"I love you. It's a miserable excuse for what we're doing, but it's true," I murmured. "But we belong together," she whispered. "No, there isn't a more foolproof way of getting the Volturi here, but you're worth it." AU. CxB. REVISED.
Carlisle is summoned for interesting reasons, heh. Enjoy.
xoxo —ei
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
·V·E·R·B·O·T·E·N·
Chapter 4: Summons
Denali, Alaska
The coven in Denali was ecstatic.
"Oh, Carlisle!" Tanya crowed. "It's been too long." I could feel her hand straying. "You must stay here for quite a while, Carlisle." I chuckled, handing her roaming hand back to her. I called.
"Indeed, I plan to abuse your hospitality," "It's so good to see you again."
"But, it's is also such a pleasure to have you," Kate said, stroking my arm.
These two.
"Carmen," I said, happily. "How are you? It's been so long."
"Ah, Carlisle. If you were human, I would show my happiness in seeing you in my kitchen." Her thick, warm Iberian accent was comforting. "Vamanos, Carlisle, tenemos hambre."
"Carlisle." I glanced up. Eleazer was framed in the doorway of his grand house. A smile lit his features. "It has been too long," He said genially.
"I regret not coming earlier, Eleazar, but odd circumstances have brought me."
"That sounds promising," he said, eyes gleaming. "But perhaps, we ought to have a bite before conversing." He looked around. The others nodded. "Excellent."
A few hours later, we were assembled in their fine home and I filled Eleazar and the others on the recent events and their finer details. At first, they simply didn't believe me.
"Carlisle, you jest," Irina said, haughty. "You, of all people, could not be tempted by a mere mortal."
"I kid you not, Irina. I was thrice rendered a newborn helpless before this woman."
"And you believe that this is what happened to Emmett," Eleazar said thoughtfully.
"Yes. Only, I don't wish for the outcome to be the same."
"Obviously." Eleazar nodded. "But then, Carlisle, I don't understand your confusion. Isn't it obvious?"
"What is it?" Kate asked.
"She, Bella, is his la tua cantante. Her blood sings to Carlisle."
Kate giggled. "Congratulations!"
Tanya rushed over to embrace me heartily. Not to be outdone, Irina and Kate joined her in our embrace. I wasn't sure who was where in a quick moment as hands and bodies were everywhere. Any excuse to touch me, they seized.
"Congrats are indeed in order," Eleazar said wryly, laughing at my predicament. "Why the long face, my dear friend?" He asked as Carmen snapped at the three succubi. "Sientate y callate!"
"I suspected this," I murmured. "I only hoped I was wrong. That's why I came to you. I don't know what to do."
"What to do?" he seemed bewildered. "Carlisle, perhaps, you, who have been alone for so long, will finally receive your other."
"No," I growled. "Not like this."
"It is your choice, Carlisle. But I see no reason for you to stay, although you are welcome in our home for as long as you wish. Go! Embrace the opportunity. Make her yours."
-x-
"Carlisle!" Alice's voice was triumphant. "You're not leaving us!" The cellphone in my hand buzzed with her energy.
"Aren't I?" I asked. A few days later after I had satisfactorily mulled it over in Denali with Eleazar and his coven of wandering hands, I was on my way to Isle Esme for some well-deserved quiet and no Bella. At least, as much as I could manage before the rest of my family joined me.
I went for a swim first, delighted by the aquatic life I found and also by the way I caused the brook to positively scintillate. Although, I had to admit, it was entertaining at first, but later downright dull. The wildlife was plenty. I settled for a bear and then a moose. Although, I didn't think it was normal for moose to be so far south – Edward and Emmett had queer fantasies about their food. Something obsessive about mountain lions and bears, they had imported game.
I wished for company.
My old complaints returned and without human distraction, I dwelt unhappily on them and Eleazar's words sounded more and more rational. Perhaps, to all the high-minded talk about true love, there was a compelling biological component. As a doctor, I could accept that But as a vampire? I couldn't risk hurting someone to make sure.
I checked my reflection on the silver plating of my phone. My dull nigrescent eyes peered intelligently back. At least, I comforted myself, they had never been red. Or, more accurately, I never had seen them red.
When I got back, I could hear cheerful chattering coming from the house.
"Carlisle!" Alice screamed from the front door.
I smiled.
"I've just about had it with Esme and Edward. I don't think any of us will be able to stay in tonight," She muttered darkly. "Luckily," She continued, brightening, "I bought you some swimming gear." As she said this, her hand reached behind her and snagged a thick suitcase.
Several minutes later, we were all parked, well-clad, on the beach, surveying the water.
"Who's first?" Rose asked, almost timidly.
"Not me. The water so hot," Alice turned up her nose.
"Oh, girls. Come on now." Esme jumped up. "I'll race you." She broke off running and just when the ocean's surf tried to touch her toes, she dove gracefully, like a dolphin, into the waves.
"That looks fun," Alice said, tossing off her towel.
"Wait up." Rose followed suit.
And the four of us, we leaned back in our beach chairs and sighed.
