Aurora

Disclaimer: If Carlisle and all the Volturi were mine, Carlisle would have been Catholic. :-)

Summary: A growing darkness pulls over the civilized vampire world of Volterra in the 17th century. What does Carlisle Cullen discover in this age of awakening?

Author's Note: Squee! Another review! I really hope y'all like this chapter. It's one of the ones I've been playing with since I thought up this crazy idea. I just hope I do the entire scene justice…

Chapter 25

Upon the setting of the sun, did I quick to my outfit for this evening for much did I miss of the opening ceremonies the day before. It were not the ceremonies, the pageantry, nor the games that I wished to see for those were to be repeated a thousand times in my existence and not much would change from one holiday onto the next, but it was the smile upon Bianca's face, the laughter of Dr. Gagliardo's voice, the flirting of the girls around Andrea, as well as Aro's tales he would tell, and Catty's laughter as she swirled and danced easily into the crowds. I wished to be with those I dared to call my friends and those that I even bolder still dared to call as my family for they all meant a great deal to me.

After the events of the night had proven naught, all had gone to the festivities to see the games, colors, and fireworks, for such entertainment was to be found encompassing all things that one could hardly look without finding one's eye trained upon yet another spectacle, each one more fascinating to the eyes than the past one. The only time I was not of a joyful disposition was when Caterina took it upon herself to torture Caius in what she perceived to be an amusing way. I do not think I shall ever have such images of her dancing thrust from my mind, even if I had been human, no matter how much I wished for such a blessing for it was as to see Salome dancing before Herod and the clear looks of sin upon the faces of the men gathered only made me vexed with all present. After she was done, laughing at the glaring Caius to which Aro joined in, did she take her place at my side; at which time I had spake unto her of such horrid sins but she only laughed more at me, kissed me upon the cheek and went to run off again to join in some other amusement; of this I did not let her.

The rest of the night had been filled with amusements, trivials, and the purest folly for which I was glad. Tonight, I prayed only that Caterina did not take to dancing again lest it be one of the simple country dances and not the vile Turkish dancing as she more than adequately displayed her skill at last night. There were times when I wished that Caterina had not been a courtesan as a human for no one could deny her lustful attraction but I had come to realize that to take away one element of a person was to take away the person and though I did not like the sinful aspects of my sister, I knew her not as anything else and would not want to change her from her current state.

Tonight, I met with Aro upon the balcony for last night had I joined him from this vantage to which the current court painter captured us gazing upon the chaos below. Aro had asked me to join him before intermixing with the humans in the merriment of the evening; thusly I did as he asked with much ease. Upon the balcony was but himself and two of the guard for which I was slightly befuddled for Caius and Marcus would normally accompany Aro whenever he did venture outside the library doors. "Aro?" I called out in greeting to him though I knew he had heard of my coming.

"Ah! Carlisle! How good it is to see you!" He stated as he turned and clasped his hands before him while moving as if upon wheels rather than upon his own feet towards me. "I do hope that you enjoyed last night? It was good to see the little human family of yours," he continued with a smile.

I bowed slightly, a greeting of a lesser to one of a higher class, for such habits were impossible to break though all had claimed I need not such formalities within this court. Within the court of Volterra, the Volturi had given me the honor of the court doctor though little needed my services within a court such as this except a rather extreme case such as the one of Claudio. From such cases did I learn of how our kind couldst be injured and did learn of which ways did heal for in reattaching a limb, a small amount of blood was required to ease any marks upon the body. These lessons were not ones I cared to learn other than they did help to teach me of my own kind and the further evils, as well as the good, of them.

"I did find most of the evening pleasant," I answered to which Aro chuckled. I stood and did try not to cock my brow at him for I did not comprehend what he found of amusement within my simple sentence.

"I heard of the little adventure," Aro stated with a warm smile and his hands clasped before him in such a manner as to make him look as if one of the statues of old if not for his papery skin and blood red eyes.

To his comment did I look at him curiously for no such adventure had I lest being in a house with three humans is now considered an adventure by any of our sort. Aro waved his hand at me so I might take my rest upon the seating of the balcony to which Aro did the same across from my own position. "You did not go with Caterina?" Aro asked of me.

