Skin deep

Skin Deep

Chapter 24

Fusedtwilight: Thanks to my beta animegirlkiki for betaing. Last chap was a bit of a cliffy, this chap things start looking up for Sara.

Sara P.O.V

Well the time had come.

Today in front of the whole guard Santiago would sit on the throne, when we would proclaim to the world we were together.

I sat in my room; I wore the dress Aro got me. Heidi was brushing my hair. The air was cold between us. Usually we would be chatting away but now that I know what she has been doing I feel to hurt and betrayed to even try and pretend like I don't know.

"So today is the big day," she said.

"Yep."

"You must be excited."

"Yep."

She sighed and stopped brushing my hair. "Sara please talk to me, you have been so cold to me since Marcus left."

"Is that a request?"

"Huh?"

I turned to look her in the eye. "I know what you can do, I know you have been telling Aro everything Heidi. Marcus told me what you can do. Is that what you call friendship Heidi? Using you're power to make me open up to you, manipulating me?"

She looked down, unable to meet my eyes. "I was just following orders."

"Orders? Glad to know what I was really to you all this time." my eyes burned with betrayal and in unshed tears.

"Sara in the time we have spent together I have come to see you as a friend. I am sorry I never told you but Aro ordered me not to tell you. I am sorry."

"Sorry doesn't cut it Heidi. I trusted you, I told you my most intimate of secrets, I thought I could trust you but now I see you were never my friend, you led me on and made me feel secure. I wish I could forgive you Heidi, maybe in the future I can, but right now I would prefer if we just keep this relationship strictly business."

"I understand," she said sadly.

She went back to brushing my hair and we spoke no more. I had her leave me alone and she left. I went to my bed and pulled out my laptop. I opened it and logged on to my old yahoo account. It had been so long since I had been on; I wondered if I had any messages from the Cullens or the Denali coven.

There was one message from Alice. I quickly clicked it when I read the title. EMBRY IS GONE!

The message came up and I quickly scanned it.

Sara, Embry has left La Push! He got a message from someone who said you were in trouble and he left to go meet this person, we have no idea where he is now. Have you heard from him? I can't see the wolves so I have no idea where he is. Also the thing you did to him is gone. I know all about you're special day and we are happy you have found someone, even if they are in the Volturi. The Denali coven and we wish you the best and wish we could be there but after last time we think it best we keep our distance. But be careful you're future is slowly fading, I think Embry may be heading you're way. Be careful, the Volturi will not hesitate to kill him. We hope to hear from you soon.

Embry is gone? Someone sent him a message saying I needed help? And he might be on his way here? Sweet mother of god who would bring Embry here of all days! If Embry comes here he will die!

What do I do? What do I do?

Alec came in then. He had dressed up for my special day. "Hello Sara, I wanted to see you before." he saw my panicked expression. "Sara what is wrong?"

I gave him a quick rundown of what was going on. "You think he is coming here?"

"He must, why else would Alice's visions of me be darkening. My god if he shows up here he'll be killed!"

"Calm down Sara."

"Calm down, Embry is missing, how can I be calm!"

He grabbed my hands. "I know you are worried about him, but if you make a fuss than you risk raising the alert. Now, Marcus is on his way."

"He is?"

"Yes. I think we should wait for him to get here than we tell him, I am sure he will have an idea."

"You're right, I just need to calm down and relax. Thank you Alec. I don't know why I am so nervous," I said.

"You are going through what I believe the humans call the jitters. You're nerves about today combined with you're fears for the wolf is having a toll on you."

"Alec I need you to promise me something."

"Anything."

"If Embry shows up I want you to keep him safe."

"Anything but that," he said his face going flat.

"Alec please, I need you to promise me you will keep him alive, use your power, do anything you must in order to protect him. If he were to die...I don't know how I could live with myself."

Alec sighed. "Fine I will keep your pet alive...no I will do the best to my ability to keep him alive, that is the best I can offer, for if Aro orders me to kill him than I must."

"I understand, thank you Alec."

