The door to Marcus' office was open so I just walked in. Where Aro's office was eclectic, Marcus' was filled with distractions. There were books stacked to the ceiling, a TV, board games, and even game consoles- though the game consoles were covered in dust. I don't know what I expected his office to look like, but not like this.
Marcus was sitting on the ground leaning against his desk as he read a book.
"Hello, Marcus." He slowly looked over at me.
"Carlisle, thank you for joining me." Marcus closed the book and stood. He motioned for me to sit in the smaller of the two chairs. "I see that your ties have changed since I last saw you." His eyes seemed distant, probably looking at the lines of my relationships.
"I signed divorce papers."
"It's not just that… Your ties to Caius and Bella." He reached out and seemed to grab hold of some invisible thread.
"What do they tell you?"
"I can see both cords of the relationship you and Caius have. His distaste for you is high. It's in contrast with the respect he has for you as well as a past friendship. Your tie to him is completely frayed, as expected. Your tie to Bella is very complex."
"I shouldn't have any ties with Bella, not after what she did."
"Yet you do. If there's more than one person there is a relationship." He let his arm drop back onto his lap. "There's a sense of denial in your relationship, but it doesn't have to do with denying this tie."
"What are you trying to tell me?"
"I'm thinking of retiring, or at least going on vacation." His change of subject threw me off completely.
"What?" I stood up from my seat not believing him. I may not like the Volturi, but I knew the world would be a lot worse without them.
"It's been a very long time since I've been happy. My religion believes in reincarnation. I want to find that happiness again. I want to find her… I am not needed here."
"You can't Marcus, you three balance each other out. You're the calming voice when Caius and Aro want to do something drastic." I tried to reason with him. This idea of him leaving gave me a bad feeling, like things would go straight to hell if he left.
"Those trails are always a show. Aro, Caius, and I have known each other for so long that we all know where the other two stand. There are only so many different circumstances that could be judged and we've seen them all. There is precedence on all the trials. We never disagree on the sentencing. We just put on a charade." Marcus' expression somehow fell further than his usual look.
"But your gift… It's key for maintaining power."
"It's an ability that Bella shares. I have effectively become unnecessary."
"Please don't tell me that you're having Bella take your place, take your throne."
"She would only be the queen regent until I got back." Marcus looked out the window. "She has many gifts. She'll make a fine queen regent with Caius and Aro to guide her."
"What about you? You have many enemies. Going into the world is dangerous." Once again I was grasping at straws.
"Sophia, one of the guards has the ability to change appearances and scents of individuals. No one but the royal family will have access to how I look."
"Marcus, you're the only sane one here. You can't just go. It will cause all sort of mayhem in the vampire world."
"The news will spread slowly."
"You can't put that woman in your seat. She's insane. Bella destroyed my whole family as just a human. What do you think she'll do as a vampire?" Marcus didn't respond immediately and I tried not to let my hopes rise that maybe he was reconsidering leaving.
"There are two types of insanity, Carlisle, the kind with a purpose and the kind without." He was still staring out the window. "She and I have spent time together. Her insanity has a purpose. She focuses it into a precise laser, effectively getting done what needs to be done. With guidance she can become a valuable part of the Volturi instead of just being Caius' mate."
"Did she give you this idea? She had planted all sorts of ideas into Peter's head and it got him killed."
"That is part of the reason I wanted you to come here. I want your relationship to be a healthy one. I think you two have a lot that you could learn from each other."
"You didn't answer my question."
"No, this plan has been in the workings for centuries…" Marcus looked over at me. "I need to know things will be harmonious here when I leave." He sighed slowly. "You, Amelia, Bella, and Caius just need time."
"Time for what?"
"Time to grow." His response completely stunned me.
"Marcus, please don't go. You and Amelia are the only ones keeping me sane." I pleaded with him.
"That's why I waited till today to leave. Your relationship with Amelia has strengthened sufficiently. As I already stated I am unnecessary."
"Did you not see Bella's parlor? She's in no shape to rule, even with Caius and Aro helping her." If that wasn't a clear sign to Marcus, I don't know what would be.
"I know, I was there. She was very upset when I told her I was leaving. She has a temper, just like her mate's."
"I find it hard to believe that she actually cared about anyone besides herself and Caius." Why did God keep throwing me through the ringer?
"Comments like that will just slow down everyone's growth."
"What do you expect me to say? She killed two of my children." I whispered the last sentence. "She's not even sorry about it either." I clenched my fists, trying to not let my anger take over my rationality. Marcus stared at my clenched hands.
"Has she told you she's not sorry about what happened that day?"
"Not explicitly."
"Then how do you know she's not sorry for her actions?"
"I- I can just tell." My conversation with Bella earlier today came to mind. Marcus shook his head.
"I'm leaving soon. No one knows but the royal family and you. This is my farewell to you…" He paused, a look besides his usual morose features briefly flickered in his eyes. He almost looked hopeful. "When I return I believe that I'll see you, Amelia, Bella, and Caius being a lot happier then you all are today." With those soft words he left the room.
So that just happened.