Chapter 9
My feet pounded on the forest ground. I realized about an hour ago I had underestimated the size of the forest. Trees had become thicker the further I went and I was now wading through knee length weeds. Blood seeped from the scratches in my arms - I had fallen into a thorn bush a while back. Little sunlight was able to penetrate the trees above me, I didn't know if I was going in circles, how far I was from the town, or even how long I'd been running. I needed to get out of Volturi grounds - Aro would discover I was gone before long and I didn't want to be anywhere nearby when he did.
I froze as I noticed the bushes on my right rustle slightly. Probably an animal, I thought to myself and kept going. A few minutes later, it happened again. I saw something move out of the corner of my eye. Something wasn't right. I began to walk faster, then began to jog before breaking into a sprint. Now feeling very panicked indeed, I tore my way through the forest. My heart hammered in my chest. What was following me? Or who?
I was so frantic I didn't notice the overgrown tree root that was sticking out of the ground until I tripped over it, flying through the air before landing painfully in a heap. A cold chuckle from in front of me sent a cold stab of fear into my heart. I gasped, stumbling as I tried to get up and move backwards at the same time.
"Hello, Cassandra." Aro's voice was colder than ever. Scrambling to my feet, I began to run in the opposite direction. I made it about ten metres before he appeared in front of me. Skidding to a stop, I spun and tried to run the other way, but his hand shot out before I could take two steps and pulled me back by the hair. He sighed as I struggled.
"Why are you still trying? Did you honestly think you could have escaped? You would never have even left the grounds - there's a fifteen foot wall around the entire complex." I jammed my elbow into his gut, but it only irritated him. "Enough!" He hissed, pinning me against a nearby tree. "I strongly suggest you come quietly. Do so and I may not hurt you quite as seriously as I want to at the moment." At this point, I did something that I realised fairly quickly afterwards was very stupid. I spat in his face.
His eyes blazed. Seconds later I was soaring through the air, tumbling into another thorn bush. I hissed in pain, but this was soon the last thing on my mind when Aro fished me out again and dropped me to the floor before landing on top of me. He grabbed my chin and forced me to look at him.
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you right now?" He growled. At this point my courage disappeared and suddenly I just felt very, very scared.
"I-I don't h-have one." I whispered. "M-maybe you'd be doing me a f-f-favour..." I stuttered.
"Reason enough." He hissed sadistically. "I assure you, do not expect any more favours from me. If you want to die, I will take extra care to make sure you are very much alive, and that you are in so much constant pain you won't be able to forget it either." He leapt off of me, and pulled to my feet. "Walk." He growled. I did.
We arrived back at the castle, and to my surprise walked straight past his quarters.
"W-Where are we going?" I dared to ask. He ignored me. I got my answer when we arrived at the throne room. Two of the thrones were empty, but the one on the right was occupied by Caius.
"I see you've found the little escape artist." He sneered.
"Obviously." Aro replied shortly, walking towards him whilst he dragged me along with him. Caius and I conjured equally shocked faces when Aro held my hand out towards him.
"What's this?" Caius questioned, his face lighting up as if Christmas had came early.
"I do not trust myself not to kill her at the moment." He spoke through clenched teeth. "I want her alive. I will return for her when I am ready. Do as you wish." Caius took my hand from his, and Aro turned rapidly to leave the room.
"Brother, are you requesting I punish her for you?" Caius's lit up, dancing with excitement. My heart fluttered, hoping Aro would change he mind - come back and rescue me from his brother. But he didn't.
"I repeat my earlier comment." He spoke humourlessly as he fled the room. "Do as you wish. So long as she's alive." As the doors closed shut behind Aro, I nervously turned my attention back to his brother.
"I told you this would happen, didn't I?" He smirked. To my surprise, he picked me up and sped out of the room at vampire speed. It wasn't until he stopped that I could register anything around me. I quickly recognised my whereabouts as Cauis's dungeons. He put me down at the foot of the stairs and began to walk.
"Come on," he prompted. "I've got a special place for people like you." I walked nervously behind him, knowing there was no point refusing him. I generally tried to keep my head down, but I couldn't help but glance up from time to time, looking into the cells either side of me. Some contained humans who rocked in corners, or gazed mindlessly at the walls. There seemed to be some vampires too, who were clearly blood deprived. Most were scratching wildly at the bars as I walked past, obviously smelling my blood. One, however, was sat in centre of his cell, just watching. Grey skin, dust coloured hair, black eyes...
"Cassie..." He whispered. I gasped, recognising his lifeless form.
"What has he done to you..." I uttered.
"Why are you here...with him?" He asked me, a glimpse of concern crossing his weary face.