To this I did become most still in shock for it seemed odd that Aro did not know of something so simple a fact and for this I was unsure of how to answer. If my dear sister had given him a story to which he believed, a feat that I did not think in her abilities for she would start to giggle as the person to whom the story was told would think upon it, then I did not wish to disrupt or to cause any ill humor amongst my family and friends. Believing that Caterina was incapable of lying and my own desire in which to tell the truth won out over any sin I might commit. "No, I did not. I stayed to guard the Gagliardo's in case of a return," I replied gauging Aro's expression carefully so I might warn my sister.

Aro did answer this with a slight "hmm" as well as his fingers tapping his chin in thought. After a few minutes I wished I were but a mind reader so I might know of what he did think upon and help to clear up any confusion upon this matter, but such things were not as things were. "Then, perhaps, it was her Marguerite that took with Caterina last night," Aro said suddenly, moving from his position previously into one more suited for a statue of Jove with his arms about the rests to either side. If it weren't for his smile, I might think him to be a vengeful god of old mythology.

"Perhaps," I answered in haste for my mind was too on his visage of a wrathful god of old and a small amount of fear made me believe that he might be vexed with me if I did not answer him. "I have not seen Marguerite of late," I further informed him. I did hope that none of this was information that Caterina hath not already given or was to give and I wished to speak with her greatly.

"She does seem to be out quite a bit lately," Aro chuckled clasping his hand before him. "Mayhaps I should get our dear little assassin a new lady in waiting. We can't have our lovely lady Venus without a maid to answer her door," he further teased. Of this, I was relieved for his humor was quite jovial in nature and not one to initiate fear. The fear I had felt slowly faded till I didst but hear a familiar voice echo from below within the crowd of humans and vampires alike, most unknowingly mixed by the humans' point of view.

"Carlisle? May I ask for you to join us?" Grede asked from below. Aro let out a full ringing of laughter upon seeing me wince though Grede saw it none for my face was not in full view of her given the balcony and flight betwixt us; of this I was grateful.

I turned and placed a placid smile about my face as Caterina had taught me over the years for help within the situations I would undoubtedly come across as a doctor. As I gazed down, I saw Grede and two ladies whom I didst not know for many were new for the parties associated with Carnival this time of year. "I shall be down promptly," I answered her for I knew not how to lie in cases such as this. "Tell me, have you seen Catty?" I asked and inwardly smiled when Grede's face fell for but a second at the mention of my sister. The rumors still flew that I was more lover than brother to Caterina.

"No, but mayhaps if you would not dally, then we might come across her together," Grede stated with a wave of a fan that she did not have need of for our kind did not blush. I was barely in containment of my ill humor towards her for she saw me as nothing more than a prize in which to be won and not as a man of her affections, but kept my visage as glad as I might.

"I shall be down, anon," I stated with a heavy heart but I could not think of a way out of such a situation for none did seem to present itself to me. I had wish of going to the Carnival and was to make my way there after my brief discussion with Aro so to delay would only be due to my own wants of not wishing to be in Grede's company and hoping for another's instead. Such behavior was not becoming of an Englishman and not in accordance to that of God's laws so I would instead carry this small cross and mayhaps learn that there is more to Grede than a woman that wishes for nothing more than her hand to be someone else's.

I followed my feet and made my way to Grede who greeted me enthusiastically with a kiss upon my cheek making both the other ladies in her company laugh softly for this did shock me. I could think of no reason that Grede might be so forward with me but I remained as chivalrous to her as I might for I would never wish to hurt her in any manner so I walked her to the center and awaited the beginning of the fireworks again.

I did not pay much attention to the conversation that Grede did attempt to have with me for I knew not of the latest in court gossip but only nodded and voiced any opinion when such seemed warranted. When the fireworks started I heard a sound of delight and felt her arm leave mine only to be replaced a second later with a different one. I heard Grede growl lightly before I was able to turn my head to gaze at the one that had taken her place by my side. Caterina shot Grede one of her more fearsome glares that I didst ever see and Grede immediately backed off. She looked at me longingly and I merely returned such a visage with an apologetic one for I was sorry that she felt any pain due to me thought I did not have any feelings towards her. With that casting glance, did Grede leave with her company, both of whom glared at my sister; at this did I instinctively hold her arm tighter to my side.

