Prologue
Aro looked at the man in front of him. He was no ordinary vampire. His gift was something he never encountered before in his thousands of years.
Fire. Not being able to manipulate it. But to make it in his hands.
Remarkable. To hold the very thing that kills their kind in the palm of your hands.
Once upon a time he might try to recruite him. He would make a valuable member to his guard.
Unfortunately, that ship has sailed. This man broke the laws and only one fate awaits him.
However, with his gift Aro cannot touch him. He may try to burn them all when he realizes what he's doing. Everyone knows Aro's gift. But they have no idea the extent of this man's power. That's unsettling.
He has to acquire proof of his crimes in a different way.
So, he smiles at the man, kindly. The man smiles back. He doesn't know the Volturi already suspects he was reckless and almost exposed all vampires.
Caius and Marcus are sitting behind him. Felix and Demetri are standing behind the man, ready to attack if needed, but hesitant.
Jane is on his right, waiting for her time. All she needs is his confirmation that the man is guilty. She is the only one who is not tense, not worried about being burned to actual death. Again.
Her twin, Alec, stands on his right. Ready to incapacitate the man with his shadows if he tries anything.
Aro looks to the man with bronze hair standing next to him, waiting for his confirmation. He doesn't need to touch to read minds. What a gift.
His now crimson eyes snaps up to his and the man nods. Ah. Guilty.
Aro smiles at Jane and she knows.
"Pain."
The man's knees buckle and he screams. They have to be quick. They can't let him think about producing fire.
Sparks come out of his fingers, Aro feels fear for the first time in centuries. But, it lasts for a second. Felix and Demetri takes both his arms and pulls them out of their sockets.
The sparks disappear leaving no fire behind, only pathetic smoke. Aro realizes he might not be as powerful as he thought.
He smiles as he looks at their new recruit.
"Edward," he says. "Would you do the honors, please?"
He asks because he needs to know the Volturi have his loyalty.
Edward Cullen steps closer to the, now armless, vampire who is begging for his life.
"The Volturi don't give second chances." He says in a monotone before decapitatint the man in one swift motion.
Demetri throws a torch onto the pile the man has become. Looks like he was not immune to fire, either.
He looks at Edward when he turns around. The eyes who were once golden are now blood red. Aro waited a long time for this.
He smiles.