"I - I ran away, Caleb." I whispered, heartbroken to see him in such a state. "I ran away, but h-he found me - Aro found me. And he was s-so angry. He wouldn't even speak to me. So he g-gave me to Caius. Aro said he didn't trust himself not to k-kill me at the moment, so he gave me to C-Caius and told him to do what he wished with m-me." A tear trickled down my face. "I'm scared, Caleb...what should I d-do?"
"I wish I could help you." He said lifelessly. "You've always relied on me to look after you. But I can't save you now. Just like I couldn't save you from Ash when I was in Paris..." He must have seen the shock on my face because he added: "Yes. Aro told me what he did. I can't believe you didn't tell me. I'm so sorry, Cassie, but I can't help you anymore. Even if I could get out of here, I couldn't take you with me without accidentally killing you - you know...the blood. Please forgive me. And just...just do as he says, okay? Do as he says, and it won't be as bad...don't fight him." I opened my mouth to say something, but Caius's voice echoed from the end of the corridor.
"Come on, Cassandra. You can't avoid me forever." I turned back to Caleb.
"I forgive you." I whispered. "And I'm sorry too." I went on to meet Caius where he led me into a room at the end of the corridor.
Caius locked the door behind me and I found myself stumbling into a pitch black space. When a series of torches burst into flames around the room, it didn't look much better. The walls were lined with various instruments of torture - whips, knives, swords, chains and all manner of things I dreaded to think what were used for. There were chains hanging from the ceiling, the walls, attached to the floor. Some sort of metal table with a series of straps connected to it - it looked like a medieval operating table. A chair with a similar amount of chains on it to the rest of the room. A bed...
"What do you think?" He beamed. I was speechless. Turning numbly to face him, I noticed had his arms behind his back. "Pick an arm." He instructed.
"W-What?" I questioned wearily.
"Just do as I say." He said simply. I remembered Caleb's advice. Just do as he says...don't fight him.
I pointed to the arm on his right. He pulled a whip from behind him and waved it in front of me. In the other hand he revealed a box of matches. "Shame." He commented, tossing them aside. "I love playing with fire, it always makes them scream. Don't worry though. Maybe later..." He smirked. He trailed the whip over my shoulder, causing me to shudder. I kept my head down as he circled me, not daring to move.
I heard the whip slash through the air before it hit me. Stinging pain shot through my legs as the whip ate into the back of my kneecaps. I gave a sharp cry as my knees buckled and slammed to the floor.
"Pathetic." He laughed. "How many of those do you think are punishment enough for running away?" I didn't know if he wanted me to answer that or not, but I didn't. "I think thirty will suffice, don't you? Yes, that will do. You are to count aloud and remain standing throughout the punishment. Fail to remain standing at any point and I will begin again. Is that clear?"
I nodded in response. The whip came down again, this time into my back. "When I speak to you, I expect you to answer me. I'll ask again. Is that clear?"
"Yes." I replied shakily.
"Yes, what?" He prompted.
"Yes, Master. That is c-clear."
"Better." He gripped my arm and pulled me to my feet. "Let's get started then." He didn't waste much time. The whip sliced across my stomach, shredding through the fabric of my clothing like butter.
"One." Then across the shoulder. "Two." Arm. "Three." Thigh. "Four." And so it continued. By seven my whole body was trembling. By twelve, there were only a few rags of clothing still clinging to my body. At fifteen, I fell.
"Pathetic." He repeated. "Not even close. Up. Try again." I moaned in pain, struggling to obey him. My legs were weak, hardly capable of withstand the weight of my body. Somehow, I managed to pull myself to my feet.
"One..." I breathed as he started again. I only got to five that time. On the floor I lay, shivering, ignoring Caius's orders to get up.
Aro...you promised you'd never let this happen.
Aro POV
After leaving Cassandra in the oh so capable hands of my brother, I took myself to the gardens to try to relax. But I was so furious! How dare she run from me? And how dare she spit in my face the way she had? Did she honestly expect to escape? Does she think me a fool? Of course I would find her - I had told her all of this from the start. I told her if she ever ran away from me, I'd lock her in the dark for a week. I'd thought it would have been enough to put her off ever trying, but apparently I had misjudged her.
She had to be punished. I wanted to make her hurt. Like she had made me hurt by running - breaking her promise. But at the same time, when I saw her in pain, it was like I myself was being tortured. There was always this awful feeling of guilt, which only frustrated me even more! I'd had to send her to Caius to be punished - I couldn't stand to look at her just now. You've lost your touch, Aro, a voice whispered in my head. You've gone soft.
I was a fool to believe she would stay voluntarily. From now on I would ensure she did not leave my side for a minute - and I would ensure I always knew what was on her mind. She would never hide something from me again. She wouldn't dare. Not after her evening with Caius. I had promised her I would never leave her at his mercy. But she had promised me she would stay and behave herself, so we were even. She needed to learn to be obedient.
