I frowned as I observed Carlisle lifting our luggage casually onto his shoulder, ignoring our rule of using the trolley- for the sake of at least attempting to look like the other passengers. His carelessness was justified, however, for I was sure his mind was an absolute web of complex strategies now- his imagination creating would-be scenarios, causes and consequences. It took a toll on his usually youthful face. My own mind was completely frazzled beyond belief- this had never happened before in my lifespan. A scent completely wiped clean...
Without realizing it, we had now reached the exit. A tall figure strode towards us, dressed in a shirt and slacks much too formal and expensive-looking to be a hotel-worker's uniform- and then I recognized the tattoo of the Volturi's crest on his arm.
"Ah Felix," Carlisle spoke with an air of friendliness, with an air of meeting an old acquaintance. As if this creature had not been eager for the death of our first son, and his first love. As if this creature had not threatened -or at least, wished to threaten- the very center of our coven. Our family.
He gave a mild nod of acknowledgement, and with a stiff bow gestured towards a black Rolls Royce parked some way off from the doors- away from the fluorescent lights. Carlisle raised his eyebrows- the Volturi, we'd been led to believe, did not approve of extravagance.
"The master saw it fit to greet you in style," said Felix in reply, almost disdainfully. His grim countenance while at the wheel did not assure my nerves, and the journey to Volterra was silent save Carlisle's absent-minded remark that "Nothing had changed".
As we arrived, the guards were shifting duty places. Large cloaked figures in groups of two and three stalked around the discreetly hidden fortress. It stood out but blended in so well- I couldn't help but admire the building, piece of priceless architecture as it was.
From behind me, Carlisle chuckled- I guessed he could recognize the awed look on my face, that must be all too familiar to him- it appeared every time we saw a worthy building... usually one that we bought on the spot. "You should see it in broad daylight," he said, and the promise of it lifted my spirits somewhat. The doors swung open to reveal more guards, though uncloaked, briskly walking around the broad corridor, decorated everywhere with antique-looking ornaments. Lighting was dim; I lost my bearings for a moment as my vision adjusted. A few guards stopped briefly to give Carlisle a respectful bow- a sight that made Felix growl softly. Jealousy. I did not need Jasper's talent to sense it.
We reached the end of the hallway, and by means of a long elevator trip we entered another one- narrow and stark, with the fish-out-of-water feel of an office. I identified it from Edward's description of what had passed during his visit, and instinctively turned towards the wooden door which I knew led to the most powerful family of our kind. There was nobody in sight; the human receptionist that Edward had told me about wasn't here. I wondered which death she had been given.
"The masters await." Felix had reached the wooden door a few steps ahead of us, and now threw it open with a dramatic gesture. As we went in, Carlisle grabbed my hand and kissed it gently. "I love you," he said softly, solemnly, his face bearing the exact expression he wore when I had first woken up as an immortal. Fearful, apprehensive.
My first impression of the chamber was that it was unlit- when the door opened, it cast a bright shaft of light into the darkness. Only the dark blue hues of the ouside sky, filtering through the narrow windows, were the other sources of light that allowed me to make out the three thrones on the pedestal- and the obvious escape route in the middle of the floor.
"Welcome back, my friends," came then a loud booming voice from the far side of the room- and bright burning torches were suddenly lit around the room. A fragile-looking man was now sitting on the highest throne.
"Aro," Carlisle said, and I was taken aback to hear the humbleness in his voice. He offered a deep bow; I followed suit. Aro was sufficiently pleased.
"I apologize for being alone here- Marcus is brooding upon his stars again, and Caius... Ah, so! Caius should be free now. Let us go disrupt his artistic reverie," bleated Aro cheerfully, and with a speed that did not somehow fit with his physique, he led us out of the room and through the doorway. Then, he suddenly stopped in his tracks. "Before I forget," he muttered bitterly. "Heidi?"
A female sprang out of the elevator- her beauty provocative enough to give even Rosalie insecurities. She did not bow as Carlisle & I had, but the look in her eyes showed the vast amount of respect in her regard for him. "Yes, my master?" Her voice was husky, alluring as her looks. It was her talent, I then realized. A gift of reeling people in. I quickly concluded her position in the Volturi.
"See to it that Mr & Mrs Cullen receive their provisions in 24 hours," Aro said simply, though I could sense the underlying note of mockery at our diet. The female named Heidi was evidently disgusted, but out of some consideration for us- she chose to voice her opinions by reaching to touch her master's palm. She dropped it after a second and waited for his reaction.
"You will do no such thing," he reprimanded sharply, and she sighed.
"24 hours then, master." Her movements left behind a faint breeze.
We walked further down the hallway, past the elevator and the receptionist's desk. I glanced at Carlisle, urging him to ask Aro about Heidi's thoughts, curious as to what Heidi had been refused a few moments ago.
"She wanted Alec to persuade you into our lifestyle, if only for the duration of your stay," sighed Aro wearily, before either of us could speak out. "She felt it beneath her position to roam the pasture. I will punish her impertinence duly later..." He trailed off as he suddenly took a sharp turn to the left, where I noticed that there was a door, camouflaged with the wall completely if it it had not been for the crack showing where the hinges were. Aro knocked thrice. "Caius?"
The door creaked open a centimeter, a pair of gruff black eyes appeared. "They're here?"
"Yes, and you promised you would be here to greet them with me," answered Aro rather crossly, and the door opened fully. This room, too, was lit only by the dim sky outside, and a few torches on the wall.
I gasped as we were ushered inside.