, burning like coals, frightened her to the core, but at the same time, the languid, pleasant tone of voice made her trust him. In fact, except for what had happened minutes earlier, it wasn't so hard for her to talk about her mother, even though her interlocutor was a mysterious and harsh vampire. For a second, Estela was annoyed-her illness had changed her so much that she had become so withdrawn that she had no one to talk to. There was an awkward pause. The conversation was not going in the direction she wished, and she had to repeat her previous request. — Please, at least let me text him,» she asked without hope, knowing what answer awaited her. — Why do you have to report to him? He, too, had fallen out of your life once. There's nothing he can do to help you. Aro had made it clear that with every attempt she made to get out or somehow contact her father, he would hurt her both physically and mentally. But she held out hope that a call would reveal her location, and that would make the search that much easier. And at the same time it would lead to the vampires… Anxiety was eating her from the inside out. The Volturi was about to leave when now her new question thundered through him. — Why did you stand up for me? Something he didn't want to hear from her. At least not now. Surprisingly, the question itself was phrased innocently. Estela was perceptive, but after all that had happened, did she really think Aro was sticking up for her? It was too soon to tell her the ins and outs of immortal life. In fact, he didn't know how to answer that question himself. The argument that had been provided to the Volturi retinue had already been voiced, but he himself felt that it had happened for a reason. — You interest me with your blood. But I also see that your despair and longing are related to your illness. — How long do I have to stay here? — she persisted. Aro exhaled. For a pining, dying mortal, she had become so active that she was beginning to bore him. — That's for us to decide,» he said menacingly and headed for the exit. — But if I do die? What will you do with me in the future? The Volturi approached the threshold. Unwillingly thinking about eternity, Aro frowned. Would she die? He understood the extent to which this girl feared for her life and was already accepting the sad reality in her mind. She was afraid to imagine how many days were left before she passed away. However, it seemed to the Volturi that she would not be facing that in the short term. Too many facts pointed to the exceptionality of the case. But it was too early to explain all these subtleties to her. — I don't know what you're talking about. — I'm wondering where you're going to bury me. And I don't want to be a missing person,» she said quietly. Estela had a knack for adapting quickly to the rapidly changing conditions of life, and he was glad of that. So some kind of contact had been made. No matter how much the Volturi disdained people, in this case he would have to forget about prejudices. The results of the tests, the follow-up, everything would depend directly on her condition. He'll find the root of the problem. — Let go of unnecessary thoughts. Until you have exhausted my patience, you will live,» he said sternly. A short silence followed. The words seemed to instill calm. Fear combined with trust bred her submission. With her sensitivity and insight, she realized that Volturi was still not telling her something, and yet she was able to detect a certain nobility in him. — Good night. Is it a good night? Thoughts would bother Estela until early morning, so that she wouldn't even be able to sleep. In a strange bed, in a strange castle, in which she was held not as a guest, not as a prisoner…