Chapter 13: Let Down

Chelsea was waiting for us. Her smug expression made me uneasy. My insides turned, realizing why I could not trust her. Why couldn't I see it before? Her power allowed her to manipulate any relationship. I couldn't be sure, but could she have anything to do with me and Kai? Kai may have been angry, but a little push to put her over the edge could have triggered her change.

I wanted so badly to rip out every hair on her head. To pull her perfect lips down to an ugly grimace.

"Hello Marcus." She greeted, and then nodded to me, "Autumn."

"Hi." I managed to verbalize.

Marcus did not say anything, rather, he just walked past her, suddenly in a hurry. I stood for a second, watching him walk away, then to her face, and stormed off. I'll have to talk to Kai later. Fix up our rough patch.

Another week went by, and many more encounters with those mysterious brothers. Not all together, but scattered throughout the week, each one had their own things to say.

Aro would keep asking me if I were all right, and if I would be talking to Kai anytime soon. I tried not to slap him. No physical contact whether I liked it or not. Caius would give me this look, which had condescending dripping from the seams. Yes, from day one, he never liked me. And Marcus would turn up his lips, in what I think he thought was a smile. He was what I looked forward to; the only one whose quick wit didn't affect me. It hurt though, that they all had something to say about Kai. Aro and Caius had ulterior motives, Marcus out of pure curiosity.

Tears did not well in my eyes, though. I had a front to keep.

The following Monday, Caius approached me.

"Autumn, I have another offer."

"Anything you offer me won't be worth it. As long as your lot doesn't bother me—or Kai, I'll be in good health."

"Fine, but I need another meeting with Kai."

"Then why are you asking me? I'm not her owner."

It looked like he had a hard time grasping that.

"Just hear my proposition." He snapped. "I need to make more observations."

"What more do you need?" I asked, wondering what more basics could be covered. There wasn't much to it.

"I need her reactions to certain… beings."

I was more or less nonchalant to his intentions, until his last word. "What now?" I asked exasperatedly.

"Nothing, I just wanted to see how she would react around her own kind."

"What do you have?" I asked suspiciously, looking him in the eye.

"A werewolf." He said.

"We've already deduced she isn't a werewolf." I shifted my weight onto my other leg, crossing my arms.

"Yes, but—"

"So only god knows you're up to something. And didn't you get rid of werewolves?"

"Not all." He said quickly, looking away resentfully.

"What's you're deal? What did all the werewolves do to you?" I asked, walking in front of him.

"They're an abomination. A horrid splatter of stench walking the earth." I didn't believe him. You couldn't hate them for no reason. To my understanding, werewolves knew nothing while transformed, and were only so for one night; the full moon.

"Is that it? No traumatic experience?" I teased.

"Shut up, girl," he spat, thrusting his hand up, and around my neck. It hurt like hell, but I had to overcome the pain to get to him.

"Aro probably wouldn't be too happy if I were dead," I rasped, thinking of how shameful Aro would think it was if Caius killed me.

"Oh, I think he would get over it. Give or take a couple years. Plenty of fish in the sea," he said angrily. He tightened his grip, pressing his thumb against my windpipe.

"Plenty of werewolves too, apparently." Still said raspy. I knew my eyes were bugging, but Caius could only go so far before putting me down, not wanting to disappoint his brothers.

And he did put me down. I massaged my neck, and noted the numbness of my lips.

"Don't think I won't tell." I said, grabbing hold of his arm.

He whipped around, his eyes flashing. Now the next few instances were insightful indeed.

Caius, in a much younger setting, was walking down a London night street. The moon was full. His surprisingly normal attire whipped around him. It was cold as hell.

The gas lamps shone little light over the streets, yet Caius stayed away from the light. He hung by the shadows, looking for prey, his teeth glistening with venom. He lurked finally spotting something. A woman, with skin white as snow, though not as white as his, was walking frightfully staying with the light. She heard Caius whipping the wind, running quickly by her, to bring out her fear.

How he loved fear. He crept up behind her, pulling her blond hair back.

She gasped spinning herself to face him, "Oh, I thought you were a ghost." She said relieved, even though she didn't know the man.

"There are no such thing as ghosts, Madame." He said tugging the high collar of her coat away from her neck. She slapped his poised hand away. His eyes narrowed, pulling her to his body.

"This will hurt."

"What?" She whined. She screamed as she saw his teeth bar. As his teeth sunk in, she writhed, and he swam leisurely in her fear.

Finishing up, he was about to toss her body into the lake, when something hit him.

It knocked the taste of blood off of Caius' tongue.

The thing slashed at him, tearing the clothing, and grating against his torso. The sound was deadening. The screech was reminiscent of amplified fingernails sliding down a chalkboard. Caius was continuously assaulted, sobs wracking his chest, the beast giving no yield.

It continued to rip him, finally getting at his throat, biting down hard. The blood he had previously drunk was spilling out of bite marks caused by the beast. Caius convulsed violently as the werewolf took him in his mouth, as if he were a chew toy.

All his senses were plagued by the beast. The smell burned his nose. Never in all his royal life, had Caius been reduced to this bumbling wreck on the stone walkway.

Another howl could be heard in the distance, sending another ounce of dread in Caius' system. However, the werewolf stopped tearing at him, and ran off.

