I clutched my stomach as I laid in bed. Everything just hurt. Everything.

"Anything you want?" asked Felix.

He had tried leaving. The smell had become too vile for him apparently. But he slunk back in soon after. Demetri greeted him with a smirk.

"No," I cried out in pain.
Renata came back with a bowl of fried rice and meat.
"Keep your strength up and eat."

I rejected the food.
"Please, just eat."
She pleaded with me but I refused. She set it aside.

Benjamin came back with some painkillers and a hot water bottle.

"Thanks Benji."
He frowned and shook his head.
"I'll let the stupid nickname go, just this once."

He lifted me into a sitting position and I was coaxed into drinking water after placing the pill on my tongue. I swallowed then huddled into a foetal position.

"How'd you know what to do?" Felix asked Benjamin.

"Marcus often, at times,did this when she was menstruating."

Demetri nodded.
"Rest, we'll feed you after you wake up."
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I slept for what seemed like years. I woke to a pale face, with white hair, staring down at me intimidatingly.

"Is she ill?" asked Caius.
The rest were black figures in grey garbs drifting in the shadows of the room.

"No, Master."
That was Benjamin's strong voice.

"Then why is she so haggard? I usually see Marcus feeding her throughout the day; she fills the castle with noise when she prattles with you; now she has not even eaten a mouthful of that bowl.

Furthermore, she has laid there since last night and not moved."
He actually sounded worried, for me, a human.

"Not true, Master. She has gone to the lavatory twice." Joked Felix.
I rolled my eyes.

The silence was violent. I heard Felix mutter an apology to Caius. I felt a cool hand on my forehead.

"Demetri?" I asked.
"Not even close," said Caius apprehensively.

"You sound worried," I bantered.
I felt weak but at least the cramps had subsided.
"Do not flatter yourself, Makayla. I could care less if you are perishing but Marcus would be devastated."

I scoffed.
It was quiet. Yeah, right. If Marcus really cared he would be here.

"It is true. He constantly defended you. And he did claim you and leave you with some guards. That counts for something."

"Renata, go warm that food you once gave her."
"Yes," she said in a mousey voice.

"You made quite the impression on my wife. She said you were lovely. Marcus always said you were kind...but I do not like you."
"I know, you made that clear last time."

"I guess," he croaked.
It was awkwardly quiet. Then he sat on the bed. I looked at him in the dark.

His beautiful, colourless hair flowed like a river over my upper body. He glared at me and I stared numbly at him. He sniffed me.

"You are bleeding...a lot but no cuts."
He stared down at my lower body. My face heated.
"Your monthly cycle?" he asked rhetorically.
I nodded stiffly, trying to cover my face but his body had trapped the sheet beneath his bottom. I scowled.

"Then it will pass. I guess this is why no-one is worried. But regardless.

You should all make sure she eats. By the way what are your intentions, girl?"

I twisted to see him.
"What?"

"What do you mean, by what? That is impolite."
"Sorry, excuse me, I guess?"

He growled.
"Never mind, I mean what do you intend to achieve as Marcus' mate attempting to seduce Aro?"

What?
"Excuse me?" I rasped out.

Caius, now, was the one to scoff at me.
"Do not feign innocence, Makayla. I have heard the coven gossip about you and Aro's rendezvouses."

"Excuse me?" I said.
"Explain yourself...why are you having an affair with Aro?"

"Excuse you! What gave you the impression I would like a man like Aro?"
Caius shifted on the bed.

"You have been seen with my brother every day since Marcus' absence."

"On his request, ask around. Renata, Benjamin.... Demetri tell your master the truth."
Caius gruffly asked: "Is it true, tell me now!"

There was rustling.
"Master, it is true. Aro often removed Marcus' preferred guards for her; to acquire more privacy."
That was Renata's soft voice.

When had she returned?

She placed the bowl within my palms. It was warm and steamy. I shovelled the hot food in my mouth.

Demetri sighed: "Master Caius you may not know this, but originally she is Aro's mate. Aro told Marcus he wanted no part of her, because she was human and he had Sulpicia."

