Chapter 10
Situations
"Do you have any quilts we can throw over them? I don't want to move either of them," Theron said as they guide Kaashaa and Elyshia to the sofa and couch as both were dead on their feet. Both had barely reached the outskirts of the property when both began to drag along their tempers spent. It had taken the combined effort of several members to get them both into the house.
"Are you certain?" Esme looked over to Theron with a worried look as she carried in two quilts from the closet upstairs, "It would not be very difficult to move them upstairs to a bed."
"I am certain that moving them is an unwise proposition." Theron answered taking one of the quilts from Esme with a smile, "One or both is guaranteed to be disoriented when they first come to again, and from experience I can tell you the response is better if they awaken in the same place they went under."
"Is the response always this immediate?" Jasper asked as he helped Rose and Alice move Kaashaa to sit on one of the overstuffed chairs in the living room.
"Not always," Theron shook his head keeping one hand on Elyshia's shoulder as she swayed almost drunkenly on her feet, "But then the dark side of this one doesn't often show its head out of the box for that long at a time."
"Basically what Theron's saying is usually Kaashaa has the pin in the grenade before it gets this far. I've only seen one time when it came this close and that was with what happened to Kaashaa the last time Caius was too close to her. I have a feeling old friend that when these two wake up there's going to be an all out loud discussion of just what the hell happened," Lucien said watching Jasper maneuver a ottoman so Kaashaa feet were propped up.
"I know but that's for those two to hash out on their own terms. I do know this there I'm guessing," he turned and looked at the younger vampire coven, "questions as to what happened and what all was said?" he finished.
"I'd say so considering whatever Kaashaa said to her sister made her sister angry but also got her full attention and apparently everyone else's attention including the dumbshit squad," Emmett said aloud.
"Then might I suggest somewhere where we won't wake the two sleeping dragons before they've rested up enough to have a go at each other. Trust me these two and their discussions will make your heads spin and best they rest so they will be in a decent mood to discuss the situation at hand," Theron answered nodding at Draedyn and Lucien.
"Wherever you think it will be the most comfortable," Carlisle said with an amiable smile toward Theron, "The kitchen and my study are both viable options."
"I'm sure the kitchen will be suitable so that we're not too far from either should either wake up unexpectedly. Besides I'm sure the whole family would like to ask questions and I also would like to take in what my younger daughter said and ask a few questions myself," Theron answered as Carlisle motioned for everyone to follow him and led the way into the kitchen each taking a seat in various places so all were facing Theron who sat at the table there in what most had deemed Kaashaa's place.
"So which of us gets to ask the most important question first?" Lucien spoke up. He was curious which of the members of this coven had acquired Kaashaa's very rarely seen affection and made her say she'd found a mate.
"You're going to leave that alone," Theron said warningly, giving his oldest friend a serious look, "At least until I have the opportunity to speak to Kaashaa myself." He was just as curious as to what had been meant, particularly because of the two Kaashaa was the less likely to make such a claim, even less likely to bluff.
"Aww, mess up all my fun scaring the boy guy that's won Kaashaa's heart there old friend," Lucien muttered lowly so only Theron heard him grinning at him when Theron looked at him.
"So what questions do you have for me," Theron asked looking at Carlisle then the others wondering which one would be the first to speak their mind.
"There are many," Carlisle said after a long minute, "Not least of which exactly what Kaashaa did there, I'm afraid I didn't understand all that was said particularly between them but some uttered words had even Aro backing away I think that would be a place to begin."
"You're talking about Kaashaa mentioning two names that under normal circumstances no one that doesn't want to live say. Taron and Taelon are friends and family members and there is a long history between Taelon and Elyshia especially. It ended with him having to leave and her staying to protect her only little sister at the time Kaashaa," Theron answered calmly glancing around the room, "The reason that on one alive mentions them is that usually it sets Elyshia into such a rage as you saw today and she ends up killing the person. Aro made the mistake of even mentioning them and had it not been her worry for her sister there would be no Aro Volturi," he finished.
"That is quite a response," Carlisle said, grateful that his family let him be the voice for them, "Particularly if just the mention of a name provokes that kind of visceral reaction."
"It's best worded that if you have a death wish mention those two to Ely and you will get your wish. Even the guard don't cause well as stupid as they can be they don't want to die that quickly and not the way she was draining Caius," Draedyn added.
"I wondered what precisely I was seeing," Carlisle admitted folding his hands on the table calmly, "She doesn't seem under most circumstances to be the sort to torture others."
"Most of the time no, Ely's pretty direct and to the point when it comes to her responses to people. I admit she caught me off-guard when she began that slow torture when under most circumstances it's quick, visceral and messy when she metes out her own measure of judgment and retribution." Theron said worriedly, "Particularly since vampire disagrees with her system when she eats."