He kissed my hand. "Anything for you Sara. I will see you in the throne room."

Santiago looked positively dashing in his suit. The throne room was filled with vampires, all the guard were here. We planned on having another party soon but this was just for the coven.

Everyone was looking their best. If some poor human had been brought into this room they would have one final eye treat to take with them to the next world. Everyone looked like they stepped out of a cross between GQ and gothic Victorian era.

I stood by Santiago, my hand on his shoulder; I wore a pair of white opera gloves. I was the only one wearing white. Everyone wore black or dark red. You figure they would be celebrating such a happy event, but I guess they go for black to celebrate.

Santiago was so happy, I could feel it. He started life as a human slave, at the bottom of the food chain. Now here he is one of the leaders of the most powerful vampire coven in the world. I was happy for him. He had everything he wanted. A mate, power. I saw many of the male guards throwing him looks full of envy and jealousy.

I saw Felix in the back sulking. Like the others he to had dreamed of winning my hand, like all the others he had to watch as someone else claimed their prize. There were four seats, Marcus's was empty he said he would be here with a solution, but he was not here. Was he okay? Did his solution turn out to be a flop? And what about Embry? Where was he? Who was he with?

I had no time to worry. Today was the day I was announcing to the coven me and Santiago were a couple. I would worry about Embry later.

Aro was standing, giving a little speech on what a rare and fine day it was, who Santiago was (like no one knew that) how he began his life and how he climbed up in the world. How even though he had no power he was one of the best fighters in the coven.

"And so we welcome a new brother to our ranks, to join as as we rule and protect our world. May Santiago add his strength and wisdom to us to help us better both the coven and our people may he-"

Whatever he was going to say went unsaid. The doors opened and Marcus came walking in. He brought some of the vampires he took with him to Vegas. But there was one with them who should not have been there.

I did not recognize him, had it not been for the disturbingly familiar scent that soon filled the room and the sound of a beating heart I probably wouldn't have recognized him. After all I was used to seeing Embry in jean shorts and either a wife beater of no shirt or no shirt at all. Not dressed in a black Armani suit with expensive black shoes, a golden wrist watch, his hair slicked back and gelled and a familiar v shaped pendant hanging from his chest.

"Forgive me for being late brother, our flight just landed. It has been a long week trying to get things stable in our new base in America too."

My mouth was hanging open. My mind was racing. Why was Embry here? Why was he dressed like that? And why was he wearing the Volturi coven pendant?

"Marcus I was just performing the ceremony. So glad you could join us."

Aro's words were calm and cheerful, but his eyes kept on darting to Marcus, then to Embry. He knew who Embry was. He was wondering why he was here as well. The room was slowly building with hisses. Like a room full of snakes that know a mongoose is present. Some were covering their noses to prevent themselves from smelling Embry.

I was looking at Embry, he was grinning right at me, I wanted to run to him and wrap my arms around him and kiss him and tell him what a moron he was for coming here. But I don't think that would help matters.

"Well I am afraid we are going to have to cancel the ceremony brother," Marcus said with a small grin.

The room was deadly silent. So quiet Embry's heartbeat seemed to be magnified by the silence.

"What in the hell is that thing doing here?" Caius growled, his face was twisted into an ugly look of rage and disgust. He gripped the arms of his chair hard cracks appeared on it.

"This is my new assistant, Embry Call. He is from La Push, a small reservation from Washington. I believe we all met him almost two years ago under more stressful circumstances. Although you may not remember him seeing how he was in the shape of a giant wolf," Marcus said calmly. The way he talked you would think he was talking about the weather. Nothing odd, nothing unusual.

Santiago growled a sound like thunder. Embry's eyes shifted to him and you could feel the penetrating stare they were sending one another. Santiago stood up and I gripped his shoulder, trying to keep him calm.

"Why did you bring him here Marcus?" Aro asked, his face was blank, the perfect poker face.

"Well I do need my assistant, and he is such a good assistant to. He does it all, schedules my appointments, files my paper work. Also I am afraid that he is also the reason why the ceremony can not go through."

"And why is that?"

"Because he is engaged to Sara."

All eyes turned toward me. I did not care though. If I could faint I would be out like a light. This was turning out to be like one of those soap opera shows my mother used to watch religiously. It was the one time of the day she did not get drunk. She wanted her memory at its best so she could remember who was sleeping with who, who was who's evil twin and who was in love with two men...oh crap. If I have an evil twin running around out there I am going to be very pissed.

"Sara broke up with the boy before we brought her here," Aro said.

The room had broken into murmurs. I caught snippets of it.

"She was with one of those beasts?"

"She was engaged?"

"What is it doing here?"

"What is Marcus up to?"

I stepped forward, Santiago tried to stop me by grabbing my arm. "Sara?"

I turned to look at him and my heart broke a little. This was going to hurt him, I know that. But I could not say no. Not to Embry, not ever again. I loved him, but I loved Santiago. If I rejected him who knows what would happen. But I trusted Marcus. He said he had a solution and I trusted him.

I pulled off my left opera glove and showed everyone the Quileute charm he made for me, the one that was a symbol of our love and our engagement.

"What the bloody hell is that?" Caius asked.

"It is a charm that the Quileutes sometimes use in place of an engagement ring."

The room was a flurry of activity. Everyone was talking more openly now. I did not listen to the conversations, I had better things to focus on.

"You know our rules Aro, only one mate. Since Sara is already claimed by another Santiago cannot join the group."

"No!" Santiago roared. "He is not a vampire! He is a mutant freak of nature!"

"You're one to talk about being a freak dead boy," Embry said.

"I challenge you! To the death!" Santiago roared.

"No!" I turned to face him. "Santiago, please no. I love him."

Santiago looked at me pained. "But I love you."

"I know and I love you too." I turned to face the crowd. Forgetting my shyness, forgetting how I hated being the center of attention. "I never officially broke it off with Embry. I used my power on him to make him not love me, but I never stopped loving him. But even my power can kill love, it only made it dormant. But now it is back, and I still love him."

"And I love you too Sara," he smiled. He took a step forward but Marcus put his hand out, stopping him. He was looking behind me, I turned and looked at Santiago.

He looked positively murderous. I had to act quick or he would go for Embry. "But I also love Santiago. He didn't see me as a prize; he didn't just want me for my looks or for the throne like the rest of you." I glared at the guard. "He actually took the time to get to know me as a person. My power caused me and him to become bound to one another. So I love two men, Embry and Santiago and I...I...I cannot chose between them."

I turned to Embry. "I am so sorry for what I have done to you, but I knew you would not let me leave with Aro. Please forgive me," I begged.

"I could never not forgive you Sara."

I turned to Santiago. I placed my hands on his face, he looked at me with such pain in his eyes. "I am sorry for this Santiago, I know you have wanted this for so long. But I can't just love you. I love Embry as well. I am sorry I did this to you, I wish I could make it stop but I can't."

"And there is the rub Aro. Sara can have only one mate that is our law. When she told me that her spell over Embry broke I knew I had to act quickly."

"I think I preferred you when you were catatonic brother," Aro said.

"All of you leave us!" Caius roared.

Everyone filed out, except Embry and Santiago. The doors closed shut and it was silent once again. Aro rose from his chair and stepped forward to Embry. He offered his hand, Embry took it, looking disgusted. Aro read his mind.

"So you do love her?" he asked.

"With all my heart and soul," Embry said.

"Well then this is a conundrum. I hope you are satisfied Marcus," Caius growled looking livid.

"Satisfied? No I am not satisfied Caius. But the matter must be resolved."

"Good, let them fight to the death, we all know Santiago will win."

"No! I will not allow either one to die," I said.

Caius turned his gaze to me, they were cold. "Quit girl, you will speak when spoken to, you have made a mess of things already."

I bristled, a low growl erupted from my throat. "You listen well Caius I am in no mood for you or you're attitude! I am a person and I am a member of this coven and I will have my voice be heard!"