Caterina laughed and she looked lovely in the playful shadows of the briefly illuminated night whilst she wore another Turkish coat about her and pearls upon her head. "Do not worry for me brother. It is thee that I worry for," she whispered to me in my native English. To this I smiled for I knew love if only that of a sister to a brother, love it still was, and that plus my own love of medicine was enough for me; Grede did not have such things or she would not look for it elsewhere in the eyes of any man that hath cast a glance her way.

As the fireworks continued overhead, I took notice of Caterina's face for all laughter had ceased and no longer did her eyes seem alight with joy. It had been no more than a couple of minutes and in wonder of what could cause my sister's mood to change so rapidly, I followed her gaze and saw a man standing upon one of the city walls wearing but a gray cloak that encompassed him so wholly that I couldst not see any else; his face hidden in the shadows by a mask and his hood. All I could see was a small silver cross that hung about his neck that had but four stones of turquoise about the sides and a blood red ruby for a center, making it look most Spanish in origin and recalling that I had seen such before. I thought back quickly and realized that such a cross had belonged to the first werewolf that I didst lay my eyes upon; the one that tried to attack Lettice, the one that Caterina did save me from.

Quickly, Caterina and my own eyes met as I suddenly realized who it was that had caused all joy from her face to leave and be replaced with worry. From the side, I couldst make out another gray cloak, whom did seem to stop and talk to the first one upon the wall. "Carlisle," Catty whispered to me in worry but her eyes told me all I need to know for it was clear she wanted me to run. I barely took any notice as I thought I saw Caterina nod to the gray cloaked figures, given that Bianca had thrown her arms around me at that moment.

"Carlisle! Caterina! I am so glad that you are here," she stated with such happiness that I did not recognize it for what reason was there for such joy when it was clear that tonight be the night in which the werewolves of Anna wouldst attack? I looked to the young girl in my arms and held her protectively against me, now fearful of what may become of her. Immediately, the girl recognized our moods and struggled to catch a glance of what she may in my arms.

"What is it? Is the witch back?" Bianca whispered so softly that a human would not have heard it in the jovial uproar of the crowd. She held tighter to me in fear, for such was a natural response for her in regards to the greater threat of Anna, and I did gently brush back her hair. Andrea came upon us and saw the sight before him, forcing the smile from his lips without a second hesitation, for he knew that not all was well. Before he couldst voice his questions, Caterina moved towards him so he might hear her words.

"Take your sister to the house and do not open the door unless it is myself or Carlisle, do you understand?" Catty stated in the manner of a soldier giving an order but Andrea nodded in understanding whilst reaching for his sister. Begrudgingly didst I hand over Bianca to her brother for in what Catty had stated did she imply that I was not to go with them and I was to stay with her for the moment at least? Andrea took his sister and my heart crumbled at the sight of a tear in Bianca's eye as they did whisk their way through the crowd in the direction of their home.

Caterina turned towards me, the lights of the torches around the walls to help illuminate the walks so that the humans might see their steps glittering off her bejeweled head and making her look like Artemis in her current state rather than the goddess of love; for hers was a face of war. "I wish for you to go to Caius. Tell him that the wolves are about to attack," Catty stated. I looked to the wall and saw the gray cloaked figures no more. Caterina took my chin in her hand to force myself to see her face so she might know what she could in my eyes. "Go, now," she said softly but firmly to me that had been so easily distracted.

I did not wait for more but took to the castle at a quick human speed, to frightful of breaking any rules despite the danger that might be coming for I did not wish to cause any unneeded alarm if we might get the humans out of the way unknowingly; for I did recall that Caterina stated the wolves only wished to attack the Volturi and not hurt the humans. To this I was grateful for though I loathed the idea of my friends in pain, the humans should not be harmed in wars betwixt the supernatural.

It was but a minute till I was safe in the castle walls and went to find Caius so I might deliver the message to him. As I passed by the open doors of Aro's library, I could already hear the screams from outside for such a fight had already started in the minute it took me to get to such point. No longer did I fear of revealing my nature, for as I ran now to the balcony in which to oversea such chaos I did see many of my own kind, including that of the guard, showing their natures in a fight betwixt vampire and werewolf.

