Love Never Dies
Act X: Before The Performance
Christabelle
I awoke the next morning, and felt a little pool of excitement coil in my stomach. Today was the day.
As I sat up in bed, memories of last night came rushing back. I remembered the heat, and the passion that had welled up between us when we kissed. I brushed my hair aside, and gazed out the window, at the birds singing in the cypress trees and the fountains tinkling sweetly.
Eventually I forced myself to stir, and get ready for the day. Today I would have one final rehearsal in the morning, before making my final preparations for the performance and the formal masquerade ball that would take place immediately after.
I ate little and quickly, feeling the familiar butterflies begin to take flight in my stomach, before I left for the day.
I made my way to the Palazzo dei Priori, where the ball would be held, and arrived to find preparations in full swing.
The main ballroom was festooned with golden banners and drapes, rose blooms floating in the fountains while paper lanterns were placed in the trees of the courtyard.
The workmen ignored me as I quickly passed them by, when a familiar face greeted me.
"Demetri," I inclined my head as the handsome figure cloaked in black stepped forward, the crest of the Volturi shining on his chest.
"Signorina Renzi, we've been expecting you. This way," he gestured with his hand, his every movement elegant as he led me into a side hall and down a flight of steps into a smaller hall. This one opened out onto a small courtyard, with a marble fountain and shady cypress trees. Set between the marble colonnades were luxurious chaises, piled high with pillows while in the corner was laid out my gown for tonight, as well as a wooden tub for my bath. On a table to one side sat a jug of wine and a goblet, beside which lay my music, so I may practice.
"Is everything to your satisfaction, Signorina?" Demetri asked behind me, as I stared at the opulence around me. I whirled and smiled slightly, outwardly keeping my composure.
"It's perfect, Demetri. Shall I be seeing Ar-Signor Volturi this morning?" I asked casually.
"I'm afraid not, my lady. The brothers are busy this morning, but they shall be here for your performance," he replied courteously, as I tried to quell my mixed feelings of relief and disappointment.
"Very well, thank you Demetri," I breathed, taking off my gloves and slipping off my cloak. I sensed him leave, as I inhaled heavily and picked up my sheet music. I may as well practise, in the hours I had to pass.
It was barely midday when I finished my practice, not wishing to wear my voice out. Food was sent for me, and I ate only a little before I sat back on the cushions of one of the chaises, and sighed.
All day I had practised, but now I thought.
I hoped by now that Giacomo and Algaria had set sail for America, and were out of harm's reach. If only my own escape would be that easy…
At the thought, and the memory of that searing kiss in the rain, I sat bolt upright, heat flashing through me.
All of a sudden the open hall felt too stuffy, and I needed air. I grabbed my cloak, not bothering with my gloves and left.
In the hall, it was still bustling with activity, as I slipped through. On a spur of the moment, I caught one worker by the arm.
"If anyone should ask, tell them Signorina Renzi has just gone out for a walk and some air," I told him sternly, while he nodded.
"Yes, Signorina," he muttered, before getting back to work.
I swore I could feel eyes on me the moment I stepped out onto the busy Piazza. Walking quickly, I decided to try for the walls, to look out over the surrounding landscape and pray for strength.
I didn't get that far.
I was just reaching the end of an alleyway, ignoring all the memories it brought back, when a strong arm reached out and yanked me sideways into a doorway. My scream was muffled by a gloved hand, as I was manhandled through the door and into the dreary little room behind.
As soon as I was released I spun away, my wide eyes searching the shadows for my attacker.
"No need to be frightened, my dear," a dreadfully familiar voice drawled, and I shivered as a candle was lit, and the features of Giles Kenilworth met my eyes. Behind him I glimpsed another cloaked figure, and felt fear creep in.
I was suddenly very much aware I was standing alone, powerless and helpless, in a dark room with one man I knew lusted for me, and another presence I didn't know.
I straightened my spine and glared at Giles, daring him to come nearer.
"What are you doing here?" I asked imperiously, staring him down. He smiled arrogantly, and I felt anger emerge.
"Why to witness your great triumph m'dear," he drawled, and I heard the mocking tone. The cloaked figure snorted derisively.
"What a laugh to think her a star! You're lucky we came when we did, to spare you humiliation, girl," another familiar voice trilled, and the hood lowered to reveal Carmenita's rouged face.
I sighed. "Still angry Aro asked me and not you to perform in Volterra?"
Carmenita's face darkened as she stepped forward and raised her hand. "You are nothing, whore!"
I stiffened, waiting for the blow but Giles held her back, a thunderous look of his own on his handsome face.
"Don't touch her. I don't want my prize possession damaged now do I?" he forced her hand down, while I glared at him.
"I am no one's possession, Giles. And since both of you are too slow on the uptake, I ask again: what are you doing here?" I sneered, hiding my fear.
Giles watched me, a slow consideration that sent my hackles rising.
"I told you I would not give up, Christabelle. You will be mine," he breathed, stepping closer while I backed away.
"Never," I snarled. Giles merely smirked.
"Now don't be too hasty m'dear. After you've heard what I've got to say, you might find the offer I have to make very…appealing," he replied smoothly, and a drop of fear spread down my spine and pooled in my stomach.
"What do you mean?" I asked, drawing myself up contemptuously. Giles began to prowl around me, in much the same manner as Aro had, but this time it scared me rather than aroused me. I glanced at Carmenita, and saw savage pleasure on her face.
"I've had you watched, Christie. Dear, dear a singer getting involved with her employer…scandalous!" he muttered condescendingly, while I bristled angrily. "But even more importantly I've done some digging. Your employer certainly has an exotic and…far-reaching past. And as for you…bearing the illegitimate child of a Vicomte, like a common whore."
"How dare you!" I shrieked, stepping forward to slap him when he grasped my wrist, his eyes alight with excitement.
"I wouldn't be so hasty if I were you, Christabelle. We wouldn't want any interesting tales to slip out tonight, would we?" he asked me, as I went cold and wrested my hand from his grip.
"I have no idea what you mean," I spat angrily, glaring at him. I had all but forgotten Carmenita.
"Fine," she laughed, stepping forward, "then you won't mind us telling a little story. We know what your protector really is, little girl, and after we tell everyone the Volturi will be driven from the city, and you will be ruined."
"You have nothing," I retorted contemptuously, staring at her then at Giles. "You have no proof."
"We don't need any," Giles continued again. "The rumour would be enough to destroy you, as for your Undead lover…well we wouldn't want anything to happen to him, now would we?"
I stared at him, shaken. He knew about Aro?
If it had just been me I would not have hesitated to refuse them and storm away, since Giacomo was safe on his way to America now, and I had enough money to survive for the rest of our lives. But Aro…
His life would be destroyed if Giles exposed him as a vampire. Even in this day and age, the fear of vampires was still alive and well.
If Giles exposed him publicly…
Defeated, I met Giles's eyes. "What must I do, for your silence?"
He grinned lecherously. "Simple. Do not perform but leave tonight, with us, where you will return to the Teatro della Pergola and take your place in the chorus-"
"Where you belong, little whore," Carmenita spat smugly, eying me triumphantly.
"-and take your place in my bed," Giles finished, despite Carmenita's interruption. "In return we will not expose you or your lover, and I shall even offer monetary aid for your son."
I stared at him, winded. But suddenly a thought came to me. They clearly thought me too stupid and frightened to do anything but give in to their plan, and I would not. I had no proof they could do what they said, and I did not care about the rumours. I would flee to America anyway.
And I would never give myself to Giles, never!
"What do you say, Christabelle?" Giles asked softly, walking closer as I looked up, and saw the lust in his eyes. I backed away, pretending to be frightened, heading for the door. He stopped me, caging me between his arms either side of the frame. Inwardly I smiled.
Perfect.
"I say, Giles," I murmured softly, "I will NEVER be your whore and I will not leave Volterra!"
I kneed him in the groin, making him collapse backwards with a groan. Carmenita flew at me, but I was ready. I threw a punch, stunning her while I felt for the doorknob.
I twisted it as Giles got to his feet, and run as quickly as I could, his parting words ringing in my ears as he lunged for me and missed.
"You will regret this, whore!"
Aro
I was sat in my study, reading in the hours before Christabelle's triumph when Demetri came into the room.
"Master, forgive the intrusion, but we may have a problem," he breathed, while I frowned and sat up. I waved him in, and gestured him to come forward. He proffered his hand, and I closed my eyes as I took it.
A dark frown lit my features as I stood up, anger flaring in my veins.
How dare those vermin threaten my Christabelle?
So they knew what I, what we were did they?
They would pay a great deal for that mistake.
Rage flared when I thought about that worm Kenilworth's words to Christabelle. He would never have her, and I felt pride at my future mate's ability to protect herself I watched through Demetri's memories. I did not chastise him for not stepping in, since I knew Christabelle was more than capable of defending herself. Had things gotten too rough, Demetri would have intervened, or I would have had his head.
However one little thing caught my attention. Kenilworth seemed to think Christabelle knew what I was, and nothing she had said seemed to deny this.
But what frightened me more was that she had actually contemplated Kenilworth's offer before turning it down so vehemently.
Just the thought of what he had tried to do to her enraged me, and I turned to Demetri, patiently awaiting my orders.
"Go, Demetri. Take Felix with you and show these humans what it is to cross the Volturi. Show no mercy," I growled, while a slight smirk crossed his sophisticated features.
"With pleasure," he replied quietly before he flitted away. My fists clenched, I paced to my window and looked out at the twilight, the sun beginning to set now. With a snarl, I turned away and ran to Christabelle's room.
It was time we had a little chat.
When I arrived at her quarters, I was forced to stop dead when I saw the vision in front of me.
She was seated at the dressing table I had provided, wrapped only in a white cloth, her hair freshly washed and her skin steaming from the bath. She was meditatively brushing her long hair, humming a familiar tune as she gazed at her reflection in the mirror.
I caught my breath at the expanse of creamy skin exposed by the cloth, the gentle swell of her skin, the proud arch of her spine, the way it gleamed golden in the candlelight.
Lust roared through me and I ached to have that skin under my fingers. I lost all control as I flitted forward just as she placed her brush down and looked up, meeting my eyes in the mirror.
She gasped.
Christabelle
I looked up from my reflection to fall into Aro's eyes. Something was wrong, they weren't their usual brilliant crimson, they were…
Black. Stormy, onyx black, hunger gleaming in the insane depths.
Gripping my dressing gown I whipped it around my shoulders, cinching the strap tight.
I stood and whirled to face him, fighting down the shivers at the hunger in his eyes, making my body react wildly.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, my tone not unlike the one I had used with Giles.
"I think you know, Christabelle. Do you have something you wish to tell me?" he asked, his tone suave and nonchalant, but I sensed something barely contained in the wild depths of his eyes. Something bestial and strong, something wanting to crush and take me.
My breathing accelerating, I backed away, mind racing. Had he discovered Giacomo's existence? No, no he was on his way to America and the only people who knew about him were either with him or…
Carmenita and Giles.
Had they told Aro? But surely not, that was suicide. Then what, what?
The penny dropped just as my back hit a marble pillar.
"You had me followed," I breathed, my eyes widening. His face didn't change, didn't ease from its stone like cast as he continued to stalk towards me like the hunter he was.
"It was necessary for your protection, Christabelle," he began but I cut him off angrily.
"I am no child, I need no protection!" I snarled, glaring at him. His face turned derisive, and my temper snapped. I brought my hand up to slap him, but he caught my wrist in a grip of iron.
"No? Then care to explain why you were dragged by none other than Giles Kenilworth into a room and threatened?" he asked, and it seemed he was talking through gritted teeth. I gasped at his strength, fear beginning to creep back in when I remembered what he was.
He could snap my neck like a twig.
I tugged on his hold and he released me, but I had nowhere to run.
"Not particularly," I replied to his question, looking down. I felt his fingers on my chin, tilting it back up so I had no choice but to look into his eyes.
"You will never put yourself in harm's way for me, ever again," he enunciated clearly, fighting for control. I trembled slightly in his grip. "If anything like that happens again you will come to me, not consider giving in to scum like Kenilworth."
"I will do as I see fit. You don't own me, Aro," I breathed out, and his eyes flashed with something like anger. "If something threatens you and it is in my power to prevent it, I will put myself in harm's way."
Aro released my chin, stepping back, anger draining away to confusion.
"Why?" he asked. Tears filled my eyes as I tried to walk past him, but he caught my arms and hauled me to him.
"I-I have to leave. They won't stop if I don't at least leave, I can't perform tonight," I stuttered, all the pain welling up in my chest as I struggled against his grip.
"Christabelle, you are going nowhere," he growled, easily subduing me, as I tired quickly. The day had been exhausting and it didn't look set to ease.
"I can't let them destroy you!" I cried out, before I froze. But the cat was out the bag and I may as well continue to dig my own grave. "I can't let them expose what you are."
"And what am I?" he asked arrogantly, one brow lifted.
"Vampire," I breathed, without thinking before I froze again.
Silence filled the room, as I stopped struggling and looked up into Aro's eyes fearfully.
More soon, and you can probably tell we're coming to the end of the Christabelle/Aro stuff. Soon it'll be Bella/Aro.
R&R!