Caius hissed.
Felix said: "Really?"
He was talking to Demetri.

Benjamin said: "Master, your brother, Master Aro became very despondent in Makayla's absence.

Ever since, she has been in his sights and he has been trying, though futilely..."

My friends and I laughed.
"To win me over," I croaked before spooning in more food into my gullet.

Caius stood and paced.
"Aro tried to kill his true mate?"

He walked to the left. Then as he turned to go right, he said:
"But Marcus, the sneaky son of a gun took another vampire's mate?"

I finished my food and placed the bowl on the bedside table.
Caius left without another word.

"So, everyone really thought I was the seducer? When I'm the one who got kidnapped?"

"Be a little self-aware, Kayla. You are very attractive for human." Renata responded.

"For a woman," Felix said, winking at me.
"You're bisexual too?"
Renata and Demetri laughed at Felix. He had choked on his own words.

"I am straight and what eyes do you have, Kayla? Marcus is not so good looking and worse still he is wea..."

I chucked the bowl at Felix's head. It struck the wall and he froze.

"Don't you dare bad mouth my guy! And he isn't a weakling! He has protected me from the beginning and I bet since he is your Master, he wouldn't be too happy to hear your impudence!"

Felix gulped.
"Mistress, please.... I overstepped my boundaries...."

"Yeah, you have! We aren't friends! Like I am with those three and the wives! And you don't care about Marcus like any of us so, I don't take too kindly to words like that. You won't ever flirt with me again, understood?"

I saw Felix bow in the darkness.
"I apologise. Forgive me, mistress."
I sighed.

"You can leave. Find out if Sulpicia will talk to me. Turn the lights on as you go out."

The room was lit. I could see the smug faces of my friends. Felix had a shy grin, squared, black brows and small eyes. He bowed and quickly went to do my bidding.

"Being the Master's mate, is really growing on you isn't it?" Benjamin said with a laugh.
I blushed.

"Pssh, what do you mean? I just think the guards should respect my man as much as they respect the other masters of the manor."

"You would be a good wife," said Demetri.
"I'm too young to be a wife! I'm only like twenty!"

"You are actually old enough; Chelsea was only twelve when she was engaged during her human life."

I gasped.
"What?"

"Don't worry much, Marcus will probably not think of marriage until you finish your education."

"Marcus never mentioned marriage and it's a little too soon to be thinking of that, especially since you know...I'm human and he's a vampire!"

"Don't worry. Marcus doesn't bite." Benjamin joked.
Demetri scoffed: "Much! Makayla, after a weekend with Marcus,always had vampire bites..."

"Don't you mean love bites?" Benjamin laughed.
My face heated.
"You can, can it guys!" I squealed.

"Come on, when Marcus is here, we can't ever tease you guys so this is a golden opportunity," said Benjamin.

I whined.
I heard footsteps in the hallway.
"Mistress, to what pleasure do we owe your presence?" asked Renata.

Sulpicia sneered.
"I have been summoned of course, girl by Marcus' mate."

"You are to leave us, You men as well!" she shouted.
I clenched my fists and shook.

"Makayla, you don't have to be alone with Mistress Sulpicia."
"She won't hurt me," I said.

"Isn't that too naïve, Kayla?" said Benjamin.
"Maybe, but I need to do this. Guys give us some space. Just be nearby just in case."

They nodded and opened the door to welcome their Lady.

"Excuse us, Mistress. We shall be on guard in the corridors." Benjamin said.

Sulpicia swayed,dressed in a white, floor-length gown and covered in a grey robe.

"Evening. Felix gave me the word you desired to speak with me. Tell me quickly." Her brick red eyes glowed in hot, red anger.

"I know you don't like me because of Aro's actions. But you misunderstood my intentions."

"Did I?" she said, nostrils flaring.
She sat down where her brother-in-law once sat.

"So, tell me why are you having an affair with my husband?"

I laughed. She looked flustered.
"And why are you laughing?"

"Because what you said doesn't even make sense! Did anyone ever tell you I am Aro's true mate? But despite that he never wanted me because he has you.

