#vultori

“Do you know how we get our food?” Aro questioned, raising an eyebrow as he looked down at the young woman. His dull scarlet eyes raked over her slim form, the black dress she wore clung to her body nicely.

“There is a large tour group for all of you, brought in by Heidi.” She answered weakly, looking confused. Her eyes flashing to the two other leaders. Master Caius burning into her skin with his fiery gaze, while Master Marcus face was rested back against is chair, his eyes hooded but his attention was on her. “I do not understand why you are asking me.” Darcia mumbled quietly, looking up at Aro, “Is there something wrong Master?”

“My dear,” His hand floated in the air, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Those invitations, for our meal, was sent to a school...and now we will be having a tour of children within our castle.”

Darcia’s eyebrows furrowed, “They did not make it to the people targeted?”

“No.” Was the answer she received, and they could hear her heart speed up.

“My deepest, apologies Masters.” She dropped her head, shame and embarrassment taking over her form. “I was not aware of this. I do not know how this happened.”

Aro grabbed her hand, seeking the truth from her. He saw everything, how she sent them to the mail, though it seemed there was no error within her work. He let go of her, narrowing his eyes. “It seems you are correct, no wrong was done by you...but there still is the matter of not having a meal.”

“It would be a shame if those small children were killed instead, wouldn’t it?” Caius’s viper like sneer was sharp and stung so bad that Darcia flinched.

“Now, Brother. Darcia was doing her job.” Aro chided in, giving the girl a smile. “Return to your work, but make sure we have a meal scheduled before our little guests arrive.”

“Yes Masters.” She bowed and turned to leave, her heart beating rapidly.

+++

“Alright class, step lightly!” A young blonde woman smiled, holding her large sun hat as she counted the small heads stepping off the plain, the sun shined high in the sky. She counted twelve, which was the correct number of students she had taken with her. “Okay, everyone hold hands and stay close, we need to find the guide to the castle!” She clapped her hands, earning large smiled from her young students.

“Is there a King inside?” A boy asked, blue eyes wide with curiosity.

“Perhaps, maybe we will see him!” The teacher replied.

“Ms. Agne?” The woman turned to see a beautiful woman wearing a black long coat, made of thin material. Her brown hair was wrapped in a deep red headscarf, her eyes covered by sunglasses. “I am Heidi, I am your guide for the tour.”

“Oh, hello.” The Grecian smiled politely, “This is my class...um, we need to find our hotel, all our luggage was sent there ahead of time.

“Oh course,” Heidi smiled, charmingly tilting her head. “I have been informed that your hotel is actually not far from the castle.”

“Wonderful!” Ms. Agne turned to her students, telling them to hold hands and walk in a line. “Caesar, will you follow Ms. Heidi?”  

“Here sweetheart.” Heidi bent lowly and smiled warmly, “So you won’t get lost.”

Caesar blushed and nodded, words not coming from his mouth as he took her gloved hand.

They walked to the two cars that took them straight to the hotel, which was just down the street of the Castle. The children laughed and talked animatedly as they neared the Castle, all but one.

She was a small girl, thin for her age as her dark long locks bounced and swayed with every step she took. She walked in the back of the line, clutching a light brown teddy bear to her chest as her brown eyes looked around the scene around her. She walked quietly, not seemingly interested in the chatters of her peers.

Heidi and Ms. Agnes were in a conversation about the castle, the architecture and history behind it, and they didn’t notice that the young girl had stopped to look up at a painting. Her big dark brown eyes looked at the painting, eyes flashing over the three men within the painting. Their skin was bright, almost a white color as they sat in large chairs. The one on the far left was older looking, his face long and oval shaped as he seemed to be very tired to the young girl. The one on the right was blonde and he looked very young, and pretty, like a girl. The middle man was stoically looking upon the viewer, eyes bright and red.   

Turning to go back to her class, she saw they were gone. No one was in sight, making her look left and right, not sure of what she should do. Papa always told her to look for an adult when she was lost, but this was a castle, could she get lost in a place she was supposed to be? Biting her lip, and puffing her cheeks, she pushed herself down the hall across from her, the hall long and dark. She didn’t know why it was dark, it was still day right? She came upon a door, which was large and seemed old. There was pictures on it, deep engravings twisting and turning, making a weird pattern she’s never seen before.

She knocked, pushing herself up onto her toes and barely flicking the large metal door handles, which seemed to be enough as it made a deep guttural sound throughout the hall. The doors opened, and the room was bright on the inside.

The whole room was made of white stone, a large stained glass window was on the ceiling, catching the girl's attention quickly. She walked in slowly, brown eyes up and her shoes making a soft tap on the marble floor.

“Why hello.” The girl jumped, eyes snapping down to see the three men in the painting. The man in the middle, with the red eyes smiled brightly at her, as he stood from his throne. “You must be apart of the tour.” She looked around, seeing other people with dark clothing standing around the room. All eyes were on her, making her clutch her bear tighter.

