Jewel in the Crown
Disclaimer: All the characters in the story are the property of Stephanie Meyer. I have borrowed them for my entertainment and (hopefully) your reading pleasure. I make no profit from their use.
Chapter 20: Meeting
The journey to Volterra has been seamless. Esme and I arrived in Florence with nine hours left of Aro's deadline. To further curry his favor, I decide to travel to Volterra immediately. It takes minutes to rent a car and before I know it, we are traveling through the Tuscan countryside to the old walled city. It is two in the morning, when we reach the citadel at Volterra.
Having lived here for a couple of decades, I know my way in. At the main entrance, we are met by the tracker, Demetri. He looks disappointed when he sees us.
"Carlisle," he greets me. "I was hoping to have the opportunity to go to America again to fetch you. But you have arrived with eight hours to spare. This will please Aro. And this must be your mate, Esme."
"Demetri, this is my wife Esme," I reply. "Esme, this is Demetri, one of the Volturi guard."
"How do you do?" says Esme uncertainly.
"Still as pompous as ever," says Demetri, still determined to antagonize me. "The centuries haven't made you any less priggish. You are as lovely as you were described, Esme. It is a pleasure to meet you."
Esme looks at me uncertainly at his remark.
"Aro has seen you in Edward's thoughts," I explain. "I am sure that Demetri is simply quoting his Master."
"Come," says Demetri scowling. "Aro does not like to be kept waiting."
He turns around in a huff. He does not like to be reminded that despite his higher-ranking position in the guard, he is still Aro's servant. As a visiting guest, I was accorded a higher rank in the brothers' minds because I was never their servant and this always annoyed him. Now we follow him through the hallways, the bland reception area, and toward the tower room.
I am curious to see who might be present, since we are arriving so early. But before we can enter the room itself; Demetri stops and turns.
"Wait here while I announce your arrival," he says formally.
"This is not what I expected," says Esme looking around. "At all."
"Well, it's not exactly what you would think of as vampire feng shui," I answer. "It's the business facade that the guard Heidi uses to lure in tourists here to supply the meals for the Volturi. She is very charismatic and creative.
"She designs elaborate scenarios where people believe that they are visiting a famous site in the ancient world. And she has such a magnetic personality that she easily entices them in, both men and women. When we go into the tower, you will find the decor more like what you would expect in a place like this."
Demetri returns.
"Aro will see you now," he says simply.
We follow him through the door, walking side by side, but not touching. I had warned her ahead of time that it would be a greater show of strength for us if we slipped out of our more human habits. And vampires don't tend to cling to one another if they want to show power.
As we walk towards the thrones, Aro stands up to greet us.
"My dear, Carlisle," he says. "It has been too long."
"Yes, Aro," I reply politely. "It has been over two centuries."
Immediately he grasps my hand and bows his head over it.
"You are worried about your son of course," he says. "You may see him after we have spoken. And I wish to assure you that his little human is well also. Will you please introduce me to Esme?"
"Esme, this is Aro," I say. "He is an old friend from the years that I lived in Europe. Aro, my wife Esme."
He takes advantage of the hand, which she reflexively offers him out of politeness. He grasps it eagerly and bends over it. Whatever he sees there must interest him because he briefly raises his eyebrows.
"How do you do?" she says in a soft but clear voice.
"Quite well, thank you," he says. "But you are worried for your son also. And you are concerned for the safety of the girl here. I can put your mind to rest. Edward has been most attentive and devoted to her needs, and quite the gentleman as well. He is a credit to his upbringing."
"Thank you for telling me," she replies.
"Aro, now that we have finished with the pleasantries of your reunion may we please get down to business?" asks Caius with a deep sigh.
"Oh, where are my manners, brother?" asks Aro. "Carlisle, of course you know Marcus and Caius. But Esme, may I introduce my brothers Marcus and Caius?"
Marcus nods lethargically, while Caius scowls. This charade of manners is intended to set Esme and me on edge by delaying the real conversation. However, I have seen it too many times before. I have already warned my wife that Aro would get around to whatever his point is in his own time.