He's only probably doing this because a vampire being apart from his mate has adverse effects on them in the long run.

Just don't be scared I never liked him in the first place. I always loved Marcus."

She stood stock still. Then she sat beside me mutely.

We sat silently together for many minutes. Then she said:
"Do you really have no interest in Aro?"

I nodded.
"But you are his true mate! I always thought that true mates were drawn to each other...Is it because of your mortality?"

She studied me.

"I don't know, but even if I was immortal, God forbid, I would still feel this way."

She smiled.
"Understood. I guess this is between Aro and I."

"Not to mention Aro will not be interested in seeing me for quite some time...my period is six days."

Sulpicia's smile grew wider.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After making the situation clear with Sulpicia. She told me what Aro did:

"Sulpicia," said Aro with his wicked smile.
"Finally, you have come! I have important news.

She smiled.
"Yes, my husband."

He frowned a little.

"Come now, you don't have to call me that. Rather call me by name. We have been acquainted this long anyway. And you shall no longer be able to call me that anyway."

She frowned.
"What...what is it you are on about?"
Aro looked at her head on.

"Sulpicia, you have been such a comfort these past few millennia but we both knew we were never to complete one another forever.

This was temporary. "

Sulpicia felt tears that could not fall prick at her eyelids. Her teeth gnashed and her hands trembled.

"Temporary? " she asked.

"Yes, I have found my real mate and like a fool I have been neglecting her...thinking that since she is mortal I have no need for her. That it is she who needs me!

But in this last year I have learnt I am the fool and that without her I will perish or be as Marcus... I have too many responsibilities to allow that."

Sulpicia wept, but no tears left her eyes.
"Who...who is this human you are mentioning? I will surely teach her a lesson!"

Aro held her arms tightly and crumbles formed in her perfect porcelain skin. She moaned in pain.

"Do not dare touch, Makayla. Even if you have been my wife this far I will not allow you to cause her harm.

In a few days we shall officially announce our relationship to the coven and I shall have her turned a month after.

You would do well to remember you are only her stand in, Sulpicia. Now, she has come to me after all these years I have been so alone...

Sulpicia returned to her room much happier. Aro had not shown up, and I thanked God.

Demetri and Benjamin said: "We told you, Renata. You defended your Master too much but he had bad intentions from the start.

How can he do that to his wife and how can he decide Makayla's transformation without telling the other Masters?

He has gone too far..and he didn't even want Makayla before."

Renata sulked.
"What changed?" she said.

"Jealousy. He is so jealous of Marcus. I think he enjoyed watching him be apathetic and dejected all along....You know what's fishy? This Didyme was his sister, hey, but he never shed a tear for her nor was sad."

"How would you know that; you weren't even born?" said Renata, still bothered she didn't notice how malicious her master was.

"I don't know how I know but I do know Aro never cared about Didyme.

I mean think about it. Athenodora once told me that there were no guards for the wives until Didyme died.

And before she died the Volturi had not many enemies. The guards I have met so far have mentioned not one of you would dare try to kill me. And it's because I'm just Marcus' girlfriend. So why would anyone kill his wife?

Doesn't that mean the killer is someone close to home, a Volturi family member and not a guard or rogue vampire like you all think?"

Hands clapped. We all froze. Benjamin's dark lips became white. Demetri's eyes bulged and he shook. Renata sat on the floor.

Oh my goodness! Was it Aro? Or Caius, if they overheard me I was a dead woman, if they were the killers of Didyme.

"That was a very good deduction. I was under the impression you were unaware of the situation. But I think Aro may have given you too much access to the guards and books if you have figured out what's going on faster than even me...

Or perhaps it takes a devious mind to figure out a devious one?"

I had my back to the door. I was looking at my vampire friends; they were actually facing the door.

The voice was dark but soft. Determined and strong....it sounded familiar but it was not Aro with his feathery and seductive undertones.

"Marcus?"
If it was Marcus why were my friends so afraid of him.

I turned around.

