Pt 12
Mary could hardly remember what happened next. They quietly followed Demetri, who was carrying Caius' body. Marina made an effort to turn out all the thoughts she'd never hear him joking on her again. The part of her was constantly sure he would survive. But every time she looked at him he remained lifeless, if this word could be used to speak of a vampire.
Succession of corridors and ladders ended finally. They reached a hall – too light to be vampire's, but in fact it was. Marina noticed two men sitting on the thrones, the third one remained empty. A boy and a girl stood behind them, and one more man – in the lest corner of the room.
- What's that?! - cried one of the men as Demetri entered the room.
- Hello, Aro, - said Edward. - Let me try to explain, because Demetri actually hasn't seen anything. It was a werewolf's attack. He ran and thrust Caius with a dagger faster than we were able to realize what was going on...
- Carry him to Heidi – ordered Aro. - Well-well... and who's that? - he turned to glance at Mary.
- I am Marina Cameron, - Mary finally understood how she feared for Caius' life, she spoke to Aro in an indifferent tone as if she had no idea who was he, - and yes, I am a human. And no, it wasn't Edward, or any of the Cullens, who told me the truth, I was able to guess by myself long ago. And no, I'm not scared of any of you. And yes, I know you are going to kill me after this talk, but if you're interested in averting the war you'll have to listen to me a little bit more...
- Continue, - it seemed to her that Aro smiled at her hearing that speech.
- It was I who solved the mystery of the inscriptions on those stones we've found on Cyprus. And it is me, who can stop your contradictions with werewolves once and for all. I just need your company, and the elders of Werewolves.
- May I wonder what are you going to do? - asked Marcus.
- She won't do any harm, - Aro answered instead of her and stood up, - won't you, dear? - he came closer to her. - Give me your arm, if you don't mind.
- Why should I, - shrugged her shoulders Marina.
She knew what he was going to do, Edward had told her once about how Aro could see one's whole life just taking his hand. Marina observed Aro's face, she could swear she saw surprise, almost shock.
- Oh, very interesting... - he finally murmured, letting her hand off. - I thought you're special but now I can see you're much more than that. Felix, Demetri, - he turned to his guards. - Find the Werewolves and get them here... In a polite way, of course.
They left. Aro asked Edward and Marina to follow him to look for the rest of the Cullens family. Again labyrinth of corridors and ladders was before them.
"Emmm... Aro? - Mary though hoping he was able to hear her. - Well, you may consider it a rather strange question, but is there anything I can do to help Caius?"
"Nothing, my dear, - she heard him whispering, - unfortunately nothing... but you can pray to your God and hope he'll be OK... why do you ask?"
"Never mind, I've just wondered..."
They finally found Carlisle and Esme in the library. While Mary was having her lunch that Aro brought her Edward retell them the story of the few last days. Carlisle and Esme listened standing agape, wondering how Marina was so clever to solve the mystery and so brave to stand all the dangers and nasty Caius :))
He felt silent after the part with the accident near the gates.
- What an impressive story, - smiled Aro. - It seems like you, Mary, are extremely courage... I'd say you're insane, but finally it is you, whom we own our salvation. I hope so.
- I also hope, - answered Mary.
Demetri entered the room and spoke in a loud voice:
- Aro, the werewolves' elders are in the main hall. Shall I ask them to wait?
- No, - shook his hear Aro. - We are ready, aren't we?
- Sure we are, - nodded Marina.
They were back to the large hall full of light. Marina noticed two stocky men standing in the center of the room. Three more werewolves stood in the corner facing the rest of Volturi except for Marcus who sat on the throne and Caius, who was still absent...
- Hello, gentlemen, - greeted them Aro.
- Hello, Aro, - spoke one of the two werewolves. - First of all I must apologize for one of... us... I mean that rebel who injured your friend, believe me that was not my order.
- I believe, - nodded Aro, sitting down.
- So I was told you wanted to talk to us.
- Actually it was that young lady, - Aro pointed at Marina, - who wanted to talk to us all.
- Yes, that's right, - Mary stepped into the center. - Well, I know you guys have problems with understanding each other or something like that, anyway, I suppose I've found the way to end all your contradictions... I'm not really sure it'll work, but we'll never know until we try.
She got the rings out of her pocket and laid them on her palm. Mary opened her mouth to understand suddenly that she cannot remember the words she'd said that time.
"Oh my God... Aro!!! I have problems!! I've forgotten the words of the spell!!!"
- It's ok, my dear, - answered Aro out loud. - We can wait until you remember it.
"...jah ana... emmm... God, why didn't I guess to write them somewhere?! Airþai gawairþi in.... mannam godis... oh, there must be one more word... something about peace on Earth... oh! Wiljins..."
Again the smoke filled all the hall making it impossible to see anything. When it dispersed everybody saw a couple of people – it was a vampire man and a werewolf woman.
"Did it work?!" - Mary wasn't sure if she was asking herself or Aro in her mind.
- Hello, - she said in Gothic, - I am really sorry if I have bothered you, but we need your help.
- Speak, - nodded the man.
- Well, you see, during the last few thousand years vampires and werewolves have forgotten that they are relatives. At the moment they're about to start the war to exterminate each other. I though they'd come to reason when they see you.
- What is that, dear girl, can you explain us? - asked Aro.
- Can't you see? - answered Marina. - These are your ancestors. And they are together. I hope now you've finally understood that you mustn't kill each other, huh?
- This is unthinkable! - one of werewolves' elders stepped closer to the ghosts. - Can they understand us?
- Unfortunately, - shook her head Marina. - They understand only Gothic. But I can translate.
= Say them... oh, well, just thank them, - he said.
= That guy thanks you, - told Mary the ghosts. - And so do we all. I'd never avert the war without your help. And... I think I should return you your rings.
- I think you'd better give them to the leaders, - answered the Mother. - Mine – to the vampires, and his – to werewolves. That will the be sign of the unity.
They disappeared, Mary was left standing with the rings on her palm.
- This one is for you, - she offered a ring to Aro. - And this is for you, - the second for werewolves.
- Thank you, girl, - spoke one of the werewolves. - Can we do anything to you?
- Peace will be enough, - smiled Marina.
The werewolves left. Marina reached a large balcony to have some fresh night air. The story was over, the peace was brought, and she was almost dead – now the vampires could kill her.
Mary heard some noise, she turned her head to see Aro.
"It's all over, - she whispered. - Now you can... emmm... eat me, or what..."
Well, that was some kind of happy end of the part connected with war, but we still have halfly-gone Caius :))