The best way to deal with him is to show infinite patience and as few emotions as possible. I purposely set her expectations for the outcome of our visit very low. Thus, despite his attempts to set her ill at ease, she looks poised and completely in control of herself. Apparently, her lack of response has made him bored with his own game almost immediately.
"So Carlisle," he says. "I assume that you know why your son came to see me in the first place."
"Yes, I do," I say. "There was a misunderstanding and he believed that his human girlfriend was dead. He decided that he wanted to join her, so he came to you to ask for death."
"Yes," he says. "And he was most disappointed when I said no. Naturally, I didn't want to do anything that might hurt or offend you. But I was also unable to grant his request unless he forced my hand. He is very talented and could make a very valuable contribution to the guard. He initially turned me down, but thought better of it at the last minute. And the next thing he knew, the lovely Bella was in his arms, safe and sound."
"And she is still safe and sound?" I ask pointedly.
"And, I believe, in his arms," he replies smoothly. "She sleeps there, as I have been informed. And presently it is the hour when humans sleep."
"Has she been able to eat?" asks Esme. "I'm sorry, I should have interrupted, but I love the girl like my own daughter."
"Yes, I know you do," says Aro kindly. "I saw it in your thoughts. And yes, we have been attending to her human needs. It would not do for any harm to the girl girl that Edward loves so much."
"Aro, can we get on with this?" asks Caius. "Tell Carlisle why you called him here."
"One thing that I have always admired about Carlisle is his patience," replies Aro. "And it appears that Esme shares this quality. It is their son's life that hangs in the balance right now, and that of his little human. Of course it is through his own foolish and impulsive decisions, but I am hoping that his loving parents can give him the guidance that he needs to make better, shall we say, choices in the future. And yet you are the one who grows restless."
"That's because I am not the one who has forgotten what a patient man Carlisle is," he says sarcastically.
Aro turns back to us, ignoring the insinuation.
"Carlisle," he says. "I know that you are aware that Bella's thoughts are completely imperceptible to Edward's gift, but what I have discovered is that I cannot read her mind either. In fact, she is utterly impervious to the gifts of Jane, Alec, Demetri, Chelsea, Renata, Afton, and Marcus. I believe that your cousin Eleazer would characterize her as a shield, or that she would be, if she were changed."
"Yes," I say slowly. "He might. But Eleazer has never met Bella."
"I am thinking that young Bella has great potential as an immortal," he says. "However, I am facing a conundrum. Your son does not want her changed. Yet, I have no one else here that I could trust to attempt to change her without the risk of killing her. If she dies, then so will he. He has promised me that he will finish what he started before she arrived. As you know, I am a greedy man. I want them both."
"Are you asking me to convince him to change her?" I ask.
"That would be my preference," he replies. "I believe that a strong bond exists between the creator and his creation. As Edward already views her as his mate, it would be a doubly strong bond. However, if you cannot convince him then I would ask you to change her for him. I know that I can trust you not to kill her."
"I would be happy to speak to my son," I say, not promising to change Bella. "I do not wish to see him die."
"You don't wish to lose him either," replies Aro. "But you value his life over your own wishes. I have always admired you for your pragmatism and your morality."
"Thank you for the compliment," I say.
"Chelsea," he calls.
"Yes, Master," she flits to his side from an unseen corner of the room.
"Please go bring Edward and Bella to us," he says.
"Yes, Master," she replies obediently, and is gone.
In the silence, I notice that there are not many others in the room. Renata of course is here, and a few of the other guards. Oddly enough, Aro's wife Sulpicia is here with Corin and Santiago. I am relieved to note that Alec and Jane are not present. I had warned Esme about them, but I can see that Aro didn't want to appear too threatening.
Edward and Bella walk in slowly. She looks as though she is still half-asleep. I can see that she is very pale and thinner than ever. Alice said that she didn't look well when she met her in Forks. It would appear that the strain of her stay here is causing her health to slip further. Edward views us impassively, but when Bella sees us, there is a flicker of light in her face.
As they take their places beside us, I can see Edward draw her closer. He nods to Esme and me, but his focus is on Bella.
"Edward," says Aro. "Aren't you going to greet your parents?"
"Carlisle, Esme," he says with another nod.