In a black sweater with black draw string pants and flowing midnight hair was a six foot man...a nineteen year old actually....with pink lips and ruddy irises.

He had fangs peeking out. His eyes were small and stoic. His face was expressionless.

He appeared from thin air like a ghost, like most vampires here did I guess.

"Marcus."
He was looking at my guards, staring them down...gauging them. It was weird...they were afraid!

He turned his merlot eyes on me. I felt the weight of the few days fall on me and I bawled.

"Where were you? I was so scared and I thought you never loved me! Aro just said what he wanted!

Do you even know what everyone is saying about you? They are laughing at you; they thought you left because I'm Aro's mate. Is that true?

Why did you come back?"

Tears fell from my eyes. I covered my face.
Marcus said softly: "Please, leave us. I need to talk to my mate alone."

They just disappeared and left us alone. My eyes were big.

"Hey!"
Marcus closed the door.

"At last, we can speak. You know, I knew Aro would try to defame me in the coven and you. He's old fashioned he still thinks that if a woman is embarrassed enough by a man, she will have to marry that man to save face."

He walked closer. He was wearing sandals. He looked really pretty.

"I am so sorry I wasn't there for you and I left you to fend for yourself against Aro. But I knew you had a fighting spirit.

I heard from the guards, they didn't know it was me with them;they said that you have gained my family's trust. And Caius apparently is now trying to quell those rumours about you and Aro. I wonder why..."

"I told him I am Aro's mate and my friends told him Aro tried killing me. So, I would never even take him as a rebound.

I hate him anyway, your brother."

"We aren't blood brothers but coven brothers. His only sibling was Didyme and he killed her."

Marcus' eyes darkened.
I gaped my mouth open.

"What? What did you say?"

"Your speculations were true. Aro is not a good leader...he only seeks power. I'm sorry I wasn't honest with you and I am the reason Aro has been bothering you.

He thought if you no longer had me you would realise your bond but I can see that never happened, with my gift...Do you know of it?"

I nodded.
"Your uh...coven filled me in. Isn't it weird that you call yourselves that? I thought that was for a group of witches."

He shrugged.
"Anyway, there are no more witches...or werewolves and I'm sure there are only a few shapeshifters left on earth, because my colleagues have hunted them to near extinction."

Wherever, Marcus went he had discovered a lot but he couldn't find the words to tell me what I wanted, no what I needed to hear.

"Come here," I said to him.

He turned his head. He walked to the bed. He was some inches away.

I sighed and tugged him. He knelt on the bed as he fell sideways but he balanced his hands on the headboard so he wouldn't crush me.

"Kayla," he said in a high voice.
"You never did mention why you came back.

I guess it has nothing to do with me. You are just here for Aro then, to exact revenge?"

His eyes softened. He leaned down and pressed his nose against mine and he gently moved his head side to side.

He held me against him and my breasts pressed firmly against his chest. I was hyperaware of that but he was preoccupied by my smell.

His nose crinkled.
"Aro has poor taste. Making you wear cucumber and lime fragrances. I prefer the vanilla and cocoa fragrances you like."

His eyes clouded before his white eyelids became heavy-lidded. He followed the curve of my lips with his nimble fingertips.

My thick lips began tingling. He then dove forward and planted a lingering kiss on my lips.

"But even if you smell strange I missed you. I have much to tell you."

He laid beside me and nuzzled my neck with his nose.

"You have eaten?"
I nodded too eagerly.

"Have you?"
Then I facepalmed at the question I was asking a vampire, whilst I was bleeding.

"Nevermind, that was a dumb question."

"Yes, I did feed. Thanks for asking. Are you still in pain?"
"What?"

"Don't you get period pains the first few days?"
I felt myself grow cold.
"Don't be ashamed. This is natural and I'm glad your body synced seamlessly with my plans.

Now, I can tell you everything you have missed since we have parted and noone else will hear, which means Aro won't hear."

A devilish grin was on Marcus' face. He caressed my sides and core warmed. I stirred.

"What do you need to tell me?"
"Do you know where vampires came from?"
I sat up.