I made the mistake of going back inside. After hearing her screams, I realised I couldn't leave her there all night. I couldn't expose her to that. I could hear her counting, and whip lashes. This was one of Caius's favourite punishments. Trying to ignore her, I returned to the throne room to see that Marcus had also returned.
"She finally tried to run, then?" He commented as I took a seat on my throne.
"Clearly." I replied coldly.
"I'm surprised it took her so long."
"Why's that?" I asked.
"Were you truthfully surprised, Aro, with the way you've been treating her? Especially after last night?"
"I was surprised. I didn't expect her to be brave enough. Or stupid enough, for that matter."
"And so you passed her off to Caius to be punished because you were scared you would either kill her, or would not be able to bring yourself to punish her personally, yes?" I thought for a moment, wondering how he knew all of these things.
"Yes."
"I thought as much. Do not torture your self, Aro. Go and get her, take her back to your quarters. You do not want to listen to her scream like this." I said nothing for a moment. Then I got up, left the throne room and made my way to Caius's chambers. The whispered in my head again.
You have gone soft, Aro.
Cassandra POV
I had fallen a while ago and decided not to bother getting up again. Caius was still skinning me alive with the whip, but I wasn't making much noise anymore. I didn't have the energy to conjure more than a pathetic whimper. I heard the door open, but I didn't know who it was.
"I'll take it from here, Brother." Aro spoke softly. Aro. "Cassandra, get up." He instructed. I tried. God, I really did try. My arms shook violently as I attempted to push myself up from the floor, before they gave up and let me crash back down to the cold, unforgiving stone.
"I can't..." I tried to whisper, but it was barely audible. Aro glanced down at me breifly, seeing my quivering, bloody body at his feet. Slowly, he took my in his arms, his icy hands blissfully soothing to my wounds. It feels nice...being in his arms... I thought. Then I remembered the circumstances. Don't be stupid, Cassie, it's his fault you're in this state to start with.
"How could you, Aro...?" I shook in his arms, ask myself the same question.
I was carried back to his quarters and straight into the cellar, where I saw that three of the four humans I'd released had been returned to their cells. Lacey was still nowhere to be seen. God, I hope she's alive, I thought to myself. Felix was stood in the corner of the room observing the humans.
"Felix!" Aro snapped, slamming the door behind him. He was not in a good mood. "Where's the other human!?" A glint of fear crossed the guard's eyes.
"Demetri's still out looking for her, Master." He replied.
"What's taking so long? He's a tracker! It should take him minutes to track down a pathetic little human like her!" His grip on my tightened with his anger. As I gasped in pain, he quickly loosened it again.
"It seems he can't catch her scent. Last I saw, he was tracking her movements manually. He shouldn't be much longer, Master."
"For his sake, I hope he's not." He growled darkly, placing me on the floor a few meters from Felix. I moaned in pain as gashes on my back met the floor. "Watch her while I speak with my brother." He motioned towards me. "If she escapes again, I'll have your head for it. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, Master." Felix clarified as Aro swept out of the room.
"Now you've done it." He sneered as soon as Aro was out of earshot.
"Done what?" I turned slightly, then regreted it as pain shot through my body.
"He hasn't been in a mood this foul since the Romanians were at large. Thanks to you, we're all going to suffer for it."
"Don't you worry, I'm sure I'm going to suffer for it too..." I muttered.
"Oh yes." His scowl contorted into an evil smirk. "He's going to make you regret your very existance for this, you know - by the looks of you, he's already half way do they always run? This is the worst you could have done to anger him." At this point, Aro returned with a loud bang of the door.
"Felix!" He spoke sharply. "Go. Assist Demetri in finding the human. If she's not back here in her cell in thirty minutes, you'll both be punished."
"Yes, Master." Felix gave a respectful bow to Aro and a hateful glance to me before disappearing from the room. Aro turned to face me, giving me his full attention. I averted my gaze. Pacing towards me, he spoke.
"Well, first things first..." He murmured. "I haven't read your thoughts in a while..." He commented. I shook my head, trying to distance myself from him without causing myself much pain. This proved to be quite impossible. "Don't you shake your head at me!" He yelled. My hands shook with fear - I hated it when people shouted at me. "I made you a deal I have never - and will never - offer anyone else. You ran, you broke your promise - the deal's off. You've no one to blame but yourself."
"Give me your hand." He demanded. I didn't respond. "I'm warning you. You've no idea how angry I am with you at the moment. GIVE. ME. YOUR. HAND." I shook my head from side to side, trembling. At this point, he grabbed me by the shoulders and held me to the wall so that my feet couldn't touch the ground. I screamed as agony radiated though out my body, the cruel wounds inflicted by Caius protesting at the further abuse to my body. Pinned against the wall by his body, his hands encased my cheeks. Bringing my hands up to his chest, I pushed against him with all my might - which was wasn't very much in my current state. My attempts were futile. Giving up, I dropped my hands and a tear of frustration trickled down my face. He pressed himself closer into me, reaffirming his hold, so that my bones ground between him and the stone wall behind me. Whimpering, I screamed in my mind for him to let go, the pain in my body becoming too much. I shuddered at the closeness, earning a sadistic grin from Aro. A few minutes later this grin dropped from him face. He leapt back about a metre and stared at me. I dropped to the floor, gasping.
