Chapter 22-The Beginning of the End
As Edward predicted Aro didn't not question the absence of his 'beloved' Jane or Alec. Aro really did have no idea what was coming for him and the rest of the Volturi. I liked to think of it as an end of a dynasty like the fall of the Roman Empire. The repercussions were what frightened me. After the Volturi were no longer in power, what would happen? Who would replace them? Or would vampires run amuck and kill thousands of innocent people? I shuttered at the thought of that coming to pass. Edward progressively got more nervous as the day wore on. He knew that if Carlisle didn't show up with in the next few days that we would be killed. Maybe they would consume us both; Edward did have a good power too. Carlisle and the rest of the Cullens would have no one to rescue. I guess then their mission would turn into vendetta.
Edward spent most of the next day and night on the balcony; he was listening for thoughts of our rescue team. Edward began pacing the after that day. He was worried. All of a sudden he froze. He looked like a statue atop a monument. His head was leaning out onto the grounds. He whispered one name.
"Alice." He smiled. He closed his eyes to hear her thoughts better. "She can't see the future because Jake came with them, but Carlisle is planning on speaking with Aro to see if there can be an agreement, otherwise him and his um. There is no other word for it... 'Army' will enter Volterra."
"Army, of how many" Edward smile bigger at my question. "Thirty four and many have gifts so the guards won't stand a chance." He sounded so sure. I was less optimistic. I dreaded the thought of more innocent human or vampire people getting hurt over my stupid life. "It will be over tonight Bella." I couldn't argue with that. It would end one way or another. Right before sunrise Carlisle came as Edward said. Aro stood waiting for him on the steps as he passed through the gates.
"The Prodigal Friend returns." Aro said as Carlisle made his way into the doorway. Edward and I made it down stairs as Aro and Carlisle made their way into the long dining room. "I hope your here to rejoin us. Though, I get the feeling it's not."
"I am afraid I am here for my son and daughter-in-law." Carlisle said taking the seat on the opposite head of the table of Aro (Caius' usual seat).
"You are free to take your son, right now. It would hurt me to put you in discomfort." Aro said easily.
"My son cannot leave without his wife, this you know."
"I do. I also know you have a few friends waiting near by." Carlisle's face gave away nothing. "You do have a leak in your plan, friend. It would be wise to rethink it." Who would betray Carlisle? Edward could find them out if he was with them.
"We just want them." Carlisle pointed at us. "We don't want violence."
"Jane!" Aro called. I kept my face clear of anything emotion. "Alec!" Instead of Jane or Alec, Caius appeared. "I did not call for you." Aro said briskly.
"Marcus said they were still hunting." Caius said apologetically. In that moment something clicked in Aro's head. "Send for Marcus please." Caius bowed out of the room. Aro tried to remain passive but his eyes told a different story. He didn't like playing fair and he had no intention doing so. Aro stared hard at Carlisle. Carlisle looked as if he was ready for a fun round of Jeopardy. Caius entered again without Marcus.
"He too has-"
"Enough" Aro's reserve finally breaking "Call Felix, Demetri and the guards. Find Marcus. Find him and ready for an attack." 'Caius' eyes widened. "Do it!" Caius was gone before the echo died down. "Carlisle, I released you under the terms of friendship! Here you are destroying everything you and I-"
"You're tarnishing your own principles. You believe it is right to take what you want. That time is over. You and I believed in creating guidelines for vampires that would sustain us long term. When I left, it was the beginning of the end for you." Carlisle said rising to his feet. "You stopped doing what was right, for the greater good, you started doing what was right by power. I was you conscience while I was here. I-"
"Did nothing you hid here. I protected you from yourself and your gift, which I could have easily removed from you. You're the angel of death Carlisle, don't you forget it. No matter how many useless humans you save. You can take away their pathetic lives by simply touching them." Aro threw back. Carlisle was the exact opposite of me! He takes life, while I can give it. Penance he saw his job as penance for his gift. "Not all life is created equal, Carlisle. And you know that."
"That's for sure. Look at Bella, a 'worthless' human to your biggest threat in one year flat."
"What time?" Aro asked ignoring the comment. "What time will you and your friends die?"
"We will arrive at sundown if by that time you have not released Bella; this is going to be the end-"
"Of you" Aro yelled. Carlisle turned to face us. He touched Edward's cheek. It was a father son moment that I was happy to see, then Carlisle tapped my nose with his index finger and left the room. Edward was all smiles as I am sure he was hearing all Aro's worried thoughts. Edward pulled me by the hand from the room. Aro's hands were on the table and his head hung, as we left.
"Carlisle can take away life?" Edward didn't respond.
"I can't imagine if that power fell on someone else's shoulders." He said glumly, I gulped. "Aro wanted to force him to stay before, but Carlisle had the advantage and could just leave any time he wanted. Carlisle wants to help not destroy."
"Well is he like me? My power rocks my body if it isn't used." I reminded him.
"He uses it. A doctor can find many uses for killing diseases, cancer cells, or viruses like HIV. He has to be careful he can't go around curing everyone, people will get suspicious."
"He can direct his power like that?" I asked astonished. He nodded.
"He figured out he could control and use it properly here, that's when he left."
"Why didn't he just kill the influenza that was killing you, instead of turning you into a vampire?" I inquired.
"If he had killed the influenza in me there would have been nothing left to live. Sometimes people can't be cured; they are just too far gone." He then smiled slightly. "Plus he was lonely. He didn't want to be alone anymore." That moment, I saw the respect Edward had for Carlisle's decision to turn him. Edward was proud to call Carlisle his father.
Wow. Carlisle was like the yin to my yang. We balanced each other's powers. When this is over I couldn't wait to tell him.