“Why aren’t you with your group?” Caius question, raising an eyebrow as he leaned on his left arm.

“Ms. Agnes is not attentive.” The small girl replied, making the three smile.

“Ah, such a beauty.” Aro walked towards her, bending down and giving her a toothy smile, and none of them missed how she stared at his teeth before looking into his eyes. “What is your name child?”

“Ensley.” She looked around, “Are you the Kings?”

“How do you know that?”

“All castles have kings.”

Aro laughed, turning to his two coven leaders before turning back to the small Ensley. “My dear, you are a treasure.” He held out his hand, “May I?” She placed her hand within his, her small warm hand a great contrast in color to his. Her skin was olive toned, the sun evident within her pores, while his skin was a chalky white. “What a sad life you’ve lived Ensley, my dear.”

Suddenly, the doors burst open, a tall man walking in with a growl. His eyes were wide and black, his dirty blond hair messy and looked as wild as his eyes. He locked in on Ensley, hissing before making a dash for her, she barely registered what had happened before she was in the arms of tired looking leader, the blond man being held back by a tall guard who was standing by the door.

Ensley watched with wide eyes as the man struggled, his eyes never leaving her.

When the man was pushed into the marble floor, the stone cracking and concaving around him as two guards held him down. Marcus stood, the girl in his arms as he walked to Aro, placing his hand in his.

“Ahhh!” Aro gasped a laugh, looking happily at the man on the floor. “Demetri, it seems she is your La Tua Cantante.” He paused, “And your mate.”

“We should keep them separated,” Caius stated, still lounging in his chair, looking annoyed by the disturbance.

“For the child’s sake.” Marcus wheezed, looking down at the shaking girl, whose eyes were trained on Demetri.

“Is he okay?” She asked, scared of him, but also curious as to why he looked like he was in pain. “Is he hurt?”

“Only a little mio caro.” Aro turned to a blond girl who stood still, watching the whole ordeal go down. “Jane, please come here.”

“Yes Master.” She stopped in front of them, glancing at the girl briefly before turning her attention to Aro.

“Please make sure Ensley makes it to her group safely.” Marcus set the girl down, pushing her slightly towards Jane. Ensley looked up at the blond girl, seeing an angelic face and dark makeup around red eyes.

“Yes Master.” Jane held out her hand, “Come.” Ensley took her hand and walked beside her as they walked around the struggling man and out the door. The doors slammed shut behind them, making the girl jump. They were quiet, all the way until the group came into sight at the main entrance. “Heidi.” Jane nodded, letting the girls hand go as she turned to leave.

“Ensley!” Ms. Agnes scolded, “You shouldn’t ever wander off like that!”

“I’m sorry.” She replied in poor greek, her tongue unable to make the correct sounds.

“You could have been hurt!”

“I know.” She pouted, looking down at the ground before seeing she lost her bear. “Ah! Ms. Agnes! I lost my bear!” Tears swelled in her eyes, but the teacher simply sighed and told her to hold Jacques's hand.

“I’m sorry for this, she’s a wanderer.”  Ms. Agnes sighed, looking at Heidi.

“It’s quite alright, she’s a curious girl.” Heidi tilted her head, “I hope you're travels back are safe.”

“Thank you.” Ms. Agnes smiled before pulling the kids out into the shining sun.

“You lost a girl? A child Heidi!” Caius yelled, face scrunched together in a snarl.

“I am sorry, Master Caius, I did not realise the child had wandered off until their teacher did a headcount.” Heidi lowered her head, looking embarrassed.

“She was almost killed, if it not been for Felix and Alec.” Caius grumbled, leaning back in his chair.

Heidi looked up, “What? She made it in here?”

“Ensley is Demetri’s La Tua Cantante, his mate.” Aro grinned, his hands clasped together as he looked at his tracker, who was holding the light brown teddy bear to his nose, taking a deep breath. He hasn’t let go of it since he got the thing. His eyes were black, and his throat burned, but in the most pleasing way. She smelled of rosemary, a hint of cinnamon, and something else. Sandy, something soft and sunny, almost hot on his nose. It wasn’t a harsh smell, but warm and welcoming as it reminded him of something from his homeland. Of Greece. Of the boats, of the water.

“Oh my, that is interesting.” Heidi smiled, looking at Demetri who looked at her from behind the bear, taking a deep breath. “Say, Demetri...what do you plan to do with her?”

“Knowing he wants to drain her dry, we’ve decided to separate them, for her safety.” Aro interjected.

Heidi raised an eyebrow, “Won’t that hurt the poor child? She’s met him, the bond is set...what happens when she cannot be happy?”

Aro sighs, “We must intervene then...Jane?”

Jane steps forward, “Yes Master?”