I note the lack of warmth in his voice. It is obvious that Chelsea has already been working on him. Aro notes his affect as well and it pleases him. Now that I have the chance to look at him closely, I realize that Edward is very thirsty.
He must be under a great strain as he holds the girl whose blood almost literally sings for him in his arms. He looks at me and with the slightest inclination of his head acknowledges the truth of my thoughts.
"May I speak to my son?" Esme asks Aro.
"As you wish," he says magnanimously.
"Edward," says Esme. "You don't look well, neither do you Bella."
"Bella was sleeping just now," he says. "I don't think that she is fully awake yet."
"You look thirsty, son," she continues, her motherly instinct emerging.
"I'm fine," he says petulantly.
"Edward doesn't approve of our diet, but you already know that, Carlisle," says Aro. "And he won't leave Bella here alone to hunt for himself."
"I wonder why," mutters Edward sarcastically.
"No, I am sure that Edward is quite right not to trust us with his Bella," he says. "But Esme is also right. He is very thirsty. Carlisle, I propose that you take Edward hunting and Esme can stay with Bella. Would that be acceptable?"
Bella looks terrified and Edward shakes his head.
"No," he says stubbornly. "That is not acceptable."
"Don't you trust me?" asks Esme.
"Yes, Esme, of course I trust you" he says, looking around. "It's the guard that I don't trust."
I follow his gaze and notice several of the guard seem to be contemplating something. Then I notice that he is staring at Sulpicia, who is staring at Bella. He holds Bella a little tighter.
"Husband," says Sulpicia sweetly. "May I come forward?"
"Yes, my love," replies Aro fondly as Edward's mouth tightens.
Sulpicia steps forward and lightly touches Aro's hand. He nods at her.
"My wife has offered to come to your room and stay with Bella and Esme while you and Carlisle hunt, Edward," he says. "Corin would also be there and Santiago would be outside to guard the door. Is this enough assurance that she is well-protected?"
Sulpicia then stares at Edward. Whatever she has said to him, has settled his mind.
"Bella," he says softly. "Will you stay with Esme so that I may hunt? Sulpicia will also be there and she assures me that no harm will come to you. You like her, remember?"
Sulpicia looks pleased when she hears that Bella likes her. Unfortunately, so does Aro.
"You will be back soon, right?" she asks.
"It shouldn't take me very long," he says gently.
Esme reaches over and puts her arm around her. She looks at Edward intensely. I suspect that she is reinforcing her promise to care for her. Edward tenderly kisses Bella's cheek.
"Take care of my heart," he whispers to Esme, who pulls Bella a little closer.
"Chelsea," says Aro. "Bring them back to the room. Sulpicia, you may follow with your guards."
Sulpicia looks very pleased that she has gotten her way. I must admit that while I was here the last time, I found her to be an interesting woman. Despite the fact that she is rather childlike and in awe of her husband, she has a very independent streak.
And while she cannot read and write, she has acquired a large amount of knowledge through listening and speaking. Her ability to learn this way fascinated me. I discovered that illiterate people have a much better memory for oral language, since they do have the luxury of not remembering what is written down. It is no wonder that Socrates argued that literacy would be the death of learning, as he knew it.
In my presence, Sulpicia always played the helpless female. But looking at her now, I suspect even more strongly than before that she is anything but helpless. For some reason, she has developed an attachment to Bella and it seems that Aro is only too happy to exploit it for his own gain.
I am looking forward to discussing her, and everything that has happened to him and Bella so far, with Edward. I am sure that Aro will trust us to let us hunt without any of the guard. He has in his possession the two hostages who absolutely guarantee our return. He may even want us to get away for a short time so that I can try to convince Edward to do as he wishes.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Edward move his head ever so slightly. I am right. When the women are gone, Aro sends us on our way, warning us to not stray too far or take too long.
"Don't worry, Aro," says Edward. "You know very well that you have insured our return to you in a timely fashion."
"Yes, I have," replies Aro with a smirk.
If I had blood, it would run cold when I note the look on Caius's face. Edward's face is impassive, as we leave the room and run down the hallway.
Author's note: Some of the details that I have included about the Volturi and other vampires mentioned come from The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide.