The Price We Paid

For Michael Sheen, who wished for a book “All About Aro”.

”From the next room, we heard music playing and suddenly a group of men danced into the room - with other men dressed as women on their shoulders. Carlisle stood there like he had swallowed a stick but I was delighted by so much boisterous behaviour. This was what I had come for! A distraction from responsibilities! I cheered the dancing men on and clapped my hands.”

In five independent chapters set between the years 1700 and 1720, we take part in Aro’s life with his wife Sulpicia and the young Englishman Carlisle, as told by Aro.Together they enjoy Händel’s Baroque music with the Medici, visit the Uffizie in Florence and discuss political philosophy. Aro also reminisces the Volturi’s rise to power and why he had to kill Didyme. In between he receives vampires at court who want to join the guard or enquire about the whereabouts of a lost coven member.