Sunlight filtered through the windows behind the mahogany desk and high backed chair that Aro had placed himself in. His fellow kings sat on either side of him. Marcus had busied himself looking through one of Carlisle's medical journals. Caius, seemed fixated on trying to intimidate Aria, who was perched in front of the desk swinging her feet, to no avail.

Jane had surprised Aria that morning by being in her room when she awoke, claiming that the masters wanted to get to know her, as well as Alec. Aria had dressed herself in her black ripped jeans and stole one of her uncles gray sweaters that hung off of her small frame, black boots hugged her feet. She wore light makeup that only lightened her chocolate colored eyes and her hair fell loosely in gentle curls around her shoulders halfway down her back. She didn't feel like dressing up again, in fact all she wanted was to crawl back into bed and pretend yesterday didn't happen.

The silence was deafening to the teen. She never liked silence it always put her on edge. She wanted to run out of the room but, the mountain of a man, Felix as he introduced himself upon her arrival, stood at the door. Demetri, the "gift to womankind" as he labeled himself, was leaning against one of the bookcases near one of Carlisle's favorite paintings. Jane had positioned herself on the ivory colored chaise couch, leaning against the arm of the chair, one of her pale hands sitting in her lap, her feet tucked under the skirt of her black dress. She remained perfectly still, Aria could've easily mistook her for a statue. Alec had taken the chair next to Aria refusing to acknowledge her when she said good morning to him.

They sat there for what felt like hours, when in reality it had only been 45 minutes. Aria sighed and shifted in her chair. Alec glanced over at her as she moved, something inside him telling him to say something to her but he refused to acknowledge it. He had spent the first thousand years of his life searching for his other half and here she was within arms reach, yet he didn't want anything to do with her. He was angry, fate had beseeched him yet again, giving him a human mate. He hated humans with a passion. He knew the darkness that laid dormant within their hearts, he knew she would turn on him just like everyone did all those centuries ago. She may have looked angelic but he knew deep down she was just like everyone else.

"I was made aware that your uncle and aunt explained the gravity of the situation to you," Aro said.

"Yes sir, they did last night," Aria's voice graced Alec's ears, he loved how it sounded soft like a summer thunderstorm.

"So you are well aware of what is expected of you," barked Caius.

"I will have to become a vampire and join the guard," confidence radiating through every word the human spoke. She could feel how the bleached blonde king wanted her to be fearful, she would be in the cold hard ground before he got the satisfaction of seeing her scared.

Caius stared her down, red clashing with brown. A fight for dominance. She sat straighter, squaring her shoulders, setting her jaw and raising her head higher, and mustered the best glare she could. The mad king grew annoyed he was used to humans hearts racing and lowering their heads in submission, none of them had the nerve to look at him in the eye. Yet here was a child with the courage too. He in equal measure admired and hated that.

"I was also made aware that you requested I did not read your mind, may I ask why?" inquired Aro.

"I don't like the idea of someone else poking around in my head," Aria shrugged, "I don't even like it when Edward does it on accident. It's invasive and I'm not okay with that."

"Yet you can read our emotions and manipulate them to your own accord," Alec sneered, "how convenient for you."

Aria turned in her chair facing the boy who she was destined to be with, "Actually I try my best to block everyone out. I don't like feelin' what anyone feels, especially vampires."

"Why especially us?" He asked harshly.

"Y'all feel way too intense for my liking," with a wave of her hand dismissing the topic, "plus I get an ache in my throat which hurts worse than any sore throat I've ever experienced."

Aro perked up at the mention of her throat, curiosity brightening his milky red eyes, "You are able to feel our thirst?"

Aria raised an eyebrow wonderment lacing each word that left her mouth, "Is that what that is? I thought y'all were sick!"

Marcus chuckled, "We do not get sick my dear."

"That's not fair," she whined causing everyone to laugh.

"What else are you able to feel?" A deep voice from behind where she was seated asked.

Aria looked around the back of her chair noticing Felix had gotten closer. Wonderment highlighted his features, giving him a charm that she hadn't noticed before. He had crouched down to be at eye level with her not wanting to frighten her.

"Depends," she said, "I normally try to only focus on one person at a time, less of an overload. Uncle Jasper can't do that, well he can, but not for very long."

"Can you give an example?"

"Do you mind me readin' you?"

"Not at all," the muscle bound vampire smiled.

Aria looked into his eyes, mentally peeling away the barriers she placed so she could feel normal. Each time she removed one, she felt more of what Felix was feeling.

"You're bored," she started, "your thirst isn't as bad so I guess you recently fed, you're curious 'bout how far I can take this, you're happy Alec found me, and you're guilty of something you did long ago that you want to make amends for."

His burgundy eyes went wide a smile slowly creeping onto his face, "Impressive."

Aro shared a look with his brothers. He already knew from Edwards memories that she was able to manipulate emotions just as effectively as her uncle. If she was already that strong as a human her gift would be intensified, possibly even weaponized to a certain extent once turned. He could have a powerful manipulator, he could dispose of Corin who could only cause contentment amongst the guards and wives. Marcus and Caius both were very familiar with the gleam in their coven mates eyes. Mentally, Aro thanked the fates that lead them to Aria. Once again the Cullens has something he wanted. Only this time, he would have what he desired.