Carlisle parked his car, getting out and stretching. It had been an unbelievably long day at work. He shut the car door, walking down to the end of the driveway to pick up the mail. He thumbed through the mail, almost absentmindedly as he continued back into his home. Seeing nothing of absolute value, he tossed it onto the counter, ignoring what fell onto the floor. For once, he dropped his normal regimen, tossing his keys on the kitchen table and kicking off his shoes to lie back on the couch. The house was quiet. Quiet for once.
When he opened his eyes again, Esme was standing over him, her face almost ashen. "You dropped this." She whispered, holding out a letter. He took it, looking it over and immediately understood his wife's pale face. It was addressed to him, from the Volturi.
"Yikes." He slid open the stationary, ignoring the letter for the moment to check the signature at the bottom. Esme waited. "No. It's from Marcus and Didyme."
"Carlisle,
By now, I'm sure that your daughter, Alice, has predicted this coming. Yes, she is right. Aro has since gotten wind of Edward & Bella's child, and he not only fears the worst, but seeks to destroy your entire coven. He is ill, Carlisle, so please try to understand. When Marissa left, he just went stir crazy. He won't eat. He refuses to hear out anyone, me, Caius, even Didyme. No one can get close to him without him destroying them. Demetri has since paid the price in the loss of his partner.
Forgive him, Carlisle, and forgive Marissa. I do not wish any harm to come upon your coven, so if you choose to gather an army, I personally would advise you too, then do what you think is best for your coven. I only ask a favor in return, to please keep an eye out for Marissa, no doubt she is suffering from the same pain that Aro is.
Originally, I would have called for you the instant that things turned south physically for Aro, but judging by what happened at the coronation ceremony, it was best that I didn't. Didyme was able to work with him for some time, and she has judged him to be ill under a mating pull. To attest for myself, the bond between Marissa and Aro is very strong. Shouldst one or the other be killed in battle, the other would die. It flickers even now.
As per one more thing, that Caius would mention to spur Aro's insanity of your treatise with the Quileutes. I have no care with whom you ally yourself, Carlisle, but know that Caius will wish to use this against you.
The child, Renesmee, I am told, and then forgive me for spying, it was necessary, is mortal. I am under the belief that your newborn Bella conceived and gave birth while human, and that the child is a hybrid. I am sorry for taking advantage of a child's trust like that, but Didyme was the only one in this castle that I could trust. I believe you, Carlisle, and such I have no desire to attack, but I must obey my brother's wishes.
Until I see you again,
Marcus and Didyme Volturi."
Carlisle let out a sigh. "Oh boy."
"What is it?" Esme asked.
"Just a warning from Marcus, and heads up to arm ourselves. Apparently, Aro is far, far, far worse than Alice or anybody could have predicted." Esme frowned. "He's dying, Esme. And the pain is driving him insane."
"Oh, Carlisle. If you could take back what you said, would you?"
"Somebody needed to stand up to him. We should go. Marcus is right. If Aro is this far gone, then an army might actually be necessary."