Chapter 4 – Raison d'être

(Aro)

Heidi brought Felix bound and gagged into the room, giving him a hard shove causing him to fall onto his knees at my feet. Marcus and Caius followed closely behind, with Demetri heading up the procession. I motioned some of my guards forward. “Take Felix to the Chamber of Anguish.”

Five of my guards hustled him out of my sight even as he begged my forgiveness. I looked at Heidi and Demetri. “Leave us.” They did not have to be told twice.

“So, my dear brothers, what have you to say for yourselves?” I questioned mildly. “Why would you dare to go against my express wishes? Do I not have authority here? Is my word not law?” I roared. I advanced slowly with each question until I was a breath away from Marcus. “I would never have expected such actions from you, Marcus.”

“Aro, if you will but hear me out, I will be happy to explain my involvement in Caius’ scheme,” he replied silkily. I motioned for him to go on, taking a step back. “Marissa read the stones.”

“Marissa?” I scoffed. That worthless hag.

“She has foreseen the power that Bella will possess, and the damage she could cause. Do we really want that sort of weapon in the hands of those animal drinkers – the Cullen’s?”

“Tell me Marcus, did Marissa see Carlisle using our young Bella as a weapon against us?”

He glanced furtively at Caius and then down to the floor not wanting to meet my gaze. “She simply suggested how her powers could affect us.”

“And what was your true objective, Caius?”

“They are dangerous and need to be destroyed,” he spat indignantly. “You have let things get so far out of hand. Look how large their coven is already. Do you really think that they are not going add to it? Do you believe that this Bella will be the last addition?” He clasped my hands in his and continued, “Wouldn’t it be better if she was our weapon?”

“Caius, just because you are blood thirsty does not mean that all vampires feel and think the same way. What you might do if you were in Carlisle’s position is most certainly not what he would do. You know nothing of his mind. You simply cannot comprehend the way he thinks and that frightens you.”