"What exactly was that she was doing to Caius," Jasper ventured his head was still pounding from Caius' emotions hurtling out and he admittedly didn't want something similar to happen to him or any of his family should she get pissed over her sister getting hurt. He valued his life and his family's lives.
"That is not a simple question," Theron began carefully choosing his words, "Vampires consume blood, in some form whether it is human, or animal. She does much the same under most circumstances but has the ability to effectively consume the very energy of the soul. As a rule she refrains from it because it goes against her conscience, but in some instances instinct kicks in and she can't always control her reactions. What you were seeing was the manifestation of it, and the way he was withering was and will always be with him."
"So wait you're telling us she basically can and will eat a person's or in the case vampires soul? Remind me never to truly piss that woman off," Emmett said his amazement echoed in nods by several of the others.
Smiling thinly, Theron nodded, "It is actually harder these days than it ever has been, with a few very specific triggers. In the last decade Caius breathing in her presence is one and anyone bringing up Taelon and Taron are the only two I've seen with that level of response. Most frequently her response is a swift and often brutal verbal slap-down."
"That girl's had a sharp tongue almost since she could talk," Lucien added with a soft chuckle, "And it never dulled."
"Don't let the other one fool you into thinking she's all sweet either she learned from the best and you don't want to be on either of those two's bad side because you just might not make it out with your life or your dignity. The only one I've ever seen Ely get mad at and simmer down was Kaashaa even to some extent she keeps her distance from the other kids though that's more like the role of a big sister and aunt rolled up into one with them. Kaashaa, on the other hand she's more like sister, friend, confidant, and keeper. One is hardly seen without the other close by," Draedyn added thoughtfully.
"They do seem exceptionally close," Jasper said recalling how more than once Kaashaa had spent considerable amount of time either on the phone or texting back and forth with Elyshia.
"Almost as close as twins," Theron nodded, "They were fast friends when they met and Kaashaa insisted that Elyshia stay with her when her mother died."
"So no matter what they've always been together through thick and thin? Do you think they're really go at each other for Kaashaa's comment earlier?" Edward asking wondering if leaving might be the best thing for everyone or at least staying a safe distance from those two when they woke up.
"That depends on exactly how much Elyshia remembers," Draedyn said turning his chair so that he could straddle it, leaning his arms over the back of it with a faint smile, "There's a good chance she'll remember being ticked off but not why. They rarely come to blows but a good screaming match isn't unheard of."
"What I hope is they remember they're not home and start throwing stuff at each other cause if not the lady of the house might not like a destroyed living room," Lucien said looking at Theron intently.
"Ever the optimist aren't you old friend?" Theron said with a soft chuckle, "I rather anticipate very little open conflict between them; they tend to deal with their disagreements rather diplomatically. There's a good chance she won't even remember what Kaashaa said that ripped her focus from killing Caius."
"One can only hope so since I really don't want to deal with the aftermath," Lucien said chuckling too. "They should be getting up soon. I'm surprised one or the other isn't already up," he added.
Theron's grin was brief and wicked, "You're still sulking about the fact she threw a suit of armor at her sister and nearly hit you with it." He shook his head, "I expect another hour before either would be capable of waking up yet."
"We don't talk about the suit of armor and my head. Besides I think you were a little peeved at her for throwing that suit of armor." Lucien spouted back grinning, "I hope for their sake and everyone here all goes well. I can say one way to Elyshia's heart is through a steaming cup of coffee and for Kaashaa its hot cocoa and coffee," Lucien said.
"I like my decorations where they belong," Theron said mildly, "I learned my lesson most are quite literally nailed down after that little episode. But really, did you have to break it?" He pointed out sweetly smiling at Lucien, "I liked that suit of armor."
"I got it fixed didn't I besides it was that or let the thing knock me out for a while and personally I didn't want a concussion with the way the thing was hurtling for my head thanks to your and I mean you're younger daughter deciding to duck," Lucien shot back grinning. The Cullen's sat transfixed on the conversation noticing the general comradely between the two as if they were brothers not merely friends.
"Anyone else have questions because these two can go all day." Draedyn interrupted looking to the Cullens, "By Theron's estimate we have around forty-five minutes before one of them stirs."
"Is Kaashaa always that temperamental or was she sort of feeding off her sister's temper?" Rose asked smiling at the bantering still taking place between the two sitting across the table from one another.
"A little bit of both," Draedyn mused, "I've always found her to be the more reasonable of the terrible twosome even if she's gotten feisty over the last few decades."
"So she's easier to get along with than Ely is?" Rose asked again only getting the one question out before a voice to the left interrupted.
"I don't think sis is going to like you comparing us to damn dwarves neither of us are dwarves thank you very much and I certainly am not wanting the shoes your trying to give me since he was an idiot toward the end," Kaashaa said yawning and stumbling the rest of the way into the kitchen.