There lied Caius, barely there, hardly enough energy to express his pain. The dry sobs were done, and there was no release for tears.

I didn't think Caius noticed, because he had the same expression, as if he'd never moved. I stepped back, analyzing everything I just saw.

"I'm sure Aro won't be too upset." He said, continuing from the conversation.

"Whatever. I'll accept, but no tricks. One hint dropped, and no deal." I said, walking away to my thoughts.

Caius hissed, and also turned to walk in the opposite direction.

I was given plenty to think about for sure. Aro might follow the rules, but Caius seemed to deviate and use the rules as more of guidelines.

In a few short hours, we would be leaving, this time to a closer location, to observe the werewolf and Kai interact. I had to get the letters. I knew the Volturi had brought food so they wouldn't be tempted at the venue, so I had some time.

Later, I snuck out the front door.

"Where are you going, Autumn?" Gianna asked me passively.

"Going to get some nom, you know. I'll be back in a few." I said casually, even fooling myself.

She nodded, smiling, and continued on with her… front-desking.

I strolled down the street, figuratively smelling the roses. Victory was near. I could go and get the letter, and come back just in time.

The familiar house was yet again unlocked. They must've not come back at all. I ran up the stairs and grabbed the letter behind the cereal. I sat at the dining room table slowly, basking in the epic win. I carefully ripped open the letter. Did it smell like home, or was that my imagination?

Within were five pages. One with a family tree with Kai near the bottom, three pages titled Quileute Legends in summaries, and the other with contact information for Kai's grandparents. Kai will be thrilled. I slid the papers back into the folder, and scavenged the kitchen. I found above the sink, a large Ziploc bag, and put the package inside, just incase it gets damaged.

It was a short ride, compared to the drive to the airport, and we arrived in a clearing with a vineyard visible in the background. Other than that, it didn't look like there were any people anywhere close to us.

It was nighttime, with light wispy clouds. Caius must have given this great thought, because the weather was just right, giving view to a large yellow moon. A full moon.

I sat down, next to a rock, making sure no one was around. I pulled out the envelope encased in the Ziploc bag, and took it out. The first I looked at were the Legends.

Tales of warriors of the Quileute tribe being descendents of wolves to protect their people. But from what? A little further down the page, I got my answer. A little section held a crucial part. About "Cold Ones", the beautiful creatures coming to their tribe and slaughtering. The Wolves would come by and take down the threat. The legends were a whir in my head, as I thought about how these legends connected to Kai. So she was Quileute. I don't think Mary knew just how much she helped me.

I was about to take a look at the family tree, but ferocious growls interrupted my train of thought. Shining chains were restraining something. It was the Werewolf. Fully formed and writhing under the moon. His yellow eyes reflected terribly, and sent a shudder of dread through my body. I think it was because I knew he was tenfold more dangerous than Kai.

I cringed, trying not to think of dead kittens, but that was too hard. Aro raised his delicate white hand, silencing the subtle buzzing of vampire voices I hadn't realized were there.

"I welcome, you guard, once again, to witness these to paranormal beings." I could barely hear his voice, but I'm sure everyone else heard just fine.

I saw Kai transform, as well as heard the substantial rip of clothing. She remained composed, but even as a wolf, you could tell she was curious.

The werewolf immediately turned his attention to her. He crouched down, lower than a cat would. And cats don't crouch for any other reason. I hoped those chains would hold.

I watched for Kai's reaction, not too sure what I should be doing. This meeting technically meant nothing to me. She was slightly backing away, anxious for meeting the beast. I then looked at the three Volturi leaders. All were still and calculating expressions.

Suddenly Caius spoke, "Felix, hold her still."

Before I could protest, Felix was holding my arms back. For what though, was answered moments later. Caius looked to Aro who nodded his head. Caius signaled something to the vampires holding the werewolf. They let go of the chains broke the chains easily, and jumped far back. I yelped when I realized the only prey the frantic werewolf saw, as a threat, was Kai, standing in his view.

Kai gave a loud growl of objection, jumping high out of its path, and I cursed. No matter how much Caius would twist the words and facts later, I knew he set this up. Would he really bring another werewolf for a normal reason? No, he hoped there would be a fight. And whoever won, well, there would be one less problem for him.

The werewolf was more upright, standing on his hind legs. He was smaller, but way more aggressive. As much as I knew and trusted how strong Kai was, the werewolf's muscles were more defined, and he appeared more agile. But he looked more scared than Kai.

I gazed in horror over Felix's arm wrapped tightly around my neck.

My skin prickled as the beast finally got at Kai. He had grazed her ribs. Dark liquid wet her shiny coat.

I avoided looking at the fight, despite how gruesome it could become, in favor of glaring at Aro and Caius.

"You knew. And you never told me." I said, just above a whisper.

"Oh go cry yourself to sleep, she's doing well." Caius quipped. I clenched me hands as tight as I could around Felix's arms. If he were human, some bones would be breaking.

"The deal is off Caius. You said no funny business." I said, trying to get rid of the smirk on his face.

"I swear I had no idea." He said stone-faced, but voice full of humor.

Well, what do you think? Caius is a dirty rat? I think so. And will Kai survive? I don't even know myself. Wouldn't that just be a rut in your morning? Anyways, please review…

-Love Sage94