From the balcony did I jump into the chaos below for I would defend what I could and only wished to make it to my sister and defend her as well as get as many of the humans to safety, out from the plaza, as was possible. The second part of my thought quickly took precedence for the humans were weaker and knew not of what to make of such monsters as their eyes did behold.

To a pathway, did I make it, and find a family, frightened as they were, hiding from the vicious fighting going on behind myself. I tentatively allowed a hand to reach for them "Come," I begged of the family of five that was too close to the plaza for I did not wish for any to come to harm. The father of family stood up to me and swung a piece of a wooden beam at my head to which the beam only shattered and the father's eyes filled with fear. "Please, you must leave. If you would follow me," I pleaded with him.

An arm flew through the air and fell next to the father and my own feet for both of us glanced at it as the arm, of which did clearly belong to my kind, began to crawl back to the center of the fighting. The father's eyes became wider and nodded to me as he took in the scene behind me. He ushered his wife, who held their youngest at her breast, as well as his two older children out. I pulled the eldest child, not more than six years of age, into my arms as the father carried the middle child with one arm and held his wife with the other. I pushed the family through the edges of the plaza, earning myself a scratch or two upon my back as I shielded them as best I could. The venom that the werewolves carry in their claws is slow to act and might make one feel as if tired but for now did I ignore such symptoms for it was the venom in the teeth that were of concern from what I understood of such things.

I pulled the family into another street and carried the eldest child easily towards the only home I knew, that of the Gagliardo's. "Open. Tis Carlisle," I shouted as I knocked on the door. I put the eldest child down and returned him to his mother and father for his mother wept upon her husband's shoulder but the father looked upon me with apprehensive thankfulness.

The door swung open and Bianca threw her arms about me again, weeping as she did so. Dr. Gagliardo stood behind her and nodded to me, relief clear upon his face, before turning his attention to that of the family now behind me. "Come," he ushered the family inside to which they did so quickly for they knew to fear me if my human family did not. Dr. Gagliardo looked upon me with kind eyes, only once glancing to his daughter who's tears soaked the front of my shirt though I cared not for such things but only was gladdened to have Bianca were she was safe. However, I knew this not to be the case for all and knew I needed to get back to the plaza so I might help others to safety.

Placing my hands upon young Bianca's shoulders, gently I pushed her back to distance myself from the girl's tight hold upon my form. She gazed upon me with her tear stained cheeks, her eyes glistening with her unshed tears before slowly dropping her arms and running to her father's awaiting ones. Silently did Dr. Gagliardo nod to me as I bowed to him before he shut the door and locking monsters such as me out of the house that held the humans in some safety.

I ran at my speed to the plaza, arriving in far less than a quarter of a minute the place where the fighting still carried on. I saw wolves tearing into the flesh of my fellow vampires and my ears did hear the sounds of which were like two pieces of metal scarping against each other for such was the sound of the tearing of vampire flesh. I couldst smell the blood of humans wasted but the smell of werewolf blood intermixed with it caused only revolution and not the bloodlust to settled within me for it smelt tainted with the raw silk or wet dog smell of the werewolves. I only kept breathing do to the discomfort that not breathing hath caused me in the past given than not smelling about me is to cut off a sense that I have come to highly regard.

Before my eyes were bits of fur and streaks of white for both werewolf and vampire seemed to be all that was left. As I didst turn my head to scan for any I might know, for any that may need assistance in this unlinding battle, I saw two golden eyes start back into my own thought the face was covered with a mass of fur. I heard the wolf growl as he gazed upon my visage and I did take a step back as was my nature at the time before he jumped towards me with the grace of an animal but the strategy that only a man couldst bring to bare.

Quickly did I move to the side, my shoulder to a nearby wall for I had little wish to fight if such could be avoided and only had a mind of which to help any of my fallen kind as well as to keep to the hope that my sister was not among them. The last part was only a thought that had briefly entered my mind upon seeing the damage and destruction within the plaza and the bits of white flesh that lay intermingled with the pools of tainted blood; for what if such flesh had been my dearest sister's? I quickly banished such thoughts from my mind and held that she was a far superior fighter to any that I hath seen; for in such thoughts I couldst have faith that she was well. Despite this faith, did I still pray to God to keep her.