"Aren't we a ray of sunshine in the twilight," Draedyn said smiling as he saw the rude gesture over her shoulder as Kaashaa punched the button on the single-cup coffee pot.
"Yeah better me than my sister saying something. I've got a nasty headache and I feel like I'm hung over and yes before anyone ask I did that once on my actually 21st birthday many, many years ago and it was not fun," she said fixing her a cup with cocoa already in it. "I won't ever repeat that Emmett so don't even try to go there," she finished.
"Well the hangover sucked but the rest of it wasn't so bad," Elyshia reminded her with a chuckle, leaning her head on the doorframe as she paused in the doorway watching her sister move around, "Why exactly did I come to pissed at you?"
"First take this then I'll tell you what happened and yes the drinking and playing chess was fun but the hangover not so much," Kaashaa answered handing her sister a cup of coffee. "Drink that and then I'll tell you what happened since I value my head attached at the moment and yes Uncle Lucien thank the gods there's not armor around," she added reading Lucien's mind.
Elyshia took the cup in both hands smirking at her sister, "Throw one measly suit of armor around and nobody ever lets you forget it." She sipped from it, "Also did I kill it or did I throw it? I kind of remember doing both I think? It's all messed up in my head."
"That suit happened to be daddy's favorite suit and you threw it. Uncle Lucien killed it before it hit his head and yes I did the same thing out there that I did when you threw the armor at me. No, Emmett I'm not suicidal just homicidal because my sister won't grant my wish," Kaashaa answered taking a sip of her own cup leaning against the bar casually.
Elyshia's eyebrow rose higher with every word, making even Jasper scoot further from her as she stared at Kaashaa, "Are you suicidal or stupid bringing that up where I would have been in no condition to be stopped particularly with Caius polluting my good humor?" She spoke slowly, and her fingers gripped the cup tightly as if she was debating if throwing the mug was worth losing the contents that she direly wanted to drink.
"Pfft I haven't been actually suicidal in five years thank you very much," Kaashaa volleyed back with a wicked grin, "Not that you'd have ever in another age let me indulge in it." Her tone softened as she saw that Elyshia was still regrouping, "But you're probably right, bringing that up was a risk I should have been more careful in calculating."
"Girls remember you're not at home and we don't want to ruin the lady of the house's kitchen. Besides that we need to be calm for the sake of those that don't need to see your discussion," Theron ventured quietly and calmly watching both girls.
"I at least solved the problem of you not literally eating Caius and making yourself sick sister so it's check your move," Kaashaa answered hearing but not acknowledging her father except with a nod in his direction.
Instead of answering her sister directly, Elyshia opted for polishing off the cup and set it down on the nearest flat surface away from herself, fixing a very steady glare on her sister, "I seem to remember something else that we need to discuss. Something about a mate or some other thing similar? I mean I know Caius got himself deliciously worked up for a minute so I'm sure it was good."
Kaashaa spared Jasper a smile and went to stand by him, "I talked to Alice and she and I came to terms that Jasper and I are soul mated. I trust her visions and she basically told me under no uncertain terms she wants me and Jasper to make a go of this if you and daddy agree to this," Kaashaa answered slowly letting it sink in for all around. She put her head on his shoulder whispering words of encouragement to make a stand for her.
"I told you so, that it would sneak up on you and slap you in the face when it happened. You didn't have to settle for a dust bucket with a death wish." Elyshia broke the stunned silence, glancing at Theron with a shrug, "I saw that within two minutes of seeing the two of them trying to not look at each other."
"To say I'm surprised would be an understatement and it must have taken a great deal for you sir to gain my younger daughters attention like you have. Is there something that you would like to ask of me since the keeper has all but given her blessing," Theron asked looking Jasper straight in the eye.
Jasper swallowed once and took a breath, "It's true she and I have a connection I've only every felt for Alice. I would like to court your daughter and see where our attraction takes us. But I will only do so with both of your permissions as I've learned she respects you both highly."
"Finally you opened your pretty gold eyes and got around to seeing what the rest of us have seen for weeks about damn time Jasper," Bella muttered.
"Well it took me less time to notice it than my brother's attraction for a certain brown haired female we all know and love Bella," Jasper spouted back as Theron cleared his throat to gain Jasper's attention again.
"I believe that as long as you agree to respect my daughter's wishes I see no reason for not allowing you both to explore your feelings for each other," Theron said nodding his head.
"Then I think for now what we need to do is get everyone rested up for the moment before Aro decides to try and revisit us again which I'm sure he's going to since he didn't get the results he wanted," Carlisle said in a tone that denoted a finality to the conversation. Everyone including Kaashaa and Elyshia agreed and began splitting up to rest and relax.