"What?" I whispered. He didn't respond. Instead he swept forward and placed his hands on my stomach. Oh.
"You are with child!?" He hissed. I didn't respond. "Why didn't you tell me? Did you not think this was an important little detail you neglected to mention? What were you thinking? What's wrong with you, idiot girl..." He stormed up and down the room, outraged, yelling similar insults at me. This went on for several minutes, until I couldn't take it any more.
"Shut up!" I shouted. He did. I've no idea where I found the strength or courage to voice this, but it dissappeared as quickly as it had come. Turning slowly towards me his voice lowered to a whisper.
"Would you like to repeat that, my dear?" His eyes glinted dangerously, almost daring me to repeat myself.
"Stop..." I whispered. "You want to read my mind? Why don't you just ask me?" My voice rose in volume. "I'll tell you exactly what I'm thinking. 'Why didn't I tell you?' you ask? Maybe I would have, if you hadn't tossed me across the room and insisted you couldn't care less about me moments before I realised. You should have known anyway! You're a vampire, aren't you? Surely you can sense it? The hormones, the fact you knew what Ash had done, the fact I was being sick - which you insisted was bulimia. You think I want this? You think I want anything to do with him inside of me? You think this is easy for me? If that's the case, you are sorely mistaken.
"You kidnap me off the street and pretend I'm yours, then switch between trying to be nice, and being cruel and obsessive. You control me by threatening to kill the only person who's ever cared about me, and then won't even let me speak to him! You try to make me trust you, then all you do is hurt me. What am I supposed to think?" I voice broke slightly at this, and a tear escaped my eyes. I wiped it away furiously, but more took it's place. "What am I supposed to think, Aro? You try to punish me for running away from you, but can you really blame me from the way you're treating me? It's not even like you're consistent! I'd rather you were either nice to me or resentful, at least then I'd know where I stand! This is just confusing...
"I'll be honest with you. I don't want to be here. Who would? But I don't want to die. I'll make the best of a bad situation, but you need to be straight with me. Why am I still alive? Why haven't you killed me already? Do you even know yourself? Do you care about me, or was it all just a sick game? Because if that's all it was...if that's all I am to you - just a toy...then you're just as bad as Ash. In fact, you're worse. Because I believed it." Shameful, embarrased tears flowed from my eyes.
He didn't move, nor did he speak for what seemed like long time.
"Look at me, Aro." I trembled. "Look at what you let your brother do to me. How could you let this happen? You promised you'd never...you promised me. Was that just a game to you too?"
"You know, you've made a lot of threats about what you'd do to me if I ever ran from you." My voice had lowered to a low, shaky whisper. "And now I've done it, and you have me. So go on. Do your worst. Because I don't really care what you do to me anymore. Give me your best shot. Why don't you just kill me and get it over with?"
At that point, he did something I didn't expect. Very calmly, he walked past me and unlocked a metal door I hadn't noticed before at the back of the dungeon. He then picked up my trembling, bloody form and placed it on the floor in the middle room - if you can call it that. It was about the same size as the other cells, but it was completely made of stone rather than bars. Without a word, he closed the door behind me and I heard the key turn in the lock with a definative click. I then heard his footsteps echo up the stairs and the door to the dungeons slam shut.
It didn't matter if I closed my eyes or opened them. I still couldn't see a thing. Maybe if I kept them shut, I could pretend that it was actually light. It wasn't until long after he had left that I wondered whether he knew at the time this was the worst possible thing he could have done to me. Before long, a very deep feeling of being alone settled in my stomach. I assume my brain slipped in and out of consciousness as I tried to sing my self to sleep, but my dreams were just as dark my cell, so I couldn't tell the difference. Night and day, unconscious and conscious, dreams and reality. The all merged into one cold timeless mass of darkness. Thoughts circled, voices echoed in my head. Eventually, my brain gave up an stopped thinking. I was just floating in this icy prison of nothingness Aro had created for me. I wish he would come back. I wish he would care about me. I wish I could forget him. But even suspended in an eternity of nothing, I couldn't.
Annnd...I'm afraid that's it for now, my readers. Do give me a review if you like it :) Thanks to those who did so last chapter. Special shout out to YourEnchantingDesire with whom I had a nice PM conversation with about the story yesterday and put me in the mood to finish the chapter. :) You've them to thank for the update today, and Aro fans do check out the stories on their profile :) Hope to hear from you soon, until next time, Scarlett