The werewolf had gracefully landed upon his feet as if a dancer upon the stage before turning his eyes back to those of mine. I only became defensive, not wishing to hurt the mad creature but also not wishing to become hurt myself for lack of fighting. He sprang at me as if made like a child's toy and though I tried to move quickly, he did manage to take at my shoulder as his claws cut through my justacorps and linen shirt to pierce my stone like skin. He did not seemed to be stunned by having jumped and hitting his head upon the wall at such speeds for which I was amazed and believed it to be a sign of such insanity for he did not acknowledge his pain thought the wall was clearly impacted by him.

The wolf growled at me again to which I answered with my own, allowing my true nature to take me for at least a small bit of time for here in the heat of the battle, little else could there be done. Again did he jump and again I moved, for such a dance did occur many times over until I realized that we had gotten far from the battle's main grounds and now both stood upon a deserted street with lights quickly being blown out in windows given that the humans hath heard our coming through our many growls and crashes. The werewolf began to change his tactics now, so far from the battle field, and circled me with his eyes never leaving my own. This time as he jumped he made sure to jump in such a manner that he was too close for me to move fully out of the way but also might twist his body so as he grab my flesh with his teeth. Knowing that he would get more than a few scratches from me this time, I watched as his face became that of a most evil grin, too stunned by his change in tactics as well as his venom working through my scratches, I had not moved.

Rather, had I prepared myself for an impact and for some pain to accompany his teeth tearing into my flesh though neither didst happen. Instead, I saw another grey blur, one of a fluid dark grey that knocked the werewolf I had been attacking to the ground with such ease that I knew not of what to think in that moment; for why would another werewolf attack one that had been battling with a vampire? As I watched the dark grey werewolf carefully circle his fallen comrade, I heard his growl lowly at the creature that was now badly injured. My instincts took over for a I saw a sentient creature in need of help and not an enemy in that moment and to the werewolf I had been battling's side did I kneel. The werewolf, whose ribs were clearly broken and was now bleeding of his most likely mortal wounds snapped at me to which I jumped back. The dark gray did seem to laugh at me though I knew not what else to call such sounds and it was in that moment that I recognized him for I saw the silver cross about his neck. I looked to him in shock and wonder for what reason hath he to save me from his own kind?

It was then I put some of the things over the years that had happened to me in any realm concerning werewolves together , for Caterina had mentioned, once she was sure of my mental silence to Aro, that she had a contact within the Children of the Moon who only wished for peace as much as I did betwixt all supernatural creatures, and did not find this war to be of any help to any at all when the cause of it was mostly forgotten. The dark gray had been growling at Lettice and Caterina stepped in to which he obeyed her silent orders, not running in fear of such a number of vampires as I had previously believed; he was also one of the ones I smelled in the forest so many years ago when I had hunted and came across two rapid werewolves, for he had been the one I smelt first before running into the other two; and it was he that gave Caterina the warning this night of the impeding attack upon Volterra. It was this dark gray that hath saved me.

To this I bowed my head and took notice that the werewolf I had been battling was struggling with his last breaths. "Grazie," I wished to the dark gray for I knew not what languages, if any in his current state, he might know so the Italian seemed appropriate enough for the time. All was quiet as the werewolf breathed his last, for none dared to make much sound. I silently prayed to God that his soul might be received by him for it was only his nature that governed him and not his head within such sin. As I concluded my silent prayers, I felt the dark gray push me with his nose to which caused me to look up. At this, he gestured to the night sky, yet further away from the battlefield and towards the city gates. I nodded to him and took my leave with but one more thank you escaping my lips for not enough thanks could be given for his help this night. And to the city gates did I run.

Author's Note: First, apologies on this taking so LONG. I had Costume Con this past weekend (fun!) so I was super busy. Second, I was going to make this one very very long chapter but I decided on two long chapters instead. The next part will be interesting. I wanted it all as one chapter but I'm getting well over 5,000 words here and I don't think people want to read 12,000 in one setting….especially not in pseudo 17th c English! :-)