"Ahhh…"
-x-
We – Alice, Jasper, Emmett and Rosalie – were lounging in the living room, each to our own. Suddenly, there was a loud thud from the blue room.
"What was that?" I asked.
"I'll go check," Emmett stood up. "I hope Edward and Esme are okay."
"Sit down, Emmett," Alice snapped. "They are more than okay and you know it."
Emmett snickered," Well, then Rose. Let's off." The two off them disappeared. And a few more minutes later, louder thuds came from the green room.
"Oh, how ridiculous. They're competing." Alice sighed. "Jasper, I'll see you in a few minutes." She stood up and walked into the pink room.
Jasper looked at me. "How do you stand this?"
"Stand what?" I asked.
"This. When it is all too obvious that sometimes, to fit into this family, you need a partner. And you have none, Carlisle."
"Love isn't for everyone, Jasper," I told him, my heart sinking at my empty words.
"But, you're a great man, Carlisle. I wish I were you – in fact, most of the time, I do. I'm the only in this family that slips so much. I wish I had your restraint."
"You saved Alice. That itself is wondrous."
"Even so, do you ever…wish?" He asked warily. "Rose, Esme, they're wonderful people and beautiful, too. But Alice is all I could ever want or need. But you, you're alone. Do you ever want them?"
"Rose and Alice are like daughters to me. And you and Emmett like sons."
He picked up on my exclusion. "Not Esme and Edward?"
"Edward was the first one I truly bonded with after my change. He is like a brother to me. He sees me like a father, I know, but he is very special to me. Admirable in himself, but with fatal flaws. Esme…" I sighed. "I've never disclosed this and I'll hope you won't let either know: when I saved Esme, I thought - She was the most beautiful creature I'd ever seen. But so delicate and fragile. She still is. Still is beautiful, I mean. Not as fragile."
I glanced at him. He looked staggered.
I held my breath for a moment, hesitating. Of course, the others were busy and wouldn't notice, but still. I had never told anyone. But somehow, Jasper seemed an appropriate man to share it with.
"I'd never have imagined," He said slowly. "I have sensed such a feeling off of you many times, but I never…"
"After the change, I assumed that she would be mine – arrogant of me. Esme is actually older than I am. And thus, so much older than Edward. When she met him, I could see it in both their eyes. I denied it. But it happened. I was jealous," I said bitterly. "Envious of what he had. Later, I was wiser. Even if I had her, she wouldn't have been happy and seeing her happy – it fills me with joy."
"How selfless of you."
"Only after nearly a century of selfishness." I laughed. "All I can hope for is that I find someone who is as wonderful, beautiful, loving as Esme is. And that is unlikely."
"Don't give up just yet. You have forever to find her." He stood up. "I'll see you later then. Alice is waiting. Mum's the word."
I smiled sadly and continued going through the mail. At the bottom of the pile there was a single slip of paper with five words flourished on ornately embellished stationary.
I wondered momentarily how long ago this had arrived...it couldn't have been long. If it had been sent here, to Isle Esme, they had to know we were here - they had their methods after all. I snatched up my phone and arranged a flight to Italy. Then, I hastened into my room and began packing the few things I needed for travel.
"Where are you going?" I whipped around. Apparently Edward and Esme were done, for the time being at least. Esme let go of the door and staggered into a chair, glancing curiously at me.
"I need to leave."
"Were we so bad?" She asked seriously.
I was confused for a moment and then I laughed. "No, no. I was sent for from Volterra."
"Godspeed," She whispered. "You can never tell what they want."
"I have a good standing with Aro. I'll see you all in a while. Call me when you return to Forks." When I kissed her cheek in the traditional greetings and farewells of our kind, my lips lingered as did my guilt.
Aro wishes to see you.
-x-
At the airport in Italia, I took a taxi to the city of Volterra. It dropped me off at the edge of city and I was forced to trek the rest of the way. Once in the heart of the city, I glanced about: there were always a few guards here, wearing long dark cloaks.
I glanced at the sky – it was cloudy, but I couldn't take the chance that the sun wouldn't come out from behind a cloud at any moment.
I ducked into an alleyway and glanced around. A tall figure had his back to me at the other exit from the alley. As I clipped toward him, he spun around, tensing.
"Aro sent for me," I said calmly.
"Name?"
"Carlisle Cullen."
He relaxed and jabbed his finger in the direction of a pair of double doors across the square. "Confirm with Gianna and wait. Aro will see you eventually," he told me, loftily.
I left the alley and entered the square, glancing around. A few scarce humans walked from vendor to street vendor. A fountain in the middle spouted water from a cloaked statue - a Volturi guard, though the humans did not know, who was a testament to the faux vampire hunts of the middle ages.
Somehow, several guards had appeared from nowhere in the space of seconds I had asked for directions. They were all looking up.
I saw my shadow sharpen—the sun was coming out of the clouds. Truly, I could have made it to safety in a heartbeat, but I could not run in such plain sight. I quickened my pace to a brisk trot and yet I knew I wouldn't make it.
The sun was consuming the clouds now, a bright, burning silhouette in the sky.
The guards were watching me now, eying my progress and calculating.
As the sun came out of the clouds, panic seized me.
I dove.
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