He stood up and I tensed. "You imputes little bitch!"

"Enough!" Aro roared.

We all settled down. Aro took a deep breath in and out. "Well since Sara can not chose...as of yet, I say we postpone the ceremony. She is immortal as are we, we have all the time in the world for her to make her choice."

"I am not going to have that wolf stay here for a second longer!" Caius growled.

"I have a proposition for you Aro," Marcus said.

"I am listening," Aro said.

"Obviously Sara is not adapting well here, let her come back with me to America. I will bring Alec, Corin and Santiago with me, get her away from all this, I think it will help her clear her mind."

Aro laughed but it had no humor. "You planned this out well Marcus."

"Aro, she is like Didyme, you remember how unhappy this life made her. For Didyme, let her children be happy."

A look passed between them, something none of us were privy to. Aro's eyes softened and I thought I saw a look of guilt and remorse pass in his eyes.

"Alright, she may go back with you. But I have a condition. Since she has formed a bond with three of our guard and the fact she is my relative by blood, no matter how many generations off it is. I say for three months of the year she spends with us, the rest she spends in America. This is the deal Marcus, I will give no other offer."

Marcus looked at me, asking me with his eyes if I approved. Three months here, the rest in America where I can visit the Cullen's and the Denali coven and Embry can stay in La Push where he belongs? It is a no brainer.

"I accept, I will also take Santiago, Corin and Alec with me."

"Don't get cocky girl, why should we let them go with you?" Caius asked.

"I go where Sara goes, I care not if she loves the mongrel," Santiago said.

"I am sure the other two will say the same thing," Marcus said.

Turns out they did. Corin and Alec would be coming with us to Vegas. Jane was livid when she found out her brother was leaving. She was not coming, Aro would not allow it.

Santiago came to visit me while I packed. He kissed me long and deep. "I love you Sara. I wish that bastard was dead, I wish I could kill him. I wish I can be a better man for you but I am not a good man. I will fight for you; I will use every trick I know to make it so you will need me. I will win; I have all eternity to win you from him. So I will wait, and I will watch and when I see the moment I will strike and then we will finish what should have happened today."

He left me alone after that. I sat on the bed collecting my thoughts when Embry visited. I heard him coming; with each step he took my anxiety grew and grew. When he walked through the door I flew into his arms and kissed him.

He kissed me back, he picked me up and took me to my bed and lay me down and we had a nice long make out session. "God I missed you," he said kissing me.

"I missed you too," I kissed him back.

"If you ever do that again I will be very upset." kiss.

"I will never do that again." kiss.

"You look amazing." kiss.

"Thanks you too, Armani looks really good on you." kiss.

We caught up then, I listened as he told me how good he was at first, how he was going steady with a girl called Gloria, than how it all went downhill. I felt guilty for the pain he and Gloria went through. I also found out Billy was his dad making Jacob his half-brother.

I told him what happened with Alec, Corin and Santiago. I told him about Heidi and how close I grew with Marcus, I told him about poor sweet Eleanor and he held me as I cried for her. Such a young, sweet innocent girl pulled into this world only to die so young as a human and as a vampire.

"Embry what are we going to do? I can't choose between you and Santiago. If I were to lose either of you I could not bear it." I put my hands to my face. "I have made such a mess of things. I didn't mean to fall in love with him, it just happened, I was so lonely and I missed you so much and he reminded me of you and it just...happened."

He held me close; I closed my eyes and listened to his heart beat. "I will share you Sara. As much as I hate the thought of that bastard touching you, kissing you, even looking at you. I know I have to share him with you, so I will. I won't like it and I can't promise I will make this whole thing smooth and easy, but as long as I am with you I am happy."

I pulled back to look at him. "Embry...what about the packs? Jake's and Sam's. What about the elders and your mother? This is going to make them go berserk."

He sighed and caressed my cheek with his knuckles.

"Well we'll find out soon enough."

Fusedtwilight: Yeah, we all know the wolves will not be happy. Only one more chapter to go, what will happen? Will everything work out in the end? Find out soon, and please review.